Abstract #0615

High resolution simultaneous multi-slice GRE at 9.4T using 16-channel SMS-pTX spokes excitations for slice-by-slice flip-angle homogenisation

Desmond H Y Tse¹, Christopher J Wiggins², and Benedikt A Poser¹

¹Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands, ²Scannexus, Maastricht, Netherlands

RF inhomogeneity at ultra-high field MRI leads to unwanted variations in image contrast and SNR. RF homogenisation at 9.4T was achieved with parallel transmission (pTx) of slice-specific spokes pulses designed offline using acquired B0 and B1+ maps. These spokes pulses were combined on-the-fly on the scanner to form simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) excitations, with optimised inter-slice phases to minimise the SMS pulse amplitude. The pTx spokes SMS pulse allowed a time efficient high resolution 2D GRE T2*-weighted imaging at 9.4T with whole brain coverage and minimal artefacts caused by RF inhomogeneity.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here