Patents by Inventor Ulrich Katscher

Ulrich Katscher 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: 20220308148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of MR imaging of an object (10) placed in an examination volume of a MR device (1). It is an object of the invention to enable MR signal acquisition in a single scan providing the necessary information for electric properties imaging (EPT), namely a phase map as well as tissue boundaries. The method of the invention comprises the following steps: —subjecting the object (10) to a multi echo steady state imaging sequence or a fast spectroscopic imaging sequence comprising RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients, wherein two or more echo signals are generated after each RF excitation; —acquiring the echo signals; —deriving a magnitude image and a phase map from the acquired echo signals, which phase map represents the spatial RF field distribution induced by the RF pulses in the object (10); and —reconstructing an electric conductivity map from the magnitude image and from the phase map, wherein tissue boundaries are derived from at least the magnitude image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ulrich Katscher, Johan Samuel Van Den Brink, Jochen Keupp
  • Publication number: 20220301687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining electrical properties, EP, of a target volume (708) in an imaged subject (718). The method comprises: a) training (201) a deep neural network, DNN, using a training dataset, the training dataset comprising training B1 field maps and corresponding EP maps, the training comprising using a monte carlo, MC, dropout of the DNN during the training, resulting in a trained DNN configured for generating EP maps from B1 field maps; b) receiving (203) an input B1 field map of the target volume, and repeatedly generate by the trained DNN from the input B1 field map an EP map, resulting in a set of EP maps, wherein the generating comprises using in each repetition the MC dropout during inference of the DNN; c) combining (205) the set of EP maps for determining an EP map and associated uncertainty map of the input B1 field map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Ulrich KATSCHER, Nils HAMPE
  • Publication number: 20220248973
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining electrical properties, EP, of a target volume (708) in an imaged subject (718). The method comprises: performing a first training (201) of a deep neural network, DNN, using a first training dataset, the first training dataset comprising training B1 field maps and corresponding first EP maps, the first training resulting in a pre-trained DNN configured for generating EP maps from B1 field maps; performing a second training (203) of the pre-trained DNN using conditional generative adversarial networks, GAN, and a second training dataset, wherein the pre-trained DNN is a generator of the conditional GAN, the second training dataset comprising measured B1 maps and second EP maps, the second training resulting in a trained DNN; receiving (205) an input B1 field map of the target volume and generating an EP map of the input B1 field map using the trained DNN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Ulrich KATSCHER, Nils HAMPE
  • Patent number: 11373304
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented medical analysis method for predicting metastases (300) in a test tissue sample, the method comprising: providing a first machine learning model (154) having an input and an output, receiving a description (401) of a tumor (304) and first image data (148) of a test tissue sample of an anatomy region (306), the test tissue sample being free of metastases (300), providing the first image data (148) and the tumor description (401) to the input of the first machine learning model (154), in response to the providing, receiving from the output of the first machine learning model (154) a prediction of occurrence of metastases (300) originating from the tumor (304) in the test tissue sample, and providing the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Katscher, Karsten Sommer, Axel Saalbach
  • Patent number: 11353532
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for determining an approximation (150) of an electric conductivity distribution within a three-dimensional anatomical structure of interest. The determining comprises acquiring a first set of (3-n)-dimensional magnetic resonance data (144), reconstructing a (3-n)-dimensional phase distribution (146) using the (3-n)-dimensional magnetic resonance data (144), calculating a (3-n)-dimensional electric conductivity distribution (148) using spatial derivatives within the (3-n) dimensions and applying to the (3-n)-dimensional electric conductivity distribution (148) a scaling factor compensating for the relative reduction of dimensions by n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Katscher, Christian Findelkee, Jochen Keupp
  • Patent number: 11131736
    Abstract: An iterative reconstruction is performed of multiple gradient echo MR imaging data to generate a reconstructed MR image (36). The iterative reconstruction uses a model (30) that links the MR imaging data and the reconstructed MR image. The model includes a parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component (32). During the performing of the iterative reconstruction, parameters of the parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component of the model are updated to optimize a cost function (40) dependent on partial derivatives of the reconstructed MR image with respect to the parameters of the parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component of the model. The image may be further processed to generate an R2* map (50), an SWI image (52), or a QSM map (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Jakob Meineke, Ulrich Katscher, Tim Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20210259569
    Abstract: The invention provides for a medical imaging system (100, 300) comprising: a memory (110) for storing machine executable instructions (120); and a processor (104) for controlling the medical imaging system. Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to: receive (200) a resting group of B1 phase maps (122) of a region (309) of interest of a subject (318); receive (202) an active group of B1 phase maps (124) of the region of interest of the subject, calculate (204) a resting group of conductivity maps (126) for the region of interest using the resting group of B1 phase maps according to an electrical properties tomography algorithm; calculate (206) an active group of conductivity maps (128) for the region of interest using the active group of B1 phase maps according to the electrical properties tomography algorithm, and calculate (208) a conductivity change mapping (130) for the region of interest using the resting group of conductivity maps and the active group of conductivity maps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: MICHAEL GUNTER HELLE, ULRICH KATSCHER
  • Publication number: 20210186588
    Abstract: The invention provides for a medical system (100, 300, 400, 500) comprising: a memory (110) for storing machine executable instructions (150) and a processor (104) for controlling the medical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: ULRICH KATSCHER, JOCHEN KEUPP, HOLGER GRUELL, EDWIN HEIJMAN, SIN YUIN YEO
  • Patent number: 10987020
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve tissue classification in MRI images. In particular it is an object of the invention to improve the classification of bone and air in MRI images. This object is achieved by a method for tissue classification in a region of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) image comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region represents air and the second region represents bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Steffen Weiss, Ulrich Katscher, Christian Stehning, Michael Gunter Helle
  • Publication number: 20210072333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for determining an approximation (150) of an electric conductivity distribution within a three-dimensional anatomical structure of interest. The determining comprises acquiring a first set of (3-n)-dimensional magnetic resonance data (144), reconstructing a (3-n)-dimensional phase distribution (146) using the (3-n)-dimensional magnetic resonance data (144), calculating a (3-n)-dimensional electric conductivity distribution (148) using spatial derivatives within the (3-n) dimensions and applying to the (3-n)-dimensional electric conductivity distribution (148) a scaling factor compensating for the relative reduction of dimensions by n.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ulrich KATSCHER, Christian FINDELKEE, Jochen KEUPP
  • Publication number: 20200410672
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented medical analysis method for predicting metastases (300) in a test tissue sample, the method comprising: providing a first machine learning model (154) having an input and an output, receiving a description (401) of a tumor (304) and first image data (148) of a test tissue sample of an anatomy region (306), the test tissue sample being free of metastases (300), providing the first image data (148) and the tumor description (401) to the input of the first machine learning model (154), in response to the providing, receiving from the output of the first machine learning model (154) a prediction of occurrence of metastases (300) originating from the tumor (304) in the test tissue sample, and providing the prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: ULRICH KATSCHER, KARSTEN SOMMER, AXEL SAALBACH
  • Patent number: 10852381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (10), the system comprising a magnetic resonance imaging device (12) for acquiring data from a moving subject (14), especially a fetus or a part of said fetus; and an image generator (30) for generating an image of said moving subject (14), wherein the magnetic resonance imaging device (12) is configured to acquire the data from the subject (14) at different positions of said subject (14) with respect to a magnetization direction B0, utilizing the movement of the subject (14); and wherein the image generator (30) is configured to —determine the position and/or orientation of said subject (14) during the respective data acquisition; —reconstruct phase images from the acquired data; and —generate a susceptibility map based on the reconstructed phase images. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for generating an image of the subject (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Katscher, Jan Jakob Meineke
  • Publication number: 20200372653
    Abstract: A computerized system for monitoring cancer therapy and a related method. The system comprises an input port (IN) for receiving two or more input images acquired of a subject, the two or more input images capable of recording metabolic activity and extracellular pH level. An evaluator (EVAL) of the system is configured to assess, based on the input images, i) a change over time in metabolic activity and ii) a change over time in extracellular pH level. The evaluator (EVAL) is further configured to establish, based on the assessment, an indication on whether or not there is a response to a cancer therapy in relation to a lesion of the subject or on whether the assessment is inconclusive. The indication is output through an output interface (OUT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Reinhold Wimberger-Friedl, Vanda Lucia de Carvalho Vittorino de Almeida, Ulrich Katscher
  • Patent number: 10761170
    Abstract: The invention provides for a medical imaging system (100, 400) comprising: a memory (112) for storing machine executable instructions and a processor (106) for controlling the medical imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Jakob Meineke, Ulrich Katscher
  • Publication number: 20190212406
    Abstract: An iterative reconstruction is performed of multiple gradient echo MR imaging data to generate a reconstructed MR image (36). The iterative reconstruction uses a model (30) that links the MR imaging data and the reconstructed MR image. The model includes a parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component (32). During the performing of the iterative reconstruction, parameters of the parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component of the model are updated to optimize a cost function (40) dependent on partial derivatives of the reconstructed MR image with respect to the parameters of the parameterized magnetic field fluctuation component of the model. The image may be further processed to generate an R2* map (50), an SWI image (52), or a QSM map (54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: JAN JAKOB MEINEKE, ULRICH KATSCHER, TIM NIELSEN
  • Patent number: 10330757
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100, 300, 100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (110, 1104) from a subject (118) within an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises a memory (136) for storing machine executable instructions (160, 162, 164, 166, 316) and pulse sequence data (140, 1102). The pulse sequence data comprises instructions for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system to acquire magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance imaging method. The magnetic resonance imaging system further comprises a processor (130) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Katscher, Jan Jakob Meineke, Holger Eggers, Peter Boernert
  • Publication number: 20190033411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging system (10), the system comprising a magnetic resonance imaging device (12) for acquiring data from a moving subject (14), especially a fetus or a part of said fetus; and an image generator (30) for generating an image of said moving subject (14), wherein the magnetic resonance imaging device (12) is configured to acquire the data from the subject (14) at different positions of said subject (14) with respect to a magnetization direction B0, utilizing the movement of the subject (14); and wherein the image generator (30) is configured to —determine the position and/or orientation of said subject (14) during the respective data acquisition; —reconstruct phase images from the acquired data; and —generate a susceptibility map based on the reconstructed phase images. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for generating an image of the subject (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: ULRICH KATSCHER, JAN JAKOB MEINEKE
  • Patent number: 10185011
    Abstract: An electric properties tomography method for reconstructing a spatial distribution of electric conductivity (?) from magnetic resonance image data representative of a magnetic resonance image of at least a portion of a subject of interest (20), the spatial distribution covering at least a portion of the area of the magnetic resonance image, and the method comprising following steps:—segmenting the magnetic resonance image,—extrapolating acquired phase values, —replacing acquired phase values by the extrapolated phase values,—transforming into the frequency domain,—multiplying a frequency domain-transformed numerical second derivative by the acquired phase values and the frequency domain-transformed numerical second derivative by the extrapolated phase values, respectively, and—transforming the result of the multiplying into the spatial domain. Also covered are a corresponding MRI system and a software module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christian Stehning, Ulrich Katscher, Thomas Heiko Stehle
  • Publication number: 20180372826
    Abstract: The invention provides for a medical imaging system (100, 400) comprising: a memory (112) for storing machine executable instructions and a processor (106) for controlling the medical imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: JAN JAKOB MEINEKE, ULRICH KATSCHER
  • Publication number: 20180310856
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to improve tissue classification in MRI images. In particular it is an object of the invention to improve the classification of bone and air in MRI images. This object is achieved by a method for tissue classification in a region of interest in a magnetic resonance (MR) image comprising a first region and a second region, wherein the first region represents air and the second region represents bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: STEFFEN WEISS, ULRICH KATSCHER, CHRISTIAN STEHNING, MICHAEL GUNTER HELLE