Appeal No. 2007-0204
Application 10/938,966
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Claim 51 is reproduced below.
51. A method of acquiring MR images in a 3D MRI study
comprising:
identifying a desired imaging volume;
entering a real-time monitoring mode using a modifiable pulse
sequence with reduced slice encoding and rewinder gradients in a 2D
mode;
navigating in real-time by acquiring and monitoring 2D images
until the desired imaging volume is sufficiently located;
switching the modifiable pulse sequence from the 2D mode to a
3D mode;
increasing slide encoding and rewinder gradients; and
acquiring 3D images of the desired imaging volume.
THE REJECTION
Claims 51-54 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph,
based on lack of written description in the originally filed disclosure for the
limitation of "reduced" slice encoding and rewinder gradients. The Examiner
states (Final Rejection, at 2):
The specification fails to disclose that the slice encoding and rewinder
gradients are reduced. The specification only discloses that these
gradient[s] are disabled completely in the 2D mode. The language used
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