Patents by Inventor Philipp Bernhardt

Philipp Bernhardt 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).

  • Publication number: 20150031986
    Abstract: A medical instrument is provided for use with a phase contrast imaging. The medical instrument includes at least one component, which has a strong small angle scattering of x-rays. Furthermore, a corresponding x-ray recording system with phase contrast imaging for recording an examination object may include such a medical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Hoheisel, Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke, Marcus Radicke
  • Patent number: 8908826
    Abstract: A method for stereoscopic x-ray imaging by a stereoscopic x-ray tube and by an x-ray radiation detector is provided. The x-ray radiation detector has a buffer. The stereoscopic x-ray tube has two x-ray beam sources disposed a short distance from one another. 2D image datasets are acquired at relatively short intervals one after the other, which have good quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Spahn
  • Publication number: 20140294148
    Abstract: An x-ray recording system is disclosed for x-ray imaging of an object under examination by way of direct measurement of an interference pattern, especially for differential, real-time capable phase-contrast imaging. In at least one embodiment, the system includes with at least one x-ray emitter for creating quasi-coherent x-ray radiation; an x-ray image detector, including a detector layer and detector pixels arranged in a matrix; and a diffraction or phase grating, disposed between the object under examination and the x-ray image detector, configured to create an interference pattern, directly detectable in the nth Talbot order by an x-ray image detector with a very high achievable local resolution, which amounts to at least half the wavelength of the interference pattern in accordance with the Nyquist theory arising in the nth Talbot order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Philipp BERNHARDT, Martin SPAHN
  • Patent number: 8724773
    Abstract: To improve the quality of x-ray images, IN a method to process an x-ray image, a mathematical correction of the x-ray image is implemented, wherein the correction at least partially removes from the x-ray image the locally dependent blurring caused by a projection direction-dependent, effective optical focus size of an x-ray tube used to acquire the x-ray image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oliver Baruth, Philipp Bernhardt, Richard Obler
  • Patent number: 8681941
    Abstract: A method for visualizing a dose of X-ray radiation applied to a surface of a patient in a defined time period by an X-ray apparatus is proposed. The X-ray apparatus is adjustable to different angular positions. A model of the surface of the patient is provided. The dose of X-ray radiation applied to the surface of the patient in the defined time period is calculated. The model and the calculated dose on the model is visualized. The visualization of the model and the calculated dose on the model is effected in an angular position coupled to the angular position in which the X-ray apparatus is currently disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Knierim
  • Publication number: 20130301807
    Abstract: An adaptive X-ray filter for varying a local intensity of X-ray radiation includes a first chamber containing a magnetorheological or electrorheological first liquid, a second chamber containing a second liquid that absorbs X-ray radiation, and a flexible membrane that separates the first chamber from the second chamber. Using the flexible membrane, a layer thickness ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid may be varied. A heating apparatus that heats the second liquid is arranged in the adaptive X-ray filter. The second liquid is a liquid metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Hans Liegl, Reiner Franz Schulz
  • Patent number: 8542795
    Abstract: An X-ray radiation detector (100) consists of an arrangement with photodetector elements (12) and a scintillator layer (14) on the same. It is assumed in an exemplary fashion that the scintillator layer (14) subjects an input signal, which describes an object to be imaged, to a convolution with a modulation transfer function. The effect of this can be cancelled, particularly by obtaining a test X-ray image in advance, with the aid of which this modulation transfer function, or a similar variable providing information on the modulation transfer function, is established. If use is made of photodetectors that are based on CMOS technology, use can be made of a particularly thick scintillator layer made of gadolinium oxysulfide, which absorbs a particularly large amount of X-ray radiation. High-contrast X-ray images are obtained in this fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8537970
    Abstract: For a quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation with high radiation intensity, an x-ray radiator generates quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation to expose a subject from a point-shaped radiation source that emits a polychromatic x-ray radiation, and having a diffraction device to diffract the polychromatic x-ray radiation. The diffraction device has a super-mirror made of crystalline material with a flat surface. In the super-mirror, the crystalline material has at least one (in particular continuous) variation of the lattice plane spacing of the crystal lattice. The radiation source and the diffraction device are arranged such that quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation is generated from the polychromatic x-ray radiation by partial reflection at the super-mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20130216021
    Abstract: A method for stereoscopic x-ray imaging by a stereoscopic x-ray tube and by an x-ray radiation detector is provided. The x-ray radiation detector has a buffer. The stereoscopic x-ray tube has two x-ray beam sources disposed a short distance from one another. 2D image datasets are acquired at relatively short intervals one after the other, which have good quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Philipp BERNHARDT, Martin SPAHN
  • Publication number: 20120314839
    Abstract: A buffer on detector elements of an X-ray radiation detector can be used, when acquiring a number of 2D X-ray image data records with the aid of an X-ray angiography system, to acquire 2D image data records at a relatively short interval one after the other with the aid of different X-ray spectra, to allow dual-energy imaging, which may be of particularly good quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Spahn
  • Publication number: 20120300905
    Abstract: A method to optimally set a position of a form filter in an x-ray image recording apparatus is proposed. The x-ray image recording apparatus has an x-ray radiation source and an x-ray radiation detector. An x-ray image is firstly recorded in a first position of the form filter. A new position of the filter is then calculated and automatically set with the aid of the x-ray image. A new x-ray image is then recorded. With a minimal dose of a patient, the method enables low contrast images to be recorded for a minimal main dose of the patient, in particular in a sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Stefan BÖHM, Richard OBLER
  • Patent number: 8270571
    Abstract: A radiation source for a radiation-based image acquisition device has an electron emitter to generate a focal spot for x-ray generation at a rotating anode. An arrangement is provided to generate an asymmetrical power input profile of the focal spot parallel to the movement direction of the rotating anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Matthias Seufert
  • Publication number: 20120223239
    Abstract: A radiation detector, in particular an X-ray radiation detector, in the form of a flat-panel detector, may comprise a scintillator layer applied to a substrate and comprising elongated needles made from a scintillator material forming the scintillator layer, and an actively readable pixel array composed of photodiodes, wherein the thickness of the scintillator layer may be in the range of 900 ?m-2500 ?m, and wherein the angle at which the needles stand relative to the pixel array, starting from 90° in the center of the detector, may decrease with increasing distance from the center of the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 8213574
    Abstract: A method for operating an x-ray image recording device having a movable x-ray detector on an-x-ray c-arm is provided. The x-ray C-arm supports an x-ray source and the x-ray detector which can be moved in the direction of the x-ray source. A variable is calculated which specifies the image quality of an x-ray image to be obtained in a position of the x-ray C-arm in a position of the x-ray detector and/or specifies the exposure dose of an operating person. A measure is taken as a function of the variable which results in a movement of the x-ray detector by the operating person and/or by an automatic movement. X-ray images are recorded in positions of the x-ray detector in which the image quality and/or the exposure dose of an operating person are optimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rosemarie Banckwitz, Philipp Bernhardt, Johannes Rieber
  • Patent number: 8199162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for increasing contrast in medical images generated by an imaging system featuring an x-ray source and a detector. The detector detects x-rays of the x-ray source and converts image signals from the x-rays. The image signals are transferred to a control and processing unit for processing. Deconvolution of the image signals is carried out by application of an inverse modulation transfer function modified by a regularization. At least a volume image can be reconstructed from the deconvolved image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Bernhard Scholz
  • Publication number: 20110317815
    Abstract: A method for visualizing a dose of X-ray radiation applied to a surface of a patient in a defined time period by an X-ray apparatus is proposed. The X-ray apparatus is adjustable to different angular positions. A model of the surface of the patient is provided. The dose of X-ray radiation applied to the surface of the patient in the defined time period is calculated. The model and the calculated dose on the model is visualized. The visualization of the model and the calculated dose on the model is effected in an angular position coupled to the angular position in which the X-ray apparatus is currently disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Knierim
  • Publication number: 20110299658
    Abstract: For a quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation with high radiation intensity, an x-ray radiator generates quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation to expose a subject from a point-shaped radiation source that emits a polychromatic x-ray radiation, and having a diffraction device to diffract the polychromatic x-ray radiation. The diffraction device has a super-mirror made of crystalline material with a flat surface. In the super-mirror, the crystalline material has at least one (in particular continuous) variation of the lattice plane spacing of the crystal lattice. The radiation source and the diffraction device are arranged such that quasi-monochromatic x-ray radiation is generated from the polychromatic x-ray radiation by partial reflection at the super-mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20110280370
    Abstract: An X-ray radiation detector (100) consists of an arrangement with photodetector elements (12) and a scintillator layer (14) on the same. It is assumed in an exemplary fashion that the scintillator layer (14) subjects an input signal, which describes an object to be imaged, to a convolution with a modulation transfer function. The effect of this can be cancelled, particularly by obtaining a test X-ray image in advance, with the aid of which this modulation transfer function, or a similar variable providing information on the modulation transfer function, is established. If use is made of photodetectors that are based on CMOS technology, use can be made of a particularly thick scintillator layer made of gadolinium oxysulfide, which absorbs a particularly large amount of X-ray radiation. High-contrast X-ray images are obtained in this fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20110274245
    Abstract: To improve the quality of x-ray images, IN a method to process an x-ray image, a mathematical correction of the x-ray image is implemented, wherein the correction at least partially removes from the x-ray image the locally dependent blurring caused by a projection direction-dependent, effective optical focus size of an x-ray tube used to acquire the x-ray image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Oliver Baruth, Philipp Bernhardt, Richard Obler
  • Patent number: 8041096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for creating scatter-corrected mass density image in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mass density image is created using additional information provided by attenuation images at different energy levels in an inhomogeneous correction image area. A multi-dimensional mass density is found that is consistent for a plurality of the attenuation images by inverting a primary radiation function. A scatter fraction is determined on the basis of the multi-dimensional mass density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf