Three-Dimensional xSPEN Imaging on a Single-Sided MRI Scanner

Motivation: Imaging with a single sided MRI allows for a smaller scanner footprint, making it possible to bring the scanner into the doctor's office. Goal(s): An xSPEN pulse sequence capable of producing three dimensional images is presented here, allowing for rapid image collection in an inhomogeneous magnetic field. Approach: An additional phase encode array is incorporated into the xSPEN pulse sequence, allowing for the excited slab to be resolved along the z axis. Results: A two dimensional multislice technique was converted into a three dimensional volumetric imaging by adding a phase encode array to the spatiotemporal axis. Impact: A method for rapidly collecting three dimensional images in an inhomogeneous magnetic field is presented here. This technique will help bring MRI into the doctor's office by allowing for higher quality images to be collected in less time.