Patents by Inventor Dirk G. Soenksen

Dirk G. Soenksen 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: 20220157476
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 11211170
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20180197639
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Dirk G. SOENKSEN, Kathy ZIRKER-SMITH, Ole EICHHORN
  • Publication number: 20180136451
    Abstract: Microscope slide scanner. In an embodiment the microscope slide scanner comprises a single enclosure unit that includes at least one objective lens, at least one line scan camera, at least one communication port, and at least one processor. The line scan camera may be configured to capture image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes via the objective lens. The communication port provides communication over a network. The processor may align the plurality of image stripes into a contiguous image of at least a portion of the sample, and executes a web server that provides an operator interface over the network to one or more remote devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Dirk G. SOENKSEN
  • Patent number: 9910961
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9851550
    Abstract: Microscope slide scanner. In an embodiment the microscope slide scanner comprises a single enclosure unit that includes at least one objective lens, at least one line scan camera, at least one communication port, and at least one processor. The line scan camera may be configured to capture image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes via the objective lens. The communication port provides communication over a network. The processor may align the plurality of image stripes into a contiguous image of at least a portion of the sample, and executes a web server that provides an operator interface over the network to one or more remote devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9729749
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing image data using a line scan camera. In an embodiment, a line scan camera captures image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes. A processor may coarsely align two or more of the plurality of image stripes according to a synchronization process while the line scan camera is capturing at least one of the plurality of image stripes. Subsequently, the processor may also finely align the two or more image stripes using pattern matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9710694
    Abstract: An improved diagnostic resolution of digital slide images is obtained by scanning a first digital slide image at diagnostic resolution that is then deconvolved into separate images with one stain per image. The single stain images are then enhanced with image adjustments and/or processed with image analysis algorithms. The resulting single image data sets from the image analysis algorithms can then be stored. Additionally, the resulting enhanced single images can be recombined into a second digital slide image at diagnostic resolution that is also enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Cindy Perz
  • Publication number: 20170094095
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing image data using a line scan camera. In an embodiment, a line scan camera captures image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes. A processor may coarsely align two or more of the plurality of image stripes according to a synchronization process while the line scan camera is capturing at least one of the plurality of image stripes. Subsequently, the processor may also finely align the two or more image stripes using pattern matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Publication number: 20170003492
    Abstract: Microscope slide scanner. In an embodiment the microscope slide scanner comprises a single enclosure unit that includes at least one objective lens, at least one line scan camera, at least one communication port, and at least one processor. The line scan camera may be configured to capture image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes via the objective lens. The communication port provides communication over a network. The processor may align the plurality of image stripes into a contiguous image of at least a portion of the sample, and executes a web server that provides an operator interface over the network to one or more remote devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9535243
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for assessing the quality of a microscope slide image. In an embodiment, a plurality of focus point values are acquired for a sample on a microscope slide. Each focus point value comprises x-y coordinates indicating a location on the sample and a z coordinate indicating a focus height for the location on the sample. A best-fit surface is calculated based on the focus point values, and it is determined whether or not outlying focus point values exist based on the best-fit surface and the z coordinate for one or more of the focus point values. A scanned image of the microscope slide may be displayed which comprises, for each outlying focus point value, an overlay that identifies the location on the sample of the outlying focus point value based on the x-y coordinates for the outlying focus point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen, Kiran Saligrama
  • Patent number: 9523844
    Abstract: A system for creating a contiguous digital image of a fluorescence microscope sample. In an embodiment, the system comprises a both a macro camera and a time delay integration (TDI) line scan camera. The system may also comprise a motorized stage, an illumination module, a light source, an excitation filter, an objective lens, an emission filter, and at least one processor configured to assemble a plurality of digital images of portions of the fluorescence microscope sample, generated by the TDI line scan camera, into a contiguous digital image of at least a portion of the fluorescence microscope sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Peyman Najmabadi, Gregory J. Crandall, Aaron Alan Stearrett, Dirk G. Soenksen, Christopher Adam Lee, Cynthia Perz
  • Patent number: 9521309
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing image data using a line scan camera. In an embodiment, a line scan camera captures image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes. A processor may coarsely align two or more of the plurality of image stripes according to a synchronization process while the line scan camera is capturing at least one of the plurality of image stripes. Subsequently, the processor may also finely align the two or more image stripes using pattern matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Greg J. Crandall, Ole Eichhorn, Allen H. Olson, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9488816
    Abstract: A system for creating a contiguous digital image of a fluorescence microscope sample. In an embodiment, the system comprises a both a macro camera and a time delay integration (TDI) line scan camera. The system may also comprise a motorized stage, an illumination module, a light source, an excitation filter, an objective lens, an emission filter, and at least one processor configured to assemble a plurality of digital images of portions of the fluorescence microscope sample, generated by the TDI line scan camera, into a contiguous digital image of at least a portion of the fluorescence microscope sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Peyman Najmabadi, Gregory J. Crandall, Aaron Alan Stearrett, Dirk G. Soenksen, Christopher Adam Lee, Cynthia Perz
  • Patent number: 9386211
    Abstract: Microscope slide scanner. In an embodiment the microscope slide scanner comprises a single enclosure unit that includes at least one objective lens, at least one line scan camera, at least one communication port, and at least one processor. The line scan camera may be configured to capture image data of a sample as a plurality of image stripes via the objective lens. The communication port provides communication over a network. The processor may align the plurality of image stripes into a contiguous image of at least a portion of the sample, and executes a web server that provides an operator interface over the network to one or more remote devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9349036
    Abstract: Enhancing color(s) in a digital slide image to increase contrast. In an embodiment, a digital slide image of a tissue sample is acquired. The tissue sample is counterstained, such that the digital slide image comprises an image of a first stain and a second stain. The contrast between the first stain and the second stain is increased to enhance the digital slide image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20160092722
    Abstract: An improved diagnostic resolution of digital slide images is obtained by scanning a first digital slide image at diagnostic resolution that is then deconvolved into separate images with one stain per image. The single stain images are then enhanced with image adjustments and/or processed with image analysis algorithms. The resulting single image data sets from the image analysis algorithms can then be stored. Additionally, the resulting enhanced single images can be recombined into a second digital slide image at diagnostic resolution that is also enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: DIRK G. SOENKSEN, Cindy Perz
  • Publication number: 20150379327
    Abstract: Enhancing color(s) in a digital slide image to increase contrast. In an embodiment, a digital slide image of a tissue sample is acquired. The tissue sample is counterstained, such that the digital slide image comprises an image of a first stain and a second stain. The contrast between the first stain and the second stain is increased to enhance the digital slide image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 9213177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for computing focus information during scanning digital microscope slide data with a line scan camera. The systems and methods include a dynamically interleaved procedure that works by moving the specimen relative to the objective lens while the height of the objective lens is adjusted relative to the stage. Imagery data is acquired at a plurality of objective lens heights the image data from the objective lens height having maximum contrast is stored and combined into a composite digital image of at least a portion of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Allen Olson, Greg Crandall, Dirk G. Soenksen
  • Patent number: 9122905
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing digital slide images. In an embodiment, a digital slide image is acquired from a specimen on a slide. Then, until it is determined that a quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the quality of the digital slide image is determined and the digital slide image is reacquired. Once it is determined that the quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the digital slide image and a measure of the quality of the digital slide image is provided to one or more recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith