G01R33/56572

EFFICIENT GRADIENT WAVEFORM MEASUREMENTS WITH VARIABLE PREPHASING
20230251340 · 2023-08-10 ·

Accurate measurement of gradient waveform errors can often improve image quality in sequences with time varying readout and excitation waveforms. Self-encoding or offset-slice method sequences are commonly used to measure gradient waveforms. However, the self-encoding method requires a long scan time, while the offset-slice method is often low precision, requiring the thickness of the excited slice to be small compared to the maximal k-space encoded by the test waveform. This disclosure describes a novel hybrid of those methods, referred to as variable-prephasing (VP). Like the offset-slice method, VP uses the change in signal phase from offset-slices to calculate the gradient waveform. Similar to the self-encoding method, repeated acquisitions with a variable amplitude self-encoding gradient mitigates the signal loss due to phase wrapping, which, in-turn, allows thicker slices and greater SNR.

Free-Breathing MRI with Motion Compensation

A method for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data with respiratory motion compensation using one or more motion signals includes acquiring a plurality of gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views of a subject using a free-breathing multi-echo pulse sequence, and sampling a plurality of data points of the gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views to yield a self-gating signal. The self-gating signal is used to determine a plurality of respiratory motion states corresponding to the plurality of gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views. The respiratory motion states are used to correct respiratory motion bias in the gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views, thereby yielding gradient-delay-corrected and motion-compensated multi-echo data. One or more images are reconstructed using the gradient-delay-corrected and motion-compensated multi-echo data.

METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MEASUREMENT DATA USING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM WITH CORRECTION OF K-SPACE TRAJECTORIES
20220026512 · 2022-01-27 · ·

In a method for acquiring measurement data using a magnetic resonance (MR) system having a gradient unit, frequency-dependent parameters characterizing the gradient unit of the MR system are accessed (e.g. loaded from a memory), a k-space trajectory of a RESOLVE (Readout Segmentation Of Long Variable Echo trains) sequence planned for a MR measurement is accessed, MR measurement data is acquired based on the planned k-space trajectory and reconstructing image data from the MR measurement data, and an electronic signal is provided that represents the reconstructed image data as an output of the MR system. The k-space trajectory may have a frequency component in at least one direction. The planned k-space trajectory may be corrected based on at least one frequency component of the planned k-space trajectory and the frequency-dependent parameters.

METHOD FOR RECORDING MEASUREMENT DATA USING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM WITH A CORRECTION OF K-SPACE TRAJECTORIES

In a method for recording measurement data, frequency-dependent parameters characterizing a gradient unit are loaded, a k-space trajectory planned for a MR measurement and having at least one frequency component is loaded, MR measurement data is acquired based on the planned k-space trajectory and reconstructing image data from the MR measurement data, wherein the planned k-space trajectory is corrected based on the at least one frequency component of the planned k-space trajectory and the frequency-dependent parameters, and an electronic signal representing the reconstructed image data is provided as an output of the MR system. The reconstructed image data may be stored and/or displayed. Advantageously, the correction can be employed flexibly for k-space trajectories with different frequency components.

Method for obtaining an operating parameter, storage medium, and magnetic resonance apparatus
11181596 · 2021-11-23 · ·

A storage medium, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a method for obtaining an operating parameter of a magnetic resonance apparatus are disclosed herein. The method includes generating of at least one echo train, wherein the generation of an echo train includes: setting a given set of parameters; applying at least one radio frequency excitation pulse; and applying a dephasing gradient in readout direction; and reading out the echo train having at least two echo signals, wherein a readout gradient is applied while reading out the echo signals. The method further includes acquiring at least two echo signals, wherein the set of parameters differs in at least one parameter being used for different echo signals; processing the echo signals line by line to projections; and obtaining the operating parameter using the projections.

Free-breathing MRI with motion compensation

A method for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data with respiratory motion compensation using one or more motion signals includes acquiring a plurality of gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views of a subject using a free-breathing multi-echo pulse sequence, and sampling a plurality of data points of the gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views to yield a self-gating signal. The self-gating signal is used to determine a plurality of respiratory motion states corresponding to the plurality of gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views. The respiratory motion states are used to correct respiratory motion bias in the gradient-delay-corrected radial readout views, thereby yielding gradient-delay-corrected and motion-compensated multi-echo data. One or more images are reconstructed using the gradient-delay-corrected and motion-compensated multi-echo data.

Automatic determination of a correction factor for producing magnetic resonance images
11221387 · 2022-01-11 · ·

Automatically determining a correction factor for producing MR images includes outputting a first readout gradient along a readout dimension, reading out a first MR signal from a subject during the output of the first readout gradient, and specifying a second readout gradient having a theoretically identical gradient moment to the first readout gradient. A temporal waveform that differs from a temporal waveform of the first readout gradient is specified for the second readout gradient. The second readout gradient is output along the readout dimension. A second MR signal is read out from the subject during the output of the second readout gradient. A first extent of a representation of the subject is determined based on the first MR signal. A second extent of a representation of the subject is determined based on the second MR signal. A correction factor is obtained from a ratio between the first and second extents.

Compensation of magnetic field inhomogeneity in MR spectroscopic imaging using dynamic k-space expansion in combination with parallel imaging
11221388 · 2022-01-11 · ·

A method for the compensation of magnetic field inhomogeneity in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging comprising the steps of using dynamic k-space expansion in combination with parallel imaging.

Method and magnetic resonance apparatus correction of multiple distortion effects during magnetic resonance imaging
11215683 · 2022-01-04 · ·

Magnetic resonance (MR) data are acquired from a volume segment of an examination object and an MR image composed of multiple image pixels is reconstructed therefrom. For a magnetic field assumed to have been generated by the scanner, a summed field deviation is calculated, from which a respective displacement vector is calculated for each image pixel. A signal portion is assigned to each image pixel that has been displaced with the respective displacement vector from the respective image pixel. The summed field deviation is the sum of deviations caused by at least two of: non-linearities in gradient coils, Maxwell fields, field inhomogeneities independent of the gradients, and dynamic field disturbances.

Method for recording a magnetic resonance image dataset, data medium, computer program product, and magnetic resonance installation

A method for recording a magnetic resonance image dataset includes providing a magnetic resonance sequence with a series of sequence blocks, and providing at least one correction term to compensate for a magnetic field change. The magnetic field change is produced as a change of an actual magnetic field compared to a setpoint magnetic field by gradient pulses. The magnetic field change is established via a transfer characteristic of the gradient system of the magnetic resonance installation. The at least one correction term is used to compensate for the magnetic field change, and at least one magnetic resonance image dataset is recorded with the magnetic resonance sequence using the correction term.