Patent ID: 8165371

Claim:
A system for enhancing MR imaging contrast between vessels containing dynamically flowing blood and static tissue, comprising: an MR imaging system for, in response to a heart rate synchronization signal, (a) acquiring an anatomical preparation data set representing a spatially non-localized first preparation 3D volume in response to a first magnetization preparation pulse sequence, (b) acquiring a spatially localized anatomical imaging data set representing an imaging 3D volume encompassed by said preparation 3D volume in response to a second magnetization preparation pulse sequence, (c) subtracting slice specific MR imaging data of said spatially localized anatomical imaging data set from spatially and temporally corresponding slice specific imaging data of said anatomical preparation data set to derive blood flow indicative imaging data, said temporally corresponding slice specific imaging data comprising data acquired at a substantially corresponding cyclic point within a heart beat cycle determined in response to said heart rate synchronization signal and (d) iteratively repeating step c for a plurality of adjacent slices individually comprising a spatially localized anatomical imaging data set to provide a three-dimensional imaging data set of blood flow indicative imaging data; and a display processor for generating data representing at least one three dimensional display image presenting blood flow into a three dimensional imaging volume using the three-dimensional imaging data set.