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: 11457154
    Abstract: Speckle removal in a pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes a coherent light source for emitting pulses of coherent light, a fiber optic bundle connected to the coherent light source, and a vibrating mechanism attached to the fiber optic bundle. The system includes and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of coherent light emitted by the coherent light source comprises one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220287552
    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: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11432706
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for hyperspectral 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 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 513 nm to about 545 nm, electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11412920
    Abstract: Speckle removal in a pulsed fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes a coherent light source for emitting pulses of coherent light, a fiber optic bundle connected to the coherent light source, and a vibrating mechanism attached to the fiber optic bundle. The system includes and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of coherent light emitted by the coherent light source comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11412152
    Abstract: Speckle removal in a pulsed hyperspectral imaging system is described. A system includes a coherent light source for emitting pulses of coherent light, a fiber optic bundle connected to the coherent light source, and a vibrating mechanism attached to the fiber optic bundle. The system includes and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of coherent light 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: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11399717
    Abstract: Hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping 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. 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 513 nm to about 545 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220236421
    Abstract: Hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging with increased dynamic range is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation, wherein the pixel array comprises a plurality of pixels each configurable as a short exposure pixel or a long exposure pixel. 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 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: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11398011
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for super resolution and color motion artifact correction in a pulsed fluorescence imaging system are 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 detecting motion across two or more sequential exposure frames of the plurality of 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 plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11389066
    Abstract: Hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise are 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 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220218189
    Abstract: Controlling integral energy of a light pulse in a fluorescence 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 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11375886
    Abstract: Optical fiber waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation pulsed by an emitter in an endoscopic imaging system. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an endoscope comprising an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a waveguide communicating the pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter to the endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220192474
    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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11360028
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220175234
    Abstract: The disclosure relates and extends to a light source having a strobing or pulsing sequence suitable for use with a CMOS sensor that does not require, have, or use a global shutter. Instead, the CMOS sensor synchronizes the strobing input with the blanking portion of the sensor readout pattern and disables the strobing during sensor readout, or when the strobing would otherwise leave artifacts in the image. The CMOS sensor freezes its readout during the strobing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Wichern, Joshua D. Talbert, Laurent Blanquart
  • Patent number: 11344189
    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: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11337596
    Abstract: Controlling integral energy of a light pulse in a fluorescence 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 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220125285
    Abstract: Optical fiber waveguide for communicating electromagnetic radiation pulsed by an emitter in an endoscopic imaging system. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an endoscope comprising an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a waveguide communicating the pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter to the endoscope. 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: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11311183
    Abstract: Controlling integral energy of a light pulse in a fluorescence 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 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220109790
    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: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20220109783
    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 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern