A System for Improving SNR in Multi-Slice Magnetic Resonance (MRI) Imaging

NU 2013-035

Inventors

Bruce Spottiswoode

Michael Markl*

Abstract

Temporal rendering scheme to increase signal-to-noise ratio in multi-slice, multi-phase MRI acquisition. Northwestern researchers have developed a temporal rendering scheme that increases repetition time (TR) and thus available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a multi-slice, multi-phase (time resolved) MRI acquisition. Conventionally, for cardiac gradient echo imaging the TR is kept as short as possible to ensure a short acquisition time. This can result in signal saturation and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), particularly for fluids and tissues with long relaxation time (T1) such as cerebrospinal fluid or blood. The new rendering scheme results in a several-fold increase in SNR without any sacrifice in scan time. This technique differs from conventional slice interleaving used in multi-slice turbo spin echo imaging in that it is tied specifically to a multi-phase segmented acquisition. 

Applications

• Broadly useful in cardiovascular phase-based imaging methods 

Advantages   

• Increases repetition time by several fold with no corresponding sacrifice in scan time
• Imaging tissues with long relaxation times that are otherwise difficult to visualize with standard fast gradient echo techniques

IP Status 

Issued US Patent No. 9,638,778.