Relaxation-Enhanced Multiple Inner-Volume Imaging using Parallel 3D Spatially Selective Excitation

Johannes Thomas Schneider^1,2, Martin Haas², Wolfgang Ruhm¹, Juergen Hennig², Peter Ullmann¹

Recently, first examples of 3D Parallel Spatially Selective Excitation (PEX) have been presented. This technique allows the restriction of the generated transverse magnetization to specified 3D target volumes, while outside these volumes the magnetization is fully restored into the longitudinal direction by the end of the pulse. Exploiting this feature, Multiple Inner-Volume Imaging (MIVI) allows interleaved excitation and data acquisition of multiple different inner-volumes within one repetition time. Compared to successive imaging of multiple inner-volumes in individual experiments, MIVI results in reduced scan times and/or enhanced SNR due to prolonged T1-relaxation periods.