Abstract: Provided is a technology capable of realizing automatic positioning with high accuracy within a short time with respect to tissues having a complicated anatomic structure. First measurement of scout imaging is executed before main imaging for acquiring a diagnosis image, and one-dimensional or two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. The right and left of a subject is determined by using the measurement data acquired in the first measurement. A cross-section position in second measurement of the scout imaging is calculated by using a determination result in the right and left determination and the measurement data acquired in the first measurement, the second measurement at the cross-section position is executed, and two-dimensional measurement data is acquired. A cross-section position in the main imaging is calculated by using the two-dimensional measurement data acquired in the second measurement.

Abstract: A medical image diagnosis supporting apparatus includes a quantitative value reception unit that receives data of kinds of quantitative values obtained in advance at points in a region of a subject; a variable conversion unit that calculates kinds of intermediate information values dependent on the kinds of quantitative values at each of the points using the kinds of quantitative values at each of the points and kinds of variable conversion functions; and a diagnosis image calculation unit that calculates a diagnosis image for the region. The diagnosis image calculation unit sets a pixel value at each of the points in accordance with a combination of kinds of intermediate information values obtained at each of the points by the variable conversion unit or a combination of intermediate information values and kinds of quantitative values at the point and generates the diagnosis image.

Abstract: A plurality of subject parameter maps are acquired at high speed. In addition to using an imaging sequence for generating both a gradient echo and a spin echo in a single imaging sequence, one or more parameters such as the longitudinal relaxation time T1 and the apparent transverse relaxation time T2* are calculated using the gradient echo and another parameter such as true transverse relaxation time T2 is calculated using the spin echo. When a value of one parameter is calculated, a value of the parameter calculated at the time of calculating the other parameter can be used.

Abstract: Provided is a technique for supporting a diagnosis in determining disease by using various types of measured values acquired by a medical image acquisition apparatus. An image diagnosis support device includes a measured-value receiving unit configured to receive various types of measured values at a plurality of positions within a living body, a group generator configured to generate groups of the measured values depending on the position or the type of the measured value, an intermediate index calculator configured to calculate an intermediate index from the measured values included in the group on a per-group basis, and a comprehensive index calculator configured to calculate a comprehensive index from values of the intermediate index calculated on a per-group basis. The intermediate index and the comprehensive index are displayed on a display unit in a display mode such as numerical values and in the form of an image.

Abstract: In a case where a subject parameter distribution is obtained using MRI, a magnetization transfer effect is suppressed such that the calculation accuracy of T1 and T2 of brain parenchyma can be improved and a variation in the T1 value of blood caused by the effect of blood flow can be reduced. In imaging for parameter estimation, a magnetization transfer effect is suppressed by using a high frequency magnetic field pulse having a narrow frequency band as an excitation pulse. In a case where the frequency band is narrow, the high frequency magnetic field pulse has a shape in which the excitation profile is similar to a Gaussian function. A rising portion of the shape is arranged in a field of view where the head is an imaging target.

Abstract: An MRI device for executing an imaging operation at least three times or more with a different combination of at least a repetition time and a flip angle in the same imaging sequence, includes: a receiving unit which receives information specifying an imaging target and a constraint condition relating to an imaging time or quantitative value accuracy; and a scan parameter set generation unit which calculates at least three or more scan parameter sets having a different combination of at least the repetition time and the flip angle on the basis of the constraint condition. The MRI device uses three or more scan parameter sets generated by the optimal scan parameter set generation unit and calculates quantitative values (T1, T2, and the like) of the imaging target from a plurality of images obtained by the imaging operation.

Abstract: An automatic clipping technique capable of satisfactorily extracting blood vessels to be extracted is provided. A specific tissue extraction mask image which is created by extracting a specific tissue (for example, a brain) from a three-dimensional image acquired by magnetic resonance angiography and a blood vessel extraction mask image which is created by extracting a blood vessel from an area (a blood vessel search area) which is determined using a preset landmark position and the specific tissue extraction mask image are integrated to create an integrated mask. By applying the integrated mask to the three-dimensional image, a blood vessel is clipped from the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An imaging unit of an MRI apparatus performs imaging of a positioning image of a subject including a spine; a first imaging that images a cross section including the spine and extending along a longitudinal direction of the spine; and a second imaging that images a cross section in a direction of traversing the spine. An automatic cross-section position setting unit detects a specific tissue of the spine using a scout image or an image including the spine acquired in the first imaging step, performs a matching process between the detected specific tissue of the spine and a spine model, and calculates an imaging cross-section position of the second imaging based upon a specific tissue position of the spine specified by matching, thereby performing automatic setting.

Abstract: Two or more learning images generated for a first subject or a second subject and one or more correct answer images generated for the second subject or a third subject are received. In a case where pixel values of corresponding pixels of the two or more learning images are synthesized by using a synthesis parameter value, the parameter value at which the synthesized pixel values are close to a pixel value of a corresponding pixel of the correct answer image is obtained. An image generated for the first subject and having the same type as the two or more learning images is received as an examination target image. A synthesized image desired by a user is generated by synthesizing pixel values of corresponding pixels of the two or more examination target images by using the synthesis parameter value.

Abstract: In an MRI apparatus, an imaging that produces almost no sound is implemented without extending an imaging time, not only for three-dimensional imaging, but also for two-dimensional imaging. A gradient pulse in a pulse sequence provided in the MRI apparatus is adjusted by using a basic waveform having a distribution of frequencies where strength dwindles substantially as the frequency increases from zero, and the waveform is convex upward or downward varying smoothly. An application time and strength are adjusted so that almost no sound is produced. Any imaging executable by a conventional pulse sequence can be implemented without producing almost any sound, using the conventional pulse sequence with little change.

Abstract: A quantitative image (resonance frequency map) of a resonance frequency difference is obtained using a high-speed phase compensated pulse sequence of a gradient echo (GE) system. A signal function of the pulse sequence used when obtaining the resonance frequency map is generated by a numerical simulation. The high-speed phase compensated pulse sequence uses a BASG sequence, for example.

Abstract: A plurality of subject parameter maps are acquired at high speed. In addition to using an imaging sequence for generating both a gradient echo and a spin echo in a single imaging sequence, one or more parameters such as the longitudinal relaxation time T1 and the apparent transverse relaxation time T2* are calculated using the gradient echo and another parameter such as true transverse relaxation time T2 is calculated using the spin echo. When a value of one parameter is calculated, a value of the parameter calculated at the time of calculating the other parameter can be used.

Abstract: In a case where a subject parameter distribution is obtained using MRI, a magnetization transfer effect is suppressed such that the calculation accuracy of T1 and T2 of brain parenchyma can be improved and a variation in the T1 value of blood caused by the effect of blood flow can be reduced. In imaging for parameter estimation, a magnetization transfer effect is suppressed by using a high frequency magnetic field pulse having a narrow frequency band as an excitation pulse. In a case where the frequency band is narrow, the high frequency magnetic field pulse has a shape in which the excitation profile is similar to a Gaussian function. A rising portion of the shape is arranged in a field of view where the head is an imaging target.

Abstract: There is provided a technique for DWI measurement, in which MPG application is performed in many directions, that enables detection of presence or absence of body motion during imaging without prolongation of imaging time. A plurality of image groups each comprising 6 or more diffusion-weighted images selected from a plurality of diffusion-weighted images are created so the groups differ from one anther in one or more diffusion-weighted images included in each of the groups. Value of a predetermined diffusion index representing a characteristic amount of diffusion-weighted image is calculated for each image group from the diffusion-weighted images included in each image group. Value of a predetermined body motion index relating to body motion information is calculated from the value of the diffusion index for each image group. Presence or absence of body motion is determined for each image group on the basis of the value of the body motion index.

Abstract: A technique in a medical imaging apparatus being capable of setting any plane in three-dimensional space as an imaging slice is provided, allowing an automatically-set imaging slice to be configured to suit user's preferences, and determine a position of the imaging slice being configured, with respect to an imaging target subject automatically with a high degree of accuracy. Reference information for specifying the imaging slice, set by the user for each imaging site, is associated with the anatomical feature of the imaging site, so as to generate an imaging slice parameter. Upon actual imaging, the imaging slice parameter and the anatomical feature of the imaging target subject obtained by scout imaging are used to determine the imaging slice position of the imaging target subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for obtaining a high-quality image at high speed in DKI analysis. In the DKI analysis, upon estimating a parameter relating to diffusion in an application direction of an MPG pulse, a least square fitting is separated from a constraint processing, and only a value of the pixel that does not meet the constraint condition in the least square fitting is targeted for the correction. Then, with regard to this pixel, a diffusion-related parameter is re-estimated using the pixel value after the correction, and a parameter image is generated by using the diffusion-related parameter thus obtained.

Abstract: To provide a technique for supporting diagnosis by reducing a user's time and effort in quantitative diagnosis using a quantitative value acquired by a medical image acquisition apparatus. A user is allowed in advance to select only desired diagnostic information from vast amounts of diagnostic information such as images and numerical values. Only the selected diagnostic information is presented to the user in a user-friendly mode. The diagnostic information is calculated by using a physical property value necessary for the calculation of the diagnostic information in question and calculation information such as arithmetic functions and variables, the physical property value and calculation information being stored in advance.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to simultaneously acquire a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) image and a plurality of images in which the structure of a tissue other than a blood vessel can be ascertained without performing imaging for the MRA image, and to shorten a time of MR examination. Two or more kinds of physical property dependent images obtained from a nuclear magnetic resonance signal measured in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence under a plurality of imaging conditions are combined using a predetermined combination function.

Abstract: A medical image diagnosis supporting apparatus includes a quantitative value reception unit that receives data of kinds of quantitative values obtained in advance at points in a region of a subject; a variable conversion unit that calculates kinds of intermediate information values dependent on the kinds of quantitative values at each of the points using the kinds of quantitative values at each of the points and kinds of variable conversion functions; and a diagnosis image calculation unit that calculates a diagnosis image for the region. The diagnosis image calculation unit sets a pixel value at each of the points in accordance with a combination of kinds of intermediate information values obtained at each of the points by the variable conversion unit or a combination of intermediate information values and kinds of quantitative values at the point and generates the diagnosis image.

Abstract: When imaging is performed by executing a pulse sequence on an MRI apparatus, silencing is realized with securing sufficient application amount of crusher without extending the application time thereof. In the pulse sequence carried by the MRI apparatus, at least one gradient magnetic field pulse included in the pulse sequence has a waveform synthesized from two or more base waves shifting along the time axis direction (synthesized waveform), and the base waves have a smoothly changing waveform convex upward. The pulse of the synthesized waveform is generated from one or more trapezoidal or triangular base pulses by a waveform conversion part of a computer of the MRI apparatus or an external computer.