Patents by Inventor Tim Nielsen

Tim Nielsen 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: 10156623
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system (200, 300) acquires magnetic resonance data (242, 244). A processor (230) controls the magnetic resonance imaging system to execute instructions (250, 252, 254, 256, 258) which cause the processor to repeatedly: control (100) the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire magnetic resonance data including magnetic resonance navigator data (244); create (102) a set of navigator vectors by extracting the navigator data from each portion of the magnetic resonance data; construct (104) a dissimilarity matrix (246, 400, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1400, 1500) by calculating a metric between each of the set of navigator vectors; generate (106) a matrix classification (248) of the dissimilarity matrix using a classification algorithm; and control (108) the magnetic resonance imaging system to modify acquisition of the magnetic resonance data using the matrix classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Peter Börnert
  • Publication number: 20180106876
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance system (100) comprising a magnet (104) for generating a main magnetic field within the measurement zone and a magnetic field gradient system (110, 112) for generating a gradient magnetic field within the measurement zone in at least one direction by supplying current to a set of magnetic gradient coils (112) for each of the at least one direction. Instructions cause a a processor (130) controlling the magnetic resonance system, wherein execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to acquire (200) the magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance system with pulse sequence commands. The pulse sequence commands (140) cause the magnetic resonance system to acquire the magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting technique. The pulse sequence commands specify a train (500) of pulse sequence repetitions (502, 504), each with a fixed repetition time (302).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: TIM NIELSEN, PETER BOERNERT, KAY NEHRKE, THOMAS ERIK AMTHOR, MARIYA IVANOVA DONEVA
  • Publication number: 20180045800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for scan geometry planning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: TIM NIELSEN, PETER KOKEN
  • Publication number: 20180031666
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring (200) first magnetic resonance data (142) by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system with pulse sequence instructions (140), reconstructing (202) one or more first image (144) from the first magnetic resonance data, and assigning (204) the one or more first image to a first memory group of a set of memory groups (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: SASCHA KRUEGER, TIM NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20170350954
    Abstract: MR imaging comprising the steps of: subjecting an object (10) to an imaging sequence of RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients (GS, GP, GM), which imaging sequence is a steady state sequence comprising a plurality of repeatedly applied acquisition blocks (21), wherein each acquisition block (21) comprises two units (22, 23) in immediate succession, namely: i) a first unit (22) starting with an excitation RF pulse radiated toward the object (10), with the duration of the first unit being an integer multiple of a given time interval T, and ii) a second unit (23) starting with a refocusing RF pulse radiated toward the object (10) and comprising a readout magnetic field gradient (GM) and a phase encoding magnetic field gradient (GP), with the duration of the second unit (23) being an integer multiple of the time interval T, acquiring one or more phase-encoded spin echo signals (31, 32) in a sequence of acquisition blocks (21), and reconstructing one or more MR images from the acquired spin echo signals (
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventor: TIM NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 9753111
    Abstract: A system and method determines an isocenter for an imaging scan. The method includes receiving, by a control panel, patient data generated by at least one sensor, the patient data corresponding to dimensions of a body of a patient. The method includes generating, by the control panel, model data as a function of the patient data, the model data representing the body of the patient. The method includes receiving, by the control panel, a target location on the model data, the target location corresponding to a desired position on the body of the patient for performing the imaging scan. The method includes determining, by the control panel, an isocenter for the imaging scan as a function of the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Forthmann, Sascha Krueger, Tim Nielsen, Jurgen Erwin Rahmer, Peter Vernickel, Peter Boernert, Ulrich Katscher
  • Publication number: 20170219673
    Abstract: A method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system (10) being connectable to a respiration monitoring means (46) which is configured to provide an output signal (48) whose level represents a respiration state of the subject of interest (20), the method comprising: —a step (54) of providing a prospective acquisition scheme for acquiring magnetic resonance images at each respiration state of a set of selected respiration states of the subject of interest (20), the triggering on the selected respiration states being based on predetermined threshold output signal levels of the respiration monitoring means (46), and, during executing magnetic resonance image acquisition pursuant to the prospective acquisition scheme, a step (58) of comparing actual respiration states at which magnetic resonance images were actually acquired, with the selected respiration states according to the prospective acquisition scheme and predetermined ranges of tolerance (52) of the selected respiration states, —a step (60) of modif
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Sascha Krueger
  • Patent number: 9568578
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging scan using a MR scanner receives via a user interface a MR imaging protocol categorizable into a MR scan type of a predefined set of MR scan types. Further, a database is queried by providing to the database scan information permitting the database to identify the MR scan type of the MR imaging protocol. Statistical information on the MR scan type which can include statistics on modifications of individual scan parameters of the MR scan type is received from a database, and the statistical information is provided to the user interface. Modifications of the MR imaging protocol can be received from the user interface, resulting in a modified MR imaging protocol, according to which the MR imaging scan can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Julien Senegas, Jens Von Berg, Eric Cohen-Solal, Sebastian Peter Michael Dries, Michael Chun-Chieh Lee, Tim Nielsen, Stefanie Remmele, Torbjorn Vik
  • Patent number: 9511244
    Abstract: A combined magnetic resonance (MR) and radiation therapy system includes a bore-type magnet with a magnet radiation translucent region which allows radiation beams to travel radially through the magnet and a split-type gradient coil includes a gradient coil radiation translucent region aligned to the magnet radiation translucent region. A radiation source, disposed laterally to the magnet, administers a radiation dose through the magnet and gradient coil radiation translucent regions to an examination region. A dosage unit determines the actual radiation dose delivered to each voxel of a target volume and at least one non-target volume based on a pre-treatment, intra-treatment, and/or post-treatment image representation of the target volume and the at least one non-target volume. A planning processor updates at least one remaining radiation dose of a radiation therapy plan based on the determined actual radiation dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Peter Boernert, Falk Uhlemann, Johannes Adrianus Overweg
  • Publication number: 20160349344
    Abstract: A method of operating a respiratory-guided magnetic resonance imaging system (10) with regard to triggering of magnetic resonance image acquisition, the magnetic resonance imaging system (10) being connectable to a respiration monitoring device (46) which is configured to provide an output signal (48) whose level represents a respiration state of the subject of interest (20), the method comprising a step (56) of generating an interleaved acquisition scheme for acquiring magnetic resonance images, a step (60) of adapting, in case of an occurrence of an irregularity in the breathing of the subject of interest (20) in the output signal (48) obtained by the respiration monitoring device (46) in the course of executing magnetic resonance image acquisition, at least one parameter of the interleaved acquisition scheme, wherein the at least one adapted parameter is at least one of a next respiration state of the subject of interest (20) to trigger on for acquiring at least one magnetic resonance image, a radio freque
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: TIM NIELSEN, SASCHA KRUEGER
  • Patent number: 9488574
    Abstract: A device (1) for imaging the interior of an optically turbid medium is provided. The device comprises a receptacle (3; 103) structured to accommodate an optically turbid medium for examination and an optically matching medium filling a space between an inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle (3; 103) and the optically turbid medium. The device comprises at least one light source generating light to be coupled into the receptacle (3; 103) and at least one detector for detecting light emanating from the receptacle (3; 103). A coupling surface (10; 110) optically coupled to the inner surface (6; 106) of the receptacle and a coupling member (11; 111) optically coupled to the light source and the detector are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Koehler, Tim Nielsen, Bernhard Brendel, Andy Ziegler, Ronny Ziegler, Levinus Pieter Bakker, Martinus Bernardus Van Der Mark
  • Publication number: 20160313416
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) with a radio frequency system (114, 116, 120, 124, 126) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142, 144, 156). The radio frequency system comprises a coil (124) with multiple antenna elements (126). The MRI system further comprises processor (133) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. Execution of instructions (140, 170, 172, 174) cause the processor to: acquire (200) calibration magnetic resonance data (142) from a first field of view within the imaging zone using the multiple antenna elements, calculate (202, 300, 302, 304, 400) modified magnetic resonance data (144) by interpolating the calibration magnetic resonance data to a second field of view, calculate (204, 500, 502, 504, 602) a coil sensitivity kernel (146) by deconvolving the modified magnetic resonance data, and calculate (206, 604, 610) a coil sensitivity (148) by transforming each coil sensitivity matrix kernel into image space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: TIM NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 9453898
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system including a memory for storing machine executable instructions and a processor for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. The MRI system for performing a plurality of MRI scans for acquiring magnetic resonance data from a target volume of a patient in accordance with respective predefined scan geometries. The execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to control the MRI system to at least: perform a first calibration scan; perform a second calibration scan; generate geometry transformation data; determine a deviation of the target volume caused by a movement of the patient; update each of the predefined scan geometries and the second scan geometry as a function of the geometry transformation data; and perform at least one MRI scan of the plurality of MRI scans to acquire image data in accordance with the respective updated predefined scan geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Peter Boernert, Julien Senegas
  • Publication number: 20160252596
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (142, 148, 158) with a pulse sequence (140) for multiple slice acquisition performed over multiple repetition cycles. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a processor (540) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. The execution of the instructions cause the processor to: acquire (200) a first slice group (142) of the magnetic resonance data during a first repetition cycle; extract (202) first central k-space data (144) from the first slice group; reconstruct (204) first navigator data (146) using the first central k-space data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: TIM NIELSEN, PETER BOERNERT, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160109545
    Abstract: A system and method determines an isocenter for an imaging scan. The method includes receiving, by a control panel, patient data generated by at least one sensor, the patient data corresponding to dimensions of a body of a patient. The method includes generating, by the control panel, model data as a function of the patient data, the model data representing the body of the patient. The method includes receiving, by the control panel, a target location on the model data, the target location corresponding to a desired position on the body of the patient for performing the imaging scan. The method includes determining, by the control panel, an isocenter for the imaging scan as a function of the target location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: PETER FORTHMANN, SASCHA KRUEGER, TIM NIELSEN, JURGEN ERWIN RAHMER, PETER VERNICKEL, PETER BOERNERT, ULRICH KATSCHER
  • Patent number: 9317941
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a limited angle tomography in combination with a filtered back projection using a special filter operator X. The filter operator X used within the present invention makes it possible to perform region of interest reconstructions although delivering high quality reconstruction images as generated by high effort SART methods. The used filter operator is purely and solely mathematically determined and defined by the spatial geometry which is used for the limited angle tomography. Without having the need to perform several iterations, the present invention directly calculates a solution, i.e. reconstructed image, equivalent to known iteratively construction methods. Although, incomplete projection data p may only be used, the present invention provides for a high image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Sebastian Hitziger, Michael Grass
  • Publication number: 20160071293
    Abstract: A method for processing image data of an X-ray device (10) comprises the steps of: receiving a plurality of two-dimensional projection images (32) from an object of interest (22), wherein the projection images have been acquired by transmitting X-rays (20) through the object of interest (20) with respect to different view angles; generating a three- dimensional raw image volume (36) from the plurality of two-dimensional projection images (32) with respect to a coordinate grid (50) adapted to the geometry of the transmitted X-rays (20); and generating a deconvolved three-dimensional image (40) by applying a two- dimensional deconvolution to slices (52) of the three-dimensional raw image volume (36), which slices (32) are adapted to the coordinate grid (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Hanno Heyke HOMANN, Klaus ERHARD, Tim NIELSEN
  • Publication number: 20160030770
    Abstract: A combined magnetic resonance (MR) and radiation therapy system includes a bore-type magnet with a magnet radiation translucent region which allows radiation beams to travel radially through the magnet and a split-type gradient coil includes a gradient coil radiation translucent region aligned to the magnet radiation translucent region. A radiation source, disposed laterally to the magnet, administers a radiation dose through the magnet and gradient coil radiation translucent regions to an examination region. A dosage unit determines the actual radiation dose delivered to each voxel of a target volume and at least one non-target volume based on a pre-treatment, intra-treatment, and/or post-treatment image representation of the target volume and the at least one non-target volume. A planning processor updates at least one remaining radiation dose of a radiation therapy plan based on the determined actual radiation dose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: TIM NIELSEN, PETER BOERNERT, FALK UHLEMANN, JOHANNES ADRIANUS OVERWEG
  • Publication number: 20150355305
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (100, 600) that generates information indicative of a fluid flow in accordance with a pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) method. The MRI system may include at least one controller (104, 610) configured to generate a pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) pulse sequence (200) including at least a first gradient (GR) pulse sequence (207) having a sinusoidal waveform including a plurality of cycles, and a second radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence (205) including a half-wave rectified sinusoidal waveform having a plurality of cycles and which is synchronous with the first GR pulse sequence; label at least part of the fluid flow in a labeling region during a labeling mode using the pCASL pulse sequence; acquire label and control image information of the fluid flow at an imaging region proximal to downstream of the labeling region; and/or generate image information in accordance with a difference of the acquired label and control image information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Gunter Helle, Tim Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9188654
    Abstract: A combined magnetic resonance (MR) and radiation therapy system (10) includes a bore-type magnet (12) with a magnet radiation translucent region (16) which allows radiation beams to travel radially through the magnet and a split-type gradient coil (18) includes a gradient coil radiation translucent region (20) aligned to the magnet radiation translucent region (16). A radiation source (24), disposed laterally to the magnet, administers a radiation dose through the magnet and gradient coil radiation translucent regions (16, 20) to an examination region (14). A dosage unit (66) determines the actual radiation dose delivered to each voxel of a target volume (30) and at least one non-target volume based on a pre-treatment, intra-treatment, and/or post-treatment image representation of the target volume (30) and the at least one non-target volume. A planning processor (60) updates at least one remaining radiation dose of a radiation therapy plan based on the determined actual radiation dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Nielsen, Peter Boernert, Falk Uhlemann, Johannes Adrianus Overweg