CAIPIRINHA accelerated SSFP imaging

Exciting multiple slices at the same time, "controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration" (CAIPIRINHA) and "phase-offset multiplanar" have shown to be very effective techniques in 2D multislice imaging. Being provided with individual rf phase cycles, the simultaneously excited slices are shifted with respect to each other in the FOV and, thus, can be easily separated. For SSFP sequences, however, similar rf phase cycles are required to maintain the steady state, impeding a straightforward application of phase-offset multiplanar or controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration. In this work, a new flexible concept for applying the two multislice imaging techniques to SSFP sequences is presented. Linear rf phase cycles are introduced providing both in one, the required shift between the slices and steady state in each slice throughout the whole measurement. Consequently, the concept is also appropriate for real-time and magnetization prepared imaging. Steady state properties and shifted banding behavior of the new phase cycles were investigated using simulations and phantom experiments. Moreover, the concept was applied to perform whole heart myocardial perfusion SSFP imaging as well as real-time and cine SSFP imaging with increased coverage. Showing no significant penalties in SNR or image quality, the results successfully demonstrate the general applicability of the concept.