Feng Jung Huang

US Patent:

6865494, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/323135

Inventors:

G. Randy Duensing - Gainesville FL, US
Charles Saylor - Gainesville FL, US
Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

Assignee:

MRI Devices Corp. - Gainesville FL

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

702 38, 702104, 702179, 702198, 324439, 324633, 324722, 7333505, 600409, 600411

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to an imaging technique and apparatus which can utilize an array of RF probes to measure the non-resonant thermal noise which is produced within a sample, such as a body, and produce a non-resonant thermal noise correlation. The detected noise correlation is a function of the spatial overlap of the electromagnetic fields of the probes and the spatial distribution of the conductivity of the sample. The subject technique, which can be referred to as Noise Tomography (NT), can generate a three-dimensional map of the conductivity of the sample. Since the subject invention utilizes detection of the thermal noise generated within the body, the subject method can be non-invasive and can be implemented without requiring external power, chemicals, or radionuclides to be introduced into the body. The subject imaging method can be used as a stand along technique or can be used in conjunction with other imaging techniques.

US Patent:

7202663, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Nov 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/987038

Inventors:

Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

Assignee:

Iovivo Corporation - Gainesville FL

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324307, 324309

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to a method for acquiring and reconstructing a collection of time crucial magnetic resonance images. The subject invention is applicable for speeding up acquisition of or improving the quality of the set of images. In one specific embodiment, the subject method is used to reduce the time required to generate a cardiac CINE sequence of phases of the heart.

US Patent:

7230429, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

Jan 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/041904

Inventors:

Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US
G. Randy Duensing - Gainesville FL, US
Yunmei Chen - Gainesville FL, US

Assignee:

Invivo Corporation - Gainesville FL

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324322, 324318

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for producing sensitivity maps with respect to medical imaging. The subject invention relates to a method for applying an inpainting model to correct images in parallel imaging. Some images, such as coil sensitivity maps and intensity correction maps, have no signal at some places and may have noise. Advantageously, the subject invention allows an accurate method to fill in holes in sensitivity maps, where holes can arise when, for example, the pixel intensity magnitudes for two images being used to create the sensitivity map are zero. A specific embodiment of the subject invention can accomplish de-noise, interpolation, and extrapolation simultaneously for these types of maps such that the local texture can be carefully protected.

US Patent:

7576536, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

May 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/430384

Inventors:

James Akao - Gainesville FL, US
G. Randy Duensing - Gainesville FL, US
Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

Assignee:

Invivo Corporation - Gainesville FL

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324307, 324309, 324312

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to method and apparatus for parallel imaging. The subject method can be utilized with imaging systems utilizing parallel imaging techniques. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention can be used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A specific embodiment of the subject invention can reduce parallel reconstruction CPU and system resources usage by reducing the number of channels employed in the parallel reconstruction from the M channel signals to a lower number of channel signals. In a specific embodiment, sensitivity map information can be used in the selection of the M channel signals to be used, and how the selected channel signals are to be combined, to create the output channel signals. In an embodiment, for a given set of radio-frequency (RF) elements, an optimal choice of reconstructed channel modes can be made using prior view information and/or sensitivity data for the given slice. The subject invention can utilize parallel imaging speed up in multiple directions.

US Patent:

20050253580, Nov 17, 2005

Filed:

May 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/128731

Inventors:

Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US
Hu Cheng - Gainesville FL, US
G. Duensing - Gainesville FL, US

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

324307000, 324309000

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to a method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involving the acquisition of pseudo-polar K-space data and creation of an MRI image from the pseudo-polar K-space data. In an embodiment, the subject method can incorporate a scan scheme for acquiring pseudo-polar K-space data and corresponding reconstruction technique. Advantageously, the subject method can result in reduced motion artifact in dynamic MRI with short acquisition time and short reconstruction time. In a specific embodiment, the subject method can incorporate a reconstruction method utilizing Fractional FFT in MRI. The subject method can allow the acquisition of pseudo-polar K-space data. In a specific embodiment, the acquisition of the pseudo-polar is accomplished by one shot. Other acquisition techniques can also be utilized in accordance with the subject invention. In an embodiment, the pseudo-polar K-space data can lie at the origin of K-space and on N linearly growing concentric squares, with N≦2, where the distance between adjacent concentric squares is the same as the distance from the origin to the innermost square. The K-space data on the N concentric squares are equally spaced from adjacent data points on the same square, including data points at the corners of each square.

US Patent:

20060050981, Mar 9, 2006

Filed:

Sep 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/221334

Inventors:

Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/40

US Classification:

382254000

Abstract:

The subject invention relates to a method for reconstructing a dynamic image series. Embodiments of the subject invention can be considered and/or referred to as a parallel imaging-prior-information imaging (parallel-prior) hybrid method. A specific embodiment can be referred to as k-t GRAPPA. The subject method can involve linear interpolation of data in k-t space. Linear interpolation of missing data in k-t space can exploit the correlation of the acquired data in both k-space and time. Several extra auto-calibration signal (ACS) lines can be acquired in each k-space scan and the correlation of the acquired data can be calculated based on the extra ACS lines. In an embodiment, ACS lines can be calculated based on other acquired data, such that values in an ACS line can be partially acquired and the unacquired values can be calculated and filled in based on the acquired values. In a preferred embodiment, no extra training data is used and no sensitivity map is used. In an embodiment, the extra ACS lines can be directly applied in the k-space to improve the image quality. Because the correlations exploited via the subject method are local and intrinsic, the subject method does not require that the sensitivity maps have no change during the acquisition. Advantageously, the subject method can be utilized when sensitivity maps change, preferably slowly, during the acquisition of the data.

US Patent:

20060233454, Oct 19, 2006

Filed:

Nov 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/281523

Inventors:

Hu Cheng - Gainesville FL, US
Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/40

US Classification:

382274000

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to a method of image intensity correction. The subject invention can utilize extrapolation for image intensity correction. The use of extrapolation can reduce the artifacts during intensity correction as compared to traditional methods of intensity correction. The extrapolation can be combined with, for example, homomorphic filtering methods, parametric estimation techniques, wavelet based method, and/or Gaussian smooth method, in order to reduce the artifacts generated by these methods and improve the quality of correction. The implementation of image extrapolation in accordance with a specific embodiment can utilize closest point method. The subject method can also use adaptive smoothing for image intensity correction. In an embodiment, the use of gradient weighted smoothing method can reduce, or eliminate, over-smoothing of bright spot regions. In a specific embodiment, the subject method can utilize gradient weighted partial differential equation (PDE) smoothing.

US Patent:

20060233455, Oct 19, 2006

Filed:

Apr 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/405317

Inventors:

Hu Cheng - Gainesville FL, US
Feng Huang - Gainesville FL, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/40

US Classification:

382274000

Abstract:

The subject invention pertains to a method of image intensity correction. The subject invention can utilize extrapolation for image intensity correction. The use of extrapolation can reduce the artifacts during intensity correction as compared to traditional methods of intensity correction. The extrapolation can be combined with, for example, homomorphic filtering methods, parametric estimation techniques, wavelet based method, and/or Gaussian smooth method, in order to reduce the artifacts generated by these methods and improve the quality of correction. The implementation of image extrapolation in accordance with a specific embodiment can utilize closest point method. The subject method can also use adaptive smoothing for image intensity correction. In an embodiment, the use of gradient weighted smoothing method can reduce, or eliminate, over-smoothing of bright spot regions. In a specific embodiment, the subject method can utilize gradient weighted partial differential equation (PDE) smoothing.