Patents by Inventor Dirk Schaefer

Dirk Schaefer 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: 9042628
    Abstract: A 3D-originated cardiac roadmapping device and method include providing 3D+t image data of a vascular structure of an object; acquiring 2D image data of the object that includes the vascular structure, where the 2D image data includes at least one 2D image. The method further includes projecting the vascular structure, thereby generating mask images based on the 3D+t image data; and registering the at least one 2D image with one of the mask images. The registration includes finding the maximum of a similarity factor between the mask images and the at least one 2D image. The method further includes generating a combination of the at least one 2D image and a projection of the vascular structure based on the 3D+t image data according to the registration; and displaying the combination as a guiding vessel tree projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Raoul Florent, Vincent Auvray, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer, Gert Schoonenberg
  • Publication number: 20150038839
    Abstract: An imaging system includes radiation source (106) that emits radiation that traverses an examination region and a portion of a subject therein and a detector array (114) that detects radiation that traverses the examination region and the portion of the subject therein and generates a signal indicative thereof. A volume scan parameter recommender (120) recommends at least one spectral scan parameter value for a volume scan of the portion of the subject based on a spectral decomposition of first and second 2D projections acquired by the radiation source and detector array. The first and second 2D projections have different spectral characteristics. A console (122) employs the recommended at least one spectral scan parameter value to perform the volume scan of the portion of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Schaefer, Axel Thran, Thomas Koehler
  • Patent number: 8787646
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries that includes the following steps: (i) matching projection data measured at opposing sides of the acquisition trajectory and splicing them together to generate a full, non-truncated projection data set; (ii) differentiation of the projection data; (iii) filtering the differentiated projection data with a filter, such as for example a Hilbert filter; (iv) applying redundancy weighting to the filtered projection data; and (v) back-projecting the redundancy weighted projection data to generate image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20130322724
    Abstract: The invention relates to adaptive roadmapping providing improved information to the user, comprising the following steps: providing pre-navigation image data representing at least a part of a vascular structure comprising a tree-like structure with a plurality of sub-trees; generating a vessel representation on the basis of pre-navigation image data; acquiring live image data of the object, which object comprises the vascular structure; wherein the vascular structure contains an element of interest; determining spatial relation of the pre-navigation image data and the live image data; analysing the live image data by identifying and localizing the element in the live image data; determining a sub-tree in which the element is positioned, wherein the determining is based on the localization of the element and on the spatial relation; and selecting a portion of the vascular structure based on the determined sub-tree; generating a combination of the live image data and an image of the selected portion of the vasc
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Raoul Florent, Vincent Auvray, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer, Gert Schoonenberg
  • Patent number: 8478014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an image of a moving object, wherein a movement of the object comprises a multiple of moving phases. The apparatus comprises a measured detection data providing unit (20) for providing measured detection data of the moving object, which have been detected by using a detection process and which are assigned to the moving phases. The apparatus comprises further a reconstruction unit (13) for reconstructing an image object of the object from the provided measured detection data and an adaptation unit (18) for adapting the image object for different moving phases such that simulated detection data are adapted to the measured detection data of the respective moving phase, wherein the simulated detection data are determined by simulating the detection process, which has been used for detecting the measured detection data assigned to the respective moving phase, with the image object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Jandt, Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Patent number: 8446408
    Abstract: A method for generating or reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) images corresponding to a structure of interest (60) including: acquiring a plurality of image projections corresponding to a structure of interest (60); applying a shape model (66) at a selected 3D seed point (64); and adapting the shape model (66) to represent the structure of interest (60), yielding an adapted shape model. A system for generation and reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) images. The system (10) includes: an imaging system (12) configured to provide projection data corresponding to a structure of interest (60); and a controller (50) in operable communication with the imaging system (50). The controller (50) is configured to: receive the projection data, (64); apply a shape model (66) at a selected 3D seed point (64); and adapt the shape model (66) to represent the structure of interest (60), thereby yielding an adapted shape model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Volker Rasche, Dirk Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130116551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to 3D-originated cardiac roadmapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Raoul Florent, Vincent Auvray, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer, Gert Schoonenberg
  • Publication number: 20130077847
    Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) reconstruction includes reconstructing an axially extended reconstructed image from a measured cone beam x-ray projection data set (Pm), optionally having an off-center geometry. The reconstructing is performed for an extended volume (eFOV) comprising a reconstructable volume (rFOV) of the measured cone beam x ray data set that is extended along the axial direction. The projection data set may be weighted in the volume domain. Iterative reconstruction may be used, including initializing a constant volume and performing one or more iterations employing a first iterative update followed by one or more iterations employing a second, different iterative update.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Eberhard S. Hansis, Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Patent number: 8184883
    Abstract: Cardiac CT imaging using gated reconstruction is currently limited in its temporal and spatial resolution. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an examination apparatus is provided in which an identification of a high contrast object is performed. This high contrast object is then followed through the phases, resulting in a motion vector field of the high contrast object, on the basis of which a motion compensated reconstruction is then performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer, Udo Van Stevendaal
  • Patent number: 8175356
    Abstract: For the reconstruction of the coronary arteries from rotational coronary angiography data, a crucial point is the selection of the optimal cardiac phase for data reconstruction. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automatic approach for deriving optimal reconstruction windows is provided by fully automatically selecting the optimal cardiac phase on the basis of a delayed acquisition protocol where at least one heart phase needs to be acquired in a static projection geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Babak Movassaghi, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120089377
    Abstract: A method includes generating with a processor (122) a three-dimensional subject specific model of structure of interest of a subject to be scanned based on a general three-dimensional model and pre-scan image data acquired by an imaging system (100) generating with the processor (122) an imaging plan for the subject based on the three-dimensional subject specific model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120014582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to reconstruct projection data obtained from CT imaging devices with offset detector geometries that includes the following steps: (i) matching projection data measured at opposing sides of the acquisition trajectory and splicing them together to generate a full, non-truncated projection data set; (ii) differentiation of the projection data; (iii) filtering the differentiated projection data with a filter, such as for example a Hilbert filter; (iv) applying redundancy weighting to the filtered projection data; and (v) back-projecting the redundancy weighted projection data to generate image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20110182492
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an angiographic image acquisition system and method which can beneficially be used in the scope of minimally invasive image-guided interventions. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for graphically visualizing a pre-interventionally virtual 3D representation of a patient's coronary artery tree's vessel segments in a region of interest of a patient's cardiovascular system to be three-dimensionally reconstructed. Optionally, this 3D representation can then be fused with an intraoperatively acquired fluoroscopic 2D live image of an interventional tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer, Gert Antonius Franciscus Schoonenberg
  • Publication number: 20110058723
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating an image of a moving object, wherein a movement of the object comprises a multiple of moving phases. The apparatus comprises a measured detection data providing unit (20) for providing measured detection data of the moving object, which have been detected by using a detection process and which are assigned to the moving phases. The apparatus comprises further a reconstruction unit (13) for reconstructing an image object of the object from the provided measured detection data and an adaptation unit (18) for adapting the image object for different moving phases such that simulated detection data are adapted to the measured detection data of the respective moving phase, wherein the simulated detection data are determined by simulating the detection process, which has been used for detecting the measured detection data assigned to the respective moving phase, with the image object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Uwe Jandt, Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20100316270
    Abstract: The invention proposes a 3D reconstruction of a body and a body contour from transversally truncated projections using a polyhedral object model. Possible clinical applications arise in the field of guided biopsies on acquisition systems equipped with a flat panel detector, where truncated projections cannot be avoided in thorax and abdominal scan protocols. From, for example, a rotational run both a 3D volume reconstruction and a surface mesh reconstruction of a patient's shape is generated and then visualized simultaneously in order to help the physician guide the biopsy device and judge the distance from the patient's skin to the tissue of interest inside the reconstructed volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20100295846
    Abstract: A method for four dimensional reconstruction of regions exhibiting multiple phases of periodic motion includes the operation of building one or more 3-D reconstructions using a set of 2-D projections. The method further includes the operation of deriving one or more 3-D model segments from each of the one or more 3-D reconstructions, wherein a plurality of 3-D model segments are formed thereby, and wherein each of the one or more 3-D model segments is derived from a single one of the one or more 3-D model segments. The plurality of derived 3-D model segments forms a 4-D reconstruction of the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20100232672
    Abstract: A system (900) and method for automatic projection-based removing of high-contrast artificial objects from a medical image is provided. The method comprises performing a low-pass filtering (1100) to the two-dimensional image (100, 500, 1000) using a filter width range (1110) corresponding to structures of a line-shaped artificial object to generate a low-pass filtered intensity image and performing an evaluation of the Hessian matrix of each pixels of the low-pass filtered intensity image for locating and enhancing the structure of the line-shaped artificial object to generate a multi-scale filtered intensity image, wherein predefined scaling widths are used in order to avoid the locating and enhancing of larger structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Jandt, Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20100201786
    Abstract: A reconstruction method for an image of an object under examination is provided, wherein the method comprises, receiving a first projection data set representing three-dimensional information about said object under examination and reconstructing at least one three-dimensional image out of the first projection data set. Further, a second projection data set representing two-dimensional information about the object under examination is received, wherein the second data set was recorded under a first direction and wherein a two-dimensional image out of the second projection data set is generated. Furthermore, a volume rendered projection is reconstructed out of the at least one three-dimensional image using the first direction as the reconstruction direction of the volume rendered projection and the two-dimensional image and the volume rendered projection are overlaid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20100189337
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for acquiring 3-dimensional images of coronary vessels (11), particularly of coronary veins, is proposed. 2-dimensional X-ray images (13) are acquired within a same phase of a cardiac motion. Then, a 3-dimensional centerline model (15) is generated based on these 2-dimensional images. From 2-dimensional projections of the centerline model into respective projection planes, the local diameters (w) of the vessels in the projection plane can be derived. Having the diameters, a 3-dimensional hull model of the vessel system can be generated and, optionally, 4-dimensional information about the vessel movement can be derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Jandt, Dirk Schaefer, Michael Grass
  • Patent number: 7723936
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlled braking of an electrically powered lifting action in the event of a failure, such that at least one of the nominal values for “rotational direction” and/or “operating speed” and/or “door position” and/or “motor capacity” and/or “motor current” is ascertained and compared with an actual value, and such that a motorized braking process or motorized stopping process is triggered by a departure of the actual value from the nominal value that lies outside a predetermined range. In addition the invention relates to a device for applying said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Feig Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Schaefer