Shimming Toolbox

Shimming Toolbox implements advanced B0 and B1 magnetic resonance imaging shimming methods and supports prototyping of static, dynamic, and real-time shimming experiments.

Key Features:

• Versatile Shimming Capabilities: Supports both B0 and B1 shimming across applications including brain and spinal cord experiments.
• Static, Dynamic, and Real-Time Shimming: Implements static shimming, dynamic shimming, and real-time dynamic xyz-shimming modes.
• Field Mapping Techniques: Incorporates multiple field mapping techniques to quantify B0 and B1 inhomogeneities and guide shim calculations.
• Automated Masking Options: Provides manual and automatic masking for anatomical regions such as the brain and spinal cord to constrain shimming computations.
• Prototyping and Method Development: Enables prototyping of new shimming methods and algorithms.
• Modular Integration with MRI Systems: Modular design enables integration with various MRI systems and custom coil setups such as AC/DC coils.

Scientific Applications:

• B0 Dynamic Shimming at 7T: Using custom AC/DC coils, achieved a 47% reduction in the standard deviation of the B0 field within approximately 10 minutes and reduced geometric distortions in Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) images.
• B0 Real-Time Shimming at 3T (spinal cord): Real-time dynamic xyz-shimming on the spinal cord produced a 30% reduction in signal distribution standard deviation over approximately 5 minutes.
• B1 Static Shimming at 7T (spinal cord): Static B1 shimming on the spinal cord at 7T resulted in a 40% decrease in the coefficient of variation of the B1 field within approximately 10 minutes.

Methodology:

Implements static and dynamic shimming including real-time dynamic xyz-shimming; uses multiple field mapping techniques; provides manual and automatic masking for brain and spinal cord; integrates with custom AC/DC coil setups.