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: 11134832
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic hyperspectral, fluorescence, and/or 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 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 one or more of a hyperspectral emission, a fluorescence emission, and/or a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11122968
    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 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 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11122967
    Abstract: Driving an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation according to a jitter specification 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 system includes a driver for driving emissions by the emitter according to a jitter specification. 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: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11115610
    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: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John Richardson, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210274076
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for hyperspectral 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, wherein 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 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11096565
    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: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11102400
    Abstract: Pulsed fluorescence 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 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210251476
    Abstract: An endoscopic device having embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11083367
    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: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, John Richardson, Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern, Jeremiah D. Henley
  • Patent number: 11083366
    Abstract: Driving an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation according to a jitter specification 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 system includes a driver for driving emissions by the emitter according to a jitter specification. 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: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210235976
    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: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11076747
    Abstract: Driving an emitter to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation according to a jitter specification in a 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 such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210190690
    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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210186334
    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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11026565
    Abstract: An endoscopic device having embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11012599
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for hyperspectral 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, wherein 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 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: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10980406
    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: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10979646
    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 electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Publication number: 20210093173
    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: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern, Curtis L. Wichern
  • Patent number: 10952619
    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. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern