Patents by Inventor John I. Jackson

John I. Jackson 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: 9814439
    Abstract: A difference between a detected motion and a reference motion is automatically displayed. The reference motion is a modeled motion of an organ, a base line motion of an organ or another portion of an organ. A deviation in motion amplitude, angle or both angle and amplitude from a reference set may more easily identify abnormal or normal motion of the organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Liexiang Fan, David E. Gustafson, John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8460190
    Abstract: Automated image interpretation is provided with transducer position and/or orientation sensing. The current position of a transducer is used to determine the anatomy being imaged. Other reference information, such as (1) the previous position of the transducer and the known anatomy being imaged at that time or (2) a reference device at a known location, is used in the determination. The anatomy is determined based on position sensing or determined based on position sensing and other anatomy features, such as image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Constantine Simopoulos
  • Patent number: 8295569
    Abstract: A method and system for segmentation of mitral valve inflow (MI) patterns in Doppler echocardiogram images is disclosed. Trained root detectors are used to detect left root candidates, right root candidates, and peak candidates in an input Doppler echocardiogram image. Two global structure detectors, a single triangle detector for non-overlapping E-waves and A-waves and a double triangle detector for overlapping E-waves and A-waves, are used to detect single triangle candidates and double triangle candidates based on the left root, right root, and peak candidates. A shape profile is used to determine a shape probability for each of the single triangle candidates and each of the double triangle candidates. The best single triangle candidate and the best double triangle candidate are selected based on shape probability and detection probability. One of the best single triangle candidate and the best double triangle candidate is selected as the final segmentation result based on a shape probability comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-hyeong Park, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, John I. Jackson, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Patent number: 8150116
    Abstract: A method and system for detection of deformable structures in medical images is disclosed. Deformable structures can represent blood flow patterns in images such as Doppler echocardiograms. A probabilistic, hierarchical, and discriminant framework is used to detect such deformable structures. This framework integrates evidence from different primitive levels via a progressive detector hierarchy, including a series of discriminant classifiers. A target deformable structure is parameterized by a multi-dimensional parameter, and primitives or partial parameterizations of the parameter are determined. An input image is received, and a series of primitives are sequentially detected using the progressive detector hierarchy, in which each detector or classifier detects a corresponding primitive. The final detector detects configuration candidates for the deformable structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Feng Guo, Jin-hyeong Park, Gustavo Henrique Monteiro de Barros Carneiro, Constantine Simopoulos, Joanne Otsuki, Dorin Comaniciu, John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7921717
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of selecting one or more operational parameters of an ultrasonic imaging system. In particular, methods and means are disclosed for automatically or semi-automatically determining a best operating frequency, or for determining whether a system should operate in a fundamental imaging mode or a harmonic imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Lewis J. Thomas, Constantine Simopoulos
  • Patent number: 7773074
    Abstract: A physical 3D volume object is manipulated to navigate through a volume image. The orientation of the volume object, such as a cube or other shaped device, is sensed. As the volume object is rotated, the viewing direction associated with three dimensional rendering rotates. The volume object may represent a viewer's eye or the object for determining the viewing direction from the volume object orientation. The volume object may be untethered and/or generally flat, allowing ease of use. The volume object may be associated with a shape of an organ or tissue to provide further frame of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Arenson, John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7695439
    Abstract: Automated analysis of ultrasound data is provided to extract event times, such as valve opening and closing times. Different types of ultrasound data, such as B-mode, M-mode, tissue velocity or flow velocity, are processed by a processor to identify automatically the event times. The event times are used for the processing of ultrasound data or to assist diagnosis. The event times may be used to estimate other event times in different heart cycles, such as with interpolation or extrapolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Lei Sui
  • Publication number: 20090310837
    Abstract: A method and system for segmentation of mitral valve inflow (MI) patterns in Doppler echocardiogram images is disclosed. Trained root detectors are used to detect left root candidates, right root candidates, and peak candidates in an input Doppler echocardiogram image. Two global structure detectors, a single triangle detector for non-overlapping E-waves and A-waves and a double triangle detector for overlapping E-waves and A-waves, are used to detect single triangle candidates and double triangle candidates based on the left root, right root, and peak candidates. A shape profile is used to determine a shape probability for each of the single triangle candidates and each of the double triangle candidates. The best single triangle candidate and the best double triangle candidate are selected based on shape probability and detection probability. One of the best single triangle candidate and the best double triangle candidate is selected as the final segmentation result based on a shape probability comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Corporate Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-hyeong Park, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, John I. Jackson, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Publication number: 20090010509
    Abstract: A method and system for detection of deformable structures in medical images is disclosed. Deformable structures can represent blood flow patterns in images such as Doppler echocardiograms. A probabilistic, hierarchical, and discriminant framework is used to detect such deformable structures. This framework integrates evidence from different primitive levels via a progressive detector hierarchy, including a series of discriminant classifiers. A target deformable structure is parameterized by a multi-dimensional parameter, and primitives or partial parameterizations of the parameter are determined. An input image is received, and a series of primitives are sequentially detected using the progressive detector hierarchy, in which each detector or classifier detects a corresponding primitive. The final detector detects configuration candidates for the deformable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Feng Guo, Jin-Hyeong Park, Gustavo Henrique Monteiro de Barros Carneiro, Constantine Simopoulos, Joanne Otsuki, Dorin Comaniciu, John I. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20080154123
    Abstract: Automated image interpretation is provided with transducer position and/or orientation sensing. The current position of a transducer is used to determine the anatomy being imaged. Other reference information, such as (1) the previous position of the transducer and the known anatomy being imaged at that time or (2) a reference device at a known location, is used in the determination. The anatomy is determined based on position sensing or determined based on position sensing and other anatomy features, such as image analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Constantine Simopoulos
  • Patent number: 7221972
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate to stepping through the stages of a protocol using an input device and a protocol controller for a medical diagnostic imaging system. The protocol controller may be operative to transition from one stage to a next stage in the protocol in response to no more than a single input from the input device. Thus, a single input from the input device may indicate to the protocol controller to transition to each of the stages of the protocol. In one embodiment, the same single input, such as a stage transition input, is received to transition to each stage of the at least two sequential stages. In another embodiment, different single input, such as different keys on a keyboard, may be used to transition to different stages of the at least two sequential stages. Other embodiments are provided, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Lewis J. Thomas, Cynthia L. Kerby, Laurence S. McCabe, David R. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 6976960
    Abstract: Velocity data is automatically anti-aliased. Since a tissue velocity varies a small amount over small distances, more accurate velocity or strain rate estimates are calculated automatically with an anti-aliasing algorithm. Since the velocity information derived from phase information, like Doppler, contains uncertainties of a multiple of a specific velocity (e.g., a constant multiple of 2? error), a specific velocity is at least one of multiple possible velocities. The possible velocities are calculated and the specific velocity selected. Additional velocities may then be extrapolated for different regions or subsequent frames of data for a same region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6976961
    Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Randall L. Schlesinger, John W. Allison
  • Publication number: 20040254467
    Abstract: Velocity data is automatically anti-aliased. Since a tissue velocity varies a small amount over small distances, more accurate velocity or strain rate estimates are calculated automatically with an anti-aliasing algorithm. Since the velocity information derived from phase information, like Doppler, contains uncertainties of a multiple of a specific velocity (e.g., a constant multiple of 2&pgr; error), a specific velocity is at least one of multiple possible velocities. The possible velocities are calculated and the specific velocity selected. Additional velocities may then be extrapolated for different regions or subsequent frames of data for a same region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6673017
    Abstract: Two or more temporal indicators are used for interleaving frames from a plurality of physiological cycles. For example, frames of one cycle are separated from the frames of another cycle based on an ECG signal. Data representing an imaged region for each of the frames is then used for temporally aligning the frames. For example, average velocity waveforms calculated from the frames of each of the cycles are fitted together. The temporal position of each of the frames within a base physiological cycle is determined based on the fitting. The interleaved frames provide a higher effective frame rate with improved temporal resolution which is based on the accurate interleaving of the data from the plurality of physiological cycles. Course alignment is provided using one event or temporal indicator. A more refined temporal alignment is provided in response to a second temporal indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventor: John I. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6645147
    Abstract: A method and system for contrast agent imaging with a catheter transducer is provided. The catheter transducer may comprise an intra-vascular, intra-cardiac or other transducer for insertion into or through a small space. The catheter transducer is inserted within the heart or other portion of a patient. Contrast agents, such as micro-spheres, are injected into the patient. Using the catheter transducer, ultrasonic acoustic energy is transmitted, and reflected energy is received. The reflected energy is responsive to the contrast agents. An image processor generates an image of the tissue and contrast agents as a function of the reflected energy. The image provides an indication of perfusion. Alternatively, the ultrasound system calculates perfusion. By generating intra-vascular images or data, interference from other tissues is avoided. Therefore, the perfusion information obtained may have higher resolution. Images with better resolution better assist doctors in medical diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Jay S. Plugge, Edward A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6612992
    Abstract: A catheter and method for determining a position of the catheter within the cardiovascular system is provided. Local bending and twisting is measured at multiple locations along the catheter. By integrating the measurements, the position and orientation of the catheter is determined. Based on the catheter position information, the location and orientation of an ultrasound transducer array connected with the catheter is known. The imaging array position and orientation information may be used to assist a physician in determining the tissue structure or fluid being scanned and/or assist in the accurate generation of three-dimensional representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Acuson Corp
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Michael G. Curley, Thilaka S. Sumanaweera, John I. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20030158483
    Abstract: Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, Randall L. Schlesinger, John W. Allison
  • Patent number: 6607488
    Abstract: A method and system for indicating the position and orientation of a scan plane relative to a patient is provided. The image as presented on a display is oriented in accordance with the orientation of a transducer. The orientation may provide for displaying an image where the transducer is not in a transducer up or transducer down position, but is rotated away from vertical of the display. Alternatively or additionally, a two or three-dimensional graphical generic representation is provided with a scan plane indicated as a polygon or image rendering within a generic representation to show relative positioning of the scan plane with respect to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John I. Jackson, John A. Hossack
  • Patent number: 6589182
    Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound catheter with a tip portion carrying an ultrasound transducer. The tip portion comprises a first portion that is in the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer, and a second portion that is outside the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer. The first and second portions comprise different acoustic and mechanical properties. For example, the mechanical properties of the second portion can give the catheter tip sufficient durability to withstand normal use without bowing, while the acoustic properties of the first portion can give the catheter tip desired acoustic properties. This may be especially important for small diameter catheters (e.g., maximum cross-sectional dimensions less than or equal to about 10 French or 8 French) where the stiffness of the catheter tip is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Rickard C. Loftman, Randall L. Schlesinger, John I. Jackson, Lex J. Garbini, Douglas B. Dull