Abstract: A system including a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet and first and second sidewalls positioned on opposite sides of an imaging field of the magnet, and a subject support configured to support a subject that is positioned in an upright position. The system may be capable of imaging a target anatomy of the subject while the subject is in the upright position, and may further include a motor for translating the subject support between first and second positions within and outside of the imaging field of the magnet, respectively. The subject support may include a seat on which the subject may sit facing the subject support, such that the subject's back can be operated on and imaged while the subject is in an upright position.

Abstract: A method for detecting and creating magnetic resonance imaging anatomical outlines of a subject, including acquiring magnetic resonance imaging signals of a selected region of interest of the subject's anatomy, processing the magnetic resonance imaging signals to determine image pixel intensity. calculating a mean intensity value associated with the center location of the selected region of interest, and determining concentric interior and exterior anatomical outlines surrounding the center location. Image pixels with an intensity value greater than the mean intensity value by a first threshold amount are designated as part of the interior anatomical outline. Image pixels with an intensity value less than the mean intensity value by a second threshold amount are designated as part of the exterior anatomical outline.

Abstract: Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.

Abstract: A system including a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnet and first and second sidewalls positioned on opposite sides of an imaging field of the magnet, and a subject support configured to support a subject that is positioned in an upright position. The system may be capable of imaging a target anatomy of the subject while the subject is in the upright position, and may further include a motor for translating the subject support between first and second positions within and outside of the imaging field of the magnet, respectively. The subject support may include a seat on which the subject may sit facing the subject support, such that the subject's back can be operated on and imaged while the subject is in an upright position.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing the effectiveness of a treatment regimen. In a preferred embodiment, baseline magnetic resonance imaging signals of a diseased portion of a subject's anatomy are acquired and image slices associated with diseased tissue or a selected region of interest are identified. The identified image slices are then stored and used in acquiring subsequent magnetic resonance imaging signals. The baseline and subsequently acquired magnetic resonance imaging signals are then processed to determine changes in location, size or other factors that provide an indication of whether treatment is effective. In another aspect, baseline and subsequent magnetic resonance parameters are also acquired and compared as part of determining the effective of treatment.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of measuring the axial rotation of a selected vertebra of a patient using a magnetic resonance (MR) image. The method includes: identifying, in the MR image, two or more features of the selected vertebra; determining a first axis connecting the identified features; identifying, in the MR image, two or more features of the patient's surrounding anatomy that are not features of the selected vertebra; determining a second axis connecting the identified features of the patient's surrounding anatomy; measuring the angular difference between the first and second axes; and determining the axial rotation of the cervical vertebra based on the measurement. In some examples of the disclosure, determining the axial rotation of the cervical vertebra is based on the degree of perpendicularity between the first and second axes.

Abstract: Vasculature or parenchyma is imaged using upright MRI techniques, on patients who may have conditions such as congestive heart failure, or otherwise be healthy. When an individual is horizontal, venous drainage is minimized, causing the vessels to remain engorged, also referred to herein as vascular congestion. Vascular congestion results in an enlarging of the vessels and surrounding tissue causing the vessels to be more visible on MRIs. The decrease in vascular visibility in upright subjects is in part, due to an increase in venous drainage. Patients suffering from coronary and/or pulmonary deficiencies (e.g. CHF) experience decreased rates and degrees of venous drainage. In one embodiment, the present invention uses upright imaging to visualize these enlarged vessels.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems magnetic resonance imaging. The system may acquire images associated with a target region the body part including the target region moves, using a series of imaging planes correlated with the motion. The images are then displayed in time order sequence to provide a motion picture. The system may also provide for imaging in multiple planes such as mutually-perpendicular planes with rapid and facile switching between these planes. The multi-plane views can be used, for example, to monitor insertion of an instrument into the patient.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging configuration and methodology to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus and methodology allows multi-positioning of a patient within the calibrated and more uniform magnetic field lines.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for detecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow of a subject in which magnetic resonance imaging signals of a selected region of interest of the subject's anatomy are acquired. Preferably, the selected region of interest comprises the cerebro-spinal anatomy. A central location of the selected region of interest of the subject's anatomy is determined and used to determine a mean intensity value associated with image pixels of the central location. The mean intensity value is then used to establish interior and exterior outlines of the the selected region of interest of the subject's anatomy so that the CSF flow within the interior and exterior anatomical outlines may be measured or detected.

Abstract: An open MRI methodology and system that allows dynamic viewing and access to a patient. In intraoperative MRI, the MRI apparatus is configured in the shape of a typical operating room, with full 360° access to the patient. The MRI apparatus encompasses the entire operating room with magnets located on or near the ceiling and floor of the operating room. The remainder of the MRI apparatus, including the control computer, and imaging monitor, may be located outside of the MRI operating room, in order to keep the operating room free of unnecessary equipment, or located inside of the MRI operating room, as desired for operability of the MRI. The patient is placed over the magnet in the floor, the only fixed location in the operating room. The operating room may contain typical operating equipment, as needed, such as cardiopulmonary bypass units, surgical navigation systems, endoscopy systems, and anesthesia carts.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating slice profiles associated with a series of magnetic resonance images taken at a plurality of positions. The method comprises first positioning a patient in a first position in the imaging volume of the magnet. A scout scan is then acquired. Selection is then made of an anatomical landmark in the scout scan, which will be referred to as an anatomical fiducial. A particular slice, typically one of a stack of slices to be acquired in a subsequent scan, is selected and precisely positioned at the location of the anatomical fiducial in the scout scan. Following completion of the scan, the patient may be repositioned, necessitating a new scout scan to set up parameters for a second scan.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a subject using MR imaging, and a method of exciting nuclei of the subject within an imaging plane using one or more transmitter circuits tuned to a first transmission frequency, sampling MR signals generated from the nuclei at the same time using one or more receiver circuits each receiver circuit having a bandwidth less than 500 kHz, and generating a MR image based on the sampled MR signals. The speed of MR imaging may be increased by providing multiple pairs of transmitter and receiver circuits to operate simultaneously on an imaging plane and/or by streamlining downstream signal processing using multiple phase detectors tuned to detect frequencies associated with particular phase shifts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the presence of, or the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The method may include obtaining measurements of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, and deriving one or more values representing the CSF flow in the patient. These values may be used to determine if the patient has abnormal CSF flow, as such abnormal CSF flow may be indicative of presence of, or susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The present invention also discloses that magnetic resonance images may be obtained on patients in various positions, including the upright position.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a method of applying spatially localized radio frequency (“RF”) beam to a target location by placing RF resonant circuits at the target location. In a preferred embodiment, the target location is a portion of the anatomy of a subject, e.g., a tumor in a human body, and the RF resonant circuits are placed at the target location using a catheter or needle injection. The localized RF beam is provided is provided by a RF transmitter whose frequency is tuned to those of the RF resonant circuits. The RF transmitter may thus selectively supply concentrated thermal radiation capable of treating the target location without significantly heating (e.g., damaging due to high temperatures, or exposure to prolonged increased temperatures, etc.) areas proximate the target location (e.g., healthy tissue in other portions of the body.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging configuration and methodology to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus and methodology allows multi-positioning of a patient within the calibrated and more uniform magnetic field lines.

Abstract: The disclosure of the present invention provides for an imaging apparatus and methods for imaging the cranio-cervical junction of a patient using magnetic resonance. The apparatus is adapted to slide over the patient's head, and includes a saddle element and a solenoid element. The saddle element has a length that extends along a superior-inferior axis of the patient, and a circumference along an axial plane of the patient when the apparatus is slid over the patient's head, so as to define a substantially cylindrical volume. The solenoid element attaches to the saddle element at about a midpoint of the saddle element's length, so as to be positioned along an axial plane of the patient when the apparatus is slid over the patient's head. This configuration allows for the cranio-cervical junction of the patient to be positioned in the cylindrical volume when the apparatus is slid over the patient's head.

Abstract: An apparatus and concomitant method for imaging a subject using MR imaging includes exciting nuclei of the subject within an imaging plane using one or more transmitter circuits tuned to a first transmission frequency, sampling MR signals generated from the nuclei at the same time using one or more receiver circuits each receiver circuit having a bandwidth less than 500 kHz, and generating a MR image based on the sampled MR signals. The speed of MR imaging may be increased by providing multiple pairs of transmitter and receiver circuits to operate simultaneously on an imaging plane and/or by streamlining downstream signal processing using multiple phase detectors tuned to detect frequencies associated with particular phase shifts.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a subject using MR imaging, and a method of exciting nuclei of the subject within an imaging plane using one or more transmitter circuits tuned to a first transmission frequency, sampling MR signals generated from the nuclei at the same time using one or more receiver circuits each receiver circuit having a bandwidth less than 500 kHz, and generating a MR image based on the sampled MR signals. The speed of MR imaging may be increased by providing multiple pairs of transmitter and receiver circuits to operate simultaneously on an imaging plane and/or by streamlining downstream signal processing using multiple phase detectors tuned to detect frequencies associated with particular phase shifts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the presence of, or the susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The method may include obtaining measurements of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in a patient using magnetic resonance imaging, and deriving one or more values representing the CSF flow in the patient. These values may be used to determine if the patient has abnormal CSF flow, as such abnormal CSF flow may be indicative of presence of, or susceptibility to multiple sclerosis. The present invention also discloses that magnetic resonance images may be obtained on patients in various positions, including the upright position.