Abstract: A method for accelerating diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition via slice interleaved diffusion encoding (SIDE) includes conducting a plurality of simultaneous multislice (SMS) excitations for each of a plurality of SIDE diffusion-weighted volumes to obtain SMS images of an MRI subject at different diffusion orientations, regrouping the images into slice groups with different orientations, generating a plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images of the subject, wherein each of the plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images is produced by cyclically interleaving the slice groups, such that each slice group is associated with a different diffusion wavevector, and reconstructing a full diffusion-weighted volumetric image of the subject by providing the plurality of slice-undersampled diffusion weighted volumetric images to a neural network trained to produce full diffusion-weighted volumetric versions of diffusion magnetic resonance images from

Abstract: A patient monitor that acquires and displays first vital sign information and second vital sign information of a subject includes an event detection unit that is configured to detect an activation start event for starting an activation process of biological information processing software which performs a process pertaining to the second vital sign information and an activating event for activating the biological information processing software and a software control unit that causes the biological information processing software to be in a standby state, in which a part of the activation process of the biological information processing software has been performed, when the activation start event is detected by the event detection unit, and causes the biological information processing software to be in an active state from the standby state when the activating event is detected by the event detection unit.

Abstract: A medical scan artifact detection system is operable to receive a medical scan of a patient. Artifact detection data is generated by executing an artifact detection function on the medical scan, where the artifact detection data indicates at least one artifact detected in the medical scan that includes a motion artifact or a nipple shadow. A notification is generated for display via a display device, where the notification indicates the at least one artifact.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence controlling circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence controlling circuitry is configured to execute a first pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse and to subsequently execute a second pulse sequence including application of an MT pulse after an action that causes a change in a physiological state of a patient. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a first Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing the first pulse sequence, to generate a second Z-spectrum based on data obtained by executing the second pulse sequence, and to generate data by performing an analysis based on the first Z-spectrum and the second Z-spectrum.

Abstract: A diagnosis support device acquires medical image data representing a medical image obtained by imaging an animal as a subject with a medical image capturing device and type information representing a type which is classified by at least one of a body length or weight of the animal and to which the subject belongs, and determines presence or absence of an abnormality in the medical image of the subject based on the acquired medical image data and type information and a learned model learned in advance using a set of a plurality of pieces of the medical image data for learning and the type information.

Abstract: A synergized pulsing-imaging network is described. A method of optimizing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes optimizing, by a synergized pulsing-imaging network (SPIN) circuitry a pulse sequence based, at least in part, on a loss function associated with a reconstruction network. The method further includes optimizing, by the SPIN circuitry, the reconstruction network based, at least in part, on intermediate raw MRI data and based, at least in part, on a ground truth MRI image data. The intermediate raw MRI data is determined based, at least in part on the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system, including: two separate static magnetic field generators, which are each cylindrical, are axially aligned, and are separated by a rotary load-bearing structure arranged to freely rotate about an axis of a static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generators, wherein the rotary load-bearing structure is mounted on thrust bearings which take an axial load between the static magnetic field generators.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for positioning a patient within a patient receiving area for a magnetic resonance examination. The techniques may include positioning the patient on a mobile patient table of a patient support facility and moving the patient table in a first horizontal direction until a region of the patient to be examined is arranged in a field of view of a patient receiving area of a magnetic resonance system. Moreover, the patient positioning techniques may include moving the patient table in a second horizontal direction and/or in a vertical direction within the patient receiving area, and acquiring medical magnetic resonance data of the region of the patient to be examined.

Abstract: Systems and methods to determine a first map of a first parameter based on first signals acquired by a magnetic resonance imaging system, the first map associating each of a plurality of voxels with a respective value of the first parameter, the first parameter quantifying a first physical characteristic of an object represented by the plurality of voxels, determine a second map of a second parameter based on the first signals, the second map associating each of the plurality of voxels with a respective value of the second parameter, the second parameter quantifying a second physical characteristic of the object, and determine a dark-blood phase-sensitive inversion recovery late gadolinium enhancement image based on the first map of the first parameter and on the second map of the second parameter.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to leverage the use of convolutional neural networks or similar machine learning algorithms to predict an underlying susceptibility distribution from MRI phase data, thereby solving the ill-posed inverse problem. These techniques include the use of Deep Quantitative Susceptibility “DeepQSM” mapping, which uses a large amount of simulated susceptibility distributions and computes phase distribution using a unique forward solution. These examples are then used to train a deep convolutional neuronal network to invert the ill-posed problem.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse and causes a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of DDCE-MRF. The method can include: a) introducing two or more contrast agents to a region of interest (ROI) of a subject, the two or more contrast agents having different relaxivities; b) measuring a T1 relaxation time and a T2 relaxation time for locations within the ROI using magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF); c) determining, using equations that relate the different relaxivities, the T1 relaxation time, the T2 relaxation time, and concentrations of the two or more contrast agents, the concentrations of the two or more contrast agents for each of the locations within the ROI; and d) producing an image depicting the ROI based, at least in part, on the concentrations of the two or more contrast agents.

Abstract: A diagnosis support device acquires medical image data representing a medical image obtained by imaging an animal as a subject with a medical image capturing device and head species information representing a head species of the subject and determines presence or absence of an abnormality in the medical image of the subject based on the acquired medical image data and head species information and a learned model learned in advance using a set of a plurality of pieces of the medical image data for learning and the head species information.

Abstract: A treatment efficacy of a treatment for treating a parkinsonian disease is determined. A first set of imaging information/data associated with a dMRI scan of an individual's brain captured at a first time and a second set of imaging information/data associated with a dMRI scan of the individual's brain captured at a second time are received. The individual underwent the treatment for a time period comprising at least part of the time between the first and second times. An expected change between the first and second times is determined based on a natural progression of the parkinsonian disease. The first and second sets of imaging information/data are analyzed to determine a first free-water pattern and a second free-water pattern. Based on the first and second free-water patterns, a disease progression score is determined. Based on the disease progression score and the expected change, a treatment efficacy for treating the individual with the treatment is determined.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining at least one metabolic state of a subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) monitoring device. The NMR monitoring device comprises at least one magnet configured to generate a primary magnetic field, a transceiver coil arranged within the primary magnetic field, wherein the transceiver coil is configured to apply a time series of radiofrequency (RF) pulses to a portion of a subject located within the primary magnetic field and detect an NMR signal generated in response to application of the time series of RF pulses, and an NMR spectrometer communicatively coupled to the transceiver coil. The NMR spectrometer is configured to process the detected NMR signal to determine at least one metabolic state of the subject.

Abstract: Optionally adjustable head coil system and methods for enhancing and/or optimizing magnetic resonance imaging, involving a housing, the housing having at least one portion, the at least one portion having a lower portion, an upper portion, and opposing side portions, each at least one portion optionally in movable relation to any other portion for facilitating adjustability, each at least one portion configured to accommodate at least one radio-frequency coil, and the upper and lower portions each optionally configured to overlap and engage the opposing side portions for facilitating decoupling the at least one radio-frequency coil, and a tongue portion optionally in movable relation to any other portion for facilitating adjustability, engageable with the lower portion, and fixably couple-able with a transporter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for providing an actuation sequence which specifies transmit signals for at least one high-frequency transmit channel of an antenna arrangement of a magnetic resonance device for acquiring measurement data of an object under investigation by the magnetic resonance device. The method includes providing different actuation sequences, wherein each sequence is the result of an optimization method and which differs with regard to the value of an optimization parameter taken into account in the course of the optimization method. The method further includes providing a plurality of field distribution maps, (e.g., at least one B0 map and/or at least one B1 map), acquired by the or a further magnetic resonance device from the object under investigation. The method further includes selecting the actuation sequence to be used from the different actuation sequences depending on the field distribution maps and providing the actuation sequence to be used.

Abstract: A planar inverse anapole microresonator includes: an anapolic substrate; an anapolic conductor that includes a first and second inverse anapolic pattern; each inverse anapolic pattern including: a semi annular arm that terminates in a first arm tendril and a second arm tendril; and a medial arm terminating at a medial tip, and the medial tip of the first inverse anapolic pattern opposes the medial tip of the second inverse anapolic pattern, such that the medial tip of the first inverse anapolic pattern is separated from the medial tip of the second inverse anapolic pattern by a medial gap, and the planar inverse anapole microresonator produces a magnetic field region that concentrates a magnetic field localized between the medial tip of the first inverse anapolic pattern and the medial tip of the second inverse anapolic pattern in response to the planar inverse anapole microresonator being subjected to microwave radiation.

Abstract: An MRI device for executing an imaging operation at least three times or more with a different combination of at least a repetition time and a flip angle in the same imaging sequence, includes: a receiving unit which receives information specifying an imaging target and a constraint condition relating to an imaging time or quantitative value accuracy; and a scan parameter set generation unit which calculates at least three or more scan parameter sets having a different combination of at least the repetition time and the flip angle on the basis of the constraint condition. The MRI device uses three or more scan parameter sets generated by the optimal scan parameter set generation unit and calculates quantitative values (T1, T2,and the like) of the imaging target from a plurality of images obtained by the imaging operation.

Abstract: A method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging is disclosed that pulses, using a quadrature antenna of an NMR logging tool in a borehole, a circularly polarized (CP) signal into a formation surrounding the borehole. The method also pulses, using the quadrature antenna, a reverse circularly polarized (RCP) signal into the formation. A sensor of the NMR logging tool detects a first NMR signal from the formation in response to the RCP pulses and a second NMR signal from the formation in response to the CP pulses. A correct transverse magnetization value is then recovered based, at least in part, on the first NMR signal and the second NMR signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a gradient waveform for use by a low-field MRI system to generate a gradient magnetic field are provided herein. The gradient waveform can be determined using first information indicative of the gradient waveform and second information indicative of hardware constraints of the low-field MRI system including a maximum voltage of the gradient power amplifier, a maximum slew rate of the gradient coil, a resistance of the gradient coil, and an inductance of the gradient coil. In some embodiments, the gradient waveform can be a trapezoidal gradient waveform determined to have a non-linear ramp-up portion and/or a non-linear ramp-down portion.

Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus of embodiments includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to acquire a data and a g-factor map. The data is generated as a result of a reception by an RF coil. The processing circuitry is configured to determine strength of denoise performed on the data on the basis of the g-factor map and perform the denoise on the data.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a gradient system comprising a first gradient coil unit, a second gradient coil unit and a flexible gradient amplifier unit, wherein the flexible gradient amplifier unit is configured to actuate the first gradient coil unit and the second gradient coil unit.

Abstract: Multi-dimensional spectra associated with a specimen are reconstructed using lower dimensional spectra as constraints. For example, a two-dimensional spectrum associated with diffusivity and spin-lattice relaxation time is obtained using one-dimensional spectra associated with diffusivity and spin-lattice relaxation time, respectively, as constraints. Data for a full two dimensional spectrum are not acquired, leading to significantly reduced data acquisition times.

Abstract: A magnetically shielded room reducing pressure felt by a person inside includes an upper shielding body, a side periphery shielding body, and a lower shielding body, all of which define a magnetically shielded inner space. A magnifying lens is located in the upper shielding body. The magnifying lens can magnify and project an incident image from outside to a range of one inner side surface of the magnetically shielded room. so that the range should be 50% or more of the area of the one inner side surface. The range includes most of the area above a line of sight of a person in the magnetically shielded room. The magnifying lens is provided at a position closer to the one inner side surface as a projection target of the lens than the other inner side surface as a non-projection target facing the one inner side surface as the projection target.

Abstract: A system including a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet and first and second sidewalls positioned on opposite sides of an imaging field of the magnet, and a subject support configured to support a subject that is positioned in an upright position. The system may be capable of imaging a target anatomy of the subject while the subject is in the upright position, and may further include a motor for translating the subject support between first and second positions within and outside of the imaging field of the magnet, respectively. The subject support may include a seat on which the subject may sit facing the subject support, such that the subject's back can be operated on and imaged while the subject is in an upright position.

Abstract: A medical scan artifact detection system is operable to receive, via a receiver, a medical scan of a patient. Artifact detection data is generated by executing an artifact detection function on the medical scan, where the artifact detection data indicates at least one artifact detected in the medical scan. A notification is transmitted, via a transmitter, a client device for display via a display device, where the notification indicates the at least one artifact.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical imaging system (100, 300) comprising a processor (106) for controlling the medical imaging system. Execution of machine executable instructions (112) causes the processor to receive (200) a static angiographic image (114) of a region of interest (322), receive (202) a time series of angiographic images (116, 116?) of the region of interest, construct (204) an image mask (118) using the static angiographic image, determine (206) a time dependent signal (120) for each voxel within the image mask using the time series of angiographic images, construct (208) a composite angiographic image by: assigning (210) a fill time (126) to each voxel within the image mask using an extremum (124) of the time dependent signal if the extremum deviates from an average of the time dependent signal more than a predetermined threshold, and identifying (212) voxels within the image mask as being unfilled voxels.

Abstract: High-quality magnetic resonance (MR) recordings are triggered with movements of an object, for example the heartbeat. In a method and apparatus for obtaining raw data reconstruction for an MR image, a spin-echo-based sequence is executed that includes applying a static magnetic field and applying a magnetization pulse train. A movement of the object to be imaged is detected and a target contrast for two tissue types of the object is prespecified. The repetition time of the pulse train is set in dependence on the movement of the object to be imaged, and the flip angle is set such that prespecified target contrast for the two tissue types is obtained at the set repetition time.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a set of object scan images may be provided. The set of object scan images comprises at least two scan images. The method comprises determining first distance and determining an interpolated scan image, by applying an interpolation algorithm comprising determining any pixel of the interpolated scan image as a white pixel if the corresponding pixels on the scan images are both white. The same applies to black pixels. The method may further comprise determining any pixel which corresponding pixels are black on one of the two image scans and white on the other image scans as white (black) if a predefined percentage of the directly surrounding pixels is white (black) in the interpolated scan image. Furthermore, the method comprises inserting the interpolated scan image between the first scan image and the second scan image and repeating the above steps until a stop condition is met.

Abstract: A pediatric magnetic resonance (MRI) system and sub-system are provided. The pediatric MRI system includes a magnet-gradient assembly, an RF shield-body coil assembly and a pediatric MRI sub-system. The pediatric MRI sub-system includes an infant warmer or isolette having a patient section for accommodating a patient. The infant warmer is positionable relative to the magnet-gradient-body coil assembly of the pediatric MRI system. The pediatric MRI sub-system also includes a warming mattress arranged within the patient section of the infant warmer. The infant warming mattress includes an interior space filled at least partially with a host medium and a conduction heating system at least partially arranged in the interior space to conduct heat to the interior space of the infant warming mattress. The pediatric MRI system also includes at least one local radio frequency (RF) coil that is positionable within the patient section of the infant warmer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques for reducing eddy current-induced magnetic field interferences for a diffusion imaging pulse sequence. A gradient impulse response function (GIRF) is determined, and an interference gradient sequence (Gx/y/z(t)) is defined on the basis of the diffusion imaging pulse sequence. A time interval (t1, t2) is determined for the acquisition of diffusion image data. On the basis of the determined gradient impulse response function (GIRF) and the interference gradient sequence (Gx/y/z(t)), a time-dependent magnetic field deviation (?Bx/y/z(t)) in the determined time interval (t1, t2) is determined. An image distortion of an acquisition of diffusion imaging is compensated, which takes place by application of the diffusion imaging pulse sequence on the basis of the determined magnetic field deviation (?Bx/y/z(t)).

Abstract: Radiofrequency (RF) coil unit and a housing for the RF coil unit is provided. The RF coil unit can include a substantially annular body having a concave indent along a longitudinal direction along the substantially annular body such that when a head of the patient is inserted into an interior of the substantially annular body, at least a portion of the head of the patient is viewable and accessible from a location exterior to the substantially annular body. The housing for the RF coil unit can include a channel to receive the RF coil unit of a MRI device. The housing can enclose regions with high voltages (e.g., 1000 Volts) and/or separate these regions from patient body parts by, for example, including insulating material, thereby enhancing a safety of the patient.

Abstract: Methods for forming flexible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) receive coil devices having at least one receive coil with at least one capacitor are provided and include providing a flexible substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, forming a first conductor pattern on the first surface by printing a first layer of conductive material on the first surface using a printing mask having a pattern, and forming a second conductor pattern on the second surface by printing a second layer of conductive material on the second surface using the same printing mask or identical printing mask, wherein a portion of the first conductor pattern on the first surface overlaps with a portion of the second conductor pattern on the second surface with the flexible substrate therebetween to form the at least one capacitor element.

Abstract: An arrangement that enables performing of both magnetic particle imaging and magnetic resonance imaging and a device including the arrangement are provided. The arrangement that enables performance of both magnetic particle imaging and magnetic resonance imaging includes: at least one primary magnetic element pair configured to generate a selection magnetic field (SMF1/SMF2) for magnetic particle imaging, at least one secondary magnetic element pair configured to generate a driving magnetic field, and at least one tertiary magnetic element pair configured to generate a focus magnetic field (FMF).

Abstract: In a method for generating at least one MR image of an object in an MR system comprising a plurality of signal receiving coils, a sequence of RF pulses are applied in order to generate a plurality of MR signal echoes, the MR signal-echoes are detected with the plurality of signal receiving coils in a 3-dimension-al k-space, and the at least one MR image is reconstructed using the non-homogeneous under sampled 3-dimensional k-space based on a compressed sensing technology. The 3-dimensional k-space may be undersampled with a plurality of constant radii corkscrew trajectories having different radii resulting in a non-homogeneous undersampled 3-dimensional k-space.

Abstract: A method and a system for image reconstruction are provided. The method may include acquiring raw image data, wherein the raw image data may include a plurality of frequency domain undersampled image data samples. The method may include generating a first reconstruction result based on the raw image data using a first reconstruction method, and generating a second reconstruction result based on the raw image data using a second reconstruction method. The method may further include fusing the first reconstruction result and the second reconstruction result, and generating a reconstructed image based on a result of the fusion.

Abstract: Embodiments of an SLR antenna having differential signal contacts and a tuning circuit configured to tune the at least one resonance frequency of the SLR antenna to a predetermined operational frequency are disclosed. Embodiments of a tuning circuit include a balun transformer connected between the differential signal contacts of the SLR antenna and a single-ended input/output contact, a first variable capacitance connected between the balun transformer and the single-ended input/output contact, and a variable reactive component connected between the differential signal contacts of the SLR antenna and between differential contacts of the balun transformer.

Abstract: A method for MRI reconstruction is provided. The method may include obtaining a plurality of sub-sampled images of a subject. The plurality of sub-sampled images may include a first sub-sampled image of the subject and one or more second sub-sampled images of the subject. The first sub-sampled image may be generated using a first MRI sequence and a first sub-sampling rate. Each of the one or more second sub-sampled images may be generated using a second MRI sequence and a second sub-sampling rate. The second sub-sampling rate may be smaller than the first sub-sampling rate. The method may include obtaining an image reconstruction model having been trained according to a machine learning technique. The method may further include generating a first full image of the subject corresponding to the first MRI sequence based on the first sub-sampled image, the one or more second sub-sampled images, and the image reconstruction model.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to techniques to acquire at least one quantitative physiological parameter using a magnetic resonance system by means of MR fingerprinting. In this process, a plurality of slices are excited simultaneously using different imaging parameters to produce MR signal evolutions in each of the plurality of slices, and the MR data from the plurality of slices is then acquired simultaneously. For the simultaneous excitation of the plurality of slices, a flip angle (FW) that is used to excite one of the plurality of slices differs from a flip angle (FW) that is used to excite another of the plurality of slices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving MRI data acquisition efficiency while providing more detailed information with high resolution and isotropic resolution without gaps. Improved data acquisition efficiency may be achieved by implementing a machine learning algorithm with a hardware processor and a memory to estimate imperfections in fast imaging sequences, such as a multi-shot echo planar imaging (MS-EPI) sequence. These imperfections, such as patient motion, physiological noise, and phase variations, may be difficult to model or otherwise estimate using standard physics-based reconstructions.

Abstract: A phantom for use in an MRI scanner includes an outer housing and a plurality of vessels located within the outer housing, where each of the vessels contains a material. The value of a property of the material at a particular temperature is different for each of the vessels. The phantom also includes a phase change material between the outer housing and the vessels. Also provided are a method for manufacturing a phantom, a method for obtaining calibrated measurements from non-calibrated images using a phantom, a system for obtaining calibrated measurements from non-calibrated images, and a coil assembly for use in an MRI scanner.

Abstract: In an image acquired by a plurality of receiver coils with the use of MRI, separated images are obtained by separating spatially overlapping signals according to PI method, and noise in the separated images is eliminated with a high degree of precision. A complex image spatially overlapping is measured from nuclear magnetic resonance signals received by a plurality of receiver coils, and spatially overlapping signals are separated and a plurality of separated images are calculated, by using sensitivity information of the plurality of receiver coils. Then, noise is eliminated based on a correlation of noise mixed between the separated images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining anatomical-structure-specific activation data in a brain of a patient are provided. In an embodiment, a method for obtaining anatomical-structure-specific activation data in a brain of a patient includes receiving magnetic resonance (MR) data of the brain obtained by use of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device; segmenting the MR data of the brain to delineate a plurality of geometries, each of the plurality of geometries corresponding to a respective anatomical structure in the brain; receiving functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) data of the brain obtained by use of an MRI device; aligning the MR data and the fMRI data; determining a plurality of activation levels, each of the activation levels corresponding to respective delineated geometries based on the aligned MR data and fMRI data; and outputting a graphical representation of a dynamic activity in the brain corresponding to the delineated geometries of the anatomical structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The MR scanner includes a superconducting magnet, a superconducting quantum processor, a first cooling system surrounding the superconducting magnet, and a second cooling system surrounding the superconducting quantum processor. The second cooling system is embedded in the first cooling system.

Abstract: An echo planar imaging technique in which a quadruple echo gradient and spin echo echo-planar imaging pulse sequence is utilized. The pulse train includes generation of two echo trains between an excitation pulse (90) and a refocusing pulse (180) to achieve two gradient echo images (also called T2*-weighted images); with one echo train directly after the 180 pulse, leading to asymmetric spin echo images (T2?-weighted images); and a last echo train afterward that generates spin echo images (T2-weighted). The technique has a number of advantages over existing techniques with regard to voxel size, mapping relative oxygen extraction, determining permeability, determining relative cerebral blood volume, vessel parameters (diameter, density, size, arterial/venous, etc.), stroke imaging, imaging perfusion, fMRI imaging, and additional benefits.

Abstract: Some implementations provide a system that includes: a housing having a bore in which a subject to be image is placed; a main magnet configured to generate a volume of magnetic field within the bore, the volume of magnetic field having inhomogeneity below a defined threshold; one or more gradient coils configured to linearly vary the volume of magnetic field as a function of spatial location; one or more pulse generating coils configured to generate and apply radio frequency (RF) pulses to the volume of magnetic field in sequence to scan the portion of the subject; one or more shim gradient coils configured to perturb a spatial distribution of the linearly varying volume of magnetic field; and a control unit configured to operate the gradient coils, pulse generating coils, and shim gradient coils such that only the user-defined region within the volume of magnetic field is imaged.

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: Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in RF signal chain circuitry for a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. A switching circuit in the RF signal chain circuitry may include at least one field effect transistor (FET) configured to operate as an RF switch at an operating frequency of less than 10 MHz. A decoupling circuit may include tuning circuitry coupled across inputs of an amplifier and active feedback circuitry coupled between an output of the amplifier and an input of the amplifier, wherein the active feedback circuitry includes a feedback capacitor configured to reduce a quality factor of an RF coil coupled to the amplifier.

Abstract: A medical imaging and/or radiotherapy apparatus incorporates a display for projecting a visible image to a patient lying on a patient table. A projector that projects the visible image moves in tandem with the patient table, so that it appears relatively motionless to the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the projector projects the visible image within a patient tunnel of the medical apparatus, including in some embodiments, an extended field of view medical imaging apparatus. In other exemplary embodiments, the projector projects the visible image on a screen above the patient table of a tunnel-less medical apparatus. The projector remains outside the imaging line of response of detectors within the imaging field or outside of the radiotherapy beam zone, to avoid potential degradation of the captured diagnostic image or degradation of the radiotherapy beam.