Abstract: A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MR-compatible treadmill. The treadmill is made of non-ferromagnetic materials and has a belt driven by a motor that produces rotational motion from pressurized fluid that is produced by a pump located outside the scan room. The treadmill is adjacent to the MR imager. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then transferred to the MR imager without leaving the scan room. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting intraventricular dyssynchrony is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) receiving information from an observer viewing a source image to define a plurality of points associated with muscle boundaries of a ventricle, b) extracting muscle boundaries for a series of source images to define a corresponding series of contour shape images using a Fourier descriptor model, and c) deforming each contour shape based at least in part on image forces, external forces, and internal forces to track movement of the muscle boundaries over time. In another embodiment, the method includes: a) characterizing the series of source images as a corresponding series of contour shape images representative of movement of muscle boundaries of the ventricle over time, b) classifying the series of contour shape images in a dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class, and c) pre-diagnosing the ventricle as dyssynchronous or non-dyssynchronous.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image segment processor and an image classifier. The image segment processor may segment left and right ventricles in source images of a subject's heart to form left and right ventricle segments in segmented images. Each source image may include cross sections of the right and left ventricles in common spatial relation along the short axis plane and in common temporal relation in reference to a cardiac cycle. The source images and corresponding segmented images may be temporally-spaced in relation to the cardiac cycle. The image classifier may determine first and second cross-sectional areas associated with the left and right ventricle segments for each segmented image, compare the first and second cross-sectional areas, and classify the subject's heart in an interventricular dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class.

Abstract: Methods and uses of in vivo atherosclerotic plaque characterization in a subject in need thereof, that include detecting a level of one or more iron complexes in plaque in the subject, and comparing detected level to a known value determined from subjects without an atherosclerotic condition are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for cardiovascular exercise stress magnetic resonance using a MRI-compatible treadmill and real-time imaging. The treadmill comprises non-ferromagnetic components so that it may be used in proximity to a MRI scanner. The treadmill is positioned adjacent to the MRI scan table. A treadmill control system is used to control the speed and grade of the treadmill to allow it to perform a wide range of exercise protocols. Patients complete an exercise protocol on the treadmill and are then moved to the MRI scan table. Images are acquired as quickly as possible post-exercise to more accurately diagnose cardiovascular disease in patients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting intraventricular dyssynchrony is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) receiving information from an observer viewing a source image to define a plurality of points associated with muscle boundaries of a ventricle, b) extracting muscle boundaries for a series of source images to define a corresponding series of contour shape images using a Fourier descriptor model, and c) deforming each contour shape based at least in part on image forces, external forces, and internal forces to track movement of the muscle boundaries over time. In another embodiment, the method includes: a) characterizing the series of source images as a corresponding series of contour shape images representative of movement of muscle boundaries of the ventricle over time, b) classifying the series of contour shape images in a dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class, and c) pre-diagnosing the ventricle as dyssynchronous or non-dyssynchronous.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a method and apparatus for detecting interventricular dyssynchrony are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an image segment processor and an image classifier. The image segment processor may segment left and right ventricles in source images of a subject's heart to form left and right ventricle segments in segmented images. Each source image may include cross sections of the right and left ventricles in common spatial relation along the short axis plane and in common temporal relation in reference to a cardiac cycle. The source images and corresponding segmented images may be temporally-spaced in relation to the cardiac cycle. The image classifier may determine first and second cross-sectional areas associated with the left and right ventricle segments for each segmented image, compare the first and second cross-sectional areas, and classify the subject's heart in an interventricular dyssynchronous class or a non-dyssynchronous class.