Patents by Inventor Ralf Nanke

Ralf Nanke 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: 20180296177
    Abstract: Embodiments of a medical imaging device and a method controlling one or more parameters of a medical imaging device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes receiving image data representing a first image of an object to be imaged using the radiation source and detecting a plurality of positions of respective predetermined features in the first image. Based upon the detected positions, a boundary of an imaging area of the object to be imaged is determined. Based on the determined boundary, one or more parameters of the radiation source unit are controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Yao-jen CHANG, Terrence CHEN, Birgi TAMERSOY, Vivek Kumar SINGH, Susanne OEPPING, Ralf NANKE
  • Publication number: 20180296178
    Abstract: An automation method is disclosed for an X-ray tube scanner having an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. The method allows the X-ray tube scanner to detect the X-ray detector's plane with an object to be imaged placed on the X-ray detector; determine a boundary box of the object to be imaged on the X-ray detector; determine the object's center position and orientation on the X-ray detector's plane; transfer the object's center position from the object's coordinate system to the X-ray tube's coordinate system; and estimate the X-ray tube control parameters for aligning the X-ray field emitted from the X-ray tube's collimator to the object's center position and the object's orientation on the X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Yao-jen Chang, Birgi Tamersoy, Susanne Oepping, Ralf Nanke, Terrence Chen
  • Publication number: 20180279981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile C-arm system (C1), at least comprising at least three wheels, at least two wheels each having an electric motor, wherein the electric motor has a stator (S) and a rotor (R), the stator (S) being connected to a wheel suspension (T) of the wheel and the rotor (R) being surrounded peripherally by a running wheel (L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Jens Fehre, Alexander Gemmel, Andreas Limmer, Ralf Nanke
  • Publication number: 20180235566
    Abstract: A method and a system for automatically aligning a positionable X-ray source of an X-ray system in alignment with a mobile X-ray detector is disclosed where the X-ray system detects the position of the mobile X-ray detector using a 3D camera and then driving the positionable X-ray source to a position in alignment with the mobile X-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Birgi Tamersoy, Vivek Kumar Singh, Yao-jen Chang, Susanne Dornberger, Ralf Nanke, Terrence Chen
  • Publication number: 20180220989
    Abstract: A positioning device for a mobile x-ray detector, an x-ray device containing such a mobile positioning device, and a method mutually align a mobile x-ray detector and an x-ray emitter in relation to one another. In order to enable exact mutual alignment or positioning of the mobile x-ray detector in relation to the x-ray emitter, a positioning device is used for a mobile x-ray detector. The positioning device contains at least one marker and/or at least one sensor for determining the position and/or the orientation of the positioning device and contains a number of connection elements for establishing a mechanical connection between the positioning device and the mobile x-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: ANDREAS DEINLEIN, THOMAS DIPPL, SUSANNE DORNBERGER, MICHAEL FUHRMANN, SULTAN HAIDER, RALF NANKE
  • Patent number: 9901312
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Hoheisel, Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke, Marcus Radicke
  • Patent number: 9895131
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for X-ray tube scanner automation using a 3D camera is disclosed. An RGBD image of a patient on a patient table is received from a 3D camera mounted on an X-ray tube. A transformation between a coordinate system of the 3D camera and a coordinate system of the patient table is calculated. A patient model is estimated from the RGBD image of the patient. The X-ray tube is automatically controlled to acquire an X-ray image of a region of interest of the patient based on the patient model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Yao-Jen Chang, Vivek Kumar Singh, Kai Ma, Ralf Nanke, Susanne Dornberger, Terrence Chen
  • Publication number: 20170360394
    Abstract: A positioning device for a mobile x-ray detector, an x-ray device containing such a mobile positioning device, and a method mutually align a mobile x-ray detector and an x-ray emitter in relation to one another. In order to enable exact mutual alignment or positioning of the mobile x-ray detector in relation to the x-ray emitter, a positioning device is used for a mobile x-ray detector. The positioning device contains at least one marker and/or at least one sensor for determining the position and/or the orientation of the positioning device and contains a number of connection elements for establishing a mechanical connection between the positioning device and the mobile x-ray detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: ANDREAS DEINLEIN, THOMAS DIPPL, SUSANNE DORNBERGER, MICHAEL FUHRMANN, SULTAN HAIDER, RALF NANKE
  • Patent number: 9833204
    Abstract: In a compression unit of a mammography apparatus, a breast is compressed between a first compression plane and a second compression plane. At least one of the first and second compression planes is formed by a fabric. The compression unit allows a breast to be maintained in a fixed, compressed state while acquiring an x-ray image of the compressed breast and the compressed state is maintained for subsequently acquiring an ultrasound image of the compressed breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Nanke, Marcus Radicke, Robert Standar, Ulf Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9706629
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus is configured with a C-arm frame. At one end of the C-arm frame an x-ray source is arranged and at the other end of which a detector for recording radiation emitted by the x-ray source is arranged. A voltage generator is provided for supplying a voltage to the x-ray source. At least one component of the voltage generator and the x-ray source are arranged separately from one another. The at least one component of the voltage generator is positioned at the same end of the C-arm frame at which the detector is arranged, as a result of which a weight equalization can be implemented in a simpler manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Fehre, Udo Heinze, Ralf Nanke
  • Publication number: 20170135667
    Abstract: A method for positioning an emitter relative to a detector includes determining the position of the detector relative to the emitter, changing the position of the detector and measuring the change in position using a measuring device located in the detector. Data related to the change in position of the detector is then supplied to a device for positioning the emitter, and the position of the emitter is changed in accordance with the data. An image capture device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: ANNE-KATRIN BECKER, STEFFEN BENNDORF, FRANZISKA DINSE, SUSANNE DORNBERGER, MICHAEL FUHRMANN, PHILIP HAFNER, SULTAN HAIDER, RALF NANKE, SABINE SCHAEFFER-KUNDLER
  • Publication number: 20170100089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for X-ray tube scanner automation using a 3D camera is disclosed. An RGBD image of a patient on a patient table is received from a 3D camera mounted on an X-ray tube. A transformation between a coordinate system of the 3D camera and a coordinate system of the patient table is calculated. A patient model is estimated from the RGBD image of the patient. The X-ray tube is automatically controlled to acquire an X-ray image of a region of interest of the patient based on the patient model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Yao-Jen Chang, Vivek Kumar Singh, Kai Ma, Ralf Nanke, Susanne Dornberger, Terrence Chen
  • Patent number: 9521994
    Abstract: In a method for image guided prostate cancer needle biopsy, a first registration is performed to match a first image of a prostate to a second image of the prostate. Third images of the prostate are acquired and compounded into a three-dimensional (3D) image. The prostate in the compounded 3D image is segmented to show its border. A second registration and then a third registration different from the second registration is performed on distance maps generated from the prostate borders of the first image and the compounded 3D image, wherein the first and second registrations are based on a biomechanical property of the prostate. A region of interest in the first image is mapped to the compounded 3D image or a fourth image of the prostate acquired with the second modality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Ali Kamen, Wolfgang Wein, Parmeshwar Khurd, Mamadou Diallo, Ralf Nanke, Jens Fehre, Berthold Kiefer, Martin Requardt, Clifford Weiss
  • Patent number: 9392989
    Abstract: In a mammography apparatus, a deflection of an x-ray source aligned on a radiation detector is predetermined depending on the size of a breast compressed in the compression unit and/or the density of the breast tissue. Given an increasing deflection on an arc-shaped trajectory of the x-ray source, the compression of the breast is reduced at least once so that the path of the x-rays through the breast stays within a predetermined path length, starting from a first compression in a first x-ray acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Susanne Dornberger, Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke
  • Publication number: 20160183892
    Abstract: A first x-ray image is acquired at a predetermined position of a focal point and with a first orientation of an x-ray tube of an x-ray device. Subsequently, the x-ray tube is adjusted by rotating about a predetermined angle and by positioning, wherein the focal point is situated in the predetermined position prior to the adjustment and after the adjustment. After the adjustment, the x-ray tube is situated in a second orientation. Subsequently, a second x-ray image is acquired at the predetermined position and with the second orientation. A combined x-ray image from at least the first and second x-ray image is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: VOLKER BIERMANN, FRANK DENNERLEIN, MICHAEL FUHRMANN, RAINER GRAUMANN, ANNA JEREBKO, THOMAS MERTELMEIER, RALF NANKE, THOMAS SCHMITT
  • Patent number: 9282942
    Abstract: In this device and the associated method, a connection unit that can be attached to an arm bearing an x-ray source and an x-ray receiver is fashioned such that said connection unit compensates for a pivot movement of the arm so that a compression unit arranged at the connection unit remains stationary during a pivot movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke
  • Patent number: 9232885
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for detecting tumorous cell tissue in a gastrointestinal tract, electromagnetic radiation is emitted in a locally defined manner from an endoscope onto cell tissue and, after deactivation of the radiation, the decay of the inherent fluorescence intensity of the irradiated cell tissue, excited by the electromagnetic radiation, is detected, with temporal and spectral resolution and with a known scanning rate for at least one wavelength. From the intensity measurement values obtained in this manner, the difference autocorrelation function of the intensity decay is determined, from which a fractal dimension for the irradiated cell tissue is determined. The value of the fractal dimension is used to classify the irradiated cell tissue as to a degree to which the cell tissue is tumorous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Fehre, Ralf Nanke
  • Publication number: 20150351706
    Abstract: In a compression unit of a mammography apparatus, a breast is compressed between a first compression plane and a second compression plane. At least one of the first and second compression planes is formed by a fabric. The compression unit allows a breast to be maintained in a fixed, compressed state while acquiring an x-ray image of the compressed breast and the compressed state is maintained for subsequently acquiring an ultrasound image of the compressed breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ralf NANKE, Marcus RADICKE, Robert STANDAR, Ulf ZIMMERMANN
  • Publication number: 20150319831
    Abstract: An x-ray apparatus is configured with a C-arm frame. At one end of the C-arm frame an x-ray source is arranged and at the other end of which a detector for recording radiation emitted by the x-ray source is arranged. A voltage generator is provided for supplying a voltage to the x-ray source. At least one component of the voltage generator and the x-ray source are arranged separately from one another. The at least one component of the voltage generator is positioned at the same end of the C-arm frame at which the detector is arranged, as a result of which a weight equalization can be implemented in a simpler manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: JENS FEHRE, UDO HEINZE, RALF NANKE
  • Patent number: 9162080
    Abstract: In a system and method for x-ray brachytherapy, a probe is introduced into the body of a subject, the probe carrying an x-ray source that radiates x-rays into an exposure area outside of the probe within the body of the subject. A number of markers are located in or on the probe, that are detectable in an image generated by an imaging device. The markers are located in or on the probe in a known spatial relation to the exposure area, so that the position of the exposure area can be determined by identifying the markers in the displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Fehre, Bernd Granz, Markus Lanski, Ralf Nanke