Patents by Inventor David J. Specht

David J. Specht 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: 20240125927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Henry A. DAVIS, David M. SMITH, David J. SPECHT, Viet Nam LE, Lang J. MCHARDY, Joseph James DIGIOVANNI, II, Nathan W. OSBORN, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Publication number: 20240108311
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Donald F. SPECHT, Linda V. CABRERA, Kenneth D. BREWER, David J. SPECHT
  • Publication number: 20240000435
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving ultrasound image quality. In some embodiments, data sets can be formed from received echoes at each of a plurality of receive elements. The data between the data sets can be masked to include or exclude data. The masked data sets can then be beamformed to form ultrasound images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Elias M. ATMEH, Bruce R. RITZI, David J. SPECHT
  • Publication number: 20230380805
    Abstract: Changes in tissue stiffness have long been associated with disease. Systems and methods for determining the stiffness of tissues using ultrasonography may include a device for inducing a propagating shear wave in tissue and tracking the speed of propagation, which is directly related to tissue stiffness and density. The speed of a propagating shear wave may be detected by imaging a tissue at a high frame rate and detecting the propagating wave as a perturbance in successive image frames relative to a baseline image of the tissue in an undisturbed state. In some embodiments, sufficiently high frame rates may be achieved by using a ping-based ultrasound imaging technique in which unfocused omni-directional pings are transmitted (in an imaging plane or in a hemisphere) into a region of interest. Receiving echoes of the omnidirectional pings with multiple receive apertures allows for substantially improved lateral resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: David J. SPECHT, David M. SMITH, Elias M. ATMEH, Josef CALL
  • Patent number: 11723626
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Maui Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Donald F. Specht, Linda V. Cabrera, Kenneth D. Brewer, David J. Specht
  • Publication number: 20230248333
    Abstract: Systems and methods of ultrasound imaging are provided. In some embodiments, unfocused and diverging ultrasound signals can be transmitted into a target medium from an apparent point source located aft of a concave probe surface. The echoes can be received, and a location of a reflector within the target medium can be determined. The location can be determined by obtaining element position data describing a position of the spherical center point of the apparent point source r and a position of the receive element, calculating a total path distance as a sum of a first distance between the spherical center point and the reflector and a second distance between the reflector and the receive element, and determining a locus of possible points at which the reflector may lie. A data set can then be produced for the entire target medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Sateesh BAJIKAR, Elias M. ATMEH, Bruce R. RITZI, David J. SPECHT
  • Patent number: 11709265
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Maui Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Josef R. Call, Henry A. Davis, David M. Smith, David J. Specht, Viet Nam Le, Lang J. McHardy, Joseph James Digiovanni, II, Nathan W. Osborn, Bruce R. Ritzi
  • Publication number: 20210278531
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Henry A. DAVIS, David M. SMITH, David J. SPECHT, Viet Nam LE, Lang J. McHARDY, Joseph James DIGIOVANNI, II, Nathan W. OSBORN, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Patent number: 11051791
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Sharon L. Adam, Donald F. Specht, Kenneth D. Brewer, John P. Lunsford, David J. Specht
  • Patent number: 11016191
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Josef R. Call, Henry A. Davis, David M. Smith, David J. Specht, Viet Nam Le, Lang J. McHardy, Joseph James Digiovanni, II, Nathan W. Osborn, Bruce R. Ritzi
  • Publication number: 20210068787
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Donald F. SPECHT, Linda V. CABRERA, Kenneth D. BREWER, David J. SPECHT
  • Patent number: 10835208
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Donald F. Specht, Linda V. Cabrera, Kenneth D. Brewer, David J. Specht
  • Publication number: 20200003896
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Josef R. Call, Henry A. Davis, David M. Smith, David J. Specht, Viet Nam Le, Lang J. McHardy, Joseph James Digiovanni, II, Nathan W. Osborn, Bruce R. Ritzi
  • Patent number: 10401493
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Josef R. Call, Henry A. Davis, David M. Smith, David J. Specht, Viet Nam Le, Lang J. McHardy, Joseph James Digiovanni, II, Nathan W. Osborn, Bruce R. Ritzi
  • Publication number: 20190175152
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Sharon L. ADAM, Donald F. SPECHT, Kenneth D. BREWER, John P. LUNSFORD, David J. SPECHT
  • Patent number: 10206662
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Sharon L. Adam, Donald F. Specht, Kenneth D. Brewer, John P. Lunsford, David J. Specht
  • Publication number: 20170219704
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Henry A. DAVIS, David M. SMITH, David J. SPECHT, Viet Nam LE, Lang J. MCHARDY, Joseph James DIGIOVANNI, II, Nathan W. OSBORN, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Publication number: 20160157833
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Sharon L. ADAM, Donald F. SPECHT, Kenneth D. BREWER, John P. LUNSFORD, David J. SPECHT
  • Publication number: 20160095579
    Abstract: A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: David M. SMITH, Donald F. SPECHT, Linda V. CABRERA, Kenneth D. BREWER, David J. SPECHT
  • Patent number: 9282945
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Sharon L. Adam, Donald F. Specht, Kenneth D. Brewer, John P. Lunsford, David J. Specht