Systems and methods for detecting anatomical structures include, for each training subject of a plurality of training subjects, a corresponding MR image, and generating an initial anatomical template based on a first training subject of the plurality of training subjects. A computing device can map MR images of the other training subjects onto a template space by applying a global transformation followed by a local transformation. The computing device can average the mapped MR images with the initial anatomical template to generate a final anatomical template and boundaries of an anatomical structure of interest can be drawn in the final anatomical template. The computing device can fine tune the boundaries using an edge detection algorithm. The final anatomical template can be used to identify boundaries of the anatomical structure(s) of interest automatically (e.g., without human intervention) in non-training subjects.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G06T 3/18 - Image warping, e.g. rearranging pixels individually
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can include a processor and a memory. The processor can receive an acquired magnetic resonance (MR) dataset having a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The processor can extract, from the acquired MR dataset, a first set of values corresponding to a first variable having a second SNR and a second set of values corresponding to a second variable. The processor can apply a constraint function that includes a function of the first variable and the second variable. The processor can minimize a cost function according to the constraint function to generate a cost function solution. The processor can input the first variable and the second variable into the cost function solution to generate a modified first variable having a third SNR, the third SNR being greater than the second SNR.
G01V 3/00 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detectingMeasuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
3.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CONSTRAINED RECONSTRUCTION OF IMAGES WITH WHITE NOISE
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can include a processor and a memory. The processor can receive an acquired magnetic resonance (MR) dataset having a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The processor can extract, from the acquired MR dataset, a first set of values corresponding to a first variable having a second SNR and a second set of values corresponding to a second variable. The processor can apply a constraint function that includes a function of the first variable and the second variable. The processor can minimize a cost function according to the constraint function to generate a cost function solution. The processor can input the first variable and the second variable into the cost function solution to generate a modified first variable having a third SNR, the third SNR being greater than the second SNR.
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/563 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques of moving material, e.g. flow-contrast angiography
4.
Systems and methods for automatic template-based detection of anatomical structures
Systems and methods for detecting anatomical structures include, for each training subject of a plurality of training subjects, a corresponding MR image, and generating an initial anatomical template based on a first training subject of the plurality of training subjects. A computing device can map MR images of the other training subjects onto a template space by applying a global transformation followed by a local transformation. The computing device can average the mapped MR images with the initial anatomical template to generate a final anatomical template and boundaries of an anatomical structure of interest can be drawn in the final anatomical template. The computing device can fine tune the boundaries using an edge detection algorithm. The final anatomical template can be used to identify boundaries of the anatomical structure(s) of interest automatically (e g., without human intervention) in non-training subjects.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G06T 3/00 - Geometric image transformations in the plane of the image
Systems and methods for detecting anatomical structures include, for each training subject of a plurality of training subjects, a corresponding MR image, and generating an initial anatomical template based on a first training subject of the plurality of training subjects. A computing device can map MR images of the other training subjects onto a template space by applying a global transformation followed by a local transformation. The computing device can average the mapped MR images with the initial anatomical template to generate a final anatomical template and boundaries of an anatomical structure of interest can be drawn in the final anatomical template. The computing device can fine tune the boundaries using an edge detection algorithm. The final anatomical template can be used to identify boundaries of the anatomical structure(s) of interest automatically (e.g., without human intervention) in non-training subjects.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can include a processor and a memory. The processor can receive an acquired magnetic resonance (MR) dataset having a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The processor can extract, from the acquired MR dataset, a first set of values corresponding to a first variable having a second SNR and a second set of values corresponding to a second variable. The processor can apply a constraint function that includes a function of the first variable and the second variable. The processor can minimize a cost function according to the constraint function to generate a cost function solution. The processor can input the first variable and the second variable into the cost function solution to generate a modified first variable having a third SNR, the third SNR being greater than the second SNR.
G01N 33/48 - Biological material, e.g. blood, urineHaemocytometers
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
7.
Systems and methods for enhancement of resolution for strategically acquired gradient echo (stage) imaging
Systems and methods for high-resolution STAGE imaging can include acquisition of relatively low-resolution k-space datasets with two separate multi-echo GRE sequences. The multi-echo GRE sequences can correspond to separate and distinct flip angles. Various techniques for combining the low-resolution k-space datasets to generate a relatively high-resolution k-space are described. These techniques can involve combining low-resolution k-space datasets associated with various echo types. The STAGE imaging approaches described herein allow for rapid imaging, enhanced image resolution with relatively small or no increase in MR data acquisition time.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
8.
Systems and methods for enhancement of resolution for strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging
Systems and methods for high-resolution STAGE imaging can include acquisition of relatively low-resolution k-space datasets with two separate multi-echo GRE sequences. The multi-echo GRE sequences can correspond to separate and distinct flip angles. Various techniques for combining the low-resolution k-space datasets to generate a relatively high-resolution k-space are described. These techniques can involve combining low-resolution k-space datasets associated with various echo types. The STAGE imaging approaches described herein allow for rapid imaging, enhanced image resolution with relatively small or no increase in MR data acquisition time.
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing online non-downloadable computer software for enterprise users which enables the user to create, view, upload, store, organize, host, and share digital images; Providing a website featuring technology for creating, viewing, uploading, storing, organizing, hosting, and sharing digital images; Application service provider featuring application programming interface (API) software for the integration of multi-media content into websites
10.
Systems and methods for strategically acquired gradient echo imaging
1 associated with a second tissue type, respectively. The processor can generate a third transmit RF field map using the first and second transmit RF field maps, and use the third transmit RF field map to construct MR images of the anatomical region. Weighted subtraction images can be created with improved contrast-to-noise ratio compared to images of the first and second MR datasets.
G01V 3/00 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detectingMeasuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/567 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques gated by physiological signals
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/50 - NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
G01R 33/24 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance for measuring direction or magnitude of magnetic fields or magnetic flux
11.
Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging with radio frequency pulses generated according to phase criteria
In this disclosure, a process of imaging a target object using magnetic resonance (MR) includes an MRI scanner scanning the target object using a first transmit RF pulse. A processor associated with the MRI scanner can acquire magnitude and/or phase data associated with a first RF signal produced (or echoed) by the target object responsive to the MRI scan. The processor can determine a second transmit RF pulse for use to scan the target object based on the acquired data and according to a given phase criterion. The phase criterion can be configured to enforce mitigation of a phase distribution estimated based on the acquired data.
G01V 3/00 - Electric or magnetic prospecting or detectingMeasuring magnetic field characteristics of the earth, e.g. declination or deviation
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/34 - Constructional details, e.g. resonators
A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM).
A method of nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of an object is disclosed, the method including: receiving MR data including magnitude and phase information generated using an MR scan having a series of different echo times; generating one or more measured MR images based on the MR data; and processing the measured MR images to generate unaliased or substantially unaliased phase information for at least one pixel in the image.
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
A method is disclosed including: receiving a time resolved series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of an imaged region of a subject; processing the images to generate comparison data by comparing a temporal behavior of a reference region of the MR images to at least one other region of the MR images; an generating an output based on the comparison data. The method may be applied in a variety of contexts, including perfusion weighted imaging, determination of T2*, and other time series functions.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fieldsMeasuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/50 - NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times
15.
Method of generating nuclear magnetic resonance images using susceptibility weighted imaging and susceptibility mapping (SWIM)
A method of generating a susceptibility map of an object utilizes a regularizing inverse function, oversampling k-space, removing external phase noise and rapid phase change effects, accounting for the known geometry of the object, and using modified SWI phase data to generate reasonable susceptibility maps and digital images therefrom, such as SWI images. The inventors refers to the inventive methods set forth herein as Susceptibility Weighted Imaging and Mapping (SWIM).
The present invention provides a method of handling rapid phase aliasing in magnetic resonance images arising from local magnetic susceptibility differences. The methods of the present invention can be used to estimate the field effects within an object arising from the interfaces of regions having differences in magnetic susceptibilities, and to subtract out the resulting phase from the original or source phase data prior to any further phase processing. The methods of the present invention also include a process of accurately determining the susceptibility values of multiple voxel regions based on the geometry of such regions.
A method of removing noise while preserving signal in nuclear magnetic resonance images combines steps of performing a magnitude threshold filter and performing a phase threshold filter on the image data. Preferably, a magnitude and phase connectivity algorithm is applied to pixels that fail to meet either the magnitude or phase thresholds.
