Multi-slice MR data acquisition in successive heartbeats with black blood contrast
First Claim
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1. A method of multi-slice image acquisition with black blood contrast, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a non-selective inversion pulse in successive R-R intervals;
applying a re-inversion pulse in the successive R-R intervals that is slice-selective over a region encompassing a plurality of slice selections;
timing execution of a series of RF excitation pulses such that signal from blood is near a null point in each R-R interval; and
acquiring data of at least two slices for each application of the re-inversion pulse in the successive R-R intervals.
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Abstract
The invention includes a technique for efficient multi-slice image acquisition with black blood contrast in cardiac imaging such that MR data is acquired in each R-R interval of a cardiac cycle. The technique includes applying a non-selective inversion pulse, followed by a re-inversion pulse that is slice-selective over a region encompassing a plurality of slice selections. The inversion and re-inversion pulses are applied in each R-R interval. Execution of a series of RF excitation pulses in each R-R interval is timed such that signal from blood is near a null point before data acquisition.
38 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of multi-slice image acquisition with black blood contrast, the method comprising the steps of:
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applying a non-selective inversion pulse in successive R-R intervals; applying a re-inversion pulse in the successive R-R intervals that is slice-selective over a region encompassing a plurality of slice selections; timing execution of a series of RF excitation pulses such that signal from blood is near a null point in each R-R interval; and acquiring data of at least two slices for each application of the re-inversion pulse in the successive R-R intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program representing a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to:
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generate and cause application of a non-selective inversion pulse applicable to a slab of slices, the non-selective inversion pulse to be applied in each R-R interval; generate and cause application of a slice-selective re-inversion pulse applicable to the slab of slices applied after each non-selective inversion pulse; and generate and cause application of a series of spin echo readout excitation pulses applicable to the slab of slices such that MR data with black blood contrast is acquired of a first set of at least two slices of the slab during a first R-R interval after application of a respective single slice-selective re-inversion pulse and of a second set of at least two slices of the slab during a next R-R interval after application of a respective single slice-selective re-inversion pulse. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. An MRI apparatus comprising:
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a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet to impress a polarizing magnetic field and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images; and a computer programmed to apply a pulse sequence having a first and a second inversion pulse during each heartbeat of a successive train of heartbeats and a series of readout excitation pulses during each heartbeat of the successive train of heartbeats such that at least two slices of data with black blood contrast are acquired for each application of one of the first and the second inversion pulses during each heartbeat of the successive train of heartbeats. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program representing a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to:
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generate and cause application of a non-selective inversion RF pulse to a slab of slices during successive R-R intervals; generate and cause application of a slice-selective re-inversion RF pulse to the slab of slices during successive R-R intervals; delay data acquisition in each R-R interval by an inversion time sufficient to allow magnetization of blood within the slab to substantially reach a null point; apply a series of RF excitation pulses in each R-R interval; and acquire MR data for at least two slices in the slab for each slice-selective re-inversion RF pulse in each R-R interval. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program representing a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to:
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generate and cause application of a non-selective inversion pulse to be carried out in each R-R interval of a train of R-R intervals; generate and cause application of a slice-selective re-inversion pulse to be carried out after the non-selective inversion pulse in each R-R interval; and generate and cause application of a set of excitation pulses to be applied in each R-R interval such that MR data may be acquired for at least two slices in a slab during each R-R interval and for each slice-selective re-inversion pulse. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification