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Unfolding coil localized errors from an imperfect slice profile using a structured autocalibration matrix: An
Fadil Ali1,2, Zhaohuan Zhang2,3, Andres Saucedo1,2
1Physics and Biology in Medicine Inter-Departmental Graduate Program, The University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
NMR in Biomedicine
|August 8, 2024
Summary
A new method, UNCLE SAM, reduces outflow effects in balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging by using coil localization. This technique significantly minimizes signal artifacts without lengthy scan times, improving image quality.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Background:
- Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging is prone to outflow effects, where blood flow causes signal misprojection.
- Previous methods using slice-encoding steps to mitigate these effects increase scan times significantly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce UNCLE SAM (UNfolding Coil Localized Errors from an imperfect slice profile using a Structured Autocalibration Matrix), a coil localization method to reduce outflow effects.
- To achieve this reduction without the prolonged scan times associated with slice-encoding techniques.
Main Methods:
- Employed a 2D acquisition combined with a separate slice-encoded calibration scan.
- Utilized retrospective and prospective evaluations to assess the method's efficacy.
Main Results:
- UNCLE SAM effectively unfolded up to 74% of outflowing spins compared to slice encoding.
- Prospective results demonstrated a significant reduction in outflow effects with only a marginal increase in scan time.
Conclusions:
- Developed a clinically feasible method to reduce outflow effects in bSSFP imaging.
- UNCLE SAM offers an effective alternative to slice-encoding, providing improved image quality within practical scan durations.
