Abstract: A method for generating magnetic resonance (MR) images of a kidney region or a brain of a subject using multinuclear magnetic resonance imaging MRI includes performing, using an MRI system, an Na-nuclei pulse sequence module to acquire a portion of a first set of MR data from the kidney or brain region of the subject and performing, using the MRI system, an H-nuclei pulse sequence module to acquire a portion of a second set of MR data from the kidney or brain region of the subject. The Na-nuclei pulse sequence module and the H-nuclei pulse sequence module may be repeated in an interleaved manner until acquisition of the first set of MR data and the second set of MR data are complete. The method further includes generating at least one Na-based image using the first set of MR data, generating at least one H-based image using the second set of MR data and displaying one or more of the at least one Na-based image and the at least one H-based image on a display.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for MR image reconstruction, an image reconstruction algorithm is used that operates on one calibration matrix that is formed by reorganizing a number of individual, undersampled k-space data sets respectively acquired by multiple reception coils in a parallel MR data acquisition from a subject exhibiting motion. The motion causes the k-space data sets to exhibit errors. In order to use the calibration matrix in the reconstruction algorithm, it is subjected to an iterative rank reduction procedure in which, in each iteration, a residual is calculated for each data point that represents how poorly, due to motion-induced corruptions, that data point satisfies the low rank constraint, and non-satisfying data points are removed from the data point for the next iteration. The resulting low rank matrix at the end of the iterations is then used to produce images with fewer motion-induced errors.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for MR image reconstruction, an image reconstruction algorithm is used that operates on one calibration matrix that is formed by reorganizing a number of individual, undersampled k-space data sets respectively acquired by multiple reception coils in a parallel MR data acquisition from a subject exhibiting motion. The motion causes the k-space data sets to exhibit errors. In order to use the calibration matrix in the reconstruction algorithm, it is subjected to an iterative rank reduction procedure in which, in each iteration, a residual is calculated for each data point that represents how poorly, due to motion-induced corruptions, that data point satisfies the low rank constraint, and non-satisfying data points are removed from the data point for the next iteration. The resulting low rank matrix at the end of the iterations is then used to produce images with fewer motion-induced errors.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for using parameters including chain length, number of double bonds and number of double-double bonds of a complex, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-generated fat spectrum to determine the composition and properties of fat and to perform various diagnostic functions. In one aspect, a method using MRI to characterize fat includes acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image that includes MR data from a target, determining fat characterization parameters based on the acquired MR data, and using the determined fat characterization parameters to produce a relationship between regions of fat and/or water in the MR image.

Abstract: Techniques, apparatus and systems are described for using parameters including chain length, number of double bonds and number of double-double bonds of a complex, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-generated fat spectrum to determine the composition and properties of fat and to perform various diagnostic functions. In one aspect, a method using MRI to characterize fat includes acquiring a magnetic resonance (MR) image that includes MR data from a target, determining fat characterization parameters based on the acquired MR data, and using the determined fat characterization parameters to produce a relationship between regions of fat and/or water in the MR image.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using ultra short echo times and spiral sampling in k-space are disclosed. A long inversion radio frequency (RF) pulse that inverts magnetization of long T2 components are applied to a sample that exhibits long transverse relaxation time (T2) components and short T2 components to minimize signals corresponding to the long T2 components. In addition, half RF excitation pulses are applied to the sample to select one or more echo times. Data corresponding to the selected one or more echo times are acquired using a spiral trajectory, and a first echo image is obtained based on the acquired data.

Abstract: Techniques for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including obtaining a plurality of MRI images acquired at different echo times subsequent to an excitation pulse applied to a sample which is being imaged, performing a curve-fitting for a specified variation in each pixel of the MRI images, and using fitted parameters for the specified variation in the MRI images to synthesize the MRI images to form an image at any echo time with reduced noise. Performing singular value decomposition to determine the types of variation in each pixel of the MRI images and using only the most significant variations to synthesize the MRI images to form an image with reduced noise.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for imagining samples including components with small values of T2. Optionally, the systems and techniques may provide (for example) suppression of unwanted signals, enhanced contrast, and artifact control in imaging samples with small values of T2.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using ultra short echo times and spiral sampling in k-space are disclosed. A long inversion radio frequency (RF) pulse that inverts magnetization of long T2 components are applied to a sample that exhibits long transverse relaxation time (T2) components and short T2 components to minimize signals corresponding to the long T2 components. In addition, half RF excitation pulses are applied to the sample to select one or more echo times. Data corresponding to the selected one or more echo times are acquired using a spiral trajectory, and a first echo image is obtained based on the acquired data.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for imagining samples including components with small values of T2. Optionally, the systems and techniques may provide (for example) suppression of unwanted signals, enhanced contrast, and artifact control in imaging samples with small values of T2.

Abstract: A system for generating magnetic resonance images includes an MRI scanner for obtaining data from a pre-scan and data from a selected scan. A processor determines whether the data from the selected scan includes errors based on the data from the pre-scan, and requests the MRI scanner to reacquire the data from the selected scan if data is found to include errors, or converts the data from the selected scan to an image if no error is found. A display device displays the image converted by the processor.

Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging apparatus k-space data received from r.f. excitation pulses applied at successive phase-encode gradients and read-out while other gradients are applied is collected for individual coils of an array of r.f. receive coils. A processor 22 uses the lines of data received by each r.f. receive coil at each phase-encode gradient together with reference spatial sensitivity profiles of each coil in a phase-encode direction represented in terms of spatial harmonics of a fundamental frequency one cycle of which corresponds with a desired field of view, to generate a set of phase-encode lines. These lines are converted to image space in Fourier Transform processor 25 to produce an image for display on monitor 26.

Abstract: In apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging equipped for parallel imaging, in the sense that an array of receive coils can be used to regenerate data at phase-encode gradients interposed between those at which measurements were taken, the full set of data is collected, which is then split into two sets with a greater separation of phase-encode gradients (FIGS. 13 and 14). These sets are then each regenerated (FIGS. 15 and 16), enabling spurious data to be excised from the original data set by comparison of the two representations.

Abstract: A system for generating magnetic resonance images includes an MRI scanner for obtaining data from a pre-scan and data from a selected scan. A processor determines whether the data from the selected scan includes errors based on the data from the pre-scan, and requests the MRI scanner to reacquire the data from the selected scan if data is found to include errors, or converts the data from the selected scan to an image if no error is found. A display device displays the image converted by the processor.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus uses an array of at least two receive coils 4, 5 to perform parallel processing to enable phase-encode gradients to be omitted during data collection, and restored during processing using parallel processing to further reduce patient time in the apparatus, pre-acquired reference data is used (modules 10, 11) to unfold the aliased target data in modules 8, 9. In accordance with the invention, the unfolding is performed against a series of representations of the reference data, varied for translational rotational and coil loading errors, and the unfolded image is chosen as that having the minimum entropy.

Abstract: Better signal-to-noise ratio is obtained when combining the images from an array coil used in magnetic resonance imaging apparatus by using the relative sensitivity of each coil obtained by division of the images from each coil on a pixel-by-pixel basis.

Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging apparatus k-space data received from r.f. excitation pulses applied at successive phase-encode gradients and read-out while other gradients are applied is collected for individual coils of an array of r.f. receive coils. A processor 22 uses the lines of data received by each r.f. receive coil at each phase-encode gradient together with reference spatial sensitivity profiles of each coil in a phase-encode direction represented in terms of spatial harmonics of a fundamental frequency one cycle of which corresponds with a desired field of view, to generate a set of phase-encode lines. These lines are converted to image space in Fourier Transform processor 25 to produce an image for display on monitor 26.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus uses an array of at least two receive coils 4, 5 to perform parallel processing to enable phase-encode gradients to be omitted during data collection, and restored during processing using parallel processing to further reduce patient time in the apparatus, pre-acquired reference data is used (modules 10, 11) to unfold the aliased target data in modules 8, 9. In accordance with the invention, the unfolding is performed against a series of representations of the reference data, varied for translational rotational and coil loading errors, and the unfolded image is chosen as that having the minimum entropy.

Abstract: In apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging equipped for parallel imaging, in the sense that an array of receive coils can be used to regenerate data at phase-encode gradients interposed between those at which measurements were taken, the full set of data is collected, which is then split into two sets with a greater separation of phase-encode gradients (FIGS. 13 and 14). These sets are then each regenerated (FIGS. 15 and 16), enabling spurious data to be excised from the original data set by comparison of the two representations.