Patents by Inventor Craig J. Cermak

Craig J. Cermak 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).

  • Publication number: 20220168012
    Abstract: A needle guide for an angled ultrasound probe having a port tower with a plurality of needle ports aligned with an angled ultrasonic imaging plane. The needle ports in a port tower are aligned at the offset angle of the angled ultrasound probe and can support and guide a needle at the offset angle. Adjustment of the port tower along the transducer axis of the angled ultrasound probe maintains the alignment of the needle ports relative to the ultrasonic imaging plane and provides adjustment to accommodate differently sized patients. A method is also provided to securely align a needle with an angled ultrasonic imaging plane with an angled ultrasound probe such that the needle can accurately transect the ultrasound imaging plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jerrold WEN, Jerzy A. SMOLEN, Emma E. BEVERLY, Craig J. CERMAK
  • Patent number: 8688196
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Patent number: 8401617
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Publication number: 20120089013
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: CIVCO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Publication number: 20120071754
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Patent number: 8086298
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Patent number: 8073529
    Abstract: An ultrasound needle guide system for use with an ultrasound transducer and method of use of the guide system to provide predictable trajectories for puncture devices at various depths. The needle guide system basically consists of a bracket and a needle guide. The bracket is arranged to be releasably secured to the ultrasound transducer. The transducer/bracket assembly is then placed into an isolating sterile cover. The needle guide is arranged to be readily attached, e.g., snap-fit, to the transducer/bracket with the cover interposed therebetween. The needle guide can be provided in various versions for differing puncture device sizes and various entry angles in relation to the transducer. In one embodiment the needle guide is arranged to establish plural predetermined entry angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Craig J. Cermak, Brent A. Cumberford, Roger F. Wilson, Willet F. Whitmore, III
  • Patent number: 7926776
    Abstract: A bracket for use on an ultrasound transducer to releasably mount at least one 3D tracking sensor on the transducer. Each sensor has a pair of axially aligned pins projecting outward from its body. The bracket includes at least one socket having a pair of spaced-apart wall portions, each of which includes a slot arranged to receive a respective one of the pins of the sensor when the sensor is in a first position. From this position the sensor's body can be rotated to a second position, whereupon the spaced apart wall portions releasably engage (snap-fit about) a portion of the body of the sensor to deter the accidental displacement of the sensor with respect to the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Craig J. Cermak
  • Publication number: 20100081920
    Abstract: An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: CIVCO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Willet F. Whitmore, III, Craig J. Cermak
  • Publication number: 20090266957
    Abstract: A bracket for use on an ultrasound transducer to releasably mount at least one 3D tracking sensor on the transducer. Each sensor has a pair of axially aligned pins projecting outward from its body. The bracket includes at least one socket having a pair of spaced-apart wall portions, each of which includes a slot arranged to receive a respective one of the pins of the sensor when the sensor is in a first position. From this position the sensor's body can be rotated to a second position, whereupon the spaced apart wall portions releasably engage (snap-fit about) a portion of the body of the sensor to deter the accidental displacement of the sensor with respect to the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: CIVCO Medical Instruments Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Craig J. Cermak
  • Publication number: 20090143684
    Abstract: An ultrasound needle guide system for use with an ultrasound transducer and method of use of the guide system to provide predictable trajectories for puncture devices at various depths. The needle guide system basically consists of a bracket and a needle guide. The bracket is arranged to be releasably secured to the ultrasound transducer. The transducer/bracket assembly is then placed into an isolating sterile cover. The needle guide is arranged to be readily attached, e.g., snap-fit, to the transducer/bracket with the cover interposed therebetween. The needle guide can be provided in various versions for differing puncture device sizes and various entry angles in relation to the transducer. In one embodiment the needle guide is arranged to establish plural predetermined entry angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: CIVCO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Craig J. Cermak, Brent A. Cumberford, Roger F. Wilson, Willet F. Whitmore, III