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).

  • SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PROVIDING ILLUMINATION IN AN ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20210029279
    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: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • System and method for providing a single use imaging device for medical applications
    Patent number: 10874292
    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: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern, Curtis L. Wichern
  • PULSED ILLUMINATION IN A FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397242
    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 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • HYPERSPECTRAL AND FLUORESCENCE IMAGING WITH TOPOLOGY LASER SCANNING IN A LIGHT DEFICIENT ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20200404131
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fluorescence, hyperspectral, and/or laser scanning in a light deficient environment. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • DRIVING LIGHT EMISSIONS ACCORDING TO A JITTER SPECIFICATION IN A FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397255
    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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • OFFSET ILLUMINATION OF A SCENE USING MULTIPLE EMITTERS IN A FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397239
    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 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • MINIMIZING IMAGE SENSOR INPUT/OUTPUT IN A PULSED FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397243
    Abstract: Minimizing image sensor input/output pads in a pulsed 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 a plurality of bidirectional pads comprising an output state for issuing data and an input state for receiving data. 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: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • LASER MAPPING IMAGING WITH FIXED PATTERN NOISE CANCELLATION
    Publication number: 20200400825
    Abstract: 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 plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • IMAGE SYNCHRONIZATION WITHOUT INPUT CLOCK AND DATA TRANSMISSION CLOCK IN A PULSED HYPERSPECTRAL, FLUORESCENCE, AND LASER MAPPING IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200404170
    Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping 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 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: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • OPTICAL FIBER WAVEGUIDE IN AN ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM FOR LASER MAPPING IMAGING
    Publication number: 20200397261
    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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • VIDEOSTROBOSCOPY OF VOCAL CORDS WITH A HYPERSPECTRAL, FLUORESCENCE, AND LASER MAPPING IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397277
    Abstract: Videostroboscopy with a hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping image 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 controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. 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: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • NOISE AWARE EDGE ENHANCEMENT IN A PULSED FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397223
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • OPTICAL FIBER WAVEGUIDE IN AN ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM FOR HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING
    Publication number: 20200397265
    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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • NOISE AWARE EDGE ENHANCEMENT IN A PULSED FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397297
    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 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
  • FLUORESCENCE VIDEOSTROBOSCOPY OF VOCAL CORDS
    Publication number: 20200397276
    Abstract: Fluorescence videostroboscopy imaging 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 controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • SPECKLE REMOVAL IN A PULSED FLUORESCENCE IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200397267
    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 770 nm to about 790 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • FLUORESCENCE IMAGING WITH MINIMAL AREA MONOLITHIC IMAGE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20200397241
    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 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 770 nm to about 790 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • IMAGE SYNCHRONIZATION WITHOUT INPUT CLOCK AND DATA TRANSMISSION CLOCK IN A PULSED HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200403624
    Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral 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 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: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • FLUORESCENCE IMAGING IN A LIGHT DEFICIENT ENVIRONMENT
    Publication number: 20200397222
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • MINIMIZING IMAGE SENSOR INPUT/OUTPUT IN A PULSED HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200400829
    Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral 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 plurality of bidirectional pads comprising an output state for issuing data and an input state for receiving data. 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 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, or from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern