Determine Fluid Flow Rate Patents (Class 324/306)
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Patent number: 9322894Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes performing a magnetic resonance (MR) data acquisition sequence including the acquisition of a plurality of blades of k-space data rotated about a section of k-space. The k-space data is representative of gyromagnetic material within a subject of interest, and each blade includes a plurality of encode lines defining a width of the respective blade. The acquisition of each blade includes receiving MR signal from echoes in two or more separate echo trains to fill at least a portion of the plurality of encode lines, and the echo trains are separated by an excitation pulse.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Dawei Gui, Ajeetkumar Gaddipati, Xiaoli Zhao, Shaorong Chang, Zhiqiang Li
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Patent number: 9279867Abstract: Described herein is a biasing circuit for a magnetic-field sensor; the magnetic-field sensor is provided with a first detection structure, which generates a first electrical detection quantity as a function of a first component of an external magnetic field, and a second detection structure, which generates a second electrical detection quantity as a function of a second component of an external magnetic field. The biasing circuit electrically supplies the first detection structure and the second detection structure in respective biasing time intervals, at least partially distinct from one another, which preferably do not temporally overlap one other.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Enrico Pozzati, Carlo Alberto Romani, Fabio Bottinelli
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Patent number: 9232908Abstract: According to a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus, a scanning-parameter limit calculating unit creates examination information that represents scanning conditions for collection of magnetic resonance signal data based on scanning parameters set by an operator; a scanning-condition edit/scan positioning unit creates a time chart that indicates the type and a sequential execution order of an event to be executed when collecting magnetic resonance signal data based on the examination information created by the scanning-parameter limit calculating unit, and causes a time-chart display unit to display the created time chart.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignees: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventor: Satoshi Sugiura
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Patent number: 9235202Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and a method and device for generating a control command sequence for operating the magnetic resonance system, a magnetic resonance data acquisition sequence is provided to a processor and is modified in the processor. The sequence operates the magnetic resonance system to acquire magnetic resonance data from a subject in multiple individual data acquisitions for subsequent automated evaluation of the individual data acquisitions with respect to an evaluation parameter. The individual evaluation results are combined into an overall evaluation result. The control command sequence is automatically modified in the processor by varying at least one sequence control parameter between different individual data acquisitions so that a variance of a measurement error in the overall evaluation result is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Oliver Heid
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Patent number: 9134394Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a first data acquisition unit, a second data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The first data acquisition unit acquires first data from a slice to be a target after a first delay time from a reference of a first heart rate in synchronization with an electrocardiogram. The second data acquisition unit acquires second data from the slice after a second delay time from a reference of a second heart rate which is different from the first heart rate. The image data generating unit generates image data with image reconstruction processing using the first data and the second data.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2007Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Mitsue Miyazaki
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Patent number: 9123121Abstract: In imaging for labeling only the fluid of a specific region, a high-quality image is acquired in a short time. In order to achieve this, the optimal number of segments N is determined from the flow velocity V and the size ? of a specific region to be labeled when performing imaging by labeling only the fluid of the specific region using a two-dimensional selective excitation pulse as a pre-pulse. In addition, the k-space ordering is determined according to the arrival timing of the fluid to the imaging region. In addition, the optimal flip angle (FA) is determined depending on the type of pre-pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi Nishihara, Hiroyuki Itagaki, Kosuke Hirai
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Patent number: 9095302Abstract: In a method described for generating magnetic resonance exposures in which diffusion-coded raw data are acquired with of a diffusion gradient measurement sequence having a number of partial diffusion gradient sequences, at least one diffusion coding gradient pulse is emitted in each partial data set, and raw data of a k-space region are acquired during a first echo after a defined first echo time the k-space regions in total covering a complete k-space. Raw data of an established navigator k-space region are acquired during a second echo after a second echo time the navigator k-space region being identical for different partial diffusion gradient sequences. Reference raw data are acquired by a reference measurement sequence with multiple partial reference sequences.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: David Andrew Porter
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Patent number: 9095271Abstract: A method of processing a signal pertaining to at least one electrical property of an organ of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a physiological condition of the subject, selecting a frequency band, filtering the signal according to the frequency band, and dynamically adapting the frequency band in response to a change in the physiological condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Cheetah Medical, Inc.Inventor: Hanan Keren
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Patent number: 9075121Abstract: A system and method is provided for performing a phase-contrast imaging process to generate an image of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. With the MRI system, a set of reference projections of a subject is acquired having both stationary spins and non-stationary spins and a set of velocity-sensitive projections is acquired from the ROI that is encoded to be velocity sensitive along multiple directions per readout. For each projection of the set of velocity-sensitive projections, directional velocity components are determined and a phase-contrast image of the ROI is generated using the set of reference projections, the set of velocity-sensitive projections, and the directional velocity components.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventor: Pablo Irarrazaval
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Patent number: 9069050Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) blipped trajectories having varying blip amplitudes are described. One example method includes controlling an MRI apparatus to produce a set of blipped trajectories including a first blipped trajectory having a first blip amplitude and a second, different blipped trajectory having a second, different blip amplitude. The blip amplitudes may be based on a relationship between a trajectory and a reference. The relationship may be, for example, a rotation angle. The rotation angle may be a proxy for information including a gradient trajectory speed associated with a blipped trajectory or an amount of unused gradient energy available while producing the blipped trajectory. The blip amplitudes may be selected to produce incoherent sampling during an MRI acquisition that uses the blipped trajectories. In one example, readout directions may be altered between trajectories to reduce regularity in k-space.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey Duerk, Mark Griswold, Daniel Neumann, Charlie Yi Wang
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Patent number: 9063204Abstract: Techniques, systems computer program products are disclosed increasing tagging efficiency in velocity selective arterial spin labeling using multiple velocity selective saturation modules. In one aspect, a magnetic resonance imaging method for tagging arterial blood includes using two or more velocity selective saturation (VSS) modules to tag arterial blood. The tagged arterial blood is imaged.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Jia Guo, Eric C. Wong
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Patent number: 9064303Abstract: In multi-slice imaging of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on a non-Cartesian sampling method in which an overlap portion is generated in k space, stable body movement correction is realized at high speed. In order to do so, the rotation and translation of an object is detected for each specific region (in the case of a hybrid radial method, each blade) using a most characteristic slice in the imaging region, and the detected body movement is used for body movement correction of the specific region in all slices. The slice used for correction may be determined using a mathematical analysis result, such as correlation. In addition, data collection and correction processing may be performed in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Miyuki Kawamura, Masahiro Takizawa
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Patent number: 9013182Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dynamic contrast magnetic resonance imaging aimed to improve characterization of tissue image by improving accuracy of computed pharmacokinetic parameters such as Ktrans (transfer constant across capillary membrane; a pharmacokinetic parameter of tissue perfusion) using T1W Fast DCE-MRI technique to distinguish between malignant, benign and normal tissues. A phantom and a contrast agent are used in the proposed MRI system for computing accurate T1 value of a tissue after the contrast is injected based on an intrinsic T10 value the tissue, wherein the intrinsic T10 value is adjusted and/or normalized to improve accuracy of the T1 value computed, which in turn is used for computation of pharmacokinetic parameters at least one of Ktrans.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research CentreInventors: Amarnath Jena, Shashi Bhushan Mehta, Sangeeta Taneja, Urmi Sarkar
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Patent number: 8975893Abstract: In a method for optimization of a flow coding with switching of an additional bipolar dephasing gradient pair, used in a magnetic resonance (MR) phase contrast angiography, the strength of the flow coding is selected depending on the flow velocity in the vessels that should be depicted. MR signals of an examination region are acquired with continuously running overview measurements, with an operator-selected flow coding strength. After the selected flow coding strength is adopted automatically for the next measurement of the continuously running overview measurements, and two partial measurements with different flow codings are implemented for each selected strength and a phase difference image from the two partial measurements is calculated and depicted in real time, and the selected flow coding strength is automatically adopted for the MR phase contrast angiography.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Greiser, Peter Speier
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Patent number: 8952690Abstract: An apparatus detects a fluid flow. The apparatus includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool configured to perform an NMR measurement on the fluid in a sensitive volume by establishing a magnetic field in the sensitive volume and transmitting a sequence of refocus pulses, without a tipping pulse, the NMR measurement comprising spin echo signals. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to detect a presence of the fluid flow in the sensitive volume based on the spin echo signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Martin Blanz, Thomas Kruspe
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Patent number: 8947086Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and device to generate spatially resolved, quasi-T2-weighted magnetic resonance signals from an examination region, an initial magnetization is flipped in a first direction with a first gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. Spatially coded first magnetic resonance signals from the first gradient-balanced SSFP sequence are detected during the transient portion of the first SSFP sequence. An initial magnetization is flipped in a direction opposite the first direction with a second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. Spatially coded second magnetic resonance signals from the second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence during the transient portion of the second gradient-balanced SSFP sequence. The first and second magnetic resonance signals are constructively superimposed into overlay signals. Image data with a predominant T2 weighting are reconstructed from the overlay signals, or are used for spatially resolved estimation of the T2 relaxation time constant.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellaschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Wolfgang G. Rehwald, Peter Speier
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Publication number: 20150028867Abstract: A method and system for measuring a vehicle airspeed, wherein a nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, measurement method is used for obtaining relative velocity between the vehicle and an atmosphere surrounding the vehicle. A groove is arranged at the outside body of an aircraft and the surrounding atmosphere is allowed to pass inside the groove. A strong magnet system establishes a magnetic field with a gradient in the flow direction. The atoms passing inside the groove is exposed to an electromagnetic radiation whereby the atoms oscillate at a Lamor frequency, which is proportional to the strong magnetic field. The change in Lamor frequency along the groove is measured and is proportional to the airspeed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventor: Jutta Gaguen
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Patent number: 8928319Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method for the apparatus, image distortions are corrected that occur in exposures of diffusion-weighted MR images of an examination subject. A diffusion-weighted image is acquired using a first acquisition process. Another diffusion-weighted reference image is acquired using a second acquisition process that is different than the first acquisition process. The second acquisition process causes significantly smaller eddy current-dependent image distortions than the first acquisition process given the same b-value. Correction parameters to correct the image distortions of the diffusion-weighted image are determined by comparing the diffusion-weighted image with the reference image in order to determine the correction parameters such that the diffusion-weighted image can be converted into the reference image with the aid of the correction parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Thorsten Feiweier
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SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING MAGNETIC RESONANCE (MR) IMAGING ACOUSTIC NOISE IN MR INFLOW IMAGING
Publication number: 20140347048Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing acoustic noise in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes applying a labeling phase of an arterial spin labeling (ASL) pulse sequence to a region of interest, applying a three-dimensional (3D) radial pulse sequence to the region of interest to generate a tag image, applying a control phase of the ASL pulse sequence to the region of interest, and applying the 3D radial pulse sequence to the region of interest to generate a control image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Wei SUN, Gaohong G. WU, Jason Andrew POLZIN, Ajit SHANKARANARAYANAN -
Publication number: 20140266188Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flowmeter is disclosed. The nuclear magnetic flowmeter includes a magnetization device located around a straight measuring tube for producing a magnetic field in a medium. The flowmeter also includes a gradient coil that produces a gradient in the field. The flowmeter further includes a signal coil that excites the medium and that detects the result of the excitation. Additionally, the flowmeter includes a coil insulating frame and a sealed housing. The housing is along a longitudinal axis of the tube and has a first face side and a second face side having openings through which the tube is routed. The magnetization device is provided in the interior of the housing. The gradient coil and the signal coil are located in a space between the tube and magnetization device that is penetrated by the field. The gradient coil and/or the signal coil are located on the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Krohne AGInventors: Jan Teunis Aart Pors, Jan-Willem Ramondt
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Patent number: 8836328Abstract: NMR measurements are made along with acoustic measurements using one tool. The antenna of the NMR sensor is used to create acoustic signals. Interference between the acoustic and NMR measurements is avoided due to the frequency difference, and by having the acoustic excitation during a wait time of the NMR pulse sequence.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Thomas Kruspe
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Patent number: 8829902Abstract: A functional image creating method and a functional image creating apparatus, each enabling rendering of an activated region, are provided. A phase difference image PDr(x) is created using a complex image ?r(x) created from an MR signal in an inactive state and a complex image ??r(x) obtained by filtering the complex image ?r(x). A phase difference image PDa(x) is created using a complex image ?a(x) created from an MR signal in an active state and a complex image ??a(x) obtained by filtering the complex image ?a(x). Function signal images diff1(x) and diff2(x) are created using the phase difference images PDr(x) and PDa(x), respectively. A magnitude image Mr(x), a magnitude image Ma(x), a standard image, or a morphological image I(x) is masked with the function signal image diff1(x) or diff2(x), thereby a function image I?(x) with an activated region rendered is created.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: National University Corporation Kumamoto UniversityInventors: Tetsuya Yoneda, Yasuhiro Hiai
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Patent number: 8823376Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic resonance data acquisition unit and a cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit. The magnetic resonance data acquisition unit consecutively acquires a plurality of magnetic resonance data for generating a plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data, each corresponding to a different data acquisition time, after a labeling pulse is applied. The cerebrospinal fluid image data generation unit generates the plurality of cerebrospinal fluid image data based on the plurality of magnetic resonance data.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tobshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Yuichi Yamashita, Nobuyasu Ichinose, Shinichi Kitane
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Publication number: 20140218023Abstract: A fluid flowmeter which uses nuclear magnetic resonance to determine quantities of flowing fluid(s) has a polarizing magnet system with magnets which are high temperature superconductors such as yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) or bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO) which are superconducting at liquid nitrogen temperature and provide a greater magnetic field strength than conventional magnets. This may allow the flowmeter to accept higher through flow rate and/or may allow observation of 23Na in an aqueous phase as well as 1H.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2012Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Edmund Fordham
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Patent number: 8798718Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system and operating method, a series with a predetermined number of flip angles is established, that begins with a first flip angle that is smaller than the last flip angle of the series, and an arbitrary flip angle is greater than or equal to the preceding flip angle in the series. Respective predetermined regions of k-space are acquired that form first and second magnetic resonance data. Using a gradient echo sequence, each region is acquired during time interval as a series of components respectively with different flip angles in the series of flip angles. Each of the angiography magnetic resonance images has a flip angle range assigned thereto, and is formed by combining respective regions of k-space filled with components of the first and second magnetic resonance data that were acquired in that range.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Peter Schmitt
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Patent number: 8791699Abstract: This disclosure is generally drawn to methods, systems, appliances and/or apparati related to obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. More specifically, the disclosure relates to obtaining MRI images using arterial spin labeling (ASL) and blood-oxygen-level dependence functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) techniques. In some examples, a method of obtaining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image(s) is provided. An example method may include providing arterial spin labeling (ASL) labeling, obtaining at least one ASL acquisition after ASL labeling, and obtaining at least one blood-oxygen-level dependence functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) acquisition after ASL labeling.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Children's Hospital Medical CenterInventors: Luis Hernandez-Garcia, Jennifer Vannest, Scott Holland, Vincent Schmithorst
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Patent number: 8729893Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. A first velocity distribution is obtained for a first set of nuclei in the fluid from a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal received for the fluid in response to a first NMR excitation signal. A second velocity distribution is obtained for a second set of nuclei in the fluid from an NMR signal received for the fluid in response to a second NMR excitation signal. A velocity of the phase is estimated from the first velocity distribution and the second velocity distribution. The flow rate of the phase is estimated using the estimated velocity of the phase and an estimated volume fraction of the phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Lilong Li, Songhua Chen, Carl M. Edwards, Joo Tim Ong
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Publication number: 20140132260Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flow meter (1) for measuring the flow rate of a multiphase medium (4) which is flowing through a measuring tube (3) is described, with a nuclear magnetic measurement device (2), the nuclear magnetic measurement device (2) being located around the measuring tube (3). In accordance with the invention an improved accuracy of the measurement of the flow rate for the gaseous phase is achieved in that in addition to the nuclear magnetic measurement device (2) there is a further measurement device which implements another measurement principle, in the described exemplary embodiment a differential pressure flow rate measurement device (5). In the described exemplary embodiment the differential pressure flow rate measurement device (5) is made for measuring the differential pressure of the medium (4) in the measuring tube (3), and there are at least one pressure gauge (8a, 8b) each on two measurement sites (6a, 6b) which are different in the longitudinal direction (7) of the measuring tube (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Krohne AGInventor: Cornelius Johannes Hogendoorn
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Patent number: 8710836Abstract: NMR technology disclosed herein, such as an NMR apparatus or an NMR method, for example, may be useful for purposes described herein, such as determining presence or absence of magnetic resonance from a sample, for example. Methods pertaining to such NMR technology include methods of designing or constructing NMR apparatus, methods of using NMR apparatus, methods of employing data obtained from NMR apparatus, and/or the like. Various apparatus and methods for detection of magnetic resonance in sample material are disclosed herein. Additionally, various apparatus and methods for usefully employing magnetic resonance data are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: nanoMR, Inc.Inventors: Natalie Louise Adolphi, Andrew Frederick McDowell
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Patent number: 8698494Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: STC.UNMInventors: Laurel Sillerud, Todd M. Alam, Andrew F. McDowell
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TUNNEL WATER INRUSH ADVANCE PREDICTION DEVICE USING NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE DIFFERENCE AND METHOD
Publication number: 20140091789Abstract: An equipment and method for forecasting tunnel water inrush using a magnetic resonance differential, where a computer is connected to a transmitting bridge circuit through a high voltage power supply, to a control unit, a first and second signal modulating circuits and a multi-channel collecting circuit; the control unit is connected to a transmitting driver circuit, a first and second protection switches, and the transmitting bridge circuit through the transmitting driver circuit; two ends of a transceiving multi-turn coil are connected to the multi-channel collecting circuit through the first and second protection switches; two ends of a receiving multi-turn coil are connected to the multi-channel collecting circuit through the second protection switch and the second signal modulating circuit; one end of the transceiving multi-turn coil is connected to the transmitting bridge circuit, and the other end is connected to the transmitting bridge circuit through a resonant capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: JILIN UNIVERSITYInventors: Yingji Wang, Jun Lin, Shuqin Sun, Chuandong Jiang, Jianpeng Wang, Bo Pang, Zhe Zhang -
Publication number: 20140084916Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to generate an MR phase contrast angiography image of an examination subject, velocity-dependent phase information is impressed on moving spins in the examination subject by switching additional bipolar coding gradients that are in addition to the basic phase coding and readout gradients. For the creation of the MR phase contrast angiography images, the MR signals of the examination subject are read out in raw data space with a non-Cartesian acquisition pattern during a readout gradient. The additional bipolar coding gradients switched such that they proceed along a coordinate system that corresponds to the non-Cartesian acquisition pattern, and such that a coordinate axis of this coordinate system proceed along the readout gradient.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Inventors: Andreas Greiser, Peter Schmitt
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Publication number: 20140077800Abstract: A magnetic field apparatus comprises a generator for generating a magnetic field of the magnetic field apparatus and a sensor for measuring the interaction between electrical charge carriers in an object and the magnetic field, wherein the electrical as charge carriers and the magnetic field are in relative motion to each other. The magnetic field apparatus may in particular be an MRI apparatus and the sensor may use the magnetohydrodynamic effect for deriving a cardiac trigger signal at any target area positioned off-centre to the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2011Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicants: SIEMENS AG, MAX-DELBRUECK-CENTRUM FUER MOLEKULARE MEDIZINInventors: Tobias Frauenrath, Thoralf Niendorf, Wolfgang Renz
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Publication number: 20140049257Abstract: A method of determining rheological properties of a fluid. The method includes: providing an open-bore tube and defining within the bore a three dimensional grid (3DG) of voxels; defining at least an inlet cross section (ICS) and an outlet cross section (OCS); defining a volume of interest within the bore between the ICS and the OCS; obtaining rheological properties of the fluid; applying a pressure gradient to the bore between the ICS and the OCS; and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging the fluid within the volume of interest to determine various aspects of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: ASPECT IMAGING LTD.Inventor: Uri RAPOPORT
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Publication number: 20140043021Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) spins are inverted by applying an inversion recovery (IR) radio frequency pulse (50). MR signals are acquired at an inversion time (TI) after the IR radio frequency pulse. TI is selected such that a first tissue of interest (e.g., blood) exhibits negative magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse and a second tissue (e.g., intraplaque hemorrhage tissue) exhibits positive magnetism excited by the IR radio frequency pulse. The acquired magnetic resonance signals are reconstructed to generate spatial pixels or voxels wherein positive pixel or voxel values indicate spatial locations of positive magnetism and negative pixel or voxel values indicates spatial locations of negative magnetism. A first image (28) representative of the first tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having negative signal intensities, and a second image (26) representative of the second tissue is generated from spatial pixels or voxels having positive signal intensities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Jinnan Wang, Michael Günter Helle, William Sean Kerwin, Peter Boernert, Chun Yuan
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Publication number: 20140043022Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing contrast enhanced first pass magnetic resonance angiography, the method comprising: acquiring (302) magnetic resonance datasets of a region of interest using a single- or multi-echo data acquisition technique, wherein the echo times of the one or multiple echoes are flexible, wherein at the time of the data acquisition the region of interest comprises fat, water and a contrast agent, processing (304) the datasets using a generalized Dixon water-fat separation technique to eliminate the signal originating from the fat from the background for reconstruction of an image data set.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Liesbeth Geerts-Ossevoort, Hendrik Kooijman, Eveline Alberts, Holger Eggers
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Patent number: 8648593Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to perform a balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) technique that includes magnetization preparation with differentiated velocity encoding and spoiling residual transverse magnetization are described. The example systems, methods, and other embodiments are also associated with acquiring a dark blood image in response to the bSSFP technique. A dark blood image is one in which NMR signal acquired from an object subjected to the bSSFP technique and magnetization preparation includes NMR signal from flowing spins and NMR signal from non-flowing spins in a desired ratio.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey L. Duerk, Jeffrey L. Sunshine, Mark A. Griswold, Jamal J. Derakhshan, Sherif G. Nour
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Publication number: 20140028310Abstract: A magnetization device with a magnetic field which is generated by permanent magnets for variable magnetization of a medium flowing through a tube over a magnetization distance along the longitudinal axis of the tube. The magnetization device improves the quality of the results relative to known nuclear magnetic resonance measurement and analysis methods in that the magnetic field in the medium has a single direction over the magnetization distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Krohne AGInventors: Marco Leendert Zoeteweij, Olaf Jean Paul Bousché, Cornelis Johannes Hogendoorn, Ariël de Graaf, Jan Teunis Aart Pors, Jan-Willem Ramondt
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Publication number: 20140021948Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flowmeter with a measuring tube, a signal apparatus for generating signals to excite a medium flowing through the tube and/or for evaluating signals of the excited medium, at least one signal coil located on the measuring tube for sending signals from the signal apparatus and/or for receiving signals of the excited medium and a matching device between the signal apparatus and the signal coil which has a reactive adjustment object a value of which can be rotationally adjusted mechanically and an adjusting apparatus which is assigned to the adjustment object. The adjustment apparatus has a rotary final control element which influences the adjustment object, a rotary actuator which acts on the rotary final control element, a torque clutch between the rotary actuator and the rotary final control element which transmits a torque generated by the rotary actuator to the rotary final control element, and a rotary stop.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventors: Jan Teunis Aart Pors, Jan-Willem Ramondt
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Patent number: 8633689Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. In the first method, nuclei in the fluid are polarized over two distances and a measured magnetization gives the relative fraction of two components of the fluid for a selected velocity. In the second method, nuclei in the fluid are polarized over a specified distance and measurements of the decay of spin echo signals is used to give the relative fraction of two components of the fluid for the selected velocity.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Lilong Li, Songhua Chen, Carl M. Edwards
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Publication number: 20140015526Abstract: A nuclear magnetic flowmeter with a measuring tube through which a multiphase medium can flow and which can be connected to an inlet tube which is located in the flow direction of the medium upstream of the measuring tube and to an outlet tube which is located in the flow direction downstream of the measuring tube. The nuclear magnetic flowmeter is, first of all, characterized essentially in that a medium bypass is assigned to the measuring tube, that the medium bypass includes a bypass tube, an inlet valve and/or an outlet valve and that, for a calibration operation, the bypass tube, on the one hand, can be connected to the inlet tube, and on the other hand, to the outlet tube, specifically via the inlet valve, via the outlet valve or via the inlet valve and via the outlet valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Krohne AGInventors: Olaf Jean Paul Bousché, Cornelis Johannes Hogendoorn, Marco Leendert Zoeteweij
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Patent number: 8624591Abstract: Provided is an MRI apparatus. In the MRI apparatus, a data collection unit repetitively performs a tag mode of applying an RF wave to at least an upstream portion of an imaging area to perform fluid labeling of a fluid flown into the imaging area and, after a lapse of an inversion time from application of the RF wave, performing magnetic resonance data collection, while changing the inversion time. An image reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of tag images corresponding to a plurality of different inversion times based on the magnetic resonance data collected in the tag mode. A reference image generation unit generates a reference image based on the plurality of the tag images. A fluid image generation unit generates a subtraction image between each of the tag images and the reference image as a fluid image.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Tokunori Kimura
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Patent number: 8610431Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus includes: a carrier configured to be conveyed through the borehole; a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) instrument disposed at the carrier and configured to perform an NMR measurement on a volume sensitive to the NMR measurement; and a contrast agent disposed in the volume and comprising particles that form a suspension in a liquid, the suspension of particles being configured increase a magnetic field gradient of at least one earth formation material in the volume to change an NMR relaxation time constant of the at least one earth formation material; wherein the NMR measurement on the volume containing the at least one earth formation material and the contrast agent is used to estimate the property.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Songhua Chen, Daniel Georgi
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Patent number: 8598870Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an electrocardio information acquisition unit which acquires a magnetic resonance signal (e.g., showing a cardiac beat) for estimating an electrocardiogram signal of an object in sync with a biomedical signal other than an electrocardiogram signal. A time difference is determined between the electrocardiogram signal and a synchronous position of the biomedical signal as estimated from the acquired magnetic resonance signal. An image data generation unit acquires a magnetic resonance signal for imaging corresponding to a specific time phase of the cardiac cycle in sync with the biomedical signal based on the time difference, to generate an image data corresponding to the specific time phase of the cardiac cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Satoshi Sugiura
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Patent number: 8588890Abstract: A magnetization vector is detected for each pixel position in an imaging region including at least part of a subject, the magnetization vector being excited to have a phase difference between a flow portion and a static portion or between a normal portion and an abnormal portion. A pixel value at each pixel position is determined as a value proportional to an absolute value of the amplitude of the magnetization vector detected for each of the pixel positions. On s the basis of a real part or phase of the magnetization vector detected for each of the pixel positions, the determined pixel value is corrected so that the difference of the pixel value increases between (a) the flow portion or the abnormal portion and (b) the static portion or the normal portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Tokunori Kimura
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Patent number: 8571631Abstract: A method for contrast-agent-free non-triggered angiographic imaging in magnetic resonance tomography that includes the steps of (S1) 2D or 3D measurement of a bodily region having a flow of blood, using a flow-insensitive SSFP sequence, (S2) measurement of the same bodily region using a flow-sensitive SSFP sequence, (S3) registration of the measurement results obtained in steps S1 and S2 to one another, (S4) unweighted or self-weighted subtraction of the registered measurement result obtained in step S2from the registered measurement result obtained in step S1, (S5) execution of a 2D or 3D image correction of the image obtained in step S4by removing image distortions caused by gradient field inhomogeneities and/or magnetic basic field inhomogeneities, and (S6) representation of the angiogram obtained in step S5 in the form of an MIP or segmented 2D or 3D vessel tree representation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Deimling
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Patent number: 8564290Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for acquiring k-space data from a deformable imaging region of a subject and generating image data of the imaging region at the time of being deformed to a predetermined state, based on the acquired k-space data, includes a gradient coil for applying a gradient magnetic field in a phase encoding direction, and an image data calculation device for calculating a numeric value for defining a relationship between the imaging region at the time of being deformed to the predetermined state and the imaging region at an nth phase encoding and calculating image data of the imaging region at the time of being deformed to the predetermined state, based on the calculated numeric value and the k-space data acquired from the imaging region.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Yoshihiro Tomoda, Yuji Iwadate
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Patent number: 8558543Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a coil control device that controls a transmission coil and a gradient coil such that (A) a longitudinal magnetization adjustment pulse sequence for setting a longitudinal magnetization component positive in value of a first body fluid smaller than a longitudinal magnetization component positive in value of a second body fluid is executed on the first and second body fluids, (B) a longitudinal magnetization reverse pulse for reversing the longitudinal magnetization components of the first and second body fluids is transmitted, and (C) a data acquisition pulse sequence for acquiring data of the first body fluid when an absolute value of the longitudinal magnetization component of the first body fluid flowing through an imaging area is larger than an absolute value of the longitudinal magnetization component of the second body fluid, is executed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventor: Mitsuharu Miyoshi
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Patent number: 8547093Abstract: A method and system for performing speed correction on nuclear magnetic resonance logging data is provided. The speed correction performed can be done on a representation of echo data received by a logging tool, and then additively applied to the echo data. Such a process can reduce or remove the amplification of noise in the echo data that is common in conventional methods of speed correction.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Jack LaVigne, Steve Crary, Henry N. Bachman
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Patent number: RE45876Abstract: An ECU-prep scan is used to set an optimum time phase in both systole and diastole of the heart. At each of the different time phases, an imaging scan is started to acquire a plurality of sets of echo data. An artery/vein visually separated blood flow image is produced from the echo data. The imaging scan uses a half-Fourier technique, for example. This provides high-quality blood flow images with shorter scan time, without injecting a contrast medium. Additionally, with a readout gradient pulse applied substantially parallel with a direction of slowly flowing blood, a scan is performed in synchronism with an optimally determined cardiac time phase. The readout gradient pulse has a dephasing pulse for enhancing differences in a flow void effect depending on blood flow velocities. This enables slow-speed flows, such as blood flows in the inferior limb, to be depicted without fail.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Satoshi Sugiura