Patents Examined by Baisakhi Roy
  • Detection of lipid core plaque cap thickness
    Patent number: 8958867
    Abstract: Described are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products for examining a blood vessel wall. The blood vessel wall is illuminated with near-infrared light. Reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is received. A reflectance spectrum based on the reflected near-infrared light from the blood vessel wall is determined. Whether the reflectance spectrum is indicative of a presence of a lipid core plaque (LCP) by applying an LCP classifier to the reflectance spectrum is determined. A thickness of an LCP cap is determined by applying an LCP cap thickness classifier to the reflectance spectrum if the reflectance spectrum is indicative of the presence of the LCP. Indicia of the thickness of the LCP cap are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: InfraReDx, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Madden, Joel S. Raichlen
  • Image registration of multiple medical imaging modalities using a multiple degree-of-freedom-encoded fiducial device
    Patent number: 8948471
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for registering images from two medical imaging modalities in a six-degree-of-freedom coordinate space, for the purpose of providing real time registered imagery for optimization of medical procedures. The system and method uses fiducial that is visible to the first imager and in a fixed position and orientation relative to the second imager. The first imager may be an X-ray device such as a C-arm fluoroscope, and the second imager may be a Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: The John Hopkins University, Acoustic MedSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabor Fichtinger, Ameet Jain, Tabish Mustufa, Keenan Wyrobek, Greg Chirikjian, Yu Zhou, Everette C. Burdette
  • Methods and apparatus for assessing activity of an organ and uses thereof
    Patent number: 8938102
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for imaging activity of an organ of a subject for diagnosis and prognosis of pathology or injury to the organ, where unaffected portions of the organ are used as a reference for assessing activity of afflicted areas of the organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Quantitative Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Carroll
  • Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and ultrasonic velocity optimization method
    Patent number: 8926512
    Abstract: A resolution optimization unit determines an optimal sound velocity corresponding to a tissue component at each position in a scan slice, and calculates a reception delay time or the like for each reception beam from each position in the scan slice. A control processor executes delay addition processing in a scan for acquiring an ultrasonic image actually used for diagnosis by using the reception delay time calculated using an optimal sound velocity. This can correct the difference between the set sound velocity used for the calculation of a reception delay time and the actual in vivo sound velocity and acquire an ultrasonic image with optimized resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Kakee
  • Capacitive ultrasonic transducer and endo cavity ultrasonic diagnosis system using the same
    Patent number: 8930169
    Abstract: A capacitive ultrasonic transducer (c-MUT) comprising a silicon substrate and a transducer element which comprises transducer cells, each of which is constituted by a first electrode equipped on the top surface of the silicon substrate, a second electrode placed opposite to the first electrode with a predetermined gap therefrom and a membrane for supporting the second electrode, wherein a trench is equipped between the adjacent transducers and a conductive film is formed in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Adachi, Katsuhiro Wakabayashi, Akiko Mizunuma, Atsushi Osawa, Tatsuo Kaimai, Shinji Yasunaga, Kiyoshi Nemoto, Miyuki Murakami, Kousei Tamiya, Yu Kondo
  • Scanning dental ultrasonography probe
    Patent number: 8926518
    Abstract: A dental ultrasonography probe includes a probe tip having a scanning ultrasonography transducer that generates a narrow beam ultrasonic transmission signal over a sequence of beam angles, that receives an ultrasonic return signal, and that generates an ultrasonic receive signal in response to the ultrasonic return signal to identify and measure dental and craniofacial objects and features. A probe body has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Farus, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Culjat, Rahul Singh, Mijin Choi, Shane White
  • Ultrasound systems and methods for real-time noninvasive spatial temperature estimation
    Patent number: 8900145
    Abstract: Ultrasound systems and methods for real-time noninvasive spatial temperature estimation are disclosed herein. A method for noninvasive temperature estimation in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, propagating ultrasound waves into tissue and detecting echoes of the ultrasound waves. The ultrasound waves can become nonlinear as they propagate into the tissue. The method can further include monitoring changes in tissue temperature in real-time using a spectral-based temperature estimation approach, which correlates nonlinear acoustic effects with changes in tissue temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Francesco P. Curra, Neil R. Owen
  • Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
    Patent number: 8900148
    Abstract: The ultrasound probe transmits and receives ultrasonic waves in different directions and the diagnostic apparatus body combines a plurality of images captured in the different directions of transmission and reception to produce an ultrasound image. In this process, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus measures the temperature of the ultrasound probe to change the ultrasound transmission and reception for producing a composite ultrasound image or makes the directions of transmission and reception in the last ultrasound image in one composite ultrasound image coincide with those in the first ultrasound image in its temporally adjacent composite ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus thus enables consistent ultrasound diagnosis against heat generated in the integrated circuit board of the ultrasound probe while simplifying the control of the ultrasound transmission and reception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Tanabe
  • Atherosclerosis therapy via delivery and localized heating of micro size particles
    Patent number: 8897856
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for removing vascular deposits by locally heating plaque sites with micron size particles that are administered intravenously and are heated inductively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Angelo Gaitas
  • Medical imaging method and system
    Patent number: 8897855
    Abstract: In an imaging procedure, sound pressure is generated by applying ultrasound to the region to be imaged in order to cause a deformation of tissue therein from at least one acquired ultrasound image data set, first data are determined that represent, with spatial resolution, the deformation of the tissue as a reaction to the sound pressure. At least one magnetic resonance image data set is acquired, from which second data are determined that represent, with spatial resolution, the deformation of the tissue as a reaction to the sound pressure. The at least one ultrasound image data set and the at least one magnetic resonance image data set are brought into registration with each other by a comparison of the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Patrick Gross
  • Apparatus, systems, and methods for localizing markers or tissue structures within a body
    Patent number: 8892185
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system may include one or more markers implantable within or around the target tissue region, and a probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect the one or more markers. During use, the marker(s) are into a target tissue region, and the probe is placed against the patient's skin to detect and localize the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the localization information from the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cianna Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Chi Sing, Mark A. Cole, Tommy G. Nguyen
  • RF power transmitter
    Patent number: 8890528
    Abstract: A RF power transmitter (100) includes an RF synthesizer (104) that generates an analog RF signal based on a digital description of the desired RF waveform and digital feedback signals and a power module (116) that amplifies the analog RF signal and provides the amplified analog RF signal (122) to a load (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Analogic Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian Delforge, Louis Poulo
  • Hypovolemia diagnosis technique
    Patent number: 8880155
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method for determining a risk, onset, or presence of hypovolemia based on one or more features of a plethysmographic waveform during a patient breathing cycle. For example, a hypovolemic patient may exhibit characteristic changes in pulse amplitude or stroke volume during inhalation and exhalation relative to a healthy patient. Further, a trend or pattern of such features may be used to assess the patient's fluid condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael Mestek, Daniel Lisogurski
  • Angiography system for the angiographic examination of a patient and angiographic examination method
    Patent number: 8880153
    Abstract: An angiography system for angiographic examination of a patient is provided. The system has an x-ray emitter and an x-ray image detector attached to the ends of a C-arm, a patient support couch, a system control unit, an image system and a monitor. The system control unit generates a mask image that detects a reference image, effects a registration of the reference image to the C-arm, whereby if necessary a segmentation of the examination object is implemented in the reference image, contrasts image regions lying inside of the segmentation in order to generate a mask image, and subtracts the mask image from fluoroscopy live images acquired by the angiography system without contrast agent in order to form a roadmap image. The image system effects a reproduction of the roadmap images on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marcus Pfister
  • Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
    Patent number: 8870777
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a frame data generation device configured to generate a frame data of a blood flow image based on echo signals obtained by transmissions and receptions of ultrasonic waves on a same acoustic ray, a processed frame data generation device configured to generate a processed frame data using current data excluding an error data having a higher brightness, a faster blood speed, or a higher blood flow power than a brightness, a blood speed, or a blood flow power of standard data within pixel data corresponding to each other in a plurality of frame data at different time phases, and an image display control device configured to display a blood flow image based on the processed framed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Koji Miyama
  • Method and device for removal of ammonia and related contaminants from water
    Patent number: 8858805
    Abstract: A sono-molecular-conversion device and method for effecting nitrification of ammonia in water, the method including feeding the water containing ammonia through a sono-molecular conversion device including a plurality of ultrasound transducers; and applying ultrasonic energy to the water containing ammonia by the sono-molecular conversion device to ultrasonically collapse microsized bubbles with transient cavitation in the water containing ammonia to effect nitrification of ammonia therein by sono-molecular-conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Edward Vago
  • Fluoroscopic imaging system
    Patent number: 8862207
    Abstract: A liquid injector (400) injects a medical liquid into a patient whose fluoroscopic image data is to be picked up and generates injection history data corresponding to the injection, and a control box (500) registers the injection history data in a RIS (100) in association with imaging order data. Accordingly, the RIS (100) also stores the injection history data associated with the imaging order data, and therefore the injection history data can also be confirmed based on the imaging order data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Resource One Inc, Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Goto, Shigeru Nemoto
  • Surgical imaging device
    Patent number: 8862209
    Abstract: A surgical imaging device includes at least one light source for illuminating an object, at least two image sensors configured to generate image data corresponding to the object in the form of an image frame, and a video processor configured to receive from each image sensor the image data corresponding to the image frames and to process the image data so as to generate a composite image. The video processor may be configured to normalize, stabilize, orient and/or stitch the image data received from each image sensor so as to generate the composite image. Preferably, the video processor stitches the image data received from each image sensor by processing a portion of image data received from one image sensor that overlaps with a portion of image data received from another image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Michael P. Whitman, Donald Malinouskas
  • Synchronization of repetitive therapeutic interventions
    Patent number: 8858445
    Abstract: A medical device of the type used for assisting a user in manually delivering repetitive therapy to a patient (e.g., chest compressions or ventilations in cardiac resuscitation), the device comprising a feedback device configured to generate feedback cues to assist the user in timing the delivery of the repetitive therapy, at least one sensor or circuit element configured to detect actual delivery times, at which the user actually delivers the repetitive therapy, and a processor, memory, and associated circuitry configured to compare the actual delivery times to information representative of desired delivery times to determine cue times at which the feedback cues are generated by the feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Freeman, Daniel M. Lisogurski
  • Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of determining elasticity index reliability
    Patent number: 8852102
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of determining elasticity index reliability control transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam, track displacements in a transmission direction of a plurality of points of a blood vessel in the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam, calculate an elasticity index of the blood vessel based on the tracking result, acquire the direction of a displacement or the amount of displacement in the transmission direction of a specific point of the blood vessel, and determine reliability of the elasticity index based on the acquisition result. A program for determining elasticity index reliability causes a computer to execute the respective steps of the method. A computer readable storage medium stores the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yukiya Miyachi