MR Image Enhancement with High Permittivity Materials
Open Access
- Author:
- Ketterman, Matthew David
- Graduate Program:
- Engineering Science
- Degree:
- Master of Engineering
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- February 27, 2015
- Committee Members:
- Michael T Lanagan, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Thomas Neuberger, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Judith Todd, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
Corina Stefania Drapaca, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor - Keywords:
- MRI
magnetic resonance imaging
high permittivity
materials
electromagnetics - Abstract:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) B_1 field magnification and sculpting is made possible with the introduction of high permittivity materials such as Barium Titanate. For several years, brightening and darkening phenomena have emerged under various percepts such as wavelength effects, dielectric resonance, and constructive interference. Technicians have often shared techniques such as the implementation of water pads in order to restore homogeneity or otherwise brighten some region of interest (ROI). Advancing upon such techniques with high permittivity materials, and by thoroughly modeling the resonance condition, an emerging explanation of the aforementioned phenomena is developed into several distinct and novel models and advancement applications. Herein, constructs are developed that permit magnetic field peak positioning, amplification, and increases of magnetic to electric field ratio. Through this becoming technology, it may now be possible to substantially increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), decrease specific absorption rate (SAR), and lower overall scan time. Prototypes are appended to the modeling section.