Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for correcting MR scan data, an MR scanner is operated to acquire first and second correction data sets respectively from first and second sub-volumes of a correction volume, by successive executions of an echo planar imaging sequence. The MR scanner is also operated to acquire third and fourth correction data sets respectively from third and fourth correction sub-volumes, also by successive executions of the echo planar imaging sequence. A first item of correction information is ascertained from the first and second correction data sets, and a second item of correction information is ascertained from the third and fourth correction data sets. The first and second items of correction information are then used to correct scan data, also acquired with the MR scanner.

Abstract: Procedure instruction sequences (P1˜PN) in an instruction sequence (for example, an instruction sequence for an NMR spectrometer) are generated in a precedential manner, and transferred to a procedure storage area on a transmission and reception unit in a precedential manner. After the precedential transfer, a remaining portion of the instruction sequence (streaming instruction sequence (SM1, . . . )) is sequentially generated in predetermined units from the beginning, and sequentially transferred to a FIFO area on the transmission and reception unit. A sequencer refers to the streaming instruction sequence, executes the instruction, and refers to a procedure instruction sequence on the procedure storage area.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging system and operating method for generating magnetic resonance image data of an object under examination, in order to acquire magnetic resonance raw data, an operating sequence is determined that has an excitation wherein an RF excitation pulse is radiated, and a readout procedure for receiving RF signals. In addition, a diffusion contrast gradient pulse sequence is generated that includes an uneven number of 2n+1 diffusion contrast gradient pulses switched in chronological succession, with the sum of the zeroth gradient moments of the diffusion contrast gradient pulses having the value zero and the sum of the first gradient moments of the diffusion contrast gradient pulses having the value zero. An RF refocusing pulse is switched between two of the diffusion contrast gradient pulses.

Abstract: The invention relates to an NMR analysis device (7) comprising an NMR analysis probe (9) and a cryostat (8) linked by a cryogenic line (16), the probe (9) comprising a frame; a sample-holder (12) comprising a rotor (31), suitable for receiving a sample of material (15) to be analyzed; a bearing (13) for rotationally guiding the sample-holder (12) relative to the frame; the device further comprising a compression module (10) and a cryorefrigerator (11) arranged in the cryostat (8), the cryorefrigerator being upstream of the compression module, and in that the analysis device (7) comprises a first element (22) for channelling a third gaseous flow (M3) of fluid to a turbine (14) and a second element (21) for channelling a second gaseous flow of fluid (M2) to the bearing (13), the bearing (13) being of aerostatic or aerodynamic type.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence controlling circuitry and image generating circuitry. The sequence controlling circuitry is configured to continuously apply, after application of an excitation pulse, a readout gradient magnetic field while inverting polarity to control execution of a pulse sequence that continuously generates multiple echo signals and configured to collect echo signals for multiple channels by parallel imaging. The image generating circuitry is configured to extract at least one of an even-number-th collected echo signal group and an odd-number-th collected echo signal group from multiple echo signals continuously collected and configured to generate at least one of an even-number-th image and an odd-number-th image using the extracted echo signal group for the multiple channels and sensitivity distribution for the multiple channels.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable wire dimension gradient coil. In one example, a gradient coil includes a length of coiled wire, the wire comprising a first segment having a first width and a second segment having a second width, the second width smaller than the first width.

Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142) from a subject (118). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a processor (130) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. The execution of the instructions causes the processor to control (200) the magnetic resonance imaging system with the pulse sequence data to acquire the magnetic resonance data. The pulse sequence data comprises commands for acquiring the magnetic resonance data using an n point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging method.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for magnetic resonance (MR) and/or MR imaging, comprising acquisition of signals and MR images originating from a RE and gradient sequence causing isotropic diffusion weighting of signal attenuation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is achieved by one time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) having an orientation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is proportional to the trace of a diffusion tensor D, and wherein the orientation of the time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) is either varied discretely in more than three directions in total, or changed continuously, or changed in a combination of discretely and continuously during the gradient pulse sequence, 0?t?echo time, where t represents the time. The method may be performed during a single shot (single MR excitation).

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance image data of an object by execution of a magnetic resonance data acquisition sequence that includes at least one adiabatic radio-frequency pulse, at least one parameter for the object under investigation is acquired that is specific to the object under investigation. At least one pulse parameter of the at least one adiabatic radio-frequency pulse is adjusted using the at least one parameter for the object under investigation. Magnetic resonance image data of the object under investigation are acquired by execution of the magnetic resonance sequence, using the at least one adiabatic radio-frequency pulse with the adjusted at least one pulse parameter.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided for use in conjunction with an external antenna. The integrated circuit includes a memory circuit, a pulse sequencer, an NMR transmitter circuit and an NMR receiver circuit. The memory circuit is configured to store user-defined parameter data pertaining to an excitation period and an acquisition period that are part of an NMR pulse sequence. The pulse sequencer and the NMR transmitter circuit are configured to cooperate to generate RF signals in accordance the user-defined parameter data stored in the memory circuit, wherein such RF signals are supplied to the external antenna for emitting excitation signals from the external antenna during the excitation period of the NMR pulse sequence. The NMR receiver circuit is configured to receive electrical signals generated by the external antenna during the acquisition period of the NMR pulse sequence.

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 method of determining a decoupling matrix of a decoupling system for an array of coils of a parallel transmission magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes obtaining impedance matrix data for the array of coils without the decoupling system, determining, based on the impedance matrix data for the array of coils, an objective function representative of deviation from a decoupled operating condition for the array of coils in which the array of coils are decoupled via the decoupling system, and defining, with a processor, a decoupling matrix representative of a set of impedances of the decoupling system with an iterative procedure that optimizes elements of the decoupling matrix to minimize the objective function and reach the decoupled operating condition.

Abstract: An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine.

Abstract: A combined PET/MR system includes an MR subsystem including a main field magnet (14) which generates a stationary magnetic field through an examination region (16), a gradient magnetic field system (18, 20, 22, 24) which applies magnetic field gradients across the examination region, and an RF system (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38) that applies RF excitation pulses to excite resonance in a subject in the examination region and receive magnetic resonance signals from the subject. A PET detector module (70) which is permanently or removably fixed in the examination region (16) to detect radiation from radiopharmaceuticals injected into the subject causes distortions in the magnetic field gradients. A plurality of probes (90) which are mounted in a fixed relationship to the PET detector module (70) measure magnetic field strength. A gradient magnetic field distortion correction system (110) determines distortions caused in the gradient magnetic fields and corrects the magnetic resonance signals accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling a pulse sequence of a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, the MR imaging system comprising a radio frequency magnetic field coil and a gradient magnetic field coil, the apparatus for controlling a pulse sequence of the MR imaging system comprising a radio frequency driving unit and a gradient driving unit. The gradient driving unit is used for applying a first motion probing gradient (MPG) pulse and a second MPG pulse to the gradient magnetic field coil successively.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance (MR) image, based on a multi-echo sequence, and a method of the MRI apparatus are provided. The MRI apparatus includes a data obtainer configured to obtain first echo data, based on an echo that is generated at a first echo time, and obtain second echo data, based on an echo that is generated at a second echo time later than the first echo time, the first echo data including a part overlapping a part included in the second echo data in a k-space. The MRI apparatus further includes an image processor configured to reconstruct the MR image, based on the first echo data and the second echo data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collector, a transformation module, an unfolding module and an inverse transformation module. The collector collects time-series k-space data of a plurality of channels while spatially changing a sampling position. The transformation module obtains transformed space data of the respective channels by applying, to the time-series k-space data of the respect channels, Fourier transform on a spatial axis and certain transformation on a temporal axis. The unfolding module eliminates a signal point on a basis of a certain criterion and performs unfolding using the transformed space data on the respective channels and sensitivity distribution information on the respective channels; and the inverse transformation module applies inverse transformation of the certain transformation on the temporal axis to an unfolded data on which the signal point has been eliminated and the unfolding has been performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sampling fluids using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Specifically the system is related to a robust field oriented piping system having an improved pipe design for use at oil and gas well heads. The piping system includes integral coils for transmitting an NMR pulse sequence and detecting NMR signals and can be used as a component of an NMR instrument. The systems and methods described herein enable obtaining and analyzing NMR spectra of multi-phase in stationary and flowing states.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resonance imaging includes executing an imaging sequence, in response to the imaging sequence, acquiring magnetic resonance data, entering the acquired magnetic resonance data in k-space in a memory along a predetermined k-space trajectory, and modifying the k-space trajectory during acquisition of the magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (600) obtains magnetic resonance (MR) images of a volume. The MRI system includes at least one controller (610) configured to perform a preparation scan (103, 301) to acquire preparation echo phase information (105, PEPI) for a plurality of dynamics of a scan (300); output a plurality of pulse sequences (200), each pulse sequence is configured for a corresponding dynamic of the plurality of dynamics of the scan and includes a navigator sequence (204) and an image sequence (206); acquire navigation and image information (111, 117) for each corresponding pulse sequence of the plurality of pulse sequences; and/or form corrected image information (125) by correcting echo phase information in accordance with the preparation echo phase information, correcting at least one of gradient delay or frequency offset of the image information in accordance with the navigation information.

Abstract: A method of Dixon-type MR imaging includes the steps of —generating a first imaging sequence for producing first MR echo signals at a first echo time, such that contributions from MR signals emanating from water protons and MR signals emanating from fat protons to the first MR echo signals are essentially in phase, —acquiring the first MR echo signals at a first signal-to-noise ratio, —generating a second imaging sequence for producing second MR echo signals at a second echo time, such that contributions from MR signals emanating from water protons and MR signals emanating from fat protons to the second MR echo signals are at least partially out of phase, —acquiring the second MR echo signals at a second signal-to-noise ratio which is different from the first signal-to-noise ratio, and —reconstructing a MR image from the first and second MR echo signals. The signal contributions from water protons and fat protons are separated.

Abstract: An RF antenna system (100, 1014, 1014?) transmits RF excitation signals into and/or receives MR signals from an MR imaging system's (1000, 1100, 1200) imaging volume (1015). The magnetic resonance imaging antenna includes a coil former (100, 1014, 1014?) adjacent to the imaging volume (1015); and a resonator (400, 500, 600) attached to the coil former and tuned to at least one resonant frequency formed from electrical connections (304), between multiple capacitors (302). The multiple capacitors are distributed in a periodic pattern (300, 700, 800, 900) about and along the coil former.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing content related to capture of a medical image of an object. The method includes acquiring at least one of information related to a state of the object and information related to a capture protocol, determining content to be provided to the object on a basis of the acquired information, and outputting the determined content.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for PET imaging. The system may include a first device and a second device. The first device may include a first scanning channel. The second device may include a second scanning channel connected to the first scanning channel, a heat generating component, and a cooling assembly configured to cool the heat generating component, wherein the cooling assembly may include an inlet chamber and a return chamber, the heat generating component may be closer to a first side of the second device than at least one of the inlet chamber or the return chamber, and the first side of the second device may face the first device.

Abstract: A method, magnetic resonance imaging computing device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for producing a pulse pair for magnetic resonance imaging. A pulse pair control signal comprising an adiabatic pulse and a matched phase non-adiabatic pulse is generated. The pulse pair control signal is transformed into a power independent of number of slices pulse pair. The Power Independent of Number of Slices pulse pair control signal is output to a waveform generator to produce the Power Independent of Number of Slices pulse pair in a spin echo sequence.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) method and apparatus use simultaneous multislice imaging, with different excitations being effective for different slices in respective iterations of a single scanning sequence, in order to acquire raw MR data from different multiple slices, with respectively different contrasts, in the single scanning sequence. Single band excitation of a first slice among the multiple slices takes place in a first iteration of the single scanning sequence, with multi-band excitation then occurring for all of the multiple slices. Raw data are then acquired from the first slice, and at least one other slice among the multiple slices, that respectively exhibit different contrasts due to only the first slice being affected by the single band excitation. In a second iteration of the single scanning sequence, another slice is excited with single band excitation, and the first slice is among the multiple slices excited with multi-band excitation.

Abstract: A phantom for use with magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) and, in particular, for calibrating quantitative diffusion MRI is provided. In general, the phantom includes a solution composed of a solvent that has diffusivity value higher than that of water, and a solute that when added to the solvent reduces the diffusivity of the solution. By varying the combined concentration of the solvent and solute, the diffusivity of the solution can be controlled to fall within a range of diffusivity values found in biological tissues in a variety of different physiological conditions or tissue environments.

Abstract: MRI techniques seek to simultaneously measure physiological parameters in multiple directions, requiring the application of multiple encoding magnetic field gradient waveforms. The use of multiple encoding waveforms degrades the temporal resolution of the measurement, or may distort the results depending on the methodology used to derive physiological parameters from the measured data. The disclosed Direct Inversion Reconstruction Method (DiR) provides distortion-free velocity images with high temporal resolution, without changing the method of acquiring the phase data. The disclosed method provides a more stable and accurate recovery of phase-based dynamic magnetic resonance signals with higher temporal resolution than current state-of-the-art methods.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for recording MR signals in a recording volume of an examination object with an imaging sequence, the recording volume has a first recording region in which at least one system component of the scanner of the MR apparatus has a first homogeneity, which is greater than a homogeneity of the at least one scanner component in a second recording region of the recording volume. A magnetization of nuclear spins in the recording volume is produced by at least one RF pulse, with the RF pulse being determined such that the magnetization produced in the first recording region by the at least one RF pulse is greater than magnetization produced in the second recording region by the at least one RF pulse.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include a system that applies magnetic resonance elastography to a sample to obtain uncorrected k-space data where the magnetic resonance elastography utilizes a multi-shot spin-echo sequence with variable density spiral readout gradients, and adjusts the uncorrected k-space data to corrected k-space data by adjusting a k-space trajectory by shifting a center point for each shot to a new center point according to signal intensity and by adjusting a phase for each shot based on a phase offset that is determined according to the signal intensity.

Abstract: A router (60), for use with magnetic resonance systems (10), selectively routes unique excitation signals, generated by a multi-channel radio-frequency (RF) amplifier, over transmission lines (Tx) to any one of a plurality of connection panels (66) which each accepts at least one RF coil assembly having multiple coil elements (20). Each connection panel (66) includes transceiver ports (68) for connecting at least one conductor (22,24) of the coil elements (20) to a corresponding transceiver channel (T/R). The router (60) selectively routes magnetic resonance signals received by the conductors (22,24) from the transceiver channels (T/R) to a multi-channel RF receiver (41). The coin elements may carry sine-mode currents or uniform currents.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquiring part and a data processing part. The data acquiring part is configured to acquire magnetic resonance signals for a magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis from an object. The data processing part is configured to obtain a frequency spectrum of magnetic resonance signals whose first magnetic resonance signal component from a first metabolite and second magnetic resonance signal component from a second metabolite have been suppressed by data processing of the magnetic resonance signals acquired by said data acquiring part. The data processing suppresses the first magnetic resonance signal component and the second magnetic resonance signal component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the imaging of a subject (e.g., patient). A pipeline architecture is presented that facilitates the development of high-quality, application-specific data reconstructions. A plurality of processing nodes is provided, each node comprising one or more processing tasks for data transformation. Two or more processing nodes are linked together to form a functional pipeline, each pipeline configured to generate image data from a raw image data set, such as raw magnetic resonance imaging data. The generated image data is used to generate the image of the subject. The processing nodes and the functional pipeline can be dynamically reconfigured to optimize the computing resources used. The processing nodes and the pipeline may be visualized and queried to facilitate debugging and the configuration of an image processing procedure.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring image data from an object that includes a plurality of spins is described. A magnetic field is applied to the object to align the spins along a longitudinal axis. A first pulse is applied to the spins for rotating the spins from the longitudinal axis toward a transverse plane. Image data is acquired from the spins during a free precession interval in which the spins precess in the transverse plane. A second pulse is applied to the spins for rotating the spins from the transverse plane to at least substantially along the longitudinal axis. At least one of the first and second pulses is spectrally or spectrally-spatially designed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating magnetic resonance images includes performing a first pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying a radiofrequency (RF) irradiation at a reference frequency and performing a second pulse sequence that saturates a selected labile spin species of the subject by applying an RF irradiation at a labeling frequency. A plurality of echoes having information pertaining to at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts is acquired to form a chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) medical imaging data set and the CEST medical imaging data set is reconstructed to form a CEST image of the subject including information about the at least one of metabolites and metabolite byproducts within the subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a material within a region of the Earth are provided. The region may be under a surface of earthen formation, ice, snow, or water. The method may be practiced in a variety of applications, for example in an arctic region to detect oil spills, leaks, or seepages. The methods and systems may include using at least one coil to transmit a radio frequency (RF) excitation signal into the region of the Earth; and receive any NMR response signals to determine the presence of the material of interest.

Abstract: A method, magnetic resonance imaging computing device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for producing a semi-adiabatic spectral-spatial spectroscopic imaging sequence for magnetic resonance imaging. A pulse control signal comprising a pair of adiabatic pulses and a linear phase pulse is generated. The pulse control signal is transformed into a pair of spectral-spatial refocusing pulses and an excitation pulse. The pair of spectral-spatial refocusing pulses and the excitation pulse are output to a waveform generator to produce the semi-adiabatic spectral-spatial spectroscopic imaging sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nano-constructs useful for delivering polynucleotides into cells, methods of using the nano-constructs, and methods of making the nano-constructs.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a calculation unit, a collecting unit, and an execution unit. The calculation unit calculates, based on a pulse sequence used in data collection by fast spin echo method, a phase shift amount on at least one echo component included in each of a plurality of echo signals. The correcting unit corrects, based on the calculated phase shift amount, phases of refocusing pulses applied in the pulse sequence such that phases match at least one of between spin echo components, between stimulated echo components, and between a spin echo component and a stimulated echo component. The execution unit executes the pulse sequence in which the refocusing pulses of the corrected phases are applied.

Abstract: Resolution is enhanced for diffusion MR imaging. The tensors modeling the underlying water diffusion in brain tissues are used to interpolate other diffusion tensors, providing higher resolution diffusion biomarker images. Each diffusion tensor is represented by a pair of elements, the one in an ‘orientation space’ and another in a ‘shape space.’ The tensors are iteratively interpolated by averaging the aforementioned elements in separate mathematical spaces. The weighted average of the shape components of the diffusion tensors is computed in closed form, which decreases the runtime.

Abstract: In an EPI acquisition sequence for magnetic resonance signals k-space is scanned along sets of lines in k-space along opposite propagation directions, e.g. odd and even lines in k-space. Phase errors that occur due to the opposite propagation directions are corrected for in a SENSE-type parallel imaging reconstruction. The phase error distribution in image space may be initially estimated, calculated form the phase difference between images reconstructed from magnetic resonance signals acquired from the respective sets of k-space lines, or from an earlier dynamic.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure present unwrapping based B0 mapping systems and methods. An initial B0 map is obtained by unwrapping a pseudo-in-phase complex data that is generated from selected echoes of multi-echo gradient echo image data. Global and local phase errors that are present in the initial B0 map are corrected to produce a phase-error-corrected B0 map. A bias frequency shift is employed to produce a corrected fat-fraction map based on the phase-error-corrected B0 map. The corrected fat-fraction map is employed to generate a final B0 map.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing multi-slice magnetic resonance imaging with comparable contrast between simultaneously excited slices includes applying a first pulse sequence to a volume of interest to acquire a first k-space dataset. This first pulse sequence comprises a plurality of single-band slice-selective pulses applied in a first predefined order. One or more additional pulse sequences are also applied to the volume of interest to acquire one or more additional k-space datasets. Each additional pulse sequence comprises the plurality of single-band slice-selective pulses applied in one or more additional predefined orders that are distinct from the first predefined order. One or more final images are reconstructed using the first k-space dataset and the one or more additional k-space datasets.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data from a predetermined volume within an examination object, a control protocol for a gradient echo sequence is selected that specifies that gradient moments produced in said gradient echo sequence be balanced along all three spatial directions. In this gradient echo sequence a slice selection gradient is activated in a slice selection direction that produces a balanced gradient moment, with simultaneous radiation of an RF pulse that simultaneously excites nuclear spins in multiple slices of the examination object, with said excitation being repeated according to a repetition time. A phase of MR signals to be acquired from a same one of said multiple layers is varied from repetition time-to-repetition time.

Abstract: In a method to correct noise effects in magnetic resonance (MR) images, which is executed in a processor (computer), the processor executes a fitting algorithm in order to calculate initial values for each of selected variables in signal model that models noise effects in a modeled, noise-containing MR image. The processor then iteratively executes the same or a different fitting algorithm, in order to generate final values for each of the selected variables. The processor is provided with an actual, acquired MR image that contains noise, and the processor uses the final values of the selected variables to calculate synthetic signal intensities in the MR image, thereby producing a synthetic MR image with no noise bias effects of errors. This synthetic image is made available in electronic form at an output of the processor, as a data file.

Abstract: A water in fuel (WIF) sensor is disclosed, and comprises a main body defining a surface, a pair of electrical contacts, and a third electrical contact assembly. The pair of electrical contacts each have a first end portion that is located along the surface of the main body. A predetermined resistance flows between the electrical contacts when the first end portions of the electrical contacts are submerged in water. The third electrical contact assembly has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the third electrical contact assembly is located along the surface of the main body and the second end portion of the third electrical contact assembly is connectable to a ground.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and operating method, an MR scan is designated in a processor by acquiring values of parameters of imaging sequences of the MR scan. The MR scan and properties of the MR scan are stored so as to be allocated to an MR scan template. The acquisition of an MR scan and the storing of an MR scan template are carried out several times. In the processor, one of the MR scan templates is determined by detecting properties of an MR scan to be performed and determining the MR scan template as a function of the properties. Imaging sequences of the determined MR scan template are then implemented in order to acquire MR data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires first data in which a tissue of interest has higher signal intensity than a background and second data in which the tissue of interest has lower signal intensity than the background, with regard to images of the same region of the same subject, and a generation unit that generates, on the basis of the first data and the second data, third data in which the contrast of the tissue of interest to the background is higher than those in the first and second data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and method for controlling the MRI system is provided. The method includes directing the MRI system to perform a pulse sequence that includes generating a RF excitation pulse to excite spins in slice locations within a selected slab to produce an echo train from the slab that is formed by a plurality of echoes. The sequence also includes applying a slice-encoding gradient to spatially encode echoes associated with a different slice in the slab, and applying readout gradients during the echo train to acquire MR data from the slab, the readout gradients including a first sampling strategy defining a spiral-in k-space trajectory and a second sampling strategy defining a spiral-out k-space trajectory, wherein the MRI system is directed to repeat the sequence such that a plurality of subsequent selected slabs are excited and MR data is acquired therefrom.

Abstract: There is provided a scan condition determining apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising accepting means for accepting specification of a desired scan time; and searching means for searching for a second scan condition based on a first scan condition defined before the specification, by adjusting values of parameters affecting a scan time or a signal-to-noise ratio of signals obtained by a scan, said second scan condition being one with which the scan time approximates within an allowable range or matches the desired scan time, and besides, a lowest value of a relative signal-to-noise ratio of the signals approximates within an allowable range or matches a lowest value of the relative signal-to-noise ratio of the signals estimated based on the first scan condition. The parameters include, for example, any one of a number of times of addition, a y-axis direction resolution, a repetition time, and a number of data acquisition passes.