Patents Assigned to Image Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 6409672Abstract: A longitudinal position translator includes a probe drive module and a linear translation module. The probe drive module is coupled operatively to an ultrasonic imaging probe assembly having a distally located ultrasound transducer subassembly in such a manner that longitudinal shifting of the transducer subassembly may be effected. The probe drive module is preferably mounted to the linear translation unit so as to be moveable between a condition whereby longitudinal shifting of the transducer subassembly can be conducted either manually or automatically. When in the automatically-operable condition, the probe drive module will be engaged with a motor-driven screw associated with the linear translation module so as to cause the probe drive module to be longitudinally displaced at a constant motor-driven rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: William E. Webler, Mark S. Buhr
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Patent number: 6409673Abstract: A catheter is provided for insertion in the he blood vessel of a patient for ultrasonically imaging the vessel wall. The catheter includes a tubular element and an internally housed drive cable for effective circumferential scan about the catheter of an ultrasonic generating means. Both the tubular element and the drive cable are of a size and flexibility sufficient to permit their introduction into the vessel and subsequent advancement through the vessel to the location of the vessel wall where imaging is desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Cardiovasular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Paul G. Yock
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Patent number: 6378376Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting assembly, for use with an ultrasound transducer attached to an ultrasound machine, for determining the spacial relationship between a succession of 2D image slices of a target of a subject, generated by the ultrasound machine. The mounting assembly comprises: (i) means to mount an ultrasound transducer; (ii) means to engage a surface of the subject in the proximity of the target, the means to engage a surface being moveably attached to the means to mount an ultrasound transducer; and (iii) sensing means, in communication with the means to engage a surface, to measure the movement of the means to engage a surface during acquisition of the succession of 2D image slices. Preferably, the sensing means comprises a tilt sensor and a displacement sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Life Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard Derman, Shane Dunne, Aaron Fenster
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Patent number: 6342891Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the dynamic display of three-dimensional (3D) images of a target, comprising: memory means to store the plurality of time-dependent 3D image data sets; an address pointer defining an independent address of a location in the memory means of each time-dependent 3D image data set; and display means utilizing the address pointer successively to retrieve a time-dependent 3D image data set from memory and display a time-dependent 3D image corresponding to the time-dependent 3D image data set for a selected period of time. A method for dynamic display of 3D images is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Life Imaging Systems Inc.Inventors: Aaron Fenster, Kenneth Dunne
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Patent number: 6334847Abstract: A depth-limited image processor employed in combination with a three-dimensional ultrasonographic system whereby, from a model representing at least a portion of a three-dimensional volumetric array, a user selecta a ray-depth from at least one face of the model thereby forming a “thick-plane” region of interest. All voxels within the “thick-plane” are processed successively according to a user selected imaging technique along the depth of the ray. The results of the processing are projected onto corresponding screen pixels to produce an enhanced three-dimensional image. In another embodiment, an adaptive depth-limited image processing means is employed whereby voxels are first checked against a user selected condition. voxels meeting this condition are then processed as above to produce an enhanced three-dimensional image.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Life Imaging Systems Inc.Inventors: Aaron Fenster, Shane Dunne
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Patent number: 6307215Abstract: This invention is related to a thin film transistor (TFT) array and method of making same, for use in an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) having a high pixel aperture ratio. The TFT array and corresponding display are made by forming the TFTs and corresponding address lines on a substrate, coating the address lines and TFTs with a photo-imageable insulating layer which acts as a negative resist, exposing portions of the insulating layer with UV light which are to remain on the substrate, removing non-exposed areas of the insulating layer so as to form contact vias, and depositing pixel electrodes on the substrate over the insulating layer so that the pixel electrodes contact respective TFT source electrodes through the contact vias. The resulting display has an increased pixel aperture ratio because the pixel electrodes are formed over the insulating layer so as to overlap portions of the array address lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem den Boer, John Z. Z. Zhong, Tieer Gu
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Patent number: 6292242Abstract: A normally white twisted nematic liquid crystal display is provided for outputting improved viewing characteristics which are defined by high contrast ratios and reduced inversion. The display includes both positive and negative retardation films, the negative films being biaxial and defined by nx>ny>nz in certain embodiments where the “z” direction is substantially perpendicular to the film plane and the “x” and “y” directions are substantially parallel to the film plane. By providing the positive and biaxial negative retarders with specific retardation values and/or ratios, improved viewing characteristics are provided. According to other embodiments, a positive and a negative (uniaxial or biaxial) retarder may be provided on only one side of the liquid crystal layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Gang Xu, Adiel Abileah
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Publication number: 20010021841Abstract: A longitudinal position translator includes a probe drive module and a linear translation module. The probe drive module is coupled operatively to an ultrasonic imaging probe assembly having a distally located ultrasound transducer subassembly in such a manner that longitudinal shifting of the transducer subassembly may be effected. The probe drive module is preferably mounted to the linear translation unit so as to be moveable between a condition whereby longitudinal shifting of the transducer subassembly can be conducted either manually or automatically. When in the automatically-operable condition, the probe drive module will be engaged with a motor-driven screw associated with the linear translation module so as to cause the probe drive module to be longitudinally displaced at a constant motor-driven rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Wiiliam E. Webler, Mark S. Buhr
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Publication number: 20010021811Abstract: A catheter is provided for insertion in the he blood vessel of a patient for ultrasonically imaging the vessel wall. The catheter includes a tubular element and an internally housed drive cable for effective circumferential scan about the catheter of an ultrasonic generating means. Both the tubular element and the drive cable are of a size and flexibility sufficient to permit their introduction into the vessel and subsequent advancement through the vessel to the location of the vessel wall where imaging is desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2001Publication date: September 13, 2001Applicant: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, IncInventor: Paul G. Yock
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Patent number: 6274869Abstract: An offset corrector for a focal plane array. A bolometer array configured in a row and column readout format has dedicated column circuits to measure the resistance of each bolometer in the column. A high speed on-chip analog to digital converter converts the analog sensor signal to a digital representation. Since the response of each bolometer varies, an offset controller, connected to the output of the analog to digital converter, corrects the digital representation for variations in individual bolometer response. Each pixel has a corresponding dynamically computed offset stored in the memory. The offset is computed when a chopper or shutter blocks radiation from the focal plane array. The focal plane array is temperature stabilized to a predetermined temperature to keep bolometer response within a predetermined bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Lockheed-Martin IR Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 6264632Abstract: An intravascular catheter system has a balloon angioplasty device disposed about a common lumen near its distal end. The common lumen is in communication with multiple lumens within a proximal region of the catheter body to allow for positioning of the catheter over a movable guide wire and convenient delivery of imaging or interventional devices to a desired region of the blood vessel being treated.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Yue-Teh Jang
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Patent number: 6257725Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for mounting a film shutter and assembly to a conveyor in a motion film projector, the film shutter assembly including a shutter secured to a mounting bracket, which houses a pair of trucks. Preferably, the mounting bracket securely houses a first truck and slidably houses a second truck to accommodate for the trucks passing over straight and curved portions of the truck, or shutter path. The trucks are rigidly clamped to the conveyor. This configuration permits the shutter to be stably coupled to the conveyor while permitting the shutter assembly to travel along both straight and curved paths. The trucks are generally configured to ride in a raceway, which supports the trucks and maintains the trucks on a predetermined truck path. In one embodiment, the trucks include rollers, which roll along an elongated channel formed in the raceway. According to another embodiment, the trucks include air bearings for carrying the truck along a pressurized raceway.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Advanced Image Systems, Inc.Inventor: Robert I. Stitt
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Patent number: 6254538Abstract: A system and process are provided for performing percutaneous biopsy within a breast using three-dimension ultrasonography and including a breast positioning device, a breast immobilization device, an ultrasonic imaging device, a biopsy instrument positioning device, the breast immobilization device and the three-dimensional ultrasonographic imaging device being positioned in a known relationship to each other, the breast immobilization device being employed to immobilize the breast and a lesion contained therein for imaging by the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging device, and the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging device being employed to assist an operator in positioning the biopsy instrument positioning device relative to the lesion and guiding a biopsy instrument percutaneously to the lesion.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Life Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donal B. Downey, Aaron Fenster
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Patent number: 6256374Abstract: An x-ray fluoroscopic imaging system including a portable cabinet, a monitor having two video displays, a support arm, an articulated arm assembly connecting the support arm to the cabinet, a C-arm carried by the support arm assembly, an x-ray source and detector located at opposing locations on the C-arm, and a control panel mounted on the source or the detector, wherein the two displays are SVGA multiscan CRTs, mounted in a single rotating enclosure, which provide certain functions of the imaging system. A single driver interface is provided for the two displays for 100% synchronous operation of both displays to display images required by the fluoroscopic imaging system.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: FluoroScan Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Perry J. Tomasetti, Sandra L. Brown, William E. Higgins
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Patent number: 6251072Abstract: The present invention provides a semi-automated method for three-dimensional ultrasound for constructing and displaying 3-D ultrasound images of luminal surfaces of blood vessels. The method comprises acquiring a 3-D ultrasound image of a target vessel and segmenting the luminal surfaces acquired from the 3-D ultrasound image of the target vessel to generate a 3-D ultrasound image of the lumen of the target vessel, wherein an inflating balloon model is used for segmenting the luminal surfaces of the target vessel. The method is useful for diagnostic assessment of bodily vessels as well as provides for therapy planning and as a prognostic indicator.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Life Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hanif M. Ladak, Jeremy D. Gill, David A. Steinman, Aaron Fenster
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Patent number: 6249002Abstract: An array of infrared sensitive bolometric detectors. The bolometers are connected across row and column readout lines. Integrated on the array are column signal processors that measure the resistance of each bolometer. Each column signal processor stores the output of a bolometer on an integrator. The array is temperature stabilized to a predetermined temperature to keep bolometer response within a predetermined bandwith.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Lockheed-Martin IR Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Neal R. Butler
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Patent number: 6243062Abstract: A system and method for driving a thin film diode (TFD) inclusive AMLCD or imaging device (e.g. x-ray imager) includes providing each pixel with a pair of select lines and a single data line. Drive schemes are provided which increase the circuits tolerance for spacial and temporal variations in diode (e.g. MIM diode) characteristics, improve response time, increase the circuit's tolerance for RC delays on data lines, and reduces the potential for crosstalk or image retention. In certain embodiments, where each pixel includes a pair of select lines, and a single data line, the select voltage on the first select line alternates between VS+Voffset and VS−Voffset for subsequent frames, while the select voltage on the other select line alternates between −VS+Voffset and −VS−Voffset for subsequent frames, thereby allowing voltage at the common node to be added to the data voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: OIS Optical Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Willem den Boer, Yair Baron
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Patent number: 6234672Abstract: Mini C-arm apparatus for x-ray fluoroscopic imaging having a base or cabinet, an articulated arm assembly connected thereto, a support arm assembly carried by the articulated arm assembly, a C-arm slidably mounted in the support arm assembly, and an x-ray source assembly including an x-ray source and an image receptor assembly including an image receptor respectively mounted at opposed locations on the C-arm such that x-rays emitted by the x-ray source impinge on the image receptor, wherein one of the source and image receptor assemblies includes a control panel that permits activation of predefined functions of the x-ray fluoroscopic imaging apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: FluoroScan Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Perry J. Tomasetti, Sandra L. Brown, Scott M. Keane
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Patent number: 6236712Abstract: In an x-ray fluoroscopic imaging system including a portable cabinet, at least one monitor, a support arm, an articulated arm assembly connecting the support arm to the cabinet, a C-arm carried by the support arm assembly, an x-ray source and detector located at opposing locations on the C-arm, and a control panel mounted on the source or the detector, three “x-ray on” lighted indicators are disposed at visible locations in the system, one of these indicators being a switch with a light-up perimeter on the control panel, the second being incorporated in the monitor, and the third being incorporated in the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: FluoroScan Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventors: Perry J. Tomasetti, William E. Higgins
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Patent number: 6234971Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter comprises a catheter body having a distal region and proximal region. The distal region has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to that of the proximal region, and the proximal region includes at least two lumens therethrough for accommodating a movable guidewire and a rotatable working element, respectively. The catheter body may be inserted over the moveable guidewire, with the guidewire passing through a lumen in the distal region and the guidewire lumen in the proximal region. After positioning the catheter body, the guidewire can be retracted from the distal region and into the proximal region, leaving the lumen in the distal region available for the rotatable working element. Such a construction allows over-the-wire imaging of the catheter while minimizing the width of the catheter in the distal region which remains available for placement of the working element.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: Yue-Teh Jang