US 2005/0033151 A1 · Combined magnetic resonance data acquisition of multi-contrast images using variable acquisition parameters and k-space data sharing

Abstract

Techniques for reducing the scan time required for the acquisition of two or more magnetic resonance imaging images of a subject having differing contrasts. In one arrangement, a combo acquisition protocol of N sets of parameters is selected prior to imaging. In order to image a subject, a first set of parameter values is selected from the protocol, a first RF pulse and at least one gradient field are used to excite the subject, a refocusing RF pulse and at least one gradient field is applied to the subject, a phase encoding gradient field is applied to the subject, and then a measurement gradient field is applied to the subject simultaneously while an induced signal is measured. The process is repeated to obtain N measurements, which are then processed into two or more reconstructed images of differing contrast, and where some of the measurements are used during the reconstruction of two or more of the images.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for reducing the scan time required to acquire two or more magnetic resonance imaging images of a subject having differing contrasts, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a combo acquisition protocol having N sets of parameters, where at least a first set of parameters from said N sets of parameters is different from a second set of parameters from said N sets of parameters;
(b) selecting a set of parameter values from said N sets;
(c) applying at least one RF pulse and at least one gradient field to said subject;
(d) applying a phase encoding gradient field to said subject;
(e) applying a measurement gradient field to said subject simultaneously while measuring an induced signal therefrom;
(f) repeating steps (b) to (e) for each of said N sets of parameters to obtain N measurements;
and
(g) processing said N measurements into said two or more images of said subject having differing contrasts by using at least a first portion of said N measurements to reconstruct two or more of said two or more images and a second portion of said N measurements to reconstruct one of said two or more images.

5 more elements

A method for reducing the scan time required to acquire two or more magnetic resonance imaging images of a subject having differing contrasts in accordance with a predetermined combo acquisition protocol having N sets of parameters, where at least a first set of parameters from said N sets of parameters is different from a second set of parameters from said N sets of parameters comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a set of parameter values from said N sets;
(b) applying at least one RF pulse and at least one gradient field to said subject;
(c) applying a phase encoding gradient field to said subject;
(d) applying a measurement gradient field to said subject simultaneously while measuring an induced signal therefrom;
(e) repeating steps (a) to (d) for each of said N sets of parameters to obtain N measurements;
and
(f) processing said N measurements into said two or more images of said subject having differing contrasts by using at least a first portion of said N measurements to reconstruct two or more of said two or more images and a second portion of said N measurements to reconstruct one of said two or more images.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combined magnetic resonance data acquisition of multi-contrast images using variable acquisition parameters and k-space data sharing

Life of this patent

Combined magnetic resonance data acquisition of multi-contrast images using variable acquisition parameters and k-space data sharing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20