Magnetic Resonance Method and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Tomograph for Performing the Magnetic Resonance Method

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This patent describes a novel magnetic resonance (MR) method and associated MR imaging system (MRI scanner) that efficiently generates specialized high-frequency excitation pulses and magnetic gradients using multiple independent coils. By leveraging mathematical principles, the invention enables selective, robust, and rapid excitation of specific regions within objects, even in the presence of magnetic field inhomogeneities and other disturbances. The approach uses a direct, parallelizable mathematical solution to define optimal excitation pulses, improving speed and reliability in MR imaging.

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• Medical diagnostic MRI scans for targeted imaging of tissues or organs (e.g., brain, cardiac, musculoskeletal imaging) requiring high selectivity and rapid pulse generation.
• MR spectroscopy applications where specific volumes or components must be selectively excited and mapped.
• High-field MRI systems where magnetic field inhomogeneities are pronounced, such as scanners above 6 Tesla.
• Functional MRI (fMRI) studies demanding precise, repeatable excitation profiles in real time.
• Non-medical NMR imaging, such as material analysis or inspection where selective, robust pulse design is critical.
• Development of next-generation parallel transmission MRI systems utilizing multiple RF transmit coils for spatially tailored excitation.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly reduces computation time for designing selective MR excitation pulses compared to conventional iterative methods.
• Improved robustness to field inhomogeneities and relaxation effects increases image quality and reliability, especially for high-field MRI.
• Direct, non-iterative mathematical solution allows for real-time or near real-time adjustment and optimization of excitation pulses.
• Inherently parallelizable method enables efficient use of multi-coil (multi-channel) transmission systems, critical for advanced MRI hardware.
• Facilitates highly selective regional excitation, which can improve diagnostic specificity, minimize artifacts, and reduce scan times.
• Applicable to a wide range of magnetic field strengths and even non-linear gradient fields, broadening its usability across various MR platforms.
• Enhances patient throughput and workflow efficiency in clinical MRI environments due to faster pulse design and system calibration.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method, wherein high-frequency pulses and magnetic gradients (gx, gy, gz) are produced in order to selectively excite an object to be examined. According to the invention, the magnetic resonance method is characterized in that a magnetic resonance signal s(t) is produced according to the following signal equation: (I), wherein (II) denotes a desired transverse magnetization after the selective excitation, t denotes a time, (III) denotes a position vector, and T denotes a duration of a pulse, wherein s(t) denotes a magnetic resonance signal, V denotes an examination volume, T 2 denotes a transverse relaxation time, and ? s denotes a shift of the resonance frequency. The invention further relates to a magnetic resonance tomograph for carrying out the magnetic resonance method.