Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of an MRI apparatus by allowing the controller of the MRI to be remotely reconfigured, allowing modification and upgrade of the hardware configuration of the controller. For complex or innovative pulse sequences, a customized hardware configuration of the controller may be necessary; for optimization of digital signal processing of the received data, reconfiguring the hardware configuration of the controller to perform the digital signal processing may be desirable.

Abstract: A vibration assisted needle device is disclosed for use in medical procedures, such as needle aspiration biopsies. Reciprocation of the needle, such as a biopsy needle, eases the advance of the needle through tissue, penetration of the site of interest and the collection of sample at a site of interest. The device comprises a housing defining a chamber, a needle support external to the chamber for supporting a needle and a mechanism in the chamber for causing reciprocatory motion of the needle support. The needle support is preferably external to the housing. A syringe support may be connected to the housing for supporting a syringe. The reciprocatory mechanism may comprise means for converting rotational motion into reciprocating motion, such as a bearing or a rotor with a circumferential, angled groove on its surface, coupled to the needle support. The bearing or the rotor may be driven by a rotational motor, preferably located outside of the housing, or by a hydraulically driven turbine within the housing.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has a box-like ferromagnetic frame with vertical side walls, poles connected to the side walls and top and bottom walls forming flux return structures between the side walls. The frame has open front and rear sides defining patient entry openings, and has top and bottom openings in the top and bottom walls. A patient can be positioned in a vertical, horizontal or intermediate orientation within the frame. When the patient is in the vertical orientation, the patient can be raised or lowered so that parts of the patient's body protrude into the top or bottom openings, so as to align any part of the patient's body with the poles. The apparatus allows imaging of any part of the anatomy while the patient is in a standing position.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient. Also provided is a magnet having field coils disposed about the of pole portions of the magnet. A diagnostic facility for high volume MRI use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An NMR imaging process utilizes both driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo techniques to acquire image data. The fast-spin echo technique is a multi-echo imaging sequence, where a 90-degree RF pulse applied at the center of any echo turns the magnetization back in the direction of the static magnetic field. Within a short waiting time after that pulse, the spins are ready to be excited again. The sequence follows a first 90-degree RF pulse by a series of n 180-degree RF pulses, followed by n echoes. A second 90-degree RF pulse applied to the nth echo returns the magnetization. A multiple single-slice mode is utilized to acquire individual slice images one at a time. A continuous single-slice mode is utilized to acquire individual slice images automatically in sequence over the region of interest. In either mode, adjacent slices can be made to overlap to a degree ranging from 0% to 100%.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a coil for a magnetic resonance imaging magnet is disclosed. The method includes providing a plurality of windings each having an axis. A conductor is arranged in a plurality of turns extending in a spiral between the inner end and the outer end of the windings. The turns of each outward winding and inward winding are arranged so that a point moving along the turns in a first direction of rotation about the axis of the outward winding moves from the inner end towards the outer end, and the outer end towards the inner end, respectively. The method further includes superposing the spiral windings one above the other so that the windings are substantially coaxial with one another and electrically connecting the windings in series with one another.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient. Also provided is a magnet having field coils disposed about the of pole portions of the magnet. A diagnostic facility for high volume MRI use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.

Abstract: Methods for changing the values of parameters of a pulse sequence of a magnetic resonance imaging scanning procedure to change a characteristic of at least one image resulting from the scanning procedure are disclosed wherein an input device in the room with the patient is used to provide an input to the magnetic resonance imaging system. The input device is preferably a hand-operated device, such as a mouse. Values of parameters corresponding to TR time, TE time, slice axis, slice thickness, slice location, field of view, oblique angle and resolution may, for example, be changed by providing suitable inputs through the input device. Methods of conducting MRI scans are also disclosed wherein an updated pulse sequence is formed based on a current pulse sequence and an input from an input device, during execution of the current pulse sequence. MRI systems are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient. Also provided is a magnet having field coils disposed about the of pole portions of the magnet. A diagnostic facility for high volume MRI use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A personal computer or “PC” based software control system for a magnetic resonance imaging or “MRI” scanner. The software control system manages various types of MRI scanners without modification of the software control system. The control system manages the scanning process through a device driver interface which abstracts the particulars of the specific hardware used to interface to the magnetic, radio frequency, image display, image acquisition, patient handling and scan control subsystems.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient. Also provided is a magnet having field coils disposed about the of pole portions of the magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling hands-free use of a device for magnifying a long-distance event, such as binoculars, includes a base member, a first attachment member, and a second attachment member. The first attachment member is connected to the base member and is adapted to removably attach the apparatus to an article of headgear, such as a brimmed cap. The second attachment member is connected to the base member and is adapted to removably attach the apparatus to the magnifying device. The apparatus includes adjustable portions such as hinges so that the position of the binoculars may be adjusted by the user when the apparatus is attached to the cap.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.

Abstract: A magnet for magnetic resonance imaging has an interior working space within the magnet frame sufficient to accommodate a physician and a patient. Because the physician is positioned inside the magnet frame, the physician has unimpeded access to the patient. Elements of the magnet frame desirably encompass a room, and the magnet frame may be concealed from view of a patient within the room. Preferred embodiments facilitate MRI imaged guided surgery and other procedures performed while the patient is being imaged, and minimize claustrophobia experienced by the patient.

Abstract: A personal computer or "PC" based software control system for a magnetic resonance imaging or "MRI" scanner. The software control system manages various types of MRI scanners without modification of the software control system. The control system manages the scanning process through a device driver interface which abstracts the particulars of the specific hardware used to interface to the magnetic, radio frequency, image display, image acquisition, patient handling and scan control subsystems.