Characterizing T1 in the fetal brain and placenta over gestational age at 0.55T.

PURPOSE: T1 mapping and T1-weighted contrasts have a complimentary but currently under utilized role in fetal MRI. Emerging clinical low field scanners are ideally suited for fetal T1 mapping. The advantages are lower T1 values which results in higher efficiency and reduced field inhomogeneities resulting in a decreased requirement for specialist tools. In addition the increased bore size associated with low field scanners provides improved patient comfort and accessibility. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fetal brain T1 mapping at 0.55T. METHODS: An efficient slice-shuffling inversion-recovery echo-planar imaging (EPI)-based T1-mapping and postprocessing was demonstrated for the fetal brain at 0.55T in a cohort of 38 fetal MRI scans. Robustness analysis was performed and placental measurements were taken for validation. RESULTS: High-quality T1 maps allowing the investigation of subregions in the brain were obtained and significant correlation with gestational age was demonstrated for fetal brain T1 maps ( p < 0 . 05 $$ p<0.05 $$ ) as well as regions-of-interest in the deep gray matter and white matter. CONCLUSIONS: Efficient, quantitative T1 mapping in the fetal brain was demonstrated on a clinical 0.55T MRI scanner, providing foundations for both future research and clinical applications including low-field specific T1-weighted acquisitions.

Sequence-agnostic motion-correction leveraging efficiently calibrated Pilot Tone signals.

PURPOSE: This study leverages externally generated Pilot Tone (PT) signals to perform motion-corrected brain MRI for sequences with arbitrary k-space sampling and image contrast. THEORY AND METHODS: PT signals are promising external motion sensors due to their cost-effectiveness, easy workflow, and consistent performance across contrasts and sampling patterns. However, they lack robust calibration pipelines. This work calibrates PT signal to rigid motion parameters acquired during short blocks (˜4 s) of motion calibration (MC) acquisitions, which are short enough to unobstructively fit between acquisitions. MC acquisitions leverage self-navigated trajectories that enable state-of-the-art motion estimation methods for efficient calibration. To capture the range of patient motion occurring throughout the examination, distributed motion calibration (DMC) uses data acquired from MC scans distributed across the entire examination. After calibration, PT is used to retrospectively motion-correct sequences with arbitrary k-space sampling and image contrast. Additionally, a data-driven calibration refinement is proposed to tailor calibration models to individual acquisitions. In vivo experiments involving 12 healthy volunteers tested the DMC protocol's ability to robustly correct subject motion. RESULTS: The proposed calibration pipeline produces pose parameters consistent with reference values, even when distributing only six of these approximately 4-s MC blocks, resulting in a total acquisition time of 22 s. In vivo motion experiments reveal significant ( p < 0.05 $$ p<0.05 $$ ) improved motion correction with increased signal to residual ratio for both MPRAGE and SPACE sequences with standard k-space acquisition, especially when motion is large. Additionally, results highlight the benefits of using a distributed calibration approach. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a framework for performing motion-corrected brain MRI in sequences with arbitrary k-space encoding and contrast, using externally generated PT signals. The DMC protocol is introduced, promoting observation of patient motion occurring throughout the examination and providing a calibration pipeline suitable for clinical deployment. The method's application is demonstrated in standard volumetric MPRAGE and SPACE sequences.

Rapid and accurate navigators for motion and B0 tracking using QUEEN: Quantitatively enhanced parameter estimation from navigators.

PURPOSE: To develop a framework that jointly estimates rigid motion and polarizing magnetic field (B0 ) perturbations ( δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ ) for brain MRI using a single navigator of a few milliseconds in duration, and to additionally allow for navigator acquisition at arbitrary timings within any type of sequence to obtain high-temporal resolution estimates. THEORY AND METHODS: Methods exist that match navigator data to a low-resolution single-contrast image (scout) to estimate either motion or δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ . In this work, called QUEEN (QUantitatively Enhanced parameter Estimation from Navigators), we propose combined motion and δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ estimation from a fast, tailored trajectory with arbitrary-contrast navigator data. To this end, the concept of a quantitative scout (Q-Scout) acquisition is proposed from which contrast-matched scout data is predicted for each navigator. Finally, navigator trajectories, contrast-matched scout, and δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ are integrated into a motion-informed parallel-imaging framework. RESULTS: Simulations and in vivo experiments show the need to model δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ to obtain accurate motion parameters estimated in the presence of strong δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ . Simulations confirm that tailored navigator trajectories are needed to robustly estimate both motion and δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ . Furthermore, experiments show that a contrast-matched scout is needed for parameter estimation from multicontrast navigator data. A retrospective, in vivo reconstruction experiment shows improved image quality when using the proposed Q-Scout and QUEEN estimation. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a framework to jointly estimate rigid motion parameters and δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ from navigators. Combing a contrast-matched scout with the proposed trajectory allows for navigator deployment in almost any sequence and/or timing, which allows for higher temporal-resolution motion and δ B 0 $$ \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ estimates.

In vivo T2 measurements of the fetal brain using single-shot fast spin echo sequences.

PURPOSE: We propose a quantitative framework for motion-corrected T2 fetal brain measurements in vivo and validate the single-shot fast spin echo (SS-FSE) sequence to perform these measurements. METHODS: Stacks of two-dimensional SS-FSE slices are acquired with different echo times (TE) and motion-corrected with slice-to-volume reconstruction (SVR). The quantitative T2 maps are obtained by a fit to a dictionary of simulated signals. The sequence is selected using simulated experiments on a numerical phantom and validated on a physical phantom scanned on a 1.5T system. In vivo quantitative T2 maps are obtained for five fetuses with gestational ages (GA) 21-35 weeks on the same 1.5T system. RESULTS: The simulated experiments suggested that a TE of 400 ms combined with the clinically utilized TEs of 80 and 180 ms were most suitable for T2 measurements in the fetal brain. The validation on the physical phantom confirmed that the SS-FSE T2 measurements match the gold standard multi-echo spin echo measurements. We measured average T2s of around 200 and 280 ms in the fetal brain grey and white matter, respectively. This was slightly higher than fetal T2* and the neonatal T2 obtained from previous studies. CONCLUSION: The motion-corrected SS-FSE acquisitions with varying TEs offer a promising practical framework for quantitative T2 measurements of the moving fetus.

Reliability and Feasibility of Low-Field-Strength Fetal MRI at 0.55 T during Pregnancy.

Background The benefits of using low-field-strength fetal MRI to evaluate antenatal development include reduced image artifacts, increased comfort, larger bore size, and potentially reduced costs, but studies about fetal low-field-strength MRI are lacking. Purpose To evaluate the reliability and feasibility of low-field-strength fetal MRI to assess anatomic and functional measures in pregnant participants using a commercially available 0.55-T MRI scanner and a comprehensive 20-minute protocol. Materials and Methods This prospective study was performed at a large teaching hospital (St Thomas' Hospital; London, England) from May to November 2022 in healthy pregnant participants and participants with pregnancy-related abnormalities using a commercially available 0.55-T MRI scanner. A 20-minute protocol was acquired including anatomic T2-weighted fast-spin-echo, quantitative T2*, and diffusion sequences. Key measures like biparietal diameter, transcerebellar diameter, lung volume, and cervical length were evaluated by two radiologists and an MRI-experienced obstetrician. Functional organ-specific mean values were given. Comparison was performed with existing published values and higher-field MRI using linear regression, interobserver correlation, and Bland-Altman plots. Results A total of 79 fetal MRI examinations were performed (mean gestational age, 29.4 weeks ± 5.5 [SD] [age range, 17.6-39.3 weeks]; maternal age, 34.4 years ± 5.3 [age range, 18.4-45.5 years]) in 47 healthy pregnant participants (control participants) and in 32 participants with pregnancy-related abnormalities. The key anatomic two-dimensional measures for the 47 healthy participants agreed with large cross-sectional 1.5-T and 3-T control studies. The interobserver correlations for the biparietal diameter in the first 40 consecutive scans were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.7, 0.99; P = .002) for abnormalities and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.97; P < .001) for control participants. Functional features, including placental and brain T2* and placental apparent diffusion coefficient values, strongly correlated with gestational age (mean placental T2* in the control participants: 5.2 msec of decay per week; R2 = 0.66; mean T2* at 30 weeks, 176.6 msec; P < .001). Conclusion The 20-minute low-field-strength fetal MRI examination protocol was capable of producing reliable structural and functional measures of the fetus and placenta in pregnancy. Clinical trial registration no. REC 21/LO/0742 © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Gowland in this issue.

Simultaneous Optimization of MP2RAGE T1 -weighted (UNI) and FLuid And White matter Suppression (FLAWS) brain images at 7T using Extended Phase Graph (EPG) Simulations.

PURPOSE: The MP2RAGE sequence is typically optimized for either T1 -weighted uniform image (UNI) or gray matter-dominant fluid and white matter suppression (FLAWS) contrast images. Here, the purpose was to optimize an MP2RAGE protocol at 7 Tesla to provide UNI and FLAWS images simultaneously in a clinically applicable acquisition time at <0.7 mm isotropic resolution. METHODS: Using the extended phase graph formalism, the signal evolution of the MP2RAGE sequence was simulated incorporating T2 relaxation, diffusion, RF spoiling, and B1 + variability. Flip angles and TI were optimized at different TRs (TRMP2RAGE ) to produce an optimal contrast-to-noise ratio for UNI and FLAWS images. Simulation results were validated by comparison to MP2RAGE brain scans of 5 healthy subjects, and a final protocol at TRMP2RAGE  = 4000 ms was applied in 19 subjects aged 8-62 years with and without epilepsy. RESULTS: FLAWS contrast images could be obtained while maintaining >85% of the optimal UNI contrast-to-noise ratio. Using TI1 /TI2 /TRMP2RAGE of 650/2280/4000 ms, 6/8 partial Fourier in the inner phase-encoding direction, and GRAPPA factor = 4 in the other, images with 0.65 mm isotropic resolution were produced in <7.5 min. The contrast-to-noise ratio was around 20% smaller at TRMP2RAGE  = 4000 ms compared to that at TRMP2RAGE  = 5000 ms; however, the 20% shorter duration makes TRMP2RAGE  = 4000 ms a good candidate for clinical applications example, pediatrics. CONCLUSION: FLAWS and UNI images could be obtained in a single scan with 0.65 mm isotropic resolution, providing a set of high-contrast images and full brain coverage in a clinically applicable scan time. Images with excellent anatomical detail were demonstrated over a wide age range using the optimized parameter set.

Evaluation of specific absorption rate and heating in children exposed to a 7T MRI head coil.

PURPOSE: To evaluate specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature distributions resulting from pediatric exposure to a 7T head coil. METHODS: Exposure from a 297-MHz birdcage head transmit coil (CP mode single-channel transmission) was simulated in several child models (ages 3-14, mass 13.9-50.4 kg) and one adult, using time-domain electromagnetic and thermal solvers. Position variability, age-related changes in dielectric properties, and differences in thermoregulation were also considered. RESULTS: Age-adjusted dielectric properties had little effect in this population. Head average SAR (hdSAR) was the limiting factor for all models centered in the coil. The value of hdSAR (normalized to net power) was found to decrease linearly with increasing mass (R2  = 0.86); no equivalent relationship for peak-spatial 10g averaged SAR (psSAR10g ) was identified. Relatively small (< 10%) variability was observed in hdSAR for position shifts of ±25 mm in each orthogonal direction when normalized to net power; accounting for B1+$$ {\mathrm{B}}_1^{+} $$ efficiency can lead to much larger variability. Position sensitivity of psSAR10g was greater, but in most cases hdSAR remained the limiting quantity. For thermal simulations, if blood temperature is fixed (i.e., asserting good thermoregulation), maximum temperatures are compliant with International Electrotechnical Commission limits during 60-min exposure at the SAR limit. Introducing variable blood temperature leads to core temperature changes proportional to whole-body averaged SAR, exceeding guideline limits for all child models. CONCLUSIONS: Children experienced higher SAR than adults for the 297-MHz head transmit coil examined in this work. Thermal simulations suggest that core temperature changes could occur in smaller subjects, although experimental data are needed for validation.

Data-driven motion-corrected brain MRI incorporating pose-dependent B0 fields.

PURPOSE: To develop a fully data-driven retrospective intrascan motion-correction framework for volumetric brain MRI at ultrahigh field (7 Tesla) that includes modeling of pose-dependent changes in polarizing magnetic (B0 ) fields. THEORY AND METHODS: Tissue susceptibility induces spatially varying B0 distributions in the head, which change with pose. A physics-inspired B0 model has been deployed to model the B0 variations in the head and was validated in vivo. This model is integrated into a forward parallel imaging model for imaging in the presence of motion. Our proposal minimizes the number of added parameters, enabling the developed framework to estimate dynamic B0 variations from appropriately acquired data without requiring navigators. The effect on data-driven motion correction is validated in simulations and in vivo. RESULTS: The applicability of the physics-inspired B0 model was confirmed in vivo. Simulations show the need to include the pose-dependent B0 fields in the reconstruction to improve motion-correction performance and the feasibility of estimating B0 evolution from the acquired data. The proposed motion and B0 correction showed improved image quality for strongly corrupted data at 7 Tesla in simulations and in vivo. CONCLUSION: We have developed a motion-correction framework that accounts for and estimates pose-dependent B0 fields. The method improves current state-of-the-art data-driven motion-correction techniques when B0 dependencies cannot be neglected. The use of a compact physics-inspired B0 model together with leveraging the parallel imaging encoding redundancy and previously proposed optimized sampling patterns enables a purely data-driven approach.

An MR fingerprinting approach for quantitative inhomogeneous magnetization transfer imaging.

PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer (MT) and inhomogeneous MT (ihMT) contrasts are used in MRI to provide information about macromolecular tissue content. In particular, MT is sensitive to macromolecules, and ihMT appears to be specific to myelinated tissue. This study proposes a technique to characterize MT and ihMT properties from a single acquisition, producing both semiquantitative contrast ratios and quantitative parameter maps. THEORY AND METHODS: Building on previous work that uses multiband RF pulses to efficiently generate ihMT contrast, we propose a cyclic steady-state approach that cycles between multiband and single-band pulses to boost the achieved contrast. Resultant time-variable signals are reminiscent of an MR fingerprinting acquisition, except that the signal fluctuations are entirely mediated by MT effects. A dictionary-based low-rank inversion method is used to reconstruct the resulting images and to produce both semiquantitative MT ratio and ihMT ratio maps, as well as quantitative parameter estimates corresponding to an ihMT tissue model. RESULTS: Phantom and in vivo brain data acquired at 1.5 Tesla demonstrate the expected contrast trends, with ihMT ratio maps showing contrast more specific to white matter, as has been reported by others. Quantitative estimation of semisolid fraction and dipolar T1 was also possible and yielded measurements consistent with literature values in the brain. CONCLUSION: By cycling between multiband and single-band pulses, an entirely MT-mediated fingerprinting method was demonstrated. This proof-of-concept approach can be used to generate semiquantitative maps and quantitatively estimate some macromolecular-specific tissue parameters.

Parallel transmit pulse design for saturation homogeneity (PUSH) for magnetization transfer imaging at 7T.

PURPOSE: This work proposes a novel RF pulse design for parallel transmit (pTx) systems to obtain uniform saturation of semisolid magnetization for magnetization transfer (MT) contrast in the presence of transmit field B1+ inhomogeneities. The semisolid magnetization is usually modeled as being purely longitudinal, with the applied B1+ field saturating but not rotating its magnetization; thus, standard pTx pulse design methods do not apply. THEORY AND METHODS: Pulse design for saturation homogeneity (PUSH) optimizes pTx RF pulses by considering uniformity of root-mean squared B1+ , B1rms , which relates to the rate of semisolid saturation. Here we considered designs consisting of a small number of spatially non-selective sub-pulses optimized over either a single 2D plane or 3D. Simulations and in vivo experiments on a 7T Terra system with an 8-TX Nova head coil in five subjects were carried out to study the homogenization of B1rms and of the MT contrast by acquiring MT ratio maps. RESULTS: Simulations and in vivo experiments showed up to six and two times more uniform B1rms compared to circular polarized (CP) mode for 2D and 3D optimizations, respectively. This translated into 4 and 1.25 times more uniform MT contrast, consistently for all subjects, where two sub-pulses were enough for the implementation and coil used. CONCLUSION: The proposed PUSH method obtains more uniform and higher MT contrast than CP mode within the same specific absorption rate (SAR) budget.

Towards an integrated neonatal brain and cardiac examination capability at 7 T: electromagnetic field simulations and early phantom experiments using an 8-channel dipole array.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal brain and cardiac imaging would benefit from the increased signal-to-noise ratio levels at 7 T compared to lower field. Optimal performance might be achieved using purpose designed RF coil arrays. In this study, we introduce an 8-channel dipole array and investigate, using simulations, its RF performances for neonatal applications at 7 T. METHODS: The 8-channel dipole array was designed and evaluated for neonatal brain/cardiac configurations in terms of SAR efficiency (ratio between transmit-field and maximum specific-absorption-rate level) using adjusted dielectric properties for neonate. A birdcage coil operating in circularly polarized mode was simulated for comparison. Validation of the simulation model was performed on phantom for the coil array. RESULTS: The 8-channel dipole array demonstrated up to 46% higher SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage coil in neonatal configurations, as the specific-absorption-rate levels were alleviated. An averaged normalized root-mean-square-error of 6.7% was found between measured and simulated transmit field maps on phantom. CONCLUSION: The 8-channel dipole array design integrated for neonatal brain and cardiac MR was successfully demonstrated, in simulation with coverage of the baby and increased SAR efficiency levels compared to the birdcage. We conclude that the 8Tx-dipole array promises safe operating procedures for MR imaging of neonatal brain and heart at 7 T.

Minimum TR radiofrequency-pulse design for rapid gradient echo sequences.

PURPOSE: A framework to design radiofrequency (RF) pulses specifically to minimize the TR of gradient echo sequences is presented, subject to hardware and physiological constraints. METHODS: Single-band and multiband (MB) RF pulses can be reduced in duration using variable-rate selective excitation (VERSE) VERSE for a range of flip angles; however, minimum-duration pulses do not guarantee minimum TR because these can lead to a high specific absorption rate (SAR). The optimal RF pulse is found by meeting spatial encoding, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and SAR constraints. A TR reduction for a range of designs is achieved and an application of this in an MB cardiac balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) experiment is presented. Gradient imperfections and their imaging effects are also considered. RESULTS: Sequence TR with low-time bandwidth product (TBP) pulses, as used in bSSFP, was reduced up to 14%, and the TR when using high TBP pulses, as used in slab-selective imaging, was reduced by up to 72%. A breath-hold cardiac exam was reduced by 46% using both MB and the TR-optimal framework. The importance of RF-based correction of gradient imperfections is demonstrated. PNS was not a practical limitation. CONCLUSION: The TR-optimal framework designs RF pulses for a range of pulse parameters, specifically to minimize sequence TR.

Specific absorption rate and temperature in neonate models resulting from exposure to a 7T head coil.

PURPOSE: To investigate safe limits for neonatal imaging using a 7T head coil, including both specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature predictions. METHODS: Head-centered neonate models were simulated using finite-difference time domain-based electromagnetic and thermal solvers. The effects of higher water content of neonatal tissues compared with adults, position shifts, and thermal insulation were also considered. An adult model was simulated for comparison. RESULTS: Maximum and average SAR are both elevated in the neonate when compared with an adult model. When normalized to B1+ , the SAR experienced by a neonate is greater than an adult by approximately a factor of 2; when normalized to net forward power (forward-reflected), this increases to a factor of 2.5-3.0; and when normalized to absorbed power, approximately a factor of 4. Use of age-adjusted dielectric properties significantly increases the predicted SAR, compared with using adult tissue properties for the neonates. Thermal simulations predict that change in core temperature/maximum temperature remain compliant with International Electrotechnical Commission limits when a thermally insulated neonate is exposed at the SAR limit for up to an hour. CONCLUSION: This study of two neonate models cannot quantify the variability expected within a larger population. Likewise, the use of age-adjusted dielectric properties have a significant effect, but while their use is well motivated by literature, there is uncertainty in the true dielectric properties of neonatal tissue. Nevertheless, the main finding is that unlike at lower field strengths, operational limits for 7T neonatal MRI using an adult head coil should be more conservative than limits for use on adults.

Interventional cardiac MRI using an add-on parallel transmit MR system: In vivo experience in sheep.

PURPOSE: We present in vivo testing of a parallel transmit system intended for interventional MR-guided cardiac procedures. METHODS: The parallel transmit system was connected in-line with a conventional 1.5 Tesla MRI system to transmit and receive on an 8-coil array. The system used a current sensor for real-time feedback to achieve real-time current control by determining coupling and null modes. Experiments were conducted on 4 Charmoise sheep weighing 33.9-45.0 kg with nitinol guidewires placed under X-ray fluoroscopy in the atrium or ventricle of the heart via the femoral vein. Heating tests were done in vivo and post-mortem with a high RF power imaging sequence using the coupling mode. Anatomical imaging was done using a combination of null modes optimized to produce a useable B1 field in the heart. RESULTS: Anatomical imaging produced cine images of the heart comparable in quality to imaging with the quad mode (all channels with the same amplitude and phase). Maximum observed temperature increases occurred when insulation was stripped from the wire tip. These were 4.1℃ and 0.4℃ for the coupling mode and null modes, respectively for the in vivo case; increasing to 6.0℃ and 1.3℃, respectively for the ex vivo case, because cooling from blood flow is removed. Heating < 0.1℃ was observed when insulation was not stripped from guidewire tips. In all tests, the parallel transmit system managed to reduce the temperature at the guidewire tip. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated the first in vivo usage of an auxiliary parallel transmit system employing active feedback-based current control for interventional MRI with a conventional MRI scanner.

Quantitative magnetization transfer imaging for non-contrast enhanced detection of myocardial fibrosis.

PURPOSE: To develop a novel gadolinium-free model-based quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) technique to assess macromolecular changes associated with myocardial fibrosis. METHODS: The proposed sequence consists of a two-dimensional breath-held dual shot interleaved acquisition of five MT-weighted (MTw) spoiled gradient echo images, with variable MT flip angles (FAs) and off-resonance frequencies. A two-pool exchange model and dictionary matching were used to quantify the pool size ratio (PSR) and bound pool T2 relaxation ( T2B ). The signal model was developed and validated using 25 MTw images on a bovine serum albumin (BSA) phantom and in vivo human thigh muscle. A protocol with five MTw images was optimized for single breath-hold cardiac qMT imaging. The proposed sequence was tested in 10 healthy subjects and 5 patients with myocardial fibrosis and compared to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). RESULTS: PSR values in the BSA phantom were within the confidence interval of previously reported values (concentration 10% BSA = 5.9 ± 0.1%, 15% BSA = 9.4 ± 0.2%). PSR and T2B in thigh muscle were also in agreement with literature (PSR = 10.9 ± 0.3%, T2B = 6.4 ± 0.4 us). In 10 healthy subjects, global left ventricular PSR was 4.30 ± 0.65%. In patients, PSR was reduced in areas associated with LGE (remote: 4.68 ± 0.70% vs. fibrotic: 3.12 ± 0.78 %, n = 5, P < .002). CONCLUSION: In vivo model-based qMT mapping of the heart was performed for the first time, with promising results for non-contrast enhanced assessment of myocardial fibrosis.

Simultaneous multislice imaging of the heart using multiband balanced SSFP with blipped-CAIPI.

PURPOSE: In this work, we explore the use of multiband (MB) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) with blipped-controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (CAIPI), which avoids the issues of altered frequency response associated with RF phase cycling, and show its application to accelerating cardiac cine imaging. METHODS: Blipped and RF-cycled CAIPI were implemented into a retrospective-gated segmented cine multiband bSSFP sequence. The 2 methods were compared at 3T using MB2 to demonstrate the effect on frequency response. Further data (4 subjects) were acquired at both 1.5T and 3T collecting 12-slice short axis stacks using blipped-CAIPI with MB acceleration factors of 1-4. The impact on SNR and contrast was evaluated along with g-factors at different accelerations. RESULTS: Data acquired with blipped-CAIPI multiband bSSFP up to factor 4 yielded functional cine data with good SNR and contrast, while reliably keeping dark-band artefacts clear of the heart at 1.5T. SAR limits the maximum MB acceleration, particularly at 3T, where minimum TR increase is problematic and leakage artefacts are more prevalent. Mean g-factors across the heart were measured at 1.00, 1.06, and 1.12 for MB2-MB4, whereas blood-pool SNR measures (end-diastole) decreased by 11.8, 21.5, and 36.9%; ultimately LV-myocardium CNR remained sufficient at 1.5T with values ranging: 15.6, 13.4, 11.9, and 9.6 (MB1-MB4). CONCLUSION: Blipped-CAIPI multiband bSSFP can be used in cardiovascular applications without affecting the frequency response because of controlled aliasing and can be readily incorporated into segmented cine acquisitions without adding any additional constraints because of phase cycling requirements. The method was used to collect full ventricular coverage within a single breath-hold.

Safe guidewire visualization using the modes of a PTx transmit array MR system.

PURPOSE: MRI-guided cardiovascular intervention using standard metal guidewires can produce focal tissue heating caused by induced radiofrequency guidewire currents. It has been shown that safe operation is made possible by using parallel transmit radiofrequency coils driven in the null current mode, which does not induce radiofrequency currents and hence allows safe tissue visualization. We propose that the maximum current modes, usually considered unsafe, be used at very low power levels to visualize conductive wires, and we investigate pulse sequences best suited for this application. METHODS: Spoiled gradient echo, balanced steady-state free precession, and turbo spin echo sequences were evaluated for their ability to visualize a conductive guidewire embedded in a gel phantom when run in maximum current modes at very low power level. Temperature at the guidewire tip was monitored for safety assessment. RESULTS: Excellent guidewire visualization could be achieved using maximum current modes excitation, with the turbo spin echo sequence giving the best image quality. Although turbo spin echo is usually considered to be a high-power sequence, our method reduced all pulses to 1% amplitude (0.01% power), and heating was not detected. In addition, visualization of background tissue can be achieved using null current mode, also with no recorded heating at the guidewire tip even when running at 100% (reported) specific absorption rate. CONCLUSION: Parallel transmit is a promising approach for both guidewire and tissue visualization using maximum and null current modes, respectively, for interventional cardiac MRI. Such systems can switch excitation mode instantaneously, allowing for flexible integration into interactive sequences.

Magnetization transfer and frequency distribution effects in the SSFP ellipse.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) parameters can be extracted from steady-state free-precession (SSFP) data with no external T1 map or banding artifacts. METHODS: SSFP images with multiple MT weightings were acquired and qMT parameters fitted with a two-stage elliptical signal model. RESULTS: Monte Carlo simulations and data from a 3T scanner indicated that most qMT parameters could be recovered with reasonable accuracy. Systematic deviations from theory were observed in white matter, consistent with previous literature on frequency distribution effects. CONCLUSIONS: qMT parameters can be extracted from SSFP data alone, in a manner robust to banding artifacts, despite several confounds.

Steady-state imaging with inhomogeneous magnetization transfer contrast using multiband radiofrequency pulses.

PURPOSE: Inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) is an emerging form of MRI contrast that may offer high specificity for myelinated tissue. Existing ihMT and pulsed MT sequences often use separate radiofrequency pulses for saturation and signal excitation. This study investigates the use of nonselective multiband radiofrequency pulses for simultaneous off-resonance saturation and on-resonance excitation specifically for generation of ihMT contrast within rapid steady-state pulse sequences. THEORY AND METHODS: A matrix-based signal modeling approach was developed and applied for both balanced steady state free precession and spoiled gradient echo sequences, accounting specifically for multiband pulses. Phantom experiments were performed using a combination of balanced steady state free precession and spoiled gradient echo sequences, and compared with model fits. A human brain imaging exam was performed using balanced steady state free precession sequences to demonstrate the achieved contrast. RESULTS: A simple signal model derived assuming instantaneous radiofrequency pulses was shown to agree well with full integration of the governing equations and provided fits to phantom data for materials with strong ihMT contrast (PL161 root mean square error = 0.9%, and hair conditioner root mean square error = 2.4%). In vivo ihMT ratio images showed the expected white matter contrast that has been seen by other ihMT investigations, and the observed ihMT ratios corresponded well with predictions. CONCLUSIONS: ihMT contrast can be generated by integrating multiband radiofrequency pulses directly into both spoiled gradient echo and balanced steady state free precession sequences, and the presented signal modeling approach can be used to understand the acquired signals.

Time optimal control-based RF pulse design under gradient imperfections.

PURPOSE: This study incorporates a gradient system imperfection model into an optimal control framework for radio frequency (RF) pulse design. THEORY AND METHODS: The joint design of minimum-time RF and slice selective gradient shapes is posed as an optimal control problem. Hardware limitations such as maximal amplitudes for RF and slice selective gradient or its slew rate are included as hard constraints to assure practical applicability of the optimized waveforms. In order to guarantee the performance of the optimized waveform with possible gradient system disturbances such as limited system bandwidth and eddy currents, a measured gradient impulse response function (GIRF) for a specific system is integrated into the optimization. RESULTS: The method generates optimized RF and pre-distorted slice selective gradient shapes for refocusing that are able to fully compensate the modeled imperfections of the gradient system under investigation. The results nearly regenerate the optimal results of an idealized gradient system. The numerical Bloch simulations are validated by phantom and in-vivo experiments on 2 3T scanners. CONCLUSIONS: The presented design approach demonstrates the successful correction of gradient system imperfections within an optimal control framework for RF pulse design.