Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: A method for an object in a magnetic resonance image (MRI) system for providing at least one velocity indicative magnetic resonance image (MRI) with motion correction of the object is provided. Velocity encoding gradients in at least one spatial direction are provided from the MRI system. Spatial frequency data resulting from the encoding gradients are acquired through the MRI system. Image signals are provided by the MRI system. Image data resulting from the image signals are acquired through the MRI system. At least one motion corrected and velocity indicative magnetic resonance image is created from the acquired spatial frequency data and image data.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: A method for an object in a magnetic resonance image (MRI) system for providing at least one velocity indicative magnetic resonance image (MRI) with motion correction of the object is provided. Velocity encoding gradients in at least one spatial direction are provided from the MRI system. Spatial frequency data resulting from the encoding gradients are acquired through the MRI system. Image signals are provided by the MRI system. Image data resulting from the image signals are acquired through the MRI system. At least one motion corrected and velocity indicative magnetic resonance image is created from the acquired spatial frequency data and image data.

Abstract: Processing techniques of volumetric anatomic and vector field data from volumetric phase-contrast MRI on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided to evaluate the physiology of the heart and vessels. This method includes the steps of: (1) correcting for phase-error in the source data, (2) visualizing the vector field superimposed on the anatomic data, (3) using this visualization to select and view planes in the volume, and (4) using these planes to delineate the boundaries of the heart and vessels so that measurements of the heart and vessels can be accurately obtained.

Abstract: An imaging system and method combines a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an x-ray fluoroscopy system such that the two systems have coincident fields of view. X-rays are generated by a stationary anode x-ray tube in which an electron beam is accelerated from a cathode to an anode. In the presence of the static magnetic field of the MRI system, the electron beam is deflected unless it is parallel to the static magnetic field. The x-ray source of the invention contains elements used to steer the electron beam and increase its focusing on the anode. The beam can be steered electrostatically, electromagnetically, or by adding magnetic material to the x-ray source. In the resulting system, MR and x-ray images are acquired without moving the object, which is particularly useful for image-guided medical intervention procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for three dimensional magnetic resonance data acquisitions using a fast 3D sequence to acquire volumetric data in a cine mode. The entire heart can be imaged in the same amount of time that a conventional cine scan requires for a single section. The true temporal resolution is similar to that of the segmented k-space acquisition. The sequence uses very short repetition times (TR), and hence the inherent contrast is poor. This problem is overcome with the use of a T1 shortening agent. Since contrast between blood and the myocardium is no longer flow dependent, it is more stable throughout the heart cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for characterizing the gradient subsystem of a Magnetic Resonance (MR) system. The method uses a Fourier-transform analysis to directly measure the k-space trajectory produced by an arbitrary gradient waveform. In addition, the method can be easily extended to multiple dimensions, and can be adapted to measuring residual gradient effects such as eddy currents. Several examples of gradient waveform and eddy-current measurements are presented. Also, it is demonstrated how the eddy-current measurements are presented. Also, it is demonstrated how the eddy-current measurements can be parameterized with an impulse-response formalism for later use in system tuning. When compared to a peak-fitting analysis, this technique provides a more direct extraction of the k-space measurements, which reduces the possibility of analysis error.

Abstract: A local coil for use with an MRI system to acquire images of a patient's legs includes a vertically disposed central coil positioned between the legs, and a pair of horizontally disposed flange coils positioned above and below the legs. In one embodiment of the central coil is a phased array of two coils, and the four coils are connected to the respective inputs of a four channel receiver, and in a second embodiment, the signals from the three coils are combined before application to the input of a single-channel receiver.