Patents by Inventor Alexander Hans

Alexander Hans 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: 20130322722
    Abstract: A method of clinical collaboration between a clinical site and an analysis site includes receiving scan data from a scanner via a first reconstruction computer system at the clinical site, implementing a reconstruction procedure on the received scan data using a second reconstruction computer system at the analysis site and configured in accordance with a reconstruction configuration parameter, the analysis site being remote from the clinical site, and transmitting data indicative of the reconstruction configuration parameter to the first reconstruction computer system to configure the first reconstruction computer system in accordance with the reconstruction configuration parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Michal Cachovan, Jun Ma, Xinhong Ding
  • Publication number: 20130301896
    Abstract: The point spread function of a multi-channel collimator is modeled in photon imaging. The geometric aperture used in the point spread function is expanded to account for penetration, scattering, and/or imperfections of the collimator. The aperture is broadened using a weight that is a function of the distance of the source from the collimator. Rather than scaling the point spread function itself, the geometric aperture used in the point spread function is scaled to an effective aperture. The distance and geometric constraints may be used to determine the geometric aperture, but an additional broadening occurs as a function of the distance to account for non-ideal photon paths of travel. This additional broadening may improve the fidelity with respect to measured data relative to purely geometric or Gaussian models.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, James C. Sanders, III
  • Patent number: 8577103
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods of reconstructing an image object for a measured object in object space from image data in data space include causing a computer to execute instructions for providing zonal information separating the object space into at least two zones, providing at least two zonal image objects, each zonal image object being associated with one of the at least two zones, reconstructing the image object using a data model derived from forward projecting the zonal image objects into data space, wherein the contribution of each zonal image object to the data model is weighted according to a zonal scaling factor, and outputting the image object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Publication number: 20130282635
    Abstract: A method for computer-assisted modeling of a technical system is disclosed. At multiple different operating points, the technical system is described by a first state vector with first state variable(s) and by a second state vector with second state variable(s). A neural network comprising a special form of a feed-forward network is used for the computer-assisted modeling of said system. The feed-forward network includes at least one bridging connector that connects a neural layer with an output layer, thereby bridging at least one hidden layer, which allows the training of networks with multiple hidden layers in a simple manner with known learning methods, e.g., the gradient descent method. The method may be used for modeling a gas turbine system, in which a neural network trained using the method may be used to estimate or predict nitrogen oxide or carbon monoxide emissions or parameters relating to combustion chamber vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Siegmund Düll, Alexander Hans, Steffen Udluft
  • Publication number: 20130281818
    Abstract: A system includes a scanner configured to generate scan data of a patient volume or area, a processor configured to implement control operations, the control operations being directed to acquisition of the scan data or to processing of the scan data, and a monitoring system including a range imaging camera positioned for a field of view such that the monitoring system is configured to capture spatial data indicative of movement of an object spaced from the scanner. The processor is configured to implement an adjustment in the control operations based on the spatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Ansgar Graw, Dennis Steibel, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130267841
    Abstract: Segmentation is provided in multi-modal reconstruction of functional information. Rather than using HU values for segmentation, the HU values are converted into linear attenuation coefficients, such as in a ?-map (Mu map). The conversion uses different functions for different ranges of the HU values. Linear attenuation coefficients are less likely subject to variation by patient, protocol, or scanner. The resulting segmentation may be more consistent across various clinical settings, providing for more accurate multi-modal reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Hans Vija
  • Patent number: 8494980
    Abstract: A method for the computer-assisted exploration of states of a technical system is provided. The states of the technical system are run by carrying out an action in a respective state of the technical system, the action leading to a new state. A safety function and a feedback rule are used to ensure that a large volume of data of states and actions is run during exploration and that at the same time no inadmissible actions occur which could lead directly or indirectly to the technical system being damaged or to a defective operating state. The method allows a large number of states and actions relating to the technical system to be collected and may be used for any technical system, especially the exploration of states in a gas turbine. The method may be used both in the real operation and during simulation of the operation of a technical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Hans, Daniel Schneegaβ, Anton Maximilian Schäfer, Volkmar Sterzing, Steffen Udluft
  • Patent number: 8467584
    Abstract: A method for obtaining nuclear medical images of a patient in which one or more first images are obtained. The one or more first images can be used to identify one or more regions of interest for subsequent images that focus on the regions of interest. The process can occur iteratively until it is determined, either by a physician or a computer program that sufficient images have been obtained to identify lesions or other pathology within a reasonable level of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Hans Vija
  • Patent number: 8429112
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: Eren Tolga Rosenfeld, Ekpedeme Mfon Bassey, Beth Elyse Zadik, Martha Torrey O'Connor, Alexander Han Leung Poon, Eric Jeffrey Lannert, Tracey Andrea Solomon, Jonathan Christian Conant, Alexander Zorba, Carl Michael Puccio, Timothy John Gobran, James Andrew Gilchrist, Mark Stewart Nichols, Brandon Denning Fleisher, Craig William Friedman, Adebisi Detoro Lipede, Matthew Allen Bailey
  • Patent number: 8380469
    Abstract: An iterative reconstruction method to reconstruct an object includes determining, in a series of iteration steps, updated objects, wherein each iteration step includes determining a data model from an input object, and determining a stop-criterion of the data model on the basis of a chi-square-gamma statistic. The method further includes determining that the stop-criterion of the data model has transitioned from being outside the limitation of a preset threshold value to being inside the limitation, ending the iterations, and selecting one of the updated objects to be the reconstructed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Patent number: 8380646
    Abstract: A method of computer-assisted learning of control and/or feedback control of a technical system is provided. A statistical uncertainty of training data used during learning is suitably taken into account when learning control of the technical system. The statistical uncertainty of a quality function, which models an optimal operation of the technical system, is determined by uncertainty propagation and is incorporated during learning of an action-selecting rule. The uncertainty propagation uses a covariance matrix in which non-diagonal elements are ignored. The method can be used for learning control or feedback control of any desired technical systems. In a variant, the method is used for control or feedback control of an operation of a gas turbine. In another variant, the method is used for control or feedback control of a wind power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Hans, Steffen Udluft
  • Publication number: 20130034286
    Abstract: Emission tomography is registered with computed tomography or other modality in reconstruction. The anatomical information is used in the emission tomography reconstruction. In addition to an initial registration to use the anatomical information in the reconstruction, the registration is refined one or more times during other iterations refining the reconstruction of the emission volume. The registration is performed as part of the reconstruction. This multi-modal reconstruction may result in an emission tomography volume better aligned with the anatomical information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Patent number: 8350222
    Abstract: An imaging system includes interleaved emission detectors and transmission detectors. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved along the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors and transmission detectors can be interleaved orthogonal to the axis of relative patient motion. Emission detectors can be single photon emission computed tomography detectors and the transmission detectors can be x-ray computed tomography detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Steffen Kappler, Guenter Hahn
  • Patent number: 8294109
    Abstract: A method for tomographic nuclear imaging determines the distance between a non-parallel hole collimator surface and a region of interest (ROI) by obtaining difference images between images acquired at different view angles of the ROI. The distance may be used in a nuclear image reconstruction algorithm to more accurately reconstruct an image of the ROI. The method takes advantage of the non-stationary Point Spread Function of a non-parallel hole collimator to determine depth information of gamma events emitted from the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Hans Vija
  • Patent number: 8208706
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of presenting an image of an object includes causing a computer to execute instructions for providing a signal distribution of values N, generating a transformed distribution by calculating, for each value N, a transformed value X=?{square root over (N+?)}, and outputting the transformed distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Publication number: 20120119096
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for quality control in image space for processing with an input data set are disclosed. A method includes providing an image object, including multiple voxels, and an input data set. A data model is determined from the image object. A cumulative distribution function (CDF) for the input data set is determined from the data model and the input data set based on a plurality of projections. The CDF is transformed to an image cumulative distribution function (ICDF) in object space. The ICDF represents a number of standard deviations associated with each voxel of the image object. The output of the ICDF is displayed. A nuclear imaging system and a computer readable storage medium are also disclosed. Techniques disclosed herein facilitate efficient quality control for tomographic image reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Patent number: 8160340
    Abstract: Tomographically reconstructing a 3D image object corresponding to a data set includes for each step in a series of iteration steps, determining an updated object by performing a combined operation, which includes performing an update operation for updating an input object and performing a pixon smoothing operation, and following a last iteration, outputting one of the updated objects as the 3D image object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Publication number: 20120018645
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for optimizing an amount of radiation dose and acquisition time in cardiac Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. The apparatus and method include providing an organ, acquiring images of the organ at projected views. Then a projected view that projects the organ as an annulus is selected; a region of interest (ROI) is also selected in the projected view, wherein the ROI is in a lateral wall of the organ. An average count in the ROI is determined; and an image quality of a reconstructed image based on the average count is predicted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander Hans Vija
  • Patent number: 8094898
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of assessing the quality of a functional image for an object includes causing a computer to execute instructions for providing a signal distribution of values N generating a transformed distribution by calculating, for each value N, a transformed value X=?{square root over (N+¼)}, reconstructing the functional image from the signal distribution, deriving an expected distribution of expected values ? from the functional image, generating a residual distribution by calculating, for each value N, a residual values ?X=X??{square root over (?)}, and outputting the residual distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Hans Vija, Amos Yahil
  • Publication number: 20120003613
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventors: Eren Tolga Rosenfeld, Ekpedeme Mfon Bassey, Beth Elyse Zadik, Martha Torrey O'Connor, Alexander Han Leung Poon, Eric Jeffrey Lannert, Tracey Andrea Solomon, Jonathan Christian Conant, Alexander Zorba, Carl Michael Puccio, Timothy John Gobran, James Andrew Gilchrist, Mark Stewart Nichols, Brandon Denning Fleisher, Craig William Friedman, Adebisi Detoro Lipede, Matthew Allen Bailey