University of California

Yajun Ma

Jiang Du

Disclosed are methods and systems for ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE-MT) imaging and signal modeling to quantify the different proton groups, including free water, bound water and macromolecule protons in short T2 tissues such as the menisci, ligaments, tendons and cortical bone. UTE-MT images with a series of MT frequency offsets and MT power are subject to MT modeling to evaluate T1s, T2s, fractions and exchange rates of bound water, free water and macromolecule protons.

Systems and methods for ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE-MT) imaging and signal modeling

Disclosed are systems and methods for accurately measuring T1 in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for short T2 tissues by an integrative three-dimensional Ultrashort Echo Time Actual Flip Angle Imaging Variable TR (3D UTE-AFI-VTR) technique. Also, disclosed are systems and methods for accurately measuring T1 for T2 tissues by an integrative three-dimensional Ultrashort Echo Time Actual Flip Angle Imaging Variable Flip Angle (3D UTE-AFI-VFA) technique. The disclosed methods and systems can be implemented to allow accurate T1 mapping for T2 tissues, including menisci, ligaments, tendons, myelin in gray and white matter, cortical bone, and soft tissue in whole joints.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Yajun Ma