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Concatenated and Parallel Optimization for the Estimation of T1 Map in FLASH MRI with Multiple Flip Angles

Summary: Most traditional methods for T1 map estimation in MR imaging with Fast Low Angle Shot (FLASH) sequences are aimed at high efficiency by compromising the fitting accuracy. In this paper, the fundamental problem of parameter estimation in FLASH MRI was re-examined, and an accurate and fast optimization approach, named Concatenated Optimization for Parameter Estimation (COPE), was proposed for the regression of data points acquired with multiple flip angles. The initial estimation of T1 was obtained from the linear regression, followed by the constrained nonlinear regression based on the initial estimates. This heterogeneous initialization strategy improves the fitting accuracy and reduces the computational time. A computationally efficient implementation of COPE was achieved based on the graphic processing unit (GPU), named as COPE-GPU. In experimental comparison with Fram’s method and the Fitter Tool in Jim, the proposed methods are capable of achieving significantly higher efficiency and more accurate estimations.

Supplementary Information: Inventor: WANG, Defeng | SHI, Lin | HENG, Pheng Ann
Priority Number: US20110137612A1
IPC Current: G06F001900 | G01R003344
US Class: 702181 | 324309
Assignee Applicant: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Title: METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTIMATING LONGITUDINAL RELAXATION TIMES IN MRI
Usefulness: METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTIMATING LONGITUDINAL RELAXATION TIMES IN MRI
Summary: Method for estimating a longitudinal relaxation time in magnetic resonance imaging.
Novelty: Method for estimating longitudinal relaxation time in magnetic resonance imaging, involves regressing formed sequence of data non-linearly based on signal intensity model associated with flip angles

Industry: Biomedical

Sub Category: Medical Imaging

Application No.: 09/ENG/338

Others: Inventor(s): Professor Pheng Ann HENG, Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Patent Status: PCT Patent application no. PCT/CN2010/079115 US Patent application no. 12/959267

Licensing Status: Available for licensing

Country/Region: Hong Kong

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