Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing noise in an image includes receiving a first image in a computer system. The first image depicts an interior of an item and is generated using a technique that provides imaging at selected depths in the item. The first image represents a first interior section having a first thickness. The method includes determining a modification for the first image using a second image of the interior. The second image represents a second interior section encompassing the first interior section and has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The method includes storing the modification in association with the first image.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reducing noise in an image includes receiving a first image in a computer system. The first image depicts an interior of an item and is generated using a technique that provides imaging at selected depths in the item. The first image represents a first interior section having a first thickness. The method includes determining a modification for the first image using a second image of the interior. The second image represents a second interior section encompassing the first interior section and has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The method includes storing the modification in association with the first image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the relative contribution of fat and water signals in a magnetic resonance (“MR”) image including an algorithm operable for selecting an image signal model, selecting a scan parameter, forming a bias field estimate, applying a bias correction to a phase image, estimating the signal fraction of fat and water at each of a plurality of voxels, and forming a fat-suppressed image, a water-suppressed image, or a combination of a fat-based image and a water-based image. The (“MRI”) fat suppression systems and methods requiring only a single image acquisition including an algorithm operable for selecting a relative phase of approximately ?=?/2 or another suitable relative phase, employing an expectation maximization algorithm to classify the phase of the complex image, and projecting complex vectors into fat and water components to obtain fat and water images.

Abstract: A system and a method for detecting an object, such as an explosive device or material, located within a closed article, such as a piece of luggage or a parcel. The system includes an acquisition subsystem for acquiring information pertaining to a specific object, a reconstruction subsystem for reconstructing acquired information pertaining to the specific object into image data, and a computer-aided detection subsystem adapted for identifying the specific object through the use of differential operators. The method includes obtaining image data of the one object, computing a differential operator for each voxel of the image data, computing eigenvalues and eigenvectors for each of the voxels, and computing a scalar function of the eigenvalues to ascertain whether each of the voxels represents a portion of the one object.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems and methods for acquiring multi-slice gradient echo images having a substantially constant T1-weighting including selecting a first scan having a desired contrast associated with T1-weighting and, given a first repetition time, TR1, and a first flip angle, flip1, associated with the first scan, selecting an effective repetition time, TReff, that provides the desired contrast. The MRI systems and methods also including holding the effective repetition time, TReff, substantially constant in relation to a second scan. The MRI systems and methods further including, given a second repetition time, TR2, determining a second flip angle, flip2, and, given the second flip angle, flip2, determining the second repetition time, TR2. The MRI systems and methods still further including performing the second scan using the second repetition time, TR2, and the second flip angle, flip2, and maximizing a signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, of the second scan.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) systems and methods for acquiring multi-slice gradient echo images having a substantially constant T1-weighting including selecting a first scan having a desired contrast associated with T1-weighting and, given a first repetition time, TR1, and a first flip angle, flip1, associated with the first scan, selecting an effective repetition time, TReff, that provides the desired contrast. The MRI systems and methods also including holding the effective repetition time, TReff, substantially constant in relation to a second scan. The MRI systems and methods further including, given a second repetition time, TR2, determining a second flip angle, flip2, and, given the second flip angle, flip2, determining the second repetition time, TR2. The MRI systems and methods still further including performing the second scan using the second repetition time, TR2, and the second flip angle, flip2, and maximizing a signal-to-noise ratio, S/N, of the second scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying the relative contribution of fat and water signals in a magnetic resonance (“MR”) image including an algorithm operable for selecting an image signal model, selecting a scan parameter, forming a bias field estimate, applying a bias correction to a phase image, estimating the signal fraction of fat and water at each of a plurality of voxels, and forming a fat-suppressed image, a water-suppressed image, or a combination of a fat-based image and a water-based image. The (“MRI”) fat suppression systems and methods requiring only a single image acquisition including an algorithm operable for selecting a relative phase of approximately &thgr;=&pgr;/2 or another suitable relative phase, employing an expectation maximization algorithm to classify the phase of the complex image, and projecting complex vectors into fat and water components to obtain fat and water images.