Abstract: An open MRI or other diagnostic imaging system (A) generates a three-dimensional diagnostic image representation, which is stored in an MRI image memory (26). A laser scanner or other surface imaging system (B) generates a volumetric surface image representation that is stored in a surface image memory (34). Typically, the volume and surface images are misaligned and the magnetic resonance image may have predictable distortions. An image correlating system (C) determines offset, scaling, rotational, and non-linear corrections to the magnetic resonance image representation, which are implemented by an image correction processor (48). The corrected magnetic resonance image representation and the surface image representation are combined (50) and stored in a superimposed image memory (52). A video processor (54) generates image representations from selected portions of the superimposed image representation for display on a human-readable monitor (56).

Abstract: A three-dimensional fast spin echo (FSE) scan is performed by stepping (220) through a plurality of phase encode k-space views from a computed view list (210). The view list is computed such that (i) magnetic resonance echoes having a selected image contrast are encoded in the center of k-space, (ii) adjacent data lines in k-space have similar contrast, and (iii) common planes of data lines in k-space are completed at regular intervals. As each data line is read, it is Fourier transformed (230) and stored (240) within a fast-access memory (52). Once a plane of data lines is acquired, it is Fourier transformed (250) along a second direction using a plurality of parallel processors (54). The twice-transformed data is stored (260) in conventional memory (56). Once all of the phase encode views on the view list are acquired, a final Fourier transform (60) along a third direction is performed (270), rendering a volumetric image representation.

Abstract: After exciting dipoles in an examination region (60), a train of magnetic resonance echoes including echoes (66.sub.1, 66.sub.2, . . . ) is induced, e.g., with a series of refocusing pulses including pulses (68.sub.1, 68.sub.2, . . . ). The echoes are phase and frequency-encoded. A receiver 38 is gated by a gate circuit (82) to sample the even echoes (66.sub.2 -66.sub.10) and the odd echoes (66.sub.5 -66.sub.10) that occur after a threshold odd echo such as the third echo (66.sub.3) so as to generate an image of a common physical region which exhibits reduced motion artifacts.