Minimal-SAR RF pulse optimization for parallel transmission in MRI

Parallel transmission is an emerging technique to achieve multi-dimensional spatially selective or modulated excitation in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Minimizing Specific Absorption Ratio (SAR) is a critical issue in this technique for radio frequency power absorption safety. In this paper, we presented an automatic design method to minimize SAR in an optimization framework. The RF pulses and corresponding k-space trajectory are iteratively adjusted. The method is verified using computer simulations of a 4-channel parallel transmission system. The results showed significantly reduction in SAR can be achieved while the quality of the excited pattern is well preserved without enlonging the pulse duration.