Nonlinear coil sensitivity estimation for parallel magnetic resonance imaging using data-adaptive steering kernel regression method

The parallel magnetic resonance imaging (parallel imaging) technique reduces the MR data acquisition time by using multiple receiver coils. Coil sensitivity estimation is critical for the performance of parallel imaging reconstruction. Currently, most coil sensitivity estimation methods are based on linear interpolation techniques. Such methods may result in Gibbs-ringing artifact or resolution loss, when the resolution of coil sensitivity data is limited. To solve the problem, we proposed a nonlinear coil sensitivity estimation method based on steering kernel regression, which performs a local gradient guided interpolation to the coil sensitivity. The in vivo experimental results demonstrate that this method can effectively suppress Gibbs ringing artifact in coil sensitivity and reduces both noise and residual aliasing artifact level in SENSE reconstruction.