Radiofrequency Power Requirements Research Articles

Fat-free noncontrast whole-heart CMR with fast and power-optimized off-resonant water excitation pulses

BackgroundCardiovascular MRI (CMR) faces challenges due to the interference of bright fat signals in visualizing structures like coronary arteries. Effective fat suppression is crucial, especially when using whole-heart CMR techniques. Conventional methods often fall short due to rapid fat signal recovery, leading to residual fat content hindering visualization. Water-selective off-resonant radiofrequency (RF) pulses have been proposed but come with tradeoffs between pulse duration, which increases scan time, and increased RF energy deposit, which limits their applicability due to specific absorption rate (SAR) constraints. The study introduces a lipid-insensitive binomial off-resonant (LIBOR) RF pulse, which addresses concerns about SAR and scan time, and aims to provide a comprehensive quantitative comparison with published off-resonant RF pulses for CMR at 3T. MethodsA short (1ms) LIBOR pulse, with reduced RF power requirements, was developed and implemented in a free-breathing respiratory-self-navigated 3D radial whole-heart CMR sequence at 3T. A binomial off-resonant rectangular (BORR) pulse with matched duration, as well as previously published lipid-insensitive binomial off-resonant excitation (LIBRE) pulses (1ms and 2.2ms), were implemented and optimized for fat suppression in numerical simulations and validated in volunteers (n=3). Whole-heart CMR was performed in volunteers(n=10) with all four pulses. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of ventricular blood, skeletal muscle, myocardium, and subcutaneous fat and the coronary vessel detection rates and sharpness were compared. ResultsExperimental results validated numerical findings and near homogeneous fat suppression was achieved with all four pulses. Comparing the short RF pulses (1ms), LIBOR reduced the RF power nearly two-fold compared with LIBRE, and three-fold compared with BORR, and LIBOR significantly decreased overall fat SNR from cardiac scans, compared to LIBRE and BORR. The reduction in RF pulse duration (from 2.2ms to 1ms) shortened the whole-heart acquisition from 8.5min to 7min. No significant differences in coronary arteries detection and sharpness were found when comparing all four pulses. ConclusionLIBOR pulses enabled whole-heart CMR under 7minutes at 3T, with large volume fat signal suppression, while reducing RF power compared with LIBRE and BORR pulses. LIBOR is an excellent candidate to address SAR problems encountered in CMR sequences where fat suppression remains challenging and short RF pulses are required. AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALSAn online repository containing the anonymized human MRI raw data, as well as RF pulse shapes used in this study is publicly available at:https://zenodo.org/records/8338079(PART 1: KNEE V1-V3, HEART V1-V5)https://zenodo.org/records/10715769 (PART 2: HEART V6-V10)Matlab code to 1) simulate the different RF pulses within a GRE sequence and 2) to read and display the anonymized raw data is available from: https://github.com/QIS-MRI/LIBOR_LIBRE_BORR_SimulationCodeThe compiled research sequence can be requested through the Teamplay platform of Siemens Healthineers.

Low-power, agile electro-optic frequency comb spectrometer for integrated sensors.

Sensing platforms based upon photonic integrated circuits have shown considerable promise; however, they require corresponding advancements in integrated optical readout technologies. Here, we present an on-chip spectrometer that leverages an integrated thin-film lithium niobate modulator to produce a frequency-agile electro-optic frequency comb for interrogating chip-scale temperature and acceleration sensors. The chirped comb process allows for ultralow radiofrequency drive voltages, which are as much as seven orders of magnitude less than the lowest found in the literature and are generated using a chip-scale, microcontroller-driven direct digital synthesizer. The on-chip comb spectrometer is able to simultaneously interrogate both an on-chip temperature sensor and an off-chip, microfabricated optomechanical accelerometer with cutting-edge sensitivities of ≈5µK⋅Hz−1/2 and ≈130µm⋅s−2⋅Hz−1/2, respectively. This platform is compatible with a broad range of existing photonic integrated circuit technologies, where its combination of frequency agility and ultralow radiofrequency power requirements are expected to have applications in fields such as quantum science and optical computing.

Calculation methods of RF power requirement on an RF dee cavity of cyclotron

A calculation of the radio frequency radiofrequency (RF) power required to operate the RF dee cavity of cyclotron which of the two dee is in phase has been carried. In this calculation, the object is the RF dee cavity of the DECY-13 cyclotron which operates with an RF frequency of 77.77 MHz and a peak RF dee voltage of 40 kV. The power requirement was determined by calculating the dissipated power in the RF dee that was calculated by two methods. The first method using a relationship between the quality factor and lost power has resulted in the power requirement of 20.55 kW. The second method using a relationship between the electrical current and the lost power has resulted in the power requirement of 19.74 kW. The two results do not seem to have any significant difference. By these calculations, it can be determined the predicted power requirement for operating the RF dee of DECY-13 cyclotron was around 20 kW.

Frequency-Swept Ultra-Wideline Magic-Angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy.

Recent years have witnessed the development of solid-state NMR techniques that allow the direct investigation of extremely wide inhomogeneously broadened resonance lines. To date, this typically involves the application of frequency sweeps as offered by wideband uniform rate smooth truncation (WURST) pulses. While the effects of such advanced irradiation schemes on static samples are well understood, the interference between the varying carrier frequency and the time-dependent evolution of the spin system under magic-angle spinning (MAS) conditions is more complex. Herein, we introduce the well-known WURST-Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (WCPMG) pulse sequence for spinning samples. Using numerical spin-density matrix analysis, an ideal design based on fast frequency sweeps and high truncation of the incorporated WURST pulses is presented that enables uniform excitation/refocusing under MAS conditions with low-to-moderate radio-frequency power requirements. This permits the acquisition of ultra-wideline MAS NMR lines exceeding 500 kHz with chemical shift resolution in a single transmitter step.

Towards reduction of SAR in scaling up in vivo pulsed EPR imaging to larger objects.

An excessive RF power requirement is one of the main obstacles in the clinical translation of EPR imaging. The radio frequency (RF) pulses used in EPR imaging to excite electron spins must be very short to match their fast relaxation. With traditional pulse schemes and ninety degree flip angles, this can lead to either unsafe specific absorption rate (SAR) levels or unfeasibly long repetition times. In spectroscopy experiments, it has been shown that stochastic excitation and correlation detection can reduce the power while maintaining sensitivity but have yet to be applied to imaging experiments. Stochastic excitation is implemented using a pseudo-random phase modulation of the input stimulus. Using a crossed coil resonator assembly comprised of an outer saddle coil and an inner surface coil, it was possible to obtain a minimum isolation of ~50 dB across a 12 MHz bandwidth. An incident peak RF power of 5 mW was used to excite the system. The low background signal obtained from this resonator allowed us to generate images with 32 dB (>1000:1) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while exciting with a traditional pulse sequence in a phantom containing the solid paramagnetic probe NMP-TCNQ (N-methyl pyridinium tetracyanoquinodimethane). Using two different stochastic excitation schemes, we were able to achieve a greater than 4-fold increase in SNR at the same peak power and number of averages, compared to single pulse excitation. This procedure allowed imaging at significantly lower RF power levels than used in conventional EPR imaging system configurations. Similar techniques may enable clinical applications for EPR imaging by facilitating the use of larger RF coils while maintaining a safe SAR level.

Selective proton-observed, carbon-edited (selPOCE) MRS method for measurement of glutamate and glutamine 13 C-labeling in the human frontal cortex.

13 C magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in combination with infusion of 13 C-labeled substrates has led to unique insights into human brain metabolism and neurotransmitter cycling. However, the low sensitivity of direct 13 C MRS and high radiofrequency power requirements has limited 13 C MRS studies to predominantly data acquisition in large volumes of the occipital cortex. The purpose of this study is to develop an MRS technique for localized detection of 13 C-labeling of glutamate and glutamine in the human frontal lobe. We used an indirect (1 H-[13 C]), proton-observed, carbon-edited MRS sequence (selPOCE) for detection of 13 C-labeled metabolites in relatively small volumes located in the frontal lobe at 4 T. The SelPOCE method allows for selective and separate detection of glutamate and glutamine resonances, which significantly overlap at magnetic field strengths used for clinical MRI. Phantom data illustrate how selPOCE can be tuned to selectively detect 13 C labeling in different metabolites. Three-dimensional specific absorption rate simulations of radiofrequency power deposition show that the selPOCE method operates comfortably within the global and local Food and Drug Administration specific absorption rate guidelines. In vivo selPOCE data are presented, which were acquired from a 45-mL volume in the frontal lobe of healthy subjects. The in vivo data show the time-dependent 13 C-labeling of glutamate and glutamine during intravenous infusion of [1-13 C]-glucose. Metrics describing spectral fitting quality of the glutamate and glutamine resonances are reported. The SelPOCE sequence allows the detection of 13 C-labeling in glutamate and glutamine from a relatively small volume in the human frontal lobe at low radiofrequency power requirements. Magn Reson Med 80:11-20, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

High efficiency RF amplifier development over wide dynamic range for accelerator application

Superconducting (SC) cavities in an accelerating section are designed to have the same geometrical velocity factor (βg). For these cavities, Radio Frequency (RF) power needed to accelerate charged particles varies with the particle velocity factor (β). RF power requirement from one cavity to other can vary by 2–5 dB within the accelerating section depending on the energy gain in the cavity and beam current. In this paper, we have presented an idea to improve operating efficiency of the SC RF accelerators using envelope tracking technique. A study on envelope tracking technique without feedback is carried out on a 1 kW, 325 MHz, class B (conduction angle of 180 degrees) tuned load power amplifier (PA). We have derived expressions for the efficiency and power output for tuned load amplifier operating on the envelope tracking technique. From the derived expressions, it is observed that under constant load resistance to the device (MOSFET), optimum amplifier efficiency is invariant whereas output power varies with the square of drain bias voltage. Experimental results on 1 kW PA module show that its optimum efficiency is always greater than 62% with variation less than 5% from mean value over 7 dB dynamic range. Low power amplifier modules are the basic building block for the high power amplifiers. Therefore, results for 1 kW PA modules remain valid for the high power solid state amplifiers built using these PA modules. The SC RF accelerators using these constant efficiency power amplifiers can improve overall accelerator efficiency.

Ultraminiaturized photovoltaic and radio frequency powered optoelectronic systems for wireless optogenetics

Objective. Wireless control and power harvesting systems that operate injectable, cellular-scale optoelectronic components provide important demonstrated capabilities in neuromodulatory techniques such as optogenetics. Here, we report a radio frequency (RF) control/harvesting device that offers dramatically reduced size, decreased weight and improved efficiency compared to previously reported technologies. Combined use of this platform with ultrathin, multijunction, high efficiency solar cells allows for hundred-fold reduction of transmitted RF power, which greatly enhances the wireless coverage. Approach. Fabrication involves separate construction of the harvester and the injectable µ-ILEDs. To test whether the presence of the implantable device alters behavior, we implanted one group of wild type mice and compared sociability behavior to unaltered controls. Social interaction experiments followed protocols defined by Silverman et al. with minor modifications. Main results. The results presented here demonstrate that miniaturized RF harvesters, and RF control strategies with photovoltaic harvesters can, when combined with injectable µ-ILEDs, offer versatile capabilities in optogenetics. Experimental and modeling studies establish a range of effective operating conditions for these two approaches. Optogenetics studies with social groups of mice demonstrate the utility of these systems. Significance. The addition of miniaturized, high performance photovoltaic cells significantly expands the operating range and reduces the required RF power. The platform can offer capabilities to modulate signaling path in the brain region of freely-behaving animals. These suggest its potential for widespread use in neuroscience.

Gradient-modulated SWIFT.

Methods designed to image fast-relaxing spins, such as sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (SWIFT), often utilize high excitation bandwidth and duty cycle, and in some applications the optimal flip angle cannot be used without exceeding safe specific absorption rate (SAR) levels. The aim is to reduce SAR and increase the flexibility of SWIFT by applying time-varying gradient-modulation (GM). The modified sequence is called GM-SWIFT. The method known as gradient-modulated offset independent adiabaticity was used to modulate the radiofrequency (RF) pulse and gradients. An expanded correlation algorithm was developed for GM-SWIFT to correct the phase and scale effects. Simulations and phantom and in vivo human experiments were performed to verify the correlation algorithm and to evaluate imaging performance. GM-SWIFT reduces SAR, RF amplitude, and acquisition time by up to 90%, 70%, and 45%, respectively, while maintaining image quality. The choice of GM parameter influences the lower limit of short T2 (*) sensitivity, which can be exploited to suppress unwanted image haze from unresolvable ultrashort T2 (*) signals originating from plastic materials in the coil housing and fixatives. GM-SWIFT reduces peak and total RF power requirements and provides additional flexibility for optimizing SAR, RF amplitude, scan time, and image quality.

Radiofrequency energy deposition and radiofrequency power requirements in parallel transmission with increasing distance from the coil to the sample.

We investigated global specific absorption rate (SAR) and radiofrequency (RF) power requirements in parallel transmission as the distance between the transmit coils and the sample was increased. We calculated ultimate intrinsic SAR (UISAR), which depends on object geometry and electrical properties but not on coil design, and we used it as the reference to compare the performance of various transmit arrays. We investigated the case of fixing coil size and increasing the number of coils while moving the array away from the sample, as well as the case of fixing coil number and scaling coil dimensions. We also investigated RF power requirements as a function of lift-off, and tracked local SAR distributions associated with global SAR optima. In all cases, the target excitation profile was achieved and global SAR (as well as associated maximum local SAR) decreased with lift-off, approaching UISAR, which was constant for all lift-offs. We observed a lift-off value that optimizes the balance between global SAR and power losses in coil conductors. We showed that, using parallel transmission, global SAR can decrease at ultra high fields for finite arrays with a sufficient number of transmit elements. For parallel transmission, the distance between coils and object can be optimized to reduce SAR and minimize RF power requirements associated with homogeneous excitation.

Seven-Tesla Time-of-Flight Angiography Using a 16-Channel Parallel Transmit System With Power-Constrained 3-dimensional Spoke Radiofrequency Pulse Design

Ultrahigh magnetic fields of 7 T or higher have proven to significantly enhance the contrast in time-of-flight (TOF) imaging, one of the most commonly used non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography techniques. Compared with lower field strength, however, the required radiofrequency (RF) power is increased at 7 T and the contrast obtained with a conventional head transmit RF coil is typically spatially heterogeneous.In this work, we addressed the contrast heterogeneity in multislab TOF acquisitions by optimizing the excitation flip angle homogeneity while constraining the RF power using 3-dimensional tailored RF pulses ("spokes") with a 16-channel parallel transmission system and a 16-channel transceiver head coil. We investigated in simulations and in vivo experiments flip angle homogeneity and angiogram quality with a same 3-slab TOF protocol for different excitations including 1-, 2-, and 3-spoke parallel transmit RF pulses and compared the results with a circularly polarized (CP) phase setting similar to a birdcage excitation. B1 and B0 calibration maps were obtained in multiple slices, and the RF pulse for each slab was designed on the basis of 3 calibration slices located at the bottom/middle/top of each slab, respectively. By design, all excitations were computed to generate the same total RF power for the same flip angle. In 8 subjects, we quantified the excitation homogeneity and the distribution of the RF power to individual channels. In addition, we investigated the consequences of local flip angle variations at the junction between adjacent slabs as well as the impact of ΔB0 on image quality. The flip angle heterogeneity, expressed as the coefficient of variation, averaged over all volunteers and all slabs could be reduced from 29.4% for CP mode excitation to 14.1% for a 1-spoke excitation and to 7.3% for 2-spoke excitations. A separate detailed analysis shows only a marginal improvement for 3-spoke compared with the 2-spoke excitation. The strong improvement in flip angle homogeneity particularly impacted the junction between adjacent TOF slabs, where significant residual artifacts observed with 1-spoke excitation could be efficiently mitigated using a 2-spoke excitation with same RF power and same average flip angle. Although the total RF power is maintained at the same level than that in CP mode excitation, the energy distribution is fairly heterogeneous through the 16 transmit channels for 1- and 2-spoke excitations, with the highest energy for 1 channel being a factor of 2.4 (1 spoke) and 2.2 (2 spokes) higher than that in CP mode. In vivo experiments demonstrated the necessity for including ΔB0 spatial variations during 2-spoke RF pulse design, particularly in areas with strong local susceptibility variations such as the lower frontal lobe. Significant improvement in excitation fidelity leading to improved TOF contrast, particularly in the brain periphery, as well as smooth slab transitions can be achieved with 2-spoke excitation while maintaining the same excitation energy as that in CP mode. These results suggest that expanding parallel transmit methods, including the use of multidimensional spatially selective excitation, will also be very beneficial for other techniques, such as perfusion imaging.

Four‐channel surface coil array for 300‐MHz pulsed EPR imaging: Proof‐of‐concept experiments

Time-domain electron paramagnetic resonance imaging is currently a useful preclinical molecular imaging modality in experimental animals such as mice and is capable of quantitatively mapping hypoxia in tumor implants. The microseconds range relaxation times (T1 and T2) of paramagnetic tracers and the large bandwidths (tens of MHz) to be excited by electron paramagnetic resonance pulses for spatial encoding makes imaging of large objects a challenging task. The possibility of using multiple array coils to permit studies on large sized object is the purpose of the present work. Toward this end, the use of planar array coils in different configurations to image larger objects than cannot be fully covered by a single resonator element is explored. Multiple circular surface coils, which are arranged in a plane or at suitable angles mimicking a volume resonator, are used in imaging a phantom and a tumor-bearing mouse leg. The image was formed by combining the images collected from the individual coils with suitable scaling. The results support such a possibility. By multiplexing or interleaving the measurements from each element of such array resonators, one can scale up the size of the subject and at the same time reduce the radiofrequency power requirements and increase the sensitivity.

Impact of number of channels on RF shimming at 3T

ObjectAt high-field strengths (≥3T) inhomogeneity of the radio frequency (RF) field and RF power deposition become increasingly problematic. Parallel Transmission (PTx)—the use of segmented transmission arrays with independently driven elements—affords the ability to combat both of these issues. There are a variety of existing designs for PTx coils, ranging from systems with two channels to systems with eight or more. In this work, we have investigated the impact of the number of independent channels on the achievable results for both homogeneity improvement and power reduction in vivo.Materials and methodsA 3T Philips Achieva MRI system fitted with an 8-channel PTx body coil was driven so as to emulate configurations with 1, 2 4 and 8 independent channels. RF shimming was used in two different anatomies in order to assess improvements in RF homogeneity.ResultsSignificant homogeneity improvements were observed when increasing from 1 to 2, 2 to 4, and 4 to 8 channel configurations. Reductions in RF power requirements and local SAR were predicted for increasing numbers of channels.ConclusionIncreasing the number of RF transmit channels adds extra degrees of freedom which can be used to benefit homogeneity improvement or power reduction for body imaging at 3T.

BaBa-xy16: Robust and broadband homonuclear DQ recoupling for applications in rigid and soft solids up to the highest MAS frequencies

We here present a substantially improved version of the popular Back-to-Back (BaBa) homonuclear double-quantum (DQ) MAS recoupling pulse sequence. By combining the original pulse sequence with a virtual π pulse train with xy-16 phase cycling along with time-reversed DQ reconversion, a truly broadband and exceptionally robust pulse sequence is obtained. The sequence has moderate radio-frequency power requirements, amounting to only one 360° nutation per rotor cycle, it is robust with respect to rf power and tune-up errors, and its broadband performance increases with increasing spinning frequency, here tested up to 63 kHz. The experiment can be applied to many spin-1/2 nuclei in rigid solids with substantial frequency offsets and CSAs, which is demonstrated on the example of 31P NMR of a magnesium ultraphosphate, comparing experimental data with multi-spin simulations, and we also show simulations addressing the performance in 13C NMR of bio(macro)molecules. 1H-based studies of polymer dynamics are highlighted for the example of a rigid solid with strongly anisotropic mobility, represented by a polymer inclusion compound, and for the example of soft materials with weak residual dipole–dipole couplings, represented by homogeneous and inhomogeneous elastomers. We advocate the use of normalized (relaxation-corrected) DQ build-up curves for a quantitative assessment of weak average dipole–dipole couplings and even distributions thereof.

Diffusion tensor echo planar imaging using surface coil transceiver with a semiadiabatic RF pulse sequence at 14.1T

Diffusion magnetic resonance studies of the brain are typically performed using volume coils. Although in human brain this leads to a near optimal filling factor, studies of rodent brain must contend with the fact that only a fraction of the head volume can be ascribed to the brain. The use of surface coil as transceiver increases Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), reduces radiofrequency power requirements and opens the possibility of parallel transmit schemes, likely to allow efficient acquisition schemes, of critical importance for reducing the long scan times implicated in diffusion tensor imaging. This study demonstrates the implementation of a semiadiabatic echo planar imaging sequence (echo time=40 ms, four interleaves) at 14.1T using a quadrature surface coil as transceiver. It resulted in artifact free images with excellent SNR throughout the brain. Diffusion tensor derived parameters obtained within the rat brain were in excellent agreement with reported values.

Optimal Guidance of a Relay Aircraft to Extend Small Unmanned Aircraft Range

This paper developed guidance laws to optimally and autonomously position a relay Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) to provide an operator with real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) by relaying communication and video signals from a rover MAV to the base, thus extending the rover's reach. The ISR system is comprised of two MAVs, the Relay and the Rover, and a Base. The Relay strives to position itself so as to minimize the radio frequency (RF) power required for maintaining communications between the Rover and the Base, while the Rover performs the ISR mission, which may maximize the required RF power. The optimal control of the Relay MAV then entails the solution of a differential game. Applying Pontryagin's Maximum Principle yields a standard, albeit nonlinear, Two-Point Boundary Value Problem (TPBVP). Suboptimal solutions are first obtained as an aid in solving the TPBVP which yields the solution of the differential game. One suboptimal approach is based upon the geometry of the ISR system: The midpoint between the Rover and the Base is the ideal location which minimizes the RF power required, so the Relay heads toward that point—assuming that the Rover is stationary. At the same time, to maximize the rate of required RF power, the Rover moves in the opposite direction of the Relay—assuming the Relay is stationary. These are optimal strategies in the end-game, but it is suboptimal to use them throughout the game. Another suboptimal approach investigated envisions the Rover to remain stationary and solves for the optimal path for the Relay to minimize the RF power requirement. This one-sided optimization problem is analyzed using a Matlab-based optimization program, GPOCS, which uses the Gauss pseudospectral method of discretization. The results from GPOCS corroborated with the geometry-based suboptimal Relay strategy of heading straight toward the midpoint between the Rover and the Base. The suboptimal solutions are readily implementable for real-time operation and are used to facilitate the solutions of the TPBVP.

Insight into RF power requirements and B1 field homogeneity for human MRI via rigorous FDTD approach

To study the dependence of radiofrequency (RF) power deposition on B(0) field strength for different loads and excitation mechanisms. Studies were performed utilizing a finite difference time domain (FDTD) model that treats the transmit array and the load as a single system. Since it was possible to achieve homogenous excitations across the human head model by varying the amplitudes/phases of the voltages driving the transmit array, studies of the RF power/B(0) field strength (frequency) dependence were achievable under well-defined/fixed/homogenous RF excitation. Analysis illustrating the regime in which the RF power is dependent on the square of the operating frequency is presented. Detailed studies focusing on the RF power requirements as a function of number of excitation ports, driving mechanism, and orientations/positioning within the load are presented. With variable phase/amplitude excitation, as a function of frequency, the peak-then-decrease relation observed in the upper axial slices of brain with quadrature excitation becomes more evident in the lower slices as well. Additionally, homogeneity optimization targeted at minimizing the ratio of maximum/minimum B(1) (+) field intensity within the region of interest, typically results in increased RF power requirements (standard deviation was not considered in this study). Increasing the number of excitation ports, however, can result in significant RF power reduction.

Proposed radiofrequency phased‐array excitation scheme for homogenous and localized 7‐Tesla whole‐body imaging based on full‐wave numerical simulations

In this article, a radiofrequency (RF) excitation scheme for 7-Tesla (T) whole-body applications is derived and analyzed using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Important features of the proposed excitation scheme and coil (a potential 7T whole-body transverse electromagnetic [TEM] resonator design), from both operational and electromagnetic perspectives, are discussed. The choice of the coil's operational mode is unconventional; instead of the typical "homogenous mode," we use a mode that provides a null field in the center of the coil at low-field applications. Using a 3D FDTD implementation of Maxwell's equations, we demonstrate that the whole-body 7T TEM coil (tuned to the aforementioned unconventional mode and excited in an optimized near-field, phased-array fashion) can potentially provide 1) homogenous whole-slice (demonstrated in three axial, sagittal, and coronal slices) and 2) 3D localized (demonstrated in the heart) excitations. As RF power was not considered as a part of the optimization in several cases, the significant improvements achieved by whole-slice RF excitation came at the cost of considerable increases in RF power requirements.

On the Radio-Frequency Power Requirements of Human MRI

In high and ultrahigh field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research, computational electromagnetic techniques are now taking an important role in the design and evaluation of MRI radiofrequency (RF) coils. This paper focuses on the RF power requirements and specific absorption rate (SAR) associated with the MRI operation at different field strength. This paper also presents new techniques for achieving high-quality transmit field homogeneity simultaneously with lower total RF power deposition. The studies are done utilizing the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method and the validation of the methods is performed using ultra high field MRI volume coils. DOI: 10.2529/PIERS061007225757

New FOCI pulses with reduced radiofrequency power requirements.

To propose new frequency offset corrected inversion (FOCI) pulses with significantly reduced radiofrequency (RF) power deposition for spin echo imaging by incorporating the variable-rate selective excitation (VERSE) schemes into the pulse design. Two schemes are proposed to design the new FOCI pulses with dramatically reduced peak RF power requirements. In scheme A, the time-dilation function is derived from a predefined adiabaticity factor modulation function. In scheme B, the time-dilation function is predefined, while the adiabaticity factor is conserved. The new FOCI pulses are shown to be able to operate at reduced specific absorption rate (SAR), specifically at the same peak RF power as that of a five- or seven-lobe sinc inversion pulse of the same duration. Using the new FOCI pulse, significant gain in sensitivity was observed in in vivo spin-echo echo-planar imaging, which was attributed to the improved refocusing slice profile. The new FOCI pulses can replace the 180 degrees five- or seven-lobe sinc pulses in spin-echo imaging with the same peak RF power requirement and significantly improved slice profile.