A 3D-Hybrid-Shot Spiral Sequence for Hyperpolarized $^{13}$C Imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel 3D hybrid-shot spiral sequence for hyperpolarized 13C imaging that enables adaptive spatiotemporal resolution, balancing high spatial and temporal imaging needs in a flexible manner.

Contribution

The work proposes a new 3D hybrid-shot spiral sequence allowing retrospective reconstruction of high-resolution images, enhancing hyperpolarized imaging flexibility.

Findings

Sequence demonstrated feasibility in simulations and pre-clinical scans.

Sequence enables adaptive imaging with improved resolution trade-offs.

Potential for clinical translation in hyperpolarized imaging applications.

Abstract

Purpose: Hyperpolarized imaging experiments have conflicting requirements of high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution. Spectral-Spatial RF excitation has been shown to form an attractive magnetization-efficient method for hyperpolarized imaging, but the optimum readout strategy is not yet known. Methods: In this work we propose a novel 3D hybrid-shot spiral sequence which features two constant density regions that permit the retrospective reconstruction of either high spatial or high temporal resolution images post hoc, (adaptive spatiotemporal imaging) allowing greater flexibility in acquisition and reconstruction. Results: We have implemented this sequence, both via simulation and on a pre-clinical scanner, to demonstrate its feasibility, in both a 1H phantom and with hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate in vivo. Conclusion: This sequence forms an attractive method for acquiring hyperpolarized imaging datasets, providing adaptive spatiotemporal imaging to ameliorate the conflict of spatial and temporal resolution, with significant potential for clinical translation.