Concepts in Magnetic Resonance Part B-Magnetic Resonance Engineering最新文献

Phased array (PA) receive coils are built such that coil elements approximate independent antenna behavior. One method of achieving this goal is to use an available decoupling method to decouple adjacent coil elements. The purpose of this work was to compare the relative performance of two decoupling methods as a function of variation in sample load. Two PA receive coils with 5 channels (5-ch) each, equal outer dimensions, and formed on 12 cm diameter cylindrical phantoms of conductivities 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 S/m were evaluated for relative signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and parallel imaging performance. They were only tuned and matched to the 0.6 S/m phantom. Simulated and measured axial, sagittal, and coronal 5-ch PA coil SNR ratios were compared by dividing the overlap by the capacitive decoupled coil SNR results. Issues related to the selection of capacitor values for the two decoupling methods were evaluated by taking the ratio of the match and tune capacitors for large and small 2 channel (2-ch) PA coils. The SNR ratios showed that the SNR of the two decoupling methods were very similar. The inverse geometry-factor maps showed similar but better overall parallel imaging performance for the capacitive decoupled method. The quotients for the 2-ch PA coils’ maximum and minimum capacitor value ratios are 3.28 and 1.38 for the large and 3.28 and 2.22 for the small PA. The results of this paper demonstrate that as the sample load varies, the capacitive and overlap decoupling methods are very similar in relative SNR and this similarity continues for parallel imaging performance. Although, for the 5-ch coils studied, the capacitive decoupling method has a slight SNR and parallel imaging advantage and it was noted that the capacitive decoupled coil is more likely to encounter unbuildable PA coil configurations.

Ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (ULF MRI) is an effective imaging technique that applies the ultrasensitive detector of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensor to detect the MR signal at a microtesla field range. In this work, we designed and developed a SQUID-based ULF MRI system with a frequency-adjustable measurement field, the performance of which was characterized via water phantoms. In order to enhance the MR signals, a 500 mT Halbach magnet was used to prepolarize the magnetization of the sample prior to excitation. The signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of the spin-echo- (SE-) based pulse sequence can reach up to 70 in a single scan. The images were then reconstructed successfully by using the maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm based on the backprojection imaging method. It was demonstrated that an in-plane resolution of 1.8 × 1.8 mm² can be achieved which indicated the feasibility of SQUID-based MRI at the ULF.

Purpose. To revisit the “loopole,” an unusual coil topology whose unbalanced current distribution captures both loop and electric dipole properties, which can be advantageous in ultra-high-field MRI. Methods. Loopole coils were built by deliberately breaking the capacitor symmetry of traditional loop coils. The corresponding current distribution, transmit efficiency, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were evaluated in simulation and experiments in comparison to those of loops and electric dipoles at 7 T (297 MHz). Results. The loopole coil exhibited a hybrid current pattern, comprising features of both loops and electric dipole current patterns. Depending on the orientation relative to B₀, the loopole demonstrated significant performance boost in either the transmit efficiency or SNR at the center of a dielectric sample when compared to a traditional loop. Modest improvements were observed when compared to an electric dipole. Conclusion. The loopole can achieve high performance by supporting both divergence-free and curl-free current patterns, which are both significant contributors to the ultimate intrinsic performance at ultra-high field. While electric dipoles exhibit similar hybrid properties, loopoles maintain the engineering advantages of loops, such as geometric decoupling and reduced resonance frequency dependence on sample loading.

Apart from magnetic attraction risks, the primary biophysical concern associated with MRI is radiofrequency heating of the human body and associated discomfort, health deterioration, or potential burns. This paper reviews experimental data and numerical modeling of systemic (core and brain) temperature and local thermal effects associated with diagnostic MRI exposures at 1.5T (64 MHz) and 3.0T (128 MHz). Allowable temperatures and duration of systemic exposure are established based on knowledge of (short-term) human thermobiology. Longer term effects related to DNA damage or altered cellular pathways are not covered in this review. Updated limits are proposed for core temperature increase (≤1.3°C) and for Specific Absorption (<4 kJ/kg). The potential use of thermal dose (CEM43) for local thermal protection is described, and previously proposed exposure limit values are evaluated against available data from current MRI practice. Gaps in knowledge are identified, and recommendations for additional research are provided.

Diffusion-weighted EPI has become an indispensable tool in body MRI. Geometric distortions due to field inhomogeneities are more prominent at large field–of–view and require correction for comparison with T2W TSE. Several known correction methods require acquisition of additional lengthy scans, which are difficult to apply in body imaging. We implement and evaluate a geometry correction method based on the already available non phase-encoded EPI reference data used for Nyquist ghost removal. The method is shown to provide accurate and robust global geometry correction in the absence of strong, local phase offsets. It does not require additional time for calibrations and is directly compatible with parallel imaging methods. The resulting images can serve as improved starting point for additional geometry correction methods relying on feature extraction and registration.