One thing I was thinking about was how the value of increased SNR with higher field magnets has changed with the introduction of these deep learning systems. The SNR of a 1.5T with deep learning rivals or surpasses 3T without deep learning, and you don't have to worry about all the negative aspects of 3T (SAR, dielectric, chemical shift, etc.). As the video points out, on paper 3T has twice the signals, but when you have to adjust RB for chemical shift, and flip angle for SAR, you do not get that double SNR advantage. If we take this thinking one step further, what about low field systems with deep learning. Could we see
Great podcast as usual. Where would you stand on fetal imaging and heat? The baby can’t complain and what effects could there be to inform patients? What parameters would you adjust to minimize heat in 1.5 T?
Fetal MRI and the heating concerns at different field strengths sounds like an excellent Podcast episode. 💯 It's indeed a hot topic, no pun intended. So, let's take a casual ride down this interesting lane. The tiny human inside the womb is like a silent passenger on this imaging voyage, and while they can't exactly give us a Yelp review on their experience, we've gotta ensure it's a comfy ride. Right? How does temperature change effect the fetus? The fetus' developing structures are sensitive, and even slight temperature changes could stir the waters. It's crucial to keep the mom-to-be in the loop about what's going on, even though the exact impact of a little extra heat is somewhat of a grey area. We know the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the fetus during intrauterine development, plays a critical role in maintaining a thermally controlled environment for the fetus. It assists in keeping a constant temperature around the fetus, which is essential for its proper development. An increase in maternal core temperature can affect the fetal-maternal temperature gradient and influence heat transfer to the fetus. Some studies hint at no significant evidence of injury or harm to the fetus caused by RF energy used during an MRI. However, other studies suggest that while the local SAR in the mother's trunk reaches exposure limits first during an MRI, merely adhering to the mother's exposure limits may not suffice to protect the fetus. For instance, if general population limits are applied to the fetus, the whole-body SAR for the fetus could exceed limits by a substantial margin, which is why the decision to perform a fetal MRI and the specific protocols used should be based on an individualized assessment of the potential benefits and risks. So, what can we do as MRI Techs to help minimize the risk to the fetus? We should do what we can to Lower the amount of RF Energy the patient is exposed to, like moving the patient to a lower field Strength, using parameters that lower SAR, and having a minimum tailored protocol for the given case. Here is a study that discusses this topic further. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19033645/ Thanks for the great question and for watching. We appreciate your support.
we have 15 minute time slots for 3T where I work. They will not let us manipulate any of the parameters, (i.e. save them). It can be very frustrating when I know things that can help. Average scan times set are 8 to 12 minutes total. The issues we have are with all the SAR pop ups. How to prevent them in 3T??? Because one thing that is automatic is the 30 to 60 second "pause". This happens FREQUENTLY where I work. It will make a 12 minute exam go up to 18 minutes.. which is a lot when you are only scheduled 15 minutes per patient. Or a 18 minute exam to 25 or 30 minutes. Any way to convey some info to the Rads to implement real changes in the protocols so that this isn't happening on every single exam?? I and several 'seasoned' techs can manipulate the scan when planning to prevent it most of the time, but we have NUMEROUS newer techs that have little experience with this and it would be far better for the protocols to be optimized beforehand.
Typical for Siemens-scanners.. Reflips down 120 or more in T1and/or hyperecho to blades (remember to raise TE little for same contrast), low SAR mode if possible, scan evething head first- if possible or... use Philips 3T😄. Someone have planned sequences just fast and ignored SAR-issues, there comes 6min SAR calculator limit and pauses it.. Try to organize high and low SAR-sequences alternately, might help little, but if total scan time is 8 minutes, it won't help..
If you're using the XA 10-20-31-51 software versions you can use the SAR assistant in the sequence part 1 tab in Siemens MRIs, this will make the software choose the option instead of you. Flip angle is the most at hand parameter that you can use, but not always is the best decision, for example sometimes the suggested parameters coming from the system is a small increase in TR so that would be the best option, signal wise. In siemens there's also RF type pulse parameter thst increases your TR a bit (sometimes) so it's a small penalty overall. But otherwise stick to flip angle. The reason you're probably getting many SAR pop-ups is because probably all your protocols are the fastest and most SAR intensive settings the system can go.
My question is how do you keep a patients skin from touching the sides when the company you work for isn’t willing to invest money into more padding? Do I use blankets, sheets or pillowcases?
Thanks for watching. In our discussions, we often reference the magnetic field strength of MRI scanners to gravity to illustrate the significant force these magnets exert, even though they operate through entirely different physical mechanisms. By relating the magnetic field strength to a familiar force like gravity, it helps people grasp just how powerful MRI magnets are. For example, even though gravity is a relatively weak force, an MRI magnet can be tens of thousands of times stronger than Earth's gravity. This comparison underscores the strength and impact of the magnetic fields used in MRI technology, making it easier to understand their potential effects. we appreciate your feedback and understand that sometimes the information can seem simplified for someone well versed in the topic. We strive for accuracy while keeping our discussions engaging and understandable. If there’s a particular aspect you found unclear or wish to learn more about, please let us know! We truly appreciate your support and feedback. 🙏🏼💯🙏🏾
welcome back Jesse, learning a lot from you.
One thing I was thinking about was how the value of increased SNR with higher field magnets has changed with the introduction of these deep learning systems. The SNR of a 1.5T with deep learning rivals or surpasses 3T without deep learning, and you don't have to worry about all the negative aspects of 3T (SAR, dielectric, chemical shift, etc.). As the video points out, on paper 3T has twice the signals, but when you have to adjust RB for chemical shift, and flip angle for SAR, you do not get that double SNR advantage.
If we take this thinking one step further, what about low field systems with deep learning. Could we see
Totally agree and will definitely have to do an episode on this topic.
Great podcast as usual. Where would you stand on fetal imaging and heat? The baby can’t complain and what effects could there be to inform patients? What parameters would you adjust to minimize heat in 1.5 T?
Fetal MRI and the heating concerns at different field strengths sounds like an excellent Podcast episode. 💯 It's indeed a hot topic, no pun intended.
So, let's take a casual ride down this interesting lane. The tiny human inside the womb is like a silent passenger on this imaging voyage, and while they can't exactly give us a Yelp review on their experience, we've gotta ensure it's a comfy ride. Right?
How does temperature change effect the fetus? The fetus' developing structures are sensitive, and even slight temperature changes could stir the waters. It's crucial to keep the mom-to-be in the loop about what's going on, even though the exact impact of a little extra heat is somewhat of a grey area.
We know the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the fetus during intrauterine development, plays a critical role in maintaining a thermally controlled environment for the fetus. It assists in keeping a constant temperature around the fetus, which is essential for its proper development. An increase in maternal core temperature can affect the fetal-maternal temperature gradient and influence heat transfer to the fetus. Some studies hint at no significant evidence of injury or harm to the fetus caused by RF energy used during an MRI. However, other studies suggest that while the local SAR in the mother's trunk reaches exposure limits first during an MRI, merely adhering to the mother's exposure limits may not suffice to protect the fetus. For instance, if general population limits are applied to the fetus, the whole-body SAR for the fetus could exceed limits by a substantial margin, which is why the decision to perform a fetal MRI and the specific protocols used should be based on an individualized assessment of the potential benefits and risks.
So, what can we do as MRI Techs to help minimize the risk to the fetus? We should do what we can to Lower the amount of RF Energy the patient is exposed to, like moving the patient to a lower field Strength, using parameters that lower SAR, and having a minimum tailored protocol for the given case.
Here is a study that discusses this topic further.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19033645/
Thanks for the great question and for watching. We appreciate your support.
@@Zone3Podcast thanks for the in depth answer and for all the effort
we have 15 minute time slots for 3T where I work. They will not let us manipulate any of the parameters, (i.e. save them). It can be very frustrating when I know things that can help. Average scan times set are 8 to 12 minutes total. The issues we have are with all the SAR pop ups. How to prevent them in 3T??? Because one thing that is automatic is the 30 to 60 second "pause". This happens FREQUENTLY where I work. It will make a 12 minute exam go up to 18 minutes.. which is a lot when you are only scheduled 15 minutes per patient. Or a 18 minute exam to 25 or 30 minutes. Any way to convey some info to the Rads to implement real changes in the protocols so that this isn't happening on every single exam?? I and several 'seasoned' techs can manipulate the scan when planning to prevent it most of the time, but we have NUMEROUS newer techs that have little experience with this and it would be far better for the protocols to be optimized beforehand.
Typical for Siemens-scanners.. Reflips down 120 or more in T1and/or hyperecho to blades (remember to raise TE little for same contrast), low SAR mode if possible, scan evething head first- if possible or... use Philips 3T😄. Someone have planned sequences just fast and ignored SAR-issues, there comes 6min SAR calculator limit and pauses it.. Try to organize high and low SAR-sequences alternately, might help little, but if total scan time is 8 minutes, it won't help..
If you're using the XA 10-20-31-51 software versions you can use the SAR assistant in the sequence part 1 tab in Siemens MRIs, this will make the software choose the option instead of you.
Flip angle is the most at hand parameter that you can use, but not always is the best decision, for example sometimes the suggested parameters coming from the system is a small increase in TR so that would be the best option, signal wise. In siemens there's also RF type pulse parameter thst increases your TR a bit (sometimes) so it's a small penalty overall.
But otherwise stick to flip angle.
The reason you're probably getting many SAR pop-ups is because probably all your protocols are the fastest and most SAR intensive settings the system can go.
I wasn't aware that Elon Musk's little brother was an MR tech. Another great video guys...
Thanks Joe for watching. 🙏🏼💯🙏🏿
I want a head coil that I can pump up the pad around the head for a custom fit. Like Reebok pumps for a head coil. Can you make a pad like that???
My question is how do you keep a patients skin from touching the sides when the company you work for isn’t willing to invest money into more padding? Do I use blankets, sheets or pillowcases?
Absolutely Dop ☝️
“30,000 times earths gravity” I think you mean earths magnetic field strength
building up 💜
can we have an episode with Katie "MRSO" ? she is always behind the camera.
Killing I love it 👍
👍
Magnetic field strength has nothing to do with GRAVITY It would help to include accurate terminology
Thanks for watching. In our discussions, we often reference the magnetic field strength of MRI scanners to gravity to illustrate the significant force these magnets exert, even though they operate through entirely different physical mechanisms. By relating the magnetic field strength to a familiar force like gravity, it helps people grasp just how powerful MRI magnets are. For example, even though gravity is a relatively weak force, an MRI magnet can be tens of thousands of times stronger than Earth's gravity. This comparison underscores the strength and impact of the magnetic fields used in MRI technology, making it easier to understand their potential effects.
we appreciate your feedback and understand that sometimes the information can seem simplified for someone well versed in the topic. We strive for accuracy while keeping our discussions engaging and understandable. If there’s a particular aspect you found unclear or wish to learn more about, please let us know! We truly appreciate your support and feedback. 🙏🏼💯🙏🏾
this is soo goo!
🤩🤩🤩
🚀🚀🚀💯🚀🚀🚀🚀 Nice
😎
😍
OH YEAH
👾