Patents by Inventor Richard D. Bucholz
Richard D. Bucholz 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: 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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Patent number: 6678545Abstract: A system for use in imaging a subject and determining a position relative to a body of a patient. A base is fixed in relation to the subject. An imaging probe is configured to scan the subject and provide scan images of the subject. An array of receivers is in communication with the base and the imaging probe. A first plurality of reference points is fixed in relation to the base and in communication with the array. A second plurality of reference points is fixed in relation to the imaging probe and in communication with the array. A processor in communication with the imaging probe and the array calculates the position in the scan images corresponding to the position of the imaging probe relative to the subject.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Saint Louis UniversityInventor: Richard D. Bucholz
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Publication number: 20030133187Abstract: The observation instrument for a stereoscopic operation microscope, with input connections (1) for the two beam paths (2, 7, 19) of the operation microscope, with instruments (8) for connecting observation tubes for the main observer, with display-screen units (11) and projection instruments (13) for projecting the images from the display-screen units (11) into the observation beam paths (2, 7, 19), with instruments for connecting video cameras and with instruments (10) for connecting tubes for a co-observer, is distinguished in that the following are arranged in each of the two beam paths behind the input connections (1), as viewed in the direction of the beam paths (2, 7, 19): a first beam splitter (3) for deviating a part of the light of the observation beam path into a video camera, behind this a switchable shutter (4) for attenuating and/or blocking the light of the observation beam path, and behind this an optical element (21, 23) with a second beam splitter (22), which splits the light of the observatiType: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Martin Schmidt, Wilhelm Duis, Richard D. Bucholz
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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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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: 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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Publication number: 20020183615Abstract: A system for use in imaging a subject and determining a position relative to a body of a patient. A base is fixed in relation to the subject. An imaging probe is configured to scan the subject and provide scan images of the subject. An array of receivers is in communication with the base and the imaging probe. A first plurality of reference points is fixed in relation to the base and in communication with the array. A second plurality of reference points is fixed in relation to the imaging probe and in communication with the array. A processor in communication with the imaging probe and the array calculates the position in the scan images corresponding to the position of the imaging probe relative to the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: St. Louis UniversityInventor: Richard D. Bucholz
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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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Patent number: 6463319Abstract: A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. The head is placed in a cradle equipped with an arc. During surgery, an optical scanner determines the position of the forehead relative to a base ring. An array for receiving radiation emitted from the probe and from the base ring generates signals indicating the position of the tip of the probe relative to the base ring.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: St. Louis UniversityInventor: Richard D. Bucholz
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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: 20020087075Abstract: A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. Cross sectional images of the head are scanned and stored as a function of the forehead contour. If the forehead contour does not appear in the scan images, then the position of the forehead contour relative to the scan images is determined with an optical scanner and a ring. During surgery, the optical scanner also determines the position of the forehead relative to the ring. An array for receiving radiation emitted from the probe and from the ring generates signals indicating the position of the tip of the probe relative to the ring. A stereotactic imaging system generates and displays an image of the head corresponding to the measured position of the tip of the probe. The system may also display scan images from different scanning technologies which scan images correspond to the same position in the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2002Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: St. Louis UniversityInventor: Richard D. Bucholz
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Publication number: 20020052875Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Kurt R. Smith, Richard D. Bucholz, Timothy J. Schaewe
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Patent number: 6374135Abstract: A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. Cross sectional images of the head are scanned and stored as a function of the forehead contour. If the forehead contour does not appear in the scan images, then the position of the forehead contour relative to the scan images is determined with an optical scanner and a ring. During surgery, the optical scanner also determines the position of the forehead relative to the ring. An array for receiving radiation emitted from the probe and from the ring generates signals indicating the position of the tip of the probe relative to the ring. A stereotactic imaging system generates and displays an image of the head corresponding to the measured position of the tip of the probe. The system may also display scan images from different scanning technologies which scan images correspond to the same position in the head.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Saint Louis UniversityInventor: Richard D. Bucholz
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Publication number: 20020035321Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Richard D. Bucholz, Kevin T. Foley, Kurt R. Smith, Daniel Bass, Thomas Wiedenmaier, Todd Pope, Udo Wiedenmaier
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Patent number: 6347240Abstract: 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 16, 1997Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: St. Louis UniversityInventors: Kevin T. Foley, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith
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Publication number: 20010049475Abstract: A system which coordinates proton beam irradiation with an open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit to achieve near-simultaneous, noninvasive localization and radiotherapy of various cell lines in various anatomic locations. A reference image of the target aids in determining a treatment plan and repositioning the patient within the MRI unit for later treatments. The patient is located within the MRI unit so that the target and the proton beam are coincident. MRI monitors the location of the target. Target irradiation occurs when the target and the proton beam are coincident as indicated by the MRI monitoring. The patient rotates relative to the radiation source. The target again undergoes monitoring and selective irradiation. The rotation and selective irradiation during MRI monitoring repeats according to the treatment plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Richard D. Bucholz, D. Douglas Miller
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Publication number: 20010029509Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Applicant: Surgical Navigation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Smith, Richard D. Bucholz, Timothy J. Schaewe
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Publication number: 20010027271Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a surgical instrument during stereotactic surgery using a guidance fixture. The guidance fixture includes an upper portion, which includes an instrument guide for moving the surgical instrument along a constrained trajectory relative to the upper portion, and includes an adjustable base supporting the upper portion, which includes a mounting base and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustable base can include a rotating collar attached to the mounting base and a pivoting collar coupling the rotating collar to the upper portion. A remote sensing device, such as a camera array sensing LEDs on the fixture, is used to determine the orientation of the upper portion of the guidance assembly in relation to the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: Joel I. Franck, Frederick C. Haer, Ronald J. Franklin, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Catalina J. Carroll
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Patent number: 6298262Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a surgical instrument during stereotactic surgery using a guidance fixture. The guidance fixture includes an upper portion, which includes an instrument guide for moving the surgical instrument along a constrained trajectory relative to the upper portion, and includes an adjustable base supporting the upper portion, which includes a mounting base and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustable base can include a rotating collar attached to the mounting base and a pivoting collar coupling the rotating collar to the upper portion. A remote sensing device, such as a camera array sensing LEDs on the fixture, is used to determine the orientation of the upper portion of the guidance assembly in relation to the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Neutar, LLCInventors: Joel I. Franck, Frederick C. Haer, Ronald J. Franklin, Kevin J. Frank, John B. Clayton, Jaimie Henderson, Richard D. Bucholz, Kurt R. Smith, Catalina J. Carroll