Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method (a) acquires k-space data for a patient ROI over a predetermined band of RF frequencies using RF excitation pulses having respectively corresponding RF frequencies incrementally offset from a nuclear magnetic resonant (NMR) Larmor frequency for free nuclei over a predetermined range of different offset frequencies in which target macromolecule responses are expected and to process such acquired data into spectral data for voxels in the ROI; (b) analyzes the acquired spectral data to provide spectral peak width data corresponding to tissue values in the ROI for macromolecules participating in magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) effects producing said spectral data; and (c) stores and/or displays data representative of tissue values of the ROI which values are different for different tissues.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method (a) acquires k-space data for a patient ROI over a predetermined band of RF frequencies using RF excitation pulses having respectively corresponding RF frequencies incrementally offset from a nuclear magnetic resonant (NMR) Larmor frequency for free nuclei thus causing chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) effects and to process such acquired data into Z-spectra data for voxels in the ROI; (b) analyzes the acquired Z-spectra data to provide spectral peak width data corresponding to T2/T2* tissue values in the ROI for macromolecules participating in magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) effects producing said Z-spectra data; and (c) stores and/or displays data representative of T2/T2* tissue values of the ROI which values are different for different tissues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrical connector 10 having a housing 12 with at least one electrical contact 22 positioned therein. The electrical contact 22 is adapted for electrical engagement with an electrical wire 42 to be positioned within the housing 12. A spring 16 has a fixed end 17 and a free end 18, the fixed end 17 of the spring 16 is used to secure the spring 16 in the housing 12. The free end 18 of the spring 16 is positioned adjacent a tool opening 20 formed in the housing 12. The free end 18 of the spring 16 is adapted to be directly engaged by a tool 13 to be inserted through the tool opening 20 in the housing 12. The free end 18 of the spring 16 further comprises a plurality of retention tabs 35, 36, 37 formed thereon that are adapted for engaging the tool 13 when the tool 13 is inserted into the housing 12 to deflect the spring 16 and thereby allow the insertion of an electrical wire 42 into the connector 10 adjacent the electrical contact 22.