K-space data correction method for signal variation compensation

A system for performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a subject, the system comprising:

• a pulse sequence system configured to generate a pulse sequence, comprising:
• a gradient system;
• a plurality of gradient coils;
• a radio-frequency (RF) system;
• and
• a plurality of RF coils,
• wherein the pulse sequence system is configured to cause the subject to emit MR signals which are captured as k-space data by the pulse sequence system;
• a k-space ordering processor configured to collect first k-space data and second k-space data based on the MR signals emitted by the subject;
• an MR signal modeler configured to generate a signal variation model based on the first k-space data, wherein the signal variation model is configured to estimate a varying MR signal curve based on the first k-space data;
• normalize the first k-space data to a constant MR signal based on the estimated varying MR signal curve;
• and calculate a difference between the varying MR signal curve and the constant MR signal;
• a compensation module configured to apply the signal variation model to modify the second k-space data based on the difference to produce compensated second k-space data;
• and
• a display processor configured to reconstruct the compensated second k-space data into an image of the subject.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

• receiving first k-space data from a calibration scan;
• estimating a varying MR signal curve based on the first k-space data;
• normalizing the first k-space data to a constant MR signal based on the estimated varying MR signal curve;
• calculating a difference between the varying MR signal curve and the constant MR signal;
• receiving second k-space data from imaging scans;
• modifying the second k-space data based on the difference to produce compensated second k-space data;
• and
• reconstructing the compensated second k-space data into an image of the subject.