Monitoring body functions using fast NMR pulse sequences

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a method for acquiring a series of NMR images with good time resolution and with good T*.
sub.
2 contrast.
More specifically, each image in the series is generated by acquiring the S+ echoes produced from a set of SSFP pulse sequences, each S+ SSFP pulse sequence produces an echo signal with its peak occurring at time TE after the generation of an RF excitation pulse, by acquiring an asymmetrical echo signal such that the echo peak occurs in the latter half of an acquisition window and a portion of the echo signal following its peak is not acquired, and reconstructing images from the asymmetrical acquired echo signals.
A general object of the invention is to improve the T*.
sub.
2 contrast of an SSFP pulse sequence without incurring a substantial increase in the total scan time.
By performing a partial echo signal acquisition, its peak can be delayed to increase the echo time TE and thereby improve the T*.
sub.
2 contrast of the pulse sequence.
The acquisition window is shortened by terminating the acquisition shortly after the echo signal peak is acquired, and this also enables a reduction in the pulse sequence repetition time (TR).
As a result, the echo time TE can be increased to improve T*.
sub.
2 contrast without a corresponding increase in the repetition time TR and total scan time.
The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description.
In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims herein for interpreting the scope of the invention.