Patents by Inventor Frank Bergner

Frank Bergner 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: 20230013905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for correcting computer tomography (“CT”) X-ray data acquired at high relative pitch, the apparatus comprising: an input unit (20); a processing unit (30); and an output unit (40). The input unit is configured to provide the processing unit with CT X-ray data of a body part of a person acquired at high relative pitch. The processing unit is configured to determine CT slice reconstruction data of the body part of the person with no or reduced high relative pitch operation reconstruction artefacts using a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm was trained on the basis of CT slice reconstruction data, and wherein the CT slice reconstruction data comprised first CT slice reconstruction data with high relative pitch reconstruction artefacts and comprised second CT slice reconstruction data with less, less severe, or no high relative pitch reconstruction artefacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: FRANK BERGNER, MICHAEL GRASS, THOMAS HEIKO STEHLE
  • Publication number: 20230000458
    Abstract: An imaging system (MIS), optionally a medical imaging system, with wireless communication capability and related method. The imaging system comprises a gantry (RG) rotatable around a rotation axis. The gantry includes a detector device (D) capable of recording, in plural spatial positions, measurement data in relation to a subject (such as a patient) (PAT) to be imaged. The system also includes a radio transmitter (TX) for generating a directed radio beam propagatable along a propagation axis to transmit the measurement data to a radio receiver (RX). The radio transmitter (TX) is arranged at the rotatable gantry and is operable so that the propagation direction intersects the rotation axis in a location that is situated away from the rotatable gantry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: FRANK BERGNER, CLAAS BONTUS, KLAUS ERHARD, NIKOLAS DAVID SCHNELLBÄCHER, DIRK SCHÄFER, SVEN PETER PREVRHAL, PETER VERNICKEL
  • Patent number: 11222404
    Abstract: In a method and system for reconstructing computed tomography image data in which CT image data is de-noised. Then simulated noise is added, followed by another de-noising step to estimate the bias. Then, the estimated bias information is used to correct the original de-noised image data to arrive at second pass image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Rolf Dieter Bippus, Frank Bergner
  • Publication number: 20210217140
    Abstract: In a method and system for reconstructing computed tomography image data in which CT image data is de-noised. Then simulated noise is added, followed by another de-noising step to estimate the bias. Then, the estimated bias information is used to correct the original de-noised image data to arrive at second pass image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas KOEHLER, Bernhard Johannes BRENDEL, Rolf Dieter BIPPUS, Frank BERGNER
  • Patent number: 10984564
    Abstract: An imaging system (400) includes a radiation source (408) configured to emit X-ray radiation, a detector array (410) configured to detected X-ray radiation and generate projection data indicative thereof, and a first processing chain (418) configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A method includes receiving projection data produced by an imaging system and processing the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A processor is configured to: scan an object or subject with an x-ray imaging system and generating projection data, process the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image, process the projection data with a second processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a structure image, and de-noise the structure image based on the noise only image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Bergner, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Thomas Koehler, Kevin Martin Brown
  • Patent number: 10983071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photon scanning apparatus comprising a photon source (2) to emit a photon beam (4), a photon detector (6) to detect photons emitted from the photon source (2). The photon source (2) is adapted to emit the photon beam (4) in accordance with a predetermined pulse width modulation scheme at a predetermined flux rate, wherein the pulse width modulation scheme defines pulse widths of the photon beam (4) for respective positions of the photon source (2) and the photon detector around a central axis (R) and an object to be scanned. The photon detector (6) is adapted to start detecting photons with a delay relative to the photon source starting to emit photons and to finish detecting photons prior to the photon source stopping to emit photons. The photon scanning apparatus thus only has to be calibrated for the predetermined flux rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Heiner Daerr, Roland Proksa, Frank Bergner
  • Patent number: 10872445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tomosynthesis image reconstruction. It is described to provide (210) a first projection image data set and a second projection image data set acquired after acquisition of the first projection image data set, wherein, the first projection image data set comprises first projection data, and the second projection image data set comprises second projection data, and wherein the first projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least a region of interest of a body part and wherein the second projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least the region of interest of the body part. A subset of the first projection data is selected (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Sepp Heese, Klaus Erhard, Frank Bergner, Ruediger Grewer, Hans Barschdorf, Thomas Buelow
  • Patent number: 10839488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for denoising a vector-valued image, the device (100) comprising: a generator (10), which is configured to generate an initial loss function (L_I) comprising at least one initial covariance matrix (ICM) defining a model of correlated noise for each pixel of the vector-valued image; a processor (20), which is configured to provide a final loss function (L_F) comprising a set of at least one final covariance matrix (FCM) based on the initial loss function by modifying at least one submatrix and/or at least one matrix element of the initial covariance matrix (ICM); and a noise-suppressor (30), which is configured to denoise the vector-valued image using the final loss function (L_F) comprising the set of the at least one final covariance matrix (FCM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Bergner, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Thomas Koehler
  • Patent number: 10827986
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus (IP) comprising an input port (IN) for receiving projection data through respective 3D locations in an imaging region, said projection date collected in a scan operation by an imaging apparatus (IM). An image segment generator (IGS) of said apparatus (IP) is configured to generate, based on said projection data, a first image segment for said 3D locations. A visualizer (VIZ) configured to effect displaying said first image segment on a display device before or whilst the image apparatus collects projection data for a different 3D location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Frank Bergner, Hanns-Ingo Maack
  • Publication number: 20200319121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photon scanning apparatus comprising a photon source (2) to emit a photon beam (4), a photon detector (6) to detect photons emitted from the photon source (2). The photon source (2) is adapted to emit the photon beam (4) in accordance with a predetermined pulse width modulation scheme at a predetermined flux rate, wherein the pulse width modulation scheme defines pulse widths of the photon beam (4) for respective positions of the photon source (2) and the photon detector around a central axis (R) and an object to be scanned. The photon detector (6) is adapted to start detecting photons with a delay relative to the photon source starting to emit photons and to finish detecting photons prior to the photon source stopping to emit photons. The photon scanning apparatus thus only has to be calibrated for the predetermined flux rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner DAERR, Roland PROKSA, Frank BERGNER
  • Patent number: 10762672
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reconstructing an X-ray tomography image, the device comprising a reconstruction module, which is configured to utilize an ordered subset maximum likelihood optimization with a diagonal paraboloid approximation of a cost function for the reconstructing of the X-ray tomography image; and a calculation module, which is configured to calculate a pre-computable denominator term for the cost function for a plurality of subsets of projection data based on a distribution of diagonal denominator terms over the plurality of the subsets of the projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Bergner, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Thomas Koehler
  • Patent number: 10515467
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reconstruction system for statistically reconstructing images from transmission measurements. The image reconstruction system comprises an update equation providing unit for providing an update equation based on an iterative statistical model. The update equation comprises a data term and a regularization term. The invention proposes to not modify the regularization term, but rather the weights with which individual measurements contribute are modified on a per image voxel and per measurement basis. This is achieved by modifying the contributions of each measurement by including an additional weight on a per image voxel/per measurement basis. The additional weight for each measurement is determined by calculating the noise perpendicular to each measurement ray at each voxel position and a voxel and measurement dependent weight for each measurement, and integrated into the update equation's data term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: KININKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rolf Dieter Bippus, Frank Bergner
  • Publication number: 20190385345
    Abstract: An imaging system (400) includes a radiation source (408) configured to emit X-ray radiation, a detector array (410) configured to detected X-ray radiation and generate projection data indicative thereof, and a first processing chain (418) configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A method includes receiving projection data produced by an imaging system and processing the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image. A processor is configured to: scan an object or subject with an x-ray imaging system and generating projection data, process the projection data with a first processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a noise only image, process the projection data with a second processing chain configured to reconstruct the projection data and generate a structure image, and de-noise the structure image based on the noise only image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: FRANK BERGNER, BERNHARD JOHANNES BRENDEL, THOMAS KOEHLER, KEVIN MARTIN BROWN
  • Publication number: 20190259187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tomosynthesis image reconstruction. It is described to provide (210) a first projection image data set and a second projection image data set acquired after acquisition of the first projection image data set, wherein, the first projection image data set comprises first projection data, and the second projection image data set comprises second projection data, and wherein the first projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least a region of interest of a body part and wherein the second projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least the region of interest of the body part. A subset of the first projection data is selected (220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Harald Sepp HEESE, Klaus ERHARD, Frank BERGNER, Ruediger GREWER, Hans BARSCHDORF, Thomas BUELOW
  • Patent number: 10373349
    Abstract: The invention relates to an image generation apparatus (1) for generating an image of an object. A reconstruction unit (10) reconstructs the image based on provided measured projection values such that costs defined by a cost function are reduced, wherein the cost function depends on differences between calculated projection values, which have been determined by simulating a forward projection through the image, and the provided measured projection values, and wherein a degree of dependence of the cost function on a respective difference depends on the respective difference. This can allow for a consideration of a degree of disturbance of the measured projection values by motion and/or by an incomplete illumination of the object during the reconstruction process, which can lead to a reconstruction of an image having an improved image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Axel Thran, Frank Bergner, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Rolf Dieter Bippus
  • Patent number: 10297049
    Abstract: An image processing system (IPS) and related method to transform different multi-modal or multi-contrast input images (u,v) into respective transformed images (U,V). The transformation may proceed iteratively to improve a regularized objective function. The regularization is via a regularizer function (R). The regularizer function (R) is computed from noise normalized gradients of the two or more transformed images (u,v).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Frank Bergner
  • Publication number: 20190147628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image reconstruction system for statistically reconstructing images from transmission measurements. The image reconstruction system comprises an update equation providing unit for providing an update equation based on an iterative statistical model. The update equation comprises a data term and a regularization term. The invention proposes to not modify the regularization term, but rather the weights with which individual measurements contribute are modified on a per image voxel and per measurement basis. This is achieved by modifying the contributions of each measurement by including an additional weight on a per image voxel/per measurement basis. The additional weight for each measurement is determined by calculating the noise perpendicular to each measurement ray at each voxel position and a voxel and measurement dependent weight for each measurement, and integrated into the update equation's data term.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Rolf Dieter BIPPUS, Frank BERGNER
  • Publication number: 20190122342
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (100) for denoising a vector-valued image, the device (100) comprising: a generator (10), which is configured to generate an initial loss function (L_I) comprising at least one initial covariance matrix (ICM) defining a model of correlated noise for each pixel of the vector-valued image; a processor (20), which is configured to provide a final loss function (L_F) comprising a set of at least one final covariance matrix (FCM) based on the initial loss function by modifying at least one submatrix and/or at least one matrix element of the initial covariance matrix (ICM); and a noise-suppressor (30), which is configured to denoise the vector-valued image using the fmal loss function (L_F) comprising the set of the at least one fmal covariance matrix (FCM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: FRANK BERGNER, Bernhard Johannes BRENDEL, Thomas KOEHLER
  • Publication number: 20180360395
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus (IP) comprising an input port (IN) for receiving projection data through respective 3D locations in an imaging region, said projection date collected in a scan operation by an imaging apparatus (IM). An image segment generator (IGS) of said apparatus (IP) is configured to generate, based on said projection data, a first image segment for said 3D locations. A visualizer (VIZ) configured to effect displaying said first image segment on a display device before or whilst the image apparatus collects projection data for a different 3D location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus ERHARD, FRANK BERGNER, Hanns-Ingo MAACK
  • Publication number: 20180286086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for reconstructing an X-ray tomography image, the device comprising a reconstruction module, which is configured to utilize an ordered subset maximum likelihood optimization with a diagonal paraboloid approximation of a cost function for the reconstructing of the X-ray tomography image; and a calculation module, which is configured to calculate a pre-computable denominator term for the cost function for a plurality of subsets of projection data based on a distribution of diagonal denominator terms over the plurality of the subsets of the projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Frank BERGNER, Bernhard Johannes BRENDEL, Thomas KOEHLER