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: 20150070011
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130307538
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Publication number: 20130307539
    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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Publication number: 20130253876
    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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130249549
    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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Rainer Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130249550
    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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Christof Krellmann, Bernd Kuehn, Dominik Paul, Josef Pfeuffer, Elisabeth Preusche, Katrin Wohlfarth
  • Publication number: 20130187650
    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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Lawrence Wald
  • Patent number: 8436610
    Abstract: A system adaptively processes MR image data to accommodate variation in perfusion time of a vessel fluid. An MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a first image set comprising multiple different individual images having a set of corresponding different physical slice locations through a patient anatomical volume and being acquired at a corresponding first set of times and in a first order relative to a time of blood tagging of a patient. The MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a second image set comprising multiple different individual images having the set of corresponding different physical slice locations through the patient anatomical volume and being acquired at substantially the corresponding first set of times and in a second order, different to the first order, relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20130038329
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Gebhardt, Josef Pfeuffer, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 8354843
    Abstract: In a method and system to generate magnetic resonance (MR) images by MR data are acquired by a pure phase-coded imaging in k-space having a predetermined set of possible measurement points, with the MR data being acquired only for a predetermined subset of the measurement points of this set. An image is reconstructed from the acquired measurement points of the subset such that information about un-acquired measurement points of the set is also obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Huwer, Josef Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20120313640
    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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20120249138
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 8233961
    Abstract: In a method and a device for automatic determination of perfusion by using a magnetic resonance system, multiple first MR data sets are thereby acquired from a volume element over time with a perfusion-sensitive imaging sequence, and multiple second MR data sets of the same volume element are acquired over time with a control imaging sequence, in particular a perfusion-insensitive imaging sequence. These first MR data sets and the second MR data sets are subjected to a statistical time series analysis in order to determine the perfusion in the volume element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heiko Meyer, Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 8203340
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for generating perfusion images, a perfusion series of magnetic resonance perfusion images is acquired that includes tag images and at least one control image, that are grouped in pairs. From each pair an initially processed perfusion image is obtained, such as by subtraction. Each initially processed image is subjected to a quality control review by analysis with respect to at least one image quality criterion. Any initially processed image that does not satisfy the quality criterion is rejected. Only initially processed images that satisfy the quality criterion are combined to form a resultant magnetic resonance perfusion image. Artifacts in the resultant perfusion image are thereby reduced or avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 8195417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for recording measured data from a patient by taking movements into account by use of a medical device designed both for recording motion-related measured data and for recording nuclear medicine measured data. The method may include recording nuclear medicine measured data by use of the medical device, simultaneously recording motion-related measured data by use of the medical device, determining at least one motion information item relating to at least one movement of the patient and/or at least one movement inside the body of the patient during the ongoing measured data recording by evaluating at least a portion of the previously recorded motion-related measured data, and carrying out motion correction for at least a portion of the nuclear medicine measured data by use of the computational device in parallel with recording the measured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Ralf Ladebeck, Diana Martin, Hartwig Newiger, Josef Pfeuffer, Michael Szimtenings, Harald Werthner
  • Patent number: 8180128
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recording measured data of a patient while taking account of movement operations by way of a medical device that is designed both for recording movement-related measured data, in particular measured data of high temporal resolution and/or measured data that can be interpolated with regard to movement operations, with the aid of an imaging method and/or by means of at least one sensor element, and also for recording nuclear medicine measured data, in particular of lower temporal resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Ralf Ladebeck, Diana Martin, Hartwig Newiger, Josef Pfeuffer, Michael Szimtenings, Harald Werthner
  • Patent number: 8086003
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquisition and processing of a series of temporally successive image data sets of the series of temporally successive image data sets is acquired by magnetic resonance technology, wherein k-space image data corresponding to each image data set are acquired, and for each image data set in the series, a determination is made, in at least one first part of that image data set, of a measure that characterizes a global image intensity value of that image data set. At least one second part of the image data sets is corrected using the determined measures and/or the determined measures are used in an evaluation of at least one third part of the image data sets. A temporal change of the global image intensity value in the series of temporally successive image data sets is compensated or taken into account in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer
  • Patent number: 8040133
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance tomography method and apparatus (MRT), as employed in medicine for examination of patients, for dynamic distortion correction in EPI measurements, image acquisitions are acquired that are adjacent in a periodic/alternating manner differ with regard to phase information, phase coding direction or with regard to the echo time, and based on this difference a field map and/or a displacement map is calculated with which at least one distorted result image is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Pfeuffer, Markus Vogler
  • Patent number: 7816916
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus, magnetic resonance data are acquired (an examination subject) using a zoomed method, and reconstruction of the image of the examination subject is undertaken using a parallel imaging reconstruction method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Fasano, Robin Heidemann, Josef Pfeuffer
  • Publication number: 20100141254
    Abstract: A system adaptively processes MR image data to accommodate variation in perfusion time of a vessel fluid. An MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a first image set comprising multiple different individual images having a set of corresponding different physical slice locations through a patient anatomical volume and being acquired at a corresponding first set of times and in a first order relative to a time of blood tagging of a patient. The MR image data acquisition device initiates acquisition of a second image set comprising multiple different individual images having the set of corresponding different physical slice locations through the patient anatomical volume and being acquired at substantially the corresponding first set of times and in a second order, different to the first order, relative to the time of blood tagging of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Josef Pfeuffer