| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080197843 | Determination Of Relaxation Rate Changes For Mr Molecular Imaging - MR based molecular imaging is strongly supported by the accurate quantification of contrast agents. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a determination unit of an examination apparatus is adapted for determining an error propagation function, wherein the error propagation function is then used as a weighting function for an accurate determination Of AR | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080197844 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION AND COIL SENSITIVITY ESTIMATION IN PARALLEL MRI - A method of parallel magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) comprising acquiring pMRI signals simultaneously through a plurality of receiving coils, wherein each coil has a localized sensitivity with respect to an imaged volume; jointly estimating values for the imaged volume and for a sensitivity function for at least one of the plurality of receiving coils; and transmitting the reconstructed image to a device. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080197845 | MAGNETIC STRUCTURE FOR MRI MACHINES AND MRI MACHINE PARTICULARLY FOR ORTHOPEDIC OF RHEUMATOLOGIC APPLICATIONS - Magnetic structure for MRI machines, which machine has a U-shaped or annular, that is O-shaped geometry having two opposite poles between which a magnetic field is generated and are borne at a predetermined distance one with respect to the other by a magnetic yoke having an inverted U shape or an annular one, that is an O shape, which poles generating the magnetic field and/or at least a part of which yoke delimit a cavity housing at least a part of the patient body, while inside the volume of said cavity a partial volume is generated wherein values of the magnetic field are such to guarantee the acquisition of MRI images having quality characteristics sufficient to be used like diagnostic images, so called imaging volume. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080197846 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Several Types of Contrast - A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a signal acquisition system to acquire magnetic resonance signals. A reconstructor reconstructs magnetic resonance images from the acquired magnetic resonance signals. The signal acquisition system and/or the reconstructor are controlled to perform overhead activities separately from actual acquisition of the magnetic resonance signals notably for different contrast types. Accordingly, time efficient signal acquisition for multiple contrasts is achieved. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080204016 | Magnetic Resonance Apparatus and Method - Magnetic resonance apparatus is provided comprising a magnet having a first pair of coils arranged in a plane. The coils are operable in a counter-running manner when in use so as to generate a sensitive volume of magnetic field spaced apart from said plane. The magnetic field in the sensitive volume is arranged to have sufficient uniformity to enable magnetic resonance signals to be obtained from a target when located within the sensitive volume. The magnetic field direction Z is oriented to lie substantially parallel to the planes. The coils are arranged such that the sensitive volume is elongate in a direction X substantially parallel to the planes. A drive system is provided to cause relative movement between the magnet and the target so as to allow the sensitive volume to be moved with respect to the target. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080204017 | MRI APPARATUS - An MRI apparatus has a gantry, a bed and a lighting unit collective including a plurality of lighting units. The gantry accommodates a static field magnet configured to generate a static field, a gradient coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field, and an RF coil configured to transmit or receive an RF pulse as well as having an opening into which a person is inserted. The bed has a removable table-top for an inside and an outside of the opening. The lighting unit group is disposed at at least one of an inside position of the opening and an outside position from which an inside of the opening can be lighted so that the lighting units can carry out lighting such that an amount of emitting light increases bit by bit from a bedside to a counter bedside opposite to the bedside across the opening. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080204018 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR SETTING A SHIM TO HOMOGENIZE A MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE APPARATUS - In a method for determination or adaptation of a shim for homogenization of a magnetic field of a magnetic resonance apparatus, which magnetic field is provided for the generation of magnetic resonance exposures of a specific examination region, an automatic determination, of a computer and/or supported by an operator on an image output unit of the computer, is made of a three-dimensional volume that is relevant for the determination or adaptation of the shim and that is matched to the examination region and/or an examination protocol by selection from an arbitrary morphology set of selectable volumes (which morphology set is not limited to specific shapes) and/or by generation of an arbitrarily three-dimensional volume not limited to specific shapes. The computer then automatically calculates the shim for the determined or selected three-dimensional volume. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080204019 | HIGH FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING HIGH SIGNAL-TO-NOISE BY ITS RECEIVING COIL - In a high field magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a method for obtaining signals having a high signal-to-noise ratio with the receiving coil thereof, the apparatus has at least a basic magnet and a receiving coil, the basic magnet generating a basic magnetic field, and the receiving coil being disposed within the basic magnetic field and forming an accommodating cavity. The accommodating cavity of the receiving coil is perpendicular to the direction of the basic magnetic field and is positioned in the field of view of the apparatus. The receiving coil is a loop type coil. The apparatus can further have a bracket for fixing the receiving coil. In the method, a receiving coil is used to receive signals in a magnetic field, wherein the receiving coil is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. By using the apparatus and the corresponding method since the receiving coil can have a loop type design, the signal-to-noise ratio is increased. Moreover, the receiving coil can be disposed at a position closer to the center of the field of view, so that the imaging quality is improved. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080211498 | INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF MRI RF LOOP COILS PLUS SPACING FIXTURES WITH BIOCONTAINMENT USES - When scanning a patient to generate an image thereof, radio frequency (RF) coil modules are scalably coupled to each other using a plurality of clips to form flat or polygonal coil arrays that are placed on or around the patient or a portion thereof. A user assesses the volume to be imaged, identifies a coil array configuration of suitable size and shape and employs clips of one or more pre-determined angles to construct the identified coil array configuration, which is placed on or about the volume. Coil modules are coupled to a preamplifier interface box (PIB), which provides preamplified coil signal(s) to a patient imaging device, such as an MRI scanner. Small arrays are constructible to accommodate pediatric patients and/or smaller animals. Modules are hermetically sealed, can be sanitized between uses, and discarded at end-of-life. In one aspect, the modular coil array, clips, and PIB are maintained in an isolated contamination zone, separate from the patient imaging device. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080218167 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a controller which controls an operation of a scan section in such a manner that the scan section executes a scan in an imaging sequence, based on the imaging sequence condition set so as to correspond to a slice tracking method by an imaging sequence condition setting unit, and controls the operation of at least one of the scan section and an image reconstruction unit, based on a phase difference calculated by a phase difference calculation unit so as to eliminate the phase difference at which phases of the magnetic resonance signals produced in an imaging slice areas change, when an RF pulse subsequent to having been adjusted in frequency so as to the slice tracking method is transmitted upon execution of the scan in the imaging sequence. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080218168 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a applying unit which applies a gradient magnetic field and a radio-frequency pulse to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, a radio-frequency coil unit which includes element coils to respectively detect magnetic resonance signals emitted from the subject, and outputs signals of a plurality of channels based on the magnetic resonance signals, receiving circuits each of which receives one of the signals of the plurality of channels, and whose number is smaller than the channels, a selecting circuit which includes matrix switches connected in multiple stages, selects some of magnetic resonance signals from the signals of the channels, and inputs the selected magnetic resonance signals to the receiving circuits, a setting unit which sets diagnostic conditions, and a determining unit which determines a connection state of the matrix switches in accordance with the set diagnostic conditions. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080218169 | METHODS FOR FAT SIGNAL SUPPRESSION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The present invention is directed to methods for chemical species signal suppression in magnetic resonance imaging procedures, wherein Dixon techniques are enhanced by continuously sampling techniques. In the invention, k-space data is acquired during the entire period of read gradient associated with a gradient echo pulse acquisition scheme. The invention utilizes a total sampling time (TST) acquisition during the entire read gradient, using three echoes of a TST data set to achieve chemical species separation in both homogenous fields as well as areas of field inhomogeneity. As an example, a continuously sampled rectilinearly FLASH pulse sequence is modified such that the time between echoes was configured to be 2.2 milliseconds, with TE selected to allow 180° phase variation in the fat magnetization between each of the three TE's (TE | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080224698 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which executes a mask scan for acquiring, as mask data, magnetic resonance signals produced in an imaging area in which a fluid flows through a subject, in a state in which a contrast agent is not injected into the fluid, and an imaging scan for acquiring, as imaging data, magnetic resonance signals produced in the imaging area in which the fluid containing the contrast agent flows after the injection of the contrast agent into the fluid, so as to correspond to a TRICKS method, thereby sequentially generating images about the imaging area along a time base, said magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes
| 09-18-2008 |
| 20080224699 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH NUCLEAR SPINS TYPE-SPECIFIC SIGNAL SUPPRESSION - A method in the form of a sequence for magnetic resonance imaging with which image data of a subject to be examined are acquired and with which signals of nuclear spins of a specific type are suppressed, includes the steps of (a) application of a suppression module to suppress signals of the nuclear spins of the specific type, (b) application of an acquisition module after a wait time to acquire measurement data, (c) repetition of the steps (a) and (b) one or more times, respectively after a repetition time and, (d) before the steps (a), (b) and (c), application of a spin preparation module that shifts a magnetization of the nuclear spins of the specific type into a steady state condition that is maintained through the application of the subsequent steps (a), (b) and (c). Alternatively, instead of the spin preparation module the first suppression module can be fashioned such that it has an RF pulse with a flip angle selected such that the magnetization of the nuclear spins of the specific type is shifted into a steady state condition. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080224700 | System and method for displaying medical imaging spectral data as hypsometric maps - A system and method for displaying MR spectroscopy data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes acquiring MR spectroscopy data from a region of interest using the MRI system. The MR spectroscopy data is processed to determine relative spectral amplitudes of each of a plurality of points in the MR spectroscopy data resulting from frequency components of molecules in the region of interest. Each of the plurality of points is mapped to a particular optical parameter based at least upon on the relative spectral amplitude associated with each point and a point is generated for each of the plurality of points having the optical parameter mapped thereto. The points for each of the plurality of points are arranged to form a hypsometric map. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080231272 | Magnetic Resonance Imager - Provided is a magnetic resonance imager capable of efficiently suppressing artifacts in radial scanning that is short of the number of echoes. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231273 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND SENSITIVITY DISTRIBUTION MEASURING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which executes a scan for allowing an RF coil unit to transmit RF pulses to an imaging area of a subject in a static magnetic filed space and allowing the RF coil unit to acquire magnetic resonance signals generated in the imaging area, includes: a scan section which executes, as the scan, each of an actual scan for acquiring the magnetic resonance signals as actual scan data and a reference scan for acquiring the magnetic resonance signals as reference scan data; an image reconstruction unit which reconstructs an actual scan image about the imaging area, based on the actual scan data and reconstructs a reference scan image about the imaging area, based on the reference scan data; a transmission sensitivity distribution calculating unit which calculates a transmission sensitivity distribution at the transmission of the RF pulses by the RF coil unit in the imaging area, based on the reference scan image and the actual scan image; and an image correcting unit which corrects the actual scan image using the transmission sensitivity distribution, wherein the transmission sensitivity distribution calculating unit includes: a division image generating part which executes image processing for dividing the first reference image by the second reference image, thereby generating a division image; a labeling information generating part which executes a labeling process on the division image thereby to generate labeling information about the division image; a segmentation process executing part which executes a segmentation process on the actual scan image, based on the labeling information thereby to extract a plurality of segments from the actual scan image; and a fitting processing part which calculates relational expressions indicative of relationships between pixel values of pixels constituting the segments and pixel positions thereof with respect to the segments extracted from the actual scan image, by performing a process for fitting to polynomial models, and wherein the transmission sensitivity distribution is calculated based on the relational expressions calculated by the fitting processing part. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231274 | METHOD TO CONTROL A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method for controlling a magnetic resonance system having a radio-frequency antenna structure and a number of individually controllable transmission channels, respective parallel radio-frequency signals are emitted via the transmission channels for generation of a desired radio-frequency field distribution in at least one specific volume region within an examination volume of the magnetic resonance system. A digital signal is generated for each of the transmission channels and is modulated on a carrier frequency. The radio-frequency signal so generated is transmitted via a radio-frequency signal path to the radio-frequency antenna structure and is amplified therein in a radio-frequency power amplifier. The digital signal is manipulated in a characteristic curve correction device on the basis of a correction characteristic curve predetermined for the respective radio-frequency signal path such that a distortion of the radio-frequency signal caused in the appertaining radio-frequency signal path is at least partially compensated. Respective individual correction characteristic curves for a specific measurement are predetermined for the various transmission channels dependent on a field distribution parameter that defines the desired radio-frequency field distribution. A magnetic resonance system implements such a method. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080231275 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINING OBJECTS THAT ATTENUATE PENETRATING RADIATION - In a method and an apparatus for automatic determination of objects that attenuate high energy/penetrating radiation by magnetic resonance, the magnetic resonance apparatus scans and prepares MR images, and the MR images contain information about the T2 relaxation time constant. Subsequently, penetrating radiation-attenuating objects are determined in the MR images by means of the T2 relaxation time constant. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080238423 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACCELERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE TEMPERATURE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for accelerating MR temperature imaging used in MR-monitored high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, temperature changes are determined at the focus of the ultrasound during MR temperature imaging; determining the ideal acceleration rate needed for data sampling according to the temperature changes at said focus is determined, the variable-density (VD) data sampling in k-space is adjusted according to the determined ideal acceleration rate, and the data obtained from sampling are reconstructed to form an image. The capability of accelerating MR temperature imaging with both good temporal resolution and good spatial resolution is improved by determining the acceleration rate according to temperature changes at the ultrasound focus and by adjusting the VD data sampling of k-space and thereby the benefits of good flexibility, feasibility and stability are achieved. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080252291 | High Angular Resolution Diffusion Weighted Mri - A magnetic resonance imaging method involves acquisition of magnetic resonance signals with application of diffusion weighting at a plurality of diffusion weighting strengths diffusion directions. An object dataset is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signals in which apparent diffusion coefficients are assigned. The occurrence of one single or several diffusion directions in identified for individual voxels. In this way account is taken of crossing fibres. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080252292 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSING APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance diagnosing apparatus includes an imaging unit which images each slice image of a subject in relation to a plurality of different imaging slices, a measurement unit which measures a magnetic resonance spectrum of the subject in relation to a measurement slice, a selection unit which selects slice images corresponding to one or more imaging slices which at least partially overlap the measurement slice from the plurality of slice images, and a creation unit which creates a display image which simultaneously shows the selected one or more slice images and the spectral image. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080258726 | Distinguishing Bound and Unbound Contrast Agents Using Magnetic Resonance - Magnetic resonance monitoring of a target ( | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080265883 | MRI Method for Reducing Artifacts Using RF Pulse at Offset Frequency - A method for magnetic resonance imaging includes performing a preparatory stage of a MR pulse sequence with an MRI system in which a non-selective RF preparatory pulse is used having a bandwidth such that any spin species having corresponding Larmor frequencies within that bandwidth are affected and the bandwidth is centered at a selected frequency which is offset from a nominal Larmor frequency of the desired spin species being imaged. A time period (TI) elapses during which longitudinal spin magnetization recovers; and then an imaging stage is performed in which an RF excitation pulse is generated to produce transverse spin magnetization of the desired spin species, and in which a set of NMR signals are acquired. An image is reconstructed using the acquired set of NMR signals, and the reconstructed image has reduced artifacts due to B | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080265884 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an image acquisition unit. The imaging condition setting unit includes an input part for inputting an imaging condition with applying plural pre-pulses. The image acquisition unit performs imaging according to the imaging condition and generates an image based on data acquired by the imaging. The imaging condition setting unit includes a display part configured to display an application region and attribute information of at least one pre-pulse of the plural pre-pulses together with a position of the imaging. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080272777 | ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN STEADY-STATE FREE PRECESSION IMAGING - A method of reducing artifacts in steady-state free precession (SSFP) signals for use in magnetic resonance imaging is provided. A plurality of SSFP imaging sequences is applied to an object. An imaging data for each of the SSFP imaging sequences is acquired. The imaging data is combined using a weighted combination where weights depend on a control parameter that adjusts a trade-off between banding artifact reduction and signal to noise ratio (SNR). | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080272778 | ENHANCED SPECTRAL SELECTIVITY FOR STEADY-STATE FREE PRECESSION IMAGING - A method of collecting image data with selective spectral suppression for at least two species is provided. A sequence of RF excitation pulses is repeatedly applied, whereby a repeated sequence of at least two substantially different spectrally selective steady-state magnetizations is established. Magnetic gradients are applied between said RF pulses. A plurality of magnetic resonance image (MRI) signals is acquired. The plurality of MRI signals is combined using a weighted combination where the weights depend on a control parameter that adjusts a trade-off between selective spectral suppression and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080272779 | Determination of Distribution Information of a Contrast Agent by Mr Molecular Imaging - MR based molecular imaging is used for the quantification of contrast agent concentrations. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a difference between R2 and R2* relaxation rates of a contrast agent is determined on the basis of data measured after contrast agent application. This may provide for an in vivo information relating to a compartmentalization or binding status of the contrast agent, and thus may improve the significance of the examination result. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080272780 | Method for Accounting for Shifted Metabolic Volumes in Spectroscopic Imaging - In a magnetic resonance method, a localizing magnetic field gradient (G | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080278163 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING LABELED CONTRAST AGENTS - A method and system for imaging using labeled contrast agents and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner are provided. The method comprises performing a prescan at a frequency selected to be substantially similar to a frequency of the labeled contrast agent and performing an examination scan at the frequency of the labeled contrast agent substantially immediately after administering the labeled contrast agent to a subject. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080278164 | NOVEL METHOD FOR SEQUENCE DETERMINATION USING NMR - The invention relates to methods for analyzing polysaccharides. In particular, compositional and sequence information about the polysaccharides are derived. Some methods use NMR in conjunction with another experimental method, such as, capillary electrophoretic techniques for the analysis. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080284433 | Ultra-low field nuclear magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance imaging to discriminate and identify materials - An ultra-low magnetic field NMR system can non-invasively examine containers. Database matching techniques can then identify hazardous materials within the containers. Ultra-low field NMR systems are ideal for this purpose because they do not require large powerful magnets and because they can examine materials enclosed in conductive shells such as lead shells. The NMR examination technique can be combined with ultra-low field NMR imaging, where an NMR image is obtained and analyzed to identify target volumes. Spatial sensitivity encoding can also be used to identify target volumes. After the target volumes are identified the NMR measurement technique can be used to identify their contents. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080284434 | Visualizing High-Resolution Diffusion Data By Maximum Coherence Projection - A method for displaying diffusion data includes defining intra-voxel coherence and inter-voxel coherence of the diffusion data. On the basis of the inter-voxel coherence and the intra-voxel coherence, a multiplicity of tracks can be defined. Only those tracks having a selected characteristic are displayed. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080290868 | Determining phase-encoding direction for parallel MRI - Example systems, methods, and apparatus associated with determining a phase-encoding direction for parallel MRI are described. One example, method includes selecting a set of projection directions along which an MRI apparatus is to apply RF energy to an object to be imaged. The method includes controlling the MRI apparatus to selecting a set of projection directions and to acquire MR signal from the object through a set of detectors. The method includes analyzing the MR signal to identify individual sensitivities for members of the set of detectors and selecting a phase-encoding direction for a pMRI session based on the individual sensitivities for the members. The method produces a concrete, tangible, and useful result by controlling the MRI apparatus to perform the pMRI session based on the selected phase-encoding direction. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080297152 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PARALLEL IMAGING WITH CALIBRATION TO A SEPARATE COIL - An RF coil assembly includes a plurality of RF source coils and an RF target coil separate from the plurality of RF source coils. A computer is programmed to acquire MR data of an imaging object from each of the plurality of RF source coils and to acquire MR data of the imaging object from the RF target coil. The computer is further programmed to calculate a set of weights based on a relationship between MR data acquired from each RF source coil and MR data acquired from the RF target coil and to reconstruct an image based on an application of the set of weights to at least a portion of the MR data acquired from each of the plurality of RF source coils. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080297153 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method - A method includes collecting data for average units including acquisition of template data and acquisition of imaging data, calculating a frequency difference between a resonant frequency in a reference average unit and a resonant frequency of an object average unit based on a phase variation of the magnetic field in a period where the template data is collected in the reference average unit and a phase variation of the magnetic resonance signal in a period where the template data is collected in the object average unit, correcting a phase shift produced in image data collected in the object average unit constituted by one or more average units based on the frequency difference, and reconstructing an image concerning the subject based on the imaging data collected in the reference average unit and the corrected imaging data concerning the object average unit constituted by one or more average units. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080303520 | Methods suitable for measuring capillary pressure and relative permeability curves of porous rocks - Single-shot methods suitable for determining capillary pressure and relative permeability curves are proposed. For steady-state gas flow, with stationary water or oil remaining in a porous rock core and the outflow boundary condition (capillary pressure is zero) is maintained by washing the outlet face of the core with the stationary phase, the gas pressure distribution, P(x), is determined by SPRITE (Single-Point Ramped Imaging with T | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080309335 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING SPECTROSCOPIC SIGNAL - A method for increasing a spectroscopic signal in a biological assay is provided. The method includes forming a suspension of magnetically attractable particles. The method also includes introducing a first magnetic field at a first location to draw the magnetically attractable particles towards the first location and form a first agglomeration. The method also includes removing the first magnetic field. The method further includes introducing a second magnetic field at a second location to draw the first agglomeration towards the second location and form a second agglomeration. The method further includes focusing an excitation source on the second agglomeration formed at the second location. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080309336 | CALIBRATING pMRI WITH CARTESIAN CONTINUOUS SAMPLING - Example systems, methods, and apparatus control a pMRI apparatus to produce a pulse sequence having an extended acquisition window, and overlapping phase-encoding gradients and read gradients. One example method controls a pMRI apparatus to produce a trajectory having Cartesian and radial segments that sample in a manner that satisfies the Nyquist criterion in at least one region of a volume to be imaged. The pMRI apparatus is controlled to apply radio frequency energy to the volume according to the pulse sequence and following the trajectory and to acquire MR signal from the volume in response to the application of the RF energy. The MR signal includes a first component associated with the Cartesian segment of the trajectory and a second component associated with the radial segment of the trajectory. The example method includes calibrating a reconstruction process using Nyquist-satisfying data from the second component. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080315877 | Imaging Tissue Deformation Using Strain Encoded Mri - Disclosed is a system and method for imaging strain of tissue, such as the heart, in a quantitative manner. The present invention provides images of strain, which corresponds to heart function, by tagging a tissue region of interest, and acquiring multiple images by tuning an MRI RF receiver to frequencies above and below the tagging frequency. Depending on the tagging spatial frequency, and the spread between the high- and low-tuning frequencies, linear measurements of strain may be made on a pixel by pixel basis. By selectively tagging the tissue of interest by use of selective excitation, images may be acquired sufficiently fast to provide anatomical and functional imagery within a single heartbeat. By acquiring additional images, dead tissue may be differentiated from contracting tissue as well as blood. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090015256 | Optimized MRI strip array detectors and apparatus, systems and methods related thereto - Featured is a device for NMR or MRI signals from excited nuclei as well as related apparatus, systems and methods. The device includes a strip array antenna including one or more conductor and N reactive tuning components, where N is an integer ≧1 at least one of the N reactive components is electrically coupled to each of the one or more conductors as well as to ground/virtual ground. The apparent electrical length of the conductors is tuned with the reactive tuning components so it is equal to be about nλ/4, where n is an integer ≧1 and λ is the wavelength of the signal to be detected. The length of the strip also is such as to be substantially in the approximate range of 1.3 times the depth of interest. The strip conductors are also combined with loop coils to form quadrature detectors. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090015257 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANATOMICAL IMAGE GENERATING METHOD AND SYSTEM - In a method to generate an anatomical image of an examination area with a magnetic resonance apparatus as well as computer program and magnetic resonance apparatus for implementation of the method, at least one image data set of the examination area and a parameter value map are loaded. The at least one loaded image data set and the loaded parameter value map are processed into an anatomical image. The processing includes a weighting of elements of the at least one image data set with a weighting factor. The weighting factor depends on a parameter value of the parameter value map corresponding to the respective element of the image data set. The generated weighted anatomical image is displayed and/or stored. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090021254 | Methods for Arbitrary Shape Selective Excitation Summed Spectroscopy and Applications of Same - In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for NMR measurements of an arbitrarily shaped region of interest of a living subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of applying a broad bandwidth of RF pulses to the arbitrarily shaped region of interest to obtain a corresponding spectrum, wherein substantially entire range of chemical shifts in the spectrum is excited from the arbitrarily shaped region of interest, interleaving a plurality of radial k-lines in radial k-space per excitation with non-selective refocusing pulses and obtaining spatial localization for the spectrum of the arbitrarily shaped region of interest. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090027051 | Method for magnetic resonance imaging using inversion recovery with on-resonant water suppression including mri systems and software embodying same - Featured are methods for magnetic resonance imaging of a volume, such a volume having susceptibility-generating objects or interfaces having susceptibility mismatches therein. Such a method includes selectively visualizing one of susceptibility-generating objects or interfaces having susceptibility mismatches as hyperintense signals, where such visualizing includes controlling variable imaging parameters so as to control a geometric extent of a signal enhancing effect, m more particular aspects of the present invention, such selectively visualizing includes attenuating or essentially suppressing signals from fat and/or water, namely on-resonant water protons, so as to thereby enhance a signal(s) associated with magnetic susceptibility gradient(s). Also featured are MRI systems, apparatuses and/or applications programs for execution on a computer system controlling the MRI data acquisition process embodying such methods. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090027052 | Method for acquiring measured data - A PET examination which acquires a data record of the body of a patient is carried out during at least one embodiment of a method for acquiring measured data. On the basis of the measured values of the data record, at least one region of interest in the body of the patient is determined, in which at least one examination of at least one embodiment of a method is carried out. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090033327 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a Continuously Moving Object - A continuous moving table magnetic resonance imaging method is proposed where a ‘lateral’ read out is performed that is transverse to the direction of motion. This magnetic resonance imaging method for imaging a moving object includes spatially selective RF excitations are applied for respective phase-encodings. The sub-volume is excited by the spatially selective RF excitation moves with the motion of the object for respective subsets of primary phase-encodings. Acquisition of magnetic resonance signals is performed from a three-dimensional sub-volume of the object. The magnetic resonance signals are read encoded in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of the object and phase-encoded in at least the direction of motion of the object. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090033328 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPTIMIZATION OF IMAGING PARAMETERS - In a method and computerized device for determination of imaging parameters for the acquisition of a magnetic resonance image of an examination subject, initial imaging parameters are established, a calculation is made, based on the initial imaging parameters, of signal intensities for tissue types that occur at least in a portion of the examination subject, and the imaging parameters for the acquisition of the magnetic resonance image under are adapted dependent on the calculated signal intensities. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090039885 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for acquisition of measurement data from a subject, k-space to be scanned into an inner region and an outer region, and the inner region is divided into inner segments that differ in terms of their distance from a k-space center and the outer region is divided into outer segments that differ in terms of their distance from a k-space center. First k-space data are acquired for the inner region, wherein k-space lines of the inner region are divided into first groups such that k-space lines from different inner segments are associated in each of the first groups, and the first groups are successively scanned. Second k-space data are acquired for the outer region, wherein k-space lines of the outer region are divided into second groups such that k-space lines from different outer segments are associated in each of the second groups, and the second groups are successively scanned. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090058418 | DOUBLE HALF RF PULSES FOR REDUCED SENSITIVITY TO EDDY CURRENTS IN UTE IMAGING - A method for creating a magnetic resonance image of an object with at least a first species and a second species, wherein the first species has a first T | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090058419 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DISPLAYING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan section which executes a diffusion weighted imaging pulse sequence on an imaging area of a subject within a static magnetic field space thereby to acquire magnetic resonance signals, an image generating part which generates an image with respect to the imaging area, based on the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the scan section, a display unit which displays the image generated by the image generating part on a display screen thereof, and a window setting part which sets a window level and a window width at the time that the display unit displays the image, based on diffusion parameters calculated from the magnetic resonance signals acquired by the scan section. The display unit displays the image on the display screen by the window level and the window width both set by the window setting part. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090066328 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus and Method - A control means controls an imaging means for taking an image of a test object by a magnetic resonance, the test object being placed in an imaging space, and a transfer means that moves the test object, and on the basis of a difference (moving distance) between a position of the transfer means at the time of receiving a command of pausing the imaging and a position of the transfer means at the time of resuming the imaging, the control means controls the position of the transfer means or the position for imaging at the time of resuming, in such a manner that missing of data | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090066329 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND NAVIGATOR DATA ANALYZING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus executes scans for executing a navigator sequence for acquiring as navigator data a magnetic resonance signal from a navigator area containing tissues body-moved in a subject and executing an imaging sequence for acquiring a magnetic resonance signal from an imaging area as imaging data at the subject, thereby to generate an image with respect to the imaging area. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes, a phase profile generating part which generates a phase profile so as to show a relationship between a phase of the navigator data and a position of the navigator area, a phase correcting part which corrects folding back of the phase profile generated by the phase profile generating part, and a position detecting part which detects a position of a tissue body-moved in the navigator area, based on the phase profile corrected by the phase correcting part. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090072826 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH BIPOLAR MULTI-ECHO SEQUENCES - A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A magnetic resonance excitation is provided. A plurality of k-space echoes is acquired bi-directionally wherein at least one echo is an even echo acquired in a first direction and at least one echo is an odd echo acquired in a second direction opposite from the first direction. K-space echo realignment is corrected between the even and odd echoes. Field inhomogeneity induced artifacts are corrected. Chemical shift induced artifacts between at least two species are corrected. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090072827 | INDEPENDENT PHASE MODULATION FOR EFFICIENT DUAL-BAND 3D IMAGING - A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a first volume and a second volume spaced apart from the first volume is provided. The first volume is excited with a first linearly varying phase with respect to k-space. The second volume is excited with a second linearly varying phase with respect to k-space, wherein the first linearly varying phase has a different slope than the second linearly varying phase. Data in k-space is acquired line by line. The acquired data in k-space is Fourier transformed to image space. An image is formed with a first volume image and a second volume image from the transformed data. Use of phase modulation allows imaging with a reduced field-of-view, which can result in faster scan times or improved performance of parallel imaging acquisition strategies. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090085566 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND ANALYSIS METHOD FOR FAT SUPPRESSION EFFECT IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which performs imaging more than once with respect to an imaging target while changing a central frequency of a fat suppression pulse, a generation unit which generates a plurality of images based on magnetic resonance signals obtained by imaging performed more than once, and a calculation unit which calculates factor information of spatial inhomogeneity of a fat suppression effect based on the plurality of images. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090091324 | MRI APPARATUS - A flip-angle calculating unit calculates a flip angle of a fat-suppression pulse by inputting scanning parameters read from a scanning-parameter storage unit based on scanning conditions set by a scan-condition setting unit and a desired fat-suppression level, into a predetermined computing program. A control unit suppresses fat signals to a desired level by performing irradiation of a fat-suppression pulse having the calculated flip angle and application of a spoiler gradient magnetic field onto a scan target portion of a subject by controlling a gradient magnetic-field generating unit and a transmitting-receiving unit, and further performs irradiation of an RF pulse and application of a gradient magnetic field in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence, thereby detecting water signals and suppressed fat signals as MR signals. An image-data creating unit creates image data by reconstructing the MR signals. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090096448 | b-Value Optimization for Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for selecting the b-values for diffusion weighted magnetic resonance scans. The method includes: identifying a single reference slice within a volume of interest (VOI); progressively changing b-values over a plurality of scans of the reference slice wherein each one of the scans has a different b-value to obtain a plurality of diffusion weighted images; calculating ADC maps for combinations of b-values from the obtained plurality of diffusion weighted images; evaluating the calculated ADC maps; selecting from the evaluation optimal b-values; and using the selected b-values for subsequent scans. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090102479 | MRI Phase Visualization of Interventional Devices - Imaging a device in a magnetic resonance imaging system includes inserting a device having a conductive coil assembly thereon into a subject, obtaining a magnetic resonance image of the subject that includes signal phase variations, determining a position of the device based on discontinuities in the signal phase variations, and displaying an image representation of the device superimposed on a reference image based upon the determined position. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090102480 | SHIMMING OF ELECTRIC FIELD FOR ELECTRIC PROPERTIES TOMOGRAPHY - A radio frequency coil system ( | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090108843 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTING DISTORTION IN MR IMAGES CAUSED BY METALLIC IMPLANTS - A technique for reconstructing a corrected MR image from MR images distorted by foreign object induced magnetic fields includes locating a foreign object in a subject and defining a localized area of a field of view about the foreign object where a magnetic field distortion adversely affects a first magnetic distortion correction technique. The first magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the field of view other than in the localized area. A second magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the localized area and the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques are combined. An image is reconstructed based on the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090108844 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND RADIO FREQUENCY IMPEDANCE MAPPING METHODS AND APPARATUS - In one aspect, a method of obtaining magnetic resonance (MR) and radio-frequency impedance mapping (RFIM) data from a region of an object arranged proximate a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) coils is provided. The method comprises detecting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals emitted from the region to form, at least in part, first MR data, obtaining at least one impedance measurement from the plurality of RF coils to form, at least in part, first RFIM data, and computing a first RFIM map indicating a spatial distribution in the region of at least one dielectric property, the first RFIM map computed based, at least in part, on the first RFIM data and the first MR data. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090115413 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PARALLEL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The invention relates to a device ( | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090115414 | PHASE-SENSITIVELY DETECTED REDUCED DIMENSIONALITY NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR RAPID CHEMICAL SHIFT ASSIGNMENT AND SECONDARY STRUCTURE DETERMINATION OF PROTEINS - The present invention discloses eleven reduced dimensionality (RD) triple resonance nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments for measuring chemical shift values of certain nuclei in a protein molecule, where the chemical shift values encoded in a peak pair of an NMR spectrum are detected in a phase sensitive manner. The RD 3D | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090115415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF NANOPARTICLES IN IMAGING AND TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - This invention provides a system and method that improves the sensitivity and localization capabilities of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) by using combinations of time-varying and static magnetic fields. Combinations of magnetic fields can be used to distribute the signals coming from the magnetic particles among the harmonics and other frequencies in specific ways to improve sensitivity and to provide localization information to speed up or improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of imaging and/or eliminate the need for saturation fields currently used in MPI. In various embodiments, coils can be provided to extend the sub-saturation region in which nanoparticles reside; to provide a static field offset to bring nanoparticles nearer to saturation; to introduce even and odd harmonics that can be observed; and/or to introduce combinations of frequencies for more-defined observation of signals from nanoparticles. Further embodiments provide for reading of the signal produced by cyclically saturated magnetic nanoparticles in a sample so as to provide a measurement of the temperature of those nanoparticles. The spectral distribution of the signal generated provides estimates of the temperature of the nanoparticles. Related factors may also be estimated—binding energies of the nanoparticles, phase changes, bound fraction of the particles or stiffness of the materials in which the nanoparticles are imbedded. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090121713 | Antenna For Picking up Magnetic Resonance Signals and Provided With Its Own Communication Unit - An RF receiver antenna ( | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090121714 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE FLIP ANGLE DISTRIBUTION IN A VOLUME OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method for determination of flip angle distributions for various antenna transmission configurations in a magnetic resonance system, magnetic resonance measurements are implemented with the various transmission configurations, with the reception configuration being identical for all implemented magnetic resonance measurements, and all magnetic resonance measurements for the various transmission configurations are implemented with a specific pulse sequence. This pulse sequence is selected such that the total function that describes the dependency of the image signal at a specific location on the flip angle achieved at this location with the radiated radio-frequency field, as well as on further MR-relevant parameters, can be factored into a first sub-function that describes the dependency of the image signal on the achieved flip angle and a second sub-function (Tb) that describes the dependency of the image signal on the further MR-relevant parameters, and such that the functional dependency of the image signal on the achieved flip angle is known. The absolute flip angle distribution is measured for a reference transmission configuration, and the flip angle distributions of the other transmission configurations are then respectively determined on the basis of the absolute flip angle distribution of the reference transmission configuration and on the basis of the ratio of the spatially-dependent image signals of the magnetic resonance measurements of the respective transmission configuration to the corresponding spatially-dependent image signals of the magnetic resonance measurement of the reference transmission configuration. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090128146 | DIRECTED-ENERGY IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system that uses a directed-energy device can include a directed-energy device configured to generate an excitation signal to impinge a region of interest of a target and excite elements therein and receive resonance signals emitted from the region of interest of the target after the excitation signal is terminated. The directed-energy device can include a charged particle generator configured to generate plural energized particles and a charge transformer configured to receive the plural energized particles that include charged particles from the charged particle generator and to output a wavefront including energized particles that include particles having substantially zero charge. The imaging system can also include plural gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and configured to impress a polarizing magnetic field on a target and a communications interface. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128147 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY WITH MULTIPLE-COIL PROBES - An NMR inspection apparatus comprises a system for providing a dissolved, hyperpolarized sample and an NMR analysis system connected to the hyperpolarizing system are disclosed. The NMR analysis system includes a magnet for generating a substantially homogeneous magnetic field in a working volume suitable for carrying out NMR and a number of RF magnetic field generators located in the working volume. A non-electrically conducting conduit passes adjacent the RF magnetic field generators and is coupled to the hyperpolarizing system so as to convey a hyperpolarized sample past each RF magnetic field generator in sequence. A sample control system controls movement of a sample through the conduit. An NMR signal acquisition system controls the RF magnetic field generators to generate RF magnetic fields in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence and detects the resulting NMR signals from the portions of the sample exposed to the RF magnetic fields. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090128148 | NMR tomography method based on NBSEM with 2D spatial encoding by two mutually rotated multipole gradient fields - A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging method | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090134869 | NMR device for detection of analytes - This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090134870 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING ON THE BASIS OF A PARTIALLY PARALLEL ACQUISITION (PPA) - In a method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for magnetic resonance imaging of a contiguous region of a human body on the basis of partially parallel acquisition (PPA) by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of radio-frequency signals representing the excited spins, are implemented. A k-space single channel reference image [R_kal] is calculated from the previously measured reference lines of a sub-coil series of N sub-coils with a phase-sensitive combination method. A GRAPPA coefficient matrix [W] is calculated by solving the equation system [R_kal]=[W]×[I_kal] wherein [I_kal] represents one block from the sub-coil series. A k-space single channel image [R] is successively completed by applying [W] to successive blocks [I_z] shifted relative to one another, the blocks [I_z] being of a previously measured, under-sampled sub-coil series of the N sub-coils, and [R] is transformed into image space. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090134871 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires MR data according to an imaging condition for obtaining a SSFP in flowing matter by applying excitation pulses having a same flip angle with a constant TR and gradient magnetic fields to an object. The image generating unit generates an image of the flowing matter based on the MR data. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090134872 | METHOD AND APPARATUS OF MULTI-COIL MR IMAGING WITH HYBRID SPACE CALIBRATION - The present invention provides a system and method for parallel imaging that performs auto-calibrating reconstructions with a 2D (for 2D imaging) or 3D kernel (for 3D imaging) that exploits the computational efficiencies available when operating in certain data “domains” or “spaces”. The reconstruction process of multi-coil data is separated into a “training phase” and an “application phase” in which reconstruction weights are applied to acquired data to synthesize (replace) missing data. The choice of data space, i.e., k-space, hybrid space, or image space, in which each step occurs is independently optimized to reduce total reconstruction time for a given imaging application. As such, the invention retains the image quality benefits of using a 2D k-space kernel without the computational burden of applying a 2D k-space convolution kernel. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090140736 | METHOD AND INSTRUMENT OF LOCALLY MEASURING PROTIC SOLVENT CONTENT IN SAMPLES - Excitation-use high frequency RF generated by an RF oscillator | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090140737 | Nmr Machine Comprising Solenoid Gradient Coils - The nuclear magnetic resonance machine comprises a device ( | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090146658 | Microcoil Magnetic Resonance Detectors - The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090146659 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DETERMINATION OF SLICE POSITIONS IN AN MR EXAMINATION - Two method and device embodiments allow automatic determination of slice positions in an MR examination in an MR system. In the first embodiment, a volume to be measured by the MR examination is predetermined. The MR examination is subsequently planned in that at least one of the parameters slice direction, slice interval, slice thickness, number of slices for the MR examination is adapted such that an extent in the slice direction of the MR examination essentially corresponds to the predetermined volume. In the second embodiment, at least one volume segment is predetermined. Multiple slices for the MR examination are subsequently determined such that each volume segment is contained in at least one of the slices. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090153139 | Methods and Apparatus for Compensating Field Inhomogeneities in Magnetic Resonance Studies - One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method or determining location(s) at which at least one magnetic article is to be positioned during a magnetic resonance imaging procedure of at least one subject. A magnetic field Bo is applied to a region that includes the at least one subject and does not include the at least one magnetic article. First magnetic resonance information about the region in response to the applied magnetic field BO is received. The first magnetic resonance information relates at least in part to one or more magnetic field inhomogeneities in the region. Based at least in part on the first magnetic resonance information, at least one first location proximate the at least one subject at which at least one paramagnetic article and/or diamagnetic article is to be positioned is determined, so as to at least partially compensate for the one or more magnetic field inhomogeneities. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090160441 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus - A vertical magnetic field type MRI apparatus is capable of high-speed-imaging a large cross section such as a whole human body while suppressing an increase in the number of channels and maintaining sensitivity to a deep portion of a subject to be high. A receiving coil is composed of a plurality of sub coils. A first sub coil ( | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090167303 | Method and Apparatus for Magnetic Resonance Analysis - A method of magnetic resonance analysis of a body having therein at least one molecular species and water is disclosed. The method comprises, subtracting magnetic resonance signals induced by a second radiofrequency pulse sequence from magnetic resonance signals induced by a first radiofrequency pulse sequence followed by a evolution period. The first radiofrequency pulse sequence is selected so as to suppress magnetization for the water while preserving a generally longitudinal magnetization to the at least one molecular species. The second radiofrequency pulse sequence being selected so as to suppress transverse and longitudinal magnetization for both the water and the at least one molecular species. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090174405 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a generation unit configured to generate a magnetic field, a reconstruction unit configured to reconstruct an image for a subject on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal radiated from the subject in the magnetic field, a presumption unit configured to presume a distribution of an image quality deterioration degree occurring in the image on the basis of a precision at which the generation unit generates the magnetic field, and a creation unit configured to create a display image showing the distribution of the image quality deterioration degree on the image. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090184712 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE MR TRACKING - A system and method for active MR tracking includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, an RF coil assembly positioned in the bore, and a pulse module. The MRI system also includes a polarization reversal switch controlled by the pulse module to transmit RF signals to the RF coil assembly coupled to the polarization reversal switch and an RF switch controlled by the pulse module to transmit the RF signals to the polarization reversal switch. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090189605 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TISSUE SPECIFIC MR IMAGING OF METABOLITES USING SPECTRAL-SPATIALLY FORMED STIMULATED ECHO - A system for magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy includes a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF coil assembly coupled to a pulse generator to emit RF pulse sequences and arranged to receive resulting MR signals from a subject of interest. A system control is also included in the MR spectroscopy system and is coupled to the plurality of gradient coils and the RF coil assembly. The system control is programmed to cause the RF coil assembly to emit a first RF pulse and a second RF pulse, wherein at least one of the first and second RF pulses is spectrally selective and at least one of the first and second RF pulses is spatially selective. The system control is also programmed to cause the RF coil assembly to emit a third RF pulse after a pre-defined time delay to generate a stimulated echo and detect MR signals resulting from the stimulated echo. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090189606 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS, NOISE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION GENERATING METHOD, AND SIGNAL ACQUISITION METHOD - A magnetic resonance diagnosis apparatus includes a coil assembly including a high-frequency coil, a transmission unit which excites magnetization of a specific atomic nucleus of an object via the high-frequency coil, a reception unit including a detection unit for receiving a magnetic resonance signal via the high-frequency coil, a low-pass filter, and an analog/digital converter, a control unit which sets a passband of the low-pass filter to not less than three odd multiple of a frequency band determined from an imaging field of view, and sets a sampling frequency of the analog/digital converter to an oversampling frequency exceeding a signal band of the magnetic resonance signal, a noise spatial distribution generating unit which generates a noise spatial distribution on the basis of an output from the reception unit. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090201021 | PHASE CORRECTION METHOD - A method corrects for a phase error in an MR image, in which MR signals of an examination subject are acquired, complex images of the examination subject are generated, phase differences of the phase values for various image points of the complex images are established with an averaged phase value of image points from a first surrounding region of a respective image point, and a phase correction is executed dependent on how well the phase differences correspond to a predetermined phase value, where the order of the image points in which the phase correction is implemented is dependent on how well the phase values in the image points correspond to the predetermined phase value. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090206837 | INTERVENTIONAL MRI MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATOR BASED ON PERMANENT MAGNETS - A magnet assembly primarily for use in MRI Interventional applications having an array of four mam permanent magnets that are spaced-apart and arranged into a ring-like geometry with six easy-access openings The magnetization direction in each permanent magnet is anti-parallel to any other adjacent permanent magnet in the πng assembly while it is parallel to any other permanent magnet in the array that is oppositely located just as in a quadrupolar system Such an arrangement has the advantage of concentrating the magnetic field inside the nng enclosure while minimizing magnetic field generated outside Together, these four spatially spaced-apart permanent magnets create a very homogeneous and strong magnetic field in the central enclosure with two orthogonal access paths and one parallel access path to the enclosure Through one access pathway a patient can be inserted while through the other pathways a doctor can fully access the patient. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090206838 | Systems and Methods for Correction of Inhomogeneities in Magnetic Resonance Images - Intensity inhomogeneities can obscure areas of interest and are problematic for MR image segmentation algorithms. An efficient approach to estimating these inhomogeneities by computing a calibration factor that is a function of an estimated bias field from a series of calibration scans is disclosed. This enables correction of T | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090212772 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires echo signals by echo planar imaging which generates the echo signals with correcting and applying plural gradient magnetic fields for phase encode and with continuously inverting a gradient magnetic field for readout after one nuclear magnetic excitation. Each of the plural gradient magnetic fields for phase encode has an intensity set so as to compensate an influence of an eddy current distributing spatially adaptively to each of imaging positions. The image generating unit generates image data based on the echo signals. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090212773 | ARTERIAL SPIN LABELED, SEGMENTED, INTERLEAVED 3D GRASE MRI - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method of obtaining MRI images of a patient and storing the images in physical storage media. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090212774 | ANTENNA ARRANGEMENT FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - In an antenna arrangement for a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for acquiring magnetic resonance signals, which has at least four individually operable antenna conductor loops arranged like a matrix in rows and columns, wherein two antenna conductor loops adjacent in a row or in a column are inductively decoupled from one another; and wherein two antenna conductor loops diagonally adjacent to one another in adjacent rows and columns are capacitively decoupled from one another. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090219020 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - When a magnetic resonance signal is received more than once, while a table (transfer unit) is moved, a gradient magnetic field is applied in the table moving direction, and an application amount (intensity and application time) of the gradient magnetic field in the table moving direction is changed every acquisition of data. As for the encoding by the gradient magnetic field in the table moving direction, a series of phase encode is performed at different positions of an examination target, unlike a conventional phase encode. Therefore, the Fourier transform cannot be applied to the image reconstruction. Given this situation, a magnetization map of total FOV of the examination target is determined in such a manner that a sum of the square of an absolute value of a difference is minimized, the difference between a received signal and a signal calculated from the magnetization map set as a variable, and then, the reconstruction is performed. Even when a size of signal acquisition area in the table moving direction is narrow, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the present invention is capable of taking an image of a wide field of view at high speed, by performing the imaging while the table is moved continuously. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090219021 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING ARTIFACTS DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for removing artifacts during magnetic resonance imaging, a number of sets of 3D are generated data by scanning, with each set of 3D data containing a number of sets of 2D data. A weighted sum of all the 2D data corresponding to the same overlapped slab is formed. Maximum intensity projection of all the 2D data is implemented, followed by the superposition of the weighted sum data and the maximum intensity projection data to generate the 2D data corresponding to the overlapped slab/The maximum intensity projection of the 3D data formed by 2D data of non-overlapped slabs and 2D data of the corresponding overlapped slabs is implemented so as to generate a final image. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090219022 | Methods of In-Vitro Analysis Using Time-Domain NMR Spectroscopy - An in vitro method of determining an analyte concentration of a sample includes placing the sample into a low-field, bench-top time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) spectrometer. The NMR spectrometer is tuned to measure a selected type of atom. A magnetic field is applied to the sample using a fixed, permanent magnet. At least one 90 degree radio-frequency pulse is applied to the sample. The radio-frequency pulse is generally perpendicular to the magnetic field. The 90 degree radio-frequency pulse is removed from the sample so as to produce a decaying NMR signal. The decaying NMR signal is measured at a plurality of times while applying a plurality of 180 degree refocusing radio-frequency pulses to the sample. The analyte concentration is calculated from the plurality of measurements associated with the decaying NMR signal and a selected model. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090230958 | SLICE-SELECTIVE TUNABLE-FLIP ADIABATIC LOW PEAK POWER EXCITATION - A manifestation of the invention provides a method for slice selective excitation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A B | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090230959 | METHODS OF USING COMBINED FORWARD AND BACKWARD SAMPLING OF NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE TIME DOMAIN FOR MEASUREMENT OF SECONDARY PHASE SHIFTS, DETECTION OF ABSORPTION MODE SIGNALS DEVOID OF DISPERSIVE COMPONENTS, AND/OR OPTIMIZATION OF NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXPERIMENTS - The present invention relates to a method of conducting an N-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiment in a phase-sensitive manner by the use of forward and backward sampling of time domain shifted by a primary phase shift under conditions effective to measure time domain amplitudes and secondary phase shifts. The present invention also relates to methods of conducting an N-dimensional NMR experiment in a phase-sensitive manner by the use of dual forward and backward sampling of time domain shifted by a primary phase shift under conditions effective to measure secondary phase shifts or at least partially cancel dispersive and quadrature image signal components arising in the frequency domain from secondary phase shifts. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090237078 | METHODS OF EVALUATING PEPTIDE MIXTURES - The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating and characterizing peptides, peptide mixtures, and polypeptide mixtures. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating or characterizing complex peptide or polypeptide mixtures comprising glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, and lysine, e.g., Copolymer-1 or glatiramer acetate, including, but not limited to, methods of identifying, isolating, quantifying, and purifying amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, and combinations thereof having a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present on the C-terminus. The presently disclosed methods can be used to determine the mole percent of polypeptides having a diethylamide group at a C-terminus thereof and can be used to evaluate one or more properties of a sample of one polypeptide mixture as compared to one or more properties of a different sample of a polypeptide mixture. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090251142 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus - The MRI apparatus of the present invention executes a non-imaging mode | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090251143 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires data according to a sequence derived by adding a coherent control pulse on a Steady-State Free Precession pulse sequence for repeating plural radio frequency excitations with a constant interval. The coherent control pulse has a center at a substantially center time between adjacent radio frequency excitations and a zero-order moment of which amount is zero. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the data. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090256563 | PREPARING THE MAGNETIZATION STATE OF A SAMPLE FOR ALTERNATING REPETITION TIME STEADY STATE FREE PRECESSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Techniques and systems for magnetic resonance imaging. In one aspect, preparatory pulse sequences precede alternating repetition time steady state free precession (ATR SSFP) pulse sequences to enable image acquisition before reaching a steady-state equilibrium. The design of the preparatory sequences is based on a two step process: First an oscillatory residue is expressed in terms of a window (e.g., a Kaiser-Bessel window) and scale parameters. Second the oscillatory residue is minimized to determine the scale parameters according to a desired application (e.g. ATR SSFP, optimized for fat, water, etc.) The preparation scheme described in this specification can be applied to arbitrary repetition times and RF phase cycling combinations. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090256564 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE RADIO FREQUENCY SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREFOR - In a method for processing radio frequency signals of a magnetic resonance imaging system in which the coil portion of the magnetic resonance imaging system includes a body coil and a local coil, radio frequency signals are supplied to the body coil, and these radio frequency signals are coupled to said local coil, and transmitted by said local coil into a region to be examined. A corresponding radio frequency system has a local coil and a body coil, with power coupling between the local coil and the body coil; during the phase for transmitting the radio frequency signals. The body coil serves to couple the radio frequency signals to be transmitted to the local coil, and the local coil serves to transmit the coupled radio frequency signals to a region to be examined. This method and system allow the transmitting function of the local coil to be achieved without having a coil plug on a patient bed to provide a radio frequency signal transmitting channel. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090256565 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECONSTRUCTING IMAGES - A method for reconstructing an image in a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The method includes steps of acquiring magnetic resonance signals from a plurality of receiver coils placed about a subject, each receiver coil having a coil sensitivity, iteratively polling each acquired magnetic resonance signal for determining one or more significant wavelet components of each acquired magnetic resonance signal by utilizing a coil sensitivity function of each receiver coil for each acquired magnetic resonance signal, iteratively determining one or more coefficients based on the one or more significant wavelet components to generate a plurality of coefficients for each acquired magnetic resonance signal, reconstructing an image utilizing a corresponding plurality of coefficients corresponding to each acquired magnetic resonance signal, and generating a composite image by combining the reconstructed images. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090256566 | MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATED ASSOCIATION OF IMAGES WITH MEASUREMENT SEQUENCES - A medical imaging system is operated corresponding to a measurement sequence to acquire data of an examination subject. A control device associates a reference to the measurement sequence with the acquired data and stores the acquired data including the associated reference. The control device determines an image of the examination subject using the acquired data and outputs the determined image to an operator of the medical imaging system via a viewing device. When a corresponding activation command is provided to it by the operator, the control device automatically determines the corresponding measurement sequence using the reference associated with the displayed image, and automatically associates a reference to at least one image corresponding with the displayed image with the measurement sequence. The control device provides the measurement sequence (S) for search purposes upon retrieval of the measurement sequence, the control device also automatically retrieves the images associated with the retrieved measurement sequence as well. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090261826 | Low Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method and system of magnetic resonance imaging does not need a large homogenous field to truncate a gradient field. Spatial information is encoded into the spin magnetization by allowing the magnetization to evolve in a non-truncated gradient field and inducing a set of 180 degree rotations prior to signal acquisition. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090261827 | MITIGATING SATURATION ARTIFACTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERSECTING PLANE TRUEFISP ACQUISITIONS THROUGH GROUPED REVERSE CENTRIC PHASE ENCODING - Systems methods, and other embodiments associated with acquiring intersecting TrueFISP images using grouped reverse centric phase encoding are described. One example method includes controlling an MRI apparatus to produce a TrueFISP sequence that delays acquisition of the center of k-space to reduce saturation banding artifacts. The example method also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to produce a TrueFISP sequence that reduces eddy current artifacts by grouping (e.g., pairing) lines in k-space. The method concludes by acquiring NMR signal in response to the TrueFISP sequence. | 10-22-2009 |
| 20090267601 | RF RECEIVE COIL ASSEMBLY WITH INDIVIDUAL DIGITIZERS AND MEANS FOR SYNCHRONIZATION THEREOF - The invention relates to a device ( | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090267602 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCELERATED MR IMAGING - A system and method for accelerated MR imaging includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly comprising at least one RF transmit coil and comprising multiple coils to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also has a computer programmed to excite multiple pencil regions by use of an under-sampled echo-planar excitation trajectory and acquire MR signals simultaneously on multiple channels of the RF coil assembly. The computer is also programmed to separate contributions from the various multiple pencil regions by use of parallel imaging reconstruction. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090267603 | System and method for synthesizing crossing ADC distributions via reassembly of multiple k-spaces - A method for synthesizing crossing ADC distributions via reassembly of multiple k-spaces is disclosed. The method includes the steps of scanning a test object having a plurality of anisotropic structures to acquire a first set of DTI data using gradient directions; rotating the gradient directions by an angle α; repeating the step of scanning the test object to acquire a second set of DTI data; creating a composite data set from the first and second sets of data; and applying an inverse Fourier transform to the composite data set. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090267604 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires MR signals for imaging by an imaging scan with applying a frequency-selective or slice-selective radio frequency intermediate pulse for controlling a contrast and a spoiler gradient magnetic field for suppressing unnecessary signal component after applying al least one of radio frequency excitation pulses. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the magnetic resonance signals. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090273345 | Method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals with use of local spatially encoding magnetic fields - A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance (MR) signals from an imaging region within MSEM regions of a local gradient system, wherein, in a preparatory step, a spatial encoding scheme is defined; in an execution step, nuclear spins are repeatedly excited with RF pulses, and thereafter spatially encoded according to the spatial encoding scheme, in at least one dimension by means of the local gradient system, and MR signals are acquired, from which the spatial distribution is calculated, visualized and/or stored, | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090278535 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method - In performing the moving table imaging, an MRI apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which minimizes image degradation and reduces imaging time. When an image of a wide range of a test object is taken, the imaging is repeated while changing the gradient magnetic field intensity in a phase-encode direction, as well as changing the size of field of view FOV in the readout direction by changing the readout gradient magnetic field intensity in reading out the data, according to the phase-encode amount. In a part where the FOV is expanded, data acquisition frequency is lowered, and consequently, the total imaging time is reduced. The data sampling time may be changed along with the change of the FOV, and therefore, a process for achieving a unique matrix size in the readout direction is rendered unnecessary, and a spatial resolution can be maintained. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090278536 | WAVE-PROPAGATION BASED ESTIMATION OF COIL SENSITIVITIES - Low resolution image data from a whole-body coil ( | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090278537 | RADIO-FREQUENCY SURFACE COILS COMPRISING ON-BOARD DIGITAL RECEIVER CIRCUIT - A radio-frequency (RF) coil system that simplifies multi-nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is disclosed herein. The RF coil system comprises a transmitter coil ( | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090278538 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ACQUIRING MULTIPLE SLICES/SLABS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - Provided is a method for simultaneously acquiring magnetic resonance slices/slabs of a subject. The method comprises steps as follows. First, apply one or more than one RF pulse, which carries at least two frequency components, and a slice/slab selection magnetic field gradient so that at least two slices/slabs of the subject respectively corresponding to the at least two frequency components are excited simultaneously. Second, apply a spatial encoding magnetic field gradient. Third, apply a slice/slab separation magnetic field gradient so as to separate the at least two slices/slabs. The method according to the present invention can be used to acquire data for simultaneously reconstructing multiple slices/slabs. The method is compatible with existing MRI systems. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090289631 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH MULTIPLE CONTRAST - A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises an RF-excitation module to generate one of several RF-excitations and a gradient module to generate one of several magnetic gradient pulses, a control unit controls the RF-excitation module and the gradient module and performs an acquisition sequence containing a succession of RF-excitations and gradient pulses. The acquisition sequence comprising several acquisition segments in which magnetic resonance signals are generated, in respective segments different contrast types occur. Individual acquisition segments have one or several repetitive acquisition units, magnetic resonance signals in an individual acquisition unit pertaining to the same contrast type. This approach of acquisition of different contrast type per group of acquisition segments allows optimisation of the acquisition of each of the contrast type independently of the contrast type of other groups of acquisition segments. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090289632 | APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION OF A MAGNETIC FIELD TO A SAMPLE - Disclosed is an apparatus for application of a magnetic field to a sample, in particular an elongated sample. At least in places, the apparatus has magnetic bodies which are arranged such that they can rotate with respect to one another and have, and leave open, a common access opening for the sample. In particular, this allows the apparatus to be applied to an elongated sample whose ends are not accessible. As a result of the bodies being arranged such that they can rotate with respect to one another, the magnetic fields of the bodies can be adjusted with respect to one another before the apparatus is opened and closed, so as to minimize the magnetic field in the common access opening. In consequence, only small magnetic interaction forces need be overcome during opening and closing. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090295385 | Magneto Sensor System and Method of Use - Instruments, systems and methods for using the instrument and systems are disclosed, where the systems include a magneto sensor, such as a superconducting quantum interference device (“SQUID”) and are designed to detect changes in a magnetic field in an animal including a human. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090295386 | POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM - A position detection system that does not require calibration measurement to be performed in advance and reduces the work required for detecting a position and so on is provided. The provided position detection system includes a device having a magnetic inductance coil; a drive coil that has a position-calculating frequency near a resonant frequency of the magnetic inductance coil and generates an alternating magnetic field which acts on the magnetic inductance coil; a plurality of magnetic-field sensors that is disposed outside the operating range of the device and detects an induced magnetic field generated by the magnetic inductance coil; amplitude-component detection section for detecting amplitude components whose phase is substantially orthogonal to the alternating magnetic field from the outputs of the magnetic sensors acquired by the plurality of magnetic sensors; and position analyzing section for calculating at least one of a position and an orientation of the device on the basis of the amplitude components. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090295387 | Shear Wave Generation System For Medical Imaging - A system is configured to produce a stress on a subject while performing a magnetic resonance elastography scan in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The system includes an active driver operable to produce an energy configured for a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) process. A passive actuator is configured to be positioned in the MRI system and to be coupled to the subject. The system includes a tube coupling the active driver to the passive actuator to deliver the energy produced by the active driver to the passive actuator, and a strap coupled to the passive actuator. The strap is configured to be disposed around the subject. The strap includes a substantially inelastic material configured to convert the energy delivered to the passive actuator from the tube into shear waves with the subject for use in the MRE process. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090302840 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTRAST INFLOW DYNAMIC MR ANGIOGRAPHY - A system and method for MR imaging includes a computer programmed to determine first and second view-ordering sequences. The first and second view-ordering sequences comprise values corresponding to respective views of first and second k-space data sets, respectively, wherein the values corresponding to a central view of each the first and second k-space data sets are positioned such that acquisition of k-space data in each central view is acquired from a first and second anatomical region, respectively, as a contrast agent passes therethrough. The positions of the values corresponding to the central views of the first and second k-space data sets within the respective sequences are different. The computer is further programmed to acquire MR data according to the first and second view-ordering sequences over a series of cardiac cycles to fill data in the first and second k-space data sets, respectively. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302841 | Surface Coil Arrays for Simultaneous Reception and Transmission with a Volume Coil and Uses Thereof - This invention provides arrays of counter rotating current surface coils for simultaneous reception and transmission with a volume coil for improved signal-to-noise ratio and radio frequency field homogeneity for in particular high-field (4-8 T) imaging of deep body regions, such as central brain structures. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302842 | BIRADICAL POLARIZING AGENTS FOR DYNAMIC NUCLEAR POLARIZATION - The present invention provides methods for performing dynamic nuclear polarization using biradicals with a structure of formula (I) as described herein. In general, the methods involve (a) providing a frozen sample in a magnetic field, wherein the frozen sample includes a biradical of formula (I) and an analyte with at least one spin half nucleus; (b) polarizing the at least one spin half nucleus of the analyte by irradiating the frozen sample with radiation having a frequency that excites electron spin transitions in the biradical; (c) optionally melting the sample to produce a molten sample; and (d) detecting nuclear spin transitions in the at least one spin half nucleus of the analyte in the frozen or molten sample. The present invention also provides biradicals with a structure of formula (I) with the proviso that Q | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302843 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNAL BASED ON A HYBRID SUPERCONDUCTIVE-MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR - The system for measuring a magnetic resonance signal within a sample ( | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090302844 | Regenerative expansion apparatus, pulse tube cryogenic cooler, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus, superconducting quantum interference device flux meter, and magnetic shielding method of the regenerative expansion apparatus - A regenerative expansion apparatus includes a regenerative tube configured to regenerate cryogenic cooling at the time of expansion of a coolant gas; a cylinder in communication with a low temperature end of the regenerative tube, the cylinder being configured to generate the cryogenic cooling by repeating compression and expansion of the coolant gas via the regenerative tube; a magnetic cold storage material filling inside the regenerative tube, the magnetic cold storage material being made of a magnetic material, the magnetic cold storage material being configured to come in contact with the coolant gas so that the cryogenic cooling is regenerated; and a magnetic shield member surrounding the magnetic cold storage material; wherein the magnetic shield member has an electric resistivity equal to or less than 50 μΩcm at a normal temperature. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090309594 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS USING A CIRCULARLY POLARIZED RF RESONATOR DETECTING RIGHT AND LEFT CIRCULARLY POLARIZED COMPONENTS OF MR SIGNALS - In an MR imaging method and apparatus which MR images with improved signal intensity, improved signal-noise ratio, improved contrast and improved image homogeneity can be acquired, the polarization state of the magnetic field of the RF pulses radiated into the measurement subject and of the resonance signals emitted by the measurement subject are distorted by the interaction with electrically-active materials of the measurement subject. In the transmission branch of the RF system the RF pulses emitted by a transmission coil are pre-distorted with regard to their polarization state. The sensitivity of the reception branch is optimized such that it is capable of detecting resonance signals independent of their polarization state. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090309595 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In an imaging according to the step moving method, a slice imaging condition with respect to each station is optimized, thereby enabling an efficient imaging. A controller of an MRI apparatus displays positioning frames | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090315558 | SELF-REFOCUSED SPATIAL-SPECTRAL PULSE - A method for frequency selective and slice selective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A B | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090315559 | BLACK-BLOOD STEADY-STATE FREE PRECESSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In an imaging method, periodic maintenance radio frequency pulses (α, −α) are applied to maintain a steady state magnetic resonance excitation in an imaging region. Readout ( | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090315560 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECREASING BIO-EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC GRADIENT FIELD GRADIENTS - A magnetic field generator includes a power source and a coil connected to the power source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. Energy is applied to the coil so that the coil generates a time-varying magnetic field gradient with a magnitude of at least 1 milliTesla per meter and a rise-time of less than 10 microseconds. One or more of a capacitor, a multi-stage high-voltage switch, and/or a pulse-forming network may assist with the generation of the magnetic field gradient. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090315561 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT DURING PATIENT MOVEMENT - In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system for acquisition of MR data of a measurement subject in an MR examination in the magnetic resonance system, MR data of the measurement subject (are acquired according to measurement parameters while the measurement subject is moved relative to the magnetic resonance system, the acquired MR data are analyzed, and the measurement parameters are automatically adapted. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090322328 | E-field imaging and proximity detection using a spatially and temporally modulated source - A method and apparatus is described to image a body using electric fields. The electric field is apply to the body from a well controlled electron beam that deposits charge on a glass plate at a particular time and spatial location. This is demonstrated by using the ubiquitous CRT computer monitor. The method is useful in medical imaging and for nondestructive testing. An advantage of the electric field imaging is it requires no ionizing radiation. The use of the computer display allows for proximity detection of a body. A smart control is drawn on the video screen by a program. The control produces and E-field source that occurs at known time in the video refresh. A proximate E-field sensor is used to detect the changes in the signal produced by the button. Changes in the signal level are associated with a proximate body to the button. Detection logic is used to instigate the action of the control. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090322329 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PULSE SEQUENCE TO FEED AN RF RADIATING COIL - In a magnetic resonance apparatus having an RF radiating coil and gradient coils, and in a method for operating such a magnetic resonance apparatus, a pulse sequence, composed of multiple time steps, is specified for operating the gradient coils to time-dependently select regions of a selected slice of a selected volume of a subject. A non-linear equation system is then solved to obtain feed parameters for individual channels of the transmit coil for each time step, with specification of a desired target magnetization, and dependent on the pulse sequence specified for the gradient coils. The non-linear equation system is based on discrete values for time and space variable and, in addition to equations resulting from the Bloch equation, which are non-linear in their feed parameters, includes at least one additional equation that describes boundary conditions for the examination of the subject. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090322330 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition acquisition unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition acquisition unit acquires at least one of an amplitude and a phase of a radio frequency transmission signal so as to reduce a deviation of data in at least one region of interest set in an object. The imaging unit acquires image data by imaging according to an imaging condition including at least the one of the amplitude and the phase. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090322331 | Detecting Spin Perturbations Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Implementations and examples of systems, apparatus and techniques for using magnetic resonance imaging to measure spin perturbations. In one implementation, a sample containing nuclear spins is magnetized using a principle magnetic field generated external to the sample. A periodic pulse sequence is applied to the sample. The pulse sequence includes multiple radio frequency (rf) pulses and multiple recovery times between the rf pulses. The pulse sequence is configured to generate, in the presence of a magnetic field perturbation, a sequence of multiple different steady states of magnetization in the sample during each period of the pulse sequence. A magnetic resonance signal acquired from the sample is processed to identify characteristics of a magnetic field perturbation in the sample. In some implementations, processing the signal to identify characteristics of a magnetic field perturbation in the sample includes processing the signal to identify characteristics of an electric current in the sample. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100001726 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND RECEIVING-PATH SWITCHING METHOD - In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an event generating substrate included in a sequence control unit generates an event code to make an instruction for switching a receiving path during a scan based on scanning conditions that are set in advance of the scan. When the event code is generated, a radio-frequency switch-matrix substrate of a gantry unit switches the receiving path that connects a receiving coil and a receiving circuit. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100013477 | SLICE SELECTIVE MRI EXCITATION WITH REDUCED POWER DEPOSITION USING MULTIPLE TRANSMIT CHANNELS - Described are embodiments for slice-selective excitation for MRI that utilize multiple RF transmit coils, each of which are driven with a separate independent current waveform. These embodiments allow slice-selective excitation with slice profile and excitation time similar to other single-channel excitation, but with reduction in SAR caused by the transverse component of the RF field by a factor up to the number of excitation coils. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100013478 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - A magnetic resonance imaging device includes magnetic field generating means and control means for controlling receiving means according to a predetermined pulse sequence, the predetermined pulse sequence including an unnecessary material suppressing sequence unit for canceling a signal from an unnecessary material which is not a measurement target and a main imaging sequence unit for measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance signal used to create an image of an examinee. The unnecessary material suppressing sequence unit generates at least two or more high frequency magnetic field pulses so that the longitudinal magnetization of the unnecessary material is made spatially uniform in the imaging space under application of a first high frequency magnetic field pulse in the main imaging sequence unit. The magnetic resonance imaging device further includes adjusting means for adjusting the flip angles of the two or more high frequency magnetic field pulses, and the control means applies the two or more high frequency magnetic field pulses at the flip angles adjusted by the adjusting means. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100013479 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO EXCITE NUCLEAR SPINS IN A SUBJECT - In a method and system to generate an excitation in an examination subject to acquire magnetic resonance signals from a region of the examination subject, basic magnetic field is generated, an adiabatic half-passage (AHP) pulse is radiated to generate a transverse magnetization in the subject, and at least one first and one second adiabatic full-passage (AFP) pulse is radiated to generate a slice-selective rephasing of the transverse magnetization. The time interval between the first adiabatic half-passage pulse and the first adiabatic full-passage pulse is at least 37 ms, and the time interval between the first adiabatic full-passage pulse and the second adiabatic full-passage pulse is at least 75 ms. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100013480 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING SYSTEM AND IMAGING METHOD USING THE SAME - A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100013481 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGE COMPUTING METHOD - An object of the invention is to obtain a magnetic resonance spectroscopic image to which the MAC summation is applied with high accuracy and in short time, even though a phase characteristic distribution of the MAC has a spatial non-uniformity, in the MRSI measurement using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus provided with a MAC. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100019764 | UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD SPHERICAL COIL FOR MRI - The present invention relates to a spherical design for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil to provide a compact and light-weight highly uniform magnetic field for a variety of medical imaging applications. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a transportable MRI system in which the spherical electromagnet can be worn like a helmet by patients for diagnosis and assessment of traumatic brain injuries, for example. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100019765 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE OF TISSUE CONTAINING IRON OXIDE - In a method and apparatus for acquisition of a magnetic resonance (MR) image of tissue containing iron oxide particles frequency-selective inversion of the longitudinal magnetization in the tissue is done before acquisition of the MR image, and acquisition of the MR image is done at a zero crossing of the longitudinal magnetization. For water portions of the tissue, multiple inversion pulses that invert the longitudinal magnetization of the aqueous portions are radiated into the tissue. For fat portions of the tissue, multiple inversion pulses are radiated into the tissue that invert longitudinal magnetization of the fat portions. The inversion pulses for the respective tissue portions individually exhibit a fixed time interval from one another. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100026296 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus enabling highly precise spectrum measurement even when resonance frequency changes during MRS or MRSI measurement is provided. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100026297 | METHOD FOR RELAXATION-COMPENSATED FAST MULTI-SLICE CHEMICAL EXCHANGE SATURATION TRANSFER MRI - A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100026298 | Method for imaging Acoustically induced rotary saturation with a magnetic resonance imaging system - A method for producing a magnetic resonance image indicative of mechanical waves applied to a subject is provided. Mechanical waves are applied to the subject at a selected frequency to induce oscillatory motion in tissues within the subject at the same frequency. A spin-lock radiofrequency pulse, having a resonance frequency matched to that of the induced oscillatory motion, is applied to the subject. This results in a spin-lock condition, during which transverse magnetization experiences rotary saturation resulting from magnetic field fluctuations produced by the oscillatory motion. Image data is acquired from the saturated transverse magnetization and images are reconstructed. As a result of the rotary saturation, these images exhibit darkening in those voxel locations affected by the oscillatory motion. In this manner, an image indicative of the applied mechanical waves is produced. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100026299 | METHOD FOR RADIO-FREQUENCY NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Accumulated spin magnetization phase within a RF MRI procedure can be used for providing an orderly k-space traversal. By operating a transmit array adapted to produce two B1 fields in alternation, where the B1 fields are substantially uniform in amplitude over a sample volume of the MRI setup, and the B1 fields have respective spatial phase distributions such that selection of a difference in spatial derivatives of the spatial phase distributions permits control over a size of a step in k-space applied by successive refocusing pulses for generating the B1 fields in alternation. Each alternating refocusing pulse issued within a T2 time causes a step through k-space in an encoding direction determined by the difference in spatial derivatives. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100033179 | DISTORTION-FREE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING NEAR METALLIC IMPLANTS - A method for 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with slice-direction distortion correction is provided. One or more selective cross-sections with a thickness along a first axis is excited using a RF pulse with a bandwidth, wherein a selective cross-section is either a selective slice or selective slab. A refocusing pulse is applied to form a spin echo. One or more 2D encoded image signals are acquired with readout along a second axis and phase encoding along a third axis. Slice-direction distortion is corrected by resolving the position by resolving the frequency offset. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100033180 | METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE ACQUISITION CHANNEL, CALIBRATION DATA DETERMINATION DEVICE AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method for calibration of a magnetic resonance acquisition channel having a magnetic resonance acquisition antenna in a magnetic resonance system, in a test signal is emitted by the transmission antenna in the magnetic resonance system and is received by the acquisition antenna. Acquisition channel calibration data for the appertaining magnetic resonance acquisition channel are determined on the basis of the received test signal. The method can be implemented by a calibration data determination device for a magnetic resonance system as well as by a magnetic resonance system itself. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100033181 | Levitating MEMS Resonator for Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy - A self-stabilized, levitating MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems) resonator is provided for detection of magnetic resonance spectra of electrons and nuclei in magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) measurements. The present MRFM system includes a levitating micro-disk having electrically-controlled force sensitivity. To achieve imaging on the scale of a single nuclear spin, the force sensitivity of the measurement must be on the order of 1 aN (atto-Newton) or less. For about a 1 aN force to produce deflections comparable to an angstrom for interferometer detection, the stiffness or spring constant (k) of the resonator will typically be less than 1 μN/m (micro-Newtons per meter). Since the resonator is to be driven with an oscillating force at its resonance, there is a quality-factor (Q) enhancement of the amplitude of the motion. As a result, the k/Q ratio is preferably less than 1×10 | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100033182 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECIMEN EVALUATION USING MULTIPLE PULSED FIELD GRADIENT SEQUENCES - Using pulsed-field-gradient (PFG) sequences, the sizes of the pores in ordered porous media can be estimated from the “diffraction” pattern that the signal attenuation curves exhibit. A different diffraction pattern is observed when the experiment is extended to a larger number (N) of diffusion gradient pulse pairs. Differences in the characteristics of attenuation curves also permit distinguishing different pore shapes and distributions using the N-PFG technique. Using an even number of PFG pairs, an approximation to the average pore size can be obtained even when the sample contains pores with a broad distribution of sizes. Multi-PFG sequences can also be used to differentiate free and multi-compartment diffusion, and to estimate compartment sizes and orientations, and to distinguish microscopic and ensemble anisotropy. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100045290 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a coil control device that controls a transmission coil and a gradient coil such that (A) a longitudinal magnetization adjustment pulse sequence for setting a longitudinal magnetization component positive in value of a first body fluid smaller than a longitudinal magnetization component positive in value of a second body fluid is executed on the first and second body fluids, (B) a longitudinal magnetization reverse pulse for reversing the longitudinal magnetization components of the first and second body fluids is transmitted, and (C) a data acquisition pulse sequence for acquiring data of the first body fluid when an absolute value of the longitudinal magnetization component of the first body fluid flowing through an imaging area is larger than an absolute value of the longitudinal magnetization component of the second body fluid, is executed. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100045291 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD TO ACQUIRE AND DISPLAY CALIBRATION IMAGES - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to acquire and present calibration images of a periodically moving organ with the use of magnetic resonance technology, calibration images are acquired by acquiring measurement data for multiple calibration images during one continuous period of the organ movement, the multiple calibration images differing in their offset frequency and/or in their spatial position in the organ to be examined, and the calibration images in a presentation manner that, from the visual quality of the respective images, allows the user to select (identify) the image acquired with the offset frequency that should then be used to acquire the diagnostic image are displayed to a user. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100045292 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATUS - In a magnetic resonance apparatus and method for generation of a magnetic resonance angiogram of a subphrenic vessel structure, a subject containing the subphrenic vessel structure is positioned in an imaging volume of a magnetic resonance apparatus, and MR measurement data are acquired using a radial k-space scanning scheme. An image of the vessel structure is reconstructed from the measurement data. Information about movement of the vessel structure to be examined is determined from the acquired measurement data and a movement correction is implemented in the reconstruction of the image using the extracted information. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100052674 | Method for determining an attenuation map for use in positron emission tomography and for the use of homogeneity information relating to the magnetic resonance magnetic field - A method is disclosed for determining an attenuation map for use in positron emission tomography and for the use of homogeneity information relating to the magnetic resonance magnetic field, in particular for the purpose of determining shim settings, within the scope of a single magnetic resonance image recording. In at least one embodiment of the method, a first and a second image data record are firstly recorded with a three-dimensional gradient echo sequence during a first and a second echo time, respectively, with the phase difference between the water and the fat signal amounting to zero during the first echo time and amounting to 180 degrees during the second echo time. The attenuation map is determined from fat/water ratios obtained from the image data records by way of a Dixon technology, in particular a 2-point Dixon technology. In at least one embodiment, all voxels with a signal intensity below a first threshold value are excluded at least for the second image data record by using a mask and only the non excluded voxels of the first and second image data record are taken into consideration in order to determine the homogeneity information from the phase differences of adjacent voxels. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052675 | System for Image Acquisition With Fast Magnetic Resonance Gradient Echo Sequences - A system uses a three-dimensional spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence for fat suppression with reduced total acquisition time suitable for acquiring image data under breath-hold conditions using a reversed asymmetry during data acquisition on an opposed phase echo. A system reduces RF pulse repetition time in an MR imaging pulse sequence in an MR imaging device. The system includes an RF pulse generator for generating an RF excitation pulse sequence having a pulse repetition interval. A read-out gradient magnetic field generator generates an asymmetric read-out gradient magnetic field having a readout gradient mid-point occurring prior to an RF echo pulse peak. The RF echo pulse peak is received in response to a generated RF excitation pulse. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052676 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SCANNING-CONDITION SETTING METHOD - A Signal-to-Noise (SN) ratio maintained scanning-condition recalculating unit re-sets a value of a scanning parameter other than an SN ratio included in scanning conditions when the size of a Field Of View (FOV) to be set for a scan is changed, so as to make the SN ratio of an image to be taken under after-change scanning conditions equal to or larger than the SN ratio of an image assumed to be taken under before-change scanning conditions. A scanning-condition edit/scan positioning unit then sets scanning conditions based on the value of the scanning parameter recalculated by the scanning-condition recalculating unit. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052677 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided which includes detection means for detecting a magnetic resonance signal generated from a sample, acquisition means for repeatedly acquiring data on the magnetic resonance signal detected by the detection means in an imaging period and arranging the acquired data in a k space, wherein the acquisition means acquires the data in one acquisition pattern of a plurality of different acquisition patterns, which are determined so that an acquisition frequency of data in some areas of the k space is different from that in the other areas of the k space, reconstruction means for repeatedly reconstructing an image of the sample on the basis of the data acquired by the acquisition means and arranged in the k space, and control means for controlling the acquisition means to change the acquisition pattern used by the acquisition means during the imaging period. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052678 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO GENERATE A MEASUREMENT SEQUENCE FOR OPERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM THAT IS ADAPTED TO THE TIME RASTER OF THE SYSTEM - In a method for producing a time raster-adapted measurement sequence that can be executed directly in the time raster of a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, for a measurement sequence composed of a series of time slices that in their entirety represent the measurement sequence, the predetermined time slices are not necessarily of a suitable length in order to be directly translated into the time raster of the MR scanner. The method according to the invention produces this conversion automatically and additionally ensures that global properties of the measurement sequence are maintained. The method simplifies the programming of measurement sequences for MR. Moreover, the method is a requirement for the direct use of timing values determined by a solver. The method can be executed by a computerized device and can be implemented in the form of programming instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052679 | Coil Array Mode Compression For Parallel Transmission Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for target-dependent, sparsity-enforced selection for choosing a substantially optimal connection of radiofrequency (“RF”) transmitters to the elements of the RF coil array is provided. In particular, a method is provided that selects the linear combinations of the “N” spatial mode profiles of a transmission RF coil array, such that the k-space trajectory and pulse duration acceleration capabilities of the array are advantageously utilized. A sparsity-enforcement method that determines a subset of the available spatial modes for a parallel transmission RF coil array is employed to this end. In this manner, the utilization of the encoding power of a highly-parallel N-mode coil array in a system with only “P” available excitation channels is enabled. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052680 | METHOD FOR OPERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method for operation of a magnetic resonance system, at least one control device is fashioned for image data acquisition and corresponding components, and only three first control parameters defining primary boundary conditions are selected by an operator of the system, namely the contrast response, the spatial orientation of the at least one image data set to be acquired and the examination organ. Additional, second control parameters, required to control the components for image acquisition and defining secondary boundary conditions, are automatically determined by the control device using the first control parameters. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100052681 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ANGULAR ELLIPTIC CENTRIC VIEW ORDERING FOR 3D MR ACQUISITIONS - A method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes segmenting a k | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100060276 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TISSUE POINT TRACKING USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method for MR based tracking of a tissue point includes a RF coil assembly configured to emit RF pulse sequences and a system control coupled to the RF coil assembly. The system control is programmed to cause the RF coil assembly to emit a first RF pulse comprising a first pair of two-dimensional (2D) spatially selective beams, each of the beams being directed to a respective tagging location in the subject of interest and wherein the tagging locations are equidistant from a pre-determined point-of-interest. The system control is further programmed to acquire a first series of MR images from a subject of interest, identify the first pair of 2D spatially selective beams in each MR image in the first series of MR images, and track a position of the point-of-interest based on the identified 2D spatially selective beams in the first series of MR images. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060277 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NON-CONTRAST ENHANCED PULMONARY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In one aspect, a method of inducing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from a region of an object having at least a portion of at least one pulmonary vein using at least one coil adapted to emit electromagnetic signals to induce an NMR effect is provided. The method comprises operating the at least one coil to provide at least one imaging sequence at an effective off-resonance frequency adapted to cause NMR signals to be emitted from the at least one pulmonary vein, and detecting at least some of the NMR signals to obtain NMR data corresponding to the at least one pulmonary vein. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060278 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH PHASE-SENSITIVE FLUID SUPPRESSION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to separate a signal component of a cerebrospinal fluid from other signal components in the acquisition of MR images of an examination subject, a first signal acquisition with spin echo-based signals is executed, in which the signal components of the cerebrospinal fluid and the other signal components have the same phase position, and a second signal acquisition with spin echo-based signals is then executed, in which the signal components of the cerebrospinal fluid and the other signal components have an opposite phase position. An MR image with signals of the other signal components is determined based on the two signal acquisitions with the signal component of the cerebrospinal fluid is significantly suppressed. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060279 | MR IMAGING WITH AN RF PULSE PRODUCING REDUCED MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER - A system and method are provided herein for designing and transmitting RF pulses which cause a reduced off-resonance magnetization transfer saturation. An RF pulse shape may be optimized according to a set of Bloch solutions defining a desired magnetization profile. An RF pulse may be transmitted according to this optimized shape according to a k-space trajectory which traverses a high amplitude portion of the RF pulse more times than one or more low amplitude portions. In addition, a generally alternating slice select gradient may be applied during transmission of the RF pulse. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100060280 | MR IMAGING WITH AN RF PULSE PRODUCING REDUCED MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER - A system and method are provided herein for designing and transmitting RF pulses which cause a reduced off-resonance magnetization transfer saturation. An RF pulse shape may be optimized according to a set of Bloch solutions defining a desired magnetization profile. An RF pulse may be transmitted according to this optimized shape according to a k-space trajectory which traverses a high amplitude portion of the RF pulse more times than one or more low amplitude portions. In addition, a generally alternating slice select gradient may be applied during transmission of the RF pulse. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100066360 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD USING A PARALLEL IMAGING TECHNIQUE COMBINED WITH A ZOOMED ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE - In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, magnetic resonance data are acquired (an examination subject) using a zoomed method, and reconstruction of the image of the examination subject is undertaken using a parallel imaging reconstruction method. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066361 | METHOD FOR FAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE RADIOFREQUENCY COIL TRANSMISSION PROFILE MAPPING - A system and method for producing an image indicative of characteristics of a radiofrequency (“RF”) coil with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is disclosed. The method includes acquiring MR signals while performing a pulse sequence with the MRI system and driving the RF coil at a selected transmission power. This process is repeated a plurality of times to drive the RF coil at a different transmission powers during each repetition. A plurality of images are reconstructed from the acquired MR signals and an image indicative of RF reception characteristics of the RF coil is produced from the reconstructed images. Subsequently, an image indicative of RF transmission characteristics of the RF coil is produced using the image indicative of the RF receiver response. More specifically, only one data acquisition is necessary for each RF coil element to produce the image indicative of the RF transmission characteristics for that coil element. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066362 | Method for Obtaining Amplitude and Phase Profiles of RF Pulses for Spatially Selective Excitation - A method for determining amplitude and phase dependencies of radio frequency pulses that are irradiated during traversal of a defined k-space trajectory to produce a spatial pattern of the transverse magnetization in an MR experiment using at least one RF transmission antenna, is characterized in that, in a calibration step, a set of basic pulses is defined, each basic pulse is irradiated individually, the specified k-space trajectory is traversed and at least one set of basic patterns is produced by detection of the MR signals thus excited, which in a range to be examined of the object, are proportional to the complex transverse magnetization produced, wherein the k-space trajectory is traversed fully identically every time at least from the beginning of the irradiation of each basic pulse, and, in a calculation step, a defined target pattern is approximated with a linear combination of the basic patterns of a set or with a mathematical association of linear combinations, with which, within each set, the basic patterns are identically combined, and the amplitude and phase dependencies to be determined are obtained as the corresponding linear combination of the basic pulses. Experimental imperfections can be intrinsically compensated for in this way. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066363 | IMAGING METHOD FOR OBTAINING SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF NANOPARTICLES IN THE BODY - A well-posed magnetic imaging method is disclosed that exploits the non-linear behavior of the characteristic time scale of the Neel relaxation for obtaining accurate high-spatial resolution images of magnetic tracers. The method includes placing an object in a selection field (static field) generated by three pairs of orthogonally arranged coil (drive coils), supplying prudently choice currents to the drive coils, a zero field voxel (ZFV) is formed that can be positioned anywhere in the local region of interest (ROI), switching the magnetizing field off, and collecting an image. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066364 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEM - In a method and system to generate magnetic resonance (MR) images by MR data are acquired by a pure phase-coded imaging in k-space having a predetermined set of possible measurement points, with the MR data being acquired only for a predetermined subset of the measurement points of this set. An image is reconstructed from the acquired measurement points of the subset such that information about un-acquired measurement points of the set is also obtained. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100066365 | METHODS FOR FAT SIGNAL SUPPRESSION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The present invention is directed to methods for chemical species signal suppression in magnetic resonance imaging procedures, wherein Dixon techniques are enhanced by continuously sampling techniques. In the invention, k-space data is acquired during the entire period of read gradient associated with a gradient echo pulse acquisition scheme. The invention utilizes a total sampling time (TST) acquisition during the entire read gradient, using three echoes of a TST data set to achieve chemical species separation in both homogenous fields as well as areas of field inhomogeneity. As an example, a continuously sampled rectilinearly FLASH pulse sequence is modified such that the time between echoes was configured to be 2.2 milliseconds, with TE selected to allow 180° phase variation in the fat magnetization between each of the three TE's (TE | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100072996 | Methods And Systems For Magnetically Resonating Both A Subject And A Substance Administered To The Subject - Embodiments of the current invention include a magnetic resonance system including a magnetic resonance device and a substance to be introduced to a subject in accordance with a treatment. Further embodiments of the current invention include a method of using a magnetic resonance system including administering a substance to a subject and providing magnetic resonance to the subject. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100072997 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM WITH TRANSMISSION OF A DIGITIZED MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNAL ACROSS AN AIR GAP - A magnetic resonance system has a patient receptacle and a base body. The patient receptacle has a subframe and a patient bed supported thereon so as to move a patient thereon through the base body. The base body has a basic field magnet system, a gradient system and an RF system that are operable to obtain an analog magnetic resonance signal from the patient. The patient receptacle has a signal conversion device composed of an A/D converter, a modulator, and a transmitter. The base body has a signal conversion device composed of a receiver and a demodulator. The A/D converter receives the magnetic resonance signal and digitizes it. The modulator modulates a carrier signal with the digitized magnetic resonance signal. The transmitter transmits the modulated carrier signal via an air gap to the receive. The receiver receives the transmitted carrier signal. The demodulator extracts the digitized magnetic resonance signal from the received carrier signal by demodulation and supplies it to an evaluation device for continuing evaluation. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100072998 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND DEVICE TO AUTOMATICALLY DIFFERENTIATE WATER-DOMINATED AND FAT-DOMINATED TISSUE - In a magnetic resonance method and system to automatically differentiate whether a pixel of an MR image acquired with magnetic resonance system originated from fat-dominated tissue or water-dominated tissue, only one spin echo-based magnetic resonance signal per pixel is acquired at a point in time at which the phase of a magnetic resonance signal of aqueous tissue has a phase opposite to the phase of a magnetic resonance signal of fat tissue. The phase angle of the pixel is then calculated, a base phase at the pixel depending on the magnetic resonance system is determined, and a corrected phase angle of the pixel is determined from the phase angle and the base phase. Whether the pixel originated from fat-dominated tissue or water-dominated tissue is then determined using the corrected phase angle of the pixel. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100072999 | Device and method for positioning a small animal for an MRI measurement - A device used in performing imaging magnetic resonance measurements (=MRI) in a Region of Interest (ROI) ( | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100079141 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTION OF DISTORTION DUE TO CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT OF PATIENT TABLE - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) for reduction and correction of image distortions that occur in the generation of MR images of an examination subject that is arranged on a table that is continuously driven through the MR system during the generation of the MR images and whose cause is the acquisition of MR data of an image at varying positions within the MR system, raw MR data are acquired in multiple segments with radial filling of k-space with the raw data, an intersection region in the k-space center is determined that is covered by multiple segments given the radial filling of the raw data in k-space, and the distortions are automatically calculated based on the intersection region of at least two different segments. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079142 | COMBINED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND TARGETING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC PARTICLES - The invention relates to a combined magnetic resonance imaging and targeting device for magnetic particles having a magnetic coil array. The magnetic coil array comprises a plurality of coils, each of which is connected to a power supply. The power supplies are connected to a controller which is embodied for two operating modes. In a first operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that a magnetic field extreme value is generated at at least one location in a target region. In a second operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that magnetic fields having a strictly monotonously rising or falling magnetic field profile are generated in an imaging region. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100085049 | METHOD OF OBTAINING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE IN WHICH THE STREAK ARTIFACTS ARE CORRECTED USING NON-LINEAR PHASE CORRECTION - A non-linear phase correction method is provided. For the non-linear phase correction method, image information is acquired by gradient echo echo planar imaging (EPI). Reference information is acquired by spin echo EPI. The image information is corrected based on the reference information. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100085050 | SPECTRAL RESOLUTION ENHANCEMENT OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING - A method and apparatus for enhancing the spectral resolution of magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) measurements include receiving time domain echo data from an MRS measurement for an MRS volume in a subject. Also received are high spatial resolution complex signal values within the MRS volume based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. Frequency-domain content is determined for the echo data based at least in part on the complex signal values. For example, in some embodiments, receiving complex signal values includes receiving high spatial resolution complex signal values within the MRS volume for each of two different echo time settings. The frequency-domain content of the echo data is corrected for a lineshape profile based on high resolution frequency dispersion values for the MRS volume determined from differences in the complex signal values for the two different echo time settings. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100085051 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETERMINE AN INVERSION TIME VALUE OF TISSUE BY MEANS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE TECHNOLOGY - In a method to determine an inversion time value for contrast improvement between different tissue in a contrast agent-supported magnetic resonance imaging, a series of magnetic resonance images of an imaging area is acquired using an inversion recovery sequence with different inversion times. A structure in the magnetic resonance images is segmented and a time response of the signal intensity of image elements corresponding to one another in the magnetic resonance images of the segmented structure is automatically determined. Minima of the signal intensity in the segmented structure are determined automatically and associated with the associated inversion time values. The optimal inversion time value for contrast improvement is automatically determined from the inversion time values that have been associated with the minima of the signal intensity in the segmented structure. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100085052 | METHOD FOR MAGNITUDE CONSTRAINED PHASE CONTRAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for magnitude constrained phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method utilizes an assumption that the image magnitude is shared across a series of images reconstructed from a set of phase contrast enhanced k-space data. In this manner, one common magnitude image and a plurality of phase images are reconstructed substantially contemporaneously from the acquired image data. The method is further applicable to other phase contrast MRI methods, such as phase contract velocimetry. Moreover, simultaneous phase contrast velocimetry and chemical shift imaging, in which water and fat signal separation is achieved, is provided. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100090694 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AUTOMATED GENERATION OF A FORMAL DESCRIPTION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM MEASUREMENT SEQUENCE, USING A SEQUENCE MODEL - A magnetic resonance sequence model that is a formal description of a measurement sequence is used to automate measurement sequence programming. The sequence model allows a system-independent specification of the measurement sequence for execution in a magnetic resonance scanner. The sequence model is as formal as possible; it is limited to the minimum required information for description of a measurement sequence without limiting the flexibility in the sequence programming. A method for formal description of the measurement sequence describes the measurement sequence by a number of parameters to be parameterized. The parameterization of the measurement sequence can ensue automatically from the formalized description of the measurement sequence, except for a set of parameters that are still be determined. For automatic generation of an executable measurement sequence, the method determines the parameters to be determined using a solver, under consideration of boundary conditions, so that a consistent set of parameters is created that completely describes the measurement sequence. This complete description of parameter values of the measurement sequence is then be translated automatically into a programming language that can be directly executed in the magnetic resonance scanner. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090695 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCED EDDY CURRENT GENERATION IN THE IMAGED OBJECT - An MRI apparatus and method reduces eddy currents generated by changing gradient magnetic fields used to image an object. Positioning image data from a pilot imaging mode is used to set reference imaging conditions for a subsequent actual diagnostic imaging mode used to acquire diagnostic image data. An eddy current stimulus index is calculated for a gradient magnetic field polarity successively (i.e., iteratively) renewed (i.e., changed) by renewal of imaging conditions and phase-encoding direction. Diagnostic image data is generated during an actual diagnostic imaging mode based on a gradient magnetic field polarity and phase-encoding direction that provides the lowest eddy current stimulus index value, thus using an optimum set of imaging conditions. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090696 | METHOD, PROCESSOR, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE PRESENTATION OF LUNG MOVEMENT - In a method for selective presentation of a movement of the lung, magnetic resonance images (MR images) of the lung are acquired in a temporal progression, i.e. MR images of the lung are acquired over multiple breathing cycles. The acquired MR images are registered with regard to a reference position and the signal curve over time is determined in the acquired MR images. The frequency spectrum of the determined signal curves is then determined, such as by a Fourier transformation. A specific frequency spectrum is filtered with a frequency band filter, wherein the frequency range of the frequency band filter is adapted to the movement to be shown. The filtered frequency spectrum is transformed back into a filtered signal curve of the MR images, and the magnetic resonance images obtained via this back-transformation are displayed in the temporal progression with the filtered signal curve. A computer readable medium, an image processing unit and a magnetic resonance apparatus implement such a method. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090697 | METHOD OF PERFORMING MRI WITH AN ATOMIC MAGNETOMETER - A method and apparatus are provided for performing an in-situ magnetic resonance imaging of an object. The method includes the steps of providing an atomic magnetometer, coupling a magnetic field generated by magnetically resonating samples of the object through a flux transformer to the atomic magnetometer and measuring a magnetic resonance of the atomic magnetometer. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100090698 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD FOR DETECTING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING SAID METHOD - A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for detecting hydrogen peroxide includes providing a liquid sample in a static magnetic field; stimulating a spin signal in the sample by exciting the sample with a first electromagnetic pulse having a frequency corresponding to the hydrogen NMR frequency in the static magnetic field; waiting for a first time period; refocusing the spin signal in the sample for a first number of times by a series of second electromagnetic pulses having a frequency corresponding to the hydrogen NMR frequency in the static magnetic field, said second electromagnetic pulses being separated by a first echo time, while sampling a first train of spin signals in between the second electromagnetic pulses; and refocusing the spin signal in the sample for a second number of times by a series of third electromagnetic pulses having a frequency corresponding to the hydrogen frequency in the static magnetic field, said third electromagnetic pulses being separated by a second echo time while sampling a second train of spin signals in between the third electromagnetic pulses, wherein the second echo time is different from the first echo time. A first spin-spin relaxation time is derived from the first train of spin signals and a second spin-spin relaxation time is derived from the second train of spin signals, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide is signaled if the quotient of the first spin-spin relaxation time to the second spin-spin relaxation time is different from one. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100097061 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND CLASSIFYING ATHEROSCLEROTIC PLAQUE HEMORRHAGE - A system and method for detecting atherosclerotic plaque hemorrhage includes a controller programmed to apply a non-selective inversion recovery RF pulse to a region of interest, apply a plurality of encoding sequences to the region of interest to cause generation of a plurality of echoes during application of each encoding sequence. The controller is further programmed to acquire three dimensional MR data from the region of interest during generation of each of the plurality of echoes, identify a hemorrhage based on the three dimensional MR data, characterize a type of the hemorrhage, and reconstruct an image based on the three dimensional MR data, the image comprising the characterized hemorrhage. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100102811 | NMR, MRI, and Spectroscopic MRI in Inhomogeneous Fields - A method for locally creating effectively homogeneous or “clean” magnetic field gradients (of high uniformity) for imaging (with NMR, MRI, or spectroscopic MRI) both in in-situ and ex-situ systems with high degrees of inhomogeneous field strength. The method of imaging comprises: a) providing a functional approximation of an inhomogeneous static magnetic field strength B | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102812 | OPTIMIZED SPECTRAL-SPATIAL PULSE - A computer implemented method for designing a spectral-spatial pulse for exciting at least one passband and minimally exciting at least one stopband is provided. A uniform shaped spectral envelope is generated. For a plurality of k | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102813 | PET/MR SCANNERS FOR SIMULTANEOUS PET AND MR IMAGING - In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet ( | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102814 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A Magnetic Resonance Imaging apparatus having an open U- or C-shaped magnet structure, wherein the magnet structure has at least one vertical connection member for joining two horizontal wall members which lie one above the other and are supported in a cantilever fashion and in a predetermined spaced relationship by the vertical member, the vertical member being eccentrically connected to the two wall members at a side edge thereof. The horizontal wall members and the vertical member delimit the upper and lower sides and at least a vertical lateral band of a space for receiving at least one part of a patient body. The horizontal wall members also support means for generating a static magnetic field that permeates the patient receiving space. The apparatus further includes a patient table, supported in an intermediate position between the two horizontal wall members, and lies slightly above the lower horizontal wall part, the table being displaceable in at least one displacement direction, having at least one component of motion towards and/or away from the vertical connection member, and the table being rotatable about a vertical axis outside the magnet structure, i.e. outside the horizontal wall members. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102815 | DYNAMIC COMPOSITE GRADIENT SYSTEMS FOR MRI - A composite gradient system is described, including a body gradient system and an insert gradient system, in which the body gradient system and the insert gradient system can be driven independently and simultaneously. The composite gradient system can provide an operator with the flexibility of imaging a subject using the body gradient system alone, the insert gradient system alone, or both gradient systems simultaneously, and therefore enjoy the advantages of each gradient system. In some embodiments, the body gradient system and the insert gradient system may be driven concurrently during an imaging sequence to produce composite magnetic field gradients having high amplitude and/or fast slew rate, resulting in high image resolution and/or fast image acquisition. In some embodiments, a subject may be imaged using the body gradient system alone while leaving the insert gradient system in place. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100102816 | EDDY-CURRENT ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN BALANCED STEADY-STATE FREE PRECESSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Magnetic resonance imaging techniques are described that utilize bSSFP sequences in which two or more gradient waveforms are interleaved in a “groupwise” fashion, i.e., each waveform is executed consecutively two or more times before switching to the other waveform, where “N” counts the number of times each waveform is executed consecutively. As a result, embodiments of the present disclosure can mitigate steady-state signal distortions or artifacts in interleaved balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) caused by slightly unbalanced eddy-current fields. Related MRI systems are also described. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100109665 | FAST VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS USING BALANCED SSFP MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Referenceless techniques for flow imaging are described that exploit a refocusing property of balanced steady state free precession (“SSFP”) magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), and achieve up to approximately a 50% reduction in total scan time. With the echo time set to one half of the sequence repetition time (TE=TR/2), non-flow-related image phase tends to vary smoothly across the field-of-view, and can be estimated from static tissue regions to produce a phase reference for nearby voxels containing flowing blood. These approaches produce accurate in vivo one-dimensional velocity estimates in half the scan time compared with conventional balanced SSFP phase-contrast methods. The feasibility of referenceless time-resolved 3D flow imaging (called “7D” flow) is demonstrated for a carotid bifurcation application from just three acquisitions. Related systems are also described. Other attributes such as blood acceleration can also be imaged with such techniques. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100117644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DATA FOR DYNAMIC STUDIES - A method for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data for a three-dimensional (3D) dynamic study includes partitioning a k | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100117645 | PROPELLER MRI WITH PHASE CORRECTION - The invention relates to a device for MRI of a body ( | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100117646 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANNER WITH WIRELESS TRANSMISSION OF SIGNALS - A wireless magnetic resonance imaging scanner has one or more local coils, a microwave antenna array, and a local oscillator, and an upconverter. The local oscillator signal from the local oscillator is transmitted from the microwave antenna array to illuminate the local coils. The local coils generate magnetic resonance signals at a first frequency and the magnetic resonance signals at the first frequency are upconverted in the upconverter to microwave frequencies. The local oscillator operates at a frequency within an unlicensed band, chosen such that desired sidebands for reception of the upconverted local coil magnetic resonance signals fall outside the unlicensed band. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100123460 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH SEPARATION OF FAT AND WATER IMAGES ACCORDING TO THE TWO-POINT DIXON METHOD DEPENDENT ON T*2 DECAY - In a magnetic resonance tomography method and apparatus for separation of fat and water images according to the two-point Dixon method dependent on the T* | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100127702 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING A MAGNETIC FIELD FOR MR AND OTHER USE - An MR magnetic field inhomogeneity compensation system acquires multiple MR data sets representing luminance intensity values of individual image elements comprising corresponding multiple different image versions of at least a portion of a first imaging slice of patient anatomy including fat and water components. The compensation system employs the multiple MR data sets in solving corresponding multiple simultaneous nonlinear equations to calculate local frequency offset associated with magnetic field inhomogeneity at the individual image element location, for an individual image element of the image elements. The local frequency offset comprises a difference between proton spin frequency at the location and a nominal proton spin frequency. The compensation system derives data representing an electrical signal to be applied to magnetic field generation coils to substantially compensate for determined offset frequencies at the plurality of individual locations. A magnetic field generation coil generates a magnetic field in response to applying the electrical signal to substantially compensate for the magnetic field inhomogeneity at the individual image element location. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100127703 | TAILORED RADIOFREQUENCY PULSES FOR UNIFORM SATURATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for providing tailored RF pulse trains, based on estimated B0 and B1 profiles, for uniform saturation for MRI techniques. The tailored pulse trains are optimized to minimize residual longitudinal magnetization in target tissue. The B0 and B1 profiles can be measured a priori over a desired region of a patient, e.g., the heart, and can overcome or mitigate SAR and B1 inhomogeneity constraints. In exemplary embodiments, the tailored pulse trains can include hard pulses with unequal weighting. In other embodiments, the tailored pulse trains can include BIR-4 pulse trains that are optimized to minimize residual longitudinal magnetization in target tissue. The tailored pulse train designs can improve the immunity to B1 variation while maintaining low RF power. MRI systems, methods, and controllers for providing tailored pulse trains are described. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100127704 | Method of Visualizing Segmented MR Images - A segmented MR image is provided by measuring a number of Magnetic Resonance Imaging parameters on an absolute scale. For example T1 relaxation, T2 relaxation and Proton Density PD can be measured on an absolute scale. The absolute values are then compared with known values for at least one type of tissue. For human tissue these parameters typically are in the order 300-4500 ms for T1, 50-1000 ms for T2 and 0-100% water for PD. Both T1 and T2 depend on the field strength. Based on a comparison between normal values for a particular type of tissue the values obtained for the image each pixel/voxel can be labeled with a certain probability that the voxel contains this type of tissue and segmented accordingly. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100134103 | System and Method For Ghost Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A system and method enables the creation of medical images using data related to ghost artifacts. The method thus allows components of an imaged subject to be segmented based on state changes in the components that lead to the controlled production of ghost artifacts. This is achieved in MR by performed a pulse sequence so that multiple sets of MR data are acquired in which the signals from a target tissue vary across the data sets while the signals from a background tissue do not vary across the data sets. A composite data set is generated by populating selected k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a first MR data set and populating the remaining k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a second MR data set. An MR image is then reconstructed from the composite data set. The MR image contains ghost artifacts that faithfully reproduce the 2D or 3D anatomic detail of the target tissues without signal contributions from the background tissues, allowing for background-suppressed or segmented MR images of a target tissue without the need for image subtraction. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134104 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES IN NON-UNIFORM FIELDS - Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134105 | Method For Reducing Maximum Local Specific Absorption Rate In Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for reducing maximum local specific absorption rate (“SAR”) in a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is disclosed. More specifically, a plurality of candidate radio frequency (“RF”) pulses are designed and the manner in which they are applied to a subject is determined such that the maximum local SAR is substantially reduced relative to applying the candidate RF pulse that produces the lowest maximum local SAR alone. Put another way, this “time-multiplexing” of a set of RF pulses that each produce approximately the same excitation pattern yields a lower maximum local SAR than does transmitting the individual RF pulse having the lowest local SAR over many repetition times (“TRs”). A convex optimization method is utilized to determine the manner in which the RF pulses are multiplexed in time such that a substantially lower maximum local SAR is achieved. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134106 | Method for acquiring and displaying medical image data - A method is disclosed for acquiring and displaying image data, in particular MR image data. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning an examination object by way of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and generating first (MR) image data of the examination object, wherein scanning parameters during the scan are selected such that the regions of interest in the scanned examination object have high image data values, and the regions which are not of interest in the examination object have, relative thereto, low image data values in the first MR image data; generating a mask on the basis of the first image data by means of which mask regions in the first MR image data which have the low image data values can be hidden; scanning the examination object by way of a medical imaging system and generating second image data of the examination object; applying the mask to the first and/or second image data; and displaying the first and/or second image data processed by the mask. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134107 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging system is characterized in that a control unit executes, as pulse sequences, a first sequence for obtaining data of a predetermined 2-dimensional region in a k-space and a second sequence for obtaining data required for reconstruction of an image by irradiating an object to be examined with an inversion recovery pulse and corrects the phase of the data obtained by the second sequence with the data of the 2-dimensional region obtained by the first sequence, and in that a signal processing unit reconstructs a real component image with corrected data. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100141253 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - An MRI apparatus includes an imaging means being provided with a means for generating magnetic fields respectively of a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and an RF magnetic field, and a means for receiving an echo signal generated from a subject, the imaging means being for measuring echo data associated with at least one measurement trajectory in k-space, while varying angles with respect to a coordinate axis in the k-space of the measurement trajectory, so as to collect at least one measured data for each of the angles; and an image reconstruction means for rearranging the measured data in the k-space and reconstructing an image; wherein, the image reconstruction means calculates a phase for correction based on standard data selected from the measured data for each of the angles, prior to rearranging the measured data in the k-space, and performs a phase correction as to the measured data, by using the phase for correction being calculated. With the procedure above, it is possible to reduce an artifact caused by the nonlinearity of the gradient magnetic field and/or inhomogeneities of the magnetic field, without extending the imaging time. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141254 | Perfusion Adaptive MR Image Data Processing System - A system adaptively processes MR image data to accommodate variation in perfusion time of a vessel fluid. An MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a first image set comprising multiple different individual images having a set of corresponding different physical slice locations through a patient anatomical volume and being acquired at a corresponding first set of times and in a first order relative to a time of blood tagging of a patient. The MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a second image set comprising multiple different individual images having the set of corresponding different physical slice locations through the patient anatomical volume and being acquired at substantially the corresponding first set of times and in a second order, different to the first order, relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient. At least one computer combines and averages image data representing the same corresponding image slice in both the first and second image sets and acquired at different times relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient and sends the combined and averaged image data representing the same corresponding image slice to a destination. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141255 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Apparatus, Methods and Associated Technology - NMR technology disclosed herein, such as an NMR apparatus or an NMR method, for example, may be useful for purposes described herein, such as determining presence or absence of magnetic resonance from a sample, for example. Methods pertaining to such NMR technology include methods of designing or constructing NMR apparatus, methods of using NMR apparatus, methods of employing data obtained from NMR apparatus, and/or the like. Various apparatus and methods for detection of magnetic resonance in sample material are disclosed herein. Additionally, various apparatus and methods for usefully employing magnetic resonance data are disclosed herein. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141256 | QUANTUM THEORY-BASED CONTINUOUS PRECISION NMR/MRI: METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for spin magnetic resonance applications in general, and for performing NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) in particular is disclosed. It is a quantum theory-based continuous precision method. This method directly makes use of spin magnetic resonance random emissions to generate its auto-correlation function and power spectrum, from which are derived spin relaxation times and spin number density using strict mathematical and physical equations. This method substantially reduces the NMR/MRI equipment and data processing complexity, thereby making NMR/MRI machines less costly, less bulky, more accurate, and easier to operate than the pulsed NMR/MRI. By employing extremely low transverse RF magnetic B | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100148773 | WIDEBAND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method is provided, including the steps of generating a wideband RF signal that has a plurality of frequency bands respectively corresponding to a plurality of different kinds of nuclei, to simultaneously excite the different kinds of nuclei, detecting a wideband responsive RF signal that has a plurality of frequency bands respectively emitted by the different kinds of nuclei, and reconstructing magnetic resonance images for the different kinds of nuclei based on the wideband responsive RF signal. An MRI apparatus employing the MRI method is also provided. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100148774 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a compensation unit. The imaging unit acquires image data by imaging with applying a pre-pulse for controlling a contrast. The compensation unit suppresses a remanent magnetic field having an intensity according to a slice position. The remanent magnetic field is at an application timing of the pre-pulse and due to an eddy current generated by at least one gradient magnetic field applied before applying the pre-pulse. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100148775 | STANDING WAVE BARRIER FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE - A standing wave barrier, particularly for use in a magnetic resonance tomography device, has a body and an opening in the body that is fashioned to accommodate a cable, the opening being formed as an externally open groove along a longitudinal direction of the standing wave barrier, and is shaped so that the cable can glide in and out along the standing wave barrier through the groove. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100156414 | APPARATUS FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION NMR SPECTROSCOPY AND/OR IMAGING WITH AN IMPROVED FILLING FACTOR AND RF FIELD AMPLITUDE - The present invention concerns an apparatus ( | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100156415 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - MRI device arranged to a) generate a series of MR echo signals from a nuclear spin series having two or more spectral lines by subjecting at least part of a body ( | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100156416 | Method and apparatus for processing combined MR/emission tomography recordings - A method and an apparatus are disclosed for determining the effective count rate of photons in a combined MR/emission tomography recording. In at least one embodiment, the method includes capturing MR signals with an MR apparatus in an MR/emission tomography device for producing an MR recording of an examination object with a number of tissue types, each having a specific MR parameter; associating a number of emission tomography attenuation coefficients with the number of tissue types as a function of the MR parameter by way of an association unit, so that one emission tomography attenuation coefficient corresponds in each instance to at least one of the tissue types in the examination object; capturing photons in the examination object with an emission tomography apparatus in the MR/emission tomography device for producing an emission tomography recording; and weighting the emission tomography recording with the emission tomography attenuation coefficients by way of a correction apparatus for determining the effective count rate in the number of tissue types and for producing a corrected emission tomography recording. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100156417 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAST MR IMAGING OF METABOLITES AT SELECTIVE EXCITATION FREQUENCIES - A system and method are provided for imaging multiple substances, such as contrast agents and metabolites in vivo, with selective excitation frequencies. A first substance is excited with a frequency selective pulse, then a second substance is excited with another frequency selective pulse. The signals resulting from these pulses are acquired in an order reversed from the order in which the pulses were applied. In some embodiments, more than two substances may be imaged. The system and method thus provide for quick and efficient utilization of the magnetization of multiple substances for spectral-spatial imaging. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100164493 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SUPPRESSING MOTION ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and device for suppressing residual motion artifacts, k-space is divided into a snapshot segment, an alternate sampling segment and a high frequency segment in a phase encoding direction; then phase encoding lines are respectively sampled within each of the segments; and a magnetic resonance image is reconstructed according to the phase encoding lines within k-space. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100164494 | TRANSMIT PROFILE CONTROL IN MRI - An apparatus for imaging includes: a main magnet to generate a substantially uniform main B | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100164495 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING ERROR DUE TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD - In a non-cartesian sampling method, in order to reduce an artifact on an image caused by an error of a gradient magnetic field, data for correcting the error caused by the gradient magnetic field are obtained when data used for image reconstruction are obtained, and the data used for the image reconstruction are corrected by using the obtained data for the correction. In order to obtain the data for correcting the error, a block having plural parallel echo signals is measured. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100164496 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ACTIVE SUPPRESSION OF SUPERIOR TAGGING IN FLOW-SENSITIVE ALTERNATING INVERSION RECOVERY - Apparatuses, systems, and methods for suppression of venous artifacts from superior tagging in flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery. The systems may include an image capture device and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the image capture device to perform a labeling experiment, capture a first image of a slice of body tissue, perform a control experiment, and capture a second image of the slice of body tissue. The systems may be configured to perform a ninety (90) degree RF saturation pulse directed to a portion of body tissue that is superior to the first slice of body tissue imaged during at least one of the labeling experiment and/or the control experiment, and to apply a spoiler gradient subsequent to the saturation pulse during at least one of the labeling experiment and/or the control experiment. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100171495 | Apparatus for carrying out DNP-NMR measurements with a compensation configuration and method for designing the compensation configuration - An apparatus for DNP-NMR measurement on a sample (P), with a magnet configuration (M) for producing a magnetic field in a first working volume (V | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100171496 | HIGHER-ORDER GENERALIZED SERIES PARALLEL IMAGING METHOD FOR ACQUIRING HIGH SPATIO-TEMPORAL RESOLUTION FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - Disclosed area high-order generalized series parallel imaging method for acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution functional magnetic resonance images and a sampling method. The higher-order generalized series parallel imaging method for acquiring high spatio-temporal resolution functional magnetic resonance images includes: performing sampling of an input image in k-space; applying a high-order generalized series (HGS) reconstruction procedure to data acquired as the sampling result to acquire a first reconstructed image; and applying a parallel magnetic resonance reconstruction procedure to the first reconstructed image to acquire a second reconstructed image. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100171497 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan execution unit configured to execute a regular scan in which a navigator sequence for generating a magnetic resonance signal in a navigator area containing a region of interest moving with a biological movement of a subject and an imaging sequence for generating a magnetic resonance signal in an imaging area of the subject are carried out, and a signal processing unit configured to detect a position of a region of interest based on a magnetic resonance signal generated by a navigator sequence in the regular scan and to generate an image based on the detected position and the magnetic resonance signal generated by the imaging sequence. The signal processing unit is configured to generate an intensity profile with respect to the magnetic resonance signal generated by a navigator sequence in the pre-scan and received at each of the coil elements, determine the gradient polarity of the profile line corresponding to the high-signal substance in the predetermined direction in the generated intensity profile, and to select a coil element that received a magnetic resonance signal of the intensity profile highest in maximum signal intensity among the intensity profiles the gradient polarity of which was determined to face upward. The position of the region of interest is detected based on a magnetic resonance signal generated by a navigator sequence in the regular scan and received at the selected coil element. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100171498 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE DISTORTIONS IN DIFFUSION IMAGING - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system for correction of image distortions that occur in acquisitions of diffusion-weighted MR images of an examination subject a first adjustment measurement with a first diffusion weighting is implemented, a second adjustment measurement with a second diffusion weighting is implemented and correction parameters to de-skew diffusion-weighted MR images are automatically calculated in a computer on the basis of the two adjustment measurements. One of the two adjustment measurements is implemented with a predetermined diffusion weighting in three orthogonal diffusion directions, and correction parameters are determined for the three orthogonal diffusion directions. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100176809 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE WITH LOCALIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD TO LOCALIZE A LOCAL COIL - A magnetic resonance tomography device has a magnet system that generates a gradient field; with a local coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal; and with a localization system that is fashioned to locate the local coil. The localization system has a number of magnetic field sensors that are integrated with the local coil and fashioned to detect the gradient field. Such a device is used in a corresponding method for localization of a local coil in a magnetic resonance tomography device, and a local coil is fashioned so as to be suitable for this purpose. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100176810 | System for Use in MR Imaging Using Tissue Mechanical Resonance - A system for use in MR imaging using tissue mechanical resonance includes an external wave generator for generating mechanical waves for transmission through patient anatomy. An RF pulse generator generates an RF pulse for exciting nuclei magnetic moments at specific spin frequencies in a particular selected anatomical region of interest. A motion encoding gradient generator generates a motion encoding gradient magnetic field within a time duration of a read-out gradient and synchronized with generation of the mechanical waves. A data processor processes data derived from radio frequency signals resulting from nuclei spin frequencies responsive to the motion encoding gradient magnetic field to detect the mechanical waves propagating through the patient anatomy. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100182006 | METHOD OF TIME-DOMAIN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND DEVICE THEREOF - The present invention relates to a method of time-domain magnetic resonance imaging and device thereof. The method includes transiently exciting a sample; receiving a signal emitted form the sample; and processing the received signal without Fourier transformation to acquire an image. The device includes an excitation device, a detecting coil and an operating circuit to process a received emitting signal and generating an image, wherein the received emitting signal is a time-domain signal free from Fourier transformation. The time of generating an image can be reduced dramatically by the present invention. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100182007 | ESTABLISHMENT OF PARAMETERS TO ADJUST A MAGNETIC FIELD SHIM FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION OF A PATIENT - A fast, efficient, qualitatively high-grade shim is enabled in a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method to set shim parameters of a magnetic resonance apparatus, to prepare the implementation of a magnetic resonance examination of a patient with an imaging medical magnetic resonance apparatus having a displaceable patient bed, wherein an examination region of the patient that is to be examined is larger than an imaging region of the magnetic resonance apparatus. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100182008 | System and Method for Embedded Self-Calibration within an Inversion Recovery Pulse Sequence - An improved self-calibration method for accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using inversion recovery pulse sequences allows calibration data for determining coil sensitivity profiles to be acquired by employing a calibration pulse sequence within the delay time of an inversion recovery pulse sequence. The calibration pulse sequence includes a constrained number of calibration pulses having small flip angles so that acceptable longitudinal magnetization recovery is provided. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100188084 | COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN CONFORMATIONS BY USING 2D NOESY NMR SPECTRA - The present disclosure provides a method for determining the relative conformations of a protein provided in different protein preparations, comprising steps of: (i) obtaining a first 2D NOESY NMR spectrum of a first protein preparation; (ii) obtaining a second 2D NOESY NMR spectrum of a second protein preparation; and (iii); determining whether a protein has a different conformation in the first and second protein preparations by comparing one or more cross-peaks in the first 2D NOESY NMR spectrum with one or more corresponding cross-peaks in the second 2D NOESY NMR spectrum. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100188085 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROPELLER MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method include a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program comprising instructions which when executed by a computer cause the computer to apply a first plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses during a first repetition time (TR) interval of a magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence. The instructions also cause the computer to apply a first plurality of gradient pulses and acquire the MR data during application of each gradient pulse of the first plurality of gradient pulses between an adjacent pair of RF pulses of the first plurality of RF pulses. Each gradient pulse of the first plurality of gradient pulses is configured to allow acquisition of MR data for a respective first bladelet passing through a center of k-space, wherein the first bladelets are non-parallel with each other. The instructions also cause the computer to reconstruct the acquired MR data into an image. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100194388 | Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using spir and/or chess suppression pulses - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an image data acquisition unit. The imaging condition setting unit sets an imaging condition applying first and second suppression pulses of which at least ones of types, center frequencies and frequency bands are different from each other. The first and the second suppression pulses frequency-selectively suppress at least one of fat and silicone. The image data acquisition unit acquires image data according to the imaging condition. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100194389 | METHOD FOR DYNAMIC MOTION GUIDED FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for imaging neuromuscular coupling and sensory processing with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is provided. More specifically, a method for examining the control that a subject's brain has over muscular motion, including both prompted and incidental actions, is provided. A dynamic acquisition is performed to rapidly acquire anatomical images of a desired muscle. This dynamic acquisition is interleaved with a functional acquisition that targets the cortical areas that are responsible for controlling, or processing, signals from the desired muscular region. By interleaving these two acquisitions, synchronized image information about the motion of the muscle along with the neuronal activity associated with the control of the muscle is acquired. Interleaving these data acquisitions also allows imaging of brain and muscle at substantially the same time, thereby reducing errors and pinpointing activity. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100194390 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TIME-RESOLVED ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for time-resolved acquisition of magnetic resonance data in an examination region of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, an object being examined is placed on a table and is continuously moved through the examination region, magnetic resonance signals are acquired from the examination region while the object being examined is continuously moved with the table through the examination region and prior to the acquisition of magnetic resonance signals, a phase coding that corresponds to a position in k-space, for the purpose of sampling k-space, is carried out. An interruption of the movement of the table takes place at a predetermined table position, and the acquisition of magnetic resonance signals from an examination region is continued over the course of a predetermined time period, while the table ( | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100201360 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - When the settings of the region of interest are received from the operator, the measurement data acquisition control unit performs control so that an image for generating profile data is taken, and the data processing unit generates profile data in the encoding directions of the set region of interest. Then, the field-of-view setting unit sets the field of view in each of the encoding directions, based on the relationship between the dimensions of the subject P in the encoding directions that are calculated from the profile data of the encoding directions and the dimensions of the region of interest in the corresponding encoding directions, by use of coefficients stored in the coefficient storage unit. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201361 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PASSIVE CATHETER TRACKING WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Background tissue signals such as water and/or fat are suppressed in an MR image by using an imaging agent that chemically shifts the tissue spins of interest. An imaging pulse sequence is used to acquire the image data using an RF excitation pulse that is tuned to the off-resonance tissue spins of interest with the saturation pulse sequences being interleaved with the imaging pulse sequences to selectively suppress signals from on-resonance background tissues such as water and/or fat. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100207628 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER CONSTANT IN SPIN ECHO IMAGING SEQUENCES - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for determining a magnetization transfer constant a first MR signal sequence is acquired from an object being examined using a spin echo based imaging sequence, a second MR signal sequence is acquired from the object being examined using a spin echo based imaging sequence having basically identical imaging parameters to the first MR signal sequence, with the exception that the energy level of the RF pulses for exciting the magnetization in the first MR signal sequence and the energy level of the RF pulses for exciting the magnetization in the second MR signal sequence are different. The magnetization transfer constant is determined based on the signal differences between the first and second MR signal sequences. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100207629 | Method For Image Reconstruction From Undersampled Medical Imaging Data - A method for image reconstruction that utilizes a generalization of compressed sensing is provided. More particularly, a method for homotopic l | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100213937 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus and Method - An magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: imaging means for dividing an object to be examined into a plurality of regions in a predetermined direction, setting images of slice positions for each of the regions so that the slice positions are continuous in each region, and imaging each of the regions while moving the object stepwise; and display means for acquiring a plurality of image data having three types of categories: the region, the slice position and the imaging sequence, and displaying the image data. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100213938 | SIMULTANEOUS ACQUISITIONS OF SPIN- AND STIMULATED-ECHO PLANAR IMAGING - The disclosure provides echo planar imaging (EPI) based single-shot imaging techniques for acquiring spin-EPI (SEPI) and stimulated-EPI after a single RF excitation. In certain embodiments, the SEPI and STEPI acquired in a singleshot are used to compute a T | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100213939 | REMOTE BODY ARRAYS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPY - In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method, radio frequency signals are radiated into an examination subject and/or received from the examination subject by an array of radio frequency coils that completely encircles the examination subject, and that is located at a distance from the examination subject out of contact with the examination subject. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100219828 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises object placing means for placing an object in an imaging space, translating means for translating the object in a given direction by translating the object placing means in the given direction continuously or step-wise, magnetic field generating means for exciting the desired region of the object by generating a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space, and a high-frequency magnetic field in the imaging space, signal detecting means for detecting a magnetic resonance signal from the object, and control unit for controlling the translating means, magnetic field generating means and the signal detecting means, and translating the object continuously or stepwise to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed so as to capture a magnetic resonance image of the object. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100219829 | LONG T1 ARTIFACT SUPPRESSION TECHNIQUES FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method of suppressing artifacts arising from tissue, fluids, or other long-T1 species when acquiring magnetic resonance data with a segmented pulse sequence that assumes that magnetization is at steady state, said method including suppressing artifacts by producing an artifact suppression module (ASM) before the segmented sequence, the artifact suppression module comprising at least one selective, non-selective, or volume-selective suppression pulse and a time delay. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100219830 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD AND PROGRAM OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a gradient coil, a transmission coil, an electrocardiographic signal detecting device detecting an electrocardiographic signal from a subject, a controlling device controlling the gradient coil and the transmission coil so that a pulse sequence including a preparation pulse and a data acquisition sequence for acquiring data from a subject utilizing a magnetic resonance phenomenon is repeatedly carried out, and a cardiac phase computing device computing the cardiac phase of the subject based on the electrocardiographic signal. The controlling device determines whether or not to re-acquire data once acquired from the subject based on the cardiac phase of the subject at an arbitrary time in a period during which the pulse sequence is carried out or the cardiac phase of the subject at a time after the pulse sequence is terminated. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100219831 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD CONTROL DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING A VOLUME SEGMENT OF A SUBJECT - For imaging a volume segment by means of a magnetic resonance system, of the volume segment is transferred into a dynamic steady state relative to the magnetization by means of the magnetic resonance system. The following steps are repeatedly executed until the volume segment has been completely measured. The slice is excited by means of the magnetic resonance system. MR signals of the slice are read out. The slice is offset in an overlapping manner such that an overlap range is created by the slice before the offset and the slice after the offset, the overlap range being a predetermined percentile of both the slice before the offset and the slice after the offset. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100225316 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED IN VIVO MRI IMAGING - A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of abnormal tissues of the present invention utilizing a magnetic resonance imaging system in communication with a computer. The apparatus is configured to define a confidence region using a probability based confidence interval calculation such as multivariate or bivariate analysis for at least two parameters in a normal tissue sample by making a magnetic resonance image, and then to evaluate a second sample by making a magnetic resonance image. Parameters detectable by magnetic resonance imaging | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225317 | MULTI-CHANNEL METHOD AND DEVICE TO EVALUATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS, WITH REDUCED NUMBER OF CHANNELS - An optimized processing of data of multiple local coils is enabled by a device and a method to evaluate signals received with coils of a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, wherein first signals are generated by means of coils via magnetic fields coming from a body, wherein a region in the body is defined, wherein weighting factors are calculated with the use of the first signals, wherein second signals are generated with the coils from magnetic fields coming from a body, wherein signals weighted with the use of the weighting factors are calculated from the second signals, wherein the weighted signals are processed further. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225318 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPATIALLY RESOLVED DETECTION OF MOVEMENT PROCESSES - A method for spatially resolved detection and display of movement processes in an examination subject by means of magnetic resonance tomography includes the steps of imposing a magnetization pattern on at least a portion of a fluid medium located in the intestine of the examination subject, acquiring at least one image data set or a portion of an image data set that images the region of the examination subject on which the magnetization pattern was imposed, determining at least one item of movement information from the at least one image data set or portion of an image data set, by an analysis of the magnetization pattern in a processor, and presenting the at least one item of movement information through presentation device in communication with the processor. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100225319 | DETERMINING PHASE-ENCODING DIRECTION FOR PARALLEL MRI - Example systems, methods, and apparatus associated with determining a phase-encoding direction for parallel MRI are described. One example, method includes selecting a set of projection directions along which an MRI apparatus is to apply RF energy to an object to be imaged. The method includes controlling the MRI apparatus to selecting a set of projection directions and to acquire MR signal from the object through a set of detectors. The method includes analyzing the MR signal to identify individual sensitivities for members of the set of detectors and selecting a phase-encoding direction for a pMRI session based on the individual sensitivities for the members. The method produces a concrete, tangible, and useful result by controlling the MRI apparatus to perform the pMRI session based on the selected phase-encoding direction. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100231216 | Segmenting infarct in diffusion-weighted imaging volume | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100231217 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MULTIPLE IMAGE DATA SETS FROM A SUBJECT - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus for the acquisition of a first image data set and a second image data set of an examination subject, a series of excitation pulses is radiated into the examination subject, and after each excitation pulse, a first echo signal is detected after a first echo time TE | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100231218 | Method for Producing A Magnetic Resonance Image of an Object Having a Short T2 Relaxation Time - A method for producing a magnetic resonance image using an ultra-short echo time. The method includes applying a pulse sequence to an object, detecting a spirally encoded and phase encoded magnetic resonance signal associated with the object, and reconstructing the magnetic resonance image based on the spirally encoded and phase encoded magnetic resonance signal. The pulse sequence includes a slab-selective radiofrequency pulse, a slab-selective gradient pulse, a plurality of variable duration slice encoding gradient pulses, a plurality of first spiral encoding gradient pulses, and a plurality of second spiral encoding gradient pulses. The detection of the spirally encoded and phase encoded magnetic resonance signal occurs concurrently with the application of one of the plurality of first spiral encoding gradient pulses and with the application of one of the plurality of second spiral encoding gradient pulses. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100237862 | Mitigating Off-Resonance Angle In Steady-State Coherent Imaging - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with mitigating off-resonance angle in steady-state coherent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. One example method includes accessing a B0 map and a coil sensitivity profile associated with an MRI apparatus configured to produce a steady-state coherent MRI sequence to image an object. The MRI apparatus is configured with a multi-channel transmission array having individually controllable transmission channels. The method includes computing transmission control parameters for individual transmission channels as a function of the B0 map and the coil sensitivity profile. The transmission control parameters are configured to facilitate controlling the transmission array to create a spatially varying phase profile using a single dimensional radio frequency (RF) pulse. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100237863 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - In a method and a device to control the workflow of an MR measurement in a magnetic resonance system, a predetermined volume segment is subdivided into parallel slices with a predetermined slice interval and measured with a continuous table feed. Apart from a start phase and an end phase of the MR measurement, multiple slices of the examination subject are excited and read out in every repetition of the underlying basic sequence, and these multiple slices are located in an active volume inside the magnetic resonance system. The number of slices excited and read out per repetition of the underlying basic sequence is selected automatically depending in particular on the parameters determining an image contrast and an image resolution, and thus cannot be freely set by a user of the magnetic resonance system. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100237864 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE AN IMAGE USING A PARALLEL ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus to generate images by a parallel acquisition technique an excitation pulse is radiated into an examination subject, and a first echo train is generated after the excitation pulse, wherein the first echo train densely scans a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of coil calibration data. Coil calibration data are acquired by means of the first echo train. The acquired coil calibration data are stored in a coil calibration data set. A second echo train is generated after the same excitation pulse, wherein the second echo train undersamples a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of image data. Image data are acquired by means of the second echo train. The acquired image data are stored in an incomplete image data set. An image data set is generated by substituting data missing in the incomplete image data set due to the undersampling by means of a selected PAT reconstruction technique using the coil calibration data. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100237865 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE AN IMAGE USING A PARALLEL ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE - In a magnetic resonance a method and apparatus to generate images by a parallel acquisition technique, a first echo train is generated after a first excitation pulse, wherein the first echo train sufficiently densely scans a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of coil calibration data. Coil calibration data are acquired by means of the first echo train after the first excitation pulse. The acquired coil calibration data are stored in a coil calibration data set. A second echo train is generated after a second excitation pulse, wherein the second echo train undersamples a segment of k-space to be scanned for an acquisition of image data. Image data are acquired by means of the second echo train after the second excitation pulse. The acquired image data are stored in an incomplete image data set. An image data set is generated by substituting data missing in the incomplete image data set due to the undersampling by means of a selected PAT reconstruction technique using the coil calibration data. The first echo train and the second echo train are generated by an identical sequence technique such that each echo train has a series of echoes, with a time interval of the echoes of a series of the first echo train being shorter than a time interval of the echoes of a series of the second echo train. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100237866 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE CONTRAST USING FICTITIOUS FIELD RELAXATION - A system includes a signal generator and a processor. The signal generator is configured to couple with a magnetic resonance transmitter coil. The processor is configured to execute instructions to control the signal generator. The instructions include forming a sequence of waveforms. The sequence is configured to generate spin relaxation in a fictitious field in a third rotating frame of reference based on at least one magnetic field component that arises based on an effective field in a second rotating frame of reference. The third rotating frame of reference is of a higher order than the second rotating frame of reference and the second rotating frame of reference is of a higher order than the first rotating frame of reference. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100244823 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising static magnetic field generating means for generating a static magnetic field in an imaging space, measuring means for generating a high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space and measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from an object to be examined placed in the imaging space, signal processing means for reconstructing a magnetic resonance image according to the nuclear magnetic resonance signal, control means for controlling the measuring means and the signal processing means, and display means for displaying the reconstructed magnetic resonance image obtained by the signal processing means. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244824 | APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AND METHOD FOR FORMING A SUPPORT FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) MAGNET - An apparatus and method for supporting a magnetic resonance imaging magnet are provided. The apparatus includes a magnet coil support structure having a main former body with a plurality of channels and an end flange at each end of the main former body. The end flanges are reinforced with a strengthening material at least at corner regions of the end flanges. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244825 | System And Method Of Parallel Imaging With Calibration To A Virtual Coil - A method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes acquiring calibration data from each of a plurality of RF source coils. Calibration data for a virtual coil is generated based on the calibration data from the plurality of RF source coils and a set of synthesis weights is generated based on the calibration data from the plurality of RF source coils and the calibration data for the virtual coil. Accelerated MR data is acquired from each of the plurality of RF source coils. An image can be reconstructed based on an application of the set of synthesis weights to the accelerated MR data from the plurality of RF source coils. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244826 | Device for monitoring a living object during a magnetic resonance experiment - A device for monitoring a living object during a magnetic resonance (MRI) experiment in an MRI tomograph, wherein the device comprises one or more individual electrodes which are connected in an electrically conducting fashion to the living object to be examined, and are connected to a monitoring device via signal lines, wherein each signal line comprises individual parts that are electrically connected to each other via impedances. The eigenfrequencies of these parts are higher than the NMR measuring frequency, preferably more than twice as high, and the parts are electrically connected to each other via frequency-dependent impedances Z | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244827 | Simultaneous excitation and acquisition in magnetic resonance - A method for magnetic resonance spectroscopy (=MRS) or magnetic resonance imaging (=MRI) in which an NMR time-domain signal is created by an RF excitation pulse applied to an object in the presence of an applied magnetic field that may depend on spatial position and/or time, the time-domain signal being generated by an excited transverse nuclear magnetisation precessing about the applied magnetic field, whereby the RF excitation pulse is adapted to cover a whole range of NMR frequencies of interest present in the object, and time-domain signal acquisition takes place during, or during and after the application of the RF excitation pulse, is characterized in that spectral or image data are reconstructed by a matrix product of a reconstruction matrix and a vector of time-domain signal points, the reconstruction matrix being an inversion of an encoding matrix A | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244828 | ADJUSTABLE PERMANENT MAGNET ASSEMBLY FOR NMR AND MRI - System and methods for designing and using single-sided magnet assemblies for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are disclosed. The single-sided magnet assemblies can include an array of permanent magnets disposed at selected positions. At least one of the permanent magnets can be configured to rotate about an axis of rotation in the range of at least +/−10 degrees and can include a magnetization having a vector component perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The single-sided magnet assemblies can further include a magnet frame that is configured to hold the permanent magnets in place while allowing the at least one of the permanent magnets to rotate about the axis of rotation. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244829 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE PROJECTION ANGIOGRAPHY WITH CONTINUOUS TABLE DISPLACEMENT - In a method and apparatus for contiguous large imaging in magnetic resonance tomography given continuous table displacement and per-segment, para-sagittal and/or para-coronal FOV relative to the table displacement direction, a sagittal and/or coronal magnetic resonance tomography overview image is/are acquired with table displacement direction in the longitudinal direction of the body and planning FOV by circumscribing the anatomical region of interest depicted in the respective overview image, for example a vessel tree. The arrangement of 2D or 3D RF excitation volumes to be radiated is planned such that the planning FOV is completely overlapped sagitally and/or coronally by the entirety of the RF excitation volume. A segment-by-segment magnetic resonance tomographical measurement of the entire 2D or 3D region defined by the RF excitation volume ensues on the basis of temporally following, slice-selective radio-frequency excitation pulses during continuous table displacement. At least two of the 2D or 3D RF excitation volumes are shifted para-sagitally and/or para-coronally against one another, with the focal point of an RF excitation volume being on the center line of the planning FOV. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244830 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND DEVICE TO DIFFERENTIATE AMONG PIXELS REPRESENTING A SILICON-DOMINATED SUBSTANCE, WATER-DOMINATED TISSUE AND FAT-DOMINATED TISSUE - In a magnetic resonance method and device for automatic differentiation of respective pixels as representing either a silicon-dominated substance, or fat-dominated tissue, or water-dominated tissue, a first magnetic resonance signal and a second magnetic resonance signal are acquired per pixel, wherein the first magnetic resonance signal per pixel is acquired at a point in time at which the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from water-containing tissue exhibits a phase opposite to the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from fat-containing tissue, and the second magnetic resonance signal is acquired per pixel at a point in time at which the phase of the magnetic resonance signal originating from water-containing tissue exhibits a phase identical to the phase of the magnetic resonance signal originating from fat-containing tissue, and the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from a silicon-containing substance exhibits a phase opposite to the phase of the magnetic resonance signal originating from water-containing or fat-containing tissue. A first intermediate result is determined that indicates whether the pixel represents water-dominated tissue or fat-dominated tissue on the basis of first magnetic resonance signals. A second intermediate result is determined that indicates whether the pixel represents the silicon-dominated substance on the basis of second magnetic resonance signals. The pixel is designated as representing water-dominated tissue, fat-dominated tissue or the silicon-dominated substance on the basis of the first intermediate result and the second intermediate result. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244831 | DYNAMIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) WITH ADAPTIVE IMAGE QUALITY - A resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus ( | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244832 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A NEUROLOGICAL SEQUENCE PROTOCOL - In a method and apparatus to generate MR images of an examination region containing tissue with a first T2 time and tissue with a second, significantly longer T2 time are contained, as series of pulse sequences is employed the following pulse sequences: an overview pulse sequence to generate MR overview images, a T1-weighted pulse sequence to generate T1-weighted MR images and a multiple contrast pulse sequence in which at least two groups of magnetic resonance signals are acquired. A first group of magnetic resonance signals is acquired after excitation of a magnetization in a first time period and at least one second group of magnetic resonance signals is acquired in a second time period after the first time period in which the tissue with the significantly longer T2 time delivers the significant signal contribution. An MR image is calculated based on a pixel-by-pixel difference of the absolute values from the magnetic resonance signals of the first group and the second group. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100244833 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In an MRI apparatus, a detecting unit that includes a thermographic imaging equipment and a normal imaging camera detects a change in temperature of an imaging space from outside of the imaging space. A judging unit judges whether the imaging space has a point at a temperature greater than a threshold TH, and if the judging unit judges the imaging space has such a point with a temperature greater than the threshold, the apparatus stops the sequence that applies a gradient magnetic field to the subject. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100253335 | METHOD FOR IMAGE DATA ACQUISITION WITH A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE - In a method for image data acquisition of a region of interest in a subject with a magnetic resonance device, wherein, to establish the field of view, a minimal geometric shape encompassing the subject to be acquired and/or the surface of the subject is determined automatically from previously acquired localizer exposures as aliasing information for each exposure, at least one slice plane is determined for the acquisition of the region, and the phase coding direction and/or the extent of the field of view in the phase coding direction is determined for every slice plane using the aliasing information. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253336 | Method for obtaining amplitude and phase dependencies of RF pulses for spatially selective excitation - A method for obtaining amplitude and phase dependencies of radio frequency pulses, which are irradiated within the scope of a main magnetic resonance experiment for generating a predetermined n-dimensional spatial distribution (n>=1) of transverse magnetization in an object by means of at least one radio frequency transmitting antenna of a magnetic resonance measuring system in combination with spatially and temporally varying additional magnetic fields which are superimposed on the static and homogeneous base field of the magnetic resonance measuring system and change the transverse magnetization phase in the object in dependence on location and time is characterized in that, prior to performance of the main experiment, a preparational measurement is performed in which the change with time of the transverse magnetization phase in the object under the action of the additional magnetic fields is measured in a position-resolved fashion and the amplitude and phase dependencies of the radio frequency pulses for the main experiment are calculated on the basis of this change with time of the transverse magnetization phase, which is measured in a position-resolved fashion. In this fashion, experimental imperfections in the form of unintentional additional magnetic fields can be measured, taken into consideration and compensated for. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253337 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MICROSTRUCTURAL INFORMATION OF A BIOLOGICAL TARGET - A method is adapted for providing microstructural information of a biological target from a plurality of diffusion weighted MR images corresponding to a specific area of the biological target. Each of the diffusion weighted MR images is obtained using a respective q-space sampling vector and is sampled at a plurality of sample points thereof to obtain a group of diffusion weighted MR image data. The diffusion weighted MR image data are processed to obtain a spin distribution function from which the microstructural information of the biological target can be obtained. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253338 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING RF HEATING IN THE PATIENT - In a magnetic resonance data acquisition method and system for acquiring data from a patient who carries, either intracorporeally or extracorporeally, a foreign object at least partially composed of electrically conductive material, RF heating to the patient due to the presence of the foreign object is minimized by radiating the patient with RF energy by an RF coil that has a coil design. The sequence of pulses to which the patient is subjected to acquire magnetic resonance data from the patient is configured, in combination with the coil design of the RF coil to steer or modify the electric field that arises in the patient so that RF heating in the patient due to the presence of the foreign object is minimized. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253339 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD TO DETECT INCORRECT MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and apparatus to detect incorrect MR data in k-space representing MR signals acquired from an examination subject with at least two acquisition coils, MR data are acquired to generate at least one raw data set with each of the at least two acquisition coils and a check is made, for at least one k-space point, as to whether the MR data acquired for this k-space point should be replaced or not. In the event that the check yields that the MR data acquired for the at least one k-space point should be replaced, the MR data are replaced with reconstructed MR data that are based on at least two of the acquired raw data sets. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253340 | ADIABATIC MAGNETIZATION PREPARATION FOR B1 AND B0 INSENSITIVE HIGH CONTRAST MRI - A magnetic resonance image is produced by radial imaging using one or more preparatory pulses. The magnetic preparation pulse can include one or more adiabatic pulses. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253341 | PULSE GAP CYCLING FOR IMPROVED SWIFT - A magnetic resonance image is produced by shifting a gap during acquisition of spin data for a specimen. The spin data is generated by a gapped excitation sequence. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253342 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a unit which acquires, by a first sequence, an MR signal before administration of a contrast agent and which also acquires, by a second sequence, an MR signal after the administration, the first sequence dephasing a magnetization after RE excitation to make a greater signal reduction in a first signal component regarding a fluid flowing within a first range than in a second signal component regarding the fluid flowing within a second less than the first range, the second sequence bringing the MR signal after the administration to a level corresponding to the concentration of the agent, a unit which reconstructs first and second images, and a unit which generates a third image on the basis of the first and second images, the third image showing the degree of a change of the fluid after the administration from a state before the administration. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253343 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING HYBRID ADIABATIC-RECTANGULAR PULSE TRAIN FOR EFFECTIVELY COMPLETE SATURATION OF MAGNETIZATION WITHIN AN ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE - According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide system, method and computer-accessible medium to facilitate a hybrid adiabatic-rectangular pulse train for saturation of magnetization within an anatomical structure. Using such exemplary embodiments, it is possible to determine information by combining a first information associated with a first nonselective rectangular radio frequency (RF) pulse, a second information associated with a second nonselective rectangular RF pulse, and a third information associated with a nonselective adiabatic half-passage pulse. Further, it is possible to rotate the longitudinal magnetization onto a particular plane (e.g., the transverse plane) based on the information. In addition, it is possible to minimize and/or achieve the residual longitudinal magnetization to be less than a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 2% of equilibrium magnetization) within the anatomical structure using a configuration of RF pulses. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100253344 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE K-SPACE POSITIONS FOR MODELING RADIO-FREQUENCY PULSES - In a method magnetic resonance apparatus for the determination of k-space positions for modeling of RF pulses for magnetic resonance excitations, the following steps are implemented:
| 10-07-2010 |
| 20100259259 | Systems and methods for tuning properties of nanoparticles - Systems and methods for imaging include preparing a ferrofluid including magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a liquid carrier, positioning the ferrofluid in a field region of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, and actuating a spin velocity or linear velocity of the magnetic nanoparticles to alter the scalar or tensor complex magnetic susceptibility (CMS) of the ferrofluid. Additional activation magnetic field generating apparatus can tune the magnetic field to change particle spin velocity or linear velocity. The method provides, inter alia, for using the spinning MNPs to: heat or cool a region of interest; acquire an improved image of the nanoparticles within a region of interest; alter local effective viscosity, diffusion coefficient, magnetic field, and/or other electromagnetic and/or physicochemical properties; cause local mixing; and enhance diffusion in drug delivery. Parallel methods with dielectric nanoparticles and electric fields are also disclosed. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259260 | Simultaneous excitation and acquisition of signal from multiple slices in the RARE sequence (multiplex RARE) - A method for RARE magnetic resonance imaging comprising slice selective excitation of two or more slices and of one or more nuclei, followed by refocusing of these slices and application of gradient pulses which cause a diversion of the signal into spin echoes and stimulated echoes, is characterized by application of refocusing slice selective RF pulses, which are placed to fulfill the echo-spacing CPMG condition for each slice and by arrangement of gradient pulses which cause the phase accumulated by spins in each slice between two consecutive refocusing RF pulses corresponding to that slice to be equal, thus fulfilling the CPMG phase accumulation condition. Thereby, the obtainable signal can be increased and stabilized. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259261 | MRI RADIO FREQUENCY RECEIVER COMPRISING DIGITAL DOWN CONVERTER - The invention relates to a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging radio frequency—receiver ( | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100259262 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A storage unit stores coil positional information that indicates a physical position of an element coil relative to a representative position set on a receiving coil. A creating unit creates profile data that indicates a distribution of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signals in a coil-arrangement direction. A calculating unit calculates the position of a representative position set on the receiving coil by performing a regression analysis by using the coil positional information and the profile data. A control unit causes a display unit to display the position of each element coil based on the calculated position of the representative position. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100264919 | NMR-Detecting Cell, NMR-Measuring Method, and NMR-Measuring Apparatus - An object of the present invention is to provide an effective method for measuring by NMR in real time, an NMR-detecting cell for measurement of NMR, and an NMR-measuring apparatus. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264920 | SPIN LOCKED BALANCED STEADY-STATE FREE PRECESSION (SLSSFP) - A spin locked balanced steady-state free precession (slSSFP) pulse sequence combines a balanced gradient echo acquisition with an off-resonance spin lock pulse for fast MRI. The transient and steady-state magnetization trajectory is solved numerically using the Bloch equations and is shown to be similar to balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) for a range of T2/T1 and flip angles, although the slSSFP steady-state could be maintained with considerably lower RF power. In both simulations and brain scans performed at 7 T, slSSFP is shown to exhibit similar contrast and SNR efficiency to bSSFP, but with significantly lower power. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264921 | SQUID DETECTED NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND IMAGING AT ULTRA-WEAK FIELDS - The invention provides a high resolution proton nuclear magnetic reonance and imaging (NMR/MRI) in microtesla magnetic fields by using high critical temperature (high-T | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264922 | System for Multi Nucleus Cardiac MR Imaging and Spectroscopy - A system for respiratory motion compensated MR imaging or spectroscopy, comprises an MR imaging system. The MR imaging system performs a single imaging scan including, acquiring a first imaging data set representing a spatially localized first imaging region located on a patient diaphragm, using a first RF excitation pulse sequence and by transmitting a nuclei excitation first resonant frequency and receiving data substantially at the first resonant frequency. The MR imaging system derives data representing diaphragm position over a respiratory cycle using the first imaging data set, in the single imaging scan. The MR imaging system in response to determining the diaphragm position is within a predetermined window, acquires a second anatomical imaging data set representing a spatially localized second imaging region using a second RF excitation pulse sequence and by transmitting a nuclei excitation second resonant frequency different to the first resonant frequency and receiving data substantially at the second resonant frequency in the single imaging scan. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264923 | System for Improved MR Image Reconstruction - A system for parallel image processing in MR imaging uses multiple MR imaging RF coils to individually receive MR imaging data representing a slice of patient anatomy. An MR imaging system uses the multiple RF coils to acquire corresponding multiple image data sets of the slice. A coil selection processor determines a prioritized ranking of the multiple RF coils by ranking individual coils of the multiple RF coils based on correlation with remaining coils of the multiple RF coils. The correlation being determined by determining degree of correlation of image data sets acquired by respective coils of the multiple RF coils. The coil selection processor selects a subset of the multiple RF coils using the ranking. An image generator generates a composite MR image using image data sets provided by the selected subset of the multiple RF coils excluding image data sets provide by remaining coils of the multiple RF coils. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264924 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH DISPLAY OF DATA ACQUISITION PROGRESS FOR A SUBJECT CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THROUGH THE APPARATUS - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to display progress of the acquisition of measurement data of an examination region of an examination subject during continuous travel of the examination region through a magnetic resonance apparatus, a current projection image is calculated on the basis of current measurement data acquired from central k-space during the continuous travel of the examination region, and the currently calculated projection image is displayed. By the calculation of the projection images on the basis of measurement data from central k-space, this calculation can ensue particularly quickly and with little effort. A particularly fast display of the projection images is therefore possible. A projection image can be calculated particularly quickly and simply from measurement data along a central k-space line—i.e. a k-space line that runs through the center of k-space—using a one-dimensional Fourier transformation along this central k-space line. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100264925 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MEASUREMENT DATA FROM A SUBJECT CONTINUOUSLY MOVING THROUGH THE APPARATUS - In a method and apparatus for the acquisition of measurement data of an examination region of an examination subject (in particular a patient) during continuous travel of the examination region through a magnetic resonance apparatus for the generation of an image data set, the continuous travel is interrupted and resumed at least once. The examination region is moved back by a predeterminable distance counter to the travel direction of the continuous travel before interrupting the continuous travel. Moving the examination region back makes it possible to interrupt and resume an acquisition of measurement data given (otherwise) continuous travel of the examination region, without loss of measurement data. The time during the interruption can be used advantageously for preparation of an acquisition of measurement data in the portion of the examination region of the patient that is to be examined after the interruption of the continuous travel. In particular, during the interruption a patient can be prepared to hold his or her breath for an acquisition of additional measurement data that follows the interruption. The continuous travel can be interrupted arbitrarily often. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100271020 | Steady-state-free-precession (SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and method - An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller causing the imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates and k space data are acquired at each repetition time by the receiving coils to form images of the patient with the k space data. A method for an MRI includes the steps of causing with a controller imaging coils to produce RF pulses at every repetition time so different parts of a patient are receiving excitation by RF pulses at different rates. There is the step of acquiring k space data at each repetition time by receiving coils. There is the step of forming images of the patient with the k space data using approaches such as Fourier transformation or filtered back projection. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271021 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIFFUSION TENSOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An apparatus and method for obtaining diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images (DW-MRI) is described. The properties of the diffusion tensor in tissue are measured by applying a diffusion weighting gradient oriented along a plurality of measurement axes. The value of the magnetic field is increased by using as many of the magnetic gradient coils as are effective in contributing the gradient field strength along the axis being. In regions where the magnetic field gradient is increased, the echo time (TE) may be decreased, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements. Alternatively, the number of measurements than are averaged to achieve a particular image quality may be decreased, reducing the patient exposure time. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271022 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND RF COIL - A receiving RF coil includes a coil element group having a figure-eight coil, a first loop coil arranged at the center of the figure-eight coil, and a second loop coil partially overlaid on the first loop coil. Furthermore, a path switching control unit switches the transmitting paths of a signal so that the signal can be received and/or transmitted with a combination of the first loop coil and the second loop coil or a combination of the figure-eight coil and the first loop coil. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271023 | METHOD FOR IMAGING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY WITH SPECTRAL FAT SATURATION OR SPECTRAL WATER EXCITATION - A magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) method with spectral fat saturation or spectral water excitation in a tissue region that is to be represented of a patient who is to be examined, includes the following steps: (Step 1) frequency adjustment measurement of a region of a patient that is to be represented with a selected first partial coil of the MRT system, (Step 2) precise determination of the resonance frequency of water with the aid of the spectrum obtained in Step 1 exhibiting the resonance frequencies of fat and water, (Step 3) repetition of Steps 1 and 2 with at least one additionally selected second partial coil of the MRT system adjacent to the first partial coil, (Step 4) measuring of a k space data record with a partial coil or a partial coil combination on the basis of the water resonance frequency assigned to these partial coils, (Step 5) repetition of Step 4 with other partial coils or other partial coil combinations until the entire tissue region to be represented has been measured, (Step 6) combining of the measuring results obtained in Steps 4 and 5, and (Step 7) representing of the results obtained in Step 6 in the image space in the form of an overall image of the tissue region to be represented. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100271024 | NMR IMAGING SYSTEM WITH REDUCED CRYOGENIC LOSSES AND REDUCED ACOUSTIC NOISE - The magnetic resonance imaging system includes an exterior cryogenic enclosure containing a device for creating an intense main magnetic field in a usable interior space in the form of a tunnel, a radio-frequency excitation device, a set of solenoid gradient windings placed in a cylindrical annular space around the interior space and electronic control circuits. The toroidal cryogenic enclosure includes concentrically a vacuum enclosure defining an interior cylindrical space at room temperature in which the set of solenoid gradient windings is placed, at least one thermal screen maintained at a temperature in the range 20 K to 80 K, a cold box at a temperature less than 5 K, and a former for supporting the device for creating an intense main magnetic field. Furthermore, to reduce acoustic noise and cryogenic losses, at least one additional envelope is placed between the set of solenoid gradient windings and the vacuum enclosure, the additional envelope being made of a conductive material having electrical resistivity greater than or equal to 7×10 | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100277170 | HEAT PIPE COOLED SUERCONDUCTING MAGNETS WITH CERAMIC COIL FORMS - A system and method for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes a coil form, at least one magnet positioned about the coil form and configured to generate a magnetic field, at least one gradient coil for manipulating the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet by way of a gradient field, and a heat pipe thermally connected to the coil form and having a cryogen therein. The MR imaging system also includes a cryocooler connected to the heat pipe to cool the heat pipe and the cryogen, wherein the coil form is comprised of a thermally conductive material in which eddy currents are substantially reduced during operation of the at least one gradient coil. The present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277171 | NOVEL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MRI SIGNAL EXCITATION AND RECEPTION USING NON-RESONANCE RF METHOD (NORM) - A system for MR signal excitation and reception and method which uses a non-resonant device or transmission line to perform MR imaging and spectroscopy. The system with non-resonant device is advantageous to parallel imaging due to the improved decoupling performance. Because the non-resonant RF coil is not generally sensitive to frequency, a MR system with the non-resonant RF coil is capable of multinuclear MR operation at varied magnetic field strength. The system comprises a non-resonant RF coil for connecting to an MR system, the conductor being configured to have a characteristic impedance matched to the MR system. The RF coil is configured to produce electromagnetic fields of differing strengths based on the constant characteristic impedance maintained in the system for exciting and receiving MR signals. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277172 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SUSCEPTIBILITY-EMPHASIZED IMAGING METHOD - When performing susceptibility-emphasized imaging using the echo planar method in an MRI apparatus, it is possible to obtain a susceptibility-emphasized image having a preferable signal-to-noise ratio. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277173 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS FOR TRIGGERED ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for triggered implementation of a measurement (composed of partial measurements) in the magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, at least one image data set is determined from the data acquired within the scope of the partial measurements, and for triggering a reference point of the movement phase of the movement is used. The image data set is acquired in segments; the reference point is detected by a control device independent of a partial measurement, and the partial measurement following the detected reference point is conducted depending on the independently detected reference point. The wait time that specifies the interval from the end of the partial measurement to the beginning of the next partial measurement is adapted depending on the point in time of detection. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277174 | PASSIVE SHIMS TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVE B0 and B1 UNIFORMITY IN A BODY COIL - A magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100283463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIELD MAP ESTIMATION - A method for estimating values of a field map to generate a magnetic resonance display image with species separation is provided. A set of MR images is acquired based on an applied magnetic resonance excitation. A set of feasible field map values for each pixel in a field map are determined from the set of MR images. Estimated values of the field map for each pixel are chosen from the set of feasible field map values using a combinatorial optimization algorithm that includes a smoothness constraint. The combinatorial optimization algorithm includes iteratively communicating, between neighboring pixels in the field map, sum-product belief messages that include likelihoods for feasible field map values. Field map values are fixed to most likely field map values if the pixel satisfies the smoothness constraint with its neighboring pixels. A magnetic resonance display image with species separation is generated using the estimated field map. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100283464 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING NAVIGATOR ECHO METHOD WITH NAVIGATOR REGION IN OVERLAP WITH IMAGED REGION - An object of this invention is to provide a Navigator Echo method applicable even when an elongated navigator region and a region of interest to be imaged have a mutually overlapping part. A control section of an MRI apparatus decides, based on a measured signal obtained from a first reception pulse emanated in response to a first transmission pulse which excites a first region to monitor the breathing movement of a subject, whether or not a second region of the subject to be imaged and the first region have a mutually overlapping part, corrects, when the decision result shows that there is an overlapping part, the measured signal obtained from the first reception pulse, and controls a reconstruction unit so as to reconstruct the image of the second region based on the measured signal obtained from a second reception pulse emanated in response to a second transmission pulse which excites the second region and the corrected measured signal. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100283465 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TISSUE SPECIFIC MR IMAGING OF METABOLITES USING SPECTRAL-SPATIALLY FORMED STIMULATED ECHO - A system for magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy includes a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF coil assembly coupled to a pulse generator to emit RF pulse sequences and arranged to receive resulting MR signals from a subject of interest. A system control is also included in the MR spectroscopy system and is coupled to the plurality of gradient coils and the RF coil assembly. The system control is programmed to cause the RF coil assembly to emit a first RF pulse and a second RF pulse, wherein at least one of the first and second RF pulses is spectrally selective and at least one of the first and second RF pulses is spatially selective. The system control is also programmed to cause the RF coil assembly to emit a third RF pulse after a pre-defined time delay to generate a stimulated echo and detect MR signals resulting from the stimulated echo. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100289493 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO CONTROL A WORKFLOW OF AN MR MEASUREMENT IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a device to control a workflow of an MR measurement in a magnetic resonance system, MR signals from multiple slices of a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject are acquired, multiple slices with a continuous table feed. In the MR measurement, one of these multiple slices in the active volume of the magnetic resonance system is repeatedly measured in succession at different measurement positions P | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100301855 | Systems, devices, methods, and compositions including targeted ferromagnetic structures - Magnetic resonance systems, devices, methods, and compositions are provided. A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging composition includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of target-selective ferromagnetic microstructures configured to generate a time-invariant magnetic field within at least a portion of one or more internal surface-defined voids. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301856 | Systems, devices, methods, and compositions including functionalized ferromagnetic structures - Magnetic resonance systems, devices, methods, and compositions are provided. A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging composition includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of functionalized ferromagnetic microstructures configured to generate a time-invariant magnetic field within at least a portion of one or more internal surface-defined voids. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301857 | Multiplex imaging systems, devices, methods, and compositions including ferromagnetic structures - Multiplex imaging systems, devices, methods, and compositions are provided. A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging composition includes, but is not limited to, a plurality of ferromagnetic microstructures configured to generate a time-invariant magnetic field within at least a portion of one or more internal surface-defined voids. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301858 | NMR Diagnostics by Means of a Plastic Sample Container - Sample containers and methods for employing the same in in-vitro nuclear magnetic resonance measurements are provided. The sample containers are made of a material that comprises one or more polymeric materials. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301859 | Method and Apparatus for Correcting B1-Inhomogeneities in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method of performing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a body (B), comprising: immerging said body in a static magnetic field B0 for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis; exposing it to a transverse radio-frequency pulsed field Bi for flipping said nuclear spins by a predetermined angle; and detecting a signal emitted by flipped nuclear spins; the method being characterized in that it comprises the preliminary steps of: (i) determining a statistical distribution of the amplitude of said radio-frequency pulsed field within a volume of said body; and (ii) computing a set of optimal parameters of a composite radio-frequency pulsed field for jointly minimizing the dispersion of the spin flip angles distribution within said volume of the body, due to B1 and possibly B0 inhomogeneities, and the errors between the actual spin flip angles and their predetermined target value, wherein said radio-frequency pulsed field consists of a train of elementary pulses having a constant frequency and amplitude, and a continuous phase, and said parameters comprise: the number of said elementary pulses, as well as the duration, amplitude, frequency and relative initial phase of each of them. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301860 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING BREATH-HOLD MULTI-ECHO FAST SPIN-ECHO PULSE SEQUENCE FOR ACCURATE R2 MEASUREMENT - Exemplary embodiments of system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided in accordance with the present disclosure can be provided for generating a plurality of images associated with at least one anatomical structure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. For example, using such exemplary embodiments, it is possible to obtain at least one multi-echo fast spin-echo (FSE) pulse sequence based on the MRI data, which can include, e.g., hardware specifications of the MRI system. Further, it is possible to generate each of the images based on a particular arrangement of multiple echoes produced by the multi-echo FSE pulse sequence(s). | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100301861 | MRI Apparatus - An MRI apparatus including a magnetic structure defining a cavity for receiving a body under examination or a part thereof, a mechanism for generating a magnetic field inside the cavity, a mechanism for causing the body under examination or a part thereof to emit nuclear magnetic resonance signals, and a mechanism for receiving the nuclear magnetic resonance signals. The mechanism for generating the magnetic field includes one or more elements made of permanently magnetized material of the so-called superconducting bulk material type and, in combination therewith, a mechanism for keeping the magnetization condition of the superconducting bulk material which includes mechanisms for maintaining the temperature of the permanently magnetized material below the critical temperature thereof and for restoring the magnetization of the superconducting bulk material upon a complete or partial demagnetization. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100308820 | EX-SITU NMR SPECTROSCOPY - A device for ex situ magnetic resonance analysis is disclosed. The device comprises a static magnetic field unit ( | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308821 | Real-Time Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Imaging - A method for performing magnetic resonance diffusion imaging, comprising: (a) acquiring a sequence of magnetic resonance images of a target body (BS) using diffusion-encoding gradient pulses applied along a set of non-collinear orientations ( ) sampling a three-dimensional orientation space (AR); (b) estimating, from said sequence of images, a set of space- and orientation-dependent parameters representative of molecular diffusion within said target body; wherein said step of estimating a set of space- and orientation-dependent parameters representative of molecular diffusion within said target body is performed in real time by means of an incremental estimator such as a Kalman filter fed by data provided by said magnetic resonance images; characterized in that said three-dimensional orientation space (AR) selectively excludes a set of orientations (FR) for which magnetic resonance signal intensity is attenuated by diffusion below a threshold level. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308822 | Small Magnet and RF Coil for Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry - Small and inexpensive probeheads for use in nuclear magnetic resonance systems, in particular, magnetic resonance relaxometry systems are provided. The design of the magnet-radiofrequency coil configurations within the probeheads is guided by an excitation bandwidth associated with radiofrequency pulses to be applied to a sample. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308823 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an electrocardio information acquisition unit and an image data generation unit. The electrocardio information acquisition unit acquires a magnetic resonance signal for estimating an electrocardiogram signal of an object in sync with a biomedical signal other than an electrocardiogram signal. The biomedical signal is acquired from the object and shows a cardiac beat. The electrocardio information acquisition unit further determines a time difference between a position of a reference wave of the electrocardiogram signal and a synchronous position of the biomedical signal. The position of the reference wave is estimated from the acquired magnetic resonance signal. The image data generation unit acquires a magnetic resonance signal for imaging corresponding to a specific time phase of the cardiac cycle in sync with the biomedical signal based on the time difference, to generate an image data corresponding to the specific time phase of the cardiac cycle from the acquired magnetic resonance signal for imaging. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308824 | METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING IMAGES OF AN IMAGED SUBJECT FROM A PARALLEL MRI ACQUISITION - A parallel MR imaging method that uses a reconstruction algorithm that combines the GRAPPA image reconstruction method and the compressed sensing (CS) image reconstruction method in an iterative approach ( | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308825 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SELECTING BODY MODEL POSITIONS FOR SAR MONITORING OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TRANSMIT ARRAY - In a method and a device for specific absorption rate monitoring in a magnetic resonance system wherein multiple transmit coils are independently charged with respective currents, a primary model point voxel and at least one auxiliary model point voxel are automatically selected from among multiple voxels that model a modeled examination subject. The primary model point voxel is that voxel in which an absolute maximum of a total field variable occurs that is produced by the respective electrical fields emitted by the transmit coils. The at least one auxiliary model point voxel is that voxel in which a relative maximum of the variable occurs. The primary model point voxel and the at least one auxiliary model point voxel are stored, and specific absorption rate monitoring of an actual examination subject in the magnetic resonance system is implemented during the acquisition of magnetic resonance data in respective voxels of the actual examination subject corresponding to the stored primary model point voxel and the stored at least one auxiliary model point voxel. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308826 | WIRELESS TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE MRI COILS - A magnetic resonance system ( | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100308827 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-SPECTRAL MR IMAGING NEAR METAL - A system and method for multi-spectral MR imaging near metal include a computer programmed to calculate an MR pulse sequence comprising a plurality of RF pulses configured to excite spins in an imaging object and comprising a plurality of volume selection gradients and determine a plurality of distinct offset frequency values. For each respective determined offset frequency value, the computer is programmed to execute the MR pulse sequence having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency of the MR pulse sequence set to the respective determined offset frequency value. The computer is also programmed to acquire a three-dimensional (3D) MR data set for each MR pulse sequence execution and generate a composite image based on data from each of the acquired 3D MR data sets. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100315083 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Method for Quantitative and Qualitative Measurement of Natural Products - Provided herein are various methods and systems for analyzing natural products by quantitative proton nuclear magnetic resonance (qHNMR). A method is provided for quantitative and qualitative determination of a natural product by | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100315084 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE RF-FIELD MEASUREMENT - An apparatus, system, and method including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer. The computer is programmed to apply a first off-resonant radio frequency (RF) pulse at a first frequency different than the resonant frequency to a plurality of nuclei excited at a resonant frequency, acquire a first signal from the plurality of nuclei after application of the first off-resonant RF pulse, determine a phase shift from the first signal based on the first off-resonant RF pulse, determine a B1 field based on the phase shift, and store the B1 field on a computer readable storage medium. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100315085 | Modular Apparatus for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - The present invention discloses a modular MRI imaging system. The imaging system includes MRI radio-frequency antenna arrays separate from the patient support structure. The antenna arrays are affixed to a thin, flexible film such that they may be located next to the anatomical region of interest. In addition, multiple antenna arrays may be configured in various planar or three-dimensional arrangements to optimize the FOV and SNR. Separate patient support structures are provided that enhance ergonomics and patient stabilization. By removing the antenna from the housing, the support structures may be designed without the constraints of supporting the antenna or the associated electronics. The MRI imaging system further employs a preamplifier module. The preamplifier module houses the preamplifier and much of the other associated circuitry for each of the antennae. The preamplifier module operates to combine the signals from the antenna arrays and pass the signals to the MRI system. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100321017 | ULTRAHIGH TIME RESOLUTION MAGNETIC RESONANCE - Ultrahigh time resolution magnetic resonance is achieved in a flow-through device such as a microfluidic chip by imaging along the flow dimension. Position within the one-dimensional image may be related to time by the flow velocity. Thus, a time resolution corresponding to the one-dimensional image resolution is obtainable. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100327869 | ULTRA-SENSITIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY DETECTION APPARATUS OF ANHARMONIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT TYPE USING ATOMIC MAGNETOMETER, AND METHOD OF USING SAME - The ultra-sensitive susceptibility detection apparatus of anharmonic resonance measurement type using an atomic magnetometer detects a change in susceptibility by a specimen containing an object to be measured. The apparatus includes an atomic magnetometer. The atomic magnetometer includes a cell containing an alkaline metallic atom, a light source for magnetically polarizing the alkaline metallic atom of the cell, and a bias magnetic field applicator for applying a bias magnetic field to adjust a measuring resonance frequency of the alkaline metallic atom. The apparatus includes an excitation magnetic field applicator for applying an excitation magnetic fields of different frequencies to magnetically excite the specimen, but not to couple the excitation field directly to the measuring atomic resonance frequency, and a measuring device for measuring a change in magnetic polarization of the alkaline metallic atom, which is affected by a magnetic field caused by the specimen being magnetically excited by the excitation magnetic field. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100327870 | MOVABLE TABLE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In MR imaging, the patient is placed on the table in a configuration convenient for a surgical procedure and while in the configuration the patient is moved into the field of view by moving the magnet longitudinally and the table is moved in the bore relative to the magnet so as to optimize the part to be imaged within the field of view of the magnet. After imaging the table is moved back to the preset position and removed from the magnet for the surgical procedure to commence or continue. The movement includes movement along the longitudinal axis; transverse movement side to side; rolling movement about a longitudinal axis; tilting movement about a transverse axis and bending movement of the table relative to at least one transverse hinge line in the table at a position spaced from the ends of the table. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100327871 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus sequentially transmits a plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses for refocusing transverse magnetization of spins, and brings the transverse magnetization of the spins to longitudinal magnetization after the refocusing of the transverse magnetization of the spins. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110001476 | PHASE SENSITIVE RADIO FREQUENCY MAPPING FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The disclosure provides phase-sensitive methods of radio frequency field mapping (e.g., B | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110001477 | Method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements using long-lived coherences (LLC) - A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample comprises preparation of the sample and carrying out an NMR spectroscopy measurement. Preparation includes excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110001478 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF LIVING SYSTEMS BY REMOTE DETECTION - A novel approach to magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed. Blood flowing through a living system is prepolarized, and then encoded. The polarization can be achieved using permanent or superconducting magnets. The polarization may be carried out upstream of the region to be encoded or at the place of encoding. In the case of an MRI of a brain, polarization of flowing blood can be effected by placing a magnet over a section of the body such as the heart upstream of the head. Alternatively, polarization and encoding can be effected at the same location. Detection occurs at a remote location, using a separate detection device such as an optical atomic magnetometer, or an inductive Faraday coil. The detector may be placed on the surface of the skin next to a blood vessel such as a jugular vein carrying blood away from the encoded region. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110006767 | DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY (MRE) - The invention relates to a device to produce mechanical oscillations in a research object using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) with a membrane that can be set into periodic motion ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110006768 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCELERATING THE ACQUISITION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A method and system of accelerating the acquisition and reconstruction of magnetic resonance images. Magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) data is acquired from a plurality of coils using parallel MRI (“pMRI”). The MRI data represents a reduced field-of-view (“FOV”) image for each of a plurality of coils. The MRI data is further undersampled by sequentially applying a compressed sensing (“CS”) technique, such as SparseMRI. The undersampled, reduced FOV images are then reconstructed into a final magnetic resonance image using a pMRI reconstruction technique, such as SENSitivity encoding (“SENSE”). This combination of MR image acquisition, sampling, and reconstruction is referred to as CS-SENSE. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110006769 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SHIMMING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static magnetic-field generating unit, a gradient magnetic-field generating unit, a plurality of metal shim plates in a plate shape, and a shim holding unit. The metal shim plates adjust uniformity of the static magnetic field. The shim holding unit holds the metal shim plates in a layered state. Each of the metal shim plates includes a convex having a certain angle at a certain position, and the metal shim plates are layered such that the convex of each one metal shim plate comes into contact with a back of the bent convex of another metal shim plate. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110006770 | Method and device for measuring a sample in an NMR spectrometer using a coupling configuration with a press fit cell having a capillary envelope fastener - A method for measuring an sample in an NMR spectrometer uses a coupling configuration ( | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110012594 | POSITION DETECTING SYSTEM AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD - A system includes a body-insertable apparatus disposed while introduced in a subject in a detection space, and an external apparatus disposed on the outside of the subject. The body-insertable apparatus includes a first switch for connecting/interrupting a resonance circuit and an oscillation circuit or a ground line. The external apparatus includes a drive coil driving unit for outputting a drive signal having the resonance frequency; a drive coil for generating the drive magnetic field in the detection space in accordance with the drive signal; and a second switch for connecting/interrupting the drive coil driving unit and the drive coil. The second switch connects the drive coil driving unit and the drive coil when the first switch is off, and disconnects them when the first switch is on. The resonance circuit generates the resonance magnetic field in accordance with the induction signal or the drive magnetic field. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012595 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE STRENGTH OF A MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE FIELD - In a method and magnetic resonance system to determine the strength of a magnetic interference field that is caused by an interference object in a magnetic resonance image data acquisition, the interference object having a magnetic susceptibility that differs from the magnetic susceptibility of the material that surrounds the interference object image data acquired with the imaging magnetic resonance measurement that depict an examination subject that contains the interference object are made available in a form that allows the determination of at least one geometric variable of an image artifact in the image data that was caused by the magnetic interference field. The strength of the magnetic interference field that is caused by the interference object is then determined on the basis of the determined geometric variable of the image artifact. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012596 | Magnetic Resonance System and Method To Detect and Confirm Analytes - A system and method are provided to detect target analytes based on magnetic resonance measurements. Magnetic structures produce distinct magnetic field regions having a size comparable to the analyte. When the analyte is bound in those regions, magnetic resonance signals from the sample are changed, leading to detection of the analyte. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012597 | FASTENER-LESS EDGE LAUNCH CONNECTOR FOR MR-COMPATIBLE MEDICAL MONITORING - A robust MR compatible ECG monitor ( | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110018537 | Interleaved Single Magnetic Resonance Sequence for MR Quantification - A magnetic resonance sequence includes an interleaved slice-selective pre-pulse and a slice-selective multi-echo acquisition. This sequence is repeated with different delays between the pre-pulse and the acquisition resulting in a matrix of complex images. Based on this matrix T1 and T2 relaxations, proton density and the B1 field can be estimated. These quantified parameters enable synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and form a robust input for tissue segmentation in computer aided diagnosis for MRI. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110018538 | NMR DEVICE FOR DETECTION OF ANALYTES - This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110025327 | METHOD FOR RADIOFREQUENCY MAPPING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method of mapping a radio frequency magnetic field transmitted to a magnetic resonance imaging specimen. The method comprises the steps of: applying a first radio frequency pulse having a first excitation angle to the specimen and at a first time period after applying the first pulse applying one or more second radio frequency pulses each having a second excitation angle to the specimen, with a second time period between second pulses, to obtain a first data set defining a first sample of an image space; applying one or more third radio frequency pulses each having a third excitation angle to the specimen, with a third time period between third pulses, to obtain a second data set defining a second sample of the image space; applying one or more fourth radio frequency pulses each having a fourth excitation angle to the specimen, with a fourth time period between fourth pulses, to obtain a third data set defining a third sample of the image space; wherein the fourth excitation angle is different to the third excitation angle and/or the fourth time period is different to the third time period; calculating a magnetic field map data from at the three data sets; and outputting the magnetic field map data. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110031970 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus - The present invention provides a vertical magnetic field MRI apparatus which is capable of speeding up imaging for taking an image of any cross section of a wide area such as a total body, while suppressing increase of the number of channels and maintaining high sensitivity in a deep portion of a subject. A receiver coil unit | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110031971 | CONTRAST AGENT-FREE MR ANGIOGRAPHY WITH SSFP SEQUENCES - In a method to generate an MR angiography image of an examination region of a subject without the use of contrast agent, a first MR image of the examination region is acquired with a first imaging sequence in which a gradient-induced phase development for unmoved and moved spins is essentially completely rephased at the end of a repetition interval TR, and a second MR image of the examination region is acquired with a second imaging sequence in which the gradient-induced phase development for unmoved spins is likewise essentially completely rephased at the end of the repetition interval TR and a rest phase φ | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110037466 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which applies a labeling pulse to invert a spin included in a labeling region within part of a imaging region and then collects a echo signal from a time point when an inversion time has passed from the application of the labeling pulse, and a control unit, the control unit controlling the imaging unit so that the echo signal in the imaging region is collected a plurality of times with variations in the inversion time, the control unit also controlling the imaging unit so that a time ranging from a reference time point within a biological signal obtained from a subject to the application of the labeling pulse is a time determined in accordance with the inversion time. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110037467 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a pair of static magnetic field generators separately disposed at the top and bottom of an imaging space in which a subject is placed; a shim magnetic material, disposed on the imaging-space side of each of the pair of static magnetic field generators, for generating a magnetic field to adjust the static magnetic field; a gradient magnetic field generator; a high-frequency magnetic field generator; a temperature sensor for directly or indirectly measuring the temperature of the shim magnetic material; and a controller for controlling the gradient magnetic field generator and the high-frequency magnetic field generator to execute an imaging pulse sequence. The controller determines the inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field from the output of the temperature sensor, considering the change in a magnetic field adjustment parameter due to the temperature change of the shim magnetic material, and causes a warning message to be presented if the determined static magnetic field inhomogeneity has exceeded a predetermined allowable value. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110043206 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND RF COIL UNIT - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a correction data acquisition unit configured to perform diffusion weighted imaging to a phantom having a known apparent diffusion coefficient and measure an apparent diffusion coefficient of the phantom to acquire correction data from a measured apparent diffusion coefficient and the known apparent diffusion coefficient, and an image generating unit configured to perform diffusion weighted imaging to an object with a same parameter setting as that of the diffusion weighted imaging to the phantom to generate an apparent diffusion coefficient image from a diffusion weighted imaging data of the object and the correction data. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110050226 | RF COIL FOR MR IMAGING WHICH IS NOT VISIBLE IN X-RAY IMAGE - An RF coil used for MR imaging is designed so that it remains in place in the field of view of an X-Ray imaging system and comprises a support board on which copper conductive traces and copper printed capacitors are carried. The attenuation of the X-Rays caused by the copper traces is visible in the radiation image but this is compensated by arranging the non-conductive material of the support board such that the attenuation of substantially the whole of the RF coil located within the field of view is substantially constant throughout the field of view. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110057652 | SCALABLE MULTICHANNEL TRANSMITTER SYSTEM FOR AN MR TRANSMISSION ARRAY - A flexible design of a transmission system for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has multiple radio-frequency control units, connectors that are connected to the radio-frequency control units, a unit to which at least one first connector is connected, which connector is also connected to a first radio-frequency control unit of the radio-frequency control units. The unit is connected via a connector to only some—in particular only one—of the radio-frequency control units. One of these few radio-frequency control units is connected to an additional radio-frequency control unit via an additional connector. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110068790 | Method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method of magnetic resonance imaging based on rapid acquisition by sequential excitation and refocusing is provided. The method comprises turning on a first time-encoding gradient and applying an excitation pulse in the presence of the first time-encoding gradient. The excitation pulse excites magnetization sequentially along one spatial axis. Thereafter, a first refocusing pulse is applied. A second time-encoding gradient is turned on followed by a second refocusing pulse. A third time-encoding gradient is turned on and a signal is acquired in the presence of the third time-encoding gradient. The third time-encoding gradient sums to zero with the first time-encoding gradient and the second time-encoding gradient for sequential points in space. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110068791 | ULTRA-FAST PRE-POLARIZING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method and apparatus generate a pre-polarizing magnetic field having a rise-time of less than about 10 microseconds and/or a fall-time of less than about 10 microseconds for immersing a tissue sample in the pre-polarized magnetic field to polarize an animal tissue sample whereby magnetic gradient and/or radio-frequency pulses may be applied in order to read out the location and/or state of the spins. A method and apparatus deliver such magnetic fields through planar coils. A method and apparatus enable guidance and propulsion of magnetic fluids. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110074413 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CURRENT IN GRADIENT COIL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a multilevel inverter for generating an AC output voltage, having at least seven potential levels, from a DC voltage source such that the generated AC voltage produces a current in a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The multilevel inverter comprises an input voltage supply device configured for providing a divided DC voltage, at least eight switching arms for deriving the AC output voltages from the divided DC voltages, each of the switching arms comprising an input terminal receiving the divided DC voltage, a switching device controlling the AC output voltage and an output terminal providing the AC output voltage, at least four diodes, each of the four diodes connected to a single pair of switching arms, the four diodes forming a full bridge having positive and negative nodes, one of the nodes connected to the input voltage supply device and another node connected to the input terminals of the switching arms and a controller coupled to the input voltage supply device and the four diodes, the controller configured for producing plurality of control signals for controlling the AC output voltage. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074414 | IMPLANTABLE OR INSERTABLE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANT IMAGING SYSTEM - Nuclear Magnetic Resonant Imaging (also called Magnetic Resonant Imaging or “MRI”) devices which are implantable, internal or insertable are provided. The disclosure describes ways to miniaturize, simplify, calibrate, cool, and increase the utility of MRI systems for structural investigative purposes, and for biological investigation and potential treatment. It teaches use of target objects of fixed size, shape and position for calibration and comparison to obtain accurate images. It further teaches cooling of objects under test by electrically conductive leads or electrically isolated leads; varying the magnetic field of the probe to move chemicals or ferrous metallic objects within the subject. The invention also teaches comparison of objects using review of the frequency components of a received signal rather than by a pictorial representation. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074415 | APPARATUS FOR TUNING MAGNETIC RESONANCE COIL ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A method, system, and apparatus including a radio-frequency (RF) phased coil array for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus that includes a first RF coil element tuned to a first frequency and configured to receive MR signals and a second RF coil element tuned to a second frequency different than the first frequency and configured to receive MR signals. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074416 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit and a cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074417 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - To provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of acquiring a non-contrast MRA image in which a background signal is sufficiently suppressed in a shorter time. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has: a data acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of magnetic resonance data associated with a plurality of different delay times according to a pulse sequence in which a region-selective saturation pulse is first applied, a region-non-selective inversion recovery pulse is then applied, and then the magnetic resonance data is acquired, the delay time being defined as a period from a time of application of the saturation pulse to a time of start of acquisition of the magnetic resonance data; and a blood flow image creating unit that creates a plurality of pieces of blood flow image data associated with the plurality of different delay times using the magnetic resonance data. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074418 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF ASSISTING SETTING OF IMAGING PARAMETER - An object is to enhance usability of parameter check when an imaging parameter is changed in multistation imaging, and easily obtain a desired image with high quality. In the multistation imaging, it is determined in a lump before imaging whether an image having desired quality is obtained by using the changed value of the imaging parameter, and the result is presented to an operator. The determination is executed in the order of “possible or impossible” determination of execution of imaging itself and “possible or impossible” determination of combination of obtained images. When it is determined that it is impossible to execute the imaging itself, the determination processing is finished. At this time, a recommended value may be presented. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110080166 | Parallel-Accelerated Complex Subtraction MRI - A method for producing background-suppressed MR images with improved resistance to subject motion and noise, particularly that associated with parallel imaging techniques. An MRI system is employed to acquire two sets of undersampled k-space data under different scan conditions. A differential k-space data set is then formed by complex, pairwise subtraction of the two undersampled k-space data sets and a background-suppressed MR is reconstructed from the differential k-space data set using an accelerated reconstruction technique, such as GRAPPA. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080167 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING MOTION PARAMETERS OF AN OBJECT IN A MAGNETIC FIELD - A method for determining motion parameters of an object by way of at least one coil within a magnetic field adapted for a magnetic resonance based imaging device. Induced pulses are emitted on the coil in order to provide navigator signals that are finally measured in order to provide a spatial position of the object relative to the coil. At least one reference displacement of the object relative to the coil that is spatially and metrically predefined between two positions of the object is generated so that intensity changes of navigator signals at the coil are measured and recorded in a calibration map. Then, for determining each one of a sequence of further positions of an object in motion relatively to the coil, a navigator signal of the coil is measured and is compared to values of intensity changes from the calibration map in order to provide a corrected value of displacement of the object that is recovered from the calibration map and processed so that absolute values of motion parameters of the object are determined. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080168 | CORRECTION OF TRUNCATIONS IN MR IMAGING - A method is disclosed for correction of truncations of an image of an object under examination in the reconstruction of image data from raw data which has been recorded with a magnetic resonance system from a field of view of the magnetic resonance system, with an object under examination which is located in the field of view of the magnetic resonance system being imaged in the raw data, and with the image recorded by the raw data of the object under examination being truncated at the edge of the field of view if at least one part of the object under examination is located outside the field of view. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a number of one-dimensional projections of the imaged field of view in the Radon space from the recorded raw data in order to obtain a projection profile of the image object under examination over the field of view in each case; checking each projection profile for whether the projection profile exhibits a truncation which is caused by the at least one part of the object under examination being located outside the field of view; if the respective checked projection profile exhibits a truncation, expanding the projection profile for correcting the truncation in that the projection profile is extrapolated in accordance with a predetermined extrapolation model in the area in which it exhibits the truncation; and reconstructing image data based on the expanded projection profiles in which the truncation of the image of the object under examination is corrected. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080169 | Method for position dependent change in the magnetization in an object in a magnetic resonance experiment - A method for position dependent change in the magnetization in an object, according to a requirement in a magnetic resonance measurement, wherein radio-frequency pulses are irradiated in conjunction with supplementary magnetic fields that vary in space and over time and are superposed on the static and homogeneous basic field of a magnetic resonance measurement apparatus along a z-direction, is characterized in that non-linear supplementary magnetic fields are used, whose spatial gradient of the z-component is not constant at least at one instant of the irradiation, and that the radio-frequency pulses to be irradiated are calculated in advance, wherein progressions over time of the field strengths of the supplementary magnetic fields in the region of the object that are calculated and/or measured position-dependently are included in this calculation. This enables change in the magnetization with an at least locally spatially higher resolution and/or shorter irradiation duration of the RF pulses and supplementary magnetic fields than is feasible with linear supplementary magnetic fields produced by conventional gradient systems. In particular, this is possible under the technical and physiological conditions that currently constrain the performance of the known methods using linear supplementary fields. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080170 | MRI NON-CONTRAST TIME-SLIP ANGIOGRAPHY USING VARIABLY POSITIONED CINE SUB-SEQUENCE - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using an MRI gantry and controlling computer system includes at least one programmed computer configured to effect a cardiac-triggered time-SLIP (spatial labeling inversion pulse) MRI data acquisition sequence for imaging blood perfusion in imaged patient tissue and employing therewithin an MRI cine sub-sequence. The sub-sequence is positioned in the time domain to encompass at least part of a predetermined (e.g., diastolic) cardiac time interval of the patient. Processing acquired data from the time-SLIP data acquisition sequence generates a sequence of MRI cine frame images having respectively associated different effective BBTI (black blood time to inversion) time intervals. Identifying one of the MRI cine frame images as acceptable, thereby effectively also determines an appropriate BBTI time interval for the patient. The system then outputs a time-SLIP image based on the determined appropriate BBTI time interval to at least one of (a) a display, (b) a remote system or (c) a non-transitory storage medium. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110089945 | Targeted acquisition using holistic ordering (TACHO) approach for high signal to noise imaging - An MRI includes imaging coils. The MRI includes receiving coils. The MRI includes a controller in communication with the imaging coils and the receiving coils which controls the imaging coils and the receiving coils to sample k space associated with a patient in a pattern based on prior knowledge of k space data, and which reconstructs an image of the patient from the sampled k space. A method of an MRI includes the steps of acquiring preliminary k space data of a patient indicating the extent of k space data for all receiver channels using imaging and receiving coils. There is the step of determining with a controller which regions of signal associated with the k space are to be targeted by multiple acquisition blades of data with the imaging and receiver coils based on the preliminary k space. There is the step of sampling each of the regions determined by the controller with the blades to obtain k space data. There is the step of storing the k space data in a memory. There is the step of interpolating the k space data to fit in a regular rectangular grid and fitting each separate blade of k space data to the grid with the controller. There is the step of averaging overlapping k space data with the controller. There is the step of reconstructing an image from the k space data. A computer program. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110089946 | THROUGH-TIME NON-CARTESIAN GRAPPA CALIBRATION - Example systems and methods control a parallel magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) apparatus to acquire non-Cartesian (e.g., spiral) calibration data sets throughout time. Example systems and methods also control the pMRI apparatus to acquire an under-sampled non-Cartesian data set from the object to be imaged. Example systems and methods then control the pMRI apparatus to reconstruct an image of the object to be imaged from the under-sampled non-Cartesian data set. The reconstruction depends, at least in part, on a through-time non-Cartesian GRAPPA calibration where a value for a point missing from k-space in the under-sampled non-Cartesian data set is computed using a GRAPPA weight set calibrated and applied for the missing point. The GRAPPA weight set is computed from data in the non-Cartesian calibration data sets. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110089947 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECREASING BIO-EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC GRADIENT FIELD GRADIENTS - A magnetic field generator includes a power source and a segmented or un-segmented coil connected to the power source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. Energy is applied to the coil so that the coil generates a time-varying magnetic field gradient with a magnitude of at least 1 milliTesla per meter and a rise-time of less than 10 microseconds. The coil may be comprised of overlapping, non-overlapping or partially overlapping coil segments that may individually energized to further improve the operating characteristics of the coil to further decrease bio-effects in magnetic resonance imaging through the use of reduced pulse lengths and multi-phasic magnetic gradient pulses. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110089948 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - An MRI apparatus includes an imaging means being provided with a means for generating magnetic fields respectively of a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and an RF magnetic field, and a means for receiving an echo signal generated from a subject, the imaging means being for measuring echo data associated with at least one measurement trajectory in k-space, while varying angles with respect to a coordinate axis in the k-space of the measurement trajectory, so as to collect at least one measured data for each of the angles; and an image reconstruction means for rearranging the measured data in the k-space and reconstructing an image; wherein, the image reconstruction means calculates a phase for correction based on standard data selected from the measured data for each of the angles, prior to rearranging the measured data in the k-space, and performs a phase correction as to the measured data, by using the phase for correction being calculated. With the procedure above, it is possible to reduce an artifact caused by the nonlinearity of the gradient magnetic field and/or inhomogeneities of the magnetic field, without extending the imaging time. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110095760 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores correction data of a position coordinate, in which the position coordinate in the reconstruction FOV is caused to correspond to a position coordinate in a display FOV included in the reconstruction FOV based on an intensity of a gradient magnetic field. If both of a first position coordinate and a second position coordinate, which is further from the center of the reconstruction FOV, correspond to same position coordinate in the display FOV, the correction data is data for causing only the first position coordinate to correspond to the position coordinate in the display FOV. The processing unit corrects a reconstructed image based on the correction data and obtains an image of the display FOV. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110095761 | DETECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELDS USING NANO-MAGNETS - Magnetic field detection techniques and devices are provided. In one embodiment, a device configured to detect a magnetic field includes a first set of nano-magnets and a second set of nano-magnets. The first set of nano-magnets is operable to induce a RF magnetic field, and the second set of nano-magnets is operable to induce a first electrical signal in response to magnetic resonance signals caused by the RF magnetic field. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110101978 | MOTION INFORMATION CAPTURE AND AUTOMATIC MOTION CORRECTION FOR IMAGING SYSTEMS - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for compensating for motion of a subject during an MRI scan of the subject. k-space data may be received from the MRI scan of the subject. Motion information may be received for the subject. Based on the received motion information, a translational motion of the subject may be determined between a first point in time and a second point in time. A search space for motion correction may be reduced using the determined change and an error margin of the capturing technique. A motion-compensated, graphical image of the subject may be generated using the reduced search space. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101979 | AMPLIFIED RADIATION DAMPING FOR MR IMAGING AND SPECTROSCOPY - An imaging system including an imaging apparatus having a plurality of coils, wherein an imaging target is at least partially disposed proximate the coils with at least one excitation source providing pulse sequences. A switch switchably connects the pulse sequences from the excitation source to the coils and switchably connecting to spatially encoded images from the coils during data acquisition. There is an amplified radiation damping feedback section providing amplified radiation damping feedback to the imaging target, wherein the amplified radiation damping feedback provides recovery of longitudinal magnetization subsequent to the data acquisition, and a receiver section for processing the spatially encoded images. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110101980 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes; an imaging area setting unit configured to set an imaging area for a patient according to an imaging condition; an excitation angle determination unit configured to collect magnetic resonance signals from the imaging area by a pre-scan and to determine, on the basis of the collected magnetic resonance signal, an optimal excitation angle of a radio-frequency magnetic field for use in an imaging scan; and an imaging unit configured to acquire imaging data by carrying out the imaging scan of the set imaging area for the patient applying the radio-frequency magnetic field with the determined optimal excitation angle. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110109309 | TECHNIQUES FOR CORRECTING MEASUREMENT ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE THERMOMETRY - Techniques for correcting measurement artifacts in MR thermometry predict or anticipate movements of objects in or near an MR imaging region that may potentially affect a phase background and then acquire a library of reference phase images corresponding to different phase backgrounds that result from the predicted movements. For each phase image subsequently acquired, one reference phase image is selected from the library of reference phase images to serve as the baseline image for temperature measurement purposes. To avoid measurement artifacts that arise from phase wrapping, the phase shift associated with each phase image is calculated incrementally, that is, by accumulating phase increments from each pair of consecutively scanned phase images. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110109310 | DIGITAL NMR SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In some embodiments, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) receiver using digital downconversion and subsampling tracks transmit and/or receive signal phases according to time(s) elapsed since reference times (e.g. reset times) corresponding to known phases. Carrier-frequency (f | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110109311 | NOISE CANCELING IN-SITU NMR DETECTION - Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110109312 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes an image generating unit and an SAR calculating unit. The image generating unit receives a magnetic resonance signal generated as a result of transmission of an RF pulse from an object, and generates image data of the object based on the magnetic resonance signal. The SAR calculating unit performs a correction operation on an energy control value of the RF pulse according to an imaging condition, and calculates an SAR value based on an energy value subjected to the correction operation. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110115484 | ULTRA FAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NON-CONTRAST AGENT MR ANGIOGRAPHY USING ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH OR PULSE TRIGGERED HALF FOURIER TURBO SPIN ECHO-BASED ACQUISITION WITH VARIABLE FLIP ANGLE EVOLUTION AND HIGH RESOLUTION - In a magnetic resonance imaging method for non-contrast imaging of blood at a region in the subject's body, a first 3D MR image is acquired represented by a first 3D volume data set of the region at a first trigger delay time. The first 3D image is acquired using a substantially 90° excitation pulse followed by a plurality of variable flip angle refocus pulses forming an echo train where the refocus pulses are smaller than or equal to 180°. To form the first 3D MR image, multiple MR slices are acquired related to the first trigger delay time to speed up the acquisition of the first image. A second 3D MR image is acquired represented by a second 3D volume data set at the same region using the same steps for acquiring the first 3D MR image except that a second trigger delay time is used which is different than the first trigger delay time. The first 3D volume data set and the second 3D volume data set are subtracted to create a third 3D volume data set. From the third 3D volume data set a 2D substantially maximum intensity projection data set is created which may then be displayed to show the blood at the region. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115485 | Field image tomography for magnetic resonance imaging - Field Image Tomography (FIT) is a fundamental new theory for determining the three-dimensional (3D) spatial density distribution of field emitting sources. The field can be the intensity of any type of field including (i) Radio Frequency (RF) waves in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), (ii) Gamma radiation in SPECT/PET, and (iii) gravitational field of earth, moon, etc. FIT exploits the property that field intensity decreases with increasing radial distance from the field source and the field intensity distribution measured in an extended 3D volume space can be used to determine the 3D spatial density distribution of the emitting source elements. A method and apparatus are disclosed for MRI of target objects based on FIT. Spinning atomic nuclei of a target object in a magnetic field are excited by beaming a suitable Radio Frequency (RF) pulse. These excited nuclei emit RF radiation while returning to their normal state. The intensity or amplitude distribution of the RF emission field g is measured in a 3D volume space that may extend substantially along the radial direction around the emission source. g is related to the 3D tomography f through a system matrix H that depends on the MRI apparatus, and noise n through the vector equation g=Hf+n. This equation is solved to obtain the tomographic image f of the target object by a method that reduces the effect of noise. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115486 | TRAVELLING-WAVE NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD - A method for acquiring an image or spectrum of a subject or object residing within the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance apparatus, comprises the steps of:
| 05-19-2011 |
| 20110115487 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR IMAGING PARTICLES - A method and magnetic resonance system for imaging a particle that is located in an examination subject with an imaging magnetic resonance measurement execute a gradient echo sequence in which at least two gradient echoes are acquired following a single excitation pulse, wherein the particle in an applied basic magnetic field causes a magnetic interference field. An RF pulse is radiated to generate a transverse magnetization from a magnetization appearing in the basic magnetic field. A first dephasing gradient is shifted to adjust a first dephasing of the transverse magnetization, and the first gradient echo is acquired. A second dephasing gradient is shifted to adjust a second dephasing of the transverse magnetization that is different than the first dephasing, and the second gradient echo is acquired. The two dephasing gradients are shifted such that a dephasing of the transverse magnetization caused by the interference field of the particle is at least partially compensated in a region around the particle or within the particle given the acquisition of at least one of the echoes. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110121829 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an imaging unit configured to carry out magnetic resonance imaging of a patient using a transmitting QD coil which allows at least one of phase and amplitude of a radio-frequency transmit pulse on at least one input channel of the transmitting QD coil to be adjusted independently of each other, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust at least one of the phase and the amplitude of the radio-frequency transmit pulse according to imaging conditions. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110133736 | Coherent Signal Acquisition System for MR Imaging and Spectroscopy - A system processes an MR dataset to provide an MR signal generated by a group of protons having substantially the same proton spin precession angle. The system includes a computation processor for determining phase angles of RF pulses for use in acquiring MR signal data of a desired coherence pathway in response to, predetermined data indicating a number of coherence pathways in multiple MR datasets to be acquired, predetermined information indicating different types of MR signals present in the multiple MR datasets to be acquired and at least one phase equation selected in response to a corresponding at least one type of the types of MR signals present in the MR datasets to be acquired. The number of coherence pathways represents a corresponding number of groups of protons having substantially the same proton spin precession angle. An RF signal generator generates RF pulses for acquiring multiple MR datasets including MR signal data of the desired coherence pathway using the determined phase angles. An MR imaging device performs multiple MR scans to provide the multiple MR datasets using the generated RF pulses. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110140696 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE SPECIES SIGNAL SEPARATION USING MR IMAGING - A system and method for quantitative species signal separation in MR imaging is disclosed. An MR imaging apparatus includes an MRI system and a computer programmed to cause the MRI system to apply a pulse sequence and acquire multi-echo source data for the pulse sequence that includes a phase component and a magnitude component. The computer is further programmed to determine a first estimate of a first species content and a first estimate of a second species content based on the multi-echo source data, and determine a second estimate of the first species content and a second estimate of the second species content based on the multi-echo source data. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140697 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes an imaging unit and an application region calculating unit. The application region calculating unit automatically calculates an application region of a prepulse according to a region of interest of magnetic resonance imaging based on image data including the region of interest that are acquired before the application of the prepulse. The imaging unit performs magnetic resonance imaging of an object involving the application of the prepulse. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110140698 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PHASE-SENSITIVE FLOW MEASUREMENT BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE - In a method and a device for phase-sensitive flow measurement of a volume segment of an examination subject using a magnetic resonance (MR) system, the volume segment is coded for imaging of this volume segment and a phase coding of the volume segment to code flow information of the volume segment is implemented. MR data are read out from the volume segment and the MR data are evaluated in order to generate an image of the volume segment with flow information. The phase coding to code the flow information is thereby independent of gradients which are used for spatial coding of the volume segment. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110148410 | Method for data acquisition acceleration in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using receiver coil arrays and non-linear phase distributions - A method for accelerating data acquisition in MRI with N-dimensional spatial encoding has a first method step in which a transverse magnetization within an imaged object volume is prepared having a non-linear phase distribution. Primary spatial encoding is thereby effected through application of switched magnetic fields. Two or more RF receivers are used to simultaneously record MR signals originating from the imaged object volume, wherein, for each RF receiver, an N-dimensional data matrix is recorded which is undersampled by a factor R | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110148411 | SAR DOSIMETER FOR RF POWER DEPOSITION IN MRI AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS RELATED THERETO - Featured is a dosimeter device that measures SAR deposited by RF power deposition during MRI of a specimen. Such a dosimeter device includes a transducer that is configured to present a load to the MRI scanner in which the transducer is located and to provide an output representative of signals induced in the transducer. The transducer also is configured so that the presented load is substantially equivalent to another load which would be presented by the specimen during MRI of the specimen. Such a transducer also is configured so as to generate an MRI signal that is sufficient to allow the MRI scanner to adjust the RF power to a value substantially equal to that of the specimen. Also featured are methods for measuring SAR deposited by RF power deposition and apparatuses or system embodying such a dosimeter device. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110148412 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a calculation unit and an imaging unit. The calculation unit calculates “a value of a parameter having an upper limit” for “a plurality of patterns of scan orders for a plurality of scan operations for an object” respectively. The imaging unit generates image data for each of the scan operations by performing the plurality of scan operations based on a result of the calculation. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110148413 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a data gathering unit and an image generating unit, the data gathering unit gathers magnetic resonance data in a non-contrast manner by applying a first readout gradient pulse having a zero-order moment of 0 and a second readout gradient pulse having a zero-order moment of 0 and a first-order moment of a value different from a value of a first-order moment of the first readout gradient pulse to a region of interest including a fluid in motion, and the image generating unit periodically arranges first magnetic resonance data read out with the first readout gradient pulse and second magnetic resonance data read out with the second readout gradient pulse in at least one of a phase encoding direction and a slice encoding direction in a k-space to generate k-space data and reconstructs the k-space data to generate an image in which a fluid image and a static part image surrounding the fluid are spatially separated from each other. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110156704 | B1-MAPPING AND B1L-SHIMMING FOR MRI - The invention relates to a method of acquiring MRI image data comprising the following steps: performing a 3-dimensional B1 mapping of a first volume using a first voxel size, selecting an MRI protocol, performing the B1-shim in accordance with the MRI protocol, performing the MRI protocol to acquire MRI imaging data of a second volume using a second voxel size, wherein the first voxel size is larger than the second voxel size, wherein the first volume is larger than the second volume, and wherein the second volume is contained within the first volume. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110169490 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus according to an embodiment can execute a plurality of kinds of protocols varying in image contrast, and includes a storage unit and an output unit. The storage unit stores imaging conditions about the plurality of kinds of protocols. The output unit outputs onto a display unit an edit screen for receiving edit of a parameter that is an element of the imaging conditions. The edit screen is output by being separated into a common part that receives edit of parameter common to a plurality of kinds of protocols varying in image contrast, and an individual part that individually receives edit of parameter with respect to each protocol. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110175609 | Method for Motion Correction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Radio Frequency Coil Arrays - A method for motion correction using coil arrays, termed “MOCCA,” is provided, in which coil-dependent motion-related signal variations are employed to determine information related to motion in two and three directions. With such a method, navigator echoes are not required, nor is the acquisition of additional data required to resolve complex motions in more than one direction. The motion estimation and compensation method provided by MOCCA is also applicable to applications of cardiac, respiratory, and other physiological self-gating techniques. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175610 | NON-CARTESIAN UNDER-SAMPLED MULTI-ECHO MRI - Example apparatuses and methods control a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to perform a non-Cartesian, under-sampled, multi-echo MRI process. One example process includes controlling the MRI apparatus to excite an object to be imaged using a multi-echo Gradient Recalled Echo (GRE) pulse sequence. The example process also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to acquire a data set from the object to be imaged as a function of performing a non-Cartesian, under-sampling acquisition. The data set includes data acquired at two or more echo times (TE) per repetition (TR) and an element in the data set is sampled two or more times as a function of a non-Cartesian trajectory that crosses itself at least once. The process also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to reconstruct an image of the object to be imaged from the data set. The image may map brain activity. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175611 | Method for NMR spectroscopy or MRI measurements using dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) with scavenging of free radicals - A method for sample preparation for magnetic resonance measurements using Hyperpolarization by Dissolution Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, involves preparation of frozen beads of a first kind containing paramagnetic substances in addition to the solute under investigation; insertion of the frozen beads into a polarizing magnet; creation of enhanced polarization of nuclei in a magnetic field; heating of the sample to room temperature; transfer of the sample to an MR magnet; and carrying out an MR measurement. In addition, frozen beads of a second kind containing a reducing agent are prepared and inserted into the polarization magnet together with the frozen beads of the first kind. By this method, longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in NMR are extended and free radicals in hyperpolarized solutions are eliminated. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175612 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH INDEPENDENT EXCITATION AND ACQUISITION VOLUMES - A method of magnetic resonance that uses non-aligned slab excitation and encoding. By separating the directions of slab excitation and slab phase encoding, the method may allow voxel orientation that is independent of the excitation direction. Accordingly, volume excitation may be chosen based on anatomical landmarks which are not aligned in the excitation direction. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175613 | PROPELLER/BLADE MRI WITH NON-LINEAR MAPPING TO K-SPACE - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method acquires NMR signal data for a periodically rotated data acquisition region in k-space wherein the acquisition region is caused to have non-linear acquisition loci. As an example, the width of the data acquisition region at a point distant from the origin of k-space is made larger than at a point nearer the origin of k-space thereby more fully filling k-space with acquired NMR data even if the number of RF pulse shots is reduced and/or the number of data acquisition region positions is reduce. A magnetic resonance image is reconstructed based on the acquired NMR signal data in k-space. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110175614 | METHODS OF IN-VITRO ANALYSIS USING TIME-DOMAIN NMR SPECTROSCOPY - An in vitro method of determining an analyte concentration of a sample includes placing the sample into a low-field, bench-top time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) spectrometer. The NMR spectrometer is tuned to measure a selected type of atom. A magnetic field is applied to the sample using a fixed, permanent magnet. At least one 90 degree radio-frequency pulse is applied to the sample. The radio-frequency pulse is generally perpendicular to the magnetic field. The 90 degree radio-frequency pulse is removed from the sample so as to produce a decaying NMR signal. The decaying NMR signal is measured at a plurality of times while applying a plurality of 180 degree refocusing radio-frequency pulses to the sample. The analyte concentration is calculated from the plurality of measurements associated with the decaying NMR signal and a selected model. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110181282 | Method and apparatus for designing and/or implementing variable flip angle MRI spin echo train - A variable flip angle (VFA) MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) spin echo train is designed and/or implemented. For example, a target train of detectable spin-locked NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) echo signal amplitudes may be defined and a corresponding designed sequence of variable amplitude (i.e., variable NMR nutation angle) RF refocusing pulses may be determined for generating that target train of spin echoes in an MRI sequence (e.g., used for acquiring MRI data for a diagnostic imaging scan or the like). Such a designed VFA sequence may be output for study and/or use by an MRI system sequence controller. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181283 | System for Concurrent Acquisition of MR Anatomical Brain Images and MR Angiograms Without Contrast-Injection - An MR imaging system without the use of a contrast agent, in a first repetition time interval, generates a non-selective magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing an anatomical volume encompassing blood flowing into a selected slab within the volume for blood signal suppression, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a first MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume with a suppressed blood signal. The system in a second repetition time interval succeeding the first repetition time interval, generates a selected slab magnetization preparation pulse for magnetizing the selected slab, generates RF excitation pulses and acquires a second MR imaging dataset of the selected slab within the volume. An image data processor substantially subtracts imaging data of the first MR imaging dataset from the second MR imaging dataset to provide an image enhancing a vessel structure in the selected slab and also substantially averages imaging data to provide an MR anatomical image. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181284 | MAGNETIC FIELD GRADIENT MONITOR APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method based on pure phase encode FIDs that permits high strength gradient measurement is disclosed. A small doped water phantom (1˜3 mm droplet, T | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181285 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING TO CREATE T1 MAPS - In a method and apparatus for MR imaging, a data acquisition sequence is executed wherein at least two slices of an examination subject are imaged in parallel with a gradient echo method for spatially resolved quantification of the T | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110181286 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND BREATH-HOLDING IMAGING METHOD - In order to make it possible to set the optimal breath-holding imaging conditions according to the subject without extension of an imaging time or the sacrifice of image quality, one scan is divided into one or more breath-holding measurements and free-breathing measurements on the basis of the imaging conditions of a breath-holding measurement, which are input and set according to the subject, and a region of the k space measured in the breath-holding measurement is controlled. Preferably, in the breath-holding measurement, low-frequency data of the k space is measured. Moreover, preferably, imaging conditions of the breath-holding measurement include the number of times of breath holding or a breath-holding time, and the operator can set any of these values. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110187364 | DETERMINING A POSITION OF A SUBAREA OF AN OBJECT UNDER EXAMINATION AND THE STRUCTURE THEREOF IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for determining a location of a subarea of an area under examination in a magnetic resonance system. The subarea is arranged at the edge of a field-of-view of the magnetic resonance system. In at least one embodiment of the method, at least one slice position is determined for an MR image in which the B | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187365 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an input unit and a direction setting unit. The input unit receives a setting operation to set a plurality of image taking regions within a position determining image, from an operator of the apparatus. The direction setting unit sets phase encoding directions for the plurality of image taking regions to be in the same direction as one another, regardless of setting operations performed by the operator via the input unit. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187366 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE FOR IMAGING OF PARTICLES - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for imaging a particle that is located in an examination subject, a pulse sequence is emitted that includes an excitation pulse that generates a transverse magnetization of the examination subject from a magnetization appearing in a basic magnetic field, so the particle causes a magnetic interference field in the applied basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance measurement. After the excitation pulse, at least one spectrally selective refocusing pulse is generated in a non-resonant frequency range at the generation of a spin echo. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187367 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO REDUCE DISTORTIONS IN DIFFUSION IMAGING - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to reduce distortions in magnetic resonance diffusion imaging, a magnetic resonance data acquisition system is operated to acquire magnetic resonance data in a first measurement with a first diffusion weighting, and to acquire magnetic resonance data in a second measurement with a second, different diffusion weighting. A non-linear, system-specific distortion-correcting function is determined on the basis of system-specific information that is specific to said magnetic resonance data acquisition system. Correction parameters are calculated to correct distortions in subsequently-acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images, based on the data acquired in the first and second measurements with the system-specific distortion-correcting function applied thereto. The subsequently-acquired diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images are corrected using the correction parameters to at least reduce distortions therein. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110187368 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO CREATE AN IMAGE DATA SET - In a magnetic resonance method and system to create a difference image, essentially only one k-space point in a k-space data set belonging to the difference image is acquired at least twice in the form of k-space measurement values after a radiation of an RF excitation pulse. The difference image is thereby created depending on acquired k-space data set by means of taking the difference of the respective at least two results acquired per k-space point. For each essentially only one k-space point shift multiple phase coding gradients are activated in respective spatial directions, followed by a first readout of the essentially only one k-space point for an acquisition of a first of the k-space measurement values. The phase coding gradients are subsequently modified such that a gradient moment for each of the phase coding gradients is zero for a time period from the first readout of the essentially only one k-space point up to a second readout of the essentially only one k-space point. The essentially only one k-space point is subsequently read out a second time. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110199083 | Interference compensation in MR measurements on moving objects through adjustment of the measurement conditions - A method for generating magnetic resonance (MR) images or MR spectra of at least one partial area ( | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199084 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING - Methods and systems for displaying microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of a region of interest (ROI) in a patient are disclosed. Methods and systems for tissue segmentation and atlas-based tissue segmentation in ROI of a patient using diffusion MRI data are also described. A method for studying microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of a region of interest (ROI) in a patient includes acquiring, via an imaging system, diffusion magnetic resonance (MRI) data in the ROI by using an Icosahedral Diffusion Tensor Encoding Scheme (IDTES); computing, via the imaging system, mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) by using logarithm-moment algorithm (LMA); and displaying, on a display, the microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of ROI based on the computed MD and FA. The diffusion MRI data includes diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data or diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. In some cases, displaying the microstructural integrity and/or connectivity of ROI takes place in real time. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199085 | Radiotherapy and imaging apparatus - A radiotherapy system comprises a patient support, moveable along a translation axis, an imaging apparatus, comprising a first magnetic coil and a second magnetic coil, the first and second magnetic coils having a common central axis parallel to the translation axis, and being displaced from one another along the central axis to form a gap therebetween, the imaging apparatus being configured to obtain an image of a patient on the patient support, a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, the chassis being rotatable about the central axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation through the gap along a beam axis that intersects with the central axis, a multi-leaf collimator comprising a plurality of elongate leaves movable between at least a withdrawn position in which the leaf lies outside the beam, and an extended position in which the leaf projects across the beam, and a radiation detector mounted to the chassis opposite the source, the radiation detector having a plurality of detector elements aligned with the elongate leaves when projected onto an isocentric plane. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110204891 | Direct magnetic imaging apparatus and method - Methods and apparatuses of the present invention perform imaging using a metamaterial lens structure. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises: a field source capable of generating an electromagnetic field directed to an area in an object or target; a field detector arranged downstream from the field source, the field detector being capable of detecting a field signature associated with the area in the object or target; and a metamaterial lens structure arranged downstream from the field source, the metamaterial lens structure concentrating the electromagnetic field produced by the field source to the area in the object or target, or concentrating the field signature from the area in the object or target to the field detector. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110204892 | SPIN ECHO SPI METHODS FOR QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF FLUIDS IN POROUS MEDIA - A method of measuring a parameter in a sample by imaging at least a portion of the sample using a spin-echo single-point imaging (SE-SPI) pulse sequence. This method involves applying a pure phase encoding to the SE-SPI pulse sequence, acquiring a multiplicity of echoes, and determining the spatially resolved T2 distribution. In another embodiment, individual echoes are separately phase encoded in a multi-echo acquisition and the SE-SPI pulse sequence is a hybrid SE-SPI sequence. In another embodiment, an external force can be used to build up a distribution of saturations in the sample, and a T2 distribution can be measured for the sample, which is then used to determine a parameter of the sample. A spatially resolved T2 distribution can also be measured and a resulting spatially resolved T2 distribution used to determine the T2 distribution as a function of capillary pressure. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110210732 | Balanced steady-state free-precession transient imaging using variable flip angles for a predefined signal profile - A magnetic resonance imaging system or method is provided including a balanced steady-state free-precession transient imaging (transient bSSFP) device capable of increasing the overall signal during transient bSSFP acquisition by fully or better utilization of the magnetization through variable RF flip angles. The transient bSSFP device is capable of generating a series of echoes with a desired transverse magnetization profile M | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110210733 | B1-ROBUST AND T1-ROBUST SPECIES SUPPRESSION IN MRI - An MRI multi-echo data acquisition sequence (REFUSAL=REFocusing Used to Selectively Attenuate Lipids) includes a spectrally-selective re-focusing RF pulse. The REFUSAL pulse can be non-spatially selective or spatially-selective. The REFUSAL pulse selectively refocuses water spins and avoids refocusing lipid spins. The REFUSAL pulse ideally maximizes refocusing for water and minimizes any lipid refocusing, with built-in robustness to B | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110210734 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MR IMAGE SCAN AND ANALYSIS - A system and method for MR image scan and analysis include an MRI apparatus that includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a computer programmed to automatically prescribe a first scanning protocol based on the selected examination, acquire a first set of MR data of an imaging object via application of the first scanning protocol, and reconstruct a first image from the first set of MR data. The computer is also programmed to automatically prescribe a second scanning protocol based on the first image, acquire a second set of MR data of the imaging object via application of the second scanning protocol, reconstruct a second image from the second set of MR data, and quantify a first parameter of the imaging object based on the second image. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110210735 | MRI APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH MOVING FIELD COMPONENT - Apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, the imaging system generating a magnetic imaging field in an imaging region ( | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110210736 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for imaging a plurality of different slice planes having pre-pulse applying means configured to apply a pre-pulse for affecting in-plane magnetization of all slices of a measurement target, measuring means configured to make a measurement for applying one phase encode amount for one slice plane to obtain an echo signal and dispose the echo signal in a k space, and control means configured to control operations of the pre-pulse applying means and the measuring means. The control means has first control means configured to control to repeat an operation of executing the measurement once according to a predetermined order for all slice planes of the measurement target after a first pre-pulse is applied while a phase encode amount is varied in a predetermined order until all k spaces of all slices are filled, and second control means configured to control the pre-pulse applying means so that the pre-pulse is applied every time the measurement is executed at a frequency which is different from the number of the slices of the measurement target and a multiple number of the number of the slices, and the first control means sets an initial phase encode amount of each slice so as to measure a low spatial frequency area of the k space at a timing having a large effect of the pre-pulse. | 09-01-2011 |
| 20110215805 | MRI and method using multi-slice imaging - An MRI for a patient includes an imaging coil for sparsely sampling multiple slices of k-space data across a spatial dimension and a temporal dimension to produce associated signals. The MRI includes a receiving coil which receives the associated signals of the multiple slices. The MRI includes a memory in which the associated signals of the multiple slices are stored. The MRI includes a processing unit which processes the associated signals of the multiple slices altogether at essentially a same time to produce an image of the patient. A method of using an MRI for a patient. A method of using an MRI for a patient's heart. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110215806 | LIQUID COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF FOR GENERATING DIFFUSION ORDERED NMR SPECTRA OF MIXTURES - Provided are homogeneous liquid systems substantially | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110221440 | POSITIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING CONTRAST METHODS AND APPARATUS USING CHEMICAL EXCHANGE SATURATION TRANSFER - In one aspect, an apparatus for performing chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging on a region of an object being imaged is provided. The method comprises at least one coil capable of being operated to emit radio frequency (RF) signals, at least one detector capable of detecting nuclear magnetic resonance signals, and at least one controller to operate the at least one coil to provide at least one inversion sequence to the region to flip at least some spins in the region by a desired flip-angle, operate the at least one coil to provide at least one first pulse sequence at a first frequency offset from a peak resonant frequency of water by a first amount in a first direction to magnetize at least one exchange group in the region, operate the at least one coil to provide at least one second pulse sequence at a second frequency offset from the peak resonant frequency of water by the first amount in a second direction opposite the first direction, operate the at least one detector to measure a first signal emitted from the region as a result of providing the at least one first pulse sequence after a predetermined time interval after applying the first inversion sequence, and operate the at least one detector to measure a second signal emitted from the region as a result of providing the at least one second sequence at the predetermined time interval after applying the at least one inversion sequence, wherein the predetermined time interval is selected such that positive contrast is achieved with respect to the first signal relative to the second signal. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110227572 | System for Fat Suppression in MR Image Acquisition - A system for fat signal suppression in MR imaging comprises an RF signal generator for generating RF pulses in an MR pulse sequence using one or more RF pulses for echo signal formation including, an RF excitation pulse and an RF refocusing pulse subsequent to said RF excitation pulse. A magnetic field slice select gradient generator generates first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients for corresponding use with the RF excitation pulse and the RF refocusing pulse, respectively, the first and second different slice select magnetic field gradients having substantially different amplitudes. An MR imaging control unit directs acquisition of MR imaging data having fat signal substantially suppressed using the generated RF pulses and different slice select magnetic field gradients. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110234222 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECONSTRUCTING A SEQUENCE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A method for reconstructing a sequence of magnetic resonance (MR) images of an object under investigation, includes the steps of (a) providing a series of sets of image raw data including an image content of the MR images to be reconstructed, the image raw data being collected with the use of at least one radiofrequency receiver coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, wherein each set of image raw data includes a plurality of data samples being generated with a gradient-echo sequence, in particular a FLASH sequence, that spatially encodes an MRI signal received with the at least one radiofrequency receiver coil using a non-Cartesian k-space trajectory, each set of image raw data includes a set of homogeneously distributed lines in k-space with equivalent spatial frequency content, the lines of each set of image raw data cross the center of k-space and cover a continuous range of spatial frequencies, and the positions of the lines of each set of image raw data differ in successive sets of image raw data, and (b) subjecting the sets of image raw data to a regularized nonlinear inverse reconstruction process to provide the sequence of MR images, wherein each of the MR images is created by a simultaneous estimation of a sensitivity of the at least one receiver coil and the image content and in dependency on a difference between a current estimation of the sensitivity of the at least one receiver coil and the image content and a preceding estimation of the sensitivity of the at least one receiver coil and the image content. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234223 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF MR IMAGES SENSITIZED TO MOLECULAR DIFFUSION - In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of an object, and in particular MR imaging that yields images sensitive to molecular diffusion, undesired image artifacts induced by the rhythmic motion of the apparatus are reduced by manipulating the amplitude, phase, and timing of the diffusion encoding gradient pulses in a manner that interrupts, diminishes, or cancels the rhythmic motion. The residual vibration is evaluated manually or automatically to make such manipulations. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234224 | Modification of Frequency Response Profiles of Steady State Free Precession for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Apparatus and methods for modification of the frequency response profile of steady-state free precession (SSFP) type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Using alternating dephasing moments within succeeding radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulses, the frequency response function of SSFP sequences can be modified to different shapes such as near triangular or bell shaped. The particular response function as produced by alternating dephasing moments can be used, among others, for functional brain MRI, MR spectroscopy or spatial encoding. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234225 | Magnetic Resonance Method for Quantification of Transverse Relaxation Times - Apparatus and methods for quantification of transverse relaxation times (T | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234226 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided. A first imaging unit captures a plurality of first image data including first and second reference frames. The frames include a reference position and a target region in an object. A movement amount calculation unit calculates a movement amount of a local position between the first and second reference frames. A correction parameter setting unit sets a first correction parameter for correcting body motion of the object, based on the movement amount. An error map generating unit generates a predictive error map including a pixel value corresponding to a predictive correction error. The predictive correction error is obtained from a predictive position based on the movement amount and a predictive correction position based on the first correction parameter. A display unit displays the predictive error map and the first image data. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110234227 | Designing a time dependency for a k-space trajectory, in particular a spiral - A method for designing the time dependence function k | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110241669 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PARALLEL IMAGING FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING NEAR METALLIC IMPLANTS - A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed, the MRI apparatus comprising a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of 3D MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set, wherein at least a portion of each 3D MR data set is accelerated k-space data, and wherein at least one of the plurality of 3D MR data sets comprises fully-sampled calibration k-space data lines. The computer is also programmed to determine reconstruction weights from the fully-sampled calibration k-space data lines, reconstruct an image for each 3D MR data set using the reconstruction weights from the fully-sampled calibration k-space data lines to synthesize unacquired data, and generate a composite image from the reconstructed images based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241670 | ACCELERATED DYNAMIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - In one embodiment, a method for processing magnetic resonance imaging data is provided. The method includes accessing the magnetic resonance imaging data, the data including a plurality of image data sets defining reconstructable images representative of a subject at different points in time. Each data set includes sampled data for sampled phase encoding points but is missing data for unsampled phase encoding points. An adaptive time window is determined for each image data set, and the missing data of at least one of the image data sets is determined based upon the sampled data for the respective data set and sampled data from at least one other data set within the time window for the respective data set. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241671 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPLIT-ECHO SPLIT-BLADE DATA COLLECTION FOR PROPELLER MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A computer readable storage medium has stored thereon a computer program having instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to apply a first plurality of RF pulses during a first TR interval of an MR pulse sequence to generate a first echo train. A plurality of echoes of the first echo train are split into a plurality of echo pairs. Within a first echo space, first and second gradient pulses are applied during respective first and second generated echoes, and respective first and second sets of k-space data are acquired that correspond to respective first and second blades of k-space data in the same k-space. The first and second blades have orientations at different angles from one another. The instructions further cause the computer to reconstruct an image based on the acquired first and second sets of k-space data. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241672 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PARALLEL TRANSMISSION OF RF PULSES IN A SPIN ECHO SEQUENCE - A method, system, and apparatus including a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus that includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils, a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver system, an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly, and a computer. The computer is programmed to implement a spin echo sequence to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) data, where the spin echo sequence includes an excitation RF pulse and at least one refocusing pulse per repetition time (TR) of the excitation pulse. The computer is also programmed to transmit at least two component RF pulses in parallel channels during implementation of the spin echo sequence to produce a first refocusing RF pulse and programmed to reconstruct an image from spin echo sequence image data. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241673 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH PARALLEL AND LOCALIZED SPATIAL ENCODING MAGNETIC FIELDS - A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. In particular, spatial encoding of signals received from the subject is performed by spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) produced by driving a parallel array of local gradient coils with current weightings that define a mode of the coil array. A set of globally orthogonal modes are determined using a singular value decomposition and two modes that produce SEMs with desired magnetic field variance characteristics are selected for spatial encoding. The spatially encoding signals are received by a parallel array of radio frequency receiver coil elements in order to resolve ambiguities in spatial encoding caused by the SEMs. Images are subsequently reconstructed using, for example, an iterative time domain reconstruction method. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241674 | Sample Tube and Measurement Method for Solid-State NMR - A solid-state NMR sample tube and method of using same which can be spun stably and at high speed while suppressing its bending resonance. A solid sample to be investigated by solid-state NMR spectroscopy can be sealed in the sample tube. The sample tube includes a hollow cylinder having opposite ends. At least one of the ends is open. The sample tube has a length L, an outside diameter D, and an inside diameter d which satisfy a given relationship disclosed herein. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241675 | O-SPACE IMAGING - In MRI by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of RF signals induced by these spins in the presence of spatially-varying encoding magnetic fields, signal localization is performed through recombination of measurements obtained in parallel by each coil in an encircling array of RF receiver coils. Through the use of magnetic gradient fields that vary both as first-order and second-order Z2 spherical harmonics with position, radially-symmetric magnetic encoding fields are created that are complementary to the spatial variation of the encircling receiver coils. The resultant hybrid encoding functions comprised of spatially-varying coil profiles and gradient fields permits unambiguous localization of signal contributed by spins. Using hybrid encoding functions in which the gradient shapes are thusly tailored to the encircling array of coil profiles, images are acquired in less time than is achievable from a conventional acquisition employing only first-order gradient fields with an encircling coil array. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241676 | ACCELERATED PSEUDO-RANDOM DATA MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present disclosure is intended to describe embodiments for improving image data acquisition and processing in accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging sequences. One embodiment is described where a method includes an acquisition sequence configured to acquire an undersampled set of magnetic resonance data. The undersampled set of magnetic resonance data has a pseudo-random sampling pattern within a data space acquired at a first time, the pseudo-random sampling pattern being influenced by other pseudo-random sampling patterns within the data space arising from the acquisition of additional undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data at respective times. In some embodiments, the pseudo-random sampling patterns of the undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data interleave to yield a desired sampling pattern. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241677 | ACCELERATED PSEUDO-RANDOM DATA MAGENTIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present disclosure is intended to describe embodiments for improving image data acquisition and processing in accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging sequences. One embodiment is described where a method includes an acquisition sequence configured to acquire an undersampled set of magnetic resonance data. The undersampled set of magnetic resonance data has a pseudo-random sampling pattern within a data space acquired at a first time, the pseudo-random sampling pattern being influenced by other pseudo-random sampling patterns within the data space arising from the acquisition of additional undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data at respective times. In some embodiments, the pseudo-random sampling patterns of the undersampled sets of magnetic resonance data interleave to yield a desired sampling pattern. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241678 | Method for homogenizing resolution in magnet resonance tomography measurements using non-linear encoding fields - A method for magnetic resonance (=MR) imaging, wherein non-linear gradient fields are applied for the purpose of spatial encoding to acquire images of an object to be imaged and wherein the magnet resonance signal radiated from the object to be imaged is sampled on grids in time, to thereby obtain sampling points, is characterized in that the object to be imaged is mapped completely in regions of stronger gradient fields by increasing the density of the sampling points in the center of k-space, and additional sampling points are specifically acquired in the outer regions of k-space according to a k-space sampling pattern depending on the desired distribution of the resolution in the measurement, wherein the MR measurement is calculated with the additional sampling points. An MR imaging method is thereby provided by means of which homogenized resolution is achieved in the MR measurements using non-linear gradient fields for spatial encoding. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241679 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE DISTORTIONS IN DIFFUSION IMAGES - In a method and apparatus to reduce distortions in diffusion imaging, at least one first measurement is implemented with a first diffusion weighting for a number of slices that are spatially separated from one another and at least one second measurement is implemented with a second diffusion weighting for the number of slices that are spatially separated from one another. A deskewing function is determined as are correction parameters to deskew diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images on the basis of the measurements, so that image information and/or correction parameters of different slices are linked with one another. The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images are distortion-corrected on the basis of the deskewing function and the correction parameters. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241680 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM CONTROL SEQUENCE - A method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence is provided. A multichannel pulse train with a plurality of individual RF pulse trains is sent out by a magnetic resonance system over different independent radio-frequency channels in parallel. Based on a prespecified k-space gradient trajectory and a prespecified target magnetization, a multichannel pulse train is calculated in an RF pulse optimization method, where in an RF exposure optimization method, the k-space gradient trajectory is optimized using a function parameterizable at least with respect to an RF exposure value of an object under examination. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110248714 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE GUIDED HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND FOCUSING UNDER SIMULTANEOUS TEMPERATURE MONITORING - In a method and an apparatus for magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), precise localization of the focal point of the HIFU is determined by imaging an examination subject in parallel with GRE sequences that respectively include a positive monopolar gradient pulse and a negative monopolar gradient pulse, that respectively encode the acoustic radiation force (ARF)-induced phase shift that is induced by the simultaneous activation of HIFU during the sequences. A GRE phase image is reconstructed from each acquisition sequence, and a difference image is formed between the two GRE phase images, from which the HIFU focal point is determined. An average image is formed of the two GRE phase images from which PRFS temperature map is determined simultaneously to ARFI map. The use of parallel imaging and the use of partial Fourier reconstruction for reconstructing the GRE phase images allows the data to be acquired sufficiently rapidly so as to minimize the adverse effect of tissue heating that occurs with conventional longer-duration, and repetitious, techniques. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110254547 | METHOD FOR SEPARATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SIGNALS USING SPECTRAL DISTINCTION OF SPECIES - A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in which a signal contribution of a chemical species is depicted and a signal contribution of another chemical species is substantially separated is provided. For example, the provided method is applicable for water-fat separation. Spectral differences between at least two different chemical species are exploited to produce a weighting map that depicts the likelihood that one chemical species being depicted as another. A weighting map that characterizes the smoothness of a field map variation is also produced. These weighting maps are utilized to produce a correct field map estimate, such that a robust separation of the signal contributions of the at least two chemical species can be performed. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254548 | METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-SLICE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for multi-slice magnetic resonance imaging, in which image data is acquired simultaneously from multiple slice locations using a radio frequency coil array, is provided. By way of example, a modified EPI pulse sequence is provided, and includes a series of magnetic gradient field “blips” that are applied along a slice-encoding direction contemporaneously with phase-encoding blips common to EPI sequences. The slice-encoding blips are designed such that phase accruals along the phase-encoding direction are substantially mitigated, while providing that signal information for each sequentially adjacent slice location is cumulatively shifted by a percentage of the imaging FOV. This percentage FOV shift in the image domain provides for more reliable separation of the aliased signal information using parallel image reconstruction methods such as SENSE. In addition, the mitigation of phase accruals in the phase-encoding direction provides for the substantial suppression of pixel tilt and blurring in the reconstructed images. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254549 | Method for k-Space Reconstruction in Magnetic Resonance Inverse Imaging - A method for parallel magnetic resonance imaging (“pMRI”) that does not require the explicit estimation of a coil sensitivity map is provided. Individual coil images are reconstructed from undersampled scan data that is acquired with a radio frequency (RF) coil array having multiple coil channels. An inverse operator is formed from autocalibration scan (ACS) data, and is applied to the acquired scan data in order to produce reconstruction coefficients. Missing k-space lines in the undersampled scan data are synthesized by interpolating k-space lines in the acquired scan data using the reconstruction coefficients. From the acquired scan data and the synthesized missing k-space lines, individual coil images are reconstructed and combined to form an image of the subject. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110254550 | SIMULTANEOUS DIFFUSION IMAGING OF MULTIPLE CROSS SECTIONS - A diffusion imaging method is provided. The diffusion imaging method includes performing a plurality of data collection sequences. Each data collection sequence includes applying an excitation radio frequency signal and a selection gradient. The excitation radio frequency signal includes a first set of frequency bands selected to simultaneously excite a first nuclei type in a plurality of cross sections of a subject. Each data collection sequence further includes applying a diffusion gradient during formation of a magnetic resonance signal, applying a spatial encoding gradient during formation of the magnetic resonance signal, and while acquiring the magnetic resonance signal, applying a separation gradient to change a frequency separation between portions of the magnetic resonance signal. The diffusion imaging method further includes computationally determining a diffusion image of each of the plurality of cross sections. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110260725 | Time Resolved Spin Labeled MRI Cineangiography - A sequence of magnetic resonance images of the beating heart depicts the flow of blood through the heart chambers. Blood appears bright and background tissues are darkened by acquiring MR data following a preparatory pulse sequence in which spin magnetization throughout the field of view is inverted using a non-selective RF inversion pulse and spin magnetization in a selected pool of blood moving into the heart is re-inverted by a selective RF inversion pulse. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110260726 | PHASE LABELING USING SENSITIVITY ENCODING: DATA ACQUISITION AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION FOR GEOMETRIC DISTORTION CORRECTION IN EPI - A phase labeling using sensitivity encoding system and method for correcting geometric distortion caused by magnetic field inhomogeneity in echo planar imaging (EPI) uses local phase shifts derived directly from the EPI measurement itself, without the need for extra field map scans or coil sensitivity maps. The system and method employs parallel imaging and k-space trajectory modification to produce multiple images from a single acquisition. The EPI measurement is also used to derive sensitivity maps for parallel imaging reconstruction. The derived phase shifts are retrospectively applied to the EPI measurement for correction of geometric distortion in the measurement itself. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110267053 | METHOD FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL TURBO SPIN ECHO IMAGING - A three-dimensional turbo spin echo imaging method of applying, within a repetition time TR, N groups of pulses to respectively scan N slabs in succession, with each group including one excitation pulse and more than one refocusing pulse, wherein N is a positive integer greater than 1, is improved by applying a first slice selection gradient at the same time as applying each said excitation pulse, and applying a second slice selection gradient at the same time as applying each said refocusing pulse, and applying a phase encoding gradient after having applied each refocusing pulse, then applying a frequency encoding gradient and acquiring scan signals during the duration of the frequency encoding gradient. An image according to the scan signals is reconstructed. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267054 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WATER-FAT SEPARATION METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) water-fat separation method includes acquiring in-phase image raw measurement data and out-of-phase image raw measurement data with an MRI device, reconstructing an in-phase image and an out-of-phase image according to a system matrix and the raw measurement data using the penalty function regularized iterative reconstruction method, and calculating water and fat images according to the in-phase image and the out-of-phase image. The use of the penalty function regularized iterative method eliminates the need for k-space raw measurement data with a 100% sampling rate, thereby reducing the MRI scan time, shortening the entire imaging time, and improving the efficiency of the MRI device. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110267055 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, a Radio Frequency (RF) pulse applying unit applies to a subject a flip pulse for exciting spin of nuclei inside a subject body, and a flop pulse for refocusing the phase of the spin. A gradient magnetic-field applying unit applies a spoiler gradient magnetic field onto the subject after the flop pulse is applied, and applies a rewind gradient magnetic field before applying the flop pulse. A control unit executes a pulse sequence of controlling the gradient magnetic-field applying unit so as to keep each of the strengths of the spoiler gradient magnetic field and the rewind gradient magnetic field at respective predetermined values or higher with respect to each of a plurality of slice encodings. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110279118 | CONTROLLING MULTI-CHANNEL TRANSMITTER EFFECTS ON SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling the specific absorption rate (SAR) in a patient associated with a conductor are described. The conductor may be, for example, a wire associated with a pacemaker, a wire associated with a neurostimulator, an orthopaedic device, and so on. One example method includes calibrating a multi-channel transmitter associated with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus imaging the patient. The example method also includes controlling the MRI apparatus to transmit radio frequency (RF) energy to image the patient in a manner where the RF energy will only influence the SAR near the conductor in the patient less than a desired threshold amount. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110291653 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an executing unit, a calculating unit, and a correcting unit. The executing unit executes a first pre-scan in which a readout gradient magnetic field and a phase encoding gradient magnetic field are not applied and sampling gradient magnetic fields is applied in a phase encoding direction and a second pre-scan in which the readout gradient magnetic field is not applied, the sampling gradient magnetic field is applied at the same echo signal as that in the first pre-scan, and a representative phase encoding gradient magnetic field in a main scan. The calculating unit calculates the amount of correction from phase differences between the echo signals collected by the first pre-scan and between the echo signals collected by the second pre-scan. The correcting unit corrects the pulse sequence for the main scan on the basis of the calculated amount of correction. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110298458 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a sequence control unit that controls a gradient magnetic field power supply, thereby performing a pulse sequence including the application of a continuous readout gradient magnetic field pulse. The sequence control unit controls the gradient magnetic field power supply such that the slew rate of the gradient magnetic field pulse is reduced in stages as the output voltage of a gradient magnetic field amplifier is reduced in stages. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110304329 | LABELED PEPTIDES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF FOR IMPROVED OXIDATION AND MAPPING OF DISULFIDE BRIDGES - Described herein are labeled proteins and methods of use thereof for identifying the position of multiple disulfide bridges present in the peptide. The methods combine the use of diselenide bridges and NMR-based mapping of the disulfide bridges. Also described herein are labeled proteins described above that contain fluorous bridges and spacers that facilitate oxidative folding of the protein. The resulting biorthogonal oxidation strategy for studying disulfide-rich peptides both improves oxidative folding and provides simultaneous determination of the disulfide crosslink connectivity in the peptide. The methods permit routine and facile production of disulfide-rich peptides. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304330 | PHASE DIFFERENCE ENHANCED IMAGING METHOD (PADRE), FUNCTIONAL IMAGE CREATING METHOD, PHASE DIFFERENCE ENHANCED IMAGING PROGRAM, PHASE DIFFERENCE ENHANCED IMAGING APPARATUS, FUNCTIONAL IMAGE CREATING APPARATUS, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) APPARATUS - A functional image creating method and a functional image creating apparatus, each enabling rendering of an activated region, are provided. A phase difference image PDr(x) is created using a complex image σr(x) created from an MR signal in an inactive state and a complex image σ′r(x) obtained by filtering the complex image σr(x). A phase difference image PDa(x) is created using a complex image σa(x) created from an MR signal in an active state and a complex image σ′a(x) obtained by filtering the complex image σa(x). Function signal images diff | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304331 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an image generating unit, a judging unit and a correction unit. The image generating unit receives, from an object, a magnetic resonance signal caused by transmission of an RF pulse to cause a nuclear magnetic resonance, and generates image data of the object based on the magnetic resonance signal. The judging unit identifies an implant region where an implant part exists inside the object, based on the image data. The correction unit acquires magnetic resonance frequency information from a body region which is a region inside the object excluding the implant region, and corrects a center frequency of the RF pulse based on the magnetic resonance frequency information. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110304332 | INTELLIGENT CARTILAGE SYSTEM - The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described and illustrated below to encompass methods and devices for designing patient specific prosthetic cutting jigs and, more specifically, to devices and methods for segmenting bone of the knee and the resulting cutting guides themselves. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for manufacturing customized surgical devices, more specifically, the present disclosure relates to automated systems and methods of arthroplasty cutting guides, systems and methods for image segmentation in generating computer models of knee joint. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110309831 | SIDE CHAIN DEUTERATED AMINO ACIDS AND METHODS OF USE - Protein structural determination using NMR techniques is improved through use of proteins in which one or more amino acids in the peptidic sequence are isotopically enriched in the sidechain with | 12-22-2011 |
| 20110316536 | RAPID SAMPLE EXCHANGE FOR MINIATURIZED NMR SPECTROMETER - A method is provided for acquiring multiple NMR response signal data in rapid succession for averaging NMR spectral data from a sample. The fluid sample is placed in a capillary that extends through the magnetic field of the NMR spectrometer, including through the center of the magnetic field to place a segment of the sample in the magnetic center. After the sample fluid, initially magnetized by the magnetic field, is activated to emit an NMR pulse signal, the fluid in the capillary is advanced rapidly to put another pre-magnetized segment of the sample fluid in the fluid center, acquiring an NRM pulse signal, and continuing the cycle until a desired number of NMR response data signals from the sample have been acquired. Those response data from multiple acquisitions are then averaged. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120001631 | ULTRA-LOW FIELD NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD TO DISCRIMINATE AND IDENTIFY MATERIALS - An ultra-low field (ULF) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can be used for rapid identification and discrimination of materials, e.g., liquid in opaque containers and/or materials in or on human bodies. The system utilizes the ability of ULF NMR/MRI to measure NMR parameters in magnetic fields that can be easily changed in field strength and orientation. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001632 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE CONTRAST - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires MR signals for imaging by an imaging scan with a frequency-selective or slice-selective radio frequency intermediate pulse for controlling a contrast and a spoiler gradient magnetic field for suppressing unnecessary signal component after applying at least one of radio frequency excitation pulses. The image data generating unit generates image data based on the magnetic resonance signals. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120001633 | MR IMAGING USING PARALLEL SIGNAL ACQUISITION - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120007599 | UPPER STACK FOR A NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETER APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF OPERATING A NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETER APPARATUS - An upper stack for a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer apparatus includes a cryostat having one or more chambers for holding samples in a frozen state. A sample loading tube that also allows He delivery extends to the cryostat, and a sample changer mechanism is disposable at least in part proximate to the cryostat for moving specimens from the cryostat to an NMR probe where they can be heated and melted using inductive heating. A sample ejection tube extends from the sample changer mechanism allowing a clear path for heating a sample in an NMR probe using a laser beam. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120013336 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH IMPROVED IMAGING CONTRAST - A method of magnetic resonance imaging of an object comprises the steps of arranging the object in a stationary magnetic field, subjecting the object to an excitation and encoding sequence of magnetic field gradients resulting in k-space sampling in two segments along the phase encoding direction, wherein the encoding sequence of the magnetic field gradients is selected such that the two segments in k-space are sampled along trajectories beginning with a central k-space line through the k-space center and continuing to opposite k-space borders of the two segments, collecting magnetic resonance signals created in the object, and reconstructing an image of the object based on the magnetic resonance signals, wherein one central k-space line is sampled in both of the two k-space segments, and intersegment phase and/or intensity deviations are corrected in both k-space segments using the magnetic resonance signals collected along the central k-space line. Furthermore, an imaging device for magnetic resonance imaging of an object is described. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120013337 | SAR HOTSPOT REDUCTION BY TEMPORAL AVERAGING IN PARALLEL TRANSMISSION MRI - A magnetic resonance sequence includes a repetitively applied radiofrequency B | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120019243 | REDUCTION OF SLICE SELECT ARTIFACTS IN HALF PULSE EXCITATIONS USED IN ULTRASHORT TE (UTE) IMAGING - The present embodiments are directed towards artifact reduction in slice select pulse sequences utilized in ultra short echo time imaging sequences. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a desired slice select thickness, determining a radiofrequency pulse shape and duration based upon the desired slice select thickness while maintaining a desired relationship between excitation k space and radiofrequency amplitude, and determining radiofrequency scaling based on the determined radiofrequency pulse shape and duration. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019244 | COMPOSITE SPIN LOCKING PULSE SEQUENCE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - Present embodiments are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging method. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) performing a first magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a first preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by similarly oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire first magnetic resonance data. The method further includes (b) performing a second magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a second preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by oppositely oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire second magnetic resonance data. The method also includes (c) storing the first and second magnetic resonance data. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019245 | CEST MRI METHODS FOR IMAGING OF METABOLITES AND THE USE OF SAME AS BIOMARKERS - The CEST effect for various neurotransmitters and energy metabolites in the brain and muscles and various endogenous metabolites in the liver, brain, and myocardium are imaged using MR imaging to illustrate a unique CEST effect that may be used to monitor the concentration of the metabolite and hence to characterize and monitor various disease states in the body correlated to the concentration of that metabolite. By adjusting the timing, amplitude, and length of the RF pulse as well as other parameters of the CEST pulse sequence to address the unique chemical shifts and exchange rates of the target, new targets with unique characteristics may be acquired using CEST MR imaging. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019246 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING BASED ON PARTIALLY PARALLEL ACQUISITION (PPA) - In a method and system for magnetic resonance imaging of an examination subject on the basis of partially parallel acquisition (PPA) with multiple component coils, a calibration measurement is implemented in a first time period and an actual measurement for the imaging is implemented in a subsequent second time period. In the calibration measurement, calibration data for predetermined calibration points in spatial frequency space are acquired with the multiple component coils. In the actual measurement, incomplete data sets are respectively acquired in spatial frequency space with each of the multiple component coils. Complete data sets are reconstructed from the incomplete data sets and the calibration data. The first time period and the second time period are different, and the measurements are implemented when triggered in the two time periods. An essentially identical state of the examination subject or of the measurement system is used as a trigger. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120019247 | SAR REDUCTION IN PARALLEL TRANSMISSION BY K-SPACE DEPENDENT RF PULSE SELECTION - When generating an MR image using a multi-channel transmit coil arrangement, SAR is reduced by employing a number of different RF pulses in a single scan. Each RF pulse exhibits a different performance and/or accuracy, resulting in different RF pulse-specific SAR values. As a result, the RF pulses differ slightly in actual excitation pattern, B1 waveform and/or k-space trajectory, etc. The average SAR over a single scan is thus reduced compared to a fixed RF pulse, without compromising image quality. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120025822 | Method of MR (=magnetic resonance) with spatial encoding to generate an image of spectroscopic data - A method of MR with spatial encoding to generate an image or spectroscopic data of an object of investigation inside an MR apparatus comprises the steps of (a) selecting a volume of interest within the object of investigation, (b) applying an RF pulse to generate a transverse magnetization within the object of investigation, (c) preparing a nonlinear phase distribution within the object of investigation by application of spatially encoding magnetic fields (SEMs), the SEMs comprising of a nonlinear gradient field or a combination of linear and nonlinear gradient fields, (d) effecting primary spatial encoding through application of SEMs, and (e) recording MR signals originating from the object of investigation. Step (c) or (d) thereby comprises applying a sequence of at least two SEMs, at least one of which contains a nonlinear field gradient and at least two of the SEMs having different field geometries. The sequence of SEMs is applied at a point in time from and including the excitation of the object of interest in step (b) up to and including the recording of the MR signals in step (e), to thereby introduce a temporal shift of the signals arising from spatially different locations within the selected volume of interest, that is to thereby introduce a shift of local spatial frequency components. A sampling window for recording of the respective MR signals is set and signals originating from the volume of interest are recorded in step (e) and undesired signals originating from outside the volume of interest are suppressed. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025823 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a methods and devices for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, an MR data acquisition is implemented repeatedly in which an examination subject is exposed to an alternating magnetic field with a frequency before the readout sequence. The signal values acquired after the preparation of the magnetization with alternating fields of respectively different frequencies are evaluated. Magnetic field data that contain information about the curve of the basic field are used to implement the MR data acquisitions, such as to establish the frequencies, and/or in the evaluation of the signal values. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025824 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In a method to create magnetic resonance (MR) images of a predetermined volume segment within an examination subject by operation of an MR system with continuous table displacement, at least one slice with a respective, predetermined thickness is defined, and for each slice, a partial region of the slice is selected, the respective partial region being bounded in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the corresponding slice, and measurement signals are acquired from the slice, the acquired measurement signals originating from only the respective partial region of the slice. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025825 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC PHASE CORRECTION IN A MULTI CHANNEL RF TRANSMISSION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire spin echo-based MR signals of an examination subject with a multi-spin echo sequence with multiple refocusing pulses after a single excitation pulse in an MR system that has a multichannel RF transmission and reception module: detect a spatial, two-dimensional phase distribution in the examination subject is detected by acquiring navigator signals, a phase and amplitude distribution for the individual transmission channels of the RF transmission and reception module is calculated to generate a magnetic field B | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120025826 | Method For Reducing Artifacts In Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Disclosed are methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that reduce the appearance of fast spin echo cups artifacts using a slice-titting gradient. In particular, the excited image slice is titted relative to the image slice selected by the refocusing RF pulse. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120032676 | Spatial intensity correction for RF shading non-uniformities in MRI - An MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume is decomposed to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for the imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of the inhomogeneity maps. At least one of the transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and the receive RF field inhomogeneity map is used to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing the imaged patient volume. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120032677 | SPATIAL INTENSITY CORRECTION FOR RF SHADING NON-UNIFORMITIES IN MRI - An MRI MAP prescan data from a predetermined imaged patient volume is decomposed to produce a transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and a receive RF field inhomogeneity map for the imaged patient volume based on a three-dimensional geometrical model of the inhomogeneity maps. At least one of the transmit RF field inhomogeneity map and the receive RF field inhomogeneity map is used to generate intensity-corrected target MRI diagnostic scan image data representing the imaged patient volume. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120043964 | Method and system for simulating magnetic resonance imaging signals - A method for simulating magnetic resonance signals is proposed. A lattice array where each point in the array has several magnetic resonance sensitive particles is provided. Statistic property of each point is set. A raw magnetic resonance imaging data is calculated based on statistic property of each point and a magnetic resonance imaging sequence to be applied. A system for simulating magnetic resonance signals is further proposed. By considering statistic property of each point, it can distinguish every part of the object to be scanned and really reflect the structure of object without using a real magnetic resonance imaging device. It saves time and costs for avoiding several scanning by the real a magnetic resonance imaging device. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120056620 | MULTIPLICATIVE INCREASE IN MRI DATA ACQUISITION WITH MULTI-BAND RF EXCITATION PULSES IN A SIMULTANEOUS IMAGE REFOCUSING PULSE SEQUENCE - Disclosed are methods and systems for carrying out super-multiplexed magnetic resonance imaging that entwines techniques previously used individually and independently of each other in Simultaneous Echo (of Imaging) Refocusing (SER or SIR) and Multi-Band (MB) excitation, in a single pulse sequence that provides a multiplication rather than summation of desirable effects while suppressing undesirable effects of each of the techniques that previously were used independently. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056621 | Method For Imaging A Portion Of An Examination Object In A Magnetic Resonance Scanner - A method is disclosed for imaging a portion of an examination object in a magnetic resonance scanner. The portion is arranged at the edge of a field of view of the magnetic resonance scanner. During at least one embodiment of the method, a gradient field is produced such that a nonlinearity in the gradient field and a B | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120056622 | METHOD TO CONTROL A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION, AND CORRESPONDING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE - In a method to control a magnetic resonance device for image acquisition in at least one slice, the magnetic resonance device has a radio-frequency antenna with multiple transmission channels. At least one slice deviates from a cuboid shape and/or that is roughly adapted to a target volume of interest that is to be acquired, and/or at least one saturation volume adapted to a shape in a subject to be acquired, are defined automatically and/or manually via a user interface. The selection of possible slices and/or saturation volumes is limited automatically under consideration of the technical embodiment of the radio-frequency antenna. The image acquisition takes place in the selected slice and/or under consideration of the saturation volume. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120062226 | DEVICE FOR PARTICULATE NMR SAMPLES IN A FLUID AND RELATED METHODS - Devices and related methods for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of particulate materials are provided including a detector chamber configured for insertion into an NMR spectrometer and configured to receive particulate materials in a fluid. A circulation chamber is attached to and in fluid communication with a first end of the detector chamber. A transition region is between the detector chamber and the circulation chamber, and a fluid supply interface is at a second end of the detector chamber that is configured to attach to a fluid source. The detector chamber, the circulation chamber and the transition region are sized and configured such that, when fluid flows from the fluid supply interface into the second end of the detector region, a circulating current is formed in the transition region and/or the circulation chamber such that the particulate matter is contained in the circulation chamber by the circulating current. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062227 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING INVERSION RECOVERY WITH ON-RESONANT WATER SUPPRESSION INCLUDING MRI SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE EMBODYING SAME - Featured are methods for magnetic resonance imaging of a volume, such a volume having susceptibility-generating objects or interfaces having susceptibility mismatches therein. Such a method includes selectively visualizing one of susceptibility-generating objects or interfaces having susceptibility mismatches as hyperintense signals, where such visualizing includes controlling variable imaging parameters so as to control a geometric extent of a signal enhancing effect, m more particular aspects of the present invention, such selectively visualizing includes attenuating or essentially suppressing signals from fat and/or water, namely on-resonant water protons, so as to thereby enhance a signal(s) associated with magnetic susceptibility gradient(s). Also featured are MRI systems, apparatuses and/or applications programs for execution on a computer system controlling the MRI data acquisition process embodying such methods. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062228 | PREPARATION OF POLYAMIDE BLOCK COPOLYMERS - This invention relates to the preparation of polyamide block copolymers by sequential monomer addition. More particularly, it relates to catalysts capable of copolymerizing not only cyclic amides, but other monomers such as cyclic esters and epoxides as well, using sequential addition so as to produce useful and novel block copolymers. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120062229 | Method And System For Magnetic Resonance Imaging, And Use Thereof - The present invention refers to a method for magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising emitting a radio frequency and gradient pulse sequence towards an object being subjected to a magnetic field, wherein said object comprises a molecule having an atom with a nuclear spin differing from 0, encoding, detecting and acquiring a magnetic resonance signal from said object corresponding to said emitted radio frequency and gradient pulse sequence, wherein the radio frequency and gradient pulse sequence comprises a first weighting block, a mixing block with duration t | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120068701 | System and Method for Improving the Analysis of Chemical Substances Using NQR - The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068702 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE A SERIES OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXPOSURES - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus, a series of magnetic resonance exposures of an examination subject is generated by implementing multiple first measurements (data acquisitions) with variation of a measurement parameter from acquisition-to-acquisition, which strongly influences a contrast of the first material type excited in the first measurements, implementing multiple second measurements in which a second material type is essentially selectively imaged that is less contrast-dependent with regard to this measurement parameter in a processor calculating spatial correction values for image data of the first measurements based on spatial differences between image data of different second measurements, and, also in the processor, spatially correcting image data of the first measurements (Di) and/or registration of image data of different first measurements to one another on the basis of the correction values. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068703 | METHOD FOR SPATIALLY RESOLVED DETERMINATION OF AN MR PARAMETER - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus for spatially resolved determination of at least one MR parameter that influences an MR signal detected in an MR measurement of a region of an examination subject, first complex image data and second complex image data, respectively acquired with different acquisition coils and at different echo times in an echo imaging sequence, are provided to a processor. The different image data sets have complex image points that correspond with each other with regard to the imaged volume element of the examination subject. The MR parameter is determined in the processor for at least a portion of these image points by determination of an image point vector respectively for the first and second echo times and by combining the image point vectors to at least partially compensate echo time-independent phase or magnitude portions in the acquired image data. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068704 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE MR IMAGE DATA WITH PARALLEL SLICE EXCITATION - In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system and method to generate MR image data of a predetermined volume segment within an examination subject, multiple slices of the volume segment are simultaneously excited by at least one RF excitation pulse, and during the excitation a slice selection gradient is switched. The measurement signals from the multiple slices are acquired with multiple RF reception antennas, at least some of which are spaced along the propagation direction of the slice selection gradient. During the acquisition of the measurement signals the slice selection gradient is switched in order to achieve a spectral separation of the measurement signals of different slices. The MR image data are generated from the measurement signals. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068705 | MEASUREMENT DEVICE AND MEASUREMENT METHOD - A measuring instrument and a measurement method which measures, using magnetic resonance, images such as a functional image, a morphologic image of an object to be measured eliminate the influences of the moving speed of the object to be measured during moving, thereby obtaining a precise measured image. The instrument comprises: the first and second external magnetic field generation devices which generate magnetic fields for exciting the magnetic resonance of a mouse (M) as a living body to be measured; a turntable which rotates and moves the mouse (M) as an object to be measured, thereby moving the mouse (M) in the magnetic fields of the first and second external magnetic field generation devices; an OMRI measurement processing unit and an MRI measurement processing unit which obtain measured image signals within the mouse (M) by phase encoding while applying a gradient magnetic field in the moving direction (y) of the mouse (M) without stopping during the movement by the turntable; and a measured signal correction unit which corrects the measured image signal (S (k., ky)), thereby obtaining a corrected image signal (S′ (k., ky)) wherein influence of movement in y-direction is corrected. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120068706 | Dual-Resonance Structure and Method for Examining Samples Using A Plurality of Conductive Strips - A double-resonance structure | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120074937 | Increasing spoil efficiency - A method for operating a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging device, wherein a continuous sequence of radio-frequency (=RF) pulses are radiated onto a sample, Ψ being the constant phase value for all magnetization vectors, and all magnetization vectors undergo a phase progression F | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074938 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN IMAGE DATA SET - In a magnetic resonance system and method the imaging area is readout by: (a) switching at least two phase coding gradients in respective spatial directions, (b) at the full strength of the phase coding gradients, radiating a non-slice-selective RF excitation pulse, (c) after a time t | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074939 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN OPTIMIZED MR IMAGE OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - A magnetic resonance method and system for generation of an optimized MR image of an examination subject operate as follows. A pulse sequence including a series of at least two RF pulses is radiated into the examination subject to generate at least one optimized signal, wherein the second and possibly every additional RF pulse is radiated before the effect of the first or a preceding RF pulse on the spin system in the examination subject has decayed. The radiated RF pulses are generated by parallel transmission coils. At least the signal resulting after the last radiated RF pulse of the pulse sequence is acquired. The pulse sequence is repeated with modified spatial coding until signals have been generated and acquired in a desired positional space. The optimized MR image per pulse sequence is calculated from at least one of the acquired signals. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120081112 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD, SYSTEM AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - In a magnetic resonance method and system to acquire an MR image using a pulse sequence that sets the magnetization vector in the steady state into a stable oscillation under RF excitation pulses radiated at a time interval of time TR, the phase coding gradients for coding a k-space line in k-space of the pulse sequence (which k-space corresponds to the desired MR image) are switched such that the first moment of the phase coding gradient is minimal at the point in time of the radiation of an RF excitation pulse without the repetition time TR being extended relative to pulse sequences with unminimized phase coding gradients. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081113 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN IMAGE DATA SET - In a magnetic resonance method and system to generate an image data set with a magnetic resonance system at least two phase coding gradients are activated in respective spatial directions. An RF excitation pulse is radiated. At least one raw data point in a k-space data set belonging to the image data set is read out per time period after the radiation of the RF excitation pulse. The time period for each raw data point is determined depending on a maximum strength achievable with the magnetic resonance system of the activated phase coding gradient that corresponds to the spatial direction in which the respective raw data point has the largest gradient moment in terms of absolute value. The maximum strength of this phase coding gradient that can be achieved with the magnetic resonance system is determined depending on the determined largest gradient moment. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081114 | System for Accelerated MR Image Reconstruction - An MR imaging system uses the multiple RF coils for acquiring corresponding multiple image data sets of the slice. An image data processor comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, generating a composite MR image data set representing a single image in a single non-iterative operation by performing a weighted combination of luminance representative data of individual corresponding pixels of the multiple image data sets in providing an individual pixel luminance value of the composite MR image data set. The image data processor reduces noise in the composite MR image data set by generating a reduced set of significant components in a predetermined transform domain representation of data representing the composite image to provide a de-noised composite MR image data set. An image generator comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, generating a composite MR image using the de-noised composite MR image data set. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081115 | USING MEMRISTOR DEVICES AS SWITCHES FOR MRI COILS - A radiofrequency (RF) coil assembly ( | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120086449 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMPLANTABLE DEVICE SAFETY TESTS AND PATIENT SAFETY MONITORING - A magnetic resonance method comprises: performing (C | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120092009 | AUTOCALIBRATING PARALLEL IMAGING RECONSTRUCTION METHOD FROM ARBITRARY K-SPACE SAMPLING WITH REDUCED NOISE - A computer implemented method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. A 3D Fourier Transform acquisition is performed with two phase encode directions, wherein phase code locations are chosen so that a total number of phase encodes is less than a Nyquist rate, and closest distances between phase encode locations takes on a multiplicity of values. Readout signals are received through a multi-channel array of a plurality of receivers. An autocalibrating parallel imaging interpolation is performed and a noise correlation is generated. The noise correlation is used to weight a data consistency term of a compressed sensing iterative reconstruction. An image is created from the autocalibration parallel imaging using the weighted data consistency term. The image is displayed. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092010 | LOCALISATION OF MAGNETIC PARTICLES BY MEANS OF SWIFT-MRI - Positive contrast localization of magnetic (e.g. superparamagnetic) particles in vivo or in vitro by means of SWIFT-MRI using the imaginary component of MR image data in combination with an anatomic reference image derived from the real or magnitude component. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120092011 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE POSITION OF A SLICE RELATIVE TO A REGION MOVING RELATIVE TO THE SLICE - In a magnetic resonance method and system to determine a position of a slice relative to a region moving relative to the slice within a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject located in the magnetic resonance system, a physical property within the slice is detected with spatial resolution at multiple points in time, such that a time curve of the physical property is detected for at least one voxel of the slice. The position of the slice relative to the region is determined with respect to defined points in time, depending on the time curve. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120098536 | RADIO FREQUENCY MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COIL FOR INCREASED QUANTA GATHERING - A radio frequency (RF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coil for increased quanta gathering is described. An apparatus may comprise an RF receiver coil comprising multiple coil windings. Each coil winding may comprise a compressed cylindrical tube having a defined thickness to form a surface to collect a first quanta of emitted energy. Adjacent coil windings may be spaced apart a defined distance to form coil gaps to allow a second quanta of emitted energy to pass through the coil gaps. Other embodiments are described and claimed. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098537 | High Resolution Nuclear Magnet Resonance with Unknown Spatiotemporal Variations of the Static Magnetic Field - The invention relates to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). NMR experiments are usually carried out in homogeneous magnetic fields. In many cases however, the inherent heterogeneity of the samples or living organisms under investigation, and the poor homogeneity of the magnets (particularly when bulky samples must be placed outside their bores), make it virtually impossible to obtain high-resolution spectra. Unstable power supplies and vibrations arising from cooling can lead to field fluctuations in time as well as space. Here it is shown how high-resolution NMR spectra can be obtained in inhomogeneous fields with unknown spatiotemporal variations. The method of the invention, based on coherence transfer between spins, can accommodate spatial inhomogeneities of at least 11 G/cm and temporal fluctuations slower than 2 Hz. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120105060 | Use Of Strongly Modulating Pulses In MRI For Providing Chemical Shift Selective Flip Angles - A method of performing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a body comprising at least two populations of nuclei characterized by different spin resonance frequencies, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immerging said body (B) in a static magnetic field (B | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120112743 | T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging using fast acquisition with double echo (FADE) - A method of acquiring T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images is provided. The method includes acquiring a first image and a second image in a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, where the first image and the second image have different echo times (TE). The single MRI scan includes a series of repeated RF excitation pulses, where the echo signal for the first image and the echo signal for the second image are acquired between a pair of RF excitation pulses. A spoiler gradient is disposed to provide a first diffusion weighting to the first image and a second diffusion weighting to the second image, where the first image and the second image have different T2 weightings and different diffusion weightings. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112744 | MICROCOIL MAGNETIC RESONANCE DETECTORS - The present invention provides microcoil magnetic resonance based modules, detection devices, and methods for their use. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120112745 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In a non-Cartesian sampling method, a trajectory along which a measurement space is sampled is optimized. That is, data placed on one spiral trajectory heading outward from the center of the measurement space is sampled from a plurality of echo signals. The sampling is performed such that the data is placed continuously, without overlapping, in order from the center to the outside. Alternatively, the data may be overlapped and a mismatch between echo signals may be corrected using the data of the overlapped portion. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120119737 | PHASE-DEPENDENT MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGING WITH MULTIPLE COILS - In a method and magnetic resonance system to determine a magnetic resonance (MR) image of an examination subject, wherein multiple coil-specific MR data sets that are acquired by multiple coils are used for the MR image. Each pixel of the MR image is determined from at least two coil-specific MR data sets of different coils ( | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119738 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SAMPLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN NMR SPECTROMETERS - Described are methods and apparatus, referred to as “temperature-lock,” which can control and stabilize the sample temperature in an NMR spectrometer, in some instances with a precision and an accuracy of below about | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119739 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING AND/OR DETECTING MAGNETIC PARTICLES AND FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Magnetic particle imaging allows the imaging of fast tracer dynamics, but there is no native tissue contrast. A combination with MRI solves this issue. However, coil geometries in MPI and MRI differ significantly, making direct use impractical. According to one aspect of the present invention it is proposed to use pre-polarized MRI to overcome these difficulties. Further, methods and arrangements are proposed to achieve MRI imaging with minimal additional hardware. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120119740 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a spectrum acquisition unit, a resonance frequency acquisition unit and an imaging unit. The spectrum acquisition unit is configured to acquire frequency spectra of magnetic resonance signals from an object with changing a suppression effect or an enhancing effect of signals from a specific material. The resonance frequency acquisition unit is configured to obtain a resonance frequency of the specific material or another material based on an index representing a difference in intensities of signals from the specific material or the another material between the frequency spectra. The imaging unit is configured to perform imaging using a radio frequency pulse of which center frequency is set to the resonance frequency of the specific material or the another material. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120126811 | Methods and apparatuses for 3D magnetic density imaging and magnetic resonance imaging - Methods and apparatuses for 3D tomographic imaging of objects such as soft-tissues in humans are disclosed. They are similar to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods and apparatuses but they are based on the new Field Paradigm founded on the principle that the field intensity distribution in a 3D volume space uniquely determines the 3D density distribution of the field emission source and vice versa. The object to be imaged is first magnetized by a polarizing magnetic field pulse. The magnetization of the object is specified by a 3D spatial Magnetic Density Image (MDI) that needs to be determined. The magnetic field due to the magnetized object is measured in a 3D volume space that extends in all directions and in particular substantially along the radial direction from the center of the object being imaged. Further, magnetic field intensity may be measured along multiple directions at each point. This measured data captures all the available information and facilitates fast and accurate 3D image reconstruction. This is unlike prior art where measurements are made only on a surface at a nearly constant radial distance from the center of the target object. Therefore useful and available data is ignored and not measured in prior art. Consequently, prior art does not provide a fast and accurate solution to 3D imaging. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are combined with frequency and phase encoding techniques of MRI in prior art to achieve different trade-offs. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126812 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - First magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three-dimensional heart image data includes a plurality of two-dimensional heart image data superimposed and having a resolution in at least one direction that is different from that in two other directions. A first axis is detected in the three-dimensional heart image data. A first vector is calculated as passing through the first axis and having at least a predetermined resolution and generated image data on a plane passing through the first axis and the first vector is generated from the first imaging data. A second axis is detected relating to the heart from the generated image data, the second axis being a higher precision axis than the first axis. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120126813 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE MR DATA IN A PREDEFINED THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUME SEGMENT - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire MR data in a predetermined three-dimensional volume segment of an examination subject, the three-dimensional volume segment is selectively excited with an RF excitation pulse, wherein a magnetic field gradient at the same time is switched. Two phase coding gradients and an additional magnetic field gradient are switched for spatial coding and MR data are acquired depending on this. A frequency range of the RF excitation pulse is set depending on resonance frequencies of at least two substances to be acquired within the volume segment, such that a center frequency of the frequency range is caused to be located between the resonance frequencies. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120133360 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND DATA ACQUISITION METHOD OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY - In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance diagnosis apparatus includes an application region calculation unit and a data generation unit. The application region calculation unit automatically calculates an application region of a prepulse based on “image data including a region of interest of an object generated by magnetic resonance imaging before application of a prepulse”. The data generation unit applies the prepulse according to the application region automatically calculated by the application region calculation unit, then receives a magnetic resonance signal from a data acquisition region including the region of interest, and generates magnetic resonance spectrum data indicative of concentration distribution per metabolic substance in the region of interest based on the magnetic resonance signal. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120133361 | SUPPLEMENTATION OF ACQUIRED, UNDERSAMPLED MR DATA - In a computerized method and magnetic resonance (MR) system for the supplementation of acquired MR data, at least one supplemented MR data set is determined from multiple acquired, reduced MR data sets that can be acquired with an accelerated acquisition method (such as partially parallel acquisition method, ppa) in which k-space is undersampled. The acquisition can thereby take place in parallel with multiple acquisition coils. In the method and system, a reconstruction kernel is applied to the multiple acquired, reduced MR data sets in order to determine a reconstructed MR data set for an acquisition coil. The reduced MR data set acquired with the acquisition coil is reused in this reconstructed MR data set. The reuse takes place by a combination with weighting with the respective variances. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120133362 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PHASE CORRECTION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS ORIGINATING IN MIXED TISSUE - In a magnetic resonance (MR) system and method to separate an MR system-dependent phase influence from a subject-dependent phase influence in phase values of an MR phase image data set of an examination subject acquired, to which two different tissue types with different resonance frequencies make a signal contribution, the system-dependent phase influence is determined by selecting a contour around a region shown in the MR phase image data set, calculating the system-dependent phase influence in this region with the assumption that the spatial curve of the background phase corresponds to a harmonic or quasi-harmonic function, and subtracting the system-dependent phase influence from the acquired phase image data set to determine the subject-dependent phase influence. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120133363 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE COMPATIBLE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY-MATCHED APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MR IMAGING & SPECTROSCOPY - Electrodes, infusion cannula, and interventional MRI instrumentation, are constructed with multiple layers or mixtures of metals or alloys that allow the diamagnetic behavior of some metals to combine with the paramagnetic behavior of others, wherein the devices have a magnetic susceptibility which is close to that of the material, for example body tissue, being im The material may thereby be imaged using MRI with resultant images having greatly reduced distortion. Optimal metal composites are determined through mathematical modeling and measurements. In particular, MR compatible susceptibility-matched electrodes may be used for stimulation and for acquiring electroencephalography (EEG) data before, during and after MR image and spectroscopy measurements, with a significant reduction in distortion of the resulting images and spectra. In accordance with the invention, these electrodes may further be incorporated into micro-electrode arrays. In addition, MR compatible susceptibility-matched cannula can implanted before, during and after MR image and spectroscopy measurements, with a significant reduction in distortion of the resulting images and spectra. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120139537 | SIMULTANEOUS ASL/BOLD FUNCTIONAL MRI - This disclosure is generally drawn to methods, systems, appliances and/or apparati related to obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. More specifically, the disclosure relates to obtaining MRI images using arterial spin labeling (ASL) and blood-oxygen-level dependence functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) techniques. In some examples, a method of obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image(s) is provided. An example method may include providing arterial spin labeling (ASL) labeling, obtaining at least one ASL acquisition after ASL labeling, and obtaining at least one blood-oxygen-level dependence functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) acquisition after ASL labeling. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120139538 | MRT RECEIVER COIL WITH LOCAL DATA STORAGE - The present embodiments relate to a method and a local coil arrangement for a magnetic resonance tomography system. The local coil arrangement includes an antenna element for the reception of signals from an object under examination. The local coil arrangement also includes an A/D converter for the conversion of analog signals received with the antenna element into digitized signals, and a memory configured for the storage of the digitized signals. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120139539 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A PULSE SEQUENCE TO ACQUIRE MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA, AND OPERATING METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE GENERATED PULSE SEQUENCE - In a method for generating a pulse sequence for operating a magnetic resonance (MR) system for acquiring data from an examination subject having an interfering object in the patient's body, the bandwidths of at least two of the RF (radio-frequency) pulses in the pulse sequence are matched such that the matched RF pulses respectively excite a congruent slice when they are radiated into an examination subject under the effect of a slice selection gradient of identical amplitude. The matching of the RF pulses in the manner ensures so that the respective slices excited by the at least two RF pulses are subject to the same nonlinearities and inhomogeneities, and therefore the same spatial distortions, and so that signal losses due to inconsistent excitations of the two pulses are avoided. The image data that can be acquired with the pulse sequence are therefore optimized. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120139540 | METHOD OF EVALUATING PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS - A non-destructive method of visualizing penetration of a soil and/or fabric conditioning component in a fabric using imaging techniques. The method may be used to determine qualitatively and/or quantitatively the penetration of soil and/or fabric conditioning component into the fabric. By comparing images before and after fabric treatment processes, the efficacy of a fabric treatment processes can be assessed. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120146638 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING LOCALIZED SIGNAL FLUCTUATION - A system and method is disclosed for eliminating localized fluctuation artifacts caused by fat signal contamination in MR images, the system includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer programmed to apply a spectral-spatial fat saturation pulse, apply a slice selection gradient pulse, acquire imaging data of an imaging slice of interest, and generate an image. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120146639 | METHOD FOR TWO-DIMENSIONAL CORRELATION MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY - Methods for low-power in vivo localized multi-dimensional correlated magnetic resonance spectroscopy (“MRS”) are provided. Low-power adiabaticity is achieved, generally, using gradient-modulated radio frequency pulses for localization and mixing. The provided pulse sequences also provide a mechanism for longitudinal mixing, which significantly increases the efficiency of magnetization transfer and thereby increases signal-to-noise ratio. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120146640 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus ( | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120146641 | Multi-dimensional cardiac imaging - A 5-dimensional imaging method and system is provided to acquire and display the effect of dynamic physiologic changes (either spontaneous or induced) on cardiac function of a patient's heart to elucidate their effects on diastolic myocardial function. In a patient free-breathing magnetic resonance imaging study, 3-dimensional spatial information is encoded by a non-Cartesian 3-dimensional k-space readout trajectory and acquired concurrently with recordings of cardiac and respiratory cycles. The advantage of using non-Cartesian sampling in this invention compared to, for example, Cartesian sampling is higher scan acceleration, improved robustness to motion/flow effects (incoherent instead of coherent artifacts) and robustness to missing data points in k-space. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120146642 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH HIGH SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL RESOLUTION - Methods, systems, and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are described. In one example, the method includes applying a sample-selective magnetic field gradient sequence along a slice direction to partition responses from a sample under magnetic resonance imaging into a plurality of different regions of slices in the k space, applying spiral readout gradients to the sample to obtain echo data from the sample, and applying a Time Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics imaging technique to sample the different regions of slices in the k space. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120161761 | TRANSMISSION LINE ARRAY FOR EXPLOSIVE DETECTION USING NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE RESONANCE - A transmission line array is used for explosive/contraband detection using nuclear quadrupole resonance in which the array is driven in-phase with synchrony frequency-swept signals. Each of the balanced transmission lines is fed with a low power swept frequency source and stimulated emissions are picked out with a directional coupler. Location is provided using a cross grid array or a phase detector is used for each balanced line, with phase determining the distance to the sensed substance. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120161762 | LONG RANGE DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES OR CONTRABAND USING NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE RESONANCE - Nuclear quadrupole resonance substance detection at a distance is provided by crossed or overlapping high frequency beams in which the frequency of one of the beams is offset with respect to the frequency of the other beam by an amount equal to the resonant frequency of the non-linear material to be detected. The presence of energy at the offset frequency within the overlapping beams pumps any non-linear material within the overlapping beams to cause stimulated emission which is detected, in one embodiment, utilizing a network analyzer, along with correlation of the detected stimulated emission signature with a library of signatures for predetermined substances. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120161763 | HF ATTENUATION - The present embodiments relate to a device and a method for attenuating a high-frequency field of a magnetic resonance tomography system, where at least one attenuation element attenuating high-frequency fields is provided outside a magnetic resonance tomography field of view. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120161764 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO DETERMINE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATION SEQUENCE - In a method and a control sequence determination device and a magnetic resonance system for the determination of a magnetic resonance system activation sequence as a multichannel pulse train with multiple individual RF pulse trains to be emitted in parallel by the magnetic resonance system respectively via multiple independent radio-frequency transmission channels of a transmission device, the multichannel pulse train is calculated in order to achieve a defined local target magnetization distribution upon emission of the calculated multichannel pulse train. The local target magnetization distribution is obtained as a parameter map determined from image data obtained with preceding measurement. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120161765 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus configured to carry out a pulse sequence in synchronization with a biosignal is provided. The pulse sequence includes an RF pulse, and a data acquisition sequence for acquiring data when a wait time has passed after the RF pulse, wherein the wait time has a variable value that can be varied based on the biosignal. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120161766 | CONCURRENT OPTIMIZATION OF RF POWER AND RF FIELD UNIFORMITY IN MRI - A magnetic resonance method comprising: loading a subject into a magnetic resonance scanner; with the subject loaded into the magnetic resonance scanner, acquiring B1 maps ( | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120169336 | MRI IMAGE DISTORTION REDUCTION FOR MRI IMAGES OF A RECIPIENT HAVING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A method for generating a new set of MRI images of a region of a recipient in which an implanted medical device having magnetic properties is located. The method includes scanning a plurality of scan slices of the recipient with an MRI machine set at a first fat shift direction to generate a first set of MRI images and rescanning the plurality of scan slices with a fat shift direction different than the first fat shift direction to obtain a second set of MRI images. At least one of the MRI images of the first set and the second set including an artifact resulting from the implanted medical device. The method further includes comparing respective artifacts of the MRI images of the first and second sets, and selecting one of the compared MRI images based on the distortion to the respective MRI image created by the respective artifact. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120169337 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING DISTINCTION IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WATER-FAT IMAGE - In a method and an apparatus for making a distinction in a magnetic resonance imaging water-fat image, three echoes are acquired without phase encoding as a reference scan, a reference water-fat image projection is calculated in the phase encoding direction using the reference scan, a complete water-fat image projection is calculated in the phase encoding direction according to a water image and a fat image obtained by a three-point Dixon method, a correlation between the reference water-fat image projection and the complete water-fat image projection is calculated to obtain at least two correlated values, and the maximum correlated value is acquired therefrom, so as to determine the type of said image calculated by using the three-point Dixon method. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120169338 | System And Method For Generating A Magnetic Resonance Image Using Compressed Sensing And Parallel Imaging - A method for generating a magnetic resonance image includes acquiring a first k-space data set from each of a plurality of RF coils. The first k-space data set includes calibration data and randomly undersampled data. For each RF coil, a fully randomly sampled k-space data set is generated by removing a portion of the calibration data. A compressed sensing reconstruction technique is applied to the fully randomly sampled k-space data set to generate an aliased image, which is used to generate a uniformly undersampled k-space data set. A second k-space data set is generated by inserting the portion of the calibration data and a parallel imaging reconstruction technique is applied to the second k-space data set to synthesize unacquired data. The second k-space data set and the synthesized data are combined to generate a complete k-space data set for the RF coil. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120169339 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD APPLICATION METHOD - In order to obtain the rephasing effect based on a GMN method while reducing the load on the hardware of an MRI apparatus and an object according to the imaging parameter setting value that an operator wants, when it is difficult to apply a rephasing gradient magnetic field of a predetermined order according to the imaging parameter value set as input, a rephasing gradient magnetic field of a smaller amount of application is calculated, and at least some echo signals are measured using the calculated rephasing gradient magnetic field of the smaller amount of application. As the rephasing gradient magnetic field of the smaller amount of application, a rephasing gradient magnetic field with a lower order than the predetermined order is used or a rephasing gradient magnetic field for asymmetric measurement is used. Alternatively, a rephasing gradient magnetic field is applied only in a desired phase encoding range. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120169340 | MR IMAGING SYSTEM WITH FREELY ACCESSIBLE EXAMINATION VOLUME - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120176132 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IRRADIATION FREQUENCY ADJUSTING METHOD - A high-quality image is obtained using a two-dimensional selective excitation method even if the static magnetic field is not uniform. Therefore, non-uniformity of a static magnetic field of a region to be focused in particular in a selective excitation region excited by 2DRF is measured, and a result of the measurement is reflected in an imaging sequence using the 2DRF. For example, a resonance frequency of magnetization obtained from the measurement result is set as an irradiation frequency of the 2DRF. In addition, a shim gradient magnetic field is applied so as to correct the non-uniformity of the magnetization obtained from the measurement result. These are applied only in the imaging sequence using the 2DRF, and an irradiation frequency and a shim gradient magnetic field set in a conventional method are used in other imaging sequences. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120187946 | METHOD AND MRI DEVICE TO DETECT A DIRECTION OF AT LEAST ONE FIBER IN A BODY - The invention concerns a method to extract a diffusion direction from DW-MR signals, in which a magnetic held gradient q | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120187947 | SLICE SELECTIVE MRI EXCITATION WITH REDUCED POWER DEPOSITION USING MULTIPLE TRANSMIT CHANNELS - Described are embodiments for slice-selective excitation for MRI that utilize multiple RF transmit coils, each of which are driven with a separate independent current waveform. These embodiments allow slice-selective excitation with slice profile and excitation time similar to other single-channel excitation, but with reduction in SAR caused by the transverse component of the RF field by a factor up to the number of excitation coils. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120194183 | Image Acquisition Optimization - A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, with a source positioned within and movable relative to the gantry. The source can be responsive to a signal to output at least one pulse. The system can include a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry to detect the pulse emitted by the source. The system can also include a detector control module that sets detector data based on the detected pulse, and an image acquisition control module that sets the signal for the source and receives the detector data. The image acquisition control module can reconstruct image data based on the detector data. The signal can include a signal for the source to output a single pulse or two pulses. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194184 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNING EXCITATION PULSES FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Methods and systems for designing excitation pulses for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. One method includes parameterizing spin-domain rotation parameters to define parameterized variables and defining a constrained optimization problem based on the parameterized variables. The method also includes solving the constrained optimization problem and generating parameters for the RF pulses based on the solved problem, wherein the RF pulses are one of multidimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories or one dimensional RF pulses on non-constant gradient trajectories. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194185 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM ACTIVATION SEQUENCE - A method and control sequence determination facility for determining a magnetic resonance system activation sequence that includes a multichannel pulse train with a plurality of individual HF-pulse trains to be emitted by the magnetic resonance system via different independent high-frequency transmit channels of a transmit facility in a parallel manner are described. The multichannel pulse train is calculated based on a k-space gradient trajectory and a predetermined target magnetization using an HF pulse optimization method. In the HF pulse optimization method, optimization of the multichannel pulse train and/or the k-space gradient trajectory takes account of at least one hardware operating parameter of the transmit facility. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194186 | MR Imaging System for Discriminating Between Imaged Tissue Types - A system provides B1- and B0-insensitive, blood flow and motion-robust T2-preparation and T2-preparation combined with inversion recovery. An MR imaging system discriminates between imaged tissue types based on transverse relaxation time (T2) or transverse relaxation time combined with longitudinal recovery time (T1). A signal generator generates a pulse sequence for T2 preparation or combined T2-preparation with inversion recovery comprising one or more B1 independent refocusing (BIREF-1) pulses for refocusing of magnetization of an anatomical region of interest being imaged, and different combinations of adiabatic or non-adiabatic tip-down and flip-back pulses. Multiple RF coils transmit RF pulses in response to the pulse sequence and acquire RF data in response to transmission of the RF pulses. A processing system processes the RF data to provide a display image indicating different tissue types with enhanced discrimination based on T2 relaxation time difference or combined T2 and T1 time difference. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194187 | System for Suppression of Artifacts in MR Imaging - An MR system acquires, over multiple heart cycles, image datasets representing multiple image slices of an anatomical region of interest of a patient. In the device, an RF signal generator and a magnetic field gradient generator provides an RF pulse and magnetic field gradient sequence for RF signal excitation of the region of interest and for acquiring RF data following the signal excitation. The sequence comprises, a first sequence occurring substantially immediately after the acquisition of image data using a readout magnetic field gradient. The first sequence includes an RF pulse with a predetermined flip angle followed by a magnetic field gradient pulse for reducing field magnetization to substantially zero. The first sequence is preceded by a dummy acquisition sequence comprising the elements of the first sequence except substantially without acquisition of data. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194188 | System and Method for Controlling Apparent Timing Dependencies for T2-Weighted MRI Imaging - A system and method for imaging includes applying an RF excitation pulse to a region-of-interest (ROI) in the presence of a first slice selective gradient and applying a readout gradient to acquire a echo signal from the ROI, wherein a time between the RF excitation pulse and the echo signal define an echo time (TE). A saturation module is applied to the ROI including an RF pulse configured to provide a TE-independent steady state and enforcing a predetermined time period (TR | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194189 | System and Method for Diffusion-modulated Relaxation Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A system and method for applying an RF excitation pulse to the region of interest (ROI) and a plurality of selective gradients to the ROI to elicit MR data pertaining to at least a first MR parameter from the ROI. The system and method also apply at least one diffusion gradient to the ROI to modulate the first MR parameter with a second MR parameter, acquire MR data from the ROI, and reconstruct a parametric map of the ROI using the MR data, wherein the parametric map is weighted based on the first MR parameter and modulated by the second MR parameter. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120194190 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING EXCITATION REGION - In imaging using 2-dimensional selective excitation pulses, regardless of applications thereof, a technique for obtaining a high quality image is provided. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120206140 | System And Method For Generating A Magnetic Resonance Image Using Prospective Motion Correction And Parallel Imaging - A method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes acquiring MR data from each of a plurality of RF coils and applying a prospective motion correction method to the MR data for each RF coil including determining a set of motion measurements that include a scan plane orientation associated with each data point in the MR data. The MR data for each RF coil is divided into a plurality of scan plane orientation groups based on motion changes. A set of unaliasing coefficients is generated for each scan plan orientation group and applied to the MR data to synthesize data for each RF coil. The acquired MR data and synthesized data for each RF coil is combined to generate a scan plane orientation data set. Each scan plane orientation data set is combined to generate a complete k-space data set. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120206141 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING THE PRESENCE OF EXPLOSIVES, CONTRABAND AND OTHER MOLECULES USING NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE RESONANCE AND A SWEPT FREQUENCY CONTINUOUS WAVE SOURCE - Stimulated emissions due to nuclear quadropole resonance are detected utilizing a terminated balanced transmission line and a directional coupler for the detection of explosives, contraband, narcotics and the like that exist between the transmission lines, in which a swept frequency continuous wave generator is utilized to scan between 100 KHz and 10 MHz. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120212222 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED CONTRAST MR IMAGING - A system and method for enhanced contrast MR imaging include a computer programmed to perform a first scan of an imaging object based on a first fast spin echo (FSE) scan sequence comprising a first series of RF pulses having a first flip angle sequence to acquire a first MR data set and perform a second scan of the imaging object based on a second FSE scan sequence comprising a second series of RF pulses having a second flip angle sequence, wherein the second flip angle sequence is different from the first flip angle sequence to acquire a second MR data set. The computer is further programmed to generate a difference image based on the first and second MR data sets. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120212223 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL EXCITATION ADJUSTMENT METHOD - An MRI apparatus and a two-dimensional excitation adjustment method capable of performing appropriately two-dimensional excitation of a region, in which materials with different resonance frequencies are present, according to imaging conditions are provided. In order to do so, when performing the two-dimensional excitation of a two-dimensional excitation region of an object formed by a first material with a first resonance frequency and a second material with a second resonance frequency, an irradiation frequency of a high-frequency magnetic field for the two-dimensional excitation is set on the basis of the imaging conditions related to the two-dimensional excitation and the first and second resonance frequencies so that desired regions of the first and second materials are excited in a two-dimensional manner. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120223709 | SIMULTANEOUS TX-RX FOR MRI SYSTEMS AND OTHER ANTENNA DEVICES - Apparatus and method that are more efficient and flexible, and obtain and connect high-power RF transmit signals (TX) to RF-coil devices in an MR machine or other devices and simultaneously receive signals (RX) and separate net receive signals NRX) of interest by subtracting or filtering to remove the subtractable portion of the transmit signal (STX) from the RX and preamplifying the NRX and signal processing the preamplified NRX. In some embodiments, signal processing further removes artifacts of the transmitted signal, e.g., by digitizing the NRX signal, storing the digitized NRX signal in a memory, and performing digital signal processing. In some embodiments, the present invention also includes pre-distorting the TX signals in order to be better able to identify and/or remove the remaining artifacts of the transmitted signal from the NRX signal. This solution also applies to other high-power RF-transmit-antennae signals. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120223710 | Method of generating 2D or 3D maps of MRI T1 and T2 relaxation times - A method of generating 2D or 3D maps of MRI T | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120223711 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECREASING BIO-EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC GRADIENT FIELD GRADIENTS - An apparatus and a method for increasing the magnitude of the magnetic gradient for MRI without causing nerve stimulation. As an example, the short ramp time of magnetic gradients, for example less than 150 microseconds is contemplated. These short ramp-time magnetic gradients are used for the imaging of structures with short relaxations times, such as teeth, without causing nerve stimulation. The apparatus comprises a generator of magnetic gradients of at least 1 milliTeslas in magnitude with at least one gradient ramp time shorter than 150 microseconds and which induces no peripheral nerve stimulation. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120223712 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT AND MAPPING OF ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE, COMPLEX PERMITTIVITY AND COMPLEX CONDUCTIVITY AS APPLIED TO DETECTION AND EVALUATION OF SAMPLE PATHOLOGY - A method of measurement of or mapping the distribution of complex permittivity, complex conductivity, complex impedance, or electric loss angle during magnetic resonance imaging or analysis. The method includes applying a time-varying electric field of a Faraday shield to a sample and cross-correlating the line spectrum signal so produced with the voltage applied to the Faraday shield in a detection circuit. The method permits non-contrast magnetic resonance screening for breast cancer in vivo and/or continuous measurement of electrical characteristics of materials at variable frequencies in vitro. A system of detecting and evaluating sample pathology includes a Faraday shield device that includes parallel electrodes oriented orthogonal to the static magnetic field of a MRI device to produce a time varying electric field. A detector is coupled to the MRI device to detect at least one of a complex permittivity, a complex conductivity, and an electrical impedance of the sample. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120229137 | Method for NMR spectroscopy - A method for performing magnetic resonance spectroscopy on solid samples containing nuclei of interest with spin quantum number I subjects the sample to a static magnetic field. The sample is spun at the magic angle and broad-band excitation of transverse magnetization of the nuclei of interest is effected by applying a first train of rotor-synchronized rf-pulses, having a carrier frequency, to the nuclei of interest with a pulse duration 0.1 μs<τ | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120235682 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SIGNALS - A method for acquiring MRI signals includes: applying one or more than one RF pulse, which carries at least two frequency components, and a slice/slab selection gradient to a subject, so that at least two slices/slabs of the subject respectively corresponding to the at least two frequency components are excited simultaneously; applying a plurality of spatial encoding gradients; applying a plurality of separation gradients for separating the at least two slices/slabs; and applying at least one coherent refocusing gradient between the plurality of separation gradients. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120235683 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO DETECT INTERFERENCE SIGNALS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY SIGNALS - In a method and device to detect interference signals in magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals a comparison signal is computationally reconstructed that optimally approximates a measured, detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal. The comparison signal forms spectral components of resonance lines of the measured magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal. A residual is calculated from the difference of the two signals (comparison signal and magnetic resonance spectroscopy signal) in the frequency representation. The interference signals are determined from the residual. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120235684 | METHOD TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL FLIP ANGLE AND METHOD TO ADJUST THE TRANSMITTER VOLTAGE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - In a method to determine the actual flip angle in magnetic resonance tomography with continuous table feed, at least one echo signal is generated by a pulse sequence from which an actual flip angle is produced with at least one RF pulse of the sequence, and a gradient scheme is used in the direction of the continuous travel of the examination subject, the gradient scheme being designed such that its first moment disappears at the points in time of each echo signals used for the determination of the flip angle. Such a pulse sequence is also used in a method for adjustment of the transmitter voltage for RF pulses given continuous travel of the examination subject in a magnetic resonance apparatus. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120242334 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD FOR QUANTIFICATION OF MOLECULAR DIFFUSION USING DOUBLE ECHO STEADY STATE SEQUENCES - Disclosed is a magnetic resonance method for the quantification of molecular diffusion. The method uses a diffusion-weighted (dw) double echo steady state sequence (DESS). In particular, the method allows direct quantification of molecular diffusion from two steady state scans with differing diffusion weighting such as one with diffusion-weighting and preferably one without diffusion weighting. Such a quantification of molecular diffusion allows for rapid and/or quantitative measurements of physiological and/or functional parameters of living tissue. Quantitative measurements are often a prerequisite for pre-clinical and clinical research as well as for clinical trials in drug research performed at different sites. Especially for the early diagnosis of subtle or diffuse pathological changes, quantitative MR promises to have a very significant impact. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120249136 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING DIFFUSION SPECTRUM IMAGING - A method of generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a tissue includes acquiring MR signals at undersampled q-space encoding locations for a plurality of q-space locations that is less than an entirety of the q-space locations sampled at the Nyquist rate, wherein the acquired signal at the q-space locations represents the three-dimensional displacement distribution of the spins in the imaging voxel, synthesizing the MR signal for the entirety of q-space encodings using a compressed sensing technique for a portion of q-space locations at which MR data was not acquired, combining the acquired MR signals at q-space encodings and the synthesized MR signals at q-space encodings to generate a set of MR signals at q-space encodings that are evenly distributed in q-space, using the set of MR signals at q-space encodings to generate a function that represents a displacement probability distribution function of the set of spins in the imaging voxel, and generating an image of the tissue based on at least a portion of the generated function. A system and computer readable medium are also described herein. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249137 | Method of dynamically compensating for magnetic field heterogeneity in magnetic resonance imaging - A method to compensate for the magnetic field heterogeneity inside an object of investigation in a MR device obtains an uncorrected magnetic field distribution of the object and executes an MR sequence with a desired k-space coverage by applying RF pulses to generate a transverse magnetization within the object. MR signal data is recorded, magnetic field shimming parameters are dynamically updated and MR signal data are reconstructed to produce images or localized spectroscopic data. Artifacts in a reconstructed image resulting from an uncorrected magnetic field distribution are suppressed by temporally separating MR signals originating from at least two different sub-volumes within a volume of transverse magnetization by generating a nonlinear phase distribution within the object and by dynamically updating shimming parameters to compensate for the field inhomogeneity distributions within the different sub-volumes in the volume of transverse magnetization. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249138 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND SYSTEM TO CORRECT PHASE INFORMATION IN MR IMAGES - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and system for correction of phase information in MR images of a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, a basic magnetic field is applied and MR data of the predetermined volume segment are acquired and evaluated such that phase information is calculated for each image element of the predetermined volume segment. A navigator signal is acquired that detects an unintentional change of the basic magnetic field that is caused by movements of the examination subject or by the magnetic resonance system itself. The phase information is corrected with this navigator signal. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249139 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCTION OF SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATE (SAR) IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION - In the acquisition of magnetic resonance data from an examination subject according to a pulse sequence that causes radiation into the examination subject of a radiated radio frequency (RF) pulse having a frequency spectrum and a slice profile with a relationship therebetween, the examination subject is substantially simultaneously, with the radiated RF pulse, to a non-linear magnetic field that alters the relationship in the radiated RF pulse between the frequency spectrum and the slice profile. The alteration of this relationship can be used, for example, to reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the examination subject during the acquisition of the magnetic resonance data. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249140 | LOCAL COIL SYSTEM, MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS FROM A LOCAL COIL - A local coil system for a magnetic resonance system has a local coil for detecting MR response signals and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals to the magnetic resonance system. At least one pseudo random device is operable to change signals in a pseudo random fashion in order to avoid interferences in the imaging. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249141 | METHOD FOR CORRECTING A DISTORTION IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE RECORDING - A method is disclosed for correcting a distortion in a magnetic resonance recording. A distortion indicates a mismatch between a distorted position of an image point in the magnetic resonance recording and an actual position of the image point. According to at least one embodiment of the method, a B | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249142 | LOCAL COIL - A local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system includes a housing with a recess for an object under examination. The local coil also includes a radio-frequency receive antenna system and one or more shim elements for homogenization of a static basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance tomography system. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249143 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to one embodiment, an executing unit executes a first pre-scan and a second pre-scan, each being a pre-scan in which readout gradient magnetic fields and slice direction gradient magnetic fields are applied in an identical manner to a pulse sequence for main-scanning and in which phase encode gradient magnetic fields are applied in an identical manner to the pulse sequence for main-scanning up to just before echoes used in calculating a correction amount, and each having different predetermined imaging parameters; a calculating unit calculates, as a correction amount, an amount of phase shifting by referring to phase differences present in a plurality of echo signals that are collected during the first pre-scan and the second pre-scan; and a correcting unit corrects the pulse sequence for main-scanning based on the correction amount calculated by the calculating unit. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120249144 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO GENERATE SPATIALLY RESOLVED QUASI-T2-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS - In a magnetic resonance method and device to generate spatially resolved, quasi-T2-weighted magnetic resonance signals from an examination region, an initial magnetization is flipped in a first direction with a first gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. Spatially coded first magnetic resonance signals from the first gradient-balanced SSFP sequence are detected during the transient portion of the first SSFP sequence. An initial magnetization is flipped in a direction opposite the first direction with a second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. Spatially coded second magnetic resonance signals from the second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence during the transient portion of the second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. The first and second magnetic resonance signals are constructively superimposed into overlay signals. Image data with a predominant T2 weighting are reconstructed from the overlay signals, or are used for spatially resolved estimation of the T2 relaxation time constant. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120256625 | Method for Accelerated High Resolution Chemical Species Separation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Image data is acquired at a sequence of multiple echo times occurring within two or more repetition times (TRs). Odd-numbered echoes are sampled during odd-numbered TRs, and even-numbered echoes are sampled during even-numbered TRs. Images are reconstructed and used to calculate the respective signal contributions of two or more chemical species using, for example, an IDEAL separation technique. The respective signal contributions are then used to produce images that depicts substantially only one of the chemical species. For example, separated water and fat images may be produced. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120256626 | PARALLEL TRANSMISSION RF PULSE DESIGN WITH LOCAL SAR CONSTRAINTS - A method of designing a parallel transmission radio frequency (RF) pulse for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes compressing a model for a subject to be scanned by the MRI system into a plurality of voxel clusters, each voxel cluster defining a virtual observation point with a peak sensitivity to local specific absorption rate (SAR) for the voxel cluster, and defining the parallel transmission RF pulse based on an approximation of a minimization criterion having a local SAR component based on the peak sensitivity of each virtual observation point, the approximation comprising a weighted sum of the local SAR values for each virtual observation point. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120256627 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit, a verification image generating unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition setting unit is configured to set an imaging condition for applying radio frequency pre-pulses to adjust a contrast. The radio frequency pre-pulses includes a region selective radio frequency pulse. The verification image generating unit is configured to generate and display an image for verifying the contrast based on application conditions including an application region and an application number of the radio frequency pre-pulses. The imaging unit is configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging according to the imaging condition. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120256628 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING RANDOMIZED RADIO FREQUENCY PULSES - Methods, systems and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging that facilitate applying a gradient waveform to generate a k-space trajectory in a subject, applying radio frequency (RF) pulses having a pseudorandom phase distribution, such that the RF pulses are applied to the subject at a plurality of non-uniform locations near a center of the k-space trajectory and collecting, based on the applied RF pulses and the applied gradient waveform, imaging data from the subject. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120262165 | RELAXOMETRY - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with multi-scale orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxometry are described. One example method includes controlling a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus to cause selected nuclei in an item to resonate by applying radio frequency (RF) energy to the item and then acquiring multiple series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the item, the series of MR images having different scales. The example method includes controlling the NMR apparatus to produce a combined signal evolution from a first signal evolution associated with a first series of MR images and a second signal evolution associated with a second series of MR images and to characterize relaxation of the selected nuclei in the item as a function of an OMP that compares the combined signal evolution to a set of combined comparative signal evolutions. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262166 | COMBINED CORRELATION PARAMETER ANALYSIS - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with combined correlation parameter estimation are described. One example method includes accessing data associated with a magnetic resonance (MR) signal produced by relaxation of nuclei in an item that has experienced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) excitation. The MR signal is a function of two or more NMR parameters. The example method also includes accessing data associated with a set of comparative signal evolutions and computing a value for an NMR parameter based on a combined correlation of the data associated with the MR signal to the data associated with the set of comparative signal evolutions. The combined correlation will depend on at least two correlations between the data associated with the MR signal and two different members of the set of comparative signal evolutions. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262167 | ACCELERATED MULTISPECTRAL DATA MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for processing magnetic resonance imaging data includes accessing the magnetic resonance imaging data, the data including a plurality of magnetic resonance data sets each collected at different excitation frequencies and defining reconstructable images representative of sections of a single image of a subject. Each magnetic resonance data set includes sampled data for sampled phase encoding points but is missing data for unsampled phase encoding points. The method further includes determining the missing data of at least one of the magnetic resonance data sets using a correlation between the sampled data for the respective magnetic resonance data set and sampled data from at least one other magnetic resonance data set within a spectral window encompassing at least the respective magnetic resonance data set and the at least one other magnetic resonance data set. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262168 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR EMITTING HIGH-FREQUENCY SIGNALS - A magnetic resonance system having a transmitting system with a high-frequency antenna unit and a high-frequency transmit array. The high-frequency antenna unit is configured to emit high-frequency signals and receive magnetic resonance signals. The high-frequency transmit array has two high-frequency transmit units that allow parallel transmission of high-frequency signals. Each of the high-frequency transmit units of the high-frequency transmit array includes a separate trigger unit. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262169 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DOUBLE INVERSION RECOVERY FOR REDUCTION OF T1 CONTRIBUTION TO FLUID-ATTENUATED INVERSION RECOVERY IMAGING - A system and method for double inversion recovery for reduction of T1 contribution to fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging include a computer programmed to prepare a double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence comprising a pair of inversion pulses and an excitation pulse, execute the DIR sequence to acquire MR data from an imaging subject, and reconstruct an image based on the acquired MR data. The preparation of the DIR sequence comprises optimizing a first inversion time (TI | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262170 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM CONTROL SEQUENCE - A method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence is disclosed. The magnetic resonance system control sequence includes a multi-channel pulse with a plurality of individual high-frequency (HF) pulses to be transmitted in parallel by the magnetic resonance system via different independent high-frequency transmission channels. In one embodiment, the method includes calculating a multi-channel pulse based on an MR excitation quality parameter in an HF pulse optimization method. An HF pulse includes a plurality of successive HF partial pulses in discrete time steps. The method further includes considering, in the course of the HF pulse optimization method, a transmission bandwidth of an HF partial pulse to be transmitted during a discrete time step. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system and a magnetic resonance system that includes the control sequence determination device are disclosed. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262171 | Method of magnetic resonance imaging for the selection and recording of curved slices - A method of MR imaging applies a magnetic field B | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262172 | MOTION CORRECTION IN ACCELERATED T1-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method includes the acts of acquiring a blade of k-space calibration data; acquiring a set of T | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262173 | HIGH-FREQUENCY COIL UNIT AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided a technique for securing a large examination space in a tunnel type MRI device without inviting increase of manufacturing cost and without significantly reducing irradiation efficiency or uniformity of the irradiation intensity distribution in an imaging region. Between rungs of a partially cylindrical RF coil, which coil corresponds to a cylindrical RF coil of which part is removed, there are disposed half-loops generating magnetic fields, which are synthesized with magnetic fields generated by loops constituted by adjacent rungs of the partially cylindrical RF coil and rings connecting the rungs to generate a circularly polarized or elliptically polarized magnetic field. Further, high-frequency signals of the same reference frequency having a desired amplitude ratio and phase difference are supplied to the partially cylindrical RF coils and half-loops. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120262174 | METHOD FOR CALCULATING LOCAL SPECIFIC ENERGY ABSORPTION RATE (SAR) IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - A method for calculating a local specific energy absorption rate (SAR) on basis of an electric parameter and the mass density of a segmented geometry of an object and a magnetic field vector distribution of a radio frequency (RF) antenna. The values of the electric parameter and the mass density are pre-determined values, while the magnetic field vector distribution is estimated by a magnetic field mapping method based on a magnetic resonance (MR) scan. The magnetic field mapping method based on a magnetic resonance scan can be a Bi mapping method. The invention also relates to a magnetic resonance system by means of which SAR calculation can be done in a relatively short period of time. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for calculating a local specific energy absorption rate (SAR) according to the above mentioned method. The SAR calculation used in the above mentioned method, system and program is done in the relatively short period of time and as such is practicable in a clinical setting. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120268120 | METHOD FOR ERROR COMPENSATED CHEMICAL SPECIES SIGNAL SEPARATION WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system, in which relative signal contributions from a plurality of different chemical species are separated, is provided. A plurality of different echo signals occurring at a respective plurality of different echo times are acquired with the MRI system and a signal model that accounts for relative signal components for each of a plurality of different chemical species is formed for each echo signal. Those echo signals containing errors, such as phase errors, magnitude errors, or errors indicative of a corrupted echo signal, are identified. The relative signal components for each of the plurality of different chemical species are then determined by fitting the echo signals with the signal model. Particularly, those echo signals identified as containing errors are fitted to the signal models in a manner that discards the error-containing information. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268121 | METHOD FOR R*2 QUANTIFICATION WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for measuring transverse relaxation rate, R | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268122 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING MR DATA ACQUIRED DURING A UTE SEQUENCE - A system and method for quantifying MR data acquired during a UTE sequence include a computer programmed to execute an MR scan comprising an application of an RF pulse, an echo time (TE) period, and an application of a data acquisition gradient pulse, wherein the TE period begins after the RF pulse and ends before the data acquisition gradient pulse. MR data of an imaging object are acquired during application of the data acquisition gradient pulse, and a phase image is reconstructed based on the acquired MR data. The computer is also programmed to calculate a first contribution of phase to the phase image during the application of the RF pulse, to calculate a second contribution of phase to the phase image by the application of the data acquisition gradient pulse, and to generate a frequency map based on the phase image and based on the first and second contributions of phase. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268123 | RELAXOMETRY QUANTIFICATION SELF-JUSTIFICATION FITTING - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with self-justification fitting for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxation parameter quantification are described. One example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes a self-justification fitting logic configured to selectively include and exclude data points from a set of data points associated with NMR signals based, at least in part, on their impact on a fit attribute (e.g., standard deviation). In one embodiment, the self-justification is configured to select a subset of data points from the set of data points as a function of values for a fit attribute computed from fitting at least two different subsets of data points from the set of data points to a known NMR signal evolution. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268124 | Method for quasi-continous dynamic motion correciton in magnetic resonance measurements - A method of MR imaging and spectroscopy reduces artifacts occurring due to the motion of an object to be represented, wherein the object position is determined quasi-continuously during the runtime of the MR acquisition, which includes one or more partial acquisitions (TA), and wherein motion correction is performed, which comprises dynamic adaptation of the frequency and phase settings of the RF system of the tomograph and of the orientation and amplitudes of the gradients during the runtime of the MR acquisition according to the current object position. The motion correction is thereby applied during a signal weighting period, during a signal read-out period, or between and/or during the two stated periods and the adaptations for motion correction are performed without interrupting or slowing the temporal progression of the MR acquisition. In this way, artifacts due to motion of the object to be represented can be further reduced. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268125 | DYNAMIC ADAPTATION OF A DEPHASING GRADIENT PAIR - In a method for optimization of a flow coding with switching of an additional bipolar dephasing gradient pair, used in a magnetic resonance (MR) phase contrast angiography, the strength of the flow coding is selected depending on the flow velocity in the vessels that should be depicted. MR signals of an examination region are acquired with continuously running overview measurements, with an operator-selected flow coding strength. After the selected flow coding strength is adopted automatically for the next measurement of the continuously running overview measurements, and two partial measurements with different flow codings are implemented for each selected strength and a phase difference image from the two partial measurements is calculated and depicted in real time, and the selected flow coding strength is automatically adopted for the MR phase contrast angiography. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268126 | INCREASING THE PERFUSION SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO (SNR) IN VELOCITY SELECTIVE ARTERIAL SPIN LABELING (VSASL) IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Techniques, systems computer program products are disclosed increasing tagging efficiency in velocity selective arterial spin labeling using multiple velocity selective saturation modules. In one aspect, a magnetic resonance imaging method for tagging arterial blood includes using two or more velocity selective saturation (VSS) modules to tag arterial blood. The tagged arterial blood is imaged. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268127 | System and Method for Spatially Encoding Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Signals Using Magnetic Susceptibility Effects - A device for spatially encoding nuclear magnetic resonance signals is provided. The device includes a plurality of spatial-encoding elements configured to produce a spatial-encoding magnetic field in the presence of an external magnetic field, such as the main magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system. The spatial-encoding elements include paramagnetic and diamagnetic spatial-encoding elements. The device further includes a support configured to hold the plurality of spatial-encoding elements in a fixed arrangement. By adjusting the orientation of the device, the spatial-encoding elements are moved relative to each other and thereby produce a plurality of different spatial-encoding magnetic fields. These spatial-encoding magnetic fields are used to spatially encode nuclear magnetic resonance signals emanating from spins in a volume-of-interest adjacent the device. An image reconstruction method for reconstructing images from signals spatially-encoded with the device is also provided. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120268128 | Method for Principal Frequency Magnetic Resonance Elastography Inversion - A method for calculating a mechanical property of a material using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is provided. The method is particularly robust to image data having low signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”). An MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance elastography (“MRE”) data from a subject containing the material. Exemplary materials include lung tissue. Images are reconstructed from the MRE data and used to produce a wave image from which a spatial frequency spectrum is produced. A principal frequency of the spatial frequency spectrum is produced and used to calculate a mechanical property of the material. For example, shear stiffness may be calculated. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120274322 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that carries out a pulse sequence for making a signal of a first substance within an object smaller than a signal of a second substance within the object. The pulse sequence includes an α°-pulse for exciting the object, a refocus pulse for refocusing a phase of spin within a region excited by the α°-pulse, and a readout gradient field for acquiring a magnetic resonance signal from the region. The α°-pulse has a spectral selectivity such that a transverse magnetization of the first substance is made smaller than a transverse magnetization of the second substance. The refocus pulse has a spectral selectivity such that a phase of spin of the second substance is refocused and refocusing of a phase of spin of the first substance is suppressed. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120274323 | MSC-SELMQC METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS MAPPING OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS, LACTATE AND CHOLINE IN HIGH FAT TISSUES - Systems and methods employing spin editing techniques to improve magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are discussed. Using these spin editing techniques, magnetic resonance signals of one or more unwanted chemicals (that is, chemicals whose signals are to be filtered out or suppressed) chemicals can be suppressed, so that the signal(s) of a first set of chemicals can be obtained without signals from the one or more unwanted chemicals. Information about and differences between the molecular topologies of the first set of chemicals and the one or more unwanted chemicals can be used to design a sequence that suppresses the one or more unwanted chemicals while allowing acquisition of signal(s) from the first set of chemicals. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120274324 | IMPROVED NMR MEASUREMENT BASED ON ANTIPHASE SIGNALS - A method of measuring magnetic resonance properties of an object, which includes a thermally polarized substance and a contrast agent exhibiting a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) antiphase signal (A), comprises the steps of subjecting the object in a stationary magnetic field to an excitation sequence including excitation radio frequency pulses, collecting NMR signals generated in the object including a background signal (B) generated by the thermally polarized substance and the antiphase signal (A) generated by the contrast agent, and reconstructing the magnetic resonance properties of the object based on the NMR signals, wherein the NMR signals are collected during the occurrence of the antiphase signal (A) and with a time delay relative to a maximum of the background signal (B). Furthermore, a measuring device for measuring magnetic resonance properties of an object, like an NMR spectrometer or an MRI device, is described. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120274325 | Imaging By Magnetic Resonance Adsorption, Elastography And Tomography - A microwave imaging system provides superior breast imaging resolution by combining MR microwave absorption and MR-compatible microwave tomography calculations. These techniques may also be supplemented with magnetic resonance elastography calculations, for example, to facilitate quick multispectral imaging. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120280683 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE RADIO-FREQUENCY FIELD MAPPING - A system and method for radio-frequency (RF) field mapping are provided. One method includes encoding a B | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120280684 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING 3D IMAGE BY USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An apparatus for reconstructing 3D images by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes an image acquiring unit configured to acquire a plurality of MR images about a region of interest of an object at different angles, respectively; and an image reconstructing unit configured to reconstruct the 3D image by using the plurality of MR images, wherein the plurality of MR images include information of a slice direction about the region of interest, which is changed depending on the different angles. According to the invention, since the 3D image is reconstructed by using the MR images acquired at different angles, the 3D image may have a better SNR than the method for;reconstructing 3D images of the related an. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120280685 | Linear Phase Microstrip Radio Frequency Transmit Coils - Systems, devices and methods provide an RF coil which produces a field having linear phase variation across an imaging volume. In one embodiment, a coil comprises multiple microstrip elements configured to have an increased effective electrical length. This increase in electrical length allows for a larger linear phase shifts over the length of the microstrip element which in turn increases linear phase variation capabilities. This may be accomplished by increasing the effective dielectric properties of the microstrip element. Increasing the effective dielectric may be accomplished by utilizing distributed capacitors along the length of a microstrip element (e.g. lumped element capacitors), by altering the materials used to fabricate the microstrip element, etc. Additionally, increasing the effective dielectric may be accomplished using a combination of these means. Embodiments may further enable linear phase variation along the imaging volume at high frequencies, such as frequencies utilized for 3 T and above MRI devices. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120280686 | MEASURING BIOLOGICAL TISSUE PARAMETERS USING DIFFUSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for measuring biological tissue parameters using restriction spectrum magnetic resonance imaging. In one aspect, a method of characterizing a biological structure includes determining individual diffusion signals from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in a set of MRI images that include diffusion weighting conditions (e.g., diffusion gradient directions, diffusion gradient strengths, sensitivity factors (b-values), or diffusion times), combining the individual diffusion signals to determine a processed diffusion signal corresponding to at least one location within one or more voxels of the MRI data, calculating one or more parameters from the processed diffusion signal by using the diffusion weighting conditions, and using the one or more parameters to identify a characteristic of the biological structure, in which the one or more parameters include values over a range of one or more diffusion length scales based on at least one of diffusion distance or diffusion rate. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120286779 | SNMR PULSE SEQUENCE PHASE CYCLING - Technologies applicable to SNMR pulse sequence phase cycling are disclosed, including SNMR acquisition apparatus and methods, SNMR processing apparatus and methods, and combinations thereof. SNMR acquisition may include transmitting two or more SNMR pulse sequences and applying a phase shift to a pulse in at least one of the pulse sequences, according to any of a variety of phase cycling techniques. SNMR processing may include combining SNMR from a plurality of pulse sequences comprising pulses of different phases, so that desired signals are preserved and undesired signals are canceled. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120286780 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE RELAXATION ALONG A FICTITIOUS FIELD - A system includes a driving module, a processor, and a readout module. The driving module is configured to apply a perturbation to a sample. The processor is configured to define a plurality of different rotating frames relative to the perturbation, wherein each frame has a corresponding fictitious field. The readout module is coupled to the processor and is configured to generate an output based on relaxation of the sample as a function of the perturbation. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120286781 | Magnetic Resonance Methodology for Imaging of Exchange-Relayed Intramolecular Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Effects in Mobile Solutes - An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for imaging exchange-relayed intramolecular Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE) effects with Magnetic Resonance (MR) in mobile solutes. In the method, non-exchangeable protons or other magnetic nuclei with resonances of a finite linewidth in the NMR proton spectrum within a species or subject can be labeled magnetically using radiofrequency. Intramolecular NOE effects can then transfer the label between the non-exchangeable nuclei and non-exchangeable and exchangeable protons in the same molecule during a magnetic steady state. The water signal is monitored to observe a reduction in the water signal due to the transfer of NOE labels to the water signal in a manner relayed through the exchangeable protons. Analysis can also be performed to produce an image or spectrum of the subject. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120286782 | Method for NMR spectroscopy with sustained induction decays of long-lived coherences - A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of a sample involves excitation of long lived coherences (LLC) between the singlet state S | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120286783 | Accelerated MRI with Nonlinear Spatial Encoding Gradients - In a method of magnetic resonance imaging, a set of nonlinear, mutually orthogonal magnetic gradient encoding fields are sequentially and separately generated in an imaging region [ | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120293171 | PULSED ASL USING TAGGING PULSE PATTERN ENCODING/DECODING OF FLOWING NUCLEI COHORTS - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces an image representative of flowing nuclei within a subject. For each of plural MRI data acquisition sequences, a non-contrast pulsed ASL (arterial spin labeling) pre-sequence is applied to flowing nuclei in a tagging region during a tagging period (that occurs prior to MRI data acquisition from a selected downstream image region). The ASL pre-sequence includes plural different elapsed tagging times at which a radio frequency (RF) nuclear magnetic resonant (NMR) nutation tagging pulse occurs or does not occur in accordance with different predetermined patterns for corresponding different data acquisition sequences. Acquired MRI data is decoded in accordance with such predetermined patterns to detect MRI signals emanating from different cohorts of flowing nuclei that have been subjected to different combinations of nutation pulses. Acquired MRI data is used to reconstruct at least one image representing flowing nuclei within the selected image region. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120293172 | SPATIALLY SHAPED PRE-SATURATION PROFILE FOR ENHANCED NON-CONTRAST MRA - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is used to produce an image representative of the vasculature of a subject by applying a non-contrast MRI pulse sequence to acquire MRI k-space data from non-stationary nuclei flowing in a selected spatial region of a subject after nuclei within the region have been subjected to spatially non-uniform pre-saturation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnetization. Such pre-saturation suppresses subsequent MRI signals emanating from background nuclei located within said region during said pre-saturation, while enhancing MRI signal from flowing nuclei therewithin as a function of speed, slice thickness and elapsed time until image capture as a function of the spatially shaped profile of non-uniform pre-saturation across the imaged volume. Thus, acquired MRI k-space data can then be used to reconstruct an image representing vasculature of the subject. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120299590 | Method for Self-Calibrated Parallel Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction - A method for producing a time-series of images of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The MRI system is used to acquire a time-series undersampled k-space data set, in which a selected number of k-space data subsets in the time-series data set includes both image data and calibration data. Moreover, the calibration data in each of these selected number of k-space data subsets includes a portion of a desired total amount of calibration data. For example, each of these selected number of k-space data subsets include calibration data that is acquired by sampling a different partition of a calibration data sampling pattern. A time-series of images of the subject is then produced by reconstructing images of the subject from the acquired time-series of undersampled k-space data sets. These images are substantially free of undersampling artifacts. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120299591 | MARGIN ASSESSMENT OF EX-VIVO SAMPLE | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120299592 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An embodiment of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is configured to carry out plural series of imaging while changing plural imaging conditions for a patient on a series basis, and has a storage unit configured to group plural parameter types related to some of the plural imaging conditions for carrying out the series of imaging into a plurality of groups, and to store a parameter value corresponding to one of the parameter types on a group basis, and has a controller which specifies a first series included in the plural series and a group to be used in the first series to read one of the parameter values belonging to the specified group from the storage unit, the controller setting the read parameter value as a parameter value related to some of plural imaging conditions to be used in a second series included in the plural series. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120306492 | PENETRATION TUBE ASSEMBLIES FOR REDUCING CRYOSTAT HEAT LOAD - A penetration assembly for a cryostat is presented. The penetration assembly includes an outer wall member having a first end and a second end and configured to alter an effective thermal length of the wall member, wherein a first end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a high temperature region and the second end of the tube is communicatively coupled to a cryogen disposed within a cryogen vessel of the cryostat. In addition, the penetration tube assembly includes a telescoping inner wall member comprising a plurality of tubes nested within one another, and wherein each tube in the plurality of tubes is operatively coupled to at least one other tube in series. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120306493 | ELECTRIC PROPERTIES TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method of electric properties tomography imaging of an object, the method comprising: applying an excitation RF field to the object via a coil at a first spatial coil position ( | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120313640 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR DISTORTION CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method for distortion correction in spiral magnetic resonance imaging, a first MR data set is acquired by scanning raw data space along a spiral trajectory beginning at a first point. A first complex MR image is determined from the first MR data set, which includes first phase information for image points of the first MR image. A second MR data set is acquired by scanning raw data space along the spiral trajectory beginning at a second point that differs from the first point. A second complex MR image is determined from the second MR data set, which includes second phase information for image points of the second MR image. A geometric distortion for image points of the first or second MR image is determined from the first and second phase information, for example with a PLACE method. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120313641 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING - A method of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of an object (O) including at least one chemical species to be imaged, comprising sampling of the k-space such that a plurality of N | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120319685 | Method for Compensating for Respiratory Motion in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for compensating for respiratory motion of a structure imaged by a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, such as heart, is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a sequence of navigator samples ( | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120319686 | METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-SLICE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING SINGLE AND MULTIPLE CHANNEL RECEIVER COILS - A method for reconstructing a plurality of images depicting a subject from image data that is simultaneously acquired from a corresponding plurality of slice locations with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI] system is provided. Image data is acquired following the application of radio frequency (RF] energy to the plurality of slice locations. The RF energy is tailored to provide a different phase to each of the plurality of slice locations. Reference image data is also acquired for each slice location following the application of RF energy that has the same phase as is used to excite the respective slice location for the acquisition of the image data. Aliased images are reconstructed from the image data, and reference images are reconstructed from the reference image data. Using both of these image sets, an unaliased image is produced for each of the plurality of slice locations. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120326721 | SIMULTANEOUS AND DYNAMIC DETERMINATION OF LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSAL RELAXATION TIMES OF A NUCLEAR SPIN SYSTEM - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging method for simultaneous and dynamic determination of a longitudinal relaxation time T | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130002248 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND ORDERING K-SPACE VIEWS AND DIFFUSION WEIGHTING DIRECTIONS - A system and method for determining and ordering magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition parameters, such as k-space views or diffusion-weighting gradient directions, are provided. The MRI acquisition parameters are defined by generated points that are uniformly distributed on the surface of a sphere. These points may also be antipodally symmetric. The points are ordered by minimizing the electrostatic potential energy of different configurations of the points. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130002249 | Method for Reducing Local Specific Absorption Rate In Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Radio Frequency Coil Array Dark Modes - A method for reducing local specific absorption rate (“SAR”) during imaging of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system is provided. A radio frequency (“RF”) excitation pattern is selected for an RF coil array to be used during the imaging. In this RF excitation pattern, locations in which local SAR exceeds a preselected threshold value are identified. Examples of threshold values include regulatory limits on local SAR. Using the identified local SAR hotspot locations, a cancellation electric field pattern that is defined by so-called “dark modes” of the coil array is determined. Imaging of the subject commences using the RF coil array and the MRI system, in which the RF coil array is used to simultaneously produce an RF excitation field and a cancellation electric field using the respective field patterns. This simultaneous production of the RF excitation and cancellation electric fields reduces local SAR at the hotspot locations. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130009640 | MAGNETIC FIELD INSENSITIVE CEST IMAGING - In a method for accelerated CEST imaging in magnetic resonance tomography, RF pulses for the saturation of the protons of the substance to be shown are emitted by several transmission coils, and shape of these RF pulses is calculated using an optimization method so that a weighted sum is minimized, the sum exhibiting at least two of the following norms: the norm of the magnetization of free water protons in each point in space, the norm of the deviation of the magnetization of the bound protons from an inverted magnetization in each point in space and the norm of the magnetization of protons with an inverted shift relative to the predefined frequency shift in each point in space. The shape of the RF pulses for subsequent excitation of the free water protons also can be calculated for the optimization method. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130009641 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL DEVICE OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a control device ( | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130015856 | MRI MICROSCOPE ADAPTER - Disclosed embodiments pertain to an inventive method and apparatus that confers the ability to image using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to an optical microscope. Through implementation of the disclosed embodiments, it is possible to collect spectroscopic information as well as anatomic information using the objective structure and/or MRI-enabled stage. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130021030 | MR Imaging System for Automatically Providing Incidental Findings - A system automatically concurrently performs an MR image study acquisition and supplementary image data acquisition. The system includes a detector for providing a signal indicating individual portions of an imaging scan using a first imaging method have ceased. An image data processor automatically concurrently interleaves imaging of a first anatomical portion using the first imaging method and supplementary imaging of a second anatomical portion using a different second imaging method, in response to the signal. The image data processor incorporates identifier data in data representing images acquired using the second imaging method identifying images acquired using the second imaging method differently from images acquired using the first imaging method. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130021031 | Fourier Tickling For Homonuclear Decoupling in NMR - A method for high resolution NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements using the application of excitation pulses and the acquisition of data points, whereby a dwell time Δt separates the acquisition of two consecutive data points, which is characterized in that one or more tickling rf (=radio frequency) pulses of duration τ | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130027036 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus configured to carry out a pulse sequence in synchronization with a biosignal is provided. The pulse sequence includes an RF pulse, and a data acquisition sequence for acquiring data when a wait time has passed after the RF pulse, wherein the wait time has a variable value that can be varied based on the biosignal. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130027037 | SELF CONSISTENT PARALLEL IMAGING WITH TEMPORAL SENSITIVITY ESTIMATION IN REAL-TIME MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Parallel imaging magnetic resonance reconstruction is performed with temporal sensitivity. Rather than estimate the coil sensitivity once for each coil of an array, the coil sensitivity at different times is estimated. The movement of the patient may result in different sensitivities at different times. By using the time varying sensitivity in iterative, self-consistent, non-linear parallel imaging, real-time imaging may be provided with stable artifacts in view of increasing SNR even with higher reduction factors (e.g., 4-6). | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130027038 | METHOD FOR RECORDING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - In a method for recording a magnetic resonance image with a magnetic resonance device, in which several projection image data records are recorded in succession with different gradient orientations, from which, through back projection, the magnetic resonance image is reconstructed, the recording of a projection data record in a recording time frame proceeds with a temporal frequency modulated excitation pulse of a pulse duration, wherein, through the frequency modulation of the excitation pulse, all spins to be recorded within the scope of the projection data record are excited in a temporal sequence and wherein the frequency modulation function describing the frequency modulation during the pulse duration exhibits at least one maximum and/or at least one minimum. During the excitation duration, a time-resolved reception signal is detected. The projection data record is determined from the reception signal through evaluation. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130033262 | METHOD TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXPOSURES - In a method described for generating magnetic resonance exposures in which diffusion-coded raw data are acquired with of a diffusion gradient measurement sequence having a number of partial diffusion gradient sequences, at least one diffusion coding gradient pulse is emitted in each partial data set, and raw data of a k-space region are acquired during a first echo after a defined first echo time the k-space regions in total covering a complete k-space. Raw data of an established navigator k-space region are acquired during a second echo after a second echo time the navigator k-space region being identical for different partial diffusion gradient sequences. Reference raw data are acquired by a reference measurement sequence with multiple partial reference sequences. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130033263 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA IN A PREDETERMINED REGION OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and a magnetic resonance system to acquire MR data in a predetermined region within an examination subject, a first three-dimensional volume segment is selectively excited with an RF excitation pulse, this first volume segment including the predetermined region and having a first thickness along a first thickness direction. A selective refocusing pulse is activated in order to selectively refocus a second volume segment. The second volume segment likewise includes the predetermined region and has a second thickness along a second thickness direction orthogonal to the first thickness direction. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130038326 | Method and Apparatus for Compensating for B1 Inhomogeneity in Magnetic Resonance Imaging by Nonselective Tailored RF Pulses - A method of exciting nuclear spins in a body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immerging said body (PB) in a static magnetic field (B | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130038327 | METHOD TO ACQUIRE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA SET OF A TARGET VOLUME - In a method to acquire a magnetic resonance image data set of a target volume with a magnetic resonance device, wherein the target volume is composed of a number of sub-volumes defined in a two-dimensional plane orthogonal to the readout direction, for each sub-volume, in order to acquire a partial data set of a sub-volume, a targeted excitation of the sub-volume and a data acquisition from that sub-volume to measure the partial data set take place by radiation of a first radio-frequency pulse acting in a first direction of the plane and radiation of a second radio-frequency pulse acting in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The partial data sets are combined into the magnetic resonance data set. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130038328 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND GRADIENT COIL COOLING CONTROL METHOD - A feedforward control unit predicts the maximum value of the temperature of a gradient coil based on a power duty and a scan time of a pulse sequence, and a present temperature of the gradient coil. When the maximum value exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the feedforward control unit then instructs a temperature adjusting unit to start a water circulation in a chiller at the start of a prescan, and the temperature adjusting unit starts the water circulation based on the instruction. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130043867 | SIDEBAND PROCESSING FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - A method includes applying a pulse train to a spin system in a scanner. The pulse train has a plurality of discontinuities in a time domain. The method includes receiving a response from the spin system. The response corresponds to a gated signal. The method includes accessing a correction factor corresponding to the scanner. The method includes calculating a correction to the response based on the correction factor. The method includes generating an output based on the correction. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130043868 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY GENERATING MULTI-TYPE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - An electromagnetic wave signal, having a pulse train in which pulses having a plurality of frequencies corresponding to multi-type atomic nuclei are arranged in a line, is applied to a target object located in a magnetic field by using a radio frequency (RF) coil in the magnetic field. Data of magnetic resonance signals corresponding to the multi-type atomic nuclei is collected from the RF coil, and multi-type magnetic resonance images corresponding to the multi-type atomic nuclei are generated by using the data of the magnetic resonance signals. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130043869 | DECONVOLUTION OF CHEMICAL MIXTURES WITH HIGH COMPLEXITY BY NMR CONSENSUS TRACE CLUSTERING - This disclosure provides new multidimensional-NMR approaches that are useful in the analysis of mixtures with high complexity at natural | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130049752 | SAMPLING PATTERN FOR ITERATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - In a method to generate magnetic resonance (MR) images of an examination subject, MR signals are detected simultaneously with multiple coils, each coil having its own coil characteristic. In the detection of the MR signals, raw data space is incompletely filled with MR signals; with raw data space being undersampled in a central raw data region with a coherent acquisition pattern that is composed of a spatially repeating set of raw data points; and raw data space outside of the central raw data region is sampled with an incoherent acquisition pattern. The MR image is reconstructed from the detected MR signals, step-by-step in an iterative reconstruction procedure using a reconstruction matrix A, starting from an initial estimate; wherein the reconstruction matrix has continuing information about the coil characteristics with which the MR signals were detected. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130049753 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an image processing technique which enables various contrast control, by quantitatively handling a degree of phase enhancement in a contrast control as a post-processing of the image reconstruction. A complex operation is performed on each pixel value of a complex image obtained by an MRI, thereby generating an image with desired contrast. Intensity is controlled by increasing or decreasing the argument of the pixel value of each pixel by a constant amount, and the degree of phase enhancement is controlled by multiplying the phase (argument) of each pixel by a constant. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130057278 | LOCAL COIL WITH OPTIMIZED DATA TRANSMISSION - A local coil for magnetic resonance applications receives analog magnetic resonance signals excited by an excitation signal in an examination object using a plurality of receive antennas. The local coil digitizes the received analog magnetic resonance signals and stores the digitized magnetic resonance signals in digital form in a write-in sequence in an internal local coil memory. The local coil reads the digitized magnetic resonance signals stored in the internal local coil memory out of the internal local coil memory in a read-out sequence that is different from the write-in sequence and transfers the digitized magnetic resonance signals to a control and evaluation device of a magnetic resonance unit. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130057279 | Noninvasive Characterization of Mechanical Properties of Materials and Tissues Using Magnetic Resonance Techniques - Techniques include determining, non-invasively and without applying deformational stress, a nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate at a volume inside a subject. The method also includes determining a mechanical property of material at the volume inside the subject based on the nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation rate. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130057280 | Magnetic Resonance System and Method for Rephasing Spin Systems in Slices in Slice Multiplexing Measurement Sequences for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - In a method for rephasing a first spin system in a first slice with a first coherence curve and a second spin system of a second slice with a second coherence curve, in the generation of MR images with slice multiplexing, a first RF pulse deflects the spin system of the first slice and a second RF pulse deflects the spin system of the second slice. The beginning of the second RF pulse is time-shifted with respect to the beginning of the first RF pulse by a time period that is shorter than the duration of the first RF pulse. A rephasing correction impresses a correction phase on at least one of the spin systems, and signals of the spin systems are respectively detected. The coherence curves are rephased so detection of the signals occurs simultaneously. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130057281 | Magnetic Resonance System and Method for Slice-Selective Detection and Correction of Incorrect Magnetic Resonance Image Data in Slice Multiplexing Measurement Sequences - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method system for slice-selective detection and correction of incorrect magnetic resonance data, a first acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a first slice of the examination subject that is associated with a chronologically first coherence curve of the magnetization; a second acquisition sequence is implemented to acquire MR data from a second slice of the examination subject that is associated with a chronologically second coherence curve of the magnetization. In slice multiplexing measurement sequences that are characterized by the simultaneous use of the transverse magnetization of the first and second slice within the first and second acquisition sequences slice-selective errors can be detected and corrections made. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130057282 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR IMAGING A PARTIAL REGION OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to image a partial region of an examination subject by means of a multislice measurement, which partial region includes at least two measurement slices, and is located at least in part at the edge of a field of view of the magnetic resonance apparatus, for each voxel to be optimized that is located at the edge of the field of view, a gradient field is configured for each measurement slice of the partial region that is to be measured and is used to acquire magnetic resonance data in the multislice measurement. The gradient field is configured so as to cause a nonlinearity of the gradient field and a B | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130063144 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE ARTIFACTS IN DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED IMAGING - In a method and system for diffusion-weighted acquisition of MR signals with an image acquisition sequence that has multiple diffusion coding gradients and readout gradients to read out the MR signals, MR signal portions are generated with a desired signal coherence path and MR signal portions are generated with unwanted signal coherence paths, with predominantly the MR signal portions with the desired signal coherence path being acquired by the readout gradients by activating dephasing gradients that reduce the acquisition of MR signal portions with unwanted coherence paths. The dephasing gradients are determined under consideration of the diffusion gradients that are used and under consideration of the unwanted signal coherence paths, so that each has a dephasing gradient moment for each unwanted signal coherence path that is greater than a threshold. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130063145 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING SIGNAL EXCITATION AND/OR RECEPTION IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, provided herein are apparatus, systems and methods for, e.g., faciliatating signal excitation and/or reception in a magnetic resonance system, such as, e.g., a system configured for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or spectroscopy. For example, exemplary embodiments of a method for traveling wave imaging in an MRI system can include, e.g., a circular conductive structure lying in a transverse plane within the scanner bore. The exemplary structure can be concentric with the center of the scanner RF shield. The structure can be arranged to have a resonant mode at the MR frequency characterized by a current pattern which can be configured to excite and receive an exemplary waveguide mode. The exemplary current pattern can be further configured to facilitate traveling wave imaging, for example. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130063146 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CALIBRATION AND DELAY PHASES OF PARALLEL, CONTRAST-ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method for performing parallel magnetic resonance angiography includes controlling operation of a magnetic gradient system and an RF system to perform a calibration data pulse sequence to begin acquiring calibration data for use in a parallel imaging reconstruction process after receiving an indication that the subject has received a dose of a contrast agent. The acquisition of the calibration data is discontinued before the contrast agent reaches a peak concentration within a region of interest (ROI) of the subject and operation of the magnetic gradient system and RF system is controlled to perform an imaging pulse sequence in accordance with a parallel imaging acquisition to begin acquiring image data from the ROI. The image data is reconstructed into an image of the ROI using the calibration data. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130063147 | DECOUPLING OF MULTIPLE CHANNELS OF AN MRI RF COIL ARRAY - A radio-frequency coil assembly ( | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130069644 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN MRI SYSTEM AND AN APPARATUS THEREFOR - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil which receives timing information about a pulse sequence and stores the timing information in a memory of the RF coil. Then, when an RF excitation signal is transmitted, the RF coil performs decoupling. When a magnetic resonance (MR) echo signal is generated, the RF coil receives the MR echo signal and transmits the MR echo signal to a central controlling apparatus through a wireless channel. When a transmission error arises, the RF coil retransmits corresponding data in an idle time when the RF excitation signal is not transmitted or the MR echo signal is not generated. Thus, the RF coil is prevented from being damaged by the RF excitation signal and prevents the quality of an MR image from deteriorating compared to a synchronization-type communication method. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069645 | CHARACTERIZATION OF N-GLYCAN MIXTURES BY NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods for characterizing mixtures of N-linked glycans. Without limitation, methods of the present disclosure may be useful in characterizing monosaccharide composition, branching, fucosylation, sulfation, phosphorylation, sialylation linkages, presence of impurities and/or efficiency of a labeling procedure (e.g., labeling with a fluorophore such as 2-AB). In certain embodiments, the methods can be used quantitatively. In certain embodiments, the methods can be combined with enzymatic digestion to further characterize glycan mixtures. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069646 | METHOD FOR THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROTEIN PREPARATIONS BY MEANS OF NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The invention relates to a method for the comparative analysis and control of the quality of a protein preparation by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. This method can be used to compare three-dimensional protein conformations in different protein preparations without requiring the samples to undergo any particular preparation. In particular, the method can be used to determine if a selected protein is in the same three-dimensional conformation in different protein preparations, if it is degraded in the formulation or if it is interacting with some of the excipients present. Specifically, the method can be used for the analysis and control of the quality of therapeutic compounds, particularly biodrugs or biosimilars, in different samples, without altering said samples. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069647 | TARGETED TRAVELLING WAVE MRI - A travelling wave MRI apparatus is provided that includes a coaxial waveguide arrangement, a cavity for placing therein a subject or object to be imaged, a device for applying a static magnetic field, a device for applying gradient magnetic fields, a device for coupling in electromagnetic excitation pulses having a predetermined operating frequency to induce nuclear magnetic resonance within the subject or object, and a device for detecting an electromagnetic signal resulting from the magnetic resonance. The coaxial waveguide arrangement placed in the cavity of the apparatus comprises a first and a second conductive member arranged in a coaxial arrangement with respect to one another, wherein the first conductive member is formed by a continuous tubular outer member and the second conductive member is formed by a tubular shaped inner member, which is divided in axial direction defining an investigation area. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069648 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANNER FOR HYPERINTENSE DISPLAY OF AREAS IN THE VICINITY OF DIPOLE FIELDS - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for the hyperintense display of areas containing particles of magnetically active substances, in an examination region in a measurement volume of a magnetic resonance scanner, measurement data from the examination area are generated by a pulse sequence and recorded, the pulse sequence causing an echo time of less than one millisecond, so that a suppression of undesired signals is also caused. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069649 | MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER AND OFF-RESONANCE PROTOCOLS IN NMR - A method includes acquiring a signal intensity from a spin system after applying the radio frequency preparation pulses prior to the imaging readout or spectroscopic localization, and acquiring signal intensity starting with magnetization initially rotated to a certain angle by applying an initial pulse before the preparation scheme, and processing the data to generate an image or spectra corresponding to the spin system. The imaging or spectroscopy sequence is configured to provide data based on magnetization transfer or an off-resonance effect. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130069650 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND HIGH-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD PULSE MODULATION METHOD - Degradation of the slice excitation characteristics is prevented by making it possible to modulate a high frequency magnetic field pulse on the basis of a gradient magnetic field response that is actually used. In order to do so, an imaging pulse sequence including first and second measurement sequences is executed. In the first measurement sequence, the same slice selection gradient magnetic field pulse as a slice selection gradient magnetic field pulse used in the second measurement sequence is used. The phase of a magnetic resonance signal measured by the first measurement sequence is differentiated, and the waveform of the high frequency magnetic field pulse is calculated using the result. In the second measurement sequence, a high frequency magnetic field pulse with the calculated waveform is applied together with the slice selection gradient magnetic field pulse, and a magnetic resonance signal for an image is measured. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130076354 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENTS IN AN INTRAORAL REGION - The present embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance system for carrying out magnetic resonance measurements in an intraoral region. The magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance coil element and an intraoral measuring device that measures the position of a number of measuring points situated in the intraoral region. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130076355 | Fast, Low Energy Deposition and Homogeneous T2 Weighted Variable Amplitude PSIF (T2 VAPSIF) Imaging in the Presence of B0inhomogeneities - A method for acquiring medical images, including: applying, during a first period, a plurality of radio frequency (RF) pulses to an area of interest, wherein the RF pulses applied during the first period are Kaiser-Bessel pulses; applying, during a second period, a plurality of 180 degree RF preparation pulses to the area; applying, during a third period, a plurality of 180 degree RF pulses to the area to acquire a center of a k-space; applying, during a fourth period, a plurality of RF pulses to the area, wherein the RF pulses applied during the fourth period have an angle smaller than the 180 degree RF pulses applied during the third period; applying, during a fifth period, a plurality of constant RF pulses to the area to acquire outer lines of the k-space; and generating an image of the area by using a steady-state free precession echo readout. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130076356 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CORRECT DISTORTIONS DUE TO INHOMOGENEITIES OF THE BASIC MAGNETIC FIELD - In a magnetic resonance method and system to correct spatial shifts in MR data, at least two measurement data sets are acquired, the additional measurement data set or sets being acquired while switching an additional gradient relative to acquisition of the first measurement data set. For respective corresponding measurement points of the measurement data sets, a phase difference is initially determined from the first measurement data set and at least one additional measurement data set acquired with the additional gradient, with a spatial shift of the measurement points of the first measurement data set being determined from the spatial shift. The magnitude values of the initially measured measurement points are distributed to their correct spatial position corresponding to the determined spatial shifts, so a corrected image data set is created. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130076357 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO GENERATE A SERIES OF MR IMAGES TO MONITOR A POSITION OF AN INTERVENTIONAL DEVICE - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and system to generate a series of MR images to monitor the position of an interventional device located in an examination region, radial scanning of k-space is combined with other scans, in particular for the k-space center. The measurement time until the entirety of k-space corresponding to the imaging region is scanned is thereby markedly shortened in total. The short echo times that are possible with this reduce susceptibility artifacts in the reconstructed image data and enable a depiction of tissue or substances with very short T2 values, for example plastics. Due to the rapidly repeated excitation and acquisition of measurement data and the reconstruction of image data, it is possible to monitor a position of the intervention device in the examination region. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130082702 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA AND A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data for a plurality of layers of an object to be examined in a section of a magnetic resonance system having a basic magnetic field, wherein the section is located at the edge of a Field of View of the magnetic resonance system in the first direction. The method includes producing a first gradient field having a non-linearity of its location dependence in such a way that in the section the non-linearity compensates a local inhomogeneity of the basic magnetic field, and then multiple positioning of the object to be examined in a first direction, so the plurality of layers of the object to be examined perpendicular to the first direction successively includes the section. Finally, it includes the acquisition of magnetic resonance data for each of the layers with recording sequences. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082703 | METHOD TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT DATA WITH IMAGE CONTRAST SELECTED AND PRODUCED BY PREPARATION PULSES - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to generate magnetic resonance measurement data, k-space corresponding to the examination region is subdivided into a first region and a second region. The first region includes the k-space center, and a ratio of preparation pulses radiated by the radio-frequency antenna of the magnetic resonance apparatus to RF excitation pulses radiated by the radio-frequency antenna is greater in the first region than in a second region of k-space corresponding to the examination region that is not covered by the first region of k-space. Preparation pulses in the entirety of k-space corresponding to the examination region are therefore not radiated uniformly often, but instead a reduced number of preparation pulses is applied in the second region in comparison to the first region. The total measurement time to generate magnetic resonance data, as well as a SAR exposure, are reduced. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082704 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR NON-SELECTIVE EXCITATION OF NUCLEAR SPIN SIGNALS IN AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method for non-selective excitation of nuclear spin signals in an examination subject with a magnetic resonance system, RF excitation pulses are radiated to excite nuclear spin signals in the examination subject with simultaneous switching of gradients for spatial coding of the excited nuclear spin signals, wherein the RF excitation pulses are designed such that the base frequency of a radiated RF excitation pulse is adapted to the simultaneously switched gradient. By the dynamic adaptation of the radiated RF excitation pulses to the respective simultaneously switched gradients, artifacts due to insufficiently excited nuclear spins in an examination region to be examined (in particular even in examination regions that are arranged off-center) are avoided. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082705 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TIME SYNCHRONIZATION OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - A method for time synchronization of various components of a magnetic resonance system includes generating a series of amplitude-modulated radio-frequency pulses and associated gradient fields to deflect the magnetization of a slice detecting at least two spin signals, determining a phase difference between two of the spin signals, processing the phase difference in order to determine at least one time shift between two of the following variables that are generated by different components of the magnetic resonance system, an envelope of the amplitude-modulated radio-frequency pulses, a radio-frequency portion of the amplitude-modulated radio-frequency pulses, and one or more gradient fields, and synchronizing the associated components of the magnetic resonance system depending on the at least one time shift. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082706 | LOCAL ANTENNA DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS - A local antenna device for transmitting magnetic resonance (MR) signals of a plurality of MR receiving antenna elements to an MR signal processing device is provided. The local antenna device includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters for scanning the MR signals and converting the MR signals to digital MR data, and a plurality of transmitting antenna elements for wirelessly transmitting the digital MR data to the MR signal processing device by the emission of an electromagnetic field. The local antenna device includes a plurality of transmitting devices for triggering the transmitting antenna elements and a plurality of spacer elements that is arranged and embodied on the local antenna device such that at least a defined minimum emission spacing is produced between the plurality of transmitting antenna elements and articles adjoining the local antenna device in at least one direction of a principal axis of emission of the electromagnetic field. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082707 | Method for the Control of a Magnetic Resonance System - A method for the control of a magnetic resonance system is provided. In a test phase before a magnetic resonance measurement, a test high-frequency pulse with several parallel individual high-frequency pulses is transmitted with a transmitter antenna arrangement over various different high-frequency transmitter channels. At lower transmitter power, the test high-frequency pulse generates essentially the same field distribution as an excitation high-frequency pulse to be transmitted during a subsequent magnetic resonance measurement. A high-frequency field generated by this test high-frequency pulse is measured in at least one area of a local pulse arrangement, and on the basis of the high-frequency field measured, a high-frequency field value that is to be anticipated at the local coil arrangement during the subsequent magnetic resonance measurement is determined. The control of the magnetic resonance system during a later magnetic resonance measurement includes taking the high-frequency field value into account. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130082708 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND TRANSMITTING SENSITIVITY DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION METHOD - B1 distribution is calculated in a short time with a high degree of precision, and a high quality image is obtained. In the RF shimming for irradiating electromagnetic waves using an RF coil having multiple channels, the absolute values of subtraction images between multiple reconstructed images are used to calculate a transmitting sensitivity distribution which is necessary for calculating inter-channel phase difference and amplitude ratio of RF pulses provided to the respective channels. Those multiple reconstructed images are obtained by executing the imaging sequence after applying a prepulse at different flip angles respectively. Assuming an image obtained with a minimum flip angle as a reference image, for instance, the subtraction images are created between the reference image and the other respective images. It is also possible that multiple subtraction images being obtained are divided by one another, and the transmitting sensitivity distribution is created on the basis of the division result. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130088226 | MRI WITH FAT SUPPRESSION USING FAT DECOUPLING RF DURING PRE-SEQUENCE SHIMMING - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method uses an MRI gantry having a static magnet structure, controllable gradient magnet structures and at least one radio frequency (RF) coil for transmitting and receiving RF signals to and from an imaging volume. Control circuits are configured to control gradient magnetic fields generated by the gradient magnet structures, to transmit/receive RF signals to and from the at least one RF coil and to process RF signals received during a diagnostic MRI scan to produce displayable images of structures located within the imaging volume. The control circuits are configured to include a preparatory fat decoupling RF pulse as part of a patient ROI (region of interest) shimming sequence effected prior to a fat suppression type of diagnostic MRI data acquisition scan sequence. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130088227 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE-BASED METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN SATURATION IN FLOWING BLOOD - A method and system for determination of oxygen saturation in blood flowing in a vessel using magnetic resonance (MR). An MR image sequence is acquired with different echo time (TE) encoding, and different Fourier velocity encoding (FVE). A Fourier transformation is applied along the velocity dimension to determine a velocity distribution of tissue signals in each voxel of the image sequence. Tissue signals indicative of moving tissues are separated from tissue signals indicative of static tissue, based on the velocity distribution. Oxygen saturation in blood may then be determined using only the tissue signals indicative of flowing blood. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130088228 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a magnetization of nuclear spins in a subject is prepared in multiple preparation modules of an acquisition sequence. MR signals are acquired with at least one imaging module of the sequence. Spoiler gradient fields are generated in the multiple preparation modules in order to affect a transverse magnetization of the spins. The spoiler gradient fields that are applied in at least two different preparation modules are spatially varied along different directions. Spoiler gradient moments of the spoiler gradient fields are selected so that, for at least one of three orthogonal spatial directions, a weighted sum of the spoiler gradient moments that are applied along this spatial direction satisfies a threshold condition. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130088229 | Magnetic Resonance Examination with Instrument Detection - An magnetic resonance examination system for examination of an object comprises an RF system to generate an RF transmission field and gradient system to generate temporary magnet gradient fields. A control module includes a sequence controller to control the RF system and the gradient system to produce acquisition sequences including RF pulses and magnetic gradient pulses to generate magnetic resonance signals. The sequence controller is configured to produce an detection scan including a steady state gradient echo acquisition sequence to generate steady state gradient echo signals and an RF spoiled echo acquisition sequence to produce RF spoiled echo signals. The control module further including an analysis unit to compare the gradient echo signals to the RF spoiled echo signals and for detection of an instrument in the object from the comparison of the gradient echoes and the RF spoiled echoes. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130088230 | METHOD OF RECONSTRUCTING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE OF AN OBJECT CONSIDERING HIGHER-ORDER DYNAMIC FIELDS - The invention relates to a method of acquiring a magnetic resonance image of an object employing spatial encoding by a gradient field, said gradient field comprising non-linear gradient field components, the method comprising: selecting ( | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130093423 | Phase Unwrapping in Phase Contrast MR Imaging - Phase unwrapping is provided for phase contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The velocity values are unaliased. For a given location over time, a path over time through a directed graph of possible velocities at each time is determined by minimization of derivatives over time. The possible velocities are based on the input velocity, the input velocity wrapped in a positive direction, and the input velocity wrapped in a negative direction, so the selection to create the minimum cost path represents unaliasing of any aliased velocities. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130099784 | Method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Controlled Aliasing - A method for imaging a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system using controlled aliasing is provided. A radio frequency (RF) excitation field is applied to excite the spins in a volume-of-interest that may include multiple slice locations. Using the MRI system, a readout magnetic field gradient is established following the application of the RF excitation field to form echo signals. These echo signal receive a differential encoding by way of establishing, while the readout gradient is established, alternating magnetic field gradients along two directions, such as the partition-encoding and phase-encoding directions. Image data is acquired from the formed echo signals and images of the subject are reconstructed from the acquired image data. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130099785 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MR DATA IN A PREDETERMINED THREE-DIMENSIONAL VOLUME SEGMENT OF A SUBJECT - Acquisition of magnetic resonance (MR) data in a predetermined three-dimensional volume segment of an examination subject with an MR apparatus proceeds by the volume segment being excited with an RF excitation pulse, and repeated, temporally sequential implementation of the following in order to respectively read out an echo train:
| 04-25-2013 |
| 20130099786 | PARALLEL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING UNDERSAMPLED COIL DATA FOR COIL SENSITIVITY ESTIMATION - A computer program product ( | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130106414 | METHOD FOR RECORDING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA WHEN USING A VENTILATION APPARATUS | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106415 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANALYSIS USING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF BIPOLAR GRADIENT PULSES | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106416 | ROUTER AND COIL ARRAY FOR ULTRA HIGH FIELD MRI | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130106417 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND RF PULSE CONTROL METHOD | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130113481 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING ARTIFACT IN HIGHER ORDER DIFFUSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) - An apparatus and method for compensating for an artifact of higher order diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. The apparatus includes a construction unit configured to construct a diffusion q-space matrix, a correction unit configured to correct an image shift in a phase encoding direction in the constructed diffusion q-space matrix, a reconstruction processing unit configured to reconstruct a q-space of a Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) based on the corrected image shift, and a tracking processing unit to process a DSI fiber tracking using the reconstructed q-space of the DSI. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130113482 | METHOD TO GENERATE AN MR IMAGE, AND CORRESPONDING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - To generate an MR image, acquired MR data are entered into k-space on multiple uniform trajectories in k-space within a predetermined time period. The trajectories are acquired chronologically in a predetermined order before a predetermined point in time, and in a different order after the point in time. The i-th trajectory after the point in time in the different order is adjacent to the (n−i+1)-th trajectory in the predetermined order (n is the number of trajectories acquired before and after the point in time). Two trajectories are adjacent if a distance between them is less than a predetermined threshold. Except for the (n−i+1)-th trajectory, none of the trajectories acquired before the point in time has a distance from the i-th trajectory that is less than the threshold. The predetermined time period is set to be at a middle of a time period after an RF excitation pulse, such that a contrast change within the predetermined time period proceeds as linearly as possible over time. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130113483 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet to generate a static magnetic field in an imaging region, a gradient coil assembly to form a gradient in the static magnetic field, a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse with respect to n (n≧2) slice regions located at different positions in the imaging region, to excite atomic nuclei of the slice regions, and a controller to control the RF coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse having a first center frequency f | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130119982 | Magnetic Resonance Tomography System, Receive Apparatus and Method - A magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system has a receive apparatus disposed in a magnetic field, in which a receive coil is coupled to an input of an analog/digital converter. The analog/digital converter is configured for this purpose. A digital output of the analog/digital converter is coupled via a digital mixer device and a clock-rate-reduction device to a data output of the receive apparatus. The mixer device is configured to mix a predetermined frequency band of the MR signal downwards into an intermediate frequency range and create a digital IF signal. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130119983 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGES - In the generation of MR angiography images of a predetermined three-dimensional volume segment of a living examination subject using means a magnetic resonance system, MR data in the volume segment are acquired by radial acquisition of k-space. The MR data are analyzed in order to subdivide the MR data into groups, with each group including only the MR data that correspond to a specific heart beat phase of the heat of the examination subject. MR angiography images are generated based only on the MR data of one of these groups. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130119984 | TECHNIQUES FOR CORRECTING MEASUREMENT ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE THERMOMETRY - Techniques for correcting measurement artifacts in MR thermometry predict or anticipate movements of objects in or near an MR imaging region that may potentially affect a phase background and then acquire a library of reference phase images corresponding to different phase backgrounds that result from the predicted movements. For each phase image subsequently acquired, one reference phase image is selected from the library of reference phase images to serve as the baseline image for temperature measurement purposes. To avoid measurement artifacts that arise from phase wrapping, the phase shift associated with each phase image is calculated incrementally, that is, by accumulating phase increments from each pair of consecutively scanned phase images. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130119985 | MRI METHOD FOR RETROSPECTIVE MOTION CORRECTION WITH INTERLEAVED RADIAL ACQUISITION - A motion-corrected magnetic resonance imaging method comprises: sequentially acquiring a plurality of interleaved magnetic resonance radial acquisition datasets using a magnetic resonance scanner; reconstructing each magnetic resonance radial acquisition dataset into a corresponding image to generate a set of images, the reconstructing including expanding radial k-space lines of the magnetic resonance radial acquisition dataset into corresponding radial bands in k-space using a generalized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) operator; selecting a reference image from the set of images; performing three-dimensional spatial registration of each image of the set of images except the reference image with respect to the reference image to generate a spatially registered set of images; and combining the spatially registered set of images to generate a motion corrected image. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130127460 | MR IMAGING USING NAVIGATORS - The invention relates to a method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130127461 | MRT System, Receive Apparatus for an MRT System and Method for Obtaining an MR Signal in an MRT System - A receive apparatus in a strong magnetic alternating field is disposed in a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system. The MRT system includes at least one receive apparatus for a magnetic resonance high frequency (MR-HF) signal. The receive apparatus includes a receive coil element for receiving the MR-HF signal, an optical modulator, in which an electrical control input is coupled to the receive coil element, and an optical output for outputting an output signal of the modulator. The optical modulator forms an optical demodulation device for the MR-HF signal. The optical modulator is coupled to a laser light source via an optical input that is configured to generate a laser light. A light intensity of the laser light varies periodically with a predetermined frequency. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130127462 | Method for Operating a Receiving Device for Magnetic Resonance Image Signals of a Body - A receiving device for magnetic resonance (MR) image signals of a body is operated in an MR system such that for at least one coil element of the receiving device, a space domain, in which a spatial sensitivity of the coil element satisfies a predetermined criterion, is determined. A center frequency and a bandwidth of the MR image signal radiated by the body in the space domain are determined for the space domain. A receive path disposed downstream of the coil element is parameterized for operation at the determined center frequency and with the determined bandwidth. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130127463 | Magnetic Resonance Antenna Arrangement and Magnetic Resonance System - A magnetic resonance antenna arrangement includes at least one first antenna group including individually-controllable first antenna conductor loops and a second antenna group adjacent to the first antenna group. The second antenna group includes individually-controllable, longitudinal second antenna elements. The first antenna conductor loops essentially extend in a first extending surface and are disposed in the first extending surface in a first direction in a row behind one another. The longitudinal second antenna elements extend with the longitudinal axes transverse to the first direction disposed in parallel next to one another in a second extending surface that runs essentially in parallel to the first extending surface. Each of the second antenna elements are coupled at first and second end areas to a conductive element to form a second conductor loop with the conductive element. The second antenna elements are disposed to overlap an adjacent first antenna loop in each case. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130127464 | BIOLOGICAL DETECTOR AND METHOD - A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130134972 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR B1 FIELD MAPPING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method of B1 field mapping relating to Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is given. In the method, RF and gradients are applied to excite and select a linear projection through a volume of interest; a radio frequency pulse sequence is transmitted to impart B1 dependent phase to the linear projection, following which a one dimensional spatial encoding signal is acquired along the linear projection; Subsequently a B1 field map based on the one dimensional spatial encoding signal is reconstructed. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134973 | Method for Determining a Control Sequence with Parallel Transmission - A method for determining a set of control parameters of a control sequence for a magnetic resonance device is provided. The set of control parameters is chosen from a plurality of sets of basic parameters. The method includes determining a mean flip angle for each set of basic parameters in an imaging region where an object exists using the set of basic parameters with a first measuring method. For each set of basic parameters, a signal strength of a magnetic resonance signal generated in the case of a reference flip angle of a second measuring method distinguished by a signal maximum or a signal minimum is determined, and the set of basic parameters having a signal strength that is extremal in accordance with the choice of reference flip angle is chosen as the set of control parameters. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134974 | COMBINATION OF MR MEASUREMENT SIGNALS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO - In a computerized method, a magnetic resonance system, and a data storage medium encoded with programming instructions, n magnetic resonance (MR) signals are provided to a processor and, in the processor, a combination of the n associated MR signals is formed by calculating a median of the n associated MR signals, as an ideal MR signal. The ideal MR signal is then either stored or used for further processing. | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130134975 | VIRTUAL COIL EMULATION IN PARALLEL TRANSMISSION MRI - The invention relates to a virtual coil emulation method to be used in a magnetic resonance imaging scan for acquiring a magnetic resonance image of an object ( | 05-30-2013 |
| 20130141092 | METHOD OF OPTIMIZING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANNING PARAMETERS | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141093 | Surface Electrode Design that can be Left in Place During MR Imaging - For use in MR imaging of a patient a plurality of surface electrodes such as ECG or defibrillator are provided for obtaining electrical signals for determining electrical activity within the body of the patient and remain in place during the MR imaging. The surface electrodes include a quick disconnect wire for carrying the signals to a signal processing system to be removed during the MR imaging to prevent heating. Each electrode comprises a conductive layer divided by slits into separate side by side sections to reduce eddy currents which are induced in the surface electrodes when they are exposed to variations in the magnetic field. The sections all are connected through the layer to the conductive location to allow the signal therefrom to be connected to the communication conductor. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141094 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a first imaging unit, an identifying unit, and a second imaging execution unit. The first imaging execution unit acquires, after applying a labeling RF pulse to blood flowing into the myocardium of a subject, multiple non-contrast MR data for which the time intervals between labeling and acquiring data are different by performing sequential imaging of an imaging area including the myocardium in each segment of a k-space for a given time interval. The identifying unit identifies a time interval taken by the labeled blood to reach a given position in the imaging area. The second imaging execution unit sets the identified time interval and, after applying a labeling RF pulse to the blood flowing into the myocardium of the subject, acquires non-contrast MR data by imaging the imaging area including the myocardium. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141095 | NMR SPECTROSCOPY DEVICE BASED ON RESONANCE TYPE IMPEDANCE (IR) SENSOR AND METHOD OF NMR SPECTRA ACQUISITION - Processes and apparatuses are provided for contactless Nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) spectrum acquiring and spectroscopic analysis and/or measuring or monitoring, in-line, in-situ and/or in real time, at least one composition or object under test of one or more solid, liquid, and/or gaseous substances and/or one or more bulk materials. One or more apparatus may include a resonance type impedance sensor having at least two coils, at least one coil of the at least two coils being at least one excitation coil, at least one other coil of the at least two coils being at least one sensing coil. The method(s) involve acquiring an NMR spectrum of an object under test while changing at least one of the frequency of an IR sensor and the intensity of the magnetic field applied to an object under test and/or sweeping intensity of the magnetic field applied to the object under test. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141096 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEASURING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPIN-LATTICE RELAXATION TIME T1 AND SPIN-SPIN RELAXATION TIME T2 - A system for measuring nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation time T | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141097 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - The MRI apparatus includes an image generating unit, an area setting unit, a slice condition determining unit and an imaging executing unit. The image generating unit images an object at a predetermined imaging position, and generates an image for positioning. The area setting unit sets a slab area and a slice area on a basis of a recommended value that is stored in a storage and corresponds to the predetermined imaging position, and to display the set slab area and the set slice area on the image for positioning, the storage storing the recommended value of a parameter concerning a slice condition for each of a plurality of imaging positions. The slice condition determining unit determines the slice condition on a basis of the slice area. The imaging executing unit executes an imaging of the slab area in accordance with the determined slice condition. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130141098 | Alignment Phantom for MR/PET System - A phantom for co-registering a magnetic resonance image and a nuclear medical image is disclosed. The phantom includes a longitudinal member having a first end cap and a second end cap and a chamber contained within the longitudinal member. The chamber contains a fluid for producing a first image using a first imaging modality. The phantom further includes a first rod disposed within the chamber of the longitudinal member. The first rod contains a radioactive substance for producing a second image using a second imaging modality. | 06-06-2013 |
| 20130147475 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A multi-channel coil assembly capable of being configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode is provided. The multi-channel coil assembly includes a plurality of coil elements and a plurality of mode switches. Each of the plurality of mode switches is switchably coupled to at least two of the coil elements. In the first mode, at least one of the mode switches is uncoupled to the coil elements forming a hyperthermia array. The hyperthermia array is configured to transmit first radio frequency signals in response to multiple first input signals supplied thereto. In the second mode, at least one of the mode switches is coupled to the coil elements forming a magnetic resonance (MR) array. The MR array is configured to transmit or receive second radio frequency signals in response to multiple second input signals supplied thereto. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147476 | ACTIVE RESISTIVE SHIMMING FOR MRI DEVICES - Active resistive shim coil assemblies may be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems to reduce in-homogeneity of the magnetic field in the imaging volume. Disclosed embodiments may be used with continuous systems, gapped cylindrical systems, or vertically gapped systems. Disclosed embodiments may also be used with an open MRI system and can be used with an instrument placed in the gap of the MRI system. An exemplary embodiment of the active resistive shim coil assembly of the present disclosure includes active resistive shim coils each operable to be energized by separate currents through a plurality of power channels. In some embodiments, the disclosed active resistive shim coil assemblies allow for various degrees of freedom to shim out field in-homogeneity. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147477 | ENDOGENOUS MAGNETIZATION CONTRAST IN MRI - An endogenous source of magnetic resonance image contrast of biological tissues is provided by modeling a conventional magnetization transfer (CMT) spectrum using z-spectral data and generating magnetization transfer ratio maps from the magnetization transfer spectrum at a frequency of interest. A contribution by the CMT spectrum from the z-spectral data is removed and a direct water saturation component is modeled using the z-spectral data with removed CMT spectrum (z-spectral). When this modeled direct water saturation component contribution is removed from the z-spectral, then the remaining z-spectra reflects new contrast due to chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and magnetization transfer/exchange effect from aliphatic protons probably associated with labile proteins, peptides and lipids, named as novel magnetization transfer (NMT). This technique can be used to illustrate subtle changes in biological tissue as a result of diseases states, provide better visibility of brain white matter plaques, provide improved CEST contrast, provide better visualization of proteins, peptides, and lipids in biological tissue using NMT contrast, improve segmentation of white matter and gray matter in brain images, and the like. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147478 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Steering-Propeller - A GRASE-type PROPELLER sequence called Steer-PROP is disclosed. This sequence exploits a serious of steer blips together with rewinding gradient pulse to traverse k-space. Steer-PROP improves the scan time by a factor of 3 or higher compared to FSE-PROPELLER, provides improved robustness to off-resonance effects compared to EPI-PROPELLER, and addresses a long-standing phase correction problem inherent to GRASE based sequences. Steer-PROP also enables intra-blade, inter-blade, and inter-shot phase errors to be separately determined and independently corrected. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147479 | Method for Monitoring Patient Exposure in a Magnetic Resonance Device - A method for monitoring an exposure experienced by a patient during an examination with a magnetic resonance device having a transmitter device is provided. The method includes determining a coil power loss from measured amplitudes and phases of a first measuring device, and determining an overall transmitted power from voltage measurement values of the second measuring device. The method also includes determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) value describing a power entering a patient from the coil power loss and the overall transmitted power and comparing the SAR value with at least one limit value. A transmission operation of the transmitter device is terminated if the at least one limit value is exceeded. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147480 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND MEDICAL SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit and an imaging unit. The imaging condition setting unit is configured to set slice positions same as past slice positions to a same object and to set a table position of a bed with the object set to position a position representing a slice position designated out of the slice positions or a position representing a slice range designated out of the slice positions on a center of a magnetic field. The imaging unit is configured to acquire magnetic resonance data from the slice positions set for the object at the table position of the bed to generate image data corresponding to the slice positions based on the acquired magnetic resonance data. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147481 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND VIBRATIONAL ERROR MAGNETIC FIELD REDUCTION METHOD - Regardless of the measurement conditions, the degradation of the image quality due to a vibrational error magnetic field, which is generated by the vibration of the mechanical structure of an MRI apparatus, is reduced. In order to do so, error magnetic field image data indicating an error magnetic field distribution is acquired on the basis of an echo signal measured using a pulse sequence having a test gradient magnetic field, a parameter value of a damped vibration function showing a vibrational error magnetic field is calculated using the error magnetic field image data, and a correction magnetic field is calculated on the basis of the calculated parameter value of the damped vibration function showing the vibrational error magnetic field. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130147482 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARYING ADAPTIVELY PULSE INTERVAL IN NMR-BASED WATER CONTENT MEASUREMENT - The invention relates to a NMR method for determining moisture content of a sample, in which method a sample is objected to a magnetic DC-field, the sample under magnetic DC-field is objected to a sequence of excitation pulses in RF-frequency with pulse interval for exciting hydrogen nuclei, and NMR signal of the excited hydrogen nuclei is measured. In accordance with the invention spin-lattice relaxation time is estimated for the sample, and pulse interval is adjusted longer than the estimated spin-lattice relaxation time. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130154637 | MEASUREMENT OF CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM RATIO USING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM - The use of selective RF excitation is discussed. A spectrally selective, large tip angle RF pulse is used to detect a weak signal from a first chemical species. A non-selective, small tip angle pulse is used in measuring a signal from a second chemical species in exchange with the first chemical species. The acquired resonance data provides maybe used to measure the ratio of the spectrally distinct species in exchange. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154638 | METHOD FOR COMPUTING PHARMACOKINETIC PARAMETERS IN MRI - The present invention relates to a method of dynamic contrast magnetic resonance imaging aimed to improve characterization of tissue image by improving accuracy of computed pharmacokinetic parameters such as K | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154639 | METHOD OF CAPTURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A method captures a magnetic resonance image for increasing convenience of a user, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus uses the method, which includes: obtaining shape information of a subject; adjusting a field of view (FoV) according to the shape information of the subject; setting a K-space corresponding to the adjusted FoV; and capturing the magnetic resonance image by using the set K-space. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154640 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - The invention concerns a method to generate an MR image of an examination subject of MR signals of the examination subject being detected with a receiver coil element of a magnetic resonance system. A spatially related sensitivity is determined for the receiver coil element. A mask is generated for the receiver coil element depending on the sensitivity of the receiver coil element in order to therewith mask a region of the MR image, in which region the receiver coil element has at least one predetermined sensitivity. At least one RF excitation pulse and at least one magnetic field gradient are activated to acquire MR data with the receiver coil element, and a preliminary MR image is generated depending on MR data acquired therewith. The mask of the receiver coil element is applied to the preliminary MR image in order to generate an MR image of the receiver coil element, and an MR image of the examination subject is generated from the MR image for the receiver coil element. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154641 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method, magnetic resonance system and a reconstruction device for generation of magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired in k-space, the raw magnetic resonance data including measurement values at multiple readout points that are arranged along multiple different trajectories in k-space. A displacement value is determined for each trajectory on the basis of the measurement values of a collection of multiple trajectories. Readout points of the raw magnetic resonance data are displaced by the displacement value, and image data are reconstructed from the displaced raw magnetic resonance data. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154642 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus ( | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154643 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130154644 | LOW-FIELD NMR DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE WATER CONTENT OF SOLIDS AND SLURRIES - A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) apparatus and method for measuring the water content of samples has a device to produce a main magnetic field; a sample receiving space within a main magnetic field; a device to excite a measurable RF magnetization to a sample placed into the sample receiving space at an operating frequency defined by the main magnetic field; a device to measure the RF signal produced by the excited sample; and a device to determine the water content in the sample based on the RF signal. The sample receiving space is capable of accommodating a sample having a volume of at least 0.5 dm | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130162250 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO REDUCE POWER LOSS IN A GRADIENT AMPLIFIER - A gradient amplifier system, includes: a power stage comprising a plurality of bridge amplifiers, each operates at a first switching frequency; a gradient coil coupled to the power stage and configured to produce a magnetic field proportional to a coil current signal supplied by the power stage; a controller stage coupled to an input terminal of the power stage and configured to: generate a pulse width modulated gate signal based on the coil current signal and a reference current signal, wherein the pulse width modulated gate signal is generated at a second switching frequency when a slew rate associated with the reference current signal is below a threshold rate for at least a first time period; and apply the pulse width modulated gate signal to the power stage for changing an operating frequency of each of the plurality of bridge amplifiers from the first to the second switching frequency. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130162251 | PARALLEL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD FOR RADIAL TRAJECTORY - A parallel imaging (PI) method has been frequently used as a method for shortening an image acquisition time in the MRI field. The PI technique is a method for acquiring data using multi-channel coils, that is, several coils, when acquiring the data in MRI. According to this technique, data, the amount of which is smaller than that when the data is obtained using only one coil, is acquired, and then an image is obtained using coil information. According to an embodiment, a new image reconstruction method is proposed which adopts an expectation maximization (EM) technique that is different from the existing GRAPPA or SENSE technique when an image is obtained using PI data acquired through the radial trajectory. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130169273 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM, OPERATING METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE TO GENERATE T2-WEIGHTED IMAGES USING A PULSE SEQUENCE WITH VERY SHORT ECHO TIMES - In a method to control a magnetic resonance system to generate magnetic resonance exposures of an examination subject, a first magnetic resonance radio-frequency pulse with a pulse length of at most 50 μs is initially emitted in a volume region of the examination subject. At least one second magnetic resonance radio-frequency pulse, whose phase is essentially rotated by 180° relative to the first magnetic resonance radio-frequency pulse, with a pulse length of at most 50 μs, is emitted in the same volume region of the examination subject in a predetermined time interval immediately after the first magnetic resonance radio-frequency pulse. An acquisition of raw data from the volume region of the examination subject then takes place. Furthermore, a control device for operating a magnetic resonance system as well as a magnetic resonance system with such a control device to implement such a method, are described. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169274 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit and a cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit. The magnetic resonance data acquisition unit consecutively acquires a plurality of magnetic resonance data for generating a plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data, each corresponding to a different data acquisition time, after a labeling pulse is applied. The cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit generates the plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data based on the plurality of magnetic resonance data. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169275 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - A magnetic resonance imaging method and imaging device are disclosed. The magnetic resonance imaging method includes dividing the current slab of an imaging region into an initial number of detection sub-slabs, and expanding the encoded thickness of each detection sub-slab according to a predetermined initial expansion factor, subjecting each expanded detection sub-slab to deformation detection using the first fast spin echo sequence, and determining the position of each imaging sub-slab of the current slab and an expansion factor corresponding to each imaging sub-slab, wherein the readout gradient of the first fast spin echo sequence is applied in the direction of the slice selection gradient, expanding the encoded thickness of each imaging sub-slab of the current slab of the imaging region on the basis of the determined position of each imaging sub-slab and the corresponding expansion factor, and performing an imaging scan of each expanded imaging sub-slab using a second fast spin echo sequence. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169276 | BIOLOGICAL DETECTOR AND METHOD - A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130176026 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods - A method of investigating an object using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) equipment includes generating a one-dimensional projection of the object for each of a plurality of echoes utilizing echo train signal indications resulting from pulse sequences, and utilizing the plurality of one-dimensional projections, for each of the plurality of echoes, generating NMR image data for at least one location in the object. The NMR image data may be displayed. The displayed data may include a T2 decay curve, a T2 value display, a T2 distribution graph, or petrophysical data for at least one object location. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130176027 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF CHEMICAL SPECIES - The invention relates to a method of imaging at least two chemical species using magnetic resonance imaging with signal separation for the two chemical species, the method comprising:—acquiring first and second echo data at different echo times resulting in a first and second acquired complex dataset,—modelling the first and second acquired dataset, said modelling comprising a spectral signal model of at least one of the chemical species,—identifying in the first and second acquired dataset the voxels for which the modelling yields a single, unambiguous mathematical solution for the signal separation, and—resolving the ambiguity for the voxels for which the modelling yields more than one mathematical solution, if any such voxels remain. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130181709 | MRI USING FASTER MULTIPLEXED ECHO PLANAR IMAGING (EPI) PULSE SEQUENCES - An MRI scanner and an MRI method that effectively reduce the inherent difference in timing of TE in the SIR images by using alternating polarity of the slice selective gradient pulse Gs and corresponding alternate polarity in RF phase offset in the excitation pulse. By using alternating polarity selective gradients, the refocusing gradient pulse on the Gs axis can be eliminated between the excitation pulses so that the time spacing between the multiple SIR excitation pulses is reduced, and therefore the time delay between onset of slice signal decay is reduced. This results in an earlier possible TE of the first excited slice, hence less signal decay and higher SNR, and overall the TE of different slices can be more nearly the same. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130181710 | Method for Simultaneous Multi-Slice Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for multi-slice magnetic resonance imaging, in which image data is acquired simultaneously from multiple slice locations using a radio frequency coil array, is provided. By way of example, a modified EPI pulse sequence is provided, and includes a series of magnetic gradient field “blips” that are applied along a slice-encoding direction contemporaneously with phase-encoding blips common to EPI sequences. The slice-encoding blips are designed such that phase accruals along the phase-encoding direction are substantially mitigated, while providing that signal information for each sequentially adjacent slice location is cumulatively shifted by a percentage of the imaging FOV. This percentage FOV shift in the image domain provides for more reliable separation of the aliased signal information using parallel image reconstruction methods such as SENSE. In addition, the mitigation of phase accruals in the phase-encoding direction provides for the substantial suppression of pixel tilt and blurring in the reconstructed images. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130181711 | Method for Performing Parallel Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method of parallel magnetic resonance imaging of a body, comprising:—acquiring a set of elementary magnetic resonance images of said body from respective receiving antennas having known or estimated sensibility maps and noise covariance matrices, said elementary images being under-sampled in k-space; and performing regularized reconstruction of a magnetic resonance image of said body; wherein said step of performing regularized reconstruction of a magnetic resonance image is unsupervised and carried out in a discrete frame space. A method of performing dynamical and parallel magnetic resonance imaging of a body, comprising:—acquiring a set of time series of elementary magnetic resonance images of said body from respective receiving antennas having known or estimated sensibility maps and noise covariance matrices, said elementary images being under-sampled in k-space; and performing regularized reconstruction of a time series of magnetic resonance images of said body. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130187650 | DYNAMIC B0 FIELD DETECTION BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE NAVIGATORS, AND CORRECTION FOR MULTICHANNEL RECEPTION AND/OR TRANSMISSION RF COIL CONFIGURATIONS - In a method for calculating a B | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130187651 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus ( | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130187652 | Method for Motion Correction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Radio Frequency Coil Arrays - A method for motion correction using coil arrays, termed “MOCCA,” is provided, in which coil-dependent motion-related signal variations are employed to determine information related to motion in two and three directions. With such a method, navigator echoes are not required, nor is the acquisition of additional data required to resolve complex motions in more than one direction. The motion estimation and compensation method provided by MOCCA is also applicable to applications of cardiac, respiratory, and other physiological self-gating techniques. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130193966 | PHASE-SENSITIVE IMAGING OF MAGNETIZATION EXCHANGE AND ISOTOPE FLUX - A method for imaging a substrate and product over time is provided. The substrate and product are magnetically tagged with at least one magnetic gradient where magnetically tagging provides a tag-dependent signal phase for the substrate and a different tag-dependent signal phase for the product. At least one readout of magnetically tagged substrate and product is provided over time. The tag-dependent signal phase is used to determine product that has been transformed from magnetically tagged substrate and substrate that has been transformed from magnetically tagged product over time. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130193967 | METHOD FOR TAKING DATA FROM A RESONANCE FORCE MICROSCOPY PROBE - A control apparatus for extracting data from an MRFM system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprising a visualization controller for controlling operation of the MRFM system, an initialization module, coupled to the visualization controller, for retrieving initialization data from a data source, a data collection module, coupled to the visualization controller, for extracting data from the MRFM system and an imaging module for generating image data based on the extracted data. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130193968 | LOCAL COIL WITH A NUMBER OF SEPARATELY SWITCHABLE LOCAL COIL SHIM COILS - A local coil for an imaging system includes a number of shim coils. A current for generating a shim field in one of the shim coils may be switched on and switched off. A current for generating a shim field in another of the shim coils may be switched on and switched off. The currents may be switched on and switched off independently of one another for generating a respective shim field in the shim coils. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130193969 | RELAXATION TIME ESTIMATION IN SURFACE NMR - Technologies including NMR relaxation time estimation methods and corresponding apparatus are disclosed. Example techniques may generate two or more alternating current transmit pulses with arbitrary amplitudes, time delays, and relative phases; apply a surface NMR acquisition scheme in which initial preparatory pulses, the properties of which may be fixed across a set of multiple acquisition sequence, are transmitted at the start of each acquisition sequence and are followed by one or more depth sensitive pulses, the pulse moments of which are varied across the set of multiple acquisition sequences; and apply processing techniques in which recorded NMR response data are used to estimate NMR properties and the relaxation times T | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130193970 | PROBE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE FORCE MICROSCOPY AND METHOD THEREOF - A probe for use in Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM) to provide an image of a sample comprising: a magnetic field source adapted to orient the spin of the nuclei in a sample; a detector capable of detecting a magnetic field comprising an oscillator; at least one conductor substantially surrounding the oscillator for forming a RF antenna for transmitting a radio frequency electromagnetic field; whereby the at least one conductor transmits a radio frequency electromagnetic field that influences the nuclei in the sample, and whereby the detector detects how the nuclei are influenced through the oscillations of the oscillator to provide identification information concerning the content of the sample. Also included is a method for magnetic resonance force microscopy of a sample. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130200892 | Flexible Ordering for Multiple Slice MRI - A method of ordering slices for interleaved MRI is provided that includes selecting a number of interleaved slice locations (N | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130207652 | System for Accelerated Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Parallel Coils - An MR imaging system uses multiple RF coils for acquiring corresponding multiple image data sets of a slice or volume of patient anatomy. An image data processor comprises at least one processing device conditioned for, deriving a first set of weights for weighted combination of k-space data of the multiple image data sets for generating a calibration data set comprising a subset of k-space data of composite image data representing the multiple image data sets. The image data processor uses the calibration data set in generating a first MR image data set, deriving the parameters of a probability distribution in response to the first set of weights and the first MR image data set and deriving a second set of weights and second MR image data set together using the probability distribution. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130207653 | MAGNETIC RESONANACE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING IRRADIATION MAGNETIC FIELD - There is provided an MRI apparatus capable of measuring the B1 distribution of an RF transmission coil in a short time with high accuracy. In order to realize this, imaging means of the MRI apparatus includes a B1 distribution measurement sequence that includes an application of a pre-pulse by RF radiation means and a plurality of signal acquisition sequences with different elapsed time (TI) from the pre-pulse. The signal acquisition sequence uses a pulse having a small flip angle as an RF pulse and is executed before the longitudinal relaxation after the pre-pulse ends. Calculation means calculates the B1 distribution of the RF radiation means using image data with different TI acquired in the respective signal acquisition sequences. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130214781 | System and Method for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Water-Fat Separation with Full Dynamic Range Using In-Phase Images - A magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system and method for producing an image of a subject with the MRI system in which signal contributions of water and fat are separated are provided. A plurality of in-phase echoes formed at a plurality of different echo times are sampled to acquire k-space data. The in-phase echoes include signal contributions from water and fat that are in-phase with each other. The signal contributions from water and fat are then separated by fitting only those echo signals that are in-phase echo signals to a signal model that models a fat spectrum as including multiple resonance peaks. From these signal contributions, an image of the subject depicting a desired amount of signal contribution from water and a desired amount of signal contribution is produced. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130214782 | FLOW-SENSITIVE, FREQUENCY-INDEPENDENT EXCITATION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS - A transmit coil system of a magnetic resonance system is exposed to high-frequency transmit pulses so that atomic nuclei of a predetermined type of atomic nucleus of an examination object introduced into an examination volume are excited by the high-frequency transmit pulses to emit magnetic resonance signals. A gradient magnetic system is exposed to gradient currents during the exposure of the examination volume to the high-frequency transmit pulses so that gradient magnetic fields are superimposed on a basic magnetic field generated by a basic magnet in the examination volume. The gradient currents and the high-frequency transmit pulses are matched to each other such that the atomic nuclei are exclusively those with a velocity lying within or outside a predetermined velocity range. The excitation is independent of variations in the Larmor frequency of the relevant type of atomic nucleus caused by inhomogeneities of the basic magnetic field and/or by chemical displacement. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130214783 | IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR WATER/FAT SEPARATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In an imaging method and device for water/fat separation in MRI using a two-point Dixon FSE sequence, each refocusing RF pulse corresponds to two readout gradients of the same polarity, each being center-divided into a smaller rear part and a larger front part, and one rephasing gradient of opposite polarity. In running the FSE sequence, each echo signal acquired is subjected to an FFT, to reconstruct an image with water and fat in phase and an image with water and fat in opposed phases. Data of each echo signal are subjected to a partial Fourier transform; and the in-phase water/fat image and the opposite-phase water/fat image are subjected to a water/fat separation algorithm, to obtain a pure water image and a pure fat image. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130221962 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN ACTIVATION SEQUENCE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE - A method for determining an activation sequence for a magnetic resonance device is provided. The activation sequence includes single pulses to be emitted simultaneously for a plurality of individually activatable high-frequency transmission channels. The method includes determining an amplitude and a phase of a plurality of square-wave subpulses, of which the single pulse is composed, by a pulse optimization method for a predefined target magnetization for each of the single pulses. The method also includes determining optimized, layer-selective subpulses for each square-wave subpulse of the plurality of square-wave subpulses while retaining phase and integral of the square-wave subpulse with regard to a bandwidth of the plurality of square-wave subpulses and/or the quality of a profile of a layer to be excited. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130221963 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE - Magnetic resonance imaging method and device, preferably using T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequences, wherein a first set of magnetic resonance signals corresponding to predetermined phase-encoding gradients and at least one second set of received magnetic resonance signals, corresponding to further predetermined phase-encoding gradients, are acquired from the body under examination, using multi-echo sequences, such that echoes with the same echo index are assigned to different phase-encoding gradients, said first set and said at least one second set being entered into at least two corresponding k-space matrices, and the at least two k-space matrices being combined into a single k-space matrix from which an image is generated, wherein each k-space matrix is incompletely filled such that, for the same phase encoding gradients, one matrix contains the higher-intensity received signals, and at least another matrix contains no signal. | 08-29-2013 |
| 20130229177 | Apparatus for Real-Time Phase Correction for Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Adaptive RF Pulses - Phase error in MR imaging is corrected in real time by providing adaptive RF pulses and corresponding adaptive magnetic field gradients to mitigate the effect of phase error in the imaging subject. A real time phase error map is obtained, and then adaptive RF pulses and corresponding field gradients are applied that remove the problematic effects of the phase error. Depending on details of the MR imaging mode being employed, there are several ways this removal can be done. Phase error can be cancelled by providing RF pulses that make the phase in the imaging subject uniform. Another approach is to make the adaptive RF pulses insensitive to the phase errors that are present. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130229178 | Local Screen and Method for the Screening Out of Magnetic Resonance Signals - A local screen screens out magnetic resonance signals of an object under examination during magnetic resonance imaging with a magnetic resonance device. The local screen includes a plurality of electrically conductive local screen elements that are arranged such that no direct electrically conductive connection pertains between the local screen elements. The local screen further includes a carrier device for accommodating the local screen elements and a number of switching devices that are connected in an electrically conductive manner to the local screen element, and are embodied such that the electrical resistance may be controlled by a number of screen control signals. In addition, the local screen includes a number of screen control signal inputs for the number of screen control signals. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130229179 | NMR DEVICE FOR DETECTION OF ANALYTES - This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130234707 | FRESH BLOOD IMAGING (FBI) WITH INDEPENDENTLY CONTROLLED MRI DATA ACQUISITION PARAMETERS FOR DIASTOLIC AND SYSTOLIC MRI ACQUISITION SUB-SEQUENCES - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is configured to effect magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) data acquisition sequences including electrocardiogram (ECG) triggered fresh blood imaging (FBI) images respectively associated with systolic and diastolic phases of ECG cycles. An operator input and display interface may be configured to provide operator options for independently controlling at least one imaging sequence parameter to have a different value for each of systolic and diastolic phase images in an FBI MRI data acquisition sequence. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130234708 | MAGNETIC FIELD GRADIENT MONITOR AND MAGNETIC FIELD GRADIENT WAVEFORM CORRECTION APPARATUS AND METHODS - Method for correcting the magnetic field gradient waveform in a magnetic resonance measurement including extracting an impulse response from the measured step response of a magnetic resonance system, determining the slew rate of the system during the step response measurement, modifying the desired output waveform such that the desired output waveform is constrained to within the slew rate and the bandwidth of the system, and determining the required pre-equalized input waveform. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130241549 | TRAVELING WAVE MRI IN HIGH BO FIELD STRENGTHS - In an MRI scanner, the transmission and reception of RF excitation and detected signal waves is accomplished using far field excitation instead of conventional near field excitation. By superimposing two counter-propagating waves from the same source in the MRI sample interference fringes are recorded in the sample in such a way that the relative phase between the two propagation wave vectors determines the periodicity of the maxima and minima in the interference fringe pattern. The complete fringe pattern, known as a spatial hologram, contains both the phase and amplitude information of the information-bearing wave. When exposed to a replica of the original reference wave, the fringe pattern acts as a diffraction grating, reproducing the information-bearing field propagating at the same relative phase. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241550 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSCEPTIBILITY TENSOR IMAGING - The present disclosure provides a method and system for quantifying and making images of tissue anisotropy property based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The systems and methods provided herein utilize orientation distribution of magnetic susceptibility to characterize magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (MSA) inside biological tissues. This MSA may be intrinsic property of the tissue or may be induced by the presence of external agents. In certain embodiments, the MSA is displayed as an orientation distribution function of susceptibility and/or may be described by mathematical quantities such as tensors (e.g., symmetric or asymmetric second order or higher order tensors) and spherical harmonics. In other embodiments, the MSA is characterized using a second order tensor named apparent susceptibility tensor (AST). | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241551 | ULTRA-LOW-FIELD NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE DIRECT MYOCARDIAL ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY DETECTION METHOD AND ULTRA-LOW-FIELD NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE DEVICE - Provided are ultra-low-field nuclear-magnetic-resonance myocardial electrical activity detection method and an ultra-low-field nuclear-magnetic-resonance device. The ultra-low-field nuclear-magnetic-resonance device includes magnetic shielding means; high-sensitivity magnetic field measuring means disposed adjacent to a measurement target disposed inside the magnetic shielding means; and bias magnetic field generating means for providing an external measurement bias magnetic field, corresponding to a proton magnetic resonance frequency (nuclear magnetic resonance frequency) corresponding to a frequency of periodic myocardial activity of a lesion desired to be measured, to the measurement target. The high-sensitivity magnetic field measuring means measures a magnetic resonance signal generated from the measurement target. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241552 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTRAST-ENHANCED IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - Disclosed are an MRI apparatus and an image contrast enhancement method capable of acquiring an image with enhanced contrast between different tissues while reducing an imaging time even if a SPEC-IR pulse is used as an RF pre-pulse. An echo signal is measured from an object, which includes a first tissue having a first resonance frequency and a second tissue having a second resonance frequency, using a pulse sequence having a RF pre-pulse unit which is provided with an RF pre-pulse having the first resonance frequency for negatively exciting longitudinal magnetization of the first tissue and a measurement sequence unit which measures an echo signal before the longitudinal magnetization excited by the RF pre-pulse is recovered to equal to or greater than zero. A contrast enhancement process for enhancing either tissue relative to the other tissue is performed on an image of the object reconstructed using the echo signal on the basis of phase information of the image to acquire a contrast-enhanced image. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130249548 | METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE TO OPERATE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a control device for operation of a magnetic resonance tomography system to generate image data, multiple of slices in an examination subject are initially excited at a first time interval by a respective RF slice excitation pulse of a series of spatially selective slice excitation pulses. An RF refocusing pulse is then emitted at a second time interval after the first excitation pulse or after the last excitation pulse of the series of RF slice excitation pulses. At least one additional RF refocusing pulse is emitted at a third time interval after a preceding RF refocusing pulse. The third time interval is twice as long as the second time interval. The width of the RF refocusing pulses is selected to generate a number of chronologically separate echo signals per RF refocusing pulse for simultaneous refocusing of all excited slices. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249549 | DETERMINATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM CONTROL SEQUENCE - In method and a control sequence determination device to determine a magnetic resonance system control sequence that includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization (m) is initially detected, and an energy distribution function in k-space is determined on the basis of the target magnetization. A k-space trajectory is then determined under consideration of the energy distribution function in k-space, for which the radio-frequency pulse train is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method. The method is suitable for operation of a magnetic resonance system, and a magnetic resonance system includes such a control sequence determination device. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249550 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE MR DATA IN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system, a marked area is determined that demarcates a predetermined volume segment of the subject relative to the regions adjacent thereto. Nuclei in the predetermined volume segment are excited, or nuclei in a region adjacent thereto are saturated with an RF excitation pulse at the same time a magnetic field gradient is activated. The center frequency of a frequency range of the RF excitation pulse and the direction of the magnetic field gradient are adjusted dependent on resonant frequencies of substances present within the predetermined volume segment in order, starting from the predetermined volume segment to shift an actual excitation volume segment excited by the RF excitation pulse toward the marked area, or to shift a saturation volume saturated by the RF excitation pulse away from the marked area. MR data are then acquired from the predetermined volume segment. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249551 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A COMPLETE PARAMETER OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE PULSE SEQUENCE - In a method to determine a complete parameter of a pulse sequence composed of multiple pulse sequence modules for operating a magnetic resonance examination apparatus parameter information of the pulse sequence modules is stored in a memory in leaves and nodes of a tree structure, and the parameter information stored in the tree structure is evaluated to determine the complete parameter of the pulse sequence. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249552 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collecting unit and an indentifying unit. The collecting unit collects at least one frequency spectrum out of a plurality of frequency spectra by performing a pre-scan in which a first substance is frequency-selectively suppressed or enhanced. The indentifying unit analyzes the frequency spectra and identifies a resonance frequency of a second substance on the basis of analysis results. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249553 | MR IMAGING USING A MULTI-POINT DIXON TECHNIQUE - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249554 | MR IMAGING USING A MULTI-POINT DIXON TECHNIQUE - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130249555 | MRI DATA ACQUISITION, RECONSTRUCTION AND CORRECTION METHODS FOR DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING (DWI) AND DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING (DTI) AND RELATED SYSTEMS - Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate MRI images using gradient blips for signal acquisition and reconstruction using dynamic field mapping, TE corrections and/or multischeme partial Fourier images. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130257425 | PULSE SEQUENCE FOR HOMONUCLEAR J-DECOUPLING DURING NMR DATA ACQUISITION - A method is long observation based selective homonuclear decoupling includes acquiring one of CO or CA time domain signals during rotor synchronized breaks between decoupling pulses. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130257426 | Activating a Magnetic Resonance System - A method for activating a magnetic resonance system having a transmit antenna arrangement is provided. The transmit antenna arrangement includes a plurality of independent high-frequency transmit channels with a respectively assigned transmit antenna. Each high-frequency transmit channel has a controllable oscillator. The individual high-frequency transmit channels are activated with independent transmit pulses, and a frequency of the controllable oscillators is controlled independently. At least two of the controllable oscillators therefore oscillate in different frequencies. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130257427 | Determining a Magnetic Resonance System Control Sequence - A method and a control sequence determination device are provided for determining a magnetic resonance control sequence that includes a multichannel pulse train with a number of individual RF pulse trains sent out in parallel by a magnetic resonance system over different independent radio-frequency transmit channels. The multichannel pulse train is calculated based on a predetermined target function with a predetermined target magnetization in an RF pulse optimization method. The RF pulse optimization method takes account of the magnetization in the form of a non-linear equation and of a local radio-frequency load and in a plurality of volume elements in the form of quadratic equation systems. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130257428 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION PHYSIOLOGICAL IMAGING OF NEURONS - In accordance with disclosed embodiments, very high magnetic gradients and magnetic slew are applied to magnetizable particle imaging in order to realize high spatial resolution. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130257429 | Method for Non-Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography - A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”) that has a short scan time and is insensitive to patient motion is provided. More particularly, the method provides significant arterial conspicuity and substantial venous signal suppression. A two-dimensional single shot acquisition is employed and timed to occur a specific time period after the occurrence of an R-wave in a contemporaneously recorded electrocardiogram. In this manner, k-space data is acquired that is substantially insensitive to variations in arterial flow velocity, or heart rate, and that further substantially suppresses unwanted venous signal in a prescribed imaging slice. Alternatively, a two-dimensional multi-shot acquisition is employed to acquire k-space data using an echo train length that is sufficiently short so as to suppress flow-related artifacts, and such that cardiac gating is not required. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130265045 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTISTATION IMAGE PASTING FOR WHOLE BODY DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED IMAGING - An MRI system includes a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer programmed to execute a diffusion-weighted imaging pulse sequence to acquire MR data from a subject over two or more stations, acquire imaging data of the subject over the two or more stations, reconstruct images that correspond to each of the two or more stations, and calculate an average intensity signal per slice within each of the reconstructed images. The computer is further programmed to adjust intensity within at least one of the reconstructed images based on the calculated average intensity signal within each of the reconstructed images and form a pasted image using a reconstructed image having its intensity adjusted and another reconstructed image. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265046 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MR PHASE CONTRAST IMAGES NEAR METAL - A system and method for generating MR phase contrast images near metal include an MRI apparatus that includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets and to generate a plurality of frequency images based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets. Each 3D MR data set is acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to convert the plurality of frequency images to a plurality of time domain images and to generate a phase image based on the plurality of time domain images. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265047 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Fingerprinting - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265048 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265049 | Controlling Magnetic Resonance Systems - A method for controlling a magnetic resonance system outputs a pulse sequence including a first slice-selective excitation pulse that excites a first slice with a first magnetization. The pulse sequence includes a second slice-selective excitation pulse that excites a second slice with the first magnetization and a third slice-selective excitation pulse that excites the first slice with a second magnetization that cancels the first magnetization. The pulse sequence also includes and a fourth slice-selective excitation pulse that excites the second slice with a magnetization that cancels the first magnetization. The first slice and the second slice intersect. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265050 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR FUNCTIONAL MR IMAGING OF A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT OF THE BRAIN OF A LIVING EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system for functional MR imaging of a predetermined volume segment of THE brain of a living examination subject, an RF excitation pulse is radiated into the subject and at least one magnetic field gradient is activated, and MR data of the predetermined volume segment is acquired beginning at a predetermined echo time after the RF excitation pulse. The echo time is in a time period of 10 μs to 1000 μs. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265051 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING FAT OR MOISTURE CONTENT - A method of measuring NMR response in an NMR instrument includes heating a sample at a heater temperature that is higher than the temperature of the interior of the NMR instrument, positioning the heated sample in the NMR instrument, and measuring the NMR response of the heat sample. Typically, the sample is dry and includes fat. Furthermore, a method of determining an amount of a component of a sample includes positioning a sample in an NMR instrument, applying a sequence of radio-frequency pulses to the sample, measuring the amplitudes of the signals produced by the application of the sequence of radio-frequency pulses, and determining the amount of a component in the sample using the measured amplitudes of the signals. The disclosed methods typically provide accurate analysis of samples in a shorter time period than traditional NMR techniques and solvent-based analysis techniques. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265052 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE SAMPLE POINTS OF A RANDOM UNDERSAMPLING SCHEME FOR THE ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to determine sample points of a random undersampling scheme of k-space to acquire reduced MR data with multiple coils, a set of sample points of the random undersampling scheme to acquire the reduced MR data is determined, and an indicator of a signal noise in reconstructed MR data is calculated. Furthermore, an additional sample point, which is not included in the set of sample points is determined, and a change of the indicator that results by an addition of the additional sample point to the set of sample points is calculated. The additional sample point is selectively added to the set of sample points dependent on the calculated change. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130265053 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING PARAMETER OPTIMIZING METHOD - Disclosed is a technique which allows easy optimization of imaging conditions in imaging using two-dimensional excitation as a pre-pulse. To this end, a parameter which specifies the excitation region of the two-dimensional excitation is shifted, a value (optimum value) when a predefined index is ideal for each application to be applied is decided in a subsequent main imaging sequence, and the optimum value is set to the value of the parameter, whereby optimization is performed. A two-dimensional excitation pre-pulse which is excited under optimum excitation conditions is used to optimize the parameter in the main imaging sequence. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130271130 | METHODS FOR MEASURING DIFFUSIONAL ANISOTROPY - A method for measuring diffusional anisotropy in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes determining an orientation diffusion function (ODF) for one or more fibers within a single voxel, wherein the ODF includes lobes representative of a probability of diffusion in a given direction for the one or more fibers. The method also includes characterizing an aspect ratio of the lobes. The method further includes determining a multi-directional anisotropy metric for the one or more fibers based on the aspect ratio of the lobes. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271131 | Varying Blipped Trajectory - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) blipped trajectories having varying blip amplitudes are described. One example method includes controlling an MRI apparatus to produce a set of blipped trajectories including a first blipped trajectory having a first blip amplitude and a second, different blipped trajectory having a second, different blip amplitude. The blip amplitudes may be based on a relationship between a trajectory and a reference. The relationship may be, for example, a rotation angle. The rotation angle may be a proxy for information including a gradient trajectory speed associated with a blipped trajectory or an amount of unused gradient energy available while producing the blipped trajectory. The blip amplitudes may be selected to produce incoherent sampling during an MRI acquisition that uses the blipped trajectories. In one example, readout directions may be altered between trajectories to reduce regularity in k-space. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271132 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Fingerprinting With Parallel Transmission - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting with parallel transmission are described. One example apparatus includes individually controllable radio frequency (RF) transmission (TX) coils configured to apply varying NMR fingerprinting RF excitations to a sample. The NMR apparatus may apply excitations in parallel. An individual excitation causes different resonant species to produce different signal evolutions. The apparatus includes a parallel transmission logic that causes one of the coils to apply a first excitation to the sample and that causes a different coil to apply a second, different excitation to the sample. The excitations are configured to produce a spatial inhomogeneity between a first region in the sample and a second region in the sample that allows a resonant species to produce a first signal evolution in the first region and to produce a second signal evolution in the second region to facilitate de-correlating the signal evolutions. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271133 | STEERING RESONANCE ALONG A TRAJECTORY - A method for generating a magnetic resonance image includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse to a specimen. The method includes modulating a spatially varying magnetic field to impart an angular velocity to a trajectory of a region of resonance relative to the specimen. The method includes acquiring data corresponding to the region of resonance and reconstructing a representation of the specimen based on the data. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271134 | Method Of MRI Imaging Using Non-Slice-Selective, Spatially Tailored Tip-Up Pulse - A method of acquiring image data with an MRI system from an object using a sequence of tip-down and tip-up RF pulses is described. A slice-selective first pulse α rotates the in-slice spins from the longitudinal axis (z) toward a transverse plane (x, y). Image data is acquired from the in-slice spins during a free precession interval (T | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271135 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND DATA ACQUISITION METHOD WITH DECOUPLING BETWEEN TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE COILS - In magnetic resonance data acquisition, decoupling between the transmit and receive coils is achieved by using a transmit array system wherein induced currents from the transmit coils cancel each other, resulting in a total of zero current in the receive coil. Forward and reversed polarized transmit coil pairs are set to cancel the individual currents of each other, or of a receive coil. Linearly polarized fields can also be used to effect the decoupling. The decoupling allows the magnetic resonance data acquisition system to be operated for concurrent excitation of the nuclear spins and reception of the resulting magnetic resonance signals. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271136 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DECREASING BIO-EFFECTS OF MAGNETIC GRADIENT FIELD GRADIENTS - A magnetic field generator includes a power source and a segmented or un-segmented coil connected to the power source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. Energy is applied to the coil so that the coil generates a time-varying magnetic field gradient with a magnitude of at least 1 milliTesla per meter and a rise-time of less than 1000 microseconds. The coil may be comprised of overlapping, non-overlapping or partially overlapping coil segments that may individually energized to further improve the operating characteristics of the coil to further decrease bio-effects in magnetic resonance imaging through the use of reduced pulse lengths and multi-phasic magnetic gradient pulses. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130278255 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RECEIVE SENSITIVITY CORRECTION IN MR IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images, and a computer programmed to generate an original image of an object, generate a proton density weighted image of the object, generate a B | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278256 | SELF-CONSTRAINT NON-ITERATIVE GRAPPA RECONSTRUCTION WITH CLOSED-FORM SOLUTION - Parallel magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) reconstruction techniques are commonly used to reduce scan time by undersampling the k-space data. In GRAPPA, a k-space based pMRI technique, the missing k-space data are estimated by solving a set of linear equations; however, this set of equations does not take advantage of the correlations within the missing k-space data. All k-space data in a neighborhood acquired from a phased-array coil are correlated. The correlation can be estimated easily as a self-constraint condition, and formulated as an extra set of linear equations to improve the performance of GRAPPA. We propose a modified k-space based pMRI technique call self-constraint GRAPPA (SC-GRAPPA) which combines the linear equations of GRAPPA with these extra equations to solve for the missing k-space data. Since SC-GRAPPA utilizes a least-squares solution of the linear equations, it has a closed-form solution that does not require an iterative solver. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278257 | MRI PULSE SEQUENCE BASED ON Q-SPACE TRAJECTORY TECHNIQUE - Systems and methods capable of improving acquisition times associated with obtaining diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data are discussed. In aspects, multiple points in q-space can be sampled in a single repetition time (TR). Acquisition time can be further increased using other techniques, such as a radial raster or compressed sensing. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278258 | METHOD FOR REDUCED FIELD OF VIEW MRI IN AN INHOMOGENEOUS FIELD WITH RAPID OUTER VOLUME SUPPRESSION - An MRI scanner may include one or more gradient waveform generators, gradient amplifiers, gradient coils, an RF waveform generator, an RF amplifier, an RF coil, a superconducting magnet, an RF detector; a digitizer, and a computer system that controls the one or more gradient waveform generators and the RF waveform generator so as to generate a magnetization saturation preparation pulse sequence that includes a tip-down pulse that is insensitive to RF field inhomogeneity followed by a tip-back pulse that employs a conjugate symmetry constraint in its energy spectrum. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278259 | METHOD FOR A RAPID DETERMINATION OF SPATIALLY RESOLVED MAGNETIC RESONANCE RELAXATION PARAMETERS IN AN AREA OF EXAMINATION - In a method for a rapid determination of spatially resolved magnetic resonance relaxation parameters in an area of examination, a preparation pulse is radiated into the area of examination. During the relaxation of the longitudinal magnetization, spatially encoded magnetic resonance signals are acquired at a minimum of two different points in time using a fast magnetic resonance sequence. At each inversion time, an image data record is reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signals, which are elastically registered to each other. From the recorded image data records, values of magnetic resonance relaxation parameters are spatially accurately determined. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278260 | System and Method for Parallel Magnetic Resonance Image Reconstruction Using Digital Beamforming - Systems and methods for beamforming algorithms for transmit-receive parallel magnetic resonance imaging (“pMRI”) applications are described. For any transmit configuration (e.g., using a single or multiple transmit elements) a weighted sum of the complex image data from each receiver is formed with a spatially-varying weighting. The weighting factor is obtained by solving an optimal refocusing problem at a set of points in the image space, which can include all the pixels in the image. The optimal refocusing of the transmit-receive configuration accounts for the spatially-varying SNR in deriving the coefficients of the weighted sum at every image pixel. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278261 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REGULARIZED RECONSTRUCTIONS IN MRI USING SIDE INFORMATION - Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using side information for improved reconstruction are disclosed. In one aspect, in accordance with one example embodiment, images obtained using heteronuclei, such as Fluorine-19 ( | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278262 | PASSIVE B1 FIELD SHIMMING - Coil elements ( | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130278263 | PARALLEL MRI METHOD USING CALIBRATION SCAN, COIL SENSITIVITY MAPS AND NAVIGATORS FOR RIGID MOTION COMPENSATION - Magnetic resonance (MR) calibration data are acquired using a plurality of radio frequency receive coils, and both coil sensitivity maps and reference projection vectors are generated based on the MR calibration data. During imaging, extra navigator projection vectors are acquired, or part of the imaging data can be used as navigator projection vectors. Partially parallel imaging (PPI) can performed to enhance the navigation information. The navigator projection vectors and the reference projection vectors are sensitivity weighted using the coil sensitivity maps to generate navigator sensitivity weighted projection vectors (navigator SWPV) and reference sensitivity weighted projection vectors (reference SWPV) respectively, and these are compared to generate subject position information. The subject motions are compensated prospectively or retrospectively using the generated subject position information. The motion compensation may be prospective, performed by adjusting an imaging volume of the PPI based on the subject position information. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130285654 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In a method and apparatus to generate a magnetic resonance (MR) image in a volume of interest of an examination subject, the magnetization is excited in an additional volume in the subject by at least one RF pulse, in order to achieve a desired magnetization in the volume of interest. The additional excitation volume differs at least partially from the volume of interest. For this purpose, at least one MR overview image of the examination subject is analyzed automatically to determine a position of at least one anatomical structure of the examination subject, from which the volume of interest is automatically determined. The additional excitation volume is automatically determined using the position of the at least one anatomical structure. The MR image in the volume of interest is acquired with excitation of the magnetization in the automatically determined additional excitation volume. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130285655 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a sequence controlling unit that, by controlling an execution of a pulse sequence, acquires magnetic resonance (MR) signals corresponding to a plurality of channels in the pulse sequence executed as a series, the MR signals being configured to be arranged into a first region of a k-space at first intervals and into a second region larger than the first region at second intervals larger than the first intervals; an arranging unit that arranges the MR signals corresponding to the channels into the k-space as k-space data; and an image generating unit that generates first-interval k-space data corresponding to the channels based on the second-interval k-space data acquired by executing the pulse sequence and generates a magnetic resonance image based on the generated first-interval k-space data, the first-interval k-space data acquired by executing the pulse sequence, and sensitivity distributions corresponding to the channels. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130285656 | SLICE-SPECIFIC PHASE CORRECTION IN SLICE MULTIPLEXING - In a method to correct a signal phase in the acquisition of MR signals of an examination subject in a slice multiplexing method, in which MR signals from at least two different slices of the examination subject are detected simultaneously in the acquisition of the MR signals, a linear correction phase in the slice selection direction is determined for each of the at least two slices. An RF excitation pulse with a slice-specific frequency is radiated in each of the at least two different slices. A slice selection gradient is activated during a slice selection time period, during which the different RF excitation pulses are radiated in the at least two different slices, and the slice selection time period has a middle point in time in the middle of the slice selection time period, and the different RF excitation pulses temporally overlap for the at least two different slices. A time offset of the RF excitation pulse relative to the middle point in time for each of the RF excitation pulses is determined, such that a slice-specific correction gradient moment in the slice selection direction that corresponds to the linear correction phase of the respective slice acts on the magnetization of the respective slice. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130285657 | Classification of Materials Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Dispersion and/or X-Ray Absorption - Methods for determining the identity of a substance are provided. A classification parameter set is defined to allow identification of substances that previously could not be identified or to allow identification of substances with a higher degree of confidence. The classification parameter set may include at least one of relative nuclear susceptibility (RNS) or an x-ray linear attenuation coefficient (LAC). RNS represents the density of hydrogen nuclei present in a substance relative to the density of hydrogen nuclei present in water. The extended classification parameter set may include T | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130285658 | WATER/FAT IMAGE IDENTIFICATION METHOD AND DEVICE, AND HARMONIZATION METHOD AND DEVICE - Disclosed is a water/fat image identification method and device, and a harmonization method and device. An embodiment of the water/fat image identification method includes obtaining a water/fat image pair calculated by a Dixon method, and marking these as a first image and a second image; calculating grayscale histograms for the first image and the second image, respectively, to obtain a first grayscale histogram and second grayscale histogram; subtracting the second grayscale histogram from the first grayscale histogram to obtain a water/fat relationship graph; searching for the highest peak and lowest trough in the water/fat relationship graph, and if the highest peak is located behind the lowest trough, determining the first image as being a water image and the second image as being a fat image; and otherwise, determining the opposite. Embodiment of the present invention can accurately identify water images and fat images. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130293229 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING MULTIPLE SPATIAL ENCODING MAGNETIC FIELDS - This invention provides a multi-dimensional encoded (MDE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scheme to map a q-dimensional object with p spatial encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) onto a p-dimensional space where p is equal to or larger than q. The provided MDE MRI scheme links imaging schemes using linear and nonlinear gradients. The present invention also provides a system and method of optimizing the spatial bases in MDE MRI. With a higher dimension encoding space in MDE MRI, the image can be reconstructed in a more efficiency and accurate manner. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130293230 | Method for magnetic resonance imaging with optimized background phase distribution - A method for magnetic resonance (MR) for imaging an imaging area of an object has a reconstruction image quality which depends on a spatial distribution of background phase. A background phase distribution is initially determined using an optimization algorithm having a reconstruction quality as an optimization criterion, wherein limitation of a spatial variation of a background phase offset distribution is integrated as a boundary condition in the optimization algorithm. At least one spatially selective radio frequency pulse is applied which contributes to generation of an MR signal distribution having a previously determined background phase distribution, wherein the at least one spatially selective radio frequency pulse generates the background phase offset distribution as a part of the background phase distribution. In this fashion, the reconstruction quality is improved in a manner which can be realized using available equipment. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130293231 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND FLUID-ENHANCED IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - In order to acquire an image with enhanced contrast between a fluid portion and a stationary portion without extending the aging time even when an IR pulse is used as an RF pre-pulse, the RF pre-pulse is applied to a region upstream of an imaging region so as to excite longitudinal magnetization of the fluid portion in a negative direction, an echo signal is measured from the imaging region, and an image with enhanced contrast of the fluid portion with respect to the stationary portion is acquired on the basis of phase information of an image reconstructed by using the echo signal. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130300412 | ARRANGEMENT FOR MULTIPLE FREQUENCY, MULTIPLE PORTAL NQR DETECTION - Nuclear quadrupole resonance measurement using two or more wire loop(s) within a space to define a portal, and driving the wire loop(s) with a baseband digital transmitter generating a chirped or stepped signal, to create a corresponding varying electromagnetic field within the portal. Coherent emissions reflected thereby are detected through a directional coupler feeding the transceiver. The detected coherent emissions are processed with a matched filter to determine presence of a target object within the portal. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130300413 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - A method of generating a magnetic resonance image includes: generating composite data by using a plurality of data sets acquired from a plurality of coils, based on coil characteristics of the plurality of coils; generating first interpolation data by interpolating the composite data; generating a plurality of filtered data sets by filtering the first interpolation data with respect to a plurality of frequency bands; and generating the magnetic resonance image by using the plurality of filtered data sets. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130300414 | Local SAR Reduction In Multi-Slice pTx via SAR-Hopping Between Excitations - Described here are a system and method for designing radio frequency (“RF”) pulses for parallel transmission (“pTx”) applications, and particularly pTx applications in multislice magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”). The concept of “SAR hopping” is implemented by framing the concept between slice-selective excitations as a constrained optimization problem that attempts designing multiple pulses simultaneously subject to an overall local SAR constraint. This results in the set of RF waveforms that yield the best excitation profiles for all pulses while ensuring that the local SAR of the average of all pulses is below the regulatory limit imposed by the FDA. Pulses are designed simultaneously while constraining local SAR, global SAR, and peak power, and average power explicitly. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130300415 | MULTI-CHANNEL TRANSMIT MR IMAGING - The invention relates to a multi-channel (e.g. quadrature) MRI transmit system in which RF power amplifiers having different power capabilities are used in different transmit channels. This results in reduced system costs, due to the avoidance of an unused excess of RF power capability when the power demand for obtaining a homogeneous B1-field (RF shimming) is asymmetric and the asymmetry is qualitatively the same for different imaging applications. The multi-channel transmit unit may also comprise a commutator which enables to selectively connect each RF power amplifier to each drive port of transmit coil arrangement (e.g. a birdcage coil). | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130300416 | INTERLEAVED SPIN-LOCKING IMAGING - A magnetic resonance (MR) system | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130307536 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARTESIAN DYNAMIC IMAGING - Systems and methods for Cartesian dynamic imaging are disclosed. In one aspect, in accordance with one example embodiment, a method includes acquiring magnetic resonance data for an area of interest of a subject that is associated with one or more physiological activities of the subject and performing image reconstruction comprising Kalman filtering or smoothing on Cartesian images associated with the acquired magnetic resonance data. Performing the image reconstruction includes increasing at least one of spatial and temporal resolution of the Cartesian images. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130307537 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND ANGIOGRAPHY USING SAME - In the non-contrast 3D angiography, degradation of image quality caused by change of the cardiac cycle and degradation of image quality depending on the blood flow direction are prevented to provide an MRA image of favorable image quality, which is useful for diagnosis. A pulse sequence of the multi echo type for performing sampling of three-dimensional k-space data in a circular or elliptical shape is employed as the imaging sequence, and gated imaging based on body motion information is performed. Heart rate is monitored during the imaging, delay time DT from a gating signal and data acquisition time AT determined according to the cardiac cycle are calculated, and according to these imaging parameters, sampling trajectory and echo train number of the circular sampling are controlled. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130314085 | Interface for Medical Imaging Device - A system and method for modifying an imaging plane of a medical imaging device is presented. An electronic device includes a tilt sensor. The electronic device is configured to monitor a tilt of the electronic device. A computer is configured to receive an indication of the tilt of the electronic device, translate the indication of the tilt of the electronic device into a corresponding movement of the imaging plane of the medical imaging device, and transmit an instruction to the medical imaging device to cause the corresponding movement of the imaging plane. The medical imaging device may include an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130314086 | Motion sensitized and motion suppressed imaging using dante prepared pulse trains - Systems and methods for motion sensitized and motion suppressed quantitative imaging of a subject are provided as a train of interlaced radio frequency (RF) and magnetic field gradient pulses. Non-selective Delay Alternating with Nutation for Tailored Excitation (DANTE) pulse trains may be used in combination with gradient pulses and short repetition times as motion-sensitive preparation modules. In one or more embodiments, the systems and methods may use a train of low flip angle radio frequency (RF) pulses in combination with a blipped field gradient pulse between each RF pulse, repeated regularly. While the longitudinal magnetization of static tissue is mostly preserved, moving spins are largely (or fully) suppressed since they fail to establish transverse steady state due to a spoiling effect caused by flow along the applied gradient. The present systems and methods can be incorporated into any existing imaging readout for applications in vessel wall imaging, angiography, high resolution structural MRI, and also functional MRI. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130320973 | METHOD OF ATTENUATION CORRECTION OF POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY DATA AND COMBINED POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM - Various embodiments relate to a method of attenuation correction of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) data based on Magnetic Resonance Tomography (MRT) data. A method of at least one embodiment further includes determining further data being indicative of an iterative cycle of a physiological observable of a patient and matching the PET data with the MRT data based on the further data. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320974 | EFFICIENT REDUNDANT HAAR MINIMIZATION FOR PARALLEL MRI RECONSTRUCTION - A method for parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction of digital images includes providing a set of acquired k-space MR image data v, a redundant Haar wavelet matrix W satisfying W | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320975 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A CHANGE OVER TIME IN A BIOMARKER IN A REGION TO BE EXAMINED - A method for determining a change over time in a biomarker in a region to be examined of a patient is provided. The change is determined from magnetic resonance data using a magnetic resonance measuring system with sequences and protocols for measuring the biomarkers by functional resting state connectivity by rsfMRI, perfusion values, magnetic resonance spectra of voxels, or morphometry of organs. A control unit has programs which evaluates the biomarker and a data memory which stores the results of the evaluation and additional data. During a first examination, a quantity result of the biomarkers is determined and stored in the data memory. During a follow-up examination, at least one previous item of the result and additional data from the first examination stored in the data memory are used for determining a quantitative change in the biomarker. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320976 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO MEASURE A SODIUM CONTENT IN TISSUE BY MEANS OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TECHNIQUE - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus to measure a sodium content in tissue in a first slice, a determination of a blood volume in blood vessels in the first slice is made, and an MR acquisition sequence to acquire MR data of a sodium-23 magnetization from the first slice is implemented. A signal proportion of the MR data that originates from the sodium-23 magnetization in blood vessels is calculated based on the determined blood volume in tissue. This signal proportion is subtracted from a total signal of the MR data to obtain a corrected signal that is proportional to the sodium content in tissue. The sodium content in tissue is calculated from the corrected signal. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320977 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A SUBJECT-SPECIFIC B1 DISTRIBUTION OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT IN A MEASUREMENT VOLUME OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus to determine a subject-specific B1 distribution of an examination subject in a measurement volume in the magnetic resonance apparatus, a first measurement data set of the examination subject is acquired using a first pulse sequence, a second measurement data set of the examination subject is acquired using a second pulse sequence, and a third measurement data set of the examination subject is acquired using a third pulse sequence. A first phase is determined from the first measurement data set, a second phase from the second measurement data set and a third phase from the third measurement data set. A relevant phase shift is calculated from the first phase, the second phase and the third phase, and the B1 distribution are determined from the calculated relevant phase shift. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130320978 | CARDIAC MRI CURVILINEAR TAGGING - A preparation sequencing system and methods are disclosed for generating curvilinear taglines of altered magnetization in an imaging plane of an NMR image. A preparation sequencing module is disclosed for generating a sinusoidal gradient signal simultaneously with a continuous a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the sinusoidal gradient signal is shaped to generate a rotating on-resonance excitation plane such that each point in the imaged target volume is on-resonance at least once in a period corresponding to one full rotation of the excitation plane. The on-resonance excitation plane is configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of curvilinear or circular taglines of altered magnetization in the imaging plane. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130328559 | HIGH RESOLUTION HIGH CONTRAST MRI FOR FLOWING MEDIA - An MRI device for providing high-contrast, high-resolution images of a fluid. The device includes: an envelope for at least partially confining the fluid; a plurality of magnets located at least partially around the envelope; and a CPU to process the images, including a computer readable medium containing instructions for generating at least one third image superimposing at least one image of the first images with at least one image of the second images, whereby a high-contrast, high-resolution real-time continuous images of the fluid is obtained. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130328560 | HIGH RESOLUTION HIGH CONTRAST MRI FOR FLOWING MEDIA - An MRI device for providing high-contrast, high-resolution images of a fluid. The device includes: an envelope for at least partially confining the fluid; a plurality of magnets located at least partially around the envelope; and a CPU to process the images, including a computer readable medium containing instructions for generating at least one third image superimposing at least one image of the first images with at least one image of the second images, whereby a high-contrast, high-resolution real-time continuous images of the fluid is obtained. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130328561 | NMR MEASUREMENTS OF GLYCA - Biomarkers and/or risk assessments identify patients having an increased risk of certain clinical disease states including, for example, CHD, type 2 diabetes, dementia, or all-cause death (ACD) using NMR signal to measure a level of “GlycA” in arbitrary units or in defined units (e.g., μmol/L) that can be determined using a defined single peak region of proton NMR spectra. The GlycA measurement can be used as an inflammation biomarker for clinical disease states. The NMR signal for GlycA can include a fitting region of signal between about 2.080 ppm and 1.845 ppm of the proton NMR spectra. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130328562 | METHOD FOR CHARACTERIZING A SAMPLE BY NMR SPECTROSCOPY WITH ACQUISITION DURING THE GENERATION OF A RADIOFREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD - The invention relates to a method for characterizing a sample ( | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130335078 | METHOD FOR PREDICTING RESISTANCE TO HEAT DETERIORATION OF ISOPRENE RUBBER - A method for predicting the resistance to heat deterioration of a sulfur-vulcanized isoprene rubber is disclosed. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the isoprene rubber is obtained by the use of a solid state nuclear magnetic resonance method employing magic angle spinning. The spectrum of a cross-linked structure α and the spectrum of a cross-linked structure β in the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum are identified. The percentage of the cross-linked structure α and the percentage of the cross-linked structure β in the overall cross-linked structures of the sulfur are computed from the spectrum. From the computed percentages, the resistance to heat deterioration of the isoprene rubber is predicted. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130335079 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE PROBE HEAD AND METHOD WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONAL SAMPLE ROTATION - Multi-functional sample rotation extends function of the MAS beyond suppression of the line-broadening. It is achieved with pivotal or axial displacement of the rotor. Specific embodiments are defined by methods for spin-distance or particle size measurements and efficient high-resolution DNP. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130335080 | RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGE ACQUIRING METHOD THEREOF - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a diffusion-weighted image acquiring method form a radial k-space through a radial sampling and acquire a diffusion-weighted image from the radial k-space, with the diffusion-weighted image acquiring including receiving an echo signal generated from the subject, and forming a k-space having a plurality of sampling lines by sampling the echo signal that is received, wherein the directions of the diffusion gradient magnetic fields applied at the time of forming the sampling lines that compose the k-space to cross each other at two adjacent sampling lines. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130335081 | SAMPLE HOLDER FOR USE IN NMR - A pressurizable holder for a sample to be examined by NMR, comprises a pressure retaining nonmagnetic tube surrounding a radio-frequency coil which in turn surrounds a space for the sample. The pressure retaining tube is formed of (i) nonmetallic electrically insulating material such as a ceramic or (ii) nonmetallic electrically insulating matrix material reinforced with electrically insulating filaments such as glass fiber, or (iii) non-metallic electrically insulating matrix material reinforced with electrically conductive filaments configured so that conductivity is anisotropic. There is good coil filling factor without constraint on wall thickness of the pressure retaining tube. Avoidance of isotropically conductive material inhibits eddy currents when an NMR spectrometer's magnetic field gradient coils are switched on and off. The tube resists hoop stress from internal pressure. Longitudinal stress is resisted by structure connecting end pieces at the ends of the pressure retaining tube. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130335082 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE MR DATA IN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to acquire MR data in a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, the data are acquired with at least one echo train that includes at least two signal echoes. The same number of echoes is acquired for each echo train of the at least one echo train, with this number of echoes corresponding to an echo train length. The total number of echoes that are required to acquire the MR data and the echo train length is adapted so that the total number corresponds to a whole number multiple of the echo train length. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130335083 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF INTRACRANIAL VESSEL WALLS - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for intracranial vessel wall imaging. The MRI system includes a radio frequency (RF) coil system to irradiate radio frequency (RF) pulses into a region of interest and detect a plurality of RF response signals, and a signal processing unit adapted to analyze the plurality of RF response signals. The RF coil system arranges the RF pulses in a pulse sequence including an excitation pulse and refocusing pulses which induce corresponding flip angles. A minimum flip angle is in the range of 30 degrees to 65 degrees, and a maximum flip angle is in the range of 100 degrees to 150 degrees. The signal processing unit analyzes the RF response signals with a three-dimensional isotropic resolution of 500 cubic microns or less and orders the RF response signals in k-space to enhance contrast between intracranial vessel wall tissue and cerebrospinal fluid or blood. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130342201 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING MOLECULAR STRUCTURES IN GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS - Molecular structures of organic molecules in a geological formation are determined. The organic molecules may include kerogen, coal, and/or other organic molecules. In particular, the technique implmented may operate to convert nuclear magnetic resonance data into a multi-dimensional space that permits identification of molecular structures through comparisons of intensity information across the multi-dimensional space with a cutoff map of the space. This may not only simplify the identification of molecular structures of the organic molecules, but also use exact mathematical model for mixture samples to derive both structural and dynamic parameters plus their variation. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342202 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD FOR FLOW ARTIFACT REDUCTION IN SLAB SELECTIVE SPACE IMAGING - In a SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolutions) or equivalent magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence, the readout dephasing gradient is generated (activated) so as to occur immediately in front of the second refocusing pulse, thereby eliminating the long time duration that occurs in conventional SPACE or equivalent sequences between excitation and readout. This long time duration has been identified as a source for flow-related artifacts that occur in images reconstructed from data acquired according to conventional SPACE or equivalent sequences. By eliminating this long time duration, such flow-related artifacts are substantially reduced, if not eliminated. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342203 | SPECTROSCOPIC SAMPLE ANALYZER AND SAMPLE HANDLING SYSTEM - A spectroscopic sample analysis apparatus includes an actively controlled heat exchanger in serial fluid communication with a spectroscopic analyzer, and a controller communicably coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a fluid handler in the form of a stream selection unit (SSU), a solvent/standard recirculation unit (SRU), and/or an auto-sampling unit (ASU). The SSU selectively couples individual stream inputs to an output port. The SRU includes a solvent/standard reservoir, and selectively couples output ports to the heat exchanger, and returns the solvent/standard sample to the reservoirs. The ASU includes a sample reservoir having a sample transfer pathway with a plurality of orifices disposed at spaced locations along a length thereof. The controller selectively actuates the fluid handler, enabling sample to flow therethrough to the heat exchanger, and actuates the heat exchanger to maintain the sample at a predetermined temperature. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342204 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, navigation data are collected in a navigation acquisition timeslot of a scanning sequence. A determination as to whether to accept or reject echo data that are subsequently collected in multiple echo acquisition timeslots is made. If the phase relationship of the navigation data and the reference data in k-space is greater than or equal to the reference value, the collected echo data are accepted and if the aforementioned phase in k-space is less than the reference value, the collected echo data will be rejected, and sequential scanning will be performed again, and the navigation data again will be collected using the navigation acquisition timeslot, and the aforementioned determination is repeated. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342205 | SMALL MAGNET AND RF COIL FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE RELAXOMETRY - Small and inexpensive probeheads for use in nuclear magnetic resonance systems, in particular, magnetic resonance relaxometry systems are provided. The design of the magnet-radiofrequency coil configurations within the probeheads is guided by an excitation bandwidth associated with radiofrequency pulses to be applied to a sample. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342206 | Method for Rapid Whole Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Contrast Preparation - A method for acquiring image data from a plurality of slice locations in a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The method includes directing the MRI system to perform a pulse sequence that includes performing a contrast preparation module configured to generate contrast-encoded longitudinal magnetization and an image encoding module configured to acquire image data from multiple slice locations substantially simultaneously. The contrast preparation module generally includes tipping longitudinal magnetization into the transverse plane to produce transverse magnetization, generating contrast-prepared transverse magnetization by establishing an image contrast in the transverse magnetization, and tipping the contrast-prepared magnetization back along the longitudinal axis to produce the contrast-encoded longitudinal magnetization. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342207 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE USING QUAZI-CONTINUOUS RF IRRADIATION - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 12-26-2013 |
| 20130342208 | EXAMINING POROUS SAMPLES - Apparatus for examining a fluid-containing porous sample, by a combination of centrifuging to move fluid into, out of, and/or within the sample and NMR to monitor the amount of fluid present at locations within the sample has a magnet system to provide a magnetic field; and a centrifuge rotor comprising a holder ( | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140002076 | Methods and Systems for Improved Magnetic Resonance Acquisition | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002077 | SYSTEM FOR SIMULTANEOUS DUAL-SLAB ACQUISITION OF MR IMAGES | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002078 | NAVIGATOR-LESS SEGMENTED DIFFUSION WEIGHTED IMAGING ENABLED BY MULTIPLEXED SENSITIVITY-ENCODED IMAGING WITH INHERENT PHASE CORRECTION | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002079 | DETECTING APPARATUS, MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A POSITION OF A PREDETERMINED PART OF A SUBJECT | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002080 | RESTRICTION OF THE IMAGING REGION FOR MRI IN AN INHOMOGENEOUS MAGNETIC FIELD | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140002081 | EXAMINATION OF POROSITY BY NMR AND INTRUSION POROSIMETRY | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140015527 | Through-Time GRAPPA - Example apparatus and methods control a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to acquire, from an object to be imaged, throughout a period of time, a partitioned non-Cartesian fully-sampled calibration data set. Different groups of lines in the calibration data set are acquired at different points in time under different gradient encoding conditions that yield phase encoding in the direction perpendicular to the non-Cartesian encoded plane. The MRI apparatus is controlled to acquire an under-sampled non-Cartesian data set from the object to be imaged and to reconstruct an image from the under-sampled data set based, at least in part, on a through-time GRAPPA calibration. A GRAPPA weight set can be computed from data in different groups of lines in the calibration data set because different groups of lines can be treated as unique calibration time frames due to phase encoding produced by the different gradient encoding conditions. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140015528 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO REDUCE MOVEMENT ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In a method and apparatus to reduce movement artifacts in magnetic resonance images an essentially unmoving area of a region to be imaged is located in a region of high sensitivity of a first group of individual local antennas, and a moving area is located in the region of high sensitivity of a second group of local antennas. Spatially coded magnetic resonance signals are received by a first group of the local antennas and are individually processed further. Spatially coded nuclear magnetic resonance signals are received by the second group of local antennas and are combined with a weighting, using weighting factors. The weighting factors are determined so as to reduce gradient of the weighted, combined, spatially dependent sensitivity of the local antennas of the second group. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140015529 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PERFORMING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING - A method of performing spatially localized magnetic resonance spectroscopy includes receiving a magnetic resonance image of an object; identifying a plurality C of compartments that generate magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals in the object including at least one compartment of interest; segmenting in at least one spatial dimension the magnetic resonance image of the object into the C compartments; acquiring magnetic resonance spectroscopy signals from the compartments by applying a plurality of M′ phase encodings applied in the at least one spatial dimension, wherein M′≧C; calculating a spatially localized magnetic resonance chemical shift spectrum from the at least one compartment of interest; and rendering a spatially localized magnetic resonance spectrum that is substantially equal to a spatial average of magnetic resonance chemical shift spectra from the at least one compartment of interest. A magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging system is configured to perform the above method. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140021951 | System for Reducing Artifacts in Imaging in the Presence of a Spin-lock Radio-Frequency Field - A system acquires MR image data of a portion of patient anatomy associated with spin lattice relaxation time in a rotating frame using an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator and a magnetic field gradient generator. The RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator generates RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enables subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. The magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator use in order, a saturation pulse, a T1 spin lattice relaxation rotating frame preparation pulse sequence and a spoiler gradient, in acquiring image data of the 3D volume showing luminance contrast associated with T1 spin lattice relaxation in a rotating frame. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140028311 | Method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a mri machine and device for carrying out such method - The present invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging machine, wherein the magnet is flat and the magnetic field on one side of said magnet is corrected such that a volume is defined, which is bounded by a spherical cap surface, in which volume and along which surface the magnetic field is homogeneous, i.e. has field lines having equal parallel directions and equal intensities. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140028312 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA - In a computer-readable storage medium and a magnetic resonance apparatus for processing image data of the magnetic resonance apparatus, after the reconstruction of the image corresponding to the image data, a description of the degree of image blurring that results from the acquisition of the image from a flip angle thereby is implemented. This image blurring is corrected with the use of an aliasing kernel. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140028313 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance data in a selected region of an examination subject without aliasing artifacts and with a reduced acquisition time, a spatially selective excitation pulse is radiated into the examination subject to excite nuclear spins in at least the selected region, and after radiating the excitation pulse, a series of at least two refocusing pulses is radiated into the examination subject, which generate variable flip angles adapted to a predetermined signal curve. At least the second refocusing pulse, and possibly every additional one of the refocusing pulses of this series, is a non-selective pulse. The spin echo signals generated by the refocusing pulses are acquired as magnetic resonance data. Gradients for spatial coding are activated before and after the spatially selective excitation pulse, the refocusing pulses and during the data acquisition. The acquired magnetic resonance data are stored and/or converted into image data for display. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140028314 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA WHILE AVOIDING SIGNAL INHOMOGENEITIES - In a method and apparatus for the acquisition of magnetic resonance data while avoiding signal inhomogeneities, an excitation pulse is radiated into the examination subject, and following a first time period thereafter, a first refocusing pulse is radiated into the examination subject. After a second time period after the radiation of the first refocusing pulse, a series of at least two additional refocusing pulses is radiated that generate variable flip angles adapted to a predetermined signal curve and that are non-selective pulses. Spin echo signals generated by the radiated pulses are acquired as magnetic resonance data. Gradients are activated for spatial coding. The center frequency of at least one of the radiated refocusing pulses is adjusted such that it is between the resonance frequency of fat molecules and the resonance frequency of water molecules in the examination subject in the magnetic resonance system. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140028315 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE A COMPLETE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA SET TO BE DISPLAYED - In a method, device and magnetic resonance system to generate a complete image data set to be displayed using a Dixon technique that separates at least two material types (in particular water and/or fat) in magnetic resonance data, after the determination of a first image data set associated with the first material type and the determination of a second image data set associated with the second material type, the first and second image data sets are combined to form a complete image data set depending on at least one weighting parameter. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140035575 | SENSITIVITY DISTRIBUTION GENERATING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM, SENSITIVITY DISTRIBUTION GENERATING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A sensitivity distribution generating apparatus configured to generate sensitivity distribution data of a coil for receiving magnetic resonance signals from an imaging region including a first substance and a second substance different in resonant frequency is provided. The sensitivity distribution generating apparatus includes a reference image data generating unit configured to generate reference image data in which a region of the first substance is suppressed and a region of the second substance is emphasized, based on data obtained by executing a separation sequence for separating the first substance and the second substance from each other, and an estimating unit configured to estimate a sensitivity of the coil in the region of the first substance, based on a signal value of the region of the second substance in the reference image data. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035576 | Method and apparatus for accelerating magnetic resonance imaging - A method of MRI entails recording and storing MR signals from an object to produce an old set of data. A further measurement of the object is then initiated at a later time to record new MR data, whereby k-space is undersampled in the further measurement. The old data are corrected for changes in the new position of the object, for changes in the sensitivity and exact spatial positioning of the receiver coils as well as for changes in the actual field shimming. The old and new data are then combined to create a new, high resolution image of the object. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035577 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING COORDINATED WITH A PHYSIOLOGICAL CYCLE - To carry out magnetic resonance (MR) tomography, a physiological parameter of an object to be examined is acquired as a function of time to detect a physiological cycle which repeats itself over time. First MR data is acquired for a first region, wherein all points of the first region are arranged in a region of a field of view of an MR system. Acquisition of the first MR data occurs selectively in first time intervals which are synchronized with the physiological cycle and are separated from each other by waiting intervals. Second MR data is acquired for a second region which adjoins the first region. Acquisition of the second MR data occurs in the waiting intervals between the first time intervals. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035578 | NUCLEUR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM WITH FEEDBACK INDUCTION COILS - A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system that uses a feedback induction coil to detect NMR signals generated within a substance is described herein. In one embodiment, the NMR system uses the Earth's magnetic field in conjunction with a transmitter coil that applies NMR sequences to a formation. The NMR sequences generate a weak NMR signal within the formation due to the weakness of the Earth's magnetic field. This weak NMR signal is detected using the feedback induction coil. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035579 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and magnetic resonance system for the acquisition of magnetic resonance data in a selected region of an examination subject, magnetic resonance data are acquired more than once using a magnetic resonance system, magnetic resonance data are acquired more than once from a selected partial region the portion of k-space filled with data corresponding to the selected region of the subject, and the multiply acquired magnetic resonance data are processed into a data set, the aforementioned partial region is selected so as to be located decentrally in k-space, meaning that it is asymmetrical relative to the center of k-space. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035580 | System for Optimized Low Power MR Imaging - A system acquires MR imaging data of a portion of patient anatomy associated with proton spin lattice relaxation time in a rotating frame using an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator configured to generate RF excitation pulses and a magnetic field gradient generator configured to generate anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator are configured to provide a rotating frame preparation pulse sequence comprising at least one of, (a) a T1 spin lattice relaxation in a rotating frame (T1ρ) preparation pulse sequence of adiabatic pulses comprising modulated RF pulses and modulated magnetic field gradients for slice selection and (b) a T2 spin-spin relaxation in a rotating frame (T2ρ) preparation pulse sequence of adiabatic pulses comprising modulated RF pulses and modulated magnetic field gradients for slice selection | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140035581 | INTERLEAVED BLACK AND BRIGHT BLOOD DYNAMIC CONTRAST ENHANCED (DCE) MRI - Interleaved black/bright imaging (IBBI) is performed using a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner ( | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140043023 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCELERATED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING SPECTRAL SENSITIVITY - A system and method for accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using spectral sensitivity information are provided. The MRI system is used to acquire k-space data from a subject that when positioned in the main magnetic field of the MRI system causes inhomogeneities in the main magnetic field. Spectral sensitivity information is derived from the acquired k-space data. In general, the spectral sensitivity information relates specific resonance frequencies to distinct spatial locations in the main magnetic field of the MRI system. One or more images of the subject may be reconstructed from the acquired k-space data using the produced spectral sensitivity information to spatially encode the acquired k-space data. By using the spectral sensitivity information to provide spatial-encoding, the data acquisition can be accelerated, for example, by undersampling k-space. In addition, using the provided system and method, clinically viable images can be obtained in the presence of severe off-resonance. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043024 | MULTIPLE EXCITATION BLADE ACQUISITION FOR MOTION CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In an embodiment, a method includes performing a magnetic resonance (MR) data acquisition sequence including the acquisition of a plurality of blades of k-space data rotated about a section of k-space. The k-space data is representative of gyromagnetic material within a subject of interest, and each blade includes a plurality of encode lines defining a width of the respective blade. The acquisition of each blade includes receiving MR signal from echoes in two or more separate echo trains to fill at least a portion of the plurality of encode lines, and the echo trains are separated by an excitation pulse. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043025 | BLACK BLOOD MRI USING A STIMULATED ECHO PULSE SEQUENCE WITH FLOW SENSITIZATION GRADIENTS - A black blood magnetic resonance imaging sequence is performed using a magnetic resonance scanner. The sequence includes: applying a first flow sensitization gradient; applying a spoiler gradient after applying the first flow sensitization gradient; applying a second flow sensitization gradient after applying the spoiler gradient wherein the second flow sensitization gradient has area equal to the first flow sensitization gradient but of opposite polarity; applying a slice-selective radio frequency excitation pulse after applying the spoiler gradient; and performing a magnetic resonance readout after applying the second flow sensitization gradient and after applying the slice selective radio frequency excitation. The readout acquires magnetic resonance imaging data having blood signal suppression in the region excited by the slice-selective radio frequency excitation pulse. The magnetic resonance imaging data is suitably reconstructed to generate a black blood image that may be displayed. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043026 | SPATIALLY ENCODED PHASE-CONTRAST MRI - A method of collecting magnetic resonance data for imaging an object with a predetermined spin density being arranged in a static magnetic field, comprises the steps subjecting said object to at least one radiofrequency pulse and magnetic field gradients for creating spatially encoded magnetic resonance signals, including at least two settings of spatially encoding phase-contrast gradients differently encoding the phase of said magnetic resonance signals in at least one field of view in a predetermined spatial dimension, acquiring at least two magnetic resonance signals, each with one of said at least two settings of different spatially encoding phase-contrast gradients, and determining at least one mean spin density position of said object along said spatial dimension by calculating the phase difference between said signals. Furthermore, a control device and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device implementing the method are described. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140049258 | Automated Spectral Fat Saturation - A method includes recording a magnetic resonance (MR) spectrum with the aid of a high frequency (HF) coil and a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device. A static magnetic field results in a recording volume of the MRT device. The method also includes an automatic analysis of the MR spectrum by searching for two resonant signals in the form of a fat peak, a water peak, and a minimum between the fat peak and the water peak. Such an automatic analysis is used for an automatic decision as a function of a predeterminable criterion, as to whether a series, including a plurality of acts, or a single act is performed. The homogeneity of the static magnetic field is adjusted with the aid of at least one shim coil of the MRT device, and an HF pulse is calculated for fat saturation as a function of the result of the search. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140055133 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME - A magnetic resonance imaging system adaptively and dynamically adjusts color and brightness of illuminators mounted on the inside of a bore in response to a scan sequence used for magnetic resonance imaging or the state of a patient in order to relieve discomfort during magnetic resonance imaging. An illuminator control unit selects and determines optical characteristics of the illuminators in response to a scan sequence or the state of a patient. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055134 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION OF POROUS SAMPLES - A method of analysing properties of a porous sample, typically a cylinder of porous rock, comprises centrifuging the sample while it contains at least one liquid, determining the distribution of at least one liquid in the sample by magnetic resonance imaging of the sample, and also determining the distribution of at least one magnetic resonance parameter, where the parameter is one of longitudinal relaxation time T | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055135 | MOTION TRACKING BASED ON FAST IMAGE ACQUISITION - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system including a memory for storing machine executable instructions and a processor for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. The MRI system for performing a plurality of MRI scans for acquiring magnetic resonance data from a target volume of a patient in accordance with respective predefined scan geometries. The execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to control the MRI system to at least: perform a first calibration scan; perform a second calibration scan; generate geometry transformation data; determine a deviation of the target volume caused by a movement of the patient; update each of the predefined scan geometries and the second scan geometry as a function of the geometry transformation data; and perform at least one MRI scan of the plurality of MRI scans to acquire image data in accordance with the respective updated predefined scan geometry. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055136 | MULTICHANNEL RF VOLUME RESONATOR FOR MRI - Abstract: An RF volume resonator system is disclosed comprising a multi-port RF volume resonator ( | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055137 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND ECHO SIGNAL MEASUREMENT METHOD - In order to improve contrast in non-orthogonal measurement without sacrificing speed, in imaging which combines a fast imaging sequence for acquiring a plurality of echo signals in one shot with non-orthogonal system measurement, the shape of a blade in which an echo train of each shot is arranged is a fan shape having the radius and the arc of a circle centered on the origin of a k space. At this time, echo signal arrangement is controlled such that an echo signal for desired TE of each fan-shaped blade is arranged in a low spatial frequency region of the k space. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140062474 | ENHANCED FAT SATURATION IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION MRI - MRI k-space data is acquired for a patient ROI during data acquisition sequences including a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal readout period using a late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) data acquisition sequence including at least one fat-specific RF NMR magnetization inversion pulse imposed (a) after a water-specific RF NMR magnetization inversion pulse timed to cause a substantial null in NMR magnetization of normal tissue protons near a center of the readout period and (b) before the readout period center, which fat-specific inversion pulse is also timed to cause a substantial null in NMR magnetization of fat tissue protons near the readout period center. The acquired MR image data is reconstructed into a contrast enhanced LGE image of tissues within the ROI but having substantially suppressed normal and fat components therein. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062475 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SHIM CURRENT CALCULATION - A method includes receiving a forward spatial encoding polarity magnetic resonance (MR) coil image and a reverse spatial encoding polarity MR coil image generated from data obtained with a magnetic field gradient that is reversed with respect to the magnetic field gradient with which the forward spatial encoding polarity MR coil image is acquired. The method also includes performing an iterative shift map calculation algorithm to determine a pixel shift map corresponding to a minimized difference between the forward and reverse spatial encoding polarity MR coil images, converting the pixel shift map into a magnetic field shift map by determining a magnetic field value corresponding to each pixel in the pixel shift map, and providing the magnetic field shift map as an input to a shim calculation process that includes determining a level of at least one shim current. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062476 | MRI DETECTION OF TISSUE MACROMOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS USING MTC EFFECTS - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method (a) acquires k-space data for a patient ROI over a predetermined band of RF frequencies using RF excitation pulses having respectively corresponding RF frequencies incrementally offset from a nuclear magnetic resonant (NMR) Larmor frequency for free nuclei over a predetermined range of different offset frequencies in which target macromolecule responses are expected and to process such acquired data into spectral data for voxels in the ROI; (b) analyzes the acquired spectral data to provide spectral peak width data corresponding to tissue values in the ROI for macromolecules participating in magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) effects producing said spectral data; and (c) stores and/or displays data representative of tissue values of the ROI which values are different for different tissues. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062477 | System for Perfusion and Diffusion MR Imaging - A system for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging of a portion of patient anatomy includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator for generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. A magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator acquire within a single MR imaging scan, perfusion image data of the 3D volume, at least partially in the presence of contrast agent, and diffusion image data of the 3D volume. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062478 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROL THEREOF - In a method for controlling a magnetic resonance system with multiple radio-frequency transmission channels, via which parallel RF pulse trains are emitted in operation, as well as a magnetic resonance system and a pulse optimization device therefor, RF pulse trains respectively include at least one radio-frequency pulse. The RF pulse trains are initially determined so that a minimum B | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062479 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AN IMAGE OF A SUBJECT WITH TWO SPIN SPECIES - In a method and apparatus to determine a magnetic resonance image of an examination subject with at least two spin species by using a chemical shift imaging multi-echo MR measurement sequence, first approximated MR image is determined based on a first approximative model and of a second approximated MR image is determined based on a second approximative model, wherein the first and second approximative model respectively express an MR signal under consideration of one or more MR parameters, and wherein the first and second approximative model differ with regard to the consideration of at least one MR parameter. The MR image is determined from a mean calculation that depends on the first and second approximated MR image. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062480 | Arrangement for the Transmission of Magnetic Resonance Signals - An arrangement for the transmission of magnetic resonance signals that are received with the aid of local coils is provided. The magnetic resonance signal is fed to an analog/digital converter and digitized by the analog/digital converter. The magnetic resonance signal is compressed in amplitude before being fed to the analog/digital converter, is low-pass filtered or band-pass filtered, and is expanded after digitization by the analog/digital converter. A clock rate that is higher by a factor 2 | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062481 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR MR IMAGING OF A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT OF A LIVING EXAMINATION SUBJECT BY STIMULATION OF THE EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In MR imaging of a predetermined volume segment of a living examination subject, the examination subject is stimulated with a defined stimulation pattern, MR data of the predetermined volume segment, are acquired, and MR images based on the MR data are generated that depend on the stimulation pattern. The predetermined volume segment is an internal organ or muscle tissue of the examination subject. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140062482 | ACQUISITION OF MR DATA WITH SEQUENTIAL SELECTION OF RESONANT MODES OF THE RF COIL ASSSEMBLY | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140070803 | MR Parallel Imaging System Reducing Imaging Time - An MR imaging system uses multiple RF coils, for reducing image acquisition time, suitable for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging. Multiple RF (Radio Frequency) coils provide CEST imaging preparation in an anatomical volume by providing multiple interleaved RF pulses. The multiple interleaved RF pulses provide substantially increased RF pulse sequence duty cycle in the multiple RF coils relative to a duty cycle provided by a single coil of the multiple RF coils. The multiple RF coils subsequently provide RF excitation pulses in a reduced anatomical volume using k-space undersampling in an accelerated imaging method using the multiple RF coils and enable subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data for deriving a CEST image. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140070804 | MRI METHOD OF FASTER CHANNEL-BY-CHANNEL RECONSTRUCTION WITHOUT IMAGE DEGRADATION - A plurality of coil elements ( | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140070805 | MR IMAGING WITH B1 MAPPING - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging, wherein a portion of a body is subjected to an imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients, which imaging sequence is a stimulated echo sequence including an off-resonant Bloch-Siegert RF pulse (BS) radiated during a preparation period ( | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140070806 | NMR Measurement Method - A method of NMR measurement which achieves background suppression based on a technique employing differences in RF magnetic field strength while alleviating the problem that less latitude is allowed in setting the number of signal accumulations. This method suppresses a background-derived signal emanating from the material of an NMR probe. The method starts with applying an RF pulse sequence consisting of a 90° pulse and subsequent one or more 180° pulses to a sample to induce an NMR signal and detecting the signal. This application is repeated while varying the RF phases of the pulses to induce NMR signals in accordance with a cogwheel phase-cycling scheme to induce NMR signals. The NMR signals are detected. The detected NMR signals are accumulated. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140070807 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE UNIT, A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS WITH THE MAGNETIC RESONANCE UNIT, AND A METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF A MOVEMENT BY A PATIENT DURING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION - A magnetic resonance unit with a housing unit and a patient accommodation area for the accommodation and/or holding of at least one part region of a patient is provided. The patient accommodation area is surrounded at least partially by the housing unit, a first and a second movement sensor unit for acquiring a first and a second item of movement information of a movement of the patient. The first movement sensor unit exhibits a first field of view for the acquisition of a first part region of the patient and/or of the patient accommodation area, and the second movement sensor unit exhibits a second field of view for the acquisition of a second part region of the patient and/or of the patient accommodation area, which is formed differently in relation to the first part region of the patient and/or of the patient accommodation area. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140070808 | FET SWITCH AS DETUNE CIRCUIT FOR MRI RF COILS - A radiofrequency (RF) coil assembly for use in magnetic resonance includes a radiofrequency coil ( | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140077807 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING OF VASCULAR STRUCTURES USING NON-CONTRAST ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method is provided for acquiring a medical image of a portion of a vascular structure of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. At least one radio frequency (RF) saturation pulse is applied to a selected region of a subject that is free of exogenous contrast agents using the MRI system to saturate spins of all tissues within the selected region. A delay time is selected to allow an inflow of unsaturated vascular spins that are free of influence from exogenous contrast agent into the selected region through vascular structures within the selected region. A sparse dataset is formed from a series of spatially-encoded views from the selected region using an undersampled radial k-space trajectory in which the center of k-space is sampled for each view in the series of spatially-encoded views. An image of the vascular structures within the selected region is reconstructed from the sparse dataset. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140077808 | METHOD OF GENERATING A SUSCEPTIBILITY WEIGHTED IMAGE - A method of generating a susceptibility weighted image of an object in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes: acquiring at least one first complex data piece corresponding to a radio frequency (RF) signal received from the object by using the RF signal; applying a predetermined filter to the at least one first complex data piece to acquire at least one second complex data piece; generating a susceptibility weighted mask by using the at least one second complex data piece; and applying the susceptibility weighted mask to an MRI image of the object to generate the susceptibility weighted image. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140077809 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A SERIES OF IMAGE DATA SETS FOR AN EXAMINATION REGION LOCATED IN A MEASUREMENT VOLUME OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - Multiple scanning of regions of the k-space corresponding to a mapping region, containing the k-space center, takes place by a single-point imaging sequence and the less frequent scanning of the remaining k-space corresponding to the peripheries of the mapping region by means of a radial scanning, enables a creation of a series of image data sets, each of which exhibits a different contrast. It is thereby possible to depict time-resolved procedures, these being in a resolution that is shorter than the duration of the entire recording of measurement data for an image data set. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140077810 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ACQUIRE AT LEAST TWO MEASUREMENT DATA SETS FROM AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a magnetic resonance data acquisition of at least two measurement data sets of an examination subject, each of the at least two measurement data sets is acquired in at least three partial measurements. Each partial measurement covers a partial region of k-space corresponding to the examination subject to be examined, and the partial measurements are executed in series in an order such that two successive partial measurements are associated with different data sets of the at least two measurement data sets, and such that two successive partial measurements respectively do not measure the same partial region. A reduced movement sensitivity is achieved by the acquisition of the interleaved partial measurements associated with different measurement data sets. Unwanted refocusings (and therefore echo signals of residual magnetization) are also avoided by avoiding successive partial measurements that measure the same partial region. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140077811 | WIRELESS PROSPECTIVE MOTION MARKER - A magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance scanner ( | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140084919 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING RADIAL CONES K-SPACE TRAJECTORIES - A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a radial cone k-space trajectory is provided. The radial cone k-space trajectory is defined by the application of a radial magnetic field gradient and one or more oscillating magnetic field gradients. The amplitude of the radial magnetic field gradient increases with time before decreasing with time. While the amplitude of the radial magnetic field gradient is decreasing, the one or more oscillating magnetic field gradients are applied. As a result, the radial cone k-space trajectory is one that is oriented along an axis and that extends outward from an origin along a substantially radial trajectory before extending outward from the origin while circumscribing a conical volume having a radius that increases nonlinearly with distance from the origin. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084920 | IMAGING THE TEETH BY MEANS OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE TECHNOLOGY WITH NON-UNIQUE GRADIENTS - A gradient system according to the invention generates three superimposed gradient fields of which at least one of the three gradient fields is not unique in space (i.e. not bijective) and at least one of the three gradient has areas of the same field strength, which extend in parallel or orthogonally to a approximately U-shaped center plane of the teeth of one jaw of a patient. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084921 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In a method and apparatus for automatic magnetic resonance imaging of a patient, an MR overall image is composed from several MR partial images. An MR overview image is received by a process that determines several scanning ranges based on the MR overview image. The MR scanning ranges are characterized by a length along a first direction. For all MR scanning ranges: the length along the first direction is set equal to the length of the longest MR scanning range in the first direction. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084922 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, a flip angle and/or inversion time of a spectrum suppression pulse is calculated according to a steady state condition of a longitudinal magnetization component of a spectrum composition suppressed by the spectrum suppression pulse and a zero crossing point condition of the longitudinal magnetization component. Raw magnetic resonance image data are acquired by applying a magnetic resonance imaging sequence that includes the spectrum suppression pulse provided with the flip angle and/or the inversion time. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084923 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD, APPARATUS AND RADIOFREQUENCY COIL FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA OF AT LEAST ONE TOOTH - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for the acquisition of measurement data of at least one tooth of an examination subject, a pulse sequence is employed that has an echo time TE of less than 0.5 milliseconds, and spatial coding of the acquired measurement data takes place in only two spatial directions. Projection image data are reconstructed from the acquired measurement data. A coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system, which coil is dedicated to dental imaging, has at least one coil element, and each coil element of the coil has an individual acquisition volume that encompasses at least one tooth. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084924 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CORRECTION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and apparatus to acquire correction data in connection with pulse sequences to acquire measurement data whose echo times—the duration between excitation and measurement data acquisition of the pulse sequences—are less than 500 microseconds, the pulse sequences acquire measurement data by repetition of a pulse sequence scheme, wherein different gradients for spatial coding are switched in each repetition, and correction data are acquired every n repetitions in a time window in which no gradients are switched, wherein n is a predetermined natural number. The method and apparatus enable correction of measurement data with which solid substances can be depicted without the hardware being used needing to be adapted and without external sensors being necessary. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084925 | System and method for prepolarizing magnetic resonance- or relaxation-based measurements - The invention relates to a prepolarizing magnetic resonance- or relaxation-based measurement system, comprising a prepolarizing coil for producing a prepolarizing field at the target zone, means for pulsing the prepolarizing field according to a first pulsing scheme, and means for measuring magnetization of a target placed in the target zone. According to the invention, the system further comprises a shielding coil for producing a shielding field and means for pulsing the shielding field according to a second pulsing scheme, whereby the shielding coil and the second pulsing scheme are arranged to reduce the formation of unwanted transient fields caused by the coupling of the prepolarizing coil to conducting or magnetic structures in the surroundings of the system. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of measurement and a process of designing the pulsing schemes for the system or process. By means of the invention, the formation of unwanted eddy currents, for example, in the surroundings of the measurement system, can be reduced. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140084926 | CORRECTING THE STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD OF AN MRI RADIOTHERAPY APPARATUS - A method of correcting a magnetic field of an MRI radiotherapy apparatus ( | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140091791 | System and Method for Inductively Communicating Data - A system for inductively communicating signals in a magnetic resonance imaging system is presented. The system includes first array of primary coils configured to acquire data from a patient positioned on a patient cradle. Furthermore, the system includes a second array of secondary coils operatively coupled to the first array of primary coils. Moreover, the system includes a third array of tertiary coils disposed at a determined distance from the second array of secondary coils. In addition, the system includes a tuning unit operatively coupled to the third array of tertiary coils by a cable having a quarter-wave electrical wavelength and configured to control the first array of primary coils through impedance transformation, where the second array of secondary coils is configured to inductively communicate the acquired data to the third array of tertiary coils. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091792 | Method for hyperpolarization transfer in the liquid state - A method for producing a hyperpolarized sample for use in a magnetic resonance investigation has the following steps: a) providing a solid sample ( | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091793 | METHOD FOR DIFFUSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging may be provided. The method may comprise steps of performing sampling on an object at N diffusion weighted directions to acquire undersampled but complementary k-space data, combining the complementary data from different directions to obtain a full sampled k-space data, performing initial reconstruction based on common information among images at the N diffusion weighted directions, and performing joint iterative regularized reconstruction to k-space data in all diffusion weighted directions based on the initial images to obtain the desired final images. Due to the utilization of common information at the N diffusion weighted directions, the acquisition efficiency may be enhanced and image resolution and SNR of acquired images may be improved accordingly. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091794 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD - In a method to operate a magnetic resonance apparatus with a magnetic resonance sequence—in particular a PETRA sequence—in which k-space is radially scanned for an image acquisition in a first region of k-space that does not include the center of k-space, and in which an excitation pulse is radiated as the full strength of at least two phase coding gradients is reached, and in which k-space is scanned in a Cartesian manner—in particular by single point imaging—in a second region of k-space remaining without the first region, the gradient strength corresponding to a shortest total acquisition time is determined automatically from predetermined sequence parameters and/or sequence parameters defined by a user. The sequence parameters parameterize the magnetic resonance sequence and describe the number of acquisitions for the regions of k-space and the repetition time, and the gradient strength is indicated to a user as a recommendation and/or is set automatically in the implementation of the magnetic resonance sequence. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091795 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC CALCULATION OF A MAXIMUM PULSE-LENGTH OF AN EXCITATION PULSE - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for automatic calculation of a maximum pulse length of a non-selective excitation pulse for a magnetic resonance data acquisition pulse sequence in which gradients are switched during the radiation of at least one non-selective excitation pulse, a first parameter, which indicates the field of view (FOV) desired in the measurement for which the pulse length of the excitation pulse should be maximized, is loaded into a processor, and a second parameter, which indicates the maximum gradient strength (G | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091796 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO GENERATE AN ARTIFACT-FREE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA SET - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system for the creation of an artifact-free image data set of an imaging area located in a measurement volume of the MR system, measurement data are acquired from which an image data is to be reconstructed, with gradients for spatially coding of the measurement data are ramped continuously over time to a strength desired for the acquisition of the measurement data, without abrupt changes in the gradient strength. The actual gradients present in the measurement volume are measured by a field mapping device in the measurement volume of the MR system. The trajectories along which k-space is scanned during the acquisition of the measurement data are calculated on the basis of the measured actual gradients. An artifact-free image data set is reconstructed from the acquired measurement data under consideration of the calculated trajectories, and is displayed and/or stored. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091797 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE MR DATA WITH DIFFUSION INFORMATION - In the acquisition of MR data with diffusion information nuclear spins in a volume segment are excited with radiation of a diffusion coding module and a subsequent diffusion decoding module, and at least one RF pulse is radiated after the excitation, and the MR data are read out. At least one of a time period that defines a time interval between a point in time at which the spin echo condition is satisfied, and the echo time, a first time interval that defines a minimum time interval between the end of the diffusion coding module and the start of the diffusion decoding module, and a second time interval that defines a minimum time interval between the end of the excitation module, and the start of the diffusion coding module, and a third time interval that defines a minimum time interval between the end of the diffusion coding module and the start of the readout of the MR data, is set. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140091798 | Method and System for Rapid MRI Acquisition Using Tailored Signal Excitation Modules (RATE) - A system and method for rapid acquisition of MRI data at multiple points in time in an. MRI scan using tailored excitation modules, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining tailored signal excitation modules by using RF excitation pulses in combination with one or more magnetic field gradients; acquiring an aliased k-space dataset at a point in time using a pulse sequence that employs said obtained tailored signal excitation modules, which tag and overlap distinct k-space points; repeating steps (a) and (b) for acquiring aliased k-space datasets at multiple time points in a scan while tagging the overlapped, k-space points as a function of time to obtain an accelerated k-t dataset; undoing k-space aliasing m the acquired k-space datasets by Fourier transforming them along the time axis followed by a filtering process to separate the overlapped points; and performing a Fourier transformation along one or more axes, of the un-aliased k-space datasets to generate image frames for the different time points at which data was acquired. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140097838 | SPLIT BIRDCAGE COIL, DEVICES, AND METHODS - This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a device that includes a dual-tuned birdcage coil. The dual-tuned birdcage coil generally includes an inner multinuclear coil and a plurality of outer | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140097839 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE (MRI) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MRI IMAGE BY MODIFYING MOTION OF SUBJECT - Provided are a method and apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of a subject. Typically, MRI image processing that incorporates fat suppression takes a large amount of time to complete. According to various aspects, image processing that incorporates fat suppression may be postponed until MRI data is repeatedly obtained. By doing so, for example, more MRI data may be obtained during a time period of a heartbeat. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140103924 | Heteronuclear Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance fingerprinting (NMRfp) are described. One example apparatus includes individually controllable radio frequency transmission coils configured to apply varying NMRfp RF excitations to a sample. The NMR apparatus may apply excitations in parallel. The excitations cause different nuclei to produce different signal evolutions. Different pairs of nuclei may produce different signal evolutions depending on quantum correlations between the types of nuclei. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140103925 | Determining Electrical Properties of Tissue Using Complex Magnetic Resonance Images - Exemplary embodiments are directed to estimating an electrical property of tissue using Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. In exemplary embodiments, complex MR images of a target tissue are obtained. An estimated value of an electrical property of the target tissue is determined based on complex values of the pixels in the complex MR images. The complex values are proportional to the product of the transmit radio frequency magnetic field and the receive RF magnetic field. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140103926 | NOVEL MAGNETIC RESONANCE-BASED SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING CONTAMINATING PARTICLES AND METHODS THEREOF - The present invention provides an MRI-based hazard screening system for detecting contaminating particles within or on the surface of an object, the system characterized by
| 04-17-2014 |
| 20140103927 | LOW-FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM (LF-MRS) FOR PRODUCING AN MRI IMAGE - Low-field magnetic resonance system (LF-MRS) for producing a high-Q MRI image, said LF-MRS comprising: a. Low-field magnetic resonance device (LF-MRD); said LF-MRD is characterized by Q-value, Q | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140103928 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquiring image data using a sequence in which k-space corresponding to the imaging area is scanned in a first region of k-space, which does not include the center of k-space, radially along spokes emanating from the center of k-space, with at least two phase coding gradients being completely ramped up before the excitation pulse, and in a second central region of k-space, which remains without the first region, in a Cartesian manner. For contrast increase, a pre-pulse is provided before a predetermined number of individual measurements. A portion of the measurement points of the second region of k-space, which portion is situated nearest the center of k-space, is scanned as central measurement points after the first administration of the pre-pulse immediately following a zero crossing of the contrast-relevant magnetization of one of at least two materials in the image. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140103929 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUSCEPTIBILITY TENSOR IMAGING IN THE P-SPACE - Systems and methods for susceptibility tensor imaging in the p-space are disclosed. An example method includes using an MRI system to generate an MRI signal of an object. The method may also include conducting a multipole analysis of the MRI signal in a subvoxel Fourier spectral space (p-space). Further, the method may include sampling the p-space with pulsed field gradients to determine a set of dipole and quadrupole susceptibility tensors. The method may also include generating an image of the object based on the set of dipole and quadrupole susceptibility tensors for depicting a characteristic of the object. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140111199 | METHOD OF OBTAINING IMAGE AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON SCREEN OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND APPARATUS THEREOF - An MRI method includes detecting movement of an object while a protocol is executed to capture an image of a region of the object, and outputting information indicating occurrence of the movement, based on a value of a movement amount. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140111200 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF A PULSE SEQUENCE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - A method and a pulse sequence optimization device to optimize a pulse sequence for a magnetic resonance system, wherein the pulse sequence includes at least one refocusing pulse, one slice selection gradient pulse, and one gradient spoiler pulse. The pulse duration of the refocusing pulse is shortened, and the pulse duration of the slice selection gradient pulse is adapted to the shortened pulse duration of the refocusing pulse. The amplitude of the slice selection gradient pulse is increased so that the same slice thickness is selected as before the shortening of the pulse duration of the refocusing pulse. The pulse shape of the gradient spoiler pulse is adapted without changing a total spoiler moment, and an optimally shortened pulse duration of the refocusing pulse is achieved when, with the adaptation of the pulse shape of the gradient spoiler pulse, the maximum amplitude of the gradient spoiler pulse equals the amplitude of the slice selection gradient pulse, and an edge steepness of the gradient spoiler pulse is minimized. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140111201 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes applying radio frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a target to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes included in each of a plurality of groups, wherein neighboring sub-volumes of all sub-volumes constituting a volume of the target belong to different groups; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes by performing 3D encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-volumes. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140111202 | System and Method for Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using a Rotating Array of Magnets - A portable magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system that uses static magnetic field inhomogeneities in the main magnet for encoding the spatial location of nuclear spins is provided. Also provided is a spatial-encoding scheme for a low-field, low-power consumption, light-weight, and easily transportable MRI system. In general, the portable MRI system spatially encodes images using spatial inhomogeneities in the polarizing magnetic field rather than using gradient fields. Thus, an inhomogeneous static field is used to polarize, readout, and encode an image of the object. To provide spatial encoding, the magnet is rotated around the object to generate a number of differently encoded measurements. An image is then reconstructed by solving for the object most consistent with the data. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140111203 | REDUCING ARTIFACTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES ACQUIRED USING PROPELLER ECHO PLANAR IMAGING - In PROPELLER utilizing EPI k-space sampling, phase errors arising primarily from eddy currents can considerably degrade image quality. The phase errors include spatially constant phase errors, spatially linear phase errors, and oblique phase errors. Methods to measure and correct for these phase errors are disclosed. Two or three reference scans are acquired, each reference scan being mutually orthogonal along the orthogonal physical gradient axes in a MRI system. A spatially constant phase error and a spatially linear phase error are determined from each of the reference scans for each relevant physical gradient axis. These phase errors can be used to predict the constant, linear, and oblique phase errors in each blade of an EPI PROPELLER k-space data set. With the known phase errors for each blade, constant, linear, and/or oblique phase correction is applied prior to or during PROPELLER image reconstruction, producing an image with substantially reduced artifacts. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140111204 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND HIGH-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELD DERTERMINATION METHOD - According to this invention, in order to obtain high-quality images even when the slice selective gradient magnetic fields waveform is distorted by eddy currents and vibration, high-frequency magnetic field information is calculated on the basis of an output gradient magnetic field waveform applied in accordance with the input gradient magnetic field waveform that is set in a pulse sequence, and the calculated high-frequency magnetic field information is set in the pulse sequence. Then, the set input gradient magnetic field, and the excitation RF pulses of the calculated high-frequency magnetic field information are used during imaging. The output gradient magnetic field waveform used in determining the excitation RF pulses is found by measurement and calculation, for example, by using the input gradient magnetic field waveform. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140117985 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO GENERATE RAW DATA SETS FROM DOUBLE ECHO DATA ACQUISITIONS - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to create two raw data sets from double echo exposures of an imaging area located in a measurement volume of the magnetic resonance system, two echo signals are acquired in the form of raw data sets at different times, and k-space corresponding to the imaging area is either scanned completely only for the first raw data set and incompletely for the second raw data set, or is scanned completely only for the second raw data set and incompletely for the first raw data set. The completion of the incomplete raw data set takes place using a model that is based on the completely scanned raw data set. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140117986 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE RAW DATA SETS IN A DOUBLE ECHO ACQUISITION SEQUENCE - In a method, a magnetic resonance apparatus and non-transitory, a computer-readable storage medium, two raw data sets are created using at least one double-echo acquisition of an imaging area located in a measurement volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus. In the acquisition and storage of two echo signals in the form of raw data sets at different times, a second echo signal is not acquired after each and every radiated RF excitation pulses. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140117987 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquiring unit and a data processing unit. The data acquiring unit is configured to acquire magnetic resonance signals according to an imaging condition for applying a first off-resonance radio frequency pulse after an application of an excitation pulse and before a readout of the magnetic resonance signals, and applying a second off-resonance radio frequency pulse after the readout of the magnetic resonance signals and before an application of a following excitation pulse. The first off-resonance radio frequency pulse generates a phase shift in the magnetic resonance signals. The second off-resonance radio frequency pulse compensates the phase shift. The data processing unit is configured to obtain information to be obtained by data processing of the magnetic resonance signals. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140125334 | Method of hyperpolarization applying Brute Force using particulate acceleration agents - A method for hyperpolarizing nuclei contained in an MR (=magnetic resonance) agent using Brute Force, has the steps of a) providing a sample ( | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140125335 | Method for magnetic resonance imaging - A method of MRI for reduction of motion artifacts in 3D MR data acquisition with multiple segments comprises: the complete acquisition being divided into two parts: basic acquisition and complementary acquisition. Basic acquisition is performed at the beginning. Complementary acquisition is performed after the basic acquisition is finished. View Reordering is prepared for basic acquisition and complementary acquisition separately. Motion monitoring is performed regularly during the data acquisition. Whenever motion is detected, data acquisition stops. Image reconstruction is performed when motion occurs in the phase of complementary acquisition. The final reconstructed image is free of motion artifacts. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140125336 | Adaptive and Interactive Assessment of Tissue Properties in MR Imaging - Embodiments relate to evaluating properties of tissues with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A MR image is used to measure a characteristic that influences a particular chemical property of a tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, tissue transverse relaxation values or relaxation rates, which can readily be measured from MR images, are used to evaluate iron deposition in tissue. Iron deposition influences the tissue transverse relaxation values (T | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140125337 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a housing which has a bore to which a magnetic field for use in an MRI scan is applied, a moving table on which an inspection target may be placed and that enters the bore of the housing, a projector which projects an image onto an inner wall that forms the bore of the housing, and a controller which controls the projection unit and transmits a video signal to the projector. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140132261 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes defining a plurality of sub-volumes so that each of the sub-volumes includes a plurality of sequential slices of a plurality of slices that make up a volume of a subject, wherein the sub-volumes are divided into a plurality of groups so that any neighboring sub-volumes belong to different groups; applying radio-frequency (RF) pulses including a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to the subject to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes in each of the groups; performing three-dimensional (3D) encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes so that only some slices of the plurality of slices in each of the excited sub-volumes are encoded in a slice direction; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the encoded sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the plurality of slices in each of the encoded sub-volumes. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140132262 | Method and Apparatus for SAR Reduction Using B0 Specific RF Excitation - A method for generation of a radio-frequency (RF) pulse for excitation of nuclear spins in a predetermined layer of a specimen for magnetic resonance imaging and a magnetic resonance imaging device for performing the method are provided. The method includes determining a variation of a magnetic field in a measuring volume, and defining a spectral frequency distribution of the RF pulse. The RF pulse with the spectral frequency distribution is configured to excite nuclear spins in the specimen. The nuclear spins are polarized by the magnetic field at a predetermined flip angle in the measuring volume under a boundary condition of a substantially minimum energy content. The method also includes generating the RF pulse with the defined spectral frequency distribution. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140132263 | MEASURING SYSTEM FOR NUCLEAR MAGNETIC MEASURING DEVICES - A measuring system for nuclear magnetic measuring devices having a controller, a signal generator and a signal processor with signal path having an input stage and a signal conditioner, interfering signals caused by the excitation signals and not occurring simultaneously with the measuring signals being received at an input of the input stage, the measuring signal having signal swing less than that of the interfering signal and the controller determining excitation signal output instants. A switch is located in the signal path between the input stage output and the signal conditioner input, and being switchable between first and second switching states by the controller. The controller switches the switch in the first switching state only in the periods in which there are no interfering signals at the input stage input, and a dynamic range of the signal conditioner input is adapted to the voltage swing of the measuring signals. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140132264 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes: applying radio-frequency (RF) pulses comprising a plurality of frequency components and a selection gradient to a subject to simultaneously excite a plurality of sub-volumes in each of a plurality of groups, wherein a plurality of sub-volumes making up a volume of the subject are divided into the plurality of groups so that any neighboring sub-volumes belong to different groups; performing three-dimensional (3D) encoding on each of the excited sub-volumes using a plurality of encoding methods; acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the encoded sub-volumes; and reconstructing the acquired magnetic resonance signals into image data corresponding to each of the encoded sub-volumes. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140139215 | Vertical Scan Imaging System - An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140145718 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - When an RF pulse sequence is applied to obtain an MR signal, a pulse sequence and a blade pulse sequence that pass a center of a k-space are applied, and thus an over-sampling at the center of a k-space in a short scanning time may be enabled. Therefore, a method for capturing an MR image that is robust against a motion artifact includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence; obtaining an MR signal in response to the applied RF pulse sequence; and generating an MR image from the obtained MR signal. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140145719 | MRI SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DIAGNOSING THE SAME - A method of diagnosing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes forming a gradient magnetic field in a scanning space where a target object is positioned by generating a plurality of modified gradient pulses based on a reference gradient pulse and applying one of the plurality of modified gradient pulses to one of an x-axis coil, a y-axis coil, and a z-axis coil included in a gradient coil, applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse from an RF coil to the target object in the scanning space where the gradient magnetic field corresponding to each of the plurality of modified gradient pulses is formed, receiving a plurality of RF signals that are generated from the target object and correspond to the plurality of modified gradient pulses, and compensating an output of the gradient coil based on the plurality of received RF signals. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140145720 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUICK DETECTION OF REGIONS OF MODIFIED TEMPERATURE - In a method and apparatus to quickly determine regions of modified temperature in a sample volume by magnetic resonance tomography using a multi-echo sequence, one or more one-dimensional or two-dimensional images of regions of modified temperature are respectively determined. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140145721 | ARRANGEMENT TO GENERATE THE BASIC MAGNETIC FIELD AND A GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM, AND METHOD TO OPERATE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM - An arrangement to generate a basic magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field in a magnetic resonance tomography system include at least one basic electromagnet without an iron core that generates the basic magnetic field, at least three gradient field electromagnets that generate the gradient magnetic field, with the basic field electromagnet situated within the gradient field electromagnets such that during acquisition of magnetic resonance data from a subject, the basic field electromagnet is closer to the subject than the gradient field electromagnets. Because the basic electromagnet is situated within the gradient field electromagnets, an active shielding of the gradient field electromagnets can be foregone, and since the basic field electromagnet is situated near the subject, it can be a water-cooled air coil. | 05-29-2014 |
| 20140152303 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DATA SAMPLING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A magnetic resonance imaging data sampling method includes randomly undersampling a first half of a k-space plane such that a plurality of points in the first half are sampled points and the remaining plurality of points in the first half are unsampled points. The method also includes determining, for each sampled point in the first half, a corresponding point in a second half of the k-space plane that corresponds to the point-wise complex conjugate location of the sampled point. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140152304 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCED OFF-RESONANCE BLURRING IN SPIRAL IMAGING - Systems, methods of reducing off-resonance blurring in acquired magnetic resonance imaging data. The method includes acquiring a first set of spiral interleaf data for each of one or more spiral-in/out interleaves by performing a first sampling each of one or more locations in k-space along a first redundant spiral-in/out trajectory, and acquiring a second set of spiral interleaf data for each of the one or more spiral-in/out interleaves by performing a second sampling of each of the one or more locations in the k-space along a second redundant spiral-in/out trajectory, wherein the second redundant spiral-in/out trajectory corresponds to a time-reversed trajectory of the first redundant spiral-in/out trajectory. The method may yet further include combining the first set of spiral interleaf data and the second set of spiral interleaf data with an averaging operation such as to reduce artifacts. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140152305 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method and apparatus are provided including a signal acquirer, a resonance frequency acquirer, and an RF driver. The signal acquirer is configured to acquire a free induction decay (FID) signal or an echo signal to generate a magnetic resonance image of a portion of an area of a subject. The resonance frequency acquirer is configured to acquire a resonance frequency of the portion of the area from the acquired FID signal. The RF driver is configured to generate a refocusing RF pulse having the acquired resonance frequency. The signal acquirer, the resonance frequency acquirer and the RF driver are configured to acquire and generate in each of sections of an RF pulse sequence. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140152306 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method, a magnetic resonance system, and a computer-readable storage medium to generate magnetic resonance measurement data of an imaging area of an examination subject, the imaging area being located in a measurement volume of the magnetic resonance system, by operation of the magnetic resonance system, during the acquisition of the magnetic resonance measurement data, at least one additional nonlinear gradient is switched in addition to the gradients for spatial coding, and k-space is read out according to a random pattern, less densely than is required by the Nyquist condition. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140152307 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING B1 MAGNETIC FIELD INFORMATION - A system acquires RF magnetic field information (B1 magnetic field information) in response to generated radio frequency (RF) pulses applied to a target object via at least one of a plurality of RF coil elements in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The system acquires first information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information of a B1 magnetic field formed by the respective RF coil elements and acquires second information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information of a B1 magnetic field formed by a combination of two or more of a plurality of RF coil elements. The system acquires third information comprising B1 magnetic field phase information by combining the first information and the second information and processes the first, second and third information in providing a B1 map indicating spatial distribution of a B1 magnetic field. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140152308 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING B1 MAGNETIC FIELD INFORMATION - A method acquires RF magnetic field information (B1 magnetic field information) in response to generated radio frequency (RF) pulses in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. An RF excitation pulse sequence is generated, and the generated RF excitation pulse sequence includes a plurality of RF excitation pulses individually having different flip angles. The generated RF excitation pulse sequence is transmitted to a target object. RF echo response signals are received from the target object corresponding to the plurality of RF excitation pulses and B1 information is acquired by processing the received RF echo response signals. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140159719 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING IMAGE IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - A method of acquiring an image in an MRI system includes dividing a scannable region of an object into regions, determining a coil to be used for the divided regions, receiving signals from the determined coil via signal channels connected to the determined coil and grouped by using a switching device, and acquiring the image from the received signals. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159720 | Methods and Systems for Improving SNR in Multi-Slice Multi-Segment Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method also includes acquiring a plurality of slices of an image within a plurality of cycles, each of the plurality of slices being acquired within each of the plurality of cycles and causing, by a control processor, a RF signal generator and a gradient generator to change an order that each of the plurality of slices is acquired between consecutive cycles of the plurality of cycles. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159721 | Magnetic Resonance Coil Apparatus - A magnetic resonance coil apparatus includes a receiving region for receiving a subregion of a patient to be examined, a housing shell unit enclosing the receiving region, and an antenna unit for picking up magnetic resonance signals. The magnetic resonance coil apparatus includes a camera unit with at least one light field camera element. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159722 | METHOD TO GENERATE AN RF EXCITATION PULSE TO EXCITE AN ARBITRARILY SHAPED VOLUME, METHOD FOR TARGETED EXCITATION OF SPINS WITHIN A VESSEL, AND METHOD TO CREATE MR ANGIOGRAPHY IMAGES, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In order to generate an RF excitation pulse together with a gradient curve to excite nuclear spins an arbitrarily shaped volume with a magnetic resonance system, a volume segment is prepared in which the volume is situated, such that only spins within the volume yield an MR signal portion in the subsequent detection of an MR signal. An MR signal is detected from the volume segment along a trajectory of k-space. At least one gradient for scanning k-space along the trajectory is switched during the detection. The RF excitation pulse is generated corresponding to the MR signal detected in a temporally inverted manner, and the gradient curve is generated corresponding to the temporally inverted curve of the at least one gradient to scan k-space. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159723 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATED DETERMINATION OF AN ACQUISITION VOLUME RELATED TO AN EXAMINATION REGION FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA SET - In a computerized method and apparatus to automatically determine an acquisition volume of an examination region for the acquisition of a magnetic resonance data set, at least one magnetic resonance image data set is acquired that at least partially images an examination region, and the magnetic resonance image data set is processed into at least one magnetic resonance image. The examination region is segmented and at least one envelope enclosing a segment is determined. At least one rectangle including the envelope is determined. The acquisition volume is calculated using the rectangle. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159724 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, K-SPACE GENERATION METHOD, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance (MR) image processing system includes a data collection unit that acquires image data from a target region of an object. A navigator unit acquires a motion signal indicating motion comprising motion of at least a portion of an object. A data processing unit derives k-space data for a k-space data array from the acquired image data, by acquiring k-space data for a first portion of the k-space from the acquired image data in response to the motion signal indicating motion is within a predetermined range and acquiring k-space data for a second portion of the k-space from the acquired image data irrespective of the predetermined range. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159725 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR CHARACTERIZED TISSUE OF HUMAN OR ANIMAL TISSUE - The invention relates to, inter alia, a method for characterizing tissue of human or animal tissue, wherein a vector field (u) is established, which specifies the mechanical deflection or a time derivative of the mechanical deflection of tissue particles present in the tissue, the divergence of the vector field (∇·u) is determined and the divergence of the vector field is used as a measurement result characterizing the tissue for the purposes of tissue characterization. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140159726 | HELIUM VAPOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MAGNET - A magnetic resonance magnet assembly | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140167753 | DIFFUSION SPECTRUM IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a tissue are provided. A method includes acquiring MR raw data. The MR raw data corresponds to MR signals obtained at undersampled q-space locations for a plurality of q-space locations that is less than an entirety of the q-space locations and the MR signals at the q-space locations represent the three dimensional displacement distribution of the spins in the imaging voxel. The method also includes performing a joint image reconstruction technique on the MR raw data to exploit structural correlations in the MR signals to obtain a series of accelerated MR images and performing, for each image pixel in each accelerated MR image of the series of accelerated MR images, a compressed sensing reconstruction technique to exploit q-space signal sparsity to identify a plurality of diffusion maps. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140167754 | Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) With Echo Splitting - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting using echo splitting are described. One example apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include the number of echo splitting pulses, spacings between echo splitting pulses, flip angle of echo splitting pulses, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140167755 | DETERMINATION OF A PHASE DIFFERENCE MAP - A method is described for determining a phase difference map for generating image data of two different chemical substance types in a defined region of an examination object via magnetic resonance imaging measurement. First and second magnetic resonance raw echo data of the defined region is first captured at two different arbitrary echo times. First and second image data of the defined region is then reconstructed on the basis of the first and second magnetic resonance raw echo data. Candidate phase difference values are finally determined on the basis of the first and second image data for image points of the defined region using a signal model of at least one of the two chemical substance types and the phase difference map is thus created. Also described are an image processing facility and a magnetic resonance unit including the image processing facility. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140167756 | SEALED MAGIC ANGLE SPINNING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE PROBE AND PROCESS FOR SPECTROSCOPY OF HAZARDOUS SAMPLES - A magic-angle-spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe is described that includes double containment enclosures configured to seal and contain hazardous samples for analysis. The probe is of a modular design that ensures containment of hazardous samples during sample analysis while preserving spin speeds for superior NMR performance and convenience of operation. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140176133 | AUTOMATIC THREE-DIMENSIONAL APPROACH METHOD FOR RF COIL ASSESSMENT IN CLINICAL MRI - Provided are methods and products for assessing the performance of MRI coils. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140176134 | APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF OPTICALLY IDENTIFIABLE OPHTHALMIC CONDITIONS - An apparatus that can measure images of at least a portion of an eye and record data sets indicative of a neurological condition. A method interrelates an image and a data set to provide an interpretive result. The apparatus and method thereby provide guidance as to the presence of a medical condition in a patient. The apparatus and method can be used in an iterative measurement process, in which the apparatus attempts to discern normal health from a state of health that is not normal health. If the interpretive result is consistent with normal health, the process terminates, information is recorded, and an optional report is given. If the interpretive result is not consistent with normal health, the apparatus and method attempts to distinguish which condition is consistent with the data and images used, and can iterate with additional measurements and information to attempt to provide a useful interpretive result. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140184218 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LANDMARKING FOR SUBJECT IMAGING - An imaging system includes an imager adapted to obtain an image of a desired region of interest of a subject and a coil positioned on the desired region of interest of the subject. The coil includes a plurality of markings disposed at a plurality of locations on the coil. The imaging system also includes a position indication device having a user interface adapted to receive input from a user indicating which of the plurality of markings corresponds to a desired scan plane of the subject. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140184219 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTIVITY AND SUSCEPTIBILITY RECONSTRUCTION - An apparatus, a method, and a recorded medium for conductivity and susceptibility reconstruction are disclosed. The apparatus for conductivity and susceptibility reconstruction includes: a susceptibility reconstruction part configured to reconstruct a susceptibility from a change in phase according to an increase in time of a multi-echo gradient echo image; a zero echo phase estimation part configured to estimate a phase at zero echo time based on a linearity of the phase change; and a conductivity reconstruction part configured to reconstruct a conductivity from the estimated zero echo phase. According to an embodiment of the invention, a multi-echo gradient echo sequence is used to not only obtain in vivo susceptibility but also obtain conductivity simultaneously. Also, an embodiment of the invention can improve the accuracy of the susceptibility measurements. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140184220 | METHOD FOR NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIFFUSION MEASUREMENTS - A method and system for determining a property of a substance using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is described herein. The method includes applying a NMR pulse sequence to the substance. The NMR pulse sequence includes a first set of pulses and a second set of pulses. The first set of pulses and the second set of pulses encode for overlapping diffusion times. By overlapping diffusion times, the NMR pulse sequence can be used to measure a diffusion coefficient for a first diffusion time, a diffusion coefficient for a second diffusion time, and a correlation between the two overlapping diffusion times. This information, in turn, can be used to differentiate between intrinsic bulk diffusivity of the substance and the reduced diffusivity of the substance caused by restricted diffusion. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140184221 | HIGH-SPEED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Provided are high-speed magnetic resonance imaging methods and apparatuses that enable simultaneously obtaining magnetic resonance images with different resolutions. The present embodiments may produce magnetic resonance images with different resolutions more quickly by decreasing time taken to complete scan operations that are performed for producing the magnetic resonance images. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140191753 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - An MRI method includes: defining image regions on an object; setting imaging conditions for the defined image regions; and acquiring MR images for the image regions according to the set imaging conditions. The imaging conditions may be set by displaying information about the defined image regions and setting the imaging conditions for the image regions based on the displayed information. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140197833 | RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) COIL DEVICE, MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE RF COIL DEVICE, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE RF COIL DEVICE - a radio frequency (RF) coil device includes a plurality of RF coil elements configured to generate an RF magnetic field, and a support member configured to support the plurality of RF coil elements so that at least one of the plurality of RF coil elements is movable. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140197834 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR ECHO PLANAR IMAGING WITH DATA ENTRY INTO K-SPACE ALONG A ZIGZAG TRAJECTORY - In a method and apparatus for echo planar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequence of phase encoding gradient fields and a sequence of readout gradient fields are applied in order to produce a well-defined zigzag-type trajectory for entering raw data into k-space. Zigzag-type trajectories can be achieved that have flanks without curvature, or without significant curvature. Cartesian methods for image reconstruction of parallel MR imaging are applied to echo planar MR imaging with such zigzag-type trajectories. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140197835 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In the non-Cartesian measurement, image quality is improved while the advantages of non-Cartesian measurement are maintained. To realize the aforementioned, in the non-Cartesian measurement, artifacts caused by non-uniform data density in k-space are reduced. Therefore, each unit k-space is imaged by an inverse Fourier transform, the field of view of the image is enlarged in a direction in which data density is to be increased, and the image after the enlargement of the field of view is Fourier transformed and gridded as unit k-space that has a small k-space pitch in the direction in which the field of view has been enlarged and has an increased amount of data. This processing is repeated for all blades. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140203805 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM, DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - A method and apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image including applying to a target first radio frequency (RF) pulses having phases and different frequencies to excite a plurality of sub-volumes constituting a volume of the target, and acquiring first magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes, and applying to the target second RF pulses having the same frequencies as the frequencies of the first RF pulses and phases at least one of which is different from the phases of the first RF pulses, and acquiring second magnetic resonance signals from the plurality of sub-volumes. Also, data may be generated based on the first and second magnetic resonance signals. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140203806 | COMBINATION NMR AND DIELECTRIC MEASUREMENT - Technologies applicable to detection and characterization of subsurface contaminants by NMR and dielectric measurements are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include methods for obtaining and combining data from NMR and dielectric measurements to detect, quantify, and characterize non-native non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants located in geologic materials. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140203807 | METHODS FOR PERFORMING NMR MEASUREMENTS ON POROUS MEDIA - NMR measurements and methods of analyzing those measurements are disclosed. A single NMR measurement is performed then that data is analyzed. Additional NMR measurements are performed and analyzed sequentially then the array of NMR analyzed data is analyzed again to get information about the system under study. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140210465 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided are apparatuses and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method includes applying radio frequency (RF) pulses to an object in a magnetic field, the RF pulses having different frequency bands for each of at least two types of nucleus in the object; applying predetermined pulse sequences for each type of nucleus to the object; receiving magnetic resonance signals emitted by each nucleus in response to the RF pulses and the predetermined pulse sequences; and generating an image of the object based on the received magnetic resonance signals. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210466 | MRI RECEIVER COIL PROVIDING AN ENHANCED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO - A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) receiver includes a receiver coil on a substrate. The receiver coil includes one or more capacitors. The construction of the capacitors allows for the use of very flexible substrates and allows the capacitors themselves to be highly flexible. The increased flexibility permits the MRI receiver to be conformed to the body of a patient and accordingly improves the MRI process. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210467 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SUSCEPTIBILITY-WEIGHTED IMAGING METHOD USING THE SAME - An MRI system acquires a susceptibility-weighted image by acquiring a first RF echo signal in a first echo time for providing an image exclusive of susceptibility-weighting and acquiring a second RF echo signal in a second echo time longer than the first echo time for providing an image including susceptibility-weighting. A compensation gradient field is applied for compensating for field inhomogeneity and in response, a third RF echo signal is acquired in a third echo time longer than the second echo time. First, second and third images are generated in response to data derived from the first, second and third RF echo signals respectively and data of the first, second and third images is combined to provide image data representing an image compensating for magnetic resonance signal attenuation in the second image. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210468 | AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF PATIENT BODY PROFILE AND INTELLIGENT POSITIONING OF PATIENT - An imaging system configured to automatically detect a patient's body profile and to position the patient. The imaging system includes a scan support member configured to support a scan object, a processing device; and an identification device electrically connected to the processing device. The scan support member includes a machine identifiable code representing a distance from a position of the machine identifiable code to one end of the scan support member. The identification device is configured to identify the machine identifiable code, to decode the distance represented by the machine identifiable code and to send the distance represented by the machine identifiable code to the processing device. The processing device determines a distance from an interested location of the scan object to a scanning plane of the imaging system according to the distance represented by the machine identifiable code. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210469 | NONRIGID MOTION CORRECTION IN 3D USING AUTOFOCUSING WITH LOCALIZED LINEAR TRANSLATIONS - A method for providing an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with nonrigid motion correction of an object is provided. An MRI excitation is applied to the object. A magnetic field read out from the object using a plurality of sensor coils. Spatially localized motion estimates are obtained for each sensor coil of the plurality of sensor coils. The motion estimates are used for each sensor coil to provide motion correction. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210470 | AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF PATIENT BODY PROFILE AND INTELLIGENT POSITIONING OF PATIENT - An imaging system for achieving automatic detection of a patient's body profile and intelligent positioning of the patient. The imaging system includes at least one transmitter disposed on one side of a bore of the imaging system, and a receiver disposed on the other side of the bore of the imaging system. The at least one transmitter is configured to transmit a beam incapable of effectively penetrating a scan object. The receiver is configured to receive the beam transmitted by the at least one transmitter and to send a received signal to a processing device. The processing device is electrically connected to the receiver, and configured to determine whether the beam transmitted by the at least transmitter is blocked by the scan object according to the received signal so as to determine a position of the scan object. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210471 | METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR OPERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a control device for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system, initially, in a sequence module, multiple slices are excited in an examination object by respective spatially selective RF slice excitation pulses whereby the time between two consecutive of these RF slice excitation pulses defines a first time interval. A preparation block follows the last excitation pulse. The preparation bloc radiates at least one RF refocusing pulse designed so that, for each of the slices, one echo signal is formed. The time interval between two consecutive echo signals is equal to the first time interval. Then, a second RF refocusing pulse is emitted at a second time interval after the last echo signal formed by the preparation block. The second RF refocusing pulse is designed so that, for each of the slices, one further echo signal is formed, and the time interval of two consecutive echo signals is equal to the first time interval. Subsequently, at least one further RF refocusing pulse is emitted at a third time interval after the preceding RF refocusing pulse for producing a number of temporally separated echo signals per refocusing pulse. The third time interval is selected so that the number of echo signals per RF refocusing pulse is twice as high as the number of excited slices. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210472 | REDUCING THE RADIO-FREQUENCY TRANSMIT FIELD IN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Embodiments of the invention relate to a magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140218025 | TRANSVERSE VOLUME COILS AND RELATED MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A transverse volume magnetic resonance (MR) coil includes a cylindrical geometry of electrical conductors configured for generating a B | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140218026 | System and Method For Iteratively Calibrated Reconstruction Kernel For Accelerated Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for iteratively calibrating a reconstruction kernel for use in accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. An MRI system is used to acquire k-space data from multiple slice locations following the application of a multiband radio frequency (RF) excitation pulse. An initial reconstruction kernel is generated from the acquired k-space data, and this initial reconstruction kernel is used to produce an initial image for each of the multiple slice locations by applying the initial reconstruction kernel to the acquired k-space data. The average phase of each slice location is then calculated from these images, and used to shift the phase values of the subsequently acquired k-space data. From the phase-shifted k-space data, an updated reconstruction kernel is then generated. This process is repeated iteratively until a stopping criterion is satisfied. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140218027 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In magnetic resonance imaging using a measurement sequence of the “free precession of transverse magnetization in the steady state”-type i.e., an SSFP measurement sequence, during the SSFP measurement sequence, the implementation of a preparation sequence takes place to reduce a signal contribution of the transverse magnetization in an outer region surrounding a measurement region in the MR imaging. The implementation of the preparation sequence includes the radiation of a multidimensional, spatially selective RF pulse that acts in a spatially selective manner on the transverse magnetization in the outer region. Saturation of the transverse magnetization and/or dephasing of the transverse magnetization in the outer region can be achieved by the multidimensional, spatially selective RF pulse. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140218028 | BEAM STEERING WITH RESONANCE ALONG A TRAJECTORY - A method for generating a magnetic resonance image includes configuring a magnetic field to correspond to a trajectory within a region of interest. The method includes applying RF excitation to spatially control a region of magnetic resonance corresponding to the trajectory. The method includes modulating the magnetic field coincident with the spatially controlled region of magnetic resonance. The method includes acquiring data corresponding to the region of magnetic resonance and generating an image based on the data. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140218029 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140218030 | MR RECEIVE COIL PLATFORM WITH SELECTIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN RECEIVE COIL AND PATIENT TABLE TOP - A subject support ( | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140232393 | MAPPING EDDY CURRENT FIELDS IN MRI SYSTEM - Eddy current fields in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are mapped by acquiring MRI data from an object located in an imaging volume of the MRI system. An MRI data acquisition sequence is preceded by a pre-sequence including (a) a gradient magnetic field transition that stimulates eddy current fields in the MRI system, and (b) a spatial modulation grid tag module that sensitizes a spatially resolved MR image of the acquired MRI data to the stimulated eddy current fields that existed during the spatial modulation grid tag module. The eddy-sensitized MR image is processed to calculate a spatially resolved map of fields produced by the eddy currents. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232394 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MAIN MAGNETIC FIELD INFORMATION AND RADIO PULSE RELATED INFORMATION IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT FLIP ANGLES - A method obtains main magnetic field information and radio frequency (RF) pulse related information in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, in which a pulse having a first flip angle and a pulse having a second flip angle are transmitted to a target object at predetermined time intervals. The method includes: obtaining at least one first response signal with respect to the pulse, having the first flip angle, from the target object; obtaining at least one second response signal, with respect to the pulse having the second flip angle, from the target object; and combining the at least one first response signal and the at least one second response signal to obtain the main magnetic field information and the RF pulse related information. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232395 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-SHOT SPIRAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY PULSE SEQUENCE - Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that applies magnetic resonance elastography to a sample to obtain uncorrected k-space data where the magnetic resonance elastography utilizes a multi-shot spin-echo sequence with variable density spiral readout gradients, and adjusts the uncorrected k-space data to corrected k-space data by adjusting a k-space trajectory by shifting a center point for each shot to a new center point according to signal intensity and by adjusting a phase for each shot based on a phase offset that is determined according to the signal intensity. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232396 | OPTIMIZATION OF A PULSE SEQUENCE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a pulse sequence optimization device to determine a pulse sequence for a magnetic resonance system, a pulse sequence is selected for optimization that includes a number of radio-frequency pulses and a number of gradient pulses chronologically coordinated therewith. An automatic analysis of the pulse sequence takes place to identify fixed point/time periods in the pulse sequence that are to be left unmodified, and modifiable time intervals in the pulse sequence that may be optimized. An automatic optimization of gradient pulses in the modifiable time intervals takes place according to a predetermined optimization criterion, while keeping the length of modifiable time intervals constant. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232397 | DETERMINATION OF A PULSE SEQUENCE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a pulse sequence determination device to determine a pulse sequence for a magnetic resonance system, control protocol parameter values are initially acquired. A determination of k-space trajectory node points within k-space then takes place in a processor on the basis of the control protocol parameter values. The determination of the pulse sequence then takes place on the basis of the k-space trajectory node points. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system uses such a pulse sequence, and a magnetic resonance system embodies such a pulse sequence determination device. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232398 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIFT IN MAGNETIC FIELD STRENGTH IN SUPERCONDUCTING MAGNETS - An MRI system has compensating material located at a radial position between the imaging region and the basic field magnet in a location that will be heated over a range of temperatures during operation of the MRI system. The compensating material has a magnetic susceptibility that varies with temperature over the range of temperatures in a manner opposite to the variation in magnetic susceptibility of the material of the OVC bore tube of the basic field magnet over the range of temperatures. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232399 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Fingerprinting - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, a matching logic configured to compare a signal evolution to a known, simulated or predicted signal evolution, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of the signal evolution comparisons. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232400 | OBJECT DISCRIMINATION METHOD USING ULTRA-LOW MAGNETIC FIELD NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND AN OBJECT DISCRIMINATION APPARATUS OF THE SAME - Provided are an object discrimination method and an object discrimination apparatus using an ultra-low magnetic field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The method includes measuring the respective spin-lattice relaxation times at a plurality of strengths of prepolarization magnetic fields with respect to a measurement target and classifying the measurement target using the spin-lattice relaxation times. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232401 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING SPECIFIC ABSORPTION RATIO IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a shifted RF power calculation unit, a specific absorption ratio calculation unit and a display control unit. The shifted RF power calculation unit shifts RF power, when a weight of an object or an imaging region of the object is smaller than or equal to or smaller than a threshold, in accordance with a difference between the weight and the threshold to calculate shifted RF power. The specific absorption ratio calculation unit calculates, when the weight is smaller than or equal to or smaller than the threshold, a specific absorption ratio based on the threshold and the shifted RF power. The display control unit displays the specific absorption ratio on a display device. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232402 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD - In order to extend the lifetime of a cooler and reduce down periods of an MRI apparatus due to the maintenance, a cooling capacity of the cooler | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140232403 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR QUANTIFYING HEPATIC FAT IN HUMANS - A probe unit ( | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140239950 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus ( | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140239951 | MR ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES TOMOGRAPHY - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object ( | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140247046 | Methods and Systems for Accelerated MR Imaging - A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system that includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method further includes concurrently acquiring T | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140247047 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140253118 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING K-SPACE VIEWS AND DIFFUSION WEIGHTING DIRECTIONS USING CENTROIDAL VORONOI TESSELLATIONS - Described here are a system and method for generating uniform antipodally symmetric point sets that define diffusion-weighting directions or three-dimensional radial k-space trajectories for magnetic resonance imaging. The point sets are generated robustly and efficiently using a constrained centroidal Voronoi tessellation endowed with a pseudometric. This pseudometric is derived from a measure of the electrostatic energy of points distributed on a hemispherical surface. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253119 | NOISE CANCELING IN-SITU NMR DETECTION - Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253120 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING RADIO FREQUENCY PEAK VOLTAGE AND POWER REQUIREMENTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING TIME-SHIFTED MULTIBAND RADIO FREQUENCY PULSES - A system and method for producing images depicting a plurality of slice locations in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”} system is provided. In particular, the system and method utilize time-shifted multiband radio frequency (“RF”} pulses to lower peak voltage and peak power requirements when using conventional multiband RF pulses. A time-shifted multiband RF pulse includes at least two component RF pulses, which may be single-band or multiband pulses. The component RF pulses are designed such that they do not have temporal footprints that completely overlap; although, they may have temporal foot-prints that partially overlap or do not overlap at all. The MRI system is used to acquire magnetic resonance signals formed in response to a time-shifted multiband RF pulse and, from these acquired signals, images depicting each of the plurality of slice locations in the subject are reconstructed. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253121 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IRRADIATION MAGNETIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION MEASUREMENT METHOD - To obtain the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel of a multichannel transmission RF coil at high speed, for multiple channels which are all or some of the channels of the transmission coil, an image is acquired by irradiation with one channel or a combination of two or more channels, an irradiation magnetic field distribution upon irradiation with all of the multiple channels is acquired, and the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel is calculated using the acquired irradiation magnetic field distribution of all of the multiple channels and the phase difference calculated from the image of each channel and the image of all of the multiple channels. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140253122 | MRI COIL ASSEMBLY WITH A RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELD SWITCHABLE BETWEEN A BLOCKING STATE AND A TRANSPARENT STATE - The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140266191 | DISTORTION-FREE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING NEAR METALLIC IMPLANTS - A method for 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with slice-direction distortion correction is provided. One or more selective cross-sections with a thickness along a first axis are excited using a RF pulse with a bandwidth, wherein a selective cross-section is either a selective slice or selective slab. A refocusing pulse is applied to form a spin echo. One or more 2D encoded image signals are acquired with readout along a second axis and phase encoding along a third axis, wherein the data long the phase encoded first and third axes is acquired with an under sampling scheme. Slice-direction distortion is corrected by resolving the position by using phase encoding. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266192 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMBINED CHEMICAL SPECIES SEPARATION AND HIGH RESOLUTION R2* MAPPING WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Described here is a system and method for estimating apparent transverse relaxation rate, R | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266193 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VASTLY UNDERSAMPLED ISOTROPIC PROJECTION RECONSTRUCTION WITH INVERSION RECOVERY - Described here are a system and method for obtaining a time series of images that depict a subject using an inversion recovery (“IR”) pulse sequence with a unique data acquisition scheme that allows for the retrospective identification of an image having an optimal tissue contrast. Data acquisition is performed using a radial acquisition scheme such as, preferably, a vastly undersampled isotropic projection reconstruction (“VIPR”) scheme. Using VIPR and IR, combined with a unique projection ordering, a series of three-dimensional, high spatial resolution images with multiple different image contrasts can be obtained. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266194 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES USING A NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETER - Methods for measuring physico-chemical properties using a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer are disclosed, including methods to determine an initial amount of a substance, usually a liquid, contained inside a porous material and an initial amount of the substance, usually a liquid, present outside the porous material, methods to measure the release kinetics of a substance, such as a liquid, from a porous material, and methods for performing chemical reactions and other physico-chemical operations in situ inside a nuclear magnetic resonance probe after a sample is loaded into a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer. The apparatuses for performing these methods are also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266195 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The method and system for correcting motion-induced phase errors in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) use a phase shift of the non-phase encoded reference echo-signal accumulated during the diffusion-weighting in order to characterize bulk motion and tissue deformation and to compensate their effect for correcting the diffusion/perfusion-weighted image. The sequences unbalanced with respect to the first motion derivative are used for distinguishing the perfusion component. The MRI apparatus provides additional excitation resonance-frequency ranges for forming the reference echo signals. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266196 | HIGH-THROUGHPUT SORTING OF SMALL OBJECTS VIA OIL AND/OR MOISTURE CONTENT USING LOW-FIELD NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The current disclosure describes an automated high-throughput small object sorting system for separating small object via oil and/or moisture content using novel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems and methods. The disclosed systems and methods for measuring the oil and/or moisture content of a single small object in a low-field time domain NMR instrument are superior in sample throughput and signal-to-noise ratio to conventional NMR systems and methods (free induction decay or spin echo) for single small object oil/moisture measurement. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266197 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266198 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MEASUREMENT, CHARACTERIZATION AND CORRECTION OF GEOMETRIC DISTORTIONS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus and a method for measuring and characterizing geometric distortions for a region of interest in images obtained using magnetic resonance. The method comprises deriving a computed set of 3D distortion vectors for a set of points within a region of interest covered by a phantom by using harmonic analysis to solve an associated boundary value problem based on boundary conditions derived from a measured set of 3D distortion vectors. The characterized image distortions may be used for various purposes such as for image correction or for shimming, for example. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266199 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Fingerprinting - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, a matching logic configured to compare a signal evolution to a known, simulated or predicted signal evolution, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of the signal evolution comparisons. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266200 | Localised One-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Spatial-Frequency Spectroscopy - A method of assessing a spatial frequency distribution within a sample comprising subjecting the sample to magnetic resonance excitation, receiving an echo signal from the sample while the sample is subjected to a magnetic field gradient, applying an invertible linear transform to the echo signal, identifying a region of interest in the transformed echo signal and deriving a corresponding window function, applying the window function (in the signal or transform domain) to the echo signal to remove echo signal coming from regions of the sample outside of the region of interest, and analyzing the one dimensional spatial frequency content in the windowed echo signal in order to access a one dimensional spatial frequency distribution within the region of interest within the sample without creating an image. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140266201 | MAGNETIC FIELD PROBE FOR MRI WITH A FLUOROELASTOMER OR A SOLUTION OF A FLUORINE-CONTAINING COMPOUND - A method of measuring a magnetic field within a magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140285191 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285192 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285193 | RADIO FREQUENCY EXCITATION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - In an RF excitation method and device for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the RF pulses are emitted in a STEAM sequence, the STEAM sequence including, in time order, a first 90-degree excitation pulse, a second 90-degree excitation pulse and a third 90-degree excitation pulse. Gradient pulses are activated that act in cooperation with the STEAM sequence, the gradient pulses including, in time order, a first gradient pulse, a second gradient pulse and a third gradient pulse. Each of the gradient pulses is activated simultaneously with the corresponding RF pulse. The direction of each of the gradient pulses is the vector sum of multiple gradient pulses in different directions, the directions of any two of the gradient pulses being the same and intersecting with the direction of another of the gradient pulses. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285194 | TIME-RESOLVED PHASE-CONTRAST MR IMAGING WITH SPEED ENCODING - In a method and apparatus for time-resolved phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with speed encoding, MR signals are detected with multiple receivers in each of numerous time segments in order to acquire raw data in each of the time segments, in each case for numerous MR images with different speed encodings. Stationary image points and/or non-stationary image points are identified, dependent on the detected MR signals. A mask is defined, dependent on the identified stationary image points and/or the non-stationary image points, wherein the mask is locally variable. The numerous MR images for the numerous time segments are reconstructed from the acquired raw data, wherein the reconstruction occurs in an iterative process and with a temporal regularization, which is dependent on the mask. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285195 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE MULTIPLE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In a method and magnetic resonance system to determine multiple magnetic resonance images for respective different echo points in time, k-space is scanned on a segment-by-segment basis with at least two rectangular k-space segments, these being scanned line by line with respective k-space lines oriented parallel to one another. A short side of the rectangular k-space segments is oriented parallel to the k-space lines. First and second gradient echoes are respectively produced by a radio-frequency pulse radiated for each k-space line. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285196 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE ROCK SAMPLE ANALYSIS METHOD AND INSTRUMENT WITH CONSTANT GRADIENT FIELD - The present invention relates to a constant gradient field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) rock sample analysis method and instrument. The method includes: in a constant gradient magnetic field, performing NMR measurement to acquire data; converting the measured NMR data into a two-dimensional NMR spectrum D-T | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140292325 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF THE T1 AND/OR T2 RELAXATION TIMES IN A SAMPLE - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for the quantification of the longitudinal (T | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292326 | Method and Apparatus for 3D Magnetic Resonance Imaging - The present invention discloses a 3-dimension magnetic resonance imaging method which comprises: applying a slab selection gradient to a subject; transmitting a radiofrequency pulse to the subject, and exciting a slab of the subject to produce magnetic resonance signals with a continuous frequency bandwidth; performing a spatial encoding gradient across three dimensions to encode the magnetic resonance signals, wherein an equivalent encoded field of view which along the selected acceleration direction is controlled by the spatial encoding gradient, and the equivalent encoded field of view is shorter than the excited slab size of the subject; applying a separation gradient along with the spatial encoding gradient; and receiving and reconstructing the encoded magnetic resonance signals to produce 3D images. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292327 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Switched-Mode Current-Source Amplifier Having Gallium Nitride Field Effect Transistors For Parallel Transmission in MRI - Example systems, apparatus, circuits, and other embodiments described herein concern parallel transmission in MRI. One example apparatus includes at least two enhanced mode gallium nitride (eGaN) based field effect transistors (FETs) that are connected by a coil that includes an LC (inductance-capacitance) leg. The apparatus includes a controller that inputs a signal to the eGaN FETs to control the production of an output analog radio frequency (RF) signal. The LC leg selectively alters the output analog RF signal. The analog RF signal is used in parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) transmission. One embodiment provides an MRI transmit coil with switched-mode current-source amplification provided by a gallium nitride FET. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292328 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) With Dual Agent Characterization - Example apparatus and methods concern determining whether a target material appears in a region experiencing nuclear magnetic resonance. One method acquires a baseline value for a magnetic resonance parameter (MRP) while the region is not exposed to a molecular imaging agent that affects the MRP, acquiring a non-specific uptake value for the MRP while the sample is influenced by a non-specific molecular imaging agent and acquiring a specific uptake value for the MRP while the sample is influenced by a specific molecular imaging agent. The non-specific masking problem is solved by characterizing the region as a function of the baseline value, the non-specific uptake value, and the specific uptake value. The function relies on the similarities and differences between non-specific uptake of the non-specific molecular imaging agent, non-specific uptake of the specific molecular imaging agent, and specific uptake of the specific molecular imaging agent. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292329 | Determining Positions of a Magnetic Field Probe in a Magnetic Resonance Measurement - A method of determining the position of at least one magnetic field probe located within a pre-defined volume of interest within a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy arrangement comprises applying a spatially and temporally variable magnetic reference field having a unique time-course at every point in said volume of interest during a preselected time window. An MR signal is acquired from said magnetic field probe during said time window, and the position of the probe is determined from the probe MR signal. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292330 | Quantifying Magnetic Resonance Parameters - Example apparatus and methods provide improved spatial and temporal resolution over conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for a large (e.g., 500 cm | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292331 | METHOD FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF AT LEAST ONE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA SET OF A MOVABLE EXAMINATION OBJECT AND CORRESPONDINGLY DESIGNED MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE - A method for the adjustment of at least one magnetic resonance image data set of a movable examination object and correspondingly designed magnetic resonance device is provided. Moreover, a method, a computer program product and a computer-readable storage medium for the adjustment by a magnetic resonance device of at least one magnetic resonance image data set of a movable examination object is provided. After capturing two different types of position data for determination of the position of the examination object using navigator measurements and with the help of external markers, recording parameters and/or reconstruction parameters for recording and/or reconstruction of the at least one magnetic resonance image data set are adjusted as a function of the first and/or the second position data. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292332 | DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - In a computer-implemented method, device and system for controlling an imaging system, a specific absorption rate is calculated with a computation unit and an RF transmission signal of the imaging system is controlled with a control device. The process of controlling of the RF transmission signal includes disconnecting the RF transmission signal when a remaining period during which the RF transmission signal is harmless for the patient has been reduced to zero. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292333 | Establishing a Magnetic Resonance System Actuation Sequence - A method for establishing a magnetic resonance system actuation sequence is described. A first number of field distribution maps are acquired for slices of the measurement region, and a radiofrequency pulse train is established on the basis thereof for the magnetic resonance system actuation sequence. This acquisition of the first number of field distribution maps may be brought about on the basis of an acquisition scheme. A reduced number of field distribution representation maps are established on the basis of the acquired field distribution maps, which field distribution representation maps represent the first number of acquired field distribution maps in accordance with a predetermined optimization criterion, and the radiofrequency pulse train is established on the basis of the field distribution representation maps. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292334 | Magnetic resonance imaging equipment, high frequency magnetic field irradiation method and program - With minimizing extension of imaging time, the B | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140292335 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an obtaining unit, a correction coefficient deriving unit, an amplification degree deriving unit, and a filtering processing unit. The obtaining unit obtains a distribution of a radio frequency magnetic field. The correction coefficient deriving unit derives, on a basis of the distribution of the radio frequency magnetic field, a transmission correction coefficient used for correcting a transmission unevenness. The amplification degree deriving unit derives, for each of pixels, an amplification degree by which noise components are amplified in the image due to the correction, on the basis of either the distribution of the radio frequency magnetic field or the transmission correction coefficient. The filtering processing unit performs a filtering process according to the amplification degree on each of the pixels in the image to which the correction is applied. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20140300352 | METHOD TO ENTER MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA INTO A MEMORY ORGANIZED AS k-SPACE, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE METHOD - In a method to associate k-space lines with echo trains of raw magnetic resonance data, parallel k-space lines orthogonally intersect a plane at respective intersection points. Each echo train has a trajectory length, and the k-space lines are associated with the echo trains such that a sum of trajectory lengths of all echo trains is minimal. The trajectory length TL of an echo train is defined by | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300353 | QUANTIFYING BREAST TISSUE CHANGES WITH SPECTRALLY SELECTIVE MRI AND MRS - Systems and methods for magnetic resonance analysis and imaging are provided. IN particular, pulse sequences for DWI, APT, and MRS analysis and imaging are provided which rely on an RF excitation pulse for the signal of interest, followed by one or more refocusing pulses and acquisition steps, based on the type of imaging. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300354 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPATIAL GRADIENT-BASED ELECTRICAL PROPERTYPROPERTIES TOMOGRAPHY USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Systems and methods for producing an image of the electrical properties of an object using magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. The electrical properties are determined based on estimated gradient values of the electrical properties of the object. For instance, electrical property maps are reconstructed using a spatial integration on gradient values that are estimated from the magnitude and relative phase values derived from measurements of multiple transmit and receive B | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300355 | Method and Local Coil System for Producing a Magnetic Resonance Radio Frequency Field - A magnetic resonance RF field is produced in a magnetic resonance imaging system that includes a main magnetic field apparatus and an object-bearing table movable relative to the main magnetic field apparatus and on which a local coil system is arranged. The local coil system includes a plurality of transmission elements. A current location of the object-bearing table relative to the main magnetic field apparatus is established. The transmission elements are automatically connected based on the current location of the object-bearing table. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300356 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT A MULTI-ECHO MEASUREMENT SEQUENCE - In a multi-echo measurement sequence with the goal of optimizing the spatial resolution given predetermined time difference between successive gradient echoes, gradient pulse parameters are set depending on a defined ratio between a predetermined time difference between echo times and a quotient of a predetermined maximum gradient pulse amplitude and a predetermined maximum gradient pulse rate-of-change. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300357 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE A RESONANCE FREQUENCY DEVIATION - In a first method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine a resonance frequency deviation given an excitation of a slice of a volume segment within an examination subject, by a slice selection gradient is activated along one direction, an RF excitation pulse is irradiated in order to excite nuclear spins in the slice, a readout gradient is activated along the direction of the slice selection gradient, and MR data are read out while the readout gradient is activated. Image points within an MR image reconstructed using the MR data are identified, that exhibit a signal intensity that is greater than a predetermined threshold, in order to determine one of the image points that has a maximum separation in the direction between this image point and the slice. The resonance frequency deviation is determined depending on the amplitude of the slice selection gradient, the amplitude of the readout gradient and the maximum separation. The slice selection gradient and the readout gradient have opposite polarity. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140306703 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE, PHASE VALUE CORRECTION METHOD AND PROGRAM - An object of the present invention is to suppress artifacts generated by correction of spectral distortion induced by eddy currents in MRI devices with a simple method, and thereby improve accuracy of the correction. In the eddy current correction processing for correcting spectral distortion caused by an eddy current using phase values of FID signals of a substance showing higher signal intensities compared with a metabolite as an object of measurement, phase jumps of the phase values used for the correction are corrected beforehand. In the correction of the phase jumps, small phase change amount points are identified by using primary time differential values of the phase values, and the other points are identified as a phase jump generation region. Then, the primary time differential values corresponding to the identified phase jump generation regions are excluded. The phase jump generation regions are identified as regions where the primary time differential value changes in an amount not smaller than a threshold value defined beforehand within a range defined beforehand. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140306704 | METHOD FOR IMAGING A PART REGION OF AN EXAMINATION OBJECT IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for imaging a part region of an examination object in a magnetic resonance system. In an embodiment, a first and second gradient field are respectively created such that, at a respective first and second position at the edge of the field of view, a distortion caused by a non-linearity of the respective first and second gradient field, and a distortion caused by a B | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140306705 | Operation of a Magnetic Resonance Apparatus with a Plurality of Transmission Antennas - A sequence of a plurality of pulses following one another in time is applied to an examination volume of a magnetic resonance apparatus using a plurality of transmission antennas. In order to transmit the respective pulse, the plurality of transmission antennas are actuated using a specific transmission signal by a control device of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The transmission signals have predetermined phase and amplitude relationships to one another. The phase and amplitude relationships of a first pulse of the sequence S differ from the phase and amplitude relationships of a second pulse of the sequence. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140306706 | Magnetic Resonance Scanner with Antenna System - A magnetic resonance scanner includes an antenna system, such as a body coil, mechanically coupled to a support structure, such as a gradient coil, via a suspension system. The suspension system has a setting mechanism in order to reversibly set a coupling parameter value of the mechanical coupling between the antenna system and the support structure and/or a position or location of the antenna system relative to the support structure. The coupling parameter may be set during operation of a magnetic resonance imaging system including the magnetic resonance scanner. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140306707 | Use of Nuclear Spin Impurities to Suppress Electronic Spin Fluctuations and Decoherence in Composite Solid-State Spin Systems - A solid state electronic spin system contains electronic spins disposed within a solid state lattice and coupled to an electronic spin bath and a nuclear spin bath, where the electronic spin bath composed of electronic spin impurities and the nuclear spin bath composed of nuclear spin impurities. The concentration of nuclear spin impurities in the nuclear spin bath is controlled to a value chosen so as to allow the nuclear spin impurities to effect a suppression of spin fluctuations and spin decoherence caused by the electronic spin bath. Sensing devices such as magnetic field detectors can exploit such a spin bath suppression effect, by applying optical radiation to the electronic spins for initialization and readout, and applying RF pulses to dynamically decouple the electronic spins from the electronic spin bath and the nuclear spin bath. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140312898 | Method for generating a desired spatially variable temporal profile of the magnetization state in magnetic resonance - A method for generating a desired temporal profile of the magnetization state in an object under examination (O) during an experiment involving magnetic resonance is characterized in that at least one spatially dependent change in the magnetization state inside the object under examination (O) is predefined and spatially selective radio-frequency pulses, which allow a simultaneous and independent change in the magnetization state at locations with different stipulations, are irradiated in order to implement the predefined spatially dependent change in the magnetization state. The method permits establishment of the same desired temporal profile of the magnetization state for different regions of the object under examination despite different given experimental parameters or deliberate generation of different desired profiles of the magnetization state at different locations. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140312899 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SINGLE CARRIER WIDEBAND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) DATA ACQUISITION - A method and apparatus for single carrier wideband magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquisition are provided. The method includes the following steps: exciting a slice or slab with the use of RF pulse and a slice/slab selection gradient; applying a phase encoding gradient along a phase encoding direction and reducing a FOV along the phase encoding direction by a factor of W through k-space subsampling; applying a frequency encoding gradient along a frequency encoding direction and increasing a FOV along the frequency encoding direction by a factor of W | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140320127 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE CONTROL SEQUENCE - In a method and device for the determination of a magnetic resonance control sequence that includes at least one first pulse arrangement that acts in a spatially selective manner in a first selection direction and a subsequent second pulse arrangement that acts in a spatially selective manner in a second selection direction, viewing volume dimension parameter values are registered that define the spatial extent of a viewing volume to be excited. The first selection direction and the second selection direction are established automatically depending on a length ratio of the spatial extent of the viewing volume to be excited in the different selection directions. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140320128 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE IMAGE DATA SETS OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus to image data sets of an examination subject by operation of the magnetic resonance apparatus, after detecting a region of the examination subject that is relevant to the examination, a coil element from each of two coil units is selected depending on the detected region, and acquisition of the image data sets of the examination subject takes place with the use of the selected coil elements. The selection of the coil elements of the coil units can be based on information about a position of a slice of a volume of the examination subject, and the position of the slice can be determined automatically using reference measurements. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140320129 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING VOLUME OF INTEREST POSITIONING - A MRSI system ( | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140327440 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND REGION-IMAGING METHOD - In order to reduce image quality deterioration due to static magnetic field inhomogeneity according to imaging conditions without increasing an operator workload, shimming current where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of a selected region is reduced is calculated, shimming is performed for the selected region using the calculated local Bo shimming current, and then an increment (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase of an RF pulse that excites the selected region in a state where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of the selected region is reduced or a post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0′) that is an excitation frequency is calculated. These increments (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase and post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0′) that is an excitation frequency correspond with each other in amount. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140333302 | LOW POWER STIMULATED EMISSION NUCLEAR QUADRUPOLE RESONANCE DETECTION AT MULTIPLE REFERENCE POWER LEVELS - System and methods for detecting substances such as explosives via the nuclear quadrapole resonance effect. We observe that the nuclear quadrupole resonances of explosives located within a cavity portal involve continuous Rabi transitions which are nonlinear processes since stimulated emission occurs. In other words, where there are no resonances caused by the presence of an explosive, high average power and low average power measurements should be identical. However, when resonances are stimulated by the system, the difference between these two conditions can be compared to determine a correction to measurements made when a person located in the cavity has explosive material on their person, without the need for separate empty portal or elaborate calibration procedures. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140333303 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RF EXCITATION WITH TWO RESONANCE FREQUENCIES TO DETECT THE CEST EFFECT - In a magnetic resonance apparatus and method for RF excitation with two resonance frequencies to detect the CEST effect, the RF excitation is achieved with the use of a first RF antenna and a second RF antenna of the magnetic resonance apparatus with a first portion of the RF excitation at a first resonance frequency of the two resonance frequencies being implemented with the first RF antenna, and a second portion of the RF excitation at a second resonance frequency of the two resonance frequencies is implemented with the second RF antenna. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140333304 | METHOD OF DETERMINING CATALYTIC FINES IN AN OIL - The invention concerns a method of performing a quantitative and/or qualitative determination of catalytic fines in fuel oil and a system suitable for determining catalytic fines in an oil using the method. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140340082 | Formation Core Sample Holder Assembly And Testing Method For Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements - A core sample holder assembly for performing a laboratory magnetic resonance measurement of a core sample taken from a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The assembly comprises a pressure chamber provided by a hull and one or more flanges are sealingly coupled with the hull. A flexible core sample holder sleeve is arranged within the pressure chamber and is sealingly coupled with at least one of the flanges. An overburden fluid injection port is in fluid communication with an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve and is configured to inject overburden fluid into an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve. A pressure regulator is configured to maintain the overburden fluid in the annular space at an elevated pressure. A radio-frequency antenna, within the pressure chamber and wrapped around the sample holder sleeve, is configured to receive an electromagnetic-signal from the core sample. In use, the core sample is arranged substantially within the sleeve. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140340083 | Parallel acquisition image reconstruction method and device for magnetic resonance imaging - A method and a parallel acquisition image reconstruction device for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The method may include: sampling magnetic resonance signals from a plurality of channels, and filling the magnetic resonance signals in an initial k-space; obtaining a first virtual space by performing a mathematical transformation, and obtaining a second virtual space by reserving virtual channels of the first virtual space; calculating a first combination coefficient, and a second combination coefficient; putting the first combination coefficient and the second combination coefficient into a predetermined objective function to obtain the data of the second virtual space; and transforming the data of the second virtual space to an image domain to obtain a reconstructed image. The method of the present disclosure reserves data of channels having a high signal-to-noise ratio to serve as the second virtual space, whereby the image reconstruction speed and signal-to-noise ratio of image are improved. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140340084 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHICH ARE BASED ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR EVALUATION(S) OF RADIO FREQUENCY EMITTING DEVICE(S) - Exemplary system, method and computer accessible medium can be provided for evaluating at least one radio frequency transmitting arrangement. For example, it is possible to receive a first information associated with at least one scan of at least one live subject corresponding to one or more effects of the transmitting arrangement(s) on the at least one live subject, and determine a second information based on the first information. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140347050 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING ACOUSTIC NOISE LEVEL IN MR IMAGING - A system and method for reducing MRI-generated acoustic noise is disclosed. A system control of an MRI apparatus causes a plurality of gradient coils and an RF coil assembly in the MRI apparatus to generate pulse sequences that each cause an echo train to form and acquire blades of k-space data of the subject of interest from the pulse sequences, with the blades being rotated about a section of k-space compared to every other blade. The system control also causes the plurality of gradient coils to generate gradient pulses in each pulse sequence having an optimized gradient waveform that reduces an acoustic noise level generated thereby and causes the RF coil assembly to generate a 180 degree prep pulse subsequent to generation of an RF excitation pulse and prior to generation of a first RF refocusing pulse, the 180 degree prep pulse minimizing echo spacing in the echo train. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140347051 | System and Method for Acquiring Multiple Different Images Using A Single Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan With Multiple Magnetization Preparation Radio Frequency Pulses - Described here are a system and method for obtaining multiple different images when performing a single scan of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system. The scan includes the application of two or more magnetization preparation radio frequency (“RF”) pulses, such as inversion recovery (“IR”) pulses. Data is acquired after the application of each magnetization preparation RF pulse, thus allowing the acquisition of multiple different images of the subject in a single scan. Using this approach, the same information that used to require multiple different scans of the subject can be acquired in one single scan, and in less time than would be required to perform the multiple scans. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140347052 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND FREQUENCY SHIFT MEASURING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a phase image generating unit, an image value acquisition unit and a frequency shift calculation unit. The phase image generating unit executes a sequence including an application of a bipolar gradient pulse and thereby generates a first phase image. The image value acquisition unit acquires an image value of the first phase image. The frequency shift calculation unit determines an amount of frequency shift per unit amount of gradient magnetic field based on magnetic field strength of the bipolar gradient pulse and on the image value of the first phase image. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140354278 | Three-dimensional magnetic density imaging and magnetic resonance imaging - Apparatus for measuring magnetic field intensity characteristics around a target object enclosed in a 3D volume space is disclosed. It comprises (a) a means for magnetically polarizing the target object with a known polarizing magnetic field to introduce a magnetic density distribution (MDI) f(r1), (b) a means for measuring magnetic field characteristics g(r2) around the target object at a set of points r2 in a 3D volume space that in particular extends substantially along a radial direction pointing away from the approximate center of the object, (c) a means for setting up a vector-matrix equation; and (d) a means for solving this vector-matrix equation and obtaining a solution for f(r1) that provides a 3D tomographic image of the target object. This novel apparatus is integrated with frequency and phase encoding methods of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique in prior art to achieve different trade-offs. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140361770 | PARALLEL MRI WITH SPATIALLY MISREGISTERED SIGNAL - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to effect improved parallel MR imaging with reduced unfolding artifacts by using either or both of:
| 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361771 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND RECONSTRUCTED IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD - In order to improve contrast and image quality in non-orthogonal measurement without sacrificing speed, in imaging which combines a fast imaging sequence for acquiring a plurality of echo signals in one shot with non-orthogonal system measurement, the shape of a blade in which an echo train of each shot is arranged includes a fan-shaped region having the radius and the arc of a circle centered on the origin of the k space, and a region overlapping an adjacent blade. During measurement, control is performed such that an echo signal for desired TE of each blade is arranged in a low spatial frequency region of a k space, and during image reconstruction, body motion between the blades is corrected using data of the overlapping regions. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361772 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE CONTROL SEQUENCE, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM OPERABLE ACCORDING TO THE CONTROL SEQUENCE - In a method and control sequence determination device for determination of a magnetic resonance system control sequence to generate an image series of a defined image region of an examination subject, the control sequence includes a multichannel pulse train with multiple individual RF pulse trains to be emitted in parallel by the magnetic resonance system via different independent radio-frequency transmission channels. The multichannel pulse train includes an excitation pulse to excite the image region and a subsequent number of refocusing pulses in order to respectively excite an echo signal to acquire raw data for an image of the image series. At least one defined marking region in the image region is determined depending on a subject structure to be depicted in the image region, and the multichannel pulse train is determined such that a saturation is achieved at or in the marking regions before the excitation pulse. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361773 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ADAPT A SLICE POSITIONING WITHIN A SLICE PROTOCOL FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for an adaptation of a slice positioning within a slice protocol for an MR examination of a first body region and a second body region of a patient, wherein the two body regions are formed and/or arranged mirror-symmetrical to one another within the patient, the slice protocol for the MR examination is designated, and a manual adaptation of the slice protocol takes place for positioning at least one slice of the MR examination for the first body region by means of at least one first adaptation value. An automatic determination of a second adaptation value is made for positioning of at least one slice of the magnetic resonance examination for the second body region, the determination of the second adaptation value depending on the first adaptation value. An automatic adaptation of the slice protocol of the magnetic resonance examination for the second body region is then made, dependent on the second adaptation value. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361774 | METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF SODIUM IN PETROLEUM FUEL - The invention relates to a method of and a system for quantitative determination of sodium in petroleum fuel, such as heave fuel oil. The method comprises determining a concentration of sodium in the petroleum fuel using NMR. The method advantageously comprises determining sodium in the form of sodium isotope | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140361775 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE MULTI-CORE ARRAY RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICE AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNAL RECEIVING METHOD - A magnetic resonance multi-core array radio frequency device and a magnetic resonance signal receiving method are provided. The device comprises a radio frequency receiver which includes a radio frequency coil ( | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140368194 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA SET BY RADIAL SCANNING - Method to acquire a magnetic resonance data set of an acquisition area ( | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140368195 | MR IMAGING WITH SUPPRESION OF FLOW ARTIFACTS - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of a body ( | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140375314 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS WITH INTERLEAVED RESTING STATE FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SEQUENCES AND MORPHOLOGICAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SEQUENCES - In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance data, a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence is executed in alternation with a morphological data acquisition sequence. The alternating sequences are executed with no time interruptions therebetween, with at least one repetition of the alternating sequences. The resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence can be a BOLD-EPI sequence, and the morphological imaging sequence can be an MPRAGE sequence. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140375315 | ENERGY-SAVING METHOD OF GENERATING TIME-VARYING MAGNETIC GRADIENTS FOR USE IN MRI - An apparatus and method which produce a magnetic field gradient by physically rotating one or more permanent magnets near an object in order to obtain images of the object. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140375316 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In the magnetic resonance image data acquisition and apparatus, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired at multiple points along a trajectory in k-space from first and second magnetic resonance echo signals caused by a radio-frequency excitation pulse. The course of the trajectory in k-space is established by adjusting a magnetic field value of a gradient magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field has a field value of a first point in time of the trajectory curve and a subsequently modified and at a layer second point in time, the gradient magnetic field has the same field value as that said first point in time. The second point in time is before or during the acquisition of the raw magnetic resonance data of the first magnetic resonance echo signal. The shift value for the trajectory is determined and the trajectory is shifted according to this shift value, and an image is reconstructed from the shifted raw magnetic resonance data of the trajectory. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140375317 | NMR IMAGING DEVICE AND NMR IMAGING METHOD - In order to provide an NMR imaging device capable of distinguishing substances that cannot be distinguished by T | 12-25-2014 |
| 20140375318 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FIELD MAP ESTIMATION - A system and method for determining a magnetic field map when using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images from a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method includes selecting a pulse sequence to elicit a plurality of echoes from the subject as medical imaging data from the subject. The method also includes optimizing an echo time for a dynamic range of interest during the pulse sequence (SB | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150008918 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA OF A TARGET REGION INCLUDING A METAL OBJECT - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire MR data of a target region that includes a metal object, an MR sequence that includes at least one radio-frequency excitation to be emitted via a radio-frequency coil arrangement is used. A radio-frequency coil arrangement having multiple coil elements that can be controlled independently with different amplitude and/or phase is used. The amplitudes and/or phases of the coil elements that describe the polarization of the radio-frequency field are selected to at least partially reduce artifacts arising in the metal object due to the radio-frequency excitation, in comparison to a homogeneous, circular polarization of the radio-frequency field of the radio-frequency field in the target region. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008919 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATION THEREOF WITH AN ACCELERATED PROGRESSION OF A REPEATING PULSE SEQUENCE WITH AN OPTIMIZED GRADIENT CURVE - In a method for an accelerated progression of a repeating pulse sequence with an optimized gradient curve (that has at least one pulse) for a magnetic resonance examination by operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus, boundary conditions for a first gradient pulse of a first progression of the pulse sequence are detected, and the boundary conditions of the first gradient pulse of the first progression of the pulse sequence are compared with boundary conditions of a previous gradient pulse of a previous progression of the pulse sequence. An optimized gradient curve of the first gradient pulse of the first progression of the pulse sequence is determined from the gradient curve of the previous gradient pulse when agreement of the boundary conditions of the first gradient pulse with the boundary conditions of the previous gradient pulse exists. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008920 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SIGNALS - Provided are a method and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for measuring an MR signal. The method includes: applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse to an object; acquiring, as a response to the RF pulse, a plurality of echo signals from a plurality of readout gradients formed on a gradient coil; measuring delay times of the plurality of echo signals based on points in time when the respective echo signals are acquired; and determining a gradient delay based on the plurality of delay times. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008921 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING MAGNETIC FIELD - A magnetic field measuring method in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse to an object, acquiring first and second echo signals from a first readout gradient according to test gradients having different intensities, acquiring third and fourth echo signals from a second readout gradient according to the test gradients having different intensities, and determining a characteristic value of an eddy field based on an echo time (TE) of at least one of the first through the fourth echo signals. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008922 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) SPECTROSCOPY DEVICE - The invention relates to a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy device adapted for carrying out 1D and nD homo- and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy measurements of a plurality of nuclei, comprising an RF coil adapted to transmit RF to and/or receive RF from a measuring volume, wherein the RF coil forms part of a non-tuned radiofrequency circuit. The invention further relates to a method of NMR data acquisition, a method of manufacturing a NMR spectroscopy device and a NMR-device holder. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150008923 | MAGNETIC FIELD HOMOGENEITY ADJUSTMENT METHOD, MAGNET DEVICE, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A computer executes: calculating a first volume distribution (v.d.) of magnetic materials on a shim tray, based on a first magnetic field strength distribution (m.f.s.d.) in a magnetic field space (S | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150015253 | AUTOMATED IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging scanner configured to generate a plurality of signals for forming at least one magnetic resonance image of a soft tissue region from a subject under observation, wherein the at least one magnetic resonance image provides at least one integrating feature to facilitate automatic segmentation; a signal processing system in communication with the magnetic resonance imaging scanner to receive the plurality of signals; and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing system, wherein the data storage unit contains at least one template corresponding to the soft tissue region, wherein the signal processing system is adapted to process the plurality of signals received from the magnetic resonance imaging scanner to automatically perform segmentation for the soft tissue region of the subject under observation by utilizing the at least one template and the at least one integrating feature. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015254 | Control of SAR Values in MR Imaging - In a method for imaging a body part of a patient particularly in relation to DBS where conductive elements can reduce a safe SAR level, the power in the RF pulses being delivered to the RF transmit coil is measured in real time by a unit associated with the FR transmit coil and is used to stop the supply of RF pulses to the RF coil in the event that the power exceeds a predetermined safe limit. As signal can also be transmitted to the MR control unit to shut off the imaging sequence. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015255 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING GUIDED AND FLEXIBLE SELF-NAVIGATED STRUCTURAL MRI FOR MOTION COMPENSATION - A method and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus provide subject/object motion detection and correction during a MRI scan. The method includes generating via a magnetic resonance scanner a magnetic field gradient and a radio-frequency signal for the MRI scan. The radio-frequency signal contains a successive repetition of pulse sequences, each pulse sequence starting with a radio-frequency excitation pulse. A time between two successive radio-frequency excitation pulses are defined as a repetition time. Detecting, from a readout signal emitted in response to the pulse sequence, time-points in which motion has occurred. Interleaves are automatically created. A sampling of the k-space is performed by arranging k-space MRI readout signals acquired over each repetition time of the pulse sequence into several groups of interleaves of uniform k-space sampling reconstructing separately each subset of interleaves for obtaining low resolution MR images. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015256 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generation unit. The data acquisition unit acquires an analog MR signal from an object and converts the analog MR signal into a digital MR signal. The image generation unit generates MR image data based on the digital MR signal. The data acquisition unit includes an AD converter, a signal processing part and a noise suppression part. The AD converter converts the analog MR signal, before a down conversion, into the digital MR signal, inside an imaging room. The signal processing part performs signal processing of the digital MR signal, inside the imaging room or outside the imaging room. The noise suppression part suppresses a noise arising caused by a conversion from the analog MR signal, before the down conversion, into the digital MR signal. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015257 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A B0 FIELD MAP - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine a B0 field map describing the local deviation from a nominal Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance apparatus, magnetic resonance data are acquired at at least two different dephasing times after an excitation, in measurements implemented at two different echo times whose difference forms a dephasing time, and a phase change used to determine the B0 field map is determined from a difference of phases measured at different echo times. The phase changes of different dephasing times are evaluated to at least partially reduce an ambiguity due to Nyquist phase wrapping. The measurements for different dephasing times are implemented at least in part with excitations that generate different excitation fields. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015258 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A B1 PHASE MAP - In a method to determine a B1 phase map for at least two excitation modes of a radio-frequency coil arrangement of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the radio-frequency coil arrangement having multiple independently controllable transmission channels, and the B1 phase map describing, with spatial resolution, the phase of radio-frequency field this is generated in a respective excitation mode relative to a common reference phase map, first magnetic resonance data describing the phase change of a basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance apparatus between a first echo time and a second echo time are acquired, and are evaluated to determine a spatially resolved Larmor frequency value that describes the deviation from a nominal Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance apparatus. To correct raw phase maps derived from second magnetic resonance data acquired using a respective one of the excitation modes, a correction map, determined relative to the reference phase map, is calculated and subtracted from the raw phase map under consideration of the Larmor frequency value and the echo times in the acquisition of the second magnetic resonance data. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150015259 | SYSTEM, ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DECOUPLING RF COILS USING ONE OR MORE NON-STANDARDLY-MATCHED COIL ELEMENTS - Arrangement, magnetic resonance imaging system and method can be provided, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a plurality of radio frequency (RF) coil elements can be utilized which can include at least one coil element that is coupled to and non-standard impedance matched with at least one preamplifier. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150022203 | Automatic HF Shim Configuration for Coils - In order to configure a transmission coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system without taking a specific measurement object into account, the transmission coil is automatically detected and identified when the transmission coil is connected to the MRI system. A phase setting of a pulse to be transmitted by the detected transmission coil is identified based on at least the identified type of the transmission coil. The transmission coil is excited with the pulse having the identified phase and amplitude. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022204 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PASADENA HYPERPOLARIZATION - The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for using hyperpolarization to improve imaging. Am exemplary embodiment, a PASADENA polarizer, is capable of delivering 2.5-5 ml of highly hyperpolarized biological | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022205 | Automatic Local Coil Isocentering - A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a control unit configured to (a) compare a plurality of magnitudes of a field of a coil of a local coil, wherein each magnitude of the plurality of magnitudes is measured at a different time; and (b) determine, based on on a comparison result, whether to stop or advance a position adjustment apparatus of the patient couch of the magnetic resonance imaging system. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022206 | Hybrid Averaging Method for Specific Absorption Rate Supervision - In order to reduce the memory footprint used for monitoring specific absorption rate (SAR) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a hybrid sliding window method is provided. The method includes receiving a measured value once every first time interval, processing the measured value, and storing a value resulting from the processing in a first memory element. Measured values stored in second memory elements are summed every second time interval, where the first time interval is less than the second time interval. A representation of SAR is calculated every first time interval based on the value resulting from the processing and the sum of the measured values of the second memory elements. When the second time interval is reached, the value stored in the first memory element is moved to one of the second memory elements, and the value stored in the first memory element is reset to zero. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022207 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MR DATA AND TO RECONSTRUCT AN MR IMAGE - In a method to operate a magnetic resonance (MR) system to acquire MR data, an RF excitation pulse is radiated followed by repeated, chronologically sequential implementation of the following steps in order to respectively acquire the MR data of an echo train. A refocusing pulse is radiated, a phase coding gradient is activated, and an additional magnetic field gradient for spatial coding is activated in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the phase coding gradient in order to read out the MR data of a k-space line. A k-space line in the k-space center is acquired at a predetermined echo time. A first half of k-space is acquired by entering data into k-space lines of the respective echo train, the data being acquired before the echo time. A second half of k-space is acquired by entering data into k-space lines of the respective echo train, this data having been acquired after the echo time. The k-space lines in the first half of k-space have a first density while the k-space lines in the second half of k-space have a second density that differs from the first density. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150022208 | Use of a Plurality of TX Coils - At least two RF transmission coil arrangements are provided. Each of the at least two RF transmission coil arrangements includes at least one RF transmission antenna. The at least two RF transmission coil arrangements are actuatable by a transmission apparatus of the magnetic resonance imaging system for transmitting RF pulses. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150028870 | Two-Channel Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A two-channel magnetic resonance tomography system is provided with a regulation circuit for an amplification system in order to be able to take into account different load situations of the MRI system in a flexible and efficient manner. It is thus possible to improve the MRI measurements greatly if the MRI system is set to the respective load situation beforehand by an idle state measurement. The adaptation may optionally also be carried out during the MRI measurement. Therefore, a multiplicity of completely different load situations may be taken into account in an optimized manner by the regulation circuit. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150035531 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE CONTROL SEQUENCE - A magnetic resonance control sequence with a pulse arrangement that acts selectively in at least two spatial directions in order to excite a limited rotationally symmetrical excitation profile within an examination subject has an RF excitation pulse formed as a sequence of multiple partial RF pulses, and gradient pulses in the two spatial directions that are coordinated with the partial RF pulses so that the RF energy introduction of different partial RF pulses in transmission k-space occurs on circular k-space transmission trajectories that are concentric to one another. The amplitude of the RF envelope of the partial RF pulses is constant during the duration of a traversal of each circular k-space trajectory. The control sequence can also be used in a calibration of a magnetic resonance system. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150035532 | TECHNIQUES, SYSTEMS AND MACHINE READABLE PROGRAMS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150042329 | DYNAMIC CONTRAST ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH HIGH SPATIAL-TEMPORAL RESOLUTION - A method of providing dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of an object in an MRI system is provided. A magnetic resonance excitation from the MRI system is applied to the object. A magnetic resonance signal is read out through k-space for a plurality of regions with two or three spatial dimensions and a temporal dimension, wherein the read out is pseudo-randomly undersampled in the spatial frequency dimensions and the temporal dimension providing k-space data that is pseudo-randomly undersampled in the spatial frequency dimensions and the temporal dimension. The readout data is used to create a sequential series of spatial frequency data sets by generating interpolated data in the spatial frequency dimensions and the temporal dimension. The sequential series of spatial frequency data sets is used to create temporally resolved spatial images. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042330 | DETERMINING THE FORM OF RF PULSES FOR SELECTIVE EXCITATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance method involving the generation of high-frequency pulses and magnetic gradients (g | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042331 | Nuclear Singlet States as a Contrast Mechanism for NMR Spectroscopy - Methods and systems for Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra of complex chemical mixtures are described. The methods and systems allow undesired NMR spectral background to be removed or suppressed and target spectral peaks to be uncovered, for example, when strong background signals overlap weaker peaks. In some embodiments, the methods and systems employ a quantum filter utilizing nuclear spin singlet states. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042332 | THROUGH-PLANE NAVIGATOR - A magnetic resonance scanner ( | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042333 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS, AND METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE THEREFOR - In a method to control a magnetic resonance apparatus, a control device, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and an electronically readable data storage medium, a reduction and/or limitation and/or monitoring of the noise volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus is enabled by a noise volume-reduced operating mode of the magnetic resonance apparatus being activated depending on at least one predeterminable event. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042334 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE THE T1 TIME OF WATER AND THE T1 TIME OF FAT - In a method and a magnetic resonance system to determine the T1 time of water and the T1 time of fat in a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, magnetic field gradients are activated to generate multiple gradient echoes. First echoes are acquired at at least two different echo times based on RF pulses with a first flip angle. A first water magnetization and a first fat magnetization are determined for each voxel of the volume segment from the first echoes, according to the Dixon method. Second echoes are acquired at at least two different echo times based on RF pulses with a second flip angle. A second water magnetization and a second fat magnetization are determined for each voxel of the volume segment depending on the second echoes according to the Dixon method. The T1 time of water and the T1 time of fat for each voxel are determined depending on the first water magnetization of the respective voxel, the first fat magnetization of the respective voxel, the first flip angle, the second water magnetization of the respective voxel, the second fat magnetization of the respective voxel, and the second flip angle. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042335 | MR IMAGING WITH B1 MAPPING - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging, wherein a portion of a body ( | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042336 | MR IMAGING WITH SIGNAL SUPPRESSION OF A SPIN SERIES - In a magnetic resonance measurement sequence, an inversion pulse is applied that acts on a longitudinal magnetization of a first spin species and a second spin species, for example on a water portion and a fat portion. An excitation pulse is applied after a predetermined time period. At least one manipulation pulse is subsequently applied, respectively with associated gradient pulse. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150048821 | ATHEROSCLEROSIS CHARACTERIZATION USING A MULTI-CONTRAST MRI SEQUENCE - The present invention relates to imaging and characterizing atherosclerotic lesions. The invention utilizes a low-flip-angle gradient echo-based MRI acquisition technique combined with specialized magnetization preparative schemes (i.e. non-selective inversion and FSD), and multiple co-registered 3D image sets with different contrast weightings are collected in an interleaved fashion. Using the inventive method, a single scan allows for comprehensive assessment of atherosclerotic plaque within just a few minutes. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150048822 | Dynamic Decoupling In Solid State Spin Ensembles - Long spin coherence lifetimes are realized for ensembles of electronic spin impurities in solid state spin systems, for example NV color centers in diamond, by using spin-control RF pulse sequences to provide dynamic decoupling of the ensembles of spin impurities from environmental sources of decoherence such as dipolar and hyperfine interactions with proximal spin and other paramagnetic impurities in diamond. In this way, the measurement sensitivity of the coherent evolution of ensembles of solid state spin impurities are increased. Using the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence, the spin coherence lifetimes of NV ensembles can be extended to more than 2 ms in room temperature diamond, and sensitivity of magnetometry that uses NV ensembles can be increased. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150048823 | Antenna Apparatus for Receiving Magnetic Resonance Signals - An antenna apparatus is described, for receiving magnetic resonance signals from an examination object during magnetic resonance imaging using a magnetic resonance device. The antenna apparatus includes a resonator with a plurality of electrically conductive conductor loops, which are each interrupted by a number of electrically insulating slits. The antenna apparatus further includes a carrier substrate for holding the conductor loops and a cable connection apparatus having a number of shielding apparatuses. At least one of the number of shielding apparatuses provides a conductive coupling to a virtual ground of at least one conductor loop. Moreover, an antenna array apparatus, a magnetic resonance system and a method for receiving magnetic resonance signals from an examination object during magnetic resonance imaging using a magnetic resonance device are described. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150048824 | SIMPLE MICROWAVE FIELD IMAGING DEVICE - The invention relates to a device for sensing a microwave magnetic field polarization component (B | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150048825 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a housing which has a bore to which a magnetic field for use in an MRI scan is applied, a moving table on which an inspection target may be placed and that enters the bore of the housing, a projector which projects an image onto an inner wall that forms the bore of the housing, and a controller which controls the projection unit and transmits a video signal to the projector. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150048826 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL DEVICE OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A control device of a magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging apparatus includes a condition setting unit and a judging unit. The condition setting unit sets an imaging sequence to be performed by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on set conditions of the set imaging sequence. The judging unit then (a) calculates a value of electric current supplied to a gradient magnetic field coil of the MRI apparatus to perform that set imaging sequence based on the set conditions of the set imaging sequence, (b) calculates a value of voltage that would need to be applied to the gradient magnetic field coil based on a mutual inductance of the gradient magnetic field to cause electric current flowing to the gradient magnetic field coil to become equal to the value of the calculated electric current, and (c) judges whether the set imaging sequence is practicable or not based on the calculated value of voltage. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150054505 | REFERENCE OVERSAMPLING IN SENSE-TYPE MAGNETIC RESONANCE RECONSTRUCTION - Magnetic resonance imaging uses regularized SENSE reconstruction for a reduced field of view, but minimizes folding artifacts. A reference scan is oversampled relative to the reduced field of view. The oversampling provides coil sensitivity information for a region greater than the reduced field of view. The reconstruction of the object for the reduced field of view using the coil sensitivities for the larger region may have fewer folding artifacts. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150054506 | Magnetic Resonance Coil, Device and System - The embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance coil for a magnetic resonance device with a measuring chamber for an examination object and a cylindrical birdcage antenna arrangement having a plurality of antenna elements disposed at least in some areas around a measuring chamber in the form of circumferential antenna rings or axial outer rods connecting the rings. The antenna elements include electric components, e.g., reactive capacitive and/or inductive systems. The magnetic resonance coil also has at least two antenna feeds, e.g., phase-offset in relation to one another by 90°, by which radio-frequency energy is able to be supplied to the birdcage antenna arrangement. The antenna feeds include at least one symmetrical feed via at least one of the electric components of the birdcage antenna arrangement as well is at least one assigned asymmetrical feed between the birdcage antenna arrangement and a screen connection. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150054507 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - An apparatus for capturing a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes: a radio frequency (RF) transmitter which transmits an RF pulse sequence including a spiral pulse sequence having at least one spiral trajectory and a first blade having at least one parallel trajectory and intersecting the at least one spiral trajectory on a center of k-space; and a data processor which obtains the MR signal in response to the transmitted RF pulse sequence. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150061668 | MRI GHOSTING CORRECTION USING UNEQUAL MAGNITUDES RATIO - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to effect MR imaging with reduced ghosting artifacts by operations including determining spatially varying signal magnitude differences associated with first and second parts of a reference MR data, and reconstructing a diagnostic image based upon a first and a second parts of main scan data and the determined spatially varying signal magnitude differences. The first parts of the reference data and main scan data is acquired using a first readout gradient, and the second parts of the reference data and main scan data is acquired using a second readout gradient that is different from the first readout gradient. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061669 | Tri-Axial NMR Test Instrument - The invention provides a tri-axial nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus for testing of petro-physical properties and gathering of geo-mechanical information and methods of using the same. The tri-axial nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus includes a tri-axial load frame encasing a tri-axial load cell that includes a tri-axial sample holder, at least one electrical sensor, at least one acoustic sensor, and a nuclear magnetic resonance instrument. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061670 | NMR Analysis of A Core Sample Employing An Open Permanent Magnet Removable from A Core Holder - An apparatus and method for NMR analysis of a plurality of core samples includes a core holder ( | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061671 | PHASE-CONTRAST MR IMAGING WITH SPEED ENCODING - MR signals are acquired with a method for phase contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with speed encoding, in order to acquire raw data for multiple MR images. The multiple MR images are reconstructed. For this purpose, matrix elements are determined for numerous matrices, wherein the sum of the numerous matrices results in a pixel matrix. The pixel matrix has matrix elements that represent the pixel values for a reference MR image with flow compensation. The pixel matrix has further matrix elements that represent the pixel values for the at least one MR image with speed encoding. The matrix elements of the numerous matrices are determined such that a first matrix of the numerous matrices fulfills a first condition. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061672 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION USING A MULTIPOINT DIXON TECHNIQUE - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire MR data from a subject, a predetermined spectral model of a multipoint Dixon technique is used that includes at least two spectral components with respective associated relaxation rates, a first phase due to field inhomogeneities; and a second phase due to eddy current effects. MR data are acquired using a bipolar multi-echo MR measurement sequence for multiple image points wherein, for each image point, the multi-echo MR measurement sequence alternately uses positive and negative readout gradient fields for the readout of MR signals of the MR data at at least three echo times. The at least two spectral components are determined based on the MR data. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150061673 | CONTROL UNIT AND METHOD TO MONITOR A DATA ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA - In a control method and control unit to monitor a data acquisition of magnetic resonance image data of an imaging area located in a measurement volume of a magnetic resonance apparatus, an RF excitation pulse is radiated by an RF transmission/reception device of the magnetic resonance apparatus, raw data are acquired after a time after the radiated excitation pulse, by means of the RF transmission/reception device, and store the raw data, the raw data are transmitted to a monitoring unit and (a) through (c) are repeated while switching different gradients for spatial coding by readout of k-space corresponding to the imaging area along trajectories that are predetermined by the switched gradients, up to a termination criterion that is predetermined by the monitoring unit. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150070012 | Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting Exams With Optimized Sound - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with optimizing sounds produced during nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with a patient to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The parameters are varied in different acquisition blocks to facilitate matching sounds produced in response to the acquisition blocks to a desired set of sounds. The desired set of sounds may be a musical piece. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150070013 | Establishing B1-Maps - The embodiments relate to a B | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150070014 | Compatible Magnetic Resonance Receiver - A method and an apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. A type of further processing of signals transmitted by a local coil to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is determined in dependence on information received in or from the local coil about a local-coil type of the local coil. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150070015 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, in order to create a T1 map, an pulse sequence is used that includes at least one exposure cycle, wherein the exposure cycle includes an inversion pulse, a saturation pulse quantity of one or more saturation pulses and a readout step quantity of one or more readout steps. Within the exposure cycle, at least one saturation pulse of the saturation pulse quantity follows the inversion pulse and at least one readout step of the readout step quantity follows the at least one saturation pulse. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150070016 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition part and a display processing part. The image acquisition part is configured to acquire plural series, each consisting of frames of medical image data corresponding to at least one of slice positions and time phases. The display processing part is configured to perform display processing to display image data in a region of interest of at least one frame of first medical image data belonging to a first series out of the plural series. The image data in the region of the interest are overlapped with a region of at least one frame of second medical image data belonging to another series. The region of the at least one frame of the second medical image data is different from a region corresponding to the region of the interest. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150077105 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING HIGH RESOLUTION, HIGH CONTRAST FUSED MRI IMAGES - This present invention relates to an MRI scanning assembly and a method for fusing MRI images of a target thereby generating and providing high resolution, high contrast fused MRI images. The MRI images of the target are generated by different MRI devices operating at different magnetic field intensities. A method is also described for fusing MRI images generated by an MRI device operating with different operational parameters and operational protocols. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077106 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL FREQUENCY SELECTIVE INVERSION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE - Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition and reconstruction techniques that invert MR signals of selected frequencies without the application of inversion RF pulses are disclosed. An example method comprises acquisition of at least one MR image representative dataset and an associated phase reference dataset, and classifies anatomical material into a first component representing anatomical material having a first range of resonance frequencies associated with a first range of phase differences between the MR image representative dataset and the reference image dataset and a second component representing anatomical material having a second range of resonance frequencies associated with a second range of phase differences between the MR image representative dataset and the reference image dataset. The method assigns different visual attributes to first and second components derived using phase differences between the MR image representative dataset and the reference image dataset and displays an image. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077107 | Method for B0 Field Correction in Magnetic Resonance - In a magnetic resonance (MR) experiment, a method for effectively improving B0 uniformity of a static magnet of a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus, without shimming magnets or coils involves combining a plurality of RF receive fields, each having a different respective sensitivity map. This method can apply retrospectively to previously acquired data, as long as there is data from different receive fields. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077108 | Measurement of Radio Frequency Excitation Pulses - The embodiments relate to methods for measurement of RF excitation pulses by a magnetic resonance device including the following acts: (1) sending of an RF excitation pulse by a radio-frequency system of the magnetic resonance device, (2) triggering of a receive event for capturing the RF excitation pulse by the control device of the magnetic resonance device, and (3) capturing of the sent RF excitation pulse in the form of excitation data by the radio frequency system. In certain embodiments, the excitation data is used for checking process execution sequences. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077109 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO OPTIMIZE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA ACQUISITION SEQUENCE - In a method to optimize a magnetic resonance sequence of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the magnetic resonance sequence includes first imaging parameters that, during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the first imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a first acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a first signal-to-image noise ratio. An automatic optimization of the imaging parameters is implemented such that during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the optimized imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a second acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a second signal-to-image noise ratio. The second acoustic noise volume is reduced by at least 3 dB relative to the first acoustic noise volume and the second signal-to-image noise ratio is reduced by a maximum of 35 percent relative to the first signal-to-image noise ratio. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077110 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHOD USING THEREOF - A magnetic resonance apparatus is provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a scanner configured to execute a plurality of pulse sequences each including a plurality of RF pulses for generating magnetization transfer of protons and a data acquisition sequence for acquiring data from a region in which proton magnetization transfer occurs, wherein the phases of the plurality of RF pulses are cycled so as to make a phase difference between the phase of a pth RF pulse of the plurality of RF pulses and the phase of a p+1th RF pulse of the plurality of RF pulses different for each pulse sequence, and a controller configured to control operations that include processing for determining a spectrum indicative of a relationship between a signal intensity of each signal obtained from the region and the associated phase differences based on data obtained by executing the plurality of pulse sequences. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150077111 | METHOD AND APPARATUS USABLE FOR MINING AND MINERAL EXPLORATION - A method for mineral analysis of a sample based on detection of NQR and/or NMR signals from a particular substance within a sample includes: setting a frequency of RF pulses to be approximately equal to one of the NQR or NMR frequencies of the substance; setting a set of parameters of the RF pulses to be optimal for the substance; setting a set of receiving parameters to be optimal for the substance; tuning the probe to maximum sensitivity for the signals detected at predetermined frequency and/or to maximum power transfer efficiency for RF pulses transmitted with the probe; transmitting the RF pulses with the probe at said optimal level during a transmitting period to irradiate the sample and excite an NQR or NMR signal in the substance, if present; detecting and processing NQR or NMR signals emitted by the substance; and calculating the concentration of the substance in the sample. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150084627 | Method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals in subvolumes of an object under examination - A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals from at least one of N subvolumes predefines a reception encoding scheme and determines unique spatial encoding for at least one of the subvolumes but not for the entire volume under examination (UV). A transmission encoding scheme is also defined, wherein encoding is effected via the amplitude and/or phase of the transverse magnetization. The temporal amplitude and phase profile of the RF pulses is then calculated and each reception encoding step is carried out I times with variations according to the I transmission encoding steps in the transmission encoding scheme. The method makes it possible to largely restrict the spatially resolving MR signal encoding and image reconstruction to subvolumes of the object under examination without the achievable image quality sensitively depending on imperfections in the MR apparatus. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150084628 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND SUSCEPTIBILITY MAP CALCULATION METHOD - Disclosed is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that calculates a susceptibility map using a weighting image that reflects a phase variation with high accuracy. The weighting image is calculated from a phase image obtained from a complex image obtained by MRI. First, a region used in calculation of the phase variation is set as a calculation region, and then, a standard deviation or a variance of pixel values of the phase image in the calculation region is set as the phase variation. Further, the phase variation is converted into a weight that monotonically decreases in a broad sense as the phase variation increases to obtain the weighting image. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150084629 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method for acquiring magnetic resonance data with a magnetic resonance system using a magnetic resonance sequence, the sequence has a first partial sequence in which magnetic resonance data are acquired for multiple slices that have to be acquired simultaneously, from which image data for the individual slices are calculated by a reconstruction algorithm. The sequence also has a second partial sequence for determining additional data, which are used to evaluate and/or assess the magnetic resonance data, and which have a spatial resolution that is lower than the magnetic resonance data, in which radio-frequency pulses and readout processes take place in a slice-specific manner through a time offset within a single measuring process, in which a single continuous excitation period with the radio-frequency pulses and a single continuous readout period with the readout processes follow one another, so that separate additional data are directly determined for each slice. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150084630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING INVASIVELY HYPERPOLARIZED IMAGES - The present invention includes a system and method for generating images of at least one unhyperpolarized portion of a specimen by indirectly hyperpolarizing the at least one portion by irradiating the unhyperpolarized portion by radiation emitted from the de-excitation of excited nuclei of a hyperpolarized substance. The hyperpolarized substance is located in proximity to the specimen. Typically, the images are generated by an MRI/NMR device. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150091563 | MRI 3D CINE IMAGING BASED ON INTERSECTING SOURCE AND ANCHOR SLICE DATA - A method of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of a volume undergoing repetitive motion includes obtaining source slice data indicative of a plurality of source slices during the repetitive motion, and obtaining anchor slice data indicative of an anchor slice during the repetitive motion. The anchor slice intersects the plurality of source slices. The source slice data and the anchor slice data are reconstructed. A three-dimensional image assembly procedure is implemented to generate, for each phase of the repetitive motion, volume data based on a respective subset of the reconstructed source slice data. For each phase of the repetitive motion, the respective subset of slices is selected based on a correlation of the source slice data and the anchor slice data along an intersection between each source slice and the anchor slice. The source slice data of the selected subset is corrected for misalignment with the anchor slice data. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091564 | MRI SYSTEM FOR MARGIN ASSESSMENT OF EX-VIVO SAMPLE - A system for margin assessment of an ex-vivo tissue ( | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091565 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF EXCITATION PROFILES FROM EXCITATION PULSES - In a method for determining excitation profiles from excitation pulses in a magnetic resonance, a homogeneous phantom is placed within the measurement volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus, at least one measurement data set of the phantom is acquired by operating the apparatus with a test pulse sequence composed of one excitation pulse, of which the excitation profile is to be determined, and a test gradient that is already activated on at full strength while the excitation pulse (A) is irradiated. The intensity profile of at least one acquired measurement data set in the direction in which the test gradient was switched on is determined in a processor, and the excitation profile of the excitation pulse is determined from the calculated intensity profile. The determined excitation profile is saved. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091566 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A SENSITIVITY PROFILE OF A LOCAL COIL - In a method for the determination of sensitivity profiles of local coils in the acquisition of magnetic resonance data, a first measurement data set of an examination area is acquired with a first acquisition coil, a second measurement data set of the examination area is acquired with a local coil, and a sensitivity profile of the local coil that is used is determined on the basis of the first measurement data set and the measurement data set. The first measurement data set and the second measurement data set are acquired using a pulse sequence with ultrashort echo times. In the determination of the sensitivity profile, errors due to dephasings are avoided as best as possible by the acquisition of the measurement data sets with a pulse sequence with ultrashort echo times (i.e. in particular echo times TE shorter than 0.5 ms); in particular, the dephasings are smaller given these echo times than in the case of gradient echo (GRE)-based pulse sequences. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091567 | OPTIMIZATION OF THE NOISE DEVELOPMENT OF A 3D GRADIENT ECHO SEQUENCE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method according to optimize the noise development of a 3D gradient echo sequence in a magnetic resonance system, an optimization of at least one parameter of the gradient echo sequence, from the group including: the excitation pulse (the duration of the excitation pulse); the order of k-space lines to be scanned in k-space; and the readout direction of the k-space lines to be scanned in k-space, is implemented such that the gradients to be switched have optimally minimal slew rates, amplitudes and/or polarity changes. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091568 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO CORRECT MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT DATA - The method according to the invention for the correction of measurement data acquired along Cartesian lines in k-space, which measurement data have been acquired by means of a pulse sequence in which gradients are switched simultaneously during the radiation of at least one non-selective excitation pulse, includes the steps of measurement data acquired with the pulse sequence are entered into k-space, i.e. entered into a memory organized as k-space, a pulse excitation profile is determined, and the acquired measurement data are corrected using the pulse excitation profile, the correction including an de-convolution operation in at least one of the three k-space directions. The correction of measurement data according to the invention allows an unrestricted use of pulse sequences, in particular gradient echo sequences, in which an excitation is implemented given already activated gradients (for example for noise reduction). A distortion due to superposition of an excitation with a pulse profile can be remedied via the method according to the invention. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091569 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING PLANNING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a receiving unit and a determining unit. The receiving unit collectively receives settings of an imaging region on an image of a subject with respect to at least part of imaging protocols in a series of imaging protocols performed in an examination. The determining unit determines the propriety of the setting with respect to each imaging protocol included in the part of the imaging protocols before imaging is started using the part of the imaging protocols. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091570 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION WITH MULTIPLE VIRTUAL COILS - An MR image is produced from data acquired by radiating an RF pulse and switching multiple bipolar magnetic field gradients to generate multiple gradient echoes that are acquired in a raw data set with multiple raw data lines by a reception coil, the multiple gradient echoes being acquired with bipolar magnetic field gradients of different polarity. Due to the bipolar magnetic field gradients of different polarity, in the raw data set first raw data lines are filled with MR signals in one direction in raw data space, and second raw data lines are filled with MR signals in the opposite direction. The MR image is reconstructed from MR signals that have simultaneously been acquired with at least two different reception coils, by generating a first coil raw data set from the raw data set in the image reconstruction, which coil raw data set has only the raw data lines of the raw data set that were filled with MR signals in one direction, and by selecting a second coil raw data set that has only the raw data lines of the raw data set that were filled with MR signals in the other set direction. The MR image is reconstructed from the two coil raw data sets using a parallel imaging reconstruction algorithm, under the assumption that the two coil raw data sets have been acquired by different reception coils. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091571 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An MRI apparatus performs an MRI while moving a patient table and includes a main magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field in a bore; a gradient coil assembly configured to apply a gradient signal to the static magnetic field to generate a magnetic field gradient; an RF coil assembly configured to apply an RF excitation signal and an RF refocusing signal; and a controller configured to control the RF refocusing signal so that a slice to which the RF refocusing signal is to be applied conforms to the slice to which the RF excitation signal has been applied. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150091572 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE RAW DATA FOR IMAGE CONSTRUCTION WITH MULTIPLE VIRTUAL COILS - In a method to acquire magnetic resonance (MR) signals as gradient echoes, a first RF pulse is radiated and multiple bipolar magnetic field gradients are switched to generate multiple first gradient echoes at different echo times after radiation of the first RF pulse, and the multiple first gradient echoes are acquired in multiple raw data sets, in each of which a first line is filled with MR signals, and chronologically adjacent gradient echoes that occur after radiation of the first RF pulse are acquired with magnetic field gradients with opposite polarity. A second RF pulse is radiated and multiple bipolar magnetic fields are switched to generate multiple second gradient echoes after radiation of the second RF pulse. The multiple second gradient echoes are acquired in the multiple raw data sets, and in each raw data set, a second line, adjacent the first line, of the associated raw data set is filled with MR signals, wherein chronologically adjacent gradient echoes that occur after radiation of the second RF pulse are acquired with magnetic field gradients with opposite polarity. The multiple bipolar magnetic field gradients for generation of the first and second gradient echoes are switched such that, in each of the raw data sets, the first line of the associated raw data set and the adjacent second line are filled with MR signals in opposite directions. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150097562 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA - In a method and apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance image data; an examination subject is positioned in a magnetic resonance apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance image data of the examination subject with a magnetic resonance sequence, and sequence parameters of the magnetic resonance sequence are established. First control commands of the magnetic resonance sequence are generated using the established sequence parameters. The first control commands are optimized so as to generate an optimized magnetic resonance sequence, the optimization of the first control commands including a conversion of the first control commands into optimized control commands. A test to review the optimized magnetic resonance sequence is implemented, the test including a comparison of the first control commands with the optimized control commands. The optimized magnetic resonance sequence is executed to acquire the magnetic resonance image data with the optimized control commands depending on the result of the test. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150097563 | CONTROLLING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method to control a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired that include measurement values at multiple readout points in k-space. The readout points are arranged along a readout axis in k-space as readout pairs with a predetermined pair spacing relative to one another. Readout pairs that are adjacent in k-space along the readout axis have a sampling interval that is different than the pair spacing, which sampling interval varies along the readout axis. A control sequence determination system is designed to determine a control sequence for a magnetic resonance imaging system that is designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to this method, and a magnetic resonance imaging system that has a control device designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to such a method. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150102809 | Shimming procedure that includes determination of the target field by optimization in a parameter space of reduced dimensionality - A method for homogenizing the static magnetic field with a distribution B0(r) in the active volume of a magnetic resonance apparatus having a number N of shim coils defines a target field distribution B0T(r) using a filter method in which a norm of the shim currents is influenced by means of filter factors. An optimization procedure works in a parameter space having M control parameters, wherein 2≦M| 04-16-2015 | |
| 20150102810 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CREATE AT LEAST ONE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE DATA SET - In a method and apparatus to create at least one magnetic resonance image data set in particular angiographic image data sets, first magnetic resonance image data are acquired using a first projection acquisition sequence, second magnetic resonance image data are acquired after administration of contrast agent, using a second projection acquisition sequence, and at least one magnetic resonance image data set is created using the first magnetic resonance image data and the second magnetic resonance image data. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150108975 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF A PULSE SEQUENCE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and a pulse sequence optimization device to optimize a pulse sequence for a magnetic resonance system, wherein pulse sequence includes at least one refocusing pulse, a readout gradient pulse temporally situated after the refocusing pulse, and at least one readout spoiler pulse, the pulse duration of the readout gradient pulse is shortened while keeping the readout gradient moment constant, and the pulse shape of the readout spoiler pulse is adapted without changing a total spoiler moment. An optimally shortened pulse duration of the readout gradient pulse is achieved when, with the adaptation of the pulse shape of the readout spoiler pulse, a maximum amplitude of the readout spoiler pulse equals to the amplitude of the readout gradient pulse, and an edge steepness of the readout spoiler pulse is minimized. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150108976 | MULTI-ECHO PRESTO - A magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150108977 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The MRI apparatus includes a data processor, which time-serially performs undersampling on MR signals respectively received by coil channels included in a radio frequency (RF) multi-coil to acquire undersampled K-t space data, and an image processor that acquires a time-space correlation coefficient, based on noise information of the coil channels, and restores pieces of unacquired line data from the undersampled K-t space data by using the time-space correlation coefficient to acquire restored K-t space data, thereby increasing an accuracy of the time-space correlation coefficient to improve a quality of an image. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150108978 | SAMPLING STRATEGIES FOR SPARSE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - A computer-implemented method of selecting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sampling strategy includes selecting a base variable-density sampling pattern and determining a scan time associated with the base variable-density sampling pattern. A modified variable-density sampling pattern is created by modifying one or more parameters of the base variable-density sampling pattern to maximize a sampled k-space area without increasing the scan time. Next, a scan is performed on an object of interest using the modified variable-density sampling pattern to obtain a sparse MRI dataset. Then a sparse reconstruction process is applied to the sparse MRI dataset to yield an image of the object of interest. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150108979 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and method are provided. The MRI apparatus includes a first interpolator configured to generate a plurality of first interpolation data by performing calibration on a plurality of undersampled K-space data obtained from a plurality of channel coils in a radio frequency (RF) multi-coil, respectively, and a second interpolator configured to generate a plurality of second interpolation data by performing calibration on a plurality of filtered data obtained by filtering the first interpolation data using a plurality of high-pass filters. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150115955 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCELERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods are provided. A method includes applying a slice selection gradient perpendicular to a desired slice plane and applying, substantially simultaneously with the slice selection gradient, a radiofrequency nuclear magnetic resonance excitation pulse having a bandwidth corresponding to the desired slice plane and a frequency corresponding to the frequency of protons present in the desired slice plane. The method also includes applying, during an encoding period and in a first direction, a phase encoding gradient having a phase encoding portion and a shearing portion and applying, during the readout period and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a frequency encoding gradient having a portion having substantially the same shape as the shearing portion of the phase encoding gradient. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115956 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR QUIET MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method for performing quiet magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. An MRI system is directed to perform a pulse sequence that includes a magnetic field gradient s tapped through a plurality of different gradient component amplitude values in a manner that controls the difference between successive gradient amplitudes. In this way, force changes generated during the transition from one gradient component amplitude to the next are controlled, thereby resulting in a significant noise reduction. Additionally, the gradient amplitude values are ordered such that the transition of the gradient component amplitude in successive repetitions of the pulse sequence is controlled, thereby mitigating the generation of forces between pulse sequence repetitions. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115957 | PULSE SEQUENCE METHOD FOR MRI - The present invention describes a method for magnetic resonance (MR) and/or MR imaging, comprising acquisition of signals and MR images originating from a RF and gradient sequence causing isotropic diffusion weighting of signal attenuation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is achieved by one time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) having an orientation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is proportional to the trace of a diffusion tensor D, and wherein the orientation of the time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) is either varied discretely in more than three directions in total, or changed continuously, or changed in a combination of discretely and continuously during the gradient pulse sequence, 0≦t≦echo time, where t represents the time. The method may be performed during a single shot (single MR excitation). | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115958 | Multiband Slice Accelerated Imaging With Balanced Slice-Selective Gradients - A computer-implemented method for performing multi-band slice accelerated imaging includes performing a low-resolution fast multi-dimensional reference scan to obtain a coil sensitivity map. A multiband imaging scan is performed to acquire a plurality of k-space lines representative of an anatomical area of interest. A multi-band signal corresponding to the plurality of k-space lines is separated into a plurality of image slices using a parallel imaging reconstruction technique and the coil sensitivity map. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115959 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE FROM MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and apparatus to determine a magnetic resonance image from magnetic resonance data entered into k-space that are acquired with the magnetic resonance apparatus, in the acquisition of the data a deviation from ideal homogeneity, described by an interference field, is present in the imaging region that is covered by the magnetic resonance data. To reduce image artifacts generated by this interference field, the transformation of the magnetic resonance data from k-space into the image domain, at least along a readout direction of a readout gradient used in the acquisition, takes place by multiplication of the data with the inverse of a transformation matrix that is calculated depending on the interference field. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115960 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO ACQUIRE MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA WITH A DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MAGNETIC RESONANCE SEQUENCE - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance data with a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance sequence wherein the magnetic resonance apparatus as a gradient coil arrangement with three gradient coils designed to generate a gradient in gradient directions orthogonal to one another, the readout gradient is flipped relative to at least one of the gradient directions such that at least two gradient coils contribute to a possible slew rate of a readout gradient pulse, and such that a phase coding gradient that is constant over the readout time period is selected. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150115961 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE SPECTROSCOPY DATA IN A PREDETERMINED VOLUME SEGMENT OF AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and a magnetic resonance system for acquisition of spectroscopy data in a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, spectroscopy data in the volume segment are acquired in multiple measurement steps, and spatially resolved MR data of the examination subject also are acquired in multiple measurement steps. Each of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data or to acquire the MR data respectively includes an excitation step and a readout step associated with that excitation step. At least one of the measurement steps to acquire the MR data occurs between one of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data and another of the measurement steps to acquire the spectroscopy data. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150123657 | METHOD FOR MANIPULATING THE MRI'S PROTOCOL OF PULSE-SEQUENCES - A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device for habituating a patient and/or user to acoustic-noise of the device's operation. The method includes: listing a required set of the pulse-sequences (RSPS) for the patient, modifying the RSPS to a new set of sequences (NSPS) further comprising at least one demo-sequence, and operating, by means of generating the pulse-sequences, according to the NSPS. The demo-sequence is a redundant sequence, used solely for acoustic-sound habituation, while the originally listed RSPS are used for medical readings, thereby habituating the patient and/or user to the acoustic-noise of the operation. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150123658 | Signal Component Identification Using Medical Imaging - Disclosed herein is a framework for identifying signal components in image data. In accordance with one aspect, the framework receives multiple measured signal values corresponding to respective quantified signal components in image data. The framework determines at least one first measure of fit map of a signal model based on the measured signal values. The measured signal values may be swapped to generate swapped signal values. At least one second measure of fit map of the signal model may be determined based on the swapped signal values. The multiple signal components may then be identified by comparing the first and second measure of fit maps. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150123659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FREE-BREATHING VOLUMETRIC IMAGING OF CARDIAC TISSUE - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and methods are provided for producing images of a subject. In some aspects, a method includes identifying a point in the cardiac cycle, performing an inversion recovery (IR) pulse at a selected time point from the pre-determined point, and sampling a k-space segment at an inversion time from the IR pulse that is substantially coincident with the pre-determined point. The method also includes repeating the IR pulse and k-space sampling for multiple inversion times, and multiple segments of k-space, in an interleaved manner, to generate datasets having T1-weighted contrasts determined by their respective inversion times. The method further includes reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) spatially-aligned images using the datasets, and generating a T1 recovery map by combining the 3D images. In some aspects, a prospective/retrospective scheme may be used to obtain data fully sampled in the center of k-space and randomly undersampled in the outer regions. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150130458 | ANALYSIS FOR QUANTIFYING MICROSCOPIC DIFFUSION ANISOTROPY - The present invention describes a method for quantifying microscopic diffusion anisotropy and/or mean diffusivity in a material by analysis of echo attenuation curves acquired with two different gradient modulations schemes, wherein one gradient modulation scheme is based on isotropic diffusion weighting and the other gradient modulation scheme is based on non-isotropic diffusion weighting, and wherein the method comprises analyzing by comparing the signal decays of the two acquired echo attenuation curves. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150130459 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING PULMONARY GAS TRANSFER USING HYPERPOLARIZED 129XE MRI - Methods and systems for assessing pulmonary gas exchange and/or alveolar-capillary barrier status include obtaining at least one MRI image and/or image data of hyperpolarized | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150130460 | METHODS FOR SEPARATING OIL AND WATER ON MULTIDIMENSIONAL NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE MAPS - Methods are provided for separating oil and water signals in multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) maps. In one embodiment, separate multidimensional NMR maps are provided for oil and water content. In another embodiment, an oil-water boundary and a water-gas boundary are generated on a D-T | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150130461 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD FOR THE SAME - Provided is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The MRI apparatus includes: a storage configured to store a plurality of MR signal data sets generated by applying a plurality of values of a first MR parameter and a plurality of values of a second MR parameter to an MR signal data generation model; a data acquisition unit configured to acquire an MR signal data set for a specific position of an object by undersampling an MR signal, based on the values of the first MR parameter; and an image processor configured to extract an MR signal data set that matches the MR signal data set acquired by undersampling the MR signal (hereinafter referred to as the ‘undersampled MR signal data set’) from among the stored MR signal data sets, obtain a value of the second MR parameter for the undersampled MR signal data set based on the extracted MR signal data set, and interpolate unsampled MR signal data in the undersampled MR signal data set (hereinafter, referred to as the ‘interpolated MR signal data set’) by using the value of the second MR parameter. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150130462 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO ACQUIRE MR DATA OF A SLICE OF A VOLUME SEGMENT WITHIN AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a method and a magnetic resonance system to acquire MR data of a slice of a volume segment within an examination subject, a slice selection gradient is activated along a first direction that is orthogonal to the slice. An RF excitation pulse is radiated for selective excitation of the slice, a first phase coding gradient is activated along the first direction, and a second phase coding gradient is activated along a second direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. A readout gradient is activated along a third direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. MR data are acquired while the readout gradient is activated. A number of phase coding steps for the second phase coding gradient is determined depending on the first phase coding gradient. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150137808 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGE USING SAME - The magnetic resonance imaging device in accordance with the example embodiments, the magnetic resonance imaging device has an advantage that it is capable of generating an image quickly having a high resolution while minimizing generation of artifacts by comprising a data processing unit configured to relocate, in a K-space, gradient echo data acquired during inversion time by an inversion pulse and spin echo data acquired after the lapse of the inversion time; and an image generating unit configured to generate a final image from the spin echo data and the gradient echo data, in order to generate a magnetic resonance image quickly using long inversion time by the inversion pulse. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150137809 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAPPING AND MEASUREMENT OF SPATIALLY AND TEMPORALLY DISTRIBUTED INDUCED SMALL PHASE DEVIATIONS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE UTILIZING DECONVOLUTION - Phase variations of the transverse magnetization in magnetic resonance induced by superimposed physical phenomenae or by intrinsic deviations of the main magnetic B0 field are separated from Feature Space set by demodulation and deconvolution, either by electrical circuits or by equivalent computational methods, permitting mapping and measurement of these induced phase variations independent of Feature Space. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150137810 | SWITCHING-FREQUENCY-CONTROLLED SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLY UNIT FOR POWERING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM GRADIENT COILS - A power supply unit ( | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150137811 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING HIGHLY ACCELERATED PROJECTION IMAGING - A method for highly accelerated projection imaging (“HAPI”) is provided. In this method, conventional linear gradients are used to obtain coil sensitivity-weighted projections of the object being imaged. Only a relatively small number of projections, such as sixteen or less, of the object are required to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of the object, unlike conventional projection imaging techniques. The relationship between the voxel values of the imaged object and the coil sensitivity-weighted projections is formulated as a linear system of equations and the reconstructed images are obtained by solving this matrix equation. This method advantageously allows higher acceleration rates compared to echo planar imaging (“EPI”) with SENSE or GRAPPA acceleration. Moreover, the method does not require any additional or specialized hardware because hardware in conventional MRI scanners is adequate to implement the method. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150145514 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBJECT-BASED INITIALIZATION OF MAGNETIC FIELD INHOMOGENEITY IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An object-based approach is used to initialize the magnetic field inhomogeneity estimation for chemical species separation, such as water-fat separation, and other imaging applications. For example, a susceptibility distribution in the subject being imaged is estimated from images reconstructed from single-echo or multi-echo k-space data and used to initialize the magnetic field inhomogeneity estimation. This approach can be applied to any complex-based chemical shift encoded chemical species separation technique and to other imaging applications, such as susceptibility-weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping. The field map can also be used to correct for image distortions and to generate magnetic field shimming values. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150145515 | DIFFERENTIAL APPROACH TO QUANTITATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING WITHOUT BACKGROUND FIELD REMOVAL - An example method for mapping tissue magnetic susceptibility includes acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data, where the MR data correspond to a subject, determining a magnetic field based on the MR data, determining a relationship between the magnetic field at a given location to the magnetic susceptibility at that location, and performing a convolution operation on the relationship between the magnetic field at the given location to the magnetic susceptibility at that location to obtain a noise property. The method also includes estimating a magnetic susceptibility distribution of the subject based, at least in part, on the noise property, and generating one or more images of the subject based on the estimated susceptibility distribution of the subject. | 05-28-2015 |
| 20150293187 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SAR PREDICTION METHOD - A Q value of the RF irradiation coil is easily obtained in a state in which an object is disposed in an MRI apparatus, and an SAR is predicted with high accuracy. For this, an irradiation coil | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293189 | TRANSMIT/RECEIVE SWITCHING CIRCUITRY WITH IMPROVED RADIO FREQUENCY ISOLATION - A transmit/receive switching circuitry ( | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293190 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPTIMIZING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SEQUENCE - In order to provide an effective optimization of a magnetic resonance sequence, particularly with regard to optimizing the slew rates of gradient switching sequences of the magnetic resonance sequence, in a method for optimizing a magnetic resonance sequence of a magnetic resonance apparatus, wherein the magnetic resonance sequence includes multiple pre-set gradient switching sequences with multiple pre-set slew rates, the multiple pre-set slew rates are provided to a computer wherein the multiple pre-set slew rates are evaluated. At least one optimization measure for the magnetic resonance sequence is defined based on the evaluation of the multiple pre-set slew rates. The magnetic resonance sequence is optimized based on the at least one pre-set optimization measure, wherein the optimized magnetic resonance sequence has multiple optimized gradient switching sequences with multiple optimized slew rates, and the multiple optimized slew rates being optimized in relation to the multiple pre-set slew rates. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293191 | METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SEQUENCE - In a method and device for optimizing a magnetic resonance sequence for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus, in order provide effective optimization of the magnetic resonance sequence, particularly with regard to optimizing the slew rates of gradient switching sequences of the magnetic resonance sequence, the magnetic resonance sequence has multiple gradient switching sequences, each having a slew rate, and optimization at least of one gradient switching sequence of the multiple gradient switching sequences is implemented by an iterative adjustment in the slew rate of the at least one gradient switching sequence. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293193 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging method comprises performing imaging where more than one polarizing magnetic field strength is used during scanning and processing at least one image resulting from the scanning to yield an enhanced contrast image. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293196 | METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR GENERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A method for acquiring raw data for generating image data of a target organ via a magnetic resonance system is described. In an embodiment, test raw data is initially acquired from a measurement region including at least the target organ using a plurality of magnetic resonance coils. Test image data is reconstructed from the test raw data. Furthermore, a mask defining the position and the dimensions of the target organ is generated using the reconstructed test image data. The magnetic resonance coils, to be used for the image acquisition, are then selected. This takes place on the basis of intensity values from a region covered by the mask and intensity values of a measurement region lying outside of the mask. Finally, the measurement is performed by acquiring raw data via the selected magnetic resonance coils. Furthermore, a device for acquiring raw data for generating image data is also described. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293197 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING PULSE SEQUENCE TO BE CARRIED ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - When imaging is performed by executing a pulse sequence on an MRI apparatus, silencing is realized with securing sufficient application amount of crusher without extending the application time thereof. In the pulse sequence carried by the MRI apparatus, at least one gradient magnetic field pulse included in the pulse sequence has a waveform synthesized from two or more base waves shifting along the time axis direction (synthesized waveform), and the base waves have a smoothly changing waveform convex upward. The pulse of the synthesized waveform is generated from one or more trapezoidal or triangular base pulses by a waveform conversion part of a computer of the MRI apparatus or an external computer. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293198 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA SET - In a method and apparatus for recording a magnetic resonance data set of a target region of an object, wherein the target region contains at least one interfering object with a susceptibility difference from the rest of the target region that influences the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field, in particular a metal object and/or an air inclusion, in addition to a first raw data set of the target region recorded without additional dephasing, at least one further raw data set of the target region is recorded that corresponds to a raw-data specific additional dephasing of the spins in the target region. For each image point of the magnetic resonance data set, the maximum value raw data of the corresponding image points of all raw data sets in spatial domain are selected as magnetic resonance data. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150293202 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR SUPPRESSING UNDESIRED COHERENCE PATHWAYS - In a method and apparatus for recording MR signals with an image-recording sequence with which preparation gradients for preparing the MR signals are switched before the signal readout and readout gradients, in order to predominantly record the MR signal components with a desired signal coherence pathway in the readout segment, the signal components with an undesired signal coherence pathway are suppressed by dephasing gradients. The dephasing gradients are determined independently of the time intervals in which the preparation gradients are switched, and only in dependence on the effective size of the gradient moments of the preparation gradients. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150301131 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DESIGN OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SLICE-SELECT PULSES - A method of designing quiet variable-rate MRI slice-select pulses includes creating discretized first slice-select constant-amplitude gradient and RF waveforms, associating discretized time points having a first constant time increment with the first waveforms, selecting a scaling function that smooths the gradient waveform when multiplied together, multiplying the gradient and RF waveforms by the corresponding value of the scaling function to create second gradient and RF waveforms, dividing the time increment between the discretized time points by the corresponding value of the scaling function to create a remapped time increment, cumulatively summing the remapped time increments to create a remapped time scale, interpolating the second gradient and RF waveforms along the remapped time scale to form final gradient and RF waveforms, and providing the final gradient and RF waveforms for incorporation into an MRI pulse sequence. A system implementing the method and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are disclosed. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301133 | Method Of Multislice MR Elastography With Multiband Acquisition - A method for performing multi-slice MR Elastography on an anatomical region of interest associated with a patient includes inducing shear waves at a shear wave frequency value (e.g., between 25-500 Hz) in the anatomical region of interest using an external driver. Next, the anatomical region of interest is imaged during a single patient breath-hold using an MRI acquisition process. Following the MRI acquisition process(es), phase images of the anatomical region of interest are generated based on an acquired RF signal. These phase images may then be processed (e.g., using an inversion algorithm) to generate one or more quantitative images depicting stiffness of the anatomical region of interest. In some embodiments, a wave image is also generated showing propagation of the plurality of shear waves through the anatomical region of interest based on the phase images. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301136 | MRI Method of Hybrid Acquisition in 3D TSE - A method for accelerating magnetic resonance imaging is proposed. In 3D MRI, the method utilizes two sub-echo-trains in each repetition time for the simultaneous acquisition of two contrasts. The first sub-echo-train is a turbo spin echo train and the second sub-echo-train is a gradient echo train. The method acquires two different contrasts simultaneously in a single acquisition, for example one water image plus one fat image, or one turbo spin echo image plus one susceptibility weighted image. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301137 | IMPLEMENTATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION AT SEVERAL BED POSITIONS IN THE SCANNER - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for implementing an MR examination of an examination subject with a predetermined MR measurement protocol at several different bed positions of the bed of the MR apparatus, a respective anatomical structure of the examination subject is determined for each of the several bed positions and a respective specific absorption rate is determined for each of the several bed positions as a function of the respective anatomical structure of the examination subject at the corresponding bed position and the predetermined MR measurement protocol. The specific absorption rates for the several bed positions are determined before electromagnetic fields are generated according to the respective predetermined MR measurement protocol. The specific absorption rates are compared with an absorption rate threshold value and a notification is output if at least one of the specific absorption rates exceeds the absorption rate threshold value. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301138 | Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting With Steady State Precession (MRF-FISP) - Example embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a fast imaging with steady state free precession (MRF-FISP) pulse sequence having an unbalanced gradient that dephases transverse magnetization. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The unbalanced gradient in the MRF-FISP pulse sequence reduces sensitivity to B0 in homogeneity. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301139 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INSPECTION OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL COMPONENTS - A non-destructive inspection of epoxy-based objects by creating a substantially uniform magnetic field of about 0.1 to 0.5 Tesla within a magnetic field region at least partially overlapping with a test zone where the inspected object is to be located, applying electromagnetic excitation signals in the test site to affect the nuclei magnetization in the inspected object and concurrently generating magnetic gradients in three orthogonal directions thereinside, to thereby cause spatially resolved nuclear spin echo signals from the inspected object. Data corresponding to electromagnetic radiation received responsive to the nuclear spin echo signals from the inspected object is processed to extract data indicative of the spatially resolved nuclear spin echo signals from the inspected object, and magnetic resonance images indicative of structural defects in the object are then generated using the extracted data. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301140 | BACKGROUND-SUPPRESSED MYELIN WATER IMAGING - A technique and associated imaging system is provided that selectively acquires the myelin water signal by utilizing a multiple inversion RF pulses to suppress a range of long T | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301142 | Diffusion-Weighted Double-Echo Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a diffusion-weighted double-echo pulse sequence. Sampling acquires transient-state signals of the double-echo sequence. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301143 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCED FIELD OF VIEW MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method for reduced field of view magnetic resonance (MR) imaging includes applying a pulse sequence using a plurality of gradient coils and at least one RF coil of a magnetic resonance imaging system. The pulse sequence includes a two dimensional (2D) echo-planar RF excitation pulse with a plurality of side lobes along a slice select axis and a multiband RF refocusing pulse. MR data is acquired in response to the application of the pulse sequence and at least one MR image is reconstructed based on the MR data. The at least one MR image may then be displayed. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301144 | Distinguishing Diseased Tissue From Healthy Tissue Based On Tissue Component Fractions Using Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) - Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Example embodiments facilitate distinguishing diseased tissue from healthy tissue based on tissue component fractions identified using the NMR fingerprinting. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301145 | MULTISLICE ACQUISITION WITH INCOHERENT ALIASING - A method for producing images of a subject with a MRI system is provided. A radio frequency (RF) excitation field in combination with a slice-select magnetic gradient field along a slice-select direction is provided. At least one readout magnetic field gradient is established along a frequency-encoding direction and at least one phase encoding magnetic field gradient along a phase-encoding direction. The RF field or magnetic field gradient is manipulated along a slice-select direction in order to impart a sequence of phase shifts to the formed echo signals such that image data corresponding to an at least one adjacent slice location is incoherently aliased across a field-of-view (FOV) of a current slice location. Image data is acquired indicative of the formed echo signals. A plurality of images of the subject is reconstructed. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301146 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) With Auto-Detection and Adaptive Encodings For Offset Frequency Scanning - Example apparatus and methods provide improved resolution over conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is affected by the presence of metal (e.g., prosthetic hip) in the MRI field of view (FOV). Embodiments may excite a slice that is affected by a susceptibility effect produced by metal. Embodiments may excite the slice using a first pre-determined frequency and a plurality of scout frequency encodings. Embodiments may acquire nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal data from the slice in response to the first pre-determined frequency and the plurality of scout frequency encodings and select frequency encodings to use to image the slice as a function of an amplitude of the NMR signal data. Frequency encodings are selected to produce data that will help account for distortions caused by the susceptibility effect. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150301147 | Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) With Efficient Acquisition Schemes - Example apparatus and methods improve magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by performing MRF with optimized spatial encoding, parallel imaging, and utilization of field inhomogeneities. Multi-echo radial trajectories and spiral trajectories may acquire data according to sampling schemes based on models of charge distribution on a sphere. Non-uniform sampling schemes may account for differences in detector coil performance. Field inhomogeneities provide spatial information that enhances the spatial separation of an MRF signal and facilitates unaliasing pixels. The field inhomogeneity may be manipulated. An MRF pulse sequence may include frequency selective RF pulses that are determined by the field inhomogeneities. Inhomogeneities combined with selective RF pulses result in higher acquisition efficiency. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150309133 | METHOD OF MRI IMAGING USING A SPECTRALLY DESIGNED PULSE - A system and method for acquiring image data from an object that includes a plurality of spins is described. A magnetic field is applied to the object to align the spins along a longitudinal axis. A first pulse is applied to the spins for rotating the spins from the longitudinal axis toward a transverse plane. Image data is acquired from the spins during a free precession interval in which the spins precess in the transverse plane. A second pulse is applied to the spins for rotating the spins from the transverse plane to at least substantially along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first and second pulses is spectrally or spectrally-spatially designed. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309134 | DIFFUSION-INSENSTIVE VELOCITY SELECTIVE LABELLING MODULE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A velocity selective preparation method, for Velocity Selective Magnetisation Transfer Insensitive labelling technique (VS-TILT), said VS-TILT method using non-selective RadioFrequency (RF) pulses and magnetic field gradients to modulate the longitudinal magnetization of moving spins in magnetic resonance imaging that is insensitive to diffusion effects, said method comprising the steps of: a) play out two velocity selective pulses: VS-A and VS-B, sequentially without any spoiling between said pulses; b) each individual pulse VS-A and VS-B having half the first gradient moment m | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309135 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR RAPID REAL-TIME CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING UTILIZING SYNCHRONIZED CARDIO-RESPIRATORY SPARSITY - An exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided for generating an image(s) of a tissue(s) that can include, for example, receiving magnetic resonance imaging information regarding the tissue(s) based on a golden-angle radial sampling procedure, sorting and synchronizing the MRI information into at least two dimensions, and generating the image(s) of the tissue(s) based on the sorted and synchronized information. The tissue(s) include cardiac tissue and respiratory-affected tissue. The MRI information can include a motion of the cardiac tissue and a motion of the respiratory tissue. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309136 | Systems and Methods for Efficiently Generating Magnetic Resonance Images from Incomplete Data - Systems and methods for efficiently generating MR images are provided. The method comprises acquiring k-space MR data, reconstructing an MR image from the k-space MR data, and generating the MR image. The MR image is reconstructed using an alternative-direction-method-of-multiplier (ADMM) strategy that decomposes an optimization problem into subproblems, and at least one of the subproblems is further decomposed into small problems. The further decomposition is based on Woodbury matrix identity and uses a diagonal preconditioner based on non-Toeplitz models. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309137 | MRI-BASED FAT DOUBLE BOND MAPPING - Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for using parameters including chain length, number of double bonds and number of double-double bonds of a complex, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-generated fat spectrum to determine the composition and properties of fat and to perform various diagnostic functions. In one aspect, a method using MRI to characterize fat includes acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image that includes MR data from a target, determining fat characterization parameters based on the acquired MR data, and using the determined fat characterization parameters to produce a relationship between regions of fat and/or water in the MR image. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309139 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR SLICE-SELECTIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for slice-selective magnetic resonance imaging, read partitions in a cyclical sequence of slices are read out. At least two slices have a different number of read partitions. The same predefined number of read partitions for the slices is read out in all cycles of the sequence. SEMAC techniques are used. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309140 | System and Method for Generating Spatial Maps of Mechanical Parameters Using Graph-Cut Based Optimization - A system and method for generating a spatial map of parameters that describe the mechanically-induced harmonic motion information present within a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) data set is provided. A first temporal harmonic signal is estimated using a graph-cut based optimization strategy, and can subsequently be used to generate a the spatial map of mechanical parameters. The MRE data set is used to estimate the harmonic. The spatial map is of a mechanical parameter derived from the estimated harmonic. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309142 | Apparatus And Method For Multi-Band MR Imaging - A magnetic resonance method and system are provided for providing improved multi-band (MB) magnetic resonance imaging. The adaptive MB imaging can be achieved by providing one or more modified multi-band excitation pulse sequences that include at least either one nullified “dummy” slice within a slab that is not excited simultaneously with the other slices during a single multislice acquisition sequence, or one excitation slice group that utilizes a non-uniform slice spacing between simultaneously excited slices. Adaptive GRAPPA or slice-GRAPPA kernel sizes can also be used during image reconstruction to improve speed without excessive point spread blurring or MB reconstruction failure. A total leakage factor (TLF) can also be determined based on test images using modified MB excitation sequences, and used to improve the adaptive MB procedure. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309143 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquiring part and a processing circuit. The data acquiring part is configured to acquire a magnetic resonance signal after applying an inversion recovery pulse or a saturation pulse. The processing circuit generates magnetic resonance examination data based on the magnetic resonance signal, by data processing including processing for compensating an incomplete inversion of a longitudinal magnetization resulting from an inversion efficiency of the inversion recovery pulse or processing for compensating an incomplete saturation of a longitudinal magnetization resulting from a saturation efficiency of the saturation pulse. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309144 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELF-CALIBRATED, NONLINEAR PHASE CONTRAST CORRECTION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A system and method of self-calibrated correction for residual phase in phase-contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) imaging data. The method includes receiving PCMR image data from an MR scanner system, segmenting static tissue from non-static cardiovascular elements of the image data, calculating a non-linear fitted-phase basis function, the non-linear fitted-phase basis function based on system artifacts of the PCMR system, adding the non-linear fitted-phase basis function to linear fit terms, and subtracting the result of the adding step from the PCMR imaging data. The system includes a PCMR scanning apparatus configured to provide PCMR image data, a scanner control circuit configured to control the scanning apparatus during image acquisition, the scanner control circuitry in communication with a control processor, the control processor configured to execute computer-readable instructions that cause the control processor to perform the method. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also disclosed. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309145 | Sample Interval Modulation Magnetic Resonance Elastography - The invention disclosed herein provides methods for implementing Sampling Interval Modulation Magnetic Resonance Elastography (“SLIM-MRE”), based on simultaneous encoding and acquisition of individual displacement components using motion encoding gradients with different time discretization intervals to MRI analysis. The components are modulated with different frequencies in the MR signal phase, which can be expressed as a harmonic function of the start time, or equivalently of initial phase, of the motion encoding gradient components. As a result, all displacement components can be acquired faster than in conventional MRE, and can be derived from the same temporally-resolved MR phase images. This also allows for simultaneously acquired 3D displacement data and storage of such data in the same k-space. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309146 | FREE-BREATHING MYOCARDIAL T2* MAPPING USING SINGLE-HEARTBEAT, MULTI-SHOT, GRADIENT ECHO - ECHO PLANAR IMAGING (GRE-EPI) AND AUTOMATIC NON-RIGID MOTION CORRECTION - A novel free-breathing myocardial T2* mapping combining multiple single-shot black-blood GRE-EPI images with automatic non-rigid motion correction. The present disclosure describes a method of accurate myocardial T2* measurements that is insensitive to respiratory motion, and is likely to reduce sensitivity to arrhythmia as well since each image is acquired in a single heart beat. The T2*-weighted GRE-EPI images are motion corrected using, e.g., automatic non-rigid motion correction to reduce mis-registration due to respiratory motion. A T2* map is calculated using the motion-corrected T2*-weighted images by fitting pixel intensities to a, e.g., two-parameter mono-exponential model. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309148 | LOW-NOISE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING LOW HARMONIC PULSE SEQUENCES - Systems and method for magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed which utilize sinusoidal gradient waveforms to drive gradient coils in an MRI system. The sinusoidal gradient waveforms may be applied on all two or more (e.g. three) gradient axes to produce a relatively pure acoustic tone. In certain embodiments, gradient directions may be spiraled in three-dimensions to generate a radial pin-cushion k-space trajectory | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309149 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING 3D GEOMETRIC DISTORTION IN MRI AND CT IMAGES - 3D printing in MRI-compatible plastic resin has been used to fabricate and implement a geometric distortion phantom for MRI and CT imaging. The sparse grid structure provides a rigid and accurate phantom with identifiable intersections that are larger than the supporting members, which produces images that are amenable to fully automated quantitative analysis using morphometric erosion, greyscale segmentation and centroiding. This approach produces a 3D vector map of geometric distortion that is useful in clinical applications where geometric accuracy is important, either in routine quality assurance or as a component of distortion correction utilities. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150309150 | IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD AND DEVICE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - In an image reconstruction method and device for a magnetic resonance imaging system, a magnetic resonance scan is performed at least one scan position according to at least one scan protocol, to acquire at least a set of one scan protocol simultaneously acquired data. At least one magnetic resonance image is reconstructed based on the set of scan protocol simultaneously acquired data and a shared receiving coil calibration matrix. By sharing the receiving coil calibration matrix in different parallel scan processing operations, the amount of work is significantly reduced while improving working efficiency, and imaging quality can also be significantly improved in the case of scan sequences with echo chain acquisition. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150316630 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING VARIABLE-DENSITY SPIRAL TRAJECTORY - Some aspects of the present disclosure relate image reconstruction using a variable-density spiral trajectory. An exemplary method for image reconstruction includes acquiring MR data, which includes determining a multi-level undersampling pattern based on sampling distance and probability functions, and determining a desired variable-density spiral trajectory based on the undersampling pattern. Acquiring the MR data also includes generating spiral gradient waveforms based on the desired trajectory, and tracing a variable-density spiral trajectory using the spiral gradient waveforms. After tracing, the MR data can be sub-sampled based on the variable-density spiral trajectory. The method also includes reconstructing one or more images based on the acquired MR data. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150316631 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PHASE CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Methods, apparatuses, systems, and software for extended phase correction in phase sensitive magnetic resonance imaging utilizing an optimized region-growing based phase correction algorithm. Phase correction is formulated as selecting a vector for each pixel of an image from two input candidate vectors so that the orientation of the output vector is spatially smooth. In certain embodiments, the optimized region growing algorithm uses automated quality guidance for determining the sequence of region growing and jointly considers the two input candidate vectors during region growing. Further, the algorithm tracks the quality and the mode at each step of the processing. Spatially isolated tissue regions are automatically segmented and processed with different threads of region growing and the correct vector is reliably identified as the output vector for each thread of region growing. Final phase correction was performed by pixel level optimization. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150316634 | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Fingerprinting With Parallel Transmission - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting with parallel transmission are described. One example apparatus includes individually controllable radio frequency (RF) transmission (TX) coils configured to apply varying NMR fingerprinting RF excitations to a sample. The NMR apparatus may apply excitations in parallel. An individual excitation causes different resonant species to produce different signal evolutions. The apparatus includes a parallel transmission logic that causes one of the coils to apply a first excitation to the sample and that causes a different coil to apply a second, different excitation to the sample. The excitations are configured to produce a spatial inhomogeneity between a first region in the sample and a second region in the sample that allows a resonant species to produce a first signal evolution in the first region and to produce a second signal evolution in the second region to facilitate de-correlating the signal evolutions. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150323616 | LONGEVITY OF HYPERPOLARIZED ENHANCED SIGNALS FOR +Hu 1 +l H NMR SPECTROSCOPY - A method and system for providing an article of manufacture with increased longevity of hyperpolarized | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323619 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANALYSIS PROBE, DEVICE AND METHOD - An NMR analysis device and a method for operating an NMR analysis device ( | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323624 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOOPS-OVER-LOOPS MRI COILS - A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from MRI “coil loops” (antennae) that are overlapped and/or concentric, and each of which has a preamplifier and frequency-tuning circuitry and an impedance-matching circuitry, but wherein the loops optionally sized differently and/or located at different elevations (distances from the patient's tissue) in order to extract signal from otherwise cross-coupled coil loops and to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in images made from the received signal. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323628 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED RADIO-FREQUENCY DETECTION OR B0 FIELD SHIMMING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and static field (B0) shimming. A coil system includes a conductive loop configured to be arranged proximate to a region of interest (ROI). The coil system also includes an alternating current (AC) circuit electrically connecting the conductive loop to an AC electrical connection configured to be coupled to an MRI system to communicate medical imaging signals received by the conductive loop from the ROI during a medical imaging procedure to the MRI system. The coil system further includes a direct current (DC) circuit electrically connecting the conductive loop to a DC electrical connection configured to be coupled to a DC power source and a plurality of circuit components configured to block DC signals from reaching the AC electrical connection in order to produce a spatially varying static magnetic field for shimming inhomogenieties of the static field. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323629 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SAR COMPUTING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static magnetic field generator, a gradient magnetic field generator, a transmission coil and a processing circuitry. The static magnetic field generator generates a static magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field generator generates a gradient magnetic field. The transmission coil applies an RF pulse to an object. The processing circuitry determines high frequency pulse power absorbed by other than the object in accordance with a volume of the object and computes a specific absorption rate (SAR) with the determined high frequency pulse power. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323630 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TISSUE CHARACTERIZATION USING MULTISLICE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - An MRI method includes: performing a first data acquisition block of a pulse sequence to acquire a first MR data from a plurality of slices of a subject during a period of fully recovered longitudinal magnetization within the plurality of slices disposed at different locations in the subject; performing a second data acquisition block of the pulse sequence including a magnetization preparation module followed by a recovery period and an imaging sequence executed during the recovery period, to acquire a second MR data from the plurality of slices during the recovery period; and generating a T1 map of the subject based on the first MR data and the second MR data, of the plurality of slices. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323631 | Method of magnetic resonance with excitation by a prewinding pulse - A method of magnetic resonance, in which a sample introduced in a measurement volume in an external magnetic field is excited by an excitation pulse and the signal formed by the transverse magnetization thus produced is read out by a receiving coil. The method is characterized in that a prewinding pulse is used as the excitation pulse, which prewinding pulse is characterized in that the formed transverse magnetization M | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323632 | System and Method for Measuring pH Using Magnetic Resonance - Systems and methods for indicating pH in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method includes selecting a contrast agent, generating a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) pulse sequence, performing the pulse sequence with the saturating pulse at a first power level, and performing the pulse sequence again with the saturating pulse at a power level different from the first power level. The method also includes generating values indicating pH of the subject, and generating a report indicating the pH using those values. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323633 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION USING A HEIRARCHICALLY SEMISEPARABLE SOLVER - Systems and methods for reconstructing images using a hierarchically semiseparable (“HSS”) solver to compactly represent the inverse encoding matrix used in the reconstruction are provided. The reconstruction method includes solving for the actual inverse of the encoding matrix using a direct (i.e., non-iterative) HSS solver. This approach is contrary to conventional reconstruction methods that repetitively evaluate forward models (e.g., compressed sensing or parallel imaging forward models). | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323634 | Methods, Systems and Apparatuses for Rapid Segmented, Accelerated, and Simultaneous Multi-Slice Echo Planar Imaging - A method for accelerated segmented magnetic resonance (MR) image data acquisition includes using a plurality of RF pulses to excite one or more slices of an anatomical area of interest according to a predetermined slice acceleration factor. Next, a collapsed image comprising the slices is acquired using a consecutive segment acquisition process. Then, a parallel image reconstruction method is applied to the collapsed image to separate the collapsed image into a plurality of slice images. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150323635 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH RADIO FREQUENCY PULSES GENERATED ACCORDING TO PHASE CRITERIA - In this disclosure, a process of imaging a target object using magnetic resonance (MR) includes an MRI scanner scanning the target object using a first transmit RF pulse. A processor associated with the MRI scanner can acquire magnitude and/or phase data associated with a first RF signal produced (or echoed) by the target object responsive to the MRI scan. The processor can determine a second transmit RF pulse for use to scan the target object based on the acquired data and according to a given phase criterion. The phase criterion can be configured to enforce mitigation of a phase distribution estimated based on the acquired data. | 11-12-2015 |
| 20150331075 | HEAT EMISSION DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - In an image creating device, an obtainer obtains the phase of a magnetic resonance signal generated from a target object upon application of a static magnetic field and a high-frequency magnetic field to the target object (step S | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150331076 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY WITH SHORT ECHO TIME - In a method and apparatus for generating magnetic resonance spectroscopy data from a VOI, in particular in the liver, image data are acquired from an examination area, which contains an organ affected by breathing, and the image data are evaluated until the position of the organ lies within a specific region. One or more of the eight acquisition cycles of an ISIS sequence are executed in order to acquire magnetic resonance spectroscopy data from the VOI, with repetitions until all eight acquisition cycles of the ISIS sequence have been executed. The magnetic resonance spectroscopy data acquired with the ISIS sequence are reconstructed to form a spectrum. The data acquisition has an ultra-short echo time. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150331077 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE COMPLEX SENSITIVITY FACTORS OF RF RECEPTION COILS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY - In a method for determining a complex sensitivity factor of an RF reception coil, which is part of an arrangement of a number of RF reception coils of a magnetic resonance scanner, which are operates to simultaneously acquire magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, FID signals from a volume of interest are acquired simultaneously with each of the RF reception coils, and one of the RF reception coils is designated as a reference coil and its FID signal is designated as a reference signal. A complex sensitivity factor for each other RF reception coil is determined by minimizing the differences between a number of data points of its FID signal, weighted with the complex sensitivity factor, and the corresponding data points of the FID signal of the reference coil. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150338475 | PHANTOM BASED MR FIELD MAPPING OF THE POLARIZING MAGNETIC FIELD - The present invention provides a phantom ( | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338478 | SIMULTANEOUS TX-RX FOR ANTENNA DEVICES - Apparatus and method that are more efficient and flexible, and obtain and connect high-power RF transmit signals (TX) to RF-coil devices in an MR machine or other devices and simultaneously receive signals (RX) and separate net receive signals NRX) of interest by subtracting or filtering to remove the subtractable portion of the transmit signal (STX) from the RX and preamplifying the NRX and signal processing the preamplified NRX. In some embodiments, signal processing further removes artifacts of the transmitted signal, e.g., by digitizing the NRX signal, storing the digitized NRX signal in a memory, and performing digital signal processing. In some embodiments, the present invention also includes pre-distorting the TX signals in order to be better able to identify and/or remove the remaining artifacts of the transmitted signal from the NRX signal. This solution also applies to other high-power RF-transmit-antennae signals. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338483 | System and Method for Sensitivity-Enhanced Multi-Echo Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (MECEST) Magentic Resonance Imaging - A system and method for creating magnetic resonance images includes performing a first pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying a radiofrequency (RF) irradiation at a reference frequency and performing a second pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying an RF irradiation at a labeling frequency. A plurality of echoes having information pertaining to at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts is acquired to form a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) medical imaging data set and the CEST medical imaging data set is reconstructed to form a CEST image of the subject including information about the at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts within the subject. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338486 | UNIPOLAR FAST SPIN ECHO FOR PERMANENT MAGNET MRI - A method of reducing artifacts produced during Fast Spin Echo measurements made using permanent magnet NMR instruments. The method includes applying encoding gradients that do not switch signs throughout the experiment. Prior to the 90° RF pulse, a strong RM gradient pulse is given to produce a dominant and constant residual magnetization. The encoding is done through the combination of encoding gradients with the aid of the 180° RF pulses of the echo train. A first constant encoding gradient is given before the first 180 pulse. Then two variable encoding gradients are provided after each 180 pulse; one applied prior to and one applied subsequent to each acquisition in the echo train. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338487 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING A GRAPPA RECONSTRUCTION KERNEL - A method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of TGRAPPA. The SNR of the ACS lines is proportional to the condition number of the GRAPPA kernel encoding equations. Therefore, the GRAPPA kernel estimated from higher SNR ACS lines amplifies the random noise in GRAPPA reconstruction. In TGRAPPA reconstruction of dynamic image series, a widely used method to acquire ACS lines is to average-all-frame (AAF). The present disclosure utilizes a tile-all-frame (TAF) as ACS lines to improve the SNR of the reconstructed images. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338488 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE USING COMBINED EXCITATION BY A WHOLE BODY COIL AND A LOCAL COIL - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for producing an MR image of an examination object with an MR imaging sequence, at least one RF pulse is radiated by a whole body coil of the MR scanner of the MR apparatus during the imaging sequence, at least one RF pulse is radiated by a local transmit coil of the MR scanner during the imaging sequence, MR signals that are generated by the combined radiated RF pulses are read out, and an MR image is reconstructed from the read-out MR signals. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338489 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect a region of body fluid flowing in a subject from time-series images acquired by scanning an imaging area including a tagged region to which a tagging pulse is applied and imaging the imaging area; generate a plurality of display images in which the detected body fluid region is displayed in a display mode determined based on a positional relation between the body fluid region and a boundary line, the boundary line determined based on the tagged region; and output time-series display images including the plurality of display images to be displayed on a display. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338490 | 4D VELOCITY PROFILE IMAGE RECORDING WITH A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method and device for generating 4D flow images by operation of a magnetic resonance system, a volume flow data record is recorded, wherein the flow is encoded in a single direction. This is subsequently repeated with all the flow encoding directions. From the raw data associated with the individual flow encoding directions, phase images and magnitude images are calculated. Deformation fields are calculated on the basis of the magnitude images. The deformation fields are applied to the calculated phase images. Finally, a 4D flow velocity field is calculated, on the basis of a phase difference reconstruction of the corrected phase images. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150338491 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH RANDOMLY DISTRIBUTED RECORDING OF RAW DATA - In a method and apparatus for recording magnetic resonance (MR) signals from an examination object, raw data space is filled with MR signals in raw data lines. Movement information of the examination object is detected during recording of the MR signals and the movement information is grouped into different movement phases of the examination object. A temporally randomly distributed sequence of the recording of the raw data lines is determined, with which at least one predetermined portion of the raw data space is filled MR signals. The MR signals are acquired in the determined temporally randomly distributed sequence of the raw data lines in the predetermined portion. Each recorded raw data line is allocated to one of the movement phases of the examination object. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150346300 | Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) With Simultaneous Multivolume Acquisition - Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with simultaneous multivolume acquisition (SMVA) is described. One example nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples (k, t, E) spaces associated with different volumes (e.g., slices) in an object to simultaneously acquire sets of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) spaces. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and compares the NMR signal evolution to reference signal evolutions. Since different volumes are excited differently, resulting signal evolutions can be acquired simultaneously from the different volumes and NMR parameters may be simultaneously determined for the multiple volumes, which reduces acquisition time and parameter map creation time. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346301 | Fast Group Matching For Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting Reconstruction - Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments associated with producing a quantitative parameter map using magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) are described. One example apparatus includes a data store that stores a grouped set of MRF signal evolutions, including a group representative signal and a low-rank representative, a set of logics that collects a received signal evolution from a tissue experiencing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in response to an MRF excitation, a correlation logic that computes a correlation between a portion of the received signal evolution and a portion of a group representative signal, a pruning logic that generates a pruned grouped set, and a matching logic that determines matching quantitative parameters based on the received signal evolution and the low-rank representative. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - A method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes applying a pulse sequence including a quadratic field gradient. A first k-space data set is acquired from each of a plurality of RF coils where each first k-space data set including uniformly undersampled data. A randomly undersampled k-space data set is generated for each RF coil from the first k-space data set. A compressed sensing reconstruction technique is applied to the randomly undersampled k-space data set of each RF coil to generate a second k-space data set for each RF coil where each second k-space data set including uniformly undersampled data. A phase scrambling reconstruction technique is applied to the second k-space data set of each RF coil to generate a low resolution coil image for each RF coil. A MR image is generated by applying a parallel imaging technique to the low resolution coil image and second k-space data set for each RF coil. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346306 | PULSE DETECTION APPARATUS AND PULSE DETECTION METHOD - Provided is a pulse detection apparatus and a pulse detection method less susceptible to movement of a subject and less susceptible to noise. An oscillation frequency controller is configured to cause a frequency variable oscillator to oscillate at a predetermined oscillation frequency, which is a frequency within a range assumed as a resonance frequency of a molecule of a predetermined constituent constituting the blood flowing through a human body. The oscillation frequency controller also controls an oscillation frequency based on a phase difference signal and an amplitude signal, wherein the phase difference signal indicates the phase difference between a transmission signal transmitted from an antenna to the human body and a reception signal received by the antenna, and the amplitude signal indicates the magnitude of the amplitude of the received signal. A pulse detector detects the change of the amplitude signal in an amplitude direction as a pulse signal. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150346307 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA WITH A PROSPECTIVE MOTION CORRECTION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for performing an MR examination with prospective motion correction, multiple MR signals are acquired. For each MR signal, signal, an examination volume is established and a navigator volume is established for recording navigator signals. The examination volume and the navigator volume are not identical. At least one navigator reference signal is acquired at a time t0, and at least one navigator signal is acquired at a time t1>t0. Motion information is determined from the navigator signal and the navigator reference signal, and the recording parameters are set as a function of the motion information. At least one further magnetic resonance signal is acquired with this setting. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150355298 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACCURATE QUANTIFICATION OF T2 RELAXATION TIMES BASED ON FAST SPIN-ECHO NMR SEQUENCES - A method and a device are provided that improve quantification of the spin-spin relaxation (“T | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355300 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a gantry including at least an RF (Radio Frequency) coil and a gradient coil, wherein the RF coil receives MR (Magnetic Resonance) signals from an object when an RF signal from the RF coil and a gradient magnetic field from the gradient coil are applied to the object in a main scan; processing circuitry configured to reconstruct image data of a plurality of images of the object based on the MR signals, and generate display image data from the reconstructed image data, wherein the display image data is generated such that display images are observed from a unified observational direction, regardless of a case where cross-sectional directions vary; and a display configured to display the display images observed from the unified observational direction based on the display image data. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355301 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In an MRI method and apparatus a 3D dual echo magnetic resonance scan is performed to acquire two sets of k-space data corresponding to the two echoes, respectively. A 2D CAIPIRINHA undersampling method as applied to the two sets of k-space data to extract two sets of sampling data, respectively. The two sets of sampling data are used to reconstruct two initial magnetic resonance images. A final magnetic resonance image is synthesized from the two initial magnetic resonance images. Because staggering is carried out in the PE or SL direction when the 2D CAIPIRINHA undersampling method is applied to a 3D scan sequence, aliasing in parallel imaging can be controlled, so that a greater area in the center of the field of view (FOV) is undisturbed by aliasing. At the same time, coil sensitivity is increased, enabling further acceleration. Thirdly, the 2D CAIPIRINHA undersampling method generally uses a small acceleration factor, thereby ensuring a high signal to noise ratio. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355302 | SIMULTANEOUS MR IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-NUCLEAR MR IMAGING - A simultaneous MR imaging method is described in which different types of atom are simultaneously excited and read out. First a multi-resonant RF excitation pulse is transmitted including a plurality of sub-signals assigned to different types of atom and having different frequency ranges. Simultaneously or in a synchronized manner, a gradient scheme common to the different types of atom is transmitted with which an unambiguous spatial assignment of received signals can be performed. In the subsequent readout process, an echo signal is received including different individual echoes of different types of atom. The received echo signal is separated into individual signals. Finally, image data is reconstructed from raw data obtained from the separated individual signals. Also described is an apparatus with which the above described method can be carried out. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355304 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING UNNECESSARY CONTRAST - In multi-echo imaging, in imaging in which pulses other than a 180° pulse are included in refocus RF pulses, a high-quality image in which the intended contrast is emphasized is obtained by reducing unnecessary contrast. Therefore, imaging parameters are adjusted so as to reduce the unnecessary contrast. The adjustment is performed so that, for echo signals from tissues having the same relaxation time to cause intended contrast among echo signals from a plurality of tissues having different relaxation times, the difference between the signal strengths of echo signals to determine the contrast, such as echo signals at the k-space center, is reduced. Imaging parameters to be adjusted include a repetition time, the FA of a DE pulse, the FA of a saturation pulse, the application timing of the saturation pulse, the application strength of a gradient magnetic field in a recovery period, application timing, and the like. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355305 | ARTERIAL SPIN LABELING WITH REDUCED ACOUSTIC NOISE EMISSIONS AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system ( | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150355306 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A PARAMETER MAP TO COMPENSATE LOCAL INHOMOGENEITIES IN THE BASIC MAGNETIC FIELD - In a method and a controller for generating a parameter map for a target volume in an examination object, that represents a field deviation from the resonance frequency of a first spectral component of tissue of object in a magnetic resonance tomography scanner, a spatial region of the object, which includes at least the target volume, is excited. At least three echo signals are formed, wherein a first echo time difference between two the echo signals is chosen such that the phase evolutions of the signals of a second spectral component of the tissue differ, during the first echo time difference, from the first spectral component substantially by 2π, and an echo time of at least a further one of the echo signals is chosen such that it lies between the echo times of the two echo signals having the first echo time difference. Raw data are then acquired from the three echo signals, and the parameter map is then generated therefrom. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150362566 | MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS WITH OPTIMIZED OPERATION - In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus in which an examination object is situated, information is detected indicating that at least one image of the examination object is to be created by the medical device. Next, a selection of an examination sequence is made from multiple stored, predefined examination sequences, and subsequently a detection occurs as to the step in the selected examination sequence at which the medical device is currently operating. Thereafter, a specification of the next step to be undertaken from the selected examination sequence is presented to a person operating the medical imaging apparatus. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362567 | ADJUSTMENT OF THE TABLE POSITION IN MR IMAGING - A method computer and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for controlling a table position of an examination table of the MR apparatus during an MR measurement. An SAR load is determined for an examination object with a calculated pulse sequence, at least for a first table position. Then the table position is adjusted while taking into consideration the SAR load at the first table position. The adjustment of the table position ensures that the SAR load of the examination object is reduced. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362571 | METHOD FOR ANALYSIS BY NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE OF A SAMPLE INCLUDING A SPECIES TO BE CHARACTERIZED AND A REFERENCE SPECIES - Method for analyzing, using nuclear magnetic resonance, at least one sample including at least one species to be characterized and a reference species having a content, in the sample, that is more than twice greater than the content of the species to be characterized, the method includes:
| 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362576 | METAL RESISTANT MR IMAGING - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging near metal parts using SEMAC. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved MR imaging technique that is sufficiently fast and robust against susceptibility effects. The invention proposes to apply a weaker slice-selection magnetic field gradient (G | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362577 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA SET FROM DATA ACQUIRED WHEN A NOISE OBJECT DISTORTED THE MAGNETIC FIELD IN THE APPARATUS - In a method for reconstruction of a three-dimensional image data set from magnetic resonance slice data of a target region acquired in target slices while a noise object distorting the magnetic field is present in the target region, for each target slice to be acquired, in addition to a central partition slice corresponding to the respective target slice, location, multiple partition slices adjacent to the central partition slice are acquired in a supplementary encoding direction perpendicular to the slice plane in multiple phase-encoding steps. A correction area and a standard reconstruction area of the target region are determined on the basis of a distortion criterion, obtained by evaluating the slice data that describes the distortion along the supplementary encoding direction. In the standard reconstruction area, only slice data are used, and in the correction area, slice data of partition slices outside the target slice are assigned to target slices in order to correct the distortion. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150362578 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging - In order to enable efficient calculation of shim settings for a magnetic resonance imaging system, a method for magnetic resonance imaging of an object under investigation using a magnetic resonance device is provided. The method includes acquiring first magnetic resonance image data of the object under investigation using the magnetic resonance device. The method also includes segmenting the first magnetic resonance image data into at least two material classes, calculating a B0 map based on the segmented first magnetic resonance image data and based on susceptibility values of the at least two material classes, and calculating shim settings based on the calculated B0 map. The method also includes acquiring second magnetic resonance image data of the object under investigation using the magnetic resonance device. The acquisition of the second magnetic resonance image data is undertaken using the calculated shim settings. | 12-17-2015 |
| 20150369763 | QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF NITROGEN SPECIES DISTRIBUTION IN DISPERSANTS - The distribution of nitrogen species in a long chain alkenyl succinimide dispersants is quantitated and speciated by means of | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369889 | FREQUENCY MONITORING OF GRADIENT PULSES IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Different properties of a frequency monitor of a magnetic resonance imaging system are adaptively adjusted, for example as a function of a user input or a temperature. The frequency monitor monitors a system variable indicative of a mechanical flux of force in a gradient system of the magnetic resonance imaging system. Selective aborting of the performance of a magnetic resonance imaging measuring sequence takes place. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369891 | SAR Reduction in Fast Advanced Spin Echo (FASE) or Single-Shot Fast Spin Echo (SS-FSE) Imaging - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured reduce specific absorption rate (SAR) in Fast Advanced Spin Echo (FASE) or Single-shot Fast Spin Echo (SS-FSE) imaging used, for example, in non-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (NC-MRA) techniques like fresh blood imaging (FBI). Within RF pulse sequences used to acquire echo data, the refocusing flip angles may be varied in the phase encode direction, and/ slice encode direction, such that the refocusing pulse (or pulses) that map echo signals to the k-space center region larger refocusing flip angles than refocusing pulses used to generate echo signals that map to other areas of k-space. In some instances, the TR interval also may be varied for RF pulse sequences such that central K-space have a longer TR than the slices further towards the ends. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369892 | Two-Dimensional J-Resolved Laser and Semi-Laser Spectroscopy - J-resolved LASER and semi-LASER sequences for localized two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy are disclosed. After a delay time Δ1 from application of an excitation RF pulse, a first pair of slice-selective adiabatic full-passage (AFP) pulses, separated by an inter-pulse interval Δ | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369893 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, and a memory that stores processor-executable instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to give a sample value to at least a part of sampling positions having no sample value in first k-space data so as to create a second k-space data, the first k-space data having a sample value at a part of sampling positions on a k-space. The instructions cause the processor to create a first image from the first k-space data and a second image from the second k-space data. The instructions cause the processor to derive weighting factors for the first image and the second image. The instructions cause the processor to calculate a magnetic resonance image by performing weighted addition using the weighting factors on the first image and the second image. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369896 | System and Method for Estimating Phase Measurements in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Described here are systems and methods for estimating phase measurements obtained using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system such that phase ambiguities in the measurements are significantly mitigated. Echo time spacings are determined by optimizing phase ambiguity functions associated with the echo time spacings. Data is then acquired using a multi-echo pulse sequence that utilizes the determined echo spacings. Phase measurements are then estimated and images are reconstructed using a reconstruction technique that disambiguates the phase ambiguities in the phase measurements. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150369897 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREFOR - In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, the scanner of the MR apparatus has at least one connector for connecting a radio-frequency coil, as well as a control computer with a display screen. Connection of a radio-frequency coil to the connector causes at least one item of coil identification information, and selection of at least one measurement protocol from among a number of measurement protocols for recording magnetic resonance signals with the connected coil to be made by the control computer as a function of the at least one item of coil identification information. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150377988 | MEASURING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPLICATIONS - The invention relates to a measurement device for magnetic resonance applications including:
| 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377993 | Method and Device for Magnetic Field Correction for an NMR Machine - A device for magnetic field correction in an NMR system includes a device for creating a homogeneous main magnetic field along a direction Oz in a zone of interest ZI, a device for supporting a sample with a main dimension of the sample being oriented at an angle θ | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377994 | METHOD, APPARATUS, AND ARTICLE FOR FREQUENCY-OVERLAPPED 3-D MULTISPECTRAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - A method for acquiring 3D multispectral MRI of a target includes scanning a spectrum of spectral windows with an MRI scanner, wherein each spectral window of the spectrum defines a continuously-differentiable distribution of frequencies around a scan frequency and adjacent scan frequencies are spaced apart by substantially uniform frequency offsets such that adjacent spectral windows substantially uniformly overlap, wherein selected adjacent spectral windows are scanned in consecutive passes, and nearest neighbor spectral windows within each pass are scanned at a maximum temporal spacing within the pass | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377995 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND PROCESSING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that can display an image showing conditions of tissues such as water and fat more accurately is provided. For this purpose, the signal processing unit | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377996 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SLAB SELECTION IN ULTRASHORT ECHO TIME 3-D MRI - A method for slab selection in ultrashort echo time three-dimensional MRI includes applying an excitation signal to a target under a polarizing field; applying a unipolar slab selection gradient pulse to the target, concurrent with the excitation signal; and applying a rewinder pulse to the target for less than about 30 μs, immediately after the slab selection gradient pulse, and still under the polarizing field. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150377997 | MAGNETIC MICROSTRUCTURES FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160003753 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYSIS OF SEALED CONTAINERS - This invention relates to methods and devices for NMR spectroscopy analyzing sealed containers e.g., food and beverage containers and other containers, and particularly according to specific embodiments sealed containers made of a conducting but generally nonferromagnetic metal or other conducting material. As discussed in above referenced applications, many current strategies for contaminant detection require a container to be violated, a process that can destroy the container or product and is impractical in large scale applications. The present invention overcomes these and other problems by providing methods and devices for the detection of contaminants and/or contraband in metal or conducting containers by NMR spectroscopy. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160003926 | MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In a method and imaging apparatus for reconstruction of images from data recorded by the imaging device, multiple variants of a respective image are obtained with different reconstruction methods respectively applied to the acquired data. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160003928 | MRI WITH REPEATED K-T -SUB-SAMPLING AND ARTIFACT MINIMIZATION ALLOWING FOR FREE BREATHING ABDOMINAL MRI - Methods of processing MRI image data to reduce or eliminate motion-related artifacts in MRI images includes: electronically repeatedly acquiring sets of 2D or 3D k-space data of a target region of a subject using at least one MRI pulse sequence; electronically applying a bootstrapping procedure to produce a large number of images from the acquired k-space data; then electronically evaluating the images produced by the bootstrapping procedure; and electronically identifying an image with a minimal motion-related artifact level from the evaluation of the images produced by the boot-strapping procedure. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160011287 | Method for improving shim pre-settings of a magnetic resonance device | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160011289 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160018487 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a display and a method for controlling the same are provided. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnet assembly; a transfer table configured to move into the magnet assembly or out of the magnet assembly; and a display configured to move into the transfer table or move out of the transfer table. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018488 | METHOD FOR CORRELATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES WITH HISTOLOGICAL SECTIONS - In a method for correlating magnetic resonance images with histological sections, a target tissue of a living animal is embedded in an enclosed matrix of an optical cutting temperature compound to obtain a packaged specimen on a platform oriented in a first guiding plane. The packaged specimen on the platform is subjected to an MRI examination by scanning along imaging planes parallel to the first guiding plane, and then subjected to a frozen sectioning procedure along sectioning planes in parallel with a second guiding plane which is parallel to the first guiding plane. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018491 | ARTIFICIALLY STRUCTURED B1 MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATOR FOR MRI AND NMR DEVICES - Described embodiments include an apparatus, and a method. An apparatus includes an array of at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells. The at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells are configured to generate a pulse of radiofrequency magnetic field B | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018493 | Measurement of NMR Characteristics of an Object Containing Fast Transversal Relaxation Components - Nuclear magnetic resonance properties of a sample containing fast relaxation components are determined using direct detection of the longitudinal component of the nuclear magnetization. Excitation and detection can be performed in different frequency ranges, which enables short dead time of measurements. In some implementations a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus can be configured for use in oil well logging. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018494 | ARTIFICIALLY STRUCTURED UNIT CELLS PROVIDING LOCALIZED B1 MAGNETIC FIELDS FOR MRI AND NMR DEVICES - Described embodiments include a system, apparatus, and method. An apparatus includes an array of at least two groups of at least two artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells. Each group of the at least two groups configured to be respectively linearly arranged with respect to the z-axis of the bore of MRI or NMR device. Each group of the at least two groups of artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells configured to transform an incident pulse of radiofrequency electromagnetic waves into a pulse of radiofrequency magnetic field B | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018495 | CANCELLATION OF AN ELECTRIC FIELD COMPONENT OF A MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATED BY ARTIFICIALLY STRUCTURED ELECTROMAGNETIC UNIT CELLS - Described embodiments include a system, apparatus, and method. An apparatus includes an assemblage of artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells. The assemblage of artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells includes a first artificially structured electromagnetic unit cell configured to transform incident radiofrequency electromagnetic waves into a radiofrequency magnetic field B perpendicular to the plane of the assemblage. The assemblage of artificially structured electromagnetic unit cells includes a second artificially structured electromagnetic unit cell configured to transform the incident radiofrequency electromagnetic waves into an electric field E counteracting a non-vanishing electric field component generated by the first artificially structured electromagnetic unit cell. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018496 | Magnetic Resonance System and Method for Detecting the Buildup of the Transfer of Changes in Magnetization from Nuclei in Mobile Solute Molecules in Tissue - An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a new MRI method to image the buildup of exchange transfer processes from nuclei in mobile solute molecules in tissue via another molecule (e.g. solvent such as water). The pulse sequence can detect Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST), relayed Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (rNOE) CEST, and selective induced exchange transfer processes. Further, the proposed MRI pulse sequence involves acquiring two or more images with a difference in waiting period (delay) after a radiofrequency excitation, saturation pulse, or series of such pulses. This produces a series of exchange transfer images sensitive to the speed of transfer of changes in magnetization. Subtracting two images or fitting a time series produces maps with minimum interference from direct water saturation and from semi-solid magnetization transfer and other fast exchanging protons. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018497 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The MRI apparatus includes a scanner, and a controller configured to control the scanner to receive magnetic resonance (MR) signals corresponding to a magnitude of a y-axis gradient magnetic field in a respiration cycle of a patient, each of the MR signals being received at a time interval equal to a time period of the respiration cycle over a number of the received MR signals. The MRI apparatus further includes a processor configured to extract an MR signal received in a respiration condition of the patient from the received MR signals, fill a k-space with the extracted MR signal, and generate an MR image by reconstructing data of the filled k-space. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018498 | AUTOMATIC OPTIMIZATION OF PARALLEL IMAGING ACCELERATION PARAMETERS - A parallel magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018499 | PARALLEL MULTI-SLICE MR IMAGING USING PHSE-MODULATED RF PULSES - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object ( | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018500 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquiring unit and processing circuitry. The data acquiring unit acquires MR signals for imaging according to data acquiring conditions for acquiring MR signals multiple times following one excitation. The data acquiring unit also acquires reference MR signals for phase correction of real space data for imaging. The real space data are generated based on the MR signals for imaging. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a phase error, in a real space region, of reference real space data and generate MR image data based on the MR signals for imaging with the phase correction of the real space data for imaging based on the calculated phase error. The reference real space data are generated based on the reference MR signals. The real space region is determined based on conditions of acquiring the reference MR signals or the like. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018503 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a gantry including a bore, and an image output screen configured to rotate around the bore and output visual information to an object placed in the bore. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160018504 | Fractional Order and Entropy Bio-Markers for Biological Tissue in Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging - The invention disclosed herein provides an example method and system for characterizing a biological structure in terms of bio-markers derived from DWI data. The methodology includes estimating bio-markers in a fixed diffusion time protocol, estimating bio-markers in fixed diffusion encoding gradient strength protocol, calculating parameters of a model, and using the parameters to characterize a biological structure. Using the techniques and methods described herein, the data may be used to identify structural degeneration, structural integrity and response to therapeutics. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160022197 | DETECTION OF BRCA CARRIERS IN BREAST TISSUE - A method and system for detecting the presence of BRCS carriers in breast tissue, comprises obtaining spectral data from breast tissue using a magnetic resonance spectroscopy device and producing spectral data by said device which provides chemical markers to enable detection of whether the breast tissue contains BRCA carriers. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025824 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND TIMING MISALIGNMENT DETECTION METHOD THEREOF - A magnetic resonance imaging device produces a magnetic field gradient with parallel driving of positive-side subcoils and negative-side subcoils with different power sources in the magnetic field gradient direction, to detect a misalignment in drive timing of the positive side and the negative side. Pulse sequences for timing misalignment detection having a slice magnetic field gradient pulse and a read-out magnetic field gradient pulse in the same direction as a magnetic field gradient of interest are executed. A positive-side slice echo and a negative-side slice echo of the magnetic field gradient are acquired. A phase difference between a positive-side projection image and a negative-side projection image is derived by computation with phase error from other factors being removed. From the slope of the phase difference with respect to a location, the drive timing misalignment between the positive-side subcoil and the negative-side subcoil of the magnetic field gradient production is detected. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025825 | NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS AND METHODS - A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes at least one magnet configured to induce a static magnetic field in a sample chamber. At least one radio frequency antenna is configured to induce a radio frequency magnetic field in the sample chamber. A surface of a material sample disposed in the sample chamber and an interface with the sample chamber to the material sample volume ratio is selected such that NMR phenomena induced in the material sample depend substantially entirely on the material sample to sample chamber interface effects. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025829 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EFFICIENT RADIAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING WITH AZIMUTHAL EQUIDISTANT PROJECTIONS - Systems and methods for designing a data acquisition scheme to be used in magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. In particular, the systems and methods include designing efficient, or otherwise optimized, azimuthal equidistant projections for radially sampling k-space. This sampling pattern resulting from this data acquisition scheme minimizes image artifacts, including those attributable to eddy currents. The data acquisition scheme can be computed rapidly and automatically and, thus, is fit for routine use in clinical MRI systems. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025830 | METHOD, LOCAL COIL AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In a method, a local coil, and an apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, an examination subject is situated in a patient receiving area of the apparatus, together with at least one marker element. The apparatus is operated to perform a radio-frequency excitation of the at least one marker element, and to read out magnetic resonance signals that are emitted by the at least one marker element. An image data acquisition scanner of the magnetic resonance apparatus is adjusted using the magnetic resonance signals that have been read out. Magnetic resonance image data are acquired from the subject by operation of the adjusted image data acquisition scanner. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025833 | METHOD FOR INCREASING SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING PER-VOXEL NOISE COVARIANCE REGULARIZATION - A method for maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) in a combined image produced using a parallel magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) technique is provided. The image combination used in such techniques require an accurate estimate of the noise covariance. Typically, the thermal noise covariance matrix is used as this estimate; however, in several applications, including accelerated parallel imaging and functional MRI, the noise covariance across the coil channels differs substantially from the thermal noise covariance. By combining the individual channels with more accurate estimates of the channel noise covariance, SNR in the combined data is significantly increased. This improved combination employs a regularization of noise covariance on a per-voxel basis. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160025834 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - A magnetic resonance data acquisition unit is operated according to an imaging protocol wherein at least one echo spacing exists following radiation of an excitation RF pulse, via an RF channel that includes an RF amplifier, and a subsequent readout of an echo. Loading of the RF amplifier is reduced by lengthening the echo spacing in the imaging protocol. One or more refocusing RF pulses are radiated with a lengthened echo spacing. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160033591 | MULTI-ELEMENT RF TRANSMIT COIL FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The invention provides for a multi-element transmit coil ( | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033599 | Devices for Use in Solid-State NMR Analysis - The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for use in SSNMR analysis of solid particulate samples. These devices and methods are configured to contain a solid particulate sample as it undergoes SSNMR analysis while also operating to attenuate peak broadening in the resulting spectrum due to anisotropic dipole coupling interactions and CSA during such analysis by generating a substantially fluidized bed of the solid particulate sample. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033600 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to receive a magnetic resonance (MR) signal emitted from an object; a sampling pattern determiner configured to determine a sampling pattern of k-space based on a sensitivity of the RF coil and signal region information which is information about a signal region where the MR signal is generated; and a digital data obtainer configured to obtain digital data of the k-space by sampling the MR signal based on the determined sampling pattern. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033602 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECORDING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATASET OF AT LEAST ONE FOREIGN BODY IN A PATIENT - In a method and apparatus for recording a magnetic resonance dataset of at least one foreign body in a target region of a patient, a magnetic resonance sequence having an ultra-short echo time, which is less than 500 μs is used for recording the magnetic resonance data. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033603 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR DETECTING MR DATA - In a method and apparatus for detecting magnetic resonance (MR) data a slice is slice-selectively excited followed by irradiation of a refocusing pulse and activation of first and second phase encoding gradients, and a readout gradient, in order to read out MR data that are entered into a line of k-space. MR data for further multiple lines of k-space are acquired without the first phase encoding gradient being activated again, and follow radiation of another refocusing pulse. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033604 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE FINGERPRINTING - A method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting and to a magnetic resonance device is provided. The method for magnetic resonance fingerprinting includes the following method steps—detecting a magnetic resonance signal waveform of an examination area of an examination object by means of a magnetic resonance fingerprinting method, comparing the detected magnetic resonance signal waveform with a number of signal waveforms stored in a database, wherein a database value of at least one tissue parameter is assigned to each of the database signal waveforms, and determining a value of the at least one tissue parameter on the basis of the signal comparison, wherein an influence of a temperature of the examination object on the magnetic resonance signal waveform is taken into consideration in the further processing of the magnetic resonance signal waveform. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033605 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA - In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a subject, excitation pulses and at least two refocusing pulses are applied to the subject in an MR scanner, and the MR scanner is operated to activate gradients in a readout direction that cause at least two gradient echoes to be formed between the at least two successive refocusing pulses, with a temporal distance between the at least two gradient echoes that produces a predetermined phase shift between a signal acquired from a first nuclei in the subject and a signal acquired from a second nuclei in the subject at times of the respective gradient echoes, and that include readout gradients associated respectively with a first and a last gradient echo, among said at least two gradient echoes, the readout gradients being asymmetrical. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033606 | DIXON-TYPE WATER/FAT SEPARATION MRI USING HIGH-SNR IN-PHSE IMAGE AND LOWER-SNR AT LEAST PARTIALLY OUT-OF-PHASE IMAGE - The invention relates to a method of Dixon-type MR imaging. The method comprises the steps of—generating a first imaging sequence for producing first MR echo signals at a first echo time, such that contributions from MR signals emanating from water protons and MR signals emanating from fat protons to the first MR echo signals are essentially in phase,—acquiring the first MR echo signals at a first signal-to-noise ratio,—generating a second imaging sequence for producing second MR echo signals at a second echo time, such that contributions from MR signals emanating from water protons and MR signals emanating from fat protons to the second MR echo signals are at least partially out of phase,—acquiring the second MR echo signals at a second signal-to-noise ratio which is different from the first signal-to-noise ratio, and—reconstructing a MR image from the first and second MR echo signals, wherein signal contributions from water protons and fat protons are separated. Moreover the invention relates to a MR device and to a computer program to be run on a MR device. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160033607 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING MET |
