Time-interleaved acquisition of modes: an analysis of SAR and image contrast implications

S Orzada*, S Maderwald, B A Poser, S Johst, S Kannengiesser, M E Ladd, A K Bitz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

As the magnetic field strength and therefore the operational frequency in MRI are increased, the radiofrequency wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Especially, whole-body imaging at 7 T and higher is therefore challenging. Recently, an acquisition scheme called time-interleaved acquisition of modes has been proposed to tackle the inhomogeneity problems in high-field MRI. The basic premise is to excite two (or more) different B 1+ modes using static radiofrequency shimming in an interleaved acquisition, where the complementary radiofrequency patterns of the two modes can be exploited to improve overall signal homogeneity. In this work, the impact of time-interleaved acquisition of mode on image contrast as well as on time-averaged specific absorption rate is addressed in detail. Time-interleaved acquisition of mode is superior in B 1+ homogeneity compared with conventional radiofrequency shimming while being highly specific absorption rate efficient. Time-interleaved acquisition of modes can enable almost homogeneous high-field imaging throughout the entire field of view in PD, T(2) , and T(2) *-weighted imaging and, if a specified homogeneity criterion is met, in T(1) -weighted imaging as well.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1033-41
Number of pages9
JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine
Volume67
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Algorithms
  • Artifacts
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Least-Squares Analysis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Models, Anatomic
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radio Waves
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors

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