Design of a Two-dimensional Ultrashort Echo Time Simultaneous Multi-slice Pulse Sequence

Simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) pulse sequences have allowed for reductions in scan time with minimal signal-to-noise ratio loss. However, when ultrashort echo times (UTEs) are desired, SMS pulse sequences have been challenging to implement. In this work, we explore a UTE SMS pulse sequence that makes use of a power independent of number of slices prepulse to shape the transverse magnetization profile and a whole volume hard excitation to excite the remaining longitudinal magnetization. The novel pulse sequence is estimated to reduce scan times by a factor of approximately 7.6 when compared to UTE pulse sequences with three-dimensional acquisitions.