Patents by Inventor Klaus Erhard

Klaus Erhard 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: 20230000458
    Abstract: An imaging system (MIS), optionally a medical imaging system, with wireless communication capability and related method. The imaging system comprises a gantry (RG) rotatable around a rotation axis. The gantry includes a detector device (D) capable of recording, in plural spatial positions, measurement data in relation to a subject (such as a patient) (PAT) to be imaged. The system also includes a radio transmitter (TX) for generating a directed radio beam propagatable along a propagation axis to transmit the measurement data to a radio receiver (RX). The radio transmitter (TX) is arranged at the rotatable gantry and is operable so that the propagation direction intersects the rotation axis in a location that is situated away from the rotatable gantry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: FRANK BERGNER, CLAAS BONTUS, KLAUS ERHARD, NIKOLAS DAVID SCHNELLBĂ„CHER, DIRK SCHĂ„FER, SVEN PETER PREVRHAL, PETER VERNICKEL
  • Patent number: 11435488
    Abstract: A radiation detector (100) adapted for detecting leakage currents is disclosed and comprises a direct conversion material (101) for converting incident radiation, at least one first electrode (108) and a plurality of second electrodes (103) connected to surfaces of the direct conversion material (101) for collecting each generated charges upon application of an electric field, at least one current measurement device (201), and a plurality of signal processing chains (210, 220, 230). Each signal processing chain comprises a readout unit (215, 216, 217, 218, 219) for discriminating between energy values with respect to the incident radiation, and a switching element (214) for sending signals on a first signal path (2141) electrically connecting one of the plurality of second electrodes with the readout unit, or on a second signal path electrically connecting the one of the plurality of second electrodes with an input to one of the at least one current measurement devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Christoph Jan Herrmann, Klaus Erhard, Bernhard Johannes Brendel, Heiner Daerr, Artur Sossin, Axel Thran
  • Publication number: 20210382188
    Abstract: A radiation detector (100) adapted for detecting leakage currents is disclosed and comprises a direct conversion material (101) for converting incident radiation, at least one first electrode (108) and a plurality of second electrodes (103) connected to surfaces of the direct conversion material (101) for collecting each generated charges upon application of an electric field, at least one current measurement device (201), and a plurality of signal processing chains (210, 220, 230). Each signal processing chain comprises a readout unit (215, 216, 217, 218, 219) for discriminating between energy values with respect to the incident radiation, and a switching element (214) for sending signals on a first signal path (2141) electrically connecting one of the plurality of second electrodes with the readout unit, or on a second signal path electrically connecting the one of the plurality of second electrodes with an input to one of the at least one current measurement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: ROGER STEADMAN BOOKER, CHRISTOPH JAN HERRMANN, KLAUS ERHARD, BERNHARD JOHANNES BRENDEL, HEINER DAERR, ARTUR SOSSIN, AXEL THRAN
  • Patent number: 11030779
    Abstract: An Image processing system (IPS) and related method and imaging arrangement (IAR). The system (IPS) comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving i) a 3D input image volume (V) previously reconstructed from projection images (?) of an imaged object (BR) acquired along different projection directions and ii) a specification of an image structure in the input volume (V). A model former (MF) of the system (IPS) is configured to form, based on said specification, a 3D model (m) for said structure in the input 3D image volume. A volume adaptor (VA) of the system (IPS) is configured to adapt, based on said 3D model (m), the input image volume to so form a 3D output image volume (V?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Erhard
  • Patent number: 10881358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for characterization of a feature in a body part. It is describe to provide (210) tomosynthesis medical data comprising a plurality of images of the body part, wherein the plurality of images comprise image data associated with a plurality of rays of radiation that have passed through the body part, wherein the image data comprises spectral data associated with at least two photon energy levels of the plurality of rays of radiation, wherein the medical data comprises data of the feature. A delineated boundary of the feature is determined (220). At least one material composition of the body part inside the delineated boundary is determined (240) comprising a function of the spectral data inside the delineated boundary. The feature is characterised (250) as a function of the at least one material composition inside the delineated boundary of the feature. Data representative of the feature is output (260).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jon Erik Fredenberg, Klaus Erhard
  • Patent number: 10872445
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tomosynthesis image reconstruction. It is described to provide (210) a first projection image data set and a second projection image data set acquired after acquisition of the first projection image data set, wherein, the first projection image data set comprises first projection data, and the second projection image data set comprises second projection data, and wherein the first projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least a region of interest of a body part and wherein the second projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least the region of interest of the body part. A subset of the first projection data is selected (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Harald Sepp Heese, Klaus Erhard, Frank Bergner, Ruediger Grewer, Hans Barschdorf, Thomas Buelow
  • Patent number: 10827986
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus (IP) comprising an input port (IN) for receiving projection data through respective 3D locations in an imaging region, said projection date collected in a scan operation by an imaging apparatus (IM). An image segment generator (IGS) of said apparatus (IP) is configured to generate, based on said projection data, a first image segment for said 3D locations. A visualizer (VIZ) configured to effect displaying said first image segment on a display device before or whilst the image apparatus collects projection data for a different 3D location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Frank Bergner, Hanns-Ingo Maack
  • Patent number: 10692213
    Abstract: A system and related method for retrieving, for a first image structure (S1) in an initial image (IG1), a corresponding image structure (S2) in a second image (IG2). The system accepts as input a location of the first structure (S1) in the initial image (IG1) along with an additional structure property such as spectral information to so reduce ambiguity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Klaus Erhard
  • Patent number: 10653375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying medical image data of a body part. It is described to provide (12) medical data of a body part, and subsets of medical image data from the medical data are determined (14). A plurality of measures of information content for the subsets of medical image data is determined (16), wherein a measure of information content is associated with a subset of medical image data. A plurality of weighting factors for the subsets of medical image data is determined (18), wherein a weighting factor is associated with a subset of medical image data and the weighting factor is determined as a function of the measure of information content for that subset of medical image data. Data representative of the subsets of medical image data is output (22) as a function of the plurality of weighting factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20200000596
    Abstract: Patient-specific prosthetic apparatus and methods. The patient-specific prosthetic apparatus includes a prosthetic device and a prosthetic adapter configured to be secured with the prosthetic device, wherein the prosthetic adapter includes an interior surface that matches the shape of a portion of the prosthetic device, and an exterior surface that matches a patient's anatomy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: SVEN PREVRHAL, MICHAEL GRASS, EBERHARD SEBASTIAN HANSIS, KLAUS ERHARD
  • Patent number: 10448911
    Abstract: Medical images are acquired in a tomosynthesis process. Processed 3D volume data representing a target acquired from scanning may be viewed from a set of forward projection directions, in which one or more forward projections through the processed 3D volume data is oblique relative to a central acquisition direction of the scanning process. The first set of forward projections is then displayed as a set of synthetic mammograms. Therefore, a medical practitioner can more easily identify abnormalities within a target volume, because the relative displacement of abnormalities at different depths in the target volume will change at different rates dependent on the viewing angle as the viewing position is moved around the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Hanno Heyke Homann, Jonas Rikard Rehn
  • Publication number: 20190259187
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for tomosynthesis image reconstruction. It is described to provide (210) a first projection image data set and a second projection image data set acquired after acquisition of the first projection image data set, wherein, the first projection image data set comprises first projection data, and the second projection image data set comprises second projection data, and wherein the first projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least a region of interest of a body part and wherein the second projection image data set is useable for the reconstruction of a tomosynthesis image of at least the region of interest of the body part. A subset of the first projection data is selected (220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Harald Sepp HEESE, Klaus ERHARD, Frank BERGNER, Ruediger GREWER, Hans BARSCHDORF, Thomas BUELOW
  • Patent number: 10296808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray imaging technology as well as image post-processing. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for computer aided detection of structures in X-ray images as well as an X-ray system. A computer aided detection algorithm visibly determines tissue structures in X-ray image information and subsequently matches the shape of a determined tissue structure with a library of known tissue structures for characterizing the type of determined tissue structure. The determination of a tissue structure and thus the characterization of the type of the tissue structure may be enhanced when employing also spectral information, in particular energy information of the acquired X-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jon Erik Fredenberg, Mats Vilhelm Lundqvist, Ewald Roessl, Klaus Erhard, Thomas Koehler, Bjorn Cederstrom, Hanns-Ingo Maack
  • Publication number: 20190114815
    Abstract: An Image processing system (IPS) and related method and imaging arrangement (IAR). The system (IPS) comprises an input interface (IN) for receiving i) a 3D input image volume (V) previously reconstructed from projection images (?) of an imaged object (BR) acquired along different projection directions and ii) a specification of an image structure in the input volume (V). A model former (MF) of the system (IPS) is configured to form, based on said specification, a 3D model (m) for said structure in the input 3D image volume. A volume adaptor (VA) of the system (IPS) is configured to adapt, based on said 3D model (m), the input image volume to so form a 3D output image volume (V?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventor: Klaus ERHARD
  • Patent number: 10255697
    Abstract: A method and related apparatus (VS) for synthesizing a projection image (S), in particular for use in mammography. It is proposed to compute a weight function from one image volume (V1) and is then used to implement a weighted forward projection through another image volume block to compute a synthesized projection image (S) across block (V2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hanno Heyke Homann, Klaus Erhard
  • Patent number: 10238354
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical imaging device for generating a breast parameter map in order to improve mammographic images. The medical imaging device comprises an image unit, a raster unit, a definition unit, a generating unit, and a provision unit. The image unit is configured to provide image data of a breast. The raster unit is configured to provide a predefined raster with several subportions, which is preferably predefined based on a predefined coordinate system relative to predefined body characteristics of a standard breast. The definition unit is configured to define several subvolumes in the breast according to the subportions of the raster, preferably by identification of body characteristics in the image data for adaption of the raster subportions to the image data. The generating unit is configured to generate a breast parameter per breast subvolume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V
    Inventor: Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20180360395
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus (IP) comprising an input port (IN) for receiving projection data through respective 3D locations in an imaging region, said projection date collected in a scan operation by an imaging apparatus (IM). An image segment generator (IGS) of said apparatus (IP) is configured to generate, based on said projection data, a first image segment for said 3D locations. A visualizer (VIZ) configured to effect displaying said first image segment on a display device before or whilst the image apparatus collects projection data for a different 3D location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus ERHARD, FRANK BERGNER, Hanns-Ingo MAACK
  • Publication number: 20180256117
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for characterization of a feature in a body part. It is describe to provide (210) tomosynthesis medical data comprising a plurality of images of the body part, wherein the plurality of images comprise image data associated with a plurality of rays of radiation that have passed through the body part, wherein the image data comprises spectral data associated with at least two photon energy levels of the plurality of rays of radiation, wherein the medical data comprises data of the feature. A delineated boundary of the feature is determined (220). At least one material composition of the body part inside the delineated boundary is determined (240) comprising a function of the spectral data inside the delineated boundary. The feature is characterised (250) as a function of the at least one material composition inside the delineated boundary of the feature. Data representative of the feature is output (260).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jon Erik FREDENBERG, Klaus ERHARD
  • Patent number: 10045749
    Abstract: An X-ray system (2) for acquiring an image of an object has an X-ray detector (8), which is segmented into a plurality of neighboring detector tiles. In particular, the image can be a two-dimensional projection image but also a three-dimensional volume of the object reconstructed from a tomosynthesis acquisition. An X-ray detector moving mechanism (18) is adapted for moving the X-ray detector (8) at least between a first X-ray detector position and a second X-ray detector position during operation of the X-ray system. An X-ray source (4), a collimator (22) and the X-ray detector (8) of the X-ray system (2) are adapted for acquiring a plurality of partial X-ray images through the adjacent detector tiles while irradiating the object with X-ray beams from a plurality of tomographic angles ?. The processing unit is adapted for generating a two-dimension image of the object and/or for reconstructing a three-dimensional volume of the object from the acquired partial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Klaus Erhard, Ewald Roessl
  • Publication number: 20180199902
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying medical image data of a body part. It is described to provide (12) medical data of a body part, and subsets of medical image data from the medical data are determined (14). A plurality of measures of information content for the subsets of medical image data is determined (16), wherein a measure of information content is associated with a subset of medical image data. A plurality of weighting factors for the subsets of medical image data is determined (18), wherein a weighting factor is associated with a subset of medical image data and the weighting factor is determined as a function of the measure of information content for that subset of medical image data. Data representative of the subsets of medical image data is output (22) as a function of the plurality of weighting factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventor: Klaus ERHARD