Abstract: A technique is provided for sharing clinical protocols for diagnostic imaging systems. The clinical protocols generally represent operational parameters, such as configuration data and procedures, which are clinically developed for a particular imaging diagnosis. An interface or access point, such as a network accessible database or website, is provided to facilitate the exchange of these clinical protocols between clinicians. The present technique also may facilitate the formation of new clinical protocols and/or the integration of new clinical protocols into various diagnostic imaging systems. Accordingly, clinicians can electronically exchange and configure a variety of imaging protocols for potentially greater quality in the particular imaging diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: A technique is provided for sharing clinical protocols for diagnostic imaging systems. The clinical protocols generally represent operational parameters, such as configuration data and procedures, which are clinically developed for a particular imaging diagnosis. An interface or access point, such as a network accessible database or website, is provided to facilitate the exchange of these clinical protocols between clinicians. The present technique also may facilitate the formation of new clinical protocols and/or the integration of new clinical protocols into various diagnostic imaging systems. Accordingly, clinicians can electronically exchange and configure a variety of imaging protocols for potentially greater quality in the particular imaging diagnosis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus is designed such that its attenuation profile may be changed prior to or during an imaging session. The attenuation profile can be modulated to mirror an attenuation pattern of a subject thereby optimizing radiation dose exposure to the subject. Furthermore, by implementing two opposing filters that are orthogonally oriented with respect to one another, the x-ray attenuation may be controlled along the x as well as z axis to shape the x-ray intensity.

Abstract: The present invention includes a filtering apparatus for a CT imaging system or equivalently for an x-ray imaging system. The filtering apparatus may be translated along a first axis or a transverse axis to with respect to an attenuation pattern of a subject during an imaging session to reduce radiation exposure to anatomical regions of the subject sensitive to radiation exposure and/or regions from which data is not being acquired.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to MR imaging and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for reconstructing zoom MR images. An RF coil assembly having a number of detection elements is provided. The RF coil assembly is designed such that the number of detection elements that may be used to acquire imaging data may exceed the number of data acquisition channels of the MR system. Accordingly, the detection elements may be grouped into a number of sets wherein each set transmits acquired data to a specific data acquisition channel to acquire data of a larger region-of-interest (ROI) or, alternately, only one set of detection elements corresponding to a smaller ROI may be activated wherein each detection element of the set transmits data to a data acquisition channel. As a result, a zoom image may be reconstructed.

Abstract: An MRI system is provided with normal and quiet modes of operation. The quiet mode may be selected from an operator station, such as via a graphical user interface. When the quiet mode of operation is selected, configuration parameters are used for the particular pulse sequence to be executed in the examination. The configuration parameters for the quiet mode of operation may be derived from those of the normal mode of operation. The quiet mode of operation may, for example, employ gradient pulses having reduced amplitudes and slew rates as compared to those employed in the normal mode of operation. The reduced amplitudes and slew rates, along with changes in timing of the pulses and between pulses of the pulse sequence of the examination result in reduced acoustic noise for accommodating more sensitive patients.

Abstract: An MRI system acquires MRA data from two overlapping thin slabs using a 3DTOF pulse sequence. Motion artifacts are reduced by using a reverse centric phase encode order during the first thin slab acquisition and a centric phase encode order during the second thin slab acquisition. Patient movement is reduced by producing a uniform sound with gradient pulse sequences during the interval between thin slab acquisitions and during a preparation period prior to the first thin slab acquisition.

Abstract: An MRI system acquires MRA data from two overlapping thin slabs using a 3DTOF pulse sequence. Motion artifacts are reduced by using a reverse centric phase encode order during the first thin slab acquisition and a centric phase encode order during the second thin slab acquisition. Patient movement is reduced by producing a uniform sound with gradient pulse sequences during the interval between thin slab acquisitions and during a preparation period prior to the first thin slab acquisition.

Abstract: Fast NMR pulse sequences are employed to acquire data sets from which a set of images can be reconstructed depicting a patient's heart at successive phases during the cardiac cycle. The number of images is increased by selecting views from adjacent data sets to form interpolated data sets that are employed to reconstruct images depicting the patient's heart at cardiac phases between the successive phases.

Abstract: By reason of the nature of the scanning regimen followed by a scanning gamma camera head, and the shape of the active region of the head, not all of the elemental areas of a scanned radiation field are observed by the active region of the head for the same period of time. This non-uniformity sensitivity of the system is corrected by correction factors that are either analytically calculated or experimentally determined for each given elemental area of the map. The map of an unknown radiation source obtained by following the scanning regimen is corrected by applying the sensitivity correction factors to the contents of corresponding elemental areas of the map.