System and method for generating optimal pulses and for analyzing heart wall motion using spatial modulation of magnetization

摘要

A novel magnetic resonance imaging technique provides direct imaging of motion by spatially modulating the degree of magnetization prior to imaging. The pre-imaging pulse sequence consists of an RF pulse to produce transverse magnetization, a magnetic field gradient pulse to "wrap" the phase along the direction of the gradient and a second RF pulse to mix the modulated transverse magnetization with the longitudinal magnetization. The resulting images show periodic stripes due to the modulation. Motion between the time of striping and image formation is directly demonstrated as a corresponding displacement of the stripes. Applications include studies of heart wall motion and distinguishing slowly moving blood from thrombus.