7T vs. 4T: RF power, homogeneity, and signal-to-noise comparison in head images

4T split TEM volume head and knee coils for improved sensitivity and patient accessibility

Split RF coils offer improved patient access by eliminating the need for the coil to be slid over the region of interest. For unshielded birdcage coils, the presence of end ring currents necessitates a direct electrical connection between two halves of the coil. For high-field (>3T) shielded birdcage coils, both the shield and the coil must be split and reliably connected electrically. This problem can be circumvented by the use of split TEM volume coils. Since the elements of a TEM coil are coupled inductively, no direct electrical connection between the halves is necessary. In this work we demonstrate that the effects of splitting the shield for head and knee TEMs can be compensated for, and performance retained. For the knee, the improved access allowed the coil diameter to be reduced, enhancing the sensitivity by 15-20%.

Gray matter-white matter contrast on spin-echo T1-weighted images at 3 T and 1.5 T: a quantitative comparison study

Discrepancies exist in the literature regarding contrast between gray and white matter on spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted MR imaging at 3 T. The present study quantitatively assessed differences in gray matter-white matter contrast on both single- and multi-slice SE T1-weighted imaging between 3 and 1.5 T. SE T1-weighted sequences with the same parameters at both 3 and 1.5 T were used. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between gray and white matter (CNR(GM-WM)) was evaluated for both frontal lobes. To assess the effects of interslice gap, multi-slice images were obtained with both 0 and 25% interslice gap. Single-slice CNR(GM-WM) was higher at 3 T (17.66 +/- 2.68) than at 1.5 T (13.09 +/- 2.35; P < 0.001). No significant difference in CNR(GM-WM) of multi-slice images with 0% gap was noted between 3 and 1.5 T (3T, 8.61 +/- 2.55; 1.5T, 7.43 +/- 1.20; P > 0.05). Multi-slice CNR(GM-WM) with 25% gap was higher at 3T (12.47 +/- 3.31) than at 1.5 T (9.73 +/- 1.37; P < 0.001). CNR(GM-WM) reduction rate of multi-slice images with 0% gap compared with single-slice images was higher at 3T (0.47 +/- 0.13) than at 1.5 T (0.38 +/- 0.09; P = 0.02). CNR(GM-WM) on single-slice SE T1-weighted imaging and CNR(GM-WM) on multi-slice images with 25% interslice gap were better at 3 T than at 1.5 T. The influence of multi-slice imaging on CNR(GM-WM) was significantly larger at 3T than at 1.5 T.

MR Imaging: Brief Overview and Emerging Applications

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become established as a diagnostic and research tool in many areas of medicine because of its ability to provide excellent soft-tissue delineation in different areas of interest. In addition to T1- and T2-weighted imaging, many specialized MR techniques have been designed to extract metabolic or biophysical information. Diffusion-weighted imaging gives insight into the movement of water molecules in tissue, and diffusion-tensor imaging can reveal fiber orientation in the white matter tracts. Metabolic information about the object of interest can be obtained with spectroscopy of protons, in addition to imaging of other nuclei, such as sodium. Dynamic contrast material-enhanced imaging and recently proton spectroscopy play an important role in oncologic imaging. When these techniques are combined, they can assist the physician in making a diagnosis or monitoring a treatment regimen. One of the major advantages of the different types of MR imaging is the ability of the operator to manipulate image contrast with a variety of selectable parameters that affect the kind and quality of the information provided. The elements used to obtain MR images and the factors that affect formation of an MR image include MR instrumentation, localization of the MR signal, gradients, k-space, and pulse sequences.

High-field MRI of brain cortical substructure based on signal phase

The ability to detect brain anatomy and pathophysiology with MRI is limited by the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), which depends on the contrast mechanism used and the spatial resolution. In this work, we show that in MRI of the human brain, large improvements in contrast to noise in high-resolution images are possible by exploiting the MRI signal phase at high magnetic field strength. Using gradient-echo MRI at 7.0 tesla and a multichannel detector, a nominal voxel size of 0.24 x 0.24 x 1.0 mm3 (58 nl) was achieved. At this resolution, a strong phase contrast was observed both between as well as within gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM). In gradient-echo phase images obtained on normal volunteers at this high resolution, the CNR between GM and WM ranged from 3:1 to 20:1 over the cortex. This CNR is an almost 10-fold improvement over conventional MRI techniques that do not use image phase, and it is an approximately 100-fold improvement when including the gains in resolution from high-field and multichannel detection. Within WM, phase contrast appeared to be associated with the major fiber bundles, whereas contrast within GM was suggestive of the underlying layer structure. The observed phase contrast is attributed to local variations in magnetic susceptibility, which, at least in part, appeared to originate from iron stores. The ability to detect cortical substructure from MRI phase contrast at high field is expected to greatly enhance the study of human brain anatomy in vivo.

Characterization, prediction, and correction of geometric distortion in 3 T MR images

The work presented herein describes our methods and results for predicting, measuring and correcting geometric distortions in a 3 T clinical magnetic resonance (MR) scanner for the purpose of image guidance in radiation treatment planning. Geometric inaccuracies due to both inhomogeneities in the background field and nonlinearities in the applied gradients were easily visualized on the MR images of a regularly structured three-dimensional (3D) grid phantom. From a computed tomography scan, the locations of just under 10 000 control points within the phantom were accurately determined in three dimensions using a MATLAB-based computer program. MR distortion was then determined by measuring the corresponding locations of the control points when the phantom was imaged using the MR scanner. Using a reversed gradient method, distortions due to gradient nonlinearities were separated from distortions due to inhomogeneities in the background B0 field. Because the various sources of machine-related distortions can be individually characterized, distortions present in other imaging sequences (for which 3D distortion cannot accurately be measured using phantom methods) can be predicted negating the need for individual distortion calculation for a variety of other imaging sequences. Distortions were found to be primarily caused by gradient nonlinearities and maximum image distortions were reported to be less than those previously found by other researchers at 1.5 T. Finally, the image slices were corrected for distortion in order to provide geometrically accurate phantom images.

Proposed radiofrequency phased-array excitation scheme for homogenous and localized 7-Tesla whole-body imaging based on full-wave numerical simulations

In this article, a radiofrequency (RF) excitation scheme for 7-Tesla (T) whole-body applications is derived and analyzed using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Important features of the proposed excitation scheme and coil (a potential 7T whole-body transverse electromagnetic [TEM] resonator design), from both operational and electromagnetic perspectives, are discussed. The choice of the coil's operational mode is unconventional; instead of the typical "homogenous mode," we use a mode that provides a null field in the center of the coil at low-field applications. Using a 3D FDTD implementation of Maxwell's equations, we demonstrate that the whole-body 7T TEM coil (tuned to the aforementioned unconventional mode and excited in an optimized near-field, phased-array fashion) can potentially provide 1) homogenous whole-slice (demonstrated in three axial, sagittal, and coronal slices) and 2) 3D localized (demonstrated in the heart) excitations. As RF power was not considered as a part of the optimization in several cases, the significant improvements achieved by whole-slice RF excitation came at the cost of considerable increases in RF power requirements.

High-field-strength magnetic resonance: potential and limits

OBJECTIVE

To expatiate on the possible advantages and disadvantages of high magnetic field strengths for magnetic resonance imaging and, in particular, for magnetic resonance angiography.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A review of the available literature is given, presenting many of the advantages and disadvantages of imaging at higher field strengths. Focus is put on imaging at 3 to 7 T. Early results at 7 T are presented; these results indicate that several of the angiographic techniques commonly used at lower field strengths show promise for improvement by taking advantage of the higher signal and susceptibility sensitivity at 7 T.

CONCLUSIONS

The drive toward higher field strengths, both for the purpose of fundamental research and for clinical diagnostic imaging, is likely to continue. New applications using the unique properties of high field strength will almost certainly emerge as researchers gain more experience. The ultimate limiting factor is likely to be the physiological effects at high field strengths. However, this limit seems to lie at field strengths higher than 7 T because early experience shows good tolerance of 7 T examinations.

Ultra-high-field MRI of the musculoskeletal system at 7.0T

High-field (3T) and ultra-high-field (UHF, 7T and above) systems are increasingly being used to explore potential musculoskeletal applications because they provide a high intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), potentially higher resolution (spatial and temporal), and improved contrast. However, imaging at 7T and above presents certain challenges, such as homogeneous radiofrequency (RF) coil design, increased chemical shift artifacts, susceptibility artifacts, RF energy deposition, and changes in relaxation times compared to more typical clinical scanners (1.5 and 3T). Despite these issues, MRI at 7T likely will provide some excellent opportunities for high-resolution morphologic imaging and forays into functional imaging of musculoskeletal systems. In this review we address some of these issues and also demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring high-resolution in vivo images of the musculoskeletal system in healthy human volunteers at 7.0T.

A new approach for magnetic resonance RF head coil design

In this work, a new concept in high field RF head coil design for MRI applications is presented. An 8-element phased array head coil operating at 4T is designed based on a hybrid method combining reciprocity theorem and inverse method. Both circularly or linearly polarized head coils can be designed. A FDTD/MOM calculation method is used to model the phased array head coil and to accurately calculate the RF behavior inside a human head model. The simulation results reported herein demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the design concept and show that, compared to conventional methods, improved B₁ field homogeneity is achievable at high field.

An inverse methodology for high frequency RF head coil design with preemphasized B/sub 1/ field in MRI

An inverse methodology to assist in the design of radio-frequency (RF) head coils for high field MRI application is described in this work. Free space time-harmonic electromagnetic Green's functions and preemphasized B/sub 1/ field are used to calculate the current density on the coil cylinder. With B/sub 1/ field preemphasized and lowered in the middle of the RF transverse plane, the calculated current distribution can generate an internal magnetic field that can reduce the EM field/tissue interactions at high frequencies. The current distribution of a head coil operating at 4 T is calculated using inverse methodology with preemphasized B/sub 1/ fields. FDTD is employed to calculate B/sub 1/ field and signal intensity inside a homogenous cylindrical phantom and human head. A comparison with conventional RF birdcage coil is reported here and demonstrated that inverse-method designed coil with preemphasized B/sub 1/ field can help in decreasing the notorious bright region caused by EM field/tissue interactions in the human head images at 4 T.

In-depth study of the electromagnetics of ultrahigh-field MRI

In this work, numerical and experimental studies of the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonator modes at ultrahigh-field (UHF) MRI are performed using an in-house finite difference time domain package at 340 MHz and using an 8 T whole-body MRI system. The simulations utilized anatomically detailed human head mesh and a spherical head-sized phantom, while the experiments included an electromagnetically equivalent (to simulations) phantom and in vivo human head studies. An in-depth look at the homogeneity of the transmit-and-receive fields and local and global polarization of the electromagnetic waves inside the cavity of the head coil, and also the current distribution obtained on the resonator elements, is provided for several coil modes when the coil is empty and loaded. Based on the numerical and experimental results, which are in excellent agreement, an electromagnetic characterization of loading radio-frequency (RF) head coils during a UHF MRI experiment is provided. The possibility of using the aforementioned modes for specific types of imaging application is briefly reviewed.

Signal-to-noise ratio and spectral linewidth improvements between 1.5 and 7 Tesla in proton echo-planar spectroscopic imaging

This study characterizes gains in sensitivity and spectral resolution of proton echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (PEPSI) with increasing magnetic field strength (B(0)). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per unit volume and unit time, and intrinsic linewidth (LW) of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho) were measured with PEPSI at 1.5, 3, 4, and 7 Tesla on scanners that shared a similar software and hardware platform, using circularly polarized (CP) and eight-channel phased-array (PA) head coils. Data were corrected for relaxation effects and processed with a time-domain matched filter (MF) adapted to each B(0). The SNR and LW measured with PEPSI were very similar to those measured with conventional point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) SI. Measurements with the CP coil demonstrated a nearly linear SNR gain with respect to B(0) in central brain regions. For the PA coil, the SNR-B(0) relationship was less than linear, but there was a substantial SNR increase in comparison to the CP coil. The LW in units of ppm decreased with B(0), resulting in improved spectral resolution. These studies using PEPSI demonstrated linear gains in SNR with respect to B(0), consistent with theoretical expectations, and a decrease in ppm LW with increasing B(0).

Imaging artifacts at 3.0T

Clinical MRI at a field strength of 3.0T is finding increasing use. However, along with the advantages of 3.0T, such as increased SNR, there can be drawbacks, including increased levels of imaging artifacts. Although every imaging artifact observed at 3.0T can also be present at 1.5T, the intensity level is often higher at 3.0T and thus the artifact is more objectionable. This review describes some of the imaging artifacts that are commonly observed with 3.0T imaging, and their root causes. When possible, countermeasures that reduce the artifact level are described.

Magnetic field and tissue dependencies of human brain longitudinal1H2O relaxation in vivo

Brain water proton (1H2O) longitudinal relaxation time constants (T1) were obtained from three healthy individuals at magnetic field strengths (B0) of 0.2 Tesla (T), 1.0T, 1.5T, 4.0T, and 7.0T. A 5-mm midventricular axial slice was sampled using a modified Look-Locker technique with 1.5 mm in-plane resolution, and 32 time points post-adiabatic inversion. The results confirmed that for most brain tissues, T1 values increased by more than a factor of 3 between 0.2T and 7T, and over this range were well fitted by T1 (s)=0.583(B0)0.382, T1(s)=0.857(B0)0.376, and T1(s)=1.35(B0)0.340 for white matter (WM), internal GM, and blood 1H2O, respectively. The ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 1H2O T1 value did not change with B0, and its average value (standard deviation (SD)) across subjects and magnetic fields was 4.3 (+/-0.2) s. The tissue 1/T1 values at each field were well correlated with the macromolecular mass fraction, and to a lesser extent tissue iron content. The field-dependent increases in 1H2O T1 values more than offset the well-known decrease in typical MRI contrast reagent (CR) relaxivity, and simulations predict that this leads to lower CR concentration detection thresholds with increased magnetic field.

High-field actively detuneable transverse electromagnetic (TEM) coil with low-bias voltage for high-power RF transmission

The design and construction of a 4T (170 MHz) transverse electromagnetic (TEM) actively detuneable quadrature head coil is described. Conventional schemes for active detuning require high negative bias voltages (>300 V) to prevent leakage of RF pulses with amplitudes of 1-2 kW. To extend the power handling capacity and avoid the use of high DC bias voltages, we developed an alternate method of detuning the volume coil. In this method the PIN diodes in the detuning circuits are shorted when the RF volume coil is tuned, and negatively biased with -12 V when the coil is detuned. To preserve the high Q(U)/Q(L) ratio of the TEM coil, we modified the method of Nabetani and Watkins (Proceedings of the 13th Annual Meeting of ISMRM, Kyoto, Japan, 2004, abstract 1574) by utilizing a high-impedance (approximately 200 Omega), lumped-element, quarter-wavelength transformer. A Q(U) of 500 was achieved for the detuneable TEM, such that incorporation of the detuning network had minimal effect (<1 dB) on the performance of the coil in vivo.

Effects of RF inhomogeneity at 3.0T on ramped RF excitation: Application to 3D time-of-flight MR angiography of the intracranial arteries

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the effects of inherent RF inhomogeneity on ramped RF excitation at 3.0T, and to introduce a simple correction for improving visualization of distal intracranial arteries in three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography (3D-TOF-MRA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

At 3.0T, the effects of RF inhomogeneity arising from RF interference were demonstrated for ramped RF excitation in intracranial 3D-TOF-MRA. Computer simulations and experiments on phantoms and eight normal volunteers were performed. Four different ramp shapes were tested as a possible means of countering the reduced RF field that affects the distal intracranial arteries.

RESULTS

RF destructive interference alters the ramp pulse shape, which is problematic for vessels that proceed from the center to the edge of the brain. Increasing the ramp pulse slope was shown to be an effective yet simple correction to counter the falling-off of the RF field toward the periphery of the head. With this approach, circle-of-Willis 3D-TOF-MRA studies had improved distal visibility.

CONCLUSION

Ramped RF excitation is severely affected by RF interference at 3.0T, which makes the ramp profile suboptimal for distal intracranial blood vessels. A simple correction of the ramp slope can make a marked improvement.

High-resolution T1 mapping of the brain at 3T with driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 with high-speed incorporation of RF field inhomogeneities (DESPOT1-HIFI)

PURPOSE

To investigate an alternative approach to correct for flip angle inaccuracies in the driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 (DESPOT1) T1 mapping method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

While DESPOT1 is a robust method for rapid whole-brain voxelwise mapping of the longitudinal relaxation time, the approach is inherently sensitive to inaccuracies in the transmitted flip angle, defined by the B1 field, which become more severe with increased field. Here we propose an extension of the DESPOT1 technique, involving the additional acquisition of an inversion-prepared SPGR image alongside the conventional multiangle DESPOT1 data. From these combined data both B1 and T1 may be determined with high accuracy and precision. The method is evaluated at 3T with phantom and in vivo imaging experiments, with derived T1 estimates compared with values calculated from multiple inversion time inversion recovery data.

RESULTS

The method provides robust correction of flip angle variations, with less than 5% error compared with reference values for T1 between 300 msec and 2500 msec.

CONCLUSIONS

The described approach, dubbed DESPOT1-HIFI, permits whole-brain T1 mapping at 3T, with 1 mm(3) isotropic voxels, in a clinically feasible time (approximately 10 minutes) with T1 accuracy greater than 5% and with high precision.

High magnetic field water and metabolite proton T1 and T2 relaxation in rat brain in vivo

Comprehensive and quantitative measurements of T1 and T2 relaxation times of water, metabolites, and macromolecules in rat brain under similar experimental conditions at three high magnetic field strengths (4.0 T, 9.4 T, and 11.7 T) are presented. Water relaxation showed a highly significant increase (T1) and decrease (T2) with increasing field strength for all nine analyzed brain structures. Similar but less pronounced effects were observed for all metabolites. Macromolecules displayed field-independent T2 relaxation and a strong increase of T1 with field strength. Among other features, these data show that while spectral resolution continues to increase with field strength, the absolute signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in T1/T2-based anatomical MRI quickly levels off beyond approximately 7 T and may actually decrease at higher magnetic fields.

EEG/(f)MRI measurements at 7 Tesla using a new EEG cap (“InkCap”)

We aimed at improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of electroencephalography (EEG) during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by introducing a new EEG cap ("InkCap") based on conductive ink technology. The InkCap was tested with temperature measurements on an electrically conductive phantom head and during structural and functional MRI (fMRI) recordings in 11 healthy human volunteers at 7 T. Combined EEG/fMRI measurements were conducted to study the interaction between the two modalities. The EEG recordings with the InkCap demonstrated up to a five-fold average decrease in signal variance during echo-planar imaging, with respect to a cap made of standard carbon fiber leads. During concurrent EEG/fMRI measurements in human volunteers, alpha oscillations were clearly detected at 7 T. Minimal artifacts were present in the T2* and high-resolution structural MR images of the brain parenchyma. Our results show that the InkCap technology considerably improves the quality of both EEG and (f)MRI during concurrent measurements even at 7 T.

In vivo 31P MRS of human brain at high/ultrahigh fields: a quantitative comparison of NMR detection sensitivity and spectral resolution between 4 T and 7 T

The primary goal of this study was to establish a rigorous approach for determining and comparing the NMR detection sensitivity of in vivo 31P MRS at different field strengths (B0). This was done by calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achieved within a unit sampling time at a given field strength. In vivo 31P spectra of human occipital lobe were acquired at 4 and 7 T under similar experimental conditions. They were used to measure the improvement of the human brain 31P MRS when the field strength increases from 4 to 7 T. The relaxation times and line widths of the phosphocreatine (PCr) resonance peak and the RF coil quality factors (Q) were also measured at these two field strengths. Their relative contributions to SNR at a given field strength were analyzed and discussed. The results show that in vivo 31P sensitivity was significantly improved at 7 T as compared with 4 T. Moreover, the line-width of the PCr resonance peak showed less than a linear increase with increased B0, which leads to a significant improvement in 31P spectral resolution. These findings indicate the advantage of high-field strength to improve in vivo 31P MRS quality in both sensitivity and spectral resolution. This advantage should improve the reliability and applicability of in vivo 31P MRS in studying high-energy phosphate metabolism, phospholipid metabolism and cerebral biogenetics in the human at both normal and diseased states noninvasively. Finally, the approach used in this study for calculating in vivo 31P MRS sensitivity provides a general tool in estimating the relative NMR detection sensitivity for any nuclear spin at a given field strength.

9.4T human MRI: preliminary results

This work reports the preliminary results of the first human images at the new high-field benchmark of 9.4T. A 65-cm-diameter bore magnet was used together with an asymmetric 40-cm-diameter head gradient and shim set. A multichannel transmission line (transverse electromagnetic (TEM)) head coil was driven by a programmable parallel transceiver to control the relative phase and magnitude of each channel independently. These new RF field control methods facilitated compensation for RF artifacts attributed to destructive interference patterns, in order to achieve homogeneous 9.4T head images or localize anatomic targets. Prior to FDA investigational device exemptions (IDEs) and internal review board (IRB)-approved human studies, preliminary RF safety studies were performed on porcine models. These data are reported together with exit interview results from the first 44 human volunteers. Although several points for improvement are discussed, the preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of safe and successful human imaging at 9.4T.

Manipulation of image intensity distribution at 7.0 T: passive RF shimming and focusing with dielectric materials

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of high dielectric material padding on RF field distribution in the human head at 7.0 T, and demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of RF passive shimming and focusing with such an approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The intensity distribution changes of gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) and spin-echo (SE) images of a human head acquired with water pads (dielectric constant = 78) placed in specified configurations around the head at 7.0 T were evaluated and compared with computer simulation results using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The contributions to the B(1) field distribution change from the displacement current and conductive current of a given configuration of dielectric padding were determined with computer simulations.

RESULTS

MR image intensity distribution in the human head with an RF coil at 7.0 T can be changed drastically by placing water pads around the head. Computer simulations reveal that the high permittivity of water pads results in a strong displacement current that enhances image intensity in the nearby region and alters the intensity distribution of the entire brain.

CONCLUSION

The image intensity distribution in the human head at ultra-high field strengths can be effectively manipulated with high permittivity padding. Utilizing this effect, the B(1) field inside the human head of a given RF coil can be adjusted to reduce the B(1) field inhomogeneity artifact associated with the wave behavior (RF passive shimming) or to locally enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in targeted regions of interest (ROIs; RF field focusing).

Achieving plane-wise uniform B1 amplitude in a 3D volume for high-field MRI: a computer simulation study

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the possibility of achieving plane-wise uniform B(1) field amplitude for human head imaging with an array coil configuration by using computer simulations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We considered the use of an excitation array coil that employed composite excitation elements. Each composite excitation element consisted of three small current loops centered close to each other with axes along the x, y, and z directions, respectively. The excitation elements were distributed to surround a model human head. The vector B(1) field from each current loop was calculated using the FDTD numerical method at 170 MHz. Analytical target RF field patterns with plane-wise uniform B(1) field amplitude were derived and approximately constructed from the fields of individual current loops through a least-squares procedure.

RESULTS

The RF field patterns generated by the computer simulations closely followed the target field patterns. Highly uniform B(1) field amplitude was obtained within parallel sagittal planes or parallel axial-to-coronal oblique planes in the brain with the expected plane-to-plane variations.

CONCLUSION

In principle, patterns of B(1) amplitude distribution with a high degree of plane-wise homogeneity can be achieved simultaneously in multiple parallel planes in a 3D volume.

Application of parallel imaging to fMRI at 7 Tesla utilizing a high 1D reduction factor

Gradient-echo EPI, blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) using parallel imaging (PI) is demonstrated at 7 Tesla with 16 channels, a fourfold 1D reduction factor (R), and fourfold maximal aliasing. The resultant activation detection in finger-tapping fMRI studies was robust, in full agreement with expected activation patterns based on prior knowledge, and with functional maps generated from full field of view (FOV) coverage of k-space using segmented acquisition. In all aspects the functional maps acquired with PI outperformed segmented coverage of full k-space. With a 1D R of 4, fMRI activation based on PI had higher statistical significance, up to 1.6-fold in an individual case and 1.25+/-.25 (SD) fold when averaged over six studies, compared to four-segment/full-FOV data in which the square root R reduction in the image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to k-space undersampling was compensated for by acquiring additional repetitions of the undersampled k-space. When this compensation for loss in SNR was not performed, the effect of PI was determined by the ratio of physiologically induced vs. intrinsic (thermal) noise in the fMRI time series and the extent to which physiological "noise" was amplified by the use of segmentation in the full-FOV data. The results demonstrate that PI is particularly beneficial at this ultrahigh field strength, where both the intrinsic image SNR and temporal signal fluctuations due to physiological processes are large.

Comparison of Four Different Shields for Birdcage-Type Coils with Experiments and Numerical Calculations

Four 12-rung linear birdcage-type coils were built to experimentally examine the effects of the end-ring/shield configuration on radiofrequency magnetic field (B(1)) homogeneity and SNR at 125 MHz. The coil configurations include (a) a cylindrical shield (conventional), (b) a shield with annular extensions to closely shield the end-rings (surrounding shield), (c) a shield with annular extensions connected to the rungs (solid connection), and (d) a shield with radially oriented conductors connected to the rungs (radial connection). These coils were also modeled closely with finite difference time domain (FDTD) methods to corroborate experimental findings. Images of a human head were acquired, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured on the central axial, sagittal, and coronal slices. B(1) field homogeneity in the unloaded coils was assessed on images of an oil phantom. Among the four configurations, the solid connection configuration has a lower SNR than the conventional configuration and the surrounding shield configuration but a higher SNR than the radial connection. Although there is no significant difference between the overall SNR of the conventional configuration and the surrounding shield configuration, the surrounding shield configuration has the potential to be tuned to higher frequencies than the conventional configuration. The conventional birdcage coil results in the most homogeneous B(1) field in the oil phantom. Numerical results are also compared with the experimental results.

The use of MRB+1imaging for validation of FDTD electromagnetic simulations of human anatomies

In this study, MR B(+)(1) imaging is employed to experimentally verify the validity of FDTD simulations of electromagnetic field patterns in human anatomies. Measurements and FDTD simulations of the B(+)(1) field induced by a 3 T MR body coil in a human corpse were performed. It was found that MR B(+)(1) imaging is a sensitive method to measure the radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field inside a human anatomy with a precision of approximately 3.5%. A good correlation was found between the B(+)(1) measurements and FDTD simulations. The measured B(+)(1) pattern for a human pelvis consisted of a global, diagonal modulation pattern plus local B(+)(1) heterogeneties. It is believed that these local B(+)(1) field variations are the result of peaks in the induced electric currents, which could not be resolved by the FDTD simulations on a 5 mm(3) simulation grid. The findings from this study demonstrate that B(+)(1) imaging is a valuable experimental technique to gain more knowledge about the dielectric interaction of RF fields with the human anatomy.

Analysis of functional image analysis contest (FIAC) data with brainvoyager QX: From single-subject to cortically aligned group general linear model analysis and self-organizing group independent component analysis

The Functional Image Analysis Contest (FIAC) 2005 dataset was analyzed using BrainVoyager QX. First, we performed a standard analysis of the functional and anatomical data that includes preprocessing, spatial normalization into Talairach space, hypothesis-driven statistics (one- and two-factorial, single-subject and group-level random effects, General Linear Model [GLM]) of the block- and event-related paradigms. Strong sentence and weak speaker group-level effects were detected in temporal and frontal regions. Following this standard analysis, we performed single-subject and group-level (Talairach-based) Independent Component Analysis (ICA) that highlights the presence of functionally connected clusters in temporal and frontal regions for sentence processing, besides revealing other networks related to auditory stimulation or to the default state of the brain. Finally, we applied a high-resolution cortical alignment method to improve the spatial correspondence across brains and re-run the random effects group GLM as well as the group-level ICA in this space. Using spatially and temporally unsmoothed data, this cortex-based analysis revealed comparable results but with a set of spatially more confined group clusters and more differential group region of interest time courses.

Investigating brain metabolism at high fields using localized 13C NMR spectroscopy without 1H decoupling

Most in vivo 13C NMR spectroscopy studies in the brain have been performed using 1H decoupling during acquisition. Decoupling imposes significant constraints on the experimental setup (particularly for human studies at high magnetic field) in order to stay within safety limits for power deposition. We show here that incorporation of the 13C label from 13C-labeled glucose into brain amino acids can be monitored accurately using localized 13C NMR spectroscopy without the application of 1H decoupling. Using LCModel quantification with prior knowledge of one-bond and multiple-bond J(CH) coupling constants, the uncertainty on metabolites concentrations was only 35% to 91% higher (depending on the carbon resonance of interest) in undecoupled spectra compared to decoupled spectra in the rat brain at 9.4 Tesla. Although less sensitive, 13C NMR without decoupling dramatically reduces experimental constraints on coil setup and pulse sequence design required to keep power deposition within safety guidelines. This opens the prospect of safely measuring 13C NMR spectra in humans at varied brain locations (not only the occipital lobe) and at very high magnetic fields above 4 Tesla.

High-resolution 3D MR spectroscopic imaging of the prostate at 3 T with the MLEV-PRESS sequence

A 3 T MLEV-point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequence employing optimized spectral-spatial and very selective outer-voxel suppression pulses was tested in 25 prostate cancer patients. At an echo time of 85 ms, the MLEV-PRESS sequence resulted in maximally upright inner resonances and minimal outer resonances of the citrate doublet of doublets. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) exams performed at both 3 and 1.5 T for 10 patients demonstrated a 2.08+/-0.36-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 3 T as compared with 1.5 T for the center citrate resonances. This permitted the acquisition of MRSI data with a nominal spatial resolution of 0.16 cm3 at 3 T with similar SNR as the 0.34-cm3 data acquired at 1.5 T. Due to the twofold increase in spectral resolution at 3 T and the improved magnetic field homogeneity provided by susceptibility-matched endorectal coils, the choline resonance was better resolved from polyamine and creatine resonances as compared with 1.5 T spectra. In prostate cancer patients, the elevation of choline and the reduction of polyamines were more clearly observed at 3 T, as compared with 1.5 T MRSI. The increased SNR and corresponding spatial resolution obtainable at 3 T reduced partial volume effects and allowed improved detection of the presence and extent of abnormal metabolite levels in prostate cancer patients, as compared with 1.5 T MRSI.

Arterial Spin Labeling: Benefits and Pitfalls of High Magnetic Field

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) techniques are MR imaging methods designed to measure the endogenous perfusion signal coming from arterial blood by manipulation of its magnetization. These methods are based on the subtraction of two consecutively acquired images: one acquired after preparation of the arterial blood magnetization upstream to the area of interest, and the second without any manipulation of its arterial magnetization. The subtraction of both images provides information on the perfusion of the tissue present in the slice of interest. Because ASL is a very low SNR technique, the shift from 1.5 T to 3.0 T should be regarded as a great way to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Furthermore, the concomitant increase in blood T(1) should improve the SNR of ASL further. Other effects related to poorer magnetic filed homogeneities and reduced T(2) relaxation times, however, will counterbalance both effects partially. In this article, the pros and cons of the use of ASL at high field are summarized, after a brief description of the major techniques used and their theoretical limitations. Finally, a summary of the few existing dedicated ASL perfusion techniques available are presented.

Potential and feasibility of parallel MRI at high field

This survey focuses on the fusion of two major lines of recent progress in MRI methodology: parallel imaging with receiver coil arrays and the transition to high and ultra-high field strength for human applications. As discussed in this paper, combining the two developments has vast potential due to multiple specific synergies. First, parallel acquisition and high field are highly complementary in terms of their individual advantages and downsides. As a consequence, the joint approach generally offers enhanced flexibility in the design of scanning strategies. Second, increasing resonance frequency changes the electrodynamics of the MR signal in such a way that parallel imaging becomes more effective in large objects. The underlying conceptual and theoretical considerations are reviewed in detail. In further sections, technical challenges and practical aspects are discussed. The feasibility of parallel MRI at ultra-high field is illustrated by current results of parallel human MRI at 7 T.

B(1) destructive interferences and spatial phase patterns at 7 T with a head transceiver array coil

RF behavior in the human head becomes complex at ultrahigh magnetic fields. A bright center and a weak periphery are observed in images obtained with volume coils, while surface coils provide strong signal in the periphery. Intensity patterns reported with volume coils are often loosely referred to as "dielectric resonances," while modeling studies ascribe them to superposition of traveling waves greatly dampened in lossy brain tissues, raising questions regarding the usage of this term. Here we address this question experimentally, taking full advantage of a transceiver coil array that was used in volume transmit mode, multiple receiver mode, or single transmit surface coil mode. We demonstrate with an appropriately conductive sphere phantom that destructive interferences are responsible for a weak B(1) in the periphery, without a significant standing wave pattern. The relative spatial phase of receive and transmit B(1) proved remarkably similar for the different coil elements, although with opposite rotational direction. Additional simulation data closely matched our phantom results. In the human brain the phase patterns were more complex but still exhibited similarities between coil elements. Our results suggest that measuring spatial B(1) phase could help, within an MR session, to perform RF shimming in order to obtain more homogeneous B(1) in user-defined areas of the brain.

Fast 3D radiofrequency field mapping using echo-planar imaging

An inhomogeneous radiofrequency (RF) magnetic field is an essential source of error for the quantification of MRI and MRS parameters. To correct for effects of RF inhomogeneities in 3D data sets, it is necessary to have knowledge of the 3D RF distribution in the sample. In this paper a method for fast 3D RF mapping is presented. The method is based on the simultaneous acquisition of a spin echo (SE) and a stimulated echo (STE) using echo-planar imaging (EPI). The acquisition of the 3D RF map using 64 partitions and TR = 500 ms requires 1.5 min. The use of the sequence in vivo is demonstrated by the calculation of the RF maps in the human brain at 3T. The comparison of calculated flip angles with the flip angles obtained by fitting signal behavior in the 3D stimulated-echo acquisition mode (STEAM)-EPI sequence and the analysis of errors due to spatially dependent T(1) values in the brain show that the accuracy of the calculated flip angles in the human brain is about 2 degrees.

High-resolution black-blood MRI of the carotid vessel wall using phased-array coils at 1.5 and 3 Tesla

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this report is to investigate the magnetic field dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for carotid vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging using phased-array (PA) surface coils by comparing images obtained at 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T) and determine the extent to which the improved SNR at the higher field can be traded for improved spatial resolution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two pairs of dual-element PA coils were constructed for operation at the two field strengths. The individual elements of each PA were matched to 50 Omega impedance on the neck and tuned at the respective frequencies. The coils were evaluated on a cylindrical phantom positioned with its axis parallel to the main field and the coils placed on either side of the phantom parallel to the sagittal plane. In vivo magnetic resonance images of the carotid arteries were obtained in five subjects at both field strengths with a fast spin-echo double-inversion black-blood pulse sequence with fat saturation. SNR was measured at both field strengths by using standard techniques.

RESULTS

At a depth corresponding to the average location of the carotid arteries in the study subjects, mean phantom SNR for the two coils was higher at 3 T by a factor of 2.5. The greater than linear increase is caused by only partial coil loading of these relatively small coils. The practically achievable average SNR gain in vivo was 2.1. The lower in vivo SNR gain is attributed to a reduction in T2 and prolongation of T1 at the higher field strength and, to a lesser extent, the requirement for a decreased refocusing pulse flip angle to operate within specific absorption rate limits. The superior SNR at 3 T appears to provide considerably improved vessel-wall delineation.

CONCLUSIONS

Carotid artery vessel-wall magnetic resonance imaging using PA surface coils provides a considerable increase in SNR when field strength is increased from 1.5 to 3 T. This increase can be traded for enhanced in-plane resolution.

An Inverse Methodology for High-Frequency RF Coil Design for MRI With De-emphasized$B _1$Fields

An inverse methodology for the design of biologically loaded radio-frequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging applications is described. Free space time-harmonic electromagnetic Green's functions and de-emphasized B1 target fields are used to calculate the current density on the coil cylinder. In theory, with the B1 field de-emphasized in the middle of the RF transverse plane, the calculated current distribution can generate an internal magnetic field that can reduce the central overemphasis effect caused by field/tissue interactions at high frequencies. The current distribution of a head coil operating at 4 T (170 MHz) is calculated using an inverse methodology with de-emphasized B1 target fields. An in-house finite-difference time-domain routine is employed to evaluate B1 field and signal intensity inside a homogenous cylindrical phantom and then a complete human head model. A comparison with a conventional RF birdcage coil is carried out and demonstrates that this method can help in decreasing the normal bright region caused by field/tissue interactions in head images at 170 MHz and higher field strengths.

Open half-volume quadrature transverse electromagnetic coil for high-field magnetic resonance imaging

A half-volume quadrature head transverse electromagnetic (TEM) coil has been constructed for 4 T imaging applications. This coil produces a sufficiently large homogeneous B(1) field region for the use as a volume coil. It provides superior transmission efficiency, resulting in significantly lower power deposition, as well as greater sensitivity and improved patient comfort and accessibility compared with conventional full-volume coils. Additionally, this coil suppresses the RF penetration artifact that distorts the RF magnetic field profile and alters the intensity in high-field images recorded with linear surface and volume coils. These advantages make it possible to apply this device as an efficient transmit/receive coil for high-field imaging with a restricted field of view.

High-throughput magnetic resonance imaging in mice for phenotyping and therapeutic evaluation

High-throughput mouse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is seeing rapidly increasing demand in development of therapeutics. Recent advances including higher-field systems, new gradient and radio frequency coils and new pulse sequences, coupled with efficient animal preparation and data handling, allow high-throughput MRI under certain protocols. However, with current shifts from anatomic to functional and molecular imaging, innovative technology is required to meet new throughput demands. The first multiple mouse imaging strategies have provided a glimpse of the future state-of-the-art. However, the successful translation of standard clinical MRI technology to preclinical MRI is required to facilitate next-generation high-throughput MRI.

3D MDEFT imaging of the human brain at 4.7 T with reduced sensitivity to radiofrequency inhomogeneity

A modification to the 3D modified driven equilibrium Fourier transform (MDEFT) imaging technique is proposed that reduces its sensitivity to RF inhomogeneity. This is especially important at high field strengths where RF focusing effects exacerbate B(1) inhomogeneity, causing significant signal nonuniformity in the images. The adiabatic inversion pulse used during the preparation period of the MDEFT sequence is replaced by a hard (nonadiabatic) pulse with a nominal flip angle of 130 degrees. The spatial inhomogeneity of the hard pulse preparation compensates for the inhomogeneity of the excitation pulses. Uniform signal intensity is obtained for a wide range of B(1) amplitudes and the high CNR characteristic of MDEFT is retained. The new approach was validated by numerical simulations and successfully applied to human brain imaging at 4.7 T, resulting in high-quality T(1)-weighted images of the whole human brain at high field strength with uniform signal intensity and contrast, despite the presence of significant RF inhomogeneity.

Transmit and receive transmission line arrays for 7 Tesla parallel imaging

Transceive array coils, capable of RF transmission and independent signal reception, were developed for parallel, 1H imaging applications in the human head at 7 T (300 MHz). The coils combine the advantages of high-frequency properties of transmission lines with classic MR coil design. Because of the short wavelength at the 1H frequency at 300 MHz, these coils were straightforward to build and decouple. The sensitivity profiles of individual coils were highly asymmetric, as expected at this high frequency; however, the summed images from all coils were relatively uniform over the whole brain. Data were obtained with four- and eight-channel transceive arrays built using a loop configuration and compared to arrays built from straight stripline transmission lines. With both the four- and the eight-channel arrays, parallel imaging with sensitivity encoding with high reduction numbers was feasible at 7 T in the human head. A one-dimensional reduction factor of 4 was robustly achieved with an average g value of 1.25 with the eight-channel transmit/receive coils.

Future Horizons in MR Imaging

In this article, we defined the major areas of active research in clinical MR imaging. Further increases in the number of parallel coils within an imaging array and in advances in parallel imaging pulse sequences and postprocessing will lead to further reductions in imaging time analogous to the impact of multidetector CT on helical CT. The synergism between parallel and high-field imaging will aid the development of high-field imaging. The combined dynamic and hepatic parenchymal enhancement of new contrast agents that have or may soon receive FDA approval will enable improved detection and characterization of liver lesions. The lymphotropic SPIO agents will remain an active area of clinical research to further assess their role in oncologic staging. Molecular imaging contrast research using magnetic particles and MR microscopy will continue to flourish. Screening examinations by MR imaging will re-main an area of research for the short- and intermediate term, with the final outcome dependent more on socioeconomic costs than the underlying capability of achieving high-quality screening studies.

4 T actively detunable transmit/receive transverse electromagnetic coil and 4-channel receive-only phased array for (1)H human brain studies

The design and construction of a 4 T transverse electromagnetic (TEM) transmit/receive head coil and a four-channel phased array receive-only RF system are described. To enable both high-resolution imaging of the entire brain and high-resolution spectroscopic imaging, active PIN diode decoupling was used in both the TEM resonator and each surface coil in the array. This configuration allows for both transmission and reception from the volume coil as well as reception from the phased array. The surface coils were decoupled by overlapping the coils and using preamplifier decoupling. Since at high frequencies construction of a lumped element matching quarter wavelength transformer, an important component of the preamplifier decoupling, becomes difficult, a transmission line approach was used. The system was tested and compared to a TEM volume transmit/receive head coil. A four- to sixfold improvement in signal-to-noise ratio from the sensitive volume of the array was achieved.

Phantom design method for high-field MRI human systems

A phantom design method suitable for high-field MRI based on the RF field wave characteristics of sample and experimental validations at 7.0 T and 3.0 T are presented. The RF field distribution in a phantom with a given RF coil system is primarily determined by the sample size relative to the wavelength inside the sample, and the ratio between the displacement and conduction currents. Experimental results demonstrate that the MR image intensity patterns associated with wave behavior in human samples at a given field strength can be reproduced with a phantom at the same or different field strengths once the dimension and penetration constant are scaled by the corresponding wavelength in the sample medium.

Parallel imaging performance as a function of field strength--an experimental investigation using electrodynamic scaling

In this work, the dependence of parallel MRI performance on main magnetic field strength is experimentally investigated. Using the general framework of electrodynamic scaling, the B0-dependent behavior of the relevant radiofrequency fields at a single physical field strength of 7 T is studied. In the chosen implementation this is accomplished by adjusting the permittivity and conductivity of a homogeneous spherical phantom. With different mixing ratios of decane, ethanol, purified water, N-methylformamide, and sodium chloride, field strengths in the range of 1.5 to 11.5 T are mimicked. Based on sensitivity maps of an eight-coil receiver array, the field-dependent performance of parallel imaging is assessed in terms of the geometry factor g, which reflects noise enhancement in parallel imaging reconstruction. At low field strengths the SNR penalty was nearly independent of B0 and favorably low for 1D reduction factors up to between 3 and 4. At higher field strengths the transition between favorable and prohibitive parallel imaging conditions was found to shift toward higher feasible reduction factors. These findings are in good agreement with previous theoretical predictions. From this agreement it is concluded that parallel MRI at high B0 benefits specifically from onsetting far-field behavior of the involved radiofrequency fields.

An Inverted-Microstrip Resonator for Human Head Proton MR Imaging at 7 Tesla

As an extension of the previously developed microstrip transmission line (MTL) RF coil design, a high-frequency RF volume coil using multiple inverted MTL (iMTL) resonators for human head imaging at high magnetic field strength of 7 tesla (T) is reported. Compared to conventional MTL resonators, iMTL resonators can operate at higher frequency with lower losses and, thus, are suitable for designs of high-frequency RF volume coils with large coil size for human MR imaging and spectroscopy at high fields. An approach using capacitive terminations was analyzed and applied to the design of the iMTL volume coil for improving RF field homogeneity and broadening frequency-tuning range. A performance-comparison study was conducted between the prototype iMTL volume coil and a custom-built TEM volume coil at 7 T. The iMTL volume coil presents a comparable SNR and intrinsic B1 homogeneity to the TEM volume coil. Phantom and the human head images acquired using the iMTL volume coil are also presented. The proposed iMTL volume coil provides an efficient and alternative solution to design high-frequency and large-size volume coils for human MR applications at very high fields.

Methodology of H NMR Spectroscopy of the Human Brain at Very High Magnetic Fields

An ultrashort-echo-time stimulated echo-acquisition mode (STEAM) pulse sequence with interleaved outer volume suppression and VAPOR (variable power and optimized relaxation delays) water suppression was redesigned and optimized for human applications at 4 and 7 T, taking into account the specific requirements for spectroscopy at high magnetic fields and limitations of currently available hardware. In combination with automatic shimming, automated parameter adjustments and data processing, this method provided a user-friendly tool for routine (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the human brain at very high magnetic fields. Effects of first- and second-order shimming, single-scan averaging, frequency and phase corrections, and eddy currents were described. LCModel analysis of an in vivo (1)H NMR spectrum measured from the human brain at 7 T allowed reliable quantification of more than fifteen metabolites noninvasively, illustrating the potential of high-field NMR spectroscopy. Examples of spectroscopic studies performed at 4 and 7 T demonstrated the high reproducibility of acquired spectra quality.

Calculations of B1 Distribution, Specific Energy Absorption Rate, and Intrinsic Signal-to-Noise Ratio for a Body-Size Birdcage Coil Loaded with Different Human Subjects at 64 and 128 MHz

A numerical model of a female body is developed to study the effects of different body types with different coil drive methods on radio-frequency magnetic (B₁) field distribution, specific energy absorption rate (SAR), and intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (ISNR) for a body-size birdcage coil at 64 and 128 MHz. The coil is loaded with either a larger, more muscular male body model (subject 1) or a newly developed female body model (subject 2), and driven with two-port (quadrature), four-port, or many (ideal) sources. Loading the coil with subject 1 results in significantly less homogeneous B₁ field, higher SAR, and lower ISNR than those for subject 2 at both frequencies. This dependence of MR performance and safety measures on body type indicates a need for a variety of numerical models representative of a diverse population for future calculations. The different drive methods result in similar B₁ field patterns, SAR, and ISNR in all cases.

Efficient high-frequency body coil for high-field MRI

The use of body coils is favored for homogeneous excitation, and such coils are often paired with surface coils or arrays for sensitive reception in many MRI applications. While the body coil's physical size and resultant electrical length make this circuit difficult to design for any field strength, recent efforts to build efficient body coils for applications at 3T and above have been especially challenging. To meet this challenge, we developed an efficient new transverse electromagnetic (TEM) body coil and demonstrated its use in human studies at field strengths up to 4 T. Head, body, and breast images were acquired within peak power constraints of <8 kW. Bench studies indicate that these body coils are feasible to 8 T. RF shimming was used to remove a high-field-related cardiac imaging artifact in these preliminary studies. P41RR13230