@article{DroopChenRadfordetal.2023, author = {Droop, Philipp and Chen, Shaohuang and Radford, Melissa J. and Paulßen, Elisabeth and Gates, Byron D. and Reilly, Raymond M. and Radchenko, Valery and Hoehr, Cornelia}, title = {Synthesis of 197m/gHg labelled gold nanoparticles for targeted radionuclide therapy}, series = {Radiochimica Acta}, volume = {111}, journal = {Radiochimica Acta}, number = {10}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, address = {Berlin [u.a.]}, issn = {2193-3405}, doi = {10.1515/ract-2023-0144}, pages = {773 -- 779}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Meitner-Auger-electron emitters have a promising potential for targeted radionuclide therapy of cancer because of their short range and the high linear energy transfer of Meitner-Auger-electrons (MAE). One promising MAE candidate is 197m/gHg with its half-life of 23.8 h and 64.1 h, respectively, and high MAE yield. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that are labelled with 197m/gHg could be a helpful tool for radiation treatment of glioblastoma multiforme when infused into the surgical cavity after resection to prevent recurrence. To produce such AuNPs, 197m/gHg was embedded into pristine AuNPs. Two different syntheses were tested starting from irradiated gold containing trace amounts of 197m/gHg. When sodium citrate was used as reducing agent, no 197m/gHg labelled AuNPs were formed, but with tannic acid, 197m/gHg labeled AuNPs were produced. The method was optimized by neutralizing the pH (pH = 7) of the Au/197m/gHg solution, which led to labelled AuNPs with a size of 12.3 ± 2.0 nm as measured by transmission electron microscopy. The labelled AuNPs had a concentration of 50 μg (gold)/mL with an activity of 151 ± 93 kBq/mL (197gHg, time corrected to the end of bombardment).}, language = {en} } @incollection{SchultLosseCzarneckietal.2023, author = {Schult, Prince Garcia and Losse, Ann-Kathrin and Czarnecki, Christian and Sultanow, Eldar}, title = {Proposing a Framework to address the Sustainable Development Goals}, series = {EnviroInfo 2023}, booktitle = {EnviroInfo 2023}, publisher = {GI - Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Informatik}, address = {Bonn}, isbn = {978-3-88579-736-4}, issn = {1617-5468}, doi = {10.18420/env2023-022}, pages = {243 -- 249}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Reducing poverty, protecting the planet, and improving life on earth for everyone are the essential goals of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development"committed by the United Nations (UN). Achieving those goals will require technological innovation as well as their implementation in almost all areas of our business and day-to-day life. This paper proposes a high-level framework that collects and structures different uses cases addressing the goals defined by the UN. Hence, it contributes to the discussion by proposing technical innovations that can be used to achieve those goals. As an example, the goal "Climate Action{\"i}s discussed in detail by describing use cases related to tackling biodiversity loss in order to conservate ecosystems.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{VladovaUllrichSultanowetal.2023, author = {Vladova, Gergana and Ullrich, Andr{\´e} and Sultanow, Eldar and Tobolla, Marinho and Sebrak, Sebastian and Czarnecki, Christian and Brockmann, Carsten}, title = {Visual analytics for knowledge management}, series = {INFORMATIK 2023 - Designing Futures: Zuk{\"u}nfte gestalten}, booktitle = {INFORMATIK 2023 - Designing Futures: Zuk{\"u}nfte gestalten}, publisher = {GI - Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Informatik}, address = {Bonn}, isbn = {978-3-88579-731-9}, issn = {1617-5468}, doi = {10.18420/inf2023_187}, pages = {1851 -- 1870}, year = {2023}, abstract = {The management of knowledge in organizations considers both established long-term processes and cooperation in agile project teams. Since knowledge can be both tacit and explicit, its transfer from the individual to the organizational knowledge base poses a challenge in organizations. This challenge increases when the fluctuation of knowledge carriers is exceptionally high. Especially in large projects in which external consultants are involved, there is a risk that critical, company-relevant knowledge generated in the project will leave the company with the external knowledge carrier and thus be lost. In this paper, we show the advantages of an early warning system for knowledge management to avoid this loss. In particular, the potential of visual analytics in the context of knowledge management systems is presented and discussed. We present a project for the development of a business-critical software system and discuss the first implementations and results.}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerOrzadaFloeseretal.2021, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Orzada, Stephan and Fl{\"o}ser, Martina and Rietsch, Stefan H. G. and Quick, Harald H. and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Performance analysis of integrated RF microstrip transmit antenna arrays with high channel count for body imaging at 7 T}, series = {NMR in Biomedicine}, volume = {34}, journal = {NMR in Biomedicine}, number = {7}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0952-3480 (ISSN)}, doi = {10.1002/nbm.4515}, pages = {18 SeitenWiley}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The aim of the current study was to investigate the performance of integrated RF transmit arrays with high channel count consisting of meander microstrip antennas for body imaging at 7 T and to optimize the position and number of transmit ele- ments. RF simulations using multiring antenna arrays placed behind the bore liner were performed for realistic exposure conditions for body imaging. Simulations were performed for arrays with as few as eight elements and for arrays with high channel counts of up to 48 elements. The B1+ field was evaluated regarding the degrees of freedom for RF shimming in the abdomen. Worst-case specific absorption rate (SARwc ), SAR overestimation in the matrix compression, the number of virtual obser- vation points (VOPs) and SAR efficiency were evaluated. Constrained RF shimming was performed in differently oriented regions of interest in the body, and the devia- tion from a target B1+ field was evaluated. Results show that integrated multiring arrays are able to generate homogeneous B1+ field distributions for large FOVs, espe- cially for coronal/sagittal slices, and thus enable body imaging at 7 T with a clinical workflow; however, a low duty cycle or a high SAR is required to achieve homoge- neous B1+ distributions and to exploit the full potential. In conclusion, integrated arrays allow for high element counts that have high degrees of freedom for the pulse optimization but also produce high SARwc , which reduces the SAR accuracy in the VOP compression for low-SAR protocols, leading to a potential reduction in array performance. Smaller SAR overestimations can increase SAR accuracy, but lead to a high number of VOPs, which increases the computational cost for VOP evaluation and makes online SAR monitoring or pulse optimization challenging. Arrays with interleaved rings showed the best results in the study.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{BeckerBragard2024, author = {Becker, Tim and Bragard, Michael}, title = {Low-Voltage DC Training Lab for Electric Drives - Optimizing the Balancing Act Between High Student Throughput and Individual Learning Speed}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578902}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {After a brief introduction of conventional laboratory structures, this work focuses on an innovative and universal approach for a setup of a training laboratory for electric machines and drive systems. The novel approach employs a central 48 V DC bus, which forms the backbone of the structure. Several sets of DC machine, asynchronous machine and synchronous machine are connected to this bus. The advantages of the novel system structure are manifold, both from a didactic and a technical point of view: Student groups can work on their own performance level in a highly parallelized and at the same time individualized way. Additional training setups (similar or different) can easily be added. Only the total power dissipation has to be provided, i.e. the DC bus balances the power flow between the student groups. Comparative results of course evaluations of several cohorts of students are shown.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{RuettersBragardDolls2024, author = {R{\"u}tters, Ren{\´e} and Bragard, Michael and Dolls, Sarah}, title = {The Inverted Rotary Pendulum: Facilitating Practical Teaching in Advanced Control Engineering}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578937}, pages = {5 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper outlines a practical approach to teach control engineering principles, with an inverted rotary pendulum, serving as an illustrative example. It shows how the pendulum is embedded in an advanced course of control engineering. This approach is incorporated into a flipped-classroom concept, as well as classical teaching concepts, offering students practical experience in control engineering. In addition, the design of the pendulum is shown, using a Raspberry Pi as the target platform for Matlab Simulink. This pendulum can be used in the classroom to evaluate the controller design mentioned above. It is analysed if the use of the pendulum generates a deeper understanding of the learning contents.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KramerBragardRitzetal.2024, author = {Kramer, Pia and Bragard, Michael and Ritz, Thomas and Ferfer, Ute and Schiffers, Tim}, title = {Visualizing, Enhancing and Predicting Students' Success through ECTS Monitoring}, series = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, booktitle = {2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, issn = {2165-9559}, doi = {10.1109/EDUCON60312.2024.10578652}, pages = {5 Seiten}, year = {2024}, abstract = {This paper serves as an introduction to the ECTS monitoring system and its potential applications in higher education. It also emphasizes the potential for ECTS monitoring to become a proactive system, supporting students by predicting academic success and identifying groups of potential dropouts for tailored support services. The use of the nearest neighbor analysis is suggested for improving data analysis and prediction accuracy.}, language = {en} } @article{FrauenrathNiendorfKob2008, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Niendorf, Thoralf and Kob, Malte}, title = {Acoustic method for synchronization of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)}, series = {Acta Acustica}, volume = {94}, journal = {Acta Acustica}, number = {1}, publisher = {Hirzel}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {1861-9959}, doi = {10.3813/AAA.918017}, pages = {148 -- 155}, year = {2008}, abstract = {Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of moving organs requires synchronization with physiological motion or flow, which dictate the viable window for data acquisition. To meet this challenge, this study proposes an acoustic gating device (ACG) that employs acquisition and processing of acoustic signals for synchronization while providing MRI compatibility, immunity to interferences with electro-magnetic and acoustic fields and suitability for MRI at high magnetic field strengths. The applicability and robustness of the acoustic gating approach is examined in a pilot study, where it substitutes conventional ECG-gating for cardiovascular MR. The merits and limitations of the ACG approach are discussed. Implications for MR imaging in the presence of physiological motion are considered including synchronization with other structure- or motion borne sounds.}, language = {en} } @misc{GraesslRenzHezeletal.2012, author = {Gr{\"a}ßl, Andreas and Renz, Wolfgang and Hezel, Fabian and Frauenrath, Tobias and Pfeiffer, Harald and Hoffmann, Werner and Kellmann, Peter and Martin, Conrad and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Design, evaluation and application of a modular 32 channel transmit/receive surface coil array for cardiac MRI at 7T}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cardiac MR (CMR) at ultrahigh (≥7.0 T) fields is regarded as one of the most challenging MRI applications. At 7.0 T image quality is not always exclusively defined by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Detrimental effects bear the potential to spoil the signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) benefits of cardiac MR (CMR) at 7.0 T. B₁⁺-inhomogeneities and signal voids represent the main challenges. Various pioneering coil concepts have been proposed to tackle these issues, enabling cardiac MRI at 7.0 T. This includes a trend towards an ever larger number of transmit and receive channels. This approach affords multi-dimensional B₁⁺ modulations to improve B₁⁺ shimming performance and to enhance RF efficiency. Also, parallel imaging benefits from a high number of receive channels enabling two-dimensional acceleration. Realizing the limitations of existing coil designs tailored for UHF CMR and recognizing the opportunities of a many element TX/RX channel architecture this work proposes a modular, two dimensional 32-channel transmit and receive array using loop elements and examines its efficacy for enhanced B¹+ homogeneity and improved parallel imaging performance.}, language = {en} } @misc{TkachenkovonKnobelsdorffBrenkenhoffKleindienstetal.2012, author = {Tkachenko, Valeriy and von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Kleindienst, Denise and Winter, Lukas and Rieger, Jan and Frauenrath, Tobias and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Santoro, Davide and Niendorf, Thoralf and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette}, title = {Cardiovasular MR at 7Tesla: assessment of the right ventricle}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The assessment of the right ventricle (RV) is a challenge in today's cardiology, but of growing clinical impact regarding patient prognosis in different cardiac diseases. The detection and differentiation of small wall motion abnormalities may help to enhance the differentiation of cardiomyopathies including Arrhythmogenic Rightventricular Cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 1.5T is the accepted gold standard for RV quantification. The higher spatial resolution achievable at ultrahigh field strength (UHF) offers the potential to gain new insights into the structure and function of the RV. To approach this goal accurate RV chamber quantification at 7T has to be proven. Consequently this study examines the feasibility of assessment of RV dimensions and function at 7T using improved spatial resolution enabled by the intrinsic sensitivity gain of UHF CMR. For this purpose, a dedicated 16 channel TX/RX RF coil array is used together with 2D CINE fast gradient echo (FGRE) imaging. For comparison RV chamber quantification is conducted at 1.5T using a SSFP based state of the art clinical protocol.}, language = {en} } @misc{FrauenrathPfeifferHezeletal.2012, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Pfeiffer, Harald and Hezel, Fabian and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Winter, Lukas and Gr{\"a}ßl, Andreas and Santoro, Davide and {\"O}zerdem, Celal and Renz, Wolfgang and Greiser, Andreas and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Lessons learned from cardiac MRI at 7.0 T: LV function assessment at 3.0 T using local multi-channel transceiver coil arrays}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Cardiac MR (CMR) is of proven clinical value but also an area of vigorous ongoing research since image quality is not always exclusively defined by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Recent developments of CMR at 7.0 T have been driven by pioneering explorations into novel multichannel transmit and receive coil array technology to tackle the challenges B1+-field inhomogeneities, to offset specific-absorption rate (SAR) constraints and to reduce banding artifacts in SSFP imaging. For this study, recognition of the benefits and performance of local surface Tx/Rx-array structures recently established at 7.0 T inspired migration to 3.0 T, where RF inhomogeneities and SAR limitations encountered in routine clinical CMR, though somewhat reduced versus the 7.0 T situation, remain significant. For all these reasons, this study was designed to build and examine the feasibility of a local four channel Tx/Rx cardiac coil array for anatomical and functional cardiac imaging at 3.0 T. For comparison, a homebuilt 4 channel Rx cardiac coil array exhibiting the same geometry as the Tx/Rx coil and a Rx surface coil array were used.}, language = {en} } @misc{LindelGreiserWaxmanetal.2012, author = {Lindel, Tomasz Dawid and Greiser, Andreas and Waxman, Patrick and Dietterle, Martin and Seifert, Frank and Fontius, Ulrich and Renz, Wolfgang and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Frauenrath, Tobias and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette and Niendorf, Thoralf and Ittermann, Bernd}, title = {Cardiac CINE MRI at 7 T using a transmit array}, series = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2012 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2012}, abstract = {With its need for high SNR and short acquisition times, Cardiac MRI (CMR) is an intriguing target application for ultrahigh field MRI. Due to the sheer size of the upper torso, however, the known RF issues of 7T MRI are also most prominent in CMR. Recent years brought substantial progress but the full potential of the ultrahigh field for CMR is yet to be exploited. Parallel transmission (pTx) is a promising approach in this context and several groups have already reported B1 shimming for 7T CMR. In such a static pTx application amplitudes and phases of all Tx channels are adjusted individually but otherwise imaging techniques established in current clinical practice 1.5 T and 3 T are applied. More advanced forms of pTx as spatially selective excitation (SSE) using Transmit SENSE promise additional benefits like faster imaging with reduced fields of view or improved SAR control. SSE requires the full dynamic capabilities of pTx, however, and for the majority of today's implemented pTx hardware the internal synchronization of the Tx array does not easily permit external triggering as needed for CMR. Here we report a software solution to this problem and demonstrate the feasibility of CINE CMR at 7 T using a Tx array.}, language = {en} } @misc{WaicziesKuehneWinteretal.2013, author = {Waiczies, Helmar and K{\"u}hne, Andr{\´e} and Winter, Lukas and Frauenrath, Tobias and Hoffmann, Werner and Ittermann, Bernd and Waiczies, Sonia and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Towards theranostics of rheumatoid arthritis: 1H/19F imaging of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in hand and wrist at 7 Tesla}, series = {2013 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, journal = {2013 ISMRM Annual Meeting Proceedings}, issn = {1545-4428}, year = {2013}, abstract = {We have developed a double-tuned ¹H/¹⁹F birdcage resonator dedicated for hand and wrist imaging at 7 T to locally image non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as 2-{[3-(Trifluoromethyl) phenyl]amino}benzoic acid. The preliminary in vivo images acquired by the double-tuned ¹H/¹⁹F birdcage resonator demonstrate the feasibility for ¹H/¹⁹F hand- and wrist-imaging at 7 T. While the diagnostic quality of the coil needs to be assessed in patients with inflammatory rheumatoid disease, first ¹⁹F images of the NSAID are encouraging, and point towards the prospect of applying ¹⁹F-MRI to visualize and quantify the concentration of therapeutically-active compound at the sites of inflammation.}, language = {en} } @incollection{NiendorfWinterFrauenrath2012, author = {Niendorf, Thoralf and Winter, Lukas and Frauenrath, Tobias}, title = {Electrocardiogram in an MRI environment: Clinical needs, practical considerations, safety implications, technical solutions and fFuture directions}, series = {Advances in Electrocardiograms - Methods and Analysis}, booktitle = {Advances in Electrocardiograms - Methods and Analysis}, editor = {Millis, Richard}, publisher = {IntechOpen}, address = {London}, isbn = {978-953-307-923-3 (print)}, doi = {10.5772/24340}, pages = {309 -- 324}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{HeinrichsUttingFrauenrathetal.2009, author = {Heinrichs, Uwe and Utting, Jane F. and Frauenrath, Tobias and Hezel, Fabian and Krombach, Gabriele A. and Hodenius, Michael A. J. and Kozerke, Sebastian and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Myocardial T2 mapping free of distortion using susceptibility-weighted fast spin-echo imaging: A feasibility study at 1.5 T and 3.0 T}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {62}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.22054}, pages = {822 -- 828}, year = {2009}, abstract = {This study demonstrates the feasibility of applying free-breathing, cardiac-gated, susceptibility-weighted fast spin-echo imaging together with black blood preparation and navigator-gated respiratory motion compensation for anatomically accurate T₂ mapping of the heart. First, T₂ maps are presented for oil phantoms without and with respiratory motion emulation (T₂ = (22.1 ± 1.7) ms at 1.5 T and T₂ = (22.65 ± 0.89) ms at 3.0 T). T₂ relaxometry of a ferrofluid revealed relaxivities of R2 = (477.9 ± 17) mM⁻¹s⁻¹ and R2 = (449.6 ± 13) mM⁻¹s⁻¹ for UFLARE and multiecho gradient-echo imaging at 1.5 T. For inferoseptal myocardial regions mean T₂ values of 29.9 ± 6.6 ms (1.5 T) and 22.3 ± 4.8 ms (3.0 T) were estimated. For posterior myocardial areas close to the vena cava T₂-values of 24.0 ± 6.4 ms (1.5 T) and 15.4 ± 1.8 ms (3.0 T) were observed. The merits and limitations of the proposed approach are discussed and its implications for cardiac and vascular T₂-mapping are considered.}, language = {en} } @article{KobFrauenrath2009, author = {Kob, Malte and Frauenrath, Tobias}, title = {A system for parallel measurement of glottis opening and larynx position}, series = {Biomedical Signal Processing and Control}, volume = {4}, journal = {Biomedical Signal Processing and Control}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1746-8108}, doi = {10.1016/j.bspc.2009.03.004}, pages = {221 -- 228}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The simultaneous assessment of glottal dynamics and larynx position can be beneficial for the diagnosis of disordered voice or speech production and swallowing. Up to now, methods either concentrate on assessment of the glottis opening using optical, acoustical or electrical (electroglottography, EGG) methods, or on visualisation of the larynx position using ultrasound, computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging techniques. The method presented here makes use of a time-multiplex measurement approach of space-resolved transfer impedances through the larynx. The fast sequence of measurements allows a quasi simultaneous assessment of both larynx position and EGG signal using up to 32 transmit-receive signal paths. The system assesses the dynamic opening status of the glottis as well as the vertical and back/forward motion of the larynx. Two electrode-arrays are used for the measurement of the electrical transfer impedance through the neck in different directions. From the acquired data the global and individual conductivity is calculated as well as a 2D point spatial representation of the minimum impedance. The position information is shown together with classical EGG signals allowing a synchronous visual assessment of glottal area and larynx position. A first application to singing voice analysis is presented that indicate a high potential of the method for use as a non-invasive tool in the diagnosis of voice, speech, and swallowing disorders.}, language = {en} } @article{vonKnobelsdorfBrenkenhoffFrauenrathProthmannetal.2010, author = {von Knobelsdorf-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Frauenrath, Tobias and Prothmann, Marcel and Dieringer, Matthias A. and Hezel, Fabian and Renz, Wolfgang and Kretschel, Kerstin and Niendorf, Thoralf and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette}, title = {Cardiac chamber quantification using magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla—a pilot study}, volume = {20}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, issn = {0938-7994}, doi = {10.1007/s00330-010-1888-2}, pages = {2844 -- 2852}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Objectives Interest in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) at 7 T is motivated by the expected increase in spatial and temporal resolution, but the method is technically challenging. We examined the feasibility of cardiac chamber quantification at 7 T. Methods A stack of short axes covering the left ventricle was obtained in nine healthy male volunteers. At 1.5 T, steady-state free precession (SSFP) and fast gradient echo (FGRE) cine imaging with 7 mm slice thickness (STH) were used. At 7 T, FGRE with 7 mm and 4 mm STH were applied. End-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, ejection fraction and mass were calculated. Results All 7 T examinations provided excellent blood/myocardium contrast for all slice directions. No significant difference was found regarding ejection fraction and cardiac volumes between SSFP at 1.5 T and FGRE at 7 T, while volumes obtained from FGRE at 1.5 T were underestimated. Cardiac mass derived from FGRE at 1.5 and 7 T was larger than obtained from SSFP at 1.5 T. Agreement of volumes and mass between SSFP at 1.5 T and FGRE improved for FGRE at 7 T when combined with an STH reduction to 4 mm. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that cardiac chamber quantification at 7 T using FGRE is feasible and agrees closely with SSFP at 1.5 T.}, language = {en} } @article{FrauenrathHezelRenzetal.2010, author = {Frauenrath, Tobias and Hezel, Fabian and Renz, Wolfgang and de Geyer d'Orth, Thibaut and Dieringer, Matthias and von Knobelsdorf-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Prothmann, Marcel and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Acoustic cardiac triggering: a practical solution for synchronization and gating of cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 7 Tesla}, series = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, volume = {12}, journal = {Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1532-429X}, doi = {10.1186/1532-429X-12-67}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background To demonstrate the applicability of acoustic cardiac triggering (ACT) for imaging of the heart at ultrahigh magnetic fields (7.0 T) by comparing phonocardiogram, conventional vector electrocardiogram (ECG) and traditional pulse oximetry (POX) triggered 2D CINE acquisitions together with (i) a qualitative image quality analysis, (ii) an assessment of the left ventricular function parameter and (iii) an examination of trigger reliability and trigger detection variance derived from the signal waveforms. Results ECG was susceptible to severe distortions at 7.0 T. POX and ACT provided waveforms free of interferences from electromagnetic fields or from magneto-hydrodynamic effects. Frequent R-wave mis-registration occurred in ECG-triggered acquisitions with a failure rate of up to 30\% resulting in cardiac motion induced artifacts. ACT and POX triggering produced images free of cardiac motion artefacts. ECG showed a severe jitter in the R-wave detection. POX also showed a trigger jitter of approximately Δt = 72 ms which is equivalent to two cardiac phases. ACT showed a jitter of approximately Δt = 5 ms only. ECG waveforms revealed a standard deviation for the cardiac trigger offset larger than that observed for ACT or POX waveforms. Image quality assessment showed that ACT substantially improved image quality as compared to ECG (image quality score at end-diastole: ECG = 1.7 ± 0.5, ACT = 2.4 ± 0.5, p = 0.04) while the comparison between ECG vs. POX gated acquisitions showed no significant differences in image quality (image quality score: ECG = 1.7 ± 0.5, POX = 2.0 ± 0.5, p = 0.34). Conclusions The applicability of acoustic triggering for cardiac CINE imaging at 7.0 T was demonstrated. ACT's trigger reliability and fidelity are superior to that of ECG and POX. ACT promises to be beneficial for cardiovascular magnetic resonance at ultra-high field strengths including 7.0 T.}, language = {en} } @article{DieringerRenzLindeletal.2011, author = {Dieringer, Matthias A. and Renz, Wolfgang and Lindel, Tomasz D. and Seifert, Frank and Frauenrath, Tobias and von Knobelsdorf-Brenkenhoff, Florian and Waiczies, Helmar and Hoffmann, Werner and Rieger, Jan and Pfeiffer, Harald and Ittermann, Bernd and Schulz-Menger, Jeanette and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Design and application of a four-channel transmit/receive surface coil for functional cardiac imaging at 7T}, series = {Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging}, volume = {33}, journal = {Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2586}, doi = {10.1002/jmri.22451}, pages = {736 -- 741}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Purpose To design and evaluate a four-channel cardiac transceiver coil array for functional cardiac imaging at 7T. Materials and Methods A four-element cardiac transceiver surface coil array was developed with two rectangular loops mounted on an anterior former and two rectangular loops on a posterior former. specific absorption rate (SAR) simulations were performed and a Burn:x-wiley:10531807:media:JMRI22451:tex2gif-stack-1 calibration method was applied prior to obtain 2D FLASH CINE (mSENSE, R = 2) images from nine healthy volunteers with a spatial resolution of up to 1 × 1 × 2.5 mm3. Results Tuning and matching was found to be better than 10 dB for all subjects. The decoupling (S21) was measured to be >18 dB between neighboring loops, >20 dB for opposite loops, and >30 dB for other loop combinations. SAR values were well within the limits provided by the IEC. Imaging provided clinically acceptable signal homogeneity with an excellent blood-myocardium contrast applying the Burn:x-wiley:10531807:media:JMRI22451:tex2gif-stack-2 calibration approach. Conclusion A four-channel cardiac transceiver coil array for 7T was built, allowing for cardiac imaging with clinically acceptable signal homogeneity and an excellent blood-myocardium contrast. Minor anatomic structures, such as pericardium, mitral, and tricuspid valves and their apparatus, as well as trabeculae, were accurately delineated.}, language = {en} } @article{MartinFrauenrathOezerdemetal.2011, author = {Martin, Conrad and Frauenrath, Tobias and {\"O}zerdem, Celal and Renz, Wolfgang and Niendorf, Thoralf}, title = {Development and evaluation of a small and mobile Magneto Alert Sensor (MALSE) to support safety requirements for magnetic resonance imaging}, series = {European Radiology}, volume = {21}, journal = {European Radiology}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, issn = {1432-1084}, doi = {10.1007/s00330-011-2153-z}, pages = {2187 -- 2192}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Objective The purpose of this study is to (i) design a small and mobile Magnetic field ALert SEnsor (MALSE), (ii) to carefully evaluate its sensors to their consistency of activation/deactivation and sensitivity to magnetic fields, and (iii) to demonstrate the applicability of MALSE in 1.5 T, 3.0 T and 7.0 T MR fringe field environments. Methods MALSE comprises a set of reed sensors, which activate in response to their exposure to a magnetic field. The activation/deactivation of reed sensors was examined by moving them in/out of the fringe field generated by 7TMR. Results The consistency with which individual reed sensors would activate at the same field strength was found to be 100\% for the setup used. All of the reed switches investigated required a substantial drop in ambient magnetic field strength before they deactivated. Conclusions MALSE is a simple concept for alerting MRI staff to a ferromagnetic object being brought into fringe magnetic fields which exceeds MALSEs activation magnetic field. MALSE can easily be attached to ferromagnetic objects within the vicinity of a scanner, thus creating a barrier for hazardous situations induced by ferromagnetic parts which should not enter the vicinity of an MR-system to occur.}, language = {en} }