IMAGING TIME REDUCTION THROUGH MULTIPLE RECEIVER COIL DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGE-RECONSTRUCTION

A technique is described for the simultaneous acquisition of MRI data using two independent receiver coils surrounding the same region of ti ssue, which enables the collection of data necessary for image reconst ruction in a reduced number of phase-encoded acquisitions. This result s in a 50% reduction in minimum scan time and may be useful in time-cr itical procedures. The algorithm and imaging procedures are described, and example images are shown that illustrate the reconstruction. Sign al to noise is decreased by the square root of the time savings, makin g this technique applicable to cases in which the need to decrease min imum scan time outweighs the signal to noise penalty.