Patents by Inventor SeungKyun Lee

SeungKyun Lee 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).

  • NMR and MRI apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7187169
    Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. Additional signal to noise benefits are obtained by use of a low noise polarization coil, comprising litz wire or superconducting materials. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John Clarke, Nathan Kelso, SeungKyun Lee, Michael Moessle, Whittier Myers, Robert McDermott, Bernard ten Haken, Alexander Pines, Andreas Trabesinger
  • NMR and MRI apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20060091881
    Abstract: Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals are detected in microtesla fields. Prepolarization in millitesla fields is followed by detection with an untuned dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer. Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, both signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution are enhanced by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. Additional signal to noise benefits are obtained by use of a low noise polarization coil, comprising litz wire or superconducting materials. MRI in ultralow magnetic field is based on the NMR at ultralow fields. Gradient magnetic fields are applied, and images are constructed from the detected NMR signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: John Clarke, Nathan Kelso, SeungKyun Lee, Michael Moessle, Whittier Myers, Robert McDermott, Bernard Haken, Alexander Pines, Andreas Trabesinger