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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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