Exploiting short TE on MAGNUS scanner using 3D Multi-slab Diffusion Weighted Imaging for High Resolution Multi-dimensional Diffusion Encoding

Motivation: Multi-dimensional Diffusion Encoding is a powerful approach to sensitize diffusion in multiple directions efficiently within a single acquisition. A challenge with the encoding is the long waveforms that result in a long TE, which compromise the imaging resolution. Goal(s): Develop high resolution multi-dimensional diffusion encoding acquisition methods Approach: We embedd the multi-dimensional diffusion waveforms in a 3D volumetric excitation and imaging. Further, the high slew rate and gradient amplitude of the MAGNUS scanner brings in additional TE reduction for the 3D EPI read out and multidimensional encoding. Results: Initial results show that high resolution multi-dimensional imaging with sufficient SNR can be achieved. Impact: Our method provides a novel approach to improve the SNR for multi-dimensional diffusion encoding which translates to robust recovery of neurological biomarkers from the measurements at high resolutions suited to study microstructural changes in the brain.