PURPOSE: Arranging transmit array elements in multiple rows provides an additional degree of freedom to correct B1 (+) field inhomogeneities and to achieve whole-brain excitation at ultrahigh field strengths. Receive arrays shaped to the contours of the anatomy increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the image. In this work, the advantages offered by the transmit and receive array techniques are combined for human brain imaging at 9.4 T. METHODS: A 16-element dual-row transmit array and a 31-element receive array were developed. Based on an accurate numerical model of the transmit array, the deposited power was calculated for different head sizes and positions. The influence of the receive array on the transmit field was characterized. Parallel imaging performance and signal-to-noise ratio of the receive array were evaluated. RESULTS: On average, a two fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio was observed in the whole-brain volume when compared with a 16-channel elliptic microstrip transceiver array. The benefits of combining the two arrays, B1 (+) shimming in three directions and high receive sensitivity, are demonstrated with high-resolution in vivo images. CONCLUSION: The dual-row transmit array provides whole-brain coverage at 9.4 T, which, in combination with the helmet-shaped receive array, is a valuable radio frequency configuration for ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain.
PURPOSE: Arranging transmit array elements in multiple rows provides an additional degree of freedom to correct B1 (+) field inhomogeneities and to achieve whole-brain excitation at ultrahigh field strengths. Receive arrays shaped to the contours of the anatomy increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the image. In this work, the advantages offered by the transmit and receive array techniques are combined for human brain imaging at 9.4 T. METHODS: A 16-element dual-row transmit array and a 31-element receive array were developed. Based on an accurate numerical model of the transmit array, the deposited power was calculated for different head sizes and positions. The influence of the receive array on the transmit field was characterized. Parallel imaging performance and signal-to-noise ratio of the receive array were evaluated. RESULTS: On average, a two fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio was observed in the whole-brain volume when compared with a 16-channel elliptic microstrip transceiver array. The benefits of combining the two arrays, B1 (+) shimming in three directions and high receive sensitivity, are demonstrated with high-resolution in vivo images. CONCLUSION: The dual-row transmit array provides whole-brain coverage at 9.4 T, which, in combination with the helmet-shaped receive array, is a valuable radio frequency configuration for ultra-high field magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain.
Authors: Kamil Uğurbil; Edward Auerbach; Steen Moeller; Andrea Grant; Xiaoping Wu; Pierre-Francois Van de Moortele; Cheryl Olman; Lance DelaBarre; Scott Schillak; Jerahmie Radder; Russell Lagore; Gregor Adriany Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 2019-02-25 Impact factor: 4.668
Authors: Bastien Guérin; Matthias Gebhardt; Peter Serano; Elfar Adalsteinsson; Michael Hamm; Josef Pfeuffer; Juergen Nistler; Lawrence L Wald Journal: Magn Reson Med Date: 2014-04-18 Impact factor: 4.668
Authors: Xiaoping Wu; Edward J Auerbach; An T Vu; Steen Moeller; Pierre-François Van de Moortele; Essa Yacoub; Kâmil Uğurbil Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2018-09-17 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: Manushka V Vaidya; Cem M Deniz; Christopher M Collins; Daniel K Sodickson; Riccardo Lattanzi Journal: MAGMA Date: 2017-11-06 Impact factor: 2.310