Abstract: A method for accelerating magnetic resonance imaging is proposed. In 3D MRI, the method utilizes two sub-echo-trains in each repetition time for the simultaneous acquisition of two contrasts. The first sub-echo-train is a turbo spin echo train and the second sub-echo-train is a gradient echo train. The method acquires two different contrasts simultaneously in a single acquisition, for example one water image plus one fat image, or one turbo spin echo image plus one susceptibility weighted image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collector, a transformation module, an unfolding module and an inverse transformation module. The collector collects time-series k-space data of a plurality of channels while spatially changing a sampling position. The transformation module obtains transformed space data of the respective channels by applying, to the time-series k-space data of the respect channels, Fourier transform on a spatial axis and certain transformation on a temporal axis. The unfolding module eliminates a signal point on a basis of a certain criterion and performs unfolding using the transformed space data on the respective channels and sensitivity distribution information on the respective channels; and the inverse transformation module applies inverse transformation of the certain transformation on the temporal axis to an unfolded data on which the signal point has been eliminated and the unfolding has been performed.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a diffusion-weighted double-echo pulse sequence. Sampling acquires transient-state signals of the double-echo sequence. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided that improve quantification of the spin-spin relaxation (“T2”) time of an image in nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) applications using fast multi spin-echo sequences. The method employs time-efficient computer simulations for exact modeling of spurious stimulated echoes in multi-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) runs. The method employs Bloch simulations and can use a plurality of parameters to produce echo modulation curves prior to correcting distorted experimental data based on pre-calculated simulation values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe with double-layered magnets and an antenna excitation method, the nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe includes: a probe framework and a shielding layer arranged in the probe framework; a plurality of main magnets are provided above and below the shielding layer, respectively; central axes of the main magnets are parallel with each other, and distances between the central axes of each of the main magnets and a central axis of the probe framework are the same; a distance between central axes of any two main magnets is not smaller than a first preset value; and an antenna is provided at outer side of each main magnety. In the present invention, circumferential recognizing capability of the nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe can be improved and three-dimensional (radial, axial and circumferential) stratum detection can be achieved.

Abstract: An atomic magnetometer includes a vapor cell, one or more pumping lasers, a probe laser, and a sensor. The one or more pumping lasers are disposed to direct one or more laser beams though the vapor cell to interact with atoms of an atomic vapor in the vapor cell. The atomic vapor periodically absorbs light of alternating circular polarization from the one or more laser beams. The probe laser is disposed to direct polarized light to pass through the vapor cell. The sensor is disposed to intersect the polarized light from the probe laser after passing through the vapor cell.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a supporting unit, a first radio communication unit, a second radio communication unit and a power supply unit. The supporting unit supports a table inside a gantry. The first radio communication unit acquires an MR signal detected by an RF coil device, and wirelessly transmits the MR signal. The second radio communication unit receives the MR signal wirelessly transmitted from the first radio communication unit. At least a part of the power supply unit is disposed inside a bed device or inside the supporting unit. The power supply unit supplies consumed power of the RF coil device via the first radio communication unit, by wirelessly supplying electric power to the first radio communication unit.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus for eliminating motion artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging are disclosed according to the present invention. The present invention relates to magnetic resonance imaging field. The method for eliminating motion artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging according to the present invention utilizes the concept of iterative approximation to control the difference between the data lines in the K-space caused by motions and allow the common features between the data lines to be remained, such that the motion artifacts in the reconstructed image are restrained and the motion artifacts caused under various circumstances are well restrained. Accordingly, the quality of the magnetic resonance imaging is improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe with multi-layered magnet and an antenna excitation method, the nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe includes a probe skeleton, multiple magnet assemblies and a plurality of antennas; the probe skeleton is of a cylindrical shape, multiple magnet assemblies are distributed in the circumferential direction of the probe skeleton; the magnet assembly includes at least two layers of magnet arranged from top to bottom, the magnet is magnetized in a radial direction, two adjacent layers of magnet are magnetized in opposite directions; an antenna is arranged outside each magnet assembly, multiple antennas are independently fed.

Abstract: A router (60), for use with magnetic resonance systems (10), selectively routes unique excitation signals, generated by a multi-channel radio-frequency (RF) amplifier, over transmission lines (Tx) to any one of a plurality of connection panels (66) which each accepts at least one RF coil assembly having multiple coil elements (20). Each connection panel (66) includes transceiver ports (68) for connecting at least one conductor (22,24) of the coil elements (20) to a corresponding transceiver channel (T/R). The router (60) selectively routes magnetic resonance signals received by the conductors (22,24) from the transceiver channels (T/R) to a multi-channel RF receiver (41). The coin elements may carry sine-mode currents or uniform currents.

Abstract: A TEM resonator system includes at least two TEM resonators, especially in the form of TEM volume coils, and especially for use in an MR imaging system or apparatus for transmitting RF excitation signals and/or for receiving MR signals into/from an examination object or a part thereof, respectively. The TEM resonators are arranged and displaced along a common longitudinal axis, and an intermediate RF shield is positioned in longitudinal direction between the two TEM resonators for at least substantially preventing electromagnetic radiation from emanating from between the first TEM resonator and the second TEM resonator into the surroundings.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, a matching logic configured to compare a signal evolution to a known, simulated or predicted signal evolution, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of the signal evolution comparisons.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a predetermined volume within an examination object, a control protocol for a gradient echo sequence is selected that specifies that gradient moments produced in said gradient echo sequence be balanced along all three spatial directions. In this gradient echo sequence a slice selection gradient is activated in a slice selection direction that produces a balanced gradient moment, with simultaneous radiation of an RF pulse that simultaneously excites nuclear spins in multiple slices of the examination object, with said excitation being repeated according to a repetition time. A phase of MR signals to be acquired from a same one of said multiple layers is varied from repetition time-to-repetition time.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a sequence controller. The sequence controller is configured to apply MT (Magnetization Transfer) pulses having a frequency different from a resonance frequency of free water protons and then acquires magnetic resonance signals of an object to be imaged. The sequence controller acquires the magnetic resonance signals for each of multiple frequencies while changing the frequency of MT pulses within a frequency band based on a T2 relaxation time of restricted protons contained in the object to be imaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance logging instrument probe, a logging instrument and an antenna excitation method, where the probe includes: a probe framework, a magnet and an antenna; four magnets are uniformly distributed along a circumference of the probe framework, the magnets are magnetized in a radial direction of the probe framework, two magnets placed opposite to each other are magnetized from outside to inside, and the other two magnets placed opposite to each other are magnetized from inside to outside; in the probe framework, each of the magnets is provided with independently fed antennas; antennas corresponding to each of the magnets comprise a left antenna provided on one side of the corresponding magnet and a right antenna provided on the other side of the corresponding magnet; the left antenna and the right antenna corresponding to each magnet are electrically connected.

Abstract: In order to extend the lifetime of a cooler and reduce down periods of an MRI apparatus due to the maintenance, a cooling capacity of the cooler 107 of the superconducting magnet is controlled so that cooling heat absorption almost equivalent to an amount of heat penetrating into the refrigerant vessel 202 of the superconducting magnet is exerted, and pressure in the refrigerant vessel 202 is maintained within an acceptable pressure range. In addition to this, at least either change amount of magnetic field strength or magnetic field homogeneity in an imaging space due to a pressure change in the refrigerant vessel 202 is compensated by the magnetic field adjustment unit.