Abstract: A control system and method for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system controller is provided to sub-sample k-space for an MRI scan. The method includes, for each radio-frequency excitation pulse in the MRI scan, sub-sampling ky-kz planes using a three-dimensional (3D) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence by coherently sub-sampling phase encodings in the ky dimension and incoherently sub-sampling phase encodings in the kz dimension. The coherent sub-sampling corresponds to a number of radio-frequency excitation pulses. The ky-kz planes represent a sub-sampling pattern in the ky-kz space, using an incoherent sub-sampling in the kz dimension.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing heart mechanical activity at a region of interest of a patient's heart are provided. The method comprises acquiring a time sequence of 2-dimensional X-ray images of a region of interest over at least part of a cardiac cycle; detecting coronary vessels in the X-ray images; tracking the coronary vessels through the sequence of images to identify movements of the coronary vessels; and analyzing the movements of the coronary vessels to quantify at least one parameter characterizing heart wall motion in the region of interest.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing heart mechanical activity at a region of interest of a patient's heart are provided. The method comprises acquiring a time sequence of 2-dimensional X-ray images of a region of interest over at least part of a cardiac cycle; detecting coronary vessels in the X-ray images; tracking the coronary vessels through the sequence of images to identify movements of the coronary vessels; and analyzing the movements of the coronary vessels to quantify at least one parameter characterizing heart wall motion in the region of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.