Investigating the influence of dielectric pads in 7T magnetic resonance imaging – simulated and experimental assessment

Dipole radiofrequency (RF) elements have been successfully used to compose multi-channel RF coils for ultrahigh fields (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As magnetic components of RF fields (B1) can be very inhomogeneous at UHF (B0≥7T), dielectric pads with high dielectric constants were proposed to improve the B1 efficiency and homogeneity [1]. Dielectric pads can be used as a passive B1 shimmimg technique thanks to inducing a strong secondary magnetic field in their vicinity. The use of such dielectric pads affect not only the B1 field but also the electric field. This in turn affects the specific absorption rate (SAR) and consequently the temperature distribution inside the patient’s body. To study these effects, a 29 cm-long transmission dipole RF coil element terminated by two meander was used for 7T MRI [2]. Using a cylindrical agarose-gel phantom, numerical and experimental results were analyzed with respect to homogeneity and amplitude of the magnetic and electric fields generated by the RF element in various configurations with and without dielectric pads. Calculated and measured B1 results were cross-checked and found to be in good agreement. When using dielectric pads B1 homogeneity and magnitude increase in regions where it was previously weak or insufficient. Calculations suggest that SAR distribution will change when using the pads.