Abstract: A compact battery-free event detector having a switching element, which can be remagnetized in a bistable manner by a magnet in a sensor coil which then provides an event pulse and supplies a non-volatile memory circuit with a downstream non-volatile display, is designed to detect recurring movements by virtue of the switching element being able to be moved back and forth relative to the magnet between the activation and regeneration fields of its two poles. The manual operation of an inhalation or injection piston in a medicament dispenser can therefore be detected, in particular, and a dose of medicament, for instance, can be monitored thereby. The display is preferably created using e-paper or e-ink technology which, like the memory circuit which is operated only sporadically, obtains its energy needed to change the indication from the event pulse from the sensor coil.

Abstract: A system for cardiac MR imaging receives a heart rate signal representing heart electrical activity. The system, over multiple successive heart cycles, uses multiple MR imaging RF coils in gradient echo imaging a patient heart, synchronized with the heart rate signal and uses an inversion recovery pulse for inverting myocardium tissue MR signal for an individual heart cycle, to acquire, within multiple individual successive portions of an individual heart cycle, corresponding successive multiple patient heart images. An individual image of an individual heart cycle portion is derived from multiple heart image representative data sets comprising a reduced set of k-space data elements acquired using corresponding multiple coils of the RF imaging coils. An image generator generates an MR image of an individual heart cycle portion using the multiple heart image representative data sets comprising the reduced set of k-space data elements.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of a subject. Typically, MRI image processing that incorporates fat suppression takes a large amount of time to complete. According to various aspects, image processing that incorporates fat suppression may be postponed until MRI data is repeatedly obtained. By doing so, for example, more MRI data may be obtained during a time period of a heartbeat.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, a flip angle and/or inversion time of a spectrum suppression pulse is calculated according to a steady state condition of a longitudinal magnetization component of a spectrum composition suppressed by the spectrum suppression pulse and a zero crossing point condition of the longitudinal magnetization component. Raw magnetic resonance image data are acquired by applying a magnetic resonance imaging sequence that includes the spectrum suppression pulse provided with the flip angle and/or the inversion time.

Abstract: A medical nuclear imaging system (10) and corresponding method (100) are provided. A plurality of pixels (20, 24) detect radiation events and estimate the energy of the detected radiation events. A memory (58) stores a plurality of energy windows (44), the energy windows corresponding to the pixels. An event verification module (56) windows the radiation event with the energy windows corresponding to the detecting pixels. A reconstruction processor (60) reconstructs the windowed radiation events into an image representation.

Abstract: In order to prevent quenching caused accidentally in a superconducting magnet, an MRI apparatus vibrates the superconducting magnet in order to prevent quenching of the superconducting magnet in a time period for which a predetermined imaging sequence is not executed (step 210). As a specific method, a gradient magnetic field may be generated by a gradient magnetic field coil for an imaging sequence of the MRI apparatus, or a gradient magnetic field may be generated using a gradient magnetic field coil for vibration provided apart from the gradient magnetic field coil for an imaging sequence. In addition, in a period for which the predetermined imaging sequence is not executed, a phantom may be imaged to prevent the quenching of the superconducting magnet.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments include a system for providing blood flow information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system including a touchscreen. The at least one computer system may be configured to display, on the touchscreen, a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of an anatomical structure of the patient based on patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may also be configured to receive a first input relating to a first location on the touchscreen indicated by at least one pointing object controlled by a user, and the first location on the touchscreen may indicate a first location on the displayed three-dimensional model. The at least one computer system may be further configured to display first information on the touchscreen, and the first information may indicate a blood flow characteristic at the first location.

Abstract: The method and system for correcting motion-induced phase errors in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) use a phase shift of the non-phase encoded reference echo-signal accumulated during the diffusion-weighting in order to characterize bulk motion and tissue deformation and to compensate their effect for correcting the diffusion/perfusion-weighted image. The sequences unbalanced with respect to the first motion derivative are used for distinguishing the perfusion component. The MRI apparatus provides additional excitation resonance-frequency ranges for forming the reference echo signals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for acquiring a medical image of a portion of a vascular structure of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. At least one radio frequency (RF) saturation pulse is applied to a selected region of a subject that is free of exogenous contrast agents using the MRI system to saturate spins of all tissues within the selected region. A delay time is selected to allow an inflow of unsaturated vascular spins that are free of influence from exogenous contrast agent into the selected region through vascular structures within the selected region. A sparse dataset is formed from a series of spatially-encoded views from the selected region using an undersampled radial k-space trajectory in which the center of k-space is sampled for each view in the series of spatially-encoded views. An image of the vascular structures within the selected region is reconstructed from the sparse dataset.

Abstract: In the non-contrast 3D angiography, degradation of image quality caused by change of the cardiac cycle and degradation of image quality depending on the blood flow direction are prevented to provide an MRA image of favorable image quality, which is useful for diagnosis. A pulse sequence of the multi echo type for performing sampling of three-dimensional k-space data in a circular or elliptical shape is employed as the imaging sequence, and gated imaging based on body motion information is performed. Heart rate is monitored during the imaging, delay time DT from a gating signal and data acquisition time AT determined according to the cardiac cycle are calculated, and according to these imaging parameters, sampling trajectory and echo train number of the circular sampling are controlled.

Abstract: In a magnetic (MR) method and apparatus to generate an MR angiography image of a vascular structure of an examination region, spins in the examination region are saturated by an RF saturation pulse to cause these spins to produce a lower signal intensity in the angiography image than spins that flow from a major artery via a feed artery into the examination region, which are not saturated by the RF saturation pulse. A saturation volume is established that is saturated by the RF saturation pulse in order to be able to depict substantially all the vascular structure, such that the major artery and the tissue surrounding the major artery are not situated at the level of the branching of the feed artery in the saturation volume. The MR angiography image is generated using the established saturation volume.

Abstract: Featured are a device with localized sensitivity to magnetic resonance signals, an imaging system using such a device and MRI methods for performing internal MRI or MRI Endoscopy. Such an MRI method includes introducing an MRI antenna or probe into the specimen to be imaged, the antenna being configured in accordance with the devices described herein, so that the spatial coordinate frame of imaging is inherently locked or defined with respect to the introduced antenna thereby providing imaging of the specimen from the point of view of the antenna. Further such imaging is conducted so that the MRI signal is confined substantially to a volume with respect to a particular region of the antenna or probe.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating an examination of an examination object using a medical imaging device by way of an evaluation unit. The method includes reading in an examination data set of the examination object; assigning a reference data set to the read-in examination data set, the reference data set comprising at least one reference region; selecting at least one reference region; assigning at least one examination region of the examination data set to the at least one reference region; and marking the at least one examination region in at least one image of the examination data set. In an advantageous embodiment, the marking of the at least one examination region includes a marking tolerance and a segmentation of the at least one examination region on at least one image of the examination data set, and the segmentation depends on the medical imaging device.

Abstract: Distortion correction is provided in magnetic resonance imaging. Distortions in one volume are corrected using another volume. The isocenter of the other volume is nearer to an edge of the one volume than the isocenter of the one volume. Using data registration, the other volume is used to correct distortions in the one volume. The other volume may be acquired in little time relative to the acquisition of the one volume by having a smaller field of view, lower resolution, and/or smaller signal-to-noise ratio. The other volume may be a connecting volume for correcting distortions in two volumes to be composed together.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to acquire imaging and non-imaging datasets from like objects. A linkage is found using a partial least squares (PLS) technique between imaging and non-imaging datasets. The linkage is then reduced to an expression of a single numerical assessment. The single numerical assessment is then used as an objective, quantified assessment of the differences and similarities between the objects. The data each dataset can be aspects of performance, physical characteristics, or measurements of appearance.

Abstract: A spine implant includes an insert positioned between facets of a zygapophyseal joint. In various embodiments, the insert is configured to exert a distraction force on one or more facets of the zygapophyseal joint. The insert may comprise one or more members having one or more opposing facet interfacing portions. A securing member is configured to interface with the insert to secure the facets.

Abstract: A device for planning a neuromodulation therapy, whereby the device comprises receiving means to receive brain default mode network data of a patient, template means comprising a template brain default mode network data, normalizing means being configured such that normalized patient brain default mode network data can be prepared on the basis on the received brain default mode network data and the template brain default mode network data, storage means comprising a brain default mode network database and comparison means configured such that the normalized patient brain default mode network data and the data contained in the brain default mode network database can be compared.

Abstract: Method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view. Selection coils/magnets generate a magnetic selection field and drive coils generate a magnetic drive field for moving a field-free point along a predetermined trajectory through the field of view, changing the magnetization of the magnetic material locally. The drive field comprises a time-dependent oscillating drive field current per drive field coil having one or more individual oscillating frequencies and one or more individual current amplitudes and being generated by a corresponding drive field voltage generated by a superposition of a number of drive field voltage components including a drive field voltage component per drive field coil, wherein a drive field voltage component corresponding to a drive field coil comprises one or more sub-components, each having an individual voltage amplitude and having the same individual oscillating frequency as the respective drive field current of said particular drive field coil.

Abstract: MRI guided cardiac interventional systems are configured to generate dynamic (interactive) visualizations of patient anatomy and medical devices during an MRI-guided procedure and may also include at least one user selectable 3-D volumetric (tissue characterization) map of target anatomy, e.g., a defined portion of the heart.

Abstract: In order to acquire an image with enhanced contrast between a fluid portion and a stationary portion without extending the imaging time even when an IR pulse is used as an RF pre-pulse, the RF pre-pulse is applied to a region upstream of an imaging region so as to excite longitudinal magnetization of the fluid portion in a negative direction, an echo signal is measured from the imaging region, and an image with enhanced contrast of the fluid portion with respect to the stationary portion is acquired on the basis of phase information of an image reconstructed by using the echo signal.

Abstract: An organ evaluation device, system, or method is configured to receive electrophysiological data from a patient or model organism and integrates the data in a computational backend environment with anatomical data input from an external source, spanning a plurality of file formats, where the input parameters are combined to visualize and output current density and/or current flow activity having ampere-based units displayed in the spatial context of heart or other organ anatomy.

Abstract: A method of magnetic resolution (MR) imaging of a moving portion of a body of a patient placed in an examination volume of a MR device. For the purpose of enabling improved interventional MR imaging from acquiring a MR signal data with motion compensation, the invention proposes that the method includes repeated acts of collecting tracking data from an interventional instrument introduced into the portion of the body, subjecting the portion of the body to an imaging sequence for acquiring one or more MR signals therefrom, wherein parameters of the imaging sequence are adjusted on the basis of the tracking data, and reconstructing one or more MR images from the MR signal data set.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus for a medical imaging apparatus includes a base unit and a table, wherein the table is designed so as to be movable relative to the base unit. A position detection apparatus detects a position of the table relative to the base unit, wherein the position detection apparatus has an optical sensor unit which includes a fiber optic element and a punched tape mask. The punched tape mask is movable relative to the optical sensor unit. Optical signals are transmitted via the fiber optic element.

Abstract: An image processing system according to an embodiment includes an image storage device and a playing control device. The image storage device stores four-dimensional data that is a sequential volume data group chronologically acquired and control information for controlling playing of the four-dimensional data. The playing control device acquires the sequential volume data group and the control information from the image storage device and successively plays the sequential volume data group according to the control information. The control information contains identification information that identifies that data is volume data that belongs to the sequential volume data group acquired chronologically and identification information that identifies that volume data that is used as a reference for successive playing from among the sequential volume data group is reference volume data.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for measuring biological tissue parameters using restriction spectrum magnetic resonance imaging. In one aspect, a method of characterizing a biological structure includes determining individual diffusion signals from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in a set of MRI images that include diffusion weighting conditions (e.g.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for determination of movement of an examination subject during the acquisition of (MR) measurement data using at least two antenna elements that exhibit respectively different spatial positions, after each radiated excitation pulse a navigator signal is acquired in the measurement data and movement of the examination subject between two excitation pulses during the acquisition of the measurement data is determined from a change of the signal strength of the navigator signal in the at least two antenna elements and based on the respective spatial positions of the antenna elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and a mechanism for manipulating images generated by radiotherapy machines used in radiation diagnostic and treatment applications. In one embodiment, a method is provided for intelligent automatic propagation of real-time alterations across graphical structures of an image by mapping the relativity between the structures; determining the correlation between the structures and a manually edited structure; referencing a deformation map that maps a correspondence for each point in the original structure with a point in the edited structure and applying a similar relative change throughout the remaining structures in the image.

Abstract: A method of processing breathing signals of a subject includes obtaining breathing signals of a subject, obtaining a signal-phase histogram using the breathing signals, wherein the signal-phase histogram comprises a plurality of data points, each of the data points having at least a phase value and a signal value, determining a reference value using at least some of the plurality of data points from the signal-phase histogram, determining whether a difference between the reference value and a signal value that is associated with a current respiratory cycle exceeds a threshold, and generating an output when the difference exceeds the threshold. A method of predicting breathing signal is also provided.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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.