Particle Precession Resonance Patents (Class 324/300)
  • Patent number: 8891846
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a device and a method for data postprocessing of K-space data acquired using a magnetic resonance tomography device. Each part of a K-space matrix is generated with one recording using a magnetic resonance tomography device in a plurality of recordings with the aid of a plurality of transmitting transmit channels of the magnetic resonance tomography device using excitation signals of one amplitude and phase. A field generated in total by the plurality of transmitting transmit channels is determined through addition of the spatial distribution of field distribution datasets representing a field generated by at least one transmit channel of the plurality of channels. A spatially dependent phase correction of the data is performed for data acquired in one recording using phases resulting from the added field distribution datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Fautz
  • Patent number: 8860254
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power feeding apparatus, including: a power feeding portion adapted to feed an electric power in a wireless manner; and a storage body storing therein the power feeding portion. The storage body includes a main body, a first storage portion formed within the main body and storing therein the power feeding portion, and at least one second storage portion formed so as to be adapted to store or retrieve a power receiving apparatus as a storage object in or from the main body, the electric power of the power feeding portion stored in the first storage portion being adapted to be fed from the at least one second storage portion. At least a magnetically shielding portion is formed in an outer peripheral portion, and the at least one second storage portion forms a magnetically closed space in a state of being stored in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Kozakai, Hiroyuki Mita
  • Patent number: 8860403
    Abstract: A gradient sensor of a component of a magnetic field comprising at least one elementary sensor comprising a deformable mass (31) equipped with a permanent magnet (32) having a magnetization direction substantially colinear to the direction of the gradient of the component of the magnetic field to be acquired by the sensor. The deformable mass (31) is able to deform under the effect of a force exerted on the magnet by the gradient, the effect of this force being to shift it, by dragging the deformable mass (31), in a direction substantially colinear to the component of the magnetic field for which the sensor has to acquire the gradient. The deformable mass (31) is anchored to a fixed support device (33) in at least two anchoring points (36) substantially opposite relative to the mass (31). The elementary sensor also comprises measuring means (35, 35.1, 35.2, 35.3) of at least one electric variable translating deformation or stress of the deformable mass (31) engendered by the gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble
    Inventors: Arnaud Walther, Robert Cuchet, Jerome Delamare, Aline Msaed, Jean-Baptiste Albertini
  • Patent number: 8831370
    Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for obtaining and/or correcting images, particularly from atmospheric and/or other distortions. These corrections may involve, among others, collecting two or more sets of image data corresponding to images of the same scene in different wavelength regimes, and using correlations between wavelength and expected distortion to distinguish apparent image motion due to distortion from apparent image motion due to object or scene motion. These systems may be useful in any suitable imaging context, including navigation, targeting, search and rescue, law enforcement, commercial video cameras and/or surveillance, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Cynthia I. Archer
  • Patent number: 8812078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for determining at least one electromagnetic quantity characterizing an electromagnetic property of an object, in particular a human body, wherein said object contains magnetic particles. The apparatus (100) applying the known principle of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) comprises selection means for generating a magnetic selection field (50) having the known field pattern showing a field free point (FFP), drive means for changing the position in space of the FFP by means of a magnetic drive field, receiving means for acquiring detection signals depending on the magnetization of the magnetic particles within a field of view (28) and a reconstruction unit (152) for reconstructing a particle distribution quantity depending on the detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Ulrich Katscher, Bernhard Gleich, Jurgen Erwin Rahmer
  • Publication number: 20140197830
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance technology is used to implement front and back proximity sensing capability for wireless devices such as a laptap device. For example, a high quality (Q) factor coil antenna may be embedded in a display, such as a liquid crystal display, of a first laptap device to detect other wireless devices (e.g., a second laptap) that are within coupling distance of the first laptap device. In this example, the second laptap device induces a sine wave signal to the first laptap device if the second laptap device is physically located at backside of the first laptap device. Otherwise, the second laptap device may induce a cosine wave signal to the first laptap device if the second laptap device is physically located at the front side of the first laptap device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Minglei Wang, Xue Yang, Xingang Guo
  • Patent number: 8779766
    Abstract: An electron spin measuring device of the organic thin film element is provided with: at least one sample tube into which a sample for measurement is inserted and which is sealed together with specific gas or with vacuum; a cavity into which the at least one sample tube is inserted; an electric characteristic measuring device for the characteristic evaluation of the organic thin film element which is the sample; connected wiring for interconnecting the electrical characteristic measuring device and the sample for measurement in the sample tube; and a light receiving/emitting device for performing the light irradiation to the sample for measurement, and/or performing the detection of the light emission from the organic thin film element, wherein the cavity resonator irradiates microwaves having the number of vibration corresponding to the Zeeman energy splitting of the unpaired electron, sweeps a magnetic field to the sample tube, and measures the transition between the energy levels caused by the reversal of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: University of Tsukuba
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Marumoto
  • Patent number: 8779765
    Abstract: In the method, a pre-selected working area of a graphene film with a linear dimension of 2,000 nm, which working area is divided into sections having a dimension of 50-100 nm, is subjected to the effect of a pulsed alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 3 terahertz that corresponds to the transition from the ground energy level, corresponding to the non-excited state of spin density, to a fourth working energy level of the excited state of spin density in the graphene film, thus causing spin density pumping. A spatially localized external magnetic field is generated around the edges of the working area, which resonantly reflects spinons having a working frequency of 0.5-1 terahertz that corresponds to the transition from a third working energy level to a second working energy level of the excited state of spin density, said spinons causing the induced coherent radiation of working frequency spin waves as they pass thorough the working area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Federal Agency for Legal Protection of Military, Special and Dual Use Intellectual Activity Results”
    Inventors: Dmitry Dmitrievich Grachev, Leonid Antonovich Sevastyanov
  • Publication number: 20140191752
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for spectral decomposition of composite solid-state spin environments through quantum control of electronic spin impurities. ? sequence of spin-control modulation pulses are applied to the electronic spin impurities in the solid-state spin systems. The spectral content of the spin bath that surrounds the electronic spin impurities within the solid-state spin system is extracted, by measuring the coherent evolution and associated decoherence of the spin impurities as a function of number of the applied modulation pulses, and the time-spacing between the pulses. Using these methods, fundamental properties of the spin environment such as the correlation times and the coupling strengths for both electronic and nuclear spins in the spin bath, can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: President And Fellows Of Harvard College
    Inventors: Ronald Walsworth, Linh My Pham, Nir Bar-Gill, Chinmay Belthangady
  • Patent number: 8773120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector magnetometer for measuring the components of an ambient magnetic field. This vector magnetometer comprises an optically pumped scalar magnetometer (2?), a pair of conductive windings (Ex,Ey) having distinct axes (Ox, Oy) and powered by two generators (Gx, Gy) having distinct frequencies. The RF coil (56) of the scalar magnetometer and the conductive windings (Ex,Ex) are mechanically integral with a swivel support (85) mounted on swivel means. The axis of the RF coil is in the same plane as the axes Ox, Oy. The support is swivelled so that this plane is substantially orthogonal to the ambient magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Thomas Jager, Jean-Michel Leger
  • Patent number: 8766630
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring a property of a sample, such as a nanoscopic property of the sample. The method comprises the steps of providing a quantum probe having a quantum state and exposing the quantum probe to the sample in a manner such that the property of the sample, in the proximity of the quantum probe, affects quantum coherence of the quantum probe. The method also comprises detecting a rate of quantum decoherence of the quantum probe to monitor the property of the sample. Further the present disclosure provides an apparatus for monitoring a property of a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: Lloyd Hollenberg, Jared Cole
  • Publication number: 20140152310
    Abstract: A system useful for mobilizing a magnetic resonance device (MRD) in a room. The system includes: in a room having at least one first location and at least one second remote location, comprising a structural surface, a gantry at least temporarily interconnected to the surface by a transporting mechanism; and an MRD, at least temporarily interconnected to the gantry by at least one joint. At the first and second locations, the MRD is spatially oriented in two or more different orientations. The gantry is adapted to reciprocate the MRD from the at least one first location to the at least one second remote location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Uri RAPOPORT
  • Patent number: 8744809
    Abstract: An improved system for sensing includes a first signal source for producing an excitation signal for exciting a specimen having a nuclear quadrupole resonance, a signal sampling device for sampling a response signal received from the specimen to produce a plurality of samples, a data storage device for storing a plurality of data corresponding to said plurality of samples; and a processor for time coherently processing the plurality of data to sense the nuclear quadrupole resonance of said specimen. An optional second signal source for producing a probe signal directed at the specimen can also be used, where the response signal corresponds to the probe signal having reflected off the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: PNQR LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Fullerton
  • Patent number: 8726489
    Abstract: An adjustment method of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a cooling and excitation step in which work of transporting a superconducting magnet to a facility different from a facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed, cooling a superconducting coil of the superconducting magnet with a refrigerant, and supplying a current from an external power supply for excitation is repeated until a predetermined rated current flows; a demagnetization and transportation step of demagnetizing the superconducting coil and transporting the superconducting magnet to the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed in a state where the superconducting coil is cooled by the refrigerant; and an installation step of installing the superconducting magnet in the facility where the superconducting magnet is to be installed and supplying a predetermined rated current from an external power supply to the superconducting coil in order to excite the superconducting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Munetaka Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8698498
    Abstract: Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Konstantin I. Penanen, Byeong H. Eom, Inseob Hahn
  • Patent number: 8692547
    Abstract: Nano-particles that possess either selective fluid phase blocks or modify the relative permeability of an earth formation to different fluids are used to inhibit the invasion of borehole mud into the formation. This makes it possible to make formation evaluation measurements using sensors with a shallow depth of investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Tianping Huang
  • Patent number: 8674697
    Abstract: Rather than using balanced transmission lines the stimulated response due to nuclear quadrupole resonance can be detected using a single monopole, with multiple monopoles improving substance detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Paul A. Zank
  • Patent number: 8674694
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for triaging patients according to radiation exposure operates by measuring electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of fingernails, toenails, and/or teeth. A coil structure allows in vivo measurement of tooth enamel or fingernail keratin with reduced coupling to underlying tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: James S. Hyde, Jason W. Sidabras, Richard R. Mett
  • Patent number: 8669677
    Abstract: A wireless power feeder which performs power feed to a wireless power receiver having a power receive resonance circuit including a power receive coil and a power receive capacitor, this wireless power feeder including: a power feed coil; a resonance current detector; and a control circuit; wherein the power feed coil does not substantially constitute a resonance circuit; the current detector has a detection resonance circuit including a detection coil and a detection capacitor, and detects a resonance current of the power receive resonance circuit; the winding region of the detection coil in the current detector is smaller than the winding region of the power feed coil; and the detection coil in the current detector is disposed such that the central winding axis thereof forms an angle of not less than 80° and not more than 100° with respect to magnetic field vectors generated by the power feed coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Urano
  • Patent number: 8663999
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods for characterizing mixtures of N-linked glycans. Without limitation, methods of the present disclosure may be useful in characterizing monosaccharide composition, branching, fucosylation, sulfation, phosphorylation, sialylation linkages, presence of impurities and/or efficiency of a labeling procedure (e.g., labeling with a fluorophore such as 2-AB). In certain embodiments, the methods can be used quantitatively. In certain embodiments, the methods can be combined with enzymatic digestion to further characterize glycan mixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Christopher Parsons, Jonathan Lansing, Daniela Becatti, Scott Bailey, Carlos J. Bosques
  • Patent number: 8648592
    Abstract: Semiconductor device components and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device component includes a conductive segment having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A first via is coupled to the second surface of the conductive segment at the first end. A second via is coupled to the first surface of the conductive segment at the second end, and a third via is coupled to the second surface of the conductive segment at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bi-Ling Lin, Jian-Hong Lin, Ming-Hong Hsieh, Lee-Der Chen, Jiaw-Ren Shih, Chwei-Ching Chiu
  • Patent number: 8638093
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device that in one embodiment includes at least two MEMS switches coupled to each other in a back-to-back configuration. The first and second suspended elements corresponding to first and second MEMS switches are electrically coupled. Further, first and second contacts corresponding to the first and second MEMS switches are configured such that a differential voltage between the second suspended element and the second contact is approximately equal to a differential voltage between the first suspended element and the first contact. The MEMS device includes at least one actuator coupled to one or more of the first and second suspended elements to actuate one or more of the first and the second suspended elements. In one example, the MEMS device includes one or more passive elements coupled to one or more of the first and second MEMS switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marco Francesco Aimi, Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Christopher Fred Keimel, Steven YueHin Go
  • Patent number: 8610434
    Abstract: In an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer, a closed cycle cryocooler is used to cool gaseous helium, which is then circulated around a sample to cool the sample by direct convection. Since the sample is not mechanically connected to the refrigerator, no vibrations are transmitted from the refrigerator to the sample and the sample can be quickly removed and replaced. The cooled helium can be passed through a Joule-Thomson expansion device before circulating the cooled helium around the sample to further cool the helium. In addition, a vacuum pump can be connected to the helium outlet after circulating the cooled helium around the sample to increase the pressure differential across the Joule-Thomson expansion device and further cool the helium. In order to raise the temperature of the cooled helium, a heater can be placed about the cooled helium line upstream from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Coldedge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Heiss, Ajay Khatri
  • Patent number: 8610444
    Abstract: A method of determining setting period of a chemically-active material is disclosed. The method comprises: continuously measuring an electrical property such as of the material to provide a time-dependence of the property, and using the time-dependence for defining a setting-start time and a setting-finish time. The setting-start time is defined as a time of onset of a fastest rise of the resistivity and the setting-finish time is defined as a time of local maximum of the resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Concretec Ltd.
    Inventors: David Shtakelberg, Boris Vilge, Shimon Boyko
  • Patent number: 8604783
    Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are measured in a borehole during drilling. Signals measured in a plurality of regions of investigation with different depths of investigation in the borehole are processed to give a radial profile of formation properties, including a potential gas kick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Martin Blanz
  • Patent number: 8587303
    Abstract: NMR spin echo signals are measured in a borehole during underbalanced drilling. A magnetic field gradient in the region of examination is selected to suppress an effect of a formation fluid flow on the produced signals, the fluid flow being caused by the excess of the formation pressure over the borehole fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Martin Blanz
  • Patent number: 8587302
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for estimating fluid or rock properties from NMR measurements. A modified pulse sequence is provided that can directly provide moments of relaxation-time or diffusion distributions. This pulse sequence can be adapted to the desired moment of relaxation-time or diffusion coefficient. The data from this pulse sequence provides direct estimates of fluid properties such as average chain length and viscosity of a hydrocarbon. In comparison to the uniformly-spaced pulse sequence, these pulse sequences are faster and have a lower error bar in computing the fluid properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lalitha Venkataramanan, Tarek M. Habashy, Denise Freed, Ashok Belani
  • Patent number: 8587315
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance measuring apparatus includes a signal source, a transmitter, a receiver, a bandpass filter, a receiving circuit and a magnetic field generator. The signal generator is configured to generate a microwave signal. The transmitter is configured to transmit the signal from the signal source to a test sample. The receiver is opposed to the transmitter and configured to receive the signal from the transmitter via the sample. The bandpass filter has a bandwidth and is configured to extract the signal. The receiving circuit is configured to amplify the extracted signal through the bandpass filter and process the amplified signal. The magnetic field generator is configured to apply a magnetic field to the sample. The bandwidth satisfies a condition, P+Gtx+Grx?(?tx+?d1+?d2+?d3+?rx)>10×log(k×T×BW×109).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kayano
  • Patent number: 8581580
    Abstract: Downhole orientation sensing with a nuclear spin gyroscope. A method of sensing orientation of an instrument assembly in a subterranean well can include incorporating an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source into the instrument assembly, and installing the instrument assembly in the well. A downhole orientation sensing system for use in conjunction with a subterranean well can include a downhole instrument assembly positioned in the well, the instrument assembly including an atomic comagnetometer and an optical source which transmits light to the atomic comagnetometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Maida, Jr., Etienne Samson, John Luscombe, Paul Rodney
  • Patent number: 8581584
    Abstract: The invention relates to the atomistic functional understanding of the M2 protein from the influenza A virus. This acid-activated selective proton channel has been the subject of numerous conductance, structural, and computational studies. Previously, little was known at the atomic level about the heart of the functional mechanism of this tetrameric protein, a tetrad of HxxxW residues. The structure of the M2 conductance domain in a lipid bilayer is disclosed and displays the defining features of the native protein that have not been attainable from structures solubilized by detergents. A detailed mechanism for acid activation and proton conductance, involving a strong hydrogen bond between two adjacent histidines and specific interactions with the tryptophan gate, is provided and elucidates many observations on the M2 proton conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Florida State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mukesh Sharma, Myunggi Yi, Hao Dong, Huajun Qin, David D. Busath, Huan-Xiang Zhou, Timothy A. Cross
  • Publication number: 20130293227
    Abstract: In the method, a pre-selected working area of a graphene film with a linear dimension of 2,000 nm, which working area is divided into sections having a dimension of 50-100 nm, is subjected to the effect of a pulsed alternating magnetic field with a frequency of 3 terahertz that corresponds to the transition from the ground energy level, corresponding to the non-excited state of spin density, to a fourth working energy level of the excited state of spin density in the graphene film, thus causing spin density pumping. A spatially localized external magnetic field is generated around the edges of the working area, which resonantly reflects spinons having a working frequency of 0.5-1 terahertz that corresponds to the transition from a third working energy level to a second working energy level of the excited state of spin density, said spinons causing the induced coherent radiation of working frequency spin waves as they pass thorough the working area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: PEOPLES FRIENDSHIP UNIVERSITY OF RUSSIA
    Inventors: Dmitry Dmitrievich Grachev, Leonid Antonovich Sevastyanov
  • Patent number: 8570038
    Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance substance detection at a distance is provided by crossed or overlapping high frequency beams in which the frequency of one of the beams is offset with respect to the frequency of the other beam by an amount equal to the resonant frequency of the non-linear material to be detected. The presence of energy at the offset frequency within the overlapping beams pumps any non-linear material within the overlapping beams to cause stimulated emission which is detected, in one embodiment, utilizing a network analyzer, along with correlation of the detected stimulated emission signature with a library of signatures for predetermined substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: R.A. Miller Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Zank, Peter A. Ketteridge, John T. Apostolos, Candice L. Brittain
  • Patent number: 8564293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing spin relaxation, a method for detecting a spin current, and a spintronic device using spin relaxation, and spin relaxation is changed through injection of a spin current. A spin current 4 is injected into a material 1 in a certain spin state, so that the spin relaxation time can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Tohoku University
    Inventors: Kazuya Ando, Kazuya Harii, Kohei Sasage, Eiji Saitoh
  • Patent number: 8549661
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing magnetic resonance force microscopy on one or more large area samples comprising a base plate, one or more heat sink plates coupled to the base plate, one or more suspension mechanisms coupled to the base plate and the heat sink plates, a probe head suspended from the one or more suspension mechanisms for scanning the one or more samples and a sample cylinder comprising a sample stage coupled to the probe head for sample positioning and an outer drum for isolating the sample stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Doran Smith
  • Publication number: 20130245957
    Abstract: Robust classification methods analyse magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) data (spectra) of fine needle aspirates taken from breast tumours. The resultant data when compared with the histopathology and clinical criteria provide computerized classification-based diagnosis and prognosis with a very high degree of accuracy and reliability. Diagnostic correlation performed between the spectra and standard synoptic pathology findings contain detail regarding the pathology (malignant versus benign), vascular invasion by the primary cancer and lymph node involvement of the excised axillary lymph nodes. The classification strategy consisted of three stages: pre-processing of MR magnitude spectra to identify optimal spectral regions, cross-validated Linear Discriminant Analysis, and classification aggregation via Computerised Consensus Diagnosis. Malignant tissue was distinguished from benign lesions with an overall accuracy of 93%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Carolyn E. Mountford, Peter Russell, Ian C.P. Smith, Rajmund L. Somorjai
  • Patent number: 8536864
    Abstract: A method and a fastening system for the releasable fastening of a component to an apparatus are described. Here the fastening system comprises a detent spring arranged on the apparatus, a detent pin with a groove arranged on the component and a Bowden cable arranged on the apparatus. If the component is fastened to the apparatus, the detent spring locks in the groove in a locking position. The Bowden cable is connected to the detent spring such that when pulling on the Bowden cable, the detent spring releases from the locking position in the groove, as a result of which the fastening of the component to the apparatus is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Kasper, Robert Lindmayr, Bernd Maciejewski
  • Patent number: 8536865
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing dual modality SPECT/MRI imaging on an object in combination with a whole-body MRI system includes a collimated nuclear radiation detector for receiving radiation from the object, and a radiofrequency MRI coil enveloping the object and interfaced with the collimated nuclear radiation detector. The MRI coil and collimated detector are arranged and configured for disposition within the whole-body MRI system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Werner N. Roeck, Orhan Nalcioglu
  • Patent number: 8527031
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for calculating a fat fraction corrected for noise bias of one or more voxels of interest using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. A plurality of image data sets are obtained each corresponding to NMR k-space data acquired using a pulse sequence with an individual associated echo time tn. A system of linear equations is formed relating image signal values to a desired decomposed calculated data vector having a component such as a water and fat combination having zero mean noise, or having a real fat component and a real water component. A fat fraction is calculated from at least one component of the decomposed calculated data vector. In another embodiment, the system of linear equations is normalized and can directly estimate a fat fraction or a water fraction having reduced noise bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huanzhou Yu, Scott Brian Reeder
  • Patent number: 8525515
    Abstract: Equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs comprises a means for generating high-frequency pulses, an antenna coil which irradiates an object of inspection with the generated high-frequency pulses working as a radio wave and receives a nuclear quadrupole signal which is generated from the object of inspection when the object of inspection is excited by the radio wave, and a means for detecting explosives and/or illicit drugs in the object of inspection based on the nuclear quadrupole signal thus received, wherein the antenna coil is formed in the shape of a figure of “8” by using a high-frequency coaxial cable so that two solenoid coil portions wound reversely to each other can be provided, and is used while facing the object of inspection. Various explosives and/or illicit drugs can be inspected compactly and surely by the equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs and an inspecting method using such equipment for inspecting explosives and/or illicit drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Osaka University
    Inventor: Hideo Itozaki
  • Patent number: 8487623
    Abstract: Low field SQUID MRI devices, components and methods are disclosed. They include a portable low field (SQUID)-based MRI instrument and a portable low field SQUID-based MRI system to be operated under a bed where a subject is adapted to be located. Also disclosed is a method of distributing wires on an image encoding coil system adapted to be used with an NMR or MRI device for analyzing a sample or subject and a second order superconducting gradiometer adapted to be used with a low field SQUID-based MRI device as a sensing component for an MRI signal related to a subject or sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Konstantin I. Penanen, Byeong H. Eom, Inseob Hahn
  • Patent number: 8487624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor for measuring structures in a surface, e.g. a fingerprint sensor comprising a chosen number of sensor elements at chosen positions for coupling to a finger surface having a size less or comparable to the size of the structures in the finger surface, and a processing unit including interrogation electrodes coupled to said sensor elements for providing impedance measurements at said finger surface, the processing unit being mounted on one side of a substrate and the sensor elements being positioned on the opposite side of said substrate, the substrate including through going first conducting leads between said sensor elements and said interrogation electrodes. The substrate is made from a semiconductor material such as silicon and said first conducting leads are constituted by through going substrate sections of a chosen size surrounded by an insulating dielectric separating them from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: IDEX ASA
    Inventors: Geir Ivar Bredholt, Ralph W. Bernstein, Nicolai W. Christie, Anders Natas, Oyvind Slogedal
  • Publication number: 20130169375
    Abstract: For broadband applications of a balun in a magnetic field, the balun includes at least three line transformers each having two transformer sides. At least two transformer sides of the balun that belong to different line transformers of the at least three line transformers are embodied for the same voltage drop at least in terms of magnitude. The at least two transformer sides of the balun are also embodied with an identical number of turns. Two transformer sides connected in parallel are replaced by a single coil, with the result that the balun may be produced from a five-wire structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Ralph Oppelt
  • Patent number: 8471558
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for analyzing a chemical substance containing quadrupolar nuclei to determine a measurable characteristic of the substance. The systems and methods include irradiating the substance with RF energy to stimulate NQR of certain quadrupolar nuclei within the substance, receiving and processing a signal emitted from the substance to isolate an NQR signal therefrom, analyzing the NQR signal to obtain a measure of the characteristic of the substance, and providing an output indicative of the measure for analytical purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Warrick Paul Chisholm, Laurence Drew Mann, Timothy Rayner, John Alec Sidney Smith
  • Patent number: 8467846
    Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus having a cavity in which a body or a part of a body to be imaged can be housed and a patient support device, which includes a patient supporting surface having a size so as to accommodate at least a part, particularly the whole of the patient body. The patient supporting surface is mounted in a slidable way relative to the cavity for housing the body to be imaged or a part thereof and enters together with the patient into the cavity. The patient support device includes one or more receptacles for respectively housing and/or removably coupling a coil adapted to receive signals from anatomic regions, upon excitation thereof by the Magnetic Resonance imaging apparatus. Each of the one or more receptacles are arranged over the surface of the device in areas corresponding to the position of one or more anatomic regions to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Esaote S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabio Rezzonico, Orfeo Contrada
  • Patent number: 8456161
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for polarizing a solid compound of interest via spin transfer from an optically-pumped alkali vapor. In one embodiment, the method provides a cell which contains a solid compound as well as pure alkali metal and some amount of buffer gas. The cell is heated to vaporize some of the pure alkali. Resonant laser light is passed through the cell to polarize the atomic vapor, a process known as “optical pumping.” Optical pumping can transfer order from photons to atoms, causing a buildup of vapor atoms in one angular momentum state. This vapor polarization is then transferred through the surface of the solid compound in order to polarize the nuclei in the bulk of the compound. This can produce nuclear polarizations in the sample many times larger than the limit set by thermal equilibrium. The method can be used in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: William Happer, Kiyoshi Ishikawa, Brian Patton, Yuan-Yu Jau
  • Patent number: 8421454
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance well logging tool, where some embodiments comprise two, oppositely oriented magnets separated by a pole piece to guide static magnetic flux into a sensitive volume, and another pole piece serving as a core for several antennas. For some embodiments, the antennas are solenoids. Two of the antennas serve as transmit and receive antennas, where they are driven to generate an elliptically polarized magnetic field, and their antenna responses are combined so that the combined response is sensitive to elliptically polarized magnetic fields, but with zero gradient in the z-direction. A third antenna serves as a receive antenna sensitive to magnetic field vectors having a sinusoidal spatial variation in the z-direction of period equal to the length of the third antenna. A fourth antenna serves as a receive antenna sensitive to sinusoidal magnetic field vectors with the same spatial-frequency as the third antenna, but phase shifted by 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred G. Prammer, Sergey Knizhnik, Clive D. Menezes
  • Patent number: 8421459
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing blurring artifacts in multi-spectral MR imaging near metal include an MRI system having a plurality of gradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. A computer is also included and programmed to acquire a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) MR data sets, each 3D MR data set acquired using a central transmit frequency and a central receive frequency set to an offset frequency value that is distinct for each 3D MR data set. The computer is also programmed to reconstruct a subimage for each of the plurality of 3D data sets, apply a de-blurring correction to each of the subimages, and generate a composite image based on the plurality of 3D MR data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kevin M. Koch
  • Publication number: 20130088224
    Abstract: Values of quantum bits used for a quantum computer is stabilized and the number of quantum bits per element is set to be 100 or more while ensuring quantum state stability during calculation of the quantum bits, quantum state controllability, and capability of achieving large-scale integration of quantum bits. Quantum calculation is performed as generating a spin vortex 6 centered on each hole 4 formed at a copper oxide superconductor thin film 3 by applying a magnetic field to a quantum bit substrate 1 having the copper oxide superconductor thin film 3 at which a plurality of the holes 4 are doped and irradiating an electromagnetic wave 19 containing quantum calculation data to the quantum bit substrate 1 in a state that a clockwise loop current 5 or a counterclockwise loop current 5 is generated in accordance with a position of each hole 4 and each spin vortex 6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8417316
    Abstract: A novel MRI contrast technique enables to observe tissue properties not observable by previously known MRI methods. A difference between two disclosed pulse sequences is used to measure magnetization exchange time between water molecules and macromolecules such as proteins, thereby producing a measure highly sensitive to tissue changes resulting from coagulation, yet relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. This result is applied to an imaging method and provides direct visualization of the effects of surgical thermal ablation procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ramot at Tel-Aviv University Ltd.
    Inventors: Dina Carasso, Uzi Eliav, Gil Navon
  • Patent number: 8406849
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating an MRI system is provided. The disclosure provides a diffusion-prepared driven-equilibrium preparation for an imaging volume and acquiring 3-dimensional k-space data from said prepared volume by a plurality of echoplanar readouts of stimulated echoes. An excitation radio-frequency signal and first and second inversion RF signals are provided to define a field-of-view (FOV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Eun-Kee Jeong, Dennis L. Parker, Kim Seong-Eun Choi, Evgueni G. Kholmovski