Magnetic Resonance Imaging I Localization of the MR signa 20_-_Magnetic_Resonance_Imaging_I.pptVIP

Magnetic Resonance Imaging I Localization of the MR signal Localization of the MR signal Spatial localization, fundamental to MR imaging, requires the imposition of magnetic field inhomogeneities – magnetic gradients superimposed upon the homogeneous and much stronger main magnetic field, which are used to distinguish the positions of the signal in a three-dimensional object (the patient) Conventional MRI involves RF excitations combined with magnetic field gradients to localize the signal from individual volume elements in the patient Magnetic field gradients Magnetic fields with predictable directionality and strength are produced in a wire coil energized with a direct electric current of specific polarity and amplitude Magnetic field gradients are obtained by superimposing the magnetic fields of one or more coils with a precisely defined geometry Magnetic field gradients (cont.) With appropriate design, the gradient coils create a magnetic field that varies linearly in strength vs. distance over a predefined field of view (FOV) Inside the magnet bore, three sets of gradients reside along the coordinate axes – x, y, and z – and produce a magnetic field variation determined by the magnitude of the applied current in each coil set Gradient polarity reversals are achieved by reversing the current direction in the gradient coils Magnetic field gradients (cont.) Two properties of gradient systems are important: The peak amplitude of the gradient field determines the “steepness” of the gradient field (typically 1 to 50 mT/m) The slew rate is the time required to achieve the peak magnetic field amplitude, where shorter time is better (typically 5 to 250 mT/m/msec) Effect on Larmor frequency The gradient is a linear, position-dependent magnetic field applied across the FOV Protons alter their precessional frequency corresponding to their position along the applied gradient in a known and predictable way At the middle of the gradient exists the null, where no change in the