Abstract: The invention relates to motion correction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), implemented as a MRI apparatus or system, computer programs for such, and a method. A motion pattern of a region of interest (ROI) is estimated by: selecting a fixed point at an anatomical position that is pre-determined to be little or not affected by motion and rotating a point in the ROI that is affected by motion on the basis of motion detected by a navigator or other methods. From the estimated motion pattern of the ROI, the field of view may be adapted by adjusting the gradients and the bandwidth of the RF pulses of the MR system in the acquisition sequence to avoid or reduce motion artefacts. Alternatively motion correction is carried out on the reconstructed images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body (10) of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body (10) of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1).

Abstract: In a workflow management method and apparatus, one or more computers are programmed to receive an original sequence, such as a scan sequence which controls a diagnostic scanner to perform an imaging procedure. An available time span within which to perform the original sequence is also received. The available time span is compared with a duration of the original scan sequence. If the original scan sequence duration is longer than the available time span, one or more alterable subsequences of the original sequence are shortened to create an adjusted scan sequence that fits into the available time span.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body (10) of a patient placed in an examination volume of an MR device (1). The acquisition of high-resolution three-dimensional FLAIR images as well as T2-weighted images at high main magnetic field strength (>3 Tesla) results in unacceptable long scan times. The present invention contemplates a new and improved MR imaging method which overcomes this problem.

Abstract: The invention relates to motion correction in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), implemented as a MRI apparatus or system, computer programs for such, and a method. A motion pattern of a region of interest ROI is estimated by: selecting a fixed point at an anatomical position that is pre-determined to be little or not affected by motion and rotating a point in the ROI that is affected by motion on the basis of motion detected by a navigator or other methods. From the estimated motion pattern of the ROI, the field of view (FOI) may be adapted by adjusting the gradients and the bandwidth of the RF pulses of the MR system in the acquisition sequence to avoid or reduce motion artefacts. Alternatively motion correction is carried out on the reconstructed images.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an input for receiving a suitable source image data of an object. The core of the apparatus is formed by a control unit 4 arranged to load image data from the input and determine a spatial position and orientation of a portion of the object and to automatically calculate actual parameters of the imaging geometry based on said position and orientation and using default parameters if the imaging geometry, selected by the control unit in accordance with the portion of the object. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a recognition module arranged to determine a spatial position and orientation of the portion of the object with respect to a coordinate system of an imaging apparatus conceived to use the actual parameters of the imaging geometry provided by the apparatus.

Abstract: According to the method of a workflow management according to the invention, at step 2 an available time for executing a sequence of handlings is accessed. At step 4 the template comprising the sequence of handlings 4a is accessed, whereby” each handling is assigned its corresponding duration 4b. At step 6 a difference between the available time span and a sum of said corresponding durations is calculated, whereas at step 8 an allowable duration for executing the sequence is assigned based on said difference. At step 14 of the method the sequence 4a is adjusted yielding the adjusted sequence 14a, which integral duration 14b fits into the available time span, as given at step 2. Preferably, the step of adjusting the sequence 14 is performed using a suitable optimization routine which is arranged to optimize a parameter “scan time” while keeping other parameters within acceptable level.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) comprises an input (2) for receiving a suitable source image data of an object. The core of the apparatus (1) is formed by a control unit (4) which is arranged to load image data from the input (2) and determine a spatial position and orientation of a portion of the object and to automatically calculate actual parameters (4a) of the imaging geometry based on said position and orientation and using default parameters if the imaging geometry, selected by the control unit (4) in accordance with the portion of the object. The apparatus (1) further comprises a storage unit (8) arranged to store at least one set of default parameters of the imaging geometry, which may be representative of an imaging protocol. The working memory (6) typically holds the (parts of) image data being processed and the instructions for the suitable image processing means used for processing those parts of the image data.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method magnetic resonance signal samples are received for a predetermined field of view by a receiving antenna having a spatial sensitivity profile. The sampling in the k space corresponds to the predetermined field of view in the geometrical space. Folded-over images having folded-over pixel values are reconstructed from the sampled magnetic resonance signals. Pixel contributions for spatial positions within the predetermined field of view are calculated from the folded-over pixel values and the spatial sensitivity profile of the receiver antenna. The magnetic resonance image is formed from the pixel contributions for spatial positions within the predetermined field of view. Thus, aliasing or fold-over artefacts caused by a field of view that is too small are avoided.

Abstract: A compound object data set is formed from a plurality of basis datasets. The basis datasets assigning datavalues to spatial positions in an at least throe-dimensional space. The basis datasets are associated with mutually overlapping regions. Compound datavalues for spatial positions in the overlapping regions are computed, perferably by weighted interpolation from datavalues of respective basis datasets.

Abstract: The proposed MRI apparatus provides a solution to the problem of a limited number of receiver channels. The main idea is to make use of the imaging parameters when selecting and/or combining the RF signals of at least two RF coils into separate receiver channels. Such an imaging parameter may be, for example, the phase encoding direction.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method magnetic resonance signal samples are received for a predetermined field of view by a receiving antenna having a spatial sensitivity profile. The sampling in the k space corresponds to the predetermined field of view in the geometrical space. Folded-over images having folded-over pixel values are reconstructed from the sampled magnetic resonance signals. Pixel contributions for spatial positions within the predetermined field of view are calculated from the folded-over pixel values and the spatial sensitivity profile of the receiver antenna. The magnetic resonance image is formed from the pixel contributions for spatial positions within the predetermined field of view. Thus, aliasing or fold-over artefacts caused by a field of view that is too small are avoided.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for forming a fast dynamic image from a plurality of signals of an RF probe is described. The RF probe is moved relative to an object to be imaged so as to acquire at least two adjacent Fields-of-View (FOV) which are reconstructed so as to form an image of a region of interest which includes both FOVs. The object to be imaged is scanned by a moving RF antenna. Furthermore, the first FOV is centered at the initial probe position and after each subsequent scan the position of the imaging field within the actual FOV is determined. From that data the next position of the RF probe relative to the object is computed and, if the imaging field runs out of the actual FOV, the RF antenna is moved to the estimated next position of the RF probe so that the subsequent FOV is centered again at the RF probe position. A composite image is then generated from the successive images of the various adjacent FOVs.

Abstract: In interventional MRI, for example, in neurosurgical applications, the head of a patient must be positioned on a head support while allowing reproducible manipulation of the head. The head support must be made of a material that is compatible with MR. Furthermore, spatial restrictions imposed by the bore of the magnetic resonance apparatus have to be dealt with. The head support in accordance with the invention includes a support whereon the patient head or a stereotactic frame can be rested. The head support is suppored by a mounting device. Both the support and mounting device are fixed on the table top. The mounting device provides a sliding surface that enables rotation of the support relative to the mounting device. The support can be curved towards the table top thus providing a concave surface so as to lower the supporting surface for a stereotactic frame and hence to minimize the total volume of the construction.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, notably a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a receiver antenna for picking-up magnetic resonance signals and an ultrasound probe for receiving ultrasound echoes. A reconstruction unit is arranged to reconstruct a diagnostic image from the magnetic resonance signals and the ultrasound echoes in particular, the magnetic resonance image and ultrasound images are registered in a common reference frame and geometric distortions in the ultrasound image are corrected on the basis of the magnetic resonance image. Different tissues types are distinguished in the magnetic resonance image and corrections are made for differences between ultrasound sound velocities in these tissue types. Further, information contained in the magnetic resonance signals can be displayed in combination in the ultrasound echoes.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, notably a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a receiver antenna for picking-up magnetic resonance signals and an ultrasound probe for receiving ultrasound echoes. A reconstruction unit is arranged to reconstruct a diagnostic image from the magnetic resonance signals and the ultrasound echoes.

Abstract: The proposed MRI apparatus provides a solution to the problem of a limited number of receiver channels. The main idea is to make use of the imaging parameters when selecting and/or combining the RF signals of at least two RF coils into separate receiver channels. Such an imaging parameter may be, for example, the phase encoding direction.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for forming a fast dynamic image from a plurality of signals of an RF probe is described. The RF probe is moved relative to an object to be imaged so as to acquire at least two adjacent Fields-of-View (FOV) which are reconstructed so as to form an image of a region of interest which includes both FOVs. The object to be imaged is scanned by a moving RF antenna. Furthermore, the first FOV is centered at the initial probe position and after each subsequent scan the position of the imaging field within the actual FOV is determined. From that data the next position of the RF probe relative to the object is computed and, if the imaging field runs out of the actual FOV, the RF antenna is moved to the estimated next position of the RF probe so that the subsequent FOV is centered again at the RF probe position. A composite image is then generated from the successive images of the various adjacent FOVs.

Abstract: In interventional MRI, for example, in neurosurgical applications, the head of a patient must be positioned on a head support while allowing reproducible manipulation of the head. The head support must be made of a material that is compatible with MR. Furthermore, spatial restrictions imposed by the bore of the magnetic resonance apparatus have to be dealt with The head support (15) in accordance with the invention comprises supporting means (1) whereon the patient head or a stereotactic frame can be rested. The supporting means (1) rest on the mounting means (2) and are fixed on the table top thereby. The mounting means (2) provide a sliding surface (16) that enables rotation of the supporting means (1) relative to the mounting means (2). The supporting means (1) can be curved towards the table top on which they rest, thus providing a concave surface (9) so as to lower the supporting surface for a stereotactic frame and hence minimize the total volume of the construction.