Numerical Simulations for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Signal, Noise, and Temperature Considering Interactions Between Electromagnetic Fields and The Human Body
Chris Collins, NYU School of Medicine

Abstract:
Today’s clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems apply very strong magnetic fields with frequencies ranging from DC to hundreds of MHz, all carefully choreographed to manipulate the nuclei of the hydrogen atoms throughout the body. These fields interact with the human body in many ways, some of which are necessary for the imaging process, and others that can result in distortion of the images and even concerns for patient safety. Thankfully, numerical methods of simulation allow us to anticipate these interactions in design of hardware and imaging sequences in order to maximize the desired interactions and minimize the rest. In this talk, I will introduce the magnetic fields required for MRI and their various interactions with the human body before discussing the many ways numerical simulations are helping us to maximize safety and performance of current systems, as well as design the systems of the future.