Patent ID: 7715900

Claim:
A method for suppressing a signal from flowing blood in a signal used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a site in a subject, comprising the steps of: (a) generating a preparative sequence of radiofrequency (RF) pulses before executing a data acquisition sequence to image the site, a total number of the said RF pulses being an even number at least equal to four; (b) applying said RF pulses to the subject prior to executing the data acquisition sequence to image the site, so that the said RF pulses are grouped into a plurality of double inversion procedures, each double inversion procedure including a non-selective RF pulse targeted to the subject and a slice-selective RF pulse that is targeted to a target selected from the group consisting of a slice, a group of slices, and a three-dimensional slab at the site, wherein one of the non-selective RF pulse and the slice-selective RF pulse immediately follows the other of the non-selective RF pulse and the slice-selective RF pulse; (c) waiting a predefined time period after each of the double inversion procedures; and (d) after the predefined time period following a last of the double inversion procedures, executing the data acquisition sequence for acquiring a signal that is processed to produce and display an image of the site thereby enabling a clear visual evaluation of anatomic structures and pathologic tissues of interest for diagnostic purposes of the site, because said signal from the flowing blood is substantially suppressed in the signal used to produce the image of the site.