@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{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{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{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{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{KraffBitzDammannetal.2010, author = {Kraff, Oliver and Bitz, Andreas and Dammann, Philipp and Ladd, Susanne C. and Ladd, Mark E. and Quick, Harald H.}, title = {An eight-channel transmit/receive multipurpose coil for musculoskeletal MR imaging at 7 T}, series = {Medical Physics}, volume = {37}, journal = {Medical Physics}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken, NJ}, issn = {2473-4209}, doi = {10.1118/1.3517176}, pages = {6368 -- 6376}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Purpose: MRI plays a leading diagnostic role in assessing the musculoskeletal (MSK) system and is well established for most questions at clinically used field strengths (up to 3 T). However, there are still limitations in imaging early stages of cartilage degeneration, very fine tendons and ligaments, or in locating nerve lesions, for example. 7 T MRI of the knee has already received increasing attention in the current published literature, but there is a strong need to develop new radiofrequency (RF) coils to assess more regions of the MSK system. In this work, an eight-channel transmit/receive RF array was built as a multipurpose coil for imaging some of the thus far neglected regions. An extensive coil characterization protocol and first in vivo results of the human wrist, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle imaged at 7 T will be presented. Methods: Eight surface loop coils with a dimension ofurn:x-wiley:00942405:media:mp7176:mp7176-math-0001 were machined from FR4 circuit board material. To facilitate easy positioning, two coil clusters, each with four loop elements, were combined to one RF transmit/receive array. An overlapped and shifted arrangement of the coil elements was chosen to reduce the mutual inductance between neighboring coils. A phantom made of body-simulating liquid was used for tuning and matching on the bench. Afterward, the S-parameters were verified on a human wrist, elbow, and shoulder. For safety validation, a detailed compliance test was performed including full wave simulations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate (SAR) for all joints. In vivo images of four volunteers were assessed with gradient echo and spin echo sequences modified to obtain optimal image contrast, full anatomic coverage, and the highest spatial resolution within a reasonable acquisition time. The performance of the RF coil was additionally evaluated by in vivo B1 mapping. Results: A comparison of B1 per unit power, flip angle distribution, and anatomic images showed a fairly homogeneous excitation for the smaller joints (elbow, wrist, and ankle), while for the larger joints, the shoulder and especially the knee, B1 inhomogeneities and limited penetration depth were more pronounced. However, the greater part of the shoulder joint could be imaged.In vivo images rendered very fine anatomic details such as fascicles of the median nerve and the branching of the nerve bundles. High-resolution images of cartilage, labrum, and tendons could be acquired. Additionally, turbo spin echo (TSE) and inversion recovery sequences performed very well. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the concept of two four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays can be used as a multipurpose coil for high-resolutionin vivo MR imaging of the musculoskeletal system at 7 T. Not only gradient echo but also typical clinical and SAR-intensive sequences such as STIR and TSE performed well. Imaging of small structures and peripheral nerves could in particular benefit from this technique.}, language = {en} } @article{SchlamannYoonMaderwaldetal.2010, author = {Schlamann, Marc and Yoon, Min-Suk and Maderwald, Stefan and Pietrzyk, Thomas and Bitz, Andreas and Gerwig, Marcus and Forsting, Michael and Ladd, Susanne C. and Ladd, Mark E. and Kastrup, Oliver}, title = {Short term effects of magnetic resonance imaging on excitability of the motor cortex at 1.5T and 7T}, series = {Academic Radiology}, volume = {17}, journal = {Academic Radiology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1076-6332}, doi = {10.1016/j.acra.2009.10.004}, pages = {277 -- 281}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Rationale and Objectives The increasing spread of high-field and ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners has encouraged new discussion of the safety aspects of MRI. Few studies have been published on possible cognitive effects of MRI examinations. The aim of this study was to examine whether changes are measurable after MRI examinations at 1.5 and 7 T by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Materials and Methods TMS was performed in 12 healthy, right-handed male volunteers. First the individual motor threshold was specified, and then the cortical silent period (SP) was measured. Subsequently, the volunteers were exposed to the 1.5-T MRI scanner for 63 minutes using standard sequences. The MRI examination was immediately followed by another TMS session. Fifteen minutes later, TMS was repeated. Four weeks later, the complete setting was repeated using a 7-T scanner. Control conditions included lying in the 1.5-T scanner for 63 minutes without scanning and lying in a separate room for 63 minutes. TMS was performed in the same way in each case. For statistical analysis, Wilcoxon's rank test was performed. Results Immediately after MRI exposure, the SP was highly significantly prolonged in all 12 subjects at 1.5 and 7 T. The motor threshold was significantly increased. Fifteen minutes after the examination, the measured value tended toward normal again. Control conditions revealed no significant differences. Conclusion MRI examinations lead to a transient and highly significant alteration in cortical excitability. This effect does not seem to depend on the strength of the static magnetic field.}, language = {en} }