Patents Assigned to Sonosite, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11896424
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Patton, Tong Li
  • Publication number: 20230415197
    Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Guofeng Pang, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Robert Kolaja
  • Patent number: 11845108
    Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of creating an ultrasonic transducer by connecting one or more multi-layer printed circuits to an array of ultrasound transducer elements. In one embodiment, the printed circuits have traces in a single layer that are spaced by a distance that is greater than a pitch of the transducer elements to which the multi-layer printed circuit is to be connected. However the traces from all the layers in the multi-layer printed circuit are interleaved to have a pitch that is equal to the pitch of the transducer elements. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Christopher Chaggares, Eric Rieder
  • Publication number: 20230363739
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ultrasound images are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, ultrasound image data are acquired in discrete time increments at one or more positions relative to a subject. Control points are added by a user for two or more image frames and a processor interpolates the location of the control points for image frames obtained at in-between times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. White
  • Patent number: 11813640
    Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.
    Inventors: Guofeng Pang, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Robert Kolaja
  • Publication number: 20230346336
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Swan, Keith Williams, Andrew Lundberg
  • Patent number: 11796660
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling an ultrasound device. The method, for example, can include indexing a location of a part of a palm of the operator on the user interface. The method can also include indexing locations of one or more fingers of an operator on a user interface based on the location of the part of the palm. The method can further include assigning one or more functions of the ultrasound device to the indexed locations of the one or more fingers on the user interface. In addition, the method can include sensing the one or more fingers of the operator near or on the indexed locations on the user interface. The method can also include performing the assigned one or more functions based on sensing the one or more fingers of the operator near or on the indexed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Sara Akiko Prokop
  • Patent number: 11798665
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to a method, system, or apparatus, such as a medical imaging device. The method can include retrieving data from a worksheet or form repository server. The data can include one or more fields of a customized worksheet or form. The one or more fields can be based on at least one of an identification of a user, a location of the medical imaging device, or a medical department using the medical imaging device. The method can also include recreating the customized worksheet or form at the medical imaging device based on the received data, and displaying the recreated customized worksheet or form on a graphical user interface connected to the medical imaging device. In addition, the method can include producing a medical image via the medical imaging device, and automatically forwarding the customized worksheet or form and the medical image to a billable workflow or an educational workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Torres, Christopher Bartholomew, Tod Kahler, Sun-Kai Lin, David Knapp, John D Higinbotham
  • Patent number: 11779311
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system performs spectral Doppler processing in a manner that considers a physiological cycle of a subject. In one embodiment, gaps in a spectral Doppler signal are filled taking by a processor that analyzes changes in the spectral Doppler signal caused by a physiological cycle. Spectral Doppler data are scaled to fit with the data occurring before and after a gap. The firing order of an interleaved imaging mode can also be adjusted so that spectral Doppler imaging is not interrupted during pre-defined or user defined portions of a physiological cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Zoran Banjanin, Andrew Lundberg
  • Patent number: 11774589
    Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency (HF) transducer and a low frequency (LF) transducer that is positioned behind the high frequency transducer. An intermediate layer is positioned between the low frequency transducer and the high frequency transducer to absorb high frequency ultrasound signals. An alignment feature on the low frequency transducer is positioned with respect to a fiducial that is marked at a known position with respect to high frequency transducer elements of the HF transducer to align low frequency transducer elements of the LF transducer with the HF transducer elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Guofeng Pang, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Hossein Amini, Robert Kolaja
  • Patent number: 11759167
    Abstract: Systems and methods of facilitating the viewing of interventional instruments (e.g., needles, catheters, guidewires, vascular filters, biopsy probes) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a portable, handheld or cart-based ultrasound imaging machine is connected to an external laser light source that transmits laser light to a tip of an interventional instrument via one or more optical fibers. The laser light is absorbed at the distal tip of the instrument and generates a photoacoustic signal. The ultrasound imaging machine creates an image by combining data from the received photoacoustic signals with ultrasound echo data to show both tissue in a region of interest and the tip of the interventional instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinglin Ma, Kerem Karadayi
  • Patent number: 11744554
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ultrasound images are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, ultrasound image data are acquired in discrete time increments at one or more positions relative to a subject. Control points are added by a user for two or more image frames and a processor interpolates the location of the control points for image frames obtained at in-between times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. White
  • Patent number: 11730443
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Swan, Keith Williams, Andrew Lundberg
  • Patent number: 11707252
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to generate an anatomy image and a number of needle frames at different transmit beam angles. The system analyzes the data in the needle frames and selects segments therein that are identified as likely representing an interventional instrument. Data from one or more needle frames are blended with the data for the anatomy image of the tissue to create a composite image of the tissue and the interventional instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Kerem Karadayi
  • Patent number: 11707251
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to generate an anatomy image and a number of needle frames at different transmit beam angles. The system analyzes the data in the needle frames and selects segments therein that are identified as likely representing an interventional instrument. Data from one or more needle frames are blended with the data for the anatomy image of the tissue to create a composite image of the tissue and the interventional instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Kerem Karadayi
  • Patent number: 11678865
    Abstract: A high frequency ultrasound array having a number of transducer elements that are formed in sheet of piezoelectric material. A frame having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is similar to that of the piezoelectric material surrounds the piezoelectric material and is separated from the piezoelectric material by a filling material. Kerf cuts that define the individual elements in the sheet of piezoelectric material extend across a full width of the sheet. In some embodiments, sub-dice kerf cuts that divide a single transducer element into two or more sub-elements also extend all the way across the width of the sheet. A lens positioned in front of the transducer elements can have a radius machined therein to focus ultrasound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Christopher Chaggares, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Guofeng Pang, Robert Kolaja, Hossein Amini
  • Patent number: 11541423
    Abstract: A high frequency ultrasound array having a number of transducer elements that are formed in sheet of piezoelectric material. A frame having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the piezoelectric material surrounds the piezoelectric material and is separated from the piezoelectric material by an epoxy material. Kerf cuts that define the individual elements in the sheet of piezoelectric material extend across a full width of the sheet. In some embodiments, sub-dice kerf cuts that divide a single transducer element into two or more sub-elements also extend all the way across the width of the sheet. A lens positioned in front of the transducer elements can have a radius machined therein to focus ultrasound signals. The frame, transducer elements and lens are bent or curved with the desired radius to focus ultrasound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.
    Inventors: Guofeng Pang, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Robert Kolaja, Hossein Amini
  • Patent number: 11446005
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer has an array of transducer elements that are electrically coupled to electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the conductors are included in a flex circuit and engage a conductive surface formed on a number of outwardly extending ribs on a frame that holds the ultrasound array. In one embodiment, the flex circuit includes an alignment feature that engages a corresponding registration feature on the frame so that the traces on the flex circuit align with the ribs on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Christopher Chaggares, Oleg Ivanytskyy, Guofeng Pang, Robert J. Kolaja
  • Patent number: 11445913
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a photoacoustic imaging system receives user input to specify one or more imaging wavelengths, and a target number of image frames to be taken of a target tissue region. The specified imaging wavelengths are set to capture at least two different photoabsorbing molecules in the target tissue. The photoacoustic imaging system takes image frames at the specified wavelengths, while the system also receives ECG and respiration data of the subject. Image frames are discarded based on the respiration data, and the other image frames are sorted into a plurality of slots corresponding to different points of the cardiac cycle from the ECG data. The system creates a composite image from the one or more wavelengths to show the target tissue of interest through the different points of the cardiac cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Sonosite, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Erich Forbrich
  • Patent number: 11369342
    Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic image generation apparatus and an insert that can evaluate whether a plurality of materials with different absorption wavelengths are present in the vicinity of a puncture needle, without preparing a plurality of light sources. A puncture needle is at least partially inserted into a subject. An optical fiber guides light with a first wavelength. A light emitting portion emits the light guided by the optical fiber. A light absorption/conversion member absorbs the light with the first wavelength emitted from the light emitting portion and converts the light with the first wavelength into light with a second wavelength. In addition, the light absorption/conversion member generates photoacoustic waves with the conversion into the light with the second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa