Abstract: A method for detecting coupled RF current magnetic resonance (MR) objects in a body and determining MR risk is provided. The body is scanned with reverse circularly polarized RF. MR signals generated by coupling of the reverse circularly polarized RF with the RF current MR objects are detected. The detected MR signals are used to determine a risk value.

Abstract: A method for detecting coupled RF current magnetic resonance (MR) objects in a body and determining MR risk is provided. The body is scanned with reverse circularly polarized RF. MR signals generated by coupling of the reverse circularly polarized RF with the RF current MR objects are detected. The detected MR signals are used to determine a risk value.

Abstract: A method of generating MRI signals with fat suppressed steady state free precession (SSFP) contrast without requiring any additional scan time over standard SSFP procedures and with comparable signal to noise ratio (SNR) to other techniques. Oscillating steady state free precession is employed to achieve the fat suppressed MRI signals. In the oscillating steady state sequence, a pattern of tips and precession is repeated every Ntips repetition time in order to produce useful contrasts. In a described embodiment, a specific oscillating sequence has four tips in a repetition interval with four steady states being produced. With equal precession in each repetition time, the sequence of complex tips can be determined by an inverse Shinnar-LeRoux (SLR) transform.

Abstract: A method of generating MRI signals with fat suppressed steady state free precession (SSFP) contrast without requiring any additional scan time over standard SSFP procedures and with comparable signal to noise ratio (SNR) to other techniques. Oscillating steady state free precession is employed to achieve the fat suppressed MRI signals. In the oscillating steady state sequence, a pattern of tips and precession is repeated every Ntips repetition time in order to produce useful contrasts. In a described embodiment, a specific oscillating sequence has four tips in a repetition interval with four steady states being produced. With equal precession in each repetition time, the sequence of complex tips can be determined by an inverse Shinnar-LeRoux (SLR) transform.

Abstract: A method of oscillating dual-equilibrium steady-state angiography (ODESSA), utilizes a modified steady state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence. The SSFP sequence is modified such that flowing material reaches a steady state which oscillates between two equilibrium values, while stationary material attains a standard, non-oscillatory steady state. When alternating sequences are employed, subtraction of adjacent echoes results in large, uniform signal from all flowing spins and zero signal from stationary spins. Venous signal can be suppressed based on its reduced T2. ODESSA arterial signal is more than three times as large as that of traditional phase-contrast angiography (PCA) in the same scan time, and also compares favorably with other techniques of MR angiography. Pulse sequences are implemented in 2D, 3D, and volumetric projection modes. Angiograms of the lower leg, generated in as few as 5 s, show high arterial SNR and full suppression of other tissues.

Abstract: A method of oscillating dual-equilibrium steady-state angiography (ODESSA), utilizes a modified steady state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence. The SSFP sequence is modified such that flowing material reaches a steady state which oscillates between two equilibrium values, while stationary material attains a standard, non-oscillatory steady state. When alternating sequences are employed, subtraction of adjacent echoes results in large, uniform signal from all flowing spins and zero signal from stationary spins. Venous signal can be suppressed based on its reduced T2. ODESSA arterial signal is more than three times as large as that of traditional phase-contrast angiography (PCA) in the same scan time, and also compares favorably with other techniques of MR angiography. Pulse sequences are implemented in 2D, 3D, and volumetric projection modes. Angiograms of the lower leg, generated in as few as 5 s, show high arterial SNR and full suppression of other tissues.