Stable Image Quality Research Articles

Sparse-TFM imaging in frequency domain based on amplitude-squared parameter

Abstract The total focusing method (TFM) implemented in time domain has high complexity, limiting its large-scale engineering applications. In contrast, the frequency-domain TFM based on phase shift migration (PSM) is helpful to improve imaging efficiency. On this basis, partial data can be abandoned for imaging to save computing costs and shorten processing time without reducing imaging quality. In this paper, an adaptive sparse-TFM in the frequency domain is proposed by selecting desired signals from full matrix capture (FMC) data. The amplitude-squared parameter for all the received signals corresponding to each transmitting element is taken as the relevant weight, and sparse arrays are constructed adaptively according to the descending order of numerical values. Simulated and experimental results indicate that the proposed method has stable imaging quality under different sparsity ratios, rapidly improving imaging efficiency with good resolution for defect detection.

A dataset of JLS-5-20M black soil image in Northeast China

This is a dataset of the surface reflectance data covering some black soil areas in the three northeastern provinces of China, based on the L1 data of the JL1GP satellites’ multispectral imager with a spatial resolution of 5-20 meters. Specifically, we adopted the on-orbit absolute calibration technology based on multiple stable sites to ensure that the on-orbit absolute radiometric calibration accuracy of the JL1GP satellites’ multispectral imagers is no less than 7%. Then, we selected the L1 data of JL1GP satellite multispectral imager that imaged in the three provinces of Northeast China with clear weather and no clouds are as the input image of atmospheric correction process. Finally, the L1-level image data are atmospherically corrected and orthorectified by the atmospheric correction algorithm based on the atmospheric radiative transfer model, to generate the reflectance product dataset covering some black soil areas in the three northeastern provinces of China with an absolute accuracy of no less than 7%. This dataset takes advantage of the domestic JL1GP satellites’ advantages of high spatial resolution, a large number of bands, and stable imaging quality, hence it can provide reliable support for quantitative remote sensing applications in the black soil areas of the three northeastern provinces in China.

Less Is More: Unsupervised Mask-Guided Annotated CT Image Synthesis With Minimum Manual Segmentations.

As a pragmatic data augmentation tool, data synthesis has generally returned dividends in performance for deep learning based medical image analysis. However, generating corresponding segmentation masks for synthetic medical images is laborious and subjective. To obtain paired synthetic medical images and segmentations, conditional generative models that use segmentation masks as synthesis conditions were proposed. However, these segmentation mask-conditioned generative models still relied on large, varied, and labeled training datasets, and they could only provide limited constraints on human anatomical structures, leading to unrealistic image features. Moreover, the invariant pixel-level conditions could reduce the variety of synthetic lesions and thus reduce the efficacy of data augmentation. To address these issues, in this work, we propose a novel strategy for medical image synthesis, namely Unsupervised Mask (UM)-guided synthesis, to obtain both synthetic images and segmentations using limited manual segmentation labels. We first develop a superpixel based algorithm to generate unsupervised structural guidance and then design a conditional generative model to synthesize images and annotations simultaneously from those unsupervised masks in a semi-supervised multi-task setting. In addition, we devise a multi-scale multi-task Fréchet Inception Distance (MM-FID) and multi-scale multi-task standard deviation (MM-STD) to harness both fidelity and variety evaluations of synthetic CT images. With multiple analyses on different scales, we could produce stable image quality measurements with high reproducibility. Compared with the segmentation mask guided synthesis, our UM-guided synthesis provided high-quality synthetic images with significantly higher fidelity, variety, and utility ( by Wilcoxon Signed Ranked test).

High-Quality Cs3Cu2I5@PMMA Scintillator Films Assisted by Multiprocessing for X-ray Imaging.

In recent years, novel metal halide scintillators have shown great application potential due to their tunable emission wavelength, high X-ray absorption, and high luminescence efficiency. However, poor stability and complex device packaging remain key issues for metal halide scintillators, making it difficult to achieve high-resolution and flexible X-ray imaging applications. To address the above issues, a multiprocessing strategy was introduced to prepare Cs3Cu2I5@PMMA scintillator films for long-term stable application, mainly undergo different annealing treatments to make Cs3Cu2I5 crystals to accurately nucleate and then grow in-situ in the PMMA matrix. Then, a series of characterization results illustrate that the prepared Cs3Cu2I5@PMMA scintillator films have high crystallinity, uniform size, excellent flexibility, high stable photoluminescence (PL) and radioluminescence (RL) performance, and high-resolution X-ray imaging capability. Most importantly, Cs3Cu2I5@PMMA scintillator films can not only provide clear and accurate imaging recognition of objects with different complex structures but also maintain stable X-ray imaging quality within 60 days and can achieve flexible X-ray imaging. Therefore, we have provided an effective strategy for producing high-quality scintillator films to meet the multidimensional needs of a new generation of scintillators.

Accelerating TOF-MRA: The impact of the combined use of compressed sensitivity encoding and spiral imaging

PurposeTo evaluate the image quality of the combined technique of compressed sensitivity encoding (CS) and spiral imaging in time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA), which is approximately 2.5 times faster than conventional methods. MethodsTwenty volunteers underwent four TOF-MRA sequences: sensitivity encoding (SENSE) with acceleration factor of 4 (acquisition time: 4:55 min), CS with acceleration factor of 10.9, and spiral and CS-spiral (both 1:55 min). A quantitative image analysis (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], contrast, and full width at half maximum [FWHM] edge criterion measurements) was performed on four TOF sequences. For qualitative image analysis, two board-certified radiologists evaluated the overall depiction of the proximal, intermediate, and distal branches in CS, spiral, and CS-spiral images using SENSE as a reference. ResultsThe SNR of BA in spiral and CS-spiral imaging was significantly lower than that in SENSE (p = 0.009). The contrasts of ACA and BA in CS-spiral were significantly higher and those in spiral were significantly lower than those in SENSE (p < 0.001). The FWHM in the CS image was significantly higher than that of SENSE; however, no significant differences were observed between the spiral or CS-spiral and SENSE. In qualitative analysis, the depiction of proximal vascular branches was significantly impaired in spiral than in others and that of distal vascular branches was significantly impaired in CS than in others (p < 0.001). ConclusionsIn TOF-MRA, which is approximately 2.5 times faster than conventional methods, the combined use of CS and spiral imaging demonstrated an improvement in image quality compared to either CS or spiral imaging alone. Summary statementThe image quality of Compressed SENSE and spiral imaging is particularly poor in the proximal and distal vascular branches, respectively at an extremely high acceleration factor; however, CS-spiral provided stable image quality in all regions as compared with the SENSE technique.

Usefulness of preset count acquisition in pediatric 99m Tc-DMSA planar imaging.

This study was aimed at determining the minimum acquisition count to provide diagnosable image quality (DIQ) and investigating the usefulness of preset count acquisition (PCA) for planar images of pediatric 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. First, we calculated a coefficient of variation (CV) for DIQ with the shortest acquisition time through visual evaluation in 12 pediatric patients who underwent 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy. Second, a minimum acquisition count to achieve the CV for DIQ was determined with the single regression analysis using CV as an explanatory variable and the total acquisition count as an objective variable in 81 pediatric patients. Finally, we compared PCA images based on the minimum acquisition count and preset time acquisition (PTA) images for 5min in terms of the acquisition time, CV, and renal uptake ratio in another 23 pediatric patients. The visual evaluation showed that the CV corresponding to DIQ with the shortest acquisition time was 27.1%. The total acquisition count corresponding to DIQ was revealed to be 299,764 in the single regression analysis and was determined to be 300,000 after rounding. The CV and its standard deviation in PCA at 300,000 counts and PTA for 5min were 26.4 ± 0.6% and 24.8 ± 1.3%, respectively. The standard deviation of CV in PCA at 300,000 counts was smaller than that in PTA for 5min, indicating little variation in image quality between cases. The acquisition time in PCA at 300,000 counts (3.1 ± 0.7min) was shorter than that in PTA for 5min (5.0 ± 0.0min). The intraclass correlation coefficient between renal uptake ratios for PCA and PTA was 0.98, indicating an extremely high concordance. The minimum acquisition count required for the DIQ was 300,000. In addition, PCA at 300,000 counts was demonstrated to be useful by providing stable image quality at the shortest acquisition time.

Wearable ultrasound bioelectronics for healthcare monitoring

Wearable ultrasound bioelectronics for healthcare monitoring

Single-Shot Multi-Frame Imaging of Femtosecond Laser-Induced Plasma Propagation.

Single-shot ultrafast multi-frame imaging technology plays a crucial role in the observation of laser-induced plasma. However, there are many challenges in the application of laser processing, such as technology fusion and imaging stability. To provide a stable and reliable observation method, we propose an ultrafast single-shot multi-frame imaging technology based on wavelength polarization multiplexing. Through the frequency doubling and birefringence effects of the BBO and the quartz crystal, the 800 nm femtosecond laser pulse was frequency doubled to 400 nm, and a sequence of probe sub-pulses with dual-wavelength and different polarization was generated. The coaxial propagation and framing imaging of multi-frequency pulses provided stable imaging quality and clarity, as well as high temporal/spatial resolution (200 fs and 228 lp/mm). In the experiments involving femtosecond laser-induced plasma propagation, the probe sub-pulses measured their time intervals by capturing the same results. Specifically, the measured time intervals were 200 fs between the same color pulses and 1 ps between the adjacent different. Finally, based on the obtained system time resolution, we observed and revealed the evolution mechanism of femtosecond laser-induced air plasma filaments, the multifilament propagation of femtosecond laser in fused silica, and the influence mechanism of air ionization on laser-induced shock waves.

Inverse design of a near-infrared metalens with an extended depth of focus based on double-process genetic algorithm optimization.

Metalens with extended depth of focus (EDOF) can extend the mapping area of the image, which leads to novel applications in imaging and microscopy. Since there are still some disadvantages for existing EDOF metalenses based on forward design, such as asymmetric point spread function (PSF) and non-uniformly distributed focal spot, which impair the quality of images, we propose a double-process genetic algorithm (DPGA) optimization to inversely design the EDOF metalens for addressing these drawbacks. By separately adopting different mutation operators in successive two genetic algorithm (GA) processes, DPGA exhibits significant advantages in searching for the ideal solution in the whole parameter space. Here, the 1D and 2D EDOF metalenses operating at 980 nm are separately designed via this method, and both of them exhibit significant depth of focus (DOF) improvement to that of conventional focusing. Furthermore, a uniformly distributed focal spot can be maintained well, which can guarantee stable imaging quality along the longitudinal direction. The proposed EDOF metalenses have considerable potential applications in biological microscopy and imaging, and the scheme of DPGA can be promoted to the inverse design of other nanophotonics devices.

Image Quality Assessment of Deep Learning Image Reconstruction in Torso Computed Tomography Using Tube Current Modulation.

Novel deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) reportedly changes the image quality characteristics based on object contrast and image noise. In clinical practice, computed tomography image noise is usually controlled by tube current modulation (TCM) to accommodate changes in object size. This study aimed to evaluate the image quality characteristics of DLIR for different object sizes when the in-plane noise was controlled by TCM. Images acquisition was performed on a GE Revolution CT system to investigate the impact of the DLIR algorithm compared to the standard reconstructions of filtered-back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid-IR). The image quality assessment was performed using phantom images, and an observer study was conducted using clinical cases. The image quality assessment confirmed the excellent noise- reduction performance of DLIR, despite variations due to phantom size. Similarly, in the observer study, DLIR received high evaluations regardless of the body parts imaged. We evaluated a novel DLIR algorithm by replicating clinical behaviors. Consequently, DLIR exhibited higher image quality than those of FBP and hybrid-IR in both phantom and observer studies, albeit the value depended on the reconstruction strength, and proved itself capable of providing stable image quality in clinical use.

End-to-end learned single lens design using improved Wiener deconvolution.

End-to-end single-lens imaging system design is a method to optimize both optical system and reconstruction algorithm. Most end-to-end single lens systems use convolutional neural networks (CNN) for image restoration, which fit the transformation relationship between the aberrated image and the ground truth image in the training set. Based on the principle of optical imaging, we realize non-blind image restoration through Wiener deconvolution. Wiener deconvolution is improved with the powerful fitting ability of depth learning so that the noise parameters and the blur kernel in Wiener deconvolution can be simultaneously optimized with the optical parameters in the lens. Extensive comparative tests have been conducted to demonstrate the single-lens imaging system obtained by our method has more stable imaging quality and a 40 times greater imaging speed than the method using CNN restoration algorithm.

Brain morphological network and its applications in human brain development

<p indent="0mm">The human brain is an extremely complex system, where trillions of neurons are connected through synapses, forming a massive micro-scale anatomical network which is considered to be the physiological basis for information processing and cognition. How to depict the connection pattern of the brain has always been a hot topic within the neuroscience community. With the development of non-invasive neuroimaging technology, investigations of the brain network have entered a new era. Brain networks based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide new insights into the complex anatomical organization and functional mechanism of the human brain. Brain networks can be divided into morphological networks, white matter networks, and functional networks. Brain morphological networks usually refer to the morphological connection networks generated from structural MRI, and have received wide attention because of its advantages of easy image acquisition, stable image quality, and simplicity in analysis. Brain morphological networks can be further divided into across-subjects covariance networks and individual-level networks. Across-subjects covariance networks are constructed by calculating the statistical correlation of morphological features between brain regions from a group of participants, which only reflect the group characteristics of participants but ignore the individual variations. Individual-level brain morphological networks are built using morphological information from the individual brain to describe the cooperative changes between brain regions, which can preserve the individual difference. There are two types of methods to build individual morphological networks, namely, single feature based and multiple features based, which will be described in detail in this review. Graph theory model in combination with brain morphological network enables us to characterize the developmental trajectories of the topology of cortical morphology, from prenatal, early postnatal, childhood to adolescence. Based on the recent studies of brain morphological networks on brain development, we found that brain morphological networks are still in their primitive state during the early second trimester, which become more integrated towards birth and already exhibit the characteristic small-world topology and nonrandom modular organization at birth. Subsequently, brain morphological networks become more separated from birth to early childhood and gradually integrate from late childhood to adolescence. In addition, many studies demonstrated distinct developmental trajectories in different cortical divisions. Specifically, the primary networks are the first to reach maturity, while the higher-order networks continue to develop for a long time. These findings provide important evidence for understanding the reorganization of the cerebral cortex and the emergence and development of brain cognitive function. Although brain morphological networks have undergone ten years of development, problems and challenges remain in this field. Similar to other forms of connectivity analysis, brain morphological networks analysis struggles with the issues of edge and node definition, and further methodological development is needed in the fields of graph theory and statistical comparison between networks. More importantly, despite some studies that attempt to relate brain morphological networks to tractography-based brain networks, functional networks, and gene-specific expression, we are still awaiting a clear interpretation of the biological significance of brain morphological networks. In addition, how to acquire high-quality MRI data for perinatal brains is a major challenge to complete the development trajectories of developing brain morphological networks.

Micro Non-Uniform Linear Array (MNULA) for Ultrasound Plane Wave Imaging.

Ultrasound plane wave imaging technology has been applied to more clinical situations than ever before because of its rapid imaging speed and stable imaging quality. Most transducers used in plane wave imaging are linear arrays, but their structures limit the application of plane wave imaging technology in some special clinical situations, especially in the endoscopic environment. In the endoscopic environment, the size of the linear array transducer is strictly miniaturized, and the imaging range is also limited to the near field. Meanwhile, the near field of a micro linear array has serious mutual interferences between elements, which is against the imaging quality of near field. Therefore, we propose a new structure of a micro ultrasound linear array for plane wave imaging. In this paper, a theoretical comparison is given through sound field and imaging simulations. On the basis of primary work and laboratory technology, micro uniform and non-uniform linear arrays were made and experimented with the phantom setting. We selected appropriate evaluation parameters to verify the imaging results. Finally, we concluded that the micro non-uniform linear array eliminated the artifacts better than the micro uniform linear array without the additional use of signal processing methods, especially for target points in the near-field. We believe this study provides a possible solution for plane wave imaging in cramped environments like endoscopy.

Analysis of influence of long back focal length on athermal design based on infrared multispectral camera

Under different ambient temperatures, the thermal aberration certainly affects the imaging quality of infrared multi-spectral camera. Therefore, an athermalized model of infrared multi-spectral cameras is established, and in this model the ambient infrared multispectral camera is equivalent to a separated dual-lens optical system. In the case of the fixed focal length, the influence of the back focal length on the change of the focal power of the front lens and back lens is analyzed. Now, the variation range of the front and rear lens interval is assumed to be restricted. When the back focal length is smaller than the focal length, the ratio of the absolute value of the focal power of the front lens to the absolute value of the focal power of the back lens decreases with the back focal length increasing. The material of the front lens and the back lens have a longer interval on the thermogram. When the back focal length is greater than the focal length, the scenario becomes exactly opposite. Combined with the judgment method of the positive value and negative value of the focal power on the thermogram, the selection range of materials is constrained by the positive value, negative value, and absolute value of focal power, thus realizing the rapid selection of the optical materials. This method is used to design an athermalized infrared multispectral camera with a waveband of 8–14 μm, a focal length of 50 mm, and an &lt;i&gt;F&lt;/i&gt; number of 1.4 in a range from –40 ℃ to +60 ℃. Through the simulation analysis, the value of the athermalized infrared multispectral camera, at the Nyquist frequency of 30 lp/mm reaches 0.39, which is close to the diffraction limit; the root mean square radius of the diffuse spot is smaller than the Airy spot radius of 19.17 μm; the axial aberration is less than 0.02 mm, and the design results show that this method can make the long back-focus infrared optical system maintain stable imaging quality in a large temperature range. The SF&lt;sub&gt;6&lt;/sub&gt; gas is detected experimentally, and the experimental results demonstrate the excellent optical performance of the system.

TanDEM-X Long-Term System Performance After 10 Years of Operation

The TanDEM-X mission, formed by the TanDEM-X satellite in cooperation with its almost identical twin TerraSAR-X (TSX), has mainly been designed to acquire bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of the Earth. Initiated in 2010, the primary mission objectives were to generate a global digital elevation model (DEM) to perform scientific measurements and to explore novel SAR techniques. Up to the present day, all these objectives have been completed with outstanding results. In addition, the satellites maintained a stable image quality from the start throughout their entire lifetime. The ground segment, which was tailored to the capabilities of the space segment, as well as an excellent design and manufacturing of the satellites were the key elements to achieve such a performance. In addition, the elaborate calibration concept and a careful treatment of the on-board resources enabled full operability up to the present day and allowed additional mission objectives such as the generation of a Change-DEM layer as an update to the global DEM. The stable bus and SAR payload performance as revealed by long-term system monitoring provide the basis for further extension of the TanDEM-X mission for several more years. In the following paper, these long-term system monitoring results are presented to provide an overview of the evolution of the radar system. The results and experience gained with more than a decade of TanDEM-X mission operation are a great value for both the scientific and commercial community and serve as a forerunner for the development of future SAR missions.

Variable Curvature Displays: Optical Designs and Applications for VR/AR/MR Headsets

In the present paper, we discuss the design of a projection system with curved display and its enhancement by variably adjusting the curvature. We demonstrate that the focal surface curvature varies significantly with a change of the object position and that it can easily be computed with the Seidel aberration theory. Using this analytically derived curvature value as the starting point, we optimise a refocusable projection system with 90 ° field of view and F / # = 6.2 . It is demonstrated that such a system can provide stable image quality and illumination when refocusing from infinity to 1.5 m. The gain in spatial resolution is as high as 1.54 times with respect to a flat focal surface. Furthermore, we prove that a silicon die can be curved to the required shape with a safety factor of 4.3 in terms of the mechanical stress. Finally, it is shown that the developed system can be used in a virtual reality headset providing high resolution, low distortion and a flexible focusing mode.

Capabilities of Chinese Gaofen-3 Synthetic Aperture Radar in Selected Topics for Coastal and Ocean Observations

Gaofen-3 (GF-3), the first Chinese spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) in C-band for civil applications, was launched on August 2016. Some studies have examined the use of GF-3 SAR data for ocean and coastal observations, but these studies generally focus on one particular application. As GF-3 has been in operation over two years, it is essential to evaluate its performance in ocean observation, a primary goal of the GF-3 launch. In this paper, we offer an overview demonstrating the capabilities of GF-3 SAR in ocean and coastal observations by presenting several representative cases, i.e., the monitoring of intertidal flats, offshore tidal turbulent wakes and oceanic internal waves, to highlight the GF-3’s full polarimetry, high spatial resolution and wide-swath imaging advantages. Moreover, we also present a detailed analysis of the use of GF-3 quad-polarization data for sea surface wind retrievals and wave mode data for sea surface wave retrievals. The case studies and statistical analysis suggest that GF-3 has good ocean and coastal monitoring capabilities, though further improvements are possible, particularly in radiometric calibration and stable image quality.

Wireless video transmission into the MRI magnet room: implementation and evaluation at 1.5T, 3T and 7T

Purpose To analyze the interference between a wireless high definition multimedia interface (WHDMI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image quality at 1.5T, 3T and 7T. Materials and methods A wireless video transmission system (WVTS) consisting of a WHDMI and a projector was used to transmit and display a video stream into the magnet room. MR image quality was analyzed at 1.5T, 3T and 7T. Signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR¯) $(\overline {{\rm{SNR}}} )$ and radio frequency (RF)-noise spectrum were measured at three transmitter positions (A: inside the cabin, B: in front of the waveguide and C: in the control room). WVTS system functionality tests included measurements of reliability, delay and image quality. Results With the WVTS mean SNR¯ $\overline {{\rm{SNR}}} $ values significantly decreased in comparison to the reference for all positions and fieldstrenghts, while the spectra's baseline is elevated at 1.5T and 3T. Peaks related to continuous wave interferences are apparent at all field strenghts. For WHDMI alone mean SNR¯ $\overline {{\rm{SNR}}} $ values were stable without significant differences to the reference. No elevation of the spectra's baseline could be observed. Functionality measurements confirmed high connection reliability with stable image quality and no delays for all field strengths. Conclusion We conclude that wireless transmission of video streams into the MRI magnet room is feasible at all field strengths without hampering image quality.

Resolved stellar populations: the outlook for JWST and ELT

AbstractThe study of the resolved stellar populations in nearby galaxies and star clusters through the analysis of colour-magnitude diagrams provides the most detailed and quantitative determination of the star formation histories of these systems. The properties of different age populations provide an insight into distinct physical processes taking place during the entire history of the stellar system. The detection of the oldest main sequence turn-offs is currently restricted to stellar systems within the Local Group due to the limitations in spatial resolution and flux sensitivity of available telescopes. Individual stars need to be detected and accurately distinguished from their neighbours. To improve this situation we need to build new telescopes with larger primary mirrors that can deliver a very stable image quality at the diffraction limit. Over the next decade we can look forward to new larger telescope in space: the James Webb Space Telescope, currently scheduled to be launched in 2021; and several large telescope projects, the largest of which is the 39m ESO extremely large telescope on Cerro Armazones in Chile, currently scheduled to start operations in 2024.

Preclinical 4D-flow magnetic resonance phase contrast imaging of the murine aortic arch.

PurposeCardiovascular diseases remain the number one death cause worldwide. Preclinical 4D flow phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging can provide substantial insights in the analysis of aortic pathophysiologies in various animal models. These insights may allow a better understanding of pathophysiologies, therapy monitoring, and can possibly be translated to humans. This study provides a framework to acquire the velocity field within the aortic arch. It analyses important flow values at different locations within the aortic arch. Imaging parameters with high temporal and spatial resolution are provided, that still allow combining this time-consuming method with other necessary imaging-protocols.MethodsA new setup was established where a prospectively gated 4D phase contrast sequence is combined with a highly sensitive cryogenic coil on a preclinical magnetic resonance scanner. The sequence was redesigned to maintain a close to steady state condition of the longitudinal magnetization and hence to overcome steady state artifacts. Imaging parameters were optimized to provide high spatial and temporal resolution. Pathline visualizations were generated from the acquired velocity data in order to display complex flow patterns.ResultsOur setup allows data acquisition with at least two times the rate than that of previous publications based on Cartesian encoding, at an improved image quality. The “steady state” sequence reduces observed artifacts and provides uniform image intensity over the heart cycle. This made possible quantification of blood speed and wall shear stress (WSS) within the aorta and its branches. The highest velocities were observed in the ascending aorta with 137.5 ± 8 cm/s. Peak velocity values in the Brachiocephalic trunk were 57 ± 12 cm/s. Quantification showed that the peak flow occurs around 20 ms post R-wave in the ascending aorta. The highest mean axial wall shear stress was observed in the analysis plane between the left common carotid artery (LCCA) and the left subclavian artery. A stable image quality allows visualizing complex flow patterns by means of streamlines and for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, pathline visualizations from 4D flow MRI in mice.ConclusionThe described setup allows analyzing pathophysiologies in mouse models of cardiovascular diseases in the aorta and its branches with better image quality and higher spatial and temporal resolution than previous Cartesian publications. Pathlines provide an advanced analysis of complex flow patterns in the murine aorta. An imaging protocol is provided that offers the possibility to acquire the aortic arch at sufficiently high resolution in less than one hour. This allows the combination of the flow assessment with other multifunctional imaging protocols.