With Tomographic Imaging Obtained From Electromagnetic Wave Patents (Class 600/425)
  • Patent number: 9984464
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to automatically detect choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the outer retina using OCT angiography. Further disclosed are methods of removing projection artifacts from the outer retina and for combining brightness, orientation, and position information in a context-aware saliency model to quantify CNV area in OCT angiograms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: Yali Jia, David Huang, Li Liu
  • Patent number: 9968259
    Abstract: Diffuse fluorescence flow cytometers and methods of using them include a plurality of excitation sources and a plurality of detectors, all circumferentially arranged about a space for accommodating a limb of a subject. Tomographic reconstructions of cells within the limb are made by varying the intensity and direction of excitation and then analyzing the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY, THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Niedre, Eric William Zettergren, Charles P. Lin
  • Patent number: 9965838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a user interface (300) for measuring an object viewed in an image computed from image data, the user interface comprising an image unit (310) for visualizing the image data in the image, a deployment unit (320) for deploying a caliper (21) in an image data space, a scaling unit (330) for scaling the caliper (21) by a scaling factor in a direction in the image data space, a translation unit (340) for translating the caliper (21) in the image data space, and a caliper unit (350) for visualizing the caliper (21) in the image, wherein the caliper (21) comprises a knot for measuring the object, and wherein the object is measured based on the scaling factor. The caliper (21) comprising the knot, which determines the shape of the caliper (21), is a simple reference object of known geometry and size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Javier Olivan Bescos
  • Patent number: 9959486
    Abstract: A single level machine-learnt classifier is used in medical imaging. A gross or large structure is located using any approach, including non-ML approaches such as region growing or level-sets. Smaller portions of the structure are located using ML applied to relatively small patches (small relative to the organ or overall structure of interest). The classification of small patches allows for a simple ML approach specific to a single scale or at a voxel/pixel level. The use of small patches may allow for providing classification as a service (e.g., cloud-based classification) since partial image data is to be transmitted. The use of small patches may allow for feedback on classification and updates to the ML. The use of small patches may allow for the creation of a labeled library of classification partially based on ML. Given a near complete labeled library, a simple matching of patches or a lookup can replace ML classification for faster throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Atilla Peter Kiraly, Benjamin L. Odry
  • Patent number: 9937011
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing FEA analysis of at least a portion of at least one bone in a patient, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one image of at least a portion of a bone; selecting at least a portion of the bone; automatically performing an FE analysis of the selected portion of the bone; and displaying at least one result of the FE analysis. Bone selection and display of the bone, the selected portion thereof, and the results of the FE analysis occur via a hand-held device, with processing and data storage performed remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: PERSIMIO LTD
    Inventors: Zohar Yosibash, Nir Trabelsi, Kent Myers, Charles Milgrom
  • Patent number: 9915520
    Abstract: An optical instrument including at least a first and second wavelength swept vertical cavity laser (VCL) sources. The wavelength sweeping ranges spanned by the first and second VCL sources may differ with a region of spectral overlap. The first and second VCL sources may be operable under different modes of operation, wherein the modes of operation differ in at least one of: sweep repetition rate, sweep wavelength range, sweep center wavelength, and sweep trajectory. A VCL source may also exhibit sweep-to-sweep variation. Apparatus and methods are described for aligning sample signal data from the first VCL and sample signal data from the second VCL to generate output digital data. The output digital data is aligned with respect to at least one of: wavelength, wavenumber, and interferometric phase. The apparatus and methods can also be used to phase stabilize successive sweeps from the same VCL source or wavelength swept source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignees: Thorlabs, Inc., Praevium Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Cable, Vijaysekhar Jayaraman, James Jiang, Benjamin Potsaid
  • Patent number: 9915642
    Abstract: A method of assessing a tissue sample includes the steps of: 1) splitting source electromagnetic radiation into: a) sample arm radiation directed in a Z direction toward a sample thereby illuminating the sample at a first selected XY coordinate pair of the sample, and b) reflector arm radiation directed toward a reflector so that the reflector arm radiation travels a path length; 2) interfering sample-scattered electromagnetic radiation with reflector-reflected electromagnetic radiation thereby establishing an interference pattern associated with the sample; 3) comparing the sample interference pattern to a reference interference pattern; and 4) reaching a conclusion about the sample based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc
    Inventor: David Ribble
  • Patent number: 9901254
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for tomographic imaging of a subject comprising diffuse media by converting measurements of electromagnetic radiation, e.g., fluorescent light, obtained in free space exterior to the subject into data that would be measured if the subject were surrounded by an infinite and homogeneous diffusive medium, e.g., a medium with optical properties equal to the average optical properties of the subject. After applying a transformation to convert measurements to virtually-matched values, propagation of light is simulated from the index-matched surface to a set of virtual detectors exterior to the subject and arranged in a geometrically advantageous fashion, for example, in a planar array, thereby facilitating the use of fast reconstruction techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: VisEn Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Ripoll Lorenzo, Wael I. Yared, Joshua Kempner
  • Patent number: 9892507
    Abstract: A method of processing optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans of a subject's skin (7), the skin (7) having a surface (8), the method comprising capturing a plurality of scans through the subject's skin (7), the scans representing an OCT signal in slices through the user's skin (7) in parallel planes, the scans being offset from one another along a direction perpendicular to the parallel planes, the method comprising determining the position of the surface (8) of the skin (7) in each scan and displaying the scans to a user with an indication (9) indicative of a predetermined depth below the surface (8) of the skin (7) visible to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Michelson Diagnostics Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Hattersley, Adam Meekings, Daniel Woods
  • Patent number: 9892505
    Abstract: The Invention relates to a method for determining vital parameters of a human body by means of a device (10) with at least one optical recording unit (11) and a computinig unit (12), said method comprising the following steps: recording a sequence of Individual image data of a single limited area of the skin (30) of the human body by means of the optical recording unit (11); evaluating the image data, including determining a pulse wave transit time; and determining vital parameters of the human body from the image data by means of the computing unit (12). The invention further relates to a method for authenticating a person and to a method for identifying a reaction of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Kenkou GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Redtel
  • Patent number: 9880268
    Abstract: A method is presented for correcting errors in a 3D scanner. Measurement errors in the 3D scanner are determined by scanning each of a plurality of calibration objects in each of a plurality of sectors in the 3D scanner's field of view. The calibration objects have a known height, a known width, and a known length. The measurements taken by the 3D scanner are compared to the known dimensions to derive a measurement error for each dimension in each sector. An estimated measurement error is calculated based on scans of each of the plurality of calibration objects. When scanning target objects in a given sector, the estimated measurement error for that sector is used to correct measurements obtained by the 3D scanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Jovanovski, Jingquan Li
  • Patent number: 9881410
    Abstract: A medical diagnostic imaging apparatus according to embodiments includes storage circuitry and processing circuitry. The storage circuitry stores therein volume data concerning a three-dimensional region inside an object. The processing circuitry calculates an index value concerning a region of interest in the volume data, and generates a first medical image and a second medical image based on the index value. The respective positions in the first medical image and the second medical image are associated with each other by a certain coordinate conversion. The region of interest is divided into a plurality of first regions by a first boundary position. The second medical image is divided into a plurality of second regions by a second boundary position that is not altered in accordance with the alteration of the first boundary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Abe, Tomoya Okazaki
  • Patent number: 9861337
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting catheter(s) in 3D ultrasound images includes a 3D ultrasound image acquiring module and a catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module. The 3D ultrasound image acquiring module is used for capturing an original 3D ultrasound image. The catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module is used for detecting and visualizing a catheter in the 3D ultrasound image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kedar Anil Patwardhan, David Martin Mills, Gang Liu, Kunlin Cao
  • Patent number: 9820672
    Abstract: A method for colon screening and collecting data by using Magnetic Particle Imaging wherein an imaging magnetic field is generated with a spatial distribution of the magnetic field strength such that the area of examination in the colon consists of a first sub-area with lower magnetic field strength, where the magnetization of a magnetic particle which was pre-delivered to the colon is not saturated, and a second sub-area with a higher magnetic field strength, where the magnetization of said magnetic particle is saturated. The spatial location of both sub-areas in the area of examination is modified so that the magnetization of said particles changes locally. Signals are acquired and are evaluated to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the signals in the area of examination. The method may be carried out during an entire peristaltic cycle in a colon portion or segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Jörn Borgert, Ingo Schmale, Jürgen Erwin Rahmer, Bernhard Gleich, Michael Harald Kuhn
  • Patent number: 9792679
    Abstract: A diagnosis assistance apparatus for assisting a diagnosis using schemas includes a storage section that stores a plurality of different schemas each configured by a figure representing a body region, an acquiring section that acquires results of a plurality of examinations that are performed on an examination target, a schema refining section that refines a schema of a body region related to a disease that is predicted from the acquired examination results, from the schemas step-by-step in accordance with progress of the examinations, and a displaying section that displays the schema refined by the schema refining section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: NATIONAL CEREBRAL AND CARDIOVASCULAR CENTER, Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Nakazawa, Michiaki Iwata, Miyuki Hayashi, Tatsuo Yoshida, Tatsuo Nishihara, Koji Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9757076
    Abstract: A system for estimating a position in an x-ray projection image that corresponds to a projected probe position of an intravascular probe at a time of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging. A marker detector identifies in the x-ray projection image a plurality of projected positions of markers that are located at predetermined distances along an acquisition trajectory of the intravascular probe. The projected positions are interpolated to obtain the projected probe position on the trajectory. The projected probe position corresponds to a location of the intravascular probe at a time of the IVUS imaging and is based on a distance along the acquisition trajectory between the intravascular probe at the time of the IVUS imaging and at least one of the markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Gert Anonius Franciscus Schoonenberg, Nicolaas Hytke Bakker
  • Patent number: 9737259
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an image capable of realizing conversion of a 3D tissue structure into which an implant is inserted into a 2D image using a contour technique are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University, Industry-Academia Cooperation Group of Sejong University
    Inventors: Myeong Ki Hong, Byeong Keuk Kim, Jin Yong Ha
  • Patent number: 9737216
    Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus comprises a light irradiation unit that irradiates an object with pulsed light; a probe that converts an acoustic wave generated in the object due to first pulsed light into an acoustic wave signal; a photo-detection unit that converts second pulsed light propagated through the object into an optical signal; a frequency analysis unit that acquires a background optical coefficient with respect to the inside of the object on the basis of a predetermined frequency component of the optical signal; a light intensity acquiring unit that acquires a distribution of light intensity of the first pulsed light reaching the inside of the object using the background optical coefficient; and an information acquiring unit that acquires object information, using the acoustic wave signal and the distribution of light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nanaumi
  • Patent number: 9723980
    Abstract: Detecting position information related to a face, and more particularly to an eyeball in a face, using a detection and ranging system, such as a Radio Detection And Ranging (“RADAR”) system, or a Light Detection And Ranging (“LIDAR”) system. The position information may include a location of the eyeball, translational motion information related to the eyeball (e.g., displacement, velocity, acceleration, jerk, etc.), rotational motion information related to the eyeball (e.g., rotational displacement, rotational velocity, rotational acceleration, etc.) as the eyeball rotates within its socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Digital Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lee Sebastian, Kendall L. Belsley
  • Patent number: 9706970
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the composition of a kidney stone from a medical image. A feature extractor is configured to provide a plurality of features from the medical image. The plurality of features includes either a pair of an attenuation values including a first attenuation value from a first location in or on the kidney stone and a second attenuation value from a second location in or on the kidney stone or a function of the first and second attenuation values. The second location is spatially distinct from the first location. A classifier is configured to select one of a plurality of classes for the kidney stone from the plurality of features. Each class represents a specific constituent material. A user interface is configured to display the class to a user in a human comprehensible form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
    Inventors: Manoj Monga, Giovanni S. Marchini
  • Patent number: 9700233
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for equalizing cycle lengths among different map points during mapping studies. Different embodiments may be applicable to different circumstances and physiological settings. A compression embodiment encapsulates the entire behavior of a map point throughout its native cycle length. A truncation and rotation embodiment, and an extension and rotation embodiment allow for a more physiologically-relevant processing of the motion data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoda Razavi, Yelena Nabutovsky
  • Patent number: 9702762
    Abstract: In part, the invention relates to systems and methods of calibrating a plurality of frames generated with respect to a blood vessel as a result of a pullback of an intravascular imaging probe being pullback through the vessel. A calibration feature disposed in the frames that changes between a subset of the frames can be used to perform calibration. Calibration can be performed post-pullback. Various filters and image processing techniques can be used to identify one or more feature in the frames including, without limitation, a calibration feature, a guidewire, a side branch, a stent strut, a lumen of the blood vessel, and other features. The feature can be displayed using a graphic user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: LIGHTLAB IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Joel M. Friedman, Amr Elbasiony
  • Patent number: 9689720
    Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing, a detector unit, and a fastener. The detector housing defines a cavity therein, and includes a shielding body disposed at least partially around the cavity. The detector unit is disposed within the cavity, and includes an absorption member and associated processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to generate electronic signals responsive to radiation received by the absorption member. The fastener extends through the detector housing, and is accepted by the detector unit to secure the detector unit to the detector housing. The shielding body of the detector housing is interposed between the fastener and the processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Yaron Hefetz, Roee Khen, Raed Khamaisi, Israel Altman
  • Patent number: 9690902
    Abstract: The extraction unit extracts a plurality of medical images as a list display target from an image storage unit storing a plurality of medical images and an plurality of apparatus types in association with each other. The list generation unit generates a list in which a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of extracted medical images are arranged. The plurality of reduced images are arranged for each apparatus type in the list, and the list clearly indicates a reduced image corresponding to a candidate image of the plurality of extracted medical images that is more likely to be used. The display displays the generated list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Arakita, Satoshi Wakai, Kota Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 9658086
    Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roee Khen, Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 9649020
    Abstract: A control assembly for manipulating the movement of an endoscopic instrument includes an endoscopic instrument mounting arrangement adapted to receive an endoscopic instrument, three driving arrangements, and three independent control elements. The mounting arrangement offers only three independent degrees of freedom of movement of an endoscopic instrument received by the arrangement, each degree of freedom of movement being about or along a respective axis. Each of the three driving arrangements are configured to drive the endoscopic instrument in only one of the degrees of freedom of movement. The three independent control elements are configured to receive user input, such that the actuation of each of the three independent control elements regulates one of three corresponding control signals, each control being a respective one of the driving arrangements independent of the other two driving arrangements in accordance with the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Freehand 2010 Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Armstrong Finlay
  • Patent number: 9649022
    Abstract: A control method of a fundus examination apparatus constructed as a perimeter for examining a fundus of an examinee's eye, includes: controlling a monitor provided in the fundus examination apparatus as the perimeter to display a two-dimensional map pertinent to a two-dimensional analysis result of the fundus based on a tomographic image of the examinee's eye obtained by an optical coherence tomography device; setting an examination position in the fundus examination apparatus as the perimeter on the two-dimensional map displayed on the monitor; and controlling the fundus examination apparatus as the perimeter based on the set examination position to examine the fundus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisanari Torii, Toshio Murata, Naoyuki Kondoh
  • Patent number: 9633277
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus and methods for identifying bright spot indications observed through optical coherence tomography. The indications can be evaluated, for example, to link risk factors or other conditions to clinically relevant outcomes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Research Development Foundation
    Inventors: Marc D. Feldman, Thomas E. Milner, Jennifer E. Whedbee
  • Patent number: 9626476
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium are provided for processing images, such as medical images, in accordance with an imaging calibration function during execution of an image viewing application, and also for processing other types of images with a different calibration function during execution of a different application. In regards to an apparatus, the apparatus is caused to identify, in conjunction with an image viewing application, an imaging calibration function. The apparatus is also caused to transform a digital image during execution of the image viewing application in accordance with the imaging calibration function and to output the digital image, following transformation, in accordance with the image viewing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Change Healthcare LLC
    Inventor: Mahmoud Ramze Rezaee
  • Patent number: 9618332
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of determining a position of an object with respect to incident radiation, comprising iteratively determining at least one of an object function indicating one or more characteristics of an object and a probe function indicative of one or more characteristics of incident radiation, iteratively determining the position of the object, wherein the iteratively determining the position of the object comprises cross correlating first and second estimates of the object function or the probe function, determining a location of a peak of the cross correlation, and determining a translation deviation indicative of a difference in position of the object between the first and second estimates based on the location of the peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PHASE FOCUS LIMITED
    Inventor: Fucai Zhang
  • Patent number: 9613426
    Abstract: A medical image processing apparatus for receiving a target phase data set and a reference phase data set at different times, obtaining a segmentation of an elongated structure in the target phase data and the reference phase data set, determining a target phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the target phase data set and a reference phase line along the segmentation of the elongated structure in the reference phase data set, and determining a synthesized target phase line by combining the target phase line and reference phase line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Matthews, Marco Razeto, Qiulin Tang
  • Patent number: 9608731
    Abstract: A microfabricated optical apparatus that includes a light source driven by a waveform, a turning mirror, and a beam shaping element, wherein the waveform is delivered to the light source by at least one through silicon via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Innovative Micro Technology
    Inventor: Christopher S. Gudeman
  • Patent number: 9599490
    Abstract: A radiation detector head assembly is provided that includes a detector housing and a rotor assembly. The detector housing defines a cavity therein. The rotor assembly includes a detector unit, a body, and a sealing member. The body defines an opening oriented in the imaging direction. The body is disposed at a distance from the detector housing within the cavity defining a passageway extending axially along the body. The sealing member includes a body extending across the opening. The sealing member is coupled to at least one of the shielding unit or the collimator, and is mounted within the cavity to provide a gas-tight seal along the imaging direction between the passageway and the detector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roee Khen, Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Yaron Hefetz
  • Patent number: 9594975
    Abstract: To provide an image processing device and a spinal canal evaluation method that can evaluate the spinal canal stenosis in an identified cross-sectional position, the image processing device 100 extracts a vertebral region from a series of tomographic images in which at least a part of the spine was scanned and calculates a length in the anteroposterior direction of an object for each cross section in each vertebral region. Also, a cross section including a spinous process is identified based on the calculated length in the anteroposterior direction of an object in each vertebral region, the spinal canal stenosis is evaluated by setting the identified cross-sectional position to be analyzed, and then the evaluation results are displayed. Hence, stenosis evaluation can be performed for various shapes of the spinal canal region in which a closed space hardly appears on an image due to many gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniyoshi Nakashima, Tsuneto Katayama
  • Patent number: 9579026
    Abstract: An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Vascular Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eberle, Diana Margaret Tasker, Howard Neil Rourke
  • Patent number: 9576380
    Abstract: In the present invention, in a case where a display unit is capable of displaying either multiple tomographic images or at least one plain image of a subject, a display control unit switches the display on the display unit to the display of tomographic images in sequence or to the display of a plain image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Sugahara, Akira Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9576353
    Abstract: A method for verifying the position of at least two bone structures relative to each other, comprising the method steps of: recording a three-dimensional dataset which represents the bone structures; segmenting the three-dimensional dataset into segments, wherein each segment represents a bone structure and the segments exhibit a known relative position in the three-dimensional dataset; changing the virtual relative position of the segments, such that the virtual relative position of the segments matches the actual relative position of the bone structures; and verifying whether the virtual relative position of the segments matches a target position of the bone structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Florian Mahn, Gerhard Kleinszig
  • Patent number: 9554766
    Abstract: Streak artifacts generated by at least one X-ray attenuating object arranged outside a reconstruction volume in a three-dimensional image data set showing the reconstruction volume are reduced. The reconstruction volume is reconstructed from two-dimensional projection images recorded from different projection directions. The object is localized in the projection images showing the object. To determine corrected projection images for the reconstruction of the image data set, the image data of the area of each projection image showing the object is corrected to remove the object. The localization of the object is performed taking into account difference images of the measured projection images and from a reconstruction data set of forward-projected comparative images reconstructed from the measured projection images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Yiannis Kyriakou
  • Patent number: 9552533
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a registration unit configured to perform a first registration between a first set of image data and a second set of data, and a second registration between the first set of image data and the second set of data. The apparatus also comprises a registrability determination unit configured to determine a difference between the first registration and the second registration, and to determine a measure of registrability between the first set of image data and the second set of data based on the difference between the first registration and the second registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: James Matthews
  • Patent number: 9547894
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing an imaging procedure comprising processing volumetric image data comprising an image processing unit configured to obtain first image data representative of a region including at least one vessel and at least one associated feature, and second image data representative of at least part of the region, an image refinement unit configured to process the first image data and the second image data to produce a combined image representative of the at least one vessel, wherein the associated feature is removed or reduced in intensity in the combined image, and a rendering unit configured to render the combined image as a simulated view that simulates a view obtainable from an alternative imaging procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Razeto, Akinola Akinyemi, Muhammad Haris Bhatti, Jill Barnaby, Sebastian Meller
  • Patent number: 9545232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for preventing metal artifacts computer tomography scans made during biopsy taking, when a metal needle is present in the field of view of a scan. The direction of the metal needle and the direction of the electro-magnetic field are determined in advance. For the determination of the electro-magnetic field a position of a source of the electro-magnetic field a position of a detector are considered. The user may be warned, when the determined direction of the electro-magnetic field and of the direction of the metallic needle correspond to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Jan Noordhoek
  • Patent number: 9519660
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus, a clustering method, and a clustering program stored on a recording medium, each of which determines an initial value of model parameter of an input data set based on a model parameter of a reference data set that is similar to the input data set and is previously clustered, modifies the initial value so as to match the input data set, and to obtain a clustering result of the input data set using the updated initial value of model parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9517037
    Abstract: A SPECT diagnostic method of performing myocardial perfusion imaging on a patient, consisting of (A) administering a rest radiotracer to the patient while the patient is at rest; then (B) when the rest radiotracer is fixed in a heart of the patient, scanning the heart to obtain rest heart pumping ability information; (C) scanning the heart of the patient to obtain a rest perfusion image; (D) administering a stressing agent to the patient to place the patient's heart under stress; (E) scanning the heart of the patient to obtain stress heart pumping ability information; then (F) administering a stress radiotracer while the heart of the patient is under stress; then (G) when the stress radiotracer is fixed in the heart, scanning the heart to obtain a stress perfusion image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Inventor: Elazar A. Bienenstock
  • Patent number: 9498120
    Abstract: A system and method for optical coherence elastography of tissue of an eye. The method includes introducing a probe into the eye, the probe including a vibration element, generating time resolved images of the tissue of the eye located posterior the vibration element of the probe by optical coherence tomography, exciting the vibration element to ultrasonic vibrations making the tissue vibrate or oscillate, measuring a displacement of the tissue in the time resolved images, and calculating elasticity values of the tissue from the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Abouzar Eslami, Corinna Maier-Matic, Falk Hartwig, Christine Kochwagner
  • Patent number: 9501627
    Abstract: A system and method of providing dynamic and customizable medical forms is disclosed. In certain specific embodiments, these dynamic and customizable medical forms may be automatically presented to users based on a predefined series of rules which allow multiple users having different roles in the clinical process to collaborate and contribute to a medical examination report, while at the same time maintaining an independent record of what was contributed and by whom it was contributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: D.R. SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Murray A. Reicher, Evan K. Fram
  • Patent number: 9489746
    Abstract: A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Digital Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Sebastian, Anatoley T. Zheleznyak
  • Patent number: 9480457
    Abstract: An ultrasound image is displayed while clarifying a positional relationship with an ultrasound probe. An ultrasound diagnostic device is provided with an ultrasound probe, a first position detecting means for detecting a position of the ultrasound probe, an ultrasound image generating means for generating an ultrasound image by using a reflected echo signal, an ultrasound volume data generating means for generating three-dimensional ultrasound volume data by accumulating the ultrasound images, a reference image generating means for generating a ultrasound reference image of an arbitrary cross section by using the ultrasound volume data and displaying an ultrasound probe mark indicating the position of the ultrasound probe in a superimposed manner on a position in the ultrasound reference image, the position corresponding to the ultrasound probe position detected by the first position detecting means, and a display means for displaying the ultrasound image and the ultrasound reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanao Kondou
  • Patent number: 9483822
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and other embodiments associated with distinguishing disease phenotypes using co-occurrence of local anisotropic gradient orientations (CoLIAGe) are described. One example apparatus includes a set of logics that acquires a radiologic image (e.g., MRI image) of a region of tissue demonstrating disease pathology (e.g., cancer), computes a gradient orientation for a pixel in the MRI image, computes a significant orientation for the pixel based on the gradient orientation, constructs a feature vector that captures a discretized entropy distribution for the image based on the significant orientation, and classifies the phenotype of the disease pathology based on the feature vector. Embodiments of example apparatus may generate and display a heatmap of entropy values for the image. Example methods and apparatus may operate substantially in real-time. Example methods and apparatus may operate in two or three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Anant Madabhushi, Pallavi Tiwari, Prateek Prasanna
  • Patent number: 9445773
    Abstract: Included are a storage unit for storing as first medical image information a three-dimensional image representing information about an inside of the subject; an image processor for generating a display image on the basis of the first medical image information and second medical image information; and a display for displaying the display image generated by the image processor. The image processor includes: a catheter position information detector for calculating a position of the balloon catheter C and detecting position information; and a balloon pressure-contact degree calculator for calculating a pressure-contact degree A of the tissues of the subject and a balloon b on the basis of the first medical image information and the position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ishii, Tomohiro Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9433387
    Abstract: The system provides new ways to ensure that a patient is positioned correctly, e.g. identically with an original planning scan if the patient is to undergo radiotherapy. The system also detects if there is patient movement during a scan. It is an aspect of the present method to immobilize the patient based on a specific site of interest by using positioning sensors that record patient physical orientation based on measurements of patient weight distribution and pressure distribution among other features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Pyronia Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Hyung-Kyun Ahn