Steady-state echo magnetic resonance imaging

A magnetic resonance method comprising:

• (a) establishing a generally uniform magnetic field through an examination region;
• (b) applying a first bundle of radio frequency pulses to the examination region to establish a steady state magnetic resonance condition;
• (c) after application of the bundle of pulses, permitting at least one steady state echo to occur;
• (d) sampling magnetic resonance data during the echo;
• and,
• (e) applying a further bundle of radio frequency pulses to maintain the steady state conditions;
• (f) repeating steps (c), (d), and (e).

A method of magnetic resonance imaging comprising:

• (a) establishing a steady state magnetic resonance condition;
• (b) after establishing the steady state condition, applying a phase encode gradient;
• (c) after applying the phase encode gradient, and while maintaining the steady state condition, permitting a steady state echo to occur and applying a read gradient concurrently with the steady state echo;
• (d) sampling magnetic resonance data during the steady state echo;
• (e) cyclically repeating steps (b), (c), and (d) with a plurality of magnetic field gradients to collect a plurality of magnetic resonance data samplings;
• and,
• (g) transforming an image representation from the plurality of samplings.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

• a main magnetic field means for generating an generally uniform magnetic field longitudinally through an image region;
• a radio frequency transmitter means for transmitting radio frequency magnetic resonance excitation pulses into the image region;
• a radio frequency receiver means for receiving magnetic resonance signals from the image region;
• a gradient field means for selectively applying magnetic field gradients across the image region;
• a transform means for selectively transforming received resonance signals into an image representation;
• and,
• an imaging sequence control means for alternately:
• causing the radio frequency transmitter means to apply a bundle of radio frequency pulses with an interpulse interval that is too short for steady state echoes to occur until a steady state resonance condition is achieved;
• stopping the radio frequency transmitter means for transmitting the radio frequency pulses for a sufficient duration that at least one steady state echo occurs.