Magnetic resonance imaging using preparation scan for optimizing pulse sequence

A magnetic resonance imaging system for performing an imaging scan based on a selected pulse sequence in order to obtain an MR image at a selected region of an object to be imaged, the system comprising:

• a preparation scan performing unit configured to perform a preparation scan to acquire data for a plurality of preparatory images all at a common slice located in the selected region of the object, the preparation scan being performed with a TI (inversion time) incorporated in the pulse sequence being changed for acquisition of each of plural preparatory images, the TI being observed when an inversion pulse is applied to the selected region of the object;
• a preparatory image producing unit configured to produce a corresponding plurality of preparatory images from the data acquired by the performance of the preparation scan;
• a displaying unit configured to display the plurality of preparatory images;
• a selection unit configured to allow a desired preparatory image to be selected from the plurality of preparatory images displayed by the displaying unit;
• and
• a setting unit configured to set, into an imaging scan, the TI period associated with the selected preparatory image.

A magnetic resonance imaging system for performing a three-dimensional imaging scan based on a selected pulse sequence in order to obtain an MR image at a selected region of an object to be imaged, the system comprising:

• a preparation scan performing unit configured to perform a two-dimensional preparation scan to acquire data for a plurality of preparatory images at a common slice located in the selected region of the object, the preparation scan being performed with the value of at least one desired image contrast parameter of the pulse sequence being changed for acquisition of each of plural preparatory images;
• a preparatory image producing unit configured to produce a corresponding plurality of preparatory images having different contrast parameters from the data acquired by the performance of the preparation scan;
• and
• a setting unit configured to set the value of the at least one desired contrast parameter for the imaging scan on the basis of the plurality of preparatory images produced.

A method of optimizing at least one image quality parameter of an MR imaging scan pulse sequence, the imaging scan being performed to provide an MR image at a selected region of an object to be imaged, the method comprising:

• performing a preparation scan to acquire data for a plurality of preparatory images at a common slice located in the selected region of the object, the preparation scan being performed with the value of at least one desired image quality parameter of the pulse sequence being changed for acquisition of each of plural preparatory images;
• producing a corresponding plurality of preparatory images having differing image plurality parameters from the data acquired by the performance of the preparation scan;
• displaying the plurality of preparatory images;
• selecting a desired preparatory image from the plurality of preparatory images displayed;
• and
• setting, into the imaging scan, the value of the at least one desired image quality parameter associated with the selected preparatory image.

A method of optimizing at least one image quality parameter of an MR imaging scan pulse sequence, the imaging scan being performed to provide an MR image at a selected region of an object to be imaged, the method comprising:

• performing a two-dimensional preparation scan to acquire data for a plurality of preparatory images at a common slice located in the selected region of the object, the preparation scan being performed with the value of at least one desired image quality parameter of the pulse sequence being changed for acquisition of each of plural preparatory images;
• producing a corresponding plurality of preparatory images having differing image quality parameters from the data acquired by the performance of the preparation scan;
• and
• setting the value of the at least one desired image quality parameter of the imaging scan on the basis of the plurality of preparatory images produced.

A magnetic resonance imaging system for performing a three-dimensional imaging scan based on a selected pulse sequence to obtain an MR image at a selected region of an object, said object being placed in a magnetic static field, to which magnetic gradient fields are applied and from which an MRecho is detected, the system comprising:

• a sequencer configured to operate in response to information about the pulse sequence so as to cause not only the magnetic gradient fields and the RF signal to be applied to the region of the object but also the echo to be received;
• first means operated through the sequencer by a host computer and configured to perform a two-dimensional preparation scan to acquire data for a plurality of preparatory images at a common slice located in the selected region of the object, the preparation scan being performed with the value of at least one desired image contrast parameter of the pulse sequence being changed for acquisition of each of plural preparatory images and being performed with an image matrix smaller in size than that performed by the imaging scan;
• a calculator configured to produce a corresponding plurality of preparatory images having differing image contrast parameters from the data acquired by the performance of the preparation scan;
• a display unit configured to display the plurality of preparatory images;
• an input device configured to allow a desired preparatory image to be selected from the plurality of preparatory images displayed by the display unit;
• and
• second means operated by the host computer and configured to set, into an imaging scan, the value of the at least one desired image contrast parameter associated with the selected preparatory image.