Abstract: A fast, spectrally-selective steady-state free precession (SSFP) imaging method is presented. Combining k-space data from SSFP sequences with certain phase schedules of radiofrequency excitation pulses permits manipulation of the spectral selectivity of the image. For example, lipid and water can be rapidly resolved. The contrast of each image depends on both T1 and T2, and the relative contribution of the two relaxation mechanisms to image contrast can be controlled by adjusting the flip angle. Several applications of the technique are presented, including fast musculoskeletal imaging, brain imaging, and angiography. The technique is referred to herein as linear combination steady-state free precession (LCSSFP) and fluctuating equilibrium magnetic resonance (FEMR).

Abstract: A steady-state condition for tipped nuclear spins is accelerated or catalyzed by first determining magnetization magnitude of the steady state and the scaling magnetization along one axis (Mz) to at least approximate the determined magnetization magnitude. Then the scaled magnetization is rotated to coincide with a real-valued eigenvector extension of the tipped steady-state magnetization. Any error vector will then decay to the steady-state condition without oscillation. In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance imaging utilizes steady-state free precession (SSFP). The scaling and rotating steps are followed by the steps of applying read-out magnetic gradients and detecting magnetic resonance signals from the tipped nuclear spins. The magnetization magnitude is determined by eigenvector analysis, and the eigenvector extension is a real-valued eigenvector determined in the analysis.