• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.117-124
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• 2022

Purpose: In this study, we provide a way to assess even a slight effect of exercise on trunk-muscle activity. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy male participants (mean age, 24.7 ± 3.2 years; height, 171.2 ± 9.8 cm; and weight, 63.8 ± 11.9 kg) performed 15 sets of an exercise with 20 repetitions of 90° hip and right-knee flexion while lying supine. The exercise intensity was measured using the 10-point Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale after the first and 15th sets of exercises. Although cross-sectional areas and functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-acquired muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging, fast-mfMRI) have been proposed for imaging to evaluate exercise-induced muscle activity in real time, no previous studies have reported on the evaluation of trunk-muscle activity using functional T2 mapping. As a method for assessing trunk-muscle activity, we compared functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-mfMRI) with cross-sectional areas. Results: Although the muscle cross-sectional areas were increased by the exercise, there was no significant difference at rest. On the other hand, for all sets, the changes in T2 were significant compared with those at rest (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that T2, calculated from fast-mfMRI images can be used to detect even a small amount of muscle activity induced by acute exercise, which was impossible to do with cross-sectional areas. Conclusion: Fast-mfMRI, which can also display functional information with detailed forms, enabled non-invasive real-time imaging for identifying and evaluating the degree of deep trunk-muscle activity induced by exercise.

• 대한전기학회논문지:시스템및제어부문D
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 2000

In this paper, we develop a TMS320C31 (60MHz) digital signal processor (DSP) board to synthesize gradient waveforms for Spiral Scan Imaging (SSI), which is one of the ultra fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods widely used. In SSI, accurate gradient waveforms are very essential to high quality magnetic resonance images. For this purpose, sampling rate for synthesizing the gradient waveforms is set twice as high as the data sampling rate. With the developed DSP boards accurate gradient waveforms are obtained. Ultra fast spiral scan imaging with the developed with the developed DSP board is currently under development.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.81-92
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• 2021

The role of neuroimaging in patients with acute ischemic stroke has been gradually increasing. The ultimate goal of stroke imaging is to make a streamlined imaging workflow for safe and efficient treatment based on optimized patient selection. In the era of multimodal comprehensive imaging in strokes, imaging based on computed tomography (CT) has been preferred for use in acute ischemic stroke, because, despite the unique strengths of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MRI has a longer scan duration than does CT-based imaging. However, recent improvements, such as multicoil technology and novel MRI acceleration techniques, including parallel imaging, simultaneous multi-section imaging, and compressed sensing, highlight the potential of comprehensive MR-based imaging for strokes. In this review, we discuss the role of stroke imaging in acute ischemic stroke management, as well as the strengths and limitations of MR-based imaging. Given these concepts, we review the current MR acceleration techniques that could be applied to stroke imaging and provide an overview of the previous research on each essential sequence: diffusion-weighted imaging, gradient-echo, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, contrast-enhanced MR angiography, and MR perfusion imaging.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

심장의 영상화에 장애가 되는 요인은 심장 운동, 호흡, 심장 내 혈류 등에 의한 인공물(artifact) 과 심장 조직의 용적이 작음으로 인한 낮은 신호 대 잡음비 등이 있다. 심장 운동에 의한 화질 저하를 막기 위해 신속영상기법(fast imaging technique) 을 이용하여 심장 운동의 특정 위상(phase) 에서만 영상을 얻는 심장동기(cardiac gating) 방법을 이용하고 있다. MRI를 이용한 심장의 검사는 심장의 형태, 심실 기능, 심근 관류, 심근 대사, 관상동맥 영상 등을 대상으로 한다. 심장의 형태적 진단에 있어서 심근내 수분의 정도와 지방조직을 보기 위해 이중(double) 혹은 삼중역전회복기법(triple inversion recovery technique) 을 사용한다. 심근관류검사를 위해서는 조영증강신속경사에코법(contrast-enhanced fast gradient echo technique)을 사용하여 일차통과조영증강(first-pass enhancement) 을 검사한다. 또한 10-15분 지연영상을 얻어 심근내 조영제의 재분포를 검사하여 만성심근경색 등의 심근파괴부위를 확인한다. 심실기능 평가를 위해서는 신속경사에 코법을 이용한 영화영상(cine image) 이 사용되며 심실의 국소적 운동이상 및 심실기능의 정량적 검사가 가능하다. MRI는 관상동맥영상을 제외한 포괄적 심장검사에 실용성이 있다. 특히 지연영상은 다른 검사장비에선 얻을수 없는 유용한 정보이다.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.525-534
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• 1996

We have developed a fast steady state free precession interferometry (SSFPI) technique which is useful for the fMRl (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). As is known, SSFP sequence with a suitable adjustment of Vadient (readeut) allows us to measure precession angle 6 which in tw relates to the field inhomogeneity. Combining the two pulses (known as FID and Echo) in FADE (Fast Acquisition Double Echo) sequence, for example, one can obtain the interference term which is directly related to the precession angle It has been known that a fast high resolution magnetic field mapping is possible by use of the modified FADE sequence or SSFPI, and we have attempted to use the SSFPI technique for the susceptibility-induced fMRl. When the method is applied to the susceptibility effect based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRl), it was found that the direct susceptibility effect measurement was possible without perturbations such as the backgrounds and inflow effect. In this paper, simulation results and experimental results obtained with 2.0 Tesla MRI system are presented.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to provide a new assessment of rotator cuff muscle activity. Eight male subjects (24.7 ± 3.2 years old,171.2 ± 9.8 cm tall, and weighing 63.8 ± 11.9 kg) performed the study exercises. The subjects performed 10 sets of the exercise while fixing the elbow at 90 degrees flexure and lying supine on a bed. One exercise set consisted of the subject performing external shoulder rotation 50 times using training equipment. Two imaging protocols were employed: (a) true fast imaging with steady precession (TrueFISP) at an acquisition time of 12 seconds and (b) multi-shot spin-echo echo-planar imaging (MSSE-EPI) at an acquisition time of 30 seconds for one echo. The main method of assessing rotator cuff muscle activity was functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-acquired muscle functional MRI [fast-mfMRI]). Fast-mfMRI enabled real-time imaging for the identification and evaluation of the degree of muscle activity induced by the exercise. Regions of interest were set at several places in the musculus subscapularis (sub), musculus supraspinatus (sup), musculus teres minor (ter), and deltoid muscle (del). We used the MR signal of the images and transverse relaxation time (T2) for comparison. Most of the TrueFISP signal was not changed by exercise and there was no significant difference from the resting values. Only the T2 in the musculus teres minor was increased after one set and the change were seen on the T2 images. Additionally, except for those after one and two sets, the changes in T2 were significant compared to those at rest (P < 0.01). We also demonstrated identify and visualize the extent to which muscles involved in muscle activity by exercise. In addition, we showed that muscle activity in a region such as a shoulder, which is susceptible to B0 inhomogeneity, could be easily detected using this technique.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.252-265
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• 2021

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as a clinical gold-standard non-invasive imaging technique for the assessment of global and regional cardiac function. Conventional cardiac MRI is limited by the long acquisition time, the need for ECG gating and/or long breathhold, and insufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Real-time cardiac cine MRI refers to high spatiotemporal cardiac imaging using data acquired continuously without synchronization or binning, and therefore of potential interest in overcoming the limitations of conventional cardiac MRI. Novel acquisition and reconstruction techniques must be employed to facilitate real-time cardiac MRI. The goal of this study is to discuss methods that have been developed for real-time cardiac MRI. In particular, we classified existing techniques into two categories based on the use of non-iterative and iterative reconstruction. In addition, we present several research trends in this direction, including deep learning-based image reconstruction and other advanced real-time cardiac MRI strategies that reconstruct images acquired from real-time free-breathing techniques.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.13-19
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• 1999

MRI imaging provides many benefits such as noninvasive, 3-dimensional imaging capabilities. But it has relatively serious drawback that is the long data collection time, compared with other imaging modality. Many studies have been performed for fast MR imaging. But EPI and SEPI (4-6) are required to expensive hardware. In this paper, we introduce to Burst imaging technique. It can reduce imaging time by use of a mulitple RF excitation technique. Further it is easily implemented to the normal MRI system. But a pixel profile in the conventional burst sequence is so poor that excited area by burst sequence is a small portion of a pixel. This causes poor signal to noise ratio in burst image. therefore frequency sweeping of RF pulse for burst imaging sequence is proposed to improve pixel profile. A burst pulse train is shaped by liner or nonlinear frequency sweeping function so that all the spins within a pixel are excited, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio. It also shows that the pixel profiles are dependent on how frequency sweep is made. Computer simulations with Bloch equation and experimental results obtained using a 1.0 T NMR imaging system are presented.

• 대한의용생체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한의용생체공학회 1995년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.173-176
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• 1995

We have developed a fast steady state free precession interferometry (SSFPI) technique which is useful for the fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). As is known, SSFP sequence with a suitable adjustment of gradient (readout) allows us to measure precession angle $\theta$ which is in turn related to the field inhomogeneity [1-3]. When the method is applied to the susceptibility effect based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it was found that the direct susceptibility effect measurement was possible without perturbations such as the backgrounds and inflow effect. In this paper, simulation results and experimental results obtained with 2.0 Tesla MRI system are also presented.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.108-116
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• 2006

목적 : 3.0 Tesla 고 자장에서 고 해상도 나선주사영상을 수행하였다. 나선주사영상은 초고속 영상기법의 하나로서, Echo Planar Imaging(EPI)에 비하여 eddy current 가 작게 발생하고, 경사자계 파형의 기울기가 완만하여 상대적으로 낮은 slew rate 를 가진 경사자계시스템으로 구현이 가능한 장점이 있다. 또한 고 자장 영상에서 고속스핀에코(Fast Spin Echo: FSE) 등의 rf 에코 기반의 고속영상방법에서 심각하게 대두되는 SAR 문제가 근원적으로 발생하지 않는 장점이 있어 고 자장에서의 초고속영상방법으로 주목을 받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 3.0 Tesla 에서 나선주사방식으로 고 해상도 영상을 얻어 고 자장 MRI에서 나선주사영상기법의 다양한 응용 가능성을 살펴보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 3 Tesla 전신 자기 공명 영상 시스템에서 다양한 해상도의 나선주사영상 방법을 개발하였다. 고차(higher-order) shimming 을 통하여 영상의 화질을 개선하였고, 해상도에 맞게 interleaves 수를 조절하였다. 스핀에코 와 gradient에코 기반 나선주사영상방법을 구현하였고, 에코 time 과 repetition time, rf 회전 각도를 조절하여 영상의 대조도(contrast)와 신호대잡음비를 조절하였다. 결과 : 3 Tesla 전신 자기 공명 영상 시스템에서 나선 주사 방법을 이용하여 다양한 해상도의 영상을 얻었다. 고 자장에서 주 자장의 불균일도(inhomogeneity) 의 절대 크기가 커지기 때문에 이를 줄이기 위한 shimming 이 더욱 중요해진다. 한번의 스캔으로 axial, sagittal, coronal 방향의 불균일도 map을 구하여 spherical harmonics 분석으로 고차 shimming을 하였다. 팬텀과 in-vivo 두부 영상에서 single shot 나선주사 영상으로 $100{\times}100$ 정도의 영상과 6-12 정도의 interleaves 를 적용하여 $256{\times}256$ 의 고 해상도 영상을 얻을 수 있었다. 결론 : 신호대잡음비의 향상과 스펙트럼의 분리, 뇌기능영상에서 BOLD 효과 향상 등으로 고자장 영상에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있다. 그러나 고 자장 영상에서의 rf field 에 의한 SAR 증가는 중요한 제한 요소로 부각되고 있다. 나선주사영상은 SAR 문제가 근원적으로 발생하지 않고, EPI에 비하여 하드웨어 요구 조건이 낮아 고 자장에서의 고속영상방법으로 적합하다. 본 논문에서는 고차 shimming 을 통하여 불균일도를 개선하고, single shot 과 interleaving 을 적용한 multi-shot 나선주사영상 기법으로 $100{\times}100$에서 $256{\times}256$의 고해상도 영상을 얻어 고 자장에서 초고속영상기법으로 다양한 적용 가능성을 보였다.