Patent ID: 6690961
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:an MRI device including an imaging volume, a magnetic field generator for applying a static magnetic field B0 to the imaging volume, gradient coils for applying gradient pulses to the imaging volume, and radio frequency (RF) coils for applying RF pulses to the imaging volume and to detect nuclear magnetic resonance RF signals from a body within the imaging volume, and a controller for the MRI device for generating control signals to the gradient coils and radio frequency (RF) coils, and for analyzing the detected RF signals, wherein the controller includes control commands stored in a memory associated with the controller for operating the MRI device, the control commands include commands to operate the MRI device in a diagnostic MR imaging mode and in a fluoro-imaging mode, and the controller further includes: a diagnostic-to-fluoro mode transition command to switch the MRI device from diagnostic MR imaging mode to fluoro-imaging mode by automatically applying preprogrammed fluoro-imaging mode parameters comprising diagnostic MR imaging mode parameters modified to effect fluoro-imaging mode, manual operator activated controls for adjusting any of said diagnostic MR imaging mode pameters modified to effect fluoro-imaging mode to obtain enhanced images, and a fluoro-to-diagnostic mode transition command to switch the MRI device from fluoro-imaging mode to diagnostic MR imaging mode by automatically applying the diagnostic MR imaging mode parameters that were automtical modified during fluoro-imaging mode and any of the diagnostic MR imaging mode parameters which were modified by the manual operator activated controls.