By using a multiple receiving coil composed of receiving coils, an imaging portion of a subject is subjected to a first pulse sequence to create n sensitivity images (701 to 703) fewer than the examination images. When these sensitivity images are created, an NMR signal is measured for only the low-frequency region of the k space. A second pulse sequence from which a phase encode step is removed is conducted to create m (m>n) examination images (704, 705) of the subject by using the receiving coils. When sensitivity distributions (707, 708) of the receiving coils are determined for the sensitivity images (701 to 703), and if there are no sensitivity distributions corresponding to the slice positions of the examination images (704, 705), they are determined by slice interpolation using the sensitivity distributions (701 to 703), and the aliasing artifacts of the examination images (704, 705) are removed by matrix operation by using the sensitivity distributions (707, 708).

Magnetic resonance imaging device

The present invention is an expert matching method and apparatus for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking a solution to an expert request. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller having a database for storing expert qualifications. In one embodiment, the controller receives an expert request. A search program identifies experts qualified to respond to the expert request. The expert request is then transmitted to the expert, which results in an expert answer transmitted to and received by the central controller. After authentication of the expert answer, using a wide range of security levels from passwords to cryptography, the answer is forwarded to the end user. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional voice telephony systems.

Method and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerce

Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency. A method for allocation among agents, comprising assigning a wealth generation function for generating future wealth to each of a plurality of agents, communicating subjective market information between agents, and transferring wealth generated by the secure wealth generation function between agents in consideration of a market transaction. The method may further comprise the step of transferring at least a portion of the wealth generation function between agents.

Multifactorial optimization system and method

A mobile communications device comprising a location sensing system, producing a location output; a memory, storing a set of locations and associated events; a telecommunications device, communicating event and location information between a remote system and said memory; and a processor, processing said location output in conjunction with said stored locations and associated events in said memory, to determine a priority thereof.

Mobile communication device

A motor is incorporated in a cylindrical body which is a rotary brush. Rotation of a rotor of the motor, directly or via a speed reduction mechanism, drives the rotary brush. Cooling air runs through the cylindrical body so that the motor is cooled and protected. The rotary brush and an electric apparatus using the rotary brush can be downsized and easily.

Rotary brush device and vacuum cleaner using the same

A computerized tomography system which includes an X-ray generator for producing X-rays, an X-ray detector array for detecting the X-rays transmitted through a subject, and a subject bed. The X-ray tube and the X-ray detectors are opposed to each other, and the X-ray beams are irradiated upon the subject in a sectorial manner at a large number of angles to scan the subject while the X-ray tube and the X-ray detectors are being revolved around the subject, the X-ray tube and X-ray detectors remaining opposed to each other the during revolution. The system includes a system for rapidly and continuously revolving a frame bearing the X-ray tube, a system for moving the subject bed perpendicularly to a plane of revolution of the X-ray tube and for moving the subject bed synchronously with the revolution of the X-ray tube, a system for scanning the subject along with the movement of the subject bed in a spiral with respect to a coordinate system positioned about an imaginary axis passing through the subject, and a system for obtaining a reconstructed tomogram of an arbitrary cross-section within a range from a position corresponding to a beginning of the spiral scanning to a position corresponding to an end of the spiral scanning. A method of operating the computerized tomography system is also provided.

CT system for spirally scanning subject on a movable bed synchronized to X-ray tube revolution

A gradient magnetic field generation apparatus for generating a gradient magnetic field in a space in which an inspection object is placed includes at least one gradient magnetic field coil and a retaining member of the coil which undergoes deformation vibration by an electromagnetic force generated when a current is caused to flow through the coil. This apparatus generates noise and vibration whenever a pulse current is applied to the coil, because an electromagnetic force develops in the coil due to the pulse current and the coil as well as the retaining member of the coil undergo deformation and vibration. Therefore, a force which inhibits this deformation and vibration is applied to the retaining member so as to prevent deformation and vibration of the coil and the retaining member and to keep their shapes constant. In a preferred embodiment, a piezoelectric device is fixed to the retaining member without damping, and the force for inhibiting deformation and vibration of the retaining member is applied by controlling a voltage applied to the piezoelectric device.

Quiet magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

In one aspect of correcting phase distortion in an MR imaging system at high speed and with high precision, partial regions having any shapes are established on a complex image reconstruction, linear phase distortion is estimated for every partial region and the phase distortion of the whole image is corrected by use of the estimated phase distortion. In another aspect, a plurality of phase distortion patterns are measured in advance through phantom imaging and stored. The phase distortion pattern is invariable and hence it is not necessary to perform the measurement for each impage processed. Phase distortion included in data acquired through imaging is corrected by representing it as a summation of the plurality of phase distortion patterns with weighting factors.

Method and apparatus for correction of phase distortion in MR imaging system

Amongst other things, a gradient magnetic field production device (109) for producing a gradient magnetic field in a space in which an object to be examined is to be arranged is described, which has at least one gradient magnetic field coil (190) and a retention part (191) for the coil, which is deformed by an electromagnetic force as is produced when a current is passed through the coil. Such a device conventionally produces noise and oscillations whenever a pulsed current is sent through the coil, since the said electromagnetic force then results and the coil, as well as the retention part for the latter, are deformed. According to the invention, a force for preventing this deformation is applied to the retention part. In the case of a preferred exemplary embodiment, a piezoelectric component (130) is fastened undamped to the retention part, and the force for preventing the deformation of the retention part is applied by controlling the voltage applied to the piezoelectric component.

Hiroshi Nishimura

Papers

Rotary brush device and vacuum cleaner using the same

CT system for spirally scanning subject on a movable bed synchronized to X-ray tube revolution

Quiet magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Method and apparatus for correction of phase distortion in MR imaging system

Magnetic-resonance (nuclear-spin) tomography instrument and method with noise attenuation