BART Streams: Real-Time Reconstruction Using a Modular Framework for Pipeline Processing.

PURPOSE: To create modular solutions for interactive real-time MRI using reconstruction algorithms implemented in BART.

METHODS

A new protocol for streaming of multidimensional arrays is presented and integrated into BART. The new functionality is demonstrated using examples for cardiac interactive real-time MRI based on radial FLASH, where iterative reconstruction is combined with advanced features such as dynamic coil compression and gradient-delay correction. We analyze the latency of the reconstruction and measure end-to-end latency of the full imaging process.

RESULTS

Reconstruction pipelines with iterative reconstruction and advanced functionality were built in a modular way using scripting. Latency measurements demonstrate latency sufficient for interactive real-time MRI, on the order of 30 ms for BART processing and network transfer time, or 200 ms for end-to-end latency including acquisition, vendor processing, and display.

CONCLUSION

With the new streaming capabilities, real-time reconstruction pipelines can be assembled using BART in a flexible way, enabling rapid prototyping of advanced applications such as interactive real-time MRI.