The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Stephan E Maier

Ferenc A Jolesz

Robert V Mulkern

Daniel F Kacher

Hakon Gudbjartsson

Quantified differences, such as chi error parameters, between a mono-exponential, logarithmic best fit of a series of line scan diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance signals taken over a range of b-factors between about 100 and about 5000 sec/mm are obtained. The quantified differences so generated are displayed as an image wherein the brightness of each pixel depends upon the size of its associated quantified difference. The resulting image is characterized by high signal to noise ratio and distinctness between varying tissue types.

Method of fast and reliable tissue differentiation using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging

Apparatus and method for generating and displaying undistorted images of a field of view containing undesirable motion and/or time varying magnetic field inhomogeneities, uses a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) image signals, corresponding to a time series of MR images, generated by a single-shot imaging technique without shot-to-shot phase encoding. Signals are stored and analyzed to identify missing and/or deteriorated images (including image portions, image lines or image line segments). Identified missing and/or deteriorated images are compensated for by replacement, repair or otherwise. MR image signals representative of a specified time series are selected. Then, selected signals of corresponding portions of the field of view are averaged. The invention may be used to present: a continuously updated time series of images; a time series of images with only a specified portions of the image updated in each display; or an entire time series of images re-created in any desired sequence.

Continuous magnetic resonance line-scan imaging in the presence of motion and varying magnetic field inhomogeneities within the field of view

Magnetic resonance imaging appparaus and methods, including providing selective radio frequency pulses including pairs of pulses, which define planes with an intersection that defines an imaging volume. The imaging volumes are part of a first image surface passing through the sample and having a spatial orientation that differs from the spatial orientation of the planes. The method further includes providing magnetic diffusion gradients in the sample which are associated with at least a subset of the volumes, and acquiring a series of nuclear magnetic resonance echo signals resulting from the intersection, with at least a subset of the echo signals being responsive to the gradients. The signals are processed to obtain an image that includes lines corresponding to the imaging volumes.

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Brookline, MA, United States of America

Stephan E Maier