Patents Examined by Parikha Mehta
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Patent number: 8469887Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing pulsed-wave spectral Doppler imaging at every color flow range gate location in a two-dimensional (or three-dimensional) region of interest. Spectral processing is necessary to determine the flow parameters. Performing this processing at every color flow range gate location creates the two-dimensional image. The method generates two-dimensional images of flow parameters such as peak velocity, pulsatility index, resistance index, etc. With the two-dimensional image, the user immediately observes where the most critical value of the flow parameter occurs and what that value is.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Bruno H. Haider
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Patent number: 8473029Abstract: A catheter comprises an elongate body extending along a first longitudinal axis and having an outermost radial surface; a coil wound in a substantially cylindrical shape and extending along a second longitudinal axis that is coincident with the first longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the coil is proximate to the outermost radial surface of the elongate body.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John P. Gerhart, Harry Puryear, Jeremy D. Dando, Scott R. Petersen
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Patent number: 8473031Abstract: A medical robotic system has functionality to determine and display information of a distance indicated by movement of one or more tools being robotically manipulated by an operator. The distance is determined using sensed robotic manipulation of the one or more tools. Information of the distance is displayed on the monitor so as to be visually associated with the movement and/or positions of the tools, such as a virtual tape measure that extends along with or between images of the one or more tools on the monitor or as a virtual ruler with the distance being indicated by a pointer. Alternatively, information of the distance may simply be indicated on a digital read-out shown on the monitor that is displayed and continually updated with the movement of the one or more tools.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Nixon, Margaret M. Nixon, William C. Nowlin
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Patent number: 8465431Abstract: To generate information representing a volume, co-arrays or synthetic transmit aperture process is performed in one dimension and beamforming is performed in another dimension. For example, a transmit aperture focuses in azimuth, but is unfocused or divergent in elevation. A multi-dimensional array receives reflected echoes. The echoes are beamformed for sub-arrays for focus in azimuth. The resulting partial beamformed information is provided to an imaging system from the probe housing for completion of beamforming at least in elevation.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. W. Daft, D-L Donald Liu, Paul A. Wagner, Igal Ladabaum
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Patent number: 8452384Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods for the comprehensive monitoring of the microcirculation in order to assess the ultimate efficacy of the cardiovascular system in delivering adequate amounts of oxygen to the organ cells. In some cases, system embodiments may utilize reflectance avoidance by reflectance filtering, such as OPS imaging or Mainstream Dark Field imaging, or by Sidestream Dark Field imaging, which utilizes external direct light on the tip of the light guide to achieve reflectance avoidance whereby incident and reflected light do not travel down the same pathway.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: MicroVision Medical Holdings B.V.Inventor: Can Ince
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Patent number: 8444579Abstract: The invention discloses a system for delivering acoustic energy to a subject in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems. In an embodiment, the system comprises an optionally disposable waveguide-attached ablation applicator coupled with an optionally re-usable waveguide, and an optional acoustic power source. The systems may comprise acoustic energy exit port intensity control, waveguide heat-sinking, and transducer operational adjustments that accommodate waveguide effects on the traversing acoustic power.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventor: John W. Sliwa
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Patent number: 8425418Abstract: A system and method (i.e, utility) are disclosed for positioning a needle in three-dimensions based on patient related statistics for extracting tissue during biopsy procedures. Aspects of the utility can be applied independently or serve as an aid to the urologist when regions of interest are hard to discern in an ultrasound image. Regions of interest that correspond to high cancer risk regions (e.g., statistically) are automatically superimposed on an ultrasound image of a patient in real time. Additionally a statistical map based on one or more demographic parameters of a patient and containing cancer probability locations are also automatically mapped on the ultrasound image in real time displaying potential cancer locations. Aspects of the system are also capable of displaying optimal needle placement positions based on statistical priors and will be able to accurately navigate the needle to that position for biopsy extraction and/or treatment.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Eigen, LLCInventors: Jasjit S. Suri, Ramkrishnan Narayanan
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Patent number: 8414495Abstract: An ultrasound probe for guidance procedures is provided. The ultrasound probe includes a linear transducer array and a micro-motor configured to mechanically move the linear transducer array to provide ultrasound guidance of procedures.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Menachem (Nahi) Halmann, Mirsaid Seyed-Bolorforosh, Syed Ishrak, David Mills
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Patent number: 8414493Abstract: Gain is adjusted automatically in ultrasound imaging. The average of signals regardless of type of reflector (e.g., tissue or fluid) is determined, such as from all data in a frame of data representing a scanned region. The gain is set based on the difference between the average and the target. The gain offset is used with or without other gain limitations for analog, digital, or both analog and digital amplifiers. Given less computational expense, a same processor performing image processing functions may be used to also determine gain. A handheld ultrasound scanner with less computation bandwidth may implement the automatic gain adjustment. Given limited space for input devices, a depth gain may be provided without sliders or other depth based gain input.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: William M. Derby, Jr.
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Patent number: 8414508Abstract: A tissue ablation method for treating atrial fibrillation in a patient comprises locating an ostium of a pulmonary vein and positioning an interventional catheter adjacent the ostium. The interventional catheter has an energy source. Collateral tissue adjacent the ostium is located and tissue around the ostium is ablated with energy from the energy source so as to form a contiguous lesion circumscribing the ostium. The lesion blocks aberrant electrical pathways in the tissue so as to reduce or eliminate the atrial fibrillation. The ablating is modified so as to avoid ablating or otherwise damaging the collateral tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: VytronUS, Inc.Inventors: Hira V. Thapliyal, David A. Gallup, James W. Arenson
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Patent number: 8417317Abstract: A blood flow dynamic analysis apparatus acquires data from a plurality of regions lying in slices set to a subject with a contrast agent injected therein and analyzes blood flow dynamics of the subject, based on the data.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLCInventor: Hiroyuki Kabasawa
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Patent number: 8417315Abstract: A marker system includes a structure having a first surface and a second surface, a first marker located on the first surface, and a second marker located on the second surface, wherein the first marker and the second marker are arranged so that they face approximately a same direction, and so that they can be simultaneously viewed by an optical device, and wherein a first distance between the first marker and the optical device is different from a second distance between the second marker and the optical device when the first and the second markers are simultaneously viewed by the optical device.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hassan Mostafavi, Andrew G. Jeung
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Patent number: 8401612Abstract: A method for detecting Chiari malformations. The method generally comprises positioning a patient in an upright orientation in a patient-receiving space of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the upright orientation. The method further comprises positioning the patient in a recumbent orientation in the patient-receiving space of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and acquiring images of the patient's cerebellum and brainstem in the recumbent orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Fonar CorporationInventors: Ki-Cheung Chu, Raymond V. Damadian, Daniel Culver
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Patent number: 8394026Abstract: Described herein are a method and apparatus for determining viscoelastic parameters of a tissue. A vibration signal is applied to the tissue and displacements at a plurality of locations within the tissue are measured at a plurality of times. The viscoelastic parameters of the tissue, including elasticity and viscosity, can then be determined by fitting a finite element model of the tissue to the vibration signal and the measured displacements and by solving for the viscoelastic parameters of the model. A value for density of each element of the model is selected and the absolute values for the viscoelastic parameters of each of the elements in the model is determined. Alternatively, the difference in relaxation-times between two locations within the tissue can be determined from the difference in phases of the strains at the two locations.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: University of British ColumbiaInventors: Hani Eskandari, Septimiu E. Salcudean, Robert N. Rohling
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Patent number: 8376970Abstract: This invention discloses methods and devices using ultrasound energy for use before, during or after surgery for providing a therapeutic effect on nerve tissue. The disclosure describes the use of ultrasound devices consisting of an ultrasound generator, ultrasound transducer and ultrasound horn at least partially enclosed by a shield to enhance neurogenesis on neurons of the central nervous system and other nerve tissue. The shield allows the application of therapeutic levels of ultrasound to nerve tissue to enhance the regeneration of the nerve tissue and mitigate damage to the nerve tissue. The shield serves to protect patient from unwanted contact with portions of the ultrasound horn not being utilized for therapeutic effect. The ultrasound application may be included in devices that have other uses such as a cutting edge for removing tissue.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventor: Eilaz Babaev
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Patent number: 8378771Abstract: Described herein are rotary transformers for coupling signals between components that rotate relative to one another. In an exemplary embodiment, a rotary transformer comprises a rotary shaft, a first magnetic core on the rotary shaft, and a first winding wound around the first magnetic core. The rotary transformer further comprises a hollow second magnetic core, and a second winding wound along the inner wall of the second magnetic core. During operation, the first winding on the rotary shaft rotates within the second winding with the magnetic cores magnetically coupling signals between the two windings. Also, the first and second windings are closely spaced to provide capacitive coupling between the windings that extends the frequency response of the transformer. In one embodiment, the windings comprises substantially flat conductors wound in the shape of the windings. In another embodiment, each of the windings comprises circular loops connected by jogs.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Donald Masters, Stuart L. Carp, Peter Thornton
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Patent number: 8374672Abstract: There is provided a biomagnetic field measurement apparatus capable of carrying out exact positioning work and highly sensitive signal detection. To bring a sensor surface close to a body surface while the sensor surface and the body surface are kept parallel, a cryostat is constructed so as to be capable of oscillating and expanding and contracting. A gantry is formed by three supports. A first support is a portal support that supports the whole of the gantry. A second support is supported on the first support, and is rotatable with a first direction being the axis. A third support is supported on the second support, and is movable in the axial direction of the cryostat as viewed from the second support. The cryostat is supported on the third support, and moves integrally with the third support.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies CorporationInventors: Yusuke Seki, Akihiko Kandori, Mitsuru Oonuma
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Patent number: 8372055Abstract: A medical device including, e.g., an implantable medical lead or drug pump catheter, a guide member, or a sheath is delivered to a target location within a patient via a catheter capable of subselecting vessels or other cavities, passages, or the like within the patient's body. The catheter employs an inflatable member that, when actuated, acts to deflect a medical device to direct the device into a vessel or other cavity, passage, or the like branching off of, e.g., a vessel in which the catheter is arranged. In some examples, the inflatable member acts to deflect the delivery catheter, which in turn necessarily deflects the implantable medical device arranged therein. In other examples, the inflatable member acts to deflect the medical device to turn the device into a vessel or other cavity, passage, or the like branching off of the vessel in which the catheter is arranged.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ronan M. Thornton, David T. Johnson, Niall F. Duffy
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Patent number: 8359086Abstract: Device for carrying out and monitoring an atherectomy, with which a cutting knife driven in a rotating manner by an external unit and set back to project into an opening in the tip of the catheter can be pressed onto the artery wall by means of an inflatable balloon arranged on the side of the catheter casing opposite the window opening, an atherectomy catheter being connected to an OCT catheter to form an integrated unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Maschke
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Patent number: 8355773Abstract: A localization device display method and apparatus for recording positional parameters associated with a tool being navigated with the localization device. The localization device monitors the position of a tool and automatically records positional parameters associated with the tool when the positional parameters conform to an area of interest and the tool is stable.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Aesculap AGInventors: François Leitner, Dirk Friedrich