Direct Temporal Encoding: A Non-Fourier Imaging Technique

A novel excitation imparts a 2D phase profile across the FOV. Once this phase profile is generated, a constant readout gradient oriented along the Z-axis, yields a signal where every point in time corresponds to a specific location along the X-axis. Therefore, the readout signal will be image data, no Fourier transform is required.

Bloch simulations show that the readout signal will temporally encode the image data. The resolution of this imaging technique depend on excitation parameters like slice thickness. Resolution is not influenced by readout time or readout gradient strength (which is the case in conventional Fourier imaging).