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Abstract #2718

Reliable in Vivo Shimming for Solving Shim Degeneracy and Incorporating System Constaints at High B0 Fields

Iulius Dragonu1, Nicoleta Baxan1, 2, Markus Wick2, Jeff Snyder3, Franek Hennel2, Jrgen Hennig1, Dominik von Elverfeldt1, Maxim Zaitsev1

1Dept. Radiology - Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; 2Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany; 3Dept. of Neurology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

Discontinuities in the magnetic susceptibility generate induction fields which perturb the static B0 field. At high B0 fields the susceptibility difference effects are enhanced leading to potential shimming problems. The problem of finding the correct shim values can become ill-conditioned for very thin or off-centred volumes. In such cases, the required linear independence of shim functions is not maintained leading to shim degeneracy. In this work, we propose a new method for solving the shim degeneracy problem in order to calculate the correct shim values. In addition, this technique will optimize the shim currents taking into account the limitations of the maximum current available for each shim channel.

Keywords

absolute account acquisition active addition address approaches automatically available become border brain calculating channel channels chosen coil coils coincided columns combinations compensated computed conditioned considered constrained constraint constraints contains correct corrective cubic decomposition defined degeneracy dept determines diagonal diagram dimension displays distribution driven dual education else entire equal equality example exceeded expressed federal field fields finding five form frequency functions furthermore histogram implemented improved in vivo incorporating independence indicated indicates induction inhomogeneities inhomogeneity initial inside instability interactions inversion last leading least limitation limitations linear maps mask matrix maxim medical minimization modifications modify move neurology numerical occurs offset often optimization optimize part particular perturb positive possibilities potential power previously problem project propose proposed quadratic radiology reached reliable replaced representative represented residual respected scanner segmentation several shim shimming shims since singular slice slices smallest solve solved solves solving spherical square squared static successfully supply susceptibility system table taking transverse unconstrained unitary user violated volume volumes