Abstract: A field cycling spectrometer for making nuclear magnetic resonance measurements on an object conveys the object under analysis at predetermined angular velocity successively through a first, spatially characterized, constant magnetic field B0 and a second, spatially characterized, constant magnetic field Bs. Nuclear magnetic resonance signals are detected from the object after passing through the second field. The fields are preferably provided by a toroidal electromagnet having a first circumferential segment operable to maintain said first magnetic field level B0 therein and a second circumferential segment operable to maintain said second magnetic field level Bs therein.

Abstract: NMR apparatus for achieving construction of improved patient access. Facilities and methods of mobile and fixed site scanning.

Abstract: To calculate a precise phase map even when there is a local phase disturbance and perform this phase correction, an image acquired by magnetic resonance imaging is subjected to lowpass filtering (702), pixel positions for which the ratio of a value after filtering to a value before filtering does not exceed a predetermined ratio are detected (704), a phase distribution excluding pixel data at these positions is calculated, and the phases at the excluded pixel positions are estimated from the phases of neighboring pixel positions to provide compensation so as to complete a phase map.

Abstract: An MRI system is provided with normal and quiet modes of operation. The quiet mode may be selected from an operator station, such as via a graphical user interface. When the quiet mode of operation is selected, configuration parameters are used for the particular pulse sequence to be executed in the examination. The configuration parameters for the quiet mode of operation may be derived from those of the normal mode of operation. The quiet mode of operation may, for example, employ gradient pulses having reduced amplitudes and slew rates as compared to those employed in the normal mode of operation. The reduced amplitudes and slew rates, along with changes in timing of the pulses and between pulses of the pulse sequence of the examination result in reduced acoustic noise for accommodating more sensitive patients.