Patents Examined by Elmer Chao
  • Patent number: 10034639
    Abstract: An optical vital signs sensor is provided which comprises at least one light source with a primary and a secondary light unit and a photo detector, a motion sensor configured to detect a motion of a user, a periodicity metric unit to analyze an output signal of the at least one motion sensor to detect a periodicity in its output signal and a control unit configured to control an operation of the at least one primary and secondary light unit and to activate the at least one secondary light unit in addition to the at least one primary light unit when the periodicity metric unit does not detect a periodicity in the output signal of the motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelus Hendricus Bertus Arnoldus van Dinther, David Antoine Christian Marie Roovers
  • Patent number: 10016046
    Abstract: A computer-controlled system determines attributes of a frexel, an area of human skin, and applies a modifying agent (RMA) at the pixel level, typically to make the skin appear more youthful and so more attractive. The system scans the frexel, identifies unattractive attributes, and applies the RMA, typically with an inkjet printer. The identified attributes relate to reflectance and may refer to features such as irregular-looking light and dark spots, age-spots, scars, and bruises. Identified attributes may also relate to the surface topology of the skin, for more precisely enhancing surface irregularities such as bumps and wrinkles. Feature mapping may be used, for example to make cheeks appear pinker and cheekbones more prominent. The RMA can be applied in agreement with identified patterns, such as adding red to a red frexel, or in opposition, such as adding green or blue to a red frexel, according to idealized models of attractiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TCMS Transparent Beauty, LLC
    Inventors: Albert D. Edgar, David C. Iglehart, Rick B. Yeager
  • Patent number: 10010254
    Abstract: A fabric with an integrated sensor array and optionally with an integrated display; the fabric may be mounted to the surface of an object to be measured or monitored. The fabric may comprise multiple laminar layers, such as sensor layers, processing layers, display layers, and cladding layers for protection and sealing. Data analysis performed by processing layers may include beamforming operations, frequency filters, or any desired transformations. An illustrative display uses a layer of liquid crystal cells sandwiched between polarizing filter layers. An illustrative sensor array is an array of piezoelectric acoustic sensors formed by adjacent layers of calcium carbonate cells and potassium bitartrate cells. An application of acoustic sensor arrays may include for example a patch attached to a person's skin that senses and displays the location and size of blood vessels under the skin using the sound generated by blood flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: WAVE ARRAY SCIENCE, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Gregory Passmore
  • Patent number: 10010278
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for determining tissue oxygenation. An electronic device obtains a data set including a plurality of images of a tissue of interest, each resolved at a different spectral band. Spectral analysis is performed, upon image registration, at a plurality of points in a two-dimensional area of the images of the tissue. The spectral analysis including determining approximate values of oxyhemoglobin levels and deoxyhemoglobin levels at each respective point in the plurality of points. The predetermined set of eight to twelve spectral bands includes spectral bands that provide improved methods for measuring tissue oxygenation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Hypermed Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Darty, Dmitry Yudovsky
  • Patent number: 10004412
    Abstract: A magnetocardiography arrangement for producing stress magnetocardiograms that comprises a magnetocardiograph (1) and a stress unit (2) consisting of non-magnetic components. The magnetocardiograph (1) and the stress unit (2) are arranged in a shielded chamber (4) for shielding against external magnetic fields, and the stress unit (2) is or includes a bicycle ergometer braked by means of pressurized gas or a pressurized gas mixture from a source (6) for the pressurized gas or the pressurized gas mixture arranged outside the shielded chamber (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Biomagnetik Park GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Jung, Hongjoe Jang, Jens Schmidt, Dieter Krause
  • Patent number: 9993292
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SHOCKWAVE MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: John Adams, Thomas G. Goff, Doug Hakala
  • Patent number: 9955924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for magnetic nanoparticle temperature imaging. Particularly, the present methods involve applying different combinations of magnetic fields to magnetic nanoparticles placed in a one-dimensional space, collecting AC magnetization signals of the magnetic nanoparticles, and analyzing the collected signals to obtain in vivo temperature information of the one-dimensional space. Different exciting magnetic fields are applied to the magnetic nanoparticles, so that one-dimensional temperature imaging is transformed into single-point temperature measurement of each minizone, and one-dimensional temperature imaging can be precisely and quickly achieved without knowing the concentration distribution of the magnetic nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Wenzhong Liu, Shiqiang Pi, Wenping Mao, Jing Zhong, Le He
  • Patent number: 9949664
    Abstract: A method, including inserting a probe into a cavity in a subject's body and receiving, from a force sensor in the probe, first readings indicative of a first change in measured contact forces between the probe and the cavity by less than a predetermined limit over at least a predetermined interval of time. The method continues by receiving second readings from the force sensor when the second readings have changed by more than a predetermined force threshold or location coordinates of the probe have changed by at least a predetermined location change threshold. The method continues by receiving third readings indicative of a second change in the measured contact forces between the probe and the cavity by less than the predetermined limit over at least the predetermined interval of time. The method concludes by calibrating a zero-force point for the force sensor according to the third readings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Doron Moshe Ludwin, Aharon Turgeman, Natan Sharon Katz, Erez Silberschein
  • Patent number: 9931083
    Abstract: A linked switching partial area and a non-linked switching partial area are set in at least one display area in which a tomogram is to be displayed. When an input operation giving an instruction to switch the tomogram is performed in the non-linked switching partial area, only the image displayed in the display area is switched. When the input operation is performed in the linked switching partial area, the image displayed in the display area is switched and an image displayed in each of the other display area or areas is also switched in a linked manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Itai
  • Patent number: 9919165
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclose systems and methods for tracking regions (e.g., tumor locations) within living organisms. Some embodiments provide real-time, highly accurate, low latency measurements of tumor location even as the tumor moves with internal body motions. Such measurements may be suitable for closed-loop radiation delivery applications where radiation therapy may be continuously guided to the tumor site even as the tumor moves. Particularly, the system may dynamically identify planned to actual fiducial correspondences by iterating through the possible assignment permutations. A successful permutation may be recorded and used to orient the patient during follow up treatment sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Vertatschitsch, Raymond Kraft, Joseph Schumm, Andrea Morgan
  • Patent number: 9901312
    Abstract: A medical instrument is provided for use with a phase contrast imaging. The medical instrument includes at least one component, which has a strong small angle scattering of x-rays. Furthermore, a corresponding x-ray recording system with phase contrast imaging for recording an examination object may include such a medical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Bernhardt, Martin Hoheisel, Thomas Mertelmeier, Ralf Nanke, Marcus Radicke
  • Patent number: 9895122
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus according to an embodiment includes a first scanning control unit, a first determination unit, a second scanning control unit, a second determination unit, and a third scanning control unit. The first scanning control unit obtains at least one first slice image of the leg in an approximate coronal plane direction. The first determination unit determines a direction of a gap between a thighbone and a shinbone in the at least one first slice image. The second scanning control unit obtains at least one second slice image of the leg in a direction vertical to the direction of the gap in the at least one first slice image. The second determination unit determines an axial plane direction according to the at least one second slice image. The third scanning control unit obtains at least one slice image of the leg in the axial plane direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bowen Zhang, Jianchun Zhao
  • Patent number: 9888889
    Abstract: An interventional medical diagnosis and/or therapy system is provided. The system provides an interventional imaging system and method which allows for an intervention, to be conducted in accordance with an intervention plan, to be supported and monitored by ongoing imaging, in particular radioscopy, with which, at the same time the effort in calibration and registration is kept low, and which functions without an additional location system. The interventional imaging system includes an imaging device to record intervention data of a body, at least two position markings, capable of being recorded with the imaging device, for the marking of an intervention instrument, a display apparatus to reproduce recorded intervention data and position markings, a navigation facility connected to the display apparatus to load pre-intervention data of the body, in which an intervention location of the body is contained, and for the mutual registration of the pre-intervention data with the intervention data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Hartkens, Thomas Redel
  • Patent number: 9875340
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide efficacious pain management therapies based on delivery of physical medicine(s) via computer-implemented systems. Patient information comprising patient pain symptoms, patient physiological measurements, patient demographics, and other information is received at a pain therapy device. The patient information is compared with pain analytics data compiled on a plurality of individuals to determine a personalized pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy is applied via a combination of thermoceuticals, electroceuticals, ultrasound, and several other forms of physical medicine. Sensors coupled to the pain therapy device measure changes in physiological data resulting from the pain management therapy. The personalized pain management therapy can be adjusted based on the changes in the physiological data and/or patient feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ITRACE BIOMEDICAL INC.
    Inventor: Krishnamohan Sharma
  • Patent number: 9872655
    Abstract: A method of guiding a catheter during an embolization operation includes receiving volume data of a patient volume, the patient volume including a lesion and a feeding vessel for the lesion, detecting the feeding vessel in the volume data, define a vessel connection path for the feeding vessel, the vessel connection path connecting first and second points in the volume data, the second point being disposed along the feeding vessel, receiving fluoroscopic projection data of the patient volume, and rendering the fluoroscopic projection data with an overlay during the embolization operation, the overlay including the vessel connection path for the feeding vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jessica Amberg, Hayo Knoop, Stefan Lautenschläger, Kerstin Sonntag
  • Patent number: 9861295
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can facilitate delivery of a medical device in proximity to a target region within a patient's body. Data representing an image of a portion of the patient's body can be received. Based on the data representing the image, a first three dimensional (3D) model of the medical device can be generated. A second 3D model of the medical device can be fitted within the first 3D model at a location in proximity to the target region to create a combined 3D model. A two dimensional (2D) projection of the combined 3D model can be created. In some instances, the 2D projection can be used to facilitate delivery of a medical device in proximity to the target region within a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: AUTONOMIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Powell, Brinda Ramachandran, Benjamin David Pless, Anthony Caparso, Kathryn Rosenbluth
  • Patent number: 9855103
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, modules and methods of using the same for in-situ real time imaging guidance of a robot during a surgical procedure. The systems comprise a plurality of modules that intraoperatively link an imaging modality, particularly a magnetic resonance imaging modality, a medical robot and an operator thereof via a plurality of interfaces. The modules are configured to operate in at least one computer having a memory, a processor and a network connection to enable instructions to generally control the imaging modality, track the robot, track a tissue of interest in an area of procedure, process data acquire from imaging modality and the robot and visualize the area and robot. Also provided are non-transitory computer-readable data storage medium storing computer-executable instructions comprising the modules and a computer program produce tangibly embodied in the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Nikolaos v. Tsekos, Nikhil V. Navkar
  • Patent number: 9808203
    Abstract: A method includes introducing the examination object into an examination region of a combination device; recording emission computed tomography data over a measurement period and storing detection events and detection instants associated therewith; measuring magnetic resonance data of at least two subregions of the examination region at at least two instants during the recording period of the emission computed tomography data and storing the magnetic resonance data and the recording instants; determining motion information describing a motion of a region of the examination object at a first instant relative to the position at a second instant from the magnetic resonance data recorded at the first instant and the second instant, for each subregion; determining a motion model describing motion of the examination object, for the entire object, from information for the subregions; and calculating motion-corrected emission tomography data from detection events, detection instants and the motion model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Westfaelische Wilhems-Universitaet Muenster
    Inventors: Carmel Hayes, Ralf Ladebeck, Klaus Schäfers
  • Patent number: 9795318
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a setting unit which sets a section position, a first image creating unit which creates a first image at the set section position by a multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from a subject by a first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the set section position, a determining unit which determines a section position of the first image, and a second image creating unit which creates a second image at the determined section position by the multi planar reformat on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal collected from the subject by a second imaging sequence different from the first imaging sequence at a 3D region or multiple section positions different from the determined section position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshio Fukuta
  • Patent number: 9763597
    Abstract: A local breast coil is designed to be tightly coupled to the natural shape of the pendant breast to provide high SNR for diagnostic MR imaging applications, while still providing access for interventional procedures through openings in the coil. In accordance with one configuration, the coil has a symmetrical design, such that the coil can be rotated about the breast to position an opening in the coil proximate to a desired portion of the breast without incurring registration or other alignment or artifact errors due to inhomogeneous B1 excitation. Furthermore, the coil is designed to facilitate medial and lateral imaging of the breast. The coil is combined with a patient support system that facilitates rotation of the coil and interchangeability of the coil to match the configuration of the coil to the position of the breast being imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Sean Bedilion Fain, Krishna N. Kuprad, Xu Zhai