Patents by Inventor Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang

Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang 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: 20220202277
    Abstract: A medical device, system, and methods of using the medical device and system are provided. Embodiments of the disclosure include a medical apparatus including a bendable body having a driving wire configured in the bendable body. A distal end of a break-out wire is attached to a proximal end of the driving wire where a distal guide tube guiding the driving wire, the distal tube ending before the break-out wire with a space. A resilient element abutting the driving wire along at least a portion of a longitudinal direction of the driving wire, and expands or contracts along the longitudinal direction of the driving wire. An actuator retracts and advances the driving wire via the break-out wire and maneuvers the bendable body, wherein the resilient element stays within the space between a proximal end of the distal guide tube and the distal end of the break-out wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang, Takahisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20210386972
    Abstract: An articulated medical device having a hollow core, wherein the device is capable of maneuvering through cavities to reach a target with minimal invasiveness, and once the medical device has reached the target, allowing a medical tool to be guided through the hollow cavity for facilitating medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, and catheters, at the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang, Takahisa Kato
  • Publication number: 20210369085
    Abstract: An articulated medical device having a hollow core, capable of large degrees of maneuverability through small spaces of a patient to reach a target with minimal invasiveness, and once the medical device has reached the target, allowing a medical tool to be guided through the hollow chamber for facilitating medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, and catheters, at the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Takahisa Kato, Matthew Michael Kincaid, Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang
  • Patent number: 6517491
    Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising an ultrasound unit and a transducer. The transducer including a transducer housing integrating at least one element integrated and a first spatial locator unit. The ultrasound unit includes an imaging unit that receives an echo signal from the at least one element of the transducer and outputs echo data. A second spatial locator unit, in communication with the first spatial locator unit, is integrated with the ultrasound unit. The second spatial locator unit enables the determination of a location of the transducer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V
    Inventors: Karl E Thiele, Showna Hsu-Hwa Chang