Special Articles

2.　 The development of whole−body 3T MRI-Its utility in pediatric examination−

Hiroaki Yoshimura
Marketing Division, MR group, Siemens-Asahi Medical Technologies Ltd

Abstract

　　Recently, there has been a great increase in the use of 3Tesla（3T）MRI in Japan as well as foreign countries, and the installation of 3T MRI exceed 200 in number. With that background there is much improvement of hardware and software in 3T MRI, and the Multi-Transmit RF system which may resolve 3T MRI’s problems has been built and launched into the market. We can easily use 3T MRI for whole body examination and acquire high resolution images with high SNR, because there is much improvement of the B1 field non-uniformity and specific absorption rate（SAR）management. （In this article SAR means the electromagnetic radiation absorption rate.）Especially in Pediatric MRI examination, SAR management is the biggest problem.
　　In this article I describe the future of the new 3T MRI, as well as the new open-bore design magnet and“Multi-Transmit RF system”which have improved the B1 field non-uniformity and SAR management.

Keywords：Computed radiography, Dose control, Contrast noise ratio