Patents by Inventor Stephan Stoecker
Stephan Stoecker 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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Patent number: 10928466Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for operation thereof, at least one electrical operating value of at least one predetermined component of the apparatus is captured and, as a function of the at least one operating value, at least one coil operating value of a transmitting coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance apparatus is controlled for the purpose of limiting a B1 value.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
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Patent number: 10830852Abstract: A radio-frequency control system for a magnetic resonance tomography system and a method for the operation thereof are provided. The radio-frequency control system includes a controller and a radio-frequency power amplifier with amplification between a signal input and a signal output of the radio-frequency power amplifier that is dependent on a predetermined frequency response. The controller determines a control pulse for multislice excitation and outputs the pulse to the signal input of the radio-frequency power amplifier. The controller determines a high-frequency power value for the control pulse in dependence on the predetermined frequency response of the radio-frequency power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Uvo Hölscher, Stephan Stöcker, Christian Wünsch
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Patent number: 10663538Abstract: A method for monitoring a temporal change in a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance device, as well as an evaluation unit, a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method provides that a position-dependent magnetic field distribution that is produced by the plurality of gradient coils is provided with a plurality of monitoring points. In addition, time-dependent gradient values of the plurality of gradient coils are ascertained. Based on position-dependent magnetic field distribution and the time-dependent gradient values, the temporal change in the magnetic field is ascertained. The temporal change in the magnetic field is monitored by comparing the temporal change in the magnetic field with at least one limit value.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Helmut Lenz, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester
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Publication number: 20190162804Abstract: A radio-frequency control system for a magnetic resonance tomography system and a method for the operation thereof are provided. The radio-frequency control system includes a controller and a radio-frequency power amplifier with amplification between a signal input and a signal output of the radio-frequency power amplifier that is dependent on a predetermined frequency response. The controller determines a control pulse for multislice excitation and outputs the pulse to the signal input of the radio-frequency power amplifier. The controller determines a high-frequency power value for the control pulse in dependence on the predetermined frequency response of the radio-frequency power amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Uvo Hölscher, Stephan Stöcker, Christian Wünsch
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Patent number: 10295634Abstract: In an apparatus and method for pulse optimization adjustment a checking is made as to whether the optimization time resulting from a calculation time for pulse optimization of a pulse sequence section for a modifiable time interval at a predefined gradient grid density, and an associated implementation time, exceeds a real time resulting from the time interval and a buffer time. The gradient grid density for pulse optimization is reduced by a factor f if the optimization time exceeds the real time.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: David Grodzki, Stephan Stoecker
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Patent number: 10288710Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, a sequence with which the MR data are to be recorded is created in or provided to a control computer of the MR apparatus. A maximum RF output and a maximum gradient performance of the scanner magnetic resonance apparatus during the performance of the sequence are determined by simulating or analyzing the performance of the sequence in the control computer, and it is verified whether the maximum RF output and/or the maximum gradient performance violate predetermined limit values. Execution of the sequence to record the MR data is performed only if the verification showed that the limit values are not violated.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
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Patent number: 10275875Abstract: A method for automatically and dynamically optimizing image acquisition parameters/commands of an imaging procedure performed by a medical imaging apparatus in order to mitigate or cancel dynamic effects perturbing the image acquisition process of an object to be imaged by the medical imaging apparatus. The method includes connecting a dynamic correction module (DCM) to the medical imaging apparatus, automatically acquiring by the DCM image acquisition parameters/commands and data about dynamic changes or effects, and automatically determining in real time, by the DCM, at least one new image acquisition parameter/command from the image acquisition parameters/commands defined in the imaging control system and the dynamic change data, while the image acquisition parameter/command defined in the imaging control system remains unchanged. The method further includes automatically providing, by the DCM, the new image acquisition parameter/command to the hardware control system.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Himanshu Bhat, Thorsten Feiweier, Tobias Kober, Carsten Prinz, Daniel Nico Splitthoff, Stephan Stoecker
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Patent number: 10241175Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging examination apparatus having multiple subsystems controlled by a control computer in a scan sequence, a control protocol for the scan is provided to the control computer, which determines sequence control data for the control protocol that define different functional subsequences of the scan, with different effective volumes assigned to each functional subsequence. Current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined that are decisive for the determined relevant sequence control data and associated effective volumes. Control signals for the scan are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions determined that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Thomas Loeffler, Thorsten Speckner, Peter Speier, Daniel Nico Splitthoff, Stephan Stoecker, Johann Sukkau, Michael Wullenweber
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Patent number: 10162032Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and an operating method therefor in which magnetic resonance data are acquired from a patient, a measurement process is used in which a number of magnetic resonance sequences are carried out sequentially, and a maximum measurement time parameter, describing a maximum possible measurement time for undershooting a threshold value for the overall energy input into the patient during the measurement process, is established, taking into account other known recording parameters of the measurement process. The maximum measurement time parameter is used to restrict the ability of an operator to set a measurement time parameter describing the measurement time as a recording parameter, and/or is used as the measurement time parameter.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellshaftInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Miriam Keil, Joerg Roland, Stephan Stoecker
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Patent number: 10101415Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna
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Patent number: 10082552Abstract: The embodiments relate to signal selection devices for reception antennas. The signal selection device includes a plurality of signal inputs for the reception of signals from the reception antennas via an interface arrangement, and a plurality of signal outputs for the output of altered signals from the reception antennas. The signal selection device is used for selecting/reducing received signals from the reception antennas and forwarding them to an image processing device. The signal selection device contains a plurality of A/D converter chips, a plurality of digital selection chips, and at least physical and/or logical portions of a control unit. The received signals from the reception antennas are fed into the plurality of A/D converter chips via a plurality of signal inputs, are converted into digital data streams, and are supplied to the digital selection chips via signal outputs of the A/D converter chips.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Swen Campagna, Stephan Stöcker
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Publication number: 20180074138Abstract: A method for monitoring a temporal change in a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance device, as well as an evaluation unit, a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method provides that a position-dependent magnetic field distribution that is produced by the plurality of gradient coils is provided with a plurality of monitoring points. In addition, time-dependent gradient values of the plurality of gradient coils are ascertained. Based on position-dependent magnetic field distribution and the time-dependent gradient values, the temporal change in the magnetic field is ascertained. The temporal change in the magnetic field is monitored by comparing the temporal change in the magnetic field with at least one limit value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Helmut Lenz, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester
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Publication number: 20170328966Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for operation thereof, at least one electrical operating value of at least one predetermined component of the apparatus is captured and, as a function of the at least one operating value, at least one coil operating value of a transmitting coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance apparatus is controlled for the purpose of limiting a B1 value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
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Publication number: 20170315195Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, a sequence with which the MR data are to be recorded is created in or provided to a control computer of the MR apparatus. A maximum RF output and a maximum gradient performance of the scanner magnetic resonance apparatus during the performance of the sequence are determined by simulating or analyzing the performance of the sequence in the control computer, and it is verified whether the maximum RF output and/or the maximum gradient performance violate predetermined limit values. Execution of the sequence to record the MR data is performed only if the verification showed that the limit values are not violated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
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Publication number: 20170299667Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna
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Publication number: 20160300353Abstract: A method for automatically and dynamically optimizing image acquisition parameters/commands of an imaging procedure performed by a medical imaging apparatus in order to mitigate or cancel dynamic effects perturbing the image acquisition process of an object to be imaged by the medical imaging apparatus. The method includes connecting a dynamic correction module (DCM) to the medical imaging apparatus, automatically acquiring by the DCM image acquisition parameters/commands and data about dynamic changes or effects, and automatically determining in real time, by the DCM, at least one new image acquisition parameter/command from the image acquisition parameters/commands defined in the imaging control system and the dynamic change data, while the image acquisition parameter/command defined in the imaging control system remains unchanged. The method further includes automatically providing, by the DCM, the new image acquisition parameter/command to the hardware control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: HIMANSHU BHAT, THORSTEN FEIWEIER, TOBIAS KOBER, CARSTEN PRINZ, DANIEL NICO SPLITTHOFF, STEPHAN STOECKER
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Publication number: 20160091590Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging examination apparatus having multiple subsystems controlled by a control computer in a scan sequence, a control protocol for the scan is provided to the control computer, which determines sequence control data for the control protocol that define different functional subsequences of the scan, with different effective volumes assigned to each functional subsequence. Current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined that are decisive for the determined relevant sequence control data and associated effective volumes. Control signals for the scan are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions determined that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Thomas Loeffler, Thorsten Speckner, Peter Speier, Daniel Nico Splitthoff, Stephan Stoecker, Johann Sukkau, Michael Wullenweber
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Publication number: 20160077181Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and an operating method therefor in which magnetic resonance data are acquired from a patient, a measurement process is used in which a number of magnetic resonance sequences are carried out sequentially, and a maximum measurement time parameter, describing a maximum possible measurement time for undershooting a threshold value for the overall energy input into the patient during the measurement process, is established, taking into account other known recording parameters of the measurement process. The maximum measurement time parameter is used to restrict the ability of an operator to set a measurement time parameter describing the measurement time as a recording parameter, and/or is used as the measurement time parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Miriam Keil, Joerg Roland, Stephan Stoecker
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Publication number: 20150241536Abstract: In an apparatus and method for pulse optimization adjustment a checking is made as to whether the optimization time resulting from a calculation time for pulse optimization of a pulse sequence section for a modifiable time interval at a predefined gradient grid density, and an associated implementation time, exceeds a real time resulting from the time interval and a buffer time. The gradient grid density for pulse optimization is reduced by a factor f if the optimization time exceeds the real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: David Grodzki, Stephan Stoecker
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Publication number: 20150160318Abstract: The embodiments relate to signal selection devices for reception antennas. The signal selection device includes a plurality of signal inputs for the reception of signals from the reception antennas via an interface arrangement, and a plurality of signal outputs for the output of altered signals from the reception antennas. The signal selection device is used for selecting/reducing received signals from the reception antennas and forwarding them to an image processing device. The signal selection device contains a plurality of A/D converter chips, a plurality of digital selection chips, and at least physical and/or logical portions of a control unit. The received signals from the reception antennas are fed into the plurality of A/D converter chips via a plurality of signal inputs, are converted into digital data streams, and are supplied to the digital selection chips via signal outputs of the A/D converter chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Swen Campagna, Stephan Stöcker