Electronic Circuit Elements Patents (Class 324/322)
  • Patent number: 9054670
    Abstract: A cross-coupled bandpass filter includes first, second and third resonators such that a positive mutual inductance is generated between the first and third resonators and mutual inductance generated between the first and second resonators and mutual inductance generated between the second and third resonators have the same polarity, thereby generating a transmission zero in a high frequency rejection band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Siliconware Precision Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Han Chuang, Chia-Chu Lai, Bo-Shiang Fang, Ho-Chuan Lin, Li-Fang Lin
  • Publication number: 20150145516
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: a magnetostatic field magnet formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder; a gradient coil formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder on the inside of the magnetostatic field magnet; a cylindrical part that is formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder on the inside of the gradient coil and includes at least one selected from a sound absorbing material layer and a sound blocking material layer; and a ring part that is substantially ring-shaped, covers the space formed between the magnetostatic field magnet and the cylindrical part on at least one end face of a magnet structure being formed in the shape of a substantially circular cylinder and including the magnetostatic field magnet, the gradient coil, and the cylindrical part, and includes at least one selected from an sound absorbing material layer and a sound blocking material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Yu UEDA, Hiromitsu TAKAMORI
  • Patent number: 9041398
    Abstract: An RF transmit and/or receive antenna is disclosed, especially in the form of a coil structure or coil or loop arrangement, having one or more removable conductors, especially for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system or a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner, for transmitting RF excitation signals (Bi field) for exciting nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR), and/or for receiving NMR relaxation signals. The RF antenna is provided such that it can be adapted in an easy way according to an application which either requires a large opening through the RF antenna or a parallel imaging capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mika Petri Ylihautala
  • Patent number: 9041399
    Abstract: A gradient coil is provided. The gradient coil comprises: a first layer comprised of a first plurality of turns of wires; and a second layer of coil comprised of a second plurality of turns of wires. Each turn of wire in the first and second plurality of turns of wires circles along the side walls of a cylindrical substrate and each turn of wire in the first and second plurality of turns of wires include a first portion wound along the inner side wall of the substrate and a second portion wound along the outer side wall of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy James Hollis, Fengshun Tan
  • Publication number: 20150137815
    Abstract: A circular dipole antenna (e.g., for a magnetic imaging system) according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise a circular conductor with a feed point on one side and a gap on the other. A surface coil loop antenna (e.g., for magnetic imaging system) is provided with a capacitor arrangement selected for non-uniform or unbalanced current distribution, with corresponding magnetic and electric dipole fields provided in a single structure referred to as a loopole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Karthik Lakshmanan, Martijn Cloos, Graham Charles Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20150137816
    Abstract: An array arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure can be provided. For example, the array arrangement can include a monopole array having a first end and a second end. The monopole array can be configured to be driven from the first end and from the second end. Further, a monopole array can be provided according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the monopole array can include a first monopole element can include a first antenna element, and a first grounding element in communication with the first antenna element. The monopole array can also include a second monopole element including a second antenna element, and a second grounding element in communication with the second antenna element. The first antenna element can be oriented in a first direction, and the second antenna element can be oriented in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: GRAHAM CHARLES WIGGINS, GANG CHEN
  • Publication number: 20150137809
    Abstract: Phase variations of the transverse magnetization in magnetic resonance induced by superimposed physical phenomenae or by intrinsic deviations of the main magnetic B0 field are separated from Feature Space set by demodulation and deconvolution, either by electrical circuits or by equivalent computational methods, permitting mapping and measurement of these induced phase variations independent of Feature Space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Wollin Ventures, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Wollin
  • Publication number: 20150137814
    Abstract: A gradient magnetic field coil device is provided in which an eddy current magnetic field of an even-ordered component can be reduced. The gradient magnetic field coil device includes a forward coil and a reverse coil which faces the forward coil so as to sandwich a middle surface and through which flows an electric current directed opposite to the forward coil. The forward coil and the reverse coil have a middle region approaching the middle surface and an outside-the-middle region where the distance from the middle surface is greater than the middle region. A line width of coil lines in the middle region is narrower than a line width of coil lines in the outside-the-middle region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Masanao Terada, Mitsushi Abe, Yukinobu Imamura, Akira Kurome
  • Publication number: 20150137807
    Abstract: Described herein are a magnetic resonance probe and a NMR, MRI, or EPR apparatus including the same. The magnetic resonance probe includes a conductor electrically coupled to the resonator and configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from a sample, wherein the conductor includes one or more cascaded narrowed regions along its longitudinal dimension and a slot within one of the one or more cascaded narrowed regions; and an electrical circuit coupled to the conductor and the resonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jianping Hu, Louis Bouchard
  • Publication number: 20150137813
    Abstract: Techniques for correcting gradient non-linearity bias in mean diffusivity measurements by MRI systems are shown and include minimal number of spatial correction terms to achieve sufficient error control using three orthogonal diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) gradients. The correction is based on rotation of system gradient nonlinearity tensor into a DWI gradient frame where spatial bias of b-matrix is described by its Euclidian norm. The techniques obviate time consuming multi-direction acquisition and noise-sensitive mathematical diagonalization of a full diffusion tensor for medium of arbitrary anisotropy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas L. Chenevert, Brian D. Ross, Dariya I. Malyarenko
  • Publication number: 20150137811
    Abstract: A method for highly accelerated projection imaging (“HAPI”) is provided. In this method, conventional linear gradients are used to obtain coil sensitivity-weighted projections of the object being imaged. Only a relatively small number of projections, such as sixteen or less, of the object are required to reconstruct a two-dimensional image of the object, unlike conventional projection imaging techniques. The relationship between the voxel values of the imaged object and the coil sensitivity-weighted projections is formulated as a linear system of equations and the reconstructed images are obtained by solving this matrix equation. This method advantageously allows higher acceleration rates compared to echo planar imaging (“EPI”) with SENSE or GRAPPA acceleration. Moreover, the method does not require any additional or specialized hardware because hardware in conventional MRI scanners is adequate to implement the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Lutfi Tugan Muftuler, Ali Ersoz, Volkan Emre Arpinar
  • Patent number: 9035650
    Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system and method to generate MR image data of a predetermined volume segment within an examination subject, multiple slices of the volume segment are simultaneously excited by at least one RF excitation pulse, and during the excitation a slice selection gradient is switched. The measurement signals from the multiple slices are acquired with multiple RF reception antennas, at least some of which are spaced along the propagation direction of the slice selection gradient. During the acquisition of the measurement signals the slice selection gradient is switched in order to achieve a spectral separation of the measurement signals of different slices. The MR image data are generated from the measurement signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Popescu
  • Publication number: 20150130465
    Abstract: An apparatus can be provided that can include a plurality of electric dipole antenna arrangements, and a processing arrangement configured to receive a signal(s) from the electric dipole antenna arrangements, and generate a magnetic resonance image based on the signal(s). Each of the electric dipole antenna arrangements can have at least two poles extending in opposite directions from each other. One of the poles can have a curved shape, which can bifurcate and follow two mirror symmetric S-shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Graham Charles Wiggins, Bei Zhang, Riccardo Lattanzi, Daniel Sodickson
  • Publication number: 20150130464
    Abstract: A power converter for powering a gradient coil (22) of a magnetic resonance examination system, comprising: a plurality of essentially identical switching cells (14, 16, 18), each switching cell (14, 16, 18) having a plurality of switching members (52) that are provided to switch between a conducting state configuration and an essentially non-conducting state configuration, and the switching cells (14, 16, 18) being provided to switch at at least a fundamental switching frequency fSW and in a pre-determined temporal relationship to each other, a pulse control unit (20) provided to control the pre-determined temporal relationship of switching of the switching cells (14, 16, 18) by providing switching pulses to the switching members (52) of the switching cells (14, 16, 18), wherein the pulse control unit (20) is provided to determine a correction for the pre-determined temporal relationship of the switching of the switching cells (14, 16, 18) from at least one electrical quantity each of each one of the plurali
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Hendrik Huisman, Marcus Leonardus Anna Caris
  • Publication number: 20150130461
    Abstract: Provided is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Young-woon LEE, Jin-seong JANG, Do-sik HWANG, Tae-joon EO, Hae-kyung JUNG, Dong-hyun KIM, Min-oh KIM, Na-rae CHOI, Dong-yeob HAN
  • Publication number: 20150130466
    Abstract: A TEM resonator system is disclosed comprising at least two TEM resonators (21,31; 22, 32), especially in the form of TEM volume coils, and especially for use in an MR imaging system or apparatus for transmitting RF excitation signals and/or for receiving MR signals into/from an examination object or a part thereof, respectively, wherein the TEM resonators are arranged and displaced along a common longitudinal axis and wherein an intermediate RF shield (4) is positioned in longitudinal direction between the two TEM resonators for at least substantially preventing electromagnetic radiation from emanating from between the first TEM resonator and the second TEM resonator into the surroundings. A PET detector and/or another supplementary element can be placed in the volume between the two TEM resonators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Lips, Falk Uhlemann, Volkmar Schulz
  • Publication number: 20150130467
    Abstract: The transmission antenna apparatus is configured for emitting transmission magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging devices and includes one or more flat antennas. A magnetic resonance imaging device includes such a transmission antenna apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Helmut Greim, Klaus Huber, Sebastian Martius, Johanna Dorothee Schöpfer
  • Patent number: 9030202
    Abstract: Nuclear quadrupole resonance measurement using two or more wire loop(s) within a space to define a portal, and driving the wire loop(s) with a baseband digital transmitter generating a chirped or stepped signal, to create a corresponding varying electromagnetic field within the portal. Coherent emissions reflected thereby are detected through a directional coupler feeding the transceiver. The detected coherent emissions are processed with a matched filter to determine presence of a target object within the portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: John T. Apostolos, Judy Feng, William Mouyos, Benjamin McMahon
  • Publication number: 20150123659
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and methods are provided for producing images of a subject. In some aspects, a method includes identifying a point in the cardiac cycle, performing an inversion recovery (IR) pulse at a selected time point from the pre-determined point, and sampling a k-space segment at an inversion time from the IR pulse that is substantially coincident with the pre-determined point. The method also includes repeating the IR pulse and k-space sampling for multiple inversion times, and multiple segments of k-space, in an interleaved manner, to generate datasets having T1-weighted contrasts determined by their respective inversion times. The method further includes reconstructing three-dimensional (3D) spatially-aligned images using the datasets, and generating a T1 recovery map by combining the 3D images. In some aspects, a prospective/retrospective scheme may be used to obtain data fully sampled in the center of k-space and randomly undersampled in the outer regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sebastian Weingartner, Mehmet Akcakaya, Reza Nezafat
  • Publication number: 20150126850
    Abstract: A method for acquiring cine images using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes selecting an asymmetric radial sampling scheme providing an asymmetric view of k-space corresponding to a desired image resolution. Radial k-space data is acquired using the asymmetric radial sampling scheme, wherein slice-orientation of the radial k-space data is continuously modified while acquiring the radial k-space data. A plurality of cine images are reconstructed from the radial k-space data using a compressed-sensing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Hasan Ertan Cetingul, Mariappan S. Nadar, Peter Speier, Michaela Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150123663
    Abstract: An integrated electronics module comprising a substrate with electronics components mounted on a mount-surface of the substrate. A heat-conducting layer is disposed on a cooling-surface of the substrate. The cooling-surface and the mount-surface are on opposite sides of the substrate. A fluid-cooling structure of non-magnetic material and a fluid conduit is mounted in thermal contact with the heat-conducting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Ari Juhani Brusila
  • Patent number: 9024637
    Abstract: A mufti-channel coil array for use as a transceiver in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a plurality of radio frequency (RF) coils disposed next to one another, devices for electromagnetically decoupling the RF coils and coil elements which are applied onto a planar carrier element (5). The carrier elements (5) have a regular, equilateral polygonal outer contour and the shape of the individual coils (2) corresponds to the outer contour of the carrier element (5). An individual coil (2) has a loop-shaped structure (1), which leads to a decoupling of individual coils (2) not immediately adjacent to each other when a plurality of individual elements are arranged. The space requirement for adding new coils is reduced, and the modular design makes it possible to easily implement any three-dimensional or two-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg
    Inventors: Andreas Peter, Stefan Schonhardt, Jan Korvink
  • Patent number: 9024636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimization of the performance of a multi-channel coil (1) comprising at least three coil elements, wherein the method comprises the following steps: a) Exciting the coil elements of the multi-channel coil (1) by electrical power signals comprising a specific power, wherein the power of the power signals is partially reflected by the coil elements of the multi-channel coil (1), b) Measuring the power which is reflected by the individual coil elements of the multi-channel coil (1) or by the entire multi-channel coil (1) during excitation of the coil elements, c) Tuning the multi-channel coil (1) depending on the measured reflected power so that the performance of the multi-channel coil (1) is improved, wherein d) all coil elements of the multi-channel coil (1) are simultaneously excited, and e) the reflected power is measured during the simultaneous excitation of all coil elements of the multi-channel coil (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Mikhail Kozlov, Robert Turner
  • Publication number: 20150115956
    Abstract: A system and method for performing quiet magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) are provided. An MRI system is directed to perform a pulse sequence that includes a magnetic field gradient s tapped through a plurality of different gradient component amplitude values in a manner that controls the difference between successive gradient amplitudes. In this way, force changes generated during the transition from one gradient component amplitude to the next are controlled, thereby resulting in a significant noise reduction. Additionally, the gradient amplitude values are ordered such that the transition of the gradient component amplitude in successive repetitions of the pulse sequence is controlled, thereby mitigating the generation of forces between pulse sequence repetitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Jerome L. Ackerman, Kenneth Kwong, Timothy G. Reese, Yaotang WU
  • Publication number: 20150115955
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging systems and methods are provided. A method includes applying a slice selection gradient perpendicular to a desired slice plane and applying, substantially simultaneously with the slice selection gradient, a radiofrequency nuclear magnetic resonance excitation pulse having a bandwidth corresponding to the desired slice plane and a frequency corresponding to the frequency of protons present in the desired slice plane. The method also includes applying, during an encoding period and in a first direction, a phase encoding gradient having a phase encoding portion and a shearing portion and applying, during the readout period and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a frequency encoding gradient having a portion having substantially the same shape as the shearing portion of the phase encoding gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Seung-Kyun Lee, Christopher Judson Hardy, Ek Tsoon Tan
  • Publication number: 20150115963
    Abstract: An imaging system (5) includes a plurality of coil channel receivers (26) and one or more processors or modules (38). The plurality of coil channel receivers (26) demodulate magnetic resonance data from a multi-channel coil (10) which includes a plurality of coil elements (16) spatially separated, each element transmitting magnetic resonance data on a corresponding channel (25). The one or more processors or modules (38) are configured to detect (26) artifacts in the magnetic resonance data on each channel individually. The one or more processors or modules (38) are further configured to select (27) the magnetic resonance data from the channels which include detected artifacts at or below a threshold artifact level and reconstruct (32) one or more images using the selected magnetic resonance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Feng Huang, Wei Lin
  • Publication number: 20150115962
    Abstract: An MR coil former apparatus includes a body, a coil array, and a coil cover. The body defines a patient-facing positive surface opposite a non-patient-facing negative surface. The positive surface of the body includes an anatomic contour, and the coil array is disposed adjacent and conformed to the anatomic contour. The coil cover is disposed overlying the coil array and conformed to the anatomic contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Craig William Culver, John Edward Lorbiecki, Michael James Calloway, Sahil Bhatia, Tae Young Yang, YunJeong Stickle, Tom Zink, Darren Gregan
  • Publication number: 20150115954
    Abstract: A non-resonant transmitter for a magnetic resonance (MR) system, such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system, is described herein. The transmitter includes a coil for applying NMR pulse sequences to a substance. The coil is coupled to a circuit that includes a capacitor, a number of switches, and a power source. The transmitter operates in two modes. In a charging mode, the switches decouple the coil from the capacitor and the capacitor is charged by the power source. In a discharging mode, a radio frequency pulse is generated and the switches couple and decouple the coil from the capacitor so that the capacitor provides power to the coil. The addition of the capacitor improves the power factor of the circuit and reduces power draw from the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: YI-QIAO SONG, SOUMYAJIT MANDAL
  • Publication number: 20150115957
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for magnetic resonance (MR) and/or MR imaging, comprising acquisition of signals and MR images originating from a RF and gradient sequence causing isotropic diffusion weighting of signal attenuation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is achieved by one time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) having an orientation, wherein the isotropic diffusion weighting is proportional to the trace of a diffusion tensor D, and wherein the orientation of the time-dependent dephasing vector q(t) is either varied discretely in more than three directions in total, or changed continuously, or changed in a combination of discretely and continuously during the gradient pulse sequence, 0?t?echo time, where t represents the time. The method may be performed during a single shot (single MR excitation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Topgaard, Samo Lasic, Markus Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9018955
    Abstract: A preamplifier is provided for a radio frequency (RF) receiver coil in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The preamplifier includes an amplifier configured to receive at least one magnetic resonance (MR) signal from the RF receiver coil and configured to generate an amplified MR signal. An input circuit is electrically connected to the amplifier. The input circuit is configured to be electrically connected to an output of the RF receiver coil for transmitting the at least one MR signal from the RF receiver coil to the amplifier. The input circuit includes an impedance transformer and a field effect transistor (FET). The FET is electrically connected between the impedance transformer and the amplifier. The FET has an FET impedance. The impedance transformer is configured to transform a source impedance of at least approximately 100 ohms. The impedance transformer is further configured to transform the FET impedance into a preamplifier input impedance of less than approximately 5 ohms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dashen Chu, Robert Stormont, Scott Lindsay, Ricardo Matias
  • Publication number: 20150108983
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) trap for a superconducting magnet apparatus includes an electromagnetic wave shield which includes a conductive shield member and is configured to surround an electric cable; and a circuit member which is provided in a portion of the electromagnetic wave shield, and includes a conductor circuit electrically connected to the conductive shield member in at least two positions. Two positions at which the conductive shield member is electrically connected to the conductor circuit are selectively adjusted so that a current path of the conductor circuit is adjustable according to the two positions at which electrical connections are made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Soo CHANG, Seul-gi PARK
  • Publication number: 20150108978
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of selecting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sampling strategy includes selecting a base variable-density sampling pattern and determining a scan time associated with the base variable-density sampling pattern. A modified variable-density sampling pattern is created by modifying one or more parameters of the base variable-density sampling pattern to maximize a sampled k-space area without increasing the scan time. Next, a scan is performed on an object of interest using the modified variable-density sampling pattern to obtain a sparse MRI dataset. Then a sparse reconstruction process is applied to the sparse MRI dataset to yield an image of the object of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Qiu Wang, Michael Zenge, Edgar Mueller, Mariappan S. Nadar
  • Publication number: 20150108976
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (78) includes a magnetic resonance imaging device (80), one or more processors (104), and a display (106). The magnetic resonance imaging device (80) includes a magnet (82), gradient coils (88), and one or more radio frequency coils (92). The magnet (82) generates a Bo field. The gradient coils (88) apply gradient fields to the Bo field. The one or more radio frequency coils (92) generate a radio frequency pulse to excite magnetic resonance and measure generated gradient echoes. The one or more processors (104) are configured to activate (116) the one or more radio frequency coils (92) to generate a series of radio frequency pulses spaced by repetition times and to induce magnetic resonance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: KONNINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan E. Fischer, Craig Kenneth Jones, Melanie Suzanne Kotys
  • Publication number: 20150108984
    Abstract: In a method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization is acquired and a k-space trajectory is determined. A radio-frequency pulse train for the k-space trajectory is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method using a target function, wherein the target function includes a combination of different trajectory curve functions, of which at least one trajectory curve function is based on a trajectory error model. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system uses such a control sequence and a magnetic resonance system has such a control sequence determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150108977
    Abstract: The MRI apparatus includes a data processor, which time-serially performs undersampling on MR signals respectively received by coil channels included in a radio frequency (RF) multi-coil to acquire undersampled K-t space data, and an image processor that acquires a time-space correlation coefficient, based on noise information of the coil channels, and restores pieces of unacquired line data from the undersampled K-t space data by using the time-space correlation coefficient to acquire restored K-t space data, thereby increasing an accuracy of the time-space correlation coefficient to improve a quality of an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Su-gil KIM, Yeol-min SEONG, Sang-cheon CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150108982
    Abstract: A pulse restoration circuit includes: a voltage restorator configured to include an OP amplifier and input an input voltage to an input terminal of the OP amplifier; a rising time restorator configured to be connected to the other input terminal of the OP amplifier; and a falling time restorator configured to be connected to an output terminal of the OP amplifier, whereby it is possible to improve a reduction in performance of the medical image electronics transmitting an analog signal via the cable and a PET detector of a PET-MRI convergence system among the medical image electronics by correcting a distortion phenomenon of an output signal depending on a cable length into the original signal using the pulse restoration circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Sogang University
    Inventors: Yong Choi, Jihoon Kang, Kyubom Kim
  • Publication number: 20150108985
    Abstract: Disclosed are a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and method. The MRI apparatus includes a data acquirer, which performs under-sampling of MR signals, respectively received from a plurality of channel coils included in a radio frequency (RF) multi-coil, at non-uniform intervals to acquire a plurality of pieces of line data, and an image processor that restores a plurality of pieces of K-space data respectively corresponding to the plurality of channel coils by using a relationship between the acquired plurality of pieces of line data, thereby restoring an MR image with reduced aliasing artifacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-cheon CHOI
  • Patent number: 9013183
    Abstract: An MRI apparatus includes an image generating unit and an SAR calculating unit. The image generating unit receives a magnetic resonance signal generated as a result of transmission of an RF pulse from an object, and generates image data of the object based on the magnetic resonance signal. The SAR calculating unit performs a correction operation on an energy control value of the RF pulse according to an imaging condition, and calculates an SAR value based on an energy value subjected to the correction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9013187
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus includes an RF coil, a preamplifier module, and a hub coupled to the preamplifier module via a transmission line. The preamplifier module includes an amplifier configured to amplify a magnitude of a first signal from the RF coil, the first signal having a first frequency and a diode array coupled to the amplifier. The MRI apparatus also includes an intermediate frequency (IF) circuit coupled to the transmission line and an oscillator circuit coupled to the hub and configured to supply an oscillating signal to the diode array via the transmission line to cause the diode array to mix the oscillating signal with the first signal to generate an IF signal to be received by the IF circuit via the transmission line, wherein the IF signal has a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Steven Stormont
  • Publication number: 20150102813
    Abstract: An RF coil assembly for use in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner incorporates sound absorbing material in its construction for the purpose of attenuating the sound perceived by a patient lying inside the RF coil. Unlike a conventional RF coil assembly in which rigid components are used to support the coil within the magnet bore, the quiet RF coil assembly is constructed without rigid support components. In one embodiment, open cell foam may be used to support the RF coil components and the entire assembly is wrapped in a. flexible cloth-like material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Charles L. Dumoulin, Randy Giaquinto, Wolfgang Loew
  • Publication number: 20150102810
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus to create at least one magnetic resonance image data set in particular angiographic image data sets, first magnetic resonance image data are acquired using a first projection acquisition sequence, second magnetic resonance image data are acquired after administration of contrast agent, using a second projection acquisition sequence, and at least one magnetic resonance image data set is created using the first magnetic resonance image data and the second magnetic resonance image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: David Grodzki, Bjorn Heismann
  • Patent number: 9007062
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a standing wave trap for a magnetic resonance tomography device. The standing wave trap includes a conductor region extending in one plane and at least one capacitor that is conductively connected to two sections of the conductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludwig Eberler, Jürgen Nistler
  • Patent number: 9006934
    Abstract: A power feeding apparatus, power receiving apparatus, wireless power feeding system, and method for wireless transfer of power are provided. The power feeding apparatus includes an impedance detector, a controller, a power transmitter, a variable matching circuit, and a signal transmitter. The controller is configured to provide first control information and second control information based on an impedance detected by the impedance detector. The power feeding apparatus' variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the first control information. The power receiving apparatus includes a power receiver, a signal receiver, and a variable matching circuit. The power receiving apparatus'variable matching circuit is configured to change a variable diameter of a power feeding coil according to the second control information provided by the power feeding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Kozakai, Takashi Miyamoto, Yuji Murayama
  • Publication number: 20150099963
    Abstract: A method for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of a stimulation area of medical interest, combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for visualization of the response of, for example neurons, is disclosed. An ultra-thin magnetic resonance coil, MR coil, positioned in the immediate vicinity over an area where the response of, for example neurons, is to be detected, and preferably sandwiched between the TMS coil and the area, provides an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. The TMS can be performed directly through the MR coil. A great deal of flexibility in the number of the TMS and MR coils in use and their spatial arrangement is provided. A corresponding system for the TMS/fMRI studies is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Medical University of Vienna
    Inventors: Lucia Isabel Navarro de Lara, Christian Windischberger, Elmar Laistler, Jürgen Sieg, Ewald Moser, André Kühne
  • Publication number: 20150097565
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing scan time, eddy currents and image factors in dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging associated with at least a portion a k-space. The method includes scanning at least a portion of the k-space with an Echo-Planar Imaging (EPI) pulse sequence technique, acquiring a randomly under-sampled k-space; and reconstructing the under-sampled k-space utilizing a constrained reconstruction technique. A dynamic image is constructed of the at least a portion of the k-space based on EPI and the randomly undersampled k-space techniques to each segment of the EPI pulse sequence technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Tamer BASHA, Reza NEZAFAT
  • Publication number: 20150097563
    Abstract: In a method to control a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate magnetic resonance image data of an examination subject, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired that include measurement values at multiple readout points in k-space. The readout points are arranged along a readout axis in k-space as readout pairs with a predetermined pair spacing relative to one another. Readout pairs that are adjacent in k-space along the readout axis have a sampling interval that is different than the pair spacing, which sampling interval varies along the readout axis. A control sequence determination system is designed to determine a control sequence for a magnetic resonance imaging system that is designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to this method, and a magnetic resonance imaging system that has a control device designed to control the magnetic resonance imaging system according to such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Zenge
  • Publication number: 20150097566
    Abstract: Starting with a magnetic resonance imaging system control sequence that has a radio-frequency (RF) pulse train to control the RF transmission system and a gradient pulse train, chronologically matching the RF pulse train, to control the gradient system, the gradient pulse train including a predetermined selection gradient pulse chronologically matched to a refocusing pulse of the RF pulse train, the execution capability of the control sequence is initially established using an execution capability criterion, in particular under consideration of a refocusing flip angle of the refocusing pulse. Modification of the refocusing pulse and/or of the selection gradient pulse takes place depending on the establishment of the execution capability of the control sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: David Grodzki
  • Publication number: 20150097562
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance image data; an examination subject is positioned in a magnetic resonance apparatus to acquire magnetic resonance image data of the examination subject with a magnetic resonance sequence, and sequence parameters of the magnetic resonance sequence are established. First control commands of the magnetic resonance sequence are generated using the established sequence parameters. The first control commands are optimized so as to generate an optimized magnetic resonance sequence, the optimization of the first control commands including a conversion of the first control commands into optimized control commands. A test to review the optimized magnetic resonance sequence is implemented, the test including a comparison of the first control commands with the optimized control commands. The optimized magnetic resonance sequence is executed to acquire the magnetic resonance image data with the optimized control commands depending on the result of the test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: David Grodzki, Carsten Prinz
  • Patent number: 9000766
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coil array that includes an RF coil support structure, and a plurality of RF coils coupled to the RF coil support structure, the RF coil support structure configured to enable the plurality of RF coils to be positioned in an underlap configuration and repositioned to an overlap configuration. A medical imaging system and a method of manufacturing the RF coil array are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dashen Chu, Robert Stormont, Scott Lindsay, Ricardo Mathias, Craig Culver
  • Patent number: 9000767
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a magnetic resonance system for carrying out magnetic resonance measurements in an intraoral region. The magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance coil element and an intraoral measuring device that measures the position of a number of measuring points situated in the intraoral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sebastian Schmidt