Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110064292 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-IMAGE BASED VIRTUAL NON-CONTRAST IMAGE ENHANCEMENT FOR DUAL SOURCE CT - A method for enhancing a virtual non-contrast image, includes receiving a pair of dual scan CT images and calculating a virtual non-contrast image from the pair of CT images using known tissue attenuation coefficients. A conditional probability distribution is estimated for tissue at first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being the same type. A conditional probability distribution for tissue is estimated at the first and second points in each of the pair of CT images and the virtual non-contrast image as being of different types. An a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type is calculated from the conditional probability distributions, and an enhanced virtual non-contrast image is calculated using the a posteriori probability of the tissue at the first and second points as being the same type. | 03-17-2011 |
20110103542 | BEAM HARDENING CORRECTION FOR CT PERFUSION MEASUREMENTS - A method is disclosed for reconstructing image data of an examination subject from measured data, wherein a series of measured data sets has previously been acquired during a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the examination subject and the measured data sets relate to the same section of the examination subject at succeeding instants in time. In at least one embodiment, first image data is reconstructed in each case from the measured data sets such that a series of first image data is available. A change variable indicating a change over time within the series of first image data is determined, and a distinction is made between different components of the examination subject in the first image data with the aid of the change variable. This distinction is used for beam hardening correction in an iterative algorithm for calculating enhanced image data. | 05-05-2011 |
20110243419 | Multisegment Picture Reconstruction For Cardio CT Pictures - A method for reconstructing picture data of a cyclically-moving object from measurement data is disclosed, with the measurement data being detected beforehand for a relative rotational movement between a radiation source of a computed tomography system and the object under examination during a plurality of movement cycles of the object under examination. In at least one embodiment, a first picture and a second picture are determined from the measurement data, with measurement data of different movement cycles being combined for reconstruction of the second picture into a measurement dataset to be used as the basis for the picture reconstruction. Difference information is computed by comparing the first picture with the second picture. Using the difference information, a result picture is computed from the first picture and the second picture. | 10-06-2011 |
20120010479 | METHOD, COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION IN A TISSUE - Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for determining the temperature distribution in a tissue to be ablated and/or in a body tissue of a patient containing the tissue to be ablated. The method includes determining at least one item of information relating to a blood flow associated with at least one of in the tissue to be ablated and in the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated, such that the item of information originates from a perfusion measurement of at least one of the tissue to be ablated and the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated. The method includes determining the temperature distribution in the tissue to be ablated and/or in the body tissue containing the tissue to be ablated taking into account the at least one item of information relating to the blood flow. | 01-12-2012 |
20120093382 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A TOMOGRAPHIC TEMPERATURE MAP IN A PATIENT BY WAY OF A CT DEVICE, CONTROL AND COMPUTING UNIT AND CT SYSTEM - A method for generating a tomographic temperature map in a patient by use of a CT device, a computing unit and CT system with computing unit are disclosed. In at least one embodiment of the method, the local distribution of density and mean atomic number is determined on the basis of tomographic image data from different X-ray energy regions, and a local temperature distribution in the tissue of the patient is ascertained from previously experimentally determined or theoretically calculated relations between Z values, density and temperature. | 04-19-2012 |
20120236995 | Automated Imaging Contrast Agent Determination System - A system automatically adaptively determines contrast agent administration parameters for use in a CT scan imaging system. The system includes a repository, input processor, imaging processor and output processor. The repository includes predetermined information associating, a contrast agent type, contrast agent administration parameters, an imaging system X-ray tube voltage and at least one of, (a) a type of imaging procedure and (b) an anatomical region to be imaged. The input processor receives data identifying a type of imaging procedure or an anatomical region to be imaged. The imaging processor uses the information in automatically identifying contrast agent parameters and X-ray tube voltage in response to the received data. The output processor provides output data to a destination device indicating contrast agent parameters for use in administering contrast agent to a patient. | 09-20-2012 |
20120250967 | METHOD, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A PROPORTION OF NECROTIC TISSUE AS WELL AS COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT WITH PROGRAM SECTIONS FOR DETERMINING A PROPORTION OF NECROTIC TISSUE - An image processing device and method are disclosed for determining a proportion of necrotic tissue in a defined tissue area of an object under examination based on a high-energy image dataset and a low-energy image dataset, each recorded by way of x-ray measurements with different x-ray energies after a contrast medium has been applied to the object under examination. In at least one embodiment of the method, a virtual contrast medium image is determined from the high-energy image dataset and the low-energy image dataset and a segmentation image dataset is created, by the area of tissue being segmented. The segmentation result is transferred into the virtual contrast medium image for segmenting the tissue area in the virtual contrast medium image. Finally an analysis of values of the pixels lying in the segmented area is undertaken for identifying pixels which are to be assigned to necrotic tissue. | 10-04-2012 |
20120269318 | METHOD AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY DEVICE AND DATA STORAGE MEDIUM FOR PERFORMING A DYNAMIC CT EXAMINATION ON A PATIENT - In a computed tomography apparatus and operating method, a radiation source and radiation detector are rotated around a system axis, and a patient support plate and diaphragm elements of a diaphragm associated with the x-ray source are also movable in the direction of the system axis. Movement of the patient support plate and the diaphragm plates between respective end positions is coordinated during a dynamic computed tomography examination of a subject so as to reduce and homogenize the dose of x-ray radiation to which the subject is exposed during the examination. | 10-25-2012 |
20130066198 | Contrast Agent Perfusion Adaptive Imaging System - An imaging system selects a medical imaging protocol using a repository of information associating multiple ranges of contrast agent peak time with corresponding different imaging protocols. An imaging protocol comprises a method for acquiring images using an imaging system and using data identifying at least one of (a) an imaging rate within an imaging scan cycle and (b) an interval between imaging scans. A contrast agent peak time comprises a time a contrast agent concentration substantially reaches a peak value in an anatomical region of interest of a patient relative to a time of start of contrast agent injection. A contrast agent peak time detector detects a contrast agent peak time. An imaging processor adaptively selects an imaging protocol from the imaging protocols in response to a comparison of a detected contrast agent peak time with at least one of the plurality of ranges. | 03-14-2013 |
20130077845 | IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PERFUSION DEFECTS - A method is disclosed for identifying potential perfusion defects in a tissue region through which blood flows in an object under investigation, based on at least one high-energy image data set covering the tissue region and at least one low-energy image data set covering the tissue region. A virtual contrast medium image data set is established based on the high-energy image data set and the low-energy image data set. Furthermore, first candidate perfusion regions within the virtual contrast medium image data set, and second candidate perfusion defect regions within a further image data set based on the high-energy image data set and/or the low-energy image data are detected, the first candidate perfusion defect regions being compared with the second candidate perfusion defect regions and, based on the comparison, potential perfusion defects being identified. Further disclosed are a corresponding image analysis apparatus and a computed tomography system. | 03-28-2013 |
20130083989 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A NOISE-REDUCED CT IMAGE DATA RECORD, COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND CT SYSTEM - A method is disclosed for producing a noise-reduced CT image data record by frequency band breakdown, a computer system for carrying out the method, and a CT system ( | 04-04-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120201344 | METHOD AND X-RAY DEVICE FOR ADAPTING GREYSCALE WINDOWING - In a method and x-ray device to adapt the width and the position of a central value of a greyscale windowing for imaging with the x-ray device based on CT values determined with said x-ray device, the adaptation takes place within the scope of a determination and adjustment of an acquisition tube voltage of an x-ray tube of the x-ray device for an examination of a defined tissue of a patient, assuming a reference tube voltage for the examination of the defined tissue of the patient, and in which a width and position of a central value of the greyscale windowing that are associated with the reference tube voltage are automatically adapted to the acquisition tube voltage. | 08-09-2012 |
20140086382 | COMBINATION OF CONTRAST MEDIUM AND MAMMOGRAPHY CT SYSTEM WITH A PRESPECIFIED ENERGY RANGE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING TOMOGRAPHIC MAMMOGRAPHY CT IMAGES BY THIS COMBINATION - A mammography CT system is disclosed which includes an X-ray generator; and a first radiator-detector system. A contrast medium, including an opacifying element including an absorption peak in a first energy range, is useable for tomographic imaging of a female breast of a patient. After filtering, the X-rays with a prespecified tube voltage that form at an anode, are configured to emit an X-ray spectrum having a second energy range, wherein the radiator-detector system is configured to acquire a plurality of circumferential projections around the breast. The first energy range is a part of the second energy range and the second energy range includes an upper limit of less than 70 keV and a lower limit of greater than 20 keV. A corresponding method for generating tomographic mammography CT images is also disclosed. | 03-27-2014 |
20140112441 | SELECTION OF A RADIATION SHAPING FILTER - A method for selecting a radiation shaping filter is disclosed, which modifies the spatial distribution of the intensity and/or the spectrum of x-rays of an x-ray source of an imaging system. In an embodiment, anatomical measurement data of an object under examination is recorded, from which with the aid of the imaging system image data is creatable. The radiation shaping filter is selected automatically on the basis of the recorded anatomical measurement data of the object under examination. An imaging system, in which a radiation shaping filter is selected, is further disclosed. | 04-24-2014 |
20140161227 | DETERMINATION OF A MULTI-ENERGY IMAGE - A method is disclosed for determining a multi-energy image via an x-ray device, including an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. The method includes a temporal sequence of individual steps. A first contrast agent-assisted image of an object area is first recorded with a first energy. Then a second contrast agent-assisted image of an object area is recorded with a second energy. A third recording of a third contrast agent-assisted image of the object area is now made with the first energy. By taking the temporal change in the contrast agent signal into account between the first and the third image, a multi-energy image is finally determined by means of the three recordings. | 06-12-2014 |
20140198894 | TOPOGRAM FROM A SPIRAL RECONSTRUCTION - A computed tomography system is disclosed, along with a method and computer program product. An embodiment uses such a spiral acquisition to reconstruct a spatial three-dimensional image of the examination region. The method also includes establishing a topogram of the examination region by parallel projection of the image along a projection direction. An embodiment of the invention allows distortion-free acquisition of a topogram, as a reconstructed spatial three-dimensional image can simply be projected in a parallel manner along a projection direction. An embodiment also allows multiple topograms to be established easily with just one acquisition, in that the reconstructed image of the examination region is projected in a parallel manner along different directions. An embodiment of the invention also allows particularly fast acquisition of a topogram, in particular in the clinical environment, as the rotating part of the gantry does not have to be stopped for the spiral acquisition. | 07-17-2014 |
20140307847 | AUTOMATICALLY OBTAINING OPTIMIZED OUTPUT DATA - A method and a system are disclosed for obtaining image data from inside an examination object from images of a computed tomograph. In an embodiment, the method includes accepting first measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a first energy, and second measurement data of the examination object, acquired based on x-ray radiation of a second energy differing from the first energy; setting an optimized output of target image points on the basis of the first and second measurement data at the respective target image points, each as a function of local optimization parameter values of the target image points determined locally from the first and second measurement data in the area of the target image points, while deriving image point reproduction parameter values representing the optimized output; and determining the output data based on optimized output of the target image points. | 10-16-2014 |
20150103969 | RECONSTRUCTION OF IMAGE DATA BY MEANS OF CONTOUR DATA - A method is based on first projection data, recorded during a relative rotational movement between an x-ray source of a CT device and at least one examination object lying partly outside the field of view of the CT device. Contour data of the surface of the examination object is useable to enhance the reconstruction of the incomplete first projection data. The spatial correlation between the first projection data and the contour data is known. The first projection data is expanded by way of the contour data to modified projection data, so that the modified projection data includes information about the contour of the examination object lying outside the field of view of the CT device. In an embodiment of the inventive reconstruction of image data by way of the modified projection data, fewer or no artifacts occur by comparison with reconstruction of image data from just the first image data. | 04-16-2015 |
20150104092 | DETERMINING A VALUE OF A RECORDING PARAMETER BY USE OF AN ANATOMIC LANDMARK - A method and an imaging system are disclosed. The method, for determining at least one value of at least one recording parameter for a recording of an X-ray image of a patient positioned on an examination table, uses contactless scanning of at least part of the surface of the patient via at least one electromagnetic sensor, to calculate the three-dimensional contour of the scanned surface without additional exposure to radiation. At least one anatomic landmark of the patient can be identified using the three-dimensional contour, and the position of the anatomic landmark is determinable in the coordinate system of the table. The value of the recording parameter is determinable using the position of the anatomic landmark. The value of the recording parameter is determinable quickly and easily since contactless scanning of surfaces can be achieved quickly and easily in terms of technology. | 04-16-2015 |
20150124928 | METHOD AND CT SYSTEM FOR TOPOGRAM SCANNING - A method for improved utilization of a radiation dose applied to an examination object during topogram scanning of a CT system, and a CT system with a system axis using a cylindrical curved multi-row detector, are disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes topogram scanning of the examination object with at least one emitter-detector combination disposed on a rotatable gantry from a predetermined rotation angle of the gantry, wherein during the topogram scanning a relative movement occurs between examination object and emitter-detector combination in the system axis direction; calculation of at least one flat image in at least two planes running in parallel to the system axis in each case by a tomosynthesis reconstruction; and storage and/or further processing of at least one of the flat images of the examination object to represent a topogram. | 05-07-2015 |
20150221067 | ISOTROPIC RECONSTRUCTION OF IMAGE DATA - An example of the invention relates to a method for the multidimensional reconstruction of image data in a reconstruction area based on projection measurement data which has been acquired using an imaging system, preferably a computed tomography system, wherein the reconstruction is carried out in three different spatial directions with predefined resolution widths; a resolution width in at least one spatial direction being automatically adapted to a resolution width in another spatial direction, such that the adapted resolution widths are substantially identical. | 08-06-2015 |
20150238160 | PATIENT-DEPENDENT OPTIMIZATION OF THE AMOUNT OF CONTRAST MEDIUM - A method and an apparatus are disclosed for patient-dependent optimization and reduction of the contrast medium amount. An embodiment includes provisioning patient-specific data, containing information about a patient cross-section relevant for the imaging measurement; establishing CT values and/or CNR values of a contrast medium to be expected for at least one region of interest of the patient for different candidate settings of x-ray source arrangement and/or of an image reconstruction device; determining a relevant candidate contrast medium amount for the different candidate settings, which would lead to a CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium which corresponds to the CT value or CNR value of the contrast medium at the reference setting of the x-ray source arrangement and/or image reconstruction device; and displaying an optimum relative candidate contrast medium amount and of the associated candidate setting. | 08-27-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150250023 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A PLANT HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPEN- AND/OR CLOSED-LOOP HEATING CONTROL DEVICE, OPEN - AND/OR CLOSED - LOOP HEATING CONTROL DEVICE, AND PLANT - For operating a plant having at least one open- and/or closed-loop heating control device for heating elements, values for an energy consumption and/or an instantaneous power draw of the heating elements are determined, without using measured values for electric currents, on the basis of characteristic parameters of the heating elements and on the basis of values of open- and/or closed-loop control variables for the open- and/or closed-loop control of a heat output of the heating elements. This enables the network load to be determined, reported and optimized by the open- and/or closed-loop heating control devices even without complex and therefore expensive measuring devices in the open- and/or closed-loop heating control device. | 09-03-2015 |
20150250024 | HEATING CONTROL AND/OR REGULATION DEVICE - Power outputs in a heating control and/or regulation device are each electrically connectable to a heating element, especially a radiant heater. A power input is electrically connectable to a power supply for the heating elements and is connected a power distribution device that has an output connected to the power outputs via respective branches. A switching element in each branch or between each of the power outputs and the heating elements is controlled by a control and/or regulation unit as a function of required values. An interface receiving required values has at least one connection to a temperature measurement device that measures actual values of temperature that are supplied to the control and/or regulation unit which controls and/or regulates the switching state of the switching elements as a function of these actual values of the temperature. | 09-03-2015 |
20150250025 | POWER MODULE AND INTERFACE MODULE FOR A HEATING CONTROLLER AND/OR REGULATOR AND A MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HEATING CONTROL AND/OR REGULATION - A housing has first and second communication interfaces, first and second voltage supply interfaces for voltage supply of the power module, power outputs, each connected to a heating element, and a power input electrically attached to a voltage supply for the heating elements. Enclosed by the housing is a power distribution device electrically connected on the input side to the power input and electrically connected on the output side via branches to the power outputs to supply these with electrical current. A switch element is provided in each branch. Switching states of the switch elements are controlled based on heating power reference values of the heating elements. Reference values are received via the first communication interface, with those intended for the power module being used to control the switch elements and those not intended for the power module being forwarded to the second communication interface. | 09-03-2015 |