Generating a motion-corrected magnetic resonance image dataset

A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus comprising:

• a radio frequency controller configured to drive an RF-coil comprising a multi-channel coil array;
• a gradient controller configured to control gradient coils;
• a control unit configured to control the radio frequency controller and the gradient controller to execute an imaging sequence,
• wherein the control unit is configured to:
• acquire k-space data of an MR image of a subject in the imaging sequence;
• acquire at least two scout images of the subject that are interleaved with the k-space data of the imaging sequence;
• compare the at least two scout images with one another in order to detect and/or to estimate subject motion between the at least two scout images;
• and
• reconstruct a motion-corrected MR image dataset from the k-space data acquired in the imaging sequence via a minimization of a data consistency error between the k-space data and a forward model described by an encoding operator,
• wherein the encoding operator comprises a motion trajectory of the subject during the imaging sequence, Fourier encoding, and optionally a phase operator, subsampling, and/or coil sensitivities of the multi-channel coil array, and
• wherein the minimization of the data consistency error is executed by:
• an estimation of the motion trajectory of the subject by comparing at least part of the k-space data with at least one scout image of the at least two scout images taking into account the detected subject motion or the estimated subject motion between the at least two scout images;
• and
• an estimation of the motion-corrected MR image dataset using the estimated motion trajectory,
• wherein both the estimation of the motion trajectory and the estimation of the motion-corrected MR image dataset comprise a minimization of the data consistency error between at least part of the acquired k-space data and the forward model.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program including program code, wherein the program code, when executed by a control unit of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus, causes the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to:

• acquire k-space data of an MR image of a subject in an imaging sequence;
• acquire at least two scout images of the subject that are interleaved with the k-space data of the imaging sequence;
• compare the at least two scout images with one another in order to detect and/or to estimate subject motion between the at least two scout images;
• and
• reconstruct a motion-corrected MR image dataset from the k-space data acquired in the imaging sequence via a minimization of a data consistency error between the k-space data and a forward model described by an encoding operator,
• wherein the encoding operator comprises a motion trajectory of the subject during the imaging sequence, Fourier encoding, and optionally a phase operator, subsampling, and/or coil sensitivities of a multi-channel coil array, and
• wherein the minimization of the data consistency error is executed by:
• an estimation of the motion trajectory of the subject by comparing at least part of the k-space data with at least one scout image of the at least two scout images taking into account the detected subject motion or the estimated subject motion between the at least two scout images;
• and
• an estimation of the motion-corrected MR image dataset using the estimated motion trajectory,
• wherein both the estimation of the motion trajectory and the estimation of the motion-corrected MR image dataset comprise a minimization of the data consistency error between at least part of the acquired k-space data and the forward model.