Patents by Inventor Dan K. Spence

Dan K. Spence has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • RADIO FREQUENCY COIL ASSEMBLIES FOR MAGNETIC RESONANANCE IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM
    Publication number: 20240085505
    Abstract: A radio frequency coil assembly for an MRI system. A support structure extends between a first end and a second end in a first direction and between an inner surface and an opposite outer surface in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The support structure has channels that extend into the support structure in the second direction. An RF coil is configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. The RF coil is supported by the outer surface of the support structure. The channels are at least partially positioned between the support structure and the RF coil in the first direction and are configured to convey a cooling medium to cool the support structure in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Edwin L. Legall, Louis J. Vannatta, Gaines Hartley, William J. Bonneau, Thomas K. Foo, Dan K. Spence
  • Radio frequency (RF) coil array with double asymmetric saddle coil pairs
    Patent number: 8179136
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil array includes a plurality of RF coil sections arranged in a superior-inferior direction. Each RF coil section includes a plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs configured in an overlapping arrangement in a left-right direction. The plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs may include three asymmetric saddle coil pairs arranged in a left-right direction. The position of the asymmetric saddle coil pairs on the left and right may be shifted in the superior-inferior direction with respect to the middle asymmetric saddle coil pair. In an alternative configuration, each RF coil section includes a first loop coil, an asymmetric saddle coil pair and a second loop coil arranged in a left-right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pei H. Chan, Dan K. Spence, Fraser J. Robb, Vincent W. Chen, Modhurin Banerjee, Victor Taracila
  • RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) COIL ARRAY WITH DOUBLE ASYMMETRIC SADDLE COIL PAIRS
    Publication number: 20100265020
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil array includes a plurality of RF coil sections arranged in a superior-inferior direction. Each RF coil section includes a plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs configured in an overlapping arrangement in a left-right direction. The plurality of asymmetric saddle coil pairs may include three asymmetric saddle coil pairs arranged in a left-right direction. The position of the asymmetric saddle coil pairs on the left and right may be shifted in the superior-inferior direction with respect to the middle asymmetric saddle coil pair. In an alternative configuration, each RF coil section includes a first loop coil, an asymmetric saddle coil pair and a second loop coil arranged in a left-right direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Pei H. Chan, Dan K. Spence, Fraser J. Robb, Vincent W. Chen, Modhurin Banerjee, Victor Taracila
  • Coil arrays for parallel imaging in magnetic resonance imaging
    Patent number: 7221161
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring coils in a coil array are provided. The system includes a coil arrangement for a medical imaging system. The coil arrangement includes a plurality of coil elements for a medical imaging system and a plurality of twisted portions in combination with at least one of the plurality of coil elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujita, Mark Xueming Zou, Dan K. Spence
  • Head RF quadrature coil array for parallel imaging
    Patent number: 6900635
    Abstract: A partially parallel acquisition RF coil array for imaging a human head having a summit and a lower portion includes at least a first, a second and a third quadrature coil pair adapted to be arranged circumambiently about the lower portion of the head; and at least a forth, a fifth and a sixth quadrature coil pair adapted to be conformably arranged about the summit of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Labros S. Petropoulos, Hiroyuki Fujita, Mark Xueming Zou, Yun-Jeong Yang, Dan K. Spence, Joseph Murphy-Boesch, Pei H. Chan, Dashen Chu
  • Coil arrays for parallel imaging in magnetic resonance imaging
    Publication number: 20040196042
    Abstract: A system and method for configuring coils in a coil array are provided. The system includes a coil arrangement for a medical imaging system. The coil arrangement includes a plurality of coil elements for a medical imaging system and a plurality of twisted portions in combination with at least one of the plurality of coil elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujita, Mark Xueming Zou, Dan K. Spence