Patents by Inventor Rainer Raupach

Rainer Raupach 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: 20120039518
    Abstract: The method includes a weighted highpass filtering of the image data takes place here, with the weighting taking account, image element by image element, of an image noise on the respective image element in different directions such that increasing noise results in a stronger highpass effect. A noise-reducing smoothing of the image data takes place using the weighted highpass filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach, Johan Sunnegardh
  • Publication number: 20110317901
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the reconstruction of picture data of a moving object under examination from measurement, with the measurement data having been recorded beforehand for a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, first picture data is computed from a complete measurement dataset of the measurement data for a picture reconstruction, and second picture data is computed from an incomplete measurement dataset for a computed tomography picture reconstruction. The first picture data and the second picture data are combined into third picture data, with the combination being computed using location-dependent movement information of the object under examination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Allmendinger, Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Harald SchÖndube, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 8081732
    Abstract: A multi-emitter computed tomography scanner is disclosed, including a plurality of x-ray emitter/detector arrangement pairs arranged offset at an angle to one another. In at least one embodiment, the detector arrangements of the pairs are designed to be energy selective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20110293160
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measured data, wherein the measured data was captured previously during a relative rotary motion between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment, the measured data is modified to achieve a particular grayscale characteristic of the image data to be reconstructed. The image data is calculated by way of an iterative algorithm using the modified measured data, wherein no arithmetic step for reducing noise is employed in the iterations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Martin Petersilka, Rainer Raupach, Karl Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20110293159
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstruction of image data of an object under examination from measurement data, with the measurement data having been captured during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, first image data is computed by the measurement data being modified to obtain a specific gray value characteristic of the first image data to be reconstructed and the first image data is computed by way of an iterative algorithm using the modified measurement data. Second image data is also computed by a series of chronologically-consecutive images being reconstructed and processing being carried out on the series of images to reduce temporal noise. Finally a combination of the first and the second image data is carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20110280458
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for the reduction of image artifacts, in particular metal artifacts, during the generation of computed tomography image data of an object. In at least one embodiment of the method, two CT image data sets are generated with different medium x-ray energies. By way of a weighted combination of the two CT image data sets, a new image data set is calculated. The weighting factor employed in the weighted combination is here selected in such a way that the image artifacts in the new CT image data set are significantly reduced compared with the image artifacts in the two original CT image data sets. In this way it is possible in a simple manner significantly to reduce in particular metal artifacts in CT images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Krauss, Rainer Raupach, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20110188723
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from measured data, wherein the measured data was acquired in the course of a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject. A limited area between the radiation source and a detector represents a field of view in respect of which measured data can be acquired, and parts of the examination subject were located at least temporarily outside the field of view in the course of the measured data acquisition. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed from the measured data, and a boundary of the examination subject is determined with the aid of the first image data. The first image data is subsequently modified using the determined boundary, and projection data is calculated from the modified first image data. The measured data is modified using the projection data, and finally second image data is reconstructed from the modified measured data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Patent number: 7970097
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing tomographic images relating to different movement phases of a periodically moving object with the use of a tomography unit that includes a recording system that is arranged rotatably about a z-axis of the tomography unit, the recording system including an X-ray tube to which a tube current can be applied and a detector (17, 18) for acquiring projections. In at least one embodiment, the recording system is initially positioned relative to the object at a first z-position, and projections are acquired from a multiplicity of different projection dimensions at this z-position, in a fashion triggered by a movement signal representing the movement of the object, projections relating to a first movement phase of the object being acquired in a prospectively defined first time window and projections relating to at least a second movement phase of the object being acquired in a prospectively defined second time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach
  • Patent number: 7940884
    Abstract: A method and an image reconstruction device are disclosed for reconstructing image data on the basis of input projection data obtained via an X-ray computerized tomography system. A target convolutional kernel is selected, which, when reconstructing image data from the input projection data using simple filtered back projection, would lead to target image characteristics. Image data is then reconstructed using an iterative reconstruction method of at least one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer, John Sunnegårdh
  • Patent number: 7924970
    Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for generating a CT image with a high time resolution using a computed tomography scanner which has at least two recording systems which are operated at different X-ray energy spectra. In at least one embodiment of the process, CT images are firstly reconstructed in each case from a semi-rotation with the two recording systems, with irradiated lengths of the contrast agent-enriched structures and the soft tissue being calculated therefrom. Subsequently, a common X-ray energy is assumed and artificial measurement data records are calculated therefor, using the knowledge of the irradiated lengths for both recording systems at the same common X-ray energy. The artificial measurement data of respectively a quarter-rotation per recording system is then used to calculate the final CT image with a high time resolution. The method affords the use of dual-energy scans without losing the high time resolution available in dual-source systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20110064292
    Abstract: A method for enhancing a virtual non-contrast image, includes receiving a pair of dual scan CT images and calculating a virtual non-contrast image from the pair of CT images using known tissue attenuation coefficients. A conditional probability distribution is estimated for tissue at first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being the same type. A conditional probability distribution for tissue is estimated at the first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being of different types. An a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type is calculated from the conditional probability distributions, and an enhanced virtual non-contrast image is calculated using the a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Yunqiang Chen, Tong Fang, Bernhard Schmidt, Rainer Raupach
  • Publication number: 20110052030
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstruction of image data of an examination object from measured data, wherein the measured data was captured during a relative rotational motion between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. Image data of the examination object is determined from the measured data. In at least one embodiment, new image data is obtained by noise-reducing processing of the image data, in which weighted high-pass filtering of the image data is performed, the weighting taking account of differences between pixel values of different pixels such that increasing differences result in a weaker high-pass effect. A noise-reducing smoothing of the image data is performed using the weighted high-pass filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Herbert BRUDER, Rainer RAUPACH
  • Publication number: 20110033097
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of a moving examination object from measurement data, wherein the measurement data was captured in the course of a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment of the method, a first image of the examination object is calculated from a complete measurement data record of the measurement data for an image reconstruction and a second image of the examination object is calculated from an incomplete measurement data record of the measurement data for an image reconstruction. Frequency splitting of the first and second images takes place respectively in at least one low-frequency and one higher-frequency component and the image data of the second image is supplemented in the low-frequency component with image data of the low-frequency component of the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20110007956
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measurement data, wherein the measurement data was captured as projection data during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. In at least one embodiment, a first image is determined from the measurement data and pixel values of the first image are modified, by classifying the pixel values in at least three classes, a class pixel value being assigned to each class, and the pixels of the first image being allocated the respective class pixel value. Projection data is calculated from the thus modified first image. The calculated projection data is used to normalize the measured projection data. Values are modified in the normalized projection data and the thus modified normalized projection data is subjected to a processing that reverses normalization. Finally a second image is determined from the thus processed projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Esther Meyer, Rainer Raupach
  • Patent number: 7860209
    Abstract: A method is described for imaging an organ in a human or animal body via a computed tomography system having an X-ray radiation source which rotates around the body along a circumferential ring. In at least one embodiment, the circumferential ring in each case is fixed in one position for recording of an image data segment on one slice plane during one revolution of the X-ray radiation source relative to the body, and the X-ray radiation source is triggered by a cycle signal which represents a movement cycle of the organ and is activated for a limited measurement time interval. In at least one embodiment, the circumferential ring is moved sequentially to further positions relative to the body between each of the recordings, in order to record image data on further slice planes. In at least one embodiment, the timing and duration of the measurement time interval for an image data segment to be recorded are dynamically matched to a structure of the cycle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach
  • Patent number: 7856078
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating computed tomography displays, in which with the aid of at least one X-ray source, an examination object is scanned in a rotationally circulating fashion with a measured dose rate dependent on the circulation angle, projection data are collected from a multiplicity of viewing angles, and at least similarly redundant projection data from angularly identical or angularly complementary projection angles with a different measured dose are interpolated with distance weighted relative to a projection value and are used for reconstruction. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, during the distance weighted interpolation of the at least similarly redundant projection data an additional noise optimizing weighting is carried out as a function of the noise present per projection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100278411
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for processing an output image of an examination object, with the output image having been reconstructed from measuring data acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination object. An image frequency division of an output image takes place in at least a first and a second image. In at least one embodiment, the first image is changed by way of a first function, with the first function effecting a contrast intensification within the first image, and the changed first image and the second image are merged together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Bernhard Krauss, Rainer Raupach
  • Patent number: 7818046
    Abstract: In the course of an imaging method that is particularly suitable for creating an image data record of the heart and/or the blood vessels of a patient, a series of recording pulses, tuned to the cardiac rhythm, are derived from an ECG signal of the cardiac rhythm of the patient. The imaging is driven in a pulsed fashion from the series of recording pulses. In this case, an initial instant and a final instant of a future recording pulse are determined by taking account of at least one variability parameter characterizing the irregularity of the cardiac rhythm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Rainer Raupach
  • Publication number: 20100246917
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination object from measured data, the measured data being captured during a rotating movement of a radiation source of a computed tomography system around the examination object. In at least one embodiment, different iteration images of the examination object are determined successively from the measured data by way of an iterative algorithm, wherein with the iterative algorithm the current iteration image at any one time is high-pass-filtered and weighted as a function of contrast using a variable which contains contrast information relating to the current iteration image at that time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Herbert Bruder, Thomas Flohr, Rainer Raupach, Martin Sedlmair, Heinrich Wallschlager
  • Publication number: 20100246751
    Abstract: A method and an image reconstruction device are disclosed for reconstructing image data on the basis of input projection data obtained via an X-ray computerized tomography system. A target convolutional kernel is selected, which, when reconstructing image data from the input projection data using simple filtered back projection, would lead to target image characteristics. Image data is then reconstructed using an iterative reconstruction method of at least one embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Herbert BRUDER, Thomas FLOHR, Rainer RAUPACH, Karl STIERSTORFER, John SUNNEGÅRDH