Abstract: Through advancing the phase of radio frequency (RF) excitation with each phase-encoding level, a method, apparatus and article thereof increases the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by correcting for main magnetic field inhomogeneities without noticeably decreasing the signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio. Increased effectiveness of fast imaging with steady precession (FISP) scans and using FISP scans to image multiple slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, and RF pulses are used to excite the nuclei in the patient's body, which release a corresponding RF signal as the nuclei relax, which is measured and mapped into a visual display. The RF pulses used to excite the nuclei cooperate with a slice select gradient and a phase-encoding gradient. When the RF pulse is phase shifted with each phase-encoding gradient level, improved SNR ratios are observed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating a phase-describing map in a firm that is usable to generate magnetic resonance (MR) image data, first and second sets of magnetic resonance echo raw data are acquired from a region of the examination subject, at two different echo times, said first and second sets of magnetic resonance echo raw data originating from two different chemical substance types. First and second image data sets of the defined region are reconstructed respectively from the first and second sets of magnetic resonance echo raw data. An energy function is determined that contains at least one term that places phase-describing values of map points of a phase-describing map in relation to each other dependent on a difference of the respective phase-describing values of the respective map points. The energy function is optimized to obtain an optimized phase-describing map.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for recording magnetic resonance (MR) signals from an examination object, raw data space is filled with MR signals in raw data lines. Movement information of the examination object is detected during recording of the MR signals and the movement information is grouped into different movement phases of the examination object. A temporally randomly distributed sequence of the recording of the raw data lines is determined, with which at least one predetermined portion of the raw data space is filled MR signals. The MR signals are acquired in the determined temporally randomly distributed sequence of the raw data lines in the predetermined portion. Each recorded raw data line is allocated to one of the movement phases of the examination object.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for tools having non-resonant circuits for analyzing a formation and/or a sample. For example, nuclear magnetic resonance and resistivity tools can make use of a non-resonant excitation coil and/or a detection coil. These coils can achieve desired frequencies by the use of switches, thereby removing the requirement of tuning circuits that are typical in conventional tools.

Abstract: A plug connector is disclosed for use in a magnetic resonance device. The plug connector includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part, which are configured to be detachably connected to one another. The first connecting part includes a first contact surface and the second connecting part includes a first contact plate, a second contact plate, and a housing. The second contact plate is arranged to be moved relative to the housing. In a connected state, the first contact plate is arranged between the first contact surface and the second contact plate. The electrical plug connector includes a mechanical lifting apparatus, which is configured, when the first connecting part is being connected to the second connecting part, to move the second contact plate, e.g., relative to the housing, in the direction of the first contact plate.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a gradient coil assembly. The gradient coil assembly includes an aluminum wire body, and a copper wire end connected by cold pressure welding to two ends of the aluminum wire body. Using the gradient coil according to a particular embodiment, it is possible to reduce gradient coil weight as well as reduce the thickness of an outer vacuum chamber used for a magnet, thereby reducing the cost of the magnet and gradient coil, and making it less difficult to install and maintain the magnet and gradient coil. There is no problem of oxidation associated with the cold pressure welding of the aluminum wire body to the copper wire ends, so quality defects arising from such oxidation are avoided.

Abstract: The longitudinal relaxation times (T1) of water and hydrocarbon inside porous media, such as rock from subsurface formations, behave differently when external magnetic fields vary. A Nuclear Magnetic Relaxation Dispersion (NMRD) profile from Fast Field Cycling Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FFC-NMR) technique differentiates the type of fluids filling the pores. Different types of pores in a rock sample are filled with different fluids, water and hydrocarbon, and the absolute porosity and the pore size of each type of pores is determined.

Abstract: MRI apparatus includes an RF coil device, a first radio communication unit, a second radio communication unit, an image reconstruction unit and a judging unit. The RF coil device detects an MR signal, and includes a data saving unit for storing the MR signal. The first radio communication unit wirelessly transmits the MR signal detected by the RF coil device, and the second radio communication unit receives the MR signal from the first radio communication unit. The image reconstruction unit reconstructs image data using the MR signal. The judging unit judges existence of a transmission error in radio communication between the first and second radio communication units. If the transmission error is present, the first radio communication unit wirelessly transmit the MR signal stored in the data saving unit to the second radio communication unit.

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: Magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) local coil positioning by RFID is enabled with a positioning device to detect a position of a first object relative to a position of an additional object that includes at least one RFID tag arranged on the first object and/or at least one RFID reader arranged on the additional object.

Abstract: There is provided a novel method and circuit of compensating for cross-talk between pairs of adjacent array elements of a transceiver phased array and double-tuned transceiver arrays for a magnetic resonance system using a resonant inductive decoupling circuit. The geometry and size of the resonant inductive decoupling circuit allows for the decoupling circuit to compensate for the cross-talk between array elements, including the reactive and resistive components of the mutual impedance while being sufficiently small to not distort a RF magnetic field of the array elements produced within a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phantom for quality assurance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for multi-artifact correction. An aspect of the present invention provides a phantom capable of simultaneously evaluating performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), the phantom including: a first hemispheric container; and a second hemispheric container which has the same structure and the same size as the first container, in which the first container and the second container are connected by being in direct contact with each other so as to form a symmetrical structure, each of the first container and the second container includes a teeth retainer into which a plurality of teeth mimics, which mimics teeth of a body, is inserted, and an insertion hole into which at least one bone mimic is inserted, and an interior of each of the first container and the second container is filled with at least one solution that mimics a brain metabolite.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising an inductor circular carrier, a first capacitor circular carrier, and a second capacitor circular carrier. A plurality of inductor bars are provided at intervals on the inductor circular carrier. A plurality of first capacitor elements are provided on the first capacitor circular carrier, the first capacitor circular carrier being configured to be detachably connected to one end of the inductor circular carrier, the plurality of first capacitor elements being configured to be connected to one end of the plurality of inductor bars. A plurality of second capacitor elements are provided on the second capacitor circular carrier, the second capacitor circular carrier being configured to be detachably connected to the other end of the inductor circular carrier, the plurality of second capacitor elements being configured to be connected to the other end of the plurality of inductor bars.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to one embodiment includes an arranger, a sensitivity deriver, and an image generator. The arranger arranges time-series data at a part of sampling points out of sampling points of a k-space determined based on an imaging parameter. The sensitivity deriver derives a sensitivity distribution in a time-space, in which the time-series data transformed in a time direction is expressed with a coefficient value, based on the time-series data. The image generator generates an image of the time-series data using the time-series data and the sensitivity distribution.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence controlling circuitry and image generating circuitry. The sequence controlling circuitry acquires magnetic resonance signals in an imaging region. The image generating circuitry generates an image. The sequence controlling circuitry sets timings of RF pulses such that a first time and a second time are different. Here, the first time is a time since an irradiation of a first RF pulse without selection of region until a start of acquisition. The second time is a time since an irradiation of a second RF pulse with selection of the labeling region until the start of acquisition. The second time is also a time for a liquid present in the labeling region to reach a desired position in the imaging region. The first time is also a time for longitudinal magnetization components of a background tissue to become substantially zero.

Abstract: A temperature measurement probe (130) for use in a magnetic resonance environment, includes an elongated substrate (202), at least one highly resistive, electrically conductive traces (200, 200a, 200b, 200a?, 200b?) one printed at least one thermistor (204) disposed on the substrate and electrically connected with the trace. The thermistor is configured to be placed in thermal communication with a patient in the magnetic resonance environment. In some embodiments, the printed trace may be carbon-based, silicone based, or may be a doped semiconductor material.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a portable magnetic resonance imaging system is provided, comprising a B0 magnet configured to produce a B0 magnetic field for an imaging region of the magnetic resonance imaging system, a noise reduction system configured to detect and suppress at least some electromagnetic noise in an operating environment of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system, and electromagnetic shielding provided to attenuate at least some of the electromagnetic noise in the operating environment of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system, the electromagnetic shielding arranged to shield a fraction of the imaging region of the portable magnetic resonance imaging system. According to some aspects, the electromagnetic shield comprises at least one electromagnetic shield structure adjustably coupled to the housing to provide electromagnetic shielding for the imaging region in an amount that can be varied.

Abstract: An MRI coil system (34) comprises a local RF coil assembly (36) which includes one or more RF coil elements (38). An electronic circuit (88) is operatively connected to the RF coil elements (38), which electronic circuit (88) at least converts electrical signals into optical signals. A first connector (112) is in operative communication with the electronic circuit (88). A detachable cable (40) includes a second connector (120), which selectively mates with the first connector (112) and connects the coil elements (38) and the electronic circuit to an external device.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance examination includes a radio frequency receive coil (50) and adjustable tuning circuitry (51) for adjusting the resonant frequency of the receive coil. The apparatus also includes a preamplifier (29) which amplifies signals generated by the receive coil. An adjustable feedback circuit (31) alters an effective Q of the receive coil.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance probe may include a plurality of center conductors, at least some center conductors including a conductive core and an insulator disposed at least partially about the core along at least a portion of the core, a first dielectric layer disposed at least partially about the plurality of center conductors in a proximal portion of the probe, an outer conductive layer at least partially disposed about the first dielectric layer, and a plurality of electrodes, at least one electrode being coupled to one of the center conductors and disposed at least partly on a probe surface.