Electronic Circuit Elements Patents (Class 324/322)
  • Patent number: 11143725
    Abstract: A sensor for a nuclear magnetic resonance device includes a magnetic field generation apparatus with a planar magnet arrangement for generating a static magnetic field in a useful volume. The planar magnet arrangement has a plurality of magnetic poles on a front side facing the useful volume, which are arranged adjacent to each other along an extension direction of the planar magnet arrangement with alternating orientation, and a measuring apparatus for measuring a signal based on nuclear magnetic resonance of a material sample arranged in the useful volume. The measuring apparatus includes an electrical coil having a winding for generating an alternating magnetic field in the useful volume, the winding arranged between two directly adjacent magnetic poles of the planar magnet arrangement such that the alternating magnetic field of the electrical coil is superposed with the static magnetic field of the planar magnet arrangement orthogonally in the entire useful volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Ulli Hoffmann, Michael Distler, Stefan Wintzheimer, Toni Driesle
  • Patent number: 11125842
    Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Xiaohu Liu, Han Peng, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate
  • Patent number: 11122988
    Abstract: A technology of improving image quality of a calculation image or parameter estimation accuracy even in a case where a method of simultaneously generating calculation images of a plurality of parameters is used is provided. Thus, by utilization of a reconstructed image in an optimal resolution of each parameter to be estimated, a value of the parameter is estimated and a calculation image that is a distribution of the value of the parameter is acquired. A reconstructed image in an optimal resolution is acquired by adjustment of a resolution of a reconstructed image acquired in an optimal resolution of an estimation parameter with the highest optimal resolution among parameters to be estimated in scanning. Alternatively, in scanning, only a reconstructed image used for calculation of a predetermined parameter to be estimated is acquired in an optimal resolution of the parameter to be estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yo Taniguchi, Suguru Yokosawa, Hisaaki Ochi, Toru Shirai, Shinji Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 11119167
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a wireless communication station (600) which: receives via a receive antenna element (630) at least one first clock signal among two or more first clock signals which are synchronized with a first clock (510); transmits two or more second clock signals from two or more transmit antenna elements (620-1) of a phased array antenna (620); transmits data representing a sensed magnetic resonance signal from at least two of the transmit antenna elements; outputs a clock synchronization signal in response to the received first clock signal(s); and synchronizes a second clock (610) to the first clock signal in response to the clock synchronization signal. The first clock signals are transmitted by a phased array antenna (520) of another wireless communication station (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Calderon Rico, Arne Reykowski, Paul Franz Redder
  • Patent number: 11119165
    Abstract: Aspects of photonic band gap resonators for magnetic resonance are described. In one example, an apparatus includes a 1D structure having a plurality of layers. A respective thickness of the individual layers is one-quarter of a respective wavelength of a target magnetic resonance frequency within the individual layers of the plurality of layers, or a multiple thereof. A first layer has a first dielectric constant, and a second layer that is adjacent to the first layer has a second dielectric constant. A defect includes a sample. The defect has a thickness that is approximately up to one-half of a wavelength of the target magnetic resonance frequency within the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: North Carolina State University Office of Research Commercialization
    Inventors: Alexander Nevzorov, Alexej I. Smirnov, Sergey Milikisiyants
  • Patent number: 11099249
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system comprising a body coil (9) for magnetic resonance imaging and an RF amplifier connected to the body coil (9) for feeding the body coil (9) with an RF signal, wherein the body coil (9) comprises two different ports (21, 22) for feeding the RF signal into the body coil (9), the body coil (9) is provided with a switch for selectively activating only one single port (21, 22) for feeding the RF signal to the body coil (9) at a time, and the two ports (21, 22) are located at different locations of the body coil (9) such that the dependence of the reflected part of the RF signal fed into the body coil (9) from the weight of the examination object (1) to which the body coil (9) is applied is different for the two ports (21, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christoph Leussler, Ingo Schmale, Christian Findeklee, Oliver Lips
  • Patent number: 11092660
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a medical image acquisition device with a pilot tone transmitter and a pilot tone receiver and to a method for operating the same. The pilot tone transmitter is configured to emit an electromagnetic radio frequency signal into a patient. The pilot tone receiver is configured to receive the radio frequency signal and to decode an item of information relating to a physiological process in the patient. The pilot tone transmitter has a modulator configured to modulate the electromagnetic radio frequency signal with a code and the pilot tone receiver is configured to select the modulated radio frequency signal using the encoding from a plurality of signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Speier, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 11079450
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, and low-cost disposable radio frequency (RF) coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, an RF coil assembly for an MRI imaging system includes a loop portion comprising distributed capacitance conductor wires, a coupling electronics portion including a pre-amplifier; and a disposable material enclosing at least the loop portion, the disposable material comprising one or more of paper, plastic, and/or cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Steven Stormont, Scott Allen Lindsay, Dashen Chu, Ricardo M. Matias
  • Patent number: 11047936
    Abstract: In some aspects, a resonator device includes a dielectric substrate, a ground plane on a first side of the substrate, and conductors on a second, opposite side of the substrate. The conductors include first and second resonators and two baluns. Each balun includes a feed, a first branch and a second branch. The feed is connected to the first and second branches, and the first and second branches are capacitively coupled to the respective first and second resonators. The first branch includes a delay line configured to produce a phase shift relative to the second branch. The resonator device includes a sample region configured to support a magnetic resonance sample between the first and second resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Quantum Valley Investment Fund LP
    Inventors: Hamidreza Mohebbi, Grum Teklemariam, David Cory
  • Patent number: 11041929
    Abstract: Systems and methods for MR signal synchronization may be provided. The method may include determining a time difference in a local clock generator at a coil side assembly compared to a system clock generator at a system side assembly. The method may include maintaining a constant phase difference between clock signals generated by the local clock generator and by the system clock generator by correcting the local clock generator based on the time difference. The method may include acquiring MR echo signals by scanning at least a part of a subject in response to the clock signal generated by the corrected local clock generator. The method may further include digitizing the MR echo signal at the coil side assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ling Ji
  • Patent number: 11002813
    Abstract: A gradient coil assembly of a magnetic resonance imaging system includes at least one gradient coil, a cooling arrangement for cooling the gradient coil, and an RF shield. The cooling arrangement includes at least one cooling tube that is configured to transport a cooling fluid and which is disposed on and in thermal contact with the gradient coil, wherein the assembly further comprises a thermal connector arrangement with at least one of a first thermal connector disposed between the RF shield and the at least one cooling tube, which provides a radially extending connection between the RF shield and the at least one cooling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jun Pan, Lingcheng Yuan, Jian Lin, Yun Zhou
  • Patent number: 10989773
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a local coil with an energy supply device, a system including an energy transmitting device and a local coil, and a method for operating the system. The local coil includes an energy store, a clock control system, and an energy receiving device for the wireless reception of energy from the energy transmitting device. The clock control system of the local coil is configured to be synchronized with an external clock source. The clock control system has a signal connection with the energy supply device and is configured to control energy take-up via the energy receiving device in dependence on the synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Fackelmeier
  • Patent number: 10989779
    Abstract: An under-sampling apparatus for MR image reconstruction by using machine learning and a method thereof, an MR image reconstruction device by using machine learning and a method thereof, and a recoding medium thereof are disclosed. The disclosed under-smapling apparatus includes: a setting portion that sets a region corresponding to a center of the k-space image as a first region and remaining regions as a second region; and an under-sampling portion that full-samples the first region and under-samples the second region, wherein in the under-sampling performed in the second region, lines are selected at regular intervals and then only the selected line is full-sampled. According to the under-sampling apparatus, a high-resolution MR image can be acquired while reducing imaing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: YONSEI UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY - INDUSTRY FOUNDATION (UIF)
    Inventors: Chang Min Hyun, Jin Keun Seo, Hwa Pyung Kim, Sung Min Lee, Sung Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 10989780
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a receiving coil unit. The apparatus includes first circuitry which transmits an RF pulse based on a first clock. The coil unit includes clock generating circuitry, a receiving coil and first conversion circuitry. The clock generating circuitry generates a second clock. The first conversion circuitry samples a magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the second clock. The coil unit further includes generation circuitry which generates shift information regarding a difference between the first clock and the second clock, and shift correction circuitry which corrects the sampled magnetic resonance signal by using the shift information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Uchida, Koji Akita
  • Patent number: 10976393
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is provided. The MRI system can include a magnetic field device to generate a magnetic field within a measurement volume and to generate a magnetic fringe field external to the measurement volume. The MRI system can include a ferromagnetic housing to envelop the magnetic field device. The housing can have a first portion and a second portion, where thickness of the first portion is different from thickness of the second portion. The MRI system can include a plate having a plate opening and positioned external to the housing at a predetermined distance from the housing. In some embodiments, the magnetic fringe field generated by the MRI system can be asymmetric with respect to a center of the measurement volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ASPECT IMAGING LTD.
    Inventors: Uri Rapoport, Yoram Cohen, Yair Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 10963764
    Abstract: According to another embodiment, a system includes a driver circuit that drives a first output and a second output; a coil coupled between the first output and the second output such that the driver circuit drives current through the coil in response to control signals; and a programmable slew circuit coupled to the driver circuit. In some embodiments, a switch is coupled between the first output and the coil. In some embodiments an over-voltage protection circuit is coupled to protect the driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Liu, Tao Qi, Lijie Zhao, Gustavo James Mehas, Tae Kwang Park, Zhitong Guo, Siqiang Fan
  • Patent number: 10948843
    Abstract: Partial discharges in a high voltage electric machine can be monitored by a partial discharge monitor connected to the high voltage electric machine successively via a capacitive coupler and a connection cable. The connection cable can have a conductive element designed to self-destruct in the presence of electric current amplitude significantly exceeding expected current amplitudes from said partial discharges, and having diameter designed to avoid creation of additional partial discharges within the cable itself. The connection cable can be light enough to avoid adding excessive weight to the stator windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: VIBROSYSTM INC.
    Inventors: Marius Cloutier, Mathieu Cloutier
  • Patent number: 10929981
    Abstract: In a GTV segmentation method, a PET-CT image pair and an RTCT image of a human body are obtained. A PET image in the PET-CT image pair is aligned to the RTCT image to obtain an aligned PET image. A first PSNN performs a first GTV segmentation on the RTCT image to obtain a first segmentation image. The RTCT image and the aligned PET image are concatenated into a first concatenated image. A second PSNN performs a second GTV segmentation on the first concatenated image to obtain a second segmentation image. The RTCT image, the first segmentation image, and the second segmentation image are concatenated into a second concatenated image. A third PSNN performs a third GTV segmentation on the second concatenated image to obtain an object segmentation image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ping An Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dakai Jin, Dazhou Guo, Le Lu, Adam Patrick Harrison
  • Patent number: 10921401
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a flexible, lightweight, low-cost radio frequency (RF) coil array of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. In one example, a RF coil array for a MRI system includes a plurality of RF coils, each RF coil comprising an integrated capacitor coil loop; a plurality of coupling electronics units each coupled to a respective coil loop; and a plurality of wires coupling each coupling electronics unit to an interface board configured to couple to a cable of the MRI system. The RF coil array is a high density (referring to the number of coil elements) anterior array (HDAA) or a high definition (referring to image resolution) anterior array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Nabeel Malik, Michael Clark, Kolman Juhasz, Edwin Eigenbrodt, Robert Stormont, Scott Lindsay
  • Patent number: 10921413
    Abstract: A high-frequency magnetic field generating device includes two coils arranged with a predetermined gap in parallel with each other, the two coils (a) in between which electron spin resonance material is arranged or (b) arranged at one side from electron spin resonance material; a high-frequency power supply that generates microwave current that flows in the two coils; and a transmission line part connected to the two coils, that sets a current distribution so as to locate the two coils at positions other than a node of a stationary wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SUMIDA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Yoshii, Masaki Saito, Norikazu Mizuochi, Kan Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10914850
    Abstract: A housing for shielding a sensor from a radiofrequency field and an imaging system including the same are provided in the present disclosure. The imaging system may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The housing may include a plurality of walls forming at least a part of a cavity for accommodating a sensor of the imaging system. At least one of the plurality of walls may include a substrate and a multi-layered structure disposed on the substrate. The multi-layered structure may include a plurality of metallic layers. At least one pair of adjacent layers of the plurality of metallic layers may include slits. The slits of the at least one pair of adjacent layers may be staggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiaxu Zheng, Lingzhi Hu, Tuoyu Cao, Tianyi Zeng
  • Patent number: 10890634
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in RF signal chain circuitry for a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. A switching circuit in the RF signal chain circuitry may include at least one field effect transistor (FET) configured to operate as an RF switch at an operating frequency of less than 10 MHz. A decoupling circuit may include tuning circuitry coupled across inputs of an amplifier and active feedback circuitry coupled between an output of the amplifier and an input of the amplifier, wherein the active feedback circuitry includes a feedback capacitor configured to reduce a quality factor of an RF coil coupled to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Hyperfine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Hadrien A. Dyvorne, Todd Rearick
  • Patent number: 10884081
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmission channel, a first phase shifter, and a second phase shifter. The transmission channel is configured to arrange, in at least a partial section between a generator and a transmitter coil, radio frequency (RF) pulse signals to be transmitted parallel to one another via a plurality of channels. The first phase shifter is configured to shift at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals to be transmitted via the channels, so that the phases of the RF pulse signals are in a relationship of being different from one another. The second phase shifter is configured to shift, in accordance with a phase amount shifted by the first phase shifter, at least one of phases of the RF pulse signals at a stage prior to inputting the RE pulse signals to the transmitter coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruki Nakamura, Kazuyuki Soejima
  • Patent number: 10871530
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing noise in RF signal chain circuitry for a low-field magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. A switching circuit in the RF signal chain circuitry may include at least one field effect transistor (FET) configured to operate as an RF switch at an operating frequency of less than 10 MHz. A decoupling circuit may include tuning circuitry coupled across inputs of an amplifier and active feedback circuitry coupled between an output of the amplifier and an input of the amplifier, wherein the active feedback circuitry includes a feedback capacitor configured to reduce a quality factor of an RF coil coupled to the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hyperfine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Hadrien A. Dyvorne, Todd Rearick
  • Patent number: 10859648
    Abstract: Various systems are provided for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In one example, a method includes selecting a contour topology for operating a configurable radio frequency (RF) coil assembly, wherein the configurable RF coil assembly includes an array of conductive segments coupled via a plurality of switches, and the contour topology defines a configuration of one or more RF coil elements formed on the configurable RF coil assembly. The method further includes, during a receive mode, at least partially activating one or more subsets of switches of the plurality of switches according to the selected contour topology to form the one or more RF coil elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Fraser John Laing Robb, Robert Steven Stormont, Victor Taracila, Dan Kenrick Spence
  • Patent number: 10838025
    Abstract: A radio-frequency system for a magnetic resonance apparatus has a local coil, a body coil, and an impedance adjusting shield. The body coil is wirelessly power-coupled with the local coil such that the body coil serves as a transmitting coil for radio-frequency signals and the local coil serves as a receiving coil for magnetic resonance signals. The local coil is disposed in an internal cavity of the impedance adjusting shield. An impedance of the local coil is adjusted by the impedance adjusting shield so as to match the impedance of the local coil and the body coil. The impedance adjusting shield has a frequency modulation element that adjusts the resonance frequency of the local coil. The body coil couples power to the local coil, and the impedance adjusting shield effectively reduces energy transmission efficiency loss caused by reflection, thereby improving energy transmission efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Yan Li Chen, Shu Du, Markus Vester, Jian Min Wang
  • Patent number: 10838028
    Abstract: An MRI RF coil array for use in a multi-channel MRI system, comprising a plurality of coils arranged in a M by N array, the number of columns corresponding with the number of channels in the MRI system. Columns are aligned with the B0 field. The plurality of coils are configured as a plurality of combined coils, corresponding with the number of columns, comprising a coil in a first row of the array connected with a coil in each of the remaining rows. The column position of each coil of a combined coil is distinct from the column position of each other coil of the combined coil. Coils of a combined coil are disjoint from the coils of each, other, combined coil. A combined coil is configured to connect with a corresponding member of the plurality of Rx channels, and is decoupled from each, other combined coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Quality Electrodynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Yang, Tsinghua Zheng, Haoqin Zhu
  • Patent number: 10837926
    Abstract: An example includes performing near infra-red (NIR) spectrometry to provide NIR measurement data for a sample compound. The method also includes performing magnetic resonance (MR) spectrometry to provide MR measurement data for the sample compound. The method also includes analyzing, by a computing device, the MR measurement data in view of the NIR measurement data to characterize the sample compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Soumyajit Mandal, Swarup Bhunia, Naren Vikram Raj Masna, Cheng Chen, Mason Greer, Fengchao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10788552
    Abstract: A control unit (56) operates a gradient coil device of a magnetic resonance imaging system (14). At least one first parameter of the gradient coil device (30) and/or at least one second parameter of the gradient coil device (30) is provided. A damage calculation of an operation of the gradient coil device (30) is performed by use of a mathematical model (66), which model (66) is based on the stress-cycle curve or a modified stress-cycle curve and uses the at least one first parameter (68) and/or the at least one second parameter (70, 72). Second parameters for further operation of said gradient coil device (30) are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Martijn Krelis Termeer
  • Patent number: 10775456
    Abstract: A sample pipe is provided in a sample temperature control pipe. A detection coil is provided in a low-temperature airtight chamber and configured to irradiate a sample with a high-frequency magnetic field. A room-temperature shield is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the sample temperature control pipe or on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and is configured to block irradiation of the high-frequency magnetic field from the detection coil from reaching a region other than an observation object. A low-temperature shield is provided in an airtight chamber and between the detection coil and the room-temperature shield and is configured to block irradiation of the high-frequency magnetic field from the detection coil from reaching the room-temperature shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Toshima, Shigenori Tsuji, Shinji Nakamura, Fumio Hobo, Takeshi Tsukada, Akifumi Nomura
  • Patent number: 10746823
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting an NMR sample to a probe head (16), having a shuttle (15) and a locking apparatus (3) for the rotor (5), which, when attaching the shuttle to the probe head, releases the rotor, and having a detecting apparatus for detecting the rotor in the shuttle. The probe head has a positioning apparatus (2), which holds the probe head in a defined measuring position relative to the shuttle. The detecting apparatus includes a sensor line, which transmits a signal dependent on the position of the probe head to the shuttle's end. A first portion (1a) of the sensor line is mounted inside the shuttle and extends from the rotor in a transport state to the end of the shuttle. A second portion (1b) of the sensor line is mounted inside the probe head and, in the measuring position, is directly adjacent to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: BRUKER SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Jonathan De Vries, Sven Sieber, Roger Meister
  • Patent number: 10739427
    Abstract: The gradient coil assembly is designed to address a neck-shoulder clearance problem by configuring the coil holder housing with a cylindrical portion modified with a slanted surface and positioning current return elements of the coil pattern at the slanted surface, while positioning the active electrical elements on the cylindrical surface, thus eliminating influence of an undesired magnetic field generated by the current return elements, shortening the coil, and moving the homogeneous field gradient region toward the end of the cylindrical portion of the bore in the coil holder housing. The subject assembly operation is further improved by the direct external cooling approach, where a coolant flows in direct contact with electrical wires of the gradient coil inside the cooling channels in the surface of the coil holder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: University of Maryland, The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Bao Yang, Hanbing Lu, Zhi Yang
  • Patent number: 10677873
    Abstract: A system for correcting an artifact within MR data is provided. The system includes a magnet assembly and a controller in electronic communication with the magnet assembly. The controller is operative to: acquire the MR data from a subject via the magnet assembly, the MR data having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including the artifact; and to populate the first portion of the MR data with substitute data corresponding to the second portion. The first portion corresponds to a first region of the subject, and the second portion corresponds to a second region of the subject that is anatomically symmetrical to the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Gaspar Delso
  • Patent number: 10670673
    Abstract: A transmitting device and a method for transmitting two high frequency signals for a magnetic resonance tomograph are provided. The transmitting device includes a shielded balanced transmission line, a first signal driver, and a second signal driver. The first signal driver and the second signal driver feed the first high frequency signal to a first conductor and the second high frequency signal to a second conductor of the balanced transmission line. A shielding of the balanced transmission line has an electrical connection to a common ground potential for the first signal driver and the second signal driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Bollenbeck
  • Patent number: 10641851
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil array with multiple RF coil elements for a magnetic resonance examination system is disclosed. The decoupling of RF coil elements involves sets (pairs) of transformers and may also include geometrical overlap of adjacent coils. The mutual coupling between the transformers is adjustable. This provides additional degrees of freedom to fully decouple the RF coil elements from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijle Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christian Findelkee, Christoph Leussler
  • Patent number: 10641845
    Abstract: A technique for reconciling large sensitivity area and high sensitivity for deep part in a multi-channel array coil of an MRI apparatus without complicating the configuration, and realizing both higher speed imaging and high image quality is provided. An RF coil (array coil) of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising a plurality of subcoils is provided. At least one of the subcoils is a first subcoil of which resonance frequency as that of the subcoil alone differs from magnetic resonance frequency. The first subcoil is adjusted so that it magnetically couples with a second subcoil, which is at least one other subcoil, and thus resonates at the same frequency as the magnetic resonance frequency. Input and output terminals of the first subcoil and the second subcoil are connected to different low input and output impedance signal processing circuits, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Otake, Hisaaki Ochi, Kohjiro Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 10641846
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving (RX) radio-frequency (RF) signals suitable for MRI and/or MRS from a plurality of MRI “coil elements” (antennae), each contained in one or a plurality of body-coil parts, wherein the body-coil parts are easily assemble-able into a body-coil assembly (e.g., in some embodiments, a cylindrical body-coil assembly) with shield elements that are overlapped and/or concentric, and wherein the body-coil assembly is readily disassemble-able for easier shipping, and wherein the body-coil parts are optionally usable individually as transmit (TX) and/or receive (RX) coil elements for MRI. In some embodiments, the system provides for repeatable assembly and disassembly for ease of maintenance (such as frequency tuning and impedance matching) such that the body-coil assembly can be fully assembled and tested, then taken apart for less costly and easier shipping (with reduced risk of damage) and then reassembled at the destination for operation in an MRI system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Life Services LLC
    Inventors: Brandon J. Tramm, Charles A. Lemaire, Matthew T. Waks, Scott M. Schillak
  • Patent number: 10637444
    Abstract: A near field radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) probe includes a probe tip comprising a resonant coil configured to communicate with an RFID compatible device at a predetermined resonant frequency. The near field RFID probe further includes a plurality of switch capacitor networks each comprising a capacitor and an RF switch, wherein switching the plurality of switch capacitor networks changes the capacitance of the resonant coil, thereby changing the resonant frequency of the resonant coil. The near field RFID probe further includes a probe control module configured to adjust the resonant frequency of the resonant coil to maintain the predetermined resonant frequency by switching the switch capacitor networks responsive to detecting that the resonant frequency of the resonant coil has deviated from the predetermined resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott Kent Suko
  • Patent number: 10620288
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry sets imaging parameters for each scan. The processing circuitry specifies the size of the object region in the phase encode direction from a first image. The first image acquired by using a pulse sequence different from EPI. The processing circuitry sets parameters in a field of view in the phase encode direction in a phase correction scan based on the specified size and the size of the field of view in the phase encode direction in a second scan. The phase correction scan is executed for acquiring phase correction information for the first image. The second scan is executed for acquiring a second image by using EPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kusahara, Yutaka Machii, Yuki Takai
  • Patent number: 10598688
    Abstract: An oscillation control system includes an actuator, a sensor unit, and a control module. An actuator includes at least one piezoelectric material coupled with an electrode. The sensor unit is located on the actuator and is configured to detect an acceleration value of deformation of the actuator. A control module includes an operational unit and a gain unit. The operational unit generates an operational result according to the acceleration value and conditions of the actuator. The gain unit is coupled to the operational unit and the electrode and is configured to convert the operational result into a control signal which adjusts the actuator. An oscillation control method includes using a reciprocal state space system to proceed with closed-loop control of a state derivative feedback. The reciprocal state space system is represented by a plurality of equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: I-SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yuan-Wei Tseng, Rong-Ching Wu, Chia-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 10578690
    Abstract: A system and method synchronizes a digitizer clock of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device with a system clock of an imaging device. In a first method, an original reference signal is split into first and second reference signals in which the second reference signal is phase shifted to generate an orthogonal reference signal. A reliability of image data may be determined based upon a product between the first reference signal and the orthogonal reference signal. In a second method, a reference signal is transmitted from the imaging device to the MRI device and a return signal is received from the MRI device to the imaging device. A discrepancy between the digitizer clock and the system clock may be determined based upon the return signal which includes a variable time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Arne Reykowski
  • Patent number: 10578688
    Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for filtering a magnetic field induced in a coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes: applying an electromagnetic signal to an object, wherein the applying is performed by a transmit coil; while the electromagnetic signal is applied, emitting light toward a receive-only coil that obtains a magnetic resonance signal that is generated in the object due to the applied electromagnetic signal; and when the receive-only coil receives the emitted light, filtering a magnetic field induced in the receive-only coil due to the applied electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoungnam Kim
  • Patent number: 10571408
    Abstract: A method propagates a pulse of wave through the material to receive a set of echoes resulted from scattering the pulse by different portions of the material and simulates a propagation of the pulse in the material using a neural network to determine a simulated set of echoes. Each node in a layer of the neural network corresponds to a portion of the material and assigned a value the permittivity of the portion of the material, such that the values of the nodes at locations of the portions form the image of the distribution of the permittivity of the material. The connection between two layers in the neural network models a scattering event. The method updates the values of the nodes by reducing an error between the received set of echoes and the simulated set of echoes to produce an image of the distribution of the permittivity of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulugbek Kamilov, Dehong Liu, Hassan Mansour, Petros T. Boufounos
  • Patent number: 10534051
    Abstract: A radio-frequency shielding unit for shielding a radio-frequency antenna unit of a magnetic resonance apparatus and a magnetic resonance apparatus are provided. The radio-frequency shielding unit includes a support layer, a first conducting layer, an insulating layer, and a second conducting layer. The first conducting layer is arranged between the support layer and the insulating layer, and the insulating layer is arranged between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Eberler, Jürgen Nistler, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10534050
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and apparatus for determining an input voltage of an inverter circuit in a magnetic resonance imaging system are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: determining a maximum inductance voltage value corresponding to a maximum current value of a current sequence according to a relationship between inductance voltage and inductance current of a gradient coil, determining a minimum DC voltage value corresponding to the maximum inductance voltage value according to a relationship between output voltage and input voltage of the inverter circuit, and controlling the input voltage into an input terminal of the inverter circuit to have the minimum DC voltage value when the current sequence is input into a control terminal of the inverter circuit. The inverter circuit is configured to generate an AC voltage based on the input voltage and the current sequence and output the AC voltage to the gradient coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Neusoft Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingfeng Lin, Wei Li, Gong Cheng
  • Patent number: 10495704
    Abstract: A shutting assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRD) bore aperture, comprising at least one first movable portion and at least one second portion affixed to the MRD, wherein the shutting assembly further comprising a normally closed or normally open sliding mechanism. The sliding mechanism couples at least one first moveable portion to at least one second portion affixed to the MRD, thereby enabling a reciprocal movement of at least one first moveable portion parallel to the MRD bore aperture in an upwards and downwards directions in respect to at least one second portion affixed to the MRD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ASPECT IMAGING LTD.
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Patent number: 10481227
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for transmitting an intermediate frequency signal and an oscillator signal for mixing down the intermediate frequency signal, a magnetic resonance tomograph with a local coil, a receive unit, and a transmission apparatus are provided. The transmission apparatus has a symmetrical transmission line for transmission of the oscillator signal and the intermediate frequency signal and a symmetrizing element for adaptation of an unsymmetrical signal source and/or signal sink to the symmetrical transmission line. The symmetrizing element has only ferrite-free inductances. The local coil and the receive unit are connected for signaling purposes via the transmission apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Jan Bollenbeck, Martin Hemmerlein
  • Patent number: 10465482
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling inductive charging through downhole casings for electro acoustic technology devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Brian V. Park, Seldon David Benjamin
  • Patent number: 10459047
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gradient magnetic field power supply configured to supply power to a gradient coil. The gradient magnetic field power supply includes a plurality of switching circuits and a processing circuitry. Each of the switching circuits is configured to output a predetermined pulse voltage. The processing circuitry is configured to change the number of switching circuits to be caused to perform switching operation among the switching circuits, in accordance with an intensity of the voltage to be output to the gradient coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Sho Kawajiri, Motohiro Miura
  • Patent number: 10444307
    Abstract: A surface coil for a magnetic resonance imaging system includes a first plane coil placed on a first plane. A first curved surface coil is disposed symmetrically to the first place coil and disposed on one curved surface. The first plane coil is disposed tangentially to the first curved surface coil, wherein the first plane coil and the first curved surface coil are electrically connected to each other through at least two surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung Nam Kim