Abstract: Techniques for performing magnetic resonance imaging are provided, which include applying at least two different pulse sequences designed for simultaneous excitation of at least two slices, and measuring k-space lines of the slices with a Parallel Imaging Results in Higher Acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) sampling scheme. Each pulse sequence comprises multiple different phase patterns, each phase pattern is used for exciting one of the slices, and the phase patterns of different pulse sequences are arranged relative to each other according to a Hadamard encoding. Images are reconstructed from the measured k-space lines by forming image slices based on different linear combinations of corresponding slices acquired with different pulse sequences.

Abstract: For constructing an asymmetric RF pulse for an MRI system, a first RF amplitude for a first part of a time interval is determined and an RF amplitude curve, which depends on at least one RF curve parameter is received. A combined RF amplitude curve for the time interval is determined by combining the first RF amplitude for the first part of the time interval and the RF amplitude curve for a second part of the time interval, which succeeds the first part of the time interval. The combined RF amplitude curve is optimized using a loss function, which comprises an energy loss term, which depends on a pulse energy of the combined RF amplitude curve, and using the at least one RF curve parameter as at least one optimization variable. A combined amplitude of the asymmetric RF pulse is given by the optimized combined RF amplitude curve.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for augmenting diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data, which contains, for each of a plurality of Q-space points, respective magnetic resonance datasets (MR-datasets) for a target voxel and for a plurality of auxiliary voxels in a predefined neighborhood of the target voxel. The method includes applying a trained artificial neural network to input data, which contains the respective MR-datasets of the target voxel and the plurality of auxiliary voxels for all of the plurality of Q-space points; computing an interpolated MR-dataset for the target voxel and for a target Q-space point, which is not contained in the plurality of Q-space points, by means of the artificial neural network depending on the input data.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system to facilitate an improvement in Simultaneous Multislice Imaging, especially concerning a compensation of eddy currents. This is achieved by simultaneously measuring at least two slices by the magnetic resonance imaging system while applying a pulse sequence. In the course of the pulse sequence for measuring k-space lines, a set of in-plane encoding signals (that are typically gradients) are applied with a set of Hadamard encoding signals in an interleaved scheme.

Abstract: Techniques are described for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system to facilitate an improvement in Simultaneous Multislice Imaging, especially concerning a compensation of eddy currents. This is achieved by simultaneously measuring at least two slices by the magnetic resonance imaging system while applying a pulse sequence. In the course of the pulse sequence for measuring k-space lines, a set of in-plane encoding signals (that are typically gradients) are applied with a set of Hadamard encoding signals in an interleaved scheme.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a predetermined volume within an examination object, a control protocol for a gradient echo sequence is selected that specifies that gradient moments produced in said gradient echo sequence be balanced along all three spatial directions. In this gradient echo sequence a slice selection gradient is activated in a slice selection direction that produces a balanced gradient moment, with simultaneous radiation of an RF pulse that simultaneously excites nuclear spins in multiple slices of the examination object, with said excitation being repeated according to a repetition time. A phase of MR signals to be acquired from a same one of said multiple layers is varied from repetition time-to-repetition time.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a predetermined volume within an examination object, a control protocol for a gradient echo sequence is selected that specifies that gradient moments produced in said gradient echo sequence be balanced along all three spatial directions. In this gradient echo sequence a slice selection gradient is activated in a slice selection direction that produces a balanced gradient moment, with simultaneous radiation of an RF pulse that simultaneously excites nuclear spins in multiple slices of the examination object, with said excitation being repeated according to a repetition time. A phase of MR signals to be acquired from a same one of said multiple layers is varied from repetition time-to-repetition time.