Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods to effect MRI data acquisition with reduced noise in fast spin echo (FSE) and spin echo (SE) implementations are described. The improved MRI data acquisition is performed by acquiring k-space data while maintaining a constant or near constant slice select gradient amplitude throughout a sequence kernel. The acquired k-space data can then be used to generate an MR image.

A method of manufacturing electromagnet coils for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The method comprises forming a coil representation of a coil surface for the electromagnet coils; setting a plurality of performance metric requirements for a plurality of performance metrics for the electromagnet coils, the plurality of performance metrics including a magnetic field-shape metric and an eddy-field metric; forming a performance functional, based on the coil representation and the plurality of performance metrics, for generating a current density pattern over the coil surface; optimizing the performance functional based on the plurality of performance metric requirements; generating a current density pattern over the coil surface based on the minimized performance functional; and obtaining coil windings from the current density pattern.

In some aspects, a magnetic system for use in a low-field MRI system. The magnetic system comprises at least one electromagnet configured to, when operated, generate a magnetic field to contribute to a B.sub.0 field for the low-field MRI system, and at least one permanent magnet to produce a magnetic field to contribute to the B.sub.0 field.

Starting with a magnetic resonance imaging system control sequence that has a radio-frequency (RF) pulse train to control the RF transmission system and a gradient pulse train, chronologically matching the RF pulse train, to control the gradient system, the gradient pulse train including a predetermined selection gradient pulse chronologically matched to a refocusing pulse of the RF pulse train, the execution capability of the control sequence is initially established using an execution capability criterion, in particular under consideration of a refocusing flip angle of the refocusing pulse. Modification of the refocusing pulse and/or of the selection gradient pulse takes place depending on the establishment of the execution capability of the control sequence.

Methods and systems for production of silent, multi-gradient-echo, magnetic resonance images are provided. The methods employ iterative application of small updates to the magnetic field gradient followed by a short, non-selective radiofrequency pulse excitation and for free induction decay data acquisition. The magnetic field gradient updates allow for silent, self-refocusing pulse sequence. Subsequent applications of the magnetic field gradients allow for multiple echo data acquisitions, which may allow fast, silent production of T2*-weighted images.

An MRI scanner and a method for operation of the MRI scanner are provided. The MRI scanner has a first receiving antenna for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a patient in a patient tunnel, a second receiving antenna for receiving a signal having the Larmor frequency of the magnetic resonance signal, and a receiver. The second receiving antenna is located outside of the patient tunnel or near an opening thereof. The receiver has a signal connection to the first receiving antenna and the second receiving antenna and is configured to suppress an interference signal by the second receiving antenna in the magnetic resonance signal received by the first receiving antenna.

Systems and methods for reducing acoustic noise in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes applying a labeling phase of an arterial spin labeling (ASL) pulse sequence to a region of interest, applying a three-dimensional (3D) radial pulse sequence to the region of interest to generate a tag image, applying a control phase of the ASL pulse sequence to the region of interest, and applying the 3D radial pulse sequence to the region of interest to generate a control image.

In a method to optimize a magnetic resonance sequence of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the magnetic resonance sequence includes first imaging parameters that, during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the first imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a first acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a first signal-to-image noise ratio. An automatic optimization of the imaging parameters is implemented such that during acquisition of magnetic resonance images by the magnetic resonance sequence, the optimized imaging parameters produce acoustic noise with a second acoustic noise volume level and magnetic resonance images with image noise at a second signal-to-image noise ratio. The second acoustic noise volume is reduced by at least 3 dB relative to the first acoustic noise volume and the second signal-to-image noise ratio is reduced by a maximum of 35 percent relative to the first signal-to-image noise ratio.

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.

An asymmetric electromagnet system, method, and method of producing an asymmetric electromagnet system, wherein the asymmetric electromagnet system is for generating an imaging magnetic field in an imaging region with an imaging isocentre, the imaging region being asymmetrically positioned within a gradient coil bore inside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system during imaging, the electromagnet assembly comprising: an asymmetric gradient coil configured to generate a gradient field in the asymmetrically positioned imaging region, at least one gradient axis having the gradient field with a constant offset component such that the position at which the gradient field passes through zero is offset with respect to the imaging isocentre of the asymmetrically positioned imaging region.