Patents by Inventor Peter Hackenschmied

Peter Hackenschmied 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: 11955307
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides an electron emitter apparatus having a first ring of field-effect emitter needles, the field-effect emitter needles of the first ring forming a first emitter surface on an inner side of the first ring; and a second ring of field-effect emitter needles, the field-effect emitter needles of the second ring forming a second emitter surface on an inner side of the second ring, wherein the first ring and the second ring are arranged in such that the first emitter surface and the second emitter surface form a substantially contiguous three-dimensional overall emitter surface, the substantially contiguous three-dimensional overall emitter surface defining a hollow channel along a longitudinal axis of the electron emitter apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Healthineers AG
    Inventors: Christoph Jud, Peter Hackenschmied, Joerg Freudenberger, Peter Geithner, Anja Fritzler
  • Patent number: 11901152
    Abstract: Some example embodiments provide an x-ray tube for a stereoscopic imaging having an evacuated x-ray tube housing; an electron emitter apparatus in the x-ray tube housing, the electron emitter apparatus including a first field effect emitter with a first emitter surface and a second field effect emitter with a second emitter surface, at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface being segmented such that a portion of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface can be set relative to the respective overall emitter surface by selectively switching emitter segments of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface; an anode unit in the x-ray tube housing, the anode unit configured to generate x-ray radiation for the stereoscopic imaging as a function of electrons striking two focal points; and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Geithner, Jörg Freudenberger, Christoph Jud, Anja Fritzler, Josef Deuringer, Peter Hackenschmied
  • Publication number: 20230031968
    Abstract: Some example embodiments provide an x-ray tube for a stereoscopic imaging having an evacuated x-ray tube housing; an electron emitter apparatus in the x-ray tube housing, the electron emitter apparatus including a first field effect emitter with a first emitter surface and a second field effect emitter with a second emitter surface, at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface being segmented such that a portion of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface can be set relative to the respective overall emitter surface by selectively switching emitter segments of the at least one of the first emitter surface or the second emitter surface; an anode unit in the x-ray tube housing, the anode unit configured to generate x-ray radiation for the stereoscopic imaging as a function of electrons striking two focal points; and a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Peter GEITHNER, Joerg FREUDENBERGER, Christoph JUD, Anja FRITZLER, Josef DEURINGER, Peter HACKENSCHMIED
  • Publication number: 20220359148
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment provides an electron emitter apparatus having a first ring of field-effect emitter needles, the field-effect emitter needles of the first ring forming a first emitter surface on an inner side of the first ring; and a second ring of field-effect emitter needles, the field-effect emitter needles of the second ring forming a second emitter surface on an inner side of the second ring, wherein the first ring and the second ring are arranged in such that the first emitter surface and the second emitter surface form a substantially contiguous three-dimensional overall emitter surface, the substantially contiguous three-dimensional overall emitter surface defining a hollow channel along a longitudinal axis of the electron emitter apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph JUD, Peter HACKENSCHMIED, Joerg FREUDENBERGER, Peter GEITHNER, Anja FRITZLER
  • Patent number: 11226298
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source configured to emit x-ray radiation towards a sample, and a primary detector configured to detect x-ray radiation from the x-ray source passing through the sample. The x-ray imaging system also includes a secondary detector configured to detect x-ray radiation from the x-ray source scattered in the sample, and imaging optics configured to guide x-ray radiation scattered in the sample onto the secondary detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Kappler, Marcus Radicke, Jörg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 11075052
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an x-ray device including a housing configured to provide a vacuum therein, a cathode arranged inside the housing and configured to emit electrons, an anode arranged inside the housing and configured to produce x-ray radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the cathode, and a converter configured to convert the x-ray radiation produced by the anode into monochromatic x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is arranged between the cathode and the converter. The present disclosure may be used in medical imaging, therapy, spectroscopy, and the like. Geometries and configurations may be improved compared to previously known x-ray devices when it comes to requirements for space, materials used, complexity of electrical wiring, distance between cathode and anode, and providing supplementary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber
  • Publication number: 20200187339
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an x-ray device including a housing configured to provide a vacuum therein, a cathode arranged inside the housing and configured to emit electrons, an anode arranged inside the housing and configured to produce x-ray radiation when impacted by electrons emitted by the cathode, and a converter configured to convert the x-ray radiation produced by the anode into monochromatic x-ray radiation, wherein the anode is configured to produce x-ray radiation in transmission and is arranged between the cathode and the converter. The present disclosure may be used in medical imaging, therapy, spectroscopy, and the like. Geometries and configurations may be improved compared to previously known x-ray devices when it comes to requirements for space, materials used, complexity of electrical wiring, distance between cathode and anode, and providing supplementary functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Jörg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber
  • Publication number: 20200182806
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes an x-ray source configured to emit x-ray radiation towards a sample, and a primary detector configured to detect x-ray radiation from the x-ray source passing through the sample. The x-ray imaging system also includes a secondary detector configured to detect x-ray radiation from the x-ray source scattered in the sample, and imaging optics configured to guide x-ray radiation scattered in the sample onto the secondary detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Steffen Kappler, Marcus Radicke, Jörg Freudenberger, Anja Fritzler, Peter Geithner, Peter Hackenschmied, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 10014430
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting incident X-ray radiation by way of a direct-converting X-ray radiation detector. A semi-conductor material used for detection purposes is irradiated with additional radiation with an energy level of at least 1.6 eV in order to produce additional charge carriers. A direct-converting X-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting X-ray radiation, at least including a semi-conductor material used for X-ray detection and at least one radiation source which irradiates the semi-conductor material with additional radiation, the radiation having an energy level of at least 1.6 eV. A CT system including an X-ray radiation detector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Edgar Göderer, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9829586
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting x-rays using an x-ray detector which includes a direct-conversion semiconductor detector element. Additional radiation is supplied to the semiconductor detector element using a radiation source, and the supply of the additional radiation is controlled and/or regulated on the basis of a specified target value. In at least one embodiment, the target value can be specified in a variable manner over time as a sequence of target values. An x-ray detector system is further disclosed, with which the method can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9753154
    Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed, in particular for a computed tomography system. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector includes a regular arrangement of measuring pixels for covering a measuring surface. A plurality of the measuring pixels of the regular arrangement are constructed as direct converting measuring pixels, and remaining ones of the measuring pixels are constructed as indirect converting measuring pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg
  • Patent number: 9646731
    Abstract: A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, in particular for use in a CT system. In an embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor material used for detecting the x-ray radiation; at least one collimator; and at least one radiation source, to irradiate the semiconductor material with additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the at least one collimator includes at least one reflection layer on a side facing the semiconductor material, on which the additional radiation is reflected to the semiconductor material. In another embodiment, a CT system including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, and a method for detecting incident x-ray radiation via a direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, in particular for use in a CT system, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Fabrice Dierre, Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Karl Stierstorfer, Matthias Strassburg, Justus Tonn, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9419169
    Abstract: A production method of a semiconductor element of a direct-converting x-ray detector is disclosed, wherein at least one intermediate layer is applied to a semiconductor layer and at least one contact layer is applied to an exposed intermediate layer by chemically currentless deposition of a contact material from a solution in each instance. The materials for the individual layers are selected such that the electrochemical potential of the materials of the at least one intermediate layer is greater than the electrochemical potential of at least one element of the semiconductor layer and the electrochemical potential of the contact material of the contract layer is greater than the electrochemical potential of the materials of the intermediate layers. Semiconductor elements produced in accordance with the method, an x-ray detector with semiconductor elements, an x-ray system with an x-ray detector and also a CT system with an x-ray detector are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fabrice Dierre, Peter Hackenschmied, Matthias Strassburg
  • Patent number: 9113542
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the temperature stabilization of a direct-converting X-ray detector, including a detector surface having a semiconductor and being divided into a plurality of partial detector surfaces. During the irradiation of the detector surface, heat is generated in the semiconductor by electric power. Electric power generated in the semiconductor is kept constant for each partial detector surface at least during a heterogeneous and/or temporally variable irradiation of the detector surface by feeding-in power-adjusted additional radiation for each partial detector surface. A direct-converting X-ray detector is disclosed for the detection of X-rays. At least one control loop with at least one reference variable is embodied for the energy regulation of the additional radiation, which keeps the temperature in the semiconductor constant for each partial detector surface by keeping the electric power in the semiconductor constant by changing the energy of the additional radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter
  • Publication number: 20150221406
    Abstract: A direct-converting x-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting x-ray radiation, in particular for use in a CT system. In an embodiment, the detector includes a semiconductor material used for detecting the x-ray radiation; at least one collimator; and at least one radiation source, to irradiate the semiconductor material with additional radiation. In at least one embodiment, the at least one collimator includes at least one reflection layer on a side facing the semiconductor material, on which the additional radiation is reflected to the semiconductor material. In another embodiment, a CT system including the direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, and a method for detecting incident x-ray radiation via a direct-converting x-ray radiation detector, in particular for use in a CT system, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Fabrice Dierre, Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Karl Stierstorfer, Matthias Strassburg, Justus Tonn, Stefan Wirth
  • Patent number: 9097810
    Abstract: A direct radiation converter is disclosed which includes a radiation detection material having an anode side and a cathode side in which the radiation detection material has a doping profile running in the anode-side to cathode-side direction. A radiation detector is further disclosed having such a direct radiation converter and having an anode array and a cathode array, and optionally having evaluation electronics for reading out a detector signal, as well as a medical apparatus having such a radiation detector. Also described is a method for producing a direct radiation converter which includes incorporating into a radiation detection material a doping profile running in the anode-side to cathode-side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg
  • Publication number: 20150212215
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting x-rays using an x-ray detector which includes a direct-conversion semiconductor detector element. Additional radiation is supplied to the semiconductor detector element using a radiation source, and the supply of the additional radiation is controlled and/or regulated on the basis of a specified target value. In at least one embodiment, the target value can be specified in a variable manner over time as a sequence of target values. An x-ray detector system is further disclosed, with which the method can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Edgar Göderer, Peter Hackenschmied, Steffen Kappler, Björn Kreisler, Miguel Labayen De Inza, Daniel Niederlöhner, Mario Reinwand, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
  • Publication number: 20150168569
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for detecting incident X-ray radiation by way of a direct-converting X-ray radiation detector. A semi-conductor material used for detection purposes is irradiated with additional radiation with an energy level of at least 1.6 eV in order to produce additional charge carriers. A direct-converting X-ray radiation detector is disclosed for detecting X-ray radiation, at least including a semi-conductor material used for X-ray detection and at least one radiation source which irradiates the semi-conductor material with additional radiation, the radiation having an energy level of at least 1.6 eV. A CT system including an X-ray radiation detector is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Edgar Göderer, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg, Stefan Wirth
  • Publication number: 20150060677
    Abstract: An X-ray detector is disclosed, in particular for a computed tomography system. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector includes a regular arrangement of measuring pixels for covering a measuring surface. A plurality of the measuring pixels of the regular arrangement are constructed as direct converting measuring pixels, and remaining ones of the measuring pixels are constructed as indirect converting measuring pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Peter HACKENSCHMIED, Christian SCHRÖTER, Matthias STRASSBURG
  • Patent number: 8920686
    Abstract: A radiation converter material includes a semiconductor material used for directly converting radiation quanta into electrical charge carriers. In at least one embodiment, the semiconductor material includes a dopant in a dopant concentration and defect sites produced in a process-dictated manner in such a way that the semiconductor material includes an ohmic resistivity in a range of between 5·107 ?·cm and 2·109 ?·cm. Such a radiation converter material is particularly well matched to the requirements in particular in human-medical applications with regard to the high flux rate present and the spectral distribution of the radiation quanta. In at least one embodiment, the invention additionally relates to a radiation converter and a radiation detector, and a use of and a method for producing such a radiation converter material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Hackenschmied, Christian Schröter, Matthias Strassburg