Abstract: Small tissue property change detection is provided for magnetic resonance (MR) guided intervention. T1 changes from before and after treatment are compared. The comparison identifies locations of possible change. The comparison is performed for different times, one before and one after a zero-crossing of a signal intensity time curve. Due to the characteristics of the T1 mapping, common locations from the different times will have reversed contrast. Clustering and this reversal are used to distinguish the treatment region from noise.

Abstract: In a method of real-time 3-D visualization and navigation for interventional procedures a position is determined at which data will be acquired, and data is acquired at the position. Features are extracted from the acquired data. A model described by the extracted features is built or updated, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters. 3-D scenes showing the interior or exterior of one or more organs are displayed using the model or data extracted from the model. A region for updating is determined.

Abstract: A method for real time monitoring of cardiac function includes defining a plurality of planes through a heart from which to acquire heart imaging data, acquiring a sequence of 2-dimensional images from said selected planes, wherein each said image comprises a plurality of intensities defined on a domain of points on a 2D grid, selecting one or more of said sequence of images to provide imaging data for monitoring heart function, wherein said remaining unselected images are adapted for diagnostic purposes, and repeating said steps of acquiring a sequence of 2-dimensional images from said selected planes and selecting one or more of said sequence of images for monitoring heart function, wherein a time sequence of images is obtained, alternating between images for monitoring heart function and images for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Small tissue property change detection is provided for magnetic resonance (MR) guided intervention. T1 changes from before and after treatment are compared. The comparison identifies locations of possible change. The comparison is performed for different times, one before and one after a zero-crossing of a signal intensity time curve. Due to the characteristics of the T1 mapping, common locations from the different times will have reversed contrast. Clustering and this reversal are used to distinguish the treatment region from noise.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study includes acquiring one or more preliminary images. A body mask is generated by thresholding the preliminary images and identifying a largest connected component. A boundary mask is obtained from the boundary of the generated body mask. A rectangular bounding box is fit to the obtained boundary mask. The rectangular bounding box is used as a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically updating a geometric model of an object of interest includes determining, automatically, a region of the geometric model for updating according to a update parameter, acquiring data at the region, extracting features from the acquired data, updating the geometric model described by the extracted features, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters, and displaying a scene showing the object of interest using the model.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for pre-processing image data of a three-dimensional volume includes providing the image data of a vessel, applying a super-sampling filter to the image data to generate super-sampled image data having an increased resolution as compared to the image data, applying an unsharp masking filter to the super-sampled image data for increasing contrast of an edge of the vessel, applying a de-noising filer for removing noise surrounding the edge after applying the unsharp masking filter, and storing the image data after applying the de-noising filter thereto.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study includes acquiring one or more preliminary images. A body mask is generated by thresholding the preliminary images and identifying a largest connected component. A boundary mask is obtained from the boundary of the generated body mask. A rectangular bounding box is fit to the obtained boundary mask. The rectangular bounding box is used as a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study.

Abstract: A method for selecting the b-values for diffusion weighted magnetic resonance scans. The method includes: identifying a single reference slice within a volume of interest (VOI); progressively changing b-values over a plurality of scans of the reference slice wherein each one of the scans has a different b-value to obtain a plurality of diffusion weighted images; calculating ADC maps for combinations of b-values from the obtained plurality of diffusion weighted images; evaluating the calculated ADC maps; selecting from the evaluation optimal b-values; and using the selected b-values for subsequent scans.

Abstract: A method for selecting the b-values for diffusion weighted magnetic resonance scans. The method includes: identifying a single reference slice within a volume of interest (VOI); progressively changing b-values over a plurality of scans of the reference slice wherein each one of the scans has a different b-value to obtain a plurality of diffusion weighted images; calculating ADC maps for combinations of b-values from the obtained plurality of diffusion weighted images; evaluating the calculated ADC maps; selecting from the evaluation optimal b-values; and using the selected b-values for subsequent scans.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for automatically updating a geometric model of an object of interest includes determining, automatically, a region of the geometric model for updating according to a update parameter, acquiring data at the region, extracting features from the acquired data, updating the geometric model described by the extracted features, wherein updating the model includes calculating at least one acquisition parameter of a set of acquisition parameters, and displaying a scene showing the object of interest using the model.

Abstract: A method for measuring pulse wave velocity through an artery. The method includes: obtaining an image of the artery; generating from the image a model of the artery; selecting two reference points along the artery, such two reference points being separated a predetermined distance, D; observing a change in the model at a first one of the two reference points and a corresponding change in the model at a second one of the two reference points along with a time difference T between the observed changes; and estimating the pulse wave velocity, PWV, in accordance with PWV=D/T.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for pre-processing image data of a three-dimensional volume includes providing the image data of a vessel, applying a super-sampling filter to the image data to generate super-sampled image data having an increased resolution as compared to the image data, applying an unsharp masking filter to the super-sampled image data for increasing contrast of an edge of the vessel, applying a de-noising filer for removing noise surrounding the edge after applying the unsharp masking filter, and storing the image data after applying the de-noising filter thereto.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for multicoil image analysis are provided, the system including a processor, an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving image data from each of a plurality of individual coils, an analysis unit in signal communication with the processor for analyzing the individual coil image data, and a reconstruction unit in signal communication with the processor for reconstructing a composite image or coil images from the individual coil image data; and the method including receiving image data from each of a plurality of individual coils, analyzing the individual coil image data, and reconstructing a composite image or coil images from the individual coil image data.

Abstract: A method of imaging a portion of a body placed in a static magnetic field by means of magnetic resonance (MR) includes the measurement of ECG data of the body in the form of a vector cardiogram, and determination of an acquisition period from the ECG data, including directional information in the vector cardiogram, in order to synchronize measurement of MR signals to a cyclic movement of the body.