Abstract

A system and method is disclosed to combine both a fractional echo (kx) and a fractional NEX (ky) to reduce acquisition times and echo times in MR imaging. The method uses both zero-filling and homodyne reconstruction to construct concurrent fractional NEX and fractional echo data in a single image while minimizing any blurring effects. The system includes acquiring partial MRI data in the kx direction and acquiring partial MRI data in the ky direction. Once a partial echo and a partial NEX are acquired, the missing data is first zero-filled in the kx direction and Fourier transformed to acquire a full x direction data set. Next, the data is synthesized in the ky direction using a homodyne reconstruction technique to acquire a full data set in the ky direction. The full x,y data set can then be used to reconstruct an MR image with reduced acquisition and echo times. In order to minimize the effects of blurring in the resulting MR image, it is preferable to acquire at least an 80% fractional echo and a 60% fractional NEX. The system can be extended to any number of desirable dimensions.

Other References

• Noll, Douglas C., et al., Homodyne Detection in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging, vol. 10, No. 2, Jun. 1991, pp. 154-163
• Margosian, P., et al., Faster MR Imaging with Half the Data, Health Care Instrumentation, vol. 1: pp. 195-19