A novel acceleration coding/reconstruction algorithm for magnetic resonance imaging in presence of static magnetic field in-homogeneities

Abstract

In Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), magnetic field spatial variations are used to spatially codify the signal. The presence of static magnetic field in-homogeneities introduces distortions and artefacts in the images. To reduce these effects, an innovative coding/reconstruction algorithm for MRI, based on the assignment of different time varying frequencies (accelerations) to different spatial positions, is presented. The technique is used both for coding and decoding the signal. Numerical simulations of the 1D case are reported and compared with conventional MRI results to demonstrate its applicability and efficacy. The adoption of the proposed algorithm could reduce the costs of magnet construction and shimming; allow the construction of more accessible magnets; increase the Field of View (FOV) of existing scanners; reduce chemical shift and magnetic susceptibility effects. It can be considered to be a revolutionary approach to Magnetic Resonance Image acquisition/reconstruction. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.