Patents Examined by Joel F Brutus
  • Squid sensor module and magnetoencephalography measuring apparatus
    Patent number: 10585151
    Abstract: Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) sensor module and a magnetoencephalography (MEG) measuring apparatus. The SQUID sensor module includes a fixed block having one end fixed to the sensor-mounted helmet, a bobbin having one end combined with the other end of the fixed block and having a groove in which a pick-up coil is wound, a bobbin fixing or attachment structure or material fixed to the other end of the fixed block via a through-hole formed in the center of the bobbin, a SQUID printed circuit board (PCB) disposed one an upper side surface of the bobbin and including a SQUID sensor, and a signal line connection PCB inserted into an outer circumferential surface of the fixed block and adapted to transmit a signal detected in the SQUID sensor to an external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Kwon-Kyu Yu, Yong-Ho Lee, Kiwoong Kim, Jin-Mok Kim, Hyukchan Kwon, Sang-Kil Lee
  • Wireless ultrasound probe using wirelessly supplied power, ultrasound diagnosis apparatus wirelessly connected to wireless ultrasound probe, operating method of ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and operating method of wireless ultrasound probe
    Patent number: 10575824
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound probe and an operating method of the ultrasound probe which can select a power transmission channel and/or a wireless power transmission mode that are most appropriate in an environment in which power transmission channels exist. The operating method of the ultrasound probe includes operations of obtaining a plurality of pieces of information about power transmission channels; displaying a power transmission channel list, based on the plurality of pieces of information about the power transmission channels; selecting a power transmission channel from the power transmission channel list; and receiving wireless power that is transmitted via the selected power transmission channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gil-Ju Jin, Mi-Jeoung Ahn
  • Object information acquiring apparatus
    Patent number: 10575735
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention includes: an acoustic wave detecting element which detects an acoustic wave propagating from an object and which outputs an acoustic signal; a reference element which receives an input of electrical noise corresponding to electrical noise input to the acoustic wave detecting element and which outputs a reference signal; a noise reducer which reduces a component derived from the electrical noise by subtracting the reference signal from the acoustic signal; and a processor which generates image data representing characteristic information of the object using the acoustic signal in which the component derived from the electrical noise has been reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Suwa
  • Method and system for PDA-based ultrasound
    Patent number: 10575821
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Menachem Halmann, Shinichi Amemiya
  • Electromagnetic tracking system and methods of using same
    Patent number: 10575797
    Abstract: An electromagnetic tracking system including a patient support element and an electromagnetic field generator. The patient support element is superposed relative to the electromagnetic field generator, and the electromagnetic field generator is selectively moveable relative to the patient support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Siewerdsen, Jongheun Yoo
  • Multi-client ultrasound imaging system
    Patent number: 10571566
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging scanner includes an ultrasound input device (104), of a plurality of ultrasound input devices, that includes an array of transducer elements, which transmits an ultrasound signal and receives an echo signal produced in response thereto; and a multi-client ultrasound imaging data processing system (106) that includes processing resources which are shared by the plurality of ultrasound input devices, wherein the processing resources include a plurality of ultrasound signal processing units, each including a plurality of ultrasound signal processing blocks configured to processes echo signals, and wherein the multi-client ultrasound imaging data system temporarily allocates at least one ultrasound signal processing block to process the received echo signal of the ultrasound input device, generating an image indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: B-K Medical Aps
    Inventors: Michael Knud Eibye, Jesper Lomborg Manigoff
  • Systems and methods for configuring components in a minimally invasive instrument
    Patent number: 10568539
    Abstract: A catheter system includes an elongate flexible catheter and a support structure mounted on a proximal portion of the elongate flexible catheter. The support structure includes a first alignment feature configured to mate with a first sensor such that the first sensor is maintained parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support structure, and a second alignment feature configured to mate with a second sensor such that the second sensor is maintained parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support structure and such that the second sensor is fixed relative to the first sensor in at least one degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Anoop B. Kowshik, Caitlin Q. Donhowe, Vincent Duindam, Carolyn M. Fenech
  • Method and system for monitoring thoracic tissue fluid
    Patent number: 10561336
    Abstract: A method for monitoring thoracic tissue. The method comprises intercepting reflections of electromagnetic (EM) radiation reflected from thoracic tissue of a patient in radiation sessions during a period of at least 24 hours, detecting a change of a dielectric coefficient of the thoracic tissue by analyzing respective the reflections, and outputting a notification indicating the change. The reflections are changed as an outcome of thoracic movements which occur during the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Sensible Medical Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Rappaport, Nadav Mizrahi, Shlomi Bergida, Amir Saroka, Amir Ronen, Ilan Kochba
  • Acoustic highlighting of interventional instruments
    Patent number: 10548563
    Abstract: A system for highlighting an instrument in an image includes a probe (122) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy and a marker device (120) configured to respond to a received ultrasonic signal and emit an ultrasonic signal after a delay. A medical instrument (102) includes the marker device. A control module (124) is stored in memory and configured to interpret the ultrasonic energy received from the probe and from the marker device at the probe to determine a three dimensional location of the medical instrument to highlight a position of the marker device in an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Ameet Kumar Jain
  • Grin lens and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 10539731
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a grin lens having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the grin lens is made from a polymeric material, an optical fiber having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the grin lens, and a beam director coupled to the distal end of the grin lens, wherein the beam director is configured to direct light at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Poinare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Van Le, Nicholas John Richardi
  • System and method for non-invasive, intracranial brain motion monitoring
    Patent number: 10537275
    Abstract: A system and a method is provided for assessing motion of a biological tissue of a subject including one or more superficial biological layers and a targeted biological layer. An optical perturbation is introduced within the one or more superficial biological layers but not within the targeted biological layer. A set of optical signal data is acquired preceding, during, or following the optical perturbation and, using the set of optical signal data, a set of optical characteristics is determined that is representative of light transiting the biological layers. Using the set of optical characteristics and a model of the biological layers, a target optical signal consistent with a target biological layer is separated and a movement of the desired biological tissue is determined using the target optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Quan Zhang, Gary Strangman
  • Registration between coordinate systems for visualizing a tool
    Patent number: 10524695
    Abstract: While a catheter that includes (i) a catheter body, and (ii) a catheter shaft, which includes a sensor and which is disposed inside a lumen of the catheter body, is inside a body of a subject, a coordinate system of the sensor is registered with a coordinate system of an imaging system, using (a) a calibration image, acquired by the imaging system, that shows an indication of a distal end of the catheter body, and (b) a signal from the sensor, but not using any indication of the sensor shown in the calibration image. Using the registering, a visual output is generated. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Yaron Ephrath
  • Systems and methods for determining patient temperature
    Patent number: 10517486
    Abstract: A temperature probe includes a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. The shaft includes a distal end, a proximal end, and a tip at the distal end. The temperature probe also includes a capacitance sensor disposed on one of the handle and the shaft, the capacitance sensor configured to measure a change in capacitance when positioned proximate a conductor. The temperature probe further includes a temperature sensor disposed on the shaft, the temperature sensor configured to measure a body cavity temperature of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Mullin, Matthew J. Kinsley, Eric Andreassen, David E. Quinn, Henry J. Smith, III, John A. Lane, John Delaney, Scott A. Martin, Michael J. Anson
  • Sensor-bearing tip and medical device including the same
    Patent number: 10512754
    Abstract: A tip for a medical device includes a hollow body having a window, a sensor positioned within the hollow body and oriented such that its active surface is pointed towards the window, and a membrane positioned within a beam path of the sensor. The membrane passes energy without preventing an outer surface of the hollow body of the tip from coming in contact with tissue, thus allowing the hollow body to deliver therapy to an adjacent tissue and/or diagnose adjacent tissue. The membrane can cover the window or the sensor. The membrane is desirably permeable to an irrigant, such that a suitable level of irrigant outflow from the window is maintained, and thin enough that it minimizes attenuation of energy passing to and/or from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Zhenyi Ma, Stephen A. Morse
  • Ultrasonic sensor and electronic device
    Patent number: 10512453
    Abstract: The ultrasonic sensor includes, on the same substrate, transmitter elements, receiver elements, a potential controller for receiver electrodes of the receiver elements, and a connection switching unit for the receiver electrodes and the potential controller. During the ultrasound transmission period of the transmitter elements, the connection switching unit connects the potential controller and one of the receiver electrodes, and connects the receiver electrodes. During the reception period of the receiver elements, the connection switching unit disconnects the potential controller and the one of the receiver electrodes, and disconnects the receiver electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kano
  • Detection of 3D pose of a TEE probe in x-ray medical imaging
    Patent number: 10515449
    Abstract: Pose of a probe is detected in x-ray medical imaging. Since the TEE probe is inserted through the esophagus of a patient, the pose is limited to being within the esophagus. The path of the esophagus is determined from medical imaging prior to the intervention. During the intervention, the location in 2D is found from one x-ray image at a given time. The 3D probe location is provided by assigning the depth of the esophagus at that 2D location to be the depth of the probe. A single x-ray image may be used to determine the probe location in 3D, allowing for real-time pose determination without requiring space to rotate a C-arm during the intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Shun Miao, Rui Liao, Ryan Spilker
  • Apparatuses and methods for neurologic status evaluation using electromagnetic signals
    Patent number: 10506936
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurological status evaluation apparatus includes a signal generator configured to generate an electromagnetic signal at one or more frequencies, a transmitting antenna coupled to the signal generator and configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal, and a receiving antenna positioned proximate to the transmitting antenna such that an evaluation space is defined between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna. The biological tissue under evaluation does not contact the transmitting antenna or the receiving antenna. The receiving antenna receives a modulated electromagnetic signal after propagating through the biological tissue under evaluation. The neurological status evaluation apparatus further includes a spectrum analyzer coupled to the receiving antenna, wherein the spectrum analyzer receives and samples the modulated electromagnetic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: University Of Cincinnati
    Inventors: Joseph Floyd Clark, Matthew L. Flaherty, George Shaw, Opeolu Adeoye
  • Pressure sensing guidewire systems including an optical connector cable
    Patent number: 10499820
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a system for measuring blood pressure. The system may include a pressure sensing guidewire including a pressure sensor and a first optical fiber extending proximally from the pressure sensor. The system may also include an optical connector cable including a distal connector capable of being coupled to the guidewire. The optical connector cable may include a second optical fiber that is capable of optically communicating with the first optical fiber. A coupler may be disposed within the distal connector and disposed between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Roger W. McGowan, Christopher Smuk, Peter Thornton, Jr.
  • Lock devices and support arms thereof and ultrasound imaging systems using the same
    Patent number: 10502358
    Abstract: A lock device is disclosed, which includes: a holder which is provided with a through hole running through the holder and a slide intersecting with the through hole; a guide bar, which is provided with an outer threaded area on at least a portion of a surface and passes through the through hole, and the outer threaded area is located where the through hole intersects with the slide; a lock component received in the slide, and the end of the lock component facing toward the guide bar is provided with a lock threaded area which can engage with the outer threaded area of the guide bar; and a drive assembly which drives a lock assembly to move toward or away from the guide bar in the slide. The guide bar is locked when threads on the lock threaded area engage with outer threads on the outer threaded area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yanqun Zhao, Zhiwu Chen, Dongsheng Liang, Dahui Zhu
  • Surgical implant for marking soft tissue
    Patent number: 10500014
    Abstract: An implantable tissue marker device is provided to be placed in a soft tissue site through a surgical incision. The device can include a bioabsorbable body in the form of a spiral and defining a spheroid shape for the device, the spiral having a longitudinal axis, and turns of the spiral being spaced apart from each other in a direction along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of markers can be disposed on the body, the markers being visualizable by a radiographic imaging device. The turns of the spiral are sufficiently spared apart to form gaps that allow soft tissue to infiltrate between the turns and to allow flexibility in the device along the longitudinal axis in the manner of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: FOCAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: George D. Hermann, David B. Willis, Michael J. Drews, Gail S. Lebovic, James B. Stubbs