title: Theory and validation of magnetic resonance fluid motion estimation using intensity flow data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Motion tracking based on spatial-temporal radio-frequency signals from the pixel representation of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of a non-stationary fluid is able to provide two dimensional vector field maps. This supports the underlying fundamentals of magnetic resonance fluid motion estimation and generates a new methodology for flow measurement that is based on registration of nuclear signals from moving hydrogen nuclei in fluid. However, there is a need to validate the computational aspect of the approach by using velocity flow field data that we will assume as the true reference information or ground truth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we create flow vectors based on an ideal analytical vortex, and generate artificial signal-motion image data to verify our computational approach. The analytical and computed flow fields are compared to provide an error estimate of our methodology. The comparison shows that the fluid motion estimation approach using simulated MR data is accurate and robust enough for flow field mapping. To verify our methodology, we have tested the computational configuration on magnetic resonance images of cardiac blood and proved that the theory of magnetic resonance fluid motion estimation can be applicable practically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this work will allow us to progress further in the investigation of fluid motion prediction based on imaging modalities that do not require velocity encoding. This article describes a novel theory of motion estimation based on magnetic resonating blood, which may be directly applied to cardiac flow imaging.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biomedical Engineering and School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. kelvin.wong@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: Kelvin Kian Loong
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Richard Malcolm
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kelso
authors.forename: Stephen Grant
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Worthley
authors.forename: Prashanthan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Jagannath
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mazumdar
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical