Abstract: A system for magnetic resonance imaging an object via a stochastic optimization of a sampling function is provided. The system includes a magnet assembly and a controller. The magnet assembly is operative to acquire MR data from the object. The controller is operative to: acquire a first MR data set using the magnet assembly; select the sampling function from a plurality of sampling function candidates based at least in part on the stochastic optimization; and acquire a second MR data set from the object using the magnet assembly based at least in part on the sampling function.

Abstract: A method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object is provided. The method includes applying one or more wave-encoded magnetic gradients to the object, and acquiring MR signals from the object. The method further includes calibrating a wave point-spread function, and reconstructing an image from the MR signals based at least in part on the calibrated wave point-spread function. Calibration of the wave point-spread function is based at least in part on one or more intermediate images generated from the MR signals.

Abstract: A system for magnetic resonance imaging an object via a stochastic optimization of a sampling function is provided. The system includes a magnet assembly and a controller. The magnet assembly is operative to acquire MR data from the object. The controller is operative to: acquire a first MR data set using the magnet assembly; select the sampling function from a plurality of sampling function candidates based at least in part on the stochastic optimization; and acquire a second MR data set from the object using the magnet assembly based at least in part on the sampling function.

Abstract: A method for performing wave-encoded magnetic resonance imaging of an object is provided. The method includes applying one or more wave-encoded magnetic gradients to the object, and acquiring MR signals from the object. The method further includes calibrating a wave point-spread function, and reconstructing an image from the MR signals based at least in part on the calibrated wave point-spread function. Calibration of the wave point-spread function is based at least in part on one or more intermediate images generated from the MR signals.

Abstract: A method for performing spectroscopy using an interleaved readout for at least two species. A B0 field is applied. A first spatial-spectral (SPSP) position resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) excitation with a sufficiently narrow band to excite a first species without exciting a second species is applied. A first readout that measures the first species is performed. A second SPSP PRESS excitation with a sufficiently narrow band to excite the second species without exciting the first species is applied. A second readout that measures the second species is performed.

Abstract: A manifestation of the invention provides a method for slice selective excitation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A B0 field is applied. A STABLE pulse comprising of a BIR-4 envelope sampled by a plurality of subpulses with a duration is applied, where amplitude and frequency modulation functions of the BIR-4 envelope are slowly varying with respect to the duration of the subpulses. A portion of k-space is read out to obtain k-space data. The STABLE pulse and readout are repeated until sufficient k-space has been acquired. A Fourier Transform of the k-space data is taken.

Abstract: A manifestation of the invention provides a method for slice selective excitation for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A B0 field is applied. A STABLE pulse comprising of a BIR-4 envelope sampled by a plurality of subpulses with a duration is applied, where amplitude and frequency modulation functions of the BIR-4 envelope are slowly varying with respect to the duration of the subpulses. A portion of k-space is read out to obtain k-space data. The STABLE pulse and readout are repeated until sufficient k-space has been acquired. A Fourier Transform of the k-space data is taken.

Abstract: A method for performing spectroscopy using an interleaved readout for at least two species. A B0 field is applied. A first spatial-spectral (SPSP) position resolved spectroscopy sequence (PRESS) excitation with a sufficiently narrow band to excite a first species without exciting a second species is applied. A first readout that measures the first species is performed. A second SPSP PRESS excitation with a sufficiently narrow band to excite the second species without exciting the first species is applied. A second readout that measures the second species is performed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating T1-weighted images are provided. The method includes acquiring a pair of single-shot fast-spin-echo (SSFSE) images S1 and S2. The method further includes generating a T1-weighted image ST1w based on S1 and S2.

Abstract: Banding artifacts in steady state free precession (SSFP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are reduced by acquiring and combining multiple SSFP images in an augmented matrix where an acquisition vector in k-space is equal to a Fourier matrix of the trajectory on a known distortion operator for each trajectory in k-space.

Abstract: In imaging a first species having a short T2 magnetic resonance parameter in the presence of a second and third species having longer T2 parameters, a method of suppressing signals from the longer T2 species comprises the steps of: a) applying a RF saturation pulse with multiple suppression bands for the second and third species to excite nuclei spins of the longer T2 species with the magnitude of the RF pulse being sufficiently low so as not to excite nuclei spins of the short T2 species, the RF saturation pulse being sufficiently long to rotate the longer T2 species nuclei spins into a transverse plane, and b) dephasing the longer T2 species nuclei spins in the transverse plane. An imaging pulse sequence is then applied to image the short T2 species.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging utilizes view angle tilting to correct for in-plane distortions with each RF excitation pulse being followed by a plurality of signal readouts to reduce image blurring. Each image readout is in the presence of a frequency select gradient (Gx) and a slice select gradient (Gz), and at least the slice select gradient is refocused after each readout of an image signal. Each readout can have a time duration of the main lobe of the RF excitation pulse or the readout can have a higher bandwidth with an increased number of readouts. The combining of multiple readouts diminishes slice profile modulation resulting from Fourier transform.

Abstract: A method for designing non-linear phase 180° spectral-spatial radio frequency pulses that can be used for spectral editing in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. A novel feature of the pulse is a symmetric sweep developed by the spectral profile from the outside edges of the spectral window towards the middle whereby coupled components are tipped simultaneously and over a short interval. Pulses have been designed for lactate editing at 1.5 T and 3 T. The spectral and spatial spin-echo profiles of the RF pulses can be measured experimentally and altered in an iterative manner. Spectral-spatial radio frequency (SSRF) pulses allow simultaneous selection in both frequency and spatial domains. These pulses are particularly important for clinical and research magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) applications for suppression of large water and lipid resonances.

Abstract: Real-time spatially localized velocity distribution is measured using magnetic resonance techniques by first exciting a region of interest using an RF excitation pulse simultaneously with gradient pulses along two orthogonal axes. A cyclical read-out gradient is then applied along a read-out axis and a magnetic resonance signal is continuously sampled while the read-out gradient is applied. The excitation and read-out is repeated at time intervals to obtain time varying spatially localized velocities within the region of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for accurately sensing the temperature of articles being heated in a microwave oven. Basic structural elements of the invention are a housing that defines an oven chamber, a door providing access thereto and an energy source for transmitting microwave energy into the chamber. A temperature responsive sensor is positioned within the chamber and is adapted to sense the temperature of articles being heated therein. Enclosing the sensor is an elongated sensor body formed of an electrically conductive material so as to provide a shield for microwave energy and having a length that establishes therfor a detuned antenna condition at the microwave transmission frequency of the source. An electrical control circuit is coupled between the source and the sensor and controls energization of the source in response to temperature levels sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connection system for a microwave oven including a chamber defining a housing, a source for transmitting microwave energy into the chamber, a turntable rotatably mounted within the chamber and defining stations for receiving articles to be heated and a drive mechanism for producing rotation of the turntable. A control circuit controls energization of the source in response to signal outputs from temperature responsive sensors positioned in the heating stations. The rotary coupling includes a stationary portion mounted on the housing and having stationary contacts connected to the control circuit and a rotary portion mounted on the turntable and having rotary contacts connected to the sensors and slidably engaging the stationary contacts during rotational movement of the turntable.

Abstract: The invention is a temperature probe including an elongated electrically conductive housing having one closed end and one open end. Electrically connected to the inner surface of the closed end is one lead of a thermistor, the second lead of which is connected to the inner conductor of a coaxial cable extending into the open end of the housing. The outer conductor of the cable is electrically connected to the housing near its open end in such a manner as to compress the cable within the housing and induce longitudinal deformation thereof. The compression of the cable within the housing insures that the first thermistor lead is in intimate contact with the closed end of the housing when an electrical connection is made therebetween, preferably by a heliarc welding operation.

Abstract: The invention is a temperature probe assembly including a probe for insertion into food products and comprising a temperature responsive sensor. Secured to the probe is a coaxial cable having electrically isolated inner and outer conductors connected to the temperature responsive sensor and an outer insulative sheath. The insulative sheath is discontinuous so as to create at a plurality of spaced apart locations on the cable insulation gaps in which a length of the outer conductor is exposed. Molded over each of the insulation gaps and bonded intimately to each of the exposed lengths of the outer conductor is an insulative unit. In response to a predetermined relative movement between an insulative unit and the insulative sheath, the attached length of outer conductor is severed to open an electrical circuit.