Improving resolution in MRI by interleaving data acquisition for increased digitisation rates

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the field of view in the frequency encoding direction, X, the number of pairs of complex data point acquired, N, the acquisition time AT and the gradient strength G are related by the equation, (G×X×AT)/N=constant, which also defines the digital resolution. To increase resolution at a particular field of view, along with either G, AT or both, must be increased. The acquisition time, however, is often constrained by other parameters, particularly the echo time TE, so the achievable resolution is usually limited by the maximum gradient strength available or by the rate (N/AT points per second) at which data must be digitised. In cases where the limiting factor is the digitisation rate, an interleaved acquisition technique can be used as described