Patents by Inventor Wilfried Schnell

Wilfried Schnell 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: 20240012077
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a motor for a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography room, to a patient table for the MR room, to a MR elastography device, and to a MR tomography device. A MR tomography device for a MR elastography imaging protocol is arranged within the MR tomography room, and includes a rotational drive for supplying rotational energy to power a MR elastography transducer usable during the MR elastography imaging protocol, and a support structure. The rotational drive comprises a terminal for connecting the MR elastography transducer to the rotational drive, and a bearing means configured such that the position of the terminal relative to the support structure is adaptable along a trajectory predetermined by the bearing means. The rotational drive is mounted to the support structure via the bearing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Giacomo Annio, Verena Müller-Reinwald, Ralph Sinkus, Omar Darwish, Wilfried Schnell, Tamara Elisabeth Falkner, Ahmed M. Gharib
  • Patent number: 11852704
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a motor for a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography room, to a patient table for the MR room, to a MR elastography device, and to a MR tomography device. A MR tomography device for a MR elastography imaging protocol is arranged within the MR tomography room, and includes a rotational drive for supplying rotational energy to power a MR elastography transducer usable during the MR elastography imaging protocol, and a support structure. The rotational drive comprises a terminal for connecting the MR elastography transducer to the rotational drive, and a bearing means configured such that the position of the terminal relative to the support structure is adaptable along a trajectory predetermined by the bearing means. The rotational drive is mounted to the support structure via the bearing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut National de La Sante et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM), King's College London, Department of Health and Human Services, UNIV PARIS XIII PARIS-NORD VILLETANEUSE, Universite de Paris
    Inventors: Giacomo Annio, Verena Muller-Reinwald, Ralph Sinkus, Omar Darwish, Wilfried Schnell, Tamara Elisabeth Falkner, Ahmed M. Gharib
  • Publication number: 20230296708
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a motor for a magnetic resonance (MR) tomography room, to a patient table for the MR room, to a MR elastography device, and to a MR tomography device. A MR tomography device for a MR elastography imaging protocol is arranged within the MR tomography room, and includes a rotational drive for supplying rotational energy to power a MR elastography transducer usable during the MR elastography imaging protocol, and a support structure. The rotational drive comprises a terminal for connecting the MR elastography transducer to the rotational drive, and a bearing means configured such that the position of the terminal relative to the support structure is adaptable along a trajectory predetermined by the bearing means. The rotational drive is mounted to the support structure via the bearing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Giacomo Annio, Verena Muller-Reinwald, Ralph Sinkus, Omar Darwish, Wilfried Schnell, Tamara Elisabeth Falkner, Ahmed M. Gharib
  • Publication number: 20210325501
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for correcting a movement of an object occurring during an MR image acquisition. The method includes: determining a motion model describing possible movements of the object based on a defined number of degrees of freedom; detecting a motion of a marker provided on the object with a motion sensor; determining a description of the motion model in a common coordinate system; determining the motion of the marker in the common coordinate system; determining a first motion of the object in the common coordinate system using the description of the motion model, the first motion being the motion that best matches the determined motion of the marker in the common coordinate system using the defined number of degrees of freedom; and correcting the movement of the object based on the determined first motion in order to determine at least one motion corrected MR image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Randall Kroeker, Daniel Przioda, Michael Roas-Löffler, Wilfried Schnell, Daniel Nicolas Splitthoff
  • Patent number: 10895614
    Abstract: A local coil array for magnetic resonance applications has a mechanical structure in which a plurality of local coils of the local coil array are arranged. The mechanical structure has base elements and connecting elements. In each case, two of the base elements are connected to one other via at least one connecting element such that, to a limited extent, a translational and/or rotational movement of the base elements relative to one other is possible. The connection of the base elements to the connecting elements is configured such that the connecting elements either do not oppose the movement of the base elements relative to one another or only employ such a low counterforce that when the mechanical structure is placed on a patient from above, the base elements come to rest on the patient while moving relative to one another. At least some of the base elements contain at least a part of one of the local coils of the local coil array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schnell, Yvonne Candidus, Thomas Kundner, Wolfgang Kraus
  • Publication number: 20190162800
    Abstract: A local coil array for magnetic resonance applications has a mechanical structure in which a plurality of local coils of the local coil array are arranged. The mechanical structure has base elements and connecting elements. In each case, two of the base elements are connected to one other via at least one connecting element such that, to a limited extent, a translational and/or rotational movement of the base elements relative to one other is possible. The connection of the base elements to the connecting elements is configured such that the connecting elements either do not oppose the movement of the base elements relative to one another or only employ such a low counterforce that when the mechanical structure is placed on a patient from above, the base elements come to rest on the patient while moving relative to one another. At least some of the base elements contain at least a part of one of the local coils of the local coil array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Wilfried Schnell, Yvonne Candidus, Thomas Kundner, Wolfgang Kraus
  • Patent number: 10126383
    Abstract: An RF pulse alignment method for determining transmit scaling factors used in the control of a magnetic resonance system having a number of radiofrequency transmit channels, via which RF pulse trains are transmitted in parallel during operation, is provided. A common reference pulse train is specified for a number of the radiofrequency transmit channels in the course of the control function. A plurality of candidate images of an object that is to be examined are acquired using different candidate sets of transmit scaling factors. Optimal transmit scaling factors with respect to a predefined criterion are selected for each of the radiofrequency transmit channels based on the acquired candidate images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Mathias Blasche, Franz Hebrank, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 9897671
    Abstract: A detuning apparatus for a receive coil for a magnetic resonance device includes a number of coil elements. The coil elements may be selectively connected to a receive channel of a data processing apparatus by way of a switching apparatus. Each of the coil elements includes at least one detuning assembly such as, for example, a PIN diode that may be switched between a detuning state and a receive state by way of a continuous switching signal. A controller is provided to switch the switching apparatus and to generate the switching signals. The detuning apparatus has first diplexers connected upstream of the switching apparatus for injecting switching signals for switching the detuning assembly for coil elements to be detuned dynamically. The detuning apparatus also includes detuning modules for each of the coil elements to switch the detuning assembly to the detuning state if there is no switching signal present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Klaus Porzelt, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 9817089
    Abstract: A selection unit for a magnetic resonance imaging system may be provided. The selection unit electrically connects a first number of electrical terminals to a second number of communication entities. The selection unit is arranged in and/or on a mobile object-support element for moving an examination object which is to be depicted by the magnetic resonance imaging system into a recording position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Georg Rauh, Wilfried Schnell, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20150219733
    Abstract: An RF pulse alignment method for determining transmit scaling factors used in the control of a magnetic resonance system having a number of radiofrequency transmit channels, via which RF pulse trains are transmitted in parallel during operation, is provided. A common reference pulse train is specified for a number of the radiofrequency transmit channels in the course of the control function. A plurality of candidate images of an object that is to be examined are acquired using different candidate sets of transmit scaling factors. Optimal transmit scaling factors with respect to a predefined criterion are selected for each of the radiofrequency transmit channels based on the acquired candidate images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Mathias Blasche, Franz Hebrank, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 8587308
    Abstract: A flexible design of a transmission system for a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus has multiple radio-frequency control units, connectors that are connected to the radio-frequency control units, a unit to which at least one first connector is connected, which connector is also connected to a first radio-frequency control unit of the radio-frequency control units. The unit is connected via a connector to only some—in particular only one—of the radio-frequency control units. One of these few radio-frequency control units is connected to an additional radio-frequency control unit via an additional connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Philipp Hoecht, Wilfried Schnell
  • Publication number: 20130241556
    Abstract: A detuning apparatus for a receive coil for a magnetic resonance device includes a number of coil elements. The coil elements may be selectively connected to a receive channel of a data processing apparatus by way of a switching apparatus. Each of the coil elements includes at least one detuning assembly such as, for example, a PIN diode that may be switched between a detuning state and a receive state by way of a continuous switching signal. A controller is provided to switch the switching apparatus and to generate the switching signals. The detuning apparatus has first diplexers connected upstream of the switching apparatus for injecting switching signals for switching the detuning assembly for coil elements to be detuned dynamically. The detuning apparatus also includes detuning modules for each of the coil elements to switch the detuning assembly to the detuning state if there is no switching signal present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Klaus Porzelt, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 8502533
    Abstract: In a combined imaging system, including a magnetic resonance system and a UWB radar, interference signals in the received signal of the one imaging system can be caused by the respective other imaging system. Therefore filters which contain in particular adaptive filters are used in order to filter out the interference signals caused in the received signal of the one system by the respective other system. By eliminating the mutually negative influence, the advantages can be completely exploited when operating the different imaging systems at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilfried Schnell
  • Publication number: 20130162253
    Abstract: A selection unit for a magnetic resonance imaging system may be provided. The selection unit electrically connects a first number of electrical terminals to a second number of communication entities. The selection unit is arranged in and/or on a mobile object-support element for moving an examination object which is to be depicted by the magnetic resonance imaging system into a recording position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt, Georg Rauh, Wilfried Schnell, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 8436614
    Abstract: A local coil arrangement for magnetic resonance applications has a base body in which at least one local coil is arranged. An excitation signal to excite an examination subject to emit a magnetic resonance signal can be emitted by the local coil and/or a magnetic resonance signal emitted by the examination subject can be received by means of said local coil. At least one volume region is present in the base body, in which an amount of a substance is located that can be excited by means of the coil or another coil so as to emit a magnetic resonance signal. A shielding is arranged in the base body. The shielding can be controlled so as to either shield or not shield the volume region depending on the control state, so that the volume region is occluded or visible with regard to magnetic resonance applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Peter Heubes, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 8324896
    Abstract: Optimized transmission system for an MRT is achieved by a device and a method to generate transmission signals (29) via multiple transmission units of a transmission system for a magnetic resonance tomography system, wherein transmission data are respectively received from the transmission units via a transmission data input, received transmission data are stored in transmission data memory elements of the transmission units, transmission signals representing stored transmission data are generated with transmission data (stored in transmission data memory elements) by transmission signal transmission units of the transmission units, and the generation of transmission signals proceeds simultaneously via the transmission signal transmission units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudi Baumgartl, Nikolaus Demharter, Philipp Hoecht, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 8217654
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance tomography device has a magnet system that generates a gradient field; with a local coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal; and with a localization system that is fashioned to locate the local coil. The localization system has a number of magnetic field sensors that are integrated with the local coil and fashioned to detect the gradient field. Such a device is used in a corresponding method for localization of a local coil in a magnetic resonance tomography device, and a local coil is fashioned so as to be suitable for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Biber, Peter Heubes, Wilfried Schnell
  • Patent number: 8103071
    Abstract: In an MR-compatible video system, MR-compatible video eyeglasses are connected to a graphics unit. A position sensor arrangement is connected to the graphics unit to detect the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of a user. The graphics unit comprises means for producing image signals for MR-compatible video eyeglasses depending on the position and/or orientation of the MR-compatible video eyeglasses and/or the position of the pupils of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Schnell, Stefan Thesen
  • Patent number: 8035378
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance system has multiple individual transmission antennas each charged with a transmission current to emit an individual excitation field in an examination volume to excite magnetic resonances in a subject, producing a total excitation field as a superimposition of the individual excitation fields. A determination device provided with a spatial distribution of an absorption rate of the examination subject, determines a combination of amplitudes and phase positions for the transmission currents relative to one another such that a locally absorbed power at a first point of the examination subject relative to a locally absorbed power at a second point of the examination subject satisfies a relative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilfried Schnell, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 8026721
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method, radio frequency signals are radiated into an examination subject and/or received from the examination subject by an array of radio frequency coils that completely encircles the examination subject, and that is located at a distance from the examination subject out of contact with the examination subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Sodickson, Stephan Biber, Markus Vester, Wolfgang Renz, Wilfried Schnell