Patents by Inventor Torsten Solf
Torsten Solf 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: 8897518Abstract: A method includes obtaining an image of a region of interest of a subject, wherein the image is generated with image data produced by an imaging system used to scan the subject, obtaining a signal indicative of a physiological state of the subject before the scan, and displaying both the image and data indicative of the physiological state. In another aspect, a method includes correcting, via a processor, a tracer uptake value for a target region of interest based on a tracer uptake correction factor.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Torsten Solf, Bernd Schweizer, Martin Weibrecht, Carolina Ribbing
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Publication number: 20140231655Abstract: The invention is directed to several crystal arrangements for time-of-flight (ToF) positron emission tomography (PET) with depth of interaction (DOI) encoding for high spatial, energy and timing resolution. Additionally, several implementations of the ToF-DOI PET detector arrays are proposed with related measurements which all show that no timing degradation is visible in the used setup for first photon trigger for digital silicon photo multipliers (dSiPMs).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Peter Michael Jakob Dueppenbecker, Torsten Solf
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Publication number: 20140206983Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Volkmar SCHULZ, Torsten SOLF, Johan OVERWEG, Andreas THON
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Patent number: 8723132Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector that is particularly suited for energy resolved single X-ray photon detection in a CT scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the detector has an array of scintillator elements in which incident X-ray photons are converted into bursts of optical photons. Pixels associated to the scintillator elements determine the numbers of optical photons they receive within predetermined acquisition intervals. These numbers can then be digitally processed to detect single X-ray photons and to determine their energy. The pixels may particularly be realized by avalanche photodiodes with associated digital electronic circuits for data processing.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Thomas Frach, Christoph Herrmann, Gordian Prescher, Torsten Solf, Roger Steadman Booker, Guenter Zeitler
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Patent number: 8723521Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Johan Overweg, Andreas Thon
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Publication number: 20140051904Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus for applying energy to an object, wherein the object (2) comprises a location (3) with radioactive material and wherein the energy application apparatus (1) comprises a location detection unit being usable for detecting the location with the radioactive material, and an x-ray unit for applying x-rays to the detected location of the object. Since the location, to which energy should be applied, comprises radioactive material, this location can be accurately detected by using the location detection unit. Moreover, since the application of the x-rays can be well controlled by controlling, for example, the intensity and the energy spectrum of the x-rays, energy can be accurately applied to the accurately detected location. The overall process of applying energy to the object can therefore be performed with increased accuracy.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: Torsten Solf, Carolina Ribbing, Petrus Wilhelmus Helena Van Loon
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Publication number: 20140048716Abstract: A diagnostic imaging device includes a signal processing circuit (22) processes signals from a detector array (16) which detects radiation from an imaging region (20). The hit signals are indicative of a corresponding detector (18) being hit by a radiation photon. The signal processing circuit (22) includes a plurality of input channels (321, 322, 323, 324), each input channel receiving hit signals from a corresponding detector element (18) such that each input channel (321, 322, 323, 324) corresponds to a location at which each hit signal is received. A plurality of integrators (42) integrate signals from the input channels (32) to determine an energy value associated with each radiation hit. A plurality of analog-to-digital converters (441, 442, 443, 444) convert the integrated energy value into a digital energy value. A plurality of time to digital converters (40) receive the hit signals and generate a digital time stamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventor: Torsten SOLF
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Patent number: 8604795Abstract: A generally cylindrical set of coil windings includes primary coil windings and shield coil windings at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and an arcuate or annular central gap that is free of coil windings, has an axial extent of at least ten centimeters, and spans at least a 180° angular interval. Connecting conductors disposed at each edge of the central gap electrically connect selected primary and secondary coil windings. In a scanner setting, a main magnet is disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings. In a hybrid scanner setting, an annular ring of positron emission tomography (PET) detectors is disposed in the central gap of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Johan A. Overweg, Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Gordon D. Demeester, Michael A. Morich
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Patent number: 8598534Abstract: A diagnostic imaging device includes a signal processing circuit (22) processes signals from a detector array (16) which detects radiation from an imaging region (20). The hit signals are indicative of a corresponding detector (18) being hit by a radiation photon. The signal processing circuit (22) includes a plurality of input channels (321, 322, 323, 324), each input channel receiving hit signals from a corresponding detector element (18) such that each input channel (321, 322, 323, 324) corresponds to a location at which each hit signal is received. A plurality of integrators (42) integrate signals from the input channels (32) to determine an energy value associated with each radiation hit. A plurality of analog-to-digital converters (441, 442, 443, 444) convert the integrated energy value into a digital energy value. A plurality of time to digital converters (40) receive the hit signals and generate a digital time stamp.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventor: Torsten Solf
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Publication number: 20130310681Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.Inventors: Volkmar SCHULZ, Torsten SOLF, Johan OVERWEG, Andreas THON
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Patent number: 8519710Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Johan Overweg, Andreas Thon
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Patent number: 8467848Abstract: A nuclear detector module (24) is housed within an electrically conductive hollow resonator element (18) that is to be used in a combined MR and nuclear imaging unit. The resonator element has an inner face (26) which is radiation transparent facing an examination region (14) and a plurality of other faces (28) disposed facing and spaced from an RF screen (22).Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Torsten Solf, Volkmar Schulz
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Patent number: 8350218Abstract: In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers (48) are replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes. One current problem with solid state photomultipliers, is that they are difficult to manufacture in the size in which a typical scintillator is manufactured. Resultantly, the photomultipliers have a smaller light receiving face (50) than a light emitting face (46) of the scintillators (44). The present application contemplates inserting a reflective material (52) between the solid state photomultipliers (48). Instead of being wasted, light that initially misses the photomultiplier (48) is reflected back by the reflective material (52) and eventually back to the radiation receiving face (50) of the photomultiplier (48).Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Andreas Thon, Torsten Solf
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Patent number: 8334697Abstract: A generally cylindrical set of coil windings (10, 30, 80) includes primary coil windings (12, 32, 82) and shield coil windings (14, 34, 84) at a larger radial position than the primary coil windings, and an arcuate or annular central gap (16, 36, 86) that is free of coil windings, has an axial extent (W) of at least ten centimeters, and spans at least a 180° angular interval. Connecting conductors (24, 44, 94) disposed at each edge of the central gap electrically connect selected primary and secondary coil windings. In a scanner setting, a main magnet (62, 64) is disposed outside of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings. In a hybrid scanner setting, an annular ring of positron emission tomography (PET) detectors (66) is disposed in the central gap of the generally cylindrical set of coil windings.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Johan A. Overweg, Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Gordon D. Demeester, Michael A. Morich
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Publication number: 20120206139Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet configured to generate a static magnetic field at least in a MR examination region from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region. The radiation detectors include electron multiplier elements having a direction of electron acceleration arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field. In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.Inventors: Volkmar SCHULZ, Torsten SOLF, Johan OVERWEG, Andreas THON
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Patent number: 8188736Abstract: In a combined system, a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner includes a magnet (10, 110) configured to generate a static magnetic field (B0) at least in a MR examination region (12) from which MR data are acquired. Radiation detectors (40, 41, 140) are configured to detect gamma rays generated by positron-electron annihilation events in a positron emission tomography (PET) examination region (70). The radiation 5 detectors include electron multiplier elements (60, 160) having a direction of electron acceleration (ae) arranged substantially parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field (B0). In some embodiments, the magnet is an open magnet having first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces (14, 15) disposed on opposite sides of a magnetic 10 resonance examination region, and the radiation detectors include first and second arrays (40, 41) of radiation detectors disposed with the first and second spaced apart magnet pole pieces.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Torsten Solf, Johan Overweg, Andreas Thon
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Patent number: 8164063Abstract: A positron emission tomography apparatus (100) includes a plurality of radiation sensitive detector systems (106) and selective trigger systems (120). The selective trigger systems identify detector signals resulting from detected gamma radiation (310) while disregarding spurious detector signals (310). In one implementation, the apparatus (100) includes a time to digital converter which decomposes a measurement time interval (Tmax) according to a binary hierarchical decomposition of level H, where H is an integer greater than equal to one.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Thomas Frach, Torsten Solf, Andreas Thon
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Publication number: 20110299747Abstract: A method includes obtaining an image of a region of interest of a subject, wherein the image is generated with image data produced by an imaging system used to scan the subject, obtaining a signal indicative of a physiological state of the subject before the scan, and displaying both the image and data indicative of the physiological state. In another aspect, a method includes correcting, via a processor, a tracer uptake value for a target region of interest based on a tracer uptake correction factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Torsten Solf, Bernd Schweizer, Martin Weibrecht, Carolina Ribbing
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Publication number: 20110288401Abstract: A nuclear detector module (24) is housed within an electrically conductive hollow resonator element (18) that is to be used in a combined MR and nuclear imaging unit. The resonator element has an inner face (26) which is radiation transparent facing an examination region (14) and a plurality of other faces (28) disposed facing and spaced from an RF screen (22).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Torsten Solf, Volkmar Schulz
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Publication number: 20110017918Abstract: The invention relates to a radiation detector (100) that is particularly suited for energy resolved single X-ray photon detection in a CT scanner. In a preferred embodiment, the detector (100) comprises an array of scintillator elements (S k) in which incident X-ray photons (X) are converted into bursts of optical photons (hn). Pixels (P k) associated to the scintillator elements (S k) determine the numbers of optical photons they receive within predetermined acquisition intervals. These numbers can then be digitally processed to detect single X-ray photons (X) and to determine their energy. The pixels may particularly be realized by avalanche photodiodes with associated digital electronic circuits for data processing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Christian Baeumer, Thomas Frach, Christoph Herrmann, Gordian Prescher, Torsten Solf, Roger Steadman Booker, Guenter Zeitler