Anatomic Image Produced By Reflective Scanning Patents (Class 600/443)
  • Patent number: 10835207
    Abstract: A method for three-dimensional (3D) mapping includes acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonic images of a cavity in a body of a living subject, the 2D images having different, respective positions in a 3D reference frame. In each of the 2D ultrasonic images, pixels corresponding to locations within an interior of the cavity are identified. The identified pixels from the plurality of the 2D images are registered in the 3D reference frame so as to define a volume corresponding to the interior of the cavity. An outer surface of the volume is reconstructed, representing an interior surface of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Andres Claudio Altmann, Nahum Kilim, Aviva Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10814147
    Abstract: A therapeutic ultrasound breast treatment device (101) is disclosed. The device (101) can include a receptacle (130) to receive a breast of a patient therein. The device (101) can also include an ultrasound transducer assembly disposed proximate the receptacle and oriented to direct a high intensity ultrasound transmission through an opening (168) of the receptacle (130) toward the breast. The device (101) can include a liner (1 60) disposed in the receptacle (130) to contain an ultrasound coupling fluid about the breast. The liner (160) can have an extension portion that extends through the opening (168) to form a seal with the ultrasound transducer assembly to prevent leakage of the ultrasound coupling fluid. A focus location of the ultrasound transmission can be adjustable and the device (101) can include a plurality of RF tracking coils to determine the focus location of the ultrasound transmission to facilitate adjustment of the focus location in an MRI environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: Allison Payne, Rock J. Hadley, Robb P. Merrill, Emilee Minalga, Dennis L. Parker, Laura Lighty
  • Patent number: 10816512
    Abstract: A signal is sent into a first surface of a structure at an angle relative to the first surface of the structure using a transducer array, wherein the structure has a second surface with a portion non-parallel to the first surface. An ultrasound response signal is formed at the portion of the second surface of the structure. The ultrasound response signal is received at the transducer array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barry A. Fetzer, Vicki Wu, Terrace G. McClure, Jonathan W. Bell, Kevin J. Mandt
  • Patent number: 10813625
    Abstract: An ultrasound image diagnostic apparatus includes the following. An ultrasound probe outputs transmission ultrasound into a subject in response to reception of a pulsed signal and outputs a reception signal in response to reception of ultrasound reflected from the subject. A transmitter generates the pulsed signal and outputs the generated pulsed signal to the ultrasound probe. A receiver receives the reception signal from the ultrasound probe and generates sound-ray data. An image generator generates ultrasound image data from the sound-ray data. An input receiver receives target position information on a target position. A highlighted-area determiner determines a first highlighted area among multiple areas in a body mark based on the target position information. A display combiner combines the body mark including the first highlighted area with the generated ultrasound image data and displays the resulting image on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventors: Makiko Urabe, Kazushi Ota, Manami Okada
  • Patent number: 10813621
    Abstract: An analyzer in an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry identifies at least a part of a contour of a heart of a subject for an image corresponding to a first cardiac time phase and an image corresponding to a second cardiac time phase that are included in time-series images including the heart of the subject. The processing circuitry calculates, using the information about the identified contours, a first cardiac function parameter representing at least one of a volume or an ejection fraction of a heart chamber and a second cardiac function parameter representing a global strain of a myocardium corresponding to the heart chamber. The processing circuitry causes the first cardiac function parameter and the second cardiac function parameter to be displayed by common operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shogo Fukuda, Willem Gorissen, Joel Mancina, Gilles Daniel Joseph Guenette, Hiroyuki Ouchi, Shunsuke Satoh
  • Patent number: 10813620
    Abstract: A system includes an ultrasound patch probe and brackets having a body and a base. The body includes a coupler and a hollow interior portion. The coupler is operable to receive the probe at a pre-defined ultrasound acquisition angle. The coupler defines a probe opening to provide the probe access to the hollow interior portion of the body. The coupler of each of the brackets is arranged to receive the probe at a different pre-defined ultrasound acquisition angle. The base surrounds a perimeter of the body and defines a bracket opening that extends through the base to provide access to the hollow interior portion of the body. The base includes a bottom surface operable to be secured against skin of a patient. The ultrasound patch probe is communicatively coupled to an ultrasound imaging system and detachably coupleable to the coupler of any selected one of the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Cynthia Owen, Alan Tai, Menachem Halmann
  • Patent number: 10812042
    Abstract: In an electronic component, electrodes defining functional portions are provided on a piezoelectric substrate. In order to define a hollow portion which the functional portions face, there are provided a first support with a frame shape, and second supports on the piezoelectric substrate in an inner side region surrounded by the first support. A cover is laminated on the first support as well as on the second supports to define the hollow portion. A height of each of the second supports is higher than a height of the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Takeshita
  • Patent number: 10806391
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the subject matter described herein a system is provided. The system includes a portable host system having one or more processors and a memory for storing a plurality of applications. The one or more processors configured to execute programmed instructions of a select application by performing one or more operations, which include obtain a set of frames of 2D ultrasound images, develop a prospect model indicating a likelihood that frames within the set include an organ of interest (OOI), identify primary and secondary reference frames from the set of the frames based on the prospect model, determine a characteristic of interest in the primary reference frame, select a candidate shape for the OOI based on the character of interest in the primary reference frame, and adjust the candidate shape based on the secondary reference frames to form a resultant shape for the OOI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahesh R. Panicker, Sigmund Frigstad, Pavan Kumar V Annangi, Srinivas Varna, Abhijit Vishwas Patil, Anders Herman Torp
  • Patent number: 10812693
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for motion capture to generate content (e.g., motion pictures, television programming, videos, etc.). An actor or other performing being can have multiple markers on his or her face that are essentially invisible to the human eye, but that can be clearly captured by camera systems of the present disclosure. Embodiments can capture the performance using two different camera systems, each of which can observe the same performance but capture different images of that performance. For instance, a first camera system can capture the performance within a first light wavelength spectrum (e.g., visible light spectrum), and a second camera system can simultaneously capture the performance in a second light wavelength spectrum different from the first spectrum (e.g., invisible light spectrum such as the IR light spectrum). The images captured by the first and second camera systems can be combined to generate content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: LucasFilm Entertainment Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Leandro Estebecorena, John Knoll, Stephane Grabli, Per Karefelt, Pablo Helman, John M. Levin
  • Patent number: 10799183
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for scanning an image subject along a scan axis. The method includes stitching sectional datasets acquired from different anatomical sections of the image subject based on locations of a landmark in the sectional datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nan Cao, Yongchuan Lai, Shiyu Li, Ting Zhang
  • Patent number: 10786225
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for characterizing adventitial tissue. In one aspect, a system and method are disclosed that characterizes tissue types within the adventitial tissue including nerve bundles and blood vessels. In a further aspect, the adventitia is imaged and characterized to provide guidance for crossing lesions within an occluded vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anuja Nair
  • Patent number: 10779797
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic diagnostic system formed of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a wireless communication terminal and applicable to a wireless communication terminal with various resolution levels, including the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which converts frame data obtained by collecting an echo signal at an ultrasonic probe into scan data corresponding to a resolution level of a display screen of the wireless communication terminal and the wireless communication terminal which receives the scan data from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and scan-converts the scan data into an ultrasonic image adequate for the resolution level of the display screen thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: HEALCERION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeong Won Ryu, You Chan Choung, Wook Jin Chung
  • Patent number: 10775500
    Abstract: This disclosure provides some examples of systems, apparatus, circuitry, methods and computer readable media associated with transmission of an ultrasonic signal using an ultrasonic transducer having a pixel electrode configured to receive a reflected acoustic signal having a first phase. A switch is controlled to: switch from off to on at a time of resetting a sampling node, be on for a delay period, and switch from on to off at a time of sampling the received signal to cause a sampled signal having a second phase different from the first phase to be detected. A first transistor, having a gate coupled with the sampling node, an input configured to receive a power signal, and an output coupled with a data line, is controlled to enable an output current to flow from the input to the output at a time of reading the sampled signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Farhad Taghibakhsh
  • Patent number: 10746871
    Abstract: An electronic device, a method thereof, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and a chipset are disclosed. The electronic device includes a sensor module including a plurality of sensor arrays for scanning a target object located in a predetermined vicinity of the electronic device; and a control module configured to determine a direction in which the target object is located, based on a first signal that the sensor module outputs with respect to the target object, and scan the target object located in the determined direction, wherein the sensor arrays are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Myung-Sik Kim, Sung-Do Choi, Dong-Churl Kim
  • Patent number: 10736611
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is gated to acquire images at different phases of a physiological cycle such as the heartbeat. At each successive heart cycle a trigger actuates the acquisition of a continuous sequence of images, starting at a particular phase of the heart cycle and ending when the next heart cycle begins. Multiple triggers are used, each starting at a different phase of the heart cycle and each acquiring images at uniform temporal spacing. After the first trigger is used a sequence of images has been captured which are temporally evenly spaced over the heart cycle, and as successive triggers are used uniform temporal spacing is maintained as the heart cycle is filled in with additional images for replay of an image loop of phase re-ordered images at a high frame rate of display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Schneider, David Prater, William Robert Martin, Scott William Dianis
  • Patent number: 10736539
    Abstract: A surgical navigation system comprising a signal receiver communicatively coupled to a primary processor, the primary processor programmed to utilize a sequential Monte Carlo algorithm to calculate changes in three dimensional position of an inertial measurement unit mounted to a surgical tool, the processor communicatively coupled to a first memory storing tool data unique to each of a plurality of surgical tools, and a second memory storing a model data sufficient to construct a three dimensional model of an anatomical feature, the primary processor communicatively coupled to a display providing visual feedback regarding the three dimensional position of the surgical tool with respect to the anatomical feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Mohamed Rashwan Mahfouz
  • Patent number: 10740880
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for improved image analysis via novel deblurring and segmentation techniques of image data. These techniques advantageously account for and incorporate segmentation of biological analytes into a deblurring process for an image. Thus, the deblurring of the image may advantageously be optimized for enabling identification and quantitative analysis of one or more biological analytes based on underlying biological models for those analytes. The techniques described herein provide for significant improvements in the image deblurring and segmentation process which reduces signal noise and improves the accuracy of the image. In particular, the system and methods described herein advantageously utilize unique optimization and tissue characteristics image models which are informed by the underlying biology being analyzed, (for example by a biological model for the analytes). This provides for targeted deblurring and segmentation which is optimized for the applied image analytics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ELUCID BIOIMAGING INC.
    Inventors: David S. Paik, Andrew J. Buckler, Kjell Johnson, Xiaonan Ma, Keith A. Moulton
  • Patent number: 10736610
    Abstract: Various types of sub-preset conditions corresponding to a selected mother preset condition are read out from a preset condition storage unit which stores at least a plurality of mother preset conditions set concerning image data acquisition conditions and various types of sub-preset conditions set by updating all or some of the image data acquisition conditions included in each of the mother preset conditions. A sub-preset condition suitable for ultrasonic examination on the object is selected from the readout various types of sub-preset conditions. An image data acquisition condition is initialized based on the selected mother preset condition with respect to each unit related to generation of the image data. The image data acquisition condition is updated by using the selected sub-preset condition. Image data is generated based on a reception signal in ultrasonic transmission/reception using the updated image data acquisition condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Takahashi, Masamichi Oyanagi
  • Patent number: 10729409
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry generates an image from volume data. The volume data is generated based on echo data acquired while the ultrasonic probe is moved and output of a positional sensor provided on the ultrasonic probe. The processing circuitry further generates an indicator indicating speed of the ultrasonic probe and recommended speed range of moving the ultrasonic probe. The speed of the ultrasonic probe is calculated based on the output of the positional sensor. The processing circuitry causes a display to display the image and the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Matsunaga, Yoshitaka Mine
  • Patent number: 10729406
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a user control by which a user positions the user's selection of a heart chamber border in relation to two myocardial boundaries identified by a deformable heart model. The user's border is positioned by a single degree of freedom control which positions the border as a function of a single user-determined value. This overcomes the vagaries of machine-drawn borders and their mixed acceptance by clinicians, who can now create repeatably-drawn borders and exchange the control value for use by others to obtain the same results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Irina Waechter-Stehle, Frank Michael Weber, Christian Buerger, Robert Joseph Schneider, David Prater, Scott Holland Settlemier, Michael Daniel Cardinale
  • Patent number: 10722217
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to a present embodiment includes: a transmitting and receiving circuit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to an ultrasonic probe and receive a signal based on the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic probe; a generation circuit configured to generate multiple 2D image data in a chronological order based on the signal; an acquisition circuit configured to acquire three-dimensional multiple position data of the ultrasonic probe; an associating circuit configured to associate the multiple position data with the respective multiple 2D image data; and a correction circuit configured to correct the multiple position data associated by the associating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Shiki, Yoshitaka Mine
  • Patent number: 10709416
    Abstract: A specialized ultrasound machine tailored for use by traditional birth attendants provides an ultrasound transducer configuration adapted to work with the traditional sweeping motion of the attendant's hands over the patient's abdomen. Automatic analysis of various obstetrical conditions is performed without the need for the user to view or interpret standard ultrasound images. This machine analysis is used to provide real-time guidance in the acquisition of data by the user greatly reducing the required operator skill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Helen Feltovich, Timothy Hall
  • Patent number: 10709425
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising: —an image processor (34) configured to receive at least one set of volume data resulting from a three-dimensional ultrasound scan of a body (12) and to provide corresponding display data, —an anatomy detector (38) configured to detect a position and orientation of an anatomical object of interest within the at least one set of volume data, —a slice generator (40) for generating a plurality of two-dimensional slices from the at least one set of volume data, wherein said slice generator (40) is configured to define respective slice locations based on the results of the anatomy detector for the anatomical object of interest so as to obtain a set of two-dimensional standard views of the anatomical object of interest, wherein the slice generator (40) is further configured to define for each two-dimensional standard view which anatomical features of the anatomical object of interest are expected to be contained, and —an evaluation unit (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Irina Waechter-Stehle, Juergen Weese
  • Patent number: 10706543
    Abstract: A method includes accessing a set of model points of a model of one or more passageways of a patient; detecting a point collection condition in image data obtained from an image-capture device of a catheter based upon machine vision; automatically initiating collection of a set of measured points based on detection of the point collection condition in the image data obtained from the image-capture device; performing a point set registration algorithm using the set of model points of the model of one or more passageways of the patient and the set of measured points to produce a registered set of model points; and displaying a visual representation of the registered set of model points in a user interface provided by a display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Timothy D. Soper, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 10708497
    Abstract: A control apparatus that controls medical imaging, includes: a communication unit configured to communicate with an imaging unit via a communication path that includes a wireless channel; an imaging control unit configured to cause the imaging unit to execute a plurality of imaging modes including a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode which obtains a larger data amount from imaging than the first imaging mode; a restricting unit configured to restrict transition of the imaging mode when a value indicating the state of communication with the imaging unit by the communication unit is smaller than a threshold; and a setting unit configured to set different threshold values for a case in which the first imaging mode transits to the second imaging mode and a case in which the second imaging mode transits to the first imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ohguri
  • Patent number: 10698102
    Abstract: A code reading method and a radar system using a short-range millimeter wave (mmWave) radar are provided. The method includes transmitting a mmWave radar signal to a target object from a radar system and receiving a reflection wave signal reflected on the target object, extracting reflection signal strengths for a plurality of line codes constituting the target object from the reflection wave signal, compensating for the reflection signal strengths considering a difference in antenna gain between the plurality of line codes as per an antenna radiation pattern of the radar system, forming a radar image using the compensated reflection signal strengths, and reading a binary code from the radar image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Park, Ki-Taek Bae, Dae-Hyun Kim, Seung-Ku Han, Tae-Sik Yang, Sang-Hyun Chang
  • Patent number: 10695032
    Abstract: A medical image display apparatus for displaying a medical image generated from first medical image data obtained from an object by a probe, including at least one processor configured to obtain information about a position at which tissue from the object is extracted by a needle, based on a signal received from a sensor attached to at least one from among the probe and the needle, and locate a tissue extraction position in the first medical image data based on the information, and a display configured to display a first medical image on which the tissue extraction position is marked, the first medical image being generated from the first medical image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-chul Bang, Ji-won Ryu, Young-taek Oh
  • Patent number: 10682122
    Abstract: An image-based user interface is used for controlling medical imaging. A variety of images of a same region but associated with different settings are displayed to the user. The user selects the desired image. The medical imager is then configured with the settings from the selected image for imaging a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikyoung Park, Rushabh Modi, Kutay F. Ustuner
  • Patent number: 10667708
    Abstract: A velocity vector calculating unit 40 obtains velocity vectors at various coordinates in a blood flow, on the basis of signals obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, thereby generating a plurality of vector frames, each formed from velocity vectors at a plurality of coordinates. An interpolation processing unit 50 generates interpolated frames by employing an interpolation process between two adjacent vector frames, and adds one or a plurality of such interpolated frames between said vector frames. The interpolation processing unit 50 generates each interpolated frame, formed from interpolated vectors at a plurality of coordinates, by means of an interpolation process based on velocity vectors between the two adjacent vector frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventor: Hajime Sakashita
  • Patent number: 10664975
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an external scenery sensor that images at least one target, and an image generation unit that generates a virtual image corresponding to at least one of the targets which are moving among the imaged targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Aonuma, Kaoru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10664977
    Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more processors configured to monitor motion of an imaging probe in an imaging system operating according to one or more parameters. The imaging probe is configured to output image data representative of an imaged body. The one or more processors are configured to change the one or more parameters of the imaging system based on the motion of the imaging probe that is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christian Fritz Perrey
  • Patent number: 10660561
    Abstract: A personal skin lesion scanner system that can facilitate early detection of changes in the appearance of a user's skin is described. The system includes a handheld device for home use, to record images of a user's skin, and software for analyzing the images. The system can automatically detect changes in the user's skin, such as changes in the size, shape, or color of a skin lesion, and alert the user if any changes are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jie Bao, Moungi G. Bawendi
  • Patent number: 10660608
    Abstract: A medical imaging system according to embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe, positioning circuitry, first mapping relationship estimation circuitry, repositioning circuitry and a display. The first mapping relationship estimation circuitry estimates a first mapping relationship between a position of the ultrasonic probe when a subject is in a first position state and a position of the ultrasonic probe when the subject is in a second position state. The repositioning circuitry determines a target position of a volume image corresponding to the position of the ultrasonic probe in the second position state according to the first mapping relationship and a second mapping relationship between the position of the ultrasonic probe in the first position state and the target position of the volume image of the subject. The display displays the image of the target position obtained from the volume image according to the target position of the volume image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhua Liao, Guang Li
  • Patent number: 10660613
    Abstract: For measurement point determination in imaging with a medical scanner, the user selects a location on the image. Rather than using that location, an “intended” location corresponding to a local boundary or landmark represented in the image is identified. The medical scanner uses the simple user interface to more exactly determine points for measurement. One or more rays are cast from the user selected location. The actual location is found by examining data along the ray or rays. For 2D imaging, the rays are cast in the plane. For 3D imaging, the ray is cast along a view direction to find the depth. The intensities along the ray or around the ray are used to find the actual location, such as by application of a machine-learnt classifier to the limited region around the ray or by finding intensities along the ray relative to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ingmar Voigt, Tommaso Mansi, Helene C. Houle
  • Patent number: 10657633
    Abstract: There are provided a subject information processing apparatus suitable for acquiring a moving image by consecutively receiving acoustic waves from an observation target subject region and an image display method. First combined image data is generated by combining at least two of i-th image data to (i+m)-th image data (i+m<N, where i and m are natural numbers) out of N pieces of image data based on electrical signals acquired when a probe detects the acoustic waves respectively at N positions (N is 3 or a larger integer) at different relative positions to the subject. Second combined image data is generated by combining at least two of an (i+n)-th to an (i+n+m)-th image data (n is a natural number). An image based on the first combined image data is updated to an image based on the second combined image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Nagae
  • Patent number: 10653395
    Abstract: Transmit power is adaptively set in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. The relative strength, such as a ratio, of harmonic and fundamental responses is calculated. This relative strength is used to set the transmit power. The transmit power may be set following ALARA while providing enough information for harmonic imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bimba Rao, Sharleen Marshall
  • Patent number: 10646203
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method for analyzing a contrast enhanced ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method determine, by analysis, causes of defects in a frame of an ultrasound image based on a time intensity curve and allow visual display of the defective frame based on the determined causes. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis method and apparatus may provide a user interface for quick access to causes of defects in a frame of the ultrasound image and to a position of the defective frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-jin Ryoo, Jong-sik Kim, Jin-yong Lee
  • Patent number: 10639003
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus generating an ultrasound image of inside of a test object based on ultrasound signals reflected and received from the inside of the test object includes: a candidate region extracting unit which extracts a plurality of candidate detection regions in a needle position range corresponding to a position of a puncture needle inserted into the test object; a needle identification range setting unit which determines a needle identification range including the needle position range from the ultrasound image based on the extracted candidate detection regions; a needle position range estimating unit which determines an estimated range of the needle position range in the needle identification range based on a value indicating an aggregation state related to a distribution of the candidate detection regions in the needle identification range; and a needle emphasizing unit which performs a process for emphasizing the estimated range in the ultrasound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takeda, Kazuya Takagi, Jo Shikama, Makoto Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 10634780
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wave imaging system and a method of correcting an antenna array signal are disclosed. In an example, the electromagnetic wave imaging system may include an antenna array, configured to receive electromagnetic wave from a target object and convert the electromagnetic wave into an electrical signal; a signal processing unit, configured to process the electrical signal to obtain an image of the target object; and a distance measuring device, configured to measure a distance of the target object from the antenna array, wherein the signal processing unit corrects the electrical signal based at least in part on the measured distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: Nuctech Company Limited, Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Chen, Yuanjing Li, Ziran Zhao, Wanlong Wu, Zongjun Shen, Yinong Liu, Jieqing Yang
  • Patent number: 10625029
    Abstract: A needle system for penetrating to or passing thought an object or an organ comprising a semiconductor die, one or more needles, wherein the needles move relative to the die using one or more actuators. The actuators are controlled by a controller wherein the controller instruct the needle to penetrate into or to pass through and/or retract from the object or organ. The needle system is used among other treatments for drug delivery, blood extraction, blood analysis, glucose measurements, blood measurements, nerve system stimulus treatment, hair removal, skin lesions coloring or removal or tattoo painting or removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: David Hirshberg
  • Patent number: 10610203
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for determining carotid intima-media thickness are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining carotid intima-media thickness of a carotid artery is provided, the method comprising: receiving a frame from a plurality of images, wherein each of the plurality of images includes a portion of the carotid artery; receiving a user selection of a location with the frame; setting a region of interest, based on the received user selection; detecting a first border and a second border within the region of interest; applying one or more active contour models to the first border and the second border to generate a smoothed first border and a smoothed second border; and calculating the intima-media thickness based at least in part on the smoothed first border and the second smoothed border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of Arizona State University, The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Jianming Liang, Xiangjun Zhu, Christopher B. Kendall, Robert T. Hurst
  • Patent number: 10602952
    Abstract: An apparatus for guiding a biomedical electrode is provided, which guides a biomedical electrode to be brought into close contact with a living body surface of a voluntary muscle into optimum close contact positions on the basis of positions of the voluntary muscle and a neuromuscular junction of the voluntary muscle inside the living body surface. The relative positions of the voluntary muscle and the neuromuscular junction of the voluntary muscle to the living body surface are detected from muscle action potentials detected by myoelectric detection electrodes put into close contact with a large number of positions on the living body surface. On the basis of the relative position information, a close contact position of the biomedical electrode to be brought into close contact with the living body surface of the voluntary muscle is guided to an optimum position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Ejiri, Haruhiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 10595827
    Abstract: An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-ho Yang, Hyoung-jin Kim, Jin-young Choi
  • Patent number: 10588605
    Abstract: Methods and systems for segmenting structures in medical images are provided. The methods and systems drive a plurality of transducer element, and collect receive signals from the transducer array at a receive beamformer to form beam summed signals. The methods and systems generate a first ultrasound image of a region of interest (ROI) having tissue elements and blood elements, and generate a second ultrasound image of the ROI having tissue elements and blood elements. The tissue elements of the first ultrasound image having a higher intensity than the blood elements. The blood elements of the second ultrasound image having a higher intensity than the tissue elements. The methods and systems further perform segmentation by simultaneously applying edge detection on the first and second ultrasound images for the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Eigil Samset
  • Patent number: 10588606
    Abstract: A method of determining a status of ultrasound coupling medium for performing an ultrasound scan for providing an ultrasound image including plural scanlines (Nl) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes operating an ultrasound device to capture an image frame including plural scanlines (Nl), each scanline having an associated sample set (s) of intensity values; processing a subset of the associated sample set (s) of values for each scanline to determine a first summation for each scanline; processing plural sets of corresponding intensity values from each of plural scanlines located within a range of a respective scanline to determine a set of difference values for each respective scanline; processing each set of difference values to determine a second summation for each scanline; and generating a status for the ultrasound coupling medium according to a relationship between each of the first summations and each of the associated second summations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ECHONOUS, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew John Niemiec
  • Patent number: 10588596
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods, systems, and apparatus that detect and enhance viewing of a needle during ultrasound imaging. The methods involve acquiring an ultrasound image feed having primary ultrasound image frames. During acquisition of the ultrasound image feed, secondary frames are interspersed amongst the primary ultrasound image frames, where each secondary frame is steered at a different angle. At least one secondary frame is analyzed to detect an imaged needle. Upon detection of an imaged needle in at least one secondary frame, an optimal steering angle is determined for imaging the needle, the optimal steering angle being based on the steered angle of the at least one secondary frame having the detected imaged needle. The method continues to acquire the ultrasound image feed by acquiring additional primary ultrasound image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Kris Dickie, Nishant Uniyal
  • Patent number: 10582910
    Abstract: An information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a container configured to store a deformable acoustic matching member, a receiving unit configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from an object and output a signal, and a processing unit configured to acquire object information based on the signal. The processing unit acquires sound speed information about the object, acquires sound speed information about the acoustic matching member, acquires positional information about the acoustic matching member, acquires propagation time information about the acoustic wave between an interesting position of the object and the receiving unit using the positional information, the sound speed information about the object, and the sound speed information about the acoustic matching member, and acquires the object information about the interesting position using the signal and the propagation time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Ryuichi Nanaumi, Takuro Miyasato
  • Patent number: 10575827
    Abstract: An ultrasonic image diagnostic device includes: an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving unit which repeatedly transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receives an ultrasonic echo from the subject; an image processor which generates a plurality of ultrasonic images illustrating an in-vivo state of the subject based on ultrasonic echoes sequentially received from the subject; and a motion evaluating unit which performs motion evaluation of a moving body in the plurality of generated ultrasonic images, wherein the motion evaluating unit includes an interval setting unit which sets an interval between the ultrasonic images which should be compared with each other for the motion evaluation so as to be variable in increments of the number of frames based on a frame rate of the plurality of generated ultrasonic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Jo Shikama, Kazuya Takagi, Yoshihiro Takeda
  • Patent number: 10575825
    Abstract: To reduce speckle is spectral Doppler imaging, any oversampling relative to the velocity scale is used to create different data sets for the location at a given time. The different data sets have at least partially independent noise. Spectra are estimated from the different data sets and the resulting spectra combined into a spectrum with less speckle. To improve signal-to-noise ratio, the samples acquired for a given velocity scale are band-limited into different narrower bands. The portion of the spectrum estimated for each narrow band has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than a spectrum estimated for the entire band. The parts of the spectrum estimated for the different narrow bands are stitched together to provide a spectrum for the entire band with greater signal-to-noise ratio. In another approach, the user may input a narrow band relative to the velocity scale so that the corresponding part of the spectrum is provided with greater signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Freiburger, Mikyoung Park
  • Patent number: 10575826
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmitter/receiver, an adder/subtractor and an image generating unit. The transmitter/receiver performs a first set of ultrasound transmission/reception and a second set of ultrasound transmission/reception, on a same scanning line of an imaging region of a subject administered with a contrast agent, for a plurality of sets, to output reflected wave data for the plurality of the sets, the first set of the ultrasound transmission/reception performing amplitude-modulated or amplitude- and phase-modulated ultrasound transmission transmitted a plurality of times and receiving reflected waves, and the second set of the ultrasound transmission/reception being transmission/reception whose phase modulation being different from phase modulation of the first set of the ultrasound transmission/reception. The adder/subtractor adds or subtracts the reflected wave data for the plurality of the sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Yoshiara, Kuramitsu Nishihara, Akihiro Kakee, Tetsuya Kawagishi, Makoto Hirama