Patents by Inventor Thomas Blaffert
Thomas Blaffert 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).
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Patent number: 11285338Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy apparatus comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Nicole Schadewaldt, Steffen Renisch, Sven Prevrhal, Heinrich Schulz, Thomas Blaffert
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Publication number: 20220019860Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method are provided for annotation of image data. A user is enabled to iteratively annotate the image data. An iteration of said iterative annotation comprises generating labels for a current image data part based on user-verified labels of a previous image data part, and enabling the user to verify and correct said generated labels to obtain user-verified labels for the current image data part. The labels for the current image data part are generated by combining respective outputs of a label propagation algorithm and a machine-learned classifier trained on user-verified labels and image data and applied to image data of the current image data part. The machine-learned classifier is retrained using the user-verified labels and the image data of the current image data part to obtain a retrained machine-learned classifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2019Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: JUERGEN WEESE, THOMAS BLAFFERT, TOM BROSCH, HANS BARSCHDORF
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Patent number: 10870017Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and system for computing an alternative electron density map of an examination volume. The processing system is configured to compute a first electron density map using a plurality of imaging data, compute a second electron density map, wherein the second electron density map is a simplified version of the first electron density map, and compute the alternative electron density map, using the first electron density map and the second electron density map.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Steffen Renisch, Nicole Schadewaldt, Sven Prevrhal, Heinrich Schulz, Thomas Blaffert
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Patent number: 10430941Abstract: An imaging method for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, comprising the recording of slice images of the lung by means of X-ray radiation, recording of blood vessels, differentiation of blood vessels and abnormal tissue, segmentation of the abnormal tissue and display of the segmented abnormal tissue on an output device. In addition, a computer tomograph for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, having a radiation source for recording slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, a computer unit for differentiating the blood vessels from the abnormal tissue and for segmenting the abnormal tissue, as well as an output device for displaying the segmented abnormal tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Rafael Wiemker, Cristian Lorenz, Steffen Renisch, Thomas Blaffert
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Publication number: 20180078787Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy apparatus comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: NICOLE SCHADEWALDT, STEFFEN RENISCH, SVEN PREVRHAL, HEINRICH SCHULZ, THOMAS BLAFFERT
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Publication number: 20180071550Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and system for computing an alternative electron density map of an examination volume. The processing system is configured to compute a first electron density map using a plurality of imaging data, compute a second electron density map, wherein the second electron density map is a simplified version of the first electron density map, and compute the alternative electron density map, using the first electron density map and the second electron density map.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: STEFFEN RENISCH, NICOLE SCHADEWALDT, SVEN PREVRHAL, HEINRICH SCHULZ, THOMAS BLAFFERT
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Patent number: 9678620Abstract: An apparatus and a method for post processing 2D image slices (110a-c) defining a 3D image volume. The apparatus comprises a graphical user interface controller (160), a 2D segmenter (170) and a 3D segmenter (180). The apparatus allows a user to effect calculation and display of a 2D segmentation of a cross section of an object shown in a slice (110a) and calculation and display of a 3D segmentation of the object across the 3D image volume, the 3D segmentation based on the object's previously calculated 2D segmentation.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Blaffert, Cristian Lorenz, Daniel Bystrov
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Patent number: 9336613Abstract: An apparatus for generating assignments between image regions of an image of an object and element classes includes an assigning unit (13) for assigning element classes to image regions of an element image of the object, which is indicative of a distribution of the element classes, depending on region and/or boundary features, which are determined depending on image values of a provided object image and provided first preliminary assignments. Thus, the resulting element image with the assignments to the element classes is not necessarily based on the provided object image only, but can also be based on the provided preliminary assignments. If the quality of the assignments defined by the element image would be restricted due to restrictions of the provided object image, these restrictions of the provided image can therefore be compensated by the preliminary assignments such that the quality of the resulting element image can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Blaffert, Steffen Renisch, Bernd Schweizer, Zhiqiang Hu
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Patent number: 9324167Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating an attenuation correction map. An image providing unit (5, 6) provides an image of an object comprising different element classes and a segmentation unit (11) applies a segmentation to the image for generating a segmented image comprising image regions corresponding to the element classes. The segmentation is based on at least one of a watershed segmentation and a body contour segmentation based on a contiguous skin and fat layers in the image. A feature determination unit (12) determines features of at least one of a) the image regions and b) boundaries between the image regions depending on image values of the image and an assigning unit (13) assigns attenuation values to the image regions based on the determined features for generating the attenuation correction map.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Blaffert, Steffen Renisch, Bernd Schweizer, Zhiqiang Hu
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Patent number: 9092886Abstract: The invention relates to a rendering system (100) for rendering a view from an image dataset, the rendering system comprising a selecting unit (110) for selecting a subset of the image dataset, a computing unit (120) for computing a first principal axis of a tensor on the basis of the subset of the image dataset, and a rendering unit (130) for rendering the view on the basis of the first principal axis. Using the information about the directionality and orientation of a structure, comprised in the selected subset of the image dataset and extracted from the first principal axis of the tensor, the rendering system (100) is arranged to effectively assist the user in selecting an advantageous view from the image dataset.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Buelow, Thomas Blaffert
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Patent number: 8892188Abstract: An imaging method for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, comprising the recording of slice images of the lung by means of X-ray radiation, recording of blood vessels, differentiation of blood vessels and abnormal tissue, segmentation of the abnormal tissue and display of the segmented abnormal tissue on an output device. In addition, a computer tomograph for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, having a radiation source for recording slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, a computer unit for differentiating the blood vessels from the abnormal tissue and for segmenting the abnormal tissue, as well as an output device for displaying the segmented abnormal tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Thomas Buelow, Rafael Wiemker, Cristian Lorenz, Steffen Renisch, Thomas Blaffert
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Publication number: 20140330119Abstract: An imaging method for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, comprising the recording of slice images of the lung by means of X-ray radiation, recording of blood vessels, differentiation of blood vessels and abnormal tissue, segmentation of the abnormal tissue and display of the segmented abnormal tissue on an output device. In addition, a computer tomograph for identifying abnormal tissue in the lung is provided, having a radiation source for recording slice images of the lung and blood vessels by means of X-ray radiation, a computer unit for differentiating the blood vessels from the abnormal tissue and for segmenting the abnormal tissue, as well as an output device for displaying the segmented abnormal tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventors: THOMAS BUELOW, RAFAEL WIEMKER, CRISTIAN LORENZ, STEFFEN RENISCH, THOMAS BLAFFERT
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Publication number: 20140298270Abstract: An apparatus and a method for post processing 2D image slices (110a-c) defining a 3D image volume. The apparatus comprises a graphical user interface controller (160), a 2D segmenter (170) and a 3D segmenter (180). The apparatus allows a user to effect calculation and display of a 2D segmentation of a cross section of an object shown in a slice (110a) and calculation and display of a 3D segmentation of the object across the 3D image volume, the 3D segmentation based on the object's previously calculated 2D segmentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Blaffert, Cristian Lorenz, Daniel Bystrov
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Patent number: 8798343Abstract: A system for displaying lung ventilation information, the system comprising an input (12) and a processing unit (15). The input being provided for receiving multiple CT images (71) of a lung, each CT image (71) corresponding to one phase of at least two different phases in a respiratory cycle. The processing unit (15) being configured to compare CT images (71) corresponding to different phases in the respiratory cycle for determining a deformation vector field for each phase, to generate for each phase a ventilation image (72) based on the corresponding deformation vector field, to spatially align the ventilation images (72), and to generate for at least one common position (62) in each one of the aligned ventilation images (72), a function (81) of a time course of a ventilation value for said common position (62), each ventilation value in the function (81) being based on the deformation vector fields corresponding to the aligned ventilation images (73).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Sven Kabus, Cristian Lorenz, Nicole Schadewaldt, Roland Opfer, Ingwer Curt Carlsen, Steffen Renisch, Joerg Sabczynski, Hans Barschdorf, Jens Von Berg, Thomas Blaffert, Tobias Klinder
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Patent number: 8787620Abstract: A nuclear imaging system includes a crystal identification system which receives a flood image which includes a plurality of peaks, each peak responsive to radiation detected by a corresponding scintillator crystal. A crystal identification processor partitions the flood image into a plurality of candidate regions with a watershed segmentator implementing a watershed algorithm. The candidate regions are linked in an adjacency graph, and then classified as background or relevant, where relevant regions contain a peak within the watershed lines. The regions are then assigned to a crystal according to an objective function and an assignability score. A calibration processor maps the peaks to a rectangular grid.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philps N.V.Inventors: Thomas Laurence, Sharon X. Wang, Jerome J. Griesmer, Thomas Blaffert, Zhiqiang Hu, Steffen Renisch
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Publication number: 20140193054Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating an attenuation correction map. An image providing unit (5, 6) provides an image of an object comprising different element classes and a segmentation unit (11) applies a segmentation to the image for generating a segmented image comprising image regions corresponding to the element classes. The segmentation is based on at least one of a watershed segmentation and a body contour segmentation based on a contiguous skin and fat layers in the image. A feature determination unit (12) determines features of at least one of a) the image regions and b) boundaries between the image regions depending on image values of the image and an assigning unit (13) assigns attenuation values to the image regions based on the determined features for generating the attenuation correction map.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Blaffert, Steffen Renisch, Bernd Schweizer, Zhiqiang Hu
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Publication number: 20140133728Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating assignments between image regions of an image of an object and element classes. The apparatus (1) comprises an assigning unit (13) for assigning element classes to image regions of an element image of the object, which is indicative of a distribution of the element classes, depending on region and/or boundary features, which are determined depending on image values of a provided object image and provided first preliminary assignments. Thus, the resulting element image with the assignments to the element classes is not necessarily based on the provided object image only, but can also be based on the provided preliminary assignments. If the quality of the assignments defined by the element image would be restricted due to restrictions of the provided object image, these restrictions of the provided image can therefore be compensated by the preliminary assignments such that the quality of the resulting element image can be improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas Blaffert, Steffen Renisch, Bernd Schweizer, Zhiqiang Hu
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Publication number: 20130315454Abstract: A nuclear imaging system includes a crystal identification system which receives a flood image which includes a plurality of peaks, each peak responsive to radiation detected by a corresponding scintillator crystal. A crystal identification processor partitions the flood image into a plurality of candidate regions with a watershed segmentator implementing a watershed algorithm. The candidate regions are linked in an adjacency graph, and then classified as background or relevant, where relevant regions contain a peak within the watershed lines. The regions are then assigned to a crystal according to an objective function and an assignability score. A calibration processor maps the peaks to a rectangular grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Thomas LAURENCE, Sharon X. WANG, Jerome J. GRIESMER, Thomas BLAFFERT, Zhiqiang HU, Steffen RENISCH
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Patent number: 8526697Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for segmenting an object comprising sub-objects shown in an object image. The apparatus comprises a feature image generation unit (2) for generating a feature image showing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects and a segmentation unit (3) for segmenting the sub-objects by using the object image and the feature image. Preferentially, the feature image generation unit (2) is adapted for generating a feature image from the object image. In a further embodiment, the feature image generation unit (2) comprises a feature enhancing unit for enhancing features related to intermediate regions between the sub-objects in the object image.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Thomas Blaffert, Hans Barschdorf, Jens Von Berg, Sebastian Peter Michael Dries, Cristian Lorenz, Rafael Wiemker, Tobias Klinder, Astrid Ruth Franz, Steffen Renisch
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Patent number: 8233691Abstract: The invention relates to a system for adapting a plurality of model meshes to a plurality of image data. The system has a registration unit for registering the plurality of model meshes with the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of a registration transformation for transforming the plurality of model meshes, and an adaptation unit for adapting the plurality of registered model meshes to the plurality of image data on the basis of a computation of locations of mesh vertices of the plurality of model meshes. The described system is capable of reducing motion artifacts in tomographic images computed from data acquired at a plurality of different cardiac cycle phases.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Hans Barschdorf, Jens Von Berg, Michael Harald Kuhn, Cristian Lorenz, Thomas Blaffert