B-1-insensitive, single-shot localization and water suppression

A technique for single-shot, localized, water-suppressed in vivo H-1 NMR with high immunity to B-1 inhomogeneities is described. The single-shot localization is based on complete outer-volume suppression which is achieved with optimized, adiabatic BIR-4 pulses in combination with B-0 gradient modulation. B-1-insensitive water suppression is achieved with BISTRO, a train of selective adiabatic full-passage pulses interleaved with B-0 gradient crushers. Computer simulations based on the Bloch equations, experimental images of the localized volume, and in vivo H-1 spectroscopy experiments demonstrate the excellent spatial localization and water suppression. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.