Magnetic resonance method and apparatus for classifying an atheroma
US7328056B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A90/10
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a method and apparatus for classifying plaque in a blood vessel of a living subject using magnetic resonance imaging, a first magnetic resonance image is produced with a first intensity distribution of a cross-section of a vessel containing plaque, and a contrast agent is injected into the vascular system and a second magnetic resonance image of the cross-section of the vessel is produced with a second intensity distribution after a first time duration following the contrast agent injection, and a third magnetic resonance image of the cross-section of the vessel is produced with a third intensity distribution after a second time duration following the injection of the contrast agent, and the plaque is classified dependent on the respective intensity distributions of the magnetic resonance images.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.