Patents by Inventor Helmut Kropfeld

Helmut Kropfeld has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7339587
    Abstract: A method is for medical imaging and image processing in the form of a perspective volumetric display. The method includes providing a multiplicity of temporally graded 3D data volumes at a multiplicity of instants, a 3D data volume, respectively being assigned to an instant; and prescribing a spatially absolutely fixed viewer position within an evaluation volume for at least one 3D data volume at a first instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Kropfeld
  • Publication number: 20060269113
    Abstract: In a method for image generation with an imaging modality, in particular a computed tomography system, in which measurement data for a sequence of 2D slice images of a subject volume are acquired with the imaging modality, image data for the 2D slice images are reconstructed from the measurement data and the image data are post-processed for generation and display of one or more secondary images, the post-processing and display is begun on the basis of already-reconstructed image data before all image data are completely reconstructed for the 2D slice images. The image data are initially reconstructed with a larger slice separation and are subsequently completed in a by a reconstruction of the entire subject volume with image data of remaining intermediate images, such that the representation of the one or more secondary images is completed by the post-processing of the image data of the intermediate images over time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Lutz Gundel, Helmut Kropfeld
  • Patent number: 7010082
    Abstract: In an x-ray computed tomography apparatus and a method for conducting test measurements therein, a combined phantom is employed that is formed of several individual phantoms, each forming a segment of the combined phantom, and the combined phantom is affixed to a platform of the computed tomography apparatus that is movable with respect to an x-ray data acquisition unit of the computed tomography apparatus. The platform is moved into a first position and a first x-ray absorption distribution of a first segment of the combined phantom is obtained, and the platform is moved into a second position and a second x-ray absorption distribution is obtained of a second segment of the phantom. Movement of the platform and operation of the data acquisition unit for obtaining the first and second x-ray distributions are automatically controlled by a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Hein, Helmut Kropfeld, Mario Reinwand
  • Publication number: 20050249393
    Abstract: A method is for medical imaging and image processing in the form of a perspective volumetric display. The method includes providing a multiplicity of temporally graded 3D data volumes at a multiplicity of instants, a 3D data volume, respectively being assigned to an instant; and prescribing a spatially absolutely fixed viewer position within an evaluation volume for at least one 3D data volume at a first instant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Helmut Kropfeld
  • Publication number: 20050110748
    Abstract: In a tomography-capable imaging examination apparatus, and an operating method therefor, an operator first determines a desired scan volume of the examination subject, and then, controlled by the computer device, a raw data set, having data allocated to different directions, is acquired in the scan volume. For planning the subsequent calculation of the resulting image—keeping pace with the scan or immediately after its termination—the computer device calculates and displays a graphic overview representation of the subject of examination from the raw data. The overview representation contains three-dimensional information about the scan volume. In this volume, the operator selects a diagnostically relevant region of representation. Using an image calculation algorithm, the computer device calculates a diagnostically relevant resulting image in the selected region of representation. The quantity of data thus is reduced immediately upon its origination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Dieter Boeing, Lutz Gundel, Helmut Kropfeld, Heiko Mehldau, Dirk Roscher, Werner Schmidt, Christoph Taegert-Kilger, Johann Uebler
  • Publication number: 20050002495
    Abstract: In an x-ray computed tomography apparatus and a method for conducting test measurements therein, a combined phantom is employed that is formed of several individual phantoms, each forming a segment of the combined phantom, and the combined phantom is affixed to a platform of the computed tomography apparatus that is movable with respect to an x-ray data acquisition unit of the computed tomography apparatus. The platform is moved into a first position and a first x-ray absorption distribution of a first segment of the combined phantom is obtained, and the platform is moved into a second position and a second x-ray absorption distribution is obtained of a second segment of the phantom. Movement of the platform and operation of the data acquisition unit for obtaining the first and second x-ray distributions are automatically controlled by a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Hein, Helmut Kropfeld, Mario Reinwand
  • Patent number: 6651018
    Abstract: In a method for correcting a calibration table T(n,k) of a CT apparatus that contains calibration values, the CT apparatus having a detector system with N≧2 rows of detector elements following one another in the z-direction that include a first active row of detector elements in the z-direction and a last active row of detector elements in the z-direction, for correcting the calibration values of the aforementioned first and last active rows of detector elements, a reference vector R(k) is produced, the error is determined with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements, and the error F(n,k) of the first and last active rows of detector elements is subtracted from the corresponding calibration values of the calibration table T(n,k) for determining corrected calibration values Tcor(n,k) with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Kropfeld, Karl Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6501826
    Abstract: In a method for the presentation of image information of an examination subject, those tomograms in a series or set of tomograms that differ in terms of the position relative to a dimension are colored, and are subsequently superimposed to form a resultant image. A color having a position on a color scale corresponding to the position of the respective tomogram with respect to the dimension is used to color that tomogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Kropfeld
  • Publication number: 20020165686
    Abstract: In a method for correcting a calibration table T(n,k) of a CT apparatus that contains calibration values, the CT apparatus having a detector system with N≧2 rows of detector elements following one another in the z-direction that include a first active row of detector elements in the z-direction and a last active row of detector elements in the z-direction, for correcting the calibration values of the aforementioned first and last active rows of detector elements, a reference vector R(k) is produced, the error is determined with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements, and the error F(n,k) of the first and last active rows of detector elements is subtracted from the corresponding calibration values of the calibration table T(n,k) for determining corrected calibration values Tcor(n,k) with respect to the first and last active rows of detector elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Kropfeld, Karl Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6421410
    Abstract: In a computed tomography apparatus with a detector array whose output signals are processed into shadowgrams in a computer, for which purpose a relative displacement ensues between the measuring unit composed of x-ray source and a detector array and the patient support in the longitudinal direction of the support, the output signals are acquired by the computer. A convolution of the output signals ensues in the longitudinal support direction (Z-direction) during the scanning, with values extrapolated from measured values also being used in the calculation. A lagging of the shadowgram presented on the monitor compared to the measuring unit is thus avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Kropfeld