Abstract: The present invention provides a rheology system (202) comprising a rheology transducer device (204) for introducing mechanical waves into a subject of interest (120), whereby the rheology transducer device (204) comprises multiple transducers (212), a driving device (206) for driving the rheology transducer device (204), a sensor device (208) for sensing mechanical waves at the subject of interest (120), and a control device (210) for receiving input from the sensor device (208) and for controlling the driving device (206) based on the received input from the sensor device (208). The present invention further provides a MR rheology system (200) comprising a MR imaging system (110), and the above rheology system (202), whereby the MR imaging system (110) is adapted to control the rheology system (200).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a personalized radio frequency (RF) coil array for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guided interventions includes: acquiring diagnostic image data reflecting the anatomy of a portion of a patient's body; planning an intervention on the basis of the diagnostic image data, wherein a field of the intervention within the patient's body portion is determined; and arranging one or more RF coils on a substrate which is adapted to the patient's anatomy, in such a manner that the signal-to-noise ratio of MR signal acquisition via the one or more RF coils from the field of the intervention is optimized.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance antenna assembly (100) comprising one or more antenna elements (106), wherein the magnetic resonance antenna assembly further comprises multiple electronic dosimeters (108, 110, 204, 604) operable for measuring a cumulative radiation dose (470) of ionizing radiation (442) received by the magnetic resonance antenna assembly.

Abstract: A handheld oscillation applicator (40) for use in a magnetic resonance rheology imaging system (10), for applying mechanical oscillations to at least a portion of a subject of interest (20), the handheld oscillation applicator (40) comprising a housing (54), at least one transducer unit (48) configured to output mechanical energy, a piston (68) that is mechanically linked to the at least one transducer unit (48), the piston (68) including a first end (70), a second end (72), and an opening (74) that extends between the first end (70) and the second end (72), wherein the housing (54) comprises at least one opening (60), and the at least one opening (60) of the housing (54) and the opening (74) of the piston (68) at least partially overlap with regard to a housing opening direction (66) defined by an opening center (62) of the opening (60) of the housing (54) at a first surface (56) and an opening center (64) of the opening (60) of the housing (54) at a second surface (58); and an oscillation applicator system

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (100) with a magnetic resonance coil assembly (102, 102?) comprising a magnetic resonance antenna with a first antenna portion (108, 108?) and a second antenna portion (110, 110?) for receiving magnetic resonance location data (1246) from a fiducial marker (118, 300, 400, 500). The magnetic resonance coil assembly further comprises a clamp with a first clamping portion (104, 104?) and a second clamping portion (106, 106?) operable for being moved between an open and a closed configuration. The first clamping portion comprises the first antenna portion. The second clamping portion comprises the second antenna portion. The first and second clamping portions are operable for securing the fiducial marker within a signal reception volume (111) in the closed configuration. When in the open position, the first and second clamping portions enable the fiducial marker being moved into or out of the signal reception volume.

Abstract: An energy depositing therapy system (10), comprising:—an energy depositing unit (12) provided for locally depositing energy into a therapy zone (56) of a subject of interest (28) for therapy purposes;—a transducer unit (32) that is provided for applying mechanical oscillations to at least a portion of the subject of interest (28);—a magnetic resonance imaging system (14) provided for acquiring magnetic resonance imaging data from at least the portion of a subject of interest (28), comprising an image processing unit (24) configured to image the mechanical oscillations;—a control unit (40) that is connectable to the energy depositing unit (12), the transducer unit (32) and a magnetic resonance scanner (16) of the magnetic resonance imaging system (14), whereinthe control unit (40) is configured to control the depositing of energy in dependence of the processed magnetic resonance imaging data of the portion of the subject of interest (28);

Abstract: The invention provides for a multi-element transmit coil (100) for a magnetic resonance imaging system (300). The multi-element transmit coil comprises multiple surface coil elements (102) with a coil circuit (104) that has an integrated a radio-frequency sensor (106, 604, 704, 804). The multi-element transmit coil further comprises a power monitoring unit (108) with an analog-to-digital converter (808). The power monitoring unit comprises a processor connected to each analog to digital converter that is operable for receiving a radio-frequency measurement for generating specific absorption rate data (348) for each of the multiple surface coil elements. The multi-element transmit coil further comprises an optical data transmission system (110) connected to the processor. The optical data transmission system is operable for connecting to a magnetic resonance imaging system controller (312, 330).

Abstract: The present invention provides a rheology module (200) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) rheology imaging system (110), whereby the rheology module (200) is adapted to introduce mechanical oscillations into a subject of interest (120), comprising a housing (202), a mechanical oscillator unit (204), which extends at least partially outside the housing (202) and is movable relative to the housing (202), and a transducer (206) for moving the oscillator unit (204), whereby the rheology module (200) comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) antenna unit (210, 212), which comprises at least one RF coil (214, 216). With the RF antenna device integrated into the rheology module, an antenna placement close to a region of interest (ROI) can be achieved to improve the MR imaging capabilities of a MR rheology imaging system. Thus, imaging of the ROI can be performed more efficiently.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (200, 400, 500) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (202), a transducer (222) for mechanically vibrating at least a portion of the subject within the imaging zone. Instructions cause a processor (236) controlling the medical instrument to: control (100) the transducer to vibrate; control (102) the magnetic resonance imaging system to repeatedly acquire the magnetic resonance data (252) using a first spatially encoding pulse sequence (250); control (104) the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire navigator data (256) using a second spatially encoding pulse sequence (254); construct (106) a set of navigator profiles (258, 804, 904, 1004, 1108, 1208, 1308) using the navigator data; determine (108) at least one parameter (260) descriptive of transducer vibrations using the set of navigator profiles; and reconstruct (110) at least one magnetic resonance rheology image (262) from the magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: An endorectal coil (1) includes a tube (40), a spreader (44), and one or more electrically conductive elements (64). The tube (40) is configured for insertion into the rectum (42). The spreader (44) is configured to be positioned at a distal end of the tube (40) and mechanically spread to compress surrounding tissue after the tube (40) is inserted. The one or more electrically conductive elements (64) are tuned to receive magnetic resonance data disposed on at least one of the tube (40), the spreader (44), and adjacent the tube and spreader.

Abstract: A splicing apparatus for continuously unwinding strands of material from wound packages.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. It concerns an oscillation applicator for MR rheology. It is an object of the invention to provide an oscillation applicator without restrictions regarding the usability for certain body regions. According to the invention, the oscillation applicator comprises at least one transducer which generates a reciprocating motion at a given frequency and a belt (19) mechanically coupled to the transducer, which belt (19) is designed to be wrapped around a patient's body (10). Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a method of MR imaging.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system (10) for guidance of a shaft or needle (16) to a target (14) of a subject (12) is provided. The system includes a user interface (76). The user interface (76) includes a frame (78) positioned on a surface of the subject (12). The frame (78) includes an opening (82) over an entry point of a planned trajectory for the shaft or needle (16). The planned trajectory extends from the entry point to the target (14). The user interface (76) further includes one or more visual indicators (80) arranged on the frame (78) around the opening (82). The one or more visual indicators (80) at least one of: 1) visually indicate deviation of the shaft or needle (16) from the planned trajectory; and 2) visually indicate a current position of a real-time slice of real-time MR images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a personalized RF coil array for MR imaging guided interventions. The method comprises the steps of: —acquiring diagnostic image data reflecting the anatomy of a portion of a patient's body (10); —planning an intervention on the basis of the diagnostic image data, wherein a field of the intervention within the patient's body (10) portion is determined; —arranging one or more RF antennae (11, 12, 13) on a substrate (19), which is adapted to the patient's anatomy, in such a manner that the signal-to-noise ratio of MR signal acquisition via the one or more RF antennae (11, 12, 13) from the field of the intervention is optimized. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer program and to a computer workstation.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (200, 300, 400) comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system (202), a display (270), a processor (228), and a memory (234) for storing instructions for the processor. The instructions causes the processor to receive a brachytherapy treatment plan (240), acquire (100) planning magnetic resonance data (244), calculate (102) a catheter placement positions (246, 900, 902) and a catheter control commands (248) the brachytherapy catheters.

Abstract: A transmission cable including a transmission line, at least two electrically conductive line segments separated by a non-conductive gap, a bridging unit including at least one electrically conductive bridge segment capable of bridging the non-conductive gap, and a switching unit arranged to move the bridging unit and/or the transmission line to electrically connect the two line segments by closing the non-conductive gap using the bridge segment or to electrically disconnect the two line segments by opening the non-conductive gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transverse-electromagnetic (TEM) radio-frequency coil (1) for a magnetic resonance system, especially for a magnetic resonance imaging system. In particular, the inventive concept provides a coil (1) in which at least one of the opposite end regions of the elongate strip section (4) of each TEM coil element (2) has a lateral extension (6) transverse to a longitudinal extent of the strip section (4). These lateral extensions (6) combine with strip sections (4) to form L-or U-shaped TEM coil elements (2) and provide ‘ring-like’ current contributions resulting in a reduction of the z-sensitivity compared with a conventional TEM coil. The result is a coil array having TEM coil elements (2) that provide smaller sensitivity profiles in the z-direction, yet preserve the characteristics of a well-defined RF ground, e.g. via an RF shield or screen (3).

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (300, 400) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (342). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a coil assembly (319) configured for radiating and/or receiving radio frequency energy from an imaging zone. The coil assembly has a first surface (315) configured for being directed towards the imaging zone and comprises at least one coil element (317). The coil assembly further comprises a radio frequency shield (319) switchable between an RF blocking state (804) and an RF transparent state (802). The at least one coil element is between the first surface and the radio frequency shield. The switchable radio frequency shield comprises at least two conductive elements (322). The radio frequency shield comprises at least one radio frequency switch (324) configured for electrically connecting the at least two conductive elements in the blocking state and disconnecting the at least two conductive elements in the transparent state.

Abstract: A fiducial position marker (1) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus is disclosed for exciting and/or receiving MR signals in/from a local volume which at least substantially surrounds or adjoins the position marker, in order to determine and/or image from these MR signals the position of the position marker in an MR image of an examination object. Such a position marker (1) is especially used for determining and/or imaging a position of an interventional or non-interventional instrument to which the position marker may be attached, like a catheter, a surgical device, a biopsy needle, a pointer, a stent or another invasive or any non-invasive device in an MR image of an examination object. Further, a position marker system comprising such a position marker (1) and a circuit arrangement (5, 6, 6a, 8) for driving the position marker (1) for exciting MR signals and/or for processing MR signals received by the position marker is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.