RAPID, FULLY-AUTOMATIC, ARBITRARY-VOLUME INVIVO SHIMMING

MR spectroscopy and many MR imaging methods benefit from a well‐shimmed magnet. We have developed a pulse sequence which enables fast and accurate measurement of three‐dimensional field maps in vivo, and a data analysis package that allows calculation of shim currents to optimally shim arbitrary selected volumes. A data link to the shim power supply allows automatic update of currents. No intervention by the operator is required. Typical in vivo shimming time is less than 5 min. Performance analysis, phantom, and in vivo results are presented. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc. Copyright © 1991 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company