Abstract: A multi-slice magnetic resonance (MR) acquisition sequence for acquiring data from a section of interest wherein the sections surrounding the section of interest are presaturated, then multiple slices from the section of interest are selected and data is acquired from the selected multiple slices.

Abstract: A compact shield gradient coil system has a first set of gradient coils surrounded by a conducting shield. A second set of gradient coils is provided around the outside of the conducting shield. The first and second set of gradient coils and the conducting shield produce a linear gradient field inside the imaging volume and protect the imaging volume from interference, such as eddy current interference.

Abstract: A calculi locator is provided having at least one ultrasound transducers in combination with a shock wave generator. The ultrasound transducer is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of a reflector of the shock wave generator. The shock wave generator includes a target focal point. The transducer is used to assure positional coincidence of the true location of the calculi and of the target focal point. Alternatively, either a mathematical correction unit is used or iterative measurements are used to correct for refraction errors in the location of the imaged calculi.

Abstract: A pattern generator and controller arrangement operates for controlling the component parts of an MRI system. The arrangement comprises a plurality of channels including a main control channel and output channels. The arrangement receives instructions from the system CPU which then leaves the control and outputting to the arrangement, thereby avoiding the necessity of a large expensive CPU to operate the system with versatility and speed.

Abstract: Using electrostatic forces for controlling the location of the focal spot of the electron beam on the anode of an X-ray tube, the location is determined by a pair of detectors.

Abstract: A miniaturized surface probe for use with magnetic resonance (MR) systems. The probe comprises a conductor loop for use juxtaposed to a patient. A tuning and matching section connects the probe to the receiver. The section tunes the loop to the desired Larmor frequency and matches the loop to the MR system. A N.lambda./2 length of shielded cable is used to couple the loop to the spatially removed tuning and matching section.

Abstract: A belt driven pulley mounting a transducer in a probe system used for ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging. The location of the sector scanned by the transducer is varied by changing the angular relationship beween the drive pulley of the system and the driven pulley.

Abstract: A method for reducing respiratory motion caused artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging. The respiration cycle amplitude of the patient is divided into a plurality of intervals. Each interval is assigned a preferred encoding pulse. If the preferred encoding pulse has been used the next sequential (higher or lower) unused phase encoding pulse of a valve that is .+-.50% of the originally preferred phase encoding pulse is used.

Abstract: A hybrid shielding arrangement for solenoid type cryogenic magnets used in MR systems uses both active and passive shielding elements to improve the effective shielding.

Abstract: A multi-planar scanning endocavital probe for ultrasonic imaging systems including an ultrasonic transducer coupled by a linkage to a selectively rotated motor shaft extending from the face of a motor. The linkage causes the transducer to scan a planar sector wherein the planar sector has a fixed relationship to the motor face. The motor face is moved to change the plane scanned by the transducer.

Abstract: An unique external averaging system for reducing the coherence of acquired data used for magnetic resonance imaging. The averaging is done after the acquisition of substantially complete matrices of data.

Abstract: A medical imaging device employs a plurality of triggered plasma cathode flash X-ray sources, each of which has an axially extending round anode rod, a cathode, and a trigger electrode. The application of a trigger pulse between the electrode and the cathode produces a burst of plasma near the cathode, the plasma containing electrons that are accelerated toward and impact the anode in a region termed the "focal spot" for producing X-rays when a voltage source applies a predetermined voltage between the cathode and anode. According to the invention, a non-conducting surface interconnects the electrode with a cathode or a conductor held at the same potential as the cathode, the application of a trigger pulse to the electrode causing flashover across said surface for producing the burst of plasma.

Abstract: A system corrects for phase angles degradation due, for example to eddy currents, and uses the corrected phase angles to determine flow. The system acquires flow compensated low resolution images and uncompensated low and normal resolution images of a flowing fluid. The images include phase angle data. The phase angle data of the low resolution images are subtracted from the corresponding phase angle data of the normal resolution images to obtain phase angle corrected compensated and uncompensated images. The phase angle corrected compensated images are subtracted from the phase angle corrected uncompensated images to obtain flow images with minimized phase angle distortion. Reliable and accurate flow velocity for each pixel is thereby obtained using the minimized phase angle distortion flow images.

Abstract: A system for providing hyperthermic treatment of tumerous tissue using a phased array antenna for focusing radio frequency (RF) energy on the tumorous tissue. A magnetic resonance system generating free induction decay (FID) signals from the tumorous tissue. The FID signals are used to determine the relative phase and amplitude of RF excitations which are to be transmitted by each element of the phase array antenna.

Abstract: The Gibb's artifact in magnetic resonance images is reduced by asymmetrically sampling acquired F.I.D. signals to obtain data, time domain filtering the obtained data with a filter that reduces overshoot, degrades resolution but increases SNR. Then obtaining symmetrical data by complex conjugating the time domain filtered data which improves the resolution, compresses the overshoot, but decreases SNR. Processing the symmetrical data to obtain images with insignificant Gibb's artifacts.

Abstract: Motion insensitive magnetic resonance scanning is provided when generating a signal from spins of a selected portion of a subject by acquiring a truncated signal comprising most of the signal's central portion and one wing of the usual two wings. Full image data is obtained by conjugating the truncated signal. The image thus obtained is relatively motion insensitive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing three dimensional anatomic models wherein a series of tomographic hard copy images are obtained of a desired section of a patient's anatomy. The images are used as masks in a "photographic " process to produce layers which are attached together to form the model.

Abstract: A surface coil for use in MRI data acquisition systems wherein the surface coil has the capability of operating as a quadrature coil and of supporting two independent current moles enabling tuning to two separate frequencies.

Abstract: A calculi locator is provided using an ultrasound transducer in combination with shock wave generator. Various means are provided for assuring coincidence of ultrasound obtained images of the calculi, the actual location of the calculi and of the target focal point of the shock wave generator means.

Abstract: A patient table for computerized tomographic (CT) scanners located at the rear of the CT gantry to assure more room for CT operators at the front of the gantry. The patient table works in co-operation with a trolley means having a slightly inclined table top holding a stretcher carrying the patient. The stretcher and the patient table include locking means for locking the stretcher to the patient table to enable removing the trolley means from the front of the gantry after the stretcher is locked to the patient table to provide more room at the front of the gantry.