Method and system for multidimensional localization and for rapid magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

A method of acquiring spectroscopic magnetic resonance information from a volume of interest comprising the steps of:

• applying a stimulated echo pulse sequence to induce a stimulated echo and a spin echo signal in said volume of interest, said stimulated echo pulse sequence including a magnetic field gradient which causes dephasing of spins associated with said spin echo signal;
• and
• applying a rephasing magnetic field gradient after said stimulated echo is initiated to compensate for dephasing of spins associated with said spin echo signal, thereby rephasing said spin echo signal while dephasing spins associated with said stimulated echo;
• and
• acquiring said stimulated echo and said spin echo signal.

A method of acquiring magnetic resonance information from a volume of interest comprising the steps of:

• applying a presuppression sequence to saturate volumes outside the volume of interest;
• applying a series of three 90.degree. RF pulses to induce a stimulated echo and a spin echo signal within said volume of interest;
• applying a respective gradient pulse during the application of at least one 90.degree. RF pulse of said three 90.degree. RF pulses, thereby providing slice selection;
• applying a suppression sequence during an interval between second and third of said series of three 90.degree. RF pulses to saturate volumes outside the volume of interest, and wherein said presuppression sequence and said suppression sequence define the volume of interest in at least two spatial dimensions;
• applying a magnetic field gradient which causes dephasing of spins associated said spin echo signal:
• applying a rephasing gradient to compensate for dephased spins associated with said spin echo signal;
• and
• acquiring said stimulated echo and said spin echo.

A magnetic resonance system for acquiring information from a volume of interest, said system comprising:

• means for applying a first suppression pulse sequence;
• means for applying, after said first suppression pulse sequence, a stimulated echo pulse sequence to induce a stimulated echo and a spin echo in said volume of interest, wherein said stimulated echo pulse sequence includes a second suppression pulse sequence during a mixing time period of said stimulated echo pulse sequence, said first and second suppression pulse sequences defining said volume of interest;
• and
• means for acquiring said stimulated echo and said spin echo.

A magnetic resonance system for acquiring spectroscopic information from a volume of interest of a sample, said system comprising:

• means for applying a stimulated echo pulse sequence to induce a stimulated echo and at least one spin echo signal in said volume of interest, all spins of each one of said at least one spin echo signal located in substantially the same location of said sample, said stimulated echo pulse sequence including a magnetic field gradient which causes dephasing of the spins associated with said at least one spin echo signal;
• means for applying an echo selection magnetic field gradient pulse a predetermined time after said stimulated echo is initiated for dephasing said stimulated echo and for rephasing spins associated with one or more of said at least one spin echo signal;
• and
• means for acquiring said stimulated echo signal and said one or more of said at least one spin echo signal.

A method of acquiring spectroscopic magnetic resonance information from a volume of interest of a sample located in a magnetic field, said method comprising the steps of:

• applying a series of radio frequency pulses to said sample for inducing a stimulated echo and a spin echo signal;
• applying at least one magnetic field gradient pulse, each one of said at least one magnetic field gradient pulses applied substantially in the same direction with each other, and applied substantially simultaneously with a respective one of said series of radio frequency pulses;
• applying a magnetic field gradient which causes dephasing of spins associated said spin echo signal;
• applying an echo selection magnetic field gradient pulse a predetermined time after said stimulated echo is initiated for dephasing said stimulated echo and for rephasing spins associated with said spin echo signal;
• and
• acquiring said stimulated echo and said spin echo signal.