A fully open-source framework for streaming and cloud-processing of low-field MRI data

arXiv (Cornell University)

Abstract

Purpose: To present a fully open-source framework for quasi-real-time streaming and cloud-based processing of low-field (LF) MRI data, addressing the growing computational demands of advanced reconstruction and post-processing pipelines in portable and affordable MRI systems. Methods: The proposed framework integrates open-source scanner control software with a network-enabled streaming architecture, allowing for raw data to be transmitted directly from the MRI console to remote compute resources. Cloud-based processing modules support image reconstruction and advanced post-processing, including computationally intensive physics- and learning-based methods, while maintaining compatibility with low-cost on-device control hardware. Results: The system enables continuous acquisition-to-reconstruction workflows in LF-MRI without requiring specialized high-performance console architectures. Selected example applications include deep-learning-based denoising, field-induced distortion correction, and non-Cartesian image reconstruction. Experimental demonstrations show reliable streaming performance. Conclusions: Open-source streaming and cloud-processing provide an effective pathway to overcome the computational limitations of embedded LF-MRI consoles. By decoupling acquisition hardware from intensive reconstruction workloads, the proposed framework supports scalable deployment of advanced algorithms while preserving the affordability and portability that motivate LF-MRI.

Authors 17

1. Teresa Guallart‐Naval

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

2. John Stairs

   Universitat Politècnica de València

   Affiliation as printed

   Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) , Valencia , Spain Microsoft Research ,

3. J. M. Algarín

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

4. H. Xue

   Universitat Politècnica de València

   Affiliation as printed

   Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) , Valencia , Spain Microsoft Research ,

5. J. Benlloch
   Affiliation as printed

   Full Body Insight. S.L. , Paterna , Spain

6. P. Benlloch

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

7. José Borreguero

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

8. Jesús Conejero

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

9. F. Galve

   Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

   Affiliation as printed

   MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

10. Pablo García‐Cristóbal

    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

    Affiliation as printed

    MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

11. M. Lacalle
    Affiliation as printed

    Health Futures , Washington , USA

12. Beatrice Lena Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) , Dept. of Radiology , Leiden , Netherlands

13. L. Porcar

    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

    Affiliation as printed

    MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &

14. S. J. Schiff

    Yale University

    Affiliation as printed

    PhysioMRI Tech. S.L. , Paterna , Spain

    Yale University , Dept. of Neurosurgery and Dept. of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases , New Haven , USA

15. ANDREW G. WEBB Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden

    Leiden University Medical Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) , Dept. of Radiology , Leiden , Netherlands

16. M. Hansen

    Universitat Politècnica de València

    Affiliation as printed

    Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) , Valencia , Spain Microsoft Research ,

17. Joseba Alonso

    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas · Instituto de Instrumentación para Imagen Molecular

    Affiliation as printed

    MRILab , Institute for Molecular Imaging and Instrumentation (i3M) , Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) &