With Means For Communicating With Patient Patents (Class 600/418)
  • Patent number: 11172869
    Abstract: A non-invasive product customization system and a method of customizing a product formulation is provided. Brain activity of a user is detected in response to an input of a product formulation into a brain of the user via a sensory nervous system of the user. A mental state of the user is detected based on the detected brain activity. The product formulation is modified based on the determined mental state of the user. The modified product formulation may be presented to the user in a manner that modulates the mental state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HI LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Johnson, Husam Katnani, Daniel Sobek
  • Patent number: 10991123
    Abstract: A process executes at an electronic system. The process identifies device characteristics of an imaging device that includes signal emitters and signal detectors. The process illuminates a field of view by signals from the signal emitters according to a modulation signal generated by the imaging device. At each of the signal detectors, the process obtains a response signal, and samples the response signals to form a response vector. The process obtains a lookup table corresponding to the modulation signal and the device characteristics. The field of view is partitioned into a 3-dimensional plurality of voxels, and the lookup table specifies, for each voxel, expected signals received by the signal detectors when the voxel is filled and the signal emitters illuminate the field of view according to the modulation signal. The process compares the response vector to the lookup table to determine which voxels are filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ghulam Ahmed Kirmani, Andrea Colaco
  • Patent number: 10380760
    Abstract: A process executes at an electronic system. The process identifies device characteristics of an imaging device that includes signal emitters and signal detectors. The process illuminates a field of view by signals from the signal emitters according to a modulation signal generated by the imaging device. At each of the signal detectors, the process obtains a response signal, and samples the response signals to form a response vector. The process obtains a lookup table corresponding to the modulation signal and the device characteristics. The field of view is partitioned into a 3-dimensional plurality of voxels, and the lookup table specifies, for each voxel, expected signals received by the signal detectors when the voxel is filled and the signal emitters illuminate the field of view according to the modulation signal. The process compares the response vector to the lookup table to determine which voxels are filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Ghulam Ahmed Kirmani, Andrea Colaco
  • Patent number: 10365340
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of monitoring dynamics of patient brain state during neurosurgical procedures includes receiving a plurality of brain response images acquired using a functional MRI scan of a patient over a plurality of time points and selecting a plurality of image features from the brain response images. One or more recurrent neural network (RNN) model are used to directly estimate one or more brain state measurements at each time point based on the image features. Once estimated, the brain state measurements are presented on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Lou, Francisco Pereira
  • Patent number: 9749900
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receiving apparatus (10) includes a first and second omnidirectional RF antennas (20) at different spatial locations or orientations, a first and second RF receivers (24), each connected to a corresponding one of the first and second omnidirectional RF antennas (20), and a controller (32) connected to the first and second RF receivers (24). The first and second RF receivers (24) receive and demodulate RF signals of at least first and second carrier frequencies to recover data packets from at least a first device which transmits data packets on the first carrier frequency RF signal and a second device which transmits data packets on the second carrier frequency RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Calvert Tazewell Hawkes, Robert Andrew Harwell
  • Publication number: 20150045654
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of providing content related to capture of a medical image of an object. The method includes acquiring at least one of information related to a state of the object and information related to a capture protocol, determining content to be provided to the object on a basis of the acquired information, and outputting the determined content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-ho LEE, Sang-young ZHO, Joon-soo KIM
  • Patent number: 8855743
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system acquires MRI data within one patient breath-hold sufficient to generate (a) at least one tag-off first type non-contrast cardiac perfusion image using a data acquisition sub-sequence including a non-selective IR (inversion recovery) pulse and (b) at least one tag-on second type non-contrast cardiac perfusion image using a data acquisition sub-sequence including a non-selective IR pulse and a spatially selective IR pulse. A set of registered tag-on and tag-off images are differentially combined to produce an accurate cardiac perfusion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hoshino, Mitsue Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20140275970
    Abstract: An MRI compatible communication system is disclosed. An interface module manages communications between devices within and external to the MRI scan room. The interface module also translates messages between varying wireless communication standards and protocols for retransmission to other devices. The communication system is configurable to transmit and/or receive data between physiological sensors, the MRI controller, patient monitoring devices, patient entertainment devices, and other computers. The interface module is configurable to be placed either in the control room or in the scan room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NeoCoil, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Brown, Manuel J. Ferrer Herrera
  • Patent number: 8805476
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging device and a control thereof, with the magnetic resonance imaging device including a magnet assembly, a patient table provided with a transfer unit introducing a patient to inside of the magnet assembly and a fixing unit supporting the transfer unit, an image output unit which is provided on the magnet assembly or the patient table to output photographic information or general image information of the magnetic resonance imaging device, and a system control unit configured to perform control such that an image of the image output device is output over a facial area of a patient positioned in the magnet assembly according to a moving distance of the transfer unit and thus the patient sees the photographic information or the general image information in the magnet assembly, thereby providing the patient with photographic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Whoe Sun Yang
  • Patent number: 8666475
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides on ore more imaging techniques during passive auditory stimulation to objectively provide a diagnostic indicator of ASD. These techniques include functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that uniquely provides an objective (imaging) physiological technique to diagnose early autism and to monitor progress following therapeutic intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Joy Hirsch
  • Patent number: 8554304
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing high resolution images to patients positioned in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The MRI device comprises a head coil arranged to surround a patient's head and to provide MRI images thereof, the apparatus comprising units for receiving video or picture image signals from an external source. The apparatus further comprises units for displaying a video or picture image, the display units being arranged in a housing, the housing being suspended in an arm comprising at least two successive members. A joint is between the housing and the adjacent member, a joint or joints are between the successive members, and a joint is between an attachment element for attaching the apparatus to the head coil, or other part of the MRI device, and the member adjacent to the coil attachment element, each being hinged to allow rotation of the joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nordicneurolab AS
    Inventor: Vegard Vangdal
  • Publication number: 20130211238
    Abstract: A computer assisted method for treating pain in a subject comprising measuring activity of one or more internal voxels of a brain of said subject associated with pain; communicating instructions to said subject which modulate activity of said voxel; and training said subject to control said internal voxel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: R. Christopher DeCharms
  • Patent number: 8483797
    Abstract: To improve patient comfort and reduce claustrophobia experienced by patients in a medical diagnosis or therapy apparatus, in particular a CT apparatus or an MR apparatus, with an examination region demarcated by said inner wall, in which examination region a patient can be positioned, a display is arranged in a region forming at least a portion of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eckhard Hempel
  • Publication number: 20120316428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (10) for examination and/or treatment of a human or animal body having a shielded room (20), a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRI) which is arranged within the shielded room, and at least one communication device (30), which is arranged within the shielded room and is suitable for receiving a radio signal for transmission of a voice signal, and has at least one electro-acoustic transducer (40, 41) which is suitable for conversion of an audio signal, which has been transmitted by the radio signal (Fin), to an acoustic signal (EAA). The invention provides that at least one antenna, which is connected to at least one further communication device, is arranged in the shielded room and is connected by radio to the at least one communication device (30) which is arranged within the shielded room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Felix Güttler, Jens Rump, Ulf Teichgraber
  • Patent number: 8301223
    Abstract: A method for measuring human intelligence using a neurobiogical model is provided. The method enables neurometric IQ to be measured by processing MRI and fMRI images of a subject to determine cortical thicknesses and brain activation level, determining structural IQ (sIQ) and functional IQ (fIQ) from the determined cortical thicknesses and brain activation level, and using the structural IQ (sIQ) and the functional IQ (fIQ) as predictors to measure the neurometric IQ of the subject. With this, individual differences in general cognitive ability can be easily assessed. It suggests that general cognitive ability can be explained by two different neural bases or traits: facilitation of neural circuits and accumulation of crystallized knowledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Kun Ho Lee, Yu Yong Choi, Kyung Jin Kim, Jong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8260397
    Abstract: In a method to determine a kidney function parameter of kidneys of an examination person with the aid of magnetic resonance tomography, at least one magnetic resonance measurement is implemented for an examination region of the examination person that comprises a urinary bladder of the examination person, to acquire magnetic resonance data from the examination region that include at least image data. The concentration of a urophanic substance in the urinary bladder of the examination person is automatically determined based on the acquired magnetic resonance data. A volume of the urinary bladder is automatically determined based on the acquired image data. A kidney function parameter of the kidneys of the examination person is automatically determined on the basis of the determined concentration of the urophanic substance in the urinary bladder and of the specific volume of the urinary bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Ruff, Stefan Roell, Sebastian Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8148986
    Abstract: The invention relates to an HF-antenna system for carrying out and/or detecting a magnetic resonance in an object exposed to a main magnetic field which orients the object spins in a desired longitudinal direction (z) comprising at least one first antenna element (1) provided with several conducting sections (11, 12, 13, 14) which lead a high-frequency alternating current and extend from the common top to a base area in the form of separate claws in such a way that the testable object containing a volume of interest is enveloped in a helmet manner. Said invention is characterized in that each conducting section (11, 12, 13, 14) is embodied in the form of a HF (HL) line for electromagnetically connecting a wave propagating in a TEM mode or in an quasi-TEM mode with the spins of the testable object to be enveloped and the electrical length the terminals of the HF (HL) lines are selected in such a way that the magnetic resonance frequency waves are produced therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Driesel, Toralf Mildner, Harald Moeller
  • Patent number: 8131338
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes an ECG detector for the patient object being imaged and an element for performing an MRI pulse sequence. An imaging unit defined by the pulse sequence is longer in temporal length than one heart beat represented by the ECG signal. An MR signal is acquired from the object in response to the pulse sequence and an MR image based on the acquired MR signal is produced. A plurality of divided MT pulses can be applied instead of the conventional single MT pulse. In this case, an SE-system pulse sequence having a shorter echo train spacing is used, to generate sounds by applying gradient pulses incorporated in an imaging pulse sequence so as to automatically instruct a patient to perform an intermittent breath hold during three-dimensional scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshimori Kassai, Mitsue Miyazaki, Satoshi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8082127
    Abstract: A method for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic resonance signals from an imaging area, wherein nuclear spins are excited in a spatially encoded fashion through multi-dimensional RF pulses, is characterized in that in a definition step, a resolution grid with resolution grid cells is predetermined, and in accordance with a predetermined phase encoding scheme, an excitation pattern is defined for each phase encoding step, in which the amplitudes within the imaging area are set in accordance with a predetermined distribution identically for each phase encoding step. In a preparatory step, the amplitude and phase behavior of the RF pulses to be irradiated is calculated in accordance with a predetermined k-space trajectory for each defined complex excitation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Bruker BioSpin MRI GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Ruhm
  • Patent number: 8073526
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device to record and visualize drawing and writing movements during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of brain activity. The system includes a touch-sensitive tablet, an elevated mounting platform, a stylus, and a controller box, as well as the necessary cabling and software. All equipment residing inside the magnet room is non-ferromagnetic and does not interfere with scanner operation and does not affect fMRI data quality. Individuals lying inside the scanner interact with device in a natural, intuitive way, similar to writing with pen and paper. Drawing motions captured by the tablet are displayed through a pair of fMRI-compatible goggles or by using a projector and screen. Other visual stimuli can be concurrently presented with the drawing motions for the purpose of assessing specific aspects of human behavior. The system allows for a plurality of experiments to be performed, all while brain activity is measured and recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Inventors: Simon James Graham, Richard Mraz, Nicole Baker, Ian Clarkson, Fred Tam
  • Patent number: 8064980
    Abstract: A method of initiating a scan in a medical imaging device includes detecting a patient-ready signal from a magnetically and radiographically inert communication device and automatically initiating the scan upon detecting the patient-ready signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Wayne Lederer
    Inventor: Wayne Lederer
  • Patent number: 8032124
    Abstract: A wireless opportunistic network that can facilitate data transfer by way of interconnected devices is disclosed. In accordance with this opportunistic network, each of the devices effectively contributes to the transfer of the information thereby obviating the need for an external carrier. In this manner, the carrier infrastructure is embodied and distributed throughout the individual devices of the network. In a particular aspect, the opportunistic network is employed to transfer and make available health-related data. This functionality can be used in many scenarios related to heath from, monitoring patients and conveying basic diagnostic data to identifying bioterrorism by way of collaborating data between a number of devices within the network. Essentially, the innovation provides for at least two core functional ideas, the opportunistic network infrastructure and the use of the network in health related scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Demetrios Karkanias, Stephen Edward Hodges, James William Scott
  • Patent number: 7885703
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using a patient display is described. The described system includes a medical imaging system. The medical imaging system includes a gantry, a patient display, and a computer. The gantry at least partially circumscribes a patient viewing area. The patient display is viewable from the patient viewing area. The patient display is communicatively coupled to the computer. The computer is programmed to receive scan protocol instructions and control the patient display according to the predetermined scan protocol. It is further programmed to prompt the patient, using the patient display, to perform a bodily action that facilitates the scan and to provide the patient with at least one of entertainment and distraction using the patient display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Ronald Miller, Phil E. Pearson, Jay Burns, IV
  • Patent number: 7804964
    Abstract: Device for protecting the hearing from loud MRT sounds Device for protecting the hearing from loud MRT sounds, with a protective sound generating device linked to the MRT electronics for generating a protective sound rising slowly in amplitude, increasing the impedance in the middle ear immediately before the onset of the loud MRT sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Axel Schreiber
  • Patent number: 7693568
    Abstract: A medical device includes a sensor for sensing for an MRI gradient magnetic field and a microprocessor for responding to the detected gradient magnetic field by switching from a first electrical signal processing mode to a second electrical signal processing mode, such that electrical signals induced by the gradient magnetic field and an associated RF burst are not counted as cardiac events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Volkert A. Zeijlemaker
  • Patent number: 7567200
    Abstract: A radar fall detector system. The radar fall detector system includes transmitter and receiver antennae and a signal processor that processes a reflected signal. Doppler analysis of the reflected signal determines a subject's moving body segment and its distance to a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Josef Osterweil
  • Patent number: 7526330
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance scanning apparatus for imaging parts of a human head includes RF coils configured to receive an RF signal including upper and lower pairs of RF coils; a lower supporting structure; and an upper part. The lower supporting structure has an upper wall providing support for the back of a human head, with the lower pair of RF coils rigidly mounted therein. The upper part has a rigid structure supporting the upper pair of RF coils. Each RF coil is located on a concave surface curving circumferentially and longitudinally around a human head located within the apparatus. Each of the upper pair of RF coils has an outer boundary following a contour between the eyes, around the bridge of a nose and below a respective eye located within the apparatus to allow the nose to extend between the upper pair of RF coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Pulseteq Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Randell, Navjeet Chhina
  • Patent number: 7453984
    Abstract: A method for radiation therapy with target recognition has a first target identification system for obtaining first target characteristics within a patient's body. A second target identification system obtains second target characteristics within the body aided by the first target characteristics. A computation means for calculation of three-dimensional coordinates of the target region with respect to a three-dimensional radiotherapy system uses the second target characteristics. Irradiation means for radiotherapy mode adaptation is used in response to the second target characteristics and the calculation of three-dimensional coordinates of the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Shoupu Chen, Jay S. Schildkraut, Lawrence A. Ray
  • Patent number: 7292704
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed for a headset that may be used in an audio system used in a magnetic field. In one aspect, the system includes an inner set portion adapted to fit into an ear canal. A pneumatic port is disposed in the hole to couple audible sounds to the ear canal. The system may include a non-magnetic transducer coupled to the pneumatic port. The system also may include a fiber-optic microphone to couple sound from a user of the headset. Other techniques provide a stethoscope-type yoke to couple the pneumatic port and the fiber-optic antenna to the non-magnetic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Wayne Lederer
  • Patent number: 7020509
    Abstract: In a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus employing a FISP pulse sequence, the pulse sequence is repeated with a repetition time TR with different phase-coding gradient directions and with an alternating operational sign of the flip angle ?. The gradient pulse trains are thereby completely balanced. A phase increment ??=? is generated in addition to the alternating operational sign of the flip angle ? between successive excitation pulses, so that the steady state signals for a first and a second spin ensemble optionally have either identical or reversed signal polarities. A first dataset on the basis of identical signal polarities and a second dataset on the basis of reversed signal polarities are obtained by means of the free selection of the mutual signal polarities. A pure image of the first and the second spin ensembles is thus obtained by the addition and/or subtraction of the first and second datasets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Heid
  • Publication number: 20040030238
    Abstract: An magnetic resonance apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a coil having at least two sections, (b) the at least two sections having a resonant circuit, (c) the at least two sections being wirelessly coupled or decoupled, (d) the at least two sections being separable, (e) several openings allowing a subject to see and be accessed through the coil, (f) at least one cushioned head restraint, and (g) a subject input/output device providing visual data from in front and behind of the coil respectively; wherein the input/output device is selected from the group consisting of mirrors, prisms, video monitors, LCD devices, and optical motion trackers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: MR Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6463316
    Abstract: System and method for actively canceling the acoustic noise generated by changes in the electric current within the gradient coils of a magnetic resonance imager based on the finding that the acoustic noise in the magnetic resonance imager is highly periodic but that the period of the magnetic resonance imager noise changes substantially during a scan. The acoustic noise signal is measured at the ears of a patient undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging, delayed by a variable number of samples and the resulting signal is subtracted from the acoustic noise signal. Magnetic resonance imaging noise cancellation occurs at the level of 20 decibels or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Douglas S. Brungart
  • Patent number: 5861865
    Abstract: An entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has a display panel and associated electronics which are mounted close to the MRI device and which are enclosed within a Faraday shield. A patient may be placed within the MRI device in a variety of positions and may view images from the display panel either directly or through a mirror, prism, or corner reflector. In order for the patient to view the images in the correct orientation regardless of the exact positioning, the display panel can display the images normally, with the images flipped from top to bottom, with the images flipped from left to right, and with the images flipped both from top to bottom and from left to right. The display panel is formed with a dark-colored focus area which forms a border around the display panel and which directs the attention of the patient toward the images on the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prem K. Anand, Stephen Samuel Trani