Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods can overcome the impact of scan protocols on experimental measurements to reconstruct the CEST equilibrium effect and can therefore improve the quantification of the underlying CEST contrast mechanism. The methods may include determining a spinlock relaxation rate for each RF offset for at least the first signal average so that the normalized spectrum for each RF offset and each slice first signal average corresponds to at least each transient state associated with each saturated slice readout normalized by at least each control state associated with each control slice readout based on the spinlock relaxation rate. The method may further include reconstructing CEST equilibrium effect for each RF offset using the respective spinlock relaxation rate for the RF offset. The method may include determining one or more quantitative information using the CEST equilibrium effect.

Abstract: The devices, systems, and methods can improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR spectroscopy (MRS), MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) measurement(s), thereby providing more reliable quantification. The method may include a method for correcting MR image(s)/spectrum. The method may include providing an inhomogeneity field/response map of a region of interest; and providing MR image(s)/spectrum of the region of interest. The method may include determining an intravoxel/voxel inhomogeneity correction coefficient for each voxel of at least one subregion of the region of the interest using the inhomogeneity field/response map. The method may include correcting each voxel of the MR image(s)/spectrum of the region of interest using the intravoxel/voxel inhomogeneity correction coefficient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a subject include acquiring a first physiological monitoring signal related to a first physiological process of the subject and acquiring a second physiological monitoring signal related to a second physiological process of the subject. The method also includes analyzing the first physiological monitoring signal and the second physiological monitoring signal to identify at least a first trigger point and a second trigger point and, upon identifying the first trigger point, applying a radiofrequency (RF) saturation module at a selected frequency to saturate a selected spin species in the subject. Upon identifying the second trigger point, the method includes performing a chemical exchange striation transfer (CEST) readout to acquire CEST data and then reconstructing the CEST data to produce a CEST image of the subject.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that includes acquiring chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) data with the MRI system and generating an acquired Z-spectrum (Z) from the CEST data. The system and method also includes computing an estimated direct water saturation (Z?) based using at least one of relaxation measurements derived from the CEST data or imaging parameters used to acquire the CEST data with the MRI system, computing a direct saturation corrected Z-spectrum (?Z) using the acquired Z-spectrum (Z) and the estimated direct water saturation (Z?), and generating a CEST image of the subject using the direct saturation corrected Z-spectrum (?Z).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining quantitative chemical exchange or exchangeable proton information from a region-of-interest in a subject. The methods and systems use adaptive fitting to quantify magnetic resonance (MR) data, such as chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) images, using initial values based on, for example, Lorentzian fitting. Images are iteratively less downsampled until quantitative maps of desired resolution are obtained. Such an approach allows for reliable fitting at a faster fitting speed, and is less susceptible to suboptimal signal to noise (SNR) than conventional methods.

Abstract: A system and method for creating magnetic resonance images includes performing a first pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying a radiofrequency (RF) irradiation at a reference frequency and performing a second pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying an RF irradiation at a labeling frequency. A plurality of echoes having information pertaining to at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts is acquired to form a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) medical imaging data set and the CEST medical imaging data set is reconstructed to form a CEST image of the subject including information about the at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts within the subject.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that includes acquiring chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) data with the MRI system and generating an acquired Z-spectrum (Z) from the CEST data. The system and method also includes computing an estimated direct water saturation (Z?) based using at least one of relaxation measurements derived from the CEST data or imaging parameters used to acquire the CEST data with the MRI system, computing a direct saturation corrected Z-spectrum (?Z) using the acquired Z-spectrum (Z) and the estimated direct water saturation (Z?), and generating a CEST image of the subject using the direct saturation corrected Z-spectrum (?Z).

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a subject include acquiring a first physiological monitoring signal related to a first physiological process of the subject and acquiring a second physiological monitoring signal related to a second physiological process of the subject. The method also includes analyzing the first physiological monitoring signal and the second physiological monitoring signal to identify at least a first trigger point and a second trigger point and, upon identifying the first trigger point, applying a radiofrequency (RF) saturation module at a selected frequency to saturate a selected spin species in the subject. Upon identifying the second trigger point, the method includes performing a chemical exchange striation transfer (CEST) readout to acquire CEST data and then reconstructing the CEST data to produce a CEST image of the subject.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining quantitative chemical exchange or exchangeable proton information from a region-of-interest in a subject. The methods and systems use adaptive fitting to quantify magnetic resonance (MR) data, such as chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) images, using initial values based on, for example, Lorentzian fitting. Images are iteratively less downsampled until quantitative maps of desired resolution are obtained. Such an approach allows for reliable fitting at a faster fitting speed, and is less susceptible to suboptimal signal to noise (SNR) than conventional methods.

Abstract: A system and method acquiring images of a region of interest (ROI) of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging system. The system or method are capable of acquiring pathological data from tissue in the ROI believed to be pathological tissue and acquiring baseline data from tissue in the subject believed to not be pathological tissue. The system or method are also capable of determining correlation parameters from baseline data, generating corrected data using the baseline correlation parameters to correct the pathological data at least for intrinsic heterogeneity, and generating a report using the corrected data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating pH in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method includes selecting a contrast agent, generating a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) pulse sequence, performing the pulse sequence with the saturating pulse at a first power level, and performing the pulse sequence again with the saturating pulse at a power level different from the first power level. The method also includes generating values indicating pH of the subject, and generating a report indicating the pH using those values.

Abstract: A system and method acquiring images of a region of interest (ROI) of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging system. The system or method are capable of acquiring pathological data from tissue in the ROI believed to be pathological tissue and acquiring baseline data from tissue in the subject believed to not be pathological tissue. The system or method are also capable of determining correlation parameters from baseline data, generating corrected data using the baseline correlation parameters to correct the pathological data at least for intrinsic heterogeneity, and generating a report using the corrected data.

Abstract: A system and method for creating magnetic resonance images includes performing a first pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying a radiofrequency (RF) irradiation at a reference frequency and performing a second pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying an RF irradiation at a labeling frequency. A plurality of echoes having information pertaining to at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts is acquired to form a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) medical imaging data set and the CEST medical imaging data set is reconstructed to form a CEST image of the subject including information about the at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts within the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for indicating pH in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system are provided. The method includes selecting a contrast agent, generating a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) pulse sequence, performing the pulse sequence with the saturating pulse at a first power level, and performing the pulse sequence again with the saturating pulse at a power level different from the first power level. The method also includes generating values indicating pH of the subject, and generating a report indicating the pH using those values.

Abstract: A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided.

Abstract: A volumetric APT imaging sequence is provided that acquires multi-slice images immediately after a single long continuous wave (CW) RF irradiation, wherein the relaxation-induced loss of CEST contrast is compensated for during post-processing. Thus, a fast volumetric pH-weighted APT imaging technique is provided.