Patent Researchers

Ultrasound: Getting More Information with Contrast Medium

The next time you see an ultrasound image, think of Ismayil Güracar. Güracar, who is with Acuson, a Siemens company located in Mountain View, California, developed a technology that allows doctors to obtain more and better information from ultrasound images in which a contrast agent has been employed. Since the health of organs such as the liver, kidney and heart can be determined by the speed at which a contrast agent flows through them, the ability to separate contrast agent signals from those of surrounding tissues is of decisive importance. Güracar's Automatic Gain Compensation for Ultrasound Agent imaging invention uses sophisticated statistical analysis to optimize system gain settings. If agent material is not yet present, the system establishes gains for maximum sensitivity to contrast agent with minimal noise and appropriate tissue image brightness. On the other hand, if agent is determined to be present, the system adjusts gain to optimize image uniformity for the agent. The invention is already part of the 7.0 release for Siemens' Sequoia ultrasound system.

New Injector Technology for Better Diesel Engines

Two innovators have made a major contribution to the development of diesel-injector technology by using so-called piezo injectors, which went into mass production for the first time two years ago at Siemens. Several million injectors have since been manufactured. At the heart of the devices is a multilayered electroceramic component that changes its length when an electric charge is applied. This movement enables the device to inject one cubic millimeter of fuel into the combustion chamber within a few ten-thousandths of a second at a pressure of 1,600 bar—and it can even do this multiple times for every power stroke. Conventional electromagnetic-controlled systems are too slow for such performance. The new technology also reduces fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. Now, Andreas Kappel of Siemens Corporate Technology in Munich plans to apply this process to gasoline engines in order to bring their fuel consumption levels down to those of diesels. Kappel is also working on improving the performance of Formula 1 engines. Meanwhile, Achim Przymusinski, who is with Siemens VDO in Regensburg, Germany, has created production-engine control software that makes possible energy-saving multiple injection in coordination with the engine's electronic systems.

Committed to International Standards

Why are standards important?

Gürtler: Urban civilization begins with standards. Hunters and gatherers didn't need them, but when humans became settled and started engaging in trade, people needed unified weights and measures. The meaning of standards has also changed a great deal. They used to be simply a written record of the state of technology; today they're an instrument of global competition.

How do standards—take GSM, for example, which makes it possible to phone about 150 countries—come into being?

Gürtler: Back around 1980, manufacturers and the major phone companies, which were monopolies at the time, signed a memorandum of understanding designed more or less to ensure against the risk of the expensive developmental work required to develop GSM products. This ultimately led to the establishment of the standard.

Does it really take as long to create standards as one often hears?

Gürtler: International organizations such as ISO, IEC and ITU have reduced standardization times somewhat, but it still takes about three years on average. Nevertheless, it's worthwhile because a consensus emerges that is shared by everyone. The application of the standards then becomes less risky.

Can companies incorporate their patents into emerging standards?

Gürtler: Yes, the standardization organizations have drawn up rules for that. Generally, you have to make your patent known very early on—in other words, when a new standardization project is proposed. You also have to indicate your readiness to include your patent in the project and make it available at fair terms.

What other advantages are there for a company that plays a role in the creation of standards?

Gürtler: That depends on the market position one occupies. Market leaders have no interest in standardization—the leader sets the standards. The second-ranked company usually enjoys the greatest benefits from participating in standardization committees. But there's another important point. If you leave the setting of standards to others, you can't develop your products until you know what the standards will be. But those who play an active role in standardization learn the content of the standards in time to develop their products in parallel to the standardization process. That often pays off.

In Europe, there are standards for the curvature of bananas but not for the uniformity of electric plugs. Why?

Gürtler: Plugs and electrical outlets are primarily produced by medium-sized, regionally focused companies—in Italy alone there are three different outlet systems. The reason why there's no real uniformity of outlets is simple. The firms involved didn't want uniformity because it would have jeopardized established jobs and industry structures.

What's Siemens' position on standards?

Gürtler: Siemens has dedicated itself to international standardization because we want to be able to conduct business worldwide. It would be too expensive to comply with thousands of local standards. We are therefore committed to the development of international standards—standards based on the best technologies. That's the most logical, most cost-effective path to global markets and their associated advantages for people everywhere.

In your opinion, are protectionist policies doomed to failure?

Gürtler: Well, let me put it this way. Those who attempt to promulgate their local standards in other parts of the world soon learn that this tends to fragment markets—a process that leads to disadvantages for all. I might add that many companies are also increasingly attempting to promote standards covering corporate culture and internal processes. Siemens is skeptical of such moves since they can significantly affect a company's image and competitive position.

Is a declaration of conformity sufficient?

Gürtler: Certainly. We are responsible for our own culture, processes and quality. Furthermore, we are in a good position to implement and conform to our own corporate policies. Everything else is a question of customer trust. We are more than happy to let the market determine the value of our products and services.

Interview by Claudia Voss and Hartmut Runge