System and method for quantitative parameter mapping using magnetic resonance images

A method for quantitative parameter mapping using magnetic resonance (MR) images, the method comprising

• acquiring, using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, MR data from a subject for a plurality of weighted images using a pulse sequence;
• generating a plurality of weighted MR images of a subject from the acquired MR data, each of the plurality of weighted MR images having a corresponding at least one imaging parameter;
• providing, using a processor, the plurality of weighted MR images of the subject and the corresponding at least one imaging parameter for the plurality of weighted MR images to a quantitative parameter mapping neural network, wherein the quantitative parameter mapping neural network is trained using a set of training data utilizing at least one confounder for the quantification of the at least one tissue parameter;
• generating, using the quantitative parameter mapping neural network, an estimate of at least one tissue parameter and at least one quantitative map for the at least one tissue parameter based on the plurality of weighted MR images of the subject and the corresponding at least one imaging parameter for the plurality of weighted MR images;
• and
• displaying, using a display, the at least one quantitative map.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprising:

• a magnet system configured to generate a polarizing magnetic field about at least a portion of a subject;
• a magnetic gradient system including a plurality of magnetic gradient coils configured to apply at least one magnetic gradient field to the polarizing magnetic field;
• a radio frequency (RF) system configured to apply an RF field to the subject and to receive magnetic resonance signals from the subject using a coil array;
• and
• a computer system programmed to
• acquire MR data from a subject for a plurality of weighted images using a pulse sequence;
• generate a plurality of weighted MR images of a subject from the acquired MR data, each of the plurality of weighted MR images having a corresponding at least one imaging parameter;
• provide the plurality of weighted MR images of the subject and the corresponding at least one imaging parameter for the plurality of weighted MR images to a quantitative parameter mapping neural network, wherein the quantitative parameter mapping neural network is trained using a set of training data utilizing at least one confounder for the quantification of the at least one tissue parameter;
• and
• generate, using the quantitative parameter mapping neural network, an estimate of at least one tissue parameter and at least one quantitative map for the at least one tissue parameter based on the plurality of weighted MR images of the subject and the corresponding at least one imaging parameter for the plurality of weighted MR images.