Abstract: An RF coil array for use in MRI is disclosed, which includes a plurality of transmit coil elements and a plurality of RF power amplifiers. Each RF power amplifier is integrated with at least one transmit coil element for driving the at least one transmit coil element. An MRI transmit array is also disclosed, which includes a plurality of RF transmitters for generating a plurality of RF signals, the RF coil array above-mentioned, and a DC voltage source for providing a DC voltage to the plurality of transmit coil elements. The RF coil array further includes an RF shield for shielding the plurality of transmit coil elements from interacting with magnet cryostat and gradient coil elements. The plurality of RF power amplifiers are connected with respective RF transmitters and configured for power amplification of the RF signals from the respective RF transmitters, and the plurality of transmit coil elements are configured for transmitting respective amplified RF signals.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking temperature changes in tissue and bone is disclosed. In one aspect, the temperature changes are tracked simultaneously with high spatial encoding and temporal efficiency. The method is robust in terms of B0 and chemical shift off-resonance, as well as insensitive to eddy currents for accurate temperature mapping. Zero TE (ZTE) based MR thermometry is utilized herein to extract temperature changes from proton density and T1 weighted images. Additionally, T1 signal contamination is corrected for by calibrating T1 and B0 by using a variable flip angle method to achieve temperature mapping in bone, aqueous and adipose tissue simultaneously.

Abstract: A method includes applying a preparatory radiofrequency (RF) pulse at a first time instant to a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner configured to scan an object comprising a plurality of chemical species. The method further includes applying a phase sensitive pulse sequence at a second time instant to the MR scanner, wherein the preparatory RF pulse and a time delay between the first and the second time instants null a first subset of chemical species from the plurality of chemical species. The method further includes receiving an output signal from a second subset of chemical species from the plurality of chemical species in response to the phase sensitive pulse sequence. The method also includes estimating a static magnetic field map based on the output signal from the second subset of chemical species.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking temperature changes in tissue and bone is disclosed. In one aspect, the temperature changes are tracked simultaneously with high spatial encoding and temporal efficiency. The method is robust in terms of B0 and chemical shift off-resonance, as well as insensitive to eddy currents for accurate temperature mapping. Zero TE (ZTE) based MR thermometry is utilized herein to extract temperature changes from proton density and T1 weighted images. Additionally, T1 signal contamination is corrected for by calibrating T1 and B0 by using a variable flip angle method to achieve temperature mapping in bone, aqueous and adipose tissue simultaneously.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes non-invasive approaches for delineating and characterizing tissue using MR imaging over a range of treatment levels. By way of example, tumor tissue may be distinguished and delineated from other tissue, such as muscle tissue. Further, tumor tissue may be characterized as malignant or benign using such approaches.

Abstract: A method includes applying a preparatory radiofrequency (RF) pulse at a first time instant to a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner configured to scan an object comprising a plurality of chemical species. The method further includes applying a phase sensitive pulse sequence at a second time instant to the MR scanner, wherein the preparatory RF pulse and a time delay between the first and the second time instants null a first subset of chemical species from the plurality of chemical species. The method further includes receiving an output signal from a second subset of chemical species from the plurality of chemical species in response to the phase sensitive pulse sequence. The method also includes estimating a static magnetic field map based on the output signal from the second subset of chemical species.

Abstract: A system and method for determining electrical properties using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes determining a magnitude of an MRI B1+ field applied to an object, determining a phase of the MRI B1+ field applied to the object and combining the determined magnitude and phase to determine a complex B1+ field estimate. The method further includes estimating one or more electrical properties of the object using the complex B1+ field estimate by directly solving at least one difference equation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a multi-echo acquisition technique capable of obtaining separate water only and fat only images in anatomies having large time-varying phase disturbances. This multi-echo technique is also useful in anatomies where magnetic field inhomogeneity is significant. Also provided is a system, which is capable of producing a reconstructed complex water image whose phase component maintains the temperature dependent phase information. Similarly, the reconstructed fat image maintains the phase information pertaining to the time-varying phase disturbances.

Abstract: A system and method for determining electrical properties using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes determining a magnitude of an MRI B1+ field applied to an object, determining a phase of the MRI B1+ field applied to the object and combining the determined magnitude and phase to determine a complex B1+ field estimate. The method further includes estimating one or more electrical properties of the object using the complex B1+ field estimate by directly solving at least one difference equation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a multi-echo acquisition technique capable of obtaining separate water only and fat only images in anatomies having large time-varying phase disturbances. This multi-echo technique is also useful in anatomies where magnetic field inhomogeneity is significant. Also provided is a system, which is capable of producing a reconstructed complex water image whose phase component maintains the temperature dependent phase information. Similarly, the reconstructed fat image maintains the phase information pertaining to the time-varying phase disturbances.