Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Harer

Wolfgang Harer 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: 8150131
    Abstract: In a computer tomography method an object region of the object being examined is determined in that projection beams that are linked with maximum attenuation are sought in cropped projection images. A central point of the object region is then determined and the object sections associated with the projection beams plotted on the central point. The object region can be at least approximately determined using the end points of the object sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Patent number: 8126236
    Abstract: Method for three-dimensional representation of arteries and/or veins in an object by a tomography x-ray device is proposed. A mask pass with N projections at N angular positions without contrast agent is implemented. A first filler pass with M projections at M angular positions after injecting a contrast agent, where M<N is implemented, followed by a second filler pass with N?M projections at N?M angular positions. A composite three-dimensional volume data record is reconstructed from an intermediate data record determined from the mask pass, the first and the second filler pass. A reprojection for arteries and/or for veins is calculated by reprojection of the first filler pass and/or of the second filler pass from the composite three-dimensional volume data record. A three-dimensional volume data record for arteries and/or for veins is calculated by weighting the composite three-dimensional volume data record taking into account the respective measured and calculated projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 8121372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing image noise in the context of capturing at least one radiation-based image of a region of interest using two different radiation spectra, in particular two different x-ray radiation spectra, comprising the following steps: capturing raw images of the region of interest using the two different radiation spectra with in each case mutually paired measured values; and to separate different materials in the region of interest, applying to the captured raw images at least one inversion operator with integrated noise filtering, said operator describing a transition from a measured value pair to an assigned reconstruction value pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Dr. Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf
  • Patent number: 8045774
    Abstract: A method for creating material-selective volume images of various material components of an object to be examined is proposed. The method is based on multi-spectral projected images captured from various directions of projection, the images being captured using an X-ray machine, and makes it possible to quantitively exactly determine the material-selective volume images by way of iteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Patent number: 8036453
    Abstract: A number of two-dimensional projection images of a three-dimensional examination object are assigned image times and imaging parameters. The projection images are combined into reconstruction groups including projection images with image times specifically assigned or within a time interval specific to the reconstruction groups. The reconstruction groups are determined in such a way that three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-dependent local resolution can be determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups; it is not possible to determine three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-independent local resolution. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination are determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups. Reconstruction times are determined based on the image times assigned to the projection images of the reconstruction groups and assigned to the three-dimensional reconstructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Marcus Pfister
  • Patent number: 7916829
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography method. The airgap associated with a projection direction is determined by determining, in the projection images, edge pixels which map object edges on a detector. By back-projecting the edge pixels in an object image space it is possible to determine an envelope polygon for an outline contour of the examination object. The width of the airgap associated with a specific projection direction can then be determined on the basis of the envelope polygon. Exact knowledge of the current airgap serves to improve the scattered radiation correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Alois Nöttling, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf
  • Patent number: 7899152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographic method, in which during one recording pass a series of projection recordings is registered by an imaging unit at different recording angles between a start position and an end position, it being possible to reconstruct three-dimensional image data from the projection recordings with the following steps: a) generation of tomosynthesis projection recordings along a tomosynthesis scanning path; b) interpolation of the data of the tomosynthesis projection recordings in accordance with an interpolation algorithm in order to generate a projection data set; c) use of a tomosynthesis reconstruction method on the projection data set in order to generate a tomosynthesis volume image; d) repetition of steps b) and c) for all times of interest, and e) display of tomosynthesis representations from the tomosynthesis volume images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Boese, Wolfgang Härer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 7796723
    Abstract: In a known type of tomosynthesis x-ray source and x-ray detector are linearly moved and x-rays images are taken for a large number of positions, the images being reconstructed to give a 3D image record. According to the invention x-ray source and x-ray detector are swiveled and a sequence of x-rays is subsequently taken again, x-ray source and x-ray detector again being moved in a straight line. One drawback of simple tomosynthesis with movement in a straight line is suppressed thereby, the drawback being that the quality of reconstruction is particularly poor in a certain direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 7653172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating tomographical recordings of a partially cyclically moving examination object by a tomography system and a tomography system, comprising the steps of: a spatial scanning of the examination object taking place using at least one detector, which generates detector output data; movement information of the moving subarea of the examination object being recorded during the scanning and being assigned to the detector output data or stored in a manner which correlates to the detector output data; and tomographical image data being reconstructed from the measured detector output data in a number of iteration steps. The invention is characterized in that iteration takes place in at least two iteration stages, with data records being used from the detector output data of different cycle phase regions in at least two iteration stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Holger Kunze
  • Publication number: 20090175407
    Abstract: In a computer tomography method an object region of the object being examined is determined in that projection beams that are linked with maximum attenuation are sought in cropped projection images. A central point of the object region is then determined and the object sections associated with the projection beams plotted on the central point. The object region can be at least approximately determined using the end points of the object sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Ernst-Peter Ruhmschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Publication number: 20090135993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a computed tomography method. The airgap associated with a projection direction is determined by determining, in the projection images, edge pixels which map object edges on a detector. By back-projecting the edge pixels in an object image space it is possible to determine an envelope polygon for an outline contour of the examination object. The width of the airgap associated with a specific projection direction can then be determined on the basis of the envelope polygon. Exact knowledge of the current airgap serves to improve the scattered radiation correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Alois Nottling, Ernst-Peter Ruhrnschopf
  • Publication number: 20090092225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for a three-dimensional representation of a moving structure by a tomographic method, in which during one recording pass a series of projection recordings is registered by an imaging unit at different recording angles between a start position and an end position, it being possible to reconstruct three-dimensional image data from the projection recordings with the following steps: a) generation of tomosynthesis projection recordings along a tomosynthesis scanning path; b) interpolation of the data of the tomosynthesis projection recordings in accordance with an interpolation algorithm in order to generate a projection data set; c) use of a tomosynthesis reconstruction method on the projection data set in order to generate a tomosynthesis volume image; d) repetition of steps b) and c) for all times of interest, and e) display of tomosynthesis representations from the tomosynthesis volume images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Jan Boese, Wolfgang Harer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Publication number: 20090086883
    Abstract: A method for creating material-selective volume images of various material components of an object to be examined is proposed. The method is based on multi-spectral projected images captured from various directions of projection, the images being captured using an X-ray machine, and makes it possible to quantitively exactly determine the material-selective volume images by way of iteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Ernst-Peter Rührnschopf, Bernhard Scholz
  • Publication number: 20090080736
    Abstract: There is described a method for a separate three-dimensional representation of arteries and/or veins of a vascular system in an examination object by means of a tomography x-ray device with the following steps: Implementation of a mask pass of the x-ray device with N projections at N angular positions about the examination object without contrast agent; Implementation of a first filler pass of the x-ray device about the examination object with M projections at M of the N angular positions after injection of a contrast agent, where M<N; Implementation of a second filler pass of the x-ray device about the examination object with N-M projections at N-M of the N angular positions directly following the first filler pass; reconstruction of a composite three-dimensional volume data record from an intermediate data record, said intermediate data record being determined from the data records resulting from the mask pass, the first filler pass and the second filler pass by subtraction and combination; Calculation o
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Publication number: 20090060313
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing image noise in the context of capturing at least one radiation-based image of a region of interest using two different radiation spectra, in particular two different x-ray radiation spectra, comprising the following steps: capturing raw images of the region of interest using the two different radiation spectra with in each case mutually paired measured values; and to separate different materials in the region of interest, applying to the captured raw images at least one inversion operator with integrated noise filtering, said operator describing a transition from a measured value pair to an assigned reconstruction value pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Klaus Klingenbeck-Regn, Ernst-Peter Ruhrnschopf
  • Patent number: 7447295
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for reconstructing a tomographic representation of an object from projection data off a moving radiation source through this object onto a detector, filtering and back projection of the projection data being executed in the reconstruction. In an embodiment of the method, by using at least one identical spatial arrangement of the radiation source, the detector and a test object instead of the object to be scanned, there is determined by test projections and an iterative reconstruction technique, a filter that in the given arrangement results in an optimum filtering and back projection of the projection data of the test object for the tomographic representation. Further, the object is scanned instead of the test object in the given arrangement and projection data are determined. Finally, the reconstruction of the tomographic representation is carried out using these projection data and the filter determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Hoheisel, Wolfgang Harer, Holger Kunze, Karl Stierstorfer
  • Publication number: 20080130826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating tomographical recordings of a partially cyclically moving examination object by a tomography system and a tomography system, comprising the steps of: a spatial scanning of the examination object taking place using at least one detector, which generates detector output data; movement information of the moving subarea of the examination object being recorded during the scanning and being assigned to the detector output data or stored in a manner which correlates to the detector output data; and tomographical image data being reconstructed from the measured detector output data in a number of iteration steps. The invention is characterized in that iteration takes place in at least two iteration stages, with data records being used from the detector output data of different cycle phase regions in at least two iteration stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Holger Kunze
  • Publication number: 20080123928
    Abstract: A number of two-dimensional projection images of a three-dimensional examination object are assigned image times and imaging parameters. The projection images are combined into reconstruction groups including projection images with image times specifically assigned or within a time interval specific to the reconstruction groups. The reconstruction groups are determined in such a way that three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-dependent local resolution can be determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups; it is not possible to determine three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination object with direction-independent local resolution. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the examination are determined based on the projection images of the reconstruction groups. Reconstruction times are determined based on the image times assigned to the projection images of the reconstruction groups and assigned to the three-dimensional reconstructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Marcus Pfister
  • Publication number: 20080031403
    Abstract: In a known type of tomosynthesis x-ray source and x-ray detector are linearly moved and x-rays images are taken for a large number of positions, the images being reconstructed to give a 3D image record. According to the invention x-ray source and x-ray detector are swiveled and a sequence of x-rays is subsequently taken again, x-ray source and x-ray detector again being moved in a straight line. One drawback of simple tomosynthesis with movement in a straight line is suppressed thereby, the drawback being that the quality of reconstruction is particularly poor in a certain direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harer, Michael Zellerhoff
  • Patent number: 7245125
    Abstract: In a method and MRI apparatus for the minimization of streak artifacts in modular k-space scanning in magnetic resonance imaging, an odd integer k-space scanning module number N?=2n+1 is defined that defines the number of incrementally rotated repeated modules of the k-space scanning process, a slice selection gradient selects any slice in the range of the object to be examined, and data for all N? angle-oriented k-space scanning modules in the selected slice acquired such that each k-space scanning module has an azmuthal distance of ? ? ? ? 2 = 360 ? ° 2 ? ? N ? from both adjacent projections, with the direction of the scanning of the adjacent k-space scanning modules alternating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Härer, Peter Speier