Patents by Inventor Randall Kroeker

Randall Kroeker 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: 11353534
    Abstract: A method for acquiring a magnetic resonance data set of an object under examination by a magnetic resonance system using a scan sequence is provided. The scan sequence includes a succession of sequence blocks, and in each sequence block, there is at least one sub-block including an excitation section and/or a detection section. An excitation section includes at least one excitation pulse, and in a detection section, an echo signal or an echo train is acquired as a scan signal. At least one item of motion information is provided for each sub-block. The motion information contains information about a movement of the object under examination within a duration of the sub-block. Some of the sub-blocks are automatically repeated. At least the sub-blocks having motion information that exceeds a threshold value are repeated. The threshold value defines a motion amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Nicolas Splitthoff, Tobias Kober, Randall Kroeker, Daniel Przioda, Dominik Paul
  • Publication number: 20210325501
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for correcting a movement of an object occurring during an MR image acquisition. The method includes: determining a motion model describing possible movements of the object based on a defined number of degrees of freedom; detecting a motion of a marker provided on the object with a motion sensor; determining a description of the motion model in a common coordinate system; determining the motion of the marker in the common coordinate system; determining a first motion of the object in the common coordinate system using the description of the motion model, the first motion being the motion that best matches the determined motion of the marker in the common coordinate system using the defined number of degrees of freedom; and correcting the movement of the object based on the determined first motion in order to determine at least one motion corrected MR image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Randall Kroeker, Daniel Przioda, Michael Roas-Löffler, Wilfried Schnell, Daniel Nicolas Splitthoff
  • Publication number: 20210149006
    Abstract: A method for acquiring a magnetic resonance data set of an object under examination by a magnetic resonance system using a scan sequence is provided. The scan sequence includes a succession of sequence blocks, and in each sequence block, there is at least one sub-block including an excitation section and/or a detection section. An excitation section includes at least one excitation pulse, and in a detection section, an echo signal or an echo train is acquired as a scan signal. At least one item of motion information is provided for each sub-block. The motion information contains information about a movement of the object under examination within a duration of the sub-block. Some of the sub-blocks are automatically repeated. At least the sub-blocks having motion information that exceeds a threshold value are repeated. The threshold value defines a motion amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Nicolas Splitthoff, Tobias Kober, Randall Kroeker, Daniel Przioda, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 10197658
    Abstract: A method for using flexible triggered segmentation to optimize magnetic resonance imaging includes partitioning a k-space table into a plurality of k-space segments, each respective k-space segment comprising one or more phase-encoding steps from a plurality of slice-encoding lines. A cardiac cycle is monitored using an electrical signal tracking system and used to trigger acquisition of the plurality of k-space segments over a plurality of acquisition windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Yutaka Natsuaki, Randall Kroeker, Gerhard Laub, Peter Schmitt
  • Patent number: 9465093
    Abstract: In MR imaging of a predetermined volume segment of a living examination subject, the examination subject is stimulated with a defined stimulation pattern, MR data of the predetermined volume segment, are acquired, and MR images based on the MR data are generated that depend on the stimulation pattern. The predetermined volume segment is an internal organ or muscle tissue of the examination subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Greiser, Jens Guehring, Randall Kroeker, Edgar Mueller, Manuela Rick, Michaela Schmidt, Aurelien Stalder
  • Patent number: 9442961
    Abstract: A system orders acquisition of frequency domain components representing MR image data for storage in a storage array (e.g., k-space). A storage array of individual data elements stores corresponding individual frequency components comprising an MR dataset. The array of individual data elements has a designated center and individual data elements individually have a radius to the designated center. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in the storage array. The individual frequency components are successively acquired in an order in which radius of respective corresponding individual data elements increases and decreases as the multiple individual frequency components are sequentially acquired during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Schmitt, Gerhard Laub, Yutaka Natsuaki, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20150038829
    Abstract: A method for using flexible triggered segmentation to optimize magnetic resonance imaging includes partitioning a k-space table into a plurality of k-space segments, each respective k-space segment comprising one or more phase-encoding steps from a plurality of slice-encoding lines. A cardiac cycle is monitored using an electrical signal tracking system and used to trigger acquisition of the plurality of k-space segments over a plurality of acquisition windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yutaka Natsuaki, Randall Kroeker, Gerhard Laub, Peter Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8948484
    Abstract: A method and system for automated view planning for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is disclosed. The method and system automatically generate a full scan prescription using a single 3D MRI volume. The left ventricle (LV) is segmented in the 3D MRI volume. Cardiac landmarks are detected in the automatically prescribed slices. A full scan prescription, including a short axis stack and 2-chamber, 3-chamber, and 4-chamber views, is automatically generated based on cardiac anchors provided by the segmented left ventricle and the detected cardiac landmarks in the 3D MRI volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Siemens Corporation, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, National Institutes of Health, Siemens Canada Limited, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Lu, Jens Guehring, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Bogdan Georgescu, Carmel Hayes, Peter Speier, Michaela Schmidt, Xiaoming Bi, Randall Kroeker, Dorin Comaniciu, Edgar Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140062481
    Abstract: In MR imaging of a predetermined volume segment of a living examination subject, the examination subject is stimulated with a defined stimulation pattern, MR data of the predetermined volume segment, are acquired, and MR images based on the MR data are generated that depend on the stimulation pattern. The predetermined volume segment is an internal organ or muscle tissue of the examination subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Greiser, Jens Guehring, Randall Kroeker, Edgar Mueller, Manuela Rick, Michaela Schmidt, Aurelien Stalder
  • Publication number: 20130119990
    Abstract: A system orders acquisition of frequency domain components representing MR image data for storage in a storage array (e.g., k-space). A storage array of individual data elements stores corresponding individual frequency components comprising an MR dataset. The array of individual data elements has a designated center and individual data elements individually have a radius to the designated center. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in the storage array. The individual frequency components are successively acquired in an order in which radius of respective corresponding individual data elements increases and decreases as the multiple individual frequency components are sequentially acquired during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schmitt, Gerhard Laub, Yutaka Natsuaki, Randall Kroeker
  • Patent number: 8378678
    Abstract: A system orders acquisition of frequency domain components representing MR image data for storage in a storage array (e.g., k-space). A storage array of individual data elements stores corresponding individual frequency components comprising an MR dataset. The array of individual data elements has a designated center and individual data elements individually have a radius to the designated center. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in the storage array. The individual frequency components are successively acquired in an order in which radius of respective corresponding individual data elements increases and decreases as the multiple individual frequency components are sequentially acquired during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schmitt, Gerhard Laub, Yutaka Natsuaki, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20120121152
    Abstract: A method and system for automated view planning for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is disclosed. The method and system automatically generate a full scan prescription using a single 3D MRI volume. The left ventricle (LV) is segmented in the 3D MRI volume. Cardiac landmarks are detected in the automatically prescribed slices. A full scan prescription, including a short axis stack and 2-chamber, 3-chamber, and 4-chamber views, is automatically generated based on cardiac anchors provided by the segmented left ventricle and the detected cardiac landmarks in the 3D MRI volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Xiaoguang Lu, Jens Guehring, Marie-Pierre Jolly, Bogdan Georgescu, Carmel Hayes, Peter Speier, Michaela Schmidt, Xiaoming Bi, Randall Kroeker, Dorin Comaniciu, Edgar Mueller
  • Patent number: 7902823
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and systems associated with dynamic parallel magnetic resonance imaging (DpMRI) are presented. One example system facilitates separating data associated with a dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image from data associated with a static portion of the dynamic magnetic resonance image. The system computes reconstruction parameters for a DpMRI reconstruction processes for both the dynamic portion of the image and the static portion of the image. The example system produces a DpMRI image based on separate reconstructions of the dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image and the static portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image. The separate reconstructions may depend on separate sets of reconstruction parameters and on separated static data and dynamic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Inventors: Mark A. Griswold, Martin Blaimer, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20100205143
    Abstract: A system orders acquisition of frequency domain components representing MR image data for storage in a storage array (e.g., k-space). A storage array of individual data elements stores corresponding individual frequency components comprising an MR dataset. The array of individual data elements has a designated center and individual data elements individually have a radius to the designated center. A magnetic field generator generates a magnetic field for use in acquiring multiple individual frequency components corresponding to individual data elements in the storage array. The individual frequency components are successively acquired in an order in which radius of respective corresponding individual data elements increases and decreases as the multiple individual frequency components are sequentially acquired during acquisition of an MR dataset representing an MR image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Kroeker, Gerhard Laub, Yutaka Natsuaki, Peter Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7609058
    Abstract: In a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate a magnetic resonance data file, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired, and k-space is established in a computerized storage medium, with k-space being divided into a contiguous central region and a contiguous region surrounding the central region. In a computerized procedure, the raw data are entered into k-space at a constant sampling rate for both of the central and peripheral regions, while sampling the central region with a first density of sampling points, and sampling the peripheral region at a second density of sampling points that is less than the first sampling density. The set of data points thereby representing sampled k-space is made available in a data file as an output from the computerized procedure, in a form allowing an image to be reconstructed from the contents of the data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Laub, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20090092303
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and systems associated with dynamic parallel magnetic resonance imaging (DpMRI) are presented. One example system facilitates separating data associated with a dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image from data associated with a static portion of the dynamic magnetic resonance image. The system computes reconstruction parameters for a DpMRI reconstruction processes for both the dynamic portion of the image and the static portion of the image. The example system produces a DpMRI image based on separate reconstructions of the dynamic portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image and the static portion of a dynamic magnetic resonance image. The separate reconstructions may depend on separate sets of reconstruction parameters and on separated static data and dynamic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark A. Griswold, Martin Blaimer, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20080116892
    Abstract: In a method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging system to generate a magnetic resonance data file, raw magnetic resonance data are acquired, and k-space is established in a computerized storage medium, with k-space being divided into a contiguous central region and a contiguous region surrounding the central region. In a computerized procedure, the raw data are entered into k-space at a constant sampling rate for both of the central and peripheral regions, while sampling the central region with a first density of sampling points, and sampling the peripheral region at a second density of sampling points that is less than the first sampling density. The set of data points thereby representing sampled k-space is made available in a data file as an output from the computerized procedure, in a form allowing an image to be reconstructed from the contents of the data file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Gerhard Laub, Randall Kroeker
  • Publication number: 20050279287
    Abstract: A water container in combination with a water level alerting apparatus comprises a receptacle for containing a suitable amount of water having a high and a low water trip point. A water level detection probe is co-located at each trip point. The probe sends an analogue signal to an integrated circuit where the signal is converted to a digital signal and amplified. The amplified signal triggers a human detectable alarm. The probe is either a conductive metal rod penetrating the receptacle side wall or a metallic strip encircling the exterior of the side wall. The device is operated by an integral DC power source such as a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventor: Randall Kroeker
  • Patent number: 6434412
    Abstract: A segmented cine MR pulse sequence of the “TrueFISP”-type having a short repetition time TR is used to acquire MR data during a single breath hold. In the resulting cine images, the blood and the myocardium have distinctly different image contrasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Orlando P. Simonetti, Jeffrey M. Bundy, J. Paul Finn, Randall Kroeker