Local magnetization spoiling using a gradient insert for reducing the field of view in magnetic resonance imaging

US6384601B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services · US

Inventors

• David G. Wiesler · Bethesda, US
• Han Wen · San Jose, US
• Robert S. Balaban · Cambridge, US
• Steven D. Wolff · New York, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 19, 1999
• Grant date: May 7, 2002
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/4838
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method, and related apparatus, for suppressing the magnetic resonance signal to an experimentally adjustable depth by applying a spatially inhomogeneous field between the slice-select pulse and the data acquisition. Eliminating the signal from near surface regions allows one to shrink the field of view of an image without introducing aliasing artifacts, thereby improving the image's resolution or decreasing imaging time. Experimental tests on a phantom and a human subject indicate that the depth of signal suppression may be continuously varied to depths of over 80 millimeters with modest requirements on power supplies, pulse sequences, and materials.