Patents Assigned to Elscint
  • Spatial separation of spectral components
    Patent number: 4847559
    Abstract: Spatial separation of first and second spectral components in magnetic resonance imaging systems is accomplished by causing the first and second spectral components to generate first and second signals of different frequencies which are spatially separated and converting the spatially separated signals to image data for first and second images of said first and second spectral components respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Hanan Keren
  • Radio frequency excitation and gradient pulse controller having plurality of channels for transmitting instruction and Rf pulse pattern data to a magnetic resonance imaging system
    Patent number: 4845613
    Abstract: A pattern generator and controller arrangement operats for controlling the component parts of an MRI system. The arrangement comprises a plurality of channels including a main control channel and output channels. The arrangement receiver instructions from the system CPU which then leaves the control and outputting to the arrangement, thereby avoiding the necessity of a large expensive CPU to operate the system with versatility and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Netter, Menachem Bar-Lev
  • Multi-region in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy
    Patent number: 4832037
    Abstract: A method of acquiring in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopic data for multiple regions in substantially the time required to obtain such data from a single region. The method includes applying a basic sequence to obtain data from a selected one of said multiple regions, waiting a definite time period before reapplying the basic sequence and reapplying modified basic sequences during said definite time period but with parameters for selecting and acquiring data from other selected regions during said definite time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Granot
  • Quadrature combiner
    Patent number: 4833429
    Abstract: A quadrature coil combiner for phase shifting the pulses and signals of a quadrature coil system used in magnetic resonance (MR) systems to selectively combine or cancel the pulses and signals transmitted and received. The combiner comprises a first and a second conductor for coupling a first and a second coil respectively of the quadrature coil system to a transmit-receive circuit of the MR system. The first conductor comprises an insertable .pi./2 radian delay. The second conductor includes a fixed .pi./2 radian delay. At least one of either the fixed delay or the insertable delay is a quarter wavelength cable whereby active elements are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hanan Keren, Itzchak Linenberg
  • Noise reduction in magnetic resonance images
    Patent number: 4825161
    Abstract: Improved T2 values and signal to noise ratio obtained by magnetic resonance image synthesization. Each measured echo signal intensity is divided by a correcting factor that is a function of the echo number to obtain corrected echo signal intensity. A characteristic curve is best fitted to the corrected intensity values and the intensity values of the curve are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Barnea, Saul Stokar, Yuval Zur, Noam Kaplan, Amir Ban
  • Mammographic biopsy needle holder system
    Patent number: 4821727
    Abstract: An X-ray mammographic biopsy needle holder positioning system wherein the X-ray source is tilted to provide parallax views of the needle holder inserted in the breast. The tilting occurs independently of the breast compressor which remains untilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Simha Levene, Dan Inbar
  • Data compression system
    Patent number: 4809350
    Abstract: A data compression system for use in processing diagnostic image data which uses a predictor to predict future data. The actual data is subtracted from the predicted value to obtain data related difference values. The difference values are coded by coding the most prevalent difference by a code other than the least bit code but further coding the most prevalent number by string length coding, with the most common being the coded with a least bit code, and also coding the next most common difference with a least bit code and the subsequent most prevalent differences with sequential least bit codes to provide compression ratios of over 3:1. A procedure for finding the best predictor in noisy data is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Yair Shimoni, Ron Niv
  • Determining and correcting for phase jumps
    Patent number: 4797615
    Abstract: A continuous phase magnetic field map is provided by dividing the field map of elements into regions; determining discontinuities in the regions and adding a constant modulo 2.pi. to the phase values of each element of the region which results in a minimum difference between adjacent elements of the region. Then similarly joining the continuous regions to form continuous sections and the continuous sections to form continuous zones until substantially continuous phase magnetic field maps are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Haim Rotem, Yair Shimoni, Shmuel Goldberg
  • Multi-frequency surface probe
    Patent number: 4792759
    Abstract: A radio frequency RF balanced coil for magnetic resonance operations. The coil is tuned to a plurality of frequencies for use in acquiring data of different elements at various frequencies without having to remove and/or return the coil. The coil has a single terminal pair and is coupled to the MR system with a single shielded cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Hanan Keren, Itzchak Linnenberg
  • Determining absolute image intensity in magnetic resonance systems
    Patent number: 4789830
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system and method for determing absolute image intensities (MR numbers) comparable to "CT" numbers by removing the dependence of the intensity measurement on system dependent parameters. The dependence of the intensity measurement on system parameters is removed by determining the absolute gain of the receiver portion of the MR system. The absolute gain is a function of the loaded gain and the unloaded gain of the receiver system, the loaded gain is divided by the unloaded gain to provide a normalization factor which is multiplied by output data to provide the absolute values of intensity of absolute MR numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Saul Stokar
  • Probe for nuclear magnetic resonance systems
    Patent number: 4780677
    Abstract: An RF probe for acquiring MR data comprising four loop means. There are first and second loop means that are substantially round, centered about a longitudinal axis of said probe and spaced apart substantially the length of said probe to define a cylindrical shape therebetween. There are third and fourth loop means being substantially saddle shaped spaced apart, oppositely disposed and extending between said first and second loop means. Conductors attached to said first and second loop means at points on said first and second loop means spaced apart by 180 degrees couple said third and fourth loop means to said first and second loop means to form a point of psuedo-saddle coils providing extremely homogenous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Bilha Nissenson, Hanaan Keren, Itzchak Linnenberg
  • Data compression system
    Patent number: 4777620
    Abstract: A data compression-expansion (decrease-increase) method for improving the signal-to-noise ratio of compressed-expanded data while retaining the fidelity of the original data comprises the steps of using a filter that can be separated into a smoothing portion and an enhancing portion. The selected filter is separated into the two portions: a first portion for smoothing prior to decreasing the data, and a second portion for enhancing after increasing the data whereby the filter has the maximal effect of decreasing noise while having a minimal effect on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Yair Shimoni, Bilha Nissenson
  • Spatially localized spectroscopy
    Patent number: 4777439
    Abstract: A method of obtaining spatially localized spectroscopic signals by using RF pulse sequences in the presence or gradient fields to generate stimulated echoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Granot
  • Hybrid resonator
    Patent number: 4757290
    Abstract: A circularly polarized radio frequency probe for use in magnetic resonance systems, the probe comprises four effective "saddle coils" arranged to define a single cylinder. The saddle coils each comprise a pair of 120 degree arcuate conductor sectors separated by longitudinal conductors. RF power is coupled to each of said "saddle coils" so that first and second pairs of said saddle coils generate first and second fields normal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Hannan Keren
  • Intensity level windowing system for image displays
    Patent number: 4755954
    Abstract: A windowing system for use when using data to form video display images. The digital data is operated on by a transfer function delineated by predefined parameters or by newly generated parameters determined by the image being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Zvi Netter
  • NMR imaging systems
    Patent number: 4749948
    Abstract: An automatic shimming system for correcting inhomogeneties in magnetic resonance magnetic fields. The static magnetic field is mapped using three dimensional phantoms that comprise a plurality of samples including at least an element having non-zero nuclear magnetic moments spatially distributed to enable uniquely locating each sample with only two locating gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomas Duby, Noam Kaplan, Yuval Zur
  • Electronic multi-imager
    Patent number: 4745483
    Abstract: An electronic multi-imaging system displays medical images obtained from scans of a patient, and stored in a digital memory, on the screen of a TV monitor. The medical images occupy different spatial locations on the screen and do not overlap. An optical system operatively associated with the screen focuses an image of the screen onto a sheet of photosensitive material such that each of the medical images occupies only a portion of the sheet at predetermined spatial locations that are functionally related to the predetermined spatial locations of the medical images on the screen of the TV monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Elscint Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Inbar
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 4714885
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a separate data contribution from first and second spectral components during a single magnetic resonance scan. The method uses a scan sequence causing the data from the first and second spectral components to be 90 degrees out of phase. This shift of the data along with a measurement of the inhomegeneities of the field initiates two output signals which are used to provide all of the data required for imaging the two spectral components and/or correcting images for chemical shifts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Paltiel, Amir Ban
  • Data reduction in reprojection systems
    Patent number: 4714997
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for decreasing the processing time of spectral artifact reduction systems that use reprojection data for post reconstruction corrections. The systems and methods essentially reduce the data processed for the reprojection step to reduce the normally relatively long time period required by reprojectors. The time savings have no detrimental effect on image resolution. Thus, better quality pictures are obtained in shorter time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Elscint Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl R. Crawford, David A. Freundlich
  • Transvaginal probe for use in pelvic scanning or the like
    Patent number: D300175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Elscint Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoram Bar-Yam