Patents by Inventor Kate Leeann Bechtel

Kate Leeann Bechtel 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: 11771349
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20230293065
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20230248276
    Abstract: A method for calibrating detectors of a self-contained, tissue oximetry device includes emitting light from a light source into a tissue phantom, detecting in a plurality of detectors the light emitted from the light source, subsequent to reflection from the tissue phantom, and generating a set of detector responses by the plurality of detectors based on detecting the light emitted from the light source. The method further includes determining a set of differences between the set of detector responses and a reflectance curve for the tissue phantom, and generating a set of calibration functions based on the set of differences. Each calibration function in the set of calibration functions is associated with a unique, light source-detector pair. The method further includes storing the set of calibration function in a memory of the self-contained, tissue oximetry device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Brian Wilfley
  • Publication number: 20230240568
    Abstract: An oximeter probe determines an oxygen saturation for the tissue and determines a quality value for the oxygen saturation and associated measurements of the tissue. The quality value is calculated from reflectance data received at the detectors of the oximeter probe. The oximeter probe then displays a value for the oxygen saturation with the error value to indicate a quality level for the oxygen saturation and associated values used to calculate oxygen saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Alex Michael Margiott, Jennifer Elizabeth Keating, Kimberly Merritt Shultz, Scott E. Coleridge, Joseph Heanue
  • Patent number: 11707214
    Abstract: An oximeter probe includes a probe unit or a base unit and a probe tip where the probe tip has a number of sources and detectors that can be accessed individually or in differing combinations for measuring tissue oxygen saturation at different tissue depth in tissue. A processor of the oximeter probe controls a multiplexer that is coupled to the detectors for selectively collecting measurement information from the detectors via the multiplexer. The oximeter probe is user programmable via one or more input devices on the oximeter probe for selecting the particular sources and detectors to collect measurement information from by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Jennifer Elizabeth Keating, Scott Coleridge
  • Publication number: 20230190153
    Abstract: A sleeve or sheath includes a body having a top opening. The body covers a handheld oximeter probe or a portion of the probe. The sleeve has a shape that approximately matches the oximeter probe or portion of the probe, which is covered by the sleeve. The sleeve has a top opening that allows a user to slide the oximeter probe into the sleeve. The sleeve is transparent to radiation emitted and collected by the oximeter probe. The sleeve is formed of a material that prevents patient tissue, fluid, viruses, bacteria, and fungus from contacting the covered portions of the oximeter probe. The sleeve leaves the probe relatively sterile after use so that little or no clearing of the probe is required for a subsequent use, such as when the probe is covered with a new, unused sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Lonsinger, Scott E. Coleridge, Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, William Welch
  • Patent number: 11672448
    Abstract: A probe tip of an oximeter device includes first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are coupled to the ends of optical fibers that transmit light between the PCBs and into patient tissue that is to be measured by the oximeter device. The PCBs are oriented at an angle between zero and ninety degrees so that the fibers have a curved shape between the locations at which the fibers are coupled to the first and second PCBs. The angular orientation of the PCBs and curved shape of the fibers allows the fibers to have a longer length than if the fibers were straight and allows for light transmitted through the fibers to have a uniform distribution across a cross-section of the fibers as the light is emitted from the fibers into patient tissue. The uniform distribution of light transmitted into patient tissue allows for reliable oximetry measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Alex Michael Margiott, Jennifer Elizabeth Keating, Kimberly Merritt Shultz
  • Patent number: 11653861
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20230148886
    Abstract: An optical sensor module for measuring both speckleplethysmography (SPG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) signals at human or animal tissue, the optical sensor module comprising: a first light source, for illuminating the tissue for use with SPG measurements, the first light source comprising a laser; a second light source, for illuminating the tissue for use with PPG measurements; and one or more optical sensor(s) for receiving light from the illuminated tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn BECHTEL, James McMILLAN, Farzaneh AFSHINMANESH, Cody DUNN
  • Publication number: 20230148885
    Abstract: An optical sensor module for measuring both speckleplethysmography (SPG) and photoplethysmography (PPG) signals at human or animal tissue, the optical sensor module comprising:a first light source, for illuminating the tissue for use with SPG measurements, the first light source comprising a laser; a second light source, for illuminating the tissue for use with PPG measurements; and one or more optical sensor(s) for receiving light from the illuminated tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn BECHTEL, James McMILLAN, Farzaneh AFSHINMANESH, Cody DUNN
  • Patent number: 11627896
    Abstract: A method for calibrating detectors of a self-contained, tissue oximetry device includes emitting light from a light source into a tissue phantom, detecting in a plurality of detectors the light emitted from the light source, subsequent to reflection from the tissue phantom, and generating a set of detector responses by the plurality of detectors based on detecting the light emitted from the light source. The method further includes determining a set of differences between the set of detector responses and a reflectance curve for the tissue phantom, and generating a set of calibration functions based on the set of differences. Each calibration function in the set of calibration functions is associated with a unique, light source-detector pair. The method further includes storing the set of calibration function in a memory of the self-contained, tissue oximetry device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Brian Wilfley
  • Publication number: 20230087295
    Abstract: An optical speckle receiver for receiving a speckle signal from a sample, the optical speckle receiver comprising an optical detector and an aperture and/or lens array. The aperture and array respectively comprise a plurality of apertures or lenses and is located between the sample and the optical detector such that the received speckle pattern is obtained from multiple discrete sample locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Cody DUNN, Kate LeeAnn BECHTEL
  • Publication number: 20230085179
    Abstract: An optical speckle receiver for receiving a speckle signal from a sample, the optical speckle receiver comprising an optical detector and an aperture and/or lens array. The aperture and array respectively comprise a plurality of apertures or lenses and is located between the sample and the optical detector such that the received speckle pattern is obtained from multiple discrete sample locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Cody DUNN, Kate LeeAnn BECHTEL
  • Publication number: 20230061792
    Abstract: A tissue oximetry device utilizes at least three or at least four different wavelengths of light for collection of reflectance data where the different wavelengths are longer than 730 nanometers. The three or four wavelengths are utilized to generate a range of reflectance data suited for accurate determination of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations. The relatively long wavelengths decrease optical interference from certain dyes, particularly methylene blue and PVPI, which may be present on tissue being analyzed for viability and further enhance the generation of accurate reflectance data. The wavelengths are 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, and 850 nanometers, or 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, 850 nanometers, and 900 nanometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Lester John Lloyd
  • Patent number: 11589784
    Abstract: An oximeter probe determines an oxygen saturation for the tissue and determines a quality value for the oxygen saturation and associated measurements of the tissue. The quality value is calculated from reflectance data received at the detectors of the oximeter probe. The oximeter probe then displays a value for the oxygen saturation with the error value to indicate a quality level for the oxygen saturation and associated values used to calculate oxygen saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Alex Michael Margiott, Jennifer Elizabeth Keating, Kimberly Merritt Shultz, Scott Coleridge, Joseph Heanue
  • Patent number: 11583211
    Abstract: A sleeve or sheath includes a body having a top opening. The body covers a handheld oximeter probe or a portion of the probe. The sleeve has a shape that approximately matches the oximeter probe or portion of the probe, which is covered by the sleeve. The sleeve has a top opening that allows a user to slide the oximeter probe into the sleeve. The sleeve is transparent to radiation emitted and collected by the oximeter probe. The sleeve is formed of a material that prevents patient tissue, fluid, viruses, bacteria, and fungus from contacting the covered portions of the oximeter probe. The sleeve leaves the probe relatively sterile after use so that little or no clearing of the probe is required for a subsequent use, such as when the probe is covered with a new, unused sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Lonsinger, Scott Coleridge, Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, William Welch
  • Publication number: 20230039055
    Abstract: A photonic integrated device comprising: a photonic integrated chip (PIC) adapted to investigate blood flow at a portion of tissue of a user, said PIC comprising: a laser having an optical output, or waveguide for guiding an optical output from an external laser, the optical output being split into a first optical component and a second optical component; wherein the first optical component is arranged to be transmitted to and generate speckle at the portion of tissue of the user; the photonic integrated device further comprising: one or more detectors, each detector configured to receive the speckle generated by the first optical component at the portion of tissue; and one or more optical splitters optically coupling the second optical component to one or more respective input(s) of the one or more detectors; wherein the photonic integrated device is further adapted to measure interference at the one or more detectors between a sample arm formed by the first optical component and a reference arm formed by th
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Craig GARDNER, Jeffrey DRISCOLL, Kate LeeAnn BECHTEL
  • Publication number: 20230000399
    Abstract: A laparoscopic medical device includes an oximeter sensor at its tip, which allows the making of oxygen saturation measurements laparoscopically. The device can be a unitary design, wherein a laparoscopic element includes electronics for the oximeter sensor at a distal end (e.g., opposite the tip). The device can be a multiple piece design (e.g., two-piece design), where some electronics is in a separate housing from the laparoscopic element, and the pieces (or portions) are removably connected together. The laparoscopic element can be removed and disposed of; so, the electronics can be reused multiple times with replacement laparoscopic elements. The electronics can include a processing unit for control, computation, or display, or any combination of these. However, in an implementation, the electronics can connect wirelessly to other electronics (e.g., another processing unit) for further control, computation, or display, or any combination of these.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Todd Louis Harris, Edward Gerald Solomon, Winston Sun, Alan Baldwin, Scott Coleridge, Mark Lonsinger
  • Publication number: 20220400988
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 11478170
    Abstract: A tissue oximetry device utilizes at least three or at least four different wavelengths of light for collection of reflectance data where the different wavelengths are longer than 730 nanometers. The three or four wavelengths are utilized to generate a range of reflectance data suited for accurate determination of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations. The relatively long wavelengths decrease optical interference from certain dyes, particularly methylene blue and PVPI, which may be present on tissue being analyzed for viability and further enhance the generation of accurate reflectance data. The wavelengths are 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, and 850 nanometers, or 760 nanometers, 810 nanometers, 850 nanometers, and 900 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate Leeann Bechtel, Lester John Lloyd