Use of nonlinear pulsed magnetic fields for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging

This study examines the use of nonlinear magnetic field coils for spatial encoding in magnetic resonance imaging. Existing theories on imaging with such coils share a complex reconstruction process that originates from a suboptimal signal interpretation in the spatial-frequency domain (k-space). In this study, a new solution to this problem is proposed, namely a two-step reconstruction process, in which in the first step, the image signal is converted into a frequency spectrum, and in the second step, the spectrum, which represents the distorted image, is geometrically and intensity corrected to obtain an undistorted image. This theory has been verified by numerical simulations and experimentally using a straight wire as a coil model for an extremely nonlinear magnetic field. The results of this study facilitate the use of simple encoding coil designs that can feature low inductance, allowing for much faster switching times and higher magnetic field gradients.