A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance (MR) image, based on a multi-echo sequence, and a method of the MRI apparatus are provided. The MRI apparatus includes a data obtainer configured to obtain first echo data, based on an echo that is generated at a first echo time, and obtain second echo data, based on an echo that is generated at a second echo time later than the first echo time, the first echo data including a part overlapping a part included in the second echo data in a k-space. The MRI apparatus further includes an image processor configured to reconstruct the MR image, based on the first echo data and the second echo data.

A system and method for determining a magnetic field map when using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images from a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method includes selecting a pulse sequence to elicit a plurality of echoes from the subject as medical imaging data from the subject. The method also includes optimizing an echo time for a dynamic range of interest during the pulse sequence (SB.sub.max), a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR.sub.0) in the medical imaging data, and minimum T2* value in the ROI. The method further includes generating a magnetic field map estimation using the optimized echo times.

A synergized pulsing-imaging network is described. A method of optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes optimizing, by a synergized pulsing-imaging network (SPIN) circuitry a pulse sequence based, at least in part, on a loss function associated with a reconstruction network. The method further includes optimizing, by the SPIN circuitry, the reconstruction network based, at least in part, on intermediate raw MRI data and based, at least in part, on a ground truth MRI image data. The intermediate raw MRI data is determined based, at least in part on the pulse sequence.

Methods and apparatus for operating an MRI system is provided. The disclosure provides a diffusion-prepared driven-equilibrium preparation for an imaging volume and acquiring 3-dimensional k-space data from said prepared volume by a plurality of echoplanar readouts of stimulated echoes. An excitation radio-frequency signal and first and second inversion RF signals are provided to define a field-of-view (FOV).

A method for producing an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring a series of echo signals by sampling k-space along radial lines that each pass through the center of k-space. Each projection of the radial lines is divided into multiple echoes and successive projections are spaced by a predetermined angular distance. The series of echo signals are reconstructed into a plurality of images, wherein each image corresponds to a distinct echo signal.

Systems and methods for high-resolution STAGE imaging can include acquisition of relatively low-resolution k-space datasets with two separate multi-echo GRE sequences. The multi-echo GRE sequences can correspond to separate and distinct flip angles. Various techniques for combining the low-resolution k-space datasets to generate a relatively high-resolution k-space are described. These techniques can involve combining low-resolution k-space datasets associated with various echo types. The STAGE imaging approaches described herein allow for rapid imaging, enhanced image resolution with relatively small or no increase in MR data acquisition time.

In a method and apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image data set of a target region, MR data for a first number of slices are recorded and the recording of MR data for a second number, which is smaller than or equal to the first number, of different slices takes place simultaneously. A separation algorithm of the parallel imaging is used to determine MR data that are assigned to individual slices from the multi-slice data set produced during the simultaneous recording of the multiple slices. This separation algorithm uses input parameters determined from a calibration data set of the target region, the calibration data set being recorded in a reference scan, after which the MR image data set is reconstructed from the MR data assigned to individual slices, wherein at least part of the calibration data set is also used for reconstructing the MR image data set.

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a new technique, termed multiplexed sensitivity encoding with inherent phase correction, is proposed and implemented to effectively and reliably provide high-resolution segmented DWI and DTI, where shot-to-shot phase variations are inherently corrected, with high quality and SNR yet without relying on reference and navigator echoes. The performance and consistency of the new technique in enabling high-quality DWI and DTI are confirmed experimentally in healthy adult volunteers on 3 Tesla MRI systems. This newly developed technique should be broadly applicable in neuroscience investigations of brain structure and function.

In a method for generating at least one MR image of an object in an MR system comprising a plurality of signal receiving coils, a sequence of RF pulses are applied in order to generate a plurality of MR signal echoes, the MR signal-echoes are detected with the plurality of signal receiving coils in a 3-dimension-al k-space, and the at least one MR image is reconstructed using the non-homogeneous under sampled 3-dimensional k-space based on a compressed sensing technology. The 3-dimensional k-space may be undersampled with a plurality of constant radii corkscrew trajectories having different radii resulting in a non-homogeneous undersampled 3-dimensional k-space.

Systems and methods for high-resolution STAGE imaging can include acquisition of relatively low-resolution k-space datasets with two separate multi-echo GRE sequences. The multi-echo GRE sequences can correspond to separate and distinct flip angles. Various techniques for combining the low-resolution k-space datasets to generate a relatively high-resolution k-space are described. These techniques can involve combining low-resolution k-space datasets associated with various echo types. The STAGE imaging approaches described herein allow for rapid imaging, enhanced image resolution with relatively small or no increase in MR data acquisition time.