Patents by Inventor Kathy Zirker-Smith

Kathy Zirker-Smith 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: 20220157476
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 11211170
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20180197639
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Dirk G. SOENKSEN, Kathy ZIRKER-SMITH, Ole EICHHORN
  • Patent number: 9910961
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 9349036
    Abstract: Enhancing color(s) in a digital slide image to increase contrast. In an embodiment, a digital slide image of a tissue sample is acquired. The tissue sample is counterstained, such that the digital slide image comprises an image of a first stain and a second stain. The contrast between the first stain and the second stain is increased to enhance the digital slide image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20150379327
    Abstract: Enhancing color(s) in a digital slide image to increase contrast. In an embodiment, a digital slide image of a tissue sample is acquired. The tissue sample is counterstained, such that the digital slide image comprises an image of a first stain and a second stain. The contrast between the first stain and the second stain is increased to enhance the digital slide image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 9122905
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing digital slide images. In an embodiment, a digital slide image is acquired from a specimen on a slide. Then, until it is determined that a quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the quality of the digital slide image is determined and the digital slide image is reacquired. Once it is determined that the quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the digital slide image and a measure of the quality of the digital slide image is provided to one or more recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: LEICA BIOSYSTEMS IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 8885900
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20140321725
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing digital slide images. In an embodiment, a digital slide image is acquired from a specimen on a slide. Then, until it is determined that a quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the quality of the digital slide image is determined and the digital slide image is reacquired. Once it is determined that the quality of the digital slide image is sufficient, the digital slide image and a measure of the quality of the digital slide image is provided to one or more recipients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20140056494
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20140046686
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 8571286
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 8565498
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20120207363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: APERIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Patent number: 8165363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith
  • Publication number: 20080292159
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate consultations between a referral source (e.g., labs, pathologists and patients) and a consultant (e.g., pathologist, radiologist, or other digital image analyst). Links between the various referral sources and consultants are established through a scanning center via a data communication network such as the Internet. The referral source sends a slide to the scanning center where the corresponding digital slide is posted for review and analysis by the consultant. Upon completion of the analysis and report, a digital slide conference is conducted through the scanning center that provides a venue for direct communication regarding the consultation. The scanning center may also facilitate payment from the referral source to the consultant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: APERIO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dirk G. Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith, Ole Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20080273788
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving quality assurance in pathology using automated quality assessment and digital image enhancements on digital slides prior to analysis by the pathologist are provided. A digital pathology system (slide scanning instrument and software) creates, assesses and improves the quality of a digital slide. The improved digital slide image has a higher image quality that results in increased efficiency and accuracy in the analysis and diagnosis of such digital slides when they are reviewed on a monitor by a pathologist. These improved digital slides yield a more objective diagnosis than reading the corresponding glass slide under a microscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Aperio Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Soenksen, Kathy Zirker-Smith