Automated High Order Shim for Neuroimaging Studies

In this work, we proposed an automated High Order Shim procedure for neuroimaging studies. The proposed shimming procedure is fully automated and hence eliminates variability between operators. The procedure performs automated real-time brain extraction to define the region of interest (ROI) of the field map to be used in the shimming algorithm. Automated High Order Shim has fewer image distortions and narrower spectral linewidths than linear shimming and manual high-order shimming, suggesting its superior performance in correcting B0 field homogeneity. The shimming performance was assessed by acquiring EPI-based images and MR spectroscopy at both 3T and 7T field strengths.