Patents by Inventor Nan-kuei Chen

Nan-kuei Chen 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: 10317499
    Abstract: Methods of processing MRI image data to reduce or eliminate motion-related artifacts in MRI images includes: electronically repeatedly acquiring sets of 2D or 3D k-space data of a target region of a subject using at least one MRI pulse sequence; electronically applying a bootstrapping procedure to produce a large number of images from the acquired k-space data; then electronically evaluating the images produced by the bootstrapping procedure; and electronically identifying an image with a minimal motion-related artifact level from the evaluation of the images produced by the bootstrapping procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-Kuei Chen, Mei-Lan Chu, Allen Song
  • Patent number: 10168410
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate MRI images using gradient blips for signal acquisition and reconstruction using dynamic field mapping, TE corrections and/or multischeme partial Fourier images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-kuei Chen, Trong-Kha Truong, Allen W. Song
  • Patent number: 9886745
    Abstract: Multi-shot DWI with multiplexed sensitivity-encoding (MUSE) inherently corrects nonlinear shot-to-shot phase variations without requiring the use of navigator echoes. The multi-shot DWI can use interleaved echo-planar imaging or other scan protocols. This new technique should prove highly valuable for mapping brain structures and connectivities at high spatial resolution for neuroscience studies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-Kuei Chen, Allen W. Song
  • Patent number: 9760979
    Abstract: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a new technique, termed multiplexed sensitivity encoding with inherent phase correction, is proposed and implemented to effectively and reliably provide high-resolution segmented DWI and DTI, where shot-to-shot phase variations are inherently corrected, with high quality and SNR yet without relying on reference and navigator echoes. The performance and consistency of the new technique in enabling high-quality DWI and DTI are confirmed experimentally in healthy adult volunteers on 3 Tesla MRI systems. This newly developed technique should be broadly applicable in neuroscience investigations of brain structure and function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-kuei Chen, Allen W. Song
  • Patent number: 9612301
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate MRI images using an Echo-Planar Double-Echo Steady State (EP-DESS) pulse sequence and/or a Repeated Imaging with Echo-planar Navigation and Acceleration (RIENA) pulse sequence and image processing protocol to generate clinical MRI images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventor: Nan-kuei Chen
  • Publication number: 20160003928
    Abstract: Methods of processing MRI image data to reduce or eliminate motion-related artifacts in MRI images includes: electronically repeatedly acquiring sets of 2D or 3D k-space data of a target region of a subject using at least one MRI pulse sequence; electronically applying a bootstrapping procedure to produce a large number of images from the acquired k-space data; then electronically evaluating the images produced by the bootstrapping procedure; and electronically identifying an image with a minimal motion-related artifact level from the evaluation of the images produced by the boot-strapping procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Nan-Kuei Chen, Mei-Lan Chu, Allen Song
  • Publication number: 20150154741
    Abstract: Multi-shot DWI with multiplexed sensitivity-encoding (MUSE) inherently corrects nonlinear shot-to-shot phase variations without requiring the use of navigator echoes. The multi-shot DWI can use interleaved echo-planar imaging or other scan protocols. This new technique should prove highly valuable for mapping brain structures and connectivities at high spatial resolution for neuroscience studies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-Kuei Chen, Allen W. Song
  • Patent number: 8934694
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to carry out image processing to generate MRI images with reduced aliasing artifacts (e.g., Nyquist and/or motion-induced image artifacts) by (a) electronically reconstructing a series of images using patient image data obtained from a patient MRI image data set by iteratively cycling through different estimated values of phase gradients in at least two dimensions; and (b) electronically selecting an image from the reconstructed images as having a lowest artifact level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-Kuei Chen, Alexandru V. Avram, Allen W. Song, Trong-Kha Truong
  • Publication number: 20140002078
    Abstract: Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a new technique, termed multiplexed sensitivity encoding with inherent phase correction, is proposed and implemented to effectively and reliably provide high-resolution segmented DWI and DTI, where shot-to-shot phase variations are inherently corrected, with high quality and SNR yet without relying on reference and navigator echoes. The performance and consistency of the new technique in enabling high-quality DWI and DTI are confirmed experimentally in healthy adult volunteers on 3 Tesla MRI systems. This newly developed technique should be broadly applicable in neuroscience investigations of brain structure and function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Nan-kuei Chen, Allen W. Song
  • Publication number: 20130307542
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate MRI images using an Echo-Planar Double-Echo Steady State (EP-DESS) pulse sequence and/or a Repeated Imaging with Echo-planar Navigation and Acceleration (RIENA) pulse sequence and image processing protocol to generate clinical MRI images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Nan-kuei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130249555
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to generate MRI images using gradient blips for signal acquisition and reconstruction using dynamic field mapping, TE corrections and/or multischeme partial Fourier images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Nan-kuei Chen, Trong-Kha Truong, Allen W. Song
  • Publication number: 20130182932
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer programs, circuits and workstations are configured to carry out image processing to generate MRI images with reduced aliasing artifacts (e.g., Nyquist and/or motion-induced image artifacts) by (a) electronically reconstructing a series of images using patient image data obtained from a patient MRI image data set by iteratively cycling through different estimated values of phase gradients in at least two dimensions; and (b) electronically selecting an image from the reconstructed images as having a lowest artifact level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventors: Nan-kuei Chen, Alexandru V. Avram, Allen W. Song, Trong-Kha Truong