Patents Examined by Jason Ip
  • Patent number: 8681116
    Abstract: A bedside controller includes an integrally formed housing and self-contained mounting structure disposed on the housing. The mounting structure includes a mounting channel defined in the housing and a retaining clamp disposed above the mounting channel and configured to releasably secure a mounting platform within the mounting channel such that the bedside controller is mounted to the mounting platform. The bedside controller also includes a touch-sensitive display disposed within a surface of the housing and configured to display images and receive user input on the surface, a processor disposed within the housing, a communication module disposed within the housing, communicatively coupled to the processor, and configured to transmit and receive medical data, and a battery disposed within the integrally formed housing and electrically coupled to the touch-sensitive display, the processor, and the communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Fergus Merritt, Asher Cohen, Duane De Jong, Gerald Lea Litzza, Aaron Cheline
  • Patent number: 8652047
    Abstract: The method of accurately measuring the volume of urine in a bladder includes generating a plurality of ultrasound scan planes using the received ultrasound signals; detecting distances between the front and back walls of the bladder for each scan line in the ultrasound scan planes; determining an area of the bladder using the detected distances of the scan lines for each ultrasound scan plane; generating a virtual radius of the bladder using the determined area of the bladder for each ultrasound scan plane; determining a calibration coefficient for each ultrasound scan plane using the detected distances of the scan lines; calibrating the virtual radius of the bladder for each ultrasound scan plane using the calibration coefficient; determining the volume of urine in the bladder by calculating the volume of a sphere of which the radius is the average of the calibrated virtual radii for the ultrasound scan planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mcube Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hoe Kim, Seung-Tai Kim
  • Patent number: 8577439
    Abstract: A system for positioning electrodes on a patient body includes an image capturing system, a memory device, a processing system and an indicator system. The image capturing system generates an actual image of the patient body. The memory device stores a reference image, the reference image including a reference body and a reference position on the reference body. The processing system compares the actual image and the reference image and for determining an electrode position on the patient body by matching the reference position on the reference body. The indicator system indicates the electrode position on the patient body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Pinter, Jens Muehlsteff, Guido Josef Muesch
  • Patent number: 8548577
    Abstract: A device detects electrical and mechanical cardio-vascular activities of patient, especially early decompensation detection of congestive heart failure patients (CHF). The device includes a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic signals of a predefined frequency into the chest of the patient, a Doppler radar sensor (1) for detecting a Doppler radar signal reflected in the patient's chest, and an ECG unit (3) for capturing an ECG signal of the patient's heart. This device allows for simultaneous detection of electrical and mechanical cardio-vascular activities of a patient which can be used in an easy and reliable way and which allows for implementation in a hand-held or wearable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jens Muhlsteff, Jeroen Adrianus Johannes Thijs, Robert Pinter
  • Patent number: 8545406
    Abstract: A method of apodizing for ultrasound beamforming includes providing filtered digital channel data representing echo data from target tissue in a plurality (k) of data channels and a predefined number of active channels (Nact). A software-based integrated apodization algorithm dynamically apodizes the digital channel data using a selected apodizing function h[n,k], n being the sample number. The integrated apodization algorithm applies dynamic aperture control to create an effective aperture by generating a parameter numApertureChannels (Nap[n]), where Nap[n]?Nact, and selecting Nap[n] particular data channels based on a dynamic beam focusing location for beamforming. Applied dynamic data scaling provides data normalization using a vector inner product between h[n,k] and a scale factor to generate normalized apodization factors hnorm [n,k]. The normalized apodization factors are applied to the digital channel data in the Nap[n] particular data channels to generate apodized and normalized digital channel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: David Patrick Magee
  • Patent number: 8535229
    Abstract: An ultrasonographic technique capable of forming a transmission beam enabling multi-beam transmission/reception of identical transmission sensitivity. An ultrasonographic device for imaging inside of an examinee includes a transmitter for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse signal from an ultrasonic element array to the examinee, and a receiver for receiving the ultrasonic pulse reflected from the examinee. The transmitter transmits an ultrasonic pulse signal having a plurality of peaks of substantially equal transmission intensity in the azimuth direction and a trace in the depth direction of each peak as a substantially straight line, from a transmission opening of the ultrasonic element array to the examinee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Shin-ichiro Umemura, Takashi Azuma, Yuichi Miwa
  • Patent number: 8463356
    Abstract: An ultrasonic therapy system capable of reducing the electromagnetic interference to the imaging device includes an imaging device, an ultrasonic therapy device and an electric controlling unit. The ultrasonic therapy device includes an ultrasonic therapy applicator and the movement positioning units thereof. Driving motors for controlling the movement of the ultrasonic therapy applicator are provided in the movement positioning units, wherein the driving motors are disposed outside the area where the electromagnetic wave of the driving motors can interfere with the imaging device, and the driving motors are connected to the ultrasonic therapy applicator through gearing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Chongqing Ronghai Medical Ultrasound Industry Ltd.
    Inventors: Guanghong Jiang, Huachang Qin, Yingshu Fu, Youxiang Peng
  • Patent number: 8401614
    Abstract: A method for reducing errors in the measurement of temperature by magnetic resonance, for use in magnetic resonance imaging-guided HIFU equipment, includes acquiring an MR phase image, as a reference image, before heating an area to be heated with the HIFU equipment; acquiring another MR phase image, as a heated image, during or after the heating by the HIFU equipment; and calculating the temperature change in the heated area according to said heated image and said reference image; and making compensation to said temperature change according to the change in the magnetic field caused by the position change of an ultrasonic transducer in said HIFU equipment. The method can reduce significantly the temperature errors resulting from the position changes of the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Xiao Dong Zhou, Cheng Ni
  • Patent number: 8391953
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject includes a power transmitter, which is adapted to generate, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit. A passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field is placed in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Michael Levin
  • Patent number: 8386016
    Abstract: In a method and device for determination of a position shift, first image data of a body region of a treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired. A focal area in the body region is determined, and the focus of a hyperthermia applicator can be aligned on the focal area. Second image data of the body region of the treatment-positioned patient that contain derivable temperature information are acquired, and a position shift of the focal area is determined by a comparison of the second image data with the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Steinmeyer, Michael Zwanger
  • Patent number: 8386021
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving current in a power circuit of a medical device inserted into a body of a subject includes a power transmitter, which is adapted to generate, in a vicinity of the body, an electromagnetic field having a predetermined frequency capable of inductively driving the current in the power circuit. A passive energy transfer amplifier, having a resonant response at the frequency of the electromagnetic field is placed in proximity to the medical device so as to enhance the current driven in the power circuit by the electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Michael Levin
  • Patent number: 8333702
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe comprises a transducer part, a heat-receiving part, a refrigeration unit and a cable unit. The cable unit includes a signal line, a refrigerant supply tube, a refrigerant ejection tube and a heat insulator. The heat-receiving part absorbs heat generated from the transducer part. The refrigerant supply tube supplies a refrigerant from the refrigeration unit to the heat-receiving part. The refrigerant ejection tube sends the refrigerant for ejecting heat of the heat-receiving part to the refrigeration unit. The heat insulator is arranged around the refrigerant supply tube. A set of the refrigerant supply tube, the refrigerant ejection tube and the heat insulator is arranged at a center of the cable unit substantially while the signal line is arranged around at least one of the refrigerant supply tube, the refrigerant ejection tube and the heat insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8301223
    Abstract: A method for measuring human intelligence using a neurobiogical model is provided. The method enables neurometric IQ to be measured by processing MRI and fMRI images of a subject to determine cortical thicknesses and brain activation level, determining structural IQ (sIQ) and functional IQ (fIQ) from the determined cortical thicknesses and brain activation level, and using the structural IQ (sIQ) and the functional IQ (fIQ) as predictors to measure the neurometric IQ of the subject. With this, individual differences in general cognitive ability can be easily assessed. It suggests that general cognitive ability can be explained by two different neural bases or traits: facilitation of neural circuits and accumulation of crystallized knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Kun Ho Lee, Yu Yong Choi, Kyung Jin Kim, Jong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8295920
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a change fluid level within body tissue comprising a housing with bridge segments connecting at intersections arranged to circumscribe an opening. Further, antenna elements are partially seated within the housing at intersections of bridge segments, comprise a generally planar antenna mounted to a substrate material at a base of the planar antenna, and an electrical shield surrounding the substrate. Also, an outer surface of the planar antenna faces away from the substrate. The antenna elements comprise at least first and second antenna element pairs having transmitting and receiving antenna elements and a bridging segment. A high sensitivity zone is formed between the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna. The antenna element pairs are spaced to create an area of reduced sensitivity between the high sensitivity zones, and the space is set so that the sensor is insensitive to fluid changes of a predetermined volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Bouton, Felicia R. Ruggeri, R. Reade Harpham, Jeffrey R. Held
  • Patent number: 8292817
    Abstract: An ultrasonograph contains a probe provided with a transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer at the center thereof, and the probe has a transmitting ultrasonic transducer and a receiving ultrasonic transducer which are symmetrically movable with respect to the transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer. Contacting the probe with the skin of a diagnosis area, a direction of the probe is adjusted to be perpendicular to the diagnosis object using echo signals of the transducer. Then the echo signals of the transmitting ultrasonic transducer and the transmitting/receiving ultrasonic transducer, and a distance between the ultrasonic transducers are processed to obtain a signal intensity. Results are displayed on a display to indicate the thickness, hardness of an articular cartilage, and a surface condition thereof visually so that it is possible to diagnose the articular cartilage without inserting a probe into the cavitas articulare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaguchi University
    Inventor: Koji Mori
  • Patent number: 8269964
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring photons utilizing a low-power light source modulated with a code sequence to interrogate a sample of interest. Preferably a portion of the scattered light from the sample is detected by a photo-detector. A correlation of the photo-detector signal and the code sequence produces an estimate of the distribution of flight times for photons traveling from the source to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: John F. Heanue, Joseph A. Heanue, Brian P. Wilfley, Augustus P. Lowell
  • Patent number: 8226562
    Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided for enclosing a hand-held ultrasound device to prevent any material on the ultrasound device from contaminating a sterile environment in which the ultrasound device is used. The enclosure has an opening for insertion of the ultrasound device into the enclosure, a closure for closing the opening, an acoustically-transparent transducer portion for covering an active face of a transducer of the ultrasound device, and a transparent display portion overlaying a display of the ultrasound device. In some embodiments a detachable or integrally formed needle guide is provided with the enclosure, for holding and guiding a needle so that the needle is projected into a field of view of the transducer of the ultrasound device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ultrasonix Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Kris Dickie, Kwun-Keat Chan
  • Patent number: 8165659
    Abstract: A modeling method for use in surgical navigation is provided. The method acquires a finite number of pre-defined points from a patient's bone and registers the points with a surgical navigation system. The navigation system generates and displays a three-dimensional image of a warped bone model that is manipulatable and accurate in at least the locations of the points taken and can be used to calculate the locations of bone cuts, implant positions and sizes, as well as display all of this information on the three-dimensional warped model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Garrett Sheffer, Byoungmoon You
  • Patent number: 8137276
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic and therapy system is described for stopping the bleeding of severely damaged bloodvessels or vessels severed in a limb amputation. A cuff (30) is attached to the stump of the severed limb which contains a diagnostic transducer array and a HIFU transducer (42, 44). The diagnostic transducer surveys the tissue of the severed limb, searching for a Doppler flow signal. When a Doppler flow signal is detected, the range to and coordinates of the sample volume where the flow was detected are determined, as well as the flow velocity. This information is supplied to a HIFU therapy transducer controller, which controls the HIFU transducer to transmit focused ultrasound to the sample volume of the flow locus, the center of the lumen of a blood vessel. The focused ultrasound heats and coagulates blood in the severed vessel to stem the bleeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: John Petruzzello, Helen Routh, John Fraser, Shervin Ayati
  • Patent number: 8131032
    Abstract: An apparatus for defining the lumen-intima interface and media-adventitia interface of a blood vessel, for example the carotid artery, comprises a means for acquisition of a two-dimensional representation, generated by an ultrasonographic machine, of a longitudinal or transverse cross section of the vessel. In the two-dimensional representation a region of interest (ROI) is defined comprising the interface lumen-intima and the interface media-adventitia of the vessel. In the ROI N search paths are then defined from the inside to the outside of the vessel. Along each search path i the values f(n, m) are taken of the two-dimensional representation, which are then subject to filtering obtaining filtered values. This allows retrieving discontinuity points of the two-dimensional representation and then localizing the lumen-intima and media-adventitia interfaces through further logical operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: CNR—Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Esaōte S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marcello Demi, Vincenzo Gemignani, Francesco Faita