General purpose electronics for real-time processing and encoding of non-MR data in MR acquisitions

Abstract

Recording of data other than MR signals are often of interest during MRI. We present unique, versatile circuitry developed for sampling and real-time processing of such non-MR signals to facilitate recording of these by an MR scanner. The circuitry is capable of acquiring multiple signals at 200 kHz sampling rate, measure RF power correlates, perform fast and flexible signal processing, and transmitting both amplitude and frequency modulated RF signals receivable by MR scanners. As an example of use, an electronic point-source signal is generated by the circuitry, and transmitted wirelessly to the receive coil of an MR scanner during an echo planar imaging sequence.