Patents by Inventor Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster 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).

  • Patent number: 7830069
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises a stack having a first face, an opposed second face and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stack comprises a plurality of layers, each layer having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, wherein the plurality of layers of the stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is connected to the piezoelectric layer and defines an opening extending a second predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the stack. A plurality of first kerf slots are defined therein the stack, each first kerf slot extending a predetermined depth therein the stack and a first predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Marc Lukacs, F. Stuart Foster
  • Patent number: 7674228
    Abstract: A method for producing an ECG-triggered retrospective color-flow ultrasound image comprises generating ultrasound, transmitting the ultrasound into a subject at a first location, wherein a first reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission, receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the first location, transmitting the ultrasound into the subject at a second location, wherein a second reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the second location, processing the received ultrasound to form ultrasound color traces, and reconstructing the ultrasound color traces to form the ultrasound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Ross Williams, Andrew Needles, Emmanuel Cherin, F. Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20090264768
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Publication number: 20090108710
    Abstract: A transducer with triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars is described for suppressing lateral modes within a composite, and a method for producing the same. According to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of triangular cross-sectional shaped pillars extends outwardly from a substrate and form an array of pillars. The resulting array of pillars is configured to suppress the lateral modes of the transducer at higher operating frequencies, such as, at or above 15 MHz, at or above 20 MHz, or at or above 30 MHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: VisualSonics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Brown, F. Stuart Foster, Jianhua Yin
  • Publication number: 20080177139
    Abstract: The present invention provides minimally invasive imaging probe having an optical encoder integrated therewith for accurately measuring or estimating the rotational velocity near the distal end of the medical device, such as an imaging probe which undergoes rotational movement during scanning of surrounding tissue in bodily lumens and cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20080177138
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20080177183
    Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging probe for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes structures using high resolution imaging use combined high frequency ultrasound (IVUS) and optical imaging methods such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to accurate co-registering of images obtained from ultrasound image signals and optical image, signals during scanning a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20080015438
    Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: James Mehi, Nicholas Chaggares, Stuart Foster, Robert McConaghy
  • Patent number: 7264972
    Abstract: A micromechanical actuator for sorting hematopoietic stem cells for use in cancer therapies. The actuator operates by diverting cells into one of a number of possible pathways fabricated in the fabrication substrate of the micromechanical actuator, when fluorescence is detected emanating from the cells. The fluorescence results from irradiating the cells with laser light, which excites a fluorescent tag attached to the cell. The micromechanical actuator thereby sorts the cells individually, with an operation rate of 3.3 kHz, however with the massively parallel 1024-fold device described herein, a throughput of 3.3 million events/second is achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventor: John Stuart Foster
  • Patent number: 7255678
    Abstract: A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: VisualSonics Inc.
    Inventors: James I. Mehi, Nicholas Christopher Chaggares, Stuart Foster, Robert McConaghy
  • Patent number: 7230368
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer comprises a stack having a first face, an opposed second face and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stack comprises a plurality of layers, each layer having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, wherein the plurality of layers of the stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is connected to the piezoelectric layer and defines an opening extending a second predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the stack. A plurality of first kerf slots are defined therein the stack, each first kerf slot extending a predetermined depth therein the stack and a first predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: VisualSonics Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Lukacs, F. Stuart Foster
  • Publication number: 20060241448
    Abstract: A system for developing an ultrasound image, comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at an effective frame rate of at least 200 frames per second (fps) using scan line based image reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Godwin Liu, Chris White, Randy Hendriks, Stuart Foster, Tom Little
  • Patent number: 7057245
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for deploying micromachined actuators in a plane which is orthogonal to the original fabrication plane of the devices. Using batch-processing, photolithographic procedures known in the micromachined electro-mechanical system (MEMS) art, a plurality of devices is constructed on a suitable substrate. The devices are then separated one from another by sawing and dicing the original fabrication wafer. The devices are rotated into an orthogonal orientation and affixed to a second wafer. The second wafer also contains circuitry for addressing and manipulating each of the devices independently of the others. With this method and apparatus, arrays of actuators are constructed whose plane of actuation is perpendicular to the plane of the array. This invention is useful for constructing N×M fiber optic switches, which direct light from N input fibers into M output fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: Patrick Edward Feierabend, Richard Thomas Martin, Jeffery Frank Summers, Andrew Dexter Wallis, Paul J. Rubel, John Stuart Foster, John W Stocker
  • Patent number: 7052460
    Abstract: A system for developing an ultrasound image, comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at an effective frame rate of at least 200 frames per second (fps) using scan line based image reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: VisualSonics Inc.
    Inventors: Godwin Liu, Chris Aleksandr White, Randy Hendriks, Stuart Foster, Tom Little
  • Patent number: 6984284
    Abstract: A method is described for making a composite, such as a piezoelectric composite, having a predetermined volume ratio. Initially, a pair of base slabs are diced to form slot having uniform pitch spacing such that a material portion of one diced base slab may be received within the slots of another diced base slab. The diced base slabs are interdigitated and joined to form a first piezoelectric composite that can subsequently be diced to form slots having a uniform pitch spacing that are spaced from the first slots. Two diced first piezoelectric composites are interdigitated and joined to form a second piezoelectric composite of reduced volume ratio and finer pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Jainhua Yin, Francis Stuart Foster, Katarzyna Anna Harasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6838056
    Abstract: A micromechanical actuator for sorting hematopoietic stem cells for use in cancer therapies. The actuator operates by diverting cells into one of a number of possible pathways fabricated in the fabrication substrate of the micromechanical actuator, when fluorescence is detected emanating from the cells. The fluorescence results from irradiating the cells with laser light, which excites a fluorescent tag attached to the cell. The micromechanical actuator thereby sorts the cells individually, with an operation rate of 3.3 kHz, however with the massively parallel 1024-fold device described herein, a throughput of 3.3 million events/second is achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventor: John Stuart Foster
  • Patent number: 6831380
    Abstract: A surface micromachined micromagnetic actuator is described, wherein rotary actuation is accomplished by a member pivotably mounted on the surface of the substrate. Angular motion of the member about the pivot point is imparted by the interaction of a magnetic tab affixed to the member, with flux generated in the gap of an electromagnetic core. Rotary motion is restricted to less than 360 degrees by using an integrally formed hinge between the pivoting member and the pivot point, rather than by a more complex bearing. By virtue of this design, a large range of motion can be achieved without requiring a true bearing to be fabricated in the device. The pivoting member is also constrained in either of two stable positions upon de-energization of the electromagnetic core, by the attachment of a bistable spring between the pivoting member and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: Tara Jean Rybnicek, John Wesley Stocker, Jeffery Frank Summers, John Stuart Foster, Richard Thomas Martin, Paul John Rubel, Patrick Edward Feierabend
  • Publication number: 20040236219
    Abstract: A system for developing an ultrasound image, comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at an effective frame rate of at least 200 frames per second (fps) using scan line based image reconstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Godwin Liu, Chris Aleksandr White, Randy Hendriks, Stuart Foster, Tom Little
  • Publication number: 20040227429
    Abstract: A method is described for making a composite, such as a piezoelectric composite, having a predetermined volume ratio. Initially, a pair of base slabs are diced to form slot having uniform pitch spacing such that a material portion of one diced base slab may be received within the slots of another diced base slab. The diced base slabs are interdigitated and joined to form a first piezoelectric composite that can subsequently be diced to form slots having a uniform pitch spacing that are spaced from the first slots. Two diced first piezoelectric composites are interdigitated and joined to form a second piezoelectric composite of reduced volume ratio and finer pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jainhua Yin, Francis Stuart Foster, Katarzyna Anna Harasiewicz
  • Patent number: 6812061
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for deploying micromachined actuators in a plane which is orthogonal to the original fabrication plane of the devices. Using batch-processing, photolithographic procedures known in the micromachined electro-mechanical system (MEMS) art, a plurality of devices is constructed on a suitable substrate. The devices are then separated one from another by sawing and dicing the original fabrication wafer. The devices are rotated into an orthogonal orientation and affixed to a second wafer. The second wafer also contains circuitry for addressing and manipulating each of the devices independently of the others. With this method and apparatus, arrays of actuators are constructed whose plane of actuation is perpendicular to the plane of the array. This invention is useful for constructing N×M fiber optic switches, which direct light from N input fibers into M output fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventors: Patrick Edward Feierabend, Richard Thomas Martin, Jeffery Frank Summers, Andrew Dexter Wallis, Paul J. Rubel, John Stuart Foster, John W Stocker