Patents by Inventor Richard Rankin
Richard Rankin 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: 8849003Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes using a filter coefficient based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart; computing an information-theoretic metric from the filter coefficient; and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: General Electric Company, London Health Sciences Centre Research Inc.Inventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8811705Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to track endocardial motion are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes segmenting a plurality of cardiac images of a left ventricle to form respective ones of a plurality of segmented images, updating a plurality of models based on the plurality of segmented images to form respective ones of a plurality of motion estimates for the left ventricle, computing a plurality of probabilities for respective ones of the plurality of models, and computing a weighted sum of the plurality of motion estimates based on the plurality of probabilities, the weighted sum representing a predicted motion of the left ventricle.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignees: General Electric Company, London Health Sciences Centre Research Inc.Inventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8639060Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuo Li, Prakash Mahesh, Dave Roeder, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20130251210Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes using a filter coefficient based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart; computing an information-theoretic metric from the filter coefficient; and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8478012Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes adapting a state of a state-space model based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart, computing an information-theoretic metric from the state of the state-space model, and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8229192Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to process left-ventricle cardiac images are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a first landmark point in a first cardiac image, identifying a first centroid of a left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image, and performing a Cartesian-to-polar transformation to form a first rectangular representation of the left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image based on the first landmark point and the first centroid.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuo Li, Ian Ross, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20120170823Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Shuo Li, Prakash Mahesh, Dave Roeder, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8165361Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuo Li, Prakash Mahesh, Dave Roeder, Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 8144930Abstract: Image tracking as described herein can include: segmenting a first image into regions; determining an overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image; and segmenting a second image into regions such that an overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the second image is substantially similar to the overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image. In certain embodiments, images can depict a heart at different points in time and the tracked regions can be the left ventricle cavity and the myocardium. In such embodiments, segmenting the second image can include generating first and second curves that track the endocardium and epicardium boundaries, and the curves can be generated by minimizing functions containing a coefficient based on the determined overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20110064290Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to track endocardial motion are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes segmenting a plurality of cardiac images of a left ventricle to form respective ones of a plurality of segmented images, updating a plurality of models based on the plurality of segmented images to form respective ones of a plurality of motion estimates for the left ventricle, computing a plurality of probabilities for respective ones of the plurality of models, and computing a weighted sum of the plurality of motion estimates based on the plurality of probabilities, the weighted sum representing a predicted motion of the left ventricle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20110064284Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to process cardiac images to detect heart motion abnormalities are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes adapting a state of a state-space model based on a plurality of cardiac images to characterize motion of a heart, computing an information-theoretic metric from the state of the state-space model, and comparing the information-theoretic metric to a threshold to determine whether the motion of the heart is abnormal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Kumaradevan Punithakumar, Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Ali Islam, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20100135529Abstract: Image tracking as described herein can include: segmenting a first image into regions; determining an overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image, and segmenting a second image into regions such that an overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the second image is substantially similar to the overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image. In certain embodiments, images can depict a heart at different points in time and the tracked regions can be the left ventricle cavity and the myocardium. In such embodiments, segmenting the second image can include generating first and second curves that track the endocardium and epicardium boundaries, and the curves can be generated by minimizing functions containing a coefficient based on the determined overlap of intensity distributions in the regions of the first image.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Shuo Li, Ismail Ben Ayed, Ian Ross, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20100040270Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to process left-ventricle cardiac images are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a first landmark point in a first cardiac image, identifying a first centroid of a left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image, and performing a Cartesian-to-polar transformation to form a first rectangular representation of the left ventricle depicted in the first cardiac image based on the first landmark point and the first centroid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Shuo Li, Ian Ross, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20090180675Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for temporally aligning a plurality of cardiac image sequences. The method includes performing a locally linear embedding algorithm on a first set of cardiac image sequences and on a second set of cardiac image sequences. A graphical representation is created for the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences. A determination is made whether the first set of cardiac image sequences and the second set of cardiac image sequences were generated from a similar point of view. If a similar point of view is found, the first graphical representation and the second graphical representation are aligned using a minimization function. If a similar point of view is not found, the graphs are aligned with a template and then aligned with each other using the minimization function.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Shuo Li, Prakash Mahesh, Dave Roeder, Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20080078432Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: JAMES SCHALLA, ROBERT BENGTSSON, RALPH BLADT, KWUN-WING CHEUNG, SHAWN CLAFLIN, RICHARD RANKIN, MIGUEL REMEDIOS, KEVIN ZIELKE, ROLAND von BALLMOOS
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Patent number: 6554082Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20020112893Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 6382330Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
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Publication number: 20010037899Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at a selected rotation rate to optimize excavation productivity. The controller may also monitor the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjust the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Applicant: VERMEER MANUFACTURING COMPANYInventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin
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Patent number: 6289997Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an underground boring machine during boring or reaming operations. A boring tool is displaced along an underground path while being rotated at a-selected rate of rotation. In response to variations in underground conditions impacting boring tool progress along the underground path, a control system concurrently modifies the rate of boring tool displacement along the underground path while rotating the boring tool at the selected rotation rate. The controller monitors the rate at which liquid is pumped through the borehole and automatically adjusts the rate of displacement and/or the liquid flow rate so that sufficient liquid is flowing through the borehole to remove the cuttings and debris generated by the boring tool. Sensors are provided to sense pressure levels in the rotation, displacement, and liquid dispensing pumps and an electronic controller continuously monitors the levels detected by the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Brian John Bischel, James Richard Rankin