Bryan J Mock

US Patent:

6529001, Mar 4, 2003

Filed:

Feb 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/794192

Inventors:

Bryan J. Mock - Lake Mills WI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324309, 324306, 324307

Abstract:

A technique is described for correcting phase errors in a bipolar readout gradient MRI imaging sequence, such as an EPI examination. The technique employs alternating sets of oscillating readout gradient pulses. Each readout pulse train has a polarity which is inverted with respect to an immediately preceding and an immediately succeeding readout sequence. The collected data then incorporates both image data and data which is used to correct for phase errors. Following data acquisition, correction factors may be determined from the k-space frames for correction of successive k-space data. K-space frames may be reformatted to inherently correct for phase errors, followed by combination of hybrid k-space data frames to obtain a corrected image.

US Patent:

6670812, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/243162

Inventors:

Bryan J. Mock - Lake Mills WI
Charles R. Michelich - Durham NC

Assignee:

GE Medical Systems Global Technology, LLC - Waukesha WI

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324309, 324307

Abstract:

A technique for calculating actual b-values in a diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging system and of adjusting the observed b-value until it is within a tolerance range of the prescribed b-value. A diffusion weighted image with the desired diffusion sensitivity may then be produced. Calculation of the actual b-value is accomplished by integrating the linear segments of the gradient waveform. Adjustment of observed b-value is accomplished by initially scaling the diffusion lobe amplitude and comparing a recalculated b-value to the prescribed b-value. Additional adjustment is provided by means of a numeric search iteratively performed until the recalculated b-value is within tolerance of the prescribed b-value.

US Patent:

7098662, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Mar 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/083272

Inventors:

Richard Scott Hinks - Waukesha WI, US
Bryan J. Mock - Lake Mills WI, US
Bruce D. Collick - Madison WI, US
Frederick Joseph Frigo - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318, 324309

Abstract:

A method and system of MR imaging where variable readout gradient filtering (VRGF) is carried out after MR data acquired during gradient field transitions has been phase-corrected. Thus, phase errors can be removed prior to VRGF re-sampling of the MR data. As such, image artifacts due to phase errors can be reduced, improving image fidelity and reducing ghosting especially for poorly calibrated systems.

US Patent:

7102352, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Mar 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/083269

Inventors:

Richard Scott Hinks - Waukesha WI, US
Bryan James Mock - Lake Mills WI, US
Bruce David Collick - Madison WI, US
Frederick Joseph Frigo - Waukesha WI, US
Tejaswini Shubhachint - Waukesha WI, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318, 324309

Abstract:

A nearest neighbor phase correction technique is implemented to reduce image artifacts due to phase errors in data acquired in an EPI scan. Image quality for EPI applications, such as DWI, DTI, and fMRI, is improved.

US Patent:

7259557, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Oct 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/254260

Inventors:

R. Scott Hinks - Waukesha WI, US
Bryan J. Mock - Lake Mills WI, US
Frederick J. Frigo - Waukesha WI, US
Xiaoli Zhao - New Berlin WI, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324309, 324307

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of phase correction whereby changes in phase characteristics are measured during data acquisition and, accordingly, phase correction parameters that are applied during image reconstruction are updated in real-time. This adaptive and dynamic phase correction reduces variability in image fidelity during the course of long MR scans, such as EPI scans, and provides consistent artifact reduction during the course of an MR scan.

US Patent:

7420370, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Aug 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/841542

Inventors:

Richard Scott Hinks - Waukesha WI, US
Bryan James Mock - Lake Mills WI, US
Frederick Joseph Frigo - Waukesha WI, US
Xiaoli Zhao - New Berlin WI, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324309, 324307

Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of phase correction whereby changes in phase characteristics are measured during data acquisition and, accordingly, phase correction parameters that are applied during image reconstruction are updated in real-time. This adaptive and dynamic phase correction reduces variability in image fidelity during the course of long MR scans, such as EPI scans, and provides consistent artifact reduction during the course of an MR scan.

US Patent:

62592505, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

Apr 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/301408

Inventors:

Bryan J. Mock - Lake Mills WI

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324309

Abstract:

A technique is described for correcting phase errors in a bipolar readout gradient MRI imaging sequence, such as an EPI examination. The technique employs alternating sets of oscillating readout gradient pulses. Each readout pulse train has a polarity which is inverted with respect to an immediately preceding and an immediately succeeding readout sequence. The collected data then incorporates both image data and data which is used to correct for phase errors. Following data acquisition, correction factors may be determined from the k-space frames for correction of successive k-space data. K-space frames may be reformatted to inherently correct for phase errors, followed by combination of hybrid k-space data frames to obtain a corrected image.

US Patent:

58368787, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Aug 11, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/909190

Inventors:

Bryan J. Mock - Monona WI
William G. Irwin - Madison WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

H61B 5055

US Classification:

600415

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is disclosed for immobilizing a patient's head within an MRI headcoil to avoid the use of imaging enhancements that compensate for patient movement. The apparatus includes a bite plate having a dental impression of the particular patient at one end, and at the other end, the bite plate is attached to a mounting bracket assembly. The mounting bracket assembly is rigidly attached to the MRI headcoil. The mounting bracket assembly includes a main bracket, an intermediary bracket, and a clamping plate. The bite plate is adjustably mounted to the intermediary bracket, which in turn is adjustably mounted to the main bracket to provide both approximate adjustments and precise adjustments, respectively. The clamping plate attaches the mounting bracket assembly to at least one rung of the headcoil. A patient adjustable retainer is provided for locking the bite plate to the intermediary bracket and providing a method of allowing the technician or the patient to perform the precise adjustments so that the patient is most comfortable during a lengthy MRI.