Kenneth E Brewer

US Patent:

20100262013, Oct 14, 2010

Filed:

Apr 14, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/760375

Inventors:

David M. Smith - Lodi CA, US
Sharon L. Adam - San Jose CA, US
Donald F. Specht - Los Altos CA, US
John P. Lunsford - Los Altos Hills CA, US
Kenneth D. Brewer - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600459

Abstract:

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures. Construction of probes can vary by medical application. That is, a general radiology probe can contain multiple transducers that maintain separate physical points of contact with the patient's skin, allowing multiple physical apertures. A cardiac probe may contain only two transmitters and receivers where the probe fits simultaneously between two or more intracostal spaces. An intracavity version of the probe can space transmit and receive transducers along the length of the wand, while an intravenous version can allow transducers to be located on the distal length the catheter and separated by mere millimeters. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

US Patent:

20120095343, Apr 19, 2012

Filed:

Oct 12, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/272105

Inventors:

David M. Smith - Lodi CA, US
Donald F. Specht - Los Altos CA, US
Linda V. Cabrera - Cypress CA, US
Kenneth D. Brewer - Santa Clara CA, US
David J. Specht - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600447

Abstract:

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e. concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.

US Patent:

20160157833, Jun 9, 2016

Filed:

Feb 16, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/044932

Inventors:

David M. SMITH - Lodi CA, US
Sharon L. ADAM - San Jose CA, US
Donald F. SPECHT - Los Altos CA, US
Kenneth D. BREWER - Santa Clara CA, US
John P. LUNSFORD - San Carlos CA, US
David J. SPECHT - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/00

Abstract:

A method of calibrating an ultrasound probe includes mounting an ultrasound probe onto a calibration system, transmitting an ultrasound test signal from an element of the probe through a test medium of the calibration system, and receiving the test signal on a matrix of hydrophones such that an element's position relative to other elements and other arrays within the same probe can be computed. Further, the system described herein is configured to detect the acoustic performance of elements of a probe and report the results to an end user or service provider.

US Patent:

20160095579, Apr 7, 2016

Filed:

Dec 10, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/965704

Inventors:

David M. SMITH - Lodi CA, US
Donald F. SPECHT - Los Altos CA, US
Linda V. CABRERA - Cypress CA, US
Kenneth D. BREWER - Santa Clara CA, US
David J. SPECHT - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/00
A61B 8/14
A61B 8/08

Abstract:

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.

US Patent:

20150157294, Jun 11, 2015

Filed:

Jan 12, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/595083

Inventors:

David M. SMITH - Lodi CA, US
Donald F. SPECHT - Los Altos CA, US
Linda V. CABRERA - Cypress CA, US
Kenneth D. BREWER - Santa Clara CA, US
David J. SPECHT - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/00
A61B 8/08
G01S 15/89
A61B 8/14

Abstract:

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e., concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.

US Patent:

20150045668, Feb 12, 2015

Filed:

Oct 28, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/526186

Inventors:

David M. SMITH - Lodi CA, US
Sharon L. ADAM - San Jose CA, US
Donald F. SPECHT - Los Altos CA, US
John P. LUNSFORD - San Carlos CA, US
Kenneth D. BREWER - Santa Clara CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/00
A61B 8/14

US Classification:

600447

Abstract:

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate physical apertures. Construction of probes can vary by medical application. That is, a general radiology probe can contain multiple transducers that maintain separate physical points of contact with the patient's skin, allowing multiple physical apertures. A cardiac probe may contain only two transmitters and receivers where the probe fits simultaneously between two or more intracostal spaces. An intracavity version of the probe can space transmit and receive transducers along the length of the wand, while an intravenous version can allow transducers to be located on the distal length the catheter and separated by mere millimeters. Algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the probe apparatus to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.