Patents by Inventor Francis Stuart Foster

Francis Stuart Foster 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: 11523800
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Publication number: 20220031165
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER
  • Patent number: 11147452
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20200289086
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER, Alan SOONG, Brian Heng LI
  • Patent number: 10667785
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Patent number: 9532769
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for high-frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics are disclosed. According to one aspect a method for high frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics includes: providing ultrasound of a first frequency bandwidth, directed toward the volume to be imaged, the volume containing a carrier having non-linear acoustical properties, wherein the ultrasound of the first frequency bandwidth causes the carrier to generate ultrasound of a second frequency bandwidth that is different from the first frequency bandwidth; receiving, from the volume to be imaged, ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth; and using the received ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth to generate an image of the volume to be imaged, wherein the components of the second frequency bandwidth that are detected are of a frequency greater than 20 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Paul A. Dayton, Ryan Gessner, Hyunggyun Lee, Marc Lukacs, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20160302763
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER, Alan SOONG, Brian Heng LI
  • Patent number: 9375147
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of an elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to the longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Patent number: 9357923
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20140323860
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20140323877
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER
  • Patent number: 8784321
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image, signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Patent number: 8712506
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20130345556
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Brian COURTNEY, Nigel Robert MUNCE, Amandeep Singh THIND, Victor Xiao Dong YANG, Francis Stuart FOSTER, Alan SOONG, Brian Heng LI
  • Patent number: 8460195
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Publication number: 20120220869
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for high-frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics are disclosed. According to one aspect a method for high frequency contrast imaging and image-guided therapeutics includes: providing ultrasound of a first frequency bandwidth, directed toward the volume to be imaged, the volume containing a carrier having non-linear acoustical properties, wherein the ultrasound of the first frequency bandwidth causes the carrier to generate ultrasound of a second frequency bandwidth that is different from the first frequency bandwidth; receiving, from the volume to be imaged, ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth; and using the received ultrasound of the second frequency bandwidth to generate an image of the volume to be imaged, wherein the components of the second frequency bandwidth that are detected are of a frequency greater than 20 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Paul A. Dayton, Ryan Gessner, Hyunggyun Lee, Marc Lukacs, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Patent number: 8214010
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20090264768
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Publication number: 20080177139
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20080177183
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image, signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster