Patents by Inventor Neil Witcomb

Neil Witcomb 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: 10699411
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE, COLIBRI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Neil Witcomb
  • Patent number: 10074176
    Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Gal Sela, Neil Witcomb, David Gallop, Kelly Noel Dyer, Wes Hodges
  • Publication number: 20180158190
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Neil Witcomb
  • Publication number: 20180140223
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus is provided for calibrating a medical tool having a tool tracking marker. The medical tool and the calibration apparatus are for use with a medical navigation system. The calibration apparatus comprises a frame, a frame tracking marker attached to the frame, and a reference point formed on the frame. The reference point provides a known spatial reference point relative to the frame tracking marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Leila KHERADPIR, William LAU, Gal SELA, Neil WITCOMB
  • Patent number: 9786056
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignees: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CONAVI MEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Neil Witcomb
  • Publication number: 20170076450
    Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Gal SELA, Neil WITCOMB, David GALLOP, Kelly Noel DYER, Wes HODGES
  • Patent number: 9536309
    Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Synaptive Medical (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Gal Sela, Neil Witcomb, David Gallop, Kelly Noel Dyer, Wes Hodges
  • Publication number: 20160155232
    Abstract: A method and computing device for displaying surgical path data are provided. The computing device includes an input device, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores (i) an image of a volume of patient tissue having an outer surface, and (ii) anatomical data defining anatomical features of the volume. The processor receives an identifier of a target location within the volume; generates a plurality of paths from the outer surface to the target location, each path having a start point located on the outer surface, and an end point at the target location; for each of the plurality of paths, determines a score based on a comparison between the path and the anatomical data; and controls the display to present the outer surface and, at the locations of the start points, indications of the respective scores of the paths corresponding to the start points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Gal SELA, Neil WITCOMB, David GALLOP, Kelly Noel DYER, Wes HODGES
  • Publication number: 20160027184
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to process and/or display data collected using 3D imaging probes. The methods include: a) methods for mapping a single 2D frame onto a 3D representation of a volume; b) methods for dynamically updating portions of a 3D representation of a volume with a high temporal resolution, while leaving the remainder of the volume for contextual reference; c) methods for registering volumetric datasets acquired with high temporal resolution with volumetric datasets acquired with relatively low temporal resolution in order to estimate relative displacement between the datasets; and d) methods for identifying structures within a volume and applying visual cues to the structures in subsequent volumes containing the structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Neil Witcomb
  • Patent number: D794787
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Leila Kheradpir, William Wai-Leung Lau, Gal Sela, Neil Witcomb