Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080208031 | Voltage standing wave suppression for MR-guided therapeutic interventions - A system and method of tracking a medical device and generating an image of a target area. The medical device includes a tracking device to create an imaging field-of-view that extends beyond the tip of the medical device while allowing the tip of the medical device to be visualized. The medical device further includes an imaging/visualization device to create an imaging field from the point of view of the medical device. A voltage standing wave suppression device is formed on the exterior surface of the medical device to prevent the formation of voltage standing waves and localized tissue heating. The voltage standing wave suppression device includes two cable traps spaced apart from one another with each cable trap being formed of a closely packed coiled region of a conductor extending the length of the medical device. | 08-28-2008 |
20080208032 | Combined tomography scanner - A combined tomography scanner is disclosed, having at least two imaging modalities. In at least one embodiment, the scanner includes a first tomography modality having an essentially annular or tubular measurement area opening formed by an inner perimeter; an annular or cylindrical PET component as a second tomography modality having an outer perimeter, which allows insertion into the measurement area opening, and having an inner opening which forms a patient tunnel; and at least one insulation mat which can be inserted into an annular gap between the inner perimeter of the first modality and the outer perimeter of the PET component. | 08-28-2008 |
20080214923 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR DETERMINATION OF PATIENT MOVEMENT DURING DATA ACQUISITION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for determination of movement of an examination subject during the acquisition of (MR) measurement data using at least two antenna elements that exhibit respectively different spatial positions, after each radiated excitation pulse a navigator signal is acquired in the measurement data and movement of the examination subject between two excitation pulses during the acquisition of the measurement data is determined from a change of the signal strength of the navigator signal in the at least two antenna elements and based on the respective spatial positions of the antenna elements. | 09-04-2008 |
20080214924 | Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy - A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) system ( | 09-04-2008 |
20080214925 | DEVICE FOR PRECISION POSITIONING OF INSTRUMENTS AT A MRI SCANNER - A device in the form of an elongated articulating arm having a base for mounting it on or at the MRI apparatus. The free end of the arm is arranged to releasably mount any type of device, e.g., a clamp, a bracket, a biopsy needle guide, etc. The arm includes a plurality of interconnected segments each of which is arranged to pivot with respect to adjacent segments. A flexible elongated adjustable tensioning member extends through the arm between the base and the distal end portion to enable the arm to be moved or bent into a desired shape when tension is released and then held in that shape when tension is applied. | 09-04-2008 |
20080214926 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a setting unit which sets a section position, a first image creating unit which creates a first image at the set section position by a multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from a subject by a first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the set section position, a determining unit which determines a section position of the first image, and a second image creating unit which creates a second image at the determined section position by the multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from the subject by a second imaging sequence different from the first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the determined section position. | 09-04-2008 |
20080221428 | Chemical Shift Markers for Improved Wireless Fiducial Marker Tracking - A new and improved method for tracking and/or spatial localization of an invasive device in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is provided. The invention includes providing an invasive device including a marker having a chemically shifted signal source with a resonant frequency different from the chemical species of the subject to be imaged, applying a pulse sequence, detecting the resulting RF magnetic resonance signals, and determining the 3D coordinates of the marker. The invention also includes generating scan planes and reconstructing an image from the detected signals to generate an image having the marker contrasted from the subject. The invasive device includes a marker having a chemically shifted signal source which has a resonant frequency different from the chemical species of the subject to be imaged for use in tracking the device during imaging. | 09-11-2008 |
20080221429 | Magnetic resonance imaging of coronary venous structures - A method and system for magnetic resonance imaging comprises applying at least one radiofrequency magnetization transfer (MT) pulse to a coronary venous region of a subject positioned within a magnetic field, and acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from the coronary venous region to produce an image of a coronary venous structure. This technique can be utilized as part of a 3D free-breathing, ECG-triggered gradient-echo Cartesian acquisition of the coronary region. One or more magnetization transfer (MT) preparation pulses are used to enhance the contrast between venous blood and myocardium. The MT preparation results in myocardial signal suppression without any significant signal loss in the arterial or venous blood so as to maintain venous blood signal-to-noise ratio while improving contrast between myocardium and veins. The coronary venous structure can comprise one or more of a coronary sinus, a lateral vein and a posterior vein. The image of a coronary venous structure can be acquired in connection with an interventional cardiovascular procedure, such as a cardiac resynchronization therapy. | 09-11-2008 |
20080242972 | Method for accelerating data acquisition in dynamic magnetic resonance measurements (MRT) using parallel imaging - A method for time-resolved imaging of N-dimensional magnetic resonance (=MR) with the following steps:
| 10-02-2008 |
20080255443 | HYBRID IMAGING METHOD TO MONITOR MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY AND PATIENT SUPPORT FOR USE IN THE METHOD - This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device. In particular, the invention discloses a method based on the initial identification of tissue targets using MR imaging, followed by the use of ultrasound imaging to verify and monitor accurate needle positioning. The invention can be used for acquiring biopsy samples to determine the grade and stage of cancer in various tissues including the brain, breast, abdomen, spine, liver, and kidney. The method is also useful for delivery of markers to a specific site to facilitate surgical removal of diseased tissue, or for the targeted delivery of applicators that destroy diseased tissues in-situ. | 10-16-2008 |
20080269592 | Method for Diagnosis of Functional Lung Illnesses - In a method for diagnosing functional lung illnesses, image exposures of the lungs are obtained at various phase points in time of the respiration of a subject, such as at maximum inhalation and maximum expiration, and the image exposures are segmented and at least two of the image exposures are compared on a segment-by-segment basis to identify a change in tissue density between the compared segments, as an indicator of lung functioning. | 10-30-2008 |
20080275329 | Diffusion weighted preparatory sequence for magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence - A preparatory pulse sequence is applied prior to an imaging pulse sequence during a diffusion-weighted MRI scan. The preparatory pulse sequence diffusion weights the longitudinal magnetization using a gradient waveform that is first moment nulled to reduce image artifacts caused by patient motion. | 11-06-2008 |
20080281183 | STIMULUS INDUCED ROTARY SATURATION FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE FUNCTIONAL IMAGING - Spin-lock T | 11-13-2008 |
20080281184 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATING FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF LIVING TISSUE - Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for calibrating functional magnetic resonance imaging of living tissue. For example, a calibration method includes providing a contrast signal simulation device configured for generating one or more pre-determined contrast simulation signals selected from a group consisting of BOLD and BOSS contrast simulation signals that simulate at least one contrast signal generated by living tissue of a subject and positioning the contrast signal simulation device adjacent to the subject. The method includes using an imaging instrument to take first and second data sets from the subject's tissue while the contrast signal simulation device is disposed adjacent to the subject and while generating and not generating the one or more pre-determined contrast simulation signals, respectively. The method also includes using the first and second data sets to determine at least one figure of merit of the imaging instrument, the contrast simulation device, and/or the living tissue. | 11-13-2008 |
20080281185 | REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A remote control system for a modulatable device is provided. The remote control system comprises a receiver system coupled to the modulatable device and configured to obtain an output characteristic of the modulatable device, the receiver system being located remotely with respect to the modulatable device. The system further comprises a command signal setting system coupled to the receiver system and configured to use the output characteristic to generate a drive command signal and a bias system coupled to the command signal setting system and configured to receive the drive command signal and set a bias point of the modulatable device based on the drive command signal. The bias system is located locally with respect to the modulatable device. The command signal setting system and the bias system are coupled via a first optical conduit. | 11-13-2008 |
20080287771 | SURGICAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH ELECTROSTATIC SHIELD - A surgical navigation system is disclosed herein. The surgical navigation system includes a tracking system, a field generator operatively connected to the tracking system, a field sensor operatively connected to the tracking system, and an electrostatic shield circumscribing the field sensor. The electrostatic shield is adapted minimize capacitive coupling between the field generator and the field sensor. | 11-20-2008 |
20080306374 | Methods and Workflow Design for Improving Specificity of Breast Mr - In a breast imaging method, magnetic resonance data are acquired of one or both breasts of a subject ( | 12-11-2008 |
20080312525 | METHOD FOR GENERATING HIGH RESOLUTION MRI IMAGE AND RECORDING MEDIUM THEREOF - The present invention relates to a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image generating method using a new MRI image method called a generalized series parallel imaging technique, and a recording medium thereof. In the high-resolution MRI image generating method using the generalized series parallel imaging technique according to the present invention, selecting only a predetermined low frequency band of all frequency bands, and sampling the predetermined low frequency band of all frequency bands at a lower rate than a Nyquist rate to acquire magnetic resonance data. | 12-18-2008 |
20080319301 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A FLIP ANGLE SCHEDULE FOR A SPIN ECHO TRAIN PULSE SEQUENCE - A method for calculating a flip angle schedule for a train of refocusing radio frequency (RF) pulses with reduced flip angles allows control of RF power deposition and use of a longer echo train. A target signal is defined for each echo in the echo train, and flip angles are then calculated from the target signals. The target signal schedule includes two phases. In the first phase, the target signals drop asymptotically to efficiently establish a pseudo-steady state at a pre-defined minimum signal level, S | 12-25-2008 |
20080319302 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFUSION DETERMINATION - In a method and a device for automatic determination of perfusion by using a magnetic resonance system, multiple first MR data sets are thereby acquired from a volume element over time with a perfusion-sensitive imaging sequence, and multiple second MR data sets of the same volume element are acquired over time with a control imaging sequence, in particular a perfusion-insensitive imaging sequence. These first MR data sets and the second MR data sets are subjected to a statistical time series analysis in order to determine the perfusion in the volume element. | 12-25-2008 |
20080319303 | VARIABLE MAGNETIC MOMENT MR NAVIGATION - A method of navigating a medical device in an operating region in a subject. The method includes applying a magnetic field to the operating region and changing the magnetic moment of the medical device by selectively changing a physical condition of at least one magnet element in the medical device to change the orientation of the device with respect to the applied magnetic field. | 12-25-2008 |
20090005670 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method - An IR pulse is applied to a tag region B that is disposed at the upstream side of the ascending aorta relative to a tag region A at a timing with a second predetermined delay time TD | 01-01-2009 |
20090012385 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device and Method - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including signal receiving means for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal from an object, signal processing means for reconstructing an image by using the detected nuclear magnetic resonance signal and display means for displaying the image, a whole image of the examiner being obtained while each imaging site of the object is continuously or stepwise moved and disposed in the imaging space, is equipped with detecting means for detecting the gradient and size of each site of the object, inputting means for inputting reference information for carrying out magnetic resonance imaging corresponding to the gradient and size of each site of the object onto an image representing the gradient and size of each site of the object which is displayed on the display means, storage means for storing the input reference information, control means for controlling the imaging operation on the basis of the reference information stored in the storage means, and combining means for combining nuclear magnetic resonance signals obtained through the imaging operation carried out under the control to create the whole image. | 01-08-2009 |
20090012386 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRE-OPERATIVELY IDENTIFYING FUNCTIONAL REGIONS OF A PATIENT'S BRAIN TO ASSIST IN THE PREPARATION OF A CONTEMPLATED SURGERY - Systems and methods for pre-operatively identifying functional regions of a patient's brain to assist in the preparation of a contemplated surgery. The systems and methods make use of correlations between regions of the patient's brain that exhibit spontaneous brain activity. The systems and methods may be used with any patient but solve a particular need for subjects that are unable to complete traditional task-based brain mapping studies. | 01-08-2009 |
20090024020 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR INTERVENTIONAL BREAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - In an interventional breast procedure, a magnetic resonance tracking sequence ( | 01-22-2009 |
20090030302 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a pulse sequence that applies an RF magnetic field and a magnetic field gradient to a subject placed in a static magnetic field and detects a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject, and a calculation unit for processing the signal, and the control unit performs the process including the steps of; (1) obtaining first images at different positions in a first direction, (2) obtaining images after the first images are subjected to correction of brightness distortion, (3) obtaining images after the images as to which the brightness distortion has been corrected are further subjected to correction of positional distortion, and (4) synthesizing by a weighting calculation, overlapping areas of the images, after the positional distortion thereof has been corrected. According to this magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the positional distortion and the brightness distortion can be corrected upon connecting the images, in the multi-station imaging. | 01-29-2009 |
20090036766 | 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 techniques, for example, to facilitate quick multispectral imaging. | 02-05-2009 |
20090048505 | Upper body MRI scanner and associated control method - The invention relates to an upper body MRI scanner comprising a magnet arrangement for producing a horizontally oriented homogeneous main magnetic field, said magnet arrangement being designed to examine the upper body of a standing patient. An image acquisition unit is provided for continuously creating upper body images of the standing patient. A quality checking unit is designed for automatically determining a quality metric characterizing the quality of the upper body images. An imaging controller connected to the image acquisition unit and the quality checking unit is provided for activating the image acquisition unit and outputting signals for influencing the position and/or behavior of the patient as a function of the characteristic quality metric. An output unit connected to the image acquisition unit is used for displaying and/or storing at least some of the upper body images. | 02-19-2009 |
20090054756 | Method & apparatus for uniquely identifying tissue pathology - A medical diagnostic imaging system is employed to generate two or more diagnostic images with each image generated using a different imaging modality. The imaging system includes an imaging device for generating the diagnostic image information, an operator interface for controlling the operation of the imaging device, an imaging device control module that operates on the diagnostic image information generated by the imaging device and sends the processed image information to a display device. After first generating two or more test images that are used to identify target tissue and to derive functions that are later used during the diagnostic process to identify target tissue and to assign vector magnitudes to the identified target tissue, two or more diagnostic images are then generated and the color in each image is quantified. The images that have been color quantified are then run through a matrix operation which employs the earlier derived functions to identify potential target tissue and to assign vector magnitudes to the identified target tissue. The results of this matrix operation are then processed to arrive at a characteristic diagnostic result which is used to reach a diagnostic conclusion. | 02-26-2009 |
20090062639 | Automated vessel repair system, devices and methods - Systems, devices and automated methods for minimally invasive surgery. A device is fabricated of bio-compatible semiconductor elements, and can be assembled, delivered, navigated and implanted by automated methods, using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology. | 03-05-2009 |
20090069664 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING TIME-OPTIMAL GRADIENT WAVEFORMS - A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A scanning path is specified. Gradient amplitude is determined as a function of arc-length along the scanning path in k-space. A time optimal gradient waveform for scanning the scanning path is calculated from the gradient amplitude. The scanning path is scanned using the time optimal gradient waveform. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069665 | Automatic Lesion Correlation in Multiple MR Modalities - A method for automatic correlation between multiple magnetic resonance (MR) modalities includes acquiring first MR image data form a first modality. Second MR image data is acquired from a second modality. One or more anatomical landmarks are detected within both the first and second MR image data and the first and second MR image data are automatically correlated based on the detected anatomical landmarks and interpolation using a learning deformation function. The automatic correlation is refined using a local search. | 03-12-2009 |
20090069666 | Correction of Intensity Inhomogeneity in Breast MRI - A method for correcting for magnetic field inhomogeneity in a breast MRI, includes acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image including a patients breast. A surface image of the breast is automatically isolated within the acquired MR image based on a high contrast between the breast and surrounding air. A multiplicative field that transforms the isolated surface image into a uniform intensity is generated. The generated multiplicative field is applied to the entire acquired MR image to produce a corrected image. | 03-12-2009 |
20090076372 | OBJECTIVE DETERMINATION OF CHRONIC PAIN IN PATIENTS - A method for objectively determining if a patient suffers chronic pain by initially observing a multiplicity of persons who are free of chronic pain and subjecting them to a given pain stimulus. Radiofrequency (RF) emissions generated by the brains of the persons who are free of chronic pain while they are subjected to the pain stimulus are measured and a chart in the form of an average f-MRI image for all such persons is prepared which statistically reflects an average of RF emissions generated by the brains of the persons who are free of chronic pain while subjected to the pain stimulus. The same pain stimulus is then applied to the patient, RF emissions generated by a brain of the patient while the pain stimulus is applied are sensed, and the RF emissions from the patient's brain are compared to the chart to determine if the RF emissions from the patient's brain are statistically different from the approximately average RF emissions from the persons who are free of chronic pain on the chart. If so, it can be concluded without any conscious input from the patient that the patient suffers chronic pain. The method can be used to verify insurance or other compensation claims by persons who assert that they suffer chronic pain that might prevent them from performing certain functions such as work. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076373 | Medical imaging facility, in particular for producing image recordings in the context of a treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, and associated method - The invention relates to a medical imaging facility, in particular for producing image recordings in the context of a treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, the medical imaging facility being configured as an integrated facility with at least one computed tomography device configured as a C-arm computed tomography device and configured to produce soft-tissue recordings and at least one image recording element based on intravascular magnetic resonance imaging, the medical imaging facility having at least one common control facility for both image recording methods, being configured for the automatic evaluation and display of at least one image recording of at least one computed tomography facility and/or at least one image recording element based on intravascular magnetic resonance imaging and/or for the display of identified scar tissue and/or regions of impaired and/or increased electrophysiological activity by means of at least one program means in real time. | 03-19-2009 |
20090076374 | Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquisition unit which acquires first data in which a tissue of interest has higher signal intensity than a background and second data in which the tissue of interest has lower signal intensity than the background, with regard to images of the same region of the same subject, and a generation unit which generates, on the basis of the first data and the second data, third data in which the contrast of the tissue of interest to the background is higher than those in the first and second data. | 03-19-2009 |
20090082656 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DATA - A multi-shot three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data view-ordering strategy for uniform or variable density k-space sampling schemes is presented. The k | 03-26-2009 |
20090082657 | INTELLIGENT HELIUM COMPRESSOR - A magnetic resonance imaging system has a superconducting magnet contained within a cryostat, the cryostat being cooled by a cooling system that includes a healing and compressor, a refrigeration device and a local supervisory system. The helium compressor provides compressed helium to the refrigeration device, and the local supervisory system controls operation of the refrigeration device. The helium compressor is in communication with the local supervisory system, and also is able to communicate, independently of the local supervisory system, with a remote service provider. | 03-26-2009 |
20090082658 | CARDIAC DIAGNOSTICS USING WALL MOTION AND PERFUSION CARDIAC MRI IMAGING AND SYSTEMS FOR CARDIAC DIAGNOSTICS - Cardiac information of a patient is displayed by obtaining a plurality of MRI cine loops of the heart of the patient at a plurality of heart rates, the plurality of cine loops including both wall motion cine loops and at least one perfusion cine loops and simultaneously displaying both the wall motion cine loops and the at least one perfusion cine loop. | 03-26-2009 |
20090088622 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA WITH IMAGE DATA - A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A system for processing image data that includes a processor configured for obtaining image data, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data with the determined phase within 60 seconds, and more preferably, within 15 seconds, after the image data is obtained. A method of processing image data that includes obtaining image data during an image acquisition session, determining a phase of a respiratory cycle, and associating the image data after the image data is obtained but before the image acquisition session is completed. | 04-02-2009 |
20090093703 | Method of Assessing Vascular Reactivity Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Applications Program and Media Embodying Same - Featured are methods for non-invasive assessment of vascular reactivity. The methods of the invention use phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging angiography and use the image data thereby acquired to measure shear rate, radius of the vasculature and flow through the vasculature. According to one aspect, such acquisition of image data occurs before and during, an arterial occlusion and according to another aspect such acquisition of image data occurs before during and after arterial occlusion. The disclosed methods of the invention allow for reproducible, non-invasive diagnosis of early stage indicators of atherosclerosis. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093704 | SYSTEM, PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND METHOD OF ACQUIRING AND PROCESSING MRI DATA FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF WATER, FAT, AND TRANSVERSE RELAXATION TIME CONSTANTS - A system, program product, and method to determine water, fat, and transverse relaxation time constants in MRI scanning are provided. A method includes initiating readout gradient pulses to collect echo signals with identical phase encoded gradients to thereby produce a plurality of images, instead of a single image with a single readout gradient. A receiver bandwidth used for collecting the echo signals can be determined responsive to an acquisition matrix size along the readout axis and a time duration for water and fat signals to evolve by a preselected phase angle. In a modified FSE implementation, for example, a method includes using readout gradient pulses that use substantially all of the echo spacing time periods between successive refocus RF pulses. By exploiting the phase and the amplitude relationship between the images, the method can include processing the images to generate separate water and fat images, as well as quantitative maps of transverse relaxation time constants. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093705 | Apparatus for providing high resolution images in a mri-device - The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing high resolution images to patients positioned in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device ( | 04-09-2009 |
20090093706 | Automatic Alignment of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Brain Scan By Anatomic Landmarks - A method to automatically align magnetic resonance (MR) brain scans for diagnostic scan planning, including: acquiring a three-dimensional (3D) localizer image of a patient; selecting a two-dimensional (2D) coronal view and a 2D transverse view from the localizer image; identifying a mid-sagittal plane (MSP) line in each of the coronal and transverse views and calculating a 3D MSP based on the MSP lines; reconstructing the localizer image based on an equation for the 3D MSP to obtain an image of the MSP of the patient's brain; identifying crista galli (CG) and tip of the occipital bone (TOB) in the image of the MSP of the patient's brain; calculating a transformation matrix based on the MSP, CG and TOB in the image and using the transformation matrix to obtain a scan plan for the patient; and outputting the scan plan for the patient. | 04-09-2009 |
20090093707 | Method and System for Monitoring Cardiac Function of a Patient During a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Procedure - A method for monitoring cardiac function of a patient during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, including: acquiring an MR image sequence of the patient's heart during a cardiac phase; segmenting a left ventricle of the patient's heart in the MR image sequence, wherein the segmentation produces endocardial and epicardial contours; representing at least one of the contours in polar or radial coordinates and computing its Fourier transform, wherein the Fourier transform produces Fourier descriptors for the contour; putting a vector of the Fourier descriptors into a classifier, wherein the classifier determines whether the contour reflects normal wall motion in the cardiac phase or whether the contour reflects abnormal wall motion in the cardiac phase; and alerting a medical practitioner when abnormal wall motion is detected. | 04-09-2009 |
20090099443 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention relates to a device for MR imaging of a body ( | 04-16-2009 |
20090112081 | METHODS FOR FAT QUANTIFICATION WITH CORRECTION FOR NOISE BIAS - Methods are disclosed for calculating a fat fraction corrected for noise bias of one or more voxels of interest using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. A plurality of image data sets are obtained each corresponding to NMR k-space data acquired using a pulse sequence with an individual associated echo time t | 04-30-2009 |
20090118607 | MRI APPARATUS - An MRI apparatus has a waveform setting unit, an applying control unit, a reconstructing unit, and a display control unit. The waveform setting unit sets an asymmetric RF pulse Waveform. The applying control unit controls an application of a pulse in accordance with the RF pulse waveform. The reconstructing unit reconstructs an image based on a signal received by the application. The display control unit controls a display of the image. | 05-07-2009 |
20090118608 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ESTIMATING THE ELLIPTICAL CONE OF UNCERTAINTY - A magnetic resonance imaging scanner acquires diffusion-weighted imaging data. A reconstruction engine reconstructs the acquired diffusion-weighted imaging data into diffusion-weighted image representations. A diffusion tensor engine constructs a diffusion tensor map of an area of an interest of a subject. An eigenvalue/eigenvector ordering engine obtains and orders eigenvectors and eigenvalues at each voxel. A covariance matrix determining engine constructs a covariance matrix of a major eigenvector of each voxel. A first normalized measure determining engine computes a first normalized measure. A second normalized measure determining engine computes a second normalized measure. A rendering engine generates a human-viewable display of an image representation. | 05-07-2009 |
20090124884 | CONTROL OF MAGNETIC FIELD HOMOGENEITY IN MOVABLE MRI SCANNING SYSTEM - A patient imaging system includes a patient support table and an MRI system including a cylindrical magnet. The magnet defines a cylindrical bore for receiving the patient on the table where the magnet is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a slew ring carried on rails allowing longitudinal movement. The magnet is arranged in a two or three room diagnostic configuration in which a holding bay houses the magnet and the diagnostic patients are organized in the three rooms each cooperating with the magnet bay. A control system is provided for inputting data defining different locations or conditions of the magnet relative to its environment and for each of the different conditions data is stored defining a respective set of shimming parameters so that the control system automatically inputs the shimming parameters and adjusts the shimming as the magnet is moved or a secondary imaging system is brought up to the magnet. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124885 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A apparatus includes a collection unit which collects a magnetic resonance signal, a unit which controls the collection unit in such a manner that pre-scan is executed in regard to pre-scan slices determined as some of main scan slices, a calculation unit which calculates correction amounts based on data concerning the pre-scan slices obtained by the pre-scan, an estimation unit which estimates a correction amount concerning each slice other the pre-scan slices in the main scan slices based on the correction amounts, and a unit which controls the collection unit in such a manner that each of the main scan slices is scanned while involving correction of each slice that is the pre-scan target with the correction amount thereof calculated by the calculation unit and while involving correction of each slice that is not the pre-scan target with the correction amount thereof estimated by the estimation unit. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124886 | Method For Developing Test For Neurosychiatric Disease - A method for generating classifiers for identifying neuropsychiatric disease includes acquiring functional neuroimaging data. The acquired functional neuroimaging data may be registered to an atlas of the brain. A discriminative mask is generated based on the registered functional neuroimaging data and the generated discriminative mask is applied to the registered functional neuroimaging data. One or more classifiers are generated for identifying neuropsychiatric disease based on the masked functional neuroimaging data. The accuracy of the generated classifiers may be verified. The generated classifiers may then be used to identify neuropsychiatric disease. | 05-14-2009 |
20090131781 | DETERMINATION OF SUSCEPTIBILITY-INDUCED MAGNETIC FIELD GRADIENTS BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE - The invention relates to a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body ( | 05-21-2009 |
20090137896 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention relates to a device for MR imaging of a body ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090137897 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING - A method for performing spectroscopy using an interleaved readout for at least two species. A B | 05-28-2009 |
20090137898 | ARRANGEMENT TO TRANSMIT DIGITAL SIGNALS IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - An arrangement for transmission of digital signals in a magnetic resonance apparatus has a local coil that has reception antenna connected via an amplifier with an A/D converter so that a magnetic resonance signal received via the individual antenna is amplified as an analog signal and is converted into a digital signal. The A/D converter is connected at the output with a transmission device that is designed for capacitive coupling transmission of the digital signal. | 05-28-2009 |
20090143666 | System And Method For Non-Contrast Agent MR Angiography - A system and method for imaging a desired region of the circulatory system uses the subtraction of data from two acquisitions using substantially different RF pulses and/or pulse sequence timing parameters. In one or both data sets, the longitudinal magnetization of spins within a selected imaging volume has been altered by the application of one or more RF preparatory (prep) pulses. The prep is applied in such a way that subtraction eliminates signals from static background spins, such as fat, while maintaining the signal intensity of intravascular spins. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143667 | METHOD AND MEDICAL APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PULMONARY ARTERY BLOOD FLOW - In a method and apparatus for examination and evaluation of a human or animal body as regards a blood flow in a pulmonary artery (PA), measurement data are recorded, from which at least a part of the blood flow in the pulmonary artery (PA) is able to be re-constructed at least two-dimensionally in a plane defined by a longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery (PA) and by an anterior-posterior direction, including at least at several diastolic points in time in the course of a heart cycle, after a closure of the pulmonary valve. The measurement data are analyzed as to how many of the at least several diastolic points in time in the flow behavior of the blood flow of the pulmonary artery an asymmetry in relation to the longitudinal axis of the pulmonary artery in the anterior-posterior direction exists. A measure is then determined that characterizes how long, after the closure of the pulmonary valve in the flow behavior of the blood flow of the pulmonary artery, the aforementioned asymmetry exists. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143668 | ENHANCEMENT OF MRI IMAGE CONTRAST BY COMBINING PRE- AND POST-CONTRAST RAW AND PHASE SPOILED IMAGE DATA - An MRI process and system image a volume of a sample in a magnetic field established by a biasing field magnet and an array of gradient magnet fields using a pulse sequence to obtain a response that is decoded into an image or images. A set of successive images is collected while the contrast associated with lesions and tumors is enhanced with a contrast agent. A non-spoiled reference image is acquired before the application of the contrast agent. The reference image is non-spoiled in that the pulse sequence for collecting a portion of the volume image is not randomized in phase in a manner that would reset the phase effects of a previous pulse sequence. At least one other one of the successive images collected using phase spoiling pulse sequences. The non-spoiled image data is registered with and subtracted from the successive images to enhance the appearance of selected compositions in the output image, such as the contrast agent and/or water to highlight lesions and cysts, or silicone from an implant, etc., which can be highlighted by color coding. | 06-04-2009 |
20090143669 | COLOR MAPPED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method and system estimate the risk of malignancy of a given region of interest using noninvasive MRI techniques. The determination of risk is based on the morphology and kinetic enhancement of a region of interest. In addition, the method and system use the type of the enhancement curve to determine the level of risk associated with a given region of interest. The region of interest can be a lesion, tumor, or other unknown. The imaging can be done with the aid of a contrast agent. Regions meeting component concentration criteria, time-change dynamic criteria and the like are distinctly colored and displayed on a single image. Different colors can be shown locally to identify predetermined levels of risk, and/or associated with predetermined compositions such as contrast agents, or to show the presence of silicone. | 06-04-2009 |
20090149733 | Extreme Speed-Up of Acquisition of Perfusion Time Series by Cycled Arterial Spin Labeling MRI - Quantitative assessment of haemodynamics by cycled arterial spin labeling (CACL) that distinguishes between blood magnetization tagged by a specific labeling pulse, using a time series acquisition in which all measured data sets are used for reconstruction of each single time step, thereby reducing measurement time while maintaining signal-to-noise ration compared to conventional ASL. | 06-11-2009 |
20090149734 | DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND X-RAY CT APPARATUS - A diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a ventricular volume-variation measuring unit that measures sequential variations in a size of a ventricle within at least one heart beat, from images of a heart scanned in each of a plurality of time phases; a scanning-condition setting unit that specifies a time phase of little cardiac motion based on variations in the size of the ventricle measured by the ventricular volume-variation measuring unit, and sets scanning conditions so as to collect data in the specified time phase; and an imaging unit that collects data based on the scanning conditions set by the scanning-condition setting unit, and reconstructs an image from the collected data. | 06-11-2009 |
20090177075 | Resolution enhanced T1-insensitive steady state imaging (RE-TOSSI) - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with RE-TOSSI are described. One system embodiment includes an MRI apparatus configured to produce a RE-TOSSI pulse sequence and to acquire T2-weighted images in response to the RE-TOSSI pulse sequence. An example RE-TOSSI pulse sequence includes a TOSSI portion and a non-inverting, non-TOSSI portion. | 07-09-2009 |
20090177076 | MRI OF A CONTINUOUSLY MOVING OBJECT INVOLVING MOTION COMPENSATION - A magnetic resonance examination system has an object carrier ( | 07-09-2009 |
20090182221 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND POSITION SETTING SUPPORT METHOD THEREOF - According to the present invention, in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that receives magnetic resonance signals emitted from a patient by using a reception coil and reconstructs an image of the test subject from the received magnetic resonance signals, first and second cameras image positions of the patient and the reception coil and an audio recorder records the same to be stored in a PACS server when setting the reception coil. Further, when setting the reception coil for a subsequent time, information of the positions of the test subject and the reception coil is read from the PACS server and confirmed by using a monitor and a speaker. | 07-16-2009 |
20090182222 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPATATUS AND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD - In a calculator system of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a filter setting unit sets a shape of a filter superimposed on k-space data to match a shape of a data collecting area in a k-space. A filter processing unit performs a filtering process on the k-space data using the filter of which the shape is set. | 07-16-2009 |
20090192382 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM, ANTENNA SYSTEM, METHOD FOR DESIGNING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXPOSURES - A magnetic resonance system obtaining magnetic resonance exposures of an examination subject, has an examination tunnel, a whole-body antenna with two connection terminals. The whole-body antenna cylindrically extends around the examination tunnel along a longitudinal axis. The system has a radio-frequency supply device in order to respectively supply the whole-body antenna with radio-frequency signals for emission of a radio-frequency field in the examination tunnel. The radio-frequency supply device has a radio-frequency generator for generation of a radio-frequency signal, a signal splitter that divides a radio-frequency signal coming from the radio-frequency generator into two partial signals that are phase-shifted by 90° relative to one another. Two radio-frequency feed lines are connected with the two connection terminals of the whole-body antenna. Via these radio-frequency feed lines, the two partial signals are fed into the whole-body antenna. The whole-body antenna has an intrinsic transmission characteristic such that a radio-frequency field is emitted that is elliptically polarized in a defined manner in a plane lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (at least in the unloaded state of the examination tunnel). | 07-30-2009 |
20090198121 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COORDINATING CONTRAST AGENT INJECTION AND IMAGE ACQUISITION IN C-ARM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - In a medical imaging system and method, an image data acquisition system is operable in a fluoroscopy mode to obtain a fluoroscopic image of a subject and is operable in a CT mode to obtain projection data sets of the subject that are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional image of a region of interest of the subject. For imaging procedures involving the administration of contrast agent to the subject, the image data acquisition apparatus is operated in the fluoroscopy mode at the time the administration of contrast agent is begun, and the filling of vessels with the contrast agent is automatically monitored by fluoroscopy. When the automatic monitoring indicates that an optimal degree of filling of the vessels with the contrast agent has occurred, the image data acquisition apparatus is automatically switched to operate in the CT mode to acquire projection data sets of the region of interest containing the vessels filled with contrast agent. | 08-06-2009 |
20090203990 | Reception coil maintaining element for an mr-imaging system - A reception coil maintaining element for an MR-imaging system includes two phase-controlled multi-element arrays of an RF multi-channel surface reception coil. Both of these phase-controlled, multi-element arrays have a reception surface including a center having a longitudinal axis that crosses that center. Each of these multi-element arrays is arranged on an arm which can pivot about a common pivotable axis. A vertical first plane is parallel to this pivotable axis. A vertical left plane extends along the longitudinal axis of the center of the left reception surface of the left multi-element array. A vertical right plane extends along a longitudinal axis of the center of the right reception surface of the right multi-element array. Both of these vertical left and right planes have approximately the same spacing with respect to the vertical first plane of the pivotable axis where the reception coil maintaining element in accordance with the present invention is in its operational state. | 08-13-2009 |
20090209842 | MRI GRADIENT COIL ASSEMBLY WITH REDUCED ACOUSTIC NOISE - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system which comprises means for generating a static magnetic field and a gradient coils system for generating a time varying magnetic gradient field by use of a first electrical current and a second electrical current. The gradient coils system is located in the magnetic field and the gradient coils system has a plurality of vibrational modes. Lorentz forces are generated due to the interaction of the first and/or second electrical currents with the superposition of the static magnetic field and the magnetic gradient field. The gradient coils system and/or the first electrical current are adapted so that the integral of the in-products of said Lorentz forces and a vibrational mode of said plurality of vibrational modes is at a value close to zero, wherein said in-products are determined for all points of the gradient coils system, and wherein the integral is determined by summing the in-products determined for all the points. As the above mentioned integral is close to zero or preferably zero, the Lorentz forces are not able to excite the vibrational mode (for example the lowest order bending mode) of the gradient coils system. Thus acoustical noise that is generated by a vibrating gradient coils system is reduced and the comfort for a patient that is examined by the magnetic resonance imaging system is therefore enhanced. | 08-20-2009 |
20090209843 | METHOD TO ACQUIRE IMAGE DATA SETS WITH A MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - In a method to acquire image data sets with a magnetic resonance apparatus in the examination of a patient, and to generate post-processed images, in which different measurement protocols to acquire various image data sets are set manually and the image data sets are acquired, and all measurement protocols are stored in an examination-specific or patient-specific measurement protocol file. The processing parameter sets for post-processing of at least one part of the image data sets are set manually and the post-processed images are generated, and all processing parameter sets are stored in the examination-specific or patient-specific measurement protocol file. The measurement protocols stored in the measurement protocol file are automatically loaded and executed to acquire comparable image data sets in the implementation of a follow-up examination of the same patient. The processing parameter sets stored in the measurement protocol file are automatically loaded, and the newly acquired image data sets are processed to generate comparable post-processed images. | 08-20-2009 |
20090216107 | Method of Risk Management for Patients Undergoing Natalizumab Treatment - Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been identified in patients taking natalizumab (NMAB) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This patent application provides a novel method of patient screening and monitoring intended to decrease the risk of PML and other opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) diseases in patients undergoing MS therapy with NMAB, and proposes a novel method of screening and monitoring intended to decrease the risk of opportunistic disease processes of the CNS during the treatment of other medical disorders with NMAB. | 08-27-2009 |
20090216108 | Real-time magnetic resonance imaging and peripheral arterial tone in sleep apnea diagnosis - Obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis based on peripheral arterial tone (PAT) and real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. PAT and other physiological data are used to identify respiratory events experienced by a subject with obstructive sleep apnea. MRI images are recorded at least during the respiratory events to identify airway obstructions responsible for the sleep apnea events. The MRI images are recorded in real-time at a high frame rate during the sleep apnea events. The PAT signals and MRI images are collected while the subject is in a sleep state. PAT signals can also be used to identify sleep apnea events and trigger an MRI device to begin recording, thereby reducing the costs associated with recording extraneous and large amounts of MRI data. | 08-27-2009 |
20090221901 | Apparatus for Determining Brain Atrophy, Method of Determining Brain Atrophy and Program for Determining Brain Atrophy - Since cerebral atrophy does not occur only in a specific cross-section and reaches the brain in its entirety or arises prominently in a specific lobe (for example temporal lobe), for the assessment of cerebral atrophy, not only atrophy assessment for the frontal lobe but also an assessment also including atrophy of the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe and the occipital lobe is more desirable. The intracranial volume, the volume of the grey matter and the volume of the white matter are respectively extracted, computed and converted into numbers by image processing from a plurality of MRI slice images and the like. Ratios of these values from the conversions into numbers are taken to calculate the ratio of the grey matter and the ratio of the white matter with respect to the entire brain. Through comparison of a multitude of measurement data obtained by this automated computation, and a case, an objective cerebral atrophy assessment is carried out. | 09-03-2009 |
20090240136 | Contrast-invariant registration of cardiac and renal magnetic resonance perfusion images - A system and method are provided for contrast-invariant registration of images, the system including a processor, an imaging adapter or a communications adapter for receiving an image data sequence, a user interface adapter for selecting a reference frame from the image sequence or cropping a region of interest (ROI) from the reference frame, a tracking unit for tracking the ROI across the image sequence, and an estimation unit for segmenting the ROI in the reference frame or performing an affine registration for the ROI; and the method including receiving an image sequence, selecting a reference frame from the image sequence, cropping a region of interest (ROI) from the reference frame, tracking the ROI across the image sequence, segmenting the ROI in the reference frame, and performing an affine registration for the ROI. | 09-24-2009 |
20090253979 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CYCLIC MOTION ENCODING FOR ENHANCED VISUALIZATION OF SLIP INTERFACES WITH MRI - A system and method for producing an image of a functional tissue slip interface using MRI. The method includes applying an external stimulus to a subject to impart relative shearing motion at a tissue interface. NMR signals are then acquired from a ROI including the slip interface using a motion encoding gradient to sensitize the acquired NMR signals to the shearing motion. MR images indicative of the degree of mechanical shear connectivity at the tissue interface are reconstructed from the acquired NMR signals in which low-friction shearing motion at the tissue interface is characterized by a loss of magnitude signal due to intravoxel phase dispersion. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259120 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE GENERATING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a first navigator data processor that generates a first phase profile based on first navigator data acquired by executing a first navigator sequence, generates a position profile indicative of a relationship between a plurality of region positions and time at which the first navigator sequence is executed, and detects a specific position in the position profile. A second navigator data processor generates a second phase profile based on second navigator data acquired by executing a second navigator sequence, detects the position of each region with respect to each second phase profile within a reference range set so as to contain the specific position, based on each second phase profile, and acquires the same as its corresponding position data. | 10-15-2009 |
20090259121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE STRESS MRI - A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MRI-compatible treadmill and real-time imaging. The treadmill comprises non-ferromagnetic components so that it may be used in proximity to a MRI scanner. The treadmill is positioned adjacent to the MRI scan table. A treadmill control system is used to control the speed and grade of the treadmill to allow it to perform a wide range of exercise protocols. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then moved to the MRI scan table. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients. | 10-15-2009 |
20090264729 | Methods And Systems For Performing Medical Procedures With Reference To Projective Image And With Respect To Pre Stored Images - A catheter is navigated within a body cavity of a patient. This navigation is enabled by the provision of the transmitter of electromagnetic radiation under platform, a receiver of electromagnetic radiation rigidly attached to fluoroscope, and a receiver of radiation rigidly attached to the catheter, all three of which are connected by wires to a computer. The computer displays, on a display unit, the image of the body cavity acquired by the fluoroscope, with an icon representing the catheter superposed on the image in the location and orientation of catheter relative to the body. There is no representational imaging device equipped with a receiver in the apparatus of the current invention. | 10-22-2009 |
20090281415 | METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVELY MAPPING MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTILE FUNCTION WITH MAGNETIC RESONANCE BASED MULTIPARAMETRIC STRAIN ANALYSIS - The strain at different locations in a subject's heart is determined by acquiring a series of MR images using a tagging pulse sequence (SPAMM) that produces a grid of lines in the reconstructed images. Circumferential strain, longitudinal strain, and the minimum principal strain angle, are all calculated at locations in the heart. These raw strain values are normalized by comparing them with corresponding values in a stored reference heart model. The normalized values at each location are combined to form a composite multiparametric strain index that is indicative of myocardial contractile function and these values are employed to modulate the color at corresponding locations in an anatomical image of the subject's heart. | 11-12-2009 |
20090292197 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention relates to a device for MR imaging of a body ( | 11-26-2009 |
20090299168 | Passive Acoustic Driver For Magnetic Resonance Elastography - An acoustic driver system for use in applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) examination includes a flexible passive driver located in the bore of the magnet and in contact with the subject. A remotely located active driver is acoustically coupled to the passive driver and produces acoustic energy in response to an applied current. The passive driver produces shear waves in response to the acoustic energy and are directed into the body of the subject undergoing the MRE examination. | 12-03-2009 |
20090299169 | METHODS FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING, TRAINING, EXERCISE AND REGULATION - Computer executable software and device for guiding brain activity training comprising: logic which takes data corresponding to activity measurements of one or more internal voxels of a brain and determines one or more members of the group consisting of: a) what next stimulus to communicate to the subject, b) what next behavior to instruct the subject to perform, c) when a subject is to be exposed to a next stimulus, d) when the subject is to perform a next behavior, e) one or more activity metrics computed from the measured activity, f) a spatial pattern computed from the measured activity, g) a location of a region of interest computed from the measured activity, h) performance targets that a subject is to achieve computed from the measured activity, i) a performance measure of a subject's success computed from the measured activity, j) a subject's position relative to an activity measurement instrument; and logic for communicating information based on the determinations to the subject in substantially real time relative to when the activity is measured. | 12-03-2009 |
20090312625 | METHOD FOR FAST MULTI-SLICE MAPPING OF MYELIN WATER FRACTION - Mapping of myelin water content in white matter may provide important information for early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and the detection of white matter abnormality in other diseases. It is disclosed here that free induction decay (FID) of each voxel at multiple slice locations is acquired in the brain using an echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) pulse sequence. The multi-slice EPSI acquisition is designed to have a short first echo time (˜2 ms) and echo-spacing (˜1 ms) in order to acquire multiple sampling points during the fast decay of the myelin water signal. Multi-compartment analysis is then applied to the FID in each pixel using a 3-pool model of white matter to obtain quantitative maps of the myelin water fraction. Using this technique, the MR data for whole brain mapping of the myelin water can be acquired in less than 10 minutes, making this technique feasible for routine clinical applications. | 12-17-2009 |
20090318794 | METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF BRAIN ACTIVITY - A computer assisted method is provided for diagnosing the in condition of a subject associated with particular activation in one or more regions of interest, the method comprising: having the subject perform a behavior or have a perception adapted to selectively activate one or more regions of interest associated with the condition; measuring activity of the one or more regions of interest as the behavior is performed or the subject has the perception; diagnosing the condition associated with the one or more regions of interest based on the activity in response to the behavior or perception; performing an intervention; and repeating this process one or more times including repeating said behavior, said measuring of activity and said diagnosis at a later time; and observing changes between measurements that are associated with said intervention. | 12-24-2009 |
20090326360 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF CEREBRAL INFARCTS - The invention relates to a method for automatic estimation of the growth potential of cerebral infarcts, particularly in the acute phase, that is to say in the six hours following survival of the stroke. The method includes sequences of diffusion MRI images are obtained, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is calculated at a multiplicity of points or voxels of the cortical parenchyma, and locating and delimiting the initial infarct and modelling the development of the infarct based on a growth model. | 12-31-2009 |
20090326361 | Computer aided method and apparatus - A computer aided method and apparatus are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes acquiring image data of a scanned location of a subject by performing a nuclear magnetic resonance scan thereon, and displaying via a user interface an image formed by the image data; determining particular feature information by using an image segmentation algorithm to the image, determining the position of an acupotome insertion point according to the particular feature information, and displaying the position of the acupotome insertion point on the image. In at least one embodiment, the present invention can provide to a doctor the image information formed after scanning the scanned location, determine the particular feature information by using the image segmentation algorithm, and determine the position of the acupotome insertion point according to the determined particular feature information, thus providing to the doctor objective evidence for a decision on an acupotome surgical operation plan, thereby improving the accuracy of an acupotome treatment. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004527 | Identifying White Matter Fiber Tracts Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Systems, methods, and software are used for identifying fibers based at least in part on magnetic resonance imaging. A fiber tract atlas for a nervous system includes atlas voxels that each represent a different volume element of the nervous system; a first atlas voxel represents a first volume element of the nervous system. The fiber tract atlas also includes information on orientations of a first fiber tract in the first volume element of the nervous system. Magnetic resonance data is acquired from the nervous system of a subject. The magnetic resonance data includes data voxels; a first data voxel relates to the first atlas voxel. A diffusion vector is generated for the first data voxel based at least in part on the acquired magnetic resonance data. The fiber tract atlas is used to find a probability that the first data voxel represents the first fiber tract based at least in part on the generated diffusion vector and the information on the orientations of the first fiber tract in the first volume element. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010336 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSIS OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS INCLUDING ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD), AUTISM, AND SCHIZOPHRENIA - A method and system for medical imaging of neuropsychiatric disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and schizophrenia. Noninvasive, in vivo methods identify novel brain molecular biomarkers of normal neurodevelopment in order to determine molecular underpinnings of abnormal neurodevelopment. The described brain molecular biomarkers will aid in the presymptomatic diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders which begin in childhood and adolescence, such as ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia. | 01-14-2010 |
20100016706 | METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF NEUROLOGIC DISEASES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHODS - A method of diagnosing or monitoring a neurological condition in a subject is described. The method includes performing a first magnetic resonance method on a subject to produce a first data set, performing a second magnetic resonance method on the subject to produce a second data set, and analyzing the first data set and the second data set. | 01-21-2010 |
20100030060 | Scope, Vision - The VISION SCOPE allows claustrophobic individuals to enter an open or closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine without claustrophobic tendencies and view the outside areas while undergoing testing without interfering with the magnetic field created by the MRI machine. | 02-04-2010 |
20100036232 | NUCLEAR MEDICINE IMAGING SYSTEM HAVING ATTENUATION CORRECTION - A nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system having attenuation correction (AC) has a stationary portion having an NM rotating portion mounted thereon. At least one gamma camera head is mounted on the NM rotating portion proximate a front side of the stationary portion and is configured to be rotated about a central axis. An AC portion comprises an X-ray source mounted on an AC rotating portion. The AC rotating portion is mounted proximate a back side of the stationary portion. The X-ray source is configured to be rotated about the central axis. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036233 | Automatic Methods for Combining Human Facial Information with 3D Magnetic Resonance Brain Images - The present invention relates to compositions and methods for provided fused images of external and internal body scans by fusing data generated from color external laser scans with internal magnetic resonance (MR) images. In particular, the present inventions relate to software for fusing and displaying images produced by fusing color 2.5D laser scans of the human face with 3D magnetic resonance (MR) brain images. Further, these fused images may be used for clinical and research applications, such as in methods for neurosurgical planning procedures. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036234 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A PERFUSION IMAGE - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for generating perfusion images, a perfusion series of magnetic resonance perfusion images is acquired that includes tag images and at least one control image, that are grouped in pairs. From each pair an initially processed perfusion image is obtained, such as by subtraction. Each initially processed image is subjected to a quality control review by analysis with respect to at least one image quality criterion. Any initially processed image that does not satisfy the quality criterion is rejected. Only initially processed images that satisfy the quality criterion are combined to form a resultant magnetic resonance perfusion image. Artifacts in the resultant perfusion image are thereby reduced or avoided. | 02-11-2010 |
20100036235 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE AND METHOD - The invention relates to a device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body ( | 02-11-2010 |
20100041976 | CRYOSTAT FOR REDUCED CRYOGEN CONSUMPTION - A cryostat has a cryogen vessel retained within an outer vacuum container, a thermally insulating jacket surrounding the outer vacuum container and insulating it from ambient temperature. | 02-18-2010 |
20100041977 | CATHETER AND MEDICAL ASSEMBLY - The present invention relates to a catheter ( | 02-18-2010 |
20100041978 | CONTROLLING TELEMETRY DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The invention is directed techniques for coordinating telemetry of medical devices with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. By coordinating telemetry of a medical device with the performance of MRI techniques with, the use of telemetry during MRI may be facilitated. In one example, information indicative of electromagnetic radiation bursts in MRI techniques can be communicated to the medical device prior to execution. In another example, the medical device may identify the electromagnetic radiation bursts, e.g., by measuring for the presence of such bursts. In either case, the medical device can adjust its telemetry to improve communication during MRI. | 02-18-2010 |
20100049029 | PIEZOELECTRIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPH (MRE) DRIVER SYSTEM - An array of two or more piezoelectric drivers generates shear waves in a region of interest of a human undergoing a MRE test. The use of the array of drivers allows for better diagnosis of disease of the humans or animals. | 02-25-2010 |
20100063379 | ROD-SHAPED BODY - The invention relates to a rod-shaped body ( | 03-11-2010 |
20100063380 | Steady state dark blood magnetic resonance imaging - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with steady state dark blood magnetic resonance imaging MRI are described. One example method includes controlling an MRI apparatus to produce a steady state pulse sequence. The example method may also include controlling the MRI apparatus to generate radio frequency (RF) energy and magnetic gradients associated with the steady state pulse sequence. The steady state pulse sequence is different from conventional steady state pulses in that it is characterized by regularly spaced slice selection excitation pulses to excite a region to be imaged in an object to be imaged using a consistent repetition time (TR), a set of readout modules, and a set of a magnetization preparation modules. A magnetization preparation module is characterized by gradients associated with imaging not being active, gradients associated with slice selection being active, and RF pulses associated with slice selection being active. | 03-11-2010 |
20100069738 | PREVENTION QUENCH IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance examination system ( | 03-18-2010 |
20100069739 | Methods for physiological monitoring, training, exercise and regulation - A computer assisted method for treating pain in a subject comprising measuring activity of one or more internal voxels of a brain of said subject associated with pain; communicating instructions to said subject which modulate activity of said voxel; and training said subject to control said internal voxel | 03-18-2010 |
20100076297 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE IMMUNE TISSUE INVASIVE SYSTEM - An electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system. | 03-25-2010 |
20100081918 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSTIC METHOD - A magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus includes a derivation unit to derive an apparent diffusion coefficient regarding a pixel position for each pixel position included in a region of interest in at least two original images obtained by imaging a same imaging region of a same subject using at least two b-factors which are different from each other, respectively, based on pixel values of each of at least two original images regarding the pixel positions, and a first estimation unit to estimate a pixel value obtained by using a b-factor which is different from the at least two b-factors, regarding each pixel position included in the region of interest, based on the apparent diffusion coefficient derived for each pixel position. | 04-01-2010 |
20100087726 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A KIDNEY FUNCTION PARAMETER - In a method to determine a kidney function parameter of kidneys of an examination person with the aid of magnetic resonance tomography, at least one magnetic resonance measurement is implemented for an examination region of the examination person that comprises a urinary bladder of the examination person, to acquire magnetic resonance data from the examination region that include at least image data. The concentration of a urophanic substance in the urinary bladder of the examination person is automatically determined based on the acquired magnetic resonance data. A volume of the urinary bladder is automatically determined based on the acquired image data. A kidney function parameter of the kidneys of the examination person is automatically determined on the basis of the determined concentration of the urophanic substance in the urinary bladder and of the specific volume of the urinary bladder. | 04-08-2010 |
20100094118 | MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, X-RAY CT APPARATUS, MRI APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A medical image processing apparatus has a parameter calculating unit, a storage unit, and an image generating unit. The parameter calculating unit analyzes data of a plurality of time-series medical images, each containing an image of an organ having a functional blood vessel and a feeding blood vessel, and calculates a parameter based on at least a blood volume in the feeding blood vessel. The storage unit stores in advance a table that associates parameters with degrees of a cancer progression of the organ. The image generating unit refers to the table, obtains a degree of the cancer progression corresponding to the calculated parameter, and generates an image to which the obtained degree is applied on a region-by-region basis. | 04-15-2010 |
20100106002 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, a Region Of Interest (ROI) setting unit included in a control unit sets an ROI on each of a T | 04-29-2010 |
20100106003 | MRIS shim coil - A shim coil for use in magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy (MRIS) is formed by cutting or punching in a sheet of electrically conductive material the required coil pattern. The pattern can be punched using a CNC punching or stamping machine. | 04-29-2010 |
20100121175 | Automatic Femur Segmentation And Condyle Line Detection in 3D MR Scans For Alignment Of High Resolution MR - A method for automatic femur segmentation and condyle line detection. The method includes: scanning a knee of a patient with medical imaging equipment to obtain 3D imaging data with such equipment; processing the obtained 3D imaging data in a digital processor to determine two lines tangent to the bottom of the knee condyles in an axial and a coronal plane; and automatically scanning the patient in the defined plane. The processing includes: determining an approximate location of the knee; using the determined the location to define a volume of interest; segmenting the femur in the defined volume of interest; and determining a bottom point on the femur portion on a right side and a left side of the segmented femur in an axial and a coronal slice to determine the two lines. | 05-13-2010 |
20100130848 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING BRAIN CORTICAL THICKNESS - Methods and apparatus for determining brain cortical thickness. One method includes determining an intensity profile at each of a plurality of cortical surface points of an imaged brain using brain tissue image data and calculating a cortical thickness based on a parametrically determined transition point of each intensity profile. | 05-27-2010 |
20100130849 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PATIENT MOTION COMPENSATION DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANS - A method for motion compensation includes acquiring an initial volumetric localizer to establish an initial object position and initial object orientation at an initial state, acquiring a fast localizer of the object at a present state, aligning the fast localizer to the initial volumetric localizers to determine object motion between the initial state and the present state, and modifying an imaging protocol using the object position and orientation at the present state. | 05-27-2010 |
20100145181 | VESSEL-DEPENDENT FLIP ANGLE MODULATION IN TOF MR ANGIOGRAPHY - In a method to excite a magnetization in the generation of MR angiography images with the TOF technique, a slice plane is determined in which the magnetization for the generation of the MR angiography images should be excited, a position of a vessel in the slice plane is determined, and the magnetization is excited in the slice plane such that the magnetization in the vessel has a flip angle gradient in the direction of the vessel. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145182 | METHOD TO CONTROL THE ACQUISITION OPERATION OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE IN THE ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE DATA OF A PATIENT, AND ASSOCIATED MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE - In a method to control the acquisition operation of a magnetic resonance device in the acquisition of magnetic resonance data of a patient, and associated magnetic resonance device, patient-related acquisition parameters are determined, technical control parameters are automatically determined taking into account the patient-related acquisition parameters, and the magnetic resonance device is controlled according to the control parameters. | 06-10-2010 |
20100145183 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device includes a housing and a circuit board provided within the housing. The circuit board includes a plurality of electronic components electrically coupled thereto. At least one non-functional component is provided on the circuit board and formed from a material that has an electromagnetic permeability configured to reduce the amount of image distortion caused by at least one of the plurality of electronic components when the device is subject to a magnetic field during an MRI scan. | 06-10-2010 |
20100152567 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIFFUSION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method, system, computer-readable medium, use, and pulse sequence for magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear magnetic resonance is provided for determining the rate of molecular exchange between components with different diffusion characteristics. The present invention encodes the magnetic resonance signal for exchange utilizing judiciously designed protocols for varying the parameters of a pulse sequence comprising a pair of diffusion weighting blocks separated by a mixing time. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152568 | MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGING DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC-RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - When determined that a body-motion is produced before starting a main-imaging, a sequence-switching control-unit controls operation so as to switch from a usual-imaging sequence to a body-motion adaptive-sequence corresponding to an imaging-portion of a subject P by referring to a body-motion adaptive-sequence storage-unit. Moreover, upon a determination that a body-motion is produced during the main-imaging according to the usual-imaging sequence, the sequence-switching control-unit refers to a collected-data storage-unit, and controls operation so as to perform a retake by switching to the body-motion adaptive-sequence if an already-collected data-volume is less than a predetermined volume. By contrast, if the already-collected data-volume is equal to or more than the predetermined volume at a time point when determined that a body-motion is produced during the main-imaging according to the usual-imaging sequence, the sequence-switching control-unit stops the main-imaging, and controls a data-processing unit so as to reconstruct a magnetic resonance image only with collected data. | 06-17-2010 |
20100152569 | System and Method for Detecting Pain and Its Components Using Magnetic Resonance - A system and method identifies different components of the pain experience (nociceptive (tissue damage), neuropathic (nerve damage) and psychological) and their relative contributions by the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure absolute and relative concentrations of metabolites in specific brain regions in the central nervous system or brain. The system and method can be used as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of the relative contribution of different aspects of the pain experience as well as monitoring of response to interventions directed at modifying these components. | 06-17-2010 |
20100160765 | THERAPEUTIC SUCCESS PREDICTION FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods of assessing a patient's risk for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after receiving treatment with an AF treatment modality, that include determining, from left atrium (LA) tissue image data of a patient, a level of a parameter that is positively proportional to an amount of unhealthy tissue in a wall of the LA of the patient; and outputting, to an output device, an indicator of a comparison between (i) the determined level and (ii) a first threshold level of the parameter, the first threshold level derived from LA tissue image data of at least one other patient, who experienced an AF recurrence after treatment with the AF treatment modality. In certain embodiments, levels of the parameter equal to or greater than the first threshold level are indicative of a significant risk of AF recurrence after treatment with the AF treatment modality. | 06-24-2010 |
20100174171 | Neurobiological method for measuring human intelligence and system for the same - The present invention relates to a method for measuring human intelligence using a neurobiogical model. The invention provides a method which enables neurometric IQ to be measured by processing the MRI and fMRI images of subjects to determine cortical thicknesses and brain activation levels, determining structural IQ (sIQ) and functional IQ (fIQ) from the cortical thicknesses and the brain activation levels, and using the structural IQ (sIQ) and the functional IQ (fIQ) as predictors to measure the neurometric IQ of the subject. According to the present invention, the concept of a neurometric IQ (nIQ) model is established and can assist in easily assessing individual differences in general cognitive ability. These results suggest that general cognitive ability can be explained by two different neural bases or traits: facilitation of neural circuits and accumulation of crystallized knowledge. | 07-08-2010 |
20100185079 | AUTOMATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VASCULAR PLAQUE DETECTION AND ANALYSIS - Automated methods and systems for the detection and analysis of plaque in one or more regions of a patient's vasculature are described. | 07-22-2010 |
20100191093 | Diagnostic delivery service - Systems, methods, and other modalities are described for (a) obtaining an indication relating to an emission module (which may be dangerous, e.g.) or its user (who may be untrained, e.g.) and for (b) configuring the module or causing an irradiation (for imaging, e.g.) in response to the indication. | 07-29-2010 |
20100198046 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a gradient coil for applying a gradient pulse, a transmitting coil for transmitting an RF pulse, and a coil control device for controlling the gradient coil and the transmitting coil in such a manner that a pulse sequence for (A) making an absolute value of longitudinal magnetization of a first background tissue and an absolute value of longitudinal magnetization of a second background tissue longer in T1 value than the first background tissue smaller than an absolute value of longitudinal magnetization of body fluid of a subject, (B) acquiring magnetic resonance signals from the subject, and (C) flipping transverse magnetization of the second background tissue to longitudinal magnetization is repeatedly executed. | 08-05-2010 |
20100217109 | Mechanical Axis Alignment Using MRI Imaging - A method of imaging a body part of a patient can include acquiring a first, second and third sets of image data from a first, second and third anatomical reference areas. The first, second and third sets of image data can then be compiled to produce a legend of the body part. The legend can have positional information of the first, second and third anatomical reference areas. A fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data of the first, second and anatomical reference areas can be acquired. The fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data can have increased image information relative to the first, second and third sets of image data, respectively. The locations of the fourth, fifth and sixth sets of image data relative to the first, second and third sets of image data can be correlated using the legend to determine a characteristic of the body part. | 08-26-2010 |
20100217110 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED ANALYSIS OF JOINT INFLAMMATION, JOINT PROTEOGLYCAN PROPORTION, AND JOINT OSTEOARTHRITIS - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for generating an analysis of an inflammation of a joint, for determining a proteoglycan proportion of a joint, and for generating an analysis of osteoarthritis of a joint, for a predetermined region within a body of a patient, a three-dimensional MR image data set is generated with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. At least, a portion of a joint is located within the region. For each of several different automatically determined layers, a two-dimensional MR image is calculated from the three-dimensional MR image data set. For each layer, the thickness of a predetermined tissue, which is represented in the two-dimensional MR image corresponding to the layer, is determined, by means of which an analysis of a joint inflammation is automatically determined depending on the respective thicknesses. A further layer in the region is also automatically determined and, after injecting a contrast medium, a two-dimensional T1-weighted MR image is generated for this layer, from which a proteoglycan proportion is automatically determined. From the analysis of the joint inflammation and the proteoglycan proportion, it is then possible to perform a reproducible analysis of osteoarthritis of the joint. | 08-26-2010 |
20100222665 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE NON-INVASIVE IMAGING OF ANATOMIC TISSUE STRUCTURES - A method for the non-invasive imaging of an anatomic tissue structure in isolation from surrounding tissues, including: receiving from an input device magnetic imaging data from a patient of the anatomic tissue structure and surrounding tissues; segmenting the imaging data to isolate the anatomic tissue structure imaging data from the imaging data for the surrounding tissues; separating the anatomic tissue structure imaging data into data populations corresponding to tissue microstructures; constructing an image from the imaging data for at least one of the tissue microstructures; and storing or displaying the image. An apparatus embodying the disclosed method is also described, as well as a method for the quantitative measurement of a nerve tissue suspected of demyelination. | 09-02-2010 |
20100228115 | CSF biomarker dilution factor corrections by MIRI imaging and algorithm - A method is disclosed for providing a correcting factor for the dilution of measurements of at least one biomarker in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The method comprises providing semi-automated measurements of the ventricular system by MRI scans quantitative anatomical protocols, determining a measurement of biomarker levels in CSF that has been extracted, correcting the measurement of the level of said at least one biomarker'according to the ventricular size, and providing a corrected result of the measurement determined in step (b), said corrected result accounting for concentration dilution due to the change in ventricular size. The method is particularly suited for the measurement of all biomarkers found in the CSF, such as those associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease. | 09-09-2010 |
20100234721 | Method and MRI for referenceless flow imaging - An MRI includes a computer. The MRI includes imaging coils in communication with the computer that apply imaging gradients and radiofrequency transition pulses to a moving portion of the patient. The MRI includes detector coils in communication with a computer that obtain a single image component series representing velocity information of the moving portion of the patient in k-space of one cardiac cycle. The MRI includes a memory in communication with the detector coils in the computer which stores the single image component series. The computer forms an image from the single image component series stored in the memory without any comparison of any image component of the series. A method for using an MRI with a patient includes the steps of obtaining a single image component series representing velocity information of a moving portion of the patient in k-space of one cardiac cycle with imaging coils and detector coils of the MRI. There is the step of forming with a computer of the MRI an image from the single image component series stored in a memory without any comparison of any image component of the series. | 09-16-2010 |
20100234722 | INTERACTIVE MRI SYSTEM - An MRI system for administering MRI to subjects, and for also providing video and sound to the subjects, and for receiving responses from the subjects. The system includes a sound suppression circuit for suppressing sound emanating from an MRI device. A preferred visual display for use by a subject comprises left and right displays and distance adjusting means for adjusting the distance between the left and right displays. Also preferably comprising LED for receiving video input and transmitting video images through a prism optics to a subject, and a second adjusted means for adjusting the distance between the prism and the LED. | 09-16-2010 |
20100240983 | MULTI-PHASE PSEUDO-CONTINUOUS ARTERIAL SPIN LABELING - Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for magnetic resonance imaging. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system comprises a scanner comprising a magnet, gradient coils and a radio frequency (RF) system to perform various operations. The scanner can apply a gradient field and a train of RF pulses comprising more than two phases to tag a target blood vessel, and acquire magnetic resonance signals based on the applied train of RF pulses to sample the more than two phases. The MRI system includes a data processing system in communication with the scanner to receive the acquired magnetic resonance signals and process the received magnetic resonance signal to generate images proportional to perfusion. | 09-23-2010 |
20100240984 | METHOD OF PERFORMING AN MRI REFERENCE SCAN - The invention relates to a method of performing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference scan of an examination volume comprising a plurality of image points, the method being performed using a set of detector elements ( | 09-23-2010 |
20100249572 | MRI INVOLVING FORWARDLY AND REVERSELY POLARISED RF EXCITATION - The invention relates to a system ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100261993 | STEM AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING MRI DATA FROM BONE AND SOFT TISSUES - A system and method for producing MR images in which bone and soft tissue are identified. The method includes applying a pulse sequence that includes a first stage configured to acquire a radially-encoded FID and radially-encoded echoes performed after a non-selective RF excitation pulse and before a second stage, which is configured to acquire additional echoes. The radially-encoded MR data acquired during the first stage is substantially representative of bone, while the MR data acquired during the second stage is substantially representative of soft tissues. MR images in which bone and soft tissue are identified are reconstructed from these MR data sets. | 10-14-2010 |
20100268061 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS USING DUAL ECHOES FOR DATA ACQUISITION - In a method and system for acquiring magnetic resonance image data from a subject, using a data acquisition unit in which a basic magnetic field is generated, a division is designated in a planar section through the subject that divides the planar section into a first section and a second section, with the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field being better in said first section than in said second section. An echo planar imaging sequence is implemented to acquire the magnetic resonance imaging data, with magnetic resonance data being acquired from the first section only from gradient echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence, and magnetic resonance data from said the second section being acquired from both gradient echo signals and spin echo signals in the echo planar imaging sequence. The method and apparatus are particularly suited for acquiring functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from the brain of a subject, in which the first section is an upper portion of the brain and the second section is a lower portion of the brain. | 10-21-2010 |
20100268062 | 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. | 10-21-2010 |
20100274117 | EFFICIENT VISUALIZATION OF CORTICAL VASCULAR TERRITORIES AND FUNCTIONAL MRI BY CYCLED ARTERIAL SPIN LABELING MRI - Regional arterial spin labeling (regASL) speeds up acquisition without sacrificing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the resulting perfusion images by using the same control image (i.e. acquired without labeling of blood in a vessel) for two or more vascular territory measurements. This regional ASL is accomplished by creating prepared spin magnetization (e.g. inverted or saturated) in a specific blood vessel, instead of preparing spin magnetization in all feeding blood vessels. As in conventional ASL, two data sets are typically acquired in a downstream position: one with (label image) and one without preparation (control image) in one particular vessel. When regASL is extended to repetitive time series of ASL images to identify perfusion changes for functional MRI (fMRI), the speed of the time series of ASL also is increased because only a single C data set can be used redundantly for all time points of ASL measurement, to reduce the amount of data acquired by nearly one half, with no change in the signal to noise ratio in the ASL images. To account for possible movement of the person causing misregistrations in the time series, the C data can be obtained two or more times throughout the time series while still at lower frequency than in prior techniques with alternating L and C data sets. | 10-28-2010 |
20100274118 | PROCESS AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR OPERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCANNER - In a magnetic resonance imaging system having a scanner having a magnetic field system, a radio frequency system and a control device, and a method for operating such a system, the control device generates a control signal sequence on the basis of a control protocol for the purpose of executing a number of scan procedures and a number of adjustments for adjusting the magnetic field system and/or the radio frequency system, at least the scan procedures are predetermined by the control protocol. The control protocol furthermore contains a number of local scan transition indicators assigned to the scan procedures, and on the basis of the scan transition indicators, in each case the control device checks to determine if, directly prior to a scan procedure, an adjustment may be applied. The control signal sequence is then automatically generated by the control device such that, if for a scan procedure the necessary adjustment may not be applied prior to that scan procedure, then the relevant adjustment will be executed in advance and/or adjustment parameter values from previously executed existing adjustments will be used. | 10-28-2010 |
20100280353 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ESTIMATE LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF OBJECTS DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Tracking based on the gradient fields of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners based on passive operation of the tracking system without any change of the scanner's hardware or mode of operation. To achieve better tracking performance, a technique to create a custom MRI pulse sequence is disclosed. Through this technique any standard pulse sequence of the scanner can be modified to include gradient activations specifically designated for tracking. These tracking gradient activations are added in a way that does not affect the image quality of the native sequence. The scan time may remain the same as with the native sequence or longer due to the additional gradient activations. The tracking system itself can use all the gradient activations (gradient activations for imaging and gradient activations for tracking) or eliminate some of the gradients and lock onto the specific gradient activations that are added to the custom pulse sequence. | 11-04-2010 |
20100286500 | Method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals through multi-dimensional rf excitation pulses - A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals from an imaging area, wherein nuclear spins are excited in a spatially encoded fashion through multi-dimensional RF pulses, is characterized in that in a definition step, a resolution grid with resolution grid cells is predetermined, and in accordance with a predetermined phase encoding scheme, an excitation pattern is defined for each phase encoding step, in which the amplitudes within the imaging area are set in accordance with a predetermined distribution identically for each phase encoding step, the amplitudes of the residual resolution grid cells are set to zero, and the phases of the resolution grid cells within the imaging area are set in accordance with the phase encoding scheme,
| 11-11-2010 |
20100286501 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING AN OBJECT OF INTEREST IN A MEDICAL SYSTEM - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring an object of interest ( | 11-11-2010 |
20100286502 | FREQUENCY REFERENCING FOR CHEMICAL EXCHANGE SATURATION TRANSFER (CEST) MRI - A water saturation shift referencing (WASSR) technique performed using a magnetic resonance scanner comprises: acquiring a spatial map of Z spectra that encompass the water center frequency using sufficiently low saturation power and sufficiently acquisition short duration selected such that symmetry of the Z spectra is not obscured by magnetization transfer but dominated by direct water saturation effects so that the spectrum is substantially symmetric; and performing a symmetry analysis on the substantially symmetric Z spectra to generate a spatial map of the water center frequency. WASSR-corrected chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is disclosed as an illustrative example. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286503 | METHOD AND CONTROL DEVICE TO OPERATE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM - In a method of a magnetic resonance system and a method and computer-readable storage medium for the operation thereof to acquire magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, wherein magnetic resonance system has a number of subsystems and a control device, a number of adjustment measurements to adjust at least one subsystem for making a medical diagnostic data acquisition are implemented through the control device. In these adjustment measurements, an adjustment volume associated with the appertaining adjustment measurement is taken into account that encompasses at least one region of a body containing the examination subject. For this purpose, markings established by the control device within image data of the examination subject and characterizing the spatial occupation (position and orientation) and/or a dimension of the examination subject are determined. Based on these markings the spatial occupation and extent of an adjustment volume for an adjustment measurement are determined automatically by the control device. | 11-11-2010 |
20100292560 | Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Alzheimer's Diagnosis System and Method - A system and method is provided in which a diffusion tensor image of the gray matter of a subject's brain is recorded. The diffusion tensor image is used to determine the Fractional Anisotropy of that area of the subject's brain. It has been determined that a decrease in Fractional Anisotropy is related to a decrease in dendritic quality and/or quantity in the subject's brain, which is typically caused by the presence of Alzheimer's Disease. Consequently, the Fractional Anisotropy determination is used to diagnosis the presence of Alzheimer's Disease. | 11-18-2010 |
20100292561 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE A MAGNETIC RESONANCE RELAXATION TIME IN THE HEART MUSCLE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE EXAMINATION - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to determine an MR relaxation time (for example a T | 11-18-2010 |
20100292562 | Method for generating MR (Magnetic resonance) images of a moving partial area of an object - A method for generating MR (magnetic resonance) images of a moving partial area of an object with a repeating motion sequence over comparable motion states, wherein an MR data set, which is encoded for generating an individual MR image of the object, is provided for each motion state from a plurality of successive individual MR measurements with shorter time intervals than a repetition rate of the motion sequence, and wherein at least one navigator data point is generated for each individual MR measurement as an indicator for the comparability of several motion states, is characterized in that a position of the partial area is determined for each individual MR image, from which a function f(t) of the time shift of the position is determined, and the measuring data of the individual MR measurement is phase-corrected in correspondence with its respective motion state using the function f(t) to keep the position of the partial area in a spatially stationary state. This permits observation of a moving partial area irrespective of its motion state, such that rapid changes within the partial area can be observed. | 11-18-2010 |
20100298692 | METHOD FOR DETECTING TUMOR CELL INVASION USING SHORT DIFFUSION TIMES - An improved method for detecting tumor cell invasion using diffusion times as short as two (2) msec incorporates diffusion weighing imaging techniques into a standard spin echo (SE) pulse sequence to minimize the effects of compartment boundary restrictions on diffusion values and corresponding MRI imaging data related to glioma invasion. | 11-25-2010 |
20100298693 | BREAST COMPRESSION ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN MRI BIOPSY PROCEDURE - A compression assembly is operable to localize a patient's breast. The compression assembly comprises a frame and a plurality of slats. The frame defines a plurality of tracks. The frame is configured to engage a breast localization fixture. The slats are coupled with the frame. Portions of the slats are disposed in the tracks. One or more of the slats are movable relative to the frame to provide adjustable access to a patient's breast engaged by the compression assembly. The slats may be slid and/or rotated relative to the frame. In some versions, the tracks and slats are provided in two sets. Each set lies along a respective plane, with the two planes being parallel to each other. The slats of one set may ratchetingly engage the slats of the other set to restrain slat movement. In some versions, the slats are removable from the frame for increased access. | 11-25-2010 |
20100305424 | K-SPACE SAMPLE DENSITY COMPENSATION FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION - The present invention provides a method for producing density-compensated MR images having improved signal-to-noise ratio and with reduced computational burden. The method includes sampling MR data using a rotationally symmetric acquisition trajectory, generating a cross-correlation matrix, and applying a discreet Fourier transform (DFT) to the acquired MR data and the cross correlation matrix. The method further includes employing the transformed MR data and transformed cross-correlation matrix in a linear system to produce a set of density-compensated transformed MR data, which may transformed into density compensated MR data by application of an inverse DFT. The density compensated MR data may be reconstructed by a variety of techniques to produce density compensated images. | 12-02-2010 |
20100312091 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SAFETY MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A magnetic resonance method comprises applying a radio frequency excitation in an examination region ( | 12-09-2010 |
20100317959 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING HYPERPOLARIZATION OF LIQUIDS OR SOLIDS BY LIGHT WITH ORBITAL ANGULAR MOMENTUM - In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), selected magnetic dipoles in a subject are aligned with a main magnetic field for later manipulation, and signals received after such manipulations are used to create image representations of the subject. One drawback is that even powerful magnetic fields can only align a very small percentage of dipoles in the region of the field. Electromagnetic radiation endowed with orbital angular momentum (OAM) aligns dipoles along the direction of travel of the radiation, but at a much higher percentage; as high as 100% of the dipoles in the region can be aligned. Resultantly, resonance signals emanating from the region are several orders of magnitude stronger than signals emanated using traditional MRI techniques. All electromagnetic radiation, including visible light can be endowed with OAM and used to hyperpolarize a region of interest. | 12-16-2010 |
20100324409 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE VENTILATION OF A LUNG - In a method for determining the ventilation of a lung of an object under examination by magnetic resonance imaging, at least two first lung-representing image data sets are acquired at different intervals of the breathing phase. The density change of the lung tissue is automatically determined from the signal difference between the image signals of the first image data sets in at least one corresponding region of the first lung-representing image data set. The lung or the thorax volume is automatically determined using at least two of the first image data sets, or using at least an additional second lung-representing image data set in a breathing phase that corresponds with the breathing phase of a first image data set. The localized, quantitative ventilation of the lung is automatically calculated depending on the density change of the lung tissue and the change of the lung or thorax volume. | 12-23-2010 |
20100331664 | AUTOMATIC POSITIONING OF A SLICE PLANE IN MR ANGIOGRAPHY MEASUREMENTS - In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to automatically determine a position of a slice plane in an examination region for an MR angiography measurement. MR image data are acquired from the examination region with a flow-sensitive overview imaging sequence. A three-dimensional image data set is automatically generated with the use of the acquired MR signals. Signal intensity profiles that run through the three-dimensional image data set are automatically determined. The position of a blood vessel is determined from the signal intensity profiles, and the position of the slice plane for the MR angiography measurement is automatically determined using the position of the blood vessel. | 12-30-2010 |
20110004092 | APPARATUS FOR WHITE-MATTER-ENHANCEMENT PROCESSING, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR WHITE-MATTER-ENHANCEMENT PROCESSING - The present invention provides an apparatus for white-matter-enhancement processing, and a method and a program for white-matter-enhancement processing that makes it possible to analyze distinguishing characteristics of the brain of a living body, such as degree of growth and development, left/right brain dominance, areas of strength and weakness, and personality traits. The apparatus for white-matter-enhancement processing of the present invention has a memory part for inputting and storing contrast images of a brain of a living body; a white-matter-enhanced image-creating part for creating white-matter-enhanced images, based on stored contrast images; a display processing part for displaying the white-matter-enhanced images thus created; and a branching analysis part for analyzing distinguishing characteristics of the brain of a living body, based on any one of or a combination of the characteristics of branches in the white-matter-enhanced images that are created: their number, thickness, length, location, intensity, shape and/or size. | 01-06-2011 |
20110009730 | MRI SYSTEM APPARATUS TO PRODUCE ELECTRIC CURRENT - A magnetic resonance imaging system ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110009731 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING UPRIGHT MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF VARIOUS ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS - Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels. | 01-13-2011 |
20110009732 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a functional image generating unit that generates a functional image from a magnetic resonance image generated by collecting a magnetic resonance signal from a subject who executes a task with an intermission of a resting period; an image generation controlling unit that controls the functional image generating unit so that a plurality of functional images along a time series are generated by separating a plurality of magnetic resonance images generated along the time series during a collecting period (in which the resting period and a task-execution period are repeated a plurality of times along the time series) into image groups each corresponding to a predetermined temporal phase and by performing a statistic process on each of the image groups; and a display controlling unit that exercises control so that the functional images are displayed by a predetermined display unit. | 01-13-2011 |
20110015515 | Methods For Physiological Monitoring, Training, Exercise And Regulation - Computer executable software and device for guiding brain activity training comprising: logic which takes data corresponding to activity measurements of one or more internal voxels of a brain and determines one or more members of the group consisting of: a) what next stimulus to communicate to the subject, b) what next behavior to instruct the subject to perform, c) when a subject is to be exposed to a next stimulus, d) when the subject is to perform a next behavior, e) one or more activity metrics computed from the measured activity, f) a spatial pattern computed from the measured activity, g) a location of a region of interest computed from the measured activity, h) performance targets that a subject is to achieve computed from the measured activity, i) a performance measure of a subject's success computed from the measured activity, j) a subject's position relative to an activity measurement instrument; and logic for communicating information based on the determinations to the subject in substantially real time relative to when the activity is measured. | 01-20-2011 |
20110021903 | Method for producing an electrophysiological map of the heart - Method for producing an electrophysiological map of a heart of the body of a patient, the method including the procedures of determining a respective target point location, and a respective probe orientation, confirming that the tip of a probe catheter is located at the respective target point location, confirming that the tip is oriented at the respective probe orientation, measuring the heart parameter value at each of the respective target point locations, and superimposing a plurality of representations respective of the heart parameter value, the respective target point location, and the respective probe orientation being determined with respect to heart parameter value which is to be measured, for each of a plurality of target points within the heart, the tip of a probe catheter being confirmed that it is located at the respective target point location, by comparing the currently detected location of the tip, with the respective target point location, the tip being confirmed that it is oriented at the respective probe orientation, by comparing the currently detected orientation of the tip, with the respective probe orientation, heart parameter value being measured at each of the respective target point locations, by a heart parameter sensor located at the tip, the representations respective of the at least one heart parameter value, being superimposed on an image of the heart, at the respective target point location, to produce the electrophysiological map. | 01-27-2011 |
20110028827 | SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERN CLASSIFICATION OF BRAIN STATES - A multivariate, pattern-based system and method for recognition of brain states and generation of feedback considering both the spatial and temporal pattern of network of brain activity is described. The system can be applied for enhancing a desired function or behavior, or to alleviate a behavioral or neurological problem. The system can also be used to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of a network of brain activity corresponding to a brain function, by changing the activity as an independent variable and studying its effect on behavior. | 02-03-2011 |
20110028828 | T1 RHO MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR STAGING OF HEPATIC FIBROSIS - Methods for diagnosis of fibrotic diseases, staging of fibrotic diseases and monitoring treatment of fibrosis. The presence of fibrotic tissue is detected. First, a T | 02-03-2011 |
20110034799 | RETROSPECTIVE MOTION COMPENSATION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises a data acquisition system with motion compensation means for acquiring an image data set in respect of a moving object within an imaging region, the image data set comprising a plurality of acquisitions each in respect of one or more slice planes. Further there are means for averaging, on a slice-by-slice basis, said plurality of acquisitions to generate a single, average image set of said moving object. Also means are provided for calculating the actual scan location of all of said slice planes from all of said acquisitions, means for averaging a selected set of slice planes to generate a single, average image set of a static object within said imaging region. This averaging results in a high image quality in respect of the moving object ( | 02-10-2011 |
20110054299 | Method, System, and Computer-Accessible Medium for Assessment of Glycosaminoglycan Concentration in Vivo by Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer - An exemplary methodology, procedure, system, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided to determine one or more particular frequencies of cross-relaxation between at least one molecule and at least one particular compound, determine a chemical exchange based on magnetic resonance data using a further frequency which is different from the one or more particular frequencies, and derive particular information about the anatomical region of interest based on the chemical exchange. | 03-03-2011 |
20110060210 | METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE PROBABILITY OF DISEASE DEVELOPMENT IN TISSUE - A method for detecting conditions in tissues that can lead to disease includes an in vivo measurement of the mechanical characteristics of the tissues using Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE). The deviation of mechanical characteristics such as tissue stiffness from a predetermined norm is determined and indicated on an image of the tissues. | 03-10-2011 |
20110066024 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING AN IMAGE BIOMARKER AND PROGNOSING A BLOOD RELATED DISEASE - A method of acquiring an image biomarker suitable for prognosis of a blood-related disease, such as acute myeloid leukemia, includes the steps of: (a) acquiring physical parameter sets, each including at least two physical parameters, respectively from time-signal intensity curves, the time-signal intensity curves being respectively obtained from magnetic resonance image sets of different subjects that are diagnosed as having the blood-related disease, each of the image sets being acquired through MRI scanning using one of first and second configuration parameter sets; (b) analyzing the physical parameter sets thus acquired with reference to prognoses of the different subjects so as to obtain weight values corresponding to the physical parameters; and (c) establishing a risk score function that is a sum of products of each of the physical parameters and the corresponding weight value, wherein a risk score obtained using the risk score function serves as the image biomarker suitable for prognosis of the blood-related disease. | 03-17-2011 |
20110066025 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PHASE OFFSET AND TIME DELAY CORRECTION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY DATA - A method is provided for producing, with a magnetic resonance (MR) system, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum that has been corrected for errors arising from phase offsets and time shifts in the acquired spectroscopic data. A spectroscopic data set includes temporal information indicative of the underlying phase offsets and time shifts. In general, this temporal information is utilized to correct for errors in the acquired data. As a result, a plurality of acquired spectroscopic data sets are more accurately combined by first individually correcting each spectroscopic data set for such errors. Exemplary sources of the phase offsets and time shifts include the physical separation between a volume of interest and the detectors in the MRI system. Using the temporal information, T | 03-17-2011 |
20110077501 | MICRO MRI UNIT - A micro magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit includes a gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit, a transmitting bio-medical unit, and a receiving bio-medical unit. The gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit is operable to generate a gradient magnetic field in a proximal area of a body object within a host body, wherein a constant magnetic field is present in the proximal area of the body object. The transmitting bio-medical unit is operable to transmit a varying radio frequency (RF) signal in a direction of the body object. The receiving bio-medical unit is operable to: receive a representation of the varying RF signal; process the representation of the varying RF signal to produce a processed signal; and output the processed signal, wherein at least one of the gradient magnetic field bio-medical unit, the transmitting bio-medical unit, and the receiving bio-medical unit is implanted in a host body. | 03-31-2011 |
20110082361 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGING EXAMINATION SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for controlling an imaging examination system for examination of a patient. In at least one embodiment, the imaging examination system includes a first imaging examination device with a first isocenter and a second imaging examination device with a second isocenter. The examination system further includes an examination table which can be positioned in respect of the isocenters. In at least one embodiment of the method, an examination region of the patient is determined and at least one examination table position and a first field of view in respect of the first isocenter and a second field of view in respect of the second isocenter is automatically determined as a function of the examination region and the isocenters such that, in the examination table position, a capture of a first item of image information in the first field of view with the first imaging examination device and a capture of a second item of image information in the second field of view with the second imaging examination device is possible. | 04-07-2011 |
20110087087 | MR SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING PAINFUL AND NON-PAINFUL INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS - An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing & diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra along regions associated with multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A diagnostic display provides a scaled, color coded legend and indication of results for each disc analyzed as an overlay onto a mid-sagittal T2-weighted MRI image of the lumbar spine for the patient being diagnosed. Clinical application of the embodiments provides a non-invasive, objective, pain-free, reliable approach for diagnosing painful vs. non-painful discs by simply extending and enhancing the utility of otherwise standard MRI exams of the lumbar spine. | 04-14-2011 |
20110092796 | METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING CMT1A AND CMT2A BY MRI - Disclosed is a method for diagnosing Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. More specifically, disclosed is a method for diagnosing a subtype of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1, (i.e., CMT1A) and a subtype of the disease type 2 (i.e., CMT2A) by evaluating fatty infiltration behaviors in respective compartments of proximal lower extremity muscles via comparison and analysis of MRI on the proximal lower extremities. Further disclosed is a method for diagnosing CMT1A and CMT2A, by analyzing fatty infiltration levels between respective compartments by MRI examination on distal lower extremity muscles. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092797 | MOTION-SENSITIZED DRIVEN EQUILIBRIUM BLOOD-SUPPRESSION SEQUENCE FOR VESSEL WALL IMAGING - An improved motion-sensitization driven equilibrium (iMSDE) sequence based upon an MLEV-4 sequence is used for black-blood vessel wall imaging. The MSDE pulse pattern that is used us a preparation sequence for other procedures employed to acquire images has been modified to produce the iMSDE sequence by the addition of a second 180 degree refocusing pulse and two motion sensitization gradients. The iMSDE sequence thus includes a group of four radio frequency (RF) pulses, as well as additional magnetic gradient pulses that are not included in the conventional MSDE sequence. Computer simulations indicate that this new pulse sequence is substantially more immune to local B1 inhomogeneity than conventional sequences. In vivo experiments have demonstrated significant signal improvement at high first-order moments (m | 04-21-2011 |
20110092798 | METHOD FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY INVERSION USING A FINITE MEDIUM MODEL - A method for magnetic resonance elastography (“MRE”) is described, in which an MRE inversion that accounts for waves propagating in a finite, bounded media is employed. A vibratory motion is induced in a subject and MRE is performed to measure one or more components of the resulting displacement produced in the subject. This displacement data is subsequently filtered to provide a more accurate and computationally efficient method of inversion. Wave equations based on the geometry of the bounded media are then utilized to calculate the material properties of the subject. Such a method allows for the performance of MRE on tissues such as the heart, eye, bladder, and prostate with more accurate results. | 04-21-2011 |
20110098552 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes; a data collection unit which collects magnetic resonance data from a patient by a half Fourier method using a plurality of coils; an unfolding unit which performs an unfolding process on a plurality of items of folded image data obtained from the plurality of coils to generate unfolded image data by using sensitivity data of the plurality of coils; and a data processing unit which repeatedly performs a data filling process and a phase correction process to improve accuracy of data in an unsampled region to generate image data for display, the data filling process filling the unsampled region in k-space with k-space data obtained by Fourier-transforming the unfolded image data and the unsampled region being a region for which the data have not been collected. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098553 | AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF IMAGES FOR IMAGE GUIDED SURGERY - Automatic registration of an MR image is carried out in an image guidance system by placing MR visible markers at known positions relative to markers visible in a camera tracking system. The markers are carried on a common fixture which is attached to a head clamp together with a reference marker which is used when the markers are covered or removed. The tracking system includes a camera with a detection array for detecting visible light a processor arranged to analyze the output from the array. Each object to be detected carries a single marker with a pattern of contrasted areas of light and dark intersecting at a specific single feature point thereon with an array around the specific location to allow the processor is able to detect an angle of rotation of the pattern and to distinguish each marker from the other markers. | 04-28-2011 |
20110105882 | CORRECTING SUBJECT MOTION IN MULTIPLE RESOLUTIONS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - 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. A first graphical image may be generated from a first set of data elements from the k-space data. Similarly, a second graphical image may be generated from a second set of data elements from the k-space data. An offset in pixels may be determined by which to translate the second graphical image from the first graphical image to compensate for the motion. The k-space data may be modified at a sub-pixel offset relative to the determined offset. A motion-compensated graphical image of the subject may be generated from the modified k-space data. Doing so reduces the search space evaluated to sharpen images generated from the k-space data. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105883 | REAL TIME MOTION INFORMATION CAPTURE IN AN MRI ENVIRONMENT - Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for capturing motion information in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. A light sink in the MRI environment may detect light emitted from a plurality of light sources. Each of the plurality of light sources may emit light of a different frequency. Further, each of the plurality of light sources may be located at a different spatial position in the MRI environment. The detected light may be analyzed. A change in spatial position of the light sink may be computed based on the analysis. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105884 | MRI INVOLVING DYNAMIC PROFILE SHARING SUCH AS KEYHOLE AND MOTION CORRECTION - The invention relates to a device and to a method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a body. It is an object of the invention to provide a technique that enables dynamic profile sharing with significantly reduced motion artifacts. The method of the (such as keyhole) invention comprises the following steps: a) acquiring an MR data set ( | 05-05-2011 |
20110105885 | Methods of Predicting Musculoskeletal Disease - This invention is directed to methods of predicting bone or joint disease in a subject. The invention is also directed to methods of determining the effect of a candidate agent on any subject's risk of developing bone or joint disease. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105886 | DIFFUSION-BASED MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING BONE STRUCTURE - A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105887 | REVERSE DATA RECONSTRUCTION FOR OPTIMAL TIME SAMPLING OF COUNTS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL LIST-MODE NUCLEAR IMAGING - A diagnostic imaging device includes detector elements ( | 05-05-2011 |
20110105888 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DETERMINING EXECUTION ORDER - It has an object to suppress reduction of an examination efficiency caused by limitation of SAR (specific absorption rate) to the minimum level in an examination that plural imaging sequences containing different imaging sequences are consecutively executed. In consideration of the time variation of time average SAR value in the overall examination, the order of executing the imaging sequences is determined so that the SAR value falls within a predetermined range and the waiting time between imaging sequences is minimum. The determination is performed by calculating a waiting time of each of all conceivable execution orders and selecting an execution order having the minimum waiting time. | 05-05-2011 |
20110112392 | MR IMAGING WITH EXTENDED FIELD OF VIEW - Magnetic resonance examination system comprises displaceable carrier for supporting an object to be examined. The carrier can be moved over a two dimensional area. The magnetic resonance examination system is configured to acquire sets of magnetic resonance signals from the object for various positions of the carrier in the two dimensional area. | 05-12-2011 |
20110112393 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - In the diffusion-weighted imaging, amounts of distortion and amounts of phase offset of k-space data due to a temporally changing magnetic field error induced by eddy currents and vibrations associated with application of a diffusion-weighted gradient magnetic field pulse are corrected with good precision to improve image quality. Characteristic data for correcting distortion of k-space data are calculated for every position in the slice direction as peak shifts of projections observed between the cases of applying and not applying an MPG pulse. As the characteristic data, amounts of distortion in the read-out direction and the phase encoding direction and phase offset amounts in a slice plane are calculated. | 05-12-2011 |
20110118586 | MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS CONTROLLER AND METHOD THAT ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT CONTROL PROGRAM VERSIONS - In a method, a system and a computer program product to control a medical imaging apparatus or to extend a control method for such an apparatus, the divided into different segments. A physical segment includes all control modules that are dependent on the platform of the medical apparatus. A logical segment includes all control modules that are independent of a platform. The logical segment of the control method is swapped out to an additionally provided auxiliary control computer while the physical segment remains on the (previous) control computer. At the previous control computer a data transfer module is provided that receives data of the auxiliary control computer and relays it to the medical apparatus for control. The auxiliary control computer advantageously possesses standardized interfaces. | 05-19-2011 |
20110130644 | METHOD TO ACQUIRE MEASUREMENT DATA OF A BREATHING EXAMINATION SUBJECT BY MAGNETIC RESONANCE TECHNOLOGY, AND ASSOCIATED COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method for the acquisition of measurement data of a breathing examination subject by magnetic resonance includes the following steps: (a) detect the physiological breathing signal of the examination subject with a breathing signal detection unit, (b) evaluate the detected breathing signal in an evaluation unit, (c) based on the evaluated breathing signal, calculate in a computer at least one parameter affecting the type of acquisition of measurement data by means of magnetic resonance, (d) detect a current physiological breathing signal with the breathing signal detection unit, (e) compare the last detected breathing signals with at least one trigger condition, (f) initiate the acquisition of measurement data using the calculated parameter from step (c) upon satisfaction of the trigger conditions from step (e), (g) repeat the steps (d) through (f) until all desired measurement data have been acquired, and (h) store and/or process the acquired measurement data in a memory and/or processing unit. After the evaluation of the detected breathing signal, at least one parameter of a following acquisition of measurement data is thus determined automatically without an input by an operator of the MR apparatus in use being required. | 06-02-2011 |
20110137146 | 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. | 06-09-2011 |
20110144474 | ADIABATIC MULTI-BAND RF PULSES FOR SELECTIVE SIGNAL SUPPRESSION IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging scanner comprising: a main magnet providing a substantially uniform main magnetic field B0 for a subject under observation; and a radio frequency (RF) coil configured to irradiate a radio frequency (RF) pulse into a region of interest of the subject under observation, wherein the RF pulse comprises a base pulse comprising an adiabatic pulse having a first bandwidth time product (BWTP), wherein the RF pulse selectively suppresses magnetic resonance signals from more than one chemical component or more than one spatial region within the region of interest of the subject under observation, and wherein the adiabatic pulse is characterized by an amplitude modulation function and a frequency modulation function. | 06-16-2011 |
20110152665 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESIGNING MRI GRADIENT PULSE WAVEFORM - A method for designing MRI gradient pulse waveform provided by the present invention firstly defines target peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) curve; then calculates a gradient pulse waveform by using a relation function between the gradient pulse waveform and PNS value curve based on the target PNS curve. | 06-23-2011 |
20110160563 | DIAGNOSTIC SKIN MAPPING BY MRS, MRI AND OTHER METHODS - This invention pertains to improved methods of classifying skin types as well as improved methods for determining the appropriateness of products and evaluating methods for treating particular skin. The methods typically utilize a “skin type” database containing one or more quantitative measures (e.g., NMR data) of skin properties. The database can optionally include various qualitative measures of skin as well (e.g., Glogau scale and/or Fitzpatrick scale values). | 06-30-2011 |
20110160564 | 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. | 06-30-2011 |
20110166436 | System and Method For Non-Contrast MR Angiography Using Steady-State Image Acquisition - A system and method is provided to quickly acquire and produce an MR angiogram without the use of a contrast agent. In quick succession, two MR image data sets of the vasculature of interest are acquired using a steady-state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence. The SSFP pulse sequence gradient pulses differ for each image acquisition in that gradient pulses are balanced, or first moment nulled, for one acquisition, but not the other. Magnitude images are reconstructed from the two acquired image data sets and the magnitude images are subtracted to produce the MR angiogram. Contrast is provided by spin motion without the use of contrast agents and without the time consuming addition of motion encoding gradients or preparatory pulse sequences. | 07-07-2011 |
20110172515 | DYNAMIC CORRECTION OF HIGH FREQUENCY ADJUSTMENT DURING PARALLEL TRANSMISSION - The present embodiments relate to a system and a method for operating an imaging system, where a plurality of subvolumes of an examination volume of an examination object to be examined with the system is examined. The examination volume is assembled from the plurality of subvolumes, where to examine the subvolumes, at least one HF pulse is transmitted in each case. The at least one HF pulse is optimized for the subvolume that is to be examined therewith respect to specifications and basic conditions applicable for the subvolume. | 07-14-2011 |
20110172516 | MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A medical image diagnostic apparatus has an imaging unit that images volume data of a region-of-interest of an object, an extracting unit that extracts a characteristic point from the volume data; and, a generating unit that generates an observation sectional image from the volume data using the characteristic point and correlation parameters. | 07-14-2011 |
20110178386 | MULTIBASELINE PRF-SHIFT MAGNETIC RESONANCE THERMOMETRY - The phase background of a proton resonance frequency shift treatment image may be estimated by fitting a combination of baseline images to the treatment image. | 07-21-2011 |
20110184273 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOVING TABLE MRI - The present invention provides an MRI system for imaging of a subject over extended field-of-view (FOV) that employs both accelerated data acquisition, which is employed while the subject is stationary, and traditional data acquisition, which is employed while the subject is moved through the MRI system. This approach provides improved spatial resolution and time efficiency compared to traditional extended FOV imaging techniques. | 07-28-2011 |
20110190619 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Apparatus and Method using Squid Detection and Field-Cycling - There is described an MRI system in which the detection of the NMR signal is performed by a resonant input at a median field range above 100 gauss and where the main field is cycled to a low field of below 50% of the resonant frequency after the excitation of the NMR signal for a period sufficient to develop differences in magnetisation (T1). The advantage of this system is that images can be generated at much lower field intensities than prior art systems and is able to detect abnormalities in tissue such as cancerous tissues in a patient. | 08-04-2011 |
20110190620 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus scans a region including a predetermined part of a subject to acquire magnetic resonance signals. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a plurality of coil elements, a calculation device for calculating a proportion of the predetermined part to a first scan region of a first subject and a position of the predetermined part, based on magnetic resonance signals acquired from the first scan region, a prediction device for predicting a region of the predetermined part from within a second scan region of a second subject, based on the proportion and position of the predetermined part related to the first subject, the proportion and position being calculated by the calculation device, and a coil element selection device for selecting at least one coil element used to receive each magnetic resonance signal in the second scan region from within the coil elements, based on the region of the predetermined part predicted by the prediction device. | 08-04-2011 |
20110196224 | FLOW INSENSITIVE MAGNETIZATION PREPARATION PULSE FOR T2* CONTRAST - A magnetic resonance system comprises a magnetic resonance scanner ( | 08-11-2011 |
20110196225 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE - In the MRS measurement using magnetic resonance for performing measurement of two regions in the same section, highly precise results are efficiently obtained with coincidence of axes with axes in positioning image. In measurement according to the PRESS method for a plurality of regions each localized (specified) with a set of perpendicularly intersecting three slices, wherein one or two slices are common to the sets of three slices localizing the regions, and slices not common do not intersect, a slice not common to those of a region to be selectively excited is excited with a radio frequency magnetic field of which phase is different by 180 degrees from that of a radio frequency magnetic field used for exciting the region to be selectively excited a number of times equal to the number of common slices, and during the measurement of the region to be selectively excited, a group of regions other than the region to be selectively excited are thermally equilibrated. | 08-11-2011 |
20110201916 | MOVEMENT CORRECTION IN MRI USING A CAMERA - Provided are methods and systems for movement correction in an MRI environment. In one aspect, provided are systems and methods for movement correction, comprising receiving a first plurality of images from a first scan of a subject with a first camera, receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained concurrently with the first scan, correlating the first plurality of images obtained from the first scan with the MRI images, resulting in motion correction data, and providing the motion correction data to an MRI system, wherein the MRI system adjusts scanning according to the motion correction data. | 08-18-2011 |
20110201917 | METHOD AND APPARATUS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR CANCER IDENTIFICATION - Embodiments provide a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique and optionally software—collectively referred to as the “shutter-speed” model—to analyze image data of cancer patients. Embodiments provide a minimally invasive, yet precisely accurate, approach to determining whether tumors are malignant or benign by distinguishing the characteristics of contrast reagent activity in benign and malignant tumors. Exemplary embodiments provide MRI measured biomarkers for tumor malignancy determination, effectively eliminating or limiting the false positives suffered by existing MRI techniques. | 08-18-2011 |
20110208038 | Systems And Methods For Matching And Imaging Tissue Characteristics - Systems and methods for matching a characteristic of multiple sectors of a moving tissue to verify an overlap thereof are disclosed herein. In an exemplary method, tissue data for at least a first sector and a second sector of a moving tissue is acquired. A characteristic of at least a portion of the first and second sectors is estimated from the acquired tissue data, and the estimated characteristics are matched to verify whether a portion of the first sector overlaps with a portion of the second sector. Estimating can include estimating a displacement such as an axial displacement and/or lateral displacements. Estimating can further include estimating a strain, a velocity, a strain rate and/or a stiffness or equivalent. | 08-25-2011 |
20110208039 | Direct and Indirect Surface Coil Correction for Cardiac Perfusion MRI - Method of correcting cardiac perfusion MR imaging for inhomogeneities ( | 08-25-2011 |
20110213235 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, INITIAL STATE CREATION METHOD, OPTIMUM INTENSITY DETERMINATION METHOD, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - This aims to shorten the time period, which is required for optimizing a radio-frequency magnetic field pulse intensity, thereby to shorten the measurement time period of an MRI entirety. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213236 | THERAPEUTIC COMPOSITIONS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR OBSERVING TREATED TISSUES - The subject invention pertains to a synthetic biopharmaceutical non-invasive medical therapy, administered locally or systemically and compositions for treating aged, diseased or abnormal tissues and organs. The composition and methods of the invention may also be used to augment the treatment of multiple diseases and disorders of the body. The present invention involves administering to a patient a therapeutic formulation comprising a free L-amino acid non-chiral glycine profile, simulating or replicating the proteins normally present in healthy tissue that is now diseased or transplanted tissue. The invention also relates to therapy involving administration of therapeutic formulations comprising free L-amino acids in which the molar ratios of the amino acids correspond to the ratios of components such as amino components in a key cell or molecular embryology systemic as a medication or a biochemical and biophysical medication and essence of cell membrane polar surface active lipid equivalent that is useful for treating a disease. Simultaneous administration of the compositions are able to work synergistically to restructure diseased tissue and organs. Also disclosed are devices and methods for diagnosing diseased or damaged tissue by observance of tissue biomarkers made visible by direct application of polarizing light to a tissue sample. Birefringence light from damaged or diseased tissue can be analyzed and compared with normal tissue birefringence to diagnose diseased or damaged tissue or diagnose a tissue deficiency. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213237 | ECHO-SPECIFIC K-SPACE REORDERING APPROACH TO COMPATIBLE DUAL-ECHO ARTERIOVENOGRAPHY - A dual-echo sequence technique provided herein empowers simultaneous acquisition of both TOF MRA and BOLD MRV in a single MR acquisition. By this approach, an echo-specific K-space ordering scheme permits the adjustment of the scan parameters that are compatible for each of the MRA and MRV. The image quality in the MRA and MRV acquired by this compatible dual-echo arteriovenography (CODEA) technique is comparable to that for conventional, single-echo MRA and MRV. When the technique is integrated with MOTSA, seamless vascular connectivity is achieved in both MRA and MRV over a large area of brain anatomy. The technique will facilitate routine clinical acquisition and application of dual-echo MRA and MRV, as both MRA and MRV can be acquired with minimal impact on the image quality and without adversely affecting the scan throughput. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213238 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING TECHNIQUE OF POSITIONING MULTI-SLABS TO BE IMAGED - A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided for obtaining MR images by scanning a region of the object previously located on an object's positioning image. The system comprises a displaying unit, inputting unit, approximating unit, and locating unit. The displaying unit displays a plurality of tomographic images of the object as the positioning image, each of the tomographic images including an indication of a target of interest thereon. The inputting unit enables information about a running state of the target in a direction along the target to be supplied toward each of the tomographic images. The approximating unit calculates three-dimensionally an approximated curve indicating the running state of the target in the direction on the basis of the supplied information about the running state. The locating unit locates the region substantially perpendicular to the approximated curve. | 09-01-2011 |
20110237929 | BLADDER WALL THICKNESS MAPPING FOR TUMOR DETECTION - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detection of a bladder wall tumor. Layers of a bladder wall are created by magnetic resonance imaging. A group of voxels having a lowest intensity is identified in a layer and an energy function modification enlarges the layer of the bladder wall. A partial volume image segmentation obtains tissue type mixture percentages in each voxel near inner and outer borders of the bladder wall in the layer of the bladder wall to obtain a bladder wall thickness. A range of uncertainty at the inner and outer borders of the bladder wall is obtained, and integration is performed of the bladder wall thickness along a path starting at a point on the outer border and ending at a corresponding point on the inner border. | 09-29-2011 |
20110245655 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND PULSE SEQUENCE ADJUSTING METHOD - When executing an imaging pulse sequence using a high frequency magnetic field pulse with a partial waveform of a predetermined waveform, an application start time of a slice gradient magnetic field applied simultaneously with the high frequency magnetic field pulse is corrected. Specifically, a magnetic resonance signal for correcting the imaging pulse sequence is acquired by executing a prescan sequence using a high frequency magnetic field pulse with a predetermined waveform, an application start time of a slice selection gradient magnetic field in the imaging pulse sequence is corrected using the magnetic resonance signal for correction, and the imaging pulse sequence is executed by applying the slice selection gradient magnetic field with the corrected application start time. | 10-06-2011 |
20110251477 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO GENERATE ANGIOGRAPHIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES - In a magnetic resonance system and operating method to generate a series of temporally successive angiographic magnetic resonance images of an examination region, a series with a predetermined number of flip angles is established. The first flip angle at the beginning of the series is smaller than the last flip angle at the end of the series, and an arbitrary flip angle is greater than or equal to the preceding flip angle in the series. First and second magnetic resonance data are determined by acquiring a predetermined number of partial segments of k-space belonging to the first and second magnetic resonance data. Each partial segment is acquired over a respective first or second time interval and respectively has a series of components. Each component is acquired according to a gradient echo method with a flip angle that exists at a position in the series of flip angles, which position corresponds to the component. A fluid flowing into the examination region is given a first predetermined spin marking at the beginning of the first time intervals and a second predetermined spin marking, different than the first spin marking, at the beginning of the second time intervals. The series of temporally successive angiography magnetic resonance images is generated by combining the first and second magnetic resonance data. | 10-13-2011 |
20110257506 | NON-INVASIVE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING AND EVALUATING NEURAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY - The disclosure pertains to a non-invasive method and system for detecting and evaluating neural electrophysiological sources by exploring a multiplicity of points belonging to a zone of interest. The non-invasive techniques pose problems as to the instability of the estimation in relation to the position of the measurement points and errors of geometrical registration with complementary anatomical examinations, this possibly generating significant errors. The present disclosure is aimed at proposing a non-invasive method and system for detecting and evaluating profound neural electrophysiological activity which is both fast, complete and accurate. In this regard, the disclosure is aimed at a non-invasive method of detecting and evaluating neural electrophysiological activity comprising a step of non-invasive acquisition of anatomical and electrophysiological data in an analysis region, a step of identifying at least one electrophysiological source and a step of selecting at least one main measurement point, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a step of estimating the electrical potentials at a plurality of secondary measurement points belonging to a zone of interest situated around the main measurement point. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257507 | MORPHOMETRY OF THE HUMAN KNEE JOINT AND PREDICTION FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS - Apparatus and method for analysing the morphometry of a human knee joint. The apparatus comprises:
| 10-20-2011 |
20110270073 | ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE IMAGING SCANNER - An electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) system includes a resistive magnet driven by a power supply such as a power supply module to generate radio frequency signals in a substantially coherent polyphase perfect sequence scheme. The EPRI system further includes image acquisition and processing electronics configured to generate, acquire, quantify and map pO2 information associated with a free radical agent in vivo and having a resonance line width that is sensitive to oxygen and in response to the radio frequency signals without imparting harmful heating effects to a corresponding human or animal body. | 11-03-2011 |
20110270074 | Methods for physiological monitoring, training, exercise and regulation - A computer assisted method comprising: measuring activity of one or more internal voxels of a brain; employing computer executable logic that takes the measured brain activity and determines one or more members of the group consisting of: a) what next stimulus to communicate to the subject, b) what next behavior to instruct the subject to perform, c) when a subject is to be exposed to a next stimulus, d) when the subject is to perform a next behavior, e) one or more activity metrics computed from the measured activity, f) a spatial pattern computed from the measured activity, g) a location of a region of interest computed from the measured activity, h) performance targets that a subject is to achieve computed from the measured activity, i) a performance measure of a subject's success computed from the measured activity, j) a subject's position relative to an activity measurement instrument; and communicating information based on the determinations to the subject in substantially real time relative to when the activity is measured. | 11-03-2011 |
20110275926 | Susceptibility Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Venous Vasculature - Methods, systems, and devices are described for substantially simultaneous acquisition of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) data. Some embodiments provide susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging of vasculature, including generating a multi-echo pulse sequence having a repetition time, and a first echo and a second echo during the repetition time; acquiring MRA data from at least the first echo; and acquiring MRV data from at least the second echo. The MRA data and/or the MRV data may also be post-processed (e.g., filtered, displayed, etc.). Various embodiments provide additional functionality, including techniques for processing data from an unsampled portion of one echo using sampled data from another echo. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282183 | Diagnosis Of Central Nervous System White Matter Pathology Using Diffusion MRI - Determining diffusivity of multiple diffusion components within a tissue using diffusion magnetic resonance data representing a volume of the tissue. A plurality of candidate fibers having a direction is defined within the volume. A possibility coefficient is calculated by a processor for each candidate fiber of the plurality of candidate fibers based on the magnetic resonance data and the direction of the candidate fiber. The possibility coefficient represents a likelihood that the candidate fiber exists in the volume. Candidate fibers associated with a possibility coefficient greater than a threshold value are selected by the processor to create one or more probable fibers. For each probable fiber of the one or more probable fibers, an axial diffusivity indicating a diffusion of water in the direction of the probable fiber and a radial diffusivity indicating a diffusion of water perpendicular to the direction of the probable fiber are calculated by the processor. The diffusivity of isotropic diffusion component and the volume ratios of each fiber component and isotropic components are calculated. | 11-17-2011 |
20110288398 | SHORT TE 3D RADIAL SAMPLING SEQUENCE FOR MRI - A method for magnetic resonance imaging includes providing a radio frequency excitation pulse to a specimen. The pulse has a duration. The method includes, concurrent with providing the radio frequency excitation pulse, applying a first gradient having a first polarity. The method includes applying a readout gradient at a time after the duration. The readout gradient has inverse polarity relative to the first polarity. The method includes, concurrent with applying the readout gradient, acquiring magnetic resonance data from the specimen. The method includes generating an image based on the magnetic resonance data. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288399 | PLACENTAL CALCIFICATION MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method comprises acquiring at least one magnetic resonance image of a placenta using an ultra-short echo time (UTE) pulse sequence; and processing the at least one magnetic resonance image to generate information indicative of placental calcification. In apparatus embodiments, a gynecology module ( | 11-24-2011 |
20110301448 | Methods for measurement of magnetic resonance signal perturbations - The present invention relates to methods, software and systems for monitoring fluctuations in magnetic resonance signals. These methods may be used for measurements of the human brain and nervous system, and may be used for measuring electric currents and electromagnetic fields internal to an object. This method may include the use of a reference signal to accomplish differential recording of electromagnetic fields from two or more spatial locations. | 12-08-2011 |
20110306868 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING | 12-15-2011 |
20110313275 | Method and system for providing magnetic resonance images - An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for providing magnetic resonance images of a foetus or a mother carrying a foetus, the method comprising the steps of:
| 12-22-2011 |
20110313276 | NON-INVASIVE IN VITRO METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING LIVER LESIONS - An in-vitro non-invasive method for quantifying the lesions of the liver of the patient with metabolic steatosis addressing a diagnostic target, i.e. fibrosis, steatosis and/or steato-hepatitis (NASH) and measuring at least one marker selected from the group consisting of biomarkers and possibly clinical markers and possibly scores, the biomarkers being selected from the group consisting of glycemia, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST/ALT, AST.ALT, ferritin, platelets, prothrombin index, hyaluronic acid, haemoglobin, triglycerides; the biomarker selected from weight, body mass index, sex and age, hip perimeter, abdominal perimeter and ratio thereof; the scores being selected from score of fibrosis, area of fibrosis, fractal dimension of fibrosis, score of steatosis, area of steatosis, fractal dimension of steatosis and combining the measures in a mathematical function combining the measures through a binary (or ordinal) logistic function or multiple linear regression including the markers in order to obtain an end value. | 12-22-2011 |
20110313277 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION TOMOGRAPHY - This invention relates to a method and device for reconstructing images of an object of interest. According to the invention, the device comprises a plurality of transmitting coils ( | 12-22-2011 |
20120004530 | QUANTIFICATION OF INTRACELLULAR AND EXTRACELLULAR SPIO AGENTS WITH R2 AND R2* MAPPING - Quantitative assessment of magnetic agent tagged cells in a subject comprises: acquiring a series of T | 01-05-2012 |
20120010495 | Method For Generating MR Images And An Appropriately Designed Magnetic Resonance System - An embodiment of the invention relates to the generation of MR images of a volume section within an examination object by way of a magnetic resonance scanner. In at least one embodiment, the following steps are performed: generating at least one of the MR images; automatically performing a number of quality inspections on the at least one MR image; and, should one of these quality inspections fail, an action is automatically performed in order to improve a quality when generating more of the MR images. | 01-12-2012 |
20120010496 | MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND A CONTROLLING METHOD - A medical image diagnosis apparatus according to the present embodiments includes a storage and an execution controller. The storage is configured to store therein a program for executing a plurality of processes contained in an image taking procedure or a plurality of processes contained in a post-processing procedure, while the processes are classified into a first group for which an input operation from an operator is received and a second group for which the input operation is not received, and the processes are associated with one another according to an order. The execution controller is configured to exercise control so that the processes are executed according to the order. When executing a process classified into the first group, the program displays information selected according to a purpose of the image taking procedure or the post-processing procedure, as an operation screen. | 01-12-2012 |
20120010497 | Single-Sided Magnetic Resonance Imaging System Suitable for Performing Magnetic Resonance Elastography - A unilateral magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) device ( | 01-12-2012 |
20120016224 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES OF A BODY REGION WITH A FLOWING MEDIUM THEREIN - A method to create magnetic resonance images of a predetermined imaging volume within an examination subject with a magnetic resonance system includes the following steps: Localize an inflow that supplies the imaging volume. Form a specific volume that at least partially includes the predetermined imaging volume and that is adapted to the inflow such that the specific volume has a recess into the specific volume at the inflow, via which recess at least a partial segment of the inflow is removed from the specific volume. Saturate or invert the magnetization of the specific volume by means of the magnetic resonance system. Detect measurement signals from the imaging volume. Create the MR images of the imaging volume by means of the measurement signals. | 01-19-2012 |
20120016225 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECORDING AND/OR EVALUATING AND DISPLAYING MEDICAL IMAGING DATA RECORDS - A method is disclosed for recording and displaying medical imaging data records of a body part including fatty tissue. In at least one embodiment, the method includes recording an emission-tomographic data record of the body part; recording a magnetic-resonance imaging data record of the body part using a recording sequence designed such that fatty tissue can be displayed such that it can be distinguished from other types of tissue; identifying regions in the emission-tomographic data record, which regions correspond to fatty tissue, using the magnetic-resonance imaging data record; and modifying the emission-tomographic data record in those regions that correspond to fatty tissue. Further, at least one embodiment relates to a correspondingly designed device for evaluating and displaying medical imaging data records of a body part comprising fatty tissue. | 01-19-2012 |
20120022360 | METHODS FOR INTRAVASCULAR IMAGING AND FLUSHING - The invention generally relates to methods for determining when to initiate an imaging procedure inside a lumen of a vessel. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve introducing an imaging apparatus into a lumen of a vessel, introducing a flushing fluid into the lumen of the vessel, detecting a signal associated with introduction of the flushing fluid, and initiating an imaging procedure based upon results of the detecting step. | 01-26-2012 |
20120029340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BONE STRUCTURES - Systems and methods for characterizing bone structures are provided for characterizing bone structures. In the system and method, one or more | 02-02-2012 |
20120029341 | Method and Apparatus for Acquiring Overlapped Medical Image Slices - The disclosure describes a technique for medical imaging, referred to herein as the Rapid Interleave Overlap Technique (RIOT), wherein image data is acquired as a plurality of series sequences in a manner that allows for unlimited overlap. RIOT involves interleaving and overlapping 2D image slices of multiple series of image data of the same ROI into a composite data set from which MPR and 3D reconstructions exhibiting excellent resolution properties and crisp image quality can be generated. | 02-02-2012 |
20120041298 | Methods and Apparatus for Aligning Antennas of Low-Powered Intra - and Extra - Oral Electronic Wireless Devices - A method and system of aligning antennas of an intra-oral and extra-oral electronic wireless device is provided. Three-dimensional anatomical data of at least a portion of an oral cavity of a subject and at least a portion of an external ear of the subject is recorded. A spatial relationship between a landmark in the oral cavity and a landmark in the external ear is determined. A first antenna is modeled based upon the anatomical data of the oral cavity, and a second antenna is modeled based upon the anatomical data of the external ear. The antennas are configured and oriented relative to each other for optimal signal transmission based upon the recorded anatomical data of the oral cavity and ear. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046538 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DEFINING THE EDEMA INDUCED UPON INFUSION OF FLUID FROM AN INTRAPARENCHYMALLY PLACED CATHETER - A method for estimating the physiological parameters defining the edema induced upon infusion of fluid from an intraparenchymally placed catheter including; acquisition of patient-specific medical data; estimation of pertinent tissue microstructure based on the patient-specific medical data and/or generalized information derived or drawn from one or more of the following: experience, literature, modeling, studies, research, analysis; acquisition of information about delivery parameters, and/or delivery device geometry, and/or fluid properties, such as: delivery device trajectory, flow rate, pressure, catheter diameter, catheter profile, fluid viscosity, fluid molecular size; and computing a field of values of predicted extracellular volume fraction over the tissue region using the information obtained above. According to a further aspect, a method of infusing or planning and/or monitoring an infusion of a contrast agent such that the distribution of such agent can be detected by medical data acquisition and observing and/or measuring the backflow length along the catheter track. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046539 | DUAL-CONTRAST MR IMAGING USING FLUID-ATTENUATION INVERSION RECOVERY (FLAIR) - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 02-23-2012 |
20120083685 | MRI DEVICE WITH A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLABLE ENTRY PORTS AND INSERTS THEREFOR - An animal handling system for use in an MRD device, including: a first elongated enclosure having a proximal end, a distal open end and a first geometry, and a second first elongated enclosure having a proximal end, a distal open end and a second geometry. The first second geometry comprises a first cross-sectional area which is larger than a second cross-sectional area of the second geometry. The first elongated enclosure is inserted into a first input port of the MRD device and the second elongated enclosure is inserted in a second input port of the MRD device diametrically opposite to second input port, such that on insertion of the first elongated enclosure into the first input port and insertion of the second elongated enclosure into the second input, the second elongated enclosure slides into the first elongated enclosure through the open distal end of the first elongated enclosure. | 04-05-2012 |
20120089006 | ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE SUPPRESSION DEVICE AND MRI APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An electromagnetic interference suppression device and an MRI apparatus using such a device are disclosed. The MRI apparatus may include a main magnet, a gradient coil, an RF coil placed in a shielding chamber, a control system, and an electromagnetic interference suppression device. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095320 | MRI T1 Image-guided tissue diagnostics - An MR image especially useful for computer-guided diagnostics uses at least one programmed computer to acquire an MR-image of T1 values for a patient volume containing at least one predetermined tissue type having a respectively corresponding predetermined range of expected T1 values. A color-coded T1-image is generated from the MR-image by (a) assigning a first color or spectrum of colors to those pixels having a T1 value falling within a predetermined range of expected T1 values and (b) assigning a second color or spectrum of colors to those pixels having a T1 value falling outside a predetermined range of expected T1 values. The color-coded T1-image is then displayed for use in computer-aided diagnosis of patient tissue. | 04-19-2012 |
20120108944 | In Vivo 1H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy For The Diagnosis Of Testicular Function And Disease - This invention relates to the use of | 05-03-2012 |
20120108945 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PATIENT SELECTION IN TREATING SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING - A system and method provides for determining patient eligibility for receiving an implantable upper airway stimulation system. Images and sensed data are obtained regarding an upper airway of a patient. Based on the obtained image and sensed data, an obstruction vector is determined according to a location, a pattern, and a degree of obstruction along the upper airway. A patient candidate filter is applied against a patient health profile. Patient eligibility is determined based on the obstruction vector and application of the patient candidate filter. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108946 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a MRI apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a reference section information calculating unit, a positioning unit and an imaging unit. The acquisition unit acquires frames of section image data including a heart from an object with use of magnetic resonance. The reference section information calculating unit calculates spatial positional information of a reference section of the heart based on the frames of the section image data. The positioning unit displays a reference section image of the heart on a display unit and performs positioning of an imaging part for imaging through the displayed reference section image of the heart. The reference section image is calculated from the frames of the section image data based on the positional information of the reference section. The imaging unit images the imaging part set by the positioning. | 05-03-2012 |
20120108947 | METHOD FOR PREDICTING WEIGHT GAIN ASSOCIATED WITH A PHARMACEUTICAL THERAPY - Methods for using TRL V6 as a biomarker for the risk of weight gain associated with treatment of a patient with a pharmaceutical agent, as for example, olanzapine. | 05-03-2012 |
20120116206 | Automated non-contrast agent magnetic resonance venography - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system uses an MRI system gantry, an associated controlling computer system and an operator input mechanism, with the controlling computer system including at least one programmed computer configured to effect an automated magnetic resonance venography (MRV) mode. Operator inputs are accepted to preset parameters defining at least one MRV process (i) for acquiring plural sets of image data and (ii) for subsequent interrelated subtractions between the acquired image data sets to produce an MRV image set. The image data sets are thereafter automatically acquired and interrelated subtractions are automatically performed to produce an MRV image data set. The MRV image data set (perhaps after MIP processing) is then output to at least one of (i) an image data memory, (ii) an image display, and (iii) a remote further computer site. | 05-10-2012 |
20120116207 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - An exemplary magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a scan performing unit. The scan performing unit is configured to sequentially perform plural types of scans in a predetermined sequence, i.e., a first scan, a second scan, and a third scan, to acquire image data at a target region in a patient in a predetermined sequence. The first scan is performed to acquire image data in a first phase encoding direction during diastole in the patient. The second scan is performed to acquire image data in a second phase encoding direction approximately orthogonal to the first phase encoding direction during diastole in the patient. The third scan is performed to acquire image date in the second phase encoding direction during systole in the patient. | 05-10-2012 |
20120123240 | Method of Assessing Central Arterial Stiffness Using Mri, Method of Assessing Vascular Function Including Arterial Stiffness, Applications Program and Media Embodying Same - Featured are methods for non-invasive assessment of a vascular physiological parameter including but not limited to central arterial stiffness, vascular reactivity and/or local arterial stiffness. The methods of the invention use any one of a number of magnetic resonance imaging techniques known in the art to acquire image data so as to arrive at these vascular physiological parameters. Also such methods include locating the detector or imaging coil proximal to a single artery and external to the body/specimen. According to one aspect, the methodology determines the central arterial stiffness from image data acquired at the single arterial location. In another aspect, image data is acquired so that one or more of central arterial stiffness, vascular reactivity and/or local arterial stiffness can be determined from the acquired image data alone or in combination with other acquired data/information. The disclosed methods of the invention allow for reproducible, non-invasive diagnosis of early stage indicators of atherosclerosis. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123241 | EXTERNAL MEDICAL DEVICE WARNING OTHER MEDICAL DEVICE OF IMPENDING ADMINISTRATION OF TREATMENT - In one embodiment, an external first medical device includes a treatment module for administering a first treatment. The first medical device also includes a warning module for transmitting, before the first treatment is administered, a warning about the impending administration of the first treatment. The warning is suitable for receipt by a second medical device that could be attached to the patient unbeknownst to the first device, and which could be impacted by the first treatment. As such, the second medical device is given the opportunity to take a defensive action. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123242 | EXTERNAL MEDICAL DEVICE REACTING TO WARNING FROM OTHER MEDICAL DEVICE ABOUT IMPENDING INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION OF TREATMENT - In one embodiment, an external second medical device is capable of being attached to a patient. The second medical device includes an operation module that is capable of operating at different capacities, such as at a first capacity and a second capacity. The second medical device also includes a receiver for receiving a warning about an impending administration of a first treatment to the patient, by a first medical device that does not know about the second medical device being attached to the patient. In response to receiving the warning, the second medical device undertakes a defensive action, whereby the operation of the operation module is capable of being performed at the second capacity. This way, the first treatment, when administered, will impact the second medical device less or not at all. | 05-17-2012 |
20120130224 | NON-MAGNETIC HIGH VOLTAGE CHARGING SYSTEM FOR USE IN CARDIAC STIMULATION DEVICES - A cardiac defibrillator comprises electrical wires or terminals ( | 05-24-2012 |
20120143040 | PATIENT COMMUNICATION AND MONITORING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEMS - The present embodiments provide an improved system and method for patient communication during MR procedures. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system includes a scanner having an opening configured to receive a patient and being operable to perform a magnetic resonance imaging sequence. The system also includes a visual communication device disposed in the opening of the scanner and being operable to capture an image of the patient and transmit the image to circuitry outside of the scanner. | 06-07-2012 |
20120150015 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING HEALING ADJACENT TO IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - A method of detecting healing adjacent to an implanted medical device can first include pre-treating a surface of the medical device prior to implantation, thereby defining a pre-treated surface of the medical device. Then, subsequent to implantation, a portion of the pre-treated surface that is not covered by endothelial tissue is detected by a detection device. | 06-14-2012 |
20120172704 | Open Architecture Imaging Apparatus and Coil System for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172705 | METHOD OF RAPIDLY VISUALIZING ESSENTIAL NEURAL PATHWAYS - A method of optimizing pre-operative procedures in the field of neurosurgery. The method facilitates the identification of essential fiber tract pathways that must be avoided when planning and performing an operation, thereby increasing surgical safety and avoiding complications. The method includes the combined use of four variables in Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI)-Fiber Tracking (FT) of projection fibers in the brain. These variables include Jain-BremTM fractional anisotropy constant for tractography (JB-FACT), Jain-BremTM fiber length (JB-FL), subcentimeter size placement of regions of interest (ROI), and the placement of ROIs to cover the anatomical pathway of projection fibers. JB-FACT and JB-FL provide rapid, reproducible tracking for projection fibers in the brain. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172706 | HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND POSITIONING MECHANISM - A high intensity focused ultrasound positioning mechanism ( | 07-05-2012 |
20120179023 | MR IMAGING USING MULTI-CHANNEL RF EXCITATION - The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising an array of two or more RF antennas ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120179024 | RF Power Transmitter - A RF power transmitter ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120197103 | Method For Calculation and Generation of Spatially-Tailored Parallel Radio Frequency Saturation Fields - A method for producing magnetic resonance images of a subject in which artifacts resulting from a localized source, such as from pulsatile blood flow, are substantially mitigated is provided. The location of an artifact source, at which spins corresponding to flowing blood are located, is identified. Using this identified artifact source location, a region-of-saturation is calculated. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is then directed to perform a pulse sequence that results in the generation of a radio frequency (RF) saturation field being produced by an array of RF transmission coils. The RF saturation field is sized and shaped according to the calculated region-of-saturation. Images are reconstructed from image data acquired after application of the RF saturation field, and artifacts related to motion of the spins at the identified location of the artifact source are substantially mitigated in these images. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197104 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC PLACEMENT OF SPATIAL SUPRESSION REGIONS IN MRI AND MRSI - A system and methods for imaging a patient organ. The system includes a MRI imaging apparatus communicating with a memory and processor. The method aligns the organ with a standardized organ, and includes a step of spatially normalizing the standardized organ to the patient organ. The method also provides optimized slices of the standardized organ and translates optimized slices of standardized organ into optimized slices of the patient organ. The method images the patient organ according to the optimized slices of the patient organ. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197105 | Methods for detecting abnormalities and degenerative processes in soft tissue using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - The present invention provides methods to detect degenerative processes and abnormalities in soft tissues at high spatial resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio and short scanning times, based on quantitative tissue properties. These methods might provide a useful tool to detect and assess abnormalities in soft tissues and to monitor disease progression. | 08-02-2012 |
20120203094 | Mobile Architecture Using Cloud for Data Mining Application - Three tier architecture for image-based diagnosis and monitoring application using Cloud is described. The presentation layer is run on the tablet (mobile device), while the business and persistence layer runs on a single cloud or distributed on different Clouds in a multi-tenancy and multi-user application. Such architecture is used for automated data mining application for computing (a) cardiovascular risk, stroke risk using IMT measurement, plaque characterization, (b) computing diagnostic index for benign vs. malignant tissue for ovarian cancer classification (c) benign vs. malignant tissue characterization for prostate cancer and (d) classification of fatty liver disease vs. normal cases. The Architecture is for data mining application. | 08-09-2012 |
20120215092 | QUICK RE-CONNECT DIVERSITY RADIO SYSTEM - An RF shielded room ( | 08-23-2012 |
20120220855 | Method and System for MR Scan Range Planning - A method and system for determining a scan range for a magnetic resonance (MR) scan is disclosed. A plurality of 2D localizer images are received. A most likely position is detected in each localizer image for each of a plurality of anatomical landmarks associated with a target organ in each localizer image. A scan range is determined based on the detected most likely positions of each anatomic landmark in the localizer images. | 08-30-2012 |
20120220856 | METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PATHOLOGIES INVOLVING CHANGES IN THE VOLUMES OF BODIES, NOTABLY TUMORS" - A method for quantifying the development of pathologies involving changes in volume of a body represented via an imaging technique, including normalizing gray levels by a midway technique for two images I | 08-30-2012 |
20120226136 | METHODS AND DEVICES OF DETECTION, GRADING, MONITORING, AND FOLLOW-UP OF FIBROSIS - Methods and devices of detection, grading, monitoring and follow-up fibrosis in a tissue or an organ of a subject using nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, particularly spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame, which is also called spin lock relaxation time (T1rho). | 09-06-2012 |
20120226137 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SAR ESTIMATION METHOD - In order to further improve the accuracy of SAR estimation by accurately estimating, for each object, the energy of RF pulses absorbed into a part of an object, for example, a head, on the basis of measurement performed before main imaging, a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus estimates a head SAR by calculating a signal S | 09-06-2012 |
20120238861 | METHOD AND HIGH-FREQUENCY CHECK DEVICE FOR CHECKING A HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSMIT DEVICE OF A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM - A method for checking a high-frequency transmit device of a magnetic resonance tomography system, excitation vectors that represent high-frequency signal strengths on the individual transmit channels are determined for a plurality of time points or time periods. High-frequency exposure values absorbed in an examination object are determined in accordance with predetermined check rules on the basis of the excitation vectors. The high-frequency transmit device is restricted in function when an exposure check value that is based on at least one high-frequency exposure value reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit check value. The check rules are predetermined as a function of a current transmit mode of the high-frequency transmit device. The respective transmit mode of the high-frequency transmit device is verified on the basis of the excitation vectors. When a transmit mode change is detected, the check rules are changed, and/or the high-frequency transmit device is restricted in function. | 09-20-2012 |
20120238862 | System and Method for Detecting Pain and Its Components Using Magnetic Resonance - A system and method identifies different components of the pain experience (nociceptive (tissue damage), neuropathic (nerve damage) and psychological) and their relative contributions by the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to measure absolute and relative concentrations of metabolites in specific brain regions in the central nervous system or brain. The system and method can be used as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of the relative contribution of different aspects of the pain experience as well as monitoring of response to interventions directed at modifying these components. | 09-20-2012 |
20120253169 | REAL TIME, INTERACTIVE VOLUMETRIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A method of producing volume renderings from magnetic resonance image data in real time with user interactivity. The method comprises collecting raw magnetic resonance image (MRI) data representative of shapes within an image volume; transferring the raw MRI data to a computer; and continuously producing volume renderings from the raw MRI data in real time with respect to the act of collecting raw MRI data representative of shapes within the image volume. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253170 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MEDICAL IMAGE OF BODY ORGAN BY USING 3-D MODEL - A method of generating an image of an organ includes generating a three-dimensional (3-D) model of at least one organ of a patient based on a medical image of the at least one organ; generating a plurality of matched images by matching a plurality of images showing a change of a shape of the at least one organ due to a body activity of the patient to the 3-D model of the at least one organ; selecting one of the plurality of matched images based on a current body condition of the patient; and outputting the selected matched image. | 10-04-2012 |
20120259199 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD TO GENERATE DIFFUSION INFORMATION - In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and system for the generation of diffusion information, diffusion-weighted MR images of an examination subject are generated, each image being generated using an individual diffusion gradient. The diffusion gradients, and therefore the MR images, are sorted such that, after the sorting, a predefined number of diffusion gradients respectively forms a group. Each diffusion gradient belongs to at least one of these groups, and the diffusion gradients of the respective same group are all as linearly independent of one another as possible. The MR images whose diffusion gradients form a group are assembled into an MR result image. Spatial transformations between the MR result images are determined, and the MR images are modified using these spatial transformations. The diffusion information is formed with the aid of the modified MR images. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259200 | Method for Monitoring Early Treatment Response - Disclosed is a method for monitoring early treatment response of a cancer treatment comprising measuring by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), for example, | 10-11-2012 |
20120271146 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method removes a part representing non-brain tissue of the MR brain image. For each generated magnetic field gradient, acquiring a current signal respectively at a first time of echo TE | 10-25-2012 |
20120271147 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR B1-INSENSITIVE HIGH RESOLUTION 2D T1 MAPPING IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Exemplary systems, methods and computer-accessible mediums can be provided for imaging at least one anatomical structure. For example, it is possible to direct a saturation-recovery (SR) pulse sequence having fast spin echo (FSE) to or at the anatomical structure(s). At least one T | 10-25-2012 |
20120277571 | Method For Measuring Trabecular Bone Parameters From MRI Images - Disclosed is a method for measuring trabecular bone parameters from MRI images, including: scanning an experimental group with a 3D MRI scanner; segmenting the MRI images to extract bone area and perform skeletonization of the bone area; detecting end-point, joint and branch voxels in the skeleton to analyze bone structure; and measuring trabecular bone parameters based on the result of the structural analysis. The method enables diagnosing osteoporosis. | 11-01-2012 |
20120283546 | Automatic or Semi-Automatic Whole Body MR Scanning System - A system includes an image data processor for automatically processing data representing multiple patient anatomical images acquired in a single imaging scan. The images are acquired by, identifying multiple different anatomical elements in corresponding multiple different anatomical regions and identifying multiple different potentially pathology indicative features associated with the multiple different anatomical elements in response to first predetermined information associating different potentially pathology indicative features with corresponding different anatomical elements. The image data processor determines multiple different image acquisition methods for use in imaging the multiple different potentially pathology indicative features in response to second predetermined information associating different image acquisition methods with corresponding identified different pathology indicative features. An output processor collates images for output. | 11-08-2012 |
20120283547 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USING VELOCITY SELECTIVE EXCITATION - Techniques and systems are disclosed for magnetic resonance imaging by applying velocity-selective excitation. In some implementations, velocity selective excitation pulses are applied to a subject, causing an observable magnetization in the subject. An image of the subject is generated based on the observable magnetization. In some implementations, additionally, velocity selective excitation is combined with arterial nulling pulses such that the contribution from the arterial portion of a subject is excluded from the observable magnetization in the subject. | 11-08-2012 |
20120289814 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY - A magnetic resonance elastography method includes application of mechanical oscillations with an oscillation period (T) to an object to be examined to generate mechanical waves in the object. A motion sensitive magnetic resonance acquisition sequence with repetition time T | 11-15-2012 |
20120296193 | System and Method for Hybrid Radiofrequency Labeling for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A system and method is provided for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) that includes applying a first labeling pulse sequence to a first labeling region having a first portion of a vasculature of a subject extending through the first labeling region to label spins moving within the first labeling region. A second labeling pulse sequence is applied to a second labeling region having a second portion of a vasculature of the subject extending through the second labeling region to label spins moving within the second labeling region. The first and second labeling pulse sequences include different labeling techniques. An imaging pulse sequence is applied to an imaging region having a third portion of a vasculature of the subject extending through the imaging region that is displaced from the first and second labeling region to acquire imaging data from the spins labeled by the first labeling pulse sequence and the second labeling pulse sequence. An MRA image is reconstructed of at least the third portion of the vasculature of the subject from the medical imaging data. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296194 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A CONDITION OF A BRAIN - A system for use in determining a condition of a brain, the system including an input device for providing data representing a structure of the brain and a processor communicably connected to the input device. The processor is configured for measuring at east one geometric characteristic of the structure of the brain by reference to the data, determining a brain index value by reference to the at least one geometric characteristic, and, comparing the brain index value against at least one predetermined index whereby, based on a result of the comparison, a condition of the brain is able to be determined corresponding to the brain index value. | 11-22-2012 |
20120302870 | SYSTEM TO QUANTIFY AND VISUALIZE VENTRICULAR ROTATION PATTERN OF THE HEART - A non-invasive analysis system includes data collecting units and an analysis unit adapted to quantify and visualize ventricular rotation patterns of the heart. The data collecting units register rotational information about the cardiac movement for a number of time points and levels in the heart throughout the cardiac cycle. The analysis unit calculates rotation planes for different levels in the heart over time and constructs rotation planes from at least two rotation lines originating from the same level in the heart. Each of the rotation lines are created between a pair of points having matching rotation values located in ventricular walls, and to calculate a rotation axis for the rotation plane for each selected level. The analysis unit creates a model of the rotational pattern of the heart. Deflection and direction of the rotation axes for the rotation planes at selected levels of the ventricles are quantified and visualized. | 11-29-2012 |
20120310078 | METHOD FOR AN IMAGE DATA ACQUISITION - A method for an image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device that has a display unit includes acquisition of at least one overview measurement with at least one image data set, evaluation of the at least one image data set, generation of information of a slice geometry, graphical presentation of the information of the slice geometry along at least one slice plane, and acquisition of image data regarding a medical and/or diagnostic question and/or examination. | 12-06-2012 |
20120316422 | Systems and Methods for Tissue Imaging - The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring tissue regions. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for detecting changes in tissue regions over a period of time. In some embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention are used to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular treatment of a tissue region. In some embodiments, the systems and methods employ functional diffusion map algorithms for imaging changes in tissue regions over time and/or in response to therapeutic interventions. | 12-13-2012 |
20120316423 | IMAGING OBSERVATION TIMING FOR ASSISTING RADIATION TREATMENT - Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for targeting diseased tissue with a radiation beam. One system includes an imaging element configured to generate a first observation of an object, the first observation generated at a first time, the object associated with a volume of interest (VOI), the VOI comprising a volume within a body of a patient. The system further includes one or more processors configured to determine a first positioning of the VOI based at least in part on the first observation of the object determine a second time for the imaging element based at least in part on a positioning parameter associated with the first positioning of the VOI, and generate a second observation of the object at the second time. | 12-13-2012 |
20120323110 | MRI SCANNER THAT OUTPUTS BONE STRENGTH INDICATORS - Described herein are various technologies pertaining to diagnosing and/or prescribing treatment for osteoporosis. A bone of a patient is subjected to an MRI scan, and the resultant signal is subjected to a likelihood function. The output of the likelihood function are values that are parameters that are employed to ascertain connectivity of trabeculae in the bone of the patient and volumetric trabecular density of the bone. | 12-20-2012 |
20130018252 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROTATING ANGLE VELOCITY ENCODING, PHASE CONTRAST MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGINGAANM Irarrazaval; PabloAACI Las CondesAACO CLAAGP Irarrazaval; Pablo Las Condes CL - A system and method is provided for performing a phase-contrast imaging process to generate an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. With the MRI system, a set of reference projections of a subject is acquired having both stationary spins and non-stationary spins and a set of velocity-sensitive projections is acquired from the ROI that is encoded to be velocity sensitive along multiple directions per readout. For each projection of the set of velocity-sensitive projections, directional velocity components are determined and a phase-contrast image of the ROI is generated using the set of reference projections, the set of velocity-sensitive projections, and the directional velocity components. | 01-17-2013 |
20130023753 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SAR ADJUSTMENT METHOD - Desired imaging is performed within the SAR restriction without changing the imaging conditions set in advance when SAR exceeds an upper limit. In order to do so, in imaging of an object performed by combination of a plurality of pulse sequences, a SAR graph showing a temporal change in the predicted SAR value of each pulse sequence is displayed. When the predicted SAR value of the pulse sequence is the same as or exceeds the upper SAR limit, the exchange of such pulse sequences or the insertion of a waiting time is performed. | 01-24-2013 |
20130030279 | System and Method of High-Frame Rate, Time-Resolved, Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Angiograpy - A system and method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject includes acquiring a time series of two-dimensional (2D) data sets from a portion of the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and reconstructing the time series of 2D data sets into a 2D time series of images of the subject having a given frame rate. The process also includes acquiring a time-independent, 3D volume of the portion of the subject and combining the 2D time series of images of the subject with the time-independent 3D volume of the subject to generate a set of time-dependent 3D volume images of the portion of the subject at the given frame rate. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030280 | CARDIAC MAPPING USING NON-GATED MRI - A method includes accepting a plurality of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data points of a cardiac chamber, acquired over multiple phases of at least one cardiac cycle. A simulated surface of the cardiac chamber is constructed by processing the MRI data points. Measurements of a parameter, acquired at respective points on a surface of the cardiac chamber, are accepted from an intra-cardiac probe. The measurements are overlaid on the simulated surface constructed from the MRI data points, so as to produce a map of the parameter on the surface. | 01-31-2013 |
20130030281 | Hashimotos Thyroiditis Detection and Monitoring - Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common type of inflammation of the thyroid gland and accurate diagnosis of HT would be advantageous in predicting thyroid failure. The application presents a three tier architecture for image-based diagnosis and a monitoring application using a network cloud. The presentation layer is run on the tablet (e.g., a mobile device), while the business and persistence layers run on a single network cloud or distributed on different network clouds in a multi-tenancy and multi-user application. Such three tier architecture is used for automated data mining application for diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) Disease using ultrasound. | 01-31-2013 |
20130060126 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM TO GENERATE AN MR IMAGE WITH A TRACKING FACTOR - For the generation of a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a predetermined volume segment of a living subject, a tracking factor is determined for each of different regions of the volume segment, from which the position of the respective region can be determined depending on a position of a moving area of the subject. MR image data of the volume segment are acquired for different positions of the moving area. The position of the moving area is calculated depending on the position and the tracking factor of the respective region, and the MR image data of the respective region are reconstructed using the MR image data of the volume segment corresponding to the calculated position of the moving area. The MR image of the predetermined volume segment is generated as a combination of the constructed MR image data of the regions. | 03-07-2013 |
20130072781 | AUTOMATIC AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC PARAMETER DETERMINATIONS FOR MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEMS - A medical imaging analysis method includes the step of receiving parameter data from an imaging component. The parameter data corresponds to at least two imaging operations and encodes at least two parameter sets corresponding to the at least two imaging operations. The method further includes the step of comparing the at least two parameter sets to identify a grouping that repeats between the parameter sets a number of times that exceeds a first threshold, an implemented change to a default parameter that repeats between the parameter sets a number of times that exceeds a second threshold, or a combination thereof. | 03-21-2013 |
20130072782 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE VOLUME COMPOSITION AND NORMALIZATION - A method and system for automatic magnetic resonance (MR) volume composition and normalization is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of MR volumes is received. A composite MR volume is generated from the plurality of MR volumes. Volume normalization of the composite MR volume is then performed to correct intensity inhomogeneity in the composite MR volume. The volume normalization of the composite MR volume may be performed using template MR volume or without a template MR volume. | 03-21-2013 |
20130079624 | GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR OPERATING AN MRI - A method for scanning using an MRI, including: providing a display, MRI, object to be scanned in said MRI, and a GUI; connecting said display with said MRI; displaying said GUI on said display; displaying at at least one first region of said GUI, graphic visualization options relating to said object and scanning of object, said visualizations are selected from a group consisting of type of object, object orientation, preferred scanning region of object, preferred scanning quality of object, preferred scanning orientation, preferred scanning type, and a combination thereof; selecting said object characteristics and scanning characteristics via said GUI; scanning said object by means of said MRI in accordance with said determined characteristics; and optionally, selecting a presentation mode of said scanning from a group consisting of single image display, multi-image display, thumbnail display, comparative display and a combination thereof, and displaying the same on said display. | 03-28-2013 |
20130085373 | HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR RECEIVER COIL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS COMPATIBLE WITH AN INFANT INCUBATOR - Systems and methods which employ a high temperature superconductor (HTS) receiver coil configuration for MRI analysis of small volume subjects, such as infants, are shown. Embodiments provide a HTS tape RF phase array receiver coil implementation. The foregoing HTS tape receiver coil implementation may be provided in a Helmholtz coil configuration. With such a Helmholtz coil configuration, circuitry is preferably provided to provide tuning, matching, and/or decoupling with respect to the HTS receiver coils. Embodiments implement a cryostat configuration to maintain one or more HTS receiver coils at a desired operating temperature (e.g., ≦77° K.) while providing a safe environment for a subject (e.g., infant) being imaged. | 04-04-2013 |
20130085374 | METHOD OF OSCILLOGRAM FILTERING FOR RADIAL MRI DATA - A system includes a data receiver, a sinogram generator, a processor, a filter module, and an output module. The data receiver is configured to receive radial ordered magnetic resonance data. The sinogram generator is configured to generate a first sinogram corresponding to a view angle as a function of a readout direction for the magnetic resonance data. The processor is configured to generate an oscillogram having an angular frequency axis. The oscillogram corresponds to a Fourier transform of the first sinogram. The filter module is configured to selectively filter a peak in a projection formed along a selected axis of the oscillogram, the peak being related to an interference signal such as an RF interference. The selected axis is orthogonal to the angular frequency axis. The output module is configured to form a second sinogram corresponding to a transform of the filtered projection | 04-04-2013 |
20130096414 | LOCALIZATION OF AORTA AND LEFT ATRIUM FROM MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The aorta and left atrium are localized from magnetic resonance data. The locations of the aorta and left atrium are detected jointly. The aorta and the left atrium are, at least in part, treated as one object. The detection may be from data representing a two-dimensional region. The two-dimensional region may be determined by first detecting the left ventricle from data representing a volume. | 04-18-2013 |
20130096415 | METHOD TO DETERMINE SODIUM VALUES DESCRIBING THE CONTENT OF 23NA+, AND LOCAL COIL FOR USE IN SUCH A METHOD - In a method to determine at least one sodium value describing the 23Na+ content in at least one region of interest in a target region in the body of a patient, at least one sodium image data set of the target region is acquired with a magnetic resonance imaging device using sodium-23 imaging, the sodium image data set including image data dependent on the occurrence of sodium. The at least one region of interest is defined for which the sodium value is to be determined in the sodium image data set. The sodium value is determined by comparison of the image data in the region of interest with reference image data of at least one subject with a defined 23Na+ content, the reference image data having been acquired with the same sequence. A local coil can be used to implement the method that has a phantom integrated therein that allows the sodium image data set and the reference image data to be acquired together. | 04-18-2013 |
20130102877 | ATLAS-BASED ANALYSIS FOR IMAGE-BASED ANATOMIC AND FUNCTIONAL DATA OF ORGANISM - A non-invasive imaging system, including an imaging scanner suitable to generate an imaging signal from a tissue region of a subject under observation, the tissue region having at least one anatomical substructure and more than one constituent tissue type; a signal processing system in communication with the imaging scanner to receive the imaging signal from the imaging scanner; and a data storage unit in communication with the signal processing system, wherein the data storage unit is configured to store a parcellation atlas comprising spatial information of the at least one substructure in the tissue region, wherein the signal processing system is adapted to: reconstruct an image of the tissue region based on the imaging signal; parcellate, based on the parcellation atlas, the at least one anatomical substructure in the image; segment the more than one constituent tissue types in the image; and automatically identify, in the image, a portion of the at least one anatomical substructure that correspond to one of the more than one constituent tissue type. | 04-25-2013 |
20130116540 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION AND PREDICTION OF BRAIN DISORDERS BASED ON NEURAL NETWORK INTERACTION - Systems and methods obtain functional connectivity data in the whole brain to detect and predict brain disorders. This whole brain data is regionalized and then manipulated to derive functional connectivity data sets that can be used to show measured functional connectivity changes. This whole brain data may also be analyzed to determine changes in functional activity in both increased and decreased neural network connectivity. By identifying and then quantifying the functional connectivity differences between healthy and diseased subjects, a classification for individual subjects can be made. | 05-09-2013 |
20130123605 | BRAIN PHOSPHORUS SPECTROSCOPY IN BIPOLAR DISORDER - Described herein are systems and methods of identifying bipolar disorder in a person. One such method includes acquiring | 05-16-2013 |
20130123606 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS TO MEASURE STRUCTURES OF THE HUMAN BRAIN - In a method to measure characteristic structure sizes of the human brain, which structure sizes can be used as biomarkers for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, using a magnetic resonance device, manual and/or automatic localization of the hippocampus takes place in a preliminary magnetic resonance acquisition, followed by selection of at least one measurement axis that proceeds through the hippocampus. For each selected measurement axis, magnetic resonance data are acquired for a longitudinal, in particular rod-shaped, acquisition region proceeding along the measurement axis. Determination of the spatially resolved structure sizes is implemented from the magnetic resonance data. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123607 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TASK-LESS MAPPING OF BRAIN ACTIVITY - A computing device for use in a system for mapping brain activity of a subject includes a processor. The processor is programmed to select a plurality of measurements of brain activity that is representative of at least one parameter of a brain of the subject during a resting state. Moreover, the processor is programmed to compare at least one data point from each of the measurements with a corresponding data point from a previously acquired data set from at least one other subject. The processor is also programmed to produce at least one map for each of the measurements based on the comparison of the resting state data point and the corresponding previously acquired data point. The processor may also be programmed to categorize the brain activity in a plurality of networks in the brain based on the map. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123608 | RECORDER WITH PIEZO MOTOR USED TO DRIVE PLATEN FOR HIGH MAGNETIC ENVIRONMENTS - An apparatus and method generates a print out of physiological information from a patient ( | 05-16-2013 |
20130131490 | System and Method for Determining The Presence of a Neurodegenerative Disease Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography - A system and method for analyzing a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The technique includes positioning a subject within the MRI system and coupling a driver to the subject to impart vibrational energy to the subject. The technique further includes using the MRI system and in coordination with operation of the driver, acquiring medical imaging data from the subject's brain and deriving stiffness information of the subject's brain from the medical imaging data. A report, such as an image, can be provided indicating the stiffness information of the subject's brain relative to baseline stiffness information to indicate a status of the subject with respect to a neurodegenerative disease. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131491 | Tumor Response Prediction to Therapy - Tumor responses to a therapy can be predicted in a more objective and quantitative fashion allowing doctors to make earlier determinations of how well a tumor is responding to therapy. If a patient were not responding well, valuable time could be saved and the patient could be switched to a more efficacious therapy. Tumor response predictions to therapy are determined from a combination of (i) the tumor volumes over time, (ii) the cellular proliferation over time and (iii) the cellular apoptosis over time. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131492 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED TRACKING OF VESSEL MOVEMENT USING MR IMAGING - A system and method is disclosed for tracking a moving object using magnetic resonance imaging. The technique includes acquiring a scout image scan having a number of image frames and extracting non-linear motion parameters from the number of image frames of the scout image scan. The technique includes prospectively shifting slice location using the non-linear motion parameters between slice locations while acquiring a series of MR images. The system and method are particularly useful in tracking coronary artery movement during the cardiac cycle to acquire the non-linear components of coronary artery movement during a diastolic portion of the R-R interval. | 05-23-2013 |
20130137962 | Method for Detecting Arthritis and Cartilage Damage Using Magnetic Resonance Sequences - In this work, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based automatic classifier was designed to predict changes due to osteoarthritis (OA) years prior to their symptomatic presentation and radiographic detection. For each patient, multiple image texture features were measured from the T2 map of the patella cartilage and the lateral and medial compartments of the femoral condyle. A support vector machine (SVM)-based linear discriminant function was trained to predict health status, as well as the affected knee compartment. Feature selection was integrated into the classifier training to drastically reduce the number of image (biomarker) features without sacrificing classification accuracy. It was found that a dominant knee compartment determined the classification decision for most patients. We demonstrate that the signal texture index (STI) predicts disease progression prior to symptoms or radiographic signs of OA. In symptomatic individuals, the STI correlates with the pain and severity of OA suggesting it is a sensitive measure of the same on T2 Maps. These observed changes localized to one knee compartment demonstrating the method can localize OA to specific regions. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144154 | Method of visualization of tissue perfusion by means of assessing BOLD signal fluctuations, an apparatus therefor and the use thereof - A method and apparatus for visualization of tissue areas insufficiently supplied with blood, in particular in the event of an acute stroke, by evaluation of local fluctuations of a BOLD signal produced and recorded by an apparatus; passed to a data detection device; pre-processed in a first evaluation device for image recognition; subjected to a time delay analysis applied to the BOLD signal data of at least one voxel in a second evaluation device in order to calculate a time dependent positive and negative phase shift of the BOLD signal data; and assigned a reference value which is an estimated time delay between the BOLD signal data of at least one voxel and the entire average time course of a selected region during the recording of the BOLD data in order to estimate modified BOLD signal data which are used to determine at least one area of the hypoperfused tissue. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144155 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) SPECTROSCOPY TO EVALUATE PAIN AND DEGENERATIVE PROPERTIES OF TISSUE - NMR spectroscopy is performed on intervertebral disc tissue. Extent of degeneration is determined based on the NMR spectroscopy. Correlation between NMR spectral regions and at least one of tissue degeneration and pain are made. Accordingly, NMR spectroscopy is used to determine location and/or extent of at least one of degeneration or pain associated with a region of tissue, such as for example in particular disc degeneration, or discogenic pain. NMR spectral peak ratios, such as between N-Acetyl/cho and cho/carb, are readily acquired and analyzed to predict degree of tissue degeneration and/or pain for: tissue samples using HR-MAS spectroscopy; and larger portions of anatomy such as joint segments such as a spine, using clinical 3T MRI systems with surface head or knee coils; and tissue regions such as discs within spines of living patients using 3T MRI systems with a surface spine coil, thus providing a completely non-invasive diagnostic toolset and method to image and localize degeneration and/or pain. | 06-06-2013 |
20130144156 | Method and Apparatus for Correcting B1-Inhomogeneity in Slice-Selective Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method of performing nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a body, comprising: immerging said body in a static magnetic field for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis; exposing said body to a gradient pulse and to a transverse radio-frequency pulse for performing slice-selective excitation of said nuclear spins, thus flipping the nuclear spins of atoms contained within a slice of said body; detecting a signal emitted by excited nuclear spins; and reconstructing a magnetic resonance image of said slice of the body on the basis of the detected signal; the method being characterized in that said radio-frequency pulse is constituted by a train of slice-selective elementary pulses, approximately equivalent to a train of elementary rectangular pulses with constant frequencies which are designed for compensating for inhomogeneity of the radio-frequency field within the body. | 06-06-2013 |
20130158384 | Systems and Methods for Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Methods and apparatus for operating an MRI system is provided. The disclosure provides a diffusion-prepared driven-equilibrium preparation for an imaging volume and acquiring 3-dimensional k-space data from said prepared volume by a plurality of echoplanar readouts of stimulated echoes. An excitation radio-frequency signal and first and second inversion RF signals are provided to define a field-of-view (FOV). | 06-20-2013 |
20130190600 | System and Method for Identifying an Optimal Image Frame for Ultrasound Imaging - A method for identifying an optimal image frame is presented. The method includes receiving a selection of an anatomical region of interest in an object of interest. Furthermore, the method includes obtaining a plurality of image frames corresponding to the selected anatomical region of interest. The method also includes determining a real-time indicator corresponding to the plurality of acquired image frames, wherein the real-time indicator is representative of quality of an image frame. In addition, the method includes communicating the real-time indicator to aid in selecting an optimal image frame. Systems and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the method for identifying an optimal image frame are also presented. | 07-25-2013 |
20130190601 | Method for Measuring Magnetization Transfer Between Molecules with Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A method for chemical exchange saturation transfer (“CEST”) imaging that is more insensitive to off-resonance and magnetization transfer effects than other CEST methods is provided. Sn general, three different images are obtained: one obtained with radio frequency (“RF”) saturation about a labeling frequency, one obtained with RF saturation about a reference frequency, and one obtained with RF saturation about both the labeling and reference frequencies. This method, termed saturation with frequency alternating radiofrequency irradiation (“SAFARI”), is also very robust to magnetic field inhomogeneities. The three images, referred to as a labeled image, reference image, and dual frequency image, are selectively combined to produce an image of the subject in which CEST contrast is present, but errors arising from off-resonance and magnetization transfer effects are substantially suppressed. | 07-25-2013 |
20130197347 | Method for Free-Breathing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Iterative Image-Based Respiratory Motion Correction - A method for free-breathing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using iterative image-based respiratory motion correction is provided. An MRI system is used to acquired k-space data and navigator data from a subject. The k-space data is then sorted into a plurality of data bins using the navigator data. A motion correction parameter is estimated for each data bin and is applied to the respective k-space data in that bin. The corrected k-space data segments are then combined to form a corrected k-space data set, from which an image is reconstructed. The process may be iteratively repeated until an image quality metric is optimized; for example, until an image sharpness measure is sufficiently maximized. | 08-01-2013 |
20130204115 | COMPUTER BASED ANALYSIS OF MRI IMAGES - A method for computer based analysis of a low field MR image including a trabecular region of bone for extracting from said image diagnostic information by applying a trained statistical classifier which has been trained on similar labelled according to the severity of a trabecular bone altering disease suffered at the time or later. For each image in the training set a region of interest (ROI) is defined, textural information relating to the intensities of voxels within the ROI is obtained, and combinations of features of said textural information are found which suitably classify the images according to said labelling. An image under study is treated similarly and features of said textural information for the voxels within the ROI of the image are combined as learnt in the training of the classifier to estimate a level of said trabecular bone altering disease or propensity to develop said bone altering disease or a level thereof associated with said image. | 08-08-2013 |
20130204116 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION PATH INFORMATION IN A CHAMBER WALL OF A VENTRICLE - A method for determining electrical conduction path information in a chamber wall of a ventricle of a patient is provided. A three-dimensional magnetic resonance image data set is recorded showing the ventricles using a recording technology which allows an assignment of an electrical conductivity to a voxel based on the magnetic resonance image dataset. The chamber wall is segmented in the magnetic resonance image dataset. Conductivity determined from the image data is assigned to sub-regions of the chamber wall corresponding to individual voxels of the magnetic resonance image dataset. A model of the chamber wall is created as a function of the conductivities and segmentation. A conduction path information item is determined describing an electrical conduction path running from a start point to a destination point through the chamber wall in the model. | 08-08-2013 |
20130204117 | METHOD TO EVALUATE RAW MEDICAL DATA - In a method to evaluate raw data acquired with a medical image acquisition device, such as raw three-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, wherein at least one evaluation algorithm is applied to the raw data to determine output data, the raw data are transferred from the medical acquisition device to at least one external service having a different operator from the image acquisition device. The evaluation algorithm is applied to the raw data at the external service and the output data are transferred back from the external service to the medical acquisition device. | 08-08-2013 |
20130211228 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE WITH A MAGNETIC RESONANCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM - A method for generating a magnetic resonance image with a magnetic resonance tomography system is provided. A patient is positioned in the magnetic resonance tomography system, wherein the region of the patient to be imaged in the magnetic resonance image is covered with a sound-dampening blanket. The back and/or abdomen of the patient are covered by the sound-dampening blanket, while the magnetic resonance image is generated. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211229 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MODELING AND PROCESSING FMRI IMAGE DATA USING A BAG-OF-WORDS APPROACH - Systems and methods for processing image data are provided. A computer implemented method for processing image data, comprises gathering 4-D image data from a subject, extracting time series data, and spatial and degree data of each voxel of the subject, deriving at least one feature from the time series data, deriving at least one feature from the spatial and degree data, combining the at least one feature from the time series data, and the at least one feature from the spatial and degree data to generate combined data, and inputting the combined data to a classifier, wherein the classifier outputs a classification based on the combined data. | 08-15-2013 |
20130211230 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING MEDICAL IMAGE FUSION - A method and system for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. The method includes communicating MRI, CT, PET and/or ultrasound image data, and fusing such data using an image-guided biopsy system. It further includes using such fused images in conjunction with the image-guided biopsy system for performing diagnosis and treatment procedures. | 08-15-2013 |
20130231551 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CARDIOVASCULAR EXERCISE STRESS MRI - A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MR-compatible treadmill. The treadmill is made of non-ferromagnetic materials and has a belt driven by a motor that produces rotational motion from pressurized fluid that is produced by a pump located outside the scan room. The treadmill is adjacent to the MR imager. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then transferred to the MR imager without leaving the scan room. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients. | 09-05-2013 |
20130231552 | Method and System for Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder from Magnetic Resonance Images - A method and system for automated diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from magnetic resonance images is disclosed. Anatomical features are extracted from a structural magnetic resonance image (MRI) of a patient. Functional features are extracted from a resting-state functional MRI (rsFMRI) series of the patient. An ADHD diagnosis for the patient is determined based on the anatomical features, the functional features, and phenotypic features of the patient using a trained classifier. An ADHD subtype may then be determined for patients diagnosed as ADHD positive using a second trained classifier. | 09-05-2013 |
20130237804 | TIME VARYING DENSITY OF TISSUES - Systems for providing time varying density signatures of tissues are presented. The time varying density signatures can be calculated based on obtained sensor data reflecting one or more properties (e.g., physical, mechanical, electrical, etc.) of a target tissue. The time varying density signatures can then be used to generate an output where the output indicates how a target tissue's density changes with respect to time, possibly based on first, second, third, or higher order derivatives with respect to time. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237805 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS - A magnetic resonance apparatus having a magnet unit is provided. The magnet unit includes a main magnet, a gradient coil and a high frequency coil unit, a cylindrical imaging region for imaging a patient. The magnet unit cylindrically surrounds the imaging region, and a housing unit surrounding the magnet unit. The housing unit has a rigid, fixedly installed housing shell unit arranged between the magnet unit and the imaging region. The housing unit has at least one noise protection unit arranged to surround the magnet unit at least partially and to be removable within the imaging region. | 09-12-2013 |
20130245424 | METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS OF BRAIN ACTIVITY - A computer assisted method is provided for diagnosing the in condition of a subject associated with particular activation in one or more regions of interest, the method comprising: having the subject perform a behavior or have a perception adapted to selectively activate one or more regions of interest associated with the condition; measuring activity of the one or more regions of interest as the behavior is performed or the subject has the perception; diagnosing the condition associated with the one or more regions of interest based on the activity in response to the behavior or perception; performing an intervention; and repeating this process one or more times including repeating said behavior, said measuring of activity and said diagnosis at a later time; and observing changes between measurements that are associated with said intervention. | 09-19-2013 |
20130253305 | System and Method for Imaging of the Vascular Components Using 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. A magnetization preparation RF module is applied to a portion of a subject including a vascular structure using the MRI system. A readout procedure is performed to collect image data, wherein the readout procedure includes a phase encoding scheme configured to provide a desired delay time after the application of the magnetization preparation RF module to allow a partial recovery of signal within the vascular structure following application of the magnetization preparation RF module when sampling a central region of k-space during the readout procedure. The image set is reconstructed into an image of the vascular structure wherein blood within the vascular structure is reflected as a gray-blood image. | 09-26-2013 |
20130261428 | METHOD TO OPERATE AN IMAGE-GENERATING MEDICAL MODALITY TO AVOID PATIENT INJURY BY A MODALITY-GENERATED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD - In a method to operate an image-generating medical modality in order to avoid harm to a patient caused by an electromagnetic field, an adjustment process is implemented in which the electromagnetic field is radiated by the modality and preliminary image data are acquired using the electromagnetic field; and a clearance between the patient and a wall of the modality is determined from the image. The determined clearance forms the basis of a check process to determine an adaptation of the electromagnetic field for a diagnostic examination of the patient that follows. During the diagnostic examination, that also includes radiation of the electromagnetic field, movement monitoring of the patient takes place and the adjustment process is restarted as soon as a movement of the patient is registered. | 10-03-2013 |
20130267825 | METHODS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF NEUROLOGIC DISEASES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHODS - A method of diagnosing or monitoring a neurological condition in a subject is described. The method includes performing a first magnetic resonance method on a subject to produce a first data set, performing a second magnetic resonance method on the subject to produce a second data set, and analyzing the first data set and the second data set. | 10-10-2013 |
20130281822 | IMAGE CORRECTION USING MULTICHANNEL BLIND DECONVOLUTION WITH HOMOMORPHIC FILTERING - A method includes obtaining a plurality of magnetic resonance (MR) coil images of a subject of interest, each MR coil image being generated from one of an array of MR receiving coils; combining the plurality of coil images to generate an image estimate of the subject of interest; performing a multichannel blind deconvolution (MBD) process including: deriving coil sensitivity information for every one of the array of MR receiving coils based on the image estimate or a filtered image estimate derived from the image estimate; updating the image estimate or the filtered image estimate using the derived coil sensitivity information to generate an updated image estimate; and applying a homomorphic filter to the image estimate to derive the filtered image estimate, or to the updated image estimate to derive a filtered updated image estimate, or a combination thereof. | 10-24-2013 |
20130281823 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING A SET OF MEASURED DATA RELATING TO A BREATHING OBJECT OF INTEREST - In a method and apparatus to acquire a measurement data set of a breathing examination subject by magnetic resonance, the measurement data set is acquired in multiple shots each composed of a number of k-space trajectories (views), with the number Nv of views per shot being selected. The number of shots is determined in order to completely fill k-space to be scanned. The views of the shots are associated with sectors in k-space, such that approximately the same number of views are arranged in each sector, and such that all views in a sector have a similar distance from the k-space center. A respective view of each sector is associated with a respective one of the shots, corresponding to the orientation of the respective shot in the kz-ky plane. The views of each shot are scanned such that views that are associated with the same sector and different shots respectively assume the same time position within the shot. | 10-24-2013 |
20130281824 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING A SET OF MEASURED DATA RELATING TO A BREATHING OBJECT OF INTEREST - In a method for acquisition of a measurement data set of a respirating examination subject by magnetic resonance technology, the measurement data set is acquired by numerous individual measurements, wherein, for each individual measurement, a respiratory position and a respiratory phase are determined, based on which it is decided whether the individual measurement is to be included in the final measurement data set from which an image data set is reconstructed. | 10-24-2013 |
20130303879 | HIGH DENSITY ATRIAL FIBRILLATION CYCLE LENGTH (AFCL) DETECTION AND MAPPING SYSTEM - Systems and methods to assist in locating the focus of an atrial fibrillation include the association of atrial fibrillation cycle length values and statistics relating thereto with temporal locations on an electrogram of a given electrode, and/or the coordination of electrode locations with respective the spectral analyses of electrogram signals and further parameters and statistics relating thereto. Ablation therapy can proceed under guidance of such information. | 11-14-2013 |
20130310678 | BIOMEDICAL IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD - A method of reconstructing an MRI or ultrasound biomedical image, including the steps of a) exciting a body under examination with radio-frequency (RF) or ultrasound (US) pulses; b) acquiring image data from the generated signals, wherein the signals are acquired by pseudo-random undersampling; c) reconstructing the image using a nonlinear iterative algorithm, with a data fidelity constraint term ensuring fidelity to the acquired image data; wherein two or more sets of image data are acquired from the generated signals, each data set being acquired in a different undersampling scheme and/or a different acquisition mode; each of the acquired image data set is multiplied by a correction matrix Δ, for adjusting the fidelity term; for each iteration of the nonlinear iterative algorithm the data sets are processed to generate a combination image faithful to the acquired data but not to the incoherent artifacts, thereby leading to suppression of the artifacts. | 11-21-2013 |
20130317341 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MRT DATA OF THE HUMAN BRAIN - A method, a software program and a system for processing MRT data of the human brain of a patient, wherein three-dimensional MRT data resolved in voxels of the patient's brain and the brains of a normative database of a plurality of neurologically healthy human individuals are available. The MRT data of the patient's brain are segmented for each voxel into portions of grey substance, white substance and liquor by means of a classification algorithm, wherein for comparison with corresponding data of the normative database the data are normalized before, after or synchronously into a standardized stereotactic space whereby one or more normalized tissue maps result that contain the proportions determined by the classification algorithm, and the tissue map or tissue maps of the patient's brain is or are subjected to a voxel-wise statistical comparison with the correspondingly normalized and segmented data of the normative database. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317342 | PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS WITH A PATIENT SUPPORT APPARATUS - A patient support apparatus for supporting and/or transporting a patient is provided. The patient support apparatus may be used, for example in an imaging device. The patient support apparatus includes a patient support couch, on which the patient can be positioned for a medical imaging examination. A carrier unit is provided, on which the patient support couch is arranged so as to be moveable. The patient support apparatus also includes at least one drive unit for generating kinetic energy for a movement of the patient support couch in respect of the carrier unit. The at least one drive unit includes a pneumatic drive unit. | 11-28-2013 |
20130331684 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a setting unit which sets a section position, a first image creating unit which creates a first image at the set section position by a multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from a subject by a first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the set section position, a determining unit which determines a section position of the first image, and a second image creating unit which creates a second image at the determined section position by the multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from the subject by a second imaging sequence different from the first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the determined section position. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338482 | VIBRATION TYPE DRIVING DEVICE, MEDICAL APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL SYSTEM - A vibration type driving device comprising an electromechanical energy conversion element, an elastic member to which the electromechanical energy conversion element is attached, a driven member wherein a relative displacement is generated between the elastic member and the driven member, and a contact member between the elastic member and the driven member, wherein the elastic member is formed of non-metal material, the driven member is formed of non-metal material, and the contact member is formed of at least one of resin, non-oxide ceramics, and ceramics added with filler. | 12-19-2013 |
20140005519 | Image-Assisted Diagnostic Evaluation | 01-02-2014 |
20140012126 | ELASTOGRAPHY METHOD, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM FOR IMPLEMENTING AN ELASTOGRAPHY METHOD - In a methods for elastography in a defined region of an examined person, a radio-frequency pulse is radiated to manipulate a transverse magnetization in the defined region and at least one additional radio-frequency pulse with a spatial selectivity of the amplitude is radiated to generate shear waves in the defined region. A magnetic resonance signal from the defined region is detected and a determination of a value describing the tissue elasticity in the defined region is made based on the magnetic resonance signal. | 01-09-2014 |
20140024921 | INSTRUMENT SUITABLE FOR THE MRI ENVIRONMENT SUCH AS A LIGHTED, DISPOSABLE, MR SAFE LARYNGOSCOPE - The instrument ( | 01-23-2014 |
20140046167 | FIBER OPTIC SYSTEMS FOR MRI SUITES AND RELATED DEVICES AND METHODS - Fiber optic systems with an MR compatible mouse in an MR scanner room that connects to a fiber optic computer mouse interface that is attached to a fiber optic cable that connects to a USB port of a computer in the MR control room to allow the mouse in the MR scanner room to move a cursor on a monitor in communication with the computer in the control room of an MRI suite during an MRI guided surgical procedure. The fiber optic cable(s) can be routed though a conventional RF wall waveguide and avoids the need for additional holes in the penetration panel for connectors. The fiber optic systems can also include up converters and down converters for providing fiber optic video signals from cameras in the MR scanner room to display video signal on the monitor. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046168 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM - A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system obtains an MR image of an object. The system detects an ECG signal and performs a pulse sequence of RF gradient magnetic fields toward the object. Imaging defined by the pulse sequence is longer in temporal length than one heartbeat. The system further acquires an MR signal from the object in response to performance of the pulse sequence and produces the MR image based on the acquired MR signal. Also possible are: a plurality of divided MT pulses instead of the conventional single MT pulse, an SE-system pulse sequence having a shorter echo train spacing, and the generation of sounds by applying gradient pulses incorporated in an imaging pulse sequence so as to automatically instruct a patient to perform an intermittent breath hold. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046169 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR SPINE CENTRUM EXTRACTION AND INTERVERTEBRAL DISK DIVIDING - Devices, systems, and methods for spine centrum extraction and intervertebral disk dividing are disclosed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140066746 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE - A method and apparatus for capturing a magnetic resonance image in which processes of generating T1 contrast for different regions of an object overlap with each other, thereby obtaining a magnetic resonance image having an improved contrast between different tissues within a short time. Therefore, a time required for obtaining a magnetic resonance image may be reduced, and a magnetic resonance image enabling improved diagnosis of a disease or other abnormal condition may be provided. | 03-06-2014 |
20140066747 | Episodic Memory Stimulation - The present invention comprises, without limitation, a method to maintain or increase brain health, wherein the method comprises a means to input information known to an individual, a means for an individual to access such information, access of the information by the individual, wherein the information evokes an episodic memory that stimulates brain health. | 03-06-2014 |
20140073904 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING A MOVEMENT OF A PATIENT DURING A MEDICAL IMAGING EXAMINATION - A method for acquiring a movement of a patient during a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination, by means of a medical imaging device, in particular a magnetic resonance device is provided. The method includes the following method steps:
| 03-13-2014 |
20140073905 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BLOOD OXYGEN LEVEL DEPENDENT MRI - Abnormal functioning of the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPF) has been implicated in depression. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the DLPF has been successful in treating depression, however, successful translation to routine clinical practice has shown modest results using standard protocols. The present invention provides paradigms, systems, and methods for the targeted, location specific, and pulse-modulated treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, chronic pain syndromes, drug and alcohol addiction, and other conditions through the use of advanced functional MRI (fMRI) or PET/CT, stereotactic neuronavigation, and the performance of cognitive tasks with the maximally efficient delivery of rTMS pulses, which can be varied and precisely targeted, to obtain concurrent activation of targeted brain networks. | 03-13-2014 |
20140100441 | MEDICAL IMAGE IMAGING METHOD, MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME, AND RECORDING MEDIUM THEREFOR - A medical diagnostic apparatus includes a data obtainer, which obtains an image frame included in a region to be imaged; and a data processor, which processes the obtained frame and obtains a medical image. The data obtainer includes a composite image generator, which generates a composite image by using the image frame; and a medical image obtainer, which compensates the composite image by using the image frame and boundary conditions corresponding to image signals included in the composite image and obtains the medical image by using the compensated composite image. | 04-10-2014 |
20140114174 | SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR QUANTIFICATION OF KNEE CARTILAGE FROM MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - The present invention relates to systems, compositions, and methods for quantification of joint cartilage from magnetic resonance imaging. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of a universal coordinate to identify informative locations in joints that reflect cartilage loss throughout the joint, reduce the burden of measuring joint cartilage, and allow for the calculation of a more sensitive measure of cartilage loss than traditional cartilage segmentation methods. | 04-24-2014 |
20140114175 | SUPERCONDUCTIVE ELECTROMAGNET APPARATUS AND COOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a plurality of cooling pipes disposed while being spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal length of the coil assembly, a first manifold connected to a lower end of the plurality of cooling pipes to distribute and supply a coolant to the plurality of cooling pipes, and a second manifold connected to an upper end of the plurality of cooling pipes to be supplied with the coolant from the plurality of cooling pipes, thereby able to evenly cool off the coil assembly in a longitudinal direction thereof. | 04-24-2014 |
20140121492 | MRI WITH SEPARATION OF DIFFERENT CHEMICAL SPECIES USING A SPECTRAL MODEL - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least two chemical species having different MR spectra. The method comprises the steps of: generating MR signals of the chemical species by subjecting a portion of a body ( | 05-01-2014 |
20140155731 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING NEUROPROTECTIVE COMPOUNDS AND/OR NEUROREGENERATION STIMULATORS BY FRACTIONAL ANISOTROPY MEASUREMENTS BY DIFFUSION-BASED MRI SCANNING - The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the effectiveness of a treatment on neuroprotection and to a method for identifying candidate molecules that are neuroprotectors and/or neuronal growth stimulators. The present invention can be used, in particular, in the field of pharmaceutics, in the field of scientific research and in the field of clinical trials and validation of therapeutic substances. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155732 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PORTABLE MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENTS OF LUNG PROPERTIES - A portable magnetic resonance (MR) system for quantitatively measuring properties of a subject's lungs, such as regional ventilation and lung density, is provided. The portable MR system includes a magnet, radio frequency (RF) coil assembly, and spectrometer system. The magnet can be positioned near the subject's chest. The magnetic field of the magnet substantially homogeneous in a region-of-interest located at a distance from the surface of the magnet that localizes the region-of-interest in the subject's lung. The RF coil assembly includes one or more RF coils that are sized to be positioned near the subject's chest, and receives MR signals from the region-of-interest. The spectrometer system controls the RF coil assembly and computes from the acquired MR signals, a quantitative metric indicative of a characteristic of the subject's lung in the region-of-interest. An active noise cancellation system is provided so RF shielding of the portable MR system is not required. | 06-05-2014 |
20140180058 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NONLINEAR ELASTOGRAPHY - Nonlinear elastography systems and methods are provided. The elastography system includes a data acquisition module, such as an imaging device, and associated system control circuitry. The data acquisition module is configured to acquire various data, such as displacement and/or force data, from a material. A nonlinear transfer function is applied to the acquired data to generate information about the material's stiffness. In one implementation, a map representative of the material's stiffness is generated. | 06-26-2014 |
20140187908 | System and Method for Patient-Specific Planar Visualization of Volumetric MRI Data - A system and method for providing medical imaging data includes generating T2* maps based on T2* data, registering the T2* maps with 3-D anatomical data reconstructed from the medical imaging data, and segmenting the 3-D anatomical data in a region of interest (ROI). The method also includes generating a 3-D anatomic volume of at least the ROI, flattening the 3-D anatomic volume into a 2-D flattened image, and displaying the registered T2* maps on the 2-D flattened image. | 07-03-2014 |
20140200435 | System and Method for Ungated Non-Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography - A system and method for producing an image of a vasculature of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes applying a saturation pulse to a prescribed imaging slice to substantially suppress MR signals in the prescribed imaging slice. A quiescent inflow time period (QITP) is observed that is at least equal to half a projected duration of a cardiac cycle of the subject. After the QITP, k-space data is acquired from the prescribed imaging slice, and a subset of the data representative of a desired portion of the cardiac cycle of the subject is reconstructed into an image of the subject including at least the prescribed imaging slice. | 07-17-2014 |
20140235994 | OPTIMIZED VELOCITY-SELECTIVE ARTERIAL SPIN LABELLING MODULE - A velocity selective preparation method is disclosed, for velocity selective arterial spin labelling (VSASL), the VSASL method using non-selective radiofrequency pulses and magnetic field gradients to modulate the longitudinal magnetization of the spins as a function of their velocity, wherein said velocity selective preparation method comprises an n-segment B | 08-21-2014 |
20140249401 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MR EXAMINATION, AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - The invention provides an apparatus ( | 09-04-2014 |
20140257082 | FLUID HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC BED AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A diagnostic system is disclosed, and comprises a diagnostic device and a fluid heat transfer system. The diagnostic device has an associated bed for supporting a portion of a subject during a diagnostic procedure. The fluid heat transfer system comprises a fluid circulation component, a heater component, and a fluid line. The heater component includes a heater element and a mixing valve, and the fluid circulation component is fluidly coupled to the heater component so that a fluid can be pumped from the fluid circulation component to the heater component. The fluid line extends from the heater to the fluid circulation component, and the mixing valve is positioned near the bed so that heat can be rapidly transferred through the fluid line to alter a body temperature of the subject. | 09-11-2014 |
20140257083 | Methods for Evaluating Regional Cardiac Function and Dyssynchrony from a Dynamic Imaging Modality Using Endocardial Motion - An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method and system for evaluating regional cardiac function and dyssynchrony from an imaging modality using the motion of endocardial features of the heart. In the method and system, an imaging modality such as a CT scanner is used to obtain an image sequence that is then processed using a computer program. The computer program is configured to create an endocardial mesh formed from triangular components that represents at least the region of interest of the subject's heart. From tracking the motion of conserved topological features on this endocardial mesh at least two time points a displacement map can be modeled. The displacement map can be further analyzed to determine metrics of regional cardiac function such as SQUEEZ, myocardial strain, torsion etc., and the displacement map can also be used to create visual representations of the function of the subject's heart. | 09-11-2014 |
20140275959 | EXTERNAL FIXATION SYSTEM WITH RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELDING - An electrical insulator is applied to a bone anchor, for instance of a bone implant, such as an external fixation frame, so as to prevent undesirable temperature increases in the bone anchor and surrounding anatomical tissue when subjected magnetic resonance imaging. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275960 | FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING BIOMARKER OF NEURAL ABNORMALITY - Systems and methods for application of fMRI as a biomarker of neural abnormalities are presented. A subject's activations of brain regions that occur while performing cognitive tasks in an fMRI scanning apparatus are measured. The resulting measurements are compared to the activations of brain regions that occur during each cognitive task for a control group. The comparison to the performance and brain activations of normal subjects determine the presence of cortical compensatory mechanisms that indicate neural abnormalities in the subject. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275961 | METHODS FOR THE NON-INVASIVE DETERMINATION OF HEART AND PULMONARY PRESSURES - The disclosure of the present application provides methods for the noninvasive determination of cardiac and pulmonary pressures based off of patient-specific medical images and one or more computations. In one exemplary embodiment, the method comprises noninvasively generating a patient-specific medical image of at least a portion of a heart, determining a free vibration measurement from the left ventricular free wall based on the patient-specific image, and performing at least one computation using the free vibration measurement to noninvasively determine a cardiac or pulmonary pressure. | 09-18-2014 |
20140296695 | SELECTIVE ZERO-QUANTUM COHERENCE TRANSFER (SEL-ZQC) METHOD FOR METABOLITE IMAGING IN A POORLY SHIMMED MAGNET FIELD WITHOUT SUSCEPTIBILITY ARTIFACT - 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 non-target chemicals (chemicals whose signals are to be filtered out or suppressed) chemicals can be suppressed, so that the signal(s) of a set of target chemicals can be obtained without signals from the one or more non-target 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. These techniques can be employed to recover sharp peaks despite magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility effects. | 10-02-2014 |
20140296696 | METHOD AND SYSTEM USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR TISSUE CLASSIFICATION AND BULK-DENSITY ASSIGNMENT - An apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging system, a processor for controlling the apparatus, and a memory containing machine executable instructions and a pulse sequence. The machine executable instructions and pulse sequence cause the processor to control the apparatus to: acquire magnetic resonance data from an imaging volume, wherein the magnetic resonance data includes gradient echo data; segment the magnetic resonance data into a plurality of segments, the segments including a fat segment, a water segment, a cortical bone segment, and an air segment; and create a bulk density map of the imaging volume from the segments. | 10-02-2014 |
20140303478 | ATLAS-FREE BRAIN TISSUE SEGMENTATION METHOD USING A SINGLE T1-WEIGHTED MRI ACQUISITION - An atlas-free magnetic resonance imaging method images at least one part of a brain. An MRI sequence configured for acquiring two image volumes of the part at different inversion times within a single acquisition is combined to a fat-water separation method for acquiring a fat-water separated image. For each echo time two image volumes are acquired, respectively a first image volume and a second image volume at the first echo time, and a first image volume and a second image volume at the second echo time, and combined to a uniform image. The acquired images are combined to form a final uniform image, a final fat-water separated image, and a final second image volume that are fed into a multichannel image segmentation algorithm using a Markov random field model for segmenting the part into multiple classes of cranial tissues, in order to obtain a segmented image of said part. | 10-09-2014 |
20140303479 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DETECTING CARDIAC DISEASES - The invention provides magnetic resonance imaging methods for detecting cardiac diseases including myocardial fibrosis. Specifically, the invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence that could be used to perform magnetization transfer (MT) or chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) in the heart. | 10-09-2014 |
20140303480 | MRI WITH STATIC TISSUE REMOVAL - A method of processing signals from an accelerated MRI scan of a dynamic event occurring in the body of a human patient. The patient is subjected to an MRI examination which includes the relevant portion of his body. Those voxels for which there is no substantially no change over the time of the scan are identified and subtracted from the overall scan signal. | 10-09-2014 |
20140303481 | Tissue Disorder Imaging Analysis - Methods and systems are described for quantitatively determining a score for a patient having a disorder, e.g. a stroke, in a tissue, such as the brain, by analyzing both the extent and location of damage to the tissue caused by the disorder. | 10-09-2014 |
20140309517 | Method of Automatically Analyzing Brain Fiber Tracts Information - The present invention provides a method of automatically analyzing brain fiber tracts information. The method includes the steps as follows: providing a brain reference template with a plurality of reference fiber tracts, wherein the reference fiber tracts have at least a coordinate information; providing an object image with a plurality of object fiber tracts, and each object fiber tract includes at least an object information; transforming the object image according to the brain reference template; sampling the transformed object image with the brain reference template to make the object information co-register with the coordinate information, and further to get an analyzing result of each object information. | 10-16-2014 |
20140309518 | MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR THE SAME - Provided is a medical imaging apparatus including a scanner configured to acquire projection data of an object, a three dimensional (3D) recovery module configured to recover a volume of the object based on the projection data, a two dimensional (2D) image generator configured to generate a 2D image of the object based on the volume of the object, a 3D image generator configure to generate a 3D image of the object based on the volume of the object, a 2D display configured to display the 2D image of the object, and a 3D display configured to display the 3D image of the object. | 10-16-2014 |
20140316245 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVALUATING ANISOTROPIC VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF FIBROUS STRUCTURES - System and method for diagnosing brain conditions including evaluating fiber pathways of white matter tracts using a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) process, tracking the propagation of waves traveling at specific angles to the fiber pathways by performing a 3D magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) process at the same spatial resolution and voxel position as the DTI, analyzing the viscoelastic properties using an inversion having at least nine elastic coefficients, determining the curvature along the pathways, differentiating the spatial-spectral filter twice with respect to arc length along the pathways, and diagnosing a brain condition based on the viscoelastic properties. | 10-23-2014 |
20140316246 | CHEMICAL EXCHANGE SATURATION TRANSFER ANGIOGRAPHY - The invention provides a novel approach for effective ex vivo and in vivo imaging of blood and establishes the feasibility of blood as an effective agent for CEST to generate sufficient CEST contrast relative to surrounding tissue. | 10-23-2014 |
20140330106 | MULTI-PARAMETRIC MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIAGNOSIS & STAGING OF LIVER DISEASE - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for performing multi-parametric diagnosis for liver disease. The present disclosure provides systems and methods that include: positioning a subject, for example a patient, in association with a medical imaging device, preferably a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner; using the medical imaging device to measure the subject's liver for extracellular fluid; measuring the liver for iron content, in particular for iron overload; determining whether iron overload may be indicated or present from the measurement for iron content, and if indicated correcting the measurement for extra cellular fluid; measuring the liver for hepatic lipid content (HLC); and determining from said measurements the presence or absence of liver disease. The measurement of the liver for extracellular fluid (ECF) content in conjunction with concurrent interpretation of lipid and iron content provides robust, rapid non-invasive diagnosis of the type and/or severity of many common liver diseases, such as NAFLD/NASH, hepatitis, and iron overload. | 11-06-2014 |
20140336495 | MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICE WITH DISINFECTION UNIT - A medical imaging device with a detector unit and an acquisition unit for an examination object, wherein the acquisition unit is at least partially surrounded by the detector unit, and at least one disinfection unit for the disinfection of surfaces of the medical imaging device, wherein the disinfection unit has at least one UV-unit and the acquisition unit is arranged at least partially within the radiation range of the UV-unit is provided. | 11-13-2014 |
20140336496 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ESTIMATING FAT - A method for determining an estimate of fat within a volume of a subject comprising the steps of: a) determining a parameter α from the signal intensities of at least three echo signals emitted from a region of the volume of a subject imaged by a magnetic resonance image scanner in response to an applied RF pulse, wherein the three echo signals are taken at a first opposing-phase echo time, a second opposing-phase echo time and an in-phase echo time; and b) determining a fat volume fraction, f, from the parameter α. | 11-13-2014 |
20140343399 | Seed-Based Connectivity Analysis in Functional MRI - Functional MRI (fMRI) methods are presented for utilizing a magnetic resonance tomograph to map connectivity between brain areas in the resting state in real-time without the use of regression of confounding signal changes. They encompass: (a) iterative computation of the sliding window correlation between the signal time courses in a seed region and each voxel of an fMRI image series, (b) Fisher Z-transformation of each correlation map, (c) computation of a running mean and a running standard deviation of the Z-maps across a second sliding window to produce a series of meta mean maps and a series of meta standard deviation maps, and (d) thresholding of the meta maps. This methodology can be combined with regression of confounding signals within the sliding window. It is also applicable to task-based real-time fMRI, if the location of at least one task-activated voxel is known. | 11-20-2014 |
20140350380 | IDENTIFICATION AND USES OF BRAIN ACTIVITY NETWORKS - Methods for identifying networks correlating with placebo effects, progression of neurological disease symptoms, progression of pre-phenoconversion states of neurological diseases, and efficacious/non-efficacious candidate treatments for neurological diseases are provided. | 11-27-2014 |
20140357978 | Computer Based Method for Determining the Size of an Object in an Image - Volume changes in a brain, brain ventricle, or hippocampus are quantitatively extracted from a comparison of 3D before and after images using an algorithm that distorts a triangulated surface of the before image to produce the surface of the after image and calculates the volume change from the area change. | 12-04-2014 |
20140357979 | MRI TRACTOGRAPHY BASED TRANSIT TIME DETERMINATION FOR NERVE OR MUSCLE FIBERS - Magnetic resonance methods comprise tractographically establishing a path along a structure in a specimen and finding a distribution of structure radii or cross-sectional areas along the path. Based on the distribution and the path, end-to-end functional characteristics of the structure are estimated. For example, nerve transit times or distributions of transit times can be estimated for a plurality of nervous system locations such as Brodmann areas. Comparison of estimated transit times or distributions thereof between reference values or other values from the same structure can be used to assess specimen health. | 12-04-2014 |
20140364720 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - Embodiments of a method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for use in interactive magnetic resonance imaging are presented. An initial region of interest of a subject is scanned to acquire imaging data using an initial imaging protocol. Anatomical labeling information corresponding to a plurality of regions corresponding to the subject may be determined based on the acquired data and/or previously available information. Particularly, determining the anatomical labeling information may include identifying one or more features of interest corresponding to the initial region of interest. Further, input from an operator corresponding to a desired imaging task may be received interactively. The imaging protocol may be updated in real-time by selectively configuring one or more imaging parameters that optimize implementation of the desired imaging task based on the determined anatomical labeling information. A subsequent scan may be performed using the updated imaging protocol for completing the desired imaging task. | 12-11-2014 |
20140378817 | DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS WITH AIRFLOW COOLING SYSTEM - A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field. | 12-25-2014 |
20150011863 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF GENERATING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTRUM - A method generates a magnetic resonance (MR) spectrum by obtaining an MR echo signal from an object in response to a transmitted radio frequency (RF) signal that is emitted towards the object. The method extracts from the MR signal, a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of frequency ranges and adjusts a phase of at least one of the extracted plurality of signals in a time domain. A combination signal is generated by combining the plurality of signals including the at least one extracted phase adjusted signal and generates an MR spectrum of the object in response to the combination signal. | 01-08-2015 |
20150011864 | Prevention of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Eventual Alzheimer's Disease - A method for preventing cognitive decline, comprises the steps of identifying, in an individual, a first stage of cognitive decline corresponding to Subjective Cognitive Impairment and administering a predetermined treatment to the individual to inhibit a progression of the individual to a second predetermined stage of cognitive decline or to inhibit progression of cognitive decline within the first stage. | 01-08-2015 |
20150018664 | Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a patient is assessed. A TBI diagnosis for the patient is determined based on features from MRI data, such as anatomical features, functional features, diffusion features, connectivity features from functional MRI, connectivity features from diffusion MRI, and/or network features from the connectivity features. The TBI diagnosis is determined using a trained classifier. The classifier synthesizes the features into a single number (e.g., a confidence in the prediction of the diagnosis) and indicates the features most responsible for the diagnosis. The disease trajectory for a given patient may be predicted using the trained classifier. | 01-15-2015 |
20150018665 | MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR IMAGING USING ENGINEERED HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSES - According to some aspects, the invention relates to methods and compositions for evaluation of hemodynamic responses (e.g., using molecular imaging) with high sensitivity. | 01-15-2015 |
20150031980 | BRAIN SIGNAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND BRAIN SIGNAL MANAGEMENT METHOD USING THE SAME - A system and method for brain signal management are provided. In some embodiments, a brain signal management system includes a detecting module configured to measure a first signal which indicates a state of a brain, and a controlling module configured to generate the second signal by transforming the first signal into the second signal in a time reversal order. | 01-29-2015 |
20150045651 | METHOD OF ANALYZING MULTI-SEQUENCE MRI DATA FOR ANALYSING BRAIN ABNORMALITIES IN A SUBJECT - The present invention, referred to as Oasis is Automated Statistical Inference for Segmentation (OASIS), is a fully automated and robust statistical method for cross-sectional MS lesion segmentation. Using intensity information from multiple modalities of MRI, a logistic regression model assigns voxel-level probabilities of lesion presence. The OASIS model produces interpretable results in the form of regression coefficients that can be applied to imaging studies quickly and easily. OASIS uses intensity-normalized brain MRI volumes, enabling the model to be robust to changes in scanner and acquisition sequence. OASIS also adjusts for intensity inhomogeneities that preprocessing bias field correction procedures do not remove, using BLUR volumes. This allows for more accurate segmentation of brain areas that are highly distorted by inhomogeneities, such as the cerebellum. One of the most practical properties of OASIS is that the method is fully transparent, easy to implement, and simple to modify for new data sets. | 02-12-2015 |
20150051474 | MR IMAGING USING APT CONTRAST ENHANCEMENT AND SAMPLING AT MULTPLE ECHO TIMES - The invention relates to a method of CEST or APT MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 02-19-2015 |
20150057525 | COIL PAD, VIBRATOR, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS - A coil pad according to one embodiment is a coil pad that is placed between a receiving coil and a subject. The receiving coil is mounted on the subject and receives a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the subject. The coil pad includes a pad opening and a vibrating portion. The pad opening is aligned with a coil opening included in the receiving coil and forms a through-hole between the coil opening and the subject. The vibrating portion vibrates with a medium that transmits vibration being filled therein. | 02-26-2015 |
20150065852 | Local Coil and Leveling Mirror - The embodiments relate to a local coil arrangement for an imaging MRI system, where the system is a head local coil or a head/neck local coil, which includes a mirror housing that is mounted in a rotatable manner on the local coil arrangement. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065853 | SYSTEM FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF BRAIN TISSUE FOR PATTERN-BASED DIAGNOSTICS - A system and method for preprocessing magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data of brain tissue for pattern-based diagnostics is disclosed. The MRS preprocessing system includes an MRS preprocessing module that executes an operation that normalizes MRS spectrum data, recalibrates and scales the normalized MRS spectrum data, and then renormalizes the scaled MRS spectrum data. The resulting preprocessed MRS data is used to assist in identifying abnormalities in tissues shown in MRS scans. | 03-05-2015 |
20150073258 | Methods for detecting abnormalities and degenerative processes in soft tissue using magnetic resonance imaging - The present invention provides methods to detect degenerative processes and abnormalities in soft tissues at high spatial resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio and short scanning times, based on quantitative tissue properties. These methods might provide a useful tool to detect and assess abnormalities in soft tissues and to monitor disease progression. | 03-12-2015 |
20150112183 | MR SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING PAINFUL AND NON-PAINFUL INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS - An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing & diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra along regions associated with multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A diagnostic display provides a scaled, color coded legend and indication of results for each disc analyzed as an overlay onto a mid-sagittal T2-weighted MRI image of the lumbar spine for the patient being diagnosed. Clinical application of the embodiments provides a non-invasive, objective, pain-free, reliable approach for diagnosing painful vs. non-painful discs by simply extending and enhancing the utility of otherwise standard MRI exams of the lumbar spine. | 04-23-2015 |
20150112184 | Local Coil Receiving Channel Selector for Magnetic Resonance Imaging System - Presented in an embodiment is a local coil of an MRI system, including at least one cascade output slot, at least one cascade input slot, and at least one RF switch. The RF switch includes a first input signal interface, a second input signal interface, and at least one output signal interface, wherein the first input signal interface is connected to the cascade input slot, the second input signal interface is connected to a RF signal interface of the local coil, the output signal interface is connected to the cascade output slot. The RF switch is configured to output signals received by the first input signal interface and the second input signal interface from the output signal interface separately. | 04-23-2015 |
20150119688 | MR SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING PAINFUL AND NON-PAINFUL INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS - An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine. | 04-30-2015 |
20150119689 | IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL TARGET SITES FOR TRANSCRANIAL MAGNETIC STIMULATION APPLICATIONS - Techniques for identifying individual target sites for application of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to a brain of a patient for treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The identification of the target TMS stimulation sites may be based on using functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine cortex regions of the brain that are functionally connected to other regions of the brain that may be stimulated to decrease symptoms of depression and other disorders. For example, target stimulation sites may be identified in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to remotely modulate the activity in a subgenual cingulate region and other limbic regions functionally connected with the DLPFC. TMS may be applied to the patient's head at the identified target TMS sites to treat depression and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. | 04-30-2015 |
20150141799 | MRI-INCUBATOR'S CLOSURE ASSEMBLY - An incubator's closure assembly adapted to shut the aperture of a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRD) having an open bore extended along the MRD's longitudinal axis with a distal end and proximal end, the bore is terminated by the aperture located in the proximal end, into which a neonate's incubator is inserted, thereby shutting the MRD bore aperture. The closure assembly comprising at least one U-shaped conduit having (i) an array of distal and proximal sealing walls, both are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and having upwards and downwards directions, and (ii) a recess in between the walls having length, in upwards to downwards direction, and width, in distal to proximal direction, each of the proximal wall and the distal wall comprising a cutout at opposite directions, and wherein in the recess, the ratio of length to width is greater than a predefined value n. | 05-21-2015 |
20150141800 | MANAGEMENT, ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANNING FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE - Discussed herein is an image processing device and a corresponding method for assessing inflammatory bowel diseases. A plurality of dynamic MRI sequence of images of a bowel that include peristalsis information of the bowel and static MRI image(s) of the bowel that identify at areas of inflammation, stenosis, and increased mural thickness of the bowel are processed. A displacement of the bowel caused by respiration of the patient is conducted on the dynamic MRI sequences by performing a non-rigid registration. A peristaltic activity is determined by performing motion flow analysis on the dynamic sequences of images. A peristaltic activity of the static MRI image(s) based on a weighted sum of two closest dynamic MRI sequences of images is computed and the static image is combined with the closest dynamic MRI sequence of images by performing a multi-modal registration. | 05-21-2015 |
20150148658 | METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND STAGING OF LIVER FIBROSIS FROM IMAGE ACQUIRED DATA - This invention relates to methods for ascertaining at least one of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in a subject, by processing of one or more medical images of the liver, using a computing machine, to quantify nodularity of the surface of the liver and calculate a liver surface nodularity score. | 05-28-2015 |
20150289769 | Method and System for Determining Strain Relaxation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function - An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for determining cardiac events. The system and method include using an imaging modality to obtain a cardiac image of the subject. The image is then used to determine the subject's systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. Additionally, a strain rate index (SRI) value is computed for the subject using the systolic, post-systolic, and early diastolic strain peaks. The SRI value can then be used to determine a level of risk of cardiac failure. Further, a likelihood of atrial fibrillation can also be determined. The SRI value and risk of cardiac event can then be used to create a treatment plan for the subject, if necessary. | 10-15-2015 |
20150289779 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSIS OF FOCAL CORTICAL DYSPLASIA - A system and method for automatic detection of potential focal cortical dysplasias through magnetic resonance imaging. The method includes acquiring image data of a subject brain at a first resolution, analyzing the acquired image data to determine a thickness of cerebral gray matter, and matching the left cerebral hemisphere to the right cerebral hemisphere based on corresponding geometric features of the hemispheres. The method also includes generating a difference map comparing corresponding thicknesses of the hemispheres, identifying regions of abnormal differences in thickness as potential regions containing focal cortical dysplasias, and acquiring image data of the regions of abnormal differences in thickness at a second resolution. The method further includes generating images of the regions of abnormal differences in thickness from the acquired image data and displaying the images. | 10-15-2015 |
20150293194 | 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. | 10-15-2015 |
20150293200 | Methods for Generating Imaging Biomarkers Based on Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Spinal Cord - Systems and methods for producing imaging biomarkers that indicate a tissue state in the nervous system of a subject based on diffusion tensor imaging (“DTI”) of the subject's spinal cord or brain are provided. The imaging biomarker can indicate a tissue state in the central nervous system (e.g., brain or spinal cord) of a subject based on DTI of the subject's spinal cord. As another example, however, the imaging biomarker can indicate a tissue state in the subject's spinal cord based on DTI of the subject's brain. The imaging biomarker is also capable of determining an efficacy of a treatment administered to a subject's spinal cord. | 10-15-2015 |
20150297120 | Method For Tracking Motion of Subject in Real Time and for Correcting Medical Image - The present invention relates to a method for tracking the motion of a subject in real time and for correcting a medical image. The method includes the steps of: (a) a motion detection module outputting real-time motion information of a subject; (b) a motion calculation module receiving and analyzing the real-time motion information, transforming the analyzed result into triaxial motion parameters, and outputting the triaxial motion parameters; (c) a driving module driving a driving motor in response to the triaxial motion parameters; and (d) a medical image data acquisition module moving by as much as the subject moves in response to the driving of the driving motor. According to the present invention, medical image data can be acquired as if a subject has not moved during imaging by calculating the triaxial motion parameters of a subject through motion information acquired from the motion detection module and moving the medical image data acquisition module according to the triaxial motion parameters. Therefore, the acquisition of an erroneous sample due to the movement of the subject can be minimized, and the precision of the medical image can be improved by simultaneously moving the medical image data acquisition module in real time according to the movement of the subject. | 10-22-2015 |
20150305691 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS FOR IMAGE MONITORING OF A MEDICAL INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURE - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for image monitoring of an invasive interventional procedure on a patient with the magnetic resonance apparatus, during the interventional procedure at least two current magnetic resonance monitoring images of the interventional procedure area are repeatedly acquired with different image recording parameters, and at least portions thereof are displayed on a monitor arranged on or as part of the magnetic resonance apparatus. A touchscreen is used as the monitor, on which a segment of an overall display that includes all current monitoring images is displayed. With an operating action involving touching the touchscreen with at least one finger and moving the finger in a direction of movement, the segment is oppositely displaced in a permitted direction of displacement closest to the direction of movement. | 10-29-2015 |
20150309147 | Systems and Methods For Designing Magnetic Resonance Imaging Radio Frequency Pulses That Are Robust Against Physiological Motion Errors - Systems and methods for designing and/or using radio frequency (“RF”) pulses for in-vivo MRI applications, where the RF pulses are robust against errors due to physiological motion of organs during the respiratory cycle. For example, RF pulses are designed based on multi-channel B1+ maps correlated to different positions of the respiratory cycle. | 10-29-2015 |
20150320335 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOCUSING OF HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND BASED ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE - ACOUSTIC RADIATION FORCE IMAGING FEEDBACK - A system and method for MR imaging is disclosed. The method causes an RF coil assembly and plurality of gradient coils to apply a fast spin echo (FSE) pulse sequence comprising a preparation segment and a plurality of refocusing segments. The FSE pulse sequence generates a pair of echoes is generated in each of the plurality of refocusing segments that comprises a first echo generated by magnetization pathways having an even number of phase inversions and a second echo generated by magnetization pathways having an even number of phase inversions. MR signals are acquired from the first echo and the second echo and an image of at least a portion of a subject of interest is reconstructed from the acquired MR signals. | 11-12-2015 |
20150323637 | MRI WITH MOTION CORRECTION USING NAVIGATORS ACQUIRED USING A DIXON TECHNIQUE - The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body ( | 11-12-2015 |
20150335262 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER-ACCESSIBLE MEDIUM FOR THE PROBABILISTIC DETERMINATION OF NORMAL PRESSURE HYDROCEPHALUS - Exemplary systems, methods, and computer-accessible mediums can be provided for determining a probability or a presence of a disease(s), which can include, for example, receiving information related to an image(s) of a brain of a patient(s), and determining the probability or the presence of the disease(s) in the patient(s) based on ventricular volume and gray matter of the brain. The disease can be normal pressure hydrocephalus or Alzheimer disease. The determining procedure can be based on the probability, which can be based on a prediction model(s). The prediction model can be a multinomial regression model. The image can be a magnetic resonance image of the brain of the patient(s | 11-26-2015 |
20150335281 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC TOOL BASED UPON NON-DESTRUCTIVE DETERMINATION OF THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF INTERNAL ORGANS AND TISSUES - Disclosed herein are technologies related to a tool for medical diagnostics based upon material composition of internal organs and tissues. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 11-26-2015 |
20150338492 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING DEVICE AND QUANTITATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING METHOD - The estimation accuracy of a magnetic susceptibility value of tissue is improved by computing an edge image which represents the edge of the tissue on a magnetic susceptibility distribution and to reduce background noise without lowering the magnetic susceptibility value of the tissue. The present invention computes an absolute value image and a phase image from a complex image obtained by MRI, from the phase image, computes a low frequency region magnetic susceptibility image in which background noise is greater than a desired value, computes an edge information magnetic susceptibility image and computes a high frequency region magnetic susceptibility image, computes an edge mask from the edge information magnetic susceptibility image, smooths a magic angle region from the edge mask and the low frequency region magnetic susceptibility image and finally smooths a high frequency region using the high frequency region magnetic susceptibility image. | 11-26-2015 |
20150351659 | MAGNETIC RESONANCEIMAGING APPARATUS AND MEASUREMENT METHOD THEREOF - There is provided a magnetic resonance measuring apparatus for acquiring spectral data with reduced influence of contamination signals from the outside of a volume of interest. For this, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention acquires a first echo signal generated from an object based on a gradient magnetic field having one polarity generated by a gradient magnetic field generation unit, acquires a second echo signal generated from the object based on a gradient magnetic field having the other polarity, which is a polarity opposite to the one polarity, generated by the gradient magnetic field generation unit, and creates a graph indicating the state of metabolites using both of the first echo signal and the second echo signal. | 12-10-2015 |
20150363963 | Visualization With Anatomical Intelligence - Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating visualization. In accordance with one aspect, the framework localizes at least one anatomical structure of interest in image data. The structure of interest is then highlighted by reformatting the image data. The resulting reformatted image data is rendered for display to a user. | 12-17-2015 |
20150374238 | DEVICES FOR MODULATION OF RETINAL STIMULATION AND/OR RETINAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - The present disclosure provides devices and methods for the modulation of retinal stimulation and/or retinal signal processing. Such methods may be useful for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or disorder. The disclosed methods may comprise visual intervention by using lenses, prisms, mirrors, and/or filters (e.g., occluders) to alter the amount and/or direction of light on to the retina. | 12-31-2015 |
20160000326 | METHOD OF IMAGING BONE - A method of obtaining an image of bone using magnetic resonance imaging, the method comprising the step of selecting the scanning parameters for the magnetic resonance imaging device, wherein the scanning parameters comprise a low flip angle, a short time to repetition and a short time to echo. | 01-07-2016 |
20160000367 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE AND VOLUME - It has been discovered that even mild changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure or intracranial pressure (ICP) can be detected immediately as evidenced by distortions in the ONS surface structure. Further, the changes in the ONS persist after the CSF pressure has returned to normal. The stability of ONS distortions provides a means of detecting transient changes in brain pressure even when the use of the diagnostic ultrasound is delayed. One embodiment provides systems and methods for detecting or diagnosing brain injury by detecting distortions or deformations of the ONS, preferably using ultrasound. | 01-07-2016 |
20160007968 | DETERMINATION OF THE CONCENTRATION DISTRIBUTION OF SONICALLY DISPERSIVE ELEMENTS | 01-14-2016 |
20160022238 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AIDING IMAGING DIGNOSIS - An apparatus and method for aiding imaging diagnosis is provided. The imaging diagnosis aiding apparatus includes: an extractor configured to extract at least one medical image feature from medical images, a diagnosis component configured to determine whether a lesion is malignant or benign based on the at least one extracted medical image feature, and a display configured to display supplementary diagnosis information in response to a reliability of the determination being above a predetermined threshold. | 01-28-2016 |
20160025728 | BRAIN-SPECIFIC GENE SIGNATURE OF TUMOR CELLS - The present disclosure provides a method of detecting and diagnosing metastatic spread of cancer to the brain by analyzing the product of a gene signature. Gene signatures detailed herein are specific to the brain metastasis and not dependent upon the genetic signature of the primary tumor. Accordingly, disclosed method can be used to guide therapeutic intervention and further diagnostic analysis. | 01-28-2016 |
20160025828 | FMRI BIOMARKER OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE - Provided herein are methods related to identifying an early, asymptomatic (prodromal) stage of a neurodegenerative disease or identifying a subject with a symptomatic neurodegenerative disease, including, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), or HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), using functional MRI data from the subject. Methods are also provided for treating a subject identified with the methods taught herein and for modifying or selecting treatment based on the results of fMRI. Methods are also available for staging neurodegenerative disease and for identifying agents useful in treating them. | 01-28-2016 |
20160038047 | WAVEFRONT ANALYSIS BASED ON ABLATION PARAMETERS - A method, including recording parameters indicative of a quality of ablation performed at one or more sites in a region of a human heart, and receiving a set of electrophysiological signals indicative of a wave of electrical activation flowing through the region. The method further includes identifying locations within the region at which the wave is blocked from flowing and estimating confidence levels with respect to a blockage of the wave at the locations in response to the signals and the parameters. The method also includes displaying a map of the human heart including an indication of the confidence levels. | 02-11-2016 |
20160038090 | MEDICAL IMAGING UNIT, MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICE WITH A MEDICAL IMAGING UNIT, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A PATIENT MOVEMENT - A medical imaging unit includes a patient receiving area, a housing unit at least partly surrounding the patient receiving area, a detector unit, and a movement detection unit. The movement detection unit includes two or more detection elements configured for detecting a distance from the detection elements to the patient, and including an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to establish from detected movement of the individual detection elements a three-dimensional movement of the patient within the patient receiving area. | 02-11-2016 |
20160038095 | METHOD FOR DETERMINING IN VIVO TISSUE BIOMARKER CHARACTERISTICS USING MULTIPARAMETER MRI MATRIX CREATION AND BIG DATA ANALYTICS - A method for determining MRI biomarkers for in vivo issue includes the steps of obtaining raw data concerning the in vivo tissue from a MRI machine; processing the raw data to obtain parameter maps; when applicable, registering images such that the exact same tissue at serial points can be analyzed; applying a grid over a region of interest to create sub-regions of interest (SROIs); inserting parameter measures for each SROI into a spreadsheet program to create a large 3D data matrix; applying standard big-data analytics including data mining and statistics of matrix measures to find patterns of measurement values or measure changes (which may include established biomarkers). A medical imaging software program is used to obtain the parameter maps from the raw data and place multiple grids over the SROIs. 3D matrix measures may be data mined and analyzed using standard big-data analytics. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041250 | MRT and Method for Operating a Clinical pTX System - A method and a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) system are provided. The MRT system includes a controller configured to store a transmit vector that is established on a local-coil-specific basis. The transmit vector, for a specific local coil, indicates with which amplitudes and phases, transmit elements of the local coil may be controlled by a transmit device. The controller is configured to initiate a patient-specific calibration measurement on a patient to generate patient-specific calibration data representing a field distribution. The controller is also configured to determine deviations in the patient-specific calibration data from the stored transmit vector established on a local-coil-specific basis. The patient-specific calibration data is generated in the patient-specific calibration measurement on the patient and represents a field distribution. An imaging MRT measurement is not allowed if deviations exceed a threshold value, but is otherwise performed and is monitored by a monitoring device. | 02-11-2016 |
20160045149 | Brain Activity Measuring Apparatus and Brain Activity Measuring Method - [Object] An object is to provide a brain activity measuring apparatus and a brain activity measuring method that can precisely ensure reproducibility of measurements for a plurality of measurements made separately for a number of times using functional magnetic resonance imaging. | 02-18-2016 |
20160051178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALCULATING BRAIN VOLUME - A system and method provides for calculating brain volume in a patient. The method and system includes receiving current intracranial volume data of a patient after a brain injury event and electronically calculating a current brain volume of the patient based on the current brain volume data. The method and system therein electronically calculates a prior brain volume based at least on the current brain volume data and prior age of the patient, the prior brain volume and age being at an earlier point in time, such as prior to a brain injury. The method and system further determines a brain volume change value based on a comparison of the current brain volume and the prior brain volume. | 02-25-2016 |
20160051188 | QUANTIFICATION OF IN VIVO METABOLITE - A magnetic resonance pulse sequence technique may acquire a water reference spectrum and two water suppressed metabolite spectra and with frequency selective inversion pulse centered at either single frequency, at multiple frequencies, or in a single acquisition. Subtraction of the inverted from non-inverted water suppressed metabolite spectrum results in single or a combination of specific metabolite peak/peaks alone with a flat baseline for easier quantification. | 02-25-2016 |
20160054410 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOCATING AND QUANTIFYING A BIOMARKER FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE - In embodiments of the invention, the habenulae have been identified and localized in normal volunteers. Aspects of the invention determine the location, volume and magnetic susceptibility of the habenulae. Furthermore, diagnosing and monitoring patient disorders are enabled using the herein disclosed methodologies and techniques. | 02-25-2016 |
20160058426 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF SUBJECTIVE IMAGE QUALITY IN IMAGING OF OBJECTS - The present invention relates to method and system for automatic control of image quality in imaging of an object using, for example, an ultrasound system. The method comprises transmitting image generating signals into the object using selected system parameter sets of the imaging system. The imaging system has a number of different system parameter sets based on an image ranking measure reflecting a subjective expert opinion of a pre-defined set of images. The captured images are analyzed with respect to at least one image quality feature to determine an image quality metric for each image. The respective image quality metric for each image are analyzed to identify an image associated with a highest image quality metric and the system parameter set used for generating the image associated with the highest image quality metric can be selected as system parameter set for imaging of the object. | 03-03-2016 |
20160071291 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCELERATED, TIME-RESOLVED IMAGING - A system and method for reconstructing a series of images of a subject includes acquiring medical image data from the subject with a medical imaging system and reconstructing a series of images of the subject from the acquired medical image data set. The reconstructing includes enforcing general adherence to a non-patient-specific signal model that describes a dependency of image intensity values on at least one variable that is associated with a physical or physiological property by constraining reconstruction of individual images in the series of images using the non-patient-specific model. The reconstructing also includes preserving information in the series of images that deviate from the non-patient-specific model by controlling a requirement of consistency with the non-patient-specific model. | 03-10-2016 |
20160073922 | ROBUST TARGETING OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MOLECULES - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that can be used to stimulate and record responses elicited from a naturally-occurring or artificially-introduced light-sensitive molecule. In certain non-limiting embodiments, a system of the presently disclosed subject matter includes (a) a digital spectral integrator, e.g., light source, (b) a detection means and (c) an integration means. | 03-17-2016 |
20160081578 | BIOMARKERS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF BACK PAIN AND RELATED CONDITIONS - The present invention teaches novel methods of diagnosing and prognosing conditions associated with tissue degeneration and/or pain, including intervertebral disc degeneration, discogenic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and articular cartilage injury. Using the inventive noninvasive imaging methods, the diagnosis and prognosis of back pain and related conditions can be quickly and accurately determined by detecting one or more biomarkers disclosed herein. | 03-24-2016 |
20160106347 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING BOWEL HEALTH - In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method includes receiving a plurality of images of an abdominal region from an image capture device. The method further includes identifying a bowel tissue and a peristaltic portion of the bowel tissue from the plurality of images. The method further includes determining a peristalsis property of the bowel tissue based on the peristaltic portion. The peristalsis property includes at least one of a percentage of the peristaltic portion within the bowel tissue and an amount of peristalsis in the peristaltic portion. The method also includes assessing a health the bowel tissue based on the peristalsis property of the peristaltic portion. | 04-21-2016 |
20160109642 | LIGHTING DEVICE FOR A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM APERTURE - A lighting device for an MRI system aperture has at least one LED lamp and a light guide plate, the light guide plate having an interior surface, an exterior surface and multiple end faces. The end faces include a first end face, a second end face and one or more other end faces. Light rays from the LED lamp enter the light guide plate through the first end face, and exit the light guide plate through the exterior surface. The inner surface is opposite the outer surface, and the second end face is opposite the first end face. This lighting device for an MRI system aperture reduces the volume occupied in the MRI system aperture and at the same time the light rays are gentle and produce an effect of gradual change, protecting the examination subject's eyes and dispelling nervous feelings and claustrophobia in the examination subject. | 04-21-2016 |
20160113546 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING MRI IMAGES TO DETECT CANCER - Methods and systems process an MRI image to detect cancer. A method includes forming a series of binary threshold intensity images from an MRI image of a patient. Each of the binary threshold intensity images is based on a respective intensity. The binary threshold intensity images are processed to identify one or more bright extremal regions in which image pixels have the same value, and for which corresponding image pixels in the MRI image have a higher intensity than surrounding image pixels in the MRI image. One or more bright maximally stable extremal regions are selected from the identified bright extremal regions based on change in area of one or more respective bright extremal regions for different binary threshold images in the series. At least one of the selected one or more bright maximally stable extremal regions may be identified as potentially cancerous. | 04-28-2016 |
20160120438 | NMR SENSOR AND METHODS FOR RAPID, NON-INVASIVE DETERMINATION OF HYDRATION STATE OR VASCULAR VOLUME OF A SUBJECT - The invention features methods for detecting the hydration state or vascular volume of a subject using a device capable of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement. The methods involve exposing a portion of a tissue of the subject in vivo to a magnetic field and RF pulse from the device to excite hydrogen nuclei of water within the tissue portion, and measuring a relaxation parameter of the hydrogen nuclei in the tissue portion, the relaxation parameter being a quantitative measure of the hydration state or vascular volume of the subject as a whole. The invention also features devices and computer-readable storage media for per forming the methods of the invention. | 05-05-2016 |
20160120456 | Methods and Systems for Quantitative Brain Assessment - Systems and methods for measuring macromolecular proton fraction in a subject are provided. A nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus applies a magnetic field to a body region on the subject, and radiofrequency modes are applied to the body region as well. Each radiofrequency mode delivers a plurality of radiofrequency pulses separated by time delays, wherein at least one of the radiofrequency modes causes suppression of signal components from an unwanted tissue, and at least one of the radiofrequency modes causes magnetization exchange between water and macromolecules in tissues in the body region. Amplitudes corresponding to magnetic signals received from the body region are measured and macromolecular proton fraction based on the amplitudes can be calculated. | 05-05-2016 |
20160120608 | WRONG LEVEL SURGERY PREVENTION - The invention relates to a method of relating a position (pos(selected)) of an anatomical structure ( | 05-05-2016 |
20160128574 | ITERATIVE MINIMIZATION PROCEDURE WITH UNCOMPRESSED LOCAL SAR ESTIMATE - A method for providing an image of a subject in a magnetic resonance imaging MRI system with parallel transmission (pTx) is provided. A localizer scan of the subject is provided. Body anatomy is determined from the localizer scan. The body anatomy is matched with at least one body model of a plurality of body models. B | 05-12-2016 |
20160135896 | Disposable Contamination Prevention Liners for MRI Machines - A pack of disposable multi-layered liner sheets suitable for covering non-planar surfaces of medical scanners having a long, hard to clean, bore or tunnel, particularly MRI scanners, to establish a sterile patient environment. Liner sheets are connected end-to-end in a stack by an adhesive or a linear array of perforations to respective succeeding and preceding sheets of the pack. In one embodiment, the pack is secured inside the bore by pegs on the top side of the pack engaging strategically placed clips attached to the bore wall. In other embodiments, the pack is secured inside the bore by opposing sides of a backing layer extending laterally beyond the liner sheets to engage a groove in guide rails affixed inside the bore. | 05-19-2016 |
20160157745 | MR SPECTROSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING PAINFUL AND NON-PAINFUL INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS - An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine. | 06-09-2016 |
20160157747 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING DEFORMATION INFORMATION FROM A CYCLICALLY MOVING EXAMINATION SUBJECT - In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for determining an item of deformation information of an examination object that exhibits a cyclical movement within an examination subject, a spatial magnetization pattern is generated in an MR scanner, and MR signals are acquired from the subject during at least two cycles of the cyclical movement, with the spatial magnetization exhibiting differences in a subsequent cycle of the movement compared to an earlier cycle. Segmented subsequent MR images are acquired in a subsequent cycle and the examination object is localized therein. This localization of the examination object is then used to localize the examination object in segmented earlier MR images from the earlier cycle, and the item of deformation information is determined in a spatial direction from the segmented earlier MR images. | 06-09-2016 |
20160169996 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CARDIAC SCAN PLANE PRESCRIPTION | 06-16-2016 |
20160192889 | ADAPTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION FOR PSYCHOSIS RISK MODELLING | 07-07-2016 |
20160374586 | ECHO-PLANAR IMAGING MAGNETIC RESONANCE ELASTOGRAPHY PULSE SEQUENCE - Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique for estimating the stiffness of tissues non-invasively. Shear waves are generated via external mechanical actuation and the tissue imaged with a specially designed MR pulse sequence. The resulting images are used to calculate the underlying properties. The application provides methods for acquiring MRE data using a single shot, echo planar imaging readout. The purpose of the developed sequence is to acquire MRE data using a single-shot, echo-planar imaging readout, avoiding to need for off-line image processing. | 12-29-2016 |
20170231594 | MEDICAL EXAMINATION SYSTEM | 08-17-2017 |
20190142296 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECONSTRUCTING LOW-FREQUENCY CONDUCTIVITY IMAGES USING MRI WITHOUT CURRENT INJECTION | 05-16-2019 |
20190142298 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE QUALITY CONTROL METHOD, SERVER AND SYSTEM | 05-16-2019 |
20190146044 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS | 05-16-2019 |
20220133145 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE - The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance eye imaging method, wherein an eye image is obtained from magnetic resonance image data acquired while the eye is moving, comprising determining eye orientation information data during magnetic resonance image data acquisition; binning the acquired magnetic resonance image data into groups according to eye orientation information data; and constructing a magnetic resonance image eye image from a selection of groups of magnetic resonance image data. | 05-05-2022 |
20220133240 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCTING OR ELIMINATING ARTIFACTS IN MAGNECTIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A computer-implemented method for reducing or eliminating artifacts in MRI, includes steps of: S1: acquiring a plurality of MR signals mixed with EMI with different weightings from a plurality of receiver elements of at least one array coil; S2: obtaining EMI eliminated MR signals for each receiver element based on the MR signals mixed with EMI obtained in step S1; and S3: obtaining MR image based on the EMI eliminated MR signals obtained in step S2. | 05-05-2022 |