Metamaterial-aided reconstruction of under-sampled k-spaces

Motivation: Reconstruction with metamaterials has been sparsely explored; a new reconstruction approach utilizing metamaterials is introduced, enabling even faster acquisition. Goal(s): With coil sensitivities enhanced by metamaterials, under-sampled k-spaces can be filled for faster acquisition. Approach: Different configurations of the metamaterials alter coil sensitivities. From each coil sensitivity, one k-space line at the lowest phase encoding is acquired using an MRI simulator. Variations in coil sensitivity shapes enable the filling of missing k-space lines. Results: With reconfigurable metamaterials, other phase-encoded k-space lines can be obtained as rapidly as those acquired through frequency encoding. Impact: Reducing acquisition time improves patient comfort and reduces motion artifacts. To achieve further acceleration, however, the frequency encoding should be under-sampled. While the method presented in this abstract can theoretically accomplish this, new configurations of metamaterials must be investigated.