Abstract: A method for facilitating a reduction of artifacts includes generating a first image of an object with a scanning system in native mode, generating a second image of the object with the scanning system with z-smoothing greater than any z-smoothing performed in native mode, and generating an artifact-candidate image by taking the difference between the first image and the second image.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus includes a data acquisition system configured to acquire diagnostic data of the subject, an image reconstructor configured to reconstruct at least one image of the subject from the diagnostic data, and a data retrieval device configured to retrieve a first set of bookmarks identifying a first set of objects of interest in the at least one image. The object detection apparatus further includes a computer programmed to display the at least one image on a console and detect input from the user corresponding to a second set of bookmarks identifying a second set of objects of interest in the image. The computer is further programmed to selectively allow the user to incorporate each bookmark of the first set of bookmarks into the second set of bookmarks.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to MR imaging and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for reconstructing zoom MR images. An RF coil assembly having a number of detection elements is provided. The RF coil assembly is designed such that the number of detection elements that may be used to acquire imaging data may exceed the number of data acquisition channels of the MR system. Accordingly, the detection elements may be grouped into a number of sets wherein each set transmits acquired data to a specific data acquisition channel to acquire data of a larger region-of-interest (ROI) or, alternately, only one set of detection elements corresponding to a smaller ROI may be activated wherein each detection element of the set transmits data to a data acquisition channel. As a result, a zoom image may be reconstructed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a method for scanning an object with a multi-slice CT imaging system having multiple detector rows each having an isocenter. The method includes steps of helically scanning an object with the multi-slice CT imaging system to obtain data segments including peripheral data segments, combining data from a first peripheral data segment with an opposite, second peripheral segment to form a data set for reconstruction of an image slice; and reconstructing the combined data into image slices.

Abstract: A method for acquiring views of an object includes acquiring a first quantity of views at a first position on a z-axis, acquiring a second quantity of views different from the first quantity at a second position on the z-axis different from the first position, and acquiring a third quantity of views equivalent to the first quantity at a third position on the z-axis different from the first position and the second position. A method is also described for processing these views to reconstruct the object.

Abstract: A burst disk assembly has a burst disk which is interposed within the high pressure relief vent of a superconducting magnet. The burst disk is a composite design constructed of a solid carbon graphite center surrounded by an integrally formed stainless steel ring. A captured burst disk flange insures proper placement and seating of the burst disk during replacement and supports the burst disk so as to prevent it from falling or dropping out of the assembly during replacement of the ruptured burst disk. A deformable gasket contiguous to the burst disk seals the burst disk to the captured burst disk flange when the disk and the flange are pressed together. Attachment bolts are used to provide even application of pressure along the face of the burst disk and the captured burst disk flange.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus and method for minimizing mutual inductance between a center coil and an end coil configuration that reduces wrap-around artifacts in an MR image is provided. The switchable FOV coil configuration includes first and second RF coils aligned along a first axis. The second RF coil is coupled to the first RF coil to form a pair of end saddle coils. A central RF coil is also included having a length along the first axis and positioned at least partially within the end saddle coils such that activation of the central RF coil alone or in combination with the end saddle coils provides differing FOV's for imaging.

Abstract: A medical telemetry system is provided for collecting the real-time physiologic data of patients (including ambulatory patients) of a medical facility, and for transferring the data via RF to a real-time data distribution network for monitoring and display. The system includes battery-powered remote telemeters which attach to respective patients, and which collect and transmit (in data packets) the physiologic data of the patients. The remote telemeters communicate bi-directionally with a number of ceiling-mounted RF transceivers, referred to as “VCELLs,” using a wireless TDMA protocol. The VCELLs, which are hardwire-connected to a LAN, forward the data packets received from the telemeters to patient monitoring stations on the LAN. The VCELLs are distributed throughout the medical facility such that different VCELLs provide coverage for different patient areas.

Abstract: A method for generating an adaptively interpolated projection of an object with an imaging system includes generating a first projection using a first interpolation kernel, generating a second projection using a second interpolation kernel, different from the first interpolation kernel, and taking a difference between the first projection and the second projection to generate a differential signal.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for reconstructing computed tomographic (CT) images. The method includes generating a plurality of projection data, calculating a plurality of base weights using the projection data for each series of images to be reconstructed, storing the base weights in an external memory, and applying a z-smoothing module to the base weights to determine a plurality of final weights. The view weighting process then includes applying the final weights to the projection data for each image.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a scan mode to an imaging system includes loading a least significant nibble into a first latch register and loading a most significant nibble into a second latch register such that a byte of information is received at a decoder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for creating peripheral MR angiographic images and performing an MRA examination using an intravascular contrast agent in which MR data acquisition is optimized in the most distal stations in a multi-station acquisition. The technique includes administering a contrast agent into the blood stream of the patient, acquiring low spatial resolution MR images of the arterial vasculature, and tracking the passage of the contrast agent through the patient. The patient table is moved in response to the tracking. The technique continues to acquire low spatial resolution images at each of the proximal stations until the most distal station is reached where a high spatial resolution image data set is then acquired of preferentially arterial vascular structures. Higher spatial resolution images are then acquired in the proximal stations.

Abstract: A method for communicating operational data for a system unit in a medical diagnostic system includes communicating identification information from an electronic device coupled to the system unit in the medical diagnostic system to an imaging unit in said medical diagnostic system, operating the medical diagnostic system in accordance with the identification information and generating operational data, and communicating the operational data to the system unit in order to establish a record of operational data for the system unit in the electronic device. The operational data includes information relating to the operation of the system unit in the medical diagnostic system. A corresponding apparatus includes a storage medium, a communication interface, and a programmed digital processing circuit coupled to the storage medium and the communication interface.

Abstract: A method and system for imaging using an inhomogeneous static magnetic field is disclosed herein. The imaging includes providing the inhomogeneous static magnetic field to an object of interest located within an imaging volume. The imaging further includes providing a pulse sequence including a readout gradient pulse and a slice selection gradient pulse, both gradient pulses comprising a part of the inhomogeneous static magnetic field. The pulse sequence is configured to acquire a plurality of lines of k-space data per excitation.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and method for micro-imaging is provided. The apparatus comprises an MRI system having a gradient coil positioned within a bore of a magnet that impresses a polarizing magnetic field. The apparatus also includes an RF transceiver system, having an RF switch controlled by a pulse module, to transmit RF signals to an RF coil. Upon selection of a micro-imaging scan, a computer activates a micro-imaging gradient coil positioned within the bore of the magnet. The micro-imaging gradient coils are assembled such that, upon energization, substantially linear magnetic field gradients are created along three axes in a localized FOV adjacent to the micro-imaging gradient coils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of increasing the sampling rate for MR data acquisition. By implementing ensemble sampling techniques, the present invention provides higher data sampling rates that are useful for several MR data acquisition applications including Echo Planar Imaging, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Sensitivity Encoding Imaging (SENSE) techniques. By multiplying an MR signal by a series of pure sinusoids having the same frequency but shifted by an incremental phase, the MR signal may be separated into a number of channels which can be sampled at lower rates by analog-to-digital converters. The output from the converters may then be reconstructed using one of a number of interpolation techniques to create a single digital channel with increased bandwidth. The single channel with increased bandwidth may then be used to acquire MR data with an improved sampling rate.

Abstract: A photographing cycle including a weak ultrasonic monitor image photographing step of photographing monitor images by using a weak enough ultrasonic wave not to let the contrast agent disappear, a strong ultrasonic B mode image photographing step of photographing a B mode image by using a strong enough ultrasonic wave to make the contrast agent disappear, and a weak ultrasonic CFM image photographing step for photographing CFM images by using a weak enough ultrasonic wave not to let the contrast agent disappear is iterated. The latest image resulting from the addition of the CFM image is displayed superposed over the B mode image.

Abstract: A method of correcting a resonance frequency variation and an MRI apparatus both capable of handling all frequency drifts including a frequency drift whose time change is slow, a frequency drift in a slice direction and a frequency drift whose time change is fast. An amount of a resonance frequency variation is measured, the frequency variation is corrected when an amount of the resonance frequency variation is smaller than a threshold value, and the amount of the resonance frequency variation is not stored. On the other hand, when the amount of the resonance frequency variation is not smaller than the threshold value, the amount of the resonance frequency variation is stored and correction operation is made based thereon later.

Abstract: A CT imaging system and method are provided in which groups of adjacent detector elements of a detector array are ganged in an x-direction; and an object is scanned using the ganged groups of adjacent detector elements to acquire projection data. In one embodiment, to reduce degradation of images resulting from the ganged detector elements, an image of the object is reconstructed utilizing the acquired projection data and an adjusted iso-channel of the multislice detector array different from an iso-channel defined for scans performed without utilizing ganged groups of detector elements.