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).

  • Publication number: 20080129311
    Abstract: An arrangement monitors a bolt connection, formed with a first component and a second component that are connected with one another by being held between the two retainer elements of the bolt connection. The arrangement has an insulator with two electrical contacts and a spring arrangement located between one of the retainer elements of the bolt connection on one side and the first or second component that is closer thereto on the other side. The spring arrangement is arranged between the two electrical contacts such that the two contacts are electrically separated by its predetermined spring force given a loose bolt connection and such that, given a firm bolt connection, the two contacts are electrically in contact with one another due to overcoming the spring tension. The two contacts are connected with an electronic monitoring circuit that indicates a firm bolt connection as long as the electrical contact exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20080121337
    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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7368915
    Abstract: In a shim board system with at least one shim board formed by an insulating substrate and at least one conductor trace on the substrate for generation of a shim magnetic field, in particular for homogenization of the basic magnetic field of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the insulating substrate is fashioned as a mesa in at least one segment similar to the conductor trace and following the curve of the conductor trace. Upon sealing, this allows a good saturation of the shim board system with sealing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schön, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7343670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transverse non-cylindrical gradient coil, having at least one divergent section, and to production methods for such non-cylindrical gradient coils having at least one divergent section having the following steps of production of a planar fingerprint coil or a planar fingerprint coil segment, positioning and attaching the planar coil or planar coil segment on a support plate and formation of a conical saddle coil (51) or a conical saddle coil segment (45) by rolling up the support plate to form a conical surface (50,46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7336075
    Abstract: A mounting device for a local gradient coil unit for mounting same in the examination area of a magnetic resonance unit has one or more guide rails, which are able to be arranged in the examination area, supporting the gradient coil unit, with a locator structure for positioning the gradient coil unit axially on both sides in a mounting position in the examination area, along which guide rail(s) the gradient coil unit slides until it reaches the axial mounting position. One or more fixing elements are fitted on the gradient coil unit for bracing the gradient coil unit in the examination area against the guide rail(s) in the mounting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20080030194
    Abstract: A gradient coil system for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has a layer structure including a gradient coil layer and a cooling layer. The cooling layer is fashioned as a plate heat exchanger, composed of plates, for cooling the gradient coil layer. In this way, a highly efficient cooling of the gradient coil layer is achieved with a lower structural height compared to conventional tubular configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Bernd Gromoll, Norbert Huber, Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20080024134
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a cooling device for a gradient coil, the cooling device having at least one flexible cooling tube arranged on a carrier plate configured in accordance with a predetermined pattern, the at least one cooling tube originally having a circular cross section, is laid in accordance with the predetermined pattern and is flattened to permanently deform its cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schoen, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070247156
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for arrangement between two surface coils of a gradient coil to dissipate the heat produced when current is supplied to the surface coils by a coolant flowing into the cooling apparatus, is formed as a flexible, mat-type surface structure, and has a coolant-holding space with at least one coolant inflow and at least one coolant outflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7256581
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus has a scanner having a basic field magnet, a stationary gradient coil unit, an antenna system for acquisition of magnetic resonance signals, and a second gradient coil unit that can be introduced into an examination chamber of the scanner. The second gradient coil unit is arranged on a displaceable mounting attached outside of the examination chamber. The mounting is fashioned as a C-arm that can be moved along one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070182415
    Abstract: A mounting device for a local gradient coil unit for mounting same in the examination area of a magnetic resonance unit has one or more guide rails, which are able to be arranged in the examination area, supporting the gradient coil unit, with a locator structure for positioning the gradient coil unit axially on both sides in a mounting position in the examination area, along which guide rail(s) the gradient coil unit slides until it reaches the axial mounting position. One or more fixing elements are fitted on the gradient coil unit for bracing the gradient coil unit in the examination area against the guide rail(s) in the mounting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070180692
    Abstract: A device for installing a gradient coil into a magnet of a magnetic resonance system has a frame with a coil carrier passing through the gradient coil and accommodating the gradient coil. The coil carrier is arranged on two lateral supports, upon which the frame stands on the base, with devices for generating an air cushion that carries the frame being provided on the supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7250765
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance device with an assembly having a recess, in which a gradient coil unit is attached with at least one attachment means, the attachment means having two members, between which an elastic element is disposed, only one of the members in each instance being in contact with either the gradient coil unit or the assembly, with the attachment means acting as an attachment means having no elastic element in a first attachment state, in which at least a minimum force presses the two members together, in that the two members have stop surfaces, which are in contact with each other due to the minimum force acting on the members compressed elastic element and with the attachment means acting as a spring unit in a second fixing state, in that the elastic element pushes the members apart in the event of forces smaller than the minimum force and causes the attachment means to be fixed in relation to the gradient coil unit and the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Thomas Kolbeck, Jörg Riegler, Johann Schuster, Lothar Schön, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070164725
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum housing for a magnetic resonance apparatus having a recess for leading through lead wires to elements located inside the vacuum housing, and a first lead-through bushing module. The first lead-through bushing module is provided with a first closing plate which is configured so as to vacuum-tightly seal the recess along with a second closing plate. The first bushing module is also provided with a first structural component that is to be at least partially led through the recess during assembly of the lead-through bushing module and whose size defines a minimum size of the recess, which is greater than the size of the first closing plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Eva Eberlein, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070159173
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance device comprising a preferably essentially cylindrical vacuum housing containing a magnet together with a cooling device, said vacuum housing having an inner wall, an outer wall and two end walls, the inner wall and/or one or each end wall being fashioned as a composite component consisting of one or more components made of a non-metallic composite material and a plurality of metal components serving to provide mechanical reinforcement and having a lamellar or annular form for forming the inner wall or having the form of a segment of a circle for forming an end wall such that a reduction in eddy currents is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Ralph Kimmlingen, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7191513
    Abstract: A device for installation of a gradient coil unit into a magnetic resonance apparatus has at least one support unit and at least one carrier unit. The carrier unit is fashioned to carry the gradient coil unit, and the at least one support unit is supported thereon such that it can tilt on a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Publication number: 20070035300
    Abstract: In a shim board system with at least one shim board formed by an insulating substrate and at least one conductor trace on the substrate for generation of a shim magnetic field, in particular for homogenization of the basic magnetic field of a magnetic resonance apparatus, the insulating substrate is fashioned as a mesa in at least one segment similar to the conductor trace and following the curve of the conductor trace. Upon sealing, this allows a good saturation of the shim board system with sealing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Johann Schuster, Lothar Schon, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7173422
    Abstract: In one aspect, a generator for generating time-variable magnetic fields is provided. The generator includes a gradient coil having conductors extending in an area defined by a hollow first cylinder, and having no conductors in a central area of the hollow first cylinder, the central area defined by the volume of a second cylinder arranged coaxially with and inside the first cylinder, the second cylinder having a diameter of one third the diameter of the first cylinder. The generator also includes a high frequency shielding device enclosing the central area but not the conductors, a high frequency antenna arranged in the central area; and a coaxial connecting cable operatively connected to the high frequency antenna arranged along a longitudinal axis of the first and second cylinder, the connecting cable penetrating the high frequency shielding device at a plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Nistler, Stefan Stocker, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 7161353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nuclear spin tomography device comprising a basic field magnet, a whole body gradient coil system with an HF antenna (1) surrounded by a suspension tube (2) which surrounds and restricts an internal chamber, guide rails (7) being located in this internal chamber (5) on which a patient support (6) can be inserted into the internal chamber (5) via the front sides (3) of the one suspension tube end and an insert gradient coil (9) can be inserted into said internal chamber (5) via the front side (4) of the other suspension tube end, characterized in that, the supply lines (13)(14)(15) for the insert gradient coil (9) are routed into the interior of the internal chamber (5) and terminated there in a coupling element (17) in each instance, and the insert gradient coil (9) has the respective coupling element mating part (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schaaf, Johann Schuster, Stefan Stocker
  • Patent number: 7145335
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance apparatus with a hollow interior and with a gradient coil system disposed in the hollow interior, wherein the hollow interior exhibits a barrel-like bulge, the gradient coil system is essentially enclosed by a radio-frequency shield, and he radio-frequency shield is fashioned free of a slotting in regions in which it, with regard to a boundary of the hollow interior is at a shorter distance compared with a middle region of the bulge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Nistler, Stefan Stocker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20060267589
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance device (1) with an assembly (3) having a recess, in which a gradient coil unit (9) is attached with at least one attachment means (15, . . . 15D), the attachment means (15 ... 15D) having two members (21,23), between which an elastic element (25) is disposed, only one of the members (21,23) in each instance being in contact with either the gradient coil unit (9) or the assembly (3), with the attachment means (15, . . . 15D) acting as an attachment means (15, . . . 15D) having no elastic element (25) in a first attachment state, in which at least a minimum force (FMIN) presses the two members (21, 23) together, in that the two members (21, 23) have stop surfaces (31), which are in contact with each other due to the minimum force acting on the members (21, 23) [lacuna] compressed elastic element (25) and with the attachment means (15, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Peter Dietz, Thomas Kolbeck, Jorg Riegler, Johann Schuster, Lothar Schon, Stefan Stocker