Abstract: A method for improved magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed herein. This method includes the step of interleaving a first slice-selective inversion recovery pulse within two slice-selective echo trains resulting from two other slice-selective inversion recovery pulses generated prior to the first pulse during a rapid spin echo sequence. In other words, the first slice-selective inversion recovery pulse is generated after receiving a first slice-selective echo train resulting from a second slice-selective inversion recovery pulse generated prior to the first pulse and before receiving a second slice-selective echo train resulting from a third slice-selective inversion recovery pulse generated prior to the generation of the first pulse.

Abstract: Methods for producing an angiograph of a body portion are disclosed as including the steps of subjecting the body portion to electromagnetic energy so as to cause a response related to the magnetization of the body portion. Fast spin echo magnetic resonance measurements are performed on a three dimensional section of the body portion to generate three dimensional intensity information. The three dimensional intensity information is thereafter processed to construct an angiograph. In a preferred embodiment magnetic resonance data is produced by generating a slice gradient, generating a z axis slab selective 90.degree. pulse, generating a z axis slab selective 180.degree. pulse, generating a first phase encoding gradient pulse for a particular K.sub.y coordinate, generating a second phase encoding gradient pulse for a particular K.sub.z coordinate, and generating an x frequency encoding gradient and reading echo signal data from the body portion resulting from the 180.degree. pulse.

Abstract: A method for suppressing fat in a magnetic resonance image of a target organ, wherein fat is present in the vicinity of the target organ involves subjecting the target organ to electromagnetic energy so as to cause an organ signal response and a fat signal response related to the magnetization of the organ and the fat, respectively. The subjecting to electromagnetic energy involves subjecting the target organ to a saturation preamble and thereafter subjecting the target organ to an offsetting spin-echo sequence. The organ and fat responses are detected and image information based on the responses is generated. The saturation preamble, selectively excites and then dephases a particular substance, such as fat, in the vicinity of the target organ. Preferably exciting and then dephasing involves subjecting the target organ to a Hore 1-3-3-1 signal.