Abstract: Image guided interventions are performed in a sterile environment. A device is provided for imaging at least a part of a patient, wherein the device includes a detection apparatus having a tunnel through which or into which the patient is configured to be transported for imaging purposes. A sterile cover rolled up or folded is provided at the outside of the tunnel. A covering mechanism is capable of unrolling or unfolding the sterile cover and draping the sterile cover in the tunnel, such that the inner wall of tunnel is at least partially covered by the sterile cover.

Abstract: The present application provides a system and method for quantifying perfusion using a dictionary matching approach. In some aspects, the method comprises performing a predetermined pulse sequence using an MRI system to acquire MRI data from the subject after having delivered a dose of a contrast agent to the subject. The method also includes comparing the MRI data to a dictionary to determine perfusion information, and generating, using the perfusion information, a report indicative of perfusion within the subject.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a diffusion-weighted double-echo pulse sequence. Sampling acquires transient-state signals of the double-echo sequence. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a tissue in a subject using magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) includes acquiring MRF data from a tissue in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comparing the MRF data to a MRF dictionary to identify quantitative values of at least one tissue property for the MRF data, generating a quantitative map based on the quantitative values of the at least one tissue property, identifying at least one region of interest on the quantitative map, determining at least one texture feature of the at least one region of interest of the quantitative map, characterizing the tissue in the at least one region of interest based on the at least one texture feature and generating a report indicating the characterization of the tissue based in the at least one texture feature.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods improve magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by performing MRF with optimized spatial encoding, parallel imaging, and utilization of field inhomogeneities. Multi-echo radial trajectories and spiral trajectories may acquire data according to sampling schemes based on models of charge distribution on a sphere. Non-uniform sampling schemes may account for differences in detector coil performance. Field inhomogeneities provide spatial information that enhances the spatial separation of an MRF signal and facilitates unaliasing pixels. The field inhomogeneity may be manipulated. An MRF pulse sequence may include frequency selective RF pulses that are determined by the field inhomogeneities. Inhomogeneities combined with selective RF pulses result in higher acquisition efficiency.

Abstract: A method for determining quantitative parameters for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR data includes acquiring a set of contrast-enhanced MR data for a region of interest using a T1-weighted pulse sequence, generating at least one contrast concentration curve based on the set of contrast-enhanced MR data, accessing a comprehensive dictionary of contrast concentration curves and generating a grouped dictionary that has a plurality of groups based on the comprehensive dictionary. Each group includes a plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves and a group representative signal for the group. The method also includes comparing a contrast concentration curve with the group representative signal of each group to select a group, comparing the contrast concentration curve to the plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves in the selected group to identify a set of quantitative parameters for the concentration curve and generating a report including the set of quantitative parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for performing magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is provided that includes performing a pulse sequence that is sensitive to field inhomogeneities to acquire a series of signal evolutions form a region of interest (ROI) of the subject to form MRF data. The method also includes varying field inhomogeneities across the ROI to acquire the series of signal evolutions, comparing the MRF data with an MRF dictionary to determine at least one tissue property of the subject in the ROI, and producing at least one map of the at least one tissue property.

Abstract: A system and method for generating quantitative images of a subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance system. The method includes performing a navigator module to acquire navigator data, and performing an acquisition module during free breathing of the subject to acquire NMR data from the subject that contains one or more resonant species that simultaneously produce individual NMR signals in response to the acquisition module. The above steps are repeated to acquire data from a plurality of partitions across the volume. The navigator data is analyzed to determine if the NMR data meets a predetermined condition and if not, the above steps are repeated for at least an affected partition corresponding to NMR data that did not meet the predetermined condition. The NMR data is compared to a dictionary of signal evolutions to determine quantitative values for two or more parameters of the resonant species in the volume.

Abstract: Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Example embodiments facilitate distinguishing prostate cancer tissue from normal peripheral zone tissue based on quantitative data acquired using NMR fingerprinting in combination with apparent diffusion co-efficient (ADC) values or perfusion values acquired using DWI-MRI or DCE-MRI.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance fingerprinting (“MRF”) framework that implements simultaneous multislice acquisition techniques with a Hadamard RF-encoding to simultaneously acquire magnetic resonance data from multiple slices simultaneously is described. As one non-limiting example, magnetic resonance data can be simultaneously acquired from four different slices. In other embodiments, however, the Hadamard encoding can be condensed into one or two acquisitions, rather than four.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The NMR signal evolution may be assigned to a cluster based on the characterization of the resonant species. Cluster overlay maps may be produced simultaneously based, at least in part, on the clustering. The clusters may be associated with different tissue types.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a tissue in a subject using magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) includes acquiring MRF data from a tissue in a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, comparing the MRF data to a MRF dictionary to identify quantitative values of at least one tissue property for the MRF data, generating a quantitative map based on the quantitative values of the at least one tissue property, identifying at least one region of interest on the quantitative map, determining at least one texture feature of the at least one region of interest of the quantitative map, characterizing the tissue in the at least one region of interest based on the at least one texture feature and generating a report indicating the characterization of the tissue based in the at least one texture feature.

Abstract: The present application provides a system and method for quantifying perfusion using a dictionary matching approach. In some aspects, the method comprises performing a predetermined pulse sequence using an MRI system to acquire MRI data from the subject after having delivered a dose of a contrast agent to the subject. The method also includes comparing the MRI data to a dictionary to determine perfusion information, and generating, using the perfusion information, a report indicative of perfusion within the subject.

Abstract: A method for determining quantitative parameters for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR data includes acquiring a set of contrast-enhanced MR data for a region of interest using a T1-weighted pulse sequence, generating at least one contrast concentration curve based on the set of contrast-enhanced MR data, accessing a comprehensive dictionary of contrast concentration curves and generating a grouped dictionary that has a plurality of groups based on the comprehensive dictionary. Each group includes a plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves and a group representative signal for the group. The method also includes comparing a contrast concentration curve with the group representative signal of each group to select a group, comparing the contrast concentration curve to the plurality of correlated contrast concentration curves in the selected group to identify a set of quantitative parameters for the concentration curve and generating a report including the set of quantitative parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, a matching logic configured to compare a signal evolution to a known, simulated or predicted signal evolution, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of the signal evolution comparisons.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. Sampling is performed in response to a diffusion-weighted double-echo pulse sequence. Sampling acquires transient-state signals of the double-echo sequence. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods are provided to reconstruct under-sampled three-dimensional (3D) data associated with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals acquired from a liver. The data is reconstructed using a 3D through-time non-Cartesian generalized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) approach to produce a quantized value for a contrast agent concentration in the liver from a signal intensity in the data based, at least in part, on a compartment model of the liver. The quantized value describes a perfusion parameter for the liver.

Abstract: Embodiments associated with combined magnetic resonance angiography and perfusion (MRAP) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) fingerprinting are described. One example apparatus repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The apparatus includes a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The apparatus includes an MRAP logic that simultaneously performs MR angiography and produces quantitative perfusion maps. A multi-factor MR bio-imaging panel is produced from a combination of the data provided by the MRAP and NMR fingerprinting. Diagnoses may be made from the multi-factor MR bio-imaging panel.

Abstract: Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. The NMR signals are produced in response to a FISP-MRF pulse sequence. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Acquired signals are corrected using data describing an inhomogeneous B1 field produced by the NMR apparatus while the set of NMR signals are acquired.