Training activity information
Details
Vary the MR pre-scan and reconstruction parameters to demonstrate the effect on MR image quality, to include:
- Shim
- Centre frequency
- Transmitter and receiver gains
- Reconstruction filters
- RF coil sensitivity correction
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Acquisition hardware, prescan settings and their influence on image quality
- Influence of off-resonance
- Effects of receiver under- and over-ranging
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Consider specific insights you hope to gain regarding the optimisation of raw MR data acquisition and processing.
- Think about your current understanding of the steps involved in forming an MR image.
- Anticipate learning how to fine-tune pre-scan and reconstruction settings to improve image quality and reduce artefacts.
- Consider how to document and present the findings of your experimental investigations.
- Discuss the specific MR system and available phantoms or data sets to be used with your training officer.
- Review the principles of MR pre-scan processes (shimming, frequency calibration, gain adjustment) and reconstruction algorithms (filtering, sensitivity correction).
- Familiarise yourself with the MR system’s user interface for adjusting these parameters.
- Plan your experimental approach, including the parameters to vary and the methods for assessing the resulting image quality.
- Reflect on your current knowledge of MR image acquisition and reconstruction.
In action
- Pay attention to your actions. How are you approaching the manipulation of pre-scan and reconstruction parameters and observing their impact on image quality? Why are you doing it this way?
- What decisions are you making as you adjust these parameters and assess the resulting images?
- What aspects of understanding the function of pre-scan and reconstruction parameters feel intuitive, and what requires more conscious effort?
- How effective are your actions in demonstrating the effects of varying shim, centre frequency, gains, filters, and coil sensitivity correction on MR image quality?
- What challenges are you facing in isolating the effects of individual parameters or understanding their combined impact?
- What can you learn about the optimisation of MR image quality through pre-scan and reconstruction settings as it unfolds?
- How does this activity connect to your knowledge of MR signal acquisition and image processing?
- Are there alternative approaches you could be considering for demonstrating these effects?
- What support or guidance might you need in this moment to understand the optimal settings for these parameters in different scenarios?
- Are you systematically varying the parameters and carefully documenting the observed changes in image quality?
On action
- How did adjustments to the shimming process affect image homogeneity and artefact levels?
- What impact did changes in centre frequency have on image quality and potential artefacts?
- How did varying transmitter and receiver gains influence signal intensity and noise?
- What effects did different reconstruction filters have on image sharpness, detail, and noise characteristics?
- How did RF coil sensitivity correction influence image uniformity?
- What did you learn about the role and impact of these specific MR pre-scan and reconstruction parameters on image quality?
- How did this experimental investigation deepen your understanding of the image formation process in MRI?
- In what ways did your reflection-in-action (during the activity) influence the parameter variations you explored?
- How will this practical knowledge inform your understanding of MRI protocol optimisation and troubleshooting?
- What further exploration of advanced MR reconstruction techniques would be beneficial?
- What support or resources might you need to further develop your practical MRI skills?
Beyond action
- Reflect on the experiments you conducted by varying these MR pre-scan and reconstruction parameters. How well do you remember the specific effects of each parameter?
- Have you observed or been involved in adjusting these parameters in a clinical setting?
- How did your experimental findings relate to the practical adjustments made?
- Consider if your understanding of the technical aspects of MRI instrumentation and image processing has improved, and how this informs your interpretation of your experimental results.
- Has this activity enhanced your understanding of the technical factors that influence MR image quality beyond just the main pulse sequence parameters?
- Has your ability to troubleshoot image quality issues related to these pre-scan and reconstruction settings improved?
- How will a detailed understanding of these technical parameters be valuable in future roles involving advanced MRI applications, research, or equipment management?
- What further investigation into the more complex interactions of these parameters or their impact on specific clinical applications would you like to pursue?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Acquire MR and ultrasound images and apply appropriate user-controllable parameters. |