Abstract: A system and method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images of a subject having inconsistencies in a cardiac cycle of the subject. The process includes receiving an identification of a predetermined point in a cardiac cycle of the subject and, thereupon, performing a saturation module configured to dephase magnetization within a region of interest (ROI) from before the predetermined point. The process also includes performing an inversion module configured to invert spins within the ROI and acquiring medical imaging data from the subject. A delay is inserted between the performance of the saturation module and the performance of the inversion module, wherein a duration of the delay is configured, with the saturation module, to control evidence in the medical imaging data of inconsistencies in the cardiac cycle of the subject by controlling a magnetization history of tissue in the ROI.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes: a data processor configured to acquire a first set of T2-weighted imaging data and a second set of T2-weighted imaging data; a pulse sequence controller configured to generate a pulse sequence and apply the generated pulse sequence to a gradient coil assembly and RF coil assembly, the generated pulse sequence including: T2-preparation modules and associated imaging modules to acquire the first set of T2-weighted imaging data, and a saturation pulse sequence and an associated saturation imaging module to acquire the second set of T2-weighted imaging data; a curve fitter configured to apply the first and second sets of T2-weighted imaging data to a three-parameter model for T2 decay, to determine a T2 value at a plurality of locations; and an image processor configured to generate a T2 map of the object based on the T2 value determined at the plurality of locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for MRI retrospective reconstruction determines a period of minimal coronary artery motion within the acquired temporal window with a rotation angle optimized for a K-space four-dimensional (4D) volume by a segmented 4D radial stack-of-stars (SOS) acquisition during a temporal acquisition window (taw). Radial stacks of the image of an object are acquired by performing the radial (SOS) acquisition to determine a plurality of kz plane samples of the object, in which each kz plane is repeatedly determined during a sub-window of the temporal acquisition window. Consecutive volumes of kz centric slices of the image at each temporal sub-window of the temporal acquisition window are generated and summed to fill a 3D k-space volume. The radial (SOS) acquisition of the image is determined utilizing a customized rotation angle ? providing a uniform distribution of k-space spokes of the kz centric slices for each sub-window of the (taw).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for MRI retrospective reconstruction determines a period of minimal coronary artery motion within the acquired temporal window with a rotation angle optimized for a K-space four-dimensional (4D) volume by a segmented 4D radial stack-of-stars (SOS) acquisition during a temporal acquisition window (taw). Radial stacks of the image of an object are acquired by performing the radial (SOS) acquisition to determine a plurality of kz plane samples of the object, in which each kz plane is repeatedly determined during a sub-window of the temporal acquisition window. Consecutive volumes of kz centric slices of the image at each temporal sub-window of the temporal acquisition window are generated and summed to fill a 3D k-space volume. The radial (SOS) acquisition of the image is determined utilizing a customized rotation angle ? providing a uniform distribution of k-space spokes of the kz centric slices for each sub-window of the (taw).

Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes: a data processor configured to acquire a first set of T2-weighted imaging data and a second set of T2-weighted imaging data; a pulse sequence controller configured to generate a pulse sequence and apply the generated pulse sequence to a gradient coil assembly and RF coil assembly, the generated pulse sequence including: T2-preparation modules and associated imaging modules to acquire the first set of T2-weighted imaging data, and a saturation pulse sequence and an associated saturation imaging module to acquire the second set of T2-weighted imaging data; a curve fitter configured to apply the first and second sets of T2-weighted imaging data to a three-parameter model for T2 decay, to determine a T2 value at a plurality of locations; and an image processor configured to generate a T2 map of the object based on the T2 value determined at the plurality of locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively registering images acquired with different contrast-weightings using a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system. For instance, motion is estimated as global affine motion refined by a local non-rigid motion estimation algorithm that simultaneously estimates the motion field and intensity variations among the images being registered. The images registered with the described systems and methods can be used for improved tissue characterization.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images of a subject having inconsistencies in a cardiac cycle of the subject. The process includes receiving an identification of a predetermined point in a cardiac cycle of the subject and, thereupon, performing a saturation module configured to dephase magnetization within a region of interest (ROI) from before the predetermined point. The process also includes performing an inversion module configured to invert spins within the ROI and acquiring medical imaging data from the subject. A delay is inserted between the performance of the saturation module and the performance of the inversion module, wherein a duration of the delay is configured, with the saturation module, to control evidence in the medical imaging data of inconsistencies in the cardiac cycle of the subject by controlling a magnetization history of tissue in the ROI.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for medical imaging of parts of a patient in which imaging data acquisition is gated by a combination of electrocardiogram (ECG) and peripheral pulse (PPU) signals from the patient. The methods of the invention include obtaining ECG signals from a patient in a medical imaging apparatus, obtaining PPU signals from the patient, providing one or more synchronization signals in dependence on both the ECG signals and the PPU signals, wherein the synchronization signals indicate occurrences of pre-determined phases of the cyclic movements of the heart only if the PPU signals also indicate that the determined heart phase is physiologically possible, and controlling the medical imaging apparatus in dependence on the synchronization signals to collect imaging data synchronized with cyclic movements of the heart from the patient in the examination zone and to reconstruct a medical image of a part of the patient from the collected imaging data.