Patents Examined by Frederick Wenderoth
  • Patent number: 12228628
    Abstract: In a method to improved positioning of slices in which measurement data is to be recorded, a planning image of an examination object is provided that has been distortion-corrected using non-linearity data describing a non-linearity of a gradient unit of the magnetic resonance system, a desired field of view and desired slices in the at least one planning image are selected, a measurement protocol to record the measurement data is loaded, switchable gradients and/or emittable RF pulses are adapted, as a function of the non-linearity data that has been loaded and the desired slices, such that the desired slices are excited despite the non-linearities of the gradient unit, and the loaded measurement protocol is performed in the selected field of view, using the adapted gradients to be switched and/or adapted RF pulses. The measurement protocol may include switchable gradients and the emittable RF pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventor: David Grodzki
  • Patent number: 12222412
    Abstract: A method for preparing magnetic resonance imaging of an object under examination is described. A plurality of representative pulse sequence segments are generated, each of which is associated with a reference gradient amplitude of the gradient pulse having the highest stimulation potential of the representative pulse sequence segment, and the stimulation potential of which is representative of a group of partially different pulse sequences. For each of the representative pulse sequence segments, a maximum gradient slew rate is determined for which a permitted maximum value of the stimulation potential is not exceeded. One of the representative pulse sequence segments is determined and selected, for a measurement protocol to be planned for a magnetic resonance imaging to be performed, according to the gradient amplitude of the gradient pulse having the highest stimulation potential of a pulse sequence segment of the pulse sequence on which the measurement protocol is based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Max Müller, Adam Kettinger, Mario Zeller, Gudrun Ruyters
  • Patent number: 12222411
    Abstract: A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system (1) uses a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable long term frequency reference. A second frequency source (24) is calibrated using the first frequency reference signal and the second frequency reference source (24) is then used as the master clock for the MRI system (1), for setting the RF operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Christoph Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips
  • Patent number: 12216186
    Abstract: Scan time in diffusion-relaxation magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) is reduced by implementing time-division multiplexing (“TDM”). In general, time-shifted radio frequency (“RF”) pulses are used to excite two or more imaging volumes. These RF pulses are applied to induce separate echoes for each slice. Diffusion MRI data can thus be acquired with different echo times, or alternatively with the same echo time, in significantly reduced overall scan time. Multidimensional correlations between diffusion and relaxation parameters can be estimated from the resulting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignees: The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc., Children's Medical Center Corporation
    Inventors: Lipeng Ning, Yogesh Rathi, Yang Ji, Borjan Gagoski
  • Patent number: 12210079
    Abstract: Single-sided MRI apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. A method can include transmitting a frequency sweep excitation pulse comprising a low-to-high frequency sweep; phase encoding during the frequency sweep excitation pulse; and tuning the amount of phase accumulated during the frequency sweep excitation pulse from adjacent slices in the slab. The frequency sweep excitation pulse can be a chirp pulse. Encoding in this way can prevent spin echoes from drifting and prevent k-space truncation in certain instances. Moreover, the resultant images can be combined more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Promaxo, Inc.
    Inventors: Muller Francis De Matos Gomes, Aleksandar Nacev
  • Patent number: 12209866
    Abstract: One example includes an atomic sensor system. The system includes an optical source configured to provide an optical beam and a plurality of sensor cell systems. Each of the sensor cell systems includes sensing media enclosed in a volume therein. The system also includes optics configured to provide the optical beam to each of the sensor cell systems to provide interaction of the optical beam with the vapor in each of the respective sensor cell systems. The optical beam exiting each of the sensor cell systems is a respective detection beam. The system further includes a detection system comprising at least one configured to receive the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems and to determine a measurable parameter based on an optical characteristic associated with the detection beam from each of the sensor cell systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION, FREEDOM PHOTONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Barbour Morrison, Michael D. Bulatowicz, Michael S. Larsen, Bob Buckley
  • Patent number: 12210081
    Abstract: In a motion correction method, a reference navigation image is obtained before MR data collection is performed on a target region of interest; in a process of performing the MR data collection on the target region of interest, motion detection is performed using a pilot tone signal received by a plurality of coils, and when a motion is detected, MR data collected when the motion occurs is marked as motion damage data; a post-motion navigation image is obtained when the end of the motion is detected by utilizing the pilot tone signal; registration is performed on the post-motion navigation image and the reference navigation image to obtain a motion correction parameter corresponding to the motion; and motion correction on the MR data collection is performed using the motion correction parameter. The method according to the present disclosure advantageously improves MR imaging quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventors: Fang Dong, Yan Tu Huang
  • Patent number: 12210080
    Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance scanner includes determining a radio frequency (RF) pulse to be transmitted to jointly homogenize a flip angle and a semisolid saturation that would result from magnetization of a sample to be scanned by the MR scanner using the determined RF pulse. The method also includes controlling an RF transmit coil of the MR scanner to transmit the determined pulse. Homogenizing both semisolid saturation and excitation properties of the RF pulse allows for improved magnetic transfer ratio imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: King's College London, Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventors: David Leitão, Raphael Tomi-Tricot, Joseph V. Hajnal, Shaihan Malik
  • Patent number: 12204008
    Abstract: According to a method, first MR reference data and first MR imaging data are captured. Further MR imaging data is then captured. The capturing includes in each case generating at least one excitation pulse with a transmit coil of the magnetic resonance apparatus and irradiating the at least one excitation pulse into a patient receiving region, generating MR signals in a generation region using the at least one excitation pulse, and receiving the MR signals as MR data with a receive coil. A degree of difference that describes a difference between the generation region on capture of the first MR reference data and the generation region on capture of the further MR imaging data is determined. MR reference data is provided as a function of the degree of difference. An MR image is reconstructed based on the captured further MR imaging data and the provided further MR reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventors: Mario Zeller, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 12196831
    Abstract: Methods and systems perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) by obtaining magnetic resonance data over a main field-of-view (FOV) and resulting from providing a magnetic resonance fingerprinting pulse sequence to a sample. The pulse sequence includes gradient waveforms and radio frequency (RF) pulses that have pulse sequence parameters specifically tailored for scanning, not the entire main FOV but rather a reduced portion of that main FOV. The methods and systems further include comparing the magnetic resonance data from the sample to a fingerprint dictionary of signal profiles that specifically correspond to the reduced portion of the main FOV and generating tissue property maps that correspond only to that reduced portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Vikas Gulani, Nicole Seiberlich, Jon-Fredrik Nielsen, Yun Jiang
  • Patent number: 12196834
    Abstract: A calibration system for magnetometers includes magnetometers configured to measure a magnetic field to be measured; a magnetometer holder fixedly mounted on the magnetometer holder; at least one magnetic field generating device having its position fixed relative to the magnetometers, and used to generate a calibration magnetic field distribution in a space to be measured; and a calculation device configured to calculate the magnitudes of magnetic field vectors at the positions of the magnetometers according to the calibration magnetic field distribution generated by the at least one magnetic field generating device in the space to be measured, receive measured magnitudes of the magnetic field vectors from the magnetometers, and calculate detection gain values of the magnetometers on the basis of the calculated magnitudes of the magnetic field vectors and the measured magnitudes of the magnetic field vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignees: COGNITIVE MEDICAL IMAGING LTD., INSTITUTE OF BIOPHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Fan Wang, Yan Zhuo, Sijia Yang, Shunzi Wu
  • Patent number: 12196828
    Abstract: Methods and systems perform magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) that provides tissue characterization through simultaneous quantification of water tissue properties and proton density fat fraction (PDFF), by using water-only and fat-only images from MRF. MRF is performed using rosette trajectories scanning k-space to effectively isolate water tissue and fat tissue, by separating these rosette trajectories into individual segments that are then analyzed to enable signals from fat tissue to be distinguished from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Nicole Seiberlich, Yun Jiang, Jesse Hamilton, Yuchi Liu
  • Patent number: 12196829
    Abstract: A resonance circuit includes: an inductor formed along a surface of a first cylindrical form having a central axis; and a capacitor formed along a surface of a second cylindrical form having the central axis, wherein the inductor and the capacitor are electrically connected to each other to form a closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Konami Izumi, Yutaka Fujii, Yu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12189015
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a coil assembly of an MRI device. The MRI device may be configured to perform an MR scan on a subject. The coil assembly may include one or more coil units, a substrate, and a sensor mounted within or on the substrate. The one or more coil units may be configured to receive an MR signal from the subject during the MR scan. The substrate may be configured to position the one or more coil units during the MR scan. The one or more coil units may be mounted within or on the substrate. The sensor may be configured to detect a motion signal relating to a physiological motion of the subject before or during the MR scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ling Ji
  • Patent number: 12181551
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetic resonance fingerprinting imaging method with variable number of echoes, in addition to conventional MRF coding such as changing the excitation pulse angle, the method also introduces the change of the number of echoes, so that quantitative maps of B0, B1+, T1 and T2* can be obtained in a single scan. Further, if the echo time corresponding to the in-phase, opposed-phase and in-phase of water and fat is set for three consecutive echoes, the present invention can also image water and fat, and achieve the accurate quantification of B0, B1+, T1w, T1F, [T2*]w and [T2*]F. Through in vivo experiments and simulations, the effectiveness of the present invention has been proved. Therefore, the present invention can provide multiple information representations for common brain diseases (glioma) and fatty diseases (such as lipoma, fatty liver, etc.), which is conducive to clinical diagnosis and treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Huihui Ye, Jinmin Xu, Huafeng Liu
  • Patent number: 12181544
    Abstract: A radiofrequency (RF) resonator array device for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRT), The RF resonator array device includes a substrate. An array of coupled split ring resonators are located on the substrate. Each of the coupled split ring resonators includes a first split ring resonator positioned on a first side of the substrate and a second split ring resonator positioned on a second side of the substrate located opposite the first side. The second split ring resonator is inductively coupled to the first split ring resonator. Methods of making and using the RF resonator device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
    Inventors: Akbar Alipour, Priti Balchandani, Alan C. Seifert
  • Patent number: 12175331
    Abstract: A method is provided for deterministically generating a photonic resource state for computational quantum computing. The method includes producing a sequence of emitted photonic qubits. The sequence of emitted photonic qubits is directed to an optical circulator of a passive entanglement component. The passive entanglement component includes the optical circulator, a delay line, and a Controlled-Z (CZ) gate. Each photon in the sequence of emitted photonic qubits is reflected at the end of the first delay line to generate a sequence of reflected photonic qubits after a predetermined time delay. The CZ gate entangles the sequence of emitted photonic qubits with the sequence of reflected photonic qubits. The optical circulator directs a resource state generated from the sequence of reflected photonic qubits entangled with the sequence of emitted photonic qubits to an output of the passive component. The resource state is emitted as a sequence of entangled photonic qubits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Alireza Shabani, Seyed Mohammad Hassan Shapourian
  • Patent number: 12174278
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for performing a magnetic resonance measurement of an element in a target region, wherein the element has a magnetic resonance excitation spectrum peak with a linewidth LR, wherein the method comprises a measurement cycle (100) comprising: a magnetization transfer stage (110) comprising providing a plurality of pulses (115) of first radiation to the target region, wherein the plurality of pulses (115) are selected to provide a net pulse having a net pulse angle ?N?1°, and wherein the first radiation comprises a first frequency spectrum peak having a first linewidth LF, wherein the first frequency spectrum peak at least partially overlaps with the magnetic resonance excitation spectrum peak, and wherein LF?5*LR; an excitation stage (130) comprising providing a radio frequency pulse to the target region, wherein the radio frequency pulse excites the element resulting in a transverse magnetization of the element; and a measurement stage (140) comprising detecting a signal from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Stichting Radboud Universiteit
    Inventor: David Norris
  • Patent number: 12164259
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toner cartridge detachably mountable to a receiving device, the toner cartridge comprising a container including a accommodating portion for accommodating the toner and a discharge opening for discharging the toner from the accommodating portion into the receiving device; and an open/close member including a closing portion for closing the discharge opening and an engaging portion movable relative to the closing portion, the open/close member being rotatable relative to the container between (a) an opening position for causing the closing portion to open the discharge opening and (b) a closing position for causing the closing portion to close the discharge opening, wherein the engaging portion is movable relative to the closing portion between (c) a engaging position for engagement with the receiving device to receive a force for moving the open/close member from the opening position to the closing position when the toner cartridge is d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosuke Kashiide, Takashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 12153115
    Abstract: A device for remotely diagnosing an MRI coil comprises: a Diagnostic Interface Device (or DID); means for plugging the MRI coil into the DID when the MRI coil is not in use, said device adapted for: (a) measuring the status of certain key electrical conditions for the coil; (b) receiving a response back from the signals initially aimed at the coil in question; (c) processing those responses received; and (d) transferring the measured electronic status (using a specific code number for the coil) to a remote storage area on the internet. A method of use is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Inventors: Fahad Alraddadi, William Monski, Tobias Sun