Abstract: A magnetic resonance system that is designed to carry out an examination of an examination object, and has an RF controller, a gradient controller and an image sequence controller, which are designed to acquire MR data of a volume portion of the examination object. An arithmetic unit of the magnetic resonance system is designed to reconstruct MR images from the acquired MR data. A standardized REST-based HTTP radio interface of the magnetic resonance system is designed to establish a standardized wireless connection to at least one external device.

Abstract: In a method and computer for the representation of magnetic resonance data, and a method and computer for storing magnetic resonance data in a computer, magnetic resonance data are acquired from an object under investigation, the acquired data represents a spatially resolved distribution of values of a number of tissue parameters in the object. A tree structure is created that has a trunk and a number of first tree elements branching from the trunk. A first tissue parameter among the multiple tissue parameters is assigned to the trunk and a second tissue parameter among the multiple tissue parameters is assigned to the number of first tree elements. The tree structure with respect to the acquired values of the multiple tissue parameters, so an adapted tree structure is compiled. The adapted tree structure is presented for a user on a display monitor.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining a position of a subject under examination during implementation of a medical imaging procedure. A radiation generating unit generates optical radiation that is used to illuminate the subject under examination. The subject under examination blocks the generated optical radiation to produce a shadow. The shadow is detected by an optical detection unit and used by a position determination unit to determine a position of the subject under examination.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for scheduling customer appointments in one or more service centers, wherein at least some of the customers was a mobile device having a location tracking function and a message transmission function, a central appointments scheduling system manages customer appointments, which has assigned an available time window to at least one customer. A default of a customer appointment of a first customer is recorded. The position of at least one second customer, whose available time window overlaps with the defaulted customer appointment, is detected through the use of the location tracking function of the mobile device and communication of the position to the central appointments scheduling system. The expected travel time of the second customer to the service center is calculated and, if the travel time is shorter than the time remaining up to the start time of the defaulted appointment, an offer is sent to the second customer to accept the defaulted appointment.

Abstract: A method is provided for modified gradient timing in a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy. The method also includes receiving, by a controller, an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils and modifying, via the controller, the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to the plurality of gradient coils based on one or more parameters to produce a sequence of modified gradient waveforms. The method further includes providing the sequence of modified gradient waveforms to the plurality of gradient coils.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and a method for operation thereof, the radio-frequency (RF) resonator of the scanner of the apparatus fed from a single RF source and is operated, during a total scan duration for acquiring MR scan data from a subject, so as to excite nuclear spins in the subject with respective RF fields having different B1+ field profiles that are radiated at respectively different times during the acquisition of the scan data. The scan data acquired during the scan thus are produced from MR signals caused by nuclear spins excited by at least two different B1+ field profiles. The scan can be used to acquire MR data for MR fingerprinting.

Abstract: In a method for displaying quantitative magnetic resonance image data, and a processor, and a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus that implement such a method, first quantitative MR image data of an examination object are provided to the processor, the first quantitative MR image having been obtained using an MR scanner with a first basic magnetic field strength. The first quantitative magnetic resonance image data are converted in the processor from the first basic magnetic field strength to a second basic magnetic field strength, thereby generating second quantitative MR image data, which are then displayed.

Abstract: Sterile RF coil arrangements for use in magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The sterile coil arrangements can be formed by spraying or coating a curable liquid onto an RF coil housing and allowing the liquid to cure or dry to form a continuous sterile layer on the coil housing. The thickness of the sterile layer can be between 100 and 1000 micrometers. The curable liquid can include an antimicrobial or antibacterial agent, such as silver ions or triclosan, to better maintain sterility of the coil arrangement. The curable liquid can be selected such that it adheres to the housing when cured and is also removable without leaving residue behind.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and system are provided for magnetic resonance (MR) image-guided insertion of an object into a biological tissue along a predetermined trajectory. The trajectory provides a path between a starting point and a target site within the tissue. Sufficiently high resolution images can be generated in real time to precisely guide the needle placement. A compressed sensing approach is used to generate the images based on minimization of a cost function, where the cost function is based on the predetermined needle path, artifact effects associated with the needle, the negligible changes in the images away from the trajectory, and the limited differences between successive images. The improved combination of spatial and temporal resolution facilitates an insertion procedure that can be continuously adjusted to accurately follow a predetermined trajectory in the tissue, without interruptions to obtain verification images.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for recording a magnetic resonance data set, an MR data acquisition scanner is operated to acquire a range of basic values of a material parameter of a subject, with a basic resolution within a region of the subject. Thereafter, the aforementioned resolution is refined by selecting a refinement acquisition sequence, dependent on a material property to be refined, and then again operating the scanner to acquire further values for the refinement material parameter with a refined resolution, compared to the original resolution.

Abstract: A configurable coil arrangement for use with MRI-guided procedures is provided that facilitates optimal imaging for both pre-procedure planning and imaging of the target sites during the procedure. The coil arrangement includes a plurality of connected coil elements. Spacers connecting the coil elements can be adjustable and/or deformable to provide one or more openings in the coil arrangement of optimal size for accessing the subject within the imaged region. Individual coil elements can also be removed to provide access openings during such procedures, or left in the array for improved pre- and post-procedure image quality. The MRI system can be configured to detect configurations of the coil arrangement and modify imaging parameters to optimize image quality.

Abstract: A method and a local coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. The local coil includes a hand coil having a plurality of rings, each made of a plurality of coil elements.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system and method are provided that include user control of certain functions using physical gestures, such as hand motions or the like. The gesture control aspects can include one or more cameras, and a processor configured to detect and recognize gestures corresponding to predetermined commands and to provide signals to execute the commands. A verification switch, such as a foot switch, can be included to improve safety and reliability of the gesture control aspects. This switch can be used to activate the gesture detection aspects and/or to confirm a recognized gesture command prior to its execution.

Abstract: A system for generating medical image scanner configurations includes a scanner configuration database and a simulation component. The database stores a scanner configuration dataset corresponding to a medical image scanner. The simulation component includes a display module which is configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI) utilized by the medical image scanner, and an editing module which is configured to create a modified scanner configuration dataset based on commands received from a user via the GUI. Additionally, the simulation component includes a simulation module which is configured to (i) perform a simulation of the medical image scanner using the modified scanner configuration dataset to yield simulated results, (ii) use the display module to present the simulated results in the GUI, and (iii) in response to receiving user approval of the simulated results via the GUI, save the modified scanner configuration dataset to the database.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for the acquisition of measurement data of at least one tooth of an examination subject, a pulse sequence is employed that has an echo time TE of less than 0.5 milliseconds, and spatial coding of the acquired measurement data takes place in only two spatial directions. Projection image data are reconstructed from the acquired measurement data. A coil for a magnetic resonance tomography system, which coil is dedicated to dental imaging, has at least one coil element, and each coil element of the coil has an individual acquisition volume that encompasses at least one tooth.

Abstract: In a method and computer for the representation of magnetic resonance data, and a method and computer for storing magnetic resonance data in a computer, magnetic resonance data are acquired from an object under investigation, the acquired data represents a spatially resolved distribution of values of a number of tissue parameters in the object. A tree structure is created that has a trunk and a number of first tree elements branching from the trunk. A first tissue parameter among the multiple tissue parameters is assigned to the trunk and a second tissue parameter among the multiple tissue parameters is assigned to the number of first tree elements. The tree structure with respect to the acquired values of the multiple tissue parameters, so an adapted tree structure is compiled. The adapted tree structure is presented for a user on a display monitor.

Abstract: A method is provided for modified gradient timing in a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system. The method includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a volume of patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating a sequence of gradient waveforms on a static magnetic field in three directions each orthogonal to each other for slice selection, phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the volume of patient anatomy. The method also includes receiving, by a controller, an indication of the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to a plurality of gradient coils and modifying, via the controller, the sequence of gradient waveforms to be applied to the plurality of gradient coils based on one or more parameters to produce a sequence of modified gradient waveforms. The method further includes providing the sequence of modified gradient waveforms to the plurality of gradient coils.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an MR device. A control unit and an imaging device with a control unit are also disclosed. An embodiment of the method serves to transfer an interim result which is calculated by an automatic alignment algorithm which is provided in an image processing module, to a localizer image. An optimized result can then be converted into instructions which serve to control the MR device and are based on the localizer image which has been captured in a different recording technique than the images with which the automatic alignment algorithm has been trained.

Abstract: In order to increase the signal to noise ratio, and thus increase the quality of images produced during pediatric MRI, a pediatric RF coil assembly includes a head coil and a flexible body coil in a single dedicated device shaped and sized for a child. The flexible body coil may be operable to at least partially surround and abut the body of the child located on the pediatric RF coil assembly, while the head coil may at least partially surround and abut the head of the child located on the pediatric RF coil assembly. In order to optimize workflow, the child may be positioned on the pediatric RF coil assembly in a first room and moved to a second room including an MRI system after the child is brought to sleep or sedated in the first room. The pediatric RF coil assembly and the child may be moved to the second room using a handle rotatably attached to the pediatric RF coil assembly, and may be positioned on a patient table of the MRI system when the imaging process is to begin.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining analysis information supporting a user assessing the effect of a biological agent on the treatment of a rheumatic disease. The method includes, subsequent to starting the administration of the biological agent: recording a first morphological magnetic resonance imaging record of at least one target joint using a first magnetic resonance sequence; recording a second magnetic resonance imaging record showing the blood flow through the target joint by perfusion imaging using a second magnetic resonance sequence; determining at least a first measuring parameter related to the morphology of the joint by analysis of the first magnetic resonance imaging record and at least a second measuring parameter describing the blood flow in the target joint by analysis of the second magnetic resonance imaging record; and automatic determination of the analysis information from the first and the second measuring parameter.