G01R33/5615

Ultrafast MRI system and method
11385312 · 2022-07-12 ·

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), allows simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume, except for gradient reversals and/or RF pulses for refocusing spins into echoes. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g., 256 times) compared with known existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds or less, with good signal-to-noise ratio; signal-to-noise ratio further increases by reducing or eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; real-time functional MRI can be on millisecond timescales; high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen can be in a single breath hold; ands; and audible noise and vibration are greatly reduced.

Image processing apparatus, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and image processing method
11439314 · 2022-09-13 · ·

An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse and causes a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments.

Dual resolution Dixon magnetic resonance imaging
11280865 · 2022-03-22 · ·

The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100). Machine executable instructions (140) cause a processor controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to control (200) the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence commands to acquire two point Dixon magnetic resonance data and single point Dixon magnetic resonance data; calculate (202) a first resolution magnetic field inhomogeneity map (148) using the two point Dixon magnetic resonance data; calculate (204) a second resolution magnetic field inhomogeneity map (154) by interpolating the first resolution magnetic inhomogeneity map to the second resolution; and calculate (206) a second resolution water image (156) and a second resolution fat image (158) using the single point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging data and the second resolution magnetic field inhomogeneity map. The first resolution is lower than the second resolution.

Magnetic resonance measurement with prospective movement correction

A method is used to carry out a magnetic resonance measurement with at least one echo train with n spin echoes and prospective movement correction. Movement correction data for each echo train is updated at the start of the echo train and is then updated again at most partially for the spin echoes.

METHOD FOR CREATING DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED AND NON-DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED SCAN DATA BY MEANS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE
20220099778 · 2022-03-31 · ·

Techniques are disclosed for capturing scan data of an examination object via a magnetic resonance system. The techniques include capturing a first set of a diffusion-weighted scan data by excitation and, in an acquisition phase, acquiring a first echo signal, wherein before the acquisition phase in a diffusion preparation phase, diffusion gradients are switched for diffusion encoding of the scan data, The techniques additionally include capturing a second set of non-diffusion-weighted scan data by excitation and, in an acquisition phase, acquiring a second echo signal, wherein before the acquisition phase, in a diffusion preparation phase, the same diffusion gradients are switched as are switched for diffusion encoding of the scan data of the first set of diffusion-weighted scan data, although they have no influence on the second echo signal. Diffusion-weighted and non-diffusion-weighted scan data is thereby captured, having identical disturbances caused by eddy currents induced by switched gradients.

METHOD FOR ACQUIRING REFERENCE DATA FOR A PHASE CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE TECHNOLOGY
20220099780 · 2022-03-31 · ·

In a method and system for acquiring measurement data reference data for a phase correction of the measurement data, a RF excitation pulse is provided to excite spins in the object under examination, one or more RF refocusing pulses are provided to refocus the spins excited by the RF excitation pulse, measurement data is acquired by recording echo signals of refocused spins excited by the RF excitation pulse by switching readout gradients that alternate in their polarity, at least two echo signals are recorded while switching readout gradients with different polarity acquire reference data, chronologically between the providing of the RF excitation pulse and the acquisition of the measurement data, and correction data is determined for phase correction of phase errors contained in the measurement data based on the acquired reference data.

System and method for multiple contrast encoding with magnetic resonance imaging
11287501 · 2022-03-29 · ·

A system and method are provided for producing at least one of an image or a map of a subject. The method includes controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system to perform a pulse sequence that includes at least one phase increment of an RF pulse of a gradient echo pulse sequence configured to encode longitudinal relaxation (T1) information in an imaginary component of a magnetic resonance (MR) data received from the subject and encode at least transverse relaxation (T2) information in a real component of the MR data received from the subject. The method also includes generating a T1 image or map of the subject or a T2 image or map of the subject from the MR data and displaying the T1 image or map or the T2 image or map of the subject.

ECHO-SPECIFIC K-SPACE SAMPLING WITH MULTI-ECHO SEQUENCES
20220099771 · 2022-03-31 ·

In a method, an imaging sequence is irradiated into an examination region in which an examination object is located. The imaging sequence includes an acquisition section. The acquisition section includes acquiring a plurality of echo signals, each of which samples a k-space region of a k-space. The plurality of echo signals comprises a plurality of first echo signals and a plurality of second echo signals. The plurality of first echo signals and the plurality of second echo signals are generated from different magnetization configurations. The k-space regions sampled by the plurality of first echo signals sample the k-space in a different order to the k-space regions sampled by the plurality of second echo signals.

Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging

A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may include cause, based on a pulse sequence, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner to perform a scan on an object. The pulse sequence may include a steady-state sequence and an acquisition sequence that is different from the steady-state sequence. The steady-state sequence may correspond to a steady-state phase of the scan in which no MR data is acquired. The acquisition sequence may correspond to an acquisition phase of the scan in which MR data of the object is acquired. The method may also include generating one or more images of the object based on the MR data.

OPTIMIZING AN MR CONTROL SEQUENCE
20220065965 · 2022-03-03 · ·

Method for optimizing an MR control sequence for acquiring MR data of an examination subject by means of an MR device having gradient coils. The method includes providing an MR control sequence having sequence portions, each having an excitation portion, a phase encoding portion and a readout portion, wherein the phase encoding portion is arranged in each case between the excitation portion and the readout portion with respect to time; providing a defined parameter for the MR control sequence; providing an optimization objective; ascertaining usage time of the gradient coils between the excitation portion and the readout portion with respect to time for each of the sequence portions; optimizing the excitation portions for each of the sequence portions considering the ascertained usage time for the corresponding sequence portion and the defined parameter with regard to the optimization objective; and providing the optimized MR control sequence having the optimized excitation portions.