Patents by Inventor Brian Courtney
Brian Courtney 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).
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Patent number: 11931180Abstract: Intravascular imaging catheters are provided that include a distal sheath portion having a lumen that is configured to optionally receive a guidewire or an imaging assembly. The distal sheath portion may be configured to have dimensions such that when a guidewire is inserted through the lumen and extends through a distal exit port, the distal sheath portion may be employed as a microcatheter. External tissue may be imaged at a location at or near the distal end of the catheter, enabling, for example, the controlled imaging of a total occlusion, and the positioning of the distal end (and guidewire) within a true lumen associated with a total occlusion. A structural stop may be provided at or near the distal end of the distal sheath portion to prohibit extension of the imaging assembly out of the distal exit port, while permitting the extension of the guidewire through the distal exit port.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Isaac Jourard, Deniz Jafari
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Patent number: 11877889Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrically addressing multiple ultrasonic transducers that are connected to a common electrical channel and housed within an imaging probe. An imaging probe may comprise an imaging ultrasonic transducer and a moveable element for controlling the direction of an emitted imaging beam, and an angle sensing ultrasonic transducer, where the angle sensing ultrasonic transducer is configured for determining the direction of an ultrasonic imaging beam. The angle-sensing transducer may be configured to direct an angle sensing ultrasonic beam towards an acoustically reflective substrate and provide a signal by detecting a reflected ultrasonic beam reflected from the acoustically reflective substrate, where the acoustically reflective substrate is positioned relative to the movable element such that motion of the movable element produces a change in the signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTREInventors: Brian Courtney, Amandeep Thind
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Patent number: 11877828Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate the reduction of both radio frequency (RF) noise and photoacoustic artefacts in differential photoacoustic radar imaging through a multi-step electrical and optical domain calibration method. An example two-step calibration method involves reducing RF image noise via an initial calibration step that involves the control of the relative amplitudes and phases of electrical driving modulation waveforms, while a second calibration step involves the differential suppression of photoacoustic artefact signals via tuning, in the optical domain, of the relative intensity the optical beams that are delivered to the sample. Another example embodiment involves the use of the standard deviation of the unwrapped phase that is obtained, after performing frequency-domain cross-correlation and an inverse transform to the time domain, to improve the amplitude signal that is employed to generate a differential photoacoustic radar image.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignees: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTOInventors: Andreas Mandelis, Sung Soo Choi, Bahman Lashkari, Brian Courtney, Stuart Foster
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Publication number: 20230401676Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Naimul Mefraz KHAN, Natasha ALVES-KOTZEV
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Patent number: 11769230Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Naimul Mefraz Khan, Natasha Alves-Kotzev
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Publication number: 20230117435Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Naimul Mefraz KHAN, Natasha ALVES-KOTZEV
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Patent number: 11538137Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Naimul Mefraz Khan, Natasha Alves-Kotzev
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Patent number: 11523800Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTREInventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
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Publication number: 20220313210Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrically addressing multiple ultrasonic transducers that are connected to a common electrical channel and housed within an imaging probe. An imaging probe may comprise an imaging ultrasonic transducer and a moveable element for controlling the direction of an emitted imaging beam, and an angle sensing ultrasonic transducer, where the angle sensing ultrasonic transducer is configured for determining the direction of an ultrasonic imaging beam. The angle-sensing transducer may be configured to direct an angle sensing ultrasonic beam towards an acoustically reflective substrate and provide a signal by detecting a reflected ultrasonic beam reflected from the acoustically reflective substrate, where the acoustically reflective substrate is positioned relative to the movable element such that motion of the movable element produces a change in the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Amandeep THIND
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Publication number: 20220249058Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an imaging probe with a rotatable core which allows for rotating imaging assembly that is larger in diameter than the lumen in which the rotatable core resides, as well as methods to construct said probes. The imaging probes are generally elongate flexible imaging catheters for use in cardiovascular procedures. The ability to have a smaller lumen to hold the rotatable core simplifies the inclusion of other functional components to the catheter and may improve the quality of the images produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Alan SOONG, Deniz JAFARI
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Patent number: 11364009Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for electrically addressing multiple ultrasonic transducers that are connected to a common electrical channel and housed within an imaging probe. An imaging probe may comprise an imaging ultrasonic transducer and a moveable element for controlling the direction of an emitted imaging beam, and an angle sensing ultrasonic transducer, where the angle sensing ultrasonic transducer is configured for determining the direction of an ultrasonic imaging beam. The angle-sensing transducer may be configured to direct an angle sensing ultrasonic beam towards an acoustically reflective substrate and provide a signal by detecting a reflected ultrasonic beam reflected from the acoustically reflective substrate, where the acoustically reflective substrate is positioned relative to the movable element such that motion of the movable element produces a change in the signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTREInventors: Brian Courtney, Amandeep Thind
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Patent number: 11317891Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an imaging probe with a rotatable core which allows for rotating imaging assembly that is larger in diameter than the lumen in which the rotatable core resides, as well as methods to construct said probes. The imaging probes are generally elongate flexible imaging catheters for use in cardiovascular procedures. The ability to have a smaller lumen to hold the rotatable core simplifies the inclusion of other functional components to the catheter and may improve the quality of the images produced.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignees: CONAVI MEDICAL INC., SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Alan Soong, Deniz Jafari
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Publication number: 20220104709Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate the reduction of both radio frequency (RF) noise and photoacoustic artefacts in differential photoacoustic radar imaging through a multi-step electrical and optical domain calibration method. An example two-step calibration method involves reducing RF image noise via an initial calibration step that involves the control of the relative amplitudes and phases of electrical driving modulation waveforms, while a second calibration step involves the differential suppression of photoacoustic artefact signals via tuning, in the optical domain, of the relative intensity the optical beams that are delivered to the sample. Another example embodiment involves the use of the standard deviation of the unwrapped phase that is obtained, after performing frequency-domain cross-correlation and an inverse transform to the time domain, to improve the amplitude signal that is employed to generate a differential photoacoustic radar image.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2019Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: ANDREAS MANDELIS, SUNG SOO CHOI, BAHMAN LASHKARI, BRIAN COURTNEY, STUART FOSTER
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Publication number: 20220031165Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER
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Publication number: 20210321945Abstract: Intravascular imaging catheters are provided that include a distal sheath portion having a lumen that is configured to optionally receive a guidewire or an imaging assembly. The distal sheath portion may be configured to have dimensions such that when a guidewire is inserted through the lumen and extends through a distal exit port, the distal sheath portion may be employed as a microcatheter. External tissue may be imaged at a location at or near the distal end of the catheter, enabling, for example, the controlled imaging of a total occlusion, and the positioning of the distal end (and guidewire) within a true lumen associated with a total occlusion. A structural stop may be provided at or near the distal end of the distal sheath portion to prohibit extension of the imaging assembly out of the distal exit port, while permitting the extension of the guidewire through the distal exit port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Isaac JOURARD, Deniz JAFARI
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Patent number: 11147452Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTREInventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
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Publication number: 20210217141Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Naimul Mefraz KHAN, Natasha ALVES-KOTZEV
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Patent number: 11051761Abstract: Intravascular imaging catheters are provided that include a distal sheath portion having a lumen that is configured to optionally receive a guidewire or an imaging assembly. The distal sheath portion may be configured to have dimensions such that when a guidewire is inserted through the lumen and extends through a distal exit port, the distal sheath portion may be employed as a microcatheter. External tissue may be imaged at a location at or near the distal end of the catheter, enabling, for example, the controlled imaging of a total occlusion, and the positioning of the distal end (and guidewire) within a true lumen associated with a total occlusion. A structural stop may be provided at or near the distal end of the distal sheath portion to prohibit extension of the imaging assembly out of the distal exit port, while permitting the extension of the guidewire through the distal exit port.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Isaac Jourard, Deniz Jafari
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Patent number: 10902564Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the denoising of images in the presence of broadband noise based on the detection and/or estimation of in-band noise. According to various example embodiments, an estimate of broadband noise that lies within the imaging band is made by detecting or characterizing the out-of-band noise that lies outside of the imaging band. This estimated in-band noise may be employed for denoise the detected imaging waveform. According to other example embodiments, a reference receive circuit that is sensitive to noise within the imaging band, but is isolated from the imaging energy, may be employed to detect and/or characterize the noise within the imaging band. The estimated reference noise may be employed to denoise the detected in-band imaging waveform.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Brian Courtney, Naimul Mefraz Khan, Natasha Alves-Kotzev
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Patent number: RE49218Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a minimally invasive procedure in an automated or semi-automated fashion, where an imaging probe having an imaging modality compatible with the presence of an intraluminal medium is employed to record images that are processed to identify regions of interest and direct a medium displacement operation during a subsequent minimally invasive operation that benefits from the displacement of the intraluminal medium. The minimally invasive operation may include recording images with a second imaging modality, or may be a therapeutic treatment. The method is may be performed in real-time, where images obtained from the first imaging modality are processed in real time to determine whether or not the minimally invasive operation is to be performed at a given position.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: CONAVI MEDICAL INC.Inventors: Brian Courtney, Amandeep Thind