Invention:
This technology produces echo-planar imaging (EPI) MRI data free from typical EPI artifact (e.g., Nyquist artifact; chemical-shift artifact; geometric distortion) via two interrelated components. The first is a new algorithm that is used to acquire flyback echo-planar imaging (EPI) data, in which chemical-shift artifact and magnetic field inhomogeneity are inherently encoded in the invented scheme. The second part is an innovative flyback EPI reconstruction procedure, which is capable of generating artifact-free EPI data obtained with the invented acquisition scheme.
Background:
It is typical in Magnetic Resonance Imaging for “artifacts” to appear as bright spots where there shouldn’t be or distortions in the image, produced by this non-invasive diagnostic method. This technology improves the imaging quality of MRI machines. It uses Echo Planar Imaging with pulse sequencing to characterize the lipid and non-lipid portions of the imaging and using this knowledge to create better (artifact-free) images.
Applications:
Advantages:
- Greater image clarity
- Reduced imaging artifacts
- Greater efficiency
- Increased cost benefit
