5: Pulse Sequence Design Flashcards
Pulse sequence
the process of acquiring patient data by disorienting net magnetization of protons with radio-frequency (RF) pulses, gradient variations, and data collection
Traditional standard pulse sequences are: (4)
- Spin Echo (SE)
- Inversion Recovery (IR)
- Gradient Echo (GE)
- Echo Planar Imaging (EPI)
Pulse Sequence Timing Diagram:
visualizes detailed timing and duration of RF pulses and gradient variations
Echo time (TE)
the time it takes to complete an entire pulse sequence
Events recorded by the Pulse Sequence Timing Diagram: (5)
- RF Transmission (RF-t)
- RF Receive (RF-r)
- Slice select Gradient
- Readout
- Phase
- Each event can initiate or pause another event*
Musical Note Analagy
- imagine each different pulse sequence being its own unique string of musical notes
- in music, there are different sequences of musical notes that have different overall sound and rhythm combinations
- in MRI, there are different sequences of events that create different tissue characteristics and contrast combinations
Step 1: Radio Frequency Transmitter (RF-t)
Excitation event, Applied RT pulse, the beginning of any pulse sequence.
The events that excite or flip net magnetization into the transverse direction.
Begins with a 90 degree initial pulse followed by a 180 degree pulse (Double the strength). 1/2 of a TE period
Step 2: RF-Receive (RF-r)
Dephasing step, begins simultaneously during the 90 degree and 180 degree pulses (RF Transmission)
known as the dephasing event because once the net magnetization is disoriented by the 90 degree pulse, the signal immediately begins to dephase or weaken.
Dephasing
Progressive weakening of the net magnetization
Dephasing is also known as:
Free Induction Decay (FID)
Step 3: Slice Select Gradient:
Also turns on during RF Transmission similar to RF Receive
allows a certain slice to be singled out (spatial localization), allowing us to attain an image of a specific slice.
Step 4: Readout Gradient
Sampling gradient
As RF Transmit, RF Receive, and Slice selection occur, the readout gradient reads or samples the signal through (Frequency encoding)
Turned on during frequency encoding and during the resultant echo. Reads during the echo.
Step 5: Phase Gradient
Turned on between the 90 degree and 190 degree pulses, storing the information.
the phase gradient is solely determined by the number of phase encoding lines in a slice. Ex: 256 (frequency) x 192 (phase) = 192 phase encodes
higher the matrix, longer the time : directly correlated.
Phase encoding: during the echo
Two types of Spin Echo
- Conventional Spin Echo (CSE) (older)
- Fast Spin Echo (FSE) (modern)
Conventional Spin Echo
Traditional (not used)
T1, T2, or Proton Density Weighted
Contain ONE echo per TE period
Due to scan time length being long, CSE’s have been innovated and are rarely used.
Fast Spin Echo (FSE)
Aka Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) Siemens
Innovated and faster than CSE due to the added Echo Train Length (ETL)
T1, Td, or Proton Density Weighted
FSE’s ETL is chosen MANUALLY by the technologist during pulse sequence manipulation
More ETL, more echo phases, but progressively gets smaller/weaker as you move away from the initial 90 degree pulse
Shorter ETL, stronger the signal, longer the scan time.
Inversion Recovery (IR)
T1 environment (relaxation) by flipping the net magnetization with a 180 degree pulse
IR is a pulse sequence that contains an additional 180 degree pulse before the 90 degree pulse
Inversion time (TI)
time from the initial 180 pulse to the 90 pulse, First 180 then 90. Take longer
Echo Train Length (ETL)
FSE’s ETL is chosen MANUALLY by the technologist during pulse sequence manipulation, during Fast Spin Echo (FSE)
More ETL, more echo phases, but progressively gets smaller/weaker as you move away from the initial 90 degree pulse
Shorter ETL, stronger the signal, longer the scan time.
Two types of Inversion Recovery (IR)
- STIR (Short Tau (time) Inversion Recovery)
- FLAIR (FLuid Attenuated Inversion Recovery)
TI
the time before the initial 90 degree pulse
180 degree pulse causes…
short T1 tissues to relax (quickly or slowly)
long T1 tissues to relax (quickly or slowly)
Fat (bright or dark)
Water ( bright or dark)
short T1 tissues to relax quickly
long T1 tissues to relax slowly
Fat - dark
water- bright
*Contrast between short and long T1 tissue is created BEFORE the pulse sequence begins
STIR
Short Tau Inversion Recovery
widely used as a fat suppression technique. to suppress fat content and focus on high water content such as fractures and infection
Long TI 10-150 ms
Contrast agents DO NOT work or highlight in STIR imaging due to similar short T1 tissue property of fat and gadolinium