1
|
Jacobs PS, Wilson N, Brink W, Swain A, Armbruster R, Hanumapur A, Tisdall MD, Detre J, Nanga RPR, Elliott MA, Reddy R. In vivo B 1 + enhancement of calf MRI at 7 T via optimized flexible metasurfaces. Magn Reson Med 2024; 92:1277-1289. [PMID: 38469893 PMCID: PMC11209820 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultrahigh field (≥7 T) MRI is at the cutting edge of medical imaging, enabling enhanced spatial and spectral resolution as well as enhanced susceptibility contrast. However, transmit (B 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ ) field inhomogeneity due to standing wave effects caused by the shortened RF wavelengths at 7 T is still a challenge to overcome. Novel hardware methods such as dielectric pads have been shown to improve theB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ field inhomogeneity but are currently limited in their corrective effect by the range of high-permittivity materials available and have a fixed shelf life. In this work, an optimized metasurface design is presented that demonstrates in vivo enhancement of theB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ field. METHODS A prototype metasurface was optimized by an empirical capacitor sweep and by varying the period size. Phantom temperature experiments were performed to evaluate potential metasurface heating effects during scanning. Lastly, in vivo gradient echo images andB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ maps were acquired on five healthy subjects on a 7 T system. Dielectric pads were also used as a comparison throughout the work as a standard comparison. RESULTS The metasurfaces presented here enhanced the average relative SNR of the gradient echo images by a factor of 2.26 compared to the dielectric pads factor of 1.61. AverageB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ values reflected a similar enhancement of 27.6% with the metasurfaces present versus 8.9% with the dielectric pads. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that metasurfaces provide superior performance to dielectric padding as shown byB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ maps reflecting their direct effects and resulting enhancements in image SNR at 7 T.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Jacobs
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Neil Wilson
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Wyger Brink
- Magnetic Detection and Imaging group, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Anshuman Swain
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ryan Armbruster
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Aniketh Hanumapur
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - M. Dylan Tisdall
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John Detre
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ravi Prakash Reddy Nanga
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark A. Elliott
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bhosale AA, Zhao Y, Zhang X. Electric field and SAR reduction in high-impedance RF arrays by using high permittivity materials for 7T MR imaging. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305464. [PMID: 38959266 PMCID: PMC11221758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the field of ultra-high field MR imaging, the challenges associated with higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths necessitate rigorous attention to multichannel array design. While the need for such arrays remains, and efforts to increase channel counts continue, a persistent impediment-inter-element coupling-constantly hinders development. This coupling degrades current and field distribution, introduces noise correlation between channels, and alters the frequency of array elements, affecting image quality and overall performance. The goal of optimizing ultra-high field MRI goes beyond resolving inter-element coupling and includes significant safety considerations related to the design changes required to achieve high-impedance coils. Although these coils provide excellent isolation, the higher impedance needs special design changes. However, such changes pose a significant safety risk in the form of strong electric fields across low-capacitance lumped components. This process may raise Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) values in the imaging subject, increasing power deposition and, as a result, the risk of tissue heating-related injury. To balance the requirement of inter-element decoupling with the critical need for safety, we suggest a new solution. Our method uses high-dielectric materials to efficiently reduce electric fields and SAR values in the imaging sample. This intervention tries to maintain B1 efficiency and inter-element decoupling within the existing array design, which includes high-impedance coils. Our method aims to promote the full potential of ultra-high field MRI by alleviating this critical safety concern with minimal changes to the existing array setup.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aditya A. Bhosale
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Yunkun Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| | - Xiaoliang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
- Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Abbasi-Rad S, Cloos MA, Jin J, O'Brien K, Barth M. B 1 + inhomogeneity mitigation for diffusion weighted MRI at 7T using TR-FOCI pulses. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:2508-2518. [PMID: 38321602 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to improve the image quality of diffusion-weighted images obtained with a single RF transmit channel 7 T MRI setup using time-resampled frequency-offset corrected inversion (TR-FOCI) pulses to refocus the spins in a twice-refocused spin-echo readout scheme. METHODS We replaced the conventional Shinnar-Le Roux-pulses in the twice refocused diffusion sequence with TR-FOCI pulses. The slice profiles were evaluated in simulation and experimentally in phantoms. The image quality was evaluated in vivo comparing the Shinnar-Le Roux and TR-FOCI implementation using a b value of 0 and of 1000 s/mm2. RESULTS The b0 and diffusion-weighted images acquired using the modified sequence improved the image quality across the whole brain. A region of interest-based analysis showed an SNR increase of 113% and 66% for the nondiffusion-weighted (b0) and the diffusion-weighted (b = 1000 s/mm2) images in the temporal lobes, respectively. Investigation of all slices showed that the adiabatic pulses mitigatedB 1 + $$ {B}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneity globally using a conventional single-channel transmission setup. CONCLUSION The TR-FOCI pulse can be used in a twice-refocused spin-echo diffusion pulse sequence to mitigate the impact ofB 1 + $$ {B}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneity on the signal intensity across the brain at 7 T. However, further work is needed to address SAR limitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahrokh Abbasi-Rad
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Martijn A Cloos
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jin Jin
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Siemens Healthcare Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kieran O'Brien
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Siemens Healthcare Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Markus Barth
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Jacobs PS, Brink W, Reddy R. A review of recent developments and applications of high-permittivity dielectric shimming in magnetic resonance. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5094. [PMID: 38214202 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
We present a review outlining the basic mechanism, background, recent technical developments, and clinical applications of aqueous dielectric padding in the field of MRI. Originally meant to be a temporary solution, it has gained traction as an effective method for correcting B1 + inhomogeneities due to the unique properties of the calcium titanate and barium titanate perovskites used. Aqueous dielectric pads have used a variety of high-permittivity materials over the years to improve the quality of MRI acquisitions at 1.5 and 3 T and more recently for 7 T neuroimaging applications. The technical development and assessment of these pads have been advanced by an increased use of mathematical modeling and electromagnetic simulations. These tools have allowed for a more complete understanding of the physical interactions between dielectric pads and the RF coil, making testing and safety assessments more accurate. The ease of use and effectiveness that dielectric pads offer have allowed them to become more commonplace in tackling imaging challenges in more clinically focused environments. More recently, they have seen usage not only in anatomical imaging methods but also in specialized metabolic imaging sequences such as GluCEST and NOEMTR . New colossally high-permittivity materials have been proposed; however, practical utilization has been a continued challenge due to unfavorable frequency dependences as well as safety limitations. A new class of metasurfaces has been under development to address the shortcomings of conventional dielectric padding while also providing increased performance in enhancing MRI images.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Jacobs
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wyger Brink
- Magnetic Detection and Imaging group, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Haast RAM, Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Yousif MD, DeKraker J, Poser BA, Khan AR. Insights into hippocampal perfusion using high-resolution, multi-modal 7T MRI. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310044121. [PMID: 38446857 PMCID: PMC10945835 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310044121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study on the non-invasive measurement of hippocampal perfusion. Using high-resolution 7 tesla arterial spin labeling (ASL) data, we generated robust perfusion maps and observed significant variations in perfusion among hippocampal subfields, with CA1 exhibiting the lowest perfusion levels. Notably, these perfusion differences were robust and already detectable with 50 perfusion-weighted images per subject, acquired in 5 min. To understand the underlying factors, we examined the influence of image quality metrics, various tissue microstructure and morphometric properties, macrovasculature, and cytoarchitecture. We observed higher perfusion in regions located closer to arteries, demonstrating the influence of vascular proximity on hippocampal perfusion. Moreover, ex vivo cytoarchitectonic features based on neuronal density differences appeared to correlate stronger with hippocampal perfusion than morphometric measures like gray matter thickness. These findings emphasize the interplay between microvasculature, macrovasculature, and metabolic demand in shaping hippocampal perfusion. Our study expands the current understanding of hippocampal physiology and its relevance to neurological disorders. By providing in vivo evidence of perfusion differences between hippocampal subfields, our findings have implications for diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable resource for extensively characterizing hippocampal perfusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roy A. M. Haast
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ONM5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
| | - Mohamed D. Yousif
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Jordan DeKraker
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QCH3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Benedikt A. Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht6200, The Netherlands
| | - Ali R. Khan
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ONN6A 3K7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Y, Wang Q, Liu F. A hybrid 2D-FDTD/3D-MoM method used for the analysis of MRI RF coils. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 106:77-84. [PMID: 37939971 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The design of radiofrequency (RF) coils is crucial for ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. To analyze RF coils, various numerical methods, such as finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and method of moments (MoM), are usually adopted. In this paper, we present a novel hybrid approach that combines a two-dimensional (2D) FDTD with a three-dimensional (3D) MoM to analyze MRI RF problems. In our algorithm, the MoM is utilized for calculating the coil current, and FDTD is assigned for solving the electromagnetic (EM) fields in the imaging region. The hybrid method achieves superior efficiency and acceptable accuracy than using either method individually. To validate the hybrid method, we analyze an ellipse coil loaded with a uniform phantom and a realistic human head model, with the objective of tailoring the magnetic field intensity by adding a multilayer dielectric pad (DP). The results show an improvement in the magnetic field after optimizing the DP configuration. These simulation studies indicate the potential of the new numerical method for the design and analysis of RF systems for ultra-high field applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Superconductivity, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiuliang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Superconductivity, Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Feng Liu
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Qld. 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alipour A, Seifert AC, Delman BN, Hof PR, Fayad ZA, Balchandani P. Enhancing the brain MRI at ultra-high field systems using a meta-array structure. Med Phys 2023; 50:7606-7618. [PMID: 37874014 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The main advantage of ultra-high field (UHF) magnetic resonance neuroimaging is theincreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared with lower field strength imaging. However, the wavelength effect associated with UHF MRI results in radiofrequency (RF) inhomogeneity, compromising whole brain coverage for many commercial coils. Approaches to resolving this issue of transmit field inhomogeneity include the design of parallel transmit systems (PTx), RF pulse design, and applying passive RF shimming such as high dielectric materials. However, these methods have some drawbacks such as unstable material parameters of dielectric pads, high-cost, and complexity of PTx systems. Metasurfaces are artificial structures with a unique platform that can control the propagation of the electromagnetic (EM) waves, and they are very promising for engineering EM device. Implementation of meta-arrays enhancing MRI has been explored previously in several studies. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the effect of new meta-array technology on enhancing the brain MRI at 7T. A meta-array based on a hybrid structure consisting of an array of broadside-coupled split-ring resonators and high-permittivity materials was designed to work at the Larmor frequency of a 7 Tesla (7T) MRI scanner. When placed behind the head and neck, this construct improves the SNR in the region of the cerebellum,brainstem and the inferior aspect of the temporal lobes. METHODS Numerical electromagnetic simulations were performed to optimize the meta-array design parameters and determine the RF circuit configuration. The resultant transmit-efficiency and signal sensitivity improvements were experimentally analyzed in phantoms followed by healthy volunteers using a 7T whole-body MRI scanner equipped with a standard one-channel transmit, 32-channel receive head coil. Efficacy was evaluated through acquisition with and without the meta-array using two basic sequences: gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) and turbo-spin-echo (TSE). RESULTS Experimental phantom analysis confirmed two-fold improvement in the transmit efficiency and 1.4-fold improvement in the signal sensitivity in the target region. In vivo GRE and TSE images with the meta-array in place showed enhanced visualization in inferior regions of the brain, especially of the cerebellum, brainstem, and cervical spinal cord. CONCLUSION Addition of the meta-array to commonly used MRI coils can enhance SNR to extend the anatomical coverage of the coil and improve overall MRI coil performance. This enhancement in SNR can be leveraged to obtain a higher resolution image over the same time slot or faster acquisition can be achieved with same resolution. Using this technique could improve the performance of existing commercial coils at 7T for whole brain and other applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akbar Alipour
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Alan C Seifert
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Bradley N Delman
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- The Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Zahi A Fayad
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Priti Balchandani
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jacobs PS, Benyard B, Cao Q, Swain A, Wilson N, Nanga RPR, Tisdall MD, Detre J, Elliott MA, Haris M, Reddy R. B 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneity correction of volumetric brain NOE MTR via high permittivity dielectric padding at 7 T. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1537-1546. [PMID: 37279010 PMCID: PMC10425166 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nuclear Overhauser effect magnetization transfer ratio (NOEMTR ) is a technique used to investigate brain lipids and macromolecules in greater detail than other techniques and benefits from increased contrast at 7 T. However, this contrast can become degraded because ofB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneities present at ultra-high field strengths. High-permittivity dielectric pads (DP) have been used to correct for these inhomogeneities via displacement currents generating secondary magnetic fields. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that dielectric pads can be used to mitigateB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ inhomogeneities and improve NOEMTR contrast in the temporal lobes at 7 T. METHODS Partial 3D NOEMTR contrast images and whole brainB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ field maps were acquired on a 7 T MRI across six healthy subjects. Calcium titanate DP, having a relative permittivity of 110, was placed next to the subject's head near the temporal lobes. Pad corrected NOEMTR images had a separate postprocessing linear correction applied. RESULTS DP provided supplementalB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ to the temporal lobes while also reducing theB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ magnitude across the posterior and superior regions of the brain. This resulted in a statistically significant increase in NOEMTR contrast in substructures of the temporal lobes both with and without linear correction. The padding also produced a convergence in NOEMTR contrast toward approximately equal mean values. CONCLUSION NOEMTR images showed significant improvement in temporal lobe contrast when DP were used, which resulted from an increase inB 1 + $$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ homogeneity across the entire brain slab. DP-derived improvements in NOEMTR are expected to increase the robustness of the brain substructural measures both in healthy and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Jacobs
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Blake Benyard
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Quy Cao
- Penn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Anshuman Swain
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Neil Wilson
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ravi Prakash Reddy Nanga
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - M. Dylan Tisdall
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John Detre
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark A Elliott
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Haast RAM, Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Yousif MD, DeKraker J, Poser BA, Khan AR. Novel insights into hippocampal perfusion using high-resolution, multi-modal 7T MRI. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.19.549533. [PMID: 37503042 PMCID: PMC10370151 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.19.549533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study on the non-invasive measurement of hippocampal perfusion. Using high-resolution 7 Tesla arterial spin labelling data, we generated robust perfusion maps and observed significant variations in perfusion among hippocampal subfields, with CA1 exhibiting the lowest perfusion levels. Notably, these perfusion differences were robust and detectable even within five minutes and just fifty perfusion-weighted images per subject. To understand the underlying factors, we examined the influence of image quality metrics, various tissue microstructure and morphometry properties, macrovasculature and cytoarchitecture. We observed higher perfusion in regions located closer to arteries, demonstrating the influence of vascular proximity on hippocampal perfusion. Moreover, ex vivo cytoarchitectonic features based on neuronal density differences appeared to correlate stronger with hippocampal perfusion than morphometric measures like gray matter thickness. These findings emphasize the interplay between microvasculature, macrovasculature, and metabolic demand in shaping hippocampal perfusion. Our study expands the current understanding of hippocampal physiology and its relevance to neurological disorders. By providing in vivo evidence of perfusion differences between hippocampal subfields, our findings have implications for diagnosis and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, our study provides a valuable resource for extensively characterising hippocampal perfusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roy A M Haast
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mohamed D Yousif
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordan DeKraker
- Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ali R Khan
- Centre of Functional and Metabolic Mapping, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Qian Z, Liu R, Wu Z, Hsu YC, Fu C, Sun Y, Wu D, Zhang Y. Saturation-prolongated and inhomogeneity-mitigated chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging with parallel transmission. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4689. [PMID: 34994025 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging benefits from a longer saturation duration and a higher saturation duty cycle. Dielectric shading effects occur when the radiofrequency (RF) wavelength approaches the object size. Here, we proposed a simultaneous parallel transmission-based CEST (pTx-CEST) sequence to prolongate the saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and improve the RF saturation homogeneity in CEST imaging. The simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence was implemented by switching the CEST saturation module from the non-pTx to pTx mode, using the pTx functionality with both transmit channels being driven simultaneously (instead of time-interleaved). The optimization of amplitude ratio and phase difference settings between RF channels for best B1 homogeneity was performed in phantoms of two different sizes mimicking the human brain and abdomen. The optimal amplitude and phase settings generating the best B1 homogeneity in the phantoms were used in pTx-CEST scans of the human study. The comparison of the maximum achievable saturation duration between the non-pTx-CEST and pTx-CEST sequences was performed in a protein phantom, healthy volunteers, and a metastatic brain tumor patient. The optimal amplitude ratio and phase difference setting between transmit channels manifested circular and elliptical polarization in the head-sized and abdomen-sized phantoms. In the brain, the maximum saturation durations achieved at a 100% duty cycle using the simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence were prolonged to 2240, 3220, and 4200 ms compared with 980 ms using the non-pTx-CEST sequence at repetition times of 3, 4, and 5 s, respectively. The longer saturation duration helped improve the image contrast between the tumor and the normal tissue in the patient. The optimized elliptical polarization mode saturation pulses yielded improved uniformity of CEST signals acquired from the human abdomen. The proposed simultaneous pTx-CEST sequence enabled essentially arbitrarily long saturation duration at a 100% duty cycle and helped reduce the dielectric shading effects with the optimized RF setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihua Qian
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruibin Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhe Wu
- Techna Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yi-Cheng Hsu
- MR Collaboration, Siemens Healthcare Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Caixia Fu
- MR Application Development, Siemens Shenzhen Magnetic Resonance Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Sun
- MR Collaboration, Siemens Healthcare Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Park SE, Jeon YJ, Baek HM. Benefits of high-dielectric pad for neuroimaging study in 7-Tesla MRI. J Anal Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s40543-023-00380-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate whether the use of a high-dielectric pad is effective in increasing transmit and receive sensitivity in areas of low signal intensity in the human brain at high magnetic fields and assess its usefulness in neuroimaging studies. The novelty of this study lies in the first reported use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) results to evaluate the effect of the pad on neuroimaging. Six volunteers underwent MR scanning using a 7 T MR system. T1-weighted images (T1w) and diffusion-weighted images (DWI) were acquired to demonstrate the benefits of a high-dielectric pad made of barium titanate (BaTiO3). For all imaging experiments, two datasets were acquired per person, one with and one without a high-dielectric pad. Enhancement of signal sensitivity in neuroimaging has been analyzed by DTI study. Higher signal intensities and spatial contrast were demonstrated in the in T1w images acquired using high-dielectric pad than in those acquired without high-dielectric pad. Especially in DTI studies, increased quantitative anisotropy (QA) signals were observed in the corticospinal tract (CST), frontopontine tract (FPT), splenium of corpus callosum (SCC), fornix (FX), inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), cerebellum (CB), middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP), and body of corpus callosum (BCC) (FDR < 0.05). The signal differences accounted for an overall 20% increase. A high-dielectric pad is effective in enhancing signal intensity in human brain images acquired using 7 T MRI. Our results show that the use of such pad can increase the spatial resolution, tissue contrast, and signal intensity in neuroimaging studies. These findings suggest that high-dielectric pads may provide a relatively simple and low-cost method for spatiotemporal brain imaging studies.
Collapse
|
12
|
Jacobs PS, Benyard B, Cember A, Nanga RPR, Cao Q, Tisdall MD, Wilson N, Das S, Davis KA, Detre J, Roalf D, Reddy R. Repeatability of B 1 + inhomogeneity correction of volumetric (3D) glutamate CEST via High-permittivity dielectric padding at 7T. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:2475-2484. [PMID: 36178233 PMCID: PMC9529237 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultra-high field MR imaging lacks B1 + inhomogeneity due to shorter RF wavelengths used at higher field strengths compared to human anatomy. CEST techniques tend to be highly susceptible to B1 + inhomogeneities due to a high and uniform B1 + field being necessary to create the endogenous contrast. High-permittivity dielectric pads have seen increasing usage in MR imaging due to their ability to tailor the spatial distribution of the B1 + field produced. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate that dielectric materials can be used to improve glutamate weighted CEST (gluCEST) at 7T. THEORY AND METHODS GluCEST images were acquired on a 7T system on six healthy volunteers. Aqueous calcium titanate pads, with a permittivity of approximately 110, were placed on either side in the subject's head near the temporal lobes. A post-processing correction algorithm was implemented in combination with dielectric padding to compare contrast improvement. Tissue segmentation was performed to assess the effect of dielectric pads on gray and white matter separately. RESULTS GluCEST images demonstrated contrast enhancement in the lateral temporal lobe regions with dielectric pad placement. Tissue segmentation analysis showed an increase in correction effectiveness within the gray matter tissue compared to white matter tissue. Statistical testing suggested a significant difference in gluCEST contrast when pads were used and showed a difference in the gray matter tissue segment. CONCLUSION The use of dielectric pads improved the B1 + field homogeneity and enhanced gluCEST contrast for all subjects when compared to data that did not incorporate padding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul S Jacobs
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Blake Benyard
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abigail Cember
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ravi Prakash Reddy Nanga
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Quy Cao
- Penn Statistics in Imaging and Visualization Center, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Dylan Tisdall
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Neil Wilson
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sandhitsu Das
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kathryn A Davis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Detre
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Roalf
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Yetisir F, Poser BA, Grant PE, Adalsteinsson E, Wald LL, Guerin B. Parallel transmission 2D RARE imaging at 7T with transmit field inhomogeneity mitigation and local SAR control. Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 93:87-96. [PMID: 35940379 PMCID: PMC9789791 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We develop and test a parallel transmit (pTx) pulse design framework to mitigate transmit field inhomogeneity with control of local specific absorption rate (SAR) in 2D rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) imaging at 7T. METHODS We design large flip angle RF pulses with explicit local SAR constraints by numerical simulation of the Bloch equations. Parallel computation and analytical expressions for the Jacobian and the Hessian matrices are employed to reduce pulse design time. The refocusing-excitation "spokes" pulse pairs are designed to satisfy the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) condition using a combined magnitude least squares-least squares approach. RESULTS In a simulated dataset, the proposed approach reduced peak local SAR by up to 56% for the same level of refocusing uniformity error and reduced refocusing uniformity error by up to 59% (from 32% to 7%) for the same level of peak local SAR compared to the circularly polarized birdcage mode of the pTx array. Using explicit local SAR constraints also reduced peak local SAR by up to 46% compared to an RF peak power constrained design. The excitation and refocusing uniformity error were reduced from 20%-33% to 4%-6% in single slice phantom experiments. Phantom experiments demonstrated good agreement between the simulated excitation and refocusing uniformity profiles and experimental image shading. CONCLUSION PTx-designed excitation and refocusing CPMG pulse pairs can mitigate transmit field inhomogeneity in the 2D RARE sequence. Moreover, local SAR can be decreased significantly using pTx, potentially leading to better slice coverage, enabling larger flip angles or faster imaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filiz Yetisir
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Benedikt A Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - P Ellen Grant
- Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging & Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Elfar Adalsteinsson
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 MA Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 MA Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 MA Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lawrence L Wald
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 MA Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MA General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Bastien Guerin
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, MA General Hospital, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Novel materials in magnetic resonance imaging: high permittivity ceramics, metamaterials, metasurfaces and artificial dielectrics. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS, BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2022; 35:875-894. [PMID: 35471464 PMCID: PMC9596558 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-022-01007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis article reviews recent developments in designing and testing new types of materials which can be: (i) placed around the body for in vivo imaging, (ii) be integrated into a conventional RF coil, or (iii) form the resonator itself. These materials can improve the quality of MRI scans for both in vivo and magnetic resonance microscopy applications. The methodological section covers the basic operation and design of two different types of materials, namely high permittivity materials constructed from ceramics and artificial dielectrics/metasurfaces formed by coupled conductive subunits, either in air or surrounded by dielectric material. Applications of high permittivity materials and metasurfaces placed next to the body to neuroimaging and extremity imaging at 7 T, body and neuroimaging at 3 T, and extremity imaging at 1.5 T are shown. Results using ceramic resonators for both high field in vivo imaging and magnetic resonance microscopy are also shown. The development of new materials to improve MR image quality remains an active area of research, but has not yet found significant use in clinical applications. This is mainly due to practical issues such as specific absorption rate modelling, accurate and reproducible placement, and acceptable size/weight of such materials. The most successful area has been simple “dielectric pads” for neuroimaging at 7 T which were initially developed somewhat as a stop-gap while parallel transmit technology was being developed, but have continued to be used at many sites. Some of these issues can potentially be overcome using much lighter metasurfaces and artificial dielectrics, which are just beginning to be assessed.
Collapse
|
15
|
Raolison Z, Dubois M, Luong M, Neves AL, Mauconduit F, Enoch S, Mallejac N, Sabouroux P, Boumezbeur F, Berthault P, Zubkov M, Adenot-Engelvin AL, Hertz-Pannier L, Elodie G, Abdeddaim R, Vignaud A. Evaluation of new MR invisible silicon carbide based dielectric pads for 7 T MRI. Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 90:37-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
16
|
Hangel G, Niess E, Lazen P, Bednarik P, Bogner W, Strasser B. Emerging methods and applications of ultra-high field MR spectroscopic imaging in the human brain. Anal Biochem 2022; 638:114479. [PMID: 34838516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) of the brain enables insights into the metabolic changes and fluxes in diseases such as tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or hepatic encephalopathy, as well as insights into general brain functionality. However, the routine application of MRSI is mostly hampered by very low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) due to the low concentrations of metabolites, about 10000 times lower than water. Furthermore, MRSI spectra have a dense information content with many overlapping metabolite resonances, especially for proton MRSI. MRI scanners at ultra-high field strengths, like 7 T or above, offer the opportunity to increase SNR, as well as the separation between resonances, thus promising to solve both challenges. Yet, MRSI at ultra-high field strengths is challenged by decreased B0- and B1-homogeneity, shorter T2 relaxation times, stronger chemical shift displacement errors, and aggravated lipid contamination. Therefore, to capitalize on the advantages of ultra-high field strengths, these challenges must be overcome. This review focuses on the challenges MRSI of the human brain faces at ultra-high field strength, as well as the possible applications to this date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Hangel
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Niess
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Lazen
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Petr Bednarik
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Bogner
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Strasser
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Saïb G, Koretsky AP, Talagala SL. Optimization of pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling using off-resonance compensation strategies at 7T. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1720-1730. [PMID: 34775619 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The sensitivity of pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) to off-resonance effects (ΔB0 ) is a major limitation at ultra-high field (≥7T). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of different PCASL ΔB0 compensation methods at 7T and measure the labeling efficiency with off-resonance correction. THEORY AND METHODS Phase offset errors induced by ΔB0 at the feeding arteries can be compensated by adding an extra radiofrequency (RF) phase increment and transverse gradient blips into the PCASL RF pulse train. The effectiveness of an average field correction (AVGcor), a vessel-specific field-map-based correction (FMcor) and a vessel-specific prescan-based correction (PScor) were compared at 7T. After correction, the PCASL labeling efficiency was directly measured in feeding arteries downstream from the labeling location. RESULTS The perfusion signal was more uniform throughout the brain after off-resonance correction. Whole-brain average perfusion signal increased by a factor of 2.4, 2.5, and 2.1, respectively, with AVGcor, FMcor and PScor compared to acquisitions without correction. With off-resonance correction, the maximum labeling efficiency was ~0.68 at mean B1 (B1mean ) of 0.70 µT when using a mean gradient (Gmean ) of 0.25 mT/m. CONCLUSION Either a prescan or a field map can be used to correct for off-resonance effects and retrieve a good brain perfusion signal at 7T. Although the three methods performed well in this study, FMcor may be better suited for patient studies because it accounted for vessel-specific ΔB0 variations. Further improvements in image quality will be possible by optimizing the labeling efficiency with advanced hardware and software while satisfying specific absorption rate constraints.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaël Saïb
- NINDS/LFMI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan P Koretsky
- NINDS/LFMI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhao AJ, Liu BC, Gao CY, Quan DZ, Xia EL, Zhang FX. Evaluation of high-dielectric pads for macaque brain imaging at 7 T. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:104101. [PMID: 34717383 DOI: 10.1063/5.0057847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A non-human primate is a valuable model for investigating the structure and function of the brain. Different from the human brain imaging using radio frequency (RF) head coils, in the present study, on a human whole-body 7 T magnetic resonance imaging system, we used an RF knee coil for monkey brain imaging in vivo due to the smaller size of the macaque's brain compared to that of a human, and particularly, high-dielectric pads were also utilized in order to improve brain imaging performance. Our experimental results suggest that high-dielectric pads can effectively enhance the B1 field strength and receive sensitivity, leading to a higher flip-angle magnitude, an image signal-to-noise ratio, and tissue contrast, and in the meantime, we did not observe elevated receive array element coupling and receive noise amplification nor apparent magnetic susceptibility-induced artifact or distortion, showing that the pads do not introduce adverse RF interferences in macaque brain imaging at 7 T.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Jie Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - B Chunyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection & School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - C Yang Gao
- Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - D Zhiyan Quan
- Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - E Ling Xia
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - F Xiaotong Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Miao X, Paez AG, Rajan S, Cao D, Liu D, Pantelyat AY, Rosenthal LI, van Zijl PCM, Bassett SS, Yousem DM, Kamath V, Hua J. Functional Activities Detected in the Olfactory Bulb and Associated Olfactory Regions in the Human Brain Using T2-Prepared BOLD Functional MRI at 7T. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:723441. [PMID: 34588949 PMCID: PMC8476065 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.723441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfaction is a fundamental sense that plays a vital role in daily life in humans, and can be altered in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using conventional echo-planar-imaging (EPI) based sequences can be challenging in brain regions important for olfactory processing, such as the olfactory bulb (OB) and orbitofrontal cortex, mainly due to the signal dropout and distortion artifacts caused by large susceptibility effects from the sinonasal cavity and temporal bone. To date, few studies have demonstrated successful fMRI in the OB in humans. T2-prepared (T2prep) BOLD fMRI is an alternative approach developed especially for performing fMRI in regions affected by large susceptibility artifacts. The purpose of this technical study is to evaluate T2prep BOLD fMRI for olfactory functional experiments in humans. Olfactory fMRI scans were performed on 7T in 14 healthy participants. T2prep BOLD showed greater sensitivity than GRE EPI BOLD in the OB, orbitofrontal cortex and the temporal pole. Functional activation was detected using T2prep BOLD in the OB and associated olfactory regions. Habituation effects and a bi-phasic pattern of fMRI signal changes during olfactory stimulation were observed in all regions. Both positively and negatively activated regions were observed during olfactory stimulation. These signal characteristics are generally consistent with literature and showed a good intra-subject reproducibility comparable to previous human BOLD fMRI studies. In conclusion, the methodology demonstrated in this study holds promise for future olfactory fMRI studies in the OB and other brain regions that suffer from large susceptibility artifacts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyuan Miao
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Adrian G Paez
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Suraj Rajan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Di Cao
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dapeng Liu
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Alex Y Pantelyat
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Liana I Rosenthal
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Peter C M van Zijl
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Susan S Bassett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David M Yousem
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Vidyulata Kamath
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jun Hua
- Neurosection, Division of MRI Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Woletz M, Roat S, Hummer A, Tik M, Windischberger C. Technical Note: Human tissue-equivalent MRI phantom preparation for 3 and 7 Tesla. Med Phys 2021; 48:4387-4394. [PMID: 34018625 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE While test objects (phantoms) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are crucial for sequence development, protocol validation, and quality control, studies on the preparation of phantoms have been scarce, particularly at fields exceeding 3 Tesla. Here, we present a framework for the preparation of phantoms with well-defined T1 and T2 times at 3 and 7 Tesla. METHODS Phantoms with varying concentrations of agarose and Gd-DTPA were prepared and measured at 3 and 7 Tesla using T1 and T2 mapping techniques. An empirical, polynomial model was constructed that best represents the data at both field strengths, enabling the preparation of new phantoms with specified combinations of both T1 and T2 . Instructions for three different tissue types (brain gray matter, brain white matter, and renal cortex) are presented and validated. RESULTS T1 times in the samples ranged from 698 to 2820 ms and from 695 to 2906 ms, whereas T2 times ranged from 39 to 227 ms and from 34 to 235 ms for 3 and 7 Tesla scans, respectively. Models for both relaxation times used six parameters to represent the data with an adjusted R² of 0.998 and 0.997 for T1 and T2 , respectively. CONCLUSION Based on the equations derived from the current study, it is now possible to obtain accurate weight specifications for a test object with desired T1 and T2 relaxation times. This will spare researchers the laborious task of trail-and-error approaches in test object preparation attempts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Woletz
- High-field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Sigrun Roat
- High-field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Allan Hummer
- High-field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Martin Tik
- High-field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Christian Windischberger
- High-field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gandji NP, Sica CT, Lanagan MT, Woo MK, DelaBarre L, Radder J, Zhang B, Lattanzi R, Adriany G, Ugurbil K, Yang QX. Displacement current distribution on a high dielectric constant helmet and its effect on RF field at 10.5 T (447 MHz). Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:3292-3303. [PMID: 34272898 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Investigating the designs and effects of high dielectric constant (HDC) materials in the shape of a conformal helmet on the enhancement of RF field and reduction of specific absorption rate at 10.5 T for human brain studies. METHODS A continuous and a segmented four-piece HDC helmet fit to a human head inside an eight-channel fractionated-dipole array were constructed and studied with a phantom and a human head model using computer electromagnetic simulations. The simulated transmit efficiency and receive sensitivity were experimentally validated using a phantom with identical electric properties and helmet-coil configurations of the computer model. The temporal and spatial distributions of displacement currents on the HDC helmets were analyzed. RESULTS Using the continuous HDC helmet, simulation results in the human head model demonstrated an average transmit efficiency enhancement of 66%. A propagating displacement current was induced on the continuous helmet, leading to an inhomogeneous RF field enhancement in the brain. Using the segmented four-piece helmet design to reduce this effect, an average 55% and 57% enhancement in the transmit efficiency and SNR was achieved in human head, respectively, along with 8% and 28% reductions in average and maximum local specific absorption rate. CONCLUSION The HDC helmets enhanced the transmit efficiency and SNR of the dipole array coil in the human head at 10.5 T. The segmentation of the helmet to disrupt the continuity of circumscribing displacement currents in the helmet produced a more uniform distribution of the transmit field and lower specific absorption rate in the human head compared with the continuous helmet design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Navid P Gandji
- Center for NMR Research, Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher T Sica
- Center for NMR Research, Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael T Lanagan
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Myung-Kyun Woo
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lance DelaBarre
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jerahmie Radder
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bei Zhang
- UT Southwestern Medical Center, Advance Imaging Research Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Riccardo Lattanzi
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gregor Adriany
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kamil Ugurbil
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Qing X Yang
- Center for NMR Research, Departments of Neurosurgery and Radiology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kashyap S, Ivanov D, Havlicek M, Huber L, Poser BA, Uludağ K. Sub-millimetre resolution laminar fMRI using Arterial Spin Labelling in humans at 7 T. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250504. [PMID: 33901230 PMCID: PMC8075193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Laminar fMRI at ultra-high magnetic field strength is typically carried out using the Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) contrast. Despite its unrivalled sensitivity to detecting activation, the BOLD contrast is limited in its spatial specificity due to signals stemming from intra-cortical ascending and pial veins. Alternatively, regional changes in perfusion (i.e., cerebral blood flow through tissue) are colocalised to neuronal activation, which can be non-invasively measured using Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL) MRI. In addition, ASL provides a quantitative marker of neuronal activation in terms of perfusion signal, which is simultaneously acquired along with the BOLD signal. However, ASL for laminar imaging is challenging due to the lower SNR of the perfusion signal and higher RF power deposition i.e., specific absorption rate (SAR) of ASL sequences. In the present study, we present for the first time in humans, isotropic sub-millimetre spatial resolution functional perfusion images using Flow-sensitive Alternating Inversion Recovery (FAIR) ASL with a 3D-EPI readout at 7 T. We show that robust statistical activation maps can be obtained with perfusion-weighting in a single session. We observed the characteristic BOLD amplitude increase towards the superficial laminae, and, in apparent discrepancy, the relative perfusion profile shows a decrease of the amplitude and the absolute perfusion profile a much smaller increase towards the cortical surface. Considering the draining vein effect on the BOLD signal using model-based spatial “convolution”, we show that the empirically measured perfusion and BOLD profiles are, in fact, consistent with each other. This study demonstrates that laminar perfusion fMRI in humans is feasible at 7 T and that caution must be exercised when interpreting BOLD signal laminar profiles as direct representation of the cortical distribution of neuronal activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sriranga Kashyap
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SK); (DI)
| | - Dimo Ivanov
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (SK); (DI)
| | - Martin Havlicek
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laurentius Huber
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Benedikt A. Poser
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Maastricht Brain Imaging Centre (M-BIC), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kâmil Uludağ
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, N Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Techna Institute & Koerner Scientist in MR Imaging, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lakshmanan K, Carluccio G, Walczyk J, Brown R, Rupprecht S, Yang QX, Lanagan MT, Collins CM. Improved whole-brain SNR with an integrated high-permittivity material in a head array at 7T. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:1167-1174. [PMID: 33755236 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate that strategic use of materials with high electric permittivity along with integrated head-sized coil arrays can improve SNR in the entire brain. METHODS Numerical simulations were used to design a high-permittivity material (HPM) helmet for enhancing SNR throughout the brain in receive arrays of 8 and 28 channels. Then, two 30-channel head coils of identical geometry were constructed: one fitted with a prototype helmet-shaped ceramic HPM helmet, and the second with a helmet-shaped low-permittivity shell, each 8-mm thick. An eight-channel dipole array was used for excitation. In vivo maps of excitation flip angle and SNR were acquired. RESULTS Simulation results showed improvement in transmit efficiency by up to 65% and in receive-side SNR by up to 47% on average through the head with use of an HPM helmet. Experimental results showed that experimental transmit efficiency was improved by approximately 56% at the center of brain, and experimental receive-side SNR (SNR normalized to flip angle) was improved by approximately 21% on average through orthogonal planes through the cerebrum, including at the center of the brain, with the HPM. CONCLUSION Although HPM is used increasingly to improve transmit efficiency locally in situations in which the transmit coil and imaging volume are much larger than the HPM, here we demonstrate that HPM can also be used to improve transmit efficiency and receive-side SNR throughout the brain by improving performance of a head-sized receive array. This includes the center of the brain, where it is difficult to improve SNR by other means.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Lakshmanan
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Giuseppe Carluccio
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jerzy Walczyk
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ryan Brown
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Science, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Christopher M Collins
- Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Science, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mitigation of B 1+ inhomogeneity for ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging: hybrid mode shaping with auxiliary EM potential. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11752. [PMID: 32678182 PMCID: PMC7366730 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The notion of mode shaping based on evanescent coupling has been successfully applied in various fields of optics, such as in the dispersion engineering of optical waveguides. Here, we show that the same concept provides an opportunity for the seemingly different field of ultra-high-field MRI, addressing transmit RF magnetic field (B1+) inhomogeneity. In this work, treating the human phantom as a resonator, we employ an evanescently coupled high-index cladding layer to study the effects of the auxiliary potential on shaping the B1+ field distribution inside the phantom. Controlling the strength and coupling of the auxiliary potential ultimately determining the hybridized mode, we successfully demonstrate the global 2D homogenization of axial B1+ for a simplified cylindrical phantom and for a more realistic phantom of spheroidal geometry. The mode-shaping potentials with a magnetic permeability or material loss are also tested to offer additional degrees of freedom in the selection of materials as well as in the manipulation of the B1+ distribution, opening up the possibility of B1+ homogenization for 3D MRI scanning.
Collapse
|
25
|
Spini M, Choi S, Harrison DM. 7T MPFLAIR versus MP2RAGE for Quantifying Lesion Volume in Multiple Sclerosis. J Neuroimaging 2020; 30:531-536. [PMID: 32569408 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Use of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) scans to quantify multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion volume on 7 Tesla (7T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has many downsides, including poor image homogeneity. There are little data about the relative benefit of alternative modalities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if magnetization-prepared 2 rapid acquisition gradient echo (MP2RAGE) is a viable alternative to FLAIR for robust lesion volume measurement and disability correlations. METHODS Forty-seven participants with MS underwent annual brain 7T MRIs. Magnetization-prepared FLAIR (MPFLAIR) and MP2RAGE (both at .7 mm3 isotropic resolution) sequences from a total of 80 MRI scans from 47 subjects were reviewed. White matter lesion (WML) masks were manually constructed from MPFLAIR and T1 maps (from MP2RAGE). Lesion volumes (normalized to intracranial volume) were compared to clinical characteristics and disability scales scores by Pearson or Spearman correlation, as appropriate. Relative correlation strength was compared by Fisher r- to z-transformation. RESULTS Normalized lesion volume was greater in MPFLAIR masks (median .005 [range, .001-.030]) than from T1 maps (median .003 [range, .000-.015]). However, lesion volumes between MPFLAIR and T1 maps were highly correlated (rho = .87, P < .001). WML masks from both modalities correlated with most disability measures with no significant difference in the strength of correlation. CONCLUSIONS 7T MPFLAIR and MP2RAGE T1 map-based WML volumes are highly intercorrelated and both correlate with disability. Thus, MP2RAGE may be a viable alternative to FLAIR-based methods for WML measurement on 7T MRI in MS research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Spini
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Seongjin Choi
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Daniel M Harrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Knowles BR, Friedrich F, Fischer C, Paech D, Ladd ME. Beyond T2 and 3T: New MRI techniques for clinicians. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2019; 18:87-97. [PMID: 31341982 PMCID: PMC6630188 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2019.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in terms of field strength and hybrid MR systems have led to improvements in tumor imaging in terms of anatomy and functionality. This review paper discusses the applications of such advances in the field of radiation oncology with regards to treatment planning, therapy guidance and monitoring tumor response and predicting outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Knowles
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Friedrich
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carola Fischer
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Paech
- Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E. Ladd
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Akbey S, Ehses P, Stirnberg R, Zaiss M, Stöcker T. Whole‐brain snapshot CEST imaging at 7 T using 3D‐EPI. Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:1741-1752. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Suzan Akbey
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn Germany
| | - Philipp Ehses
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn Germany
| | | | - Moritz Zaiss
- Max‐Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tübingen Germany
| | - Tony Stöcker
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Bonn Bonn Germany
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zivkovic I, Teeuwisse W, Slobozhanyuk A, Nenasheva E, Webb A. High permittivity ceramics improve the transmit field and receive efficiency of a commercial extremity coil at 1.5 Tesla. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2019; 299:59-65. [PMID: 30580045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work is to investigate the use of ceramic materials (based on BaTiO3 with ZrO2 and CeO2-additives) with very high relative permittivity (εr ∼ 4500) to increase the local transmit field and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for commercial extremity coils on a clinical 1.5 T MRI system. METHODS Electromagnetic simulations of transmit efficiency and specific absorption rate (SAR) were performed using four ferroelectric ceramic blocks placed around a cylindrical phantom, as well as placing these ceramics around the wrist of a human body model. Results were compared with experimental scans using the transmit body coil of the 1.5 T MRI system and an eight-element extremity receive array designed for the wrist. SNR measurements were also performed for both phantom and in vivo scans. RESULTS Electromagnetic simulations and phantom/in vivo experiments showed an increased in the local transmit efficiency from the body coil of ∼20-30%, resulting in an ∼50% lower transmit power level and a significant reduction in local and global SAR throughout the body. For in vivo wrist experiments, the SNR of a commercial eight-channel receive array, integrated over the entire volume, was improved by ∼45% with the ceramic. CONCLUSION The local transmit efficiency as well as the SNR can be increased for 1.5 T extremity MRI with commercial array coils by using materials with very high permittivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irena Zivkovic
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter Teeuwisse
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Alexey Slobozhanyuk
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Andrew Webb
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Yildiz G, Ider YZ. Use of dielectric padding to eliminate low convective field artifact in cr-MREPT conductivity images. Magn Reson Med 2019; 81:3168-3184. [PMID: 30693565 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Convection-reaction equation-based magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (cr-MREPT) provides conductivity images that are boundary artifact-free and robust against noise. However, these images suffer from the low convective field (LCF) artifact. We propose to use dielectric pads to alter the transmit magnetic field (B1 + ), shift the LCF region, and eliminate the LCF artifact. METHODS Computer simulations were conducted to analyze the effects of pad electrical properties, pad thickness, pad height, arc angle, and thickness of the pad-object gap. In 3T MR experiments, water pads and BaTiO3 pads were used with agar-saline phantoms. Two data sets (e.g., with the pad located on the left or on the right of the object [phantom]) were acquired, and the corresponding linear systems were simultaneously solved to get LCF artifact-free conductivity images. RESULTS A pad needed to have 180° arc angle and the same height with the phantom for maximum benefit. Increasing the pad thickness and/or the relative permittivity of the pad increased the LCF shift, whereas excessive amounts of these parameters caused errors in conductivity reconstructions because the effect of neglected Bz terms became noticeable. Conductivity of the pad, on the other hand, had minimal effect on elimination of the LCF artifact. Combining 2 data sets (i.e., with 2 different dielectric pad positions) resulted in more accurate conductivity maps (low L2 -errors) as opposed to no pad or single pad cases in experiments and simulations. CONCLUSIONS Using the proposed technique, LCF artifact is significantly removed, and the reconstructed conductivity values are improved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gulsah Yildiz
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ziya Ider
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
van Gemert J, Brink W, Webb A, Remis R. High-permittivity pad design tool for 7T neuroimaging and 3T body imaging. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:3370-3378. [PMID: 30561797 PMCID: PMC6519234 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose High‐permittivity materials in the form of flexible “dielectric pads” have proved very useful for addressing RF inhomogeneities in high field MRI systems. Finding the optimal design of such pads is, however, a tedious task, reducing the impact of this technique. We present an easy‐to‐use software tool which allows researchers and clinicians to design dielectric pads efficiently on standard computer systems, for 7T neuroimaging and 3T body imaging applications. Methods The tool incorporates advanced computational methods based on field decomposition and model order reduction as a framework to efficiently evaluate the B1+ fields resulting from dielectric pads. The tool further incorporates optimization routines which can either optimize the position of a given dielectric pad, or perform a full parametric design. The optimization procedure can target either a single target field, or perform a sweep to explore the trade‐off between homogeneity and efficiency of the B1+ field in a specific region of interest. The 3T version further allows for shifting of the imaging landmark to enable different imaging targets to be centered in the body coil. Results Example design results are shown for imaging the inner ear at 7T and for cardiac imaging at 3T. Computation times for all cases are approximately a minute per target field. Conclusion The developed tool can be easily used to design dielectric pads for any 7T neuroimaging and 3T body imaging application within minutes. This bridges the gap between the advanced design methods and the practical application by the MR community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen van Gemert
- Circuits & Systems Group, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Wyger Brink
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Webb
- Circuits & Systems Group, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Rob Remis
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vaidya MV, Sodickson DK, Collins CM, Lattanzi R. Disentangling the effects of high permittivity materials on signal optimization and sample noise reduction via ideal current patterns. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2746-2758. [PMID: 30426554 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate how high-permittivity materials (HPMs) can improve SNR when placed between MR detectors and the imaged body. METHODS We used a simulation framework based on dyadic Green's functions to calculate the electromagnetic field inside a uniform dielectric sphere at 7 Tesla, with and without a surrounding layer of HPM. SNR-optimizing (ideal) current patterns were expressed as the sum of signal-optimizing (signal-only) current patterns and dark mode current patterns that minimize sample noise while contributing nothing to signal. We investigated how HPM affects the shape and amplitude of these current patterns, sample noise, and array SNR. RESULTS Ideal and signal-only current patterns were identical for a central voxel. HPMs introduced a phase shift into these patterns, compensating for signal propagation delay in the HPMs. For an intermediate location within the sphere, dark mode current patterns were present and illustrated the mechanisms by which HPMs can reduce sample noise. High-amplitude signal-only current patterns were observed for HPM configurations that shield the electromagnetic field from the sample. For coil arrays, these configurations corresponded to poor SNR in deep regions but resulted in large SNR gains near the surface due to enhanced fields in the vicinity of the HPM. For very high relative permittivity values, HPM thicknesses corresponding to even multiples of λ/4 resulted in coil SNR gains throughout the sample. CONCLUSION HPMs affect both signal sensitivity and sample noise. Lower amplitude signal-only optimal currents corresponded to higher array SNR performance and could guide the design of coils integrated with HPM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manushka V Vaidya
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Daniel K Sodickson
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Christopher M Collins
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Riccardo Lattanzi
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Jonas SN, Izbudak I, Frazier AA, Harrison DM. Longitudinal Persistence of Meningeal Enhancement on Postcontrast 7T 3D-FLAIR MRI in Multiple Sclerosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018; 39:1799-1805. [PMID: 30213813 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Preliminary research has demonstrated that postgadolinium 3D-FLAIR MR imaging at 7T may be a valuable tool for detecting abnormal meningeal enhancement and inflammation in MS; however, researchers have not systematically investigated its longitudinal persistence. We hypothesized that persistence of meningeal enhancement in MS varies on the basis of pattern of enhancement as well as demographic and clinical factors such as treatment status, disease phenotype, and disability score. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one subjects with MS were prospectively scanned before and after intravenous contrast administration at 2 time points, approximately 1 year apart. Fifteen subjects in the cohort were scanned at another time approximately 1 year later. Foci of enhancement were categorized into 4 subtypes: subarachnoid spread/fill, subarachnoid nodular, vessel wall, and dural foci. We reviewed follow-up scans to determine whether foci changed between time points and then compared persistence with demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Persistence ranged from 71% to 100% at 1 year and 73% to 100% at 2 years, depending on the enhancement pattern. Subarachnoid spread/fill and subarachnoid nodular subtypes persisted less often than vessel wall and dural foci. Persistence was not significantly different between those on/off treatment and those with progressive/nonprogressive disease phenotypes. The number of persisting foci was significantly different in subjects with/without increasing Expanded Disability Status Scale scores (median, 12 versus 7.5, P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal persistence of meningeal enhancement on 3D-FLAIR at 7T in MS varies by pattern of enhancement and correlates with worsening disability; however, it is not significantly different in those on/off treatment or in those with progressive/nonprogressive disease phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S N Jonas
- From the Department of Radiology (S.N.J., A.A.F.), University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - I Izbudak
- Department of Radiology/Neuroradiology (I.I), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - A A Frazier
- From the Department of Radiology (S.N.J., A.A.F.), University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - D M Harrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine (D.M.H.), Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Curvilinear locus coeruleus functional connectivity trajectories over the adult lifespan: a 7T MRI study. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 69:167-176. [PMID: 29908415 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC) plays a crucial role in modulating several higher order cognitive functions via its widespread projections to the entire brain. We set out to investigate the hypothesis that LC functional connectivity (FC) may fluctuate nonlinearly with age and explored its relation to memory function. To that end, 49 cognitively healthy individuals (19-74 years) underwent ultra high-resolution 7T resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive testing. FC patterns from the LC to regions of the isodendritic core network and cortical regions were examined using region of interest-to-region of interest analyses. Curvilinear patterns with age were observed for FC between the left LC and cortical regions and the nucleus basalis of Meynert. A linear negative association was observed between age and LC-FC and ventral tegmental area. Higher levels of FC between the LC and nucleus basalis of Meynert or ventral tegmental area were associated with lower memory performance from age of 40 years onward. Thus, different LC-FC patterns early in life can signal subtle memory deficits. Furthermore, these results highlight the importance of intact interactions between neurotransmitter systems for optimal cognitive aging.
Collapse
|
34
|
Barry RL, Vannesjo SJ, By S, Gore JC, Smith SA. Spinal cord MRI at 7T. Neuroimage 2018; 168:437-451. [PMID: 28684332 PMCID: PMC5894871 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human spinal cord at 7T has been demonstrated by a handful of research sites worldwide, and the spinal cord remains one of the areas in which higher fields and resolution could have high impact. The small diameter of the cord (∼1 cm) necessitates high spatial resolution to minimize partial volume effects between gray and white matter, and so MRI of the cord can greatly benefit from increased signal-to-noise ratio and contrasts at ultra-high field (UHF). Herein we review the current state of UHF spinal cord imaging. Technical challenges to successful UHF spinal cord MRI include radiofrequency (B1) nonuniformities and a general lack of optimized radiofrequency coils, amplified physiological noise, and an absence of methods for robust B0 shimming along the cord to mitigate image distortions and signal losses. Numerous solutions to address these challenges have been and are continuing to be explored, and include novel approaches for signal excitation and acquisition, dynamic shimming and specialized shim coils, and acquisitions with increased coverage or optimal slice angulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Barry
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - S Johanna Vannesjo
- Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Samantha By
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John C Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Seth A Smith
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Obusez EC, Lowe M, Oh SH, Wang I, Jennifer Bullen, Ruggieri P, Hill V, Lockwood D, Emch T, Moon D, Loy G, Lee J, Kiczek M, Manoj Massand, Statsevych V, Stultz T, Jones SE. 7T MR of intracranial pathology: Preliminary observations and comparisons to 3T and 1.5T. Neuroimage 2018; 168:459-476. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
|
36
|
Shchelokova AV, van den Berg CA, Dobrykh DA, Glybovski SB, Zubkov MA, Brui EA, Dmitriev DS, Kozachenko AV, Efimtcev AY, Sokolov AV, Fokin VA, Melchakova IV, Belov PA. Volumetric wireless coil based on periodically coupled split-loop resonators for clinical wrist imaging. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:1726-1737. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alena V. Shchelokova
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | | | - Dmitry A. Dobrykh
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Stanislav B. Glybovski
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail A. Zubkov
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Ekaterina A. Brui
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | | | - Alexander V. Kozachenko
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Alexander Y. Efimtcev
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
- Department of Radiology; Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Center; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Andrey V. Sokolov
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
- Department of Radiology; Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Center; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir A. Fokin
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
- Department of Radiology; Federal Almazov North-West Medical Research Center; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Irina V. Melchakova
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| | - Pavel A. Belov
- Department of Nanophotonics and Metamaterials; ITMO University; Saint Petersburg Russian Federation
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Vaidya MV, Lazar M, Deniz CM, Haemer GG, Chen G, Bruno M, Sodickson DK, Lattanzi R, Collins CM. Improved detection of fMRI activation in the cerebellum at 7T with dielectric pads extending the imaging region of a commercial head coil. J Magn Reson Imaging 2018; 48:431-440. [PMID: 29357200 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing interest in detecting cerebro-cerebellar circuits, which requires adequate blood oxygenation level dependent contrast and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) throughout the brain. Although 7T scanners offer increased SNR, coverage of commercial head coils is currently limited to the cerebrum. PURPOSE To improve cerebellar functional MRI (fMRI) at 7T with high permittivity material (HPM) pads extending the sensitivity of a commercial coil. STUDY TYPE Simulations were used to determine HPM pad configuration and assess radiofrequency (RF) safety. In vivo experiments were performed to evaluate RF field distributions and SNR and assess improvements of cerebellar fMRI. SUBJECTS Eight healthy volunteers enrolled in a prospective motor fMRI study with and without HPM. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE Gradient echo (GRE) echo planar imaging for fMRI, turbo FLASH for flip angle mapping, GRE sequence for SNR maps, and T1 -weighted MPRAGE were acquired with and without HPM pads at 7T. ASSESSMENT Field maps, SNR maps, and anatomical images were evaluated for coverage. Simulation results were used to assess SAR levels of the experiment. Activation data from fMRI experiments were compared with and without HPM pads. STATISTICAL TESTS: fMRI data were analyzed using FEAT FSL for each subject followed by group level analysis using paired t-test of acquisitions with and without HPM. RESULTS Simulations showed 52% improvement in transmit efficiency in cerebellum with HPM and SAR levels well below recommended limits. Experiments showed 27% improvement in SNR in cerebellum and improvement in coverage on T1 -weighted images. fMRI showed greater cerebellar activation in individual subjects with the HPM pad present (Z > = 4), especially in inferior slices of cerebellum, with 59% average increase in number of activated voxels in the cerebellum. Group-level analysis showed improved functional activation (Z > = 2.3) in cerebellar regions with HPM pads without loss of measured activation elsewhere. DATA CONCLUSION HPM pads can improve cerebellar fMRI at 7T with a commonly-used head coil without compromising RF safety. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:431-440.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manushka V Vaidya
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariana Lazar
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cem M Deniz
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gillian G Haemer
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gang Chen
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mary Bruno
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel K Sodickson
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Riccardo Lattanzi
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher M Collins
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Kordzadeh A, De Zanche N. Optimal-permittivity Dielectric Liners for a 4.7T Transceiver Array. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 48:89-95. [PMID: 29278763 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Placing dielectric pads adjacent to the imaging region is an effective method to increase the signal locally and also increase the radio frequency magnetic field homogeneity in magnetic resonance imaging. The use of local high permittivity pads is becoming more common, and this work focuses on the effect of larger dielectric pads on the transmit/receive performance of an array (e.g., coupling, efficiency and safety) having 8 channels, used to image a cylindrical phantom at 4.7T (200MHz). We investigate the effects of a dielectric liner surrounding the whole volume of interest both with and without an air gap. The simulations reveal that high permittivities are not recommended because they substantially degrade the longitudinal homogeneity, resulting in hot spots of specific absorption rate at the driven end of the array. Furthermore, high permittivities lead to dielectric resonances in the liner at frequencies close to the Larmor frequency, potentially degrading the performance of the array. Indeed, simulations and measurements confirm that a compromise must be made between improvements in field homogeneity and transmit performance, and that an optimal permittivity exists which is much lower than those commonly used in the literature. The optimal permittivity achieves minimal coupling (<-23dB) between array elements, exhibits an intrinsic electromagnetic impedance equal to the geometric mean of those of the coil former and phantom and can be realized with inexpensive materials. For this permittivity the performance with an air gap of thickness equal to that of the liner is equivalent to that without the air gap.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Kordzadeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicola De Zanche
- Department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Haemer GG, Vaidya M, Collins CM, Sodickson DK, Wiggins GC, Lattanzi R. Approaching ultimate intrinsic specific absorption rate in radiofrequency shimming using high-permittivity materials at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Med 2017; 80:391-399. [PMID: 29193307 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of integrated high-permittivity materials (HPMs) on excitation homogeneity and global specific absorption rate (SAR) for transmit arrays at 7T. METHODS A rapid electrodynamic simulation framework was used to calculate L-curves associated with excitation of a uniform 2D profile in a dielectric sphere. We used ultimate intrinsic SAR as an absolute performance reference to compare different transmit arrays in the presence and absence of a layer of HPM. We investigated the optimal permittivity for the HPM as a function of its thickness, the sample size, and the number of array elements. RESULTS Adding a layer of HPM can improve the performance of a 24-element array to match that of a 48-element array without HPM, whereas a 48-element array with HPM can perform as well as a 64-element array without HPM. Optimal relative permittivity values changed based on sample and coil geometry, but were always within a range obtainable with readily available materials (εr = 100-200). CONCLUSION Integration of HPMs could be a practical method to improve RF shimming performance, alternative to increasing the number of coils. The proposed simulation framework could be used to explore the design of novel transmit arrays for head imaging at ultra-high field strength. Magn Reson Med 80:391-399, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian G Haemer
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Manushka Vaidya
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher M Collins
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel K Sodickson
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Graham C Wiggins
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Riccardo Lattanzi
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R) and Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Vaidya MV, Deniz CM, Collins CM, Sodickson DK, Lattanzi R. Manipulating transmit and receive sensitivities of radiofrequency surface coils using shielded and unshielded high-permittivity materials. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 31:355-366. [PMID: 29110240 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-017-0657-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To use high-permittivity materials (HPM) positioned near radiofrequency (RF) surface coils to manipulate transmit/receive field patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS A large HPM pad was placed below the RF coil to extend the field of view (FOV). The resulting signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was compared with that of other coil configurations covering the same FOV in simulations and experiments at 7 T. Transmit/receive efficiency was evaluated when HPM discs with or without a partial shield were positioned at a distance from the coil. Finally, we evaluated the increase in transmit homogeneity for a four-channel array with HPM discs interposed between adjacent coil elements. RESULTS Various configurations of HPM increased SNR, transmit/receive efficiency, excitation/reception sensitivity overlap, and FOV when positioned near a surface coil. For a four-channel array driven in quadrature, shielded HPM discs enhanced the field below the discs as well as at the center of the sample as compared with other configurations with or without unshielded HPM discs. CONCLUSION Strategically positioning HPM at a distance from a surface coil or array can increase the overlap between excitation/reception sensitivities, and extend the FOV of a single coil for reduction of the number of channels in an array while minimally affecting the SNR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manushka V Vaidya
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research and the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA. .,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA. .,NYU WIRELESS, 2 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA.
| | - Cem M Deniz
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research and the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, 2 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Christopher M Collins
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research and the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, 2 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Daniel K Sodickson
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research and the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, 2 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| | - Riccardo Lattanzi
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research and the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, Fourth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,The Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, New York University School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,NYU WIRELESS, 2 Metro Tech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Schmidt R, Webb A. Metamaterial Combining Electric- and Magnetic-Dipole-Based Configurations for Unique Dual-Band Signal Enhancement in Ultrahigh-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:34618-34624. [PMID: 28901137 PMCID: PMC5639467 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b06949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI and MRS) are both widely used techniques in medical diagnostics and research. One of the major thrusts in recent years has been the introduction of ultrahigh-field magnets in order to boost the sensitivity. Several MRI studies have examined further potential improvements in sensitivity using metamaterials, focusing on single frequency applications. However, metamaterials have yet to reach a level that is practical for routine MRI use. In this work, we explore a new metamaterial implementation for MRI, a dual-nuclei resonant structure, which can be used for both proton and heteronuclear magnetic resonance. Our approach combines two configurations, one based on a set of electric dipoles for the low frequency band, and the second based on a set of magnetic dipoles for the high frequency band. We focus on the implementation of a dual-nuclei metamaterial for phosphorus and proton imaging and spectroscopy at an ultrahigh-field strength of 7 T. In vivo scans using this flexible and compact structure show that it locally enhances both the phosphorus and proton transmit and receive sensitivities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Schmidt
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, Netherlands
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Andrew Webb
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden 2333 ZA, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Park BS, McCright B, Angelone LM, Razjouyan A, Rajan SS. Improvement of Electromagnetic Field Distributions Using High Dielectric Constant (HDC) Materials for CTL-Spine MRI: Numerical Simulations and Experiments. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY 2017; 59:1382-1389. [PMID: 29456259 PMCID: PMC5814145 DOI: 10.1109/temc.2017.2677581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the use of pads with high dielectric constant (HDC) materials to alter electromagnetic field distributions in patients during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study was performed with numerical simulations and phantom measurements. An initial proof-of-concept and validation was performed using a phantom at 64 MHz, showing increases of up to 10% in electromagnetic field when using distilled water as the high dielectric material. Additionally, numerical simulations with computational models of human anatomy were performed at 128 MHz. Results of these simulations using barium titanate (BaTiO3) beads showed a 61% increase of [Formula: see text] with a quadrature driven RF coil and a 64% increase with a dual-transmit array. The presence of the HDC material also allowed for a decrease of SAR up to twofold (e.g., peak 10 g-averaged SAR from 54 to 22 W/kg with a quadrature driven RF coil and from 27 to 22 W/kg with a dual-transmit array using CaTiO3 powder at 128 MHz). The results of this study show that the use of HDC pads at 128 MHz for MRI spine applications could result in improved magnetic fields within the region of interest, while decreasing SAR outside the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bu S Park
- U.S. FDA, CBER, OTAT Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA
| | - Brent McCright
- U.S. FDA, CBER, OTAT Division of Cellular and Gene Therapies, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA
| | - Leonardo M Angelone
- U.S. FDA, CDRH, OSEL, Division of Biomedical Physics, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA
| | - Amir Razjouyan
- U.S. FDA, CDRH, OSEL, Division of Biomedical Physics, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA
| | - Sunder S Rajan
- U.S. FDA, CDRH, OSEL, Division of Biomedical Physics, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Rupprecht S, Sica CT, Chen W, Lanagan MT, Yang QX. Improvements of transmit efficiency and receive sensitivity with ultrahigh dielectric constant (uHDC) ceramics at 1.5 T and 3 T. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:2842-2851. [PMID: 28948637 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Incorporating high dielectric constant (HDC) materials into radiofrequency (RF) coils has been shown to effectively improve RF coil performance at 7 and 3 T because of the induced displacement current in the high dielectric constant materials. The displacement current is proportional to the RF field frequency and permittivity of the material. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of high dielectric constant materials with even greater permittivity on the RF field at 1.5 T and 3 T. METHODS Several monolithic ceramic materials with an ultrahigh dielectric constant ranging from 1200 to 3300 were investigated at 1.5 T and 3 T with phantom and human brain imaging along with computer modeling. RESULTS Experimental measurements in phantom studies showed a significant enhancement of signal-to-noise ratio (50-100%) and strong transmission power reduction (3-27-fold). Under suboptimal experimental conditions in this study, the signal-to-noise ratio in the human brain cortex was nearly doubled, which produced high-resolution image without the associated stronger magnetic susceptibility artifacts and elevated specific absorption rate concerns at higher field strengths. CONCLUSIONS Use of ultrahigh dielectric constant ceramic materials is a simple and low-cost approach that could further improve the RF technology to maximize image signal-to-noise ratio and reduce RF energy deposition for human studies. Magn Reson Med 79:2842-2851, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Rupprecht
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher T Sica
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Michael T Lanagan
- The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Engineering, Science and Mechanics, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qing X Yang
- Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA.,Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Neves AL, Leroi L, Raolison Z, Cochinaire N, Letertre T, Abdeddaïm R, Enoch S, Wenger J, Berthelot J, Adenot-Engelvin AL, Malléjac N, Mauconduit F, Vignaud A, Sabouroux P. Compressed perovskite aqueous mixtures near their phase transitions show very high permittivities: New prospects for high-field MRI dielectric shimming. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:1753-1765. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana L. Neves
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
- Centre Commun de Ressources en Micro-ondes, IUSTI - Tech. de Château-Gombert; Marseille France
| | - Lisa Leroi
- CEA, DRF/ISVJF/Neurospin/UNIRS; Université Paris-Saclay; Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex France
| | - Zo Raolison
- CEA, DRF/ISVJF/Neurospin/UNIRS; Université Paris-Saclay; Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex France
| | - Nicolas Cochinaire
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | - Thibaut Letertre
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | - Redha Abdeddaïm
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | - Stefan Enoch
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | - Jerome Wenger
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | - Johann Berthelot
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| | | | | | | | - Alexandre Vignaud
- CEA, DRF/ISVJF/Neurospin/UNIRS; Université Paris-Saclay; Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex France
| | - Pierre Sabouroux
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, Institut Fresnel; Marseille France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Flexible and compact hybrid metasurfaces for enhanced ultra high field in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1678. [PMID: 28490772 PMCID: PMC5431866 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01932-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Developments in metamaterials and related structures such as metasurfaces have opened up new possibilities in designing materials and devices with unique properties. Here we report a new hybrid metasurface structure, comprising a two-dimensional metamaterial surface and a very high permittivity dielectric substrate, that has been designed to enhance the local performance of an ultra-high field MRI scanner. This new flexible and compact resonant structure is the first metasurface which can be integrated with multi-element close-fitting receive coil arrays that are used for all clinical MRI scans. We demonstrate the utility of the metasurface acquiring in-vivo human brain images and proton MR spectra with enhanced local sensitivity on a commercial 7 Tesla system.
Collapse
|
46
|
Harrison DM, Wang KY, Fiol J, Naunton K, Royal W, Hua J, Izbudak I. Leptomeningeal Enhancement at 7T in Multiple Sclerosis: Frequency, Morphology, and Relationship to Cortical Volume. J Neuroimaging 2017; 27:461-468. [PMID: 28464368 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Perform an investigation of the frequency and distribution of leptomeningeal enhancement on postgadolinium magnetization-prepared FLAIR (MPFLAIR) in multiple sclerosis (MS) on 7 Tesla (7T) MRI and to relate this finding to measures of brain structure and lesion volumes. METHODS Twenty-nine participants with MS underwent 7T MRI of the brain. Three healthy volunteers (HVs) were scanned for comparison. Areas of postcontrast leptomeningeal enhancement were identified. Images were segmented for brain structure and lesion volumes. The relationship between leptomeningeal enhancement and clinical and volumetric data was explored. RESULTS Two patterns of enhancement were found: "nodular" (discrete, spherical nodules at the pial surface or subarachnoid space) and "spread/fill" (appearance of contrast spread through the local subarachnoid space). Twenty-six of 29 (90%) MS participants had at least one focus of leptomeningeal enhancement. Nodular foci were present in 15 of 29 (51%) MS participants. Spread/fill foci were present in 22 of 29 (76%) MS participants. Two HVs had examples of nodular foci, but none had spread/fill enhancement. MS participants with spread/fill foci were older (48.9 years [SD 8.3]) than those without (33.3 years [SD 11.5], P = .005). MS participants with spread/fill foci had reduced cortical gray matter volume compared to those without (P = .020). CONCLUSIONS Leptomeningeal enhancement on postcontrast 7T MPFLAIR is more prevalent than prior reports at 3T-occurring at frequencies closer to histopathologic data. Spread/fill foci are associated with reduced cortical gray matter volumes and may represent blood-meningeal barrier breakdown near sites of meningeal inflammation, whereas nodular foci may be a normal variant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Harrison
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kevin Y Wang
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Julie Fiol
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kerry Naunton
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Walter Royal
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jun Hua
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
| | - Izlem Izbudak
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Diffusion MRI of the human brain at ultra-high field (UHF): A review. Neuroimage 2017; 168:172-180. [PMID: 28428047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The continued drive towards MRI scanners operating at increasingly higher main magnetic fields is primarily motivated by the maxim that more teslas mean more signal and lead to better images. This promise of increased signal, which cannot easily be achieved in other ways, encourages efforts to overcome the inextricable technical challenges which accompany this endeavor. Unlike for many applications, however, diffusion imaging is not currently able to directly reap these potential signal gains - at the time of writing it seems fair to say that, for matched gradient and RF hardware, the majority of diffusion images acquired at 7T, while comparable in quality to those achievable at 3T, do not demonstrate a clear advantage over what can be obtained at lower field. This does not mean that diffusion imaging at UHF is not a worthwhile pursuit - but more a reflection of the fact that the associated challenges are manifold - and converting the potential of higher field strengths into 'better' diffusion imaging is by no means a straightforward task. This article attempts to summarize the specific reasons that make diffusion imaging at UHF more complicated than one might expect, and to highlight the range of developments that have already been made which have enabled diffusion images of excellent quality to be acquired at 7T.
Collapse
|
48
|
Chen X, Steckner M. Electromagnetic computation and modeling in MRI. Med Phys 2017; 44:1186-1203. [PMID: 28079264 DOI: 10.1002/mp.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromagnetic (EM) computational modeling is used extensively during the development of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, its installation, and use. MRI, which relies on interactions between nuclear magnetic moments and the applied magnetic fields, uses a range of EM tools to optimize all of the magnetic fields required to produce the image. The main field magnet is designed to exacting specifications but challenges in manufacturing, installation, and use require additional tools to maintain target operational performance. The gradient magnetic fields, which provide the primary signal localization mechanism, are designed under another set of complex design trade-offs which include conflicting imaging performance specifications and patient physiology. Gradients are largely impervious to external influences, but are also used to enhance main field operational performance. The radiofrequency (RF) magnetic fields, which are used to elicit the signals fundamental to the MR image, are a challenge to optimize for a host of reasons that include patient safety, image quality, cost optimization, and secondary signal localization capabilities. This review outlines these issues and the EM modeling used to optimize MRI system performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Toshiba Medical Research Institute USA, Inc. 777 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, OH, 44143, USA
| | - Michael Steckner
- Toshiba Medical Research Institute USA, Inc. 777 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, OH, 44143, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
T Vu A, Jamison K, Glasser MF, Smith SM, Coalson T, Moeller S, Auerbach EJ, Uğurbil K, Yacoub E. Tradeoffs in pushing the spatial resolution of fMRI for the 7T Human Connectome Project. Neuroimage 2016; 154:23-32. [PMID: 27894889 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.11.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Whole-brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in conjunction with multiband acceleration, has played an important role in mapping the functional connectivity throughout the entire brain with both high temporal and spatial resolution. Ultrahigh magnetic field strengths (7T and above) allow functional imaging with even higher functional contrast-to-noise ratios for improved spatial resolution and specificity compared to traditional field strengths (1.5T and 3T). High-resolution 7T fMRI, however, has primarily been constrained to smaller brain regions given the amount of time it takes to acquire the number of slices necessary for high resolution whole brain imaging. Here we evaluate a range of whole-brain high-resolution resting state fMRI protocols (0.9, 1.25, 1.5, 1.6 and 2mm isotropic voxels) at 7T, obtained with both in-plane and slice acceleration parallel imaging techniques to maintain the temporal resolution and brain coverage typically acquired at 3T. Using the processing pipeline developed by the Human Connectome Project, we demonstrate that high resolution images acquired at 7T provide increased functional contrast to noise ratios with significantly less partial volume effects and more distinct spatial features, potentially allowing for robust individual subject parcellations and descriptions of fine-scaled patterns, such as visuotopic organization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- An T Vu
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Helen Wills Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Advanced MRI Technologies, Sebastopol, CA, USA.
| | - Keith Jamison
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew F Glasser
- Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen M Smith
- FMRIB (Oxford Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain), Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Timothy Coalson
- Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Steen Moeller
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Edward J Auerbach
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kamil Uğurbil
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Essa Yacoub
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Wu Y, Agarwal S, Jones CK, Webb AG, van Zijl PCM, Hua J, Pillai JJ. Measurement of arteriolar blood volume in brain tumors using MRI without exogenous contrast agent administration at 7T. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 44:1244-1255. [PMID: 27028493 PMCID: PMC5045323 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Arteriolar cerebral-blood-volume (CBVa) is an important perfusion parameter that can be measured using inflow-based vascular-space-occupancy (iVASO) MRI without exogenous contrast agent administration. The purpose of this study is to assess the potential diagnostic value of CBVa in brain tumor patients by comparing it with total-CBV (including arterial, capillary and venous vessels) measured by dynamic-susceptibility-contrast (DSC) MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve brain tumor patients were scanned using iVASO (on 7T as part of a research project) and DSC (on 3T as part of routine clinical protocols) MRI. Region-of-interest analysis was performed to compare the resulting perfusion measures between tumoral and contralateral regions, and to evaluate their associations with tumor grades. RESULTS CBVa measured by iVASO MRI significantly correlated with WHO grade (ρ = 0.37, P = 0.04). Total-CBV measured by DSC MRI showed a trend of correlation with WHO grade (ρ = 0.28, P = 0.5). The signal-to-noise ratio was comparable (P > 0.1) between the two methods, while the contrast-to-noise ratio between tumoral and contralateral regions was higher in iVASO-CBVa than DSC-CBV in WHO II/III patients (P < 0.05) but comparable in WHO IV patients (P > 0.1). A trend of positive correlation between DSC-CBV and iVASO-CBVa was observed (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION In this initial patient study, CBVa demonstrated a stronger correlation with WHO grade than total-CBV. Further investigation with a larger cohort is warranted to validate whether CBVa can be a better classifier than total-CBV for the stratification of brain tumors, and whether iVASO MRI can be a useful alternative method for the assessment of tumor perfusion, especially when exogenous contrast agent administration is difficult in certain patient populations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1244-1255.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuankui Wu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Division of MR Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shruti Agarwal
- Division of Neuroradiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Craig K Jones
- Division of MR Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew G Webb
- Department of Radiology, C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Leiden, University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter C M van Zijl
- Division of MR Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jun Hua
- Division of MR Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| | - Jay J Pillai
- Division of Neuroradiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
| |
Collapse
|