OpenMRF: A Modular, Vendor-Neutral Open-Source Framework for Reproducible Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting using Pulseq

TL;DR

OpenMRF is an open-source, modular framework that standardizes and facilitates reproducible Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting across different MRI vendors and field strengths using Pulseq.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive Pulseq-based platform for consistent MRF sequence design, simulation, and reconstruction, promoting reproducibility and multi-site validation.

Findings

High accuracy in digital phantom simulations

Consistent relaxation times across multiple sites and vendors

High-quality parameter maps in in vivo studies

Abstract

Purpose: Widespread adoption and methodological advancement of Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) are limited by the lack of unified, reproducible implementation frameworks and fragmented open-source tools. To address these barriers, we introduce OpenMRF - a comprehensive Pulseq-based solution - designed to enable consistent, reproducible, and transferable MRF research across vendors, sites, and field strengths. Methods: OpenMRF integrates modular Pulseq-based sequence design, Bloch-simulation-based dictionary creation directly from .seq files, and iterative low-rank subspace reconstruction. The framework was evaluated through digital phantom simulations, a multi-site ISMRM/NIST phantom study on Siemens MRI systems at 0.55 T, 1.5 T, and 3 T as well as GE and United Imaging 3 T platforms, and representative in vivo acquisitions in the liver (0.55 T), myocardium (1.5 T), and brain (3 T). Results: Simulations demonstrated high mapping accuracy in an ISMRM/NIST-like digital phantom, with low-rank reconstruction yielding deviations of 0.03+/-0.32 % (T1) and 0.12+/-1.94 % (T2). The multi-site phantom study yielded relaxation times consistent with reference values at all field strengths, with mean deviations of -0.1+/-2.9 % (T1), -1.5+/-8.7 % (T2), and -4.0+/-7.2 % (T1rho). In vivo acquisitions produced high-quality parameter maps across platforms and field strengths. Conclusion: OpenMRF provides a robust, open-source, end-to-end Pulseq-based solution for MRF that enables reproducible sequence implementation, physics-accurate dictionary simulation, and advanced reconstruction across vendors and field strengths. By providing a unified platform for method development, comparison, and multi-site validation, OpenMRF aims to accelerate reproducible and harmonized quantitative MRI research within the community.