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).

  • Publication number: 20200400835
    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 one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200397296
    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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10841504
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fluorescence imaging with a minimal area image sensor 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, wherein the pixel array comprises active pixels and optical black pixels. The system includes a black clamp circuit providing offset control for data generated by the pixel array and a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter. 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: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200330041
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, devices, and systems for removing speckle from a coherent light source, such as laser light. The methods, devices, and systems help eliminate or reduce speckle introduced from a coherent light source, such as laser light, by utilizing the teachings and principles of the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Henley, Joshua D. Talbert, Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200292160
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for controlled illumination in a light deficient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern, Laurent Blanquart
  • Patent number: 10695003
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, devices, and systems for removing speckle from a coherent light source, such as laser light. The methods, devices, and systems help eliminate or reduce speckle introduced from a coherent light source, such as laser light, by utilizing the teachings and principles of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Henley, Joshua D. Talbert, Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10670248
    Abstract: An embodiment of a system for providing illumination for an endoscope device includes a light source comprising laser bundles each having laser light emitters, an electromagnetic sensor embedded within the light source to sense electromagnetic energy emitted from at least one laser light emitter within each of the laser bundles, and a control circuit in electronic communication with the electromagnetic sensor and at least one laser light emitter. The light source sequentially pulses electromagnetic energy in a plurality of individual electromagnetic partitions. The electromagnetic sensor receives electromagnetic energy from at least one laser light emitter and measures an amount of electromagnetic energy generated by at least one laser light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern, Laurent Blanquart
  • Publication number: 20200138279
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200113429
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for providing a single use imaging device having improved viewing for sterile environments is disclosed and described. A single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to, arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may further include a sensor located near the tip of a laparoscope and a view optimizing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20200120243
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an endoscopic light source that includes a first emitter. The first emitter may emit light of a first wavelength at a dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the first wavelength to a plurality of optical fibers. The endoscopic light source further comprises a second emitter. The second emitter may emit light of a second wavelength at a second dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the second wavelength to the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the first dichroic mirror may be transparent to the light of the second wavelength, allowing the light of the second wavelength to pass through the first dichroic mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10568496
    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 time; maximizing the blanking time to allow optimum light; and maintaining color balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern, John Richardson, Jeremiah D. Henley
  • Patent number: 10517469
    Abstract: An endoscopic system for use a controlled light environment is disclosed. In an implementation, the system may include an endoscope having an image sensor, an emitter, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls a frequency of the emitter in response to signals that correspond to the frequency of the emitter. The image sensor has input and output pads, where a pad count is reduced by not having a dedicated input synchronization clock pad. A frame period is divided into three defined states: a rolling-readout state during which image data is output through the pads, a service-line state during which non-image data is output through the pads, and a configuration state during which instruction data is received by the image sensor through the pads. Signal transitions are encoded within output data from the image sensor and correspond with defined states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10506142
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an endoscopic light source that includes a first emitter. The first emitter may emit light of a first wavelength at a dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the first wavelength to a plurality of optical fibers. The endoscopic light source further comprises a second emitter. The second emitter may emit light of a second wavelength at a second dichroic mirror which reflects the light of the second wavelength to the plurality of optical fibers. In one embodiment, the first dichroic mirror may be transparent to the light of the second wavelength, allowing the light of the second wavelength to pass through the first dichroic mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10499804
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and methods for providing a single use imaging device having improved viewing for sterile environments is disclosed and described. A single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may further include a sensor located near the tip of a laparoscope and a view optimizing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20190356867
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to endoscopic devices and systems for image correction of a rotating sensor. The disclosure allows for the distal image sensor to rotate as the user rotates the lumen with respect to a fixed handpiece. The system includes an angle sensor located at the junction of the rotating lumen and the fixed handpiece. Periodic measurements of angle are used in the system's image processing chain in order to effect suitable software image rotations, thereby providing a final displayed image or video stream with the desired orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Laurent Blanquart, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10413165
    Abstract: A system and methods for providing and reclaiming a single use imaging device for sterile environments is disclosed and described. The system may include a single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may have a single imaging sensor, either CCD or CMOS, encased in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern, Curtis L. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20190281237
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for enhancing edges within an image in a light deficient environment, which utilizes knowledge of the expected noise pixel by pixel, to control the strength of the edge enhancement and thereby limit the impact of the enhancement on the perception of noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20190261838
    Abstract: A system and methods for providing and reclaiming a single use imaging device for sterile environments is disclosed and described. The system may include a single use high definition camera used for general purpose surgical procedures including, but not limited to: arthroscopic, laparoscopic, gynecologic, and urologic procedures, may comprise an imaging device that is a sterile and designed to ensure single use. The imaging device may have a single imaging sensor, either CCD or CMOS, encased in a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern, Curtis L. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10362240
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to endoscopic devices and systems for image correction of a rotating sensor. The disclosure allows for the distal image sensor to rotate as the user rotates the lumen with respect to a fixed handpiece. The system includes an angle sensor located at the junction of the rotating lumen and the fixed handpiece. Periodic measurements of angle are used in the system's image processing chain in order to effect suitable software image rotations, thereby providing a final displayed image or video stream with the desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Laurent Blanquart, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10341588
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for enhancing edges within an image in a light deficient environment, which utilizes knowledge of the expected noise pixel by pixel, to control the strength of the edge enhancement and thereby limit the impact of the enhancement on the perception of noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Donald M. Wichern