Parallel imaging in non-bijective, curvilinear magnetic field gradients: a concept study

Juergen Hennig1, Anna Masako Welz1, Gerrit Schultz1, Jan Korvink2, Zhenyu Liu2, Oliver Speck3, Maxim Zaitsev1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Physics, University Hospital Freiburg, Germany
2Department of Microsystem Engineering, Laboratory for Simulation, Freiburg, Germany
3Faculty for Natural Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

Tóm tắt

The paper presents a novel and more generalized concept for spatial encoding by non-unidirectional, non- bijective spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs). In combination with parallel local receiver coils these fields allow one to overcome the current limitations of neuronal nerve stimulation. Additionally the geometry of such fields can be adapted to anatomy. As an example of such a parallel imaging technique using localized gradients (PatLoc)- system, we present a polar gradient system consisting of 2 × 8 rectangular current loops in octagonal arrangement, which generates a radial magnetic field gradient. By inverting the direction of current in alternating loops, a near sinusoidal field variation in the circumferential direction is produced. Ambiguities in spatial assignment are resolved by use of multiple receiver coils and parallel reconstruction. Simulations demonstrate the potential advantages and limitations of this approach. The exact behaviour of PatLoc fields with respect to peripheral nerve stimulation needs to be tested in practice. Based on geometrical considerations SEMs of radial geometry allow for about three times faster gradient switching compared to conventional head gradient inserts and even more compared to whole body gradients. The strong nonlinear geometry of the fields needs to be considered for practical applications.

Tài liệu tham khảo

Schenck JF (2005). Physical interactions of static magnetic fields with living tissues. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 87: 185–204 Schenck JF (2000). Safety of strong, static magnetic fields. J Magn Reson Imaging 12(1): 2–19 Hennig J, Zhong K and Speck O (2007). MR-Encephalography: fast multi-channel monitoring of brain physiology with magnetic resonance. Neuroimage 34(1): 212–219 Lin FH, Wald LL, Ahlfors SP, Hamalainen MS, Kwong KK and Belliveau JW (2006). Dynamic magnetic resonance inverse imaging of human brain function. Magn Reson Med 56(4): 787–802 Cho ZH and Yi JH (1991). A novel type of surface gradient coil. J Magn Reson 94: 471–495 Penrose LS and Penrose R (1958). Impossible Objects: A Special Type of Visual Illusion. Brit J Psychology 49: 31–33 Pruessmann KP, Weiger M, Scheidegger MB and Boesiger P (1999). SENSE: sensitivity encoding for fast MRI. Magn Reson Med 42(5): 952–962 Larkman DJ and Nunes RG (2007). Parallel magnetic resonance imaging. Phys Med Biol 52(7): R15–R55 Griswold MA, Jakob PM, Heidemann RM, Nittka M, Jellus V, Wang J, Kiefer B and Haase A (2002). Generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA). Magn Reson Med 47(6): 1202–1210 Blaimer M, Breuer F, Mueller M, Heidemann RM, Griswold MA and Jakob PM (2004). SMASH, SENSE, PILS, GRAPPA: how to choose the optimal method. Top Magn Reson Imaging 15(4): 223–236 Griswold MA, Jakob PM, Nittka M, Goldfarb JW and Haase A (2000). Partially parallel imaging with localized sensitivities (PILS). Magn Reson Med 44(4): 602–609 Vegh V, Zhao H, Galloway GJ, Doddrell DM and Brereton IM (2005). The design of planar gradient coils. Part I: A winding path correction method. Concepts Magn Reson B Magn Reson Eng 27(1): 17–24 Vegh V, Zhao H, Doddrell DM, Brereton IM and Galloway GJ (2005). The design of planar gradient coils part II: A weighted superposition method. Concepts Magn Reson B Magn Reson Eng 27(1): 25–33 Cooper RK and Jackson JA (1980). Remote (inside-out) NMR. I. Remote production of a region of homogeneous magnetic field. J Magn Reson 41: 400–405 Jackson JA, Burnett LJ and Harmon JF (1980). Remote (inside-out) NMR. III. Detection of nuclear magnetic resonance in a remotely produced region of homogeneous magnetic field. J Magn Reson 41: 411–421 Hrovat MI, Pulyer YM, Rybicki FY and Patz S (1999). Reconstruction algorithm for novel ultrafast MRI. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 10: 209–215 Patz S, Hrovat MI, Pulyer YM and Rybicki FY (1999). Novel encoding technology for ultrafast MRI in a limited spatial region. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 10: 216–224 Hrovat MI, Patz S (2006) MRI imaging with a PERL field. US Patent US 6,977,500 B1 Parker DL and Hadley JR (2006). Multiple-region gradient arrays for extended field of view, increased performance and reduced nerve stimulation in magnetic resonance imaging. Magn Reson Med 56(6): 1251–1260 Turner R (1986). A target field approach to optimal coil design. J Phys D Appl Phys 19: 147–151 Turner R (1988). Minimum inductance coils. J Phys E Sci Instrum 21: 948–952 Turner R (1993). Gradient coil design: a review of methods. Magn Reson Imag 11: 903–920 Reilly JP (1992). Peripheral nerve and cardiac excitation by time-varying magnetic fields: A comparison of thresholds. NY Acad Sci 649: 96–117 Schaefer DJ, Bourland JD and Nyenhuis JA (2000). Review of patient safety in time-varying gradient fields. J Magn Reson Imaging 12(1): 20–9