Abstract: The present invention provides a method for heating a target zone (3) of a subject of interest (1) according to pre-defined heating requirements using ultrasonic irradiation, comprising the steps of providing an ultrasonic irradiation device comprising a set of individually controllable transducer elements in vicinity of the target zone (3), defining at least one sensitive zone (2) within an area (4) covered by ultrasonic irradiation device, and controlling the ultrasonic irradiation device to apply sonications of ultrasonic energy to the target zone (3) to achieve the desired heating thereof, wherein the transducer elements are individually controlled in phase and amplitude to provide the sonications as a beam (5) directed towards the target zone (3), wherein the beam (5) has a energy distribution so that the pre-defined heating requirements of the target zone (3) are met and the exposure of the at least one sensitive zone (2) is minimized The present invention further provides an ultrasonic irradiation devi

Abstract: An RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna is disclosed for use in a hybrid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (or MR scanner), which comprises an MRI system and another imaging system for example in the form of a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system. The RF transmit and/or receive antenna (40, 50) is provided with respect to its conductor structure such that it does not disturb or in any other way detrimentally influence the related other (i.e. HIFU) of the two systems, especially if both systems are operated simultaneously and if the RF antenna is positioned in close proximity to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: The invention provides for a medical instrument (300, 500, 600) comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302) comprising an ultrasonic transducer (306) with multiple transducer elements (400, 402, 404, 406, 408). The medical instrument further comprises a memory (334) containing machine executable instructions (350, 352, 354, 520, 522, 524) which cause a processor to receive (100, 200) a treatment plan (340) specifying a protected zone (322) within a subject (301) and to calculate (102, 208) a set of transducer control parameters (342) using the treatment plan. The set of transducer control parameters specify the switching of electrical power to the multiple transducer elements. An ultrasonic intensity estimate (900) in the protected zone is below a predetermined threshold. The ultrasonic intensity estimate is calculated using an incoherent sum of the ultrasonic pressure generated by each of the multiple transducer elements.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302) for sonicating a sonication volume (324) of a subject (320). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (350) within an imaging volume (316). The sonication volume is within the imaging volume. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a controller (304) for controlling the therapeutic apparatus. The treatment plan comprises instructions for controlling the operation of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for sonicating (100) the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for repeatedly acquiring (102) magnetic resonance thermometry data using the magnetic resonance imaging system during execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A medical apparatus (400) comprising an ultrasound transmitter (444, 602) and receiver (446, 604) system (600) for acquiring ultrasound data (476) descriptive of the speed of ultrasound (304, 306) along at least two paths (606, 1114). The medical apparatus further comprises a medical imaging system (402) for acquiring medical image data (468) and a memory (464) containing instructions (490, 492, 494, 496, 498, 500, 502, 504) that causes the processor to acquire (100, 200) the medical image data. The instructions further cause the processor to acquire (102, 202) the ultrasound data. The instructions further cause the processor to segment (104, 204) the medical image data into at least two tissue types (434, 436, 610, 612, 708, 710). The instructions further causes the processor to determine (106, 206) at least two distances corresponding to the at least two paths in the subject. The instructions further cause the processor to calculate (108, 208) the speed of ultrasound in the at least two tissue types.

Abstract: When planning magnetic resonance (MR) guided high intensity focused ultrasonic (HIFU) therapy, HIFU transducer element parameters are optimized as a function of 3D MR data describing a size, shape, and position of a region of interest (ROI) (146) and any obstructions (144) between the HIFU transducer elements and the ROI (146). Transducer element phases and amplitudes are adjusted to maximize HIFU radiation delivery to the ROI (146) while minimizing delivery to the obstruction (144). Additionally or alternatively, transducer elements are selectively deactivated if the obstruction (144) is positioned between the ROI (146) and a given transducer element.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus comprising a high intensity focused ultrasound system (302) for sonicating a sonication volume (324) of a subject (320). The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (300) for acquiring magnetic resonance thermometry data (350) within an imaging volume (316). The sonication volume is within the imaging volume. The therapeutic apparatus further comprises a controller (304) for controlling the therapeutic apparatus. The treatment plan comprises instructions for controlling the operation of the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for sonicating (100) the target volume using the high intensity focused ultrasound system. The controller is adapted for repeatedly acquiring (102) magnetic resonance thermometry data using the magnetic resonance imaging system during execution of the treatment plan.

Abstract: An RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna is disclosed for use in a hybrid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (or MR scanner), which comprises an MRI system and another imaging system for example in the form of a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) system. The RF transmit and/or receive antenna (40, 50) is provided with respect to its conductor structure such that it does not disturb or in any other way detrimentally influence the related other (i.e. HIFU) of the two systems, especially if both systems are operated simultaneously and if the RF antenna is positioned in close proximity to an object to be imaged.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (10) includes a main field magnet (12) which generates a B 0 magnetic field through an examination region (14). One or more electric power generators (30) are disposed in the B 0 magnetic field. Each of the electric power generators includes at least one winding or coil (34) which is rotatably mounted for movement relative to the B0 magnetic field. A mechanical mechanism (60) such as vanes or propellers (62), a turbine (74) in conjunction with a fluid pump (72), or a motor (78) in conjunction with a drive shaft (76) and gear box (74), drive the at least one winding (34) to move in such a manner that it interacts with the B 0 magnetic field to generate an electric current.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatic calibration of a signal path in receivers (e.g., radio frequency receivers) using a noise (and not a specific test signal) as a source and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the noise for correcting various parameters related to an inphase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance in a frequency domain. The present invention (method and apparatus) can provide detecting and correcting an I/Q phase error, an I/Q amplitude error, an absolute corner frequency of the analog baseband filter, and a relative corner frequency of the analog baseband filters just by using the noise as a stimuli. This calibration can be used for a factory calibration or it can be used as an on-site calibration for base stations. Mobile devices can calibrate themselves independently of their location. This reduces the requirements for the test equipment in the manufacturing and maintenance stages.

Abstract: A direct conversion receiver includes a receiver for receiving a signal including multiple components at different receiving frequencies belonging to a frequency band. A mixer mixes the signal components into a base band signal comprising I- and Q branches. A converter converts the analog base band signal into a digital signal. The receiver includes a measuring unit for measuring power levels of the signal components in pairs, where one component in the pair belongs to an upper sideband of the frequency band and one component in the pair belongs to a lower sideband of the frequency band. An estimator estimates, when either the upper sideband component or the lower sideband component dominates in power over the component in the pair, a frequency-independent phase imbalance, a frequency-dependent phase imbalance and a gain imbalance, and a compensator compensates the estimated imbalances to at least one of the I- and Q-branch signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatic calibration of a signal path in receivers (e.g., radio frequency receivers) using a noise (and not a specific test signal) as a source and a fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the noise for correcting various parameters related to an inphase/quadrature (I/Q) imbalance in a frequency domain. The present invention (method and apparatus) can provide detecting and correcting an I/Q phase error, an I/Q amplitude error, an absolute corner frequency of the analog baseband filter, and a relative corner frequency of the analog baseband filters just by using the noise as a stimuli. This calibration can be used for a factory calibration or it can be used as an on-site calibration for base stations. Mobile devices can calibrate themselves independently of their location. This reduces the requirements for the test equipment in the manufacturing and maintenance stages.

Abstract: A digital to RF-conversion device that combines the D/A conversion function and the upconversion function by a RF-carrier or IF-signal. The device comprises a plurality of parallel unit cells, each of which is a mixer cell type converter having a differential data switch section connected in series to a differential LO-switch pair. The differential LO-switch is further connected in series to a current source. Each unit cell is adapted to receive a control voltage indicative of a data signal value.

Abstract: A digital to RF-conversion device that combines the D/A conversion function and the upconversion function by a RF-carrier or IF-signal. The device comprises a plurality of parallel unit cells, each of which is a mixer cell type converter having a differential data switch section connected in series to a differential LO-switch pair. The differential LO-switch is further connected in series to a current source. Each unit cell is adapted to receive a control voltage indicative of a data signal value.

Abstract: A direct conversion receiver includes a receiver for receiving a signal including multiple components at different receiving frequencies belonging to a frequency band. A mixer mixes the signal components into a base band signal comprising I- and Q branches. A converter converts the analog base band signal into a digital signal. The receiver includes a measuring unit for measuring power levels of the signal components in pairs, where one component in the pair belongs to an upper sideband of the frequency band and one component in the pair belongs to a lower sideband of the frequency band. An estimator estimates, when either the upper sideband component or the lower sideband component dominates in power over the component in the pair, a frequency-independent phase imbalance, a frequency-dependent phase imbalance and a gain imbalance, and a compensator compensates the estimated imbalances to at least one of the I- and Q-branch signals.