Patents Issued in June 2, 2020
  • Patent number: 10667765
    Abstract: A method, computer system, and a computer program product for automated smart watch assistance is provided. The present invention may include detecting a distress signal from a sensor of a distressed user device. The present invention may then include broadcasting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) request based on detecting the distress signal from the sensor of the distressed user device. The present invention may then include receiving a response to the broadcasted CPR request based on an altered direction of travel of a responding user device. The present invention may finally include establishing a connection between the distressed user device and the responding user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin G. Keen, Adam Smye-Rumsby, Hernan A. Cunico, Paul A. R. Frank
  • Patent number: 10667766
    Abstract: Handheld patient-monitoring device is provided that includes a touchscreen having a display area. The touchscreen is configured to present a first chart section in the display area of the touchscreen. The device is also configured to detect an input gesture on the touchscreen that is indicative of a swipe along the touchscreen. The device is also configured to replace, in response to detecting the input gesture, the first chart section with a second chart section such that the second chart section is presented in the display area and the first chart section is not presented in the display area. The second chart section has at least one parameter region that displays information relating to a respective patient parameter. Replacement of the first chart section with the second chart section is visually indicated to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Milvi Kristiina Soosalu, Virpi Kristiina Lahdenmaki
  • Patent number: 10667767
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided including a selectable pre-object filter module, a detector, and a processing unit. The selectable pre-object filter module is configured to absorb radiation from the X-ray source to control distribution of X-rays passed to an object to be imaged. The selectable pre-object filter module has plural pre-object filter configurations providing corresponding X-ray distributions, and is selectable between the plural configurations to provide a selected pre-object filter configuration for a scan of the object. The detector is configured to receive X-rays that have passed through the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Grant Morey Stevens, Dominic Joseph Crotty, Roy A. Nilsen
  • Patent number: 10667768
    Abstract: A method for determining a CT focal point includes determining a first intensity of first radiation incident on a first detector unit of a scanner, wherein the scanner may include a non-uniform anti-scatter grid (ASG) and a radiation source, and the non-uniform ASG may be configured according to a first focal point of the radiation source. The method also includes determining a second intensity of second radiation incident on a second detector unit of the scanner, wherein the first radiation and the second radiation are emitted from the radiation source with a second focal point. The method further includes determining a displacement of the second focal point from the first focal point based on the first intensity and the second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yifeng Jiang
  • Patent number: 10667769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of Computed Tomography imaging comprising: a. Performing a single acquisition of image data from at least two contrast agents into a blood vessel network, a first contrast agent among said at least two contrast agents having been in said blood vessel network for a longer time than a second contrast agent among said at least two contrast agents, b. Processing said image data using K-Edge detection and/or iodine delineation to separate data associated with each contrast agents in order to obtain a concentration map of each contrast agent, c. Determining from said image data a first part of the blood vessel network comprising both the first contrast agent and the second contrast agent, and a second part of the blood vessel network comprising only the first contrast agent, d. Calculating a partial blood volume map of the first part of the blood vessel network based on the total amount of second contrast agent and on the concentration map of the second contrast agent, e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Roland Proksa, Heiner Daerr, Daniela Muenzel, Peter Noel
  • Patent number: 10667770
    Abstract: An probe body comprising: one or more light sources; one or more light sensors; an x-ray detector configured to detect, using at least one of the one or more light sensors, light from a scintillator for converting extra-orally applied x-rays to light; and a lower energy light detector configured to detect, using at least one of the one or more light sensors, light from an object illuminated by at least one of the one or more light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Lea Myyrylainen, Katri Helena Pohjonen
  • Patent number: 10667771
    Abstract: Nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system includes a plurality of detector assemblies that each have a movable arm and a detector head that is coupled to the movable arm. The movable arm is configured to move the detector head toward and away from an object. The NM imaging system also includes at least one processor configured to determine a body contour of the object and determine an acquisition configuration using the body contour. The acquisition configuration includes at least three of the detector heads positioned in a dense group that borders the body contour. The detector heads in the dense group are primary detector heads. The at least one processor is also configured to move at least one of the object or one or more of the primary detector heads so that the primary detector heads are in the dense group near the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yariv Grobshtein, Shai Wald, Gillan Michael Grimberg, Ken Efrati, Jean-Paul Bouhnik
  • Patent number: 10667772
    Abstract: There is provided a radiation-irradiation device of which a direction can be easily changed obliquely with a simple structure. A rear wheel unit (12R) of a radiation-irradiation device includes first locking means that includes a front operating portion (109F) of a brake pedal (109), a shaft (108), a gear (107), a cam (106), a rod (104), a lever (105), and a disc (103) and restrains the traveling rotation of a wheel (102). Further, the rear wheel unit (12R) includes second locking means that includes a rear operating portion (109R) of the brake pedal (109), the shaft (108), the gear (107), and the cam (106) and restrains the revolution of a casing (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Mikami, Noriyuki Onobori
  • Patent number: 10667773
    Abstract: A mobile medical imaging robot is disclosed. The robot comprises a medical imaging device, and a vehicle configured to carry the medical imaging device. The vehicle is motorized so as to move on a surface, such the floor of an examination room. The robot further comprises a cable designed to link said vehicle to a wall of a room, such as a medical examination room. In at least one non-limiting embodiment, motorized robot movements along the surface are controlled manually by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Bernard Bouvier
  • Patent number: 10667774
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon counting detector and processing circuitry. The photon counting detector includes a plurality of detection areas arranged in a channel direction and a column direction and is configured to output detection signals corresponding to the quantity of photons incident thereto, the detection areas each including a plurality of detecting elements. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a heat generation amount for each of the detection areas on the basis of the detection signal corresponding to the incident photons detected in the detection area, to determine a control amount on the basis of the heat generation amount calculated for each of the detection areas, and to control temperature in each of the detection areas by using the determined control amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Kato, Hiroaki Miyazaki, Emi Tamura, Hiroaki Nakai
  • Patent number: 10667775
    Abstract: A method of evaluating a vessel of a patient is provided. The method includes outputting, to a display device, a screen display including: a visualization based on pressure measurements obtained from a first instrument and a second instrument positioned within the vessel of the patient while the second instrument is moved longitudinally through the vessel and the first instrument remains stationary within the vessel; and a visual representation of a vessel; receiving a user input to modify the visualization to simulate a therapeutic procedure; and updating the screen display, in response to the user input, including modifying the visualization based on the user input. A system for evaluating a vessel of a patient is also provided. The system includes first and second instruments sized and shaped for introduction into the vessel of the patient; and a processing system communicatively coupled to the first and second instruments and a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Anderson, Andrew Tochterman
  • Patent number: 10667776
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring a series of angiographic images and identifying the anatomical structures represented in the series of images using a machine learnt classifier. Additional series of images that would yield the optimal visualization of the structure of interest may be suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Guillaume Roffé, Tiziano Passerini, Puneet Sharma
  • Patent number: 10667777
    Abstract: Systems and process are provided to make X-ray radiographs sufficiently quantitative and standardized for bone and other biological material or non-biologic material density evaluations. The X-ray radiograph methodology and system provide a cost effective diagnostic tool that may be used with existing X-ray radiography sources already present in many clinics and hospitals to ultimately produce large volumes of scientifically valid data and useful diagnostic and prognostic information. A calibration bar is added to a conventional X-ray film cartridge and images thereof subsequently incorporated into radiographs for interpretation or a cartridge is designed to integrate a calibration function. The calibration standard affords a standard against which material density is measured. A software program is provided to interpret tissue densities (including bone) to ultimately identify values compared to preselected thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Scott Echols, Edward Hsu
  • Patent number: 10667778
    Abstract: A system and computation method is disclosed that identifies radiation-induced lung injury after radiation therapy using 4D computed tomography (CT) scans. After deformable image registration, the method segments lung fields, extracts functional and textural features, and classifies lung tissues. The deformable registration locally aligns consecutive phases of the respiratory cycle using gradient descent minimization of the conventional dissimilarity metric. Then an adaptive shape prior, a first-order intensity model, and a second-order lung tissues homogeneity descriptor are integrated to segment the lung fields. In addition to common lung functionality features, such as ventilation and elasticity, specific regional textural features are estimated by modeling the segmented images as samples of a novel 7th-order contrast-offset-invariant Markov-Gibbs random field (MGRF). Finally, a tissue classifier is applied to distinguish between the injured and normal lung tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ayman S. El-Baz, Ahmed Soliman, Fahmi Khalifa, Ahmed Shaffie, Neal Dunlap, Brian Wang
  • Patent number: 10667779
    Abstract: An operation device (200) for remotely operating an X-ray imaging device (1) includes an operation unit (280), a grip detection unit (240), which determines whether an operation received by the operation unit (280) is a normal operation or an erroneous operation, and a control unit (230), which transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the X-ray imaging device (1). The control unit (230) transmits the signal when the grip detection unit (240) determines that the operation is a normal operation. The operation device is prevented from causing an erroneous operation of its target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kokichi Tobita, Koichi Furusawa, Makoto Wada
  • Patent number: 10667780
    Abstract: The invention provides a contrast carrier device with geometric calibration phantom on computed tomography, comprising: a front ring body having a front outer peripheral surface; the front outer peripheral surface is provided with a front correction bead; a loading table, wherein one end of the loading table is connected with the front ring body; a rear ring body is oppositely arranged at the other end of the front ring body connected to the loading table, wherein the rear ring body has an outer peripheral surface, the rear peripheral surface is provided with a rear correction bead; a virtual axis passes through the center of the front ring body and the center of the rear ring body, respectively, and the front correction bead and the rear correction bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL YANG-MING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Meng-Tse Wu, Shih-Chun Jin, Jyh-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10667781
    Abstract: A CT system includes a rotatable gantry having an opening to receive an object to be scanned, a high-voltage generator, an x-ray tube positioned on the gantry to generate x-rays through the opening, and a pixelated detector positioned on the gantry to receive the x-rays. The system includes a computer programmed to cause the x-ray tube to generate x-rays, at a given high-voltage generator voltage (kV), toward a sub-set of detector pixels when no object is present within the opening, measure an output of the sub-set of detector pixels for a given number of views during the x-ray generation and for a total integration time, and determine a calibration factor based on the measured output and based on a generator feedback current measured during the total integration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FMI Medical Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Ikhlef, Hongbin Guo
  • Patent number: 10667782
    Abstract: A stethoscope includes a flexible chest piece including a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface defining a slope between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a groove extending along an inner circumference of the chest piece. A diaphragm is positioned within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Keller, Robert S. Kody, Daniel J. Rogers, Raymond L. Watrous
  • Patent number: 10667783
    Abstract: The stethoscope with sound recognition capacity is an electric stethoscope. The stethoscope with sound recognition capacity comprises a stethoscope and a sound processing device. The stethoscope is a traditional medical device used to listen for audible sounds inside a patient. The stethoscope of the stethoscope with sound recognition capacity performs this traditional function. The sound processing device is an electrical circuit housed within the stethoscope. The sound processing device: a) converts the audible sounds captured by the stethoscope into an electrical signal; b) processes the electrical signal to extract diagnostic information; c) processes the extracted diagnostic information to identify one or more conditions of diagnostic relevance found in the patient; and, d) makes an audible spoken announcement of the one or more conditions of diagnostic relevance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Samson Arigbamu
  • Patent number: 10667784
    Abstract: A componentized intravascular ultrasound system is disclosed that flexibly integrates with a catheter lab infrastructure for acquisition and display of intravascular information in a catheter lab environment. The system includes a patient interface module (PIM) adapted to hold a catheter having an imaging probe located near a distal end, a control panel, a monitor for displaying images and patient data, and a processing unit. The processing unit is communicatively coupled to the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor. Furthermore the processing unit adapted to: coordinate operation of the PIM, the control panel, and the monitor; and generate images from image data provides by the PIM. The PIM, control panel and monitor are independently positionable with regard to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IMAGE GUIDED THERAPY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henrick K Gille, Vincent Burgess, Nancy Perry Pool, Edward A Oliver
  • Patent number: 10667785
    Abstract: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SUNNYBROOK HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE
    Inventors: Brian Courtney, Nigel Robert Munce, Amandeep Singh Thind, Victor Xiao Dong Yang, Francis Stuart Foster, Alan Soong, Brian Heng Li
  • Patent number: 10667786
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (10) for segmenting an anatomical object in a field of view (29) of an ultrasound acquisition unit (14) is disclosed. The ultrasound imaging apparatus comprises a data interface (32) configured to receive a two-dimensional ultrasound data (30) of the object in the field of view in an image plane from the ultrasound acquisition unit and to receive a three-dimensional segmentation model (46) as a three-dimensional representation of the object from a segmentation unit (36). An image processor (34) is configured to determine a two-dimensional segmentation model (50) on the basis of the three-dimensional segmentation model and a segmentation plane (48), wherein the segmentation plane and an image plane of the two-dimensional ultrasound data correspond to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jochen Peters, Amir Mohammad Tahmasebi Maraghoosh, Juergen Weese, Christian Buerger
  • Patent number: 10667787
    Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising a portable ultrasound probe and a docking station provides enhanced ultrasound functionality. One or more first transducer elements transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest. Processing circuitry controls transmission of the ultrasound signal, while driving circuitry that is operatively coupled to the one or more first transducer elements and the processing circuitry drives the transmission of the ultrasound signal. The ultrasound probe further includes one or more second transducer elements that receive echo signals returning from the target structure in response to transmission of the ultrasound signal, and a power supply that provides power to the driving circuitry for transmission of the ultrasound signal. The docking station includes an interface that is couplable to the ultrasound probe and circuitry that electrically couples to the ultrasound probe via the interface and enhances the ultrasound functionality of the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: EchoNous, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Broad, Todd Willsie, Greg Nieminen, Niko Pagoulatos
  • Patent number: 10667788
    Abstract: Reception beamforming is executed using delay times that complexly vary in accordance with differences between transmission conditions. An irradiation area 32 of a transmission beam is calculated, and the lengths of segments, using which delay times are calculated, are set in accordance with the positional relationships between the calculated irradiation area 32 and reception scanning lines 31. For example, the reception scanning lines 31 are divided into areas A to C, and the lengths of segments 40b in the outer area B located outside of the irradiation area 32 are set shorter than the lengths of segments 40a and 40c in the inner areas A and C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Teiichiro Ikeda, Shinta Takano, Hiroshi Masuzawa, Chizue Ishihara, Mayumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10667789
    Abstract: An instrument monitoring apparatus includes a guide and sensing component configured to be attached to an ultrasound probe. The guide and sensing component includes a source of illumination configured to project a light beam into a light plane; and a light receiver aligned with the light plane and configured to quantify an amount of light reflected from an object in the light plane to the light receiver by receiving the amount of reflected light and converting it to an electrical signal. A control component includes a processor configured to receive the electrical signal from the light receiver, and based on a magnitude of the amount of light represented by the electrical signal, determine whether the object is sufficiently within the light plane. The processor instructs output of a first signal when it is determined that the object is sufficiently within the light plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Geoffrey Steven Hastings
  • Patent number: 10667790
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for portable medical ultrasound imaging. Certain embodiments provide a multi-chip module for an ultrasound engine of a portable medical ultrasound imaging system, in which a transmit/receive chip, an amplifier chip and a beamformer chip are assembled in a vertically stacked configuration. Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound engine circuit board including one or more multi-chip modules, and a portable medical ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound engine circuit board with one or more multi-chip modules. Exemplary embodiments also provide methods for fabricating and assembling multi-chip modules as taught herein. A single circuit board of an ultrasound engine with one or more multi-chip modules may include 16 to 128 channels in some embodiments. Due to the vertical stacking arrangement of the multi-chip modules, a 128-channel ultrasound engine circuit board can be assembled within exemplary planar dimensions of about 10 cmĂ—about 10 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Teratech Corporation
    Inventors: Alice M. Chiang, William M. Wong, Noah Berger
  • Patent number: 10667791
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein relate generally to an elastography method and system for obtaining ultrasound images of an excited tissue over a certain time period, then computationally determining one or more mechanical properties of the tissue within a real time refresh rate. This method can perform elastography in real time as only a thin volume of the excited tissue is imaged and processed. The thin volume includes a desired cross-sectional plane of the tissue and at least two adjacent planes that are adjacent to the desired cross-sectional plane. A maximum number of adjacent planes is selected so that a computer system is capable of computationally determining mechanical properties within a real time refresh rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventors: Ali Baghani, Hani Eskandari, Robert N. Rohling, Septimu E. Salcudean
  • Patent number: 10667792
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment performs ultrasonic scans having a plurality of times of ultrasonic transmission and reception as a basic unit, and acquires reception signals respectively for reception rasters allocated with respect to a predetermined region of a subject. The apparatus generates first signals corresponding to the reception rasters respectively by performing adding processing or low-pass filtering having a time of the ultrasonic scan as a unit with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters, and acquires power information of a moving body in the predetermined region based on a second signal to be obtained by performing an MTI filtering with respect to the first signals. The apparatus acquires velocity information of the moving body based on a third signal obtained by performing the MTI filtering with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Sato
  • Patent number: 10667793
    Abstract: An ultrasound device performs an ultrasound scan to acquire a video clip having a plurality of images in a selected zone of a set of lungs. The ultrasound device detects B lines in each of the images of the video clip. The ultrasound device assigns a score to each of the images of the video clip based at least in part on the detected number of B lines. The ultrasound device highlights the detected B lines in each of the images of the video clip. The ultrasound device identifies a representative image from the highlighted images of the video clip in the selected zone. The identification of the representative image is based at least in part on the assigned score of each of the images. The ultrasound device displays the identified representative image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Menachem Halmann, Alexander Sokulin, Peter Lysyansky, Lilach Vanuk, Cynthia Owen
  • Patent number: 10667794
    Abstract: Automatic detection of disease from analysis of echocardiographer findings in echocardiogram videos is provided. In various embodiments, a plurality of medical images containing embedded text are read. The plurality of medical images are clustered into a plurality of clusters. Medical images of a first cluster of the plurality of clusters are ranked based on the frequency of measurement names within the medical images of the first cluster. A candidate tabular template is generated indicative of a layout of measurement name/value pairs within the medical images of the first cluster. According to the candidate tabular template, optical character recognition is applied to one of the plurality of medical images of the first cluster to extract candidate measurements. The candidate tabular template and the candidate measurements are presented to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Beymer, Ahmed El Harouni, King Chung Ho, Tanveer Syeda-Mahmood
  • Patent number: 10667795
    Abstract: New wearable and non-wearable systems for noninvasive glucose sensing include an ultrasound generator, an ultrasound detector and a feedback unit. Methods for noninvasive glucose sensing using a wearable or nonwearable device include measuring a thickness (geometrical and/or optical) of a target tissue or a time of flight of ultrasound or optical pulses in the target tissue and determining a glucose value from the thickness of the target tissue or the time of flight in the target tissue in accordance with a target tissue thickness (geometrical and/or optical) or time of flight versus glucose calibration curve using new methodology for computing glucose concentrations with or without invasive measurements and simultaneously monitoring and generating a fitness index (FI), a body weight index (BWI), and/or a hydration index (HI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Rinat O. Ensenaliev
  • Patent number: 10667796
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes accessing a graphical model of a representative patient, accessing a medical image of an anatomical structure, and registering the medical image with the graphical model to generate a composite image. The imaging system and method includes displaying the composite image and simultaneously displaying an unregistered medical image of the anatomical structure with the composite image. The unregistered medical image has at least one of a higher resolution and a larger form factor than the registered medical image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christian Perrey, Arthur Gritzky
  • Patent number: 10667797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a kit of parts comprising a collecting device for collecting a tissue sample and a storage tube for storing the tissue sample therein. The collecting device comprises a punch and a plunger located within a bore of the punch and being adapted to slide within the bore. The storage tube comprises a tube body having an open first end, a closed second end, and a cap located at the first end of the tube body, the cap having a breakable seal that extends across the body of the tube to seal the first end of the tube body. The collecting device is adapted to break the seal of the cap and to fill the resulting opening to close off the storage tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SNPSHOT TRUSTEE LIMITED
    Inventors: Roy Victor Bladen, Michael Stuart Gardner
  • Patent number: 10667798
    Abstract: A surgical tool handle assembly can include a handle body and a tool locking mechanism. The handle body can have a tool receiving end for receiving a mating end of a surgical tool. The tool locking mechanism can be configured to securely engage the surgical tool mating end, thereby locking the surgical tool to the handle. The locking mechanism can include a ramp feature, a locking cam, and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism can be configured to actuate the cam to engage the ramp feature as the cam engages the tool mating end to lock the tool to the handle. A surgical kit and a method of locking a surgical tool to a tool handle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Zimmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Thomsen, Walter W. Thomas, Andrew J. Steiner
  • Patent number: 10667799
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for therapeutic and/or diagnostic use in or on a patient's body. The device can have a sheath and a tool. The sheath can be made, at least in part, from a laminate. The laminate can have reinforcement fibers in longitudinal, latitudinal, helical, and/or other configurations around the sheath. The tool can be at least partially within the sheath. The tool can be attached to the sheath at one or more lengths along the tool. The sheath can be removed from the tool and replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: LOMA VISTA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Quillin Tilson, Mark Christopher Scheeff, Roland J. Downs, Christopher Michael Adams, Jon Michael Holweger
  • Patent number: 10667800
    Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a housing having an outer shaft that extends distally therefrom and that defines a longitudinal axis. An end effector assembly is included that extends distally from the outer shaft in a deployed position of the end effector assembly. A first actuator is operably associated with the housing and actuatable to deploy and retract the end effector assembly. A second actuator is operably associated with the housing and actuatable to move a four-bar articulation mechanism including first, second and third movable links and a stationary link coupled together by respective first, second and third pivots. Actuation of the second actuator moves the first link distally which forces the second and third links to rotate in opposing directions about the first and second pivots which, in turn, forces at least one of the first or second links against the end effector assembly to articulate the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Scott J. Prior
  • Patent number: 10667801
    Abstract: Provided are modular implant delivery systems, devices and methods. In some embodiments, spinal implant delivery devices and methods are provided. An exemplary delivery device may include a head supported by a handle. The head may have an opening defining an insertion axis. The handle may have a handle axis that traverses the insertion axis. The head may also be configured to releaseably couple one or more blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MEDITECH SPINE, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Flickinger, Jason J. Gromek
  • Patent number: 10667802
    Abstract: A medical device may include a luminal body defining a working channel extending between a proximal end of the luminal body and a distal end of the luminal body. The device may also include a carrier defining a pusher thereon. The carrier may be configured to transition between a first state and a second state. In the first state, a distal portion of the carrier may extend within the working channel along a central longitudinal axis thereof. In the second state, the distal portion of the carrier may extend distally of the luminal body. The device may also include a plurality of anchors which may be disposed about the carrier. Also, at least a distal-most anchor of the plurality of anchors may define a surface configured to cooperate with the pusher and further defines a curved wall configured to cooperate with the pusher to rotate the plurality of anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Zoll, Michael S. H. Chu, Peter J. Pereira
  • Patent number: 10667803
    Abstract: Devices and methods for anchoring tissue to bone are provided herein. In various embodiments, the tissue anchor systems and methods can provide a length of suture having terminal ends coupled to one another via a sliding knot so as to define a suture loop having an adjustable length. After passing a portion of the suture loop through a damaged tissue and coupling the suture loop to bone, the sliding knot can be advanced to shorten the suture loop in order to secure the tissue to bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SĂ€RL
    Inventor: Jose E. Lizardi
  • Patent number: 10667804
    Abstract: Procedures may be performed on the heart after the installation of a mitral valve fixation device. In order to prepare the heart for such procedures, the fixation device may be removed or disabled in minimally invasive ways (e.g., through an endovascular procedure), without requiring open access to the heart. The fixation device may be partitioned so that one portion may remain attached to each leaflet of the mitral valve. In another example, the leaflets may be cut along the edges of the distal element(s) of the fixation device, so as to cut the fixation device from the leaflet(s). Systems and devices for performing such procedures endovascularly are disclosed. Fixation devices with improved access to a release harness are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Evalve, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghuveer Basude, Kent Dell, Arundhati Kabe, Gaurav Krishnamurthy, Michael F. Wei
  • Patent number: 10667805
    Abstract: A positioning and retrieval device manipulated by carrying element coupled to an handle and driven by an actuator that allows for axial movement and rotational movement of a capturing portion on the carrying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Composite Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Rice Bourland, III, John James Valadez, Sumant Gopal Krishnan, Joshua Silver Redstone, Brad Topper
  • Patent number: 10667806
    Abstract: An applicator instrument having a reconfigurable handle for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a handle coupled with the proximal end of the housing, and a trigger coupled with the handle. The applicator instrument has a firing system including an energy storing assembly that is disposed within the housing, and a gear train disposed within the handle and coupled with the trigger. The trigger is squeezed for commencing a firing cycle and storing energy in the energy storing assembly. The applicator instrument includes a handle reconfiguration actuator having a first position for locking the handle in place relative to the housing and a second position for enabling the handle to rotate relative to the housing between a pistol configuration and an in-line configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared Schneider, Jianxin Guo, Michael Cardinale, Simon Cohn, Mark D. Kenyon, Doug Souls, Danial Paul Ferreira, Xuelin Guo, Lindsay Epstein
  • Patent number: 10667807
    Abstract: Shape memory tissue engagement elements (15) are created using shape memory alloys or shape memory (SM) composite sheets (33, 36) with one or more SM material sheets (20, 32). Arrays of the tissue engagement elements may then be inserted or molded into flexible base materials forming pads for tissue engagement. In certain embodiments, the composite sheets incorporate two SM material layers (20, 32) having differing transition temperatures to allow activation of one layer for tissue engagement and activation of the second layer for tissue release. In exemplary embodiments, insertion of interconnected tissue engagement elements (46) into a base layer (19) with slots (48) provides a completed pad array. In alternative exemplary embodiments, vacuum forming of composite sheets (51) with cutting of corrugated sides (53) to form tissue engagement elements allow production of complete arrays of tissue engagement elements. Overmolding the arrays with a flexible base material (19) provides a completed pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MICOKOLL INC.
    Inventor: Steven Craig Anderson
  • Patent number: 10667808
    Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an absorbable adjunct releasably secured to the cartridge body is disclosed. A plurality of staple cavities are defined in the cartridge body and the plurality of staples are removably positioned in the staple cavities. The absorbable adjunct comprises a first zone comprising a tissue-supporting surface, a second zone comprising a cartridge body contacting surface, and an intermediate zone position between the first zone and the second zone. The first zone comprises a first compressibility and the second zone comprises a second compressibility that is less than the first compressibility. The intermediate zone comprises a third compressibility greater than the first compressibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Katherine J. Schmid
  • Patent number: 10667809
    Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a cartridge jaw and a series of windows in the cartridge jaw configured to permit a clinician to observe the firing progress of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Gregory J. Bakos, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10667810
    Abstract: A surgical instrument with separate closure and firing systems for applying closure and firing motions. In one form, the surgical instrument includes a hollow closure member and a firing member. The hollow closure member is configured to move axially between an unactuated position and closure positions. The firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position in the hollow closure member and an ending position in the surgical end effector. The closure system is configured to apply closure actuation motions to the hollow closure member. The firing system is configured to apply a firing motion to the firing member in order to move the firing member from the starting position to the ending position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10667811
    Abstract: An anvil for a surgical end effector is disclosed. The anvil can have a staple-forming surface having a plurality of pockets defined therein. The pockets can be nested. A first pocket can include a proximal cup, a distal cup, and a pocket axis can extend between the proximal cup and the distal cup. The pocket can be asymmetric relative to the pocket axis. A central axis can transect the pocket between the proximal cup and the distal cup. The pocket can also be asymmetric relative to the central axis. The pockets can be obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gregory J. Bakos
  • Patent number: 10667812
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a modular shaft assembly, and a coupling detection assembly. The body assembly includes a control circuit, a battery pack operable to power the control circuit, and a first electrical contact assembly. The modular shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact assembly that is configured to operatively engage the first electrical contact assembly when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. A detection trigger member is configured to activate a detection activation member such that the detection activation member communicates a first detection signal to the control circuit when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. The control circuit is configured to verify operative engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in response to the control circuit receiving the first detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Brett E. Swensgard, Michael D. Auld, Michael J. Vendely, Sol Posada, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, David C. Yates
  • Patent number: 10667813
    Abstract: A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: John Beardsley
  • Patent number: 10667814
    Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus including a releasable buttress material includes a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, a knife, and a buttress material. The cartridge assembly includes a plurality of staples and a tissue contacting surface defining staple retaining slots. The anvil assembly includes a tissue contacting surface defining staple pockets for forming staples expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly. The knife is disposed within a knife slot formed in the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The buttress material includes at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly. The at least one weld is positioned across the knife slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Gerald Hodgkinson, William Powers