Abstract: A reference landmark extracting and pairing unit extracts reference landmarks from each of two three-dimensional medical images and forms reference landmark pairs, while a general landmark extracting unit extracts general landmarks. The landmark pair forming unit forms general landmark pairs using of a distance between each of the reference landmarks and the general landmarks, and also forms general landmark pairs from the remaining general landmarks using the distances from the general landmarks included in the general landmark pairs. A coordinate transformation parameter calculating unit calculates coordinate transformation parameters, based on the positional information of the reference landmark pairs and the general landmark pairs.

Abstract: A reference landmark extracting and pairing unit extracts reference landmarks from each of two three-dimensional medical images and forms reference landmark pairs, while a general landmark extracting unit extracts general landmarks. The landmark pair forming unit forms general landmark pairs using of a distance between each of the reference landmarks and the general landmarks, and also forms general landmark pairs from the remaining general landmarks using the distances from the general landmarks included in the general landmark pairs. A coordinate transformation parameter calculating unit calculates coordinate transformation parameters, based on the positional information of the reference landmark pairs and the general landmark pairs.

Abstract: Using medical three-dimensional image data, at least one of a volume-rendering image, a flat reformatted image on an arbitrary section, a curved reformatted image, and an MIP (maximum value projection) image is prepared as a reference image. Vessel center lines are extracted from this reference image, and at least one of a vessel stretched image based on the center line and a perpendicular sectional image substantially perpendicular to the center line is prepared. The shape of vessels is analyzed on the basis of the prepared image, and the prepared stretched image and/or the perpendicular sectional image is compared with the reference image, and the result is displayed together with the images. Display of the reference image with the stretched image or the perpendicular sectional image is made conjunctive. Correction of the center line by the operator and automatic correction of the image resulting from the correction are also possible.

Abstract: Using medical three-dimensional image data, at least one of a volume-rendering image, a flat reformatted image on an arbitrary section, a curved reformatted image, and an MIP (maximum value projection) image is prepared as a reference image. Vessel center lines are extracted from this reference image, and at least one of a vessel stretched image based on the center line and a perpendicular sectional image substantially perpendicular to the center line is prepared. The shape of vessels is analyzed on the basis of the prepared image, and the prepared stretched image and/or the perpendicular sectional image is compared with the reference image, and the result is displayed together with the images. Display of the reference image with the stretched image or the perpendicular sectional image is made conjunctive. Correction of the center line by the operator and automatic correction of the image resulting from the correction are also possible.

Abstract: Cross-correlation between a first magnetic resonance image as a reference image and a second magnetic resonance image to be adjusted relative to the first magnetic resonance image is taken, deviation of the second magnetic resonance image to the first magnetic resonance image as correction values is calculated, and the second magnetic resonance image based on the correction values is corrected.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging scheme suitable for an imaging of a physiological function information on a living body. The scheme uses a pulse sequence for realizing a first imaging scheme for obtaining the blood vessel image and a second imaging scheme for obtaining the physiological function image such as a brain function image by a single execution of the pulse sequence, where the first imaging scheme is executed before the second imaging scheme by controlling resolutions and imaging regions for the respective imaging schemes appropriately. The pulse sequence can also realize a third imaging scheme for obtaining the physical shape image, which is to be executed between the first imaging scheme and the second imaging scheme. The physiological function image can be obtained by selecting valid data from the image data acquired with/without stimulation or load by using the t-test, and determining active portions from the selected valid data by using the paired t-test.

Abstract: An active shield type gradient coil apparatus comprises main coils for generating a gradient magnetic field and shield coils for generating a magnetic field to reduce the leak magnetic field from the main coils. In the active shield type gradient coil apparatus, a stimulation output section for outputting stimulation to a subject is incorporated. In this incorporation, the main coils are arranged at the outside of an area sandwiched between the stimulation output section and the subject such that the simulation can be transmitted to the subject from the stimulation output section without being blocked by the main coils. By this arrangement, both the use of the active shield type as the gradient coil apparatus and good transmission of stimulation to the subject can be realized.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging scheme suitable for an imaging of a physiological function information on a living body. The scheme uses a pulse sequence for realizing a first imaging scheme for obtaining the blood vessel image and a second imaging scheme for obtaining the physiological function image such as a brain function image by a single execution of the pulse sequence, where the first imaging scheme is executed before the second imaging scheme by controlling resolutions and imaging regions for the respective imaging schemes appropriately. The pulse sequence can also realize a third imaging scheme for obtaining the physical shape image, which is to be executed between the first imaging scheme and the second imaging scheme. The physiological function image can be obtained by selecting valid data from the image data acquired with/without stimulation or load by using the t-test, and determining active portions from the selected valid data by using the paired t-test.