Abstract: Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.

Abstract: Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the presence of, or the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The method may include obtaining measurements of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, and deriving one or more values representing the CSF flow in the patient. These values may be used to determine if the patient has abnormal CSF flow, as such abnormal CSF flow may be indicative of presence of, or susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The present invention also discloses that magnetic resonance images may be obtained on patients in various positions, including the upright position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the presence of, or the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The method may include obtaining measurements of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, and deriving one or more values representing the CSF flow in the patient. These values may be used to determine if the patient has abnormal CSF flow, as such abnormal CSF flow may be indicative of presence of, or susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The present invention also discloses that magnetic resonance images may be obtained on patients in various positions, including the upright position.

Abstract: A method for detecting Chiari malformations. The method generally comprises positioning a patient in an upright orientation in a patient-receiving space of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the upright orientation. The method further comprises positioning the patient in a recumbent orientation in the patient-receiving space of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the recumbent orientation.

Abstract: Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.