Kenneth W Belt

US Patent:

6677755, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

Sep 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/260787

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA
J. Michael Watral - Stow PA
Stanley R. Lewandowski - Cheswick PA
Bradley J. Adams - West Leechburg PA
Lisa A. Augustine - Natrona Heights PA

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324322, 324318

Abstract:

A circuit for selectively disabling and enabling n-coils includes n-drivers disposed in a totem-pole configuration. Each of the n-drivers includes two FETs whose gates connect at a common node therefor. Each n-driver is used to operate one of the n-coils by being responsive at its common node to (i) a coil disable signal by activating one FET thereof and deactivating the other FET thereof drawing current away from and thus disabling its corresponding coil and allowing current to flow through the one FET and thus be available as a source of current to a successive one of the n-drivers and (ii) a coil enable signal by deactivating the one FET thereof and activating the other FET thereof thereby allowing current to flow serially through its corresponding coil and the other FET thus enabling its corresponding coil and to be available as a source of current to the successive n-driver.

US Patent:

6714012, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Nov 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/015190

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA
J. Michael Watral - Freeport PA
Stanley R. Lewandowski - Cheswick PA
Bradley J. Adams - W. Leechburg PA
Lisa A. Augustine - Okauchee WI

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324318, 324322, 600421

Abstract:

An apparatus enables a patient to be positioned optimally for a scanning procedure during which images are to be obtained of the vasculature of the patient. The apparatus includes a lumbar support, a tray, and a leg support. The lumbar support allows the renal portion of the vasculature to be positioned predominately in a single plane. The tray allows the pelvic and femoral portions of the vasculature to be positioned substantially coplanar with each other and with the renal portion of the vasculature. The leg support allows the lower leg and feet portions of the vasculature to be positioned substantially coplanar with each other and with the pelvic and femoral portions of the vasculature. The substantial coplanar alignment of the portions of the vasculature enables the images thereof to be obtained with a smaller field of view and thus at least one of greater resolution and reduced scanning time.

US Patent:

6737866, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/254235

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA
J. Michael Watral - Freeport PA
Stanley R. Lewandowski - Cheswick PA
Bradley J. Adams - West Leechburg PA
Lisa A. Augustine - Okauchee WI

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324318, 324322

Abstract:

A method is provided for imaging a vasculature of a patient using an MRI system with an array of local coils. The method includes thestep of providing a housig by which (I) a first plurality of the coils is arrayed along an anterior surface of the patient, (II) a second plurality of the coils is arrayed along a posterior surface of the patient, and (III) the patient is oriented such that portions of the vasculature between and including the renal and feet portions thereof are aligned substantially coplanarly. The method also includes the step of injecting a contrast agent into the patient. The method further involves acquiring images of the vasculature from approximately the renal portion thereof to an including the feet portion thereof so that the images of the portions of the vasculature are acquired successively in timed relation to a progression of the contrast agent therethrough.

US Patent:

6747454, Jun 8, 2004

Filed:

Sep 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/252196

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

324318, 324322

Abstract:

An array of coils is configured for use in imaging the vasculature of a patient. The array of coils comprises first and second pluralities of coil pairs for deployment longitudinally along anterior and posterior surfaces, respectively, of the patient. In the first plurality, each coil pair has first and second loops positioned laterally about right and left sides, respectively, of the anterior surface for receiving therefrom magnetic resonance signals. In the second plurality, each coil pair has first and second loops positioned laterally about right and left sides, respectively, of the posterior surface for receiving therefrom magnetic resonance signals. Means are provided for laterally isolating the first and second loops relative to each other for each coil pair. Means are provided for longitudinally isolating the coil pairs relative to each other. Means also vertically isolate the coil pairs of the first plurality from those of the second plurality.

US Patent:

6888351, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Jun 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/610250

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI, US
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA, US
J. Michael Watral - Freeport PA, US

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

324318, 324319

Abstract:

A coil interface is capable of coupling an array of coils to a magnetic resonance (MR) system. The MR system is equipped with a predetermined number of receivers. The coil interface includes a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and an interface circuit disposed therebetween. The plurality of input ports is used to couple the interface circuit to the coils of the array. The plurality of output ports is used to couple the interface circuit to the receivers of the MR system. The interface circuit is used to selectively interconnect at least two of the input ports to at least one of the output ports, thereby allowing the array of coils to be selectively operated in any one of a plurality of operational modes.

US Patent:

6897658, May 24, 2005

Filed:

Jun 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/610471

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI, US
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA, US
J. Michael Watral - Stow OH, US

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

324322, 324318

Abstract:

A circuit for selectively disabling and enabling n-coils includes n-drivers in a totem-pole configuration. Each of the n-drivers includes two transistors whose control terminals connect at a common node. Each n-driver is used to operate one of the n-coils by being responsive at its common node to (i) a coil disable signal by activating one transistor thereof and deactivating the other transistor thereof thereby drawing current away from and thus disabling its corresponding coil and allowing current to flow through the one transistor and thus be available as a source of current to a successive one of the n-drivers and (ii) a coil enable signal by deactivating the one transistor thereof and activating the other transistor thereof thereby allowing current to flow serially through its corresponding coil and the other transistor thus enabling its corresponding coil and to be available as a source of current to the successive n-driver.

US Patent:

7141980, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Nov 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/993227

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI, US
Michael Reichel - Pittsburgh PA, US
J. Michael Watral - Freeport PA, US
Stanley R. Lewandowski - Cheswick PA, US
Bradley J. Adams - West Leechburg PA, US
Lisa A. Augustine - Natrona Heights PA, US

Assignee:

Medrad, Inc. - Indianola PA

International Classification:

G01V 3/00

US Classification:

324322, 324318

Abstract:

An apparatus for enabling operation of adjacent coil loops with a magnetic resonance system. The apparatus includes a correction network interconnecting the coil loops for enabling both concurrent and separate operation of the coil loops. The correction network includes an input network for each coil loop and an isolation circuit. Each input network includes a balun and an active decoupling circuit for interconnecting the coil loop and balun. The balun links the input network to the MR system. The active decoupling circuits are capable of being (A) activated concurrently thereby disabling both loops during the transmit cycle, (B) deactivated concurrently thereby enabling each loop to receive MR signals during the receive cycle and (C) deactivated/activated separately thereby enabling either one but not both loops to receive MR signals during the receive cycle. The isolation circuit interconnects the loops for substantially canceling mutual inductance between them while they are enabled concurrently.

US Patent:

D2693739, Jun 14, 1983

Filed:

Nov 25, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/210275

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Belt - Fort Atkinson WI
George L. Congdon - Fort Atkinson WI

Assignee:

Norland Corporation - Fort Atkinson WI

International Classification:

D2402

US Classification:

D24 17