Abstract: A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing a fluid status of a patient includes non-invasively determining a left ventricular pressure of blood within a left ventricle of a heart of the patient. The left ventricular pressure is compared to a predefined pressure value to diagnose the fluid status.

Abstract: A computer-based method of determining a functional assessment of at least one organ having secretional or excretional functions, such as a liver or kidneys, of a human is disclosed. The method comprises processing a four-dimensional (4D) image data set of said human comprising data for an assessment of said organ function, wherein said 4D image data is acquired by an image modality; and wherein said processing said 4D image data comprises performing a deconvolutional analysis (DA) comprising a matrix inversion using singular value decomposition (SVD) based on said 4D image data.

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: In a method and apparatus for generation of an image in contrast agent-supported magnetic resonance angiography, a first data set is generated during an arterial phase of a distribution of a contrast agent in a vessel system by scanning of a first central k-space region, a second data set is generated during an equilibrium phase of the distribution of the contrast agent in the vessel system by scanning a peripheral k-space region while omitting scanning of a second central region, and the image is generated by merging the first data set and the second data set.

Abstract: According to one of the aspects of an MRI apparatus of the present invention, the MRI apparatus includes an imaging data acquiring unit and a blood flow information generating unit. The imaging data acquiring unit acquires imaging data from an imaging region including myocardium, without using a contrast medium, by applying a spatial selective excitation pulse to a region including at least a part of an ascending aorta for distinguishably displaying inflowing blood flowing into the imaging region. The blood flow information generating unit generates blood flow image data based on the imaging data.

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

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for evaluating symptomatic vertebrobasilar disease VBD which uses quantitative hemodynamic assessment in order to identify patients at high risk for stroke and provide appropriate guidance for intervention. Patients with symptomatic VBD may be considered for intervention to provide blood flow augmentation if evidence of sufficient flow compromise is present as defined by specific flow criteria, and treated medically otherwise.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance method for imaging blood volume in parenchyma via magnetic transfer (MT) includes: determining a MT effect of parenchyma; determining a MT effect of tissue; and quantifying the parenchymal blood volume using the difference between the MT effect of parenchyma and the MT effect of tissue. In one embodiment, the parenchymal blood volume is quantified through the following: MTRpar=MTRtissue(1?BV/Vpar), where MTRpar is the magnetization transfer ratio of parenchyma, MTRtissue is the magnetization transfer ratio of tissue, BV is the blood volume, and Vpar is a total parenchymal water volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance structure with a cavity or a reserved space that provides contrast and the additional ability to frequency-shift the spectral signature of the NMR-susceptible nuclei such as water protons by a discrete and controllable characteristic frequency shift that is unique to each MRS design. The invention also relates to nearly uniform solid magnetic resonance T2* contrast agents that have a significantly higher magnetic moment compared to similarly-sized existing MRI contrast agents.

Abstract: This invention is a method for multi-slice CBF imaging using continuous arterial spin labeling (CASL) with an amplitude modulated control which is both highly effective at controlling for off resonance effects, and efficient at doubly inverting inflow spins, thus retaining the signal advantages of CASL versus pulsed ASL techniques.

Abstract: In a magnetic resonance angiography method with flow-compensated and flow-sensitive imaging and a magnetic resonance apparatus for implementing such a method, a first MR data set of the examination region is acquired with an imaging sequence in which vessels in the examination region are shown with high signal intensity, a second MR data set of the examination region with an imaging sequence in which the vessels in the examination region are shown with low signal intensity, and the angiographic magnetic resonance image is calculated in a processor by taking the difference of the first and second data set. The first data set is acquired with an imaging sequence with reduced flow sensitivity and the second data set is acquired with an imaging sequence with an increased flow sensitivity compared to the initial imaging sequence.

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 system automatically calculates optimal protocol parameters for dark-blood (DB) preparation and inversion recovery. The system automatically determines pulse sequence timing parameters for MR imaging with blood related signal suppression. The system comprises an acquisition processor for acquiring data indicating a patient heart rate. A pulse timing processor automatically determines an acquisition time of an image data set readout, relative to a blood signal suppression related magnetization preparation pulse sequence, by calculating the acquisition time in response to inputs including, (a) the acquired patient heart rate, (b) data indicating a type of image contrast of the pulse sequence employed and (c) data indicating whether an anatomical signal suppression related magnetization preparation pulse sequence used has a slice selective, or non-slice selective, data acquisition readout.

Abstract: A thermal management system for cooling a heat generating component of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus includes at least one heat pipe having a portion disposed proximate the heat generating component, such as a gradient coil and/or RF coil. When heat is removed from the component, a working fluid in a relatively hotter end of the heat pipe vaporizes and travels toward a relatively colder end of the heat pipe. The colder end may be operatively coupled to a heat sink for removing the heat from the colder end and increase the overall efficiency of the system. The heat pipe may be disposed along a horizontal, a vertical direction and/or along a diagonal of the heat generating component.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using a set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel. The invention includes elements and steps for generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images, conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: In a computer-readable medium, device and method for quantitative assessment of cardiac perfusion, a myocardium is depicted on a series of cardiac images and is divided into image segments. A cardiac perfusion parameter is determined for each of the image segments. At least one image segment with a normal perfusion parameter value is selected. The cardiac perfusion parameters of the remaining image segments are normalized based on the normal perfusion parameter value of said image segment with normal perfusion. The perfusion parameter can be a maximum upslope of a time-intensity profile for distribution of a contrast agent in said myocardium. A normal maximum upslope is derived for at least one image segment with normal perfusion and a relative maximum upslope is calculated for each other segment with relation to the normal maximum upslope.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a first blood flow image acquisition unit and a second blood flow image acquisition unit. The first blood flow image acquisition unit acquires a first blood flow image of a breast of an object without contrast medium. The second blood flow image acquisition unit acquires a second blood flow image without contrast medium with applying a spin labeling pulse by which a region to be tagged is set based on the first blood flow image as a reference image so as to distinguish blood flowing into a desired region.

Abstract: An automated image processing technique is disclosed that evaluates pixels of a phase-difference image to determine those pixels corresponding to inflowing phase data and background phase data. Phase-difference images are generated from a first acquisition and a second acquisition. Non-zero spatially varying background phase from the phase-difference images that are due to eddy currents induced by flow encoding gradients used to generate the phase-difference images is determined. This non-zero spatially varying background phase is removed from the phase-difference images to determine phase associated with flowing spins and phase associated with stationary spins.

Abstract: A blood flow dynamic analysis apparatus for analyzing the dynamic state of a blood flow of a subject using data about a plurality of frame images acquired from the subject with a contrast agent injected therein, includes a map creation device for creating maps each indicative of a characteristic amount related to the dynamic state of the contrast agent or the blood flow, based on the data about the frame images, an unaffected side detection device for detecting an unaffected side of the subject from within each of the maps, and a display condition determination device for determining a display condition used when each of the maps is displayed, based on pixel values of pixels existing in the unaffected side in the map.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing preferential enhancement of an artery of interest relative to adjacent veins and background tissue. The method and apparatus adapts the timing of a maximum or substantially elevated rate of infusion to correlate with the collection of image data corresponding to the center of k-space. The technique and apparatus temporally correlates the timing of a maximum or substantially elevated rate of infusion and the mapping of k-space according to the location of the artery of interest, the size of the artery of interest, the physical condition of the patient, the time delay due to the configuration of the contrast agent delivery system, and/or the type of pulse sequence employed by the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: In a method for flow measurement with a magnetic resonance system and a correspondingly designed magnetic resonance system angiography measurement data of a volume are obtained within a body to be examined, a vessel is determined depending on a user input by means of the angiography measurement data, dimensions and an orientation of the vessel are automatically determined from the angiography measurement data, a slice geometry for the flow measurement is automatically determined depending on the dimensions and the orientation, and the flow measurement is implemented using the slice geometry.

Abstract: A method for contrast-agent-free non-triggered angiographic imaging in magnetic resonance tomography that includes the steps of (S1) 2D or 3D measurement of a bodily region having a flow of blood, using a flow-insensitive SSFP sequence, (S2) measurement of the same bodily region using a flow-sensitive SSFP sequence, (S3) registration of the measurement results obtained in steps S1 and S2 to one another, (S4) unweighted or self-weighted subtraction of the registered measurement result obtained in step S2 from the registered measurement result obtained in step S1, (S5) execution of a 2D or 3D image correction of the image obtained in step S4 by removing image distortions caused by gradient field inhomogeneities and/or magnetic basic field inhomogeneities, and (S6) representation of the angiogram obtained in step S5 in the form of an MIP or segmented 2D or 3D vessel tree representation.

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 is generated from the results of this flow pre-measurement by a Fourier transformation. The optimal flow coding for the flow measurement is then determined based on this spectrum.

Abstract: In time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, a measure quantifying image quality provides a basis for generating a linear filtered composite image by facilitating selection of a mask and an arterial phase image for subtraction. Filtering of individual pixels of a temporal series of images provides enhanced contrast in a single image by allowing the temporal behavior of the pixel intensity to denote representation as an artery, vein or background tissue. Motion artifacts are suppressed by re-registering sequential images, adjusting weighting before averaging and subtraction and filtering the Fourier data to eliminate data corrupted by motion or other phenomena.

Abstract: A blood flow dynamic analysis apparatus for determining a baseline indicative of a signal strength prior to an arrival of a contrast agent to a predetermined region of a subject, based on MR signals collected in time series from the predetermined region of the subject with the contrast agent injected therein, includes a time detection unit for detecting a time of data minimal in signal strength, of a first data sequence in which data of signal strengths of the MR signals are arranged in time series, a data fetch unit for fetching a second data sequence which appears prior to the time detected by the time detection unit, from within the first data sequence, a data detection unit for detecting centrally-located data from within a third data sequence obtained by sorting the second data sequence in the order of magnitudes of the signals strengths, a data extraction unit for extracting data from the third data sequence, based on the centrally-located data, and a baseline determination unit for determining the base

Abstract: The present invention is a technique of, and system for, imaging vascular anatomy over distance considerably greater than the maximum practical field of view of a magnetic resonance imaging system while using substantially one contrast agent injection. The technique and system of the present invention acquires image data of a plurality of image volumes which are representative of different portions of the patient's body. The image data of each image volume includes image data which is representative of the center of k-space. The acquisition of image data which is representative of the center of k-space is correlated with a concentration of contrast agent in the artery(ies) residing in the image volume being substantially greater than the concentration of contrast agent in veins and background tissue adjacent to the artery(ies).

Abstract: A inventive flow-meter uses a measuring method which is based on the passage time of fluid molecules in a single sensor, without using any magnetic field gradient for the measurement of said fluid mean velocity. This method consists of the ultrafast irradiation of hydrogen nuclei from fluid molecules through pulses which are repeated every short time intervals, following a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) type sequence.

Abstract: A method for identifying advantageous and non-advantageous infusion regions in the tissue includes capturing at least one of (i) functional anatomical data and (ii) structural anatomical data. The captured anatomical data is evaluated with computer assistance. Based on the evaluating step, the method includes determining infusion distribution information, such as directional and velocity information.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for creating an MRI image using an orthogonally positioned tagging imaging method for arterial labeling with FAIR. Embodiments of the present methods for creating an MRI image may include positioning a perfusion imaging plane that corresponds to an image target area of an imaging object, and causing an MRI image to be generated that corresponds to a representation of the image target area at the perfusion imaging plane. The perfusion imaging plane may be orthogonal to a direction of inflow from immediately proximal arteries of the image target area.

Abstract: A blood flow dynamic analysis apparatus acquires data from a plurality of regions lying in slices set to a subject with a contrast agent injected therein and analyzes blood flow dynamics of the subject, based on the data.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus are provided for mapping the internal or bulk motion of an object by labeling the phase of a specimen magnetization with a selected spatial function and measuring changes in the phase of the magnetization. The spatial function is selectable to provide magnetization phase modulation corresponding to displacements in a selected direction, such as a radial or azimuthal direction. Methods and apparatus for producing images based on magnetization phase modulation acquire image data based on stimulated echos and stimulated anti-echos. In an embodiment, a series of 180 degree pulses produces alternating stimulated and stimulated anti-echos that are measured and assigned to respective images.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension from phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) images includes providing a time series of one or more magnetic resonance (MR) flow images of a patient's mediastinum during one or more cardiac cycles, segmenting the pulmonary artery within each image of the times series of images, identifying the anterior wall and pulmonary valve within the segmented pulmonary artery, analyzing blood flow during a diastolic phase of the one or more cardiac cycles to determine a relative duration of blood flow, tstreamlines, during the diastolic phase, analyzing blood flow during a latter portion of a systolic phase and a subsequent diastolic phase of the one or more cardiac cycles to detect the presence and duration tvortex of a vortex, and diagnosing the presence of pulmonary hypertension from tstreamlines and tvortex.

Abstract: A velocity-image creating unit creates a velocity image that indicates a distribution of velocity components with respect to each of a plurality of images obtained by repeating a plurality of number of times Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) that is capable of obtaining velocity components of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flowing inside a subject. A velocity-variance image creating unit calculates variance of velocity components along the time sequence by same position on velocity images by using a plurality of created velocity images. A superimposed-image processing unit then superimposes the distribution of the variance of the velocity components according to the velocity-variance image on an average absolute-value image, and an image display unit displays a superimposed image.

Abstract: A medical device includes a sensor for sensing for an MRI gradient magnetic field and a microprocessor for responding to the detected gradient magnetic field by switching from a first electrical signal processing mode to a second electrical signal processing mode, such that electrical signals induced by the gradient magnetic field and an associated RF burst are not counted as cardiac events.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease is provided, the method comprising the steps of obtaining a vessel image showing a vasculature of a vessel, identifying at least two measurements from the vasculature of the vessel, the measurements relating to at least two parameters, calculating a relationship between the at least two parameters from the at least two measurements to generate one or more vasculature data points, and comparing the one or more vasculature data points to data relative to a model vasculature to determine the extent of vascular disease. In an another embodiment, a method for diagnosing vascular disease in a patient's vascular tree is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a model vascular tree from a minimum energy hypothesis calculation, and comparing the patient's vascular tree with the model vascular tree to determine the extent of vascular disease.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a trigger generating unit, a blood flow image generating unit and a control unit. The trigger generating unit acquires blood flow information of an object and generates a trigger based on the blood flow information. The blood flow image generating unit acquires imaging data with using the trigger and generates blood flow image data. The control unit controls so as to repeatedly perform a probe sequence for acquiring the blood flow information and an imaging sequence for acquiring the imaging data alternately.

Abstract: A method for determining the condition of an animate or inanimate object by magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, particularly for determining the pathologic condition of rheumatoid arthritis (“arthritis rheumatoides”) and carrying out a patient follow-up.

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: A apparatus includes a unit which detects a magnetization vector for each of pixel positions in an imaging region including at least part of a subject, the magnetization vector being excited to have a phase difference between a flow portion and a static portion or between a normal portion and an abnormal portion, a decision unit which decides a pixel value of each pixel position as a value proportional to an absolute value of the amplitude of the magnetization vector detected for each of the pixel positions, and a unit which corrects, on the basis of a real part or phase of the magnetization vector detected for each of the pixel positions, the pixel value decided by the decision unit so that the difference of the pixel value increases between the flow portion or the abnormal portion and the static portion or the normal portion.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an RF coil unit which generates RF pulses toward a subject, and which receives an MR signal from the subject. Gradient magnetic field coils generate a gradient magnetic field for slice selection, a gradient magnetic field for phase encoding and a gradient magnetic field for frequency encoding, respectively. An arithmetic unit generates image data on the basis of the MR signal, and a sequence controller controls phase encoding gradient magnetic field coils in order to generate flow pulses for dephasing or rephasing the MR spin of blood flow within the subject, in the same direction as that of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of differentiating tissues in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) comprising applying a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pre-pulse in combination with the Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) pulse sequence to obtain an image of the tissue under evaluation. Analysis maps and/or measurements are generated from the obtained image, from which values representative of the macromolecular content are computed for obtaining tissue differentiation.

Abstract: An MRI apparatus is provided to quantify perfusion (microcirculatory blood flow in the tissue) in a region to be imaged in a subject based an ASL (arterial spin labeling) technique. The apparatus comprises imaging, storing, and flow quantifying units. The imaging unit performs a scan according to the ASL technique on the region so that image data is acquired from the region. The storing unit stores relationship information between a concentration of tracer (water) and a flow of the perfusion. The relationship is obtained on a two-compartment model that uses two compartments placed inside and outside of a flow of blood that diffuses into the tissue of the region and that considers temporal changes in the diffusion of the microcirculatory blood flow into the tissue. The flow quantifying unit quantifies the flow of the perfusion by applying an amount derived from the image data to the relationship information.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a blood flow velocity acquiring unit that acquires a flow velocity of the blood flow of an object, a capturing condition setting unit that, on the basis of the flow velocity of the blood flow acquired by the blood flow velocity acquiring unit, sets at least one of a transmitting phase of a transmitted exciting pulse, a transmitting phase of a refocusing pulse, a shift amount of the relative phase difference between the transmitted exciting phase and the refocusing pulse, and an intensity of a gradient pulse in a readout direction as a capturing condition, and a blood flow image capturing unit that creates a blood flow image of the object by performing an imaging scan on the basis of the capturing condition set by the capturing condition setting unit.

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

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes a positioning image acquisition unit which acquires a positioning image concerning a subject, a unit which sets an region of interest in the positioning image in accordance with specification performed by an operator, a monitoring image acquisition unit which repeatedly acquires a monitoring image concerning the subject at predetermined time intervals, and a generation unit which combines an region-of-interest image representing the region of interest with the monitoring image to generate a display image every time the monitoring image is acquired.

Abstract: A method for imaging a patient. An apparatus for imaging a patient including a magnetic resonance imager having a controller and a memory in communication with the controller. The controller causes the imager to take a two-dimensional image of the patient which is stored in the memory. The controller identifying locations of interest of the k-space representation of the two-dimensional image, and acquiring a three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography image based on the locations of interest of the two-dimensional k-space data set.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a quantitative functional MRI (fMRI)—arterial spin-labeling perfusion MRI or absolute T2 mapping MRI or a combination thereof in the non-invasive neuroimaging of a subject's brain in response to stress-inducing psychological stimuli, which can be utilized to predict individual stress reactivity as well as to be used as a human model for testing or optimizing psychopharmacological agents.

Abstract: A method for determining a cardiovascular parameter in a portion of a body of a patient utilizing temperature sensitive MRI measurements. The method includes obtaining magnetic resonance information from a portion of a body of a patient 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 portion of the body and determining a cardiovascular parameter using the temperature differential.