Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes: a radiofrequency (RF) coil (18); a detune circuit (38) operatively coupled to the RF coil, wherein the detune circuit includes a decoupling inductor (40) configured as a transmitter (TX) inductor; and a harvester (44) coupled to the decoupling inductor for harvesting energy from the decoupling inductor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medical system (100, 300) comprising a memory (110) storing machine executable instructions (120) and an image generating neural network (122). The image generating neural network is configured for outputting synthetic magnetic resonance image data (128) in response to receiving reference magnetic resonance image data (126) as input. The synthetic magnetic resonance image data is a simulation of magnetic resonance image data acquired according to a first configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging system when the reference magnetic resonance image data is acquired according to a second configuration of the magnetic resonance imaging system.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) system comprises an RF-array of antenna elements, a regulating arrangement to tune the antenna elements' impedances and a camera system to acquire image information of the RF-array. An analysis module is provided to derive operational settings such as resonant tuning settings, decoupling and impedance matchings of the antenna elements' impedances from the image information. The image information also represents the actual impedances and resonant properties of the RF-array. From the image information appropriate impedance settings can be derived that are the tuning parameters to render the RF-array resonant.

Abstract: A method for communicating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information wirelessly includes detecting an MRI system emission sequence, and identifying at least one parameter of the sequence. The at least one parameter identified is cross-correlated. A first initial condition for a first chaotic coded sequence and a second initial condition for a second chaotic coded sequence are determined based on the at least one parameter. The method further includes obtaining, from a modulation symbol mapped to MRI information generated at a local coil responsive to the sequence, a real component of the symbol and an imaginary component of the symbol. The real component of the symbol is encrypted based on the first initial condition, and the imaginary component of the symbol is encrypted based on the second initial condition. The encrypted real component and imaginary component of the symbol are wirelessly transmitted.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) system comprises an RF-array of antenna elements, a regulating arrangement to tune the antenna elements' impedances and a camera system to acquire image information of the RF-array. An analysis module is provided to derive operational settings such as resonant tuning settings, decoupling and impedance matchings of the antenna elements' impedances from the image information. The image information also represents the actual impedances and resonant properties of the RF-array. From the image information appropriate impedance settings can be derived that are the tuning parameters to render the RF-array resonant.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) device for receiving or exciting a magnetic resonance (MR) signal includes an MR coil (22, 32) tuned to an MR frequency band, a digital signal processing chain (40, 44, 58, 70) at least partly tuned to operate at baseband, an analog signal processing chain (48, 50, 54, 60) operatively connected with the MR coil and at least partly tuned to operate at the MR frequency band, and an analog to digital (A/D) or digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (46, 56) connecting the digital signal processing chain and the analog signal processing chain. The analog signal processing chain includes an analog dispersive delay line (50, 60) tuned to impose a frequency-dependent signal delay (52, 62) that is monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing over the MR frequency band. In more specific embodiments, the RF device may comprise an MR transmit chain (20), or an MR receive chain (30).

Abstract: A dongle includes: a battery configured to provide direct current (DC) power to a device to which the dongle is electrically and mechanically connected. The battery is adapted to be removed and replaced by another battery. A heat sink configured to dissipate heat generated by the battery is adapted to be removed and replaced by another heat sink.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) device for receiving or exciting a magnetic resonance (MR) signal includes an MR coil (22, 32) tuned to an MR frequency band, a digital signal processing chain (40, 44, 58, 70) at least partly tuned to operate at baseband, an analog signal processing chain (48, 50, 54, 60) operatively connected with the MR coil and at least partly tuned to operate at the MR frequency band, and an analog to digital (A/D) or digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (46, 56) connecting the digital signal processing chain and the analog signal processing chain. The analog signal processing chain includes an analog dispersive delay line (50, 60) tuned to impose a frequency-dependent signal delay (52, 62) that is monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing over the MR frequency band. In more specific embodiments, the RF device may comprise an MR transmit chain (20), or an MR receive chain (30).

Abstract: An image acquisition system (100, 500, 600, 700). The image acquisition system may include at least one processor (110, 502-2, 610, 710) configured to control: a transmitter (112, 612) to form packets for transmission over a high-data-rate (HDR) wireless communication link (HDR-WCL) (124, 624), an image acquisition device (120, 631) to acquire image data and form HDR data, and a scheduler (114, 614) to acquire control information for controlling at least one function of the image acquisition system during the image acquisition, determine a restricted packet size for the packets of the HDR-WCL in accordance with at least deterministic timing requirements of the system, and determine a schedule for transmitting the control information in a corresponding packet of the packets in accordance with the deterministic timing requirements of the image acquisition system and the restricted packet size.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (100, 400, 500) includes a wireless RF station (20, 320, 420, 520, 620) which is associated with one or more RF coils which sense the magnetic resonance (MR) signal emitted from a subject under MRI examination. The wireless RF station communicates digital data representing the sensed MR signal to an MRI controller (124) for further processing, which may include display. An internal clock (2202, 3202) in the wireless RF station is precisely synchronized with the MRI controller clock (108, 2101, 3101), with carrier phase synchronization and code phase tracking of a predefined code sequence such as a pseudo random number (PRN) sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a takeup spool disposed at a far end of a magnetic resonance imaging bore. The takeup spool is adapted to release optical fiber, and to retract the optical fiber. The apparatus also comprises a dongle configured to connect to a terminal end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A local magnetic resonance (MR) radio frequency (RF) coil includes a plurality of housing sections that are separable and configured with mating surfaces that meet and engage each other to form an opening which receives a portion of subject anatomy for magnetic resonance imaging, a detachable connector, and a cable. Each housing section includes coil elements enclosed within each housing section which receive MR signals from the received portion of the subject anatomy, and external connectors connected to the coil elements co-located on an outside surface of each housing section and adjacent to the mating surfaces. The detachable connector connects to the external connectors of the housing sections. The cable conveys at least the received MR signals received by the coil elements.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system, including at least one wireless radio-frequency (RF) coil comprising antennas for receiving induced MR signals and an antenna array comprising transmission and reception antennas; a base transmitter system (BTS) having an antenna array comprising a plurality of transmission and reception antennas configured to communicate with the RF coil using a selected spatial diversity (SD) method; and at least one controller to control the BTS and the RF coil to determine a number of transmission and/or reception antennas available, couple the transmission and reception antennas to form corresponding antenna pairings, and determine signal characteristic information (SCI) of the antenna pairings, select an SD transmission method based upon the determined number of antennas and the determined SCI for communication between the BTS and the RF coil, and establish a communication channel between the BTS and the RF coil in accordance with the selected SD transmission method.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a memory (134, 136) for storing machine executable instructions (160), and pulse sequence commands (140, 400, 502, 600, 700), wherein the pulse sequence commands are configured to cause the magnetic imaging resonance system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence commands are further configured to control the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform spatial encoding using a zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging protocol.

Abstract: An image acquisition system (100, 500, 600, 700). The image acquisition system may include at least one processor (110, 502-2, 610, 710) configured to control: a transmitter (112, 612) to form packets for transmission over a high-data-rate (HDR) wireless communication link (HDR-WCL) (124, 624), an image acquisition device (120, 631) to acquire image data and form HDR data, and a scheduler (114, 614) to acquire control information for controlling at least one function of the image acquisition system during the image acquisition, determine a restricted packet size for the packets of the HDR-WCL in accordance with at least deterministic timing requirements of the system, and determine a schedule for transmitting the control information in a corresponding packet of the packets in accordance with the deterministic timing requirements of the image acquisition system and the restricted packet size.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system includes a main magnet having a bore and producing a substantially homogenous magnetic field (B0) within a scanning volume. A mobile radio-frequency (RF) coil (MRF) includes at least one transmit antenna for transmitting a location signal within the bore of the magnet. At least one receive antenna os situated substantially at a known location and configured to receive the transmitted location signal. A controller is configured to align the transmit antenna of the MRF with reference to the known location of the receive antenna based upon an analysis of the received location signal.

Abstract: A method for communicating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) information wirelessly includes detecting an MRI system emission sequence, and identifying at least one parameter of the sequence. The at least one parameter identified is cross-correlated. A first initial condition for a first chaotic coded sequence and a second initial condition for a second chaotic coded sequence are determined based on the at least one parameter. The method further includes obtaining, from a modulation symbol mapped to MRI information generated at a local coil responsive to the sequence, a real component of the symbol and an imaginary component of the symbol. The real component of the symbol is encrypted based on the first initial condition, and the imaginary component of the symbol is encrypted based on the second initial condition. The encrypted real component and imaginary component of the symbol are wirelessly transmitted.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for legacy magnetic resonance (MR) systems including one or more of a radio transmission portion having coupling to an analog RF cable port of the MR system including at least one first controller, an analog-to-digital converter (A/D), and a transmitter. The first controller controls the A/D to digitize analog magnetic resonance (MR) information received from the RF coil and controls the transmitter to transmit the digitized MR information. A radio reception portion including an analog output port and a coupler for coupling the output port to a legacy cable port input of the legacy system including at least one second controller, a receiver, and a digital-to-analog converter (D/A). The second controller controls the receiver to receive the transmitted digitized MR information, and controls the D/A to perform a digital-to-analog conversion to form a corresponding analog MR signal which is output at the output port.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) coil apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) systems (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 900, 1000) includes a base (102, 502, 702, 902, 1002) having opposed sides (121), a surface (124) to support an object of interest (OOI) for scanning, and fasteners (127) situated at the opposed sides, A positioner (104, 304A, 304B, 504, 604, 704, 1004) is configured to be releasably attached to the base and has a body (130) extending between opposed ends and fasteners (134,) situated at the opposed ends of the body, The body is configured to form an arch between the opposed ends. An upper section (106, 606, 706, 906, 1006) has at least one RF coil array (142) for acquiring induced MR signals, and is configured to be positioned over the positioner.

Abstract: A modular magnetic resonance imaging protection system includes a support, a first platform and a second platform. The support passes through a bore of a magnetic resonance imaging system and includes a first guidance system. The first platform and second platform are each configured to support a patient. The first platform and second platform can each be guided from a carrier to the support through an acoustic shield. The first platform and second platform respectively include a second guidance system and a third guidance system to cooperatively guide the first platform and second platform along the support, into the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging system, and out of the bore of the magnetic resonance imaging system in cooperation with the first guidance system.