Parallel mr imaging using high-precision coil sensitivity map

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for obtaining an MR image of an object to be examined using a multiple coil composed of a plurality of RF coils, characterized in that the apparatus comprising:

• first production means for producing first sensitivity maps of the RF coils, respectively, on the basis of echo data received from the plurality of RF coils of the multicoil and acquired from a pre-scan;
• second production means for producing second sensitivity maps by fitting GCS (Global Coverage Splines) to the first sensitive maps, respectively;
• reconstruction means for reconstructing echo data scanned by parallel MR imaging and received via the plurality of RF coils of the multicoil;
• and
• imaging obtaining means for obtaining the MR image by processing an image reconstructed by the reconstruction means, the processing including unfolding processing carried out using the second sensitivity maps.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in which a magnetic gradient and a radio frequency signal is applied to an object to be examined placed in a static magnetic filed in accordance with a parallel MR imaging technique, an MR (magnetic resonance) signal emanating from the object is received by a multicoil composed of a plurality of element coils, and the MR signal received by the individual element coils is subjected to imaging, characterized in that the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive and process each of the MR signals individually received by the plurality of element coils so that reception signal is produced;
• and
• a calculator configured to have the functions of:
• producing an initial sensitivity map of the multicoil from a plurality of sets of reception data produced individually from the receiver through a preparation scan;
• fitting GCS (Global Coverage Splines) to the initial sensitivity map to obtain an unfolding sensitivity map;
• and
• producing an image based on the first imaging technique using a plurality of sets of reception data produced individually from the receiver through an imaging scan and the unfolding sensitivity map.