Abstract: A method of determining an exchange rate between a solute material and a solvent material in chemical exchange with each other in a sample comprises performing a plurality of CEST scans on the sample to determine a reference data signal and a label data signal; simulating a plurality of CEST scans on the sample to obtain a reference dictionary signal and a plurality of label dictionary signals, each label dictionary signal corresponding to a candidate exchange rate; correcting the reference dictionary signal and each label dictionary signal for a magnetization transfer effect; determining a final data signal based on the reference data signal and the label data signal; determining a plurality of final dictionary signals based on the reference dictionary signal and the plurality of label dictionary signals; and determining the exchange rate by matching the final data signal to one of the plurality of final dictionary signals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention teaches systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging. In some embodiments, the invention teaches systems and methods for determining the source of pain in intervertebral discs by measuring one or more physiological biomarkers associated with disc pain and/or disc degeneration.

Abstract: A coil assembly for MR imaging includes an RF coil element and a shim coil array with a shim coil element. The shim coil element is physically separated from the RF coil element. The shim coil element includes a DC current loop having a DC power supply connection to allow DC current to generate a local B0 magnetic field. The coil assembly simultaneously provides an RF mode for at least one of transmit or receive and a direct current mode to generate a local B0 magnetic field for at least one of B0 shimming an imaging space, MRI spatial encoding of tissue spins, or MRI temporal encoding of tissue spins. The mutual inductance between the shim coil element and the RF coil element is minimized by configuration of blocking elements in the shim coil in order to minimize the RF interaction there between.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present application discloses systems and methods for cardiac MRI that allow for continuous un-interrupted acquisition without any ECG/cardiac gating or synchronization that achieves the required image contrast for imaging perfusion defects. The invention also teaches an accelerated image reconstruction technique that is tailored to the data acquisition scheme and minimizes or eliminates dark-rim image artifacts. The invention further enables concurrent imaging of perfusion and myocardial wall motion (cardiac function), which can eliminate the need for separate assessment of cardiac function (hence shortening exam time), and/or provide complementary diagnostic information in CAD patients.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a computer-implemented method for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the method comprising initiating, via a k-space component processor, diffusion/T2 preparation, comprising generating diffusion contrast; and adjusting one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to set a first order moment; applying, via an image data processor, a stack of stars k-space ordering, comprising acquiring a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction; increasing an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and applying diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and calculating, via the image data processor, an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

Abstract: The present invention teaches novel methods of diagnosing and prognosing conditions associated with tissue degeneration and/or pain, including intervertebral disc degeneration, discogenic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and articular cartilage injury. Using the inventive noninvasive imaging methods, the diagnosis and prognosis of back pain and related conditions can be quickly and accurately determined by detecting one or more biomarkers disclosed herein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present application discloses systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of coronary arteries. In various embodiments, the invention allows for motion corrected, simultaneously acquired multiple contrast weighted images with whole-heart coverage and isotropic high resolution. In some embodiments, the invention teaches using interleaved preparatory pulses, a 3D radial golden angle trajectory and 100% respiratory gating efficiency.

Abstract: A method for performing 3D body imaging includes performing a 3D MRI acquisition of a patient to acquire k-space data and dividing the k-space data into k-space data bins. Each bin includes a portion of the k-space data corresponding to a distinct breathing phase. 3D image sets are reconstructed from the bins, with each 3D image set corresponding to a distinct k-space data bin. For each bin other than a selected reference bin, forward and inverse transforms are calculated between the 3D image set corresponding to the bin and the 3D image set corresponding to the reference bin. Then, a motion corrected and averaged image is generated for each bin by (a) aligning the 3D image set from each other bin to the 3D image set corresponding to the bin using the transforms, and (b) averaging the aligned 3D image sets to yield the motion corrected and averaged image.

Abstract: A method of performing multidimensional magnetic resonance imaging on a subject comprises collecting imaging data for a region of interest of the subject, the imaging data related to one or more spatially-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; collecting auxiliary data for the region of interest in the subject, the auxiliary data related to one or more time-varying parameters of the subject within the region of interest; linking the imaging data and the auxiliary data; and constructing an image tensor with one or more temporal dimensions based on at least a portion of the linked imaging data and at least a portion of the linked auxiliary data.

Abstract: A method of determining an exchange rate between a solute material and a solvent material in chemical exchange with each other in a sample comprises performing a plurality of CEST scans on the sample to determine a reference data signal and a label data signal; simulating a plurality of CEST scans on the sample to obtain a reference dictionary signal and a plurality of label dictionary signals, each label dictionary signal corresponding to a candidate exchange rate; correcting the reference dictionary signal and each label dictionary signal for a magnetization transfer effect; determining a final data signal based on the reference data signal and the label data signal; determining a plurality of final dictionary signals based on the reference dictionary signal and the plurality of label dictionary signals; and determining the exchange rate by matching the final data signal to one of the plurality of final dictionary signals.

Abstract: A new low rank tensor (LRT) imaging strategy/methodology, specifically for quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) multitasking, includes performing a low-rank tensor image model exploiting image correlation along multiple physiological and physical time dimensions, a non-ECG data acquisition strategy featuring minimal gaps in acquisition and frequent collection of auxiliary subspace training data, and a factored tensor reconstruction approach which enforces the LRT model.

Abstract: Embodiments can provide a computer-implemented method for free breathing three dimensional diffusion imaging, the method comprising initiating, via a k-space component processor, diffusion/T2 preparation, comprising generating diffusion contrast; and adjusting one or more of amplitude, duration, and polarity to set a first order moment; applying, via an image data processor, a stack of stars k-space ordering, comprising acquiring a radial/spiral view for all members of a plurality of partitions in a partition-encoding direction; increasing an azimuthal angle until a complete set of radial/spiral views are sampled; and applying diffusion gradients along each of three axis simultaneously; and calculating, via the image data processor, an apparent diffusion coefficient map.

Abstract: There are provided methods for diagnosing coronary heart disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an admixture comprising CO2 to a subject to reach a predetermined PaCO2 in the subject to induce hyperemia, monitoring vascular reactivity in the subject and diagnosing the presence or absence of coronary heart disease in the subject, wherein decreased vascular reactivity in the subject compared to a control subject is indicative of coronary heart disease. There are also provided methods for increasing sensitivity and specificity of BOLD MRI.

Abstract: A new low rank tensor (LRT) imaging strategy/methodology, specifically for quantitative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) multitasking, includes performing a low-rank tensor image model exploiting image correlation along multiple physiological and physical time dimensions, a non-ECG data acquisition strategy featuring minimal gaps in acquisition and frequent collection of auxiliary subspace training data, and a factored tensor reconstruction approach which enforces the LRT model.

Abstract: A unified coil assembly for magnetic resonance imaging is disclosed. The coil assembly includes an RF coil element and a shim coil array with a shim coil element. The shim coil element is physically separated or partially separated from the RF coil element. The shim coil element includes a DC current loop having a DC power supply connection to allow DC current to generate a local BO magnetic field. The unified coil array assembly is configured to simultaneously provide an RF mode for at least one of transmit or receive and a direct current mode to generate a local B0 magnetic field for B0 shimming Larger number of shim coils relative to the RF coil element provides superior shimming performance. The mutual inductance between the shim coil element and the RF coil element is minimized by proposed geometrical decoupling methods in order to minimize the RF interaction between the two.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and system are provided for providing improved 3D imaging of blood vessels and the like, which provides suppression of both blood and fat signals and is insensitive to subject motion, thereby facilitating improved visualization of vessel walls. The image data pulse sequence includes a plurality of pulse series, where each series includes a dark-blood sequence, a fat-suppression sequence, and a data readout sequence. Each data readout sequence samples a particular radial direction within each partition (Kz value) that passes through the Kz axis, and different radial orientations are sampled in subsequent series to provide a stack-of-stars sampling scheme.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for diagnosing coronary heart disease in a subject in need thereof comprising administering an admixture comprising CO2 to a subject to reach a predetermined PaCO2 in the subject to induce hyperemia, monitoring vascular reactivity in the subject and diagnosing the presence or absence of coronary heart disease in the subject, wherein decreased vascular reactivity in the subject compared to a control subject is indicative of coronary heart disease. The invention also provides methods for increasing sensitivity and specificity of BOLD MRI.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention teaches methods and related systems for imaging the coronary arteries in high spatiotemporal resolution for the assessment of coronary stenosis. In some embodiments, the method teaches the use of a 3D radial k-space trajectory, continuous acquisition, retrospective cardiac and respiratory self-gating, and non-rigid cardiac and respiratory motion correction to reconstruct any arbitrary cardiac phase with minimal motion artifacts and high image quality.

Abstract: The present invention teaches devices and methods for hyperpolarization by parahydrogen induced polarization. The invention teaches several significant improvements over previous designs, including a heating block, an enhanced solenoid component, and pinch valves and tubing that provide a sterile environment for the sample. All of these advancements can be accomplished while keeping costs to produce the device relatively low.

Abstract: A method for performing 3D body imaging includes performing a 3D MRI acquisition of a patient to acquire k-space data and dividing the k-space data into k-space data bins. Each bin includes a portion of the k-space data corresponding to a distinct breathing phase. 3D image sets are reconstructed from the bins, with each 3D image set corresponding to a distinct k-space data bin. For each bin other than a selected reference bin, forward and inverse transforms are calculated between the 3D image set corresponding to the bin and the 3D image set corresponding to the reference bin. Then, a motion corrected and averaged image is generated for each bin by (a) aligning the 3D image set from each other bin to the 3D image set corresponding to the bin using the transforms, and (b) averaging the aligned 3D image sets to yield the motion corrected and averaged image.