Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a radio-frequency (RF) phased coil array for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus that includes a first RF coil element tuned to a first frequency and configured to receive MR signals and a second RF coil element tuned to a second frequency different than the first frequency and configured to receive MR signals.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the acquisition of measurement data of an examination region of an examination subject (in particular a patient) during continuous travel of the examination region through a magnetic resonance apparatus for the generation of an image data set, the continuous travel is interrupted and resumed at least once. The examination region is moved back by a predeterminable distance counter to the travel direction of the continuous travel before interrupting the continuous travel. Moving the examination region back makes it possible to interrupt and resume an acquisition of measurement data given (otherwise) continuous travel of the examination region, without loss of measurement data. The time during the interruption can be used advantageously for preparation of an acquisition of measurement data in the portion of the examination region of the patient that is to be examined after the interruption of the continuous travel.

Abstract: In a method for examination subject-specific determination of parameters for activating gradient coils and radio-frequency of a coil array of a magnetic resonance device to generate a radio-frequency pulse with which nuclear spins in an examination region of an examination subject are moved out of a rest state by an arbitrary angle, a control unit activates phases and amplitudes of currents in the radio-frequency coils and respective currents in the gradient coils in a time-dependent manner in discrete steps to generate gradient fields. In a processor in communication with the control unit, parameters for the activation are automatically calculated dependent on measured sensitivity maps of the radio-frequency coils at the examination subject. The processor optimizes a non-linear equation system within the numerical calculation of the parameters involving a desired magnetization and a theoretical calculated real magnetization.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an imaging means being provided with a means for generating magnetic fields respectively of a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and an RF magnetic field, and a means for receiving an echo signal generated from a subject, the imaging means being for measuring echo data associated with at least one measurement trajectory in k-space, while varying angles with respect to a coordinate axis in the k-space of the measurement trajectory, so as to collect at least one measured data for each of the angles; and an image reconstruction means for rearranging the measured data in the k-space and reconstructing an image; wherein, the image reconstruction means calculates a phase for correction based on standard data selected from the measured data for each of the angles, prior to rearranging the measured data in the k-space, and performs a phase correction as to the measured data, by using the phase for correction being calculated.

Abstract: An imaging system that uses a directed-energy device can include a directed-energy device configured to generate an excitation signal to impinge a region of interest of a target and excite elements therein and receive resonance signals emitted from the region of interest of the target after the excitation signal is terminated. The directed-energy device can include a charged particle generator configured to generate plural energized particles and a charge transformer configured to receive the plural energized particles that include charged particles from the charged particle generator and to output a wavefront including energized particles that include particles having substantially zero charge. The imaging system can also include plural gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and configured to impress a polarizing magnetic field on a target and a communications interface.

Abstract: Many reservoirs of interest include heavy oil. In such reservoirs, NMR measurements have difficulty distinguishing between heavy oil and water in the formation. An acoustic signal is used to modify the relaxation time distribution of water and heavy oil in opposite directions and thus increase the separability of the distributions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a unit which acquires, by a first sequence, an MR signal before administration of a contrast agent and which also acquires, by a second sequence, an MR signal after the administration, the first sequence dephasing a magnetization after RE excitation to make a greater signal reduction in a first signal component regarding a fluid flowing within a first range than in a second signal component regarding the fluid flowing within a second less than the first range, the second sequence bringing the MR signal after the administration to a level corresponding to the concentration of the agent, a unit which reconstructs first and second images, and a unit which generates a third image on the basis of the first and second images, the third image showing the degree of a change of the fluid after the administration from a state before the administration.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of an object, and in particular MR imaging that yields images sensitive to molecular diffusion, undesired image artifacts induced by the rhythmic motion of the apparatus are reduced by manipulating the amplitude, phase, and timing of the diffusion encoding gradient pulses in a manner that interrupts, diminishes, or cancels the rhythmic motion. The residual vibration is evaluated manually or automatically to make such manipulations.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) device for magnetic resonance imaging of a body placed in an examination volume includes a main magnet or generating a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume, and an RF coil arrangement for generating RF fields in the examination volume and/or for receiving MR signals from the body. In order to provide such an MR device, which is arranged to operate at the resonance (Larmor) frequencies of two or more different nuclear species at the same time, the RF coil arrangement includes independent resonator elements which are adjacently arranged in or near the examination volume. The adjacent resonator elements are alternately tuned to one of two or more different MR resonance frequencies, and each resonator element is associated with a separate signal transmission and/or signal reception channel of the MR device.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.

Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are measured in a small borehole during drilling. Signals measured in a plurality of regions of investigation are combined to increase the signal strength.

Abstract: Pulse sequences are applied to a fluid in an earth formation in a static magnetic field and NMR spin echo signals are obtained. The signals are processed to give a distribution of a relaxation time at a plurality of depths. Semblance between the distributions and a log of a formation property are used to identify depths at which portions of the distributions are similar to the formation property logs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to accelerated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and, more particularly, to imaging situations where the temporal-encoding strategy is disrupted by time-related events, such as breathing motion.

Abstract: Optimizing RF coil currents' magnitude/phase relationship, temporal modulation and spatial distribution is crucial to MR imaging performance. One key aspect for the optimization is the knowledge of B1 spatial distribution and RF power deposition associated with a coil current pattern or a source configuration, and the use of the knowledge in the optimization. Another key aspect for the optimization is a hardware infrastructure that facilitates the optimization, with, specifically, a coil structure that supports flexible current path control. The present invention relates to calibration methods and multi-channel parallel RF transmit/receive coil assemblies that improve the performance of MR imaging by addressing both aspects.

Abstract: A device for MRI of a body (7) placed in an examination volume includes a main magnet (2) for establishing a substantially homogeneous main magnetic field in the examination volume. Gradient coils (3, 4, 5) generate switched magnetic field gradients superimposed upon the main magnetic field. An RF antenna (6) radiates RF pulses towards the body (7). A control system (12) controls the generation of the magnetic field gradients and the RF pulses. A demodulator (10) receives and samples MR signals. A computer (14) forms MR images from the signal samples.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for quantification of transverse relaxation times (T2) using steady-state free precession sequences (generally known as fast imaging sequences) and their sensitivity to a quadratic increase of the RF pulse phase, also known as RF spoiling. Using at least two image acquisitions with different partial RF spoiling increments, T2 can be assessed with high precision and with short acquisition times in the limit of large excitation angles being independent on the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) and magnetization transfer effects as compared to other SSFP based quantitative T2 methods. This invention is not restricted to any kind of target and may be applied in 3D as well as in 2D.

Abstract: The subject apparatus is a fuel cell toroid cavity detector for in situ analysis of samples through the use of nuclear magnetic resonance. The toroid cavity detector comprises a gas-tight housing forming a toroid cavity where the housing is exposed to an externally applied magnetic field B0 and contains fuel cell component samples to be analyzed. An NMR spectrometer is electrically coupled and applies a radiofrequency excitation signal pulse to the detector to produce a radiofrequency magnetic field B1 in the samples and in the toroid cavity. Embedded coils modulate the static external magnetic field to provide a means for spatial selection of the recorded NMR signals.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.