Patents Examined by Gregory H Curran
  • Patent number: 11255936
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to a cable connection unit for connection to a gradient coil unit, which includes at least one first electric conductor and one second electric conductor. The first electric conductor and the second electric conductor may be arranged at least partially next to one other, and be connected to one another via a load-carrying connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Riegler, Simon Bauer, Axel Vom Endt
  • Patent number: 11255934
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance RF receive coil with non-conductive waveguides for data transfer between the RF coil antennas and the channel aggregator is described. The non-conductive waveguide for each channel includes a plastic waveguide transferring data between a millimeter wave transmitter and a millimeter wave receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Spring, Yoshinori Hamamura, Ernie Zepeda
  • Patent number: 11249162
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed related to the compensation of phase offsets introduced into k-space lines as a result of encoding of blip gradients due when motion is present, which may be used for parallel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as blipped SMS or blipped CAIPIRINHA. The compensation of these additional phase offsets may prevent artifacts that would otherwise be present in the reconstructed images as a result of motion during the MRI scanning procedure. The additional phase offsets may be accounted for during the image acquisition phase of the MRI scan or, alternatively, during the image reconstruction phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Nicolas Splitthoff, Daniel Polak, Kawin Setsompop, Borjan Gagoski
  • Patent number: 11249416
    Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image bearing member, a charging member, an exposing member, a developer carrying member, a storage member to store a first lifetime threshold for the first image forming mode, a second lifetime threshold for the second image forming mode and a value related to a driving amount of the image bearing member. The image forming apparatus further includes a controller to (i) perform a first determination regarding the lifetime corresponding to the first mode based on the value related to the driving amount and the first lifetime threshold and (ii) perform a second determination regarding the lifetime corresponding to the second mode based on the value related to the driving amount and the second lifetime threshold, and a notifying unit to perform a notification based on a result of the first or second determination to the image bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hirata, Shinichi Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 11231477
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to the generation of a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a predetermined portion of a volume of an examination object. MR data of the portion may be acquired using echo trains in a first step and in a second step, with each of the echo trains acquiring MR data of a plurality of k-space lines. The plurality of k-space lines extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to a common plane such that per k-space line, one intersection point within a plane results. The MR image is then reconstructed using the acquired MR data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Forman, Dominik Paul, Flavio Carinci
  • Patent number: 11231474
    Abstract: A method of estimating properties of a resource bearing formation includes receiving, by a processor, a measured echo train generated by a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement device deployed in a region of interest, and a measured noise of the measured echo train, and calculating a T2 distribution subject to a nonlinear equality constraint, the nonlinear equality constraint dependent on the measured noise and a fitting error between the measured echo train and a modeled echo train. Calculating the T2 distribution includes estimating a solution for the T2 distribution that is closest to satisfying the nonlinear equality constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Baoyan Li, Julio Roberto Arro, Holger Thern, Hasan Kesserwan, Guodong Jin
  • Patent number: 11226388
    Abstract: In a method for detecting MR signals of an object in an MR scanner, in which the MR signals of the object are detected with receiving channels at the same time using a parallel imaging technique, where the MR signals are spin-echoes generated with a spin-echo based imaging sequence, a first magnetic field gradient (MFG) is applied in a slice selection direction (SSD) while applying an RF excitation pulse of the spin echo based imaging sequence, the first MFG having a first polarity during the application of the RF excitation pulse, a second MFG is applied in the SSD while applying at least a first RF refocusing pulse of the spin echo based imaging sequence, the second magnetic field gradient has a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, and the MR signals of the spin echo are detected to generate an MR image based on the detected MR signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Flavio Carinci, Dominik Paul, Mario Zeller
  • Patent number: 11226384
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for operating a magnetic resonance tomograph. A transmitter of the magnetic resonance tomograph transmits a predetermined test pulse with a reduced power. The magnetic resonance tomograph receives the test pulse with the local coil. A controller compares the received test pulse with a predetermined pulse response and emits a warning signal when the received test signal differs from the predetermined pulse response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Nistler, Volker Matschl, Stephan Biber, Rainer Kurth, Christian Wünsch, Georg Martschenko
  • Patent number: 11221388
    Abstract: A method for the compensation of magnetic field inhomogeneity in magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging comprising the steps of using dynamic k-space expansion in combination with parallel imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: UNM Rainforest Innovations
    Inventor: Stefan Posse
  • Patent number: 11215687
    Abstract: A method for generating an image data set of an image area located in a measurement volume of a magnetic resonance system comprising a gradient system and an RF transmission/reception system, comprises the following method steps: —reading out k-space corresponding to the imaging area, by: (a) activating a frequency encoding gradient in a predetermined spatial direction and with a predetermined strength G0 by means of said gradient system, (b) after the activated frequency encoding gradient achieves its strength G0, radiating a non-slice-selective RF excitation pulse by means of said RF transmission/reception system, (c) after a transmit-receive switch time ?tTR following the radiated excitation pulse, acquiring FID signals with said RF transmission/reception system and storing said FID signals as raw data points in k-space along a radial k-space trajectory that is predetermined by the direction and strength G0 of the frequency encoding gradient, (d) repeating (a) through (c) with respectively different freque
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: ETH Zurich, UNIVERSITAET ZUERICH
    Inventors: Romain Froidevaux, Markus Weiger
  • Patent number: 11215684
    Abstract: Storage medium, magnetic resonance apparatus and method for obtaining a magnetic resonance dataset including a pilot signal uses a magnetic resonance sequence. The pilot signal is generated at a first frequency range, and a magnetic resonance signal is generated at a second frequency range. The pilot signal and the magnetic resonance signal are acquired simultaneously. At least one parameter, in particular the phase and/or the frequency range, of the pilot signal is changed during the execution of the magnetic resonance sequence at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Speier
  • Patent number: 11209772
    Abstract: A cartridge includes a developing roller and a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the developing roller. The cartridge also includes a frame having a bearing configured to rotatably support the cylinder and a regulating wall capable of regulating movement of the coupling member by contacting the coupling member. A spring presses the coupling member to contact the regulating wall, and the bearing encompasses the regulating wall as seen along a rotational axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeo Miyabe, Takahito Ueno, Atsushi Takasaka
  • Patent number: 11209507
    Abstract: The present application provides a switching power supply and a magnetic resonance imaging system. The switching power supply is used for supplying power to a radio frequency coil control device, wherein the radio frequency coil control device is used for controlling a flow direction of radio frequency power output by a radio frequency amplifier of the magnetic resonance imaging system. Moreover, the switching power supply comprises a first power unit, a second power unit, and an air-cored transformer, the second power unit and the first power unit being electrically coupled through the air-cored transformer, wherein the switching power supply is configured to operate at a preset frequency, and frequency multiplication of the preset frequency is beyond a reception bandwidth of the magnetic resonance imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Hong Gu, Zhenglin Yang, Yanan Chen, Haiyuan Sun, Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 11204571
    Abstract: A heating apparatus to heat an image borne on a recording material includes a heater having a heater portion with first and second heating elements, where the heating elements have different lengths and resistance values. The heating apparatus also includes a power source, a switching unit, a control unit, and a voltage detection unit. The power source supplies power to the heating elements. The control unit controls the switching unit two switch a connection between the power source and the first heating element and the second heating element. The voltage detection unit detects an input voltage input from the power source to the heating elements. The control unit switches a power ratio, which is a ratio between an electric energy supplied from the power source to the first heating element and an electric energy supplied from the power source to the second heating element, depending on the detected input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Wakatsu, Tsuguhiro Yoshida, Kazuhiro Doda
  • Patent number: 11199602
    Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring a visualization of a target. For example, a computer-implemented method for acquiring a visualization of a target includes: generating a first sampling mask; acquiring first k-space data of the target at a first phase using the first sampling mask; generating a first image of the target based at least in part on the first k-space data; generating a second sampling mask using a model based on at least one selected from the first sampling mask, the first k-space data, and the first image; acquiring second k-space data of the target at a second phase using the second sampling mask; and generating a second image of the target based at least in part on the second k-space data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Shanghai United Imaging Intelligence Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhang Chen, Shanhui Sun, Terrence Chen
  • Patent number: 11194000
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) comprising a radio frequency system (116, 114, 118) configured for acquiring magnetic resonance data (144) from an imaging zone (108). The radio frequency system is configured for sending and receiving radio frequency signals to acquire the magnetic resonance data, wherein the radio frequency system comprises: an elliptical transmission coil (114) configured for generating a B1+ excitation field within the imaging zone; and an active B1 shim coil (118) configured for being placed within the imaging zone, wherein the radio frequency system is configured for suppling radio frequency power to the active B1 shim coil during the generation of the B1+ excitation field by the elliptical transmission coil, wherein the B1 shim coil is configured for shimming the B1+ excitation field within the imaging zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Daniel Wirtz
  • Patent number: 11187770
    Abstract: Method for eliminating aliasing artifacts in a magnetic resonance image, comprising the steps of obtaining a first and a second starting image (100a,100b) obtained by a determined acquisition sequence and using, respectively a phase encoding for columns, and a phase encoding for rows. Both the first and the second starting image (100a,100b) are organized in according to a matrix structure (m·n) comprising a plurality of portions (101a,101b) arranged according to m rows and n columns, each of which is associated to a respective numerical value corresponding to the light intensity of the portion. The method provides a translation step for translating at least one between the first and the second starting image (100a,100b) with respect to a respective reference system, in such a way to minimize the differences among the numerical values of the homologous portions of the first and of the second starting image due to the fact that the first and the second starting image are obtained by a different encoding phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Andrea Dell'Orso
  • Patent number: 11181592
    Abstract: A radio-frequency power converter and a radio-frequency transmission system for magnetic resonance imaging are provided in embodiments of the present invention. The radio-frequency power converter comprises a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprises a first circuit layer, a ground layer, and one or a plurality of intermediate layers located between the first circuit layer and the ground layer. A plurality of planar spiral inductors connected in parallel are formed on the first circuit layer. One ends of the plurality of inductors are connected to each other and respectively connected to one end of a first capacitor, the other ends of the plurality of inductors are respectively connected to one ends of a plurality of second capacitors, and the other ends of the plurality of second capacitors are all grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Kai Wang, Haoyang Xing, Xianchao Wu, Xin Xie, Dongliang Yang
  • Patent number: 11181598
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for reconstructing a MRI image, including: receiving a plurality of MRI measurement data sets ƒ1 to ƒN, wherein each data set is acquired from an examination object based on a different MRI protocol of an MRI system; receiving MRI images u10 to uN0 corresponding to the MRI measurement data sets ƒ1 to ƒN; applying, in at least a first step GD1, trained functions to the MRI images u10 to uN0, using a neural network and a forward-sampling operator, wherein at least one output MRI image uT is generated; and providing the at least one output MRI image uT, wherein the forward-sampling operator determines an agreement between at least one MRI image u10 to uN0 and the corresponding MRI measurement data set ƒ1 to ƒN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Polak, Kawin Setsompop
  • Patent number: 11172842
    Abstract: In a method for analyzing acquired magnetic resonance images, an image series is provided that includes acquired magnetic resonance images of a slice of an object, picture elements of the acquired magnetic resonance images of the image series are fitted to generate a parameter map and an error map, the acquired magnetic resonance images are automatically segmented to generate image segments, histograms of the parameter map and the error map are generated based on the image segments, and the histograms are analyzed to generate an output of analysis results and/or generate a visualization including the parameter map, the error map, and the image segments. The acquired magnetic resonance images can have a variation of a contrast-determining acquisition parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Forman, Andreas Greiser