Selection of high-definition 2D virtual profiles with multiple RF pulse excitations along interleaved echo-planar k-space trajectories

A method for spatially selective excitation of 2D RF profiles is reported. The method makes use of multiple shots to traverse interleaved echo-planar trajectories in 2D k space during each RF pulse excitation. Results from each of the interleaved excitations are summed, with the net effect being the excitation of a virtual profile. The method allows for the excitation of high-definition 2D profiles with standard gradient hardware. Signal to noise is enhanced by a factor equal to the square root of the number of interleaved excitations, compared with a single-shot excitation. Potential applications for volume-localized spectroscopy, functional MRI, and high-resolution reduced-field-of-view imaging are discussed.