In a computer-implemented method of training a machine learning based processor, the processor can be trained to derive image data from signal data sets of multiple spin echo sequences. The trained processor can be configured to perform image processing for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to derive the image data.

A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system-based substance measurement method, including: acquiring several echo signals of an NMR pulse sequence varying in echo spacing from a substance to be measured followed by processing to obtain several signals varying in transverse relaxation and diffusion attenuation; and fitting, in combination with the prior knowledge, the signals to obtain the diffusion coefficient, transverse relaxation time or/and content weight of individual components of the substance to be measured. This application further provides a substance measurement system including a console, a magnet module, and an NMR system.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) images using a pulse sequence implementing driven equilibrium and quadratic phase cycling techniques is provided. The method includes, during a pulse repetition period of a pulse sequence and using a quadratic phase cycling scheme, applying a first RF pulse to deflect a net magnetization vector associated with the subject from a longitudinal plane into a transverse plane; after applying the first RF pulse, applying a first sequence of RF pulses each of which flips the net magnetization vector by approximately 180 degrees within the transverse plane; and after applying the first sequence of RF pulses, applying a second RF pulse to deflect the net magnetization vector from the transverse plane to the longitudinal plane.

The invention relates to a method of MR imaging. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved B.sub.1 mapping method that is less affected by T.sub.1 relaxation. The invention proposes that a first stimulated echo imaging sequence (25) is generated comprising at least two preparation RF pulses (α) radiated during a first preparation period (21) and a sequence of reading RF pulses (β) radiated during a first acquisition period (22) temporally subsequent to the first preparation period (21). A first set of FID signals (I.sub.FID) and a first set of stimulated echo signals (I.sub.STE) are acquired during the first acquisition period (22). A second stimulated echo imaging sequence (27) is generated comprising again at least two preparation RF pulses (α) radiated during a second preparation period (21) and a sequence of reading RF pulses (β) radiated during a second acquisition period (22) temporally subsequent to the second preparation period (21). A second set of FID signals (I.sub.FID) and a second set of stimulated echo signals (I.sub.STE) are acquired during the second acquisition period (22). The first and second sets of FID signals (IFID) have different T.sub.1-weightings and/or the first and second sets of stimulated echo signals (I.sub.STE) have different T.sub.1-weightings. A B.sub.1 map indicating the spatial distribution of the RF field of the RF pulses is derived from the acquired first and second sets of FID (I.sub.FID) and stimulated echo (I.sub.STE) signals, wherein the different T.sub.1-weightings are made use of to compensate for influences on the B.sub.1 map caused by T.sub.1 relaxation. Preferably, either the first or the second preparation period (21) is preceded by an RF inversion pulse to obtain the different T.sub.1-weightings. Moreover, the invention relates to an MR device (1) and to a computer program for an MR device (1).

The present invention relates to the locally resolved examination of objects by means of magnetic resonance (MR) and relates specifically to a less motion-artifact prone method for navigated multi-shot acquisition of diffusion-weighted image data using moment-nulled magnetic field gradients for diffusion encoding. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

The present invention relates to the locally resolved examination of objects by means of magnetic resonance (MR) and relates specifically to a less motion-artifact prone method for navigated multi-shot acquisition of diffusion-weighted image data using moment-nulled magnetic field gradients for diffusion encoding. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the method.

An image processing method comprising: receiving MRI data representing a scan of an organ of a patient, the MRI data including multiecho data for a plurality of pixels; for each of a plurality of pixels of the MRI data: fitting the multiecho data to a simulated decay curve; calculating a tissue index based on at least one parameter of the simulated decay curve; and comparing the tissue index to a threshold to determine a tissue type; wherein each pixel of the multiecho data consists of 16 or fewer echoes.

In a structural analysis using NMR techniques, a method for gathering k-value data from frequency encoded spin echoes generated from internal volumes selectively excited by intersecting 90° and 180° slice selective and refocusing RF pulses and subjected to a read gradient for the purpose of quantifying the spatial frequency content of the selected internal volume without contamination by a FID signal, comprising: acquiring spin echo data such that the FID signal generated by imperfections in the 180° slice selective refocusing RF pulse is attenuated by the read gradient such that any remaining FID signal is spatially encoded with higher k-values than the frequency encoded k-values being recorded for subsequent structural analysis while simultaneously providing for t2 t2* and t1 contrast. Other aspects of the invention are disclosed.

To avoid discontinuities between echoes from becoming large level differences in a k-space and to reduce artifacts generated in a reconstructed image due to the discontinuities in the k-space, an MRI apparatus of the present invention uses phase characteristics of multiple echoes to be collected after a single RF excitation to control an arrangement order in the k-space where the multiple echoes are arranged when a pulse sequence of the fast spin echo method that collects the multiple echoes using a spin flip after a single RF excitation is executed. The arrangement is controlled so that echoes with small phase errors between the echoes at least near the center of the k-space are adjacent to each other.

According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquiring unit and processing circuitry. The data acquiring unit acquires MR signals for imaging according to data acquiring conditions for acquiring MR signals multiple times following one excitation. The data acquiring unit also acquires reference MR signals for phase correction of real space data for imaging. The real space data are generated based on the MR signals for imaging. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a phase error, in a real space region, of reference real space data and generate MR image data based on the MR signals for imaging with the phase correction of the real space data for imaging based on the calculated phase error. The reference real space data are generated based on the reference MR signals. The real space region is determined based on conditions of acquiring the reference MR signals or the like.