Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging using gradient pre-equalization and compressed sensing

作者：Fabich Hilary T^*; Benning Martin; Sederman Andrew J; Holland Daniel J

来源：Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 2014, 245: 116-124.

DOI：10.1016/j.jmr.2014.06.015

• MRI
• Ultrashort echo time
• UTE
• Compressed sensing
• Gradient pre-equalization

Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging is a well-known technique used in medical MRI, however, the implementation of the sequence remains non-trivial. This paper introduces UTE for non-medical applications and outlines a method for the implementation of UTE to enable accurate slice selection and short acquisition times. Slice selection in UTE requires fast, accurate switching of the gradient and r.f. pulses. Here a gradient "pre-equalization" technique is used to optimize the gradient switching and achieve an effective echo time of 10 mu s. In order to minimize the echo time, k-space is sampled radially. A compressed sensing approach is used to minimize the total acquisition time. Using the corrections for slice selection and acquisition along with novel image reconstruction techniques, UTE is shown to be a viable method to study samples of cork and rubber with a shorter signal lifetime than can typically be measured. Further, the compressed sensing image reconstruction algorithm is shown to provide accurate images of the samples with as little as 12.5% of the full k-space data set, potentially permitting real time imaging of short T-2* materials.

• 出版日期2014-8