On-the-fly removal of data inconsistency with k-space oversampling and demodulation in mri acquisitions

Abstract

A plurality of multiple echo imaging sequences are generated and sampled to fill k-space. Each multiple echo sequence includes a plurality of phase and frequency encoded image data echoes and a navigator echo, preferably at the end of the sequence. The navigator echoes are separated from the image data and analyzed to determine their relative phase angle and amplitude. More specifically to a preferred embodiment, a unit vector whose orientation is indicative of navigator echo phase angle relative to a reference angle is determined for each navigator echo. An amplitude correction value indicative of the amplitude of each navigator echo relative to a reference amplitude, such as an average navigator echo amplitude, is determined. The image date is adjusted with the relative phase angle and amplitude of the navigator echo from the same multiple echo sequence.