Patents by Inventor Bruce Ferguson

Bruce Ferguson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230346232
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, JR., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11760677
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: USB I, LLC
    Inventors: Oleksandr Biland, Robert Bruce Ferguson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 11647889
    Abstract: Systems for obtaining an image of a target are provided including at least one multi-wavelength illumination module configured to illuminate a target using two or more different wavelengths, each penetrating the target at different depths; a multi-wavelength camera configured to detect the two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target on corresponding different channels and acquire corresponding images of the target based on the detected two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target; a control module configured synchronize illumination of the target by the at least one multi-wavelength illumination module and detection of the two or more different wavelengths by the camera; an analysis module configured to receive the acquired images of the target and analyze the acquired images to provide analysis results; and an image visualization module modify the acquired images based on the analysis results to provide a final improved image in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Jiahong Jin, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Kenneth Michael Jacobs, Taylor Forbes, Bryent Tucker, Xin Hua Hu
  • Publication number: 20230052746
    Abstract: A method to visualize, display, analyze and quantify angiography, perfusion, and the change in angiography and perfusion in real time, is provided. This method captures image data sequences from indocyanine green near infra-red fluorescence imaging used in a variety of surgical procedure applications, where angiography and perfusion are critical for intraoperative decisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: T. Bruce FERGUSON, JR., Cheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 11564583
    Abstract: Vessel perfusion and myocardial blush are determined by analyzing fluorescence signals obtained in a static region-of-interest (ROI) in a collection of fluorescence images of myocardial tissue. The blush value is determined from the total intensity of the intensity values of image elements located within the smallest contiguous range of image intensity values containing a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Vessel (arterial) peak intensity is determined from image elements located within the ROI that have the smallest contiguous range of highest measured image intensity values and contain a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Cardiac function can be established by comparing the time differential between the time of peak intensity in a blood vessel and that in a region of neighboring myocardial tissue both pre and post procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: Peter Dvorsky, David Mark Henri Goyette, T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11553844
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20220186501
    Abstract: A handrail bracket comprised of a bracket body, bracket mount and a paddle pin. The bracket mount is secured to a wall via three mounting holes where screws are inserted to securely attach the mounting bracket to a wall. The bracket mount is also comprised of two inner channels and two outer channels that correspond to two inner protrusions and two outer protrusions of the bracket body. Once the bracket mount is attached to the wall, the bracket body is connected to the bracket mount by aligning the inner and outer bracket channels with the inner and outer protrusions of the bracket body. When the bracket mount and bracket body are engaged, a paddle pin or set screw is used to secure the bracket mount to the bracket body. Finally, two screws and a rail bracket are used to secure the bracket body to the handrail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: Bruce Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11284801
    Abstract: A method to visualize, display, analyze and quantify angiography, perfusion, and the change in angiography and perfusion in real time, is provided. This method captures image data sequences from indocyanine green near infra-red fluorescence imaging used in a variety of surgical procedure applications, where angiography and perfusion are critical for intraoperative decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11278220
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a multispectral imaging system including a first light source, the first light source having a first wavelength configured to produce a non-coherent illumination to image a sample; a second coherent light source, different from the first light source, having a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, configured to image the sample simultaneously with the first light source; a camera configured to simultaneously receive information related to the first and second light sources from the sample, wherein light at the first wavelength is configured to image a surface of the sample into the camera and light at the second wavelength is configured to penetrate the sample and provide information related to the penetrated sample to the camera; and a processor configured to combine the received information related to the first and second light sources and generate a synthesized image of the anatomical structure and the physiology of blood flow and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Bryent Tucker, T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20210245455
    Abstract: Improved composite fibers, and structural materials mixed with the improved composite fibers, are produced by an improved process that vertically texturizes and impregnates resin into the fibers without introducing any substantial amount of microbubbles in the resin. By using vertical impregnation and twisting of fiber strands with specific viscosity control, stronger composite fibers, in which substantially no microbubbles are trapped, are produced with improved tensile strength and lower variance in tensile strength, for use in strengthening structural concrete and other structural materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Oleksandr Biland, Robert Bruce Ferguson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20210245456
    Abstract: Improved composite fibers, and structural materials mixed with the improved composite fibers, are produced by an improved process that vertically texturizes and impregnates resin into the fibers without introducing any substantial amount of microbubbles in the resin. By using vertical impregnation and twisting of fiber strands with specific viscosity control, stronger composite fibers, in which substantially no microbubbles are trapped, are produced with improved tensile strength and lower variance in tensile strength, for use in strengthening structural concrete and other structural materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Oleksandr Biland, Robert Bruce Ferguson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20210169354
    Abstract: Vessel perfusion and myocardial blush are determined by analyzing fluorescence signals obtained in a static region-of-interest (ROI) in a collection of fluorescence images of myocardial tissue. The blush value is determined from the total intensity of the intensity values of image elements located within the smallest contiguous range of image intensity values containing a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Vessel (arterial) peak intensity is determined from image elements located within the ROI that have the smallest contiguous range of highest measured image intensity values and contain a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Cardiac function can be established by comparing the time differential between the time of peak intensity in a blood vessel and that in a region of neighboring myocardial tissue both pre and post procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: Peter DVORSKY, David Mark Henri GOYETTE, T. Bruce FERGUSON, JR., Cheng CHEN
  • Patent number: 10948350
    Abstract: Multispectral imaging systems are provided including an illumination control module configured to image a sample and provide an imaging output sequence including images and data; a multi-spectral physiologic visualization (MSPV) module, a peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) module and a physiologic status parameters (PSP) module configured to receive the imaging output sequence of the illumination control module simultaneously. The MSPV module is configured to provide real-time blood flow distribution visualization of a field of view (FOV) responsive to the received imaging output sequence. The SpO2 module is configured to provide real-time SpO2 information at a tissue surface level for the FOV responsive to the received imaging and output sequence. The PSP module is configured to derive status parameters in real-time from metadata associated with the received imaging and output sequence of the FOV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Bryent Tucker, Sunghan Kim, Cheng Chen, William Hempstead
  • Publication number: 20210053856
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Oleksandr Biland, Robert Bruce Ferguson, SR.
  • Publication number: 20210030277
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, JR., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10858275
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: USB I, LLC
    Inventors: Oleksandr Biland, Robert Bruce Ferguson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10835138
    Abstract: Vessel perfusion and myocardial blush are determined by analyzing fluorescence signals obtained in a static region-of-interest (ROI) in a collection of fluorescence images of myocardial tissue. The blush value is determined from the total intensity of the intensity values of image elements located within the smallest contiguous range of image intensity values containing a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Vessel (arterial) peak intensity is determined from image elements located within the ROI that have the smallest contiguous range of highest measured image intensity values and contain a predefined fraction of a total measured image intensity of all image elements within the ROI. Cardiac function can be established by comparing the time differential between the time of peak intensity in a blood vessel and that in a region of neighboring myocardial tissue both pre and post procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Limited
    Inventors: Peter Dvorsky, David Mark Henri Goyette, T. Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10792492
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source; acquiring images of the region of interest; processing the acquired images to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images; and calculating the MetaKG signal from the metadata associated with the acquired images. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Sunghan Kim, Zhiyong Peng, Kenneth Michael Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20200305721
    Abstract: Systems for obtaining an image of a target are provided including at least one multi-wavelength illumination module configured to illuminate a target using two or more different wavelengths, each penetrating the target at different depths; a multi-wavelength camera configured to detect the two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target on corresponding different channels and acquire corresponding images of the target based on the detected two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target; a control module configured synchronize illumination of the target by the at least one multi-wavelength illumination module and detection of the two or more different wavelengths by the camera; an analysis module configured to receive the acquired images of the target and analyze the acquired images to provide analysis results; and an image visualization module modify the acquired images based on the analysis results to provide a final improved image in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, JIAHONG JIN, THOMAS BRUCE FERGUSON, JR., KENNETH MICHAEL JACOBS, TAYLOR FORBES, BRYENT TUCKER, XIN HUA HU
  • Patent number: 10722173
    Abstract: Methods for combining anatomical data and physiological data on a single image are provided. The methods include obtaining an image, for example, a raw near-infrared (NIR) image or a visible image, of a sample. The image of the sample includes anatomical structure of the sample. A physiologic map of blood flow and perfusion of the sample is obtained. The anatomical structure of the image and the physiologic map of the sample are combined into a single image of the sample. The single image of the sample displays anatomy and physiology of the sample in the single image in real time. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Kenneth Michael Jacobs, Zhiyong Peng