A transrectal probe manipulator system includes a probe comprising a biopsy needle and a manipulator. The manipulator includes a base including first and second base support shafts on a base body, a main frame, and a mounting plate. A lower end of the main frame is rotatably connected to the base through a first shaft to define a first degree of freedom. The mounting plate includes first and second mounting plate support shafts and a probe receiver, and is rotatably connected to the main frame through a second shaft to define a second degree of freedom. The probe receiver is rotatable about a central axis to define a third degree of freedom, and linearly moveable along the central axis to define a fourth degree of freedom. The probe is secured to the probe receiver. The manipulator is driven by cables which are attached to the shafts in an actuation assembly.

Disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method for imaging breast tissue of a subject, wherein a subject is positioned on a structure so that at least a portion of the subject's body is supported by the structure, magnetic resonance imaging is performed on the portion of the subject's body using an MRI system including a plurality of MRI coils positioned in proximity to the structure, wherein, while the portion of the subject's body is positioned upon the structure, breast tissue of the subject's body is compressed in the proximity of plurality of MRI coils.

A method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquiring a communication signal of a person situated within a magnetic resonance examination room. The method includes acquiring an item of position information of the person using an acquirer, adjusting at least one microphone of a microphone array on the basis of the acquired position information, and acquiring communication signals of the person using the microphone array.

A control device of an imaging system has a computer with communication interfaces for central control of the imaging system, and components each having a communication interface for local control of units of the imaging system. The communication interfaces of the components are respectively connected via a connection with an interface of the computer, and a transmitting component, among the components transfers data via the computer to a receiving component, among the components, for the exchange of information between the components.

A control device of an imaging system has a computer with communication interfaces for central control of the imaging system, and components each having a communication interface for local control of units of the imaging system. The communication interfaces of the components are respectively connected via a connection with an interface of the computer, and a transmitting component, among the components transfers data via the computer to a receiving component, among the components, for the exchange of information between the components.

A system for automatically identifying a needle insertion location from a medical diagnostic image, such as an MRI image, and providing a visual indication of the needle insertion location is disclosed. A grid plate is located proximate to an anatomical region and is preferably incorporated in an MRI support structure utilized to immobilize the anatomical region. An MRI scanner obtains an MRI image of the anatomical region, and an MRI technician places a marker on the MRI image, identifying the needle insertion location. The MRI image and the marker are transferred from the MRI scanner to another device, such as a tablet computer, which is configured to convert the MRI image and the marker to coordinates and an insertion depth. A visual indicator is located proximate to or integrated with the grid plate that provides the needle insertion coordinates and insertion depth to the MRI technician.

A system for automatically identifying a needle insertion location from a medical diagnostic image, such as an MRI image, and providing a visual indication of the needle insertion location is disclosed. A grid plate is located proximate to an anatomical region and is preferably incorporated in an MRI support structure utilized to immobilize the anatomical region. An MRI scanner obtains an MRI image of the anatomical region, and an MRI technician places a marker on the MRI image, identifying the needle insertion location. The MRI image and the marker are transferred from the MRI scanner to another device, such as a tablet computer, which is configured to convert the MRI image and the marker to coordinates and an insertion depth. A visual indicator is located proximate to or integrated with the grid plate that provides the needle insertion coordinates and insertion depth to the MRI technician.

In one aspect, the present invention is a method for detecting spinal abnormalities using magnet resonance imaging. The method comprises positioning a patient in an upright posture in an imaging volume of a magnet resonance imaging magnet with the spine of the patient adjacent to an antenna and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a first portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in a first position. The method may further comprise adjusting the patient position along a substantially vertical direction to a second position and capturing magnetic resonance imaging signals from a second portion of the patient's spine using the antenna with the patient positioned in the second position.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for infants and children and imaging method thereof are disclosed. The system includes: a base; a housing, with a bottom fixed to the base; a monitoring shield, pivotably connected to the top of the housing; a pair of open magnets, which are spaced apart from each other and fixed to the base by a magnet holder such that an imaging area is defined between them; an operating table, fixed in the imaging area; an incubator, movably connected to the operating table and configured to house an infant or child and to adjust the position of the infant or child in the imaging area. The monitoring shield has a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration of the monitoring shield, the magnet holder, the open magnet, the operating table and the incubator are all situated within a space delimited by the base, the housing and the monitoring shield. With this optimized structure, the system allows a radiologist to more accurately and intuitively adjust and understand the position and angle at which the infant or child is imaged. In addition, with the incubator, the system can provide the infant or child with a safer and more comfortable environment. Therefore, it entails a systematic MRI solution for newborns, infants and children.

A method is provided for calibration of a magnetic resonance device with a transmitting device for generating an excitation field. In a first acquisition phase, a first transmitting coil element is detuned, at least one second transmitting coil element is tuned, and an MR data set is acquired using the transmitting device. In a second acquisition phase, the first transmitting coil element, the at least one second transmitting coil element are tuned, and at least one further MR data set is acquired using the transmitting device. By an arithmetic unit, a calibration factor is determined based on the MR data set and the at least one further MR data set for calculating a total voltage value at a feeding point of the first transmitting coil element from voltage values, which may be measured at a measuring point of an electrical supply line of the first transmitting coil element.