Consistent non-Cartesian off-axis MRI quality: Calibrating and removing multiple sources of demodulation phase errors

The consistency of off-axis MRI with non-Cartesian sequences across a large number of scanners is highly variable. Improper timing alignment of the gradient fields, data acquisition system, and real-time frequency demodulation reference signal, which are necessary for off-axis imaging, is an important source of this variability. In addition, eddy currents and anisotropic gradient delays cause deviations in k-space trajectories that in turn make the demodulation reference signals inaccurate. A method is presented to quickly measure the timing error in the frequency demodulation reference signal and separate it from anisotropic gradient delays. k-Space deviations, as measured with a previous gradient calibration technique, are shown to be a second source of demodulation phase errors that degrade image quality. Using the timing delay and k-space deviations, a retrospective phase correction is applied to each k-space sample before the data are regridded during reconstruction. The timing delays of four MR scanners were measured to be 4.2-7.5 μs below the manufacturer's suggested delay. Significant degradation in 3D radial (3D projection reconstruction (PR)) knee and breast images are retrospectively corrected while a partial prospective correction is applied for spiral imaging. The method allows for more consistent performance of non-Cartesian sequences across multiple scanners without operator intervention.