Maxim Zaitsev1, William Punchard2, Andrew Dewdney3, Daniel Gallichan1, Jason Stockmann4, Chris A. Cocosco1, Sebastian Littin1, Anna Masako Welz1, Hans Weber1, Piotr Starewicz2, Jrgen Hennig1
1University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; 2Resonance Research Inc., United States; 3Siemens Healthcare, Germany; 4Yale University, United States
To overcome present limitations on gradient performance and investigate unconventional encoding topologies a PatLoc (parallel imaging technique using localized gradients) concept was proposed recently. PatLoc relaxes requirements of gradient homogeneity and global uniqueness of spatial encoding in favour of local gradient strength. To date the proof-of-concept PatLoc imaging has been performed with prototype hardware with performance inferior to that of linear gradients. The purpose of this project was to design and implement a PatLoc head gradient insert capable of generating local gradients exceeding those of proprietary linear gradient inserts.