Events Calendar

ECE Seminar: Improved Cardiac MRI leveraging Spiral bSSFP at 0.55T

Speaker: Dr. Ye Tian, Postdoctoral Scholar, Ming Hsieh Dept of ECE, USC

Talk Title: Improved Cardiac MRI leveraging Spiral bSSFP at 0.55T

Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a non-invasive, radiation-free medical imaging modality that can provide functional and structural assessments of the cardiovascular system. MRI has trended towards higher field strength and stronger gradient performance which has benefitted high-resolution static imaging of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. It has not had the same revolutionary impact on imaging of the cardiovascular system, which is constantly in motion, and where image quality is dominated by artifact. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in low-field (< 1.5T) MRI configurations, which are expected to benefit dynamic MRI applications. Low-field systems provide lower susceptibility, lower acoustic noise, lower specific absorption rate, and favorably scaled relaxivities (lower T1 and longer T2/T2*), which open new opportunities.

In this talk, I will present several recent projects focused on improved cardiac MRI at 0.55T. I utilize a prototype whole-body 0.55T MRI (MAGNETOM Aera, Siemens Healthineers) at the Dynamic Imaging Science Center, and variations of spiral balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) pulse sequences to achieve imaging that is impossible or extremely difficult at traditional MRI field strengths. These applications include 1) contrast-optimal simultaneous multi-slice imaging of cardiac function, 2) fetal cardiac function and great vessel anatomy evaluation, and 3) dynamic T1-weighted imaging for myocardial perfusion assessment.

Biography: Ye Tian is currently a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Southern California and a 0.55T MRI physicist in the Dynamic Imaging Science Center (DISC), working with Professor Krishna Nayak. He completed his Ph.D. training at the University of Utah in September 2019. His research interests include real-time imaging, first-pass myocardial perfusion, simultaneous multi-slice imaging, and novel pulse sequences for cardiovascular assessment at 0.55T.

Host: Dr. Richard Leahy, leahy@sipi.usc.edu

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95106798688?pwd=YThYL1c2RTFJemNsV0cwS0pLZ0taUT09

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/95106798688?pwd=YThYL1c2RTFJemNsV0cwS0pLZ0taUT09

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mayumi Thrasher