Germany’s journey toward 14 Tesla human magnetic resonance

Multiple sites within Germany operate human MRI systems with magnetic fields either at 7 Tesla or 9.4 Tesla. In 2013, these sites formed a network to facilitate and harmonize the research being conducted at the different sites and make this technology available to a larger community of researchers and clinicians not only within Germany, but also worldwide. The German Ultrahigh Field Imaging (GUFI) network has defined a strategic goal to establish a 14 Tesla whole-body human MRI system as a national research resource in Germany as the next progression in magnetic field strength. This paper summarizes the history of this initiative, the current status, the motivation for pursuing MR imaging and spectroscopy at such a high magnetic field strength, and the technical and funding challenges involved. It focuses on the scientific and science policy process from the perspective in Germany, and is not intended to be a comprehensive systematic review of the benefits and technical challenges of higher field strengths.

     

Ultra-high-field MR in Prostate cancer: Feasibility and Potential

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - Multiparametric MRI of the prostate at clinical magnetic field strengths (1.5/3 Tesla) has emerged as a reliable noninvasive imaging...     

Characterization of vibration and acoustic noise in a gradient-coil insert

High-speed switching of current in gradient coils within high magnetic field strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners results in high acoustic sound pressure levels (SPL) in and around these machines. To characterize the vibration properties as well as the acoustic noise properties of the gradient coil, a finite-element (FE) model was developed using the dimensional design specifications of an available gradient-coil insert and the concentration of the copper windings in the coil. This FE model was then validated using experimentally collected vibration data. A computational acoustic noise model was then developed based on the validated FE model. The validation of the finite-element analysis results was done using experimental modal testing of the same gradient coil in a free-free state (no boundary constraints). Based on the validated FE model, boundary conditions (supports) were added to the model to simulate the operating condition when the gradient-coil insert is in place in an MRI machine. Vibration analysis results from the FE model were again validated through experimental vibration testing with the gradient-coil insert installed in the MRI scanner and excited using swept sinusoidal time waveforms. The simulation results from the computational acoustic noise model were also validated through experimental noise measurement from the gradient-coil insert in the MRI scanner using swept sinusoidal time waveform inputs. Comparisons show that the FE model predicts the vibration properties and the computational acoustic noise model predicts the noise characteristic properties extremely accurately.     

Distribution of electric and magnetic fields in 110-kV outdoor switchgears

This article presents results of research on the strength distribution of electric and magnetic fields created by a bus-bar arrangement of a linear disconnector on 110-kV outdoor switchgear (OSG). The research was carried out directly under phase line wires with a small radius and long length going out from the disconnector. The research was carried out for two linear disconnectors of OSG placed far apart from each other. The height above the ground of the bus-bar arrangement of the linear disconnector amounted to 0.5–2 m. For the bus-bar arrangement of linear disconnector placed at a height above the ground of 5 m, experimental studies of magnetic field strength under the middle and outermost phase line wires were carried out. The studies were performed at a distance of 1 m from the linear disconnector for heights above the ground within the range of 0.5–2 m. The parameters of the strength indicators of electric and magnetic fields were determined. Recommendations for location of the strength indicators of electric and magnetic fields are given. The behavior of the strengths of electric and magnetic fields under the bus-bar arrangement of the linear disconnector is determined, and the principle of indication of electric and magnetic fields under the OSG elements is specified.     

Effect of new manganese contrast agent on tissue intensities in human volunteers: comparison of 0.23, 0.6 and 1.5 T MRI,a part of a phase I trial

To evaluate the effect of a new oral manganese contrast agent (CMC-001) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) intensities at different magnetic field strengths. Twelve healthy volunteers underwent abdominal MRI 1 week before and within 2.5–4.5 h after CMC-001 (MnCl₂ and absorption promoters dissolved in water) intake at three different MR scanners of 0.23, 0.6 and 1.5 T. Image contrast and intensity enhancement of liver and pancreas were analysed relatively to muscle and fat intensities. Manganese blood levels were followed for 24 h. Whole-blood manganese concentration levels stayed within the normal range. The liver intensities on T2w images decreased about 10% for the 1/2 contrast dose and about 20% for the full contrast dose independent of the field strength. The liver intensities on T1w images increased more than 30% for 1/2 contrast dose and over 40% for full contrast dose. The maximum T1 enhancement was achieved at the highest field. Pancreas intensities were not affected. Contrast between liver, muscle and fat intensities increased with magnetic field, as well as standard errors of the volunteer-averaged intensities. Oral intake of CMC-001 influences liver intensities and does not affect pancreas intensities at different magnetic field strengths.     

Cranial fixation plates in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: a 3 and 7 Tesla in vivo image quality study

Objective

This study assesses and quantifies impairment of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 Tesla (T) after implantation of titanium cranial fixation plates (CFPs) for neurosurgical bone flap fixation.

Materials and methods

The study group comprised five patients who were intra-individually examined with 3 and 7 T MRI preoperatively and postoperatively (within 72 h/3 months) after implantation of CFPs. Acquired sequences included T₁-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid-acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE), T₂-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Two experienced neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist rated image quality and the presence of artifacts in consensus reading.

Results

Minor artifacts occurred around the CFPs in MPRAGE and T₂ TSE at both field strengths, with no significant differences between 3 and 7 T. In SWI, artifacts were accentuated in the early postoperative scans at both field strengths due to intracranial air and hemorrhagic remnants. After resorption, the brain tissue directly adjacent to skull bone could still be assessed. Image quality after 3 months was equal to the preoperative examinations at 3 and 7 T.

Conclusion

Image quality after CFP implantation was not significantly impaired in 7 T MRI, and artifacts were comparable to those in 3 T MRI.

     

Measurement of electron transport in liquid argon in crossedelectric and magnetic fields

We report on a measurement of excess electron drift properties in liquid argon in the presence of crossed electric and magnetic fields. The electric field strength was varied between 6 and 110 V/cm. Using a superconducting solenoid magnetic field strengths up to 5 T were achieved. The magnetic field B&oarr; oriented perpendicular to the electric field E&oarr; and the components of the drift velocity υ&oarr;_D parallel and perpendicular to the electric field were measured, from which were derived the drift mobility μ_D, Hall angle &thetas;_H and Hall mobility μ _H. An increase of μ_H compared to μ_D in the density range of the mobility maximum is observed. The ratio μ_H/μ_D for B→0 takes a value between 2.0 and 2.5 depending on the electric field strength. The Hall angle &thetas;_H as function of the magnetic field strength deviates from a linear behavior only in the density region showing a high mobility. The results are compared with available data     

Specific absorption rate (SAR) simulations for low-field (< 0.1 T) MRI systems

Objective

To simulate the magnetic and electric fields produced by RF coil geometries commonly used at low field. Based on these simulations, the specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiency can be derived to ensure safe operation even when using short RF pulses and high duty cycles.

Methods

Electromagnetic simulations were performed at four different field strengths between 0.05 and 0.1 T, corresponding to the lower and upper limits of current point-of-care (POC) neuroimaging systems. Transmit magnetic and electric fields, as well as transmit efficiency and SAR efficiency were simulated. The effects of a close-fitting shield on the EM fields were also assessed. SAR calculations were performed as a function of RF pulse length in turbo-spin echo (TSE) sequences.

Results

Simulations of RF coil characteristics and B₁⁺ transmit efficiencies agreed well with corresponding experimentally determined parameters. Overall, the SAR efficiency was, as expected, higher at the lower frequencies studied, and many orders of magnitude greater than at conventional clinical field strengths. The tight-fitting transmit coil results in the highest SAR in the nose and skull, which are not thermally sensitive tissues. The calculated SAR efficiencies showed that only when 180° refocusing pulses of duration ~ 10 ms are used for TSE sequences does SAR need to be carefully considered.

Conclusion

This work presents a comprehensive overview of the transmit and SAR efficiencies for RF coils used for POC MRI neuroimaging. While SAR is not a problem for conventional sequences, the values derived here should be useful for RF intensive sequences such as T_1ρ, and also demonstrate that if very short RF pulses are required then SAR calculations should be performed.

     

Measurement of the electric breakdown strength of transformer oilin the sub-nanosecond regime

The dielectric strength of highly purified insulating transformer oil has been measured in the sub-nanosecond regime under single pulse and repetitive burst conditions. Single pulse breakdown fields have been measured to be 11 MV/cm. Repetitive bursts to 1 kHz reduce the threshold field value by a factor of two, with lower breakdown fields recorded at a 1.2 kHz repetition rate. The high-pressure hydrogen source provides a 130 ps risetime and a 1 MV peak amplitude at repetition frequencies to 1.2 Hz. An experimental setup was used which permits the breakdown of the oil spark gap while protecting the high power source in case of total wave reflection, at the cost of excitation source fidelity. The breakdown electric fields are measured with self-integrating electric field sensors and an advanced diagnostic system which uses Fourier compensation to measure the fast risetime of the ultra-wideband pulse accurately. The anomalously high breakdown voltages measured with high power ultra-wideband sources compare favorably with Zheltov's prediction of the breakdown strength for sub-nanosecond pulse duration. The anomalously high field strengths permit the design of ultra wide band (UWB) high power microwave (HPM) sources with a reduced geometrical inductance which can result in significantly faster HPM UWB sources     

核磁共振成像超导主磁体设计及分析

本文论述了不同结构的核磁共振成像超导主磁体设计的原理与计算机算法。编出的设计程序考虑了超导体的超导特性、磁场均匀性要求、磁体的经济性以及磁体结构选择等各方面的因素。用此程序对一系列具有不同磁体结构、不同中心场强、不同孔径要求的MRI超导主磁体进行设计计算及分析,获得了一些对实际设计MRI超导主磁体有参考价值的数据。此外,该程序还适用于其它具有圆柱对称性的高均匀度超导磁体的设计计算。     

US regulatory considerations for low field magnetic resonance imaging systems

Although there has been a resurgence of interest in low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems in recent years, low field MRI is not a new concept. FDA has a long history of evaluating the safety and effectiveness of MRI systems encompassing a wide range of field strengths. Many systems seeking marketing authorization today include new technological features (such as artificial intelligence), but this does not fundamentally change the regulatory paradigm for MR systems. In this review, we discuss some of the US regulatory considerations for low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, including applicability of existing laws and regulations and how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluates low field MRI systems for market authorization. We also discuss regulatory considerations in the review of low field MRI systems incorporating novel AI technology. We foresee that MRI systems of all field strengths intended for general diagnostic use will continue to be evaluated for marketing clearance by the metric of substantial equivalence set forth in the premarket notification pathway.

     

轴对称线圈静磁场的计算与应用

本文研究了包括圆环线圈与螺管线圈在内的轴对称线圈以及圆弧段电流单元所产生的静磁场中矢量磁位与磁通密度的计算，着重讨论了计算中完全椭圆积分与奇点的处理。在此基础上，对０．１５Ｔｅｓｌａ磁共振成像电阻式磁体进行了分析，设计了用于永磁磁共振成像的梯度线圈。     

基于SOPC系统的0.5T磁共振成像仪控制台设计

针对磁共振成像仪控制台的数字化、小型化发展趋势,设计了一种0.5T 磁共振关节成像仪控制台的总体框架。以 FPGA 的 SOPC(System On the Programmable Chip)系统为仪器控制核心,开发了数字化磁共振成像仪控制台部分,将网络传输、数据处理、射频脉冲及梯度波形产生、外设驱动等各个功能集成在单一 FPGA 芯片中。实现上位机对输出波形,数字调制解调,梯度涡流补偿,抽取滤波等功能的控制。通过各个模块测试,系统功能稳定、脉冲波形可定制,为小型化磁共振成像仪的控制台研制提供了一种可靠性高而灵活的设计方案。     

7 T renal MRI: challenges and promises

The progression to 7 Tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) yields promises of substantial increase in signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. This increase can be traded off to increase image spatial resolution or to decrease acquisition time. However, renal 7 T MRI remains challenging due to inhomogeneity of the radiofrequency field and due to specific absorption rate (SAR) constraints. A number of studies has been published in the field of renal 7 T imaging. While the focus initially was on anatomic imaging and renal MR angiography, later studies have explored renal functional imaging. Although anatomic imaging remains somewhat limited by inhomogeneous excitation and SAR constraints, functional imaging results are promising. The increased SNR at 7 T has been particularly advantageous for blood oxygen level-dependent and arterial spin labelling MRI, as well as sodium MR imaging, thanks to changes in field-strength-dependent magnetic properties. Here, we provide an overview of the currently available literature on renal 7 T MRI. In addition, we provide a brief overview of challenges and opportunities in renal 7 T MR imaging.     

MRI of the lung using hyperpolarized <Superscript>3</Superscript>He at very low magnetic field (3 mT)

Optical pumping of ³He produces large (hyper) nuclear-spin polarizations independent of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) field strength. This allows lung MRI to be performed at reduced fields with many associated benefits, such as lower tissue susceptibility gradients and decreased power absorption rates. Here we present results of 2D imaging as well as accurate 1D gas diffusion mapping of the human lung using ³He at very low field (3 mT). Furthermore, measurements of transverse relaxation in zero applied gradient are shown to accurately track pulmonary O₂ partial pressure, opening the way for novel imaging sequences.     

Comparison of sequences for depicting bone marrow alterations in osteomyelitis applied in a low field strength magnetic resonance imaging system

Objective/Patients: to investigate the efficacy of standard sequences of a low field system for the detection of osteomyelitis, we tested TlwI pre and post i.v. contrast, T2w and fat suppressed IR sequences. Design: on the basis of clinical and laboratory evidence, pathology reports, and three phase granulocyte scintigraphy, osteomyelitis was diagnosed in 18 of 21 patients with Charcot's joints. A consecutive low and high field magnetic resonance (MR) scan confirmed osteomyelitic bone marrow changes in the same osseous regions. These 18 diabetic patients were then studied on a 0.2 Tesla dedicated MR system (Esaote ArtoScan) using TlwI (SE: relaxation time (TR) 520/echo time (TE) 24: axial and coronal) before and after i.v. application of 0.1 mmol/1 Gd-DTPA/kg BW, T2w imaging (TSE: TR 3500/TE 80 or TR 2000/TE 120: axial), and fat suppressed inversion recovery (IR) imaging (short tau inversion recovery (STIR): TR 3000/TE 30/TI 80 or inversion recovery gradient echo (IRGE)/fat suppressed IRGE (GEFS): TR 1000/TE 16m 80: coronal). Results: the SE Tlw sequence showed a significantly higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) before administration of i.v. contrast. The TSE T2w pulse sequence demonstrated bone marrow changes superiorily utilizing a TE of 120 ms (CNR=16.5±2.7 compared to 5.5±2.5 with TE=80 ms). The IRGE showed a higher CNR than the standard STIR (CNR=19.2±2.5 compared to 12.4±2.9). Conclusion: fat suppressed IRGE imaging and longer TE in T2w TSE sequences result in a significantly better, CNR in osteomyelitis. This way, using optimized sequences, low field systems are apt to depict bone marrow changes in the course of osteomyelitis.     

Development and evaluation of a numerical simulation approach to predict metal artifacts from passive implants in MRI

Objective

This study presents the development and evaluation of a numerical approach to simulate artifacts of metallic implants in an MR environment that can be applied to improve the testing procedure for MR image artifacts in medical implants according to ASTM F2119.

Methods

The numerical approach is validated by comparing simulations and measurements of two metallic test objects made of titanium and stainless steel at three different field strengths (1.5T, 3T and 7T). The difference in artifact size and shape between the simulated and measured artifacts were evaluated. A trend analysis of the artifact sizes in relation to the field strength was performed.

Results

The numerical simulation approach shows high similarity (between 75% and 84%) of simulated and measured artifact sizes of metallic implants. Simulated and measured artifact sizes in relation to the field strength resulted in a calculation guideline to determine and predict the artifact size at one field strength (e.g., 3T or 7T) based on a measurement that was obtained at another field strength only (e.g. 1.5T).

Conclusion

This work presents a novel tool to improve the MR image artifact testing procedure of passive medical implants. With the help of this tool detailed artifact investigations can be performed, which would otherwise only be possible with substantial measurement effort on different MRI systems and field strengths.

     

磁场热处理对Fe-Cr-Co合金组织与性能的影响

本文系统研究了Fe-Cr-Co合金（2J85）在不同磁场强度下经过五种温度磁场处理后磁场强度和温度对合金微观组织和磁性能的影响，研究结果表明，磁场热处理温度为635℃时，在磁场热处理的各种磁场强度下合金均显示相对最佳磁性能，其中尤其以磁场强度为4000Oe时获得最高磁能积，即（BH）mx=6.63MGOe3,此外，本研究还显示，提高磁场热处理时的磁场强度，具有降低Fe-Cr-Co(2J85)合金对磁场热处理工艺敏感性的作用。     

Relationship between retardation of excitation and pulse currents and its frequency in inductor-unit electromagnetic system

In the inductor-unit electromagnetic system, the phase shift between the excitation (primary, in the disk inductor) and induction (secondary, in the flat metallic unit) pulse currents, which depend on the frequency and the degree of the surface effect manifestation in the unit’s wall is examined based on the classical theory of electricity. It is shown that, if the aforementioned system is used for technological purpose, i.e., for processing metal using the pressure generated by a strong pulse magnetic field, the phase shift can vary in the range of 0.5π-π.     

一种水介质脉冲形成线充电用Tesla变压器

为了给水介质脉冲形成线快速、高效地充电,研制了一种耦合系数为0.75的Tesla脉冲变压器。推导了开放磁芯结构Tesla变压器的初级和次级电感计算公式;根据研制的变压器几何尺寸,对该变压器的主要参数进行了理论计算并用PSpice软件对变压器给脉冲形成线充电过程进行了模拟计算。该脉冲变压器已应用于基于水介质螺旋脉冲形成线的脉冲调制器中,当变压器的初级输入50kV的脉冲电压时,次级输出脉冲电压给水介质螺旋脉冲形成线充电电压高达720kV,变压器能量效率为36%。理论和模拟结果与实验测量值基本一致,该脉冲变压器具有运行稳定、体积小、结构紧凑等特点。