Patent ID: 6397097
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
A method for tracking a contrast agent in an examination subject, comprising the steps of:disposing an examination subject in a medical imaging apparatus; injecting a test bolus of a contrast agent into said examination subject; subsequently injecting a liquid into said examination subject which is free of contrast agent; subsequently injecting a main bolus of contrast agent into said examination subject at a predetermined time interval &Dgr;ti following injection of said test bolus so that said test bolus, said liquid and said main bolus are injected in immediate succession; monitoring an arrival of said test bolus within an observation volume of said examination subject by periodically and repeatedly obtaining survey images of said observation volume of said examination subject using said medical imaging apparatus; and subsequent to identifying the arrival of said test bolus in said observation volume, beginning data acquisition for a diagnostic image of said examination subject using said medical imaging apparatus for a time interval &Dgr;tm, and selecting &Dgr;tm dependent on said predetermined time interval &Dgr;ti.