Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (1) comprising an examination volume (11), a main magnet system (13) for generating a main magnetic field (B0) in the examination volume in a Z-direction, a gradient magnet system (19) for generating gradients of the main magnetic field, and an anti-vibration system (33) for reducing vibrations of the gradient magnet system caused by a mechanical load (MX, MY) exerted on the gradient magnet system as a result of electromagnetic interaction between the main magnetic field and electrical currents in the gradient magnet system. According to the invention the anti-vibration system (33) comprises a balance member (39), which is coupled to the gradient magnet system (19) by means of an actuator system (51) and a coupling device (49) allowing displacements of the balance member relative to the gradient magnet system.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic system, for example, an X-ray examination apparatus, comprises a local group of functions which are only locally adjustable and a global group of functions which can be remotely adjusted. Preferably, functions in both groups can be remotely installed, but the functions in the local group can be activated only locally. Preferably, local activation is performed on the basis of an authorization.

Abstract: The acquisition of MR images while utilizing sub-sampling of the RF signals generated in the patient 21 to be examined is known. Such sub-sampling methods require at least two RF receiving coils which should not have a substantial component of their sensitivity vectors in common. According to the invention at least two coils 22a, 22b are used, a first one (22a) having its sensitivity vector extending substantially transversely of its physical coil plane whereas a second one (22b) has its sensitivity vector extending substantially parallel to its physical coil plane. The coils can thus be placed close to the surface of the patient without interfering with each other. They can be arranged in such a manner that their planes are oriented parallel to the main magnetic field Bo. Moreover, the coils can be arranged so as to overlap substantially, so that they provide the same field of view.

Abstract: A method for determining a modulation function for modulating intensity of X-rays provided by an X-ray source of a CT-system for CT-imaging a slice of a region a person's body, the method comprising: acquiring X-ray attenuation data for a first substantially anterior-posterior or lateral view of the slice; determining a first maximum X-ray attenuation from the attenuation data; determining a length of a projection of the slice along an axis in the plane of the slice that is substantially orthogonal to the view angle using the attenuation data; determining a second maximum X-ray attenuation for a second view orthogonal to the first view based on the determined length; and using the first and second attenuation maxima to determine the modulation function.

Abstract: A novel magnetic resonance imaging method is presented to produce a magnetic resonance image, wherein a stationary magnetic field and temporary magnetic gradient fields are applied. A sensitivity distribution (W(p)) maps the receiver sensitivity values of the receiver antennae system in an image domain. Transposition values (p(x)) map the positions in a spatial domain onto pixels (voxels) in the image domain on the basis of actual values of the stationary magnetic field and the temporary gradient fields. A folded image having aliased pixels (voxels) is then reconstructed from the magnetic resonance signals on the basis of a spatial encoding induced by the temporary magnetic field gradients. The aliased pixels (voxels) in the folded image are unfolded on the basis of the spatial receiver sensitivity map onto the respective signal distributions originating from different positions in the spatial domain so as to reconstruct the magnetic resonance image.

Abstract: RF connection cable 2 for interconnecting an RF coil and an RF processing apparatus in an RF system of a medical MRI apparatus. The connection cable 2 is comprised of an outer sleeve 6 enclosing an inner cable comprising RF conductors 24, an inner sleeve 20 and a shield 22. Between the inner sleeve 20 and the outer sleeve 6 a plurality of spacers in the form of large beads 12-i alternating with small beads 14-i are provided. In this way, a very flexible cable is obtained having comparatively low dielectric losses and a low capacitive coupling with the patient.

Abstract: In a method of elastography, diagnostic performance is improved in that the variation in time of the excursion whereby a region responds to excitation by mechanical oscillations is analyzed and the non-linear distortions are measured. Such non-linear distortions are a measure of the non-linear elastic properties of the region and constitute a diagnostically relevant item of information.

Abstract: CT scanner is disclosed for providing an image of a region comprising: at least one X-ray cone beam for illuminating mthe region with X-rays; a plurality of rows of X-ray detectors that generate signals responsive to line attenuation of X-rays from the at least one controller that controls providing an image of a region comprising: at least one X-ray cone beam for illuminating the region with X-rays; a plurality of rows of X-ray detectors that generate signals responsive to line attenuation of X-rays from the at least one X-ray source that pass through the region; a controller that controls the at least one X-ray cone beam to acquire line attenuation data for the region for different view angles of the region; and a processor that receives the signals and: a) determines low spatial frequency components of the image from the data; b) generates a first spatial image of the region from the low high spatial frequency components of the image from the data; d) generates a second spatial image of the region from the

Abstract: Computerized tomography apparatus for reconstructing attenuation values within a volume comprising: an x-ray source situated operative to rotate about said volume, in a rotation plane, while irradiating at least a portion of the volume; a plurality of rows of x-ray detectors illuminated by said rotating x-ray source situated on an opposite side of the volume; a patient support operative to move a patient through a space between the source and detectors at an angle to the normal to the rotation plane, while the x-ray source illuminates the detectors; and a controller operative to compute the angle based on at least one of a radius R of said rotation, a radius r of said volume and a helix pitch, m, defined as a distance the patient support moves during a single rotation of the x-ray source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography apparatus in which the measuring data acquired in a first measuring window enter the reconstruction with a weight other than that of the measuring data that can be acquired in a second measuring window, the second measuring window being situated centrally relative to the first measuring window and being smaller than the first measuring window. Depending on the weighting of the measuring data, the resultant CT image exhibits either smaller motional artefacts or a spatially more uniform noise.

Abstract: A combiner/splitter device (100) comprises two transmission lines (23, 24), wound to form a helical coil (55), this helical coil being bent to a toroidal shape. Furthermore, a capacitor (51) is provided, connected in parallel with the two outer conductors (25, 26) of the two transmission lines (23, 24). The combination of the wound transmission lines and said capacitor forms a parallel resonator (56). The combiner/splitter device is suitable for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to combine the output signals of a receiver coil system and/or to split the input signal of a transmission coil system used in the MRI system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining at least one contour of a left and/or right ventricle of a heart from at least one image of the heart, for example, an image as acquired by means of MR imaging, in which there are determined start parameters which are subsequently optimized by means of an iteration procedure so as to form final parameters which define the contour, the iteration being carried out with predetermined step sizes for the parameters as well as with a predetermined number of steps, where in each iteration step and for each parameter setting individually: grey values of the image are determined at a predetermined side of the contour so as to provide a first reference image; the first reference image is processed so as to form a second reference image in which a uniform grey value which is derived from a grey value from the first reference image is taken up at the predetermined side of the contour; the first and the second reference image are correlated so as to provide a parameter c

Abstract: Successive magnetic resonance images are reconstructed from the respective sets of magnetic resonance signals of the dynamic series on the basis of the identified distribution of likelihood of changes and optionally the static reference image. The magnetic resonance signals are acquired by way of a receiver antennae system having a spatial sensitivity profile and in an undersampled fashion and the successive magnetic resonance images are reconstructed optionally also on the basis of the spatial sensitivity profile.

Abstract: For avoiding poisoning effects during anesthesia, the quantitative amount of an anesthetic agent degradation product, preferably carbon monoxide CO and/or trifluoromethane CHF3, in an anesthetic gas mixture is determined. When the determined quantitative amount of the anesthetic agent degradation product in the anesthetic gas mixture exceeds a given threshold, an alarm is provided. This is preferably accomplished by measuring a Raman spectrum of the gas mixture, and determining the quantitative amount of the anesthetic agent degradation product in the gas mixture by comparing the measured Raman spectrum with a reference spectrum of the anesthetic agent degradation product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (1) comprising an examination volume (11), a main magnet system (17) for generating a magnetic field (B0) in the examination volume, and a gradient magnet system (25) for generating altering gradients of the magnetic field in the examination volume. The gradient magnet system is accommodated in a housing (31) having a main wall (33) facing the examination volume and a substantially conical wall (35) facing away from the examination volume. The main wall and the conical wall enclose a substantially angular tip portion (47) of the housing. In order to limit the level of the acoustic vibrations in and around the MRI system (1) caused by mechanical vibrations of the angular tip portion (47), the MRI system comprises a plurality of acoustic resonators (55) which each comprise an elongate resonance volume (57) with an open end (59) and a closed end (61) and a length (L) between the open end and the closed end.

Abstract: In a medical MRI apparatus, it is often desirable to have devices 62, 64 for communicating with or monitoring the patient 58 in the imaging volume 29 of the apparatus. Such devices need DC power or low-frequency connections with an area 70 outside the imaging volume. A device cable that does not interfere with the MRI magnetic fields is known per se. The invention proposes to fix the device cable in a groove 76 in the patient carrier 60 in such a manner that its strip-shaped conductors 78, 80 extend parallel to the field lines of the stationary field B of the apparatus. In this way, it is also possible to clip device carriers 72, 74 to the groove, thus supplying the devices with DC power or establishing an audio connection through the device cable in the groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography method in which an examination zone is irradiated from two mutually offset, preferably circular trajectories. In an intermediate region the absorption distribution is reconstructed by means of measuring values from both trajectories, the weight with which the measuring values are used being larger as the distance between the voxel to be reconstructed and the relevant trajectory is smaller.

Abstract: A CT detector-module-for detecting X-rays comprising: a matrix of photosensors, each of which generates signals responsive to photons incident thereon; a scintillator mounted over the matrix that converts X-rays incident on the scintillator to photons to which the photosensors are sensitive; an anti-scatter collimator mounted over the scintillator; and electronic circuitry located in close proximity to the photosensors to which each of the photosensors is connected for processing the signals generated by the photosensors; wherein parts of the module are formed from an absorbing material having a high X-ray absorption coefficient and shield the circuitry from radiation.

Abstract: A medical system for examination of a patient, comprising an examination device (1), a patient support device (13,15), and docking means for connecting both said devices to each other. The docking means comprises a first part (21) provided with a guiding member (57) and a second part (19) provided with guiding elements (61,63) for contacting the guiding surface (59). Each of said parts (19,21) is attached to one of said devices. The guiding member (57) comprises two substantially vertical guiding surfaces (59), positioned symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane through the device (1) to which the first part (21) of the docking means is attached. The distance between said two guiding surfaces (59) decreases further away from the device (1) to which said first part (21) is attached.

Abstract: Disclosed is a telemetry system (10) with a receiver unit (50) and a plurality of transmitters (20–40), each adapted for providing a wireless communicating with the receiver unit (50). The receiver unit (50) comprises a plurality of transmitter holding positions (52–56), such as insertion slots, for receiving one of the transmitters (20–40), and means for assigning one of the transmitter holding positions (52–56) to the transmitter (20–40) received in the assigned transmitter holding position (52–56).