System and method of high signal-to-noise ratio magnetic resonance imaging screening
First Claim
1. An MRI apparatus comprising:
- a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, 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 fluid suppression technique prior to an imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fluid suppression technique is configured to suppress signals from fluids having long longitudinal relaxation times;
apply a fat suppression technique after the fluid suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fat suppression technique is configured to suppress fat signals;
apply a flow suppression preparation sequence after the fat suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the flow suppression preparation sequence is configured to suppress moving tissue signals;
apply the imaging pulse-gradient sequence;
cause the RF transceiver system to acquire MR signals during the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; and
reconstruct an image from the acquired MR signals.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An MRI apparatus is disclosed, the MRI apparatus comprising a computer programmed to apply a fluid suppression technique prior to an imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fluid suppression technique is configured to suppress signals from fluids having long longitudinal relaxation times, and apply a fat suppression technique after the fluid suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fat suppression technique is configured to suppress fat signals. The computer is further programmed to apply a flow suppression preparation sequence after the fat suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the flow suppression preparation sequence is configured to suppress moving tissue signals. The computer is also programmed to apply the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, cause the RF transceiver system to acquire MR signals during the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, and reconstruct an image from the acquired MR signals.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An MRI apparatus comprising:
-
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, 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 fluid suppression technique prior to an imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fluid suppression technique is configured to suppress signals from fluids having long longitudinal relaxation times; apply a fat suppression technique after the fluid suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the fat suppression technique is configured to suppress fat signals; apply a flow suppression preparation sequence after the fat suppression technique and prior to the imaging pulse-gradient sequence, wherein the flow suppression preparation sequence is configured to suppress moving tissue signals; apply the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; cause the RF transceiver system to acquire MR signals during the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; and reconstruct an image from the acquired MR signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of magnetic resonance image (MRI) screening comprising the steps of:
-
applying a first inversion recovery (IR) pulse before an imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying a second IR pulse after the first IR pulse and before the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying a flow suppression preparation sequence after the second IR pulse and before the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; acquiring MR signals during the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; and reconstructing an image from the acquired MR signals; wherein the step of applying the first IR pulse comprises applying a fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) pulse. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to:
-
apply a first inversion recovery (IR) pulse configured to suppress signals from fluids having long longitudinal relaxation times; apply a second IR pulse after the first IR pulse, the second IR pulse configured to suppress fat signals; apply a flow suppression preparation sequence after the second IR pulse, the flow suppression preparation sequence configured to suppress moving tissue signals; apply an imaging pulse-gradient sequence during suppression of the signals from fluids having long longitudinal relaxation times, suppression of the fat signals, and suppression of the moving tissue signals; acquire MR signals via the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; and reconstruct an image based on the acquired MR signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of magnetic resonance image (MRI) screening comprising the steps of:
-
applying a first inversion recovery (IR) pulse before an imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying a second IR pulse after the first IR pulse and before the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying a flow suppression preparation sequence after the second IR pulse and before the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; applying the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; acquiring MR signals during the imaging pulse-gradient sequence; and reconstructing an image from the acquired MR signals; wherein the step of applying the second IR pulse comprises applying a spectral adiabatic inversion recovery (SPAIR) pulse.
-
Specification