ISSN# 1545-4428 | Published date: 19 April, 2024
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At-A-Glance Session Detail
   
From Low Field to High Field
Weekday Course
ORGANIZERS: Berkin Bilgic, HyungJoon Cho
Wednesday, 08 May 2024
Summit 1
08:15 -  10:15
Moderators: SoHyun Han & Yang Yang
Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate
Session Number: W-01
CME Credit

Session Number: W-01

Overview
In this two-hour course, the benefits and challenges of MRI over a wide range of field strengths (from tens of mT to beyond 10T) will be presented. The session will include both technical aspects (with a focus on gradient fields, signal acquisition, and image reconstruction), as well as clinical applications.




Target Audience
Scientists and clinicians interested in existing and emerging techniques for MRI over a wide range of field strengths.



Educational Objectives
As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages, and applications of MRI at low vs high field;
- Describe technical aspects of low field MRI;
- Discuss existing and emerging high-field technologies; and
- Identify the opportunities to leverage high performance gradient fields.

08:15 Pros/Cons from Low to High Field
Clarissa Cooley
08:25 Low-Field Imaging: Acquisition Technology & Applications
Masaaki Hori, Akifumi Hagiwara, Kouhei Kamiya, Koji Kamagata, Shigeki Aoki

Keywords: Physics & Engineering: Low-Field MRI

Low-field MRI systems, historically seen as underperforming, are gaining renewed interest due to advancements in technology. These systems now enable techniques previously limited to high-field MRI, offering considerable clinical value with improved imaging modalities like 3D SWI at 0.55T. The application of AI and deep learning in image reconstruction and noise reduction enhances image quality and reduces imaging times. Despite inherent limitations in signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, low-field MRI provides unique advantages, especially in reducing susceptibility artifacts near metal implants, making it a valuable tool in clinical diagnostics and MRI-guided interventions.
08:49Encoding/Reconstruction To Exploit High-Performance Gradients
Gabriel Ramos Llordén

Keywords: Physics & Engineering: Hardware, Image acquisition: Sequences, Image acquisition: Reconstruction

Advancements in gradient technology and hardware have significantly enhanced the capabilities of human MRI scanners. To fully utilize these high-performance gradients, sophisticated encoding and reconstruction techniques are essential. This educational session delves into acquisition and reconstruction methodologies designed to maximize the potential of high-performance gradients and overcome concomitant challenges, thereby ensuring high-fidelity MRI imaging.  Additionally, the session will highlight various medical applications that benefit from these technological advancements, e.g., hardware and dedicated image encoding/reconstruction frameworks.
09:13 Clinical Applications @ UHF
Daniel Paech

Keywords: Cross-organ: Cancer, Neuro: Brain, Physics & Engineering: High-Field MRI

The talk delves into the potential transformative impact of ultra high field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging on medical diagnostics and treatment. Key applications highlighted include advanced brain imaging for neurological disorders, enhanced visualization of musculoskeletal structures, and improved cancer detection and characterization. The speaker emphasizes the potential for UHF MRI to unlock new insights into disease mechanisms, facilitate early diagnosis, and tailor personalized treatment plans. Challenges such as accessibility, patient safety, and regulatory hurdles are also discussed, alongside future directions for integrating UHF MRI into routine clinical practice.
09:37What Lies Beyond 7T on the Horizon
Nicolas Boulant, Franck Mauconduit, Vincent Gras, Alexis Amadon, Caroline Le Ster, Michel Luong, Aurélien Massire, Christophe Pallier, Laure Sabatier, Michel Bottlaender, Denis Le Bihan, Alexandre Vignaud

Keywords: Physics & Engineering: High-Field MRI, Neuro: Brain

The supralinear gains of signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios have been a driving force for ultra-high field MRI. Many exciting projects worldwide have emerged to leverage this gain and boost the spatiotemporal resolution of brain images, gain sensitivity in fMRI and increase the spectral peak separation. In this context, the highest magnetic field used to date in vivo on humans is 11.7T at CEA, Saclay France. This work presents the latest achievements at this unprecedented field strength, including the first images ever acquired in vivo, as well as a few lessons learnt on the way.
10:01 Shim Coil Design
Alexis Amadon