Abstract: NMR apparatus for achieving construction of improved patient access. Facilities and methods of mobile and fixed site scanning.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for analyzing the chemical and structural composition of a specimen including whole-body specimens which may include, for example, living mammals, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A magnetic field space necessary to obtain an NMR signal characteristic of the chemical structure of the specimen is focused to provide a resonance domain of selectable size, which may then be moved in a pattern with respect to the specimen to scan the specimen.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for analyzing the chemical and structural composition of a specimen including whole-body specimens which may include, for example, living mammals, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A magnetic field space necessary to obtain an NMR signal characteristic of the chemical structure of the specimen is focused to provide a resonance domain of selectable size, which may then be moved in a pattern with respect to the specimen to scan the specimen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of an MRI apparatus by allowing the controller of the MRI to be remotely reconfigured, allowing modification and upgrade of the hardware configuration of the controller. For complex or innovative pulse sequences, a customized hardware configuration of the controller may be necessary; for optimization of digital signal processing of the received data, reconfiguring the hardware configuration of the controller to perform the digital signal processing may be desirable.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for magnetic resonance imaging. In an aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging that includes a short bore magnet that is oriented such that, when energized, a static magnetic field is created in a substantially vertical direction. In another aspect, the present invention is a method for performing magnetic resonance imaging using a short bore magnet that is oriented such that, when energized, a static magnetic field is created in a substantially vertical direction.

Abstract: Magnet assembly for use in medical magnetic resonance imaging includes means for increasing flux generation in the gap region to provide the capability of scanning smaller volume regions of a patient at increased levels of scanning resolution. The means for increasing flux generation is mechanical or electromagnetic, is coupled to each of the polar regions and maintains the gap region sufficiently large and unobstructed to allow for access to the patient by several persons during scanning. Tapered outer walls of the polar region proximate the gap region further enhance accessibility to the patient during scanning.

Abstract: A patient is examined by magnetic resonance imaging in different positions relative to gravity by moving the patient relative to the magnet, and the acquired data is compared to show differences in anatomy due to differences in patient position. Individual data elements or groups of plural data elements representing particular locations in one set of image data can be compared with data elements associated with the same locations in another set of image data, to yield a set of comparison image data elements. The comparison data set can be used to detect difference caused by differences in position of the patient.

Abstract: A patient is examined by magnetic resonance imaging in different positions relative to gravity by moving the patient relative to the magnet, and the acquired data is compared to show differences in anatomy due to differences in patient position. Individual data elements or groups of plural data elements representing particular locations in one set of image data can be compared with data elements associated with the same locations in another set of image data, to yield a set of comparison image data elements. The comparison data set can be used to detect difference caused by differences in position of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a subject using MR imaging, and a method of exciting nuclei of the subject within an imaging plane using one or more transmitter circuits tuned to a first transmission frequency, sampling MR signals generated from the nuclei at the same time using one or more receiver circuits each receiver circuit having a bandwidth less than 500 kHz, and generating a MR image based on the sampled MR signals. The speed of MR imaging may be increased by providing multiple pairs of transmitter and receiver circuits to operate simultaneously on an imaging plane and/or by streamlining downstream signal processing using multiple phase detectors tuned to detect frequencies associated with particular phase shifts.

Abstract: In one example, a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging assembly defining a gap region, a transmitting coil proximate the gap region, and at least one test coil separate from the transmitting coil. The at least one coil is mechanically coupled to the assembly during imaging and the at least one test coil is selectively electrically coupled to the assembly to collect test data. The at least one coil may be coupled to a test fixture coupled to the assembly. The test fixture may be deployable from a first position to a second position for collection of test data. The at least one coil may comprise a first test coil and a second test coil. Methods are also disclosed.

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 magnetic resonance imaging magnet includes a ferromagnetic frame. A pair of generally toroidal superconducting coil units overlie interfaces of side walls incorporated in the frame. Each coil unit may include a vessel having hollow support extensions extending into recesses in the side walls. The coil units may further include elongated, low-thermal conductance supports disposed within the support extensions. The frame may include pole stems projecting inwardly from the side walls, and the coils may be disposed in close proximity to the pole stems. Cryocoolers may be mounted to the frame so that the cryocoolers are substantially mechanically isolated from the coils of the coil units, but are in thermal communication therewith. The cryocooler mountings may be arranged for convenient servicing and installation of the cryocoolers.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging systems typically have a single patient handling system which allows the sequential scanning of individual patients. Such apparatus limit patient throughput and consequently the utility of magnetic resonance imaging systems. The present invention details apparatus and methods to enhance patient throughput of a magnetic resonance imaging system. Two distinct components of a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are defined: the patient handling time and the scan protocol time, and these time components are multiplexed to enhance patient throughput. This is achieved by addition of patient handling systems at additional apertures as exist on the primary field magnet and which provide access to the imaging volume. It is thus possible, for example, to have the patient handling time component of one patient overlap with the scan protocol time component of a second patient.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging systems typically have a single patient handling system which allows the sequential scanning of individual patients. Such apparatus limit patient throughput and consequently the utility of magnetic resonance imaging systems. The present invention includes apparatus and methods to enhance patient throughput of a magnetic resonance imaging system, particularly as related to imaging the breast region of patients. Two distinct components of a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are defined: the patient handling time and the scan protocol time, and these time components are multiplexed to enhance patient throughput. This is achieved by addition of patient handling systems at additional apertures as exist on the primary field magnet and which provide access to the imaging volume. It is thus possible, for example, to have the patient handling time component of one patient overlap with the scan protocol time component of a second patient.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging systems typically have a single patient handling system which allows the sequential scanning of individual patients. Such apparatus limit patient throughput and consequently the utility of magnetic resonance imaging systems. The present invention includes apparatus and methods to enhance patient throughput of a magnetic resonance imaging system, particularly as related to imaging the breast region of patients. Two distinct components of a magnetic resonance imaging procedure are defined: the patient handling time and the scan protocol time, and these time components are multiplexed to enhance patient throughput. This is achieved by addition of patient handling systems at additional apertures as exist on the primary field magnet and which provide access to the imaging volume. It is thus possible, for example, to have the patient handling time component of one patient overlap with the scan protocol time component of a second patient.

Abstract: A method for obtaining in the course of a single scan T1-weighted and T2-weighted NMR imaging data for a plurality of selected planes in an object using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The method is accomplished by positioning an object to be imaged in a static homogeneous magnetic field and then carrying out a plurality of repetitions of a repetition sequence composed of NMR excitation and magnetic field gradient pulses for a plurality of selected planes in the object. The repetition sequences for each of the selected planes include a combination of a T1-weighted pulse sequence having a TE.sub.1 and TR.sub.1 suitable for obtaining T1-weighted NMR imaging data and a T2-weighted pulse sequence having a TE.sub.2 and TR.sub.2 suitable for obtaining T2-weighted NMR imaging data. The repetition sequence for each selected plane is repeated a plurality of times and carried out in a manner so as to encode spatial information into the collection of NMR signals.

Abstract: A medical screening method for examining a patient utilizing NMR techniques is disclosed. The method uses an NMR imaging apparatus which has a scanning volume region of a limited size and which is operative to produce, during the course of a single scanning operation, a collection of spatially encoded NMR image data for a set of volume elements defined by the part of the patient positioned in the scanning volume region. A patient is positioned within the NMR apparatus, the NMR apparatus operated to conduct a scanning operation, and the patient then moved so that an additional volume portion of the patient is positioned within the scanning volume region. The NMR apparatus is then operated to conduct a further scanning operation with respect to the additional volume portion. This procedure of moving the patient and conducting additional scanning operations is continued until substantially the entire body of the patient is scanned and NMR image data collected therefor.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for analyzing the chemical and structural composition of a specimen including whole-body specimens which may include, for example, living mammals, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A magnetic field space necessary to obtain an NMR signal characteristic of the chemical structure of the specimen is focused to provide a resonance domain of selectable size, which may then be moved in a pattern with respect to the specimen to scan the specimen.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for analyzing the chemical and structural composition of a specimen including whole-body specimens which may include, for example, living mammals, utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. A magnetic field space necessary to obtain an NMR signal characteristic of the chemical structure of the specimen is focused to provide a resonance domain of selectable size, which may then be moved in a pattern with respect to the specimen to scan the specimen.