Ultrasonic Patents (Class 600/437)
  • Patent number: 11464488
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for graphical grading of medical findings during a diagnostic imaging exam. In one example, a method includes displaying an acquired medical image on a display area of a display device, displaying a virtual anatomical diagram on the display area adjacent to the ultrasound medical image, responsive to selection of an anatomical region from the anatomical diagram, displaying a plurality of icons representing graded diagnostic findings associated with the anatomical region, and responsive to selection of an icon of the plurality of icons, storing the ultrasound medical image in permanent memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carmit Shiran, Mor Vardi
  • Patent number: 11464482
    Abstract: A system and method for efficiently transmitting and receiving focused ultrasound through a medium, such as bone, is provided. The focal region of the focused ultrasound is iteratively updated to provide an improved focus through the medium. This method may be carried out using a transducer assembly that includes two or more transmit arrays each operating at a different frequency. An initial focus is set and updated by delivering focused ultrasound with a lower frequency transmit array. The phase corrections determined in the first iteration are applied to subsequently higher frequency transmit arrays and received signals, and the process repeated until a desired focus or image resolution is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Research Institute
    Inventors: Kullervo Henrik Hynynen, Meaghan Anne O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 11461900
    Abstract: A dynamic image analysis system includes a modality and a hardware processor. The modality generates first and second dynamic images each composed of frame images indicating dynamics of a subject. The processor detects a first signal value of a pixel in a first region in each of the frame images of the first dynamic image. The hardware processor detects a second signal value of a pixel in a second region in which an identical site to that of the first region is imaged, the second region being in each of the frame images of the second dynamic image. The processor determines an image processing condition for making the first signal value close to the second signal value based on the first and second signal values detected. The hardware processor performs image processing on the first dynamic image under the determined image processing condition to generate a processed dynamic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Sumiya Nagatsuka, Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11452494
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for projection profile enabled computer aided detection (CAD). Volumetric ultrasound dataset may be generated, based on echo ultrasound signals, and based on the volumetric ultrasound dataset, a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound volume may generated. Selective structure detection may be applied to the three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Krishna Seetharam Shriram, Arathi Sreekumari, Rakesh Mullick
  • Patent number: 11452493
    Abstract: A bimodal three-dimensional mammary gland imaging quality detecting phantom and method, which includes: a three-dimensional breast appearance phantom structure made of agarose gel containing polyethylene, which is a radiation equivalent material of adipose tissues under X-rays, the relaxation time of hydrogen protons in the agarose gel under a 3T magnetic field is equivalent to that of human adipose tissues, and mammary gland tissue duct phantoms and phantoms of lobules of mammary gland are distributed in the breast appearance phantom structure. The phantom can be used for the image quality detection and analysis of mammary gland imaging by the systems of magnetic resonance and mammography, the material is elastic and can be compressed on a mammography platform for imaging, and the phantom can also be vertically placed in the magnetic resonance mammary gland coil for tomography, so two imaging modes of one phantom are achieved, and the application range is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TAISHAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jianfeng Qiu, Guozhu Wang, Kun Hou, Minghui Li, Xueqian Yang, Liting Shi, Weizhao Lu
  • Patent number: 11446001
    Abstract: A universal ultrasound device having an ultrasound probe includes a semiconductor die; a plurality of ultrasonic transducers integrated on the semiconductor die, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured to operate a first mode associated with a first frequency range and a second mode associated with a second frequency range, wherein the first frequency range is at least partially non-overlapping with the second frequency range; and control circuitry configured to: control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the first frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the first mode; and control the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to generate and/or detect ultrasound signals having frequencies in the second frequency range, in response to receiving an indication to operate the ultrasound probe in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: BFLY Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Susan A. Alie, Nevada J. Sanchez, Tyler S. Ralston, Christopher Thomas McNulty, Jaime Scott Zahorian, Paul Francis Cristman, Matthew de Jonge, Keith G. Fife
  • Patent number: 11442157
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system scans a plurality of planar slices in a volumetric region which are parallel to each other. Following detection of the image data of the slices the slice data is combined by projecting the data in the elevation dimension to produce a “thick slice” image. Combining may be by means of an averaging or maximum intensity detection or weighting process or by raycasting in the elevation dimension in a volumetric rendering process. Thick slice images are displayed at a high frame rate of display by combining a newly acquired slice with slices previously acquired from different elevational planes which were used in a previous combination. A new thick slice image may be produced each time at least one of the slice images is updated by a newly acquired slice. Frame rate is further improved by multiline acquisition of the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Karl Thiele
  • Patent number: 11435459
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a filtered ultrasound image. The method begins by obtaining channel data. First and second apodization functions are applied to the channel data to generate first (610) and second (620) image data, respectively. A minimization function is then applied to the first (610) and second (620) image data, which may then be used to generate third (630) image data. The filtered ultrasound image may then be generated based on the first (610) and third (630) image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jun Soeb Shin, Seungsoo Kim, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Sheng-Wen Huang, Jean-Luc Francois-Marie Robert
  • Patent number: 11438695
    Abstract: The present application relates to a system and method for receiving, via a microphone array, an incoming acoustic signal including a desired signal and an undesired signal, performing a first minimum variance distortionless response beamforming operation on the incoming acoustic signal to isolate the desired signal, performing a second minimum variance distortionless response beamforming operation, by the signal processor, on the incoming acoust signal to isolate the undesired signal, filtering the desired signal to generate a filtered desired signal, combining an inverse of the filtered desired signal with the undesired signal to generate a combined undesired signal, filtering the combined undesired signal to generate a filtered combined undesired signal, combining an inverse of the combined undesired signal and the desired signal to generate an output signal, and generating a data signal in response to the output signal for transmission via a wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Amos Schreibman, Anna Barnov
  • Patent number: 11435461
    Abstract: An ultrasound system, probe and method are provided. The ultrasound system includes a transducer with piezoelectric transducer elements polarized in a poling direction. A bipolar transmit circuit is configured to generate a transmit signal having first and second polarity segments. The first and second polarity segments have corresponding first and second peak amplitudes. A bias generator is configured to generate a bias signal in a direction of the poling direction. The bias signal is combined with the transmit signal to form a biased transmit signal that is shifted in the direction of the poling direction and still includes both of positive and negative voltages over a transmit cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Harald Weichenberger, Anton Hörl, Reinhold Brüstle, Bruno Hans Haider
  • Patent number: 11432882
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a system for medical object tracking is provided. The system includes a plurality of radio frequency transceivers where each of the plurality of radio frequency transceivers are configured to emit a radio frequency signal at a respective frequency. The system includes a radio frequency beacon removably attachable to a medical object where the radio frequency beacon configured to: reflect the radio frequency signals from the plurality of radio frequency transceivers, and emit vibration-based signals. The system includes a control device in communication with the plurality of radio frequency transceivers where the control device includes processing circuitry configured to determine a location of the medical object in three-dimensional space based at least in part on the reflected radio frequency signals and vibration-based signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CAIRA SURGICAL
    Inventor: Morteza Meftah
  • Patent number: 11426080
    Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring and controlling thermal therapy treatments. One method includes determining, with an electronic processor, a propagation constant for a plurality of waveports. The method also includes modeling an object within an imaging cavity using a sparse mesh model. The method also includes determining a simulated impedance of the object based on the model of the object. The method also includes calibrating the simulated impedance with a theoretical impedance numerically calculated for the object. The method also includes determining a distribution of an electric field and a distribution of a magnetic field for a mode in a conformal modeled waveport based on the calibrated impedance and the model of the object. The method also includes exciting the plurality of waveports to generate the determined distribution of the electric field and the distribution of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: John P. Stang, Mark S. Haynes, Mahta Moghaddam, Guanbo Chen
  • Patent number: 11419582
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes ultrasound imaging systems and methods for operating an ultrasound system with a multi-mode touch screen interface. An ultrasound system according to the present disclosure may include a movable base and a control panel supported by the movable base. The control panel may include a plurality of manual controls provided on a support surface and a touch control panel movably coupled to the support surface. The touch control panel may include a touch display configured to provide a touch-sensitive user interface. The touch control panel may be movable between a plurality of positions at which the touch display is at different angles relative to the support surface. The touch display may be configured to automatically change a user interface provided on the touch display responsive to movement of the touch display to any of the plurality of positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Wendy Mei Yee
  • Patent number: 11419577
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes ultrasound imaging systems and methods that may be used to image, for example, breast tissue. An ultrasound imaging system according to one embodiment may include a probe, a sensor attached to the probe and operatively associated with a position tracking system, a processor configured to receive probe position data from the position tracking system. The user interface may be configured to provide instructions for placement of the probe at a plurality of anatomical landmarks of a selected breast of the subject and receive user input to record the spatial location of the probe at each of the plurality of anatomical landmarks. The processor may be configured to determine a scan area based on the spatial location of the probe at each of the plurality of anatomical landmarks and generate a scan pattern for the selected breast. The processor may be further configured to monitor movement of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: James Robertson Jago, Julia Dmitrieva, Gary Cheng-How Ng, Thomas Shu Yin Tang
  • Patent number: 11410348
    Abstract: An imaging method. The method comprises the following steps: determining a target by identifying target-related position information or characteristic information (S101); implementing a two-dimensional scan of the target to collect image data of the target in a three-dimensional space (S102); processing, during the scanning, and on a real-time basis, the image data and relevant spatial information to obtain a plurality of image contents of the target, and displaying the image content on a real-time basis (S103); and arranging the plurality of image contents in an incremental sequence to form an image of the target (S104). The imaging method prevents collection of unusable image information, shortens image data collection time, and increases the speed of an imaging process. The application further provides an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Telefield Medical Imaging Limited
    Inventor: Yongping Zheng
  • Patent number: 11410753
    Abstract: Methods for associating medical images to a patient using a mobile image-capturing device and transmitting the medical images to a storage location are disclosed. One example method includes accessing by a user identifying information associated with a patient through an electronic health record (EHR) application installed in the mobile device, launching a second application on the mobile device from the EHR application, and upon the launching of the application from the EHR application, transmitting the patient identifying information accessed by the user from the EHR application to the second application. The second application may then retrieve one or more medical images stored in the mobile device, associate the one or more retrieved medical images with the patient using the identifying information, and transmit the one or more retrieved medical images with the associated patient identifying information from the mobile device to a storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Hyland Switzerland SARL
    Inventors: Abdul Rahim Khatri, Jacob Michael Hargus
  • Patent number: 11399789
    Abstract: A compression unit for a combined x-ray and ultrasound examination device and an examination device. The handling of the combined x-ray and ultrasound examination device is simplified by providing a compression unit with a compression surface which is permeable to x-rays and ultrasound and which is, or can be, coupled to a support element of the examination device irrespective of the existence of a mechanical and/or electrical connection between the ultrasound unit and the examination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Mathias Hoernig
  • Patent number: 11400319
    Abstract: Methods for treating skin and subcutaneous tissue with energy such as ultrasound energy are disclosed. In various embodiments, ultrasound energy is applied at a region of interest to affect tissue by cutting, ablating, micro-ablating, coagulating, or otherwise affecting the subcutaneous tissue to conduct numerous procedures that are traditionally done invasively in a non-invasive manner. Methods of lifting sagging tissue are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Peter G. Barthe, Michael H. Slayton, Inder Raj S. Makin
  • Patent number: 11394983
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a merge candidate list for encoding or decoding of a video sequence includes determining a first candidate block that includes a vertical position above a top edge of a current block, and that includes a horizontal position adjacent to a horizontal center of the current block. A second candidate block is determined that includes a horizontal position that is located to a left side of a left edge of the current block and a vertical position adjacent to a vertical center of the current block. The merge candidate list is generated using the first candidate block and the second candidate block to permit the encoding or the decoding of the video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TENCENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Jing Ye, Shan Liu, Guichun Li, Xiaozhong Xu, Xiang Li
  • Patent number: 11382554
    Abstract: A personal monitoring device has a sensor assembly configured to sense physiological signals upon contact with a user's skin. The sensor assembly produces electrical signals representing the sensed physiological signals. A converter assembly, integrated with, and electrically connected to the sensor assembly, converts the electrical signals generated by the sensor assembly to a frequency modulated physiological audio signal having a carrier frequency in the range of from about 6 kHz to about 20 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: AliveCor, Inc.
    Inventors: David Albert, Bruce Richard Satchwell, Kim Norman Barnett
  • Patent number: 11373745
    Abstract: An automatic medication dispenser is disclosed herein. The automated prescription medication dispensing machine includes a container for housing multiple medication pills. The container has a programmable dispensing system, an audible reminder alert, a biometric sensor and a proximity alarm. Additionally, the dispenser can be programmed to dispense a prescribed dosage at a prescribed time or interval and can only be activated using a biometric fingerprint scanner. Furthermore, the system has an audible reminder alarm for a patient. If the machine is moved from a set location an audible alert is activated to prevent the dispenser from being stolen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Heaps
  • Patent number: 11364011
    Abstract: An apparatus can be used to generate acoustic imaging pulse sequences and receive corresponding echoes elicited by the acoustic imaging pulse sequences. An acoustic radiation force (ARF) pulse sequence can be generated to agitate a contrast medium in a tissue region between the acoustic imaging pulse sequences. A decorrelation between images corresponding to the received echoes can be determined. A weighting map can be applied to an image to weight a region of the image corresponding to a spatial location of the contrast medium using the determined decorrelation. In an example, the receiving of corresponding echoes elicited by the acoustic imaging pulse sequences can include receiving acoustic energy having a range of frequencies offset from a fundamental frequency associated with the acoustic imaging pulse sequences. An acoustic imaging pulse sequence can include a pulse having an inverted amplitude envelope with respect to another pulse included in the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Elizabeth Bronwyn Herbst, John A. Hossack, Shiying Wang, F. William Mauldin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11364015
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging for analyzing shear wave characteristics utilizes a background motion compensation subsystem which acts as a spatial filter of pulse-to-pulse autocorrelation phases over the ROI of tracking pulse vectors to compensate for background motion. The subsystem is configured to compute the sum of all lag-1 autocorrelations of tracking line ensemble data over the tracking ROI, for each PRI. The inventive technique does not significantly reduce sensitivity to shear waves, because the shear wave is spatially smaller than the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: David Wesley Clark
  • Patent number: 11366223
    Abstract: An image with the sound speed in reception beamforming being changed is generated with a small amount of calculation. A conversion unit 41 converts first real space image data into first wave number space data in a wave number space. A remapping processing unit 42 processes the first wave number space data to generate data equivalent to second wave number space data. A reconversion unit 43 generates a second real space image by inversely converting data equivalent to the second wave number space data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Misaki Hiroshima, Hiroshi Kuribara
  • Patent number: 11357477
    Abstract: By identifying locations of contrast agent response, an intensity-based metric of contrast agent signal is used to control a duration of microbubble destruction with a medical ultrasound scanner. Feedback from motion of the transducer may be used to indicate when a user perceives enough destruction. A combination of both an intensity-based metric and transducer motion may be used to control the duration of bursting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Duncan, Gilles D. Guenette, Ismayil M. Guracar
  • Patent number: 11354802
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing patient anatomy models with indications of model accuracy included with the model. Accuracy is determined, for example, by analyzing gradients at tissue boundaries or by analyzing tissue surface curvature in a three-dimensional anatomy model. The determined accuracy is graphically provided to an operator along with the patient model. The overlaid accuracy indications facilitate the operator's understanding of the model, for example by showing areas of the model that may deviate from the modeled patient's actual anatomy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Yangqiu Hu
  • Patent number: 11344278
    Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for determining an ovarian follicle count and size (diameter) from a pair of 2-D transvaginal ultrasound scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ganesan Ramachandran, Sindhu Priyadarshini Nellur Prakash, Celine Firtion, Cecile Dufour, Stéphane Allaire
  • Patent number: 11341633
    Abstract: An ultrasound system (100) includes an ultrasound transducer, a processing circuit (210, 300), and a display. The ultrasound transducer is configured to detect ultrasound information regarding a patient and output the ultrasound information as an ultrasound data sample. The processing circuit (210, 300) is configured to segment the ultrasound data sample into a binary image including at least one first region and at least one second region, obtain a first location of a first vascular feature of the binary image based on a boundary between the at least one first region and the at least one second region, and modify the binary image based on the first location of the first vascular feature. The first vascular feature is associated with an intima media thickness. The display is configured to display the modified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: EDAN INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jinghui Ma, Seshadri Srinivasan, Feng Ling
  • Patent number: 11337768
    Abstract: A method comprises displaying an image of a field of view of a surgical environment. A first medical instrument in the field of view may be coupled to a first manipulator in a teleoperational assembly. The method may comprise displaying a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu may include a plurality of icons wherein each icon is associated with a function for the first medical instrument. The method may also comprise identifying a selected icon from the plurality of icons based upon a movement of an operator control device of a teleoperational operator control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Tabish Mustufa, Heath Feather, Daniel H. Gomez, Brian D. Hoffman, Paul W. Mohr, Huan L. Phan
  • Patent number: 11337661
    Abstract: A medical system comprises an instrument, a position acquisition apparatus, a data processing and image generating apparatus and an image display and control unit. The position acquisition apparatus is configured to acquire a position and orientation of the instrument in relation to a reference coordinate system. The data processing and image generating apparatus is configured to generate an image of a body part from currently recorded or stored data representing a body part, which image reproduces a view of the body part together with a representation of the position, and preferably also the orientation of the instrument so that an observer can gather the position and orientation of the instrument in the body part from the image of the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Intersect ENT GmbH
    Inventors: Timo Krüger, Dirk Mucha, Andreas Rose, Hannes Braun
  • Patent number: 11337674
    Abstract: An ultrasonography apparatus includes transmitting circuitry, and processing circuitry. The transmitting circuitry configured to cause an ultrasound probe to transmit a displacement-generation ultrasonic wave to cause a displacement in a tissue of a living body, and cause the probe to transmit an observation ultrasonic wave to observe a displacement of a tissue of a living body in a predetermined scan region, the displacement caused based on the displacement-generation ultrasonic wave. The processing circuitry configured to accept a setting instruction that corresponds to the region, and that is related to an acquisition frequency of an image based on a reflected wave signal that is acquired by the probe by transmission and reception of the observation ultrasonic wave, determine a transmission condition for at least one of the displacement-generation ultrasonic wave and the observation ultrasonic wave, according to the setting instruction, and control the transmission circuitry based on the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko Kanayama, Akihiro Kakee, Masaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11341640
    Abstract: A probability map of prostate tumor location is generated and displayed in response to receiving anatomic diagnostic medical imaging, such as from magnetic resonance (MR) scanning. A registration process is performed on the images in relation to a model built of prostate anatomy across different subjects in an enhanced prostate template. A probability map is created of tumor locations followed by transforming the imaging to incorporate the probability map and output a resultant image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Dieter Enzmann, Matthew S. Brown, Corey W. Arnold, Mahesh B. Nagarajan, Hyun J. Kim
  • Patent number: 11331520
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a non-contact, medical ultrasound therapy system for generating and controlling low frequency ultrasound. The ultrasound therapy system includes a treatment wand including an ultrasonic transducer, a generator unit, and a cable coupling the treatment wand to the generator unit. The generator unit generates electric power output to drive the ultrasonic transducer and includes a digital frequency generator, wherein the generator unit digitally controls energy output at resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SANUWAVE HEALTH, INC.
    Inventors: Ross Loven, Jeff Sampson, Li Qin, Ryan Glen Tetzloff, Douglas Duchon
  • Patent number: 11330975
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to devices and methods for intravascular evaluation of blood vessels. Many embodiments of the technology relate to the intravascular evaluation of blood vessels before, during and after creation of autologous valves. In one embodiment, for example, the present technology is directed to a method comprising intravascularly delivering a delivery catheter to a target location adjacent a vessel wall and engaging the vessel wall along a portion of the delivery catheter. The method can further include determining the location of a first circumferential periphery of a dissection pouch formed within the vessel wall, determining the location of a second circumferential periphery of the dissection pouch, and determining an angular width of the dissection pouch based on the location of the first circumferential periphery and the second circumferential periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: InterVene, Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher T. Wilson, Zachary J. Malchano
  • Patent number: 11327049
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide an ultrasonic apparatus that enables one to find a factor that lowers reliability of a measurement value relating to elasticity of biological tissue. [Means for Solution] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a control circuit executing: a measurement-value calculating function 535 of calculating a measurement value relating to elasticity of the biological tissue based on echo signals from ultrasonic detecting pulses; an index-value calculating function 536 of calculating an index value indicating a degree of reliability for the measurement value for each of a plurality of factors that deteriorate the reliability of the measurement value based on the echo signals from the ultrasonic detecting pulses; and a notifying function of notifying a factor corresponding to at least one index value for which the degree of reliability does not meet a required standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Yuko Shibata
  • Patent number: 11327052
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic inspection probe for inspecting parts. The ultrasonic inspection probe comprises a probe body that comprises an ultrasonic array and a plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of ultrasound elements, each selectively operable to generate an ultrasonic beam and each fixed relative to the plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic inspection probe also comprises an interface plate, comprising a body attachment surface, removably attachable to the plate attachment surface of the probe body, and a part inspection surface, shaped to complement a shape of one of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Roy M. Gagnon, Jeffry J. Garvey, James C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 11324483
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe acquires a 3D image dataset of a volumetric region of the body. The 3D image data is reformatted into a sequence of successive parallel image planes extending in one of three orthogonal directions through the volume. The sequence of images is preferably formatted in accordance with the DICOM standard so that a clinician can review the 3D image data as a sequence of DICOM images on an image workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jimmy Ray Brown, Kevin Bradley
  • Patent number: 11320783
    Abstract: A system or device includes a member structure, a plurality of flexible members, and a plurality of tips disposed at ends of the flexible members. The member structure includes an ultrasonic emitter configured to emit an ultrasonic imaging signal. The plurality of flexible members are coupled to the member structure. The plurality of tips are disposed at ends of the flexible members. At least one tip of the plurality of tips includes an image sensor configured to receive an infrared exit signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Open Water Internet Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Newswanger, Mary Lou Jepsen, Ian David O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11317036
    Abstract: A mobile calibration room may be used for calibrating one or more sensors used on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A system can include folding or collapsible walls to enable the system to be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position, the system can comprise a calibration room including one or more 2D or 3D targets used to calibrate one or more sensors (e.g., cameras) on a UAV. The system can include a turntable to rotate the UAV about a first axis during calibration. The system can also include a cradle to rotate the UAV around, or translate the UAV along, a second axis. The turntable can include a frame to rotate the UAV around a third axis during calibration. The mobile calibration room can be coupled to a vehicle to enable the mobile calibration room to be moved between locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Graber, Martin Koestinger, Barry James O'Brien, Gerald Schweighofer, Mario Sormann, Joshua John Watson, Scott Michael Wilcox
  • Patent number: 11311259
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus acquires a first three-dimensional image, generates a second three-dimensional image by applying image processing to the first three-dimensional image having been acquired, and generates a two-dimensional projected image by applying projection processing to the second three-dimensional image having been generated. The image processing apparatus determines a parameter to be used for the image processing of the three-dimensional image on the basis of a parameter for the projection processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Itaru Otomaru, Takaaki Endo
  • Patent number: 11311275
    Abstract: Asymmetry is provided for the pushing pulse in acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging. MI is based on the negative pressure. By increasing the positive pressure more than the negative pressure, the magnitude of displacement may be increased without exceeding the MI limit. Similarly, negative voltages depole while positive do not, so using an ARFI or pushing pulse with asymmetric positive-to-negative peak pressures or voltages allows for generation of greater magnitude of displacement without harm to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Rosenzweig, Paul Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11311269
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprising an ultrasound scanner for acquiring a live ultrasound image of a portion of the anatomy of a patient being examined with the ultrasound imaging system, an assistance means for providing at least one primary demonstration video clip, and at least one video display. The video display is functionally connected with the ultrasound scanner and the assistance means in order to present the primary demonstration video clip simultaneously with a live ultrasound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: EZONO AG
    Inventors: Allan Dunbar, Sicco Schets, Fateh Mohammed, Hiba Arbash
  • Patent number: 11304681
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. With respect to pieces of image data of a plurality of cross sections passing through the heart of a subject that have been collected by ultrasonically scanning each of the cross sections for a period of at least one heart beat, the processing circuitry performs tracking processing including two-dimensional pattern matching to generate pieces of analysis information in each of which a cardiac wall motion of the heart in each section is analyzed. The processing circuitry matches time phases of the pieces of analysis information of the cross sections and maps the pieces of analysis information of the cross sections with the matched time phases on a predetermined polar coordinate system to generate a polar coordinate display image. The processing circuitry causes display of the polar coordinate display image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Abe
  • Patent number: 11304679
    Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an interface coupled to an ultrasound imaging component and configured to receive a plurality of image data frames representative of a target tissue; and a processing component in communication with the interface and configured to determine a delay profile for the ultrasound imaging component in relation to the target tissue based on the plurality of image data frames; and determine a phase aberration correction configuration for a sequence of one or more shear wave pulses based on the delay profile, the sequence of one or more shear wave pulses associated with the ultrasound imaging component and a stiffness measure of the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Hua Xie, Sheng-Wen Huang, Jean-Luc Francois-Marie Robert, Man Nguyen, Vijay Thakur Shamdasani
  • Patent number: 11298030
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for visually depicting a vessel and evaluating treatment options are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Davies, Joseph Burnett, Howard David Alpert
  • Patent number: 11301991
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing image analytics using graphical reporting associated with clinical images. One system includes at least one data source and a server. The server includes an electronic processor and an interface for communicating with the data source. The electronic processor is configured to receive training information from the at least one data source over the interface. The training information includes a plurality of images and graphical reporting associated with each of the plurality of images. Each graphical reporting includes a graphical marker designating a portion of one of the plurality of images and diagnostic information associated with the portion of the one of the plurality of images. The electronic processor is also configured to perform machine learning to develop a model using the training information. The model is used to automatically analyze an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murray A. Reicher, Jon T. DeVries, Michael W. Ferro, Jr., Marwan Sati
  • Patent number: 11295441
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound image generating system for generating an image of an object. The ultrasound image generating system comprises an ultrasound data provisioning unit for providing raw ultrasound data of the object, which data have been acquired using an ultrasound imaging modality. A trained unit provisioning unit provides a unit trained by machine learning, such as a trained neural network, which is configured to generate an ultrasound image of an object based on of raw ultrasound data of the object that does not correspond to the ultrasound imaging modality. An image generating unit generates the image of the object using the provided trained unit, based on of the provided raw ultrasound data of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Guenther
  • Patent number: 11280906
    Abstract: Estimation and imaging of linear and nonlinear propagation and scattering parameters in a material object where the material parameters for wave propagation and scattering has a nonlinear dependence on the wave field amplitude. The methods comprise transmitting at least two pulse complexes composed of co-propagating high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) pulses along at least one LF and HF transmit beam axis, where said HF pulse propagates close to the crest or trough of the LF pulse along at least one HF transmit beam, and where one of the amplitude and polarity of the LF pulse varies between at least two transmitted pulse complexes. At least one HF receive beam crosses the HF transmit beam at an angle >20 deg to provide at least two HF cross-beam receive signals from at least two transmitted pulse complexes with different LF pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SURF Technology AS
    Inventors: Bjorn A. J. Angelsen, Johannes Kvam
  • Patent number: 11282606
    Abstract: A medical information server is provided. The medical information server includes a medical information unit configured to determine a diagnose authority to an information terminal thereby allowing a diagnosis by the information terminal to be identified by the diagnose authority. An information terminal and a diagnostic information processing system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Miyama
  • Patent number: 11272902
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe arrangement comprises a holder for application to a surface, a housing mounted over the holder and a probe carrier. The housing has an inner guide surface which comprises a portion of a sphere and the probe carrier comprises a disc having an outer guide surface around the outer rim of the disc which comprises a portion of sphere. The probe carrier is slidable within the housing with the inner and outer guide surfaces in contact. An ultrasound probe is carried by the probe carrier and makes contact with the surface, e.g. skin. This arrangement enables the probe to be held in a desired orientation so that a clinician can work hands-free. The disc design enables different probe designs to be used with the same basic holder and housing design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Jean Geelen, Mart Kornelis-Jan Te Velde, Franciscus Hendrikus van Heesch