Abstract: The present invention relates to a MR tracking method and device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance tracking method and device, using a magnetic-susceptible object. A magnetic iso-surface induced by the object is selectively excited with a corresponding frequency offset; the magnetic iso-surface is then projected on three axes of a k-space, from which projections the spatial position of the object is calculated.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imager (MRI) controllably propels at least one magnetic field responsive body within a subject. The MRI comprises a bore magnet producing an intense magnetic field sufficient to magnetically saturate the magnetic field responsive body. A magnetic field gradient generator is configured to apply variable magnetic gradients to at least a portion of the subject containing the magnetically-saturated body. A controller instructs the magnetic field gradient generator to acquire image data of the magnetically-saturated body within the subject and to apply a calculated magnetic gradient that will propel the magnetically-saturated body towards a target location in the subject. A tracking unit of the MRI provides position feedback information of the magnetically-saturated body within the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a MR tracking method and device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance tracking method and device, using a magnetic-susceptible object. A magnetic iso-surface induced by the object is selectively excited with a corresponding frequency offset; the magnetic iso-surface is then projected on three axes of a k-space, from which projections the spatial position of the object is calculated.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: Adiabatic RF pulses are very useful in MRI when precise flip angles are needed. Unfortunately, adiabatic pulses suffer from a long application time and a high SAR. A new concept to modify the usual adiabatic pulse into a “pseudo-adiabatic” pulse having a shorter application time and lower SAR is introduced. For example, a BIR-4 of 32 ms of application time and a relative SAR of 20 will be transformed into a BIR-4-S1 of 1 ms and relative SAR of 1. The new pulse obtained stays insensitive for a large B1 range but loses its slice selectivity to become a 3D pulse. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the sensitivity to B1 and B0.

Abstract: Described is a method and system for propelling and controlling displacement of a microrobot through a patient's blood vessel. The microrobot is formed with a body containing field-of-force responsive material wherein, in response to a field of force, the material undergoes a force in the direction of a gradient of the field of force. The microrobot is positioned in a blood vessel for displacement through the blood vessel, and a field of force with a given gradient is generated and applied to the microrobot in view of propelling the microrobot through the blood vessel in the direction of the gradient of the field of force. A direction and amplitude of the gradient of the field of force is calculated to thereby control displacement of the microrobot through the patient's blood vessel.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: Adiabatic RF pulses are very useful in MRI when precise flip angles are needed. Unfortunately, adiabatic pulses suffer from a long application time and a high SAR. A new concept to modify the usual adiabatic pulse into a “pseudo-adiabatic” pulse having a shorter application time and lower SAR is introduced. For example, a BIR-4 of 32 ms of application time and a relative SAR of 20 will be transformed into a BIR-4-S1 of 1 ms and relative SAR of 1. The new pulse obtained stays insensitive for a large B1 range but loses its slice selectivity to become a 3D pulse. Experimental results are presented to illustrate the sensitivity to B1 and B0.

Abstract: An orthopedic magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. This system includes a source of magnetic resonance imaging data sets resulting from successive magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions from a diseased joint of a patient. A segmentation module segments surfaces in the joint based on information contained within at least one of the data sets, and a registration module spatially registers, in three dimensions, information represented by a first of the data sets with respect to information represented by one or more further data sets for the same patient. A comparison module detects differences between information represented by the data sets caused by progression of the disease in the joint of the patient between acquisitions. A cross-patient comparison module can compare detected differences for the patient with detected differences for at least one other patient.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for continuously fractionating plant, animal or human proteins by selective precipitation of the proteins resulting from placing a solution of proteins in contact with a precipitating agent constituted by a fatty acid of 6 to 14 carbon atoms, such as caprylic acid, is characterized in that respective deliveries of fatty acid and of the protein solution are continuously placed in contact in a mixing chamber of small volume with respect to the deliveries, creating a strong stirring in this mixing chamber; the individual deliveries of fatty acid and of protein solution are adjusted to controlled pH and temperature so as to maintain their ratio equal to a predetermined value; the mixture is then allowed to evolve during a phase of maturation so as to form a suspension; this suspension is separated into a liquid part from which are extracted the proteins having remained soluble, and a solid part containing proteins of different nature; and the parameters intervening in the proce