Patents by Inventor Gerald Panitz

Gerald Panitz 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).

  • Patent number: 11836920
    Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a brain tissue area as functional or non-functional by a stimulation of the brain includes a receiver unit for receiving information about a performed stimulation, a recording device for recording images that represent the brain tissue area, a detection unit for detecting a change in perfusion in the brain tissue area, and a classification unit configured to determine with the information whether there is a correlation between the performed stimulation and the detected change in perfusion, and to classify the brain tissue area as functional or as non-functional. The recording device is an endomicroscope for recording endomicroscopic images of the brain tissue area with a spatial resolution better than 20 ?m and a frame rate of at least 0.4 frames per second. The detection unit is configured to detect a change in perfusion based on the positions of certain tissue structures in the recorded images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20230364445
    Abstract: A method for operating a medical radiation therapy arrangement is disclosed, wherein a wound cavity in the patient from which a tumor has been surgically removed is measured three-dimensionally in a reference coordinate system via a surgical microscope of the medical radiation therapy arrangement and/or via a probe-based registration device of the medical radiation therapy arrangement, wherein an x-ray applicator of an intraoperative radiation therapy device of the medical radiation therapy arrangement is selected and/or arranged in the wound cavity on the basis of three-dimensional measurement data generated during the measurement, with the x-ray applicator being navigable in the reference coordinate system. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a medical radiation therapy arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Gerald Panitz
  • Patent number: 11744466
    Abstract: An apparatus is for localizing brain tissue regions connected with a brain function in a brain operating field. The apparatus includes a stimulation apparatus and a localization unit with a camera. The stimulation apparatus is configured to carry out a number of stimulation cycles. Each cycle includes a stimulation phase during which the brain function is stimulated and a rest phase during which there is no stimulation of the brain function. The localization unit records at least one stimulation image with the stimulated brain function and at least one reference image without the stimulated brain function during each stimulation cycle and uses the recorded stimulation and reference images to localize the brain tissue regions connected with the stimulated brain function. The stimulation apparatus is configured to output a feedback signal to the localization unit with at least the start of a stimulation cycle being evident from the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz, Roland Guckler
  • Publication number: 20230218142
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical optical system. The medical optical system comprises: —a microendoscope (3) for capturing histological images, each of which displays a microscopic tissue section (16) of a macroscopic tissue region (15) with a tumor (23); and—a classification device (31) for classifying the macroscopic tissue sections (16) displayed in the histological images as at least one respective tissue section that represents the tumor (23) or a tissue section that represents healthy tissue and for outputting a classification result for each classified microscopic tissue section (16). The medical optical system additionally comprises a combination device (37) which generates a macroscopic classification image (43) by combining the classification results, said classification image representing the location of the tumor (23) in the macroscopic tissue region (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz
  • Patent number: 11593917
    Abstract: A method for creating a high-resolution image of an object from low-resolution images of the object is provided. Both the low-resolution images and the high-resolution image are composed of a pixel grid. An image recording device successively records low-resolution images, in which pitches of the grid points of the pixel grid are increased in one image dimension in comparison with the pitches of the grid points of the pixel grid in the high-resolution image to be created. A data processing system registers the low-resolution images with respect to one another to obtain registered images which are superimposed to obtain the high-resolution image. The grid points of the low-resolution images and the grid points of the high-resolution image have same dimensions and the data processing system uses image information obtained from different positions of the object relative to the grid points in the individual low-resolution images to create the high-resolution images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Patrick Hoyer, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz
  • Patent number: 11559189
    Abstract: A sterile sheath and methods for enclosing a confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) scanner probe with the sterile sheath are provided. The scanner probe includes a probe shaft, a probe tip, a probe body, and a probe umbilical. The sterile sheath for enclosing the CEM scanner probe includes a sheath tube configured to receive the probe shaft and has a distal tube end, a proximal tube end, a sheath tip mounted at the distal tube end of the sheath tube, and a sheath socket configured to receive the probe body. The sheath socket has a distal socket end and a proximal socket end. The proximal tube end of the sheath tube is fixed to the sheath socket at the distal socket end. The sterile sheath further includes a sheath lock ring and a sheath drape mounted on the sheath socket at the proximal socket end with the sheath lock ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Optiscan PTY Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerald Panitz, Robert Pattie, Peter Maxwell Delaney, Christopher Byrne, Selene Rodd-Routley
  • Publication number: 20220392061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining information for distinguishing between tissue fluid cells and tissue cells in a high-resolution image (34) of a tissue area. In the method, images (33A-E) stored temporarily with a low resolution and a high image rate before the high-resolution image (34) is recorded are accessed and the information for distinguishing between tissue fluid cells and tissue cells is obtained from the temporarily stored images (33A-E) with the low resolution and the high image rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick HOYER, Stefan SAUR, Gerald PANITZ
  • Patent number: 11210791
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for locating possible artifacts in a virtually stained histology image, which was obtained from an initial histology image, is provided. In the method, at least one further image is generated on the basis of the virtually stained histology image or the initial histology image. The differences between the at least one further image and the virtually stained histology image are determined when the at least one further image has been generated on the basis of the initial histology image or the differences between the at least one further image and the initial histology image are determined when the at least one further image has been generated on the basis of the virtually stained histology image, and a mapping from the determined differences to their positions in the virtually stained histology image is created. The positions in the virtually stained histology image represent the positions of possible artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Stefan Saur, Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20210295519
    Abstract: An apparatus for classifying a brain tissue area as functional or non-functional by a stimulation of the brain includes a receiver unit for receiving information about a performed stimulation, a recording device for recording images that represent the brain tissue area, a detection unit for detecting a change in perfusion in the brain tissue area, and a classification unit configured to determine with the information whether there is a correlation between the performed stimulation and the detected change in perfusion, and to classify the brain tissue area as functional or as non-functional. The recording device is an endomicroscope for recording endomicroscopic images of the brain tissue area with a spatial resolution better than 20 ?m and a frame rate of at least 0.4 frames per second. The detection unit is configured to detect a change in perfusion based on the positions of certain tissue structures in the recorded images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20210279865
    Abstract: A scanning image generation apparatus is provided and includes an image information acquisition unit for scanning grid points of an object and for acquiring, on the basis of the scanned grid points, items of image information that represent an image. An evaluation unit has a software routine for evaluating at least some of the items of image information and for classifying the items of image information as usable or unusable on the basis of the evaluation. The apparatus also includes a release unit which enables an image recording if the evaluated items of image information are classified as usable by the evaluation unit. The scanning image generation apparatus moreover includes a memory with at least one quality profile stored thereon. The quality profile contains a person-specific software routine for evaluating and classifying the items of image information. The software routine is loadable into the evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Saur, Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20210279875
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for locating possible artifacts in a virtually stained histology image, which was obtained from an initial histology image, is provided. In the method, at least one further image is generated on the basis of the virtually stained histology image or the initial histology image. The differences between the at least one further image and the virtually stained histology image are determined when the at least one further image has been generated on the basis of the initial histology image or the differences between the at least one further image and the initial histology image are determined when the at least one further image has been generated on the basis of the virtually stained histology image, and a mapping from the determined differences to their positions in the virtually stained histology image is created. The positions in the virtually stained histology image represent the positions of possible artifacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Stefan Saur, Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20210166349
    Abstract: A method for creating a high-resolution image of an object from low-resolution images of the object is provided. Both the low-resolution images and the high-resolution image are composed of a pixel grid. An image recording device successively records low-resolution images, in which pitches of the grid points of the pixel grid are increased in one image dimension in comparison with the pitches of the grid points of the pixel grid in the high-resolution image to be created. A data processing system registers the low-resolution images with respect to one another to obtain registered images which are superimposed to obtain the high-resolution image. The grid points of the low-resolution images and the grid points of the high-resolution image have same dimensions and the data processing system uses image information obtained from different positions of the object relative to the grid points in the individual low-resolution images to create the high-resolution images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick Hoyer, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz
  • Publication number: 20210085182
    Abstract: An apparatus is for localizing brain tissue regions connected with a brain function in a brain operating field. The apparatus includes a stimulation apparatus and a localization unit with a camera. The stimulation apparatus is configured to carry out a number of stimulation cycles. Each cycle includes a stimulation phase during which the brain function is stimulated and a rest phase during which there is no stimulation of the brain function. The localization unit records at least one stimulation image with the stimulated brain function and at least one reference image without the stimulated brain function during each stimulation cycle and uses the recorded stimulation and reference images to localize the brain tissue regions connected with the stimulated brain function. The stimulation apparatus is configured to output a feedback signal to the localization unit with at least the start of a stimulation cycle being evident from the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz, Roland Guckler
  • Patent number: 10945586
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a visualization system which includes a surgical microscope assembly for viewing a surgical region under magnification. The surgical microscope assembly is provided with a computer unit having a display for displaying image data. A detection arrangement is configured to detect endoscopic images in the surgical region and is operatively coupled to the surgical microscope assembly. A circuit actuable by a viewing person is configured to detect actuation data. The circuit is configured to set an operating state of the surgical microscope assembly matched to the detection arrangement in response to a presence of the actuation data for the surgical microscope assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Joachim Steffen, Gerald Panitz, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Konstantinos Filippatos
  • Patent number: 10788311
    Abstract: A microscope system is made available, said microscope system including: a microscope with an observer beam path with at least one camera for obtaining at least one electronic image of an observation object with a deep channel with a base, a motor-driven mount and/or a motor-driven stand, on which the microscope is mounted, a detection unit for detecting the focal depth set at the microscope, an image processing unit connected to the detection unit for the receiving focal depth and connected to the at least one camera for receiving the at least one electronic image, which image processing unit establishes the image portion in the at least one electronic image constituting the base of the deep channel in the electronic image, and a control unit connected to the image processing unit for receiving the established alignment for outputting control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Gerald Panitz, Marco Wilzbach, Stefan Saur
  • Publication number: 20200129049
    Abstract: A sterile sheath and methods for enclosing a confocal endomicroscopy (CEM) scanner probe with the sterile sheath are provided. The scanner probe includes a probe shaft, a probe tip, a probe body, and a probe umbilical. The sterile sheath for enclosing the CEM scanner probe includes a sheath tube configured to receive the probe shaft and has a distal tube end, a proximal tube end, a sheath tip mounted at the distal tube end of the sheath tube, and a sheath socket configured to receive the probe body. The sheath socket has a distal socket end and a proximal socket end. The proximal tube end of the sheath tube is fixed to the sheath socket at the distal socket end. The sterile sheath further includes a sheath lock ring and a sheath drape mounted on the sheath socket at the proximal socket end with the sheath lock ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gerald Panitz, Robert Pattie, Peter Maxwell Delaney, Christopher Byrne, Roderick Vance
  • Patent number: 10582856
    Abstract: A surgical assistance system includes an endomicroscope (4) and an imaging device (2) for capturing image data, and a transmission unit (63) for transmitting the image data. A pathology unit (70) includes a receiving unit (74) for receiving the image data and a display unit (76) displays the image data. A data connection (69) connects the transmission unit (63) to the receiving unit (74). The imaging device (2) and/or the endomicroscope (4) has at least one functional unit assigned to a functional control unit (65). A data receiving unit (64) receives data from the pathology unit (70). The pathology unit (70) has an input unit (77) for inputting functional control data for the functional control unit (65) and a transmitter unit (73) transmits the functional control data to the devices. The data receiving unit (64) receives and relays the functional control data to the functional control unit (65).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
    Inventors: Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Gerald Panitz
  • Patent number: 10413159
    Abstract: A visualization system includes a surgical microscope assembly for viewing a surgical region under magnification. The surgical microscope assembly is provided with a computer unit having a display for displaying image data. A detection arrangement is configured to detect endoscopic images in the surgical region and is operatively coupled to the surgical microscope assembly. A circuit actuable by a viewing person is configured to detect actuation data. The circuit is configured to set an operating state of the surgical microscope assembly matched to the detection arrangement in response to a presence of the actuation data for the surgical microscope assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Joachim Steffen, Gerald Panitz, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Konstantinos Filippatos
  • Publication number: 20190261831
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a visualization system which includes a surgical microscope assembly for viewing a surgical region under magnification. The surgical microscope assembly is provided with a computer unit having a display for displaying image data. A detection arrangement is configured to detect endoscopic images in the surgical region and is operatively coupled to the surgical microscope assembly. A circuit actuable by a viewing person is configured to detect actuation data. The circuit is configured to set an operating state of the surgical microscope assembly matched to the detection arrangement in response to a presence of the actuation data for the surgical microscope assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Joachim Steffen, Gerald Panitz, Christoph Hauger, Roland Guckler, Konstantinos Filippatos
  • Patent number: 10324281
    Abstract: A surgical system has a surgical microscope with an imaging optical unit and a control unit for setting imaging parameters of the microscope. The system further has an image processing device for overlaying an overlay image stored in the image processing device with an image generated by the microscope. A data processing unit is connected to the control unit of the microscope and to the image processing device. The control unit is configured such that, before a change of at least one imaging parameter of the microscope from a first value to a second value, it stores both the first value and the second value and makes them available to the data processing unit. The image processing device is configured in such a manner that it modifies the overlay image in a manner corresponding to the stored first and second values of the at least one imaging parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Marco Wilzbach, Stefan Saur, Gerald Panitz