Removing discontinuties in MRI-space data

A method for removing discontinuities between the data of a first and second data set acquired in a k-space for a same MRI image of a subject, wherein the data for each of the data sets is acquired at k-coordinate points in adjacent regions of the k-space, using different MRI imaging techniques or operating conditions, and wherein the discontinuities occur at k-coordinates along a boundary between the adjacent regions of the k-space, comprising:

• (a) determining a width for a transition zone in the k-space plane, at and including the boundary;
• (b) replacing data at k-coordinates in the transition zone with bridging data that provides a continuous transition from data of the first data set at k-coordinates outside of and along an edge of the transition zone to data of the second data set at k-coordinates outside of and along the opposite edge of the transition zone;
• and
• (c) wherein replacing data in the transition zone with bridging data comprises:
• (i) acquiring a first transition data set at coordinate points in the transition zone using the MRI imaging technique or operating conditions of the first data set and acquiring a second transition data set at coordinate points in the transition zone using the MRI technique for the second data set or conditions of the second data set;
• and
• (ii) calculating the bridging data using data from the first and second transition data sets for a plurality of k-coordinates in the transition zone by obtaining a weighted average between data from the first transition set and data from the second transition set by employing a linear weighting function.