B1 insensitive nonadiabatic RF pulses for Fat Suppression

What is it about?

Fat suppression is an important clinical application. However, B1 inhomogeneity becomes severe when the strenght of a static magnetic field is 1.5-T or more higher. To address the issue, adiabatic RF pulse technique were reported. However, it results in increasing SAR and the scan time. Therefore, we have developed a new technique which use nonadiabatic RF pulse train. The technique can significantly reduce SAR and total scan time without compromising the B1 insensitivity.

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Why is it important?

To reduce the SAR and a scan time is important, especially at higher field MRI. Our technique use nonadiabatic RF pulse series which the SAR are lower. Once we design the nonadiabatic RF pulse series (e.g., optimal flip angle combination), we can use the same value even if a static magnetic field (e.g., T1 relaxation time) change. Therefore, it is simple to implement.