公开(公告)号：US09733324B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-15

申请号：US14130379

申请日：2012-06-21

Applicant: Christian Findeklee ,  Peter Vernickel

Inventor： Christian Findeklee ,  Peter Vernickel

IPC: G01R33/36 ,  G01R33/3415 ,  G01R33/565

CPC classification number: G01R33/3628 ,  G01R33/3415 ,  G01R33/3635 ,  G01R33/365 ,  G01R33/5659

Abstract: The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system includes a radio-frequency transmitter with multiple transmit channels. The MRI system includes an impedance matching network (320, 1402, 1502, 1602) for matching the radio-frequency transmitter to a remotely adjustable radio-frequency antenna (310, 1504, 1602) with multiple antenna elements (312, 314, 316, 318, 1404). The MRI system includes a processor (336) for controlling the MRI system. The execution of the instructions by the processor causes it to: measure (100, 200) a set of radio-frequency properties (352) of the radio-frequency antenna, calculate (102, 202) a matching network command (354) using the set of radio-frequency properties and a radio frequency model (366), and adjust (104, 204) the impedance matching network by sending the matching network command to the impedance matching network, thereby enabling automatic remote impedance matching.

公开(公告)号：US20120139541A1

公开(公告)日：2012-06-07

申请号：US12933894

申请日：2009-03-25

Applicant: Steffen Weiss ,  Ulrich Katscher ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Tobias Ratko Voigt ,  Christian Findeklee

Inventor： Steffen Weiss ,  Ulrich Katscher ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Tobias Ratko Voigt ,  Christian Findeklee

IPC: G01R33/44

CPC classification number: G01R33/583 ,  A61B5/055 ,  G01R33/288

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus produces calculations of local specific energy absorption rates (SAR) by calculating an electrical permittivity map of a subject. The electric permittivity is calculated by measuring the components of the B1 field induced by a radio frequency (RF) coil (16). The Hx and Hy components of the B1 field can be directly measured. The Hz component is measured by encoding it into the phase of the resonance signals. Alternately, Hz can be calculated by solving Gauss's law for magnetism. Hz can also be estimated by finding the z component of the electric field. In the specific case of a birdcage RF coil, Hz can be estimated by using a model of the RF coil and a subject, a model of the RF coil alone, or setting Hz to a constant.

Abstract translation: 磁共振成像装置通过计算受试者的电容率图来产生局部比能吸收率（SAR）的计算。 通过测量由射频（RF）线圈（16）感应的B1场的分量来计算电容率。 可以直接测量B1场的Hx和Hy分量。 通过对谐振信号的相位进行编码来测量Hz分量。 或者，可以通过求解磁性的高斯定律来计算Hz。 Hz也可以通过找到电场的z分量来估计。 在鸟笼RF线圈的具体情况下，可以通过使用RF线圈和对象的模型，单独的RF线圈的模型或将Hz设置为常数来估计Hz。

公开(公告)号：US08049497B2

公开(公告)日：2011-11-01

申请号：US12446661

申请日：2007-10-31

Applicant: Ulrich Katscher ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Peter Boernert

Inventor： Ulrich Katscher ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Peter Boernert

IPC: G01V3/00

CPC classification number: G01R33/4831 ,  G01R33/3415

Abstract: A common method of RF encoding assumes that the B1 field generated by the RF coils is linear, which is likely not the case in many situations. It is therefore desirable to have a method of operating an MR system to reconstruct an image of a subject, wherein the method is capable of also handling arbitrary B1 fields used for RF encoding. Accordingly, such an MR system employing one or more RF coils is disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining transmit sensitivities and weighting factors for individual RF coils. Each RF coil is activated based on its respective weighting factor to apply RF excitation to a subject under examination in the MR system. MR signals—such as free induction decays (FID) signals or echo signals—generated from the subject in response to the RF excitation are received and processed based on the transmit sensitivities to generate an MR image or spectrum representative of the subject.

Abstract translation: RF编码的常见方法假定由RF线圈产生的B1场是线性的，这在许多情况下可能不是这种情况。 因此，期望具有操作MR系统以重建对象的图像的方法，其中该方法还能够处理用于RF编码的任意B1字段。 因此，这里公开了采用一个或多个RF线圈的这种MR系统。 该方法包括获得单个RF线圈的发射灵敏度和加权因子。 每个RF线圈基于其相应的加权因子被激活，以将RF激励施加到在MR系统中被检查的受试者。 基于发射灵敏度接收和处理MR信号，例如响应于RF激励从受试者产生的自由感应衰减（FID）信号或回波信号，以产生代表对象的MR图像或频谱。

公开(公告)号：US20080211501A1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-04

申请号：US11912683

申请日：2006-04-21

Applicant: Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Joachim Schmidt ,  Christian Findeklee

Inventor： Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Joachim Schmidt ,  Christian Findeklee

IPC: G01R33/3415 ,  G01R33/48

CPC classification number: G01R33/5612 ,  G01R33/246 ,  G01R33/3415 ,  G01R33/58 ,  G01R33/583

Abstract: Methods and circuit arrangements for operating multi-channel transmit/receive antenna devices or arrangements especially for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are disclosed, by which a fully independent control of complete multi-channel RF transmit and receive chains can be conducted in a flexible way and new options like RF shimming, transmit sensitivity encoding (TransmitSENSE), RF encoding, determination of S- or Z-matrix prior to spin echo measurements, calibration, SAR (specific absorption rate) reduction etc. can be utilized or improved.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于操作多通道发射/接收天线装置或特别用于磁共振成像（MRI）系统的装置的方法和电路装置，通过该装置可完全独立地控制完整的多通道RF发射和接收链， 可以利用或改进灵活的方式和新的选项，如RF匀场，发射灵敏度编码（TransmitSENSE），RF编码，自旋回波测量之前的S或Z矩阵的确定，校准，SAR（比吸收率）降低等） 。

公开(公告)号：US09575146B2

公开(公告)日：2017-02-21

申请号：US13882293

申请日：2011-10-26

Applicant: Johan Van Den Brink ,  Ingmar Graesslin ,  Sascha Krueger ,  Steffen Weiss ,  Peter Vernickel

Inventor： Johan Van Den Brink ,  Ingmar Graesslin ,  Sascha Krueger ,  Steffen Weiss ,  Peter Vernickel

IPC: G01R33/36 ,  G01R33/24 ,  G01R33/44 ,  G01R33/561 ,  G01R33/58

CPC classification number: G01R33/36 ,  G01R33/246 ,  G01R33/44 ,  G01R33/5612 ,  G01R33/583

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of characterizing the RF transmit chain of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (1) using a local transmit/receive coil system (204; 210), comprising a first local NMR probe and a first local magnetic resonance coil, the first NMR probe being spatially located in immediate neighborhood to the first coil, a local receive coil system (206; 208), comprising a second local NMR probe and a second local magnetic resonance coil, the second NMR probe being spatially located in immediate neighborhood to the second coil, wherein the transmit chain comprises an external MR coil (9; 11; 12; 13), the method comprising: determining with the first magnetic resonance coil, a first MR signal phase evolution of the local RF transmit field generated by MR excitation of the first probe using the first magnetic resonance coil by measuring the RF response of the first probe upon said excitation, determining with the second magnetic resonance coil a second MR signal phase evolution of the local RF transmit field generated by MR excitation of the second probe using the external MR coil (9; 11; 12; 13) by measuring the RF response of the second probe upon said excitation, calculating a phase offset between the first and second MR signal phase evolution.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种使用本地发射/接收线圈系统（204; 210）来表征磁共振成像扫描仪（1）的RF发射链的方法，该系统包括第一局部NMR探针和第一局部磁共振线圈， 空间上位于第一线圈周围的第一NMR探针，包括第二局部NMR探针和第二局部磁共振线圈的局部接收线圈系统（206; 208），所述第二NMR探针在空间上位于紧邻附近 所述第二线圈，其中所述发射链包括外部MR线圈（9; 11; 12; 13），所述方法包括：利用所述第一磁共振线圈确定由MR产生的所述本地RF发射场的第一MR信号相位演变 通过在所述激发时测量第一探针的RF响应，使用第一磁共振线圈激发第一探针，用第二磁共振线圈确定第二MR信号相位ev 使用外部MR线圈（9; 9）对第二探针的MR激发产生的局部RF发射场的清零。 11; 12; 13）通过在所述激励时测量第二探针的RF响应，计算第一和第二MR信号相位演变之间的相位偏移。

公开(公告)号：US20120126800A1

公开(公告)日：2012-05-24

申请号：US13388108

申请日：2010-08-02

Applicant: Peter Vernickel ,  Ulrich Katscher ,  Bernhard Gleich ,  Jurgen Erwin Rahmer

Inventor： Peter Vernickel ,  Ulrich Katscher ,  Bernhard Gleich ,  Jurgen Erwin Rahmer

IPC: G01N27/72

CPC classification number: A61B5/05 ,  A61B5/0515 ,  A61B5/7221 ,  A61B2562/0223

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for determining at least one electromagnetic quantity characterizing an electromagnetic property of an object, in particular a human body, wherein said object contains magnetic particles. The apparatus (100) applying the known principle of Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) comprises selection means for generating a magnetic selection field (50) having the known field pattern showing a field free point (FFP), drive means for changing the position in space of the FFP by means of a magnetic drive field, receiving means for acquiring detection signals depending on the magnetization of the magnetic particles within a field of view (28) and a reconstruction unit (152) for reconstructing a particle distribution quantity depending on the detection signals. The apparatus (100) further comprises a control unit (150) for controlling the receiving means for acquiring a first set of detection signals corresponding to a first drive field frequency and a second set of detection signals corresponding to a second drive field frequency, with both drive field frequencies differing from each other. The control unit (15) further controls the reconstruction unit (152) for reconstructing a first particle distribution quantity depending on the first set of detection signals and a second particle distribution quantity depending on the second set of detection signals. The apparatus (100) further comprises a determination unit (160) for determining the electromagnetic quantity depending on the first and second particle distribution quantity. The present invention further relates to a corresponding method as well as to a computer program.

Abstract translation: 本发明涉及一种用于确定表征物体特别是人体的电磁特性的至少一个电磁量的装置（100），其中所述物体包含磁性颗粒。 应用已知的磁性粒子成像原理（MPI）的装置（100）包括选择装置，用于产生具有示出场自由点（FFP）的已知场模式的磁选择场（50），用于改变空间位置的驱动装置 通过磁驱动场的FFP的接收装置，用于根据视场内的磁性粒子的磁化获取检测信号的接收装置（28）和用于根据检测重建粒子分布量的重建单元（152） 信号。 该设备（100）还包括控制单元（150），用于控制接收装置，用于获取对应于第一驱动场频率的第一组检测信号和对应于第二驱动场频率的第二组检测信号，两者 驱动场频率彼此不同。 控制单元（15）进一步控制重建单元（152），用于根据第一组检测信号重建第一粒子分布量，并根据第二组检测信号控制第二粒子分布量。 所述设备（100）还包括用于根据第一和第二粒子分布量来确定电磁量的确定单元（160）。 本发明还涉及相应的方法以及计算机程序。

公开(公告)号：US20110133729A1

公开(公告)日：2011-06-09

申请号：US13058547

申请日：2009-08-07

Applicant: Peter Vernickel ,  Peter Mazurkewitz ,  Daniel Wirtz ,  Christoph Leussler ,  Ulrich Katscher

Inventor： Peter Vernickel ,  Peter Mazurkewitz ,  Daniel Wirtz ,  Christoph Leussler ,  Ulrich Katscher

IPC: G01R33/14

CPC classification number: A61B5/0536 ,  A61B5/0522

Abstract: A method and a monitoring device for performing an RF-safe MIT scan is disclosed in which it is prevented that an RF exposure, especially a specific absorption rate (SAR), imposed on an examination object, especially a patient, exceeds certain limit values during a magnetic induction tomography (MIT) scan. This is achieved on the one hand by an RF simulation method for simulating intended MIT operating parameters and calculating a resulting RF exposure of the object, and on the other hand by a monitoring device for monitoring the RF power which is applied to the object.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于执行RF安全MIT扫描的方法和监视装置，其中防止施加在检查对象，特别是患者上的RF暴露，特别是特定吸收率（SAR）超过某些限制值 磁感应断层扫描（MIT）扫描。 这一方面通过用于模拟预期的MIT操作参数并计算所得到的对象的RF曝光的RF模拟方法，另一方面由用于监视施加到对象的RF功率的监视装置来实现。

公开(公告)号：US07750637B2

公开(公告)日：2010-07-06

申请号：US11571006

申请日：2005-06-23

Applicant: Steffen Weiss ,  Bernhard Gleich ,  Peter Vernickel

Inventor： Steffen Weiss ,  Bernhard Gleich ,  Peter Vernickel

IPC: G01V3/00

CPC classification number: G01R33/287 ,  G01R33/288

Abstract: An electrically conductive link (connection lead) or transmission line (13) including at least one transformer (41, 42; 83) for coupling at least two lead segments (51, 52; 81, 82) of the line (13) and for providing safety of the line when guided through a RF field. These lines are especially provided for use with a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system and for connecting an electrical device (10), especially a catheter or another invasive device for the examination of a human body, to a connection unit (12) such as, for example, a power supply or control unit outside the examination zone (1) without imposing the risk of disturbances and/or destruction of the electrical device and/or the connection unit and of burning a patient (P) by a heating of the line when guided through RF fields.

Abstract translation: 包括至少一个变压器（41,42; 83）的导电连接（连接引线）或传输线（13），用于连接线（13）的至少两个引线段（51,52; 81,82） 在通过RF场引导时提供线路的安全性。 这些线路特别提供用于与磁共振（MR）成像系统一起使用，并且用于将电气设备（10），特别是用于人体检查的导管或另一侵入性装置连接到连接单元（12），例如 例如，在检查区（1）外部的电源或控制单元，而不会施加电气设备和/或连接单元的干扰和/或破坏的风险，并且通过加热 通过射频场引导。

公开(公告)号：US20100141257A1

公开(公告)日：2010-06-10

申请号：US12598454

申请日：2008-04-03

Applicant: Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Johannes Hendrik Den Boef

Inventor： Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Johannes Hendrik Den Boef

IPC: G01R33/44

CPC classification number: G01R33/3607

Abstract: A method and an RF transmit system for generating RF transmit signals for feeding an RF transmitter (14) in the form of, or comprising, one or more antenna device(s), coil(s), coil elements, or coil array(s) is disclosed. Furthermore, a multi-channel RF transmit system for feeding a plurality of such RF transmitters, especially for use as an RF excitation system in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for exciting nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR) is disclosed. A demand RF transmit signal is compared in the digital domain with an RF transmit signal and digitally corrected with respect to differences or errors between both by means of a complex predistorter (11), an adaption unit (17) and a look-up table unit (18).

Abstract translation: 一种用于产生RF发射信号的方法和RF发射系统，用于馈送以一种或多种天线装置，线圈，线圈元件或线圈阵列形式的RF发射器（14）的形式或包括一个或多个天线装置 ）被公开。 此外，公开了用于馈送多个这样的RF发射器的多通道RF发射系统，特别是用作用于激励核磁共振（NMR）的磁共振成像（MRI）系统中的RF激励系统。 数字域中的需求RF发射信号与RF发射信号进行比较，并且通过复数预失真器（11），适配单元（17）和查找表单元（21）对二者之间的差异或误差进行数字校正 （18）。

公开(公告)号：US07701213B2

公开(公告)日：2010-04-20

申请号：US11912683

申请日：2006-04-21

Applicant: Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Joachim Schmidt ,  Christian Findeklee

Inventor： Ingmar Graesslin ,  Peter Vernickel ,  Joachim Schmidt ,  Christian Findeklee

IPC: G01V3/00

CPC classification number: G01R33/5612 ,  G01R33/246 ,  G01R33/3415 ,  G01R33/58 ,  G01R33/583

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for operating multi-channel transmit/receive antenna devices or arrangements is used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Full independent control of complete multi-channel RF transmit and receive chains can be conducted in a flexible way and new options like RF shimming, transmit sensitivity encoding (TransmitSENSE), RF encoding, determination of S- or Z-matrix prior to spin echo measurements, calibration, SAR (specific absorption rate) reduction etc. can be utilized or improved.

Abstract translation: 在磁共振成像（MRI）系统中使用用于操作多通道发射/接收天线装置或装置的方法和电路装置。 完整的独立控制完整的多通道射频发射和接收链可以以灵活的方式进行，如RF匀场，发射灵敏度编码（TransmitSENSE），RF编码，自旋回波测量之前的S-或Z-矩阵的确定等新选项 ，可以利用或改善校准，SAR（比吸收率）降低等。