Abstract: Provided is a technique in MRI to efficiently suppress downstream blood in a specific region in a blood vessel having a slow flow velocity, such as the portal vein. For this purpose, a plurality of Beam Sat pulses are applied so as to equally suppress signals of blood flowing into a desired imaging region from a desired blood vessel during the period from applying an IR pulse to starting main imaging. Downstream blood in a specific region in a blood vessel having a slow flow velocity, such as the portal vein, can be suppressed efficiently by determining application conditions of the plurality of Beam Sat pulses that achieve the above based on a flow velocity of blood in a desired blood vessel and T1 of the said blood.

Abstract: In order to provide a technique for improving image quality by selectively exciting only a target region with high precision in either of a two-dimensional spatial selective excitation method or a three-dimensional spatial selective excitation method, selecting a k-space trajectory restraining excitation in a non-target region by side lobes is received. At this time, an excitation region of the selected k-space trajectory is presented to an operator, and the operator can adjust the excitation region through the display. After the adjustment of the excitation region by the operator is reflected, a multi-dimensional spatial selective excitation pulse is stabilized.

Abstract: There is provided a technique for obtaining temperature information for inside of a living body and accuracy information thereof in short time with low burden imposed on a subject. It is realized with a spectrum calculator configured to perform MRS or MRSI measurement for two kinds of substances showing difference of resonant frequencies and calculating spectra of magnetic resonance signals of the two kinds of substances, a temperature information calculator configured to calculate temperature information for inside of the subject on the basis of peaks of the calculated spectra, a temperature accuracy information calculator configured to calculate temperature accuracy information indicating accuracy of the temperature information on the basis of peaks of the calculated spectra, and a display information generator configured to generate display information to be displayed on a display device on the basis of the temperature information and the temperature accuracy information.

Abstract: To acquire a more accurate tissue contrast image such as a water-fat separation image in time-series imaging by an MRI apparatus, a static magnetic field non-uniformity map is created from a plurality of echo signals having different TEs obtained in time series, and a water-fat separation image is obtained using the static magnetic field non-uniformity map. Processing (spatial direction discontinuity correction processing) for correcting discontinuity of a phase or a frequency in a spatial direction and processing (time-series direction discontinuity correction processing) for correcting discontinuity in a time-series direction are performed for the static magnetic field non-uniformity map.

Abstract: To acquire a more accurate tissue contrast image such as a water-fat separation image in time-series imaging by an MM apparatus, a static magnetic field non-uniformity map is created from a plurality of echo signals having different TEs obtained in time series, and a water-fat separation image is obtained using the static magnetic field non-uniformity map. Processing (spatial direction discontinuity correction processing) for correcting discontinuity of a phase or a frequency in a spatial direction and processing (time-series direction discontinuity correction processing) for correcting discontinuity in a time-series direction are performed for the static magnetic field non-uniformity map.

Abstract: In order to reduce image quality deterioration due to static magnetic field inhomogeneity according to imaging conditions without increasing an operator workload, shimming current where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of a selected region is reduced is calculated, shimming is performed for the selected region using the calculated local Bo shimming current, and then an increment (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase of an RF pulse that excites the selected region in a state where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of the selected region is reduced or a post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0?) that is an excitation frequency is calculated. These increments (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase and post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0?) that is an excitation frequency correspond with each other in amount.

Abstract: To obtain an image having high ability of imaging a blood vessel in each cardiac time phase when performing imaging through a cine-PC method, an MRI apparatus includes a magnetic resonance imaging unit that collects a magnetic resonance signal; a control unit that controls the magnetic resonance imaging unit as per a pulse sequence; and a signal processing unit that prepares an image of a test target by using the magnetic resonance signal collected by the magnetic resonance imaging unit, and time phase information related to a motion of the test target. The control unit has an imaging sequence which serves as the pulse sequence, which includes applying of a flow encoding pulse, and in which an echo signal is acquired for each time phase. An applying amount of the flow encoding pulse in the imaging sequence is controlled so as to be different depending on the time phase.

Abstract: A high-quality image is obtained using a two-dimensional selective excitation method even if the static magnetic field is not uniform. Therefore, non-uniformity of a static magnetic field of a region to be focused in particular in a selective excitation region excited by 2DRF is measured, and a result of the measurement is reflected in an imaging sequence using the 2DRF. For example, a resonance frequency of magnetization obtained from the measurement result is set as an irradiation frequency of the 2DRF. In addition, a shim gradient magnetic field is applied so as to correct the non-uniformity of the magnetization obtained from the measurement result. These are applied only in the imaging sequence using the 2DRF, and an irradiation frequency and a shim gradient magnetic field set in a conventional method are used in other imaging sequences.

Abstract: Disclosed are a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and an RF pulse control method wherein an RF pulse sequence in a start-up sequence is set as a monotonically increasing flip angle with offset, in order to reduce ghosts, blurring, and other artifacts during measurement in a transient state. For example, the sum of two adjacent consecutive terms in a monotonically increasing sequence is set as the flip angle. Specifically, the number of RF pulses in the RF pulse sequence and the flip angle for the RF pulses in an SSFP sequence are set, and the monotonically increasing flip angle with offset is found, based on the set number of RF pulses in the RF pulse sequence and the flip angle for the RF pulses in the SSFP sequence, and used as the RF pulse sequence.

Abstract: In imaging using 2-dimensional selective excitation pulses, regardless of applications thereof, a technique for obtaining a high quality image is provided. In the technique, a 2-dimensional selective excitation sequence is carried out while changing a coefficient for determining the cylinder diameter of a region excited by the 2-dimensional selective excitation sequence and a time difference for determining an offset position. The obtained excitation region and a desired region are compared with each other, and the coefficient and time difference with which the obtained excitation region and the desired region match each other are determined to be the optimum ones. The determination processing may be performed as an initial adjustment, may be performed according to need in each imaging, or may be performed on a per-application basis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide dough which can provide bread and baked confectionery with the good appearance and the suppressed dry texture, even though the dough includes the cereal flour containing a large amount of dietary fiber. Another object of the present invention is to provide bread and baked confectionery obtained by baking the dough. According to the present invention, bakery dough including: 10 to 60 mass % of cereal flour containing 4 mass % or more of dietary fiber; and 1 to 35 mass % of medium-chain fatty acid containing triacylglycerol (MTG), and bakery products obtained by heating and baking the bakery dough are provided.

Abstract: Provided is a technique in MRI to efficiently suppress downstream blood in a specific region in a blood vessel having a slow flow velocity, such as the portal vein. For this purpose, a plurality of Beam Sat pulses are applied so as to equally suppress signals of blood flowing into a desired imaging region from a desired blood vessel during the period from applying an IR pulse to starting main imaging. Downstream blood in a specific region in a blood vessel having a slow flow velocity, such as the portal vein, can be suppressed efficiently by determining application conditions of the plurality of Beam Sat pulses that achieve the above based on a flow velocity of blood in a desired blood vessel and T1 of the said blood.

Abstract: In order to provide a technique for improving image quality by selectively exciting only a target region with high precision in either of a two-dimensional spatial selective excitation method or a three-dimensional spatial selective excitation method, selecting a k-space trajectory restraining excitation in a non-target region by side lobes is received. At this time, an excitation region of the selected k-space trajectory is presented to an operator, and the operator can adjust the excitation region through the display. After the adjustment of the excitation region by the operator is reflected, a multi-dimensional spatial selective excitation pulse is stabilized.

Abstract: In imaging for labeling only the fluid of a specific region, a high-quality image is acquired in a short time. In order to achieve this, the optimal number of segments N is determined from the flow velocity V and the size ? of a specific region to be labeled when performing imaging by labeling only the fluid of the specific region using a two-dimensional selective excitation pulse as a pre-pulse. In addition, the k-space ordering is determined according to the arrival timing of the fluid to the imaging region. In addition, the optimal flip angle (FA) is determined depending on the type of pre-pulse.

Abstract: An image in which an area of interest on an image is optimally susceptibility-emphasized is obtained in susceptibility-emphasized imaging. A measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled in accordance with the size of a desired area of interest of an examinee. Preferably, a target frequency in a K space is determined in accordance with the size of the area of interest, and the measuring order of plural echo signals is controlled so that an echo signal corresponding to the target frequency is measured at a target echo signal or in the neighborhood of the target echo time.

Abstract: There is provided an MRI apparatus and a blood vessel image capturing method capable of improving the separability of an artery and a vein. In order to do so, using an imaging sequence obtained by combining a first sequence portion for measuring a first echo signal used for acquisition of a blood vessel image of a desired region of an object with a second sequence portion for measuring a second echo signal used for acquisition of blood flow information of the object, the object is imaged by one examination scan. In addition, blood flow information is acquired using the second echo signal, and at least one of an artery and a vein is extracted in an image, which is reconstructed using the first echo signal, using the acquired blood flow information.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus and a two-dimensional excitation adjustment method capable of performing appropriately two-dimensional excitation of a region, in which materials with different resonance frequencies are present, according to imaging conditions are provided. In order to do so, when performing the two-dimensional excitation of a two-dimensional excitation region of an object formed by a first material with a first resonance frequency and a second material with a second resonance frequency, an irradiation frequency of a high-frequency magnetic field for the two-dimensional excitation is set on the basis of the imaging conditions related to the two-dimensional excitation and the first and second resonance frequencies so that desired regions of the first and second materials are excited in a two-dimensional manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for performing regeneration of a decolorization capacity of waste clay that has been used for purification of fats and oils, and production of a thermally recyclable compound as a biofuel from oily ingredients in the waste clay at the same time in a convenient manner. That is, a method for producing purified fats and oils of the invention includes: a method for producing regenerated clay including the steps of mixing waste clay that has been used for purification of fats and oils, lower alcohol, and an acidic catalyst; and performing extraction of oily ingredients from the waste clay, and an esterification reaction between the fats and oils and/or a free fatty acid in the oily ingredients and the lower alcohol at the same time so as to regenerate a decolorization capacity of the waste clay; regenerated clay that is produced by the method for producing the regenerated clay; and a process of decolorizing the fats and oils using the regenerated clay.

Abstract: There is provided a technique for obtaining temperature information for inside of a living body and accuracy information thereof in short time with low burden imposed on a subject. It is realized with a spectrum calculator configured to perform MRS or MRSI measurement for two kinds of substances showing difference of resonant frequencies and calculating spectra of magnetic resonance signals of the two kinds of substances, a temperature information calculator configured to calculate temperature information for inside of the subject on the basis of peaks of the calculated spectra, a temperature accuracy information calculator configured to calculate temperature accuracy information indicating accuracy of the temperature information on the basis of peaks of the calculated spectra, and a display information generator configured to generate display information to be displayed on a display device on the basis of the temperature information and the temperature accuracy information.

Abstract: In order to reduce image quality deterioration due to static magnetic field inhomogeneity according to imaging conditions without increasing an operator workload, shimming current where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of a selected region is reduced is calculated, shimming is performed for the selected region using the calculated local Bo shimming current, and then an increment (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase of an RF pulse that excites the selected region in a state where static magnetic field inhomogeneity of the selected region is reduced or a post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0?) that is an excitation frequency is calculated. These increments (RF-Phase) in an irradiation phase and post-adjustment excitation frequency (f0?) that is an excitation frequency correspond with each other in amount.