Patents Issued in March 31, 2020
  • Patent number: 10602963
    Abstract: A system for telemetrically monitoring a patient includes a remote monitoring device associated with the patient. A location services system tracks a location of the remote monitoring device. A patient tracking computer calculates a distance and a duration of patient ambulation from the tracked location. A method of monitoring an ambulatory patient monitors the location of a remote monitoring device and derives ambulatory event data from the monitored location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Friedman, Matthew Grubis, Brian W. Nantz, Carl C. Davis
  • Patent number: 10602964
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring patient activity, location, present health status, and health protocol compliance. The present invention provides a more complete and accurate picture of a patient's health and safety context through a multi-dimensional user health and safety context analysis. Based on the combined computed health compliance score, calculated activity index, the computed location score, and calculated user health index, an overall user health and safety score is calculated. If the computed overall user health and safety score violates a predefined threshold or threshold range, an alert is transmitted to one or more persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Cameron Lee Kerber
  • Patent number: 10602965
    Abstract: This invention comprises wearable deformable electromagnetic energy pathways which enable ambulatory (camera-free) three-dimensional human body motion capture including trans joint pitch, yaw, and roll. It can be embodied in a plurality of elongate electrically-conductive strips which diverge as they span a body joint in a proximal to distal manner and pairs of electromagnetic energy emitters and receivers which are in electromagnetic communication with the strips. In an example, conductive-fluid-filled lumens can be used instead of electrically-conductive strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Medibotics
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 10602966
    Abstract: A method for detecting characteristics of a Eustachian tube of a patient includes communicating pressurized air into an oro-nasal cavity of the patient. The method further includes directing an energy signal into the oro-nasal cavity. The method further includes detecting transmission of the energy signal from the oro-nasal cavity through the Eustachian tube with a sensor. The method further includes determining at least one characteristic of the Eustachian tube based on whether the energy signal is detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Makower
  • Patent number: 10602967
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens with glucose sensitive pad to indicate body glucose levels by changing color when in contact with tears from the eye includes a matrix, the matrix comprising a contact surface, the contact surface defining a micro-channel; and at least one glucose sensitive pad received in the micro-channel. A method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens with glucose sensitive pad is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting(Shenzhen)Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Wen Chien
  • Patent number: 10602968
    Abstract: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: DexCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Apurv Ullas Kamath, Peter C. Simpson, Mark Brister
  • Patent number: 10602969
    Abstract: A lancet magazine for use in a lancing aid is described comprising a plurality of lancets each having a lancet body at the proximal end of the lancet and a lancet tip at the distal end of the lancet, where the proximal end of the lancet points in the direction of the proximal end of the housing of the lancet magazine and the distal end of the lancet is aligned in the direction of the distal end of the housing and the lancets in the unused state are completely surrounded by the housing. Furthermore, an extension unit is movably connected to the housing in such a manner that the housing can be extended by movement of the extension unit in the direction of the distal end of the housing such that the lancet is prevented from emerging from the lancet magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Forster, Susanne Gentsch, Andreas Gorshöfer, Michael Keil, Thomas Weiss, Robert Wessel
  • Patent number: 10602970
    Abstract: A glucose test device includes a casing, a carrying unit, consumables, a first push rod, a locking component, a first driving unit and a control unit. The carrying unit is disposed at the casing. The consumables are disposed in the carrying unit. The first push rod is movably disposed at the casing. The first push rod is suitable for moving to push one consumable out of the carrying unit. The locking component is movably disposed at the casing. The first driving unit is connected to the locking component. The control unit is electrically connected to the first driving unit. The control unit is suitable for controlling the first driving unit to drive the locking component to lock the first push rod as unmovable. The control unit is suitable for controlling the first driving unit to drive the locking component to release the first push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SKYLA CORPORATION HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK BRANCH
    Inventor: Szu-Hsien Ho
  • Patent number: 10602971
    Abstract: A biological information detection device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a light source that, in operation, emits irradiation light for irradiating a test portion of a subject; a light detector that, in operation, detects light reached from the test portion and that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the light; and a calculation circuit that, in operation, generates a signal of biological information related to a blood flow in a target area in the test portion based on the electrical signal. The light detector is an image sensor. The electrical signal includes an image signal obtained by the image sensor. The calculation circuit, in operation, detects a magnitude of an inclination of an orientation of the test portion with respect to a reference orientation by image recognition based on the image signal, and determines the target area according to the magnitude of the inclination of the orientation of the test portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naomi Satoi, Teruhiro Shiono, Toshiya Fujii
  • Patent number: 10602972
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of measuring attention of a person comprising presenting one or more stimulus aimed at attracting attention of the person; and obtaining positions of the eyes of the person. The method further comprises detecting one or more eye fixations from the obtained positions of the eyes; and measuring the angle of convergence of the eyes over time from the obtained positions of the eyes during one or more of the detected eye fixations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA, INSTITUCIÓ CATALANA DE RECERCA I ESTUDIS AVANÇATS
    Inventor: Hans Super
  • Patent number: 10602973
    Abstract: The present relates to a method, system and a device for non-invasive detection of urine flow from the bladder into the kidney(s). The method, system and device rely on measurements made at distinct time points and can be used to detect Vesicoureteral reflux. The method, system and device are designed to detect changes in urine volume in the ureter(s), bladder and/or kidney(s). The method and device measure conductivity changes by bioelectrical impedance or electrical impedance tomography technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: National University of Ireland, Galway
    Inventors: Sarah Loughney, Mark Bruzzi, Martin O'Halloran, Prem Puri, Ricardo Eleuterio
  • Patent number: 10602974
    Abstract: A system and method for providing reminding assistance. The system includes at least one processing component, at least one memory component, and a memory impairment detection and assistance environment. The memory impairment detection and assistance environment includes a reminding database, an analysis module, and an assistance module. The analysis module includes an attribute analyzer configured to determine values for attributes based on memory impairment detection data and a memory evaluator configured to determine that an attribute has a value that crosses a threshold attribute value. The assistance module includes a reminding assistant configured to receive a memory impairment signal and, in response, generate a reminder that includes information selected from the reminding database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anita Govindjee, Cheng Xu, Su Liu, Bing Fang
  • Patent number: 10602975
    Abstract: A method can be used for analyzing digital images of skin lesions. The images include pixels distributed over a lesion area. Sets of values including a first discrimination value indicative of a weighted average of the image pixels with weighing at the border of the lesion, a second discrimination value indicative of skewness and kurtosis of the distribution of the image pixels, a third discrimination value indicative of the ratio of symmetry and gray-level power of the distribution of the image pixels and calculated. A total additive score of the values in the sets of values is provided and compared with a total score threshold. The first, second and third discrimination values are compared with respective first, second and third discrimination threshold values. An output classification for the image analyzed is provided as a function of the results of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Rundo, Giuseppe Luigi Banna
  • Patent number: 10602976
    Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product are provided. A posture of an individual is measured while the individual is using an application. The measuring a posture includes making multiple measurements. An amount of time that the individual is using the application is measured. The multiple measurements and the measured amount of time are analyzed to derive a posture quotient. At least one action is performed by a computing device based on the derived posture quotient. The at least one action includes adjusting execution of the application to enable correction of the posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hernan A. Cunico, Jonathan Dunne, Jeremiah O'Connor, Asima Silva
  • Patent number: 10602977
    Abstract: A monitor recorder optimized for electrocardiography and respiratory data acquisition and processing is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Bardy Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gust H. Bardy, Jon Mikalson Bishay, Jason Felix
  • Patent number: 10602978
    Abstract: Systems and method for age-compensated monitoring of a patient experiencing administration of at least one drug having anesthetic properties are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the patient and at least one processor configured to receive the physiological data from the plurality of sensors, and determine, from the physiological data, signal markers indicative of an apparent or likely patient age. The at least one processor is also configured to at least one of scale and regulate the physiological data using at least the apparent patient age to create age-compensated data, and generate a report including the age-compensated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick L. Purdon, Emery N. Brown, Oluwaseun Johnson-Akeju
  • Patent number: 10602979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method with biofeedback for training muscles of the pelvic floor, applicable to the treatment of urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and prolapse of pelvic organs, using a portable electronic device for capturing, by means of sensors, EMG signals relating to abdominal activity and the area to be treated during muscle exercises, said device providing results visually and/or acoustically, the method comprising: placing a vaginal or rectal sensor (10) and two sensors (11) in the lower abdominal area, performing exercises working the muscles of the pelvic floor, providing evaluation of the exercises performed and storing results. The user places the sensors herself, the device evaluating the correct placement of the sensors indicating to the user that the suitable position has been reached through said acoustic and/or visual means, and performing a step prior to the exercises for acquiring muscle tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Mañanas Villanueva, Juan Jose Ramos Castro, Montserrat Espuña Pons, Amelia Perez Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10602980
    Abstract: A description is provided of a wearable device that is made up of a display device and a securing device that provides at least an overlay portion to provide electrical connection to the display device. The display device and the securing device may both contain electrical circuitry. The overlay connection to the display device can create an electrical connection between the electrical circuitry on the display device and the electrical circuitry in the securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FITBIT, INC.
    Inventors: Marcus M. Townsend, Mark C. Solomon, Steven W. Johns
  • Patent number: 10602981
    Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises an optical source configured to illuminate the tissue of a user, and an optical sensor configured to measure reflected illumination from the tissue. A compute system is configured to output a pressure between a surface of the optical sensor and the tissue as a function of the measured reflected illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Ryna Karnik, Hamid Shayesteh-pour, Vinod L. Hingorani
  • Patent number: 10602982
    Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the intravascular devices include at least one electronic, optical, or electro-optical component positioned within a distal portion of the device and one or more connectors positioned at a distal portion of the device. In some instances, the connectors are flexible coils, such as a ribbon coil, formed of a conductive material. In some particular instances, the conductive coil is embedded within a polymer tubing. Further, in some embodiments the electronic, optical, or electro-optical component is positioned within a flexible element at the distal portion of the device. In some instances the flexible element is a coil. Methods of making and/or assembling such intravascular devices/systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventor: David H. Burkett
  • Patent number: 10602983
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a sensor for a medical de vice may include the application of semiconductor fabrication techniques to the manufacture of a sensor directly in a structure of the medical device or in a substrate that can be integrated into a medical device structure. The methods may be applied to manufacture position sensors, strain gauges, other transducers, and the like, and to integrate the sensors into a variety of medical device types including, but not limited to, elongate medical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical International Holding S.à r.l.
    Inventors: Terry Sterrett, Allyn Jensrud
  • Patent number: 10602984
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for administering one or more medications useful for facilitating diagnostic and/or surgical procedures within a patient. A guidewire is positioned intravascularly in a patient at a location of interest, the guidewire being free of any coating that includes adenosine. An intravascular component having a surface with a coating that includes a vasodilation agent is deployed over the guidewire. The vasodilation agent is released from the surface of the intravascular component, such as by eluting the vasodilation agent from the coating of the surface while the intravascular component is within the anatomical structure of the patient. The intravascular component is removed over the guidewire, and the guidewire is left at the location of interest after the intravascular component is removed, which can facilitate subsequent deployment of a different intravascular component over the guidewire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ACIST MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jason F. Hiltner
  • Patent number: 10602985
    Abstract: A contact detection instrument including a rod, a tip sensor portion that is attached to one end of the rod and is inserted into a living body through a hole, a speaker that, from outside the living body, inputs a sound into a hollow space that is formed in the interior of the rod and the tip sensor portion, and a microphone that, outside the living body, outputs an electrical signal that corresponds to the sound inside the hollow space, with the tip sensor portion including an elastic material that covers the hollow space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignees: NAGOYA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tanaka, Akihito Sano, Michitaka Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10602986
    Abstract: A smart furniture includes a furniture article designed for being used by a user and a smart system which includes a detection module built-in with the furniture article for detecting health data of the user when the furniture article is used. In particular, the detection module includes a plurality of sensors located at a user supporting surface of the furniture article for collecting health data of the user. The health data of the user is then analyzed to ensure the user to use the furniture article in a proper way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Furniture of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 10602987
    Abstract: In one implementation, a multi-vital-sign smartphone system detects multiple vital signs from sensors such as a digital infrared sensor, a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor and at least one micro dynamic light scattering (mDLS) sensor, and thereafter in some implementations the vital signs are transmitted to, and stored by, an electronic medical record system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: ARC Devices Limited
    Inventors: Mark Khachaturian, Christine Cherepy, Michael Smith, Irwin Gross
  • Patent number: 10602988
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining cleaned sequences showing trajectories of movement of a center of gravity and for estimating a biometric information pattern or value of a target. One of the methods includes removing noises from initial sequences showing trajectories of movement of a center of gravity to obtain the cleaned sequences. Another one of the methods includes reading cleaned sequences of the target into a memory, extracting features from the cleaned sequences, and estimating a biometric information pattern or value of the target from the extracted features, using a classification or regression model of biometric information patterns or values. The biometric information pattern may be a pattern derived from respiratory or circulatory organs of a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Katsuki, Tetsuro Morimura
  • Patent number: 10602989
    Abstract: A probe, system, and method of capacitive sensing for detection of relative rotation of one tube with respect to a fixed tube of a probe is provided herewith. The probe includes an inner core, a concentric cylindrical tube, and at least one inner electrode fixed to the inner core and at least one outer electrode fixed to the cylindrical tube. The electrodes are rotationally aligned and form a capacitive sensor that can sense the rotation angle of the inner core compared to the cylindrical tube. This ability to sense relative rotation angle can be used to detect and/or correct for non-uniform rotational distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Canon U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Zhuo Wang
  • Patent number: 10602990
    Abstract: A blood pressure measurement apparatus includes circuitry configured to: detect a pulse of a subject, and obtain a photoplethysmography signal; and obtain estimated blood pressure of the subject based on the photoplethysmography signal. The circuitry receives parameter information, generates time information based on the photoplethysmography signal, applies a blood pressure estimation equation to the time information and the parameter information to calculate the estimated blood pressure, receives basic blood pressure information for the subject and the time information, and performs learning processing of applying a learning operational equation to statistical time information, which is obtained by performing statistical processing on the time information, and the basic blood pressure information to update the parameter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MEGACHIPS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Handa Chen
  • Patent number: 10602991
    Abstract: An apparatus to examine a target in a patient includes an x-ray source configured to deliver a first x-ray beam towards the target, a device having an array of openings, the device located at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to a beam path of the first x-ray beam to receive a second x-ray beam resulted from an interaction between the first x-ray beam and the target, and a detector aligned with the device, the detector located at an angle less than 180 degrees relative to the beam path of the first x-ray beam to receive a part of the second x-ray beam from the device that exits through the openings at the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Seppi, Renate Parry
  • Patent number: 10602992
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of creating a digital abutment design of a customized dental abutment, the including comprising: obtaining a bone scan comprising a digital representation of at least a part of a patient's jaw including the surface of the jawbone; and designing the digital abutment design of the customized dental abutment; wherein the design of the digital abutment design is at least partly based on fulfilling a set of predefined design criteria including the relationship between the digital representation of the jawbone and the digital abutment design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3SHAPE A/S
    Inventor: Rune Fisker
  • Patent number: 10602993
    Abstract: A computed tomography (CT) system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, an x-ray tube having an anode, the x-ray tube positioned on the rotatable gantry to generate x-rays from a first focal spot at a first z-location, and from a second focal spot at a second z-location, a pixelated detector positioned on the rotatable gantry to receive the x-rays from the first z-location and from the second z-location, and a computer. The computer is programmed to acquire a first dataset in a fan geometry at a first z-location, acquire a second dataset in the fan geometry at a second z-location, and reconstruct an image based on the first dataset and the second dataset, wherein the reconstruction is performed without combining the first dataset and the second dataset into one dataset with a single geometry from which the image reconstruction is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FMI Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongbin Guo
  • Patent number: 10602994
    Abstract: An X-ray table and an X-ray system including the X-ray table are provided. The X-ray table can reversibly rotate without interfering with an X-ray imaging unit while a top surface thereof faces the X-ray imaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Dong June Seen
  • Patent number: 10602995
    Abstract: This invention relates to a medical imaging method comprising: emitting a radiation beam from a radiation source of a rotating gantry, preferably of a rotating C-arm, on a volume of interest, varying collimation of said emitted radiation beam so as to change at least part-time a field of view of said emitted radiation beam so that there are at least a first part and a second part of said volume of interest such that, when said first part of said volume of interest is imaged, said second part of said volume of interest is shuttered, and when said second part of said volume of interest is imaged, said first part of said volume of interest is shuttered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Cyril Riddell, Yves Lucien Trousset
  • Patent number: 10602996
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a dental panoramic image and panoramic camera for photographing teeth, including: determining a frame frequency of a reference detector, and determining frame frequency of a photographing detector; photographing teeth according to the frame frequency of the photographing detector to generate a plurality of images; performing a shift and superposition on the images to generate a first panoramic image; acquiring a fuzzy region in the first panoramic image; and performing a frame frequency adjustment on each row in the fuzzy region to generate a clear image, and fusing the clear image and the first panoramic image to generate a second panoramic image. By using different changing rules of the frame frequency for imaging for each row of the image, both cusps and roots of teeth of the patient may be arranged in a focusing layer, generating a clear image, and improving definition of the panoramic image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HEFEI MEYER OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Ming Tian, Maoxian Lin, Dong Jiang, Yu Niu, Guangjie Cai, Youyuan Zhao, Jianjun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10602997
    Abstract: A radiographing apparatus includes a radiation detection panel including an effective image-acquisition area configured to detect radiation and a casing configured to house the radiation detection panel. The casing includes an incidence surface on which the radiation is incident, a back surface opposite the incidence surface, and a side surface between the incidence surface and the back surface. On the side surface of the casing, a level-difference portion indicating a position based on the effective image-acquisition area and a protrusion protruding more outward than the level-difference portion are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masataka Suzuki, Takaaki Gonda, Masaaki Kobayashi, Shichihei Sakuragi, Hiroto Kondo
  • Patent number: 10602998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically and dynamically modifying an image acquisition parameter for use in tomosynthesis breast imaging. A selected image acquisition parameter is modified in response to a measured characteristic of an imaged object such as a breast, and thus tailored to provide the highest quality image for the particular object. For example, image quality in a breast tomosynthesis system can be improved by dynamically varying motion and other acquisition parameters of the tomosynthesis system in response to physical characteristics of the breast to be imaged (determined during image acquisition), such as the breast thickness, density or composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Smith, Julian Marshall
  • Patent number: 10602999
    Abstract: An X-ray system includes an X-ray source and/or an X-ray detector, at least two guide rails, and at least one carriage on which the X-ray source and/or the X-ray detector is mounted. The carriage includes first guide wheels and second guide wheels, and a drive unit including drive wheels and a motor drive that drives the one or more drive wheels. The first guide wheels move between at least two different positions relative to the carriage. In a first position, the drive wheels are in a lifted position such that the carriage is moveably mounted on the guide rails via the first and second guide wheels. In a second position, the first guide wheels disengage from the guide rails while the drive wheels engage with the guide rails such that the carriage is moveably mounted on the guide rails via the second guide wheels and the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: AGFA NV
    Inventors: Thomas Zehetmaier, Johannes Hoelzl, Florian Von Stein
  • Patent number: 10603000
    Abstract: In the radiography system, a camera provided in an X-ray source captures a camera image indicating a usage environment in which an electronic cassette is used. The electronic cassette is inserted into the field of view of the camera. An in-image cassette region of the electronic cassette is detected from the camera image. A cassette ID of the electronic cassette is acquired from the in-image cassette region. The acquired cassette ID is collated with registration information set in a console and a use cassette setting process is performed on the basis of the collation result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Hattori, Ryo Imamura, Haruyasu Nakatsugawa, Koichi Kitano, Naoyuki Nishino
  • Patent number: 10603001
    Abstract: The present approach generally relates to systems and methods for implementing energy modulated tomographic imaging of nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, a first energy is used to activate probe particles labeling an anatomy or tissue of interest. The probe particles, once activated, emit photons at a different rate and/or spectrum in response to an underlying physiological event, such as action potentials propagating in the labeled anatomy or tissue. The emitted photons may then be detected and used to map or image the occurrence of the physiological event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert John Filkins, Ahmad Nadeem Ishaque, Alok Mani Srivastava, Peter William Lorraine, Holly Ann Comanzo, Xiaolei Shi, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Sam Joseph Camardello, Gregory Boverman, Ge Wang, Wenxiang Cong
  • Patent number: 10603002
    Abstract: A system has an imaging system housing and an x-ray source, thereto, a compression arm assembly housing, a support, and a detector. A paddle is disposed between the support and the x-ray source. A bottom surface of the paddle at least partially defines a plane. When in a rest position, the plane is substantially parallel to the support. A pivot mechanism connects the paddle to the compression arm assembly housing. The pivot mechanism defines an axis of rotation substantially parallel to a sagittal plane of the patient. The pivot mechanism has at least one biasing element for biasing the paddle into the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Stango, Loren Niklason
  • Patent number: 10603003
    Abstract: In example embodiments, a CT imaging system is provided comprising opposing x-ray generation and x-ray detector assemblies and a motion mechanism configured for simultaneously rotationally orbiting the x-ray generation and x-ray detector assemblies around a patient's anatomy along a main axis of rotation of the imaging system while rotationally oscillating the x-ray generation and x-ray detector assemblies about a spinning oscillation axis which is perpendicular to both the main axis of rotation and to a transmission axis extending between the x ray generation and detector assemblies. Further improvements related to a patient support platform and a biopsy attachment are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Dedicating2Imaging, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Bailey, Andrew Tybinkowski
  • Patent number: 10603004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to localization of a vascular treatment and quantification of a part of a vascular structure. It is described to provide (12) at least one first image comprising a representation of a region of interest of a vascular structure. At least one second image comprising a representation of the region of interest of the vascular structure is provided (14). Between an acquisition of the at least one first image and an acquisition of the at least one second image, a vascular treatment might have been applied to the region of interest of the vascular structure, wherein the representation of the region of interest of the vascular structure relates to spatial extension information of the vascular structure at least in one image plane. At least one reference image from an image set formed from the at least one first image and the at least one second image is selected (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Raoul Florent, Vincent Maurice André Auvray, Pierre Henri Lelong
  • Patent number: 10603005
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for determining a deformity in a bone surface comprises performing a scan of a healthy bone and a diseased bone; creating 3-dimensional (3D) representations of a current surface of the diseased bone; constructing an estimated healthy surface in 3D for the diseased bone based on the surface of the healthy bone; and identifying a deformity in the diseased bone by comparing the estimated healthy surface to the current surface of the diseased bone. In some embodiments, the scan is performed using high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Travis F. Henchie, Karen L. Troy
  • Patent number: 10603006
    Abstract: Predicting gastrointestinal impairment may involve obtaining intestinal sounds of a patient to generate audio data, identifying predefined spectral events in the audio data that are predictive of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment, the spectral events being defined by predefined parameters, and predicting the likelihood of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment relative to the identified spectral events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Foundation
    Inventor: John W. Cromwell
  • Patent number: 10603007
    Abstract: A method and system acquiring, processing and displaying breast ultrasound images in a way that makes breast ultrasound screening more practical and thus more widely used, and reduces the occurrence of missing cancers in screening and diagnosis, using automated scanning of chestwardly compressed breasts with ultrasound. Enhanced, whole-breast navigator overview images are produced from scanning breasts with ultrasound that emphasize abnormalities in the breast while excluding obscuring influences of non-breast structures, particularly those external to the breast such as ribs and chest wall, and differentiating between likely malignant and likely benign abnormalities and otherwise enhancing the navigator overview image and other images, thereby reducing the time to read, screen, and/or diagnose to practical time limits and also reduce screening or diagnostic errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: QVIEW MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Zhang, Shih-Ping Wang, Alexander Schneider, Harlan Romsdahl, Thomas Neff
  • Patent number: 10603008
    Abstract: Example embodiments of this invention include a method and a device for assessing the internal structure of the tooth. In one example, the method is comprised of emitting a sequence of ultrasonic pulses from a given point on the tooth surface into the tooth at various directions of incidence (angles of incidence) with respect to the local tooth surface, recording the corresponding sequence of ultrasonic echoes from different internal dental formations, and processing the collected ultrasonic pulse-echo and pulse-direction data to present internal structure of the tooth in quantitative or graphical form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Tessonics Corporation
    Inventors: Roman Gr. Maev, Eugene V. Malyarenko, Alexander Ilyutovich
  • Patent number: 10603009
    Abstract: A piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric film having a first surface in contact with a vibrating film and a second surface on the opposite side to the first surface, first and second electrodes that are provided on the second surface of the piezoelectric film and that are disposed at positions away from each other and are short-circuited to each other at a position away from the piezoelectric film, and a third electrode that is provided between the first and second electrodes on the second surface of the piezoelectric film and is disposed at a position away from the first and second electrodes. At least parts of the contours of end portions of the first and second electrodes are defined in parallel to side portions of the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyazawa, Masayoshi Yamada, Hiroshi Ito, Tomoaki Nakamura, Hiroshi Matsuda, Jiro Tsuruno
  • Patent number: 10603010
    Abstract: A system for performing an ultrasound scan of cellular tissue includes an ultrasound scanning device having an ultrasound probe, to generate cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue. A probe enclosure houses the ultrasound probe, has a bottom formed by a flexible membrane, is configured to hold an ultrasonic coupling material, and forms a pressurizable cavity adjacent the flexible membrane. An armature supports the probe enclosure and is configured to move the probe enclosure into a position where the flexible membrane is placed adjacent to and displaced by the cellular tissue. A probe positioning assembly supports the ultrasound probe within the probe enclosure and moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane with a head of the ultrasound probe submerged in the ultrasonic coupling material, the ultrasound scanning device generating the cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue as the probe positioning assembly progressively moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SONOCINE, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 10603011
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe includes: a plurality of ultrasound transducers each including a diaphragm, a lower electrode laminated on a surface of the diaphragm, a piezoelectric film laminated on a surface of the lower electrode, and including an effective area in which larger vibration is caused upon piezoelectric conversion, and a reference area in which smaller vibration than that in the effective area is caused upon piezoelectric conversion, and an upper electrode laminated on a surface of the piezoelectric film; and hardware processors that correct variation in performance between the ultrasound transducers, wherein one or both of the lower electrode and the upper electrode include an effective area electrode portion, and a reference area electrode portion, and each of the hardware processors is a device that corrects one or both of an output value from the effective area electrode portion and an input value to the effective area electrode portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yuta Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10603012
    Abstract: In order to provide a technology that does not require, in a probe, provision of a bias voltage storage unit and a communication unit and, in an apparatus main body, provision of a communication unit configured to communicate to/from the probe and a unit configured to control a bias voltage based on a value obtained by the communication, there is provided a probe including a plurality of cells, the cell including a first electrode and a second electrode disposed so as to be opposed to the first electrode across a gap. The plurality of cells include: a first cell configured to perform at least one of transmission or reception of an ultrasound wave; and a second cell in which pull-in occurs at a voltage lower than a pull-in voltage of the first cell and which is configured to be short-circuited at a time of the pull-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyo Gemma, Atsushi Kandori