An apparatus and method for imaging quality assessment of an imaging system employs an aggregate phantom and a processor for imaging analysis. The aggregate phantom includes a plurality of self-contained sections configured to be moved independently and re-assembled in the imaging system. Each section includes fiducial features of known relative location. The processor: quantitatively determines location of the fiducial features within an image of the aggregate phantom; compares the determined location within the image to the known relative location of the fiducial features to produce a distortion field; and distinguishes between actual geometric distortion of the imaging system and rigid-body transformations of sections of the aggregate phantom, in the distortion field. For extended fields-of-view, the aggregate phantom may be repositioned, and sets of images combined to determine a distortion field of the extended image. A method employing virtual features for measuring spatial uniformity of an acquired signal, is also provided.

A universal, modular, temperature controlled MRI phantom for calibration and validation for anisotropic and isotropic imaging comprises an outer insulating shell configured to be received within an MRI chamber; an inner shell received within the outer insulating shell; a fluid conduits adjacent the inner shell for receiving temperature controlling fluid or gas cycling there-through; and a series of stacked layers of frames containing test points for the MRI phantom, each layer including at least one fiducial and including at least some anisotropic imaging test points in at least one frame and at least one isotropic imaging test point in at least one frame. The anisotropic imaging comprises hollow tubular textile fibers, wherein each hollow tubular fiber has an outer diameter of less than 50 microns and an inner diameter of less than 20 microns, wherein at least some hollow tubular fibers are filled with a fluid.

A universal, modular, temperature controlled MRI phantom for calibration and validation for anisotropic and isotropic imaging comprises an outer insulating shell configured to be received within an MRI chamber; an inner shell received within the outer insulating shell; a fluid conduits adjacent the inner shell for receiving temperature controlling fluid or gas cycling there-through; and a series of stacked layers of frames containing test points for the MRI phantom, each layer including at least one fiducial and including at least some anisotropic imaging test points in at least one frame and at least one isotropic imaging test point in at least one frame. The anisotropic imaging comprises hollow tubular textile fibers, wherein each hollow tubular fiber has an outer diameter of less than 50 microns and an inner diameter of less than 20 microns, wherein at least some hollow tubular fibers are filled with a fluid.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a phantom apparatus, such as may be used in MRI imaging. As may be implemented with a particular embodiment, such an apparatus may include a first tissue-mimicking region having a first tissue property, and at least one additional tissue-mimicking region, including a second tissue-mimicking region having a second tissue property that is different than the first tissue property. The second tissue-mimicking region is stacked on the first tissue-mimicking region.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a phantom apparatus, such as may be used in MRI imaging. As may be implemented with a particular embodiment, such an apparatus may include a first tissue-mimicking region having a first tissue property, and at least one additional tissue-mimicking region, including a second tissue-mimicking region having a second tissue property that is different than the first tissue property. The second tissue-mimicking region is stacked on the first tissue-mimicking region.

In a Method and a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a subject using a spoiled gradient echo sequence, a B.sub.0 magnetic field strength of at most 1.5 T is used during the sequence. As part of the sequence a slice select gradient acting as a spoil gradient is played out. Substantially simultaneously with the slice select gradient a predetermined RF pulse is played out in the sequence, wherein a time-bandwidth product of the RF pulse is set so that a majority of the energy of the RF pulse is transmitted in its central main lobe.

In a Method and a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a subject using a spoiled gradient echo sequence, a B.sub.0 magnetic field strength of at most 1.5 T is used during the sequence. As part of the sequence a slice select gradient acting as a spoil gradient is played out. Substantially simultaneously with the slice select gradient a predetermined RF pulse is played out in the sequence, wherein a time-bandwidth product of the RF pulse is set so that a majority of the energy of the RF pulse is transmitted in its central main lobe.

An MRI phantom for calibrated anisotropic imaging includes a plurality of separate sheathed taxons or integral taxons sharing common taxon walls, wherein each taxon has an inner diameter of less than 5 microns. The taxons form taxon filaments that are combined to form taxon ribbons. The taxons may have an average inner diameter of less than 1 micron, specifically about 0.8 microns with a packing density of about 1,000,000 per square millimeter. The filaments may include structural features such as an outer frame and crossing support ribs and may further include a visible alignment feature that allows for verifying orientation of an individual filament. The taxons may be formed as taxon fibers manufactured using a bi or tri-component textile/polymer manufacturing process. An anisotropic homogeneity phantom may include frame members that support fiber tracks extending in orthogonal directions, wherein each fiber track is formed of taxons.

An MRI phantom for calibrated anisotropic imaging includes a plurality of separate sheathed taxons or integral taxons sharing common taxon walls, wherein each taxon has an inner diameter of less than 5 microns. The taxons form taxon filaments that are combined to form taxon ribbons. The taxons may have an average inner diameter of less than 1 micron, specifically about 0.8 microns with a packing density of about 1,000,000 per square millimeter. The filaments may include structural features such as an outer frame and crossing support ribs and may further include a visible alignment feature that allows for verifying orientation of an individual filament. The taxons may be formed as taxon fibers manufactured using a bi or tri-component textile/polymer manufacturing process. An anisotropic homogeneity phantom may include frame members that support fiber tracks extending in orthogonal directions, wherein each fiber track is formed of taxons.

A 3D model of AC electrical conductivity (at a given frequency) of an anatomic volume can be created by obtaining two MRI images of the anatomic volume, where the two images have different repetition times. Then, for each voxel in the anatomic volume, a ratio IR of the intensity of the corresponding voxels in the two MRI images is calculated. This calculated IR is then mapped into a corresponding voxel of a 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency. The given frequency is below 1 MHz (e.g., 200 kHz). In some embodiments, the 3D model of AC electrical conductivity at the given frequency is used to determine the positions for the electrodes in TTFields (Tumor Treating Fields) treatment.