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In-Vivo T1rho Mapping
This project aims to investigate spin-locking in magnetization-prepared MR Relaxometry. Specifically designed RF pulses lock the magnetization in the transverse plane and allow for the measurement of effective relaxation constants, T1rho and T2rho, which can reveal chemical exchange of protons between different pools and serve as biomarkers for diseases.
We will explore different spin-locking RF pulses, investigate their limits through numerical simulations and phantom experiments, and study in-vivo application of T1rho mapping and dispersion quantification.
MR Relaxometry is a technique that aims to determine the relaxation properties of tissue by sensitizing the MRI signal to T1 and T2. These parameters provide insights into the relaxation processes at clinical magnetic fields, which are governed by physical interactions on the time-scale of precession. However, to probe longer-term processes through relaxation, lower magnetic fields are required resulting in lower signal-to-noise ratio. Spin-locking is an effective way to overcome this challenge. This technique uses specially designed RF pulses to lock magnetization in the transverse plane, allowing the magnetization to rotate about a second axis in the rotating frame with a much smaller magnetic field. This "spin-locked" state results in the measurement of effective relaxation constants, T1rho and T2rho, which can reveal e.g., chemical exchange of protons between different pools. Hence, T1rho mapping can be used to probe microscopic processes and may serve as biomarker for disease.
In this project, we want to investigate different spin-locking RF pulses for in-vivo applications and explore the limits with regards to spin-lock frequency and spin-lock time. We will investigate the efficacy of different spin-lock RF pulses through numerical simulations and phantom experiments, and explore in-vivo T1rho mapping as well as T1rho dispersion quantification.
MR Relaxometry is a technique that aims to determine the relaxation properties of tissue by sensitizing the MRI signal to T1 and T2. These parameters provide insights into the relaxation processes at clinical magnetic fields, which are governed by physical interactions on the time-scale of precession. However, to probe longer-term processes through relaxation, lower magnetic fields are required resulting in lower signal-to-noise ratio. Spin-locking is an effective way to overcome this challenge. This technique uses specially designed RF pulses to lock magnetization in the transverse plane, allowing the magnetization to rotate about a second axis in the rotating frame with a much smaller magnetic field. This "spin-locked" state results in the measurement of effective relaxation constants, T1rho and T2rho, which can reveal e.g., chemical exchange of protons between different pools. Hence, T1rho mapping can be used to probe microscopic processes and may serve as biomarker for disease.
In this project, we want to investigate different spin-locking RF pulses for in-vivo applications and explore the limits with regards to spin-lock frequency and spin-lock time. We will investigate the efficacy of different spin-lock RF pulses through numerical simulations and phantom experiments, and explore in-vivo T1rho mapping as well as T1rho dispersion quantification.
Not specified
If you are interested, please contact Christian Guenthner (guenthner@biomed.ee.ethz.ch) via email and attach your CV and a recent transcript of records.
Supervising Professor: Prof. Sebastian Kozerke (kozerke@biomed.ee.ethz.ch)
If you are interested, please contact Christian Guenthner (guenthner@biomed.ee.ethz.ch) via email and attach your CV and a recent transcript of records.
Supervising Professor: Prof. Sebastian Kozerke (kozerke@biomed.ee.ethz.ch)
