Abstract: A RF coil compression system for use with an MRI system configured to image a patient's breast is disclosed. In one embodiment, the compression system comprises a first compression plate comprising a first plurality of RF coil elements, which is positioned in a plane oriented orthogonal to a direction of the main magnetic field and the first RF coil elements having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field and is orthogonal to a main magnetic field of the MRI system. The compresses system may further comprise a second compression plate, configured to be positioned opposing the first compression plate and orthogonal to the superior-inferior direction, the second compression plate comprising a second plurality of RF coil elements, the second RF coil elements having a reception sensitivity to a B1 field oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction and to the main magnetic field of the MRI system.

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: Systems and methods for improving patient comfort and throughput of magnetic resonance imaging by providing at least one patient imaging area outside a bore of a magnet of a magnetic resonance imaging device. An embodiment of an apparatus for providing at least one patient imaging area outside the bore comprises a first shim disposed external to and spaced apart from a first opening of the bore to form a first patient imaging area between the first shim and the first opening, wherein the first shim is configured to direct a magnetic field of the magnet into the first patient imaging area to provide a first magnetic field in the first patient imaging area. Methods of magnetic resonance imaging outside the bore are also disclosed.

Abstract: An intervention apparatus is described having a probe with an orifice insertion portion, the insertion portion being configured for insertion into an orifice of a patient. The apparatus also having an intervention tool securement and adjustment mechanism removably attached to the probe. The probe providing support to hold the mechanism in a position relative to the patient, and the adjustment mechanism providing adjustment of an entry point and an angle of entry for an intervention tool to the patient. In embodiments, magnetic resonance imaging, trans-orifice intervention and transperineal intervention are described. Methods for imaging and/or intervention are also described.

Abstract: An assembly for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a patient and a method of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a patient using different MRI scanners is disclosed. In one example, the assembly includes a plurality of RF coils, wherein the RF coils are configured to be positioned adjacent to an anatomy of interest, a patient support structure configured to support of the patient, a base removably coupled to the patient support structure, the base and the patient support being configured for receipt in the bore of an MRI scanner, and an interface coupled to the plurality of RF coils and to the MRI scanner and configured to connect the plurality of RF coils and the MRI scanner and to selectively control a first RF coil and a second RF coil included in the plurality of RF coils.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe includes a coil section having an imaging coil, and a handle section connected to the coil section. The handle section has a phase shifter circuit with inductors, capacitors, and coax line electrically connected and is configured to provide appropriate phase shift. The handle section further has a coaxial cable winding electrically connected to the imaging coil, and wound cylindrically, and has a slot therethrough between the ends of the cylindrical winding. The handle section further has a pre-amp circuit mounted on a substrate and electrically connected to the cylindrical coax winding.

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: The subject invention pertains to method and apparatus for parallel imaging. The subject method can be utilized with imaging systems utilizing parallel imaging techniques. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A specific embodiment of the subject invention can reduce parallel reconstruction CPU and system resources usage by reducing the number of channels employed in the parallel reconstruction from the M channel signals to a lower number of channel signals. In a specific embodiment, sensitivity map information can be used in the selection of the M channel signals to be used, and how the selected channel signals are to be combined, to create the output channel signals. In an embodiment, for a given set of radio-frequency (RF) elements, an optimal choice of reconstructed channel modes can be made using prior view information and/or sensitivity data for the given slice. The subject invention can utilize parallel imaging speed up in multiple directions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to a resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments of the subject invention pertain to a high-field mode-stable resonator for use in magnetic resonance imaging. Embodiments also pertain to a method of generating and/or receiving rf magnetic fields in a field of view (FOV) for magnetic resonance imaging. An embodiment can incorporate a shielded cylindrical resonator having 16 elements that are coupled to one another by a transmission line resonator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention can utilize a single coil structure for dual-mode operation. In a specific embodiment, a single coil structure can be used as a volume coil in the transmitting phase and as a phase array in the receiving phase. In an embodiment, a transmit coil array in accordance with the subject invention can be utilized for one or more of the following: 1) parallel RF excitation on an MRI scanner equipped with a multiple-channel transmitter; 2) serial RF excitation with the use of a switch system with a single channel transmitter; and 3) generation of a homogeneous B1 field for regular MRI with the use of a power splitter on a standard scanner. In a specific embodiment, the use of a concentric double loop coil with different tunings of inner and outer loops can be implemented. In an embodiment, the coil elements can be decoupled using the CRC mode of a concentric double loop coil. In an embodiment, a surface coil transmit array can provide better compatibility with a receive array.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus utilizing one or more spiral coils, such as spiral birdcage coils, spiral saddle coils, Helmholtz coil pairs, and other spiral volume and spiral surface coils. The spiral coils of the subject array can be substantially isolated from each other while covering nearly the same volume or surface. For cylindrical geometrics, isolation can be enhanced by having the rotation, or change in direction from one end of the coil to the other, be 2n?, where n is an integer.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for producing sensitivity maps with respect to medical imaging. The subject invention relates to a method for applying an inpainting model to correct images in parallel imaging. Some images, such as coil sensitivity maps and intensity correction maps, have no signal at some places and may have noise. Advantageously, the subject invention allows an accurate method to fill in holes in sensitivity maps, where holes can arise when, for example, the pixel intensity magnitudes for two images being used to create the sensitivity map are zero. A specific embodiment of the subject invention can accomplish de-noise, interpolation, and extrapolation simultaneously for these types of maps such that the local texture can be carefully protected.

Abstract: A coil for magnetic resonance imaging operates in a transmit mode with multiple loops locked together in a phase relationship like a birdcage coil to provide a uniform transmission field, but in a receive mode like a phased array coil, each coil operating independently to produce a separate signal for reception by the MRI machine. Phasing of the coil during transmit mode is provided by a ring resonator controllably coupled to the loops. Controllable coupling is provided by a series of current limiting elements interposed between the resonant ring and the loops of the coil.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing stimulated MRI data. In an embodiment, a remote-controlled “smart phantom” can produce simulated data. The simulated data can be acquired from a MRI system. The subject device can generate control signals and send the generated control signals to secondary coils/probes placed in the subject smart phantom. The control signals determine the current flow in the secondary coils/probes, which act as local spin magnetization amplifiers and thus produce regions of variable contrast to noise ratio. The control signals can be generated with various parameters, such as BOLD models, different levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal intensities, and physiological signals. Comparisons can be made with the widely-used simulated data by computers. Validation of the subject smart phantom can be performed with both theoretical analysis and data of human subjects.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to methods and apparatus for producing excitation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from a plurality of local exciting elements such that each local exciting element's excitation is independent of the other local exciting elements' excitation. The methods and apparatus of the subject invention can be utilized in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), where MRI produces a magnitude for each pixel that combines many frequency components, typically for magnitude images, and MRS produces a spectrum of outputs over a range of frequencies for each pixel, typically a spectral output. The subject method and apparatus can be utilized for exciting proton, and/or other imaging materials relating to spin magnetization, such as, but not limited to, phosphorous, carbon, and fluorine.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a technique and device that can isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields of volume coils at high frequency. In an embodiment, an RF shield can be used to isolate and separate resultant electromagnetic fields. In an embodiment, the shield can have a cylindrical shape that can form a partially closed volume in which an object to be imaged, or sample, can be inserted. In an embodiment, the RF shield can be part of a RF coil. In a specific embodiment, some parts of a volume coil can be inside a shield, and the other parts of a volume coil can be outside the shield. The shielding of some of the parts of a volume coil can create conductor patterns corresponding to the specific parts inside the shield and the specific parts outside the shield. In an embodiment, two or more conductor patterns can be placed in proximity to the same shield and either be driven independently, driven together, or act as receiving elements, combined or uncombined.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for enhanced multiple coil imaging. The subject invention is advantageous for use in imaging devices, such as MRIs where multiple images can be combined to form a single composite image. In one specific embodiment, the subject method and apparatus utilize a novel process of converting from the original signal vector in the time domain to allow the subject invention to be installed in-line with current MRI devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for simultaneously using and configuring one or more disposable transmitters. The system includes at least one single or multiple use disposable transmitter, a central station, and a receiver module. The transmitter is connected to a patient to gather and measure biomedical information. The transmitter transmits the biomedical information through the receiver module to the central station for processing, storage and display. Prior to use, each transmitter must be configured to work with the central station and the receiver module. This allows the users to configure the disposable transmitters relatively quickly and easily without needing advanced technical information. The inventive configuration also enables the operator to map a location on a monitor in the central station to a specific disposable transmitter and ultimately to a specific patient or location in the coverage area that is covered by the system.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for enhanced multiple coil imaging. The subject invention is advantageous for use in imaging devices, such as MRIs where multiple images can be combined to form a single composite image. In one specific embodiment, the subject method and apparatus utilize a novel process of converting from the original signal vector in the time domain to allow the subject invention to be installed in-line with current MRI devices.

Abstract: The vest provides a simple and intuitive coil support assuring proper alignment of the coils with the patient and providing support for coil elements encircling the opposed arms. A coil for receiving and/or transmitting radio-frequency signals for magnetic resonance imaging of the chest, and particularly for ventilation studies of the lungs, is supported in a flexible vest having arm holes locating the coil elements about the patient.