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).

  • Patent number: 9087400
    Abstract: A system for generating a reconstruction of an object of interest comprises a shape model generator (1) for generating a shape model representing a shape of the object in dependence on a plurality of projections of the object, and a reconstructor (2) for reconstructing the object, based on the projections, in dependence on the shape model to obtain the reconstruction of the object. The reconstructor (2) comprises a soft-tissue reconstructor (4) for generating a reconstruction favoring soft tissue, based on the plurality of projections, and a sparse reconstructor (5) for generating a reconstruction of sparse objects, based on the plurality of projections. The reconstructor (2) comprises a clipping subsystem (3) for clipping an outside of the object from the reconstruction, based on the shape model, or the reconstructor (2) is arranged for reconstructing only an inside and/or boundary of the object as defined by the shape model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Thomas Buelow, Eberhard Sebastian Hansis
  • Patent number: 8977018
    Abstract: A system for multi-modality breast imaging comprises a first shape model constructing sub-system (1) for constructing a first shape model of the breast as represented in a first image (9), in which the breast has its natural shape, a second shape model constructing sub-system (2) for constructing a second shape model of the breast as represented in a second image (10), in which the breast is compressed by using a compression paddle, and a deformation estimating sub-system (3) for estimating a volumetric deformation field (12) defining a mapping between the first image (9) and the second image (10) on the basis of the shape models and an elastic deformation model (11) of the breast, the deformation estimating sub-system (3) being arranged to estimate the volumetric deformation field (12) on the basis of a first tissue surface of the breast in the first image (9) and a second tissue surface of the breast in the second image (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Michael Grass, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20150042658
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the presentation of image information of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Andre Goossen, Harald Sepp Heese
  • Publication number: 20140328458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mammography. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and a corresponding system for individually monitoring a compression force in an apparatus for mammographic examination for personalized compression guidance. In order to provide a personalized guidance for the compression of the breast in a first step (S1a, S1b, S1c) a breast contact area (A) between a breast under examination and a compression plate (3) or a support plate (15) is determined. In a next step (S5) a compression force limit is determined based on the breast contact area (A). Then, in a further step (S9a, S9b, S9c) an output signal (5) representative of the relation between the breast contact area (A) and the compression force limit is provided to a user such that the user may decide whether to complete or to continue the application of compression force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Hanns-Ingo Maack, Andreas Loeprich, Nataly Wieberneit
  • Publication number: 20140219534
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatic selection of optimal tomography slices by executing a number of tentative segmentations using the same interactively provided in-slice seed point on some or all available tomography slices. The appropriate segmentation boundaries are then marked and the slice with the best segmentation goodness value (figure of merit) is presented to the user via a viewer. The steps are repeated when the user changes the seed point. The optimal segmentation boundary is displayed on top of a single simulated mammography image, fused from all tomography slice images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Harald Sepp Heese, Andre Goossen, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20130251104
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mammography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Hanns-Ingo Maack, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20130205247
    Abstract: A system (100) for alerting a user to a region of interest within an image of interest, the image of interest being one of a sequence of medical images from a patient, the system being configured for sequentially displaying the sequence of medical images for enabling the user to navigate through the sequence of medical images, and the system comprising an input (110) for receiving a sequence navigation command from the user for requesting the system to display images from the sequence of medical images as part of pixel data shown on a display, and a signal generator (120) for providing a sensory signal to the user in separation from the pixel data and in dependence on a difference between a position of a currently displayed image of the sequence of medical images in the sequence and a position of the image of interest in the sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20120301003
    Abstract: A system for generating a reconstruction of an object of interest comprises a shape model generator (1) for generating a shape model representing a shape of the object in dependence on a plurality of projections of the object, and a reconstructor (2) for reconstructing the object, based on the projections, in dependence on the shape model to obtain the reconstruction of the object. The reconstructor (2) comprises a soft-tissue reconstructor (4) for generating a reconstruction favoring soft tissue, based on the plurality of projections, and a sparse reconstructor (5) for generating a reconstruction of sparse objects, based on the plurality of projections. The reconstructor (2) comprises a clipping subsystem (3) for clipping an outside of the object from the reconstruction, based on the shape model, or the reconstructor (2) is arranged for reconstructing only an inside and/or boundary of the object as defined by the shape model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Thomas Buelow, Eberhard Sebastian Hansis
  • Publication number: 20120207373
    Abstract: A system for three-dimensional analysis of lesions in image data is disclosed. It comprises a lesion detection subsystem (1) for detecting individual lesions and three-dimensional positions of the individual lesions, based on e.g. breast image data (301). It comprises a cluster detection subsystem (2) for detecting a cluster of lesions (302), based on three-dimensional position information of lesions, and associating at least some of the individual lesions with the cluster of lesions (302), based on the three-dimensional positions of the individual lesions. The cluster detection subsystem (2) is arranged for detecting the cluster of lesions (302), based on the three-dimensional positions of the individual lesions. It comprises a cluster analysis subsystem (3) for analyzing the cluster of lesions (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Eberhard Sebastian Hansis, Thomas Buelow, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20120114213
    Abstract: A system for multi-modality breast imaging comprises a first shape model constructing sub-system (1) for constructing a first shape model of the breast as represented in a first image (9), in which the breast has its natural shape, a second shape model constructing sub-system (2) for constructing a second shape model of the breast as represented in a second image (10), in which the breast is compressed by using a compression paddle, and a deformation estimating sub-system (3) for estimating a volumetric deformation field (12) defining a mapping between the first image (9) and the second image (10) on the basis of the shape models and an elastic deformation model (11) of the breast, the deformation estimating sub-system (3) being arranged to estimate the volumetric deformation field (12) on the basis of a first tissue surface of the breast in the first image (9) and a second tissue surface of the breast in the second image (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Michael Grass, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20120089377
    Abstract: A method includes generating with a processor (122) a three-dimensional subject specific model of structure of interest of a subject to be scanned based on a general three-dimensional model and pre-scan image data acquired by an imaging system (100) generating with the processor (122) an imaging plan for the subject based on the three-dimensional subject specific model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20110044559
    Abstract: A method includes generating simulated complete projection data based on acquisition projection data, which is incomplete projection data, and virtual projection data, which completes the incomplete projection data and reconstructing the simulated complete projection data to generate volumetric image data. An alternative method includes supplementing acquisition image data generated from incomplete projection data with supplemental data to expand a volume of a reconstructable field of view and employing an artifact correction to correct a correctable field of view based on the expanded reconstructable field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Peter Forthmann, Roland Proksa
  • Publication number: 20110002442
    Abstract: Tomosynthesis system with a rotating anode X-ray tube enabling a circular scan trajectory, wherein the X-ray tube 1 may be equipped with a large number of cathodes (21, 22) distributed around an anode. This allows to generate X-rays (41, 42) at focal spot positions (11, 12), for example evenly distributed on a for example circular line (14) on the surface (15) of an anode (10). The object (61) may be located on the (10) axis of rotation (6) of the anode at some distance to the source. For an examination, the object (61) may be exposed to X-ray beams (41, 42) generated successively on all focal spot positions (11, 12), wherein no movement of the X-ray tube 1 is necessary. The transmitted X-ray intensities may be measured by a flat panel detector (50) to achieve a reconstructed three-dimensional image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Axel Thran, Klaus Erhard
  • Publication number: 20100316270
    Abstract: The invention proposes a 3D reconstruction of a body and a body contour from transversally truncated projections using a polyhedral object model. Possible clinical applications arise in the field of guided biopsies on acquisition systems equipped with a flat panel detector, where truncated projections cannot be avoided in thorax and abdominal scan protocols. From, for example, a rotational run both a 3D volume reconstruction and a surface mesh reconstruction of a patient's shape is generated and then visualized simultaneously in order to help the physician guide the biopsy device and judge the distance from the patient's skin to the tissue of interest inside the reconstructed volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Klaus Erhard, Michael Grass, Dirk Schaefer