A novel radio frequency sequence, suitable for performing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of 2-dimensional (2D) slices of samples exhibiting short magnetization coherence times (i.e., hard tissues). The SS-ZTE pulse sequence contains the following steps: a) magnetizing all spins in the sample from a longitudinal direction to the transverse plane; b) exciting the 2D slice of interest, which comprises the selective locking of said 2D sample slice magnetization while spoiling the magnetization in the rest of sample volume; c) making the magnetization of the selected 2D slice impervious to reconfigurations of the magnetic field gradients from slice selection to encoding and readout; d) reading out of the free induction decay signal of the sample; e) repeating steps (a-d) with different readout directions, so as to gather a corresponding number of radial spokes of the plane defined by the 2D sample slice.

By producing the proper wave interference using superimposed angularly separate waves that overlap with the proper time-phase relationship (called “Time-Correlated Standing-wave Interference”), wave energy is amplified (by “Coherent Intensity Amplification”) and teleported to precise locations. For instance, in one application, energy is teleported to one or more areas within a living body for such therapeutic applications as destroying cancer cells or plaques within arteries. A system implementing this technique creates amplified constructive interference at one or more selected disease locations, while producing destructive interference at surrounding locations. In this application example, the technique allows energy to be “teleported” to tumor cells, plaques, or other diseased cells, for instance, to destroy them, while surrounding healthy cells receive virtually no energy, obviating collateral damage from the treatment. The same method can be used to diagnose disease by detecting energy teleported to different locations.

Positive contrast localization of magnetic (e.g. superparamagnetic) particles in vivo or in vitro by means of SWIFT-MRI using the imaginary component of MR image data in combination with an anatomic reference image derived from the real or magnitude component.

In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system for functional MR imaging of a predetermined volume segment of THE brain of a living examination subject, an RF excitation pulse is radiated into the subject and at least one magnetic field gradient is activated, and MR data of the predetermined volume segment is acquired beginning at a predetermined echo time after the RF excitation pulse. The echo time is in a time period of 10 μs to 1000 μs.

An MRI-based method for determining a velocity profile for a fluid flowing through a pipe, said method comprising: selecting a slice through which said fluid is flowing; selecting a pulse sequence; separating said pulse sequence into a preparation part and a readout part; applying said preparation part to said slice; waiting a predetermined time Rt; and, applying said readout part to said slice.

An apparatus and a method for generating a volume-selective three-dimensional magnetic resonance image are disclosed. The volume-selective three-dimensional magnetic resonance image generating method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes applying a frequency selective excitation pulse and a slab selection gradient magnetic field together to an object; acquiring a signal generated from the object by the excitation pulse and the slab selection gradient magnetic field; and generating a three-dimensional magnetic resonance image through encoding based on a readout gradient magnetic field maintaining vertically to the acquired signal and the slab selection gradient magnetic field.

The present disclosure discloses a method for measuring relaxation time of ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance fingerprinting. In the method, semi-pulse excitation and semi-projection readout are adopted to shorten echo time (TE) to achieve acquisition of an ultrashort T2 time signal; and image acquisition and reconstruction are based on magnetic resonance fingerprint imaging technology. A TE change mode of sinusoidal fluctuation is introduced, so that distinguishing capability of a magnetic resonance fingerprint signal to short T2 and ultrashort T2 tissues is improved, and multi-parameter quantitative imaging of the short T2 and ultrashort T2 tissues and long T2 tissues is realized. Non-uniformity of a magnetic field is modulated into phase information of the fingerprint signal through the TE of the sinusoidal fluctuation; a B0 graph is directly reconstructed according to an amplitude-modulated signal demodulation principle; and the phase change caused by a BO field is compensated in the fingerprint signal.

Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to ultrashort-echo-time (UTE) imaging. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring UTE imaging data associated with an area of interest of a subject. The acquiring comprises applying an imaging pulse sequence with a three-dimensional (3D) spiral acquisition and a nonselective excitation pulse. The method also includes reconstructing at least one image of the area of interest from the acquired UTE imaging data.

Methods and systems for production of silent, multi-gradient-echo, magnetic resonance images are provided. The methods employ iterative application of small updates to the magnetic field gradient followed by a short, non-selective radiofrequency pulse excitation and for free induction decay data acquisition. The magnetic field gradient updates allow for silent, self-refocusing pulse sequence. Subsequent applications of the magnetic field gradients allow for multiple echo data acquisitions, which may allow fast, silent production of T2*-weighted images.

A method for providing an estimated 3D T.sub.2 map for magnetic resonance imaging using a Double-Echo Steady-State (DESS) sequence for a volume of an object in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. A DESS scan of the volume is provided by the MRI system. Signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are acquired by the MRI system. Signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are used to provide a T.sub.2 map for a plurality of slices of the volume, comprising determining repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), flip angle α, and an estimate of the longitudinal relaxation time (T.sub.1), and wherein the DESS scan has a spoiler gradient with an amplitude G and a duration τ and ignoring echo pathways having spent more than two repetition times in the transverse plane.