Patents Assigned to Technicare Corporation
  • Patent number: 4412248
    Abstract: An improved ultrasonic imaging system and method are provided for medical diagnostic purposes. In order to store additional digital ultrasonic imaging information in a limited memory, a first digital signal representative of a video input signal is provided. The first digital signal comprises a series of digital amplitude samples of the transverse component of the input signal. A second series of samples is provided from the first series. Each element of the second series is the arithmetic average of a group of elements of the first series. The second series of elements is stored. Since the number of elements of the second series is less than the number of elements of the first series, memory density of the transverse component of the input signal is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph H. Carmen
  • Patent number: 4412249
    Abstract: An improved ultrasonic imaging system and method are provided for medical diagnostic purposes. In order to store additional digital ultrasonic imaging information in a limited memory, a first digital signal representative of the ultrasonic image is provided. The first digital signal is companded to form a second digital signal, the second digital signal being stored. The companding provides a second digital signal which is a non-linear function of the first digital signal such that the granularity of the stored signal is increased in regions of high diagnostic interest at the expense of decreased resolution in areas of low diagnostic interest. When it is desired to display the stored digital image, the second digital signal is retrieved from the storage means and decompanded to provide the reconstituted first digital signal which is thereafter directed to a video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph H. Carmen
  • Patent number: 4409484
    Abstract: A brake mechanism for decelerating and positively stopping the support apparatus of a rotating scintillation detector subsequent to completion of a full 360.degree. of rotation as needed for a tomographic study. There is provided a laterally deflectable striker member positioned between two shock absorbers. The support structure of the scintillation detector is either manually rotated or is motor driven by a gear which is provided with a laterally extending striker pin configured and arranged to rotate with said gear and deflect the striker member in a lateral direction as the gear is completing its rotation in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Once the striker pin engages the striker, the striker is deflected either to the right or to the left depending on whether the gear is rotating in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In either direction, the striker contacts one of the shock absorbers which serves to decelerate the rotating mass and safely slow it down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos D. Pinkstaff
  • Patent number: 4407294
    Abstract: A novel pulse-echo ultrasound imaging system is disclosed comprising at least three transducers. A first external scanning transducer images a selected scan area of body tissue by pulsing that area with ultrasonic waves. Two additional detector-transducers are disposed at distinct locations on a probe, such as a biopsy needle, which is inserted into the body in the vicinity of the scan area. By determining the sequence of wave front arrivals at the detectors-transducers, the relative location of the probe with respect to the scan area is readily determined and indicated. Either the scanning transducer or the probe may then be maneuvered in response to such indication to ensure that the probe tip is properly positioned relative to the scan area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: David H. R. Vilkomerson
  • Patent number: 4402324
    Abstract: An ultrasound sector scan imaging system employing a hand held scan unit is provided with an adapter mounting which is affixed over the scan section, and a sterile glove or boot which encloses the scanner and the mount. A disposable needle guide mechanism is fitted, saddle style, to the mounting over the boot. The disposable guide has a channel for locating the biopsy needle in the sector scan plane, and a depression therein for hand-maintenance of the needle in the guide, during the needle location process, and for free removal of the scanner once the desired position is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Gunnar Lindgren, Richard E. Molesworth, Jack R. Sorwick
  • Patent number: 4401882
    Abstract: An annular fitting for connecting an immersion heater into a circulating fluid system which includes a groove cut across the threads on the inside of the fitting and a hole through the fitting wall in fluid communication with the groove. The groove and the hole permit a small quantity of fluid to bleed past the base of the heater to reduce the build up of bubbles around the base of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Bayard G. Gardineer, James A. Heringes
  • Patent number: 4401124
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhancing the reflection coefficient of a surgical instrument for use in conjunction with an apparatus for pulse-echo ultrasound imaging of an area of the body, by means of a diffraction grating disposed on the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Joe F. Guess, Dennis R. Dietz, Charles F. Hottinger
  • Patent number: 4399704
    Abstract: A circular ultrasound transducer is divided into separate semi-circular transducer elements. Each element is separately operable, and each is aligned with similarly configured lens segments having different focal zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Bayard Gardineer, Reuben S. Mezrich, George W. Leber
  • Patent number: 4398092
    Abstract: A radiation detector or detector array which has a non-constant spatial response individually and in combination with a tomographic scanner. The detector has a first dimension which is oriented parallel to the plane of the scan circle in the scanner. Along the first dimension, the detector is most responsive to radiation received along a centered segment of the dimension and less responsive to radiation received along edge segments. This non-constant spatial response can be achieved in a detector comprised of a scintillation crystal and a photoelectric transducer. The scintillation crystal in one embodiment is composed of three crystals arranged in layers, with the center crystal having the greatest light conversion efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the non-constant spatial response is achieved in a detector comprised of a single scintillation crystal whose response is shaped by inducing along said first dimension a scintillation conversion efficiency gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Roland W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 4392486
    Abstract: A combination vanity screen and patient support couch extension. The vanity screen includes two overlapping panels, an upright support panel and a pivoting extension panel. The overlapping edge of the support panel is hinged to the back of the extension panel so that the extension panel may pivot from an upright position in generally coplanar alignment with the support panel to a horizontal position in generally coplanar alignment with the primary patient support couch so as to act as a support couch extension. The upright panel and the extension panel are locked in a coplanar relationship by a door knob which includes a bolt and a striker plate mounted in confronting relationship on the upright panel and the overlapping edge of the extension panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Bayard G. Gardineer, James A. Heringes
  • Patent number: 4381787
    Abstract: A standard articulated B-scan arm provides positional and directional information for a transducer at its end, based on relative angular displacements of the separate arm segments. A real time scanner, preferably one having a fixed transducer and a fixed oscillating mirror, is freely attachable or detachable from the scan arm. The probe itself is operable either in a real time sector scan or in a static B-scan mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. Hottinger
  • Patent number: 4375068
    Abstract: A source of radiation irradiates an area of interest of a patient. An image intensifier receives the x-rays which have traversed the patient and provides an optical image of an x-ray shadowgraph through the examined area of the patient. A television camera converts the optical image into a video signal. A signal processor operates on the video signal by adding an offset signal to the gray scale signal and by logarithmically compressing the gray scale portion of the video signal. An automatic zero circuit is provided which readjusts the offset signal between each horizontal sweep of the television camera. The logarithmically compressed gray scale portion of the video signal and the synchronization portion are received by an image processor. The image processor digitally stores a mask image or shadowgraph of the patient before being injected with an x-ray opaque contrast agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. McBride
  • Patent number: 4366574
    Abstract: A shadowgraphic scanner for producing electronic two-dimensional shadowgraphic images of an examined region of a patient. A source of radiation produces a generally planar beam of radiation which is scanned along the examined region. A two-dimensional array of radiation detectors fixed relative to the source of radiation, but movable in unison therewith relative to the patient. The two-dimensional array of radiation detectors includes a plurality of columns of detectors arranged transverse to the direction in which the beam of radiation is scanned. A first collimator is placed between the source and the patient and a second collimator is placed between the patient and the array of detectors. Both collimators are fixed relative to the source and the detectors and are configured and dimensioned to permit passage therethrough of a beam of radiation of a cross section which corresponds in size to the array of detectors to irradiate the entire array, as the patient is being scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Edwin R. Hill
  • Patent number: 4359759
    Abstract: The radiographic system includes an x-ray source for irradiating a patient with x-radiation. An image intensifier receives the x-radiation which has traversed the patient and produces an optical image of a radiation shadowgraph of the examined area of the patient. A television camera converts the optical image into a video signal. An image processor stores each frame of the video signal generated by the television camera as an electronic image of the optical image viewed on the image intensifier. Alternately, a plurality of frames from the television camera may be combined to produce a composite image. A bias light is provided adjacent the target of a television camera to illuminate the target before an optical image from the image intensifier is monitored by the television camera. This improves the linearity of the response of the television camera, particularly to low amplitude light intensities on the first few video frames generated by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. McBride, Joseph B. Richey
  • Patent number: 4345847
    Abstract: A roller-switch and cam, located at an intermediary joint of a plural arm overhead assembly, delays the unlocking of a brake at a next adjacent joint until the joint at which the cam and switch are located has diverged a predetermined angle from alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Schiff, Eric K. Maxon, Ronald E. West
  • Patent number: 4341222
    Abstract: There is disclosed a patient support system for orienting the patient's breast and adjacent axilla region with respect to an ultrasound mammary scanning apparatus while the breast is suspended. A patient support platform is supported on top of a cabinet enclosing the ultrasound system which includes a transducer tank in which a transducer and sonic lens is submerged in water. The platform includes an aperture to permit the patient's breast to suspend into a pool of water defined by a flexible bag supported about the aperture by means of a frame. The bag drapes down and contacts the surface of the water in the transducer tank to provide a continuous transmission medium for the ultrasound from the transducer to the breast. The platform is specially contained to comfortably support the patient and restrain the patient against rolling or sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Bayard G. Gardineer, James A. Heringes
  • Patent number: 4335307
    Abstract: A radiographic apparatus and method are disclosed for producing an x-ray shadowgraph of a patient for display on a video monitor. The apparatus includes an x-ray source for irradiating the patient and an image intensifier for receiving the radiation which has traversed the patient. The image intensifier produces an optical image of the shadowgraphic projection of the radiation through the patient. A television camera is optically connected with the image intensifier to convert the optical image into a video signal. An image processor is provided for storing and enhancing the video signals from the television camera to produce various images on the television monitor. An automatic exposure control is provided for determining the duration which the x-ray tube should be operated for properly exposing one x-ray shadowgraphic image of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. DeVries, Edwin R. Hill
  • Patent number: 4335427
    Abstract: In a radiographic digital subtraction system utilizing a contrast agent for enhancing a difficult-to-image anatomic region of interest, a method of selecting a superior difference image. The difference image selected represents the differential between a pair of digitized radiographic images selected from a series of such images acquired before and after the contrast appears in the region of interest during a dynamic imaging study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Willard F. Hunt, Robert H. McCarthy
  • Patent number: D266758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Johannsen, Raymond P. Mosley, James P. Knoll
  • Patent number: D270182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Wagner