Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for improved magnetic resonance imaging with simultaneous fat and fluid suppression of a subject comprising: acquiring four images, in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) at a short and a long echo time (TE) using a single-shot turbo spin echo from one or more magnetic resonance imager excitations: processing at least a pair of IP and OP images at a short and a long TE using single-shot turbo spin echo using a Dixon reconstruction; processing the pair of IP and OP images; subtracting the long TE water-only image from the shared-field-map Dixon reconstruction from the short TE water-only image to provide a fluid attenuation; processing water-only and fat-only images at the short and long TE to generate quantitative fat-fraction map; and reconstructing one or more 3D magnetic resonance images.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for improved magnetic resonance imaging with simultaneous fat and fluid suppression of a subject comprising: acquiring four images, in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) at a short and a long echo time (TE) using a single-shot turbo spin echo from one or more magnetic resonance imager excitations: processing at least a pair of IP and OP images at a short and a long TE using single-shot turbo spin echo using a Dixon reconstruction; processing the pair of IP and OP images; subtracting the long TE water-only image from the shared-field-map Dixon reconstruction from the short TE water-only image to provide a fluid attenuation; processing water-only and fat-only images at the short and long TE to generate quantitative fat-fraction map; and reconstructing one or more 3D magnetic resonance images.

Abstract: A method includes generating spectral projection data of a subject, including at least first spectral projection data corresponding to a first energy range and second spectral projection data corresponding to a second energy range, wherein the first and the second energy range are different. The method further includes constructing an image from a combination of the spectral projection data, and constructing a set of basis images for the 5 energy ranges and from the spectral projection data. The method further includes constructing a multi-dimensional histogram from the set of basis images, wherein the multi-dimensional histogram includes at least two axes, a first corresponding to a first basis component and a second corresponding to a second basis component, and the multi-dimensional histogram includes a set of clusters, including one cluster for each material 10 represented in the spectral projection data.

Abstract: The present invention includes a composition, method, method of making, and a kit for using an enteric contrast agent formulation comprising an enteric contrast medium comprising particles comprising atoms of an element with an atomic number from 70 to 77, and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle in which the particles are dispersed.

Abstract: A method includes generating spectral projection data of a subject, including at least first spectral projection data corresponding to a first energy range and second spectral projection data corresponding to a second energy range, wherein the first and the second energy range are different. The method further includes constructing an image from a combination of the spectral projection data, and constructing a set of basis images for the 5 energy ranges and from the spectral projection data. The method further includes constructing a multi-dimensional histogram from the set of basis images, wherein the multi-dimensional histogram includes at least two axes, a first corresponding to a first basis component and a second corresponding to a second basis component, and the multi-dimensional histogram includes a set of clusters, including one cluster for each material 10 represented in the spectral projection data.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for external magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of a prostate comprising: one or more radio frequency (RF) coils adapted to externally image the prostate, wherein the one or more RF coils are sized and shaped to fit within the perineum area of a subject allowing the placement of the one or more RF coils on the perineum, wherein the one or more RF coils are positioned perpendicular to the prostate; and a processor connected to the radio frequency (RF) coils adapted to measure at a resonance frequency of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or a spectrophotometer, wherein a signal received by the one or more RF coils is used to generate an image of the prostate during magnetic imaging.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for performing chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging on a region of an object being imaged is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T.sub.1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, the imaging agent includes a carbon-13 enriched alcohol.

Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for performing chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging on a region of an object being imaged is provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The method includes introducing an imaging agent into the subject, the imaging agent including a compound having at least one hyperpolarized nucleus having a T1 greater than 15 seconds and a water-octanol partition coefficient between ?1 and 1, providing at least one excitation signal to the region of interest, the at least one excitation signal configured to invoke a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) effect at least in the introduced imaging agent, and detecting an NMR signal emitted by the region of interest in response to the at least one excitation signal. In another aspect, a method of imaging blood flow in a region of interest of a subject using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to micro-resonant devices (MRDs) that generate resonance at radio frequencies not present in an animal or human body, or present at low, background levels in the body. These individual, often monolithic devices, can be located in three-dimensional space and tracked anywhere in a target area, e.g., in a human or animal body, or within a cell within a body, using a conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner or other transducers, e.g., radiofrequency transducers. The MRDs generate high sensitivity contrast in conventional clinical MRI scanners, have a diameter of anywhere from a few nanometers to 1000 microns, and can in some embodiments be manufactured using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. The devices are optionally coated to isolate them from the environment, and this coating can be a biocompatible coating for medical and biotechnology uses.

Abstract: An insertable pickup probe and interface network for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. The pickup probe in the preferred embodiment is for use in imaging the male prostate and comprises an elongated shaft supporting a patient interface balloon at its distal end which contains a RF receiving coil. The interface balloon comprises an inflatable inner balloon enclosed by a flexible outer balloon. The receiving coil is positioned between the inner and outer balloons and placed intimately adjacent the region of interest by inflating the inner balloon to expand outwardly against the outer balloon. In addition, a non-stretchable planar material is provided on the surface on the inner balloon adjacent the receiving coil for ensuring that the receiving coil is placed adjacent the region of interest. The inner balloon is inflated by an inflator cuff connected to the shaft and communicated to the inner balloon by a first lumen in the shaft.

Abstract: An insertable intracavity probe for use in magnetic resonance imaging of an area of interest in a relatively inaccessible region of the body particularly the cervix is disclosed. The probe has an inflatable balloon structure with an internal pickup coil carried at the distal end of a shaft for rectal insertion of the coil and an inflatable anti-migration cuff to hold the probe in position and prevent outward migration thereof during a procedure. The balloon structure has an outer balloon shaped to facilitate insertion and accommodation of the coil to areas of the anatomy adjacent the cervix. Internally, the balloon structure has an inflatable balloon which can be used to adjust the shape of the coil to accommodate uniquely shaped anatomical areas.

Abstract: Flexible, conforming surface coils for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging are disclosed. The coils comprise a flexible outer body with antennas disposed within the body. The coils closely adopt the contours and shapes of the particular part of the patient's body under observation and provide considerable comfort. Since the coils closely conform to the patient, detection of artifacts and aliasing is minimized thus providing highly resolved images of the area of the patient that is being examined. The coils are readily utilized with preexisting NMR magnets and support equipment thereby allowing efficient and cost effective NMR imaging.

Abstract: An insertable pickup probe and interface network for magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. The pickup probe in the preferred embodiment is for use in imaging the male prostate and comprises an elongated shaft supporting a patient interface balloon at its distal end which contains a RF receiving coil. The interface balloon comprises an inflatabe inner balloon enclosed by a flexible outer balloon. The receiving coil is positioned between the inner and outer balloons and placed intimately adjacent the region of interest by inflating the inner balloon to expand outwardly against the outer balloon. In addition, a non-stretchable planar material is provided on the surface on the inner balloon adjacent the receiving coil for ensuring that the receiving coil is placed adjacent the region of interest. The inner balloon is inflated by an inflator cuff connected to the shaft and communicated to the inner balloon by a first lumen in the shaft.

Abstract: An insertable intracavity probe for use in magnetic resonance imaging of an area of interest in a body cavity particularly the colon, has an elongate shaft with a handle at its proximal end and an inflatable balloon structure at its distal end. The balloon structure has an outer balloon containing a loop-type pickup coil for connection to an interfacing network. The coil is sandwiched between two internal separately inflatable balloons, and when the probe is inserted, the coil can be optimally positioned relative to the area of interest by controlled differential inflation of the balloons. The probe also has an insertable rod-like mandrel for providing twisting orbital-type movement of the balloon structure on the shaft, by rotation of the mandrel, useful to steer the probe along curves or bends in the body cavity when it is being inserted.