Magnetic Resonance Imaging – The Magic Playground for BME & DSP Application

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – The Magic Playground for BME & DSP Application

Prof Mike Smith
University of Calgary, Canada

Time: 19 March 2014, 18:30 AEDT (Refreshments from 18:00)

Venue: Engineering House, 21 Bedford St, North Melbourne, VIC 3051

Abstract

Although digital image processing algorithms can be implemented in the image domain, there are many advantages to working in the frequency domain. Unlike most imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is acquired directly in the frequency domain (k-space). This bypasses all the image-to-frequency domain transformation distortions to provide the DSP scientist with a playground for exploring new algorithms. It’s an ideal playground, until reality sets in — What happens when the modified k-space data must be transformed back into a usable image? In this talk we take a look at some real problems, and proposed solutions, of MRI reconstruction. We will demonstrate — How to destroy that old DSP favourite. SVD-based deconvolution; Applying more-than-just-“MAGIC” to over-come Nyquist; “Gardner”-ing high resolution results from multi-exponential component signals; and the impact of correlation between receiver channels on image variance.

Biography

Mike Smith started his research career by spinning helium-propelled MR samples at 240 000 rpm, taught Science and Mathematics as high school teacher, before becoming a full professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada. His current biomedical engineering research is in the fields of MRI and fMRI. However, there are considerable software and computer engineering overtones in his interests in the reliable development of biomedical instrumentation through the adaption and adoption of Agile and Lean Methodologies in the embedded world. He is director of the “Small Microsystems for Improving Life Expectancy” Laboratory; S.M.I.L.E. Lab., for short. He has held the position of Analog Devices University Ambassador at the Schulich School of Engineering since 2001.