SPARKLING: Novel Non-Cartesian Sampling Schemes for Accelerated 2D Anatomical Imaging at 7T Using Compressed Sensing

We present for the first time the implementation of novel non-Cartesian trajectories on a 7T scanner for 2D anatomical imaging. The proposed SPARKLING curves (Segmented Projection Algorithm for Random K-space sampLING) are a new type of non-Cartesian segmented sampling trajectories which allow fast and efficient coverage of the k-space according to a chosen variable density [1]. To demonstrate their potential, a high-resolution (0.4x0.4x3.0mm³) T2*-weighted image was acquired with an 8-fold undersampled SPARKLING trajectory. Images were reconstructed using non-linear iterative reconstructions derived from the Compressed Sensing theory.