************************************** Protocol optimization ************************************** The precision and accuracy of estimated IVIM parameters depend on the imaging parameters, in particular choice of b-values and similar parameters. Several methods for protocol optimization exist, all with the pros and cons. The algorithm for protocol optimization provided in this package builds on minimization of the Cramér-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB), which is a measure of the theoretically lowest variance of an estimated parameter given an experimental setup.\ [1]_ The algorithm implemented in this package has been used to optimize b-values for the simplified IVIM model.\ [2]_ The function here does however provide compatibility with models in all regimes, and both monopolar and bipolar diffusion encoding (:func:`API `). References: .. [1] Alexander D. A general framework for experiment design in diffusion MRI and its application in measuring direct tissue-microstructure. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2008;60(2):439-448. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.21646 .. [2] Jalnefjord O, Montelius M, Starck G, Ljungberg M. Optimization of b-value schemes for estimation of the diffusion coefficient and the perfusion fraction with segmented intravoxel incoherent motion model fitting. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 2019:82(4):1541-1552. https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.27826 API === ``ivim.optimize`` .. automodule:: ivim.optimize .. autofunction:: ivim.optimize.crlb