Abstract #3173

End-to-end learning of variable flip angle schemes for sharper 3D MRI of biological samples at 11.7T

Simon Mayer^1,2, Martin Blaimer³, Maximilian Gram¹, Mette Hamers¹, Moritz Zaiss^4,5, Ljudmilla Borisjuk², Peter M. Jakob¹, and Peter Dawood^1,4

¹Experimental Physics 5, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, ²Leibniz-Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben, Germany, ³Magnetic Resonance and X-ray Imaging Department, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, Division Development Center X-Ray Technology, Würzburg, Germany, ⁴Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany, ⁵Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Synopsis

Keywords: Biology, Models, Methods, Preclinical, High field, pulse seq. design

Motivation: Achieving high-quality 3D fast spin echo imaging for biological samples is challenging due to T2-dependent blurring and SAR limitations in ultrahigh field MRI.

Goal(s): Tailoring variable flip angle (VFA) schemes that balance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and point spread function (PSF) characteristics at 11.7T.

Approach: Using an optimization framework with SNR- and PSF cost function components, dedicated VFA schemes were computed and tested across a range of SNR and PSF weightings.

Results: SNR-optimized VFA schemes yield strongly enhanced signal magnitudes, while PSF-optimized enhance image sharpness, with marked improvement over conventional FSE, demonstrating adaptability for pre-clinical high-field MRI applications.

Impact: This work showcases the benefit of dedicated VFA optimization for pre-clinical ultrahigh field MRI by enabling tailored imaging protocols enhancing SNR or sharpness. Its adaptability holds promise for fast and high throughput imaging of biological samples and plant research applications.

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