Patents Examined by Colin T Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11903762
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe 11 includes a transducer array in which a plurality of transducers are arranged, and a housing 12 in which the transducer array is accommodated. The housing 12 has a grip portion 13 that extends in a determined direction, and a transducer array accommodation portion 14 that is connected to one end portion of the grip portion 13 in an extension direction and accommodates the transducer array. A probe support surface 13B that extends along the extension direction is defined in a surface on the other end portion side of the grip portion 13 in the extension direction. In a case where the ultrasound probe is placed on a flat placing surface with the probe support surface 13B being brought into contact with the placing surface, the ultrasound probe is in such a posture that a surface of the housing 12 in a portion positioned on the transducer array accommodation portion 14 side with respect to the probe support surface 13B is separated from the placing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Noguchi, Ryosuke Ogura
  • Patent number: 11903769
    Abstract: A first-order estimation method of shear wave velocity, includes the steps of demodulating entry data, and obtaining a complex angle value, matrix average, offset matrix, displacement matrix and shear wave velocity. According to the method, the main contour of the displacement curve is extracted by the quadrature decomposition of matrix, thereby improving the signal quality of the shear wave estimation. Unlike conventional method which needs estimating twice, the shear wave displacement curve can be estimated directly to reduce estimation errors and improve estimation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: SHANTOU INSTITUTE OF ULTRASONIC INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Delai Li, Liexiang Fan, Yinan Huang, Bin Li
  • Patent number: 11896361
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus according to the embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires MR data acquired in read-out directions including a first read-out direction and a second read-out direction intersecting the first read-out direction, filter sensitivity distributions corresponding to the read-out directions and indicating distributions of sensitivity of a low-pass filter, and coil sensitivity distributions corresponding to coil elements used to acquire the MR data. The processing circuitry generates synthesis sensitivity distributions for the respective read-out directions by synthesizing the filter sensitivity distributions and the coil sensitivity distributions for the respective read-out directions. The processing circuitry generates an MR image based on the synthesis sensitivity distributions and MR data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Kutsuna, Hidenori Takeshima
  • Patent number: 11890132
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting a first set of ultrasound waves to determine whether there is fluid flow at a target area. The first set of ultrasound waves are transmitted at a first pulse repetition frequency. The method also includes determining whether there is fluid flow in a second area based on the first set of ultrasound waves. The second area is between the target area and an ultrasound probe. The method further includes transmitting a second set of ultrasound waves to detect fluid flow at the target area in response to determining that there is fluid flow in the second area between the target area and the ultrasound probe. The second set of ultrasound waves are directed towards the target area. The second set of ultrasound waves are transmitted at a second pulse repetition frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SONOSITE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Duffy
  • Patent number: 11890097
    Abstract: Medical diagnostic devices and related methods of use are described in which one or multiple coils in a sensor, each coil connected with an RLC circuit and frequency counter, are held against a patient's head at predetermined cranial locations. Frequencies of the RLC circuit are measured and compared against those taken from known, control heads, to determine whether there is a medical problem and what type of problem. In some instances, too high of frequencies can reveal pooled blood in the head, a sign of hemorrhagic stroke, while too low of frequencies imply lack of blood supply, a sign of ischemic stroke. A head-mountable frame can assist a first responder in securing and guiding the coils and, along with fiducials, allow for automatic comparison of frequencies with the correct control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yu-Chong Tai, Shane S. Shahrestani
  • Patent number: 11890142
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically characterizing lesions in ultrasound images. In one example, a method includes automatically determining an A/B ratio of a region of interest (ROI) via an A/B ratio model that is trained to output the A/B ratio using a B-mode image of the ROI and an elastography image of the ROI as inputs, and displaying the A/B ratio on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventor: Yelena Viktorovna Tsymbalenko
  • Patent number: 11883235
    Abstract: Intraluminal ultrasound devices, systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an intravascular ultrasound device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member including a distal portion and a longitudinal axis; a first ultrasound transducer array configured to obtain ultrasound imaging data of the body lumen; and a second ultrasound transducer array configured to apply an ultrasound therapy within the body lumen. Both the first and second ultrasound transducer arrays are disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member and circumferentially positioned around the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Stigall, Princeton Saroha, Robert Emmett Kearney
  • Patent number: 11883683
    Abstract: A particle therapy system includes an accelerator 1 which generates a particle beam for extraction, an irradiation apparatus 21 which irradiates the particle beam to an irradiation target 26, a gantry 18 which rotates together with the irradiation apparatus 21, and an MRI apparatus 50 which rotates together with the gantry 18. The MRI apparatus 50 includes a magnetic circuit composed of an iron core 60 and a plurality of coils 61 serving as a magnetic flux source. The iron core 60 includes two oppositely disposed magnetic poles 63A and 63B, and a return yoke 64 for connecting the magnetic poles 63A and 63B. The magnetic poles 63A, 63B have cavities 65A, 65B. The particle beam passing through the cavity 65A is irradiated to the irradiation target 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: HITACHI, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yusuke Fujii, Ryuya Ando, Manabu Aoki, Kikuo Umegaki, Shinichi Shimizu, Taeko Matsuura, Hiroki Shirato
  • Patent number: 11872069
    Abstract: A method includes a step of obtaining plural pieces of training data each of which includes a different radiographic image of a bone and each of which has a label indicating one of an overt fracture, an occult fracture and no fracture, a step of using the plural pieces of training data to pre-train a deep convolutional network (DCN) model to obtain a preliminary DCN model, a step of determining a subset of the plural pieces of training data by at least excluding any piece of training data that has a label indicating occult fracture, and a step of using the subset to train the preliminary DCN model to obtain a first DCN model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou
    Inventors: Chi-Hung Lin, Kevin C. Chung, Chang-Fu Kuo
  • Patent number: 11872081
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes: a flexible board configured to receive and output an electrical signal through a signal line; a plurality of piezoelectric devices that are electrically connected to the board and are aligned in a row, each piezoelectric device being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasound wave; a plurality of leads extending the signal line and protruding from an end portion of the board, each lead being electrically connected to the piezoelectric device in a curved manner; and a plurality of sheets that are arranged to prevent the leads from being in contact with each other, each sheet being provided on the lead and having an insulation property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuya Kumata
  • Patent number: 11872075
    Abstract: System (10) for determining a position of an interventional device (11) respective an image plane (12) defined by an ultrasound imaging probe (13). The position is determined based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the ultrasound imaging probe (13) and an ultrasound transducer (15) attached to the interventional device (11). An image reconstruction unit (IRU) provides a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). A position determination unit (PDU) computes a position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) of the ultrasound transducer (15) respective the image plane (12). The position determination unit (PDU) indicates the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) in the reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI). The position determination unit (PDU) suppresses the indication of the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) under specified conditions relating to the computed position (LAPTOFSmax, ?IPA) and the ultrasound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mischa Megens, Hendrik Roelof Stapert, Mustafa Hakan Gokgurler, Stefan Van De Pas, Jeroen Kortsmit, Franciscus Hendrikus Van Heesch, Harm Jan Willem Belt, Ameet Kumar Jain, Kunal Vaidya, Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon
  • Patent number: 11864870
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to medical imaging systems that instantly and/or automatically detect borders. Embodiments of the invention provide an imaging system that automatically detects a border at a location within a vessel in response only to navigational input moving the image to that location. In some embodiments, systems and methods of the invention operate such that when a doctor moves an imaging catheter to a new location with in tissue, the system essentially instantly finds, and optionally displays, the border(s), calculates an occlusion, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: A J Cheline, Fergus Merritt, Asher Cohen, Elizabeth Begin, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Jason Sproul, Badr Elmaanaoui
  • Patent number: 11864935
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods estimate poses of a fluoroscopic imaging device, which may be used to reconstruct 3D volumetric data of a target area, based on a sequence of fluoroscopic images of a medical device or points, e.g., radiopaque markers, on the medical device captured by performing a fluoroscopic sweep. The systems and methods may identify and track the points along a length of the medical device appearing in the captured fluoroscopic images. The 3D coordinates of the points may be obtained, for example, from electromagnetic sensors or by performing a structure from motion method on the captured fluoroscopic images. In other aspects, a 3D shape of the catheter is determined, then the angle at which the 3D catheter projects onto the 2D catheter in each captured fluoroscopic image is found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Oren P. Weingarten, Guy Alexandroni, Evgeni Kopel
  • Patent number: 11857361
    Abstract: An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a body lumen of a patient. An ultrasound imaging assembly is disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound imaging assembly includes a plurality of acoustic elements and an acoustically-transparent window disposed over the plurality of acoustic elements. The acoustically-transparent window comprising a plurality of layers formed on top of one another. The plurality of layers includes an innermost layer directly contacting the plurality of acoustic elements, an outermost layer opposite the innermost layer, and an adhesive layer. The outermost layer includes a tubing. A hardness of the innermost layer is less than hardnesses of every other layer of the plurality of layers. A hardness of the outermost layer is greater than the hardnesses of every other layer of the plurality of layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus Johannes Gerardus Hakkens, Lucas Johannes Anna Maria Beckers, Johannes Wilhelmus Weekamp, Peter Dirksen, Petrus Henricus Maria Timmermans, Sergei Y. Shulepov, Hans-Peter Loebl
  • Patent number: 11857353
    Abstract: An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Spectrum Dynamics Medical Limited
    Inventors: Nathaniel Roth, Yoel Zilberstien, Shlomo Ben-Haim, Benny Rousso
  • Patent number: 11857368
    Abstract: A processing device is coupled to a single ultrasound device having a single array of capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUTs). The processing device generates a graphical user interface (GUI) having user selectable GUI menu options corresponding to respective ultrasound operating modes for the single ultrasound device having the single ultrasound transducer array. The user-selectable GUI menu options include GUI menu options labeled as representing an ultrasound operating mode for musculoskeletal imaging, breast imaging, carotid imaging, vascular imaging, and abdominal imaging, respectively. The processing device further receives, via the GUI, user input indicating selection of one of the ultrasound operating modes, and in response to receiving the user input, provides an indication to the single ultrasound device having the single array of CMUTs to operate in the selected ultrasound operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BFLY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Susan A. Alie, Nevada J. Sanchez, Tyler S. Ralston, Christopher Thomas McNulty, Jaime Scott Zahorian, Paul Francis Cristman, Matthew de Jonge, Keith G. Fife
  • Patent number: 11858181
    Abstract: An ultrasound-detectable polymeric device that offers superior visibility of the body of the device and decreased ultrasound angle dependence through the use of microcavities and methods of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. These microcavities enable superior ultrasound visualization due to diffuse reflection of sound waves when compared to solid polymeric objects, ensuring that a strong signal is received at the source of the ultrasound transducer and providing strong image contrast throughout the entire cross-section of the implant that is also robust to variable angles of insonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonavex, Inc.
    Inventors: Devin O'Brien-Coon, David Narrow
  • Patent number: 11857289
    Abstract: A system and method for generating at least one optimized functional images of a lesion region of a subject is provided. The system includes a diffuse optical tomography (DOT) device, and a computing device. The DOT device is configured to acquire lesion functional data of an imaging volume including the lesion region of the breast and reference functional data from a corresponding imaging volume including healthy tissue within a contralateral breast. The computing device is programmed to generate at least one functional image of the breast by reconstructing the functional data at the plurality of regions including the lesion region and the surrounding adjacent background region. The functional images may be reconstructed by an optimization method regularized a preliminary estimate generated by applying a truncated pseudoinverse matrix of a weight matrix to the functional data. The optimized functional images relate to levels of hemoglobin at the voxels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Quing Zhu, Mark Anastasio, Shihab Uddin
  • Patent number: 11850090
    Abstract: Systems and methods for guided lung coverage and automated detection using ultrasound devices are disclosed. The method for guided coverage and automated detection of pathologies of a subject includes positioning an ultrasound probe on a region of the subject body to be imaged. The method includes capturing a video of the subject and processing the video to generate a torso image of the subject and identify location of the ultrasound probe on the subject body. The method includes registering the video to an anatomical atlas to generate a mask of the region of the subject body comprising a plurality of sub-regions of the subject body to be imaged and superimposing the mask over the torso image. The method further includes displaying an indicator corresponding to a location of the each of the plurality of the sub-regions on the torso image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Vikram Melapudi, Chandan Kumar Mallappa Aladahalli, Krishna Seetharam Shriram
  • Patent number: 11850022
    Abstract: A method includes determining skin characteristics in a region of a patient. An in-treatment optical scan is performed on a region of a patient, wherein the in-treatment optical scan comprises a near infrared (NIR) energy source. A plurality of detected signals is detected from the optical scan. The skin characteristics are filtered out from the plurality of detected signals. Skeletal anatomy positioning associated with the region is determined from the plurality of signals that is filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Adler, Jr., Agam Sharda