Method And System For MRI Detection Of Abnormal Blood Flow
Description of Invention:
The present invention disclosure describes a magnetic resonance imaging system and method for detecting blood flow abnormalities. This is accomplished by determining the time delay for the arrival of a bolus of MR contrast agent into a localized region of tissue. This arrival is observed in a series of magnetic resonance signals obtained subsequent to the bolus injection. A rapid series of imaging pulse sequences acquires the time development of the signal from the localized regions within the imaged field of view of the body. The arrival time for the bolus into a given localized region is determined from the acquired time data, and the relative arrival time among regions in the imaged field of view indicated whether there is decreased blood flow to certain areas. This method and system has the potential to replace some of the invasive procedures now in use to determine blood flow through certain body tissues.
Inventors:
CT Moonen (NCRR) J Duyn (NCRR) P van Gelderen (NCRR)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-188-1994/0 --
U.S. Patent 5,685,305 issued 11 Nov 1997
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michael Shmilovich J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5019
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
