¹²⁹Xe Image Processing Pipeline: An open-source, graphical user interface application for the analysis of...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary imaging and diagnostics
• Medical physics and biomedical engineering
• Quantitative MRI techniques

Background:

• Hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI is advancing the assessment of lung microstructure and function.
• Increasing adoption in research and clinical settings necessitates standardization.
• Standardized analysis is crucial for reliable and reproducible ¹²⁹Xe MRI studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an executable, open-source ¹²⁹Xe image processing pipeline (XIPline).
• To provide a user-friendly, GUI-based tool for analyzing ¹²⁹Xe MR data.
• To standardize analysis of scanner calibration, ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange.

Main Methods:

• XIPline is a customizable MATLAB pipeline compatible with major scanner platforms.
• It processes calibration data for optimal flip angle and frequency offset.
• Includes image reconstruction, registration, segmentation, and post-processing for ventilation, diffusion (ADC mapping), and gas exchange analysis.

Main Results:

• The XIPline workflow was successfully demonstrated on representative calibration, ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange data.
• The pipeline integrates multiple algorithms for ventilation defect analysis and diffusion quantification.
• Gas exchange analysis is supported using generalized linear binning for specific imaging techniques.

Conclusions:

• XIPline provides a robust, adaptable, open-source framework for ¹²⁹Xe MRI analysis.
• It promotes methodological consistency, transparency, and collaborative research across institutions.
• Reduces redundant efforts in developing and implementing new quantitative imaging techniques.