In vivo MR imaging with simultaneous RF transmission and reception.

Abstract

To present a practical scheme of a simultaneous radiofrequency (RF) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) (STAR) system for MRI, discuss the challenges and solutions, and show preliminary in vivo MR images obtained with this new technique. A remotely controlled STAR system was built and tested with a transverse electromagnetic head coil on a 4T (Oxford, 90 cm-bore) MRI scanner equipped with an Agilent DirectDrive console (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA). In vivo head images have been acquired using continuous sweep excitation and acquisition. The bench test and MR experimental results show our STAR system to have high isolation (60 dB) between Tx and Rx, with insensitivity to load swings created by head motion. To acquire in vivo head images, ultralow RF peak power of 50 mW was used. A novel motion-insensitive STAR MRI technique was developed and experimentally tested. The first in vivo MR images using this method were acquired. Magn Reson Med 76:1932-1938, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.