Multiband accelerated spin-echo echo planar imaging with reduced peak RF power using time-shifted RF pulses
Edward J Auerbach, Junqian Xu, Essa Yacoub, Steen Moeller, Kâmil Uğurbil, Edward J Auerbach, Junqian Xu, Essa Yacoub, Steen Moeller, Kâmil Uğurbil
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate an alternative method for generating multibanded radiofrequency (RF) pulses for use in multiband slice-accelerated imaging with slice-GRAPPA unaliasing, substantially reducing the required peak power without bandwidth compromises. This allows much higher accelerations for spin-echo methods such as SE-fMRI and diffusion-weighted MRI where multibanded slice acceleration has been limited by available peak power.
Theory and methods: Multibanded "time-shifted" RF pulses were generated by inserting temporal shifts between the applications of RF energy for individual bands, avoiding worst-case constructive interferences. Slice profiles and images in phantoms and human subjects were acquired at 3 T.
Results: For typical sinc pulses, time-shifted multibanded RF pulses were generated with little increase in required peak power compared to single-banded pulses. Slice profile quality was improved by allowing for higher pulse bandwidths, and image quality was improved by allowing for optimum flip angles to be achieved.
Conclusion: A simple approach has been demonstrated that significantly alleviates the restrictions imposed on achievable slice acceleration factors in multiband spin-echo imaging due to the power requirements of multibanded RF pulses. This solution will allow for increased accelerations in diffusion-weighted MRI applications where data acquisition times are normally very long and the ability to accelerate is extremely valuable.
Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Source: PubMed