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Abstract:
Objective
To provide a numerical and experimental investigation of the static RF shimming capabilities in the human brain at 9.4 T using a dual-row transmit array.
Materials and methods
A detailed numerical model of an existing 16-channel, inductively decoupled dual-row array was constructed using time-domain software together with circuit co-simulation. Experiments were conducted on a 9.4 T scanner. Investigation of RF shimming focused on B1 + homogeneity, efficiency and local specific absorption rate (SAR) when applied to large brain volumes and on a slice-by-slice basis.
Results
Numerical results were consistent with experiments regarding component values, S-parameters and B1 + pattern, though the B1 + field was about 25 weaker in measurements than simulations. Global shim settings were able to prevent B1 + field voids across the entire brain but the capability to simultaneously reduce inhomogeneities was limited. On a slice-by-slice basis, B1 + standard deviations of below 10 without field dropouts could be achieved in axial, sagittal and coronal orientations across the brain, even with phase-only shimming, but decreased B1 + efficiency and SAR limitations must be considered.
Conclusion
Dual-row transmit arrays facilitate flexible 3D RF management across the entire brain at 9.4 T in order to trade off B1 + homogeneity against power-efficiency and local SAR.
