Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of phase correction whereby changes in phase characteristics are measured during data acquisition and, accordingly, phase correction parameters that are applied during image reconstruction are updated in real-time. This adaptive and dynamic phase correction reduces variability in image fidelity during the course of long MR scans, such as EPI scans, and provides consistent artifact reduction during the course of an MR scan.

Abstract: A system and method for multi-channel MR spectroscopy (MRS) includes simultaneously acquiring MR signals from multiple coils and processing the MR signals individually to generate multiple sets of MRS results. The multiple sets of MRS results are combined to form a single superset of MRS results that is displayed as a simple proton MRS absorption spectrum.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing initiation of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) acquisition to the arrival of a contrast agent in a structure of interest, such as an artery, includes repeatedly performing a first MRI scan until the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived. The first MRI scan acquires a three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. Preferably, the first MRI scan is a partial MRI scan that produces a low resolution image. Once the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived in the structure of interest, a second MRI scan is performed that acquires a second three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. The second MRI scan is preferably a full MRI scan that produces a full fidelity image. The manner of data acquisition is advantageously the same for both the first MRI scan and the second MRI scan.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of increasing the sampling rate for MR data acquisition. By implementing ensemble sampling techniques, the present invention provides higher data sampling rates that are useful for several MR data acquisition applications including Echo Planar Imaging, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Sensitivity Encoding Imaging (SENSE) techniques. By multiplying an MR signal by a series of pure sinusoids having the same frequency but shifted by an incremental phase, the MR signal may be separated into a number of channels which can be sampled at lower rates by analog-to-digital converters. The output from the converters may then be reconstructed using one of a number of interpolation techniques to create a single digital channel with increased bandwidth. The single channel with increased bandwidth may then be used to acquire MR data with an improved sampling rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of increasing the sampling rate for MR data acquisition overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks. By implementing ensemble sampling techniques, the present invention provides higher data sampling rates that are useful for several MR data acquisition applications including Echo Planar Imaging, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Sensitivity Encoding Imaging (SENSE) techniques. By multiplying an MR signal by a series of pure sinusoids having the same frequency but shifted by an incremental phase, the MR signal may be separated into a number of channels which can be sampled at lower rates by analog-to-digital converters. The output from the converters may then be reconstructed using one of a number of interpolation techniques to create a single digital channel with increased bandwidth. The single channel with increased bandwidth may then be used to acquire MR data with an improved sampling rate.

Abstract: An MRI system acquires NMR signals and digitizes them at a fixed sample rate. A lower, prescribed sample rate is obtained by fractionally decimating the sampled NMR signals. Fractional decimation is achieved by a combination of zeropadding the sampled NMR signal in the frequency domain and decimating the sampled NMR signal in the time domain.