DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because boxes 5’, 7’, 9, 11, 15, 13 (Fig. 1), 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f (Fig. 2), 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f (Fig. 3), 4,n’s, 20, 26, 30, 31, 36 (Fig. 4), 4, 12, 12.1, 40, 42, 44, 46, 54, 56 (Fig. 5) should be provided with descriptive text labels (see MPEP 608.02(b)(II) FP 6.22).
Claim Objections
Claims 17 and 18 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 17, the control unit does not comprise a combination of elements (see MPEP 608.01(i)).
Claim 18, the magnetic imaging system/control unit do not comprise a combination of elements (see MPEP 608.01(i)).
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 101
35 U.S.C. 101 reads as follows:
Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.
Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 because the claimed invention is directed to non-statutory subject matter.
Pursuant to the 2019 Revised Patent Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance (MPEP2106), the following analysis is made:
Under step 1 of the Guidance, the claims fall within a statutory category.
Under step 2A, prong 1, claims 1 and 15-18 recite an abstract idea of “calculating a set of B1-shims for a plurality of different field-of-views in the one or more body parts of the various test subjects from the previously measured B1-maps using an optimization algorithm” (mathematical concept), “identifying which B1-shim has a best performance for a group of field-of-views of the plurality of different field-of-views using the previously measured B1-maps” (evaluation, mental process), “optimizing the B1-shim for the group of field-of-views, such that an optimized initial B1-shim is obtained” (evaluation, mental process).
The mere nominal recitation of a generic processor (control unit, processor) does not take the claim limitation out of the abstract idea (MPEP 2106.04(a)(2) (III)).
Under step 2A, prong 2, the claim limitations are not integrated into a practical application (MPEP 2106.04(d)(I)).
A data interface for receiving a set of previously measured B1-maps of the multi-element transmit coil for one or more body parts of various test subjects is directed to an insignificant extra solution activity of data gathering (see MPEP 2106.05(g)).
Under step 2B, the claims do not include additional elements that are sufficient to amount to significantly more than the abstract idea. A data interface for receiving a set of previously measured B1-maps is a well-understood, routine, and conventional feature known in the industry (see MPEP 2106.05(d)).
The remaining dependent claims do not provide meaningful limitation(s) to transform the abstract idea into a patent eligible application of the abstract idea.
Claim 10 is directed to conventional insignificant extra solution activities.
Claims 2-14 are directed to an abstract idea.
Prior Art Note
Claims 1-18 do not have prior art rejections.
The combination as claimed wherein a method and system for calculating at least one optimized initial B1-shim for a magnetic resonance measurement, comprising identifying which B1-shim has a best performance for a group of field-of-views of the plurality of different field-of-views using the previously measured B1-maps (claims 1, 15-18) is not disclosed, suggested, or made obvious by the prior art of record.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Boernert et al. (US 2011/0156704) discloses a method and system for calculating at least one optimized initial B1-shim for a magnetic resonance measurement (paragraph 0034, lines 8-10; paragraph 0031, lines 4-6; step 220), comprising:
receiving a set of previously measured B1-maps (paragraph 0014, lines 18-19) of the multi-element transmit coil (116) for one or more body parts of various test subjects (112, Fig. 1);
calculating a set of B1-shims for a plurality of different field-of-views in the one or more body parts of the various test subjects from the previously measured B1-maps using an optimization algorithm (paragraph 0034, lines 8-10; paragraph 0031, lines 4-6; step 220);
optimizing the B1-shim for the group of field-of-views, such that an optimized initial B1-shim is obtained (paragraph 0034, lines 8-10).
Boernert et al. discloses “[t]he large B1 map allows every region which affects image quality to have its own B1-shim parameters optimized” (paragraph 0034, lines 8-10).
However, Boernert et al. does not disclose identifying which B1-shim has a best performance for a group of field-of-views of the plurality of different field-of-views using the previously measured B1-maps.
Weingartner et al. (US 2018/0067176) discloses calculating B1+ shim parameters for the RF coil using the reconstructed B1+ map (claim 11).
Feiweier (US 2017/0090001) discloses receiving B1 maps during the measurement of RF coils (paragraph 0020).
However, the references above do not disclose identifying which B1-shim has a best performance for a group of field-of-views of the plurality of different field-of-views using the previously measured B1-maps.
Herrler et al. (EP 4431970) is an EP equivalent of the instant applicant. The Search Report (page 17) shows “A” references that have been considered.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Michael Nghiem whose telephone number is (571) 272-2277. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Andrew Schechter can be reached at (571) 272-2302. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 273-8300.
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/MICHAEL P NGHIEM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2857 July 16, 2026
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