@article{FiedlerOrzadaFloeseretal.2022, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Orzada, Stephan and Fl{\"o}ser, Martina and Rietsch, Stefan H. G. and Schmidt, Simon and Stelter, Jonathan K. and Wittrich, Marco and Quick, Harald H. and Bitz, Andreas and Ladd, Mark E.}, title = {Performance and safety assessment of an integrated transmitarray for body imaging at 7 T under consideration of specificabsorption rate, tissue temperature, and thermal dose}, series = {NMR in Biomedicine}, volume = {35}, journal = {NMR in Biomedicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley}, issn = {0952-3480 (Print)}, doi = {10.1002/nbm.4656}, pages = {1 -- 17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this study, the performance of an integrated body-imaging array for 7 T with 32 radiofrequency (RF) channels under consideration of local specific absorption rate (SAR), tissue temperature, and thermal dose limits was evaluated and the imaging performance was compared with a clinical 3 T body coil. Thirty-two transmit elements were placed in three rings between the bore liner and RF shield of the gradient coil. Slice-selective RF pulse optimizations for B1 shimming and spokes were performed for differently oriented slices in the body under consideration of realistic constraints for power and local SAR. To improve the B1+ homogeneity, safety assessments based on temperature and thermal dose were performed to possibly allow for higher input power for the pulse optimization than permissible with SAR limits. The results showed that using two spokes, the 7 T array outperformed the 3 T birdcage in all the considered regions of interest. However, a significantly higher SAR or lower duty cycle at 7 T is necessary in some cases to achieve similar B1+ homogeneity as at 3 T. The homogeneity in up to 50 cm-long coronal slices can particularly benefit from the high RF shim performance provided by the 32 RF channels. The thermal dose approach increases the allowable input power and the corresponding local SAR, in one example up to 100 W/kg, without limiting the exposure time necessary for an MR examination. In conclusion, the integrated antenna array at 7 T enables a clinical workflow for body imaging and comparable imaging performance to a conventional 3 T clinical body coil.}, language = {en} } @article{FaganBitzBjoerkmanBurtscheretal.2021, author = {Fagan, Andrew J. and Bitz, Andreas and Bj{\"o}rkman-Burtscher, Isabella M. and Collins, Christopher M. and Kimbrell, Vera and Raaijmakers, Alexander J. E.}, title = {7T MR Safety}, series = {Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI)}, volume = {53}, journal = {Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI)}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2586}, doi = {10.1002/jmri.27319}, pages = {333 -- 346}, year = {2021}, language = {en} } @article{OrzadaFiedlerBitzetal.2020, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Fiedler, Thomas M. and Bitz, Andreas and Ladd, Mark E. and Quick, Harald H.}, title = {Local SAR compression with overestimation control to reduce maximum relative SAR overestimation and improve multi-channel RF array performance}, series = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, number = {34 (2021)}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, isbn = {1352-8661}, doi = {10.1007/s10334-020-00890-0}, pages = {153 -- 164}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective In local SAR compression algorithms, the overestimation is generally not linearly dependent on actual local SAR. This can lead to large relative overestimation at low actual SAR values, unnecessarily constraining transmit array performance. Method Two strategies are proposed to reduce maximum relative overestimation for a given number of VOPs. The first strategy uses an overestimation matrix that roughly approximates actual local SAR; the second strategy uses a small set of pre-calculated VOPs as the overestimation term for the compression. Result Comparison with a previous method shows that for a given maximum relative overestimation the number of VOPs can be reduced by around 20\% at the cost of a higher absolute overestimation at high actual local SAR values. Conclusion The proposed strategies outperform a previously published strategy and can improve the SAR compression where maximum relative overestimation constrains the performance of parallel transmission.}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerLaddClemensetal.2020, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Ladd, Mark E. and Clemens, Markus and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Safety of subjects during radiofrequency exposure in ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging}, series = {IEEE Letters on Electromagnetic Compatibility Practice and Applications}, volume = {2}, journal = {IEEE Letters on Electromagnetic Compatibility Practice and Applications}, number = {3}, publisher = {IEEE}, address = {New York, NY}, isbn = {2637-6423}, doi = {10.1109/LEMCPA.2020.3029747}, pages = {1 -- 8}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most important medical imaging techniques. Since the introduction of MRI in the mid-1980s, there has been a continuous trend toward higher static magnetic fields to obtain i.a. a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The step toward ultra-high-field (UHF) MRI at 7 Tesla and higher, however, creates several challenges regarding the homogeneity of the spin excitation RF transmit field and the RF exposure of the subject. In UHF MRI systems, the wavelength of the RF field is in the range of the diameter of the human body, which can result in inhomogeneous spin excitation and local SAR hotspots. To optimize the homogeneity in a region of interest, UHF MRI systems use parallel transmit systems with multiple transmit antennas and time-dependent modulation of the RF signal in the individual transmit channels. Furthermore, SAR increases with increasing field strength, while the SAR limits remain unchanged. Two different approaches to generate the RF transmit field in UHF systems using antenna arrays close and remote to the body are investigated in this letter. Achievable imaging performance is evaluated compared to typical clinical RF transmit systems at lower field strength. The evaluation has been performed under consideration of RF exposure based on local SAR and tissue temperature. Furthermore, results for thermal dose as an alternative RF exposure metric are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{RietschBrunheimOrzadaetal.2019, author = {Rietsch, Stefan H. G. and Brunheim, Sascha and Orzada, Stephan and Voelker, Maximilian N. and Maderwald, Stefan and Bitz, Andreas and Gratz, Marcel and Ladd, Mark E. and Quick, Harald H.}, title = {Development and evaluation of a 16-channel receive-only RF coil to improve 7T ultra-high field body MRI with focus on the spine}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {Early view}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.27731}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidtForkmannSchultzetal.2019, author = {Schmidt, Katharina and Forkmann, Katarina and Schultz, Heidrun and Gratz, Marcel and Bitz, Andreas and Wiech, Katja and Bingel, Ulrike}, title = {Enhanced Neural Reinstatement for Evoked Facial Pain Compared With Evoked Hand Pain}, series = {The Journal of Pain}, journal = {The Journal of Pain}, number = {In Press, Corrected Proof}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1526-5900}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpain.2019.03.003}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{OrzadaSolbachGratzetal.2019, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Solbach, Klaus and Gratz, Marcel and Brunheim, Sascha and Fiedler, Thomas M. and Johst, S{\"o}ren and Bitz, Andreas and Shooshtary, Samaneh and Abuelhaija, Asjraf and Voelker, Maximilian N. and Rietsch, Stefan H. G. and Kraff, Oliver and Maderwald, Stefan and Fl{\"o}ser, Martina and Oehmingen, Mark and Quick, Harald H. and Ladd, Mark E.}, title = {A 32-channel parallel transmit system add-on for 7T MRI}, series = {Plos one}, journal = {Plos one}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0222452}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{NoureddineKraffLaddetal.2019, author = {Noureddine, Yacine and Kraff, Oliver and Ladd, Mark E. and Wrede, Karsten and Chen, Bixia and Quick, Harald H. and Schaefers, Georg and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {Radiofrequency induced heating around aneurysm clips using a generic birdcage head coil at 7 Tesla under consideration of the minimum distance to decouple multiple aneurysm clips}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {Early view}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.27835}, pages = {1 -- 17}, year = {2019}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerLaddBitz2017, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {SAR Simulations \& Safety}, series = {NeuroImage}, journal = {NeuroImage}, number = {Epub ahead of print}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1053-8119}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.035}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{NoureddineKraffLaddetal.2017, author = {Noureddine, Yacine and Kraff, Oliver and Ladd, Mark E. and Wrede, Karsten H. and Chen, Bixia and Quick, Harald H. and Schaefers, Gregor and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {In vitro and in silico assessment of RF-induced heating around intracranial aneurysm clips at 7 Tesla}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {Early view}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.26650}, pages = {14 Seiten}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{FiedlerLaddBitz2017, author = {Fiedler, Thomas M. and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {RF safety assessment of a bilateral four-channel transmit/receive 7 Tesla breast coil: SAR versus temperature limits}, series = {Medical Physics}, volume = {44}, journal = {Medical Physics}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/mp.12034}, pages = {143 -- 157}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{RietschPfaffenrotBitzetal.2017, author = {Rietsch, Stefan H. G. and Pfaffenrot, Viktor and Bitz, Andreas and Orzada, Stephan and Brunheim, Sascha and Lazik-Palm, Andrea and Theysohn, Jens M. and Ladd, Mark E. and Quick, Harald H. and Kraff, Oliver}, title = {An 8-channel transceiver 7-channel receive RF coil setup for high SNR ultrahigh-field MRI of the shoulder at 7T}, series = {Medical Physics}, journal = {Medical Physics}, number = {Article in press}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0094-2405}, doi = {10.1002/mp.12612}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{OrzadaBitzJohstetal.2017, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Bitz, Andreas and Johst, S{\"o}ren and Gratz, Marcel and V{\"o}lker, Maximilian N. and Kraff, Oliver and Abuelhaija, Ashraf and Fiedler, Thomas M. and Solbach, Klaus and Quick, Harald H. and Ladd, Mark E.}, title = {Analysis of an integrated 8-Channel Tx/Rx body array for use as a body coil in 7-Tesla MRI}, series = {Frontiers in Physics}, volume = {5}, journal = {Frontiers in Physics}, number = {Jun}, issn = {2296-424X}, doi = {10.3389/fphy.2017.00017}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @article{SchmidtForkmannSinkeetal.2016, author = {Schmidt, K. and Forkmann, K. and Sinke, C. and Gratz, M. and Bitz, Andreas and Bingel, U.}, title = {The differential effect of trigeminal vs. peripheral pain stimulation on visual processing and memory encoding is influenced by pain-related fear}, series = {NeuroImage}, volume = {134}, journal = {NeuroImage}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1053-8119}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.03.026}, pages = {386 -- 395}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Compared to peripheral pain, trigeminal pain elicits higher levels of fear, which is assumed to enhance the interruptive effects of pain on concomitant cognitive processes. In this fMRI study we examined the behavioral and neural effects of trigeminal (forehead) and peripheral (hand) pain on visual processing and memory encoding. Cerebral activity was measured in 23 healthy subjects performing a visual categorization task that was immediately followed by a surprise recognition task. During the categorization task subjects received concomitant noxious electrical stimulation on the forehead or hand. Our data show that fear ratings were significantly higher for trigeminal pain. Categorization and recognition performance did not differ between pictures that were presented with trigeminal and peripheral pain. However, object categorization in the presence of trigeminal pain was associated with stronger activity in task-relevant visual areas (lateral occipital complex, LOC), memory encoding areas (hippocampus and parahippocampus) and areas implicated in emotional processing (amygdala) compared to peripheral pain. Further, individual differences in neural activation between the trigeminal and the peripheral condition were positively related to differences in fear ratings between both conditions. Functional connectivity between amygdala and LOC was increased during trigeminal compared to peripheral painful stimulation. Fear-driven compensatory resource activation seems to be enhanced for trigeminal stimuli, presumably due to their exceptional biological relevance.}, language = {en} } @article{LagemaatBreukelsVosetal.2016, author = {Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Breukels, Vincent and Vos, Eline K. and B., Adam and Uden, Mark J. van and Orzada, Stephan and Bitz, Andreas and Maas, Marnix C. and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {¹H MR spectroscopic imaging of the prostate at 7T using spectral-spatial pulses}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {75}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {3}, publisher = {International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.25569}, pages = {933 -- 945}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose To assess the feasibility of prostate ¹H MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) using low-power spectral-spatial (SPSP) pulses at 7T, exploiting accurate spectral selection and spatial selectivity simultaneously. Methods A double spin-echo sequence was equipped with SPSP refocusing pulses with a spectral selectivity of 1 ppm. Three-dimensional prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T was performed with the SPSP-MRSI sequence using an 8-channel transmit array coil and an endorectal receive coil in three patients with prostate cancer and in one healthy subject. No additional water or lipid suppression pulses were used. Results Prostate ¹H-MRSI could be obtained well within specific absorption rate (SAR) limits in a clinically feasible time (10 min). Next to the common citrate signals, the prostate spectra exhibited high spermine signals concealing creatine and sometimes also choline. Residual lipid signals were observed at the edges of the prostate because of limitations in spectral and spatial selectivity. Conclusion It is possible to perform prostate ¹H-MRSI at 7T with a SPSP-MRSI sequence while using separate transmit and receive coils. This low-SAR MRSI concept provides the opportunity to increase spatial resolution of MRSI within reasonable scan times.}, language = {en} } @article{OrzadaLaddBitz2016, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {A method to approximate maximum local SAR in multichannel transmit MR systems without transmit phase information}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {78}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {2}, publisher = {International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.26398}, pages = {805 -- 811}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Purpose To calculate local specific absorption rate (SAR) correctly, both the amplitude and phase of the signal in each transmit channel have to be known. In this work, we propose a method to derive a conservative upper bound for the local SAR, with a reasonable safety margin without knowledge of the transmit phases of the channels. Methods The proposed method uses virtual observation points (VOPs). Correction factors are calculated for each set of VOPs that prevent underestimation of local SAR when the VOPs are applied with the correct amplitudes but fixed phases. Results The proposed method proved to be superior to the worst-case calculation based on the maximum eigenvalue of the VOPs. The mean overestimation for six coil setups could be reduced, whereas no underestimation of the maximum local SAR occurred. In the best investigated case, the overestimation could be reduced from a factor of 3.3 to a factor of 1.7. Conclusion The upper bound for the local SAR calculated with the proposed method allows a fast estimation of the local SAR based on power measurements in the transmit channels and facilitates SAR monitoring in systems that do not have the capability to monitor transmit phases}, language = {en} } @article{ChenSchoembergKraffetal.2016, author = {Chen, Bixia and Schoemberg, Tobias and Kraff, Oliver and Dammann, Philipp and Bitz, Andreas and Schlamann, Marc and Quick, Harald H. and Ladd, Mark E. and Sure, Ulrich and Wrede, Karsten H.}, title = {Cranial fixation plates in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: a 3 and 7 Tesla in vivo image quality study}, series = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, volume = {29}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, number = {3}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1352-8661}, doi = {10.1007/s10334-016-0548-1}, pages = {389 -- 398}, year = {2016}, abstract = {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.}, language = {en} } @article{BankOrzadaSmitsetal.2015, author = {Bank, Bart L. van de and Orzada, Stephan and Smits, Frits and Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Rodgers, Christopher T. and Bitz, Andreas and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {Optimized (31) P MRS in the human brain at 7 T with a dedicated RF coil setup}, series = {NMR in Biomedicine}, volume = {28}, journal = {NMR in Biomedicine}, number = {11}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1099-1492}, doi = {10.1002/nbm.3422}, pages = {1570 -- 1578}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{NoureddineBitzLaddetal.2015, author = {Noureddine, Yacine and Bitz, Andreas and Ladd, Mark E. and Th{\"u}rling, Markus and Ladd, Susanne C. and Schaefers, Gregor and Kraff, Oliver}, title = {Experience with magnetic resonance imaging of human subjects with passive implants and tattoos at 7 T: a retrospective study}, series = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, volume = {28}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine}, number = {6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1352-8661}, doi = {10.1007/s10334-015-0499-y}, pages = {577 -- 590}, year = {2015}, language = {en} } @article{LagemaatMaasVosetal.2015, author = {Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Maas, Marnix C. and Vos, Eline K. and Bitz, Andreas and Orzada, Stephan and Weiland, Elisabeth and Uden, Mark J. van and Kobus, Thiele and Heerschap, Arend and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {(31) P MR spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate at 7 T: T1 relaxation times, Nuclear Overhauser Effect, and spectral characterization}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {73}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.25209}, pages = {909 -- 920}, year = {2015}, language = {en} }