Anisotropic field-of-view shapes for improved PROPELLER imaging

The Periodically Rotated Overlapping ParallEL Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction (PROPELLER) method for magnetic resonance imaging data acquisition and reconstruction has the highly desirable property of being able to correct for motion during the scan, making it especially useful for imaging pediatric or uncooperative patients and diffusion imaging. This method nominally supports a circular field of view (FOV), but tailoring the FOV for noncircular shapes results in more efficient, shorter scans. This article presents new algorithms for tailoring PROPELLER acquisitions to the desired FOV shape and size that are flexible and precise. The FOV design also allows for rotational motion which provides better motion correction and reduced aliasing artifacts. Some possible FOV shapes demonstrated are ellipses, ovals and rectangles, and any convex, pi-symmetric shape can be designed. Standard PROPELLER reconstruction is used with minor modifications, and results with simulated motion presented confirm the effectiveness of the motion correction with these modified FOV shapes. These new acquisition design algorithms are simple and fast enough to be computed for each individual scan. Also presented are algorithms for further scan time reductions in PROPELLER echo-planar imaging (EPI) acquisitions by varying the sample spacing in two directions within each blade.     

Flexible reduced field of view magnetic resonance imaging based on single-shot spatiotemporally encoded technique

In many ultrafast imaging applications, the reduced field-of-view(r FOV) technique is often used to enhance the spatial resolution and field inhomogeneity immunity of the images. The stationary-phase characteristic of the spatiotemporallyencoded(SPEN) method offers an inherent applicability to r FOV imaging. In this study, a flexible r FOV imaging method is presented and the superiority of the SPEN approach in r FOV imaging is demonstrated. The proposed method is validated with phantom and in vivo rat experiments, including cardiac imaging and contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging. For comparison, the echo planar imaging(EPI) experiments with orthogonal RF excitation are also performed. The results show that the signal-to-noise ratios of the images acquired by the proposed method can be higher than those obtained with the r FOV EPI. Moreover, the proposed method shows better performance in the cardiac imaging and perfusion imaging of rat kidney, and it can scan one or more regions of interest(ROIs) with high spatial resolution in a single shot. It might be a favorable solution to ultrafast imaging applications in cases with severe susceptibility heterogeneities, such as cardiac imaging and perfusion imaging. Furthermore, it might be promising in applications with separate ROIs, such as mammary and limb imaging.     

基于共心球透镜的多尺度广域高分辨率计算成像系统设计

针对实时广域高分辨率成像需求,充分利用具有对称结构的多层共心球透镜视场大且各轴外视场成像效果一致性好的特点,设计基于共心球透镜的多尺度广域高分辨率计算成像系统.该系统基于计算成像原理,通过构建像差优化函数获得光学系统设计参数,结合球形分布的次级相机阵列进行全局性优化,提高系统性能的同时有效简化光学设计过程、降低系统设计难度.系统稳定性测试结果表明,该成像系统的MTF(modulation transmission function)值在截止频率处接近衍射极限,弥散斑均方根恒小于探测器像元尺寸,整机实景实时成像效果良好,无视觉可见畸变.该系统不仅有效解决了传统成像中广域和高分辨率成像矛盾的问题,而且为计算光学成像系统设计奠定了一定研究基础.     

Object dependent sweep width reduction with spectral-spatial EPR imaging

For spectral-spatial EPR imaging, prior knowledge about the spatial support of an imaged object can be exploited in two ways. We can shrink the spatial field of view (FOV) to closely wrap the object in a sphere or reduce the sweep width in a projection dependent fashion. Use of a smaller spatial FOV with the same number of samples enhances spatial resolution by reducing voxel volume at the expense of signal-to-noise and a consequent degraded line-width resolution. We have developed another approach to define sweep width that prunes away the portions of the projection sweep with no signal. This reduces data acquisition time for the continuous wave (CW) EPR image proportional to the sweep width reduction. This method also avoids voxel volume reduction. Using the reduced-sweep method, we decreased the data acquisition time by 20% maintaining spatial and linewidth resolution.     

Wide-field imaging through scattering media by scattered light fluorescence microscopy

To obtain images through scattering media, scattered light fluorescence (SLF) microscopy that utilizes the optical memory effect has been developed. However, the small field of view (FOV) of SLF microscopy limits its application. In this paper, we have introduced a re-modulation method to achieve wide-field imaging through scattering media by SLF microscopy. In the re-modulation method, to raster scan the focus across the object plane, the incident wavefront is re-modulated via a spatial light modulator (SLM) in the updated phase compensation calculated using the optimized iterative algorithm. Compared with the conventional optical memory effect method, the re-modulation method can greatly increase the FOV of a SLF microscope. With the phase compensation theoretically calculated, the process of updating the phase compensation of a high speed SLM is fast. The re-modulation method does not increase the imaging time. The re-modulation method is, therefore, expected to make SLF microscopy have much wider applications in biology, medicine and physiology.     

像方扫描技术研究

基于显微摄影的成像原理,研究了像方扫描以扩大视场的途径,并建立了一个二次成像的设计模型,包括一个大视场的固定前置物镜组和一个运动轨迹为球面的中继透镜组。物镜组所成的一次像面优化了场曲,中继透镜组则根据该场曲进行运动,对一次像面不同区域成像,并采用光学被动消热差以保证不同温度的像质。该模型的相对孔径1∶3,波长3.7 m~4.8 m,焦距90 mm,瞬时凝视视场为4,扫描视场达24,采用7片透镜3个非球面,在全视场范围内具有接近衍射限的像质。     

Configuration optimization of laser guide stars and wavefront correctors for multi-conjugation adaptive optics

Multi-conjugation adaptive optics(MCAOs) have been investigated and used in the large aperture optical telescopes for high-resolution imaging with large field of view(FOV).The atmospheric tomographic phase reconstruction and projection of three-dimensional turbulence volume onto wavefront correctors,such as deformable mirrors(DMs) or liquid crystal wavefront correctors(LCWCs),is a very important step in the data processing of an MCAO's controller.In this paper,a method according to the wavefront reconstruction performance of MCAO is presented to evaluate the optimized configuration of multi laser guide stars(LGSs) and the reasonable conjugation heights of LCWCs.Analytical formulations are derived for the different configurations and are used to generate optimized parameters for MCAO.Several examples are given to demonstrate our LGSs configuration optimization method.Compared with traditional methods,our method has minimum wavefront tomographic error,which will be helpful to get higher imaging resolution at large FOV in MCAO.     

Limited field of view spin echo MR imaging

Several groups have reported using a method of limiting the field of view (FOV) where the slices excited by the 90 and 180 degree pulses are perpendicular. However, only one slice can be excited during each repetition time, so multislice imaging is not possible. We present a modification of this method that allows multislice imaging. The slices excited by the 90 degrees and 180 degrees pulses are at a small angle; the field of view is limited and multislice imaging is possible. The modifications also allow the center of the FOV to be offset to any position. We describe the conditions that yield optimal images for the given FOV, slice thickness, and interslice gap. Representative images demonstrating the features of the technique are presented. The technique can be used to reduce the number of phase-encoding steps resulting in reduced imaging time, or it can be used to increase the spatial resolution without increasing the imaging time.     

MR imaging of flow with locally high spatial resolution.

Locally focused magnetic resonance imaging (LF MRI) allows imaging with variable spatial resolution within the field of view (FOV). Because LF MRI uses a priori information to provide locally high resolution in regions with rapid spatial variations in intensity (e.g., blood/tissue interface), it allows accurate reproduction of intense sharp edges in the specimen without blurring and truncation artifacts. This study employs LF MRI for 3D imaging of stationary and pulsatile flow. In the implemented version of LF MRI analytically defined basis functions are used to determine image intensity in regions depicted with low or high resolution. It is demonstrated that LF MRI of flow allows a significant (i.e. 3-4 times) reduction in scan time as compared to conventional FT MRI. It is also shown that LF images of pulsatile flow have a decreased appearance of ghosting artifacts as compared to the images reconstructed by using the conventional method.     

In vivo echo-planar imaging of rat spinal cord

An integrated approach to echo-planar imaging of rat spinal cord in vivo with a small field of view (FOV) is presented. This protocol is based on a multishot interleaved echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence and includes: 1) use of an inductively coupled implantable coil for improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); 2) three-dimensional (3D) automatic shimming of the magnetic field over the spinal cord; and 3) post-acquisition data processing using a multireference scan for minimizing image artifacts. Some of the practical issues in implementing this protocol are discussed. This imaging protocol will be useful in characterizing the spinal cord pathology using techniques that are otherwise time-consuming, such as diffusion tensor imaging.     

Image domain propeller fast spin echo

A new pulse sequence for high-resolution T2-weighted (T2-w) imaging is proposed — image domain propeller fast spin echo (iProp-FSE). Similar to the T2-w PROPELLER sequence, iProp-FSE acquires data in a segmented fashion, as blades that are acquired in multiple TRs. However, the iProp-FSE blades are formed in the image domain instead of in the k-space domain. Each iProp-FSE blade resembles a single-shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) sequence with a very narrow phase-encoding field of view (FOV), after which N rotated blade replicas yield the final full circular FOV. Our method of combining the image domain blade data to a full FOV image is detailed, and optimal choices of phase-encoding FOVs and receiver bandwidths were evaluated on phantom and volunteers. The results suggest that a phase FOV of 15–20%, a receiver bandwidth of ± 32–63 kHz and a subsequent readout time of about 300 ms provide a good tradeoff between signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency and T2 blurring. Comparisons between iProp-FSE, Cartesian FSE and PROPELLER were made on single-slice axial brain data, showing similar T2-w tissue contrast and SNR with great anatomical conspicuity at similar scan times — without colored noise or streaks from motion. A new slice interleaving order is also proposed to improve the multislice capabilities of iProp-FSE.     

Multiple helical scans and the reconstruction of over FOV-sized objects in cone-beam CT

In cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT),there are often cases where the size of the specimen is larger than the field of view(FOV)(referred to as over FOV-sized(OFS)).To acquire the complete projection data for OFS objects,some scan modes have been developed for long objects and short but over-wide objects.However,these modes still cannot meet the requirements for both longitudinally long and transversely wide objects.In this paper,we propose a multiple helical scan mode and a corresponding reconstruction algorithm for both longitudinally long and transversely wide objects.The simulation results show that our model can deal with the problem and that the results are acceptable,while the OFS object is twice as long compared with the FOV in the same latitude.     

Projection-reconstruction reduced [correction of reduces] FOV imaging

Reduced field-of-view (rFOV) imaging was introduced recently as a rapid imaging technique that improves temporal resolution while maintaining spatial resolution. It is based on undersampling in k-space and utilizes the fact that the dynamics of an evolving process are often confined to a local area within the full FOV. In the work presented here the reduced FOV approach is applied to projection-reconstruction MRI and compared to the original spin-warp implementation. Results are presented that clearly demonstrate the increased robustness of the projection-reconstruction version of rFOV imaging. The technique is successfully applied to an MR-guided biopsy scenario (ex-vivo) and to cine cardiac imaging. Finally an algorithm is proposed that uses the intrinsic advantages of radial k-space sampling to evaluate the projection data to control the adjustment of position and size of the reduced FOV window.     

Centric scan SPRITE magnetic resonance imaging: optimization of SNR, resolution, and relaxation time mapping

Two strategies for the optimization of centric scan SPRITE (single point ramped imaging with T1 enhancement) magnetic resonance imaging techniques are presented. Point spread functions (PSF) for the centric scan SPRITE methodologies are numerically simulated, and the blurring manifested in a centric scan SPRITE image through PSF convolution is characterized. Optimal choices of imaging parameters and k-space sampling scheme are predicted to obtain maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while maintaining acceptable image resolution. The point spread function simulation predictions are verified experimentally. The acquisition of multiple FID points following each RF excitation is described and the use of the Chirp z-Transform algorithm for the scaling of field of view (FOV) of the reconstructed images is illustrated. Effective recombination of the rescaled images for SNR improvement and T*2 mapping is demonstrated.     

探测器偏置重建算法在工业CT检测中的应用

工业CT检测对象的大小是不固定的,最大限度地利用已有探测器的成像面积非常重要。采用探测器偏置来获得更大的扫描视野,并推导相应的重建算法。该算法首先使用Parker类型函数对采集到的投影数据中的冗余部分进行加权,然后采用扇束滤波反投影重建算法重建得到断层图像。在实验中使用实际工业CT系统分别采集钢制线对块与铝合金变速器外壳的投影数据进行重建算法的验证,重建结果证明了使用的探测器偏置重建算法的正确性与有效性,且空间分辨率和标准扫描的重建结果保持一致,这个方法可以在工业CT成像上有效使用。     

Modelling an advanced ManPAD with dual band detectors and a rosette scanning seeker head

Man Portable Air Defence Systems (ManPADs) have been a favoured anti aircraft weapon since their appearance on the military proliferation scene in the mid 1960s. Since this introduction there has been a ‘cat and mouse’ game of Missile Countermeasures (CMs) and the aircraft protection counter counter measures (CCMs) as missile designers attempt to defeat the aircraft platform protection equipment. Magnesium Teflon Viton (MTV) flares protected the target aircraft until the missile engineers discovered the art of flare rejection using techniques including track memory and track angle bias. These early CCMs relied upon CCM triggering techniques such as the rise rate method which would just sense a sudden increase in target energy and assume that a flare CM had been released by the target aircraft. This was not as reliable as was first thought as aspect changes (bringing another engine into the field of view) or glint from the sun could inadvertently trigger a CCM when not needed. The introduction of dual band detectors in the 1980s saw a major advance in CCM capability allowing comparisons between two distinct IR bands to be made thus allowing the recognition of an MTV flare to occur with minimal false alarms. The development of the rosette scan seeker in the 1980s complemented this advancement allowing the scene in the missile field of view (FOV) to be scanned by a much smaller (1/25) instantaneous FOV (IFOV) with the spectral comparisons being made at each scan point. This took the ManPAD from a basic IR energy detector to a pseudo imaging system capable of analysing individual elements of its overall FOV allowing more complex and robust CCM to be developed. This paper continues the work published in [1] and [2] and describes the method used to model an advanced ManPAD with a rosette scanning seeker head and robust CCMs similar to the Raytheon Stinger RMP.     

分孔径探测系统通道间视场一致性度量方法

通道间视场一致性程度是分孔径探测系统的重要指标之一,准确判断视场一致性程度对于该类仪器的设计和装调有积极意义。介绍了视场测量原理和视场一致性度量原理;基于矩阵扫描测量视场的方法,提出了体积法和面积法两种度量分孔径视场一致性的方法;简要分析了不同情况下选用各种度量方法的优劣;并在实验室搭建了分孔径探测系统视场测量装置,测量了大气偏振辐射计通道间视场一致性程度。结果表明:即使装调光轴平行度高于95%,体积和面积一致性仍可能低于90%。单一方式难以准确度量视场一致性情况,多种方法混合使用可以更全面地了解仪器零件加工和装调情况。     

A high precision phase reconstruction algorithm for multi-laser guide stars adaptive optics

Adaptive optics(AO) systems are widespread and considered as an essential part of any large aperture telescope for obtaining a high resolution imaging at present.To enlarge the imaging field of view(FOV),multi-laser guide stars(LGSs) are currently being investigated and used for the large aperture optical telescopes.LGS measurement is necessary and pivotal to obtain the cumulative phase distortion along a target in the multi-LGSs AO system.We propose a high precision phase reconstruction algorithm to estimate the phase for a target with an uncertain turbulence profile based on the interpolation.By comparing with the conventional average method,the proposed method reduces the root mean square(RMS) error from 130 nm to 85 nm with a 30% reduction for narrow FOV.We confirm that such phase reconstruction algorithm is validated for both narrow field AO and wide field AO.     

Generalised cerebral atrophy following temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy associated with mesial temporal sclerosis

Studies of post-operative imaging data have mainly concentrated on brain atrophy following radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. We have investigated the effect of conventional surgery on the unresected brain tissue based on the comparison of magnetic resonance images acquired pre- and post-operatively in 13 subjects with a history of mesio-temporal epilepsy. The pre- and post-operative scans were co-registered prior to volumetric analysis. The total brain volume (TBV) was calculated by semi-automated segmentation, and the total volume loss was the difference between the post-operative and pre-operative TBV. The total volume of resection was determined by manual delineation in the post-operative scan. The atrophy volume in the post-operative scan was calculated as the difference between the total volume loss and the resection volume. In 6 cases, there was generalised cerebral atrophy of the order 4-5% of the total brain volume. In addition to the automated volumetric technique, the images were assessed by two expert neuroradiologists. There was complete correspondence between their assessment and the automated technique. The causes and significance of this phenomenon are unknown but it requires further investigation as it may be related to seizure control and neuropsychological changes following epilepsy surgery.     

A radiofrequency coil configuration for imaging the human vertebral column at 7 T

We describe the design and testing of a quadrature transmit, eight-channel receive array RF coil configuration for the acquisition of images of the entire human spinal column at 7 T. Imaging parameters were selected to enable data acquisition in a clinically relevant scan time. Large field-of-view (FOV) scanning enabled sagittal imaging of the spine in two or three-stations, depending upon the height of the volunteer, with a total scan time of between 10 and 15 min. A total of 10 volunteers have been scanned, with results presented for the three subjects spanning the range of heights and weights, namely one female (1.6 m, 50 kg), one average male (1.8 m, 70 kg), and one large male (1.9 m, 100 kg).