@article{OrzadaMaderwaldPoseretal.2010, author = {Orzada, Stephan and Maderwald, Stefan and Poser, Benedikt Andreas and Bitz, Andreas and Quick, Harald H. and Ladd, Mark E.}, title = {RF excitation using time interleaved acquisition of modes (TIAMO) to address B1 inhomogeneity in high-field MRI}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {64}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley-Liss}, address = {New York}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.22527}, pages = {327 -- 333}, year = {2010}, abstract = {As the field strength and, therefore, the operational frequency in MRI is increased, the wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects, which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Several multichannel approaches have been proposed to try to tackle these problems, including RF shimming, where each element in an array is driven by its own amplifier and modulated with a certain (constant) amplitude and phase relative to the other elements, and Transmit SENSE, where spatially tailored RF pulses are used. In this article, a relatively inexpensive and easy to use imaging scheme for 7 Tesla imaging is proposed to mitigate signal voids due to B1 field inhomogeneity. Two time-interleaved images are acquired using a different excitation mode for each. By forming virtual receive elements, both images are reconstructed together using GRAPPA to achieve a more homogeneous image, with only small SNR and SAR penalty in head and body imaging at 7 Tesla.}, 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{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{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{MaasVosLagemaatetal.2014, author = {Maas, Marnix C. and Vos, Eline K. and Lagemaat, Miriam W. and Bitz, Andreas and Orzada, Stephan and Kobus, Thiele and Kraff, Oliver and Maderwald, Stefan and Ladd, Mark E. and Scheenen, Tom W. J.}, title = {Feasibility of T₂-weighted turbo spin echo imaging of the human prostate at 7 tesla}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {71}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1522-2594}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.24818}, pages = {1711 -- 1719}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Purpose To demonstrate that high quality T₂-weighted (T2w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging of the complete prostate can be achieved routinely and within safety limits at 7 T, using an external transceive body array coil only. Methods Nine healthy volunteers and 12 prostate cancer patients were scanned on a 7 T whole-body system. Preparation consisted of B₀ and radiofrequency shimming and localized flip angle calibration. T₁ and T₂ relaxation times were measured and used to define the T2w-TSE protocol. T2w imaging was performed using a TSE sequence (pulse repetition time/echo time 3000-3640/71 ms) with prolonged excitation and refocusing pulses to reduce specific absorption rate. Results High quality T2w TSE imaging was performed in less than 2 min in all subjects. Tumors of patients with gold-standard tumor localization (MR-guided biopsy or prostatectomy) were well visualized on 7 T imaging (n = 3). The number of consecutive slices achievable within a 10-g averaged specific absorption rate limit of 10 W/kg was ≥28 in all subjects, sufficient for full prostate coverage with 3-mm slices in at least one direction. Conclusion High quality T2w TSE prostate imaging can be performed routinely and within specific absorption rate limits at 7 T with an external transceive body array.}, language = {en} } @article{UmutluKraffFischeretal.2013, author = {Umutlu, Lale and Kraff, Oliver and Fischer, Anja and Kinner, Sonja and Maderwald, Stefan and Nassenstein, Kai and Nensa, Felix and Gr{\"u}neisen, Johannes and Orzada, Stephan and Bitz, Andreas and Forsting, Michael and Ladd, Mark E. and Lauenstein, Thomas C.}, title = {Seven-Tesla MRI of the female pelvis}, series = {European Radiology}, volume = {23}, journal = {European Radiology}, number = {9}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {1432-1084}, doi = {10.1007/s00330-013-2868-0}, pages = {2364 -- 2373}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @article{KraffWredeSchoembergetal.2013, author = {Kraff, Oliver and Wrede, Karsten H. and Schoemberg, Tobias and Dammann, Philipp and Noureddine, Yacine and Orzada, Stephan and Ladd, Mark E. and Bitz, Andreas}, title = {MR safety assessment of potential RF heating from cranial fixation plates at 7 T}, series = {Medical Physics}, volume = {40}, journal = {Medical Physics}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {2473-4209}, doi = {10.1118/1.4795347}, pages = {042302-1 -- 042302-10}, year = {2013}, language = {en} }