TimeSLIP is another MR-Angio technique that does not require contrast media. It is an imaging technique that uses a Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse. Time-SLIP can be applied to many regions of the body and used for evaluating hemodynamic velocity functional assessments and visualization of vascular structures.
Based on the Arterial Spin Labeling technique, it employs spatially, non-selective IR pulses and spatially selective tag pulses to reveal regions excited as bright or black blood and can be used with FASE or TRUE SSFP sequences in gated, two- and three-dimensional acquisitions. In the Time-SLIP (Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse) technique, blood flowing into the imaging slice is extracted or suppressed by setting the Black Blood prepulse application position independent of the imaging slice. Using this technique, regional blood and/or CSF flow during the BBTI (Black Blood Time Interval) can be observed. This technique can be used in non-contrast-enhanced MRA with FASE or TrueSSFP sequences (particularly artery/vein separation imaging in the lung area). In addition, the background signal can be suppressed by acquiring data while the selective inversion pulse of the Time-SLIP pulse is turned ON/OFF alternately.
Please consult the Image Gallery or Case Study section of this web site for more examples of this technique.