B1 Mapping Research Articles

Flip-angle mapping of 31P coils by steady-state MR spectroscopic imaging.

Phosphorus ((31)P) MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is primarily applied with sensitive, surface radiofrequency (RF) coils that provide inhomogeneous excitation RF field (B1(+)) and rough localization due to their B1(+) and sensitivity (B1(-)) profiles. A careful and time-consuming pulse adjustment and an accurate knowledge of flip angle (FA) are mandatory for quantification corrections. In this study, a simple, fast, and universal (31)P B1(+) mapping method is proposed, which requires fast steady-state MRSI (typically one sixth of normal measurement time) in addition to the typical MRSI acquired within the examination protocol. The FA maps are calculated from the ratio of the signal intensities acquired by these two measurements and were used to correct for the influence of B1(+) on the metabolite maps. In vitro tests were performed on two scanners (3 and 7 Tesla) using a surface and a volume coil. The calculated FA maps were in good agreement with adjusted nominal FAs and the theoretical calculation using the Biot-Savart law. The method was successfully tested in vivo in the calf muscle and the brain of healthy volunteers (n = 4). The corrected metabolite maps show higher homogeneity compared with their noncorrected versions. The calculated FA maps helped with B1(+) inhomogeneity corrections of acquired in vivo data, and should also be useful with optimization and testing of pulse performances, or with the construction quality tests of new dual-channel (1)H/(31)P coils.

Radiofrequency pulse design in parallel transmission under strict temperature constraints

To gain radiofrequency (RF) pulse performance by directly addressing the temperature constraints, as opposed to the specific absorption rate (SAR) constraints, in parallel transmission at ultra-high field. The magnitude least-squares RF pulse design problem under hard SAR constraints was solved repeatedly by using the virtual observation points and an active-set algorithm. The SAR constraints were updated at each iteration based on the result of a thermal simulation. The numerical study was performed for an SAR-demanding and simplified time of flight sequence using B1 and ΔB0 maps obtained in vivo on a human brain at 7T. The proposed adjustment of the SAR constraints combined with an active-set algorithm provided higher flexibility in RF pulse design within a reasonable time. The modifications of those constraints acted directly upon the thermal response as desired. Although further confidence in the thermal models is needed, this study shows that RF pulse design under strict temperature constraints is within reach, allowing better RF pulse performance and faster acquisitions at ultra-high fields at the cost of higher sequence complexity.

Fast B1 mapping based on interleaved-three-flip-angle (ITFA) excitation

Fast B1 mapping based on short-TR sequences is prone to T1-induced errors. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel fast B1 mapping method that is less prone to T1-induced errors. The authors acquired three gradient echoes by applying three RF pulses of different flip angles in an interleaved manner. The new method, named interleaved-three-flip-angle (ITFA) method, employs a short TR for fast scan. Since the pixel intensity of the gradient echo images is dependent on both B1 and T1, the authors could compute a B1 map from the three gradient echo images with excluding the T1-effects. The authors simulated the proposed B1 mapping method for various T1 values, and they found optimal flip angles for ITFA experiments for a given repetition time. To evaluate the B1 mapping performance, the authors made a human-brain-mimicking phantom that had six compartments with different T1 and T2. The authors performed B1 mapping experiments at 3T on the phantom and a volunteer using the ITFA method, the actual flip angle imaging (AFI) method, and the double angle method (DAM), and then, the authors compared the B1 mapping results. Using a birdcage coil as a transceiver at 3T, the authors performed ITFA scans of the phantom and a volunteer with TR of 60 ms and the nominal flips angles of (25°, 70°, 80°). The authors also performed AFI scans with TR1/TR2 of 30/150 ms and the nominal flip angle of 60°. In both the phantom and human head imaging performed with the same scan times for ITFA and AFI, ITFA showed smaller average B1 errors than AFI when they were compared to DAM. ITFA excitations made it possible to reduce the T1-effects on B1 mapping of the human-brain-mimicking phantom and the human brain at 3T. The authors expect the ITFA method can be used for B1 shimming once the optimal flip angles have been predetermined for the target imaging region and for the preferred TR.

Cardiac imaging at 7 tesla: Single‐ and two‐spoke radiofrequency pulse design with 16‐channel parallel excitation

Higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) and improved contrast have been demonstrated at ultra-high magnetic fields (≥7 Tesla [T]) in multiple targets, often with multi-channel transmit methods to address the deleterious impact on tissue contrast due to spatial variations in B1 (+) profiles. When imaging the heart at 7T, however, respiratory and cardiac motion, as well as B0 inhomogeneity, greatly increase the methodological challenge. In this study we compare two-spoke parallel transmit (pTX) RF pulses with static B1 (+) shimming in cardiac imaging at 7T. Using a 16-channel pTX system, slice-selective two-spoke pTX pulses and static B1 (+) shimming were applied in cardiac CINE imaging. B1 (+) and B0 mapping required modified cardiac triggered sequences. Excitation homogeneity and RF energy were compared in different imaging orientations. Two-spoke pulses provide higher excitation homogeneity than B1 (+) shimming, especially in the more challenging posterior region of the heart. The peak value of channel-wise RF energy was reduced, allowing for a higher flip angle, hence increased tissue contrast. Image quality with two-spoke excitation proved to be stable throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Two-spoke pTX excitation has been successfully demonstrated in the human heart at 7T, with improved image quality and reduced RF pulse energy when compared with B1 (+) shimming.

Simultaneous T1 and B1+ Mapping Using Reference Region Variable Flip Angle Imaging

To present a new method that can simultaneously and efficiently measure T1 and B1 (+) maps using reference region variable flip angle (RR-VFA) imaging. Assuming T1 relaxation time in a reference region such as fat is well characterized, and the reference region sufficiently covers smoothly varying B1 (+) field inhomogeneity, B1 (+) maps can be measured from VFA images, conventionally used for T1 measurements. Fat-only images from two-point Dixon acquisitions were used to compute B1 (+) maps, and the B1 (+) maps were compared with ones using the double-angle method (DAM) in 22 breast MRI patients at 3T. Additionally, high spatial resolution VFA images were acquired to show T1 measurements with and without the RR-VFA B1 (+) correction in six patients. RR-VFA is able to generate reliable B1 (+) maps, similar to those using the conventional DAM. This simultaneous T1 and B1 (+) mapping can also be used to reduce T1 estimation errors, where T1 maps have more uniform fibroglandular tissue T1 and better depiction of heterogeneous T1 of breast masses. A new method that can measure both T1 and B1 (+) maps based on Dixon VFA images is described, offering improved T1 quantification with no scan time penalty.

Travelling wave magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T

Waveguides have been successfully used to generate magnetic resonance images at 7 T with whole-body systems. The bore diameter limits the magnetic resonance signal transmitted because its specific cut-off frequency is greater than the majority of resonant frequencies in magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. This restriction can be overcome by using a parallel-plate waveguide whose cut-off frequency is zero for the transverse electromagnetic modes and it can propagate any frequency. To study the potential benefits of travelling-wave excitation for whole-body imaging at 3 T, we compare numerical simulations of the principal mode propagation for a parallel-plate waveguide filled with a cylindrical phantom and two surface coils for all simulations at 1.5 T, 3 T, 4.7, 7 T, and 9.4 T. The principal mode shows very little variation of the field magnitude along the propagation direction at 3 T when compared to other higher resonant frequencies. Unlike the standard method for travelling-wave magnetic resonance imaging, a parallel-plate waveguide prototype was built and used together with a whole-body birdcage coil for signal transmission and a pair of circular coils for reception. Experimental B1 mapping was computed to investigate the feasibility of this approach and, the point spread function method was used to measure the imager performance. Human leg images were acquired to experimentally validate this approach. The numerical magnetic field and specific absorption rate of a simulated leg were computed and results are within the safety limits. The B1 mapping and point spread function results showed that it is possible to conduct travelling-wave imaging experiments with good imager performance. Human leg images were also obtained with the whole-body birdcage coil for comparison purposes. The simulated and in vivo travelling-wave results of the human leg correspond very well for the signal received. A similar image signal-to-noise ratio was observed for the travelling-wave approach and the conventional one. We have demonstrated the feasibility of travelling-wave magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T and whole-body magnetic resonance systems, using a parallel-plate waveguide with standard pulse sequences and only one coil array. This extends the use of the waveguide approach to a wider range of resonant frequencies.

A statistical analysis of the Bloch–Siegert B1 mapping technique

A number of B1 mapping methods have been introduced. A model to facilitate choice among these methods is valuable, as the performance of each technique is affected by a variety of factors, including acquisition signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The Bloch–Siegert shift B1 mapping method has recently garnered significant interest. In this paper, we present a statistical model suitable for analysis of the Bloch–Siegert shift method. Unlike previously presented models, the analysis is valid in both low SNR and high SNR regimes. We present a detailed analysis of the performance of the Bloch–Siegert shift B1 mapping method across a broad range of acquisition scenarios, and compare it to two other B1 mapping techniques (the dual angle method and the phase sensitive method). Further validation of the model is presented through both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results. The simulations and experimental results match the model well, lending confidence to its accuracy. Each technique is found to perform well with high acquisition SNR. However, our results suggest that the dual angle method is not reliable in low SNR environments. Furthermore, the phase sensitive method appears to outperform the Bloch–Siegert shift method in these low-SNR cases, although variations of the Bloch–Siegert method may be possible that improve its performance at low SNR.

High‐permittivity solid ceramic resonators for high‐field human MRI

The properties of a ceramic-based annular dielectric resonator designed for 7 T MRI have been examined. Electromagnetic simulations and experimentally determined modal frequencies agree to within ~1%. The dependence of the resonance frequency of the degenerate quadrature HEM11 modes on hole diameter and shield diameter was also investigated. The constructed coil, with a 2.5 cm diameter hole, had an unloaded Q value of 400, which was reduced to 150 when loaded with a human finger. Simulated and experimental B1(+) maps show a high degree of homogeneity with a sensitivity of ~11.5 μT/√W at the centre. A comparison with a loop gap resonator showed an approximately 25% higher sensitivity for the dielectric resonator. High-resolution images of the digital interphalangeal (DIP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of volunteers were acquired in imaging times of less than 2 min. Finally, novel methods of double tuning such ceramic resonators to two relatively close frequencies, e.g. proton and fluorine, have been shown.

Prospective motion correction using inductively coupled wireless RF coils

A novel prospective motion correction technique for brain MRI is presented that uses miniature wireless radio-frequency coils, or "wireless markers," for position tracking. Each marker is free of traditional cable connections to the scanner. Instead, its signal is wirelessly linked to the MR receiver via inductive coupling with the head coil. Real-time tracking of rigid head motion is performed using a pair of glasses integrated with three wireless markers. A tracking pulse-sequence, combined with knowledge of the markers' unique geometrical arrangement, is used to measure their positions. Tracking data from the glasses is then used to prospectively update the orientation and position of the image-volume so that it follows the motion of the head. Wireless-marker position measurements were comparable to measurements using traditional wired radio-frequency tracking coils, with the standard deviation of the difference < 0.01 mm over the range of positions measured inside the head coil. Wireless-marker safety was verified with B1 maps and temperature measurements. Prospective motion correction was demonstrated in a 2D spin-echo scan while the subject performed a series of deliberate head rotations. Prospective motion correction using wireless markers enables high quality images to be acquired even during bulk motions. Wireless markers are small, avoid radio-frequency safety risks from electrical cables, are not hampered by mechanical connections to the scanner, and require minimal setup times. These advantages may help to facilitate adoption in the clinic.

Simultaneous multislice multiband parallel radiofrequency excitation with independent slice-specific transmit B1 homogenization

To develop a new parallel transmit (pTx) pulse design for simultaneous multiband (MB) excitation in order to tackle simultaneously the problems of transmit B1 (B1+) inhomogeneity and total radiofrequency (RF) power, so as to allow for optimal RF excitation when using MB pulses for slice acceleration for high and ultrahigh field MRI. With the proposed approach, each of the bands that are simultaneously excited is subject to a band-specific set of B1 complex shim weights. The method was validated in the human brain at 7T using a 16-channel pTx system and was compared to conventional MB pulses operating in the circularly polarized (CP) mode. Further numerical simulations based on measured B1 maps were conducted. The new method improved B1+ homogeneity by 60% when keeping the total RF power constant and reduced total RF power by 72% when keeping the excitation fidelity constant, as compared to the conventional CP mode. A new pTx pulse design formalism is introduced targeting slice-specific B1+ homogenization in MB excitation while constraining total RF power. These pulses lead to significantly improved slice-wise B1+ uniformity and/or largely reduced total RF power, as compared to the conventionally employed MB pulses applied in the CP mode.

Dynamic slice-dependent shim and center frequency update in 3 T breast diffusion weighted imaging

To demonstrate dynamic slice-dependent shim update as a simple method to reduce susceptibility-induced B0 inhomogeneity and associated pixel shift artifacts in diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging (DW-EPI) in 3 T breast imaging. Dynamic slice-dependent update of linear shim and center frequency was implemented in a dual-echo B0 mapping sequence and a DW-EPI sequence. Multi-slice axial B0 maps and diffusion-weighted images were obtained from four volunteers with both conventional and dynamic shim methods. The two shim methods were compared in terms of B0 homogeneity and EPI pixel shift artifacts. In all volunteers the B0 maps showed significantly improved homogeneity; the left-right asymmetry was reduced by 79% and within-slice B0 standard deviation was reduced by 20% on the average. The improvements were better than what was previously reported for conventional (static) third-order shim in bilateral breast. Anatomy-referenced apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps showed reduced overall image registration error obtainable with dynamic shim. Dynamic shim is an effective method to improve B0 shimming and DW-EPI image quality in 3 T bilateral breast imaging. Magn Reson Med 71:1813-1818, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Impact of 3.0 T Cardiac MR Imaging Using Dual-Source Parallel Radiofrequency Transmission with Patient-Adaptive B1 Shimming

ObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate the impact of 3.0 T Cardiac MR imaging using dual-source parallel radiofrequency (RF) transmission with patient-adaptive B1 shimming compared with single-source RF transmission in the RF homogeneity, image contrast and image quality.MethodsThe study was approved by the local institutional review board, and all subjects provided written informed consent. Fourteen healthy volunteers were examined at 3.0 T MR, with both the conventional single-source and the new dual-source RF transmission. B1 calibrations (RF shimming) of the heart region were performed to acquire a percent of the prescribed flip angle (FA) of B1 maps, which were used for quantitative assessment of RF homogeneity. Contrast ratios (CRs) between ventricular blood pool and septum were calculated on balanced-turbo field echo (B-TFE) cine images. The off-resonance artifacts of cine images were blindly assessed by two radiologists according to a 4-point grading-scale.ResultsA significantly lower mean coefficients of variance of the achieved FA with dual-source revealed better RF homogeneity compared to single-source (P = 0.0094). Dual-source RF shimming significantly increased the CRs (P<0.05) and reduced the off-resonance artifacts of B-TFE cine images (P<0.05). Inter-observer agreement for the off-resonance artifacts of B-TFE cine images was good to excellent (k >0.65).ConclusionsDual-source parallel RF transmission significantly improves the RF homogeneity, increases image contrast and reduces image artifacts of cardiac B-TFE images compared to single-source mode. This may be of value in reducing the observer-dependence of cardiac MR images and enhancing diagnostic confidence for clinical practice using CMR at 3.0 T.

B1 mapping with a pure phase encode approach: Quantitative density profiling

In MRI, it is frequently observed that naturally uniform samples do not have uniform image intensities. In many cases this non-uniform image intensity is due to an inhomogeneous B1 field. The ‘principle of reciprocity’ states that the received signal is proportional to the local magnitude of the applied B1 field per unit current. Inhomogeneity in the B1 field results in signal intensity variations that limit the ability of MRI to yield quantitative information. In this paper a novel method is described for mapping B1 inhomogeneities based on measurement of the B1 field employing centric-scan pure phase encode MRI measurements. The resultant B1 map may be employed to correct related non-uniformities in MR images.The new method is based on acquiring successive images with systematically incremented low flip angle excitation pulses. The local image intensity variation is proportional to B12, which ensures high sensitivity to B1 field variations. Pure phase encoding ensures the resultant B1 field maps are free from distortions caused by susceptibility variation, chemical shift and paramagnetic impurities. Hence, the method works well in regions of space that are not accessible to other methods such as in the vicinity of conductive metallic structures, such as the RF probe itself.Quantitative density images result when the centric scan pure phase encode measurement is corrected with a relative or absolute B1 field map. The new technique is simple, reliable and robust.

A vertical‐loop‐array transmit coil for two‐channel B1 shimming at 3T

ABSTRACTWe propose a whole‐body transmit coil structure for two‐channel B1 shimming at 3T. The transmit coil consists of four identical vertical‐loop‐coils placed on a cylindrical former by equiangular basis. A vertical loop coil consists of an inner‐conductor plane and an outer‐conductor plane both of which constitute a vertical loop when the two planes are connected by tuning capacitors at both ends. To improve the B1 homogeneity of the transmit coil, we split the inner‐ and outer‐conductor planes into two rungs. We made the transmit coil with the length of 500 mm on a frame that had the inner and outer diameters of 550mm and 600mm, respectively. In the B1 shimming experiment with the transmit coil, we drove the coil with two RF power amplifiers of 18kWp each through two quadrature hybrids. Before the B1 shimming, we performed B1 mapping for each driving channel, and then, we determined the optimal magnitude and phase of the input signals to the RF power amplifiers. In the B1 shimming experiment on a human‐body‐mimicking phantom, the optimized transmission improved the image uniformity by 24.7% as compared to the conventional quadrature transmission. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 43B: 59–68, 2013

Characterization of Phase-Based Methods Used for Transmission Field Uniformity Mapping: A Magnetic Resonance Study at 3.0 T and 7.0 T

Knowledge of the transmission field (B1 +) of radio-frequency coils is crucial for high field (B0 = 3.0 T) and ultrahigh field (B0≥7.0 T) magnetic resonance applications to overcome constraints dictated by electrodynamics in the short wavelength regime with the ultimate goal to improve the image quality. For this purpose B1 + mapping methods are used, which are commonly magnitude-based. In this study an analysis of five phase-based methods for three-dimensional mapping of the B1 + field is presented. The five methods are implemented in a 3D gradient-echo technique. Each method makes use of different RF-pulses (composite or off-resonance pulses) to encode the effective intensity of the B1 + field into the phase of the magnetization. The different RF-pulses result in different trajectories of the magnetization, different use of the transverse magnetization and different sensitivities to B1 + inhomogeneities and frequency offsets, as demonstrated by numerical simulations. The characterization of the five methods also includes phantom experiments and in vivo studies of the human brain at 3.0 T and at 7.0 T. It is shown how the characteristics of each method affect the quality of the B1 + maps. Implications for in vivo B1 + mapping at 3.0 T and 7.0 T are discussed.

Volumetric B1+ Mapping of the Brain at 7T using DREAM

To tailor and optimize the Dual Refocusing Echo Acquisition Mode (DREAM) approach for volumetric B1 (+) mapping of the brain at 7T. A new DREAM echo timing scheme based on the virtual stimulated echo was derived to minimize potential effects of transverse relaxation. Furthermore, the DREAM B1 (+) mapping performance was investigated in simulations and experimentally in phantoms and volunteers for volumetric applications, studying and optimizing the accuracy of the sequence with respect to saturation effects, slice profile imperfections, and T1 and T2 relaxation. Volumetric brain protocols were compiled for different isotropic resolutions (5-2.5 mm) and SENSE factors, and were studied in vivo for different RF drive modes (circular/linear polarization) and the application of dielectric pads. Volumetric B1 (+) maps with good SNR at 2.5 mm isotropic resolution were acquired in about 20 s or less. The specific absorption rate was well below the safety limits for all scans. Mild flow artefacts were observed in the large vessels. Moreover, a slight contrast in the ventricle was observed in the B1 (+) maps, which could be attributed to T1 and T2 relaxation effects. DREAM enables safe, very fast, and robust volumetric B1 (+) mapping of the brain at ultrahigh fields.

Robust reconstruction of B1+ maps by projection into a spherical functions space

Several parallel transmit MRI techniques require knowledge of the transmit radiofrequency field profiles (B1 (+) ). During the past years, various methods have been developed to acquire this information. Often, these methods suffer from long measurement times and produce maps exhibiting regions with poor signal-to-noise ratio and artifacts. In this article, a model-based reconstruction procedure is introduced that improves the robustness of B1 (+) mapping. The missing information from undersampled B1 (+) maps and the regions of poor signal to noise ratio are reconstructed through projection into the space of spherical functions that arise naturally from the solution of the Helmholtz equations in the spherical coordinate system. As a result, B1 (+) data over a limited range of the field of view/volume is sufficient to reconstruct the B1 (+) over the full spatial domain in a fast and robust way. The same model is exploited to filter the noise of the measured maps. Results from simulations and in vivo measurements confirm the validity of the proposed method. A spherical functions model can well approximate the magnetic fields inside the body with few basis terms. Exploiting this compression capability, B1 (+) maps are reconstructed in regions of unknown or corrupted values.

Breast MR Imaging at 3 T with Dual-Source Radiofrequency Transmission Offers Superior B1Homogeneity: An Intraindividual Comparison with Breast MR Imaging at 1.5 T

To evaluate and compare B1 homogeneity for breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed at 3 T with dual-source radiofrequency (RF) transmission to 1.5-T MR imaging and 3-T MR imaging with quadrature transmission. This prospective study received institutional review board approval and patients provided informed consent. Women (n = 25; mean age, 53 years; range, 30-68 years) suspected of having breast lesions underwent breast MR imaging examinations on comparable 1.5-T and 3-T clinical systems between February and May 2012. B1 maps were obtained at 1.5 T and at 3 T with quadrature and dual-source RF transmission. Intrabreast differences and differences in mean B1 values between right and left breasts were investigated by using two-sided multivariate analysis of variance with interaction; t tests were used to compare the differences between measured whole-breast mean B1 values and requested B1 values. With quadrature transmission at 1.5 T and 3 T, the mean B1 values showed a statistically significant difference: left-breast measured B1 was -8.9% of requested B1 value at 1.5 T and -13.7% at 3 T (P < .001), whereas right-breast measured B1 was +5.4% of requested B1 value at 1.5 T (P < .001) and +2.7% at 3 T (P = .01). With dual-source RF transmission at 3 T, mean B1 values across the breasts were not statistically different, nor were the measured B1 values compared with requested B1 values (left breast, -0.6%; right breast, -0.7%). At 3 T with dual-source transmission, slight intrabreast local variations in B1 were recorded. MR imaging at 3 T with dual-source RF transmission offered an overall B1 homogeneity for breast imaging that was better than that obtained at 1.5 T and with quadrature transmission.

Efficient bloch‐siegert B1+ mapping using spiral and echo‐planar readouts

The Bloch-Siegert (B-S) B1 (+) mapping technique is a fast, phase-based method that is highly SAR limited especially at 7T, necessitating the use of long repetition times. Spiral and echo-planar readouts were incorporated in a gradient-echo based B-S sequence to reduce specific absoprtion rate (SAR) and improve its scan efficiency. A novel, numerically optimized 4 ms B-S off-resonant pulse at + 1960 Hz was used to increase sensitivity and further reduce SAR compared with the conventional 6 ms Fermi B-S pulse. Using echo-planar and spiral readouts, scan time reductions of 8-16 were achieved. By reducing the B-S pulse width by a factor of 1.5, SAR was reduced by a factor of 1.5 and overall sensitivity was increased by a factor of 1.33 due to the nearly halved resonance offset of the new B-S pulse. This was validated on phantoms and volunteers at 7 T.

Improved Bloch‐Siegert based B1 mapping by reducing off‐resonance shift

An MRI method based on the Bloch-Siegert (BS) shift phenomenon was recently proposed as a fast and precise way to map a radio frequency (RF) transmit field (B1(+) field). For MRI at high field, the mapping sensitivity of this approach was limited by tissue heating associated with a BS irradiation pulse. To mitigate this, we investigated the possibility of lowering the off-resonance frequency of this pulse since theoretical analysis indicated that the sensitivity of Bloch-Siegert based B1(+) mapping could be substantially improved when irradiating closer to resonance. Using optimized irradiation pulse shape and gradient crushers to minimize direct excitation effects, in vivo experiments on human brains at 7 T confirmed improved sensitivity with this approach. Improved sensitivity translated into an 80% reduction in B1(+) estimation errors without increasing tissue heating. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.