Patents by Inventor Robert Rohling
Robert Rohling 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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Publication number: 20230363735Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for the contactless operation of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) and CMUT arrays. Contactless operations refers to both the contactless transfer of energy and information between the transducer(s) and the controlling subsystem. A system includes a CMUT, a first alternating current voltage source, a first inductor electrically coupled to the first voltage source, and a second inductor electrically coupled to the CMUT. The second inductor is physically decoupled from, and positioned to be wirelessly coupled to, the first inductor. A contactless configuration is useful for a wide range of applications, from wearable transducers to high-end ultrasound imaging systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Edmond Cretu, Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling
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Publication number: 20230042741Abstract: An apparatus comprising an array of polymer-based capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers positioned on a substrate. The substrate may be at least substantially transparent to ionizing radiation, be flexible, and/or have walls positioned thereon to protect the transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Robert Rohling, Carlos D. Gerardo, Edmond Cretu
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Patent number: 11510652Abstract: A system useful for performing ultrasound elastography of organs such as the liver allows efficient and robust data acquisition. The system may be applied to perform real-time, noninvasive ultrasound imaging of the liver in humans. Steady-state, shear wave absolute elastography is used to measure the Young's modulus of the liver tissue. This method involves the use of an external exciter or vibrator to shake the tissue and generate a shear wave. Accurate placement of an ultrasound transducer facilitates measurement of the tissue motion due to the shear wave. The stiffness of tissues in the region being imaged may be computed from the measured tissue motions. The following innovations address both vibrator and transducer placement, as well as some specific methods to ensure adequate wave propagation, in order to obtain accurate and consistent measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Septimiu Salcudean, Robert Rohling, Mohammad Honarvar, Julio Raul Lobo, Caitlin Marie Schneider
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Patent number: 11129591Abstract: A computer-implemented system for facilitating echocardiographic image analysis is disclosed. The system includes at least one processor configured to receive signals representing a first at least one echocardiographic image, associate the image with a first view category of a plurality of predetermined view categories, determine, based on the first at least one echocardiographic image and the first view category, a first quality assessment value representing a view category specific quality assessment of the first at least one echocardiographic image, and produce signals representing the first quality assessment value for causing the first quality assessment value to be associated with the first at least one echocardiographic image. The at least one processor may also be configured to do the above steps for a second at least one echocardiographic and a second view category that is different from the first view category image. Other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Purang Abolmaesumi, Robert Rohling, Amir H. Abdi, Teresa S. M. Tsang
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Patent number: 10751029Abstract: Embodiments of a computer-implemented method of facilitating ultrasonic image analysis of a subject are disclosed. The method can involve receiving signals representing a set of ultrasound images of the subject, deriving one or more extracted feature representations from the set of ultrasound images, determining, based on the derived one or more extracted feature representations, a quality assessment value representing a quality assessment of the set of ultrasound images, determining, based on the derived one or more extracted feature representations, an image property associated with the set of ultrasound images, and producing signals representing the quality assessment value and the image property for causing the quality assessment value and the image property to be associated with the set of ultrasound images. Embodiments of a computer-implemented method of training one or more neural networks to facilitate ultrasonic image analysis is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Purang Abolmaesumi, Robert Rohling, Teresa Tsang, Zhibin Liao, Amir Abdi
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Patent number: 10660667Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, a system and method for use in image guided medical instrument manipulation. Embodiments describe various apparatuses having a mount operable to receive an imaging probe, a body guide and a medical instrument guide. There are also described methods and a systems for using the various apparatuses to position the apparatus and collect data relating to the position of the medical instrument relative to a target within a patient's body. Further methods include using the apparatus and system in epidural anaesthetic procedure or lumbar puncture. The apparatus may include a hand-held ultrasound probe, configured to acquire a volumetric dataset representing a 3-D depiction of a volume, which may include information about a medical instrument's position relative to the target in three dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventor: Robert Rohling
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Patent number: 10598632Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures, such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers, as well as the structures themselves. The layered structure has a membrane that includes a polymer-based layer and a top electrode on the polymer-based layer. The membrane is suspended over a closed cavity and may be actuated by applying a voltage between the top electrode and a bottom electrode that may be positioned along or be a bottom of the closed cavity. The layered structure may be fabricated using a wafer bonding process.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Publication number: 20200080971Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures, such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers, as well as the structures themselves. The layered structure has a membrane that includes a polymer-based layer and a top electrode on the polymer-based layer. The membrane is suspended over a closed cavity and may be actuated by applying a voltage between the top electrode and a bottom electrode that may be positioned along or be a bottom of the closed cavity. The layered structure may be fabricated using a wafer bonding process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Publication number: 20200069292Abstract: Embodiments of a computer-implemented method of facilitating ultrasonic image analysis of a subject are disclosed. The method can involve receiving signals representing a set of ultrasound images of the subject, deriving one or more extracted feature representations from the set of ultrasound images, determining, based on the derived one or more extracted feature representations, a quality assessment value representing a quality assessment of the set of ultrasound images, determining, based on the derived one or more extracted feature representations, an image property associated with the set of ultrasound images, and producing signals representing the quality assessment value and the image property for causing the quality assessment value and the image property to be associated with the set of ultrasound images. Embodiments of a computer-implemented method of training one or more neural networks to facilitate ultrasonic image analysis is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Purang Abolmaesumi, Robert Rohling, Teresa Tsang, Zhibin Liao, Amir Abdi
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Patent number: 10564132Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures using surface micromachining are described. A sacrificial layer is deposited on a substrate assembly that functions as a bottom electrode. The sacrificial layer is patterned into a first shape. A first polymer-based layer is deposited on the sacrificial layer. A top electrode is patterned on the first polymer-based layer above the sacrificial layer. A second polymer-based layer is deposited on the top electrode such that the top electrode is between the first and second polymer-based layers. The sacrificial layer is etched away to form a cavity under the top electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Patent number: 10512508Abstract: An imagery system includes: a camera having a field of view; a light source including a source of structured light, the light source movable relative to the camera; and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to determine, at least, estimated locations of points on a surface exposed to the structured light according to image data received from the field of view of the camera. The light source may include at least one fiducial marker, and the at least one processor may be programmed to determine the estimated position of the source of structured light according to the at least one fiducial marker in the image data. Also, the camera may be a stereoscopic camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Robert Rohling, Philip Edgcumbe, Christopher Nguan
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Patent number: 10509013Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures, such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers, as well as the structures themselves. The layered structure has a membrane that includes a polymer-based layer and a top electrode on the polymer-based layer. The membrane is suspended over a closed cavity and may be actuated by applying a voltage between the top electrode and a bottom electrode that may be positioned along or be a bottom of the closed cavity. The layered structure may be fabricated using a wafer bonding process.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Publication number: 20190192119Abstract: A system useful for performing ultrasound elastography of organs such as the liver allows efficient and robust data acquisition. The system may be applied to perform real-time, non-invasive ultrasound imaging of the liver in humans. Steady-state, shear wave absolute elastography is used to measure the Young's modulus of the liver tissue. This method involves the use of an external exciter or vibrator to shake the tissue and generate a shear wave. Accurate placement of an ultrasound transducer facilitates measurement of the tissue motion due to the shear wave. The stiffness of tissues in the region being imaged may be computed from the measured tissue motions. The following innovations address both vibrator and transducer placement, as well as some specific methods to ensure adequate wave propagation, in order to obtain accurate and consistent measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Septimiu SALCUDEAN, Robert ROHLING, Mohammad HONARVAR, Julio Raul LOBO, Caitlin Marie SCHNEIDER
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Publication number: 20190187102Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures, such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers, as well as the structures themselves. The layered structure has a membrane that includes a polymer-based layer and a top electrode on the polymer-based layer. The membrane is suspended over a closed cavity and may be actuated by applying a voltage between the top electrode and a bottom electrode that may be positioned along or be a bottom of the closed cavity. The layered structure may be fabricated using a wafer bonding process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Publication number: 20190187101Abstract: Methods and techniques for fabricating layered structures, such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers, as well as the structures themselves. The layered structure has a membrane that includes a polymer-based layer and a top electrode on the polymer-based layer. The membrane is suspended over a closed cavity and may be actuated by applying a voltage between the top electrode and a bottom electrode that may be positioned along or be a bottom of the closed cavity. The layered structure may be fabricated using a surface micromachining process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Carlos D. Gerardo, Robert Rohling, Edmond Cretu
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Publication number: 20190125298Abstract: A computer-implemented system for facilitating echocardiographic image analysis is disclosed. The system includes at least one processor configured to receive signals representing a first at least one echocardiographic image, associate the image with a first view category of a plurality of predetermined view categories, determine, based on the first at least one echocardiographic image and the first view category, a first quality assessment value representing a view category specific quality assessment of the first at least one echocardiographic image, and produce signals representing the first quality assessment value for causing the first quality assessment value to be associated with the first at least one echocardiographic image. The at least one processor may also be configured to do the above steps for a second at least one echocardiographic and a second view category that is different from the first view category image. Other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIAInventors: Purang ABOLMAESUMI, Robert ROHLING, Amir H. ABDI
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Patent number: 10105120Abstract: A computer-implemented method of producing an augmented image of a spine of a patient is disclosed. The method involves: receiving a first ultrasonic volumetric dataset representing a three-dimensional depiction of anatomical features of the spine in a first volume; instantiating a three-dimensional atlas of at least two vertebrae according to the first ultrasonic volumetric dataset; and causing a display to display a rendering of the first ultrasonic volumetric dataset together with a rendering of the atlas. An apparatus for producing the augmented image of the spine of the patient is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Abtin Rasoulian, Robert Rohling, Purang Abolmaesumi, Mehran Pesteie
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Publication number: 20160360954Abstract: An imagery system includes: a camera having a field of view; a light source including a source of structured light, the light source movable relative to the camera; and at least one processor. The at least one processor is programmed to determine, at least, estimated locations of points on a surface exposed to the structured light according to image data received from the field of view of the camera. The light source may include at least one fiducial marker, and the at least one processor may be programmed to determine the estimated position of the source of structured light according to the at least one fiducial marker in the image data. Also, the camera may be a stereoscopic camera.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventors: Robert Rohling, Philip Edgcumbe, Christopher Nguan
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Publication number: 20160022308Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, a system and method for use in image guided medical instrument manipulation. Embodiments describe various apparatuses having a mount operable to receive an imaging probe, a body guide and a medical instrument guide. There are also described methods and a systems for using the various apparatuses to position the apparatus and collect data relating to the position of the medical instrument relative to a target within a patient's body. Further methods include using the apparatus and system in epidural anaesthetic procedure or lumbar puncture. The apparatus may include a hand-held ultrasound probe, configured to acquire a volumetric dataset representing a 3-D depiction of a volume, which may include information about a medical instrument's position relative to the target in three dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventor: Robert ROHLING
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Publication number: 20150223777Abstract: A computer-implemented method of producing an augmented image of a spine of a patient is disclosed. The method involves: receiving a first ultrasonic volumetric dataset representing a three-dimensional depiction of anatomical features of the spine in a first volume; instantiating a three-dimensional atlas of at least two vertebrae according to the first ultrasonic volumetric dataset; and causing a display to display a rendering of the first ultrasonic volumetric dataset together with a rendering of the atlas. An apparatus for producing the augmented image of the spine of the patient is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Abtin Rasoulian, Robert Rohling, Purang Abolmaesumi, Mehran Pesteie