Patents by Inventor Erzhen Gao
Erzhen Gao 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: 9869733Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 9170310Abstract: A whole body RF coil array module configured for cryogenic cooling for use in magnetic resonance imaging. The RF coil array may be a superconducting coil array, such as a high temperature superconducting (HTS) array. The RF coil array module provides sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio and large field of view such that the RF coil array may be used in an MRI whole body system for diagnostic imaging of all body parts without requiring using special-purpose RF coils for different body parts.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Publication number: 20150077116Abstract: A superconducting RF coil array which may be used in whole body MRI scanners and/or in dedicated MRI systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 8723522Abstract: A superconducting RF coil array which may be used in whole body MRI scanners and/or in dedicated MRI systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 8593146Abstract: Methods and/or apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting gradient coil module configured for cryogenic cooling. Such a superconducting gradient coil module may comprise a vacuum thermal isolation housing comprising a double wall hermetically sealed jacket that (i) encloses a hermetically sealed interior space having a first vacuum pressure, and (ii) substantially encloses a vacuum space having a second vacuum pressure; at least one superconductor gradient coil disposed in the vacuum space; a thermal sink member disposed in the vacuum space and in thermal contact with the at least one superconductor gradient coil; and a port configured for cryogenically cooling at least the thermal sink member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Erzhen Gao, Qiyuan Ma
-
Publication number: 20130063148Abstract: A whole body RF coil array module configured for cryogenic cooling for use in magnetic resonance imaging. The RF coil array may be a superconducting coil array, such as a high temperature superconducting (HTS) array. The RF coil array module provides sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio and large field of view such that the RF coil array may be used in an MRI whole body system for diagnostic imaging of all body parts without requiring using special-purpose RF coils for different body parts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: March 14, 2013Inventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Publication number: 20120319690Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 8253416Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company LimitedInventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 8115487Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a primary magnet and a secondary magnet operable to produce magnetic fields within a sample being imaged. The MRI system further includes at least one RF coil that is operable to receive electromagnetic frequencies from the sample. The RF coil is formed from tubing that serves as a cooling conduit through which flows a cooling fluid provided by a cooling source. The cooling fluid cools the RF coils to improve imaging of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: m2m Imaging CorporationInventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Wallace Kunimoto
-
Patent number: 8035382Abstract: A radio frequency coil array (50) includes at least first (501) and second (502) receive coils. A flux pipe (52) includes electrically connected first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils. The first (2521) and second (2522) loop coils are coupled to the respective first and second receive coils. The flux pipe (52) reduces mutual inductance between the first (501) and second (502) receive coils.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: m2m Imaging CorporationInventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Ingmar Viohl, Greig Scott, Kamal Vij, Joseph R. Flicek
-
Patent number: 8030932Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance examination includes a radio frequency receive coil (50) and adjustable tuning circuitry (51) for adjusting the resonant frequency of the receive coil. The apparatus also includes a preamplifier (29) which amplifies signals generated by the receive coil. An adjustable feedback circuit (31) alters an effective Q of the receive coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: m2m Imaging CorporationInventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Ingmar Viohl, Greig Scott, Kamal Vij, Joseph R. Flicek
-
Publication number: 20110121830Abstract: A superconducting RF coil array which may be used in whole body MRI scanners and/or in dedicated MRI systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Publication number: 20110012599Abstract: Methods and/or apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting gradient coil module configured for cryogenic cooling. Such a superconducting gradient coil module may comprise a vacuum thermal isolation housing comprising a double wall hermetically sealed jacket that (i) encloses a hermetically sealed interior space having a first vacuum pressure, and (ii) substantially encloses a vacuum space having a second vacuum pressure; at least one superconductor gradient coil disposed in the vacuum space; a thermal sink member disposed in the vacuum space and in thermal contact with the at least one superconductor gradient coil; and a port configured for cryogenically cooling at least the thermal sink member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Erzhen GAO, Qiyuan Ma
-
Publication number: 20110011102Abstract: A cryogenically-cooled superconducting RF head-coil array which may be used in whole-body MRI scanners and/or in dedicated, head-only MRI systems. An RF head-coil array module may comprise a vacuum thermal isolation housing comprising a double wall hermetically sealed jacket that (i) encloses a hermetically sealed interior space under a vacuum condition, and (ii) substantially encloses an interior chamber region that is separate from the hermetically sealed interior space and is configured to be evacuated to a vacuum condition. A plurality of superconductor radiofrequency coils are disposed in the interior chamber region, and each radiofrequency coil is configured for at least one of generating and receiving a radiofrequency signal for at least one of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. At least one thermal sink member may be disposed in the interior chamber region and in thermal contact with the superconductor radiofrequency coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Erzhen Gao, Qiyuan Ma
-
Publication number: 20110015078Abstract: A superconducting main magnet system for a head-dedicated MRI system is provided, and a head-only MRI system may comprise such a superconducting main magnet and a cryogenically-cooled superconducting RF head-coil array. The superconducting main magnet may comprise a first and second set of high temperature superconductor coils which are configured to be coaxial relative to a common longitudinal axis. The first coil set includes at least two coils having an inner radius and disposed in a first region of a length along the common axis to cover a head and neck of a human body, and the second coil set includes at least one coil having an inner radius and disposed in a second region of a length along the common axis to cover a portion of a human torso, wherein the inner radius of the second coil set is greater than the inner radius of the first coil set.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Erzhen Gao, Qiyuan Ma
-
Publication number: 20100321020Abstract: An apparatus for use in a magnetic resonance examination includes a radio frequency receive coil (50) and adjustable tuning circuitry (51) for adjusting the resonant frequency of the receive coil. The apparatus also includes a preamplifier (29) which amplifies signals generated by the receive coil. An adjustable feedback circuit (31) alters an effective Q of the receive coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: M2M IMAGING CORP.Inventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Ingmar Viohl, Greig Scott, Kamal Vij, Joseph R. Flicek
-
Publication number: 20100280361Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a primary magnet and a secondary magnet operable to produce magnetic fields within a sample being imaged. The MRI system further includes at least one RF coil that is operable to receive electromagnetic frequencies from the sample. The RF coil is formed from tubing that serves as a cooling conduit through which flows a cooling fluid provided by a cooling source. The cooling fluid cools the RF coils to improve imaging of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: m2m Imaging Corp.Inventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Wallace Kunimoto
-
Publication number: 20100231215Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or magnetic resonance spectroscopy comprising a superconducting main magnet operable to generate a uniform magnetic field in an examination region, at least one superconducting gradient field coil operable to apply a respective at least one magnetic field gradient within the examination region, and at least one RF coil that is operable to transmit and receive radio frequency signals to and from the examination region, and that is configured for cooling and comprises at least one of (i) a non-superconducting material that when cooled to a temperature below room temperature has a conductivity higher than that of copper at that temperature and (ii) a superconducting material. The main magnet, the gradient coils, and each of the at least one RF coil of a given system may each be implemented as high temperature superconductor materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
-
Patent number: 7782059Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes a primary magnet and a secondary magnet operable to produce magnetic fields within a sample being imaged. The MRI system further includes at least one RF coil that is operable to receive electromagnetic frequencies from the sample. The RF coil is formed from tubing that serves as a cooling conduit through which flows a cooling fluid provided by a cooling source. The cooling fluid cools the RF coils to improve imaging of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: m2m Imaging Corp.Inventors: Jon T. DeVries, Erzhen Gao, Ingmar Viohl, Greig Scott, Kamal Vij, Joseph R. Flicek
-
Patent number: 7777491Abstract: A magnetic resonance coil system 18 allows for the use of modular components and which in one embodiment is particularly well-suited for use with small animals and includes an animal receiving apparatus 202, a transmit coil module 204, and a receive coil module 206. The receive coil module 206 includes a cryogenic receive coil. The coil system 18 is selectively insertable in the bore of the gradient coil of a magnetic resonance examination system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: m2m Imaging Corp.Inventors: Erzhen Gao, Jon T. Devries, C. Richard Hullihen, III, Wallace Y. Kunimoto, Timothy W. James