Abstract: An MRI control system for controlling the operation of an MRI scanner from within an RF shielded MRI exam room in which the MRI scanner is located includes an MRI compatible infrared remote control device located within the MRI exam room for producing infrared control signals within the MRI exam room. An infrared receiver is positioned for receiving infrared control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device and producing electrical control signals in response thereto. An MRI controller located outside the MRI exam room is operatively connected to the infrared receiver for receiving control information. The MRI controller is operatively connected to the MRI scanner for controlling the MRI scanner and receiving scan information and the MRI controller operable to control operation of the MRI scanner in response to control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device based upon control information received from the infrared receiver.

Abstract: A patient is secured to a subject support (10). A stereotaxic wand (40) is inserted into a tool guide (60). The wand has a tip portion (44), a portion extending along a pointing axis (46) of the wand, an offset portion (42) which is offset from the pointing axis of the wand, and at least two wand emitters (48, 50), mounted in alignment with the pointing axis of the wand. The two emitters selectively emit wand signals which are received by three receivers (14) mounted to a frame assembly (12). The tool guide includes a bore (66) extending along a guide axis. The bore is configured for selectively receiving a tool and the tip portion of the wand. An entry point and a trajectory are identified by the surgeon with the wand in the guide. More specifically, a trajectory and location of the wand are superimposed on a diagnostic image on a monitor (30).

Abstract: An MRI control system for controlling the operation of an MRI scanner from within an RF shielded MRI exam room in which the MRI scanner is located includes an MRI compatible infrared remote control device located within the MRI exam room for producing infrared control signals within the MRI exam room. An infrared receiver is positioned for receiving infrared control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device and producing electrical control signals in response thereto. An MRI controller located outside the MRI exam room is operatively connected to the infrared receiver for receiving control information. The MRI controller is operatively connected to the MRI scanner for controlling the MRI scanner and receiving scan information and the MRI controller operable to control operation of the MRI scanner in response to control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device based upon control information received from the infrared receiver.

Abstract: An MRI control system for controlling the operation of an MRI scanner from within an RF shielded MRI exam room in which the MRI scanner is located includes an MRI compatible infrared remote control device located within the MRI exam room for producing infrared control signals within the MRI exam room. An infrared receiver is positioned for receiving infrared control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device and producing electrical control signals in response thereto. An MRI controller located outside the MRI exam room is operatively connected to the infrared receiver for receiving control information. The MRI controller is operatively connected to the MRI scanner for controlling the MRI scanner and receiving scan information and the MRI controller operable to control operation of the MRI scanner in response to control signals emitted by the infrared remote control device based upon control information received from the infrared receiver.

Abstract: A coil assembly for use in MRI imaging includes a harness having a base. First and second arm members extend from a first side of the base and above and over the base and third and fourth arm members extend from a second side of the base and above and over the base. A first cross member extends between the first arm member and the second arm member and a second cross member extends between the third arm member and the fourth arm member. An end of the first arm member is aligned with and detachably connected to an end of the third arm member and an end of the second arm member is aligned with and detachably connected to an end of the fourth arm member. First and second coil members each extend along the harness. The first coil member may be a saddle coil and the second coil member may be a solenoid coil configured to establish a quadrature arrangement.

Abstract: A patient is secured to a subject support (10). A stereotaxic wand (40) is inserted into a tool guide (60). The wand has a tip portion (44), a portion extending along a pointing axis (46) of the wand, an offset portion (42) which is offset from the pointing axis of the wand, and at least two wand emitters (48, 50), mounted in alignment with the pointing axis of the wand. The two emitters selectively emit wand signals which are received by three receivers (14) mounted to a frame assembly (12). The tool guide includes a bore (66) extending along a guide axis. The bore is configured for selectively receiving a tool and the tip portion of the wand. An entry point and a trajectory are identified by the surgeon with the wand in the guide. More specifically, a trajectory and location of the wand are superimposed on a diagnostic image on a monitor (30).

Abstract: A patient is secured to a subject support (10). A stereotaxic wand (40) is inserted into a tool guide (60). The wand has a tip portion (44), a portion extending along a pointing axis (46) of the wand, an offset portion (42) which is offset from the pointing axis of the wand, and at least three wand emitters (48, 50, 52), mounted in alignment with the pointing axis of the wand. The three emitters selectively emit infrared light which is received by two CCD cameras (14) mounted to a frame assembly (12). The tool guide includes a bore (76) extending along a guide axis. The bore is configured for selectively receiving a tool and the tip portion of the wand. An entry point and a trajectory are identified by the surgeon with the wand in the guide. More specifically, a trajectory and location of the wand are superimposed on a diagnostic image on a monitor (30).

Abstract: An exoskeleton material (12), such as a thermoplastic mesh, is heat softened. The heat softened material is stretched over and conformed to a soft tissue region of the patient, such as a patient's breast. The material is allowed or caused to set or harden and is affixed (14) to a patient support (10) such that the soft tissue is firmly constrained. Magnetic resonance visible markers (18) are affixed to the exoskeleton material adjacent the soft tissue. The patient is examined with a magnetic resonance imaging device (20) to generate a three-dimensional image representation (28) for display on a monitor (32). Using the markers, a wand (40) with emitters (42) receivers (44), and a coordinate system relationship processor (48) determines, a relation or transform between a coordinate system of the patient and a coordinate system of the image is determined and displayed on the monitor. A trajectory for a biopsy, resection, or the like, is planned using a guide (50).

Abstract: A patient is secured to a subject support (10). A stereotaxic wand (40) is inserted into a tool guide (60). The wand has a tip portion (44), a portion extending along a pointing axis (46) of the wand, an offset portion (42) which is offset from the pointing axis of the wand, and at least two wand emitters (48, 50), mounted in alignment with the pointing axis of the wand. The two emitters selectively emit wand signals which are received by three receivers (14) mounted to a frame assembly (12). The tool guide includes a bore (66) extending along a guide axis. The bore is configured for selectively receiving a tool and the tip portion of the wand. An entry point and a trajectory are identified by the surgeon with the wand in the guide. More specifically, a trajectory and location of the wand are superimposed on a diagnostic image on a monitor (30).

Abstract: A patient's head is anchored (16) at one end of a patient support (10). An array of receivers (50) are mounted on a frame (12) which is fixed to the patient support. The frame carries at least one reference transmitter (52). A wand (42) has at least two emitters (44, 46) mounted thereto. By measuring relative travel time of the signals from the wand emitters to the receiver array and comparing the travel time with travel time over a known distance from the reference transmitter to one or more of the receivers, the position of the wand in a coordinate system of the patient support is determined (80). A three-dimensional array of diagnostic image data was taken through the anchored portion of the patient and at least three markers (114) affixed to the patient. By positioning the wand on the markers after the patient is secured to the patient support, a transform (110) between the patient support coordinate system and the image data coordinate system is derived.

Abstract: In an NMR system, two chemical shift components are separated by correcting NMR data for field inhomogeneity. A first image data set is acquired which contains no chemical shift information or field inhomogeneity. A second image data set is acquired which contains both chemical shift information and field inhomogeneity. A third image data set is acquired which contains field inhomogeneity information. The first and third image data sets are combined to identify the field inhomogeneity information. This intermediate field image is then used to correct the second image data set for field inhomogeneity. The first image data set and corrected second image data set may then be combined by magnitude reconstruction of complex sums and differences to separate the two chemical shift components.