Premium
Pulse sequence programming in a dynamic visual environment: SequenceTree
Author(s) -
Magland Jeremy F.,
Li Cheng,
Langham Michael C.,
Wehrli Felix W.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.25640
Subject(s) - computer science , software , pulse sequence , sequence (biology) , interface (matter) , scanner , flexibility (engineering) , solver , focus (optics) , visual programming language , visualization , human–computer interaction , computer graphics (images) , computer vision , programming language , artificial intelligence , operating system , nuclear magnetic resonance , statistics , physics , mathematics , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , biology , optics , genetics
Purpose To describe SequenceTree, an open source, integrated software environment for implementing MRI pulse sequences and, ideally, exporting them to actual MRI scanners. The software is a user‐friendly alternative to vendor‐supplied pulse sequence design and editing tools and is suited for programmers and nonprogrammers alike. Methods The integrated user interface was programmed using the Qt4/C++ toolkit. As parameters and code are modified, the pulse sequence diagram is automatically updated within the user interface. Several aspects of pulse programming are handled automatically, allowing users to focus on higher‐level aspects of sequence design. Sequences can be simulated using a built‐in Bloch equation solver and then exported for use on a Siemens MRI scanner. Ideally, other types of scanners will be supported in the future. Results SequenceTree has been used for 8 years in our laboratory and elsewhere and has contributed to more than 50 peer‐reviewed publications in areas such as cardiovascular imaging, solid state and nonproton NMR, MR elastography, and high‐resolution structural imaging. Conclusion SequenceTree is an innovative, open source, visual pulse sequence environment for MRI combining simplicity with flexibility and is ideal both for advanced users and users with limited programming experience. Magn Reson Med 75:257–265, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.