Ultra‐Rapid Gradient Echo Imaging

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Abstract
A novel ultra‐rapid gradient echo (URGE) NMR imaging technique is introduced, which is capable of continuous high resolution 3D scanning while neither subject to fast gradient switching nor excessive RF power deposition. Sampling free induction decays instead of creating spin echoes enables maintaining a workable steady state magnetization. Due to segmented k‐space acquisition, chemical shift, diffusion, and field inhomogeneity effects do not present major problems. We report on implementations acquiring from 32 x 64 x 64 partial‐Fourier image sets in 0.72 s, allowing for single‐shot magnetization‐prepared 3D imaging, to 128 x 128 x 128 image sets in 13.3 s and 21.5 s on a standard MRI scanner.