Abstract: Example apparatus and methods perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for arterial spin labeling (ASL) based parameter quantification. ASL with MRF produces a nuclear magnetic resonance signal time course from which simultaneous quantification of ASL perfusion-related parameters can be achieved. The parameters may include cerebral blood flow, transit time, T1, or other parameters. The quantification uses values from a dictionary of signal time courses that were generated or augmented using Bloch simulation, knowledge of the sequence, or previous observations. The dictionary may account for inflow or outflow of labeled spins and may model arterial input. An ASL-MRF pulse sequence may differ from conventional pulse sequences. For example, an ASL-MRF pulse sequence may include non-uniform control pulses, non-uniform label pulses, non-uniform post labeling delay time, non-uniform background suppression pulses, non-uniform acquisition repetition time, or non-uniform acquisition flip angle.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for arterial spin labeling (ASL) based parameter quantification. ASL with MRF produces a nuclear magnetic resonance signal time course from which simultaneous quantification of ASL perfusion-related parameters can be achieved. The parameters may include cerebral blood flow, transit time, T1, or other parameters. The quantification uses values from a dictionary of signal time courses that were generated or augmented using Bloch simulation, knowledge of the sequence, or previous observations. The dictionary may account for inflow or outflow of labeled spins and may model arterial input. An ASL-MRF pulse sequence may differ from conventional pulse sequences. For example, an ASL-MRF pulse sequence may include non-uniform control pulses, non-uniform label pulses, non-uniform post labeling delay time, non-uniform background suppression pulses, non-uniform acquisition repetition time, or non-uniform acquisition flip angle.