3D Real-Time MRI of Vocal Tract Shaping

We demonstrate a new three-dimensional (3D) real-time MRI technique for the study of dynamic vocal tract shaping during human speech production. This, for the first time, enables a comprehensive assessment of vocal tract area function dynamics. We used a minimum-phase 3D slab excitation, stack-of-spirals gradient echo sequence, pseudo golden-angle view order in kx-ky, linear Cartesian order along kz, and sparse SENSE image reconstruction with spatiotemporal finite difference constraints. This provides 2.4 x 2.4 x 5.8 mm³ spatial resolution, 72 ms temporal resolution, and a 200 x 200 x 70 mm³ field-of-view, which covers the entire adult human vocal tract.