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: 20080095313
    Abstract: For scattered radiation correction in dual X-ray absorptiometry it is proposed to use the additional information supplied by the attenuation images in different energy ranges in a correction image area with homogeneous attenuation coefficients in order to determine the respective scattered radiation fraction. Toward that end, the inverse of the primary radiation function is considered and a search conducted for that scatter-to-primary ratio which leads to consistent mass per unit areas for the attenuation images recorded in different energy ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Ernst-Peter Ruhrnschopf, Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20080044073
    Abstract: A sequence of groups of projection images shows an object under examination comprising a vascular system and its environment. A computer determines a 2-dimensional evaluation image having a plurality of pixels based on combination images determined from the projection images of a group. The combination images have a plurality of pixels with pixel values. The sequence of the combination images shows the time characteristic of the distribution of a contrast medium in the object. The pixels of the evaluation image correspond to those of the projection images. The computer assigns each pixel, at least in a part area of the evaluation image, a type that is characteristic of whether the respective pixel corresponds to a vessel of the vascular system, a perfusion area or a background. It performs the assignment of the type on the basis of the time characteristic of the pixel values of the combination images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Estelle Camus, Martin Hoheisel, Thomas Redel
  • Publication number: 20080019479
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an x-ray diagnostics device having an x-ray source, an x-ray image detector and an image system for generating a subtraction angiography sequence, in which a subtraction angiography sequence of low resolution individual images containing moving structures is created, registration of the individual images one with another is performed, and the images in the subtraction angiography sequence are used to compute a high resolution image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Frank Deinzer, Peter Durlak
  • Patent number: 7298882
    Abstract: A method for defining image quality characteristics of X-ray based medical projection imaging devices is provided. A spatial frequency-dependent signal-to-noise ratio function includes image quality parameters of spatial resolution, object contrast and noise. The detectability of an object embedded into a defined background, such as a cardiac guide wire in a patient is determined. An X-ray system may be defined and set up for obtaining an optimized image quality to determine the best object detectability for a given patient dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Lothar Bätz, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf, Martin Hoheisel
  • Patent number: 7298823
    Abstract: A method and a suitable x-ray device (1) for carrying out the method are specified for effective and operationally simplified user-specific optimization of a parameter configuration (K) of an x-ray device (1), said configuration comprising at least one recording parameter (U,I,t,F). It is accordingly provided that a user (20) is shown a plurality of reference images (V,V1) for different reference parameter sets (PV) from a reference memory (21) in which are stored a large number of reference images (V,V0) each with an associated reference parameter set (PV), that for each reference image (V,V1) shown the user (20) submits an assessment (BM) of the image quality (V,V1), and that on the basis of the submitted assessments (BM) an optimized parameter configuration (K) is created from the reference parameter sets (PV) of the reference images (V,V1) shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Marcus Pfister, Rudolf Sollacher, Volker Tresp
  • Publication number: 20070242795
    Abstract: In a method for performing recordings for dual absorptiometry, a high-energy radiation pulse is performed before a low-energy radiation pulse. Furthermore the high-energy radiation pulse is arranged at the end of an assigned radiation window of the detector. This temporal sequence of a high-energy radiation pulse and a low-energy radiation pulse allows the total time for performing the recordings for dual absorptiometry to be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20070217573
    Abstract: In recording projection images for dual absorptiometry, the optical thickness of an object being examined is determined on the basis of a projection image recorded in a high-energy range, and parameters for recording a projection image in the low-energy range are selected as a function of the determined optical thickness. The ratio between image quality and the radiation dosage of the object being examined can be optimized thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 7260169
    Abstract: A device and a method for the multispectral correction of radiation hardening in computer tomography with variable tube voltage is described. In particular, a water correction and a post-reconstructive hardening correction is disclosed. To perform the water correction, project image data is corrected, in that correction values are obtained from a previously determined correction table, by means of which a correction of the projection image data can be performed. By means of an image reconstruction, this produces a corrected volumetric image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Jan Boese, Ernst Peter Rührnschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Publication number: 20060291613
    Abstract: A computer dismantles a two-dimensional initial image into partial images containing components that vary locally with partial image frequencies and a residual image containing a direct component which is locally invariable. For each partial image and residual image the computer determines a weighting factor and sums the weighted images into a final image. Based on a comparison of the partial image frequencies with a target frequency, the computer determines a partial image as a pilot image and its frequency as a pilot frequency. The computer determines weighting factors of the partial images so that partial images whose frequencies are below the pilot frequency are weighted less than the pilot image, and partial images whose frequencies are above the pilot frequency makes a large contribution when the noise component in the initial image is small and a small contribution when the noise component in the initial image is large.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Markus Lendl
  • Publication number: 20060285630
    Abstract: A device and a method for the multispectral correction of radiation hardening in computer tomography with variable tube voltage is described. In particular, a water correction and a post-reconstructive hardening correction is disclosed. To perform the water correction, project image data is corrected, in that correction values are obtained from a previously determined correction table, by means of which a correction of the projection image data can be performed. By means of an image reconstruction, this produces a corrected volumetric image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Jan Boese, Ernst Rohrnschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Publication number: 20060274888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical imaging system as well as a collision protection method for such a system. In this system the movement of a moveable part, e.g. a C-arm, is stopped or slowed down, if the part enters an individual protective zone enclosing the patient. This zone is calculated individually for each patient from the surface of the patient detected by an optical sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Jan Boese, Marcus Pfister, Norbert Rahn
  • Publication number: 20060262894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for “truncation correction” in an x-ray system, i.e. a correction method during the reconstruction of projection images of an object recorded from different projection angles, if parts of the object do not lie in the field of view of each projection image. The surface of the object is thereby optically detected and used during the reconstruction of projection images to supplement the missing image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Jan Boese, Marcus Pfister, Norbert Rahn
  • Publication number: 20060251213
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for presetting the imaging parameters during the generation of two-dimensional fluoroscopic x-ray images of a patient, wherein the optimally necessary dose for the fluoroscopic x-ray image is determined with the aid of a 3D representation, already present from prior examinations, of the internal structure of the patient and the intended imaging direction and this dose is used for the exposure of the fluoroscopic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Marcus Pfister
  • Publication number: 20060245538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an x-ray examination unit for analyzing and representing x-ray projection images with an x-ray examination unit, where the function relation bU=ƒU?1(J˜/J0) is established between the attenuation value and a material-equivalent value as a function of the energy spectrum used, and for the purposes of projection representation, the magnitude of the material-equivalent value bU of a specific material is represented as an image value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Friedrich Koch, Martin Kolarjk, Ernst Ruhrnschopf, Helmuth Schramm
  • Publication number: 20060233304
    Abstract: With a method for controlling the dose or dose rate when recording x-ray images by means of a detector comprising image elements which record a plurality of dose data values, an actual value is determined for the dose or dose rate from the totality of the data values recorded by the image elements of a predetermined image segment, said actual value being compared with a predetermined target value in order to control the dose or dose rate when recording a further x-ray image. In accordance with the invention, the actual value is determined such that on the basis of a frequency distribution of the dose data values of the image elements assigned to the dominant, a p-quantile is determined, and that the dose data value assigned to the p-quantile is used to determine the actual value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Stefan Bohm, Bernhard Geiger
  • Publication number: 20060182227
    Abstract: Radiation image capture apparatus, in particular x-ray apparatus, comprising a radiation source and a radiation receptor, between which an examination object is to be positioned for image capture, a laterally closed apron-like radiation absorption apparatus which can be moved in the direction of the examination object to absorb scattered radiation emitted by the examination object being pro-vided at the radiation source at the radiation receptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventor: Philipp Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20060182221
    Abstract: The invention relates to an x-ray diagnostics device having an x-ray tube for generating x-rays operated by a high voltage generator, having an x-ray detector for converting incident x-rays into electrical signals, having an image processing system and a control device for the duration of the x-ray pulse, in which parameters of the x-ray diagnostics device can be adjusted, with a computing unit being assigned to the control device, said computing unit determining the spatial frequency-dependent signal-to-noise ratio on the basis of the parameters and calculating therefrom the duration of the x-ray pulse and/or the remaining parameters required for a recording. The invention further relates to a method of this type for controlling the x-ray diagnostics device, in which the duration of the x-ray pulse is controlled such that the recognizability of relevant, moved objects is maximal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Hoheisel
  • Publication number: 20060182322
    Abstract: A method for defining image quality characteristics of X-ray based medical projection imaging devices is provided. A spatial frequency-dependent signal-to-noise ratio function includes image quality parameters of spatial resolution, object contrast and noise. The detectability of an object embedded into a defined background, such as a cardiac guide wire in a patient is determined. An X-ray system may be defined and set up for obtaining an optimized image quality to determine the best object detectability for a given patient dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Lothar Batz, Ernst-Peter Ruhrnschopf, Martin Hoheisel
  • Publication number: 20060002513
    Abstract: A method and a suitable x-ray device (1) for carrying out the method are specified for effective and operationally simplified user-specific optimization of a parameter configuration (K) of an x-ray device (1), said configuration comprising at least one recording parameter (U,I,t,F). It is accordingly provided that a user (20) is shown a plurality of reference images (V, V1) for different reference parameter sets (PV) from a reference memory (21) in which are stored a large number of reference images (V, V0) each with an associated reference parameter set (PV), that for each reference image (V, V1) shown the user (20) submits an assessment (BM) of the image quality (V, V1), and that on the basis of the submitted assessments (BM) an optimized parameter configuration (K) is created from the reference parameter sets (PV) of the reference images (V, V1) shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Marcus Pfister, Rudolf Sollacher, Volker Tresp
  • Publication number: 20050286681
    Abstract: An x-ray diagnostics method is specified, in particular for use in angiography and cardiology, by means of which a particularly good image quality can be achieved in an easily manageable manner for the patient (P) and the medical personnel, at the same time as a comparatively low radiation exposure. Furthermore, a specific x-ray device (1) for implementing the method comprising an x-ray emitter (2), an x-ray detector (3) and a control unit (10) is specified to control the x-ray emitter (2). In this way the control unit (10) is allocated an operating element (15), by means of which a control parameter (S) characterizing the image quality, the detector input dose or the contrast noise ratio can be continuously varied, as a function of which a number of recording parameters (U,I,t,F) are set by means of the control device (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Michael Maschke