Application

An integrated software environment for implementing MRI pulse sequences.

Contributors

Jeremy F. Magland1, Cheng Li1, Michael C. Langham1, and Felix W. Wehrli1

Estimated cost

Free

Progress

Stable release, GNU General Public License v2.0

SequenceTree is a pulse sequence programming environment for MRI. It can be used to design, create, visualize, and simulate pulse sequences. Ultimately, it can export sequences to run on a real MRI scanner. SequenceTree and related tools then allow to view, reconstruct, and process the raw data coming back from the scanner.

SequenceTree is a balance between a what-you-see-is-what-you-get visual user-interface and a fully flexible C++ coding environment. On the one hand, sequence parameters and structure can be changed using simple mouse clicks with the sequence display pane showing changes to the pulses in real time. On the other hand, an integrated C++ coding component provides the user with full control of functionality for all aspects of the pulse sequence, from top level loop nodes down to the lowest level scanner events. All of this takes place in a single graphical user interface – coding, compilation, debugging, and deploying all occur within a single application.

Whereas SequenceTree is scanner-independent (i.e. it is a stand-alone application with no components specific to a particular brand of MRI scanner), an interface module is available that allows SequenceTree sequences to be exported as Siemens compatible source code. The exported code can then be compiled just like any research sequence programmed within the Siemens IDEA environment, and the resulting sequence will run on a clinical scanner.

Publications

Affiliations

1Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

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