Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100). Machine executable instructions cause a processor controlling the MRI system to control (200) the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence commands to acquire the magnetic resonance data. The pulse sequence commands are configured for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting protocol. The pulse sequence commands are configured for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data during multiple pulse repetitions (302). The pulse sequence commands are configured for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to cause gradient induced spin rephasing at least twice during each of the multiple pulse repetitions using a gradient magnetic field generating system (110, 112).

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a magnetic resonance system for acquiring magnetic resonance data (152) from a phantom (124) within a measurement (zone 108). The phantom comprises a known volume of at least one predetermined substance ((128), 130). The method comprises the step of acquiring (300) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance system with pulse sequence instructions (150). The pulse sequence instructions cause the magnetic resonance system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence instructions specify a train of pulse sequence repetitions. Each pulse sequence repetition has a repetition time chosen from a distribution of repetition times. Each pulse sequence repetition comprises a radio frequency pulse chosen from a distribution of radio frequency pulses. The distribution of radio frequency pulses cause magnetic spins to rotate to a distribution of flip angles.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) which comprise a magnet (104) and a magnetic field gradient generator (110, 112) for generating a gradient magnetic field within an imaging zone (108). The gradient magnetic field is aligned with a predetermined direction. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprise a memory (134, 136) for storing machine executable instructions (150, 152, 154), a pre-calculated magnetic resonance fingerprinting dictionary (144), and pulse sequence instructions (140). The pulse sequence instructions cause the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique encodes the magnetic resonance data as slices (125).

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a memory (134, 136) for storing machine executable instructions (160), and pulse sequence commands (140, 400, 502, 600, 700), wherein the pulse sequence commands are configured to cause the magnetic imaging resonance system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence commands are further configured to control the magnetic resonance imaging system to perform spatial encoding using a zero echo time magnetic resonance imaging protocol.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (200, 300, 400) comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system (202), a display (270), a processor (228), and a memory (234) for storing instructions for the processor. The instructions causes the processor to receive a brachytherapy treatment plan (240), acquire (100) planning magnetic resonance data (244), calculate (102) a catheter placement positions (246, 900, 902) and a catheter control commands (248) the brachytherapy catheters.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118) within a measurement zone (108), wherein the magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: a processor (130) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system and a memory (136) for storing machine executable instructions (150, 152, 154) and pulse sequence commands (140). The pulse sequence commands for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting protocol. The pulse sequence commands are configured for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to generate an RF pulse train (300). The pulse sequence commands are configured for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data as multiple k-space traces.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging sequence is defined by an imaging protocol and parameter values for a set of parameters of the imaging protocol. A contrast signal score is computed for the magnetic resonance imaging sequence respective to a contrast type to be scored using a scoring equation. A contrast type is determined for the magnetic resonance imaging sequence based on the computed contrast signal score. In one approach, the computing is repeated for a plurality of different contrast types to be scored, and the determining is based on the computed contrast signal scores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for scan geometry planning.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a magnetic resonance system for acquiring magnetic resonance data (152) from a phantom (124) within a measurement (zone 108). The phantom comprises a known volume of at least one predetermined substance ((128), 130). The method comprises the step of acquiring (300) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance system with pulse sequence instructions (150). The pulse sequence instructions cause the magnetic resonance system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence instructions specify a train of pulse sequence repetitions. Each pulse sequence repetition has a repetition time chosen from a distribution of repetition times. Each pulse sequence repetition comprises a radio frequency pulse chosen from a distribution of radio frequency pulses. The distribution of radio frequency pulses cause magnetic spins to rotate to a distribution of flip angles.

Abstract: A method of employing a central computer database (18) for supporting a characterization of tissue by magnetic resonance fingerprinting measurements, including steps of —exciting nuclei of a subject of interest by applying (50) a radio frequency excitation field B1 generated according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequence (38), —acquiring (52) magnetic resonance imaging signal data from radiation emitted by excited nuclei of the subject of interest, —transferring (54) a magnetic resonance fingerprinting data set (42) to the central computer database (18), —retrieving (56) a predefined dictionary from the central computer database (18), —matching (60) the acquired magnetic resonance imaging signal data to the retrieved dictionary by applying a pattern recognition algorithm to determine a value (40) or a set of values (40) for at least one physical quantity (T1, T2), —adding (62) at least the determined value (40) or the determined set of values (40) as a new entry of an associated medical data set (3

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) which comprise a magnet (104) and a magnetic field gradient generator (110, 112) for generating a gradient magnetic field within an imaging zone (108). The gradient magnetic field is aligned with a predetermined direction. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprise a memory (134, 136) for storing machine executable instructions (150, 152, 154), a pre-calculated magnetic resonance fingerprinting dictionary (144), and pulse sequence instructions (140). The pulse sequence instructions cause the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique encodes the magnetic resonance data as slices (125).

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance system (100) for acquiring a magnetic resonance data from a subject (118) within a measurement zone (108) according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence comprises a train of pulse sequence repetitions (302, 304). Each pulse sequence repetition has a repetition time chosen from a distribution of repetition times. Each pulse sequence repetition comprises a radio frequency pulse (306) chosen from a distribution of radio frequency pulses. The distribution of radio frequency pulses cause magnetic spins to rotate to a distribution of flip angles, and each pulse sequence repetition comprises a sampling event (310) at a sampling time chosen from a distribution of sampling times. Each pulse sequence repetition of the pulse sequence comprises a first 180 degree RF pulse (308) performed at a first temporal midpoint between the radio frequency pulse and the sampling event to refocus the magnetic resonance signal.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance examination system comprises displaceable carrier for supporting an object to be examined. The carrier can be moved over a two dimensional area. The magnetic resonance examination system is configured to acquire sets of magnetic resonance signals from the object for various positions of the carrier in the two dimensional area.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging sequence is defined by an imaging protocol and parameter values for a set of parameters of the imaging protocol. A contrast signal score is computed for the magnetic resonance imaging sequence respective to a contrast type to be scored using a scoring equation. A contrast type is determined for the magnetic resonance imaging sequence based on the computed contrast signal score. In one approach, the computing is repeated for a plurality of different contrast types to be scored, and the determining is based on the computed contrast signal scores.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system (10) and method (100) maintains geometric alignment of diagnostic scans during an examination of a patient (12). At least one processor (40) is programmed to, in response to repositioning of the patient (12) during the examination, perform an updated survey scan of the patient (12). A scan completed during the examination is selected as a template scan. A transformation map between the template scan and the updated survey scan is determined using a registration algorithm, and the transformation map is applied to a scan geometry of a remaining diagnostic scan of the examination. A scan plan for the remaining diagnostic scan is generated using the updated scan geometry. The remaining diagnostic scan is performed according to the scan plan.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of acquiring MRI image data comprising the following steps: performing a 3-dimensional B1 mapping of a first volume using a first voxel size, selecting an MRI protocol, performing the B1-shim in accordance with the MRI protocol, performing the MRI protocol to acquire MRI imaging data of a second volume using a second voxel size, wherein the first voxel size is larger than the second voxel size, wherein the first volume is larger than the second volume, and wherein the second volume is contained within the first volume.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (1100) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system and an interventional device (300) comprising a shaft (302, 1014, 1120). The medical apparatus further comprises a toroidal magnetic resonance fiducial marker (306, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1122) attached to the shaft. The shaft passes through a center point (610, 810, 908, 1006) of the fiducial marker. The medical apparatus further comprises machine executable instructions (1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158) for execution by a processor. The instructions cause the processor to acquire (100, 200) magnetic resonance data, to reconstruct (102, 202) a magnetic resonance image (1142), and to receive (104, 204) the selection of a target volume (1118, 1144, 1168). The instructions further cause the processor to repeatedly: acquire (106, 206) magnetic resonance location data (1146) from the fiducial marker and render (108, 212) a view (1148, 1162) indicating the position of the shaft relative to the target zone.