SPIN-LOCK MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHIC AND PERFUSION IMAGING METHOD (UC Case No. SF2004-031)

Magnetic resonance angiography and arterial spin label perfusion techniques are currently used for imaging the vasculature and hemodynamic state of the brain. These techniques have important applications in the detection and treatment of various diseases such as stroke, tumors, vascular malformations, Alzheimers, and epilepsy. However, current techniques require background suppression methods to increase the contrast-to-noise ratio during imaging. This involves the subtraction of label and control images to remove background noise. As a result, image time is increased, leading to a greater chance of movement from the patient, thus further degrading the images.

An imaging sequence developed by a UCSF investigator provides a new spin-lock method of background suppression for time-of-flight imaging. While previous methods have used the spin-lock technique to store angiographic signal, this novel method uses spin-lock to eliminate static tissue signal. Additionally, the use of this method could be extrapolated to other organ systems, such as the heart. The advantages of this technology over current methods include:

• increased signal-to-noise ratio



• decreased imaging time



• greater through-put of patients using MRI scanners



• decreased need for subtraction of a control image

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Sunita Rajdev, Ph.D.
Licensing Officer
Phone: (415) 353-4470
Fax: (415) 348-1579
Sunita.rajdev@ucsf.edu

Reference: OTM Case #SF2004-031