An object of the invention is to perform MRI imaging which is less likely to be affected by a body motion without prolonging an imaging time. The control unit takes in images captured by the camera at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging pulse sequence is divided into small sequences at a time width corresponding to the frame rate of the camera. The control unit, before causing the imaging unit to execute one small sequence, detects a displacement of the subject with respect to a predetermined reference position or a motion speed of the subject based on an image of the latest frame, and causes the imaging unit to execute the small sequence when a detection result is within a predetermined allowable range and waits until an image of a next frame is taken in according to the frame rate without causing the imaging unit to execute the small sequence when the detection result exceeds the allowable range.

Described here are systems and methods for a robust magnetic resonance elastography (“MRE”) imaging platform for rapid dynamic 3D MRE imaging. The imaging platform includes an MRE pulse sequence and advanced image reconstruction framework that work synergistically in order to greatly expand the domains where MRE can be deployed successfully.

A static magnetic field generator generates a non-magnetic field region. An AC magnetic field application instrument applies an AC magnetic field to the non-magnetic field region. A detection coil has an axis parallel to a direction of the AC magnetic field in order to detect a magnetization signal. A measuring instrument is connected to the detection coil. A resonance frequency variable device includes a capacitor connected in parallel to the detection coil in order to adjust a resonance frequency of the detection coil and the measuring instrument. A capacity of the capacitor is adjusted such that a resonance frequency of a closed circuit including the detection coil, the measuring instrument, and the resonance frequency variable device including the capacitor coincides with a frequency of a harmonic signal.

Magnetic resonance examination system comprises displaceable carrier for supporting an object to be examined. The carrier can be moved over a two dimensional area. The magnetic resonance examination system is configured to acquire sets of magnetic resonance signals from the object for various positions of the carrier in the two dimensional area.

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.

Example access devices, treatment devices, and kits useful in performing treatment under magnetic resonance imaging and related methods are described. An example access device includes an elongate tubular member formed of an MRI compatible material and moveable between a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The elongate tubular member has a central lengthwise axis, a proximal end, a distal end, an axial length, and a main body that defines a circumferential wall, a lumen, a proximal opening, a distal opening, and a main body opening. The main body opening is arranged in a spiral relative to the lengthwise axis and extends circumferentially along the circumferential wall. The main body opening extends along the entire axial length of the elongate tubular member from the proximal end to the distal end.

A method includes capturing a first set of optical images of the subject while a subject is lying on a table of a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner. This first set of optical images is acquired without any MR phased-array coils placed on the subject. While the subject continues to lie on the table of the MR scanner, a second set of optical images of the subject is acquired with the MR phased-array coils placed on the subject. Aside from the optical images, a set of MR images of the subject is acquired using the MR scanner. The first and second set of optical images are registered to the MR images. Following registration, the first and second set of optical images are used to determine element positioning of the MR phased-array coils in the set of MR images.

A method includes capturing a first set of optical images of the subject while a subject is lying on a table of a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner. This first set of optical images is acquired without any MR phased-array coils placed on the subject. While the subject continues to lie on the table of the MR scanner, a second set of optical images of the subject is acquired with the MR phased-array coils placed on the subject. Aside from the optical images, a set of MR images of the subject is acquired using the MR scanner. The first and second set of optical images are registered to the MR images. Following registration, the first and second set of optical images are used to determine element positioning of the MR phased-array coils in the set of MR images.

A medical system, includes an imaging apparatus, which includes an array of detectors, which define an imaging volume and form images of a region within a body of a patient that is positioned in the imaging volume. A movable bed transports the body of the patient through the imaging volume. An invasive probe is inserted into a lumen within the body of the patient. A tracking apparatus includes a field transducer positioned in the imaging apparatus and defining a tracking volume within the imaging apparatus, and generates an indication of a location of the invasive probe within the tracking volume responsively to an interaction between the field transducer and the invasive probe. A controller controls the movable bed in response to the location of the invasive probe indicated by the tracking apparatus.

A PET/MRI device includes an MRI device that has a measurement port, a PET detector that can be inserted into the measurement port, and a mechanism that can slide the PET detector into and out of the MRI measurement port. Thereby, the PET/MRI device allows MRI measurement during PET measurement.