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Abstract

A magnetic resonance imaging system and method for detecting blood flow abnormalities according to the time delay for the arrival of a bolus of a MR contrast agent into localized regions as observed in a temporal series magnetic resonance signals or images obtained subsequent to bolus injection. A rapid series of imaging pulse sequences acquires the time development of the signal from localized regions within the imaged field of view of a body. During the imaging period, a bolus of a MR contrast agent is injected into the cardiovascular system of the body. As the MR contrast material circulates through the imaged region, the associated field gradient which extends into the surrounding tissue results in signal losses in the acquired signal from these regions. The arrival time for the bolus into a given localized region is determined from the acquired time data, and the relative arrival time among regions in the imaged field of view indicates whether there is decreased blood flow to certain areas.

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First Claim