Patents Examined by Joseph M Santos
  • Patent number: 12138097
    Abstract: Gamma cameras may be used to obtain two-dimensional images of an emitting object, of which the most common form is the “Anger-type” gamma camera. The primary components in a conventional Anger-type gamma camera include, but are not limited to: a plurality of photo-multiplier tubes, a scintillator material, and a collimator. The disclosed invention claims a novel use of a gamma camera which eliminates the collimator. The new method is a method of forming an initial image from the incident radiation, which does not depend on any mechanical or other means of restricting the incident radiation to be passed on to a position-sensitive radiation detector. This method then uses mathematical deconvolution to produce an image of the object without the need for a collimator and without reliance on a pre-existing image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: CFL Research and Development L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kelly Farrar
  • Patent number: 12138012
    Abstract: A system for performing a minimally invasive procedure includes a flexible catheter, an elongate instrument, an optical coherence tomographic sensor, and a control system. The flexible catheter has a lumen extending therethrough. The elongate instrument is sized for passage through the lumen. The optical coherence tomographic sensor is coupled to the elongate instrument. The control system includes one or more processors and is configured to receive sensor data from the optical coherence tomographic sensor, profile a tissue based on the received sensor data, and determine a distance between the elongate instrument and the profiled tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Federico Barbagli, Christopher R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 12133770
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system computes real time physiological parameters from measurements of anatomical features in ultrasound image data using a neural network to identify the location of the anatomical features. In one embodiment, cardiac parameters are computed from endocardial wall tracings in M-mode ultrasound image data that are identified by the neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. White
  • Patent number: 12133768
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a medical imaging apparatus, a training device, an ultrasonic image display method, and a storage medium storing a program that can quickly set a region of interest on an ultrasonic image are provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic image generation unit configured to generate an ultrasonic image of a subject, an inference unit configured to set, by using a trained model trained with a region of interest set on the ultrasonic image as teaching data, a region of interest on a new generated ultrasonic image, and a display unit configured to display the region of interest set by the inference unit along with the new generated ultrasonic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoya Sasaki, Yoshinori Hirano
  • Patent number: 12127881
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to one or more rotatable elements and one or more stationary element such that the elements are arranged along a common axis of rotation co-linear with or substantially parallel to an optical path. The optical path is a portion of a sample arm of an interferometer. Further, the rotatable and stationary elements are configured to couple electrical signals and optical signals between a data collection probe and an interface unit or other component of an imaging system. In one embodiment, the data collection probe is a combination ultrasound and OCT probe. In one aspect, the invention relates to a rotary joint in which the optical fiber and a fiber optic rotary joint lie in the center of one or more conductive elements of an electrical rotary joint which are annularly disposed around one or both of the optical fiber and optical rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: LightLab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hutchins, Michael Atlas, Alexander Ship
  • Patent number: 12123928
    Abstract: A vibration generating system (100) for elastography equipment and a control method thereof, elastography equipment, a method for controlling the vibration generating system (100) for elastography equipment, a method for operating the elastography equipment, and a corresponding computer-readable medium. The vibration generating system (100) for elastography equipment comprises: a control unit (1), a pressure source (2), a pressure regulating unit (3), and a vibration transmitting unit (4). The pressure regulating unit (3) is in fluidic communication with the pressure source (2) and the vibration transmitting unit (4), respectively. The vibration transmitting unit (4) is used to transmit vibration according to a pressure acting thereon. The control unit (1) is coupled with the pressure regulating unit (3). The control unit (1) is configured to obtain a control parameter by using a look-up table module (12) according to inputted elastography conditions, so as to control the pressure regulating unit (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: THEA-Devices GmbH
    Inventors: Jing Guo, Ingolf Sack, Juergen Braun, Tassilo Heinze
  • Patent number: 12121306
    Abstract: A vascular occlusion treatment system includes an ultrasound imaging system having an imaging control circuit communicatively coupled to an ultrasound imaging probe and to a display screen, and an ultrasonic vibration system having an ultrasonic generator operatively coupled to a medical ultrasonic object, such as an ultrasonic catheter. The ultrasonic catheter has a corewire with a distal tip. The ultrasonic generator has a generator control circuit that alternatingly switches between an ultrasonic work frequency and a tracking frequency. The generator control circuit sends a notification to the imaging control circuit when the generator control circuit has switched from the ultrasonic work frequency to the tracking frequency. The imaging control circuit responds by initiating a search in an ultrasound imaging space to locate the distal tip that is vibrating at the tracking frequency, and indicating a location of the distal tip in the ultrasound image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng Zheng
  • Patent number: 12115030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tracking reference, comprising: a reference array (1) featuring a positionally fixed arrangement of at least two tracking markers (3); and an interface (4A) for detachably coupling the reference array (1) to a base member (2), wherein the interface (4A) comprises at least one supporting surface (5) for contacting the base member (2), wherein the interface (4A) comprises magnetic means (6) which generate a force at the reference array, wherein the force (F) is directed away from the supporting surface (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Oliver Fleig, Anna Wiedenmann, Melanie Stulpe, Tobias Neun
  • Patent number: 12115021
    Abstract: An ultrasound system (1) includes an ultrasound probe (2), a mobile information terminal (3), and an external apparatus (4). The ultrasound probe (2) includes a transmission and reception circuit (22) that transmits an ultrasonic wave from a transducer array (21) and generates a sound ray signal, and a reception data generation unit that generates reception data before imaging based on the sound ray signal. The mobile information terminal (3) includes a camera unit (33) that acquires a view image. The external apparatus (4) includes a display controller (44) that displays an ultrasound image generated based on the reception data and the view image on an external monitor (45), and an input device (47). In a case where a probe freeze instruction is input from the input device (47), the transmission of the ultrasonic wave from the transducer array (21) is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Hattori, Keiji Tsubota, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 12102474
    Abstract: A method of fetal ultrasound monitoring includes detecting contact of a first ultrasound transducer to a mother's abdomen based on input from a contact sensor in the first ultrasound transducer. A first transducer identifier is received from the first ultrasound transducer, and then the first transducer identifier is correlated with a first transducer label. A first heart rate is measured based on output of an ultrasound device in the first ultrasound transducer, and a heart rate indicator is displayed accordingly. A position of the first ultrasound transducer is identified in a two-dimensional plane, and the first transducer label is displayed on an abdomen image based on the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Kiran Kumar Bogineni, Ravi Jaiswal, Shruti Gadgil, Jay Mehta
  • Patent number: 12102484
    Abstract: An ultrasound image processing device and a method for quantitative analysis of cardiac motion are provided. The device comprises: a display; and a processor configured to: obtain an ultrasound presentation, wherein the ultrasound presentation comprises one of an ultrasound image and an ultrasound video; perform a motion tracking on at least one region of interest according to the ultrasound presentation to obtain a tracking result of the at least one region of interest; determine a tracking quality of the tracking result of the at least one region of interest; and control the display to display the tracking quality of the at least one region of interest, wherein the tracking quality is a confidence of the tracking result of the corresponding region of interest and indicates a credibility of the tracking result of the corresponding region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignees: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Mindray Scientific Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Wang, Lei Zhu, Xiaofeng Sui, Dejie Liu, Longfei Cong
  • Patent number: 12089959
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for high resolution intravital imaging and for chronic optical imaging of tissues such as lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
    Inventors: David Entenberg, John S. Condeelis, Sonia E. Voiculescu
  • Patent number: 12089986
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Swan, Keith Williams, Andrew Lundberg
  • Patent number: 12089984
    Abstract: A system for monitoring health during a water birth includes a health sensor configured to be coupled to a mother. The health sensor includes a first sensor configured to measure one or more health parameters of a mother, a fetus within the mother or both, a second sensor configured to generate a submerged signal representing whether the health sensor is at least partially submerged in water, and a transmitter configured to transmit communication signals representing data collected by the first sensor. One or more parameters of the communication signals change depending on whether the submerged signal represents that the health sensor is at least partially submerged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Kiran B, Steven M. Falk, Rajendra Naik, Arunesh Karthik KS, Vijith Venugopalan
  • Patent number: 12089997
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fusing tissue characterization information into ultrasound images. In one example, a method includes obtaining first image data of an anatomical region of interest (ROI) of a patient, the first image data including tissue characterization information and acquired with a first imaging modality; obtaining second image data of the anatomical ROI of the patient, the second image data acquired with a second imaging modality; registering the first image data and the second image data; adjusting the second image data based on the tissue characterization information and the registration, wherein the adjusting includes filtering, adjusting colorization, adjusting brightness, and/or adjusting material appearance properties of one or more aspects of the second image data; generating a fused image from the adjusted second image data; and outputting the fused image for display and/or storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Heimdal, Federico Veronesi, Lars Hofsoy Breivik
  • Patent number: 12082919
    Abstract: Probes and related systems and methods are provided for localizing markers implanted within a patient's body. The probe includes an antenna assembly adjacent a distal end thereof including a ceramic base including a planar distal surface and four proximal surfaces extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the probe to define a generally pyramidal shape. The base includes antenna elements on the proximal surfaces and radial slots between adjacent proximal surfaces to substantially isolate the antenna elements from one another. A controller is coupled to the antenna elements for transmitting signals into a patient's body and receiving reflected signals reflected from a marker implanted within the patient's body to identify and/or localize the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cianna Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Greene, Jonathan Edward White, Kohl Ian Thorlakson
  • Patent number: 12082938
    Abstract: A system for measuring a membrane potential is disclosed. The system comprises a photoacoustic probe including a laser and an ultrasound transducer. The laser is configured to emit a light signal at one or more wavelengths to a neuronal cell. The neuronal cell may comprise a voltage-sensitive protein configured to absorb the light signal in a voltage-dependent manner. The ultrasound transducer is configured to receive a photoacoustic signal from the voltage-sensitive protein in response to absorbing the light signal. The system further comprises a processor configured to receive the photoacoustic signal from the ultrasound transducer and calculate a membrane potential of the neuron based on the photoacoustic signal. Methods of measuring a membrane potential and biomaterials related to the voltage-sensitive protein are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Barbara Smith, Christopher Miranda
  • Patent number: 12076118
    Abstract: One or more devices, systems, methods and storage mediums for optical imaging medical devices, such as, but not limited to, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), single mode OCT, and/or multi-modal OCT apparatuses and systems, and methods and storage mediums for use with same, for detecting external elastic lamina (EEL) and/or lumen edge(s) are provided herein. One or more embodiments provide at least one method, device, apparatus, system, or storage medium to comprehend information, including, but not limited to, molecular structure of a vessel, and to provide an ability to manipulate the vessel information. In addition to controlling one or more imaging modalities, the EEL detection techniques may operate for one or more applications, including, but not limited to, manual or automatic EEL detection, stent positioning, stent selection, co-registration, and imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Mie Kunio, Lampros Athanasiou
  • Patent number: 12076191
    Abstract: Provided is a method for displaying an ultrasonic image, the method comprising: acquiring data by transmitting ultrasound pulses to a subject and receiving echo signals reflected from the subject; detecting microcalcified tissues in the subject by analyzing the acquired data; and displaying an image representing the detected microcalcified tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Kangsik Kim, Yangmo Yoo, Jinbum Kang, Jungho Kim, Dooyoung Go, Jihye Baek
  • Patent number: 12070360
    Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus includes a probe to acquire ultrasound data from an object; a communicator; a display; and a processor to generate a first ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data; display the first ultrasound image on the display; control the communicator to transmit the first ultrasound image to an external device so that the first ultrasound image is displayed on the external device; generate a second ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data and a control command received from the external device, the control command being based on a touch input with respect to the first ultrasound image displayed on the external device; display the second ultrasound image on the display; and control the communicator to transmit the second ultrasound image to the external device so that the second ultrasound image is displayed on the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jongwoo Jung, Eun-ho Yang