Abstract: A three-dimensional grid (10) is used as a phantom for mapping geometric distortion in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. This phantom provides an array of densely distributed control points in three-dimensional space. These points are each defined by three orthogonal planes. In the phantom image, the planes are determined by detecting boundary surfaces between portions of the phantom and its surrounding medium, enabling the positions of the control points to be measured to sub-voxel accuracy. The mapped distortion can then be used to automatically correct images produced by the MRI apparatus.

Abstract: In order to positively decrease the band artifact on the middle of image when the field ununiformity is relatively fair and Nex is small, the present invention provides a phase cycling method for use in SSFP pulse sequence of a gradient echo system for rolling back the phase shift of lateral magnetization developed in TR by the gradient field prior to the next RF excitation, by identifying the RF transmission phase developing the band artifact in the vicinity of zero amount of phase shift, namely the repetition of 0-0-0-0 (degrees) as unusable RF transmission phase to use a plurality of RF transmission phases other than the unusable RF transmission phase for the phase cycling.

Abstract: A unilateral NMR sensor comprising a ferromagnetic yoke; a permanent magnet arranged on the yoke; a pole piece on the magnet; the pole piece including an air-pole piece interface surface whose shape corresponds to an equipotential contour of magnetic scalar potential.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system having a vacuum vessel positioned about an imaging volume, one or more high temperature superconducting coils positioned within the vacuum vessel, and a cryocooler coupled to the vacuum vessel to operate the superconducting coil at a temperature above 10 K. At least one gradient coil is positioned between an imaging volume and the superconducting coil without any thermal shielding interposed between the gradient coil and the superconducting coil. A method of forming an MRI system includes forming at least one winding of the main field generating coils with high temperature superconducting material, positioning the winding in a vessel for receiving cryogenic fluid, and positioning a gradient coil between the imaging volume and the winding without placing a thermal radiation shield between the gradient coil and the winding.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for directly observing data from which the thermal emissivity or absorptivity of a surface can be calculated. The invention teaches the use of a substantially planar heat-flux or heat-flow sensor employing a thermopile, to measure the rate of heat dissipation from a radiating surface thermally attached to one side of the heat-flux sensor where the radiating surface is exposed to a first temperature and where the second side of the heat flux sensor is in thermal contact with a heat source at a second higher temperature.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image from undersampled, parallel MRI data sets acquired with a pulse sequence that samples k-space along radial trajectories includes the synthesis of training k-space data from the acquired data. The training k-space data is produced by reconstructing training images from the fully sampled, central k-space region of the acquired MRI data sets, and the training k-space data is used in a radial GRAPPA image reconstruction method to produce an image frame.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus having a configuration that reduces vibration of a static magnetic field generating source is provided. A closed vessel 2 of the static magnetic field generating source is provided with a rigid structure 4 for preventing transmission of vibration generated from a gradient magnetic field generating part 21 to other members via the closed vessel 2. The rigid structure 4 uses, for example, a connecting part 4 that connects a face 25 on the imaging space side and a face 26 confronting it. The rigidity of the closed vessel is thereby increased, and therefore vibration transmitted from the gradient magnetic field generating part can be reduced. The connecting part can have a through-hole structure, and in such a case, internal space of through-hole can be used for drawing cables.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring remotely the surface temperature of a silicon wafer and layers, without the need to know the surface emissivity. The surface temperature is measured in-situ and in real-time during a high-temperature process, in a vacuum system, by using the linear polarization property of radiation. A blackbody source is heated to various, known temperatures, and provides radiation that impinges on the silicon surface and is reflected from it together with a self-emitted component. This combined reflected radiation is polarized and filtered to an appropriate wavelength, and observed with an imaging camera. Pairs of orthogonally polarized images of the surface are obtained for a set silicon surface temperature and for each blackbody temperature. The pairs of images are analyzed, pixel by pixel, to obtain a null polar level indicative of the surface temperature.

Abstract: A temperature measuring system, comprising an imaging device for focusing radiation towards a radiation detector, wherein the imaging device is a diffractive optical device.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a distributed measurement comprises deploying an optical fibre in a measurement region of interest, and launching into it a first optical signal at a first wavelength ?0 and a high power level, a second optical signal at a second wavelength ??1, and a third optical signal at the first wavelength ?0 and a low power level. These optical signals generate backscattered light at the second wavelength ??1 arising from Raman scattering of the first optical signal which is indicative of a parameter to be measured, at the first wavelength ?0 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the first optical signal, at the second wavelength ?—1 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the second optical signal, and at the first wavelength ?0 arising from Rayleigh scattering of the third optical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a multi-pulse sequence for irradiating a substance provided with quadrupole nuclei with either integer or half-integer spins to detect an NQR signal emitted therefrom. The apparatus has pulse sequence generating means adapted to produce multi-pulse sequences with pulse intervals exceeding T2* and containing a preparatory pulse or group of pulses for creating echo signals between the pulses. The pulse sequence is organised so that the resulting signal contains a prevailing echo component produced by the preparatory pulse or group of pulses.

Abstract: EPR spectrometer comprising a ferroelectric single crystal resonator, a rectangular channel with holes in its narrow sides for inserting a sample and wires, a permanent magnet with planar poles, and a coil within the channel connected through the holes by the wires with a modulation source and a NMR spectrometer comprising a magnet, a probe with means for transmitting a radio frequency magnetic pulse and detecting NMR signal, and a ferroelectric single crystal resonator. A ferroelectric single crystal consisting essentially of potassium tantalate and the alkali metal substituting from about 1% to 3% of potassium or a group (V) metal substituting in part for tantalum, having cubic form of perovskite crystalline structure, and essentially free of impurities and defects is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixture for sensing temperature. The fixture comprises a base, a generally horizontal member having a first distal end and a second distal end, the first end being connected to the base, a generally vertical member having a first distal end and a second distal end, the first end being connected to the second end of the horizontal member, a foot-shaped structure having an upper portion, a lower portion and a side portion, the upper portion being connected to the second end of the vertical member, and at least one temperature sensor affixed to the foot-shaped structure. The base is placed onto a seat and the foot-shaped structure is positioned proximate a floor, effective to position the sensor for sensing the temperature of the floor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature sensor with an improved reliability of a root portion of a harness. A substantially rod-shaped guide portion 28 vertically protruding on a vertical wall 20c of the substrate is provided and the harness 40 is fixed to the guide portion 28 in a contacting state by accommodating the guide portion 28 and the harness 40 in a vinyl tube 44. Because of this configuration, a root portion of the harness 40, which comes out from the substrate 20, is unlikely to be bent due to the rigidity of the guide portion 28, and is not broken and disconnected.

Abstract: The use of two or more sensors tuned to the same nuclear quadrupole resonance frequency and detecting the nuclear quadrupole resonance signal results in improved signal-to-noise ratio and therefore improved nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system performance.

Abstract: The invention reduces a flow of a heat making an intrusion into an NMR probe, and uniformizes a spatial temperature generated in a sample pipe. A temperature modulated gas is supplied to a thermal anchor temperature modulated gas flow path constituted by a sample pipe insertion port around a sample pipe, and sample pipe insertion port structure bodies. A part of the temperature modulated gas is divided into a thermal anchor temperature modulated gas flow path by a temperature modulated gas division hole, and flows toward a thermal anchor. The thermal anchor is constituted by a porous member having a hole through which a gas can pass, and comes to the same temperature as the temperature modulated gas on the basis of a heat exchange with the temperature modulated gas.

Abstract: A core stopping structure for an electronic clinical thermometer comprising a stopper protruded out of an inner wall of a thermometer body, a stopping member provided on a core and configured to block relative movement of the stopper, whereby when the core is pulled out of the thermometer for a predetermined length, the stopper will block the stopping member thereby preventing the core from further moving out of the thermometer body and therefore preventing the conductive wire connected with the core from breaking.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a phased array coil including a plurality of local coils, a pre-scanning unit which pre-scans, before image scanning, an area including at least part of an image scanning area, a determination unit which determines whether each of the local coils is abnormal, based on signals output from the local coils during pre-scanning, and an information supply unit which supplies a user with information indicating an abnormal local coil, if the determination unit determines that the local coils include the abnormal local coil.

Abstract: To visually, readily and positively performing the selection of a coil element and a combination of coil elements most suitable for the MRI scan, a low resolution imaging step for imaging at a low resolution by using a plurality of coil elements A to H, an imaging coil element selection step for selecting the optimum coil element for imaging site from the low resolution images taken in the low resolution imaging step, and a coil element extraction step for extracting coil element selected in the imaging coil element selection step are comprised such that a low resolution image of the subject is preliminarily taken to use thereby to visually select the coil element.

Abstract: A gradient coil apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging system includes a plurality of gradient coils 11a, 11b and 11c for applying a gradient magnetic field to a test object and an internal heat exchanger 14 to be immersed in insulation oil 13 in a container 12. A pump 16 is disposed to circulate coolant between the internal heat exchanger 14 and an external heat exchanger 15 is disposed outside of the container 12. This arrangement allows the insulation oil only inside of the container, thereby ensuring a substantial reduction in the amount of insulation oil.