Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090253983 | IMAGE BASED MEASUREMENT OF CONTRAST AGENTS - Provided is a method, including accessing or acquiring a phase image including a contrast agent enhanced region and determining a quantity of a contrast agent based on the phase image. Further provided is a computer program for determining the quantity of a substance in a region. The program is constructed and arranged to access or acquire a contrast enhanced image, to execute a fitting algorithm based on data contained in the contrast enhanced image, and to determine the quantity of the substance based on the output/result/outcome of the fitting algorithm. | 10-08-2009 |
20100130849 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PATIENT MOTION COMPENSATION DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE SCANS - A method for motion compensation includes acquiring an initial volumetric localizer to establish an initial object position and initial object orientation at an initial state, acquiring a fast localizer of the object at a present state, aligning the fast localizer to the initial volumetric localizers to determine object motion between the initial state and the present state, and modifying an imaging protocol using the object position and orientation at the present state. | 05-27-2010 |
20100145420 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A LOCALIZED HEATING - A method and apparatus for generating a localized heating are provided, the method comprising: transmitting a spatially localized or shaped electromagnetic field via a plurality of coils to a subject and generating magnetic resonance signals; performing magnetic resonance imaging based on the magnetic resonance signals to generate an image of a region of interest of the subject; and controlling the plurality of the same imaging coils to radiate radio frequency (rf) energy to generate the localized heating on a region of interest. The invention provide a more efficient manner for generating localized heating and means for verifying the heating pattern without the need to measure temperature rises in the patient. This is useful to check the localization prior to the application of hyperthermia. | 06-10-2010 |
20110152666 | TARGETED THERMAL TREATMENT OF HUMAN TISSUE THROUGH RESPIRATORY CYCLES USING ARMA MODELING - The present application discloses a technique for targeting therapeutic thermal energy to human tissue that is subject to displacement during a respiratory cycle using ARMA modeling. It discloses using an ARMA treatment of MRI tracking data of salient features of the tissue of interest to predict the spacial position of the portion of the tissue to be treated and using this prediction to guide the application of the thermal energy. It also discloses that this technique is particularly useful when the tissue of interest undergoes elastic deformation in a respiratory cycle and high energy focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used to ablate diseased tissue such as a cancerous tumor. | 06-23-2011 |
20110210734 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MR IMAGE SCAN AND ANALYSIS - A system and method for MR image scan and analysis include an MRI apparatus that includes a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and a computer programmed to automatically prescribe a first scanning protocol based on the selected examination, acquire a first set of MR data of an imaging object via application of the first scanning protocol, and reconstruct a first image from the first set of MR data. The computer is also programmed to automatically prescribe a second scanning protocol based on the first image, acquire a second set of MR data of the imaging object via application of the second scanning protocol, reconstruct a second image from the second set of MR data, and quantify a first parameter of the imaging object based on the second image. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211744 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MR IMAGE SCAN AND ANALYSIS - A system and method for an MRI apparatus includes an MRI system having a computer programmed to initiate a first scan procedure to acquire MR data and locate a feature of interest of the object, initiate a second scan procedure when a feature of interest of the object is located, and determine if an anomaly of the feature of interest exists. The computer is programmed to initiate a third scan procedure to scan the anomaly and reconstruct an image of the located anomaly if the anomaly exists. The first scan procedure includes a scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands. The second scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the feature of interest. The third scan procedure includes scan table motion and scan data acquisition commands to acquire MR data from the located anomaly. | 09-01-2011 |
20110228998 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC COMPUTATION OF MR IMAGING SCAN PARAMETERS - A system and method for automatic computation of MR imaging scan parameters include a computer programmed to acquire a first set of MR data from an imaging subject, the first set of MR data comprising a plurality of slices acquired at a first field-of-view. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct the plurality of slices into a plurality of localizer images and identify a 3D object based on the plurality of localizer images. The computer is further programmed to prescribe a scan, execute the prescribed scan to acquire a second set of MR data, and reconstruct the second set of MR data into an image. The prescribed scan includes one of a reduced field-of-view based on a boundary of the 3D object and a shim region based on the boundary of the 3D object. | 09-22-2011 |
20110268332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) TEMPERATURE MONITORING - 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. | 11-03-2011 |
20120146643 | RADIO FREQUENCY COIL AND APPARATUS - A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a first end ring, a second end ring, and a plurality of rungs electrically coupled between the first and second end rings, each rung including a first rung portion formed from a plurality of conductors and a second rung portion formed from a single solid conductor. A resonance assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and an MRI imaging system are also described herein. | 06-14-2012 |
20120161767 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDUCTIVELY COMMUNICATING DATA - A system for inductively communicating signals in a magnetic resonance imaging system is presented. The system in one embodiment includes a first array of primary coils disposed on a patient cradle of the imaging system, and configured to acquire data from a patient positioned on the patient cradle. Additionally, the system includes a second array of secondary coils disposed under the patient cradle, wherein a number of secondary coils is less than or equal to the number of primary coils, wherein the first array of primary coils is configured to inductively communicate the acquired data to the second array of secondary coils. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161768 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING DATA - A system for communicating data in a magnetic resonance imaging system in one embodiment includes a first array of receiver coils disposed on a first flexible substrate having at least one edge, wherein the flexible substrate is configured to be disposed upon or under a section of a patient under exam, wherein the first array of receiver coils is configured to acquire imaging data from the patient positioned on a patient support in the imaging system. Additionally, the system includes at least one blanket connector disposed along the at least one edge of the first flexible substrate, wherein the at least one blanket connector is electrically coupled to the first array of receiver coils in the first flexible substrate. Moreover, the system includes at least one system connector disposed proximate the patient support and configured to communicate with the imaging system, wherein the at least one blanket connector is configured to be detachably coupled to the at least one system connector, and wherein the first array of receiver coils is configured to communicate the acquired imaging data to the imaging system. In one embodiment the electrical connector is further configured to physically secure the first array of receiver coils in place and prevent the first array of receiver coils from moving. | 06-28-2012 |
20120271571 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A system and method for determining electrical properties using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes determining a magnitude of an MRI B | 10-25-2012 |
20120306494 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A system including a plurality of coil elements is provided. Each coil element is arranged with a first switch and a second switch. In a first mode, the first switch and the second switch are turned off to split each coil element into a first coil portion and a second coil portion, to transmit first radio frequency signals. In a second mode, the first switch and second switch are turned on to transform each coil element into a loop coil to simultaneously transmit or receive multiple second radio frequency signals. | 12-06-2012 |
20130006091 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A COMBINED MRI-PET IMAGER - A combined magnetic resonance imager (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imager and a method of performing combined MRI-PET imaging of an object is disclosed herein. The combined MRI-PET imager includes an MRI bore configured to perform MR imaging of the object. The MRI bore is sized so as to provide clearance between the MRI bore and the object within the MRI bore. The dedicated MRI-PET imager further includes a PET detector system is disposed outside the MRI bore to detect PET emissions from the object. The PET detector system includes at least one detector element retractably arranged exterior to the MRI bore. During the PET acquisition, the PET detector elements contract to a size so as to provide optimal clearance between the PET detectors and the object. During MRI acquisition, the PET detectors retract to allow the object to traverse into the MRI field of view | 01-03-2013 |
20130090946 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGING WORKFLOW - An imaging workflow system includes a workstation for acquiring patient information and requesting a patient scan. The request for a patient scan includes scan information for performing the scan. A registration module receives the scan information and the patient information. The registration module automatically schedules the patient scan based on the scan information and the patient information. The registration module determines an imaging protocol based on the patient information and the scan information. An imaging module within an imaging system receives the imaging protocol. The imaging module automatically sets scan parameters based on the imaging protocol. The imaging system scans the patient based on the scan parameters to acquire image data. A user interface controls the patient scan. The user interface includes a display to display images generated from the acquired image data. | 04-11-2013 |
20130131492 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED TRACKING OF VESSEL MOVEMENT USING MR IMAGING - A system and method is disclosed for tracking a moving object using magnetic resonance imaging. The technique includes acquiring a scout image scan having a number of image frames and extracting non-linear motion parameters from the number of image frames of the scout image scan. The technique includes prospectively shifting slice location using the non-linear motion parameters between slice locations while acquiring a series of MR images. The system and method are particularly useful in tracking coronary artery movement during the cardiac cycle to acquire the non-linear components of coronary artery movement during a diastolic portion of the R-R interval. | 05-23-2013 |
20130136329 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY SETTING A LANDMARK FOR BRAIN SCANS - A method, system and apparatus for automatically setting a landmark for brain scans are described. In one embodiment, a method for medical image processing is described. The method comprises obtaining, by an imaging device, at least one image of a head of a subject. In addition, the method also comprises identifying, by a computer-based system, a reference feature in the at least one image associated with the head. The method also comprises automatically setting, by the computer-based system, a landmark based, at least in part, upon the reference feature. | 05-30-2013 |
20130147475 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A multi-channel coil assembly capable of being configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode is provided. The multi-channel coil assembly includes a plurality of coil elements and a plurality of mode switches. Each of the plurality of mode switches is switchably coupled to at least two of the coil elements. In the first mode, at least one of the mode switches is uncoupled to the coil elements forming a hyperthermia array. The hyperthermia array is configured to transmit first radio frequency signals in response to multiple first input signals supplied thereto. In the second mode, at least one of the mode switches is coupled to the coil elements forming a magnetic resonance (MR) array. The MR array is configured to transmit or receive second radio frequency signals in response to multiple second input signals supplied thereto. | 06-13-2013 |
20130281829 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY - Systems and methods for Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRI) are provided. One method includes obtaining Magnetic Resonance (MR) velocity data and determining a distance map for one or more vessels to define a distance path. The method also includes calculating, using the MR velocity data, at a plurality of time intervals and for a plurality of pixels (i) a distance traveled during a current time interval as a current distance traveled, wherein a total distance traveled is incremented by the current distance traveled and (ii) a bolus signal using a bolus signal profile, the distance path and total distance traveled, wherein a current time interval is incremented by a defined time step. | 10-24-2013 |
20130320981 | ADAPTABLE SHEET OF COILS - An imaging system is presented. The imaging system includes a cradle, and a first sheet of coils disposed inside of the cradle such that a first end of the first sheet of coils protrudes out of the cradle and a second end of the first sheet of coils is coupled to a structure, wherein a requisite expanse of the first sheet of coils is flexibly pulled out from the cradle by pulling the first end. | 12-05-2013 |
20130320982 | ADAPTABLE SHEET OF COILS - An imaging system is presented. The imaging system includes a storage structure that stores a first sheet of coils inside a cradle, wherein the storage structure includes a plurality of first set of rotatable bodies and a plurality of second set of rotatable bodies, and a plurality of springs that are coupled to one or more of the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies, wherein the first sheet of coils is disposed around the plurality of first set of rotatable bodies, the plurality of second set of rotatable bodies and the plurality of springs, and wherein a first end of the first sheet of coils protrudes out of the cradle. | 12-05-2013 |
20140005520 | Concurrent Acquisition of PET Fields During Acquisition of a MRI Field of View | 01-02-2014 |
20140039299 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TRACKING AN INTERVENTIONAL DEVICE - Embodiments of a method, a tracking system, an MRI system, and a non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for simultaneous imaging and tracking are presented. A designated signal and one or more characteristics corresponding to a plurality of imaging gradient waveforms are received. Further, a tracking pulse sequence is synchronized with an imaging pulse sequence at a determined point based on the designated signal. The tracking pulse sequence is then applied simultaneously with the imaging pulse sequence for acquiring corresponding response signals from an interventional device that includes at least one tracking coil and a tracking source configured to generate response signals at a tracking resonant frequency different from an imaging resonant frequency. A location of the tracking coil within or outside body of a subject is determined based on the response signals received from the tracking source and the characteristics corresponding to the imaging gradient waveforms. | 02-06-2014 |
20140079304 | Method and System for Correction of Lung Density Variation in Positron Emission Tomography Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to correcting lung density variations in positron emission tomography (PET) images of a subject using a magnetic resonance (MR) image. A pulmonary vasculature and an outer extent of a lung cavity can be identified in a MR image corresponding to a thoracic region of the subject in response to an intensity associated with pixels in the MR image. The pixels within the outer extent of the lung cavity are classified as corresponding to the pulmonary vasculature or the lung tissue. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can apply attenuation coefficients to a reconstruction of the PET image based on the classification of the pixels within the outer extent of the lung cavity. | 03-20-2014 |
20140148684 | PET Acquisition Scheduling Based on MR SCOUT Images - Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to scheduling positron emission tomography (PET) scans for a combined PET-MRI scanner based on an acquisition of MR scout images of a subject. An anatomy and orientation of the subject can be determined based on the MR scout images and the schedule for acquiring PET scans of the subject can be determined from the anatomy of the subject. The schedule generated using exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can specify a sequence of bed positions, scan durations at each bed position, and whether respiratory gating will be used at one or more of the bed positions. | 05-29-2014 |
20140275962 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND ULTRASOUND FOR TRACKING ANATOMICAL TARGETS FOR RADIATION THERAPY GUIDANCE - Methods and systems using magnetic resonance and ultrasound for tracking anatomical targets for radiation therapy guidance are provided. One system includes a patient transport configured to move a patient between and into a magnetic resonance (MR) system and a radiation therapy (RT) system and an ultrasound transducer coupled to the patient transport, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to acquire four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound images concurrently with one of an MR acquisition or an RT radiation therapy session. The system also includes a controller having a processor configured to use the 4D ultrasound images and MR images from the MR system to control at least one of a photon beam spatial distribution or intensity modulation generated by the RT system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140302258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING GRADIENT COIL ASSEMBLIES - The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to magnetic resonance imaging systems and, more specifically, to the manufacturing of a gradient coil assembly for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. For example, in one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a gradient coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes depositing a first layer comprising a base material onto a surface to form a substrate and depositing a second layer onto the first layer. The second layer may enable bonding between a conductor material and the substrate. The method also includes depositing a third layer onto the second layer using a consolidation process. The consolidation process uses the conductor material to form at least a portion of a gradient coil. | 10-09-2014 |