Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
  • G01R33/38—Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field
  • G01R33/387—Compensation of inhomogeneities
  • G01R33/3873—Compensation of inhomogeneities using ferromagnetic bodies ; Passive shimming
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
  • G01R33/32—Excitation or detection systems, e.g. using radio frequency signals
  • G01R33/34—Constructional details, e.g. resonators, specially adapted to MR
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
  • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
  • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
  • G01R33/543—Control of the operation of the MR system, e.g. setting of acquisition parameters prior to or during MR data acquisition, dynamic shimming, use of one or more scout images for scan plane prescription
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/44—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
  • G01R33/48—NMR imaging systems
  • G01R33/54—Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences ; Generation or control of pulse sequences; Operator console
  • G01R33/56—Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques, e.g. improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and resolution
  • G01R33/565—Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
  • G01R33/5659—Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities caused by a distortion of the RF magnetic field, e.g. spatial inhomogeneities of the RF magnetic field
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/24—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
  • G01R33/246—Spatial mapping of the RF magnetic field B1
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
  • G01R33/00—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
  • G01R33/20—Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance
  • G01R33/28—Details of apparatus provided for in groups G01R33/44 - G01R33/64
  • G01R33/32—Excitation or detection systems, e.g. using radio frequency signals
  • G01R33/34—Constructional details, e.g. resonators, specially adapted to MR
  • G01R33/34046—Volume type coils, e.g. bird-cage coils; Quadrature bird-cage coils; Circularly polarised coils
  • G01R33/34076—Birdcage coils

Definitions

• the present application relates to the magnetic resonance arts. It finds particular application in relation to radio frequency (RF) coils and magnetic field correction generated therefrom. However, it also finds application in magnetic resonance imaging, spectroscopy and other nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.
• RF radio frequency
• the present application provides a new and improved system and method which overcomes the above-referenced problems and others.
• a magnetic resonance system is provided. Radio frequency coil elements are disposed adjacent an examination region to generate a Bi excitation field in the examination region. At least one shimming device is disposed in the examination region between the RF coil elements and a subject to improve the uniformity in the generated Bi excitation field.
• the passive shimming device has a prearranged position, dimension, and dielectric permittivity. It is noted that, in this context, the examination region includes the entire space within the RF coil. In some cases, such as a whole body RF coil the examination region, in this context, is larger than the usual imaging volume.
• a method for passively shimming a Bi excitation field is provided. At least one passive shimming device is disposed in an examination region defined inside of the coil elements of an RF coil. The passive shimming elements improve uniformity in the Bi excitation field. The at least one passive shimming element has a prearranged position, dimension, and dielectric permittivity.
• Bi excitation uniformity is improved.
• Another advantage is that work flow for MR imaging at high fields strengths is improved.
• Another advantage is that signal-to-noise ratio is improved.
• the invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps.
• the drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.
• FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a magnetic resonance system which includes passive shimming devices
• FIGURE 2 is another diagrammatic illustration of the magnetic resonance system and passive shimming devices
• FIGURE 3 illustrates a female body-shaped phantom in a quadrature birdcage body coil with and without dielectric passive shimming rods
• FIGURE 4 illustrates Bi distributions with various shimming combinations using a quadrature birdcage body coil with two independent transmit/receive channels
• FIGURES 5A and 5B illustrate a symmetric placement of two shimming rods disposed below a phantom and the resultant Bi field distribution using a quadrature birdcage body coil with two independent transmit/receive channels;
• FIGURES 5C and 5D illustrate a single passive shimming rod disposed below the phantom and the corresponding Bi distribution using a quadrature birdcage body coil with two independent transmit/receive channels;
• FIGURE 6 illustrates a symmetric placement of passive shimming rods below a slim body-shaped phantom and resultant Bi field distributions with quadrature driven RF coils and no dielectric rods, with Bi shimming without dielectric rods, and shimming with the dielectric rods;
• FIGURE 7 illustrates an RF head coil with a human head model in which the passive shimming element includes a water balloon and the resultant Bi distribution with and without the water balloon;
• FIGURE 8 illustrates a method of using the passive shimming elements.
• a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system 10 includes a main magnet 12 which generates a spatial and temporally uniform Bo field of at least 3 Tesla and above through an examination region 14.
• the main magnet can be an annular or bore-type magnet, or the like.
• Gradient magnetic field coils 16 disposed adjacent the main magnet serve to generate magnetic field gradients along selected axes relative to the Bo magnetic field for spatially encoding magnetic resonance signals, for producing magnetization-spoiling field gradients, or the like.
• the magnetic field gradient coil 16 may include coil segments configured to produce magnetic field gradients in three orthogonal directions, typically longitudinal or z, transverse or x, and vertical or y directions.
• a radio -frequency (RF) coil assembly such as a whole-body radio frequency coil, is disposed adjacent the examination region.
• the RF coil assembly may include a plurality of individual RF coil elements 18, or may be a birdcage-type coil with the multiple elements 18 interconnected by end ring RF coil structures. In the illustrated embodiment, eight coil elements 18 are shown. However, more or less coil elements 18 are also contemplated.
• the RF coil assembly generates radio frequency pulses for exciting magnetic resonance in aligned dipoles of the subject. In some embodiments, the radio frequency coil assembly 18 also serves to detect magnetic resonance signals emanating from the imaging region.
• local or surface RF coils are provided in addition to or instead of the whole-body RF coil for more sensitive, localized spatial encoding, excitation, and reception of magnetic resonance signals.
• the individual RF coils 18 together can act a single coil, as a plurality of independent coil elements, as an array such as in a parallel transmit system, or a combination.
• the RF coil 18 is configured as a birdcage-type coil the two modes may be driven independently for purposes of RF shimming.
• of the transmit coils 18 is determined by a shimming processor 20, e.g. by a short measurement prior to the actual imaging sequence to compensate for dielectric resonances occurring in patient tissue at high frequencies, i.e. Larmor frequency at static fields strengths, particularly at 3 Tesla or greater.
• the imaging system 10 includes one or more passive shimming devices 22, 24 disposed in the examination region 14 to improve the homogeneity of the excitation field.
• the passive shimming devices are dielectric rods 22 composed of a solid dielectric material having a dielectric permittivity ( ⁇ ⁇ ) of at least 100.
• ⁇ ⁇ dielectric permittivity
• Several dielectric rods 22 with varying length, shape, and dielectric permittivity are available to optimize the homogeneity of the Bi excitation field. Shapes include
• the shimming processor 20 determines the number, length, and position of the dielectric rods to be disposed in the examination region based on the determined uniformity distribution which optimizes homogeneity of the Bi excitation field.
• the rods 22 are disposed on a lower side of the subject as stand-alone structures in the examination region 14 or as part of the patient support 19.
• the rods can be manually positioned in the examination region 14 by a clinician or automatically by an actuator 26, such as non- ferromagnetic motor or the like.
• the actuator receives the determined position of the rods 22 from the shimming processor 20 and adjusts the x, y, and z position and rotation accordingly.
• the actuator 26 can remove one or more of the rods 22 or introduce additional rods into the examination region 14 without user intervention.
• the shape, size, placement, and dielectric permittivity of the rods are determined for a nominal patient and the rods are fixedly mounted. In another embodiment, the shape, size, placement, and dielectric permittivity are calculated for a plurality of groups or classes of patients, such as large or obese, normal or average, and petite.
• the passive shimming devices include tubes 24 of dielectric fluid, each being disposed adjacent to a corresponding coil element 18 in- between the examination region 14 and the individual coil 18.
• dielectric fluids include heavily doped water, heavy water, or other non-proton MR signal generating fluid.
• the volume of dielectric fluid in each tube 24 is adjusted by a fluid controller 28 according to the uniformity distribution to optimize the homogeneity of the Bi excitation field.
• a fluid reservoir 30 supplies the dielectric fluid to the fluid controller 28 which supplies the fluid to each tube 24 via supply lines 25 routed through a gantry housing of the imaging system 10.
• the reservoir 30 may include a plurality of sub-reservoirs, each of which includes dielectric fluid with a unique dielectric permittivity.
• the fluid controller 28 can supply dielectric fluid from one or more of the sub-reservoirs to each tube 24. Therefore, the dielectric permittivity of each tube can be tuned by adjusting the dielectric permittivity of the fluid and the volume of the fluid.
• the tubes 24 can have the same or different lengths, in the axial direction, of the corresponding coil element 18 adjacent the tube.
• the tubes 24 include a serpentine structure to ensure a uniform cross-section along the length of the tube or a uniform volume in the axial direction.
• each tube is segmented in the axial direction.
• the fluid controller 28 can adjust the volume of each segment to account for non uniform dielectric load by the patient in the axial direction. For example, the head, torso, and legs exhibit varying dielectric loading because of the size, geometry, internal structure, and density of the corresponding anatomical region.
• each segment includes a serpentine structure to ensure that each segment has a uniform cross-section or volume in the axial direction.
• the tubes 24 are or include expandable bladders or other structures to control the distribution of liquid between each coil element 18 and the imaging region 14.
• a uniform thickness of liquid can be formed around the side of the coil element towards the imaging region.
• a parabolic distribution can be provided.
• the imaging system 10 includes both the dielectric rods 22 and the tubes 24 of dielectric fluid to shim the Bi excitation field for optimal homogeneity.
• the shimming processor 20 determines the optimal size, geometry, dielectric permittivity, and position of each dielectric rod 22 and the shimming processor 20 determines the optimal volume and dielectric permittivity of each tube 24 which affords the optimal Bi excitation field for the imaging subject.
• the size, geometry, dielectric permittivity, and position of the rods 22 can be fixed and the liquid in the tubes 24 can be used to fine tune the Bi field.
• a scan controller 40 controls a gradient controller 42 which causes the gradient coils 16 to apply the selected magnetic field gradient pulses across the imaging region, as may be appropriate to a selected magnetic resonance imaging or spectroscopy sequence.
• the scan controller 40 also controls at least one RF transmitter 44 which causes the RF coil assembly to generate magnetic resonance excitation and manipulation of Bi pulses.
• the RF transmitter 44 includes a plurality of transmitters or a single transmitter with a plurality of transmit channels, each transmit channel operatively connected to at least one corresponding coil element 18 of the assembly.
• the transmitter may have two independent channels to drive the two modes of the birdcage.
• the scan controller in coordination with the shimming processor, also controls the transmitter and gradient controller to generate Bi shimming sequences and Bi shimmed sequences.
• the scan controller also controls an RF receiver 46 which is connected to the RF coils 18, and/or a dedicated receive coil placed inside the examination region 14, to receive magnetic resonance signals therefrom.
• the RF receiver 46 includes a plurality of receivers or a single receivers with a plurality of receive channels, each receive channel operatively connected to at least one corresponding coil element 18 of the assembly.
• the received data from the receiver 46 is temporarily stored in a data buffer 48 and processed by a magnetic resonance data processor 50.
• the magnetic resonance data processor can perform various functions as are known in the art, including image reconstruction, magnetic resonance spectroscopy processing, catheter or interventional instrument localization, and the like.
• Reconstructed magnetic resonance images, spectroscopy readouts, interventional instrument location information, and other processed MR data are displayed on a graphical user interface 52.
• the graphic user interface 52 also includes a user input device which a clinician can use for controlling the scan controller 40 to select scanning sequences and protocols, and the like.
• the imaging system 10 is a parallel transmit system with a plurality of RF transmitters 44.
• the shimming processor 20 determines unique a phase and amplitude component for each excitation signal generated by the individual RF transmitters 44 based on the analyzed uniformity distribution.
• the Bi excitation field is optimized by varying the generated Bi excitation field transmitted by the individual coil elements 18.
• the imaging system 10 includes two RF transmitters 44 where each transmitter is operatively connected to one or more feed points of the coil elements 18 or connected to drive the two modes of a birdcage-type RF coil.
• the shimming processor determines changes in the phase and amplitude of Bi excitation signal for each channel such that the composite Bi excitation field resulting from the two channels is optimized for homogeneity.
• the shimming processor controls the amount of fluid in each tube 24 to adjust the relative phase of RF field produced by coil segments associated with the same transmitter.
• the imaging system 10 includes the dielectric rods 22, the tubes 24 of dielectric fluid, and the parallel transmit system with multiple RF transmitters 44 to shim the Bi excitation field for optimal homogeneity.
• the shimming processor 20 determines the optimal size, geometry, dielectric permittivity, and position of each dielectric rod 22; the optimal volume distribution, and dielectric permittivity of dielectric fluid for each tube 24; and unique phase and amplitude components for each excitation signal generated by each of the RF transmitters 44.
• the homogeneity of the overall Bi field is substantially improved at higher field strengths for the imaging subject.
• the RF assembly in this embodiment is a birdcage-type quadrature body coil (QBC) loaded with a female body-shaped phantom.
• QBC birdcage-type quadrature body coil
• T/R transmit/receive channels.
• over the center transverse slice of the phantom is relatively non-uniform.
• two dielectric rods are inserted in the bottom left area and right area of the phantom adjacent to the phantom (as depicted in FIGURE 3).
• the rods are separated 31cm apart.
• field distribution is re-distributed over the
• two same- sized rods are placed away from the phantom which would model the rods 22 being placed inside the patient table 19.
• one dielectric rod can be used to improve only the transmit
• the left dielectric rod (FIGURE 5C) has a greater
• the right dielectric rod has much more effect on the
• FIGURE 6 shows the
• -field over the center transverse slice excluding arms (shimming area). As seen, with the addition of dielectric rods ( ⁇ ⁇ 1000),
• the rod diameter, size, the optimal permittivity ⁇ ⁇ , and positions can be determined through the FDTD modeling or other numerical calculations with the shimming processor 20.
• the dielectric rods can either be mobile, e.g., used inside the patient accessible area of the bore, or be placed in permanent positions under the patient table (i.e., non-patient accessible area of the bore).
• the dielectric rods can be made of materials without proton MR signals (heavily doped water to mitigate proton signal, or ceramics without substantial electrical conductivity). They are relatively small and can be inserted into the QBC space.
• a method for shimming a Bi excitation field is presented. After a subject is positioned in the examination region, a Bi field is generated and its uniformity is analyzed S100 by the shimming processor 20. Based on the analyzed uniformity distribution
• steps S100-S110 can be iteratively repeated to optimize the Bi uniformity.
• the RF transmitter 44 causes the coils elements 18 associated with each transmit channel to apply a shimmed Bi excitation field SI 12 to the examination region 14 according to the excitation signals determined in step S106.
• the induced MR signals are received SI 14 by the RF receiver 48 via the coil elements 18 or a dedicated receive coil in examination region 14 and reconstructed S116 into an image representation of the subject by the data processor 50.
• the image representation is displayed on the graphical user interface 52.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus (AREA)
• Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=45443136

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (13)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (23)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-05 EP EP11804597.0A patent/EP2652516B1/en active Active
  • 2011-12-05 WO PCT/IB2011/055450 patent/WO2012080898A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-12-05 BR BR112013014672A patent/BR112013014672A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-12-05 RU RU2013132722/28A patent/RU2577172C2/ru not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-12-05 JP JP2013543920A patent/JP6085567B2/ja active Active
  • 2011-12-05 CN CN201180060494.7A patent/CN103261906B/zh active Active
  • 2011-12-05 US US13/993,689 patent/US9689941B2/en active Active

Patent Citations (2)

Non-Patent Citations (4)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events