Abstract: To avoid discontinuities between echoes from becoming large level differences in a k-space and to reduce artifacts generated in a reconstructed image due to the discontinuities in the k-space, an MRI apparatus of the present invention uses phase characteristics of multiple echoes to be collected after a single RF excitation to control an arrangement order in the k-space where the multiple echoes are arranged when a pulse sequence of the fast spin echo method that collects the multiple echoes using a spin flip after a single RF excitation is executed. The arrangement is controlled so that echoes with small phase errors between the echoes at least near the center of the k-space are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Regardless of the measurement conditions, the degradation of the image quality due to a vibrational error magnetic field, which is generated by the vibration of the mechanical structure of an MRI apparatus, is reduced. In order to do so, error magnetic field image data indicating an error magnetic field distribution is acquired on the basis of an echo signal measured using a pulse sequence having a test gradient magnetic field, a parameter value of a damped vibration function showing a vibrational error magnetic field is calculated using the error magnetic field image data, and a correction magnetic field is calculated on the basis of the calculated parameter value of the damped vibration function showing the vibrational error magnetic field.

Abstract: An object is to correct a magnetic field caused by an eddy current, which is generated due to application of a gradient magnetic field, not only in the application direction of the gradient magnetic field but also in a direction different from the application direction of the gradient magnetic field. In the present invention, in order to achieve this object, a compensation magnetic field which compensates for an eddy current magnetic field generated in each of an application direction of a test gradient magnetic field and a direction different from the application direction in each direction is calculated using the test gradient magnetic field. When generating an arbitrary gradient magnetic field, a compensation magnetic field which compensates for an eddy current magnetic field according to application of an arbitrary gradient magnetic field on the basis of the measured eddy current magnetic field in each direction is generated together with the arbitrary gradient magnetic field.

Abstract: A fastening force auxiliary device (1) includes a seat part (10) in which a hole (11) allowing a screw part (3) of a miniscrew (2) to be inserted through is formed and which receives a head part (5) of the miniscrew (2). Further, the fastening force auxiliary device (1) has three spiked portions (13) extending from a periphery of the seat part (10) in a driving direction of the miniscrew (2). The spiked portions (13) extend so as to spread outward from the periphery of the seat part (10) and so as to gradually taper off. When the miniscrew (2) is implanted and fixed in a jaw bone or the like in an oral cavity, it is screwed into the jaw bone or the like while the screw part (3) is inserted through the hole (11) of the fastening force auxiliary device (1). Consequently, a flange (7) is received by the seat part (10) and tips of the spiked portions (13) come into pressure contact with a surface of the jaw bone or the like by being pressed by the flange portion (7).

Abstract: To avoid discontinuities between echoes from becoming large level differences in a k-space and to reduce artifacts generated in a reconstructed image due to the discontinuities in the k-space, an MRI apparatus of the present invention uses phase characteristics of multiple echoes to be collected after a single RF excitation to control an arrangement order in the k-space where the multiple echoes are arranged when a pulse sequence of the fast spin echo method that collects the multiple echoes using a spin flip after a single RF excitation is executed. The arrangement is controlled so that echoes with small phase errors between the echoes at least near the center of the k-space are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Regardless of the measurement conditions, the degradation of the image quality due to a vibrational error magnetic field, which is generated by the vibration of the mechanical structure of an MRI apparatus, is reduced. In order to do so, error magnetic field image data indicating an error magnetic field distribution is acquired on the basis of an echo signal measured using a pulse sequence having a test gradient magnetic field, a parameter value of a damped vibration function showing a vibrational error magnetic field is calculated using the error magnetic field image data, and a correction magnetic field is calculated on the basis of the calculated parameter value of the damped vibration function showing the vibrational error magnetic field.

Abstract: An object is to correct a magnetic field caused by an eddy current, which is generated due to application of a gradient magnetic field, not only in the application direction of the gradient magnetic field but also in a direction different from the application direction of the gradient magnetic field. In the present invention, in order to achieve this object, a compensation magnetic field which compensates for an eddy current magnetic field generated in each of an application direction of a test gradient magnetic field and a direction different from the application direction in each direction is calculated using the test gradient magnetic field. When generating an arbitrary gradient magnetic field, a compensation magnetic field which compensates for an eddy current magnetic field according to application of an arbitrary gradient magnetic field on the basis of the measured eddy current magnetic field in each direction is generated together with the arbitrary gradient magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preventive or therapeutic agent for bruxism or bruxism-related diseases that contains as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of proton pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, and acid pump antagonists. Examples of the proton pump inhibitors include rabeprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, or tenatoprazole, or salts thereof, or hydrates thereof.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprising a step for applying one or more gradient magnetic field pulses continuously, a step for calculating a residual magnetic field being generated from a magnet by an gradient magnetic field pulse based on a residual magnetic field response function representing the relation between the strength of the gradient magnetic field pulse being applied and the strength of a residual magnetic field being generated, and a step for correcting the residual magnetic field thus calculated. The magnetic resonance imaging method is further provided with a step for updating the residual magnetic field response function with time depending on the application history of the gradient magnetic field pulses being applied continuously.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprising a step for applying one or more gradient magnetic field pulses continuously, a step for calculating a residual magnetic field being generated from a magnet by an gradient magnetic field pulse based on a residual magnetic field response function representing the relation between the strength of the gradient magnetic field pulse being applied and the strength of a residual magnetic field being generated, and a step for correcting the residual magnetic field thus calculated. The magnetic resonance imaging method is further provided with a step for updating the residual magnetic field response function with time depending on the application history of the gradient magnetic field pulses being applied continuously.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprising a step for applying one or more gradient magnetic field pulses continuously, a step for calculating a residual magnetic field being generated from a magnet by an gradient magnetic field pulse based on a residual magnetic field response function representing the relation between the strength of the gradient magnetic field pulse being applied and the strength of a residual magnetic field being generated, and a step for correcting the residual magnetic field thus calculated. The magnetic resonance imaging method is further provided with a step for updating the residual magnetic field response function with time depending on the application history of the gradient magnetic field pulses being applied continuously.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus having a calibration pulse sequence, wherein a group of pulse sequences for applying test gradient magnetic fields are established from a basic pulse sequence by a gradient echo method of short TR, a group of pulse sequences not applying test gradient fields are established from the basic pulse sequence, a set of three- or four-dimensional data including a time variable is created by using echo signals collected by at least one of the groups, two data sets are created as a whole by inverting the polarity of the test gradient magnetic field, the difference between phase images thereof is determined, the magnitude and time constant of eddy current induced at the fall or rise of the gradient magnetic field are determined from the phase difference image, and the variation of the magnetic field due to eddy current induced at the rise and/or fall of the gradient magnetic field can be measured in a relatively short time with a desired time resolution even if the magnetic field variation is of a very

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging method comprising a step for applying one or more gradient magnetic field pulses continuously, a step for calculating a residual magnetic field being generated from a magnet by an gradient magnetic field pulse based on a residual magnetic field response function representing the relation between the strength of the gradient magnetic field pulse being applied and the strength of a residual magnetic field being generated, and a step for correcting the residual magnetic field thus calculated. The magnetic resonance imaging method is further provided with a step for updating the residual magnetic field response function with time depending on the application history of the gradient magnetic field pulses being applied continuously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preventive or therapeutic agent for bruxism or bruxism-related diseases that contains as an active ingredient at least one selected from the group consisting of proton pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, and acid pump antagonists. Examples of the proton pump inhibitors include rabeprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, or tenatoprazole, or salts thereof, or hydrates thereof.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus having an open structure includes a static magnetic field generating magnet including magnetic field generating sources arranged above and below an imaging space and magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates arranged inside the magnet. Gradient magnetic field coils are fixed to the static magnetic field generating magnet so as to not be in contact with the magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates. When the strength of the magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generating magnet fluctuates due to vibration of the gradient magnetic field coils or other devices during an imaging operation of the MRI apparatus, an eddy current is generated on the magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates in response to the magnetic field fluctuation components. Magnetic flux which cancels the static magnetic field fluctuation components is generated due to this eddy current, and consequently, a time-sequentially stable static magnetic field can be obtained.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus having a calibration pulse sequence, wherein a group of pulse sequences for applying test gradient magnetic fields are established from a basic pulse sequence by a gradient echo method of short TR, a group of pulse sequences not applying test gradient fields are established from the basic pulse sequence, a set of three- or four-dimensional data including a time variable is created by using echo signals collected by at least one of the groups, two data sets are created as a whole by inverting the polarity of the test gradient magnetic field, the difference between phase images thereof is determined, the magnitude and time constant of eddy current induced at the fall or rise of the gradient magnetic field are determined from the phase difference image, and the variation of the magnetic field due to eddy current induced at the rise and/or fall of the gradient magnetic field can be measured in a relatively short time with a desired time resolution even if the magnetic field variation is of a very

Abstract: A clip type anchor for orthodontic treatment comprises piercing portions for piercing a skin and fitting a bone, and a connection portion connecting the piercing portions to each other. The connection portion biases the piercing portions toward the bone. A connection portion is substantially U-like shaped, and piercing portions fit an inside and an outside of an alveolar bone, thereby fixing the anchor to the alveolar bone. In an anchor comprising piercing portions for piercing a skin and fitting a bone, and a connection portion connecting the piercing portions to each other, the connection portion biases the piercing portions so as to either increase or decrease a distance between the piercing portions.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus having an open structure includes a static magnetic field generating magnet including magnetic field generating sources arranged above and below an imaging space and magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates arranged inside the magnet. Gradient magnetic field coils are fixed to the static magnetic field generating magnet so as to not be in contact with the magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates. When the strength of the magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generating magnet fluctuates due to vibration of the gradient magnetic field coils or other devices during an imaging operation of the MRI apparatus, an eddy current is generated on the magnetic field fluctuation reducing plates in response to the magnetic field fluctuation components. Magnetic flux which cancels the static magnetic field fluctuation components is generated due to this eddy current, and consequently, a time-sequentially stable static magnetic field can be obtained.