Patents by Inventor Nicolas J. Merlet

Nicolas J. Merlet 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: 20180035966
    Abstract: A method of updating a model of a luminal network. The method includes performing first imaging of a target, generating 3D image data including locations of fiducial markers using images captured in the first imaging, performing second imaging of the target from a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint, generating 2D image data including locations of the fiducial markers from the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint using images captured in the second imaging, determining locations of the fiducial markers in 3D space according to locations of the fiducial markers within the 2D image data of the first viewpoint, locations of the fiducial markers within the 2D image data of the second viewpoint, and the known angle, and registering the 3D image data generated using images captured in the first imaging with the determined locations of the fiducial markers in 3D space. The first viewpoint and the second viewpoint are oriented at a known angle relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: NICOLAS J. MERLET, OREN P. WEINGARTEN
  • Publication number: 20170243347
    Abstract: Methods and systems for registering three-dimensional (3D) CT image data with two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic image data using a plurality of markers are disclosed. In the methods and systems, a lateral angle and a cranial angle are searched for and a roll angle is computed. 3D translation coordinates are also computed. The calculated roll angle and 3D translation coordinates are computed for a predetermined number of times successively. After performing the calculations, the 3D CT image data is overlaid on the 2D fluoroscopic image data based on the lateral angle, the cranial angle, the roll angle, and the 3D translation coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Nicolas J. Merlet
  • Patent number: 9633431
    Abstract: Methods and systems for registering three-dimensional (3D) CT image data with two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic image data using a plurality of markers are disclosed. In the methods and systems, a lateral angle and a cranial angle are searched for and a roll angle is computed. 3D translation coordinates are also computed. The calculated roll angle and 3D translation coordinates are computed for a predetermined number of times successively. After performing the calculations, the 3D CT image data is overlaid on the 2D fluoroscopic image data based on the lateral angle, the cranial angle, the roll angle, and the 3D translation coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Nicolas J. Merlet
  • Publication number: 20160005168
    Abstract: Methods and systems for registering three-dimensional (3D) CT image data with two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic image data using a plurality of markers are disclosed. In the methods and systems, a lateral angle and a cranial angle are searched for and a roll angle is computed. 3D translation coordinates are also computed. The calculated roll angle and 3D translation coordinates are computed for a predetermined number of times successively. After performing the calculations, the 3D CT image data is overlaid on the 2D fluoroscopic image data based on the lateral angle, the cranial angle, the roll angle, and the 3D translation coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: NICOLAS J. MERLET
  • Patent number: 8358820
    Abstract: A method for adapting a detection algorithm developed for usage with data generated by a first system to data generated with a second system, the algorithm for fail safe diagnosis of irregularities including a first procedure of detecting irregularities with minimal type I errors and a second procedure of filtering out type II errors; the data generated including values for selected features characterizing the irregularities; the method including applying an intermediate step of linearly transposing the values of each selected feature generated by the first procedure, prior to applying the second procedure to those values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicolas J. Merlet, Philippe Nathan Bamberger
  • Patent number: 8233692
    Abstract: A method of removing obscuring features of relatively standard size and shape from an image comprising the obscuring features, features of interest and background, comprising the steps of applying a geometric transformation to generate a transformed image with the obscuring features aligned with an axis of image; applying an attenuation algorithm to the transformed image to suppress features having a dimension in direction of axis of range appropriate to dimension of the obscuring features in similar alignment, and applying a reverse geometrical transformation to produce a modified image with obscuring features attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicolas J. Merlet
  • Publication number: 20090214099
    Abstract: A method of removing obscuring features of relatively standard size and shape from an image comprising the obscuring features, features of interest and background, comprising the steps of applying a geometric transformation to generate a transformed image with the obscuring features aligned with an axis of image; applying an attenuation algorithm to the transformed image to suppress features having a dimension in direction of axis of range appropriate to dimension of the obscuring features in similar alignment, and applying a reverse geometrical transformation to produce a modified image with obscuring features attenuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicolas J. Merlet
  • Publication number: 20090010486
    Abstract: A method for adapting a detection algorithm developed for usage with data generated by a first system to data generated with a second system, the algorithm for fail safe diagnosis of irregularities including a first procedure of detecting irregularities with minimal type I errors and a second procedure of filtering out type II errors; the data generated including values for selected features characterizing the irregularities; the method including applying an intermediate step of linearly transposing the values of each selected feature generated by the first procedure, prior to applying the second procedure to those values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicolas J. Merlet, Philippe Nathan Bamberger
  • Publication number: 20080144945
    Abstract: An iterative method for clusterization of objects in a digital image is taught. Recursivity occurs in both a forward and backward direction and connection is tested using a moving reference object. An optimized set of connection laws is used. A method for optimizing the connection laws to be used is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Computer Aided Diagnosis Ltd.
    Inventors: Nicolas J. Merlet, Philippe Nathan Bamberger
  • Patent number: 7289650
    Abstract: A method of separating and collating mammogram records, the method including the step of providing and scanning a separator film having identifiable features which when scanned identify the film as a separator film, thereby assisting in the separation of mammograms of different patients. A separator film for use with a mammogram workstation the film having at least one identifiable characteristic recognizable by the workstation's processing means so that the film is identified as a separator film separating mammograms of different patients. A workstation system for collating radiological film mammograms which includes a scanner which digitizes radiological film mammograms and scans a separator film carrying identifiable features for identifying the film as a separator film usable to separate mammograms of different patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Computer Aided Disgnosis Ltd.
    Inventors: Philippe Nathan Bamberger, Isaac Leichter, Nicolas J. Merlet
  • Publication number: 20040165792
    Abstract: A method of separating and collating mammogram records, the method including the step of providing and scanning a separator film having identifiable features which when scanned identify the film as a separator film, thereby assisting in the separation of mammograms of different patients. A separator film for use with a mammogram workstation the film having at least one identifiable characteristic recognizable by the workstation's processing means so that the film is identified as a separator film separating mammograms of different patients. A workstation system for collating radiological film mammograms which includes a scanner which digitizes radiological film mammograms and scans a separator film carrying identifiable features for identifying the film as a separator film usable to separate mammograms of different patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Philippe Nathan Bamberger, Isaac Leichter, Nicolas J. Merlet