Abstract: A system and a method measure volumetric changes of brain structures. The method includes initializing an intensity value of all voxels of a 3D voxel dataset representing the brain of a subject to an initial value preferentially equal to 0. For all voxels that belong to a segmented brain structure for which reference data of a longitudinal reference model exists, automatically executing the following steps: calculating a deviation of a volume change for the segmented brain structure from the longitudinal reference model, normalizing the deviation to obtain a quantitative value of the volume change on a same scale for voxel's belonging to different brain structures; and setting the intensity value of the voxels to the previously obtained quantitative value Q. The voxels of the 3D voxel dataset are displayed in a form of a longitudinal deviation map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for automated segmentation of anatomical structures of a biological object, include acquiring an MRI image of the object constructed from a set of slices of the object, dividing the set of slices into overlapping groups of consecutive slices, and feeding each overlapping group of consecutive slices as input into a neural network for outputting a labelled map for each inputted slice. For each slice belonging to several overlapping groups, determining for each voxel a final label from specific labels assigned to the voxel by the neural network when considering the labelled maps outputted for the considered slice and assigning to each voxel the final label previously determined for the considered voxel and outputting a final segmentation map of final labels assigned to the voxels of the considered slice. A final 3D segmented image of the object is created from previously obtained final segmentation maps.

Abstract: A system and a method monitor a biological process. The method includes obtaining an abnormal tissue mask from an abnormal tissue segmentation of an image of an object containing tissue to be analyzed, the image being acquired at a time t0 being a reference time point. Other images of the object are registered onto the abnormal tissue mask, the other images being acquired at other time points. Image contrasts of the other images are normalized with respect to the contrasts of the image acquired at the reference time point. The normalized images are subtracted for each available contrast in order to obtain difference images. A joint difference image is created by summing the previously obtained difference images. A biological process progression map is created by overlapping the abnormal tissue mask obtained and the joint difference image after applying a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: A system and a method measure volumetric changes of brain structures. The method includes initializing an intensity value of all voxels of a 3D voxel dataset representing the brain of a subject to an initial value preferentially equal to 0. For all voxels that belong to a segmented brain structure for which reference data of a longitudinal reference model exists, automatically executing the following steps: calculating a deviation of a volume change for the segmented brain structure from the longitudinal reference model, normalizing the deviation to obtain a quantitative value of the volume change on a same scale for voxel's belonging to different brain structures; and setting the intensity value of the voxels to the previously obtained quantitative value Q. The voxels of the 3D voxel dataset are displayed in a form of a longitudinal deviation map.

Abstract: A system and a method monitor a biological process. The method includes obtaining an abnormal tissue mask from an abnormal tissue segmentation of an image of an object containing tissue to be analyzed, the image being acquired at a time t0 being a reference time point. Other images of the object are registered onto the abnormal tissue mask, the other images being acquired at other time points. Image contrasts of the other images are normalized with respect to the contrasts of the image acquired at the reference time point. The normalized images are subtracted for each available contrast in order to obtain difference images. A joint difference image is created by summing the previously obtained difference images. A biological process progression map is created by overlapping the abnormal tissue mask obtained and the joint difference image after applying a pre-defined threshold.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus, deficiencies in conventional masking in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) are addressed by the inclusion of an additional step in the conventional QSM post-processing pipeline. In this additional step, atlas-based segmentation techniques, which have been developed for morphological applications such as T1w MPRAGE are used in order to provide the mask. This mask is then fed to the remainder of the QSM post-processing pipeline.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus, deficiencies in conventional masking in quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) are addressed by the inclusion of an additional step in the conventional QSM post-processing pipeline. In this additional step, atlas-based segmentation techniques, which have been developed for morphological applications such as T1w MPRAGE are used in order to provide the mask. This mask is then fed to the remainder of the QSM post-processing pipeline.

Abstract: A method for acquiring raw data for generating image data of a target organ via a magnetic resonance system is described. In an embodiment, test raw data is initially acquired from a measurement region including at least the target organ using a plurality of magnetic resonance coils. Test image data is reconstructed from the test raw data. Furthermore, a mask defining the position and the dimensions of the target organ is generated using the reconstructed test image data. The magnetic resonance coils, to be used for the image acquisition, are then selected. This takes place on the basis of intensity values from a region covered by the mask and intensity values of a measurement region lying outside of the mask. Finally, the measurement is performed by acquiring raw data via the selected magnetic resonance coils. Furthermore, a device for acquiring raw data for generating image data is also described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for analyzing pathological changes to anatomic areas in examination objects. In such cases, the method includes the segmentation of 3D data of the anatomic area, its standardization, comparison with a reference model and assignment of a deviation value and intensity value from an intensity scale to the anatomic area. The intensity value of the diagrammatic display of the standardized anatomic area allows the person skilled in the art to determine pathological changes to the anatomic area in a quick and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A method for acquiring raw data for generating image data of a target organ via a magnetic resonance system is described. In an embodiment, test raw data is initially acquired from a measurement region including at least the target organ using a plurality of magnetic resonance coils. Test image data is reconstructed from the test raw data. Furthermore, a mask defining the position and the dimensions of the target organ is generated using the reconstructed test image data. The magnetic resonance coils, to be used for the image acquisition, are then selected. This takes place on the basis of intensity values from a region covered by the mask and intensity values of a measurement region lying outside of the mask. Finally, the measurement is performed by acquiring raw data via the selected magnetic resonance coils. Furthermore, a device for acquiring raw data for generating image data is also described.