Patents Issued in March 5, 2019
  • Patent number: 10219731
    Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Milan Ivosevic, Bradley M. Wilkinson, C. Mark Newby, Kishore K. Bokka Srinivasa Rao
  • Patent number: 10219732
    Abstract: A biological property testing device includes a base comprising a primary surface extending in a base plane, and a first lancet station supported by the base. A first test strip channel provided in the base can have a main channel portion extending generally parallel with the base plane, and an angled channel portion that forms an angle with the main channel portion between 5 degrees and 90 degrees. The first test strip channel can house a biological test strip oriented so that a meter connecting end of the biological test strip is adjacent to the main channel portion and a sample end of the biological test strip is adjacent to the angled channel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: POPS! Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Davis, Chandler Stormo, Curtis J. Christensen, Erik D. Davis, Lonny Stormo
  • Patent number: 10219733
    Abstract: In this urine flow meter, a water wheel which is caused to rotate by a flow of urine from a urine flow passage tube is provided at a lower end side of the urine flow passage tube. The shape of a tip portion of the urine flow passage tube that causes urine to hit on the water wheel constitutes a nozzle part in which the tip-side is acutely processed, and an opening is formed in a sidewall surface of the tip-side. A guide is provided in a urine flow passage and is disposed in such a way that a tip of the guide is elongated as far as a tip-side region of the mine flow passage tube. The water wheel is caused to rotate by the flow of urine, and the urine flow rate can be detected on the basis of the rotation detection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GEO SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Saburo Shimokawa, Hiroshi Udagawa, Tomomi Hara, Rikio Kuragane
  • Patent number: 10219734
    Abstract: A personal exercise apparatus that allows simultaneous simulation of mild to high altitude environments with algorithmically driven environmental stressors that may be pre-programmed or personally developed via physiological feedback during training. Additional stressors include an ability to transiently alter pressure in a chamber of the personal exercise apparatus at variable frequencies and amplitudes with a range of changes with an option of random pressure oscillations designed to personalize training programs. The additional stressors further include small variations in inspired CO2 levels and temperature allowing individuals to simulate breathing and temperature conditions in preparation for desired environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Stratosphere ATC LLC
    Inventors: Robert Paul Williams, Bruce D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10219735
    Abstract: An intraoral moisture measuring device includes: a swing member that swings with respect to a main body about a predetermined swing center; a moisture amount detection unit provided at a tip of the swing member, for detecting a moisture amount by being directly or indirectly abutted against a measurement site in a mouth; and a biasing member for biasing the swing member in one of swing directions. Consequently, the intraoral moisture measuring device is capable of measuring intraoral moisture in a simple and highly-accurate manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKIKAISHA RAIFU
    Inventors: Makoto Furukawa, Ryuki Sato, Jun Furukawa
  • Patent number: 10219736
    Abstract: Reference imagery of dermatological conditions is compiled in a crowd-sourced database (contributed by clinicians and/or the lay public), together with associated diagnosis information. A user later submits a query image to the system (e.g., captured with a smartphone). Image-based derivatives for the query image are determined (e.g., color histograms, FFT-based metrics, etc.), and are compared against similar derivatives computed from the reference imagery. This comparison identifies diseases that are not consistent with the query image, and such information is reported to the user. Depending on the size of the database, and the specificity of the data, 90% or more of candidate conditions may be effectively ruled-out, possibly sparing the user from expensive and painful biopsy procedures, and granting some peace of mind (e.g., knowledge that an emerging pattern of small lesions on a forearm is probably not caused by shingles, bedbugs, malaria or AIDS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce L. Davis, Tony F. Rodriguez, John Stach, Geoffrey B. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 10219737
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include receiving a first image input from a user, determining values of biological properties of the user, determining a first formulation, controlling a plurality of servomotors, receiving a second image input from a user, determining a second value of one of the biological properties of the user, comparing the first and second values, changing another of the values, determining a second formulation, and again controlling the plurality of servomotors. The image inputs can include images of the user's skin. The values can be representative of a sensitivity of the user's skin to one or more materials and a current level of irritation of the user's skin. The formulations can contain a plurality of materials and can be configured to inhibit irritation of the user's skin based on the values of the biological properties of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SKIN DEPTH INC.
    Inventors: Noelle Ibrahim, Takis Zourntos, Ivana Knezevic, Jerry Tan
  • Patent number: 10219738
    Abstract: A device for determining a contour of a dental treatment area during treatment thereof includes a laser beam guidance system and an imaging system. The laser beam guidance system can guide a laser beam and, optionally, a scanning light to a dental treatment area, and the imaging system, which can include an adjustable focus image sensor, can obtain an image of the dental treatment area based on light rays reflected therefrom. The device also includes a computation system to compute a contour, e.g., a 2D contour, of a surface of the dental treatment area based on the image obtained by the imaging system and, optionally, geometries of one or more components of the laser beam guidance system and/or optical components associated with the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Convergent Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan P. Monty, Charles H. Dresser
  • Patent number: 10219739
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for identifying a patient's breathing pattern for respiratory function assessment without contact and with a depth-capable imaging system. In one embodiment, a time-varying sequence of depth maps are received of a target region of a subject of interest over a period of inspiration and expiration. Once received, the depth maps are processed to obtain a breathing signal for the subject. The subject's breathing signal comprises a temporal sequence of instantaneous volumes. One or more segments of the subject's breathing signal are then compared against one or more reference breathing signals each associated with a known pattern of breathing. As a result of the comparison, a breathing pattern for the subject is identified. The identified breathing pattern is then used to assess the subject's respiratory function. The teachings hereof find their uses in an array of diverse medical applications. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lalit K. Mestha, Eribaweimon Shilla, Edgar A. Bernal, Graham Stephen Pennington, Himanshu Jayantkumar Madhu
  • Patent number: 10219740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the effectiveness of breath training regimens are disclosed. The systems include a sensor assembly configured to detect data indicative of at least one physiological parameter of a user during breath training sessions while the user is awake and while the user is asleep. The system also includes an electronic computing unit with a processor configured to analyze the data indicative of the at least one physiological parameter of the user detected by the sensor assembly, and determine effectiveness of the breath training sessions on the user by determining trends of the at least one physiological parameter of the user from the analyzed data, and determining changes in the at least one physiological parameter of the user while the user is asleep occurring during a period of time from the determined trends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Halare, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony C. Warren, Kyle H. Goldschmidt
  • Patent number: 10219741
    Abstract: An orthopedic implant having a three-axis accelerometer is disclosed. The three-axis accelerometer is used to detect micro-motion in the implant. The micro-motion can be due to loosening of the implant. The implant is configured to couple to the muscular-skeletal system. In one embodiment, the implant is configured to couple to bone. An impact force is imparted to the bone or implant. The impact force can be provided via a transducer coupled to the implant. In the example, the impact force is imparted along a single axis. The three-axis accelerometer measures the impact force along each axis. Resultant peaks of the quantitative measurement and the frequencies at which they occur are measured. The peaks and frequencies of the measurements correspond to micro-motion. Typically, the frequency of interest is less than 1 KHz to determine if micro-motion is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Orthosensor Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Stein, Yoong-Joong Kim, Matthew J. Cohen, Chelsea A. Liddell
  • Patent number: 10219742
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preoperative identification of a perforator vessel for plastic and/or reconstructive surgery using ICG fluorescence angiography imaging are disclosed. Time-resolved image processing is used to highlight perforator locations and to enable visual discrimination among candidate perforators by various computed metrics. Based on these metrics, the surgeon is able to interactively locate and select perforator vessels suitable for plastic and reconstructive surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NOVADAQ TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Peter Dvorsky, David Mark Henri Goyette
  • Patent number: 10219743
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a human wearable mask includes a skirt for directly contacting a forehead of a human wearer, a patch with sensors on the skirt to obtain and provide temperature data from the forehead of the human wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Scott Larsen
  • Patent number: 10219744
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying and/or receiving electrical, magnetic, magnetoelectric, vibratory, or electromagnetic signals to biological tissues are described. In some embodiments, one or more of a body, a conductor, and an electrode may be provided. In some embodiments, a filament may be used as an electrode and may be placed in contact with a biological tissue portion. In some embodiments, a signal may be applied and/or received via the filament or other electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: COMBOBUTRONICS LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Mauro, Grace Taylor
  • Patent number: 10219745
    Abstract: A sensor includes: a base layer; first and second conduction paths supported by the base layer; a first adhesive layer covering a first portion of the first conduction path; a second adhesive layer covering the second conduction path; an insulation sheet including: a first protecting portion covering the second adhesive laver; a second protecting portion disposed between a second portion of the first conduction path, and a part of the second conduction path; and a third protecting portion covering the first adhesive layer; a detecting section; a wireless transmitter; and a power source. When the insulation sheet is peeled off, the second portion of the first conduction path, and the part of the second conduction path are caused to be in contact with each other, and an electric power is supplied from the power source to the detecting section and the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignees: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION, SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihito Konno, Yoshihiro Ihara, Tomoharu Fujii
  • Patent number: 10219746
    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: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Masimo Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Timothy McHale, Walter M. Weber
  • Patent number: 10219747
    Abstract: A method of preventing or suppressing a false alarm during administration of food or medicine to a human or animal through a feeding tube having one or more sensors that generate a signal, comprises analyzing the signals to determine whether food or medicine is being administered and, if it is determined that food or medicine is present, preventing or suppressing an alarm. In a further step, the time and length of administration of food or medicine is recorded. When the feeding tube has at least two temperature sensors, differences in the temperatures recorded for the different temperature sensors indicate that food or medicine was administered. In a case where there is only one temperature sensor, the rate and extent of any temperature change of temperatures recorded from that temperature sensor are compared to an algorithm to determine whether feeding occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Mohammed Meftah, Edwin Gerardus Johannus Maria Bongers
  • Patent number: 10219748
    Abstract: A gastrointestinal (GI) sensor deployment device is disclosed. In implementations, the sensor deployment device includes an orally-administrable capsule with a tissue capture device removably coupled to the orally-administrable capsule. The tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners for connecting the tissue capture device to GI tissue within a body. A biometric sensor is coupled to the tissue capture device for continuous or periodic monitoring of the GI tract of the body at the GI tissue attachment location. A chamber within the orally-administrable capsule is configured to draw gastrointestinal tissue towards the plurality of fasteners when a fluid pressure of the chamber is increased. An actuator can be configured to cause an increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber. Control circuitry coupled to the actuator can be configured to trigger the actuator to cause the increase of the fluid pressure of the chamber at a selected time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Benjamin Terry, Weston Lewis, Wanchuan Xie, Pengbo Li, Alfred Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 10219749
    Abstract: Provided is a smart bed for monitoring a state of a user. The smart bed includes a mattress including at least one flexible tactile sensor configured to sense a state of a user lying on the bed and a bed frame configured to support the mattress. The flexible tactile sensor is positioned below a specific portion of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Kunnyun Kim, Kwang Bum Park, Won Hyo Kim, Yeon Hwa Kwak
  • Patent number: 10219750
    Abstract: A method of determining a remediation action includes detecting an acoustic event in a vehicle, detecting an environmental condition in the vehicle, detecting a respiratory disease symptom of a passenger in the vehicle based on the detected acoustic event, correlating the detected respiratory disease symptom with the environmental condition in the vehicle, and determining a remediation action for the detected respiratory disease symptom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ning Duan, Peng Gao, He Yuan Huang, Jingchang Huang
  • Patent number: 10219751
    Abstract: Methods, systems and related apparatus are provided to enable an electronic device to operate an external sensor comprising one or more emitters for emitting electromagnetic radiation of two different wavelengths and a detector for generating a response signal based on received electromagnetic radiation of the two different wavelengths connectable to an audio interface by applying a harmonic driving signal to a first contact and a second contact of the audio interface for driving the emitters of the external sensor, receiving the response signal at a third contact of the audio interface, demodulating and demultiplexing the response signal into a first wavelength response signal and a second wavelength response signal, analyzing the first and second wavelength response signals to determine one or more vital signs, and outputting the determined one or more vital signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Lionsgate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Leth Petersen, John Mark Ansermino, Guy Dumont
  • Patent number: 10219752
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for analyzing living body information including: a plurality of pulse wave sensors configured to detect a pulse wave signal of an object and disposed on a rear surface of the apparatus; a processor configured to analyze living body information of the object based on the detected pulse wave signal; and a display configured to display the analyzed living body information and disposed on a front surface of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaemin Kang, Yongjoo Kwon, Sunkwon Kim
  • Patent number: 10219753
    Abstract: A wearable patch and method for automatically monitoring, screening, and/or reporting events related to one or more health conditions (e.g., sleeping or breathing disorders, physical activity, arrhythmias) of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ZANSORS LLC
    Inventors: Abhijit Dasgupta, Ranjit Das
  • Patent number: 10219754
    Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more light sources for emitting light toward a body part of a user and one or more optical sensors for capturing light samples while each light source is turned on and for capturing dark samples while the light source(s) are turned off. A signal produced by the one or more optical sensors is demodulated produce multiple demodulated signals. Each demodulated signal is received by one or more decimation stages to produce a signal associated with each light source. Each signal associated with the light source(s) is analyzed to estimate or determine a physiological parameter of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo M. Lamego
  • Patent number: 10219755
    Abstract: A noninvasive method for estimating a concentration of a target analyte in a sample comprises generating a first and second (reference) radiation, a principal radiation and a target analyte carrier detection radiation; directing the first, second, principal and the target analyte carrier detection radiations at the sample which includes the target analyte; and detecting a first, second, principal and target analyte carrier detection amount of the radiation that leaves the sample. The method further comprises modulating the sample thickness in order to achieve time-wise or spatial target analyte concentration variation within the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventors: Stevan Kun, Hannu Harjunmaa, Rebecca Burrell
  • Patent number: 10219756
    Abstract: Provided are a radiography device, a radiography method, and a radiography program which can obtain an accurate radiographic image while reducing a burden on a subject. A radiography device control unit determines imaging conditions including at least one of resolution or an incident angle range, on the basis of a radiographic image captured before tomosynthesis imaging, and performs tomosynthesis imaging. Specifically, the radiography device control unit controls tomosynthesis imaging (120) such that tomosynthesis imaging is performed under first conditions (108) of low resolution and a narrow incident angle range in a case in which a mutation site suspected as a lesion is not detected and tomosynthesis imaging is performed under second conditions (112, 116, and 118) which are different from the first conditions in at least one of the resolution or the incident angle range in a case in which the mutation site suspected as a lesion is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakayama, Takeyasu Kobayashi, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10219757
    Abstract: A radiography device includes: a radiation emitting unit that irradiates a subject with radiation at a plurality of different incident angles; a radiographic image generation unit that receives the radiation passed through the subject and generates a radiographic image; a part-of-interest detection unit that detects a mutation site suspected as a lesion from the radiographic image obtained by irradiating the subject with the radiation at a predetermined incident angle; and a radiography device control unit that controls whether to perform each of the tomosynthesis imaging in which the radiographic image generation unit generates the radiographic image while the radiation emitting unit changes the incident angle of the radiation and two-dimensional radiography in which the radiation emitting unit is fixed to a predetermined incident angle and the radiographic image generation unit generates the radiographic image, on the basis of a detection result of the part-of-interest detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Nakayama, Takeyasu Kobayashi, Tomoki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10219758
    Abstract: An image acquisition unit acquires a plurality of projection images by imaging a subject at each of a plurality of radiation source positions. A reconstruction unit reconstructs the plurality of projection images to generate a plurality of tomographic images. A frequency decomposition unit frequency-decomposes each of the plurality of tomographic images to acquire a plurality of band tomographic images, which show frequency components of each of the plurality of frequency bands, for each of the plurality of tomographic images. A two-dimensional image generation unit generates a band synthesized two-dimensional image by projecting the plurality of band tomographic images for each frequency band. A frequency synthesizing unit performs frequency synthesis by weighting the band synthesized two-dimensional image for each frequency band, thereby generating a composite two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 10219759
    Abstract: A method includes performing a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of tissue of interest of a subject, with an imaging system having a radiation source and a detector array, in which a peak contrast enhancement of the tissue of interest, a full range of motion of the tissue of interest, and an entire volume of interest of the tissue of interest are concurrently imaged during a single rotation of the radiation source and the detector array of the imaging system over an entire or a predetermined sub-portion of a breathing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Harvey Klahr, Ekta Dhawal Dharaiya, Scott Kenneth Pohlman, Randall Peter Luhta
  • Patent number: 10219760
    Abstract: A gantry of a tomography apparatus has a rotary member that is rotatable around an axis. The rotary member carries at least one component attached to the outside thereto. The component is attached by primary and secondary attachment mechanisms, with only the primary attachment mechanism engaged during normal operation. The secondary attachment mechanism, a T-slot interface in one embodiment, engages for safety and other reasons when the primary attachment mechanism is not functioning properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brandon Smith, Chad Smith
  • Patent number: 10219761
    Abstract: A multilayer staggered coupling collimator includes multiple collimating layers, multiple collimating orifices being provided on each collimating layer. At least two collimating layers are in a staggered coupling relationship. Compared with a single-layer collimator, the multilayer staggered coupling collimator can improve the performance, achieve multi-performance selection functions, and have a better machining feasibility. Since the thickness of each collimating layer is less after the collimator is divided into several collimating layers, the machining precision is easy to ensure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: WUHAN ACEHIVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yanzhao Li, Qingguo Xie
  • Patent number: 10219762
    Abstract: An X-ray CT device which improves resolution in a peripheral region distant from a rotation center. According to an FFS method of moving an X-ray focal point, a gap width of projection positions on an X-ray detector of a first X-ray trajectory from the X-ray focal point of a first view and a second X-ray trajectory from the X-ray focal point of a second view is obtained. A position of the X-ray focal point of the first and second views is set so that a gap width 15 of the projection positions on the X-ray detector of the first X-ray trajectory and the second X-ray trajectory which pass through a point within a predetermined first region close to the X-ray focal point from the rotation center is closer to (N?½) times (N=any one of 1, 2, 3, . . . ) of a width of a channel of the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kurokawa, Yushi Tsubota
  • Patent number: 10219763
    Abstract: Provided is a photon counting CT device for estimating an exposure dose to a subject, precisely in a simple configuration, irrespective of a spectrum shape of X-rays being applied. An exposure dose derived from the X-rays with predetermined intensity is obtained in every energy range provided in advance, and held as exposure per band data. When an imaging condition is provided, X-rays are applied in accordance with the imaging condition thus provided, and a photon count (intensity) of the incident X-rays as to each energy range is obtained, in the shape of spectrum of the X-rays applied to a detector without placing the subject. The intensity of the incident X-rays is multiplied by the exposure per band, and the results as to all the energy ranges are added up. Accordingly, the exposure dose caused by the X-rays being applied in accordance with the provided imaging condition is estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kojima, Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 10219764
    Abstract: A receiving device in which detectors of different sizes can be stably accommodated and an X-ray imaging apparatus having the same are provided. A receiving device having a receiving unit in which a first detecting device is accommodated. The receiving device includes a fixing unit provided in the receiving unit and into which a part of a side surface of the first detecting device is inserted in order to prevent the first detecting device from being moved; and a detector support having a side that is connected to a rotating shaft and tiltable, and configured to support at least one side surface of a second detecting device having a smaller size than the first detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 10219765
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry configured to perform control to execute gamma ray acquisition for main imaging for a subject, and prior acquisition to acquire gamma rays in a plurality of acquisition positions in the subject prior to the main imaging, calculate values of gamma ray acquisition time for respective imaging positions in the main imaging, based on count values of gamma rays acquired in the prior acquisition, and perform control to execute the main imaging, based on the calculated values of the gamma ray acquisition time for the respective imaging positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Noshi
  • Patent number: 10219766
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the x-ray imaging apparatus are provided. The x-ray imaging apparatus includes x-ray detectors, and a user interface configured to display sizes of the x-ray detectors, and display a modality in which an x-ray detector, among the x-ray detectors, is usable, while a size of the x-ray detector is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Seo Park, Sung Nam Kim, Ji Hye Kim, Jong Hyun Shin, Eun Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10219767
    Abstract: A method includes determining, with a computer implemented classifier, a health state of tissue interest of a subject in at least one pair of images of the subject based on a predetermined set of longitudinal features of the tissue of interest of the subject in the at least one pair of images of the subject. The at least one pair of images of the subject includes a first image of the tissue of interest acquired at a first moment in time and a second image of the tissue of interest acquired at a second moment in time. The first and second moments in time are different moments in time. The method further includes visually displaying indicia indicative of the determined health state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Lilla Boroczky, Rafael Wiemker
  • Patent number: 10219768
    Abstract: Systems and methods for standardizing target lesion selection within cross-sectional medical images can include the acts of: (i) sending a plurality of cross-sectional images to a user device, where each cross-sectional image is a cross-sectional slice of digital medical image data captured at a first timepoint from a radiologic device; (ii) receiving a user input identifying a set of pixels corresponding to a target lesion within a cross-sectional image of the plurality of cross-sectional images; and (iii) generating a target lesion location file that includes a precise anatomical location of the cross-sectional image and a pixel location of the target lesion within the cross-sectional image. The systems and methods can additionally include the act of causing a digital marker to be displayed on the cross-sectional image and on each analogous cross-sectional image captured at a later timepoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EMASS LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Dennis Smith
  • Patent number: 10219769
    Abstract: A first imaging unit obtains a first radiation image, which is imaged under first imaging conditions. A second imaging unit obtains a plurality of projection images by tomosynthesis imaging under second imaging conditions. A reconstructing unit reconstructs a plurality of projection images to generate a plurality of tomographic images of cross sectional planes of a subject. An image synthesizing unit generates a second radiation image employing the plurality of tomographic images. A subtraction processing unit administers a subtraction process on the first and second radiation images, to generate a subtraction image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Fukuda, Junya Morita
  • Patent number: 10219770
    Abstract: A radiographic image captured by irradiating a subject with radiation is acquired. A scattered radiation removal unit removes a scattered component from the radiographic image using at least imaging conditions. A correction information acquisition unit acquires correction information for correcting the degree of removal of the scattered component and changes the imaging conditions on the basis of the correction information. The scattered radiation removal unit performs a process of removing the scattered component from the radiographic image on the basis of the changed imaging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Enomoto, Takashi Tajima, Takeshi Koishi, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Hirofumi Sawada, Daiki Harada, Takahiro Kawamura, Satoshi Naito, Hideki Yamagishi, Noriaki Ida
  • Patent number: 10219771
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus includes: a radiographic image obtainer configured to acquire a first radiographic image of an object; and a processor configured to obtain attenuation information of the object based on the first radiographic image, determine candidate tube voltages and tube currents based on a quality of a second radiographic image to be obtained, and determine expected exposure doses corresponding to the determined candidate tube voltages and tube currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Young Jung, Yeong-seon Kim, Chang Lae Lee, Jong Hyon Yi
  • Patent number: 10219772
    Abstract: The invention relates to tomographic imaging device (1). The device (1) comprises a radiation detector (3) for measuring radiation traveling through an object to be imaged, the radiation detector (3) being configured to measure radiation only at a plurality of selected sampling positions on a curved track around an axis (z). A planning unit (12) is configured to determine the selected sampling positions on the basis of an estimated contour (44; 53) of the object (21) in a plane (x-y) substantially perpendicular to the axis (z). Further, the invention relates to a method for operating the device (1). The invention is particularly applicable in computed tomography imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Grass, Thomas Koehler
  • Patent number: 10219773
    Abstract: An imaging system (10) analyzes airways of a patient. The system (10) includes a hardware phantom (50) including tubes (54) representative of airways. The tubes (54) include different lumen sizes and/or wall thicknesses. The system further includes an imaging scanner (12) for scanning a region of interest (ROI), including the airways, and the hardware phantom (50) to create raw image data. At least one processor (32) is programmed to at least one of: (1) correct measurements of walls of the airways based on measurements of lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54) and known lumen size and/or wall thickness of the tubes (54); and (2) generate an image of the ROI in which color and/or opacity of the airways are based on a comparison of images or maps of the tubes (54) and images or maps of the airways. A corresponding method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Tobias Klinder, Rafael Wiemker, Udo Van Stevendaal, Holger Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10219774
    Abstract: A quality control phantom comprises a container and a frame to secure quality control accessories in position within the container during radiologic exposure testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert, Karin Toepfer
  • Patent number: 10219775
    Abstract: A photon-counting X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a photon counting circuitry, a correcting circuitry, and a calculating circuitry. The X-ray tube irradiates a subject with X-rays. The detector includes a plurality of detection elements that detect photons of X-rays incident on the detection elements. The photon counting circuitry counts the count of X-ray photons for each energy bin set in an X-ray energy distribution, for each position of the X-ray tube, and for each of the detection elements. The correcting circuitry corrects the count of the X-ray photons counted by the photon counting circuitry, based on a detection characteristic, of the detection elements. The calculating circuitry calculates the reliability of a pixel in a reconstruction image, based on the correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Nakai, Mikihito Hayashi, Tooru Kato
  • Patent number: 10219776
    Abstract: A medical imaging system has improved positioning possibilities which facilitate the workflow during an intervention. A medical imaging apparatus (10) has an image acquisition arrangement (12), which is positionable in relation to an object (16) to acquire image data (18) of the object from different directions. An output unit (14) is arranged to provide the image data. First movement direction indicators (22) are provided to indicate possible movement directions of the image acquisition arrangement in relation to the object. A display apparatus (24), includes a display area (26) to display image data (30) of the object provided by the image acquisition arrangement and a movement direction indication (28) The movement direction indication is configured to provide second movement direction indicators (32) in relation to the displayed image data of the object to indicate possible movement directions of the image acquisition arrangement in relation to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Belei, Bart Carelsen
  • Patent number: 10219777
    Abstract: This document describes a system for determining positioning of an intubation tube in a patient. The system can include a first acoustic sensor configured to be disposed to listen to one of a lung and a stomach of the patient and to provide a first signal. The system includes a signal processing unit, coupled to the first acoustic sensor, configured to analyze spectral components of the first signal and determine whether a frequency of the spectral components of the first signal are characteristic of sounds induced by ventilation via the intubation tube of airflow to the lung or the stomach of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Freeman, Ulrich Herken, Annemarie Silver
  • Patent number: 10219778
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patient's body using coaptive ultrasound that combines magnetic guidance with ultrasound visualization of the medical member in the patient's body. A coaptive ultrasound probe adaptor magnetically attracts an elongate medical member within the patient with sufficient force so as to allow the operator to manually guide the member to its intended location. The adaptor mates with an ultrasound probe to provide the medical operator ultrasound feedback of the position of the member, thus allowing internal placement without the need for more specialized medical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventor: Steven P. Tropello
  • Patent number: 10219779
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a 3D left ventricle image includes: an ultrasonic sensor transmitting ultrasonic waves to the heart and receiving echoes thereof, an image processor acquiring a plurality of 2D left ventricle images based on the echoes of the ultrasonic waves and extracting sets of left ventricle boundary coordinates from the plurality of 2D images, respectively and a controller calculating a position of the left ventricle in 3D space through transformation of the sets of left ventricle boundary coordinates extracted by the image processor and generating a 3D left ventricle image based on the position of the left ventricle in 3D space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Institute for Basic Science
    Inventors: Chi Young Ahn, Ki Wan Jeon, Sang Woon Yun
  • Patent number: 10219780
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for in vivo imaging. More specifically, the present invention relates to a catheter that incorporates an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system and an Intravascular Ultrasound (“IVUS) system for concurrent imaging of luminal systems, such as imaging the vasculature system, including, without limitation, cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature and neural vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Castella, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Thomas E. Milner, David G. Rosenbaum