Patents Examined by Joanne Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10244987
    Abstract: A physiological detection system including a light source module, a photo sensor and a processor is provided. The light source module is configured to provide light to illuminate a skin region. The photo sensor is configured to detect emergent light passing the skin region with at least one signal source parameter and output an image signal. The processor is configured to calculate a confident level according to the image signal to accordingly adjust the at least one signal source parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Sheau-Foong Chong, Chun-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 10231688
    Abstract: The distance between the radiation source and an object (SOD value) is acquired, distance dependent information which is obtained from a radiation image and changes with the distance between a radiation source and a radiation detector (SID value) is acquired, a temporary thickness of the object is determined by a first function representing the correspondence relationship of first information having at least one piece of the distance dependent information, the SID value, and the thickness of the object, and the temporary SID value is determined by adding the SOD value to the determined value. The thickness of the object is determined by a second function representing the correspondence relationship of second information having at least one piece of the distance dependent information, the SID value, and the thickness of the object, and the SID value is determined by adding the SOD value to the determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Naito, Takahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 10194889
    Abstract: Methods for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region include generating a tissue displacement in the target region; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses in the target region at a plurality of positions; analyzing the echo signals at one or more multi-resolution pairs of the positions and/or acquisition times; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on the echo signals at the one or more multi-resolution pairs of positions and/or acquisition times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Peter J. Hollender, Nicholas B. Bottenus
  • Patent number: 10178967
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter includes optical tomographic systems for acquiring and displaying dynamic data representing changes in a target tissue sample to external provocation. For example, the disclosed devices, methods and systems may be used for quantifying dynamic vascular changes caused by imposed blood pressure changes for diagnosing peripheral artery disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Andreas H. Hielscher, Michael Khalil, Rajeev Dayal, Inkyong Kim Parrack, Hyun K. Kim
  • Patent number: 10165961
    Abstract: A system for magnetic resonance imaging of anatomy including a head is provided. The system includes a base member, a plurality of support members, and a plurality of articulable reception units. The plurality of support members are movably fixed to the base member and configured to translate across a surface of the base member. Each support member is releasably securable to the base member in a plurality of positions along the surface of the base member. The articulable reception units are movable from an open position to a plurality of closed positions. Each reception unit comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) receive coil disposed within a body, with the body configured for abutment with a portion of a head. Each of the plurality of articulable reception units is releasably secured in the plurality of closed positions by at least one of the plurality of support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vijayanand Alagappan, Fraser Robb, Miguel Angel Navarro, II, Craig William Culver, Victor Taracila, John Edward Ferut, Sarah Grace Leversee, Sanjay G. Mathias
  • Patent number: 10159464
    Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging apparatus or techniques can include obtaining at least an approximation of samples of reflected ultrasonic energy and constructing a representation of an imaging plane within the tissue region. Such apparatus or techniques can include separately determining, for respective focusing locations respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy obtained via respective first lines of transducers, and separately determining, for the specified focusing location, a second sum of at least some the respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy, the second sum corresponding to a second line of transducers in the ultrasonic transducer array. The separately determining the first or second sums of at least approximated complex samples can include phase-rotating at least some of the complex samples. The second line of transducers can be orthogonal to respective first lines in the transducer plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventor: Kevin Owen
  • Patent number: 10149629
    Abstract: A measuring system for probe, especially one for measuring dielectric properties and used in devices for measuring properties of dielectric constant changes in human or animal tissues, characterized in that it comprises a microwave resonance circuit (3) made on dielectric substrate and shaped in the form of a three-stage resonator composed of three segments of striplines with different impedances of each of the segments and arranged with respect to each other is such a way that successive segments are perpendicular to each other, and further comprises rows of grommets (2) with metallized surfaces connecting front surfaces on both sides of the substrate and constituting the earth of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: PIT-RADWAR SPOLKA AKCYJNA
    Inventors: Zenon Szczepaniak, Mariusz Ɓuszczyk
  • Patent number: 10143437
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units, and at least one processor. The gantry defines a bore configured to accept an object to be imaged. The plural detector units are mounted to the gantry. Each detector unit defines a corresponding view oriented toward a center of the bore, and is configured to acquire imaging information over a sweep range. The at least one processor is configured to dynamically determine at least one boundary of an acquisition range corresponding to an uptake value of the object to be imaged for at least one of the detector units. The acquisition range is smaller than sweep range. The at least one processor is also configured to control the at least one detector unit to acquire imaging information over the acquisition range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yaron Hefetz, Jean-Paul Bouhnik
  • Patent number: 10123778
    Abstract: A diagnosis aiding apparatus and method to provide diagnosis information is provided. The diagnosis aiding apparatus includes an information display unit configured to display a reference cross-section of an image, display diagnosis information belonging to the reference cross-section, and display diagnosis information corresponding to a different cross-section within the reference cross-section displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-Ho Park, Yeong-Kyeong Seong, Jong-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 10124190
    Abstract: A radiation therapy planning and follow-up system (10) includes an MR scanner (12) with a first bore (16) which defines an MR imaging region (18) and a functional scanner (26), e.g., a nuclear imaging scanner, or a CT scanner with a second bore (30) which defines a nuclear or CT imaging region (36). The first and second bores (16,30) have a diameter of at least 70 cm, and preferably 80-85 cm. A radiation therapy type couch (90) moves linearly through the MR imaging region (18) along an MR longitudinal axis and the nuclear or CT imaging region (36) along a nuclear or CT longitudinal axis which is aligned with the MR longitudinal axis. The couch positions a subject sequentially in the MR and nuclear or CT imaging regions (18, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Navdeep Ojha, Michael Andrew Morich
  • Patent number: 10098565
    Abstract: A system for ultrasound interrogation of a lung includes a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a US transducer, and a processor. The memory stores a three dimensional (3D) model, a pathway plan for navigating a luminal network. An EM board generates an EM field. The EWC is configured to navigate the luminal network of a patient toward a target following the pathway plan and the EM sensor extends distally from the EWC and senses the EM field. The US transducer extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and generates US waves and receives US waves reflected from the luminal network and the processor processes the sensed EM field to synchronize a location of the EM sensor in the 3D model, to process the reflected US waves to generate images, or to integrate the generated images with the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10098566
    Abstract: A system for ultrasound interrogation of a lung including a memory, an electromagnetic (EM) board, an extended working channel (EWC), an EM sensor, a US transducer, and a processor. The memory stores a three dimensional (3D) model and pathway plan for navigating a luminal network. The EM board generates an EM field. The EWC is configured to navigate the luminal network toward a target following the pathway plan. The EM sensor extends distally from a distal end of the EWC and is configured to sense the EM field. The US transducer extends distally from a distal end of the EWC, generates US waves, and receives US waves reflected from the luminal network. The processor processes the sensed EM field to synchronize a location of the EM sensor in the 3D model, to process the reflected US waves to generate images, or to integrate the generated images with the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Joseph D. Brannan, William J. Dickhans, Casey M. Ladtkow, Darion R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10092197
    Abstract: Reflective surfaces for the apertures of PPG optical components in PPG systems is disclosed. In a PPG system or device, the addition of reflective surfaces around, under, or near the apertures of the optical components can enhance the amount of light received by the light detector. As a result, the measured PPG signal strength can be higher and more accurate compared to the same PPG device without reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces can reflect and/or recycle light that is incident upon the reflective surfaces back into the skin for eventual capture of the light by the light detectors. In some examples, the reflective surfaces can be diffuse or specular reflectors and/or can be configured to selectively reflect one or more wavelengths of light. In some examples, the back crystal and/or component mounting plane of the PPG system can be made of the same material as the reflective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10085642
    Abstract: The application features methods, devices, and systems for measuring blood flow in a subject. The computer-implemented methods include receiving functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data that provides information on at least one of volume or oxygenation of blood at one or more locations in a body over a first predetermined length of time. The methods also include receiving near-infrared spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging or measurement data representing at least one of blood concentration or oxygenation at a first portion of the body over a second predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: McLean Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Blaise Frederick, Yunjie Tong
  • Patent number: 10080548
    Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging method includes sequentially emitting by each transducer group of respective regions, into which transducers are divided, focused ultrasonic pulses to a focal point of an object; sequentially acquiring, by each transducer group, ultrasonic echo signals from the focal point based on the emitted ultrasonic pulses; calculating a normal vector of a surface of the object using emission directions of the focused ultrasonic pulses and intensities of the ultrasonic echo signals in correspondence to the focused ultrasonic pulses emitted by three of the transducer groups; calculating an attenuation rate of the ultrasonic echo signals using the normal vector and the emission directions of the focused ultrasonic pulses emitted by the three of the transducer groups, and correcting the ultrasonic echo signals based on the attenuation rate; beamforming the ultrasonic echo signals, an attenuation of which has been corrected, into ultrasonic image signals to be output as an ultrasonic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Ihn Kho, Sun Kwon Kim, Sung Chan Park, Hee Sae Lee
  • Patent number: 10076262
    Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to generating and analyzing light. Spatial light response around a human fingertip in response to electrical stimulation is associated with the status of various body organs. A system that provides a particularized response indication based on spatial light response includes a camera, an electrical signal generator, a light source, a circuit, and a computer. The signal generator stimulates emission of light from the finger when the finger is at a position relative to the camera. The light source illuminates the finger at the position. The circuit activates the light source and the camera to obtain a first image of the finger at the position, activates the signal generator and the camera to obtain a second image of the emission of light from the finger at the position, determines a direction from the first image, determines a centroid from the second image, and determines a description of the second image in accordance with the direction and the centroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: EPIC Research & Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nancy R Rizzo
  • Patent number: 10064757
    Abstract: Transcorneal and fiberoptic laser delivery systems and methods for the treatment of eye diseases wherein energy is delivered by wavelengths transparent to the cornea to effect target tissues in the eye for the control of intraocular pressure in diseases such as glaucoma by delivery systems both external to and within ocular tissues. External delivery may be effected under gonioscopic control. Internal delivery may be controlled endoscopically or fiberoptically, both systems utilizing femtosecond laser energy to excise ocular tissue. The femtosecond light energy is delivered to the target tissues to be treated to effect precisely controlled photodisruption to enable portals for the outflow of aqueous fluid in the case of glaucoma in a manner which minimizes target tissue healing responses, inflammation and scarring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Michael S. Berlin
  • Patent number: 10065020
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus is provided for inserting catheters and/or cannulae into a patient's blood vessel or body cavity either with or without the use of ultrasound imaging. The apparatus is used for the delivery of central venous catheters (CVCs) for creating a central line. The invention also relates to uses of the apparatus, and to methods for inserting catheters or cannulae (e.g. a CVC) into a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
    Inventor: Atul Gaur
  • Patent number: 10052068
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The apparatus comprises a handle portion located near the proximal end of the apparatus, a supporting arm attached to the proximal end of the apparatus, the supporting arm having a tracking marker, a flexible tip portion located at the distal end of the apparatus, and a plurality of sensors located on the outer surface of the apparatus. The plurality of sensors each provides a signal representing information that is useable for determining deformation of the flexible tip portion. The apparatus may be either a sheath for covering a medical tool or the apparatus may be a medical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Synaptive Medical (Barbados), Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Piron, Josh Richmond, Gal Sela
  • Patent number: 10045722
    Abstract: An optical device is used to monitor an implant embedded in the tissue of a mammal (e.g., under the skin). The implant receives excitation light from the optical device and emits light that is detected by the optical device, including an analyte-dependent optical signal. Scatter and absorption properties of tissue change over time due to changes in hydration, blood perfusion and oxygenation. The optical device has an arrangement of light sources, filters and detectors to transmit excitation light within excitation wavelength ranges and to measure emitted light within detection wavelengths. Changes in scattering and absorption of light in the tissue, such as diffuse reflectance, are monitored. The light sources, filters and detectors may also be used to monitor autofluorescence in the tissue to correct autofluorescence background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Profusa, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kintz, William McMillan, Natalie Wisniewski