Daniel F Kacher

US Patent:

6680610, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

May 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/577740

Inventors:

Walid E. Kyriakos - Brookline MA 02446
Daniel F. Kacher - Allston MA 02134

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324307, 324314, 324309

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for decreasing image acquisition and reconstruction times in magnetic resonance imaging are provided. Magnetic resonance data is acquired in parallel by an array of separate RF receiver coils disposed at generally circumferentially-spaced locations relative to one another around the imaging volume defined by the body coil of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. Further, the image reconstruction also is performed in parallel, thereby shortening up image display times. The apparatus and method operate on the basis of determining an estimate of the sensitivity profile of each RF coil in the array, and thereafter, utilizing those profiles in the creation of a desired image by encoding later acquired magnetic resonance data from a body of interest disposed in the imaging volume of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. An apparatus and a method for refining the initial calibration estimate of the sensitivity profile of each of the various RF coils in the array according to the load applied thereto by the object being imaged also are provided.

US Patent:

7362889, Apr 22, 2008

Filed:

Nov 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/291866

Inventors:

Steven Dubowsky - Boston MA, US
Moustapha Hafez - Paris, FR
Ferenc A. Jolesz - Brookline MA, US
Daniel F. Kacher - Allston MA, US
Matthew Lichter - Somerville MA, US
Peter Weiss - Eichenau, DE
Andreas Wingert - Baindt, DE

Assignee:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382128, 382131, 382132

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to devices and systems used in magnetic imaging environments that include an actuator device having an elastomeric dielectric film with at least two electrodes, and a frame attached to the actuator device. The frame can have a plurality of configurations including, such as, for example, at least two members that can be, but not limited to, curved beams, rods, plates, or parallel beams. These rigid members can be coupled to flexible members such as, for example, links wherein the frame provides an elastic restoring force. The frame preferably provides a linear actuation force characteristic over a displacement range. The linear actuation force characteristic is defined as 20% and preferably 10% over a displacement range. The actuator further includes a passive element disposed between the flexible members to tune a stiffness characteristic of the actuator. The passive element can be a bi-stable element.

US Patent:

63203782, Nov 20, 2001

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

9/822646

Inventors:

Stephan E. Maier - Brookline MA
Ferenc A. Jolesz - Brookline MA
Daniel F. Kacher - Allston MA

Assignee:

Brigham & Women's Hospital - Boston MA

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324307

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for generating and displaying undistorted images of a field of view containing undesirable motion and/or time varying magnetic field inhomogeneities, uses a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) image signals, corresponding to a time series of MR images, generated by a single-shot imaging technique without shot-to-shot phase encoding. Signals are stored and analyzed to identify missing and/or deteriorated images (including image portions, image lines or image line segments). Identified missing and/or deteriorated images are compensated for by replacement, repair or otherwise. MR image signals representative of a specified time series are selected. Then, selected signals of corresponding portions of the field of view are averaged. The invention may be used to present: a continuously updated time series of images; a time series of images with only a specified portions of the image updated in each display; or an entire time series of images re-created in any desired sequence.