Patents Examined by Dixomara Vargas
  • Patent number: 11723627
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound imaging system configured to generate data of an ultrasound image based on an echo signal received by each of a plurality of elements included in an ultrasound transducer that transmits and receives ultrasound. The ultrasound imaging system includes: a determining circuit configured to determine, using a signal corresponding to the echo signal received by each of the plurality of elements, whether each of the plurality of elements has a sensitivity decrease; a region specifying circuit configured to specify a region where sensitivity decreases in the ultrasound image, based on a contribution degree indicating a ratio of transmission intensity contributing to an ultrasound beam by an element that has been determined as having the sensitivity decrease by the determining circuit; and a sensitivity display circuit configured to generate data for displaying the region specified by the region specifying circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigenori Kozai
  • Patent number: 11723551
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. Regarding the k-space data obtained as a result of performing multi-shot imaging that includes a plurality of shots, the processing circuitry obtains a correction coefficient, based on first-type magnetic resonance images generated using the k-space data, the correction coefficient correcting phase shifting occurring in read out direction among the plurality of shots. Then, the processing circuitry corrects the k-space data based on the correction coefficients. Moreover, the processing circuitry generates a second-type magnetic resonance image using the corrected k-space data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei Hamanaga, Mitsuhiro Bekku
  • Patent number: 11726154
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes: a current-driven magnet configured to generate a magnetic field that predominantly determine a magnetic resonance frequency; a detector configured to detect a position of an object to be imaged in a movable state in the magnetic field; and control circuitry configured to set an imaging region of the object depending on a motion of the object by controlling a drive current of the current-driven magnet based on the detected position of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misaki Hattaha, Sadanori Tomiha
  • Patent number: 11726152
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a solid sample magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe can utilize an appropriate inductance parent coil with a fixed capacitor and introducing an idler coil with a variable capacitor which can inductively couple to the parent coil by adjusting the variable capacitance of the idler coil. By coupling the idler coil to the parent coil in this manner a double resonance circuit can be provided without the disadvantages of prior art coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: JEOL LTD.
    Inventor: Albert Zens
  • Patent number: 11726157
    Abstract: A method for denoising magnetic resonance images and data is disclosed herein. An example method includes receiving a series of MRF images from a scanning device; identifying one or more subsets of voxels for the series of MRF images; generating one or more sets of eigenvectors, each set of the one or more sets of eigenvectors corresponding to one of the one or more subsets of voxels, and each eigenvector of the one or more sets of eigenvectors having a corresponding eigenvalue; applying a noise distribution model to each of the eigenvalues; identifying a subset of the eigenvalues as corresponding to noise based on the noise distribution model; and reconstructing the series of MRF images without the subset of eigenvalues identified as corresponding to noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Matthew Zhu, Yun Jiang
  • Patent number: 11717224
    Abstract: A patient support device includes a patient support surface having a size to accommodate at least a part of the patient body, the device including at least one receptacle for housing a coil, which at least one receptacle is arranged in an area of the patient supporting surface corresponding to the position of the anatomic region to be imaged, the patient support surface being covered at least partially by one or more cushions covering in combination the entire patient supporting surface or at least a part of it. At least one of the receptacles for coupling to a receiving coil being provided on at least each of one or more than one of the said cushions, the coil once coupled to a corresponding receptacle is connected to a control and processing unit of the MRI apparatus by means of a cable which is external to the said patient support device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ESAOTE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Garolla
  • Patent number: 11719812
    Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising a probe adapted for emitting and receiving ultrasound waves inside a medium, and a processing unit connected to said probe and adapted for processing signals from the probe. The probe is configured so as to behave as a Fresnel lens for focusing the ultrasound waves. The processing unit analyses signals from the probe for sensing the medium at a plurality of focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SuperSonic Imagine
    Inventors: François Maurice, Claude Cohen Bacrie, Mathieu Couade
  • Patent number: 11714144
    Abstract: A selectively removable closure for closing the open end of an NMR sample tube having an open end and a closed end of the invention includes a cylindrical proximal first and a distal second portion, both portions substantially congruent to a central axis, the second portion has a hollow bore extending therethrough, the hollow bore has: a first and a second distal section, a central section and a proximal section. The first distal section has an inside diameter sized to accept the outside diameter of a preselected size NMR sample tube substantially without an interference, the second distal section has an interference that ends into the central section with a ramp with an angle to the central axis greater than 70 degrees, the central section corresponds in a locked position on the NMR sample tube with a locking ring at least partially surrounding the NMR locking tube to form a secondary locking seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: Gregory B. Norell
  • Patent number: 11714146
    Abstract: The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system can have an interrogating subsystem comprising a superconducting path with an alternating plurality series of parallel back and forth segments collectively forming an interrogating surface adjacent the sample area, the interrogating subsystem configured for i) emitting an oscillating magnetic field B1 configured to disrupt a configuration of nuclear spins in the sample in a manner for the disrupted nuclear spins to generate a signal, and ii) receiving the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SOCPRA SCIENCES ET GENIE S.E.C.
    Inventors: Bertrand Reulet, Jeffrey A. Quilliam, Mathieu Massicotte, Aimé Verrier
  • Patent number: 11714152
    Abstract: Images are reconstructed from undersampled k-space data using a residual machine learning algorithm (e.g., a ResNet architecture) to estimate missing k-space lines from acquired k-space data with improved noise resilience. Using a residual machine learning algorithm provides for combining the advantages of both linear and nonlinear k-space reconstructions. The linear residual connection can implement a convolution that estimates most of the energy in k-space, and the multi-layer machine learning algorithm can be implemented with nonlinear activation functions to estimate imperfections, such as noise amplification due to coil geometry, that arise from the linear component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Mehmet Akcakaya, Steen Moeller, Chi Zhang
  • Patent number: 11707202
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for imaging nano magnetic particles using a 3D array of small magnets. A field-free region generation apparatus includes a hexahedral housing having an opening formed in the first surface thereof such that a measurement head is inserted into a spacing area, a pair of rectangular-shaped magnets installed respectively on two surfaces facing each other, among four surfaces perpendicular to the first surface of the housing, and a pair of magnet arrays installed respectively on the first surface of the housing and on another surface facing the first surface, each of the magnet arrays including multiple small magnets arranged along the edge of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jin-Sun Kim, Jae-Chan Jong, Hyo-Bong Hong
  • Patent number: 11707250
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a medical device, (e.g., an imaging apparatus such as an X-ray device or magnetic resonance tomography unit), and a fault monitoring apparatus for carrying out the method. The fault monitoring apparatus is connected to the medical device via a signal connection. In the method, the fault monitoring apparatus receives an item of status information from the medical device and stores the item of status information in a system state. Further, the fault monitoring apparatus compares the stored system state with a predetermined target state, and, depending on the comparison, releases a function of the medical device, wherein the predetermined target state has a successfully executed function test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Swen Campagna, Thorsten Speckner, Wolfgang Gösswein, Carsten Prinz, Stephan Churt, Bernd Erbe
  • Patent number: 11693078
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-coil magnetic resonance imaging system, is disclosed which includes establishing initial circuit values of a drive circuit, loading a tissue model associated with a tissue to be imaged, loading target values for a variable of interest (VOI) associated with operation of two or more coils of a magnetic resonance imaging system, performing a simulation based on the established circuit values and the loaded tissue model, determining output values of the VOI based on the simulation, comparing the simulated output values of the VOI to the loaded target values of the VOI, if the simulated output values are outside of a predetermined envelope about the loaded target values of the VOI, then performing a first optimization until the simulated output values are within the predetermined envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Joseph V. Rispoli, Xin Li
  • Patent number: 11686791
    Abstract: An MRI system receive coil arrangement 3 for use with a main MRI scanner arrangement. The arrangement includes at least one primary receive coil 6 having a first impedance at a predetermined frequency and a first size defined by a cross-sectional area bounded by the primary receive coil and at least one auxiliary receive coil 7 having a second impedance at said predetermined frequency and a second size defined by a cross-sectional area bounded by the auxiliary receive coil wherein the first impedance is lower than the second impedance and the first size is larger than the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: Tesla Dynamic Coils BV, Futura Composites B.V., UMC Utrecht Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Dennis Klomp, Stefan Zijlema, Catalina Arteaga De Castro, Martino Borgo
  • Patent number: 11686797
    Abstract: A method of controlling and processing data from a hybrid PET-MR imaging system includes acquiring a positron emission tomographic (PET) dataset over a time period, wherein the PET dataset is affected by a quasi-periodic motion of the patient, and acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) data during the time period such that the acquisition time of the MR data relative to the PET dataset is known. A characteristic of the patient motion is then determined based on the PET dataset and the MR data is processed based on the characteristic of patient motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Timothy W. Deller, Florian Wiesinger, Floribertus P. Heukensfeldt Jansen, Anja C. S. Brau, Kristen Ann Wangerin
  • Patent number: 11686790
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods to facilitate imaging an infant using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. A system for facilitating imaging an infant using an MRI device is provided herein, the system comprising a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly configured to be coupled to the MRI device and comprising a first RF coil configured to transmit RF signals during MRI and/or be responsive to MR signals generated during MRI and a helmet for supporting at least a portion of the infant's head, and an infant support to support at least a portion of the infant's body and configured to be coupled to the RF coil assembly. Further provided is an apparatus for coupling an infant support to an MRI device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Hyperfine Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Anne Michele Nelson, Jacob Coumans, Eddy B. Boskamp
  • Patent number: 11660017
    Abstract: A system for medical data acquisition comprising a plurality of scanners and a plurality of infrastructure units to operate the scanners, wherein the system is designed to use at least one of the infrastructure units as a common infrastructure unit to operate at least two of the scanners. Also, a method to control this system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Greiser
  • Patent number: 11656303
    Abstract: A coil for single-sided magnetic resonance imaging system is disclosed. The coil is configured to generate a magnetic field outwards away from the coil. The coil includes a first ring and a second ring having different diameters and the current flows through the coil to generate the magnetic field in a region of interest. A method of imaging via a magnetic imaging apparatus is also disclosed. The method includes providing a power source and providing a coil that includes a first ring and a second ring having different diameters. The method includes turning on the power source so as to flow a current through the coil to generate a magnetic field in a region of interest. The method also includes selectively turning on a particular set of electronic components so as to pulse the magnetic field in a narrower frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: PROMAXO, INC.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Nacev, Jose Miguel Algarín Guisado
  • Patent number: 11656306
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a scanner, a patient accommodating region, a patient support apparatus which can be moved within the patient accommodating region and a patient communication device. The patient communication device includes at least one communication element which has a radio-frequency transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Bollenbeck
  • Patent number: 11650276
    Abstract: Techniques are described for acquiring MR data comprising first MR data and second MR data of an examination object using an MR control sequence and a magnetic resonance device comprising an amplifier unit and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Paul, Mario Zeller, Flavio Carinci