Multi-slice imAGe generation using intra-slice paraLLel imaging and Inter-slice shifting (MAGGULLI).

For acceleration of imaging time, multi-band imaging techniques (e.g. CAIPIRINHA) use the sensitivity differences of the multi-channel RF coils in the slice selection direction. To more effectively utilize the RF coil characteristics than the conventional multi-band imaging techniques, we propose a new imaging technique, called multi-slice image generation using intra-slice parallel imaging and inter-slice shifting (MAGGULLI). The proposed technique used an inter-slice shifting gradient in slice selection direction to make multi-slice images shift in the frequency encoding direction. Thus, aliasing caused by sub-sampling in the phase encoding direction is orthogonal to that by multi-band imaging with the inter-slice shifting, both of which are resolved by using the sensitivity information of the RF coil. Phantom and in vivo imaging experiments for the acceleration factors up to 10 demonstrate that the quality of the images reconstructed by MAGGULLI are better than that of CAIPIRINHA for high acceleration factors in the qualitative and quantitative analysis.