Patents Examined by Angela M Hoffa
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Patent number: 10575825Abstract: To reduce speckle is spectral Doppler imaging, any oversampling relative to the velocity scale is used to create different data sets for the location at a given time. The different data sets have at least partially independent noise. Spectra are estimated from the different data sets and the resulting spectra combined into a spectrum with less speckle. To improve signal-to-noise ratio, the samples acquired for a given velocity scale are band-limited into different narrower bands. The portion of the spectrum estimated for each narrow band has a higher signal-to-noise ratio than a spectrum estimated for the entire band. The parts of the spectrum estimated for the different narrow bands are stitched together to provide a spectrum for the entire band with greater signal-to-noise ratio. In another approach, the user may input a narrow band relative to the velocity scale so that the corresponding part of the spectrum is provided with greater signal-to-noise ratio.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Freiburger, Mikyoung Park
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Patent number: 10576302Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for monitoring a radiation therapy of a patient, first MR image data are acquired with a quantitative magnetic resonance method before an irradiation of a target area of the patient, and second MR image data are acquired with the quantitative magnetic resonance method after the irradiation of the target area of the patient. The first MR image data and the second MR image data are compared, and output information is generated on the basis of a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2015Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: David Grodzki, Annemarie Hausotte, Bjoern Heismann, Arne Hengerer, Mark-Aleksi Keller-Reichenbecher, Sebastian Schmidt
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Patent number: 10568527Abstract: A method of monitoring a blood pressure includes: emitting a laser to a blood vessel in a body part; detecting, from the body part, laser speckles caused by scattering of the emitted laser; obtaining a bio-signal indicating a change in a volume of the blood vessel by using the detected laser speckles; and estimating a blood pressure based on the obtained bio-signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Youngzoon Yoon, Jaesoong Lee, Jisoo Kyoung, Younggeun Roh, Yeonsang Park, Chanwook Baik
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Patent number: 10568699Abstract: An instrument tracking device for cooperating with an instrument during a surgical procedure where the instrument has an elongated body extending along a first longitudinal axis and including a working member at a distal tip includes a body having a distal end and a proximal end. An opening can be formed through the body along a second longitudinal axis. The opening can define a passthrough in the body from the distal end to the proximal end. A first tracking coil can be disposed in the body and can define a first tracking coil axis that is substantially coaxial with the second longitudinal axis of the body. A connection mechanism cooperates between the elongated housing and the body that secures the body to the elongated housing of the instrument upon passing at least a portion of the elongated housing through the passthrough of the body in an assembled position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Brad Jacobsen, Ali Mowlai-Ashtiani, Bruce M. Burg, Ross Smetzer, Steven L. Hartmann, Andrew Bzostek, Matthew J. Nadeau, Matthew W. Koenig
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Patent number: 10561570Abstract: A method and apparatus that affect vacuum to massage a volume of the skin and one or more types of skin treatment energies coupled to the massaged volume to treat the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue and produce a desired treatment effect. The method and apparatus are based on coupling an array or a number of arrays being an assembly of skin treatment units with each skin treatment unit including a hollow cavity and a number of different energy to skin applying elements operative to receive skin treatment energy from a source of such energy and couple or apply the received energy to a treated segment of skin.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Syneron Medical Ltd.Inventors: Shimon Eckhouse, Avner Rosenberg
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Patent number: 10542892Abstract: A testing apparatus for an optoacoustic device includes a light pulse sensor operatively connected to a light output port of the optoacoustic device, the light pulse sensor being adapted to sense a pulse of light capable of generating an optoacoustic response in a subject and to distinguish between the light pulse and the at least one other light pulse on the basis of the predominant wavelength. The light pulse sensor outputs a trigger signal associated with the distinguished light pulse when such light pulse is sensed. A transducer signal simulator outputs a first plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a first wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Donald G. Herzog, William Ackerman
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Patent number: 10534052Abstract: Provided herein are methods related to identifying an early, asymptomatic (prodromal) stage of a neurodegenerative disease or identifying a subject with a symptomatic neurodegenerative disease, including, for example, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), or HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), using functional MRI data from the subject. Methods are also provided for treating a subject identified with the methods taught herein and for modifying or selecting treatment based on the results of fMRI. Methods are also available for staging neurodegenerative disease and for identifying agents useful in treating them.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Georgetown UniversityInventors: Xiong Jiang, Maximilian Riesenhuber
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Patent number: 10531859Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage. A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing an ultrasound scan on a body part and specifically an instrument which directly attaches to the surface of the body. This apparatus provides high resolution images and increased depth of imaging for high resolution ultrasound of targeted subsurface body tissues. Targeted tissues may include joints, ocular structures, and internal organs. The method and apparatus stabilize and provide accurate determination of the position of the body part relative to the ultrasound probe.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: ArcScan, Inc.Inventors: John D. Watson, Andrew K. Levien
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Patent number: 10524691Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient body is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body portion target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, wherein a magnetic axis of the magnetic element is configured to be coaxially aligned with the needle cannula.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Jon B. Newman, Randi Cleverly, Glade H. Howell, Robert N. Golden
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Patent number: 10517566Abstract: An ultrasonic device includes a base, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, an acoustic adjustment layer, and a wall part. The ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged in an array form on the base, each of the ultrasonic transducer elements having a vibration film. The acoustic adjustment layer is disposed on each of the ultrasonic transducer elements. The wall part is arranged between adjacent ones of the ultrasonic transducer elements when viewed in a plan view along a thickness direction of the base such that the acoustic adjustment layer on the adjacent ones of the ultrasonic transducer elements are separated by the wall part in a range of at least a portion of a height of the acoustic adjustment layer measured from the base. The wall part has an acoustic impedance that is higher than an acoustic impedance of the acoustic adjustment layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kanechika Kiyose, Hironori Suzuki, Hiroshi Matsuda
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Patent number: 10517490Abstract: A method for producing an image representative of the vasculature of a subject using a MRI system includes the acquisition of a signal indicative of a subject' cardiac phase. During each heartbeat of the subject, image slices of a volume covering a region of interest (ROI) within the subject are acquired by applying a volume-selective venous suppression pulse to suppress (a) venous signal for an upper slice in the ROI; (b) venous signal for slices that are upstream for venous flow in the ROI; and (c) background signal from the upstream slices. Next, a slice-selective background suppression pulse is applied to suppress background signal of the upper slice. Following a quiescent time interval, a spectrally selective fat suppression pulse is applied to the entire volume to attenuate signal from background fat signal. Then, a simultaneous multi-slice acquisition of the upper slice and the upstream slices is performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignees: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Northshore University HealthsystemInventors: Shivraman Giri, Robert R. Edelman, Ioannis Koktzoglou, Himanshu Bhat
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Patent number: 10499883Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to providing spatial color flow imaging for diagnostic medical imaging. The systems and methods acquire ultrasound data along a first two-dimensional (2D) plane and at least a second 2D plane from a matrix array probe for a region of interest (ROI), calculate a first flow velocity based on the ultrasound data along the first 2D plane, calculate a second flow velocity based on the ultrasound data along the second 2D plane, and generate a first color flow image based on the first flow velocity. The systems and methods further generate a second color flow image based on the second flow velocity, generate an anatomical image based on the ultrasound data on a display, and overlay the first and second color flow images to the anatomical image.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Josef Berger, Christian Perrey
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Patent number: 10492759Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a barrier device. The barrier device has a generally flat base with a width and a length. The base has a top portion and an opposite bottom portion. A surface of the bottom portion includes adhesive. A barrier extends upwardly from the base, the barrier having a generally flat first side and an opposite generally flat second side. A width between the first side of the barrier and the second side of the barrier is less than the width of the base.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: University of South CarolinaInventors: Richard A. Hoppmann, Debra Krotish, Michael Riffle
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Patent number: 10485617Abstract: A medical robot system, including a robot coupled to an effectuator element with the robot configured for controlled movement and positioning. The system may include a transmitter configured to emit one or more signals, and the transmitter is coupled to an instrument coupled to the effectuator element. The system may further include a motor assembly coupled to the robot and a plurality of receivers configured to receive the one or more signals emitted by the transmitter. A control unit is coupled to the motor assembly and the plurality of receivers, and the control unit is configured to supply one or more instruction signals to the motor assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
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Patent number: 10478151Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring fetal head descent in a birth canal is presented. The method includes segmenting each image in one or more images into a plurality of neighborhood components, determining a cost function corresponding to each neighborhood component in the plurality of neighborhood components in each of the one or more images, identifying at least two structures of interest in each image in the one or more images based on the cost function, wherein the at least two structures of interest include a pubic ramus and a fetal head, measuring an angle of progression based on the at least two structures of interest, and determining the fetal head descent in the birth canal based on the angle of progression.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nitin Singhal, Kajoli Banerjee Krishnan, Christian Fritz Perrey, Klaus Pintoffl, Walter Duda, Jr., Francesca Patruno
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Patent number: 10456603Abstract: Skull inhomogeneity may be quantified in accordance with the skull density measured in skull images acquired using a conventional imager; the quantified inhomogeneity may then be used to determine whether the patient is suitable for ultrasound treatment and/or determine parameters associated with the ultrasound transducer for optimizing transskull ultrasound treatment.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: INSIGHTEC, LTD.Inventors: Tal Tlusty, Shuki Vitek, Eyal Zadicario
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Patent number: 10459043Abstract: A medical apparatus (300, 400, 500) comprises a high intensity focused ultrasound system (322) configured for sonicating a target volume (340) of a subject (318). The medical apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance imaging system (302) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (356, 358, 360, 368, 374) from an imaging zone (308). The treatment volume is within the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a memory (352) containing machine executable, a control module (382, 402) for controlling the sonication of the target volume using the magnetic resonance data as a control parameter, and a processor (346). Execution of the instructions causes the processor to repeatedly acquire (102, 202) magnetic resonance data in real time using the magnetic resonance imaging system and control (104, 206) sonication of the target volume by the high intensity focused ultrasound system in real time using the sonication control module and the magnetic resonance data.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Profound Medical Inc.Inventor: Erkki Tapani Vahala
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Patent number: 10449330Abstract: A guidance system for assisting with the insertion of a needle into a patient is disclosed. The guidance system utilizes ultrasound imaging or other suitable imaging technology. In one embodiment, the guidance system comprises an imaging device including a probe for producing an image of an internal body target, such as a vessel. One or more sensors are included with the probe. The sensors sense a detectable characteristic related to the needle, such as a magnetic field of a magnet included with the needle. The system includes a processor that uses data relating to the sensed characteristic to determine a 3-D position of the needle. The system includes a display for depicting the position of the needle. A needle assembly including a hub, cannula, and magnetic element is also disclosed, wherein a magnetic axis of the magnetic element is configured to be coaxially or otherwise aligned with the needle cannula.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc.Inventors: Jon B. Newman, Nathaniel Brian P. Harris, Daniel B. Blanchard, John W. Hall
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Patent number: 10441464Abstract: Systems and methods automatically locate optical surfaces of an eye and automatically generate surface models of the optical surfaces. A method includes OCT scanning of an eye. Returning portions of a sample beam are processed to locate a point on the optical surface and first locations on the optical surface within a first radial distance of the point. A first surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point and the first locations. Returning portions of the sample beam are processed so as to detect second locations on the optical surface beyond the first radial distance and within a second radial distance from the point. A second surface model of the optical surface is generated based on the location of the point on the optical surface and the first and second locations on the optical surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: OPTIMEDICA CORPORATIONInventors: Javier G. Gonzalez, Bruce Woodley
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Patent number: 10441191Abstract: A measuring device comprises a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna, a control device and a dielectric extension. The dielectric extension is disposed between the antenna and an object to be investigated. The control device controls the microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver. The microwave transmitter transmits a microwave signal by means of the antenna and the dielectric extension into the object to be investigated. The object to be investigated scatters the microwave signal. The microwave receiver receives the scattered microwave signal by means of the antenna and the dielectric extension. The length and the dielectric constant of the dielectric extension in this context are dimensioned in such a manner that the object to be investigated is disposed in the remote field of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Martin Leibfritz