Abstract: A method for MRI inter-scan motion correction includes performing (i) an anatomical localizer scan of a region of interest (ROI) to identify anatomical landmarks defining orientation of a surrounding field-of-view (FOV); (ii) an inter-scan motion reference scan of the ROI to acquire a reference inter-scan dataset indicating a reference navigator location in the ROI; and (iii) scans of the ROI to acquire k-space data. Prior to one or more of the scans, a motion correction process is performed that includes (a) performing an inter-scan motion tracking scan to acquire a tracking inter-scan dataset indicating an updated reference navigator location; (b) determining an estimation of inter-scan patient motion based on a comparison between the reference inter-scan and tracking inter-scan datasets; and (c) updating the FOV relative to the landmarks based on that estimation. Images of the ROI may be generated using the k-space data acquired with each of the scans.

Abstract: A system determines motion correction data for use in diffusion MR imaging using an RF signal generator and magnetic field gradient generator which sequentially acquire in a single first direction through a volume, first and second slice sets individually comprising multiple individual diffusion image slices. The first set of slices and the second set of slices are spatially interleaved within the volume, by providing in acquiring the second slice set, a low flip angle RF pulse successively followed by a non-diffusion image data readout magnetic field gradient for acquisition of data representing a two dimensional (2D) non-diffusion image used for motion detection of the first slice set successively followed by, a first diffusion imaging RF pulse followed by a first diffusion imaging phase encoding magnetic field gradient for preparation for acquiring data representing a diffusion image slice of the second slice set.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reconstructing images from data acquired with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are provided. Data are acquired using both a body coil and a multichannel matrix coil. The body coil measurements can be used to constrain the solution space for the image reconstruction from the data acquired using the multichannel matrix coil. The resulting images have the flat sensitivity profile of the body coil, but signal-to-noise ration and undersampling-acceleration gained from a matrix coil.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) method and system are provided for generating real-time prospective motion-corrected images using fast navigators. The real-time motion correction is achieved by using a 2D EPI navigator that is obtained using a simultaneous multi-slice blipped-CAIPI technique. The navigator parameters such as field of view, voxel size, and matrix size can be selected to facilitate fast acquisition while providing information sufficient to detect rotational motions on the order of several degrees or more and translational motions on the order of several millimeters or more. The total time interval for obtaining and reconstructing navigator data, registering the navigator image, and providing feedback to correct for detected motion, can be on the order of about 100 ms or less. This prospective motion correction can be used with a wide range of MR imaging techniques where the pulse sequences do not have significant intervals of “dead” time.

Abstract: A system determines motion correction data for use in diffusion MR imaging using an RF signal generator and magnetic field gradient generator which sequentially acquire in a single first direction through a volume, first and second slice sets individually comprising multiple individual diffusion image slices. The first set of slices and the second set of slices are spatially interleaved within the volume, by providing in acquiring the second slice set, a low flip angle RF pulse successively followed by a non-diffusion image data readout magnetic field gradient for acquisition of data representing a two dimensional (2D) non-diffusion image used for motion detection of the first slice set successively followed by, a first diffusion imaging RF pulse followed by a first diffusion imaging phase encoding magnetic field gradient for preparation for acquiring data representing a diffusion image slice of the second slice set.