A parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus configurable to image a physical entity comprises:

• a main magnetic flux source for providing a uniform fixed magnetic field, B₀;
• an RF array system comprising a plurality of RF coils and receivers, said RF system configured for:
• generating rotating RF excitation magnetic fields B₁; and
• receiving RF signals due to precessing nuclear magnetization on multiple spatially distinct radio frequency coils and associated receiver channels, said RF system being configured to operate in accordance with a B₁ sensitivity encoding technique;
• a control processor for controlling imaging functionality, collecting image data and effecting data processing of the captured image data the control processor being configured with post processing capability for the B₁ sensitivity encoding technique;
• an image display means for displaying processed image data as resultant images; and
• an auxiliary magnetic field means capable of producing at least one auxiliary uniform B₀ step magnetic field imaging region within the main B₀ magnetic field;
• wherein:
• the auxiliary magnetic field, means is configured to operate in combination with the RF coil system and the B₁ sensitivity encoding technique, the imaging apparatus thereby providing faster image acquisition than that attributed to the speed up factor provided solely by the B₁ sensitivity encoding technique.

The invention also includes a method of imaging using this apparatus. Furthermore, the invention also includes a method and apparatus for three-dimensional MR imaging using a 1D Multiple Acquisition Micro B₀ array coupled with a 2D Multiple Acquisition Micro B₀ array.