Computer Simulation for Evaluating MR Image Artifacts Caused by Magnetic Field Fluctuations Induced by Gradient Pulses

Yo Taniguchi¹, Suguru Yokosawa¹, Yoshitaka Bito¹

A computer simulator for evaluating MR image quality is extended for easily evaluating MR image quality in the presence of temporal fluctuations of the magnetic field caused by gradient switching. The temporal fluctuations are defined by feature parameters, which are inputs to the simulator. The feature parameters of the fluctuations are spatial distributions of amplitude, decay time constant, frequency, and phase. We confirmed that geometrical distortions in the images obtained by DWEPI (diffusion weighted echo-planar imaging) simulations are correspond well with those from the experiments with intentionally increased eddy currents.