Abstract:
In an MRI imaging system each portion of k-space is sequentially scanned, transformed and separately demodulated. Instead of adding the k-space regions, as is the practice in the prior art, the demodulated portions are added, each representing spectral portions of the image. Each k-space portion is scanned with closely spaced lines which substantially satisfy the sampling requirement to avoid aliasing. In this way, distortion resulting from phase changes between k-space scans is avoided.
Abstract:
A pulsed strong magnetic field, created with a superconductive coil, is applied to a selected region of the anatomy. Following the pulse a relatively low readout field is used along with a set of spatially orthogonal gradient fields parallel to the readout field. The readout field is chosen such that the noise arises primarily from body losses, and results in negligible susceptibility effects. Following excitation, the resultant signals from the precessing moments are detected, processed and used to make magnetic resonance images of the object. The field pulsing is made efficient using energy recovery.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for automatically removing blur in magnetic resonance image signals introduced due to inhomogeneity in the magnetic field and variations in magnetic susceptibility of an object being imaged. Detected signals are demodulated at several different frequencies and reconstructed to create a series of base images. The amount of blur is determined by establishing a focusing measure for each point or part in each base image, and a composite image is then constructed using only the unblurred regions from each base image. Focusing criterion can include minimization of the imaginary part of the complex MRI after removal of constant and low frequency phase information.
Abstract:
The response of color television are improved by adding a high frequency luminance component which is proportioned to the color-difference signal so as to provide color signals with correct transitions. A control function which minimizes the means square error of the luminance and color difference signals is used to weight the amplitude of the added luminance component. This control function becomes the ratio of the cross correlation of the luminance and color-difference signals to the autocorrelation of the luminance signal. In a television communications system, the control signal can be transmitted as a narrow band signal.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance signals are received using a plurality of coils, each sensitive to different but overlapping regions of the volume being studied. The signals are combined so as to cancel in undesired regions of the body and receive net signals from only desired parts of the volume to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio for imaging and spectroscopy.
Abstract:
The nuclei in a volume are imaged using a sequence of excitations in the presence of one or more time-varying gradient fields. The resultant phase variations are cancelled to isolate a region of the volume. Various phase-modulation functions are used to provide a desired localization function. The excitation variations can be combined with time-varying gradients during the reception interval.
Abstract:
A two-dimensional projection image of the NMR activity within a volume is obtained. The signals due to static material are cancelled and do not appear in the projection image. The signals due to moving blood in vessels produce an isolated image of the vessels with the superimposed structure removed. The excitation of a plane is accomplished using a single excitation pulse without requiring an a.c. gradient. The uniformity requirement of the inversion excitation is minimized. Images are generated which distinguish the direction of flow.
Abstract:
A gamma-ray source distribution in the body is imaged onto a detector using an array of apertures. The transmission of each aperture is modulated using a code such that the individual views of the source through each aperture can be decoded and separated. The codes are chosen to maximize the signal to noise ratio for each source distribution. These codes determine the photon collection efficiency of the aperture array. Planar arrays are used for volumetric reconstructions and circular arrays for cross-sectional reconstructions.
Abstract:
An x-ray beam is transmitted through an object under study and through an encoding grating structure consisting of alternate stripes of materials each having different x-ray absorption characteristics. The recorded image has a grating structure which is modulated by the energy spectrum information represented by the difference of the absorption characteristics of the two stripe materials. The grating amplitude information is decoded by coherent optical filtering or by scanning and used to indicate the presence of specific materials in the object.
Abstract:
In an MRI imaging system each portion of k-space is sequentially scanned, transformed and separately demodulated. Instead of adding the k-space regions, as is the practice in the prior art, the demodulated portions are added, each representing spectral portions of the image. Each k-space portion is scanned with closely spaced lines which substantially satisfy the sampling requirement to avoid aliasing. In this way, distortion resulting from phase changes between k-space scans is avoided.