# US 11,439,314 B2 · Image processing apparatus, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and image processing method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,314 B2 - Document ID: US11439314B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/561,799 - Filed: 2019-09-05 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-05 - Assignees: Canon Medical Systems Corporation - Applicants: Canon Medical Systems Corporation - Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439314B2 ## CPC - G01R 33/5605: {by transferring coherence or polarization from a spin species to another, e.g. creating magnetization transfer contrast [MTC], polarization transfer using nuclear Overhauser enhancement [NOE]} - A61B 5/0042: {for the brain} - G01R 33/4835: {of multiple slices} - G01R 33/4818: {MR characterised by data acquisition along a specific k-space trajectory or by the temporal order of k-space coverage, e.g. centric or segmented coverage of k-space} - G01R 33/543: {Control of the operation of the MR system, e.g. setting of acquisition parameters prior to or during MR data acquisition, dynamic shimming, use of one or more scout images for scan plane prescription (G01R33/546 takes precedence)} - G01R 33/5608: {Data processing and visualization specially adapted for MR, e.g. for feature analysis and pattern recognition on the basis of measured MR data, segmentation of measured MR data, edge contour detection on the basis of measured MR data, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of signal-to-noise ratio by means of noise filtering or apodization, for enhancing measured MR data in terms of resolution by means for deblurring, windowing, zero filling, or generation of gray-scaled images, colour-coded images or images displaying vectors instead of pixels (image data processing or generation, in general G06T)} - G01R 33/5615: {Echo train techniques involving acquiring plural, differently encoded, echo signals after one RF excitation, e.g. using gradient refocusing in echo planar imaging [EPI], RF refocusing in rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement [RARE] or using both RF and gradient refocusing in gradient and spin echo imaging [GRASE]} - G06T 2207/10088: Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse and causes a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image processing apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured: to generate an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse; and to cause a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments and using mutually-different dynamic ranges for the plurality of segments. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to divide a region of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) into the plurality of segments and cause the display to display the CSF by varying the dynamic range among the plurality of segments resulting from the division. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments are segments that are radially divided while using a feature point as a center. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: perform the analysis to decompose the Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of spectra, and generate the image based on at least one selected from between intensities and widths of the plurality of spectra. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to generate the image based on: a first Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a first pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse; and a second Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing, after the execution of the first pulse sequence, a second pulse sequence including application of an MT pulse after an action that causes a change in a physiological state of a patient. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to generate the image by performing a difference calculating process between data obtained by performing the analysis on the first Z-spectrum and data obtained by performing the analysis on the second Z-spectrum. ### Claim 7 A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: sequence controlling circuitry configured to execute a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse; and processing circuitry configured to generate an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing the pulse sequence and configured to cause a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments and using mutually-different dynamic ranges for the plurality of segments. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to divide a region of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) into the plurality of segments and causes the display to display the CSF by varying the dynamic range among the plurality of segments resulting from the division. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of segments are segments that are radially divided while using a feature point as a center. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: perform the analysis to decompose the Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of spectra, and generate the image based on at least one selected from between intensities and widths of the plurality of spectra. ### Claim 11 An image processing method implemented by an image processing apparatus, the image processing method comprising: generating an image by performing an analysis based on a Z-spectrum generated based on data obtained by executing a pulse sequence including application of a Magnetization Transfer (MT) pulse; and causing a display to display the generated image by dividing the image into a plurality of segments and using mutually-different dynamic ranges for the plurality of segments. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein a region of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is divided into the plurality of segments, and wherein causing the display to display the generated image comprises causing the display to display the CSF by varying the dynamic range among the plurality of segments resulting from the division. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of segments are segments that are radially divided while using a feature point as a center. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, further comprising: performing the analysis to decompose the Z-spectrum into a sum of a plurality of spectra, and generating the image based on at least one selected from between intensities and widths of the plurality of spectra.