System architecture and patient safety for parallel transmission MR

A parallel transmission system architecture extension was developed, designed, and integrated into a 3 T magnetic resonance system. Special attention was paid to improving scan safety for such parallel transmission systems by developing methods for complete specific absorption rate (SAR) control. In addition, a method for identifying potentially unsafe devices was developed and demonstrated by detecting weak radio frequency coupling to active or passive implantable devices. Finally, a non-sequence interfering, contact-free alternative concept for respiration monitoring was proposed, developed, and validated as a spin-off of the parallel transmission SAR and safety concept.