Anatomy-Based Simulations of B0 Field Maps: A Large Database for Head and Spine Shim Coil Development

Motivation: B0 field inhomogeneity, particularly near airways and in the spine, degrades MRI quality. While conventional shimming addresses some of these challenges, a resource of B0 maps with diverse anatomies would further support tailored shim coil design. Goal(s): To develop an open-access database of simulated field maps of the head and torso derived from segmented anatomical MRI images. Approach: T1-weighted MRI scans of 60 volunteers were segmented for key anatomical structures, assigned susceptibility values, and simulated field maps via dipole convolution. Results: Simulated B0 maps reveal expected variability dependent on body size and posture, providing a valuable dataset for shim coil design. Impact: This open-access B0 map database of diverse human anatomies enables more effective shim coil design, improving MRI quality in challenging regions like the spine. It addresses anatomical variation, supporting advancements in ultra-high field MRI applications and shimming research.