Patent ID: 11385312

Abstract:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions), allows simultaneous MR signal acquisition from the entire object volume in each of a multitude of very small receiver coils arranged in a 3D array around the imaging volume, except for gradient reversals and/or RF pulses for refocusing spins into echoes. This permits a rate of MR signal acquisition that is greatly increased (e.g., 256 times) compared with known existing techniques, with a full 3D image constructed in as little as 1 millisecond. Furthermore, noise—both audible and electrical—is substantially reduced. Clinical imaging can be completed in seconds or less, with good signal-to-noise ratio; signal-to-noise ratio further increases by reducing or eliminating RF noise due to gradient switching; real-time functional MRI can be on millisecond timescales; high quality imaging of thorax and abdomen can be in a single breath hold; ands; and audible noise and vibration are greatly reduced.