Joint Optimization of Sampling Patterns and Deep Priors for Improved Parallel MRI

Multichannel imaging techniques are widely used in MRI to reduce the scan time. These schemes typically perform undersampled acquisition and utilize compressed-sensing based regularized reconstruction algorithms. Model-based deep learning (MoDL) frameworks are now emerging as powerful alternatives to compressed sensing, with significantly improved image quality. In this work, we investigate the impact of sampling patterns on the quality of the image recovered using the MoDL algorithm. We introduce a scheme to jointly optimize the sampling pattern and the reconstruction network parameters in MoDL for parallel MRI. The improved decoupling of the network parameters from the sampling patterns offered by the MoDL scheme translates to improved optimization and thus improved performance. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate that the proposed joint optimization framework significantly improves the image quality.