Patents by Inventor Ileana Hancu

Ileana Hancu 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: 20230414957
    Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for neuromodulation of a tissue that include applying energy (e.g., ultrasound energy) into the tissue to cause altered activity at a synapse between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Victoria Cotero, Ying Fan, Tzu-Jen Kao, David Mills, Jeffrey Ashe, Sireesha Kaanumalle, Kirk Dennis Wallace, Kenneth Wayne Rigby, Ileana Hancu, James Rothman
  • Patent number: 11273310
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing parameters of a DBS pulse signal for treatment of a patient is provided. In predicting optimal DBS parameters, functional brain data is input into a predictor system, the functional brain data acquired responsive to a sweeping across a multi-dimensional parameter space of one or more DBS parameters. Statistical metrics of brain response are extracted from the functional brain data for one or more ROIs or voxels of the brain via the predictor system, and a DBS functional atlas is accessed, via the predictor system, that comprises disease-specific brain response maps derived from DBS treatment at optimal DBS parameter settings for a plurality of diseases or neurological conditions. One or more optimal DBS parameters are predicted for the patient based on the statistical metrics of brain response and the DBS functional atlas via the predictor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Albany Medical College
    Inventors: Radhika Madhavan, Jeffrey Ashe, Suresh Joel, Ileana Hancu, Julie Pilitsis, Marisa DiMarzio
  • Patent number: 11039855
    Abstract: A guide insert for use in insertion of a medical tool into a patient and an associated method of using the guide insert in a medical device are disclosed. The guide insert includes a base sized and shaped to be inserted into an opening of a grid of the medical device, a rotatable structure configured to fit on or within the base, and a securing cap configured to secure the rotatable structure to the base and to prevent rotation of the rotatable structure when secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Ileana Hancu, Eric William Fiveland
  • Patent number: 10905882
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing parameters of a DBS pulse signal for treatment of a patient is provided. In predicting optimal DBS parameters, functional brain data is input into a predictor system, the functional brain data acquired responsive to a sweeping across a multi-dimensional parameter space of one or more DBS parameters. Statistical metrics of brain response are extracted from the functional brain data for one or more ROIs or voxels of the brain via the predictor system, and a DBS functional atlas is accessed, via the predictor system, that comprises disease-specific brain response maps derived from DBS treatment at optimal DBS parameter settings for a plurality of diseases or neurological conditions. One or more optimal DBS parameters are predicted for the patient based on the statistical metrics of brain response and the DBS functional atlas via the predictor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: General Electric Company, University Health Network
    Inventors: Radhika Madhavan, Alexandre Boutet, Suresh Joel, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe, Andres M. Lozano
  • Patent number: 10878561
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain implementations, a rule-based or deep learning-based approach capable of assessing diagnostic utility of images in near real time with respect to acquisition. Correspondingly, an automated implementation of such an algorithm on the scanner would, in fact, emulate the doctor himself rating images in real time, and reduce the number of unneeded re-scans and recalls. In one aspect of the present invention it was found that diagnostic utility of an image is not an absolute measure, but instead depends upon the reading radiologist and the scan indication (i.e., the purpose of the scan). Therefore, adapting the threshold (probability of an imaging volume to be deemed good) as a function of reading radiologist and scan indication can result in decreasing the number of re-scans and recalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Desmond Teck-Beng Yeo, Arathi Sreekumari, Dattesh Dayanand Shanbhag, Dirk Wim Jos Beque
  • Publication number: 20200230419
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing parameters of a DBS pulse signal for treatment of a patient is provided. In predicting optimal DBS parameters, functional brain data is input into a predictor system, the functional brain data acquired responsive to a sweeping across a multi-dimensional parameter space of one or more DBS parameters. Statistical metrics of brain response are extracted from the functional brain data for one or more ROIs or voxels of the brain via the predictor system, and a DBS functional atlas is accessed, via the predictor system, that comprises disease-specific brain response maps derived from DBS treatment at optimal DBS parameter settings for a plurality of diseases or neurological conditions. One or more optimal DBS parameters are predicted for the patient based on the statistical metrics of brain response and the DBS functional atlas via the predictor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Radhika Madhavan, Alexandre Boutet, Suresh Joel, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe, Andres M. Lozano
  • Publication number: 20200230414
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing parameters of a DBS pulse signal for treatment of a patient is provided. In predicting optimal DBS parameters, functional brain data is input into a predictor system, the functional brain data acquired responsive to a sweeping across a multi-dimensional parameter space of one or more DBS parameters. Statistical metrics of brain response are extracted from the functional brain data for one or more ROIs or voxels of the brain via the predictor system, and a DBS functional atlas is accessed, via the predictor system, that comprises disease-specific brain response maps derived from DBS treatment at optimal DBS parameter settings for a plurality of diseases or neurological conditions. One or more optimal DBS parameters are predicted for the patient based on the statistical metrics of brain response and the DBS functional atlas via the predictor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Radhika Madhavan, Jeffrey Ashe, Suresh Joel, Ileana Hancu, Julie Pilitsis, Marisa DiMarzio
  • Patent number: 10624588
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing bioelectrical signals generated during a deep brain stimulation (DBS) includes an apparatus having a housing having a signal input and a signal output and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing and electrically coupled between the signal input and the signal output. The electrical circuit is configured to receive bioelectrical signals corresponding to a cyclic excitation signal transmitted by a pulse generator during a DBS and generate an output signal comprising a series of timing pulses, wherein each timing pulse simulates an envelope of the cyclic excitation signal. The signal output of the housing is electrically coupleable to an auxiliary trigger input of an imaging system and the series of timing pulses can be used to trigger image data acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric William Fiveland, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe
  • Publication number: 20200054228
    Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for neuromodulation of a tissue that include applying energy (e.g., ultrasound energy) into the tissue to cause altered activity at a synapse between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Puleo, Victoria Cotero, Ying Fan, Tzu-Jen Kao, David Mills, Jeffrey Ashe, Sireesha KAANUMALLE, Kirk Dennis WALLACE, Kenneth Wayne RIGBY, Ileana HANCU, James ROTHMAN
  • Patent number: 10543361
    Abstract: A system and method for localizing a deep brain stimulation electrode in vivo in a subject or object is provided. A magnetic resonance imaging system obtains MR image data from a volume-of-interest by way of a zero echo time (ZTE) or ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequence, with one or more of a phase domain image and a magnitude domain image being analyzed from the MR image data acquired by the ZTE or UTE pulse sequence. One or more electrodes are localized within the volume-of-interest based on an analysis of the phase domain image and/or magnitude domain image. In localizing the electrodes, a multi-scale correlation-based analysis of the volume-of-interest is performed to estimate at least one of an electrode center and electrode contact locations of the electrode, with the localization being achieved with a fast scan-time and with a high level of accuracy and precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sathish Ramani, Rolf Schulte, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe, Graeme C. McKinnon
  • Publication number: 20190370958
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in certain implementations, a rule-based or deep learning-based approach capable of assessing diagnostic utility of images in near real time with respect to acquisition. Correspondingly, an automated implementation of such an algorithm on the scanner would, in fact, emulate the doctor himself rating images in real time, and reduce the number of unneeded re-scans and recalls. In one aspect of the present invention it was found that diagnostic utility of an image is not an absolute measure, but instead depends upon the reading radiologist and the scan indication (i.e., the purpose of the scan). Therefore, adapting the threshold (probability of an imaging volume to be deemed good) as a function of reading radiologist and scan indication can result in decreasing the number of re-scans and recalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Thomas Kwok-Fah Foo, Desmond Teck-Beng Yeo, Arathi Sreekumari, Dattesh Dayanand Shanbhag, Dirk Wim Jos Beque
  • Patent number: 10390766
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting an excitation pattern of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) from monitored bioelectrical signals includes an apparatus having a housing having a signal input and a signal output and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled between the signal input and the signal output and is configured to receive bioelectrical signals corresponding to an excitation signal transmitted by a pulse generator during a DBS. The electrical circuit is also configured to convert the bioelectrical signals into digital logic pulses, predict a future timing pattern of the excitation signal from the digital logic pulses, and generate an output from the future timing pattern, the output comprising a log of time stamps predictive of future active transmission periods of neurological excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric William Fiveland, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe
  • Publication number: 20190255315
    Abstract: A system and method for localizing a deep brain stimulation electrode in vivo in a subject or object is provided. A magnetic resonance imaging system obtains MR image data from a volume-of-interest by way of a zero echo time (ZTE) or ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequence, with one or more of a phase domain image and a magnitude domain image being analyzed from the MR image data acquired by the ZTE or UTE pulse sequence. One or more electrodes are localized within the volume-of-interest based on an analysis of the phase domain image and/or magnitude domain image. In localizing the electrodes, a multi-scale correlation-based analysis of the volume-of-interest is performed to estimate at least one of an electrode center and electrode contact locations of the electrode, with the localization being achieved with a fast scan-time and with a high level of accuracy and precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Sathish Ramani, Rolf Schulte, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe, Graeme C. McKinnon
  • Publication number: 20180280054
    Abstract: The present approach relates to the manufacture and use of guides inserts for use in the insertion of certain tools into a patient. Guide inserts as discussed herein allow tools to be inserted at arbitrary, including non-perpendicular, orientations relative to a grid in which the guide insert is positioned. Both customizable and configurable guide inserts are contemplated and described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Ileana Hancu, Eric William Fiveland
  • Publication number: 20180199895
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing bioelectrical signals generated during a deep brain stimulation (DBS) includes an apparatus having a housing having a signal input and a signal output and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing and electrically coupled between the signal input and the signal output. The electrical circuit is configured to receive bioelectrical signals corresponding to a cyclic excitation signal transmitted by a pulse generator during a DBS and generate an output signal comprising a series of timing pulses, wherein each timing pulse simulates an envelope of the cyclic excitation signal. The signal output of the housing is electrically coupleable to an auxiliary trigger input of an imaging system and the series of timing pulses can be used to trigger image data acquisition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Eric William Fiveland, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe
  • Publication number: 20180199892
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting an excitation pattern of a deep brain stimulation (DBS) from monitored bioelectrical signals includes an apparatus having a housing having a signal input and a signal output and an electrical circuit disposed within the housing. The electrical circuit is electrically coupled between the signal input and the signal output and is configured to receive bioelectrical signals corresponding to an excitation signal transmitted by a pulse generator during a DBS. The electrical circuit is also configured to convert the bioelectrical signals into digital logic pulses, predict a future timing pattern of the excitation signal from the digital logic pulses, and generate an output from the future timing pattern, the output comprising a log of time stamps predictive of future active transmission periods of neurological excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Eric William Fiveland, Ileana Hancu, Jeffrey Ashe
  • Patent number: 9974521
    Abstract: The system and method of the invention pertains to an MR-guided breast biopsy procedure, specifically as to quickly identifying the biopsy location. More particularly, the system utilizes a diagnostic imaging modality such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate one or more lesions in a human breast. Non-rigid registration between uncompressed screening images (where the lesion has been previously identified) and the compressed biopsy images enables easier identification of the biopsy site, hence shortening the biopsy procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Robert David Darrow, Eric William Fiveland, Xiaofeng Liu
  • Patent number: 9645214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining electrical properties using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are provided. One method includes applying an ultra-short echo time (TE) pulse sequence in a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system and acquiring a complex B1+B1? quantity from an object following the application of the ultra-short TE pulse sequence, where B1+ is a complex amplitude of a transmit radio-frequency (RF) magnetic field and B1? is a complex amplitude of a receive RF magnetic field. The method also includes estimating, with a processor, one or more electrical properties of the object using the complex amplitudes of the transmit RF magnetic field and the receive RF magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Selaka Bandara Bulumulla, Florian Wiesinger, Laura Irene Sacolick, Seung Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 9513354
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to estimating an electrical property of tissue using Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. In exemplary embodiments, complex MR images of a target tissue are obtained. An estimated value of an electrical property of the target tissue is determined based on complex values of the pixels in the complex MR images. The complex values are proportional to the product of the transmit radio frequency magnetic field and the receive RF magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Selaka Bandara Bulumulla, Seung-Kyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20160278746
    Abstract: The system and method of the invention pertains to an MR-guided breast biopsy procedure, specifically as to real-time tracking and navigation of a biopsy device. More particularly, the system utilizes a diagnostic imaging modality such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to locate lesions in a human breast while utilizing an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to track advancement of a biopsy device in real-time. The invention simplifies the workflow of MRI-guided breast biopsies, shortens the time needed to perform the biopsy, decreases cost, and increases accuracy. This is achieved by enabling real-time visualization of the biopsy device as it advances towards the targeted lesion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ileana Hancu, Robert David Darrow, Eric William Fiveland, Mauricio Castillo-Effen, Seung-Kyun Lee