Patents by Inventor Swen Campagna

Swen Campagna 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: 10191129
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance tomograph having at least one receiving antenna, at least one converter device for analog/digital conversion and a programmable computing device is provided. The method includes generating, with the converter device, digital measured values by digitizing the analog reception signal from the receiving antenna and/or at least one analog signal derived from the reception signal. A time-coding device adds an item of time information that describes the recording time of the measured values to each of the digital measured values or to groups of measured values including a plurality of the digital measured values in order to generate a time-coded data stream. The programmable computing device processes the time-coded data stream further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 10191131
    Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus having subsystems, a control protocol assigned to a scan sequence to be performed is provided to a control computer that determines sequence control data for the control protocol, which define different functional subsequences of the scan sequence. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional subsequence, and current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined for the sequence control data and associated effective volumes, for a series of states of physiological processes that occur during the scan sequence. Control signals for the scan sequence are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions per observed state, that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan sequence locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Peter Speier
  • Patent number: 10175324
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus and control method therefor, multiple frequency spectra of a material of the examination object are detected using at least one radio-frequency coil of and MR scanner, the coil having a number of coil elements and at least two of the frequency spectra are detected individually detected by respective, different coil elements. A number of resonant frequencies of at least one molecule in the material are established in the number of frequency spectra. Control information is formulated based on the number of resonant frequencies. The magnetic resonance scanner is controlled using the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Bauer, Swen Campagna, Uvo Hoelscher, Daniel Niederloehner, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 10168407
    Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus having multiple subsystems, a control protocol assigned to a scan sequence to be performed is provided to a control computer that determines sequence control data for the control protocol, which define different functional subsequences of the scan sequence. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional subsequence, and current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined for the sequence control data and associated effective volumes. Control signals for the scan sequence are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan sequence locally, at least with regard to a sub-region of the respective effective volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Peter Speier
  • Patent number: 10151821
    Abstract: In a method for making calibration measurements in a magnetic resonance (MR) system, in order to acquire an MR image of an examination subject, wherein the MR unit has a computer for operating the MR scanner, and a system control computer designed to control multiple system components of the MR scanner, a preparation step is executed by the computer to prepare a first calibration step, in which a first parameter of a system component is matched to the examination subject via the system control computer, and to prepare a second calibration step, in which a second parameter of a system component is matched to the examination subject via the system control computer. The first calibration step is executed by the system control computer as is the second calibration step. The preparation step is executed by the computer to prepare one of the first or second calibration steps before one of the calibration steps is initiated by the system control computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Swen Campagna, Michael Wullenweber
  • Patent number: 10145921
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance system for the automated determination of the resonance frequency or resonance frequencies of protons for magnetic resonance examinations, at least one signal is acquired and Fourier transform to a spectrum. An automated analysis of the spectrum, that has three resonance peaks, is made with at least two cross-correlation coefficients of at least one model spectrum being determined with the measured spectrum. Depending on the values of the cross-correlation coefficients, the resonance frequency is or resonance frequencies are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 10114097
    Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging examination apparatus having multiple subsystems, current ambient conditions in a scan volume of the apparatus are determined and stored in a global ambient condition parameter set. A control computer starts a scan sequence according to a selected scan protocol, and sequence control data that define different functional sub-sequences for the respective subsystems are provided to the control computer. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional sub-sequence, and respective current sub-regions in the effective volume associated with the respective sub-sequence are determined, in which a volume optimization is to take place. Control signals for the scan sequence are calculated using the sequence control data, the global ambient condition parameter set, and the determined current sub-regions of the affected volumes, in order to optimize the functional sub-sequences at least with regard to the current sub-region of the assigned effective volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Thorsten Speckner, Peter Speier, Daniel Nico Splitthoff, Michael Wullenweber
  • Patent number: 10101415
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 10101425
    Abstract: In a method for operating a medical imaging apparatus having subsystems, a control protocol assigned to a scan sequence to be performed is provided to a control computer that determines sequence control data for the control protocol, which define different functional subsequences of the scan sequence. Different effective volumes are assigned to each functional subsequence, and current ambient conditions of the apparatus are determined for the sequence control data and associated effective volumes, for a series of states of physiological processes that occur during the scan sequence. Control signals for the scan sequence are determined from the sequence control data, the effective volumes and the current ambient conditions per observed state, that optimize the functional subsequences of the scan sequence locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Thorsten Speckner, Peter Speier, Daniel Nico Splitthoff
  • Patent number: 10082552
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to signal selection devices for reception antennas. The signal selection device includes a plurality of signal inputs for the reception of signals from the reception antennas via an interface arrangement, and a plurality of signal outputs for the output of altered signals from the reception antennas. The signal selection device is used for selecting/reducing received signals from the reception antennas and forwarding them to an image processing device. The signal selection device contains a plurality of A/D converter chips, a plurality of digital selection chips, and at least physical and/or logical portions of a control unit. The received signals from the reception antennas are fed into the plurality of A/D converter chips via a plurality of signal inputs, are converted into digital data streams, and are supplied to the digital selection chips via signal outputs of the A/D converter chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Swen Campagna, Stephan Stöcker
  • Patent number: 10073157
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating an imaging system, includes in a processor, receiving a measurement task, generating a description of the measurement task in the processor from a sequence accessed by the processor, translating the generated description into instructions, and executing the instructions in an imaging installation of the system. An imaging system is configured to execute such a method, and a non-transitory, computer-readable data storage medium is encoded with programming instructions that cause the method to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 10061001
    Abstract: In a method for determining time windows in a scan sequence, in which values of setting parameters of a scan can be changed during a current scan without adversely affecting the scan data obtained with the scan, comprising the following a scan sequence is loaded into a control computer, that then determines the time windows in the scan sequence in which values of setting parameters can be changed during a current scan, on the basis of an analysis of useful coherences in the scan sequence. The determined time windows are stored or processed so as to be available to operate an imaging apparatus to execute the scan sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Benner, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Thorsten Speckner, Peter Speier, Daniel Nico Splitthoff
  • Patent number: 10061002
    Abstract: In a method and controller for controlling a magnetic resonance system, a sequence of synchronized control commands is transmitted to different system components of the magnetic resonance system. For different system components a number of control commands is supplied in a relative chronological order in relation to a defined system time, wherein the control commands in the relative chronological order are each allocated times that specify when a particular control command should be executed in relation to a defined system time. The control commands are passed in the relative chronological order to a data-converting interface, which forwards the control commands in a latency-compensating data transfer protocol via a bus system, which has a deterministic latency, to the individual system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 10048067
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for the optimization of alignment measurements in which a MR facility is configured to a measurement object. First alignment measurements are carried out while the measurement object is being moved through the MR facility, wherein at least one MR system parameter of the MR facility is configured to the measurement object of the first alignment measurements. A second alignment measurement is also carried out in which the measurement object is stationary in a fixed position in the MR facility, wherein the second alignment measurement includes an iterative alignment method in which the at least one MR system parameter for the recording of MR signals of the measurement object is iteratively configured to the measurement object in the fixed position in the MR facility, wherein for the iterative alignment method the aligned MR system parameter is chosen from the aligned MR system parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Swen Campagna, Wilfried Landschutz, Michael Wullenweber
  • Patent number: 9995806
    Abstract: In a method and a magnetic resonance (MR) system for automated determination of the resonance frequency of a nucleus for magnetic resonance examinations, at least one MR signal is detected, and is Fourier-transformed into a spectrum composed of elements that can be represented as a vector. An analysis of the spectrum is conducted, wherein at least two cross-correlation coefficients of at least one model spectrum are determined by use of the measured spectrum. Prior to the analysis, a spectrum matrix having at least two vectors is determined from the spectrum, with each vector of the spectrum matrix being formed using all or some of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Publication number: 20180074138
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a temporal change in a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance device, as well as an evaluation unit, a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method provides that a position-dependent magnetic field distribution that is produced by the plurality of gradient coils is provided with a plurality of monitoring points. In addition, time-dependent gradient values of the plurality of gradient coils are ascertained. Based on position-dependent magnetic field distribution and the time-dependent gradient values, the temporal change in the magnetic field is ascertained. The temporal change in the magnetic field is monitored by comparing the temporal change in the magnetic field with at least one limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Helmut Lenz, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20170328966
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for operation thereof, at least one electrical operating value of at least one predetermined component of the apparatus is captured and, as a function of the at least one operating value, at least one coil operating value of a transmitting coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance apparatus is controlled for the purpose of limiting a B1 value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 9817098
    Abstract: A scaling unit (1) for reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4) of a plurality of local coils (LS) of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (MRT) includes a plurality of signal inputs (in1, in2, in3, in4) configured for the reception of signals from the reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4), and a plurality of signal outputs (out1, out2, out3, out4) configured for the output of unaltered and/or altered signals from the reception antennae (A1, A2, A3, A4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Swen Campagna
  • Publication number: 20170315195
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, a sequence with which the MR data are to be recorded is created in or provided to a control computer of the MR apparatus. A maximum RF output and a maximum gradient performance of the scanner magnetic resonance apparatus during the performance of the sequence are determined by simulating or analyzing the performance of the sequence in the control computer, and it is verified whether the maximum RF output and/or the maximum gradient performance violate predetermined limit values. Execution of the sequence to record the MR data is performed only if the verification showed that the limit values are not violated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20170299667
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna