| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| D428151 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus |
July 11, 2000 |
|
| D427685 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus |
July 4, 2000 |
|
| 7573432 |
MRI antenna |
August 11, 2009 |
| In one example, an antenna is disclosed comprising a first, outer conductor, at least one inner conductor within the first outer conductor, and a second outer conductor surrounding the first outer conductor. The second outer conductor may define a plurality of holes therethrough. The |
| 7560929 |
Ferromagnetic frame magnet with superconducting coils |
July 14, 2009 |
| A magnetic resonance imaging magnet includes a ferromagnetic frame. A pair of generally toroidal superconducting coil units overlie interfaces of side walls incorporated in the frame. Each coil unit may include a vessel having hollow support extensions extending into recesses in the side |
| 7560928 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system, apparatus and associated methods |
July 14, 2009 |
| In one aspect, a magnet comprising a pair of pole supports spaced apart from one another and extending in a generally horizontal direction. The magnet includes a pair of flux return members extending between the pole supports so as to define a frame, each of the flux return members i |
| 7557576 |
Multi-slice fast magnetic resonance imaging |
July 7, 2009 |
| Through advancing the phase of radio frequency (RF) excitation with each phase-encoding level, a method and apparatus increases the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by correcting for main magnetic field inhomogeneities without noticeably decreasing the signa |
| 7557572 |
Method of detecting and compensating for faults in an MRI process |
July 7, 2009 |
| According to a method of detecting and compensating for MRI scan errors, MRI scan data are received. At least one statistical boundaries is determined for the generated data. The data are observed in K-space. The observed K-space data are compared to the determined statistical bounda |
| 7551954 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with adjustable fixture apparatus |
June 23, 2009 |
| A fixture such as a local receiver coil is secured to the patient support of a magnetic resonance imaging system so that the fixture remains in position relative to the support even when the support is in a vertical orientation. The positioning apparatus is arranged to allow adjustment o |
| 7525312 |
System for magnetic resonance imaging assisted surgery |
April 28, 2009 |
| A system and method for magnetic resonance imaging assisted surgery. The system includes an antenna support assembly and an antenna that are used to acquire real time images of the surgical site that may be used by a surgeon to more accurately perform the surgical procedure. The method |
| 7504827 |
MRI test fixture |
March 17, 2009 |
| A test fixture for testing and monitoring electromagnetic characteristics of a magnetic resonance imaging ("MRI") system preferably comprises a body portion having a first longitudinal axis and a first coil supported by the body portion. A longitudinal member is preferably connected to t |
| 7501820 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using modified bessel functions |
March 10, 2009 |
| A method and apparatus to increase the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing thinner slice thicknesses, and allowing more contiguous slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, a |
| 7466130 |
Phased array shoulder coil |
December 16, 2008 |
| An antenna assembly for magnet resonance imaging comprising a housing having an inner surface, an outer surface and defining an inner annular space, the inner surface being adapted to receive a shoulder of a patient. The antenna assembly further includes a pair of coils housed within |
| 7463129 |
Magnet structure |
December 9, 2008 |
| A magnet structure includes a permanent magnet assembly and first and second pole assemblies. The permanent magnet assembly includes an enclosure having an open portion and a magnetic mass disposed within the enclosure. Each of the first and second pole assemblies includes a base por |
| 7436176 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using adaptive phase encoding gradient |
October 14, 2008 |
| Through modification of the phase-encoding gradient, a method and apparatus increases the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by decreasing scan time without noticeably decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant |
| 7432707 |
Magnetic resonance imaging with corrected intensity inhomogeneity |
October 7, 2008 |
| The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance the image contrast of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device while simultaneously compensating for image inhomogeneity, regardless of the source. The method makes no assumptions as to the source of the inhomogeneitie |
| 7408349 |
Configurable matrix receiver |
August 5, 2008 |
| A configurable matrix receiver comprises a plurality of antennas that detect one or more signals. The antennas are coupled to a configurable matrix comprising a plurality of amplifiers, one or more switches that selectively couple the amplifiers in series fashion, and one or more ana |
| 7408348 |
Hand operated device for controlling characteristics of an MRI image, and the like |
August 5, 2008 |
| A hand operated device for controlling characteristics of a magnetic resonance ("MR") image is disclosed. One characteristic that the hand operated device is particularly suited to control is the oblique angle the MR image slice. In one embodiment, the device comprises a planar membe |
| 7403010 |
Adaptive dynamic range receiver for MRI |
July 22, 2008 |
| A receiver for a resonance signal of a magnetic resonance imaging system generates a baseband signal for image processing by dividing a raw resonance signal among multiple parallel channels, each amplified at a respective gain. A digital channel selector determines, at any given mome |
| 7382133 |
Self-shielded gradients and method of designing and producing self-shielded gradients |
June 3, 2008 |
| A self-shielded gradient adapted to be disposed within a main magnet field of an MRI scanner includes a gradient coil having a shield current distribution J.sub.s based on current density components .phi..sub.n on a gradient surface where.times..times..times..PHI. ##EQU00001## The c |
| 7378846 |
Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus for scanning a child |
May 27, 2008 |
| In one aspect the present invention is a method for imaging an infant or minor in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The method preferably comprises positioning an adult in the patient-receiving space or gap of a magnet and affixing a minor, child or infant with an appropriate anten |
| 7375521 |
Positional magnetic resonance imaging |
May 20, 2008 |
| A patient is examined by magnetic resonance imaging in different positions relative to gravity by moving the patient relative to the magnet, and the acquired data is compared to show differences in anatomy due to differences in patient position. Individual data elements or groups of |
| 7375517 |
Belt buckle and use thereof in magnetic resonance imaging |
May 20, 2008 |
| A belt buckle includes a housing having a base, first and second sidewalls projecting from the base so as to form a substantially U-shaped member and a lug member projecting from said base. There is also an electrical switching fastened to the base that has a pair of contact pins. A tong |
| 7343191 |
MRI system |
March 11, 2008 |
| In one example, an illumination system is provided in an MRI system including an open MRI assembly comprising a pole covered by a canopy. The MRI system is within a shielded room. A light source is provided outside of the shielded room, at least one light projector is connected to the |
| 7339375 |
Driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo scanning |
March 4, 2008 |
| An NMR imaging process utilizes application of both a driven equilibrium technique and a fast-spin echo technique to acquire image. The fast-spin echo technique is a multiecho NMR imaging sequence, where different echoes are encoded differently to fill the (k.sub.x, k.sub.g) space at a |
| 7327863 |
Stand-up patient handling system control kiosk and controller |
February 5, 2008 |
| Apparatus and methods for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. The apparatus desirably comprises an MRI magnet subsystem and a control kiosk spatially separate from the MRI subsystem. The control kiosk may be advantageously located inside or outside the shielded room housing the |
| 7271689 |
Magnet structure |
September 18, 2007 |
| A magnet structure produces a field within a magnet gap. The field is provided at least in part by a pair of permanent magnets that are fixed in place by a frame. The frame fixes a magnet assembly that is adapted to hold the magnetic material composing the permanent magnets, such that th |
| 7268553 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
September 11, 2007 |
| Magnet assembly for use in medical magnetic resonance imaging includes means for increasing flux generation in the gap region to provide the capability of scanning smaller volume regions of a patient at increased levels of scanning resolution. The means for increasing flux generation |
| 7248137 |
Magnet structure |
July 24, 2007 |
| A magnet structure produces a field within a magnet gap. The field is provided at least in part by a pair of permanent magnets that are fixed in place by a frame. The frame fixes a magnet assembly that is adapted to hold the magnetic material composing the permanent magnets, such that th |
| 7242190 |
Driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo scanning |
July 10, 2007 |
| An NMR imaging process utilizes application of both a driven equilibrium technique and a fast-spin echo technique to acquire image. The fast-spin echo technique is a multiecho NMR imaging sequence, where different echoes are encoded differently to fill the (k.sub.x, k.sub.g) space at a |
| 7239906 |
Magnetic resonance imaging system including a transpolar fixture |
July 3, 2007 |
| A magnetic resonance imaging system is provided with a fixture which can be mounted to the static field magnet within the patient-receiving space of the magnet. The fixture can support and stabilize the patient. |
| 7233146 |
Hand operated device for controlling characteristics of an MRI image, and the like |
June 19, 2007 |
| A hand operated device for controlling characteristics of a magnetic resonance ("MR") image is disclosed. One characteristic that the hand operated device is particularly suited to control is the oblique angle the MR image slice. In one embodiment, the device comprises a planar membe |
| 7230424 |
Magnetic resonance imaging |
June 12, 2007 |
| Through advancing the phase of radio frequency (RF) excitation with each phase-encoding level, a method and apparatus increases the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by correcting for main magnetic field inhomogeneities without noticeably decreasing the signa |
| 7215231 |
MRI system |
May 8, 2007 |
| In one embodiment, a ferromagnetic frame for use in an MRI system comprises first and second opposing ferromagnetic elements magnetically coupled by a flux return path. First and second poles are provided, separated by a distance to define an imaging volume therebetween. The first po |
| 7196519 |
Stand-up vertical field MRI apparatus |
March 27, 2007 |
| Apparatus and method for magnetic resonance imaging. In an aspect, the present invention is an apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging that includes a short bore magnet that is oriented such that, when energized, a static magnetic field is created in a substantially vertical direction. |
| 7193494 |
Shim pieces for a magnetic resonance imaging magnet |
March 20, 2007 |
| A method for producing a shim piece for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet. The shim piece is used to form a shim of a magnet and is designed to suppress eddy currents in the shim created by the introduction of a gradient magnetic field. The shim piece is formed by a plurality of |
| 7157909 |
Driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo scanning |
January 2, 2007 |
| An NMR imaging process utilizes application of both a driven equilibrium technique and a fast-spin echo technique to acquire image. The fast-spin echo technique is a multiecho NMR imaging sequence, where different echoes are encoded differently to fill the (k.sub.x, k.sub.g) space at a |
| 7157908 |
Magnetic resonance imaging using bessel functions |
January 2, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus to increase the effectiveness of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing thinner slice thicknesses, and allowing more contiguous slices. In an MRI device, a patient is subjected to a constant magnetic field, a |
| 7127802 |
Method of fabricating a composite plate |
October 31, 2006 |
| A method for fabricating a composite plate for a magnetic resonance imaging magnet. The method including cutting a starting plate having oppositely-directed major surfaces into a plurality of strips. Each of the strips having a width of approximately greater than 9 inches and faces w |
| 7123008 |
Positional magnetic resonance imaging |
October 17, 2006 |
| A patient is examined by magnetic resonance imaging in different positions relative to gravity by moving the patient relative to the magnet, and the acquired data is compared to show differences in anatomy due to differences in patient position. Individual data elements or groups of |
| 7119540 |
Driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo scanning |
October 10, 2006 |
| An NMR imaging process utilizes both driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo techniques to acquire image data. The fast-spin echo technique is a multi-echo imaging sequence, where a 90-degree RF pulse applied at the center of any echo turns the magnetization back in the direction of the |
| 7116197 |
Magnet structure |
October 3, 2006 |
| A magnet structure produces a field within a magnet gap. The field is provided at least in part by a pair of permanent magnets that are fixed in place by a frame. The frame fixes a magnet assembly that is adapted to hold the magnetic material composing the permanent magnets, such that th |
| 7116106 |
Process and system for detecting and correcting errors in an MRI scan process |
October 3, 2006 |
| An MRI pulse sequence control system includes a pulse sequence controller, a controller, and a performance monitor module. The pulse sequence controller generates pulse sequence control data. The controller controls scanner devices according to the control data. The performance monitor |
| 7102353 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having moving magnets |
September 5, 2006 |
| An apparatus and method for magnetic resonance imaging comprising a magnet and means for vertically moving the magnet so as to obtain an image of a portion of a patient's anatomy. |
| 7081750 |
Dynamic real-time magnetic resonance imaging sequence designer |
July 25, 2006 |
| A system and method for facilitating RF pulse sequence generation and modification and for real-time sequence input modification for use in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging equipment. A graphical user interface is provided through a display coupled to a digital computer op |
| 7034532 |
Driven equilibrium and fast-spin echo scanning |
April 25, 2006 |
| An NMR imaging process utilizes application of both a driven equilibrium technique and a fast-spin echo technique to acquire image. The fast-spin echo technique is a multiecho NMR imaging sequence, where different echoes are encoded differently to fill the (k.sub.x, k.sub.g) space at a |
| 7030612 |
Body rest for magnetic resonance imaging |
April 18, 2006 |
| System, apparatus and method for performing magnet resonance imaging. The apparatus comprises first and second members for distributing the weight of a patient to be imaged in a substantially upright position between the patient's knees and buttocks. The system comprises a horizontal fie |
| 7008383 |
Method of conducting a needle biopsy procedure |
March 7, 2006 |
| A vibration assisted needle device is disclosed for use in medical procedures such as needle aspiration biopsies. Reciprocation of the needle, such as a biopsy needle, eases the advance of the needle through tissue, penetration of the site of interest and the collection of sample at |
| 6982620 |
Magnet structure |
January 3, 2006 |
| A magnet structure produces a field within a magnet gap. The field is provided at least in part by a pair of permanent magnets that are fixed in place by a frame. The frame fixes a magnet assembly that is adapted to hold the magnetic material composing the permanent magnets, such that th |
| 6977502 |
Configurable matrix receiver for MRI |
December 20, 2005 |
| A configurable matrix receiver comprises a plurality of antennas that detect one or more signals. The antennas are coupled to a configurable matrix comprising a plurality of amplifiers, one or more switches that selectively couple the amplifiers in series fashion, and one or more ana |
| 6975117 |
Method and apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging |
December 13, 2005 |
| Magnet assembly for use in medical magnetic resonance imaging includes means for increasing flux generation in the gap region to provide the capability of scanning smaller volume regions of a patient at increased levels of scanning resolution. The means for increasing flux generation is |
