Patent ID: 8165657

Claim:
A method for magnetic resonance imaging based on a gradient echo sequence, by exciting nuclear spins in a subject and detecting the radio frequency signals arising from the excited nuclear spins, said method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing magnetization of spins in a subject by exposing the subject to only a single inversion pulse; (b) following said single inversion pulse, executing a plurality of steps to excite nuclear spins in the subject and to detect an RF response signal, arising due to the excited nuclear spins, for a first image contrast, said RF response signal being detected for excited nuclear spins in a first two-dimensional slice in a plane defined by a first coordinate axis and a second coordinate axis that are perpendicular to each other to obtain a first complete image of said first slice, having said first image contrast; (c) also following said single inversion pulse, executing a plurality of steps to excite further nuclear spins in the subject and detecting a further RF response signal, arising from the excited further nuclear spins, for a second image contrast, different from said first image contrast, said further RF response signal also arising from excited further nuclear spins in said first two-dimensional slice to obtain a second complete image of said first slice, having said second contrast; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for a plurality of further two-dimensional slices that are respectively parallel to said first two-dimensional slice and offset from first two-dimensional slice along a third coordinate axis that is perpendicular to said first and second coordinate axes.