Abstract: A stator-less electric motor for an MRI system is provided. The stator-less electric motor includes a body, a rotor rotatable connected to the body, and at least one coil winding disposed on the rotor. The at least one coil winding is arranged so as to rotate the rotor when energized via an electrical current in the presence of a magnetic field generated by a magnet assembly of the MRI system.

Abstract: A body coil support structure includes an elongate support member. The elongate support member defines an opening and an examination axis passing through the opening along a length of the elongate support member. The opening is configured to accept an object to be imaged. The elongate support member has a target shape for use during operation of the MRI system, with the elongate support member configured to be subjected to an operational load during operation. In a design state, the elongate support member defines a design shape, with the elongate support member not subjected to the operational load in the design state. In an installed state after installation in the MRI system, the elongate support member defines an operational shape. The elongate support member is subjected to the operational load in the installed state. The operational shape is closer to the target shape than is the design shape.

Abstract: A PET-MRI system for imaging an object is provided. The PET-MRI system includes a magnetic resonance imaging sub-system, a positron emission tomography sub-system, an optical sensor, and a data processing controller. The magnetic resonance imaging sub-system includes a surface coil that acquires magnetic resonance signals from the object. The positron emission tomography sub-system acquires PET emissions from the object. The optical sensor detects at least one of a spatial location and a shape of the surface coil. The data processing controller communicates with the magnetic resonance imaging sub-system, the positron emission tomography sub-system, and the optical sensor, and utilizes at least one of the detected spatial location and the detected shape of the surface coil to correct the acquired PET emissions for attenuation.

Abstract: A stator-less electric motor for an MRI system is provided. The stator-less electric motor includes a body, a rotor rotatable connected to the body, and at least one coil winding disposed on the rotor. The at least one coil winding is arranged so as to rotate the rotor when energized via an electrical current in the presence of a magnetic field generated by a magnet assembly of the MRI system.

Abstract: A PET-MRI system for imaging an object is provided. The PET-MRI system includes a magnetic resonance imaging sub-system, a positron emission tomography sub-system, an optical sensor, and a data processing controller. The magnetic resonance imaging sub-system includes a surface coil that acquires magnetic resonance signals from the object. The positron emission tomography sub-system acquires PET emissions from the object. The optical sensor detects at least one of a spatial location and a shape of the surface coil. The data processing controller communicates with the magnetic resonance imaging sub-system, the positron emission tomography sub-system, and the optical sensor, and utilizes at least one of the detected spatial location and the detected shape of the surface coil to correct the acquired PET emissions for attenuation.

Abstract: A radio frequency coil includes a body having an inner wall and an outer wall opposite the inner wall. The body is configured to fit over an imaging bore of a magnetic resonance imaging system such that the inner wall is closer to the imaging bore than the outer wall. The body may have a cooling duct embedded in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall and configured to direct a coolant to at least one assembly component disposed in the magnetic resonance imaging system. The cooling duct may be formed by the body. A phase change material may be disposed on the body or embedded in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall. The phase change material may be configured to absorb heat emitted by at least one assembly component of the magnetic resonance imaging system.

Abstract: A body coil support structure includes an elongate support member. The elongate support member defines an opening and an examination axis passing through the opening along a length of the elongate support member. The opening is configured to accept an object to be imaged. The elongate support member has a target shape for use during operation of the MRI system, with the elongate support member configured to be subjected to an operational load during operation. In a design state, the elongate support member defines a design shape, with the elongate support member not subjected to the operational load in the design state. In an installed state after installation in the MRI system, the elongate support member defines an operational shape. The elongate support member is subjected to the operational load in the installed state. The operational shape is closer to the target shape than is the design shape.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus having multiple image projecting units for projecting images for a subject to view is disclosed. The medical imaging apparatus is present in a scanning room for performing imaging of the subject. The medical imaging apparatus includes a table for holding the subject. The table along with the subject is facilitated by an image capturing subsystem to pass therethrough for capturing medical images of the subject. The multiple image projecting units are configured within the image capturing subsystem for projecting images to one or more of walls of the scanning room and an inner surface of the image capturing subsystem.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an improved system and method for patient communication during MR procedures. In one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The system includes a scanner having an opening configured to receive a patient and being operable to perform a magnetic resonance imaging sequence. The system also includes a visual communication device disposed in the opening of the scanner and being operable to capture an image of the patient and transmit the image to circuitry outside of the scanner.