Determine Fluid Flow Rate Patents (Class 324/306)
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Patent number: 11525816Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for closed-loop control of a system using one or more electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) sensors located on-site. With such EPR sensors, a change can be applied to the system, the EPR sensors can measure the effect(s) of the change, and then adjustments can be made in real-time. This feedback process may be repeated continuously to control the system.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: MICROSILICON, INC.Inventors: Omar Kulbrandstad, Aydin Babakhani, Manuel Godoy, John Lovell
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Patent number: 11525744Abstract: A fluid sensor system detects one or more performance characteristics of a heating system that heats a fluid. The sensor system includes a probe having a finite length a portion of which is to be immersed in the fluid. The probe includes a resistive heating element and a fluid temperature sensor for measuring one or more performance characteristics, wherein the fluid temperature sensor is configured to measure a fluid temperature, and the resistive heating element is operable as a heater to create a temperature differential between the fluid and air to detect the fluid, and as a sensor to measure a fluid level.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Watlow Electric Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jeremy Ohse, Louis P. Steinhauser, Mark Everly, Brett Bradshaw
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Patent number: 11525723Abstract: Techniques for measuring fluid properties include circulating a mixed-phase fluid flow through a fluid flow circuit; circulating the mixed-phase fluid flow through a pre-polarizing magnet; polarizing at least a gas phase of the mixed-phase fluid flow to an initial polarization; measuring fluid induction decay (FID) values of the polarized gas phase with the EFNMR detector; determining a velocity of the gas phase based on the FID values of the polarized gas phase; producing a pulsed magnetic field gradient to suppress one or more signals acquired by the EFNMR detector with a first electromagnet; measuring FID values of the liquid phase of the mixed-phase fluid with the EFNMR detector simultaneously with the production of the pulsed magnetic field gradient; producing a homogeneous polarizing field to polarize the liquid phase of the mixed-phase fluid with a second electromagnet; and determining a velocity and content of the liquid phase based on the FID values of the polarized liquid phase.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Keelan Thomas O'Neill, Michael Leslie Johns, Einar Orn Fridjonsson, Paul Louis Stanwix, Jana M. Al-Jindan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 11501451Abstract: Presented are concepts for detecting subject motion in medical imaging of a subject. One such concept obtains a motion classification model representing relationships between motion of image features and subject motion values. For each of a plurality of medical slice images of an imaged volume of the subject, an image feature of the medical slice image is extracted. Based on the extracted image feature for each of the plurality of medical slice images, motion information for the image feature is determined. Based on the motion information for the image feature and the obtained motion classification model, a subject motion value is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Dinesh Mysore Siddu, Krishnamoorthy Palanisamy, Christopher Stephen Hall, Nagaraju Bussa
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Patent number: 11478159Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement along the aorta of a subject using MR imaging, a multislice cardio synchronized segmented ciné MR data acquisition sequence is optimized in order to enhance inflow representation in the slice images, in order to make the multislice MR data acquisition sequence viable for clinical uses, so as to acquire intensity-based MR data from two transverse slices spaced from each other along the descending aorta. The respective intensities of relevant pixels in at least two respective slice images are analyzed in order to identify the arrival of a pulse wave in the respective slices by the onset of flow enhancement in the slices, represented by intensity changes in the pixels. From the onset of flow enhancement in the respective slice images, PWV is calculated. An electronic signal representing the calculated PWV is then provided from a computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Peter Speier, Kelvin Chow, Ning Jin
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Patent number: 11464413Abstract: One aspect of the present subject matter provides an imaging method including: receiving a trigger signal; after a period substantially equal to a trigger delay minus an inversion delay, applying a non-selective inversion radiofrequency pulse to a region of interest followed by a slice-selective reinversion radiofrequency pulse to a slice of the region of interest of a subject; and after lapse of the trigger delay commenced at the cardiac cycle signal, acquiring a plurality of time-resolved images of the slice of the region of interest from an imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Khaled Z. Abd-Elmoniem, Ahmed M. Gharib, Roderic I. Pettigrew
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Patent number: 11428557Abstract: Techniques for measuring liquid properties include circulating a mixed oil-water liquid flow through a fluid flow circuit; polarizing the mixed oil-water liquid flow with a pre-polarizing magnet to an initial polarization; circulating the polarized mixed oil-water liquid flow to an EFNMR detector that includes a radio-frequency (RF) coil and a surrounding electromagnet; further polarizing the polarized mixed oil-water liquid flow with the surrounding electromagnet; measuring fluid induction decay (FID) values of the additionally polarized mixed oil-water liquid flow with the EFNMR detector; transforming the measured FID values to an effective adiabatic transition from the Earth's field to the polarizing field; determining a velocity of the oil in the mixed oil-water liquid flow and a velocity of the water in the mixed oil-water liquid flow based on differences in NMR signal relaxation properties of the transformed FID values; and determining an oil content and a water content of the mixed oil-water liquid floType: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Keelan Thomas O'Neill, Michael Leslie Johns, Einar Orn Fridjonsson, Paul Louis Stanwix, Jana M. Al-Jindan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 11412949Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for creating a maximum intensity projection of a volume of an examination subject, MR data are acquired for a number of slices of the volume, and an MR image is reconstructed for each of the slices that MR data have acquired in order to create a maximum intensity projection for each of the slices. The maximum intensity projection of the respective slice is shown on a display. The slices, which have a thickness of at least 15 mm, have various slice directions, in order to display the maximum intensity projections from various directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Dominik Paul, Flavio Carinci, Wilhelm Horger
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Patent number: 11285338Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy apparatus comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Nicole Schadewaldt, Steffen Renisch, Sven Prevrhal, Heinrich Schulz, Thomas Blaffert
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Patent number: 11287499Abstract: In a method for readout segmented magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of an examination object, k-space is acquired in a plurality of segments along a readout direction using a parallel imaging (PI) technique. K-space in a first segment is acquired with a first acceleration factor, and k-space in a second segment is acquired with a second acceleration factor different from the first acceleration factor.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Robin Heidemann, Patrick Liebig
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Patent number: 11280864Abstract: The present application describes techniques for determining and eliminating a time delay between a radio frequency pulse and a layer selection gradient in a magnetic resonance device. The techniques for determining and eliminating the time delay direct include measuring the time delay between the layer selection gradient and the radio frequency pulse by using phase information. This technique is more sensitive and accurate than existing methods that use signal or artifact strength.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: De He Weng
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Patent number: 11249159Abstract: Systems and methods for high-resolution STAGE imaging can include acquisition of relatively low-resolution k-space datasets with two separate multi-echo GRE sequences. The multi-echo GRE sequences can correspond to separate and distinct flip angles. Various techniques for combining the low-resolution k-space datasets to generate a relatively high-resolution k-space are described. These techniques can involve combining low-resolution k-space datasets associated with various echo types. The STAGE imaging approaches described herein allow for rapid imaging, enhanced image resolution with relatively small or no increase in MR data acquisition time.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2020Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: SPINTECH, INC.Inventors: E. Mark Haacke, Yongsheng Chen
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Patent number: 11241162Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system (10) with regard to acquiring multiple-phase dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance images, the method comprising steps of acquiring (48) a first set of magnetic resonance image data (xpre) prior to administering a contrast agent to the subject of interest (20), by employing a water/fat magnetic resonance signal separation technique, determining (52) a first image of the spatial distribution of fat (Ipre) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20), acquiring (50) at least a second set of magnetic resonance image data (x2) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20) after administering the contrast agent to the subject of interest (20), by employing a water/fat magnetic resonance signal separation technique, determining (54) at least a second image of the spatial distribution of fat (I2ph) of at least the portion of the subject of interest (20), applying (56) an image registration method to the second image of the spatialType: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V., Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemsInventors: Nadine Gdaniec, Peter Boernert, Mariya Ivanova Doneva, Ivan Pedrosa
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Patent number: 11237236Abstract: A method includes the steps of: introducing a medium with a first temperature into a measuring volume; carrying out nuclear magnetic measurements on the medium with the first temperature; determining a property of the medium at the first temperature; determining a viscosity of the medium at the first temperature using the property; and determining a derived property of the medium at a second temperature using the property of the medium at the first temperature, the viscosity of the medium at the first temperature, the first temperature, and the second temperature. The property is at least one of a first spin-lattice relaxation time constant, a first spin-spin relaxation time constant, and a first diffusion time constant. The derived property is at least one of a second spin-lattice relaxation time constant, a second spin-spin relaxation time constant, and a second diffusion time constant.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: KROHNE AGInventor: Rutger Reinout Tromp
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Patent number: 11221387Abstract: Automatically determining a correction factor for producing MR images includes outputting a first readout gradient along a readout dimension, reading out a first MR signal from a subject during the output of the first readout gradient, and specifying a second readout gradient having a theoretically identical gradient moment to the first readout gradient. A temporal waveform that differs from a temporal waveform of the first readout gradient is specified for the second readout gradient. The second readout gradient is output along the readout dimension. A second MR signal is read out from the subject during the output of the second readout gradient. A first extent of a representation of the subject is determined based on the first MR signal. A second extent of a representation of the subject is determined based on the second MR signal. A correction factor is obtained from a ratio between the first and second extents.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: Mario Zeller
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Patent number: 11181599Abstract: Methods, computer-readable storage devices, and systems are described for reducing movement of a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan by aligning MRI data, the method implemented on a Framewise Integrated Real-time MRI Monitoring (“FIRMM”) computing device including at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. Aspects of the method comprise receiving a data frame from the MRI system, aligning the received data frame to a preceding data frame, calculating motion of a body part between the received data frame and the preceding data frame, calculating total frame displacement, and excluding data frames with a cutoff above a pre-identified threshold of the total frame displacement.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignees: Washington University, Oregon Health and Science UniversityInventors: Nico Dosenbach, Jonathan Koller, Andrew Van, Abraham Snyder, Amy Mirro, Damien Fair, Eric Earl, Rachel Klein, Oscar Miranda Dominguez, Anders Perrone
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Patent number: 11140647Abstract: Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing high resolution timing advance estimation based on Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). An example method includes receiving a preamble signal r(n) having a predetermined sampling frequency and a predetermined length; correlating a down sampled version of the received preamble with a reference preamble sequence c(n) using an FFT method to provide correlation output Ryc; using a peak value P of the correlation output Ryc to detect a preamble ID and a timing advance at a resolution of 24Ts; zero padding sequences Y(k) and C(k) so that they have a predetermined length resulting in sequences Y_hat(k) and C_hat(k), which are 1024-point FFT of y(n) and c(n); performing a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to estimate a timing offset; and detecting a peak value out of the R_hat(m) and using a corresponding index Q to provide a timing advance with an accuracy of 2Ts.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.Inventors: Hemanth Palally, Saikat Senapati, Somasekhar Pemmasani
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Patent number: 11105878Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system includes an array radiofrequency coil and processing circuitry operatively linked to the array radiofrequency coil and configured to receive output signals from the array radiofrequency coil commensurate with a simultaneous multi-slice magnetic imaging characterized by simultaneous multi-slice parameters, estimate distorted regions of the image volume using either data obtained via a pre-scan or a pre-computed model, minimize overlap of the distorted regions with image voxels representing tissue to obtain optimized values of the simultaneous multi-slice parameters, configuring and executing the simultaneous multi-slice imaging sequence based on the optimized values of the simultaneous multi-slice parameters, and reconstruct simultaneous multi-slice images with minimized artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Anuj Sharma, Andrew J. Wheaton
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Patent number: 11090008Abstract: A system, method and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for monitoring motion during medical imaging. The monitoring of the motion includes initiating an acquisition of image data, measuring physiological signals of a patient, generating a prediction signal by integrating the physiological signals, determining whether patient motion is likely to occur based on the prediction signal and modifying the acquisition of image data, if it is predicted that patient motion is likely to occur.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Michael Chun-chieh Lee, Robert Manzke, Yuechen Qian, Eric Cohen-Solal
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Patent number: 10980492Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a sequence controller and a data processor. The sequence controller executes a pulse sequence using a combination of multiple types of labeling methods to acquire magnetic resonance signals. The data processor generates multiple types of labeled images based on the magnetic resonance signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Tsutomu Hoshino, Mitsue Miyazaki
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Patent number: 10983076Abstract: A method for suppressing a water line in an acquired magnetic resonance spectra (MRS) y, the method including receiving (800) the acquired MRS spectra y; estimating (802) a water peak ywp for the acquired MRS spectra y using squared eigenfunctions (?) of a Schrödinger operator H; and removing (804) the water peak ywp from the acquired MRS y to obtain a suppressed water MRS spectra yws. The suppressed water MRS spectra yws includes a signature of one or more metabolites.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignees: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITEIT GENTInventors: Taous Meriem Laleg, Hacene Serrai, Abderrazak Chahid
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Patent number: 10969368Abstract: The liquid chromatograph is provided with: a first dimension analysis unit; a diluent determination unit configured to determine the composition and flow rate of a diluent for diluting an eluent flowing out of the first dimension analysis unit based on the composition of the eluent flowing from the first dimension analysis unit; and a diluent liquid delivery unit configured to deliver the diluent of the composition determined by the diluent determination unit at the flow rate determined by the diluent determination unit so as to be delivered to the trap column while diluting the eluent flowing from the first dimension analysis unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventor: Saki Yoshino
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Patent number: 10942236Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes sequence control circuitry. The sequence control circuitry collect first MR data in a first cardiac cycle by excitation of a first region including a first slice, and collects reference data used for phase correction of second MR data on a second slice not included in the first region before and after the collection of the first MR data in the first cardiac cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Takahiro Tamura, Hiroshi Takai, Nobuyuki Konuma
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Patent number: 10871538Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of at least a portion of a body (10) placed in a main magnetic field within the examination volume of a MR device (1). It is an object of the invention to facilitate the planning of an arterial spin labeling (ASL) MR imaging session and to improve the image quality in perfusion weighted MR imaging. The method of the invention comprises the following steps: acquiring angiographic MR signal data by subjecting the portion of the examined body (10) to one or more MR angiography scans; deriving quantitative blood flow parameters from the angiographic MR signal data; —computing a labeling efficiency of an ASL sequence from the sequence parameters of the ASL sequence and from the quantitative blood flow parameters; optimizing the sequence parameters by maximizing the labeling efficiency; acquiring perfusion weighted MR signal data by subjecting the portion of the body to the ASL sequence; and—reconstructing a MR image from the perfusion weighted MR signal data.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Michael Gunter Helle, Peter Boernert, Kim Cornelia Carolina Van De Ven
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Patent number: 10859549Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for closed-loop control of a system using one or more electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) sensors located on-site. With such EPR sensors, a change can be applied to the system, the EPR sensors can measure the effect(s) of the change, and then adjustments can be made in real-time. This feedback process may be repeated continuously to control the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: MICROSILICON, INC.Inventors: Omar Kulbrandstad, Aydin Babakhani, Manuel Godoy, John Lovell
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Patent number: 10845443Abstract: A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction using novel k-space sampling sequences is provided. The method includes dividing k-space into a plurality of regions along a dividing direction; scanning an object using a plurality of sampling sequences; acquiring a plurality of groups of data lines; filling the plurality of groups of data lines into the plurality of regions of the k-space; and reconstructing an image based on the filled k-space.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Renkuan Zhai, Guobin Li, Chaohong Wang, Zhaopeng Li, Weiguo Zhang
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Patent number: 10845442Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry configured to generate a plurality of reference partial k-space data items based on the filling positions and reference k-space data, generate a plurality of difference k-space data items by taking differences between the partial k-space data items and the reference k-space data items to each of the frames, generate a plurality of difference images by applying the reconstruction processing respectively to the difference k-space data items, and generate a plurality of composite images by combining the reference image with each of the difference images.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Hidenori Takeshima
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Patent number: 10794979Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300) comprising: a radio-frequency system (116, 122, 124, 126, 126?, 126?, 126??) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (152) from an imaging zone (108), wherein the radio-frequency system comprises multiple antenna elements (126, 126?, 126?, 126??); a memory (140) containing machine executable instructions (170) and pulse sequence commands (150), wherein the pulse sequence commands cause the processor to acquire magnetic resonance data from the multiple antenna elements according to a SENSE protocol; and a processor.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Peter Boernert, Miha Fuderer, Ivan Dimitrov
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Patent number: 10773093Abstract: The invention pertains to advances in real-time methods in nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance imaging, and non-invasive medical ablation by offering: a new real-time processing method for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum acquisition without external resonator(s), which remains stable despite magnetic field fluctuations, a new processing method for nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum acquisition, which remains stable despite magnetic field fluctuations and resonator stability, a new method of constructing predetermined magnets from appropriate magnetic material that allows for focusing the magnetic field in a target region, a new dual frequency dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) generator that polarizes the spin of electrons and acts as an NMR transmitter, a new real-time processing method for visualizing, targeting, and guiding surgical and other non-invasive processes, and a new method of non-invasive ablation, heat generation, and chemical reaction activation inside the human body toType: GrantFiled: May 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Elegant Mathematics LLCInventors: Olena Ibragimova, Ilgiz Ibragimov
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Patent number: 10732240Abstract: Construction methods and techniques allow for a magnetic field of the field homogeneity required for the use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in the order of 20 parts per million (ppm) in the area of interest (such techniques in the following will be indicated with the word “shimming”). The peculiarity of the constructive method is to obtain a homogeneous field region, usable for the MRI analysis, of linear dimensions equal to about 40% of the linear dimensions of the magnet. The shimming technique involves the use of conditioned magnetic material and allows accurate control of the magnetization of the corrective elements while using a material that inherently has a large spread in the magnetization value. The result is a low weight and small magnet suitable for MRI for dedicated clinical applications such as the analysis of the peripheral joint, the analysis of the ocular region, and veterinary applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Inventor: Antonello Sotgiu
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Patent number: 10705171Abstract: A method for operating a flowmeter for determining the flow of a multiphase medium flowing through a measuring tube using a first and a second measuring device, one of which operates on a tomographic measuring principle and one of which uses a measuring principle based on nuclear magnetic resonance. The first measuring device operates in a different manner from the second measuring device, e.g., using a measuring device operating on the measuring principle of pre-magnetization contrast measurement and having a pre-magnetization section with a constant magnetic field. The magnetic field has at least one component perpendicular to the direction of flow of the multi-phase medium and is generated by using magnetic field generating elements, which are arranged around the measuring tube. Additionally, an assembly for exciting nuclear spin by a RF excitation pulse or a RF excitation pulse sequence is part of the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: KROHNE AGInventors: Cornelis Johannes Hogendoorn, Rutger Reinout Tromp, Marco Leendert Zoeteweij, Olaf Jean Paul Bousché
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Patent number: 10670684Abstract: A system includes acquisition of a predetermined number of three-dimensional sub-frames from patient tissue using a T1-weighted radial sampling sequence and without contrast agent, determination of a matching one of a plurality of the three-dimensional images reconstructed from respective subsets of the predetermined number of three-dimensional sub-frames, based on a first three-dimensional image reconstructed from a first-acquired one of the predetermined number of three-dimensional sub-frames, and subtraction of the matching one of the plurality of the three-dimensional images from the first three-dimensional image to generate a second three-dimensional image.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.Inventors: Ravi Teja Seethamraju, Ritu Randhawa Gill
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Patent number: 10660541Abstract: The systems, methods, and devices described herein generally relate to achieving accurate and robust motion correction by detecting and accounting for false movements in motion correction systems used in conjunction with medical imaging and/or therapeutic systems. In other words, in some embodiments of the systems, methods, and devices described herein can be configured to detect false movements for motion correction during a medical imaging scan and/or therapeutic procedure, and thereby ensure that such false movements are not accounted for in the motion correction process. Upon detection of false movements, the imaging or therapeutic system can be configured to transiently suppress and/or subsequently repeat acquisitions.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: The University of Hawai'i, The Queen's Medical CenterInventors: Thomas Michael Ernst, Brian Keating, Aditya Singh, Maxim Zaitsev, Michael Herbst
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Patent number: 10663553Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for intra-scan motion correction to compensate not only from one line or acquisition step to the next, but also within each acquisition step or line in k-space. The systems, methods, and devices for intra-scan motion correction can comprise updating geometry parameters, phase, read, and/or other encoding gradients, applying a correction gradient block, and/or correcting residual errors in orientation, pose, and/or gradient/phase.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Kineticor, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Michael Ernst, Oliver Speck
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Patent number: 10663548Abstract: A method for contrast agent enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a target sample, comprising generating a magnetic field shift in a polarizing magnetic field during a relaxation portion of an MRI pulse sequence and thereafter acquiring an MR image.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIOInventors: Jamu Alford, Blaine Chronik, Timothy Scholl
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Patent number: 10639415Abstract: Disclosed herein are a medical imaging apparatus including a scanner configured to scan an object, an image generator configured to generate a monitoring image to monitor variations in brightness of a region of interest (ROI) of the object, a controller configured to determine a peak of brightness in the monitoring image, and a user interface configured to display the monitoring image and an indicator of the determined peak, and a method of controlling the same. According to the medical imaging apparatus and the method of controlling the same, over-injection of a contrast agent into the object may be prevented while a medical image is acquired, and an image may be obtained when the contrast agent is in an optimum state in consideration of various environmental factors. Accordingly, lesions and diseases may be more accurately determined and interpreted by using the medical image.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Jong Hyon Yi
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Patent number: 10641856Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for different degrees of excitation of two different nuclear spin types with Larmor frequencies that are shifted relative to one another during recording of MR data by execution of an MR sequence, an excitation pulse sequence with at least two consecutive excitation pulses with defined time intervals for the exclusive excitation of the first spin type, and an additional pulse sequence with at least one additional pulse that acts at least on the second spin type, are used. A total pulse sequence formed by superimposition of the two pulse sequences is emitted within an excitation period of the MR sequence.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Markus Klarhoefer, Thorsten Feiweier
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Patent number: 10613171Abstract: Embodiments can provide a method for multi-banded RF-pulse enhanced magnetization imaging, the method comprising determining, by a processor, a frequency offset against a central frequency by specifying an offset frequency for one or more RF coils close to a frequency peak of mobile water; and simultaneously applying, by one or more RF coils, one or more bands of Gaussian RF pulses around the central frequency to a patient from a medical imaging device; wherein the one or more bands of Gaussian RF pulses are symmetrically applied having a distance from the central frequency equal to the frequency offset.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Xiufeng Li, Gregory J. Metzger, Kamil Ugurbil, Dingxin Wang
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Patent number: 10605883Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for correcting magnetic resonance data for off-resonance effects arising from the use of a multi-echo echo planar imaging (“EPI”) pulse sequence. Reference data are acquired, from which phase maps are computed in a distorted coordinate space associated with geometric distortions associated with the multi-echo EPI acquisition. Images reconstructed from the magnetic resonance data are demodulated using the distorted phase maps to produce distortion free images of the subject. Advantageously, the systems and methods can be used to reconstruct distortion free images from magnetic resonance data that is otherwise prone to image distortions from off-resonance errors, including data acquired from hyperpolarized nuclear spin species such as hyperpolarized carbon-13.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Sunnybrook Research InstituteInventors: Benjamin J. Geraghty, Charles H. Cunningham
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Patent number: 10588511Abstract: A retrospective reconstruction method uses cardiac self-gating for patients with severe arrhythmias. Self-gated myocardial systolic and diastolic motion is determined from low-spatial and high-temporal resolution images and then the MRI-dataset is retrospectively reconstructed to obtain high quality images. The method uses undersampled image reconstruction to obtain the low-spatial and high-temporal resolution images, including those of different beat morphologies. Processing of these images is utilized to generate a cardiac phase signal. This signal allows for arrhythmia detection and cardiac phase sorting. The cardiac phase signal allows for detection of end-systolic and diastolic events which allows for improved sampling efficiency. In the case of frequent and severe arrhythmia, the method utilizes data from the normal and interrupted beats to improve sampling and image quality.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: The Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaInventors: Francisco Contijoch, Walter R. T. Witschey, Robert C. Gorman, Yuchi Han, Joseph H. Gorman, III
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Patent number: 10591563Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry controls execution of a pulse sequence which includes a first segment and a second segment being provided prior to the first segment. The first segment is where signal acquisition is performed. The second segment is where longitudinal magnetization and transverse magnetization are reduced by applying a plurality of RF magnetic field pulses while changing a magnitude and/or a phase thereof and a plurality of spoiler gradient field pulses.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Daiki Tamada, Takashi Watanabe
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Patent number: 10564245Abstract: According to one embodiment, an RF coil storage device stores an RF coil device which receives a magnetic resonance signal from an object with a coil element in magnetic resonance imaging. This RF coil storage device includes a storage rack on which the RF coil device is placed, and processing circuitry configured to acquire an index signal which is used for determining presence/absence of a failure, from the RF coil device placed on the storage rack.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Mitsuo Takagi
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Patent number: 10557910Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes a processing circuitry that executes a pulse sequence by which a data acquiring process is repeatedly performed multiple times where data is acquired every time each of waiting periods has elapsed since a tag pulse used for labeling a fluid flowing into an image taking region of a patient is applied, that acquires, at at least one time among the multiple times, data corresponding to one region by using a three-dimensional sequence, out of three-dimensional data acquired while being divided into regions, during each of the data acquiring processes corresponding to a first waiting period among the waiting periods, and that acquires data allocated to the one time by using a two-dimensional sequence, out of a slice of two-dimensional data corresponding to the entire three-dimensional data, during each of the data acquiring processes corresponding to a second waiting period different from the first waiting period.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Canon Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Sueoka
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Patent number: 10557730Abstract: A method of characterizing a fluid flow by an alternating magnetic field flow meter, comprising determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit by generating a first magnetic field to move a magnetic token along a direction of a flow path of a fluid flowing through a conduit, detecting a first electrical signal based on the movement of the magnetic token, generating a second magnetic field to move the magnetic token opposite to the direction of the flow path, detecting a second electrical signal based on the movement of the magnetic token, and determining a conductivity of the fluid flowing through the conduit by generating a current along the flow path and detecting a third electrical signal based on the current generated along the flow path, and determining a conductivity measurement of the fluid flow based on the detected third electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Fouad M. Alkhabbaz, Maatoug Al-Maatoug
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Patent number: 10551455Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods using adiabatic tip-down and matched adiabatic flip-back pulses are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system includes a signal generator configured to generate a pulse sequence for on-resonance magnetization transfer preparation. The pulse sequence includes an adiabatic tip-down pulse and a matched adiabatic flip-back pulse for separating spins in a mobile spin pool from spins in a bound spin pool of an anatomical region of interest for imaging. The system includes radio frequency (RF) coils configured to transmit RF pulses in response to the pulse sequence and to acquire RF data in response to transmission of the RF pulses. Further, the system includes a processing system configured to process the RF data to provide a display image indicating different tissue types with discrimination.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignees: Duke University, Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: David Wendell, Wolfgang Rehwald, Enn-Ling Chen, Raymond Kim
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Patent number: 10551465Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a method for generating magnetic resonance image data of a field of view of an examination object, magnetic resonance raw data are acquired by preferably different transverse magnetizations being excited in at least one sub-volume of a navigator volume and at least one sub-volume of an image volume, and are used for position determination and for imaging. These preferably different transverse magnetizations are simultaneously present in at least one period of the scan.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Thomas Beck, Thorsten Feiweier
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Patent number: 10552955Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of accurately and efficiently reconstructing parameter maps in MRI data. In certain embodiments, the methods have reduced data acquisition time or improved spatial resolution when compared to methods standard in the art. In other embodiments, the methods have reduced acquisition and reconstruction time when compared to other acceleration methods in the art in parametric mapping. In other embodiments, the methods are less susceptible to influence of eddy currents when compared to other acceleration methods in the art in parametric mapping.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Yale UniversityInventors: Chenxi Hu, Dana Peters
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Patent number: 10539642Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve MRI based treatment, especially MRI based radiotherapy. This object is achieved by a method for calibrating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) phantom having an expected geometry and comprising at least one MRI detectable part with a position within the geometry which is known with a geometric inaccuracy. The method comprises the following steps: step 1: placing the phantom at a predetermined location in a magnetic resonance system such that the MRI detectable part is within a symmetry plane of a gradient system of the magnetic resonance imaging system and; step 2: acquiring an MRI image of the MRI detectable part of the phantom by means of a first sequence, wherein the MRI image comprises multiple slices; step 3: determining the geometric inaccuracy of the MRI detectable part of the MRI phantom based on the position and the representation of the part in the MRI image.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Panu Tapani Vesanen, Jukka Ilmari Tanttu
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Patent number: 10502603Abstract: A method for operating a nuclear magnetic flowmeter for determining the flow of a multi-phase medium flowing through a measuring tube that is suitable for media exhibiting “phase slip” with which the characterization of the gaseous phase is simplified, is achieved by a pulse spoiling the magnetization at least in the direction of the magnetic field or a pulse sequence spoiling the magnetization in the direction of the magnetic field being emitted by a coil-shaped antenna, particularly in combination with dephasing gradients, and then, after a waiting time tW, a nuclear magnetic measurement is carried out in that the medium is excited with excitation pulses by the coil-shaped antenna and the measuring signals generated by the excitation in the medium are detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: KROHNE AGInventors: Rutger Reinout Tromp, Marco Leendert Zoeteweij
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Patent number: 10495710Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method for generating time-resolved images of an examination object, which executes a cyclical movement, and to a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product herefor. According to a first aspect, at least one spatial magnetization pattern with spatial magnetization differences is generated during a magnetization of the examination object. Furthermore, magnetic resonance signals of the examination object are acquired after generating the spatial magnetization pattern throughout at least one cycle of the cyclical movement. At least one k-space is undersampled here during the acquisition of the magnetic resonance signals. Time-resolved images are generated based on the acquired magnetic resonance signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christoph Forman, Andreas Greiser