Patents by Inventor Joachim W. Boehm

Joachim W. Boehm 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: 20190082963
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source for producing white light, fluorescence excitation light, or fluorescence excitation light with a reference reflectance light. An endoscope directs light to illuminate a tissue sample and collects reflected light or fluorescence light produced by the tissue. A camera includes a high sensitivity color image sensor having a plurality of pixel elements. Each of the pixel elements has an integrated filter configured to block reflected excitation light from reaching the pixel elements and allow fluorescence and reflectance light to reach the pixel elements. A processor receives image signals from the image sensor, combines image signals from a first group of pixel elements to form a first image formed by fluorescence light, and combines image signals from a second group of pixel elements to form a second image formed by reflectance light. A video monitor simultaneously superimposes the first and second images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Richard W. CLINE, John J.P. FENGLER, Joachim W. BOEHM
  • Patent number: 9968244
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source for producing white light, fluorescence excitation light, or fluorescence excitation light with a reference reflectance light. An endoscope directs light to illuminate a tissue sample and collects reflected light or fluorescence light produced by the tissue. A camera includes a high sensitivity color image sensor having a plurality of pixel elements. Each of the pixel elements has an integrated filter configured to block reflected excitation light from reaching the pixel elements and allow fluorescence and reflectance light to reach the pixel elements. A processor receives image signals from the image sensor, combines image signals from a first group of pixel elements to form a first image formed by fluorescence light, and combines image signals from a second group of pixel elements to form a second image formed by reflectance light. A video monitor simultaneously superimposes the first and second images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: NOVADAQ TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J. P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20150230698
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source for producing white light, fluorescence excitation light, or fluorescence excitation light with a reference reflectance light. An endoscope directs light to illuminate a tissue sample and collects reflected light or fluorescence light produced by the tissue. A camera includes a high sensitivity color image sensor having a plurality of pixel elements. Each of the pixel elements has an integrated filter configured to block reflected excitation light from reaching the pixel elements and allow fluorescence and reflectance light to reach the pixel elements. A processor receives image signals from the image sensor, combines image signals from a first group of pixel elements to form a first image formed by fluorescence light, and combines image signals from a second group of pixel elements to form a second image formed by reflectance light. A video monitor simultaneously superimposes the first and second images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J.P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 8961403
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J. P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20100210904
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J.P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20100198010
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J.P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 7722534
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Novadaq Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W Cline, John J. P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20080228037
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J.P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 7420151
    Abstract: A system for performing short wavelength imaging with a broadband illumination source includes an image processor that receives signals from a color image sensor. The image processor reduces the contribution of red illumination light to an image by computing blue, green, and blue-green (cyan) color components of display pixels from the signals received from the image sensor. The blue, green, and cyan color component values are coupled to inputs of a color monitor for display to produce a false color image of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John J. P. Fengler, Paul R. Westwick, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 7341557
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Novadaq Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J. P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Patent number: 6821245
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Xillix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J. P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm
  • Publication number: 20020035330
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multimode light source that produces light for color and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for color and fluorescence imaging. Images obtained through the endoscope are optically divided and projected onto one or more image sensors by a fixed beam splitter in the camera. The fixed beam splitter eliminates the need for inserting a movable mirror into the light path between the endoscope and the image sensors. Image signals from the camera are processed in the system processor/controller where a contrast enhancement function can be applied. The contrast enhancement function increases the color contrast between normal tissue and tissue suspicious for early cancer. Finally, the system also includes a calibration feature whereby the system performance can be maintained when used with different endoscopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Xillix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Cline, John J.P. Fengler, Joachim W. Boehm