ISMRM25 - The Best of Two Worlds: Physics & Engineering I: Basics

ISMRM & ISMRT Annual Meeting & Exhibition • 10-15 May 2025 • Honolulu, Hawai'i

The Best of Two Worlds: Physics & Engineering I: Basics

Weekend Course

ORGANIZERS: Shaoying Huang, Najat Salameh, Rolf Schulte, Ramesh Venkatesan, Xiaoliang Zhang

Saturday, 10 May 2025

310 (Lili-u Theater)

08:00 - 11:45

Moderators: Clarissa Cooley & Laleh Golestani Rad

Skill Level: Basic to Intermediate

Session Number: WE-06

No CME/CE Credit

Session Number: WE-06

Overview
Basics of NMR and MRI linking the physics principles with the engineering requirements/needs and across magnetic field strengths.

This first part will include 7 lectures, 1 meet the teachers session, and 1 discussion at the end. The session will be built as follows:

1- From spin to classical description
2- Bloch equations & relaxation
3- The many sources of MR contrast: T1, T2, T2*
4- Magnet design & shim: general (magnet types, B0 homogeneity & correction)
5- Meet the teachers
6- Magnet design across field strengths (opportunities & constraints)
7- RF pulses: multi-purpose design (spatially/spectrally selective, adiabadic, etc)
8- RF coil design: basics to more advanced
9- Discussion

Target Audience
Physicists and Engineers.

Educational Objectives
As a result of attending this course, participants should be able to:
• Describe the basics of NMR, Bloch equation and contrast mechanisms;
• Explain differences in magnet design across field strengths; and
• Summarize how to generate different RF pulses, from design to execution.

08:00		From Spin to Classical Description View Presentation Video Yang Gao, Xiaotong Zhang Impact: This session explores the fundamentals of NMR, spin excitation, and reception, introducing B1+ and B1- fields. We discuss the transition from quasi-static to wave propagation, highlighting near-field vs. far-field effects in clinical and ultra-high-field MRI.
08:25		Understanding Spin Dynamics: The Bloch Equation & Relaxation View Presentation Video Fangrong Zong Impact: The Bloch equation governs MRI magnetization dynamics via precession and relaxation (T1, T2). These relaxation phenomena shape contrast in MR images. Advanced extensions like the Bloch-Torrey equation and multi-component relaxation push research frontiers.
08:50		The Many Sources of MR Contrast: T1, T2, T2* Rita Schmidt
09:15		Magnet Design & Shims: General View Presentation Video Jason Stockmann Impact: We discuss the design and optimization of permanent and superconducting magnets for human MRI. We then consider strategies for "shimming" the empty bore to achieve a target homogeneity. Last, we review methods for shimming the human body when tissues magnetize inside the main magnetic field.
09:40		Break & Meet the Teachers
10:05		Magnet Design Across Field Strengths Sergei Obruchkov Impact: This talk will explore magnet design across field strengths, from Earth's field to advanced superconductors. Examine pros, cons, and challenges of electromagnets, permanent magnets, cryogen-free, and conductively cooled designs, highlighting practical applications and innovations.
10:30		RF Pulses: Multi-Purpose Design (Spatially / Spectrally Selective, Adiabatic, etc.) Philip Lee Impact: RF pulses are used in all MRI acquisitions, and are thus an integral part of operating and designing MR systems. This educational session will introduce approaches used to design RF pulses, as well as the many applications of RF pulses.
10:55		RF Coil Design: Basics to More Advanced View Presentation Video Roberta Frass-Kriegl Impact: Key aspects of Radiofrequency (RF) coil development across various magnetic field strengths are highlighted, including impact on SNR and data quality, as well as usability and patient comfort considerations.
11:20		Panel Discussion and Q&A