Method for acquiring MRI data from a large field of view using continuous table motion
AssigneeMayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
InventorsDavid G. Kruger, Stephen J. Riederer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
MRA data is acquired from a large region of interest by translating the patient through the bore of the MRI system as a three-dimensional MRA data set are acquired. Patient table movement is controlled to track a bolus of contrast agent as it passes through the region of interest. Fluoroscopic images may be acquired during the scan to enable accurate bolus tracking. A seamless image of the entire region of interest is reconstructed.
Claims21
In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a defined field of view (FOV), a method for producing an image of a subject over an extended field of view (FOVtot) which is larger than the FOV, the steps comprising:
- a) moving the subject through the MRI system such that the extended field of view (FOVtot) passes through the defined field of view (FOV);
- b) continuously acquire NMR data from the subject as it is moved through the FOV by repeatedly performing an imaging pulse sequence which acquires NMR data comprising a view of the subject;
- c) adjusting each view acquired in step b) using subject position information;
- d) storing each adjusted view in a data matrix;
- and
- e) reconstructing an image using the data matrix.
In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the improvement comprising:
- a) a table for supporting a subject and for moving the subject through a defined field of view (FOV) of the MRI system;
- b) a pulse generator for operating the MRI system under the direction of a pulse sequence to continuously acquire a series of NMR data views of the subject as the subject is moved through the FOV;
- c) means for adjusting each acquired view as a function of subject location at the time the view is acquired with respect to a reference subject location;
- d) a memory for storing the adjusted views as a data matrix;
- and
- e) means for reconstructing an image from data in the data matrix which has a field of view in the direction of table motion which is larger than the defined FOV.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.