Patents by Inventor Helmut Winkelmann

Helmut Winkelmann 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: 10638987
    Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a detection unit to convert X-rays into a signal value and an evaluation unit. The detection unit and the evaluation unit are configured in a common component, the extent of the component along a first direction being not greater than the extent of the detection unit. The evaluation unit includes at least one correction unit to correct the signal values, a computation unit to control the correction, and a memory unit to store at least one correction parameter. The evaluation unit is designed such that the signal values are corrected as a function of the at least one correction parameter. A method and detector group are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Mario Eichenseer, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20170354389
    Abstract: An X-ray detector includes a detection unit to convert X-rays into a signal value and an evaluation unit. The detection unit and the evaluation unit are configured in a common component, the extent of the component along a first direction being not greater than the extent of the detection unit. The evaluation unit includes at least one correction unit to correct the signal values, a computation unit to control the correction, and a memory unit to store at least one correction parameter. The evaluation unit is designed such that the signal values are corrected as a function of the at least one correction parameter. A method and detector group are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Mario EICHENSEER, Helmut WINKELMANN
  • Patent number: 9078625
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmitting measurement data from a transmitter system to a receiver system by way of a transmission link of a medical device. In an embodiment, the measurement data, as input data of a transformation method, is transformed to output values and, after transmission, back transformed again, the values of the input data lying between a maximum value and a minimum value and an assignment function being used for compression purposes, to allocate an output value to every value of the input data, a root function being used as the assignment function for at least some of the values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Steffen Kappler, Edgar Kraft, Daniel Niederlöhner, Thomas Reichel, Karl Stierstorfer, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8831181
    Abstract: A grid module of a scattered-radiation grid is disclosed. The scattered-radiation grid includes a number of grid modules disposed next to one another with a plurality of webs, especially for use in conjunction with a CT detector, a CT detector and a CT system with such a detector. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at the joining surfaces of the grid modules, the webs located there are provided with breakthroughs to compensate for a disproportionate reduction in scattered radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn Kreisler, Thomas Reichel, Bodo Reitz, Helmut Winkelmann, Stefan Wirth, Jan Wrege
  • Publication number: 20120300898
    Abstract: A grid module of a scattered-radiation grid is disclosed. The scattered-radiation grid includes a number of grid modules disposed next to one another with a plurality of webs, especially for use in conjunction with a CT detector, a CT detector and a CT system with such a detector. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at the joining surfaces of the grid modules, the webs located there are provided with breakthroughs to compensate for a disproportionate reduction in scattered radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Björn Kreisler, Thomas Reichel, Bodo Reitz, Helmut Winkelmann, Stefan Wirth, Jan Wrege
  • Publication number: 20120158811
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for transmitting measurement data from a transmitter system to a receiver system by way of a transmission link of a medical device. In an embodiment, the measurement data, as input data of a transformation method, is transformed to output values and, after transmission, back transformed again, the values of the input data lying between a maximum value and a minimum value and an assignment function being used for compression purposes, to allocate an output value to every value of the input data, a root function being used as the assignment function for at least some of the values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Steffen Kappler, Edgar Kraft, Daniel Niederlöhner, Thomas Reichel, Karl Stierstorfer, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8093535
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed, integrated in a semiconductor material, for measuring signals of a sensor assigned to the integrated circuit. In at least one embodiment, the circuit includes an active component; a temperature sensor; and a circuit to control the temperature of the semiconductor material. The active component is provided to treat the measuring signals produced by the sensor and the active component is drivable by the circuit to control the temperature in such a way that the temperature of the semiconductor material is variable. Further, the circuit includes at least one of a PI and PID controller to control the temperature. A method for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor material that has an integrated circuit is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn Heismann, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20080292168
    Abstract: A data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS) are disclosed for acquiring and compressing image data generated and loaded by an image data detection unit (DE) of an imaging system (BGS) in which the data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS) is integrated. The imaging system (BGS) can, for example, in this case be a conventional x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance tomography machine for high resolution radiographic, CT or MRI based display of interesting tissue regions of a patient to be examined. At least one embodiment of the present invention relates chiefly to a data compression module (DKM) integrated in the front end of the data acquisition and data reduction system (DERS), and to an associated method for acquiring comprised image data with the aid of which the data throughput rate of an image processing and image visualization system (BVS, AB) connected to the x-ray, CT or MRI machine can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 7274024
    Abstract: A radiation detector is disclosed for the detection of ionizing radiation, preferably in a medical diagnosis and/or therapy system, having at least one detector element which is at least partially enclosed by an encapsulation compound. The encapsulation compound at least partially reflects light which is produced during the absorption of the ionizing radiation in the at least one detector element. Further, the detection of the radiation is carried out indirectly by detection of the generated light, wherein the encapsulation compound is made of a multicomponent mixture which converts compounds produced because of radiation, which generate color changes of the encapsulation compound, at least partially into colorless nonabsorbing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hekele, Thomas Hilderscheid, Juergen Leppert, Helmut Winkelmann, Sebastian Wolf
  • Publication number: 20070158575
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed, integrated in a semiconductor material, for measuring signals of a sensor assigned to the integrated circuit. In at least one embodiment, the circuit includes an active component; a temperature sensor; and a circuit to control the temperature of the semiconductor material. The active component is provided to treat the measuring signals produced by the sensor and the active component is drivable by the circuit to control the temperature in such a way that the temperature of the semiconductor material is variable. Further, the circuit includes at least one of a PI and PID controller to control the temperature. A method for controlling the temperature of a semiconductor material that has an integrated circuit is further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Bjorn Heismann, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 7233641
    Abstract: A method and a control device are for controlling the temperature of a detector system inside a computed tomography unit. The CT unit includes a rotatable gantry with a gantry housing in which both an X-ray tube and the detector system are located. The detector system is arranged, in turn, inside a detector housing. The air temperature is set in the gantry housing via a temperature-controlled air circulation. The temperature of the ambient air of the detector housing is set by a control system that uses the temperature of the detector system as controlled variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Hilderscheid, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20060131502
    Abstract: A radiation detector is disclosed for the detection of ionizing radiation, preferably in a medical diagnosis and/or therapy system, having at least one detector element which is at least partially enclosed by an encapsulation compound. The encapsulation compound at least partially reflects light which is produced during the absorption of the ionizing radiation in the at least one detector element. Further, the detection of the radiation is carried out indirectly by detection of the generated light, wherein the encapsulation compound is made of a multicomponent mixture which converts compounds produced because of radiation, which generate color changes of the encapsulation compound, at least partially into colorless nonabsorbing compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hekele, Thomas Hilderscheid, Juergen Leppert, Helmut Winkelmann, Sebastian Wolf
  • Patent number: 6934160
    Abstract: A printed circuit board arrangement with a flexible layer arrangement of at least one electrically conductive layer with a large number of conductor tracks lying next to one another and surrounded by electrically isolating layers has at least one printed circuit board firmly connected to a portion of the flexible layer arrangement and accommodating a component. To form a connection between the component and the conductor tracks of the flexible layer, an opening through the printed circuit board to the conductor tracks is provided, which opening may be stepped, so that different conductor tracks and different layers can be reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Björn Heismann, Quirin Spreiter, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6932507
    Abstract: A method is for selection of a new detector module as replacement for a detector module built in to a detector of an X-ray computer tomograph. The method includes production of the detector module, using component with an unique electronically-stored code and generation of a data set containing the essential parameters of each detector module with reference to the code of each detector module. The method further includes storage of the data set and the codes in an electronic databank and electronic reading of the code of the detector module for exchange and comparison of the relevant stored data set with the data sets for new detector modules. Finally, the method includes selection of a new detector module according to set selection criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6925142
    Abstract: A detector module for an X-ray computed tomography apparatus has a sensor array composed of a number of sensor elements that is mounted on a front side of a printed circuit board. In order to enhance the precision of the detector, at least one heating element for heating the sensor array is provided at the backside of the printed circuit board facing away from the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Claus Pohan, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20050100128
    Abstract: A method and a control device are for controlling the temperature of a detector system inside a computed tomography unit. The CT unit includes a rotatable gantry with a gantry housing in which both an X-ray tube and the detector system are located. The detector system is arranged, in turn, inside a detector housing. The air temperature is set in the gantry housing via a temperature-controlled air circulation. The temperature of the ambient air of the detector housing is set by a control system that uses the temperature of the detector system as controlled variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Hilderscheid, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20030016779
    Abstract: A detector module for an X-ray computed tomography apparatus has a sensor array composed of a number of sensor elements that is mounted on a front side of a printed circuit board. In order to enhance the precision of the detector, at least one heating element for heating the sensor array is provided at the backside of the printed circuit board facing away from the sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Claus Pohan, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20020126460
    Abstract: A printed circuit board arrangement with a flexible layer arrangement of at least one electrically conductive layer with a large number of conductor tracks lying next to one another and surrounded by electrically isolating layers has at least one printed circuit board firmly connected to a portion of the flexible layer arrangement and accommodating a component. To form a connection between the component and the conductor tracks of the flexible layer, an opening through the printed circuit board to the conductor tracks is provided, which opening may be stepped, so that different conductor tracks and different layers can be reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Bjorn Heismann, Quirin Spreiter, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6252935
    Abstract: An x-ray radiator has an x-ray tube with a deflection arrangement that deflects the electron beam of the x-ray tube dependent on a control signal such that the position of the focal spot on the anode corresponds to a reference position changing as a function of time. A detector acquires the actual position of the focal spot and a control unit is supplied with the actual value signal and a reference signal and generates the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Styrnol, Helmut Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 5563924
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus is provided which allows the diaphragm aperture and the diaphragm position to be precisely identified in a simple manner. For this purpose, a radiation imaging system is provided which produces an image of the aperture of the primary diaphragm on a radiation-electrical transducer, the radiation-electrical transducer on which the aperture is imaged being separate from the radiation detector on which the complete diagnostics image is produced. The radiation-electrical transducer is followed by evaluation electronics for forming electrical signals corresponding to the diaphragm aperture size and position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Winkelmann