Patents by Inventor Klaus Engel

Klaus Engel 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: 20240062454
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for rendering medical volume data including first volume data is described. The method comprises: performing a first volume rendering process on the first volume data to generate a first volume rendering of the first volume data. The first volume rendering process includes determining first depths of respective locations of the first volume rendering and storing the depths in association with the respective locations. The method also comprises performing a further process, including a second volume rendering process, on the medical volume data, to generate a second volume rendering, using the determined first depths and respective locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20230233877
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for use in determining a radiation dose distribution in a medical volume, comprises: receiving a volumetric dataset representing the medical volume; performing a selection process of a rendering process for generating a visualization of the volumetric dataset to select at least one sample point in the volumetric dataset on which to perform a radiation determination process; and performing, for the at least one sample point in the volumetric dataset, the radiation dose determination process to determine a radiation dose at the at least one sample point. The method may also include visualizing the volumetric dataset and/or the radiation dose distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20220230408
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a renderer and an interactive method for image editing of medical 3D anatomical data. The method includes receiving a dataset with volumetric image data, which have been acquired from an image acquisition modality, and providing a signed distance field data structure of the received dataset. Further, editing operations are received from a user interface for editing at least a part of the provided signed distance field data structure. A visualization of the editing operations is calculated and displayed on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Rishabh Shah, Kaloian Petkov, Lev Gretskii, Daphne Yu, Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 11302069
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is for rendering medical volumetric images from received volumetric data, using a cinematic rendering approach, based on a Monte Carlo path tracing algorithm (MCPT). The MCPT algorithm uses at least one microfacet-based bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for computing a probability how light is reflected at an implicit surface which is used for shading the implicit surface. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting if a surface scatter event is triggered. If yes, the method includes modifying the computation of a local gradient in the BRDF by perturbing the respective received volumetric data by applying a noise function for simulating a roughness of the implicit surface; and shading the implicit surfaces for rendering the received volumetric data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Engel
  • Publication number: 20220044472
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is for visualization of a three-dimensional object represented by volume data for a user in the form of a two-dimensional visualization image including a plurality of visualization pixels. In an embodiment, the method includes: providing an image synthesis algorithm designed for visualization of the three-dimensional object by mapping the volume data onto the visualization pixels; detecting an instantaneous viewing direction of the user; determining a focus area defined as a region of the visualization image, upon which the user focuses based upon the instantaneous viewing direction; adjusting the image synthesis algorithm such that the computing effort required for the mapping for visualization pixels outside of the focus area is lower than for visualization pixels inside of the focus area; and mapping volume data onto the visualization pixels with the adjusted image synthesis algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus ENGEL
  • Patent number: 11017584
    Abstract: A method is for visualizing an image data set, the image data set displaying a three-dimensional arrangement including at least a first object and a second object. The method includes providing a three dimensional image data set including first voxels assigned to the first object and second voxels assigned to the second object; identifying first voxels of the three-dimensional image data set; determining a set of parameters for volume rendering, the set of parameters determined including a subset of parameters and a focusing parameter; identifying primary rays impacting on the first object and identifying secondary rays missing the first object; and performing the volume rendering using the subset of parameters determined, for visualizing the first object and the second object. The focusing parameter used for the primary rays in the volume rendering is different from the focusing parameter used for the secondary rays in the volume rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Binder, Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 10964092
    Abstract: Described is a method for the visualization of medical image data as volume data. As part of the method, medical image data is acquired. A 3D mask is produced by segmenting the image data and classifying the segmented regions into predefined classes. Furthermore, the image data and the mask data are saved in two separate 3D texture files. A translation vector is then calculated, which describes the displacement of a segmented volume element between an original position and a destination position. In addition, a pictorial display of the image data is produced by applying a raycasting method to the stored image data. Finally, a displacement by the translation vector of a segmented volume element in the pictorial display is performed. A visualization entity is also described. Moreover, a medical imaging system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Engel, Simone Hufnagel
  • Publication number: 20210090325
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is for rendering medical volumetric images from received volumetric data, using a cinematic rendering approach, based on a Monte Carlo path tracing algorithm (MCPT). The MCPT algorithm uses at least one microfacet-based bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for computing a probability how light is reflected at an implicit surface which is used for shading the implicit surface. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting if a surface scatter event is triggered. If yes, the method includes modifying the computation of a local gradient in the BRDF by perturbing the respective received volumetric data by applying a noise function for simulating a roughness of the implicit surface; and shading the implicit surfaces for rendering the received volumetric data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20200302674
    Abstract: Described is a method for the visualization of medical image data as volume data. As part of the method, medical image data is acquired. A 3D mask is produced by segmenting the image data and classifying the segmented regions into predefined classes. Furthermore, the image data and the mask data are saved in two separate 3D texture files. A translation vector is then calculated, which describes the displacement of a segmented volume element between an original position and a destination position. In addition, a pictorial display of the image data is produced by applying a raycasting method to the stored image data. Finally, a displacement by the translation vector of a segmented volume element in the pictorial display is performed. A visualization entity is also described. Moreover, a medical imaging system is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus ENGEL, Simone HUFNAGEL
  • Publication number: 20200226815
    Abstract: A method is for visualizing an image data set, the image data set displaying a three-dimensional arrangement including at least a first object and a second object. The method includes providing a three dimensional image data set including first voxels assigned to the first object and second voxels assigned to the second object; identifying first voxels of the three-dimensional image data set; determining a set of parameters for volume rendering, the set of parameters determined including a subset of parameters and a focusing parameter; identifying primary rays impacting on the first object and identifying secondary rays missing the first object; and performing the volume rendering using the subset of parameters determined, for visualizing the first object and the second object. The focusing parameter used for the primary rays in the volume rendering is different from the focusing parameter used for the secondary rays in the volume rendering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes BINDER, Klaus ENGEL
  • Patent number: 10692273
    Abstract: An embodiment suggests a method for visualizing an image data set, in particular a medical image data set, wherein the visualized data set displays a three dimensional arrangement having at least a first object and a second object. The method includes assigning a first set of parameter to the first object; assigning a second set of parameters to the second object; dividing the medical image data set into a first sub-region and a second sub-region; and providing a visualisation of the three dimensional arrangement by a volume rendering method, in particular by a ray-casting method or a photorealistic volumetric path tracing, the first set of parameter being applied to the first sub-region for visualizing the first object and the second set of parameter being applied to the second sub-region for visualizing the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Assmann, Klaus Engel, Kaloian Petkov, Ruth J Soenius, Daphne Yu
  • Patent number: 10354438
    Abstract: Functional and anatomical information are combined in medical imaging. The functional information is treated as a light source illuminating surrounding anatomy, not just along a viewing direction. As a result, rendered images of the anatomy include highlighting or visual lighting queues showing locations of biological activity using global illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Engel, James Williams
  • Patent number: 10347032
    Abstract: Slice representation of a volume with the aid of volume data is provided. A selection of a slice orientation for slice representation of volume data is made. A slice is then determined in accordance with the selected orientation. A relief representation is calculated for this slice and used as a relief for the representation of the at least one slice. A vivid representation of slice information is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 10339695
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence agent is machine trained and used to provide physically-based rendering settings. By using deep learning and/or other machine training, settings of multiple rendering parameters may be provided for consistent imaging even in physically-based rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Kaloian Petkov, Shun Miao, Daphne Yu, Bogdan Georgescu, Klaus Engel, Tommaso Mansi, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Patent number: 10332305
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to cinematic volume renderings and/or volumetric Monte-Carlo path tracing. By way of introduction, the present embodiments described below include apparatuses and methods for cinematic rendering of unfolded three-dimensional volumes. An image analysis algorithm is performed on an input volume to extract one or more structures of interest, such as a rib centerline, a liver surface or another three-dimensional volume. Based on the extracted three-dimensional structure(s), a geometric transformation is computed to generate an unfolded three-dimensional volume of the structure(s). Cinematic volume rendering techniques are used to generate a rendered image from the unfolded three-dimensional volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Klaus Engel, Andreas Wimmer
  • Patent number: 10248756
    Abstract: Generating anatomically specific movie driven medical image review is provided. Scan data is received representing an anatomy of a patient. A movie generation preset selection associated with the scan data is received. Anatomical landmarks within the scan data are detected. A movie of the patient is generated based on the scan data, the movie generation preset, and the anatomical landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Daphne Yu, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Thomas Friese, Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 10172676
    Abstract: A first interface for reading image data of an anatomical region obtained by means of a medical imaging method is provided. A modeling module serves for establishing a volumetric biomechanical structure model of the anatomical region on the basis of the image data. Moreover, provision is made of a tracking module, couplable with a camera, for video-based registration of spatial gestures of a user. Furthermore, a simulation module, based on the biomechanical structure model, serves to assign a registered gesture to a simulated mechanical effect on the anatomical region, simulate a mechanical reaction of the anatomical region to the simulated mechanical effect, and modify the biomechanical structure model in accordance with the simulated mechanical reaction. Moreover, provision is made for a visualization module for the volumetric visualization of the biomechanical structure model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Olivier Ecabert, Klaus Engel, Tommaso Mansi, Ingmar Voigt
  • Publication number: 20180350129
    Abstract: An embodiment suggests a method for visualizing an image data set, in particular a medical image data set, wherein the visualized data set displays a three dimensional arrangement having at least a first object and a second object. The method includes assigning a first set of parameter to the first object; assigning a second set of parameters to the second object; dividing the medical image data set into a first sub-region and a second sub-region; and providing a visualisation of the three dimensional arrangement by a volume rendering method, in particular by a ray-casting method or a photorealistic volumetric path tracing, the first set of parameter being applied to the first sub-region for visualizing the first object and the second set of parameter being applied to the second sub-region for visualizing the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan ASSMANN, Klaus ENGEL, Kaloian PETKOV, Ruth J SOENIUS, Daphne YU
  • Patent number: 10122251
    Abstract: A sequential actuator for a radio frequency switch includes a rotor designed to be rotated in a designated rotational direction of the actuator and a stator defining with the rotor when the stator is energized an active torque curve of the rotor having asymmetric positive and negative torque curve portions. Magnetic elements are distributed between the rotor and the stator and define a detent torque curve of the rotor. In some examples, when the stator is energized, the rotor undergoes a first rotation from a position of partial angular overlap of a first rotor magnetic element with a first stator electromagnet to a position of angular alignment of the first rotor magnetic element with the first stator electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: COM DEV LTD.
    Inventors: Brian Keats, Klaus Engel
  • Patent number: 10092191
    Abstract: Interior scan and exterior photos are jointly visualized in medical imaging. One or more cameras are mounted to the internal medical scanner, allowing a photograph to be taken while or in temporal proximity to when the internal region of the patient is scanned. An image associating the exterior photographs with the interior region of the patient is presented to assist in diagnosis. Due to the spatial and temporal proximity, the image may be a visualization formed by combining the photograph and interior scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Daphne Yu, Klaus Engel