Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method comprising:

• receiving first MR imaging data that includes data representing a three-dimensional image of a heart;
• detecting data representing a characteristic anatomic portion of the heart included in the first MR imaging data;
• acquiring the first imaging data so as to include the heart and a plurality of cross-sectional two-dimensional images that are parallel to each other,
• detecting a first axis relating to the heart from the first imaging data,
• generating a first generated image from the first imaging data, on a plane containing the first axis, and detecting a second axis relating to the heart from the acquired first imaging data based on the first generated image, when resolution of the first generated image is higher than a predetermined resolution;
• determining a plane to be scanned by said MRI system to acquire further imaging data, based on a position of the second axis relating to the heart;
• performing a further MRI scan with the MRI system acquiring second MR imaging data in the plane;
• and
• displaying the second imaging data superimposed with the second axis detected from the first imaging data.

A non-transitory program stored in a computer-readable medium, said program, when executed by at least one computer coupled to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, causes said at least one computer to:

• receive first MR imaging data that includes data representing a three-dimension image of a heart;
• detect data representing a characteristic anatomic portion of the heart included in the first MR imaging data;
• acquire the first imaging data so as to include the heart and a plurality of cross-sectional two-dimensional images that are parallel to each other;
• detect a first axis relating to the heart from the first imaging data;
• generate a first generated image from the first imaging data, on a plane containing the first axis and detect a second axis relating to the heart from the acquired first imaging data based on the first generated image, when resolution of the first generated image is higher than a predetermined resolution;
• determine a plane to be scanned by said MRI system, based on a position of the second axis relating to the heart;
• control said MRI system to perform a further MRI scan in the plane and acquire second imaging data in the plane;
• and
• display the second imaging data superimposed with the second axis detected from the first imaging data.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus comprising:

• (a) an MRI system configured to acquire MR images;
• (b) at least one data processor;
• (c) a memory storing processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one data processor, cause the at least one data processor to:
• (i) receive from said MRI system first MR imaging data that includes data representing a three-dimensional image of a heart;
• (ii) detect data representing a characteristic anatomic portion of the heart included in the first MR imaging data, wherein the processor-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to
• acquire the first imaging data so as to include the heart and a plurality of cross-sectional two-dimensional images that are parallel to each other;
• detect a first axis relating to the heart from the first imaging data;
• generate a first generated image from the first imaging data, on a plane containing the first axis and detect a second axis relating to the heart from the acquired first imaging data based on the first generated image, when resolution of the first generated image is higher than a predetermined resolution;
• (iii) determine a plane to be scanned by said MRI system and acquire further imaging data, based on a position of the second axis relating to the heart;
• (iv) cause said MRI system to perform a further MRI scan and acquire second imaging data in the plane;
• and
• (c) a display configured to display the second imaging data superimposed with the second axis
• detected from the first imaging data.