Abstract: A system and method for directing an MRI system to form echo signals from spins in a volume-of-interest (VOI) includes creating an integrated pulse sequence that integrates a volume navigator pulse sequence with an imaging pulse sequence by coordinating a navigator TR with an imaging TR to preserve a steady state of magnetization in the VOI associated with the imaging pulse sequence. The integrated pulse sequence includes performing the imaging pulse sequence to acquire imaging data from the VOI, performing the navigator pulse sequence to acquire navigator data VOI, processing the navigator data to generate motion estimates of motion in the VOI, creating an updated imaging pulse sequence that prospectively corrects for the motion in the VOI using the motion estimates, and repeating these steps using the updated imaging pulse sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for reconstructing an image of a subject, in which motion has been prospectively corrected, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI] system are provided. An imaging pulse sequence is used to acquire image data in addition to navigator data using an ultra-fast navigator, such as a cloverleaf navigator. When motion is detected in the navigator data, a volume navigator (vNav] sequence is performed, from which motion estimates are generated and used to update the imaging pulse sequence to prospectively correct for the motion in subsequent repetition times.