Patents Examined by Michael Yiming Fang
  • Patent number: 11963822
    Abstract: An intraluminal imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member including a proximal portion and a distal portion; an imaging assembly positioned at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member; and a bridge member at electrical ground and in contact with at least a portion of the imaging assembly to maintain the at least portion of the imaging assembly at electrical ground, wherein the bridge member is disposed in cylindrical configuration. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Kenneth Wrolstad
  • Patent number: 11950804
    Abstract: A puncture device guide includes a body member configured to fixedly attach to an ultrasound probe, a slide member slidingly received within the body member; and a cradle member slidingly received within the slide member and longitudinally fixed relative to the body member. The cradle member is configured to receive a puncture device therein. Longitudinal movement of the slide member causes radial movement of the cradle member relative to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVACELL AG
    Inventor: Craig Joseph Cermak
  • Patent number: 11937975
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses and methods that include a catheter configured to be inserted into an intra-body cavity of a patient. An ultrasonic transducer array including a plurality of multi-frequency ultrasonic transducers may be arranged on the catheter. Each of the plurality of multi-frequency ultrasonic transducers may be configured to transmit a wide beam ultrasonic signal and a narrow beam ultrasound signal, and may further be configured to receive a wide beam echo signal and narrow beam echo signal. A processor may be configured to detect free space of the intra-body cavity by processing the wide beam echo signals and the narrow beam echo signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Alon Baram, Zvi Menachem Friedman, Meir Bar-Tal
  • Patent number: 11911215
    Abstract: For intraluminal ultrasound probes, the transducer is divided into multiple segments. The segments are connected in a way that allows them to slide relative to each other. This sliding arrangement allows for the transducer to be used in two different apertures at different times while in the patient. One aperture is shaped for insertion of the probe through a limited space, and the other aperture forms an array with a larger elevation extent, allowing greater quality imaging along the elevation dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Vasant Salgaonkar, Lex J. Garbini, William R. Dreschel
  • Patent number: 11903609
    Abstract: An insertion site for a cannula (23) on a skin (8) of a patient is prepared by applying a skin cover unit (1) of the type comprising a window (2) and a wall (3) in extension of the window (2) and connected to the window (2) by a bending region (4) for bending the wall (3) into an angled orientation relatively to the window (2); wherein the win-dow (2) comprises a stabilizing frame (5) and an ultrasonic-transparent flexible sheet (6) within the frame (5). The flexible sheet (6) is glued onto the skin (8) of the patient for ultrasonic investigation of the insertion site through the flexible sheet (6). By bending the bending region (4), the angular orientation of the wall (3) is adjusted into an approximately perpendicular orientation relatively to the window (2) for separating the insertion site from the flexible sheet (6) by the wall (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: US ENOVACOR APS
    Inventors: Thomas Fichtner Bendtsen, Erik Sloth, Lars Knudsen, Neal Joseph Buchalter
  • Patent number: 11896428
    Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include a transducer configured to acquire pulse-echo data at each transmit frequency bandwidth of interest. In addition, a bandpass filter is configured to receive a signal of the pulse-echo data, wherein the signal is bandpass-filtered over a plurality of frequencies. Further, a processor is configured to calculate a spatial coherence of the bandpass-filtered signal. The spatial coherence of the signal is calculated in a spatial domain or a frequency domain. The spatial coherence is used to predict target conspicuity. The processor selects a preferred frequency based on and, preferably, to realize, the target conspicuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: James Long, Nicholas Bottenus, Willie J. Long, Gregg E. Trahey
  • Patent number: 11839350
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for providing continuous, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. A wearable monitoring device includes first and second transducer arrays separated by a fixed distance. Each of the transducer arrays includes a plurality of independent transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound energy. When a user wears the device, the transducers are positioned near the brachial artery. The device operates to measure the transit time of a cardiac pulse through the brachial artery and across the fixed distance between transducer arrays. The measured pulse transit time may then be used for determining pulse wave velocity and/or blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MONOVO, LLC
    Inventors: Jarom Shurtliff, Adam Kaleo Roberts, Jonathan Muñoz, Christopher Hogstrom, Steven Ray Taylor, Paul Randal Cloward
  • Patent number: 11793418
    Abstract: A system for EIT imaging comprises an electrode array for positioning on a patient and measuring an impedance distribution, a data entry unit and a calculation unit. The electrode array contains a visual aid coupled to the electrode array for visually indicating the position of at least one electrode, the data entry module accepts an entry of data describing the position of the visual aid, and the calculation unit calculates the position of the individual electrodes relative to the patient's body and provides correction for the image creation algorithm. A sensor device for EIT imaging may comprise the electrode array, which is connectable to an EIT imaging system comprising a data entry unit and a calculation unit. An EIT imaging method may employ the system or sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SENTEC AG
    Inventors: Peter Krammer, Andreas Waldmann, Josef Brunner
  • Patent number: 11793485
    Abstract: The instrument includes a dual-wall deformable tube, with an inner sleeve, a coaxial outer sleeve, and an imaging module connected to the inner and outer sleeves. An array of transducers is carried by an outer face of the imaging module. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are mobile in relative axial translation between: a folded position in which the inner and outer sleeves both have a cylindrical shape, and in which the imaging module substantially extends in the continuation of the inner sleeve; and an expanded position, in which the inner sleeve has a cylindrical shape and the outer sleeve has a flared shape widening on the distal side and in which the imaging module substantially extends with the face that carries the transducers of the array turned in axial direction towards the front of the deformable tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: CAIRDAC
    Inventors: Alaa Makdissi, Willy Regnier, Guillaume Ferin, An Nguyen-Dinh
  • Patent number: 11759183
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and a control method thereof that can efficiently and quickly determine whether a disinfectant remains in an ultrasound probe or whether the ultrasound is operating normally without changing the structure of an ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasound imaging apparatus of an embodiment includes: a display provided on the main body; a main body including at least one slot connected to the connector; and a controller configured to output a warning message to the display when the connector and the slot are connected and the current flowing from the ultrasound probe is out of a predetermined reference range, and the controller is composed of at least one processor included in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Sungjae Lee, Sangmok Lee, Yongcheol Hyeon
  • Patent number: 11684951
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device is provided. In some embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate having a membrane support layer formed on a bottom cavity layer, and an opening in the membrane support layer so as to form a transducer cavity. In some embodiments, the opening comprises a truncated circle shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BFLY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jianwei Liu, Lingyun Miao, Sarp Satir
  • Patent number: 11642099
    Abstract: An intraluminal ultrasound imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device includes an ultrasound scanner assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The ultrasound scanner assembly includes a flexible substrate comprising a longitudinal width extending from an inner edge to an outer edge; a control region embedded in the flexible substrate; a transducer region embedded in the flexible substrate; and a window region disposed between the outer edge of the flexible substrate and the transducer region, and wherein the window region, the transducer region, and the control region are radially arranged relative to one another. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Weekemp, Franciscus Johannes Gerardus Hakkens, Vincent Adrianus Henneken, Marcus Cornelis Louwerse, Ronald Dekker
  • Patent number: 11607149
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a guided surgical tool assembly with a guide tube including a sensor, a surgical instrument including a detectable feature moveable within the guide tube, and the sensor capable of detecting the detectable feature when the surgical instrument is inserted in the guide tube. Some embodiments include a sensor pad, a guide stop coupled to the surgical instrument, a plunger mechanism including a compressible spring mechanism coupled to the guide tube, and a wiper capable of being sensed by the sensor pad. Some embodiments include a guided surgical tool assembly system comprising a tool sensor system including a processor and at least one data input/output interface. Some embodiments include a medical robot system with a guided surgical tool assembly and including a robot coupled to an effectuator element configured for controlled movement and positioning along one or more of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Globus Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore, Mitchell A. Foster
  • Patent number: 11576653
    Abstract: An ultrasonic generator includes an ultrasonic wave source and a converging portion. The converging portion includes a first reflecting portion which reflects the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic wave source on its first reflecting surface, a second reflecting portion which reflects the ultrasonic wave reflected by the first reflecting surface on its second reflecting surface, and a waveguide serving as a transmission path for the ultrasonic wave. The waveguide is disposed such that the ultrasonic wave reflected by the second reflecting surface is introduced through an introduction portion thereof. The focal point of the second reflecting surface and the focal point of the first reflecting surface are disposed such that the ultrasonic wave reflected by the second reflecting surface becomes a plane wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Morita, Kang Chen, Takashi Iijima, Takasuke Irie
  • Patent number: 11547490
    Abstract: Medical imaging systems and methods are provided herein that provide for navigation and procedure planning without segmentation. A method comprises receiving, by a medical imaging system having at least one processing device, three-dimensional image data of a patient anatomy. The method also comprises filtering the three-dimensional data to display a portion of the three-dimensional image data that is associated with the patient anatomy and receiving, at the processing device, input from an operator input device. The input comprises navigational directions for virtual movement within a space defined by the three-dimensional image data. The method also includes tracking the virtual movement, defining a tracked pathway based on the tracked virtual movement, and generating a model of the patient anatomy based on the tracked pathway. The model of the patient anatomy is a line model including one or more lines based on the tracked pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Bai Wang, Tao Zhao
  • Patent number: 11510653
    Abstract: To uniformly extract a secondary flow based on quantitative calculation even in a complicated blood flow in a heart chamber or a blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Healthcare Corporation
    Inventors: Motochika Shimizu, Takashi Okada, Tomohide Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11419544
    Abstract: A system for monitoring anastomosis healing includes an imaging device for observing a first distance at a first location between first and second staple lines at a first instant in time, and a second distance at the first location at a second instant in time, and a programmable device configured to calculate a difference between the first and second distances and to compare the difference with known distances of anastomoses exhibiting known conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Sachin Budhabhatti, Nilay Mukherjee