Patents by Inventor Tim St. Pierre

Tim St. Pierre 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).

  • Method of estimating the spatial variation of magnetic resonance imaging radiofrequency (RF) signal intensities within an object from the measured intensities in a uniform spin density medium surrounding the object
    Patent number: 7053612
    Abstract: A method of estimating the spatial variation in RF signal intensity within magnetic resonance images of an object is described. The estimate can be used to provide enhanced contrast in a magnetic resonance image by correcting for spatial variation in RF intensities arising from non-uniformities in RF receiving coils of an MRI machine acquiring the image as well as distortions arising from the object and observation itself. This is achieved through compound imaging of a medium of essentially uniform spin density surrounding the object. From analysis of the surrounding medium, and the location of notional points of RF signal reception, a semi-empirical mathematical formulation of the decay profile of the RF signal intensity within the object is determined. This is then fitted to selected signal intensities from the medium surrounding the object to obtain an estimate of the spatial variation in RF signal intensity within the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Inner Vision Biometrics Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Tim St. Pierre, Paul Clark
  • Method of estimating the spatial variation of magnetic resonance imaging radiofrequency (RF) signal intensities within an object from the measured intensities in a uniform spin density medium surrounding the object
    Publication number: 20040222792
    Abstract: A method of estimating the spatial variation in RF signal intensity within magnetic resonance images of an object is described. The estimate can be used to provide enhanced contrast in a magnetic resonance image by correcting for spatial variation in RF intensities arising from non-uniformities in RF receiving coils of an MRI machine acquiring the image as well as distortions arising from the object and observation itself. This is achieved through compound imaging of a medium of essentially uniform spin density surrounding the object. From analysis of the surrounding medium, and the location of notional points of RF signal reception, a semi-empirical mathematical formulation of the decay profile of the RF signal intensity within the object is determined. This is then fitted to selected signal intensities from the medium surrounding the object to obtain an estimate of the spatial variation in RF signal intensity within the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Tim St. Pierre, Paul Clark