mtrk-A flexible environment for developing open-source MRI pulse sequences.

Abstract

Purpose: To introduce mtrk, a new open-source tool based on modern software-engineering principles that simplifies pulse-sequence design, implementation, and dissemination.

Methods: The mtrk framework is vendor-agnostic and relies on a compact and human-readable descriptive language. Users can design pulse sequences using either a Python-based programming interface or an intuitive graphical interface. The graphical interface also allows for visualizing pulse-sequence diagrams. A driver sequence was developed to run mtrk sequences on MR scanners. A spin-echo sequence was designed with mtrk and converted to Pulseq for comparison. Both versions were compared to an equivalent vendor sequence in phantom and in vivo experiments.

Results: Images from the mtrk and Pulseq versions were nearly identical and showed over 90% similarity compared to the vendor sequence, despite minor unavoidable design differences. Phantom images matched corresponding synthetic images simulated using the same pulse sequences.

Conclusion: The mtrk framework simplifies the development of pulse sequences by providing an intuitive descriptive language and compatibility with the Pulseq format. Users can design and simulate pulse sequences using the graphical interface without any programming experience.