Patents by Inventor Markus Kowarschik

Markus Kowarschik 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: 10755455
    Abstract: A method for digital subtraction angiography of a recording region of a patient is provided herein. The method includes recording at least one mask image of a recording region without using a contrast medium; recording a plurality of ill images after administration of a contrast medium; and determining result images by subtraction of one of the at least one mask image from respective fill images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Kaethner, Markus Kowarschik, Michael Manhart
  • Publication number: 20200237330
    Abstract: A method is for determining a three-dimensional image dataset. In an embodiment, the method includes a first X-ray dataset of the examination volume being received, the first X-ray dataset including a two-dimensional first X-ray projection of the examination volume with respect to a first projection direction; and a second X-ray dataset of the examination volume being received, the second X-ray dataset including a second two-dimensional X-ray projection of the examination volume with respect to a second projection direction. Furthermore, a first three-dimensional image dataset of the examination volume is determined based on the two-dimensional first X-ray projection and the two-dimensional second X-ray projection. An effect of overlaps of vessels with respect to the first projection direction or the second projection direction can be reduced as a result of determining the first three-dimensional image dataset based on the first X-ray dataset and the second X-ray dataset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Annette BIRKHOLD, Markus KOWARSCHIK
  • Publication number: 20200226801
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is for providing a difference image data record. In an embodiment, the method includes a determination of a first real image data record of an examination volume in respect of a first X-ray energy, and a determination of a multi-energetic real image data record of the examination volume in respect of a first X-ray energy and a second X-ray energy, the second X-ray energy differing from the first X-ray energy. The method further includes the determination of the difference image data record of the examination volume by applying a trained function to input data, wherein the input data is based upon the first real image data record and the multi-energetic real image data record, as well as the provision of the difference image data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christian KAETHNER, Markus Kowarschik, Michael Manhart
  • Publication number: 20200226802
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes, in an embodiment, receiving first X-ray projections of an examination volume in respect of a first X-ray energy and second X-ray projections in respect of a second X-ray energy, the first and second X-ray energies differing. The method further includes determination of a multienergetic real image data record of the examination volume based upon the first and second X-ray projections; selection of first voxels of the multienergetic real image data record based upon the multienergetic real image data record; selection of second voxels of the multienergetic real image data record based upon the first X-ray projections and the second X-ray projections, the first voxels including the second voxels and the second voxels mapping contrast medium in the examination volume. The method further includes provision of a constraint image data record and/or a difference image data record based upon the second voxels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christian KAETHNER, Markus KOWARSCHIK, Michael MANHART
  • Patent number: 10702220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomography system (TA) comprising a first (QD1) and a second (QD2) beam source-detector pair for capturing one series (A1, A2) of projection image data sets (PB1, PB2) each from one projection angle (W1, W2) each and a volume image production system (VE) for producing a series (AV) of volume images (VB) of a vascular system (GS) while taking into account first confidence values (VW1) of the first pixel values (PW1) and/or while taking into account second confidence values (VW2) of the second pixel values (PW2). The confidence value (VW1, VW2) of a pixel value (PW1, PW2) depends on a pixel-specific traversing length (L) that a projection beam (PS1, PS2) traverses on a path through parts (Gi) of the vascular system (GS) from the first (Q1) or the second (Q2) beam source to a pixel-specific sensor element (S) of the associated first (D1) or second (D2) detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Klingenbeck, Markus Kowarschik, Christopher Rohkohl, Kevin Royalty, Sebastian Schafer
  • Publication number: 20200193590
    Abstract: A framework for quantitative evaluation of time-varying data. In accordance with one aspect, the framework delineates a volume of interest in a four-dimensional (4D) Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) dataset (204). The framework then extracts a centerline of the volume of interest (206). In response to receiving one or more user-selected points along the centerline (208), the framework determines at least one blood dynamics measure associated with the one or more user-selected points (210), and generates a visualization based on the blood dynamics measure (212).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Sebastian Schafer, Markus Kowarschik, Sonja Gehrisch, Kevin Royalty, Christopher Rohkohl
  • Publication number: 20200117957
    Abstract: A method is provided for adapting an image impression of an image, in particular of an image acquired in the context of medical imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Annette Birkhold, Christian Kaethner, Markus Kowarschik
  • Patent number: 10588594
    Abstract: A method for acquiring an image data record with an x-ray imaging system with a recording system that may be rotated around an examination object is provided. The recording system is embodied for an endless rotation. The method includes providing a calibration data record that has measurement data from a plurality of rotations of the recording system in endless rotation. At least one selectable acquisition parameter is received from the group consisting of: period of acquisition; number of projection images to be acquired; angular region of the acquisition to be recorded; and angular increment between every two sequential projection images. An acquisition protocol with the selected acquisition parameter(s) is determined from the provided calibration data record. The determined acquisition protocol is loaded, and an image data record is recorded using the determined acquisition protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Hornung, Markus Kowarschik
  • Publication number: 20200074700
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a high-resolution three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography image of an examination object. The method includes: providing or recording of a data set of a three-dimensional rotational run of an imaging system around the examination object without administration of contrast agent (e.g., mask run); motion compensation of the data set of the mask run by a method based on the epipolar consistency conditions; providing or recording of a data set of a three-dimensional rotational run of the imaging system around the examination object with administration of contrast agent (e.g., fill run); motion compensation of the data set of the fill run by a method based on the epipolar consistency conditions; reconstructing a first volume from the compensated data set of the mask run (e.g., mask volume) and a second volume from the compensated data set of the fill run (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Michael Manhart
  • Publication number: 20200013153
    Abstract: A solution for determination of a three-dimensional difference image dataset of an examination volume. Here two-dimensional real image datasets relating to the examination volume are received via an interface, each of the two-dimensional real image datasets including a two-dimensional x-ray projection of the examination volume in relation to a projection direction. Furthermore, the first difference image dataset is determined based on the two-dimensional real image datasets and based on a first trained function via a processing unit. Here the first difference image dataset is at least two-dimensional, in particular at least three-dimensional, in particular the first difference image dataset is three-dimensional or four-dimensional. The determination of the first difference image dataset based on the two-dimensional real image datasets and based on a trained function enables mask recordings of the examination volume to be dispensed with, and thus the x-ray load of the examination volume to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christian KAETHNER, Markus Kowarschik, Annette Birkhold, Christopher Rohkohl, Michael Manhart
  • Patent number: 10524755
    Abstract: Vessel overlap artifacts are reduced in a four-dimensional angiography data set a blood vessel system of a patient with a contrast medium. A three-dimensional vessel data set of the blood vessel system is reconstructed from two-dimensional projection images of digital subtraction angiography showing the blood vessel system, determined by multiplicative back projection of the projection images into the vessel data set or a base data set of the four-dimensional angiography data set derived vessel data set. A plausibility check is performed with vessel sections displayed as filled with contrast medium in partial image data sets of the angiography data set assigned to all individual, and different instants of the covered period are checked against a plausibility check criterion checking for a contrast medium-filled connection to an admissible source point, after which a corrected partial image data set is determined containing only vessel sections satisfying the plausibility check criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Christopher Rohkohl, Sonja Gehrisch
  • Publication number: 20190347793
    Abstract: A method is for automatically checking a superposition image of a body region of interest of an examination object. The method includes determining at least one reference position of an object in a reference image; determining a current position of the object in a current fluoroscopic image; generating the superposition image by superimposing the current fluoroscopic image and the reference image; determining at least one parameter characterizing a measure of discrepancy between the at least one reference position of an object and the current position of the object in the superposition image; and displaying the measure of discrepancy determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Katharina Breininger, Marcus Pfister, Markus Kowarschik
  • Patent number: 10255695
    Abstract: A method calculates a four-dimensional DSA dataset from x-ray datasets. Each of the x-ray datasets contains a two-dimensional x-ray projection of an examination volume in relation to a direction of projection and a recording time. A first three-dimensional DSA dataset of a first reconstruction volume is determined based on the x-ray datasets. The first reconstruction volume is a part of the examination volume. A second three-dimensional DSA dataset of a second reconstruction volume is determined based on the x-ray datasets. The second reconstruction volume is a part of the first reconstruction volume. The second three-dimensional DSA dataset is segmented. The x-ray datasets are normalized based on the first three-dimensional DSA dataset. A four-dimensional DSA dataset is calculated by back projection of the normalized x-ray datasets onto the segmented second three-dimensional DSA dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Sonja Gehrisch, Kevin Royalty, Sebastian Schafer, Christopher Rohkohl
  • Patent number: 10223820
    Abstract: A method is provided for image processing an angiography data set of a capture region of interest of a patient's vascular system. The method includes establishing a static time parameter set from the angiography data set, wherein the static time parameter set includes time parameters and characterizes the time profile of the contrast agent concentration for picture elements of the capture region described in the image data subsets; establishing a series of mask data sets by picture element-by-picture element application of a window function having a window width of greater than zero; selecting a subinterval in the parameter space covered by the time parameters for each instant of the series to the static time parameter set; and establishing a series of static display data sets by applying the mask data sets to a static vessel data set, which shows a vascular system perfused by the contrast agent in the capture region and which underlies or is derived from the angiography data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Sonja Gehrisch, Christopher Rohkohl
  • Patent number: 10217215
    Abstract: A method for adapting the brightness of an X-ray image is provided. The X-ray image is recorded using a filter attenuating X-ray radiation used for recording the X-ray image differently in at least two spatial filter regions. The method includes determining image regions mapping the filter regions from filter parameters and recording geometry parameters describing the filter regions from at least one evaluation line running perpendicular to a boundary between image regions. The method also includes determining, for each evaluation line, a correction value describing a difference in brightness between the image regions from an image value profile along the evaluation line in an evaluation area containing the boundary, determining at least one correction factor from the at least one correction value, and adapting the brightness between the at least two image regions by scaling the image values with the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Andreas Maier, Anton Nekovar, Reinhard Stadler
  • Publication number: 20190046149
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for creating a volume image of a moving object under examination in a selected state of motion from a series of projection images captured during rotational motion of an image-capture system about the object under examination in each case with a plurality of projection images from different projection directions. The series of projection images are acquired. A first state of motion is selected by selecting a first projection image that images the first state of motion. A consistency or redundancy condition is determined. Further projection images are identified that image the first state of motion, by applying the consistency or redundancy condition to the projection images of the series. The identified projection images and the first projection image are reconstructed to yield a reconstructed volume image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Oliver Hornung, Markus Kowarschik
  • Publication number: 20190046150
    Abstract: A method for acquiring an image data record with an x-ray imaging system with a recording system that may be rotated around an examination object is provided. The recording system is embodied for an endless rotation. The method includes providing a calibration data record that has measurement data from a plurality of rotations of the recording system in endless rotation. At least one selectable acquisition parameter is received from the group consisting of: period of acquisition; number of projection images to be acquired; angular region of the acquisition to be recorded; and angular increment between every two sequential projection images. An acquisition protocol with the selected acquisition parameter(s) is determined from the provided calibration data record. The determined acquisition protocol is loaded, and an image data record is recorded using the determined acquisition protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Oliver Hornung, Markus Kowarschik
  • Publication number: 20180368784
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tomography system (TA) comprising a first (QD1) and a second (QD2) beam source-detector pair for capturing one series (A1, A2) of projection image data sets (PB1, PB2) each from one projection angle (W1, W2) each and a volume image production system (VE) for producing a series (AV) of volume images (VB) of a vascular system (GS) while taking into account first confidence values (VW1) of the first pixel values (PW1) and/or while taking into account second confidence values (VW2) of the second pixel values (PW2). The confidence value (VW1, VW2) of a pixel value (PW1, PW2) depends on a pixel-specific traversing length (L) that a projection beam (PS1, PS2) traverses on a path through parts (Gi) of the vascular system (GS) from the first (Q1) or the second (Q2) beam source to a pixel-specific sensor element (S) of the associated first (D1) or second (D2) detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus KLINGENBECK, Markus KOWARSCHIK, Christopher ROHKOHL, Kevin ROYALTY, Sebastian SCHAFER
  • Publication number: 20180218521
    Abstract: A method is provided for image processing an angiography data set of a capture region of interest of a patient's vascular system. The method includes establishing a static time parameter set from the angiography data set, wherein the static time parameter set includes time parameters and characterizes the time profile of the contrast agent concentration for picture elements of the capture region described in the image data subsets; establishing a series of mask data sets by picture element-by-picture element application of a window function having a window width of greater than zero; selecting a subinterval in the parameter space covered by the time parameters for each instant of the series to the static time parameter set; and establishing a series of static display data sets by applying the mask data sets to a static vessel data set, which shows a vascular system perfused by the contrast agent in the capture region and which underlies or is derived from the angiography data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Markus Kowarschik, Sonja Gehrisch, Christopher Rohkohl
  • Patent number: 10028715
    Abstract: A method for creating a selective vessel image within a volume section of an examination object using an imaging system is provided. The method includes creating a vessel image of the volume section. The creating of the vessel image includes acquiring imaging data of the volume section within a predetermined time interval using the imaging system, determining a maximum opacity within the time interval on account of a contrast agent administered to the examination object per pixel of the vessel image, and segmenting vessels. The segmenting includes deciding, depending on the maximum opacity of the pixel, whether the respective pixel belongs to the vessel. The method also includes determining a contrast agent arrival time per pixel of the vessel image, and segmenting whether the respective vessel of the vessel image belongs to a vessel of the selective vessel image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Fieselmann, Markus Kowarschik, Wei Wei