Patent ID: 8878534

Claim:
A method to operate a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to ensure that, in a follow-up data acquisition procedure, magnetic resonance data are acquired from at least a portion of a selected image region of a subject that corresponds to a selected image region of the subject from which magnetic resonance data were acquired in a preceding data acquisition procedure, wherein the subject exits the magnetic resonance apparatus between said preceding data acquisition procedure and said follow-up data acquisition procedure, said magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising a radio frequency (RF) radiator arrangement comprising a plurality of individually activatable RF radiators respectively activated by a plurality of independent RF transmission channels, said method comprising: in a computerized processor, generating a multi-channel pulse train for use in said follow-up data acquisition procedure comprising a plurality of individual RF pulse trains to be respectively emitted in parallel by the respective RF radiators of the RF radiator arrangement, by said individual RF pulse trains being supplied to said respective transmission channels; in said computerized processor, automatically identifying said at least a portion of said selected image region in said magnetic resonance image data acquired in said preceding data acquisition procedure; in said computerized processor, determining a parameter map for said at least said portion of said selected image region in said follow-up data acquisition procedure from said at least a portion of said selected image region identified in said magnetic resonance image data acquired in said preceding data acquisition procedure; in said computerized processor, using said parameter map to configure said multi-channel pulse train to achieve a defined, local target magnetization distribution, upon emission of said individual multi-channel pulse trains by said RF radiators of said RF radiator arrangement in said follow-up examination procedure, that ensures that said magnetic resonance data acquired in said follow-up data acquisition procedure will include at least said portion of said selected region identified in said magnetic resonance data acquired in said preceding data acquisition procedure; and making said multi-channel pulse train, configured to achieve said defined, local target magnetization distribution, available at an output of said computerized processor in a form for inclusion in an operating protocol to operate said magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.