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TOPPE: A framework for rapid prototyping of MR pulse sequences
Author(s) -
Nielsen JonFredrik,
Noll Douglas C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.26990
Subject(s) - pulse (music) , computer science , rapid prototyping , pulse sequence , nuclear magnetic resonance , biomedical engineering , medicine , materials science , physics , telecommunications , detector , composite material
Purpose To introduce a framework for rapid prototyping of MR pulse sequences. Methods We propose a simple file format, called “TOPPE”, for specifying all details of an MR imaging experiment, such as gradient and radiofrequency waveforms and the complete scan loop. In addition, we provide a TOPPE file “interpreter” for GE scanners, which is a binary executable that loads TOPPE files and executes the sequence on the scanner. We also provide MATLAB scripts for reading and writing TOPPE files and previewing the sequence prior to hardware execution. With this setup, the task of the pulse sequence programmer is reduced to creating TOPPE files, eliminating the need for hardware‐specific programming. No sequence‐specific compilation is necessary; the interpreter only needs to be compiled once (for every scanner software upgrade). We demonstrate TOPPE in three different applications: k‐space mapping, non‐Cartesian PRESTO whole‐brain dynamic imaging, and myelin mapping in the brain using inhomogeneous magnetization transfer. Results We successfully implemented and executed the three example sequences. By simply changing the various TOPPE sequence files, a single binary executable (interpreter) was used to execute several different sequences. Conclusion The TOPPE file format is a complete specification of an MR imaging experiment, based on arbitrary sequences of a (typically small) number of unique modules. Along with the GE interpreter, TOPPE comprises a modular and flexible platform for rapid prototyping of new pulse sequences. Magn Reson Med 79:3128–3134, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.