Using A Nuclear Resonance Spectrometer System Patents (Class 324/307)
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Patent number: 10222437Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object (10) placed in the examination volume of a MR device (1). It is the object of the invention to provide an improved MR-based temperature mapping method.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Kay Nehrke, Peter Bornert
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Patent number: 10215831Abstract: In a first method and magnetic resonance apparatus to determine a resonance frequency deviation given an excitation of a slice of a volume segment within an examination subject, by a slice selection gradient is activated along one direction, an RF excitation pulse is irradiated in order to excite nuclear spins in the slice, a readout gradient is activated along the direction of the slice selection gradient, and MR data are read out while the readout gradient is activated. Image points within an MR image reconstructed using the MR data are identified, that exhibit a signal intensity that is greater than a predetermined threshold, in order to determine one of the image points that has a maximum separation in the direction between this image point and the slice. The resonance frequency deviation is determined depending on the amplitude of the slice selection gradient, the amplitude of the readout gradient and the maximum separation. The slice selection gradient and the readout gradient have opposite polarity.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Theresa Bachschmidt, Mathias Nittka
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Patent number: 10215827Abstract: A method for identifying the chemical species of various textural elements in a targeted region of tissue wherein a volume of interest (VOI) is selectively excited and a k-encode gradient pulse is applied to induce phase wrap to create a spatial encode for a specific k-value and orientation. The specific k-value is selected based on anticipated texture within the VOI. Multiple sequential samples of the NMR RF signal encoded with the specific k-value are recorded as signal data. The Fourier Transform of the acquired signal data is then taken, wherein for each k-encode, the signal recorded is indicative of the spatial frequency power density at that point in k-space. Each peak in the NMR spectrum is then evaluated, whereby the relative contribution to the texture of tissue in the VOI at a k-value for each chemical species is determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: BIOPROTONICS INC.Inventors: Ian Parker, David R. Chase, Timothy W. James, Kristin James
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Patent number: 10209335Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, and a characterization logic that characterizes a resonant species in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. The reference signals may be stored in a dictionary. Singular value decomposition may be applied to the dictionary and the acquired signals before comparing the acquired signals to the reference signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Mark Griswold, Debra McGivney, Dan Ma
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Patent number: 10203388Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes control circuitry and processing circuitry. The control circuitry executes a first pulse sequence performing MR (Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy and configured to execute a second pulse sequence applying an MT (Magnetization Transfer) pulse. The processing circuitry causes a display to present first data acquired based on the first pulse sequence and second data acquired based on the second pulse sequence.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Xiangzhi Zhou
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Patent number: 10203393Abstract: A method and system for image reconstruction are provided. A k-space including a first part and a second part may be set. The first part of the k-space may be filled with a matrix including data. The matrix may be filtered to produce a filtered data matrix. The second part of the k-space may be padded. Iterations of an objective function for a target array of data in image domain may be performed based on a constraint. The objective function may be based on a total variation of the target array of data and a function relating to the Fourier transform of the target array of data, the filtered data matrix in the first part, and the padded data in the second part of the k-space. An image may be reconstructed based on the target array of data.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Guobin Li, Nan Liu
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Patent number: 10204426Abstract: Preparation of a scan protocol of a medical imaging apparatus is provided. A first parameter set that includes one or more first scan parameters is provided. One or more first scan parameter values that are assigned to the one or more first scan parameters are set. Based on these set one or more first scan parameter values, a second parameter set that includes one or more second scan parameters is determined. The second parameter set is provided, and one or more second scan parameter values that are assigned to the one or more second scan parameters are set. Based on the one or more first scan parameter values and/or the one or more second scan parameter values, a scan protocol is prepared. Based on the scan protocol prepared, scan data is acquired by the medical imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: David Grodzki
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Patent number: 10203384Abstract: In a method and apparatus for recording magnetic resonance data of an object to be examined, two-dimensional k-space is scanned along lines extending in a readout direction within an acquisition trajectory. Undersampling is carried out along at least some of the lines and, during an acquisition section proceeding through the entirety of k-space in the readout direction, multiple jumps occur as a result of gradient pulses in the phase coding direction perpendicular to the readout direction. These jumps can occur between adjacent lines.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: David Grodzki, Bjoern Heismann
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Patent number: 10203387Abstract: An object (10) in an examination volume of a MR device (1) is imaged with improved susceptibility weighted contrast. The imaging includes the steps of: a) generating at least two echo signals at different echo times by subjecting the object (10) to an imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients; b) acquiring the echo signals; c) repeating steps a) and b) for a plurality of phase encoding steps; d) reconstructing an intermediate MR image for each echo time from the acquired echo signals; and e) generating a susceptibility weighted MR image by computing, for each voxel of the susceptibility weighted MR image, a non-linear combination of the voxel values of the intermediate MR images at the respective image position. The non-linear combination emphasizes lower voxel magnitude values more than higher voxel magnitude values.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Zhaolin Chen, Miha Fuderer, Elizabeth Anne Moore, Gwenael Herigault, Kim Van De Ven
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Patent number: 10203394Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging near metal parts using SEMAC. It is an object of the invention to provide an improved MR imaging technique that is sufficiently fast and robust against susceptibility effects. The invention proposes to apply a weaker slice-selection magnetic field gradient (Gslice) for reduction of ripple-artefacts near metal parts or to apply undersampling in the slice-selection direction of the SEMAC sequence or to apply both these aspects. According to one aspect of the invention, a sparsity constraint is used to make the reconstruction of the undersampled MR images more stable. Moreover, the invention relates to a MR device (1) and to a computer program to be run on a MR device (1).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Michel Paul Jurriaan Jurrissen, Johan Michiel Den Harder, Ulrike Andrea Blume, Elwin De Weerdt, Gerrit Hendrik Van Ijperen
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Patent number: 10203390Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a sequence control unit, an image generating unit, and a deriving unit. The sequence control unit executes first imaging scan for acquiring data of a range including a target internal organ and second imaging scan for acquiring data for a diagnostic image by controlling execution of a pulse sequence. The image generating unit generates an image by using data acquired by the first imaging scan. The deriving unit derives an imaging scan area in which data for the diagnostic image are acquired in the second imaging scan and a related area set associated with the imaging scan area in the second imaging scan, based on image processing using the image.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Shigehide Kuhara, Shuhei Nitta, Taichiro Shiodera, Tomoyuki Takeguchi
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Patent number: 10194825Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of detecting disease, methods of treating disease using targeted hyperthermia, methods of treating disease using targeted chemical agents, methods of treating disease comprising accurate measurements of the efficacy of treatments. The effect of nanoparticles on magnetic fields can be used to determine the location of a disease, and a measure of the number of cells characteristic of the disease. This location and measure can be used to guide therapy, and provide information regarding the most effective therapy to be applied. The same nanoparticles can be used to facilitate hyperthermia treatments, and to allow targeted application of chemical therapeutic agents.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Imagion Biosystems Inc.Inventor: Edward R Flynn
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Patent number: 10197564Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus includes at least one magnet arranged to induce a static magnetic field in a sample chamber. The static magnetic field has a known amplitude distribution. At least one radio frequency antenna is configured to induce a radio frequency magnetic field in the sample chamber at a predetermined frequency and a predetermines bandwidth. The static magnetic field amplitude at a sample chamber boundary has substantially at most two values.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Inventor: Gersh Z. Taicher
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Patent number: 10197642Abstract: In some aspects, polarization of a spin ensemble can be increased using cavity-based techniques. A resonator applies a drive field to a spin ensemble in a sample in a static magnetic field. The drive field couples the spin ensemble with a cavity, and the coupling increases the polarization of the spin ensemble. In some cases, the sample is thermally insulated from the cavity, for example, to maintain the sample at a higher temperature than the cavity. In some implementations, the spin ensemble achieves a polarization that is higher than its thermal equilibrium polarization.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Quantum Valley Investment Fund LPInventors: Grum Teklemariam, David G. Cory
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Patent number: 10197643Abstract: In some aspects, polarization of a spin ensemble can be increased using cavity-based techniques. A sample contains a first spin ensemble and a second spin ensemble. A drive field couples the first spin ensemble with a cavity, and the coupling increases the polarization of the first spin ensemble. Polarization is transferred from the first spin ensemble to the second spin ensemble. In some examples, the polarization is transferred from a solvent or an abundant species to a solute or a dilute species in the sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Quantum Valley Investment Fund LPInventors: Grum Teklemariam, David G. Cory
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Patent number: 10191133Abstract: An object (10) is placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1) and imaged using a multi-echo imaging technique which is robust with respect to motion. The imaging includes subjecting the object (10) to a number of shots of a multi-echo imaging sequence to generate a train of echo signals by each shot and acquiring the echo signals. Each echo signal represents a k-space profile, wherein k-space (20) is divided into a central k-space part (21) and one or more peripheral k-space parts (22, 23). The central k-space part (21) is sampled by a single shot of the multi-echo imaging sequence, and the peripheral k-space parts (22, 23) are sampled by one or more further shots (25, 28) of the multi-echo sequence; and an MR image is reconstructed from the k-space profiles.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.VInventors: Gabriele Marianne Beck, Gerrit Hendrik Van Ijperen
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Patent number: 10184994Abstract: In some aspects, polarization of a spin ensemble can be increased using cavity-based techniques. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a cavity and a resonator. The cavity is adapted to interact with a spin ensemble in an imaging subject in a static magnetic field. The resonator is adapted to generate an interaction between the cavity and the spin ensemble that increases polarization of the spin ensemble. In some implementations, the spin ensemble achieves a polarization that is higher than its thermal equilibrium polarization.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Quantum Valley Investment Fund LPInventors: Grum Teklemariam, David G. Cory
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Method and apparatus for EPI magnetic resonance with slew rate controlled and kspace entry optimized
Patent number: 10185014Abstract: In a method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging, a particularly quiet magnetic resonance sequence, uses echo-planar imaging with at least one gradient switching in a readout direction, wherein the at least one gradient switching in the readout direction has a slew rate that is less than a maximum slew rate defined by system specification parameters of the magnetic resonance apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: David Grodzki, Robin Heidemann, Martin Ott, David Andrew Porter -
Patent number: 10185012Abstract: A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging is provided. The method includes acquiring a plurality of echo signals relating to a region of interest of a subject at a number of echo times; generating a plurality of phase images based on the plurality of echo signals; generating an unwrapped phase map by performing a phase unwrapping correction to the plurality of phase images; generating a virtual phase map based on the unwrapped phase map; determining a phase mask based on the virtual phase map; obtaining magnitude information of the plurality of echo signals; and generating a susceptibility weighted image based on the phase mask and the magnitude information.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.Inventors: Yongquan Ye, Jinguang Zong
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Patent number: 10185017Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for obtaining a high-quality image at high speed in DKI analysis. In the DKI analysis, upon estimating a parameter relating to diffusion in an application direction of an MPG pulse, a least square fitting is separated from a constraint processing, and only a value of the pixel that does not meet the constraint condition in the least square fitting is targeted for the correction. Then, with regard to this pixel, a diffusion-related parameter is re-estimated using the pixel value after the correction, and a parameter image is generated by using the diffusion-related parameter thus obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Suguru Yokosawa, Hisaaki Ochi, Yoshitaka Bito
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Patent number: 10182211Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to fast fill media players and buffers associated with media players. A bandwidth associated with initial startup of a media player is overloaded to rapidly fill the buffer and initiate the media player. Alternatively, multiple simultaneous data communication sessions are established with a media data source device, and the media data are concurrently received from the simultaneous sessions into the buffer or transferred of out the buffer at startup, thereby decreasing the latency associated with initiating the media player.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: ORACLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventor: Jamshid Mahdavi
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Patent number: 10180474Abstract: Provided is a technique in calculating a magnetic susceptibility distribution by using an MRI, for reducing artifacts and noise and improving precision in the magnetic susceptibility distribution being calculated. According to this technique, a magnetic field distribution is obtained via a phase image from a complex image acquired through MRI. Under the constraint based on a relational expression between the magnetic field and the magnetic susceptibility, smoothing process is performed iteratively on the magnetic susceptibility distribution calculated from the magnetic field distribution. Specifically, a minimization process for minimizing through the iterative operation, an error function defined by a predetermined initial magnetic susceptibility distribution and the magnetic field distribution is performed, thereby calculating the magnetic susceptibility distribution.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Toru Shirai, Ryota Satoh, Yo Taniguchi, Hisaaki Ochi, Takenori Murase, Yoshitaka Bito
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Patent number: 10180481Abstract: The present invention provides methods for reducing SAR during real-time MR imaging. The method improves the safety of cine imaging, while, in certain embodiments, do not decrease image quality. The method of the invention thereby allows for the use of higher field strengths that are sometimes necessary to provide the most diagnostic information. The present invention also provides methods for improving contrast-to-noise ratio, while not increasing SAR.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Subashini Srinivasan, Daniel B. Ennis
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Patent number: 10180471Abstract: There are provided a magnetic resonance imaging device and a method of controlling a MRI device. The MRI device includes an RF transmitting coil configured to transmit an RF to an object on a table; an object scanning unit including a position detecting unit configured to detect a position of the object and a thickness detecting unit configured to detect a thickness of the object, and configured to recognize a body shape of the object; and a control unit configured to regulate the RF to be transmitted, thereby compensating an RF field based on the recognized body shape of the object.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung Sung Song, Man Woo Lee, Sang-Cheon Choi
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Patent number: 10180477Abstract: J-resolved LASER and semi-LASER sequences for localized two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopy are disclosed. After a delay time ?1 from application of an excitation RF pulse, a first pair of slice-selective adiabatic full-passage (AFP) pulses, separated by an inter-pulse interval ?2, is applied. At the end of the sequence a final pair of slice-selective AFP pulses, separated by a time of ?2/2+?1+t1/2 is applied, where t1 is the duration of an incremental evolution period corresponding to the indirect dimension of a 2D J-resolved spectrum. In the case of J-resolved LASER, an additional intermediate pair of slice-selective AFP pulses, separated by an inter-pulse interval ?2, is applied prior to the final pair of AFP pulses. An echo signal is acquired at time t1/2 from the application of the last AFP pulse.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventor: Shaolin Yang
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Patent number: 10175330Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of a body (10) of a patient. It is an object of the invention to provide a method that enables efficient compensation of flow artifacts, especially for MR angiography in combination with Dixon water/fat separation. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: a) generating MR echo signals at two or more echo times by subjecting the portion of the body (10) to a MR imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients, wherein the MR imaging sequence is a Dixon sequence; b) acquiring the MR echo signals; c) reconstructing one or more single-echo MR images from the MR echo signals; d) segmenting the blood vessels from the MR images; e) detecting and compensating for blood flow-induced variations of the amplitude or phase in the single-echo MR images within the blood vessel lumen, and f) separating signal contributions from water and fat spins to the compensated single-echo MR images.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Holger Eggers, Peter Bornert
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Patent number: 10175319Abstract: In vivo methods of non-invasively imaging neuro-electro-magnetic oscillations (NEMO) are carried out by electronically transmitting a pulse sequence to a subject. The pulse sequence has a first excitation pulse, typically applied along an x-axis, followed by a spin-lock pulse applied along a different axis, typically a y-axis, and having a defined frequency, followed by a second RF excitation pulse. Then MR image signal of neuroelectric activity associated with evoked and/or spontaneous neuroelectric oscillations is obtained after the second RF excitation pulse and a neuroactivity (i.e., brain activation) map based on the obtained MR image signal is generated, the neuroactivity map having high temporal and spatial accuracy of the neuroelectric activity.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Duke UniversityInventors: Trong-Kha Truong, Allen W. Song
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Patent number: 10175317Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and methods to effect MRI data acquisition with reduced noise are described. A readout gradient, having a first polarity used to acquire and store MRI data in k-space memory during analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) of MR RF signals during one TR interval, is continued at substantially a same amplitude and vector direction and used as an image volume selection gradient during a transmitted RF excitation pulse that begins a next TR interval before the readout gradient transitions to an opposite polarity. The acquired k-space data is then used to generate an MR image.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Andrew J. Wheaton
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Patent number: 10175320Abstract: In a method to control a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired that include measurement values at multiple readout points in k-space. The readout points are arranged along a readout axis in k-space as readout pairs with a predetermined pair spacing relative to one another. Readout pairs that are adjacent in k-space along the readout axis have a sampling interval that is different than the pair spacing, which sampling interval varies along the readout axis. A control sequence determination system is designed to determine a control sequence for a magnetic resonance imaging system that is designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to this method, and a magnetic resonance imaging system that has a control device designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to such a method.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Zenge
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Patent number: 10176578Abstract: The invention relates to an ex vivo method for detecting and/or quantifying brain injuries. The invention also relates to an ex vivo method for monitoring the evolution of a brain injury, and to an ex vivo method for predicting when a patient will come out of a coma. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of medicine and in the field of clinical studies.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: ASSISTANCE PUBLIQUE—HOPITAUX DE PARISInventors: Louis Puybasset, Damien Galanaud, Habib Benali, Vincent Perlbarg, Stephane Lehericy
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Patent number: 10168402Abstract: The invention relates to an MRI apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging of a subject of investigation, comprising: a coil arrangement (1) for transmitting an excitation signal into the subject and for receiving a response signal from the subject; a high-power radio-frequency amplifier (4) for generating the excitation signal; and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) for amplifying the response signal. The invention provides a transmit/receive switch (5) which is alternatively operable in a transmit mode or in a receive mode. In the transmit mode, the transmit/receive switch (5) transmits the excitation signal to the coil arrangement (1) and protects the low-noise amplifier (LNA) from the outgoing excitation signal. In the receive mode, the transmit/receive switch (5) routes the in coming response signal to the low-noise amplifier (LNA).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e. V.Inventors: Shajan Gunamony, Jens Hoffmann, Klaus Scheffler, Rolf Pohmann
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Patent number: 10165997Abstract: A system and method includes reception of first two-dimensional projection images of a patient volume, each of the first two-dimensional projection images having been acquired from substantially a respective one of a plurality of projection angles during presence of at least a portion of contrast medium in arteries within the patient volume, reception of second two-dimensional projection images of the patient volume, each of the second two-dimensional projection images having been acquired from substantially a respective one of the plurality of projection angles during presence of at least a portion of the contrast medium in veins within the patient volume, generation, for each of the plurality of projection angles, of a composite two-dimensional image based on one of the first two-dimensional projection images acquired from substantially the projection angle and one of the second two-dimensional projection images acquired from substantially the projection angle, generation of a three-dimensional image basedType: GrantFiled: July 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: John Baumgart, Martin Trini, Michael J. Keller
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Patent number: 10168444Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to acquire echo signals associated with operation of a nuclear magnetic resonance logging tool to evaluate a formation and process the echo signals taking into account motion of the nuclear magnetic resonance logging tool. Coefficients may 5 be generated that are correlated to porosity of the formation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Rebecca Corina Jachmann, Jie Yang
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Patent number: 10165960Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing respiration-corrected MR images of an examination volume containing the heart of a patient during respiratory movement of MR signals are recorded continuously during multiple cardiac cycles, each cardiac cycle having multiple time segments. One 2D navigator image data record per cardiac cycle is recorded during a time segment of that cardiac cycle, with k-space being filled along a Cartesian trajectory such that a spatial resolution is achieved in two spatial directions of the examination volume. Also, multiple 3D image data records are recorded in the other time segments of that cardiac cycle, with Cartesian filling of raw data space such that a spatial resolution is achieved in all three spatial directions of the examination volume. The respiratory movement is then determined from these navigator data records. The determined respiratory movement is corrected in the recorded MR signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Christoph Forman, Ivo Prochaska, Jens Wetzl
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Patent number: 10162027Abstract: To obtain the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel of a multichannel transmission RF coil at high speed, for multiple channels which are all or some of the channels of the transmission coil, an image is acquired by irradiation with one channel or a combination of two or more channels, an irradiation magnetic field distribution upon irradiation with all of the multiple channels is acquired, and the irradiation magnetic field distribution of each channel is calculated using the acquired irradiation magnetic field distribution of all of the multiple channels and the phase difference calculated from the image of each channel and the image of all of the multiple channels.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Kosuke Ito, Masahiro Takizawa
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Patent number: 10162030Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the reconstruction of image data for at least two different chemical substance types, the reconstruction relates to a defined region of an examination object and is based on raw data acquired from the defined region at different echo times by a magnetic resonance scan. The reconstruction is implemented using a target function that includes a regularization term that correlates image data of the different echo times. A method for ascertaining image data for at least two different chemical substance types in a defined region of an examination object by an imaging magnetic resonance scan can also be implemented.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Marcel Dominik Nickel
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Patent number: 10162035Abstract: A system and method for generating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images is provided. The MRI system is directed to perform the dynamic contrast enhanced imaging study of the subject by exciting a two-dimensional (2D) slice within a portion of a field of view (FOV) of the MRI system and acquiring imaging data from the 2D slice by sampling k-space in a pseudorandom manner using sampling trajectories extending between a center of k-space and peripheral areas of k-space. Thereafter, the 2D slice is slid to another portion of the FOV at a velocity selected to be greater a velocity of the motion of the subject and the process is repeated for each of a plurality of 2D slices to create images of the subject where artifacts induced by the motion of the subject are reflected as geometric distortions.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventor: Kevin M. Johnson
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Patent number: 10159446Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a breathing device comprising an air pressure generator for generating air pressure, a tube for delivering the air pressure to a patient, and a sensor configured to sense a characteristic associated with a breathing of the patient; and a processing unit configured to receive an output from the sensor, and generate a control signal for controlling a medical device based at least in part on the output from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Inventor: Gregg A. Dickerson
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Patent number: 10157464Abstract: A method is provided for determining a navigation image displaying features of a region of interest of a patient, (e.g., used during a medical intervention). The method includes determining a first subtraction image by recording a first X-ray image with an X-ray device and subtracting a mask image. The method also includes determining a second subtraction image by recording a second X-ray image with the X-ray device and by subtracting the mask image or a further mask image. Additionally, the navigation image is determined by superimposing the first and the second subtraction image. At least one of the subtraction images is preprocessed before the superimposition by transfer from a gray-value space into a color space that is different from a color space of the other subtraction image. The navigation image is determined in color and/or the dynamics of at least one of the subtraction images are compressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventor: Philipp Bernhardt
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Patent number: 10156617Abstract: An apparatus and method for decoupling between a body coil and a surface coil. The method comprising a first acquiring step of acquiring magnetic resonance (MR) signals by concurrent reception by a body coil and a surface coil in a plurality of views; a second acquiring step of acquiring MR signals by independent reception by the body coil in some of the plurality of views; an identifying step of identifying a correspondence between the concurrently-received MR signal for the body coil, the concurrently-received MR signals for the surface coil, and the independently-received MR signal for the body coil based on the concurrently-received MR signals in the some views and the independently-received MR signals for the body coil; and a calculation step of determining the independently-received MR signals for the body coil in others of the plurality of views based on the correspondence and using the concurrently-received MR signals for the body coil and surface coil in the other views.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Mitsuhiro Bekku
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Magnetic resonance method and apparatus using the same MR signals for determining various parameters
Patent number: 10151812Abstract: In a method and apparatus for quantitative magnetic resonance (MR), MR signals of a subject volume are acquired using various values of at least one acquisition parameter. First and second functions are respectively specified, by which an MR signal can be determined, depending on a first parameter and the at least one acquisition parameter, and depending on a second parameter and the at least one acquisition parameter. First and second subsets of the MR signals are determined respectively for the first parameter and the second parameter. The first subset differs from the second subset. The first and second parameters are determined respectively such that MR signals calculated using the first function correspond as closely as possible to the MR signals of the first subset, and MR signals calculated using the second function correspond as closely as possible to the MR signals of the second subset.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Stephan Kannengiesser, Marcel Dominik Nickel -
Patent number: 10151814Abstract: A method for improving image homogeneity of image data acquired from balanced Steady-State Free Precision (bSSFP) sequences in magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple bSSFP sequences are performed with different radio frequency phase increments to create multiple bSSFP image volumes with different phase offsets ?. Each image has voxels whose intensity M is a function of a nuclear resonance signal (or magnetization) measured by the MR imaging apparatus. Per-voxel fitting of a mathematical signal model onto the measured magnetization of the field of view in function of the phase offsets ?. Then the spin density M0, the relaxation time ratio ? and the local phase offset ?? are determined from the fit for each voxel. A homogeneous image of the object is generated by calculating the signal intensity in each voxel, using the spin density M0 and the relaxation time ratio ?, wherein ?? is chosen such that ????=0°.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Universitaetsspital BaselInventors: Oliver Bieri, Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger, Damien Nguyen
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Patent number: 10149658Abstract: A dynamic analysis system includes an imaging device and an analysis device. The imaging device performs dynamic imaging by emitting radiation to a chest part of a human body, thereby obtaining a series of frame images showing a dynamic state of the chest part. The analysis device includes a controller. The controller (i) selects a first plurality of frame images to be analyzed from the series of frame images obtained by the imaging device, (ii) calculates, based on the first plurality of frame images, a ventilation amount index value that indicates an amount of ventilation of a lung field and a perfusion amount index value that indicates an amount of perfusion of the lung field, and (iii) calculates a ratio of the ventilation amount index value to the perfusion amount index value.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Akinori Tsunomori, Yasuhiro Saiki
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Patent number: 10151811Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner for producing an MR image of a volume portion of a scanned object, MR data are acquired by repeatedly executing the following step of radiating an RF excitation pulse, applying magnetic field gradients for spatial encoding of a magnetization excited by the RF excitation pulse, with only two directions in space being encoded by the spatial encoding, and acquiring essentially a single k-space point for each radiated RF excitation pulse. An MR image is reconstructed from the MR data thusly acquired.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: David Grodzki
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Patent number: 10145929Abstract: In a method and a controller for generating a parameter map for a target volume in an examination object, that represents a field deviation from the resonance frequency of a first spectral component of tissue of object in a magnetic resonance tomography scanner, a spatial region of the object, which includes at least the target volume, is excited. At least three echo signals are formed, wherein a first echo time difference between two the echo signals is chosen such that the phase evolutions of the signals of a second spectral component of the tissue differ, during the first echo time difference, from the first spectral component substantially by 2?, and an echo time of at least a further one of the echo signals is chosen such that it lies between the echo times of the two echo signals having the first echo time difference. Raw data are then acquired from the three echo signals, and the parameter map is then generated therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Alto Stemmer
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Patent number: 10143853Abstract: In a method and system for planning a brachytherapy treatment, magnetic resonance image data of a patient are acquired by operating a magnetic resonance scanner according to a magnetic resonance sequence that designates an examination volume. An area of the patient is positioned in the examination volume such that the magnetic resonance image data contain at least a part of at least one applicator for the brachytherapy, which is located in the patient. The magnetic resonance sequence includes measurement parameters that lead to a contrast between the at least one applicator and surrounding tissue in the magnetic resonance image data. The position of the at least one applicator in the magnetic resonance image data is extracted, and a radiation treatment plan is created using the extracted position of the at least one applicator.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: David Grodzki, Sebastian Schmidt
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Patent number: 10145917Abstract: Example embodiments associated with characterizing a sample using NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic that repetitively and variably samples a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals that are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic that produces an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals and a characterization logic that characterizes a tissue in the object as a result of comparing acquired signals to reference signals. Example embodiments facilitate analyzing voxels having multiple compartments that may experience magnetic exchange. The compartments may be, for example, an intracellular volume and an extracellular volume in a tissue that experiences magnetic exchange due to the movement of water between the volumes.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Case Western Reserve UniversityInventors: Nicole Seiberlich, Jesse Hamilton, Mark Griswold
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Patent number: 10145924Abstract: A method for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is provided. A first sampling mask is provided for sampling along a first set of parallel lines extending in a first direction in k-space. A second sampling mask is provided for sampling along a second set of parallel lines extending in a second direction in k-space. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. A first set of MR k-space data is sampled using an MR scanner, by scanning a subject in the first direction using the first sampling mask. A second set of MR k-space data is sampled using the MR scanner, by scanning the subject in the second direction using the second sampling mask. An MR image is reconstructed from a combined set of MR k-space data including the first set of MR k-space data and the second set of MR k-space data.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Julia Traechtler, Qiu Wang, Boris Mailhe, Xiao Chen, Marcel Dominik Nickel, Mariappan S. Nadar
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Patent number: 10145921Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance system for the automated determination of the resonance frequency or resonance frequencies of protons for magnetic resonance examinations, at least one signal is acquired and Fourier transform to a spectrum. An automated analysis of the spectrum, that has three resonance peaks, is made with at least two cross-correlation coefficients of at least one model spectrum being determined with the measured spectrum. Depending on the values of the cross-correlation coefficients, the resonance frequency is or resonance frequencies are determined.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Swen Campagna
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Patent number: 10145926Abstract: A system includes applying, to patient tissue, a first imaging sequence comprising first balanced gradient pulse trains and RF pulses, where phases of successive RF pulses in the first imaging sequence differ by a first pulse phase increment, detecting first signals emitted from the patient tissue in response to the first imaging sequence, and to generate a first image based on the first signals, applying, to the patient tissue, a second imaging sequence comprising second balanced gradient pulse trains and RF pulses, where phases of successive RF pulses in the second imaging sequence differ by a second pulse phase increment different from the first pulse phase increment, detecting second signals emitted from the patient tissue in response to the second imaging sequence, and to generate a second image based on the second signals, applying motion-correction processing to the first image to generate a first motion-corrected image, applying motion-correction processing to the second image to generate a second motType: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Xiaoming Bi, Yutaka Natsuaki, Kevin Johnson, Gerhard Laub