Abstract: A system and method for radio-frequency (RF) field mapping are provided. One method includes encoding a B1 phase in at least one magnetic resonance (MR) excitation pulse as an encoded B1 phase MR excitation pulse for at least a subset of a plurality of transmit channels within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method also includes encoding a B1 magnitude in at least one off-resonance MR pulse as an encoded B1 magnitude off-resonance MR pulse for at least a subset of the plurality of transmit channels within the MRI system. The method further includes determining one or more composite B1 fields resulting from a transmission of the at least one encoded B1 phase MR excitation pulse and the at least one encoded B1 magnitude off-resonance MR pulse.

Abstract: A method for spin magnetic resonance applications in general, and for performing NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) in particular is disclosed. It is a quantum theory-based continuous precision method. This method directly makes use of spin magnetic resonance random emissions to generate its auto-correlation function and power spectrum, from which are derived spin relaxation times and spin number density using strict mathematical and physical equations. This method substantially reduces the NMR/MRI equipment and data processing complexity, thereby making NMR/MRI machines less costly, less bulky, more accurate, and easier to operate than the pulsed NMR/MRI. By employing extremely low transverse RF magnetic B1 field, MRI with this method is much safer for patients. And, by employing continuous spin magnetic resonance emissions, NMR with this method is of virtually unlimited spectral resolution to satisfy any science and engineering requirements.

Abstract: According to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, a Radio Frequency (RF) pulse applying unit applies to a subject a flip pulse for exciting spin of nuclei inside a subject body, and a flop pulse for refocusing the phase of the spin. A gradient magnetic-field applying unit applies a spoiler gradient magnetic field onto the subject after the flop pulse is applied, and applies a rewind gradient magnetic field before applying the flop pulse. A control unit executes a pulse sequence of controlling the gradient magnetic-field applying unit so as to keep each of the strengths of the spoiler gradient magnetic field and the rewind gradient magnetic field at respective predetermined values or higher with respect to each of a plurality of slice encodings.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system includes at least one coil and at least one coaxial line connecting the at least one coil to an electronic receive system. The at least one coil includes a preprocessing device that converts the received signals to at least one transmission frequency that is different from a transmit frequency. The coaxial line includes at least one sheath wave barrier with a trap suppressing sheath waves of transmit frequency both on the outside and the inside of a sheath conductor of the coaxial line.

Abstract: In MRS measurement using magnetic resonance highly precise results are efficiently obtained with coincidence of axes with axes in positioning image. In measurement according to the PRESS method for a plurality of regions each localized (specified) with a set of perpendicularly intersecting three slices, wherein one or two slices are common to the sets of three slices localizing the regions, and slices not common do not intersect, a slice not common to those of a region to be selectively excited is excited with a radio frequency magnetic field of which phase is different by 180 degrees from that of a radio frequency magnetic field used for exciting the region to be selectively excited a number of times equal to the number of common slices, and during the measurement of the region to be selectively excited, a group of regions other than the region to be selectively excited are thermally equilibrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described wherein a micro sample of a fluidic material may be assayed without sample contamination using NMR techniques, in combination with magnetoresistive sensors. The fluidic material to be assayed is first subject to pre-polarization, in one embodiment, by passage through a magnetic field. The magnetization of the fluidic material is then subject to an encoding process, in one embodiment an rf-induced inversion by passage through an adiabatic fast-passage module. Thereafter, the changes in magnetization are detected by a pair of solid-state magnetoresistive sensors arranged in gradiometer mode. Miniaturization is afforded by the close spacing of the various modules.

Abstract: A method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence is provided. A multichannel pulse train with a plurality of individual RF pulse trains is sent out by a magnetic resonance system over different independent radio-frequency channels in parallel. Based on a prespecified k-space gradient trajectory and a prespecified target magnetization, a multichannel pulse train is calculated in an RF pulse optimization method, where in an RF exposure optimization method, the k-space gradient trajectory is optimized using a function parameterizable at least with respect to an RF exposure value of an object under examination.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for imaging a plurality of different slice planes having pre-pulse applying means configured to apply a pre-pulse for affecting in-plane magnetization of all slices of a measurement target, measuring means configured to make a measurement for applying one phase encode amount for one slice plane to obtain an echo signal and dispose the echo signal in a k space, and control means configured to control operations of the pre-pulse applying means and the measuring means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing dual modality SPECT/MRI imaging on an object in combination with a whole-body MRI system includes a collimated nuclear radiation detector for receiving radiation from the object, and a radiofrequency MRI coil enveloping the object and interfaced with the collimated nuclear radiation detector. The MRI coil and collimated detector are arranged and configured for disposition within the whole-body MRI system.

Abstract: A water saturation shift referencing (WASSR) technique performed using a magnetic resonance scanner comprises: acquiring a spatial map of Z spectra that encompass the water center frequency using sufficiently low saturation power and sufficiently short duration selected such that symmetry of the Z spectra is not obscured by magnetization transfer but dominated by direct water saturation effects so that the spectrum is substantially symmetric; and performing a symmetry analysis on the substantially symmetric Z spectra to generate a spatial map of the water center frequency. WASSR-corrected chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is disclosed as an illustrative example.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable in-bore shim coil insert suitable for correcting high-degree and high-order magnetic field inhomogeneities over a limited examination zone in a magnetic resonance assembly operating above 3 T magnetic field strengths, wherein the magnetic resonance assembly includes at least a MRI magnet having an internal bore of known configuration and volume, at least one set of gradient coils, and an arrangement of radio frequency coils. The in-bore shim coil insert and corresponding method of use is able to produce higher degree and order shimming effects on-demand (i.e., the correction of at least some 3rd to 6th degree field terms or inhomogeneities) and will markedly improve the quality of in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy and/or imaging of any desired anatomic site, i.e., any or all of the various organs, tissues, and systems present in the body of a living subject.

Abstract: A method and a fastening system for the releasable fastening of a component to an apparatus are described. Here the fastening system comprises a detent spring arranged on the apparatus, a detent pin with a groove arranged on the component and a Bowden cable arranged on the apparatus. If the component is fastened to the apparatus, the detent spring locks in the groove in a locking position. The Bowden cable is connected to the detent spring such that when pulling on the Bowden cable, the detent spring releases from the locking position in the groove, as a result of which the fastening of the component to the apparatus is released.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises: static magnetic field generation means which generates a static magnetic field in an imaging space where an object to be examined is placed; gradient magnetic field generation means which generates a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space; high-frequency magnetic field generation means which generates a high-frequency magnetic field in the imaging space; calculation means which calculates an amount of the electromagnetic wave absorbed by the object when the high-frequency magnetic field is irradiated to the object; and a measurement means which measures a characteristic of the high-frequency magnetic field generation means. The calculation means calculates the amount of the electromagnetic wave absorbed by the object according to the characteristic of the high-frequency magnetic field generation means measured by the measurement means.

Abstract: Equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs comprises a means for generating high-frequency pulses, an antenna coil which irradiates an object of inspection with the generated high-frequency pulses working as a radio wave and receives a nuclear quadrupole signal which is generated from the object of inspection when the object of inspection is excited by the radio wave, and a means for detecting explosives and/or illicit drugs in the object of inspection based on the nuclear quadrupole signal thus received, wherein the antenna coil is formed in the shape of a figure of “8” by using a high-frequency coaxial cable so that two solenoid coil portions wound reversely to each other can be provided, and is used while facing the object of inspection. Various explosives and/or illicit drugs can be inspected compactly and surely by the equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs and an inspecting method using such equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs.

Abstract: A coil arrangement for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has plates that each contain at least one gradient coil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microscope apparatus (100) comprising an operating microscope (20), a magnetic resonance or MR apparatus (30), a stand (10) that carries the operating microscope (20) and the MR apparatus (30), at least one detector (14) for determining the spatial position of the MR apparatus (30) relative to the operating microscope (20), a reflecting device (23) for reflecting an image obtained using the MR apparatus (30) into at least one observation beam path of the operating microscope (20), a computer unit (40) which is connected to the at least one detector (14) and is arranged so as to determine the spatial position of the MR apparatus (20) relative to the operating microscope (30), the computer unit (40) being connected to the reflecting device (23) and to the MR apparatus (30) and being arranged so as to provide the image that is to be reflected in for the reflecting device (23) on the basis of the spatial position determined for the MR apparatus (30) relative to the operating

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. Image data is acquired at a sequence of multiple echo times occurring within two or more repetition times (TRs). Odd-numbered echoes are sampled during odd-numbered TRs, and even-numbered echoes are sampled during even-numbered TRs. Images are reconstructed and used to calculate the respective signal contributions of two or more chemical species using, for example, an IDEAL separation technique. The respective signal contributions are then used to produce images that depicts substantially only one of the chemical species. For example, separated water and fat images may be produced.

Abstract: In a combined imaging system, including a magnetic resonance system and a UWB radar, interference signals in the received signal of the one imaging system can be caused by the respective other imaging system. Therefore filters which contain in particular adaptive filters are used in order to filter out the interference signals caused in the received signal of the one system by the respective other system. By eliminating the mutually negative influence, the advantages can be completely exploited when operating the different imaging systems at the same time.

Abstract: A gradient amplifier system is presented. An embodiment of a gradient amplifier system that includes a power stage having a plurality of bridge amplifiers, where each of the plurality of bridge amplifiers operates at a first switching frequency. The gradient amplifier system further includes a gradient coil coupled to an output terminal of the power stage and configured to produce a magnetic field proportional to a coil current signal supplied by the power stage. In addition, the gradient amplifier system includes a controller stage coupled to an input terminal of the power stage and configured to generate a pulse width modulated gate signal based on the coil current signal and a reference current signal, where the pulse width modulated gate signal is generated at a second switching frequency upon occurrence of a slew rate associated with the reference current signal is below a determined threshold rate and an amplitude level associated with the reference current signal is above a determined level.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and operating method to determine phase correction parameters for a phase correction in MR image data, first and second phase correction data sets are thereby acquired and correlations are calculated between data of the second phase correction data set and data of the first phase correction data set. Phase correction parameters are determined, such as coefficients of a power series that approximates a curve of a phase difference between phase curves of the second and first phase correction data sets.