Method and apparatus for k-space and hybrid-space based image reconstruction for parallel imaging and artifact correction

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for correcting phase and/or magnitude errors in a multiple shot magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquisition, the computer-readable medium comprising:

• program code for acquiring MRI data using a plurality of shots, each shot acquiring uncorrected k-space data comprising an autocalibration region and at least one undersampled outer region;
• program code for generating corrected k-space data corresponding to the autocalibration region of each shot;
• program code for generating a corrected reference autocalibration region using at least a portion of the corrected k-space data;
• program code for calculating at least one set of coefficients based on a plurality of data points from the uncorrected k-space data and at least one data point from the corrected reference autocalibration region;
• and
• program code for synthesizing corrected k-space data by using the at least one set of coefficients.

An apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image, the apparatus comprising:

• a magnetic resonance imaging assembly comprising a magnet, a plurality of gradient coils, an array of radio frequency (RF) receiver coil elements, a radio frequency transceiver system and a pulse generator module;
• and
• a computer system coupled to the magnetic resonance imaging assembly, wherein the computer system is programmed to:
• acquire MRI data using a plurality of shots, each shot acquiring uncorrected k-space data comprising an autocalibration region and at least one undersampled outer region;
• generate corrected k-space data corresponding to the autocalibration region of each shot;
• generate a corrected reference autocalibration region using at least a portion of the corrected k-space data;
• calculate at least one set of coefficients based on a plurality of data points from the uncorrected k-space data and at least one data point from the corrected reference autocalibration region;
• and
• synthesize corrected k-space data using the at least one set of coefficients.