Exploring the physical limits of saturation contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imagign

TL;DR

This paper investigates the fundamental physical limits of saturation contrast in MRI using optimal control theory, providing a benchmark for pulse sequence optimization considering experimental imperfections, demonstrated on a blood model system.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimal control-based method to determine the physical limits of MRI contrast, serving as a benchmark for robust pulse sequence design.

Findings

Established physical limits of MRI saturation contrast.

Validated the approach experimentally with blood sample model.

Provided a benchmark for future pulse sequence optimization.

Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging has become nowadays an indispensable tool with applications ranging from medicine to material science. However, so far the physical limits of the maximum achievable experimental contrast were unknown. We introduce an approach based on principles of optimal control theory to explore these physical limits, providing a benchmark for numerically optimized robust pulse sequences which can take into account experimental imperfections. This approach is demonstrated experimentally using a model system of two spatially separated liquids corresponding to blood in its oxygenated and deoxygenated forms.