Patents by Inventor Donald M. Wichern

Donald M. Wichern 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: 11940615
    Abstract: Driving an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation according to a jitter specification in a hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a driver for driving emissions by the emitter according to a jitter specification. The system is h that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11937784
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fluorescence imaging in a light deficient environment are disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter. The system is such that the controller synchronizes timing of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and/or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20240094397
    Abstract: Hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor. The method includes reducing fixed pattern noise in an exposure frame by subtracting a reference frame from the exposure frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm, an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce, or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11931009
    Abstract: Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a hyperspectral imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, and/or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11930994
    Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features is disclosed and described. The features of the system may include controlling a light source through duration, intensity or both; pulsing a component controlled light source during the blanking period; maximizing the blanking period to allow optimum light; and maintaining color balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, John Richardson, Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern, Jeremiah D. Henley
  • Patent number: 11925328
    Abstract: Hyperspectral imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes applying edge enhancement to edges within an exposure frame of the plurality of exposure frames. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11924535
    Abstract: Controlling integral energy of a light pulse in a laser mapping imaging system is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes an electromagnetic sensor for sensing energy emitted by the emitter. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter is a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cila GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11911008
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an endoscopic system that includes an image sensor, an emitter and an electromagnetic radiation driver. The image sensor includes a pixel array and is configured to generate and read out pixel data for an image based on electromagnetic radiation received by the pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of lines for reading out pixel data. The pixel array also has readout period that is the length of time for reading out all plurality of lines of pixel data in the pixel array. The emitter is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation for illumination of a scene observed by the image sensor. The electromagnetic radiation driver is configured to drive emissions by the emitter. The electromagnetic radiation driver includes a jitter specification less than or equal to about 10% to about 25% percent of the readout period of the pixel array of the image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11903564
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to systems and methods for reducing the area of an image sensor by reducing the imaging sensor pad count used for data transmission and clock generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11903563
    Abstract: Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 795 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20240054666
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system for use in a light deficient environment includes an imaging device having a tube, one or more image sensors, and a lens assembly including at least one optical elements that corresponds to the one or more image sensors. The endoscopic system includes a display for a user to visualize a scene and an image signal processing controller. The endoscopic system includes a light engine having an illumination source generating one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation and a lumen transmitting one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation to a distal tip of an endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11900623
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system for use in a light deficient environment includes an imaging device having a tube, one or more image sensors, and a lens assembly including at least one optical elements that corresponds to the one or more image sensors. The endoscopic system includes a display for a user to visualize a scene and an image signal processing controller. The endoscopic system includes a light engine having an illumination source generating one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation and a lumen transmitting one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation to a distal tip of an endoscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11898909
    Abstract: Fluorescence imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes applying edge enhancement to edges within an exposure frame of the plurality of exposure frames. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm; or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11895397
    Abstract: Pulsed fluorescence imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11892403
    Abstract: Pulsed fluorescence imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm; or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11882352
    Abstract: Controlling integral energy of a light pulse in a hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging system is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes an electromagnetic sensor for sensing energy emitted by the emitter. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cllag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20240020799
    Abstract: Super resolution and color motion artifact correction in a pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging system. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor. The method includes detecting motion across two or more sequential exposure frames, compensating for the detected motion, and combining the two or more sequential exposure frames to generate an image frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm, an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce, or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11877065
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20230417917
    Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging in a light deficient environment is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11854175
    Abstract: Fluorescence imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor. The method includes reducing fixed pattern noise in an exposure frame by subtracting a reference frame from the exposure frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern