Light Conducting Fiber Inserted Into A Body Patents (Class 600/478)
  • Patent number: 11918179
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for endoscope includes an image sensor, a ferrule which is a rectangular parallelepiped having a front surface, a rear surface, and four side surfaces and includes insertion holes and trenches parallel to the insertion holes on respective two side surfaces orthogonal to each other among the four side surfaces, an optical element in which a light emitting region is disposed in a position opposed to the insertion holes, and optical fibers inserted into the insertion holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11913883
    Abstract: A method of imaging comprises disposing a population of first targeting ultrasound-switchable fluorophores and a population of second non-targeting ultrasound-switchable fluorophores in an environment; detecting a first photoluminescence signal emitted by the population of first targeting fluorophores, and a second photoluminescence signal emitted by the population of second non-targeting fluorophores; determining a photoluminescence property of the population of second non-targeting fluorophores from the second photoluminescence signal; and using the determined photoluminescence property of the population of second non-targeting fluorophores to deconvolute the first photoluminescence signal into the population of first targeting fluorophores bound and unbound to a first target binding element in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventor: Baohong Yuan
  • Patent number: 11903675
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the invention relates to systems and methods for in vivo tomographic imaging of fluorescent probes and/or bioluminescent reporters, wherein a fluorescent probe and a bioluminescent reporter are spatially co-localized (e.g., located at distances equivalent to or smaller than the scattering mean free path of light) in a diffusive medium (e.g., biological tissue). Measurements obtained from bioluminescent and fluorescent modalities are combined per methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: VisEn Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Wael Yared, Joshua Kempner, Jorge Ripoll Lorenzo, Alicia Arranz
  • Patent number: 11900509
    Abstract: A technique capable of providing a user with information obtained by OCT imaging in a useful way, particularly for assisting in assessment of an embryo effectively. The image processing method includes acquiring original signal data indicating an intensity distribution of signal light from each position in three-dimensional space including a cultured embryo obtained by optical coherence tomography imaging, generating spherical coordinate data based on the original signal data, the spherical coordinate data indicating a relationship between each position in the three-dimensional space represented using spherical coordinates having an origin set inside the embryo and the intensity of the signal light from the position, and outputting the intensity distribution of the signal light as a two-dimensional map based on the spherical coordinate data using two deflection angles of the spherical coordinates as coordinate axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignees: SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOTTORI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yasushi Kuromi, Masayoshi Kobayashi, Tetsuya Ohbayashi, Takuya Aida
  • Patent number: 11889988
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source apparatus; an image pickup apparatus configured to pick up an image of an object including a region containing hemoglobin irradiated with illumination light and output an image-pickup signal; and a processor. The processor performs predetermined image processing on at least one of a first image and a second image and outputs the one image, the first image being obtained by performing image pickup of the object irradiated with the first light, the second image being obtained by performing image pickup of the object irradiated with the second light, and generates an observation image by using the first and second images obtained as a processing result of the predetermined image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11865631
    Abstract: Fast-acting and low-inertia actuators useable in various applications where a high force must be applied very quickly are disclosed. Power tools with detection systems configured to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a cutting tool are disclosed. In power tools, for example in a woodworking machine, a fast-acting and low-inertial actuator as disclosed herein can be used to retract a blade upon detection of a dangerous condition by a detection system. The actuator includes a charge of pressurized fluid and one or more electromagnets to selectively retain or release the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SawStop Holding LLC
    Inventor: Stephen F Gass
  • Patent number: 11860354
    Abstract: An imaging system is described for measuring the position or movement of a particle having a size of less than about 20 microns. The system comprises an optional sample holder configured to hold a sample with a particle, an optional illumination source configured to illuminate the sample, a lens having a magnification ratio from about 1:5 to about 5:1 and configured to generate the image of the sample, an image sensor having a pixel size of up to about 20 microns and configured to sense the image of the sample, and an image processor operatively connected to the image sensor to process the image of the particle in order to determine the position or movement of the particle. The dimension of the image of each particle is at least about 1.5 times the dimension of the particle multiplied by the magnification ratio of the lens, and the image of each particle is distributed on at least two pixels of the sensor. The imaged area of the sample is at least about one millimeter squared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Scanogen Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiguang Xu, Alfredo Andres Celedon
  • Patent number: 11850442
    Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an anti-tumour immunologic response by thermotherapy of a treatment lesion covering at least a portion of a tumour is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a heating probe comprising an optical fiber and a cooling catheter. The optical fiber is inserted in the cooling catheter. Further the heating probe has a light emitting area, and the heating probe is interstitially insertable into the tumour of the treatment lesion. The heat probe is internally cooled by a fluid circulating in said catheter. The apparatus further comprises a first thermal sensor member having at least one sensor area. The first thermal sensor member is positionable at a distance from said boundary. The apparatus also comprises a control unit for controlling a power output of said light source based on a measured first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Clinical Laserthermia Systems AB
    Inventors: Karl-Göran Tranberg, Stephan Dymling
  • Patent number: 11844940
    Abstract: A blood pump assembly can include various components such as a housing and a sensor configured to detect one or more characteristics of the blood. In some embodiments, the sensor can be coupled to the housing and can include a sensor membrane configured to deflect in response to a change in a blood parameter (e.g., pressure). The blood pump assembly can include a shield that covers at least a portion of the sensor membrane so as to protect the sensor from damage when the blood pump assembly is inserted through an introducer and navigated through the patient's vasculature and/or when the blood pump assembly is inserted into the heart in a surgical procedure. One or more protective layers can be deposited over the sensor membrane to prevent the sensor membrane from being dissolved through interactions with the patient's blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph Louis D'Ambrosio, Bruce Adams, Michael Thomas Finnegan, Gerd Spanier, Thorsten Siess
  • Patent number: 11806075
    Abstract: A catheter system for treating site within or adjacent to a vessel wall or a heart valve includes a light source, a first and second light guide, and an optical alignment system. The light source generates light energy. The first and second light guides receive the light energy from the light source and have respective guide proximal ends. A multiplexer directs the light energy toward the guide proximal ends of the first and second light guides. The optical alignment system determines an alignment of the light energy relative to at least one of the guide proximal ends and adjusts the positioning of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends based at least partially on the alignment of the light energy relative to the at least one of the guide proximal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Bolt Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Cook
  • Patent number: 11754567
    Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to detect and/or ablate cancerous tissue, such as during surgery. The system uses Laser Ramen Spectroscopy (LRS) or Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to enhance a detection signal pursuant to a spectroscopy analysis of tissue. Rapid in situ detection of cancer can be combined with immediate laser thermal ablation of the cancerous tissue. The detection and ablation can occur before, during, or after surgical resection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: City of Hope
    Inventors: Yuman Fong, Michael Storrie-Lombardi, Veronica Jones, Daniel Schmolze, Lily L. Lai, Ragini Kothari
  • Patent number: 11707603
    Abstract: An intravenous therapy system may include a hollow needle comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising a sharp tip for insertion into a vein; an infrared (IR) camera placed within a hollow portion of the hollow needle, including: an IR detector; a first light source to emit a first wavelength of IR light; and a second light source to emit a second wavelength of IR light; a comparator to, upon execution of a processor communicatively coupled to the comparator, compare an amount of reflected light received at the IR detector during activation of the first light and second light and provide an indication of light absorption within a vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Yiping Ma, Kathryn Willybiro
  • Patent number: 11701227
    Abstract: A gimbal handle assembly including: an inner gimbal and an outer gimbal that are concentrically linked and have pivot axes that are orthogonal relative to each other, a spool coupled to and rotatable around the outer gimbal, and a plurality of draw lines attached to the spool in a circumferential configuration, wherein rotation of the spool and/or rotation of the spool and the outer and inner gimbals increases or reduces tension in the draw lines. Also disclosed are a transcatheter valve delivery assembly that includes the gimbal handle assembly, a multi-lumen catheter, a sleeve attached to a distal end of the multi-lumen catheter, and a transcatheter heart valve including an expandable valve frame. Methods of delivering the transcatheter valve to a subject are described, wherein pitch and yaw orientations of the transcatheter valve can be precisely controlled with enhanced degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Arash Kheradvar, Gregory Scott Kelley
  • Patent number: 11684242
    Abstract: An imaging system for use in a patient is provided. The system includes an imaging probe, a rotation assembly, and a retraction assembly. The imaging probe collects image data from a patient site and includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end and a distal portion, with a lumen extending therebetween. A rotatable optical core is positioned within the elongate shaft lumen and an optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion. The optical assembly directs light to tissue at the patient site and collects reflected light from the tissue. The rotation assembly connects to the imaging probe and rotates the optical assembly. The retraction assembly connects to the imaging probe and retracts the optical assembly and the elongate shaft in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Gentuity, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Petroff, Michael Atlas, Christopher Petersen, Christopher Battles, Jiyuan Yin, Nareak Douk, David W. Kolstad, Giovanni Ughi, Lindsy Peterson, J. Christopher Flaherty, R. Maxwell Flaherty
  • Patent number: 11684799
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a skin of a patient with therapeutic laser light via imaging a first skin area of the patient to obtain at least a first image, processing the at least a first image of the first skin area with at least one processor to identify within the first skin area at least one or more target skin areas and a non-target skin area, generating a treatment map of the first skin area based on the identified one or more target skin areas and the non-target skin area, and treating at least a portion of the one or more target skin areas with therapeutic laser light based on the generated treatment map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Cutera, Inc.
    Inventor: Lukas Hunziker
  • Patent number: 11684237
    Abstract: Provided are endoscopic image acquisition system and method that make observation of images easier when images are collected. The endoscopic image acquisition system includes a wavelength pattern changing unit that changes a wavelength pattern of irradiation light with which a part to be observed in a body cavity of a patient is irradiated or returning light from the part to be observed. Images of an observation wavelength pattern are captured at a certain frame rate. In response to acceptance of an acquisition instruction, images of a plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are sequentially captured. The images of the plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are stored in a storage unit. An image of a wavelength pattern other than the observation wavelength pattern is set not to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shumpei Kamon
  • Patent number: 11666280
    Abstract: An ablation catheter Has a spring assembly residing between an ablation head and a proximal catheter body. Three optical fibers extend through a lumen in the catheter body. Three mirrors supported by the ablation head face proximally but are spaced distally from the optical fibers. The mirrors are provided with a pattern of reflectance that varies along a radius from a central area of reflectance. Light of a respective defined power shines from each of the optical fibers to a corresponding one of the mirrors with a reflected percentage of the respective defined light power being reflected back to the optical fiber. A percentage of the reflected percentage of the respective defined light power is captured by and travels along each optical fiber to a dedicated light wave detector connected to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Lake Region Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: John Michael Hayes, James F. Kelley
  • Patent number: 11666410
    Abstract: A conductor-less, shape-able, surgical lighting system and methods for use in surgical applications in which a medical clinician, once having established a surgical site, can shape the lighting system to selectively illuminate desired volumes of the surgical site. The system includes preselected lengths of an elongate light emitting member formed of a transparent elastomer matrix material having a glass transition temperature of lower than or substantially equal to room temperature to render the elongate light emitting member bendable and shape-able. Embedded in the transparent elastomer matrix material are particles of a transparent material having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the matrix material dispersed in the elastomer matrix material so that light coupled into the elongate light emitting member is scattered and refracted out of the elongate light emitting member along its length. One end of the elongate light emitting member is coupled with a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Siu Wai Jacky Mak, Michael Frank Gunter Wood
  • Patent number: 11671691
    Abstract: Image rotation in an endoscopic laser mapping imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a rotation sensor for detecting an angle of rotation of a lumen relative to a handpiece of an endoscope. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter is a laser mapping pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua D. Talbert, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11666223
    Abstract: An apparatus provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality includes a handle, a pivot and a caliper. A pair of fiber optic lines pass through an interior of the handle, the pivot and the caliper. One of the fiber optic lines is a source line with a connector at an end of the source line and another of the fiber optic lines is a detector line with a connector at an end of the detector line. The source line is single mode in the handle and the detector line is multi mode. A system is also provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality that includes the apparatus. Additionally, a method is provided for detecting tooth pulp vitality that employs the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: University of Maryland, Baltimore, The United States Government as Represented by the Dept of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Cha-Min Tang, Joseph Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11660027
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and devices for Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy using a mobile device. A mobile device (502) includes a light source (504) that emits light toward an interferometer (508) that uses mirrors to separate and recombine the light. The interferometer directs the recombined light toward a person. Light reflected from, or transmitted through, the person is received through a reception port (506) to a photodetector (510) that outputs photodetector data that corresponds to a measured light intensity of the reflected and transmitted light as a function of a path length of the light or a mirror position of the interferometer. Based on the photodetector data, an interferogram is generated. Applying a technique such as a Fourier transform to the interferogram, a spectrum data set of the reflected and transmitted light is generated. Based on the spectrum data set, a concentration of solutes in the person's blood is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Christopher David Workman, Ricky Bomber, Kelly Dobson
  • Patent number: 11640657
    Abstract: A method for measuring distorted illumination patterns and correcting image artifacts in structured illumination microscopy. The method includes the steps of generating an illumination pattern by interfering multiple beams, modulating a scanning speed or an intensity of a scanning laser, or projecting a mask onto an object; taking multiple exposures of the object with the illumination pattern shifting in phase; and applying Fourier transform to the multiple exposures to produce multiple raw images. Thereafter, the multiple raw images are used to form and then solve a linear equation set to obtain multiple portions of a Fourier space image of the object. A circular 2-D low pass filter and a Fourier Transform are then applied to the portions. A pattern distortion phase map is calculated and then corrected by making a coefficient matrix of the linear equation set varying in phase, which is solved in the spatial domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
    Inventor: Leilei Peng
  • Patent number: 11627934
    Abstract: Provided is a non-invasive system and method of determining pennation angle and/or fascicle length based on image processing. An ultrasound scan image is processed to facilitate distinguishing of muscle fiber and tendon. The processed ultrasound scan image is then analyzed. The pennation angle and/or fascicle length is determined based on the analysis. An example method includes receiving an ultrasound scan image of at least a portion of a skin layer as disposed above one or more additional tissue layers, the image provided by a plurality of pixels. The method continues by introducing noise into the pixels of the image and thresholding the pixels of the image to provide a binary image having a plurality of structural elements of different sizes. The method continues with morphing the structural elements of the binary image to remove small structural elements and connect large structural elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MUSCLESOUND, LLC
    Inventors: Pierre Sarnow, Stephen S. Kurtz, Andrew D. Jackson, Wayne Phillips
  • Patent number: 11620751
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically excluding artifacts from an analysis of a biological specimen image are disclosed. An exemplary method includes obtaining an immunohistochemistry (IHC) image and a control image, determining whether the control image includes one or more artifacts, upon a determination that the control image includes one or more artifacts, identifying one or more artifact regions within the IHC image by mapping the one or more artifacts from the control image to the IHC image, and performing image analysis of the IHC image where any identified artifact regions are excluded from the image analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: VENTANA MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Anindya Sarkar
  • Patent number: 11607106
    Abstract: An endoscope (1) with a shaft (2), a grip (3) connected to the shaft (2) at a proximal end region of the shaft (2), and a viewing region (4) formed in a distal end region of the shaft (2) by optical elements. The shaft (2) has at least one proximity sensor (5), of which the measuring region lies at least outside the viewing region (4), preferably in such a way that the measuring region of the proximity sensor (5) covers at least the distance of the lateral region of the distal end region. The endoscope has an evaluation device (6) which is configured to generate a warning signal when a definable distance threshold value is undershot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SCHĂ–LLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH
    Inventor: Ingo Doser
  • Patent number: 11583172
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided comprising an imaging probe and at least one delivery device. The imaging probe comprises an elongate shaft, a rotatable optical core and an optical assembly. The elongate shaft comprises a proximal end, a distal portion, and a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal portion. The rotatable optical core is positioned within the lumen of the elongate shaft and comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The rotatable optical core is configured to optically and mechanically connect with an interface unit. The optical assembly is positioned in the elongate shaft distal portion and proximate the rotatable optical core distal end. The optical assembly is configured to direct light to tissue and collect reflected light from the tissue. The imaging probe is constructed and arranged to collect image data from a patient site. The at least one delivery device is constructed and arranged to slidingly engage the imaging probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Gentuity, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Petroff, Christopher Petersen, David W. Kolstad
  • Patent number: 11576569
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an ophthalmic laser system may be provided that does not include a traditional laser console. Instead, the treatment device may be configured to house the treatment light source within the device handle. Additionally, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may include a user interface, such as dials and buttons, for adjusting various parameters of the therapeutic light. With certain embodiments, the self-contained handheld treatment device may be operated independent of an AC power source. For example, in some embodiments, the handheld treatment device may be battery powered. Additionally, the handheld treatment device may be disposable or may utilize replaceable distal tips in certain embodiments. Certain embodiments may be particularly designed for transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Also, treatment guides are provided that may be configured to couple with a treatment device to align the device with a target tissue of the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: IRIDEX Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Chen, David Buzawa
  • Patent number: 11559188
    Abstract: A system for visualizing a tissue region of interest comprises a deployment catheter defining a lumen and a hood coupled to and extending distally from the deployment catheter. The hood has a low-profile configuration within a delivery sheath and a deployed configuration when extended distally of the delivery sheath. The hood in the deployed configuration defines an open area in fluid communication with the lumen. A distal portion of the deployment catheter extends into the open area. An imaging element is coupled to an imager support member. When in the deployed configuration, the imaging element is configured to extend distally of the distal portion while the imager support member extends within the deployment catheter. The imaging element comprises a tapered surface and the deployment catheter comprises a complementary tapered surface. Retraction of the imaging element causes the imaging element to shift radially outward from a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, Chris A. Rothe, Edmund Tam
  • Patent number: 11530910
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for directed to duplex imaging techniques for combining high-resolution surface images obtained with a Scanning Fiber Endoscope (SFE), and high-resolution penetrating OCT images obtained through Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), from a SFE, and interleaving frames to improve resolution and identify below surface information of biological structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: VERAVANTI INC.
    Inventors: Gerald McMorrow, Jongtae Yuk
  • Patent number: 11513077
    Abstract: A general purpose sensor architecture integrating a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate, a diffractive laser beam delivery substrate and a diffractive infrared detection substrate is provided that can be used to implement a low-cost, compact lab-on-a-chip biosensor that can meet the needs of large-scale infectious disease testing. The sensor architecture can also be used in any other application in which molecules present in the liquid, gaseous or solid phases need to be characterized reliably, cost-effectively and with minimal intervention by highly skilled personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Jonathan David Waldern
  • Patent number: 11503987
    Abstract: A plenoptic endoscope includes a fiber bundle with a distal end configured to receive light from a target imaging region, a sensor end disposed opposite the distal end, and a plurality of fiber optic strands each extending from the distal end to the sensor end. The plenoptic endoscope also includes an image sensor coupled to the sensor end of the fiber bundle, and a plurality of microlenses disposed between the image sensor and the sensor end of the fiber bundle, the plurality of microlens elements forming an array that receives light from one or more of the plurality of fiber optic strands of the fiber bundle and directs the light onto the image sensor. The plurality of microlens elements and the image sensor together form a plenoptic camera configured to capture information about a light field emanating from the target imaging region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Azad Shademan
  • Patent number: 11493692
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser probe assembly coupled to a laser system through an optical fiber cable. In one example, the laser probe assembly comprises a probe tip coupled to the probe body, the probe tip housing multiple fibers. Each of the multiple fibers comprises a proximal end that couples to the laser system and a distal end that terminates in the probe tip, a single core for transporting a laser beam provided by the laser system, and a cladding surrounding the core. The laser probe assembly also comprises a lens for projecting multiple laser beams provided by the multiple fibers on to a surgical site. Within the probe tip, parts of outer surfaces of portions of any two adjacent fibers of the multiple fibers touch. Also, the multiple fibers are at least substantially centered with respect to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chenguang Diao, Mark Harrison Farley, Alireza Mirsepassi, Ronald T. Smith, Timothy C. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11480467
    Abstract: Wearable spectroscopy systems and methods for identifying one or more characteristics of a target object are described. Spectroscopy systems may include a light source configured to emit light in an irradiated field of view and an electromagnetic radiation detector configured to receive reflected light from a target object irradiated by the light source. One or more processors of the systems may identify a characteristic of the target object based on a determined level of light absorption by the target object. Some systems and methods may include one or more corrections for scattered and/or ambient light such as applying an ambient light correction, passing the reflected light through an anti-scatter grid, or using a time-dependent variation in the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
    Inventors: Adrian Kaehler, Christopher M. Harrises, Eric Baerenrodt, Mark Baerenrodt, Nastasja U. Robaina, Nicole Elizabeth Samec, Tammy Sherri Powers, Ivan Li Chuen Yeoh, Adam Carl Wright
  • Patent number: 11482044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a free-beam interferometric method for illuminating a sequence of sectional areas in the interior of the light-scattering object. The method makes it possible for the user to select a larger image field and/or a higher image resolution than previously possible with the occurrence of self-interference of the specimen light from a scattering specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Visotec GmbH
    Inventors: Helge Sudkamp, Hendrik Spahr, Dierck Hillmann, Peter Koch, Gereon Huttmann
  • Patent number: 11460640
    Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided with a distal sampling end, a proximal end, and light delivery and collection paths therethrough. The probe includes a window disposed at the distal sampling end of the fiber optic probe, the window having a distal end and a proximal end. A lens is disposed near the proximal end of the window, the lens having a distal end, a proximal end, and an aperture. A light delivery optical fiber is provided having a distal end and a proximal end, the light rays being directed through the aperture. A collection optical fiber is provided in optical communication with the lens and the window. The probe may include a lens collection filter disposed between the window and the lens and an optical isolator provided within the aperture to optically isolate the light delivery path and the light collection path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Captain JRT LLC
    Inventors: Eric Todd Marple, Kirk David Urmey, John Meckert
  • Patent number: 11445898
    Abstract: An optical module for endoscope includes an optical fiber, an optical element, a first substrate including, on a first principal plane, an insertion hole into which the optical fiber is inserted, the optical element being mounted on a second principal plane of the first substrate, a second substrate, on a third principal plane of which a recessed section in which the optical element is housed is present, and a solder ring that bonds a seal ring of the second principal plane of the first substrate and a guard ring of the third principal plane of the second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate have the same external dimension in an optical axis orthogonal direction, and side surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate are present in the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 11412932
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to instruments and methods that provide one or more stimulations with multiple fibers and multiple imaging implants inserted in a subject for capturing images from one or more regions of the subject's brain. The microendoscope can include a single spatial light modulator or multiple spatial light modulators, a furcated imaging fiber bundle with multiple fibers, multi-implants coupled to a subject for multi-implant patterned brain imaging and stimulation. Both the single spatial light modulator and multiple spatial light modulators are capable to project optical patterns to different imaging fibers and thereby stimulate multiple regions of the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: PHOTONEDGE, INC.
    Inventor: Song Peng
  • Patent number: 11389051
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for medical imaging. The system may comprise an optical adapter. The optical adapter may comprise a housing that comprises (1) a first end configured to releasably couple to a scope and (2) a second end configured to releasably couple to a camera. The optical adapter may comprise an image sensor coupled to the housing. The optical adapter may comprise an optics assembly disposed in the housing. The optics assembly may be configured to (1) receive light signals that are reflected from a target site within a subject's body and transmitted through the scope, and (2) reflect a first portion of the light signals onto the image sensor while permitting a second portion of the light signals to pass through to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Activ Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Tully, John Oberlin, Emanuel DeMaio, Liam O'Shea, Vasiliy Buharin, Thomas Calef
  • Patent number: 11376007
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for connecting a handle assembly with a loading unit is provided. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an elongate body extending from the housing, and a trocar assembly supported within the elongate body and including a trocar member. The trocar member extends from the elongate body and is magnetized. Also provided are various assemblies for protecting the distal end of a surgical stapler during introduction of the surgical stapler within a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: David Racenet, Russell Pribanic, Stanislaw Marczyk
  • Patent number: 11360296
    Abstract: An imaging system is described for measuring the position or movement of a particle having a size of less than about 20 microns. The system comprises an optional sample holder configured to hold a sample with a particle, an optional illumination source configured to illuminate the sample, a lens having a magnification ratio from about 1:5 to about 5:1 and configured to generate the image of the sample, an image sensor having a pixel size of up to about 20 microns and configured to sense the image of the sample, and an image processor operatively connected to the image sensor to process the image of the particle in order to determine the position or movement of the particle. The dimension of the image of each particle is at least about 1.5 times the dimension of the particle multiplied by the magnification ratio of the lens, and the image of each particle is distributed on at least two pixels of the sensor. The imaged area of the sample is at least about one millimeter squared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Scanogen Inc
    Inventors: Zhiguang Xu, Alfredo Andres Celedon
  • Patent number: 11330969
    Abstract: An optical endoluminal far-field microscopic imaging catheter comprises a light generating system, a first light delivery conduit for propagating light generated by the light generating system and a light distributor configured to redirect light propagated by the delivery conduit into a direction of an object to be imaged. A discriminator is configured for capturing light reflected from the object incident on a window of the discriminator from a particular direction and transmitting only the light captured from the particular direction to a second light delivery conduit. A drive mechanism is configured to sweep the window through a plurality of directions in a predictable pattern for matching each light capture event in the window with a direction of the window during the event. An analyzer matches the direction of the window with an associated light capture event and generate a visible image based on a mosaic of the captured light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Jaywant Philip Parmar
  • Patent number: 11324387
    Abstract: Medical borescopes and related methods. In some embodiments, a medical borescope may comprise a handle and a tube extending from the handle. The tube may be partially, or wholly, defined by an at least substantially non-conductive material, such as a suitable plastic, ceramic, or other non-metallic material. The borescope may further comprise a tip assembly positioned at a distal end of the tube, which may comprise an image sensor configured to take images through the distal end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Xenocor, Inc.
    Inventors: John Langell, Lane Brooks
  • Patent number: 11317890
    Abstract: A catheter is disclosed with a priming hole for exhaust at a distal portion of the catheter, the priming hole being used when filling with a priming solution is performed, and movably and rotatably accommodates an imaging core. The catheter includes a first connector that is provided at a rear end portion of the catheter and is supported by a fixed connector portion of a motor drive unit included in an imaging apparatus for diagnosis and a second connector that is supported by a movable connector portion of the motor drive unit. The catheter includes a reservoir, which is provided in the first connector and has a volume which decreases depending on a pull-out length of the second connector from the first connector, and a supply route, through which a priming solution injected from a priming injection port is supplied to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuuki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 11307407
    Abstract: A two-dimensional optical scanning mirror device, a manufacturing method for the same, a two-dimensional optical scanning device and an image projector. A two-dimensional optical scanning mirror device includes a substrate, a movable mirror portion supported on the substrate in such a manner that two-dimension optical scanning is possible, a hard magnetic thin film provided in the movable mirror portion and a magnetic field generator that includes at least an alternating magnetic field generator for driving the movable mirror portion, where the hard magnetic thin film has a magnetization direction in a direction of a film plane, and the ratio of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator relative to the coercive force of the hard magnetic thin film is 0.2 or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION UNIVERSITY OF FUKUI
    Inventors: Toshio Katsuyama, Ryoya Ishigami
  • Patent number: 11304669
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to extract a characteristic site in a lumen that may be a constraint during insertion of a surgical device, from medical image data used for determining a path through which the surgical device is to be inserted. On the basis of the characteristic site, the processing circuitry is configured to determine a tip end direction defined in accordance with a curved shape of a tip end part of the surgical device, in each of a plurality of positions on the path. The processing circuitry is configured to output path information including the tip end direction in each of the positions on the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiko Nishioka
  • Patent number: 11259799
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Shane R. Adams, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Richard L. Leimbach, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
  • Patent number: 11253209
    Abstract: An analyzer (124) includes a quantifier (204) configured to quantify an amount of contrast material representing scar tissue created by ablation for tissue of interest in contrast enhanced imaging data and a recommender (210) configured to generate a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold. A method includes obtaining contrast enhanced image data indicative of scar tissue created by ablation of tissue of interest, quantifying an amount of contrast material for the scar tissue in the tissue of interest, and generating a signal indicative of a recommendation to further ablate the tissue of interest in response to the quantified amount of the contrast material not satisfying a pre-determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Manzke, Roland Proksa, Anne Morawski Neubauer, Carsten Oliver Schirra
  • Patent number: 11246476
    Abstract: A system is provided for identifying the sufficiency of lesions formed during a tissue ablation procedure. The system and method include administering an ICG composition to the patient and forming one or more lesions at a surgical site. The method further includes applying energy of a type and in an amount sufficient to cause ICG in the patient to fluoresce. An image of the tissue and lesion at the surgical site is obtained while the ICG fluoresces. The lesion is distinguished from surrounding de novo tissue based on areas of fluorescence to allow a user to evaluate the quality of the lesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CARDIOFOCUS, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald Melsky
  • Patent number: 11251005
    Abstract: An on/off switching circuit includes an on/off switch switchable between an on state and an off state, an light emitting diode (LED) driver to power one or more LEDs to illuminate an area of interest, a switch control unit to transition the on/off switch between the on and off states, the switch control unit including a light sensing circuit comprising at least one LED of the LEDs as a light sensor, and a bi-directional gate circuit. When the on/off switch is in the off state the bi-directional gate is in a first conducting state in which the bi-directional gate circuit connects the light sensor to the light sensing circuit, and when the on/off switch is in the on state the bi-directional gate is in a second conducting state in which the bi-directional gate connects the LED driver to the one or more LEDs including the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GIVEN IMAGING LTD.
    Inventor: Arkadiy Morgenshtein
  • Patent number: 11234600
    Abstract: This invention is regarding a set of stand-alone or combined-use surgical tools and associated systems and methods for performing surgical procedures such as identifying hidden tissue anatomy and dissecting the periphery tissues. In particular, this invention describes tools and the associated systems and methods for visualizing hidden important structures such as arteries, veins, ureters, bile duct, bowel, nodules, tumors, and performing tissue cutting using energy-based instrument. The tools are to be operated stand-alone or by attaching to existing instruments used for minimally invasive surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Daqing Piao