Signal acquisition and processing method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging
OwnerRaju R. Viswanathaninventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging using specialized signal acquisition and processing techniques for image reconstruction with a generally inhomogeneous static magnetic field. New signal processing methods for image reconstruction and for minimizing dephasing effects are disclosed. Imaging systems with smaller static magnetic field strengths and smaller hardware demands than those with homogeneous static magnetic fields are provided, leading to significant reductions in system size and cost as compared to standard MRI systems. Such systems can also exploit imaging coils having high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR), including those made from Carbon nanotube conductors, leading to further imaging system efficiencies.
Claims30
An apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one magnet generating an externally applied static magnetic field within an imaging volume;
- a spatially inhomogeneous distribution of the static magnetic field with non-planar contours of uniform magnitude within the imaging volume;
- at least one gradient field producing coil capable of producing a magnetic field gradient in a known spatial direction within the imaging volume;
- Radio Frequency electronic circuitry for generating and transmitting Radio Frequency pulses with specified pulse parameters into the imaging volume;
- at least one receiving coil capable of receiving Radio Frequency signals emitted by nuclear spins in the imaging volume;
- and
- means to computationally process received Radio Frequency signals to reconstruct an image representing the distribution of nuclear spin density within at least a portion of the imaging volume.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.