Abstract: Esophageal bolus transport and esophageal mechanics are quantified from medical imaging data, such as dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) data, computed tomography (“CT”) data, or the like. A machine learning model is used to process geometric or other spatiotemporal parameters of a bolus imaged with medical imaging in order to estimate quantitative parameters of the bolus and/or esophagus, such as cross-sectional area, fluid velocity, and fluid pressure. From these values, other parameters can be computed, such as esophageal stiffness and active relaxation.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for generating and analyzing co-expression signature data from scalar or multi-dimensional data fields contained in or otherwise derived from imaging data acquired with a medical imaging system. A similarity metric, such as an angular similarity metric, is computed between the data field components contained in pairs of voxels in the data field data. The data fields can be scalar fields, vector fields, tensor fields, or other higher-dimensional data fields. A probability distribution of these similarity metrics can be generated and used as co-expression signature data that indicate pairwise disparities in the data field data.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for generating quantitative flow mapping from medical flow data (e.g., medical images, patient-specific computational flow models, particle image velocimetry data, in vitro flow phantom) over a virtual volume representative of a catheter or other medical device. As such, quantitative flow mapping is provided with reduced computational burdens. Quantitative flow maps can also be generated and displayed in a manner that is similar to catheter-based or other medical device-based mapping, without requiring an interventional procedure to place the catheter or medical device.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for generating cardiac vibrational energy spectral (“VIBES”) heat maps from physical vibration data and cardiac cycle timing data measured from a subject. Quick screening for heart valve, cardiovascular, and/or cardiothoracic abnormalities can be provided based on an analysis and/or classification of the generated VIBES heat maps.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for generating and analyzing co-expression signature data from scalar or multi-dimensional data fields contained in or otherwise derived from imaging data acquired with a medical imaging system. A similarity metric, such as an angular similarity metric, is computed between the data field components contained in pairs of voxels in the data field data. The data fields can be scalar fields, vector fields, tensor fields, or other higher-dimensional data fields. A probability distribution of these similarity metrics can be generated and used as co-expression signature data that indicate pairwise disparities in the data field data.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for producing an image that depicts blood flow stasis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Doppler echocardiography, or other medical instruments for measuring flow velocities in a human body. A time series of three-dimensional (3D) image volumes is provided, where this time series of 3D image volumes contains flow velocity information at voxel locations in a 3D volume in a subject. One or more regions-of-interest are then segmented from the 3D image volumes. For each voxel in the regions-of-interest, velocity magnitudes are calculated. Using the velocity magnitudes, a flow stasis volume is produced by computing a relative stasis value for each voxel location in the corresponding region-of-interest. This flow stasis volume can be provided as a 3D flow stasis image, or a flow stasis map can be produced by projecting the flow stasis volume onto a two-dimensional (2D) plane.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing spatiotemporal background phase correction for phase contrast velocity encoded magnetic resonance imaging includes performing a phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging scan of a region of interest within a patient to yield a complex image and calculating a plurality of filter cut-off frequencies based on physiological limits associated with the patient. A spatiotemporal filter is created based on the plurality of filter cut-off frequencies. This spatiotemporal filter is applied to the complex image to yield a low-pass filtered complex image. Then, complex division is performed using the complex image and the low-pass filtered complex image to yield a corrected image.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for producing an image that depicts blood flow stasis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Doppler echocardiography, or other medical instruments for measuring flow velocities in a human body. A time series of three-dimensional (3D) image volumes is provided, where this time series of 3D image volumes contains flow velocity information at voxel locations in a 3D volume in a subject. One or more regions-of-interest are then segmented from the 3D image volumes. For each voxel in the regions-of-interest, velocity magnitudes are calculated. Using the velocity magnitudes, a flow stasis volume is produced by computing a relative stasis value for each voxel location in the corresponding region-of-interest. This flow stasis volume can be provided as a 3D flow stasis image, or a flow stasis map can be produced by projecting the flow stasis volume onto a two-dimensional (2D) plane.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing spatiotemporal background phase correction for phase contrast velocity encoded magnetic resonance imaging includes performing a phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging scan of a region of interest within a patient to yield a complex image and calculating a plurality of filter cut-off frequencies based on physiological limits associated with the patient. A spatiotemporal filter is created based on the plurality of filter cut-off frequencies. This spatiotemporal filter is applied to the complex image to yield a low-pass filtered complex image. Then, complex division is performed using the complex image and the low-pass filtered complex image to yield a corrected image.

Abstract: A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method also includes acquiring a plurality of slices of an image within a plurality of cycles, each of the plurality of slices being acquired within each of the plurality of cycles and causing, by a control processor, a RF signal generator and a gradient generator to change an order that each of the plurality of slices is acquired between consecutive cycles of the plurality of cycles.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating waveform parameter estimation. In accordance with one aspect, time-based waveforms are generated based on analysis planes positioned along a centerline of the vessel. A surface may be fitted to upslope regions of the waveforms to determine one or more waveform parameters based on intersection of the surface with the upslope regions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a framework for facilitating waveform parameter estimation. In accordance with one aspect, time-based waveforms are generated based on analysis planes positioned along a centerline of the vessel. A surface may be fitted to upslope regions of the waveforms to determine one or more waveform parameters based on intersection of the surface with the upslope regions.

Abstract: A method for operating a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging system includes generating radio frequency (RF) excitation pulses in patient anatomy to provide subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data and generating slice select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in the patient anatomy. The method also includes acquiring a plurality of slices of an image within a plurality of cycles, each of the plurality of slices being acquired within each of the plurality of cycles and causing, by a control processor, a RF signal generator and a gradient generator to change an order that each of the plurality of slices is acquired between consecutive cycles of the plurality of cycles.

Abstract: A filtering plant for removing dusts from gases, with a plurality of filter units, which are parallel connected to a line for crude gas and the outlets thereof are parallel connected to a line for purified gas, wherein an extraction blowing engine is connected to the line for purified gas, further with an apparatus for cleaning the filter units, which has a lower collecting space for the filter cake with a discharge opening with flap on the lower end of the collecting space, characterized in that the dust discharge openings of all the filter units except one are connected to a common collecting main and the collecting main is connected to the crude gas region of the one filter unit.

Abstract: Method for closing bags made of plastics, in which initially a clip made of plastics is positioned in a clamping manner around the gathered upper end of the bag and subsequently the gathered end of the bag is welded and/or sealed by means of a hot surface.

Abstract: A filtering plant for removing dusts from gases, with a plurality of filter units, which are parallel connected to a line for crude gas and the outlets thereof are parallel connected to a line for purified gas, wherein an extraction blowing engine is connected to the line for purified gas, further with an apparatus for cleaning the filter units, which has a lower collecting space for the filter cake with a discharge opening with flap on the lower end of the collecting space, characterised in that the dust discharge openings of all the filter units except one are connected to a common collecting main and the collecting main is connected to the crude gas region of the one filter unit.

Abstract: A method according to the technique of a steady state free precession (SSFP) gradient echo method, in particular, of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tomography, wherein a regular sequence of radio frequency pulses with flip angle ? is applied at temporally constant intervals TR, wherein the phase of these pulses is increased in subsequent steps by a constant phase increment, is characterized in that a predetermined phase encoding scheme is performed in such a manner that each individual phase encoding step is identically repeated N times under the following conditions: N is an even number and N?2; successive measured NMR signals are averaged, which minimizes the artefacts produced due to incrementation of the phase encoding gradients.

Abstract: Errors in qualitative phase contrast measurements due to gradient field heterogeneities are reduced by using either a generalized reconstruction algorithm or an approximate reconstruction algorithm. True velocities are calculated using measured velocity information and phase differences, first moments of gradients, and gyromagnetic ratio.

Abstract: A method according to the technique of a steady state free precession (SSFP) gradient echo method, in particular, of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tomography, wherein a regular sequence of radio frequency pulses with flip angle ? is applied at temporally constant intervals TR, wherein the phase of these pulses is increased in subsequent steps by a constant phase increment, is characterized in that a predetermined phase encoding scheme is performed in such a manner that each individual phase encoding step is identically repeated N times under the following conditions: N is an even number and N?2; successive measured NMR signals are averaged, which minimizes the artefacts produced due to incrementation of the phase encoding gradients.

Abstract: A general mathematical framework is formulated to characterize the contribution of gradient non-uniformities to diffusion tensor imaging in MRI. Based on a model expansion, the actual gradient field is approximated and employed, after elimination of geometric distortions, for predicting and correcting the errors in diffusion encoding. Prior to corrections, experiments clearly reveal marked deviations of the calculated diffusivity for fields of view generally used in diffusion experiments. These deviations are most significant with greater distance from the magnet's isocenter. For a FOV of 25 cm the resultant errors in absolute diffusivity can range from approximately ?10 to +20 percent. Within the same field of view, the diffusion-encoding direction and the orientation of the calculated eigenvectors can be significantly altered if the perturbations by the gradient non-uniformities are not considered. With the proposed correction scheme most of the errors introduced by gradient non-uniformities can be removed.