US 7,412,279 B2 · Systems and methods for targeted magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system

Abstract

This invention relates to MRI-based methods and systems useful for diagnosing and clinically assessing the presence, location, and size of cardiovascular disease-associated stationary targets, e.g., thrombi and atherosclerotic lesions, within the vascular system. Methods and systems of the invention allow for improved anatomical information to be obtained from MRI images and allow the clinician to develop more effective treatment plans. In one aspect, the invention provides a method of determining the presence or absence of a stationary target within the vascular system of a mammal wherein two MRI data sets representing images of the vascular system and the stationary target are acquired after administration of a targeted MRI contrast agent. In another embodiment, both a targeted MRI contrast agent and a vascular MRI contrast agent are administered to a mammal, and both a vascular MRI and a targeted MRI data set are acquired.

Claims71

Dependent claims

A method of determining the presence or absence of a thrombus, an atherosclerotic plaque, an atherosclerotic lesion, a tumor, or a thromboembolism within a vascular system of a mammal comprising:

a) administering a targeted MRI contrast agent to the mammal, the targeted MRI contrast agent having a specific affinity for the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism, and the targeted MRI contrast agent further capable of providing contrast enhancement of the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism and the vascular system of the mammal;
b) acquiring a first MRI data set comprising an image of the vascular system;
and
c) acquiring a second MRI data set, the second MRI data set acquired at a time appropriate to provide an observable level of contrast enhancement of the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism, if present, relative to background blood and tissue enhancement;
wherein the targeted MRI contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of:

2 more elements

A method of determining the presence or absence of a thrombus, an atherosclerotic plaque, an atherosclerotic lesion, a tumor, or a thromboembolism within a vascular system of a mammal comprising:

a) administering a targeted MRI contrast agent to the mammal, the targeted contrast agent having a specific affinity for the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism and the targeted contrast agent capable of providing contrast enhancement of the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism;
b) administering a vascular MRI contrast agent to the mammal, the vascular contrast agent capable of providing contrast enhancement of the vascular system of the mammal;
c) acquiring a vascular MRI data set comprising an image of the vascular system;
and
d) acquiring a targeted MRI data set, the targeted data set acquired at a time appropriate to provide an observable level of contrast enhancement of the thrombus, the atherosclerotic plaque, the atherosclerotic lesion, the tumor, or the thromboembolism, if present, relative to background blood and tissue enhancement;
wherein the targeted MRI contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of:

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for targeted magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for targeted magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims71