k-Space tutorial: an MRI educational tool for a better understanding of k-space

A main difference between Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and other medical imaging modalities is the control over the data acquisition and how it can be managed to finally show the adequate reconstructed image. With some basic programming adjustments, the user can modify the spatial resolution, field of view (FOV), image contrast, acquisition velocity, artifacts and so many other parameters that will contribute to form the final image. The main character and agent of all this control is called k-space, which represents the matrix where the MR data will be stored previously to a Fourier transformation to obtain the desired image. This work introduces 'k-Space tutorial', a MATLAB-based educational environment to learn how the image and the k-space are related, and how the image can be affected through k-space modifications. This MR imaging educational environment has learning facilities on the basic acceleration strategies that can be encountered in almost all MR scanners: scan percentage, rectangular FOV and partial Fourier imaging. It also permits one to apply low- and high-pass filtering to the k-space, and to observe how the contrast or the details are selected in the reconstructed image. It also allows one to modify the signal-to-noise ratio of the acquisition and create some artifacts on the image as a simulated movement of the patient – with variable intensity level – and some electromagnetic spikes on k-space occurring during data acquisition.