Imaging Without Gradients: First in vivo MR Images Using the TRASE RF Imaging Method

Jonathan C. Sharp¹, Qunli Deng¹, Vyacheslav Volotovskyy², Randy Tyson¹, Donghui Yin², Richard Bernhardt², Scott King², Boguslaw Tomanek¹

TRASE is an MRI acquisition method which traverses k-space using refocusing pulses applied with phase-gradient RF transmit fields. Only a single transmit channel is used, and the switched-B0 gradient system is not required. TRASE in vivo images were collected at 0.2T using a novel RF transmitter coil array, capable of producing 2-axis encoding. TRASE-encoding was used in-plane (2D), with B0-phase encoding (1D) to encode orthogonally. We collected the first in vivo TRASE images (of wrist and knee). The results are encouraging and a step towards the development of a low-cost MR imaging technology.