Abstract: Image reconstruction systems and methods include providing sensitivity maps for coils of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to a neural network. The systems and methods also include providing interleaved k-space data to the neural network, wherein the interleaved k-space data includes partial k-space data interleaved with zeros, or synthesized k-space data, to provide an extended field of view (FOV) different from a FOV utilized during acquisition of the partial k-space data, wherein the partial k-space data were obtained during a scan of a region of interest with the MRI system. The systems and methods further include outputting, from the neural network, a final reconstructed MR image based at least on the sensitivity maps and the interleaved k-space data, wherein the final reconstructed MR image includes the FOV utilized during the acquisition of the partial k-space data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for de-noising medical images using deep neural networks. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a medical image acquired by an imaging system, wherein the medical image comprises colored noise; mapping the medical image to a de-noised medical image using a trained convolutional neural network (CNN); and displaying the de-noised medical image via a display device. The deep neural network may thereby reduce colored noise in the acquired noisy medical image, increasing a clarity and diagnostic quality of the image.

Abstract: Image reconstruction systems and methods include providing sensitivity maps for coils of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to a neural network. The systems and methods also include providing interleaved k-space data to the neural network, wherein the interleaved k-space data includes partial k-space data interleaved with zeros, or synthesized k-space data, to provide an extended field of view (FOV) different from a FOV utilized during acquisition of the partial k-space data, wherein the partial k-space data were obtained during a scan of a region of interest with the MRI system. The systems and methods further include outputting, from the neural network, a final reconstructed MR image based at least on the sensitivity maps and the interleaved k-space data, wherein the final reconstructed MR image includes the FOV utilized during the acquisition of the partial k-space data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independently removing streak artifacts and noise from medical images, using trained deep neural networks. In one embodiment, streak artifacts and noise may be selectively and independently removed from a medical image by receiving the medical image comprising streak artifacts and noise, mapping the medical image to a streak residual and a noise residual using the trained deep neural network, subtracting the streak residual from the medical image to a first extent, and subtracting the noise residual from the medical image to a second extent, to produce a de-noised medical image, and displaying the de-noised medical image via a display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independently removing streak artifacts and noise from medical images, using trained deep neural networks. In one embodiment, streak artifacts and noise may be selectively and independently removed from a medical image by receiving the medical image comprising streak artifacts and noise, mapping the medical image to a streak residual and a noise residual using the trained deep neural network, subtracting the streak residual from the medical image to a first extent, and subtracting the noise residual from the medical image to a second extent, to produce a de-noised medical image, and displaying the de-noised medical image via a display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for independently removing streak artifacts and noise from medical images, using trained deep neural networks. In one embodiment, streak artifacts and noise may be selectively and independently removed from a medical image by receiving the medical image comprising streak artifacts and noise, mapping the medical image to a streak residual and a noise residual using the trained deep neural network, subtracting the streak residual from the medical image to a first extent, and subtracting the noise residual from the medical image to a second extent, to produce a de-noised medical image, and displaying the de-noised medical image via a display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for de-noising medical images using deep neural networks. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a medical image acquired by an imaging system, wherein the medical image comprises colored noise; mapping the medical image to a de-noised medical image using a trained convolutional neural network (CNN); and displaying the de-noised medical image via a display device. The deep neural network may thereby reduce colored noise in the acquired noisy medical image, increasing a clarity and diagnostic quality of the image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing noise in medical images with deep neural networks. In one embodiment, a method for training a neural network comprises transforming each of a plurality of initial image data sets not acquired by a medical imaging modality into a target image data set, wherein each target image data set is in a format specific to the medical imaging modality, corrupting each target image data set to generate a corrupted image data set, and training the neural network to map each corrupted image data set to the corresponding target image data set. In this way, the high-resolution of digital non-medical photographs or images can be leveraged for the enhancement or correction of medical images, and the trained neural network can be used to reduce noise and image artifacts in medical images acquired by the medical imaging modality.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging method and system, the method comprising performing the following steps at least once: a composition step: performing image composition processing on raw images received by a receiving coil that is pre-determined as an artifact coil and a receiving coil that is pre-determined as a non-artifact coil to obtain a composite image; and a correction step: obtaining a product of the above composite image and space sensitivity of the above artifact coil to replace the raw image received by the above artifact coil, and performing the above composition step again.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging method and system, the method comprising performing the following steps at least once: a composition step: performing image composition processing on raw images received by a receiving coil that is pre-determined as an artifact coil and a receiving coil that is pre-determined as a non-artifact coil to obtain a composite image; and a correction step: obtaining a product of the above composite image and space sensitivity of the above artifact coil to replace the raw image received by the above artifact coil, and performing the above composition step again.

Abstract: Systems and method for magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed which utilize sinusoidal gradient waveforms to drive gradient coils in an MRI system. The sinusoidal gradient waveforms may be applied on all two or more (e.g. three) gradient axes to produce a relatively pure acoustic tone. In certain embodiments, gradient directions may be spiraled in three-dimensions to generate a radial pin-cushion k-space trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and method for magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed which utilize sinusoidal gradient waveforms to drive gradient coils in an MRI system. The sinusoidal gradient waveforms may be applied on all two or more (e.g. three) gradient axes to produce a relatively pure acoustic tone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of space occupied by a radio frequency coil assembly in a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a radio frequency coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil disposed cylindrically around a patient space and a radio frequency shield disposed cylindrically around the patient space and electrically coupled to the axial ends of the radio frequency coil. The radio frequency shield may be configured to extend behind the radio frequency coil, and the axial length of the radio frequency shield may be at least two times the axial length of the radio frequency coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil with a plurality of conductive coil elements, control circuitry that determines, based at least in part on a measurement of scattering parameters, a plurality of forward voltages that will cause power deposition into an object within a predetermined specific absorption rate, and an amplifier configured to apply the determined plurality of forward voltages respectively to the plurality of coil elements. The control circuitry may determine the plurality of forward voltages based at least in part on an unloaded measurement of scattering parameters and a loaded measurement of scattering parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of space occupied by a radio frequency coil assembly in a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a radio frequency coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil disposed cylindrically around a patient space and a radio frequency shield disposed cylindrically around the patient space and electrically coupled to the axial ends of the radio frequency coil. The radio frequency shield may be configured to extend behind the radio frequency coil, and the axial length of the radio frequency shield may be at least two times the axial length of the radio frequency coil.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a radio frequency coil with a plurality of conductive coil elements, control circuitry that determines, based at least in part on a measurement of scattering parameters, a plurality of forward voltages that will cause power deposition into an object within a predetermined specific absorption rate, and an amplifier configured to apply the determined plurality of forward voltages respectively to the plurality of coil elements. The control circuitry may determine the plurality of forward voltages based at least in part on an unloaded measurement of scattering parameters and a loaded measurement of scattering parameters.

Abstract: A system for training a linearization compensation model includes a tone generator for providing at least two different RF tones, receiver path components for processing the RF tones, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the processed RF tones into digital signals, and a processor for using the digital signals to generate the linearization error compensation model. The resulting compensation model is particularly useful in a linearization system which includes a receiver for measuring a signal, an electro-optical modulator configured for converting the measured signal to an optical signal, an optical-electrical detector configured for converting the optical signal to an analog electrical signal, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog electrical signal into a digital signal with the processor being used for removing linearization errors from the digital signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system having a first coil and a second coil to achieve an imaging volume includes, in a first mode, achieving the imaging volume by using a sum field from both of the coils, and, in a second mode, achieving the imaging volume by using a difference field from both of the coils.

Abstract: A method for decreasing gradient field pulse sequence duration for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising: establishing an allowable gradient field strength for an axis of a plurality of axes for a field of view; applying a weighting factor associated with each axis of the plurality of axes; establishing a slew rate responsive to a selected axis of the plurality of axes that exhibits a largest gradient field strength in light of the weighting factor and the field of view; and operating the plurality of axes at the largest gradient field strength.

Abstract: A method for decreasing gradient field pulse sequence duration for a magnetic resonance imaging system, the method comprising: establishing an allowable gradient field strength for an axis of a plurality of axes for a field of view; applying a weighting factor associated with each axis of the plurality of axes; establishing a slew rate responsive to a selected axis of the plurality of axes that exhibits a largest gradient field strength in light of the weighting factor and the field of view; and operating the plurality of axes at the largest gradient field strength.