Accelerated 2D Cartesian MRI with an 8‐channel local B0 coil array combined with parallel imaging

• Published in: Magnetic resonance in medicine Vol. 91; no. 2; pp. 443 - 465
• Main Authors: Tian, Rui, Uecker, Martin, Davids, Mathias, Thielscher, Axel, Buckenmaier, Kai, Holder, Oliver, Steffen, Theodor, Scheffler, Klaus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-02-2024
• Subjects: Acceleration; Algorithms; Arrays; Calibration; Cartesian coordinates; Coding; Hilbert space; image acceleration; Image processing; Image reconstruction; In vivo methods and tests; magnetic field calibration; Magnetic fields; Magnetic resonance imaging; Modulation; nonlinear gradient; Nuclear safety; parallel imaging; Radio frequency; reproducing kernel Hilbert Space; Sampling; wave‐CAIPI
• ISSN: 0740-3194; 1522-2594
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29799

Purpose
In MRI, the magnetization of nuclear spins is spatially encoded with linear gradients and radiofrequency receivers sensitivity profiles to produce images, which inherently leads to a long scan time. Cartesian MRI, as widely adopted for clinical scans, can be accelerated with parallel imaging and rapid magnetic field modulation during signal readout. Here, by using an 8‐channel local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ coil array, the modulation scheme optimized for sampling efficiency is investigated to speed up 2D Cartesian scans.
Theory and Methods
An 8‐channel local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ coil array is made to carry sinusoidal currents during signal readout to accelerate 2D Cartesian scans. An MRI sampling theory based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space is exploited to visualize the efficiency of nonlinear encoding in arbitrary sampling duration. A field calibration method using current monitors for local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ coils and the ESPIRiT algorithm is proposed to facilitate image reconstruction. Image acceleration with various modulation field shapes, aliasing control, and distinct modulation frequencies are scrutinized to find an optimized modulation scheme. A safety evaluation is conducted. In vivo 2D Cartesian scans are accelerated by the local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ coils.
Results
For 2D Cartesian MRI, the optimal modulation field by this local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ array converges to a nearly linear gradient field. With the field calibration technique, it accelerates the in vivo scans (i.e., proved safe) by threefold and eightfold free of visible artifacts, without and with SENSE, respectively.
Conclusion
The nonlinear encoding analysis tool, the field calibration method, the safety evaluation procedures, and the in vivo reconstructed scans make significant steps to push MRI speed further with the local B0$$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ coil array.