三维多回波流动补偿定量磁化率成像(QSM)方法研究

定量磁化率成像(QSM)利用一般成像技术舍弃的相位信息得到局部磁场变化特性,通过复杂的场到源反演计算,可直接得到定量的磁化率图,它广泛应用于测量血氧饱和度、脑部微出血、铁沉积、组织钙化等方面．然而,梯度磁场中流动会引起相位错误,并且产生显著的流动伪影,最终得到错误的QSM图像．为了矫正流动的影响,该文在3 T磁共振系统上实现了三维多回波流动补偿梯度回波序列,并用该序列采集流动水模和志愿者颅脑数据．流动水模和颅脑数据均显示,流动补偿能够明显矫正相位错误,消除流动伪影．颅脑横断位QSM结果证明,流动补偿序列可以消除血液流动引起的QSM的错误,提高QSM的准确性．     

Multi-echo imaging in highly inhomogeneous magnetic fields

A new pulsed field gradient multi-echo imaging technique to encode position in the phase of every echo generated by a CPMG sequence in the presence of a strongly inhomogeneous static magnetic field is presented. It was applied to improve the sensitivity in an imaging experiment by adding the echo train acquired during the CPMG sequence and to spatially resolve relaxation times of inhomogeneous specimens using single-sided probes. The sequence was implemented in a new bar-magnet MOUSE equipped with a gradient coil system to apply a pulsed magnetic field with a constant gradient along one spatial coordinate. An important reduction by a factor larger than two orders of magnitude in the acquisition time was obtained compared to the previously published single-point imaging technique.     

Self-diffusion measurements by a mobile single-sided NMR sensor with improved magnetic field gradient

A simple and fast method of measuring self-diffusion coefficients of protonated systems with a mobile single-sided NMR sensor is discussed. The NMR sensor uses a magnet geometry that generates a highly flat sensitive volume where a strong and highly uniform static magnetic field gradient is defined. Self-diffusion coefficients were measured by Hahn- and stimulated echoes detected in the presence of the uniform magnetic field gradient of the static field. To improve the sensitivity of these experiments, a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence was applied after the main diffusion-encoding period. By adding the echo train the experimental time was strongly shortened, allowing the measurement of complete diffusion curves in less than 1min. This method has been tested by measuring the self-diffusion coefficients D of various organic solvents and poly(dimethylsiloxane) samples with different molar masses. Diffusion coefficients were also measured for n-hexane absorbed at saturation in natural rubber with different cross-link densities. The results show a dependence on the concentration that is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. Moreover, the stimulated-echo sequence was successfully used to measure the diffusion coefficient as a function of the evolution time in systems with restricted diffusion. This type of experiment proves the pore geometry and gives access to the surface-to-volume ratio. It was applied to measure the diffusion of water in sandstones and sheep Achilles tendon. Thanks to the strong static gradient G(0), all diffusion coefficients could be measured without having to account for relaxation during the pulse sequence.     

NMR-microscopy with TrueFISP at 11.75T

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that a fully balanced gradient echo technique (TrueFISP) can be used for microscopic experiments at high static magnetic field strengths. TrueFISP experiments were successfully performed on homogeneous and inhomogeneous objects at 11.75T. High-resolution TrueFISP images were obtained from phantoms, plants, formalin-fixed samples, and from an isolated beating rat heart with an in-plane resolution of 78 micro m and a slice thickness of 500 micro m. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of TrueFISP compared to conventional gradient echo or spin echo sequences will allow faster acquisition times or an improvement in spatial resolution for microscopic experiments.     

High-resolution diffusion imaging using phase-corrected segmented echo-planar imaging

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a high-resolution segmented echo-planar imaging technique, which provided images with substantially less susceptibility artifacts than images obtained with single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI). Diffusion imaging performed with any multishot pulse sequence is inherently sensitive to motion artifacts and in order to reduce motion artifacts, the presented method utilizes navigator echo phase corrections, performed after a one-dimensional Fourier transform along the frequency-encoding direction. Navigator echo phases were fitted to a straight line prior to phase correction to avoid errors from internal motion. In vivo imaging was performed using electro cardiographic (ECG) triggering. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis using up to seven diffusion sensitivities, ranging from b = 0 to 1129 x 10(6) s/m(2).     

MAG-PGSTE: a new STE-based PGSE NMR sequence for the determination of diffusion in magnetically inhomogeneous samples

A new stimulated echo based pulsed gradient spin-echo sequence, MAG-PGSTE, has been developed for the determination of self-diffusion in magnetically inhomogeneous samples. The sequence was tested on two glass bead samples (i.e., 212-300 and <106 microm glass bead packs). The MAG-PGSTE sequence was compared to the MAGSTE (or MPFG) (P.Z. Sun, J.G. Seland, D. Cory, Background gradient suppression in pulsed gradient stimulated echo measurements, J. Magn. Reson. 161 (2003) 168-173; P.Z. Sun, S.A. Smith, J. Zhou, Analysis of the magic asymmetric gradient stimulated echo sequence with shaped gradients, J. Magn. Reson. 171 (2004) 324-329; P.Z. Sun, Improved diffusion measurement in heterogeneous systems using the magic asymmetric gradient stimulated echo (MAGSTE) technique, J. Magn. Reson. 187 (2007) 177-183; P. Galvosas, F. Stallmach, J. K?rger, Background gradient suppression in stimulated echo NMR diffusion studies using magic pulsed field gradient ratios, J. Magn. Reson. 166 (2004) 164-173, P. Galvosas, PFG NMR-Diffusionsuntersuchungen mit ultra-hohen gepulsten magnetischen Feldgradienten an mikropor?sen Materialien, Ph.D. Thesis, Universit?t Leipzig, 2003, P.Z. Sun, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Microscopy and Diffusion, Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003] sequence and Cotts 13-interval [R.M. Cotts, M.J.R. Hoch, T. Sun, J.T. Marker, Pulsed field gradient stimulated echo methods for improved NMR diffusion measurements in heterogeneous systems, J. Magn. Reson. 83 (1989) 252-266] sequence using both glass bead samples. The MAG-PGSTE and MAGSTE (or MPFG) sequences outperformed the Cotts 13-interval sequence in the measurement of diffusion coefficients; more interestingly, for the sample with higher background gradients (i.e., the <106 microm glass bead sample), the MAG-PGSTE sequence provided higher signal-to-noise ratios and thus better diffusion measurements than the MAGSTE and Cotts 13-interval sequences. In addition, the MAG-PGSTE sequence provided good characterization of the surface-to-volume ratio for the glass bead samples.     

Radiofrequency magnetic field gradient echoes have reduced sensitivity to susceptibility gradients

The amplitudes of gradient-echoes produced using static field gradients are sensitive to diffusion of tissue water during the echo evolution time. Gradient-echoes have been used to produce MR images in which image intensity is proportional to the self-diffusion coefficient of water. However, such measurements are subject to error due to the presence of background magnetic field gradients caused by variations in local magnetic susceptibility. These local gradients add to the applied gradients. The use of radiofrequency (RF) gradients to produce gradient-echoes may avoid this problem. The RF magnetic field is orthogonal to the offset field produced by local magnetic susceptibility gradients. Thus, the effect of the local gradients on RF gradient-echo amplitude is small if the RF field is strong enough to minimize resonance offset effects. The effects of susceptibility gradients can be further reduced by storing magnetization longitudinally during the echo evolution period. A water phantom was used to evaluate the effects of background gradients on the amplitudes of RF gradient-echoes. A surface coil was used to produce an RF gradient of between 1.3 and 1.6 gauss/cm. Gradient-echoes were detected with and without a 0.16 gauss/cm static magnetic field gradient applied along the same direction as the RF gradient. The background static field gradient had no significant effect on the decay of RF gradient-echo amplitude as a function of echo evolution time. In contrast, the effect of the background gradient on echoes produced using a 1.6 gauss/cm static field gradient is calculated to be significant. This analysis suggests that RF gradient-echoes can produce MR images in which signal intensity is a function of the self-diffusion coefficient of water, but is not significantly affected by background gradients.     

A modified PGSE for measuring diffusion in the presence of static magnetic field gradients

With a proper timing of pi pulses, it is possible to reduce the effect of the static internal magnetic field gradient on the measurement of diffusion with the pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE). A pulse sequence that in the first order eliminates the effect of weak internal static gradients in a standard PGSE experiment is introduced. The method should be applied in the cases, where strong and short magnetic gradient pulses are used to investigate the motion of liquid in heterogeneous samples with large susceptibility differences such as porous media.     

Diffusion exchange NMR spectroscopy in inhomogeneous magnetic fields

Two-dimensional diffusion exchange experiments in the presence of a strong, static magnetic field gradient are presented. The experiments are performed in the stray field of a single sided NMR sensor with a proton Larmor frequency of 11.7 MHz. As a consequence of the strong and static magnetic field gradient the magnetization has contributions from different coherence pathways. In order to select the desired coherence pathways, a suitable phase cycling scheme is introduced. The pulse sequence is applied to study diffusion as well as the molecular exchange properties of organic solvents embedded in a mesoporous matrix consisting of a sieve of zeolites with a pore size of 0.8 nm and grain size of 2 μm. This pulse sequence extends the possibilities of the study of transport properties in porous media, with satisfying sensitivity in measurement times of a few hours, in a new generation of relatively inexpensive low-field NMR mobile devices.     

2D NMR技术在石油测井中的应用

近几年,2D NMR技术得到迅速发展,特别是在核磁共振测井领域. 该文将主要介绍2D NMR技术的脉冲序列、弛豫原理以及2D NMR技术在石油测井中应用. 2D NMR技术是在梯度场的作用下,利用一系列回波时间间隔不同的CPMG脉冲进行测量,利用二维的数学反演得到2D NMR. 2D NMR技术可以直接测量自扩散系数、弛豫时间、原油粘度、含油饱和度、可动水饱和度、孔隙度、渗透率等地层流体性质和岩石物性参数. 从2D NMR谱上,可以直观的区分油、气、水,判断储层润湿性,确定内部磁场梯度等. 2D NMR技术为识别流体类型提供了新方法.     

1H NMR signal broadening in spectra of alkane molecules adsorbed on MFI-type zeolites

The anisotropic behavior of C1-C6 alkane molecules adsorbed in MFI zeolite was studied by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using single-pulse excitation, Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence, Hahn echo (HE) pulse sequence, and magic-angle spinning. The molecular order parameter was obtained by both static 2H NMR spectroscopy and molecular simulations. This yields an order parameter in the range of 0.28-0.42 for linear alkanes in MFI zeolite, whereas the parameter equals zero for FAU zeolite with a cubic symmetry. Thus, in the case of a zeolite with a non-cubic symmetry like MFI, the mobility of the molecules in one crystallite cannot fully average the dipolar interaction. As a consequence, transverse nuclear magnetization as revealed in the echo attenuation notably deviates from a mono-exponential decay. This information is of particular relevance for the performance of pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR diffusion experiments, since the occurrence of non-exponential magnetization attenuation could be taken as an indication of the existence of different molecules or of molecules in different states of mobility.     

优化重聚脉冲提高梯度场核磁共振信号强度

缩短射频脉冲宽度, 有助于解决脉冲电力消耗大、样品吸收率高、信噪比低等极端条件核磁共振探测的关键问题. 本文首先分析射频脉冲角度对核磁共振自旋回波信号强度的影响机理, 基于Bloch方程推导了回波信号幅度与扳转角、重聚角的关系. 在特制核磁共振分析仪上采用变脉冲角度技术, 分别在均匀磁场和梯度磁场条件下实现对扳转角和重聚角与回波信号强度关系的数值模拟和实验测量. 结果表明, 梯度场中, 扳转角为90°、重聚角为140°的射频脉冲组合获得最大首波信号强度, 比180°脉冲对应的回波幅值提高13%, 能耗降低至78%. 选用该重聚角(140°) 优化设计饱和恢复脉冲序列探测流体的纵向弛豫时间T₁特性, 准确获得 T₁分布.该结果对于低电力供应、且对信噪比有较高要求的核磁共振测量, 如随钻核磁共振测井和在线核磁共振快速检测等, 具有重要意义. 关键词： 核磁共振 信号强度 重聚脉冲角度 Bloch方程     

Cardiac T2 measurements in patients with iron overload: a comparison of imaging parameters and analysis techniques

Measurement of cardiac T2 has emerged as an important tool to noninvasively quantify cardiac iron concentration in order to detect preclinical evidence of toxic levels and titrate chelation therapy. However, there exists variation among practitioners in cardiac T2 measurement methods. This study examines the impact of different imaging parameters and data analysis techniques on the calculated cardiac R2 (1/T2) in patients at risk for cardiac siderosis. The study group consisted of 36 patients with thalassemia syndromes who had undergone clinical magnetic resonance imaging assessment of cardiac siderosis using a standardized protocol and who were selected to yield a broad range of cardiac R2 values. Cardiac R2 measurements were performed on a 1.5-T scanner using an electrocardiogram-gated, segmented, multiecho gradient echo sequence obtained in a single breath-hold. R2 was calculated from the signal intensity versus echo time data in the ventricular septum on a single midventricular short-axis slice. There was good agreement between R2 measured with a blood suppression prepulse (black blood technique) and without (mean difference 6.0 ± 10.7 Hz). The black blood technique had superior within-study reproducibility (R2 mean difference 1.6 ± 8.6 Hz versus 2.7 ± 14.6 Hz) and better interobserver agreement (R2 mean difference 3.4 ± 8.2 Hz versus 8.3 ± 16.5 Hz). With the same minimum echo time, the use of small (1.0 ms) versus large (2.2 ms) echo spacing had minimal impact on cardiac R2 (mean difference 0.3 ± 8.7 Hz). The application of a region-of-interest-based versus a pixel-based data analysis also had little effect on cardiac R2 calculation (mean difference 8.4 ± 6.9 Hz). With black blood images, fitting the signal curve to a monoexponential decay or to a monoexponential decay with a constant offset yielded similar R2 values (mean difference 3.4 ± 8.1 Hz). In conclusion, the addition of a blood suppression prepulse for cardiac R2 measurement yields similar R2 values and improves reproducibility and interobserver agreement. The findings regarding other variations may be helpful in establishing a broadly accepted imaging and analysis technique for cardiac R2 calculation.     

三能级体系的Z回波核磁共振粉末谱

本文提出一个Z回波核磁共振(NMR)脉冲序列,可以获得三能级体系的纯偶极或纯四极谱。Z回波NMR谱不仅与化学位移各向异性无关,而且在强射频场条件下,与射频场非均匀性无关。该方法明显优于章动NMR技术。以上结论经过理论分析和实验结果的验证。 关键词：     

Correction of concomitant gradient artifacts in experimental microtesla MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suffers from artifacts caused by concomitant gradients when the product of the magnetic field gradient and the dimension of the sample becomes comparable to the static magnetic field. To investigate and correct for these artifacts at very low magnetic fields, we have acquired MR images of a 165-mm phantom in a 66-microT field using gradients up to 350 microT/m. We prepolarize the protons in a field of about 100 mT, apply a spin-echo pulse sequence, and detect the precessing spins using a superconducting gradiometer coupled to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Distortion and blurring are readily apparent at the edges of the images; by comparing the experimental images to computer simulations, we show that concomitant gradients cause these artifacts. We develop a non-perturbative, post-acquisition phase correction algorithm that eliminates the effects of concomitant gradients in both the simulated and the experimental images. This algorithm assumes that the switching time of the phase-encoding gradient is long compared to the spin precession period. In a second technique, we demonstrate that raising the precession field during phase encoding can also eliminate blurring caused by concomitant phase-encoding gradients; this technique enables one to correct concomitant gradient artifacts even when the detector has a restricted bandwidth that sets an upper limit on the precession frequency. In particular, the combination of phase correction and precession field cycling should allow one to add MRI capabilities to existing 300-channel SQUID systems used to detect neuronal currents in the brain because frequency encoding could be performed within the 1-2 kHz bandwidth of the readout system.     

A novel technique for imaging with inhomogeneous fields

We introduce a simple, efficient, low-SAR method for magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of a static field with a permanent, and possibly large gradient. The technique, which is called slant-slice imaging is essentially a spin-echo imaging sequence except that the imaging slice is oriented such that the static field gradient can be used in conjunction with applied gradients during readout. Data are collected for 2D slices. Unlike single point imaging techniques, entire lines of k-space are acquired with each readout. The slant-slice pulse sequence is used to obtain high quality images, using a clinical scanner to simulate a static field with a large permanent gradient. The effects of the inhomogeneity are quantified by two parameters nu and q, which are useful for assessing the utility of a magnet design for 3D-MR imaging.     

一种降低井下核磁共振振铃的新方法

核磁共振（NMR）测井仪在测量过程中,振铃噪声幅度一般很高,会影响回波信号的检测. 常用的交叉相位对脉冲序列（PAPS）虽然能有效地降低振铃影响,但由于振铃与频率有关,使PAPS叠加只能在同频率之间展开,大大降低了NMR测井的纵向分辨率. 利用回波信号和振铃噪声的相位特征,设计了一种脉冲序列,采用PAPS和回波间叠加相结合的方式降低振铃噪声. 研究表明,相对于PAPS技术,提高了测量效率,同时提高了回波串的信噪比和NMR测井的纵向分辨率.     

3D imaging with a single-sided sensor: an open tomograph

An open tomograph to image volume regions near the surface of large objects is described. The central achievement in getting such a tomograph to work is the design of a fast two-dimensional pure phase encoding imaging method to produce a cross-sectional image in the presence of highly inhomogeneous fields. The method takes advantage of the multi-echo acquisition in a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG)-like sequence to significantly reduce the experimental time to obtain a 2D image or to spatially resolve relaxation times across the sensitive volume in a single imaging experiment. Depending on T(2) the imaging time can be reduced by a factor of up to two orders of magnitude compared to the one needed by the single-echo imaging technique. The complete echo train decay has been also used to produce T(2) contrast in the images and to spatially resolve the T(2) distribution of an inhomogeneous object, showing that variations of structural properties like the cross-link density of rubber samples can be distinguished by this method. The sequence has been implemented on a single-sided sensor equipped with an optimized magnet geometry and a suitable gradient coil system that provides two perpendicular pulsed gradient fields. The static magnetic field defines flat planes of constant frequency parallel to the surface of the scanner that can be selected by retuning the probe frequency to achieve slice selection into the object. Combining the slice selection obtained under the presence of the static gradient of the open magnet with the two perpendicular pulsed gradient fields, 3D spatial resolution is obtained.     

Impact of gradient timing error on the tissue sodium concentration bioscale measured using flexible twisted projection imaging

The rapid biexponential transverse relaxation of the sodium MR signal from brain tissue requires efficient k-space sampling for quantitative imaging in a time that is acceptable for human subjects. The flexible twisted projection imaging (flexTPI) sequence has been shown to be suitable for quantitative sodium imaging with an ultra-short echo time to minimize signal loss. The fidelity of the k-space center location is affected by the readout gradient timing errors on the three physical axes, which is known to cause image distortion for projection-based acquisitions. This study investigated the impact of these timing errors on the voxel-wise accuracy of the tissue sodium concentration (TSC) bioscale measured with the flexTPI sequence. Our simulations show greater than 20% spatially varying quantification errors when the gradient timing errors are larger than 10 μs on all three axes. The quantification is more tolerant of gradient timing errors on the Z-axis. An existing method was used to measure the gradient timing errors with <1 μs error. The gradient timing error measurement is shown to be RF coil dependent, and timing error differences of up to ～16 μs have been observed between different RF coils used on the same scanner. The measured timing errors can be corrected prospectively or retrospectively to obtain accurate TSC values.     

Field-map correction in read-out segmented echo planar imaging for reduced spatial distortion in prostate DWI for MRI-guided radiotherapy applications

Diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging (DW-EPI) suffers from geometric distortion due to low phase-encoding bandwidth. Read-out segmented echo planar imaging (RS-EPI) reduces distortion but residual distortion remains in extreme cases. Additional corrections need to be applied, especially for radiotherapy applications where a high degree of accuracy is needed. In this study the use of magnetic field map corrections are assessed in DW-EPI and RS-EPI, to reduce geometric uncertainty for MRI-guided radiotherapy applications. Magnetic field maps were calculated from gradient echo images and distortion corrections were applied to RS-EPI images. Distortions were assessed in a prostate phantom by comparing to the known geometry, and in vivo using a modified Hausdorff distance metric using a T2-weighted spin echo as ground truth. Across 10 patients, field map-corrected RS-EPI reduced maximum distortion by 5 mm on average compared to DW-EPI (σ = 1.9 mm). Geometric distortions were also reduced significantly using field mapping with RS-EPI, compared to RS-EPI alone (p ≤ 0.05). The increased geometric accuracy of these techniques can potentially allow diffusion-weighted images to be fused with other MR or CT images for radiotherapy treatment purposes.