Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Bielmeier

Wolfgang Bielmeier 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: 10928466
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for operation thereof, at least one electrical operating value of at least one predetermined component of the apparatus is captured and, as a function of the at least one operating value, at least one coil operating value of a transmitting coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance apparatus is controlled for the purpose of limiting a B1 value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10802091
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an absorption rate when using a primary coil of a magnetic resonance device and a secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil and to a monitoring unit, a magnetic resonance device and a computer program product. According to the method a maximum admissible absorption rate is provided, using which a maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. Furthermore, an actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. The absorption rate is monitored using the actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil and the maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Jürgen Nistler, Volker Schnetter
  • Patent number: 10663538
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a temporal change in a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance device, as well as an evaluation unit, a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method provides that a position-dependent magnetic field distribution that is produced by the plurality of gradient coils is provided with a plurality of monitoring points. In addition, time-dependent gradient values of the plurality of gradient coils are ascertained. Based on position-dependent magnetic field distribution and the time-dependent gradient values, the temporal change in the magnetic field is ascertained. The temporal change in the magnetic field is monitored by comparing the temporal change in the magnetic field with at least one limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Helmut Lenz, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10288710
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, a sequence with which the MR data are to be recorded is created in or provided to a control computer of the MR apparatus. A maximum RF output and a maximum gradient performance of the scanner magnetic resonance apparatus during the performance of the sequence are determined by simulating or analyzing the performance of the sequence in the control computer, and it is verified whether the maximum RF output and/or the maximum gradient performance violate predetermined limit values. Execution of the sequence to record the MR data is performed only if the verification showed that the limit values are not violated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Patent number: 10162032
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and an operating method therefor in which magnetic resonance data are acquired from a patient, a measurement process is used in which a number of magnetic resonance sequences are carried out sequentially, and a maximum measurement time parameter, describing a maximum possible measurement time for undershooting a threshold value for the overall energy input into the patient during the measurement process, is established, taking into account other known recording parameters of the measurement process. The maximum measurement time parameter is used to restrict the ability of an operator to set a measurement time parameter describing the measurement time as a recording parameter, and/or is used as the measurement time parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellshaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Miriam Keil, Joerg Roland, Stephan Stoecker
  • Patent number: 10101415
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna
  • Publication number: 20180074138
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a temporal change in a magnetic field in a magnetic resonance device, as well as an evaluation unit, a magnetic resonance device, and a computer program product for performing the method are provided. The method provides that a position-dependent magnetic field distribution that is produced by the plurality of gradient coils is provided with a plurality of monitoring points. In addition, time-dependent gradient values of the plurality of gradient coils are ascertained. Based on position-dependent magnetic field distribution and the time-dependent gradient values, the temporal change in the magnetic field is ascertained. The temporal change in the magnetic field is monitored by comparing the temporal change in the magnetic field with at least one limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Helmut Lenz, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20170343624
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for monitoring an absorption rate when using a primary coil of a magnetic resonance device and a secondary coil inductively coupled to the primary coil and to a monitoring unit, a magnetic resonance device and a computer program product. According to the method a maximum admissible absorption rate is provided, using which a maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. Furthermore, an actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil is determined. The absorption rate is monitored using the actual B1 field strength of the secondary coil and the maximum admissible B1 field strength of the secondary coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Jürgen Nistler, Volker Schnetter
  • Publication number: 20170328966
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and a method for operation thereof, at least one electrical operating value of at least one predetermined component of the apparatus is captured and, as a function of the at least one operating value, at least one coil operating value of a transmitting coil arrangement of the magnetic resonance apparatus is controlled for the purpose of limiting a B1 value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20170315195
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus and an operating method therefor, a sequence with which the MR data are to be recorded is created in or provided to a control computer of the MR apparatus. A maximum RF output and a maximum gradient performance of the scanner magnetic resonance apparatus during the performance of the sequence are determined by simulating or analyzing the performance of the sequence in the control computer, and it is verified whether the maximum RF output and/or the maximum gradient performance violate predetermined limit values. Execution of the sequence to record the MR data is performed only if the verification showed that the limit values are not violated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stoecker, Markus Vester
  • Publication number: 20170299667
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance apparatus by a safety unit, taking into account persons fitted with an implant, a safety unit, a safety system, a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes a first part and a second part. The first part is operated separately from the second part and includes the safety unit. During an examination of a person fitted with an implant, the safety unit checks that the magnetic resonance apparatus, in a restricted operating mode, is complying with implant-conformant limit values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Nikolaus Demharter, Bernd Erbe, Matthias Gebhardt, Jürgen Nistler, Dominik Paul, Carsten Prinz, Gudrun Ruyters, Stephan Stöcker, Markus Vester, Swen Campagna
  • Patent number: 9547053
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exposure experienced by a patient during an examination with a magnetic resonance device having a transmitter device is provided. The method includes determining a coil power loss from measured amplitudes and phases of a first measuring device, and determining an overall transmitted power from voltage measurement values of the second measuring device. The method also includes determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) value describing a power entering a patient from the coil power loss and the overall transmitted power and comparing the SAR value with at least one limit value. A transmission operation of the transmitter device is terminated if the at least one limit value is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dieter Ritter, Volker Schnetter
  • Publication number: 20160077181
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance apparatus and an operating method therefor in which magnetic resonance data are acquired from a patient, a measurement process is used in which a number of magnetic resonance sequences are carried out sequentially, and a maximum measurement time parameter, describing a maximum possible measurement time for undershooting a threshold value for the overall energy input into the patient during the measurement process, is established, taking into account other known recording parameters of the measurement process. The maximum measurement time parameter is used to restrict the ability of an operator to set a measurement time parameter describing the measurement time as a recording parameter, and/or is used as the measurement time parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Miriam Keil, Joerg Roland, Stephan Stoecker
  • Patent number: 9063203
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining at least one PET parameter for a PET examination in a combined magnetic resonance/PET scanner designed for isocentric measurement. In at least one embodiment, at least one acquisition time for the PET examination is determined as a PET parameter from magnetic resonance data, recorded for determining patient-specific examination parameters for a magnetic resonance examination, and/or from at least one patient-specific information value derived therefrom, and is displayed and/or used for controlling the scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Diana Martin, Wolfgang Bielmeier
  • Publication number: 20130147479
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an exposure experienced by a patient during an examination with a magnetic resonance device having a transmitter device is provided. The method includes determining a coil power loss from measured amplitudes and phases of a first measuring device, and determining an overall transmitted power from voltage measurement values of the second measuring device. The method also includes determining a specific absorption rate (SAR) value describing a power entering a patient from the coil power loss and the overall transmitted power and comparing the SAR value with at least one limit value. A transmission operation of the transmitter device is terminated if the at least one limit value is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Matthias Gebhardt, Juergen Nistler, Dieter Ritter, Volker Schnetter
  • Publication number: 20110043204
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance system according to a measurement protocol defined in advance and comprising multiple acquisition parameters, wherein given a non-compliance with at least one limit value (which is automatically established before the beginning of a subject-specific measurement data acquisition)—in particular a SAR limit value and/or a magneto-stimulation limit value and/or a hardware limit value—by the measurement protocol, an adaptation of at least one acquisition parameter ensues using at least one (in particular user-defined) protocol-specific rule for compliance with the limit value, and the measurement data acquisition ensues automatically according to the adapted acquisition parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Gerhard Brinker, Swen Campagna, Thorsten Feiweier, Bernd Kuehn, Mathias Nittka, Carsten Prinz, Thorsten Speckner
  • Patent number: 7474877
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring a radio-frequency power amplifier, and a radio-frequency device, and a radio-frequency monitoring device and a magnetic resonance tomography system, radio-frequency pulses are emitted at temporal intervals by the radio-frequency power amplifier, and measurement values that represent the power of the radio-frequency pulses are measured at temporal intervals. The measurement values are respectively loaded with a measurement error. Control values are respectively formed based on the sum of a number of measurement values loaded with measurement errors, and the radio-frequency power amplifier is limited in operation if and when a control value reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Klaus Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20080319305
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining at least one PET parameter for a PET examination in a combined magnetic resonance/PET scanner designed for isocentric measurement. In at least one embodiment, at least one acquisition time for the PET examination is determined as a PET parameter from magnetic resonance data, recorded for determining patient-specific examination parameters for a magnetic resonance examination, and/or from at least one patient-specific information value derived therefrom, and is displayed and/or used for controlling the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Diana Martin, Wolfgang Bielmeier
  • Patent number: 7342398
    Abstract: In a method, device and magnetic resonance tomography system for monitoring a radio-frequency apparatus in which radio-frequency pulses are emitted at temporal intervals and in which measurement values representing the power of the radio-frequency pulses are measured at temporal intervals, the measurement values are used to determine exposure values that represent a physiological effect that the radio-frequency pulses have on a subject exposed to the radio-frequency pulses. Based on a number of exposure values, exposure-monitoring values are respectively formed and the radio-frequency apparatus is limited in function if an exposure-monitoring value reaches or exceeds an exposure limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Klaus Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7340225
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring of a radio frequency power amplifier and a radio frequency device, a radio frequency monitoring device and magnetic resonance tomography system operable according to the method, radio frequency pulses emitted by a radio frequency power amplifier and are transmitted into a human subject by a transmission coil at temporal intervals. Measurement values that represent the power of the radio frequency pulses are measured at temporal intervals, and varying, predetermined power limit values are determined at temporal intervals. A control value representing the radio frequency dose emitted in a time window is determined based on a number of measurement values measured in the time window. Likewise, a limit control value representing a dose limit value allowed in the appertaining time window is determined based on the power limit values determined in the appertaining time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bielmeier, Klaus Ludwig