Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Vaughan
Thomas A. Vaughan 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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Patent number: 7514926Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system and method for a coil having a plurality of resonant elements and an adjustable frame. A position of at least one resonant element can be adjusted relative to at least one other resonant element. A variable impedance is coupled to adjacent resonant elements and the impedance varies as a function of a separation distance. Cables are coupled to each resonant element and are gathered at a junction in a particular manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Gregor Adriany, Pierre-Francois Van de Moortele, Johannes Ritter, William Voje, J. Thomas Vaughan, Kamil Ugurbil
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Publication number: 20090088672Abstract: A back scratching device for mounting on a corner which includes a mounting element and a scratching element. The mounting element is mounted on the wall while the scratching element is releasable attached to the mounting element. The external surface of the scratching element is a material appropriate for scratching the user's back.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2008Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Thomas A. VAUGHAN, Robert W. Strauch, SR., Marie A. Strauch
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Publication number: 20080278167Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents inducted in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATIONInventor: J. Thomas Vaughan, JR.
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Patent number: 7375527Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a coil having at least two sections, (b) the at least two sections having a resonant circuit, (c) the at least two sections being wirelessly coupled or decoupled, (d) the at least two sections being separable, (e) several openings allowing a subject to see and be accessed through the coil, (f) at least one cushioned head restraint, and (g) a subject input/output device providing visual data from in front and behind of the coil respectively; wherein the input/output device is selected from the group consisting of mirrors, prisms, video monitors, LCD devices, and optical motion trackers.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: MR Instruments, Inc.Inventor: John Thomas Vaughan, Jr.
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Publication number: 20080024133Abstract: An magnetic resonance apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a coil having at least two sections, (b) the at least two sections having a resonant circuit, (c) the at least two sections being reactively coupled or decoupled, (d) the at least two sections being separable, (e) the coil having openings allowing a subject to see or hear and to be accessed through the coil, (f) a cushioned head restraint, and (g) a subject input/output device providing visual data to the subject, the input/output device being selected from the group consisting of mirrors, prisms, video monitors, LCD devices, and optical motion trackers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: MR INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventors: John Thomas Vaughan, Mark A. Watson, Kenneth M. Bradshaw, Matthew T. Waks, Joshua J. Holwell
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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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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: 20040140808Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents inducted in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts General HospitalInventor: J. Thomas Vaughan
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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: 20040014191Abstract: Nitroreductases, and genes encoding the same, are provided that demonstrate preferential catalytic conversion of the alkylating agent CB1954 into its highly cytotoxic 4-hydroxylamine (4HX) derivative, this derivative demonstrating anticarcinoma properties. Accordingly, the catalytic activity of the nitroreductase enzymes of the present invention may be employed to achieve catalysis of CB1954 into its cytotoxic derivative in a site-directed manner, such as by Directed-Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (DEPT).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Nigel Minton, Gill Anlezark, Thomas Vaughan
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Patent number: 6633161Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents induced in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: The General Hospital CorporationInventor: J. Thomas Vaughan, Jr.
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Patent number: 6631519Abstract: Automated generation of schema and interface methods is described. The system receives a schema definition file, which in one aspect of the system is an XML file. The system parses the schema definition file into an internal representation comprising collection classes. A SQL generator traverses the collection classes and generates SQL statements that define tables, views and stored procedures. A component generator traverses the collection classes and generates computer program source code implementing components that access properties defined in the schema definition data, and methods that provide for persistent storage of the objects in a database.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Nicholson, Michael J. Glass, David S. Kosbie, Thomas A. Vaughan
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Publication number: 20030146750Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents induced in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Applicant: The General Hospital CorporationInventor: J. Thomas Vaughan
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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: 5886596Abstract: An electromagnetic shield for an NMR radio frequency coil designed to resonate at a selected Larmor frequency. The shield includes an electrically conductive layer surrounding the coil. This electrically conductive layer has a thickness substantially the same as one skin depth at the selected Larmor frequency. As such, the conductive layer efficiently conducts radio frequency currents at the selected Larmor frequency thereby conducting and containing the radio frequency coils at the selected Larmor frequency within the coil. Simultaneously, an electrically conductive layer, due to its thinness, very inefficiently conducts eddy currents of the type induced by the lower frequency DC gradient current switching transients the gradients are utilized to magnetically localize an image slice or volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1996Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: UAB Research FoundationInventor: John Thomas Vaughan, Jr.
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Patent number: 5744957Abstract: A cavity resonator is disclosed for use in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) systems. The resonator has a housing defining a cavity having a selected length and cross-sectional shape. A layer of electrically conductive material is provided around at least a portion of the housing enclosing a dielectric material (air, gasses, teflon, etc.) and the cavity is energized at a Larmor radio frequency useful for NMR systems. The cavity, i.e. a volume enclosed by conductive walls, furthermore, is dimensioned to resonate at the selected radio frequency to thereby generate an alternating magnetic field through the cavity. An opening in the housing is adapted to be placed adjacent an object to be analyzed.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: UAB Research FoundationInventor: John Thomas Vaughan, Jr.
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Patent number: 4812761Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance measurement system is disclosed which includes, in combination, means for generating an applied main magnetic field, and an array of at least two radio frequency current loops. The loops are electrically connected in parallel, and are oriented in a generally planar relationship with respect to each other. The loops are connected in phase with respect to each other so that the component of magnetization generated by the loops which orthogonal to the direction of the applied main magnetic field is in the same general direction. A capacitor is preferably electrically connected in parallel with the loops.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1987Date of Patent: March 14, 1989Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventor: J. Thomas Vaughan, Jr.