Patents Examined by Bill Thomson
  • Patent number: 11950920
    Abstract: A device for estimating breast implant volume is provided, which may include an input interface and a processing circuit. A numerical value may be inputted in to the input interface. The processing circuit may calculate the estimation value of breast implant volume according to a linear model and the numerical value. The processing circuit may multiply the numerical value by a coefficient to generate a product, and add a constant to the product to generate the estimation value of breast implant volume, wherein the numerical value may be a breast sample weight or a breast size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CHANGHUA CHRISTIAN MEDICAL FOUNDATION CHANGHUA CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL
    Inventors: Wei-Chung Shia, Dar-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 11938343
    Abstract: Various approaches for disrupting target tissue for treatment include identifying a target volume of the target tissue; causing disruption of the target tissue in a region corresponding to the target volume so as to increase tissue permeability therein; computationally generating a tissue permeability map of the target volume; and based on the tissue permeability map, computationally evaluating the disruption of the target tissue within the target volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: INSIGHTEC, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoav Levy, Kobi Vortman
  • Patent number: 11918398
    Abstract: An analysis method is for automatically determining radiological result data from radiology data sets. In an embodiment, the method includes provisioning a first radiology data set at least based on X-ray data of a first X-ray energy spectrum; provisioning at least one second radiology data set at least based on X-ray data of a second X-ray energy spectrum; provisioning an analysis unit including a neural network, to analyze radiology data sets including an input layer with a plurality of cells, a number of intermediate layers and an output layer representing a radiological result; analyzing the first radiology data set and the at least one second radiology data set, at least subsets of the first radiology data set and the at least one second radiology data set being assigned to different cells of the input layer for joint processing in the neural network; and acquiring result data on the output layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG
    Inventors: Peter Huber, Bernhard Krauss, Sebastian Schmidt, Bernhard Schmidt
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11877843
    Abstract: A medical image processing method performed by a computer, for measuring the spatial location of a point on the surface of a patient's body including: acquiring at least two two-dimensional image datasets, wherein each two-dimensional image dataset represents a two-dimensional image of at least a part of the surface which comprises the point, and wherein the two-dimensional images are taken from different and known viewing directions; determining the pixels in the two-dimensional image datasets which show the point on the surface of the body; and calculating the spatial location of the point from the locations of the determined pixels in the two-dimensional image datasets and the viewing directions of the two-dimensional images; wherein the two-dimensional images are thermographic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Hagen Kaiser, Stephen Froehlich, Stefan Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 11877890
    Abstract: An assembly and method for positioning a fetal heart transducer against skin. The assembly includes a strip having first and second ends and openings along its length, first and second fixation devices, each device having first and second surfaces, the first surface having adhesive thereon. A protuberance extends outwardly from the second surface. The assembly includes a fetal heart transducer. The first fixation device is secured to the skin at a first location and the protuberance of the first fixation device is received into a first opening on the first end of the strip. The first surface of the second fixation device is secured to the skin at a second location and the protuberance of the second fixation device is received into a second opening on the second end of the strip. The fetal heart transducer is secured between first and second fixation devices and beneath the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Cassandra Elder
  • Patent number: 11872092
    Abstract: A tissue implantation device comprises a capsule; and a population of ultrasound-switchable fluorophores incorporated in the capsule. A method of imaging a tissue implantation device in a biological environment comprises disposing the tissue implantation device in a biological environment, the population of ultrasound-switchable fluorophores having a switching threshold in the biological environment; exposing the biological environment to an ultrasound beam to form an activation region within the biological environment; switching the ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region from an off state to an on state; exciting the ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in the activation region with a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detecting light emitted by the ultrasound-switchable fluorophores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventor: Baohong Yuan
  • Patent number: 11712309
    Abstract: A method for magnetic tracking of a flexible catheter device or another flexible elongated device, the method comprising: receiving by a host server a plurality of sensed values of a local magnetic field, sensed by a respective plurality of sensors, wherein the host server is optionally included in a controller of the sensors, the sensors are located along a flexible tube of a device, wherein the sensed values are at least partially due to at least one alternating magnetic field generated by at least one magnetic field generator, the source amplitude and frequency of each generated magnetic field are given to the host server; and calculating by the host server, based on the sensed magnetic field values and the given source amplitude and frequency of each generated magnetic field, a localization of the flexible tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Magnisity Ltd.
    Inventors: Ron Barak, Ariel Birenbaum, Benjamin Greenburg
  • Patent number: 11707204
    Abstract: A method of imaging an implant device in a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor interconnected with a memory and a display. The method includes, at the processor: obtaining a first magnetic resonance (MR) image of a patient tissue, the first MR image containing a first magnetic field strength indicator; responsive to the implant device being inserted in the patient tissue, obtaining a second MR image of the patient tissue, the second MR image containing a second magnetic field strength indicator smaller than the first magnetic field strength indicator; registering the second MR image with the first MR image; generating a composite image from the first MR image and the second MR image; and presenting the composite image on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jeff Stainsby, Alexander Gyles Panther, Chad Tyler Harris, Cameron Anthony Piron
  • Patent number: 11686799
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for generating a combined MR image of an examination object, a first image data record of an examination object, generated from magnetic resonance data recorded with a first reception coil, is loaded into a computer. A second image data record of the examination object, generated from magnetic resonance data recorded with a second reception coil, wherein the first and the second reception coils are different reception coils, is also loaded into a computer. At least one interim image data record is generated by the computer by applying a mask function to the first and/or second image data record. An interim image data record is combined in the computer with the image data record to which no mask function was applied, or with the other interim image data record, to form a combined MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Horger, Dominik Paul
  • Patent number: 11678942
    Abstract: The application provides a device, method and system for registration. The registration device includes a fixing member; a frame connected to the fixing member, at least one trackable element mounted on the frame; and a collection device connected to the fixing member, wherein the collection device is configured to simultaneously collect multiple point data from an object to be registered. The registration method includes obtaining simultaneously, by a registration device, a point cloud data from a surface of a cartilage of an object to be registered; and performing surface fitting based on the point cloud data to obtain a fitted surface of the cartilage of the object to be registered. The registration system includes the registration device; a first point cloud data acquisition module, configured to receive the point cloud data from the collection device; and a surface fitting module, configured for surface fitting with the point cloud data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SUZHOU MICROPORT ORTHOBOT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Shao, Bin Song, Chao He, Pengfei Liu
  • Patent number: 11679254
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for assessing Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS). The system receives an imaging pulse sequence to be applied to a region of interest (ROI) of a subject arranged in the imaging system, where the imaging pulse sequence identifies coil parameters related to at least one coil. The system obtains a first model including a plurality of tissue types and corresponding electromagnetic properties in the ROI. The system then obtains a second model indicating location, orientation, and/or physiological properties of one or more nerve tracks in the ROI. The system estimates a plurality of PNS thresholds in the ROI caused by the imaging pulse sequence applied in the imaging system using the first model, the second model, a nerve membrane model, and the coil parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Wald, Bastien Guerin, Mathias Davids
  • Patent number: 11666310
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe and an imaging unit that transmits and receives an ultrasound beam to and from a subject using the ultrasound probe and converts a received signal output from the ultrasound probe into an image to generate an ultrasound image of the subject, according to set imaging conditions. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a probe state determination unit that determines whether the ultrasound probe is in an aerial emission state or a contact state with the subject; and an apparatus control unit that changes the imaging conditions in a case in which the probe state determination unit determines that the ultrasound probe has been changed from the contact state with the subject to the aerial emission state and controls the imaging unit such that the ultrasound image is generated using the changed imaging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiro Imai
  • Patent number: 11660071
    Abstract: A photoacoustic and ultrasonic endoscope includes an optical fiber, a light diffuser configured to radially diffuse a laser beam transmitted through the optical fiber, and an array transducer having a cylindrical shape and surrounding the light diffuser, the array transducer being configured to transmit the diffused laser beam therethrough and to generate an ultrasonic wave or detect an ultrasonic wave generated by an object to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Joon Mo Yang, Chae Un Kim
  • Patent number: 11633107
    Abstract: Devices for localizing an intracerebral hematoma or blood mass in brain tissue. The devices include an elongate probe a color sensors and a light emitter on the distal end of the probe. The color sensors produce a signal corresponding to the color of light reflected into the color sensors. A display is provided to indicate the color detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Rebound Therapeutics Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Tsukashima, Peter G. Davis
  • Patent number: 11627944
    Abstract: A system for creating customized learning content for ultrasound simulators using materials from an existing library of curated content including images, volumetric data sets, and metadata, or otherwise acquired, overcoming numerous challenges to ultrasound education and training, including the ability to seamlessly create real-patient based ultrasound training curriculum, the creation of an expansive library that that represents multiple pathologic conditions, and the dissemination of training content to multiple users in an asynchronous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Eric Savitsky, Gabriele Nataneli, Kresimir Petrinec
  • Patent number: 11622690
    Abstract: The capillary refill time (CRT) of a patient is an important feature in the determination of cardiovascular system health. Quick re-perfusion of the microcirculation (namely, the capillaries) is a good indication that the cardiovascular system is able to efficiently distribute blood throughout the body. Current systems use unreliable or subjective methods to test the CRT. Additionally, the calculation of CRT is not generally used in the adult medical space as it is more commonly used in pediatrics. The present application describes a system and method for calculating a patient's CRT using a mobile device with an integrated camera and light source, or an optical head-mounted display using a light source in combination with ambient light to calculate the CRT. Once a patient's CRT is calculated, an integrated application classifies the data and sends it to the treating clinician for review.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rick Bezemer, Abigail Acton Flower, Cornelis Conradus Adrianus Maria van Zon
  • Patent number: 11571181
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that has a tolerance for easy assembly and reduces shaking and noise by reducing the tolerance after assembly. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a main body, a probe connected to the main body to irradiate and receive ultrasonic waves and to transmit the ultrasonic signals to the main body, a control panel configured to control the main body or the probe, and a moving device configured to connect the control panel and the main body and to move the control panel with respect to the main body in the upward and downward directions, wherein the moving device includes a housing fixed to the main body, a moving member configured to be movable with respect to the housing in the upward and downward directions, and a regulating bearing installed in the housing and configured to assist the upward and downward movement of the moving member by coming into rolling contact with the moving member and to regulate a gap with the moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Jong-Moon Kim, Kyeong Gu Woo, Sim Gwan Jeong, Wan Ki Kim, Dai Un Park
  • Patent number: 11564664
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes: a plurality of channels configured to transmit and receive signal with a plurality of transducer elements comprised in a probe; a beamformer configured to perform beamforming a signal received from a preset number of active channel among the plurality of channels; a switch configured to connect the probe and the plurality of channels; and a controller configured to determine a faulty channel among the plurality of channels, compare whether the number of the plurality of channels is greater than or equal to the number of the plurality of transducer elements and control the switch based on the comparison result when the faulty channel is comprised in the active channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Cheon Kang
  • Patent number: 11564575
    Abstract: An MR-PET apparatus is provided. The MR-PET apparatus may include a supporting component, a PET detection device, an RF coil, and a signal shielding component. The PET detection device may be supported on the supporting component. The PET detection device may be configured to receive a plurality of photons. The RF coil may be configured to generate or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal. The signal shielding component may be placed between the PET detection device and the RF coil. The signal shielding component may be configured to shield the PET detection device from at least part of the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fuyi Fang, Lingzhi Hu, Qiang He, Wei Luo, Feng Xu