MRI Image Production: Data Acquisition, Processing and Storage

This course explores the principles and parameters that shape MRI image production, focusing on pulse sequences, k-space filling, and imaging optimization techniques. It covers interpreting and manipulating pulse sequence diagrams, understanding the mechanics of spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences, the steady state, and evaluating advanced methods like single-shot imaging and flow-dependent angiography. It also explores how to optimize scan protocols, improve image quality, and introduces informatics basics and networking.

Topics covered include: Pulse sequence diagrams (including: components, timing, and types (spin echo, gradient echo), spin and gradient echo mechanics, rephasing techniques, weighting, and steady-state principles, inversion recovery and specialized sequences (STIR, FLAIR, balanced gradient-echo, and fast spin-echo techniques), k-space fundamentals (filling, symmetry, frequency encoding, and data transformation), echo planar imaging, black-blood imaging, and angiography methods, medical Informatics and storage systems (PACS, RIS, HIS, MIMPS, networking essentials, and DICOM standards).

What you'll learn