Patents Assigned to U-Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9861342
    Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods use an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of volumetric ultrasound scans, displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred navigations among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a mode in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one example the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists as they are more like conventional x-ray mammograms and allow benign features to be more easily dismissed as compared to non-inverted thick-slice images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Wang, Donald Chin, Fangyi Rao, Nico Karssemeijer
  • Patent number: 9392993
    Abstract: Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Wang, Jiayu Chen, Hui Peng
  • Patent number: 9131919
    Abstract: Versatile ultrasound scanning of a breast is described using an apparatus (1202) including a hand-manipulable compression/scanning assembly (1208). The compression/scanning assembly (1208) comprises an ultrasound transducer (1304) and a compressive member comprising an at least partially conformable membrane (1218) in a substantially taut state, the membrane (1218) having a first surface compressing the breast in a generally chestward direction and a second surface opposite the first surface. The compression/scanning assembly (1208) further comprises a transducer translation mechanism coupled to the ultrasound transducer (1304) and configured to sweep the ultrasound transducer across the second surface of the membrane to scan the breast while compressed in the generally chestward direction. Systemized and/or standardized ultrasonic scanning of a breast based on hand-manipulable scanners (1208, 1508) having substantially planar scanning surfaces is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Summers, Shih-Ping Wang, Jiayu Chen, Tor C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8747317
    Abstract: A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system, the dual-capability ultrasound system being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine. Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengpin Yu, Danhua Zhao, Thomas P. Neff, Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8721552
    Abstract: Automated ultrasonic scanning of a chestwardly compressed breast of a supine patient uses a scanning assembly that moves down to compress the breast through a membrane that is secured to the assembly across a bottom opening. A motorized ultrasound transducer moves across the breast while the breast remains downwardly compressed against the patient's chest, sending and receiving ultrasound energy through the membrane. The membrane is porous with respect to an acoustic coupling liquid that impregnates it. The transducer outputs ultrasound information that is processed to form initial planar images and then reconstructed slice images of breast tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor C. Anderson, Jiayu Chen, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Publication number: 20130289405
    Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods use an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of volumetric ultrasound scans, displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred navigations among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a mode in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one example the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists as they are more like conventional x-ray mammograms and allow benign features to be more easily dismissed as compared to non-inverted thick-slice images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: U Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping WANG, Donald Chin, Fangyi Rao, Nico Karssemeijier
  • Patent number: 8496586
    Abstract: Navigation among breast ultrasound volumes derived from different volumetric ultrasonic scans of a same breast is described. On a display of a breast ultrasound workstation, a first image derived from a first ultrasonic volume is displayed. A user election of a source region of interest (ROI) in the first image is received. A destination ROI within a second ultrasonic volume is identified that at least roughly corresponds to a same locality of tissue in the breast as the source ROI. A second image derived from the second ultrasonic volume and including the destination ROI is displayed, the destination ROI being highlighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: U Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Jiayu Chen, Thomas P. Neff, Michael E. Reed, Jeanine M. Rader, Douglas G. Summers, Shih-Ping Wang, Tor C. Anderson, Zengpin Yu, Tommy Earl Cupples
  • Patent number: 8317702
    Abstract: A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system (202) is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system (200), the dual-capability ultrasound system (200) being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine (112). Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengpin Yu, Danhua Zhao, Thomas P. Neff, Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8241219
    Abstract: Automated ultrasonic scanning of a chestwardly compressed breast of a supine patient uses a scanning assembly that moves down to compress the breast through a membrane that is secured to the assembly across a bottom opening. A motorized ultrasound transducer moves across the breast while the breast remains downwardly compressed against the patient's chest, sending and receiving ultrasound energy through the membrane. The membrane is porous with respect to an acoustic coupling liquid that impregnates it. The transducer outputs ultrasound information that is processed to form initial planar images and then reconstructed slice images of breast tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor C. Anderson, Jiaya Chen, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8184882
    Abstract: A system, computer program product, and related methods are described for obtaining, processing, and/or and archiving full-field breast image data, such as full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) data, in a manner that promotes ready integration with current x-ray mammogram-based breast cancer screening methodologies, and which can alternatively be used to support a full-field-only environment. Two-dimensional thick-slice images computed from a three-dimensional data volume are used to facilitate efficient archiving for a breast imaging session, the two-dimensional thick-slice images corresponding to slab-like subvolumes of the breast. Clinician data overload problems that can arise from the existence of large amounts of three-dimensional full-field breast image data are reduced. Archive space is also preserved while still providing sufficient information data for future reference purposes. Related adjunctive full-field workflow methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Zengpin Yu, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 8162833
    Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang, Jiayu Chen, Zengpin Yu, Tommy Earl Cupples, Thomas P. Neff, Michael E. Reed
  • Patent number: 8128568
    Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue volume are described, the apparatus being particularly advantageous in the context of freehand ultrasound assisted biopsy of the breast although readily applied to non-biopsy contexts and other body parts. The apparatus comprises a casing configured and dimensioned for single-handed manipulation relative to a surface of the tissue, and a texturably couplant-porous material sheet extending across an opening of the casing. The texturably couplant-porous material sheet has an outer side and an inner side relative to the casing, the outer side for compressively contacting the tissue surface. The apparatus further comprises an ultrasound transducer positioned against the inner side of the texturably couplant-porous material sheet and being mechanically translatable thereacross for volumetrically scanning the tissue volume therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Wang, Douglas G. Summers, Jiayu Chen, Tor C. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8096949
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses are described for acquiring and displaying ultrasound mammographic image information. The system includes an ultrasound image acquisition device having at least one ultrasonic transducer positionable by a user on breast tissue of a patient so as to provide sonographic information of the breast tissue. A processing system controls the ultrasonic transducer, receives sonographic data from the transducer, and processes the data to generate sonographic image information for real time viewing by the user. A graphical user interface includes a touch-sensitive display programmed and configured to accept user adjustments with respect to the sonographic imaging process, and display the sonographic image information to the user responsive to the accepted adjustments in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiayu Chen, Thomas P. Neff
  • Patent number: 7940966
    Abstract: A system, computer program product, and related methods are described for obtaining, processing, and/or and archiving full-field breast image data, such as full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) data, in a manner that promotes ready integration with current x-ray mammogram-based breast cancer screening methodologies, and which can alternatively be used to support a full-field-only environment. Two-dimensional thick-slice images computed from a three-dimensional data volume are used to facilitate efficient archiving for a breast imaging session, the two-dimensional thick-slice images corresponding to slab-like subvolumes of the breast. Clinician data overload problems that can arise from the existence of large amounts of three-dimensional full-field breast image data are reduced. Archive space is also preserved while still providing sufficient information data for future reference purposes. Related adjunctive full-field workflow methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengpin Yu, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 7828733
    Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: U-Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang, Jiayu Chen, Zengpin Yu, Tommy Earl Cupples, Thomas P. Neff, Michael E. Reed
  • Patent number: 7828732
    Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described, comprising a scanning apparatus for facilitating standardized, repeatable breast ultrasound scans, and further comprising an adjunctive ultrasound display apparatus configured for fast, intuitive viewing of adjunctive ultrasound data concurrently with x-ray mammogram information. In one preferred embodiment, thick-slice ultrasound images are displayed near an x-ray mammogram such that a screening radiologist can quickly view the thick-slice images for assistance in interpreting the x-ray mammogram. Methods for concurrently acquiring and displaying vibrational resonance image (VDI) data are described. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) algorithms that incorporate acoustically-based feature vectors are described, the feature vectors including lateral shadow metrics, vertical shadow metrics, posterior enhancement metrics, and VDI-based metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Wang, Donald Chin, Fangyi Rao
  • Patent number: 7731662
    Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample are described, the apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer and a taut fabric sheet compressing the tissue sample, the ultrasound transducer contacting the taut fabric sheet and ultrasonically scanning the tissue sample therethrough. Preferably, the taut fabric sheet is substantially porous with respect to an acoustic couplant. In another embodiment, an ultrasound transducer and a vented membrane are provided, the vented membrane having a first surface contacting the tissue surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the ultrasound transducer contacting the second surface and being translated across the second surface for ultrasonically scanning the tissue volume. An acoustic couplant is applied to one of the tissue surface, the first surface, and the second surface, the vented membrane being provided with a void pattern such that it is substantially porous with respect to the acoustic coupling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tor C. Anderson, Jiayu Chen, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Patent number: 7727151
    Abstract: Navigation among breast ultrasound volumes derived from different volumetric ultrasonic scans of a same breast is described. On a display of a breast ultrasound workstation, a first image derived from a first ultrasonic volume is displayed. A user selection of a source region of interest (ROI) in the first image is received. A destination ROI within a second ultrasonic volume is identified that at least roughly corresponds to a same locality of tissue in the breast as the source ROI. A second image derived from the second ultrasonic volume and including the destination ROI is displayed, the destination ROI being highlighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: U-Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Jiayu Chen, Thomas P. Neff, Michael E. Reed, Jeanine M. Rader
  • Patent number: 7615008
    Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang, Jiayu Chen, Zengpin Yu, Tommy Earl Cupples, Thomas P. Neff, Michael E. Reed
  • Patent number: 7597663
    Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods are described comprising an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of data derived from volumetric ultrasound scans, the data being displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred embodiments for navigating among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a preferred embodiment in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one preferred embodiment the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists having years of expertise in analyzing conventional x-ray mammograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: U-Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ping Wang, Donald Chin, Fangyi Rao, Nico Karssemeijier