Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a physical state of a movable object includes a processor receiving or determining a probability mass function including probabilities for each of a first group of at least two movement classes, wherein the movement models of the first group being determined using sensor data from the inertial measurement unit. The processor receives at least one additional probability mass function associated with a second group of at least two movement classes, wherein the additional probability mass function has been obtained using additional information different from the sensor data.

Abstract: A method for assessing and/or reducing artifacts arising from reconstruction of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) total image data set (c(r)) from MPI signal data (s(f), u(t)) using an appended system matrix (SM_AB) comprises: a) reconstructing signal data (s(f), u(t)) using appended system matrix (SM_AB) derived from at least two system matrices (SM_A, SM_B) for generating input image data (cin(r)); b) selecting at least one voxel as selected voxel from the input image data (cin(r)) for generating output image data (cout(r)); c) determining eigen-reconstruction signal data sen(f) by selecting one or more line entries of the appended system matrix (SM_AB) that correspond to the selected voxel(s); d) reconstructing eigen-reconstruction signal data se(f) using the appended system matrix (SM_AB) for generating eigen-reconstruction image data ce(r); and e) subtracting the eigen-reconstruction image data ce(r) or weighted eigen-reconstruction image data ce?(r) from the input image data cin(r) for generating updat

Abstract: A lens main body includes an inner housing, a lens element mounted on the inner housing, an adjustable functional element mounted on the inner housing, and an electrical drive arranged on the inner housing to adjust the functional element, a controller arranged on the inner housing, a securing device configured to reversibly receive an outer housing extending around the inner housing in a tubular fashion, and a first signal interface to receive control signals for the controller, arranged on the inner housing, and configured to reversibly couple to a mating interface of the outer housing. An outer housing for the lens main body, and a lens formed from the lens main body and the outer housing have an altered functional scope vis-à-vis the lens main body. In addition, a lens assembly includes, besides the lens main body, two outer housings having a different functional scope.

Abstract: A lens main body includes an inner housing, a lens element mounted on the inner housing, an adjustable functional element mounted on the inner housing, and an electrical drive arranged on the inner housing to adjust the functional element, a controller arranged on the inner housing, a securing device configured to reversibly receive an outer housing extending around the inner housing in a tubular fashion, and a first signal interface to receive control signals for the controller, arranged on the inner housing, and configured to reversibly couple to a mating interface of the outer housing. An outer housing for the lens main body, and a lens formed from the lens main body and the outer housing have an altered functional scope vis-à-vis the lens main body. In addition, a lens assembly includes, besides the lens main body, two outer housings having a different functional scope.

Abstract: A lens main body includes an inner housing, a lens element mounted on the inner housing, an adjustable functional element mounted on the inner housing, and an electrical drive arranged on the inner housing to adjust the functional element, a controller arranged on the inner housing, a securing device configured to reversibly receive an outer housing extending around the inner housing in a tubular fashion, and a first signal interface to receive control signals for the controller, arranged on the inner housing, and configured to reversibly couple to a mating interface of the outer housing. An outer housing for the lens main body, and a lens formed from the lens main body and the outer housing have an altered functional scope vis-à-vis the lens main body. In addition, a lens assembly includes, besides the lens main body, two outer housings having a different functional scope.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for generating a selection magnetic field with a gradient and a field-free region in a sample volume includes: a Maxwell magnet system with two ring magnets, which are arranged in coaxial fashion and at a distance from one another on a common Z-axis extending through the sample volume, a focus field coil arrangement with at least one focus field coil pair for displacing the field-free region within the sample volume, and a drive coil for generating an MPI drive field. The magnet arrangement comprises a quadrupole magnet system with at least one quadrupole ring for generating a quadrupole magnetic field, the quadrupole magnet system being arranged coaxially with respect to the Maxwell magnet system. Using the magnet arrangement according to the invention, it is possible to switch between a selection magnet field with a field-free point and a field-free line without undesirably increasing the field gradient.

Abstract: An MPI imaging device for mapping an object to be examined in a sample volume, with a magnet arrangement which is designed to generate an MPI magnetic field with a gradient B1 and a field-free line in the sample volume, the magnet arrangement comprising a first pair of magnet rings with two magnet rings in a Halbach dipole configuration, which are arranged coaxially on a common Z axis that runs through the sample volume, wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a second pair of magnet rings with two further magnet rings in a Halbach dipole configuration, which is arranged coaxially in relation to the first pair of magnet rings, the magnet rings of both pairs being arranged rotatably with respect to one another about the Z axis. As a result, a variable MPI selection field can be generated by means of permanent magnets.

Abstract: A magnet arrangement for generating a selection magnetic field with a gradient and a field-free region in a sample volume includes: a Maxwell magnet system with two ring magnets, which are arranged in coaxial fashion and at a distance from one another on a common Z-axis extending through the sample volume, a focus field coil arrangement with at least one focus field coil pair for displacing the field-free region within the sample volume, and a drive coil for generating an MPI drive field. The magnet arrangement comprises a quadrupole magnet system with at least one quadrupole ring for generating a quadrupole magnetic field, the quadrupole magnet system being arranged coaxially with respect to the Maxwell magnet system. Using the magnet arrangement according to the invention, it is possible to switch between a selection magnet field with a field-free point and a field-free line without undesirably increasing the field gradient.

Abstract: An objective lens main body and an objective lens system formed by the objective lens are provided. The objective lens main body includes a main frame for retaining optical functional elements and at least one adjustable, optical functional element that is retained adjustably thereon. The objective lens main body furthermore includes at least one adjustment drive arranged on the main frame for adjusting the adjustable functional element or at least one of the adjustable functional elements. In addition, the objective lens main body includes an electronics board attached indirectly or directly to the main frame that has at least one plug-in location for reversibly receiving a plug-in card, and a first controller that is configured as a plug-in card and inserted into the plug-in location or one of the plug-in locations and is set up for exchanging signals with an electrical module of the objective lens or an external unit.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging apparatus for imaging an object to be examined located in a sample volume can be operated in an MPI mode and in at least one further imaging mode and comprises a magnet arrangement embodied to generate, in the MPI mode, a magnetic field with a gradient B1 and a field-free region in the sample volume, wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a ring magnet pair with two ring magnets in a Halbach dipole configuration, which are arranged coaxially on a common Z-axis that extends through the sample volume, wherein the ring magnets are arranged so as to be twistable relative to one another about the Z-axis. Consequently, it is possible to generate magnetic fields that meet the requirements of both MRI and MPI such that the hybrid imaging apparatus can be equipped for measurements in various imaging modes, including MPI, MRI and CT.

Abstract: An MPI imaging device for mapping an object to be examined in a sample volume, with a magnet arrangement which is designed to generate an MPI magnetic field with a gradient B1 and a field-free line in the sample volume, the magnet arrangement comprising a first pair of magnet rings with two magnet rings in a Halbach dipole configuration, which are arranged coaxially on a common Z axis that runs through the sample volume, wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a second pair of magnet rings with two further magnet rings in a Halbach dipole configuration, which is arranged coaxially in relation to the first pair of magnet rings, the magnet rings of both pairs being arranged rotatably with respect to one another about the Z axis. As a result, a variable MPI selection field can be generated by means of permanent magnets.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging apparatus for imaging an object to be examined located in a sample volume can be operated in an MPI mode and in at least one further imaging mode and comprises a magnet arrangement embodied to generate, in the MPI mode, a magnetic field with a gradient B1 and a field-free region in the sample volume, wherein the magnet arrangement comprises a ring magnet pair with two ring magnets in a Halbach dipole configuration, which are arranged coaxially on a common Z-axis that extends through the sample volume, wherein the ring magnets are arranged so as to be twistable relative to one another about the Z-axis. Consequently, it is possible to generate magnetic fields that meet the requirements of both MRI and MPI such that the hybrid imaging apparatus can be equipped for measurements in various imaging modes, including MPI, MRI and CT.

Abstract: A method for establishing and/or reducing artifacts that arise when reconstructing (R) an MPI overall image data record from MPI signal data and an appended system matrix (SMapp(r,f)), wherein the appended system matrix (SMapp(r,f)) includes system matrices of different particle classes (P1, P2). The method includes setting a selection region (cvn(r)) of a reconstructed MPI overall image data record (cn(r)), producing virtual signal data (sn(f)) by inverse transformation of the selection region, reconstructing a virtual overall image data record (c?vn(r)) from the virtual signal data and the appended system matrix, setting an artifact region (cartifact_n(r)) within the reconstructed virtual overall image data record so that the artifact region has only voxels lying outside of the selection region, and assigning the image data present in the artifact region as artifact image data (cartifact_n(r)). This permits ghost artifacts to be corrected.

Abstract: A method for establishing a local concentration distribution of magnetic particles of at least one particle class within an examination volume or a variable derived from this concentration distribution. The method includes providing at least one system matrix, providing MPI signal data of at least one sample including magnetic particles of at least one particle class within a measurement volume, and reconstructing spatially resolved MPI image data from the provided MPI signal data. At least one spatial projection of at least one part of the system matrix is carried out along a projection direction and a projected system matrix is generated thereby. The reconstruction of the MPI image data is implemented with the at least partly projected system matrix, as a result of which MPI image data of a spatial projection of the local concentration distribution of the magnetic particles are produced along the projection direction.

Abstract: An objective lens main body and an objective lens system formed by the objective lens are provided. The objective lens main body includes a main frame for retaining optical functional elements and at least one adjustable, optical functional element that is retained adjustably thereon. The objective lens main body furthermore includes at least one adjustment drive arranged on the main frame for adjusting the adjustable functional element or at least one of the adjustable functional elements. In addition, the objective lens main body includes an electronics board attached indirectly or directly to the main frame that has at least one plug-in location for reversibly receiving a plug-in card, and a first controller that is configured as a plug-in card and inserted into the plug-in location or one of the plug-in locations and is set up for exchanging signals with an electrical module of the objective lens or an external unit.

Abstract: A lens main body includes an inner housing, a lens element mounted on the inner housing, an adjustable functional element mounted on the inner housing, and an electrical drive arranged on the inner housing to adjust the functional element, a controller arranged on the inner housing, a securing device configured to reversibly receive an outer housing extending around the inner housing in a tubular fashion, and a first signal interface to receive control signals for the controller, arranged on the inner housing, and configured to reversibly couple to a mating interface of the outer housing. An outer housing for the lens main body, and a lens formed from the lens main body and the outer housing have an altered functional scope vis-à-vis the lens main body. In addition, a lens assembly includes, besides the lens main body, two outer housings having a different functional scope.

Abstract: A method for establishing a local concentration distribution of magnetic particles of at least one particle class within an examination volume or a variable derived from this concentration distribution. The method includes providing at least one system matrix, providing MPI signal data of at least one sample including magnetic particles of at least one particle class within a measurement volume, and reconstructing spatially resolved MPI image data from the provided MPI signal data. At least one spatial projection of at least one part of the system matrix is carried out along a projection direction and a projected system matrix is generated thereby. The reconstruction of the MPI image data is implemented with the at least partly projected system matrix, as a result of which MPI image data of a spatial projection of the local concentration distribution of the magnetic particles are produced along the projection direction.

Abstract: A method for establishing and/or reducing artifacts that arise when reconstructing (R) an MPI overall image data record from MPI signal data and an appended system matrix (SMapp(r,f)), wherein the appended system matrix (SMapp(r,f)) includes system matrices of different particle classes (P1, P2). The method includes setting a selection region (cvn(r)) of a reconstructed MPI overall image data record (cn(r)),producing virtual signal data (sn(f)) by inverse transformation of the selection region, reconstructing a virtual overall image data record (c?vn(r)) from the virtual signal data and the appended system matrix, setting an artifact region (cartifact_n(r)) within the reconstructed virtual overall image data record so that the artifact region has only voxels lying outside of the selection region, and assigning the image data present in the artifact region as artifact image data (Cartifact_n(r)). This permits ghost artifacts to be corrected.

Abstract: A system for measuring the displacement of a surface in a material handling system relative to a base reference is provided. The system includes scanning means to generate point cloud data of the surface relative to a reference point to define a three-dimensional image of the surface, storage means to store base reference data in respect of the base reference, and processing means to process the point cloud data and the base reference data to determine the relative displacement of the surface with respect to the base reference. The processing means includes a referencing means to orientate the point cloud data relative to key reference data of the base surface and transforming the point cloud data and the base reference data into a common co-ordinate system, and displacement processing means to calculate the displacement between the surface and the base reference using both sets of data in the co-ordinate system.

Abstract: An MPI-apparatus comprising a magnet system for generating a time-varying and position-dependent magnetic field and a detection system detecting signals from MPI contrast agents exposed to said magnetic field within a detection volume, said signals being suitable for reconstructing an image of the spatial and temporal distribution of said MPI contrast agents, is characterized in that the magnet system comprises an array with a plurality of permanent magnetic elements geometrically arranged in such a way that at least a part of the plurality of permanent magnetic elements are moved with sufficient speed in the vicinity of the detection volume to create the spatial and temporal magnetic field variations for inducing within the contrast agent the MPI signals recorded by the detection system. This avoids the high power requirements of current MPI scanners, while opening the way for higher spatial resolutions and variable scanning frequencies.