Next Generation Medical Imaging

The focus of this research is on advancing novel and innovative approaches in the field of medical imaging. The overarching goal is to develop a new understanding of how medical imaging data can be generated and exploited to extract diagnostic information. In addition, the developed techniques will be validated in clinical settings to facilitate their application in clinical practice.

Development of Imaging Workflows

The objective is to create innovative, manufacturer-neutral imaging workflows that support the integration and clinical deployment of quality-assured third-party software solutions.

Clinical challenges are often addressed through specialized image acquisition or reconstruction techniques. By shifting the focus to workflows spanning the entire imaging process, this work enables solutions to previously unsolved problems that cannot be tackled by considering image reconstruction or data acquisition in isolation.

Rethinking Image Artifacts: More Information from Rawdata

Rather than treating image artifacts solely as errors to be corrected or avoided, this research area seeks to reinterpret them as a source of valuable diagnostic information. The goal is to establish a new understanding of image artifacts by exploiting them through model-based image reconstruction to recover underlying information and derive additional diagnostic maps.

Conventionally, medical image reconstruction relies on fixed algorithms—such as the Fast Fourier Transform in magnetic resonance imaging or the Radon transform in computed tomography—to convert raw data into human-interpretable images. These approaches often neglect physical imperfections in the encoding process, leading to artifacts that have traditionally been the focus of correction efforts.

Emerging Imaging Technology

Expanding the information content captured during the imaging process is at the core of this research area, which focuses on identifying and evaluating novel hardware concepts that enhance diagnostic capabilities.

Medical imaging encodes information about the body region of interest into raw data that is later transformed into diagnostic images. To ensure that relevant information is captured, a range of imaging modalities exists for different applications, such as ultrasound for fast real-time imaging and MRI for soft-tissue visualization. The diagnostic potential of these modalities can be further increased through the introduction of new hardware, including metamaterials in MRI and advanced transducer array designs in ultrasound.

We support industry and research partners in advancing magnetic resonance imaging through platform-independent workflows, reliable imaging solutions, and emerging technologies.

Vendor Agnostic Workflows for MR Applications
We develop MR sequences, reconstruction algorithms, and post-processing methods for multiple platforms, including low-field and full-body systems, using the gammaSTAR framework developed at Fraunhofer MEVIS. We also assist in translating these research solutions to quality-assured, interoperable software ready for clinical validation.

Reliable MR Imaging
We provide retrospective and prospective motion correction solutions to ensure consistent clinical application of MR methods. Our work also includes advanced arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques, like velocity-selective ASL, for robust, non-invasive perfusion imaging of the brain, liver, and kidneys.

Emerging Imaging Technologies
We explore novel MRI and ultrasound technologies, including patented reconfigurable metamaterials that enable dynamic control of RF magnetic fields. Our services cover consulting, simulation, testing, and end-to-end design from concept to prototype.

MR Physics Education Tools
We provide free, interactive tools to teach MR physics and support the development of next-generation MR technologies. We also collaborate on innovative educational methods and commercial projects in MR training.

Learn more about our teaching solutions: Fraunhofer MEVIS MR-Tools