Polarizing Field Magnet Patents (Class 324/319)
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Patent number: 8552726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Yoshitomo Sakakura
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Patent number: 8542015Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yuri Lvovsky, Weijun Shen, Jian-She Wang
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Patent number: 8536870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Inventors: William F. B. Punchard, Kai-Ming Lo, Piotr M. Starewicz, Hoby Hetherington
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Patent number: 8536869Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Hiromi Kawamoto
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Publication number: 20130234711Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Peter Dietz, Bernd Maciejewski, Annette Stein
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Publication number: 20130234712Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Peter Dietz, Annette Stein
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Publication number: 20130231248Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Stephen M. HARRISON
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Publication number: 20130229179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: T2 Biosystems, Inc.Inventor: W. David LEE
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Publication number: 20130229182Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: BRUKER BIOSPIN AGInventors: Schimun Denoth, Silvia Buttazzoni, Thomas Speck, Dirk Wilhelm
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Patent number: 8519712Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jin Jun Chen, Oliver Schreck
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Patent number: 8513946Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Imris Inc.Inventors: Alexander Shvartsberg, Labros Petropoulos
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Publication number: 20130184158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Acade my of SciencesInventors: Qiuliang Wang, Yinming Dai, Baozhi Zhao, Xinning Hu, Luguang Yan, Housheng Wang, Shunzhong Chen
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Publication number: 20130176028Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: July 11, 2013Inventors: Michael John Disney Mallett, Gianni Mario Ferrante
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Publication number: 20130162254Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2012Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: ANDREAS HIERL, BERND MACIEJEWSKI
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Publication number: 20130157865Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: General Electric Company
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Patent number: 8466681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventors: Munetaka Tsuda, Kenji Sakakibara
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Publication number: 20130147482Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: METSO AUTOMATION OYInventors: Veli-Pekka Viitanen, Sami Virtanen
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Patent number: 8456164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Inventor: Muralidhara Subbarao
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Publication number: 20130127464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicants: Sandia Corporation, STC.UNMInventor: STC.UNM
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Publication number: 20130127466Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: 02 Insights, Inc.Inventors: Periannan Kuppusamy, Samit Kumar Gupta, Robert Lawrence Rushenberg
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Publication number: 20130123110Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventor: Takashi Miki
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Patent number: 8441256Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Daniel Pusiol, Mariela Carpinella, Gabriela Albert, Tristán Martin Osán, Juan Manuel Ollé, John Justin Freeman, Matthias Appel, Irene Silvina Espejo Lopez Gamundi
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Publication number: 20130113483Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicants: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea Advanced Institute of Science And Technolo
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Publication number: 20130106418Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Ji Ming Chen, Zhi Chun Fang
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Publication number: 20130099787Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
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Patent number: 8427160Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesInventor: Kenneth W. Fishbein
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Patent number: 8421463Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: NMR Holdings No. 2 Pty Ltd.Inventors: Stuart Crozier, Huawei Zhao, Feng Liu
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Patent number: 8390293Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Yong Jihn Kim
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Patent number: 8390289Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Bertram Manz, Frank Volke, Martin Benecke
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Patent number: 8384387Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Fonar CorporationInventors: Raymond V. Damadian, Gordon T. Danby, Hank Hsieh, John W. Jackson, Mark Gelbien, William H. Wahl, Charles A. Green
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Publication number: 20130012392Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Wakuda, Motomune Kodama, Akifumi Matsuda
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Patent number: 8339138Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Dennis Lee Parker, John Rock Hadley, Kenneth Craig Goodrich
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Patent number: 8334697Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Johan A. Overweg, Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Gordon D. Demeester, Michael A. Morich
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Patent number: 8319588Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Siemens PlcInventor: Simon James Calvert
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Patent number: 8295905Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Imris Inc.Inventors: David Graves, John Saunders, Gord Klimenko, Tony Lentz, Hong Yu, Jonathan Li, James Schellenberg
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Patent number: 8279030Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Magnetic-Electrostatic Confinement (MEC) CorporationInventors: Devlin Baker, Daniel Bateman
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Patent number: 8258903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Guenter Schnur
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Patent number: 8222985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbHInventors: Gerald Neuberth, Michael Westphal
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Patent number: 8224420Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Chongqing Ronghai Medical Ultrasound Industry Ltd.Inventors: Mu Mu, Wenzhi Chen, Hai Wang, Long Wang
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Patent number: 8212564Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventor: Munetaka Tsuda
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Patent number: 8198897Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Medical CorporationInventors: Ryuya Ando, Kenji Sakakibara
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Patent number: 8188744Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Wangjoo Lee, Dong Ho Kim, Jeong Ho Ju, Jae Ick Choi
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Patent number: 8154286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Inventor: Irving Weinberg
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Patent number: 8154368Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Bruker BioSpin GmbHInventors: Michael Westphal, Gerald Neuberth
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Patent number: 8151443Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Siemens PlcInventors: Matthew Hobbs, Edgar Charles Malcolm Rayner
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Patent number: 8148988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: RWTH AachenInventors: Bernhard Blumich, Ernesto Pablo Danieli, Federico Casanova, Juan Francisco Perlo
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Patent number: 8143895Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Siemens Plc.Inventor: Hugh Alexander Blakes
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Patent number: 8138760Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Bulatowicz
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Publication number: 20120065073Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: 3-CS LTDInventors: Eamonn Maher, Ian Leitch McDougall
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Patent number: 8134433Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsushi Abe, Takeshi Nakayama, Masanori Takahashi