Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an object of interest includes an ultrasound device configured to emit ultrasonic waves of at least two different frequencies onto the object of interest, and an electromagnetic radiation detector configured to detect electromagnetic fluorescence radiation emitted by the object of interest in response to an absorption of primary electromagnetic radiation and in response to the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: An MR method and apparatus determines spatially resolved relaxation parameters of a subject in an examination zone, voxel by voxel. A first MR scan sequence is applied to generate a series of first MR data sets having different echo times. A second MR scan sequence is applied to generate at least one further MR data set having an enhanced spatial resolution and reduced time resolution in comparison with the first MR data sets from the first sequence. MR combination images are generated using the first MR data sets derived from the first sequence for a portion within the k-space and the further MR data set acquired outside this portion by the second sequence. The relaxation parameters are determined from the MR combination images.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method for spatially resolved determination of relaxation parameters in an examination zone, comprising the steps: a. acquisition, by means of a first sequence, of MR data sets for a plurality of MR images having different echo times, b. acquisition, by means of a second sequence, of at least one further MR data set for at least one further MR image having an enhanced spatial resolution and reduced time resolution in comparison with the MR images of the first sequence, c. generation of MR combination images using an MR data set derived from the first sequence for a portion within the k-space and the MR data of a further MR data set acquired outside this portion by means of the second sequence, d. derivation of relaxation parameters from the MR combination images.

Abstract: MR based molecular imaging is strongly supported by the accurate quantification of contrast agents. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a determination unit of an examination apparatus is adapted for determining an error propagation function, wherein the error propagation function is then used as a weighting function for an accurate determination Of AR2*. This leads to an improved examination result.

Abstract: MR based molecular imaging is strongly supported by the accurate quantification of contrast agents. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a determination unit of an examination apparatus is adapted for determining an error propagation function, wherein the error propagation function is then used as a weighting function for an accurate determination Of AR2*. This leads to an improved examination result.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an object of interest (401, 402), the apparatus comprising an ultrasound device (404) adapted to emit ultrasonic waves (405) of at least two different frequencies onto the object of interest (401, 402), and an electromagnetic radiation detector (406) adapted to detect electromagnetic fluorescence radiation (407) emitted by the object of interest (401, 402) in response to an absorption of primary electromagnetic radiation and in response to the ultrasonic waves (405).

Abstract: A method for generating an MR image of an object situated in an examination volume of an MR apparatus begins with the acquisition of a plurality of echo signals having at least two different echo-time values (t1, t2, t3). The echo signals are generated from high-frequency pulses and magnetic-field gradient pulses by an imaging sequence. An intermediate MR image (5, 6, 7) is then reconstructed for each echo-time value (t1, t2, t3). By analyzing these intermediate MR images (5, 6, 7), local relaxation times (T2*(x)) and/or local frequency shifts (??(x)) are determined by taking account of the respective echo-time values (t1, t2, t3). Finally, a definitive MR image (11) is reconstructed from the echo signals (1) in their entirety.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating an MR image of an object situated in an examination volume of an MR apparatus. The method begins with the acquisition of a plurality of echo signals having at least two different echo-time values (ti, t2, t3), the echo signals being generated from high-frequency pulses and magnetic-field gradient pulses by means of an imaging sequence. An intermediate MR image (5, 6, 7) is then reconstructed for each echo-time value (ti, t2, t3). By analyzing these intermediate MR images (5, 6, 7), local relaxation times (T2*(x)) and/or local frequency shifts (Aw(x)) are determined by taking account of the respective echo-time values (t1, t2, t3). Finally, a definitive MR image (11) is reconstructed from the echo signals (1) in their entirety.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging method in which gradient echo signals (E1, E2, E3) are repeatedly acquired for a plurality of phase encoding values. In order to reduce the RF load whereto a patient to be examined is exposed, the flip angles of RF excitation pulses (HF1, HF2, HF3, HF4) of the pulse sequence are varied in dependence on the phase encoding value. For optimization of the image contrast it is advantageous when the flip angle is maximum for minimum absolute phase encoding values and minimum for maximum absolute phase encoding values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the processing of a series of raw images (1), notably for coronary MR or CT angiography. A reference image (3) is selected from the series of raw images (1) is found by matching a selected image region of interest within the reference image (3) with individual raw images from the series of raw images (1). The reference image (3) and the image (4) which is similar to the reference image are then processed so as to form an image of improved image quality (8). In order to obtain images which are as faithful and sharp as possible, the invention proposes to form the image of improved image quality (8) by weighted averaging of the intensity values of corresponding pixels within the reference image (3) and the image (4) which is similar to the reference image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR device with apparatus for localizing and/or visualizing a medical instrument inserted into an object to be examined. In order to construct such a device in a more economical and more reliable manner, according to the invention, the medical instrument is provided with a magnet device which is controllable by a control unit in such a manner that information concerning the position of the magnet device in MR data sets can be specifically changed. The invention also relates to a corresponding MR method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR device with means for localizing and/or visualizing a medical instrument (2) inserted into an object (1) to be examined. In order to construct such a device in a more economical and more reliable manner, according to the invention the medical instrument (2) is provided with a magnet device (3) which is controllable by means of a control unit (4, 5) in such a manner that information concerning the position of the magnet device (3) in MR data sets can be specifically changed. The invention also relates to a corresponding MR method.

Abstract: A method of determining the spatial and/or spectral distribution of nuclear magnetization in separate regions (which are not coherent in respect of space or frequency) utilizes multi-dimensional RF pulses which are configured such that it is possible to determine the nuclear magnetization distribution in the individual regions from a linear combination of the MR signals occurring subsequent to an excitation (or from MR data derived therefrom). This results in shorter measuring times or a more attractive signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method with reduced motion artefacts in which the displacement of a pulsating object, or of a part thereof, which is present in an examination zone is continuously measured relative to a reference position, and in which the reconstruction of an MR image utilizes exclusively MR signals acquired from the examination zone while the displacement from the reference position reaches or falls below a threshold value. This gating is enhanced in accordance with the invention in that prior to the acquisition of the MR signals there are generated phase encoding gradients k.sub.y) which act on the examination zone with different time integrals and that the threshold value (v.sub.s) can be varied in dependence on the respective phase encoding gradient (k.sub.y).

Abstract: In an MR spectroscopy method nuclear magnetization of a plurality of voxels present at an area of intersection of two slices is simultaneously excited by repeated sequences, the resultant phase encoding of the voxels is varied from one sequence to another, and a spectral distribution of nuclear magnetization in the voxels is derived from linear combinations of the MR signals generated in the individual sequences. A method is obtained wherein each sequence a first slice-selective RF pulse is generated in order to excite the transverse magnetization in one or more first slices, and subsequently a second slice-selective RF pulse is generated in order to refocus nuclear magnetization in one or more second slices which intersect the first slices at an angle other than zero, and in the various sequences the MR signals produced by the spin echos in the voxels present at the area of intersection of each first and second slice is detected and used to determine the spectral distribution of the nuclear magnetization.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for imaging a curved portion of a body in which only MR signals in the curved portion of the body are generated by pulse sequences which include RF pulses and temporary magnetic fields. From the received MR signals an image of the curved portion can be reconstructed by use of linear transformations.