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Ultrahigh Field MRI

Research group 8.14

Profile

The working group "Ultrahigh Field MRI" (UHF MRI) deals with the development, evaluation and application of novel physical MR excitation and acquisition techniques especially for magnetic field strengths of 7 Tesla and beyond. The group focuses in particular on techniques and applications in the human body, for example in the human heart, whereby developments need to take into account the special challenges posed by both the high magnetic field and physiological motion (e.g. cardiac and respiratory motion). The investigated techniques include, for example, parallel transmission with multiple transmit channels, measurement of radio frequency (RF) magnetic field distributions (B1+) within the body, and design of RF pulses. The latter are applied to achieve spatially homogeneous excitations or selective excitations of a target volume. In addition to parallel transmit techniques, system imperfections are investigated and measurment accuracy is increased in several projects such as for quantitative flow imaging applications that allows quantification of the in-vivo and in-vitro velocity vector field of blood. Further information about the specific research topics are provided in the Research/Development section.

Fig 1: Distribution of the 3D transmit magnetic RF field (B1+) responsible for spin excitation shown as fly through video in three orthogonal orientations covering the thorax.

Both, a 3 Tesla MRI system located at PTB and a 7 Tesla whole body MRI system located at Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.) are available for such developments. Both systems are equipped with a parallel transmission system. Furthermore, close collaborations to other ultrahigh field centers exists, such as the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, and the Center for Magentic Resonance Research (CMRR) in Minneapolis, USA. Evaluations and in-vivo applications are being performed in close collabroation with our clinical partners from Charite hospital.

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Research/Development

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Information

We are looking for bachelor and master students. Please contact the head of the group for further information.

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