Patents Examined by Louis Arana
  • Extended detuning in local coils
    Patent number: 9791527
    Abstract: A local coil for an MRI imaging system includes an antenna containing a first detuning circuit and a second detuning circuit, and a connection connected to the antenna between a first connection point on the antenna and a second connection point on the antenna. The connection is configured to be short-circuited by at least one diode. The first connection point and the second connection point are situated spatially between a first partial region and a second partial region of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Greim
  • Method of MRI imaging using non-slice-selective, spatially tailored tip-up pulse
    Patent number: 9791530
    Abstract: A method of acquiring image data with an MRI system from an object using a sequence of tip-down and tip-up RF pulses is described. A slice-selective first pulse ? rotates the in-slice spins from the longitudinal axis (z) toward a transverse plane (x, y). Image data is acquired from the in-slice spins during a free precession interval (Tfree) in which the in-slice spins precess along the transverse plane (x, y). A spatially tailored, non-slice-selective second pulse ?({right arrow over (r)}) is applied for rotating the in-slice spins from the transverse plane (x, y) to at least substantially along the longitudinal axis (z). A third pulse S may be applied to the in-slice and out-of-slice spins to eliminate (spoil) residual transverse signal from out-of-slice spins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Nielsen, Daehyun Yoon, Douglas C. Noll
  • Mutually calibrated magnetic imaging array
    Patent number: 9791536
    Abstract: A mutually calibrated magnetic imaging array system is described. The system includes a non-target magnetic source rigidly attached to a magnetometer, and an attached control unit to measure and adjust several parameters of a magnetic imaging array. A non-target magnetic field source is used to generate a well-defined and distinguishable spatial magnetic field distribution. The source is rigidly attached directly to a magnetometer, while the relative positions of the magnetometers are unknown. The magnetic imaging array is used to measure the strength of the non-target source magnetic fields and the information is used to calibrate several parameters of the array, such as, but not limited to, effective magnetometer positions and orientations with respect to each other and cross-talk between the magnetometers. The system, and method described herein eliminates the need for a separate calibration phantom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: QuSpin, Inc.
    Inventors: Orang Alem, Vishal Shah, Svenja Knappe
  • Using a mesoscopic system to generate entanglement
    Patent number: 9792558
    Abstract: In some aspects, a mesoscopic system is used to generate entanglement, for example, on a pair of qubits. In some implementations, the mesoscopic system includes a first spin, a second spin and multiple other spins. The initial state of the first and second spins can be separable (non-entangled) states. Measurement outcomes are obtained by performing projective measurements on the mesoscopic system. Based on the measurement outcomes, an entangled state of the first and second spins is detected. The entangled state is transferred from the first and second spins to the first and second qubits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Investment Fund LP
    Inventors: Maryam Sadat Mirkamali, David G. Cory
  • Method and magnetic resonance apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance data of a target region including a metal object
    Patent number: 9784807
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus to acquire MR data of a target region that includes a metal object, an MR sequence that includes at least one radio-frequency excitation to be emitted via a radio-frequency coil arrangement is used. A radio-frequency coil arrangement having multiple coil elements that can be controlled independently with different amplitude and/or phase is used. The amplitudes and/or phases of the coil elements that describe the polarization of the radio-frequency field are selected to at least partially reduce artifacts arising in the metal object due to the radio-frequency excitation, in comparison to a homogeneous, circular polarization of the radio-frequency field of the radio-frequency field in the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mathias Nittka, Theresa Bachschmidt
  • Method and magnetic resonance system to acquire MR data in a predetermined volume segment
    Patent number: 9778337
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) system to acquire MR data in a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, the data are acquired with at least one echo train that includes at least two signal echoes. The same number of echoes is acquired for each echo train of the at least one echo train, with this number of echoes corresponding to an echo train length. The total number of echoes that are required to acquire the MR data and the echo train length is adapted so that the total number corresponds to a whole number multiple of the echo train length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dominik Paul
  • Distinguishing mud filtrate from formation water by multi-DOI NMR
    Patent number: 9772425
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement, at two or more depths of investigation, of a subsurface formation containing formation water and a mud filtrate from a water-base mud is obtained, and the mud filtrate is distinguished from the formation water. A NMR logging tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating the formation containing the mud filtrate and the formation water and NMR measurements at different radial depths of investigation into the formation are made. The mud filtrate is distinguished from the formation water by determining the relative salinities of the mud filtrate and the formation water. The relative salinities are determined by comparing distribution relaxation times across different depths of investigation or by comparing logarithmic mean values across different depths of investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Nanlung Dangfa, Ilaria De Santo, Iftikhar Khattak, Harish Baban Datir
  • Easily accessible deep-frozen NMR shim arrangement
    Patent number: 9766312
    Abstract: An NMR apparatus includes a superconducting magnet coil system configured to generate a homogeneous magnetic field, and a helium (He) tank having an inner tube mechanically rigidly connected to the He tank and in which the magnet coil system is positioned. The He tank is configured to contain liquid helium to cool the magnet coils. A radiation shield has a radiation shield inner tube encompassing the He tank and spaced from the He inner tube to create a space between the He inner tube and the radiation shield inner tube to reduce an evaporation rate of the liquid helium. The NMR apparatus additionally includes a field shaping device with a magnetic material arranged in the space, in order to shim the homogeneous magnetic field. The field shaping device is fixed in the space so as to be in rigid mechanical contact with the He tank but without contacting the radiation shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventors: Beat Grossniklaus, Guenter Kuebler, Pierre-Alain Bovier
  • Magnetic resonance imaging device
    Patent number: 9759790
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging device according to an embodiment includes a gradient amplifier, a battery, a detector, and a battery controller. The gradient amplifier supplies electric power to the gradient coil. The battery is charged with electric power that is supplied from the power supply. The detector detects a high power output request on the gradient amplifier. The battery controller controls to supply electric power charged in the battery in addition to electric power supplied from the power supply to the gradient amplifier when the high power output request is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sho Kawajiri, Motohisa Yokoi, Motohiro Miura, Masashi Hori, Kazuyuki Soejima, Naoki Imamura, Haruki Nakamura
  • Fast analysis method for non-invasive imaging of blood flow using vessel-encoded arterial spin labelling
    Patent number: 9757047
    Abstract: Arterial spin labelling (ASL) MRI offers a non-invasive means to create blood-borne contrast in vivo for dynamic angiographic imaging. By spatial modulation of the ASL process it is possible to uniquely label individual arteries over a series of measurements, allowing each to be separately identified in the resulting images. This separation requires appropriate analysis for which a general framework has previously been proposed. Here the general framework is modified for fast analysis of non-invasive imaging of blood flow using vessel encoded arterial spin labelling (VE-ASL). This specifically addresses the issues of computational speed of the analysis and the robustness required to deal with real patient data. The modification applies various approaches for estimation of one or more parameters that change the way a vessel, for example an artery, is encoded to provide the fast analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Chappell, Mark Woolrich, Thomas Okell
  • Motion sensitized and motion suppressed imaging using dante prepared pulse trains
    Patent number: 9759797
    Abstract: Systems and methods for motion sensitized and motion suppressed quantitative imaging of a subject are provided as a train of interlaced radio frequency (RF) and magnetic field gradient pulses. Non-selective Delay Alternating with Nutation for Tailored Excitation (DANTE) pulse trains may be used in combination with gradient pulses and short repetition times as motion-sensitive preparation modules. In one or more embodiments, the systems and methods may use a train of low flip angle radio frequency (RF) pulses in combination with a blipped field gradient pulse between each RF pulse, repeated regularly. While the longitudinal magnetization of static tissue is mostly preserved, moving spins are largely (or fully) suppressed since they fail to establish transverse steady state due to a spoiling effect caused by flow along the applied gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Linqing Li, Peter Jezzard
  • Method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a MRI machine and device for carrying out such method
    Patent number: 9759792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging machine, wherein the magnet is flat and the magnetic field on one side of said magnet is corrected such that a volume is defined, which is bounded by a spherical cap surface, in which volume and along which surface the magnetic field is homogeneous, i.e. has field lines having equal parallel directions and equal intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ESAOTE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Punzo
  • System for reducing artifacts in imaging in the presence of a spin-lock radio-frequency field
    Patent number: 9759795
    Abstract: A system acquires MR image data of a portion of patient anatomy associated with spin lattice relaxation time in a rotating frame using an RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator and a magnetic field gradient generator. The RF (Radio Frequency) signal generator generates RF excitation pulses in anatomy and enables subsequent acquisition of associated RF echo data. The magnetic field gradient generator generates anatomical volume select magnetic field gradients for phase encoding and readout RF data acquisition in a three dimensional (3D) anatomical volume. The RF signal generator and the gradient generator use in order, a saturation pulse, a T1 spin lattice relaxation rotating frame preparation pulse sequence and a spoiler gradient, in acquiring image data of the 3D volume showing luminance contrast associated with T1 spin lattice relaxation in a rotating frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Kecheng Liu, Tiejun Zhao
  • Magnetic resonance imaging method for at least two separate radio-frequency transmit coils with time-delayed slice-selective excitation pulses
    Patent number: 9753108
    Abstract: A method for creating an image data set using a magnetic resonance system including at least two RF transmit coils includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a value for a susceptibility magnetic field gradient to be corrected from the Gs map in combination with the B1 map of the RF transmit coil. The method includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a time delay of the excitation pulse. The method also includes calculating a complex weighting factor for scaling the pulse profile for each RF transmit coil to achieve an as uniform as possible deflection of the magnetization by the excitation pulse over the area under examination, and passing through the imaging sequence. The RF transmit coils each emit an excitation pulse with the calculated time delay and with a pulse profile scaled according to the calculated complex weighting factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus with interleaved resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequences and morphological magnetic resonance imaging sequences
    Patent number: 9739856
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for acquiring magnetic resonance data, a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence is executed in alternation with a morphological data acquisition sequence. The alternating sequences are executed with no time interruptions therebetween, with at least one repetition of the alternating sequences. The resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging sequence can be a BOLD-EPI sequence, and the morphological imaging sequence can be an MPRAGE sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Randy Buckner, Bjoern Heismann, Arne Hengerer
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy device
    Patent number: 9733323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy device adapted for carrying out 1D and nD homo- and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy measurements of a plurality of nuclei, comprising an RF coil adapted to transmit RF to and/or receive RF from a measuring volume, wherein the RF coil forms part of a non-tuned radiofrequency circuit. The invention further relates to a method of NMR data acquisition, a method of manufacturing a NMR spectroscopy device and a NMR-device holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Wageningen Universiteit
    Inventors: Aldo Hendrikus Velders, Raluca Maria Fratila, Maria Victoria Gomez Almagro, Stanislav Sykora
  • Selective zero-quantum coherence transfer (Sel-ZQC) method for metabolite imaging in a poorly shimmed magnet field without susceptibility artifact
    Patent number: 9733326
    Abstract: Systems and methods employing spin editing techniques to improve magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) are discussed. Using these spin editing techniques, magnetic resonance signals of one or more non-target chemicals (chemicals whose signals are to be filtered out or suppressed) chemicals can be suppressed, so that the signal(s) of a set of target chemicals can be obtained without signals from the one or more non-target chemicals. Information about and differences between the molecular topologies of the first set of chemicals and the one or more unwanted chemicals can be used to design a sequence that suppresses the one or more unwanted chemicals while allowing acquisition of signal(s) from the first set of chemicals. These techniques can be employed to recover sharp peaks despite magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventor: Qiuhong He
  • Energy-saving method of generating time-varying magnetic gradients for use in MRI
    Patent number: 9726738
    Abstract: An apparatus and method which produce a magnetic field gradient by physically rotating one or more permanent magnets near an object in order to obtain images of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Weinberg Medical Physics Inc.
    Inventors: Irving N. Weinberg, Aleksandar Nelson Nacev
  • Magnetic resonance apparatus and method for operation thereof with an accelerated progression of a repeating pulse sequence with an optimized gradient curve
    Patent number: 9726740
    Abstract: In a method for an accelerated progression of a repeating pulse sequence with an optimized gradient curve (that has at least one pulse) for a magnetic resonance examination by operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus, boundary conditions for a first gradient pulse of a first progression of the pulse sequence are detected, and the boundary conditions of the first gradient pulse of the first progression of the pulse sequence are compared with boundary conditions of a previous gradient pulse of a previous progression of the pulse sequence. An optimized gradient curve of the first gradient pulse of the first progression of the pulse sequence is determined from the gradient curve of the previous gradient pulse when agreement of the boundary conditions of the first gradient pulse with the boundary conditions of the previous gradient pulse exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Grodzki, Bjoern Heismann
  • Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method
    Patent number: 9726734
    Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a charge/discharge controlling unit, a judging unit and a condition restricting unit. The charge/discharge controlling unit includes a charge/discharge element, receives electric power, and charges the charge/discharge element by using the received electric power. The charge/discharge controlling unit also supplies a gradient magnetic field coil with electric power discharged from the charge/discharge element at a time of performance of magnetic resonance imaging. The judging unit judges whether capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below a threshold value or not. The condition restricting unit restricts electric power amount supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil by restricting conditions of an imaging sequence, when the capacitance of the charge/discharge element falls below the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Hori, Motohiro Miura, Motohisa Yokoi, Sho Kawajiri