Abstract: An MRI local coil system for use with an MRI scanner to image a breast, the system comprising a plastic housing and an RF coil system. The RF coil system comprises a conductor and electronics. The electronics comprises a capacitor and a blocking circuit. The conductor and the electronics are disposed within the plastic housing and the conductor is integrally formed with the plastic housing.

Abstract: Localization of a coil is provided for magnetic resonance (MR)-guided intervention. A multi-scale decomposition and characteristic transitions in the power spectra for the coil are used to determine a distribution of likelihood of the coil being at each of various locations and/or to determine a confidence in the position determination. For example, the power spectra along each axis is used to generate a likelihood distribution of the location of the coil. The power spectra are decomposited at different scales. For each scale, the modulus maxima reflecting transitions in the power spectra are matched using various criteria. A likelihood is calculated for each of the matched candidates from characterizations of the matched candidates. The likelihood distribution is determined from a combination of the likelihoods from the various scales.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a coil array for parallel magnetic resonance imaging data acquisition, comprising: a plurality of coil elements, wherein each of the coil elements is formed by a loop of wire, wherein the plurality of coil elements are arranged such that the coil elements are covering the imaged sample and uniformly distributed over a plane comprising the encoding directions not in parallel with the frequency encoding directions, which are the directions of the static magnetic field variation generated by a plurality of gradient coils of a magnetic resonance imaging system during magnetic resonance data sampling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing accurate measurements of the magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in both liquid media and biological matrices for providing information on their size, size distribution and concentration in these media and matrices and, resulting in parameters that influence their functionality and effectiveness.

Abstract: A breast coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications has a placement web that allows an examination subject to lie with her sternum on the placement web with each breast in a receptacle respectively on opposite sides of the placement web. The breast receptacles have limiting elements whose spacing from one another can be adjusted. Multiple array coils are respectively arranged in the limiting elements and are stationary relative to the limiting elements. Each breast receptacle is surrounded by a volume coil that is stationary relative to the placement web. The volume coils are arranged centrally and orthogonally relative to the array coils and surround the array coils. The volume coils are decoupled from the array coils. A spectroscopy phantom can be arranged in proximity to the placement web.

Abstract: A needle placement manipulator includes, a needle holder configured to hold a needle, a guide system configured to position the needle holder to a predetermined direction with respect to a subject of needle placement, an attachment including an attaching portion to which the guide system is attached and a setting portion on which an RF-coil is set. A base surface of the setting portion is configured to be disposed on the subject.

Abstract: A needle placement manipulator includes, a pair of rotary guides arranged at a slanted angle with respect to each other, a needle holder which holds a needle along a needle holder axis, and a base body on which the guides are supported. The needle holder axis and each axis of the rotary guides cross at a single point located at or below the base body. The base body is configured to be attached to a patient or to an RF-coil.

Abstract: Intrabody MRI-compatible medical devices with a rigid stylet body with opposing distal and proximal ends with a wall enclosing at least one cavity extending therebetween. The stylet body has first and second laterally spaced apart and opposing external longitudinally extending recessed surfaces and at least one pair of transversely spaced apart apertures extending through the wall and at least one conductor having a length that extends through the cavity then exits the cavity to define at least one external loop extending between the distal end of the stylet body and the pair of transversely spaced apart apertures. First and second legs of each loop snugly abut a respective first and second recessed surface of the stylet body to thereby cooperate with the stylet body to define a substantially cylindrical shape. The at least one conductor with the at least one loop is configured to act as an MRI antenna.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparing apparatus for preparing an influencing procedure for influencing a subject. The preparing apparatus (1) comprises a subject coil (3) for generating a magnetic resonance image of he subject (7), an instrument guide device (5) for guiding an instrument (6) for influencing the subject (7), a marker (9) being visible in the magnetic resonance image, and an attaching element for attaching the instrument guide device (5) to the subject coil (3) in a known spatial relationship. Since the spatial relationship between the instrument guide device (5) and the subject coil (3) is known, if they are attached to each other, a time consuming registration procedure for registering an influence trajectory, which has been planned based on the magnetic resonance image, and the instrument guide device (5) can be avoided.

Abstract: In a method for acquiring magnetic resonance signals from a first shoulder or an opposite second shoulder of a patient, a shoulder coil anterior part and a shoulder coil posterior part are provided. A base plate is engageable with a moveable support element connecting the shoulder coil posterior part to the base plate to permit lateral movement and 90 degree rotation of the shoulder coil posterior part. With the base plate beneath the patient, the shoulder coil posterior part is placed below the first shoulder and the shoulder coil anterior part is placed above the first shoulder to permit acquisition of magnetic resonance measurements. To acquire signals from the opposite second shoulder, the shoulder coil posterior part is moved across the base plate to be positioned beneath the second shoulder and is rotated by 90 degrees. The shoulder coil anterior part is placed above the rotated shoulder coil posterior part.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an image using a radio frequency (RF) coil in a magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI). A static magnetic field (B0) extends across a first and second region of interest (ROI). A local radio frequency (RF) coil, shaped like a dental arch, is positioned proximate to the ROls, the ROls being the upper and lower jaw of a subject. The RF coil and the subject are oriented in the static magnetic field (B0) to align an axis extending through a loop of the coil with the B0 direction of the static magnetic field extending across the ROls. A pulse sequence is then performed with the MRI system and the RF coil to acquire imaging data from the ROls simultaneously while using a transverse component of an excitation field (B1). The image data is reconstructed to create an image of the ROls.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) receiver includes a receiver coil on a substrate. The receiver coil includes one or more capacitors. The construction of the capacitors allows for the use of very flexible substrates and allows the capacitors themselves to be highly flexible. The increased flexibility permits the MRI receiver to be conformed to the body of a patient and accordingly improves the MRI process.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnet having two poles and a wall connecting the poles; the poles delimiting a patient-imaging space; and a table which is slidably connected to one of the two poles between the two poles and which table extends substantially parallel to the two poles; a drive for displacing the table relative to the magnet; a lock for locking the table in a selected position relative to the magnet; a drive for rotating the magnet about the axis; the table connected to the magnet such that the table rotates with the magnet when the magnet rotates about the axis; the magnet and the table being rotatable from a position in which the poles and the table are horizontal to a position in which the table and the poles are vertical.

Abstract: An ambulatory or implantable device, such as a pacer, defibrillator, or other cardiac rhythm management device, can tolerate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other noise without turning on an integrated circuit diode by selectively providing a bias voltage that can overcome an expected induced voltage resulting from the MRI or other noise.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are provided. A unified heteronuclear coil system includes a volume coil tuned to detect a first nuclei and a butterfly coil tuned to detect a second nuclei for simultaneous detection of both the first nuclei and the second nuclei signals from human breast tissue and perform MRIS. First nuclei and second nuclei each include 1H, 13C, 31P, 23Na, and 19F. The heteronuclear coil system affords detection of NMR-detectable chemicals specific to cancerous breast tissue to improve breast cancer diagnostic specificity. Adjustment of the heteronuclear coil system to detect various nuclei, combined with a specific pulse excitation sequence, facilitates chemical analysis that provides for chemical discrimination and characterization of compounds present in cancerous and other breast tissue as well as healthy breast physiology.

Abstract: A patient positioning device for use in simulation and treatment via radiation therapy of the ipsilateral breast of a patient while in the prone position.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine at least one datum of an implanted silicone implant, at least one magnetic resonance data set is acquired, with the acquired signals of the magnetic resonance data set originating at least in part from the silicone implant. At least one spectrum is calculated from the magnetic resonance data set, and the datum is determined in a processor from the spectrum.

Abstract: A receiving coil for a magnetic resonance system includes an antenna unit and a locating unit. The locating unit is used for locating a subject to be examined and is positioned inside the antenna unit. The receiving coil for a magnetic resonance system may improve a patient's level of comfort, reduce the complexity of operation, and improve the coil's signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A tracking device configured to be coupled to an interventional instrument and tracked by a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The tracking device includes, for example, paramagnetic and diamagnetic components that form first and second tracking members. When the tracking device is adjusted into a first arrangement, the tracking device will produce a local magnetic field in the presence of the magnetic field of an MRI system that is measurable by the MRI system. However, when the tracking device is adjusted into a second arrangement, the local magnetic field produced by the tracking device is reduced relative to the first arrangement, wherein the reduced local magnetic field produces substantially no magnetic field disturbances detectable by the MRI system. Images may be acquired of a patient in which the tracking device has been introduced and, using a numerical fitting method, an accurate location of the tracking device can be determined.

Abstract: A patient couch for a magnetic resonance tomography system includes a radio frequency (RF) transmit system and/or an RF receive system provided in the patient couch for at least one local coil. A local coil may be connected to the RF transmit system and/or the RF receive system of the patient couch.

Abstract: A shoulder coil for a magnetic resonance system includes a receiving part. The shoulder coil also includes a transmitting part used for coupling a radio-frequency magnetic field of a body coil of the magnetic resonance system.

Abstract: Improved patient comfort is provided by a symmetric local coil arrangement designed to support the production of an MRT image of a shoulder, wherein the housing of the local coil arrangement is composed of two separable parts. The symmetric local shoulder coil arrangement is designed to be useable for either of a right or left shoulder of a human subject by rotating the local coil arrangement about a rotational axis that is parallel to an axis of symmetry of the local shoulder coil and perpendicular to anterior and posterior members of the shoulder coil.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided, characterized by: one pair of static magnetic field generating means disposed sandwiching a space in which a test object is placed; magnetic field generating means configured to apply a high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field to the test object placed in the static magnetic field; and receiving means configured to receive a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the test object, and characterized in that: the receiving means includes a receiving coil having a predetermined coil pattern and capable of being shaped into a cylinder; the receiving coil includes flexible parts and rigid parts alternately disposed along the circumference direction when shaped into the cylinder; and the flexible parts include a flexible substrate on which a portion of the predetermined coil pattern is mounted and a air-bubbles-containing resin section for covering the both surfaces of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) local coil includes at least two parts that may be moved relative to one another. At least one part of the at least two parts has elements that, in a closed state of the MRT local coil, presses directly or via pressure elements on at least one closed volume area in another part of the at least two parts. The at least one closed volume area is displaced by this in the closed state of the local coil into a coil interior space inside the local coil until the closed volume area rests against a patient.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance device having a PET unit for acquiring positron emission tomography data and a gradient coil, the PET unit includes a carrier tube on which at least one PET detector is arranged. In at least one embodiment, the carrier tube is arranged inside the gradient coil and is displaceably mounted in such a way that access to the PET detector is made possible by its displacement. This allows easy access to the PET detector during maintenance activities.

Abstract: A local coil includes a body portion. The body portion includes an inner conductor layer. The local coil further includes at least one elastic wing. The body portion and the at least one elastic wing form an accommodating space for accommodating a body part to be inspected.

Abstract: A patient support includes an upper support plate which is provided with a headrest. A base plate is arranged below, and separate from the upper support plate, by a floating mounting. A single narrow, narrow support column is provided, in the region of the headrest, between the support plate and the base plate. An upper face of the support plate consists of a forward zone, a mid-zone and an end zone. A width of the support plate reduces continuously from a widest point in the forward zone to a narrow space in the mid-zone and then widens continuously to the end of the support plate. Left and right sections of the patent support are formed and run horizontally arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal and symmetrical axis of the support plate.

Abstract: A microcoil is manufactured by rolling a trace unit in such a way as to form at least one winding. The trace unit is comprised of a conductive trace attached to a flexible insulating film. A preferred embodiment of the microcoil contains both a first winding and a second winding electrically connected and spaced apart by ajoining portion. The microcoil may be used for internal magnetic resonance imaging of patient by attaching the microcoil to a catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus for intra-operative MRI includes a patient table with a movable magnet and an RF coil having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is formed of a foam material flexible to different shapes with a pair of stiffeners formed of connected pivotal elements extending from a central back-bone embedded in the top sheet of the foam to hold the flexible material in the different shapes and is carried at one end of a flexible foam arm attached to a side rail of the table and stiffened by a longitudinal stiffener. A head clamp is attached to the table with a C-shaped holder for the skull clamp pins. The lower coil is movable by flexing about longitudinal lines to different curvatures and is held channel shaped by the C-shaped holder. It is attached at one longitudinal end to an adjustable mount connected to the head clamp.

Abstract: A system and method for coil disabling in magnetic resonance imaging are provided. One magnetic resonance coil includes a radio-frequency (RF) coil having end rings with a plurality of conductors connected therebetween and at least one loop coil positioned at one of the end rings. The one loop coil is configured to operate at a resonant frequency of the RF coil.

Abstract: A simple position determination is enabled by a device and a method to determine the position of a local coil in a magnetic resonance apparatus, wherein at least one signal emitted by at least one transmission coil is received by the local coil and is evaluated with a position determination device in order to determine the position of the local coil.

Abstract: A novel method and system for employing device tracking with a magnetic resonance imaging system. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method for tracking the location of a device and generating an image using magnetic resonance imaging includes applying a combined imaging and tracking pulse sequence, in the presence of a magnetic field gradient, wherein the combined imaging and tracking sequence comprising a radiofrequency excitation pulse. The method further includes collecting tracking data based on a magnetic resonance tracking signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance tracking signal is returned from a tracking coil mounted in the device. The method also includes collecting imaging data based on a magnetic resonance imaging signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging signal is returned from an imaging coil.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: A shim coil arrangement for at least one extremity of a patient such as a forearm and/or a hand for use in a magnetic resonance device is provided. The shim coil arrangement is arranged surrounding a receptacle for the at least one extremity. At least two planar shim coils having a common coil plane that lies at right angles to a direction of a basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance device in a usage state and/or to a longitudinal direction of the receptacle are arranged around a circumference of the receptacle. A plurality of coil planes succeeding one another in the direction of the basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance device in the usage state and/or the longitudinal direction of the receptacle and at right angles to the direction of the basic magnetic field and/or the longitudinal direction are provided with at least two planar shim coils.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using radio frequency coil systems for magnetic resonance imaging within an open architecture apparatus is provided. The MRI coil system includes a support structure with an open architecture in which secondary support structures, compression systems and plates containing RF coil systems may be introduced. These structures and RF coils can be moved relative to the patient, or removed entirely from the system. In one embodiment the system consists of a tabletop coil system, while another embodiment consists of a dedicated stretcher design.

Abstract: Implantable aneurysm-sac treatment devices include an implantable coil body configured and sized to reside in a sac of an aneurysm. The body has an inductance and capacitance. The capacitance is selected so that the coil resonates at a Larmor frequency of a predefined magnetic field strength.

Abstract: A shim cushion for a magnetic resonance tomography system includes at least two layers. A first layer of the at least two layers includes both a higher deformability and also a lower susceptibility than a second layer of the at least two layers.

Abstract: A shoulder local coil system for a magnetic resonance tomography system for generating magnetic resonance images of a shoulder region of a person to be examined is provided. The shoulder local coil system includes a base plate, a fixed or removable cover plate over the base plate, and a flexible local coil arranged wholly or partially movably between the base plate and the cover plate.

Abstract: A device for directing energy to a target volume of tissue includes a helical antenna assembly that includes a helical antenna radiating section having a helical antenna element. The helical antenna assembly is capable of operating in at least one of a first mode of operation for directing energy to a first portion of the target volume of tissue and a second mode of operation for directing energy to a second portion of the target volume of tissue.

Abstract: A local coil system having two loop coils is used for recording, for example, small joints in magnetic resonance tomography.

Abstract: A local coil for an imaging system includes a number of shim coils. A current for generating a shim field in one of the shim coils may be switched on and switched off. A current for generating a shim field in another of the shim coils may be switched on and switched off. The currents may be switched on and switched off independently of one another for generating a respective shim field in the shim coils.

Abstract: A holder for a local coil for an imaging system such as a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) hand coil holder is provided. The MRT hand coil holder has recesses in side parts of the holder. A hand of a patient may be positioned between the side parts. The recesses in the side parts of the holder are each configured to accommodate at least one local coil.

Abstract: An oral coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system for creation of magnetic resonance images of a jaw area of a patient includes a high-frequency antenna system with a number of high-frequency antennas and a shim system. The shim system includes a number of shim elements for homogenization of a static basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance tomography system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a local coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device includes manufacturing the local coil with a flat cross-section. The method also includes deforming the local coil from the flat cross-section into a curved cross-section.

Abstract: An antenna system for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a plurality of antenna elements. The antenna elements are arranged in, at, or on support elements. The support elements are constructed so as to be non-expandable and have a constant surface dimension. Adjacent support elements are connected to an expandable connecting element. The dimensions of the connecting element may be changed by the expansion.

Abstract: A breast coil for a magnetic resonance tomography device for the production of magnetic resonance recordings of female breasts includes a coil housing having a breast recess to accommodate a breast and a number of coil elements. At least one of the coil elements forms an HF correction coil element and has a circuit arrangement to switch over the HF correction coil element between an HF correction mode of operation and another mode of operation. The HF correction coil element is constructed such that in the HF correction mode of operation, the HF correction coil element resonates passively with a B1 field emitted by a transmission antenna arrangement of the magnetic resonance tomography device, and influences a local B1 field distribution during a magnetic resonance recording.

Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongate body extending along a first longitudinal axis and having an outermost radial surface; a coil wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending along a second longitudinal axis that is coincident with the first longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the coil is proximate to the outermost radial surface of the elongate body.

Abstract: A draping provides at least partial and preferably complete coverage of MRI coils, an MRI table and an MRI support system thereby protecting a patient and the equipment. Draping notch fold down flaps may be pushed into shaped apertures of an MRI apparatus by the patient's breast due to the design of the draping. This offers a barrier between the patient and the equipment pad providing the patient with warmth, comfort and protection from infectious diseases such as Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The draping reduces the clean up and improves the procedure turnaround time for the technologist.

Abstract: One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).

Abstract: A magnetic induction (MI) repeater includes first and second coils configured to have the same resonance frequency and to be substantially isolated from one another, and an amplifier connected to the first and second coils and configured to receive a signal induced in the first coil by a first magnetic field and output, via the second coil, a second magnetic field based on the signal, wherein the second magnetic field is amplified relative to the first magnetic field.