Patents by Inventor Thomas Flohr

Thomas Flohr 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: 20230000454
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an X-ray contrast agent. The X-ray contrast agent has an X-ray absorption the change of which between at least two different X-ray photon energy levels differs from the change in X-ray absorption of calcium between the at least two different X-ray photon energy level. Embodiments of the present invention also relates to an X-ray imaging method. Embodiments of the present invention additionally relates to an image reconstruction device. Embodiments of the present invention further relates to an X-ray imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicants: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Bayer AG
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT, Gregor JOST, Hubertus PIETSCH
  • Publication number: 20220401588
    Abstract: An ensemble of at least two X-ray contrast agents includes X-ray contrast agent and a second X-ray contrast agent. The second X-ray contrast agent has an X-ray absorption whose change between at least two different X-ray photon energies differs significantly from the change of the X-ray absorption of the first X-ray contrast agent between the at least two different X-ray photon energies. An X-ray imaging method, an image reconstruction device, an X-ray imaging system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicants: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Bayer AG
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT, Gregor JOST, Hubertus PIETSCH
  • Publication number: 20220293247
    Abstract: Systems and method for performing a medical imaging analysis task for making a clinical decision are provided. One or more input medical images of a patient are received. A medical imaging analysis task is performed from the one or more input medical images using a machine learning based network. The machine learning based network generates a probability score associated with the medical imaging analysis task. An uncertainty measure associated with the probability score is determined. A clinical decision is made based on the probability score and the uncertainty measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Eli Gibson, Bogdan Georgescu, Pascal Ceccaldi, Youngjin Yoo, Jyotipriya Das, Thomas Re, Eva Eibenberger, Andrei Chekkoury, Barbara Brehm, Thomas Flohr, Dorin Comaniciu, Pierre-Hugo Trigan
  • Patent number: 11430121
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing a disease are provided. Medical imaging data of lungs of a patient is received. The lungs are segmented from the medical imaging data and abnormality regions associated with a disease are segmented from the medical imaging data. An assessment of the disease is determined based on the segmented lungs and the segmented abnormality regions. The disease may be COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) or diseases, such as, e.g., SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), or other types of viral and non-viral pneumonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Shikha Chaganti, Sasa Grbic, Bogdan Georgescu, Zhoubing Xu, Siqi Liu, Youngjin Yoo, Thomas Re, Guillaume Chabin, Thomas Flohr, Valentin Ziebandt, Dorin Comaniciu, Brian Teixeira, Sebastien Piat
  • Patent number: 11406751
    Abstract: A method for the automatic determination of a contrast agent protocol for a contrast agent-enhanced medical imaging method is described. The method includes an overview recording of a region of interest of an object under examination. In addition, an image recording protocol including a plurality of recording parameters is defined on the basis of the overview recording. Furthermore, recording time points are determined for a plurality of z-positions of the region of interest on the basis of the image recording protocol. In addition, the structures acquired with the overview recording are assigned to the recording time points determined. Finally, a contrast agent protocol including the temporal course of a contrast agent injection curve is defined as a function of the acquired structures and the assigned recording time points. A contrast agent protocol determination device is also described, as well as an imaging medicinal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignees: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, BAYER PHARMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Gregor Jost, Hubertus Pietsch
  • Publication number: 20220192612
    Abstract: A method is for actuating a medical imaging device including a radiation source, embodied during a rotational movement around an axis of rotation to irradiate an irradiation region from a plurality of angular positions. In an embodiment, the method includes capturing an object position of a moving object relative to the irradiation region. The Method further includes actuating the medical imaging device based upon the captured object position of the moving object, such that the intensity of the radiation emitted by the radiation source for a first partial number of the plurality of angular positions in a first angular range round the axis of rotation is reduced relative to a second partial number of the plurality of angular positions in a second angular range around the axis of rotation, he captured object position being included in the first angular range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Ute FEUERLEIN, Thomas ALLMENDINGER, Matthias BAER-BECK, Thomas FLOHR, Ulrich FOERNER
  • Publication number: 20220165003
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of an embodiment is for automatically estimating and/or correcting an error due to artifacts in a multi-energy computed tomography result dataset relating to at least one target material. In an embodiment, the method includes determining at least one first subregion of the imaging region, which is free from the target material and contains at least one, in particular exactly one, second material with known material-specific energy dependence of x-ray attenuation; for each first subregion, comparing the image values of the energy dataset for each voxel, taking into account the known energy dependence, to determine deviation values indicative of artifacts; and for at least a part of the at least one remaining second subregion of the imaging region, calculating estimated deviation values by interpolating and/or extrapolating from the determined deviation values in the first subregion, the estimated deviation values being used as estimated error due to artifacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard SCHMIDT, Katharine GRANT, Thomas FLOHR
  • Patent number: 11328423
    Abstract: A method is for the characterization of plaque in a region of interest inside an examination subject by way of a plurality of image data sets. The image data sets have been reconstructed from a plurality of projection data sets, which have been acquired via a CT device using different X-ray energy spectra. The method includes: acquiring the image data sets, which include a plurality of pixels. Spectral parameter values are acquired on a pixel by pixel basis using at least two image data sets. Character parameter values are then acquired on a pixel by pixel basis to characterize plaques on the basis of the spectral parameter values. An analysis unit and a computed tomography system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220101574
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an image. An embodiment of the method includes detecting a first projection data set via a first group of detector units, the first group including a first plurality of first detector units, each having more than a given number of detector elements; detecting a second projection data set via a second group of detector units, the second group including a second plurality of second detector units, each including, at most, the given number of detector elements; reconstructing first image data based on the first projection data set; reconstructing second image data based on the second projection data set; and combining the first image data and the second image data. A non-transitory computer readable medium, a data processing unit, and an imaging device including the data processing unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Steffen KAPPLER
  • Patent number: 11278255
    Abstract: A method is for producing a CT image data set via a detection unit with a photon-counting X-ray detector and configured to convert detected X-rays into measurement signals resolved at least into a first and a second energy range and, via an X-ray source unit, configured to emit X-rays having a first energy spectrum and having a different second energy spectrum. The method includes adapting the first and the second energy ranges, at least one limiting energy of each energy range being adapted; emitting X-rays of the first and second energy spectrum; detecting the emitted X-rays, at least one measurement signal being generated as a function of each respective energy range and the respective energy spectrum; producing the spectral CT image data set based upon the generated first and second measurement signals with the assistance of a spectral image processing technique; and outputting the spectral CT image data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11216991
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an image. An embodiment of the method includes detecting a first projection data set via a first group of detector units, the first group including a first plurality of first detector units, each having more than a given number of detector elements; detecting a second projection data set via a second group of detector units, the second group including a second plurality of second detector units, each including, at most, the given number of detector elements; reconstructing first image data based on the first projection data set; reconstructing second image data based on the second projection data set; and combining the first image data and the second image data. A non-transitory computer readable medium, a data processing unit, and an imaging device including the data processing unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Steffen Kappler
  • Publication number: 20210398654
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically detecting a disease in medical images are provided. Input medical images are received. A plurality of metrics for a disease is computed for each of the input medical images. The input medical images are clustered into a plurality of clusters based on one or more of the plurality of metrics to classify the input medical images. The plurality of clusters comprise a cluster of one or more of the input medical images associated with the disease and one or more clusters of one or more of the input medical images not associated with the disease. In one embodiment, the disease is COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Shikha Chaganti, Sasa Grbic, Bogdan Georgescu, Guillaume Chabin, Thomas Re, Youngjin Yoo, Thomas Flohr, Valentin Ziebandt, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Publication number: 20210304408
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing a disease are provided. Medical imaging data of lungs of a patient is received. The lungs are segmented from the medical imaging data and abnormality regions associated with a disease are segmented from the medical imaging data. An assessment of the disease is determined based on the segmented lungs and the segmented abnormality regions. The disease may be COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) or diseases, such as, e.g., SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), or other types of viral and non-viral pneumonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Shikha Chaganti, Sasa Grbic, Bogdan Georgescu, Zhoubing Xu, Siqi Liu, Youngjin Yoo, Thomas Re, Guillaume Chabin, Thomas Flohr, Valentin Ziebandt, Dorin Comaniciu, Brian Teixeira, Sebastien Piat
  • Patent number: 11109823
    Abstract: A method is for controlling an x-ray imaging device, in particular a computed tomography device. The x-ray imaging device includes an x-ray source and a photon counting detector as an x-ray detector. The methods includes, for an image acquisition process of a patient: determining at least one input parameter relating to at least one of an attenuation property of the patient and a purpose of the image acquisition; at least one of determining or adapting at least one operation parameter of the x-ray detector, dependent upon the at least one input parameter determined; and performing the image acquisition using the at least one operation parameter determined or adapted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt, Katharine Lynn Rowley Grant
  • Patent number: 11058370
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method is for generating image data of a field of view of an object to be examined. In the method, firstly an individual imaging protocol is determined for imaging of the object to be examined. Furthermore, first X-ray projection measurement data with a first X-ray energy spectrum and at least one set of second contrast medium-influenced X-ray projection measurement data with a second X-ray energy spectrum, are acquired from the field of view. A third X-ray energy spectrum with a third mean energy is then determined on the basis of the determined individual imaging protocol. Subsequently, preferably pseudo-monoenergetic image data, associated with the third X-ray energy spectrum, is reconstructed on the basis of the acquired first and at least second X-ray projection measurement data as well as the determined imaging protocol. An image data-generating device is also described. A computerized tomography system is described, moreover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11017529
    Abstract: A method is for determining at least one first characteristic value of blood in a patient. In an embodiment, the method includes acquiring, via a computed tomography device, computed tomography data of the patient for at least two energy levels of radiation using multi-energy computed tomography; defining a region of interest including blood, in at least one image data set reconstructed from the computed tomography data acquired; determining, at least in the region of interest defined, attenuation coefficients for each energy level of the at least two energy levels; performing material decomposition into at least two materials, one material of the two materials being iron, using the attenuation coefficients determined, yielding at least a fraction of iron in the region of interest defined; and determining the at least one first characteristic value, at least one of as and from the fraction of iron yielded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Jing Yan, Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11010897
    Abstract: A method is for producing an identification unit for identifying image artifacts automatically. In an embodiment, the method includes providing a learning processing apparatus; providing an initial identification unit; providing a first image data library including artifact reference acquisitions containing image artifacts; and training the identification unit using the image artifacts. An identification method is for identifying image artifacts automatically in an image acquisition. In an embodiment, the identification method includes: providing a trained identification unit; providing an image acquisition produced via a medical imaging system; inspecting the image acquisition for image artifacts by the identification unit; and labeling the ascertained image artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210110517
    Abstract: A method is for noise reduction in image recordings. In an embodiment, the method includes providing an input image; de-noising the input image and producing a de-noised input image; and adapting noise texture of pixels of the de-noised input image via an adaptation method, noise amplitude of the de-noised input image being largely retained and the noise texture of the pixels of the de-noised input image being adapted to correspond largely to a defined noise texture. A corresponding device, a production method for an adaptation device, such an adaptation device, and a control facility and a computed tomography system are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Rainer RAUPACH, Bernhard SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10959685
    Abstract: A method for determining a local tissue function of tissue in a body region of interest of an examination object is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes segmentation of an outer contour of the tissue using at least one medical image recording representing the body region of interest of the examination object comprising the tissue; subdivision of the segmented tissue into at least two tissue regions; and ascertaining a function parameter relating to the tissue function for each of the at least two tissue regions. Embodiments also relate to a corresponding computing unit for determining a tissue function of tissue, a corresponding medical imaging system, a computer program and a computer-readable data carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Flohr, Bernhard Krauss, Bernhard Schmidt, Martin Sedlmair
  • Publication number: 20210085272
    Abstract: A method is for producing a CT image data set via a detection unit with a photon-counting X-ray detector and configured to convert detected X-rays into measurement signals resolved at least into a first and a second energy range and, via an X-ray source unit, configured to emit X-rays having a first energy spectrum and having a different second energy spectrum. The method includes adapting the first and the second energy ranges, at least one limiting energy of each energy range being adapted; emitting X-rays of the first and second energy spectrum; detecting the emitted X-rays, at least one measurement signal being generated as a function of each respective energy range and the respective energy spectrum; producing the spectral CT image data set based upon the generated first and second measurement signals with the assistance of a spectral image processing technique; and outputting the spectral CT image data set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas FLOHR, Bernhard SCHMIDT