Abstract: A patient couch for use in a medical imaging system that includes a gantry, a power supply unit and a driving unit for positioning the patient couch with respect to the gantry. The patient couch includes at least a first connector for supplying a wireless coil (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) coil for an MRI imaging apparatus) with power. The patient couch is detachably connected to the gantry. The power supply is configured to supply the first connector with power and an optional clock synchronization signal.

Abstract: A medical image imaging system according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines a progress in a workflow related to imaging of a subject by a medical image imaging apparatus. The processing circuitry assigns an operation authority for the medical image imaging apparatus to one user terminal among a plurality of user terminals in accordance with the determined progress.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a gradient coil, a receiving circuit, and processing circuitry. The gradient coil is configured to superimpose a gradient magnetic field on a static magnetic field. The receiving circuit is configured to receive an MR (magnetic resonance) signal from an object placed in the gradient magnetic field. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate time variation of an MR (magnetic resonance) frequency during a sampling period of the MR signal based on waveform data of a gradient current applied to the gradient coil, perform correction on a frequency or phase of the MR signal received by the receiving circuit based on the estimated time variation of the MR frequency during the sampling period, and reconstruct an image by using the MR signal subjected to the correction.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes first generating circuitry and second generating circuitry. The first generating circuitry interpolates a first data string of digital data including envelope information of a radio frequency (RF) pulse to be output, thereby generating a second data string in which a variation amount of digital data adjacent to each other in the first data string is smaller than an upper limit value. The second generating circuitry generates a signal of the RF pulse by combining the second data string generated by the first generating circuitry and information relating to a carrier wave of the RF pulse, and outputs the signal to an RF amplifier.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmission channel, a first phase shifter, and a second phase shifter. The transmission channel is configured to arrange, in at least a partial section between a generator and a transmitter coil, radio frequency (RF) pulse signals to be transmitted parallel to one another via a plurality of channels. The first phase shifter is configured to shift at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals to be transmitted via the channels, so that the phases of the RF pulse signals are in a relationship of being different from one another. The second phase shifter is configured to shift, in accordance with a phase amount shifted by the first phase shifter, at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals at a stage prior to inputting the RE pulse signals to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus installed in a shield room comprises a gantry, a table, and at least one unit. The gantry includes a static magnetic field magnet, a gradient magnetic field coil, and an RF coil. The subject is to be placed on the table. The at least one unit relates to control of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and is configured to include at least one opening on a upper surface on for maintenance and inspection.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a MRI apparatus includes an RF coil apparatus receiving MR signals by coil elements corresponding to channels, modulating the MR signals to have different frequencies for each of the channels, and outputting an analog multiplexed signal in which the MR signals with different frequencies are composited over the channels, and a receiver including ADC circuitry converting the analog multiplexed signal to a digital multiplexed signal, and predetermined number of separation channels separating the digital multiplexed signal, based on the number of the channels relating to composition of the MR signals with the different frequencies. The receiver stops a separation process of the digital multiplexed signal for separation channels not used in the separation process among the predetermined number of separation channels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a wireless RF coil; a control side oscillator configured to output a control-side clock signal used for executing a pulse sequence; and a synchronization signal transmission circuit configured to wirelessly transmit a synchronization signal to the wireless RF coil in an executing period of the pulse sequence, except an MR-signal detection period during which the wireless RF coil detects a magnetic resonance signal, wherein the synchronization signal is within a frequency band of a Larmor frequency and reflects a phase of the control-side clock signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus provided with a plurality of transmission channels includes a signal processing unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit acquires a radio frequency magnetic field emitted from each of the plurality of transmission channels through a receiver coil mounted on an object and measure a phase of the radio frequency magnetic field. The control unit determines a phase difference between the plurality of transmission channels based on the phase of the radio frequency magnetic field of each of the plurality of transmission channels measured by the signal processing unit. The control unit controls a phase of a radio frequency pulse inputted to each of the plurality of transmission channels, based on the phase difference.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static field magnet, a gradient coil, at least one radio frequency coil, a receiver and processing circuitry. The static field magnet, the gradient coil, the at least one radio frequency coil and the receiver are configured to acquire magnetic resonance signals from an object. The processing circuitry is configured to generate magnetic resonance image data based on the magnetic resonance signals. The receiver is configured to convert analog magnetic resonance signals received by the at least one radio frequency coil into digital magnetic resonance signals without a downconversion; separate the digital magnetic resonance signals into in-phase signals and quadrature-phase signals; and perform filter processing for removing noises of the in-phase signals and the quadrature-phase signals.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes an amplifier and processing circuitry. The amplifier amplifies an RF pulse and outputs the amplified RF pulse to an RF coil. The processing circuitry performs correction processing on an envelope of an RF pulse to be inputted to the amplifier so as to compensate nonlinear input-output characteristics of the amplifier. As to this correction processing, the processing circuitry selects a correction information item out of a plurality of correction information items prepared for a corresponding plurality of imaging conditions and performs the correction processing by using the selected information item.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes receiving coils each including an A/D converter configured to convert an MR signal received from an object into a digital signal by sampling the MR signal, a clock generation circuit configured to generate a reference clock of the sampling, and a radio transmission circuit configured to wirelessly transmit a digitized MR signal; and a main body configured to wirelessly receive the digitized MR signal and generate an image of the object by reconstructing the digitized MR signal, wherein one of the receiving coils selected as a reference receiving coil by the main body is configured to transmit the reference clock to each of other receiving coils by radio or by wire; and each of the other receiving coils is configured to synchronize the reference clock generated by the clock generation circuit with the reference clock transmitted from the reference receiving coil.

Abstract: A wireless RF coil unit according to the embodiment includes at least one receiver, a converter, a mixer and a filter. The at least one receiver receive a first analog signal having a first frequency synchronized with a first clock of a device different from the coil unit, and a second analog signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency. The converter converts the first analog signal into a first digital signal, and the second analog signal into a second digital signal, in accordance with a second clock of the coil unit. The mixer generates a multiplication signal of the first digital signal and the second digital signal. The filter passes a predetermined frequency component in the multiplication signal and outputs an intermediated frequency signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a gradient coil, a receiving circuit, and processing circuitry. The gradient coil is configured to superimpose a gradient magnetic field on a static magnetic field. The receiving circuit is configured to receive an MR (magnetic resonance) signal from an object placed in the gradient magnetic field. The processing circuitry is configured to estimate time variation of an MR (magnetic resonance) frequency during a sampling period of the MR signal based on waveform data of a gradient current applied to the gradient coil, perform correction on a frequency or phase of the MR signal received by the receiving circuit based on the estimated time variation of the MR frequency during the sampling period, and reconstruct an image by using the MR signal subjected to the correction.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmission channel, a first phase shifter, and a second phase shifter. The transmission channel is configured to arrange, in at least a partial section between a generator and a transmitter coil, radio frequency (RF) pulse signals to be transmitted parallel to one another via a plurality of channels. The first phase shifter is configured to shift at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals to be transmitted via the channels, so that the phases of the RF pulse signals are in a relationship of being different from one another. The second phase shifter is configured to shift, in accordance with a phase amount shifted by the first phase shifter, at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals at a stage prior to inputting the RE pulse signals to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: Image diagnosis apparatus (20) generates image data of an object by using external electric power, and includes a charge/discharge element and a charge/discharge control circuit. The charge/discharge element is charged with the external electric power and supplies part of the consumed power of the image diagnosis apparatus by discharging. The charge/discharge control circuit controls charge and discharge of the charge/discharge element in such a manner that the charge/discharge element discharges in a period during which the consumed power is larger than a predetermined power amount and the charge/discharge element is charged in a period during which the consumed power is smaller than the predetermined power amount.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a data acquisition system, a charge/discharge element and a power control unit. The data acquisition system acquires nuclear magnetic resonance signals from an imaging region by performing a scan. The charge/discharge element is a part of an electric power system of the MRI apparatus, and is charged with external electric power. The power control unit controls the electric power system in such a manner that at least one unit excluding the data acquisition system is supplied with electric power from the charge/discharge element.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus provided with a plurality of transmission channels includes a signal processing unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit acquires a radio frequency magnetic field emitted from each of the plurality of transmission channels through a receiver coil mounted on an object and measure a phase of the radio frequency magnetic field. The control unit determines a phase difference between the plurality of transmission channels based on the phase of the radio frequency magnetic field of each of the plurality of transmission channels measured by the signal processing unit. The control unit controls a phase of a radio frequency pulse inputted to each of the plurality of transmission channels, based on the phase difference.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring radio frequency output for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a directional coupler, a signal controller and a converter. The directional coupler is variable in degree of coupling, and configured to attenuate a radio frequency signal which is generated in a radio frequency signal generator and amplified in a radio frequency power amplifier. The signal controller is configured to control the degree of coupling of the directional coupler. The converter is configured to perform a digital conversion of the radio frequency signal from the directional coupler so as to output a digital signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image generation unit. The data acquisition unit acquires an analog MR signal from an object and converts the analog MR signal into a digital MR signal. The image generation unit generates MR image data based on the digital MR signal. The data acquisition unit includes an AD converter, a signal processing part and a noise suppression part. The AD converter converts the analog MR signal, before a down conversion, into the digital MR signal, inside an imaging room. The signal processing part performs signal processing of the digital MR signal, inside the imaging room or outside the imaging room. The noise suppression part suppresses a noise arising caused by a conversion from the analog MR signal, before the down conversion, into the digital MR signal.