Equilibrium signal intensity mapping, an MRI method for fast mapping of longitudinal relaxation rates and for image enhancement

INTRODUCTION: Inhomogeneity of magnetic fields, both B(0) and B(1), has been a major challenge in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Field inhomogeneity leads to image artifacts and unreliability of signal intensity (SI) measurements. This work proposes and shows the feasibility of generating equilibrium signal intensity (SI(Eq)) maps that can be utilized either to speed up relaxation-rate measurement or to enhance image quality and relaxation-rate-based weighting in various applications. METHODS: A 1.5-T MRI scanner was used. In canines (n=4), myocardial infarction was induced, and 48 h after the administration of 0.05 mmol kg(-1) Gd(ABE-DTTA), a contrast agent with slow tissue kinetics, in vivo R(1) mapping was carried out using an inversion recovery (IR)-prepared, fast gradient-echo sequence with varying inversion times (TIs). To test the SI(Eq) mapping method without the confounding effects of motion and blood flow, we carried out ex vivo R(1) mapping after the administration of 0.2 mmol kg(-1) Gd(DTPA) using an IR-prepared, fast spin-echo sequence in another group of dogs (n=2). R(1,full) maps and SI(Eq) maps were generated from the data from both sequences by three-parameter nonlinear curve fitting of the SI versus TI dependence. R(1,full) maps served as the reference standard. Raw IR images were then divided by the SI(Eq) maps, yielding corrected SI maps (COSIMs). Additionally, R(1) values were calculated from each single-TI image separately, using the SI(Eq) value and a one-parameter curve-fitting procedure (R(1,single)). Voxelwise correlation analysis was carried out for the COSIMs and the R(1,single) maps, both versus the standard R(1,full) maps. Deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: In vivo, COSIM versus R(1,full) showed significantly (P<.05) better correlation [correlation coefficient (CC)=0.95] than SI versus R(1,full) with a TI=700-800 ms, which is 200-300 ms longer than the tau(null) (500 ms) of viable myocardium. With such TIs, SI versus R(1,full) yielded CCs of 0.86-0.88. R(1,single) versus R(1,full) yielded a peak CC of 0.96 at TI=700-900 ms. Mean deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were below 5% for TIs between 500 and 1000 ms. Ex vivo, where tau(null) was 300 ms, the advantage of correction with SI(Eq) was not in the improvement of linear correlation but more in the reduction of scatter. Peak CCs for SI versus R(1,full) and COSIM versus R(1,full) at TI=500 ms were 0.96 for both. The ex vivo CC for R(1,single) versus R(1,full) at TI=500 ms was 0.98. Mean deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were below 5% for TIs between 400 and 700 ms. CONCLUSIONS: Once the corresponding SI(Eq) map is obtained from a control stack, R(1) can be obtained accurately, using only a single IR image and without the need for a stack of TI-varied images. This approach could be applied in various dynamic MRI studies where short measurement time, once the dynamics has started, is of essence. When using this method with IR-prepared T(1)-weighted images, it is essential that the single TI be chosen such that the longitudinal relaxation in all voxels of interest would have passed tau(null). SI(Eq) maps are also useful in eliminating confounders from MR images to allow obtaining SI values that reflect more faithfully the relaxation parameter (R(1)) sought.     

Four-angle method for practical ultra-high-resolution magnetic resonance mapping of brain longitudinal relaxation time and apparent proton density

Changes in longitudinal relaxation time (T₁) and proton density (PD) are sensitive indicators of microstructural alterations associated with various central nervous system diseases as well as brain maturation and aging. In this work, we introduce a new approach for rapid and accurate high-resolution (HR) or ultra HR (UHR) mapping of T₁ and apparent PD (APD) of the brain with correction of radiofrequency field, B₁, inhomogeneities. The four-angle method (FAM) uses four spoiled-gradient recalled-echo (SPGR) images acquired at different flip angles (FA) and short repetition times (TRs). The first two SPGR images are acquired at low-spatial resolution and used to accurately map the active B₁⁺ field with the recently introduced steady-state double angle method (SS-DAM). The estimated B₁⁺ map is used in conjunction with the two other SPGR images, acquired at HR or UHR, to map T₁ and APD. The method is evaluated with numerical, phantom, and in-vivo imaging measurements. Furthermore, we investigated imaging acceleration methods to further shorten the acquisition time. Our results indicate that FAM provides an accurate method for simultaneous HR or UHR mapping of T₁ and APD in human brain in clinical high-field MRI. Derived parameter maps without B₁⁺correction suffer from large inaccuracies, but this issue is well-corrected through use of the SS-DAM. Furthermore, the use of SPGR imaging with short TR and phased-array coil acquisition permits substantial imaging acceleration and enables robust HR or UHR T₁ and APD mapping in a clinically acceptable time frame, with whole brain coverage obtained in less than 2 min or 5 min, respectively. The method exhibits high reproducibility and benefits from the use of the conventional SPGR sequence, available in all preclinical and clinical MRI machines, and very simple modeling to address a critical outstanding issue in neuroimaging.     

An MR imaging method for simultaneous measurement of gaseous diffusion constant and longitudinal relaxation time

A magnetic resonance imaging method for simultaneous and accurate determination of gaseous diffusion constant and longitudinal relaxation time is presented. The method is based on direct observation of diffusive motion. Initially, a slice-selective saturation of helium-3 (3He) spins was performed on a 3He/O2 phantom (9 atm/2 atm). A time-delay interval was introduced after saturation, allowing spins to diffuse in and out of the labeled slice. Following the delay interval a one-dimensional (1-D) projection image of the phantom was acquired. A series of 21 images was collected, each subsequent image having been acquired with an increased delay interval. Gradual spreading of the slice boundaries due to diffusion was thus observed. The projection profiles were fit to a solution of the Bloch equation corrected for diffusive motion. The fitting procedure yielded a value of D3He = 0.1562+/-0.0013 cm2/s, in good agreement with a measurement obtained with a modified version of the standard pulsed-field gradient technique. The method also enabled us to accurately measure the longitudinal relaxation of 3He spins by fitting the change of the total area under the projection profiles to an exponential. A value of T1 = 1.67 s (2 T field) was recorded, in excellent agreement with an inversion recovery measurement.     

Anomalous phonon scattering responsible for the electron relaxation time in the longitudinal magneto-resistance in bismuth

Anomalous longitudinal Shubnikov-de Haas oscillation of bismuth which was found by the authors is confirmed by extending the experimental temperature range up to 40K. With the temperature rise, the oscillation amplitude increases remarkably at lower temperatures, saturates and decreases slowly at higher temperature. The effect is explained by considering two types of relaxation mechanisms of electron orbits, i.e., intra-Landau level and inter-Landau level scatterings due to phonons. Phonons responsible for the inter-level scatterings are less excited at lower temperature and give the observed anomalous effect. A numerical estimate has been presented.     

Nuclear longitudinal relaxation time images by radiofrequency field gradients.

Combination of the Super Fast Inversion Recovery (SUFIR) method (D. Canet, J. Brondeau, and K. Elbayed, J. Magn. Reson. 77, 483 (1988)) and imaging procedures by radiofrequency field gradients (P. Maffei, P. Mutzenhardt, A. Retournard, B. Diter, R. Raulet, J. Brondeau, and D. Canet, J. Magn. Reson. A 107, 40 (1994)) provides spatially resolved maps of longitudinal relaxation times (T1). In addition to accurate T1 values, enhanced spatial resolution is obtained.     

Modified relaxation time Monte Carlo method for continuum-transition gas flows

Gas flows in the continuum-transition regime often occur in micro-electro-mechanical systems. The relaxation time Monte Carlo (RTMC) method was modified by using an ellipsoid statistical model and a multiple translational temperature model in the BGK model equation to simulate continuum-transition gas flows. The modified RTMC method uses a simplified form of the generalized relaxation time, which is related to the macro velocity and the local Knudsen number. The results for Couette flow and Poiseuille flow in microchannels predicted using the modified RTMC and the DSMC are in good agreement with the modified RTMC being much faster than the DSMC for continuum-transition gas flow simulations.     

Rapid determination of the RF pulse flip angle and spin-lattice relaxation time for materials imaging

For samples with T1s longer than 10s, calibration of the RF probe and a measurement of T1 can be very time-consuming. A technique is proposed for use in imaging applications where one wishes to rapidly obtain information about the RF flip angle and sample T1 prior to imaging. The flip angle measurement time is less than 1s for a single scan. Prior knowledge of the RF flip angle is not required for the measurement of T1. The resulting time savings in measuring the values of flip angle and T1 are particularly significant in the case of samples with very long T1 and short T2*. An imaging extension of the technique provides RF flip angle mapping without the need for incrementing the pulse duration, i.e., RF mapping can be performed at fixed RF amplifier output.     

核磁共振弛豫时间测量数据处理方法的讨论

分析和讨论了在超小型核磁共振成像仪测量弛豫时间T1的数据处理方法中存在的问题,并提出了测量方法和数据拟合的改进方案.     

A phase method of measuring the vibrational relaxation time for CO2 molecules

Conclusions The phase method can be applied to other compounds, but the choice of molecules and vibrational levels is restricted by the need for the level to have two allowed IR transitions. Also, the use of the method is restricted by the availability of strong IR sources.The phase method is analogous in concept to the spectrophone method [I] The advantage of the phase method is that it allows measurement of the lifetime for a single level no matter where it lies in the system of vibrational levels. Cascade transitions in deactivation (stepwise transformation of vibration energy to heat) greatly complicates the interpretation in the speetrophone method and essentially restricts its use to the first excited levels. Establishment of the phase zero is the main source of error in the spectrophone method and requires special calibration [5]. This problem has a simple solution in the phase method.In some cases the vibrational relaxation time can be determined from the amplitude dependence as affected by pressure, but this requires correction for the pressure dependence of the absorption coefficient for the exciting transition as well as that of the conditions for escape of the spontaneous emission through-out the vibration-rotation band.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 252–255, February, 1969.     

MRI phase offset correction method impacts quantitative susceptibility mapping

Individual channel ultra-high field (7T) phase images have to be phase offset corrected prior to the mapping of magnetic susceptibility of tissue. Whilst numerous methods have been proposed for gradient recalled echo MRI phase offset correction, it remains unclear how they affect quantitative magnetic susceptibility values derived from phase images. Methods already proposed either employ a single or multiple echo time MRI data. In terms of the latter, offsets can be derived using an ultra-short echo time acquisition, or by estimating the offset based on two echo points with the assumption of linear phase evolution with echo time. Our evaluation involved 32 channel multi-echo time 7T GRE (Gradient Recalled Echo) and ultra-short echo time PETRA (Pointwise Encoding Time Reduction with Radial Acquisition) MRI data collected for a susceptibility phantom and three human brains. The combined phase images generated using four established offset correction methods (two single and two multiple echo time) were analysed, followed by an assessment of quantitative susceptibility values obtained for a phantom and human brains. The effectiveness of each method in removing the offsets was shown to reduce with increased echo time, decreased signal intensity and reduced overlap in coil sensitivity profiles. Quantitative susceptibility values and how they change with echo time were found to be method specific. Phase offset correction methods based on single echo time data have a tendency to produce more accurate and less noisy quantitative susceptibility maps in comparison with methods employing multiple echo time data.     

Two-photon echo method to determine the transverse relaxation time of excitonic molecules

A nonlinear optical method to determine the transverse relaxation time of excitonic molecules by means of two-photon echo is proposed. In the case of two-photon transition such as excitonic molecule one needs three pulses to obtain an echo signal. When the wave-vector and frequency of the three successive pulses are denoted by k₁,ω₁, k₂,ω₂ and k₃,ω₃, the two-photon echo can be observed in the direction of 4k₂-2k₁-k₃ with frequency 4ω₂-2ω₁-ω₃. Tuning both ω₁ and ω₂ to be two-photon resonant with excitonic molecule, we can satisfy the phase-matching condition rather easily for appropriate values of ω₃ due to the large dispersion of excitonic polaritons. From the correlation trace of the two-photon echo we can determine directly the transverse relaxation time of excitonic molecules.     

自旋回波的简易观测方法及共振弛豫分析

在脉冲核磁共振实验中,通常采用自旋回波法测量共振弛豫时间,但模拟示波器观测难以获得准确的实验数据.通过对计算机标准配置资源声卡的性能检测及标定,使其达到物理实验测量数据定量分析的教学要求,同时利用免费的简易程序实现多通道数字信号采集功能并用于观测记录脉冲核磁共振信号.配合实验操作技术改进,既准确地测量了横向弛豫时间,又展现了符合物理实验教学的计算机应用方法.     

Determination of blood longitudinal relaxation time (T1) at high magnetic field strengths

In this study, a circulation system was used to measure T(1) values of bovine blood under physiological conditions at field strengths of 4.7, 7 and 9.4 T. Results show that T(1) increases linearly with magnetic field B(0) and can be described with the equation T(1)=129 ms/T B(0)+1167 ms for magnetic field strengths between 1.5 and 9.4 T.     

Theory of phonon-modulated electron spin relaxation time based on the projection reduction method

This paper introduces a new method for a formula for electron spin relaxation time of a system of electrons interacting with phonons through phonon-modulated spin-orbit coupling using the projection-reduction method. The phonon absorption and emission processes as well as the photon absorption and emission processes in all electron transition processes can be explained in an organized manner, and the result can be represented in a diagram that can provide intuition for the quantum dynamics of electrons in a solid. The temperature （T） dependence of electron spin relaxation times （T1） in silicon is T1 ∝ T-1.07 at low temperatures and T1 ∝ T-3.3 at high temperatures for acoustic deformation constant Pad = 1.4 × 10^7 eV and optical deformation constant Pod = 4.0 × 10^17 eV/m. This means that electrons are scattered by the acoustic deformation phonons at low temperatures and optical deformation phonons at high temperatures, respectively. The magnetic field （B） dependence of the relaxation times is T1 ∝ B-2.7 at 100 K and T1 ∝ B-2.3 at 150 K, which nearly agree with the result of Yafet, T1 ∝ B-3.0- B -2.5.     

MRI rotating frame relaxation measurements for articular cartilage assessment

In the present work we introduced two MRI rotating frame relaxation methods, namely adiabatic T_1ρ and Relaxation Along a Fictitious Field (RAFF), along with an inversion-prepared Magnetization Transfer (MT) protocol for assessment of articular cartilage. Given the inherent sensitivity of rotating frame relaxation methods to slow molecular motions that are relevant in cartilage, we hypothesized that adiabatic T_1ρ and RAFF would have higher sensitivity to articular cartilage degradation as compared to laboratory frame T₂ and MT. To test this hypothesis, a proteoglycan depletion model was used. Relaxation time measurements were performed at 0 and 48 h in 10 bovine patellar specimens, 5 of which were treated with trypsin and 5 untreated controls were stored under identical conditions in isotonic saline for 48 h. Relaxation times measured at 48 h were longer than those measured at 0 h in both groups. The changes in T₂ and MT relaxation times after 48 h were approximately 3 times larger in the trypsin treated specimens as compared to the untreated group, whereas increases of adiabatic T_1ρ and RAFF were 4 to 5 fold larger. Overall, these findings demonstrate a higher sensitivity of adiabatic T_1ρ and RAFF to the trypsin-induced changes in bovine patellar cartilage as compared to the commonly used T₂ and MT. Since adiabatic T_1ρ and RAFF are advantageous for human applications as compared to standard continuous-wave T_1ρ methods, adiabatic T_1ρ and RAFF are promising tools for assessing cartilage degradation in clinical settings.     

Magnetic field dependence of the 31P longitudinal nuclear-spin relaxation time in GdP at high temperatures

The magnetic field dependence of the longitudinal nuclear-spin relaxation time for ³¹P nuclei in paramagnetic GdP is expressed in terms of a wavevector frequency-dependent relaxation-shape function. A Gaussian representation of the memory function associated with the spin-velocity relaxation function is chosen that satisfies the first six frequency moments. The results are compared with the experimental data of Myers and Narath.     

Encoding to the longitudinal magnetization for MR imaging and flow velocity mapping

Phase-encoding to the longitudinal magnetization is implemented by adding encoding gradient pulses in the evolution period tau of the NMR pulse sequence 90 degrees+x-tau-90 degrees-x. This work focuses on the effect of the spin-lattice relaxation and its removal and on the constraint that the 90 degrees-x pulse can only transform the phase of the transverse magnetization partially to the longitudinal magnetization. Theoretical analysis shows that the encoded phase information and the spin-lattice relaxation effect are separable and the latter is identical in each repetition in collecting phase-encoding data. Thus the relaxation effect can be eliminated by subtracting a second data set whose phase information is inverted or by alternating the polarity of the relaxation contribution. From data with partial phase information, Fourier-transform image reconstruction results in mirror aliasing in which the two halves of the Fourier spectrum of positive and negative coordinates overlap. Removal of mirror aliasing requires imaging data of the orthogonal component. Nevertheless mirror aliasing is not necessarily a problem, depending on the subject of study. Phase-encoding to the longitudinal magnetization for spatial MRI and flow velocity mapping are demonstrated using the rotating ultra-fast imaging sequence (RUFIS).