Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for determining a time origin of an input RF pulse of a plurality of input RF pulses. The method includes generating an RF echo based on the plurality of input RF pulses, a time-duration between the input RF pulses being controllable in order to determine a time instance corresponding to an ideal position of the RF echo. The method further includes acquiring a data signal corresponding to a scan of a subject, and computing a time-difference between a measured peak of the acquired data signal and the time instance corresponding to the ideal position of the RF echo, the computed time difference corresponding to a measure of a time-shift of an effective magnetic center of the input RF pulse.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method for determining a time origin of an input RF pulse of a plurality of input RF pulses. The method includes generating an RF echo based on the plurality of input RF pulses, a time-duration between the input RF pulses being controllable in order to determine a time instance corresponding to an ideal position of the RF echo. The method further includes acquiring a data signal corresponding to a scan of a subject, and computing a time-difference between a measured peak of the acquired data signal and the time instance corresponding to the ideal position of the RF echo, the computed time difference corresponding to a measure of a time-shift of an effective magnetic center of the input RF pulse.

Abstract: Magnetic field temporal variations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume are determined based on the slope of a phase difference ?? between spin responses in plural slices at a given temporal sampling time. Representations of the determined temporal magnetic field variations are stored for subsequent use, e.g., to achieve more accurate re-gridding of acquired k-space date before reconstruction of images in the spatial domain.

Abstract: Magnetic field temporal variations in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volume are determined based on the slope of a phase difference ?? between spin responses in plural slices at a given temporal sampling time. Representations of the determined temporal magnetic field variations are stored for subsequent use, e.g., to achieve more accurate re-gridding of acquired k-space date before reconstruction of images in the spatial domain.

Abstract: When performing repetitive scans of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging machine or the like, patients often tend to move as they relax during a lengthy scanning session, causing movement in the volume or portion of the patient being scanned. A prospective motion correction component accounts for patient movement by calculating transformation data representative of patient movement in multiple planes, as well as rotational movement, and a host evaluates the change in position relative to a most recent scanning geometry of the patient or dynamic volume. In this manner, correction or adjustment to the scanning geometry employed by an associated scanner is made only for the differential between the current geometry and the most recent geometry, to mitigate redundant adjustment that can result in oscillatory over—and under—compensation during adjustments.

Abstract: When performing repetitive scans of a patient using a magnetic resonance imaging machine or the like, patients often tend to move as they relax during a lengthy scanning session, causing movement in the volume or portion of the patient being scanned. A prospective motion correction component (64) accounts for patient movement by calculating transformation data representative of patient movement in multiple planes, as well as rotational movement, and a host (38, 122) evaluates the change in position relative to a most recent scanning geometry of the patient or dynamic volume. In this manner, correction or adjustment to the scanning geometry employed by an associated scanner (10) is made only for the differential between the current geometry and the most recent geometry, to mitigate redundant adjustment that can result in oscillatory over- and under-compensation during adjustments.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method, a localizing magnetic field gradient (GL) is determined suitable for acquiring a first resonant species magnetic resonance localized to a first sampling region (Rm1). A second sampling region (Rm2) defined by the localizing magnetic field gradient for a second resonant species magnetic resonance is determined. The second sampling region is spatially shifted from the first sampling region due to different gyromagnetic ratios of the first and second resonant species magnetic resonances. At least the second sampling region is displayed together with an image (62) of a subject disposed in the main magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system acquires a final image of a selected field of view with a selected spatial resolution. A magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10) encodes and receives magnetic resonance samples in phase encode and readout directions using a plurality of receive coils (14). The encoding and receiving undersamples in the readout direction. A reconstruction processor (30) reconstructs magnetic resonance samples acquired by each of the plurality of receive coils (14) into a corresponding plurality of intermediate reconstructed images. Each intermediate reconstructed image has aliasing and in some aspects degraded high spatial frequency characteristics due to the reduced sampling in the readout direction. A combining processor (40) combines the plurality of intermediate reconstructed images based on coil sensitivity factors (42) to produce the final reconstructed image with the selected field of view and the selected spatial resolution in the readout direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interleaved printing of individual ink objects at target print sectors disbursed around an annular surface on a circular spinning media such as on a CD, dynamically during the radial printing process, are described. Mechanisms for interleaving printing during the radial printing process, enabling the use of commercially available ink jet pens for radial printing directly on CD devices at greater than 2× rotation speeds, and thus reducing pen limitations in firing frequency and recovery time, are disclosed.

Abstract: A dose of a contrast agent (44) is administered to the patient (42). A magnetic resonance is excited by an RF pulse (200) in a region of interest of the patient (42). An echo-planar imaging (EPI) readout waveform is implemented a preselected duration after the excitation to generate T2 or T2* weighted data. During the preselected duration, another echo planar readout waveform is implemented to generate T1 or proton density weighted data. The data is reconstructed (56) to generate a T2 or T2* weighted image and a T1 weighted image. The T1 and T2 or T2* weighted images are combined (62) to generate a contrast enhanced image.

Abstract: A system for enterprise information management includes a data warehouse server; a transformation and staging server connected to the data warehouse server for providing transformed and cleansed data to the data warehouse server; a data source application connected to the transformation and staging server to provide data to the transformation and staging server, wherein the transformation and staging server obtains data from the data source application via requests and places the data into temporary staging tables to prepare for the transformation and cleansing process prior to movement of the data to the data warehouse server; a financial consolidation application connected to the transformation and staging server for performing consolidation and reporting of financial data; a web server connected to the data warehouse server; and a plurality of clients connectable to the web server for accessing data from the data warehouse server via the web server.

Abstract: To generate a magnetic resonance angiograph, a patient is injected with a contrast-enhancing agent (210). An ellipsoidal central portion of k-space (300) and a first surrounding region (310) are continuously sampled (220). A portion of each central data set (300, 310) is reconstructed (230) into a low-resolution volume and maximum-intensity-projected (240) onto a line. The maximum intensity projection (240) is processed (250) in order to detect the arrival of the contrast enhancing bolus within a volume of interest. Upon detection of the arrival of the bolus, the acquisition of a high-resolution magnetic resonance angiograph is triggered (260) in which higher phase encode portions (310, 420) of k-space are sampled. The central data set (300) along with the higher phase encode views (310, 420) are reconstructed (290) into a high-resolution magnetic resonance angiogram.

Abstract: A subject is disposed in an imaging region (10) of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. An operator submits a series of user preferences to the apparatus. A gradient optimizer (82) generates a gradient waveform that is optimal for the imaging procedure based on the user submitted specifications and the apparatus hardware specifications. The optimizer (82) accesses a memory that stores ideal gradient waveform models. The model that best fits the user specifications is selected and digitized (84). The digitized waveform is then convolved (86) with a band-limited kernel (88) that represents a frequency spectrum (89) of a gradient amplifier (28), producing a gradient waveform (90) that is smooth and does not exceed the capabilities of the amplifier. This optimized waveform is used in an imaging process including a collected data reconstruction portion of the process.

Abstract: A subject is disposed in an imaging region (10) of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. An operator designates a steady-state imaging sequence and a sequence controller (42) coordinates a gradient field controller (30) and an RF pulse controller (38) to generate the desired sequence. The gradient controller applies gradients that define a closed trajectory through k-space that starts at an origin point and follows a closed path to an end point. An analyzer (112) analyzes data sampled at the beginning and end points. A gradient offset processor (114) signals the sequence controller to apply additional gradients until the analyzer determines that the end point coincides with the origin point. A scaling circuit (84) scales data sampled between the origin and end points for various anomalies in the steady-state magnetization, reconstructing scaled data into at least one image representation.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a gradient hardware subsystem (36), a radio frequency transmission hardware subsystem (30), and a data sampling and digitization hardware subsystem (40) A sequence control processor (20) applies control signals or pulses to the hardware subsystems to cause the implementation of a selected EPI imaging sequence. Due to inductive loads, analog filters, and other circuit constructions within the hardware subsystems, each of the hardware subsystems has a different inherent delay between receipt of a control signal and actually achieving the controlled function such as applying a gradient or RF pulse or sampling data. Due to these different inherent delays, the imaging sequence occurs with timing variations from the intended sequence. Echo planar imaging sequences are very sensitive to phase errors caused by these relative delays, which phase errors manifest themselves in the form of Nyquist ghosts.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method employ a magnet system (12) creating a temporally constant magnetic field through an examination region (14) in which at least a portion of an object to be imaged is placed. A radio frequency (RF) excitation system (24, 26) applies an RF excitation to a volume of interest of the object to be imaged, and a receiver system (32) detects and demodulates magnetic resonance data from the volume of interest. A magnetic field encoding system (20, 22, 40) applies encoding magnetic fields to provide spatial discrimination of magnetic resonance data from the volume of interest within a single radio frequency excitation period. The spatial encoding of the magnetic resonance signal data is performed and collected along a preselected k-space trajectory, the k-space trajectory covering a plurality of intersecting. planes or partial planes of k-space data.

Abstract: The device for facilitating the application and removal of dive gloves including a hand-conforming member formed of a spun-bonded high-density polyethylene or olefin fiber material. The hand-conforming member has a slick exterior surface. The hand-conforming member has an interior area suitable for receiving a human hand entirely therein. The member includes a top layer that is sewed around its periphery to a bottom layer. A wrist portion is connected to a hand-conforming member and is formed of the same material as the hand-conforming member.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of wader boots including a torso portion, a first leg member and a second leg member all being formed of a porous spun high-density polyethylene fiber material having a rough interior surface and a slick exterior surface. The first and second leg members are attached to the bottom of the torso portion. The torso portion extends at least as high as the height of the wader boots on a human torso. The torso portion has an elastic section secured thereto above the leg members. First and second boots are affixed to the bottoms of the first and second leg members. The first and second boots are also formed of the porous spun high-density polyethylene fiber material.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a main magnet (12) which generates a main magnetic field through and surrounding an examination region (14). The main magnetic field contains inhomogeneities which affect image quality. A gradient coil assembly (22) generates gradient magnetic fields across the examination region, which contain higher order harmonics causing inhomogeneities in the gradient magnetic field. A multi-axis shim set (23) is selectively excited in order to cancel both the main magnetic and gradient magnetic field inhomogeneities. More particularly, DC currents are applied by a shim coil power supply (25) to cancel the main magnetic field inhomogeneities. AC current pulses are superimposed on the DC currents by the shim coil power supply (25) in order to correct the gradient magnetic field inhomogeneities.

Abstract: The device for facilitating the application and removal of dive gloves including a hand-conforming member formed of a spun-bonded high-density polyethylene or olefin fiber material. The hand-conforming member has a slick exterior surface. The hand-conforming member has an interior area suitable for receiving a human hand entirely therein. The member includes a top layer that is sewed around its periphery to a bottom layer. A wrist portion is connected to a hand-conforming member and is formed of the same material as the hand-conforming member.