Computation of the signal-to-noise ratio of high-frequency magnetic resonance imagers.

Kowalski, M E; Jin, J M; Chen, J · IEEE Trans Biomed Eng · 2000

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A method of computing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in high-frequency magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems is presented. The method uses a numerical solution to Maxwell's equations which can capture all relevant electrodynamic effects at high B0-field strengths. Using this method, the intrinsic SNR of both volume and surface coils loaded with the human head is calculated as a function of frequency. It is shown that although the available SNR from any point scales favorably with frequency, phase inhomogeneity over the volume of the head may pose a challenge to achieving improved SNR with traditional imaging techniques at high B0-field strengths.

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