Patents Issued in May 24, 2016
  • Patent number: 9345410
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a cardiac function management system can detect heart sounds following a sensed transition in physical activity level, such as from an elevated physical activity level to rest. A technique can include systems, methods, machine-readable media, or other techniques that can include identifying a physical activity level transition, receiving a heart sound signal, determining characteristics of the heart sound and subject physiologic activity to provide an indication, such as a heart failure status indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Qi An, Barun Maskara
  • Patent number: 9345411
    Abstract: Devices, and methods for measuring bioimpedance signals are disclosed. One aspect may include a headset apparatus including a retainer and electrodes. The retainer may be configured to position the electrodes on the head of a subject so as to obtain bioimpedance signals indicative of hemodynamic conditions associated with an MCA territory. A processor may be included to measure and analyze the obtained bioimpedance signals, and to output information for predicting hemodynamic conditions associated with an MCA territory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Orsan Medical Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Opher Kinrot, Michal Radai, Shlomi Ben-Ari
  • Patent number: 9345412
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for analyzing neural response data that can be assigned to multiple classes. The systems and methods begin with a set of training data from which optimal weight factors are derived. The derived weight factors are used in a classifier which is then applied to test data from test subjects. The classifier filters out the effects of less relevant data in the test data and provides a result in the form of probabilities associated with classes for the test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Leidos, Inc.
    Inventor: James Herbert Horne
  • Patent number: 9345413
    Abstract: An improved heart rate monitor is provided that can detect and distinguish a heartbeat from an otherwise contaminated system with noise components potentially larger than the signal of interest. Embodiments of the inventive monitor have an amplification system that eliminates large noise components so as not to saturate the system during detection of a desired low amplitude signal. In embodiments the elimination of noise components is accomplished through wavelet decomposition, and the removal of undesired components including interference components during adaptive gain control (AGC), in addition to hunting algorithms which minimize the error with techniques such as neural network least mean squares type back propagation algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventors: David Schie, Mike Ward
  • Patent number: 9345414
    Abstract: In one embodiment, ECG data collected during the long-term monitoring are compressed through a two-step compression algorithm executed by an electrocardiography monitor. Minimum amplitude signals may become indistinguishable from noise if overly inclusive encoding is employed in which voltage ranges are set too wide. The resulting ECG signal will appear “choppy” and uneven with an abrupt slope. The encoding used in the first stage of compression can be dynamically rescaled on-the-fly when the granularity of the encoding is too coarse. In a further embodiment, offloaded ECG signals are automatically gained as appropriate on a recording-by-recording basis to preserve the amplitude relationship between the signals. Raw decompressed ECG signals are filtered for noise content and any gaps in the signals are bridged. The signal is then gained based on a statistical evaluation of peak-to-peak voltage (or other indicator) to land as many ECG waveforms within a desired range of display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: BARDY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Gust H. Bardy, Jason Felix, Jon Mikalson Bishay, Ezra M. Dreisbach
  • Patent number: 9345415
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method, the apparatus including a housing, an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring circuit contained in the housing, and three electrodes embedded in the housing, electrically connected to the ECG measuring circuit, and in spaced apart configuration from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amit S. Baxi, Raghavendra Rao R
  • Patent number: 9345416
    Abstract: An electrophysiology catheter, e.g., a coronary sinus catheter, for insertion into a cardiac vessel, such as the coronary sinus, includes a handle and a catheter shaft coupled at one end to the handle. The catheter shaft has a distal end and an anchor is associated with the catheter shaft and is movable between a deployed position and a collapsed position. In the deployed position, the anchor extends radially outward from an outer surface of the catheter shaft for contacting a wall and temporarily anchoring the catheter shaft within the coronary sinus. The catheter also includes an actuator for causing deployment and collapsing of the anchor upon manipulation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: David P. MacAdam, Charles A. Gibson, Dustin Dufour
  • Patent number: 9345417
    Abstract: An implantable medical device has an impedance processor for determining atrial impedance data reflective of the cardiogenic impedance of an atrium of a heart during diastole and/or systole of heart cycle. Ventricular impedance data reflective of the cardiogenic impedance of a ventricle during diastole and/or systole are also determined. The determined impedance data are processed by a representation processor for estimating a diastolic and/or a systolic atrial impedance representation and a diastolic and/or a systolic ventricular impedance representation. A condition processor determines the presence of any heart valve malfunction, such as valve regurgitation and/or stenosis, of at least one heart valve based on the estimated atrial and ventricular impedance representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL AB
    Inventors: Karin Jarverud, Andreas Blomqvist
  • Patent number: 9345418
    Abstract: An electroencephalography system is provided. The electroencephalography system includes a support structure that covers at least predetermined areas on a patient's head, a plurality of electrodes mounted on the support structure so that, the electrodes are distributed around the patient's head and measure usable electrical signals that are representative of electrical activity or activity in a patient's head, a plurality of transmitting wires incorporated into the support structure, a multi-pin connector having an output and an input, each of the plurality of transmitting wires directly connected between a respective one of each of the plurality of electrodes and a corresponding pin of the multi-pin connector so that, electrical signals are sent to the output of the connector and a first transmitter that is capable of being operatively coupled to the output of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Dignity Health
    Inventor: Brian Alkire
  • Patent number: 9345419
    Abstract: This invention relates to the apparatus for the objective detection of auditive disorders, by recording arising potentials of a steady state with simultaneous acoustic stimulation via the bones or the airway to be used in newborns. The apparatus comprises the necessary means for the independent generation of two different sound stimuli presented to the subject simultaneously via osseous, and airway electroacoustic transducers, the synchronous recording of the cerebral electrical activity of the subject, the continuous evaluation of the contact of the electrodes, the interactive measurement of the levels of ambient noise, and the wireless digital transmission of the bioelectric activity towards a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: CENTRO DE NEUROSCIENCIAS DE CUBA
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Perez-Abalo, Ernesto Luis Rodriguez-Davila, Manuel Sanchez-Castillo, Roberto Carlos Sotero-Diaz, Alejandro Torres-Fortuny, Elsa Santos-Febles
  • Patent number: 9345420
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs a contrast medium imaging, comprising a time management part that measures and manages a lapse time after injection of a contrast medium, a setting part that sets a start time of a second-half imaging in the form of a lapse time after injection of contrast medium, the second-half imaging being performed a predetermined idle time after a first-half imaging and the first-half imaging being performed after injection of the contrast medium, and a display part that displays at least the lapse time measured by the time management part and the start time set by the setting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Kitane, Isao Tatebayashi
  • Patent number: 9345421
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a set of multiple serially acquired magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) free induction decay (FID) frames from a multi-frame MRS acquisition series from a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, and for providing a post-processed MRS spectrum. Processing parameters are dynamically varied while measuring results to determine the optimal post-processed results. Spectral regions opposite water from chemical regions of interest are evaluated and used in at least one processing operation. Frequency shift error is estimated via spectral correlation between free induction decay (FID) frames and a reference spectrum. Multiple groups of FID frames within the acquired set are identified to different phases corresponding with a phase step cycle of the acquisition. Baseline correction is also performed via rank order filter (ROF) estimate and a polynomial fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Nocimed, Inc.
    Inventors: James Clayton Peacock, III, John Patrick Claude, Paul Henry Kane, Ricardo Dario Pradenas
  • Patent number: 9345422
    Abstract: A method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair of electrodes and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bard Acess Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter M. Rothenberg
  • Patent number: 9345423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring user breath alcohol concentration. A flow of an expired breath sample is passed through a fuel cell sensor giving an output signal proportional to the amount of alcohol present in the sample. By measuring pressure, the volume of the sample may be calculated by integrating pressure over expiration time of the sample, whereas breath alcohol concentration is calculated based on the fuel cell output signal. Both sample volume and breath alcohol concentration values are continually updated by integrating measured instantaneous pressure and fuel cell output signal over time, irrespective of breath sample volume. When the user stops blowing, volume compensation is performed to obtain a compensated fuel cell output signal using a stored calibration volume. Hence, an improved method for accurately measuring breath alcohol concentration of a user is achieved, capable of handling varied expired volumes of breath, obviating the need for sampling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Alco Systems Sweden AB
    Inventors: Nigel Evans, Leigh Wallington
  • Patent number: 9345424
    Abstract: A clinical sensing glove system to quantify force, shear, hardness, etc., measured in manual therapies is disclosed. A sensor is disposed in a clinical glove. The sensor undergoes micro-bending, macro-bending, evanescent coupling, a change in resonance, a change in polarization, a change in phase modulation, in response to pressure/force applied. The amount of micro-bending, macro-bending, evanescent coupling, change in resonance, change in polarization, and/or change in phase modulation is proportional to the intensity of the pressure/force. A clinician can quantitatively determine the amount of pressure, force, shear, hardness, rotation, etc., applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Wang, David J. Nuckley, Per G. Reinhall, David Linders
  • Patent number: 9345426
    Abstract: Methods, sensors, and systems for determining a concentration of glucose in a medium of a living animal are disclosed. Determining the glucose concentration may involve emitting excitation light from a light source to indicator molecules, generating a raw signal indicative of the amount of light received by a photodetector, purifying and normalizing the raw signal, and converting the normalized signal to a glucose concentration. The purification may involve removing noise (e.g., offset and/or distortion) from the raw signal. The purification and normalization may involve tracking the cumulative emission time that the light source has emitted the excitation light and tracking the implant time that has elapsed since the optical sensor was implanted. The purification and normalization may involve measuring the temperature of the sensor. The purification, normalization, and conversion may involve using parameters determined during manufacturing, in vitro testing, and/or in vivo testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Arthur E. Colvin, Jr., Xiaolin Wang, Colleen Mdingi, Andrew DeHennis
  • Patent number: 9345427
    Abstract: It is known in the art to use an apparatus to enhance the visual appearance of the veins and arteries in a patient to facilitate insertion of needles into those veins and arteries. This application discloses a number of inventions that add additional data collection and presentation capabilities to a handheld vein enhancement apparatus and a set of processes for the collection of blood and the delivery of IV medicines that use the handheld device to mediate the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AccuVein, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Wood, Ron Goldman, Stephen Conlon, Vincent Luciano
  • Patent number: 9345428
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and systems of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging of medical tissues. In particular, the invention is directed to new devices, tools and processes for the detection and evaluation of diseases and disorders such as, but not limited to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease and cancer, that incorporate hyperspectral or multispectral imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Hypermed Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jenny Freeman, Svetlana Panasyuk, Michael Hopmeier, Kevin Schomacker, Derek Brand
  • Patent number: 9345429
    Abstract: The present technique relates to an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a program that enable simple and accurate detection of regions showing a detection object such as a body hair in images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Suzuki, Shinichiro Gomi
  • Patent number: 9345430
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an unpolarized light-emitting portion configured to emit light having an unpolarized component; a polarized light-emitting portion configured to emit light having a predetermined polarized component via a first polarization filter; and an imaging element configured to image a subject, which is irradiated with light by one of the unpolarized light-emitting portion and the polarized light-emitting portion, through a second polarization filter, the first polarization filter and the second polarization filter having polarization directions in an orthogonal relationship to each other, the imaging element being further configured to image the subject irradiated with light by the unpolarized light-emitting portion and the subject irradiated with light by the polarized light-emitting portion in a time division manner and output an unpolarized light image and an orthogonal polarized light image that are obtained as a result of imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakamura, Shinichiro Gomi
  • Patent number: 9345431
    Abstract: A method and an optical system for evaluating the spatial distribution of the concentrations of components in tissue are disclosed. The novel detecting probe included in the optical system comprises plural optical fiber sets, each optical fiber set respectively comprises at least one source optical fiber and at least one detector optical fiber, the source optical fiber connects with the multi-wavelength light source, the source optical fiber delivers light from the multi-wavelength light source onto a tested tissue; and the angle between one optical fiber set and another optical fiber set is greater than 0° and less than and not equal to 180°. Through the optical system of the present invention, the spatial distribution of the concentrations of components such as water, hemoglobin, melanin, lipid, and collagen in the tested tissue can be derived by an equation (I) defined in the present specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Sheng-Hao Tseng, Chao-Kai Hsu, Shih-Yu Tzeng, Nan-Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 9345432
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for extending the service life of a battery source by fully utilizing the energy in batteries and/or providing higher energy reserve using multiple batteries. An universal battery bank consists of an ensemble of possibly heterogenous batteries all connected in series to provide a usable operational energy source. For a universal battery bank consists on N batteries, the minimum operational voltage for the individual batteries (Vmin) can be lowered to Vmin/N on average, thereby extending the time interval between battery replacements and draining the individual batteries more efficiently. To exploit this power supply that may vary over a wide voltage range, electronics are designed to monitor the individual batteries, guard against excessive voltage and current, and provide constant current sources and/or constant voltage sources for various appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Rhode Island Board of Education, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
    Inventors: John Salisbury, Ying Sun
  • Patent number: 9345433
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses to mate the object with a cap through a fabric portion of the garment. The methods and apparatuses described herein may address the needs for a safe, secure, and detachable method and apparatus for affixing an object (such as an encased wireless sensor) to a garment worn by a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SensaRx, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Shinozuka, Masato Mizuta
  • Patent number: 9345434
    Abstract: A physiological signal measurement apparatus is capable of automatically adjusting a measure position and suitable for installed on a support element to measure a physiological signal of a user. The physiological signal measurement apparatus includes a movable element, a physiological signal sensing element, a pressure sensing unit and a microcontroller unit. The movable element has a first pressure. The user exerts a second pressure on the physiological signal sensing element, and exerts a third pressure on the support element. The pressure sensing unit senses the first pressure, the second pressure and the third pressure to generate a first pressure signal, a second pressure signal and a third pressure signal. The microcontroller unit receives the physiological signals and the pressure signals, and controls the movable element by the pressure signals and the physiological signals, in order to increase the quality of signal measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Yuan-Hsiang Lin, Chong-Rong Wu
  • Patent number: 9345435
    Abstract: An esophageal introducer is provided which facilitates the passage of medical probes into the esophagus or gastric cavity. It consists of an introduced tube 12 made of collapsible elastomeric material 21 with a flexible laminated steel at the bottom 20. The proximal opening is attached to a bite block 10. The distal end continues with an extension of the laminated steel 20a that tapers to a tip with a 45 degree bend 16. This extension is covered with elastomeric material 21a that overlaps the distal tip creating a flat soft end 19. Prior to insertion the introducer body is bended 20-30 degrees 17, the tip is advanced till it makes contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall FIG. 3a. Further pressure will advance the tip effortlessly, sliding on the posterior esophageal wall that is an anatomic continuation of the posterior pharyngeal wall. FIG. 3b, 3c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Cesar DelAguila
  • Patent number: 9345436
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for calculating cardiac output (CO) of a living subject. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods build a nonlinear mathematical model to correlate physiologic source data vectors to target CO values. The source data vectors include one or more measurable or derivable parameters such as: systolic and diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, beat-to-beat interval, mean arterial pressure, maximal slope of the pressure rise during systole, the area under systolic part of the pulse pressure wave, gender (male or female), age, height and weight. The target CO values are acquired using various methods, across a plurality of individuals. Multidimensional nonlinear optimization is then used to find a mathematical model which transforms the source data to the target CO data. The model is then applied to an individual by acquiring physiologic data for the individual and applying the model to the collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: HighDim GmbH
    Inventors: Patrick Hunziker, Oleksii Morozov, Felix Friedrich
  • Patent number: 9345437
    Abstract: In a method for determining a respiratory phase from a series of measurements of a respiratory position, the respiratory phase is determined by a finite state machine, which processes a current measured respiratory position and at least one previously measured respiratory position, and assigns a current respiratory phase to the current respiratory position. For this purpose, the temporal spacing between two successive measurements of the respiratory position is small in relation to a respiratory cycle. This method allows for a continuous measurement of imaging measurement data to be influenced in a prospective manner in a determined respiratory phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alto Stemmer
  • Patent number: 9345438
    Abstract: Devices and systems for monitoring weaning of a subject from a respiratory ventilator including a processing logic configured to characterize distinct patterns in a series of CO2 waveforms, the distinct patterns indicative of the effectiveness of a weaning process; and to provide an indication relating to the effectiveness of the weaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ORIDION MEDICAL 1987 LTD.
    Inventors: Michal Ronen, Sharon Einav, Keren Davidpur
  • Patent number: 9345439
    Abstract: A method for determining oxygen saturation includes emitting light from sources into tissue; detecting the light by detectors subsequent to reflection; and generating reflectance data based on detecting the light. The method includes determining a first subset of simulated reflectance curves from a set of simulated reflectance curves stored in a tissue oximetry device for a coarse grid; and fitting the reflectance data points to the first subset of simulated reflectance curves to determine a closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves. The method includes determining a second subset of simulated reflectance curves for a fine grid based on the closest fitting one of the simulated reflectance curves; determining a peak of absorption and reflection coefficients from the fine grid; and determining an absorption and a reflectance coefficient for the reflectance data points by performing a weighted average of the absorption coefficients and reflection coefficients from the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, H. Keith Nishihara
  • Patent number: 9345440
    Abstract: A mobile C-arm is able to be positioned in a predetermined alignment by a positioning unit and an associated method. The apparatus has a positioning unit containing a controllable section having at least a first hinged bracket and a first hinge and is able to be positioned with a removable connection to the medical device at a determinable location. The medical device is able to be positioned at a predetermined location by means of the positioning unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Rainer Graumann
  • Patent number: 9345441
    Abstract: A system for endoscopic nuclear imaging, a nuclear probe and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a movable endoscopic nuclear probe which comprises a collimator and a detector, the endoscopic nuclear probe having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis (X), wherein the detector and the collimator are arranged on the elongated body, and the collimator having a field of view with an axis (Y) and the axis (Y) is angled with respect to the axis (X) of the elongated body of the endoscopic nuclear probe; means for determining the position and orientation of the elongated body of the endoscopic nuclear probe; an evaluation unit including means for computationally determining an actual position and actual orientation of the elongated body of the endoscopic nuclear probe; and a program storage section and means for computing at least one quality parameter of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SURGICEYE GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Wendler
  • Patent number: 9345442
    Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a memory, an aneurysm identification device, a distortion-degree evaluation device, and a rupture risk derivation device. The memory stores medical image data. The aneurysm identification device identifies an aneurysm in the medical image data. The distortion-degree evaluation device quantitatively evaluates a distortion degree of the aneurysm. The rupture risk derivation device derives a rupture risk of the aneurysm from a result of the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Ohishi
  • Patent number: 9345443
    Abstract: A method of generating a bone and a soft tissue image of an object includes a dual energy radiography technique wherein weight parameters for calculating these images as a weighted sum of a low energy image PL and a high energy image PH are deduced from a ratio image Log(Pn)/Log(PL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare NV
    Inventor: Tom Bertens
  • Patent number: 9345444
    Abstract: A CT pilot image acquisition method and a CT device are provided. The method may include: performing a helical scan on a predetermined area to be scanned, so as to obtain scanning data; reconstructing a tomographic image based on the scanning data; performing, at a predetermined positioning angle, a parallel beam projection on the tomographic image by using a virtual parallel X-ray beam, so as to obtain projection data; and re-binning a CT pilot image at the predetermined positioning angle based on the projection data. Parallel beam projection is adopted to process the tomographic image, to obtain a pilot image without geometric distortions. The obtained pilot image can reflect an anatomical structure of human body accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SHENYANG NEUSOFT MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shanshan Lou, Han Zheng
  • Patent number: 9345445
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining, in a fourth-generation computed tomography (CT) scanner, a positional offset of a center of a ring of fixed energy-discriminating detectors with respect to an iso-center of a third-generation X-ray source/detector system. The method includes obtaining a plurality of offset images, each offset image being obtained from a scan executed with the ring of fixed energy-discriminating detectors positioned in a known offset location with respect to the iso-center; performing a current scan executed with the ring positioned in an unknown offset location with respect to the iso-center, to obtain a current image; calculating, for each offset image, a corresponding error value between the offset image and the current image; and determining the positional offset of the center of the ring to be an offset location corresponding to an offset image having the smallest error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Petschke, Yuexing Zhang, Xiaolan Wang
  • Patent number: 9345446
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image generator, a detector, and a controller. The processor is configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range. The image processor is configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range. The detector is configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence. The controller is configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Sato
  • Patent number: 9345447
    Abstract: A method for determining the location of a medical device within a body is provided. The method includes transmitting from the medical device an acoustic signal; receiving with the medical device a reflected acoustic signal; advancing the medical device based on a first algorithm, the first algorithm including a first weighting factor and a first feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal; determining a first location of the medical device based on the first algorithm; and moving the medical device to a second location based on a second algorithm, the second algorithm based on the determined first location and including at least one of a second weighting factor and a second feature extracted from the reflected acoustic signal. Also disclosed are systems and devices for performing the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: VasoNova, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Wenzel, Kichang Lee, Stephen P. Hanlon, Miroslav Navratil, Jin Jiang
  • Patent number: 9345448
    Abstract: System and method for determining viscoelasticity of curved tissue walls using ultrasound bladder vibrometry (UBV). The UBV is a non-invasive technique utilizing, in a specific case, a focused ultrasound radiation force to excite Lamb waves in a curved bladder wall and pulse-echo techniques to track the tissue deformation propagating through such curved wall. Cross-spectral analysis is used to calculate the wave velocity, which is directly related to the elastic properties of the bladder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Mostafa Fatemi, Ivan Z. Nenadic
  • Patent number: 9345449
    Abstract: A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. The prosthetic component includes at least on transmissive region. The transmissive region can be located in a region that has exposure to a region outside the joint. The transmissive region can comprise glass. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The transmissive region can be used to support communication between the electronic circuitry and remote system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ORTHOSENSOR INC
    Inventors: Marc Stein, Andrew Chase, John Keggi, Noah Bonnheim, Natalie Burkhard, Philip Henson
  • Patent number: 9345450
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer for use in intra-vascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging systems including a single crystal composite (SCC) layer is provided. The transducer has a front electrode on a side of the SCC layer; and a back electrode on the opposite side of the SCC layer. The SCC layer may have a dish shape including pillars made of a single crystal piezo-electric material embedded in a polymer matrix. Also provided is an ultrasound transducer as above, with the back electrode split into two electrodes electrically decoupled from one another. A method of forming an ultrasound transducer as above is also provided. An IVUS imaging system is provided, including an ultrasound transducer rotationally disposed within an elongate member; an actuator; and a control system controlling activation of the ultrasound transducer to facilitate imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Corl
  • Patent number: 9345451
    Abstract: A method of measuring propagation of a shear wave by using an ultrasound transducer includes generating a shear wave inside the object, setting a region of interest (ROI) on which propagation of the shear wave is to be observed, and determining a position of a second focus on which ultrasound signals are to be directed to obtain information about the ROI, irradiating the ultrasound signals toward the second focus, and receiving echo signals reflected from the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyoung-ki Lee, Dong-geon Kong
  • Patent number: 9345452
    Abstract: An ultrasound observation system includes: an ultrasound transducer that transmits ultrasound to a subject and receives ultrasound from the subject and generates an ultrasound signal; a displacement measurement circuit for elasticity image generation that measures a displacement of the subject based on the ultrasound signal; an elasticity modulus calculation circuit that calculates an elasticity modulus of the subject based on the measured displacement; a first automatic pressurization mechanism that generates a pressurization displacement in the subject; a signal waveform analysis circuit that analyzes a periodic motion based on a waveform of a signal that is based on a spontaneous displacement of the subject; and a pressurization mechanism control circuit that controls the first automatic pressurization mechanism so as to generate a pressurization displacement that reduces an influence of the spontaneous displacement of the subject at a time that an elasticity modulus is calculated based on the signal wavef
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuya Miyake
  • Patent number: 9345453
    Abstract: An ultrasound-based system determines dynamic strain measurements over a surface using ultrasound speckle analysis that allows for accurate measurement of surface area displacement. The system additionally determines an approximate displacement along a third axis, the z-axis. From these, an estimation of a local volume change is determined. In this way, a volume change can be determined for the lung or any other region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Jonathan Rubin, James Hamilton, J. Brian Fowlkes, Oliver D. Kripfgans
  • Patent number: 9345454
    Abstract: Techniques for imaging adjusting a cine-loop are described herein. A cine-loop may be generated, and it may be identified whether the cine-loop has a stitching artifact. The cine-loop may be played, and the length of the cine-loop may be adjusted while the cine-loop is playing until the stitching artifact is substantially removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Helmut Brandl, Erwin Fosodeder
  • Patent number: 9345455
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces an image with an extended focal range by transmitting a plurality of beams spaced along an array for multiline reception. The receive multilines of a plurality of transmit beams are spatially aligned and are combined with phase adjustment between the respective receive multilines to prevent undesired phase cancellation. The combined multilines produce the effect of an extended transmit focus so that an image produced using the combined multilines exhibits an extended focal range. To prevent motion artifacts the multiline order is adjustable as a function of image motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Burcher, Jean-Luc Robert
  • Patent number: 9345456
    Abstract: An improved needle assembly is provided. A distal portion of the needle can be formed of a first material which does not interfere with MRI imaging of a tissue receiving port disposed in the distal needle portion. A proximal needle portion can be formed of a second, different material. The proximal needle portion can provide strength and stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Tsonton, Eric Thompson
  • Patent number: 9345457
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder includes a rotatable manifold, and has a plurality of chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively align each of the chambers with the cutter lumen. A controller in communication with the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the manifold to a presentation position to present a collected tissue sample within a chamber to a user (e.g., at an angular position approximately 90 degrees from the cutter lumen). The controller is further configured to rotate the manifold align the next, empty chamber with the cutter lumen in response to a user input instructing the biopsy device to obtain another tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Devicor Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor W. V. Speeg, Gavin M. Monson, John A. Hibner, Andy Nock, Shailendra K. Parihar
  • Patent number: 9345458
    Abstract: A biopsy device includes a hollow needle, and a sample-receiving device that is movable in the hollow needle. A power-driven element having a motor is provided. A transport device is drivably coupled to the motor. The transport device includes a toothed flexible member drivably engaged with a drive gear. The toothed flexible member has a distal portion coupled to the sample-receiving device. The toothed flexible member is configured to move the sample-receiving device in the hollow needle between an extended position and a retracted position. The toothed flexible member has a proximal portion that extends proximal to the proximal end of the hollow needle. A housing element has a helical coiling-up groove configured to accommodate the proximal portion of the toothed flexible member when the sample-receiving device is retracted to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Karsten Videbaek, Martin B. Jorgensen, Lasse Danborg, Lasse G. Staal
  • Patent number: 9345459
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting body tissue during a pelvic or peritoneal surgery through transvaginal-transdouglas route comprises a bag portion to be placed inside the body of the patient and adapted to receive body tissue to be removed during the surgery, the bag portion has an opening for tissue removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Tamer A. Seckin
  • Patent number: 9345460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to wound closure devices, devices and systems for delivery, kits and methods therefor. The wound closure devices can achieve wound closure in lieu of compression and can be configured to be quickly deployable by an introducer or from outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: CardioVascular Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell A. Houser, John Hunter Bower, Paul L. Do