Patents by Inventor Timo Berkus

Timo Berkus 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: 9848835
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for obtaining a tomogram of an anatomical structure is disclosed. In one step, an anatomical structure is scanned using a scanning source and a scanning detector. Both the scanning source and detector are connected to a gantry. In another step, the speed of the gantry is altered during the scanning process. Additionally or optionally the frame rate of the scan can be modified in such step. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the speed of the gantry is altered in synchronicity with the respiratory signal of a patient. Using such a method, a tomogram of an anatomical structure is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Timo Berkus, Xiu Ting Zhuang, Andres Graf, Markus Oelhafen, Patrik Kunz
  • Patent number: 9579526
    Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a radiation therapy system for the acquisition of volumetric imaging with advanced trajectories. Embodiments include a device for applying diagnostic and therapeutic radiation to a target volume disposed in a patient subject, wherein volumetric imaging is acquired with advanced trajectories without displacing the patient subject. In one embodiment, a radiation therapy device is provided comprising: a gantry with a radiation source and a plurality of independent robotic arms mounted to the gantry, wherein an X-ray source is attached to an end of one robotic arm; and an imager attached to an end of another second robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Patrik Kunz, Timo Berkus, Markus Oelhafen, Reto Filiberti
  • Patent number: 9047701
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a volumetric image includes obtaining a plurality of volumetric images, the volumetric images generated using respective sets of projection images, wherein the volumetric images and the respective sets of projection images correspond with different respective bins for a physiological cycle, and determining an additional volumetric image using one or more of the projection images from each of the sets that correspond with the different respective bins for the physiological cycle, wherein the act of determining the additional volumetric image is performed using a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignees: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC., VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERG
    Inventors: Marcus Brehm, Timo Berkus, Markus Oelhafen, Patrik Kunz, Marc Kachelriess, Corey E. Zankowski
  • Patent number: 8983161
    Abstract: A method for correcting a volumetric image to address error due to deflection of a patient support is provided. The method includes obtaining a first set of projection data and a second set of projection data. The first and second sets of projection data are generated when the patient is at a first position and a second position, respectively, and are usable to reconstruct a first volumetric image and a second volumetric image, respectively. A corrected volumetric image is then determined based on the first and second sets of projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Timo Berkus, Katharina Quintus, Markus Oelhanfen, Patrik Kunz
  • Patent number: 8938104
    Abstract: A system for obtaining an image includes a processor for receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, applying a first factor for the projection image to obtain a first weighted image, applying a second factor for the filtered image to obtain a second weighted image, and obtaining a corrected image using the first and second weighted images, and a medium for storing the corrected image. A method of processing an image includes receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, and determining a corrected image by applying a first factor for the projection image and applying a second factor for the filtered image. A method for obtaining an image includes determining a factor, using the factor to control a radiation source, and using the factor to reduce noise in an image generated using the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Timo Berkus, Patrik Kunz, Markus Oelhafen, Marc Kachelrieβ
  • Publication number: 20130259338
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a volumetric image includes obtaining a plurality of volumetric images, the volumetric images generated using respective sets of projection images, wherein the volumetric images and the respective sets of projection images correspond with different respective bins for a physiological cycle, and determining an additional volumetric image using one or more of the projection images from each of the sets that correspond with the different respective bins for the physiological cycle, wherein the act of determining the additional volumetric image is performed using a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Varian medical Systems, Inc., Friedrich-alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Varian Medical Systems International AG
    Inventors: Marcus Brehm, Timo Berkus, Markus Oelhafen, Patrik Kunz, Marc Kachelriess, Corey E. Zankowski
  • Publication number: 20130114871
    Abstract: An imaging method includes obtaining a first set of projection data when a patient support is at a first position, wherein the first set of projection data is usable to reconstruct a first volumetric image, obtaining a second set of projection data when the patient support is at a second position, wherein the second set of projection data is usable to reconstruct a second volumetric image, and determining a corrected volumetric image using the first set of projection data and the second set of projection data to correct for deflection of the patient support. In some embodiments, the method may involve obtaining additional set(s) of projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Timo Berkus, Katharina Quintus, Markus Oelhanfen, Patrik Kunz
  • Publication number: 20120039433
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method for obtaining a tomogram of an anatomical structure is disclosed. In one step, an anatomical structure is scanned using a scanning source and a scanning detector. Both the scanning source and detector are connected to a gantry. In another step, the speed of the gantry is altered during the scanning process. Additionally or optionally the frame rate of the scan can be modified in such step. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the speed of the gantry is altered in synchronicity with the respiratory signal of a patient. Using such a method, a tomogram of an anatomical structure is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Timo BERKUS, Xiu Ting ZHUANG, Andres GRAF, Markus OELHAFEN, Patrik KUNZ
  • Publication number: 20100195792
    Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a radiation therapy system for the acquisition of volumetric imaging with advanced trajectories. Embodiments include a device for applying diagnostic and therapeutic radiation to a target volume disposed in a patient subject, wherein volumetric imaging is acquired with advanced trajectories without displacing the patient subject. In one embodiment, a radiation therapy device is provided comprising: a gantry with a radiation source and a plurality of independent robotic arms mounted to the gantry, wherein an X-ray source is attached to an end of one robotic arm; and an imager attached to an end of another second robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Patrik KUNZ, Timo BERKUS, Markus OELHAFEN, Reto FILIBERTI
  • Publication number: 20100054562
    Abstract: A system for obtaining an image includes a processor for receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, applying a first factor for the projection image to obtain a first weighted image, applying a second factor for the filtered image to obtain a second weighted image, and obtaining a corrected image using the first and second weighted images, and a medium for storing the corrected image. A method of processing an image includes receiving a projection image, processing the projection image to obtain a filtered image, and determining a corrected image by applying a first factor for the projection image and applying a second factor for the filtered image. A method for obtaining an image includes determining a factor, using the factor to control a radiation source, and using the factor to reduce noise in an image generated using the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL AG, INC.
    Inventors: Timo Berkus, Patrik Kunz, Markus Oelhafen, Marc Kachelriess