Patents by Inventor Tobias Kober

Tobias Kober 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).

  • Publication number: 20180289281
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting a position of a periodically moving organ in a MRI examination. MR images of an examining person including a periodically moving organ are provided over a plurality of periodic cycles of the periodically moving organ. Based on the provided MR images, a pixel frequency is associated with each pixel of the MR images. Using the associated pixel frequencies and the positions of the pixels within the MR images, the position and the frequency of the periodically moving organ are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jérôme Chaptinel, Robin Demesmaeker, Jérôme Yerly, Tobias Kober, Davide Piccini
  • Publication number: 20180289262
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for the interactive acquisition of data from an object under investigation by a magnetic resonance system. The data is acquired from the object under investigation with the magnetic resonance system and images are automatically reconstructed and displayed in real time based on the data. A time interval is determined during which a predetermined condition is met in the images. Quality images are automatically reconstructed based on the data acquired within the time interval. The temporal resolution during reconstruction of the quality images is higher than the temporal resolution during reconstruction of the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jérôme Chaptinel, Tobias Kober, Davide Piccini, Peter Speier, Matthias Stuber, Jérôme Yerly
  • Publication number: 20180286088
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a method for generating quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) images of an object under investigation. A first MR data set of the object under investigation is captured in an undersampled raw data space, wherein the object under investigation is captured in a plurality of 2D slices, in which the resolution in a slice plane of the slices is in each case higher than perpendicular to the slice plane, wherein the plurality of 2D slices are in each case shifted relative to one another by a distance which is smaller than the resolution perpendicular to the slice plane. Further MR raw data points of the first MR data set are reconstructed with the assistance of a model using a cost function which is minimized. The cost function takes account of the shift of the plurality of 2D slices perpendicular to the slice plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Tom Hilbert, Tobias Kober
  • Patent number: 9977107
    Abstract: An atlas-free magnetic resonance imaging method images at least one part of a brain. An MRI sequence configured for acquiring two image volumes of the part at different inversion times within a single acquisition is combined to a fat-water separation method for acquiring a fat-water separated image. For each echo time two image volumes are acquired, respectively a first image volume and a second image volume at the first echo time, and a first image volume and a second image volume at the second echo time, and combined to a uniform image. The acquired images are combined to form a final uniform image, a final fat-water separated image, and a final second image volume that are fed into a multichannel image segmentation algorithm using a Markov random field model for segmenting the part into multiple classes of cranial tissues, in order to obtain a segmented image of said part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Alexis Roche, Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger
  • Patent number: 9952303
    Abstract: A motion detection system detects object motion in a medical imaging system. The computer-implemented calibration method includes an automatic calibration process for determining a motion threshold for the object motion detection system, while the object is positioned for imaging by the medical imaging system. The calibration process includes: repeatedly acquiring motion detection data and repeatedly acquiring motion quantification data with a motion quantification system. The motion quantification data are analyzed to determine whether the object was mobile or immobile. If the object was immobile, an object motion threshold for the motion detection system is determined by statistical analysis of the motion detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger
  • Publication number: 20170344856
    Abstract: A method improves a detection of a brain tissue pathology in magnetic resonance (MR) images of a patient. The method includes acquiring multiple MR imaging data for creating four different contrast maps of a patient brain. From the multiple MR imaging data, performing an estimation of gray matter (GM), white matter (WM) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration for each voxel of a part of the patient brain. From the multiple MR imaging data, segmenting the part of the patient brain in different regions-of-interest (ROIs) according to a chosen atlas. For each voxel of each of the contrast maps of the patient brain, computing, for the part of the patient brain, a deviation score. The method further includes creating from the deviation score and for each of the quantitative contrast maps, a deviation map representing the part of the brain in dependence on the deviation score calculated for each voxel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: GUILLAUME BONNIER, CRISTINA GRANZIERA, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER
  • Publication number: 20170203641
    Abstract: A folding top for a cabriolet vehicle, and which includes a top linkage and a top cover. The top linkage may be adjusted for movement between a closed position and an open position via a roof kinematic system. The roof kinematic system is configured as a four-bar linkage kinematic system having a first link, a second link, and a drive member to drive the first link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Gernot BRUDER, Tobias KOBER, Metodi KOSTADINOV, Christian SOERGEL, Reinhard SUESS
  • Publication number: 20160334487
    Abstract: A method for improving image homogeneity of image data acquired from balanced Steady-State Free Precision (bSSFP) sequences in magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple bSSFP sequences are performed with different radio frequency phase increments to create multiple bSSFP image volumes with different phase offsets ?. Each image has voxels whose intensity M is a function of a nuclear resonance signal (or magnetization) measured by the MR imaging apparatus. Per-voxel fitting of a mathematical signal model onto the measured magnetization of the field of view in function of the phase offsets ?. Then the spin density M0, the relaxation time ratio ? and the local phase offset ?? are determined from the fit for each voxel. A homogeneous image of the object is generated by calculating the signal intensity in each voxel, using the spin density M0 and the relaxation time ratio ?, wherein ?? is chosen such that ????=0°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: OLIVER BIERI, TOM HILBERT, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER, DAMIEN NGUYEN
  • Publication number: 20160313432
    Abstract: A method for automatically updating planning of measurement volumes as a function of object motion during MRI examination of an object in which the planning images a specific subject/object anatomy by MRI, includes defining an object reference pose and a reference coordinate system for the reference pose at a time during MRI examination, with the reference coordinate system being used for planning the measurement volumes. During examination, information is obtained about an object pose change between a current object pose at the time and the reference pose. For each subsequent scan or single acquisition of imaging data during examination, pose change information is used for calculating a new coordinate system for the current pose and updating the planning of measurement volumes as a function of the new coordinate system so the imaged object anatomy remains the same throughout the scans or acquisitions of imaging data irrespective of object motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: THORSTEN FEIWEIER, MARTIN HARDER, TOBIAS KOBER
  • Publication number: 20160300353
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: HIMANSHU BHAT, THORSTEN FEIWEIER, TOBIAS KOBER, CARSTEN PRINZ, DANIEL NICO SPLITTHOFF, STEPHAN STOECKER
  • Publication number: 20150285879
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recording a parameter map of a target region via a magnetic resonance device. In at least one embodiment, an optimization method is used for the iterative reconstruction of the parameter map. In the optimization method, the deviation of undersampled magnetic resonance data of the target region present in the k-space for different echo times, magnetic resonance data of a portion of the k-space being present in each case for each echo time, is assessed from hypothesis data of a current hypothesis for the parameter map obtained as a function of the parameter from a model for the magnetization. To determine the magnetic resonance data of a portion of the k-space, undersampled raw data is initially acquired within the portions by way of the magnetic resonance device embodied for parallel imaging, and missing magnetic resonance data within the portions is completed by way of interpolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Tom HILBERT, Tobias KOBER, Gunnar KRÜGER
  • Publication number: 20150265219
    Abstract: A method for adapting a medical system to an object movement during medical examination of the object and a medical system configured for carrying out the method. The medical system has a device for detecting and quantifying a motion of the object before or during an acquisition of diagnostic data. The system for detecting and quantifying a motion of the object is able to directly identify and qualify the occurrence of object motion and to automatically suggest an adaptation of the diagnostic data acquisition strategy/technique as a function of the object motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: THORSTEN FEIWEIER, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER
  • Publication number: 20150253409
    Abstract: A motion detection system detects object motion in a medical imaging system. The computer-implemented calibration method includes an automatic calibration process for determining a motion threshold for the object motion detection system, while the object is positioned for imaging by the medical imaging system. The calibration process includes: repeatedly acquiring motion detection data and repeatedly acquiring motion quantification data with a motion quantification system. The motion quantification data are analyzed to determine whether the object was mobile or immobile. If the object was immobile, an object motion threshold for the motion detection system is determined by statistical analysis of the motion detection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: THORSTEN FEIWEIER, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER
  • Publication number: 20140303478
    Abstract: An atlas-free magnetic resonance imaging method images at least one part of a brain. An MRI sequence configured for acquiring two image volumes of the part at different inversion times within a single acquisition is combined to a fat-water separation method for acquiring a fat-water separated image. For each echo time two image volumes are acquired, respectively a first image volume and a second image volume at the first echo time, and a first image volume and a second image volume at the second echo time, and combined to a uniform image. The acquired images are combined to form a final uniform image, a final fat-water separated image, and a final second image volume that are fed into a multichannel image segmentation algorithm using a Markov random field model for segmenting the part into multiple classes of cranial tissues, in order to obtain a segmented image of said part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: ALEXIS ROCHE, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER
  • Patent number: 8644905
    Abstract: A method removes a part representing non-brain tissue of the MR brain image. For each generated magnetic field gradient, acquiring a current signal respectively at a first time of echo TE1 after an excitation radio frequency pulse and at a second time of echo TE2 after the radio frequency pulse. The MR brain image of an internal structure of the target. The first time of echo TE1 and the second time of echo TE2 are adjusted for correlating time of echo difference ?TE=TE2?TE1 with a fat and water mutual resonance frequency difference ?, and in that fat and water information encoded in the current signal resulting from the correlation of the second and first time of echo difference ?TE with the fat and water mutual resonance frequency difference is used as an additional input source into a multispectral analysis method for removing the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Siemens Schweiz AG, Unversite de Lausanne
    Inventors: Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger, Delphine Ribes
  • Patent number: 8624596
    Abstract: A method for determining motion parameters of an object by way of at least one coil within a magnetic field adapted for a magnetic resonance based imaging device. Induced pulses are emitted on the coil in order to provide navigator signals that are finally measured in order to provide a spatial position of the object relative to the coil. At least one reference displacement of the object relative to the coil that is spatially and metrically predefined between two positions of the object is generated so that intensity changes of navigator signals at the coil are measured and recorded in a calibration map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Kannengiesser, Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger
  • Publication number: 20120271146
    Abstract: A method removes a part representing non-brain tissue of the MR brain image. For each generated magnetic field gradient, acquiring a current signal respectively at a first time of echo TE1 after an excitation radio frequency pulse and at a second time of echo TE2 after the radio frequency pulse. The MR brain image of an internal structure of the target. The first time of echo TE1 and the second time of echo TE2 are adjusted for correlating time of echo difference ?TE=TE2-TE1 with a fat and water mutual resonance frequency difference ?, and in that fat and water information encoded in the current signal resulting from the correlation of the second and first time of echo difference ?TE with the fat and water mutual resonance frequency difference is used as an additional input source into a multispectral analysis method for removing the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: University of Lausanne, Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Tobias Kober, Gunnar Krueger, Delphine Ribes
  • Publication number: 20110080167
    Abstract: A method for determining motion parameters of an object by way of at least one coil within a magnetic field adapted for a magnetic resonance based imaging device. Induced pulses are emitted on the coil in order to provide navigator signals that are finally measured in order to provide a spatial position of the object relative to the coil. At least one reference displacement of the object relative to the coil that is spatially and metrically predefined between two positions of the object is generated so that intensity changes of navigator signals at the coil are measured and recorded in a calibration map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: STEPHAN KANNENGISSER, TOBIAS KOBER, GUNNAR KRUEGER
  • Patent number: 7841643
    Abstract: A folding roof linkage assembly includes front and rear frames and first and second arms. The front frame has a rear portion extending at an acute angle therefrom and having front and rear ends. The rear frame has a front portion extending perpendicularly therefrom and having bottom and top ends. The first arm has a front end pivotally connected to the front end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the bottom end of the rear frame. The second arm has a front end pivotally connected to the rear end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the top end of the rear frame. The front frame is movable between a closed position in which the frames extend from one another and an opened position in which the front frame folds over the rear frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Kober, Gernot Bruder
  • Publication number: 20090200829
    Abstract: A folding roof linkage assembly includes front and rear frames and first and second arms. The front frame has a rear portion extending at an acute angle therefrom and having front and rear ends. The rear frame has a front portion extending perpendicularly therefrom and having bottom and top ends. The first arm has a front end pivotally connected to the front end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the bottom end of the rear frame. The second arm has a front end pivotally connected to the rear end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the top end of the rear frame. The front frame is movable between a closed position in which the frames extend from one another and an opened position in which the front frame folds over the rear frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Kober, Gernot Bruder