Real Time Velocity-Based Navigator Triggering in the Abdomen: Initial Results

Gabriele Beck¹, Jeroen Stout¹, Vincent Denolin², Kenneth Coenegrachts³, Gwenael Herigault¹

In Respiratory Triggering, prior knowledge of the optimal trigger delay time or level is typically needed to adjust the acquisition window to the end expiration phase. End expiration patterns however often varies throughout the scan with the consequence that trigger moments are missed or acquisitions are performed in between inspiration and expiration states showing image blurring and prolonged scan time. A novel Navigator triggering method is presented that relies on the real-time analysis of breathing states and velocities to detect the calm end expiration phase. The method provides improved scan efficiency and image sharpness in abdominal imaging as compared to conventional triggering techniques.