Patents by Inventor Christian Findeklee

Christian Findeklee 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: 20250258258
    Abstract: For detecting an error of a magnetic resonance examination system, a tunable radio frequency RF receiver coil assembly is provided The RF receiver coil assembly comprises at least one RF receiver coil (1), an electronic de-/tune circuit (2) for switching between a low noise reception state of the tunable RF receiver coil (1) and a passive state of the tunable RF receiver coil (1), and a monitor circuit (7). The monitor circuit (7) is electrically insulated from and reactively coupled to the electronic de-/tune circuit (2) and is adapted to inductively measure the AC electrical current or AC voltage in the electronic de-/tune circuit (2) induced by a RF transmit signal generated by the magnetic resonance examination system or the monitor circuit (7) is adapted to couple an RF signal into the tunable RF receiver coil (1) wherein the tunable RF receiver coil (1) is arranged to receive the coupled RF signal by a magnetic resonance preamplifier (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christopher Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee
  • Publication number: 20250208243
    Abstract: In a radio frequency (RF) assembly for a magnetic resonance examination system, the RF assembly comprises: at least one receiver coil, for receiving MR signals from a patient, at least one low-noise amplifier (LNA), connected to the receiver coil for amplifying the MR signals, at least one low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) connection, wherein the LVDS connection is configured to transmit the received MR signals and to apply electrical power to the LNA, wherein the LVDS connection is formed as a LVDS digital cable (1). A solution for B1 transparency of the coil array, which reduces solder connections and RF plugs is to be achieved. This is achieved by at least one planar resonator (2), wherein the planar resonator (2) is inductively coupled to the LVDS digital cable (1) configured to act as an RF trap (10) for blocking spurious signals on the LVDS digital cable (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Peter Vernickel
  • Publication number: 20250199097
    Abstract: The invention refers to a Radio Frequency (RF) coil assembly (100) for magnetic resonance imaging. The RF coil assembly (100) includes an RF coil (130) comprising multiple rungs (340) configured to receive and/or transmit an RF signal (122) input and/or output, a detune arrangement (110) configured to receive a control signal (121) and to tune/detune the RF coil (130) to a resonance frequency based on the control signal (121), and a conductor (120) configured to conduct the RF signal (122) and the control signal (121). The detune arrangement (110) is electrically coupled to the rungs (340) of the RF coil (130), and the conductor (120) is electrically coupled to the RF coil (130) and to the detune arrangement (110). The detune arrangement (110) comprises a microswitch (320) and a bias network (310). The bias network (310) is configured to switch the microswitch (320) between an open and a closed state in response to the control signal (121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Christian Findeklee
  • Patent number: 12292490
    Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system a solution for a safe operation of the radio frequency (RF) receiver system in magnetic resonance imaging shall be ensured. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system the RF receiver system, wherein the RF receiver system comprises at least one RF receive coil with at least one detune circuit (1). The detune circuit (1) comprises at least a pair of crossed diodes (D1, D2) with an interface, wherein the interface is configured to measure an electrical current in the detune circuit (1) to determine the proper function of the PIN diodes (D1, D2) by measuring the detune direct current for a first detune voltage polarity and for a second reversed detune voltage polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Peter Vernickel, Ingo Schmale, Oliver Lips
  • Publication number: 20250102602
    Abstract: In the case of a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, interference in a galvanic transmission line (1) configured to transmit a digital signal should be avoided. This is achieved in that a signal circuit (Pr2) is provided, configured to monitor non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in a signal through the galvanic transmission line (1), wherein the signal circuit (Pr2) is configured to provide feedback to a digital adjustment circuit (4), wherein the digital adjustment circuit (4) is configured to compensate for non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in the digital signal by adjusting phase and/or amplitude of the digital signal based on monitored measured values of the signal circuit (Pr2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for compensating for non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in a digital signal in a galvanic transmission line (1) of a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel
  • Publication number: 20240402272
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) coil construction system includes MR coil sheets (20) comprising electrically conductive MR coil elements or MR coil element portions (22) disposed in electrically insulating sheets (26). The MR coil sheets have edges with connecting mechanisms (34. 48) configured to connect the MR coil sheets to construct an MR coil array (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz, Ingo Schmale
  • Patent number: 12140650
    Abstract: The invention also refers to a flexible coil element for a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The invention also refers to a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The invention also refers to a method for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The flexible coil element is comprised by a flexible coil array, wherein the flexible coil array comprises at least one flexible coil element. Furthermore, the invention refers to a software package comprising instructions for carrying out the method steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz
  • Patent number: 12092712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil array (30) of a magnetic resonance system having a distributed cable routing realized by a self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The magnetic resonance coil array (30) comprises multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (32), an input-output unit (34), and multiple coaxial cables (14) interconnecting the magnetic resonance receive coils (32) with the input-output unit (34). The coaxial cable (14) comprises the self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) allows to replace conventional bulky resonant radiofrequency traps used in conventional magnetic resonance coil arrays and allows implementing the distributed cable routing. The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) comprises a choke housing (12) having a toroidal form and the coaxial cable (14), wherein the coaxial cable (14) is wound around the choke housing (12) in a self-compensated winding pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Venickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Ingo Schmale
  • Publication number: 20240302464
    Abstract: According to the invention, a cable harness (7) for a magnetic resonance system is provided, wherein the cable harness (7) is adapted for being connected to a feeding point of a magnetic resonance radiofrequency coil device (1) on one end and for being connected to an input-output unit (6) for connecting the magnetic resonance radiofrequency coil device (1) with a control and analysis unit of the magnetic resonance system on the other end, wherein the cable harness (7) comprises at least one transmission line (8) for connecting the feeding point with the input-output unit (6) and multiple radiofrequency chokes (10) which are arranged within the cable harness (7). In this way, a bulky resonant RF traps can be avoided while still the B1-excitation field of the MR system can be compensated for and coupling to local nearby coils can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee
  • Publication number: 20240248158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil device comprising a flexible array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (440). According to the invention, a magnetic resonance coil device for a magnetic resonance system is provided, comprising an array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (400) which are configured for receiving a magnetic resonance radiofrequency signal, and two outer layers (200, 201), wherein the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are arranged between the outer layers (200, 201) in such a way that at least some of the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) each partly overlap with at least one other neighboring magnetic resonance receive coil (400) so that respective overlapping regions between two respective neighboring magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are formed, wherein within at least some of these overlapping regions at least one spacer (300) is arranged, respectively, and wherein at least one of the outer layers is flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ingo Schmale, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz
  • Patent number: 11982722
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: a subject support (120) configured for moving a subject between a loading position (121) and an imaging position (200); a receive magnetic resonance imaging coil (114) configured for being placed on the subject; and a light detection system (115) comprising at least one ambient light sensor for measuring light data (144). The light detection system is any one of the following: mounted to the main magnet such that the light data is measured from the imaging zone and mounted to the receive magnetic resonance imaging coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christoph Gunther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Christian Findeklee
  • Publication number: 20240154287
    Abstract: According to the invention, a transmission line (10) for transmitting data and electrical power, comprising a first coaxial cable (20) with a first inner conductor (21) and a first outer conductor (22), and a second coaxial (30) cable with a second inner conductor (31) and a second outer conductor (32), wherein the first coaxial cable (20) and the second coaxial cable (30) are provided with an additional shield which is surrounding the first coaxial cable (20) and the second coaxial cable (30) and/or the first coaxial cable (20) and the second coaxial cable (30) are twisted around each other to form a twisted transmission line (10), and the first outer conductor (22) and the second outer conductor (32) are galvanically insulated from each other. In this way, a transmission line (10) for transmitting data and electrical power is provided which is compatible with use within an MRI apparatus and can be manufactured at low costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler
  • Patent number: 11940521
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical system (100, 300, 500, 700) comprising: a memory (128) storing machine executable instructions (130); a processor (122) configured for controlling the medical system; and a pilot tone system (106). The pilot tone system comprises a radio frequency system (108) comprising multiple transmit channels (110) and multiple receive channels (112). The multiple transmit channels are configured for each transmitting unique pilot tone (132) signals via multiple transmit coils. The multiple receive channels are configured for receiving multi-channel pilot tone data (134) via multiple receive coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Gunther Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Jan Jakob Meineke, Peter Vernickel, Peter Koken
  • Publication number: 20240063924
    Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system (1) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, a solution for compensating residual coupling of RF receive coil elements (2) in the radio frequency (RF) receiver (1) system shall be created. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, the RF receiver system (1) comprising at least two simultaneously used RF receive coil elements (2), wherein the RF receive coil element (2) comprises a signal generator (3) for providing a compensation signal and an excitation path (4), wherein the excitation path (4) is configured to couple the compensation signal into the RF receive coil element (2), for reducing residual coupling in the RF receiver system (1) by means of the compensation signal coupled into the RF receive coil element (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler, Ingo Schmale, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz
  • Publication number: 20230408608
    Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system a solution for a safe operation of the radio frequency (RF) receiver system in magnetic resonance imaging shall be ensured. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system the RF receiver system, wherein the RF receiver system comprises at least one RF receive coil with at least one detune circuit (1). The detune circuit (1) comprises at least a pair of crossed diodes (D1, D2) with an interface, wherein the interface is configured to measure an electrical current in the detune circuit (1) to determine the proper function of the PIN diodes (D1, D2) by measuring the detune direct current for a first detune voltage polarity and for a second reversed detune voltage polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Peter Vernickel, Ingo Schmale, Oliver Lips
  • Publication number: 20230258749
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil array (30) of a magnetic resonance system having a distributed cable routing realized by a self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The magnetic resonance coil array (30) comprises multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (32), an input-output unit (34), and multiple coaxial cables (14) interconnecting the magnetic resonance receive coils (32) with the input-output unit (34). The coaxial cable (14) comprises the self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10). The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) allows to replace conventional bulky resonant radiofrequency traps used in conventional magnetic resonance coil arrays and allows implementing the distributed cable routing. The self-compensated radiofrequency choke (10) comprises a choke housing (12) having a toroidal form and the coaxial cable (14), wherein the coaxial cable (14) is wound around the choke housing (12) in a self-compensated winding pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Venickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Ingo Schmale
  • Publication number: 20230128603
    Abstract: The invention also refers to a flexible coil element for a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The invention also refers to a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The invention also refers to a method for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The flexible coil element is comprised by a flexible coil array, wherein the flexible coil array comprises at least one flexible coil element. Furthermore, the invention refers to a software package comprising instructions for carrying out the method steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz
  • Patent number: 11519982
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) system comprises an RF-array of antenna elements, a regulating arrangement to tune the antenna elements' impedances and a camera system to acquire image information of the RF-array. An analysis module is provided to derive operational settings such as resonant tuning settings, decoupling and impedance matchings of the antenna elements' impedances from the image information. The image information also represents the actual impedances and resonant properties of the RF-array. From the image information appropriate impedance settings can be derived that are the tuning parameters to render the RF-array resonant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: George Randall Duensing, Sascha Krueger, Christian Findeklee, Oliver Lips
  • Patent number: 11454684
    Abstract: When predicting required component service in an imaging device such as a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging device (12), component parameters such as coil voltage, phase lock lost (PLL) events, etc. are sampled to monitor system components. Voltage samples are filtered according to their temporal proximity to coil plug-in and unplug events to generate a filtered data set that is analyzed by a processor (46) to determine whether to transmit a fault report. A service recommendation is received based on the transmitted report and includes a root cause diagnosis and service recommendation that is output to a user interface (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Falk Uhlemann, Graham Michael Place, Ingmar Graesslin, Christian Findeklee, Oliver Lips, Cornelis Jacobus Hendrikus Blom
  • Patent number: 11402450
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radio frequency (RF) shield device (124) for a magnetic resonance (MR) examination system (110), whereby the RF shield device (124) comprises a first shield (250) and a second shield (252), the first shield (250) and the second shield (252) are arranged with a common center axis (118), the first shield (250) has a shield structure (254) different from a shield structure (254) of the second shield (252), and the first shield (250) and the second shield (252) are designed in accordance with different modes of operation of a RF coil device (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Oliver Lips