Patents by Inventor Yoshitomo Sakakura

Yoshitomo Sakakura 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: 20230375648
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a static field magnet to be used for MRI includes at least one loop coil pair including: a first loop coil to be supplied with an electric current in a first direction; and a second loop coil to be supplied with an electric current in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein: the first and second loop coils are arranged such that a first coil plane and a second coil plane are along a primary direction without overlapping each other, the primary direction being included in a primary plane, the first coil plane being a planar area surrounded by a first loop that forms the first loop coil, the second coil plane being a planar area surrounded by a second loop that forms the second loop coil; and the loop coil pair is configured to generate a static magnetic field parallel to the primary direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitomo SAKAKURA
  • Patent number: 11175360
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a gradient coil unit configured to generate a gradient magnetic field in an imaging space in which a subject is placed. The gradient coil unit includes a cooling layer configured to cool the gradient coil. The cooling layer includes a first cooling pipe configured to cool the gradient coil entirely and a second cooling pipe configured to locally cool the gradient coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taketo Kawakami, Yoshitomo Sakakura, Hidekazu Tanaka, Takahiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11041921
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes: a scanner that is provided with at least an RF coil and a gradient coil and is configured to acquire a magnetic resonance (MR) signal emitted from an object in response to applications of an RF pulse outputted from the RF coil and a gradient magnetic field generated by the gradient coli; and processing circuitry configured to reconstruct a diagnostic image of the object based on the MR signal, generate distortion correction data for correcting a non-linear characteristic of the gradient magnetic field to a linear characteristic that is defined by gradient magnetic field strength at a correction position away from a magnetic field center of the gradient coil and distance from the magnetic field center to the correction position, and correct the diagnostic image by using the distortion correction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sakakura, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10976392
    Abstract: A gradient coil according to an embodiment is configured to generate gradient magnetic fields along a plurality of axes in an imaging space in which a subject is imaged. The gradient coil includes a coil corresponding to at least one of the plurality of axes, wherein an electrically-conductive member of the coil is formed so as to be partitioned in a thickness direction by a plurality of electrically-insulative layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tanaka, Takuma Kawai, Yoshitomo Sakakura, Motohisa Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20200174088
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an MRI apparatus includes: a scanner that is provided with at least an RF coil and a gradient coil and is configured to acquire a magnetic resonance (MR) signal emitted from an object in response to applications of an RF pulse outputted from the RF coil and a gradient magnetic field generated by the gradient coli; and processing circuitry configured to reconstruct a diagnostic image of the object based on the MR signal, generate distortion correction data for correcting a non-linear characteristic of the gradient magnetic field to a linear characteristic that is defined by gradient magnetic field strength at a correction position away from a magnetic field center of the gradient coil and distance from the magnetic field center to the correction position, and correct the diagnostic image by using the distortion correction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo SAKAKURA, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10578693
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a static field magnet, a gradient coil and a shim housing box. The static field magnet generates a static magnetic field in a space within a substantially cylindrical hollow. The gradient coil is provided inside the static field magnet and generates a gradient magnetic field. The shim housing box is capable of housing a metallic shim, the shim housing box being formed into a shape such that an attractive force of the static magnetic field applied to the shim housing box under magnetic excitation becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sakakura, Kazuto Nogami, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10578692
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a gradient coil unit for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes gradient coils for forming gradient magnetic fields in mutually orthogonal three axis directions. At least one of the gradient coils includes a conductor part along a coil pattern and a holding part holding the coil pattern. A passage of a coolant is formed inside at least one of the conductor part and the holding part. The passage has a non-constant cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsujita, Yoshitomo Sakakura
  • Patent number: 10551453
    Abstract: A gradient coil according to an embodiment includes a saddle coil conductor part that is formed of a conductive material to have a substantially cylindrical shape. The conductor part includes a first region on which a spiral shaped first pattern is formed and a second region on which a second pattern different from the spiral shaped first pattern is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Sakakura
  • Patent number: 10459048
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gradient coil configured to generate a gradient magnetic field in an image taking space. The gradient coil includes: a first coil member formed by using a first metal that is non-magnetic; and a second coil member connected to the first coil member and formed by using a second metal that is different from the first metal and is non-magnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kobayashi, Masatoshi Yamashita, Yoshitomo Sakakura, Hiromitsu Takamori
  • Publication number: 20190257901
    Abstract: A gradient coil according to an embodiment is configured to generate gradient magnetic fields along a plurality of axes in an imaging space in which a subject is imaged. The gradient coil includes a coil corresponding to at least one of the plurality of axes, wherein an electrically-conductive member of the coil is formed so as to be partitioned in a thickness direction by a plurality of electrically-insulative layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu TANAKA, Takuma KAWAI, Yoshitomo SAKAKURA, Motohisa YOKOI
  • Publication number: 20190064291
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a gradient coil unit configured to generate a gradient magnetic field in an imaging space in which a subject is placed. The gradient coil unit includes a cooling layer configured to cool the gradient coil. The cooling layer includes a first cooling pipe configured to cool the gradient coil entirely and a second cooling pipe configured to locally cool the gradient coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Taketo KAWAKAMI, Yoshitomo SAKAKURA, Hidekazu TANAKA, Takahiro ISHIHARA
  • Patent number: 10197649
    Abstract: A gradient magnetic-field coil according to an embodiment includes multiple units of coil members and a connecting member. In each of the coil members, a coil pattern is formed with a first nonmagnetic metal. The connecting member connects the coil members with each other. Moreover, at least a part of the connecting member is formed with a second nonmagnetic metal that is different from the first nonmagnetic metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sakakura, Yukiko Nishikawa, Masatoshi Yamashita, Tetsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10168400
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an RF coil and an RF shield. The RF coil is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The RF shield is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the RF coil. The RF shield is provided with a plurality of slits that are in a form of a line extending in an axial direction and having an asymmetrical length in the axial direction with respect to a center in the axial direction and are disposed so as to alternately switch positions thereof in the axial direction along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sadanori Tomiha, Yoshitomo Sakakura, Kazuya Okamoto, Takahiro Ishihara
  • Patent number: 10067202
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static magnetic field magnet and a gradient coil. The static magnetic field magnet generates a static magnetic field. The gradient coil is provided on an inside of the static magnetic field magnet and includes an X coil, a Y coil and a Z coil. The X coil generates a gradient magnetic field along a horizontal axis of a substantially circular cylinder, the horizontal axis being perpendicular to a long axis. The Y coil generates a gradient magnetic field along a vertical axis of the substantially circular cylinder. The Z coil generates a gradient magnetic field along the long axis of the substantially circular cylinder. In the gradient coil, coils are laminated in such a manner that the X coil is positioned more distant from a magnetic field center than the Y coil is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Sakakura
  • Publication number: 20180067181
    Abstract: A magnetic field adjusting method according to an embodiment includes: acquiring, by using a measuring device, first data related to a static magnetic field while a static magnetic field magnet is generating the static magnetic field having magnetic field intensity lower than rated magnetic field intensity required by an imaging process performed by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus; and calculating, by using processing circuitry, a positional arrangement of a shim member used for correcting uniformity of the static magnetic field on the basis of the first data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto NOGAMI, Fumitoshi KOJIMA, Yoshitomo SAKAKURA, Hidekazu TANAKA, Takehiro SHIBUYA
  • Patent number: 9835702
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic field adjustment implement for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnetic field adjustment unit and a placing unit. The magnetic field adjustment unit is configured to improve a uniformity of a static magnetic field formed by a magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The static magnetic field is formed under an influence of a circumstance in a shield room in which the magnet is placed. The magnetic field adjustment is placed outside the magnet. The placing unit is configured to place the magnetic field adjustment unit outside the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shohei Takami, Yoshitomo Sakakura, Kazuto Nogami, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9784808
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit and a shield. The imaging unit is configured to perform magnetic resonance imaging of an object by transmitting a radio frequency signal from a radio frequency coil while magnetic fields are formed by a gradient coil and a superconducting magnet respectively. The shield is configured to form a gradient magnetic field for the magnetic resonance imaging with the gradient coil and to prevent ingress of heat into the superconducting magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Sakakura, Kazuto Nogami, Hidekazu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20160109542
    Abstract: A gradient coil according to an embodiment includes a saddle coil conductor part that is formed of a conductive material to have a substantially cylindrical shape. The conductor part includes a first region on which a spiral shaped first pattern is formed and a second region on which a second pattern different from the spiral shaped first pattern is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Yoshitomo SAKAKURA
  • Publication number: 20160091576
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes an RF coil and an RF shield. The RF coil is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The RF shield is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the RF coil. The RF shield is provided with a plurality of slits that are in a form of a line extending in an axial direction and having an asymmetrical length in the axial direction with respect to a center in the axial direction and are disposed so as to alternately switch positions thereof in the axial direction along a circumferential direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sadanori TOMIHA, Yoshitomo SAKAKURA, Kazuya OKAMOTO, Takahiro ISHIHARA
  • Publication number: 20150369884
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a static magnetic field magnet and a gradient coil. The static magnetic field magnet generates a static magnetic field. The gradient coil is provided on an inside of the static magnetic field magnet and includes an X coil, a Y coil and a Z coil. The X coil generates a gradient magnetic field along a horizontal axis of a substantially circular cylinder, the horizontal axis being perpendicular to a long axis. The Y coil generates a gradient magnetic field along a vertical axis of the substantially circular cylinder. The Z coil generates a gradient magnetic field along the long axis of the substantially circular cylinder. In the gradient coil, coils are laminated in such a manner that the X coil is positioned more distant from a magnetic field center than the Y coil is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventor: Yoshitomo SAKAKURA