Patent ID: 12253587

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The present disclosure provides transmit/receive (T/R) radiofrequency (RF) systems for NMR or MRI systems and methods for using such systems that overcome the challenges of traditional T/R systems in NMR and MRI. In one configuration, the systems and methods provided herein may use passively-shielded coils that are compatible with low-field operational environment to replace conventional T/R systems and spatial gradient systems. In some configurations, a low-field imaging T/R system is provided that is designed for nuclear magnetic stimulation and local flux sensitivity, while automatically rejecting incident radiant electromagnetic noise. The design advantageously leverages low required frequencies to distribute the pulse synthesis task, yielding a smaller system with easier maintenance and lower cost.

Referring first toFIG.1, a radiofrequency (RF) system100in accordance with the present disclosure can include a network101of one or more passively shielded coil nodes that may be transceive nodes (TRN)102, which may include distributed local coil units118that may be passively shielded. The local coil units118spatially distributed in various patterns, with or without overlap between neighboring coil units118. Such spatial distribution of the coil units118may allow for spatial encoding of the RF signals.

The TRNs102within the network101may include transmit node (TN) components and receive node (RN) components, which will be described in more detail. The network101of TRNs102is connected to a center node (CN)106, which can orchestrate parallel transmission sequences and send received data to a server108for processing via a wireless or other connection110.

The CN106can include a control server112, a clock module114, and a power supply module116. The control server112may provide a control signal to each TRN102by a wireless or other connection104. The clock module can supply a reference clock signal to each TRN102. The power supply module116may include an AC-DC or DC-DC converter, which may provide low frequency signals, or a battery as a power supply. The power supply module116can provide power to the components of the TRNs102.

The TRNs102may also include TN and RN components. For example, the TN components can collectively form a drive coupled to the coil unit118such that the TN components drive the coil unit118during signal excitation. The RN components can record signal that is induced in the coil unit118during data acquisition. The TN components may include a control module120and a power module122, the RN components may include a preamplifier128and a mixer and analog to digital converter (ADC) module130. A T/R switch124can be used to switch back and forth between the TN and RN components. The various components of the TRNs102(e.g.,120,122,128,130,124, and126) may be housed directly on the coil unit118.

Each TRN102also includes the coil unit118within the network of TRNs102. The coil unit118may include transmit (Tx), receive (Rx), or T/R radiofrequency coils (RF) that may be passively shielded. As will be explained, each coil unit118may include a primary RF coil having a primary loop size and a primary number of turns. The “loop size” may be a radius or diameter, if the loop is circular, or may be a distance between opposite sides if not circular. The coil unit118may also include a secondary RF coil configured to passively shield the primary RF coil by having a secondary loop size and a secondary number of turns selected based on a total flux ratio that is a function of the primary loop size and the primary number of turns.

The control module120is further illustrated inFIG.2. Components of the control module120can include a microcontroller (MCU)222, a clock multiplier224, a field programmable gate array (FPGA)226, and one or more translators228, which can all be powered by the power supply module116of the CN106. The microcontroller222can receive an FPGA configuration from the CN106, which may be received via a wireless link230or other connection between the microcontroller222and the CN106. The clock multiplier224can receive the reference clock signal from the clock module114of the CN106and multiply the reference signal to create a high frequency clock signal. The FPGA226can receive the FPGA configuration from the microcontroller222via a serial peripheral interface (SPI) or other communication method and high frequency clock signal from the clock multiplier224. The FPGA226can use the FPGA configuration and high frequency clock signal to generate an RF pulse. The RF pulse can be represented by transistor-transistor logic (TTL) or may be represented by low voltage logic and translated by translators228into the form of TTL signals. In this way, the TN can use the FPGA configuration and the clock signal to generate an RF pulse in the form of two TTL signals.

Referring again toFIG.1, the TTL signals can be used by the power module122, which may include field effect transistors (FETs) that can be operated by current mode class D (CMCD). The power module122may be configured for switch mode operation to control the delivery of power from the power supply to the plurality of coil nodes. Each individual coil node102may include one or more power module122that may be housed directly on the coil node102. In this way, each coil node102can be individually controlled by the corresponding control module120and power module122. For example, when the T/R switch124connects the coil unit118with the TN components, the power module122can switch the polarity or delivery of the grossly variable power supply across the coil unit118at high efficiency. In this way, the power module122can provide fine control of the power provided by the lower frequency power supply module116.

The signal can be further cleaned by the filter126to remove noise or other unwanted frequencies. The filter126may be a passive network and may form a resonant load with the coil unit118. This may allow the transmit amplifier to have a less reactive load and the coil unit118to have a higher quality-factor (Q) in receive mode.

As a non-limiting example, the system can be switched at 50% duty cycle with dynamic phase modulation for flat amplitude phase modulated pulses. Alternatively, the system may be configured to switch the transmit frequency or phase to produce phase and frequency modulation. Various switching patterns can be used to adjust the power delivery efficiency, provide amplitude modulation, or adapt the load.

The system can generate various RF pulses across the coil unit118, including magnitude-modulated or frequency-modulated RF pulses at any desired duty cycle. Advantageously, the high efficiency of the system described can eliminate the need for large cooling systems and high supply power that are typically used in MR systems. The whole TN can be also can be placed directly on a local coil, eliminating the need for high power RF transmission lines.

The coil unit118can include local RF coils that can be tuned to resonate at the driving frequency with minimal real impedance to generate the maximum magnetic field. Referring now toFIGS.3A and3B, the coil unit118can include a primary T/R coil302with one or more turns that alternatingly transmits and receives the RF signal to/from the subject. In the illustrated, non-limiting example, the coil unit118may be circular. The primary T/R coil302can be passively shielded by a secondary coil304of one or more turns of wire with a larger area than that of the primary T/R coil302. The loop size (rprimary, and rsecondary) and number of turns (Nprimary, Nsecondary) of the primary302and secondary304coils, respectively, may be determined based on a total flux ratio, α, given by

α=Nprimary*(rprimary)2Nsecondary*(rsecondary)2

The flux ratio, α, can be used to control the flux profile through the primary RF coil and outside the primary RF coil. Preferably, the flux ratio can be chosen to increase total magnetic flux through the primary RF coil and reduce the total magnetic flux outside the primary RF coil. For example, α may be chosen to maximize the magnetic flux inside the primary coil and minimize the magnetic flux outside the primary RF coil. As a non-limiting example, in order to cancel out the total magnetic flux outside of the coil region, the total flux ratio can be set to 1 (i.e., α=1). For a primary coil302with ten turns and a 10 cm radius (i.e., Nprimary=10 and rprimary=10 cm), the secondary coil304may have five turns and a radius of 10√{square root over (2)} cm (i.e., Nsecondary=5 and rsecondary=10√{square root over (2)} cm). However, other loop sizes and numbers of turns, including integers or non-integers, may be chosen to achieve a desired flux ratio (α). The flux ratio (α) may also be tuned based on the interaction between the primary and secondary RF coils, the interaction with neighboring conductors or coils, or incident radiation from the environment. Thus, theoretically, α may be preferably chosen as α=1, but in practice, it may be tuned such that α≠1.

The secondary coil304may be held at ground relative to the primary coil302and cancel induced signal in the primary coil302from distant sources by shifting ground relative to the flux across the larger secondary coil304. The secondary coil304can also allow for easier decoupling from nearby coil units by cancelling total flux when partially overlapped. The coil units118may be arranged such that the primary coils302overlap with neighboring primary coils302, the secondary coils304may be overlapped with neighboring secondary coils304, the primary coils302overlap with neighboring secondary coils304, or some combination thereof,

The variable number of coil turns and coil sizes of the primary302and secondary304coils provides flexibility in the arrangement of individual coil units118. The coils can have arbitrary sizes, as the flux profile and coil shielding can be controlled based on the number of turns in each coil loop. In some implementations, the flexibility of the system may allow for reduced space and material requirements as compared to other passive methods. Multiple coils of various sizes can be also distributed in order to control the imaging field of view and coil sensitivity profile.

The primary coil302and secondary coil304may alternatively be characterized by any equivalent 2-dimensional shapes centered at the same point. For example, the primary and secondary coils302,304may be hexagons. For an arbitrary shape, the flux ratio, αarb, can be described as:

αarb=Nprimary*AprimaryNsecondary*Asecondary

where Aprimaryand Asecondaryare the areas of the primary and secondary coils, respectively. Various other flux profiles can be achieved using arbitrarily shaped coils, unequal numbers of primary and secondary coils, or by shifting the secondary coil relative to the primary coil along the2D surface of the coils.

After the signal is excited by the TN components of the TRN102, the T/R switch124can connect the coil unit118to the RN components of the TRN102to receive the induced signal. The signal acquired by the coil unit118can be cleaned by one or more filters126and amplified by the preamplifier128. The mixer/ADC module130can mix the signal with the center driving frequency, supplied by the FPGA226(FIG.2), which can correspond to the resonant frequency of the nuclei of interest in the primary field. The mixer/ADC module130also includes an analog to digital converter (ADC), which may be an off-the-shelf ADC, that digitizes the signal. The signal may then be sent to the CN106for processing via the wireless connection104or other connection.

As described, the system and methods may be implemented without gradient coils in the context of low-field imaging or low-field quantitative imaging, reducing the costs of the T/R equipment by an estimated 95%. This could reduce the overall system cost, including the main magnet, by 60% and allow for less specialized fabrication and maintenance. The site and operating requirements would be reduced significantly by decreasing the need for dedicated electrical power during scans. This is in great contrast to the standard systems, which require a large initial investment, ongoing costs for large amounts of uninterrupted power, and complicated peripherals like liquid helium cooling systems.

In lieu of gradient coils, the spatial distribution of the coil units118may be used to spatially encode the signal induced and measured by the coil units118. Additionally or alternatively, the coil units118can generate RF pulses that are characterized by a phase, which can spatially encode the RF signals. The use of the RF system100is not limited to gradient-free MRI systems, and gradient systems may optionally be used for spatial encoding or to generate contrast like diffusion, etc.

Referring particularly now toFIG.4, an example of an MRI system400that can include a T/R RF system and perform imaging is illustrated. The MRI system400includes an operator workstation402that may include a display404, one or more input devices406(e.g., a keyboard, a mouse), and a processor408. The processor408may include a commercially available programmable machine running a commercially available operating system. The operator workstation402provides an operator interface that facilitates entering scan parameters into the MRI system400. The operator workstation402may be coupled to different servers, including, for example, a pulse sequence server410, a data acquisition server412, a data processing server414, and a data store server416. The operator workstation402and the servers410,412,414, and416may be connected via a communication system440, which may include wired or wireless network connections.

The MRI system400also includes a magnet assembly424that includes a polarizing magnet426, which may be a low-field magnet. For example, the low-field magnet may include a superconducting magnet or permanent magnet. The MRI system500may optionally include a whole-body RF coil428and a gradient system418that controls a gradient coil assembly422.

The pulse sequence server410functions in response to instructions provided by the operator workstation402to operate a T/R module420. For example, the T/R module420may control the coil nodes450. The coil nodes450may be positioned on the body of the patient to control the localized T/R coils (e.g.,302and304). For example, The coil nodes450may include a center node106and transceive nodes102, as described in the context ofFIG.1.

RF waveforms are applied by the T/R module420to the RF coil428, or the localized coil nodes450to perform the prescribed magnetic resonance pulse sequence. Responsive magnetic resonance signals detected by the RF coil428or the localized coil nodes450can be acquired by the T/R module420. The responsive magnetic resonance signals may be amplified, demodulated, filtered, and digitized under direction of commands produced by the pulse sequence server410. The T/R module420can include or otherwise control an RF transmitter for producing a wide variety of RF pulses used in MM pulse sequences. The RF transmitter is responsive to the prescribed scan and direction from the pulse sequence server410to produce RF pulses of the desired frequency, phase, and pulse amplitude waveform. The generated RF pulses may be applied to the whole-body RF coil428or to one or more local coil nodes450.

The T/R module420may also include one or more RF receiver channels. An RF receiver channel includes an RF preamplifier that amplifies the magnetic resonance signal received by the coil428to which it is connected, and a detector that detects and digitizes the I and Q quadrature components of the received magnetic resonance signal. The magnitude of the received magnetic resonance signal may, therefore, be determined at a sampled point by the square root of the sum of the squares of the I and Q components:
M=√{square root over (I2+Q2)}

and the phase of the received magnetic resonance signal may also be determined according to the following relationship:

φ=tan-1(QI)

The pulse sequence server410may receive patient data from a physiological acquisition controller430. By way of example, the physiological acquisition controller430may receive signals from a number of different sensors connected to the patient, including electrocardiograph (“ECG”) signals from electrodes, or respiratory signals from a respiratory bellows or other respiratory monitoring devices. These signals may be used by the pulse sequence server410to synchronize, or “gate,” the performance of the scan with the subject's heartbeat or respiration.

The pulse sequence server410may also connect to a scan room interface circuit432that receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system. Through the scan room interface circuit432, a patient positioning system434can receive commands to move the patient to desired positions during the scan.

The digitized magnetic resonance signal samples produced by the T/R module420are received by the data acquisition server412. The data acquisition server412operates in response to instructions downloaded from the operator workstation402to receive the real-time magnetic resonance data and provide buffer storage, so that data are not lost by data overrun. In some scans, the data acquisition server412passes the acquired magnetic resonance data to the data processor server414. In scans that require information derived from acquired magnetic resonance data to control the further performance of the scan, the data acquisition server412may be programmed to produce such information and convey it to the pulse sequence server410. For example, during pre-scans, magnetic resonance data may be acquired and used to calibrate the pulse sequence performed by the pulse sequence server410. As another example, navigator signals may be acquired and used to adjust the operating parameters of the T/R module420or the gradient system418, or to control the view order in which k-space is sampled. In still another example, the data acquisition server412may also process magnetic resonance signals used to detect the arrival of a contrast agent in a magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”) scan. For example, the data acquisition server412may acquire magnetic resonance data and processes it in real-time to produce information that is used to control the scan.

The data processing server414receives magnetic resonance data from the data acquisition server412and processes the magnetic resonance data in accordance with instructions provided by the operator workstation402. Such processing may include, for example, reconstructing two-dimensional or three-dimensional images by performing a Fourier transformation of raw k-space data, performing other image reconstruction algorithms (e.g., iterative or backprojection reconstruction algorithms), applying filters to raw k-space data or to reconstructed images, generating functional magnetic resonance images, or calculating motion or flow images.

Images reconstructed by the data processing server414are conveyed back to the operator workstation402for storage. Real-time images may be stored in a data base memory cache, from which they may be output to operator display402or a display436. Batch mode images or selected real time images may be stored in a host database on disc storage438. When such images have been reconstructed and transferred to storage, the data processing server414may notify the data store server416on the operator workstation402. The operator workstation402may be used by an operator to archive the images, produce films, or send the images via a network to other facilities.

The MM system400may also include one or more networked workstations442. For example, a networked workstation442may include a display444, one or more input devices446(e.g., a keyboard, a mouse), and a processor448. The networked workstation442may be located within the same facility as the operator workstation402, or in a different facility, such as a different healthcare institution or clinic.

The networked workstation442may gain remote access to the data processing server414or data store server416via the communication system440. Accordingly, multiple networked workstations442may have access to the data processing server414and the data store server416. In this manner, magnetic resonance data, reconstructed images, or other data may be exchanged between the data processing server414or the data store server416and the networked workstations442, such that the data or images may be remotely processed by a networked workstation442.

Referring now toFIG.5, an example of an MRI system500is shown, which may be used in accordance with some aspects of the systems and methods described in the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.5, a computing device550can receive one or more types of data (e.g., signal evolution data, k-space data, receiver coil sensitivity data) from data source502. In some configurations, computing device550can execute at least a portion of an image reconstruction system504to reconstruct images from magnetic resonance data (e.g., k-space data) acquired using a passively shielded T/R system. In some configurations, the image reconstruction system504can implement an automated pipeline to provide MRI images, MRF maps, MRF synthetic images, etc.

Additionally or alternatively, in some configurations, the computing device550can communicate information about data received from the data source502to a server552over a communication network554, which can execute at least a portion of the image reconstruction system504. In such configurations, the server552can return information to the computing device550(and/or any other suitable computing device) indicative of an output of the image reconstruction system504.

In some configurations, computing device550and/or server552can be any suitable computing device or combination of devices, such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a server computer, a virtual machine being executed by a physical computing device, and so on. The computing device550and/or server552can also reconstruct images from the data.

In some configurations, data source502can be any suitable source of data (e.g., measurement data, images reconstructed from measurement data, processed image data), such as an MRI system, another computing device (e.g., a server storing measurement data, images reconstructed from measurement data, processed image data), and so on. In some configurations, data source502can be local to computing device550. For example, data source502can be incorporated with computing device550(e.g., computing device550can be configured as part of a device for measuring, recording, estimating, acquiring, or otherwise collecting or storing data). As another example, data source502can be connected to computing device550by a cable, a direct wireless link, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, in some configurations, data source502can be located locally and/or remotely from computing device550, and can communicate data to computing device550(and/or server552) via a communication network (e.g., communication network554).

In some configurations, communication network554can be any suitable communication network or combination of communication networks. For example, communication network554can include a Wi-Fi network (which can include one or more wireless routers, one or more switches, etc.), a peer-to-peer network (e.g., a Bluetooth network), a cellular network (e.g., a 3G network, a 4G network, etc., complying with any suitable standard, such as CDMA, GSM, LTE, LTE Advanced, WiMAX, etc.), other types of wireless network, a wired network, and so on. In some configurations, communication network554can be a local area network, a wide area network, a public network (e.g., the Internet), a private or semi-private network (e.g., a corporate or university intranet), any other suitable type of network, or any suitable combination of networks. Communications links shown inFIG.5can each be any suitable communications link or combination of communications links, such as wired links, fiber optic links, Wi-Fi links, Bluetooth links, cellular links, and so on.

Referring now toFIG.6, an example of hardware600that can be used to implement data source502, computing device550, and server552in accordance with some configurations of the systems and methods described in the present disclosure is shown.

As shown inFIG.6, in some configurations, computing device550can include a processor602, a display604, one or more inputs606, one or more communication systems608, and/or memory610. In some configurations, processor602can be any suitable hardware processor or combination of processors, such as a central processing unit (“CPU”), a graphics processing unit (“GPU”), and so on. In some configurations, display604can include any suitable display devices, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) screen, a light-emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic LED (“OLED”) display, an electrophoretic display (e.g., an “e-ink” display), a computer monitor, a touchscreen, a television, and so on. In some configurations, inputs606can include any suitable input devices and/or sensors that can be used to receive user input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, and so on.

In some configurations, communications systems608can include any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software for communicating information over communication network554and/or any other suitable communication networks. For example, communications systems608can include one or more transceivers, one or more communication chips and/or chip sets, and so on. In a more particular example, communications systems608can include hardware, firmware, and/or software that can be used to establish a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular connection, an Ethernet connection, and so on.

In some configurations, memory610can include any suitable storage device or devices that can be used to store instructions, values, data, or the like, that can be used, for example, by processor602to present content using display604, to communicate with server552via communications system(s)608, and so on. Memory610can include any suitable volatile memory, non-volatile memory, storage, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, memory610can include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), electrically programmable ROM (“EPROM”), electrically erasable ROM (“EEPROM”), other forms of volatile memory, other forms of non-volatile memory, one or more forms of semi-volatile memory, one or more flash drives, one or more hard disks, one or more solid state drives, one or more optical drives, and so on. In some configurations, memory610can have encoded thereon, or otherwise stored therein, a computer program for controlling operation of computing device550. In such configurations, processor602can execute at least a portion of the computer program to present content (e.g., images, user interfaces, graphics, tables), receive content from server552, transmit information to server552, and so on. For example, the processor602and the memory610can be configured to perform the methods described herein.

In some configurations, server552can include a processor612, a display614, one or more inputs616, one or more communications systems618, and/or memory620. In some configurations, processor612can be any suitable hardware processor or combination of processors, such as a CPU, a GPU, and so on. In some configurations, display614can include any suitable display devices, such as an LCD screen, LED display, OLED display, electrophoretic display, a computer monitor, a touchscreen, a television, and so on. In some configurations, inputs616can include any suitable input devices and/or sensors that can be used to receive user input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, and so on.

In some configurations, communications systems618can include any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software for communicating information over communication network554and/or any other suitable communication networks. For example, communications systems618can include one or more transceivers, one or more communication chips and/or chip sets, and so on. In a more particular example, communications systems618can include hardware, firmware, and/or software that can be used to establish a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular connection, an Ethernet connection, and so on.

In some configurations, memory620can include any suitable storage device or devices that can be used to store instructions, values, data, or the like, that can be used, for example, by processor612to present content using display614, to communicate with one or more computing devices550, and so on. Memory620can include any suitable volatile memory, non-volatile memory, storage, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, memory620can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, other types of volatile memory, other types of non-volatile memory, one or more types of semi-volatile memory, one or more flash drives, one or more hard disks, one or more solid state drives, one or more optical drives, and so on. In some configurations, memory620can have encoded thereon a server program for controlling operation of server552. In such configurations, processor612can execute at least a portion of the server program to transmit information and/or content (e.g., data, images, a user interface) to one or more computing devices550, receive information and/or content from one or more computing devices550, receive instructions from one or more devices (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone), and so on.

In some configurations, the server552is configured to perform the methods described in the present disclosure. For example, the processor612and memory620can be configured to perform the methods described herein.

In some configurations, data source502can include a processor622, one or more data acquisition systems624, one or more communications systems626, and/or memory628. In some configurations, processor622can be any suitable hardware processor or combination of processors, such as a CPU, a GPU, and so on. In some configurations, the one or more data acquisition systems624are generally configured to acquire data, images, or both, and can include an MRI system. Additionally or alternatively, in some configurations, the one or more data acquisition systems624can include any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software for coupling to and/or controlling operations of an MRI system. In some configurations, one or more portions of the data acquisition system(s)624can be removable and/or replaceable.

Note that, although not shown, data source502can include any suitable inputs and/or outputs. For example, data source502can include input devices and/or sensors that can be used to receive user input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, a microphone, a trackpad, a trackball, and so on. As another example, data source502can include any suitable display devices, such as an LCD screen, an LED display, an OLED display, an electrophoretic display, a computer monitor, a touchscreen, a television, etc., one or more speakers, and so on.

In some configurations, communications systems626can include any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software for communicating information to computing device550(and, in some configurations, over communication network554and/or any other suitable communication networks). For example, communications systems626can include one or more transceivers, one or more communication chips and/or chip sets, and so on. In a more particular example, communications systems626can include hardware, firmware, and/or software that can be used to establish a wired connection using any suitable port and/or communication standard (e.g., VGA, DVI video, USB, RS-232, etc.), Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection, a cellular connection, an Ethernet connection, and so on.

In some configurations, memory628can include any suitable storage device or devices that can be used to store instructions, values, data, or the like, that can be used, for example, by processor622to control the one or more data acquisition systems624, and/or receive data from the one or more data acquisition systems624; to generate images from data; present content (e.g., data, images, a user interface) using a display; communicate with one or more computing devices550; and so on. Memory628can include any suitable volatile memory, non-volatile memory, storage, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, memory628can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, other types of volatile memory, other types of non-volatile memory, one or more types of semi-volatile memory, one or more flash drives, one or more hard disks, one or more solid state drives, one or more optical drives, and so on. In some configurations, memory628can have encoded thereon, or otherwise stored therein, a program for controlling operation of medical image data source502. In such configurations, processor622can execute at least a portion of the program to generate images, transmit information and/or content (e.g., data, images, a user interface) to one or more computing devices550, receive information and/or content from one or more computing devices550, receive instructions from one or more devices (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.), and so on.

In some configurations, any suitable computer-readable media can be used for storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processes described herein. For example, in some configurations, computer-readable media can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitory computer-readable media can include media such as magnetic media (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks), optical media (e.g., compact discs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs), semiconductor media (e.g., RAM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. As another example, transitory computer-readable media can include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, or any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible media.

As used herein in the context of computer implementation, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “component,” “system,” “module,” “controller,” “framework,” and the like are intended to encompass part or all of computer-related systems that include hardware, software, a combination of hardware and software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a processor device, a process being executed (or executable) by a processor device, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a computer program, or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computer and the computer can be a component. One or more components (or system, module, and so on) may reside within a process or thread of execution, may be localized on one computer, may be distributed between two or more computers or other processor devices, or may be included within another component (or system, module, and so on).

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the disclosure. Correspondingly, description herein of particular features, capabilities, or intended purposes of a device or system is generally intended to inherently include disclosure of a method of using such features for the intended purposes, a method of implementing such capabilities, and a method of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components to support these purposes or capabilities. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated or limited, discussion herein of any method of manufacturing or using a particular device or system, including installing the device or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the disclosure, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means at least one of A, at least one of B, and/or at least one of C, or any one of A, B, or C or combination of A, B, or C. A, B, and C are elements of a list, and A, B, and C may be anything contained in the Specification.

The present disclosure has described one or more preferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention.