Patents by Inventor Jörg Ulrich Fontius
Jörg Ulrich Fontius 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).
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Patent number: 10761155Abstract: In order to reduce the memory footprint used for monitoring specific absorption rate (SAR) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a hybrid sliding window method is provided. The method includes receiving a measured value once every first time interval, processing the measured value, and storing a value resulting from the processing in a first memory element. Measured values stored in second memory elements are summed every second time interval, where the first time interval is less than the second time interval. A representation of SAR is calculated every first time interval based on the value resulting from the processing and the sum of the measured values of the second memory elements. When the second time interval is reached, the value stored in the first memory element is moved to one of the second memory elements, and the value stored in the first memory element is reset to zero.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 10135549Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device of a magnetic resonance device is provided. In order to actuate coil elements of a radiofrequency coil with different phases, phase differences in a reference plane are taken into consideration. In a first calibration measurement to be performed once for each transmission path, a first phase of a transmitted radiofrequency signal is measured by an internal measuring device installed permanently in the transmission device spaced apart from the reference plane. A second phase of the transmitted radiofrequency signal is measured by a second, external measuring device to be connected to the reference plane for the first calibration measurement. At least one phase of the first phase and the second phase is taken into consideration in the phase-accurate actuating of the coil elements and/or for correcting further measurements with the internal measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Joerg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 10082548Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a transmission coil arrangement with at least two individual transmission coils of a magnetic resonance system for supplying a radiofrequency signal for producing alternating electromagnetic fields over at least two channels, with in each case a digital section and an analog section, is provided. In the digital section, in an envelope generator, base frequency signals that respectively generate an envelope are provided. The circuit arrangement also includes an intermediate frequency oscillator that generates a common intermediate frequency, a frequency mixer per channel for mixing the common intermediate frequency into the base frequency signals, and in the analog sections of the channels, respectively, second frequency mixers that mix a common radiofrequency signal into each base frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Holger Adolf, Rudi Baumgartl, Nikolaus Demharter, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 9864035Abstract: Methods are provided for measurement of RF excitation pulses by a magnetic resonance device. The methods include the following acts: (1) sending of an RF excitation pulse by a radio-frequency system of the magnetic resonance device, (2) triggering of a receive event for capturing the RF excitation pulse by the control device of the magnetic resonance device, and (3) capturing of the sent RF excitation pulse in the form of excitation data by the radio frequency system. The excitation data may be used for checking process execution sequences.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht, Franz Schmitt
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Patent number: 9671475Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, device and system for controlling an imaging system, a specific absorption rate is calculated with a computation unit and an RF transmission signal of the imaging system is controlled with a control device. The process of controlling of the RF transmission signal includes disconnecting the RF transmission signal when a remaining period during which the RF transmission signal is harmless for the patient has been reduced to zero.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Joerg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 9625541Abstract: In order to provide online monitoring of local specific absorption rate (SAR) within a body subject to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, directional couplers measure a phase and an amplitude of a transmission radio frequency (RF) pulse generated and transmitted by an MRI system. A measured local SAR value is calculated based on the measured phase and the measured amplitude of the transmission RF pulse using a voxel model of the body and an electromagnetic (EM) simulation. In order to verify proper operation of the local SAR monitoring, the measured local SAR value is compared to a predetermined local SAR value.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Matthias Gebhardt, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 9488713Abstract: In order to configure a transmission coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system without taking a specific measurement object into account, the transmission coil is automatically detected and identified when the transmission coil is connected to the MRI system. A phase setting of a pulse to be transmitted by the detected transmission coil is identified based on at least the identified type of the transmission coil. The transmission coil is excited with the pulse having the identified phase and amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Rene Gumbrecht, Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Patent number: 9468395Abstract: The invention relates to a medical unit comprises a 3D radar array for the detection of positional or movement data of objects in an examination space and a processing unit for the evaluation of the detected data, with the processing unit being connected to the medical unit and to the 3D radar array, and with the evaluated data being used to control the medical unit or for post-processing data acquired by the medical diagnostic or therapeutic unit. The invention also relates to a method for improving examination or treatment workflows with the medical unit, comprising: detecting positional or movement data of objects in the examination space by the 3D radar array; generating control commands for the medical unit based on the detected data; and post-processing image or spectroscopy data received by the medical based on the detected data. The medical unit is a medical diagnostic or therapeutic unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBHInventor: Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Publication number: 20150260807Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a transmission coil arrangement with at least two individual transmission coils of a magnetic resonance system for supplying a radiofrequency signal for producing alternating electromagnetic fields over at least two channels, with in each case a digital section and an analog section, is provided. In the digital section, in an envelope generator, base frequency signals that respectively generate an envelope are provided. The circuit arrangement also includes an intermediate frequency oscillator that generates a common intermediate frequency, a frequency mixer per channel for mixing the common intermediate frequency into the base frequency signals, and in the analog sections of the channels, respectively, second frequency mixers that mix a common radiofrequency signal into each base frequency signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Holger Adolf, Rudi Baumgartl, Nikolaus Demharter, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Patent number: 9121908Abstract: A magnetic resonance system having a transmitting system with a high-frequency antenna unit and a high-frequency transmit array. The high-frequency antenna unit is configured to emit high-frequency signals and receive magnetic resonance signals. The high-frequency transmit array has two high-frequency transmit units that allow parallel transmission of high-frequency signals. Each of the high-frequency transmit units of the high-frequency transmit array includes a separate trigger unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Publication number: 20150077108Abstract: The embodiments relate to methods for measurement of RF excitation pulses by a magnetic resonance device including the following acts: (1) sending of an RF excitation pulse by a radio-frequency system of the magnetic resonance device, (2) triggering of a receive event for capturing the RF excitation pulse by the control device of the magnetic resonance device, and (3) capturing of the sent RF excitation pulse in the form of excitation data by the radio frequency system. In certain embodiments, the excitation data is used for checking process execution sequences.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht, Franz Schmitt
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Publication number: 20150022206Abstract: In order to reduce the memory footprint used for monitoring specific absorption rate (SAR) in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a hybrid sliding window method is provided. The method includes receiving a measured value once every first time interval, processing the measured value, and storing a value resulting from the processing in a first memory element. Measured values stored in second memory elements are summed every second time interval, where the first time interval is less than the second time interval. A representation of SAR is calculated every first time interval based on the value resulting from the processing and the sum of the measured values of the second memory elements. When the second time interval is reached, the value stored in the first memory element is moved to one of the second memory elements, and the value stored in the first memory element is reset to zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Publication number: 20150022203Abstract: In order to configure a transmission coil of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system without taking a specific measurement object into account, the transmission coil is automatically detected and identified when the transmission coil is connected to the MRI system. A phase setting of a pulse to be transmitted by the detected transmission coil is identified based on at least the identified type of the transmission coil. The transmission coil is excited with the pulse having the identified phase and amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Rene Gumbrecht, Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Publication number: 20150002147Abstract: In order to provide online monitoring of local specific absorption rate (SAR) within a body subject to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, directional couplers measure a phase and an amplitude of a transmission radio frequency (RF) pulse generated and transmitted by an MRI system. A measured local SAR value is calculated based on the measured phase and the measured amplitude of the transmission RF pulse using a voxel model of the body and an electromagnetic (EM) simulation. In order to verify proper operation of the local SAR monitoring, the measured local SAR value is compared to a predetermined local SAR value.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Jörg Ulrich Fontius, Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Matthias Gebhardt, Rene Gumbrecht
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Publication number: 20140307764Abstract: A method for operating a transmission device of a magnetic resonance device is provided. In order to actuate coil elements of a radiofrequency coil with different phases, phase differences in a reference plane are taken into consideration. In a first calibration measurement to be performed once for each transmission path, a first phase of a transmitted radiofrequency signal is measured by an internal measuring device installed permanently in the transmission device spaced apart from the reference plane. A second phase of the transmitted radiofrequency signal is measured by a second, external measuring device to be connected to the reference plane for the first calibration measurement. At least one phase of the first phase and the second phase is taken into consideration in the phase-accurate actuating of the coil elements and/or for correcting further measurements with the internal measuring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Joerg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Publication number: 20140292332Abstract: In a computer-implemented method, device and system for controlling an imaging system, a specific absorption rate is calculated with a computation unit and an RF transmission signal of the imaging system is controlled with a control device. The process of controlling of the RF transmission signal includes disconnecting the RF transmission signal when a remaining period during which the RF transmission signal is harmless for the patient has been reduced to zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Holger Adolf, Thomas Benner, Hans-Peter Fautz, Joerg Ulrich Fontius, Rene Gumbrecht
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Publication number: 20120262168Abstract: A magnetic resonance system having a transmitting system with a high-frequency antenna unit and a high-frequency transmit array. The high-frequency antenna unit is configured to emit high-frequency signals and receive magnetic resonance signals. The high-frequency transmit array has two high-frequency transmit units that allow parallel transmission of high-frequency signals. Each of the high-frequency transmit units of the high-frequency transmit array includes a separate trigger unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventor: Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Patent number: 8159224Abstract: The invention relates to a combined magnetic resonance imaging and targeting device for magnetic particles having a magnetic coil array. The magnetic coil array comprises a plurality of coils, each of which is connected to a power supply. The power supplies are connected to a controller which is embodied for two operating modes. In a first operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that a magnetic field extreme value is generated at least one location in a target region. In a second operating mode the power supplies are controlled in such a way that magnetic fields having a strictly monotonously rising or falling magnetic field profile are generated in an imaging region.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Publication number: 20110263969Abstract: The present embodiments relate to methods and devices for measuring a spatial temperature and/or SAR distribution in an examination subject in a magnetic resonance tomography device. Microwave thermosensors are provided for measuring the temperature with the aid of microwaves.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: Jörg Ulrich Fontius
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Patent number: 7902822Abstract: In a method for adjustment of a B1 field in a magnetic resonance apparatus, the position of the measurement subject relative to a coordinate system is determined from a plurality of measurement subjects with a morphological magnetic resonance measurement. Respective tissue types of the measurement subject are determined using three-dimensional measurement subject data and a segmentation of the measurement subject into regions is effected using the tissue types having known dielectric properties. The segmentation and the association for all positions of the measurement subject are recorded for all subjects in respective entries of a database. A radio-frequency simulation for transmission coils is implemented with the entries of the database wherein electrical field distributions and/or B1 field distributions related to spatial elements are determined and are entered as results into the database, that is then used further magnetic resonance examinations.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Joerg Ulrich Fontius, Franz Schmitt, Karsten Wicklow