Method and apparatus for generating an effective equivalent of simultaneous transmission to a targeted tissue using a conventional transceiver array

摘要

The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating an effective equivalent of a simultaneous transmission of excitation signals to a targeted living tissue using an existing MRI system assembly or transceiver apparatus which structurally has a small number of independent transmit channels in operative communication with a large number of individual transmission RF coils. The inventive methodology and apparatus is suitable for use with any conventionally known and used transceiver apparatus which operationally complies with the requisite difference existing between the lesser available numbers of independent transmission channels and the greater number of individual transmit RF coils. For this reason, the methodology is broadly and generally useful for many different applications of magnetic resonance imaging technology.

主权项

1. A method for generating an effective equivalent of a simultaneous transmission of excitation RF signals to a targeted living tissue disposed within a moderate to high strength magnetic field for magnetic resonance imaging, said method comprising the steps of:
accessing a MRI assembly able to produce electromagnetic waveforms as a RF excitation pulse stream on-demand using a plurality of independent transmission channels which are in operative communication with multiple individual transmit RF coils in a RF array for the conveyance of a RF excitation pulse stream, wherein the total number of independent transmission channels is measurably fewer than the total greater measurable number of individual transmit RF coils within said RF array; dividing the total greater measurable number of individual transmit RF coils within said RF array of said MRI assembly into a plurality of designated groupings, wherein each of said designated groupings constitutes a determinable portion of the total measurable number of individual transmit RF coils within said RF array; producing a RF excitation pulse stream within said MRI assembly for conveyance by the measurably fewer number of independent transmission channels to the measurable greater number of individual transmit RF coils in said RF array; splitting said produced RF excitation pulse stream into not less than two separate and sequentially deliverable RF pulse flows, each of which can be individually conveyed and separately delivered in sequence via the a measurable number of independent transmission channels to one of said designated groupings of individual transmit RF coils in said RF array; sequentially conveying each of said split RF pulse flows via the the measurable number of independent transmission channels to one of said designated groupings of individual transmit RF coils in said RF array for separate and concurrent transmissions of B1magnetic field bursts; and directing separate and concurrent transmissions of B1 magnetic field bursts from each of said designated groupings of individual transmit RF coils in said RF array to a targeted living tissue, whereby the effective equivalent of a true simultaneous transmission of a B1 magnetic field is achieved.