Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, system (2), comprises MRI electronics, including a transmitting coil (11) for transmitting radio frequency, RF, signals and a receiving coil (12) for receiving RF signals; and/or a transmitting/receiving coil (3) for transmitting and receiving RF signals; and cables (22), connecting the transmitting coil (11), receiving coil (12) and/or transmitting/receiving coil (3) to other electronic elements.

Abstract: There is provided a method of determining a scan sequence for magnetic resonance imaging—MRI. The method comprises: receiving an indication of one or more selected imaging parameters for the MRI; and based on the selected imaging parameters, determining the scan sequence usable by an MRI apparatus to perform the MRI, wherein determining the scan sequence comprises configuring the scan sequence to modulate gradient noise arising from the MRI apparatus during the MRI to deliver a first audible signal to the patient, wherein the first audible signal is configured to perform auditory stimulation of slow wave activity in the patient.

Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system (1) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, a solution for compensating residual coupling of RF receive coil elements (2) in the radio frequency (RF) receiver (1) system shall be created. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, the RF receiver system (1) comprising at least two simultaneously used RF receive coil elements (2), wherein the RF receive coil element (2) comprises a signal generator (3) for providing a compensation signal and an excitation path (4), wherein the excitation path (4) is configured to couple the compensation signal into the RF receive coil element (2), for reducing residual coupling in the RF receiver system (1) by means of the compensation signal coupled into the RF receive coil element (2).

Abstract: In order to improve workflow efficiency and/or patient experience during a scan procedure, a system is proposed to provide—prior to arrival at the hospital—an indication of the suitability of a patient to be assigned to a specific level of autonomy in a medical scanning procedure. The system comprises a scan simulation module, a patient monitoring module, and a patient profile generation module. The scan simulation module comprises one or more sensory stimulation devices configured to apply at least one sensory stimulus over a patient to simulate a scan environment that may be experienced by a patient during a scan procedure. The patient monitoring module comprises one or more sensors configured to acquire data of the patient in the simulated scan environment. The patient profile generation module is configured to determine a state of anxiety of the patient based on the acquired data and to create a patient profile comprising the determined state of anxiety of the patient in the simulated scan environment.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) transmit—receive coil for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system includes an integrated vital signs detector for the detection of vital signs of a patient within the MR imaging system. The coil includes a contactless sensor system for monitoring vital signs, which makes it easier to measure vital signs of the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for magnetic resonance imaging, comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging device (2), and a control unit (3) configured to control the magnetic resonance imaging device (2), wherein the magnetic resonance imaging device (2) comprises a magnetic resonance bore (4), a movable table (5) configured to be movable in and out of the magnetic resonance bore (4), and at least two surface coils (24) comprising coil elements (26), the two surface coils (24) being configured to be adjacently positioned with relative overlap to each other on the movable table (5), such that at least one coil element of a first surface coil overlaps a coil element of a second surface coil. Each of the at least two surface coils (24) comprises an outer cover (25), an inner core (26), which is configured to slide laterally in two dimensions within the outer cover (25), and an actuator (27), the inner core corresponding to the coil elements (26).

Abstract: The present invention relates to patient positioning. In order to improve patient positioning during a scan, an autonomous motion positioner is proposed using a critical range, which may correspond to maximum corrections achievable by the scanner hardware and the maximum tolerable image distortions. The critical range is determined based on one or more machine settings of the medical imaging system. As the machine setting(s) may vary in a given imaging exam, the critical range may dynamically change in response to a change of the machine setting in the given imaging exam. External sensors may measure, via a feedback loop, the deviation from the start position, i.e. the imaging pose position. If patient motion is too large and the motion parameter (e.g. translation and/or rotation) exceeds the determined critical range, then the scan process may be stopped. The autonomous scanner may hold in an idle mode. During that mode, the patient may be guided to retake its original position via a feedback system.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, system (2), comprises MRI electronics, including a transmitting coil (11) for transmitting radio frequency, RF, signals and a receiving coil (12) for receiving RF signals; and/or a transmitting/receiving coil (3) for transmitting and receiving RF signals; and cables (22), connecting the transmitting coil (11), receiving coil (12) and/or transmitting/receiving coil (3) to other electronic elements.

Abstract: A system (SYS) and related method for supporting MR imaging. The system (SYS) comprises a logic (CL) to receive a measurement from RF sensors (SS1-8) arrangeable outside a bore (BR) of an MR imaging apparatus (IA). The logic processes the measurement to establish i) whether there is at least one surface RF coil present that is not electrically coupled to circuitry (SPC) of the MR imaging apparatus (IA) and/or ii) to localize at least one surface RF coil on or at a patient table (PT) of the MR imaging apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a system (100) for determining patient (P) movement for a medical imaging system, comprising at least one marker (110), and at least one data processing unit (120), wherein the marker (110) is a solid configured to be swallowed by the patient (P). The marker (110) comprises a landmark forming component (111) configured to be detectable within the patient during a medical imaging procedure to determine the movement of the patient. The at least one data processing unit (120) is configured to obtain patient information data and/or medical imaging information data at least indicative for a type of medical imaging procedure intended for the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil array (30) of a magnetic resonance system having a distributed cable routing realized by a self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The magnetic resonance coil array (30) comprises multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (32), an input-output unit (34), and multiple coaxial cables (14) interconnecting the magnetic resonance receive coils (32) with the input-output unit (34). The coaxial cable (14) comprises the self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) allows to replace conventional bulky resonant radiofrequency traps used in conventional magnetic resonance coil arrays and allows implementing the distributed cable routing. The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) comprises a choke housing (12) having a toroidal form and the coaxial cable (14), wherein the coaxial cable (14) is wound around the choke housing (12) in a self-compensated winding pattern.

Abstract: A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system (1) uses a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable long term frequency reference. A second frequency source (24) is calibrated using the first frequency reference signal and the second frequency reference source (24) is then used as the master clock for the MRI system (1), for setting the RF operating frequency.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a device (10) for preparing a patient for examination in a medical magnetic resonance imaging environment. The device comprises: at least one stimulation unit (11), adapted to operate separately from a magnetic stimulation used in the medical magnetic resonance imaging environment, and to intentionally stimulate a nerve and/or a muscle of a peripheral body part of the patient by applying an electrical and/or magnetic stimulation different from the magnetic stimulation used in the medical magnetic resonance imaging environment and being a proxy thereof; and at least one data processing unit (12), adapted to control the at least one stimulation unit to apply the electrical and/or magnetic stimulation to which at least one patient stimulation threshold is assigned; means for using the stimulation for communicating with the patient.

Abstract: The invention also refers to a flexible coil element for a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The invention also refers to a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The invention also refers to a method for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The flexible coil element is comprised by a flexible coil array, wherein the flexible coil array comprises at least one flexible coil element. Furthermore, the invention refers to a software package comprising instructions for carrying out the method steps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient transfer training system (200), comprising: a sheet (210); a processing unit (220); and a plurality of indicator devices (230). The sheet is configured to be carried by at least one person during transfer of a simulated patient from one area to another area of a medical establishment. The system is configured to generate information relating to support and position of the simulated patient during the transfer. The processing unit is configured to determine a required change in support and/or a required change in position of the simulated patient during the transfer. The determination comprises utilization of the information relating to support and position of the simulated patient during the transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling transdermal and automatic release of a sedative during imaging of a subject. A sedation level of a patient is detected during an imaging procedure. An amount of sedative to be applied to the patient to sustain a certain level of sedation is calculated. Further, a time for releasing the amount of the sedative is calculated. The calculated amount of the sedative is released at the calculated time transdermally to the patient.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a radio frequency (RF) transmit—receive coil (1) for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system with an integrated vital signs detector (3) for the detection of vital signs of a patient within the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, whereby contact sensors directly attached to the body of the patient, are replaced by a contactless system for monitoring vital signs, which makes it much easier to measure vital signs of the patient. The object is achieved by a RF transmit-receive coil (1) comprising a vital signs detector (3) wherein the vital signs detector (3) is integrated in the RF transmit-receive coil (1), wherein a pair of electrically conducting coil elements (4) of the RF transmit-receive coil (1) forms the vital signs detector (3), wherein the vital signs detector (3) is a capacitive vital signs detector (3), the capacitive vital signs detector (3) being adapted for receiving capacitive vital signs signals.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance examination system with an examination zone (11) and comprising a camera (21) and non-metallic mirror (22), in particular within the examination zone (11), arranging an optical pathway (23) between a portion of the examination zone (11), via the non-metallic mirror (22), and the camera (21). The camera can obtain image information from that portion even if the direct line of sight (28) is blocked. The non-metallic mirror is a dielectric mirror having a macroscopically grated base.

Abstract: An MR device for MR imaging includes an RF coil system. In order to enable switching to and fro between different applications in such an MR device without having to move the patient so as to position a new RF coil system, it is proposed to provide the RF coil system for the transmission and/or reception of RF signals with at least two RF coil arrays which are integrated in one coil former and have been optimized for different applications, each RF coil array comprising at least two RF coils which are decoupled from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-frequency system for an MR apparatus with a high-frequency coil arrangement comprising a plurality of resonator elements (104), which is connected to a transmit unit (106), where a respective transmit channel (1–8) of the transmit unit (106) is assigned to the resonator elements (104). In order to provide a high-frequency system of this kind at low cost, by means of which a high frequency field can be generated in an examination volume (100) with a field distribution that can be preselected flexibly and variably, the invention proposes that the transmit unit (106) is equipped with a plurality of high-frequency amplifiers (107), the inputs of which can receive low-power transmit signals via a first controllable multiplexer/distributor network (108), in which the output signals of the high-frequency amplifiers (107) can be distributed over the transmit channels (1–8) via a second controllable multiplexer/distributor network (109).