Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes designing a saturation- based labeling pulse sequence for an MRI process that includes radio-frequency (RF) pulses and gradients forming a ratio of RF slice-selection gradient to time-averaged gradient that maintains multiple aliased labeling planes within an envelope of the RF pulses. The method also includes performing the MRI process to acquire image data from the subject using the saturation-based labeling pulse sequence and reconstructing a saturation-based spin labeled images of the subject using image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing hyperpolarized materials for use during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) process. The system and methods include the use of microfluidic and/or microreactor methods in one or more of the stages of parahydrogen production, enriched substrate production, and spin order transfer from the parahydrogen to a substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for producing hyperpolarized materials for use during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) process. The system and methods include the use of microfluidic and/or microreactor methods in one or more of the stages of parahydrogen production, enriched substrate production, and spin order transfer from the parahydrogen to a substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided that is controlled by a computer. The computer is programmed to control a plurality of gradient coils and radio frequency (RF) system of the MRI system to perform at least one pulse sequence that includes applying RF energy at least at two frequencies to manipulate exchangeable magnetization from protons in a subject. The computer is also programmed to control the plurality of gradient coils and RF system to acquire imaging data including magnetization transfer information from the exchangeable magnetization from protons in the subject in response to the pulse sequence. The computer is further programmed to, using frequency information associated with the imaging data, generate a report pertaining to inhomogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject in response to the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A system and methods for improved homogeneous and inhomegeneous magnetic transfer imaging are provided. In some aspects, a plurality of gradient coils and an RF system of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are controlled, using a computer, to perform, at least one pulse sequence that includes a preparation module followed by an imaging module, wherein the preparation module comprises a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) saturation pulses applied according to a concentrated pulse cycle to manipulate exchangeable magnetization from protons in the subject, and the imaging module is configured to acquire image data. The computer is also configured to analyze the image data acquired to generate frequency information indicative of the exchangeable magnetization from protons in the subject, and generate a report, using the frequency information, pertaining to inhomogeneous or homogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical image of a subject that includes functional information. First, two medical images are acquired. One is weighted based on functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject and the other weighted based on anatomic information of the subject. A difference image between the two images are generated. By subjecting the difference image and the second image to a localized kernel, a local similarity image is generated. Using the local similarity image, an improved difference image is generated. Lastly, by subtracting the improved difference image from the first image, an enhanced medical image that retains the functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a report about a subject from data collected from the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes directing the MRI system to perform a pulse sequence to manipulate exchangeable magnetization in the subject and acquiring, with the MRI system, imaging data from the subject in response to the pulse sequence. The method also includes analyzing the effects of the frequencies of applied RF energy on the imaging data to identify inhomogeneous lines formed by a summation of multiple sublines centered at multiple different frequencies. The method further includes generating a report pertaining to inhomogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject in response to the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a report about a subject from data collected from the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI] system. The method includes directing the MRI system to perform a pulse sequence to manipulate exchangeable magnetization in the subject and acquiring, with the MRI system, imaging data from the subject in response to the pulse sequence. The method also includes analyzing the effects of the frequencies of applied RF energy on the imaging data to identify inhomogeneous lines formed by a summation of multiple sublines centered at multiple different frequencies. The method further includes generating a report pertaining to inhomogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject in response to the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A system and methods for improved homogeneous and inhomegeneous magnetic transfer imaging are provided. In some aspects, a plurality of gradient coils and an RF system of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system are controlled, using a computer, to perform, at least one pulse sequence that includes a preparation module followed by an imaging module, wherein the preparation module comprises a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) saturation pulses applied according to a concentrated pulse cycle to manipulate exchangeable magnetization from protons in the subject, and the imaging module is configured to acquire image data. The computer is also configured to analyze the image data acquired to generate frequency information indicative of the exchangeable magnetization from protons in the subject, and generate a report, using the frequency information, pertaining to inhomogeneous or homogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical image of a subject that includes functional information. First, two medical images are acquired. One is weighted based on functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject and the other weighted based on anatomic information of the subject. A difference image between the two images are generated. By subjecting the difference image and the second image to a localized kernel, a local similarity image is generated. Using the local similarity image, an improved difference image is generated. Lastly, by subtracting the improved difference image from the first image, an enhanced medical image that retains the functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical image of a subject that includes functional information. First, two medical images are acquired. One is weighted based on functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject and the other weighted based on anatomic information of the subject. A difference image between the two images are generated. By subjecting the difference image and the second image to a localized kernel, a local similarity image is generated. Using the local similarity image, an improved difference image is generated. Lastly, by subtracting the improved difference image from the first image, an enhanced medical image that retains the functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical image of a subject that includes functional information. First, two medical images are acquired. One is weighted based on functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject and the other weighted based on anatomic information of the subject. A difference image between the two images are generated. By subjecting the difference image and the second image to a localized kernel, a local similarity image is generated. Using the local similarity image, an improved difference image is generated. Lastly, by subtracting the improved difference image from the first image, an enhanced medical image that retains the functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a report about a subject from data collected from the subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI] system. The method includes directing the MRI system to perform a pulse sequence to manipulate exchangeable magnetization in the subject and acquiring, with the MRI system, imaging data from the subject in response to the pulse sequence. The method also includes analyzing the effects of the frequencies of applied RF energy on the imaging data to identify inhomogeneous lines formed by a summation of multiple sublines centered at multiple different frequencies. The method further includes generating a report pertaining to inhomogeneous magnetization transfer occurring in the subject in response to the pulse sequence.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T.sub.1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for imaging fluid flow and/or perfusion using spin labeling is provided. The method comprises applying a first magnetic gradient sequence at least to a labeling region, applying a first pulsed radio frequency (RF) sequence to the labeling region to label the fluid, the first pulsed RF sequence comprising a first plurality of pulses wherein an amplitude envelope is non-zero, the first plurality of pulses each separated by a respective first plurality of intervals wherein the amplitude envelope is substantially zero, and acquiring at least one first signal emitted from an imaging region a predetermined delay after applying the first pulsed RF sequence.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of inducing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from a region of an object to be imaged is provided. The method comprises applying to the region a preparation sequence configured to substantially establish a zero flip-angle pseudo steady state (PSS) for the region, applying to the region a transitioning sequence configured to transition the zero flip-angle PSS to a higher target flip-angle PSS, and applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence configured to cause the region to emit detectable NMR signals.