A Reconfigurable Real-time Image Reconstruction Engine for Parallel MRI

Parallel MRI acquisitions are generally reconstructed into images off-line, on PCs and computer clusters. Here, we present an innovative single-FPGA engine that performs realtime 2D-FFT image reconstruction from arrays of up to 16 coils. Partial reconfiguration enables rapid switching of FPGA modules for maximal flexibility and lower hardware cost. If the engine is integrated on to an FPGA-based receiver, more complicated parallel MRI algorithms can replace the receiver logic after an acquisition is complete. The engine can also function as a standalone hardware accelerator. As a proof-of-concept for realtime non-cartesian reconstruction, a reconfigurable module for next-neighbor regridding of spiral MRI is also demonstrated.