Patents by Inventor Carl R. Hedlund

Carl R. Hedlund has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6992483
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pierre R. Emeric, Carl R. Hedlund
  • Patent number: 6909283
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pierre R. Emeric, Carl R. Hedlund
  • Patent number: 6516282
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control used in conjunction with a vacuous chamber enclosing the gradient coils of an MRI apparatus to predict heat dissipation requirements to maintain internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits thereby enabling higher power applications for faster-imaging with improved quality, as well as allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The control includes determining operating parameters of an imminent scan session and predicting therefrom maximum and minimum operating temperatures. The predicted maximum and minimum temperatures are compared to maximum and minimum temperatures required for proper operation of the MRI system. If necessary, the operating profile is adjusted to drive the predicted temperatures to satisfy the temperatures required by environmental and device guidelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Hedlund, Pierre R. Emeric
  • Publication number: 20020156595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control used in conjunction with a vacuous chamber enclosing the gradient coils of an MRI apparatus to predict heat dissipation requirements to maintain internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved quality, as well as allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The control includes determining operating parameters of an imminent scan session and predicting therefrom maximum and minimum operating temperatures. The predicted maximum and minimum temperatures are compared to maximum and minimum temperatures required for proper operation of the MRI system. If necessary, the operating profile is adjusted to drive the predicted temperatures to satisfy the temperatures required by environmental and device guidelines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Carl R. Hedlund, Pierre R. Emeric
  • Publication number: 20020148604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of removing heat from an MR imaging device while maintaining internal and external temperatures below maximum operating limits, thereby enabling higher power applications for faster imaging with improved image quality as well as, allowing longer scan times for interventional procedures. The system includes a vacuum chamber housing the gradient coils and a vacuum pump connected thereto to regulate the pressure and humidity within the chamber. A heat exchanger, coolant pump, and controller are provided to regulate the temperature of coolant designed to dissipate heat from the gradient coils in response to at least one temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Pierre R. Emeric, Carl R. Hedlund