Abstract: For a purpose of improving homogeneity of an image obtained in a self-calibration by a parallel imaging method generally referred to as SENSE (SENSitivity Encoding), sensitivity factors Sn(p) are calculated using an additive image Ab=?|Cn| of complex images Cn obtained by conducting a calibration scan of an entire FOV for phased array coils Coil_n (n=1–N, N?2) (Steps V2, V3). Moreover, sensitivity maps Sn are generated by conducting curve fitting by the method of least squares weighted by the square of a pixel value Ab(p) of the absolute value additive image Ab (Step V4).

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which, in one embodiment, an X-ray source and collimator are positioned relative to an image receptor for imaging of a subject.

Abstract: A collimator comprises a pair of first plate members having X-ray absorbability and a pair of second plate members having X-ray absorbability. The pair of first plate members are movable in a direction parallel to surfaces thereof, and have respective end faces opposed to each other with an X-ray passing aperture being defined by a spacing between the opposed end faces of the first plate members. The pair of second plate members are capable of being folded in a zigzag fashion through hinges, and in order to intercept other X-rays than the X-ray passing through the aperture, each of the second plate members is connected at one end thereof to each end of the first plate members on the side opposite to the opposed end faces of the first plate members and is connected at the other end thereof to each of fixing portions.

Abstract: An X-ray data collecting apparatus includes a first integrating means periodically executes sequential integration on detected signals from a plurality of X-ray detector elements corresponding to measurement channels in an X-ray detection apparatus at a constant time difference over a constant time period longer than the time difference; a second integrating means periodically executes sequential integration on detected signals from a plurality of X-ray detector elements corresponding to reference channels in the plurality of detector element rows in the X-ray detection apparatus at the same time difference as the constant time difference over the same time period as the constant time period; and a correcting means X-ray-dose corrects signals integrated by the first integrating means by signals integrated by the second integrating means that are integrated at the same time as the signals integrated by the first integration means, respectively.

Abstract: For the purpose of acquiring magnetic resonance signals unaffected by any high magnetic field disturbance, magnetic resonance signals are sequentially acquired for a plurality of views; magnetic field disturbance is monitored; the magnetic resonance signal acquisition is repeated for a view at which magnetic field disturbance has occurred; and an image is produced based on magnetic resonance signals after the repetition has been applied.

Abstract: A system and method of diagnostic imaging with reduced x-ray exposure to the scan subject during scanning includes acquiring a set of cardiac signals or other motion (cardiac mechanical motion or respiratory motion) related signals and determining and imaging profile therefrom. Pursuant to the imaging profile, voltage applied to an x-ray source is modulated to provide an energizing voltage during primary data acquisition stages and a reduced voltage during secondary or non-data acquisition stages. Voltage modulation repeats until sufficient data for image reconstruction has been acquired.

Abstract: A method includes scanning myocardial tissue of a patient with an Energy Discrimination Computed Tomography (EDCT) system to acquire data, and analyzing the acquired data for at least one of cardiac measurements, diagnosis, and prognosis after interventions.

Abstract: For the purpose of enabling proper imaging of the prostate, a first saddle coil 210 having two loop portions of a geometry suited for sandwiching the lower abdomen of a human body from the anterior and posterior sides with the two loop portions facing each other, and a second saddle coil 310 having two loop portions of a geometry suited for allowing the lower limbs of the human body to be inserted into the two loop portions, and sandwiching the lower abdomen from the right and left sides with the two loop portions facing each other, are quadrature-arranged so that the phases of magnetic resonance received signals are different by 90°, thus achieving imaging of the lower abdomen of the human body with a high S/N.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an MR system and a floor cover capable of being attached and detached by one operator. In the invention, the floor cover covers a front face of a lower part of an open type MR system, and a cradle on which an object is mounted swiftly moves thereon. The floor cover is provided with a slide capable of moving on the lower part.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for analyzing tubular structures in a patient, including steps of: selecting a region of interest and a location within the region of interest from a displayed tube-shaped tree representative of a tubular structure in a patient; identifying a centerline of a structure within the tube-shaped tree within the region of interest; and displaying one or more views of the region of interest. The view or views are selected from at least a segmented 3-D view having the region of interest identified, a curved view of the selected branch, a reformatted view dependent upon the identified centerline, and a 3-D view dependent upon the identified centerline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for smoothing speckle pattern and increasing contrast resolution in ultrasound images is provided. Compared to other frequency compounding techniques, wide-band harmonic frequency compounding reduces speckle noise without sacrificing the resolution. Compared to spatial compounding, wide-band harmonic frequency compounding is more robust against tissue motion because sequential vectors rather than frames are summed together for compounding. The method and apparatus is implemented by transmitting two or more firings, combining two or more of the firings coherently to extract the tissue-generated harmonic components, detecting the outputs of the coherent sums and detecting one or more firings before coherent sum, and finally combining all detected outputs to form the compounded image. The method and apparatus sums wide-band fundamental and wide-band harmonic images after detection to form a compounded image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for activating inactive software options pre-installed on a device upon initialization of the device and thereby preventing installation during device operation. The invention includes receiving a request from a user at a centralized facility for access to an inactive option resident on the device. After validation of the request, an option-specific activation key or code is generated at the centralized facility using data from at least one of a user identifier, a system identifier, a host identifier, a use period identifier, and the selected option. The activation key is then transmitted from the centralized facility to the device whereupon only during initialization or reboot of the device is access to the inactive option automatically granted. The limiting of access to the inactive option until device initialization ensures that option enablement is prevented during device operation.

Abstract: With the object of improving image quality while keeping short the time taken to reconstruct the first X-ray tomogram at the time of start of scanning in its real-time display mode, an X-ray CT apparatus having a rotary unit for causing an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays from the X-ray source to rotate integrally around a subject, is provided with a full data reconstructing device for reconstructing tomograms on the basis of penetrating X-ray data of each view detected during a full turn around the subject, a segment data reconstructing device for reconstructing tomograms on the basis of penetrating X-ray data of each view detected during a turn by (180+&agr;) degrees, and a change-over device for counting the tomograms reconstructed after the start of scanning, and changing over between the full data reconstructing device and segment data reconstructing device according to the count.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a static magnetic field generating apparatus employing permanent magnets that allows easy adjustment of a static magnetic field, eight grooves are provided in a columnar yoke and the other opposing columnar yoke, and the shape or material of insert members is changed to modify magnetic resistance of the columnar yoke and the other opposing columnar yoke when the insert members are fitted; thus, magnetic flux formed in a space between permanent magnets can be easily modified, and hence, a static magnetic field can be easily adjusted.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) magnet field instability simulator (80) is provided. The simulator includes a rigid body motion generator (82) that simulates motion of one or more MRI system components. An eddy current analyzer (84) generates a magnetic stiffness and damping signal and an electromagnetic transfer function in response to the motions and a cryostat material properties signal. A mechanical model generator (86) generates a mechanical disturbance signal and a mechanical model of one or more MRI system components in response to the motions and the magnetic stiffness and damping signal. A structural analyzer (88) generates a motion signal in response to the mechanical model. A field instability calculator (90) generates a field instability signal in response to the electromagnetic transfer function and the motion signal. A method of performing the same is also provided.

Abstract: For the purpose of suppressing degradation in visibility of an image by a missing line due to the subject motion, the step of selectively exciting a linear region with intersecting 90° and 180° pulses and applying an MPG pulse to collect data is repeated with the linear region shifted; whether the acquired data for each line is affected by the subject motion is detected; and if the data is affected by the subject motion, interpolated data is employed in place of the data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to produce images devoid of band artifacts. Data acquisition in SSFP is repeated N times (where N denotes the power of 2) in order to acquire data fv(k), which ranges from data fv(0) to data fv(N−1), from views v constituting a k-space. At this time, the phase of an RF pulse is varied based on an expression of 360°·v·k/N. If an operator designates Fourier transform imaging, a Fourier transform is performed on data fv(k) relative to each of the phases indicated by the RF pulse in order to produce data Fv(n). If the operator does not designate Fourier transform imaging, the data fv(k) is regarded as the data Fv(n) as it is. Any of at least either of weighted addition and MIP processing and root-mean-square conversion selected by the operator is then performed on the data Fv(n) in order to produce data Av. An image is reconstructed based on the data Av.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of shimming a magnet assembly of an MR imaging system such that a desired B0 field strength may be created with minimal inhomogeneities therethrough. With this method, sufficient shimming of the magnet assembly may be achieved without requiring mechanical variations to the magnet assembly after the magnet assembly has been assembled. The invention analyzes variations from the desired B0 field and inhomogeneities at a number of target points along the magnet assembly or B0 field. A comparison is then made at each point to determine a shimming or weighting factor such that the desired overall B0 field strength and targeted field homogeneity is achieved. Active and/or passive shim elements may then be incorporated into the magnet assembly at each target point to achieve the desired overall field strength and minimum overall field homogeneity.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray generator capable of compensating for the volume expansion of an insulating oil without the necessity of labor-intensive maintenance. A tubular body is included to penetrate through a tank that is sealed while accommodating a high-voltage assembly and an X-ray tube assembly and having an insulating oil poured thereinto. The lumen of the tubular body opens onto the ambient space at both ends of the tubular body. The tubular body expands or contracts depending on a difference between the pressure in the lumen and the internal pressure of the tank.