Structure Of Transducer Or Probe Assembly Patents (Class 600/459)
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Patent number: 10918361Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting heat out a medical imaging device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a medical imaging device includes a housing having electronics and a heat sink. The heat sink is positioned near a first end of the housing, a groove that is configured to receive at least a portion of an operator's hand is positioned at a second end of the housing. A heat pipe in the housing extends from the electronics toward the first end of the housing and is configured to transfer heat produced by the electronics toward the heat sink and away from the groove.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.Inventors: Michael Pinch, Carl Fabian, Brent Chauvin
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Patent number: 10914777Abstract: A system and method for an aircraft includes a probe, first and second current sensors, and a control circuit. The probe includes a heater that includes a resistive heating element routed through the probe, wherein an operational current is provided to the resistive heating element to provide heating for the probe. The first current sensor is configured to sense a first current through the resistive heating element, and the second current sensor is configured to sense a second current through the resistive heating element. The control circuit is configured to determine a leakage current based on the first and second currents and determine a remaining useful life the probe based on the leakage current over time.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.Inventors: Magdi A. Essawy, Ben Ping-Tao Fok, Thomas Wingert
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Patent number: 10913366Abstract: An electrode unit is for use in a power transmitting device or a power receiving device of a wireless power transmission system based on an electric field coupling method. The electrode unit includes; a first group of electrodes including a plurality of first electrodes to which a first voltage is applied when power is transmitted; and a second group of electrodes including a plurality of second electrodes to which a second voltage is applied when power is transmitted, wherein the second voltage has a phase that is different from a phase of the first voltage by a value greater than 90 degrees and less than 270 degrees. The plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a first direction along an electrode installation surface. At least two of the plurality of first electrodes and at least two of the plurality of second electrodes are arranged alternating with each other in the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Kanno
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Patent number: 10905396Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an interventional medical device having a first tracking element that generates tip location data based on an EM locator field. An ultrasound probe has an ultrasound transducer mechanism and a second tracking element. The ultrasound transducer mechanism has an active ultrasound transducer array that generates two-dimensional ultrasound slice data at any of a plurality of discrete imaging locations within a three-dimensional imaging volume. The second tracking element generates probe location data based on the EM locator field. A processor circuit is configured to execute program instructions to generate an ultrasound image for display, and is configured to generate a positioning signal based on the tip location data and the probe location data to dynamically position the active ultrasound transducer array so that the two-dimensional ultrasound slice data includes the distal tip of the interventional medical device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy B. Cox, Michael A. Randall, Peng Zheng, Dean M. Addison, Bryan A. Matthews
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Patent number: 10905398Abstract: Systems are provided for the arrangement of decoupled electric and acoustic modules for a transducer array of an ultrasound probe. In one embodiment, the decoupled modules are independently coupled to a flex interconnect, apart from one another, allowing for electric communication between all modules through the flex interconnect. As one example, an ultrasound transducer array for an ultrasound probe comprises an acoustic backing, a flex interconnect coupled to the backing at a first surface of the flex interconnect, a matrix acoustic array coupled to a second surface of the flex interconnect, the second surface opposite the first surface, and an electric module coupled to the second surface of the flex interconnect at a location spaced away from where the matrix acoustic array is coupled to the flex interconnect.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Reinhold Bruestle, David A. Chartrand, Thomas Rittenschober, Scott William Easterbrook, Manuel Schoenauer, Andreas Kremsl
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Patent number: 10902596Abstract: Data from a tomographic scan (14) that provides three-dimensional information about a patient's brain comprises the steps of: filtering and re-sampling (21) the data to produce a three-dimensional image; performing registration (23) to align the three-dimensional image with a reference image (16), using 3-D rigid and/or non-rigid transformations; identifying (25) image features in the aligned image, to identify which voxels or regions of adjacent voxels correspond to image features that represent structures within the brain that are expected to be evident; classifying (26) each voxel within an identified image feature by a voxel score that corresponds to the difference between the attenuation of that voxel and the expected attenuation at that region of the brain; and deducing a cumulative score that combines the voxel scores from all the voxels of at least a region of the brain.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: BRAINOMIX LIMITEDInventor: Eric Greveson
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Patent number: 10893911Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided. Some embodiments include obtaining image data of a subject and a medical device, the medical device including fiducial markers, wherein the image data includes three-dimensional image data. Information is generated representing a three-dimensional shape based on a planned insertion point for performing a medical procedure. A cropping process is applied to the image data to generate cropped image data based on the three-dimensional shape. In some embodiments, the cropped image data includes image data of at least two of the fiducial markers. Fiducial marker objects are detected within the cropped image data, and the fiducial marker objects are registered by matching a model of the fiducial markers with the fiducial marker objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.Inventors: Barret Daniels, Takahisa Kato
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Patent number: 10890651Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Luigi Franchini, Roberto Alini, Filippo Cevini
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Patent number: 10884239Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning device. The optical scanning device includes a swingable reflection unit; a blocking unit that is provided in the reflection unit to move in linkage with the reflection unit; and a sensor unit that includes an output unit configured to output a detection target and a detection unit configured to detect the detection target, wherein, when the reflection unit is in a predetermined swing angle range, the blocking unit blocks a path of the detection target between the output unit and the detection unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Yuichiro Masuda, Takeshi Inoda, Mika Hamaoka
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Patent number: 10874378Abstract: Disclosed herein are a wireless probe, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and a method of controlling the wireless probe and the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The wireless probe may include a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless probe, and a controller that controls configuration information of the wireless probe to be backed up or restored based on a change in an operational state of the wireless probe.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyun Park, Sun-Mo Yang, Gil-Ju Jin
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Patent number: 10869650Abstract: A system includes a treatment probe, a first tracking sensor configured to track a location of the treatment probe, an ultrasound imager, a second tracking sensor configured to track a location of the ultrasound imager, and a tracking system. The ultrasound imager generates real-time ultrasound images. The tracking system receives location information from the first and second tracking sensors, tracks the location of the treatment probe and the location of the ultrasound imager, and displays the real-time ultrasound images and a representation of the treatment probe in one or more pre-stored images.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Morgan L. Hill, Eric W. Larson, Jeetendra Bharadwaj, Nikhil P. Mankar, Robert J. Behnke, II, Casey M. Ladtkow, William J. Dickhans, Arlen J. Reschke
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Patent number: 10856800Abstract: A portable polysomnography apparatus comprises a unitary flexible structured pillow that is embedded with accelerometers for data collection. The polysomnography apparatus is advantageously sized and shaped to cause the sleeping subject to properly orient the embedded accelerometers for optimal data collection while the subject is asleep. A portable polysomnography system comprises a structured pillow with embedded sensors that are in wireless communication with a companion data collection device that records data from the embedded sensors. In an alternative embodiment, a system may include a structured pillow with an internal pocket into which a single device including embedded sensors and data recording capabilities is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: United States Government As Represented By The Department of Veterans AffairsInventor: Steven H. Woodward
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Patent number: 10857567Abstract: An ultrasound device is describe in which analog ultrasonic transducer output signal are directly converted to digital signals. The ultrasound device includes microfabricated ultrasonic transducers directly coupled to a sigma delta analog-to-digital converter in some instances. The direct digital conversion may allow for omission of undesirable analog processing stages in the ultrasound circuitry chain. In some situations, the ADC may be integrated on the same substrate as the ultrasound transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Butterfly Network, Inc.Inventors: Amandeep Singh, Kailiang Chen, Tyler S. Ralston
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Patent number: 10856853Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is provided, including a touch display which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) including a plurality of input buttons and receives an input of a user; and a controller which detects an input posture of the user and sets a display mode of the GUI based on the detected input posture. The GUI has a first display mode and a second display mode, and the first display mode and the second display mode are modes in which locations of at least one of the plurality of input buttons included in the GUI are differently displayed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.Inventor: Seung-ju Lee
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Patent number: 10835143Abstract: A system for facilitating display of cardiac information includes a display device configured to present a cardiac map; and a processing unit configured to: receive electrical signals and indications of measurement locations corresponding to the electrical signals; generate, based on the electrical signals, the cardiac map, which includes annotations representing cardiac signal features; and determine a set of interesting cardiac signal features. The processing unit also may determine, based on the set of interesting cardiac signal features, a region of interest; and facilitate display, via the display device, of the cardiac map and a representation of the region of interest. The representation of the region of interest includes a first display parameter value that is different from a second display parameter value, where the second display parameter value is associated with at least one cardiac signal feature that is not included within the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.Inventors: Brian Stewart, Doron Feinstein, Mordechai Perlman, Nathan H. Bennett, Vasiliy E. Buharin
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Patent number: 10830736Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a measuring system for determining damage to components including at least one fiber-reinforced plastics material, comprising sensors that can be or are arranged on a component to be mutually spaced, the sensors distributed over a curved surface of the component in the use position. In order provide a measuring system by which it is possible to obtain fiber-reinforced plastics components economically and with reasonable outlay, and by which process parameters and/or state variables can be reliably obtained during production and operation of the component, it is proposed to provide the component with a substrate that is different from the component and on which the sensors can be or are arranged, the substrate being flexible, and for the sensors arranged on the flexible substrate to form a measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbHInventors: Alois Friedberger, Andreas Helwig, Matthias Buderath
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Patent number: 10820888Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer (MUT), such as a Piezoelectric MUT (PMUT) or Capacitive MUT (CMUT), with a transmitting mode and a receiving mode for generating and sensing acoustic pressure in imaging applications. During transmission in a PMUT the inverse piezoelectric effect on the piezo layer causes transverse stress, which causes a bending moment in the PMUT structure leading to out-of-plane deflection. Different applied signs of voltage generates different signs of stress inside the piezo that in turn cause oscillating motion generating an acoustic pressure wave. During signal reception, incident pressure waves deflect the PMUT creating transverse stress, resulting in a charge determined through measuring voltage between electrodes. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in health care, such as measuring fat/muscle thickness, blood-flow, and blood pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2016Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Bernhard E. Boser, David A. Horsley, Hao-Yen Tang, Yipeng Lu
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Patent number: 10821475Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes: a substrate including a first groove portion and a second groove portion in a first surface; a vibration film provided on the first surface and closing the first groove portion and the second groove portion; a first piezoelectric element provided on the vibration film and overlapping the first groove portion in a plan view as viewed in a thickness direction of the substrate; and a second piezoelectric element provided on the vibration film and overlapping the second groove portion in the plan view. The substrate is provided with a third groove portion coupling the first groove portion to the second groove portion. The substrate is provided with a fourth groove portion extending in a direction away from the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element in the plan view and coupled to the third groove portion. A hole portion coupling a second surface of the substrate that is opposed to the first surface to the fourth groove portion is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Chikara Kojima
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Patent number: 10827281Abstract: In order to solve problems with an audio device that is difficult to machine and has an increased amount of wiring, the present invention provides an audio output device comprising: a first electrode layer including a plurality of rows of electrodes arranged in a first direction; a second electrode layer disposed on the back surface of the first electrode layer and including a plurality of rows of electrodes arranged in a second direction; a driving layer including a piezoelectric layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and a support layer coupled to one of the front surface and the back surface of the piezoelectric layer; and a support plate coupled to the back surface of the driving layer and having a hollow portion formed in a region corresponding to each of intersections between the plurality of rows of electrodes in the first electrode layer and the plurality of rows of electrodes in the second electrode layer intersect.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignees: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventors: Yutaka Fukuyama, Yukio Hiratsuka, Heeburm Ryu, Kousei Horiuchi
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Patent number: 10806428Abstract: Implantable devices for continuously monitoring vascular lumen dimensions, in particular in the inferior vena cava (IVC) for determining heart failure status of a patient. Related therapy systems as well as monitoring and therapy methods are also disclosed. Devices include active or passive marker elements placed in contact with, adhered to or injected into the vessel wall to generate or reflect signals from which lumen diameter may be determined. Disclosed devices may be fully implantable and self-contained including capabilities for wirelessly communication monitored parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Foundry Innovation & Research 1, Ltd.Inventors: Hanson S. Gifford, III, Mark E. Deem, Douglas S. Sutton, Vijaykumar Rajasekhar
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Patent number: 10806421Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for identifying and presenting cardiac treatment options, for assessing the severity of a blockage in a vessel and, in particular, a stenosis in a blood vessel, by obtaining an image of the vessel, obtaining pressure measurements from the vessel, generating a diagnostic visualization image, identifying a treatment option, and generating a predictive visualization image. The various images and options are displayed on a medical personnel display and a patient display.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATIONInventor: Jacqueline Keller
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Patent number: 10794932Abstract: A substrate for the detection of a biological target by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) is provided. The substrate includes: a conductive surface; a probe area provided on the conductive surface, the probe area comprising receptors responsive to the biological target; and a background area provided on the conductive surface, the background area being disposed around the probe area and comprising electroactive compounds providing imaging contrast between the background area and the probe area.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignees: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as Represented by The Minster of National Defense, The Governing Council of the University of TorontoInventors: Zhe She, Kristin Topping, Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
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Patent number: 10797222Abstract: A film (1) comprising a piezoelectric polymer (2) has an upper surface and a lower surface. The film has an active region comprising the piezoelectric polymer (2), which extends from the upper surface of the film to the lower surface of the film. The film also comprises an adhesive sheet (3), which defines part of the upper or lower surface of the film. Circuit sheets (4, 5) may be bonded to the upper and lower surfaces in a lamination process to produce a laminated piezoelectric device.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: UNIVERSITETET I TROMSØ—NORGES ARKTISKE UNIVERSITETInventors: Frank Melandsø, Sanat Wagle, Anowarul Habib
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Patent number: 10779795Abstract: A low profile endocavity needle guide device for an ultrasonic probe is disclosed. The device includes a needle guide and a clamp assembly. The needle guide is a tubular member configured to enable an elongated needle to be extended through it. The clamp assembly includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member and a slidable member. The first clamp member is pivotable with respect to the second clamp member between an engagement position and a release position, and vice versa. The slidable member is mounted on the first clamp member and includes a low profile projection which engages a ramped surface of the first clamp member to pivot the first clamp member to the engagement position when the projection is slid up the ramped surface, and to enable the first clamp member to move to the release position when the projection is slid down the ramp surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.Inventors: Craig Joseph Cermak, Timothy Meder
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Patent number: 10775104Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for drying a material, the apparatus including: an air-delivery enclosure with an air inlet and an air outlet through which forced air is directed toward the material; and an ultrasonic transducer connected to the air outlet of the air-delivery enclosure, the ultrasonic transducer including: a first inner surface; a second inner surface, the second inner surface facing the first inner surface, the first inner surface and the second inner surface defining an airflow path through the ultrasonic transducer; a first groove defined in a first inner surface, the first groove including a first flat portion; and a second groove defined in a second inner surface, the second groove including a second flat portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Heat Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Zinovy Plavnik
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Patent number: 10765403Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic measuring device including an ultrasonic array configured to detect ultrasonic signals, and a housing. The housing includes an acoustic window portion and a housing wall. The ultrasonic array is arranged in the housing in acoustic contact with the acoustic window portion. The acoustic window portion is configured to adhere to a surface of the object to be examined. The invention further relates to an examination apparatus, which includes at least one such ultrasonic measuring device, and to a method for ultrasonic signal detection, in particular for ultrasound-based imaging.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Franhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung, e.V.Inventors: Steffen Tretbar, Christian Degel, Matthias Guenther
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Patent number: 10760950Abstract: An apparatus for processing data including a data compressor configured to compress ultrasonic data, and store the compressed ultrasonic data in a memory; and a data decompressor configured to read the stored ultrasonic data from the memory, decompress the read ultrasonic data, and transfer the decompressed ultrasonic data to a processor configured to perform beamforming.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Min Soo Kim, Do Hyung Kim, Chang Yong Son, Kang Eun Lee, Shi Hwa Lee
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Patent number: 10758208Abstract: A device for ultrasound-assisted reflection and transmission tomography includes a measurement volume filled with an ultrasonic coupling medium and having an opening for inserting a body to be examined and a lateral surface remote from the opening, and a number of ultrasonic transducers arranged remotely from the opening of the measurement volume, arranged in direct contact with the ultrasonic coupling medium, and arranged oriented into the measurement volume. The arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers around the measurement volume aperiodically follows a random uniform distribution.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIEInventors: Hartmut Gemmeke, Michael Zapf, Torsten Hopp, Robin Dapp, Nicole Ruiter
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Patent number: 10755692Abstract: A digital microbeamformer apparatus for an ultrasound system includes a plurality of interconnected nodes, with one or more nodes corresponding to at least one channel of the ultrasound system. One or more nodes is configured to communicate data with one or more other nodes via a corresponding beamforming data path, and one or more nodes is coupled to a data output bus shared by one or more other nodes.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Butterfly Network, Inc.Inventors: Tyler S. Ralston, Nevada J. Sanchez
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Patent number: 10751027Abstract: Technique that enables precisely measuring cavity height and precisely grasping maximum transmission sound pressure in an ultrasonic probe is provided to the ultrasonic probe using CMUT. The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes plural cells each of which includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode arranged via a gap with respect to the lower electrode, and the plural cells include an ultrasonic cell the gap of which is void and which transmits/receives an ultrasonic wave and a reference cell the gap of which is filled with a conductive material. Electrostatic capacity of the ultrasonic cell and the reference cell is measured, parasitic capacity included in the measured electrostatic capacity as to the ultrasonic cell is corrected using parasitic capacity included in the measured electrostatic capacity as to the reference cell, and cavity height is calculated on the basis of the corrected electrostatic capacity of the ultrasonic cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Taiichi Takezaki, Shuntaro Machida, Daisuke Ryuzaki
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Patent number: 10746859Abstract: An apparatus and method of imaging an imaging region (7) employ an acoustic transducer array (10?) to produce image data for the imaging region (7), wherein there are one or more obstructions (15-1, 15-2, 15-3) between the acoustic transducer array (10?) and at least a portion (5) of the imaging region (7). One or more processors exploit redundancy in transmit/receive pair paths among the acoustic transducers in the acoustic transducer array (10?) to compensate for missing image data of the imaging region (7) due to the one or more obstructions (15-1, 15-2, 15-3), and produce an image of the imaging region (7) from the compensated image data.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Jean-Luc Robert, Emil George Radulescu, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon
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Patent number: 10716640Abstract: The invention, in one aspect, provides an electronic orientation monitor. The monitor includes an orientation sensing electronics configured for calibration when in a reference orientation and being responsive to manipulation of the monitor so as to calculate first, second and third angles which together represent a difference between a current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation. The monitor further includes a display being responsive to the first and second angles so as to display a point positioned relative to first and second axes, the display being further responsive to the third angle so as to display a line having a direction relative to the first and second axes such that a combination of the position of the point and the direction of the line is indicative to a user of the difference between the current orientation of the monitor and the reference orientation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Gyder Surgical Pty Ltd.Inventors: Robert Lye, William Hill, Kim Lester
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Patent number: 10709422Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for controlling visualization of ultrasound image data. The systems can be configured to display a live ultrasound image feed on a touchscreen and receive input via the touchscreen to adjust imaging parameters of the live ultrasound image feed, with the input having continuous contact with the touchscreen. During the continuous contact with the touchscreen, a transitional view of the live ultrasound image feed can be displayed, with the transitional view being continuously updated to indicate previews of the live ultrasound image feed with the imaging parameters adjusted. The continuous updating can be performed in accordance with characteristics of the contact with the touchscreen and while the transitional view continues the display of the live ultrasound image feed.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.Inventors: Trevor Stephen Hansen, Benjamin Eric Kerby
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Patent number: 10697941Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for characterizing and quantifying composite laminate structures. The method and system take a composite laminate of unknown ply stack composition and sequence and determine various information about the individual plies, such as ply stack, orientation, microstructure, and type. The method and system can distinguish between weave types that may exhibit similar planar stiffness behaviors, but would produce different failure mechanisms. Individual ply information may then be used to derive the laminate bulk properties from externally provided constitutive properties of the fiber and matrix, including extensional stiffness, bending-extension coupling stiffness, bending stiffness, and the like. The laminate bulk properties may then be used to generate a probabilistic failure envelope for the composite laminate.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: BAYLOR UNIVERSITYInventors: David A. Jack, John E. Fitch, Theresa Vo
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Patent number: 10682177Abstract: A catheter includes a braid assembly having a dual-laminate coating. The braid assembly includes a plurality of braid members interwoven to provide for interstices between the braid members, each braid member having an electrically conductive element, a flexible non-electrically-conductive polymer coating that insulates the electrically conductive element and a thermoplastic bonding adhesive coating. The braid assembly is formed between an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer. One or more of the braid members may be coupled to an energy delivery element.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: Robert F. Howat, Alan Fuentes
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Patent number: 10675314Abstract: A method for delivering therapeutics includes infusing medication with cannabis.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Inventor: Shabana Naheed
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Patent number: 10674936Abstract: A registration method whereby a sensor-based approach is used to establish initial registration and whereby upon the commencement of navigating an endoscope, image-based registration methods are used in order to more accurately maintain the registration between the endoscope location and previously-acquired images. A six-degree-of-freedom location sensor is placed on the probe in order to reduce the number of previously-acquired images that must be compared to a real-time image obtained from the endoscope.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: Dorian Averbuch, Oded Zur, Oren P. Weingarten
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Patent number: 10667835Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: William B. Weisenburgh, II, Barry C. Worrell, David A. Monroe, Jeffrey L. Aldridge, Benjamin D. Dickerson, Craig N. Faller, William D. Fox, Michael J. Stokes
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Patent number: 10652170Abstract: Modifying computer program output in a voice or non-text input activated environment is provided. A system can receive audio signals detected by a microphone of a device. The system can parse the audio signal to identify a computer program to invoke. The computer program can identify a dialog data structure. The system can modify the identified dialog data structure to include a content item. The system can provide the modified dialog data structure to a computing device for presentation.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Laura Eidem, Alex Jacobson
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Patent number: 10639008Abstract: A probe cap for use with an ultrasound probe including a head portion and an acoustic surface is disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe cap includes a body that defines a cavity sized for releasably receiving the head portion of the probe therein. The probe cap body further defines a hole that is proximate the acoustic surface of the head portion. A compliant spacer component is disposed in the hole. The spacer component can include a hydrogel and provides an acoustic path between the acoustic surface and a tissue surface of a patient. The spacer component includes a skin contact surface that defines a concavity and is deformable against the tissue surface. Additional embodiments disclose various probe cap and accompanying needle guide designs for use in assisting a clinician with ultrasound probe use and needle insertion into a patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Eric W. Lindekugel, Jeremy B. Cox, Daniel B. Blanchard, Christian W. Crook, Eddie K. Burnside, Jeanette E. Southard, Kevin W. Stinger, Amir Orome
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Patent number: 10643450Abstract: A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is described. The monitoring system includes a sensor that includes a battery and that is configured to generate sensor data based on activity in a portion of the property that is within a field of view of the sensor. The monitoring system further includes a monitor control unit that is configured to: after replacement of a battery of the sensor, receive and analyze the sensor data, based on analyzing the sensor data, determine a status of the portion of the property without recalibrating the field of view of the sensor, and provide, for output, a notification that includes data describing the status of the portion of the property.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Alarm.com IncorporatedInventors: Gary Franklin Bart, Mehmet Erdal Caglayan, Dean Constantine
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Patent number: 10639504Abstract: A high-intensity focused ultrasound is configured such that a disposable separable cartridge is attached to and detached from the ultrasound device, so that a practitioner, i.e. a doctor, can obtain coordinates of a skin tissue of a subject using a scanner of an ultrasonic transducer and locate an accurate procedure point in real time. A procedure can be performed on the accurate procedure point of the skin tissue without repeated procedures.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Inventor: You In Kim
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Patent number: 10631832Abstract: An ultrasonic module includes a reception circuit adapted to receive a reception signal from an ultrasonic device, which receives an ultrasonic wave, to generate an echo signal, switching power supplies driven with a predetermined switching cycle, and adapted to supply the reception circuit with electrical power, and a phasing addition circuit adapted to perform an addition process on a first echo signal output when driving the reception circuit at a first drive timing in the switching cycle, and a second echo signal output when driving the reception circuit at a second drive timing delayed as much as a half cycle of a switching noise in the switching power supplies from the first drive timing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshio Arai, Kenji Murakami
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Patent number: 10631838Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for controlling the pressure a sensor applies on the surface of tissue to facilitate locating underlying pressure sensitive critical structures. The laparoscopic device includes a handle and a shaft extending distally from the handle. A flexible member is slidably disposed within the shaft and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A sensor is coupled to a distal end of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to flex to limit an amount of pressure applied by the sensor to a tissue surface when the sensor is in contact with a tissue surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Kathy E. Rooks
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Patent number: 10624701Abstract: A method of registering a real-time image feed from an imaging device inserted into a steerable catheter using a navigation system is provided. The method includes inserting the imaging device into a working channel of the steerable catheter and generating a real-time image feed of one or more reference points, wherein the orientation of the reference points is known. The method further includes orienting a handle of the steerable catheter to a neutral position, displaying the real-time image feed on a display of the navigation system, and registering the real-time image feed to the steerable catheter by rotating the displayed image so that the reference points in the real-time image feed are matched to the known orientation of the reference points.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Veran Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark Hunter, Troy L. Holsing
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Patent number: 10617386Abstract: A medical acoustic coupler is to be detachably attached to an ultrasonic probe including a graspable trunk portion and a protruding portion protruding in a width direction from the trunk portion, the medical acoustic coupler including a sheet-like elastic member, the elastic member including: a contact portion located at a central portion of the elastic member in a planar view, the contact portion being brought into contact with an ultrasound transmission/reception surface located at a top edge of the protruding portion when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe; and loop portions located on the opposite sides of the contact portion from each other, the loop portions each forming a loop, wherein, when the elastic member is attached to the ultrasonic probe, the loop portions are hooked around the protruding portion, to fix the elastic member to the ultrasonic probe.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Yuiko Kitamura, Yuichi Nishikubo
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Patent number: 10621967Abstract: An improved ultrasonic lens and associated system is provided. Specifically, there is provided an ultrasonic lens with two sets of parallel sound ports operatively connected to an electrodynamic transducer to extend the working range of both audible and ultrasonic sound signals. The ultrasonic lens and electrodynamic transducer are situated so that the electrodynamic transducer axis and the sound port axes are aligned, whereby a shift in either the x or y axis direction will influence the ultrasound and audible behavior of the sound signal from the electrodynamic transducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Sound Solutions International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Andreas Hintennach, Stefan Zangl
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Patent number: 10622541Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic transducer that has a vibration film and transmits an ultrasonic wave from a first surface side of the vibration film, an acoustic matching layer that is provided on the first surface side of the vibration film, and an acoustic lens that is provided on the acoustic matching layer on an opposite side to the vibration film, in which the acoustic matching layer is formed of even-numbered layers including a first layer and a second layer having acoustic impedance lower than acoustic impedance of each of the first layer and the acoustic lens, and the first layer and the second layer are disposed in this order toward the acoustic lens from the vibration film, and in which each of the first layer and the second layer has a thickness corresponding to an odd-numbered multiple of ?/4 with a wavelength of the ultrasonic wave as ?.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tomoaki Nakamura
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Patent number: 10610199Abstract: An acoustic lens contains silicone rubber and metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles are added into the silicone rubber. The metal oxide particles have a number-average particle diameter of 30 to 2,000 nm, a specific gravity of 3.5 g/cm3 or more, a content of 30 to 150 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the silicone rubber, and an oil absorption amount of 20 mL or less per 100 g.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventor: Kiyokazu Morita
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Patent number: 10616491Abstract: An endoscope and related method comprise a proximal handle and a distal shaft having an insertion end. A housing comprising a camera assembly may be mounted on an insertion end of the shaft and include at least one lens and an image sensor. The camera assembly housing is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the long axis of the shaft, giving the camera assembly a variable field of view. The rotatable camera assembly housing may be mounted to the insertion end of the shaft so that the rotatable housing of the camera assembly comprises the distal-most element of the endoscope shaft or insertion end. The endoscope may include a circuit board having a first portion disposed within the proximal handle and one or more extension portions that extend within the shaft to the camera assembly and/or to a light source near the distal end of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Andrew M. Haggerty, Kevin L. Grant, Peter K. Vondras, Timothy D. Moreau, Jason A. Demers, Daniel B. Davis