Patents by Inventor Kamil Ugurbil
Kamil Ugurbil 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).
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Publication number: 20060255806Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Inventors: J. Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20060244447Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for modulating transverse and longitudinal relaxation time contrast in a rotating frame based on a train of radio frequency pulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Shalom Michaeli, Michael Garwood, Kamil Ugurbil, Dennis Sorce
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Patent number: 7023209Abstract: Apparatus and method for MRI imaging using a coil constructed of microstrip transmission line (MTL coil) are disclosed. In one method, a target is positioned to be imaged within the field of a main magnetic field of a magnet resonance imaging (MRI) system, a MTL coil is positioned proximate the target, and a MRI image is obtained using the main magnet and the MTL coil. In another embodiment, the MRI coil is used for spectroscopy. MRI imaging and spectroscopy coils are formed using microstrip transmission line. These MTL coils have the advantageous property of good performance while occupying a relatively small space, thus allowing MTL coils to be used inside restricted areas more easily than some other prior art coils. In addition, the MTL coils are relatively simple to construct of inexpensive components and thus relatively inexpensive compared to other designs. Further, the MTL coils of the present invention can be readily formed in a wide variety of coil configurations, and used in a wide variety of ways.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Xiaoliang Zhang, Kamil Ugurbil, Wei Chen
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Publication number: 20060006865Abstract: Apparatus and method for MRI imaging using a coil constructed of microstrip transmission line (MTL coil) are disclosed. In one method, a target is positioned to be imaged within the field of a main magnetic field of a magnet resonance imaging (MRI) system, a MTL coil is positioned proximate the target, and a MRI image is obtained using the main magnet and the MTL coil. In another embodiment, the MRI coil is used for spectroscopy. MRI imaging and spectroscopy coils are formed using microstrip transmission line. These MTL coils have the advantageous property of good performance while occupying a relatively small space, thus allowing MTL coils to be used inside restricted areas more easily than some other prior art coils. In addition, the MTL coils are relatively simple to construct of inexpensive components and thus relatively inexpensive compared to other designs. Further, the MTL coils of the present invention can be readily formed in a wide variety of coil configurations, and used in a wide variety of ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventors: Xiaoliang Zhang, Kamil Ugurbil, Wei Chen
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Publication number: 20060001426Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: J. Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20050264291Abstract: A current unit having two or more current paths allows control of magnitude, phase, time, frequency and position of each of element in a radio frequency coil. For each current element, the current can be adjusted as to a phase angle, frequency and magnitude. Multiple current paths of a current unit can be used for targeting multiple spatial domains or strategic combinations of the fields generated/detected by combination of elements for targeting a single domain in magnitude, phase, time, space and frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2005Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: J. Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Carl Snyder, Can Akgun, Jinfeng Tian, Kamil Ugurbil, Pierre-Francois Moortele, Steen Moeller
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Patent number: 6969992Abstract: An excitation and detection circuit having individually controllable elements for use with a multi-element radio frequency coil. Characteristics of the driving signal, including, for example, the phase, amplitude, frequency and timing, from each element of the circuit is separately controllable using small signals. Negative feedback for the driving signal associated with each coil element is derived from a receiver coupled to that coil element.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil, John Strupp, Peter Andersen
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Patent number: 6958607Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20050116715Abstract: An excitation and detection circuit having individually controllable elements for use with a multi-element radio frequency coil. Characteristics of the driving signal, including, for example, the phase, amplitude, frequency and timing, from each element of the circuit is separately controllable using small signals. Negative feedback for the driving signal associated with each coil element is derived from a receiver coupled to that coil element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: J. Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil, John Strupp, Peter Andersen
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Patent number: 6788056Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20040027128Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20040012391Abstract: A plurality of linear current elements are configured about a specimen to be imaged. A current in each current element is controlled independent of a current in other current elements to select a gradient and to provide radio frequency shimming. Each current element is driven by a separate channel of a transmitter and connected to a separate channel of a multi-channel receiver. The impedance, and therefore, the current, in each current element is controlled mechanically or electrically.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: J. T. Vaughan, Kamil Ugurbil, Gregor Adriany
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Patent number: 6650116Abstract: A method and system for performing MRI and NMR spectroscopy that improves the dynamic range of the received signal by using adiabatic RF pulses for spin excitation rather than for spin inversion. The preferred adiabatic RF excitation produces a spatially varying phase across the slab, and a sharp slab profile. The phase variation is divided up by a phase-encoding gradient into voxels having a phase variation that is negligible over the width of the voxel. The phase variation in the slab-select direction is, on the whole, large enough that the peak amplitude of the received signal is reduced and the signal width broadened. This reduces the dynamic range required of the analog to digital converter used in a NMR system. A NMR system suitable for carrying out the methods of the invention is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Michael G. Garwood, Kamil Ugurbil, Lance DelaBarre, Patrick Bolan
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Patent number: 6639405Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Haiying Liu, Wei Chen, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20020153889Abstract: A method and system for performing MRI and NMR spectroscopy that improves the dynamic range of the received signal by using adiabatic RF pulses for spin excitation rather than for spin inversion. The preferred adiabatic RF excitation produces a spatially varying phase across the slab, and a sharp slab profile. The phase variation is divided up by a phase-encoding gradient into voxels having a phase variation that is negligible over the width of the voxel. The phase variation in the slab-select direction is, on the whole, large enough that the peak amplitude of the received signal is reduced and the signal width broadened. This reduces the dynamic range required of the analog to digital converter used in a NMR system. A NMR system suitable for carrying out the methods of the invention is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Michael G. Garwood, Kamil Ugurbil, Lance DelaBarre, Patrick Bolan
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Publication number: 20020140426Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Haiying Liu, Wei Chen, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20020079996Abstract: Apparatus and method for MRI imaging using a coil constructed of microstrip transmission line (MTL coil) are disclosed. In one method, a target is positioned to be imaged within the field of a main magnetic field of a magnet resonance imaging (MRI) system, a MTL coil is positioned proximate the target, and a MRI image is obtained using the main magnet and the MTL coil. In another embodiment, the MRI coil is used for spectroscopy. MRI imaging and spectroscopy coils are formed using microstrip transmission line. These MTL coils have the advantageous property of good performance while occupying a relatively small space, thus allowing MTL coils to be used inside restricted areas more easily than some other prior art coils. In addition, the MTL coils are relatively simple to construct of inexpensive components and thus relatively inexpensive compared to other designs. Further, the MTL coils of the present invention can be readily formed in a wide variety of coil configurations, and used in a wide variety of ways.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Xiaoliang Zhang, Kamil Ugurbil, Wei Chen
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Publication number: 20020070828Abstract: An apparatus comprises a radio frequency magnetic field unit to generate a desired magnetic field. In one embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first aperture that is substantially unobstructed and a second aperture contiguous to the first aperture. In an alternative embodiment, the radio frequency magnetic field unit includes a first side aperture, a second side aperture and one or more end apertures. In one embodiment of a method, a current element is removed from a radio frequency magnetic field unit to form a magnetic field unit having an aperture. In an alternative embodiment, two current elements located opposite from one another in a radio frequency magnetic field unit are removed to form a magnetic filed unit having a first side aperture and a second side aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: J. Thomas Vaughan, Gregor Adriany, Kamil Ugurbil
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Patent number: 6400150Abstract: NMR spectroscopy data recovery methods and apparatus for improving the quality of an NMR spectrum are disclosed. The NMR spectrum is improved by acquiring more than the half spin-echo data signal and using an iterative numerical method to reconstruct the missing data points of the corresponding full symmetrical spin-echo data signal. The method includes filtering the initial data signal to extract a low-resolution phase term. The low-resolution phase term is used to form a phase-constrained initial data signal, which is Fourier-transformed to obtain a reconstructed data signal. The reconstructed data signal is modified to include the original spin-echo signal data. The formation of the reconstructed spin-echo data signal and subsequent modification is iterated until convergence is obtained. The reconstructed data signal is then Fourier-transformed to form a reconstructed NMR spectrum.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Haiying Liu, Wei Chen, Kamil Ugurbil
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Fast MRI for assessment of myocardial perfusion with arrythmia insensitive magnetization preparation
Patent number: 5908386Abstract: Contrast preparation based on Modified Driven Equilibrium Fourier Transfer generates T1 weighted images for assessment of the myocardial perfusion with contrast agent first-pass kinetics. The preparation scheme produces T1 contrast with insensitivity to arrhythmias in prospectively triggered sequential imaging thereby eliminating one of the major sources of problems in potential patient studies with previously employed contrast preparations schemes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1996Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Regents of the Universotiy of MinnesotaInventors: Kamil Ugurbil, Nikolaos V. Tsekos, Michael G. Garwood