Patents by Inventor Helmuth Fritz

Helmuth Fritz 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: 8771191
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement is calculated based on the location of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement may be adjusted for sloping or tapering of an artery wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz
  • Patent number: 7727153
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying various tissue structure aspects, such as boundaries of arterial walls, within an image, such as an ultrasound image. Various measurements may be made using information with respect to the identified aspects of tissue structure. For example, intima-media thickness measurements may be made. Additionally or alternatively, tissue structure aspects, such as plaque within an artery, may be characterized, such as by determining a density thereof. Various information, such as measurement datums, used in identification of aspects of tissue structure in one image may be stored and applied to subsequent images, such as images of a video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz
  • Publication number: 20050119555
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement is calculated based on the location of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement may be adjusted for sloping or tapering of an artery wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz
  • Publication number: 20050096528
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying various tissue structure aspects, such as boundaries of arterial walls, within an image, such as an ultrasound image. Various measurements may be made using information with respect to the identified aspects of tissue structure. For example, intima-media thickness measurements may be made. Additionally or alternatively, tissue structure aspects, such as plaque within an artery, may be characterized, such as by determining a density thereof. Various information, such as measurement datums, used in identification of aspects of tissue structure in one image may be stored and applied to subsequent images, such as images of a video sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Applicant: SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz
  • Patent number: 6835177
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. An acquired image may be referenced, determining threshold values relating to the intensity of pixels forming images of portions of an artery wall, particularly the lumen, media, and adventitia. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sonosite, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Fritz, Helmuth Fritz
  • Patent number: 6817982
    Abstract: An apparatus, automated method technique and product for accurately determining the intima-media thickness of a blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Sonosite, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz
  • Publication number: 20040116808
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. An acquired image may be referenced, determining threshold values relating to the intensity of pixels forming images of portions of an artery wall, particularly the lumen, media, and adventitia. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Terry Fritz, Helmuth Fritz
  • Publication number: 20030199762
    Abstract: An apparatus, automated method technique and product for accurately determining the intima-media thickness of a blood vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: SonoMetric Health, LLC
    Inventors: Helmuth Fritz, Terry Fritz