Patent ID: 6643534
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A method of MR imaging peripheral vasculature of a patient comprising the steps of:defining a given number of scan stations, each scan station positioned along a patient's peripheral vasculature; initially injecting a relatively small amount of contrast agent into a patient to pass a test bolus through the patient's peripheral vasculature; adjusting the patient with respect to an MR imaging device to position the patient such that a desired scan station is within a field of view of the MR imaging device based on the passage of the test bolus; determining an actual travel time that the test bolus takes to travel through each of the given number of scan stations; injecting additional contrast agent into the patient to pass an exam bolus through the patient's peripheral vasculature; and using the actual test bolus travel time to pursue the passage of the exam bolus through the patient's peripheral vasculature.