Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with automatically adapting MRI controlling parameters are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes configuring an MRI apparatus to acquire MR signal data using a non-rectilinear trajectory. The example method may also include acquiring MR signals, transforming the MR signals into image data, and selectively adapting the MRI controlling parameters based, at least in part, on information associated with the MR signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to micelles that are elaborated with functionality useful for imaging and/or selectively targeting tissue, e.g., in the delivery of hydrophobic agents.

Abstract: A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data.

Abstract: Extended-coverage magnetic resonance imaging coils with optimized homogeneity in longitudinal sensitivity are described. One exemplary coil includes four elements, where two of the elements are opposed-solenoid imaging elements and two of the elements are single loop imaging elements.

Abstract: Methods for confirming location of a catheter tip relative to a targeted location in a blood vessel of a subject and improving visualization of the blood vessels downstream of the catheter tip are provided. The methods comprise acquiring and displaying a first modified MR image of the subject's blood vessels between an insertion site for the catheter and the targeted location; acquiring and displaying a sequence of modified MR images of the blood vessels to monitor advancement of an inserted catheter from the insertion site to an intraluminal stop site at or near the targeted location; delivering a bolus of a magnetic resonance contrast agent through the tip of the catheter and to the intraluminal stop site, wherein the magnetic contrast agent alters the first modified MR image of the subject's blood vessels; acquiring and displaying an updated second MR modified image of the blood vessels at and downstream of the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data.

Abstract: PRF shift MRI data is acquired. The PRF shift MRI data may include signals affected by both a desired PRF shift and an undesired PRF shift. Thus, example systems and methods describe manipulating the PRF shift MRI data to make it substantially free of the effects of the undesired PRF shift, which facilitates displaying certain MRI images based on the desired PRF shift.

Abstract: A system for automatically adapting image acquisition parameters based on imaging and/or device tracking feedback is provided. An example system includes a subsystem for acquiring images (e.g., MR) of an object and tracking data for a device (e.g. catheter) inserted into the object and controllably moveable within the object. The system also includes an image processor for processing the images and a device tracking logic for computing device parameters (e.g., speed, direction of travel, rate of speed change, position, position relative to a landmark, device orientation). Based on the images and device parameter computations, a parameter control and adjustment logic can automatically update one or more image acquisition parameters that control the image acquisition subsystem.

Abstract: An invasive device having an inductive coupling element. One embodiment of the invasive device includes a plurality of receive coils inductively coupled to a communicating coil. The receive coils are selectively tuned and detuned to receive MR signals for providing coordinate information used for device tracking. A second embodiment of the invasive device includes a receive coil having a plurality of winding elements separated from each other by different distances. A method of rapidly acquiring both the invasive device orientation and position information to dynamically adapt MR scan planes to continuously follow the invasive device relative to a target is provided. The target-navigation technique automatically defines the MR scan plane and a time domain multiplexing technique is applied for MR imaging and device tracking. Using these techniques, the acquired MR images shows both the invasive device and the target tissue.

Abstract: A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data.

Abstract: Methods for confirming location of a catheter tip relative to a targeted location in a blood vessel of a subject and improving visualization of the blood vessels downstream of the catheter tip are provided. The methods comprise acquiring and displaying a first modified MR image of the subject's blood vessels between an insertion site for the catheter and the targeted location; acquiring and displaying a sequence of modified MR images of the blood vessels to monitor advancement of an inserted catheter from the insertion site to an intraluminal stop site at or near the targeted location; delivering a bolus of a magnetic resonance contrast agent through the tip of the catheter and to the intraluminal stop site, wherein the magnetic contrast agent alters the first modified MR image of the subject's blood vessels; acquiring and displaying an updated second MR modified image of the blood vessels at and downstream of the tip of the catheter.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with automatically adapting MRI controlling parameters are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes configuring an MRI apparatus to acquire MR signal data using a non-rectilinear trajectory. The example method may also include acquiring MR signals, transforming the MR signals into image data, and selectively adapting the MRI controlling parameters based, at least in part, on information associated with the MR signals.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with automatically adapting MRI controlling parameters are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes configuring an MRI apparatus to acquire MR signal data using a non-rectilinear trajectory. The example method may also include acquiring MR signals, transforming the MR signals into image data, and selectively adapting the MRI controlling parameters based, at least in part, on information associated with the MR signals.

Abstract: A method to detect the location of a catheter relative to a targeted location in a blood vessel is provided. One example method includes acquiring and displaying magnetic resonance (MR) images while a first MR contrast agent is present and while the operation of that first MR contrast agent is counter-acted by a second MR contrast agent. Both MR contrast agents may be introduced into a blood vessel by the catheter whose position is to be detected.

Abstract: A probe suitable for attachment to, or incorporation in, a medical interventional device, such as a catheter, and which may be employed for tracking, imaging, or both, includes a first material having an MR resonance frequency distinct from a resonance frequency of a second material adjacent to the first material. The probe may include one or more coils, or it may be wireless, that is, it may have no coils. Some probe configurations are directed at tracking or imaging of vascular vessels or tissue, and configurations allow both tracking and imaging.

Abstract: Methods are described for efficient reconstruction of MRI data. In one practice, new reconstruction algorithms for non-uniformly sampled k-space data are presented. In the disclosed algorithms, Iterative Next-Neighbor re-Gridding (INNG) and Block INNG (BINNG), iterative procedures are performed using larger rescaled matrices than the target grid matrix In BINNG algorithm, the sampled k-space region is partitioned into several blocks and the INNG algorithm is applied to each block. In another practice, a novel partial spiral reconstruction (PFSR) uses an estimated phase map from a low-resolution image reconstructed from the central k-space data and performs iterations, similar to the iterative procedures with INNG, with an imposed phase constraint. According to yet another practice, an off-resonance correction is performed on matrices that are smaller than the full image matrix. All these methods reduce the computational costs while rendering high-quality reconstructed images.

Abstract: A new and improved method for tracking and/or spatial localization of an invasive device in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is provided. The invention includes providing an invasive device including a marker having a chemically shifted signal source with a resonant frequency different from the chemical species of the subject to be imaged, applying a pulse sequence, detecting the resulting RF magnetic resonance signals, and determining the 3D coordinates of the marker. The invention also includes generating scan planes and reconstructing an image from the detected signals to generate an image having the marker contrasted from the subject. The invasive device includes a marker having a chemically shifted signal source which has a resonant frequency different from the chemical species of the subject to be imaged for use in tracking the device during imaging.

Abstract: PRF shift MRI data is acquired. The PRF shift MRI data may include signals affected by both a desired PRF shift and an undesired PRF shift. Thus, example systems and methods describe manipulating the PRF shift MRI data to make it substantially free of the effects of the undesired PRF shift, which facilitates displaying certain MRI images based on the desired PRF shift. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: PRF shift MRI data is acquired. The PRF shift MRI data may include signals affected by both a desired PRF shift and an undesired PRF shift. Thus, example systems and methods describe manipulating the PRF shift MR! data to make it substantially free of the effects of the undesired PRF shift, which facilitates displaying certain MRI images based on the desired PRF shift.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with a block-by-block off-resonance frequency estimation method are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes calculating a field map from local B0 off resonance frequency estimates. The example method may also include performing water-fat decomposition and signal de-blurring based on the calculated map.