Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating automatic planning for medical imaging. In accordance with one aspect, the framework receives first image data of a subject. One or more imaging parameters may then be derived using a geometric model and at least one reference anatomical primitive detected in the first image data. The geometric model defines a geometric relationship between the detected reference anatomical primitive and the one or more imaging parameters. The one or more imaging parameters may be presented, via a user interface, for use in acquisition, reconstruction or processing of second image data of the subject.

Abstract: In a method to create magnetic resonance (MR) images of a predetermined volume segment within an examination subject by operation of an MR system with continuous table displacement, at least one slice with a respective, predetermined thickness is defined, and for each slice, a partial region of the slice is selected, the respective partial region being bounded in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the corresponding slice, and measurement signals are acquired from the slice, the acquired measurement signals originating from only the respective partial region of the slice.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualization of medical image data with localized enhancement. In one implementation, image data of a structure of interest is resampled within a predetermined plane to generate at least one background image of the structure of interest. In addition, at least one local image is reconstructed to visually enhance at least one local region of interest associated with the structure of interest. The local image and the background image are then combined to generate a composite image.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus to generate a magnetic resonance (MR) image in a volume of interest of an examination subject, the magnetization is excited in an additional volume in the subject by at least one RF pulse, in order to achieve a desired magnetization in the volume of interest. The additional excitation volume differs at least partially from the volume of interest. For this purpose, at least one MR overview image of the examination subject is analyzed automatically to determine a position of at least one anatomical structure of the examination subject, from which the volume of interest is automatically determined. The additional excitation volume is automatically determined using the position of the at least one anatomical structure. The MR image in the volume of interest is acquired with excitation of the magnetization in the automatically determined additional excitation volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting multiple anatomical landmarks in a 3D volume. A first anatomical landmark is detected in a 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL). Locations of remaining anatomical landmarks are estimated in the 3D volume based on the detected first anatomical landmark using a learned geometric model relating the anatomical landmarks. Each of the remaining anatomical landmarks is then detected using MSL in a portion of the 3D volume constrained based on the estimated location of each remaining landmark. This method can be used to detect the anatomical landmarks of the crista galli (CG), tip of the occipital bone (OB), anterior of the corpus callosum (ACC), and posterior of the corpus callosum (PCC) in a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus wherein the magnetic resonance device has a movable patient bed, in a first overview measurement, a first image data record of a patient is acquired, and patient information and/or information of a treatment region of a patient is/are determined from the acquired first image data record. In a second overview measurement, dependent on the patient information and/or on the positioning information of the treatment region of the first image data record, a second image data record is acquired. In a planning step a layer planning for the image data acquisition is implemented from the acquired second image data record. Image data for a medical and/or diagnostic issue and/or examination are recorded. The first image data record of the first overview measurement is recorded with a lower spatial resolution than a spatial resolution of the second image data record of the second overview measurement.

Abstract: A method for an image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device that has a display unit includes acquisition of at least one overview measurement with at least one image data set, evaluation of the at least one image data set, generation of information of a slice geometry, graphical presentation of the information of the slice geometry along at least one slice plane, and acquisition of image data regarding a medical and/or diagnostic question and/or examination.

Abstract: In a method to create magnetic resonance (MR) images of a predetermined volume segment within an examination subject by operation of an MR system with continuous table displacement, at least one slice with a respective, predetermined thickness is defined, and for each slice, a partial region of the slice is selected, the respective partial region being bounded in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the corresponding slice, and measurement signals are acquired from the slice, the acquired measurement signals originating from only the respective partial region of the slice.

Abstract: A medical examination apparatus for acquisition of slice images of an examination subject, such as a magnetic resonance apparatus, has a control device for controlling the image acquisition procedure having at least one associated monitor on which graphic elements serving for adjustment of the image acquisition modalities can be displayed. The graphic elements can be positioned by the user via an input unit with regard to the image simultaneously displayed on the monitor. The control device controls the image acquisition procedure dependent on the position and type of the graphic elements. Some of the displayed graphic elements can be coupled to one another as needed in terms of their positional relationship so that, given a position change of a selected graphic element, all graphic elements coupled therewith can mutually be moved with retention of their positional relationship with one another.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualization of medical image data with localized enhancement. In one implementation, image data of a structure of interest is resampled within a predetermined plane to generate at least one background image of the structure of interest. In addition, at least one local image is reconstructed to visually enhance at least one local region of interest associated with the structure of interest. The local image and the background image are then combined to generate a composite image.

Abstract: In a method for image data acquisition with a magnetic resonance device that has a movable patient table, a localizer of the anatomy of a patient is acquired, suitable slice geometry information is automatically determined from the localizer for the diagnostic question, a patient table position is automatically determined under consideration of the slice geometry information, that causes a slice or slice group determined from the slice geometry information to be in or optimally close to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, the patient table is automatically driven into the patient table position, and the diagnostic image data are acquired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting multiple anatomical landmarks in a 3D volume. A first anatomical landmark is detected in a 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL). Locations of remaining anatomical landmarks are estimated in the 3D volume based on the detected first anatomical landmark using a learned geometric model relating the anatomical landmarks. Each of the remaining anatomical landmarks is then detected using MSL in a portion of the 3D volume constrained based on the estimated location of each remaining landmark. This method can be used to detect the anatomical landmarks of the crista galli (CG), tip of the occipital bone (OB), anterior of the corpus callosum (ACC), and posterior of the corpus callosum (PCC) in a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume.

Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance system for determining the position and/or orientation of the image plane of slice image exposures of a vessel region in a contrast agent bolus examination, in particular in the region of the aorta bifurcation or the aorta arch, wherein the image plane traverses the vessel region in the longitudinal section, initially a group of slice image exposures disposed essentially orthogonal to the vessel is automatically acquired from different planes of the vessel region lying parallel to one another, and the image regions showing the vessel region are automatically determined within the orthogonal slice image exposures in an image-processing device, and using the determined image regions the spatial position of the vessel region is determined.

Abstract: In a method for magnetic resonance data acquisition from an examination region, that is larger than a maximum acquisition region of the magnetic resonance apparatus, a planning data set is generated and that is used to establish the examination region and the examination region is automatically separated into a number of acquisition regions by a computer. Each of the acquisition regions is limited in terms of its dimensions by the maximum acquisition region. A measurement protocol is created that includes parameters that are applicable for all acquisition regions and parameters applicable specifically for only one acquisition region. The acquisition regions are automatically positioned in series within the maximum acquisition volume with the measurement protocol in order to generate a measurement data set for each acquisition region. The measurement data sets are subsequently combined.

Abstract: In a method for implementation of a magnetic resonance examination of a patient with an imaging medical magnetic resonance apparatus with a movable patient bed, for of an examination volume of the patient that is larger than an acquisition volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus, anatomical patient information and second technical information for setting the magnetic resonance apparatus are acquired dependent on the position of the patient bed from magnetic resonance signals acquired in a low-resolution calibration measurement (scan). A first group of measurement protocol parameters is generated from the patient information and a second group of measurement protocol parameters is generated from the technical information, to generate a measurement protocol for a subsequent high-resolution magnetic resonance examination.

Abstract: In an apparatus for displaying reference images of patients and slices to be measured in a displayed reference image for assisting the positioning of slices in preparation for a slice-by-slice measurement and a computer software product and corresponding method, a storage device stores at least one measured reference image of a current patient, a display screen displays a stored reference image, an input device allows entry of commands for displaying and positioning slices to be measured in a displayed reference image, and a processing device processes the entered commands and correspondingly controls the display of the reference image and the slices. The processing device, depending on the entry of commands via the input device by a user, generates a rotated representation of the reference image and a spatial representation—corresponding to the rotation of the reference image—of the slices and displays them on the screen.

Abstract: In a method for data acquisition from an examination region with a magnetic resonance apparatus, the examination region being larger than a maximum acquisition region of the magnetic resonance apparatus, a planning data set is generated and the examination region is established using the planning data set. The examination region is automatically separated into a number of acquisition regions by a computer of the magnetic resonance apparatus. Each of the acquisition regions is limited in terms of its dimensions by the maximum acquisition region. A measurement protocol is created that includes a first group of measurement protocol parameters that are applicable for all acquisition regions and a further group of measurement parameters applicable specifically for only one acquisition region. The acquisition regions are automatically positioned in series within the maximum acquisition volume with the measurement protocol in order to generate a measurement data set for each acquisition region.

Abstract: In a method for implementation of a magnetic resonance examination of a patient with an imaging medical magnetic resonance apparatus with a movable patient bed, for of an examination volume of the patient that is larger than an acquisition volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus, anatomical patient information and second technical information for setting the magnetic resonance apparatus are acquired dependent on the position of the patient bed from magnetic resonance signals acquired in a low-resolution calibration measurement (scan). A first group of measurement protocol parameters is generated from the patient information and a second group of measurement protocol parameters is generated from the technical information, to generate a measurement protocol for a subsequent high-resolution magnetic resonance examination.

Abstract: A medical examination apparatus for acquisition of slice images of an examination subject, such as a magnetic resonance apparatus, has a control device for controlling the image acquisition procedure having at least one associated monitor on which graphic elements serving for adjustment of the image acquisition modalities can be displayed. The graphic elements can be positioned by the user via an input unit with regard to the image simultaneously displayed on the monitor. The control device controls the image acquisition procedure dependent on the position and type of the graphic elements. Some of the displayed graphic elements can be coupled to one another as needed in terms of their positional relationship so that, given a position change of a selected graphic element, all graphic elements coupled therewith can mutually be moved with retention of their positional relationship with one another.

Abstract: In a method and computer program product for operating a tomographic imaging apparatus, a standard measurement protocol is generated by displaying a planning representation of a standard object, defining a spatial position of a standard imaging area in the planning representation, and storing, as the standard measurement protocol for the standard object, a reference to the standard object and parameters of the standard imaging area. Such a standard measurement protocol can then be used in the slice position planning for an actual tomographic measurement, by obtaining data representing features of an examination object, corresponding to the standard object, determining a geometrical relation of the features of the examination object to features of the standard object, and generating an object-specific measurement protocol wherein the imaging area is positioned relative to the examination object by modification of the standard measurement protocol.