Pulseq: A rapid and hardware-independent pulse sequence prototyping framework

Abstract

A high-level, flexible and hardware-independent approach to sequence programming is ideal for the rapid development of new sequences. The framework is currently not suitable for large patient studies or routine scanning although this would be possible with deeper integration into existing workflows. Magn Reson Med 77:1544-1552, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

TOPPE: A framework for rapid prototyping of MR pulse sequences

“…In particular, and as mentioned in Introduction, the TOPPE GE interpreter was used in (5) as the Pulseq interpreter for GE, after converting a Pulseq file to a corresponding set of TOPPE files (using the seq2ge.m script included in the TOPPE Matlab library). This made it possible to execute the same Pulseq scan definition on Siemens, Bruker, and GE scanners (5).…”

“…In particular, and as mentioned in Introduction, the TOPPE GE interpreter was used in (5) as the Pulseq interpreter for GE, after converting a Pulseq file to a corresponding set of TOPPE files (using the seq2ge.m script included in the TOPPE Matlab library). This made it possible to execute the same Pulseq scan definition on Siemens, Bruker, and GE scanners (5). We also provide a Matlab script (ge2seq.m) for converting TOPPE to Pulseq format, thus allowing sequence definitions created in TOPPE or Pulseq to be freely exchanged and executed across GE, Siemens, and Bruker scanners.…”

“…Like TOPPE, Pulseq merely specifies a file format for describing an MR imaging experiment, and does not restrict the software used to design the waveforms, or how their hardware interpreters are implemented. Indeed, our TOPPE GE interpreter was in fact the GE interpreter for Pulseq files used in (5) (on which JFN is a co-author), made possible by a simple file conversion from Pulseq to TOPPE. The Siemens and Bruker Pulseq interpreters demonstrated in (5) were developed independently by the Freiburg group.…”

“…Indeed, our TOPPE GE interpreter was in fact the GE interpreter for Pulseq files used in (5) (on which JFN is a co-author), made possible by a simple file conversion from Pulseq to TOPPE. The Siemens and Bruker Pulseq interpreters demonstrated in (5) were developed independently by the Freiburg group. To our knowledge, TOPPE represents the only interpreter of Pulseq files for the GE platform.…”

Development and implementation of an 84‐channel matrix gradient coil

“…This in‐house built system consists of a graphical pulse sequence console, a gradient waveform generator, an interface board, a digital‐to‐analog converter (DAC) board, a clock distribution board and a load parameter control board. An open source framework pulse sequence programming environment, Pulseq , was used to define high‐level pulse sequences using JEMRIS or MATLAB (The MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). Simultaneous synchronized control of the MR scanner components (RF pulses, built‐in gradient system, and signal acquisition) along with the custom‐built control electronics was achieved with this framework.…”