TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Breyer, Tobias A1 - Kruszona, Stefan A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Brote, Irina A1 - Gizewski, Elke R. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - A transmit/receive radiofrequency array for imaging the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla: coil design and first in vivo results JF - Investigative Radiology N2 - Objective: To develop a transmit/receive radiofrequency (RF) array for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the carotid arteries at 7 T. The prototype is characterized in numerical simulations and bench measurements, and the feasibility of plaque imaging at 7 T is demonstrated in first in vivo images. Materials and Methods: The RF phased array coil consists of 8 surface loop coils. To allow imaging of both sides of the neck, the RF array is divided into 2 coil clusters, each with 4 overlapping loop elements. For safety validation, numerical computations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate were performed on the basis of a heterogeneous human body model. To validate the coil model, maps of the transmit B1+ field were compared between simulation and measurement. In vivo images of a healthy volunteer and a patient (ulcerating plaque and a 50% stenosis of the right internal carotid artery) were acquired using a 3-dimensional FLASH sequence with a high isotropic spatial resolution of 0.54 mm as well as using pulse-triggered proton density (PD)/T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequences. Results: Measurements of the S-parameters yielded a reflection and isolation of the coil elements of better than −18 and −13 dB, respectively. Measurements of the g-factor indicated good image quality for parallel imaging acceleration factors up to 2.4. A similar distribution and a very good match of the absolute values were found between the measured and simulated B1+ transmit RF field for the validation of the coil model. In vivo images revealed good signal excitation of both sides of the neck and a high vessel-to-background image contrast for the noncontrast-enhanced 3-dimensional FLASH sequence. Imaging at 7 T could depict the extent of stenosis, and revealed the disruption and ulcer of the plaque. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that 2 four-channel transmit/receive RF arrays for each side of the neck is a suitable concept for in vivo MRI of the carotid arteries at 7 Tesla. Further studies are needed to explore and exploit the full potential of 7 T high-field MRI for carotid atherosclerotic plaque imaging. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e318206cee4 SN - 1536-0210 VL - 46 IS - 4 SP - 246 EP - 254 PB - Wolters Kluwer CY - Köln ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ciritsis, Alexander A1 - Horbach, Andreas A1 - Staat, Manfred A1 - Kuhl, Christiane K. A1 - Kraemer, Nils Andreas T1 - Porosity and tissue integration of elastic mesh implants evaluated in vitro and in vivo JF - Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B: Applied Biomaterials N2 - Purpose In vivo, a loss of mesh porosity triggers scar tissue formation and restricts functionality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the properties and configuration changes as mesh deformation and mesh shrinkage of a soft mesh implant compared with a conventional stiff mesh implant in vitro and in a porcine model. Material and Methods Tensile tests and digital image correlation were used to determine the textile porosity for both mesh types in vitro. A group of three pigs each were treated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visible conventional stiff polyvinylidene fluoride meshes (PVDF) or with soft thermoplastic polyurethane meshes (TPU) (FEG Textiltechnik mbH, Aachen, Germany), respectively. MRI was performed with a pneumoperitoneum at a pressure of 0 and 15 mmHg, which resulted in bulging of the abdomen. The mesh-induced signal voids were semiautomatically segmented and the mesh areas were determined. With the deformations assessed in both mesh types at both pressure conditions, the porosity change of the meshes after 8 weeks of ingrowth was calculated as an indicator of preserved elastic properties. The explanted specimens were examined histologically for the maturity of the scar (collagen I/III ratio). Results In TPU, the in vitro porosity increased constantly, in PVDF, a loss of porosity was observed under mild stresses. In vivo, the mean mesh areas of TPU were 206.8 cm2 (± 5.7 cm2) at 0 mmHg pneumoperitoneum and 274.6 cm2 (± 5.2 cm2) at 15 mmHg; for PVDF the mean areas were 205.5 cm2 (± 8.8 cm2) and 221.5 cm2 (± 11.8 cm2), respectively. The pneumoperitoneum-induced pressure increase resulted in a calculated porosity increase of 8.4% for TPU and of 1.2% for PVDF. The mean collagen I/III ratio was 8.7 (± 0.5) for TPU and 4.7 (± 0.7) for PVDF. Conclusion The elastic properties of TPU mesh implants result in improved tissue integration compared to conventional PVDF meshes, and they adapt more efficiently to the abdominal wall. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 827–833, 2018. Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.33877 SN - 1552-4981 VL - 106 IS - 2 SP - 827 EP - 833 PB - Wiley CY - New York, NY ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Dammann, Philipp A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. T1 - An eight-channel transmit/receive multipurpose coil for musculoskeletal MR imaging at 7 T JF - Medical Physics N2 - 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. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.3517176 SN - 2473-4209 VL - 37 IS - 12 SP - 6368 EP - 6376 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken, NJ ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Schäfer, Lena C. A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Maderwald, Stefan T1 - Open design eight-channel transmit/receive coil for high-resolution and real-time ankle imaging at 7 T JF - Medical Physics N2 - Purpose: At 1.5 T, real-time MRI of joint movement has been shown to be feasible. However, 7 T, provides higher SNR and thus an improved potential for parallel imaging acceleration. The purpose of this work was to build an open, U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive microstrip coil for 7 T MRI to enable high-resolution and real-time imaging of the moving ankle joint. Methods: A U-shaped eight-channel transmit/receive array for the human ankle was built.urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0001-parameters and urn:x-wiley:00942405:mp3399:equation:mp3399-math-0002-factor were measured. SAR calculations of different ankle postures were performed to ensure patient safety. Inhomogeneities in the transmit field consequent to the open design were compensated for by the use of static RF shimming. High-resolution and real-time imaging was performed in human volunteers. Results: The presented array showed good performance with regard to patient comfort and image quality. High acceleration factors of up to 4 are feasible without visible acceleration artifacts. Reasonable image homogeneity was achieved with RF shimming. Conclusions: Open, noncylindrical designs for transmit/receive coils are practical at 7 T and real-time imaging of the moving joint is feasible with the presented coil design. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.3553399 SN - 2473-4209 VL - 38 IS - 3 SP - 1162 EP - 1167 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prochnow, Nora A1 - Gebing, Tina A1 - Ladage, Kerstin A1 - Krause-Finkeldey, Dorothee A1 - Ourdi, Abessamad El A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Streckert, Joachim A1 - Hansen, Volkert A1 - Dermietzel, Rolf T1 - Electromagnetic field effect or simply stress? Effects of UMTS exposure on hippocampal longterm plasticity in the context of procedure related hormone release JF - PLoS one N2 - Harmful effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on cognitive and behavioural features of humans and rodents have been controversially discussed and raised persistent concern about adverse effects of EMF on general brain functions. In the present study we applied radio-frequency (RF) signals of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) to full brain exposed male Wistar rats in order to elaborate putative influences on stress hormone release (corticosteron; CORT and adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and on hippocampal derived synaptic long-term plasticity (LTP) and depression (LTD) as electrophysiological hallmarks for memory storage and memory consolidation. Exposure was computer controlled providing blind conditions. Nominal brain-averaged specific absorption rates (SAR) as a measure of applied mass-related dissipated RF power were 0, 2, and 10 W/kg over a period of 120 min. Comparison of cage exposed animals revealed, regardless of EMF exposure, significantly increased CORT and ACTH levels which corresponded with generally decreased field potential slopes and amplitudes in hippocampal LTP and LTD. Animals following SAR exposure of 2 W/kg (averaged over the whole brain of 2.3 g tissue mass) did not differ from the sham-exposed group in LTP and LTD experiments. In contrast, a significant reduction in LTP and LTD was observed at the high power rate of SAR (10 W/kg). The results demonstrate that a rate of 2 W/kg displays no adverse impact on LTP and LTD, while 10 W/kg leads to significant effects on the electrophysiological parameters, which can be clearly distinguished from the stress derived background. Our findings suggest that UMTS exposure with SAR in the range of 2 W/kg is not harmful to critical markers for memory storage and memory consolidation, however, an influence of UMTS at high energy absorption rates (10 W/kg) cannot be excluded. Y1 - 2011 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0019437 VL - 6 IS - 5 PB - PLOS CY - San Francisco ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yazdanbakhsh, Pedram A1 - Solbach, Klaus A1 - Bitz, Andreas T1 - Variable power combiner for RF mode shimming in 7-T MR imaging JF - IEEE Transaction on Biomedical Engineering N2 - This contribution discusses the utilization of RF power in an MRI system with RF mode shimming which enables the superposition of circularly polarized modes of a transmit RF coil array driven by a Butler matrix. Since the required power for the individual modes can vary widely, mode-shimming can result in a significant underutilization of the total available RF power. A variable power combiner (VPC) is proposed to improve the power utilization: it can be realized as a reconfiguration of the MRI transmit system by the inclusion of one additional matrix network which receives the power from all transmit amplifiers at its input ports and provides any desired (combined) power distribution at its output ports by controlling the phase and amplitude of the amplifiers’ input signals. The power distribution at the output ports of the VPC is then fed into the “mode” ports of the coil array Butler matrix in order to superimpose the spatial modes at the highest achievable power utilization. The VPC configuration is compared to the standard configuration of the transmit chain of our MRI system with 8 transmit channels and 16 coils. In realistic scenarios, improved power utilization was achieved from 17% to 60% and from 14% to 55% for an elliptical phantom and a region of interest in the abdomen, respectively, and an increase of the power utilization of 1 dB for a region of interest in the upper leg. In general, it is found that the VPC allows significant improvement in power utilization when the shimming solution demands only a few modes to be energized, while the technique can yield loss in power utilization in cases with many modes required at high power level. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2012.2205926 SN - 1558-2531 VL - 59 IS - 9 SP - 2549 EP - 2557 PB - IEEE CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, Lale A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Kinner, Sonja A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Brote, Irina A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Schroeder, Tobias A1 - Forsting, Michael T1 - Contrast-enhanced ultra-high-field liver MRI: a feasibility trial JF - European Journal of Radiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrad.2011.07.004 SN - 0720-048X VL - 82 IS - 5 SP - 760 EP - 767 PB - Elsevier CY - Amsterdam ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Finger, Felix T1 - Senkrechtstarter: FH-Absolvent wird für Transportdrohne ausgezeichnet JF - campushunter: das etwas andere Karrieremagazin - Wintersemester 16/17 Y1 - 2016 SN - 2196-9426 IS - 17. Regionalausgabe Aachen SP - 116 EP - 117 PB - Campushunter Media CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Poser, Benedikt Andreas A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Quick, Harald H. A1 - Ladd, Mark E. T1 - RF excitation using time interleaved acquisition of modes (TIAMO) to address B1 inhomogeneity in high-field MRI JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - 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. Y1 - 2010 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.22527 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 64 IS - 2 SP - 327 EP - 333 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kobus, Thiele A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Uden, Mark J. van A1 - Lagemaat, Miram W. A1 - Rothgang, Eva A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Heerschap, Arend A1 - Scheenen, Tom W. J. T1 - In vivo 31P MR spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate at 7 T: safety and feasibility JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - 31P MR spectroscopic imaging of the human prostate provides information about phosphorylated metabolites that could be used for prostate cancer characterization. The sensitivity of a magnetic field strength of 7 T might enable 3D 31P MR spectroscopic imaging with relevant spatial resolution in a clinically acceptable measurement time. To this end, a 31P endorectal coil was developed and combined with an eight-channel 1H body-array coil to relate metabolic information to anatomical location. An extensive safety validation was performed to evaluate the specific absorption rate, the radiofrequency field distribution, and the temperature distribution of both coils. This validation consisted of detailed Finite Integration Technique simulations, confirmed by MR thermometry and Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM24175:tex2gif-stack-1 measurements in a phantom and in vivo temperature measurements. The safety studies demonstrated that the presence of the 31P endorectal coil had no influence on the specific absorption rate levels and temperature distribution of the external eight-channel 1H array coil. To stay within a 10 g averaged local specific absorption rate of 10 W/kg, a maximum time-averaged input power of 33 W for the 1H array coil was allowed. For transmitting with the 31P endorectal coil, our safety limit of less than 1°C temperature increase in vivo during a 15-min MR spectroscopic imaging experiment was reached at a time-averaged input power of 1.9 W. With this power setting, a second in vivo measurement was performed on a healthy volunteer. Using adiabatic excitation, 3D 31P MR spectroscopic imaging produced spectra from the entire prostate in 18 min with a spatial resolution of 4 cm3. The spectral resolution enabled the separate detection of phosphocholine, phosphoethanolamine, inorganic phosphate, and other metabolites that could play an important role in the characterization of prostate cancer. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.24175 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 68 IS - 6 SP - 1683 EP - 1695 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, S. A1 - Maderwald, S. A1 - Poser, B. A. A1 - Johst, S. A1 - Kannengiesser, S. A1 - Ladd, M. E. A1 - Bitz, Andreas T1 - Time-interleaved acquisition of modes: an analysis of SAR and image contrast implications JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - s the magnetic field strength and therefore the operational frequency in MRI are increased, the radiofrequency wavelength approaches the size of the human head/body, resulting in wave effects which cause signal decreases and dropouts. Especially, whole-body imaging at 7 T and higher is therefore challenging. Recently, an acquisition scheme called time-interleaved acquisition of modes has been proposed to tackle the inhomogeneity problems in high-field MRI. The basic premise is to excite two (or more) different Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-1 modes using static radiofrequency shimming in an interleaved acquisition, where the complementary radiofrequency patterns of the two modes can be exploited to improve overall signal homogeneity. In this work, the impact of time-interleaved acquisition of mode on image contrast as well as on time-averaged specific absorption rate is addressed in detail. Time-interleaved acquisition of mode is superior in Burn:x-wiley:07403194:media:MRM23081:tex2gif-stack-2 homogeneity compared with conventional radiofrequency shimming while being highly specific absorption rate efficient. Time-interleaved acquisition of modes can enable almost homogeneous high-field imaging throughout the entire field of view in PD, T2, and T2*-weighted imaging and, if a specified homogeneity criterion is met, in T1-weighted imaging as well. Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.23081 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 67 IS - 4 SP - 1033 EP - 1041 PB - Wiley-Liss CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Johst, Sören A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Solbach, Klaus A1 - Ladd, Mark E. T1 - Mitigation of B1(+) inhomogeneity on single-channel transmit systems with TIAMO JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.24453 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 70 IS - 1 SP - 290 EP - 294 PB - Wiley CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, Lale A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Kinner, Sonja A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Bronte, Irina A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Ladd, Susanne C. A1 - Antoch, Gerald A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Quick, Harald H. A1 - Lauenstein, Thomas C. T1 - Renal imaging at 7 Tesla: preliminary results JF - European Radiology N2 - Objective To investigate the feasibility of 7T MR imaging of the kidneys utilising a custom-built 8-channel transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil. Methods In vivo unenhanced MR was performed in 8 healthy volunteers on a 7T whole-body MR system. After B0 shimming the following sequences were obtained: 1) 2D and 3D spoiled gradient-echo sequences (FLASH, VIBE), 2) T1-weighted 2D in and opposed phase 3) True-FISP imaging and 4) a T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence. Visual evaluation of the overall image quality was performed by two radiologists. Results Renal MRI at 7T was feasible in all eight subjects. Best image quality was found using T1-weighted gradient echo MRI, providing high anatomical details and excellent conspicuity of the non-enhanced vasculature. With successful shimming, B1 signal voids could be effectively reduced and/or shifted out of the region of interest in most sequence types. However, T2-weighted TSE imaging remained challenging and strongly impaired because of signal heterogeneities in three volunteers. Conclusion The results demonstrate the feasibility and diagnostic potential of dedicated 7T renal imaging. Further optimisation of imaging sequences and dedicated RF coil concepts are expected to improve the acquisition quality and ultimately provide high clinical diagnostic value. Y1 - 2011 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 21 IS - 4 SP - 841 EP - 849 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, L. A1 - Maderwald, S. A1 - Kinner, S. A1 - Kraff, O. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Orzada, S. A1 - Johst, S. A1 - Wrede, K. A1 - Forsting, M. A1 - Ladd, M. E. A1 - Lauenstein, T. C. A1 - Quick, H. H. T1 - First-pass contrast-enhanced renal MRA at 7 Tesla: initial results JF - European Radiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2666-0 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 23 IS - 4 SP - 1059 EP - 1066 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Wrede, Karsten H. A1 - Schoemberg, Tobias A1 - Dammann, Philipp A1 - Noureddine, Yacine A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Bitz, Andreas T1 - MR safety assessment of potential RF heating from cranial fixation plates at 7 T JF - Medical Physics Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1118/1.4795347 SN - 2473-4209 VL - 40 IS - 4 SP - 042302-1 EP - 042302-10 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Felder, Jorg A1 - Wittig, Tilmann T1 - Designing MRI Coils with Aid of Simulation JF - Microwaves & RF Y1 - 2013 SN - 0745-2993 VL - 52 IS - 7 SP - 56 PB - Penton CY - Cleveland, Ohio ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Umutlu, Lale A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Fischer, Anja A1 - Kinner, Sonja A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Nassenstein, Kai A1 - Nensa, Felix A1 - Grüneisen, Johannes A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Forsting, Michael A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Lauenstein, Thomas C. T1 - Seven-Tesla MRI of the female pelvis JF - European Radiology Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-2868-0 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 23 IS - 9 SP - 2364 EP - 2373 PB - Springer CY - Berlin ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maas, Marnix C. A1 - Vos, Eline K. A1 - Lagemaat, Miriam W. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Kobus, Thiele A1 - Kraff, Oliver A1 - Maderwald, Stefan A1 - Ladd, Mark E. A1 - Scheenen, Tom W. J. T1 - Feasibility of T₂-weighted turbo spin echo imaging of the human prostate at 7 tesla JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mrm.24818 SN - 1522-2594 VL - 71 IS - 5 SP - 1711 EP - 1719 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pyschny, D. A1 - Döring, Bernd A1 - Feldmann, M. T1 - Ermittlung der thermischen Leistungsfähigkeit des neuartigen multifunktionalen Verbunddeckensystems InaDeck JF - Bauingenieur : die richtungsweisende Zeitschrift im Bauingenieurswesen Y1 - 2014 SN - 0005-6650 N1 - Printausgabe in der Bibliothek Bayernallee vorhanden: 13 Z 049-2014 VL - 89 IS - 3 SP - 116 EP - 124 PB - VDI Fachmedien CY - Düsseldorf ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lagemaat, Miriam W. A1 - Vos, Eline K. A1 - Maas, Marnix C. A1 - Bitz, Andreas A1 - Orzada, Stephan A1 - Uden, Mark J. van A1 - Kobus, Thiele A1 - Heerschap, Arend A1 - Scheenen, Tom W. J. T1 - Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging at 7 T in patients with prostate cancer JF - Investigative Radiology N2 - Objectives The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of phosphorus (³¹P) spectra of the human prostate and to investigate changes of individual phospholipid metabolites in prostate cancer through in vivo ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) at 7 T. Materials and Methods In this institutional review board–approved study, 15 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer underwent T₂-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and 3-dimensional ³¹P MRSI at 7 T. Voxels were selected at the tumor location, in normal-appearing peripheral zone tissue, normal-appearing transition zone tissue, and in the base of the prostate close to the seminal vesicles. Phosphorus metabolite ratios were determined and compared between tissue types. Results Signals of phosphoethanolamine (PE) and phosphocholine (PC) were present and well resolved in most ³¹P spectra in the prostate. Glycerophosphocholine signals were observable in 43% of the voxels in malignant tissue, but in only 10% of the voxels in normal-appearing tissue away from the seminal vesicles. In many spectra, independent of tissue type, 2 peaks resonated in the chemical shift range of inorganic phosphate, possibly representing 2 separate pH compartments. The PC/PE ratio in the seminal vesicles was highly elevated compared with the prostate in 5 patients. A considerable overlap of ³¹P metabolite ratios was found between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue, preventing direct discrimination of these tissues. The only 2 patients with high Gleason scores tumors (≥4+5) presented with high PC and glycerophosphocholine levels in their cancer lesions. Conclusions Phosphorus MRSI at 7 T shows distinct features of phospholipid metabolites in the prostate gland and its surrounding structures. In this exploratory study, no differences in ³¹P metabolite ratios were observed between prostate cancer and normal-appearing prostate tissue possibly because of the partial volume effects of small tumor foci in large MRSI voxels. Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0000000000000012 SN - 1536-0210 VL - 49 IS - 5 SP - 363 EP - 372 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia, Pa. ER -