Abstract: A hydrostatic teleoperator is provided to allow physicians remote access inside a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) bore.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a fluid injection procedure is provided. The method includes: disposing a sensor on a catheter, where the sensor is in proximity to a tip of the catheter; inserting at least the tip of the catheter into a patient; delivering a fluid to a location within the patient via the tip of the catheter; and automatically monitoring a sensor signal from the sensor while the fluid is being delivered. Reflux end-point detection using an electrical impedance sensor has been demonstrated in a phantom. Applications include embolotherapy and angiography.

Abstract: Multi-shot diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging acquires multiple k-space segments of diffusion-weighted MRI data, estimates reconstructed multi-shot diffusion weighted images, and combines the estimated images to obtain a final reconstructed MRI image. The estimation of images iteratively calculates updated multi-shot images from the multiple k-space segments and current multi-shot images using a convex model without estimating motion-induced phase, constructs multiple locally low-rank spatial-shot matrices from the updated multi-shot images, and calculates current multi-shot images from spatial-shot matrices.

Abstract: Improved motion correction for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. An MR imaging method provides a first sequence of MR images and a second sequence of MR images where: 1) the two sequences are inherently spatially co-registered and synchronous with each other; 2) the first sequence includes signal variation due to one or more causes other than motion or deformation; and 3) the second sequence does not include the signal variation of the first sequence. In this situation, the second sequence can be used to perform motion correction for the first sequence. One example of this approach is Dixon MR imaging, where the water images are the first sequence and the fat images are the second sequence.

Abstract: Multi-shot diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging acquires multiple k-space segments of diffusion-weighted MRI data, estimates reconstructed multi-shot diffusion weighted images, and combines the estimated images to obtain a final reconstructed MRI image. The estimation of images iteratively calculates updated multi-shot images from the multiple k-space segments and current multi-shot images using a convex model without estimating motion-induced phase, constructs multiple locally low-rank spatial-shot matrices from the updated multi-shot images, and calculates current multi-shot images from spatial-shot matrices.

Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided that includes using a magnetic resonance imaging system to excite a field of view (FOV) for a target being imaged, using an excitation plan to limit the excited FOV to a relatively narrow band of magnetization, exciting multiple bands of magnetization simultaneously, applying phase encoding along a shortest FOV dimension, acquiring a signal from said simultaneously excited bands of magnetization, and reconstructing and outputting a target image from the acquired signal.

Abstract: A method of real-time 3D flexible needle tracking for image-guided surgery is provided that includes uploading, using a controller, a virtual model of a flexible needle to a calibrated 3D mixed reality headset, where the virtual model, establishing an initial position of a base of a flexible needle relative to a target under test, using the controller and the flexible needle, where the flexible needle includes sensors spanning from the base to along a length of the flexible needle, where the sensors communicate a position, a shape, and an orientation of the flexible needle to the controller, where the controller communicates the sensor positions to the calibrated 3D mixed-reality headset, and using the calibrated 3D mixed-reality headset to display in real-time a position and shape of the flexible needle relative to the target under test.

Abstract: Improved motion correction for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. An MR imaging method provides a first sequence of MR images and a second sequence of MR images where: 1) the two sequences are inherently spatially co-registered and synchronous with each other; 2) the first sequence includes signal variation due to one or more causes other than motion or deformation; and 3) the second sequence does not include the signal variation of the first sequence. In this situation, the second sequence can be used to perform motion correction for the first sequence. One example of this approach is Dixon MR imaging, where the water images are the first sequence and the fat images are the second sequence.

Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided that includes using a magnetic resonance imaging system to excite a field of view (FOV) for a target being imaged, using an excitation plan to limit the excited FOV to a relatively narrow band of magnetization, exciting multiple bands of magnetization simultaneously, applying phase encoding along a shortest FOV dimension, acquiring a signal from said simultaneously excited bands of magnetization, and reconstructing and outputting a target image from the acquired signal.

Abstract: Various aspects as described herein are directed to methods and systems that include a tissue-engagement apparatus. The tissue-engagement apparatus includes a distal needle portion having a sharp-end region to be applied to a tissue surface. The tissue-engagement apparatus also includes a proximate needle portion to attach to a needle base, and an elongated needle portion, situated between the distal needle portion. The elongated needle portion includes a plurality of openings that accentuate haptic-type forces carried by the elongated needle portion in response to engagement between the sharp-end region and the tissue surface. Additionally, the proximate needle portion includes a communication pathway that conveys information, from the distal needle portion along the elongated needle portion, which characterizes forces due to the engagement between the sharp-end region and the tissue surface.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to master-slave apparatuses as well as methods of making and implementing the same. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a master platform having a manipulation section, and a slave platform mechanically coupled to the master platform and having an interventional-delivery section that secures an interventional tool. The slave platform moves in accordance to three-dimensional movement of the master platform, via supports having a portion thereof fixed relative to the other supports. Each support operates with a respective one of the master and slave platforms for effecting three-dimensional movement of the slave platform, in response to and while tracking (e.g., transmitting) the movement of the master platform, thereby providing control over the interventional tool via the manipulation section of the master platform.

Abstract: A system and method for breast imaging is disclosed. The system is constructed as a modular RF coil system for an MR imaging apparatus and includes a fitted coil former constructed to have a shape and size so as to substantially conform to a breast of a patient to be imaged and a receiver coil array positioned on the fitted coil former and having a plurality of receiver coils arranged to form a coil array. At least one of a size of each of the plurality of receiver coils and a number of the plurality of receiver coils is based on a size of the fitted coil former. Based on its coil arrangement and its proximity to the breasts of the patient to be imaged, the receiver coil array of the modular RF coil system is capable of receiving MR data for parallel imaging.

Abstract: A system and method for breast imaging is disclosed. The system is constructed as a modular RF coil system for an MR imaging apparatus and includes a fitted coil former constructed to have a shape and size so as to substantially conform to a breast of a patient to be imaged and a receiver coil array positioned on the fitted coil former and having a plurality of receiver coils arranged to form a coil array. At least one of a size of each of the plurality of receiver coils and a number of the plurality of receiver coils is based on a size of the fitted coil former. Based on its coil arrangement and its proximity to the breasts of the patient to be imaged, the receiver coil array of the modular RF coil system is capable of receiving MR data for parallel imaging.

Abstract: Temperature in frozen tissue can be measured from magnetic resonance signals from the frozen tissue based on spin-spin relaxation time (T2) or based on relative intensity of the magnetic resonance signals. Short echo times are required, and use of tailored RF pulses, non-Cartesian readouts, and multi-slice and 3D k-space acquisitions are preferably employed.