Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus for water/fat separation, a turbo spin echo BLADE (TSE BLADE) artifact correction sequence is executed to acquire original data for an in-phase image and original data for an opposite-phase image, and an in-phase image on the basis of the original data for the in-phase image and an opposite-phase image on the basis of the original data for the in-phase image and the original data for the opposite-phase image are reconstructed. Water and fat images are calculated on the basis of the reconstructed in-phase image and opposite-phase image. By using a TSE BLADE sequence to acquire k-space data, the advantage of the BLADE sequence of being insensitive to rigid body motion and pulsation is inherently present, thereby reducing sensitivity to motion artifacts while improving the image signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system for quantifying and making images of tissue anisotropy property based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The systems and methods provided herein utilize orientation distribution of magnetic susceptibility to characterize magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (MSA) inside biological tissues. This MSA may be intrinsic property of the tissue or may be induced by the presence of external agents. In certain embodiments, the MSA is displayed as an orientation distribution function of susceptibility and/or may be described by mathematical quantities such as tensors (e.g., symmetric or asymmetric second order or higher order tensors) and spherical harmonics. In other embodiments, the MSA is characterized using a second order tensor named apparent susceptibility tensor (AST).

Abstract: The invention comprises systems, methods, and apparatus to correlate changes in MRI data with CA concentration, using an adaptive neural network In MRI techniques, CAs are used to estimate vascular properties such as blood flow, blood volume, and transfer constant of tissue microvessels However, the relationship between the contrast in the MRI image and the contrast agent concentration is not linear, instead depending on factors such as the nature of the sequence, the nature of the tissue, and the tissue concentration of contrast agent, and thus limiting the reliability of vascular properties using MRI.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure seeks to select characteristics of incoming intensity data that cause comparisons of selected characteristics to produce defined probe off space having reduced crossover with defined probe on space. Once defined, the present disclosure compares characteristics of incoming intensity data with the now defined probe off space, and in some embodiments, defined probe on space, to determine whether a probe off condition exists. When a processor determines a probe off condition exists, the processor may output or trigger an output signal that audibly and/or visually indicates to a user that the optical sensor should be adjusted for a proper application to a measurement site.

Abstract: It is described a method for medical image comparison purposes, comprising the step of generating a first global image or mask with increased similarity to a second global image, wherein the first global image comprises at least partially a composition of different pre-captured images of a patient; wherein the pre-captured images are captured at different times.

Abstract: A method for anatomical analysis and joint implant design. Embodiments provide users with the ability to anatomically analyze a single bone or a series of bones that exist in a database, evaluate surgical landmarks and axes, identify differences among specific characteristics of a given population, and modify existing implants or create new implant designs based on anatomical analyses.

Abstract: A method for determining a concentration of a contrast agent in imaging data includes calculating a pre-contrast attenuation map of a region of interest of a patient. Following an administering of a contrast agent to the patient, a post-contrast attenuation map of the region of interest of the patient is calculated. An increase in attenuation value is determined based on the pre-contrast attenuation map and the post-contrast attenuation map and a contrast agent concentration map is calculated for the region of interest based on the increase in attenuation value.

Abstract: Phase error in MR imaging is corrected in real time by providing adaptive RF pulses and corresponding adaptive magnetic field gradients to mitigate the effect of phase error in the imaging subject. A real time phase error map is obtained, and then adaptive RF pulses and corresponding field gradients are applied that remove the problematic effects of the phase error. Depending on details of the MR imaging mode being employed, there are several ways this removal can be done. Phase error can be cancelled by providing RF pulses that make the phase in the imaging subject uniform. Another approach is to make the adaptive RF pulses insensitive to the phase errors that are present.

Abstract: Amyloid plaque in the brain of a subject is imaged in an MRI system with or without the use of a contrast agent. Contrast is achieved using a spin-echo pulse sequence that is both respiratory gated and cardiac gated to reduce motion artifacts at the very high image resolution required to see plaque. A preparatory pulse sequence is used to insure longitudinal magnetization remains constant for all the acquired views even if the effective TR changes during the scan due to irregular breathing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lactate difference imaging (LDI) technique, allowing assessment of the metabolic responses of tissue over a period of time. This approach utilizes lactate change over a time period as an indicator of viable tissue, and offers benefits in the management and treatment of the effects of many common diseases, in particular stroke.

Abstract: The invention provides for medical instrument (800, 1000) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system. Execution of the instruction cause a processor controlling the instrument to: execute (900) a magnetic resonance data processing application (42, 852) thereby providing a plug-in framework, execute (902) a protocol definition interface to load a first selection (858) of the plug-ins into the plug-in framework, acquire (904) the magnetic resonance data by using the pulse sequence data to control the magnetic resonance imaging system; and reconstruct (906) a magnetic resonance image from the magnetic resonance data using the first selection of the plug-ins.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the creation of an MR image of a vascular structure of an examination region, the spins in the examination region are saturated by the irradiation of at least one RF saturation signal, which delivers a lower signal intensity as spins in a subsequent MR signal recording for the creation of the MR angiographic image, which flow through at least one blood vessel into the examination region, and are not saturated by the RF saturation pulse. Raw data space of the MR angiographic image is read out with a non-Cartesian trajectory in the MR signal acquisition for the creation of the MR angiographic image.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for analyzing motion data collected by a cardiovascular navigation system to determine a level of dyssynchrony exhibited by a heart. The method and system comprise obtaining a motion data (MD) set that includes a plurality of map point specific motion data (PSMD) collections of motion data. The motion data in each PSMD collection includes information indicating an amount and direction of motion that occurred at a corresponding map point on a wall of the heart during a select period of time, such as during at least one cardiac cycle. The method and system divide the PSMD collections of data into sectors which may be associated with corresponding phases of the cardiac cycle, and analyze the sectors of the PSMD collections to determine at least one of a slope, a magnitude and a direction of motion at the corresponding map point of the wall of the heart during the associated sector.

Abstract: Methods of determining a probability of a suspect cancer nodule being malignant are provided. In one embodiment, the method begins with tabulating histogram data of malignant and benign nodules as a function of biomarker values for a specified patient population suspect of having a specific type of cancer. Next, the tabulated histogram data is separated into a plurality of biomarker bins where the bins are ranges of biomarker values, and malignancy probability fractions are calculated for each biomarker bin by dividing a number of true positives in each marker bin by a summed total of all true and false positives in each bin. Finally, a suspect nodule in a patient is scanned, a biomarker value for the suspect nodule determined, and a malignancy probability for the suspect nodule determined by reference to the tabulated histogram data and the malignancy probability fractions. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: This patent indicates a type of system and method for controlling scanning planes of imaging device, it includes: tracer, on which a tracer coordinate system is built, is fixed on the target which is to be scanned; a tracking device, on which a tracking device coordinate system is built, is used to get the position and orientation of the tracer in the tracking device coordinate system and convert the known position and orientation of the target which is to be scanned from the tracer coordinate system to the tracking device coordinate system; an imaging device, on which an imaging device coordinate system is built, is used to scan the position and orientation of the said target to be scanned in the imaging device coordinate system to form images; a conversion module, which is preset in the tracking device or the imaging device, is used to convert the position and orientation of the target which is to be scanned from the tracking device coordinate system to the imaging device coordinate system; when the convers

Abstract: A method of acquiring a functional image whose artifacts due to a motion of an object are corrected includes acquiring functional image data of an object, acquiring structural image data of the object, acquiring motion information of the object based on the structural image data, correcting the functional image data based on the motion information related to motion of the object, and obtaining a functional image of the object.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes at least one controller configured to first acquire at least MRI locator image data for different portions of patient anatomy at each of different imaging stations for a defined multi-station locator sequence. An operator may interface with a respectively corresponding displayed locator image for each imaging station to set diagnostic scan sequence parameters for subsequent diagnostic MRI scans of corresponding portions of patient anatomy. Diagnostic MRI scan data is automatically acquired at each of the imaging stations in a multi-station diagnostic scan sequence that, if desired, can be seamlessly continued without operator interruption once begun.

Abstract: A handpiece defines a bore in which a proximal end of a catheter or other interventional instrument is received. An insulating support supports an interventional instrument which carries a transmission line winding in, but spaced from, the internal bore. A handpiece winding disposed along the bore interacts with the instrument transmission line winding to form an inductive coupling with the instrument transmission line winding. After the handpiece is slid axially to adjust the inductive coupling between the handpiece and windings, a locking mechanism functions in such a manner that the interventional instrument is inhibited from axial sliding motion relative to the handpiece while permitting rotation of the interventional instrument relative to the handpiece thus maintaining the inductive coupling while allowing optimal handling of the device.

Abstract: A method of exciting nuclear spins in a body, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immerging said body (PB) in a static magnetic field (B0) for aligning nuclear spins along a magnetization axis (z), said static magnetic field being substantially uniform over at least a volume of interest (VOI) of said body; (b) exposing said body, or at least said volume of interest, to a time-varying magnetic field gradient having components (Gx, Gy, Gz) directed along at least three non-coplanar directions (x, y, z) and to a transverse radio-frequency field (B1), whereby said time-varying magnetic field gradient defines a three-dimensional trajectory in k-space constituted by segments linking discrete points (kT1-kT9), and said transverse radio-frequency field deposits radio-frequency energy along at least part of said trajectory for flipping said nuclear spins by a same predetermined flip angle, independently from their position within said volume of interest.

Abstract: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet to generate a static magnetic field in an imaging region, a gradient coil assembly to form a gradient in the static magnetic field, a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse with respect to n (n?2) slice regions located at different positions in the imaging region, to excite atomic nuclei of the slice regions, and a controller to control the RF coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse having a first center frequency f0 to a first slice and to apply a first RF pulse having a second center frequency f0+fs1 and a second RF pulse having a third center frequency f0?fs1 to a second slice.

Abstract: A method for measuring engagement includes presenting a set of stimuli to a set of subjects, capturing neural data from the subjects, calculating a set of neural similarities between the first set of subjects, and generating a measure of engagement from the set of neural similarities.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave signal, having a pulse train in which pulses having a plurality of frequencies corresponding to multi-type atomic nuclei are arranged in a line, is applied to a target object located in a magnetic field by using a radio frequency (RF) coil in the magnetic field. Data of magnetic resonance signals corresponding to the multi-type atomic nuclei is collected from the RF coil, and multi-type magnetic resonance images corresponding to the multi-type atomic nuclei are generated by using the data of the magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing planning and dispensation of research and/or treatment for brain disease. Radiological information is generated in a region of interest in an area of the a brain of an individual using a radiological imaging system. A physiological states model is constructed which assesses physiological states of the region of interest. Locations of sources of interstitial fluid flow, fluid conductivities of paths, and anatomical information in the region of interest are obtained using the radiological imaging information. Velocities of the interstitial fluid flow in the region of interest are computed using the physiological states model, the locations of sources of interstitial flow, the fluid conductivities, and the anatomic information. A model of the area of the brain is created, the model including the region of interest.

Abstract: Featured are methods for non-invasive assessment of a vascular physiological parameter including but not limited to central arterial stiffness, vascular reactivity and/or local arterial stiffness. The methods of the invention use any one of a number of magnetic resonance imaging techniques known in the art to acquire image data so as to arrive at these vascular physiological parameters. Also such methods include locating the detector or imaging coil proximal to a single artery and external to the body/specimen. According to one aspect, the methodology determines the central arterial stiffness from image data acquired at the single arterial location. In another aspect, image data is acquired so that one or more of central arterial stiffness, vascular reactivity and/or local arterial stiffness can be determined from the acquired image data alone or in combination with other acquired data/information.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for non-invasively determining the functional severity of arterial stenosis in a selected portion of an arterial network. The method includes gathering patient-specific data related to concentration of a contrast agent within an arterial network using a coronary computed tomography angiography scan (CCTA). The data can be gathered under rest or stress conditions. Estimation of a loss coefficient (K) can be used to eliminate the need for data gathered under stress. The data is used to calculate a transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG). The data may be corrected for imaging artifacts at any stage of the analysis. TAFE is used to determine an estimate of flow velocity. Once velocity is determined, pressure gradient, coronary flow reserve, and/or fractional flow reserve can be determined through a variety of methods. These estimates can be used to estimate functional severity of stenosis.

Abstract: Diagnostic apparatus (20) includes an antenna 32, which is configured to direct radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves into a living body and to generate signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from within the body. Processing circuitry (36) is configured to process the signals so as to locate a feature in a blood vessel in the body.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus performs myocardial perfusion imaging of an object. An imaging unit acquires image data by imaging a heart of the object in synchronism with a biological signal from the object. An image generating unit generates an image concerning the heart of the object based on the image data. The imaging unit applies a probe pulse for detecting body motion of the object before imaging of the heart, and applies a spatial nonselective saturation pulse before application of the probe pulse, and a local selective pulse for flipping back a flip angle of the spatial nonselective saturation pulse with regard to a region to which the probe pulse is applied.

Abstract: A method of dynamic imaging and resolving respiratory motion includes acquiring volume data for a volume over a plurality of respiratory cycles, acquiring respiratory data representative of respiration over the plurality of respiratory cycles, dividing each respiratory cycle of the plurality of respiratory cycles into a set of respiratory intervals based on the respiratory data, and displaying a respective composite three-dimensional image of the volume for each respiratory interval based on the volume data acquired during the respiratory interval from each respiratory cycle of the plurality of respiratory cycles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for white-matter-enhancement processing, and a method and a program for white-matter-enhancement processing that makes it possible to analyze distinguishing characteristics of the brain of a living body, such as degree of growth and development, left/right brain dominance, areas of strength and weakness, and personality traits.

Abstract: An MRI compatible communication system is disclosed. An interface module manages communications between devices within and external to the MRI scan room. The interface module also translates messages between varying wireless communication standards and protocols for retransmission to other devices. The communication system is configurable to transmit and/or receive data between physiological sensors, the MRI controller, patient monitoring devices, patient entertainment devices, and other computers. The interface module is configurable to be placed either in the control room or in the scan room.

Abstract: A system and method for producing an image of a vascular structure of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes performing a first pulse sequence to acquire a flow-dependent imaging data set from the stack of prescribed imaging slices following a first quiescent inflow time period (QITP). The process also includes performing a second pulse sequence without suppressing signal from spins flowing into the stack of prescribed imaging slices through either of the veins or arteries to acquire a flow-independent imaging data set. The flow-dependent imaging data and the flow-independent imaging data are subtracted to create a difference image of the stack of prescribed imaging slices illustrating the at least one of the arteries and the veins as having a bright contrast and another of the arteries and veins as having a suppressed contrast.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a determining unit and an imaging unit. When a fluid traveling through a subject is imaged for multiple times at different phases, the determining unit determines a period on the time axis within which imaging is performed at intervals satisfying a predetermined temporal resolution. The imaging unit performs imaging for multiple times by the temporal resolution within the period.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided for performing a multi-modal deformable imaging registration between two different modalities for which a functional dependency is missing or very difficult to identify. The method provides a nonlinear mapping between every pair of points in the two image modalities by calculating the nonlinear mapping for only a limited number of identifiable landmarks within the two modalities and a statistical deformation model of the structure of interest.

Abstract: A system and method of use for a probe is disclosed that includes a self-expanding housing constructed to permit fluid flow therethrough and constructed for insertion into a subject to be imaged. A plurality of RF coils is attached to the housing to acquire MR data.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method and system for generation of an optimized MR image of an examination subject operate as follows. A pulse sequence including a series of at least two RF pulses is radiated into the examination subject to generate at least one optimized signal, wherein the second and possibly every additional RF pulse is radiated before the effect of the first or a preceding RF pulse on the spin system in the examination subject has decayed. The radiated RF pulses are generated by parallel transmission coils. At least the signal resulting after the last radiated RF pulse of the pulse sequence is acquired. The pulse sequence is repeated with modified spatial coding until signals have been generated and acquired in a desired positional space. The optimized MR image per pulse sequence is calculated from at least one of the acquired signals.

Abstract: A computer aided diagnostic system and automated method classify a brain through modeling and analyzing the shape of a brain cortex, e.g., to detect a brain cortex that is indicative of a developmental disorder such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia. A model used in such analysis describes the shape of brain cortices in terms of spherical harmonics required to delineate a unit sphere corresponding to the brain cortex to a model of the brain cortex.

Abstract: A magnet assembly primarily for use in MRI applications is disclosed. The magnet assembly is composed of a single disk and ring permanent magnet set connected to a C-type magnet yoke and return fixture with asymmetrically arranged poles. Together, the permanent magnets create a strong magnetic field that has a large static gradient in the central enclosure. The magnet assembly is primarily designed for diffusion based MRI scanning but can perform routine MRI scanning as well.

Abstract: A first ultrasound pulse is applied to biological tissue to create shear waves in the biological tissue, a focused ultrasound pulse is transmitted into the biological tissue, one or more ultrasound signals is received from the biological tissue, and shear waves are detected in the biological tissue based on the received one or more ultrasound signals. At least one propagation property associated with the detected shear waves is determined, and the determined at least one propagation property is displayed. A strain image is obtained by either acoustic radiation forces or mechanical compression, e.g., by an ultrasound probe. The strain image is then converted to a new shear wave velocity image by using a previously-obtained shear wave velocity image.

Abstract: A medical guidance system and a control method of a medical device are provided, which may increase the drive force of a medical device and improve controllability thereof. The medical guidance system has a medical device that includes a biologic information acquisition unit that acquires biologic information of the inside of a body cavity and a magnet that generates drive force in response to a magnetic field exerted from the outside of a body, a magnetic field generation unit 101 that generates the magnetic field to be exerted on the magnet from the outside of a body, and a displacement detection unit 105 that detects displacement being an angle formed between the magnetization direction of the magnet and the field direction of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation unit 101 at the position of the medical device; wherein the magnetic field generation unit 101 is controlled based on the displacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various methods and systems for performing magnetic resonance studies. In accordance with many embodiments, image or other information of interest is derived from super radiant pulses.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes performing a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequence to acquire MR image slices or volumes of a first station representative of a portion of a patient; applying a first phase field algorithm to the first station to determine a body contour of the patient in the first station; identifying a contour of a first anatomy of interest within the body contour of the first station using the first phase field algorithm or a second phase field algorithm; segmenting the first anatomy of interest based on the identified contour of the first anatomy of interest; correlating first attenuation information to the segmented first anatomy of interest; and modifying a positron emission tomography (PET) image based at least on the first correlated attenuation information.

Abstract: Image processing techniques which enable various contrast control, by quantitatively handling a degree of phase enhancement in a contrast control as a post-processing of the image reconstruction. A complex operation is performed on each pixel value of a complex image obtained by an MRI, thereby generating an image with desired contrast. Intensity is controlled by increasing or decreasing the argument of the pixel value of each pixel by a constant amount, and the degree of phase enhancement is controlled by multiplying the phase (argument) of each pixel by a constant.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus which images a subject in such that body fluid that flows is emphasized over background tissues, includes a first coil control device that causes a transmission coil and a gradient coil to execute a first pulse sequence for causing longitudinal magnetization components of the background tissues to differ from a longitudinal magnetization component of the body fluid, a second coil control device that causes the transmission coil and the gradient coil to execute a second pulse sequence that inverts the longitudinal magnetization components of the body fluid and the background tissues a plurality of times after the execution of the first pulse sequence, and a third coil control device that causes the transmission coil and the gradient coil to execute a third pulse sequence for acquiring each MR signal of the body fluid after the execution of the second pulse sequence.

Abstract: Techniques, systems computer program products are disclosed for mapping of vascular perfusion territories by applying a train of pseudo-continuous radio frequency tagging pulses to modulate a first magnetization of one or more blood vessels that supply blood to one or more vascular perfusion territories, applying an encoding scheme using unipolar transverse gradient pulses to modulate a second magnetization of blood vessels of the vascular perfusion territories, obtaining efficiency for each blood vessel based on the applied encoding scheme and separating the vascular perfusion territories by using the obtained tagging efficiency in a decoding process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological recording device and, more particularly, to a physiological recording device that can be used without skin preparation or the use of electrolytic gels. The invention is further directed to an encouragement ring which stabilizes and helps situate the physiological recording device on a subject's skin to help provide a better electrical signal, increase surface area, and reduce and minimize noise and artifacts during the process of recording or monitoring a physiological signal. The invention is still further directed to surface features on a surface of the physiological recording device with a size and shape that will not substantially bend or break, which limits the depth of application of the recording device, and/or anchors the recording device during normal application. The invention is even further directed to a method for manufacturing a physiological recording device, and minimizing cost of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for operating a coil, through which a varying current flows, is provided. Mechanical resonance responses of the coil are recorded and are modeled by an electrical resonant circuit model. A check is made as to whether a varying current that is to be sent through the coil evokes a resonant response in the electrical resonant circuit model. The current flow through the coil is blocked if the resonant response exceeds a predefined limit value.

Abstract: Small tissue property change detection is provided for magnetic resonance (MR) guided intervention. T1 changes from before and after treatment are compared. The comparison identifies locations of possible change. The comparison is performed for different times, one before and one after a zero-crossing of a signal intensity time curve. Due to the characteristics of the T1 mapping, common locations from the different times will have reversed contrast. Clustering and this reversal are used to distinguish the treatment region from noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accelerated arterial spin labeling (ASL) using compressed sensing are disclosed. In one aspect, in accordance with one example embodiment, a method includes acquiring magnetic resonance data associated with an area of interest of a subject, wherein the area of interest corresponds to one or more physiological activities of the subject. The method also includes performing image reconstruction using temporally constrained compressed sensing reconstruction on at least a portion of the acquired magnetic resonance data, wherein acquiring the magnetic resonance data includes receiving data associated with ASL of the area of interest of the subject.

Abstract: A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”) that has a short scan time and is insensitive to patient motion is provided. More particularly, the method provides significant arterial conspicuity and substantial venous signal suppression. A two-dimensional single shot acquisition is employed and timed to occur a specific time period after the occurrence of an R-wave in a contemporaneously recorded electrocardiogram. In this manner, k-space data is acquired that is substantially insensitive to variations in arterial flow velocity, or heart rate, and that further substantially suppresses unwanted venous signal in a prescribed imaging slice. Alternatively, a two-dimensional multi-shot acquisition is employed to acquire k-space data using an echo train length that is sufficiently short so as to suppress flow-related artifacts, and such that cardiac gating is not required.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with objectively predicting biochemical recurrence with co-occurring gland tensors in localized subgraphs are described. One example apparatus includes a set of logics that associate directional disorder with a risk of failure in a material. A first logic detects a fundamental unit of composition in the material, segments boundaries of the fundamental unit, and calculates a directional tensor for the fundamental unit. A second logic constructs a localized sparsified subgraph whose nodes represent centroids of the fundamental units, defines pairwise spatial relationships between the fundamental units, and constructs a directional co-occurrence matrix based on the spatial relationships. A third logic derives second order statistical features from the co-occurrence matrix, and produces a risk failure score as a function of the second order statistical features.