Patents Issued in September 11, 2018
  • Patent number: 10070792
    Abstract: In an acoustic wave detection probe provided with a light guide section that guides measuring light such that the measuring light is outputted toward a subject and an acoustic wave transducer that detects a photoacoustic wave generated in the subject by the projection of the measuring light, the light guide section includes a homogenizer that flat-tops an energy profile of the measuring light entered from the upstream side of the optical system, a light condensing member that condenses the measuring light transmitted through the homogenizer, and a bundle fiber which includes a plurality of optical fibers and is disposed such that the measuring light transmitted through the light condensing member enters from an entrance end of the bundle fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kaku Irisawa
  • Patent number: 10070793
    Abstract: A temperature measurement probe for a patient is provided. The probe includes a sensor assembly and produces a temperature map comprising temperature information for multiple patient locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Securus Medical Group, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Christopher Flaherty, John T. Garibotto, R. Maxwell Flaherty, William J. Gorman
  • Patent number: 10070795
    Abstract: An example system and method of defining a rotational source associated with a heart rhythm disorder are disclosed. A plurality of center locations of wave fronts are calculated at a plurality of time points associated with the heart rhythm disorder. A rotational path that connects the plurality of center locations is then determined. Thereafter, a clinical representation that identifies a region of heart tissue associated with the rotational path is generated. The system and method can also determine a likely core associated with the rotational path. A plurality of relative diffusion shapes associated with the plurality of the center locations is calculated. A plurality of intersecting points of a smallest relative diffusion shape and other relative diffusion shapes is determined within the rotational path. A bounded polygon of the intersecting points is defined as the likely core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Topera, Inc.
    Inventors: William Robert Macneil, Ruchir Sehra
  • Patent number: 10070796
    Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes acquiring optical image information with a detection unit configured to be operably coupled to a patient. The optical image information corresponds to microcirculation of the patient. The method also includes generating a microcirculation map of microvasculature of the patient using the optical image information. Further, the method includes generating a quantitative microcirculation index based on the microcirculation map, the quantitative microcirculation index corresponding to a condition of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Alberto Santamaria-Pang, Dmitry V. Dylov, Ali Can, Siavash Yazdanfar
  • Patent number: 10070797
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus (100, 200, 300, 400) is an optical measuring apparatus provided with a probe portion (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) and a main body portion (10, 10b, 10c), which are electrically connected to each other. The probe portion has: a light source (21, 26); a reference voltage generating device (24) configured to apply predetermined reference voltage to the main body portion; and a storing device (25) configured to store therein in advance current adjustment information, which is information for adjusting a drive current to be supplied to the light source. The main body portion has: a drive current supplying device (12, 12a, 12b) configured to supply the drive current to the light source, due to the applied reference voltage; and a controlling device (11) configured to control the drive current supplying device on the basis of the stored current adjustment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Tateishi
  • Patent number: 10070798
    Abstract: A heart activity sensor structure includes a flexible textile substrate, and at least two electrodes with an electric insulation between each of the at least two electrodes. The at least two electrodes are applied on one side of the flexible textile substrate and configured to be placed against a skin of an exerciser in order to measure biosignals related to heart activity. The heart activity sensor also includes an electrostatic discharge shield applied on one side of the flexible textile substrate for protecting the at least two electrodes from static electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Polar Electro Oy
    Inventors: Seppo Korkala, Elias Pekonen, Juhani Kemppainen, Pekka Rytky
  • Patent number: 10070799
    Abstract: Bio-potentials are sensed on the skin of a subject. The bio-potentials include muscle bio-potentials, and nerve bio-potentials. Skin sensors are positioned to enable the sensing circuitry to emphasize the nerve bio-potentials and deemphasize the muscle bio-potentials in processed bio-potential signals generated by the sensing circuitry. A machine learning component identifies control sequences or tracks body motions based on the processed bio-potential signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Pison Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dexter W. Ang, David O Cipoletta, Samuel J. Karnes, Michael Kowalczyk, Sidhant Srikumar
  • Patent number: 10070800
    Abstract: A method for use in performing impedance measurements on a subject. The method includes, in a processing system, determining at least one first impedance value, measured at a site using a first electrode configuration, determining at least one second impedance value, measured at the site using a second electrode configuration, and determining the presence, absence or degree of an anomaly using the first and second impedance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IMPEDIMED LIMITED
    Inventors: Bruce Herbert Cornish, Brian John Thomas, Jye Geoffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 10070801
    Abstract: A system for extending the visual capabilities and working channel of a bronchoscope including a probe having optic and/or tracking capabilities at a distal tip thereof and capable of being advanced through the working channel of a standard bronchoscope. The probe also includes a working channel through which various diagnostic and treatment tools may be advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Benny Greenburg, Oded Zur, Raphael Meloul
  • Patent number: 10070802
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yvan Paitel, Steven L. Hartmann, Lilac Muller
  • Patent number: 10070803
    Abstract: Spirometer apparatus comprising main inhale-exhale tube having first end, main interior, and second open end, a plurality of smaller tubes intersecting said main-inhale exhale tube at first and second respective locations and having a plurality of smaller interiors respectively, the first location being closer to the first end than is the second location, wherein each of the smaller interiors are in fluid communication with the main interior solely via at least one aperture formed in each of the intersecting tubes at locations facing said second end, the intersecting tubes having first and second external cross-sections, the main tube having first and second internal cross-sections, wherein said first external cross-section is smaller than said first internal cross-section, said second external cross-section is smaller than said second internal cross-section, and wherein said second external cross-section is smaller than said first external cross-section, and a differential pressure sensor sensing the pressur
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: LUNGTEK LTD.
    Inventor: Nir Shavit
  • Patent number: 10070804
    Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of samples of exhaled air during normal respiration, comprising a flow generator, an orally insertable exhalation air receiver, and a device for isolating the nasal airways, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a sensor for detecting a change in a parameter representing the change from inhalation to exhalation and to transmit said change as a signal; a control unit adapted to receive said signal and to control said device for isolating the nasal airways; wherein the flow generator is connected to or integrated with the exhalation air receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Circassia AB
    Inventor: Rudiger Eichler
  • Patent number: 10070805
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system includes a sensing device configured to measure physiological parameter data from a patient, an identification transmitter that transmits an identification signal, wherein the identification signal is associated with the patient, and a location tracking system having a plurality of identification receivers arranged in a care facility that receive the identification signal from the identification transmitter and determine a patient location within the care facility based on a location of receipt of the identification signal. The patient monitoring system further includes a contextual alarming module that receives the patient location and selects at least one location-specific alarm rule based on the patient location in the care facility. Physiological parameter data is then assessed by the patient monitoring system based on the location-specific alarm rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce Friedman, Matthew Grubis, Scott Fuller, Eliana Stein, Magnus Kall, Stephen Treacy, Peter Arndt
  • Patent number: 10070806
    Abstract: Position sensor having a holder, a force measuring device permanently connected to the holder, and a winding device, which is permanently connected to the force measuring device and has a drive having an electric motor. Winding device is configured to unwind and wind a cable and to determine an unwinding length of the cable. Guide device permanently connected to the holder has a centering device for passing through the cable, an outlet apparatus which is mounted on universal joints and is intended to pass through the cable with a variable direction, and a position sensor for determining an angular position of the outlet apparatus. Position sensor is set up to determine position of a predetermined point of the cable relative to holder on the basis of determined angular position and unwinding length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TYROMOTION GMBH
    Inventors: David Ram, Alexander Kollreider, Harald Pitsch, Valentin Cee, Josef Neubauer
  • Patent number: 10070807
    Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for detecting and evaluating grip by a user operating a handheld tool. In an embodiment, the tool includes a handle, one or more pressure sensors disposed in or on the handle, and an attachment arm. An output from the one or more sensors is generated while a user-assistive device is coupled to a distal end of an attachment arm of the tool. Logic of the tool calculates a grip metric based on the sensor output, and the tool transmits, based on the grip metric, a signal including medical diagnostic information. In another embodiment, the user-assistive device includes a utensil attachment or a personal hygiene attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Ali Shoeb, Anupam Pathak
  • Patent number: 10070808
    Abstract: A device for in vivo detecting and quantifying a concentration of an analyte in a peritoneal fluid of a subject. The device includes (a) a catheter having an open proximal end configured to be disposed external to the subject, an open distal end configured to be disposed within the peritoneal cavity comprising the peritoneal fluid, an anchor portion, an outer wall, and an inner wall, (b) a sensor disposed adjacent to the open distal end and configured to detect and quantify the concentration of the analyte in the peritoneal fluid, and (c) a main control unit disposed external to the subject, connected to the sensor via a wire, and configured to control the sensor, receive and store detection and quantification data from the sensor, and transmit the data to a second device. A portion of the wire is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: National Guard Health Affairs, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center
    Inventor: Mahfooz Alam Farooqui
  • Patent number: 10070809
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasively measuring blood glucose levels in a biological sample based on spectral data. This includes utilizing at least one light source configured to strike a target area of a sample, utilizing at least one light filter positioned to receive light transmitted through the target area of the sample from the at least one light source, utilizing at least one light detector positioned to receive light from the at least one light source and filtered by the at least one light filter, and to generate an output signal, having a time dependent current, which is indicative of the power of light detected, receiving the output signal from the at least one light detector with a processor, calculating the attenuance attributable to blood with a ratio factor based on the received output signal, and determining a blood glucose level based on the calculated attenuance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: St. Louis Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhi Xu
  • Patent number: 10070810
    Abstract: An automatic sensor inserter is disclosed for placing a transcutaneous sensor into the skin of a living body. According to aspects of the invention, characteristics of the insertion such as sensor insertion speed may be varied by a user. In some embodiments, insertion speed may be varied by changing an amount of drive spring compression. The amount of spring compression may be selected from a continuous range of settings and/or it may be selected from a finite number of discrete settings. Methods associated with the use of the automatic inserter are also covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventor: Gary Ashley Stafford
  • Patent number: 10070811
    Abstract: A lancet device includes a housing, a removable front cap mounted to the housing, a lancet holding member, a trigger and an arming system comprising a grippable cocking member structured and arranged to place the lancet device in a trigger-set or armed position. A depth adjustment system includes a member that is at least slidable and partially rotatably mounted and that has an axis of rotation arranged substantially parallel to a center axis of the lancet holding member. An ejection system includes an ejector having a portion extending outside a sidewall opening of the housing and being located closer to a front end of the housing than to a rear end of the housing. The sidewall opening of the housing is arranged on an area of the housing located between the trigger and a wall of the housing located opposite the trigger. The ejection system is structured and arranged to at least one of prevent axial movement of the lancet holding member or remove or eject a lancet from the lancet holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: STAT MEDICAL DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Schwartz, Erik J. Moses, Mykola Pochyhaylo, Steven Schraga
  • Patent number: 10070812
    Abstract: A method for improved seizure detection includes capturing neural data for a first set of brain regions; calculating inter-region correlations between pairs of the first set of brain regions from the neural data; detecting a period of hyposynchrony from the inter-region correlations; after detecting the period of hyposynchrony, detecting a period of hypersynchrony from the inter-region correlations; and based on a transition from the period of hyposynchrony to the period of hypersynchrony, detecting a first seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SBB Research Group LLC
    Inventor: Samuel Benjamin Barnett
  • Patent number: 10070813
    Abstract: A system for imaging a biological sample including a tubular body having a side wall defining an interior shaped and sized for receiving the biological sample, an electromagnetic source positioned at one end of the tubular body interior for directing electromagnetic energy into the biological sample in the body interior, and an ultrasonic transducer positioned along said side wall of the body for receiving ultrasonic energy induced by the electromagnetic energy and transmitted through the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lihong Wang, Geng Ku
  • Patent number: 10070814
    Abstract: A magnetic stimulator includes a coil which applies magnetic stimulation to a head of a living body, an intensity controller which controls an intensity of the magnetic stimulation applied by the coil, an acquiring section which acquires a biological signal from the living body, a detector which detects an adverse event of the living body from the biological signal acquired by the acquiring section, and an intensity suppressing section which, when an adverse event of the living body is detected by the detector, suppresses the intensity of the magnetic stimulation that is controlled by the intensity controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Hyodo, Takashi Kanno
  • Patent number: 10070815
    Abstract: A method for knitting a garment having a tubular form, including knitting at least one vertical conductive textile trace on a machine having N participating feeders and M needles. The method includes the steps of continuously knitting the tubular form with one or more flexible non-conductive base yarns, and knitting the vertical conductive textile trace integrally within the tubular form, using a conductive yarn, in addition to spandex yarns, but not the base yarns. The conductive yarn is knitted in a float-loop form by knitting a stitch and skipping over y needles, as follows: repeatably knitting a line segment Lk, using feeder Fi and starting at needle D1; and knitting line segment Lk+1, using the next feeder and start stitching the first float-loop at needle D1+s where 0<s<y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Healthwatch LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz Shoshani, Renen Ben David
  • Patent number: 10070816
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques and configurations for an orthotic device. In one instance, the device may include an orthotic device body and at least two sensors spatially disposed inside the orthotic device body. A first sensor may provide a first output responsive to pressure resulting from application of mechanical force to the orthotic device body. A second sensor may provide a second output responsive to flexing resulting from the application of mechanical force to the orthotic device body. The device may also include a control unit communicatively coupled with the sensors to receive and process the outputs provided by the sensors in response to pressure and flexing. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Cowley, Ruchir Saraswat, Richard J. Goldman
  • Patent number: 10070817
    Abstract: A performance measuring system integrated with an article of clothing, the system has a computing unit for coordinating, processing and transmission of sensor data connected to a bus and an antenna. A sensor for measuring performance characteristics is connected to the bus; the bus facilitates transmission and reception of control and data values between the computing unit and the sensor. Also, an antenna is connected to the computing unit for communicating with other computing devices and transmission of sensor data. The other computing devices display the sensor data to a user or forward the sensor data onto another communication media such as the internet or interactive television. A social networking system sharing athletic statistics using a webservice, a personal processing unit connectible to the webservice, and a computing unit having an activity program for at least one sensor. This system has an activity update service integrally associated with the webservice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Mayfonk Athletic, LLC
    Inventors: Martin T. Matak, Jef Spaleta
  • Patent number: 10070818
    Abstract: Devices, methods, computer-readable media, and systems for determining an identity of a food are disclosed. For example, a method may receive at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food from an intra-oral device including a spectrometer, the at least one property obtained via the spectrometer, compares the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determines the identity of the food based upon the comparing. In another example, a system may include an intra-oral device and a wireless device. The intra-oral device may include a spectrometer for measuring at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food. The wireless device may include a processor for receiving the at least one property, comparing the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determining the identity of the food based upon the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Juliette Zerick, Eugene Rascle, William Cottrill
  • Patent number: 10070819
    Abstract: A clip (10) is provided with a body (12,14) that can house a device (16) such as a breathing monitor and that can attach to a garment. The body (12,14) forms a fixed jaw (18) and has a pivot jaw (24) that can pivot to grip the garment between fixed jaw(18) and pivot jaw (24). The clip (10) also has a pivoting lock (38) with a detent (42) that locks the pivot jaw (24) in a closed position, when the lock (38) is in a lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SNUZA TRUST
    Inventor: Gregory John Gallagher
  • Patent number: 10070820
    Abstract: Transdermal microneedles continuous monitoring system is provided. The continuous system monitoring includes a substrate, a microneedle unit, a signal processing unit and a power supply unit. The microneedle unit at least comprises a first microneedle set used as a working electrode and a second microneedle set used as a reference electrode, the first and second microneedle sets arranging on the substrate. Each microneedle set comprises at least a microneedle. The first microneedle set comprises at least a sheet having a through hole on which a barbule forms at the edge. One of the sheets provides the through hole from which the barbules at the edge of the other sheets go through, and the barbules are disposed separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Micro Nipple Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juang-Tang Huang
  • Patent number: 10070821
    Abstract: An intraocular pressure measuring and/or monitoring system comprises an intraocular pressure measuring device (1) comprising a support (3) and a pressure sensor (2) united with the support. The support (3) is configured for placing the pressure sensor (2) in contact with an eye (8) of a user for sensing the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. A portable recording device (6) is configured for communicating with the intraocular pressure measuring device (1) and for storing data received from the intraocular pressure measuring device. The system further comprises an inertial and/or environmental sensor (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sensimed SA
    Inventors: Matteo Leonardi, Jean-Marc Wismer
  • Patent number: 10070822
    Abstract: A measurement device includes a housing to which a biosensor having a reagent is attachable and which is carriable by a user, the reagent selectively responding to a specific analyte in a biological fluid. An analyte measurer measures a concentration of the specific analyte, using the biosensor, a motion measurer measures vibration applied to the housing, as a motion amount, and a living activity calculator calculates a living activity amount based on the measured motion amount. A recorder records the living activity amount output by the living activity calculator and a controller causes the recorder to record the specific analyte concentration measured by the analyte measurer and an event of the living activity, the concentration and the event being associated with each other, the event of the living activity being estimated based on the living activity amount recorded in the recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Terashima, Masataka Nadaoka
  • Patent number: 10070823
    Abstract: Mutation signal processing methods, devices and medical detecting apparatuses are described. The method includes detecting whether or not a mutation signal exists in an input signal; if the mutation signal exists in the input signal, processing the input signal by a filter to obtain an output signal, and updating a prestored difference value according to a difference value obtained by subtracting the output signal from the input signal; and if the mutation signal does not exist in the input signal, using a difference value obtained by subtracting the prestored difference value from the input signal as the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei Wang, Shen Luo, Wenyu Ye
  • Patent number: 10070824
    Abstract: A method of detecting an early onset of neurocardiogenic syncope in a patient uses respiratory functions as a predictor of the syncope. According to the method, at least one sample of baseline minute ventilation, tidal volume and respiratory rate of the patient is obtained. The detection unit is set to detect an increase in tidal volume and in minute ventilation over a predetermined respiratory period. The detecting unit also detects any rate of change in respiratory rate and sends a signal to a microprocessor to determine whether the increase in minute ventilation is a sole function of increased tidal volume. The impending syncope is diagnosed if variance in respiratory rate is less than 25% in relation to the sampled baseline during the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIOVOYANCE, LLC
    Inventor: Paul LeLorier
  • Patent number: 10070825
    Abstract: Systems and methods of optimal pulse compression are described. A pulse compression system can include an operations component that can receive a first signal, transmit the signal toward a target, and receive a reflected signal. A processor can correlate the received signal with an optimized signal in order to generate an image, the optimized signal based on an impulse response function of the operations component. The optimized signal can be the first signal. The optimized signal can be a third signal separate from the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Scidea Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Pat Sankar
  • Patent number: 10070826
    Abstract: There is provided herein methods, apparatus and systems for evaluating carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in a subject's breath, for example in subjects ventilated with High Frequency Ventilation (HFV), the method includes inserting to a trachea of a subject an endotrachial tube (ETT), sampling breath from an area in the trachea located in proximity to a distal end of the endotrachial tube (ETT) and evaluating one or more CO2 related parameters of the sampled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: ORIDION MEDICAL 1987 LTD.
    Inventors: Joshua Lewis Colman, Iris Shalev Stein
  • Patent number: 10070827
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for three dimensional imaging of tissue. Systems and methods of the invention receive a three dimensional data set and display a series of coaxial longitudinal images (i.e., each rotationally offset from another around an axis) in sequence, creating a video effect as if the view were scrolling around the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: VOLCANO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nathaniel J. Kemp
  • Patent number: 10070828
    Abstract: Imaging systems and methods for rapidly generating reconstruction image data of an object while allowing access to the object during imaging. In some embodiments, the system may comprise at least one radiation source that moves along a path, which path may be defined by an enclosed gantry, and emits radiation toward at least one radiation detector. The radiation source(s) and the radiation detector may be positioned such that at least a portion of an object, such as a portion of a patient's anatomy, can be positioned in between the plurality of radiation sources and the radiation detector to facilitate generation of the reconstruction image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: NVIEW MEDICAL INC.
    Inventor: Cristian Atria
  • Patent number: 10070829
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring volumetric breast density using a low dose of radiation are provided. This low-dose image can be added to a standard mammographic screening protocol with less than a two percent increase in radiation dose imparted to the subject. This low-dose image can also be used as a single standalone test to determine breast density for younger women for the purposes of risk determination or screening regimen planning. The breast density measurement is more accurate than measurements that can be obtained with existing systems and methods by making use of a compression assembly that maintains a parallel alignment between the compression paddle and breast support table. Additionally, the compression assembly maintains a uniform known thickness of the compressed breast. The system and method have the added benefit that they can be readily implemented on a conventional digital x-ray unit with low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gordon E. Mawdsley, Martin J. Yaffe, Oliver Alonzo-Proulx
  • Patent number: 10070830
    Abstract: An x-ray/gamma ray imaging apparatus includes a pixilated x-ray/gamma ray detector (3) including a member configured to detect incident x-ray/gamma ray wavelength photons, a position for a body under test (2), an x-ray or gamma ray source (1), and a structure configured to perturb the energy spectrum (6), each lying on a common axis. The source is arranged to direct an x-ray gamma ray energy spectrum along the common axis to impinge upon a structure configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum and a positioned body/object under test. The structure and the position for the body under test lie between the source and the detector member, and the structure includes at least three adjacent regions, each region different to immediately adjacent regions and configured to perturb the x-ray energy spectrum differently. Detected photons are subject to a random noise reduction algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IBEX Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary Gibson
  • Patent number: 10070831
    Abstract: The invention comprises a positively charged particle based cancer therapy system integrated with at least one off-axis imaging system, where elements of the off-axis imaging system and the cancer therapy system are co-positioned/co-rotated with a gantry. The imaging apparatus optionally functions with a tomography system using the positively charged particles of the cancer therapy system for enhanced patient/tumor imaging at and/or prior to a time of treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventors: James P. Bennett, Stephen L. Spotts, W. Davis Lee, Susan L. Michaud
  • Patent number: 10070832
    Abstract: An electronic cassette comprises a main battery which is detachably attached to a battery loading unit, and a sub-battery which supplies electricity to a bias power circuit and so on in substitution for the main battery. A power source selector changes the power source to the sub-battery from the main battery when it is judged that a replacement operation of the main battery is started. Since supply of the electricity to the bias power circuit is continued, and the bias voltage continues being applied to a photoelectric converter without a break, there is no need to perform a photoelectric conversion stabilizing process and an offset correction image detecting process after turning on of the main power. Therefore, a start-up time TR2 is largely shortened from a start-up time TR1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Sho SHimizukawa, Makoto Kitada, Jun Enomoto
  • Patent number: 10070833
    Abstract: A mobile X-ray imaging apparatus has an angle sensor and a movement calculation circuit that controls the driving of drive wheels based on the turning angle of auxiliary wheels relative to a straight moving direction of the base unit when a fine movement switch instructs movement of the base unit in the fine movement mode. The turning angle of auxiliary wheels is detected by a turning angle sensor and the rotation of the pair of drive wheels is controlled by the movement calculation circuit as the auxiliary wheels turns to the straight moving direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Shirota, Hiroshi Okumura
  • Patent number: 10070834
    Abstract: An X-ray photography device capable of readily photographing by switching to various photography modes such as a standing mode, a table mode and the like with one X-ray photography device is disclosed. To this end, the X-ray photographing device comprises: a base frame; a support frame pivotably coupled to one side of the base frame through a hinge shaft and on one side of which an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays irradiated from an X-ray generation device is slidably provided; and an actuator of which one end is rotatably fixed to the base frame and of which the other end is rotatably fixed to the support frame spaced at a predetermined distance from the hinge shaft, and which pivots the support frame around the hinge shaft within a predetermined angle range while moving a driving shaft therein forward and backward by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure supplied from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Listem Corporation
    Inventors: Chang Ho Moon, Jung Hyun Moon, Sang Jin Moon, Jung Wook Shin
  • Patent number: 10070835
    Abstract: A device and a related mammography method employing the device are described. The device comprises an x-ray source, an x-ray detector placed under a support plate for supporting an object and arranged to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, and a positioning assembly with an arm having multiple degrees of freedom which is a collaborative robot for positioning the x-ray source with respect to the support plate. A method for performing an imaging procedure, which includes placing an object of interest on the support plate; moving the x-ray source relative to the object of interest along a non-planar trajectory to avoid collision with the object; and activating the x-ray source and the x-ray detector so as to detect the x-rays coming from the x-ray source after they have passed through the object, thus obtaining a set of x-ray images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Laurence Vancamberg, Serge Louis Wilfrid Muller, Razvan Gabriel Iordache, Aurëlie Boudier
  • Patent number: 10070836
    Abstract: An X-ray mammography system including an X-ray detecting unit and an X-ray generating unit. The X-ray detecting unit includes a detecting portion that detects X-rays that have passed through a breast. The X-ray generating unit includes a transmission type target and an electron emitting source and is configured to radiate X-rays toward the detecting portion when irradiated with electrons. The transmission type target has a target layer having an electron incidence surface. The distance between a normal to the target layer and a distal end, which is an end of an X-ray irradiated region of the detecting portion closer to the chest of the testee, is larger than the distance between the normal and a proximal end, which is an end of the X-ray irradiated region far away from the chest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10070837
    Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes a cardiac lumen region identifying unit, a myocardium identifying unit, and a generating unit. The cardiac lumen region identifying unit is configured to identify a cardiac lumen region from a medical image including a heart region. The myocardium identifying unit is configured to identify a face of a myocardium region obtained by extending a face of the cardiac lumen region, identified by the cardiac lumen region identifying unit, by a certain distance toward a myocardium side. The generating unit is configured to generate a color-coded image in which the face of the myocardium region, identified by the myocardium identifying unit, is colored in colors according to signal values of the medical image corresponding to positions on the face of the myocardium region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 10070838
    Abstract: An obtaining unit obtains, with respect to a plurality of groups of time-course fluoroscopic images that are obtained by acquiring a subject, in at least two directions, each of which intersect, first transition information that indicates transition of a signal intensity of a contrast media in a proximal region to which the contrast media flows earlier than a region of interest. A three dimensional reconstruction unit reconstructs three-dimensional image data in the region of interest such that a value that is obtained by projecting a voxel value approximates a value of a corresponding pixel in each of the groups of time-course fluoroscopic images, the voxel value being represented by second transition information that is obtained by deforming the first transition information with a factor that is related to the contrast media. A display displays the fluoroscopic image with a blood vessel image based on the three-dimensional image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Ohishi
  • Patent number: 10070839
    Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a system for implementing a rule derived basis to display volumetric image sets. In various embodiments of the invention, the selection of the images to be displayed, the generation of the 3-D volumetric image from measured 2-D images including the rendering parameters and styles, the choice of viewing directions and 2-D projection images based on the viewing directions, the layout of the projection images, and the formation of a video can be determined using a rule derived basis. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user is presented with sequential images making up a video displayed based on their preferences without having to first manually adjust parameters. The present invention allows for novel ways of viewing such images to detect microcalcifications and obstructions when reviewing Digital Breast Tomosynthesis and other volumetric mammography images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: PME IP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Malte Westerhoff, Detlev Stalling
  • Patent number: 10070840
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, X-ray detector, data acquisition circuit, and correction circuit. The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays. The data acquisition circuit acquires data corresponding to an output from the X-ray detector. The correction circuit executes correction processing for third data acquired by the data acquisition circuit in actual scanning, based on first data acquired by the data acquisition circuit in a state of non-irradiation with X-rays before the actual scanning and second data acquired by the data acquisition circuit in the state of non-irradiation with X-rays after the actual scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hashimoto, Shuya Nambu, Takaya Umehara, Akira Nishijima, Koichi Miyama
  • Patent number: 10070841
    Abstract: In order to provide an arithmetic device, an X-ray CT apparatus, and an image reconstruction method, capable of reducing processing time while maintaining a noise reduction effect, in a successive approximation image reconstruction method (separable paraboloidal surrogate (SPS) method) of the related art, updated images are forward-projected, whenever images are repeatedly updated, a difference between forward projection data and original object projection data is back-projected so that a difference image is obtained, and a forward projection process and a back projection process are repeatedly performed, but, in the present invention, a forward projection process and a back projection process requiring calculation time are replaced with a process requiring a relatively small calculation amount, such as a difference between an updated image and a reference image, and, as a result, it is possible to considerably reduce a calculation amount in a successive approximation image reconstruction process and to reduc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Kohara, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, Yuta Ogura
  • Patent number: 10070843
    Abstract: A control device includes: a radiation source controller that is configured to control a radiation source such that, by moving the radiation source, an incident angle of radiation with respect to a detection face of a radiation detector is plural angles including a first angle where an incident direction of radiation with respect to the detection face is a direction of a normal line to the detection face, and plural second angles different from the first angle; and an imaging controller that is configured to effect control of performing radiographic imaging plural times at a position of the radiation source where the incident angle is the first angle, and performing radiographic imaging a number of times that is less than the plural times at each position of the radiation source where the incident angle is one of the second angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naokazu Kamiya