Stefan Maderwald1, Stephan Orzada1,2,
Zimin Lin3, Lena C. Schfer1,2, Andreas K. Bitz1,2,
Oliver Kraff1, Irina Brote1,2, Lars Hring3,
Andreas Czylwik3, Michael O. Zenge4, Susanne C. Ladd1,2,
Mark E. Ladd1,2, Kai Nassenstein1,2
1Erwin L. Hahn Institute for
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Essen, Germany; 2Department of
Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology & Neuroradiology, University
Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany; 3Department of Communication
Systems, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; 4MR Application
Developement, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany
The inherently higher signal-to-noise ratio and certain enhanced soft tissue contrasts at 7T compared to 1.5T or even 3T MRI might improve image quality in selected imaging applications such as high-resolution cardiac MRI in humans. A number of artifacts and imaging constraints related to 7T transmit/receive problems have been addressed in previous work. However, a major issue is still the generation of a strong, reliable trigger signal. In this study we use an optoacoustic microphone and a DSP card for signal detection and trigger generation. Volunteers and a patient with known chronic myocarditis, pericardial effusion, and mild arrhythmia were scanned and evaluated.