MRI RF encoding using multiple transmit coils

US8049497B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• Ulrich Katscher · Norderstedt, DE
• Peter Vernickel · Hamburg, DE
• Peter Boernert · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 31, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 22, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01R33/3415
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A common method of RF encoding assumes that the B1 field generated by the RF coils is linear, which is likely not the case in many situations. It is therefore desirable to have a method of operating an MR system to reconstruct an image of a subject, wherein the method is capable of also handling arbitrary B1 fields used for RF encoding. Accordingly, such an MR system employing one or more RF coils is disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining transmit sensitivities and weighting factors for individual RF coils. Each RF coil is activated based on its respective weighting factor to apply RF excitation to a subject under examination in the MR system. MR signals—such as free induction decays (FID) signals or echo signals—generated from the subject in response to the RF excitation are received and processed based on the transmit sensitivities to generate an MR image or spectrum representative of the subject.