Signal-to-noise ratio improvement of cardiac magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals acquired by phased array coils: a simulation based approach

Author(s):  
N. Martini ◽  
M.F. Santarelli ◽  
M. Milanesi ◽  
G. Giovannetti ◽  
V. Positano ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Daniele De Marchi ◽  
Alessandra Flori ◽  
Nicola Martini ◽  
Giulio Giovannetti

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance evaluations generally require a radiofrequency coil setup comprising a transmit whole-body coil and a receive coil. In particular, radiofrequency phased-array coils are employed to pick up the signals emitted by the nuclei with high signal-tonoise ratio and a large region of sensitivity. Methods: Literature discussed different technical issues on how to minimize interactions between array elements and how to combine data from such elements to yield optimum Signal-to-Noise Ratio images. However, image quality strongly depends upon the correct coil position over the heart and of one array coil portion with respect to the other. Results: In particular, simple errors in coil positioning could cause artifacts carrying to an inaccurate interpretation of cardiac magnetic resonance images. Conclusion: This paper describes the effect of array elements misalignment, starting from coil simulation to cardiac magnetic resonance acquisitions with a 1.5 T scanner. </P><P> Phased-array coil simulation was performed using the magnetostatic approach; moreover, phantom and in vivo experiments with a commercial 8-elements cardiac phased-array receiver coil permitted to estimate signal-to-noise ratio and B1 mapping for aligned and shifted coil.


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