Volumetric NMR imaging with time-varying gradients.

A novel generalized processing system is described whereby, using time-varying gradients, simultaneous data acquisition can be provided for all points in a volume. This is in sharp distinction to the sensitive-point method where only the null region is imaged. It is shown that time-varying gradients systems provide unique phase modulation functions which, when appropriately decoded, enable every point in the volume to be simultaneously imaged from a single FID signal. Methods are shown using the technique to provide simultaneously acquired, localized NMR spectra. Alternative gradient signals are considered including both periodic and aperiodic waveforms.