Patents by Inventor Klaus Jürgen Engel
Klaus Jürgen 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).
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Patent number: 8576983Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector (30) that comprises an array of sensitive elements (Pi?1,b, Pia, Pib, Pi+1,a, Pi+1,b) and at least two analyzer gratings (G2a, G2b) disposed with different phase and/or periodicity in front of two different sensitive elements. Preferably, the sensitive elements are organized in macro-pixels (IIi) of e.g. four adjacent sensitive elements, where analyzer gratings with mutually different phases are disposed in front said sensitive elements. The detector (30) can particularly be applied in an X-ray device (100) for generating phase contrast images because it allows to sample an intensity pattern (I) generated by such a device simultaneously at different positions.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann
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Patent number: 8564084Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), comprising an array of pixels (1), wherein each pixel (1) comprises a conversion layer of a semiconductor material (4) for converting incident radiation into electrical signals and wherein each pixel (1) is surrounded by a trench (3) that is at least partly filled with a barrier material that absorbs at least a part of photons generated by the incident radiation. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a radiation detector (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Christoph Herrmann, Klaus Juergen Engel
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Patent number: 8552858Abstract: Scattered radiation has non-intuitive properties. A signalling system (28) is presented which provides a perceptible signal (34) being indicative of a predicted or measured spatial distribution of scattered radiation. An embodiment provides for easy assessment of the individual risk of scattered radiation exposure for personnel working in an environment exposed to scattered radiation. A method for predicting a distribution of scattered radiation takes into account at least one object related parameter (18) and at least one radiation related parameter (22) and, in response hereto, predicts a distribution of scattered radiation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Steffen Gunther Hohmann, Christian Baeumer, Joerg Bredno, Norbert Conrads, Olivier Ecabert, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann, Rainer Kiewitt, Helko Lehmann
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Publication number: 20130156157Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an imaging system (100) for generating X-ray 101a 101b 101c 101d images. The system (100) comprises at least one X-ray source, preferably an array of X-ray sources (101a-101d), and an X-ray detector (103) with an array of sensitive pixels (103a-103e). A collimator (102) is arranged between the X-ray source and the detector such that two openings (P) of the collimator (102) allow the passage of X-rays towards two neighboring pixels (103a-103e) while the region between said pixels is substantially shielded. This shielding of the usually insensitive regions between pixels reduces unnecessary X-ray exposure. A sufficiently large X-ray intensity can be achieved by using a plurality of small X-ray sources (101a-101d).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Gereon Vogtmeier
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Publication number: 20120307966Abstract: The present invention relates to X-ray image acquisition technology in general. Employing phase-contrast imaging for X-ray image acquisition may significantly enhance the quality and information content of images acquired. However, phase-contrast information may only be obtainable in a small detector region, possibly being too small for a sufficient field of rotation view for specialized X-ray imaging applications. Accordingly, an apparatus for phase-contrast imaging is provided that may allow the acquisition of an enlarged field of view. According to the present invention an apparatus (1) for phase-contrast imaging is provided, comprising an X-ray source (2), an X-ray detector (12) element having a detector size, a beam splitter grating (8) and an analyzer grating (10). An object (6) is arrangeable between the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (12). The beam splitter grating (8) and the analyzer grating (10) are arrangeable between the X-ray source (2) and the X-ray detector (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Ewald Roessl, Klaus Juergen Engel, Gereon Vogtmeier, Dieter Geller, Gerhard Martens, Sabastian Siegmund Schusser, Thomas Koehler
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Publication number: 20120250823Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system and a method for differential phase—contrast imaging of an object. To improve calibration of differential phase—contrast imaging systems and the alignment of the gratings an X-ray imaging system is provided that comprises an X-ray emitting arrangement providing at least partially coherent X-ray radiation and an X-ray detection arrangement comprising a phase-shift diffraction grating, a phase analyzer grating, and an X-ray image detector, all arranged along an optical axis. For stepping, the gratings and/or the X-ray emitting arrangement are provided with at least two actuators arranged opposite to each other with reference to the optical axis. For calibration, calibration projections are acquired without an object, wherein, the emitted X-ray radiation or one of the gratings is stepwise displaced with a calibration displacement value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Klaus Juergen Engel, Dieter Geller, Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl
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Publication number: 20120243658Abstract: X-ray devices for Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) are often built up with the help of gratings. For large field-of-views (FOV), production cost and complexity of these gratings could increase significantly as they need to have a focused geometry. Instead of a pure PCI with a large FOV, this invention suggests to combine a traditional absorption X-ray-imaging system with large-FOV with an insertable low-cost PCI system with small-FOV, The invention supports the user to direct the PCI system with reduced FOV to a region that he regards as most interesting for performing a PCI scan thus eliminating X-ray dose exposure for scanning regions not interesting for a radiologist. The PCI scan may be generated on the basis of local tomography.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Dieter Geller, Klaus Juergen Engel, Gereon Vogtmeier, Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl
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Publication number: 20120236992Abstract: The invention relates to the field of X-ray differential phase contrast imaging. For scanning large objects and for an improved contrast to noise ration, an X-ray device (10) for imaging an object (18) is provided. The X-ray device (10) comprises an X-ray emitter arrangement (12) and an X-ray detector arrangement (14), wherein the X-ray emitter arrangement (14) is adapted to emit an X-ray beam (16) through the object (18) onto the X-ray detector arrangement (14). The X-ray beam (16) is at least partial spatial coherent and fan-shaped. The X-ray detector arrangement (14) comprises a phase grating (50) and an absorber grating (52). The X-ray detector arrangement (14) comprises an area detector (54) for detecting X-rays, wherein the X-ray device is adapted to generate image data from the detected X-rays and to extract phase information from the X-ray image data, the phase information relating to a phase shift of X-rays caused by the object (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Dieter Geller, Gereon Vogtmeier, Thomas Koehler
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Publication number: 20120104262Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a data processing device for evaluating measurement signals provided by a layered, pixelated radiation detector. A generalized detector response function is provided that describes the energy-related crosstalk caused by radiation incident in the d-th neighboring pixel. With the help of this GDR-function, crosstalk effects can be taken into account to achieve a more accurate determination of imaging parameters related to an imaged object. The approach can particularly be used in spectrally resolved, photon counting CT detectors with small, layered pixels.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Jens WIEGERT, Klaus Juergen ENGEL
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Publication number: 20120099702Abstract: The present invention generally refers to a correction method for grating-based X-ray differential phase contrast imaging (DPCI) as well as to an apparatus which can advantageously be applied in X-ray radiography and tomography for hard X-ray DPCI of a sample object or an anatomical region of interest to be scanned. More precisely, the proposed invention provides a suitable approach that helps to enhance the image quality of an acquired X-ray image which is affected by phase wrapping, e.g. in the resulting Moiré interference pattern of an emitted X-ray beam in the detector plane of a Talbot-Lau type interferometer after diffracting said X-ray beam at a phase-shifting beam splitter grating.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Klaus Juergen Engel, Dieter Geller, Gereon Vogtmeier
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Publication number: 20120085915Abstract: The present invention relates to processing electronics (18) for a detector (12) of an X-ray imaging device (14), the processing electronics (18) with a pulse counter section (22) having at least one count output (30) and with an integrator section (24) having an intensity output (32), wherein the processing electronics (18) is adapted to be connected to a sensor (16) in such a manner that X-ray photons (58) arriving at the sensor (16) can be processed by the pulse counter section (22), by the integrator section (24), or both, and wherein the processing electronics (18) comprises a processor (34) adapted to be connected to the count output (30) and to the intensity output (32) and adapted to output a count result (K) that takes into account both count information (N) obtained at the count output (30) and intensity information (I) obtained at the intensity output (32), so that the count result (K) contains information (N) obtained from the pulse counter section (22) and information (M) obtained from the integrType: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Guenter Zeitler, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann, Roger Steadman Booker
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Publication number: 20120057677Abstract: The present invention relates to phase-contrast imaging which visualizes the phase information of coherent radiation passing a scanned object. Focused gratings are used which reduce the creation of trapezoid profile in a projection with a particular angle to the optical axis. A laser supported method is used in combination with a dedicating etching process for creating such focused grating structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Klaus Juergen Engel, Thomas Koehler, Ewald Roessl
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Publication number: 20110211668Abstract: The invention relates to converter element (100) for a radiation detector, particularly for a Spectral CT scanner. The converter element (100) comprises at least two conversion cells (131) that are at least partially separated from each other by intermediate separation walls (135) which affect the spreading of electrical signals generated by incident radiation (X). The conversion cells (131) may particularly consist of a crystal of CdTe and/or CdZnTe. Said crystal is preferably grown by e.g. vapor deposition between preformed separation walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Roger Steadman Booker, Matthias Simon, Christoph Herrmann, Bernd Menser, Jens Wiegert, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christian Baeumer, Oliver Muelhens
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Publication number: 20110079865Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (10), comprising an array of pixels (1), wherein each pixel (1) comprises a conversion layer of a semiconductor material (4) for converting incident radiation into electrical signals and wherein each pixel (1) is surrounded by a trench (3) that is at least partly filled with a barrier material that absorbs at least a part of photons generated by the incident radiation. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a radiation detector (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: KONNKLIJE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Gereon Vogtmeier, Christoph Herrmann, Klaus Juergen Engel
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Publication number: 20100322380Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray detector (30) that comprises an array of sensitive elements (Pi?1,b, Pia, Pib, Pi+1,a, Pi+1,b) and at least two analyzer gratings (G2a, G2b) disposed with different phase and/or periodicity in front of two different sensitive elements. Preferably, the sensitive elements are organized in macro-pixels (IIi) of e.g. four adjacent sensitive elements, where analyzer gratings with mutually different phases are disposed in front said sensitive elements. The detector (30) can particularly be applied in an X-ray device (100) for generating phase contrast images because it allows to sample an intensity pattern (I) generated by such a device simultaneously at different positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann
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Publication number: 20100252744Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector that comprises a converter element and a plurality of electrode systems arranged on said element, wherein each electrode system comprises a primary electrode and a supplementary electrode, which are connected to a readout circuitry. The primary and the supplementary electrodes may particularly be realized by planar, parallel stripes extending in a common plane, wherein said stripes are electrically connected above said plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Christoph HERRMANN, Klaus Juergen ENGEL, Christian BAEUMER
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Publication number: 20100127859Abstract: Scattered radiation has non-intuitive properties. A signalling system (28) is presented which provides a perceptible signal (34) being indicative of a predicted or measured spatial distribution of scattered radiation. An embodiment provides for easy assessment of the individual risk of scattered radiation exposure for personnel working in an environment exposed to scattered radiation. A method for predicting a distribution of scattered radiation takes into account at least one object related parameter (18) and at least one radiation related parameter (22) and, in response hereto, predicts a distribution of scattered radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Steffen Gunther Hohmann, Christian Baumer, Jorg Bredno, Norbert Conrads, Olivier Ecabert, Klaus Juergen Engel, Christoph Herrmann, Rainer Kiewitt, Helko Lehmann
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Publication number: 20090225938Abstract: The invention relates to an Anti-Scatter-Grid (ASG) with lamellae (2) that absorb incident radiation (1, 8) and that produce an electrical signal proportional to the amount of absorbed radiation. The lamellae (2) may particularly consist of a semiconductor material in which photons produce electron-hole pairs that can be detected with the help of electrodes (3, 4, 6) on the sidewalls of the lamellae (2). The amount of absorbed scattered (8) or primary (1) radiation may thus be determined in a spatially resolved way, allowing to correct the image generated by an array (5) of sensor units (9).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2005Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Günter Zeitler, Gereon Vogtmeier, Klaus Jürgen Engel
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Publication number: 20080272309Abstract: The invention refers to X-ray devices, an X-ray detector and a method of correcting intensity signals. An X-ray detector then comprises for determining the intensity of X-rays, which comprise a proportion of primary radiation having an irradiation direction and a proportion of scattered radiation, at least a first sensor elements, which are each provided for converting the X-rays into first and second intensity signals, and a filter element, which is provided for decreasing the proportion of scattered radiation in the intensity of the X-rays, wherein the second sensor elements are arranged in irradiation direction behind the filter element and wherein the first sensor element fastened to the filter element is provided for determining the intensity of the X-rays before leaving the filter element. The proportion of the scattered radiation calculated from the measuring data of the first and second sensor elements is provided for correcting the second intensity signals for the following image generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2005Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Bernd Schweizer, Gereon Vogtmeier, Klaus Juergen Engel