Abstract: A method for acquiring spatial and velocity image data for three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography simultaneously by using a stepped bipolar gradient pulse in which the zeroth gradient moment is nulled by the second lobe of the pulse to provide a second echo which encodes velocity information, and spatial information is readout following the first lobe of the bipolar pulse. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a multiple overlapping thin slab acquisition technique which makes possible high quality images for both spatial and velocity signals.

Abstract: A method for acquiring image data for three dimensional magnetic resonance angiography using magnitude contrast, ("time-of-flight") imaging techniques allowing for the arbitrary offset of a slab or slabs in a sample, and allowing for the acquisition of multiple thin overlapping slabs using the steps of: selecting an image area on a sample as a one or more thin slabs; applying magnetic gradients to a sample in a logical x, y, and z coordinate system by use of a magetic resonance apparatus; applying radio frequency pulses to the image area within the sample; shifting the slab or slabs (overlapping the slab image area) by rotating the radio frequency pulse for the shifted (overlapping) slab or slabs.