B1 SHIM CALIBRATION USING 1D ENCODED B1 DATA

Motivation: To develop a method for fast per-patient calibration of B1 shim parameters. Goal(s): To reduce scan time for per-patient B1 shimming calibration to improve patient throughput. Approach: A key insight is that 1D projections acquired with specific projection orientations are sufficient to capture B1 distribution patterns. By comparing a pair of orthogonal B1 projections in the brain or by measuring average B1 amplitude of a pair of ROIs in a single projection across the breast, left-right B1 symmetry can be measured. Results: Optimal B1 shim settings can be determined with a total time < 1 second as confirmed by B1 maps. Impact: The proposed method for per-patient B1 shimming calibration using 1D B1 projections instead of 2D B1 maps can quickly calibrate B1 shimming parameters in less than one second.