Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system to be used over a target area of a subject includes first and second RF coils for receiving an RF signal from the subject. The first RF coil is fixed to a position device and movable over the target area of subject. The second RF coil is larger than the first RF coil and has a larger field of view than the first RF coil. The system further includes an image processing device programmed to process RF signals coupled from the first RF coil and the second RF coil to form an MRI image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for positioning a therapeutic device relative to a target displaced on a platform. A base member has a first track extending along a length of the platform for defining a first pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. A curved frame is slidably mounted on the base member through the first track. The curved frame has a second track along an interior wall of the curved frame for defining a second pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. A housing is disposed in the second track of the curved frame and configured to receive the therapeutic device. The housing is extendible at least along a radial direction of the curved frame for defining a third pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. Applications of the systems and methods may include image-guided thermal therapy.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system to be used over a target area of a subject includes first and second RF coils for receiving an RF signal from the subject. The first RF coil is fixed to a position device and movable over the target area of subject. The second RF coil is larger than the first RF coil and has a larger field of view than the first RF coil. The system further includes an image processing device programmed to process RF signals coupled from the first RF coil and the second RF coil to form an MRI image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for positioning a therapeutic device relative to a target displaced on a platform. A base member has a first track extending along a length of the platform for defining a first pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. A curved frame is slidably mounted on the base member through the first track. The curved frame has a second track along an interior wall of the curved frame for defining a second pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. A housing is disposed in the second track of the curved frame and configured to receive the therapeutic device. The housing is extendible at least along a radial direction of the curved frame for defining a third pathway for translating the therapeutic device relative to the target. Applications of the systems and methods may include image-guided thermal therapy.

Abstract: An electric driving scissors provide a high torsion force. The electric driving scissors includes a casing, a motor, a driving disk, a crank, and a cutting unit with a pair of knives. The driving disk, crank and knives of the cutting unit are connected pivotally and eccentrically. The motor is installed with a speed change means so that the rotation speed of the motor can be reduced to a lower speed in the rotary shaft with a higher torsion force. Thereby, a hard object can be cut. Furthermore, by the eccentric hole of the driving disk, the axial hole and pivotal hole at two ends of the crank, the rotary shaft of the motor can rotate, while the crank move linearly. Thereby, the angle of the movable knife of the cutting unit is changeable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining three MRI image data in a single data acquisition TR interval for use in constructing separate water and fat images by appropriate processing of the three images data is disclosed. The three image data are obtained in one exemplary embodiment by sandwiching a spin echo between two field echoes. The invention can also be used for multiple-echo and multiple-slice 3D scans.

Abstract: An NMR parallel imaging method and apparatus in a single sequence has a plurality of RF pulses applied substantially simultaneously, each having a different frequency, in the same contiguous time period in a subinterval of time during which the select slice magnetic gradient is applied, to activate a plurality of different physical slices. The refocusing RF pulses also comprise a plurality of RF pulses each having a different frequency, applied non-simultaneously but within the same slice select magnetic gradient in the same subinterval of time. A plurality of echo signals from the plurality of different excited slices are then read out during the same single read out magnetic pulse in the same subinterval. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be applied in MRI spin echo, pre-saturation or inversion.

Abstract: At least one extra NMR measurement cycle is performed without any imposed magnetic gradients during readout and recordation of the NMR RF response. Calibration data derived from this extra measurement cycle or cycles can be used for resetting the RF transmitter frequency and/or for phase shifting other conventionally acquired NMR RF response data to compensate for spurious changes in magnetic fields experienced during the NMR data measuring processes. Some such spurious fields may be due to drifting of the nominally static magnetic field. Another source of spurious fields are due to remnant eddy currents induced in surrounding conductive structures by magnetic gradient pulses employed prior to the occurrence of the NMR RF response signal. Special procedures can be employed to permit the compensation data itself to be substantially unaffected by relatively static inhomogeneities in the magnetic field and/or by differences in NMR spectra of fat and water types of nuclei in imaged volumes containing both.

Abstract: Reduced T2 decay is achieved through use of at least one asymmetrically truncated RF nutation pulse and an asymmetrically sampled NMR RF response with missing asymmetric data being supplied by complex conjugate synthesis.