Michael B Sellers

US Patent:

6812705, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/707322

Inventors:

Michael Ben Sellers - Florence SC

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324318, 324315

Abstract:

A thermal barrier is introduced to a magnetic resonance imaging system between the patient bore and each of the gradient coil assembly and RF body coil assembly to maintain the temperature within the patient bore below a maximum operating temperature. This allows the RF body coils to run cooler and also provides a thermal barrier between the gradient coils and the patient bore. In one preferred embodiment, a hollow conductor structure is introduced to the RF body coils at a position between the gradient coils and the patient bore tube. In another embodiment, the hollow conductor structure replaces the flat copper strip of the prior art and itself functions as the RF body coils.

US Patent:

6972567, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/707827

Inventors:

Timothy John Havens - Florence SC, US
Michael Sellers - Florence SC, US
Delton Grey - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC - Waukesha WI

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

324319, 324318

Abstract:

The disclosed apparatus relates to a gradient coil assembly for a magnetic resonance imaging system. The gradient coil assembly comprises: at least two coils. The coils comprise: at least one conductor mechanically bonded via a nonconducting substrate. The bonding surface of the at least one conductor has been subjected to a surface treatment to improve the mechanical bonding properties of the bonding surface. The disclosed apparatus also relates to a magnetic imaging system. The magnetic imaging system comprises: a system controller; a gradient amplifier unit in operable communication with the system controller; a magnetic assembly in operable communication with the gradient amplifier. The magnetic assembly comprises: a gradient coil assembly comprising at least two coils. The coils comprise: at least one conductor mechanically bonded via a nonconducting substrate. A bonding surface of the at least one conductor has been subjected to a surface treatment to improve the mechanical bonding properties of the bonding surface.

US Patent:

7015692, Mar 21, 2006

Filed:

Aug 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604654

Inventors:

Neil Clarke - Florence SC, US
Michael B. Sellers - Florence SC, US
Michael L. Allford - Florence SC, US
Anthony Mantone - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

GE Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324300, 324315, 324318, 324319

Abstract:

The present invention provides for a cooling system for circulating a coolant to cool the patient bore. In one embodiment, that patient bore consists of two concentric cylinders separated by spacers running either longitudinally or helically. In another embodiment of the present invention, fluid may be passed either helically or longitudinally through tubes bonded to the outer diameter of the patient bore such that the parts of the bore that are exposed to the patient are directly cooled. In a third embodiment, the RF coil could form part of the patient bore, with the helical or longitudinal fluid channels surrounding the patient bore.

US Patent:

7042218, May 9, 2006

Filed:

May 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/709455

Inventors:

Michael B. Sellers - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324309, 324307

Abstract:

A system and method for acoustic noise reduction/cancellation is disclosed that includes a medical imaging scanner configured to scan an imaging subject within an imaging area that emits system noise when in operation. An ultrasonic emitter system is included that is constructed to emit an inaudible signal having properties to reduce perception of the system noise about at least a portion of the imaging area.

US Patent:

7068033, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/642846

Inventors:

Michael Ben Sellers - Florence SC, US
Tomas Duby - Florence SC, US
Neil Clarke - Florence SC, US
Anthony Mantone - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC - Waukesha WI

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318, 324320, 324322, 324307, 324309

Abstract:

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device includes an inner gradient coil assembly proximate a patient positioning area, an outer gradient coil assembly proximate a magnet assembly, and a damping layer sandwiched between the inner and outer gradient coil assemblies.

US Patent:

7309988, Dec 18, 2007

Filed:

Jan 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/330667

Inventors:

Michael Ben Sellers - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318, 324322

Abstract:

A method for reducing acoustic noise in a medical imaging system is described. The method includes attaching a material to an area affected by an acoustic noise generated by the imaging system. The material is configured to bend upon receiving an electrical signal.

US Patent:

7368913, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Jun 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/428237

Inventors:

Michael B. Sellers - Florence SC, US
Robert A. Belinski - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324318

Abstract:

An apparatus for providing forced airflow to a surface of a cylindrical gradient coil in a cylindrical magnet assembly including a cylindrical magnet and a first annular gap between the gradient coil and the magnet, the gradient coil mounted inside the magnet includes a first manifold tube having an annular shape and located in the first annular gap between the gradient coil and the magnet. The first manifold tube includes at least one inlet on a first side of the first manifold tube and a plurality of outlet holes on a second side of the first manifold tube. The apparatus also includes an air source coupled to at least one inlet of the first manifold tube and configured to provide airflow to the first manifold tube. In one embodiment, a second manifold tube may be located in a second annular gap between the gradient coil and the RF coil.

US Patent:

7439836, Oct 21, 2008

Filed:

Dec 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/321555

Inventors:

Yuri Lvovsky - Florence SC, US
Michael Ben Sellers - Florence SC, US
Timothy J. Havens - Florence SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H01F 5/00

US Classification:

335299, 335296, 335216

Abstract:

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system is disclosed. The MRI system includes a cryogenic magnet assembly with a cryogenic vessel housing a superconducting magnet. Disposed radially inboard of the cryogenic magnet assembly are a gradient coil module and a plurality of room temperature steel rings proximate to the gradient coil module. A field of view is defined by at least the superconducting magnet, the gradient coil module, and the plurality of room temperature steel rings. In response to the superconducting magnet being energized, the room temperature steel rings create high order harmonics that serve to expand the magnetic field homogeneity FOV, and low order harmonics that tend to degrade the magnetic field homogeneity within the FOV. The low order harmonics are compensated for by the cryogenic magnet assembly.