Module 8: IQ: Acquisition Time
IQ : Acquisition Time Objectives...Describe types of data acquisition modes....compute acquisition times for 2D and 3D scans.
2D Acquisitions The 2D mode acquires and reconstructs raw image data into two dimensional images whose brightness is proportional to the intensity of the MRI signal from the corresponding protons. This slice excitation method is followed by frequency and phase encoding to produce an image. Because the spatial encoding takes place in two dimensions the images are labeled 2D. Phase Encoding 2D slices Frequency Encoding
2D Multi-Planar Acquiring multiple images within a single acquisition or time frame means that the order of slice excitation is odd-numbered first, then even numbered images. All slices are acquired within the TR period. 1 2 3 4 5 Multi-Planar acquisition All 5 slices in the same TR
2D Sequential Acquiring an image sequentially means that all the excitation pulses ( # of phase steps x NEX x TR ) are delivered for one location before the process is repeated at another location. 1 Sequential acquisition Each slice is completed before moving on to the next slice
3D Acquisition In volume or 3D imaging, a wide RF pulse is delivered to excite an entire scan volume or slab. Spatial encoding must then be done in the phase, frequency and slice axes. Slice Encoding Phase Encoding 3D Volume Frequency Encoding
3D Acquisition 3D Slab
Progress Check 2D: TR x Phase Matrix x NEX = Acquisition Time 3D: TR x Phase Matrix x NEX x # of Slices = Acq. Time TR- TR is measured in milliseconds and is the time between RF pulses that repeat the pattern. Phase Matrix - The system collects data from the slice once for each phase encoding step. NEX- The number of times each set of phase encoding steps is repeated is called a NEX or Number of EXcitations. Calculate the scan times below using the appropriate formula
15. I.Q.: Acquisition Time 16. There are multiple acquisition modes: 2D: sequential and multi-planar 3D / volume MRS/ spectroscopy Cine 2D scan time formula: TR x phase x NEX 60,000 3D scan time formula: TR x phase x NEX x slices 60,000 2D & 3D are standard Go to QLB Pomp and ZIP
Module 9: IQ: Spatial Resolution
Spatial Resolution Objectives...Recall and explain the scan parameters that affect spatial resolution....compute spatial resolution given specific scan parameters....evaluate images acquired with varying spatial resolution.
Spatial Resolution How close two objects can be before they can be distinguished as separate objects.
Spatial Resolution Three parameters affect spatial resolution: FOV Matrix Slice Thickness Small FOV s, large matrices and small slice thickness result in high spatial resolution. #Phase Row FOV (cm) #Frequency Column Voxel Slice Thickness (mm)
FOV FOV determines the amount of anatomy displayed on the image. The larger the FOV, the larger the pixel size, and therefore the resolution is decreased. FOV can be changed in 1 cm intervals. Pixel size Pixel size 24 cm FOV 16 cm FOV
Progress Check Calculating Pixel Size, Area and Volume FOV / # phase steps = phase dimension FOV / # frequency steps = frequency dimension Phase x frequency = pixel area Pixel area x slice thickness = voxel volume Calculate the voxel volume for the image parameters listed below
Progress Check Slice Thickness change Image A: Thickness = 3 mm Image B: thickness = 5 mm Image C: Thickness = 10 mm SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check FOV change Image A: FOV = 18 cm Image B: FOV = 22 cm Image C: FOV= 25 cm SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Module 10: IQ: SNR
IQ: SNR Objectives View images for SNR and spatial resolution trade-offs....quantify (calculate) the change in SNR when a parameter has been changed.
Signal to Noise Ratio SNR is the ratio of the amplitude of the MR signal to the amplitude of the noise. Noise is the undesirable signal that is generated from the patient, the environment and the system electronics. signal noise
Signal to Noise Ratio SNR TIME TR NEX Resolution FOV Matrix Slice Thick Exception to rule : Receive Bandwidth
Receive Bandwidth Readout Window + 16 khz X gradient TR Readout Window + 32 khz X gradient TR
Receive Bandwidth + 32 khz + 16 khz noise signal
Receive Bandwidth Tradeoffs RBW SNR Chemical TE Motion Shift Artifact H 2 0 Chemical shift The frequency difference between protons bound in fat versus water Fat (+) (-) approx. 220 Hz ( 1.5T ) approx. 143 Hz ( 1.0 T ) approx. 74 Hz (.5T ) approx. 35 Hz (.2T )
I.Q.: Spatial Resolution/SNR 18. Voxel volume = I.Q. Tradeoffs FOV x FOV x slice phase freq SNR Isotropic voxels occur when all sides (height, width, depth) are equal. Time RBW is an exception Resolution
Progress Check NEX change Image A: NEX = 1 Image B: NEX = 2 Image C: NEX= 4 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check Receive Bandwidth change Image A: RBW = 6 Image B: RBW = 12.5 Image C: RBW = 15.6 SNR: Contrast: Spatial resolution: Time: # of slices:
Module 11 IQ: Contrast
I.Q. : Image Contrast Objectives Identify scan timing parameters that determine image contrast....identify changes in image contrast and SNR when scan parameters change.
Contrast Weighting Images are labeled according to the internal factors predominately responsible for the variations in signal intensities The goal in MR is to select a pulse sequence and timing parameters that will cause one of the three contrast mechanisms to predominate over the other two.
Contrast Weighting T1-weighted images result when the variation in longitudinal regrowth creates transverse magnetization differences which predominate over other contrast mechanisms. T2-weighted images result when the rate of nuclear dephasing predominates over the other contrast mechanisms. Proton density-weighted images result when the number of nuclei in a tissue is predominately responsible for the image contrast.
T1 Relaxation T1 relaxation Longitudinal recovery Spin lattice energy exchange
T1 Relaxation Factors that affect T1 relaxation rates: Field Strength Lower field strength = faster recovery Higher field strength = slower recovery Tissue Lattice Firm lattice = faster recovery Loose lattice = slower recovery
Saturation TR and flip angle control saturation which controls T1 effects S i g n a l 63% 86% 95% 98% 100% fat brain csf 1 T1 2 T1 3 T1 4 T1 5 T1 Time (TR)
T1 Relaxation Times Tissue type 1.5T 1.0T 0.5T Gray matter 800 695 600 White matter 300 275 245 CSF 2200 2000 1800 Muscle 450 390 315 Kidney 600 545 490 Liver 300 275 245 Fat 150 130 105 Spleen 300 260 210 Silicon 400 325 265
T2 Relaxation T2 Relaxation Transverse relaxation Spin-spin effect
T2* The sum of T2 and T2 effects that influence transverse decay. 1/T2 + 1/T2 = 1/T2* T2 is the transverse decay due to magnetic field inhomogeneities, chemical shift of the second kind and patient induced magnetic susceptibilities. T2 decay echo T2* decay
180 degree RF pulse Initial 90 0 pulse. Vectors decay and 180 0 pulse applied. Fast catch up with slow components. Vectors are rephased.
Dephasing TE controls dephasing which controls T2 effects 37% 16% 5% 2% 0% S i g n a l csf fat brain-g brain-w 1 T2 2 T2 3 T2 4 T2 5 T2 Time (TE)
Spin Density Hydrogen content Mobility of hydrogen Field strength affects the number of hydrogen protons that are parallel with B O.
Tissue Contrast Relaxation recovery ( T1 ) The time it takes the net magnetization to return to B 0. Relaxation dephasing ( T2 ) The time it takes the protons to dephase and thus for the net vector to decay. Nuclear density ( PD ) The number of nuclei that comprise the vectors from various tissues.
Scan timing parameter chart TR (T1) TE (T2) Tissue Intensities for the brain T2 2000 > 80-90 white/gray = grayer CSF = brighter as TE > fat = dark/bright T1 300-700: 1.5T 300-600: 1.0T 300-500: 0.5T 300-350: 0.2T 10-15ms minimum (fractional echo) white = light gray gray = gray CSF = dark fat = bright PD 2000 > minimum (fractional echo) gray = light gray white = gray CSF = dark fat = bright
Progress Check TR change for T1 Image A: TR = 350 Image B: TR = 500 Image C: TR= 1000 SNR: Contrast: Spatial resolution: Time: # of slices:
Progress Check TE change for T1 Image A: TE = Mn Image B: TE = Mn Full Image C: TE = 40 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TR change for PD Image A: TR = 1500 ms, TE =30 Image B: TR = 2500 ms, TE=30 Image C: TR= 4000, TE = 30 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TR change for T2 Image A: TR= 1500, TE = 90 Image B: TR= 2500, TE = 90 Image C: TR= 4000, TE = 90 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TE change for T2 Image A: TE = 25 Image B: TE = 50 Image C: TE= 75 Image D: TE = 100 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Scan Choices Patient PARAMETERS Image Tissue Contrast Detail Artifacts SNR uniformity Coil Image Options RBW TR/TE TI/FA ETL FOV Matrix ST Scan Time #slices UserCV Nex MR Operator
TR Scan Parameter Trade-offs Class Activity SNR Sp. res. Time Cont. Cont. Cont. T1 PD T2 TE T1 PD T2 NEX Slice Thickness FOV Receive Bandwidth Contrast is directly affected by TR, TE, TI, and flip angle. SNR changes can enhance or obscure contrast but cannot change the image weighting from one type of contrast to another. Frequency Phase
I.Q.: Contrast 19. 20. Time (TR) T1 3000 ms PD T1 T1 Saturation Min. Sat. Long TR Max Sat. Short TR T2 Dephase Min dephase Short TE Min. dephase Short TE T2 Time (TE) 300 ms T2 T2* Min sat. Long TR Min sat. Small flip Short TR (400-700) Max dephase Long TE Short TE
Progress Check Slice Thickness change Image A: Thickness = 3 mm Image B: thickness = 5 mm Image C: Thickness = 10 mm SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check FOV change Image A: FOV = 18 cm Image B: FOV = 22 cm Image C: FOV= 25 cm SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check NEX change Image A: NEX = 1 Image B: NEX = 2 Image C: NEX= 4 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check Receive Bandwidth change Image A: RBW = 6 Image B: RBW = 12.5 Image C: RBW = 15.6 SNR: Contrast: Spatial resolution: Time: # of slices:
Progress Check TR change for T1 Image A: TR = 350 Image B: TR = 500 Image C: TR= 1000 SNR: Contrast: Spatial resolution: Time: # of slices:
Progress Check TE change for T1 Image A: TE = Mn Image B: TE = Mn Full Image C: TE = 40 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TR change for PD Image A: TR = 1500 ms, TE =30 Image B: TR = 2500 ms, TE=30 Image C: TR= 4000, TE = 30 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TR change for T2 Image A: TR= 1500, TE = 90 Image B: TR= 2500, TE = 90 Image C: TR= 4000, TE = 90 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time:
Progress Check TE change for T2 Image A: TE = 25 Image B: TE = 50 Image C: TE= 75 Image D: TE = 100 SNR: Spatial resolution: Contrast: Time: