O objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento e implementação de metodologias de imagens por Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, para diminuição do tempo de aquisição, já que nos exames clínicos convencionais esse tempo é muito superior ao utilizado nessas seqüências, que é da ordem de T_ 2 , essas seqüências são baseadas na varredura única do espaço-k, convencionalmente denominada Echo Planar Imaging. Os propósitos de utilização dessa metodologia compreendem desde exames clínicos convencionais, em que se pretende analisar, em projetos futuros, eventos não periódicos de curta duração e a dinâmica dos sistemas biológicos estudados, até imagens de cavidades utilizando gases hiperpolarizados. As técnicas implementadas em comparação com as inicialmente propostas por Masfield apresentam uma diferença que é a inexistência do pulso de RF de inversão e, com isso, o tempo de duração das seqüências implementadas é ainda menor. Apenas não se deve esperar muito da qualidade das imagens sem o pós-processamento, uma vez que esse trabalho já está em andamento. / The objective of this work is the development and implementation of methodologies of images for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, for reduction of the time of acquisition, since in the conventional clinical examinations this time is very superior to the used one in these sequences, that are of the order of T_ 2 , these sequences is based on the only sweepings of the space-k, conventionally called Echo Planar Imaging. The intentions of use of this methodology understand since conventional clinical examinations, where if it intends to analyze, in future projects, not periodic events of short duration and the dynamics of the biological systems studied, until socket images using hiperpolarizados gases. The techniques implemented in comparison with initially the proposals for Masfield present a difference that is the inexistence of the pulse of RF of inversion and, with this, the time of duration of the implemented sequences are still lesser. But if it does not have to wait very of the quality of the images without the after-processing, a time that this work already is in progress.

Die vorliegende Arbeit präsentiert neuartige schnelle Bildgebungstechniken für die Hoch- und Ultrahochfeld Magnetresonanztomographie. Zunächst werden die Grundprinzipien schneller Spin-Echo Techniken beleuchtet. Diese physikalischen Überlegungen bilden die Grundlage für die Entwicklung modifizierter Techniken. In einer ersten Entwicklungsstufe wird eine neue Variante der schnellen Spin-Echo Bildgebung vorgestellt. Diese Technik generiert anatomischen und funktionellen Bildkontrast innerhalb von nur einer Datenaufnahme. Der entscheidende Vorteil des entwickelten Ansatzes besteht in einer wesentlichen Verkürzung der Messzeit. Darüber hinaus wird eine deutliche Reduktion von Bildfehlern ermöglicht, die im konventionellen Fall häufig durch Bewegung erzeugt werden. Die zweite Entwicklungsstufe befasst sich mit der Implementierung einer schnellen Spin-Echo Technik zur Abbildung des physikalischen Phänomens der Brownschen Molekularbewegung. Diffusionsmessungen der Molekülbewegungen sind durch die Überlagerung von makroskopischen Bewegungen sehr anspruchsvoll. Diese Schwierigkeit wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit methodisch überwunden, indem eine diffusionsgewichtete schnelle Spin Echo Technik implementiert wird. Die dritte Entwicklungsstufe konzentriert sich auf suszeptibiltätsgewichtete schnelle Spin-Echo Bildgebung. Herkömmliche Techniken zur suszeptibiltätsgewichteten Bildgebung sind anfällig für Artefakte, die sich in Signalauslöschungen äußern. Um dieser Herausforderung methodisch zu begegnen, untersucht diese Arbeit das Potential einer suszeptibiltätsgewichteten schnellen Spin-Echo Technik zur Charakterisierung der Mikrostruktur des Herzmuskels bei 7.0 T. Ein Ziel der in dieser Arbeit neu entwickelten schnellen Spin-Echo Methoden besteht darin, Limitierungen bestehender Techniken zu beheben. Damit soll richtungsweisend über die Grundlagenforschung hinaus die Basis für klinische Anwendungen der entwickelten physikalischen Erkenntnisse und Methoden gelegt werden. / This thesis presents novel fast imaging techniques for magnetic resonance imaging. Rapid Acquisition with Relaxation Enhancement (RARE) is a fast imaging technique. An ever growing number of clinical applications render clinically and physically motivated advancement of RARE imaging necessary. This thesis focuses on the advancement of RARE imaging. For this purpose, the basic principle of RARE imaging is examined. The first part proposes a novel RARE variant which provides simultaneous anatomical and functional contrast within one acquisition. This approach provides an alternative versus conventional RARE variants where sequential acquisitions are put to use to achieve different image contrasts. With the speed gain of the proposed approach a substantial shortening of scanning time can be accomplished together with a reduction in the propensity for motion. The second part focuses on diffusion weighted MRI. Probing diffusion on a micrometer scale is challenging because of MRI’s sensitivity to bulk motion. Unfortunately, conventional rapid diffusion weighted imaging techniques are prone to severe image distortions. Realizing this constraint, a diffusion weighted RARE technique that affords the generation of diffusion weighted images free of distortion is implemented. The third part is formed around susceptibility weighted MRI. The underlying biophysical mechanisms allow the assessment of tissue microstructure. Common susceptibility weighted imaging techniques are prone to image artifacts. Recognizing the opportunities of susceptibility weighted MRI the potential of a susceptibility weighted RARE technique is investigated with the goal to assess myocardial microstructure. The goal of the novel RARE developments is to overcome constraints of existing imaging techniques. The physical considerations and the novel methodology introduced in this thesis are brought beyond the scope of basic research. Moreover, the foundation for clinical applicability is created.

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O objetivo deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento e implementação de metodologias de imagens por Ressonância Magnética Nuclear, para diminuição do tempo de aquisição, já que nos exames clínicos convencionais esse tempo é muito superior ao utilizado nessas seqüências, que é da ordem de T_ 2 , essas seqüências são baseadas na varredura única do espaço-k, convencionalmente denominada Echo Planar Imaging. Os propósitos de utilização dessa metodologia compreendem desde exames clínicos convencionais, em que se pretende analisar, em projetos futuros, eventos não periódicos de curta duração e a dinâmica dos sistemas biológicos estudados, até imagens de cavidades utilizando gases hiperpolarizados. As técnicas implementadas em comparação com as inicialmente propostas por Masfield apresentam uma diferença que é a inexistência do pulso de RF de inversão e, com isso, o tempo de duração das seqüências implementadas é ainda menor. Apenas não se deve esperar muito da qualidade das imagens sem o pós-processamento, uma vez que esse trabalho já está em andamento. / The objective of this work is the development and implementation of methodologies of images for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, for reduction of the time of acquisition, since in the conventional clinical examinations this time is very superior to the used one in these sequences, that are of the order of T_ 2 , these sequences is based on the only sweepings of the space-k, conventionally called Echo Planar Imaging. The intentions of use of this methodology understand since conventional clinical examinations, where if it intends to analyze, in future projects, not periodic events of short duration and the dynamics of the biological systems studied, until socket images using hiperpolarizados gases. The techniques implemented in comparison with initially the proposals for Masfield present a difference that is the inexistence of the pulse of RF of inversion and, with this, the time of duration of the implemented sequences are still lesser. But if it does not have to wait very of the quality of the images without the after-processing, a time that this work already is in progress.

Ce travail de thèse est axé sur le domaine du traitement d’images biomédicales. L’objectif de notre étude est l’estimation des paramètres traduisant les propriétés mécaniques de l’artère carotide in vivo en imagerie échographique, dans une optique de détection précoce des pathologies cardiovasculaires. L’étude des comportements dynamiques de l’artère pour le dépistage précoce de l’athérosclérose constitue à ce jour une piste privilégiée. Cependant, malgré les avancées récentes, l’estimation du mouvement de la paroi carotidienne reste toujours difficile, notamment dans la direction longitudinale (direction parallèle au vaisseau). L’élaboration d’une méthode innovante permettant d’étudier le mouvement de la paroi carotidienne constitue la principale motivation de ce travail de thèse. Les trois contributions principales proposées dans ce travail sont i) le développement, la validation, et l’évaluation clinique d’une méthode originale d’estimation de mouvement 2D adaptée au mouvement de la paroi carotidienne, ii) la validation en simulation, et expérimentale de l’extension à la 3D de la méthode d’estimation proposée, et iii) l’évaluation expérimentale de la méthode proposée, en imagerie ultrasonore ultra-rapide, dans le cadre de l’estimation locale de la vitesse de l’onde de pouls. Nous proposons une méthode d’estimation de mouvement combinant un marquage ultrasonore dans la direction latérale, et un estimateur de mouvement basé sur la phase des images ultrasonores. Le marquage ultrasonore est réalisé par l’intermédiaire d’oscillations transverses. Nous proposons deux approches différentes pour introduire ces oscillations transverses, une approche classique utilisant une fonction de pondération spécifique, et une approche originale par filtrage permettant de contrôler de manière optimale leurs formations. L’estimateur de mouvement proposé utilise les phases analytiques des images radiofréquences, extraites par l’approche de Hahn. Ce travail de thèse montre que la méthode proposée permet une estimation de mouvement plus précise dans la direction longitudinale, et plus généralement dans les directions perpendiculaires au faisceau ultrasonore, que celle obtenue avec d’autres méthodes plus traditionnelles. De plus, l’évaluation expérimentale de la méthode sur des séquences d’images ultrasonores ultra-rapides issues de fantômes de carotide, a permis l’estimation locale de la vitesse de propagation de l’onde de pouls, la mise en évidence de la propagation d’un mouvement longitudinal et enfin l’estimation du module de Young des vaisseaux. / This work focuses on the processing of biomedical images. The aim of our study is to estimate the mechanical properties of the carotid artery in vivo using ultrasound imaging, in order to detect cardiovascular diseases at an early stage. Over the last decade, researchers have shown interest in studying artery wall motion, especially the motion of the carotid intima-media complex in order to demonstrate its significance as a marker of Atherosclerosis. However, despite recent progress, motion estimation of the carotid wall is still difficult, particularly in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the probe). The development of an innovative method for studying the movement of the carotid artery wall is the main motivation of this thesis. The three main contributions proposed in this work are i) the development, the validation, and the clinical evaluation of a novel method for 2D motion estimation of the carotid wall, ii) the development, the simulation and the experimental validation of the 3D extension of the estimation method proposed, and iii) the experimental evaluation of the 2D proposed method in ultra-fast imaging, for the estimation of the local pulse wave velocity. We propose a motion estimation method combining tagging of the ultrasound images, and a motion estimator based on the phase of the ultrasound images. The ultrasonic tagging is produced by means of transverse oscillations. We present two different approaches to introduce these transverses oscillations, a classic approach using a specific apodization function and a new approach based on filtering. The proposed motion estimator uses the 2D analytical phase of RF images using the Hahn approach. This thesis work shows that, compared with conventional methods, the proposed approach provides more accurate motion estimation in the longitudinal direction, and more generally in directions perpendicular to the beam axis. Also, the experimental evaluation of our method on ultra-fast images sequences from carotid phantom was used to validate our method regarding the estimation of the pulse wave velocity, the Young’s modulus of the vessels wall, and the propagation of a longitudinal movement.

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