Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging on the basis of a gradient echo sequence by excitation of nuclear spins and measurement of radio-frequency signals indicating the excited nuclear spins, a) the pulse frequency of the person to be examined is determined, b) the magnetization of the spins is prepared by means of an RF pulse block, c) a number of steps of the spin excitation as well as measurement of an RF response signal are implemented, with the measurement data along a trajectory established by projection gradients being acquired along a first slice established by a slice-selection gradient, d) items b) through c) are repeated multiple times for the first slice, with each repetition of the steps b) through c) ensuing within a time interval that is fixed in duration, and the interval is temporally displaced relative to the determined pulse frequency for at least one portion of the repetitions, and e) items b) through d) are repeated for various slices.

Abstract: A method and system for automated view planning for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is disclosed. The method and system automatically generate a full scan prescription using a single 3D MRI volume. The left ventricle (LV) is segmented in the 3D MRI volume. Cardiac landmarks are detected in the automatically prescribed slices. A full scan prescription, including a short axis stack and 2-chamber, 3-chamber, and 4-chamber views, is automatically generated based on cardiac anchors provided by the segmented left ventricle and the detected cardiac landmarks in the 3D MRI volume.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands.

Abstract: In a method for image data acquisition of a region of interest in a subject with a magnetic resonance device, wherein, to establish the field of view, a minimal geometric shape encompassing the subject to be acquired and/or the surface of the subject is determined automatically from previously acquired localizer exposures as aliasing information for each exposure, at least one slice plane is determined for the acquisition of the region, and the phase coding direction and/or the extent of the field of view in the phase coding direction is determined for every slice plane using the aliasing information.

Abstract: In a method for generation of MR exposures in an MR system, a number of under-sampled MR raw data sets are acquired with non-constant density in k-space. A density compensation is implemented dependent on the geometry of the structure to be depicted. The under-sampled MR raw data sets are translated into a Cartesian coordinate system. Fourier transformation of the translated raw data sets in classical three-dimensional space ensues to generate under-sampled MR images. An averaged MR image is generated on the basis of a number of the under-sampled MR raw data sets. The MR exposures are produced by multiplication of the under-sampled MR images with the averaged MR image.

Abstract: In a method for representation of the heart in a magnetic resonance system at least one MR overview image of the heart is acquired. An image plane with a predetermined position relative to the magnetic resonance system is selected for this overview image. The acquired MR overview image is displayed and a number of marking points are established in the displayed overview image. Further image planes for representation of the heart are calculated using some of the established marking points. Further MR images are acquired in the calculated image planes.

Abstract: A set of image-space data is reconstructed from a set of k-space data. The set of image-space data is generated by minimizing a cost functional by an iterative non-linear conjugate gradient process. The iterative process may be accelerated by introducing k-space weighting to the cost functional. With proper choice of k-space weighting, a block-Toeplitz matrix is generated which permits use of Fast Fourier Transform techniques. An image is rendered from the set of image-space data.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generation of magnetic resonance images, a number of three-dimensional volume data sets of a subject are acquired in k-space, with each three-dimensional volume data set being acquired with a non-constant density. Filtered three-dimensional volume data sets are generated in k-space, which are assembled from a number of the three-dimensional volume data sets. Three-dimensional image data sets are reconstructed on the basis of filtered three-dimensional volume data sets.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for triggered implementation of a measurement (composed of partial measurements) in the magnetic resonance tomography apparatus, at least one image data set is determined from the data acquired within the scope of the partial measurements, and for triggering a reference point of the movement phase of the movement is used. The image data set is acquired in segments; the reference point is detected by a control device independent of a partial measurement, and the partial measurement following the detected reference point is conducted depending on the independently detected reference point. The wait time that specifies the interval from the end of the partial measurement to the beginning of the next partial measurement is adapted depending on the point in time of detection.

Abstract: In a method for image data acquisition of a region of interest in a subject with a magnetic resonance device, wherein, to establish the field of view, a minimal geometric shape encompassing the subject to be acquired and/or the surface of the subject is determined automatically from previously acquired localizer exposures as aliasing information for each exposure, at least one slice plane is determined for the acquisition of the region, and the phase coding direction and/or the extent of the field of view in the phase coding direction is determined for every slice plane using the aliasing information.

Abstract: A method to control a magnetic resonance system includes at least one protocol step for measurement data acquisition with the magnetic resonance system, and at least one operator interaction step which allows an operator to enter information that affects at least one subsequent step in the control of the magnetic resonance system.

Abstract: In a method to control the acquisition operation of a magnetic resonance device in the acquisition of magnetic resonance data of a patient, and associated magnetic resonance device, patient-related acquisition parameters are determined, technical control parameters are automatically determined taking into account the patient-related acquisition parameters, and the magnetic resonance device is controlled according to the control parameters.

Abstract: In a method to determine an inversion time value for contrast improvement between different tissue in a contrast agent-supported magnetic resonance imaging, a series of magnetic resonance images of an imaging area is acquired using an inversion recovery sequence with different inversion times. A structure in the magnetic resonance images is segmented and a time response of the signal intensity of image elements corresponding to one another in the magnetic resonance images of the segmented structure is automatically determined. Minima of the signal intensity in the segmented structure are determined automatically and associated with the associated inversion time values. The optimal inversion time value for contrast improvement is automatically determined from the inversion time values that have been associated with the minima of the signal intensity in the segmented structure.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study includes acquiring one or more preliminary images. A body mask is generated by thresholding the preliminary images and identifying a largest connected component. A boundary mask is obtained from the boundary of the generated body mask. A rectangular bounding box is fit to the obtained boundary mask. The rectangular bounding box is used as a field of view for performing a subsequent medical imaging study.

Abstract: A medical apparatus, includes a medical instrument with an acquisition unit for a magnetic resonance signal, the acquisition unit exhibiting a non-constant sensitivity profile in the azimuthal direction relative to an axis of the medical instrument. An azimuthal orientation of the medical apparatus is determined by an evaluation unit from magnetic resonance signals received by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for interventional imaging in magnetic resonance tomography, a contrast agent liquid is prepared by saturation or excitation of the nuclear spins therein, such that it shows with a poor signal in the vessel system of a patient to be examined after injection, or the stationary tissue is prepared by saturation or excitation of the nuclear spins therein such that the contrast agent liquid shows with strong signal (compared to the tissue) in the vessel system of a patient to be examined after injection.

Abstract: Apparatus for remotely controlling parameters of an image scanning apparatus includes a software interface for translating commands from an external application for providing scanner control commands to a scanner control machine for control of the parameters; and the software interface includes syntax software for translating the commands from the external application into a given syntax for providing the scanner control commands.

Abstract: In a method for generation of MR exposures in an MR system, a number of under-sampled MR raw data sets are acquired with non-constant density in k-space. A density compensation is implemented dependent on the geometry of the structure to be depicted. The under-sampled MR raw data sets are translated into a Cartesian coordinate system. Fourier transformation of the translated raw data sets in classical three-dimensional space ensues to generate under-sampled MR images. An averaged MR image is generated on the basis of a number of the under-sampled MR raw data sets. The MR exposures are produced by multiplication of the under-sampled MR images with the averaged MR image.

Abstract: A set of image-space data is reconstructed from a set of k-space data. The set of image-space data is generated by minimizing a cost functional by an iterative non-linear conjugate gradient process. The iterative process may be accelerated by introducing k-space weighting to the cost functional. With proper choice of k-space weighting, a block-Toeplitz matrix is generated which permits use of Fast Fourier Transform techniques. An image is rendered from the set of image-space data.

Abstract: In a method for representation of the heart in a magnetic resonance system at least one MR overview image of the heart is acquired. An image plane with a predetermined position relative to the magnetic resonance system is selected for this overview image. The acquired MR overview image is displayed and a number of marking points are established in the displayed overview image. Further image planes for representation of the heart are calculated using some of the established marking points. Further MR images are acquired in the calculated image planes.