Patents by Inventor Thomas Flohr

Thomas Flohr 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: 9254109
    Abstract: A method for selecting a radiation shaping filter is disclosed, which modifies the spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-rays of an x-ray source of an imaging system. In an embodiment, anatomical measurement data of an object under examination is recorded, from which with the aid of the imaging system image data is created. The radiation shaping filter is selected automatically on the basis of the recorded anatomical measurement data of the object under examination. An imaging system, in which a radiation shaping filter is selected, is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Christoph Becker, Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9247913
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying potential perfusion defects in a tissue region through which blood flows in an object under investigation, based on at least one high-energy image data set covering the tissue region and at least one low-energy image data set covering the tissue region. A virtual contrast medium image data set is established based on the high-energy image data set and the low-energy image data set. Furthermore, first candidate perfusion regions within the virtual contrast medium image data set, and second candidate perfusion defect regions within a further image data set based on the high-energy image data set and/or the low-energy image data are detected, the first candidate perfusion defect regions being compared with the second candidate perfusion defect regions and, based on the comparison, potential perfusion defects being identified. Further disclosed are a corresponding image analysis apparatus and a computed tomography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9204847
    Abstract: A method and an image data record processing facility are disclosed for correcting image data of an examination object, which includes a first image data record obtained using a first X-ray energy and a second image data record obtained using a second X-ray energy. In this process, a corrected image data record is generated by subtracting from image point values at certain image point positions of the first image data record, image point values, which are assigned to the corresponding image point positions in the second image data record, multiplied by a weighting factor. The weighting factor here is selected as a function of the first X-ray energy used and the second X-ray energy used so that on subtraction a calcium component is removed from the image point values. A method for generating image data and an X-ray system having such an image data record processing facility are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9186114
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a noise-reduced CT image data record by frequency band breakdown, a computer system for carrying out the method, and a CT system (1) with such a computer system. In an embodiment of the method, several linear-combined mixed image data records ( M m = c 0 , m + ? i ? c i , m · X i ) are produced from several simultaneously-recorded energy spectrum-specific CT image data records (Xi); a frequency band breakdown of the mixed image data records (Mm) takes place into a first lowest frequency band (F0) and several higher frequency bands; and a result image data record ( E = ? j , m ? g j , m ? ( r ) · F j · M m ) is calculated, wherein each mixed image data record (Mm) is multiplied with precisely one filter and with a location-dependent function (gj,m(r)) and is thereby totaled, and wherein g0,0(r)=1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Krauβ, Rainer Raupach, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150313556
    Abstract: In a computer tomography system having an x-ray detector with a detector surface at which sensor pixels, for detection of x-ray radiation, are distributed non-uniformly, and a method for operating such a system, either a pitch factor is selected, and a value range for an extent of a reconstruction field for image data is determined dependent on the distribution of the sensor pixels and dependent on the selected pitch factor, or a value for the extent of the reconstruction field is selected, and a value range for the pitch factor is determined dependent on the distribution of the sensor pixels and dependent on the selected value for the extent of the reconstruction field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Herbert BRUDER, Thomas FLOHR
  • Patent number: 9176078
    Abstract: For improved sampling, an x-ray detector system for a computed tomography scanner is provided. In an embodiment, the x-ray detector system includes at least one detector row which includes a plurality of detector modules each having a plurality of detector elements. Along the at least one detector row, a first portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a first grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements, and a second portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a second grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Michael Grasruck, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20150271903
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a method for automatically stipulating a spectral distribution of the X-ray radiation of a number of X-ray sources of a computed tomography system. This involves firstly stipulating start control parameters of an X-ray source, which determine the dose and spectral distribution of X-ray radiation. On the basis of an expected attenuation of the X-ray radiation by an examination object, an examination-object-specific basic control parameter is then ascertained proceeding from the start control parameters. Afterwards, on the basis of the expected attenuation of the X-ray radiation by the examination object and the basic control parameter, first target control parameters and second target control parameters are ascertained for setting the spectral distribution of the X-ray radiation in a subsequent multi-energy measurement on the examination object. Moreover, a method, a control device suitable, and a computed tomography system comprising such a control device are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Allmendiger, Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9132284
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for imaging within the scope of a radiation therapy. In at least one embodiment, the method includes preparing one or more contrast agent-enhanced x-ray image data records; and using the contrast agent-enhanced x-ray image data record during an irradiation planning and/or during an irradiation session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Stefan Gleissmann, Michael Grasruck, Raimund Martin, Marcus Wagner, Georg Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20150238160
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for patient-dependent optimization and reduction of the contrast medium amount. An embodiment includes provisioning patient-specific data, containing information about a patient cross-section relevant for the imaging measurement; establishing CT values and/or CNR values of a contrast medium to be expected for at least one region of interest of the patient for different candidate settings of x-ray source arrangement and/or of an image reconstruction device; determining a relevant candidate contrast medium amount for the different candidate settings, which would lead to a CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium which corresponds to the CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium at the reference setting of the x-ray source arrangement and/or image reconstruction device; and displaying an optimum relative candidate contrast medium amount and of the associated candidate setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9044189
    Abstract: A method and a computed tomography system are disclosed for generating tomographic image datasets of a measurement object. The computed tomography system includes at least two simultaneously operable sets of detector elements which jointly scan a measurement object from a multiplicity of projection angles in an integrating manner on the one hand and an energy-resolving manner on the other hand. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a first projection dataset from measurement data recorded in an integrating manner. Further, at least one second projection dataset is determined from energy-resolved measurement data, and in addition a weighted tomographic result image dataset is calculated based on weighted use of the first and the second projection dataset, the weighting being applied to the projection data or the tomographic image data reconstructed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Gabriel Haras, Daniel Niederlöhner, Stefan Pflaum
  • Publication number: 20150117595
    Abstract: A method and an X-ray system are disclosed for generating a phase contrast image of an examination object. In an embodiment, the distribution of an electron density in the examination object is determined by defining energy-dependent attenuation values for X-radiation with at least two different X-ray energy spectra, phase-shift values are obtained from the previously determined electron density distribution, and a phase contrast image is generated from the calculated phase-shift values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach
  • Publication number: 20150103969
    Abstract: A method is based on first projection data, recorded during a relative rotational movement between an x-ray source of a CT device and at least one examination object lying partly outside the field of view of the CT device. Contour data of the surface of the examination object is useable to enhance the reconstruction of the incomplete first projection data. The spatial correlation between the first projection data and the contour data is known. The first projection data is expanded by way of the contour data to modified projection data, so that the modified projection data includes information about the contour of the examination object lying outside the field of view of the CT device. In an embodiment of the inventive reconstruction of image data by way of the modified projection data, fewer or no artifacts occur by comparison with reconstruction of image data from just the first image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT, Martin SEDLMAIR
  • Publication number: 20150104092
    Abstract: A method and an imaging system are disclosed. The method, for determining at least one value of at least one recording parameter for a recording of an X-ray image of a patient positioned on an examination table, uses contactless scanning of at least part of the surface of the patient via at least one electromagnetic sensor, to calculate the three-dimensional contour of the scanned surface without additional exposure to radiation. At least one anatomic landmark of the patient can be identified using the three-dimensional contour, and the position of the anatomic landmark is determinable in the coordinate system of the table. The value of the recording parameter is determinable using the position of the anatomic landmark. The value of the recording parameter is determinable quickly and easily since contactless scanning of surfaces can be achieved quickly and easily in terms of technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Michael SCHEUERING, Bernhard SCHMIDT, Martin SEDLMAIR, Grzegorz SOZA
  • Publication number: 20150063534
    Abstract: A method, a computer program, a computer program product and a computed tomography system are disclosed. The image data is a spatially three-dimensional reconstruction. At least one value for an image metric of the image data is determined. A motion field for motion compensation of the image data is then determined on the basis of image data as a function of the image metric. Essentially, partial image data is determined, wherein the partial image data corresponds in each case to the spatially three-dimensional reconstruction from scan data of an angular sub-range. The motion field of the image data is determined at the control points via an optimization method as a function of the image metric, so that, thereafter, the partial image data is transformed in accordance with the motion of the motion field. New image data is then produced by merging the partial image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas ALLMENDINGER, Herbert BRUDER, Thomas FLOHR, Christopher ROHKOHL
  • Patent number: 8971996
    Abstract: A medical imaging method and associated device for generating an image data record of a recording region of a patient, which region is influenced by a cyclical cardiac motion, in which an EKG signal is used to derive a series of recording pulses matched to the cardiac motion, by which pulses the imaging is actuated in a pulsed fashion. In at least one embodiment, a time window of a future recording pulse is calculated taking into account at least one dispersion parameter characterizing the variation in the cycle duration and a location parameter characterizing the expected value of the cycle duration, wherein the dispersion parameter is included into the calculation of the time window using a weighting determined on the basis of the location parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Flohr
  • Patent number: 8897531
    Abstract: A method and a dual-source CT are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the projection data of the integrating and of the counting detector from a quarter rotation of the gantry is used jointly for reconstruction of a first tomographic image dataset, the energy-resolved projection data of the counting detector from at least one half rotation of the gantry being used for reconstruction of at least a second material-selective tomographic image dataset, and at least one tomographic result image dataset being formed by overlaying the first tomographic image dataset with the material selection of the second image dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Gabriel Haras, Daniel Niederlöhner, Stefan Pflaum
  • Patent number: 8897530
    Abstract: An image processing device and method are disclosed for determining a proportion of necrotic tissue in a defined tissue area of an object under examination based on a high-energy image dataset and a low-energy image dataset, each recorded by way of x-ray measurements with different x-ray energies after a contrast medium has been applied to the object under examination. In at least one embodiment of the method, a virtual contrast medium image is determined from the high-energy image dataset and the low-energy image dataset and a segmentation image dataset is created, by the area of tissue being segmented. The segmentation result is transferred into the virtual contrast medium image for segmenting the tissue area in the virtual contrast medium image. Finally an analysis of values of the pixels lying in the segmented area is undertaken for identifying pixels which are to be assigned to necrotic tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair, Marcus Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140161227
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a multi-energy image via an x-ray device, including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The method includes a temporal sequence of individual steps. A first contrast agent-assisted image of an object area is first recorded with a first energy. Then a second contrast agent-assisted image of an object area is recorded with a second energy. A third recording of a third contrast agent-assisted image of the object area is now made with the first energy. By taking the temporal change in the contrast agent signal into account between the first and the third image, a multi-energy image is finally determined by means of the three recordings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8744161
    Abstract: A method and a computer system are disclosed for scattered beam correction in a CT examination of an object in a multi source CT. In at least one embodiment, the method includes generating original projection data records; reconstruction of the object with the original projection data records of at least one detector; determining the scattered radiation generated by each emitter exclusively in the direction of the original beams of the at least one other emitter relative to its opposing detector; generating corrected projection data records by removing the calculated scattered radiation from the original projection data records; reconstruction of the object with the corrected projection data records, and implementing a further iteration of the method when determining the scattered radiation or issuing the reconstruction result if at least one predetermined abort criterion applies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Martin Petersilka, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20140126688
    Abstract: For improved sampling, an x-ray detector system for a computed tomography scanner is provided. In an embodiment, the x-ray detector system includes at least one detector row which includes a plurality of detector modules each having a plurality of detector elements. Along the at least one detector row, a first portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a first grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements, and a second portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a second grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Michael GRASRUCK, Karl STIERSTORFER