Patents by Inventor Michael Keim

Michael Keim 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).

  • Publication number: 20250123342
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for increasing a nuclear spin polarization in a target compound. A parahydrogenated solution can be generated using a solvent, parahydrogen gas, and a precursor of the target compound. A polarized solution containing the hyperpolarized target compound can be generated using a polarization device and the parahydrogenated solution. The polarization device can include a polarization chamber, one or more radiofrequency (RF) coils disposed around the polarization region, a magnetic field source disposed around the polarization region, and an RF waveform generator configurable to apply a polarization transfer waveform to the one or more RF coils. The polarization chamber can include a polarization region having a volume of at least 10 milliliters (mL). The magnetic field source can be configured to provide a mean magnetic field strength of at most 200 millitesla (mT). A purified fraction can be separated from the polarized solution using a purification system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT
  • Publication number: 20250091980
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT
  • Patent number: 12216185
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for increasing a nuclear spin polarization in a target compound. Nuclear spin polarization can be increased by obtaining the target compound or a precursor of the target compound. The target compound or precursor can include a first proton and a second proton sharing a singlet spin order and a third proton coupled at least to one of the first proton or the second proton. A target atom can be coupled to at least the third proton. The precursor can be placed within a mean magnetic field strength below 500 mT. A magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence can be applied to the precursor. the MR pulse sequence configured to transfer population from the first and second protons to the target atom, thereby imparting a non-equilibrium nuclear spin polarization of at least 1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, or 20% to the target atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai Schwartz, Michael Keim, Stephan Knecht
  • Publication number: 20240350678
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT
  • Patent number: 12110270
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: NVision Imaging Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Ilai Schwartz, Michael Keim, Stephan Knecht
  • Publication number: 20240299593
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT, Christophoros VASSILIOU, Felix JOSTEN, Senay KARAALI
  • Publication number: 20240272252
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for increasing a nuclear spin polarization in a target compound. Nuclear spin polarization can be increased by obtaining the target compound or a precursor of the target compound. The target compound or precursor can include a first proton and a second proton sharing a singlet spin order and a third proton coupled at least to one of the first proton or the second proton. A target atom can be coupled to at least the third proton. The precursor can be placed within a mean magnetic field strength below 500 mT. A magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence can be applied to the precursor. the MR pulse sequence configured to transfer population from the first and second protons to the target atom, thereby imparting a non-equilibrium nuclear spin polarization of at least 1 %, 2%, 5%, 10%, or 20% to the target atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT
  • Publication number: 20240241195
    Abstract: A method for preparing an NMR material, comprising generating parahydrogen in gas or liquid form at a first location; transporting the parahydrogen away from the first location; mixing a precursor compound including a metabolite component with a catalyst for hydrogenation; hydrogenating the precursor compound using the parahydrogen; transferring polarization in the precursor compound to a nuclear spin of the metabolite component; cleaving a side arm of the precursor compound in a chemical reaction, with the metabolite molecule being one of the products of the reaction; separating the metabolite molecule from the catalyst for hydrogenation and other products of the reaction; and generating metabolite molecules for use in an MRI scanner by extracting a sample of the metabolite molecule having at least 5% polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicants: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, UNIVERSITÄT ULM
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Martin PLENIO, Benedikt TRATZMILLER
  • Patent number: 11940510
    Abstract: A method for preparing an NMR material, comprising generating parahydrogen in gas or liquid form at a first location; transporting the parahydrogen away from the first location; mixing a precursor compound including a metabolite component with a catalyst for hydrogenation; hydrogenating the precursor compound using the parahydrogen; transferring polarization in the precursor compound to a nuclear spin of the metabolite component; cleaving a side arm of the precursor compound in a chemical reaction, with the metabolite molecule being one of the products of the reaction; separating the metabolite molecule from the catalyst for hydrogenation and other products of the reaction; and generating metabolite molecules for use in an MRI scanner by extracting a sample of the metabolite molecule having at least 5% polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: NVision Imaging Technologies Gmbh, Universität Ulm
    Inventors: Ilai Schwartz, Michael Keim, Martin Plenio, Benedikt Tratzmiller
  • Publication number: 20240018087
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes methods for producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications. The present disclosure describes precursor compounds for use in producing hyperpolarized materials for use in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, or similar applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Stephan KNECHT
  • Publication number: 20230295058
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generation of hyperpolarized target compounds. Generation of a hyperpolarized target compound can include application of a sequence of microwave pulses to a solution containing the target compound or a precursor of the target compound; or modulation of a magnetic field applied to the solution. When the precursor is hyperpolarized, the precursor can be cleaved to generate the hyperpolarized target compound. The hyperpolarized target compound can then be induced to precipitate out of the solution. The precipitate can be redissolved in a specified volume of solvent to form a solution having a desired concentration of the hyperpolarized target compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM
  • Publication number: 20230152399
    Abstract: A method for preparing an NMR material, comprising generating parahydrogen in gas or liquid form at a first location; transporting the parahydrogen away from the first location; mixing a precursor compound including a metabolite component with a catalyst for hydrogenation; hydrogenating the precursor compound using the parahydrogen; transferring polarization in the precursor compound to a nuclear spin of the metabolite component; cleaving a side arm of the precursor compound in a chemical reaction, with the metabolite molecule being one of the products of the reaction; separating the metabolite molecule from the catalyst for hydrogenation and other products of the reaction; and generating metabolite molecules for use in an MRI scanner by extracting a sample of the metabolite molecule having at least 5% polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicants: NVISION IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH, UNIVERSITÄT ULM
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Michael KEIM, Martin PLENIO, Benedikt TRATZMILLER
  • Publication number: 20220018915
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating hyperpolarized target materials are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can include hyperpolarizing a compound then transferring polarization to a target material. The compound can be selected to have nuclear spins. The compound can be further selected to have electron spins that, when exposed to certain electromagnetic radiation, exceed a predetermined level of polarization. The compound can be exposed to such electromagnetic radiation, optically hyperpolarizing the electron spins of the compound. Polarization can then be transferred from the electron spins of the compound to nuclear spins of the compound, at least in part by exposing the compound to a magnetic field. The compound can be exposed to the target material before or after pulverizing the compound to increase the surface area of the compound, thereby facilitating transfer of polarization from the compound to the target material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Nvision Imaging Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Ilai SCHWARTZ, Tim Rolf EICHHORN, Christophoros VASSILIOU, Michael KEIM
  • Patent number: 8770653
    Abstract: Bodywork arrangement comprising longitudinal members and cross-members that are connected at node points to other lateral structural elements to form part of a passenger compartment and part of a vehicle front end. Longitudinal members are provided at the lower side of the passenger compartment. Front-end longitudinal members are arranged on the vehicle front end. A front region of the passenger compartment has a floor cross-member, a splashboard cross-member, an armature cross-member and laterally arranged A-column elements. The floor cross-member together with the splashboard cross-member and two lateral structural elements form a lower trapezoidal structure. The splashboard cross-member together with the armature cross-member (9) and two lateral structural elements forms an upper trapezoidal structure. The space between the upper trapezoidal structure and the lower trapezoidal structure defines the foot space of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Jens Buechner, Michael Keimes, Klaus Steputsch, Uwe Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130270869
    Abstract: Bodywork arrangement comprising longitudinal members and cross-members that are connected at node points to other lateral structural elements to form part of a passenger compartment and part of a vehicle front end. Longitudinal members are provided at the lower side of the passenger compartment. Front-end longitudinal members are arranged on the vehicle front end. A front region of the passenger compartment has a floor cross-member, a splashboard cross-member, an armature cross-member and laterally arranged A-column elements. The floor cross-member together with the splashboard cross-member and two lateral structural elements form a lower trapezoidal structure. The splashboard cross-member together with the armature cross-member (9) and two lateral structural elements forms an upper trapezoidal structure. The space between the upper trapezoidal structure and the lower trapezoidal structure defines the foot space of the passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joergen Hilmann, Jens Buechner, Michael Keimes, Klaus Steputsch, Uwe Wagner
  • Publication number: 20060270560
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: William Keim, Michael Keim, John Keim
  • Publication number: 20060269443
    Abstract: A stored crop treatment system includes a crop storage chamber and a gas stream circulation pathway which includes a re-circulation loop comprising the crop storage chamber. A feed mechanism feeds stored crop treatment material into a stream of gas moving through the re-circulation loop wherein the stream of gas comes from the crop storage chamber. A heat exchanger heats the stream of gas to thermally generate an aerosol of the stored crop treatment material. A blower moves the aerosol along the re-circulation loop to apply the aerosol to stored crops within the storage chamber. The circulation pathway includes a cooling gas loop comprising the crop storage chamber and a section of the re-circulation loop. Cooling gas from the crop storage chamber moves along the cooling gas loop into the section of the re-circulation loop to cool the heated stream of gas and aerosol prior to entering the crop storage chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: William Keim, Michael Keim, John Keim
  • Publication number: 20060270561
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating and delivering an aerosol of a unique composition for treating stored crops. One aspect of the invention is such a composition wherein at least 80% to 98% of the components thereof have a particle size value no greater than 10 microns, whereby nearly any type of aerosol generator may effectively generate the aerosol because the particle size distribution of the components eliminates the need for further particle size reduction. Another aspect of the invention is such a composition which includes components comprising solid carriers with stored crop treatments attached thereto. Preferably, a fine-grinding non-rotary ball mill produces the components at the desired particle size distribution. The solid carriers or other solid particles may provide a reduced caking tendency and may make the aerosol non-combustible regardless of the ignition source. The aerosol is typically generated at an ambient or near-crop-storage temperature, thus reducing fire hazards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: William Keim, Michael Keim, John Keim
  • Publication number: 20050288184
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying aerosols of chemical formulations to a stored crop is described. The aerosol may be generated by any suitable means using thermal aerosol generators or “cool” aerosol generators. The improvement is the use of the crop storage facility air in the generation of the aerosol and, or the cooling of the aerosol. An important use of the invention is the application of CIPC to stored potatoes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: John Keim, William Keim, Michael Keim
  • Patent number: 5771888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tracheal cannula for the mechanical respiration of tracheotomised patients having a cuff which encloses and seals the proximal section which can be inserted concentrically in the trachea, a curved section arranged above the cuff and an inner cannula which can be inserted concentrically into the cannula from the distal end thereof, an exhalation opening being provided in the cannula above the cuff sealing the trachea and approximately in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the bent section insertable in the trachea, and, in its region lying beneath the exhalation opening, the inner cannula comprises an opening, which is at least partially covered by an elastic diaphragm acting as a valve, and at its proximal end the inner cannula comprises a region which is constricted in its cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Rusch AG
    Inventor: Michael Keim