The i/Drive package (Real Time imaging option) uses a Fast GRE sequence, that has been specially modified to provide minimal TR times and interactive contrast and geometry control. i/Drive is contained within a series, which can be prescribed directly from the scan prescription screen or retrieved as a saved protocol. As a series, it can also be saved as a stand-alone protocol or as part of a larger protocol including existing batch series. The tools and controls used to modify the real time scan plane geometry and contrast are changed in the Acquire tab. The acquired images can be reviewed using tools located on the Review tab.
Before you begin
Before starting Real Time, close other operations such as filming, networking, MRA, READY View , Reformat, and 3D. Should these features remain open, the application will shut down automatically when i/Drive is entered. This occurs due to system allocation restrictions. i/Drive cannot be open concurrently with high level display functions.- It can be cut, copied, and pasted using the Workflow Manager tools.
- It can be used in a protocol that is being Auto Scanned.
About this task
Use Real Time as an interactive scan that allows you to:
- Localize complex anatomy that lies in double oblique planes
- Navigate through the patient anatomy for rapid visualization
- Monitor temporal physiological events, including patient breathing, kinematic studies, and bolus activity
- Determine the boundaries of a desired imaging region, which can then be passed to a subsequent image application (another batch series in the Workflow Manager).
- Initiate an MRA scan when you combine it with Fluoro Trigger
- Perform a kinematic study
- Detect PFO when you combine it with IR Prepared
Step-by-step instructions
- Start a scan session
- From the Workflow Manager, click .
- From the Protocol screen, select a Real Time protocol from your site or GE library. The Real Time protocol has Real Time selected as an Imaging Option.
- From the Workflow Manager, select the Real Time series and click Setup.
- Make adjustments to the Real Time protocol parameters, as needed.
- If the following scan parameters are increased, the Frame Rate is decreased: TR, NEX, Frequency matrix, Phase matrix, or Phase FOV.
- If the following scan parameters are decreased, the Frame Rate is increased: Bandwidth, FOV, or Slice thickness.
- For detecting PFO: when the patient performs the valsalva maneuver, the blood flow shunt between the atria is elicited. If the real time scan is acquired during the valsalva maneuver, the shunt can be imaged. The IR-Prep option provides the necessary T1-weighted contrast. High temporal resolution is required with these scans because the shunt duration is typically less than one second. Achieve high temporal resolution by trading off high spatial resolution. A large FOV and slice thickness, small matrix values, and fractional NEX may be necessary to achieve the desired temporal resolution of 4 FPS.
- Click to launch the Acquire tab.
- For Acquire tab details, see Real Time iDrive Pro Plus Acquire tab.
- If you need to stop the real time scan and make a change to the protocol, first close the Real Time screen before you stop the scan or any other activity. Failing to close the Real Time screen results in the original Real Time screen staying open and the new Real Time screen not opening.
- To review the real time images, click the Review tab on the Real Time screen.
