Patents by Inventor Graeme Colin McKinnon

Graeme Colin McKinnon 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).

  • Patent number: 6788055
    Abstract: A technique is described for programming multiple axes or channels of a system, such as an MRI system. Modular component time masks are defined including information for activity on at least one axis and a time boundary for execution of the activity. The modular components may be stored in a library, and assembled to define desired control sequences. Activity may include pulse sequences for coils in the imaging system. The modular components facilitate definition of complex multi-axis control sequences while respecting inherent physical constraints of the system. Time optimized control sequences may be developed from the modular components by reference to beginning and ending times of a series of components, or to anchor time points associated with the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graeme Colin McKinnon, Paul Edgar Licato, Qing Tan, Lawrence Edward Ploétz
  • Publication number: 20040075434
    Abstract: A gradient coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: a first gradient coil configured to generate a first gradient field in a first field of view; a second gradient coil configured to generate a second gradient field orthogonal to the first gradient field in a second field of view; and a third gradient coil configured to generate a third gradient field orthogonal to the first gradient field and the second gradient field in a plurality of fields of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Michael Vavrek, Graeme Colin McKinnon, Daniel Joseph Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6680612
    Abstract: A gradient coil assembly for use with an MR imaging system comprising: a main gradient coil disposed about an imaging axis to produce a gradient field; a corrector coil disposed about an imaging axis and positioned with a return portion substantially overlapping a return portion of main gradient coil. The main gradient coil and said corrector coil cooperate to provide a first field of view, the main gradient coil operates to provide a second field of view. A method of reducing power deposition in a gradient coil assembly comprising: determining a first current density corresponding to a first field-of-view for an effective gradient coil; computing a second current density corresponding to a second field of view, by reducing current from the first current density without changing a sign of said the associated therewith; determining a geometry for a main gradient coil; and ascertaining a geometry for a corrector coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Graeme Colin McKinnon, Qin Liu
  • Publication number: 20010016782
    Abstract: A technique is described for programming multiple axes or channels of a system, such as an MRI system. Modular component time masks are defined including information for activity on at least one axis and a time boundary for execution of the activity. The modular components may be stored in a library, and assembled to define desired control sequences. Activity may include pulse sequences for coils in the imaging system. The modular components facilitate definition of complex multi-axis control sequences while respecting inherent physical constraints of the system. Time optimized control sequences may be developed from the modular components by reference to beginning and ending times of a series of components, or to anchor time points associated with the components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Graeme Colin McKinnon, Paul Edgar Licato, Qing Tan, Lawrence Edward Ploetz
  • Patent number: 6249120
    Abstract: A technique is described for programming multiple axes or channels of a system, such as an MRI system. Modular component time masks are defined including information for activity on at least one axis and a time boundary for execution of the activity. The modular components may be stored in a library, and assembled to define desired control sequences. Activity may include pulse sequences for coils in the imaging system. The modular components facilitate definition of complex multi-axis control sequences while respecting inherent physical constraints of the system. Time optimized control sequences may be developed from the modular components by reference to beginning and ending times of a series of components, or to anchor time points associated with the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Graeme Colin McKinnon, Paul Edgar Licato, Qing Tan, Lawrence Edward Ploetz
  • Patent number: 4733184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sequence with a very short echo time. However, during the measurement, there is a constant gradient, the direction of which is varied from sequence to sequence, while its magnitude remains constant. The shortening of the echo time is achieved in that in the first instance on both sides of the layer to be excited, two comparatively thick regions are excited. The nuclear magnetization excited in these regions is dephased, and subsequently a likewise comparatively thick region is excited by a further high-frequency pulse, which encompasses the layer to be excited as well as a part of the regions on both sides of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme-Colin McKinnon
  • Patent number: 4669311
    Abstract: A method and device for determining the internal structure of the body by means of ultrasound beams from transit time measurement. An iterative solution of integral equations is used to calculate the actual path which the ultrasound beams follow through the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Graeme-Colin McKinnon