Ultrafast MRI System and Method

摘要

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), can eliminate magnetic gradient reversals and allow simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g. 256 times) compared with existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. The advantages over conventional MRI include:
1. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds, with good signal-to-noise ratio;2. Signal-to-noise ratio is further increased by eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching;3. Real-time functional MRI is possible, on millisecond timescales;4. With single breath holds, high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen is possible.5. ULTRA greatly reduces audible noise and vibration.

主权项

1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system configured to simultaneously acquire MR signals from an entire imaging volume using spatial sensitivity parameters of a multitude of small receiver coils without a need for spatial encoding by plural gradient reversals or RF pulses in addition to an initial excitation RF pulse, comprising:
a gantry including a magnet configured to generate a main magnetic field B0 in an imaging volume, a gradient field generator configured to generate a steady gradient field g in the imaging volume, and a radio-frequency (RF) pulse generator configured to apply said initial excitation RF pulse to the imaging volume; a multitude of MR signal receiving coils arranged in a three-dimensional (3D) array surrounding the imaging volume and extending along the B0 field and transversely to the B0 field; each of the receiver coils being configured to simultaneously receive RF energy from the entire imaging volume during MR signal acquisition and output respective MR signals; an MR signal acquisition facility configured to acquire the MR signals absent spatial encoding by plural gradient reversals or additional RF pulses; a computer-implemented processor configured to apply image reconstruction algorithms to the MR signals and thereby generate a 3D image of an object in the imaging volume; and a display facility configured to display the 3D image as such or as two-dimensional (2D) images derived therefrom.