Polarizing Field Magnet Patents (Class 324/319)
  • Patent number: 8552726
    Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) apparatus includes a static magnetic-field magnet that generates a static magnetic field in an imaging area in which a subject is to be placed; a main coil that is provided on the inner side of the static magnetic-field magnet, and applies a gradient magnetic field onto a subject placed in the static magnetic field; and a shield coil that is provided between the static magnetic-field magnet and the main coil, and shields a gradient magnetic field generated by the main coil. Moreover, a Radio Frequency (RF) coil side cooling system including a plurality of cooling pipes that circulates a coolant in pipe is provided on the inner side of the main coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Sakakura
  • Patent number: 8542015
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet assembly comprising a plurality of superconducting magnet coil portions forming a coil series circuit to provide a magnetic field, a power supply to supply power to the plurality of superconducting magnet coil portions during a magnet ramp mode of operation, and a ramp switch coupled to the superconducting magnet coil portions, wherein the ramp switch is configured to be open during a magnet ramp mode and closed during a persistent mode. A dump resistor is disposed externally to the vessel and is connectable by the ramp switch to the superconducting magnet coil portions. Further, a controller is coupled to at least one superconducting magnet coil portion and the ramp switch and is configured to detect a quench onset condition in the at least one superconducting magnet coil portion and to open the ramp switch upon detection of the quench onset condition in order to dump magnet energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yuri Lvovsky, Weijun Shen, Jian-She Wang
  • Patent number: 8536870
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable in-bore shim coil insert suitable for correcting high-degree and high-order magnetic field inhomogeneities over a limited examination zone in a magnetic resonance assembly operating above 3 T magnetic field strengths, wherein the magnetic resonance assembly includes at least a MRI magnet having an internal bore of known configuration and volume, at least one set of gradient coils, and an arrangement of radio frequency coils. The in-bore shim coil insert and corresponding method of use is able to produce higher degree and order shimming effects on-demand (i.e., the correction of at least some 3rd to 6th degree field terms or inhomogeneities) and will markedly improve the quality of in-vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy and/or imaging of any desired anatomic site, i.e., any or all of the various organs, tissues, and systems present in the body of a living subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: William F. B. Punchard, Kai-Ming Lo, Piotr M. Starewicz, Hoby Hetherington
  • Patent number: 8536869
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes; a gradient coil that applies a gradient magnetic field to a static magnetic field in which an examined subject is placed; a metal shim with which the gradient coil is provided and that corrects spatial nonuniformity of the static magnetic field; an executing unit that executes an imaging sequence; and a controlling unit that, before execution of the imaging sequence is started, raises the temperature of the metal shim up to a saturation temperature that is to be reached during the execution of the imaging sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromi Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20130234711
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus is proposed. The magnetic resonance apparatus has a magnet unit and a housing unit surrounding the magnet unit. The housing unit has a first housing shell unit and a second housing shell unit. The second housing shell unit is arranged between the magnet unit and the first housing shell unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Bernd Maciejewski, Annette Stein
  • Publication number: 20130234712
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus is proposed. The magnetic resonance apparatus has a magnet unit and a housing unit. The housing unit has a housing shell unit. The housing shell unit surrounds the magnet unit. The housing shell unit at least partly has a flexible material. Effective noise protection for operation of the magnetic resonance apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Annette Stein
  • Publication number: 20130231248
    Abstract: Provided is a superconductive electromagnet apparatus including a thermal anchor, a plurality of wires and a cryogenic cooling device which cools the thermal anchor. The thermal anchor includes a body part, at least one connecting part disposed on a surface of the body part and made up of a conductive material. The plurality of wires is connected to the connecting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen M. HARRISON
  • Publication number: 20130229179
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to detection devices having one or more small wells each surrounded by, or in close proximity to, an NMR micro coil, each well containing a liquid sample with magnetic nanoparticles that self-assemble or disperse in the presence of a target analyte, thereby altering the measured NMR properties of the liquid sample. The device may be used, for example, as a portable unit for point of care diagnosis and/or field use, or the device may be implanted for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more biological species of interest in a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: T2 Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: W. David LEE
  • Publication number: 20130229182
    Abstract: In a coil arrangement for nuclear magnetic resonance comprising a main coil (13), a shielding coil (14), and at least one correction coil (41), the function of which consists in forming a magnetic field gradient with eddy current properties which are as good as possible, the main coil (13) and the shielding coil (14) are electrically connected in series with the correction coil (41). The deviations of the residual field from the desired design generated by production tolerances are thereby modified by the correction coil in such a fashion that the long-lasting eddy currents are suppressed. This either reduces the waiting time that must lapse after a gradient pulse before a predetermined field homogeneity is achieved or e.g. the deviations from the desired field are minimized in imaging applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: BRUKER BIOSPIN AG
    Inventors: Schimun Denoth, Silvia Buttazzoni, Thomas Speck, Dirk Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 8519712
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for correcting the uniformity of a magnetic field, an active shim shell is placed in the magnetic field, a magnetic resonance image of the active shim shell obtained, and the placement position of the active shim shell is determined by analyzing the magnetic resonance image. The value of a shim current in the active shim shell is determined so as to meet the uniformity requirements of the magnetic field according to the placement position. The value of the shim current in said active shim shell is set to the determined value of the shim current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jin Jun Chen, Oliver Schreck
  • Patent number: 8513946
    Abstract: In MR imaging, the patient is placed on the table in a configuration convenient for a surgical procedure and while in the configuration the patient is moved into the field of view by moving the magnet longitudinally and the table is moved in the bore relative to the magnet so as to optimize the part to be imaged within the field of view of the magnet. After imaging the table is moved back to the preset position and removed from the magnet for the surgical procedure to commence or continue. The movement includes movement along the longitudinal axis; transverse movement side to side; rolling movement about a longitudinal axis; tilting movement about a transverse axis and bending movement of the table relative to at least one transverse hinge line in the table at a position spaced from the ends of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Imris Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Shvartsberg, Labros Petropoulos
  • Publication number: 20130184158
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet system for nuclear magnetic resonance with a high magnetic field and a high degree of homogeneity of magnetic field is provided. The system comprises a main coil and a magnetic field homogeneity compensating coil having a combination of a forward current and a reverse current, and is composed of 24 superconducting coils formed by winding NbTi/Cu low-temperature superconducting wires. The system can produce a magnetic field of 9.4 T within a room-temperature space of 800 mm and can obtain a degree of non-homogeneity of magnetic field less than 0.1 ppm within a spherical volume of 300 mm. The system is equipped with a superconducting magnet inside, and a low-temperature vessel for liquid helium provides a low-temperature environment of 4K which is required for the normal operation of the superconducting magnet. A ferro-magnetic shielding system enables the system to have a good electromagnetic compatibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Acade my of Sciences
    Inventors: Qiuliang Wang, Yinming Dai, Baozhi Zhao, Xinning Hu, Luguang Yan, Housheng Wang, Shunzhong Chen
  • Publication number: 20130176028
    Abstract: A system for NMR assessing a sample or a series of samples in turn which comprises means for applying a static magnetic field in a first direction through the sample, pre-polarising means for first applying a magnetic field in substantially the same direction to the sample, means for applying an alternating excitation magnetic field in a second different direction through the sample, means for sensing energy emitted by the sample in response to the excitation magnetic field, and means arranged to provide an indication of an assessment of the sample based on the energy emitted by the sample in response to the excitation magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Michael John Disney Mallett, Gianni Mario Ferrante
  • Publication number: 20130162254
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus includes a magnet unit and a housing unit enclosing the magnet unit. A noise prevention unit is provided which is arranged between the magnet unit and the housing unit enclosing the magnet unit and which has at least one noise prevention element made of an insulating foam. The at least one noise prevention element has a D-shaped cross-sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: ANDREAS HIERL, BERND MACIEJEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20130157865
    Abstract: A system and method for magnetic field distortion compensation includes a cryostat for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The cryostat includes a vacuum casing having a vacuum therein. A cryogen vessel is disposed within the casing, the vessel having a coolant therein. A thermal shield is disposed between the vacuum casing and the cryogen vessel. An eddy current compensation assembly is disposed within the casing. The eddy current compensation assembly includes a plurality of electrically conductive loops formed on one of the vacuum casing, the cryogen vessel, and the thermal shield and constructed to mitigate vibration-induced eddy currents in the MRI system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Patent number: 8466681
    Abstract: Provided is an open-type MRI apparatus comprising a pair of magnetic field generating means arranged to face each other across a space for imaging an object, a pair of static magnetic field generating means holding means for holding the pair of static magnetic field generating means at a predetermined interval, and a pair of tabular gradient magnetic coil structures arranged on the imaging space side of the static magnetic field generating means. The individual tabular gradient magnetic coil structures are fixed on their individually facing static magnetic field generating means at a plurality of positions for suppressing the deformations, which occur in the gradient magnetic coil structures, by the Lorentz forces which act, when driving electric currents are fed to gradient magnetic coils, on the coil conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Munetaka Tsuda, Kenji Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20130147482
    Abstract: The invention relates to a NMR method for determining moisture content of a sample, in which method a sample is objected to a magnetic DC-field, the sample under magnetic DC-field is objected to a sequence of excitation pulses in RF-frequency with pulse interval for exciting hydrogen nuclei, and NMR signal of the excited hydrogen nuclei is measured. In accordance with the invention spin-lattice relaxation time is estimated for the sample, and pulse interval is adjusted longer than the estimated spin-lattice relaxation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: METSO AUTOMATION OY
    Inventors: Veli-Pekka Viitanen, Sami Virtanen
  • Patent number: 8456164
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) tomographic image of a target object such as soft-tissue in humans is obtained in the method and apparatus of the present invention. The target object is first magnetized by a polarizing magnetic field pulse. The magnetization of the object is specified by a 3D spatial Magnetic Density image (MDI). The magnetic field due to the magnetized Object is measured in a 3D volume space that extends in all directions Including substantially along the radial direction, not just on a surface as in prior art. This measured data includes additional information overlooked in prior art and this data is processed to obtain a more accurate 3 D image reconstruction in lesser time than in prior art. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are combined with frequency and phase encoding techniques of Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) technique in prior art to achieve different trade-offs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Muralidhara Subbarao
  • Publication number: 20130127464
    Abstract: A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicants: Sandia Corporation, STC.UNM
    Inventor: STC.UNM
  • Publication number: 20130127466
    Abstract: A scanner for assessing localized oxygenation of a desired region of interest includes a handheld housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A resonator coil is disposed within the housing and also disposed adjacent the distal end of the housing. The resonator coil is configured to both excite and read paramagnetic materials. A magnet is disposed within the housing and also disposed adjacent the distal end of the housing. The magnet is configured to provide a substantially uniform magnetic field over the desired region of interest. The scanner is configured to use electron paramagnetic resonance to assess localized oxygenation in the desired region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: 02 Insights, Inc.
    Inventors: Periannan Kuppusamy, Samit Kumar Gupta, Robert Lawrence Rushenberg
  • Publication number: 20130123110
    Abstract: A re-condensation device allows an NMR analysis device to be reduced in overall size and minimizes heat penetration into a liquid helium tank. An NMR analysis device provided with said re-condensation device. The re-condensation device includes: a second cooling member, part of which is inserted into a neck tube, and which re-condenses liquid helium; and a first cooling member, part of which is inserted into the neck tube. The second cooling member is thermally connected to a chiller's second cooling stage, and the first cooling member is thermally connected to the chiller's first cooling stage. The first cooling member has: a first insertion part, which has a diameter that allows insertion into the neck tube; and an inside contact part on the outer surface of the first insertion part and that cools heat seals by contacting, from the inside, a part of the neck tube that outside contact parts contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventor: Takashi Miki
  • Patent number: 8441256
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance based apparatus capable of measuring, without using time-of-flight measurements, flow regimes of multi-phase fluids in a pipe, comprises a magnetic resonance module through which the fluid phases flow, wherein the magnetic resonance module includes a radiofrequency coil for transmitting and detecting a signal and means for generating inside the module a homogenous constant magnetic field Bx that is thermally compensated and a transverse magnetic field gradient Gx that is superposed on Bx; and at least one pre-polarization module through which the fluid phases flow before entering the magnetic resonance module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniel Pusiol, Mariela Carpinella, Gabriela Albert, Tristán Martin Osán, Juan Manuel Ollé, John Justin Freeman, Matthias Appel, Irene Silvina Espejo Lopez Gamundi
  • Publication number: 20130113483
    Abstract: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet to generate a static magnetic field in an imaging region, a gradient coil assembly to form a gradient in the static magnetic field, a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse with respect to n (n?2) slice regions located at different positions in the imaging region, to excite atomic nuclei of the slice regions, and a controller to control the RF coil assembly to apply a first RF pulse and second RF pulse having a first center frequency f0 to a first slice and to apply a first RF pulse having a second center frequency f0+fs1 and a second RF pulse having a third center frequency f0?fs1 to a second slice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science And Technolo
  • Publication number: 20130106418
    Abstract: In a heat conducting component used in a superconducting magnet refrigeration system and a manufacturing method for the same, a superconducting magnet refrigeration system and magnetic resonance imaging equipment, the heat conducting component includes an aluminum block, annular stainless steel transition part, and a first thin wall tube, wherein there is a through-hole in the aluminum block. The stainless steel transition part is friction welded at one end thereof to one end face of the aluminum block, and has an annular step at that end thereof which is remote from the aluminum block. One end of the thin wall tube is welded to the annular step of the stainless steel transition part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Ji Ming Chen, Zhi Chun Fang
  • Publication number: 20130099787
    Abstract: A resonant power supply is disclosed. The resonant power supply includes a series resonant configured to convert an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage. The resonant power supply further comprises a converter controller coupled to the series resonant converter and configured to receive a DC voltage feedback signal measured at the output of the series resonant converter, or a resonant current feedback signal representing a resonant current flowing through the series resonant converter. The converter controller is further configured to generate control signals to be applied to the series resonant converter to limit the output DC voltage of the series resonant converter according to the DC voltage feedback signal and a predetermined voltage threshold signal, or to limit the resonant current of the series resonant converter according to the resonant current feedback signal and a predetermined current threshold signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8427160
    Abstract: A method of performing high throughput magnetic sensing of one or more samples. The method comprises selecting a first sample having a first bulk magnetic susceptibility, selecting an assay plate having a second bulk magnetic susceptibility matched to the first bulk magnetic susceptibility, the assay plate including multiple wells, introducing the first sample into a plurality of the wells, and performing magnetic sensing on the plurality of wells containing the first sample. Assay plates, caps, kits, and other devices and methods relating to high throughput magnetic sensing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Fishbein
  • Patent number: 8421463
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance system uses a shielded superconducting magnet to produce a dsv useful for specialist imaging in an overall short magnet system at field strengths 1.5 Tesla and above. The magnet includes at least a first central coil C1, which has a length of at least 25% of the overall length of the magnet, and is used in concert with a series of symmetric primary coils, at least one set of which carry current in a direction opposite to that of the central coil. Force balancing is advantageously used in the design of the coils. The primary coils are shielded by at least one shielding coil, which carries current in a direction opposite to the majority of the primary coils. The magnet resonance system can be used for orthopedic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NMR Holdings No. 2 Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Stuart Crozier, Huawei Zhao, Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8390293
    Abstract: A superconductor exemplarily described herein includes a superconducting material containing vortex pinning centers and non-magnetic disorders formed in the superconducting material. The superconductor described herein is suitable for use in magnet applications and power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Yong Jihn Kim
  • Patent number: 8390289
    Abstract: A magnet arrangement for generating an NMR-compatible homogeneous permanent magnetic field is described. The invention has two permanent magnets, referred to hereafter as main magnets, which each have a magnet pole surface area. The magnet pole surface areas are situated parallel and at a distance to one another, so that the main magnets define an interspace on both sides through their magnet surface areas. The magnet pole surfaces of the main magnets each have a magnetic polarization opposite to one another. At least two annular permanent magnets are used, which are referred to hereafter as ring magnets, are situated coaxially to one another and jointly radially bound a ring inner chamber. The ring magnets are situated relative to the two main magnets in so that the ring inner chamber at least regionally encloses the interspace, and the magnetic fields of the main and ring magnets are constructively superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Bertram Manz, Frank Volke, Martin Benecke
  • Patent number: 8384387
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging configuration to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus allowing multi-positioning is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fonar Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond V. Damadian, Gordon T. Danby, Hank Hsieh, John W. Jackson, Mark Gelbien, William H. Wahl, Charles A. Green
  • Publication number: 20130012392
    Abstract: A superconducting switch is provided in which the structural strength of the superconducting switch is kept, and thermal efficiency between a superconducting film and a heater is high when an ON state (superconducting state) and an OFF state (normal conducting state) of the superconducting switch are switched. The superconducting switch includes a substrate, a heater for generating heat by energization, a conductive film, and a MgB2 film evaporated on the conductive film. The heater, the conductive film and the MgB2 film are laminated in this order on one surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Wakuda, Motomune Kodama, Akifumi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8339138
    Abstract: A composite gradient system is described, including a body gradient system and an insert gradient system, in which the body gradient system and the insert gradient system can be driven independently and simultaneously. The composite gradient system can provide an operator with the flexibility of imaging a subject using the body gradient system alone, the insert gradient system alone, or both gradient systems simultaneously, and therefore enjoy the advantages of each gradient system. In some embodiments, the body gradient system and the insert gradient system may be driven concurrently during an imaging sequence to produce composite magnetic field gradients having high amplitude and/or fast slew rate, resulting in high image resolution and/or fast image acquisition. In some embodiments, a subject may be imaged using the body gradient system alone while leaving the insert gradient system in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Parker, John Rock Hadley, Kenneth Craig Goodrich
  • Patent number: 8334697
    Abstract: A generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30, 80) includes primary coil windings (12, 32, 82) and shield coil windings (14, 34, 84) at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and an arcuate or annular central gap (16, 36, 86) that is free of coil windings, has an axial extent (W) of at least ten centimeters, and spans at least a 180° angular interval. Connecting conductors (24, 44, 94) disposed at each edge of the central gap electrically connect selected primary and secondary coil windings. In a scanner setting, a main magnet (62, 64) is disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings. In a hybrid scanner setting, an annular ring of positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (66) is disposed in the central gap of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Johan A. Overweg, Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Gordon D. Demeester, Michael A. Morich
  • Patent number: 8319588
    Abstract: A hollow cylindrical thermal shield for a tubular cryogenically cooled superconducting magnet, has a first axis, an inner cylindrical tube having an axis aligned with the first axis, an outer cylindrical tube of greater diameter than the diameter of the inner cylindrical tube, having an axis aligned with the first axis, and annular end pieces, joining the inner cylindrical tube and the outer cylindrical tube to form an enclosure. The hollow cylindrical thermal shield further has a cylindrical stiffener, extending axially at least part of the axial length of the inner cylindrical tube, the stiffener being joined at intervals to the inner cylindrical tube, thereby to improve the mechanical rigidity of the inner cylindrical tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventor: Simon James Calvert
  • Patent number: 8295905
    Abstract: A patient imaging system includes a patient support table, an MRI system including a cylindrical magnet and a PET system including positron detectors mounted in a ring. The magnet defines a cylindrical bore for receiving the patient on the table where the magnet is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on a slew ring carried on rails allowing longitudinal movement. The PET ring is mounted in the bore for longitudinal movement. The quench tube for the magnet passes through the slew ring with a rotary union at the axis. The shielding covers include a fixed upper part and a lower part which rotates about the axis with the magnet. The magnet is arranged in a two or three room diagnostic configuration in which a holding bay houses the magnet and the diagnostic patients are organized in the three rooms each cooperating with the magnet bay as the magnet is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Imris Inc.
    Inventors: David Graves, John Saunders, Gord Klimenko, Tony Lentz, Hong Yu, Jonathan Li, James Schellenberg
  • Patent number: 8279030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of electrical, mechanical and thermal isolation of superconductive magnet coils includes a superconductive magnet for environments wherein large differences of electrical potential between the interior superconductive winding and the exterior of the device, on the order of 103to 106 Volts may exist. The methods and apparatus also includes insulation, cooling, and structural elements such that the interior of the device is capable of maintaining cryogenic temperatures needed for superconductivity, even in the presence of high heat flux incident on the overall winding housing. Finally, a device includes structural elements for support against gravity and other forces exerted on the assembly that include expansion jointing and stabilization to minimize warping or bending of the assembly due to temperature gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Magnetic-Electrostatic Confinement (MEC) Corporation
    Inventors: Devlin Baker, Daniel Bateman
  • Patent number: 8258903
    Abstract: A superconducting, actively shielded magnet has a first and second superconducting coil modules that generate a homogeneous magnetic field in a first direction in an operating volume of the magnet and that reduces the scatter magnetic field in an environment of the magnet. A third superconducting coil module is arranged in proximity to the first and second coil modules. The third coil module is fashioned to generate a compensation gradient field given occurrence of an interference gradient field in the environment so that the effect of the interference gradient field in the operating volume is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Guenter Schnur
  • Patent number: 8222985
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet configuration (4; 14) for generating a homogeneous magnetic field B0 in an examination volume (4b), has an interior radial superconducting main field coil (1) which is disposed rotationally symmetrically about an axis (z-axis) and an oppositely driven coaxial radially exterior superconducting shielding coil (2) is characterized in that the magnet configuration (4; 14) consists of the main field coil (1), the shielding coil (2), a ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) and a ferromagnetic shielding body (AK), wherein the ferromagnetic field formation device (3; 18) is located at the radially inside of the main field coil (1) and the ferromagnetic shielding device (AK) surrounds the main field coil (1) and the shielding coil (2) in a radial and axial direction, the main field coil (1) consisting of an unstructured solenoid coil or of several radially nested unstructured solenoid coils (15, 16) which are driven in the same direction, the axial extent Labs of the shielding coil (2)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Neuberth, Michael Westphal
  • Patent number: 8224420
    Abstract: This invention provides a MRI guided ultrasound therapy apparatus. It comprises a static field magnet adapted to apply a static magnetic field in an magnetic resonance volume at a predetermined disposition; at least one ultrasound energy applicator adapted to apply energy within an energy application zone at a predetermined disposition; and The mechanical positioning means for moving said ultrasound energy applicator to position the applicator so that the energy application zone intersects said magnetic resonance volume within said region of the subject. In that apparatus, the static field magnet is open at both ends or open at side. The sided open is upward or downward and the mechanical positioning means of this ultrasound energy applicator is close to and is located outside of this sided open. This invention reduces the space limitation for the mechanical positioning means of the ultrasound transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Chongqing Ronghai Medical Ultrasound Industry Ltd.
    Inventors: Mu Mu, Wenzhi Chen, Hai Wang, Long Wang
  • Patent number: 8212564
    Abstract: In an MRI apparatus having an open structure, vibration caused by eddy current is reduced with keeping the magnetic field shielding capability of a high frequency shield disposed between a gradient magnetic field coil and a high frequency coil. The high frequency shield comprises two conductive sheets 501, 503 which are divided into plural parts at different positions, and a dielectric sheet 502 sandwiched therebetween. Accordingly, in the high frequency shield, the electric resistivity to high frequency magnetic field is lower than the electric resistivity to the switching frequency of gradient magnetic field, whereby the high frequency shield can act as a uniform conductor to the high frequency magnetic field, exercise the shielding capability of the high frequency magnetic field, reduce eddy current occurring due to passage of gradient magnetic field therethrough and suppress vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Munetaka Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8198897
    Abstract: The magnetic field homogeneity adjusting device (20) is characterized by comprising a magnetic field distribution measuring unit (21) for measuring the magnetic field distribution in the magnetic field space, a temperature variation calculating unit (22) for calculating the temperature variation of the ferromagnetic bodies needed to improve the homogeneity of the magnetic field space based on the measured magnetic field distribution, and a temperature control unit (12) for setting a temperature control value of the ferromagnetic bodies according to the calculated temperature variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuya Ando, Kenji Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 8188744
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a magnetic field includes a coil type magnetic resonator having a resonant frequency with respect to a magnetic field varying at a particular frequency and a loop antenna inductively coupled to the coil type magnetic resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Wangjoo Lee, Dong Ho Kim, Jeong Ho Ju, Jae Ick Choi
  • Patent number: 8154286
    Abstract: A magnetic field generator includes a power source and a coil connected to the power source to generate a time-varying magnetic field. Energy is applied to the coil so that the coil generates a time-varying magnetic field gradient with a magnitude of at least 1 milliTesla per meter and a rise-time of less than 10 microseconds. One or more of a capacitor, a multi-stage high-voltage switch, and/or a pulse-forming network may assist with the generation of the magnetic field gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: Irving Weinberg
  • Patent number: 8154368
    Abstract: An actively shielded superconducting magnet configuration (M1; M2; M3; 14) for generating a homogeneous magnetic field B0 in a volume under investigation (4b) has a radially inner superconducting main field coil (1) which is disposed rotationally symmetrically about an axis (z axis) and a coaxial radially outer superconducting shielding coil (2) which is operated in an opposite direction. The magnet configuration consists of the main field coil, the shielding coil and a ferromagnetic field-shaping device (3; 18), wherein the ferromagnetic field-shaping device is disposed radially inside the main field coil. The main field coil consists of an unstructured solenoid coil or of several radially nested unstructured solenoid coils (15, 16) which are operated in the same direction. An extension Labs of the shielding coil in the axial direction is smaller than the extension Lhaupt of the main field coil in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Westphal, Gerald Neuberth
  • Patent number: 8151443
    Abstract: A method of producing a former for winding a magnet coil, which former has a pattern of recess-defining ridges that define at least one recess into which wire may be wound to form a magnet coil. The method includes the steps of: producing an accurately machined tool bearing protrusions conforming to an inverse of said pattern of recess-defining ridges; producing said former by molding material against said accurately machined tool; and separating the former from the accurately machined tool. The invention also provides a method of producing a magnet coil employing the former so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventors: Matthew Hobbs, Edgar Charles Malcolm Rayner
  • Patent number: 8148988
    Abstract: A magnet arrangement includes (a) a first and a second head ring magnet each having a substantially circular geometry with respect to a center axis and (b) a central ring magnet having a substantially circular geometry with respect to a center axis. The central ring magnet is disposed between the first and second head ring magnet in direction of the center axis. At least one of the magnets includes a first number of first magnets having at least one trapezoidal cross section and a second number of second magnets having at least one rectangular cross section. The second magnets are disposed in between the first magnets in circumferential direction. With this geometrical arrangement, magnets having a trapezoidal cross section include a guidance for a magnet having a rectangular cross section allowing the movements in radial direction of these last magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: RWTH Aachen
    Inventors: Bernhard Blumich, Ernesto Pablo Danieli, Federico Casanova, Juan Francisco Perlo
  • Patent number: 8143895
    Abstract: In a superconducting magnet assembly a plurality of superconducting coils, joined in series, are housed within a cryostat. A coil node between two electrically adjacent of the superconducting coils provides an input voltage. A coil node voltage output is provided comprising a series resistor connected between the coil node and a further node. A non-linear element is connected between the further node and a ground voltage, and an output connector is electrically connected to the further node and traverses a boundary of the cryostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Plc.
    Inventor: Hugh Alexander Blakes
  • Patent number: 8138760
    Abstract: A temperature system is provided with magnetic field suppression. In one embodiment, the temperature system comprises a plurality of conductors patterned to conduct current in directions that generate 2N multipole magnetic moments that interact to suppress the magnetic fields generated by the current conducting through the plurality of conductors, where N is an integer that is greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Bulatowicz
  • Publication number: 20120065073
    Abstract: A magnetic field source is provided comprising a support structure upon which is positioned a conducting surface path of superconductor material. The support structure has an at least partially radially overlapping layer of material arranged in a spiral. A corresponding conducting surface path of superconductor material is arranged on the surface of the support structure such that the conducting path has a first point for the introduction of current and a second point for the extraction of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: 3-CS LTD
    Inventors: Eamonn Maher, Ian Leitch McDougall
  • Patent number: 8134433
    Abstract: Main coils, counteracting coils and correction coils, each forming superconducting coil, are enclosed in two cooling medium chamber facing to each other and an imaging region is formed between the two cooling medium chamber positioned in each vacuum chamber, the main coils being divided into two pieces to reduce the current density and the maximum experience magnetic filed and compression stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsushi Abe, Takeshi Nakayama, Masanori Takahashi