Mr imaging method and apparatus utilizing gradient and spin echo

Abstract

An MR imaging method uses NMR phenomenon, and includes a number of steps. These steps include emitting an excitation RF pulse and a plurality of refocus RF pulses to an object to generate a plurality of spin echo signals successively, and applying slice selecting gradient field pulses simultaneously with the RF pulses, respectively, for selecting slice planes. A polarity of reading gradient field pulses is switched a plurality of times to generate a plurality of gradient echo signals. A phase-encoding gradient field pulse, providing a different integrated phase encode amount, is applied to each of a plurality of echo signals generated after each of the spin echo signals is generated. The reading gradient field pulses are applied in timed relationship with generation of the spin echo signals. A pulse sequence consisting of the above steps is repeated while varying the integrated phase encode amount. Data acquired from the same group of echo signals is processed to arrange the data in one of different k spaces to reconstruct a plurality of slice images based on the k spaces, respectively.