Open-Source, Cross-Platform Workflow for MRI Data Acquisition and Image Reconstruction Based on the Pulseq Framework

Motivation: To enhance efficiency, transparency, and reproducibility of data acquisition and reconstruction in large-scale MRI studies. Goal(s): To establish an open-source, cross-platform, easy-to-learn data acquisition and reconstruction workflow. Approach: The Pulseq framework is extended to integrate Siemens’ “Image Calculation Environment” (ICE) and Gadgetron. To validate the workflow, MPRAGE and EPI sequences were developed using the extended Pulseq and executed on three Siemens scanners with comparison to the corresponding product sequences. Results: The preliminary results show that Gadgetron had comparable reconstruction performance to ICE, and Pulseq sequences generally produced image quality comparable to product sequences. Online Gadgetron and ICE produce images within seconds/minutes after measurements. Impact: An open-source, cross-platform MRI data acquisition and reconstruction workflow is established by extending the Pulseq framework to link to reconstruction tools. The preliminary results indicate that this workflow has the potential to enable efficient, transparent, reproducible data acquisition and reconstruction.