Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Strob

Wolfgang Strob 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: 7750315
    Abstract: A fluorescence or luminescence scanner and a method for generating 3D fluorescence or luminescence scans are disclosed. The scanner records a fluorescence and/or luminescence image and an optical image of the body to be examined. A pattern, such as a pattern of stripes or some other geometric pattern, is projected at a first angle onto the body to be examined. As a function of the geometric angles, based on the patterns recorded, 3D location information of each surface point of the scanned body is calculated. Both an optical image and a 3D fluorescence and/or luminescence image are obtained. The mutually superimposed (fused) images can be displayed in the form of a 3D fluorescence or luminescence scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Eustergerling, Donal Medlar, Volker Pritsching, Wolfgang Strob
  • Patent number: 7633071
    Abstract: An image sensor for a fluorescence scanner for recording both optical and fluorescence images is described. The image sensor includes an image detector and a filter layer. The filter layer comprises at least two different surface portions which have at least two different filter properties. At least one surface portion has a filter characteristic such that fluorescent light can pass through, and at least visible light is filtered out. At least one further surface portion has a filter characteristic such that visible light can pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Eustergerling, Donal Medlar, Volker Pritsching, Wolfgang Strob
  • Patent number: 7495233
    Abstract: An apparatus detects fluorescence. The apparatus, also known as a fluorescence scanner, includes an image detector, which is embodied for detecting image data in the wavelength range of fluorescent light, and an excitation light source, which is embodied for generating light in a wavelength range suitable for exciting the fluorescence. The apparatus has a guide beam projector, which is embodied for generating a guide beam from light in the visible wavelength range. The guide beam is aimed such that a projection of the guide beam, a region that is detectable by the image detector is displayed. The guide beam allows exact viewing of a body region to be examined possible for the surgeon, which is not possible on the basis only of the light for exciting a fluorescence, at least whenever the excitation light is in the non-visible wavelength range, such as IR or NIR, or is generated directly during the recording of the fluorescence image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Pfister, Wolfgang Strob
  • Patent number: 7491956
    Abstract: An optical scanning device is provided. The optical scanning device an excitation light source that is operable to illuminate the object to be scanned. An image detector is operable to detect excited emission rays through illumination of the object to be scanned by the excitation light source and imaging optics that dictate a focal distance. The image detector detects a scan image of the emission radiation of the object to be scanned with the highest level of image sharpness if the focal distance is maintained. A control device includes a distance sensor through which a distance between an optical scanning device and the object to be scanned can be measured, wherein maintenance of the focal distance as the function of the measured distance can be checked by the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jochem Knoche, Sebastian Schmidt, Christian P. Schultz, Wolfgang Strob
  • Patent number: 7447538
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a tissue containing a fluorescent dye at least in sections. In order to reduce interference signals, it is proposed to record a first fluorescent image during an illumination phase, and a second fluorescent image during a dark phase, and to correct the first fluorescent image by subtracting the second fluorescent image and to process it subsequently to form an overall image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Ehben, Sebastian Schmidt, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20070239034
    Abstract: An optical scanning device is provided. The optical scanning device an excitation light source that is operable to illuminate the object to be scanned. An image detector is operable to detect excited emission rays through illumination of the object to be scanned by the excitation light source and imaging optics that dictate a focal distance. The image detector detects a scan image of the emission radiation of the object to be scanned with the highest level of image sharpness if the focal distance is maintained. A control device includes a distance sensor through which a distance between an optical scanning device and the object to be scanned can be measured, wherein maintenance of the focal distance as the function of the measured distance can be checked by the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Jochem Knoche, Sebastian Schmidt, Christian Schultz, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20070083124
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying a tissue containing a fluorescent dye at least in sections. In order to reduce interference signals, it is proposed to record a first fluorescent image during an illumination phase, and a second fluorescent image during a dark phase, and to correct the first fluorescent image by subtracting the second fluorescent image and to process it subsequently to form an overall image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Ehben, Sebastian Schmidt, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20060268402
    Abstract: An image sensor for a fluorescence scanner for recording both optical and fluorescence images is described. The image sensor includes an image detector and a filter layer. The filter layer comprises at least two different surface portions which have at least two different filter properties. At least one surface portion has a filter characteristic such that fluorescent light can pass through, and at least visible light is filtered out. At least one further surface portion has a filter characteristic such that visible light can pass through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Norbert Eustergerling, Donal Medlar, Volker Pritsching, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20060264761
    Abstract: A fluorescence scanner, having a light source for generating excitation light, a detector for detecting fluorescent light, and a data acquisition unit. The excitation light source is operated in pulsed fashion. The pulsed mode results in short exposure times for the fluorescence images, so that artifacts caused by motion are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jochem Knoche, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20060249690
    Abstract: An apparatus detects fluorescence. The apparatus, also known as a fluorescence scanner, includes an image detector, which is embodied for detecting image data in the wavelength range of fluorescent light, and an excitation light source, which is embodied for generating light in a wavelength range suitable for exciting the fluorescence. The apparatus has a guide beam projector, which is embodied for generating a guide beam from light in the visible wavelength range. The guide beam is aimed such that a projection of the guide beam, a region that is detectable by the image detector is displayed. The guide beam allows exact viewing of a body region to be examined possible for the surgeon, which is not possible on the basis only of the light for exciting a fluorescence, at least whenever the excitation light is in the non-visible wavelength range, such as IR or NIR, or is generated directly during the recording of the fluorescence image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Marcus Pfister, Wolfgang Strob
  • Publication number: 20060249689
    Abstract: A fluorescence or luminescence scanner and a method for generating 3D fluorescence or luminescence scans are disclosed. The scanner records a fluorescence and/or luminescence image and an optical image of the body to be examined. A pattern, such as a pattern of stripes or some other geometric pattern, is projected at a first angle onto the body to be examined. As a function of the geometric angles, based on the patterns recorded, 3D location information of each surface point of the scanned body is calculated. Both an optical image and a 3D fluorescence and/or luminescence image are obtained. The mutually superimposed (fused) images can be displayed in the form of a 3D fluorescence or luminescence scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Norbert Eustergerling, Donal Medlar, Volker Pritsching, Wolfgang Strob
  • Patent number: 5559845
    Abstract: In a computed tomography apparatus having a gantry, on which a rotating anode x-ray tube and a radiation detector are disposed, the gantry being rotatable around a system axis and being tiltable relative to an axis extending perpendicularly to the system axis, the direction of rotation of the gantry is opposite the direction of rotation of the rotating anode in the x-ray tube. Gyroscopic forces acting on the bearing of the rotating anode are thereby at least partially cancelled, significantly reducing mechanical stress on the anode bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Strob