Patents by Inventor Gheorghe Mihalca

Gheorghe Mihalca 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: 11045070
    Abstract: Endoscopic systems and methods that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, David Sonnenshein
  • Patent number: 10783626
    Abstract: Image data representing an image captured by a video endoscopic device is converted from a first color space to a second color space. The image data in the second color space is used to determine the location of features in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, Carlos A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20200154979
    Abstract: Endoscopic systems and methods that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe MIHALCA, Baoduy TRAN, David SONNENSHEIN
  • Patent number: 10582833
    Abstract: Endoscopic systems and methods that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, David Sonnenshein
  • Publication number: 20170354316
    Abstract: Endoscopic systems and methods that provide wireless power transmission from a camera head to at least one solid-state light source housed in an endoscopic device. The endoscopic systems and methods employ a multi-stage electromagnetic induction coupling mechanism that can wirelessly transfer power from the camera head to an endocoupler, as well as from the endocoupler to the solid-state light source, while allowing axial rotational motion of at least the camera head, the endocoupler, and/or the endoscopic device relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, David Sonnenshein
  • Patent number: 9715727
    Abstract: Image data representing an image captured by a video endoscopic device is converted from a first color space to a second color space. The image data in the second color space is used to determine the location of features in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, Carlos A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20170202443
    Abstract: Image data representing an image captured by a video endoscopic device is converted from a first color space to a second color space. The image data in the second color space is used to determine the location of features in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, Carlos A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9301771
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical handpiece including an insert removably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the insert is configured to allow aspiration of fluid and tissue through the insert during a surgical procedure. Other surgical handpieces and a method for the removal of tissue during an endoscopic procedure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Merle I. Auclair, Jr., Paul Robert Duhamel, Gheorghe Mihalca, Yuri E. Kazakevich, Paul C. Young
  • Publication number: 20150062153
    Abstract: Image data representing an image captured by a video endoscopic device is converted from a first color space to a second color space. The image data in the second color space is used to determine the location of features in the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Baoduy Tran, Carolos A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20110245599
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical handpiece including an insert removably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the insert is configured to allow aspiration of fluid and tissue through the insert during a surgical procedure. Other surgical handpieces and a method for the removal of tissue during an endoscopic procedure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Merle I. Auclair, JR., Paul Robert Duhamel, Gheorghe Mihalca, Yuri E. Kazakevich, Paul C. Young
  • Publication number: 20080086033
    Abstract: A device includes a first member including a first material, an optical window, and a second member including a second material dissimilar to the first material, wherein the second member is bonded to the optical window and explosion welded to the first member. An implementation of the device includes an autoclavable medical device including an aluminum body, a stainless steel bridge explosion welded to the body, and a sapphire window bonded to the bridge. A method of manufacturing the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventor: Gheorghe Mihalca
  • Patent number: 6129661
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a housing having a working channel extending therethrough; an elongated insertion section mounted to the housing and having a distal end to be attached on the housing so as to cover a portion of the elongated insertion section. The sheath creates and maintains a working space at the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Iafrati, Gheorghe Mihalca
  • Patent number: 5964696
    Abstract: A stereoscopic imaging device is described that attaches to an instrument, such as an endoscope or a borescope, which is characterized by an exit pupil in the vicinity of its proximal region. The imaging device includes a dual aperture plate and an optical switch that are disposed within a housing that attaches to the proximal region of the instrument. The dual aperture plate defines right and left, spaced-apart apertures respectively disposed at symmetric locations substantially in the plane of the exit pupil of the instrument. The optical switch alternately blocks light received from the instrument and passing through the right and left optical channels so that a stereoscopic view can be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Gheorghe Mihalca, Yuri E. Kazakevich
  • Patent number: 5906579
    Abstract: A method of positioning a catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter. The catheter is inserted in a passage and sensed through the luminal wall to correctly determine its position. As applied to prevent hemorrhage during surgery the method involves inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted sensing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the already-positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. In one aspect, a flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned at the tip or in the vicinity of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Inc., University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Thomas J. Vander Salm, A. Alan Conlan, Yuri E. Kazakevich, Steven W. Ek, Gheorghe Mihalca
  • Patent number: 5904147
    Abstract: A catheter, for example a balloon or treatment catheter, is positioned to prevent hemorrhage during surgery by inserting the catheter in a deflated configuration along a passage such as a blood vessel near to the operative site in a position determined by direct or video-assisted viewing from outside the passage. In the event a blood vessel is cut during surgery, the previously positioned catheter inflates a balloon to occlude the passage and stop blood flow into the injured site. A flow-directed catheter includes an inflatable balloon attached at its distal end and an optical fiber connected to one or more light emitting regions positioned in the vicinity of the balloon. The light is emitted transversely, and preferably omnidirectionally at one or more points with a sufficient brightness to provide beacons that are readily detected through the walls of a blood vessel and permit a direct determination of the exact location of the balloon within the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignees: University of Massachusetts, Smith& Nephew Endoscopy, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Alan Conlan, Yuri E. Kazakevich, Steven W. Ek, Gheorghe Mihalca
  • Patent number: 5575757
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a focusing mechanism having a focus control element at a proximal end of the endoscope and a mechanical coupling connecting the focus control element to an image transmitting device (e.g., an electro-optical sensor or one or more optical fibres) mounted at a distal end of an elongated insertion section of the endoscope. Rotation of the focus control element moves the image transmitting device with respect to a lens assembly of the endoscope to focus the image received by the lens assembly. The focus control element may be disengaged from the mechanical coupling by pulling it axially along the length of the insertion section whereby the focusing mechanism may be easily disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew Endoscopy Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kennedy, Paul V. Lucey, Yury E. Kazakevich, Gheorghe Mihalca, Gary D. Henley, Clifford A. Dowdy