Abstract: A system determines motion correction data for use in diffusion MR imaging using an RF signal generator and magnetic field gradient generator which sequentially acquire in a single first direction through a volume, first and second slice sets individually comprising multiple individual diffusion image slices. The first set of slices and the second set of slices are spatially interleaved within the volume, by providing in acquiring the second slice set, a low flip angle RF pulse successively followed by a non-diffusion image data readout magnetic field gradient for acquisition of data representing a two dimensional (2D) non-diffusion image used for motion detection of the first slice set successively followed by, a first diffusion imaging RF pulse followed by a first diffusion imaging phase encoding magnetic field gradient for preparation for acquiring data representing a diffusion image slice of the second slice set.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging methods and apparatus for simultaneous measurement of the physical properties R1 relaxation rate, R2 relaxation rate, proton density (PD), and apparent diffusion coefficient using a single magnetic resonance acquisition using a single gradient echo acquisition type. A method includes, from an MR scanner, obtaining at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions of a common acquisition type; in a computer, interleaving the at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions with a R1-sensitizing phase, a R2 sensitizing phase and a delay time; and in the computer, generating measures for R1 relaxation rate and R2 relaxation rate and PD from the at least three parallel, segmented gradient-echo acquisitions, thereby simultaneously estimating multiple physical parameters using the single gradient echo acquisition type.

Abstract: NMR relaxation time estimation methods and corresponding apparatus generate two or more alternating current transmit pulses with arbitrary amplitudes, time delays, and relative phases; apply a surface NMR acquisition scheme in which initial preparatory pulses, the properties of which may be fixed across a set of multiple acquisition sequence, are transmitted at the start of each acquisition sequence and are followed by one or more depth sensitive pulses, the pulse moments of which are varied across the set of multiple acquisition sequences; and apply processing techniques in which recorded NMR response data are used to estimate NMR properties and the relaxation times T1 and T2* as a function of position as well as one-dimensional and two-dimension distributions of T1 versus T2* as a function of subsurface position.