Abstract: An imaging unit of an MRI apparatus performs imaging of a positioning image of a subject including a spine; a first imaging that images a cross section including the spine and extending along a longitudinal direction of the spine; and a second imaging that images a cross section in a direction of traversing the spine. An automatic cross-section position setting unit detects a specific tissue of the spine using a scout image or an image including the spine acquired in the first imaging step, performs a matching process between the detected specific tissue of the spine and a spine model, and calculates an imaging cross-section position of the second imaging based upon a specific tissue position of the spine specified by matching, thereby performing automatic setting.

Abstract: An automatic clipping technique capable of satisfactorily extracting blood vessels to be extracted is provided. A specific tissue extraction mask image which is created by extracting a specific tissue (for example, a brain) from a three-dimensional image acquired by magnetic resonance angiography and a blood vessel extraction mask image which is created by extracting a blood vessel from an area (a blood vessel search area) which is determined using a preset landmark position and the specific tissue extraction mask image are integrated to create an integrated mask. By applying the integrated mask to the three-dimensional image, a blood vessel is clipped from the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: Imaging failure of a positioning image due to the difference in the position or the size of a subject placed in the examination space is prevented, and accordingly, the extension of the examination time is prevented. A pre-scan for appropriately setting the imaging position for positioning imaging is automatically performed prior to the positioning imaging and the main imaging of an MRI apparatus, and a region where an examination part of a subject is present (the extent of the examination part) is detected using the measurement data. By using the detected extent of the examination part, it is possible to subsequently determine the imaging position or calculate the scan parameters used for imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus performs automatic positioning with high accuracy within a short time with respect to tissues having a complicated anatomic structure. First measurement of scout imaging is executed before main imaging for acquiring a diagnosis image, and one-dimensional or two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. The right and left of a subject is determined by using the measurement data acquired in the first measurement. A cross-section position in second measurement of the scout imaging is calculated by using a determination result in the right and left determination and the measurement data acquired in the first measurement, the second measurement at the cross-section position is executed, and two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. A cross-section position in the main imaging is calculated by using the two-dimensional measurement data acquired in the second measurement.

Abstract: Imaging failure of a positioning image due to the difference in the position or the size of a subject placed in the examination space is prevented, and accordingly, the extension of the examination time is prevented. A pre-scan for appropriately setting the imaging position for positioning imaging is automatically performed prior to the positioning imaging and the main imaging of an MRI apparatus, and a region where an examination part of a subject is present (the extent of the examination part) is detected using the measurement data. By using the detected extent of the examination part, it is possible to subsequently determine the imaging position or calculate the scan parameters used for imaging.

Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of realizing automatic positioning with high accuracy within a short time with respect to tissues having a complicated anatomic structure. First measurement of scout imaging is executed before main imaging for acquiring a diagnosis image, and one-dimensional or two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. The right and left of a subject is determined by using the measurement data acquired in the first measurement. A cross-section position in second measurement of the scout imaging is calculated by using a determination result in the right and left determination and the measurement data acquired in the first measurement, the second measurement at the cross-section position is executed, and two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. A cross-section position in the main imaging is calculated by using the two-dimensional measurement data acquired in the second measurement.

Abstract: Automatically performing a serial examination flow including, for example, positioning, imaging, and post processing enables reducing a burden placed on the user by a manual operation and improving examination efficiency.

Abstract: An automatic clipping technique capable of satisfactorily extracting blood vessels to be extracted is provided. A specific tissue extraction mask image which is created by extracting a specific tissue (for example, a brain) from a three-dimensional image acquired by magnetic resonance angiography and a blood vessel extraction mask image which is created by extracting a blood vessel from an area (a blood vessel search area) which is determined using a preset landmark position and the specific tissue extraction mask image are integrated to create an integrated mask. By applying the integrated mask to the three-dimensional image, a blood vessel is clipped from the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a calculation means for calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object according to the emission of RF pulses in a part of the object or a bed position where imaging is scheduled; a means for setting imaging conditions, in which the calculated amount of absorption satisfies conditions of the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves, from the relationship between the calculated amount of absorption and the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves; and a bed control device that controls a top plate according to the set imaging conditions.

Abstract: An imaging unit of an MRI apparatus performs imaging of a positioning image of a subject including a spine; a first imaging that images a cross section including the spine and extending along a longitudinal direction of the spine; and a second imaging that images a cross section in a direction of traversing the spine. An automatic cross-section position setting unit detects a specific tissue of the spine using a scout image or an image including the spine acquired in the first imaging step, performs a matching process between the detected specific tissue of the spine and a spine model, and calculates an imaging cross-section position of the second imaging based upon a specific tissue position of the spine specified by matching, thereby performing automatic setting.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object with high accuracy, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a calculation means for calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object upon the emission of RF pulses in a part of the object or a bed position where imaging is scheduled; a means for setting imaging conditions, in which the calculated amount of absorption satisfies conditions of the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves, from the relationship between the calculated amount of absorption and the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves; and a bed control device that controls a top plate according to the set imaging conditions.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object with high accuracy, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a calculation means for calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object upon the emission of RF pulses in a part of the object or a bed position where imaging is scheduled; a means for setting imaging conditions, in which the calculated amount of absorption satisfies conditions of the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves, from the relationship between the calculated amount of absorption and the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves; and a bed control device that controls a top plate according to the set imaging conditions.

Abstract: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a calculation means for calculating the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves into the object according to the emission of RF pulses in a part of the object or a bed position where imaging is scheduled; a means for setting imaging conditions, in which the calculated amount of absorption satisfies conditions of the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves, from the relationship between the calculated amount of absorption and the specified value of the amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves; and a bed control device that controls a top plate according to the set imaging conditions.

Abstract: Desired imaging is performed within the SAR restriction without changing the imaging conditions set in advance when SAR exceeds an upper limit. In order to do so, in imaging of an object performed by combination of a plurality of pulse sequences, a SAR graph showing a temporal change in the predicted SAR value of each pulse sequence is displayed. When the predicted SAR value of the pulse sequence is the same as or exceeds the upper SAR limit, the exchange of such pulse sequences or the insertion of a waiting time is performed.

Abstract: In order to provide a technique for accurately realizing an examination, which is for acquiring a plurality of images of the same examination section, without a complicated operation and an extension of an examination time, body movement information of a subject is acquired immediately before each imaging in an examination, and it is determined whether or not there is a change in the position of the subject by comparing it with body movement information immediately before reference imaging. Only when there is a change in the position of the subject, an imaging slice setting image is acquired again. Then, a recommended imaging slice is calculated using the newest imaging slice setting image.

Abstract: In order to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of maximizing the effect of an automatic positioning function without increasing the load on an operator even in imaging of an examination part having a plurality of examination sections, when setting an imaging position of an examination part having a plurality of examination sections, automatic positioning processing for automatically detecting all examination sections of the examination part on a scanogram image acquired in advance is performed first. A stack is displayed at a position, which is detected by this automatic positioning processing, on the scanogram image.

Abstract: Desired imaging is performed within the SAR restriction without changing the imaging conditions set in advance when SAR exceeds an upper limit. In order to do so, in imaging of an object performed by combination of a plurality of pulse sequences, a SAR graph showing a temporal change in the predicted SAR value of each pulse sequence is displayed. When the predicted SAR value of the pulse sequence is the same as or exceeds the upper SAR limit, the exchange of such pulse sequences or the insertion of a waiting time is performed.

Abstract: In order to provide a technique for accurately realizing an examination, which is for acquiring a plurality of images of the same examination section, without a complicated operation and an extension of an examination time, body movement information of a subject is acquired immediately before each imaging in an examination, and it is determined whether or not there is a change in the position of the subject by comparing it with body movement information immediately before reference imaging. Only when there is a change in the position of the subject, an imaging slice setting image is acquired again. Then, a recommended imaging slice is calculated using the newest imaging slice setting image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is configured to divide an object to be examined into a plurality of regions in a predetermined direction, set images of slice positions for each of the regions so that the slice positions are continuous in each region, obtain an image of each of the regions while moving the object stepwise, and acquire a plurality of image data having three types of categories for the region, the slice position and the imaging sequence. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus selectively sets one of the three types of categories and rearranges and displays a plurality of images having the set category in the lengthwise direction or the lateral direction according to the two other categories that have not been selectively set.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises object placing means for placing an object in an imaging space, translating means for translating the object in a given direction by translating the object placing means in the given direction continuously or step-wise, magnetic field generating means for exciting the desired region of the object by generating a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space, and a high-frequency magnetic field in the imaging space, signal detecting means for detecting a magnetic resonance signal from the object, and control unit for controlling the translating means, magnetic field generating means and the signal detecting means, and translating the object continuously or stepwise to a predetermined position at a predetermined speed so as to capture a magnetic resonance image of the object.