Patents by Inventor Daniel C. Mellema

Daniel C. Mellema 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: 12023199
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Daniel C. Mellema, Pengfei Song, Matthew W. Urban, Armando Manduca, James F. Greenleaf, Shigao Chen
  • Patent number: 11644440
    Abstract: Methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer, are described. The described methods can effectively separate shear wave signals from signals corresponding to residual motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer. The systems and methods described here also provide for real-time visualization of shear waves propagating in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Shigao Chen, James F. Greenleaf, Armando Manduca, Daniel C. Mellema, Joshua D. Trzasko, Matthew W. Urban
  • Publication number: 20210356434
    Abstract: Methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer, are described. The described methods can effectively separate shear wave signals from signals corresponding to residual motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer. The systems and methods described here also provide for real-time visualization of shear waves propagating in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Shigao Chen, James F. Greenleaf, Armando Manduca, Daniel C. Mellema, Joshua D. Trzasko, Matthew W. Urban
  • Patent number: 10779799
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by ultrasound elastography through continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer is taught. An actuator directly in contact with the ultrasound transducer continuously vibrates the transducer in an axial direction, inducing shear waves in the tissue and allowing for real-time shear wave imaging. Axial motion of the transducer contaminates the shear wave images of the tissue, and must be suppressed. Therefore, several methods for correcting for shear wave artifact caused by the motion of the transducer are additionally taught.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Shigao Chen, James Greenleaf, Daniel C. Mellema, Pengfei Song
  • Publication number: 20180296191
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel C. Mellema, Pengfei Song, Matthew W. Urban, Armando Manduca, James F. Greenleaf, Shigao Chen
  • Publication number: 20170333005
    Abstract: A method for imaging an object by ultrasound elastography through continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer is taught. An actuator directly in contact with the ultrasound transducer continuously vibrates the transducer in an axial direction, inducing shear waves in the tissue and allowing for real-time shear wave imaging. Axial motion of the transducer contaminates the shear wave images of the tissue, and must be suppressed. Therefore, several methods for correcting for shear wave artifact caused by the motion of the transducer are additionally taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Shigao Chen, James Greenleaf, Daniel C. Mellema, Pengfei Song