MRI Apparatus Multi-Echo UTE Pulse Sequence for Optimal TE Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In magnetic resonance imaging, it is challenging to determine the optimal echo times (TEs) for acquiring images of tissues with short T2* values, such as cartilages or joints, as each site or tissue has a different T2* value, making it difficult to perform effective subtraction between images acquired at different TEs.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that executes a first pulse sequence as a multi-echo pulse sequence to acquire multiple sets of data with different TEs, and processing circuitry calculates the optimal TE for a second pulse sequence based on the acquired data, ensuring that a water signal and a fat signal are in-phase to minimize interference and enhance tissue depiction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subtraction is executed between images acquired at different TEs to depict tissues with short T2* values, then tissue depiction capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to determine optimal TEs in advance because each tissue has different T2* values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary estimation of T2* values before the actual imaging process. By acquiring initial data and calculating T2* values in advance, the system determines optimal echo times (TEs) for the subtraction imaging process, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving accurate tissue depiction and avoiding the complexity of determining optimal TEs for each tissue type.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sets of data with different TEs are acquired to determine optimal TE, then measurement precision is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acquires multiple sets of data with different TEs to accurately estimate T2* values and determine optimal imaging parameters. By performing this preliminary multi-TE acquisition, the system ensures accurate tissue characterization while the benefits are realized in the subsequent main imaging process, balancing the time investment against the quality improvement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate depiction of tissues with short T2* values by determining the appropriate TE for the second pulse sequence, ensuring that tissues are properly highlighted in the resulting images, even when the T2* component has not relaxed.
Implementation Method 1
In magnetic resonance imaging, in an imaging technique such as an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging technique, tissues with a short T2* value can be depicted
Implementation Method 2
The sequence control circuitry executes a first pulse sequence which is a pulse sequence of an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging technique and is a multi-echo pulse sequence, to acquire multiple sets of data with different TEs
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry executes a first pulse sequence to acquire multiple sets of data with different echo times (TEs), the first pulse sequence being a pulse sequence of an ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging technique and being a multi-echo pulse sequence. The processing circuitry derives a value of a TE (Echo Time) in a second pulse sequence executed by the sequence control circuitry based on the multiple sets of data.