Patents by Inventor Chad T. Harris

Chad T. Harris 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: 11320502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Publication number: 20210018581
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Patent number: 10830849
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Publication number: 20190011511
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Patent number: 10060995
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptive Medical (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron
  • Publication number: 20170261574
    Abstract: Systems and methods for rapidly ramping the magnetic field of a superconducting magnet, such as a superconducting magnet adapted for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system, are provided. The magnetic field can be rapidly ramped up or down by changing the current density in the superconducting magnet while monitoring and controlling the superconducting magnet's temperature to remain below a transition temperature. A superconducting switch is used to connect the superconducting magnet and a power supply in a connected circuit. The current generated by the power supply is then adjusted to increase or decrease the current density in the superconducting magnet to respectively ramp up or ramp down the magnetic field strength in a controlled manner. The ramp rate at which the magnetic field strength is changed is determined and optimized based on the operating parameters of the superconducting magnet and the current being generated by the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jeff A. Stainsby, Chad T. Harris, Alexander G. Panther, Cameron A. Piron