Section: New Results

SPARKLING: Novel Non-Cartesian Sampling Schemes for Accelerated 2D Anatomical Imaging at 7T Using Compressed Sensing

We have presented for the first time the implementation of non-Cartesian trajectories on a 7T scanner for 2D anatomical imaging. The proposed SPARKLING curves (Segmented Projection Algorithm for Random K-space sampLING) are a new type of non-Cartesian segmented sampling trajectories which allow fast and efficient coverage of the k-space according to a chosen variable density. To demonstrate their potential, a high-resolution (0.4$\times$0.4$\times$3.0mm 3) T2*-weighted image was acquired with an 8-fold undersampled SPARKLING trajectory. Images were reconstructed using non-linear iterative reconstructions derived from the Compressed Sensing theory.

More information can be found in Fig. 11 in [43], [42].

Figure 11. T2*-weighted Gradient-Echo transversal slice of the ex vivo baboon brain is displayed for A) the full Cartesian reference sampling lasting 4 minutes and 42 seconds and B) the presented 8-fold undersampled SPARKLING trajectories lasting only 35 seconds. A good visual quality of the subsampled reconstruction was observed with the preservation of major folded patterns. The structural similarity score between the SPARKLING reconstructions and the reference was also very satisfactory.