Patents Examined by Brij Shrivastav
  • Patent number: 8299787
    Abstract: This invention provides a multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element having an excellent electric power efficiency, a prolonged service life, an excellent storage stability, and an excellent stability of chromaticity against drive current, and a lighting system using the multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element. The multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element contains a plurality of phosphorescent dopants different from each other in luminescence wavelength and particularly exhibits white luminescence. Specifically, the multicolor phosphorescent organic electroluminescent element contains two or more phosphorescent dopants different from each other in luminescence wavelength and comprises two or more luminescent layers, the luminescent dopant being a phosphorescent dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Nakayama, Hiroshi Kashiwagi, Yoriko Nakayama, Shigeru Kojima
  • Patent number: 8299788
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance images (MRI) are generated by acquiring a plurality of N>2 image data sets for an imaged patient volume using respectively corresponding different data acquisition imaging parameters. At least one hybrid image data set X is generated for the imaged patient volume based on a combination of at least a subset of the plurality of image data sets. If desired, a further subtraction image (e.g., MRA) data set is generated based on a difference between the at least one hybrid image data set and another image data set, and the subtraction image data set, which may, depending upon implementation, optimize flowing fluids such as blood within arteries or veins, CSF, etc within the imaged patent volume, is output for storage or display as an MR image of the imaged patient volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew J. Wheaton
  • Patent number: 8299793
    Abstract: The present invention is a coil array for an MRI system that is designed to improve 2D accelerated imaging of an object having significantly different fields of view in two phase-encoding directions. This is achieved by having a first set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a first phase-encoding direction and a second set of coil elements whose sizes are tuned to optimize acceleration along a second-phase encoding direction. Images acquired in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved signal to noise ratio at a given acceleration factor when compared to images acquired using a traditional MR coil array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: MAYO Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Stephen J. Riederer, Clifton R. Haider, Phillip J. Rossman
  • Patent number: 8294464
    Abstract: Example systems, apparatus, circuits, and so on described herein concern parallel transmission in high field MRI. One example apparatus includes a balun network that produces out-of-phase signals that are amplified to drive current-mode class-D (CMCD) field effect transistors (FETs) that are connected by a coil that includes an LC (inductance-capacitance) leg. The LC leg is to selectively alter the output analog RF signal and the analog RF signal is used in high field parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Natalia Gudino, Jeremiah A. Heilman, Mark A. Griswold
  • Patent number: 8294465
    Abstract: Example systems, apparatus, circuits, and so on described herein concern parallel transmission in MRI with on-coil current-mode (CMCD) amplifiers. One example apparatus includes switched voltage-mode class D (VMCD) pre-amplifiers. Another example apparatus includes amplitude modulation of the output of the CMCD amplifiers using feedback control based, at least in part, on a comparison of an envelope of transmit coil current to an envelope of an input RF pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Natalia Gudino, Jeremiah A. Heilman, Mark A. Griswold, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 8283923
    Abstract: When a subject is being positioned in a diagnostic imager for a diagnostic scan, a subject support (26) often picks up an accessory carriage (24) along the way without stopping or reducing velocity. To reduce stresses on the subject support (26), accessory carriage (24) and on the subject themselves, an apparatus and method are provided for gradually accelerating the accessory carriage (26) to the speed of the subject support (26). A camming surface (60) engages a pin (54b) of a snap block (52) causing translational motion to be converted into rotational motion, spreading the acceleration of the accessory carriage (24) over a distance (d-d1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hubertus Antonius Tilmans, Adrianus Johannes Josephus van der Horst
  • Patent number: 8278921
    Abstract: An inspection system positions a balancing shim to asymmetrically balance a magnetic field generated by an inductive sensor, which forms part of the inspection system. Additionally, relays and capacitors used to tune the inductive sensor to a desired resonance frequency are geometrically arranged to minimize electrical interference generated by operation of the relays and capacitors. A shielding device, which may be formed on a printed circuit board, protects a magnetic field generated by the inductive sensor from external electromagnetic interference. A slot positioned in the inductive sensor may be used to tune a resonant mode of the inductive sensor to accurately and particularly detect metallic shanks and/or other metallic objects in shoes, socks, and/or clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Morpho Detection, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Crowley
  • Patent number: 8278923
    Abstract: Downhole orientation sensing with a nuclear spin gyroscope. A downhole orientation sensing system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a downhole instrument assembly positioned in the well, the instrument assembly including an atomic comagnetometer, and at least one optical waveguide which transmits light between the atomic comagnetometer and a remote location. A method of sensing orientation of an instrument assembly in a subterranean well can include incorporating an atomic comagnetometer into the instrument assembly, and installing the instrument assembly in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne M. Samson, John L. Maida, Jr., John Luscombe
  • Patent number: 8274285
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for modification of the frequency response profile of steady-state free precession (SSFP) type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Using alternating dephasing moments within succeeding radiofrequency (RF) excitation pulses, the frequency response function of SSFP sequences can be modified to different shapes such as near triangular or bell shaped. The particular response function as produced by alternating dephasing moments can be used, among others, for functional brain MRI, MR spectroscopy or spatial encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: University Hospital of Basel
    Inventors: Oliver Bieri, Klaus Scheffler
  • Patent number: 8274283
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining diffusion weighted magnetic resonance images (DW-MRI) is described. The properties of the diffusion tensor in tissue are measured by applying a diffusion weighting gradient oriented along a plurality of measurement axes. The value of the magnetic field is increased by using as many of the magnetic gradient coils as are effective in contributing the gradient field strength along the axis being. In regions where the magnetic field gradient is increased, the echo time (TE) may be decreased, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the measurements. Alternatively, the number of measurements than are averaged to achieve a particular image quality may be decreased, reducing the patient exposure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kecheng Liu, YongMing Dai, Tiejun Zhao, Thorsten Feiweier, Jing An
  • Patent number: 8269493
    Abstract: An arrangement for transmission of digital signals in a magnetic resonance apparatus has a local coil that has reception antenna connected via an amplifier with an A/D converter so that a magnetic resonance signal received via the individual antenna is amplified as an analog signal and is converted into a digital signal. The A/D converter is connected at the output with a transmission device that is designed for capacitive coupling transmission of the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Nikolaus Demharter, Georg Pirkl, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 8269496
    Abstract: An electron paramagnetic resonance imaging system that includes means for continuously irradiating a sample with RF irradiation; means for imposing on the sample a sinusoidally varying magnetic field along with rotating gradients for spatial encoding; means for directly detecting signal data from the sample, without using field modulation, while irradiating the sample with RF radiation continuously, the means for directly detecting having means for sweeping the sinusoidally varying magnetic field; and means for processing the signal data, using means including a digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Sankaran Subramanian, Nallathamby Devasahayam, Janusz Koscielniak, James B. Mitchell, Murali Krishna Cherukuri
  • Patent number: 8269498
    Abstract: A system for MR signal excitation and reception and method which uses a non-resonant device or transmission line to perform MR imaging and spectroscopy. The system with non-resonant device is advantageous to parallel imaging due to the improved decoupling performance. Because the non-resonant RF coil is not generally sensitive to frequency, a MR system with the non-resonant RF coil is capable of multinuclear MR operation at varied magnetic field strength. The system comprises a non-resonant RF coil for connecting to an MR system, the conductor being configured to have a characteristic impedance matched to the MR system. The RF coil is configured to produce electromagnetic fields of differing strengths based on the constant characteristic impedance maintained in the system for exciting and receiving MR signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventor: Xiaoliang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8253416
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Time Medical Holdings Company Limited
    Inventors: Qiyuan Ma, Erzhen Gao
  • Patent number: 8253415
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a spectrum acquisition unit and a determining unit. The spectrum acquisition unit acquires a frequency spectrum of magnetic resonance signals from a metabolic product in a target region in an object. The determining unit determines one of the numbers of integrations and phase encodes of magnetic resonance signals for obtaining the frequency spectrum depending on a factor influencing the frequency spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Umeda
  • Patent number: 8248073
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit comprises a plurality of cores (99) connected with an inter-connection network (1000) and a test controller (500) which is connected with the inter-connection network (1000) and which issues a test control request associated with the test of the core (99) via the inter-connection network (1000). The inter-connection network (1000) is constituted of a plurality of adapters (3000) which serve as connection interfaces of the plurality of cores (99) and the test controller (500), respectively, and a plurality of routers (2000) which connect the plurality of adapters (3000). The adapters (3000) connected with the core (99) comprise a core testing unit for vicariously testing core (99) connected to itself based on the test control request received from the test controller (500) via the inter-connection network (1000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Inoue, Masamichi Takagi
  • Patent number: 8242778
    Abstract: An electron paramagnetic resonance imaging system that includes means for continuously irradiating a sample with RF irradiation; means for imposing on the sample a sinusoidally varying magnetic field along with rotating gradients for spatial encoding; means for directly detecting signal data from the sample, without using field modulation, while irradiating the sample with RF radiation continuously, the means for directly detecting having means for sweeping the sinusoidally varying magnetic field; and means for transmitting, receiving and processing the signal data, using means including a digital signal processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health & Human Services
    Inventors: Sankaran Subramanian, Nallathamby Devasahayam, Janusz Koscielniak, James B. Mitchell, Murali K. Cherukuri
  • Patent number: 8242780
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and device for automatic differentiation of respective pixels as representing either a silicon-dominated substance, or fat-dominated tissue, or water-dominated tissue, a first magnetic resonance signal and a second magnetic resonance signal are acquired per pixel, wherein the first magnetic resonance signal per pixel is acquired at a point in time at which the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from water-containing tissue exhibits a phase opposite to the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from fat-containing tissue, and the second magnetic resonance signal is acquired per pixel at a point in time at which the phase of the magnetic resonance signal originating from water-containing tissue exhibits a phase identical to the phase of the magnetic resonance signal originating from fat-containing tissue, and the phase of a magnetic resonance signal originating from a silicon-containing substance exhibits a phase opposite to the phase of the magnetic resona
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Geppert, Vladimir Jellus
  • Patent number: 8237440
    Abstract: A unilateral NMR sensor comprising a ferromagnetic yoke; a permanent magnet arranged on the yoke; a pole piece on the magnet; the pole piece including an air-pole piece interface surface whose shape corresponds to an equipotential contour of magnetic scalar potential. An approach for designing single-sided magnets suitable for unilateral magnetic resonance (UMR) measurements is presented. The method uses metal pole pieces to shape the field from permanent magnets in a target region. The pole pieces are shaped according to solutions to Laplace's equation, and can be designed using a combination of analytical methods and numerical optimization. The design leads to analytical expressions for the pole piece shape and magnetic field. The method is developed in Cartesian, polar, and spherical coordinates, and the merits of each system are discussed. The effects of finite magnet size on the field quality are explored through simulation, and are found to have a substantial effect in many cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: University of New Brunswick
    Inventors: Bruce J. Balcom, Andrew E. Marble, Igor V. Mastikhin, Bruce Colpitts
  • Patent number: 8232799
    Abstract: This document describes a general system for noise reduction, as well as a specific system for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). The general system, which is called Calculated Readout by Spectral Parallelism (CRISP), involves reconstruction and recombination of frequency-limited broadband data using separate narrowband data channels to create images or signal profiles. A multi-channel CRISP system can perform this separation using (1) frequency tuned hardware, (2) a frequency filter-bank (or equivalent), or (3) a combination of implementations (1) and (2). This system significantly reduces what we call cross-frequency noise, thereby increasing signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR). A multi-channel CRISP system applicable to MRI and NQR are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Arjae Spectral Enterprises
    Inventors: Arsen R. Hajian, Jae K. Kim