System Scan Timing by Ultrasound Contrast Agent Study
AssigneesSiemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorsPatrick Gross, Caroline Maleke, Stephen J. Hsu, Chi-Yin Lee, Jerry Hopple, Xiaozheng Jenny Zeng
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Scan timing of contrast agent study is provided. Ultrasound is used to determine timing of contrast agent inflow and/or outflow. The timing based on the ultrasound scanning controls scanning for MR or CT imaging. The MR or CT contrast agent imaging for MR or CT contrast agents may be synchronized using the ultrasound contrast agent flow.
Claims22
A method for scan timing, the method comprising:
- scanning a first region of a patient with ultrasound;
- detecting, from the scanning, ultrasound contrast agents in the first region;
- determining a timing of the detection of the ultrasound contrast agents in the first region;
- scanning the first region or a second region of the patient with a magnetic resonance or computed tomography system;
- and
- triggering the scanning with the magnetic resonance or computed tomography system based on the timing.
A system for scan timing, the system comprising:
- an ultrasound scanner configured to monitor first contrast agents in a patient;
- an imaging system other than the ultrasound scanner, the imaging system configured to monitor second contrast agents in the patient;
- and
- an interface between the ultrasound scanner and the imaging system, the imaging system configured to time acquisition of data representing the second contrast agents, the timing of the acquisition being a function of data representing the first contrast agents from the ultrasound scanner.
In a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for contrast agent imaging, the storage medium comprising instructions for:
- timing acquisition of a magnetic resonance or computer tomography contrast agent image, the timing based on contrast agents detected with ultrasound;
- and
- acquiring the contrast agent image in response to the timing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.