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Magnetic resonance imaging of short T2 species

Assignee: Leland Stanford Junior University
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Filing: 1989-07-28
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2009-07-28
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Abstract

Abstract Magnetic resonance signals for imaging species having short spin-spin relaxation times (T 2 ) are obtained without the need for a refocusing lobe. A series of RF excitation pulses are applied to the species with magnetic resonance signals being detected after each RF excitation pulse is applied. The magnetic resonance signals are then combined to provide the imaging signals. In one embodiment, each RF excitation pulse is half of a conventional slice-selective pulse with each pulse being slewed to zero.

Inventors

  • 👤 John M. Pauly
  • 👤 Dwight G. Nishimura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 02:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/44; G01R33/446; G01R33/48; G01R33/50

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 125 words
A method of obtaining slice-selective magnetic resonance signals comprising the steps of (a) applying a static magnetic field (B 0 ) to a body thereby aligning nuclear spins, (b) applying a modulated magnetic gradient (G(t)) to said body, (c) applying a first RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, (d) detecting first magnetic resonance signals from said body, (e) applying a second RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, said first RF excitation pulse and said second RF excitation pulse each being half of a conventional slice-selective pulse, (f) detecting second magnetic resonance signals from said body, and (g) combining said first magnetic resonance signals and said second magnetic resonance signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 125 words
A method of obtaining slice-selective magnetic resonance signals comprising the steps of (a) applying a static magnetic field (B 0 ) to a body thereby aligning nuclear spins, (b) applying a modulated magnetic gradient (G(t)) to said body, (c) applying a first RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, (d) detecting first magnetic resonance signals from said body, (e) applying a second RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, said first RF excitation pulse and said second RF excitation pulse each being half of a conventional slice-selective pulse, (f) detecting second magnetic resonance signals from said body, and (g) combining said first magnetic resonance signals and said second magnetic resonance signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein each of said RF excitation pulses is slewed to zero at a slew rate, S, and said modulated magnetic gradient is slewed to zero as each of said RF excitation pulses is slewed to zero.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method as defined by claim 2 wherein said modulated magnetic gradient is ##EQU9## and each of said RF excitation pulses is ##EQU10##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 141 words
Apparatus for obtaining slice-selective magnetic resonance signals for imaging short T 2 species comprising (a) means for applying a static magnetic field (B 0 ) to a body thereby aligning nuclear spins, (b) means for applying a modulated magnetic gradient (G(t)) to said body, (c) means for applying a first RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, (d) means for detecting first magnetic resonance signals from said body, (e) means for applying a second RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, said first RF excitation pulse and said second RF excitation pulse each being half of a conventional slice-selective pulse, (f) means for detecting second magnetic resonance signals from said body, and (g) means for combining said first magnetic resonance signals and said second magnetic resonance signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 141 words
Apparatus for obtaining slice-selective magnetic resonance signals for imaging short T 2 species comprising (a) means for applying a static magnetic field (B 0 ) to a body thereby aligning nuclear spins, (b) means for applying a modulated magnetic gradient (G(t)) to said body, (c) means for applying a first RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, (d) means for detecting first magnetic resonance signals from said body, (e) means for applying a second RF excitation pulse (B 1 (t)) to said body to tip said nuclear spins, said first RF excitation pulse and said second RF excitation pulse each being half of a conventional slice-selective pulse, (f) means for detecting second magnetic resonance signals from said body, and (g) means for combining said first magnetic resonance signals and said second magnetic resonance signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 42 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein each of said RF excitation pulses is slewed to zero to a slew rate, S, and said modulated magnetic gradient is slewed to zero as each of said RF excitation pulses is slewed to zero.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said modulated magnetic gradient is ##EQU11## and each of said RF excitation pulses is ##EQU12##

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4748410A Cited
US4767991A Cited
US4833407A Cited
US4780675A Cited
US4851779A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-06-17 1994-12-17 1995-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-06-17 1998-12-17 1999-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-06-17 2002-12-17 2003-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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