System for magnetic resonance imaging of arteries using a magnetic resonance contrast agent

Abstract: The present invention is a technique and apparatus for monitoring and detecting the arrival of a contrast agent in a region of interest (e.g., an artery or tissues of interest). In one embodiment, upon detecting a maximum, substantially elevated or elevated concentration of contrast agent in the region of interest, a predetermined portion of the magnetic resonance image data (e.g., data which is representative of the center of k-space) may be acquired. Thus, the present invention may be employed to facilitate synchronization between collecting the central portion of k-space image data with the arterial phase of contrast enhancement.

Description: This invention relates to a system for use in, magnetic resonance imaging; and more particularly, to contrast agent enhanced magnetic resonance angiography for examining, detecting and diagnosing arterial diseases and injuries. Arterial diseases and injuries are common and often have severe consequences including death. Imaging arteries serves to detect and characterize arterial disease before these consequences occur as well as defining anatomic features to assist in performing surgery for aneurysmal disease. A conventional method of arterial imaging includes inserting a catheter into the artery of interest (the artery under study) and injecting radiographic contrast, for example, an iodinated contrast, while taking radiographs of the artery. Radiographs are commonly referred to as X-rays. In this technique, the contrast remains in the arteries for a few seconds during which the arteries appear distinct from both the veins and background tissue in the radiographs. Although a catheter-based contrast arteriography technique generally provides high quality arterial images, there is a risk of arterial injury or damage by the catheter and its insertion. There may be thrombosis, dissection, embolization, perforation or other injury to the artery itself. Furthermore, such a technique may result in a stroke, loss of a limb, infarction or other injury to the tissue supplied by the artery. In addition, hemorrhage at the catheter insertion or perforation sites may require blood transfusions. Moreover, kidney failure and brain injury may result from the toxic effects of the X-ray contrast. More recent techniques of arterial imaging are based upon detecting the motion of the blood within the arteries and/or veins. These techniques involve employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to image moving blood distinct from stationary background tissues, see Potchen, et al., eds., "Magnetic Resonance Angiography/Concepts and Applications", Mosby, St. Louis, 1993. Such techniques do not necessitate catheter insertion into the artery. These techniques are commonly known as 2D time-of-flight, 3D time- of-flight, MOTSA, magnitude contrast, phase contrast, and spin echo black blood imaging. With pre-saturation pulses it is possible to primarily image blood flowing in one direction. Since arteries and veins generally flow in opposite directions, these pre-saturation pulses allow preferential visualization of the arteries or the veins. Because these techniques depend upon blood motion, the images are degraded in patients who have arterial diseases which decrease or disturb normal blood flow. Such types of arterial diseases that decrease or disturb normal blood flow include aneurysms, arterial stenoses, arterial occlusions, low cardiac output and others. The resulting lack of normal blood flow is particularly problematic because it is those patients with disturbed blood flow in whom it is most important to acquire good quality arterial images. A related MRI technique relies on differences in the proton relaxation properties between blood and background tissues, see Marchal, et al., in Potchen, et al., eds., pp. 305-322 This technique does not depend upon steady blood in-flow. Instead, this MRI technique involves directly imaging the arteries after administering a paramagnetic contrast agent. Here, after administering the contrast agent, it is possible to image arteries directly based upon the blood relaxation properties. This technique overcomes many of the flow related problems associated with MRI techniques which depend upon blood motion. Several experts have performed magnetic resonance arterial imaging using intravenous injection of gadolinium chelates (paramagnetic contrast agents). These experts have reported their results and conclusions. In short, these results have been disappointing and, as a result, the use of gadolinium for imaging arteries has not been adopted or embraced as a viable arterial imaging technique. The images using this technique are difficult to interpret because the gadolinium tends to enhance both the arteries and the veins. Since the arteries and veins are closely intertwined, it is extremely difficult to adequately evaluate the arteries when the veins are visible. Further, the difficulty in interpretation is exacerbated as a result of contrast leakage into the background tissues. However, MRI has evolved over the past decade to become an accepted technique to image the abdominal aorta and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging for vascular imaging, known as magnetic resonance angiography, have enabled the additional evaluation of aortic branch vessels. However, limitations in magnetic resonance angiography imaging of the slow, swirling flow within aneurysms, turbulent flow in stenoses, and tortuous iliac arteries have limited the usefulness of these general studies in providing detailed information necessary for preoperative planning. In spite of these limitations, recent developments in gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography have overcome several of the imaging problems, see Debatin et al., "Renal magnetic resonance angiography in the preoperative detection of supernumerary renal arteries in potential kidney donors", Invest. Radiol. 1993;28:882-889; Prince et al., "Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional abdominal MR arteriography", JMRI 1993;3:877-881; and Prince, "Gadolinium-Enhanced MR Aortography", Radiology 1994;191(1) 155-64. There exists a need for an improved system of magnetic resonance angiography which provides an image of the arteries distinct from the veins and which overcomes the limitations of other techniques. The applicant and inventor of the present application, Dr. Martin Prince, in: Radiology, Vol. 197, No.3, page 785-792, December 1995, "Breath-hold Gadolinium-enhanced MR Agiography of the Abdominal Aorta and its Major Branches" describes the improvement of MR images by breath holding of the patients. In this paper Dr. Prince also proposes to develop a pulse sequence that could depict the arrival of the bolus of contrast material in the arteries of interest in order to precisely estimate the imaging delay and to complete the injection of contrast material in a specific time frame. According to the present invention a system for imaging an artery in a region of interest in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging and a magnetic resonance contrast agent is defined by the attached claims. The artery is monitored after administering the contrast agent to the patient to detect the arrival of the contrast agent in the artery. The arrival of the contrast is indicated by detecting a change in the response of the artery to a series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses. This change in the response may be a change in a maximum amplitude of a responsive RF signal or a change in the shape of an envelope of a responsive RF signal. Image data which is representative of the center of k-space is collected at the beginning of an imaging sequence and while the concentration of the contrast agent in the artery is substantially elevated. In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance contrast agent is administered to the patient by bolus type injection. Under this circumstance, image data which is representative of the center of k-space is collected at the beginning of a 3D imaging sequence. A high level of arterial contrast permits directly imaging the arterial lumen, analogous to conventional arteriography. In short, the present invention is, in comparison or relative to other techniques, a system of magnetic resonance angiography which combines several of the advantages of catheter-based contrast arteriography with the advantages of magnetic resonance imaging while substantially eliminating the disadvantages of each. BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of the detailed description of preferred embodiments to follow, reference will be made to the attached drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of blood as a function of injection imaging time and total paramagnetic contrast dose for a compound with a relaxivity of about 4.5/millimolar-second; FIGURE 2 illustrates calculated magnetic resonance signal intensity as a function of flip angle for 5 different longitudinal relaxation times (T1) assuming a spoiled, 3D volume acquisition with TR equal to 25 msec and TE<<T2*; FIGURES 3, 4, 5A and 5B, and 6A-C are block diagram representations of mechanical infusion devices and configurations; FIGURE 7 is a block diagram representation of a manual injection configuration; FIGURES 8A-C illustrate typical coronal maximum intensity projection (MIP) collapse images obtained (FIGURE 8A) prior to injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, (FIGURE 8B) dynamically during intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, 0.2 millimoles/kilogram over 5 minutes, and (FIGURE 8C) immediately following injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine; FIGURE 9 illustrates region of interest analysis averaged for three patients who had pre-infusion, dynamic infusion, immediate post infusion and delayed 3D FT imaging. This figure shows that there is a short window, during contrast infusion, when the aorta signal intensity (solid squares) is higher than that of the IVC (open squares) and background tissues, fat (diamonds) and muscle (triangles); FIGURE 10A is an illustrative example of a magnetic resonance image of a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The magnetic resonance angiography ("MRA") depicts the aneurysmal aorta and aneurysmal common iliac arteries as well as severe stenoses of the right external iliac (curved arrow) and inferior mesenteric (straight arrow) arteries and a mild stenosis of the left common iliac artery; FIGURE 10B illustrates a digital subtraction angiogram of the aneurysmal aorta and aneurysmal common iliac arteries as well as severe stenoses of the right external iliac (curved arrow) and inferior mesenteric (straight arrow) arteries and a mild stenosis of the left common iliac artery of FIGURE 10A; FIGURE 11 is a block diagram representation of one embodiment of the present invention (imaging system, infusion system and detection system); FIGURE 12 is a detailed block diagram representation of one embodiment of the detection system in conjunction with the imaging system and the infusion system; FIGURE 13A is an illustration of the appendage cushions in relation to a patient and in conjunction with a portion of the infusion system; and FIGURE 13B is a cross-sectional view of the appendage cushions of FIGURE 13A taken along line a-a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The system of the present invention is based on a technique for providing preferential enhancement of arteries relative to adjacent veins and background tissue by correlating the collection of a predetermined portion of data of a magnetic resonance contrast image with the arterial phase of the magnetic resonance contrast enhancement. The arterial phase of the contrast enhancement may be described as a period of a maximum, elevated, and/or substantially elevated contrast concentration in the artery (arteries) relative to adjacent veins. The arterial phase of contrast enhancement may also be described as a period during which the concentration of contrast agent in the artery of the region of interest is about a factor of two greater than a base line or pre-injection response from the region of interest ( i.e. , the response of the region of interest to a series of magnetic resonance pulses prior to administration of a magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient). The technique synchronizes the collection of the central portion of k-space image data with the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. The present invention includes a detection system, and a magnetic resonance imaging system. The detection system monitors and detects the relative concentration of magnetic resonance contrast agent in the region of interest (artery and tissues in a region of interest). The imaging system collects image data which is used in generating a magnetic resonance image of the region of interest. The imaging system may be any suitable magnetic resonance imaging system. Finally, an infusion system administers the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient in a controlled manner. Briefly, by way of overview, the detection system facilitates precise synchronization between the collection of the central portion of k-space image data and a portion of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. Here, the detection system compares the response of a region of interest before the administration of magnetic resonance contrast agent ( e.g. , gadolinium) to the patient to the response of the region of interest during and/or after administration of the contrast agent. When a characteristic change in the response to the magnetic resonance pulse is measured by the detection system, the imaging system collects the data representative of the center of k-space. In particular, prior to administration of a magnetic resonance contrast agent, the imaging system applies a series of magnetic resonance pulses (radio frequency pulses) to a region of interest in the patient. The detection system measures or determines a base line or pre-contrast response of the region of interest (artery and/or tissues in the region of interest) to that series of pulses. The series of magnetic resonance pulses are applied to the patient to tip the longitudinal magnetization of protons in the region of interest and measure the response of the region of interest before administration of the contrast agent to the patient. The response signal (in the radio frequency range) from the region of interest is monitored using a variety of coils of the magnetic resonance imaging system and measured by the detection system. After the base line or pre-contrast response is measured, the contrast agent may be administered to the patient. Thereafter, the detection system measures (continuously, or periodically) the response from the region of interest to detect the "arrival" of the contrast agent in the region of interest. In this regard, the imaging system applies a series of magnetic resonance pulses and the detection system evaluates the response from the region of interest. When contrast agent "arrives" in the region of interest (artery or arteries of interest), the detection system detects a characteristic change in the response from the region of interest to the magnetic resonance pulses; that is, the detection system identifies a characteristic change in the radio frequency signal emitted from the region of interest. This characteristic change in radio frequency signal from the region of interest indicates that the contrast agent has "arrived" in the artery/arteries in that region. In those instances where the injection of the contrast agent is of a bolus type ( i.e. , rapid injection), the characteristic change in the response to the magnetic resonance pulses may indicate that the region of interest is in or is "entering" the arterial phase of the magnetic resonance contrast enhancement. Where the contrast agent is injected over a substantial portion of the imaging sequence, detecting the arrival of the contrast agent may indicate that the region of interest is entering the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. The detection system, upon sensing the region of interest is in the arterial phase of contrast enhancement ( e.g. , the contrast concentration in the artery is greater than that in the surrounding tissues), instructs the magnetic resonance imaging system to initiate acquisition of the data representative of the center of k-space. The concentration of the contrast in the region of interest may be detected in a number of different ways including, for example, a change in the shape of the responsive radio frequency signal, a change in the shape of the signal envelope and/or a change in its amplitude. In another embodiment, an operator may observe a change in the shape of the radio frequency signal envelop and/or a change in its amplitude measured by the detection system. In response, the operator may instruct the imaging system to initiate an imaging sequence including collecting the central portion of k-space image data by the magnetic resonance imaging system. In this embodiment, the operator monitors the detection system to observe the characteristic change in the response from the region of interest to the plurality of pulses from the imaging system; and, upon observing such a change, the operator may engage the imaging system to begin collecting image data of the predetermined imaging sequence. The data which is representative of the center of k-space is the low spatial frequency MR image data. Under the circumstances where the detection system (or operator) instructs the imaging system to collect image data which is representative of the center of k-space upon detecting the start of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement, the magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence is arranged such that the central portion of k-space data is collected in the beginning of the sequence and the periphery of k-space is collected thereafter. This provides proper synchronization between the arterial phase of contrast enhancement and the collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space. Moreover, arranging the sequence such that the central portion of k-space data is collected in the beginning of the sequence insures that a sufficient amount of data which is representative of the center of k-space is collected during the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. In those instances where the arterial phase is "long", there may be time to collect the entire image data set during the arterial phase. However, in those instances where the arterial phase is brief, collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space is synchronized with the period of a maximum, substantially elevated, or an elevated contrast concentration in the artery/arteries of interest relative to adjacent veins. In one embodiment, the monitoring and detecting functions of the detection system and imaging system of the present invention may be deferred until the contrast agent is expected in the region of interest. In this regard, the application of the detection pulses (by the imaging system) employed to detect/monitor the "arrival" of the contrast agent to the region of interest, may be delayed according to the time delay expected between the infusion of the contrast to when the contrast "enters" the artery of interest. This will confine the use of the detection system and the magnetic resonance imaging system to those instances when the contrast agent is expected in the region of interest or when a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated contrast agent concentration is anticipated. This may be useful when patients need to hold their breath for the entire period of detection and monitoring. The present invention is well suited for collecting image data for imaging an artery, including the aorta. In this regard, as described and illustrated at length in the related applications indicated above, correlating a maximum, elevated and/or substantially elevated contrast concentration in the artery of interest with the collection of image data representative of the center of k-space enhances the image of that artery. The present invention allows for accurately detecting a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated contrast concentration in the artery of interest relative to surrounding tissues. This facilitates proper correlation between the collection of image data representative of the center of k-space and the arterial phase of contrast enhancement in the artery of interest. The time between contrast injection and a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated contrast concentration in the artery of interest may vary according to a number of factors including the location of the artery of interest, the size of the artery of interest, the physical condition of the patient, and the time delay due to the configuration of the contrast agent delivery system. These factors may not be precisely quantifiable for each and every patient; and, as a result, it may be difficult to predict (with sufficient precision) for each patient when the period of arterial phase of contrast enhancement occurs in relation to the mapping of k-space. Thus, it may be difficult to precisely time the contrast injection and the imaging sequence to properly capture a sufficient amount of the predetermined image data ( e.g. , data representative of k-space) during the arterial phase of the enhancement of the region of interest. Indeed, in some instances, there may be a tendency to use more contrast agent than is necessary in order to allow for a longer bolus injection which would ensure that the arterial phase is of sufficient duration to overlap with the collection of image data representative of the central k-space. Typically, the delay from the time of administering the contrast agent at a maximum, elevated, or substantially elevated rate to the realization of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement in the region of interest may be about 10-50 seconds. Such a large range of time delays may make it difficult to provide sufficient overlap of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the region of interest and the collection of image data representing the center of k-space. The present invention, however, "automatically" correlates a period of maximum, elevated or substantially elevated arterial contrast concentration with the mapping of the center of k-space; that is, the detection system synchronizes the collection of image data representative of the center of k-space with a period of maximum, elevated or substantially elevated arterial contrast in the artery of interest. This eliminates the need to use "extra" contrast agent to compensate for possible timing errors. In short, the present invention alleviates any difficulties in collecting image data corresponding to the center of k-space during the arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the region of interest. Moreover, the present invention insures that the arterial phase of contrast enhancement extends for a sufficient period of the collection of image data representing the center of k-space without "wasting" any contrast agent. The present invention may be employed in an apparatus which provides anatomic information, in the form of images, using a combination of a plurality of magnetic resonance angiography sequences, including one spin-echo and four magnetic resonance agent ( e .g ., gadolinium) enhanced magnetic resonance angiography sequences. The anatomic images may be used in, for example, pre-operative, operative and post-operative evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysms and/or abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. The contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography provides sufficient anatomic detail to detect aneurysms and all relevant major branch vessel abnormalities seen at angiography or at operation. An evaluation of abdominal aortic aneurysms and other vascular pathology may require one, some or all of the following magnetic resonance image sequences: (1) an initial T1 weighted sequence; the T1 sequence may be used to identify the location of the aneurysm. This sequence may also be employed to define the location of renal and splanchnic arteries for planning higher resolution gadolinium-enhanced sequences (discussed below). Further, the T1 sequence may provide information as to the approximate size of each kidney, the size of the aneurysm, and the location of the left renal vein. A preferred orientation of this sequence is in the sagittal plane; (2) a dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D volume sequence; the 3D volume sequence may be obtained in the coronal plane and reconstructed into sagittal, axial and/or oblique projections to produce images that are similar to biplane aortography or helical CT angiography. In a preferred embodiment, these images are employed to evaluate the renal and splanchnic artery origins, the iliac arteries, and the distal extent of the aneurysm; (3 and 4) sagittal and axial 2D time-of-flight images; the sagittal and axial 2D time-of-flight images demonstrate the maximum size of the aneurysm, its proximal extent and peri-aneurysm inflammation. The sagittal and axial 2D time-of-flight images may be employed to detect the presence of thrombus and the features of the thrombus, including its location, surface irregularity and/or enhancement; and (5) 3D phase contrast images; the 3D phase contrast volume images defines the renal arteries in greater detail to facilitate grading the severity of occlusive lesions. In addition, in one embodiment, a combination of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiographic sequences are used to provide a highly accurate mechanism for detecting, examining and grading occlusive lesions. Such information is valuable during many stages of evaluation of the patients. The sequence of imaging the abdominal aorta, as outlined above, may be employed in different combinations for providing anatomic images of the aorta. Under some circumstances when imaging abdominal aortic aneurysms, not all of sequences are necessary. An imaging technique using one or several of the sequences may provide limited information of, for example, the distal end of the aneurysm (dynamic gadolinium enhanced 3D volume imaging sequence) and the maximum size of the aneurysm (sagittal and axial 2D time-of-flight images). One skilled in the art would recognize that other permutations of the sequences are possible and the number and combination of the sequences may be tailored according to the information needed or desired. Further, several of the sequences may be repeated or omitted according to the information desired. In those instances where sequences are repeated, the information collected may be employed to check or verify the imaging results which are obtained from other sequences. Thus, in short, numerous permutations of sequences may be implemented to provide varying degrees of evaluation, as well as certainty, of abdominal aortic aneurysms. A combination of these sequences may be used to evaluate patients suspected of having other pathology, such as renal artery stenosis or mesenteric ischemia. The magnetic resonance contrast agent is administered in a vein which is remote from the artery in the region of interest ( i.e. , the artery under study). The magnetic resonance contrast agent may be injected using a number of different parameters, systems and/or techniques. In another embodiment, the injection is a bolus type ( i.e. , rapidly) . Also in this embodiment, the detection system detects a characteristic change in the response by the region of interest and, in response thereto, instructs the imaging system to collect image data which is representative of the center of k-space. The imaging system collects the image data corresponding to the center of k-space in the beginning of the scan. The present invention may utilize a number of different magnetic resonance contrast agents. In this regard, the magnetic resonance contrast agents are well known in the art, and are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,141,740; 5,078,986; 5,055,288; 5,010,191; 4,826,673; 4,822,594; and 4,770,183. Such magnetic resonance contrast agents include many different paramagnetic contrast agents, for example, gadolinium compounds. Gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadodiamide and gadoteridol are paramagnetic gadolinium chelates that are readily available, and which rapidly redistribute into the extracellular fluid compartment. Other gadolinium compounds are acceptable, and may have a higher relaxivity, more rapid redistribution into the extracellular fluid compartment, and greater and faster extraction in the capillary bed. It should be noted that contrast agents that are extracted or degrade in or near the capillary bed are preferred for the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, when performing at least one of the magnetic resonance angiography sequences, the injected contrast agent should be sufficiently small to rapidly redistribute into the extracellular fluid compartment in the systemic capillary bed, or the contrast agent should be actively extracted from the circulation in the capillary bed distal to the artery of interest, or both. Under these circumstances, the artery (or arteries) of interest contains a high concentration of contrast and the vein (or veins) adjacent to the artery (or arteries) of interest possesses a lower contrast concentration. Further, under these circumstances, the relationship of artery-to-venous contrast concentration is substantially maintained over the period of contrast injection. Matching the duration of the injection with the time required for a longitudinal relaxation time (T1) weighted magnetic resonance image data set, may provide the situation where it is possible to view the arteries distinct from the veins. Further, by injecting the contrast at a sufficient rate, the longitudinal relaxation time of the arterial blood may be made sufficiently short when compared to that of the background tissues. As a result, the image of the arteries is distinct from background tissue as well. As mentioned above, an advantage of the present embodiment is the precise accuracy in synchronizing the collection of the center of k-space with a maximum or elevated concentration of the contrast agent in the artery of interest - for each and every scan or sequence. Compensating for the timing of the infusion of the magnetic resonance contrast agent may be unnecessary since the detection system identifies when the artery of interest includes a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated arterial contrast concentration. Thus, employing the detection system of the present invention alleviates the need to "manually calculate" the correlation of the maximum or elevated rate of infusion with the mapping of k-space accounts for the time delay due to the contrast agent delivery system ( e.g. , the length of catheter which delivers the contrast agent) and/or the time-delay due to the time required for the contrast agent to circulate from the site of injection, through the body, and into the artery of interest. It should be noted that the center of k-space may be characterized as 10% to 75% of the total k-space data which, as indicated above, corresponds to the lowest spatial frequency information. Further, during the acquisition of magnetic resonance angiographic image data corresponding to the center of k-space, it may be important to avoid excessively rapid changes in arterial contrast concentration. Rapidly changing blood signal during acquisition of the center of k-space may create image reconstruction artifacts. These artifacts may be minimized when the arterial signal intensity is uniform. Further, these artifacts may be minimized by avoiding rapid changes in the arterial contrast concentration during acquisition of image data and especially during acquisition of the center of k-space. In those instances where the invention is implemented using paramagnetic contrast agents, in a preferred embodiment, infusion is at a rate that will provide a concentration of the agent in the arteries, such that the arteries will have at least 50% more signal than any background structures, including veins, in the final image. In another preferred embodiment, the concentration of contrast agent will cause the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of the protons in the arteries to be shorter than protons in any of the background material. Where the contrast agent causes the arteries to appear black in the final image ( e.g. , where the contrast agent shortens T2 * , for example, some Fe powders), the contrast agent should be infused at a rate and amount to insure that the effective transverse relaxation time (T2 * ) in the arteries is shorter than in any of the background material. Magnetic Resonance Imaging System Any magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system suitable; for imaging a portion of an animal body, for example, a human, may be used for acquisition of image data. In particular, apparatus and imaging methods for magnetic resonance angiography are known in the art (see, e.g.. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,718,424; 5,034,694; and 5,167,232), and these may be used with the method of MRA with dynamic intravenous injection of magnetic resonance contrast agents taught herein, subject only to the constraints taught below. The parameters of the magnetic resonance angiography sequences are discussed immediately below with respect to gadolinium chelates. It should be noted that other magnetic resonance contrast agents may be employed in practicing the present invention including paramagnetic contrast agents, such as those described by Marchal, et al., in Potchen, et al., eds., supra , pp. 305-322. Injection Parameters Gadolinium chelates are paramagnetic agents which shorten the longitudinal relaxation time, T1, of blood according to EQUATION 1: 1 T1 = 1 1200 + Relaxivity x [ Gd ] where: (1) the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of blood without gadolinium is 1200 milliseconds; and (2) [Gd] is the blood concentration of a gadolinium chelate. With reference to EQUATION 1, to achieve an arterial blood (T1) that is short compared to adjacent fat (T1=270), it is necessary to substantially elevate the arterial blood concentration of the contrast agent in the artery of interest to be greater than (1/270 milliseconds - 1/1200 milliseconds)/relaxivity of the contrast agent (or 2.9/seconds*relaxivity). ). Thus, the artery of interest includes a substantially elevated concentration of the contrast agent when that concentration is greater than 2.9 seconds -1 relaxivity -1 of the contrast agent. A substantially elevated rate of infusion provides a substantially elevated concentration of the contrast agent in the artery of interest. That is, a substantially elevated rate of infusion provides an arterial blood concentration of the contrast in the artery of interest which is greater than 2.9 seconds -1 relaxivity -1 of the contrast. As reflected in EQUATION 2, below, the arterial blood [Gd] may be expressed in terms of the intravenous injection rate and the cardiac output during dynamic imaging at times short as compared to the recirculation time. [ Gd ] arterial = Injection Rate Cardiac Output + [ Gd ] venous As long as the gadolinium chelate is sufficiently small, the gadolinium chelate will rapidly redistribute into the extracellular compartment as it passes through the capillary bed and the venous concentration will be low or negligible compared to the arterial concentration. The relationship between the longitudinal relaxation time of arterial blood and the injection rate may then be determined by combining EQUATION 1 and EQUATION 2, as stated below in EQUATION 3: Injection Rate = [ 1 T1 - 1 1200 ] Relaxivity x Cardiac Output To achieve contrast between arterial blood and background tissue, the longitudinal relaxation time of the arterial blood should be reduced to less than that of the background tissues. Of all types of background tissues, fat (T1 = 270 msec) typically has the shortest longitudinal relaxation time. Assuming a typical minimum resting cardiac output of 0.0005 Liters/Kg-sec and requiring the longitudinal relaxation time to be less than 270 milliseconds simplifies EQUATION 3 to EQUATION 4 as shown below: Injection Rate > 0.0015 L / Kg -sec 2 Relaxivity By way of example, gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadodiamide, and gadoteridol are three paramagnetic gadolinium chelates that are readily available and rapidly redistribute into the extracellular fluid compartment. The relaxivities of gadopentetate dimeglumine and gadoteridol are about 0.0045/molar-second. Based upon the aforementioned and using EQUATION 4, the minimum injection rate is greater than 0.033 millimole/Kg-minute. With continued reference to EQUATION 4, a rate of infusion which is greater than 0.0015 Liters/Kg-sec 2 divided by the relaxivity may provide a maximum concentration of the contrast agent in the artery of interest. That is, infusing the contrast into the patient at a rate of greater than 0.0015 Liters/Kg-sec 2 divided by the relaxivity may yield a maximum arterial blood concentration of the paramagnetic contrast agent. The total dose of gadolinium chelate required may be determined by multiplying the injection rate by the imaging time. For a relaxivity of 4.5/millimolar-second, and an imaging time of 5 minutes (300 seconds), the dose should substantially exceed 0.1 millimole/kilogram. The dose of the gadolinium chelate may be within the range of 0.05 millimoles/kilogram body weight to 1 millimoles/kilogram body weight depending upon the time required to obtain the image. It should be noted that the dose of the contrast should not be too high such that there may be undesirable toxicity or T2 effects. In a preferred embodiment, the dose of the gadolinium chelate is within the range of 0.2 millimoles/kilogram body weight to 1 millimoles/kilogram body weight. In a more preferred embodiment, the dose of the gadolinium chelate is about 0.3 millimoles/kilogram body weight. In those instances where the contrast injection times are longer than the recirculation time, the longitudinal relaxation time of arterial blood tends to be even shorter since a fraction of the gadolinium chelate will recirculate. It should be noted that a T1 of 270 ms (corresponding to the brightest background tissue fat) is equivalent to a gadopentetate dimeglumine concentration of about 0.6 millimole/liter. FIGURE 1 illustrates the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of blood as a function of infusion time and the total paramagnetic contrast dose for a paramagnetic contrast compound having a relaxivity of 4.5/millimolar-second. An examination of FIGURE 1 reveals that the shortest T1 occurs with the shortest infusion time and the largest gadolinium dose. For typical imaging times of 3 to 5 minutes, FIGURE 1 further reveals that the dose should be of the order of 0.2 millimoles/kilogram or larger in order to achieve a longitudinal relaxation time of blood significantly shorter than that of the brightest background tissue fat (T1=270) for the entire duration of imaging. It should be noted that higher doses of gadolinium and gadolinium chelates with higher relaxivity may also improve image quality. Imaging parameters Any suitable T1 weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequence may be used during injection of the paramagnetic contrast. Suitable imaging sequences will be readily apparent to the skilled practitioner and are described in Potchen, et al., eds. The following criteria for selection of preferred imaging parameters are based on experience in over 100 patients on a 1.5 Tesla General Electric signa magnet with version 4.7 or higher software. A three-dimensional Fourier Transform (volume) acquisition (3D FT) is preferred in the abdomen because of its intrinsically high spatial resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio, even with a large, body coil. The gradient echo (gradient recalled) pulse sequences are preferred since they allow a short TR (repetition time) which allows a shorter imaging acquisition time. Short imaging times have the advantage of allowing the same total gadolinium dose to be injected at a faster rate. Spoiled versus non-spoiled gradient echo imaging It should be noted that one might expect steady state gradient echo imaging (GRASS) to be preferable to the spoiled gradient echo imaging because the long T2 (transverse relaxation time) of blood increases the steady state blood signal. However, this effect enhances veins more than arteries, because the fast, pulsatile flow of arterial blood spoils its steady state component. In theory, this may have the paradoxical effect of reduced arterial contrast. In practice, there may only be a small difference between the spoiled and unspoiled techniques. In patients with slow arterial flow (which is not self-spoiling), a steady state gradient echo pulse sequence may be preferred. A spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence (SPGR) was chosen for most of the studies described herein to simplify the theory and analysis as well as to reduce the potential for differential steady state magnetization between arterial blood, slower venous blood and background tissue. Echo Time Because the brightest background tissue is fat, it is preferable to use a TE (echo time) where fat and water are out of phase, thereby achieving an incremental improvement in vessel-to- background contrast. At 1.5 Tesla, this occurs about every 4.6 msec beginning at about 2.3 msec which corresponds to a TE of 2.3, 6.9, 11.5, ... msec. The shortest of these possible TE values (6.9 or about 2.3 msec in the studies described herein) is preferred. Shorter TE's tend to minimize the effects of motion related phase dispersion. Repetition Time In a preferred embodiment, TR should be as short as is possible. A TR of 24-25 msec was the shortest possible on the equipment used to optain Fig. 10A. As the TR is shortened, the flip angle must be adjusted to maintain the optimal T1 weighing. Flip Angle With a gadolinium chelate dose of 0.2 millimoles/kilogram and a 3-5 minute injection time and imaging time, the longitudinal relaxation time of the arterial blood is predicted to be in the order of 150 to 200 milliseconds. It will, however, be shorter as a result of the recirculation time being less than 3-5 minutes. The relative signal intensity, SI, in a 3D FT spoiled gradient echo acquisition as a function of blood T1, TR, T2, T2*, flip angle σ, and proton density N(H) may be expressed as stated in EQUATION 5, below, and calculated accordingly. SI = N ( H ) 1- exp(- TR T1 ) 1-cos (α) exp (- TR T1 ) sin (α) exp (- TE T2 + ) FIGURE 2 graphically illustrates relative signal intensity for T1 equal to 50, 100, 150, 270 (fat), and 1200 (blood) under the following conditions: (1) TR = 25 milliseconds, and assuming TE is small compared to T2 + (the observed transverse relaxation time). FIGURE 2 reveals that a flip angle of about 40 degrees is optimal for maximizing blood-to-background tissue (fat) contrast when the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of blood is of the order of 200 milliseconds. For larger gadolinium doses with faster injection rates, a larger flip angle may be more appropriate. Volume Orientation In order to minimize the image acquisition time, the imaging volume should be made as thin as possible while containing the arteries of interest. In this regard, it may be useful to orient the image volume for maximum in-plane coverage of the vessels of interest as opposed to the perpendicular orientation required for optimal time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. Optimizing the orientation and minimizing the thickness of the imaging volume is facilitated by first acquiring a conventional black-blood or time-of-flight MRI to use as a guide for precise localization. Phase and frequency encoding axes should be oriented such that cardiac and respiratory motion artifacts do not superimpose on the vessels of interest. Generally, for imaging the aorta-iliac system, the imaging volume should be oriented coronally, and the phase encoding axis should be set right-to-left. For imaging the thoracic aorta, a sagittal orientation is preferred and for imaging the subclavian arteries, an axial orientation is preferred. Partitions The number of partitions (slices) is determined by the thickness of the image volume divided by the partition thickness. The partition thickness is the image resolution along the axis perpendicular to the plane of the partitions. It may be useful to employ thin partitions in order to have high image resolution. The image acquisition time, however, linearly increases with the number of partitions. As a result, keeping the image acquisition time short requires minimizing the number of partitions. It should be noted that there may be a loss of signal-to-noise as the voxel size is decreased by using higher resolution pixels. Generally, 0.5 to 3 millimeter resolution with 28 to 60 partitions is adequate for the aorta and major branch vessels. The skilled practitioner will balance the need to increase resolution by decreasing voxel size with the need to avoid excessive periods of time to acquire image data. Field-of-View The field-of-view must be made large enough to avoid excessive wrap-around artifact. Wrap around artifacts occur when there are structures outside the field of view along the phase encoding axis. These structures are mapped by the phase encoding process to superimpose on structures within the field of view. In addition, because of the limited number of pixels along the frequency encoding axis and the time penalty for each additional pixel along the phase encoding axis, it is also desirable to make the field-of-view as small as possible in order to maximize image resolution with the minimum image acquisition time. Generally, for imaging the abdominal or thoracic aorta, a field-of-view of about 36 centimeters is appropriate for most patients. It may be increased for larger patients and reduced for smaller patients. Smaller field-of-views may be used for other parts of the body. Use of a no-phase wrap algorithm is a less preferred embodiment. Under the circumstance of this invention, this has a disadvantage of generally requiring more imaging time and, as a result, a larger gadolinium dose. Coils It is preferable to use the smallest possible coil in order to minimize noise. There is also an advantage to coils that encircle the body part of interest such that the signal will be homogeneous throughout the entire field-of-view. It may be useful to use a coil with quadature. Patient Positioning The patient should be positioned such that the body part being imaged remains stationary during the acquisition of image data. Cardiac and Respiratory Motion Compensation In imaging regions of the body that move substantially with respiration ( e.g ., the renal arteries) it may be useful to acquire data while the patient is holding his breath. This may require shortening the duration of the image acquisition time to under one minute. If the patient cannot hold his breath for the entire period of image acquisition, than it may be useful to hold the breath during acquisition of image data corresponding to the center of k-space and breathing only during acquisition of data corresponding to the periphery of k-space. To facilitate breath holding during acquisition of image data which is representative of the central portion of k-space ( i.e. , the central half of k-space), k-space is ordered centrically or in a shifted fashion so that the center of k-space is acquired in the beginning of the scan. In this way, if the patient begins breath holding at the beginning of the scan, the breath holding will automatically coincide with the collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space. It is necessary to have a series of radio frequency pulses precede the center of k-space so that the background tissues reach their equilibrium degree of saturation. A few seconds of radio frequency pulses are sufficient in most cases for the tissues to reach dynamic equilibrium. Pre-scanning The pre-scanning process is used to tune to the optimum frequency and to optimize the receiver gain. In the pre-scanning process, it is necessary to compensate for the changes in the patient's magnetic resonance signal that will occur during the contrast injection. In those instances when the paramagnetic contrast agent is a gadolinium chelate, it is preferable to tune to the water peak. About a 20% to 50% margin should be incorporated into the receiver gain setting to allow for increased signal during contrast administration corresponding to contrast arriving in the volume of interest. Premedication Premedicating patients with an analgesic or sedative such as diazepam may be useful for at least two reasons. Firstly, it may help the patient to tolerate the claustrophobic sensation of being within the magnet thereby reducing voluntary motion artifacts. Secondly, and more importantly, its relaxation and cardiac depressant effects tend to reduce the cardiac output. A lower cardiac output results in a higher arterial contrast concentration which thereby improves the image quality. This result is opposite from conventional magnetic resonance angiography which is degraded when the cardiac output decreases. By reducing the cardiac and respiratory rates, analgesics and sedatives may minimize the fraction of the image acquisition that is adversely affected by cardiac and respiratory motion artifacts. Magnetic Resonance Contrast Agents As mentioned above, many different magnetic resonance contrast agents may be employed when implementing the present invention; for example, numerous paramagnetic contrast agents are suitable. As mentioned above, gadolinium compounds, for example, paramagnetic gadolinium chelates, such as gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadodiamide, and gadoteridol, are readily available and rapidly redistribute into the extracellular fluid compartment. Other gadolinium compounds are acceptable. In general, preferred contrast agents have a high relaxivity, rapid redistribution into the extracellular fluid compartment, and are readily extracted from the capillary bed. It should be noted that, contrast agents that are extracted or degrade in the capillary bed are preferred in the present invention. In particular, gadolinium chelates are commercially available from such companies as Bracco (under the name "ProHance"), Berlex (under the name "Magnevist"), and Nycomed USA (under the name "OmniScan"). It should be noted that the gadolinium chelate which is commercially available from Nycomed appears to facilitate greater contrast enhancement between the artery and the surrounding veins and tissue. Overview of Hardware FIGURE 11 shows an infusion system 10, a magnetic resonance imaging system 16 and detection 110. Briefly, the infusion system 10 includes infusion device 12 and associated hardware which facilitates in the administration of the magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient. The infusion device 12 may include a syringe or may be a mechanical type device under the control of the detection system 110 and/or an operator. The infusion system 10 is discussed in more detail below. The magnetic resonance imaging system 16 collects image data which may be used to generate an image of the region of interest. The imaging system 16 may be a commercial magnetic resonance imaging system (including both hardware and software), for example a General Electric Signa Magnet using version 4.7, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 or 5.5 software) which is suitable for imaging a portion of an animal body, for example, a human. In addition, the software used with the commercial magnetic resonance imaging system may be modified to accommodate several of the embodiments described herein, including collecting image data which is representative of the center of k-space in the beginning of the imaging sequence. Injection The type or form of injection of the paramagnetic contrast is intravenous. The injection of the paramagnetic contrast is performed intravenously in order to eliminate or reduce the complications associated with the catheterization required for arterial injections. The specific site of injection is important for several reasons. The site of injection should be remote from the "region of interest"; that is, the region that is to be scanned. For example, when imaging the abdominal aorta, intravenous injection of the paramagnetic contrast into an arm vein is preferred (See, FIGURE 13B). Use of a leg vein should be avoided. Further, there may be some benefit in avoiding the antecubital fossa because the patient may bend the elbow during a long (3-5 minute) period of injection which may result in extravasation of the contrast into the subcutaneous tissues. As a result, under this condition, a forearm or upper arm vein may be preferable. It should be noted, however, that when the injection is by rapid infusion ( i.e. , less than one minute in duration) the antecubital vein may be preferred because of its close proximity to the heart compared to the forearm and hand. In those instances where an artery in the arm is to be imaged, the site of the injection may be a leg vein or a vein in the opposite arm. Here, the site of injection is remote from the "region of interest", i.e. , the artery in the arm. Moreover, it is important to correlate a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated concentration of contrast agent in the artery of interest relative to adjacent veins with the mapping of k-space. This ensures that the image data representative of the center of k-space is collected over some period during which a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated concentration of contrast agent is maintained in the artery of interest relative to adjacent veins. The detection system (discussed in detail below) monitors the artery of interest so that the collection of image data representative of the center of k-space coincides with an elevated arterial contrast concentration. According to FIGURES 3 and 4, infusion system 10 includes a mechanical infusion or injection device 12. The infusion device 12 is an automated type of injector having reliable, consistent and controllable operating conditions. The infusion device 12 is employed to inject the magnetic resonance contrast agent into the vein of the patient at an infusion rate sufficient to provide contrast enhancement of an image of an artery relative to veins in the field of view of the magnetic resonance image and substantially throughout the period of acquisition of image data. The infusion device 12 couples to the patient using conventional techniques, for example, appropriately selected tubing 14 which permits fluid flow between the mechanical infusion device 12 and the patient. Such tubing may be, for example, an angiocatheter. A mechanical injector is preferred over manual/operator injection because of the greater reliability, consistency, and controllability when compared to injecting by hand. Moreover, a mechanical injector facilitates the implementation of a fully automated infusion, imaging and detection system of the present invention. In this regard, the detection system of the present invention may control several of the infusion parameters of the infusion system. Since the magnetic field interferes with normal functioning of electronic devices, a pneumatic powered, spring loaded or other non-electric pump may be suitable. It should be noted, however, that an electrical pump may be used if its operation is unaffected by the operation of the magnetic resonance imaging system, e.g. , if the pump is adequately shielded or if it is located sufficiently far from the magnet. The mechanical infusion device 12 could be coupled to the magnetic resonance imaging system 16 to facilitate proper or desired timing between the injection of the magnetic resonance contrast agent and the acquisition of the image data, in addition to providing proper or desired rates of infusion of the contrast agent. Proper or desired timing and rates of infusion of the contrast agent could be controlled through a control mechanism in the mechanical infusion device 12. That is, the mechanism that controls the infusion timing and rates of infusion is implemented within the mechanical infusion device 12. In this circumstance, the mechanical infusion device 12 is a "self-contained" unit. For example, the infusion rate may be controlled with an adjustable fluid flow resistor. As mentioned above, the infusion device 12 injects the magnetic resonance contrast in a controlled manner. The contrast may be contained in a vessel. As illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, the mechanical infusion device 12 is coupled to a vessel 18 which contains the magnetic resonance contrast agent. In one embodiment, the vessel 18 may contain a sufficient quantity of contrast agent for one application of the invention or one sequence of the plurality of the magnetic resonance angiography sequences, e.g. , a single use vessel. In an alternative embodiment, the vessel 18 may contain a quantity which allows several applications of the invention, e.g. , a reservoir type of vessel. As is illustrated in FIGURE 3, the mechanical infusion device 12 may be adapted to receive the vessel 18 somewhat like a fountain pen receiving an ink cartridge. In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, the infusion device 12 may be coupled to the vessel 18 using conventional methods. FIGURES 5A and 5B illustrate a mechanical infusion device 12 in more detail. The mechanical infusion device 12 of FIGURES 5A and 5B include several of the components described and illustrated in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,202,333; 4,298,000; 4,430,079; and 4,597,754. Such infusion devices are commercially available from 3M Corporation. In those instances where the mechanical infusion device 12 is employed within the environment of the magnetic field, the infusion device 12 should be fitted or manufactured with magnetic resonance compatible material. For example, the infusion devices which are commercially available from 3M Corp., should be fitted with a magnetic resonance compatible spring. This requires manufacturing the spring from non-magnetic materials, for example, plastic or certain metal alloys such as eljaloy or inconel. To obtain a constant or variable rate of infusion of the magnetic resonance contrast agent, the device 12 of FIGURES 5A and 5B may include a spring which has a constant width and thickness in order to exert a constant force; or, alternatively, the spring may have a variable width and/or variable thickness to provide a variable spring force. Under this circumstance, the infusion rate may be controlled to be either constant or variable by design of the spring and, in effect, pre-programmed by selection of the spring's design parameters. In one preferred embodiment, the infusion device 12 may be designed to accommodate a 50cc syringe having a fluid capacity of 60cc and containing one dose of the contrast agent. The infusion device 12 may also be designed to permit an external force on the syringe to modify or customize the rate of infusion of the contrast agent. This external force is separate from the force of the spring of the infusion device 12. Further, the infusion device 12 may include a flow rate indicator 50 (FIGURE 5B) to provide an indication of flow rate of the contrast agent to the patient. Under this circumstance, the operator may visually or audibly observe, in a rather simple manner, the rate of flow of the contrast agent. This will allow the operator to exert an external force more accurately (both in the amount of force applied and in a timing sense) thereby facilitating a modification of the predetermined injection rate. Further, in an automated-type of infusion device, the flow rate indicator 50 permits the operator to visually or audibly monitor a "pre-programmed" infusion rate or sequence. Briefly, with reference to FIGURE 5A, the mechanical infusion device 12 further includes syringe 24, a syringe clamp 26, a syringe restraint or stop 28, a block and spring housing 30a, roller bearings 30b, a reflux valve 32 and a catheter 34 having tubing 34a and a needle 34b (butterfly type). The syringe 24 contains the contrast agent to be administered to the patient during magnetic resonance imaging. A plunger 24a of the syringe 24 is engaged by a spring 40 which is housed in the block and spring housing 30a. In operation, the spring 40 engages the plunger 24a to pressurize the syringe 24. The syringe is maintained in a stationary position within the mechanical infusion device 12, and in particular, in housing base 12a, via the syringe clamp 26 and the syringe restraint 28. The mechanical infusion device 12 may be coupled to a saline drip apparatus 42 (saline drip 42a, tubing 42b and roller clamp 42c). The saline drip apparatus 42 is applied to an input of a y-port connector 44. The syringe 24 is applied to the other input of the y-port connector 44. This conventional configuration facilitates a saline flush following the administration of the contrast agent within the syringe 24. In those instances where the tubing leading from the saline drip apparatus 42 to the y-port connector 44 has a one-way valve to prevent reflux of contrast, it is acceptable to leave the saline drip "on" during infusion. Under this circumstance, as soon as the infusion of the contrast agent is complete, the drip infusion will automatically resume to "flush" gadolinium within the intravenous tubing and deliver the contrast agent which remains in the tubing to the patient. The rate of injection of the contrast agent from the syringe 24 is determined or controlled, in large part, by the size or gauge of the needle 34b, which functions as a fluid flow restrictor according to Poiseulle's Law. The rate of injection is also controlled by the amount of force that the spring 40 (the restoring force of the spring 40) applies to the plunger 24a of syringe 24, the syringe cross-sectional area, the gadolinium viscosity as follows: Infusion Rate = π r 4 F 8 L µ A where: r = radius of flow restricting needle lumen; F = spring force; L = length of flow restricting needle; µ = viscosity of the fluid; and A = cross-sectional area of the syringe. Examining the infusion rate equation immediately above reveals that a variation of the syringe size (A), needle length (L), and/or fluid viscosity (µ) impacts the rate of infusion of the contrast agent. The viscosity of the fluid, however, may be dependent on the temperature of the contrast agent (gadolinium chelate). Thus, in those instances where the temperature of the contrast agent alters the viscosity of the contrast, the rate of infusion is also dependent on this "variable." It should be noted, however, that the influence of viscosity on the flow rate may be substantially reduced by employing a fluid flow restrictor which minimizes the effects of viscosity on the rate of fluid flow. The rate of injection, however, may be increased or decreased using a manual, spring loaded, or pneumatic/electrical injection rate adjustment mechanism which may be connected to various components of the device 12, including, the spring 40, the block and spring housing 30a, the roller bearings 30b, the plunger 24a, the tubing 34a, and/or the fluid flow restrictor 34b. The pneumatic or electrical- type injection rate mechanism may be coupled to the detection mechanism 110 which would permit modification of the rate of injection. This embodiment is described in detail below. FIGURE 5B illustrates a manual injection rate mechanism 50 for allowing the operator to readily alter the rate of injection and thereby modify the rate of injection of the contrast agent to accommodate or implement a desired timing of an elevated or maximum rate of flow of the contrast agent. The spring force should be sufficient such that the flow restrictor, required to give the desired flow rate, has a flow resistance that is much greater than any flow resistance in the intravenous line. The spring force should not be so high that a person of ordinary strength can not reduce or increase this force when a manual spring adjustment mechanism 50 is designed as the means for adjusting the rate of flow ( i.e. , the amount of external force applied to the spring) of the contrast agent. In general, a spring with about 5-10 pounds of spring force is suitable for 2-3 minute infusions and a higher spring force may be required for faster infusions. Infusions as short as 30 seconds may require a spring force of 20-30 pounds. A fluid flow restrictor may be manufactured from, include or be comprised of a needle, a short piece of tubing of narrow calibre ( e.g. , an intravenous angiocatheter of 20 gauge or larger may be satisfactory), an orifice (for example made of ruby or sapphire), a focal compression of the IV tubing, or other mechanism which impedes the flow of fluid. It should be noted that a precision orifice may offer several advantages when employed as a fluid flow restrictor. For example, in those instances where an incompressible fluid is to be administered, such as gadopentetate dimeglumine, gadoteridol, or gadodiamide, flow through an orifice is governed by the Bernoulli effect. In this regard, the flow rate of the fluid through the orifice is proportional to the square root of the pressure drop: Infusion Rate = K *√( F A ) where: K = a constant determined by the geometry of the orifice; F = spring force; and A = syringe cross-sectional area. Further, it should be noted that the pressure drop across an orifice is governed by inertial effects of the fluid; the viscosity of the fluid has little to no impact. As a result, an orifice minimizes the influence of the viscosity of the fluid on the rate of flow of the fluid. Under this circumstance, by using an orifice as a fluid flow restrictor, the Bernoulli effect predicts the same flow rate regardless of temperature of the fluid and regardless of which gadolinium compound is employed. Although in practice it is essentially impossible to entirely eliminate viscosity effects of the fluid, those effect are markedly reduced. TABLE 1 provides the infusion rate, with respect to three MR contrast agents, for a variety of needles and flow restricting orifices when employed in an infusion device 12 substantially as illustrated in FIGURE 5A where the spring 40 is a 6 pound-force spring and the syringe 24 is a 1 inch diameter, 50 cc syringe. In those instances where the rate of flow of the fluid is dependent on the ambient temperature or the temperature of the contrast agent, consistent operation of the infusion device 12 may require either a temperature controlled operating environment or use of a fluid flow restrictor whose operational characteristics are essentially unaffected by the viscosity of the fluid ( e.g. , , a precision orifice). With reference to FIGURE 5B, in one embodiment, the rate adjustment mechanism 50 is a manual type including a lever 50a by which the user may increase or decrease the force applied to the plunger 24a. The lever 50a engages the plunger 24a and spring 40 so that the resulting force applied to the plunger 24a is essentially determined by the sum of the force applied to the plunger 24a ( i.e. , by the lever 50a) and the spring force, F. It should be noted that the center of k-space may be characterized as 10% to 75% of the total k-space data which corresponds to the lowest spatial frequency information. It should be further noted that a substantially elevated concentration of the contrast agent in the arterial blood may be described as a concentration which is greater than 2.9/ seconds-relaxivity (of the contrast). The infusion device 12 of FIGURE 5B further includes a flow rate indicator 52 to provide the operator an indication of a flow rate (injection rate) of the contrast agent to the patient. Here, the operator may visually or audibly observe the rate of flow of the contrast agent to thereby accurately control the rate of injection of the contrast agent into the patient; the operator may customize or modify the contrast injection rate. The flow rate indicator may be implemented using an optical type sensor for sensing the linear motion of, for example, the plunger 24a, the spring 40, and/or the block and spring housing 30a, or the rotational motion of the roller bearings 30b. Such a mechanism permits an accurate measurement with little to no impact on the operation of the injection device 12, including the motion of the plunger 24a and the operation of the spring 40. That is, an optical type rate indicator has an advantage of not requiring physical contact with the contrast agent in the syringe 24 or spring 40. It is noted, however, that a fluid flow or motion sensor may also be employed in the flow rate indicator 50. Such devices provide accurate information regarding the rate of flow of the contrast agent in the syringe 24 or in the tubing 34a. As mentioned above, when the mechanical infusion device 12 is employed within the environment of the magnetic field, the materials used to fabricate the device 12 should be non-magnetic. That is, magnetic materials should be avoided when the device 12 is implemented in or near the magnetic field of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. In those instances, the spring 40 (FIGURES 5A and 5B) should be manufactured from non-magnetic materials, for example, eljaloy or inconel. With reference to FIGURES 6A-C, the mechanical infusion device 12 may be implemented using a bag-cassette configuration. The bag 46 contains a contrast agent. Analogous to the syringe configuration of FIGURES 5A and 5B, the bag 46 may be placed into a cassette 48 which applies even pressure over the contact surface of the bag 46. In operation, the contrast agent then flows, similar to the syringe 24, from the bag, through the catheter 34 to the patient. As with the case with the syringe configuration, fluid flow control is provided by means of a fluid flow restrictor ( i.e. , the needle 34b) used in combination with a cassette 48 which provides the force. It should be noted that the bag-cassette arrangement of FIGURES 6A-C may employ a saline drip apparatus 42 as well as a rate adjustment mechanism 50. As with the syringe configuration, the rate of injection may be increased or decreased using a manual, spring loaded, or electrical or pneumatic rate adjustment mechanism. In some magnetic resonance suites, an opening exists in the wall dividing the magnet of the imaging apparatus and the control equipment ( i.e. , computer and other electronic devices). In these situations, standard infusion pumps (containing metal, magnetized material and electronic circuits) can be used from outside of the MR suite to implement the methods described herein. A pump manufactured by Abbott, the Life Care 5000, may be implemented. The Life Care 5000 draws drugs (e.g., contrast agent) directly from a bottle and preloads it into a long length of tubing. The operating parameters of the Life Care 5000 may be preprogrammed to execute numerous infusion rates. The operating parameters of the pump may also be controlled by the detection system 110 (as described below). The timing of a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated rate of injection may be controlled by the detection system 110 in order to more accurately synchronize the collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space to a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated concentration of contrast in the artery of interest. This embodiment is discussed in more detail below. This type of configuration offers several advantages including: (1) the contrast agent (gadolinium) need not be removed from its shipping containers into an intermediate container, for example, a syringe; (2) the programmability of the pump allows variable injection rates providing for a maximum rate at the peak when the center of k-space is being mapped (which may be the most critical period during image acquisition); (3) operator control of the operating parameters. Moreover, the Life Care 5000 may be coupled to the detection system 110 to facilitate the mapping of k-space by the imaging system 16 with the arterial phase of contrast enhancement in the region of interest. It should be noted that the Life Care 5000 Pump may not be ideally suited for implementing all of the techniques described herein. For example, such deficiencies include the rates of injection of the pump, the degree of programmability of the flow delivery characteristics of the pump, and allowing the pump to administer contrast from multiple containers which will permit multiple 20 cc vials to be used. In one preferred embodiment, the magnetic resonance contrast agent is injected by the infusion device 12 in a bolus manner and the imaging sequence, implemented by the imaging system 16, collects data which is representative of the center of k-space at the beginning of the sequence. Under this circumstance, in order to correlate, on a repeatable basis, a maximum, elevated or substantially elevated arterial concentration of the contrast agent in the artery of interest with the collection of image data corresponding to the center of k-space, the detection system 110 monitors or measures the response from the region of interest to detect the arrival of the contrast agent in that region. Upon detecting the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest, the imaging system 16 initiates collection of image data representative of the center of k-space. The center of k-space corresponds to the low spatial frequency data which dominates image contrast. With reference to FIGURE 7, the infusion of the magnetic resonance contrast agent may be by way of manual means. In this embodiment, a syringe 20, having needle 22, is coupled to a vessel 18 containing the magnetic resonance contrast agent. The vessel 18 is coupled to the patient using conventional techniques, for example, appropriately selected tubing 14 which permits fluid flow between the vessel 18 and the patient, for example, an angiocatheter. When injecting the contrast agent using a manual injector, i.e. , injecting the magnetic resonance contrast agent by hand, during the magnetic resonance angiography sequences, in a preferred embodiment, the infusion "path" includes a fluid flow restrictor which adds resistance to the flow of gadolinium during administration into the body. It should be noted that a fluid flow restrictor may be, for example, a standard injection needle or small calibre angiocatheter. In FIGURE 7, the fluid flow restrictor may be the needle 22 of syringe 20 and/or the angiocatheter 14. Use of small needles, short pieces of tubing of narrow calibre, an orifice, and/or small calibre angiocatheters may alleviate errors of injecting the contrast too rapidly and, as a result, depleting or running-out of contrast too early in the scan. In a preferred embodiment, the needle size may be 22 gauge or smaller diameter (higher than or equal to 22 gauge) depending upon the viscosity of the contrast agent for an infusion of 2-4 minutes. Angiocatheter of 20 gauge may be suitable for infusions of about 30 seconds. It may be convenient to pre-load the entire dose of contrast into a vessel or length of tubing with luer lock or other appropriate connectors at each end of the tubing. It is then possible to use a single saline filled syringe to inject the contrast followed by a saline chaser without having to switch syringes or pumps. Saline is a preferred fluid to use as a chaser since it can be made isotonic with blood and is compatible with most intravenous fluids and pharmaceuticals that may already be flowing through a patient's IV line. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic resonance contrast agent is injected, rapidly in a bolus manner and the imaging sequence implemented by the imaging system 16 collects image data which is representative of the center of k-space at the beginning of the sequence. Upon detecting the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest (by the operator or detection system 110), the imaging system 16 initiates the imaging sequence and collection of image data representative of the center of k-space. Another embodiment of a manual infusion means is illustrated in FIGURE 13. In this embodiment, a syringe 20 is loaded with a magnetic resonance contrast agent. A 3-way stopcock 44 permits rapid contrast agent ( e.g ., gadolinium) injection without risk of retrograde flow. Another side port of the stopcock 44, further from the patient, accommodates an additional syringe 20' which may be employed as a rapid saline flush immediately following the contrast injection. A drip chamber 42d allows the operator to observe that the tubing 14 is intravascular and working properly. In this regard, a bag of normal saline 42a, or other suitable fluid, is connected to the proximal end of the tubing 14 via a drip chamber 42d. The operator may observe the drip chamber 42d to determine whether the intravenous line is working properly. A roller clamp 42c may be employed to prevent too rapid saline flow into the patient. It should be noted that a bag of saline 42a which is too large may be harmful to the patient should the entire volume of saline be administered to the patient; using a small bag of saline, accidental administration of the entire bag will not be harmful. Typically, a 250cc bag of fluid is suitable for providing enough fluid to last for the entire exam and to avoid injury to the patient if there is accidental release of the entire quantity of the fluid into the circulation in a short span of time ( e.g. , in less than 15 minutes). The dynamic infusion of contrast may be facilitated by using tubing 14 which reaches inside the magnet and which allows the operator infusing contrast to stand comfortably outside the magnet environment where it is possible to have access to control panels for the imaging system 16 to initiate the scan. With a sufficient length of tubing, the operator may comfortably use both hands to perform the infusion; generally one hand holds the syringe plunger and the other hand holds the syringe chamber. In those embodiments where the operator is positioned outside the magnet environment, at least 4 to 6 feet of tubing may be required to reach outside the magnet environment. A side port for gadolinium infusion should be located about 4 to 7 feet away from the end of the tubing which is at the intravenous puncture site. A second side port a few inches further away is also useful to allow sufficient space for both gadolinium filled and saline filled syringes to be attached simultaneously. This allows the gadolinium infusion to be immediately followed with the saline flush without any delay for switching syringes. By placing one-way valves in the tubing upstream from each side port, the fluids (contrast agent and flush) are forced to flow in the correct direction without risk of retrograde flow in the tubing. One of the one-way valves should be between the two side ports so that the contrast agent may not "backup" into the other syringe used for flush. This is particularly important when the gadolinium is injected so rapidly that a high infusion pressure is required. The most proximal one-way valve could be replaced with a clamp or other mechanism to impede flow. It may also be useful to have an extra port (a third port) positioned close to the distal end of the tubing where it attaches to the patient. This port can be used for treating any reaction that the patient might have to the contrast being infused. By having this third port close to the patient, it minimizes the distance that medicines must travel in order to reach the patient's circulation. It is anticipated that in the event of a contrast reaction, the patient would be immediately removed from the magnet so that this third port would be readily accessible. Proximal and distal ends of the tubing should have standard medical type luer locking connectors. The distal end should have a male connector. It is useful if this distal end has a locking mechanism to prevent the tubing from becoming detached from the intravenous catheter during the increase pressure of fast infusions. A flow meter that provides feedback to the operator about the contrast infusion rate may be useful. The inner diameter of the tubing 14 may be important. The tubing's inner diameter may be selected to strike a balance between a sufficient diameter to minimize flow resistance but not so large a diameter that there is a large dead space. Dead space is the volume of tubing between the IV site in the patient's arm and the point where the syringe 20 attaches to the tubing 14. A tubing inner diameter of about .08 inch strikes a good balance between the need to minimize resistance and the need to minimize dead space for tubing that is about 6 feet long with gadopentetate dimeglumine or gadodiamide as contrast agents. The tubing 14 may be made of plastic, rubber or any other suitable (non-magnetic) material. The tubing 14 should be pliable so that it can easily adjust or conform to the path of the intravenous site on the patient's arm to outside the magnet environment. In some situations it is also useful if the tubing assumes a natural coil configuration so that it will tend to stay wound up. This helps to avoid having the intravenous tubing becoming intertwined with other tubing or wires in the general vicinity of the magnet and imaging system 16. Detection System The detection system 110 detects the concentration of contrast agent in the region of interest; and, more particularly, detects the "arrival" of contrast in the region of interest as well as detects the concentration of contrast therein. In addition, the detection system 110 is used to precisely synchronize the collection of the central portion of k- space by the imaging system 16 with the arterial phase of contrast enhancement of the region of interest (artery and tissues in the region of interest). The detection system 110, in conjunction with the imaging system 16, monitors and detects the relative concentration of the contrast agent in the region of interest by comparing the response of a region of interest before the administration of magnetic resonance contrast agent to the patient to the response of the region of interest during and/or after administration of the contrast agent. When a characteristic change in the response to the magnetic resonance pulse is measured by the detection system 110, the imaging system 16 begins collecting image data which is representative of the center of k-space. In operation, prior to administration of contrast agent to the patient and before initiation of the imaging sequence, the detection system 110 initially measures the response from the region of interest to a series of pulses form the imaging system 16. Here, the detection system 110 acquires a response from the region of interest before administration of contrast agent. This response may be described as a base line or pre-contrast response. After the base line or pre-contrast response is measured, the contrast agent may be administered to the patient. The detection system 110 measures the response from the region of interest to a series of magnetic resonance pulses from the imaging system 16. The detection system 110 or the operator may evaluate the response from the region of interest to determine a characteristic change in the response from the region of interest. This characteristic response indicates the arrival of contrast in the region of interest or the onset of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. The subsequent operations of the detection system 110 depends somewhat on the parameters of injection rate of the injection system 12 and the data collection techniques and configuration of the imaging system 16. In this regard, in those instances where the injection of the contrast agent is of a bolus type ( i.e. , rapid injection rate), the characteristic change in the response to the magnetic resonance pulses may indicate that the region of interest is in or is "entering" the arterial phase of the magnetic resonance contrast enhancement. Under this circumstance, the detection system 110 instructs the imaging system 16 to initiate an imaging sequence. The imaging system 16, immediately collects the image data representative of the central portion of k-space. The magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence should be arranged such that the central portion of k-space data is collected in the beginning of the sequence. The periphery of k-space is collected thereafter. Under this circumstance, the detection system 110 provides precise synchronization between the arterial phase of contrast enhancement and the collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space. As mentioned above, the detection system 110 may detect the concentration of the contrast in the region of interest in a number of different ways including, for example, a change in the amplitude of the responsive radio frequency signal. In one embodiment, the monitoring and evaluating operations of the detection system 110 and the imaging system 16 is initiated only when the contrast agent is expected in the region of interest. In this regard, the application of the detection pulses employed to detect/monitor the "arrival" of the contrast agent to the region of interest, may be delayed from the infusion of the contrast in an amount related to the time delay due to the infusion system 10 and the time-delay due to the time required for the contrast agent to circulate from the site of injection, through the body, and into the artery of interest. This will confine the use of the magnetic resonance imaging system 16 and detection system 110 to the period when the maximum, elevated or substantially elevated contrast concentration is anticipated. FIGURE 12 illustrates the detection system 110 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the detection system 110 includes a microcontroller 112 and a signal analyzer 114 ( e.g. , an oscilloscope). The microcontroller 112 (which includes an adequate supply of memory) is programmed to calculate the base line or pre-contrast signal response from the region of interest prior to the administration of the contrast agent as well as the concentration of the contrast agent in the region of interest after administration of the contrast agent. The microcontroller 112 acquires an electrical representation of the signal response from the signal analyzer 114. In response, the microcontroller 112 calculates the base lines response and the contrast concentration in the region of interest. In one embodiment, the detection system 110 controls the imaging system 16. In this regard, the detection system 110 instructs the imaging system 16 to initiate a predetermined imaging sequence at an appropriate time depending on detecting a characteristic change in the signal response from the region of interest, as described above. The microcontroller 112 couples to the imaging system 16 via electrical or optical coupling mechanism 112a. In another embodiment, the microcontroller 112 includes an operator interface which allows the operator to observe the response measured by the signal analyzer 114. In this embodiment, the microcontroller 112 facilitates the operator's observation and analysis of response signals including assessing the concentration of contrast in the region of interest. The microcontroller 112 may include a visual and/or audible indicator to indicate the onset of the arterial phase of contrast enhancement or to indicate the concentration of contrast agent in the artery of interest. Such a configuration would facilitate synchronization between the collection of image data which is representative of the center of k-space with the arterial phase of contrast enhancement. It should be noted that the operator may observe the signal measured by the signal analyzer 114 in addition to or in lieu of the operator interface of the microcontroller 112. Under this circumstance, the microcontroller 112 may be unnecessary. Appendage Cushions One important detail relates to the positioning of the arms during scanning. By placing appendage cushions 120a and 120b along either side of the patient's torso (see Figures 13A and 13B), the arms are elevated or lifted up in the air. This has several important effects. First, by lifting the arms, the intravenous site of contrast agent injection is elevated thereby creating a "down hill" path for the contrast agent which assists venous return. Under this circumstance, the contrast agent more rapidly enters the central veins to achieve a faster and more predictable circulation time. The circulation time is the time required for contrast agent ( e.g. , gadolinium) to circulate from the site of infusion through the body to the artery(ies) of interest. An additional advantage of employing the appendage cushions 120a and 120b is that such an arrangement prevents the arms or other stuff from getting into the region along side the patient where it could result in aliasing (wrap-around artifact) when the imaging the torso with a coronally oriented volume. In one embodiment, the cushions 120a and 120b may be made of foam or other material that has a low density of hydrogen nuclei. This is to ensure that the cushions 120a and 120b do not create much signal or noise during imaging. The length of the cushions 120a and 120b should be long enough to keep the arms up along the entire length of the torso. It may be useful in patients with wide hips and narrow torsos to make the cushion thinner in the region of the hips. Alternatively, the cushions may be short enough so that it comes down to the hips but does not overlap the hips. In a preferred embodiment, the appendage cushions 120a and 120b are 8 cm thick of non-magnetic material, low density material. The appendage cushions 120a and 120b may be rectangular in shape and may be secured to the patient or the imaging apparatus prior to imaging using a non-magnetic strapping mechanism, for example, a velcro strap or similar material/mechanism. The surfaces 122a and 122b of the appendage cushions 120a and 120b may be shaped in a conformal nature to that of the patient's body. This shape provides for a more stable configuration so that there is little to no movement of the appendage cushions 120a and 120b relative to the patient. Further, the upper surfaces 122a and 122b of the appendage cushions 120a and 120b may be sloped downward in the direction towards the patient. This shape allows the arms, when in a relaxed state, to rest in the corner of the torso and the upper surfaces of the appendage cushions 120a and 120b which minimizes movement of the arms of the patient during imaging. Post-Processing Post-processing of the scan data may be used. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) collapse images are useful for rapidly examining the entire arterial circulation within the region of interest. It may be useful to reformat and selectively collapse the data through the specific arteries of interest. Additional contrast may be obtained by digitally subtracting a pre-gadolinium acquisition from the dynamic gadolinium acquisition. Volume rendering and surface rendering may also be useful and is possible with these high contrast volume data sets. Additional Sequences After performing a dynamic contrast enhanced scan, it is possible to obtain additional MR angiogram images in which there is enhancement of both arteries and veins, as well as liver, spleen, kidney, and other organs. Phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography is also improved following the administration of magnetic resonance contrast. It may then be possible to combine a dynamically enhanced scan for visualization of primarily the arteries with one or more post-gadolinium (contrast agent) scans to resolve anatomic or physiological issues that may be important to a patient's condition.

Claims: A magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging an artery in a region of interest in a patient using a single injection of magnetic resonance contrast agent, the system comprising: means adapted to periodically or continuously monitor the region of interest by applying a series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses to the region of interest and measuring the response thereto; means adapted to visually or audibly indicate the response of the region of interest to the series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses before injecting the contrast agent to the patient and during of after injecting the contrast agent to the patient and thus to allow an operator to detect the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest by detecting a change in the response of the region of interest to said series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses; operator input means; means for collecting magnetic resonance image data of a magnetic resonance imaging sequence, said means for collecting being responsive to said operator input means, and being adapted to collect-after receipt of the operator input through said operator input means upon detection of the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest - the magnetic resonance image data which is representative of the central portion of k-space at the beginning of the imaging sequence and the data which is representative of the periphery of k-space thereafter; and means (16) for constructing an image, using the magnetic resonance image data, wherein the artery appears distinct from the adjacent veins and background tissue. A magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging an artery in a region of interest in a patient using a single injection of magnetic resonance contrast agent, the system comprising: means adapted to periodically or continuously monitor the region of interest by applying a series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses to the region of interest and measuring the response thereto; means adapted to detect the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest by comparing the response of the region of interest to the series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses before injection of the contrast agent to the patient to the response of the region of interest to the series of magnetic resonance radio frequency pulses during or after injection of the contrast agent; means adapted to collect magnetic resonance image data of a magnetic resonance imaging sequence in response to said detection of the arrival of the contrast agent in the region of interest, wherein the magnetic resonance image data which is representative of the central portion of k-space is collected at the beginning of the imaging sequence and the data which is representative of the periphery of k-space is collected thereafter; and means (16) for constructing an image, using the magnetic resonance image data, wherein the artery appears distinct from the adjacent veins and background tissue. The system of claim 1 or 2, further including means (10, 12, 20) for injecting the magnetic resonance contrast agent in a bolus type manner. The system of claim 1 or 2, further including a pump for injecting the magnetic resonance contrast agent.

Inventors: PRINCE MARTIN R, PRINCE, MARTIN, R.
Applicants: PRINCE MARTIN R, PRINCE, MARTIN, R.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G01R33
IPC codes: G01R33