Patents by Inventor Michael Grasruck

Michael Grasruck 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: 11925501
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is for calculating an examination parameter for a computed tomography examination of an area of interest of a patient. The method includes receiving a topogram of the area of interest of the patient; determining fat distribution information by applying a trained machine learning algorithm onto the topogram; and calculating the examination parameter for the computed tomography examination of the area of interest of the patient based on the fat distribution information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11255801
    Abstract: A method is for correcting an imbalance in a computed tomography system, in which a supporting structure includes a radiation source is fitted on a fixed mounting frame. The supporting structure rotates together with the radiation source about a measurement space, in which is fixed in place a measurement object having a known attenuation response for the radiation emitted by the radiation source. The method includes detecting first measurement data of the radiation while the supporting structure rotates about the measurement object, determining an imbalance arising during the rotation of the supporting structure on the basis of the acquired first measurement data of the radiation, and determining a position and a weight of at least one counterweight on the supporting structure in order to reduce the determined imbalance, or determining correction data, which is used to correct the imbalance in software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mueller, Michael Grasruck, Matthias Berner, Florian Kiessling
  • Patent number: 11197644
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a detection unit, having an X-ray detector and a stray radiation collimator in stacked arrangement, and an X-ray source opposite the detection unit. The X-ray source is embodied, starting from a focal point, to emit X-rays towards the X-ray detector. The X-ray detector has a sensor plane and is subdivided in a first direction into a plurality of detector elements. Each detector element of the plurality of detector elements is embodied to convert the X-rays impinging on a surface region, assigned to the detector element, of the sensor plane into an electrical pixel measurement signal. The stray radiation collimator has a plurality of collimator walls. The collimator walls are arranged over the surface region of a detector element of the plurality of detector elements, such that a shadow cast by a respective collimator wall completely overlaps with the surface region of the corresponding detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Ergler, Michael Grasruck, Barbara Hintz, Peter Kaemmerer, Carsten Thierfelder
  • Publication number: 20200375554
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a detection unit, having an X-ray detector and a stray radiation collimator in stacked arrangement, and an X-ray source opposite the detection unit. The X-ray source is embodied, starting from a focal point, to emit X-rays towards the X-ray detector. The X-ray detector has a sensor plane and is subdivided in a first direction into a plurality of detector elements. Each detector element of the plurality of detector elements is embodied to convert the X-rays impinging on a surface region, assigned to the detector element, of the sensor plane into an electrical pixel measurement signal. The stray radiation collimator has a plurality of collimator walls. The collimator walls are arranged over the surface region of a detector element of the plurality of detector elements, such that a shadow cast by a respective collimator wall completely overlaps with the surface region of the corresponding detector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten ERGLER, Michael GRASRUCK, Barbara HINTZ, Peter KAEMMERER, Carsten THIERFELDER
  • Patent number: 10813603
    Abstract: A couch panel for a patient couch for a medical imaging method is disclosed. The couch panel is of single-shell design, beads are formed in the longitudinal direction of the couch panel, wherein the number and the shape of the beads are chosen such that the couch panel has a predefinable geometric moment of inertia. The two longitudinally extending edges of the couch panel are bent upward. This is advantageous because of the cost-effective production of a couch panel and, in the case of X-ray imaging, in the low radiation absorption. A patient couch having a couch panel of this kind is likewise disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Dirauf, Michael Grasruck, Alexander Krämer, Riccardo Kunze, Otto Sembritzki
  • Publication number: 20200300786
    Abstract: A method is for correcting an imbalance in a computed tomography system, in which a supporting structure includes a radiation source is fitted on a fixed mounting frame. The supporting structure rotates together with the radiation source about a measurement space, in which is fixed in place a measurement object having a known attenuation response for the radiation emitted by the radiation source. The method includes detecting first measurement data of the radiation while the supporting structure rotates about the measurement object, determining an imbalance arising during the rotation of the supporting structure on the basis of the acquired first measurement data of the radiation, and determining a position and a weight of at least one counterweight on the supporting structure in order to reduce the determined imbalance, or determining correction data, which is used to correct the imbalance in software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen MUELLER, Michael GRASRUCK, Matthias BERNER, Florian KIESSLING
  • Patent number: 10682104
    Abstract: A method is for recording a region of interest of an examination object with a computed tomography system including an energy-selective X-ray detector with a number of energy threshold values that can be set by way of an energy threshold values. In an embodiment, the method includes first recording of first projection scan data with a first set of energy thresholds; setting a second set of energy thresholds different from the first set of energy thresholds, based on a temporally variable parameter; and second recording of second projection scan data different from the first projection scan data with the second set of energy thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Michael Grasruck, Philipp Hoelzer, Mark-Aleksi Keller-Reichenbecher, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20200178920
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is for calculating an examination parameter for a computed tomography examination of an area of interest of a patient. The method includes receiving a topogram of the area of interest of the patient; determining fat distribution information by applying a trained machine learning algorithm onto the topogram; and calculating the examination parameter for the computed tomography examination of the area of interest of the patient based on the fat distribution information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Michael GRASRUCK, Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10517547
    Abstract: A diaphragm apparatus for the collimation of an X-ray bundle of an X-ray device is provided for scanning an examination object. An X-ray device including the diaphragm apparatus is also provided. In an embodiment, the diaphragm apparatus includes two diaphragms in the form of slotted diaphragms arranged in series in the direction of the X-rays and mounted to be positionable with respect to one another. Each of the diaphragms includes a fixed diaphragm aperture corresponding to maximum collimation of the X-ray bundle and a region that is impermeable to X-rays, which in each case includes an extension corresponding to the diaphragm aperture corresponding to the maximum collimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Raupach, Michael Grasruck, Nicole Haag
  • Publication number: 20190038244
    Abstract: A method is for recording a region of interest of an examination object with a computed tomography system including an energy-selective X-ray detector with a number of energy threshold values that can be set by way of an energy threshold values. In an embodiment, the method includes first recording of first projection scan data with a first set of energy thresholds; setting a second set of energy thresholds different from the first set of energy thresholds, based on a temporally variable parameter; and second recording of second projection scan data different from the first projection scan data with the second set of energy thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Michael GRASRUCK, Philipp HOELZER, Mark-Aleksi KELLER-REICHENBECHER, Bernhard SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10098607
    Abstract: A tomographic device includes a recording unit with a central system axis, a patient couch movable along the system axis and also a radiation source and a radiation detector interacting with the radiation source. The inventors have recognized that a rapid, precise and reliable positioning of a first recording area can be achieved by the positioning being based on a trained model, wherein the model has been trained with training positions. The tomographic device therefore includes a computing unit, which is designed for calibration of a first position of the first recording area relative to the recording unit based on the trained model. Furthermore the tomographic device includes a control unit for positioning the first recording area in the first position by moving the patient couch relative to the recording unit. The tomographic device is designed for a first tomographic recording of the first recording area in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair
  • Patent number: 9931088
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a selected acquisition field of view of a medical tomography apparatus in the region of a patient table of the tomography apparatus with the aid of an illumination device including at least one light source. In this regard, the illumination device includes at least one setting device for revealing and/or masking boundary areas of a field of illumination of the illumination device which are revealed or masked as a function of the selected acquisition field of view. An illumination device is also disclosed for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Bernhard Krauss, Martin Sedlmair
  • Publication number: 20170273645
    Abstract: A diaphragm apparatus for the collimation of an X-ray bundle of an X-ray device is provided for scanning an examination object. An X-ray device including the diaphragm apparatus is also provided. In an embodiment, the diaphragm apparatus includes two diaphragms in the form of slotted diaphragms arranged in series in the direction of the X-rays and mounted to be positionable with respect to one another. Each of the diaphragms includes a fixed diaphragm aperture corresponding to maximum collimation of the X-ray bundle and a region that is impermeable to X-rays, which in each case includes an extension corresponding to the diaphragm aperture corresponding to the maximum collimation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer RAUPACH, Michael GRASRUCK, Nicole HAAG
  • Patent number: 9693742
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating at least one x-ray image of a patient having incorporated contrast medium, using x-rays having an energy spectrum and an x-ray detector. The energy spectrum is modified by at least one first filter arranged in the beam path in front of the patient, the patient absorbing a dose in order to generate detector data for the x-ray image and the x-ray image having a CNR value which represents the ratio of the maximum contrast in the image to the noise. The energy spectrum and contrast medium are matched to each other, taking into account the thickness of the patient to be x-rayed, in such a way that an optimization criterion which is taken from an x-ray image that is generated or simulated by way of trials is maximized. Furthermore, an x-ray system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, BAYER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Gregor Jost
  • Publication number: 20160128666
    Abstract: A tomographic device includes a recording unit with a central system axis, a patient couch movable along the system axis and also a radiation source and a radiation detector interacting with the radiation source. The inventors have recognized that a rapid, precise and reliable positioning of a first recording area can be achieved by the positioning being based on a trained model, wherein the model has been trained with training positions. The tomographic device therefore includes a computing unit, which is designed for calibration of a first position of the first recording area relative to the recording unit based on the trained model. Furthermore the tomographic device includes a control unit for positioning the first recording area in the first position by moving the patient couch relative to the recording unit. The tomographic device is designed for a first tomographic recording of the first recording area in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Michael GRASRUCK, Bernhard SCHMIDT, Martin SEDLMAIR
  • Publication number: 20160120487
    Abstract: A couch panel for a patient couch for a medical imaging method is disclosed. The couch panel is of single-shell design, beads are formed in the longitudinal direction of the couch panel, wherein the number and the shape of the beads are chosen such that the couch panel has a predefinable geometric moment of inertia. The two longitudinally extending edges of the couch panel are bent upward. This is advantageous because of the cost-effective production of a couch panel and, in the case of X-ray imaging, in the low radiation absorption. A patient couch having a couch panel of this kind is likewise disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Franz Dirauf, Michael Grasruck, Alexander Krämer, Riccardo Kunze, Otto Sembritzki
  • Patent number: 9282941
    Abstract: A method for imaging with a radiotherapy device is provided. The radiotherapy device includes a movably mounted imaging apparatus with an X-ray source and an oppositely disposed X-ray detector. The method includes preparing a first image with the imaging apparatus from a first imaging direction. The imaging apparatus is moved to a position that permits the preparation of a second image from a second imaging direction extending at an angle to the first imaging direction. The method also includes preparing the second image with the imaging apparatus from the second imaging direction, and verifying the position of an object to be irradiated using the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Grasruck, Robert Heiter
  • Patent number: 9176078
    Abstract: For improved sampling, an x-ray detector system for a computed tomography scanner is provided. In an embodiment, the x-ray detector system includes at least one detector row which includes a plurality of detector modules each having a plurality of detector elements. Along the at least one detector row, a first portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a first grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements, and a second portion of the detector elements is arranged in a grid at a second grid spacing in relation to its respective neighboring detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Michael Grasruck, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 9132284
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for imaging within the scope of a radiation therapy. In at least one embodiment, the method includes preparing one or more contrast agent-enhanced x-ray image data records; and using the contrast agent-enhanced x-ray image data record during an irradiation planning and/or during an irradiation session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Stefan Gleissmann, Michael Grasruck, Raimund Martin, Marcus Wagner, Georg Wittmann
  • Publication number: 20150164444
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a selected acquisition field of view of a medical tomography apparatus in the region of a patient table of the tomography apparatus with the aid of an illumination device including at least one light source. In this regard, the illumination device includes at least one setting device for revealing and/or masking boundary areas of a field of illumination of the illumination device which are revealed or masked as a function of the selected acquisition field of view. An illumination device is also disclosed for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Michael GRASRUCK, Bernhard KRAUSS, Martin SEDLMAIR