Minimum Field Strength Simulator for Proton Density Weighted MRI

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154711
• Publication Date: 2016-05-02T17:31:28Z
• Authors: Ziyue Wu; Weiyi Chen; Krishna S. Nayak
• Keywords: Field strength

Objective To develop and evaluate a framework for simulating low-field proton-density weighted MRI acquisitions based on high-field acquisitions, which could be used to predict the minimum B0 field strength requirements techniques. This would particularly useful in evaluation of de-noising constrained reconstruction Materials Methods Given raw data, lower can simulated signal noise scaling with strength. Certain assumptions are imposed simulation their validity is discussed. A validation experiment was performed using standard resolution phantom imaged at 0.35 T, 1.5 3 7 T. then applied two sample applications that demonstrated estimation requirements: real-time upper airway imaging liver fat fraction measurement. Results The showed good agreement between measured images. SNR difference ≤ 8% 1.5T, 3T, 7T cases utilized scanners same geometry from vendor. 0.35T 1.8- 2.5-fold less than predicted likely due unaccounted differences RF receive chain. were 0.2 T 0.3 respectively. Conclusions Under certain assumptions, data. enables prediction broad range