Patent ID: 7463920

Claim:
A method for identifying and enhancing visualization of an interventional device using a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, comprising the following steps: employing a pulse sequence in MR imaging a body portion of a patient and deriving response MR signals for use in providing MR images of said body portion; processing the MR signals to provide MR images of said body portion, in response to first parameters of the applied pulse sequence predetermined for acquisition of a first gradient echo image, using a first amplitude readout gradient and first receiver bandwidth, said first gradient echo image including a first intensity distortion artifact in the area of an interventional device and second parameters of the applied pulse sequence predetermined for acquisition of a second gradient echo image, using a second amplitude readout gradient and second receiver bandwidth, said second gradient echo image including a second intensity distortion artifact in the area of an interventional device, said first parameters providing a relatively low amplitude readout gradient and relatively low receiver bandwidth and increased spatial image intensity distortion artifact compared to said second parameters and are selected to facilitate locating said interventional device relative to an image slab; and selecting either said first or second parameters in response to user command.