Patents by Inventor Lou Dietz

Lou Dietz 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: 20220021823
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of imaging biological specimens. An imaging system can include a microscope for directly viewing the biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Patent number: 11070750
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of imaging biological specimens. An imaging system can include a microscope for directly viewing the biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Publication number: 20200358969
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of imaging biological specimens. An imaging system can include a microscope for directly viewing the biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Patent number: 10778913
    Abstract: An imaging system that can include a microscope for directly viewing a biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system that can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Patent number: 10242248
    Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and methods for separating colors in an image by automatically and adaptively adjusting reference vectors based on information specific to the assay being imaged, resulting in an optimized unmixing process that provides stain information that is physically and physiologically plausible. The reference vectors are optimized iteratively, based on minimizing non-negative color contributions, background contributions, high-frequencies in color channels specific to background or unwanted fluorescence, signals from known immunohistochemical markers, and pairs of stains known to carry physiologically independent information. Adjustments to the reference vectors may be allowed within a range that is predetermined based on measuring colors from multiple input images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Bredno, Lou Dietz, Jim F. Martin
  • Patent number: 9792693
    Abstract: Processing of images acquired via fluorescence microscopy by identifying broadband and other undesired signals from the component signals of a scanned image, and processing selected regions of the image that are known to contain signals of interest, thereby extracting or identifying desired signals while subtracting undesired signals. One or more broadband signals are recognized by their unique signature and ubiquitous dispersion through the image. Regions of the scanned image may be tagged as consisting of predominantly broadband signals and are ignored during a spectral unmixing process. The remaining regions of the image, or selected regions of the image known to contain desired signals, may be unmixed, and the plurality of reference spectra subtracted from the components to extract or identify the target signals. The set of target signals may be refined by eliminating known or obvious sources of noise by, for instance, being compared to known or ideal sets of signals from similar materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Pascal Bamford, Srinivas Chukka, Lou Dietz, Ronald T. Kurnik, Bikash Sabata, Anindya Sarkar, Olcay Sertel
  • Publication number: 20160131583
    Abstract: An imaging system (100) is capable of detecting of tissue situated on a microscope slide (180). The imaging system (100) includes a light source (150), an image capturing device (160) including a camera, and an imaging lens (170). The light source (150) directs light (154) towards one or more of the edges of the slide (180) such that the light (154) undergoes total internal reflection between a surface of the slide (180) and a coverslip (182) carried by the slide (180). The light (154) has a wavelength or waveband designed to stimulate one or more specimens carried on the slide (180). The imaging lens (170) is positioned to direct radiation emitted from the tissue and/or fluorophore onto the camera. The image capturing device (160) can capture an image of the whole slide (180) or a portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Pascal Bamford, Lou Dietz, Elizabeth Little
  • Publication number: 20160098590
    Abstract: The subject disclosure presents systems and methods for separating colors in an image by automatically and adaptively adjusting reference vectors based on information specific to the assay being imaged, resulting in an optimized unmixing process that provides stain information that is physically and physiologically plausible. The reference vectors are optimized iteratively, based on minimizing non-negative color contributions, background contributions, high-frequencies in color channels specific to background or unwanted fluorescence, signals from known immunohistochemical markers, and pairs of stains known to carry physiologically independent information. Adjustments to the reference vectors may be allowed within a range that is predetermined based on measuring colors from multiple input images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joerg Bredno, Lou Dietz, Jim F. Martin
  • Publication number: 20160035100
    Abstract: Processing of images acquired via fluorescence microscopy by identifying broadband and other undesired signals from the component signals of a scanned image, and processing selected regions of the image that are known to contain signals of interest, thereby extracting or identifying desired signals while subtracting undesired signals. One or more broadband signals are recognized by their unique signature and ubiquitous dispersion through the image. Regions of the scanned image may be tagged as consisting of predominantly broadband signals and are ignored during a spectral unmixing process. The remaining regions of the image, or selected regions of the image known to contain desired signals, may be unmixed, and the plurality of reference spectra subtracted from the components to extract or identify the target signals. The set of target signals may be refined by eliminating known or obvious sources of noise by, for instance, being compared to known or ideal sets of signals from similar materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Pascal BAMFORD, Srinivas CHUKKA, Lou DIETZ, Ronald T. KURNIK, Bikash SABATA, Anindya SARKAR, Olcay SERTEL
  • Publication number: 20140267672
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of imaging biological specimens. An imaging system can include a microscope for directly viewing the biological specimen and a multi-spectral imaging apparatus for outputting digitally enhanced images, near-video rate imaging, and/or videos of the specimen. An imaging system can include a digital scanner that digitally processes images to produce a composite image with enhanced color contrast of features of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Larry Morrison, Lou Dietz
  • Patent number: 8797396
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney
  • Patent number: 8675992
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate
  • Publication number: 20120092481
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate, Prashanth Ravindran, Sanford Barsky
  • Publication number: 20120076436
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate, Prashanth Ravindran, Sanford Barsky
  • Publication number: 20120076411
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate, Prashanth Ravindran, Sanford Barsky
  • Publication number: 20120076391
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Ventana Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate, Prashanth Ravindran, Sanford Barsky
  • Publication number: 20090162941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for air ingestion prevention. The invention provides a stopper or plug with one or more conduits and a recess that prevents air ingestion during outlet of a liquid from a liquid container covered with the stopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: James Winkler, Robyn Bennis, Lou Dietz, Keith Moravick, Haile Negussie
  • Publication number: 20080240613
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: BIOIMAGENE, INC.
    Inventors: Lou Dietz, Kurt Kuhlmann, Lokesh Tatke, Suraj Somwanshi, Christopher Todd, Glenn Stark, Barry Rodriguez, Gregory Loney, Bikash Sabata, Ronald L. Allen, Suhas Patil, Sujit Chivate, Prashanth Ravindran, Sanford Barsky