Patents by Inventor Josef Pfeuffer

Josef Pfeuffer 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: 20180074148
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus the generation of a pixel-time series of an examination object by magnetic resonance measurement data for a undersampled measurement data set are recorded along a k-space trajectory in a repetition of a pulse sequence. The pulse sequence is repeated at least once again in each case with the radiation of other RF pulses and/or with activation in each case of other gradients such that, on each repetition, after the one RF excitation pulse, measurement data are measured along a further k-space trajectory, and are stored in respective measurement data sets. The repetitions are performed such that measurement data are measured along an optimized selection of k-space trajectories in successive repetitions. From each of the measurement data sets obtained, an image data set is reconstructed, from which at least one pixel-time series is compiled for at least one pixel from the reconstructed image data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 9891303
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance system to correct phase errors in multidimensional, spatially selective radio-frequency excitation pulses in a pulse sequence used to operate the system to acquire magnetic resonance data, a multidimensional, spatially selective radio-frequency excitation pulse is radiated and multiple calibration gradient echoes are acquired. A phase correction and a time correction of the multidimensional, spatially selective radio-frequency excitation pulse is then calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 9891304
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to continuously correct phase errors in a magnetic resonance measurement sequence in which multiple sequentially radiated, multidimensional, spatially-selective radio-frequency excitation pulses are used, multiple calibration gradient echoes are acquired in a calibration acquisition sequence and a correction value for a phase response and a correction value for a phase difference are calculated from the multiple calibration gradient echoes. Furthermore, an additional radio-frequency excitation pulse is radiated takes into account the correction values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 9823324
    Abstract: In a method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization is acquired and a k-space trajectory is determined. A radio-frequency pulse train for the k-space trajectory is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method using a target function, wherein the target function includes a combination of different trajectory curve functions, of which at least one trajectory curve function is based on a trajectory error model. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system uses such a control sequence and a magnetic resonance system has such a control sequence determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20170307705
    Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to ultrashort-echo-time (UTE) imaging. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring UTE imaging data associated with an area of interest of a subject. The acquiring comprises applying an imaging pulse sequence with a three-dimensional (3D) spiral acquisition and a nonselective excitation pulse. The method also includes reconstructing at least one image of the area of interest from the acquired UTE imaging data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: John P. Mugler, III, Samuel W. Fielden, G. Wilson Miller, IV, Craig H. Meyer, Talissa A. Altes, Alto Stemmer, Josef Pfeuffer, Berthold Kiefer
  • Patent number: 9797969
    Abstract: In a method to generate a spatially selective excitation in an imaging region of a magnetic resonance apparatus that precedes an acquisition of magnetic resonance data, in the course of the excitation an excitation trajectory in k-space is traversed, the excitation trajectory having a symmetry relative to the k-space center in at least one direction of k-space in the sense that a first traversed extreme value in this direction corresponds to the negative of the other extreme value traversed in this direction, so the excitation trajectory is shortened in the at least one directions on one side of the zero point between the extreme values, and the shortened excitation trajectory is used for excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Patent number: 9753108
    Abstract: A method for creating an image data set using a magnetic resonance system including at least two RF transmit coils includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a value for a susceptibility magnetic field gradient to be corrected from the Gs map in combination with the B1 map of the RF transmit coil. The method includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a time delay of the excitation pulse. The method also includes calculating a complex weighting factor for scaling the pulse profile for each RF transmit coil to achieve an as uniform as possible deflection of the magnetization by the excitation pulse over the area under examination, and passing through the imaging sequence. The RF transmit coils each emit an excitation pulse with the calculated time delay and with a pulse profile scaled according to the calculated complex weighting factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20170248672
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for recording a magnetic resonance dataset of a volume of interest of an object, at least one gradient moment is calculated as a function of at least one jump in susceptibility that is present in the volume of interest, between two sections of the volume of interest. An excitation pulse is radiated and at least one compensation moment is activated in a part volume of the volume of interest, for the at least partial compensation of a gradient moment caused by the jump in susceptibility. The signal generated by the excitation pulse is read out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Josef Pfeuffer, Daniel Nico Splitthoff
  • Patent number: 9696394
    Abstract: A controller of a magnetic resonance system outputs a low frequency base signal to a conversion device. While outputting the base signal to the conversion device, the controller outputs an oscillator control signal to an oscillator. The oscillator outputs a frequency signal corresponding to the oscillator control signal to the conversion device. The conversion device converts the frequency signal into a high frequency transmit pulse with the aid of the base signal and outputs the transmit pulse to a magnetic resonance transmit antenna. The magnetic resonance transmit antenna applies a high frequency field corresponding to a transmit pulse to an examination volume of the magnetic resonance system. The controller varies the oscillator control signal output to the oscillator while outputting the base signal to the modulator. The transmit pulse) has a larger bandwidth than the base signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Gebhardt, Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 9651644
    Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system, a marked area is determined that demarcates a predetermined volume segment of the subject relative to the regions adjacent thereto. Nuclei in the predetermined volume segment are excited, or nuclei in a region adjacent thereto are saturated with an RF excitation pulse at the same time a magnetic field gradient is activated. The center frequency of a frequency range of the RF excitation pulse and the direction of the magnetic field gradient are adjusted dependent on resonant frequencies of substances present within the predetermined volume segment in order, starting from the predetermined volume segment to shift an actual excitation volume segment excited by the RF excitation pulse toward the marked area, or to shift a saturation volume saturated by the RF excitation pulse away from the marked area. MR data are then acquired from the predetermined volume segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Christof Krellmann, Bernd Kuehn, Dominik Paul, Josef Pfeuffer, Elisabeth Preusche, Katrin Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 9562958
    Abstract: A method and a control sequence determination device for the determination of a magnetic resonance system activation sequence including at least one high-frequency pulse sequence to be transmitted by a magnetic resonance system are provided. A current B0 map and optionally a target magnetization are acquired. In addition, a k-space trajectory type is determined. An error density is calculated in a k-space based on the current B0 map and optionally based on the target magnetization using an analytic function. This analytic function defines an error density in the k-space as a function of the current B0 map and optionally the target magnetization. Taking account of the error density in the k-space, a k-space trajectory of the specified k-space trajectory type is determined. The high-frequency pulse sequence is determined for the k-space trajectory in an HF pulse optimization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20160291111
    Abstract: In a method, computer and magnetic resonance imaging system for determining a control sequence for operating the magnetic resonance imaging system to generate magnetic resonance image data of a region to be imaged of an examination subject, from which magnetic resonance raw data are acquired, information describing the anatomical structure of the region to be imaged is made available in the computer, and a surrounding area and a central area are specified in the region to be imaged dependent on the determined anatomical structure. Furthermore, a one-dimensional water/fat saturation pulse sequence for saturating the surrounding areas is determined and a multidimensional water/fat saturation pulse sequence for saturating the central area is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Patent number: 9341694
    Abstract: In a method for distortion correction in spiral magnetic resonance imaging, a first MR data set is acquired by scanning raw data space along a spiral trajectory beginning at a first point. A first complex MR image is determined from the first MR data set, which includes first phase information for image points of the first MR image. A second MR data set is acquired by scanning raw data space along the spiral trajectory beginning at a second point that differs from the first point. A second complex MR image is determined from the second MR data set, which includes second phase information for image points of the second MR image. A geometric distortion for image points of the first or second MR image is determined from the first and second phase information, for example with a PLACE method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20160131732
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the correction of image data dynamically acquired with a magnetic resonance imaging method, a reliable B0 field map is recorded as a basic reference field map. Image data (VB) with distorted coordinates are also acquired over a predefined recording time. In addition, a set of distorted, dynamically obtained B0 field maps is acquired during the recording time. Incorrect B0 field maps are identified by comparison of the dynamically obtained B0 field maps with the basic reference field map, and the set of distorted, dynamically obtained B0 field maps is corrected accordingly. The acquired image data with distorted coordinates are corrected with the use of the corrected set of distorted, dynamically obtained B0 field maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Mario Zeller
  • Publication number: 20160124065
    Abstract: In a method and device for the correction of image data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging method, an undistorted field map is recorded. The undistorted field map is then converted into a distorted field map. Image data recorded with distorted coordinates are corrected with the use of the distorted field map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Mario Zeller
  • Patent number: 9329254
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) method and system for correction of phase information in MR images of a predetermined volume segment of an examination subject, a basic magnetic field is applied and MR data of the predetermined volume segment are acquired and evaluated such that phase information is calculated for each image element of the predetermined volume segment. A navigator signal is acquired that detects an unintentional change of the basic magnetic field that is caused by movements of the examination subject or by the magnetic resonance system itself. The phase information is corrected with this navigator signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 9274195
    Abstract: In method and a control sequence determination device to determine a magnetic resonance system control sequence that includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization (m) is initially detected, and an energy distribution function in k-space is determined on the basis of the target magnetization. A k-space trajectory is then determined under consideration of the energy distribution function in k-space, for which the radio-frequency pulse train is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method. The method is suitable for operation of a magnetic resonance system, and a magnetic resonance system includes such a control sequence determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150285877
    Abstract: A method for creating an image data set using a magnetic resonance system including at least two RF transmit coils includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a value for a susceptibility magnetic field gradient to be corrected from the Gs map in combination with the B1 map of the RF transmit coil. The method includes, for each RF transmit coil, calculating a time delay of the excitation pulse. The method also includes calculating a complex weighting factor for scaling the pulse profile for each RF transmit coil to achieve an as uniform as possible deflection of the magnetization by the excitation pulse over the area under examination, and passing through the imaging sequence. The RF transmit coils each emit an excitation pulse with the calculated time delay and with a pulse profile scaled according to the calculated complex weighting factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Patent number: 9041396
    Abstract: In a method for calculating a B0 field map (a map of the basic magnetic field) in a magnetic resonance apparatus, a navigator pulse is emitted and navigator response resulting from the navigator pulse are detected in at least some channels of a multichannel RF coil array. Each channel of the multichannel RF coil array includes an RF coil and spatial information regarding the respective positions of the individual RF coils is made available to a processor, together with the multiple navigator signals. Using the spatial information obtained from the position of the RF coils that respectively detected the navigator response signals, a B0 field map is generated, without the need for spatial encoding the respective navigator response signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Massachusetts General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Lawrence Wald
  • Publication number: 20150108984
    Abstract: In a method and a control sequence determination device for determining a magnetic resonance system control sequence includes at least one radio-frequency pulse train to be emitted by a magnetic resonance system, a target magnetization is acquired and a k-space trajectory is determined. A radio-frequency pulse train for the k-space trajectory is then determined in an RF pulse optimization method using a target function, wherein the target function includes a combination of different trajectory curve functions, of which at least one trajectory curve function is based on a trajectory error model. A method for operating a magnetic resonance system uses such a control sequence and a magnetic resonance system has such a control sequence determination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider