Patents by Inventor Peter Vernickel

Peter Vernickel 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: 12687596
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) coil construction system includes MR coil sheets (20) comprising electrically conductive MR coil elements or MR coil element portions (22) disposed in electrically insulating sheets (26). The MR coil sheets have edges with connecting mechanisms (34, 48) configured to connect the MR coil sheets to construct an MR coil array (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2026
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz, Ingo Schmale
  • Publication number: 20260153579
    Abstract: According to the invention, a radio frequency antenna system (1) for a magnetic resonance imaging device comprising a radio frequency coil (2) which, when mounted in a bore of the magnetic resonance imaging device has a total coil impedance composed of a coil impedance and a patient-specific impedance of a patient, a preamplifier (3) connected to the radio frequency coil (2), by means of which a signal received by the radio frequency coil (2) can be amplified and an amplified output signal can be output, a matching network (4) which is interconnected between the radio frequency coil (2) and the preamplifier (3) with which the total coil impedance of the radio frequency coil (2) is adjustable and a controller (5), wherein the radio frequency coil (2) comprises a first coil loop (6) and at least one further coil loop (7), the controller (5) is connected to the radio frequency coil (2), the matching network (4) and the preamplifier (3) and the controller (5) is adapted for noise impedance matching between the ra
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Christopher Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Peter Vernickel
  • Publication number: 20260147072
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiver assembly (100) for use in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is described. The receiver assembly (100) comprises a primary resonant circuit (101) coupled to a preamplifier (106) via capacitive coupling, and a secondary resonance circuit (104) comprising of at least one inductor (104a) coupled between a first switch (103) and the capacitive coupling. The first switch (103) is circuited between the primary (101) and the secondary (104) resonant circuits, and the preamplifier (106).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christopher Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee
  • Patent number: 12571864
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil device comprising a flexible array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (440). According to the invention, a magnetic resonance coil device for a magnetic resonance system is provided, comprising an array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (400) which are configured for receiving a magnetic resonance radiofrequency signal, and two outer layers (200, 201), wherein the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are arranged between the outer layers (200, 201) in such a way that at least some of the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) each partly overlap with at least one other neighboring magnetic resonance receive coil (400) so that respective overlapping regions between two respective neighboring magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are formed, wherein within at least some of these overlapping regions at least one spacer (300) is arranged, respectively, and wherein at least one of the outer layers is flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ingo Schmale, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz
  • Patent number: 12502155
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2025
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Frank Bergner, Claas Bontus, Klaus Erhard, Nikolas David Schnellbächer, Dirk Schäfer, Sven Peter Prevrhal, Peter Vernickel
  • Patent number: 12467965
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance, and in particular to determining a location of an error in a supply or signal line. Due to the rugged environment for MR systems in hospitals supply or signal lines of MR systems are error prone. For serviceability and part replacement it is important to locate the error in the supply or signal line or to identify the subunit of the supply or signal line in which the error occurred. The basic idea of the invention is to use an additional impedance, that is coupled to the supply or signal line of the MR system in the region of interconnection for locating the error in the supply or signal line. The additional impedance provides a reference impedance value. By measuring the impedance and comparing the measured impedance to the reference impedance value, the error in the supply or signal line can be located. In one embodiment the additional impedance is realized as additional capacitance and provided as a capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips
  • Patent number: 12457048
    Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system (1) for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, a solution for compensating residual coupling of RF receive coil elements (2) in the radio frequency (RF) receiver (1) system shall be created. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, the RF receiver system (1) comprising at least two simultaneously used RF receive coil elements (2), wherein the RF receive coil element (2) comprises a signal generator (3) for providing a compensation signal and an excitation path (4), wherein the excitation path (4) is configured to couple the compensation signal into the RF receive coil element (2), for reducing residual coupling in the RF receiver system (1) by means of the compensation signal coupled into the RF receive coil element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler, Ingo Schmale, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz
  • Publication number: 20250258258
    Abstract: For detecting an error of a magnetic resonance examination system, a tunable radio frequency RF receiver coil assembly is provided The RF receiver coil assembly comprises at least one RF receiver coil (1), an electronic de-/tune circuit (2) for switching between a low noise reception state of the tunable RF receiver coil (1) and a passive state of the tunable RF receiver coil (1), and a monitor circuit (7). The monitor circuit (7) is electrically insulated from and reactively coupled to the electronic de-/tune circuit (2) and is adapted to inductively measure the AC electrical current or AC voltage in the electronic de-/tune circuit (2) induced by a RF transmit signal generated by the magnetic resonance examination system or the monitor circuit (7) is adapted to couple an RF signal into the tunable RF receiver coil (1) wherein the tunable RF receiver coil (1) is arranged to receive the coupled RF signal by a magnetic resonance preamplifier (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christopher Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee
  • Publication number: 20250208243
    Abstract: In a radio frequency (RF) assembly for a magnetic resonance examination system, the RF assembly comprises: at least one receiver coil, for receiving MR signals from a patient, at least one low-noise amplifier (LNA), connected to the receiver coil for amplifying the MR signals, at least one low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) connection, wherein the LVDS connection is configured to transmit the received MR signals and to apply electrical power to the LNA, wherein the LVDS connection is formed as a LVDS digital cable (1). A solution for B1 transparency of the coil array, which reduces solder connections and RF plugs is to be achieved. This is achieved by at least one planar resonator (2), wherein the planar resonator (2) is inductively coupled to the LVDS digital cable (1) configured to act as an RF trap (10) for blocking spurious signals on the LVDS digital cable (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Peter Vernickel
  • Publication number: 20250199097
    Abstract: The invention refers to a Radio Frequency (RF) coil assembly (100) for magnetic resonance imaging. The RF coil assembly (100) includes an RF coil (130) comprising multiple rungs (340) configured to receive and/or transmit an RF signal (122) input and/or output, a detune arrangement (110) configured to receive a control signal (121) and to tune/detune the RF coil (130) to a resonance frequency based on the control signal (121), and a conductor (120) configured to conduct the RF signal (122) and the control signal (121). The detune arrangement (110) is electrically coupled to the rungs (340) of the RF coil (130), and the conductor (120) is electrically coupled to the RF coil (130) and to the detune arrangement (110). The detune arrangement (110) comprises a microswitch (320) and a bias network (310). The bias network (310) is configured to switch the microswitch (320) between an open and a closed state in response to the control signal (121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Christian Findeklee
  • Patent number: 12292490
    Abstract: For a radio frequency (RF) receiver system a solution for a safe operation of the radio frequency (RF) receiver system in magnetic resonance imaging shall be ensured. This is achieved by a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for use in a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system the RF receiver system, wherein the RF receiver system comprises at least one RF receive coil with at least one detune circuit (1). The detune circuit (1) comprises at least a pair of crossed diodes (D1, D2) with an interface, wherein the interface is configured to measure an electrical current in the detune circuit (1) to determine the proper function of the PIN diodes (D1, D2) by measuring the detune direct current for a first detune voltage polarity and for a second reversed detune voltage polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Peter Vernickel, Ingo Schmale, Oliver Lips
  • Publication number: 20250102602
    Abstract: In the case of a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly for a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system, interference in a galvanic transmission line (1) configured to transmit a digital signal should be avoided. This is achieved in that a signal circuit (Pr2) is provided, configured to monitor non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in a signal through the galvanic transmission line (1), wherein the signal circuit (Pr2) is configured to provide feedback to a digital adjustment circuit (4), wherein the digital adjustment circuit (4) is configured to compensate for non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in the digital signal by adjusting phase and/or amplitude of the digital signal based on monitored measured values of the signal circuit (Pr2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for compensating for non-differential asymmetries around the Larmor frequency in a digital signal in a galvanic transmission line (1) of a radio frequency (RF) coil assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventors: Christian Findeklee, Christopher Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel
  • Patent number: 12222411
    Abstract: A method of setting an RF operating frequency of an MRI system (1) uses a first reference frequency signal, obtained from a geo-satellite positioning system, as a stable long term frequency reference. A second frequency source (24) is calibrated using the first frequency reference signal and the second frequency reference source (24) is then used as the master clock for the MRI system (1), for setting the RF operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Christoph Günther Leussler, Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips
  • Publication number: 20240402272
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) coil construction system includes MR coil sheets (20) comprising electrically conductive MR coil elements or MR coil element portions (22) disposed in electrically insulating sheets (26). The MR coil sheets have edges with connecting mechanisms (34. 48) configured to connect the MR coil sheets to construct an MR coil array (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz, Ingo Schmale
  • Patent number: 12140650
    Abstract: The invention also refers to a flexible coil element for a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The invention also refers to a flexible coil array, for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The invention also refers to a method for indicating a loading state of a flexible coil element being positioned on at least one inductive element. The flexible coil element is comprised by a flexible coil array, wherein the flexible coil array comprises at least one flexible coil element. Furthermore, the invention refers to a software package comprising instructions for carrying out the method steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christian Findeklee, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz
  • Publication number: 20240302421
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance, and in particular to determining a location of an error in a supply or signal line. Due to the rugged environment for MR systems in hospitals supply or signal lines of MR systems are error prone. For serviceability and part replacement it is important to locate the error in the supply or signal line or to identify the subunit of the supply or signal line in which the error occurred. The basic idea of the invention is to use an additional impedance, that is coupled to the supply or signal line of the MR system in the region of interconnection for locating the error in the supply or signal line. The additional impedance provides a reference impedance value. By measuring the impedance and comparing the measured impedance to the reference impedance value, the error in the supply or signal line can be located. In one embodiment the additional impedance is realized as additional capacitance and provided as a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: PETER VERNICKEL, OLIVER LIPS
  • Patent number: 12085598
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of magnetic resonance, and in particular to determining a location of an error in a supply or signal line (12). Due to the rugged environment for MR systems (10) in hospitals supply or signal lines (12) of MR systems (10) are error prone. For serviceability and part replacement it is important to locate the error in the supply or signal line (12) or to identify the subunit (14, 16, 18, 20) of the supply or signal line (12) in which the error occurred. The basic idea of the invention is to use an additional impedance (24), that is coupled to the supply or signal line (12) of the MR system (10) in the region of interconnection (22) for locating the error in the supply or signal line (12). The additional impedance provides a reference impedance value. By measuring the impedance and comparing the measured impedance to the reference impedance value, the error in the supply or signal line (12) can be located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Oliver Lips
  • Publication number: 20240248158
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance coil device comprising a flexible array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (440). According to the invention, a magnetic resonance coil device for a magnetic resonance system is provided, comprising an array (100) with multiple magnetic resonance receive coils (400) which are configured for receiving a magnetic resonance radiofrequency signal, and two outer layers (200, 201), wherein the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are arranged between the outer layers (200, 201) in such a way that at least some of the magnetic resonance receive coils (400) each partly overlap with at least one other neighboring magnetic resonance receive coil (400) so that respective overlapping regions between two respective neighboring magnetic resonance receive coils (400) are formed, wherein within at least some of these overlapping regions at least one spacer (300) is arranged, respectively, and wherein at least one of the outer layers is flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ingo Schmale, Christoph Günther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Peter Vernickel, Peter Caesar Mazurkewitz, Christian Findeklee, Josef Scholz
  • Patent number: 11982722
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: a subject support (120) configured for moving a subject between a loading position (121) and an imaging position (200); a receive magnetic resonance imaging coil (114) configured for being placed on the subject; and a light detection system (115) comprising at least one ambient light sensor for measuring light data (144). The light detection system is any one of the following: mounted to the main magnet such that the light data is measured from the imaging zone and mounted to the receive magnetic resonance imaging coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Vernickel, Christoph Gunther Leussler, Oliver Lips, Ingo Schmale, Christian Findeklee
  • Patent number: 11940521
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical system (100, 300, 500, 700) comprising: a memory (128) storing machine executable instructions (130); a processor (122) configured for controlling the medical system; and a pilot tone system (106). The pilot tone system comprises a radio frequency system (108) comprising multiple transmit channels (110) and multiple receive channels (112). The multiple transmit channels are configured for each transmitting unique pilot tone (132) signals via multiple transmit coils. The multiple receive channels are configured for receiving multi-channel pilot tone data (134) via multiple receive coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Gunther Leussler, Christian Findeklee, Jan Jakob Meineke, Peter Vernickel, Peter Koken