Methods for view angle tilt imaging of interventional devices providing adjustment of device contrast

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for adjustment of contrast of magnetic susceptibility variations where the variations cause distortions which are removed by view angle tilting. Often, magnetic susceptibility variations are caused by devices such as needles inserted into a patient. In two methods of the present invention, first and second field gradients are applied simultaneous with excitation and refocusing gradients, respectively. The first and second gradients have different amplitudes or orientations, or both. This results in fewer spins rephasing in the vicinity of the susceptibility variation than elsewhere, thereby providing contrast. In another embodiment of the invention, a spin echo is produced, and the detection time of the spin echo signal is offset from the time of the spin echo. The offset results in a phase cancellation of spins near the susceptibility variation due to the relatively large range of magnetic field strengths. Other methods of the present invention are also disclosed.