Simple algorithm for the correction of MRI image artefacts due to random phase fluctuations

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Fast Field-Cycling (FFC) MRI enables dynamic main magnetic field (B0) variation.
• FFC-MRI faces challenges with magnetic field instability during signal acquisition.
• Field instability causes random phase variations and artifacts in k-space data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an algorithm for correcting random phase variations caused by magnetic field instabilities in FFC-MRI.
• To address image artifacts without requiring prior knowledge of the phase error.
• To enhance the stability and reliability of FFC-MRI data acquisition.

Main Methods:

• An algorithm was developed to correct random phase variations in k-space data.
• The method exploits signal-free background regions to identify phase errors.
• Iterative optimization minimizes background signal by applying optimal phase corrections to each k-space line.

Main Results:

• The algorithm demonstrated robustness under specific conditions.
• Successful application of the algorithm to images acquired using FFC-MRI scanners.
• The developed method effectively reduces artifacts caused by field instability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed algorithm successfully corrects random phase variations in FFC-MRI.
• The method is applicable to various imaging scenarios beyond FFC-MRI.
• This technique offers a valuable tool for improving MRI data quality.