Patents Issued in June 21, 2016
  • Patent number: 9370296
    Abstract: An integrated portable medical diagnostic system (PMDS) provides easy and convenient access to one or more medical instruments for healthcare practitioners. The PMDS is utilized in an outpatient workflow in which the practitioner generally remains stationary, while patients rotate to and from the practitioner over the course of a medical examination or procedure. The PMDS includes a body including a plurality of compartments, a first compartment defines a first receptacle for a blood pressure monitor, a second compartment adjacent the first compartment defines a second receptacle for an otoscope and an ophthalmoscope, and a third compartment adjacent the second compartment defines a third receptacle for a thermometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Lai He, Yun Zou, James J. Shortt, Stephen A. Montgomery, Michael McAtamney
  • Patent number: 9370297
    Abstract: An electronic endoscope system, including: a light source that emits light having a visible light wavelength region; an optical filter that has transmission peaks at least at two particular wavelengths in a continuous wavelength region including the visible light wavelength region and has a transmissivity higher than zero and lower than a half of each transmission peak between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths, the optical filter having a transmissivity of zero at a wavelength region other than an interval between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths; a solid-state image pick-up device that receives reflected light from an object which is irradiated with illumination light via the optical filter; and an image generation unit configured to generate a color image to be displayed on a monitor by processing an image signal outputted by the solid-state image pick-up device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumika Yokouchi, Chinari Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9370298
    Abstract: Wavefront measurements of eyes are typically taken when the pupil is in a first configuration in an evaluation context. The results can be represented by a set of basis function coefficients. Prescriptive treatments are often applied in a treatment context, which is different from the evaluation context. Hence, the patient pupil can be in a different, second configuration, during treatment. Systems and methods are provided for determining a transformed set of basis function coefficients, based on a difference between the first and second configurations, which can be used to establish the vision treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventor: Guang-ming Dai
  • Patent number: 9370299
    Abstract: Examples that increase accessibility of color vision impaired users to information on a display are provided herein. A plurality of graphical elements using a first color palette are presented. A user input indicating that the user has a color vision impairment is received. The color vision impairment can be, for example, deuteranopia, protanopia, or tritanopia. At least some of the plurality of graphical elements can be presented using a second color palette designed for users with the color vision impairment. The user input indicating that the user has a color vision impairment can be received in response to presenting a color vision impairment test to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SuccessFactors, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Philip Haine, Michael I. Almond, Robert M. Cooper
  • Patent number: 9370300
    Abstract: An ophthalmic optical coherence tomography system and a method for quick switching to realize anterior and posterior eye segments imaging are provided, the system includes: an OCT interferometer primary module and a sample arm module, the OCT interferometer primary module includes an OCT light source, a fiber coupler, a reference arm, a detection module, an X-direction scanning unit, and a Y-direction scanning unit; the sample arm module includes an anterior eye segment imaging module and a posterior eye segment imaging module; the Y-direction scanning unit is rotatable; when the Y-direction scanning unit is at a first rotation angle, the Y-direction scanning unit reflects the light received by the X-direction scanning unit into the anterior eye segment imaging module; when the Y-direction scanning unit is at a second rotation angle, the Y-direction scanning unit reflects the light received by the X-direction scanning unit into the posterior eye segment imaging module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CERTAINN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoudong Cai, Peng Li, Shuguang Guo, Xiangsong Dai, Lei Wu
  • Patent number: 9370301
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus of an embodiment includes an acquiring part, a first optical system, a forming part and a controller. The acquiring part acquires a first front image of an eye fundus. The first optical system scans the fundus by signal light and detects interference light of returned light of the signal light and reference light. The forming part repeatedly forms a second front image of the fundus and a cross sectional image showing a cross section perpendicular to the second front image based on the detection results repeatedly obtained by the first optical system. The controller displays the first front image on a display means, displays, as a moving image, the second front images repeatedly formed by the forming part over the first front image, and displays, as a moving image, the cross sectional images repeatedly formed by the forming part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOPCON
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukuma, Kanichi Tokuda, Taiki Aimi, Atsushi Kubota, Yusuke Ono
  • Patent number: 9370302
    Abstract: A portable eye reflex measuring device for use in an ambulatory occupational environment is disclosed. The eye reflex measuring device compares data from an eye movement detector with data from a head movement detector at a frequency or frequencies in the range of 0.01 Hertz to 15 Hertz to determine eye response to head movement. The gain and phase of the eye response is calculated using a Fourier transform. The device includes a central processing unit for receiving the eye movement data, for receiving the head movement data, and for calculating the Fourier transform. Typical human physiological conditions that can be measured can include vestibulo-ocular reflex, dynamic visual acuity, dynamic visual stability, or retinal image stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: Wesley W. O. Krueger
  • Patent number: 9370303
    Abstract: An adaptive optics (AO) optical system is used, to perform accurate alignment between the AO optical system and a subject's eye. An ophthalmologic apparatus according to the present invention includes a positional relationship change unit (e.g., a driving mechanism including a stage for moving the apparatus) configured to change a positional relationship between a subject's eye and an optical system including an aberration measurement unit (e.g., a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor) in a first irradiation state of the subject's eye with measurement light, and an irradiation state change unit (e.g., a mechanism for changing an irradiation position) configured to change an irradiation state of the subject's eye with the measurement light from the first irradiation state to a second irradiation state for correcting an aberration of the subject's eye based on a measurement result of the aberration measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Tanaka, Futoshi Hirose
  • Patent number: 9370304
    Abstract: Physiological imaging-defined subvolumes of tissues/disease are identified to yield spatially-defined prognostic and/or predictive indicators and/or focal therapy targets within such tissues, in particular tumors, for evaluation over time, for example, prior to and after a therapy treatment. Medical image data is analyzed to delineate subvolumes of tissue based upon multiple physiological, metabolic, and biological imaging properties, where those subvolumes are extracted and analyzed in a probabilistic manner to associate with one or more abnormal or disease phenotype conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Yue Cao, Peng Wang, Reza Farjam
  • Patent number: 9370305
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for intelligently combining medical findings received across different modalities. The system comprises an extraction module extracting contextual information from an image of an area of interest including annotations, a feature selection module building a current feature vector using the extracted contextual information and the annotations, and a referencing engine computing a similarity score between the current feature vector and a prior feature vector of a prior image. The method comprises extracting contextual information from an image of an area of interest including annotations, building a current feature vector using the extracted contextual information and the annotations, and computing a similarity score between the current feature vector and a prior feature vector of a prior image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Yuechen Qian, Merlijn Sevenster
  • Patent number: 9370306
    Abstract: Catheter-based systems for in-vivo targeted light therapy include a first type of catheter configured for photo-activating photosensitive substances in tissue, and a second type of catheter configured for photo-degrading photosensitive substances in tissue. The catheters may be configured to produce light using a variety of light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) and fiber optics. The light transmission is directed to tissue in such a way that only portions of tissue in a treatment area are exposed to light, depending upon whether the tissue is diseased or healthy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM INC.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Ehrenreich, Kyle Klein, John Stankus
  • Patent number: 9370307
    Abstract: A subject information acquisition device includes a first holding member that holds a subject of a patient, a first probe that detects an acoustic wave having propagated through the first holding member and that performs a scanning operation, a first holding-member support located on a patient side from a scanning range of the first probe and that reduces bending of the first holding member, and a second probe located on the patient side from the scanning range of the first probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiko Wada, Masakazu Toi, Toshiyuki Kitai
  • Patent number: 9370308
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to patient monitoring systems and, more particularly, to signal analysis for patient monitoring systems. In one embodiment, a method of analyzing a detector signal of a physiological patient sensor includes obtaining the detector signal from the physiological patient sensor, and determining a ratio of the signal between two or more channels. A distribution of the angles between the points of the ratio over time may be used to determine a true ratio or a ratio of ratios for use in the determination of a physiological parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Ireland
    Inventors: Paul Addison, James Ochs, James Watson
  • Patent number: 9370309
    Abstract: A magnetoencephalogram (MEG) system is provided for use with a head. The MEG system includes a shell, and three three-axis gradiometers and a computing portion. Each three-axis gradiometer detects a magnetic field vector from a magnetic dipole in the head and generates a respective detected signal based on the respective magnetic field vector. Each three-axis gradiometer is disposed at a respective position of the shell. The computing portion determines a location of the magnetic dipole based on the first detected signal, the second detected signal and the third detected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Harvey W. Ko, Ibolja Cernak, Michael P. McLoughlin
  • Patent number: 9370310
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining cellular electrical potentials using a state estimator. The state estimator is generated using at least an electrical source model and an electrical conduction model. One or more parameters or states of the state estimator are adjusted based on a measured electrocardiographic and/or a measured body-surface-potential signal. The electrical potential of one or more cells is determined based on the one or more adjusted parameters or states. In one aspect of the present technique, one or more representations of an organ comprising the one or more cells is generated such that the electrical potential or its deriving characteristic of the one or more cells is visually indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yao Chen, Kai Thomenius, Yongsheng Yang, Fei Teng, Yong Zhang, Jian Zhou, Joel Xue
  • Patent number: 9370311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device, and system for improved mapping and/or ablation of a tissue. The device may generally include an elongate body and a distal assembly affixed to the elongate body that includes a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping region and a selectively conductive ablation region that is conductive of high-frequency current and substantially non-conductive of low-frequency current. Alternatively, the device may generally include a treatment electrode having a conductive mapping or ablation region and a region that is coated with an electrically insulated but thermally conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, Mark Allen Benscoter, Jon Virgil Evans, Timothy G. Laske, Gonzalo Martinez
  • Patent number: 9370312
    Abstract: A reliable endocardial map is obtained by constructing a matrix relationship between a small number of endocardial points and a large number of external receiving points using a multi-electrode chest panel. Inversion of the matrix yields information allowing the endocardial map to be constructed. Subsequent maps are obtained noninvasively using the multi-electrode chest panel, applying new electrical signals to the matrix relationship, and again inverting the matrix to generate new endocardial electrical maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Yitzhack Schwartz, Meir Bar-Tal, Joshua Porath
  • Patent number: 9370313
    Abstract: A device 10 for performing electroencephalography on a patient, the device comprising a sagittal portion 14 comprising: a forehead anchor 44 comprising two forehead anchor arms, a first forehead anchor arm 46 and an opposing second forehead anchor arm 48; a neck anchor 54 comprising two neck anchor arms, a first neck anchor arm 56 and an opposing second neck anchor arm 58; a midsection 52 between the forehead anchor and the neck anchor; and a plurality of imbedded electrodes 20 within the forehead anchor, and the midsection. The device further comprises: a coronal portion 12 comprising a plurality of imbedded electrodes; and electrical connectors 22 for electrically connecting the imbedded electrodes in the sagittal portion and the coronal portion to an electroencephalograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: BIO-SIGNAL GROUP CORP.
    Inventors: John P. McPeck, Kathleen M. Principe
  • Patent number: 9370314
    Abstract: A method for identifying and treating tissue includes providing an electrosurgical treatment device including an electrode assembly. One or more electrical property values of target tissue are measured. The measured electrical property values of the target tissue are compared against electrical property values of known tissue types. A tissue type of the target tissue is identified. An energy delivery configuration of the electrosurgical treatment device is adjusted to the type of target tissue. The electrosurgical treatment device is activated to treat the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mani N. Prakash, Timothy J. Bahney, Darren Odom
  • Patent number: 9370315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view (28). The apparatus comprises selection means for generating a magnetic selection field (50) and drive and receiving means comprising one or more combined drive field and selection coils (441) for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones (52, 54) in the field of view (28) and for acquiring detection signals. A balanced bridge unit (160) comprising inductive or capacitive coupling elements (411, 421) is provided between the drive field signal generator unit (122) and the signal receiving unit (140) as a light-weight, inexpensive and easily implementable solution for reducing the harmonic background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ingo Schmale, Bernhard Gleich
  • Patent number: 9370316
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems, methods, and apparatus to correlate changes in MRI data with CA concentration, using an adaptive neural network In MRI techniques, CAs are used to estimate vascular properties such as blood flow, blood volume, and transfer constant of tissue microvessels However, the relationship between the contrast in the MRI image and the contrast agent concentration is not linear, instead depending on factors such as the nature of the sequence, the nature of the tissue, and the tissue concentration of contrast agent, and thus limiting the reliability of vascular properties using MRI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM
    Inventors: James R. Ewing, Hassan Bagher-Ebadian
  • Patent number: 9370317
    Abstract: A data processing method for determining the position of a main plane of an anatomical body part, comprising the steps of: • providing absolute auxiliary point data which describe the position of at least one actual auxiliary point of the body part relative to a marker device attacked to the body part, the at least one actual auxiliary point being outside the main plane; • providing relative point data which constrain the possible positions of the main plane relative to the at least one actual auxiliary point; • providing absolute main point data which describe the position of one or two actual main points of the body part relative to the marker device attached to the body part, said one or two actual main points lying in the main plane and/or calculating the position of at least one virtual main point relative to the marker device, said at least one virtual main point being in the main plane and being calculated based on the absolute auxiliary point data and the relative point data; • calculating a position
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Martin Haimerl, Mario Schubert, Sabine Kling
  • Patent number: 9370318
    Abstract: A technique for performing computational analysis of craniosynostosis from CT images is discussed. An image-computing platform assesses craniofacial malformations by using a shape analysis methodology for image processing. The shape of a patient's craniofacial anatomy is assessed in terms of a statistical shape model that incorporates normal shape variability. The model allows for the identification of a closest normal variant to a patient's anatomy rather than comparing the patient's anatomy to an age-specific average shape. Further, an image registration and segmentation method is discussed which enables obtaining a personalized anatomical model for each patient, thereby achieving a precise and systematic characterization of shape abnormality. Visual (qualitative) and quantitative surgical planning, as well as pre-operative and post-operative assessments are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventors: Marius G. Linguraru, Carlos S. Mendoza, Nabile Safdar, Gary F. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9370319
    Abstract: An interactive virtual care system may include a user sensory module to acquire multi-modal user data related to user movement. A data analysis module may compare the multi-modal user data to predetermined historical user data and/or statistical norm data for users to identify an anomaly in the user movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Craig A. Gettelman, Dadong Wan, Ankur Pogula, Ben Reierson, Terrianne Erickson
  • Patent number: 9370320
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for linking devices to tracking devices is provided. One method includes scanning, by an activity tracking device, for a semi-unique identifier broadcasted by a device. The method connects the device with the activity tracking device after the semi-unique identifier is found to be of the device by the activity tracking device. The activity tracking device is configured to communicate with the device to obtain a device identification (ID) of the device. The method then automatically linking the device to the activity tracking device when the device ID of the device matches a copy of the device ID stored in the activity tracking device. In one example, the tracking devices operate as a master and the devices operate as a slave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayson Messenger, Barry Burton, James Park
  • Patent number: 9370321
    Abstract: Embodiments provided here generally relate to combinations of ultrasound aspects and antibodies. In some embodiments, antibodies are immobilized on a surface and binding of the antibodies to antigens can be detected by detecting changes in the vibrational properties of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventors: Deniz Ozdil, Michael Keoni Manion, George Charles Peppou
  • Patent number: 9370322
    Abstract: A modular, multifunction dock system is disclosed. The dock system includes a dock housing with a dock receiver to interface with a data port for both a recorder and a transmitter. The dock system further includes a logic board that is contained within the dock housing. The logic board couples a memory and a processor to the dock receiver to enable dock functionality with both the recorder and the transmitter. Further included with the dock system is a coupling port to provide access through the dock housing to a socket coupled to the logic board and an input/output port to enable power and data transmission from the logic board to a data processor. The dock housing includes a mating arm that moves between a retracted and extended position. The mating arm fits within the coupling port and is terminated by a plug that couples with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Villegas, Henry C. Sanders, Greg Bowden, Cary Talbot
  • Patent number: 9370323
    Abstract: A concentration determination apparatus may include: an irradiation unit that irradiates short-pulsed light to an observed object; a light receiving unit that receives light backscattered from the observed object; a light intensity acquisition unit that acquires an intensity distribution of the light; an optical path length distribution storage unit that stores a model of an optical path length distribution in each layer of the plurality of layers of the short-pulsed light; an optical path length acquisition unit that acquires the optical path length distribution of each layer; a time-resolved waveform storage unit that stores a model of a time-resolved waveform; a light intensity model acquisition unit that acquires a light intensity model; an integral interval calculation unit that calculates a time range of an area; an optical absorption coefficient calculation and acquisition unit that calculates and acquires an optical absorption coefficient; and a concentration calculation unit that calculates the conce
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amano, Koichi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9370324
    Abstract: A hemodialysis patient data acquisition and management system resides on a host computer which receives information from one or more non-invasive, optical blood monitors associated with a hemodialysis system. When a patient is undergoing hemodialysis treatment, a sensor assembly monitors the patient's blood flowing through the hemodialysis system and a controller for the blood monitor generates data which includes at least an identification code for the patient undergoing the treatment on the respective system, and non-invasively determined blood data taken at the onset of the scheduled treatment, such as initial Hgb, HCT, and SAT values. A host computer communicates with the one or more optical blood monitors, preferably via a wireless network, and the patient's session commencement data is downloaded to the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Louis LeeGrande Barrett, David Wayne Peterson, Brian Harris Nathanson, Michael Jack Germain, Michael K. Black
  • Patent number: 9370325
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of a patient monitoring system and methods that include the measure and display of hemoglobin statistics. In an embodiment, total hemoglobin trending is displayed over a period of time. Statistics can include frequency domain analysis, which may be unique for each patient monitored. The total hemoglobin trending and/or statistics can further be used to help control the treatment of a patient, such as being used to control IV administration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Massi Joe E. Kiani, Michael O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 9370326
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure seeks to select characteristics of incoming intensity data that cause comparisons of selected characteristics to produce defined probe off space having reduced crossover with defined probe on space. Once defined, the present disclosure compares characteristics of incoming intensity data with the now defined probe off space, and in some embodiments, defined probe on space, to determine whether a probe off condition exists. When a processor determines a probe off condition exists, the processor may output or trigger an output signal that audibly and/or visually indicates to a user that the optical sensor should be adjusted for a proper application to a measurement site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Timothy McHale, Walter M. Weber
  • Patent number: 9370327
    Abstract: Needle safety assemblies and related methods are disclosed. Exemplary needle safety assemblies include a needle with a sharpened tip attached directly or indirectly to an elongate tube having a proximal end that is constrained from proximal axial movement. An elongate shield with a distal end opening and a body extends over at least a portion of the elongate tube. A needle holder is coupled to the elongate shield and fixed axially. The needle holder has a proximal opening sized and shaped to receive a sampling device, such as a vacutainer. A tab having a pin extends radially outwardly from the elongate tube and through a slot formed with the elongate shield, which is movable to move the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Teng Sun Teoh
  • Patent number: 9370328
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for determining tumor boundary characteristics. One example method involves (a) receiving imaging data, wherein the imaging data indicates a tumor and one or more tissues that surround the tumor; (b) determining one or more radial segments that extend from the tumor to the one or more surrounding tissues based on the imaging data, wherein the one or more radial segments each comprise one or more respective data points indicating signal intensity; (c) determining one or more respective tumor boundary parameters for each of the one or more radial segments based on at least the one or more respective data points indicating signal intensity; (d) determining a tumor margin based on the one or more determined tumor boundary parameters; and (e) causing a graphical representation of the determined tumor margin to be displayed on a graphical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: University of Washington Through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Janet F. Eary, Todd L. Richards
  • Patent number: 9370329
    Abstract: A system for performing mapping and ablation functions includes a catheter sized and shaped for vascular access. The catheter includes an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. A tip section positioned at the distal end of the catheter body and includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. One or more electrode structures are formed on an exterior surface of the tip section. The one or more electrode structures each includes a mapping electrode at the distal portion of the tip section and a contact pad electrically coupled to the mapping electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Zaya Tun, Isaac J. Kim, Josef V. Koblish, Minhchau N. Cao, Steve Ha
  • Patent number: 9370330
    Abstract: A system and method includes a matrix of elements, each of the elements comprising a respective radiation-attenuating material providing a respective radiation attenuation profile over a respective area of the matrix, and wherein at least one of the elements is independently-controllable to change its respective radiation attenuation profile over its respective area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve D Quam, Mikhail Uvarov, Hongxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9370331
    Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: RADIACTION LTD.
    Inventors: Amir Belson, James J. Leary
  • Patent number: 9370332
    Abstract: Robotic navigation is provided for nuclear probe imaging. Using a three-dimensional scanner (19), the surface of a patient is determined (42). A calibrated robotic system positions (48) a nuclear probe about the patient based on the surface. The positioning (48) may be without contacting the patient and the surface may be used in reconstruction to account for spacing of the probe from the patient. By using the robotic system for positioning (48), the speed, resolution and/or quality of the reconstructed image may be predetermined, user settable, and/or improved compared to manual scanning. The reconstruction (52) may be more computationally efficient by providing for regular spacing of radiation detection locations within the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventors: Gianluca Paladini, Ali Kamen, Oliver Kutter
  • Patent number: 9370333
    Abstract: A method for predefining a set of radioactive-emission measurement views, for radioactive-emission imaging after an administration of a radiopharmaceutical, the method being tailored to a specific body structure and optimized with respect to the information gained about the body structure and based on modeling body-structure, based on its geometry and anatomical constraints, which limit accessibility to the body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Biosensors International Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Nagler, Eli Dichterman, Yoel Zilberstein, Ran Ravhon, Omer Ziv, Benny Rousso, Shlomo Ben-Haim
  • Patent number: 9370334
    Abstract: A 2D or 3D velocity field is reconstructed from cross-correlation analysis of image pairs of a sample, without first reconstructing images of the sample spatial structure. The method can be implemented via computer tomographic X-ray particle image velocimetry, using multiple projection angles, with phase contrast images forming dynamic speckle patterns. Estimated cross-correlations may be generated via convolution of a measured autocorrelation function with a velocity probability density function, and the velocity coefficients iteratively optimized to minimize the error between the estimated cross-correlations and the measured cross-correlations. The method may be applied to measure blood flow, and the motion of tissue and organs such as heart and lungs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MONASH UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andreas Fouras, Stephen Dubsky
  • Patent number: 9370335
    Abstract: A physiological acoustic monitoring system receives physiological data from an acoustic sensor, down-samples the data to generate raw audio of breathing sounds and compresses the raw audio. The acoustic monitoring system has an acoustic sensor signal responsive to tracheal sounds in a person. An A/D converter is responsive to the sensor signal so as to generate breathing sound data. A decimation filter and mixer down-samples the breathing sound data to raw audio data. A coder/compressor generates compressed audio data from the raw audio data. A decoder/decompressor decodes and decompresses the compressed audio data into decompressed audio data. The decompressed audio data is utilized to generate respiration-related parameters in real-time. The compressed audio data is stored and retrieved so as to generate respiration-related parameters in non-real-time. The real-time and non-real-time parameters are compared to verify matching results across multiple monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Sung Uk Lee
  • Patent number: 9370336
    Abstract: A model-based method for assessing acoustic signal quality in a heart monitoring device. The personal heart sound interval distribution of a person being actively monitored is compared with a modeled global heart sound interval distribution shared by most human beings after which processing action is taken consistent with the quality assessment. The error in the best fit between the personal interval distribution and the global interval distribution is presumed to be caused predominantly by noise, allowing the quality of the fit to serve as a proxy for the level of noise in the acoustic signal and used in making processing decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Severt Hallberg, Fredrick Norman Hill
  • Patent number: 9370337
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method and apparatus for attaching two electrical dies by wire bonding and then encasing the assembly in a protective casting that works by arranging two dies into a fixture conducive to wire bonding. Doped epoxy may be immediately dispensed over the assembly to form a near-net-shape protective cover, or Drive Can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Reiter
  • Patent number: 9370338
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnosis device for creating an ultrasound image with a high contrast-to-tissue ratio. Said device sends a transmission pulse to the subject, uses an ultrasound probe to receive echoes reflected from an ultrasound contrast agent injected into the subject, and forms an image. The transmission pulse is sent such that nonlinear interactions between the constituent frequency components of said transmission pulse, as a result of the acoustic nonlinearity of the subject, do not produce sum and difference components in the frequency sensitivity range of the ultrasonic probe as the transmission pulse propagates across the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kunio Hashiba, Hideki Yoshikawa, Tatsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9370339
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, systems, methods, and computer programs are provided that determine a mechanical property of a subject. An excitation force is applied to a displacement origin within a subject, and a shear wave is generated in response to application of the excitation force. The displacement data indicative of displacement motion at the sample position is sampled by tracking pulses, and the timing of at least one of the tracking pulses is adjusted relative to application of the excitation force. The process continues until a peak displacement of the shear wave for the sample position is determined based upon the displacement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Hazard, Wei Tan, Xiaodong Han, Gang Cheng
  • Patent number: 9370340
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image generating unit, an acquiring unit, an extracting unit, a flap identifying unit, a first synthesizing unit, an alignment processing unit and a second synthesizing unit. The image generating unit generates an echocardiographic image including an aorta. The acquiring unit acquires a heart area image including the aorta. The extracting unit extracts an artery region based on the heart area image. The flap identifying unit identifies a flap region based on the artery region. The first synthesizing unit synthesizes information on the flap region onto the artery region to generate a first synthesized image. The alignment processing unit performs processing to align an imaging region in the echocardiography on the heart area image based on a positional data signal. The second synthesizing unit synthesizes information that indicates the imaging region processed for alignment onto the first synthesized image to generate a second synthesized image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyohei Yamamori, Tomohiro Kawasaki, Kensuke Shinoda
  • Patent number: 9370341
    Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes an elongate tubular member having a drive rod slidably disposed therein. A support member is operably coupled to a distal end of the drive rod. A pouch is attached to the support member and has a closed end and an open end. The pouch may be releasably coupled to the support member. An end effector is repositionable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The support member may include an expandable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Anthony L. Ceniccola, Margaret Uznanski, Mark Peter Rogers, Brandon Wesley Craft, Natalie Scott, Nicholas John Collier, Charlotte Adele Clark
  • Patent number: 9370342
    Abstract: A device for performing a procedure may include an elongate tube having a proximal end and a distal end and an adapted link having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end may include a first mating surface, where the proximal end may be configured to attach to the distal end of the elongate tube. The device may also include a rotating link having a second mating surface configured to rotatably interface with the adapted link first mating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Brett Zubiate, Howard Choset, Amir Degani, Anthony Kolb, Kevin P. GilMartin, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 9370343
    Abstract: A actuating instrument including an instrument tip assembly having a yoke attachment thread. The actuating instrument also includes an actuator having an actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is provided with a first thread within the actuating shaft and a second thread provided on the actuating shaft. Further, the first thread is connected to the yoke attachment thread. Additionally, a back hub is provided at a proximal end of the instrument tip assembly and includes a rib or ribs provided on one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the back hub. The rib or ribs projecting from the one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the back hub and engages the second thread of the shaft to from an attachment thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MICROLINE SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Paul David Ryll, Peter Aliski
  • Patent number: 9370344
    Abstract: A biocompatible material layer for use as an intermediary layer between body tissue surfaces to be fused in a body tissue fusion, wherein the material layer includes two sides opposite to one another, wherein the material layer is configured so that it provides portions with comparatively higher electrical resistance and portions with comparatively lower electrical resistance between body tissue surfaces to be fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH
    Inventor: Hanno Winter
  • Patent number: 9370345
    Abstract: A bioadhesive delivery catheter includes a manifold, a dual lumen tube, and a mixing member. The manifold includes a delivery device passage and an injection port. The tube is insertable into the delivery device passage and includes first and second lumens positioned side-by-side. The first lumen extends proximal of the second lumen within the delivery device passage, and the second lumen is in flow communication with the injection port. The mixing member is positioned between a proximal inlet of the injection port and the second lumen and is configured to help mix a bioadhesive material that is delivered through the injection port into the second lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL PUERTO RICO LLC
    Inventors: Zachary J. Tegels, Robert M. Vidlund, Doreen Borgmann, Edward E. Parsonage, Martha Escobar