Patents Issued in December 17, 2019
  • Patent number: 10506969
    Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an acoustic upper airway assessment system and method, and sleep apnea assessment system and method relying thereon. In one embodiment, a non-invasive method is described for assessing upper airway anatomy in a subject while breathing. This method comprises receiving as input at a hardware processor a digital signal representative of respiratory sounds generated by the subject while breathing; isolating digital respiratory sound segments from said digital signal; computationally extracting a designated spectral feature from each of said segments to characterize said respiratory sounds within each of said segments; automatically evaluating each said extracted spectral feature against a preset upper airway anatomy metric associated with said designated spectral feature to characterize a given upper airway anatomy measure in the subject while breathing; and outputting a sleep apnea severity indication based on said characterized upper airway anatomy measure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK
    Inventors: Azadeh Yadollahi, Frank Rudzicz, Shumit Saha
  • Patent number: 10506970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of monitoring consciousness, the method including sensing at least two brainwave signals, extracting respective phase signals from the sensed brainwave signals, calculating entropy based on a variety in a change in terms of a phase difference between the extracted phase signals, and assessing a state of consciousness based on the calculated entropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: INBODY CO., LTD., UNIVERSITY OF ULSAN FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY COOPERATION, POSTECH ACADEMY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Seunghwan Kim, Woo-Sung Jung, Heonsoo Lee, Gyujeong Noh, Ki Chul Cha, Jong Keun Kim, Jong Ku Lee
  • Patent number: 10506971
    Abstract: A system and method for positioning a pill to be ingested by a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera. The method includes the steps of determining a desired location of the mouth of a user in a field of view of an image acquisition camera, determining a current position of a pill to be ingested by the user in the field of view of the image acquisition apparatus, and indicating on a display a movement to be made by the user to move the pill towards mouth of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ai Cure Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Adam Hanina, Gordon Kessler, Lei Guan
  • Patent number: 10506972
    Abstract: A device for determining and displaying a dose of a medicament to be administered to a user based, at least in part, on a measure of physical activity of the user described herein includes a determining unit configured determine a measure of physical activity of the user using information provided by one or more sensors. The device also includes a computer readable memory storing a set of predefined templates comprising predefined actions, rules, and parameters defining at least an initial medicament dose value, the measure of physical activity of the user, a time elapsed between an instance of physical activity and a current time, and a target blood glucose value, wherein the determining unit is further configured to determine the medicament dose based, at least in part, on the measure of physical activity of the user, by execution of one or more templates from the set of predefined templates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schabbach, Jörg Heisiep, Stephan Müller-Pathle, Ross MacArthur
  • Patent number: 10506973
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus for injecting a liquid into a primo-node and a primo-vascular system tracing system including the apparatus. The apparatus includes a liquid injection tube to inject a liquid into a primo-node of an object, and a suction tube to hold the primo-node to inject the liquid injection tube into the primo-node. The liquid injection tube and the suction tube are formed as one body. The liquid injection tube is inserted into an inner side of the suction tube and an edge unit of the liquid injection tube protrudes to the outside from an inner side of a suction opening of the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., AICT (ADVANCED INSTITUTES OF CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Minseoks Kim, Seunghwan Lee, Kwangsup Soh, Hyunseok Jang, Sharon Jiyoon Jung, Youngjun Koh, Jaeyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 10506974
    Abstract: Example headsets and electrodes are described herein. Example electrode units described herein include a housing having a cavity defined by an opening in a side of the housing and an electrode. In some such examples, the electrode includes a ring disposed in the opening and an arm, where the arm has a first portion extending outward from the opening away from the housing and a second portion extending from an end of the first portion toward the housing and into the cavity, and the first and second portions connect at a bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
    Inventors: Marko Jovanovic, Kashyap Fruitwala, Mohammad Moradi, Batia Bertho, Reimond Bausse, Mehran Mahinpour Tirooni, Yakob Badower
  • Patent number: 10506975
    Abstract: A bio-signal processing apparatus, a biometric information detection apparatus, and a method of detecting biometric information are provided. The bio-signal processing apparatus includes a first low pass filter (LPF) configured to have a first cutoff frequency, and output a first preprocessed signal having low frequency components of an input bio-signal that are less than the first cutoff frequency, a second LPF configured to have a second cutoff frequency, and output a second preprocessed signal in which high frequency components greater than or equal to the second cutoff frequency are removed from the input bio-signal, and a processor configured to output an output bio-signal for biometric information detection, based on the output first preprocessed signal and the output second preprocessed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Keun Yoon, Ui Kun Kwon
  • Patent number: 10506976
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring respiration of a user, comprising: a respiration sensing module including a sensor configured to detect a set of respiration signals of the user based upon movement resulting from the user's respiration; a supplementary sensing module comprising an accelerometer and configured to detect a set of supplemental signals from the user; an electronics subsystem comprising a power module configured to power the system and a signal processing module configured to condition the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals; a housing configured to facilitate coupling of the respiration sensing module and the supplementary sensing module to the user; and a data link coupled to the electronics subsystem through the housing and configured to transmit data generated from the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals, thereby facilitating monitoring of the user's respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Spire, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Paul K. Palley, Zhao Zhao
  • Patent number: 10506977
    Abstract: An integrated adhesive sensor array includes an adhesive a patch, a sensor hub, and a detachable sensor pod packaged as a unit. The patch may include a docking area for the detachable sensor pod. The detachable sensor pod may include at least one sensor and may be configured to be detached from the patch and applied to various locations on a body. The detachable sensor pod may send sensor data to the sensor hub via a wired link when on the patch and via a wireless link when detached from the patch. The sensor hub receives sensor data from the detachable sensor pod and relays the data to a receiver. The sensor hub and detachable sensor pod may include indicators for communicating information. The sensor hub may include a power source for powering the sensor hub and a detachable sensor pod attached to the main sensor unit or patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CAPSULE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Kaskoun, Brian David Niznik, Michael David Atella
  • Patent number: 10506978
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device has a processing unit and a health sensor included in a housing, a band operable to couple the housing to a body part of a user, and a tightness sensor coupled to the band. The tightness sensor is operable to produce a signal indicative of a tightness of the band on the user's body part. The processing unit determines a tightness of the band based on the signal and perform one or more actions based thereon. Such actions may include evaluating the signal for changes in the tightness of the band according to operational tolerances of the health sensor, providing output directing the user to adjust the band to improve operation of the health sensor, monitoring changes in the tightness of the band and adjusting a measurement obtained by the health sensor, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias J. Harrison-Noonan, Alex M. Lee
  • Patent number: 10506979
    Abstract: Analysis of keystroke dynamics performed by an individual can be used for assessment and monitoring of the individual's motor function. Keystroke events related to a user pressing one or more keys on a keyboard or regions on a touch screen may be analyzed to identify a plurality of distributions of keystroke event intervals. The plurality of distributions may be analyzed to identify one or more features indicative of variation among the distributions and indicative of the user's motor function. Monitoring of a user's motor function may include comparing a value for a feature for one plurality of distribution to a second value for the same feature for another plurality of distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Luca Giancardo, Alvaro Sanchez Ferro, Ian Butterworth, Carlos Sanchez Mendoza
  • Patent number: 10506980
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying exercise information to an individual, including, for example, an exercise readiness indication. A display device receives information of a physiological measurement of a user. The display device determines if the physiological measurement falls within a predetermined range of values. The display device then displays to the user an exercise readiness indication that represents a readiness state of the user to participate in an exercise activity based on the physiological measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Oleson
  • Patent number: 10506981
    Abstract: A vital sign detection system includes a radar device, a nonreciprocal network, a first antenna and a second antenna. An output signal from the radar device is delivered to the first antenna via the nonreciprocal network and then transmitted to a first side of a biological subject via the first antenna. A first reflection signal from the first side of the biological subject is received by the first antenna and then delivered to the second antenna via the nonreciprocal network and then transmitted to a second side of the biological subject via the second antenna. A second reflection signal from the second side of the biological subject is received by the second antenna and then delivered to the radar device via the nonreciprocal network for vital sign detection with random body movement cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Fu-Kang Wang, Mu-Cyun Tang
  • Patent number: 10506982
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor data are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for calibration of a continuous analyte sensor. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for classification of a level of noise on a sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for determining a rate of change for analyte concentration based on a continuous sensor signal. In some embodiments, systems and methods for alerting or alarming a patient based on prediction of glucose concentration are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Apurv Ullas Kamath, Michael Robert Mensinger, Ying Li, Aarthi Mahalingam, J. Michael Dobbles
  • Patent number: 10506983
    Abstract: A system is described that observes a signal from a subject of interest, converts the signal to an electrical representation, uses the electrical representation to compute a synthetic control signal, and applies the synthetic control signal to control some aspect of operation of the subject. The procedure used to generate the synthetic control signal involves subjecting the electrical representation of the observed signal to random noise, allowing the extrema of the electrical representation to move, and obtaining a converged solution as the synthetic control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: David Paydarfar, Joshua Chang
  • Patent number: 10506984
    Abstract: A system and method includes acquisition of a plurality of sets of body surface data, first data indicating locations of a first one or more body landmarks for each of the plurality of sets of body surface data, and second data indicating locations of a second one or more body landmarks for each of the plurality of sets of body surface data, training, using the plurality of sets of body surface data and data indicating locations of the first one or more body landmarks for each of the plurality of sets of body surface data, of a first reinforcement learning network to identify the first one or more body landmarks based on body surface data, and training, using the plurality of sets of body surface data and data indicating locations of the second one or more body landmarks for each of the plurality of sets of body surface data, of a second reinforcement learning network to identify the second one or more body landmarks based on body surface data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Lequan Yu, Kai Ma, Vivek Singh, Terrence Chen
  • Patent number: 10506985
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing or monitoring progress of a pathology using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and machine learning are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: The University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Rosalba Gaudiuso, Ebo Ewusi-Annan, Noureddine Melikechi, Benyuan Liu
  • Patent number: 10506986
    Abstract: A method of predicting severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an animal in a vivarium is described. Animal activity data is collected at multiple times during the night. Sequential time regions of the night are identified as high-activity, activity-drop, or low-activity regions. Embodiments are described to quantify a drop, during the night, of an animal's activity level. These quantified activity-drop scalars for consecutive nights are accumulated in an animal health dataset. Then, an MS severity index function is applied to this dataset that, in response to the level of activity change and the speed of activity change, predicts or measures severity of MS in the animal. One embodiment quantifies an activity-drop by fitting straight-line curves through the data in the three nightly regions. Another embodiment uses a Fourier transform on a circle and a linear combination. Another embodiment compares areas under data curves in the regions. Animals may be housed in cages with other animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Laura Schaevitz, Daniel J. Ford
  • Patent number: 10506987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring patients with a chronic disease are described. A patient management system may sense physiological signals from a patient using one or more implantable or other ambulatory sensors, and generate from the physiological signals a chronobiological rhythm indicator (CRI) such as indicating a circadian rhythm. A reference CRI associated with a prior hospital admission event of the patient may be provided to the patient management system, which compares the CRI to the reference CRI and generates a readmission risk score indicating the patient's risk of subsequent hospital readmission due to a worsened condition of the chronic disease. The readmission risk score may be provided to a user or a process, or used to initiate or adjust a therapy delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qi An, Viktoria A. Averina, Julie A. Thompson, Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur
  • Patent number: 10506988
    Abstract: A method of estimating the probability of a seizure in a subject, the method comprising: receiving historical data associated with epileptic events experienced by the subject over a first time period, the historical data comprising physiological data associated with each epileptic event and a time at which each epileptic event occurred; generating a temporal probability model of future epileptic events based on the time of each of the epileptic events, the temporal probability model representing a probability of a future seizure occurrence in each of a plurality of time windows; generating a probabilistic model based on the physiological data associated with each epileptic event; weighting the probabilistic model based on the temporal probability model to generate a weighted probabilistic model of future seizure activity; and outputting an estimate of seizure probability in the subject using the weighted probabilistic model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: SEER MEDICAL PTY LTD
    Inventors: Philippa Karoly, Dean Freestone, Mark Cook
  • Patent number: 10506989
    Abstract: A method for quantifying a glucose concentration is a method for quantifying a glucose concentration in which near-infrared light is emitted onto a living organism and a glucose concentration in a biological tissue is measured using a signal obtained by receiving diffusely reflected light or transmitted light from the biological tissue. A concentration calculation step calculates a concentration index of a glucose component by using at least a spectrum of a water component, a spectrum of a glucose component, and a spectrum of a fat component to synthesize a difference spectrum between a measurement spectrum at a time of measurement of a glucose concentration and a spectrum serving as a reference obtained previous to the measurement spectrum. A glucose concentration calculation step calculates a glucose concentration in the living organism using the calculated concentration index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PHC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Maruo
  • Patent number: 10506990
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a fall detection device and method. One or more motion sensors can access a user's acceleration data. The acceleration data can be segmented using a segmentation algorithm to identify a potential fall event. The segmentation algorithm can determine a cumulative sum of the acceleration data, where the cumulative sum is based on acceleration values being greater than or less than an acceleration threshold value, and a potential fall event can be identified where the cumulative sum is greater than a cumulative sum threshold value. Statistical features can be extracted from the segmented acceleration data and aggregated, and a determination can be made as to whether the potential fall event is a fall event based at least in part on the statistical features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jin Won Lee, Xinzhou Wu, Rashid Ahmed Akbar Attar, Feng Han
  • Patent number: 10506991
    Abstract: A method includes, receiving (i) a set of two-dimensional (2D) slices of a segmented three-dimensional (3D) anatomical image of an organ of a patient, and (ii) position signals that are indicative of respective position and orientation of a distal tip of a medical tool in the organ. An optical axis of the medical tool is estimated based on the position signals. A slice that is: (i) oriented at a predefined angle relative to the optical axis, and (ii) includes the position of the distal tip, is selected from among the slices. The selected slice is displayed to a user, together with a marker indicative of the position of the distal tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventor: Assaf Govari
  • Patent number: 10506992
    Abstract: A digital dental x-ray sensor device includes a rounded, three dimensional housing that lacks corners, edges, or other relatively sharp features that are known to cause discomfort when used in a patient's mouth. The rounded housing can be spherical, ellipsoid, or any similar regular or irregular rounded shape, and can be formed by ensuring that all curves of the surface of the rounded housing have a minimum radius that is sufficient to prevent features that can dig into the soft tissue of the inside of a patient's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Shayda Cullen
  • Patent number: 10506993
    Abstract: A grating based interferometric X-ray imaging apparatus having an interferometer (IF). The interferometer comprises at least one grating (G1). The grating (G1) is tiltable relative to an optical axis of the X-ray imaging apparatus. This allows changing a design energy of the X-ray imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gerhard Martens, Udo Van Stevendaal
  • Patent number: 10506994
    Abstract: An enclosure for a radiographic device includes a bottom panel, a plurality of sidewalls integrally formed with the bottom panel, whereby the plurality of sidewalls and the bottom panel define a unitary body, and a top panel joined to the plurality of sidewalls and defining an internal space therebetween for housing a radiographic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Connor Douglas McColl, Kevin Lee, Nicholas Konkle, Kevin Kinsey
  • Patent number: 10506995
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile X-ray imaging device having a foldable arm unit equipped with an X-ray tube unit, and a storage concave for storing the folded arm unit on the front side of a main body. An end of the arm unit fixed to the main body side is made slidable with respect to the main body. With this configuration, it is possible to provide the mobile X-ray imaging device having a high degree of flexibility in arranging the X-ray tube when imaging is performed, and also the forward view is never be obstructed by the device in transit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ninomiya, Katsumi Usami, Masaru Yokoyama, Kazuyuki Yanase, Kaoru Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10506996
    Abstract: A medical imaging device allowing easy and robust representation of anatomic structures within a region of interest in a patient body includes an image acquisition device, an image segmentation device, a visualization device and a separate selection button. In an image of the region of interest, anatomic structures may be automatically identified using image segmentation techniques. Therein, not only one but a plurality of candidate images including differently identified anatomic structures is provided. The plurality of candidate images may be visualized on a display sequentially or in an overlying manner. Using the easy accessible and easy to handle separate selection button, a physician may cycle through the plurality of candidate images and manually select one candidate image only by activating the selection button for further exploitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Raoul Florent
  • Patent number: 10506997
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes a display, a holding device, bed device, a gesture detecting device and a processing circuitry. The holding device includes an X-ray irradiator, an X-ray detector, and a supporter that supports the X-ray irradiator and the X-ray detector. The bed device is available to place an object on. The gesture detecting device recognizes a gesture of a person. The processing circuitry identifies a state of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus based on at least one of the display, the X-ray irradiator, the X-ray detector, the holding device and the bed device, determines an operation detail based on a combination of the identified state and the recognized gesture, and operates at least one of the display, the holding device, the bed device, a speaker and a room light according to the determined operation detail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ko Fuchigami, Jun Sakakibara, Yuichiro Watanabe, Yusuke Kanno
  • Patent number: 10506998
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes correlating, via a data correlator (120), contrast delivery information from an injector (118) for a contrast-enhanced imaging procedure with imaging data acquired by an imaging system (100) utilized for the procedure. In another embodiment, a method includes performing a pre-procedure validation check on at least one of an injector (118) or an imaging system (100) respectively based on at least one protocol parameter of the imaging system (100) or the injector (118) and generating, with the injector (118) or the imagining system (100), a value indicative of the validation check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Seltzer, Shlomo Gotman, Katrina M. Read, Ekta Dhawal Dharaiya
  • Patent number: 10506999
    Abstract: A radiographic imaging device comprising an imaging platform that includes an imaging surface on which a breast of a test subject is to be rested; a radiation irradiation section disposed to face the imaging surface and irradiates radiation at the imaging surface; a main radiation protection portion that is disposed at the side of a region between the radiation irradiation section and the imaging surface and that is adapted to protect the test subject from the radiation; and an auxiliary radiation protection portion disposed at a side portion of the main radiation protection portion, and that is movable between a protecting position, at which the auxiliary radiation protection portion is adapted to protect the test subject, and a non-protecting position, at which the auxiliary radiation protection portion is withdrawn from the protecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nishi, Kenji Takata
  • Patent number: 10507000
    Abstract: A method for simultaneous imaging of functional and morphological image data of a breast includes acquiring functional X-ray image data from the breast of a patient. In addition, morphological X-ray image data is acquired from the breast of the patient in the same breast position and with the same breast compression. A region of interest is defined on the basis of one of the two acquired data sets. A position of the region of interest is then determined in the other of the two acquired X-ray image data sets. The functional X-ray image data and the morphological X-ray image data are then each simultaneously graphically represented with the region of interest as a marked region. A diagnostic station, a non-transitory computer program product and a non-transitory computer-readable medium are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Mathias Hoernig
  • Patent number: 10507001
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes an X-ray radiator configured to radiate X-rays, a controller that obtains arrangement information that indicates an arrangement status of the X-ray radiator and a detection device, and quality information that indicates the quality of an X-ray image, which corresponds to the arrangement status, and an output unit that outputs the arrangement information and the quality information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung-hoon Koh, Woo-sup Han
  • Patent number: 10507002
    Abstract: A system includes: a movable X-ray tube scanner; a range sensor movable with the X-ray tube scanner; an X-ray detector positioned to detect X-rays from the X-ray tube passing through a standing subject between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector; and a processor configured for automatically controlling the X-ray tube scanner to transmit X-rays to a region of interest of the patient while the subject is standing between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Vivek Kumar Singh, Yao-jen Chang, Birgi Tamersoy, Kai Ma, Susanne Oepping, Ralf Nanke, Terrence Chen
  • Patent number: 10507003
    Abstract: Described is an in-scan phantom for use during an imaging procedure. The phantom can include at least one measuring insert and/or at least one measured insert. The measuring insert may have radiation detecting capabilities while the measured insert may include a radioactive material. Also described is an imaging modality system that includes an imaging modality and an in-scan phantom as well as methods of using the in-scan phantom for imaging a patient or performing a scout scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Arthur E. Uber, III, Kevin P. Cowan, David M. Griffiths, Ivana Kingston, Dzmitry Liushtyk, Matthew Hoiko, Roey Flor, Robert Redmond, Henry Hernaez, Sridhar Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10507004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to phantom device for a dark field imaging system. Although dark field imaging is known to be sensitive to changes in the micro-structure of the tissue of a human subject that may be caused during a disease progression, there may be a need to quantify information provided by an image of the human subject. A detector signal component representing the dark image may be altered by changes of the X-ray spectrum which passes tissue of the human subject comprising micro-structures. This may be caused due to an attenuation of the X-ray radiation previously provided by an X-ray source, wherein the attenuation may be caused by tissue of the human subject, which covers said micro-structure comprising tissue. In order to provide information in clinical practice regarding the influence of attenuation to the X-ray radiation before it passes the micro-structure issue of the human subject, the phantom device for dark field imaging is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Heiner Daerr, Thomas Koehler, Hanns-Ingo Maack
  • Patent number: 10507005
    Abstract: There is set forth herein a method including performing with an X-ray detector array of a CT imaging system one or more calibration scans, wherein the one or more calibration scans include obtaining for each element of the first through Nth elements of the X-ray detector array one or more calibration measurements; and updating a spectral response model for each element of the first through Nth elements using the one or more calibration measurements. In another aspect, a CT imaging system can perform imaging, e.g. including material decomposition (MD) imaging, using updated spectral response models for elements of an X-ray detector array. The spectral response models can be updated using a calibration process so that different elements of an X-ray detector array have different spectral response models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yannan Jin, Geng Fu, Peter M. Edic, Hewei Gao
  • Patent number: 10507006
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking an invasive device includes a localization system configured to be externally attached to a patient. The localization system includes a transducer module including a plurality of transducer elements. The system and method includes an invasive device including at least one device transducer element. The invasive device is configured to either transmit ultrasound position signals to the transducer module or receive ultrasound position signals from the transducer module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Eigil Samset, Geir Ultveit Haugen
  • Patent number: 10507007
    Abstract: Ophthalmic Ultrasound Bio-Microscope (UBM) apparatus for eye examinations of a human subject in a supine position and fixating the gaze of his examined eye on an illuminated overhead fixation target. The ophthalmic UBM apparatus has a vertical UBM examination centerline on which overhead fixation target is located therealong and a UBM scanner with a UBM probe directed towards an examined eye at a known spatial position with respect to the overhead fixation target for acquisition of UBM scans of fixated examined eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventors: Dov Helbetz, Joshua Ben Nun
  • Patent number: 10507008
    Abstract: Couplers for ultrasound probes can have a solid coupler body with a cavity having a malleable shape so as to be able to be conform to and/or self-attach to the end of the probe by a user pressing the coupler body against the ultrasound probe so that the coupler body takes on the underlying shape of the ultrasound probe while the exterior body can retain its pre-attached shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Casey K. Scully
  • Patent number: 10507009
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for providing combined ultrasound, electrocardiography, and auscultation data are provided. One such system includes an ultrasound sensor, an electrocardiogram (EKG) sensor, an auscultation sensor, and a computing device. The computing device includes memory and a processor, and the processor receives signals from the ultrasound sensor, the EKG sensor, and the auscultation sensor. Artificial intelligence techniques may be employed for automatically analyzing the data obtained from the ultrasound sensor, the EKG sensor, and the auscultation sensor and producing a clinically-relevant determination based on a combined analysis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: EchoNous, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolaos Pagoulatos, Ramachandra Pailoor, Greg Nieminen, Terry Doherty, Ron Broad, Shelby Brunke
  • Patent number: 10507010
    Abstract: A stool monitoring and health guidance system is provide with a color sensor and an image sensor mountable at the toilet seat of a toilet to detect the color and physical properties of stools deposited in the toilet in bowel movement. The system provides a sanitary and convenient means to examine the stool without having to obtain a specimen from the stool directly, and providing guidance to the user of possible health issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Hong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 10507011
    Abstract: An impact biopsy device is disclosed. The impact biopsy device may be configured to displace various cutting elements, such as an outer tubular member and cutting element and a cannula to sever a tissue sample from a patient. The impact biopsy device may comprise an actuation system configured to transfer displacement or force to the cutting elements by the impact of an element on another element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy W. Snow
  • Patent number: 10507012
    Abstract: A tissue illumination system and a method for harvesting a section of a blood vessel from a patient's body for further use. The tissue illumination system includes a light catheter inserted into a lumen of the blood vessel section to illuminate the vessel section and vessel side branches with an intensity which is visible to the physician from an exterior of the vessel section and also includes a viewing element insertable into the lumen and capable of viewing the illuminated vessel section. The tissue illumination system also includes at least one tool insertable into the lumen and used to harvest the vessel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLC
    Inventors: David R. Knighton, Vance D. Fiegel
  • Patent number: 10507013
    Abstract: An anchor assembly configured to locate and anchor body tissue surrounding an opening in the body tissue. The anchor assembly can include a plurality of anchor elements. Each anchor element can include an elongate portion and an anchor portion extending from the elongate portion. The elongate portion can be configured to be manipulated by a user. The anchor portion can have a contracted configuration capable of passing through the opening in the body tissue and can have an expanded configuration capable of anchoring the body tissue surrounding the opening. The anchor portion and the elongate portion can be integrally formed from a single wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Laveille Kao Voss, Kelly A. Pike, David A. Mackiewicz, Andrew Switky, Gina L. Romero, Jonathan I. Kaplan, Anthony P. Patron
  • Patent number: 10507014
    Abstract: A surgical retractor includes an elongated body having a handle portion, a retractor arm connected to the handle portion, a retractor tip at an end of the retractor arm, and a suction connector extending through a wall of the handle portion. An inner retractor cavity extends within the retractor from the suction connector to an opening at an outer surface of the retractor tip. The suction connector can be selectively connected to an external suction or vacuum device. The surgical retractor can be used to hold and/or move tissues to expose a surgical field and to collect blood, fluid, smoke, and/or surgical debris from a surgical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Abdulmonem Alsiddiky, Raheef Mohamed Alatassi
  • Patent number: 10507015
    Abstract: Retraction of one or more three-dimensional or planar amorphous objects is provided to gain access for a procedure where the retracted elements are easily damaged by application of normal forces. For example, a surgical instrument to provide access to an organ or tissue plane. Microtextured surfaces are provided that provide immobilization of amorphous objects, the immobilization of which is characterized by low normal forces and high shear or in plane forces. The retraction device is comprised of microstructured surfaces on one or more arms. Preferably these arms are soft and flexible to minimize damage to retracted objects. In some instances, these arms resemble and are used as a nonslip tape. Alternatively, parts or whole arms of the retraction device are rigid to provide a supportive aspect. These arms may be configured around a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BVW Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Milbocker, Lukas Bluecher
  • Patent number: 10507016
    Abstract: An umbilical catheterization device that allows a physician to prepare an umbilical cord and apply appropriate retraction to widen vessels to introduce a catheter. The device comprises a base and a plurality of arms. The arms may include retraction devices or may be compatible with independent retraction devices, including but not limited to sutures. The retraction devices are attached to the umbilical cord, and used to provide retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Clinvue LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Wesley Craft, Anant Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, Chelsey Nicole Pon
  • Patent number: 10507017
    Abstract: An incrementally adjustable wound retractor (500), having a first ring (504) with a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, a flexible second ring (502), having a lumen and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve (506), disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the first and second rings (502, 504), where the second ring may be rolled over itself to provide a sleeve with a radical retraction force sufficient to stretch the incision to the desired diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Nguyen, Donald L. Gadberry, Gary M. Johnson, Charles C. Hart, John R. Brustad, Robert R. Bowes, Jeremy J. Albrecht, Ghassan Sakakine, Henry Kahle
  • Patent number: 10507018
    Abstract: A device for performing minimally invasive repair of mitral valve leaflets in a beating heart through the delivery and implantation of artificial chordae tendineae includes a handle for positioning the device into a chest cavity of the patient, a capture assembly adapted to capture a valve leaflet between distal an proximal tip portions, a needle adapted to penetrate the valve leaflet, and a capture confirmation system for verifying capture of the valve leaflet between the distal and proximal tip portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: NeoChord, Inc.
    Inventor: John Zentgraf