The present disclosure is directed to a device and a magnetic resonance system for concentrating a magnetic field of radio frequency signals, and methods for concentrating a magnetic field of as radio frequency signal in an object to be imaged.

A method of operating a multi-coil magnetic resonance imaging system, is disclosed which includes establishing initial circuit values of a drive circuit, loading a tissue model associated with a tissue to be imaged, loading target values for a variable of interest (VOI) associated with operation of two or more coils of a magnetic resonance imaging system, performing a simulation based on the established circuit values and the loaded tissue model, determining output values of the VOI based on the simulation, comparing the simulated output values of the VOI to the loaded target values of the VOI, if the simulated output values are outside of a predetermined envelope about the loaded target values of the VOI, then performing a first optimization until the simulated output values are within the predetermined envelope.

In a method and apparatus for supporting preparation of a patient for a medical imaging investigation, in particular a magnetic resonance investigation, patient data of a patient are acquired by operation of an acquisition unit. An item of position information of an object is calculated by a calculation computer, the calculation of the position information of the object taking place on the basis of the patient data and/or on the basis of an item of investigation information and/or on the basis of data from accessory units. The position information of the object is projected by means of a projection unit.

An antenna apparatus for a radio frequency (RF) coil to transmit signals to and to receive signal from a subject in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a distal surface facing away from the subject, a proximal surface facing towards the subject, a high permittivity material (HPM) having a shape, and an antenna coupled to the HPM and positioned on the proximal surface such that the antenna is positioned between the HPM and the subject.

Systems and methods are provided for managing and reducing the severity or impact of a collision involving an apparatus secured to a table associated with a medical imaging and/or therapeutic gantry. Example systems are provided in which an apparatus is secured to the table such that a distal region of the apparatus extends beyond a longitudinal end of the table. A pivot joint associated with the apparatus is provided such that when a collision between the distal region of the apparatus and an object occurs due to motion of the table, the resulting force causes the apparatus to rotate relative to the pivot joint, thus passively accommodating the applied force and preventing, or reducing the likelihood of, mechanical buckling of the apparatus in the presence of the force. In some example embodiments, the apparatus is configured to rotate and/or translate as a result of the force applied during the collision.

A system can include: a superconducting or permanent magnet; a high field portion corresponding to the superconducting or permanent magnet, wherein the high field has a range of 0.1-20 T; a low field portion positioned outside of the superconducting or permanent magnet, wherein the low field has a range of 0.01 nT-100 mT; a shuttling mechanism configured to deliver a sample between the low field portion and the high field portion; and a polarization sub-assembly configured to hyperpolarize the sample while the sample is within the low field portion. A device can be configured to cause nuclear spin hyperpolarization in diamond particles such that the hyperpolarization is transferable to at least one of an external liquid or an external solid. A process of hyperpolarizing substances can include applying optical illumination to the substance, irradiating the substance with a series of microwave signals as one of either a single signal or as a frequency comb to hyperpolarize the nuclei in the substance, and relaying polarization to nuclear spins of one of a surrounding solid or fluid.

Limited physical access to target organs of patients inside an MRI scanner is a major obstruction to real-time MRI-guided interventions. Traditional teleoperation technologies are incompatible with the MRI environment and although several solutions have been explored, a versatile system that provides high-fidelity haptic feedback and access deep inside the bore remains a challenge. A passive and nearly frictionless MRI-compatible hydraulic teleoperator is provided designed for in-bore biopsies. A needle driver translates a needle in insertion and retraction directions via a clutch mechanism. A needle holder grips the needle via a retraction lock when the clutch mechanism of the needle driver releases the needle to hold a position of the needle during reposition of the needle driver.

A brain measurement apparatus configured to generate an MR image and a brain's magnetic field distribution of a subject includes: an MRI module having a transmission coil configured to transmit a transmission pulse toward the subject and a detection coil configured to detect a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated in the subject by the transmission pulse; an optically pumped magnetometer configured to detect a brain's magnetic field of the subject; a generator configured to generate the MR image based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signal detected by the detection coil and generating the brain's magnetic field distribution based on the brain's magnetic field detected by the optically pumped magnetometer; a marker displayed on the MR image generated by the generator; and a helmet-type frame to which the detection coil, the optically pumped magnetometer, and the marker are attached and which is attached to a head of the subject.

An alarm device for an MRI system may include a body, an operating member, a generator, a power manager and a signal emitter. The operating member may be movably connected to the body. The generator may be connected to the operating member and can convert kinetic energy of motion of the operating member to electrical energy. The power manager may be connected to the generator and can convert electrical energy generated by the generator to an output current. The signal emitter may be connected to the power manager and can use energy obtained from the output current to send a trigger signal wirelessly. Advantageously, the alarm device does not need an external power supply and has a high level of reliability.

Systems and methods for aiding users in viewing, assessing and analyzing images, especially images of lumens and medical devices contained within the lumens. Systems and methods for interacting with images of lumens and medical devices, for example through a graphical user interface.