Systems and methods for real time gradient timing modification

1. A method for modified gradient timing in a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system, the method comprising:

generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data;

generating a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy;

receiving, by a controller, an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils;

selecting limits comprising hardware limits of system components and waveform limits;

setting one or more optimization criteria based on the limits, wherein the optimization criteria comprises plurality of optimization parameters and, for each optimization parameter, an indication of whether the optimization parameter (i) cannot be modified during optimization; (ii) can be modified during optimization within a range of values; or (ii) can be modified during optimization within the hardware limits of the system;

selecting an optimization algorithm from a plurality of optimization algorithms based on the optimization criteria;

modifying, via the controller, the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to the plurality of gradient coils using the selected optimization algorithm;

calculating a sequence of modified gradient waveforms; and

providing the sequence of modified gradient waveforms to the plurality of gradient coils.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting limits further comprises selecting from slew rate limits of gradients, maximum gradient strength, duty cycle, waveform templates, radiofrequency power limits and physiological limitations of a system component.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the sequence of gradient waveforms further comprises selecting from minimizing a slew rate, maximizing a slew rate; minimizing waveform moments, maximize waveform moments, minimizing gradient strength and maximizing gradient strength.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein selecting an optimization algorithm further comprises selecting from: (i) gradient waveform optimization as a discrete problem with imposed linear constraint functions; (ii) optimization of a gradient waveform at hardware limits of a system component independent of slice orientation with decreased repetition time (TR) for certain slice orientations; (iii) shape optimization of a gradient to maximize diffusion sensitivity; and (iv) time-optimized arbitrary k-space trajectories under constraints of gradient slew rate and amplitude characteristics.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the sequence of gradient waveforms further comprises determining which of the one or more optimization criteria is used to produce the sequence of modified gradient waveforms based on at least one of: (i) characteristics of the sequence of gradient waveforms; (ii) specifications of system components and (ii) characteristics of the modified waveform.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modifying the sequence of gradient waveforms further comprises selecting from: (i) maximizing slew rate and gradient strength to reduce repetition time (TR); (ii) reducing slew rates to reduce potential peripheral nerve stimulation; and (iii) eliminating edges and realizing a smooth gradient waveform.

7. A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system for modifing gradient timing, comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) signal generator configured to generate RF excitation pulses in patient anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data;

a magnetic field gradient generator comprising a plurality of gradient coils configured to generate a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy;

a controller configured to:

receive an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils;

select limits comprising hardware limits of system components and waveform limits;

set one or more optimization criteria based on the limits, wherein the optimization criteria comprises plurality of optimization parameters and, for each optimization parameter, an indication of whether the optimization parameter (i) cannot be modified during optimization; (ii) can be modified during optimization within a range of values; or (ii) can be modified during optimization within the hardware limits of the system;

select an optimization algorithm from a plurality of optimization algorithms based on the optimization criteria; and

modify the sequence of gradient waveforms using the optimization algorithm to calculate a sequence of modified gradient waveforms; and

a plurality of gradient coils configured to acquire the sequence of modified gradient waveforms provided by the controller.

8. The imaging system according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to select limits from slew rate limits of gradients, maximum gradient strength, duty cycle, waveform templates, radiofrequency power limits and physiological limitations of a system component.

9. The imaging system according to claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to modify the sequence of gradient waveforms from minimizing a slew rate, maximizing a slew rate; minimizing waveform moments, maximize waveform moments, minimizing gradient strength and maximizing gradient strength.

10. An article of manufacture for modifying gradient timing in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, the article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data;

generating a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy;

receiving, by a controller, an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils;

selecting limits comprising hardware limits of system components and waveform limits;

setting one or more optimization criteria based on the limits, wherein the optimization criteria comprises plurality of optimization parameters and, for each optimization parameter, an indication of whether the optimization parameter (i) cannot be modified during optimization; (ii) can be modified during optimization within a range of values; or (ii) can be modified during optimization within the hardware limits of the system;

selecting an optimization algorithm from a plurality of optimization algorithms based on the optimization criteria;

modifying, via the controller, the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to the plurality of gradient coils using the optimization algorithm;

calculating a sequence of modified gradient waveforms; and

providing the sequence of modified gradient waveforms to the plurality of gradient coils.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein selecting limits further comprises selecting from slew rate limits of gradients, maximum gradient strength, duty cycle, waveform templates, radiofrequency power limits and physiological limitations of a system component.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 10 , wherein modifying the sequence of gradient waveforms further comprises selecting from minimizing a slew rate, maximizing a slew rate; minimizing waveform moments, maximize waveform moments, minimizing gradient strength and maximizing gradient strength.