Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) spins are inverted by applying an inversion recovery (IR) radio frequency pulse (50). MR signals are acquired at an inversion time (TI) after the IR radio frequency pulse. TI is selected such that a first tissue of interest (e.g., blood) exhibits negative magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse and a second tissue (e.g., intraplaque hemorrhage tissue) exhibits positive magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse. The acquired magnetic resonance signals are reconstructed to generate spatial pixels or voxels wherein positive pixel or voxel values indicate spatial locations of positive magnetism and negative pixel or voxel values indicates spatial locations of negative magnetism. A first image (28) representative of the first tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having negative signal intensities, and a second image (26) representative of the second tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having positive signal intensities.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a technique for medical imaging, referred to herein as the Rapid Interleave Overlap Technique (RIOT), wherein image data is acquired as a plurality of series sequences in a manner that allows for unlimited overlap. RIOT involves interleaving and overlapping 2D image slices of multiple series of image data of the same ROI into a composite data set from which MPR and 3D reconstructions exhibiting excellent resolution properties and crisp image quality can be generated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate at least one two-dimensional color blood flow map that combines X and Y encoded primary and secondary peak data of 1-dimensional Inverse Fourier Transform images to visually indicate (i) anterior/posterior and right/left directional components of respective feeding arteries using defined colors and (ii) brightness to indicate an amount of blood flow associated with each voxel, with increased brightness associated with increased blood flow.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a magnetization of nuclear spins in a subject is prepared in multiple preparation modules of an acquisition sequence. MR signals are acquired with at least one imaging module of the sequence. Spoiler gradient fields are generated in the multiple preparation modules in order to affect a transverse magnetization of the spins. The spoiler gradient fields that are applied in at least two different preparation modules are spatially varied along different directions. Spoiler gradient moments of the spoiler gradient fields are selected so that, for at least one of three orthogonal spatial directions, a weighted sum of the spoiler gradient moments that are applied along this spatial direction satisfies a threshold condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed, in part, to compounds and methods for imaging the central nervous system or cancer, comprising administering to a subject a contrast agent which comprises a compound that binds MC-I, and an imaging moiety, and scanning the subject using diagnostic imaging.

Abstract: A method for automated detection of ingestion of at least one foreign body by a gas turbine engine, according to which: instantaneous speed of the rotor is measured; a speed signal of the rotor is filtered to separate a static component from a dynamic component thereof; the filtered dynamic component is compared to a standard resonance wave of the rotor to obtain an ingestion indicator, the standard resonance wave corresponding to the vibrational impulse response of a rotor; the obtained ingestion indicator is compared with a detection threshold; and a foreign body ingestion detection signal is emitted when the ingestion indicator is higher than the detection threshold.

Abstract: A system for perfusion and diffusion MR imaging of a portion of patient anatomy includes an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator for generating RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enabling subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. A magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator acquire within a single MR imaging scan, perfusion image data of the 3D volume, at least partially in the presence of contrast agent, and diffusion image data of the 3D volume.

Abstract: A method for generating an image of an obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) volume dataset of an object of interest, automatically analyzing the 3D volume dataset to generate a window level setting, automatically generating a window width setting based on the window level setting, and automatically displaying an image of the object of interest using the window width setting. An imaging system and a non-transitory computer readable medium are also described.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system uses a first RF coil for acquiring a magnetic resonance signal from a subject, and a device for estimating a cardiac phase of the subject based on the magnetic resonance signal acquired by the first RF coil. The first RF coil, for example, can be an RF coil exclusive to cardiac phase estimation. The magnetic resonance imaging system also uses a second RF coil for acquiring a magnetic resonance signal based on the estimated cardiac phase, and a device for reconstructing a magnetic resonance image of the subject based on the magnetic resonance signal acquired by the second RF coil. Thus, MRA can be performed by estimating a cardiac phase.

Abstract: The invention relate to a system and a process for estimating hemodynamic parameters by applying soft probabilistic methods to perfusion imaging. Such a process also makes it possible to estimate arterial input or complementary distribution functions and therefore more generally any quantity of interest. The invention stands out in particular from the known processes in that it requires the introduction, a priori, of soft information of physiological or hemodynamic nature without constraining of forcing the desired estimation through arbitrary or undesirable hypotheses.

Abstract: A tissue response in a predetermined unit of volume or area tissue of interest is determined by excluding some data of the adjacent tissues based upon a blood flow direction with respect to the tissue of interest. The exclusion is based upon a predetermined time-related parameter such as time-to-peak and mean-transit time in the fitted curves of the uptake of a contrast agent in the adjacent tissues and the tissue of interest. Furthermore, the blood flow direction is determined in terms of a 3D vector based upon a plurality of weighted individual vectors from the adjacent or neighboring voxels with respect to the voxel of interest.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for identifying a region of interest in medical imaging data of a subject is described, an intensity projection image is generated from the medical imaging data. The medical imaging data is then processed to find one or more maxima in the medical imaging data. The found maxima are compared with the intensity projection image, and one of the maxima which is not represented in the intensity projection image is identified.

Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance system to determine a flow coding for a flow measurement with the magnetic resonance system, in order to determine the optimal flow coding, a flow pre-measurement with multiple different flow codings is conducted within a slice within a body to be examined, each of these codings allowing flow velocities to be detected with a sensitivity dependent on the respective coding. A velocity distribution of the non-slice-location-specific flow velocity values is generated from all of the results of this flow pre-measurement by a common Fourier transformation. The optimal flow coding for the flow measurement is then determined based on this velocity distribution.

Abstract: In a method to excite a magnetization in the generation of MR angiography images with the TOF technique, a slice plane is determined in which the magnetization for the generation of the MR angiography images should be excited, a position of a vessel in the slice plane is determined, and the magnetization is excited in the slice plane such that the magnetization in the vessel has a flip angle gradient in the direction of the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating cardiovascular treatment options for a patient. One method includes creating a three-dimensional model representing a portion of the patient's heart based on patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart or vasculature; and for a plurality of treatment options for the patient's heart or vasculature, modifying at least one of the three-dimensional model and a reduced order model based on the three-dimensional model. The method also includes determining, for each of the plurality of treatment options, a value of a blood flow characteristic, by solving at least one of the modified three-dimensional model and the modified reduced order model; and identifying one of the plurality of treatment options that solves a function of at least one of: the determined blood flow characteristics of the patient's heart or vasculature, and one or more costs of each of the plurality of treatment options.

Abstract: Velocity of MR-imaged fluid flows is measured. Data representing a measure of distance traveled by flowing fluid appearing in at least two MR images of a subject's tissue taken at different respective imaging times is generated. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement of the flowing fluid is generated by calculating at least one instance of distance traveled by the fluid divided by elapsed time during travel based on different respective imaging times. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement is then output to at least one of: (a) a display screen, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remotely located site.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and apparatuses for determining a level of cellular metabolic activity for a region of interest in order to detect and map on-going gliovascular unit metabolic activity using high-resolution 1H2O MRI. In one example approach, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a first set of DCE-MRI time-course data for a region, wherein a contrast agent is administered prior to imaging, identifying a region of interest from the first set of DCE-MRI time-course data for further analysis, performing shutter-speed pharmacokinetic analysis of the time-course data associated with the region of interest using computer-implemented software to obtain a finite and non-zero mean water molecule capillary lifetime in the region of interest, and indicating a level of cellular metabolic activity in the brain based on the mean water molecule capillary lifetime.

Abstract: In a method and device for automatic determination of a flow of a bodily fluid within vessels of an organism by a magnetic resonance, a magnetic resonance angiography to procedure is implemented generate magnetic resonance angiography images, a of magnetic resonance flow measurement is implemented to generate magnetic resonance flow images, and the magnetic resonance angiography images are applied to the magnetic resonance flow images as a mask to produce a resulting image depicting vessels with flow therein.

Abstract: Versatility and the quality of images are to be improved. As preparation pulses, a first RF pulse to flip along the yz plane spins oriented in a magnetostatic field direction in a subject; a velocity encoding gradient pulse which, in spins flipped by that first RF pulse, mutually shifts the phase of spins in a static state and the phase of spins in a moving state; and a second RF pulse to flip along the yz plane spins whose phase has been shifted by the velocity encoding gradient pulse are successively transmitted. After that, a killer pulse is transmitted to extinguish the transverse magnetizations of the spins flipped by the second RF pulse.

Abstract: A method for measuring the cerebral perfusion of a living organism (1) by means of magnetic resonance (=“MR”) imaging proposes acquisition of further MR signals in a slice (5) that is pervaded by an artery that supplies the blood to the brain in order to determine the temporal progression of the concentration of the contrast medium during the bolus passage in the artery. During acquisition of the further MR signals, a magnetic field gradient is applied in such a way that projection images of the slice are generated. In each time interval between the excitations of the further MR signals, at least one radio-frequency (=“RF”) pulse is irradiated that causes saturation of the nuclear spin magnetization in the slice. This enables simultaneous measurement of the contrast medium flow in the vessels supplying the brain and the brain tissue within the same sequence with an adapted dynamic range.

Abstract: For delivery of a chemical to a target region of a subject's brain, an apparatus comprising a storage medium on which is stored digital representations of subject-specific selective visual stimuli that, when viewed, selectively stimulate blood flow to the target area of the brain; and an electronic display device coupled thereto and configured for converting the stored digital representations to images viewable by the subject; wherein the one or more selective visual stimuli were determined by exposing the subject to a plurality of potential stimuli; measuring the blood flow response to multiple regions of the brain, including the target area and one or more non-target areas; comparing the blood flow responses to the potential stimuli, and selecting as selective stimuli potential stimuli that result in relatively more blood flow to the target area and relatively less blood flow one or more non-target areas.

Abstract: A method for performing magnetic resonance angiography and perfusion imaging using the same pulse sequence is provided. Time-resolved image data is acquired as a contrast agent passes through a subject. This image data is acquired by sampling Cartesian points in k-space that are contained within either a central region of k-space, or one of a plurality of different sets of radial sectors extending outwards from the central region. The image data is combined to form individual image frame data sets that are then reconstructed to produce a time series of image frames. From this time series, MR angiograms and perfusion maps are produced. With the added acquisition of calibration data, T1 relaxation parameters are estimated and quantitative perfusion maps produced.

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: A system for detecting and measuring increased global or local intracranial pressure includes various devices for performing controlled occlusion of jugular cranial blood outflow and generating occlusion data related to said controlled occlusion, a cranial blood outflow pressure measurement device and a processor for processing jugular cranial blood outflow occlusion data and cranial blood outflow data to identify and/or measure a functional relationship between the jugular controlled occlusion and the jugular cranial blood outflow pressure. A device communicates the functional relationship a display device and/or a patient monitoring system. The processor also detects a state of equilibrium between the jugular cranial blood outflow pressure and the jugular occlusion pressure at occlusion.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance system configured to repeatedly execute imaging sequences each having a first RF pulse for flipping each spin in a region containing blood, and a data acquisition sequence acquiring data of the blood from the region is provided. The magnetic resonance system includes a storage unit configured to store a correspondence relation between a contrast between the blood and a background tissue, a first time taken from the first RF pulse to the data acquisition sequence, and a second time taken from a completion of an imaging sequence to a start of a next imaging sequence, first determining means configured to determine the first time used, and second determining means configured to determine the second time used.

Abstract: Provided herein is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique and, optionally, software, collectively referred to as the “shutter-speed” model, to analyze image data of cancer patients. Embodiments provide a minimally invasive, yet precisely accurate, approach to determining whether tumors are malignant or benign by distinguishing the characteristics of contrast reagent activity in benign and malignant tumors. Exemplary embodiments provide MRI measured biomarkers for tumor malignancy determination and monitoring, effectively eliminating or limiting the false positives suffered by existing MRI techniques while also improving tissue phenotyping and therapeutic intervention monitoring and prediction.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining contrast enhanced perfusion imaging data of at least two vessel regions, one downstream from the other, and at least one tissue of interest, which receives blood from the circulatory system, of a scanned subject. The method further includes determining a blood flow time difference between contrast material peaks of the at least two vessel regions based on the image data. The method further includes determining an absolute perfusion of the tissue of interest based on the image data. The method further includes computing a standardized perfusion value based on the absolute perfusion and the time difference. The method further includes displaying the standardized perfusion value.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the diagnosis, amelioration, and treatment of back pain, particularly lumbar back pain, in particular, back pain caused by muscular abnormalities, vertebral body osteoporosis, and disc degeneration. Patients with back pain are categorized into specific subsets that are deemed to have potential to respond to therapy. In particular, the invention includes a therapy involving stimulation of neovascularization so as to increase perfusion of various spine compartments.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for measuring arterial transit delay using pseudo- continuous arterial spin labeling (ASL) with variable TR and interleaved post-labeling delays. In one aspect, a magnetic resonance imaging method for measure arterial blood flow and transit delay using arterial spin labeling (ASL) includes applying an ASL pulse sequence. The ASL pulse sequence includes a pre- saturation pulse, and a labeling pulse. The method includes performing data acquisition to measure a transit delay, which represents a time needed for labeled blood to arrive in an imaging slice.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately producing MR images of selected vascular compartments includes employing a control scan and a tag scan, each including velocity selective modules that suppress signal from blood flowing faster than a given cutoff velocity, to acquire control and tag sets of NMR data that may be subtracted to produce a compartment-specific MR image that is substantially free of information from stationary tissues and blood outside the selective vascular compartments. Accordingly, physiological parameters, such as oxygen saturation (SaO2), oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2), can be generated from the compartment-specific images. Further still, kinetic curves of oxygen exchange can be created, thus providing detailed insight into oxygen exchange dynamics.

Abstract: Arterial spin labeling MRI is used to provide a patient specific correction factor to correct a image provided by a non-ASL imaging modality (e.g., DSC MRI). More specifically, a first blood flow image is taken using the non-ASL imaging modality, and a corresponding second blood flow image is taken with ASL. Some or all of the voxels in the first image are selected according to a predetermined selection method. A correction factor (CF) is computed to be the ratio of second image BF to first image BF averaged over the selected voxels. Thus, CF is the average of ASL/non-ASL blood flow over the selected voxels. This correction factor is applied to all voxels of an image equally, but can differ from patient to patient. This correction can be applied to one or more non-ASL blood flow images.

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: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method of investigating tissue fluid velocity in a region of interest comprising substantially eliminating the magnetic resonance signal of blood flowing in one or more blood vessels in the tissue by applying a nulling preparation to the tissue; and deriving the interstitial fluid velocity using magnetic field gradients.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus is provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to execute a plurality of T2-weighted sequences having different echo times, and a plurality of diffusion-weighted sequences having different b factors, a first calculating unit configured to calculate a T2 value based on a plurality of T2-weighted images obtained by the plurality of T2-weighted sequences, a second calculating unit configured to calculate a perfusion fraction where the T2 value is not taken into account based on a first T2-weighted image in the plurality of T2-weighted images and a plurality of diffusion-weighted images obtained by the plurality of diffusion-weighted sequences, and a third calculating unit configured to calculate a perfusion fraction where the T2 value has been taken into account based on the T2 value calculated by the first calculating unit, and based on the perfusion fraction calculated by the second calculating unit.

Abstract: In PCMR (phase contrast magnetic resonance) images, velocity aliasing appears when the maximum velocity in the imaging region is larger than the VENC (velocity encoding) value. Without correction, the aliasing will lead to distorted measurements. A method and system for velocity aliasing correction are described in this invention. The aliasing correction can improve the accuracy of flow quantization with the PCMR technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of medical imaging. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and devices for imaging, including for tomography-based applications. Embodiments of the invention include, for example, a computed tomography based imaging system comprising: (a) at least one wide-beam gray-scale imaging chain capable of performing a global scan of an object and acquiring projection data relating to the object; (b) at least one narrow-beam true-color imaging chain capable of performing a spectral interior scan of a region of interest (ROI) of and acquiring projection data relating to the object; (c) a processing module operably configured for: (1) receiving the projection data; (2) reconstructing the ROI into an image by analyzing the data with a color interior tomography algorithm, aided by an individualized gray-scale reconstruction of an entire field of view (FOV), including the ROI; and (d) a processor for executing the processing module.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system acquires MRI data within one patient breath-hold sufficient to generate (a) at least one tag-off first type non-contrast cardiac perfusion image using a data acquisition sub-sequence including a non-selective IR (inversion recovery) pulse and (b) at least one tag-on second type non-contrast cardiac perfusion image using a data acquisition sub-sequence including a non-selective IR pulse and a spatially selective IR pulse. A set of registered tag-on and tag-off images are differentially combined to produce an accurate cardiac perfusion image.

Abstract: A method of acquiring an image biomarker suitable for prognosis of a blood-related disease, such as acute myeloid leukemia, includes the steps of: (a) acquiring physical parameter sets, each including at least two parameters, respectively from time-signal intensity curves, these curves being respectively obtained from magnetic resonance image sets of different subjects; each of the image sets being acquired through MRI scanning using one of first and second configuration parameter sets; (b) analyzing the physical parameter sets thus acquired and (c) establishing a risk score function that is a sum of products of each of the physical parameters and the corresponding weight value, wherein a risk score obtained using the risk score function serves as the image biomarker suitable for prognosis of the blood-related disease.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing accurate measurements of the magnetic properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in both liquid media and biological matrices for providing information on their size, size distribution and concentration in these media and matrices and, resulting in parameters that influence their functionality and effectiveness.

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: A method for evaluating diastolic function of a heart includes measuring a volumetric flow of blood through the heart and determining volume change rates during a diastolic flow period. A diastolic index is formulated from a combination of volume change rates and features of the volumetric change and is weighted by the index for evaluating the weighted feature at a heightened sensitivity against a preselected value. The index weighting provides a measure of diastolic filling performance specific to the weighting parameter. As a result, guidance is provided in evaluating volume changes in heart failure patients, cardiac diastolic performance, medication/titration for diastolic performance, an athletic training program, and cardiac reserve. Guidance is also provided for improving exercise capacity in patients with diastolic dysfunction without requiring the patient to be evaluated during exertion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) that includes performing a pulse sequence using the MRI system, the pulse sequence including a phase-based flow encoding to collect a time-series of image data from the portion of the vasculature of the subject and identifying at least a portion of the time series of image data corresponding to a period of reduced flow through the portion of the vasculature. The portion of the time series of image data is subtracted from the time series of image data to create a time series of images of the portion of the vasculature having background tissue surrounding the portion of the vasculature substantially suppressed.

Abstract: A method for determining functional severity of a stenosis includes: (a) generating a simulated perfusion map from a calculated blood flow; (b) comparing the simulated perfusion map to a measured perfusion map to identify a degree of mismatch therebetween, the measured perfusion map representing perfusion in a patient; (c) modifying a parameter in a model used in calculating the blood flow when the degree of mismatch meets or exceeds a predefined threshold; (d) computing a hemodynamic quantity from the simulated perfusion map when the degree of mismatch is less than the predefined threshold, the hemodynamic quantity being indicative of the functional severity of the stenosis; and (e) displaying the hemodynamic quantity. Systems for determining functional severity of a stenosis are described.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit and a cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit. The magnetic resonance data acquisition unit consecutively acquires a plurality of magnetic resonance data for generating a plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data, each corresponding to a different data acquisition time, after a labeling pulse is applied. The cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit generates the plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data based on the plurality of magnetic resonance data.

Abstract: A system for Non-Contrast Agent enhanced MR imaging, includes an MR image acquisition device that acquires first and second datasets representing first and second image slabs individually comprising multiple image slices acquired at fast and slow blood flow portions of a heart cycle and oriented substantially perpendicular in at least one axis to direction of vasculature blood flow, in response to a heart cycle synchronization signal. An image data processor processes imaging datasets representing the first and second image slabs to provide first and second volume datasets representing a 3D volume imaged at the fast blood flow portion and the slow blood flow portion respectively and for providing a difference dataset representing an image difference between the first and second volume datasets and enhancing arterial blood flow. A display processor provides data representing an image showing the enhanced arterial blood flow.

Abstract: In a method and a device for phase-sensitive flow measurement of a volume segment of an examination subject in a measurement system, the volume segment is divided into multiple partial volume segments and the following steps are executed repeatedly until the volume segment has been completely measured: movement of a table such that a center of one of the partial volume segments to be measured essentially corresponds to the isocenter of the magnetic resonance system, and implementation of the phase-sensitive flow measurement for the partial volume segment to be measured while the center of the partial volume segment essentially corresponds to the isocenter.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and operating method, a series with a predetermined number of flip angles is established, that begins with a first flip angle that is smaller than the last flip angle of the series, and an arbitrary flip angle is greater than or equal to the preceding flip angle in the series. Respective predetermined regions of k-space are acquired that form first and second magnetic resonance data. Using a gradient echo sequence, each region is acquired during time interval as a series of components respectively with different flip angles in the series of flip angles. Each of the angiography magnetic resonance images has a flip angle range assigned thereto, and is formed by combining respective regions of k-space filled with components of the first and second magnetic resonance data that were acquired in that range.

Abstract: Featured are methods for non-invasive assessment of vascular reactivity. The methods of the invention use phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging angiography and use the image data thereby acquired to measure shear rate, radius of the vasculature and flow through the vasculature. According to one aspect, such acquisition of image data occurs before and during, an arterial occlusion and according to another aspect such acquisition of image data occurs before during and after arterial occlusion. The disclosed methods of the invention allow for reproducible, non-invasive diagnosis of early stage indicators of atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a sequence controller and a data processor. The sequence controller executes a pulse sequence using a combination of multiple types of labeling methods to acquire magnetic resonance signals. The data processor generates multiple types of labeled images based on the magnetic resonance signals.

Abstract: A comparatively light and compact permanent magnet arrangement for an MRI apparatus has a pair of opposed permanent magnet arrays with a shimming system to adjust the uniformity and strength of a magnetic field in a central chamber of the apparatus. The MRI apparatus is used to examine the extremities of a patient to determine cardiovascular characteristics from an analysis of the blood flow through selected arteries in the extremity. The information collected can be used to calculate such characteristics as total cardiac output, blood flow, arterial wall thickness and elasticity and the presence of plaque.