Patents Examined by Carolyn Pehlke
  • Patent number: 11363954
    Abstract: A device and method for fluorescent imaging may include an imaging unit including a fluorescent camera with an optical detector that is configured to acquire a fluorescent image of a fluorescing sample, the image including raw pixel values. A user interface may display an image formed from display image pixels derived from the raw image pixels. A distance sensor may measure a distance to the fluorescing sample. A distance between the optical detector and fluorescing sample may be determined from the measured distance. A processing unit may obtain a gain value, match the determined distance to a distance value associated a respective gain range, and impose limits of the gain values range onto the gain value, to determine a limited gain value. The limited gain value may be applied to the raw image pixels, thereby deriving display image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Visionsense LTD.
    Inventors: Nadav Horesh, Alex Chanin, Ofer Braude
  • Patent number: 11353533
    Abstract: A method for detecting lesion tissue using contrast agent MRI includes receiving scanner settings; receiving MR parameters for lesion tissue with or without contrast agent; and simulating relationships between an image quality metric and imaging parameters. The method includes selecting a first set of imaging parameters to optimize an image quality metric of a first image acquired before contrast agent administration; selecting a second set of imaging parameters to optimize a lesion enhancement metric of a second image acquired after contrast agent administration; and selecting an image acquisition time for the second image to maximize the lesion enhancement metric. The method includes acquiring the first and second images using the selected first and second sets of imaging parameters, respectively; and generating a combined image from the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventor: Jinghua Wang
  • Patent number: 11351401
    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: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ulthera, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Emery, Michael T. Peterson, Joshua D. Hope
  • Patent number: 11350909
    Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to cross-amplitude modulation (xAM) ultrasound imaging methods and systems configured to excite a first subaperture of transducer elements to transmit a first ultrasound plane wave, excite a second subaperture of transducer elements to transmit a second ultrasound plane wave noncollinear to the first ultrasound plane wave, the second ultrasound plane wave axisymmetric to the first ultrasound plane wave about a bisector, and simultaneously excite both first and second subapertures to transmit first and second ultrasound plane waves to cause an acoustic pressure above a threshold along the bisector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: David Maresca, Daniel P. Sawyer, Mikhail Shapiro
  • Patent number: 11350901
    Abstract: Embodiments generate an early stage NSCLC recurrence prognosis, and predict added benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. Embodiments include processors configured to access a radiological image of a region of tissue demonstrating early stage NSCLC; segment a tumor represented in the radiological image; define a peritumoral region based on a morphological dilation of a boundary of the tumor; extract a radiomic signature that includes a set of tumoral radiomic features extracted from the tumoral region, and a set of peritumoral radiomic features extracted from the peritumoral region, based on a continuous time to event data; compute a radiomic score based on the radiomic signature; compute a probability of added benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy based on the radiomic score; and generate an NSCLC recurrence prognosis based on the radiomic score. Embodiments may display the radiomic score, or generate a personalized treatment plan based on the radiomic score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Anant Madabhushi, Pranjal Vaidya, Vamsidhar Velcheti, Kaustav Bera
  • Patent number: 11344214
    Abstract: Wearable pulse pressure wave sensing devices are presented that generally provide a non-intrusive way to measure a pulse pressure wave travelling through an artery using a wearable device. In one implementation, the device includes an array of pressure sensors disposed on a mounting structure which is attachable to a user on an area proximate to an underlying artery. Each of the pressure sensors is capable of being mechanically coupled to the skin of the user proximate to the underlying artery. In addition, there are one or more arterial location sensors disposed on the mounting structure which identify a location on the user's skin likely overlying the artery. A pulse pressure wave is then measured using the pressure sensor of the array closest to the identified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: T. Scott Saponas, Dan Morris, Nicolas Villar, Shwetak Patel, Greg R. Smith, Desney Tan, Orestis Vardoulis, Sidhant Gupta
  • Patent number: 11344366
    Abstract: A system comprises a catheter configured for delivery to a body cavity defined by surrounding tissue; a plurality of ultrasound transducers coupled to a distal end of the catheter; and an electronics module configured to selectively turn on/off each ultrasound transducer according to a predetermined activation sequence and to process signals received from each ultrasound transducer to produce at least a 2D display of the surrounding tissue. A user can selectively calculate and display various aspects of cardiac activity. The user can display Dipole Density (DDM), Charge Density (CDM), or Voltage (V-V). The shape and location of the chamber (surface), and the potentials recorded at electrodes can be displayed. The system can also change back and forth between the different display modes, and with post processing tools, can change how various types of information is displayed. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ACUTUS MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Derrick R. Chou, Graydon E. Beatty, Marcus Julian, Timothy J. Corvi, J. Christopher Flaherty, R. Maxwell Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11337660
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a safety system for a close range scanning machine inhibits collision of moving detector heads with a patient or other object. For example a proximity sensor and/or a collision sensor may guide to bring the head close enough to a patient and/or warn to prevent a collisions and or reduce impact. Parts that are in that are in the FOV of the detector may be transparent to the detected signal and/or uniformly affect the signal, facilitating identification of the source of the signal from the detector. In some embodiments, a dynamic motion restrictor is set during scanning according to the desired scanning position and/or the position of the patient. In some embodiments, a motion restrictor acts to prevent unbalanced motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Dynamics Medical Limited
    Inventors: Yoel Zilberstien, Nathaniel Roth, Idan Fogel, Baha Eldeen Kassem
  • Patent number: 11324481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasound imaging machine. The apparatus includes a time-multiplexed beamformer coefficient generator that supplies the necessary delay and weight coefficients to process multiple beams in parallel via a beamforming coefficient bus. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space and power requirements of a handheld probe. The ultrasound machine may optionally turn off or operate beamformers in a standby mode. The ultrasound machine may also use pulse inversion harmonics to improve image quality by improving signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Kwun-Keat Chan, Trevor Hansen
  • Patent number: 11304692
    Abstract: An emitter assembly and waveform sensor assembly for visualizing a target is disclosed. The emitter assembly is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation and includes a first emitter configured to emit at least one of visible light, infrared radiation, or a combination thereof and a second emitter configured to emit structured electromagnetic radiation. The waveform sensor assembly is configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter assembly and obtain three-dimensional images corresponding to the detected electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventor: Charles J. Scheib
  • Patent number: 11307313
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for PET imaging. The system may include a detector module and an electronics module. The detector module may include a scintillator array having N rows of scintillators arranged in a first direction and M columns of scintillators arranged in a second direction, a first set of photosensors coupled to the scintillator array and extending in the second direction, and a second set of photosensors coupled to the scintillator array and extending in the first direction. The electronics module may detect a first set of electrical signals generated by the first set of photosensors and a second set of electrical signals generated by the second set of photosensors, and identify a scintillator within the scintillator array that has interacted with an impinging radiation ray relating to an electrical signal of the first set of electrical signals or the second set of electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ze Chen, Ting Lu
  • Patent number: 11304682
    Abstract: Methods and systems for utilizing myocardial strain imaging in an inverse framework to identify mechanical properties of the heart and to determine structural and functional milestones for the development and progression to heart failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: William M. Torres, Francis G. Spinale, Tarek M. Shazly
  • Patent number: 11298028
    Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution determination apparatus for determining a temperature distribution within an object (20), while an energy application element (2) applies energy to the object, especially while an ablation procedure for ablating a tumor within an organ is performed. A time-dependent first ultrasound signal is generated for an ultrasound measurement region within the object and a temperature distribution within the object is determined based on the generated time-dependent first ultrasound signal and based on a position of the energy application element (2) relative to the ultrasound measurement region tracked over time. This can ensure that always the correct position of the energy application element, which may be regarded as being a heat source, is considered, even if the energy application element moves, for instance, due to a movement of the object. This can lead to a more accurate determination of the temperature distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Shriram Sethuraman, Ajay Anand, Sheng-Wen Huang, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Ameet Kumar Jain
  • Patent number: 11278206
    Abstract: An imaging system for a patient comprises an imaging probe. The imaging probe comprises: an elongate shaft for insertion into the patient and comprising a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion; a rotatable optical core comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the rotatable optical core configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit; a probe connector positioned on the elongate shaft proximal end and surrounding at least a portion of the rotatable optical core and an optical assembly positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end, the optical assembly configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. A shear-thinning fluid can be provided between the elongate shaft and the rotatable optical core, such as to reduce undesired rotational variations of the rotatable optical core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Gentuity, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Petroff, Michael Atlas, David Kolstad, Christopher Petersen, Nareak Douk, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11278742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system (1) for image based guidance of treatment delivery to a patient. The system is adapted to determine spatial parameters defining a position and orientation of an ultrasound probe (8) on the basis of a reference image which has been used for preparing a treatment plan. This can provide a certain degree of automation in arranging the ultrasound probe, in order to decrease user dependence and improve the usability for relatively untrained operators. Moreover, since the reference image is also used for generating the treatment plan, i.e. since the same image is used for generating the treatment plan and for determining the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe, it is not necessarily required to acquire an additional image. This can allow for a reduced radiation dose applied to the parts of the patient not being the target to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Davide Fontanarosa, Saskia Maria Camps
  • Patent number: 11260247
    Abstract: A passive compression wave imaging system comprises an array of sensor elements arranged in a sparse array and a processor arranged to: store a plurality of samples of the output from each of the sensor elements over a sample period; derive from the stored samples a value for each of a set of image pixels; wherein for each of the image pixels the processing means is arranged to: define a plurality of different sets of weights for the elements of the sparse array; calculate a component of a pixel value from each of the sets of weights and the stored samples; and sum the components of the pixel value to produce a final pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OXSONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Christian Coviello, Richard Kozick, Constantin Coussios
  • Patent number: 11246505
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a probe that includes electrodes and is positioned inside a cavity in an organ of a patient, (i) proximity signals indicative of proximity of the electrodes to a wall of the cavity, and (ii) position signals indicative of positions of the electrodes within the cavity. Based on the proximity signals and the position signals, at least a portion of a volume of the cavity is represented by a sphere model including multiple spheres. A direction is identified along which one or more spheres are larger than one or more surrounding spheres by at least a given factor. Based on the indicated direction, a location of an opening in the wall of the cavity is estimated and presented to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Andres Claudio Altmann, Vadim Gliner, Alon Boumendil
  • Patent number: 11241215
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a breast ultrasound scanning apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises an imaging assembly comprising an ultrasound transducer, a frame housing the imaging assembly, and a membrane directly and removably coupled to the frame. In this way, the cost of performing an ultrasound scan with the imaging assembly may be reduced while the comfort for a patient being scanned with the imaging assembly is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Doug Whisler, Bruce Brogden, Ross Stalter
  • Patent number: 11234599
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method of optically recording neural activity in one or more regions of a target tissue. Also provided is a method of optically modulating the activity of a neural tissue. Further provided is a system that finds use in performing the present methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Christina K. Kim, Samuel J. Yang, Karl A. Deisseroth, Isaac V. Kauvar
  • Patent number: 11226389
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method of operating a magnetic resonance imaging system for imaging a subject. The method comprises acquiring (700) tagged magnetic resonance data (642) and a first portion (644) of fingerprinting magnetic resonance data by controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system with tagging pulse sequence commands (100). The tagging pulse sequence commands comprise a tagging inversion pulse portion (102) for spin labeling a tagging location within the subject. The tagging pulse sequence commands comprise a background suppression portion (104). The background suppression portion comprises MRF pulse sequence commands for acquiring fingerprinting magnetic resonance data according to a magnetic resonance fingerprinting protocol. The tagging pulse sequence commands comprise an image acquisition portion (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Karsten Sommer, Michael Gunter Helle, Thomas Erik Amthor, Peter Boernert