Abstract #1635

Improved Partial Fourier EPI using Tissue Susceptibility Matched Pyrolytic Graphite Foams

Gary Chiaray Lee¹, Caroline Jordan², Carlos Ruiz³, Pamela Tiet³, Brian Hargreaves², Ben Inglis⁴, Steven Conolly¹

¹Berkeley/UCSF Bioengineering Joint Graduate Group, Berkeley, CA, United States; ²Radiology, Stanford University; ³Bioengineering, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States; ⁴Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, Berkeley, CA

One difficulty with current EPI BOLD fMRI is poor T₂^*-weighted analysis near areas of strong field inhomogeneities. The magnetic susceptibility difference between air and tissue produces B₀ field perturbations in the head, and may cause significant MRI artifacts, expecially for EPI. Here we develop in vivo susceptibility matching pyrolytic graphite foams for improving EPI near external air/tissue interfaces. We have verified these that foams are safe for patient use, and here we demonstrate that the foams can make partial Fourier acquisition techniques more robust, which can ultimately lead to faster acquisitions or higher resolutions for EPI BOLD fMRI.