Abstract: A MRI device includes: structure applying a main magnetic field on an axis Z over a sample zone; structure emitting a magnetic field gradient and structure emitting a radiofrequency pulse, and a controller. The controller performs on the sample zone, a sequence including: a radiofrequency pulse and/or phase at each repetition; and a spatial gradient of the component along the Z axis. The controller is programmed so that, in the course of repeated applications of the pulse and of the gradient of the sequence of one and the same set: the radio frequency pulse follows, between its repeated applications, a periodic series for its amplitude and for a series U+t=v+i?v; and each repeated application of the gradient of magnetic field of the sequence a, according to a coding spatial direction, a non zero timing integral equal to A and identical for each application of gradient of this set.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing a magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) study in the face of inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The process includes performing a balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) pulse sequence multiple times to acquire a multiple MRF datasets from at region of interest (ROI) in a subject, wherein performing the multiple bSSFP pulse sequences includes cycling through multiple phase patterns that differ across the multiple times. The process also includes comparing the multiple MRF datasets with a MRF dictionary to determine at least one tissue property indicated by each of the multiple MRF datasets, producing an aggregated indication of the at least one tissue property, and producing at least one map of the at least one tissue property using the aggregated indication of the at least one tissue property.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The low-field magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnetics system having a plurality of magnetics components configured to produce magnetic fields for performing magnetic resonance imaging, the magnetics system comprising, a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 field for the magnetic resonance imaging system at a low-field strength of less than 0.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) shields used with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus may experience gradient field induced eddy currents and RF field induced eddy currents. These eddy currents can cause the RF shield to heat up at an undesirable rate. RF shields are designed to have a desired degree of RF shielding and a desired heating attribute. Design goals for RF shields include gradient field transparency and RF field opacity, both of which can be influenced by eddy currents. Example methods identify a gradient field that will induce eddy currents and identify an RF field that will induce eddy currents. If a region on the RF shield is identified where the desired heating attribute will not be achieved, then a pattern of axial cuts and azimuthal cuts can be made in the RF shield to reduce gradient eddy current heating in the RF shield while maintaining desired RF shielding.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a processing circuitry that executes a pulse sequence by which a data acquiring process is repeatedly performed multiple times where data is acquired every time each of waiting periods has elapsed since a tag pulse used for labeling a fluid flowing into an image taking region of a patient is applied, that acquires, at at least one time among the multiple times, data corresponding to one region by using a three-dimensional sequence, out of three-dimensional data acquired while being divided into regions, during each of the data acquiring processes corresponding to a first waiting period among the waiting periods, and that acquires data allocated to the one time by using a two-dimensional sequence, out of a slice of two-dimensional data corresponding to the entire three-dimensional data, during each of the data acquiring processes corresponding to a second waiting period different from the first waiting period.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) coil apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 900, 1000) includes a base (102, 502, 702, 902, 1002) having opposed sides (121), a surface (124) to support an object of interest (OOI) for scanning, and fasteners (127) situated at the opposed sides, A positioner (104, 304A, 304B, 504, 604, 704, 1004) is configured to be releasably attached to the base and has a body (130) extending between opposed ends and fasteners (134,) situated at the opposed ends of the body, The body is configured to form an arch between the opposed ends. An upper section (106, 606, 706, 906, 1006) has at least one RF coil array (142) for acquiring induced MR signals, and is configured to be positioned over the positioner.

Abstract: A radio-frequency shielding unit for shielding a radio-frequency antenna unit of a magnetic resonance apparatus and a magnetic resonance apparatus are provided. The radio-frequency shielding unit includes a support layer, a first conducting layer, an insulating layer, and a second conducting layer. The first conducting layer is arranged between the support layer and the insulating layer, and the insulating layer is arranged between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for estimating quantitative parameters of a subject using a magnetic resonance system. The method includes using a neural network, estimating acquisition parameters that are selected to direct a magnetic resonance system to generate a plurality of different signal evolutions that elicit discrimination between different quantitative parameters in a desired number of repetition time (TR) periods. The method also includes acquiring data with the magnetic resonance system by performing a plurality of pulse sequences using the estimated acquisition parameters, where the acquired data representing the plurality of different signal evolutions that elicit discrimination between different quantitative parameters. The method further includes estimating quantitative parameters of the subject by comparing the acquired data with a dictionary database comprising a plurality of different signal templates and generating a report indicating the quantitative parameters.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system and method for determining oil and water composition in drilling mud by separating out signals from oil and water in a two dimensional relaxation space wherein the oil and water ratio is a function of the separated out signals. The spin-lattice relaxation time distribution or a spin-spin relaxation time distribution of the sample is measured and a spin-lattice versus spin-spin or a spin-spin versus diffusion two-dimensional procedure is applied to separate the components of the drilling fluid. The signal intensities from the oil and water regions of the one-dimensional or two-dimensional NMR measurements are used to quantify the relative portion of the proton NMR signal from the oil and water and to determine the ratio of oil and water in the drilling mud.

Abstract: An adaptive magnetic resonance (MR) local coil includes at least one conductor structure. The at least one conductor structure is electrically conductive. The at least one conductor structure is at least partially ductile and/or pliable.

Abstract: A method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object is provided. The method includes applying one or more wave-encoded magnetic gradients to the object, and acquiring MR signals from the object. The method further includes calibrating a wave point-spread function, and reconstructing an image from the MR signals based at least in part on the calibrated wave point-spread function. Calibration of the wave point-spread function is based at least in part on one or more intermediate images generated from the MR signals.

Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention provides a method for cancelling environment noise of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) system that includes a receive antenna. The method comprises acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data including a noise RF ingredient via the receive antenna, acquiring noise RF data indicative of the environment noise of the MRI system, calculating a compensation factor based on the noise RF data and a part of the MR data limited to a peripheral portion of k-space storing the MR data, estimating the noise RF ingredient of the MR data as a multiplication of the noise RF data and the calculated compensation factor, and generating corrected MR data by subtracting the estimated noise RF ingredient from the MR data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system, comprising at least one SQUID, configured to receive a radio frequency electromagnetic signal, in a circuit configured to produce a pulsatile output having a minimum pulse frequency of at least 1 GHz which is analyzed in a processor with respect to a timebase, to generate a digital signal representing magnetic resonance information. The processor may comprise at least one rapid single flux quantum circuit. The magnetic resonance information may be image information. A plurality of SQUIDs may be provided, fed by a plurality of antennas in a spatial array, to provide parallel data acquisition. A broadband excitation may be provided to address a range of voxels per excitation cycle. The processor may digitally compensate for magnetic field inhomogeneities.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system, and a chip are provided for improving RF system performance in MRI systems. The apparatus includes a radio-frequency (RF) coil array disposed at least partially in a coil housing, where the RF coil array may include at least one coil configured to receive magnetic resonance (MR) RF signals. The apparatus also includes a mixer disposed in the coil housing and electronically connected to the RF coil array, where the mixer converts MR RF signals from the RF coil array to intermediate-frequency (IF) signals. An electronic amplifier is disposed in the coil housing. The electronic amplifier is electronically connected to the mixer and is configured to amplify IF signals from the mixer to amplified IF signals.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of suppressing noise in an environment of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The method comprising estimating a transfer function based on multiple calibration measurements obtained from the environment by at least one primary coil and at least one auxiliary sensor, respectively, estimating noise present in a magnetic resonance signal received by the at least one primary coil based at least in part on the transfer function, and suppressing noise in the magnetic resonance signal using the noise estimate.

Abstract: A shim system for influencing and homogenizing the magnetic field of an NMR system includes a coil former (1), an extension tube (2) and a terminal unit (3), as well as partial coils (4, 4a) that are mounted on the coil former. Terminal lines (6a, 6b) for connecting the partial coils to the terminal unit are initially electrically disconnected from one another between the coil former and the extension tube. A circuit board (5) with connection lines (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), however, is interposed between the disconnected terminal lines. This makes it possible to redesign the shim system in the mechanical construction thereof using simple technical measures and standard components, and without giving rise to significant additional costs. Therefore, production of the partial windings on the coil former can take place in a simplified, economical and automated manner, without requiring an extension tube to be already fitted.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry. The sequence control circuitry executes a first pulse sequence that acquires data by radial sampling. The sequence control circuitry executes a second pulse sequence a plurality of times by changing a frequency of magnetization transfer (MT) pulses, the second pulse sequence acquiring data by Cartesian sampling after applying an MT pulse.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging method and apparatus, an excitation pulse flips a magnetization intensity vector of nuclear spins, a subject from the Z direction into the X-Y plane; and a diffusion pulse is applied to the magnetization intensity vector flipped into the X-Y plane in order to perform diffusion weighting. A flip pulse is applied to a magnetization intensity vector that does not meet Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill conditions in the X-Y plane after diffusion weighting in order to flip it back to the Z direction. A data acquisition sequence is activated to acquire imaging data from a residual magnetization intensity vector meeting the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill conditions in the X-Y plane.

Abstract: In some aspects, a method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising a B0 magnet and at least one thermal management component configured to transfer heat away from the B0 magnet during operation is provided. The method comprises providing operating power to the B0 magnet, monitoring a temperature of the B0 magnet to determine a current temperature of the B0 magnet, and operating the at least one thermal management component at less than operational capacity in response to an occurrence of at least one event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) data includes performing a schedule optimization that sequentially selects discrimination at each trajectory to yield an optimal trajectory and controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to perform a pulse sequence using the optimal trajectory to acquire MRF data. The process also includes estimating quantitative parameters of the subject using the MRF data by comparing the MRF data to a dictionary database and generating a map of quantitative parameters of the subject using the estimated quantitative parameters of the subject and the MRF data.