Optimization of sensitivity encoding with arbitrary k-space trajectories

Sensitivity encoding (SENSE) is a magnetic resonance technique that unifies gradient and receive coil encoding. SENSE reconstructs the image by solving a large, ill-conditioned inverse problem, which generally requires regularization and preconditioning. The present study suggests a simple heuristic for determining the regularization parameter. Also discussed are the use of density weighting and intensity correction as preconditioners and the role that coil sensitivity estimation has in regularization. A modification to the intensity correction is proposed for use with a phase constraint. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.