Abstract
There is increasing interest in methods that are able to guide endovascular devices in interventional MRI or to visualize label
ed cells with superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs). We propose a new method that is based on morphing steady state free precession (SSFP) sequences. Morphing SSFP is a chimera type of sequence, that is, in regions close to abrupt susceptibility changes, it will acquire a balanced echo (bSSFP), whereas in all other regions a
stimulated-echo (SSFP-echo) will be formed.
In combination with low flip angles, morphing-SSFP is a promising new concept for fast generation of positive contrast from susceptibility effects.
