Method for harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging

摘要

The present invention provides methods for real-time measurement of motion of an object such as a portion of a patient in real-time through the use of harmonic phase (HARP) magnetic resonance imaging. This is accomplished by employing certain tagging protocols and imaging protocols. The imaging may be accomplished in two-dimension or three-dimension. In one embodiment, first and second tag pulse sequences are employed to provide two-dimensional pulse strain images. In another embodiment, a first tag pulse sequence is employed to determine a first harmonic phase image and a second tag pulse sequence is employed to determine a second harmonic phase image which is combined with the first image to create tagged images of circumferential and radial strains with third and fourth tag pulse sequences being employed to create images which are combined to establish longitudinal strain and thereby provide a three-dimensional strain image.