Abstract: Image guided interventions are performed in a sterile environment. A device is provided for imaging at least a part of a patient, wherein the device includes a detection apparatus having a tunnel through which or into which the patient is configured to be transported for imaging purposes. A sterile cover rolled up or folded is provided at the outside of the tunnel. A covering mechanism is capable of unrolling or unfolding the sterile cover and draping the sterile cover in the tunnel, such that the inner wall of tunnel is at least partially covered by the sterile cover.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning and/or aligning a needle-shaped instrument more easily during an MR image-guided invasive procedure. An insertion apparatus is provided having a pen-shaped main body that has a longitudinal axis. In addition, the insertion apparatus has a guidance facility in or on the main body for guiding the predefined needle-shaped instrument parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body. In the main body is provided a 3D magnetic field sensor for measuring magnetic field values with respect to three orthogonal spatial directions. A signal interface is used to convey the magnetic field values to an analysis facility external to the insertion apparatus.

Abstract: In a method for synchronous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and radiation therapy using a combined system having a radiation apparatus and an MR imaging apparatus, wherein the system is designed to record MR signals of a subject during irradiation of the subject, a three-dimensional MR volume data set of the subject is acquired that contains a target volume for the irradiation, the location of a central beam of the radiation therapy apparatus relative to the subject, is continuously determined, and a second MR image data set is determined, which is positioned essentially perpendicular to the central beam. If the location of the central beam changes, a correspondingly changed second MR image data set is determined perpendicular to the central beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insertable patient table for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, wherein the patient table has a length of up to ± 20 % of the length of the bore of the main magnet of the scanner and is adapted for pediatric and/or small patients, and wherein the patient table is adapted to be inserted into the bore of the main magnet without having a stand standing on the floor of an examination room. The invention further relates to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner comprising an insertable patient table and a method for positioning a small and/or pediatric patient within the bore of a main magnet of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner.

Abstract: An instrument, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and a method for operating the magnetic resonance imaging scanner with the instrument in which the instrument is aligned with a patient. The medical instrument comprises a first projector for projecting a luminous pointer in a predetermined alignment relative to the medical instrument. The magnetic resonance imaging scanner comprises a positioning aid configured to mark a predetermined position on an inner wall of a patient tunnel in a manner that is visible to a user.

Abstract: One or more example embodiments relate to a positioning support system for positioning a medical device based on at least one medical image, the positioning support system comprising at least one channel for the medical device and configured to be pierced with the medical device, the channel configured to be at an acute first angle to a normal of a surface, the channel including a water-containing medium including at least one polymerizable component, the water-containing medium being configured to cure after being pierced with the medical device when the medical device is coated with a polymerization catalyst, wherein the positioning support system is configured to be placed on the surface, and the positioning support system permits the medical device in the water-containing medium to be depicted in the at least one medical image.

Abstract: A patient positioning apparatus may include a compressor, a support surface having an upper side with at least one upper opening pore and a lower side with at least two lower opening pores, and a valve having at least one first setting connecting the compressor to at least one lower opening pore of the at least two lower opening pores by a first line and a second setting connecting the compressor to the at least one upper opening pore by a second line. The compressor can create an overpressure in the first line and/or the second line, and/or create a vacuum in the first line and/or the second line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and to a method for fixing a target object in place and for orienting an instrument relative to the target object which has been fixed in place. The target object is here fixed in place by a first mask element. A second mask element is arranged on the outside thereof. By an adjusting facility, the second mask element may then be shifted relative to the first mask element, whereby the instrument retained by or passed through the second mask element is oriented.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for a magnetic resonance unit which is configured for use during a magnetic resonance examination with a medical magnetic resonance device, having a housing unit, wherein the magnetic resonance unit has an information unit which is arranged on the housing unit and is acquirable by means of a magnetic resonance sequence.

Abstract: In a method for synchronous magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and radiation therapy using a combined system having a radiation apparatus and an MR imaging apparatus, wherein the system is designed to record MR signals of a subject during irradiation of the subject, a three-dimensional MR volume data set of the subject is acquired that contains a target volume for the irradiation, the location of a central beam of the radiation therapy apparatus relative to the subject, is continuously determined, and a second MR image data set is determined, which is positioned essentially perpendicular to the central beam. If the location of the central beam changes, a correspondingly changed second MR image data set is determined perpendicular to the central beam.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system that is designed to carry out an examination of an examination object, and has an RF controller, a gradient controller and an image sequence controller, which are designed to acquire MR data of a volume portion of the examination object. An arithmetic unit of the magnetic resonance system is designed to reconstruct MR images from the acquired MR data. A standardized REST-based HTTP radio interface of the magnetic resonance system is designed to establish a standardized wireless connection to at least one external device.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for identifying an organ structure of an examined object in magnetic resonance image data, magnetic resonance measurement data for the organ structure of the examined object are acquired by operation of a magnetic resonance scanner using a magnetic resonance sequence that specifies a sampling scheme of k-space. Magnetic resonance image data are reconstructed from the magnetic resonance measurement data. The organ structure is identified in the magnetic resonance image data. The sampling scheme of k-space is selected so as to support the subsequent identification of the organ structure in the magnetic resonance image data reconstructed from the magnetic resonance measurement data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for preparing a repeat intervention on the skin of a patient. This may include acquiring first image data of an intervention region during a first intervention on the skin of the patient. At least two landmarks may be identified on the skin of the patient on the basis of the acquired first image data. A position of the first intervention is then determined with the aid of the landmarks as reference points. In addition, the position of the first intervention and of the landmarks may be stored in a data memory unit. A position of the second intervention is subsequently localized on the basis of the stored position and of the at least two landmarks.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus is designed to acquire medical imaging data of a patient during a medical imaging examination and has a medical data acquisition scanner, which has a patient reception area at least partially enclosed by the scanner, inside of which a body area of a patient for examination is situated during the medical imaging examination. A positioning unit has a projector and at least one positioning surface situated inside the patient reception area. The projector is designed to project at least one item of anatomical information onto the at least one positioning surface inside the patient reception area.

Abstract: A method for determining a change over time in a biomarker in a region to be examined of a patient is provided. The change is determined from magnetic resonance data using a magnetic resonance measuring system with sequences and protocols for measuring the biomarkers by functional resting state connectivity by rsfMRI, perfusion values, magnetic resonance spectra of voxels, or morphometry of organs. A control unit has programs which evaluates the biomarker and a data memory which stores the results of the evaluation and additional data. During a first examination, a quantity result of the biomarkers is determined and stored in the data memory. During a follow-up examination, at least one previous item of the result and additional data from the first examination stored in the data memory are used for determining a quantitative change in the biomarker.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vascular access device, comprising a vascular cannula having a catheter portion for insertion into a blood vessel such as a vein of a patient, and a fixing portion for fixing the vascular cannula to a skin of a patient. The fixing portion and/or a plaster used to fix the fixing portion to the skin comprises at least one local reception coil element for receiving magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for monitoring a radiation therapy of a patient, first MR image data are acquired with a quantitative magnetic resonance method before an irradiation of a target area of the patient, and second MR image data are acquired with the quantitative magnetic resonance method after the irradiation of the target area of the patient. The first MR image data and the second MR image data are compared, and output information is generated on the basis of a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and system are provided for magnetic resonance (MR) image-guided insertion of an object into a biological tissue along a predetermined trajectory. The trajectory provides a path between a starting point and a target site within the tissue. Sufficiently high resolution images can be generated in real time to precisely guide the needle placement. A compressed sensing approach is used to generate the images based on minimization of a cost function, where the cost function is based on the predetermined needle path, artifact effects associated with the needle, the negligible changes in the images away from the trajectory, and the limited differences between successive images. The improved combination of spatial and temporal resolution facilitates an insertion procedure that can be continuously adjusted to accurately follow a predetermined trajectory in the tissue, without interruptions to obtain verification images.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for preparing a repeat intervention on the skin of a patient. This may include acquiring first image data of an intervention region during a first intervention on the skin of the patient. At least two landmarks may be identified on the skin of the patient on the basis of the acquired first image data. A position of the first intervention is then determined with the aid of the landmarks as reference points. In addition, the position of the first intervention and of the landmarks may be stored in a data memory unit. A position of the second intervention is subsequently localized on the basis of the stored position and of the at least two landmarks.

Abstract: Sterile RF coil arrangements for use in magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The sterile coil arrangements can be formed by spraying or coating a curable liquid onto an RF coil housing and allowing the liquid to cure or dry to form a continuous sterile layer on the coil housing. The thickness of the sterile layer can be between 100 and 1000 micrometers. The curable liquid can include an antimicrobial or antibacterial agent, such as silver ions or triclosan, to better maintain sterility of the coil arrangement. The curable liquid can be selected such that it adheres to the housing when cured and is also removable without leaving residue behind.