Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, a frequency offset acquisition unit, a frequency modulation unit and a phase shift correction unit. The data acquisition unit acquires pieces of echo data due to nuclear magnetic resonance after applying an excitation pulse. The frequency offset acquisition unit acquires a frequency offset. The frequency modulation unit frequency-modulates the excitation pulse according to the frequency offset. The phase shift correction unit cancels a phase shift occurring on each of the pieces of the echo data due to a frequency modulation according to the frequency offset during a readout of the pieces of the echo data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which performs imaging more than once with respect to an imaging target while changing a central frequency of a fat suppression pulse, a generation unit which generates a plurality of images based on magnetic resonance signals obtained by imaging performed more than once, and a calculation unit which calculates factor information of spatial inhomogeneity of a fat suppression effect based on the plurality of images.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging condition setting unit, a scan performing unit and a blood flow image generating unit. The imaging condition setting unit sets a sequence accompanying application of a motion probing gradient pulse as an imaging condition. The scan performing unit performs an imaging scan according to the sequence. The blood flow image generating unit generates a blood flow image based on data acquired by the imaging scan.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit which applies a labeling pulse to invert a spin included in a labeling region within part of a imaging region and then collects a echo signal from a time point when an inversion time has passed from the application of the labeling pulse, and a control unit, the control unit controlling the imaging unit so that the echo signal in the imaging region is collected a plurality of times with variations in the inversion time, the control unit also controlling the imaging unit so that a time ranging from a reference time point within a biological signal obtained from a subject to the application of the labeling pulse is a time determined in accordance with the inversion time.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material whereby the polymeric material is modified to give a highly durable surface without decreasing its strength. Namely, a polymeric material is modified by the method comprising a combination of an impregnation step, an activation step, a step of grafting a monomer and a step of a treatment with a hydrophilic polymer. Thus, the hydrophilic nature, adhesiveness, and so forth of polymeric materials such as polyolefins can be improved without causing any decrease in the practical strength. The thus obtained polymeric materials are usable in articles with a need for high water absorptivity and high adhesiveness, for example, water-absorbing materials and water-retaining materials for medical, sanitary, cosmetic articles or supplies, agricultural materials, synthetic papers, filters and fiber products for clothes, for improving adhesiveness of composite materials and the like.

Abstract: A shared object is newly created in a unified format with respect to past medical information that is effective in a photographing step or a report creating step. Since the shared object can include a position determination image, unique object information, body coordinates information, a photographing condition, a image creating condition, and key image information, it is possible to automatically set the same photographing condition, photographing range, a tomographic position to be photographed, and image creating condition as those in a past test by using the information described above.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, a frequency offset acquisition unit, a frequency modulation unit and a phase shift correction unit. The data acquisition unit acquires pieces of echo data due to nuclear magnetic resonance after applying an excitation pulse. The frequency offset acquisition unit acquires a frequency offset. The frequency modulation unit frequency-modulates the excitation pulse according to the frequency offset. The phase shift correction unit cancels a phase shift occurring on each of the pieces of the echo data due to a frequency modulation according to the frequency offset during a readout of the pieces of the echo data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a sensitivity map database that stores sensitivity map data of a multi-coil including plural coils necessary for parallel imaging unfolding processing; a data slicing unit that slices partial data from three-dimensional volume data collected for the respective coils by parallel imaging, respectively; an intermediate image reconstructing unit that executes reconstruction processing for the partial data to thereby reconstruct intermediate images for the respective coils; and a reference image generating unit that slices sensitivity map data corresponding to the intermediate images from the sensitivity map database as sensitivity map data for unfolding processing, executes the parallel imaging unfolding processing for the intermediate images using the sensitivity map data for unfolding processing, and generates reference images.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a blood flow velocity acquiring unit that acquires a flow velocity of the blood flow of an object, a capturing condition setting unit that, on the basis of the flow velocity of the blood flow acquired by the blood flow velocity acquiring unit, sets at least one of a transmitting phase of a transmitted exciting pulse, a transmitting phase of a refocusing pulse, a shift amount of the relative phase difference between the transmitted exciting phase and the refocusing pulse, and an intensity of a gradient pulse in a readout direction as a capturing condition, and a blood flow image capturing unit that creates a blood flow image of the object by performing an imaging scan on the basis of the capturing condition set by the capturing condition setting unit.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a sensitivity map database that stores sensitivity map data of a multi-coil including plural coils necessary for parallel imaging unfolding processing; a data slicing unit that slices partial data from three-dimensional volume data collected for the respective coils by parallel imaging, respectively; an intermediate image reconstructing unit that executes reconstruction processing for the partial data to thereby reconstruct intermediate images for the respective coils; and a reference image generating unit that slices sensitivity map data corresponding to the intermediate images from the sensitivity map database as sensitivity map data for unfolding processing, executes the parallel imaging unfolding processing for the intermediate images using the sensitivity map data for unfolding processing, and generates reference images.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material which comprises the steps of activation-treatment and a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, or comprises the steps of activation-treatment, a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, and monomer grafting in this order, or comprises the step of a solvent-treatment followed by these steps. Thus, the polymeric material, e.g., polyolefin, is improved in hydrophilicity, adhesion, etc. without lowering the practical strength thereof. The polymeric material thus improved in adhesion and other properties can be used in many applications where water absorption and adhesion are required, such as an absorption material, e.g., a wiping/cleansing material, a water retention material, a material for microorganism culture media, a separator for batteries (or cells), a synthetic paper, a filter medium, a textile product for clothing, a medical/sanitary/cosmetic supply, and reinforcing fibers for composite materials.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material whereby the polymeric material is modified to give a highly durable surface without decreasing its strength. Namely, a polymeric material is modified by the method comprising a combination of an impregnation step, an activation step, a step of grafting a monomer and a step of a treatment with a hydrophilic polymer. Thus, the hydrophilic nature, adhesiveness, and so forth of polymeric materials such as polyolefins can be improved without causing any decrease in the practical strength. The thus obtained polymeric materials are usable in articles with a need for high water absorptivity and high adhesiveness, for example, water-absorbing materials and water-retaining materials for medical, sanitary, cosmetic articles or supplies, agricultural materials, synthetic papers, filters and fiber products for clothes, for improving adhesiveness of composite materials and the like.

Abstract: In the black blood method using a double inversion pulse, images in the systole of the cardiac cycle can be captured in a reliable manner even in the presence of a cycle-to-cycle variance in the heart beat cycle. A pulse sequence of the black blood method composed of a double inversion pulse DIV and an imaging pulse train SEQima is used. This sequence is applied in sync with an ECG signal of a subject to be imaged, and magnetic resonance imaging is thereby performed. The double inversion DIV is applied in sync with an R-wave:R1 appearing on the ECG signal at a given timing, with a first delay time td1 (fixed value), and the imaging pulse train SEQima is applied in sync with the following R-wave:R2 with a second delay time td2 (fixed value: set in accordance with the systole). A variance of the cardiac cycle is absorbed in an inversion time BBTI.

Abstract: A shift lever device having a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and includes a support which rotatably supports the shift lever and includes breakable portions which break when an impact force above a preselected magnitude is applied to the shift lever. Accordingly, when an axial impact force indicative of a sudden deceleration is applied to the shift lever, the support is broken. The breakage of the support allows safer absorption of the impact force applied to the shift lever. The breakable portions may take the form of a frangible pin or bracket that pivotally supports the shift lever.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus generates an MR signal from an object by applying a gradient field pulse generated by a gradient field coil and a high-frequency magnetic field pulse generated by a high-frequency coil to the object in a static field, and reconstructs an image on the basis of the MR signal. The gradient field coil is housed in a sealed vessel. The internal air in the sealed vessel is exhausted by the pump to prevent noise. By controlling the operation of the pump using a control circuit, noise in imaging operation can be reduced more effectively.

Abstract: A method of modifying a polymeric material which comprises the steps of activation-treatment and a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, or comprises the steps of activation-treatment, a hydrophilic polymer-treatment, and monomer grafting in this order, or comprises the step of a solvent-treatment followed by these steps. Thus, the polymeric material, e.g., polyolefin, is improved in hydrophilicity, adhesion, etc. without lowering the practical strength thereof The polymeric material thus improved in adhesion and other properties can be used in many applications where water absorption and adhesion are required, such as an absorption material, e.g., a wiping/cleansing material, a water retention material, a material for microorganism culture media, a separator for batteries (or cells), a synthetic paper, a filter medium, a textile product for clothing, a medical/sanitary/cosmetic supply, and reinforcing fibers for composite materials.

Abstract: There is provided a shift lever device which comprises a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and also comprises supporting means which rotatably supports the shift lever and is broken due to axial impact force applied to the shift lever. Accordingly, when axial impact force (strong force) is applied to the shift lever, the supporting means is broken. The breakage of the supporting means allows absorption of the impact force applied to the shift lever. Namely, in the shift lever device of the present invention, the impact force applied to the shift lever is absorbed due to the breakage of the supporting means. For this reason, an absorbing ability to the impact force is improved as compared with a conventional shift lever device.

Abstract: A shift lever device includes a shift lever which allows selection of an arbitrary shift range by shift operation and which is rotatably supported by a structure that breaks when an axial impact force above a preselected magnitude is applied to the shift lever. The breakage of the supporting structure allows safer absorption of an impact force applied to the shift lever. The breakable supporting structure may take the form of a portion of a thin portion of a circular wall forming a bearing that rotatably supports the shift lever, or a frangible pin or bracket that pivotably supports the shift lever.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus generates an MR signal from an object by applying a gradient field pulse generated by a gradient field coil and a high-frequency magnetic field pulse generated by a high-frequency coil to the object in a static field, and reconstructs an image on the basis of the MR signal. The gradient field coil is housed in a sealed vessel. The internal air in the sealed vessel is exhausted by the pump to prevent noise. By controlling the operation of the pump using a control circuit, noise in imaging operation can be reduced more effectively.

Abstract: A pair of gradient field pulses of the same applied time and the same intensity are applied before and after a radio-frequency (RF) refocusing pulse (180.degree. pulse) as additional gradient field pulses to enhance the phase shift of a transverse magnetization spin, caused by the diffusion of a molecule including a target nuclide. To compensate for image deterioration caused by an unnecessary field distribution which is produced by the additional gradient field pulses, a compensation gradient field pulse dGcp and a compensation offset gradient field dGoffset are applied and a center frequency at the time of receiving and detecting an echo signal is shifted by df.sub.0.