title: 9.4T human MRI: preliminary results.
abstract: This work reports the preliminary results of the first human images at the new high-field benchmark of 9.4T. A 65-cm-diameter bore magnet was used together with an asymmetric 40-cm-diameter head gradient and shim set. A multichannel transmission line (transverse electromagnetic (TEM)) head coil was driven by a programmable parallel transceiver to control the relative phase and magnitude of each channel independently. These new RF field control methods facilitated compensation for RF artifacts attributed to destructive interference patterns, in order to achieve homogeneous 9.4T head images or localize anatomic targets. Prior to FDA investigational device exemptions (IDEs) and internal review board (IRB)-approved human studies, preliminary RF safety studies were performed on porcine models. These data are reported together with exit interview results from the first 44 human volunteers. Although several points for improvement are discussed, the preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of safe and successful human imaging at 9.4T.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. tommy@cmrr.umn.edu
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: DelaBarre
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Jinfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akgun
authors.forename: Devashish
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shrivastava
authors.forename: Wanzahn
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adriany
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strupp
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gopinath
authors.forename: Pierre-Francois
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: van de Moortele
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garwood
authors.forename: Kamil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ugurbil
mesh_terms: D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014159:Transducers