Method and system for monitoring a tissue parameter such as proteoglycan content by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

A method of measuring a tissue parameter such as proteoglycan content and other relevant tissue parameters, e.g. tissue pH, in a tissue or an organ of a subject includes generating first and second frequency magnetic resonance data using T.sub.1ρ scans at different frequencies, wherein the frequencies are symmetric. The method also includes combining the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data to remove a number of contributions from a number of relaxation mechanisms other than chemical exchange, thereby obtaining chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ. The chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data may be used to measure the proteoglycan content in the tissue or organ.

Claims

1. A method of measuring a tissue parameter in a tissue or an organ of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: generating T.sub.1ρ scan data from the tissue or the organ using a first frequency and a second frequency that is symmetric to the first frequency, wherein the generating the T.sub.1ρ scan data includes: generating first frequency magnetic resonance data including conducting at least one T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency and removing a steady-state data contribution at the first frequency such that the first frequency magnetic resonance data is free of the steady-state data contribution at the first frequency, wherein the generating the first frequency magnetic resonance data includes conducting a first spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency to produce first frequency spin-lock data, wherein the first spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a first spin-lock pulse, conducting a first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency to produce first frequency inverse spin-lock data, wherein the first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a second spin-lock pulse that is an inversion of the first spin-lock pulse, and combining the first frequency spin-lock data and the first frequency inverse spin-lock data to produce the first frequency magnetic resonance data; generating second frequency magnetic resonance data including conducting at least one T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency and removing a steady-state data contribution at the first frequency such that the second frequency magnetic resonance data is free of the steady-state data contribution at the second frequency, wherein the generating the second frequency magnetic resonance data includes conducting a second spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency to produce second frequency spin-lock data, wherein the second spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a third spin-lock pulse, conducting a second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency to produce second frequency inverse spin-lock data, wherein the second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a fourth spin-lock pulse that is an inversion of the third spin-lock pulse, and combining the second frequency spin-lock data and the second frequency inversion spin-lock data to produce the second frequency magnetic resonance data; generating data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ from the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of generating first frequency magnetic resonance data and generating second frequency magnetic resonance data further comprise generating data indicative of a first clinical parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue parameter is proteoglycan content and the first clinical parameter is PH level of the tissue or organ.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: combining the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data to remove a number of contributions from a number of relaxation mechanisms other than chemical exchange, thereby obtaining the data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ comprising chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising using the chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data to measure the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first frequency is between 0.6 ppm and 2.0 ppm.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency is between −2.0 ppm and −0.6 ppm.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan is combined with a first pre-spin-lock pulse and wherein the second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan is combined with a second pre-spin-lock pulse.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the tissue is connective tissue.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising using the measured tissue parameter to detect or diagnose a physiological condition in the subject.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the combining the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data comprises a division operation, wherein the combining the first frequency spin-lock data and the first frequency inverse spin-lock data comprises a subtraction operation, and wherein the combining the second frequency spin-lock data and the second frequency inverse spin-lock data comprises a subtraction operation.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tissue parameter is proteoglycan content in the tissue or an organ.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating steps employ one of (i) radiation of 4.0-4.5 μT@0.9 ppm; (ii) 1.8-2.2 μT@0.6 ppm; or (iii) 7.0-7.8 μT@1.2 ppm.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the generating steps employ a spin-lock duration of ≤100 ms.

15. An MRI system for use in measuring a tissue parameter in a tissue or an organ of a subject, comprising: a magnet; a number of gradient coils; an RF coil; and a control system, wherein the control system stores and is structured to execute a number of routines, the number of routines being structured to: generate T.sub.1ρ scan data from the tissue or the organ using a first frequency and a second frequency that is symmetric to the first frequency by: generating first frequency magnetic resonance data including conducting at least one T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency and removing a steady-state data contribution at the first frequency such that the first frequency magnetic resonance data is free of the steady-state data contribution at the first frequency, wherein the generating the first frequency magnetic resonance data includes conducting a first spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency to produce first frequency spin-lock data, wherein the first spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a first spin-lock pulse, conducting a first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the first frequency to produce first frequency inverse spin-lock data, wherein the first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a second spin-lock pulse that is an inversion of the first spin-lock pulse, and combining the first frequency spin-lock data and the first frequency inverse spin-lock data to produce the first frequency magnetic resonance data; and generating second frequency magnetic resonance data including conducting at least one T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency and removing a steady-state data contribution at the first frequency such that the second frequency magnetic resonance data is free of the steady-state data contribution at the second frequency, wherein the generating the second frequency magnetic resonance data includes conducting a second spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency to produce second frequency spin-lock data, wherein the second spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a third spin-lock pulse, conducting a second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan of the tissue or the organ at the second frequency to produce second frequency inverse spin-lock data, wherein the second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan comprises a fourth spin-lock pulse that is an inversion of the third spin-lock pulse, and combining the second frequency spin-lock data and the second frequency inversion spin-lock data to produce the second frequency magnetic resonance data; and generate data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ from the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data.

16. The MRI system according to claim 15, number of routines being structured to generate the T.sub.1ρ scan data and manipulate the T.sub.1ρ scan data by: combining the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data to remove a number of contributions from a number of relaxation mechanisms other than chemical exchange, thereby obtaining the data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ comprising chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ.

17. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the first frequency is between 0.6 ppm and 2.0 ppm.

18. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the second frequency is between −2.0 ppm and −0.6 ppm.

19. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the first inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan is combined with a first pre-spin-lock pulse and wherein the second inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan is combined with a second pre-spin-lock pulse.

20. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the number of routines are structured to use the chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data to measure the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ.

21. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the number of routines are structured to combine the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data using a division operation, to combine the first frequency spin-lock data and the first frequency inverse spin-lock data using a subtraction operation, and to combine the second frequency spin-lock data and the second frequency inverse spin-lock data using a subtraction operation.

22. The MRI system according to claim 15, wherein the tissue parameter is proteoglycan content in the tissue or an organ.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more programs, including instructions, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a generic R.sub.1 ρ/R.sub.2 relaxation as measured using a clinical protocol;

(2) FIG. 2a is a basic pulse diagram showing the prior art gagCEST method;

(3) FIG. 2b is a basic pulse diagram showing the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept;

(4) FIG. 2c illustrates the definition of M.sub.SL and M.sub.ISL according to the disclosed concept;

(5) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary MRI system in which the disclosed concept may be implemented;

(6) FIGS. 4a and 4b show the contrast produced by the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept and the prior art gagCEST method;

(7) FIG. 4c shows the results of FIGS. 4a and 4b in graphical form;

(8) FIG. 4d compares R.sub.1ρ,asym of the disclosed concept with R.sub.1ρ, R.sub.2, R.sub.1 of the prior art;

(9) FIGS. 5a-5B illustrate the preliminary work performed by the inventors using rabbit discs;

(10) FIGS. 6a-6d illustrate certain advantages of the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept over the prior art gagCEST method;

(11) FIGS. 7a-7d show several SL schemes for R.sub.1ρ,Asym according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept;

(12) FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an exemplary scheme wherein R.sub.1ρ can be obtained using the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept by implementation of adiabatic pulses; and

(13) FIG. 9 demonstrates a curve-fitting method that may be employed in connection with the disclosed concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(14) As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(15) As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).

(16) As used herein, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on one computer and for distributed between two or more computers. While certain ways of displaying information to users are shown and described with respect to certain figures or graphs as screenshots, those skilled in the relevant an will recognize that various other alternatives can be employed. The terms “screens,” “web page,” and “page” are generally used interchangeably herein. The pages or screens are stored and/or transmitted as display descriptions, as graphical user interfaces, or by other methods of depicting information on a screen (whether personal computer, PDA, mobile telephone, or other suitable device, for example) where the layout and information or content to be displayed on the page is stored in memory, database, or another storage facility.

(17) Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

(18) The present invention will now be described, for purposes of explanation, in connection with numerous specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject invention. It will be evident, however, that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details without departing from the spirit and scope of this innovation.

(19) The disclosed concept, described in detail herein, provides a method for performing MRI to quantitatively measure PG content in a tissue or organ of a subject. The measurement may be used to detect and monitor the onset and progression of a connective tissue disorder. The concept allows for selective detection of the chemical exchange (CE)-specific relaxation rate constant and thus, for specific detection of PG content in the tissue or organ. The disclosed concept also encompasses a system that performs the disclosed method. One example of such as system is shown in FIG. 3 and described herein. The disclosed method is clinically advantageous because, for example, it does not require use of exogenous agents, specialized MRI hardware or long saturation pulses.

(20) The various particular embodiments of the disclosed concept are described in detail herein. In one exemplary embodiment of the method, four spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scans are performed at two symmetric frequencies, +/−Omega, with two scans performed at each frequency. The frequency may be set at +/−(0.6 ppm˜2.0 ppm) for PG detection. At each frequency, one spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan and one inverse spin-lock T.sub.1ρ scan is conducted. The results from these two scans are combined to remove the steady-state contribution at the specific frequency. The results from the two frequencies are then combined to remove the contribution from relaxation mechanisms other than chemical exchange. In the end, only chemical exchange specific T.sub.1ρ is detected, which is specific to PG content in connective tissue. This specific T.sub.1ρ may be identified as R.sub.1ρ,asym.

(21) The concept encompasses various magnetic resonance schemes for performing methods to measure PG content in tissues or organs. For example, in addition to using an irradiation offset Ω between 0.5 ppm and 2.0 ppm, the method encompasses utilizing spin lock (SL) to obtain offset specific R.sub.1ρ,Asym contrast at irradiation offset Ω/−Ω. In one embodiment, basic SL and inversion SL may be used. In another embodiment, in addition to applying a 180° pulse to compensate for the B.sub.1 inhomogeneity, the inversion pulse may be combined with θ pre-SL pulse. With this combination, the specific absorption rate (SAR) can be reduced. In a further embodiment, the method encompasses compensating for the B.sub.1 inhomogeneity by switching SL polarity instead of performing an additional 180° pulse. Additionally, the pre- and post-SL pulse may be replaced with a frequency swept pulse, which may be adiabatic pulses, e.g. adiabatic passage or BIR (B.sub.1-insensitive rotation) family. Because the radio frequency amplitude and phase have been varied smoothly between three pulses (they can be combined into one shape pulse), there is no need for B.sub.1 inhomogeneity compensation.

(22) Besides conducting SL to obtain R.sub.1ρ differentiation as listed above, R.sub.1ρ can also be obtained by implementation of adiabatic pulses. For example, by arranging frequency sweep offset (e.g. from +∞ to 0.7 ppm), quantitative measurement of the chemical exchange (CE)-specific relaxation rate constant can be achieved.

(23) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an MRI system 2 according to an exemplary embodiment in which the various embodiments of the glucoCESL methods described herein may be implemented. In particular, the methods described herein, in the various embodiments, may be implemented as a number of software routines embedded in the control system of MRI system 2. Referring to FIG. 3, MRI system 2 includes a table 4 on which a patient 6 rests. Table 4 is structured to slide inside a tunnel 7 formed by a housing 8. Housing 8 houses a superconducting magnet 10, which generates a very high magnetic field. Housing 8 also houses multiple sets of gradient coils 12. Gradient coils 12 are coupled to magnet 10 for adjusting the magnetic field. Housing 8 further houses a Radio Frequency (RF) coil 14, which applies RF pulses to a specific body-part of the patient 6 to be analyzed, and receives signals that are returned by the same body-part. RF coil 6 may be, for example, a surface coil, a saddle coil, a Helmholts coil, or any other suitable RF coil structure. Housing 8 is provided with a magnetic shield 16, which surrounds magnet 10, gradient coil(s) 12 and the RF coil 14. Shield 16 minimizes the magnetic fields generated within tunnel 7 from radiating outside housing 8, and at the same time it protects the inside of tunnel 7 from external magnetic interferences.

(24) MRI system 2 also includes a control module 18 that includes all the components that are required to drive gradient coil 12 and RF coil 14 (for example, an RF transmitter, an output amplifier, and the like); control module 18 also includes all the components that are required to acquire the response signals from the body-part (for example, an input amplifier, an Analog-To-Digital Converter, or ADC, and the like). Moreover, control module 18 drives a motor (not shown) that is used to move the table 342 to and from tunnel 7. Finally, control module 18 includes a processing portion which may be, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller or some other suitable processing device, and a memory portion that may be internal to the processing portion or operatively coupled to the processing portion and that provides a storage medium for data and software executable by the processing portion for controlling the operation of MRI system 2, including the routines for implementing the various embodiments of the method for quantitatively measuring proteoglycan content described herein.

(25) MRI system 2 further includes a computer system 20 (for example, a Personal Computer, or PC), which is coupled to control module 18. Computer system 20 is configured to control MRI system 2 and to post-process the acquired response signals. Computer system 20 is also configured to display images relating to the body-part under analysis.

(26) As just described, the purpose of the disclosed concept is to provide a clinically applicable MRI method, referred to by the developers as quantitative gagCESL (iGagCESL), which can selectively detect the CE-specific relaxation rate constant, and therefore quantitatively measure PG content in a clinical context. As a consequence, iGagCESL is of great value to detect and monitor the onset and progression of both OA and IDD.

(27) It should be noted that this method does not use any exogenous agents, and remains within clinical guidelines for MR safety. It has clear advantages over both R.sub.1ρ/R.sub.2 method and gagCEST. Moreover, no specialized MRI hardware, e.g. .sup.31P or .sup.23Na RF coils, is necessary to conduct the disclosed method, making it easily translatable to the clinic.

(28) The theory behind the iGagCESL of the disclosed concept will now be discussed in detail below. Note the although the disclosed concept is described herein in the exemplary embodiment as being based an SL method due to its simplicity, the disclosed concept can be implemented other techniques such as, without limitation those detailed elsewhere herein.

(29) Recently, the theories of spin-lock (SL) T.sub.1ρ technique and CEST method have been unified. Under SL conditions, eqn[1] can be rewritten as:
R.sub.1ρ=R.sub.1ρ,misc(ω.sub.1)+R.sub.1ρ,ex(δ,Ω,ω.sub.1)  [3]
where θ=arctan(ω.sub.1/Ω), Ω is the irradiation offset, ω.sub.1 is the Rabi frequency of the irradiation pulse. This is because CE is the only term of interest here, and all the first three terms in eqn[1] do not contain irradiation offset Ω or chemical shift δ.

(30) In general, the normalized bulk magnetization after off-resonance R.sub.1ρ at offset Ω can be expressed as (See FIG. 2c, left):
M.sub.SL(Ω)=e.sup.−R.sup.1ρ.sup..Math.TSL+S.sub.ss.Math.(1−e.sup.−R.sup.1ρ.sup..Math.TSL)  [4]
where TSL is SL duration; M.sub.SL(Ω) is bulk magnetization after SL preparation; S.sub.ss is steady state of bulk magnetization. Notably, it is the steady state contribution that complicates the effort to extricate R.sub.1ρ. The steady state should be the same no matter where the magnetization begins. After adding an inversion pulse before SL, the normalized bulk magnetization can be expressed as (See FIG. 2c, right):
M.sub.ISL(Ω)=−α.Math.e.sup.−R.sup.1ρ.sup..Math.TSL+S.sub.ss.Math.(1−e.sup.−R.sup.1ρ.sup..Math.TSL)  [5]
where M.sub.ISL(Ω) is bulk magnetization after inversion of SL preparation with inversion efficiency α. By subtraction of [5] from [4], and combining with [3], the result is:
[M.sub.SL(Ω)−M.sub.ISL(Ω)]=(1+α).Math.e.sup.−R.sup.1ρ.sup..Math.TSL=(1+α).Math.e.sup.−[R.sup.1ρ,misc.sup.(107.sub.1.sup.)+R.sub.1ρp,ex.sup.(δ,Ω,ω.sub.1.sup.)].Math.TSL  [6]
In order to remove R.sub.1ρ,misc(ω.sub.1), [M.sub.SL(−Ω) M.sub.ISL(−Ω)] was introduced:
[M.sub.SL(−Ω)−M.sub.ISL(Ω)]=(1+α).Math.e.sup.−[R.sup.1ρ,misc.sup.(ω.sub.1.sup.)+R.sub.1ρ,ex.sup.(δ,−Ω,ω.sub.1.sup.)].Math.TSL  [7]
After eqn[6] is divided by eqn[7], the resultant equation can be rearranged as:

(31) $\begin{array}{cc}{R}_{1\rho ,\mathrm{ex}}\left(\delta ,\Omega ,{\omega }_1\right)-R_{1\rho }\left(\delta ,-\Omega ,{\omega }_1\right)=\frac{1}{\mathrm{TSL}}\ln \frac{M_{\mathrm{SL}}\left(-\Omega \right)-M_{\mathrm{iSL}}\left(-\Omega \right)}{M_{\mathrm{SL}}\left(\Omega \right)-M_{\mathrm{iSL}}\left(\Omega \right)}& \left[8\right]\end{array}$
According to Trott and Palmer's asymmetric population assumption,

(32) $\begin{array}{cc}{R}_{1\rho ,\mathrm{ex}}\left(\delta ,\Omega ,{\omega }_1\right)=\frac{p_a.Math.p_b.Math.{\delta }^2.Math.k}{{\left(\delta -\Omega \right)}^2+{\omega }_1^2+k^2}.Math.\frac{{\omega }_1^2}{{\Omega }^2+{\omega }_1^2}& \left[9\right]\end{array}$
where p.sub.a and p.sub.b are relative proton population of water and labile proton (p.sub.a+p.sub.b=1); δ is chemical shift of labile proton; k is CE rate of labile proton; θ, Ω, and ω.sub.1 are the same as eqn[3].

(33) Set Ω as δ, which is chemical shift of labile proton of PG between 0.5 ppm and 1.5 ppm, and by combining with eqn[9]:

(34) $\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{c}{R}_{1\rho ,\mathrm{asym}}\left(\Omega =\delta ,{\omega }_1\right)\equiv R_{1\rho ,\mathrm{ex}}\left(\delta ,\Omega =\delta ,{\omega }_1\right)-\\ R_{1\rho }\left(-\delta ,\Omega =-\delta ,{\omega }_1\right)\\ =p_a.Math.p_b.Math.k.Math.\frac{1}{1+\frac{k^2}{{\omega }_1^2}}.Math.\frac{1}{1+\frac{w_1^2}{{\delta }^2}}.Math.\frac{1}{1+\frac{{\omega }_1^2+k^2}{4{\delta }^2}}\end{array}& \left[10\right]\end{array}$

(35) Eqn[10] is one of the major outcomes of the disclosed method, and it provides a genuine CE-specific relaxation rate R.sub.1ρ,Asym, whose analytical form contains only CE parameters (p.sub.a, p.sub.b, k, δ) and RF parameters (Ω, ω.sub.1). Moreover, Eqn[8] also demonstrates how to measure R.sub.1ρ,Asym experimentally.

(36) In brief, eqn[8] and eqn[10] above demonstrate that qGagCESL as shown in eqn[8] should provide a clean and simple approach to detect CE specific relaxation rate constant R.sub.1ρ,Asym, which is linearly proportional to p.sub.b (p.sub.a is usually water).

(37) In the above paragraphs, the steps in eqn [6] or eqn[7] on each offset of interest, Ω, can also be achieved by a curve-fitting method as shown in FIG. 9, wherein the eqn[4] is demonstrated in the top curve, the eqn[5] is demonstrated in the bottom curve, and the middle red line is the steady state Sss. As can be shown, by fitting multiple (e.g., 5) data points each, R.sub.1,ρ can be obtained directly for the offset of interest Ω. The steps done in Eqn[8] are the same.

(38) From the above paragraphs, it may also be of clinical interest to repeat the same experiment (e.g. 3 to 20 times) with different RF powers. In this way, more delicate information may be extracted based on more complicated physical and pathological models, as long as the scanning time is sustained with clinical affordable time.

(39) The discussion will now turn to preliminary results and a number of advantages of the disclosed concept with reference to FIGS. 4a-4d. FIGS. 4a and 4b show the contrast produced by qGagCESL (FIG. 4a; R.sub.1ρ,asym, eqn[10], R.sub.2=0.9990) and gagCEST (FIG. 4b; PTR, eqn[2]). The results of FIGS. 4a and 4b are summarized in FIG. 4c. In FIG. 4d, R.sub.1ρ,asym is compared with R.sub.1ρ, R.sub.2, R.sub.1. In FIGS. 4a and 4b, the 0.9 ppm is the irradiation frequency δ in eqn[10] and [2]. For PTR, the normalization frequency is at δ=−300 ppm (the ∞ in eqn[3]). The phantoms contain 1% of collagen I.

(40) As noted above, FIGS. 4a and 4b show a direct visual comparison of qGagCESL(FIG. 4a) and gagCEST (FIG. 4b) in phantoms. The non-linear feature of gagCEST is especially obvious between 9% CS and 12% CS in the PTR map (FIG. 4b). This non-linearity, however, has been completely removed in the R.sub.1ρ,asym map (FIG. 4a). The results are summarized in FIG. 4c, which shows that the linear fitting of 5 R.sub.1ρ,asym points is almost perfect (R.sup.2=0.9990) while PTR yielded non-linear results. FIG. 4c confirms that R.sub.1ρ,asym defined in eqn[10] is accurately proportional with p.sub.a. Moreover, R.sub.1ρ,Asym's selectivity of the CE process is demonstrated by the fact that it vanishes at zero PG content, which is contrary to R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.1ρ on the very same phantoms as shown FIG. 4d. This happened only because R.sub.1ρ,RDC from the 1% collagen as well as the R.sub.1ρ,DD and R.sub.1ρ,IE from water in the phantoms have been totally removed. In short, the application of the qGagCESL technique of the disclosed concept allows PG to be measured linearly and quantitatively. In FIGS. 4a-4d, all the results were from a 9.4 T pre-clinical scanner, with RF power of 4.22 uT, which is about ⅓ of the RF deposition of the FDA guidelines.

(41) In preliminary work performed by the inventors, a rabbit disc was also scanned with both the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept and the prior art R.sub.1ρ method. Results are shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, wherein FIG. 5a shows a R.sub.1ρ,asym map of the nucleus pulposus in a rabbit disc and FIG. 5b shows a R.sub.1ρ map of a nucleus pulposus in a rabbit disc. The numbers are average values in each square region, respectively. The selectivity of qGagCESL over gagCEST is evidenced by the fact that R.sub.1ρ,asym at the transitional zone (the edge of nucleus pulposus) is not affected by higher collagen concentration. The nucleus pulposus has a high concentration of PG and low concentration of collagen. The selected square region has very similar values (2.89 s.sup.−1 vs. 2.97 s.sup.−1), which indicates that chemical exchange is the primary contributor to R.sub.1ρ as the whole in that region. In the region outside the square, the values are different, since R.sub.1ρ has a contribution from increased concentration of collagen.

(42) In short, preliminary work performed by the inventors has clearly demonstrated that the qGagCESL method of the disclosed concept can selectively and quantitatively detect PG specific relaxation rate R.sub.1ρ,asym without the influence of RDC at clinically applicable RF power, which has never been achieved before.

(43) Moreover, there exist several practical limitations for the known gagCEST method, some of which can be well addressed by the iGagCESL method of the disclosed concept. FIG. 6a shows that iGagCESL produces 6.5% higher contrast than gagCEST on PG phantom if the two are expressed as PTR. This increased contrast indicates the better applicability of iGagCESL over gagCEST on a 3T clinical scanner. FIG. 6b shows that R.sub.1ρ,asym (broken lines) is constant over saturation pulse length compared to PTR (solid lines), which means that the pulse length limitation in clinical scanner is sufficient (100 ms) for iGagCESL, but insufficient for gagCEST. As shown in FIG. 6b, iGagCESL is preparation tune independent and, as shown in FIG. 6b, iGagCESL is T.sub.1 independent. FIG. 6d shows that the variation of T2 has minimal influence on iGagCESL. The insensitivity of R.sub.1ρ,asym to T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 variation as shown in FIGS. 6e and 6d makes quantification robust, since T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 values vary in different anatomical regions, and maybe at different pathological state.

(44) All the facts listed above demonstrate that iGagCESL is potentially a much more robust method to detect PG content in humans, especially for clinical 3T fields.

(45) In addition, MTasym is one of major complications that faces the gagCEST method. Eqn[2] can be used to evaluate MTasym on a piece of rabbit disc. The preliminary work of the inventors has shown that MTasym is negligible in rabbit discs (−0.33±0.29%). This is very encouraging for the application of iGagCESL since MTasym causes no trouble for PG quantification.

(46) Table 1 below shows other key features of the iGagCESL method of the disclosed concept as compared to the gagCEST, T.sub.1ρ methods.

(47) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 iGagCESL gagCEST T.sub.1ρ method Preparation off-resonance off-resonance direct on/off-resonance spin-lock at Ω saturation at Ω spin-lock at Ω Number of 2 (Ω = −δ, δ) 3 (Ω = −δ, δ, ∞) 1 (arbitrary) offset used Irradiation 0.5~2.0 ppm 0.5~2.0 ppm arbitrary Ω offset Irradiation 4.0~4.5 0.5~1.5 Usually less power μT@0.9 ppm; μT@1.0 ppm than 12 μT 1.8~2.2 μT@0.6 ppm; 7.0~7.8 μT@1.2 ppm Irradiation Spin-lock Irradiation duration Several different duration/ duration ≤ 100 300~500 ms spin-lock scheme ms duration detected Approach to Eqn[8] Eqn[2] Curve-fitting to an obtain contrast exponential decay function Contrast R.sub.1ρ.asym, in unit PTR, usually in % R.sub.1ρ, in unit s.sup.−1; metric s.sup.−1 T.sub.1ρ, in unit s B.sub.0 distribution/ B.sub.0 correction is B.sub.0 correction is B.sub.0 correction is B.sub.0 correction absolutely absolutely usually necessary necessary unnecessary B.sub.1 distribution Tolerance to Accurate B.sub.1 Tolerance to moderate B.sub.1 distribution is moderate B.sub.1 variance. necessary for variance. access PTR

(48) Besides irradiation offset Ω between 0.5 ppm and 1.5 ppm, another distinctive feature of iGagCESL is the ability to utilize SL to obtain offset specific R.sub.1ρ,Asym contrast at irradiation offset Ω/−Ω. FIGS. 7a-7d show several SL schemes for R.sub.1ρ,Asym. FIG. 7a is the basic SL and inversion SL used to demonstrate the idea of iGagCESL. In FIG. 7b, besides applying 180° pulse to compensate for the B.sub.1 inhomogeneity, the inversion pulse was combined with θ pre-SL pulse. With this simple combination, specific absorption rate (SAR) can be reduced. The RF in FIG. 7c is different from FIG. 7b in a way that it compensates for the B.sub.1 inhomogeneity by switching SL polarity instead of an additional 180° pulse. FIG. 7d replaces the pre- and post-SL pulse of FIG. 7a with frequency swept pulses, which can be adiabatic pulses, e.g. adiabatic passage or BIR (B.sub.1-insensitive rotation) family. Since the RF amplitude and phase have been varied smoothly between three pulses (they can be combined into one shape pulse), there is no need for B.sub.1 inhomogeneity compensation as in FIGS. 7b and 7c.

(49) Besides conducting SL to obtain an R.sub.1ρ difference as described above, R.sub.1ρ can also obtained using iGagCESL by implementation of adiabatic pulses. One possible such scheme is shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. The illustration shows that adiabatic pulses can also be used to achieve R.sub.1ρ detection. By carefully arranging the frequency sweep offset (from +∞ to 0.7 ppm in FIG. 7), iGagCESL can be achieved. FIG. 8a shows the positive SL, process and FIG. 8b shows the negative SL process. Compared to the SL process, which irradiates at fixed offset Ω, the adiabatic process irradiates within a range of offset, e.g. from +∞ to 0.7 ppm in the example shown. Adiabatic implementation of iGagCESL may be advantageous, since PG has several CE sites with different k and chemical offset δ (note here θ(t)≤90°). In the scheme described above, RF is only irradiated at positive Ω. Irradiation at negative Ω can be achieved symmetrically in a rotating frame.

(50) Thus, as described in detail herein, the iGagCESL technique of the disclosed concept provides a method and system for quantitatively measuring PG content in a clinical context by MRI to detect and monitor the onset and progression of connective tissue disorders and to monitor cell viability that has many advantages over prior art methods.

(51) In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.

(52) Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.