Patents by Inventor Ben Graf

Ben Graf has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11253213
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection in surface of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive the three dimensional medical image and determine a periphery of the elongated structure included in the three dimensional medical image. The electronic processor is also configured to generate a non-contrast image representing the periphery of the elongated structure and superimpose a contrast image associated with the three dimensional image on top of the non-contrast image to generate a superimposed image. The electronic processor is also configured to detect at least one dissection in the elongated structure using the superimposed image and output a medical report identifying the at least one dissection detected in the elongated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Patent number: 11020076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive the medical image and detect a centerline of the elongated structure. The electronic processor is configured to determine a plurality of two dimensional cross sections of the medical image based on the centerline. For each of the two dimensional cross sections, the electronic processor is configured to determine a radial density profile and determine a density gradient based on the radial density profile. The electronic processor is configured to analyze one or more of a plurality of density gradients determined for each of the two dimensional cross sections, detect a dissection in the elongated structure based on the analysis of the density gradient for each of the two dimensional cross sections, and output a medical report identifying the dissection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Patent number: 11024029
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor that receives the three dimensional medical image. The electronic processor determines a first periphery and a second periphery of the elongated structure, the first periphery and the second periphery associated with an enhancing part and a non-enhancing part, respectively, of the elongated structure. The electronic processor determines whether the first periphery or the second periphery best illustrates an outermost periphery of the elongated structure and generate a base image based on whether the first periphery or the second periphery best illustrates an outermost periphery of the elongated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Patent number: 10916027
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an abnormality in an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to determine a centerline of the elongated structure in the three dimensional medical image and determine a plurality of two dimensional cross sections of the three dimensional medical image based on the centerline. For each two dimensional cross section of the plurality of two dimensional cross sections, the electronic processor is configured to convert the two dimensional cross section to polar coordinates, fit a line to the elongated structure in the two dimensional cross section converted to polar coordinates, and reconvert the two dimensional cross section to Cartesian coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie, Ben Graf
  • Publication number: 20210012496
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor that receives the three dimensional medical image. The electronic processor determines a first periphery and a second periphery of the elongated structure, the first periphery and the second periphery associated with an enhancing part and a non-enhancing part, respectively, of the elongated structure. The electronic processor determines whether the first periphery or the second periphery best illustrates an outermost periphery of the elongated structure and generate a base image based on whether the first periphery or the second periphery best illustrates an outermost periphery of the elongated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Publication number: 20210007690
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive the medical image and detect a centerline of the elongated structure. The electronic processor is configured to determine a plurality of two dimensional cross sections of the medical image based on the centerline. For each of the two dimensional cross sections, the electronic processor is configured to determine a radial density profile and determine a density gradient based on the radial density profile. The electronic processor is configured to analyze one or more of a plurality of density gradients determined for each of the two dimensional cross sections, detect a dissection in the elongated structure based on the analysis of the density gradient for each of the two dimensional cross sections, and output a medical report identifying the dissection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Publication number: 20210007689
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a dissection in surface of an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive the three dimensional medical image and determine a periphery of the elongated structure included in the three dimensional medical image. The electronic processor is also configured to generate a non-contrast image representing the periphery of the elongated structure and superimpose a contrast image associated with the three dimensional image on top of the non-contrast image to generate a superimposed image. The electronic processor is also configured to detect at least one dissection in the elongated structure using the superimposed image and output a medical report identifying the at least one dissection detected in the elongated structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Mark D. Bronkalla, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie
  • Patent number: 10892056
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) based alert mechanism system for alerting a medical professional of potential inaccuracies in medical image analysis. Responsive to receiving a medical image of a patient and a radiology report associated with the medical image, the AI based alert mechanism analyzes the radiology report to identify medical findings detected by the medical professional and analyzes the medical image to detect one or more medical findings associated with the medical image. Responsive to the AI based alert mechanism identifying one or more medical findings, the AI based alert mechanism compares the identified medical findings to those medical findings identified in the radiology report. Responsive to the AI based alert mechanism identifying a discrepancy between the identified medical findings to those in the radiology report, the AI based alert mechanism generates an alert to the medical professional who generated the radiology report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yiting Xie, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek
  • Patent number: 10861178
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a training example to train artificial intelligence software to automatically determine a centerline of an elongated structure of three dimensional images. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a plurality of reference points for a subset of a plurality of slices of a first three dimensional image. Each of the plurality of reference points marks a centerline of the elongated structure within one of the subset of the plurality of slices. The electronic processor is configured to determine an order of the plurality of reference points and fit a spline curve to the plurality of reference points based on the order of the reference points to create the training example. The electronic processor is further configured use the training example to train the artificial intelligence software to automatically determine a centerline of an elongated structure in a second three dimensional medical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie, Ben Graf
  • Publication number: 20200327660
    Abstract: Techniques for fracture detection are provided. A first image is received to be processed to identify rib fractures. A first set of regions of interest (ROIs) is identified by processing the first image using a first machine learning model, where each ROI in the first set of ROIs corresponds to a first potential fracture. Further, a first ROI of the first set of ROIs is upsampled, and the system attempts to verify the first potential fracture in the first ROI by processing the upsampled first ROI using a second machine learning model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: AMIN KATOUZIAN, BEN GRAF, AHMED EL HAROUNI, YITING XIE, ARKADIUSZ SITEK, VICKY GUO, ARUN KRISHNAN
  • Publication number: 20200160993
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided to implement an artificial intelligence (AI) based alert mechanism system for alerting a medical professional of potential inaccuracies in medical image analysis. Responsive to receiving a medical image of a patient and a radiology report associated with the medical image, the AI based alert mechanism analyzes the radiology report to identify medical findings detected by the medical professional and analyzes the medical image to detect one or more medical findings associated with the medical image. Responsive to the AI based alert mechanism identifying one or more medical findings, the AI based alert mechanism compares the identified medical findings to those medical findings identified in the radiology report. Responsive to the AI based alert mechanism identifying a discrepancy between the identified medical findings to those in the radiology report, the AI based alert mechanism generates an alert to the medical professional who generated the radiology report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Yiting Xie, Ben Graf, Arkadiusz Sitek
  • Publication number: 20200143555
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a training example to train artificial intelligence software to automatically determine a centerline of an elongated structure of three dimensional images. One system includes an electronic processor configured to receive a plurality of reference points for a subset of a plurality of slices of a first three dimensional image. Each of the plurality of reference points marks a centerline of the elongated structure within one of the subset of the plurality of slices. The electronic processor is configured to determine an order of the plurality of reference points and fit a spline curve to the plurality of reference points based on the order of the reference points to create the training example. The electronic processor is further configured use the training example to train the artificial intelligence software to automatically determine a centerline of an elongated structure in a second three dimensional medical image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie, Ben Graf
  • Publication number: 20200143556
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an abnormality in an elongated structure in a three dimensional medical image. One system includes an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to determine a centerline of the elongated structure in the three dimensional medical image and determine a plurality of two dimensional cross sections of the three dimensional medical image based on the centerline. For each two dimensional cross section of the plurality of two dimensional cross sections, the electronic processor is configured to convert the two dimensional cross section to polar coordinates, fit a line to the elongated structure in the two dimensional cross section converted to polar coordinates, and reconvert the two dimensional cross section to Cartesian coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Arkadiusz Sitek, Yiting Xie, Ben Graf
  • Publication number: 20160184083
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a graft fixation device including a body configured and arranged for passage through a bone tunnel when oriented generally longitudinally with respect to the bone tunnel, and for residing against bone defining an opening to the bone tunnel when oriented generally transversely with respect to the bone tunnel. The body defines an enclosed channel for receiving a member such that the member is substantially evenly distributed about a longitudinal extent of the body so that the body maintains a generally longitudinal orientation during passage through the tunnel, and includes a cross bar about which the member is looped when the body resides against the bone defining the opening to the bone tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Ben Graf, Jason LeBeau
  • Patent number: 9314236
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a graft fixation device including a body configured and arranged for passage through a bone tunnel when oriented generally longitudinally with respect to the bone tunnel, and for residing against bone defining an opening to the bone tunnel when oriented generally transversely with respect to the bone tunnel. The body defines an enclosed channel for receiving a member such that the member is substantially evenly distributed about a longitudinal extent of the body so that the body maintains a generally longitudinal orientation during passage through the tunnel, and includes a cross bar about which the member is looped when the body resides against the bone defining the opening to the bone tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Graf, Jason LeBeau
  • Publication number: 20140309527
    Abstract: Multiple aperture, multiple modal optical systems and methods include at least one optical component positioned at a first position about a longitudinal axis; and at least two light sources connectable to the at least one optical component, wherein the multiple modal optical system is configured to transmit light from the at least two light sources in at least one direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and receive reflected light, and wherein the at least one optical component is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis and translate along the longitudinal axis when connected to the at least two light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: NinePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Eman Namati, Matthew A. Sinclair, David Vader, Ben Graf
  • Publication number: 20140012294
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tissue repair assembly. The assembly includes an interference device and a fixation device coupled to the interference device, wherein the fixation device includes a coupling portion and a capturing portion. Other assemblies and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Graf, Raymond A. Bojarski, Michael C. Ferragamo
  • Publication number: 20090222013
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a tap guide including a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a handle coupled to the proximal portion of the shaft, and a tip coupled to the distal portion of the shaft. A method and system for preparing a bone tunnel for receipt of a fixation device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Graf, Scott Freedman
  • Publication number: 20080027445
    Abstract: A sheath for organizing soft tissue includes a first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a fixation device, and a second tube coupled to the first tube having a flexible body sized and shaped to receive a soft tissue graft. A method for implanting soft tissue in a bone tunnel includes coupling a soft tissue graft to a sheath assembly; and positioning the sheath assembly relative to the soft tissue graft based on a measured depth of a bone tunnel. A set of surgical devices for implanting soft tissue grafts in a bone tunnel includes a sheath assembly, a measurement device for measuring the depth of the bone tunnel, a securing element configured to secure the sheath assembly to the soft tissue graft at a position determined by the measured bone tunnel depth, and a tensioning device configured to organize a plurality of soft tissue grafts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles BROWN, Bernard Bourque, Rebecca Blough, Michael Ferragamo, Raymond Bojarski, Paul Torrie, Ben Graf, Fraser Harvie, Steve Ek
  • Publication number: 20070233241
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a graft fixation device including a body configured and arranged for passage through a bone tunnel when oriented generally longitudinally with respect to the bone tunnel, and for residing against bone defining an opening to the bone tunnel when oriented generally transversely with respect to the bone tunnel. The body defines an enclosed channel for receiving a member such that the member is substantially evenly distributed about a longitudinal extent of the body so that the body maintains a generally longitudinal orientation during passage through the tunnel, and includes a cross bar about which the member is looped when the body resides against the bone defining the opening to the bone tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Ben Graf, Jason LeBeau