With Signal Decoupling Patents (Class 324/311)
  • Patent number: 11280858
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, and low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a RF coil assembly for an MRI system includes a distributed capacitance loop portion comprising two parallel conductor wires encapsulated and separated by a dielectric material, the two parallel conductor wires maintained separate by the dielectric material along an entire length of the loop portion between terminating ends thereof, a coupling electronics portion including a pre-amplifier, and a coil-interfacing cable extending between the coupling electronics portion and an interfacing connector of the RF coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Steven Stormont, Scott Allen Lindsay, Victor Taracila, Ghazi Mustafa, Nabeel M. Malik, Fraser John Laing Robb, Dashen Chu
  • Patent number: 11216601
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a coil arrangement is presented. A coil arrangement according to some embodiments includes at least one coil positioned to provide a magnetic field in a first area and configured to reduce the magnetic field in a second area outside of the first area. In some embodiments, the at least one coil includes a bent solenoid oriented in the X-Y plane, the bent solenoid localizing magnetic field flux at ends of the bent solenoid. In some embodiments, the bent solenoid can include end caps to further direct the magnetic flux. In some embodiments, the at least one coil includes a flattened solenoid with end caps to direct the magnetic flux. In some embodiments, the coil arrangement is a configuration of multiple coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo Mehas, Tao Qi
  • Patent number: 11215684
    Abstract: Storage medium, magnetic resonance apparatus and method for obtaining a magnetic resonance dataset including a pilot signal uses a magnetic resonance sequence. The pilot signal is generated at a first frequency range, and a magnetic resonance signal is generated at a second frequency range. The pilot signal and the magnetic resonance signal are acquired simultaneously. At least one parameter, in particular the phase and/or the frequency range, of the pilot signal is changed during the execution of the magnetic resonance sequence at least once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Speier
  • Patent number: 11193992
    Abstract: A single-layer magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil element configured to operate in a transmit (Tx) mode and a receive (Rx) mode, the coil element comprising: an LC coil and a failsafe circuit electrically connected with the LC coil, where the LC coil, upon resonating with a primary coil of an MRI system, generates a local amplified Tx field based on an induced current generated in the LC coil by inductive coupling between the LC coil and the primary coil, where the failsafe circuit provides, upon injection of a forward DC bias current into the failsafe circuit, a first impedance, and upon the absence of the forward DC bias current, a second, higher impedance; where the failsafe circuit, upon the single-layer MRI RF coil array element being disconnected from an MRI system, provides the second, higher impedance, and reduces the magnitude of the induced current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Quality Electrodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Yang, Haoqin Zhu, Tsinghua Zheng
  • Patent number: 10942232
    Abstract: An RF coil array for use in MRI is disclosed, which includes a plurality of transmit coil elements and a plurality of RF power amplifiers. Each RF power amplifier is integrated with at least one transmit coil element for driving the at least one transmit coil element. An MRI transmit array is also disclosed, which includes a plurality of RF transmitters for generating a plurality of RF signals, the RF coil array above-mentioned, and a DC voltage source for providing a DC voltage to the plurality of transmit coil elements. The RF coil array further includes an RF shield for shielding the plurality of transmit coil elements from interacting with magnet cryostat and gradient coil elements. The plurality of RF power amplifiers are connected with respective RF transmitters and configured for power amplification of the RF signals from the respective RF transmitters, and the plurality of transmit coil elements are configured for transmitting respective amplified RF signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Tingting Song, Desmond Teck Beng Yeo, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Xin Jiang
  • Patent number: 10613166
    Abstract: An apparatus for decoupling a receive coil from a transmit coil includes a tuning circuit connected electrically with the receive coil and a MEMS switch connected electrically in parallel with the tuning circuit, and operable to line up or to bypass the tuning circuit by opening or closing the MEMS switch. The apparatus further includes a control circuit operatively connected with the MEMS switch and operable to open or to close the MEMS within a window of time responsive to energization of the transmit coil to transmit a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Taylan Dalveren, Dan Kenrick Spence, Limin Feng, Gabriel Searles, Michael Czigler
  • Patent number: 10502801
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, the MR apparatus has multiple reception coils each having an associated reception channel, a reference dataset is obtained from an examination volume of a subject, wherein the reference dataset completely fills a region of k-space. In a computer, a subregion of the examination volume is determined that has a lower homogeneity than other subregions of the examination volume, and the computer also determines at least one of the reception channels in which raw data signals are received that have a higher intensity in the determined subregion than others of the reception channels. The computer calculates a weighting matrix, in which signals, the determined reception channel are given a lower weighting than signals from the other channels. The weighting matrix is then applied to diagnostic data acquired with parallel imaging using the multiple reception coils and channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Mario Zeller
  • Patent number: 10502798
    Abstract: A high-frequency interface circuit to direct transmitted signals to a connector (PR) for a HF arrangement in a transmit mode via an input (TX) of the high-frequency interface circuit and received signals from the connector (PR) to a receiver system in a receive mode via an output (RX) of the high-frequency interface circuit is presented. The circuit includes a transmit path (SP) linking the input (TX) to the connector (PR) and a receive path (EP) linking the connector (PR) to the output (RX). The receive path (EP) includes a first circuit (K1), with at least a first switching element (S1) that is electro-conductive in transmit mode and is electrically insulating in receive mode, connected to the connector (PR). In transmit mode, the first circuit (K1) forms two parallel resonance circuits connected in series, while in receive mode, the first circuit (K1) includes two series resonance circuits connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: BRUKER BIOSPIN GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Maixner
  • Patent number: 10451692
    Abstract: A dual- or multi-resonant RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna (1, 2) especially in the form of a planar antenna or a volume array antenna (also called antenna array) is used for MR image generation of at least two different nuclei like e.g. 1H, 19F, 3He, 13C, 23Na or other nuclei having different Larmor frequencies. The antenna is coupled by an inductive coupling device (LI) with related transmit/receive channels (T/R). By such an inductive coupling, the tuning and matching of the antenna at the different resonant frequencies is easier than in case of a galvanic connection. The dual- or multi-resonant RF/MR transmit and/or receive antenna is used in an MR imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Leussler, Peter Mazurkewitz, Jochen Keupp
  • Patent number: 10393845
    Abstract: A transmitter for pilot tone navigation in a magnetic resonance tomography system includes a power supply and an antenna. The transmitter is configured to transmit a pilot tone signal via the antenna. The transmitter also includes a decoupling element in order to protect a transmitter output from signals that the antenna receives with excitation pulses of the magnetic resonance tomography system during a magnetic resonance tomography. In a method, movement-dependent changes to the pilot tone signal of the transmitter are identified by a controller of the magnetic resonance tomography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Schröter, Jan Bollenbeck, Matthias Fenchel, Peter Speier, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10165961
    Abstract: A system for magnetic resonance imaging of anatomy including a head is provided. The system includes a base member, a plurality of support members, and a plurality of articulable reception units. The plurality of support members are movably fixed to the base member and configured to translate across a surface of the base member. Each support member is releasably securable to the base member in a plurality of positions along the surface of the base member. The articulable reception units are movable from an open position to a plurality of closed positions. Each reception unit comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) receive coil disposed within a body, with the body configured for abutment with a portion of a head. Each of the plurality of articulable reception units is releasably secured in the plurality of closed positions by at least one of the plurality of support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vijayanand Alagappan, Fraser Robb, Miguel Angel Navarro, II, Craig William Culver, Victor Taracila, John Edward Ferut, Sarah Grace Leversee, Sanjay G. Mathias
  • Patent number: 10145912
    Abstract: An arrangement for detuning a receive antenna, a detunable magnetic resonance coil, and a magnetic resonance device having a detunable magnetic resonance coil are provided. The arrangement includes a receive antenna having at least one first capacitance, wherein radiofrequency signals from a magnetic resonance examination may be received by way of the receive antenna. The arrangement furthermore includes a switchable detuning circuit containing the first capacitance switched to form an oscillating circuit and a first inductance, and a switching device having a first and a second connection point to deliver a voltage between the first and a second connection point, and one or more transistors. The switching device switches the oscillating circuit to a high impedance level with aid of the one or more transistors on delivery of a positive voltage to the first connection point, preventing a radiofrequency signal from being received by way of the receive antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Huber, Robert Rehner, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10114091
    Abstract: Methods and a device for automatic detuning of a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) local coil not connected to an MRT system are provided. The device has self-closing switches that are closed or open, depending on the presence of an MRT high-frequency field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Klaus Huber
  • Patent number: 10014906
    Abstract: An acoustic echo path change detection apparatus constituted of: a time domain path change detection functionality arranged to: detect a change in a near-end acoustic echo path responsive to a time domain analysis of a near-end signal and a signal output by an acoustic echo canceller; and output an indication of the detected change, a frequency domain path change detection functionality arranged to: detect a change in the near-end acoustic echo path responsive to a frequency domain analysis of a far-end signal and the signal output by the acoustic echo canceller; and output an indication of the detected change, and a combination path change detection functionality arranged to: determine a first function of the output indication of the time domain path change detection functionality and the output indication of the frequency domain path change detection functionality; and output the determined first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Microsemi Semiconductor (U.S.) Inc.
    Inventors: Tanmay Zargar, Francis Chukwuemeka Onochie
  • Patent number: 9964611
    Abstract: An NMR spectrometer (1?) has a sample changer (4?) with at least one cylindrical sample holder (7?, 7?) for receiving an elongated NMR sample at a loading position (5) and for transferring the NMR sample into the measurement volume at a transfer position (6). The sample holder is open in an upward direction and the cylinder axis of the cylindrical sample holder is inclined at the loading position by an angle of inclination a of between 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the vertical and it extends vertically at the transfer position. A positioning device is provided, which transfers the NMR sample at or after the transfer position into the measuring position in the measurement volume with a vertically aligned sample axis of the NMR sample. The spectrometer enables a more ergonomically favorable feed of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Bocher, Diether Maier, Volker Reiss
  • Patent number: 9933501
    Abstract: Example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coils are described. An MRI RF coil may include an LC circuit and an integrated decoupling circuit. The integrated decoupling circuit may include a wire or other conductor that is connected to the LC circuit and that is positioned within a defined distance of the LC circuit. The integrated decoupling circuit may include a PIN diode and a tunable element. The tunable element may be tunable with respect to resistance, capacitance, or inductance, and thus may control, at least in part, the frequency at which the LC circuit resonates during RF transmission. The example MRI RF coil has more than one point of high impedance, which facilitates reducing heating and operational issues associated with conventional coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Quality Electrodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Yang, Tsinghua Zheng, Yong Wu, Matthew Finnerty
  • Patent number: 9733329
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a magnetic field map when using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images from a region of interest (ROI) of a subject. The method includes selecting a pulse sequence to elicit a plurality of echoes from the subject as medical imaging data from the subject. The method also includes optimizing an echo time for a dynamic range of interest during the pulse sequence (SBmax), a minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR0) in the medical imaging data, and minimum T2* value in the ROI. The method further includes generating a magnetic field map estimation using the optimized echo times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: The General Hospital Corporation, The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of The University of Arizona
    Inventors: Joseph C. Dagher, Ali Bilgin
  • Patent number: 9170313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing coronary magnetic resonance angiography with signal separation for water and fat, the method comprising: acquiring coronary magnetic resonance angiography datasets using multi-echo Dixon acquisition, processing (314; 316; 318) the datasets for reconstruction of a first (320) and second (322) image data set, the first and second image data set comprising separate water and fat image data, wherein the processing of the datasets comprises a Dixon reconstruction technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Bornert, Kay Nehrke, Mariya Doneva
  • Patent number: 9086465
    Abstract: A method for high resolution NMR (=nuclear magnetic resonance) measurements using the application of excitation pulses and the acquisition of data points, whereby a dwell time ?t separates the acquisition of two consecutive data points, which is characterized in that one or more tickling rf (=radio frequency) pulses of duration ?p are applied within each dwell time ?t, and that the average rf field amplitude of each of the tickling rf pulses approximately fulfills the condition ?1=?1?p/?t=?J wherein J is the scalar J-coupling constant and ?1=?B1 with ? being the gyromagnetic ratio and B1 being the strength of the magnetic component of each tickling rf pulse. This method is effective in decoupling homonuclear couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: Bruker BioSpin AG, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérate de Lausanne EPFL-TTO
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bodenhausen, Diego Carnevale
  • Patent number: 9069048
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a magnet that generates a static magnetic field, e.g., 7T, and a resonance excitation system that induces resonance in an observed nuclear species such as 13C or 31P. A decoupling delay generator introduces pauses between adjacent pulses of a decoupling pulse train configured to decouple a coupled species such as 1H. An RF amplifier whose energy shortage capacity would be exceeded by the pulse train without the pauses amplifies the pulse train with the pauses. The pauses are sufficiently short that decoupling and Nuclear Overhauser Effect enhancement are not adversely affected, but long enough to provide recovery time to the RF amplifier, e.g., 0.2 msec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Cull, William McLemore
  • Patent number: 9057768
    Abstract: A local coil for a magnetic resonance device includes a double resonance conductor loop arrangement having at least one conductor loop, and a converter apparatus configured for converting operating energy received at a first resonance frequency into an operating voltage. The local coil also includes an electronics arrangement operated with the operating voltage for processing magnetic resonance signals received at a second resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Biber
  • Patent number: 8975893
    Abstract: In a method for optimization of a flow coding with switching of an additional bipolar dephasing gradient pair, used in a magnetic resonance (MR) phase contrast angiography, the strength of the flow coding is selected depending on the flow velocity in the vessels that should be depicted. MR signals of an examination region are acquired with continuously running overview measurements, with an operator-selected flow coding strength. After the selected flow coding strength is adopted automatically for the next measurement of the continuously running overview measurements, and two partial measurements with different flow codings are implemented for each selected strength and a phase difference image from the two partial measurements is calculated and depicted in real time, and the selected flow coding strength is automatically adopted for the MR phase contrast angiography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Greiser, Peter Speier
  • Publication number: 20140300358
    Abstract: A system for determining the level of shielding in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and for real-time reduction of noise produced during MRI data acquisition. The system includes: at least one antenna; data acquirer in communication with the at least one antenna and in communication with the RF pulse generator; and a synchronizer for synchronizing the acquisition of data by the data acquirer with MRI pulses being produced by the MRI apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Uri RAPOPORT
  • Patent number: 8812076
    Abstract: A system and method for improving available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and speed of MR imaging of hyperpolarized substances is disclosed. The system and method include decoupling spin effects of hydrogen nuclei from non-hydrogen nuclei of interest during sampling of MR signals therefrom. Though the hydrogen nuclei of the hyperpolarized substance may not be directly bonded to the non-hydrogen nuclei of interest, resonance splitting may still impact SNR. Long range decoupling improves T2* time, and thus preserves signal strength and available SNR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ralph E. Hurd
  • Patent number: 8638093
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device that in one embodiment includes at least two MEMS switches coupled to each other in a back-to-back configuration. The first and second suspended elements corresponding to first and second MEMS switches are electrically coupled. Further, first and second contacts corresponding to the first and second MEMS switches are configured such that a differential voltage between the second suspended element and the second contact is approximately equal to a differential voltage between the first suspended element and the first contact. The MEMS device includes at least one actuator coupled to one or more of the first and second suspended elements to actuate one or more of the first and the second suspended elements. In one example, the MEMS device includes one or more passive elements coupled to one or more of the first and second MEMS switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marco Francesco Aimi, Joseph Alfred Iannotti, Christopher Fred Keimel, Steven YueHin Go
  • Publication number: 20130320979
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) sequence (14) is performed, including: applying a preparatory MR sub-sequence (S prep) providing water signal suppression; performing a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sub-sequence (S MRS) after applying the preparatory MR sub-sequence to acquire H MRS data with water signal suppression; and performing an MR reference sub-sequence (S Ref) to acquire MR reference data. The MR reference sub-sequence is performed after the MRS sub-sequence. Phase and B0 correction of the H MRS data with water signal suppression are performed using the MR reference data to generate corrected MRS data. The excitation pulse (g) of the MR reference sub-sequence has a flip angle of less than or equal to o, and more preferably has a flip angle of less than or equal to 3 o. In some embodiments the MR sequence has a total repetition time (TR) of 2000 msec or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Baolian Yang
  • Patent number: 8350569
    Abstract: A circuit for switching a PIN diode has a PIN diode and an inductor (in particular a coil) as well as a direct voltage source and a group of switches, wherein in a first switch setting of the group of switches the PIN diode can be fed with current from the direct voltage source in its admission direction; and in a further switch setting the PIN diode and the inductor are separated from the direct voltage source and are arranged in a closed current loop such that the inductor can generate a discharge current upon transitioning to the further switch setting, which discharge current is directed to the PIN diode opposite to the current generated by the direct voltage source (DC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Huber
  • Patent number: 8294461
    Abstract: A method for detecting coupled RF current magnetic resonance (MR) objects in a body and determining MR risk is provided. The body is scanned with reverse circularly polarized RF. MR signals generated by coupling of the reverse circularly polarized RF with the RF current MR objects are detected. The detected MR signals are used to determine a risk value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: William R. Overall, Greig C. Scott
  • Patent number: 8283924
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging techniques are described that utilize bSSFP sequences in which two or more gradient waveforms are interleaved in a “groupwise” fashion, i.e., each waveform is executed consecutively two or more times before switching to the other waveform, where “N” counts the number of times each waveform is executed consecutively. As a result, embodiments of the present disclosure can mitigate steady-state signal distortions or artifacts in interleaved balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) caused by slightly unbalanced eddy-current fields. Related MRI systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Nielsen, Krishna S. Nayak
  • Patent number: 8198894
    Abstract: An RF coil for MR Imaging that can change a resonance frequency easily and instantaneously in response to a nuclide to be imaged without exchange and adjustment and that also causes only small lowering of sensitivity. The RF coil has a sub coil for changing a resonance frequency of the transmitting/receiving RF coil for transmitting and receiving an MR signal between itself and a nuclide that is an object to be imaged. The sub coil is equipped with a switch, and at the time of switching-on, shifts the resonance frequency of the RF coil by changing an inductance value of the RF coil in a noncontact manner using inductance coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Kaneko, Hideta Habara, Yoshihisa Soutome, Yosuke Otake, Yoshitaka Bito
  • Patent number: 8138746
    Abstract: A physical properties detection device comprising a probe to be placed near or touching a surface of a ferroelectric; an oscillation loop including the probe and capacitance within the ferroelectric; and detection means for detecting a physical properties of the ferroelectric on the basis of a frequency variation of a measurement signal generated in the oscillation loop, the frequency variation accompanying application of an alternating electric field to the ferroelectric; and the physical properties detection device is further comprising frequency conversion means for converting the frequency of the measurement signal to a low frequency and outputting the resulting signal as a converted measurement signal; frequency control means for controlling the frequency of the converted measurement signal so as to match a target frequency; frequency detection means for generating a frequency detection signal that has a signal level corresponding to the frequency of the converted measurement signal; and synchronous dete
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tateishi, Takanori Maeda, Hideki Kobayashi, Tomotaka Yabe
  • Patent number: 8108028
    Abstract: In vivio deep brain medical probe systems include: (a) an NMRI compatible cannula comprising a plurality of concentric axially extending tubes with a receiving bore; and (b) an elongate antenna member with a conductor and an insulating layer configured to slidably advance through cannula bore to define an MRI receive antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Surgi-Vision Inc.
    Inventor: Parag V. Karmarkar
  • Patent number: 7710116
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the performance of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system by reducing, during reception, the coupling between one or more excitation coils that provide a radio frequency magnetic field that excites quadrupole nuclei, and one or more high temperature superconductor receive coils that detect the resulting nuclear quadrupole resonance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Schiano, Charles Wilker
  • Patent number: 7656157
    Abstract: A method for improving the precision of time domain low field H-NMR analysis, the method comprising rotating a sample within a RF coil and acquiring multiple time domain signals for the sample at multiple orientations within the RF coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Thomas Riddel Smith, Pierre Nazareth Tutunjian
  • Patent number: 7626386
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method for singlet-state exchange NMR-spectroscopy comprises steps of excitation of single-quantum in-phase coherences, generation of single-quantum anti-phase coherences, excitation of zero-quantum coherences ZQx and/or longitudinal two-spin order 2IzSz (=“ZZ order”) using a ?/4 pulse, reversal of the sign of the zero-quantum coherences ZQx under the effect of the difference of the chemical shifts of the examined spins, transformation of the zero-quantum coherences ZQx and/or longitudinal two-spin ZZ order into singlet-state populations by means of RF irradiation during a mixing period ?m, reconversion of the singlet-state populations remaining at the end of the mixing period ?m into zero-quantum coherences ZQx and/or ZZ order, reversal of the sign of the zero-quantum coherences ZQx under the effect of the difference of the chemical shifts of the examined spins, and reconversion of zero-quantum coherences ZQx and/or ZZ order into single-quantum anti-phase coherences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Bruker BioSpin AG
    Inventors: Geoffrey Bodenhausen, Paul Vasos, Riddhiman Sarkar
  • Publication number: 20090224760
    Abstract: The complete structure of a molecule of interest is determined from a single NMR experiment utilizing a single NMR pulse sequence. The experiment utilizes the same pulse sequence for acquiring various one-dimensional and multi-dimensional spectra, with independent receivers tuned to individual resonance frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Eriks Kupce
  • Patent number: 7570985
    Abstract: Monitor scans are performed before imaging scans with respect to a patient injected with a contrast agent. Magnetic resonance images of a plurality of slices of the patient are acquired, usually continuously, in the monitor scans. Projection images are generated from the magnetic resonance images for the plurality of slices, and these projection images are dynamically displayed images. The operator observes the monitor image and issues an instruction for imaging scans. Since a projection image is displayed as the monitor image, then even if a blood vessel is distributed over a three-dimensional area, the operator is still able to ascertain accurately the timing at which the contrast agent reaches the diagnostic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoyuki Takabayashi, Yutaka Fukushima
  • Publication number: 20090096449
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance data acquisition method, magnetic resonance is excited (72, 74) in an observed nuclear species. Magnetic resonance data of the observed nuclear species are acquired (76). A plurality of different broadband decoupling radio frequency pulses (80) configured to decouple a coupled nuclear species from the observed nuclear species are applied. Each broadband decoupling radio frequency pulse has a different or randomized or pseudorandomized amplitude (110) as a function of time. Each broadband decoupling radio frequency pulse has about the same peak power, pulse duration, and frequency spread. The differences between the broadband decoupling radio frequency pulses are effective to substantially suppress cycling sidebands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventor: David L. Foxall
  • Publication number: 20090079428
    Abstract: A radio-frequency transmission system for a magnetic resonance system has a radio-frequency amplifier and a signal splitter with two inputs and two outputs. The signal splitter is fashioned so that the power of a radio-frequency signal provided at one of the two inputs is divided between the two outputs. A first input the two inputs of the signal splitter is thereby coupled with the output of the radio-frequency amplifier, and the two outputs of the signal splitter respectively serve for connection to different inputs of a transmission antenna of the magnetic resonance system in order to feed the output signals present at the two outputs of the signal splitter into the transmission antenna. The second input of the signal splitter is terminated with a terminating resistor arrangement with a variable reflection factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Juergen Nistler, Wolfgang Renz
  • Patent number: 7495443
    Abstract: A radio frequency coil system (38) for magnetic resonance imaging includes a plurality of parallel spaced apart rungs (60) which each includes rung capacitors (68). An end cap (64) is disposed at a closed end (66) of the coil system (38). An RF shield (62) is connected to the end cap (64) and surrounds the rungs (60), extending in a direction substantially parallel to rungs (60). The RF coil system (38) may be used as birdcage, TEM, hybrid, combination birdcage and TEM, or other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph G. Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Michael A. Morich, Zhiyong Zhai, Gordon D. DeMeester
  • Patent number: 7449886
    Abstract: An RF receiver apparatus for translating multiple channels of MR data across a single readout cable is disclosed. The RF receiver apparatus is designed to separately translate In-phase and Quadrature components of an MR signal to a data acquisition system for signal processing. Moreover, multiple channels of In-phase and Quadrature signals may be transmitted as composite signals to the data acquisition system across a single coaxial cable. The composite signals may then be filtered to recover the multiple channels of data. The RF receiver apparatus is particularly applicable with a phased-array coil architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Randall H. Buchwald
  • Patent number: 7429860
    Abstract: A windowed noise reduction technique is presented that allows a noise-reduced spectrum of satisfactory accuracy to be recovered from original noisy spectroscopic data, while acquiring a significantly reduced number of transient acquisitions. The signal-averaged, decimated signal is written as a sum of a noisefree component and a noise component, and a vector space that contains a noisefree subspace and a noise subspace is created using these decimated signals. A correlation matrix is constructed in this vector space, and diagonalized to yield the singular values. The appearance of a clear gap between the noisefree singular values and the noise singular values, in a singular value graph, and the stability of the gap, supplies the criteria for determining that a sufficient number of iterations has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Howard S. Taylor, Sharif Kunikeev
  • Publication number: 20080211499
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance spectroscopy method, first nuclear species magnetic resonance is excited. A spin echo of the first nuclear species magnetic resonance is generated, and the spin echo is read out. The first and second nuclear species are decoupled during the generating of the spin echo but not during the reading. At least the generating, the reading, and the decoupling are repeated for a plurality of different decoupling times to generate heteronuclear J-modulated data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.
    Inventors: David L. Foxall, James B. Murdoch, Larry Kasuboski
  • Patent number: 7418287
    Abstract: A method of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging comprising acquiring undersampled magnetic resonance signals for successive temporal time slots. In a space spanned by geometrical space and temporal frequency and on the basic of a priori information the aliased difference magnetic resonance data which are gained by subtracting for respective k-space sampling positions data of a baseline magnetic resonance image from the undersampled magnetic resonance signals are decomposed into difference data which essentially pertain to individual spatial positions at individual time slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Tsao, Klaas Paul Pruessmann, Peter Boesiger
  • Publication number: 20080154119
    Abstract: PRF shift MRI data is acquired. The PRF shift MRI data may include signals affected by both a desired PRF shift and an undesired PRF shift. Thus, example systems and methods describe manipulating the PRF shift MRI data to make it substantially free of the effects of the undesired PRF shift, which facilitates displaying certain MRI images based on the desired PRF shift. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Lewin, Jeffrey L. Duerk, Kestutis J. Barkauskas
  • Patent number: 7388377
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the performance of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system by reducing the coupling between one or more excitation coils that provide a radio frequency magnetic field that excites quadrupole nuclei, and one or more high temperature superconductor receive coils that detect the resulting nuclear quadrupole resonance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robby L. Alvarez, Daniel B. Laubacher, Charles Wilker
  • Publication number: 20080129291
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the performance of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system by reducing, during reception, the coupling between one or more excitation coils that provide a radio frequency magnetic field that excites quadrupole nuclei, and one or more high temperature superconductor receive coils that detect the resulting nuclear quadrupole resonance signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Schiano, Charles Wilker
  • Publication number: 20080116890
    Abstract: A system and method for improving available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and speed of MR imaging of hyperpolarized substances is disclosed. The system and method include decoupling spin effects of hydrogen nuclei from non-hydrogen nuclei of interest during sampling of MR signals therefrom. Though the hydrogen nuclei of the hyperpolarized substance may not be directly bonded to the non-hydrogen nuclei of interest, resonance splitting may still impact SNR. Long range decoupling improves T2* time, and thus preserves signal strength and available SNR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ralph E. Hurd
  • Patent number: 7355401
    Abstract: The use of two or more sensors tuned to at least two different nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies of a target compound to detect the different nuclear quadrupole resonance signals greatly reduces the chance of misidentification, and thereby improves nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. Laubacher, James D. McCambridge, Charles Wilker
  • Publication number: 20080061781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of performing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy adapted for a hyperpolarized sample. The methods comprise the steps of hyperpolarizing a sample using DNP, wherein at least a portion of the NMR active nuclei receives hyperpolarization; performing NMR spectroscopy on the sample with the use of sequences of rf-pulses, wherein the pulse sequences comprises at least two rf-pulses, either on the same nuclei or on different nuclei, and wherein the pulse sequence is adapted for a hyperpolarized sample; and analysing at least two of the NMR spectra to obtain a characterization of the sample, or to obtain an interim result to be used in the NMR spectroscopy step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Rolf Servin, Jan Henrik Ardenkjaer-Larsen, Haukur Johannesson, Maurice Goldman, Jan Wolber