Abstract: A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system that includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method further includes concurrently acquiring T1 map image data of slices of an image by: (i) acquiring image calibration data using a pre-scan sequence; (ii) inverting a longitudinal magnetization in the volume of patient anatomy using a non-selective inversion recovery pulse; (iii) applying an excitation RF pulse to different slices in the volume of patient anatomy to rotate a portion of the longitudinal magnetization in a transverse direction; (iv) sampling individual slice image data of the slices in response to applying the excitation RF pulse; and (v) separating the concurrently acquired T1 map image into separate slices.

Abstract: A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system that includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method further includes concurrently acquiring T1 map image data of slices of an image by: (i) acquiring image calibration data using a pre-scan sequence; (ii) inverting a longitudinal magnetization in the volume of patient anatomy using a non-selective inversion recovery pulse; (iii) applying an excitation RF pulse to different slices in the volume of patient anatomy to rotate a portion of the longitudinal magnetization in a transverse direction; (iv) sampling individual slice image data of the slices in response to applying the excitation RF pulse; and (v) separating the concurrently acquired T1 map image into separate slices.

Abstract: An MR imaging system without the use of a contrast agent, in a first repetition time interval, generates a non-selective magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing an anatomical volume encompassing blood flowing into a selected slab within the volume for blood signal suppression, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a first MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume with a suppressed blood signal. The system in a second repetition time interval succeeding the first repetition time interval, generates a selected slab magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing the selected slab, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a second MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume. An image data processor substantially subtracts imaging data of the first MR imaging dataset from the second MR imaging dataset to provide an image enhancing a vessel structure in the selected slab and also substantially averages imaging data to provide an MR anatomical image.

Abstract: An MR imaging system without the use of a contrast agent, in a first repetition time interval, generates a non-selective magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing an anatomical volume encompassing blood flowing into a selected slab within the volume for blood signal suppression, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a first MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume with a suppressed blood signal. The system in a second repetition time interval succeeding the first repetition time interval, generates a selected slab magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing the selected slab, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a second MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume. An image data processor substantially subtracts imaging data of the first MR imaging dataset from the second MR imaging dataset to provide an image enhancing a vessel structure in the selected slab and also substantially averages imaging data to provide an MR anatomical image.