Patents by Inventor Martha Pitman

Martha Pitman 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).

  • System and Method for Identifying Tissue Using Low-Coherence Interferometry
    Publication number: 20110092823
    Abstract: An apparatus for needle biopsy with real time tissue differentiation using one dimensional interferometric ranging imaging, comprising a biopsy device having a barrel and a needle, an optical fiber inserted in the needle, and a fiber optic imaging system connected to the optical fiber. The imaging system obtains images and compares the optical properties and patterns to a database of normalized tissue sample images to determine different tissue types. The physician performing the biopsy obtains feedback via a feedback unit associated with the biopsy device and which is connected to the imaging system. The feedback unit can provide visual, audible or vibratory feedback as to tissue type encountered when the needle is inserted toward the target tissue. The feedback unit can be programmed for different biopsy procedures so that the user can actuate a button to select a display or other feedback mechanism for the desired procedure and anticipated tissue to be encountered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Milen Stefanov Shishkov, Nicursor V. Iftimia, Brett E. Bouma, Martha Pitman
  • System and method for identifying tissue using low-coherence interferometry
    Patent number: 7761139
    Abstract: An apparatus for needle biopsy with real time tissue differentiation using one dimensional interferometric ranging imaging, comprising a biopsy device having a barrel and a needle, an optical fiber inserted in the needle, and a fiber optic imaging system connected to the optical fiber. The imaging system obtains images and compares the optical properties and patterns to a database of normalized tissue sample images to determine different tissue types. The physician performing the biopsy obtains feedback via a feedback unit associated with the biopsy device and which is connected to the imaging system. The feedback unit can provide visual, audible or vibratory feedback as to tissue type encountered when the needle is inserted toward the target tissue. The feedback unit can be programmed for different biopsy procedures so that the user can actuate a button to select a display or other feedback mechanism for the desired procedure and anticipated tissue to be encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Guillermo J. Tearney, Milen Stefanov Shishkov, Nicusor V. Iftimia, Brett E. Bouma, Martha Pitman
  • System and method for identifying tissue using low-coherence interferometry
    Publication number: 20050004453
    Abstract: An apparatus for needle biopsy with real time tissue differentiation using one dimensional interferometric ranging imaging, comprising a biopsy device having a barrel and a needle, an optical fiber inserted in the needle, and a fiber optic imaging system connected to the optical fiber. The imaging system obtains images and compares the optical properties and patterns to a database of normalized tissue sample images to determine different tissue types. The physician performing the biopsy obtains feedback via a feedback unit associated with the biopsy device and which is connected to the imaging system. The feedback unit can provide visual, audible or vibratory feedback as to tissue type encountered when the needle is inserted toward the target tissue. The feedback unit can be programmed for different biopsy procedures so that the user can actuate a button to select a display or other feedback mechanism for the desired procedure and anticipated tissue to be encountered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Guillermo Tearney, Milen Shishkov, Nicursor Iftimia, Brett Bouma, Martha Pitman