Patent ID: 6037771
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
A method for producing an image with NMR data acquired from a three-dimensional volume of interest, the steps comprising:a) producing a slab-selective RF excitation pulse which produces transverse magnetization in a thin slab located within said three-dimensional volume of interest;b) producing a first phase encoding gradient pulse which samples k-space along a first axis passing through the thin slab;c) producing a second phase encoding gradient pulse which samples k-space along a second axis oriented in the plane of the thin slab;d) acquiring an NMR signal in the presence of a readout gradient which samples k-space along a third axis oriented in the plane of the thin slab and perpendicular to the second axis;e) repeating steps a) through d) a plurality of times and changing the first phase encoding gradient pulse to sample k-space completely along said first axis;f) repeating step e) a plurality of times and changing the second phase encoding gradient pulse to sample k-space completely along said second axis;g) incrementing the position of the thin slab in the three-dimensional volume of interest along said first axis a plurality of times during the performance of step f) to sample k-space along said second axis at a corresponding plurality of thin slab locations; andh) reconstructing the image from the acquired NMR signals.