(EPI Factor) The imaging speed in Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) depends on many factors. Single shot EPI should provide images within 100 ms or less. Because of this limitations, a multi shot EPI approach is in most cases preferred. The parameter 'EPI Factor' is used to specify the number of k-space profiles collected per excitation. The EPI factor 64 means a measurement time 64 times faster than a normal gradient echo sequence.
See also Echo Planar Imaging.
(UTSE) The ultrashort turbo spinecho (TSE / FSE) sequence is a technique with extremely short echo spacing, resulting in shorter scan times. This is an advantage in areas where motion is a problem, for example dynamic or abdominal imaging. The shorter scan time and echo spacing are achieved by using a higher TSE factor and an increased data sampling rate.
Disadvantages are the decrease in SNR (caused through the increase of the bandwidth) and artifacts if minimum echo spacing is used (incomplete dephasing of the 180° pulse FID).