Interleaving Gradient Magnetic Field Method for Diffusion Weighted Spectroscopy

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DWS) has considerable potential in clinical and research applications. However, it is seldom implemented in conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners due to the strict hardware requirements. We propose an interleaving gradient magnetic field (IGMF) method based on point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS). Four interlaced powerful diffusion sensitive gradient magnetic fields are positioned around the two π refocusing rf pulses in the PRESS sequence. This method utilizes the interval time in the PRESS pulse sequence, doubles the duration time of the diffusion sensitive gradient magnetic field and decreases the detrimental effect of the induced eddy current. The results of theoretical analysis and experimental observation demonstrate that the IGMF method is suitable for conventional MRI scanners