Abstract: An NMR apparatus disposed in a wellbore and having an array of two or more NMR sensors located at substantially the same axial position on the NMR apparatus and having different directional sensitivities is used to acquire an NMR signal from at least two of the two or more NMR sensors. The NMR signals are combined to obtain borehole information. The borehole information may include an azimuthal image of the formation surrounding the borehole. The azimuthal image may be a formation porosity image, a formation bound fluid image, a T2 distribution image, a T2 log mean image, a formation permeability image, or a formation fluid viscosity image. If two or more pre-amplifiers and receiver circuitry are also provided, the NMR signals may be combined prior to passing through the pre-amplifiers and receiver circuitry to improve the signal to noise ratio of the total signal from the desired sample space.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for extracting information about a system of nuclear spins including: performing a plurality of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements on the system of nuclear spins; acquiring NMR data from each of the plurality of NMR measurements; performing data inversion using an random-sampler to generate an ensemble of spectra so as to extract information about the system of nuclear spins; and analyzing the performed random-sampler inversion results to extract information about the system of nuclear spins.

Abstract: A structure or method for detecting a substance using conductive surfaces. Segments of conductive wire are disposed adjacent each of the surfaces and multi-turn coils are also disposed between the two surfaces, typically such that the windings of the coils are disposed between the respective conductive wires and the surfaces. A linear chirp signal, is applied to the wire segments. With the coils deactivated, emissions from the wire induce the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). With the coils activated to generate a static magnetic field, emissions from the wire induce Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). As a result, the characteristics of a substance located between the conductive surfaces may be determined using either or both resonant modalties.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a control unit and a coil unit. The control unit generates a first clock signal, generates a data signal to indicate an operating condition, modulates the first clock signal by the data signal to obtain a modulated signal, generates a clock transmission signal including the modulated signal, and emits the clock transmission signal. The coil unit converts the clock transmission signal into an electric signal, detects the modulated signal from the clock transmission signal, generates a second clock signal synchronous with the first clock signal from the modulated signal, detects an MR signal generated in a subject, digitizes, synchronously with the second clock signal, the MR signal, detects the data signal from the detected modulated signal by using of the second clock signal, controls the operating condition of the coil unit to be the operating condition indicated by the data signal.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to one embodiment, an executing unit executes a first pre-scan and a second pre-scan, each being a pre-scan in which readout gradient magnetic fields and slice direction gradient magnetic fields are applied in an identical manner to a pulse sequence for main-scanning and in which phase encode gradient magnetic fields are applied in an identical manner to the pulse sequence for main-scanning up to just before echoes used in calculating a correction amount, and each having different predetermined imaging parameters; a calculating unit calculates, as a correction amount, an amount of phase shifting by referring to phase differences present in a plurality of echo signals that are collected during the first pre-scan and the second pre-scan; and a correcting unit corrects the pulse sequence for main-scanning based on the correction amount calculated by the calculating unit.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an executing unit, a calculating unit, and a correcting unit. The executing unit executes a first pre-scan in which a readout gradient magnetic field and a phase encoding gradient magnetic field are not applied and sampling gradient magnetic fields is applied in a phase encoding direction and a second pre-scan in which the readout gradient magnetic field is not applied, the sampling gradient magnetic field is applied at the same echo signal as that in the first pre-scan, and a representative phase encoding gradient magnetic field in a main scan. The calculating unit calculates the amount of correction from phase differences between the echo signals collected by the first pre-scan and between the echo signals collected by the second pre-scan. The correcting unit corrects the pulse sequence for the main scan on the basis of the calculated amount of correction.

Abstract: A method for producing magnetic resonance images of a subject in which artifacts resulting from a localized source, such as from pulsatile blood flow, are substantially mitigated is provided. The location of an artifact source, at which spins corresponding to flowing blood are located, is identified. Using this identified artifact source location, a region-of-saturation is calculated. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is then directed to perform a pulse sequence that results in the generation of a radio frequency (RF) saturation field being produced by an array of RF transmission coils. The RF saturation field is sized and shaped according to the calculated region-of-saturation. Images are reconstructed from image data acquired after application of the RF saturation field, and artifacts related to motion of the spins at the identified location of the artifact source are substantially mitigated in these images.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance sequence includes an interleaved slice-selective pre-pulse and a slice-selective multi-echo acquisition. This sequence is repeated with different delays between the pre-pulse and the acquisition resulting in a matrix of complex images. Based on this matrix T1 and T2 relaxations, proton density and the B1 field can be estimated. These quantified parameters enable synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and form a robust input for tissue segmentation in computer aided diagnosis for MRI.

Abstract: In a method for generating a pulse sequence for operating a magnetic resonance (MR) system for acquiring data from an examination subject having an interfering object in the patient's body, the bandwidths of at least two of the RF (radio-frequency) pulses in the pulse sequence are matched such that the matched RF pulses respectively excite a congruent slice when they are radiated into an examination subject under the effect of a slice selection gradient of identical amplitude. The matching of the RF pulses in the manner ensures so that the respective slices excited by the at least two RF pulses are subject to the same nonlinearities and inhomogeneities, and therefore the same spatial distortions, and so that signal losses due to inconsistent excitations of the two pulses are avoided. The image data that can be acquired with the pulse sequence are therefore optimized.

Abstract: A preamplifier is provided for a radio frequency (RF) receiver coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The preamplifier includes an amplifier configured to receive at least one magnetic resonance (MR) signal from the RF receiver coil and configured to generate an amplified MR signal. An input circuit is electrically connected to the amplifier. The input circuit is configured to be electrically connected to an output of the RF receiver coil for transmitting the at least one MR signal from the RF receiver coil to the amplifier. The input circuit includes an impedance transformer and a field effect transistor (FET). The FET is electrically connected between the impedance transformer and the amplifier. The FET has an FET impedance. The impedance transformer is configured to transform a source impedance of at least approximately 100 ohms. The impedance transformer is further configured to transform the FET impedance into a preamplifier input impedance of less than approximately 5 ohms.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes an RF coil, a preamplifier module, and a hub coupled to the preamplifier module via a transmission line. The preamplifier module includes an amplifier configured to amplify a magnitude of a first signal from the RF coil, the first signal having a first frequency and a diode array coupled to the amplifier. The MRI apparatus also includes an intermediate frequency (IF) circuit coupled to the transmission line and an oscillator circuit coupled to the hub and configured to supply an oscillating signal to the diode array via the transmission line to cause the diode array to mix the oscillating signal with the first signal to generate an IF signal to be received by the IF circuit via the transmission line, wherein the IF signal has a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an image generating unit and an SAR calculating unit. The image generating unit receives a magnetic resonance signal generated as a result of transmission of an RF pulse from an object, and generates image data of the object based on the magnetic resonance signal. The SAR calculating unit performs a correction operation on an energy control value of the RF pulse according to an imaging condition, and calculates an SAR value based on an energy value subjected to the correction operation.

Abstract: A method (100) that automates the process of selecting parameters for MR imaging acquisition to provide imaging with optimal image contrast.

Abstract: A lesion phantom is disclosed, which is a spherical ball having a cavity formed therein for housing contrast agents or medicines, and is enabled for the quantitative evaluation of a medical image in drug development and evaluation. In an embodiment, the cavity of the lesion phantom is coupled to a tapering ring and is configured to be sealed by a silicon plug, in order to ensure that contrast agents or medicines can be fed into the cavity easily and conveniently without causing any problem, such as overflowing, a bubble residue problem, radioactive contamination, etc. Moreover, by the arrangement of a retractable fixing bar, the positioning of the lesion phantom can be adjusted flexibly at will, and additionally by the tapering of the tapering ring, the lesion phantom can be prevented from being damaged by any extreme, sudden, unjust, or improper force exerted, and thus the lifespan of the lesion phantom can be prolonged.

Abstract: A method for performing magnetic resonance measurements on a sample includes applying a first predetermined number of pulse trains for excitation, each pulse train having a constant amplitude and including a second predetermined number of pulses spaced by a predetermined time interval. The pulse trains are modulated by a bent function. After each pulse, data is sampled. Preferably a square number of pulses is generated being constant in power, and the Walsh transform of the sequence of their phases is constant in power, so that the power of the excitation in time and frequency domain is constant. The method can reduce power requirements and may permit undercutting specific absorption rate (SAR) limits due to the small excitation power necessary to create time signals with reasonable signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an image generating unit, a judging unit and a correction unit. The image generating unit receives, from an object, a magnetic resonance signal caused by transmission of an RF pulse to cause a nuclear magnetic resonance, and generates image data of the object based on the magnetic resonance signal. The judging unit identifies an implant region where an implant part exists inside the object, based on the image data. The correction unit acquires magnetic resonance frequency information from a body region which is a region inside the object excluding the implant region, and corrects a center frequency of the RF pulse based on the magnetic resonance frequency information.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing certain types of cancers provides a nanoparticle agent to be uptaken by cancer cells for diagnosis and treatment of certain cancers. A compound containing nanoparticles is directed toward a tumor site, and then a predetermined time period passes to allow the nanoparticles to be uptaken by the cancer cells. Imaging is then performed on the nanoparticles by an appropriate imaging device to determine the concentration of nanoparticles uptaken by the cancer cells. Finally, image data provided by the imaging device is analyzed to determine the concentration of nanoparticles and thereby determine whether a tumor is present. The nanoparticle agent can further be employed as a treatment of certain cancers. After the uptake of nanoparticles into the cells, a predetermined field applied to the nanoparticles for a sufficient period of time activates the magnetic cores of the nanoparticles to include hyperthermia-mediated destruction of the cancer cells.

Abstract: A measured error magnetic field distribution is divided into eigen-mode components obtained by a singular decomposition and iron piece arrangements corresponding to respective modes are combined and arranged on a shim-tray. An eigen-mode to be corrected is selected in accordance with an attainable magnetic field accuracy (homogeneity) and appropriateness of arranged volume of the iron pieces. Because the adjustment can be made with the attainable magnetic field accuracy (homogeneity) being known, an erroneous adjustment can also be known, and the adjustment is automatically done during repeated adjustments. As a result, an apparatus with a high accuracy can be provided. In addition, there is an advantageous effect of being able to detect a poor magnet earlier by checking the attainable homogeneity.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a probe unit and a control/imaging unit. The probe unit includes a probe, a converter, a compressor and a transmitter. The control/imaging unit includes a receiver, an expander and a reconstructor. The probe detects an RF echo signal generated in a subject by a magnetic resonance phenomenon. The converter digitizes the detected signal. The compressor compresses the digitized signal in accordance with a predetermined compression parameter to obtain a compressed signal. The transmitter generates a transmission signal to wirelessly transmit the compressed echo signal and sends the transmission signal to a radio channel. The receiver receives the transmission signal and extracts the compressed signal from the received signal. The expander expands the extracted compressed signal in accordance with the parameter to obtain the RF echo signal. The reconstructor generates a video signal regarding the subject on the basis of the obtained signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for carrying out super-multiplexed magnetic resonance imaging that entwines techniques previously used individually and independently of each other in Simultaneous Echo (or Imaging) Refocusing (SER or SIR) and Multi-Band (MB) excitation, in a single pulse sequence that provides a multiplication rather than summation of desirable effects while suppressing undesirable effects of each of the techniques that previously were used independently.