| abstract |
Disclosed are methods and systems for ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE-MT) imaging and signal modeling to quantify the different proton groups, including free water, bound water and macromolecule protons in short T2 tissues such as the menisci, ligaments, tendons and cortical bone. UTE-MT images with a series of MT frequency offsets and MT power are subject to MT modeling to evaluate T1s, T2s, fractions and exchange rates of bound water, free water and macromolecule protons. |