Abstract: A method and system for imaging using labeled contrast agents and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner are provided. The method comprises performing a prescan at a frequency selected to be substantially similar to a frequency of the labeled contrast agent and performing an examination scan at the frequency of the labeled contrast agent substantially immediately after administering the labeled contrast agent to a subject.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibrated parallel magnetic resonance image is provided in a manifestation of the invention. A magnetic resonance imaging excitation is applied. A plurality of echoes at different echo times (TE) is acquired. The acquired plurality of echoes from different echo times is used to create a chemical shift corrected calibration map.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for imaging strain of tissue, such as the heart, in a quantitative manner. The present invention provides images of strain, which corresponds to heart function, by tagging a tissue region of interest, and acquiring multiple images by tuning an MRI RF receiver to frequencies above and below the tagging frequency. Depending on the tagging spatial frequency, and the spread between the high- and low-tuning frequencies, linear measurements of strain may be made on a pixel by pixel basis. By selectively tagging the tissue of interest by use of selective excitation, images may be acquired sufficiently fast to provide anatomical and functional imagery within a single heartbeat. By acquiring additional images, dead tissue may be differentiated from contracting tissue as well as blood.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance scanner, a main magnet system (10) is wound to generate a longitudinally directed main magnetic field (B0) at least in a scanning region (20). The main magnet system includes a central magnet winding region (30) wound layer-by-layer disposed between outer magnet winding regions (32, 34). A longitudinal magnetic field gradient system (12, 12?) includes a central gradient winding region (40, 40?, 42, 42?) wound to generate a main longitudinally directed magnetic field gradient disposed between outer gradient winding regions (44, 46) wound to generate a compensatory longitudinally directed magnetic field gradient having opposite polarity from the main longitudinally directed magnetic field gradient. The outer gradient winding regions are arranged to substantially null mutual inductance between the outer magnet winding regions (32, 34) and the longitudinal magnetic field gradient system (12, 12?).

Abstract: A system and method are provided for adjusting RF pulses and gradient waveforms to reduce B1 field magnitude in MR imaging sequences. When an RF pulse is presented which has a high amplitude segment that would exceed a maximum B1 magnitude, the system and method provided herein can apply a variable slew rate design technique. A slew rate of at least one gradient waveform can be varied to reduce a B1 field magnitude during transmission of the high amplitude segment of the RF pulse. By controlling the slew rate of gradient waveforms for non-Cartesian k-space trajectories according to a calculated maximum allowable slew rate function, embodiments of the system and method can, in effect, reduce gradient amplitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for analyzing polysaccharides. In particular, compositional and sequence information about the polysaccharides are derived. Some methods use NMR in conjunction with another experimental method, such as, capillary electrophoretic techniques for the analysis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging using specialized signal acquisition and processing techniques for image reconstruction with a generally inhomogeneous static magnetic field. New signal processing methods for image reconstruction and for minimizing dephasing effects are disclosed. Imaging systems with smaller static magnetic field strengths and smaller hardware demands than those with homogeneous static magnetic fields are provided, leading to significant reductions in system size and cost as compared to standard MRI systems. Such systems can also exploit imaging coils having high Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR), including those made from Carbon nanotube conductors, leading to further imaging system efficiencies.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for characterizing thin film materials. The method, apparatus, and system includes a container for receiving a starting material, applying a gravitational force, a magnetic force, and an electric force or combinations thereof to at least the starting material, forming a thin film material, sensing an NMR signal from the thin film material and analyzing the NMR signal to characterize the thin film of material.

Abstract: A probe suitable for use in unilateral nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and adapted to be embedded in a sample to be analysed, the probe comprising; a static magnetic field generator; a radiofrequency magnetic field generator adjacent to the static magnetic field generator; a circuit controlling the frequency response of the radiofrequency magnetic field generator, adjacent to the static magnetic field generator; an input cable coupled to the frequency control circuit and the frequency control circuit coupled to the radiofrequency magnetic field generator.

Abstract: There is provided a magnetic field generator which is capable of generating a uniform magnetic field of a desired intensity easily and stably without increasing running cost. The magnetic field generator includes a pair of plate yokes. The plate yokes have opposed surfaces provided with magnetic pole respectively. The magnetic pole includes a permanent magnet group whereas the magnetic pole includes a permanent magnet group. Each of the permanent magnet groups is formed substantially in a disc like shape, as an integral body made of a plurality of permanent magnets and a plurality of heat conducting members. Tubular heaters, buried in the plate yokes, generate heat, which is conducted via the plate yokes to each permanent magnet and each heat conducting member which constitute the permanent magnet groups.

Abstract: An NMR logging tool for conducting NMR measurements in a plurality of sensitive volumes ranging up to a meter from the tool. The tool comprises a magnetic assembly using one or more permanent magnets and at least one pole piece for extending a magnet pole and shaping the magnetic field to simulate a magnetic monopole in a sensitive volume within the formation. Different embodiments of a segmented antenna enable directional NMR logging. The tool embodiments and methods of their use are suitable for wireline or LWD logging, and can be used for directional drilling.

Abstract: There is provided an RF (radio frequency) coil assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, which comprises a birdcage transmit-only coil using inhomogeneous modes. Further, a multi-channel receive-only phased array coil is provided. In one embodiment, the multi-channel receive-only phased array coil may include a plurality of ring-shaped receive-only coils, wherein the receive-only coils are connected to each other in a pseudo-chain-link configuration to form a ring shape. The multi-channel receive-only phased array coil may be located inside said transmit-only coil and spaced a predetermined distance apart therefrom. In accordance with the embodiments, emphasis images of the peripheral part of a human brain with high resolution and high signal to noise ratio may be obtained.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil includes a non-cylindrical conformal surface (62, 76) that substantially conforms with a magnetic resonance subject. A plurality of conductor loops (60, 71, 72, 73, 74) are disposed in or on the non-cylindrical conformal surface. The plurality of conductor loops are configured to produce a substantially uniform Bi field in the magnetic resonance subject responsive to energizing at a Bi frequency. Optionally, a plurality of load-compensating conductor loops (90) are disposed in or on a compensatory non-cylindrical conformal surface (62) that substantially conforms with a magnetic resonance subject. The plurality of load-compensating conductor loops are configured to produce a non-uniform Bi field that compensates for a loading Bi non-uniformity caused by the magnetic resonance subject. Moreover, the coil may comprise switching means for switching the coil between a first mode of operation (e.g. a volume transmit mode) and a second mode of operation (e.g. a phased array reception mode).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) RF apparatus and method of constructing the same. One Embodiment of the present invention provides an MRI apparatus comprising an examination region, a patient support, at least one vacuum thermal isolation housing, a main magnet system for generating a main magnetic field in the examination region, and a cryogenic system. The vacuum thermal isolation housing comprises a hermetically sealed high vacuum jacket that encloses a low vacuum space hosting at least one superconductor RF coil and a heat sink assembly therein. The RF coil is in thermal contact with the heat sink assembly that is coupled to the cryogenic system through a heat pipe to achieve and maintain a desired low temperature at the superconductor RF coil.

Abstract: In a measurement sequence and apparatus for three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging, in which an acquisition of measurement data ensues by scanning multiple lines in k-space; and the number of k-space lines is apportioned among a number of partial acquisitions so that scanning of associated k-space lines occurs in each partial acquisition, the k-space lines are associated with the partial acquisitions such that the association corresponds to the following association rule: (a) evaluation of each k-space line with a distance measure that characterizes the distance of the respective k-space line relative to the k-space center, (b) arrangement of the k-space lines to be scanned in an order dependent on the distance measure, (c) grouping of the k-space lines arranged in order into a number of groups with a number of successive k-space lines being combined into a group, and (d) association of the k-space lines with the partial acquisitions by, for each group, the k-space lines combined into this group are app

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for analyzing polysaccharides. In particular, compositional and sequence information about the polysaccharides are derived. Some methods use NMR in conjunction with another experimental method, such as, capillary electrophoretic techniques for the analysis.

Abstract: A magnetometer is constructed wherein the sweeping is performed at one half the Larmor frequency and has as its center the absorption line. This allows the emitter to tune onto the absorption line twice per cycle as it passes through the line. This causes the increase in absorption as would the normal sweep of a Bell-Bloom magnetometer but avoids the drawbacks, such as drift and heading error.

Abstract: An installation for investigating objects (10a) using magnetic resonance comprising a safety room (1) which has gastight walls (1a-c) and having a magnet system (9) for producing a homogenous magnetic field in an investigational volume (13), the magnet system (9) comprising a gastight outer shell (19) which is penetrated in a shell region (29) by feed-throughs (39a-d) into the interior of the magnet system (9), is characterized in that the magnet system (9) is arranged in the safety room (1), and one of the gastight walls (1a-c) is penetrated in an access region (1e), wherein a gastight connecting element (14) is present between the access region (1e) and the shell region (29) which, at its ends, is connected in a gastight manner to the gastight wall and the gastight outer shell (19) respectively, so that access from outside the safety room (1) is available to the shell region (29) and the feed-throughs there (39a-d), that access being sealed in a gastight manner with respect to the safety room (1).

Abstract: An apparatus for nuclear magnetic resonance measurement includes a measurement portion having a magnet for applying a magnetic field to a sample, a bore within the magnet, a nuclear magnetic resonance probe disposed in the bore, and a container for retaining the sample therein; a mixing filter portion for mixing a small molecule solution with a sample solution; a separating filter portion; a small molecule concentration controlling portion; a transmitter/receiver system; a unit for carrying out circulation solution transfer; a unit for injecting the small molecule solution; a unit for controlling the small molecule concentration; a unit for injecting the sample solution; a unit for holding the sample solution in the measurement portion; a unit for discharging the sample solution; and a unit for carrying out nuclear magnetic resonance measurement of the sample solution.

Abstract: A non-linear phase correction method is provided. For the non-linear phase correction method, image information is acquired by gradient echo echo planar imaging (EPI). Reference information is acquired by spin echo EPI. The image information is corrected based on the reference information.