Patents by Inventor Stefan Wirth
Stefan Wirth 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).
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Publication number: 20160054457Abstract: A sensor chip, in particular for computerized tomography detectors, including an analog-digital converter electrically connected to an element detecting radiation. A problem addressed is that of defining a sensor chip which is as cost-efficient and reliable as possible. According to an embodiment of the invention, only one single crystalline base plate is used, on which all required components of the sensor chip are applied. A through-contact between the conductor paths or the contacts of both sides of the base plate is used as applicable in order to connect the components of both sides to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Mario EICHENSEER, Thomas REICHEL, Stefan WIRTH
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Patent number: 9151850Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106), having a scintillator (120) for generating electromagnetic radiation (202) in response to the action of incident radiation (200). The scintillator (120) has two opposing end faces (121; 122) and a lateral wall (123) between the end faces (121; 122). The radiation detector has, in addition, a conversion system (160) located on the lateral wall (123) of the scintillator (120), said system comprising a plurality of channels (165). Each channel (165) has a photocathode section (130; 131; 132) for generating electrons (204) in response to the action of electromagnetic radiation (202) that is generated by the scintillator (120), said electrons being multipliable by impact processes in the channels (165). A detection system (170) for detecting electrons (204) that have been multiplied in the channels (165) of the conversion system (160) is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Harry Hedler, Timothy Hughes, Martin Spahn, Stefan Wirth
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Patent number: 9134434Abstract: An x-ray detector for a medical imaging device includes an anti-scatter grid, a measuring layer including a regular arrangement of measuring cells, and an evaluation unit. The anti-scatter grid covers the measuring layer and is aligned toward a specific focal point. The evaluation unit is configured to determine a focal position of an x-ray source relative to the focal point based on a local intensity difference of x-rays striking the measuring layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Seimens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Daniel Niederlöhner, Bodo Reitz, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20150221406Abstract: A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, in particular for use in a CT system. In an embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor material used for detecting the x-ray radiation; at least one collimator; and at least one radiation source, to irradiate the semiconductor material with additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the at least one collimator includes at least one reflection layer on a side facing the semiconductor material, on which the additional radiation is reflected to the semiconductor material. In another embodiment, a CT system including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, and a method for detecting incident x-ray radiation via a direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, in particular for use in a CT system, are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Fabrice Dierre, Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Karl Stierstorfer, Matthias Strassburg, Justus Tonn, Stefan Wirth
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Patent number: 9097808Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106), having a scintillator (120) for generating electromagnetic radiation (202) in response to the action of incident radiation (200). The scintillator (120) has two opposing end faces (121; 122) and a lateral wall (123) between the end faces (121; 122). The radiation detector has, in addition, a photocathode section (130) that is located on the lateral electrons wall (123) of the scintillator (120) and that generates electrons (204) in response to the action of electromagnetic radiation (202) that is generated by the scintillator (120), a microchannel plate (161; 162) comprising a plurality of channels (165), for multiplying the electrons (204) that have been generated by the photocathode section (130) and a detection system (171; 172) for detecting the electrons (204) that have been multiplied by means of the microchannel plate (161; 162).Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Harry Hedler, Timothy Hughes, Martin Spahn, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20150212215Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting x-rays using an x-ray detector which includes a direct-conversion semiconductor detector element. Additional radiation is supplied to the semiconductor detector element using a radiation source, and the supply of the additional radiation is controlled and/or regulated on the basis of a specified target value. In at least one embodiment, the target value can be specified in a variable manner over time as a sequence of target values. An x-ray detector system is further disclosed, with which the method can be carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20150168569Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting incident X-ray radiation by way of a direct-converting X-ray radiation detector. A semi-conductor material used for detection purposes is irradiated with additional radiation with an energy level of at least 1.6 eV in order to produce additional charge carriers. A direct-converting X-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting X-ray radiation, at least including a semi-conductor material used for X-ray detection and at least one radiation source which irradiates the semi-conductor material with additional radiation, the radiation having an energy level of at least 1.6 eV. A CT system including an X-ray radiation detector is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Edgar Göderer, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
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Patent number: 9039284Abstract: A method is disclosed for energy calibrating quantum-counting x-ray detectors in an x-ray installation including at least two x-ray systems turnable around a center of rotation. A target, for producing x-ray fluorescence radiation, is positioned between the first x-ray source and first x-ray detector and irradiated with x-radiation of the first x-ray source in such a way that x-ray fluorescence radiation which strikes the second x-ray detector from the target is produced by the x-radiation of the first x-ray source. The second x-ray detector is then energy calibrated by way of the x-ray fluorescence radiation of the target. The first x-ray detector can be energy calibrated in the same way with the aid of the x-radiation of the second x-ray source. With the proposed method, the x-ray detectors of a dual-source CT x-ray installation can be calibrated with little expenditure under conditions close to those of the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Mario Eichenseer, Steffen Kappler, Edgar Kraft, Björn Kreisler, Daniel Niederlöhner, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20150078534Abstract: A scattered radiation grid of a CT detector is disclosed and includes a plurality of detector elements arranged in multiple cells in the phi direction and in the z direction of a CT system, having a plurality of free passage channels arranged to correspond to the detector elements, and walls fully enclosing the free passage channels at the longitudinal sides thereof. According to an embodiment of the invention, the walls of the scattered radiation grid are produced using a 3D screen-printing method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Mario Eichenseer, Andreas Freund, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20150030120Abstract: An of the invention relates to a direct-conversion x-ray detector for detection of x-ray radiation, including a direct converter used for detection of the x-ray radiation, at least one collimator disposed at least partly in the direction of radiation of the x-ray radiation in front of the direct converter and a least one radiation source which is disposed to the side of the direct converter and irradiates the direct converter indirectly with an additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the a least one collimator, on a side facing towards the direct converter, includes at least one reflection layer, on which the additional radiation is reflected onto the direct converter, and includes a cooling facility through which the at least one radiation source is able to be cooled.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Thorsten ERGLER, Andreas FREUND, Björn KREISLER, Christian SCHRÖTER, Stefan WIRTH
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Patent number: 8831181Abstract: A grid module of a scattered-radiation grid is disclosed. The scattered-radiation grid includes a number of grid modules disposed next to one another with a plurality of webs, especially for use in conjunction with a CT detector, a CT detector and a CT system with such a detector. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at the joining surfaces of the grid modules, the webs located there are provided with breakthroughs to compensate for a disproportionate reduction in scattered radiation.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Björn Kreisler, Thomas Reichel, Bodo Reitz, Helmut Winkelmann, Stefan Wirth, Jan Wrege
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Publication number: 20140124676Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106), having a scintillator (120) for generating electromagnetic radiation (202) in response to the action of incident radiation (200). The scintillator (120) has two opposing end faces (121; 122) and a lateral wall (123) between the end faces (121; 122). The radiation detector has, in addition, a conversion system (160) located on the lateral wall (123) of the scintillator (120), said system comprising a plurality of channels (165). Each channel (165) has a photocathode section (130; 131; 132) for generating electrons (204) in response to the action of electromagnetic radiation (202) that is generated by the scintillator (120), said electrons being multipliable by impact processes in the channels (165). A detection system (170) for detecting electrons (204) that have been multiplied in the channels (165) of the conversion system (160) is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: Harry Hedler, Timothy Hughes, Martin Spahn, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20140103219Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100; 101; 102; 103; 104; 105; 106), having a scintillator (120) for generating electromagnetic radiation (202) in response to the action of incident radiation (200). The scintillator (120) has two opposing end faces (121; 122) and a lateral wall (123) between the end faces (121; 122). The radiation detector has, in addition, a photocathode section (130) that is located on the lateral wall (123) of the scintillator (120) and that generates electrons (204) in response to the action of electromagnetic radiation (202) that is generated by the scintillator (120), a microchannel plate (161; 162) comprising a plurality of channels (165), for multiplying the electrons (204) that have been generated by the photocathode section (130) and a detection system (171; 172) for detecting the electrons (204) that have been multiplied by means of the microchannel plate (161; 162).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Harry Hedler, Timothy Hughes, Martin Spahn, Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20140084428Abstract: A substrate of an integrated circuit has a first surface and an opposing second surface. A functionalized region is formed at least on the first surface. At least one electrical through-plating is provided as a through-hole which is continuously filled with an electrically conductive material and which runs from the first surface to the second surface through the substrate. To ensure that the through-plating can be reliably produced and is provided in a space-saving manner, the through-hole has at least one gradation on which a transition occurs from a smaller hole cross-section on the side of the first surface to a larger hole cross-section on the side of the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Harry Hedler, Markus Schieber, Stefan Wirth, Jörg Zapf
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Patent number: 8681944Abstract: A grid module of a scattered-radiation grid is disclosed. The scattered-radiation grid includes a number of grid modules disposed next to one another with a plurality of webs, especially for use in conjunction with a CT detector, a CT detector and a CT system with such a detector. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at the joining surfaces of the grid modules, the webs located there, compensating for an excessive reduction in scattered radiation, are embodied lower in their height than the maximum height of the other webs to be found in the grid module.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20140042333Abstract: An x-ray detector is disclosed, in particular for a medical imaging device. The x-ray detector includes an anti-scatter grid, a measuring layer including a regular arrangement of measuring cells, and an evaluation unit. The anti-scatter grid covers the measuring layer and is aligned toward a specific focal point. The evaluation unit is configured to determine a focal position of an x-ray source relative to the focal point based on a local intensity difference of x-rays striking the measuring layer. A medical imaging device including the x-ray detector is also disclosed, along with a method for operating the x-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Daniel NIEDERLÖHNER, Bodo REITZ, Stefan WIRTH
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Patent number: 8618488Abstract: A method is disclosed, in at least one embodiment, for producing a scintillator for a radiation detector, in which the scintillator is produced in layers by depositing a scintillator material using a PVD process. By using a PVD process, owing to lower process temperatures of less than 300° C., it is possible to produce scintillators with decay times of less than 1.1 ns over large surfaces. In this way, the prerequisites for quantitative and energy-selective detection of individual radiation quanta can be satisfied even with fluxes of more than 108 X-ray quanta/mm2*s. At least one embodiment of the invention also relates to a scintillator produced by such a method.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Stefan Wirth
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Patent number: 8552388Abstract: A production method for a sensor unit that includes a scintillator and a support plate on which a stack of collimator sheets is attached. The production method permits precise positioning of the collimator sheets in respect of the scintillator. In the process, individual scintillator strips are initially produced from a plurality of scintillator pixels adjoining one another along one dimension. Respectively one photodiode strip, made of a plurality of photodiodes in turn adjoining one another along one dimension, is attached to each of the individual scintillator strips along a longitudinal side in order to form a sensor strip. In an embodiment, respectively one photodiode is associated with respectively one scintillator pixel for readout purposes. The sensor strips are subsequently individually assembled on an outer side of the support plate facing away from the collimator sheets in order to form the scintillator.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stefan Wirth
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Publication number: 20130251111Abstract: A method is disclosed for energy calibrating quantum-counting x-ray detectors in an x-ray installation including at least two x-ray systems turnable around a center of rotation. A target, for producing x-ray fluorescence radiation, is positioned between the first x-ray source and first x-ray detector and irradiated with x-radiation of the first x-ray source in such a way that x-ray fluorescence radiation which strikes the second x-ray detector from the target is produced by the x-radiation of the first x-ray source. The second x-ray detector is then energy calibrated by way of the x-ray fluorescence radiation of the target. The first x-ray detector can be energy calibrated in the same way with the aid of the x-radiation of the second x-ray source. With the proposed method, the x-ray detectors of a dual-source CT x-ray installation can be calibrated with little expenditure under conditions close to those of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Mario EICHENSEER, Steffen KAPPLER, Edgar KRAFT, Björn KREISLER, Daniel NIEDERLÖHNER, Stefan WIRTH
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Patent number: 8536552Abstract: A collimator is disclosed for a radiation detector including at least three spacing elements arranged on a radiation exit face of the collimator. In at least one embodiment, they are embodied so as to mount the collimator in a stable manner with respect to a radiation converter of the radiation detector. The at least three spacing elements enable a very precise and stable alignment of the collimator in respect of the radiation converter despite manufacturing-related curves or unevennesses in the radiation exit face and/or the mounting surface on the part of the radiation converter. At least one embodiment of the invention also relates to a manufacturing method for such a collimator, as well as a method for manufacturing a radiation detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Freund, Claus Pohan, Gottfried Tschöpa, Stefan Wirth, Jan Wrege