Patents Examined by Pascal M. Bui-Pho
  • Patent number: 10799217
    Abstract: A sinogram is corrected in a form that can use a straight-ray type reconstruction method while considering trajectory of refracted waves. Specifically, based on the sequentially estimated path information of the virtual waves, an arrival time difference sinogram is corrected by a difference or a ratio between “shortest arrival time of wave” and “arrival time of the wave through the shortest path” to each detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yushi Tsubota, Kenichi Kawabata, Atsurou Suzuki, Takahide Terada, Wenjing Wu, Kazuhiro Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10799116
    Abstract: An embodiment is a blood flow measurement device that generates blood flow information based on data collected by repeatedly scanning an interested cross section intersecting a blood vessel of an eye fundus using OCT. A data collector scans four or more cross sections intersecting the blood vessel. A first calculator determines a first gradient and second gradient of the blood vessel by analyzing a first data group and second data group among four or more pieces of data corresponding to the four or more cross sections collected by the data collector. A second calculator determines a gradient of the blood vessel at the interested cross section based on the first gradient and the second gradient. A blood flow information generator generates the blood flow information based on the gradient determined by the second calculator and the data collected by repeatedly scanning the interested cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TOPCON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Nakamura, Jun Sakai
  • Patent number: 10792104
    Abstract: A method for selecting a medical device for use in the performance of a medical procedure. The method comprises acquiring image data relating to an anatomical region of interest of a patient's body and generating a multi-dimensional depiction of the anatomical region of interest using the acquired image data. The method further comprises defining a plurality of points relative to the multi-dimensional depiction, determining one or more measurements based on the defined plurality of points, and then selecting a medical device to be used based on the determined measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Henry Ford Health System
    Inventors: Dee Dee Wang, Michael Forbes, Eric Myers, William O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10786224
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes an ultrasonic probe, a display, an actuator, and a needle assembly. The display is associated with the ultrasonic probe, and the ultrasonic probe is configured to send a signal to the display to generate an image on the display. The needle assembly is coupled to the actuator and is at least partially disposed within a channel defined in the ultrasonic probe. The actuator is configured to move the needle assembly in a distal direction relative to the ultrasonic probe and through the channel of the ultrasonic probe from a retracted position to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Kasey A. Grim, Joe D. Sartor, Graham J. Carson, Jason S. F. McGrath, Joan Ortega Alcaide, Suchit A. Madan
  • Patent number: 10772609
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging processing method based on RF data includes the following steps: S1, receiving echo signals which are obtained by sending ultrasound signals; S2, beamforming the echo signals; S3, obtaining the RF data of the echo signals; and S4, directly conducting an ultrasonic imaging process based on the obtained RF data in order to obtain a target image. The ultrasonic imaging processing method and system based on the RF data according to the present application directly conduct ultrasonic imaging treatment based on the obtained RF data of the echo signals in order to obtain the target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: VINNO TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huiren Chen, Tao Ling, Jianjun Guo, Dajun Yin, Shui Xi
  • Patent number: 10772646
    Abstract: A method for controlling a histotripsy using a confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond ultrasound pulses, including: 1) positioning a target tissue by a monitoring and guiding system and adjusting a position of the target tissue to a focal point of a transducer; 2) first stage: controlling the confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond ultrasound pulses to form a shock wave in a focal zone; wherein a negative acoustic pressure exceeds a cavitation threshold; an inertial cavitation occurs to generate boiling bubbles; the boiling bubbles collapse and achieve partial homogenization of the target tissue; 3) second stage: controlling the confocal fundamental and harmonic superposition combined with hundred-microsecond pulsed-ultrasound sequences to simultaneously irradiate a target zone and further mechanically disintegrate and homogenize the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Xi'an Jiaotong University
    Inventors: Mingzhu Lu, Yizhe Geng, Ruixin Li, Xuan Wang, Yanshan Liu, Dan Han, Yehui Liu, Yujiao Li, Rui Wang, Mingxi Wan
  • Patent number: 10758199
    Abstract: In an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment, an X-ray generator configured to irradiate an X-ray to a subject. An X-ray detector configured to detect the X-ray. Processing circuitry configured to generate a plurality of X-ray images chronologically based on X-rays that have passed through the subject to which a contrast media is injected, and that have been detected by the X-ray detector. The processing circuitry configured to extract a first image from among the X-ray images, the first image when any one of a change in a pixel value between predetermined two images and a predetermined region in one image is equal to or smaller than a threshold. A display configured to display, after the first image is extracted, a plurality of X-ray images that have been generated prior to the first image in reverse chronological order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Hayashi, Nobuo Kobayashi, Kunio Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 10758198
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing images to optimize orthopaedic functionality at a site within a patient, including obtaining at least a first, reference image of the site, or a corresponding contralateral site, the first image including at least a first anatomical region or a corresponding anatomical region. At least a second, intra-operative results image of the site is obtained. At least one stationary base with at least two base points is selected to serve as a reference for both images during analysis including at least one of scaling, calculations, and image comparisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Noah D. Wollowick, Andrew J. Cooper, Xiu Jiang, Cameron Albert
  • Patent number: 10743838
    Abstract: Acoustic signal transmission couplants for use in tomographic, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound are described that couple acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Decision Sciences Medical Company, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Freiburg, Dustin Kruse
  • Patent number: 10743769
    Abstract: A skin evaluation apparatus includes a shape information acquisition unit 22 that acquires information on a surface unevenness shape of the skin; an optical feature information acquisition unit 23 that acquires information on an optical feature of the skin; and an evaluation unit 24 that evaluates gloss of the skin on the basis of the information on the surface unevenness shape and the information on the optical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Naoko Yoshida, Yoshitaka Yamaguchi, Hideyasu Ishibashi, Eriko Ikeda, Takeharu Tani
  • Patent number: 10687788
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a speckle energy analyzer configured to analyze speckle energy of an ultrasound image signal, the ultrasound image signal being received from an ultrasound probe, and an image decomposer configured to decompose the ultrasound image signal into one or more ultrasound image signals of different frequency bands, based on the analyzed speckle energy of the ultrasound image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jooyoung Kang, Sungchan Park, Baehyung Kim, Jungho Kim
  • Patent number: 10687789
    Abstract: A method and system for reconstructing a thermoacoustic image that utilizes the steps of directing radio frequency (RF) energy pulses generated by an RF source into a tissue region of interest; detecting, at each of a plurality of views along a scanning trajectory of a transducer element array about the region of interest, acoustic signals generated within the region of interest in response to the RF energy pulses and generating thermoacoustic data; applying at least one correction kernel to the thermoacoustic data; and after the at least one correction kernel has been applied to the thermoacoustic data, reconstructing a thermoacoustic image therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ENDRA Life Sciences Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Zahn Douthat, Jang Hwan Cho, Michael M. Thornton
  • Patent number: 10653389
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing device is provided for diagnosing a state of a to-be-examined part based on echo signals caused by ultrasonic signals. The device includes a container body containing liquid and capable of coming in close contact with a to-be-examined body, an ultrasonic wave penetrating part having ultrasonic penetrability and covering an opening formed in the container body, a probe having an ultrasonic wave transmitting part configured to transmit the ultrasonic signals, and a drive mechanism configured to move the probe inside the container body and change a position of the ultrasonic wave transmitting part. The probe being soaked in the liquid inside the container body in a state where the ultrasonic wave transmitting part is separated from the ultrasonic wave penetrating part, and the ultrasonic signals being transmitted to the to-be-examined body through the liquid and the ultrasonic wave penetrating part by the ultrasonic wave transmitting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Kiyan, Takeshi Kawajiri, Mitsuhiko Hataya
  • Patent number: 10653391
    Abstract: Among other things, there is disclosed structure and methods for registering images obtained through internal (e.g. intravascular) ultrasound devices. Embodiments of a device with a rotating ultrasound beam is provided, with a wall of the device being anisotropic in ultrasound passage. As examples, a cable opaque to ultrasound is attached along the wall of the device, so that the ultrasound beam at the location of the cable is blocked, reflected or scattered. As another example, a thin film of metallic material is placed on or in the wall to allow a portion of the beam to be blocked or attenuated. The imaging system recognizes the changes to the signals made by the anisotropic wall, and registers successive images according to those changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventors: Neal E. Fearnot, Peter S. McKinnis, Sarah Robbins, Yun Zhou
  • Patent number: 10653390
    Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes: a substrate on which ultrasonic elements configured to transmit and receive ultrasound and a cable electrically connected to the ultrasonic elements are installed; an acoustic lens having a plurality of projecting portions connected to one of the substrate and the cable; and an acoustic matching unit located between the substrate and the acoustic lens, wherein the projecting portions extend along an outer perimeter of the substrate, and the projecting portions are provided at a lower ratio per unit length in a direction in which the projecting portions extend in a place where the cable is installed than in a place where the cable is not installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kanechika Kiyose
  • Patent number: 10617386
    Abstract: A medical acoustic coupler is to be detachably attached to an ultrasonic probe including a graspable trunk portion and a protruding portion protruding in a width direction from the trunk portion, the medical acoustic coupler including a sheet-like elastic member, the elastic member including: a contact portion located at a central portion of the elastic member in a planar view, the contact portion being brought into contact with an ultrasound transmission/reception surface located at a top edge of the protruding portion when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe; and loop portions located on the opposite sides of the contact portion from each other, the loop portions each forming a loop, wherein, when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe, the loop portions are hooked around the protruding portion, to fix the elastic member to the ultrasonic probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yuiko Kitamura, Yuichi Nishikubo
  • Patent number: 10617387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for detecting esophageal state changes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, user-operable device capable of detecting gastroesophageal reflux events. The sonography array can also be used to track the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux events, and can either store or deliver the data either to a practitioner's server or to a user's electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Reflodx, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Wilcox, Samuel Thomas, Joshua Jones, Timothy Pickett
  • Patent number: 10568609
    Abstract: An ultrasound image processing method including: calculating motion amounts of pixel regions in one frame receive signal, based on receive signal units corresponding to identical pixel regions included in at least two frame receive signals; calculating cumulative motion amounts, each corresponding to a target pixel region in the one frame receive signal, by cumulating motion amounts corresponding to pixel regions in the one frame receive signal located substantially along a direction of transmission of the ultrasound beam from a pixel region located at an upstream end of an ultrasound beam to the target pixel region; calculating enhancement amounts for receive signal units corresponding to the pixel regions included in the one frame receive signal, the enhancement amounts being based on the motion amounts and the cumulative motion amounts; and enhancing the receive signal units based on the enhancement amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuya Takagi, Yoshihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 10548569
    Abstract: An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-ho Yang, Hyoung-jin Kim, Jin-young Choi
  • Patent number: 10548566
    Abstract: The system includes a stand surrounding a working area, a signal detector receiving a signal generated by the wire, and a positioning module disposed on the stand. The positioning module is configured to drive the signal detector moving forward and backward on a two-dimensional plane in the working area. The system also includes a computer system electrically connected to the signal detector and the positioning module. The compute system receives the signal from the signal detector, generates position information according to the signal, and transmits the position information to the positioning module, such that the positioning module moves the signal detector to a position corresponding to a position of the wire in the blood vessel according to the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: METAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
    Inventors: Ming-Hui Chen, Ming-Hui Cheng, Tzyy-Ker Sue