Patent classifications
G01R33/56518
Systems and methods for dynamically extending magnetic resonance imaging of a subject
Systems and methods are provided herein for determining whether to extend scanning performed by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for imaging a subject using an MRI system, comprising: obtaining data for generating at least one magnetic resonance image of the subject by operating the MRI system in accordance with a first pulse sequence; prior to completing the obtaining the data in accordance with the first pulse sequence, determining to collect additional data to augment and/or replace at least some of the obtained data; determining a second pulse sequence to use for obtaining the additional data; and after completing the obtaining the data in accordance with the first pulse sequence, obtaining the additional data by operating the MRI system in accordance with the second pulse sequence.
DEEP LEARNING-BASED EDDY CURRENT CORRECTION
Systems and methods for providing improved eddy current correction (ECC) in medical imaging environments. One or more of the embodiments disclosed herein provide a deep learning-based convolutional neural network (CNN) model trained to automatically generate an ECC mask which may be composited with two-dimensional (2D) scan slices or four-dimensional (4D) scan slices and made viewable through, for example, a web application, and made manipulable through a user interface thereof.
Ferromagnetic frame for magnetic resonance imaging
An apparatus for providing a B.sub.0 magnetic field for a magnetic resonance imaging system. The apparatus includes at least one permanent B.sub.0 magnet to contribute a magnetic field to the B.sub.0 magnetic field for the MRI system and a ferromagnetic frame configured to capture and direct at least some of the magnetic field generated by the B.sub.0 magnet. The ferromagnetic frame includes a first plate configured to support the at least one permanent B.sub.0 magnet and a first post attached to the first plate using a first connection assembly, wherein the first connection assembly includes a first connector that connects the first post and the first plate and a second connector attached to the first connector.
Method for generating at least one image data set and one reference image data set, data carrier, computer program product and magnetic resonance system
In a method for generating an image data set and a reference image data set: a first raw data set is provided that is acquired with a MR system and that includes measurement signals at read-out points in k-space that lie on a first k-space trajectory; a second raw data set is provided that is acquired with the same MR system and at the same examination object at read-out points that lie on a second, different k-space trajectory that is different from the first k-space trajectory; image data sets are reconstructed from the first raw data set; a reference image data set is reconstructed from the second raw data set; the reference image data set is compared with each image dataset to generate respective similarity values; and an image data set is selected having a greatest similarity value.
SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF ASYMMETRICAL GRADIENT COILS BY ALLOWING A UNIFORM OFFSET FIELD
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.
Method for compensating eddy currents when creating measurement data by means of magnetic resonance
Techniques are disclosed for creating measurement data of an examination object by means of magnetic resonance technology in a plurality of repetitions according to a pulse sequence pattern, existing information about gradients that have already been switched is considered to determine compensation gradients that are possibly to be switched in a following repetition for compensating eddy current effects. Such dynamic determination and switching of compensation gradients make it possible to dynamically compensate eddy currents. Consequently, the image quality of image data reconstructed from measurement data acquired using inventive compensation gradients is increased.
EFFICIENT GRADIENT WAVEFORM MEASUREMENTS WITH VARIABLE PREPHASING
Accurate measurement of gradient waveform errors can often improve image quality in sequences with time varying readout and excitation waveforms. Self-encoding or offset-slice method sequences are commonly used to measure gradient waveforms. However, the self-encoding method requires a long scan time, while the offset-slice method is often low precision, requiring the thickness of the excited slice to be small compared to the maximal k-space encoded by the test waveform. This disclosure describes a novel hybrid of those methods, referred to as variable-prephasing (VP). Like the offset-slice method, VP uses the change in signal phase from offset-slices to calculate the gradient waveform. Similar to the self-encoding method, repeated acquisitions with a variable amplitude self-encoding gradient mitigates the signal loss due to phase wrapping, which, in-turn, allows thicker slices and greater SNR.
Minimization of signal losses in multi-echo imaging
Techniques are disclosed for acquiring MR signals of an object under examination in an MR system using a multi echo imaging sequence. The method comprises the steps of applying an RF excitation pulse to the object to generate a transverse magnetization, applying at least two RF refocusing pulses for refocusing the transverse magnetization to generate at least two MR spin echoes for the RF excitation pulse, applying a first magnetic field gradient in a read out direction between the RF excitation pulse and the first of the at least two RF refocusing pulses, applying a second magnetic field gradient in the read out direction after each of the at least two RF refocusing pulses such that the zeroth and first gradient moment is substantially zero for the second magnetic field gradient, and acquiring the at least two MR spin echoes during the at least two second magnetic field gradients.
Low field magnetic resonance imaging methods and apparatus
According to some aspects, a laminate panel is provided. The laminate panel comprises at least one laminate layer including at least one non-conductive layer and at least one conductive layer patterned to form at least a portion of a B.sub.0 coil configured to contribute to a B.sub.0 field suitable for use in low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Noise suppression methods and apparatus
According to some aspects, a method of suppressing noise in an environment of a magnetic resonance imaging system is provided. The method comprising estimating a transfer function based on multiple calibration measurements obtained from the environment by at least one primary coil and at least one auxiliary sensor, respectively, estimating noise present in a magnetic resonance signal received by the at least one primary coil based at least in part on the transfer function, and suppressing noise in the magnetic resonance signal using the noise estimate.