Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method according to an embodiment includes performing a balanced SSFP sequence, repeatedly applies an excitation RF pulse to a subject at intervals of a repetition time and applies gradient magnetic field pulses balanced such that a time integral becomes zero within each interval of the repetition time, while further applying a spin labeling gradient magnetic field for generating one or more continuous spin labels within each interval of the repetition time.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method according to an embodiment includes performing a balanced SSFP sequence, repeatedly applies an excitation RF pulse to a subject at intervals of a repetition time and applies gradient magnetic field pulses balanced such that a time integral becomes zero within each interval of the repetition time, while further applying a spin labeling gradient magnetic field for generating one or more continuous spin labels within each interval of the repetition time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image is captured by an ultrasonic probe. A reference image is obtained by extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the scan plane of the ultrasonic image from volume image data that is pre-obtained by a diagnostic imaging apparatus and that is stored in a volume-data storing unit. The ultrasonic image and the reference image are displayed on the same screen. In this case, of the reference image, a portion corresponding to the view area of the ultrasonic image is extracted and the resulting reference image having the same region as the ultrasonic image is displayed as a fan-shaped image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image 105, 106 is captured by an ultrasonic probe 104. A reference image 111 is obtained by extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the scan plane of the ultrasonic image from volume image data that is pre-obtained by a diagnostic imaging apparatus 102 and that is stored in a volume-data storing unit 107. The ultrasonic image and the reference image 111 are displayed on the same screen 114. In this case, of the reference image, a portion corresponding to the view area of the ultrasonic image is extracted and the resulting reference image having the same region as the ultrasonic image is displayed as a fan-shaped image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image is captured by an ultrasonic probe. A reference image is obtained by extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the scan plane of the ultrasonic image from volume image data that is pre-obtained by a diagnostic imaging apparatus and that is stored in a volume-data storing unit. The ultrasonic image and the reference image are displayed on the same screen. In this case, of the reference image, a portion corresponding to the view area of the ultrasonic image is extracted and the resulting reference image having the same region as the ultrasonic image is displayed as a fan-shaped image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image is captured by an ultrasonic probe. A reference image is obtained by extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the scan plane of the ultrasonic image from volume image data that is pre-obtained by a diagnostic imaging apparatus and that is stored in a volume-data storing unit. The ultrasonic image and the reference image are displayed on the same screen. In this case, of the reference image, a portion corresponding to the view area of the ultrasonic image is extracted and the resulting reference image having the same region as the ultrasonic image is displayed as a fan-shaped image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image is captured by an ultrasonic probe. A reference image is obtained by extracting a tomographic image corresponding to the scan plane of the ultrasonic image from volume image data that is pre-obtained by a diagnostic imaging apparatus and that is stored in a volume-data storing unit. The ultrasonic image and the reference image are displayed on the same screen. In this case, of the reference image, a portion corresponding to the view area of the ultrasonic image is extracted and the resulting reference image having the same region as the ultrasonic image is displayed as a fan-shaped image.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a high-frequency magnetic field generating unit for generating and applying a high-frequency magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field generating unit for generating a gradient magnetic field to be superimposed on the static magnetic field, and a sequencer for controlling the high-frequency magnetic field generating unit and the gradient magnetic field generating unit to acquire, within a specified part of the heartbeat of the subject, MR data that pertains to a plane through which an axis substantially identical to the body axis of the subject in a k-space extends, and to cause the plane to rotate, at every heartbeat, about the axis substantially identical to the body axis.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a high-frequency magnetic field generating unit for generating and applying a high-frequency magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field generating unit for generating a gradient magnetic field to be superimposed on the static magnetic field, and a sequencer for controlling the high-frequency magnetic field generating unit and the gradient magnetic field generating unit to acquire, within a specified part of the heartbeat of the subject, MR data that pertains to a plane through which an axis substantially identical to the body axis of the subject in a k-space extends, and to cause the plane to rotate, at every heartbeat, about the axis substantially identical to the body axis.

Abstract: MR imaging produces a projection image showing better image contrast between small blood vessels and background than traditional net intensity projection (NIP) images but more visual clues to vessel depth than traditional maximum intensity projection (MIP) images.

Abstract: A stereotactic device for use with an imager such as a magnetic resonance imager is disclosed, which permits an imaging scan to be taken with reference to a personal coordinate system (or PCS) that is independent of a machine coordinate system (or MCS). Methods using the device to obtain imaging scans are described such that the imaging scans are superimposable even if taken at different time periods using the same or a different imager. The device comprises a frame that can be reproducibly positioned on a subject and which is equipped with non-invasive affixing means and localizing means that provide the PCS. The device and methods of the invention are particularly well suited for routine initial or follow-up examinations, pre-surgical planning and post-surgical evaluation. Markers on a stereotactic device can be tracked during an MRI scan to compensate for patient motion during the scan.

Abstract: To efficiently calculate a precise phase map, phase differentials are calculated for each pixel of pixel data of an image, corresponding integrals are calculated for each pixel, and the phase map is formed using this integral. A phase correction of the image is performed using the phase map, and separate water/lipid images are formed from the phase-corrected image.

Abstract: MR imaging produces a projection image showing better image contrast between small blood vessels and background than traditional net intensity projection (NIP) images but more visual clues to vessel depth than traditional maximum intensity projection (MIP) images.

Abstract: The present invention creates detailed 2D images from 3D sets of angiographic data. First, a 3D set of angiographic data is acquired. Next, one determines from which perspective they wish to view the 3D data. After the perspective is selected, for each pixel in the 2D image to be created, an imaginary ray is extended through the 3D data set, according to the perspective from which the 2D image is being rendered. For each ray, the n most intense data points intersected by that ray are selected and summed together. Finally, the 2D image is created on a pixel by pixel basis, with each pixel being displayed according to the sum of the n most data points intersected by the ray associated with that pixel.

Abstract: In order to perform imaging with water and fat separated in an efficient manner, a tomographic image is obtained having a phase difference of &pgr;/2 between water and fat using magnetic resonance (700), the phase of the tomographic image is multiplied by n (706), the phase after being corrected for wraparound is multiplied by 1/n (714, 716), and a phase image representing magnetic field inhomogeneity is generated. The tomographic image is corrected for phase using the phase image (718), and is separated into a water image and a fat image (726).

Abstract: In order to accurately measure a gradient magnetic field, a pre-encoding pulse Pk is applied, data S(k, 1)-S(k, T) are collected from an FID signal while applying an encoding pulse Ge having a gradient waveform to be measured, and the above steps are repeated K times with the magnitude of the pre-encoding pulse Pk varied; data D(1,1)-D(1, T−1), D(2, 1)-D(2, T−1), . . . , D(K, 1)-D(K, T−1) having a phase difference &Dgr;&phgr; as an angle are obtained from the collected data S(1,1)-S(1, T), S(2, 1)-S(2, T), . . . , S(K, 1)-S(K, T); data having corresponding magnitudes of the encoding pulse Ge are added to obtain added data d(1)-d(T−1); gradient magnetic field differences &Dgr;G(1)-&Dgr;G(T−1) are obtained from the added data d(1)-d(T−1); and the gradient magnetic field differences &Dgr;G(1)-&Dgr;G(T−1) are integrated to obtain a gradient magnetic field G(1)-G(T−1).

Abstract: A stereotactic device for use with an imager such as a magnetic resonance imager is disclosed, which permits an imaging scan to be taken with reference to a personal coordinate system (or PCS) that is independent of a machine coordinate system (or MCS). Methods using the device to obtain imaging scans are described such that the imaging scans are superimposable even if taken at different time periods using the same or a different imager. The device comprises a frame that can be reproducibly positioned on a subject and which is equipped with non-invasive affixing means and localizing means that provide the PCS. The device and methods of the invention are particularly well suited for routine initial or follow-up examinations, pre-surgical planning and post-surgical evaluation. Markers on a stereotactic device can be tracked during an MRI scan to compensate for patient motion during the scan.

Abstract: A stereotactic device for use with an imager is disclosed, which permits an imaging scan to be taken with reference to a personal coordinate system (or PCS) that is independent of a machine coordinate system (or MCS). Methods using the device to obtain imaging scans are described such that the imaging scans are superimposable even if taken at different time periods using the same or a different imager. The device comprises a frame that can be reproducibly positioned on a subject and which is equipped with non-invasive affixing means and localizing means that provide the PCS. The device and methods of the invention are particularly well suited for routine initial or follow-up examinations, pre-surgical planning and post-surgical evaluation.

Abstract: In order to shorten imaging time in MR imaging, when a partial region A1 is imaged using a fast pulse sequence, a selectively excited region E90 and a selectively inverted region E180 are intersected with each other so as not to include a partial region A2 to be imaged next within the selectively excited region E90 and the selectively inverted region E180.

Abstract: In order to enable the application of a forcible recovery pulse to the multi-slice technique, when selective inversion pulses satisfy the CPMG condition or the CP condition and ETL (Echo Train Length) is even, a dummy selective inversion pulse is applied at the end of each pulse sequence of the fast spin echo technique for each slice, then a dummy read axis gradient is applied without acquiring MR data, then a refocusing pulse selective of only the current slice is applied, and subsequently a forcible recovery pulse sequence FR selective of only the current slice is applied.