Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Smith
Kurt R. 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).
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Patent number: 7685005Abstract: A system and method for computer enabled network patient management of medical devices used in chronic disease management. Utilizing web site and push alert notification of alert level physiologic data derived via analysis of continuous stream wireless data transmissions from a patient, a full cycle improvement over existing modalities is achieved. Proxy and medical device user integration and access is enabled to achieve further contribution to the technical advantages of the system.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Riff, Gregory J. Linden, Kurt R. Smith
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Publication number: 20100049075Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
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Publication number: 20100041985Abstract: Digital x-ray images taken before a surgical procedure by a fluoroscopic C-arm imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments being used in the operating room. The graphical representations are updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. A number of different techniques are described that aid the physician in planning and carrying out the surgical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Simon, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin T. Foley
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Patent number: 7606613Abstract: Digital x-ray images taken before a surgical procedure by a fluoroscopic C-arm imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments being used in the operating room. The graphical representations are updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. A number of different techniques are described that aid the physician in planning and carrying out the surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.Inventors: David A Simon, Kurt R Smith, Kevin T Foley
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Patent number: 7217276Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Surgical Navigational Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D Bucholz, Kurt R Smith, Kevin J Frank, John B Clayton, Catalina J Carroll, Phillip T Ulberg
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Patent number: 7139601Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position of one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignees: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc., St. Louis UniversityInventors: Richard D. Bucholz, Kevin T. Foley, Kurt R. Smith, Daniel Bass, Thomas Wiedenmaier, Todd Pope, Udo Wiedenmaier
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Patent number: 7011410Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: EyeTect, L.L.C.Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
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Patent number: 6708184Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing composite data by a server computer with a distributed communication controller interface involves deforming a template creating a mapping relationship between co-registered data and subject data, filtering the co-registered data, and mapping this filtered co-registered data according to the mapping data. A client computer with a distributed communication controller interface requests the composite data from the server computer and transmits the subject data to the server computer. The client presents the received composite data to an operator and monitors the operators use of the composite data.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Medtronic/Surgical Navigation TechnologiesInventors: Kurt R. Smith, Richard D. Bucholz, Timothy J. Schaewe
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Publication number: 20030114752Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
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Publication number: 20030073901Abstract: Digital x-ray images taken before a surgical procedure by a fluoroscopic C-arm imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments being used in the operating room. The graphical representations are updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. A number of different techniques are described that aid the physician in planning and carrying out the surgical procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: David A. Simon, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin T. Foley
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Patent number: 6526415Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing composite data by a server computer involves deforming a template creating a mapping relationship between co-registered data and subject data, filtering the co-registered data, and mapping this filtered co-registered data according to the mapping data. A client computer requests the composite data from the server computer and transmits the subject data to the server computer. The client presents the received composite data to an operator and monitors the operators use of the composite data.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Smith, Richard D. Bucholz, Timothy J. Schaewe
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Patent number: 6510198Abstract: Image processing operations are used to improve images that include visual artifacts generated by calibration markers used in intrinsic calibration of an x-ray image. Artifacts introduced by opaque or semi-transparent calibration markers may be completely or partially removed from the image. More particularly, artifacts caused by opaque calibration markers are removed by changing the pixels corresponding to the projections of the calibration markers to blend in with pixels surrounding the calibration markers. Artifacts may also be generated with semi-transparent calibration markers. These artifacts may be eliminated from the image, while leaving intact the underlying image, by subtracting a constant offset from each marker projection.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Simon, Kurt R. Smith
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Patent number: 6491699Abstract: Generally, the present invention is directed to a method and system for a aligning surgical guide instrument over a burr hole in a patient's body. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a stand-alone instrument guidance unit that is attachable to a patient's skull. Adjustments of a surgical instrument can be made in x, y, z, and angular directions using the system and method of the present invention. In one aspect of the present invention, an instrument guide unit includes an instrument guide for guiding a surgical instrument into the body of a patient and a base unit operative to be secured to the body in an area in which surgery. is to occur. The base unit is coupled to the instrument guide. An adjustment mechanism, coupled to the base unit and the instrument guide, is operative to adjust the instrument guide in lateral directions with respect the surface of the area. The adjustment mechanism is operative to adjust the instrument guide in x and y directions.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Catalina J. Carroll, Phillip T. Ulberg
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Publication number: 20020183610Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates a display representing the position of two or more body elements during the procedure based on a reference image data set generated by a scanner. The system produces a reference image of a body elements, discriminates the body elements in the images and creates an image data set representing the images of the body elements. The system produces a density image of the body element. The system modifies the image data set according to the density image of the body element during the procedure, generates a displaced image data set representing the position and geometry of the body element during the procedure, and compares the density image of the body element during the procedure to the reference image of the body element. The system also includes a display utilizing the displaced image data set generated by the processor to illustrate the position and geometry of the body element during the procedure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Saint Louis University and Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin T. Foley, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith
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Patent number: 6490467Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates an image representing the position of one or more body elements during the procedure using scans generated by a scanner prior or during the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Bucholz, Kevin T. Foley, Kurt R. Smith, Daniel Bass, Thomas Wiedenmaier, Todd Pope, Udo Wiedenmaier
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Publication number: 20020154735Abstract: Image processing operations are used to improve images that include visual artifacts generated by calibration markers used in intrinsic calibration of an x-ray image. Artifacts introduced by opaque or semi-transparent calibration markers may be completely or partially removed from the image. More particularly, artifacts caused by opaque calibration markers are removed by changing the pixels corresponding to the projections of the calibration markers to blend in with pixels surrounding the calibration markers. Artifacts may also be generated with semi-transparent calibration markers. These artifacts may be eliminated from the image, while leaving intact the underlying image, by subtracting a constant offset from each marker projection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: David A. Simon, Kurt R. Smith
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Patent number: 6470207Abstract: Digital x-ray images taken before a surgical procedure by a fluoroscopic C-arm imager are displayed by a computer and overlaid with graphical representations of instruments be used in the operating room. The graphical representations are updated in real-time to correspond to movement of the instruments in the operating room. A number of different techniques are described that aid the physician in planning and carrying out the surgical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Simon, Kurt R. Smith, Kevin T. Foley
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Patent number: 6434415Abstract: A system for use during a medical or surgical procedure on a body. The system generates a display representing the position of two or more body elements during the procedure based on an image data set generated by a scanner prior to the procedure. The image data set has reference points for each of the body elements, the reference points of a particular body element having a fixed spatial relation to the particular body element. The system includes an apparatus for identifying, during the procedure, the relative position of each of the reference points of each of the body elements to be displayed. The system also includes a processor for modifying the image data set according to the identified relative position of each of the reference points during the procedure, as identified by the identifying apparatus, said processor generating a displaced image data set representing the position of the body elements during the procedure.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignees: St. Louis University, Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin T. Foley, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith
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Publication number: 20020085174Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
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Publication number: 20020082480Abstract: A system and method for computer enabled network patient management of medical devices used in chronic disease management. Utilizing web site and push alert notification of alert level physiologic data derived via analysis of continuous stream wireless data transmissions from a patient, a full cycle improvement over existing modalities is achieved. Proxy and medical device user integration and access is enabled to achieve further contribution to the technical advantages of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Kenneth M. Riff, Gregory J. Linden, Kurt R. Smith