Patents Examined by Carolyn Pehlke
  • Acquisition and processing of measurement data by a combined magnetic resonance and X-ray device
    Patent number: 10631814
    Abstract: The acquisition and processing of measurement data by a combined magnetic resonance and X-ray device are provided. Several X-ray images are acquired in succession by a X-ray acquisition unit, and the X-ray images are processed to determine movement data describing a movement of a test subject or at least one region of the test subject during a given time interval. Several data points representing a magnetic resonance signal strength for different phase encodings are acquired by a magnetic resonance acquisition unit during the time interval or an equivalent further time interval, in which the same movement pattern of the test subject or the region is expected. The data points are processed to generate a real space image as a function of the movement data, and/or an acquisition parameter used for the acquisition of at least one of the data points is adjusted as a function of the movement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Ertel, Yiannis Kyriakou
  • Apparatus and implementation method of a set of universal compact portable MR-compatible PET inserts to convert whole-body MRI scanners into organ-specific hybrid PET/MRI imagers
    Patent number: 10634747
    Abstract: A Positron Emission Tomography (“PET”) insert for use with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (“MRI”) scanning device, the PET insert including a plurality of photodetector modules provided adjacent each other in an array, the plurality of photodetector modules configured for placement adjacent a body of a patient and sized to be received in a magnetic bore of the MRI scanning device with the patient, the photodetector modules providing detection of gamma annihilation photons, and a Radio Frequency (“RF”) coil provided between the patient and the plurality of photodetector modules. Each of the plurality of photodetector modules includes a pixelated scintillator array provided for alignment adjacent the patient's body, and a shielding block including silicon photomultiplier pads and passive electronic circuitry only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventors: Stanislaw Majewski, James Proffitt, James Lewis, Julie Brefczynski-Lewis, Alexander Stolin
  • Medical imaging system for combined magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray imaging
    Patent number: 10631803
    Abstract: For the purpose of reliable and comprehensive patient care, a medical imaging system for combined magnetic resonance and X-ray imaging is provided. The medical imaging system includes a magnetic resonance imaging unit and an X-ray imaging unit that are connected to each other mechanically such that the X-ray imaging unit is built into the magnetic resonance imaging unit and both units surround a patient aperture. The X-ray imaging unit includes a ring that has an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector and may rotate about the patient aperture. The ring is composed of at least four ring sectors, of which two ring sectors may be detached from the ring and at least two ring sectors are fixed in place. An X-ray detector is arranged on one of the detachable ring sectors, and an X-ray source is arranged on the other of the detachable ring sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Ertel, Yiannis Kyriakou
  • System and method for non-invasive tissue characterization
    Patent number: 10631780
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-invasive system for determining tissue composition. The system comprises an imaging system with a non-invasive probe, a signal analyzer, and a correlation processor. The probe includes active imaging components for emitting energy and collecting imaging data including reflected signals from an object of interest. The signal analyzer analyzes the imaging data and determines one or more signal properties from the reflected signals. The correlation processor then associates the one or more signal properties to pre-determined tissue signal properties of different tissue components through a pattern recognition technique wherein the pre-determined tissue signal properties are embodied in a database, and identifies a tissue component of the object based on the pattern recognition technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anuja Nair
  • Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
    Patent number: 10624608
    Abstract: According to embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes transmission/reception circuitry transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from an object via a piezoelectric transducer, ultrasonic image generation circuitry generating a series of ultrasonic images along a time series based on an output from the transmission/reception circuitry, specifying information generation circuitry generating predetermined specifying information concerning each of the series of ultrasonic images, selection circuitry selecting a color Doppler image from the series of ultrasonic images based on the specifying information in response to a predetermined operation during display of the series of ultrasonic images, and storage circuitry storing the selected color Doppler image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohisa Imamura
  • System and method for determining vital sign information of a subject
    Patent number: 10602962
    Abstract: Vital sign information of a subject is determined using a marker for application to the subject. The marker is configured to change an optical property due to a mechanical manipulation of the marker caused by a physiological process of the subject. The change in the optical property is detected and analyzed to determine vital sign information of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Dubielczyk, Christian Michael Epping, Rolf Neumann
  • Band transducer ultrasound therapy
    Patent number: 10603521
    Abstract: Embodiments of a dermatological cosmetic treatment and/or imaging system and method can include use of transducer to create a linear thermal treatment zone at a focal depth to form a band shaped treatment area. The system can include one or more ultrasound transducers, a cylindrical transduction element, an imaging element, a hand wand, a removable transducer module, a control module, and/or graphical user interface. In some embodiments, a coated transducer may be used to provide more consistent treatment in cosmetic procedures, including brow lifts, fat reduction, sweat reduction, and treatment of the décolletage. Skin tightening, lifting and amelioration of wrinkles and stretch marks are provided. Treatment may include heating of tissue for a duration to deactivate a percentage of cells in the treatment region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Emery, Michael T. Peterson, Joshua D. Hope
  • Smooth transition catheters
    Patent number: 10595820
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rapid exchange configuration that reduces the profile of a catheter riding on a guidewire and minimizes guidewire resistance. According to certain embodiments, a body of the catheter includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion defines a guidewire lumen and includes a guidewire exit port being open in a proximal direction and leading to the guidewire lumen. A proximal section of the guidewire lumen is straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Stigall, Maritess Minas
  • Device for visualizing real-time sampling
    Patent number: 10595832
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for providing real-time imaging of tissue sampling. An ultrasound probe is received with a first lumen of a catheter and a tissue sampling device is received with a second lumen of the catheter. The catheter is received within a working channel of a bronchoscope. The ultrasound probe is a radial ultrasound probe that generates real-time ultrasound images of the tissue sampling device and surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Spiration, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hoffman, David H. Dillard, Hugo X. Gonzalez, Desmond O'Connell
  • Cytology sampling system and method of utilizing the same
    Patent number: 10595830
    Abstract: A cytology sampling system includes a catheter tube and a cytology tool. The catheter tube has open proximal and distal ends. The cytology tool is insertable through the catheter tube and includes a flexible shaft, a brush, and a position sensor. The brush is coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft. The brush includes a plurality of brush shafts. Each brush shaft has bristles disposed along a portion of a length thereof. The bristles are coupled to and extend radially away from an outer surface of each of the brush shafts. The bristles are configured to collect cell samples from targeted tissue of a patient. The position sensor provides an indication of the location of the position sensor within a luminal structure. The system may include a positioning assembly for placing the distal end of the catheter tube adjacent the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Jerome K. Grudem, Jr., Jay G. Johnson
  • Internal ultrasound assembly fluid seal
    Patent number: 10595823
    Abstract: There are disclosed embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, particularly a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a tip chamber, within which is an ultrasound transducer mounted on a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and an implement for pivoting the transducer. Examples of such an implement are a linear motor, a shaft or filament, and the pivot mechanism may be biased to return to a base position when the implement is not pivoting the transducer. In other embodiments, a mirror reflecting ultrasound signals from the transducer may be rotated and/or pivoted, using similar mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter S. McKinnis, Yun Zhou, Sarah Robbins, Neal E. Fearnot
  • Ultrasound apparatus and information providing method of the ultrasound apparatus
    Patent number: 10595827
    Abstract: An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-ho Yang, Hyoung-jin Kim, Jin-young Choi
  • Ultrasound apparatus and information providing method of the ultrasound apparatus
    Patent number: 10588603
    Abstract: An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-ho Yang, Hyoung-jin Kim, Jin-young Choi
  • Cardiac analysis based on vessel characteristics
    Patent number: 10588586
    Abstract: A system and method includes reception of a first image of a blood vessel, reception of a second image of the blood vessel, determination of a first size of a region of the blood vessel based on the first image, determination of a second size of the region of the blood vessel based on the second image, and calculation of a parameter of the blood vessel based on the first size and the second size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Hongxuan Zhang
  • Ultrasound apparatus for assessing the quality of a patient's bone tissue
    Patent number: 10582889
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for assessing the condition of the bone tissue in a patient's bone region (21). The apparatus includes an ultrasound device (11) that transmits/receives ultrasounds along a plurality of ultrasound propagation lines (15i) for the bone region (21), and for receiving in response from the bone region (21) a plurality of raw reflected ultrasound signals (36,38); a device for generating an ultrasound signal, a sonographic image formation device for forming a sonographic image (29) of the bone region (21), starting from the raw reflected ultrasound signals (36,38); a device for extracting at least one frequency spectrum (43.sub.i,44.sub.i,47,48) starting from at least one part of said plurality of raw reflected ultrasound signals (36,38) coming from corresponding points (34) of the bone region (21), each having a plurality of harmonic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: ECHOLIGHT S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Pernisa, Sergio Casciaro, Francesco Conversano, Ernesto Casciaro
  • Full-field three-dimensional surface measurement
    Patent number: 10575719
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may be used to perform measurement of surfaces, such as external and internal surfaces of the human body, in full-field and in 3-D. Embodiments of the present invention may include an electromagnetic radiation source, which may be configured to project electromagnetic radiation onto a surface. The electromagnetic radiation source may be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation in a pattern corresponding to a spatial signal modulation algorithm. The electromagnetic radiation source may also be configured to project the electromagnetic radiation at a frequency suitable for transmission through the media in which the radiation is projected. An image sensor may be configured to capture image data representing the projected pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Virtual 3-D Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Robert Zeien
  • Head/neck local coil with a neck region with automatic size adjustment when tilting the head/neck local coil
    Patent number: 10564234
    Abstract: A head/neck local coil for an imaging magnetic resonance imaging system includes a head/neck local coil lower part that is tiltable with a tilting movement. The head/neck local coil also includes a neck part movable relative to the head/neck local coil lower part for compensating the tilting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Daniel Driemel
  • Method of calculating feature of blood vessel and ultrasound apparatus for performing the same
    Patent number: 10561393
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound apparatus. The ultrasound apparatus includes an ultrasound transceiver that transmits an ultrasound signal to an object and receives an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object, a controller that detects a change amount of a diameter of a blood vessel of the object, based on the ultrasound echo signal, and a display unit that displays a blood pressure graph showing a blood pressure of the object and an image representing an inflection point in the blood pressure graph, based on the detected change amount of the diameter. The controller calculates a stiffness of the blood vessel, based on a blood pressure corresponding to the inflection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-yong Lee, Sung-wook Park, Jin-ki Park, Joo-Hyun Song, Bong-heon Lee, Hyuk-Jae Chang, Namsik Chung, Geu-ru Hong, Jong-hwa Kim, Ji-hyun Yoon
  • Optical coherence elastography (OCE) method under acoustic radiation force excitation using OCT doppler variance methods and OCT correlation-based methods
    Patent number: 10548479
    Abstract: A system for imaging and quantifying shear wave and shear modulus under orthogonal acoustic radiation force (ARF) excitation using the OCT Doppler variance apparatus. The ARF perpendicular or with at least a perpendicular component to the OCT beam is produced by a remote ultrasonic transducer. The OCT Doppler variance apparatus, which is sensitive to the transverse vibration, is used to measure the ARF induced vibration. For analysis of the shear modulus, the Doppler variance apparatus is utilized to visualize shear wave propagation. The propagation velocity of the shear wave is measured and then used to quantitatively map the shear modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Zhongping Chen, Jiang Zhu
  • Ultrasound apparatus and information providing method of the ultrasound apparatus
    Patent number: 10548568
    Abstract: An information providing method which is implementable by using an ultrasound apparatus includes obtaining ultrasound image data which relates to an object; displaying, on a first area of a screen, a gain setup window for setting a gain of the obtained ultrasound image data; receiving a gain which is set by a user on the gain setup window; and displaying, on a second area of the screen, an ultrasound image of the object to which the set gain is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun-ho Yang, Hyoung-jin Kim, Jin-young Choi