Abstract: A workstation is programmed to operate as an application development system for a medical imaging system. Objects programmed in an object-oriented language are selected from a component library using a visual component assembler which enables them to be dragged from a framework area on a display to a workspace area. Properties of selected components may be edited, and the resulting collection of components may be graphically linked together and saved as an application program.

Abstract: A technique for managing data relating to peripheral devices and subsystems in an imaging system includes providing memory circuitry and, where desired, signal processing circuitry resident in the peripheral devices. Manufacturing data, identification data, service record information, calibration data, and other relevant information may be stored directly in the peripheral devices. The circuitry of the peripherals and subsystems may also include sensors and encryption circuits, and circuits for interfacing the memory and processing circuitry with other components, particularly a controller for an imaging system. The peripherals may include coils and drivers for MRI systems, tables, patient monitors and any other device pertinent to an MRI system. An initialization sequence is performed upon connection of the peripheral to the system, to identify the peripheral and to transfer information needed for examination sequences and other MRI procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an imaging plane on a primary, real-time image of a structure positioned in a MRI system having a display screen and an input device. An operator interactively acquires the primary, real-time image of a planar section of the structure of interest, such as an anatomical structure. Using an input device, the operator initiates the acquisition of a first localizer data set from the same orientation as the primary, real-time image of the structure under study. The present invention then acquires such data as a first localizer image and displays such image along side the primary, real-time image on a display screen of the MRI system. The present invention then acquires a second and third localizer data sets which are orthogonal to the primary, real-time image and to each other and generating and displaying said second and third localizer image.

Abstract: An MRI system produces magnetic field gradients along physical axes during a patient scan. The gradients are specified as logical gradient waveforms in a pulse sequence and these are stored in a logical vector table. A physical vector table is produced by rotating amplitude values in the logical vector table, and the resulting rotated amplitude values are used to calculate the heating in each gradient axis of the MRI system.

Abstract: An off-center NMR image is produced using an EPI pulse sequence. The offset along the readout gradient axis is achieved by shifting the frequency of an RF reference signal used to demodulate the received NMR echo signals. Phase errors produced by the NMR system and by the shifts in reference signal frequency are corrected in "real time" by also shifting the phase of the RF reference signal.

Abstract: A prescan for an MRI system (FIG. 1) automatically sets the rf power level to produce an excitation field that nutates spins in the image plane the amount prescribed by the scan. Nutation angle is measured with a pulse sequence comprised of three slice selective excitation pulses that produce a set of frequency encoded NMR echo signals (E.sub.1, S.sub.1, E.sub.2, E.sub.23, E.sub.13). Nutation angle is calculated at locations in the image slice from the Fourier transformation of these signals and the maximum nutation angle is employed to calculate the final rf power level setting for the scan.