Method and apparatus for rapid NMR imaging of nuclear parameters with an object

An imaging NMR scanner obtains plural spin echo signals during each of successive measurement cycles permitting determination of the T2 parameter for each display pixel after but a single measurement sequence. The amplitude of the NMR spin echo responses is dependent on an ''a'' machine parameter (the elapsed time between initiation of a given measurement cycle and the occurrence of the NMR response) and upon a ''b'' machine parameter (the elapsed time between initiation of successive measurement cycles). These a and b machine time parameters are selectively controlled to enhance resultant image contrast between different types of tissue or other internal structures of an object under examination. Special phase control circuits ensure the repeatability of relative phasing between successive NMR responses from the same measured volume and/or of reference RF signals utilized to frequency translate and synchronously demodulate the NMR responses in the successive measurement cycles of a complete measurement sequence. Special sub-sequences of four measurement cycles are utilized to provide resultant combined spin echo measurements substantially independent of FID signal components