Abstract #2946

Simedrea P, Antiga L, Steinman D

MRI simulation of realistic objects is hampered by difficulties in compactly describing curved or irregular object boundaries. In 2001 Truscott and Buonocore showed how the MRI signal equation could be integrated analytically provided the object is discretized into contiguous linear tetrahedral elements; however, they conceded that many such elements would still be required for complex objects. Taking a cue from finite element numerical analysis techniques, here we demonstrate how this limitation can be overcome by numerically integrating the signal equation over finite elements of arbitrary order or shape, thus allowing for much more compact discretizations of complex objects.