Abstract: The technology herein provides a dark blood delayed enhancement technique that improves the visualization of subendocardial infarcts that may otherwise be disguised by the bright blood pool. The timed combination of a slice-selective and a non-selective preparation improves the infarct/blood contrast by decoupling their relaxation curves thereby nulling both the blood and the non-infarcted myocardium. This causes the infarct to be imaged bright and the blood and non-infarct to both be imaged dark. The slice-selective preparation occurs early enough in the cardiac cycle so that fresh blood can enter the imaged slice.

Abstract: The technology herein provides a dark blood delayed enhancement technique that improves the visualization of subendocardial infarcts that may otherwise be disguised by the bright blood pool. The timed combination of a slice-selective and a non-selective preparation improves the infarct/blood contrast by decoupling their relaxation curves thereby nulling both the blood and the non-infarcted myocardium. This causes the infarct to be imaged bright and the blood and non-infarct to both be imaged dark. The slice-selective preparation occurs early enough in the cardiac cycle so that fresh blood can enter the imaged slice.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a dark-blood technique for contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance, improving visualization of subendocardial infarcts or perfusion abnormalities that may otherwise be difficult to distinguish from the bright blood pool. In one technique the dark-blood preparation is performed using a driven-equilibrium fourier transform (DEFT) preparation with motion sensitizing gradients which attenuate the signal in the ventricular cavities related to incoherent phase losses resulting from non-steady flow within the heart. This dark-blood preparation preserves the underlying contrast characteristics of the pulse sequence causing a myocardial infarction to be bright while rendering the blood pool dark. When applied to perfusion imaging, this dark-blood preparation will help eliminate artifacts resulting from the juxtaposition of a bright ventricular cavity and relatively dark myocardium.

Abstract: The technology herein provides a dark blood delayed enhancement technique that improves the visualization of subendocardial infarcts that may otherwise be disguised by the bright blood pool. The timed combination of a slice-selective and a non-selective preparation improves the infarct/blood contrast by decoupling their relaxation curves thereby nulling both the blood and the non-infarcted myocardium. This causes the infarct to be imaged bright and the blood and non-infarct to both be imaged dark. The slice-selective preparation occurs early enough in the cardiac cycle so that fresh blood can enter the imaged slice.

Abstract: A system and method for using hyperpolarized noble gases together with an appropriately designed and optimized magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence to rapidly acquire static or dynamic magnetic resonance images. The strong magnetic resonance signal from hyperpolarized gases, combined with the present magnetic resonance imaging technique, presents the opportunity for the imaging of gases with both high spatial and high temporal resolution. One potential application for such a method is the direct, dynamic visualization of gas flow, which would be extremely useful for characterizing a variety of fluid systems. In the medical field, one such system of substantial importance is the lung. The system and method provides for visualizing regional ventilatory patterns throughout the respiratory cycle with high temporal and high spatial resolution. The low sensitivity to susceptibility artifacts permits good image quality to be obtained in various orientations.

Abstract: A system and method for using hyperpolarized noble gases together with an appropriately designed and optimized magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence to rapidly acquire static or dynamic magnetic resonance images. The strong magnetic resonance signal from hyperpolarized gases, combined with the present magnetic resonance imaging technique, presents the opportunity for the imaging of gases with both high spatial and high temporal resolution. One potential application for such a method is the direct, dynamic visualization of gas flow, which would be extremely useful for characterizing a variety of fluid systems. In the medical field, one such system of substantial importance is the lung. The system and method provides for visualizing regional ventilatory patterns throughout the respiratory cycle with high temporal and high spatial resolution. The low sensitivity to susceptibility artifacts permits good image quality to be obtained in various orientations.

Abstract: An ergonomic pedal board (8) comprising a non-orthogonal shaped body plate (10) with a cooperative loop fabric surface (14) to releasably mount one or more effects pedals (28). Rubber feet (16) are attached to the underside of body plate (10) in three locations that provide tripodal support for stability on uneven or non-level surfaces. Effects pedals (28) are releasably mounted in staggered array with audio jacks (30) unobstructed, facilitating a natural arc of foot movement when actuating pedals by foot. A slotted handle (12) is incorporated into body plate (10) that attaches to the vertical tube (22) of a microphone stand (25). The forward end of body plate (10) is supported by the microphone stand's base (24). This support elevates the forward end of pedal board (8) and weights base (24) of microphone stand (25).

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in the metal finishing processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,333. The improvement arises in the use of nonabrasive media, such as stainless steel or plastic, in combination with chemicals that are reactive to the metal surface processed. The invention also includes metal articles finished using this process.

Abstract: An automatic watering apparatus for poultry and the like, the apparatus comprising a central post, a sleeve reciprocally but non-rotatably mounted on the post, a valve assembly mounted on the post, a supply tube extending from the valve assembly and in communication with a water source, the sleeve and the valve assembly being engageable to operate the valve assembly, and a bell member rotatably fixed to the sleeve and having a channel for collection of water discharged from the valve assembly.

Abstract: A support device pivotally supports a resilient body on the leading surface of either a door or sliding door frame in a manner whereby the gravitational force on the body moves the body between a sliding door and the frame. The body is mounted on a rod which is loosely accommodated in a mounting housing to prevent the transfer of the shock of impact of the door on the body to the housing. The body is manually movable away from the door and the frame, so that the body is positioned by gravitational force in abutment with the leading surface of the door when the door is closed. This permits the door to be securely closed with its leading edge in abutment with the frame. The body is interposed by gravitational force between the leading edge of the door and the frame when the door is open thereby preventing the door from closing fully by preventing the leading edge of the door from abutting the frame and thus protecting hands from being crushed between the door and the frame.