MR imaging of motion by spatial modulation of magnetization

A novel MR imaging technique provides direct imaging of motion by spatially modulating the degree of magnetization before imaging. The preimaging pulse sequence consists of a radiofrequency (RF) pulse to produce transverse magnetization, a magnetic field gradient pulse to wrap the phase along the direction of the gradient, and a second RF pulse to mix the modulated transverse magnetization with the longitudinal magnetization. The resulting images show periodic stripes due to the modulation. Motion between the time of striping and image formation is directly demonstrated as a corresponding displacement of the stripes. Applications include sides of heart wall motion and distinguishing slowly moving blood from thrombus