Luis R Ponce

US Patent:

6524246, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Oct 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/687128

Inventors:

Kevin M. Kelly - Venice CA
Roger Royce - Venice CA
Richard J. Peterson - Long Beach CA
Christopher Mark Underbrink - Pasadena CA
Luis E. Ponce - Arcadia CA
Matthew Warren Smith - Tulsa OK
Donald C. Goss - Playa del Rey CA

Assignee:

Sonocine, Inc. - Venice CA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600437, 600438

Abstract:

Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images, of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions. The system can be used for virtually any tissue, but can also be optimized for breast cancer screening. A pad of different density may be placed over the nipple to provide a reference point that is visible in the scan images.

US Patent:

6808495, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Dec 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/328221

Inventors:

Kevin M. Kelly - Venice CA
Roger Royce - Venice CA
Richard J. Peterson - Long Beach CA
Christopher Mark Underbrink - Pasadena CA
Luis E. Ponce - Arcadia CA
Matthew Warren Smith - Tulsa OK
Donald C. Goss - Playa del Rey CA

Assignee:

Sonocine, Inc. - Venice CA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600443

Abstract:

A method for screening cellular tissue. An ultrasound probe is moved across the cellular tissue to generate sequentially adjacent, closely spaced images. The linear position and the angular orientation of the ultrasound probe is monitored and dynamically controlled as it is moved across the cellular tissue. The images and position and orientation data are collected with an ultrasound scanning device which is associated with the ultrasound probe. The images and position and orientation data are thereafter recorded.

US Patent:

6932768, Aug 23, 2005

Filed:

Mar 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/394426

Inventors:

Kevin M. Kelly - Venice CA, US
Roger Royce - Venice CA, US
Richard J. Peterson - Redondo Beach CA, US
Luis E. Ponce - Huntington Park CA, US
Christopher M. Underbrink - Altadena CA, US
Matthew W. Smith - Tulsa OK, US
Donald C. Goss - Playa del Rey CA, US

Assignee:

Sonocine, Inc. - Venice CA

International Classification:

A61B008/14

US Classification:

600437, 600459

Abstract:

A system for screening cellular tissue, in particular breast tissue. The system comprises an ultrasound probe that is capable of generating image data representing images of cellular tissue, one or more sensors to determine the probe's location, an image viewer, a pad, which is ultrasonically conductive and placed over the patient's nipple, and a fabric covering is placed over the breast tissue to be scanned. The pad has different ultrasonic characteristics than the cellular tissue to be scanned. The fabric covering includes an ultrasonic coupling agent and is used to hold the breast tissue in place. The fabric of the covering and the coupling agent transmit ultrasonic energy with minimal interference. The ultrasound probe is scanned over the tissue, and the one or more sensors are employed to determine the probe's location. The images representing the scanned tissue are displayed by a viewer which is capable of providing a rapid sequential display of the images.

US Patent:

20070073149, Mar 29, 2007

Filed:

Nov 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/556656

Inventors:

Kevin Kelly - Venice CA, US
Roger Royce - Venice CA, US
Richard Peterson - Long Beach CA, US
Christopher Underbrink - Pasadena CA, US
Luis Ponce - Arcadia CA, US
Matthew Smith - Tulsa OK, US
Donald Goss - Playa del Rey CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 8/00

US Classification:

600437000

Abstract:

A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

US Patent:

20150099974, Apr 9, 2015

Filed:

Dec 15, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/570023

Inventors:

- Venice CA, US
Roger Royce - Venice CA, US
Richard J. Peterson - Long Beach CA, US
Christopher Mark Underbrink - Pasadena CA, US
Luis E. Ponce - Arcadia CA, US
Matthew Warren Smith - Tulsa OK, US
Donald C. Goss - Playa del Rey CA, US

International Classification:

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

US Classification:

600440

Abstract:

A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.