Patents by Inventor Stefan Stocker

Stefan Stocker 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: 7927442
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for producing a plate-type insulation support provided with an adhesive layer for a gradient coil for a magnetic resonance device, an adhesive film forming the adhesive layer is used, which has a number of openings distributed over its surface to allow the passage of air and which is applied to the insulation support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7928731
    Abstract: An arrangement for the adjustment of the homogeneity of a basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance apparatus includes gradient coil support fashioned to support a gradient coil system. The gradient coil support has at least one channel that is fashioned to accommodate an associated shim tray. The shim tray is designed to accommodate ferromagnetic shim elements at predetermined positions in order to adjust the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The shim tray has a first locking element coupled with it. The channel has a second locking element, and the first and second locking element are shaped such that both are positively connected with one another by a force produced by the basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance apparatus upon activation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Eberler, Andreas Krug, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7924005
    Abstract: An arrangement for connection of gradient current feed lines in a magnetic resonance apparatus has an electrically insulating connection plate with at least one connection device. The connection device is fashioned to electrically connect a first gradient current feed line with a second gradient current feed line and is associated with a gradient coil that forms a gradient field via a supplied gradient current for a spatial direction. The supply ensues via the two gradient current feed lines connected with one another. A base plate that is fashioned for fastening the connection plate to a magnet housing of the magnetic resonance apparatus. An electrically insulating layer to damp vibrations of the connection plate is arranged between the base plate and the connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7888938
    Abstract: In a gradient coil and a method to manufacture a gradient coil for a magnetic resonance apparatus, the gradient coil has at least one saddle coil, the saddle coil having a spatially shaped, electrically conductive plate with a line-shaped recess penetrating the plate. Conductor structures that create a gradient magnetic field in an examination region when a current signal flows therethrough are formed by the recess and by the shaping of the plate. The recess is filled with an electrically insulating material before implementation of the spatial shaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sascha Fath, Ralph Kimmlingen, Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20110034059
    Abstract: A stay-tight mechanism for a plug to be fixed with a union nut to a socket is provided. The mechanism has a first securing part having a flat engagement contour which engages with a flat of the union nut and having at least one recess. The mechanism has a second securing part having at least one recess and having an engagement contour which engages with an element on the connector when the first securing part is connected to the second securing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Sabrina Kreher, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20110034054
    Abstract: A securing part and an unscrewing safeguard system of a gradient coil plug for an MRT that can be fixed to a gradient coil bushing include a gradient coil plug, a gradient coil bushing, a cap nut with a keyed surface and, to secure the gradient coil plug to the gradient coil bushing, a multi-tooth ring fixed to the plug so that the ring cannot rotate, and a securing part with a multi-tooth ring engagement contour that can be brought into engagement with the multi-tooth ring, and with a keyed surface engagement contour that can be brought into mating with the keyed surface of the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7884606
    Abstract: In a cooling device for arrangement between two gradient coil windings of a gradient coil for dissipation of the heat (arising upon feeding current to the gradient coil windings) by means of a coolant flowing through one or more coolant channels in the cooling device, two films made of thermoplastic material are connected with one another, and are preformed in a thermal reshaping procedure to form coolant channel sections that are complementary to one another to form an inherently stable coolant channel after the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7847553
    Abstract: At least one embodiment is directed to a combination of an MR tomograph and a positron emission tomograph having avalanche photodiodes as reception elements. In at least one embodiment, the intention is to ensure that the avalanche photodiodes are kept at a constant temperature despite the exposure to heat from the MR components. It is proposed, in at least one embodiment, that cooling by Peltier elements 5 should be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Schön, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7782167
    Abstract: In a method to produce a curved coil, in particular a sub-coil of a gradient coil for a magnetic resonance apparatus, at least one conductor is wound corresponding to a predetermined pattern on a winding plate, and a winding plate composed of multiple plate elements that are moveable relative to one another is used that is formed into a curved shape after the winding of the conductor, in which curved shape the conductor is fixed while maintaining the curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Kolbeck, Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7733087
    Abstract: Sealed components for an MRI scanner, in particular carrying RF coils and gradient coils have actuators for active noise control that are a part of an actuator module having holding segments fastened rigidly to the opposite ends of the actuator. The holding segments are fastened by screws onto two actuator receiving elements that are embedded at a spacing from one another in the sealing compound, and so that each fastening segment protrudes into a recess in the compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktienesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7704550
    Abstract: In a method for the production of an insulated plate for a gradient coil, bodies that serve as spacers for the creation of flow paths for a casting resin are produced on a base by a plate having apertures therein being used to spread the bodies on the base or to mold the bodies on the base from a moldable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schön, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7677924
    Abstract: A high-current coaxial connection with two plug elements that can be connected with one another, in particular to connect a current-carrying coaxial conductor to a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance apparatus, has a first and second coupling rings provided at the respective plug elements. The first coupling ring with a first thread is screwed onto one plug contact to be fixed to the plug element while the second coupling ring with a second thread that overlaps the first coupling ring, is screwed onto a mating thread section at the other plug element. Both coupling rings are rotationally locked relative to one another and the first thread and the second thread are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20100026301
    Abstract: A detector arrangement with a plurality of detector units is disclosed, to each of which a data processing unit is assigned. An embodiment of the detector arrangement includes a cooling system with cooling units which are thermoconductively connected to the detector units and data processing units for cooling. The cooling units are connected to a distribution unit by which a coolant may be supplied to the cooling units in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7626392
    Abstract: An antenna unit for a PET/MRI scanner is disclosed, including a supporting tube in which at least one antenna for MR signals is arranged. In at least one embodiment, the supporting tube has at least one permeable section and one impermeable section, the permeable section of which has a greater permeability to PET quanta than the impermeable section. The antenna unit further includes a screen for radio-frequency signals which is arranged outside of the supporting tube and surrounds the latter. In at least one embodiment, an intermediate layer is arranged between the supporting tube and the screen and, in the region of the permeable section of the supporting tube, is composed of, at least in part, a material which has a permeability to PET quanta comparable to the permeable section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Nistler, Wolfgang Renz, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090272517
    Abstract: A facility is disclosed for cooling a detection device. In at least one embodiment, the facility includes at least one first cooling unit, through which a thermal contact to the detection device is able to be established and through which heat arising during operation of the detection device is able to be removed; and at least one second cooling unit, which is arranged so that heat from the environment of the detection device can be discharged through it. In at least one embodiment, this has the advantage of largely shielding the first cooling unit from incident heat which allows the detection device to be efficiently cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: James Corbeil, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090267607
    Abstract: An arrangement for the adjustment of the homogeneity of a basic magnetic field in a magnetic resonance apparatus includes gradient coil support fashioned to support a gradient coil system. The gradient coil support has at least one channel that is fashioned to accommodate an associated shim tray. The shim tray is designed to accommodate ferromagnetic shim elements at predetermined positions in order to adjust the homogeneity of the basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The shim tray has a first locking element coupled with it. The channel has a second locking element, and the first and second locking element are shaped such that both are positively connected with one another by a force produced by the basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance apparatus upon activation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Eberler, Andreas Krug, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090267605
    Abstract: An arrangement for connection of gradient current feed lines in a magnetic resonance apparatus has an electrically insulating connection plate with at least one connection device. The connection device is fashioned to electrically connect a first gradient current feed line with a second gradient current feed line and is associated with a gradient coil that forms a gradient field via a supplied gradient current for a spatial direction. The supply ensues via the two gradient current feed lines connected with one another. A base plate that is fashioned for fastening the connection plate to a magnet housing of the magnetic resonance apparatus. An electrically insulating layer to damp vibrations of the connection plate is arranged between the base plate and the connection plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090261831
    Abstract: A gradient coil of a magnetic resonance apparatus has a first conductor structure and a second conductor structure connected with one another so that windings of the gradient coil are formed. The first conductor structure is formed exclusively of planar, electrically conductive elements that are insulated from one another. The second conductor structure is formed exclusively of conductive wires insulated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Sabrina Harter, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20090221903
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance device having a PET unit for acquiring positron emission tomography data and a gradient coil, the PET unit includes a carrier tube on which at least one PET detector is arranged. In at least one embodiment, the carrier tube is arranged inside the gradient coil and is displaceably mounted in such a way that access to the PET detector is made possible by its displacement. This allows easy access to the PET detector during maintenance activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: James Corbeil, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7568947
    Abstract: A high current coaxial connection with two plug elements that can be connected with one another, in particular to connect a current-carrying coaxial line to a gradient coil of a magnetic resonance apparatus, has two spring contact elements arranged coaxially to one another to establish the electrical contact between the two plug elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker