READY View

Indications for use

READY View is an image analysis software that allows the user to process dynamic or functional volumetric data and to generate maps that display changes in image intensity over time, echo time, b-value (Diffusion imaging) and frequency (Spectroscopy). The combination of acquired images, reconstructed images, calculated parametric images, tissue segmentation, annotations and measurement performed by the clinician allows multi-parametric analysis and may provide clinically relevant information for diagnosis.

Overview

READY View has been developed for the analysis of MR data sets that contain multiple images for each scan location in the data set. These may be time-course series or dynamic data sets. For example, the series may be any of the following data types:

• a time series
• a diffusion-weighted scan
• a variable echo scan
• an MR Elastography scan
• a Spectroscopy scan

Such data sets contain a series of N sequentially ordered images for each scan location, where the interval 1..N can represent time, b–value, echo time, gradient orientation or ppm value (frequency) depending on the data set type.

The pixel value in an area of interest at a given scan location may have a different value for EACH image. To analyze these changes in pixel value, READY View provides two tools:

• Graphs: the pixel values at a given pixel location p for the images 1..N are plotted as a graph of pixel value over image number or time, b–value, echo time, gradient orientation or ppm value.
• Function images: for every pixel location p the pixel values from the images 1..N are used to compute a characteristic parameter by means of a function. A functional map is then constructed by displaying the value of the parameter for every pixel location.

READY View provides the ability to compute functional maps for the analysis of MR time series, variable echo, diffusion, fMRI images, MR spectroscopy images and MR Elastography images.

READY View workflow

READY View is delivered with a set of multi-series protocols that allow you to select the series, launch READY View and within READY View navigate between various applications. This very convenient workflow means that you can stay within the READY View application and review all data sets with the appropriate protocol. For example, if you select MR Brain, you are able to view DWI, time series, DTI and spectroscopy images from the same READY View session.

READY View only processes the following:

• Patient data from a single date.
• Single type of post-processing, which means that you can only compute one series per READY View session. If the exam has two series (for example pre- and post-contrast series), the maps must be computed for one series and then quit READY View and relaunch it to compute the second series.

PURE and other image filter considerations

Keep the following important points in mind when using PURE or other image filter options with scans that are post processed or displayed in a viewer.

• PURE and SCENIC are features that improve image uniformity by applying a pixel intensity correction. SCENIC applies a unique correction for every image meaning that the same correction will not be applied even to images acquired at the same slice location. This may lead to incorrect results when READY View or any post processing software including subtraction is used. As a result, it is strongly recommended to disable SCENIC for dynamic studies as well as any acquisition that generates more than one image per slice location, e.g. DWI or DTI. PURE can be used as long as it is using the same PURE calibration series for all the series or images involved with the processing.
• The output of post-processing can be modified with any change to the scan protocol. For optimal post-processing results, keep consistency with scan protocols, avoid using SCENIC, use the same type of filter or apply PURE for all the images involved with the current post-processing.