US 11,675,037 B2
Systems and methods for magnetic field-dependent relaxometry using magnetic resonance imaging
Chad Tyler Harris, Toronto (CA); David Mark Deschenes, Toronto (CA); Alexander Gyles Panther, Toronto (CA); Jeff Alan Stainsby, Toronto (CA); and Philip J. Beatty, Toronto (CA)
Assigned to Synaptive Medical Inc.
Filed by SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC., Toronto (CA)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/301,312.
Application 17/301,312 is a continuation of application No. 16/071,875, granted, now 10,969,453, previously published as PCT/IB2016/050341, filed on Jan. 22, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0263121 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01R 33/50 (2006.01); G01R 33/38 (2006.01); G01R 33/3815 (2006.01); G01R 33/44 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 33/50 (2013.01) [G01R 33/3804 (2013.01); G01R 33/3815 (2013.01); G01R 33/445 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for magnetic field-dependent relaxometry using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the steps of the method comprising:
(a) acquiring magnetic resonance data from a subject using an MRI system generating a main magnetic field generated by a superconducting magnet, wherein the magnetic resonance data are acquired at a plurality of different magnetic field strengths of the main magnetic field by ramping the main magnetic field generated by MRI system to the different magnetic field strengths while the magnetic resonance data are being acquired;
(b) estimating relaxation parameters from the magnetic resonance data as a function of the plurality of different magnetic field strengths of the main magnetic field generated by the MRI system, thereby generating relaxation parameter dispersion data;
(c) estimating a physical parameter associated with the subject from the relaxation parameter dispersion data;
(d) estimating a first value of a relaxation parameter by fitting the first data to a signal model that describes magnetic resonance signal relaxation as a function of the relaxation parameter.