Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Koch

Kevin M. Koch 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).

  • Publication number: 20100308828
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reconstructing multi-spectral 3D MR images includes a magnetic resonance (MRI) apparatus that includes an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet, and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus also includes a computer programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, wherein each 3D MR data set is acquired using a central transmit and receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to simultaneously generate a composite image and a magnetic field map based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin M. Koch, Diego Hernando Arribas
  • Patent number: 7821264
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields includes acquisition of a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each data set having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to a frequency offset that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. A composite image is generated based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Koch, Kevin F. King, Reed F. Busse
  • Publication number: 20090184711
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for MR imaging in inhomogeneous magnetic fields includes acquisition of a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each data set having a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to a frequency offset that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. A composite image is generated based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin M, Koch, Kevin F. King, Reed F. Busse
  • Patent number: 7535227
    Abstract: A technique for reconstructing a corrected MR image from MR images distorted by foreign object induced magnetic fields includes locating a foreign object in a subject and defining a localized area of a field of view about the foreign object where a magnetic field distortion adversely affects a first magnetic distortion correction technique. The first magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the field of view other than in the localized area. A second magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the localized area and the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques are combined. An image is reconstructed based on the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Koch, Richard Scott Hinks, David Thomas Gering
  • Publication number: 20090108843
    Abstract: A technique for reconstructing a corrected MR image from MR images distorted by foreign object induced magnetic fields includes locating a foreign object in a subject and defining a localized area of a field of view about the foreign object where a magnetic field distortion adversely affects a first magnetic distortion correction technique. The first magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the field of view other than in the localized area. A second magnetic distortion correction technique is applied to the localized area and the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques are combined. An image is reconstructed based on the results of the application of the first and second magnetic distortion correction techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin M. Koch, Richard Scott Hinks, David Thomas Gering