Patents Examined by Michael Kahelin
  • Patent number: 10092344
    Abstract: A method for a minimally invasive surgical system is disclosed including capturing camera images of a surgical site; generating a graphical user interface (GUI) including a first colored border portion in a first side and a second colored border in a second side opposite the first side; and overlaying the GUI onto the captured camera images of the surgical site for display on a display device of a surgeon console. The GUI provides information to a user regarding the first electrosurgical tool and the second tool in the surgical site that is concurrently displayed by the captured camera images. The first colored border portion in the GUI indicates that the first electrosurgical tool is controlled by a first master grip of the surgeon console and the second colored border portion indicates the tool type of the second tool controlled by a second master grip of the surgeon console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Thomas R. Nixon, Michael Hanuschik, Randal P. Goldberg, Salvatore J. Brogna
  • Patent number: 10070903
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgical system that includes an apparatus for imaging a region of interest of a portion of an anatomy of a subject; a memory containing executable instructions; and a processor programmed using the instructions to receive two or more two-dimensional images of the region of interest taken at different angles from the apparatus and process the two or more two-dimensional images to produce three dimensional information associated with the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventor: Arno Blau
  • Patent number: 10058707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic system for a system for neural applications, comprising at least one first connector element and at least one second connector element, the first connector element being configured such that the electronic system is directly and/or indirectly connectable or connected to a controller which is at least configured to supply and/or provide and/or measure at least one voltage and/or at least one current and/or at least one voltage waveform and/or at least one current waveform especially via one or more stimulation outputs and/or recording inputs, the second connector element being configured such that the electronic system is directly and/or indirectly connectable or connected to a lead for neural stimulation and/or recording, wherein the electronic system comprises at least one leakage current detection means configured such that a leakage current, especially a leakage current within and/or around the system for neural applications is detectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Bakken Research Center B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Jacob Arnold Tol, Egbertus Johannes Maria Bakker
  • Patent number: 10058342
    Abstract: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment, the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an axial passage extending through the rigid shaft. In an embodiment, the axial passage is configured for removably receiving the ultrasound imaging insert having an ultrasound array disposed a distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Gynesonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Deckman, Craig Gerbi, Michael Munrow, Jessica Grossman
  • Patent number: 10052042
    Abstract: A system for providing a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) signal for a human body using contactless ECG sensors for outputting to exiting medical equipment or for storage or viewing on a remote device. The system comprises a digital processing module (DPM) adapted to connect to an array of contactless ECG sensors provided in a fabric or the like. A selection mechanism is embedded into the DPM which allows the DPM to identify body parts using the ECG signals of the different ECG sensors and select for each body part the best sensor lead. The DPM may then produce the standard ECG signal using the selected ECG signals for the different body parts detected. The system is adapted to continuously re-examine the selection to ensure that the best leads are selected for a given body part following a movement of the body part, thereby, allowing for continuous and un-interrupted ECG monitoring of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: RR SEQUENCES INC.
    Inventors: Deepak Bobby Jain, Joshua Weeks, David Nadezhdin, Jean-Francois Asselin
  • Patent number: 10048330
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for performing tissue, preferably bone tissue manipulation. The system and method may include implanting markers on opposite sides of a bone, fractured bone or tissue to facilitate bone or tissue manipulation, preferably in-situ closed fracture reduction. The markers are preferably configured to be detected by one or more devices, such as, for example, a detection device so that the detection device can determine the relative relationship of the markers. The markers may also be capable of transmitting and receiving signals. An image may be captured of the bone or tissue and the attached markers. From the captured image, the orientation of each marker relative to the bone fragment may be determined. Next, the captured image may be manipulated in a virtual or simulated environment until a desired restored orientation has been achieved. The orientation of the markers in the desired restored orientation may then be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Frigg, Stuart Weikel, Stefan Schwer, Geoffrey Flexner, Ross Jonathan Hamel
  • Patent number: 10022569
    Abstract: A driving device includes an output voltage decomposing unit which decomposes an output voltage applied to an ultrasonic transducer into a basic and harmonic components; an output current decomposing unit which decomposes an output current flowing through the ultrasonic transducer into a basic and harmonic components; a capacitor current calculator which calculates a basic and harmonic components of a capacitor current, based on the basic and harmonic components of the output voltage; a driving current calculator which calculates a basic and harmonic components of a driving current based on the basic and harmonic components of the output current and the capacitor current, a driving current summing unit which sums up the basic and harmonic components of the driving current, and a constant current controller which generates constant current control data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Matsui, Ko Kawashima
  • Patent number: 10022085
    Abstract: A catheter system for controlled sympathectomy procedures is disclosed. A catheter system for controlled micro ablation procedures is disclosed. Methods for performing a controlled surgical procedure are disclosed. A system for performing controlled surgical procedures in a minimally invasive manner is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: AUTONOMIX MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Landy Toth, Robert Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10004904
    Abstract: A device comprises an implantable pulse generator having a plurality of stimulator outputs and a plurality of neural electrodes. A lead splitter is configured to electronically map the stimulator outputs to the plurality of neural electrodes. The present invention generally relates to implanted neurostimulation systems and, more particularly, to a lead splitter for neurostimulation systems and methods to increase the number of effective output channels of a single or multi-channel neurostimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: IMTHERA MEDICAL, INC
    Inventor: Paul M. Meadows
  • Patent number: 9999488
    Abstract: Devices and methods for treating respiratory problems of a subject, such as those related to sleep apnea, are presented herein. An implementation of a device may be configured to provide a measured vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and/or mandibular advancement in a subject. Methods for treating a subject through the use of the device may include systematically increasing and/or decreasing the measured VDO provided by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TODD D MORGAN DMD, INC.
    Inventor: Todd D. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9999399
    Abstract: A method and system for autoregressive model based pigtail catheter motion prediction in a fluoroscopic image sequence is disclosed. Parameters of an autoregressive model are estimated based on observed pigtail catheter tip positions in a plurality of previous frames of a fluoroscopic image sequence. A pigtail catheter tip position in a current frame of the fluoroscopic image sequence is predicted using the fitted autoregressive model. The predicted pigtail catheter tip position can be used to constrain pigtail catheter tip detection in the current frame. The predicted pigtail catheter tip position may also be used to predict abnormal motion in the fluoroscopic image sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Yu Pang, Yefeng Zheng, Matthias John, Jan Boese, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Patent number: 9987096
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for radially compressing bodily tissue and performing medical procedures from a selected one of a plurality of circumferential positions and angles, a selected one of a plurality of different elevations and elevational angles. Some embodiments include a tissue-compression fixture having members that are configured to be moved to radially compress bodily tissue such that each of a plurality of areas of biological tissue are exposed between the plurality of members, and wherein the fixture is compatible with use in an MRI machine in operation; an actuator having a receiver for a medical-procedure probe; and a computer system operatively coupled to the actuator to move the probe. The computer receives user commands, and based on the commands, moves the actuator to a selected one of a plurality of different positions around the tissue-compression fixture and then extends the probe into the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MRI Robotics LLC
    Inventors: Blake Timothy Larson, Arthur Guy Erdman
  • Patent number: 9981139
    Abstract: Among other things, in general, an acousto-mechanical transducer for the interconversion of electricity and acoustic waves is described. Methods are also described for the construction of such transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Dalhousie University
    Inventors: Robert B. A. Adamson, Jeffrey R. Leadbetter, Jeremy A. Brown, Manohar Bance
  • Patent number: 9980698
    Abstract: Re-calibration of pre-recorded images during interventions uses an interventional system including an imaging device providing images of an object, a needle device, and a processing device. The needle device includes a sensor for providing data corresponding to tissue properties. The processing device is configured to perform an overlay registration of pre-recorded images and live images provided by the imaging device, utilizing the data from the sensor. Thus, the accuracy of an overlay of images is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Levinus Pieter Bakker, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks, Adrian Emmanuel Desjardins
  • Patent number: 9974966
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for assembling a subassembly for use in manufacturing an implantable device header. A method includes placing a first split web into a top platen, placing a second split web into a bottom platen, placing a conductor assembly and an antenna assembly in the bottom platen on top of the second split web, compressing the top and bottom platens together, heating the top and bottom platens until a predetermined temperature and a predetermined pressure are reached, such that first split web is fused to the second split web to form the subassembly, separating the top and bottom platens, and removing the formed subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Dino Bortolin, Ofer Rosenzweig
  • Patent number: 9955947
    Abstract: A device and method for shielding an ultrasound probe are provided. The ultrasound probe includes a handle having an interior chamber with an open front end and a transducer assembly provided in the chamber. The transducer assembly converts acoustic energy received through the open front end to electrical signals. The ultrasound probe further includes a shielding portion provided between the transducer assembly and an exterior of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Atsushi Morimoto, Scott Kerwin
  • Patent number: 9956416
    Abstract: Methods and/or devices may be configured to track effectiveness of pacing therapy by monitoring activation times over time, e.g., between pacing stimulus and electrical activity resulting from the pacing stimulus. Generally, the methods and/or devices may determine whether the delivered pacing therapy was effective based on the measured activation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Robert W Stadler
  • Patent number: 9939520
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device includes: an ultrasound probe which transmits ultrasound toward a tested subject by a plurality of transducers and obtains a received signal; a beam forming section for adding the received signal for each of the transducers with matching a phase of the received signal; an image processing section which generates an image data; a coherent factor calculation section which calculates a coherent factor which represents a ratio of a coherent sum to an incoherent sum; a coherent factor correction section which corrects the coherent factor so as not to be smaller than a predetermined value; and a signal correction section which correct the received signal after having been subject to the adding, by multiplying the received signal after having been subject to the adding by the coherent factor corrected by the coherent factor correction section as a coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Katou, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9901267
    Abstract: A cardiopulmonary function evaluating apparatus includes: an electrocardiogram measuring unit which is configured to measure an electrocardiogram of a subject; a photoplethysmogram detecting unit which is configured to detect a photoplethysmogram of the subject; a heart rate calculating unit which is configured to calculate a heart rate (HR) of the subject based on the electrocardiogram; a PWTT calculating unit which is configured to calculate a pulse wave transmission time (PWTT) of the subject based on the electrocardiogram and the photoplethysmogram; an SV calculating unit which is configured to calculate a stroke volume (SV) of the subject based on the heart rate and the pulse wave transmission time; and an outputting unit which is configured to output a state related to the stroke volume of the subject based on the stroke volume that is calculated by the SV calculating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihito Konno, Makoto Hajiri
  • Patent number: 9883808
    Abstract: Provided are a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus and a method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by the photo-acoustic imaging apparatus. The method of displaying a photo-acoustic image by a photo-acoustic imaging apparatus includes: obtaining a first reception signal, which converts a first acoustic wave generated as light having a first wavelength is absorbed by a subject, and a second reception signal, which converts a second acoustic wave generated as light having a second wavelength is absorbed by the subject; determining a first correction coefficient for the first reception signal and a second correction coefficient for the second reception signal based on a ratio between a size of the first reception signal and that of the second reception signal; and displaying a photo-acoustic image which is corrected based on the first and second correction coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dal-Kwon Koh, Jung-Taek Oh, Jung-Ho Kim, Jong-Kyu Jung