In a computer and a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for automatic characterization (classification) of liver tissue in a region of interest of a liver, at least one value tuple of the region of interest of the liver is acquired, the value tuple including at least one T.sub.1 value determined from magnetic resonance images of the region of interest, or a reciprocal value thereof, and a T.sub.2 or T.sub.2* value or a reciprocal value thereof. The value tuple is transferred into a multidimensional parameter space and the characterization of the liver tissue is then performed on the basis of the position of the value tuple in the parameter space.

In a computer and a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for automatic characterization (classification) of liver tissue in a region of interest of a liver, at least one value tuple of the region of interest of the liver is acquired, the value tuple including at least one T.sub.1 value determined from magnetic resonance images of the region of interest, or a reciprocal value thereof, and a T.sub.2 or T.sub.2* value or a reciprocal value thereof. The value tuple is transferred into a multidimensional parameter space and the characterization of the liver tissue is then performed on the basis of the position of the value tuple in the parameter space.

A magnetic resonance (MR) local coil, a magnetic resonance apparatus with an MR local coil, and a method for producing an MR local coil are provided. The MR local coil includes an outer casing, an antenna structure, and a frame for accommodating the antenna structure. The outer casing is embodied in a flexible manner and surrounds an inner area. The frame is embodied in a rigid manner, at least in regions, and is connected to the outer casing in a fixed manner. The antenna structure is arranged in the inner area of the outer casing and is held in position by the frame.

A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a field generation unit and a supporting structure for providing structural support for the field generation unit, wherein the field generation unit comprises at least one magnet for generating a B0 magnetic field and an opening configured to provide access to an imaging volume positioned in the B0 magnetic field along at least one direction and wherein the at least one direction is angled with respect to a main direction of magnetic field lines of the B0 magnetic field in the imaging volume.

A magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a field generation unit and a supporting structure for providing structural support for the field generation unit, wherein the field generation unit comprises at least one magnet for generating a B0 magnetic field and an opening configured to provide access to an imaging volume positioned in the B0 magnetic field along at least one direction and wherein the at least one direction is angled with respect to a main direction of magnetic field lines of the B0 magnetic field in the imaging volume.

A method for performing magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes providing a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a radio frequency receive system comprising a radio frequency receive coil, and a housing, wherein the housing comprises a permanent magnet for providing an inhomogeneous permanent gradient field, a radio frequency transmit system, and a single-sided gradient coil set. The method also includes placing the receive coil proximate a target subject; applying a sequence of chirped pulses via the transmit system; applying a multi-slice excitation along the inhomogeneous permanent gradient field; applying a plurality of gradient pulses via the gradient coil set orthogonal to the inhomogeneous permanent gradient field; acquiring a signal of the target subject via the receive system, wherein the signal comprises at least two chirped pulses; and forming a magnetic resonance image of the target subject.

The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) receive coil device (110) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (100), comprising a RF receive coil (114), a plug (112) for connecting the RF receive coil (114) to the MR imaging system (100), sensing means (118) for sensing the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system (100), detecting means (119) for detecting if the plug (112) is connected to the MR imaging system (100), and a warning means (120, 122) for generating a warning when the sensing means (118) sense the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system (100) and the detecting means (119) detect that the plug (112) is not connected to the MR imaging system (100).

The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) receive coil device (110) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (100), comprising a RF receive coil (114), a plug (112) for connecting the RF receive coil (114) to the MR imaging system (100), sensing means (118) for sensing the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system (100), detecting means (119) for detecting if the plug (112) is connected to the MR imaging system (100), and a warning means (120, 122) for generating a warning when the sensing means (118) sense the presence of a magnetic field of the MR imaging system (100) and the detecting means (119) detect that the plug (112) is not connected to the MR imaging system (100).

The present disclosure provides medical devices having MRI-compatible circuitry. Preferably, the devices do not project an enlarged profile, yet their position can be determined during an iMRI procedure. Illustrative embodiments of such a device can include a base surface, a first conducting layer disposed on the base surface, a first insulating layer disposed over at least a portion of the first conducting layer, and a second conducting layer disposed over at least a portion of the first insulating layer.

A body coil for magnetic resonance imaging includes one or more coil elements incorporated in a shell material. The body coil has a rectangular basic shape. Two opposing edge sections of the body coil may be pivoted along one pivot axis, respectively, relative to a middle section. For this purpose, movement elements that effect pivoting are arranged on an edge section side.