Abstract: Methods and systems for recommending at least one patient interface device from among a plurality of patient interface devices for a patient. The methods and systems monitor an initial stress response of the patient upon being exposed to each of the potential patient interface devices of the plurality and from such monitoring select a device or devices that produce lesser stress responses.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-destructive testing of a sample includes a sample holder configured to contain or support the sample; an exciter configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field across the sample that operates with at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a receiver configured to detect harmonic electromagnetic signals resulting from induced electromagnetic fields oscillating with at least one frequency that is not equal to the at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a recorder configured to record the harmonic electromagnetic signals; and a processor programmed to construct an induced harmonic electromagnetic spectrum based on the harmonic electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-destructive testing of a sample includes a sample holder configured to contain or support the sample; an exciter configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field across the sample that operates with at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a receiver configured to detect harmonic electromagnetic signals resulting from induced electromagnetic fields oscillating with at least one frequency that is not equal to the at least one predetermined excitation frequency; a recorder configured to record the harmonic electromagnetic signals; and a processor programmed to construct an induced harmonic electromagnetic spectrum based on the harmonic electromagnetic signals.

Abstract: A method of performing multi-slice acceleration for MR fingerprinting includes obtaining k-space data for MR volumes; applying controlled radio frequency (RF) pulses to the MR volumes; exciting a plurality of slices within the MR volumes by the RF pulses at a same time; and producing a plurality of fingerprints from the plurality of slices. At least one set of fingerprints is compressed, and a residual signal of a plurality of signal evolutions is reduced. The method additionally includes periodically switching a weighting between a first slice and a second slice of the plurality of slices.

Abstract: A general framework is for signal encoding in MRF that enables simultaneous transmit and receive encoding to accelerate the acquisition process, or improve the fidelity of the final image/parameter-map per unit scan time. The proposed method and systems capitalize on the distinct spatial variations in the sensitivity profile of each transmit-coil to reduce the acquisition time, and/or improve the fidelity of the final parameter-map per unit time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pseudo steady state magnetic resonance fingerprinting. A representative system includes a magnetic resonance control unit. Radio frequency energy is directed in a sequence to a volume. The sequence includes at least two segments. Each segment contains a series of radio frequency pulse which may be used in concert with a series of gradient waveforms. The first segment is repeated successively until magnetization at a beginning of the segment is stable. This initial magnetization deviates from the equilibrium magnetization. Subsequently, the magnetic resonance control unit produces a plurality of imaging segments which collectively capture a high resolution 3D data set, which encodes at least one relaxation parameter into a MR fingerprint. A short delay time may be inserted between imaging sequences.

Abstract: A method of performing multi-slice acceleration for MR fingerprinting includes obtaining k-space data for MR volumes; applying controlled radio frequency (RF) pulses to the MR volumes; exciting a plurality of slices within the MR volumes by the RF pulses at a same time; and producing a plurality of fingerprints from the plurality of slices. At least one set of fingerprints is compressed, and a residual signal of a plurality of signal evolutions is reduced. The method additionally includes periodically switching a weighting between a first slice and a second slice of the plurality of slices.

Abstract: A method of acquiring PET and MR images simultaneously includes obtaining raw k-space data for continuous MR volumes and acquiring PET information. The method further includes performing a joint multi-modality image reconstruction and generating a set of PET and MR images. The method additionally includes generating a set of MR fingerprints from the reconstructed MR images and using the MR fingerprints to generate a set of parameter maps.

Abstract: A general framework is for signal encoding in MRF that enables simultaneous transmit and receive encoding to accelerate the acquistion process, or improve the fidelity of the final image/parameter-map per unit scan time. The proposed method and systems capitalize on the distinct spatial variations in the sensitivity profile of each transmit-coil to reduce the acquistion time, and/or improve the fidelity of the final parameter-map per unit time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pseudo steady state magnetic resonance fingerprinting. A representative system includes a magnetic resonance control unit. Radio frequency energy is directed in a sequence to a volume. The sequence includes at least two segments. Each segment contains a series of radio frequency pulse which may be used in concert with a series of gradient waveforms. The first segment is repeated successively until magnetization at a beginning of the segment is stable. This initial magnetization deviates from the equilibrium magnetization. Subsequently, the magnetic resonance control unit produces a plurality of imaging segments which collectively capture a high resolution 3D data set, which encodes at least one relaxation parameter into a MR fingerprint. A short delay time may be inserted between imaging sequences.

Abstract: A para-aramid fibrid film is disclosed that has at least 95% of the bonds of the polymer are para-oriented. A method for making said para-aramid fibrid film by (a) polymerizing a para-oriented aromatic diamine and a para-oriented aromatic dicarboxylic acid halide to an aramid polymer having only para-oriented bonds in a mixture of solvents consisting of N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylacetamide and calcium chloride or lithium chloride to obtain a dope wherein the polymer is dissolved in the mixture of solvents and the polymer concentration is 2 to 6 wt. %, and (b) converting the dope to para-aramid fibrid film is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-fibrous polymer solution essentially consisting of 1 to 8 wt. % para-aramid, at least 50 mole % of the aromatic moieties thereof being unsubstituted, in a mixture of a) a polar amide solvent selected from N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N?-dimethyl-formamide, N,N?-dimethylacetamide, tetramethylurea, and mixtures thereof; b) between 0.7 mole of an alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride per mole amide groups of the para-aramid and 7.5 wt. % of the alkali or alkaline earth metal chloride, and c) water; and wherein at least 50 wt. % of the formed hydrochloric acid has been neutralized to obtain a solution having a dynamic viscosity which is at least a factor three smaller than the dynamic viscosity of the polymer solution without neutralization. The invention further pertains to a process making the same and para-aramid pulp-like fiber, paper and film made from said polymer solution.

Abstract: A receiver in an adaptive pulse code modulation transmission system is provided with a pulse pattern analyzer which is responsive to at least two sequential information pulses, and a correction circuit controlled by the pulse pattern analyzer for correcting the last transmitted pulse group.