Abstract: An ultrasound treatment system operable to deliver ultrasound energy to a patient's brain, the system comprises a treatment ultrasound transducer comprising a plurality of treatment elements, the treatment ultrasound transducer locatable to deliver ultrasound into the head of the patient. The system further comprises a data store, one or more position sensors configured to detect relative movement between the head of the patient and the treatment ultrasound transducer, and a data processor.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a polymer-matrix composite. The polymer-matrix composite includes a polymeric resin having discontinuous conductive fillers provided therein. The discontinuous conductive fillers include one or more of nano-sized metal structures and nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can have a coating formed of one or more metals. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can be formed of carbon. In turn, the nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can include one or more of carbon nanofibers, carbon filaments, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoflakes.

Abstract: A monitoring method and device for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: acquiring a whole body specific absorption rate of a subject under examination; acquiring a ratio between a local region specific absorption rate and the whole body specific absorption rate of the subject under examination on the basis of current parameter information of a local coupling coil in the magnetic resonance imaging system; and calculating the local region specific absorption rate of the subject under examination on the basis of the ratio between the local region specific absorption rate and the whole body specific absorption rate, and the whole body specific absorption rate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires an ambient temperature relating to a magnetic resonance imaging examination and determines an interlock value of a specific absorption rate (SAR) in accordance with the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for phase correction in proton resonance frequency (PRF) thermometry application includes acquiring a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images comprising a first MR image and plurality of subsequent MR images depicting an anatomical area of interest. The MR images are acquired while tissue in the anatomical area of interest is undergoing a temperature change. Each subsequent MR image is registered to the first MR image to yield a plurality of registered images. A plurality of basis images are computed from the registered images using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The basis images are used to remove motion-related phase changes from a second series of MR images, thereby yielding a motion corrected second series of MR images. One or more temperature difference maps are generated that depict a relative temperature change for the tissue in the anatomical area of interest based on the motion corrected second series.

Abstract: A novel medical device that utilizes, for diagnosis and other medical uses, the detection of emitted radiofrequency (RF) signals experimentally shown as spontaneously emitted by a non-equilibrium population of spin polarized electrons in chiral media during their relaxation to equilibrium. The emitted RF signals correspond to the Zeeman spin-flip energy of electrons under the influence of a magnetic field (MF), which in the absence of an external MF are too difficult to detect. Using a larger MF shifts the low energy, low frequency RF emission of spin polarized electrons to a higher RF power emission wave characterized by a fixed resonant frequency. The detection of these higher RF power emissions is relatively easy using conventional MF magnet sources and antenna receiver technology.

Abstract: A method for decomposing noise into white and spatially correlated components during MR thermometry imaging includes acquiring a series of MR images of an anatomical object and generating a series of temperature difference maps of the anatomical object. The method further includes receiving a selection of a region of interest (ROI) within the temperature difference map and estimating total noise variance values depicting total noise variance in the temperature difference map. Each total noise variance value is determined using a random sampling of a pre-determined number of voxels from the ROI. A white noise component and a spatially correlated noise component of the total noise variance providing a best fit to the total noise variance values for all of the random samplings are identified. The white noise component and the spatially correlated noise component are displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: In order to optimize magnetic resonance (MR) images in spin echo-based imaging, MR raw data are acquired by applying a static magnetic field, an excitation pulse, a refocusing pulse, and an RF pulse at the same time point as an echo elicited by the pulses with the result that the magnetization in the negative z-direction is deflected by a flip angle. The flip angle is selected such that, given a specified repetition time of the excitation pulse, a predetermined contrast is provided for two specified tissue types of the subject to be imaged. An MR image is reconstructed from the acquired MR raw data.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods relating to medical devices that utilize dynamically tunable antennas comprising a plurality of sub-wavelength antenna elements. In various embodiments, impedance elements associated with the sub-wavelength antenna elements are dynamically tuned to control radiation patterns of a tunable antenna, such as a metamaterial surface antenna technology (MSA-T) antenna. The radiation patterns produced by the tunable antenna are used, for example, for sending a control signal to an implanted medical device, directly controlling the movement of a medical device, causing a medical device to perform a specific function, powering a medical device, and/or otherwise interacting a medical device. In some embodiments, the implanted medical device may also include an antenna, such as an MSA-T antenna, for receiving and/or sending beam-formed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a polymer-matrix composite. The polymer-matrix composite includes a polymeric resin having discontinuous conductive fillers provided therein. The discontinuous conductive fillers include one or more of nano-sized metal structures and nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can have a coating formed of one or more metals. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can be formed of carbon. In turn, the nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can include one or more of carbon nanofibers, carbon filaments, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoflakes.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system 10 includes at least one cable (30, 32, 34) that has at least one optic fiber component (31C, 31E, 33B, 35B) and an optical monitoring unit (37) in communication with the at least one optic fiber component (31C, 31E, 33B, 35B). The optical monitoring unit (37) is configured to determine temperatures at each of a plurality of positions along the at least one optic fiber component (31C, 31E, 33B, 35B). The optical monitoring unit (37) is further configured to halt an operation of the MR system (10) in response to at least one determined temperature. In accordance with the invention, the temperature of one or more cable traps forming part of the cable can be monitored and a faulty cable trap can be detected.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for producing images with a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system using a high-resolution, motion-robust, artifact-free segmented echo planar imaging (“EPI”) technique. In particular, a fast low angle excitation echo planar imaging technique (“FLEET”) using variable flip angle (“VFA”) radio frequency (“RF”) excitation pulses that are specifically designed to have a flat magnitude and phase profile across a slice for a range of different flip angles.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (300) comprising: a magnetic resonance imaging system (302); an ultrasonic system (322) for connecting to a catheter (324, 504, 600) with an ultrasound array (400, 402, 404, 508, 602, 604). The ultrasonic system is operable for driving the ultrasound array. Machine executable instructions (354, 356, 358) cause a processor (334) for controlling the medical apparatus to: generate (100, 202) at least one acoustic radiation impulse with the ultrasonic system, wherein the generated ultrasound energy is below a predetermined level; acquire (102, 204) the magnetic resonance data using an acoustic radiation force imaging pulse sequence; reconstruct (104, 206) at least one acoustic radiation force pulse image using the magnetic resonance data; and determine (106, 208) an energy deposition zone for the catheter using at least partially the at least one acoustic radiation force pulse image.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus to quickly determine regions of modified temperature in a sample volume by magnetic resonance tomography using a multi-echo sequence, one or more one-dimensional or two-dimensional images of regions of modified temperature are respectively determined.

Abstract: A system (10) for margin assessment of an ex-vivo tissue (18), including an imaging scanner (12) controlled by an imaging control unit (14), and an ex-vivo sample holder (16) for holding a sample of an excised tissue (18), the sample holder (16) being sized such that excised lump edges (24) of the excised tissue (18) are forced against a surface of the sample holder (16) such that the edges (24) change shape to have a predetermined geometry, and wherein the imaging scanner (12) is positioned relative to the sample holder (16) such that the imaging scanner (12) acquires images not of all the tissue (18) but rather of the edges (24) that have the predetermined geometry and which are in a sensitive region (40) extending into a peripheral margin of the tissue (18).

Abstract: Techniques for temperature measurement and correction in long-term MR thermometry utilize a known temperature distribution in an MR imaging area as a baseline for absolute temperature measurement. Phase shifts that arise from magnetic field drifts are detected in one or more portions of the MR imaging area, facilitating correction of temperature measurements in an area of interest.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system measures the temperature of a morbid region to be heated in thermotherapy and controls a scan unit to execute an imaging operation in synchronism with heating by a heating device, and generates measurement temperature data on the basis of the phase change of magnetic resonance signals at different generation times obtained by the imaging operation.

Abstract: A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device.

Abstract: A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. In a preferred form, the TANK filter reduces or even eliminates the use of ferro-magnetic materials, and instead uses non-ferromagnetic materials so as to reduce or eliminate MRI image artifacts or the force or torque otherwise associated during an MRI image scan.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a polymer-matrix composite. The polymer-matrix composite includes a polymeric resin having discontinuous conductive fillers provided therein. The discontinuous conductive fillers include one or more of nano-sized metal structures and nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can have a coating formed of one or more metals. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can be formed of carbon. In turn, the nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can include one or more of carbon nanofibers, carbon filaments, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoflakes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for delivering and controlling thermal therapy to a volume of diseased tissue. Specifically, the invention includes using thermal imaging and other inputs to determine an acoustic (ultrasonic) treatment regime employing interstitial ultrasound applicators to deliver a required therapeutic temperature or thermal dose to the affected region in a body or organ. Various aspects of the treatment that can be controlled include individual transducer element operating power and frequency, as well as the rate of cooling and rotation of the entire applicator.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (602) comprising a magnet (604) with an imaging zone (608) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (642, 748) from a subject (618) from within the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (632) for storing machine executable instructions (660, 662, 664, 760, 762, 764). The medical apparatus further comprises a processor (626) for controlling the medical apparatus. Execution of the instructions causes the processor to: acquire (100, 200, 300, 400, 506) B1 field map magnetic resonance data (642) using the magnetic resonance imaging system and determine (102, 206, 306, 408, 512) a temperature map (646) using the B1 field map magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical apparatus (400, 500, 600, 700, 800) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (402) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (442) from a subject (418). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a magnet (404) with an imaging zone (408). The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (432) for storing machine executable instructions (460, 462, 464, 466, 10, 660). The medical apparatus further comprises a processor (426) for controlling the medical apparatus, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: acquire (100, 200, 300) the magnetic resonance thermometry data from multiple slices (421, 421?, 421?) within the imaging zone by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system; and interpolate (102, 202, 204, 302, 304) a three dimensional thermal dose estimate (444) in accordance with the magnetic resonance thermometry data.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for monitoring and alerting a body temperature of a person under guardianship. A wireless signal emitting body temperature sensor is configured to transmit a wireless signal including a detected temperature value. The wireless signal is received by a wireless signal receiving chip of a wireless signal receiving and processing precaution device carried by a guardian, and processed by a central processing chip. If the detected value is over the maximum value or is under the minimum value, an alarming signal will timely notify the guardian about abnormality in the body temperature of the person under guardianship.

Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for heat treatment of a region of a biological tissue (410) comprising energy-generating means (100) to supply energy to the region; means (200) for measuring and recording spatial temperature distribution in said region; a control unit (300) comprising means for point-to-point digital processing of the temperature distribution in the region. The invention is characterised in that the energy-generating means comprise means(110) for spatial and temporal distribution of the power available to them on said region, the control unit (300) comprising means (330, 350), based on the temperature distribution, for controlling the amount and distribution of energy supplied by the generating means (100).

Abstract: A therapeutic system, comprising: a MR imaging unit arranged to acquire MR signals from a patient in an examination volume, and a thermal treatment unit for depositing thermal energy within tissue of the patient. The system is arranged for: initiating a thermal treatment by heating the tissue at a focus within the examination volume selectively acquiring MR signals from a first image plane, including the focus, reconstructing a thermographic MR image from the MR signals acquired from the first image plane, computing a baseline thermographic MR image from a temperature distribution within at least one second image plane, moving the focus to a new position within the examination volume, changing the position and/or orientation of the first image plane corresponding to the new position of the focus, repeating the acquiring and reconstructing steps, wherein the baseline thermographic MR image is used for thermographic image reconstruction in a subsequent reconstructing step.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance scanner (12) is configured for themographic imagin. One or more processors (28) receive (56) thermal image data from the magnetic resonance scanner and reconstruct at least one thermal image in which each voxel includes a measure of temperature change. The one or more processors identify (58) thermally abnormal voxels. A display (44) displays at least one reconstructed image with the identified abnormal thermal locations.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for measuring temperature distribution, which measures temperature distribution not only in fat tissue but also in mixed tissue containing high-water content tissue and fat tissue, and a method for imaging temperature distribution. In the disclosed method, a water signal, which is dependent on the water components of the tissue to be measured, and a fat signal, which is dependent on the fat components of the tissue to be measured, are acquired by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Fatty acid signals are acquired by separating out the fat signal into various fatty acid components. The temperature of high-water content tissue is measured on the basis of the correlation between the water signal and the water temperature, and the temperature of fat tissue is measured on the basis of the correlation between each of the various fatty acid signals and the fat temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments for assessing brown adipose tissue use imaging of metabolic contrast agents. For example, activated brown adipose tissue may be assessed by evaluating a difference in production of the hyperpolarized 13C metabolic contrast agent from a pre-polarized 13C metabolic contrast agent precursor before and after exposure of the subject to an activating event or agent. In one embodiment, the subject is given a dose of norepinephrine, and the production of the hyperpolarized 13C metabolic contrast agent before and after the dose is assessed.

Abstract: Proton resonance frequency shift thermometry may be improved by combining multibaseline and referenceless thermometry.

Abstract: A system and method for treating tissue uses an ultrasound therapy system including an ultrasonic applicator having has at least one transducer element. Steering and focusing of ultrasound beams uses at least one variable focus lens, which may be a fluid focus lens, attached to each transducer element so that focus of the variable focus lens is controlled by a voltage signal. A treatment controller receives input from an imager and controls the voltage applied to the variable focus lens. The treatment controller controls the lens voltage signals, at least partially determined by the input from the imager, and directs an ultrasonic treatment beam emitted by the transducer element. Fine adjustment of the therapy beam is achieved to deliver therapy for various prostate sizes and shapes while avoiding damage to critical structures such as the rectal wall and nerve bundles.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to create an MR magnitude image data set and a phase image data set of an examination subject, first echo signals in a first raw MR data set are detected after a first echo time TE1 and at least second echo signals in at least one second raw MR data set are detected after a second echo time TE2 that is longer than TE1, a magnitude image data set is generated on the basis of the first raw MR data set and the at least one second raw MR data set with averaging of the first and the at least one second raw MR data set, and the phase image data set is generated based on the phase information contained in the at least two raw MR data sets, with averaging of the respective phase information contained in the at least two raw MR data sets.

Abstract: In a method or system for magnetic resonance imaging based temperature monitoring for real-time feedback to a physician for a cryoablation therapy of a lesion which creates an ice ball of the lesion to induce cell death, the magnetic resonance imaging system, using proton resonance frequency imaging, obtains a real-time temperature image of the ice ball of the lesion undergoing the cryoablation therapy and the adjacent surrounding tissue. By use of an algorithm, correcting temperature errors at a border of the ice ball are corrected in the real-time image, the temperature error correction correcting susceptibility contrast errors caused by a distortion of the local magnetic field at the border of the ice ball.

Abstract: In a method for temperature control in MR-guided administration of ultrasound, ultrasound therapy is administered to a patient at an in vivo site by emitting focused ultrasound into the site at multiple foci with a multi-focus ultrasound therapy device. The temperature is monitored in a localized region of an examination subject in which the site is located during the therapy in real-time by MR thermometry. From the MR thermometry, characteristics of the temperature distribution in the monitored region of the examination subject are automatically identified. Temperature control is implemented by regulating the energy output of the ultrasound therapy device, according to a rapidly converging master equation.

Abstract: In an MRI apparatus, a detecting unit that includes a thermographic imaging equipment and a normal imaging camera detects a change in temperature of an imaging space from outside of the imaging space. A judging unit judges whether the imaging space has a point at a temperature greater than a threshold TH, and if the judging unit judges the imaging space has such a point with a temperature greater than the threshold, the apparatus stops the sequence that applies a gradient magnetic field to the subject.

Abstract: The in vivo measurement of tissue temperature is performed during a medical procedure using an MRI system. Fat and Water images are acquired at each temperature measurement time and corresponding phase images are produced. A temperature map is produced by subtracting the phase at each Fat image pixel from the corresponding pixel in the Water phase image to improve measurement accuracy in tissues with fat/water mixtures.

Abstract: An apparatus (300, 400, 500) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system (302), the magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a magnet (306) adapted for generating a magnetic field for orientating the magnetic spins of nuclei of a subject (310) located within an imaging volume (308); a radio frequency transceiver (320) adapted for acquiring magnetic resonance data (346) using a radio frequency coil (318); a computer system (336) comprising a processor (338), wherein the computer system is adapted for controlling the apparatus; and a memory (342, 344) containing machine readable instructions (354, 356, 358, 360, 362), wherein execution of the instructions cause the processor to perform the steps of: acquiring (100, 204) magnetic resonance data using the magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein the magnetic resonance data comprises transverse relaxometry data, and calculating (102, 206) the temperature of the subject within a temperature measurement volume (332) in accordance with the transverse relaxo

Abstract: A method for producing an image of a blood vessel in a patient utilizing temperature sensitive MRI measurement. The method includes introducing a fluid in a blood vessel, obtaining magnetic resonance information from the blood vessel, and determining a magnetic resonance parameter using the magnetic resonance information. The method further includes using the magnetic resonance parameter to determine a temperature differential in the blood vessel and producing an image of the blood vessel based on the temperature differential. Systems for producing an image of a blood vessel in a patient using temperature sensitive MRI measurements are also provided.

Abstract: A method for photomagnetic imaging of tissue includes the steps of heating the tissue using light; measuring a change in temperature of the tissue with magnetic resonance thermometry; and creating an optical property map from the measured change in temperature. An apparatus for performing photomagnetic imaging of tissue which includes a light source to heat the tissue, a magnetic resonance imaging system to measure a change in temperature of the tissue, and a data processor to generate an optical property map from the measured change in temperature. An optical property map of tissue photomagnetic imaging of tissue produced by: heating the tissue using light; measuring a change in temperature of the tissue with magnetic resonance thermometry; and creating an optical property map from the measured change in temperature.

Abstract: A therapeutic system includes a therapy module to direct a therapeutic action, e.g. focused ultrasound or RF energy to a target. An imaging module, such as a magnetic resonance examination system, generates image information of a therapy region that includes the target. By way of a motion analysis module, a motion vector field is derived from the image information of the therapy region. A control module controls the therapy module based on the motion vector field. For example, based on t the motion vector field, an accurate temperature distribution is derived from magnetic resonance signals and the motion vector field. Also magnetic resonance elastography data may be employed to improve the accuracy of the temperature distribution.

Abstract: Renal screening systems include a circuit configured to electronically analyze MRI image data of a subject to evaluate renal function and generate a renal-risk report for a plurality of different therapeutic agents based on renal responses to test doses of each of the agents.

Abstract: A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures.

Abstract: A method for reducing errors in the measurement of temperature by magnetic resonance, for use in magnetic resonance imaging-guided HIFU equipment, includes acquiring an MR phase image, as a reference image, before heating an area to be heated with the HIFU equipment; acquiring another MR phase image, as a heated image, during or after the heating by the HIFU equipment; and calculating the temperature change in the heated area according to said heated image and said reference image; and making compensation to said temperature change according to the change in the magnetic field caused by the position change of an ultrasonic transducer in said HIFU equipment. The method can reduce significantly the temperature errors resulting from the position changes of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: In a method and device for determination of a position shift, first image data of a body region of a treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired. A focal area in the body region is determined, and the focus of a hyperthermia applicator can be aligned on the focal area. Second image data of the body region of the treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired, and a position shift of the focal area is determined by a comparison of the second image data with the first image data.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for a multi-echo acquisition technique capable of obtaining separate water only and fat only images in anatomies having large time-varying phase disturbances. This multi-echo technique is also useful in anatomies where magnetic field inhomogeneity is significant. Also provided is a system, which is capable of producing a reconstructed complex water image whose phase component maintains the temperature dependent phase information. Similarly, the reconstructed fat image maintains the phase information pertaining to the time-varying phase disturbances.

Abstract: A computing unit is arranged to access phase images computed from the image data and representative of the target medium and the reference medium and carry out computing steps to yield temperature difference map. The operation of the computing is controlled by a computer program carrying computing steps programmed as instructions to a processor. The apparatus (1) includes a storage unit (8) arranged to store suitable image data which are accessed by the computer program during the computations. The storage unit (8) stores system parameters of the magnetic resonance apparatus, like the strength of the main field (B0), gyromagnetic ratio (?), and suitable parameters of a target medium, like screen constant (?), in a file (3). The apparatus (1) further includes a working memory (6), typically based on RAM.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for measuring temperature distribution, which measures temperature distribution not only in fat tissue but also in mixed tissue containing high-water content tissue and fat tissue, and a method for imaging temperature distribution. In the disclosed method, a water signal, which is dependent on the water components of the tissue to be measured, and a fat signal, which is dependent on the fat components of the tissue to be measured, are acquired by means of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Fatty acid signals are acquired by separating out the fat signal into various fatty acid components. The temperature of high-water content tissue is measured on the basis of the correlation between the water signal and the water temperature, and the temperature of fat tissue is measured on the basis of the correlation between each of the various fatty acid signals and the fat temperature.

Abstract: In a method to determine a kidney function parameter of kidneys of an examination person with the aid of magnetic resonance tomography, at least one magnetic resonance measurement is implemented for an examination region of the examination person that comprises a urinary bladder of the examination person, to acquire magnetic resonance data from the examination region that include at least image data. The concentration of a urophanic substance in the urinary bladder of the examination person is automatically determined based on the acquired magnetic resonance data. A volume of the urinary bladder is automatically determined based on the acquired image data. A kidney function parameter of the kidneys of the examination person is automatically determined on the basis of the determined concentration of the urophanic substance in the urinary bladder and of the specific volume of the urinary bladder.

Abstract: In one aspect, in general, a method is provided for detecting temperature and protein denaturation of a tissue during thermal therapy. The method includes generating a plurality of MR pulse sequences that include a first group of pulse sequences and a second group of pulse sequences, and receiving a plurality of response signals that include a first and second group of response signals in response to the first and second groups of pulse sequences, respectively. A first information associated with a degree of protein denaturation of the tissue is determined based on the first and second groups of response signals. A second information associated with a temperature of the tissue is determined based on at least some of the plurality of response signals.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulator has an implantable cardiac lead that carries a temperature sensitive element with a surface thereof in contact with biological matter. The temperature sensitive element emits a temperature signal corresponding to the temperature of biological matter, such as blood, in contact with the surface of the temperature sensitive element. Processing circuitry receives the temperature signal and determines a variability thereof within a selected time interval. A status signal is emitted dependent on this variability.