Free-breathing 3D body diffusion imaging using motion-compensated diffusion preparation and motion robust readout

• US 10,649,056 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Cedars Sinai Health System), Siemens Healthineers AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GMBH (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Bi, Xiaoming, Nguyen, Christopher T., Fan, Zhaoyang, Natsuaki, Yutaka, Li, Debiao, Laub, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): McAndrew, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US15/698,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20190079155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 324307
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/4826 in three dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/50 based on the determination of relaxation times , e.g. T1 measurement by IR sequences; T2 measurement by multiple-echo sequences
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/5602 by filtering or weighting based on different relaxation times within the sample, e.g. T1 weighting using an inversion pulse
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/5613 Generating steady state signals, e.g. low flip angle sequences [FLASH]
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/56341 Diffusion imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/56509 due to motion, displacement or flow, e.g. gradient moment nulling G01R33/567 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments can provide a computer-implemented method for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the method comprising initiating, via a k-space component processor, diffusion/T2 preparation, comprising generating diffusion contrast; and adjusting one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to set a first order moment; applying, via an image data processor, a stack of stars k-space ordering, comprising acquiring a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction; increasing an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and applying diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and calculating, via the image data processor, an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the method comprising:

initiating, via a k-space component processor, a motion robust diffusion/T2 preparation process comprising;

generating diffusion contrast; and

adjusting one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a first order moment;

applying, via an image data processor, a non-Cartesian k-space ordering, comprising;

acquiring a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction;

increasing an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and

applying diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and

calculating, via the image data processor, an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

generating, via the k-space component processor, diffusion contrast through adding diffusion-sensitizing gradients to a T2-preparation module encompassing hard pulse excitation and adiabatic pulse refocusing.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

combining, via the image data processor, along with the motion robust, non-Cartesian k-space ordering, one or more of a gradient-echo readout (steady-state free precession (SSFP), a fast low-angle shot (FLASH)), or a turbo spin-echo (TSE) readout.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

additionally setting, via the k-space component processor, one or more of a b-value, T2-prep time to null the first order moment.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

setting, via the k-space component processor, one or more of a b-value, T2-prep time to null a second order moment or a higher moment.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting, via the k-space component processor, one or more of the amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a zeroth order moment.

7. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising:

additionally setting, via the k-space component processor, one or more of the b-value, T2-prep time, to null the zeroth order moment.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

applying, via the k-space component processor, a spoiler gradient at the end of the diffusion/T2 preparation.

9. A computer program product for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

initiate a motion robust diffusion/T2 preparation process comprising;

generate diffusion contrast; and

adjust one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a first order moment;

apply a motion robust non-Cartesian k-space ordering, comprising;

acquire a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction;

increase an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and

apply diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and

calculate an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

generate diffusion contrast through adding diffusion-sensitizing gradients to a T2-preparation module encompassing hard pulse excitation and adiabatic pulse refocusing.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

combine, along with the stack of stars k-space ordering, one or more of a gradient-echo readout (steady-state free precession (SSFP) or a fast low-angle shot (FLASH)), or a turbo spin-echo (TSE) readout.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

additionally set one or more of a b-value, T2-prep time to null the first order moment.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

adjust one or more of the amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a second moment or a higher order moment.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

adjust one or more of the amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a zeroth order moment.

15. The computer program product as recited in claim 14, wherein the processor is further caused to:

additionally set one or more of the b-value, T2-prep time to null the zeroth order moment.

16. The computer program product as recited in claim 9, wherein the processor is further caused to:

apply a spoiler gradient at the end of the diffusion/T2 preparation.

17. A system for 3D motion correction for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the system comprising:

a medical imaging device comprising;

a k-space component processor configured to;

initiate a motion robust diffusion/T2 preparation process comprising;

generate diffusion contrast; and

adjust one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a first or second order moment; and

an image data processor configured to;

apply a motion robust non-Cartesian ordering, comprising;

acquire a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction;

increase an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and

apply diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and

calculate an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

generate diffusion contrast through adding diffusion-sensitizing gradients to a T2-preparation module encompassing hard pulse excitation and adiabatic pulse refocusing.

19. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

combine, along with the stack of stars k-space ordering, one or more of a steady-state free precession (SSFP) readout, a fast low-angle shot (FLASH) readout, or a turbo spin-echo (TSE) readout.

20. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

additionally set one or more of a b-value, T2-prep time to null the first order moment.

21. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

adjust one or more of the amplitude, duration, and polarity to null a zeroth order moment.

22. The system as recited in claim 21, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

additionally set one or more of the b-value, T2-prep time to null the zeroth order moment.

23. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the k-space component processor is further configured to:

adjust one or more of the amplitude, duration, and polarity to null the second moment or a higher order moment.