Edward D Light

US Patent:

6530888, Mar 11, 2003

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/916380

Inventors:

Stephen W. Smith - Durham NC
Edward D. Light - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 812

US Classification:

600463, 128916

Abstract:

A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus is configured to be placed inside a body. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having proximal and distal ends with an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array is positioned to emit and receive ultrasonic energy for volumetric forward scanning from the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array includes a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements. At least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites, thereby defining an interstitial site. A tool is positioned at the interstitial site. In particular, the tool can be a fiber optic lead, a suction tool, a guide wire, an electrophysiological electrode, or an ablation electrode. Related systems are also discussed.

US Patent:

6572551, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Apr 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/546721

Inventors:

Stephen W. Smith - Durham NC
Edward D. Light - Durham NC
Jason O. Fiering - Durham NC

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600459

Abstract:

A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus is configured to be placed inside a body. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having proximal and distal ends with an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array is positioned to emit and receive ultrasonic energy for volumetric forward scanning from the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array includes a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements. At least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites, thereby defining an interstitial site. A tool is positioned at the interstitial site. In particular, the tool can be a fiber optic lead, a suction tool, a guide wire, an electrophysiological electrode, or an ablation electrode. Related systems are also discussed.

US Patent:

6641534, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Jan 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057803

Inventors:

Stephen W. Smith - Durham NC
Edward D. Light - Durham NC
Eric Christopher Pua - Guntersville AL
Jesse T. Yen - Houston TX

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600437, 600454

Abstract:

Methods of scanning using a two dimensional (2D) ultrasound transducer array are disclosed. The 2D ultrasound transducer arrays include at least one row of ultrasound transducer elements that is configured to extend in a curved dimension of the array and at least one column of ultrasound transducer elements that is configured to extend in a linear dimension of the array. A 2D ultrasound transducer array can be used to scan by defining a sub-aperture of the 2D ultrasound transducer array that includes a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements in the curved dimension of the array and in the linear dimension of the array and exciting the ultrasound transducer elements included in the sub-aperture to generate a transmit/receive ultrasound beam. Related 2D ultrasound transducer arrays and elements are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20050113693, May 26, 2005

Filed:

Oct 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/958046

Inventors:

Stephen Smith - Durham NC, US
Warren Lee - Clifton Park NY, US
J. Angle - Charlottesville VA, US
Edward Light - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

A61B008/00
A61B017/00

US Classification:

600439000, 600459000

Abstract:

A kit for use in ultrasound imaging can include a deployment device configured for partial insertion in vivo, a 3-D imaging catheter, moveably coupled to the deployment device including a 2D ultrasound transducer phased array mounted thereon and configured to provide 3-D images, and a deployable tool coupled to the 3-D imaging catheter and configured to move in vivo in response to guidance thereof via the deployment device using the 3-D images.

US Patent:

20090287223, Nov 19, 2009

Filed:

Jul 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/307628

Inventors:

Eric Pua - Durham NC, US
Edward D. Light - Durham NC, US
Daniel Von Allmen - Chapel Hill NC, US
Stephen W. Smith - Durham NC, US

International Classification:

A61B 19/00
A61B 8/00
A61B 5/05

US Classification:

606130, 600443, 600426

Abstract:

Laparoscopic ultrasound has seen increased use as a surgical aide in general, gynecological, and urological procedures. The application of real-time three-dimensional (RT3D) ultrasound to these laparoscopic procedures may increase information available to the surgeon and serve as an additional intraoperative guidance tool. The integration of RT3D with recent advances in robotic surgery can also increase automation and ease of use. In one non-limiting exemplary implementation, a 1 cm diameter probe for RT3D has been used laparoscopically for in vivo imaging of a canine. The probe, which operates at 5 MHz, was used to image the spleen, liver, and gall bladder as well as to guide surgical instruments. Furthermore, the 3D measurement system of the volumetric scanner used with this probe was tested as a guidance mechanism for a robotic linear motion system in order to simulate the feasibility of RT3D/robotic surgery integration. Using images acquired with the 3D laparoscopic ultrasound device, coordinates were acquired by the scanner and used to direct a robotically controlled needle towards desired in vitro targets as well as targets in a post-mortem canine. The RMS error for these measurements was 1.34 mm using optical alignment and 0.76 mm using ultrasound alignment.

US Patent:

60660961, May 23, 2000

Filed:

May 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/074907

Inventors:

Stephen W. Smith - Durham NC
Edward D. Light - Durham NC
Jason O. Fiering - Durham NC
David M. Blaker - Hillsborough NC
Thomas A. Hruschka - Ada OH

Assignee:

Duke University - Durham NC

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600439

Abstract:

A real time three dimensional ultrasound imaging probe apparatus is configured to be placed inside a body. The apparatus comprises an elongated body having proximal and distal ends with an ultrasonic transducer phased array connected to and positioned on the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array is positioned to emit and receive ultrasonic energy for volumetric forward scanning from the distal end of the elongated body. The ultrasonic transducer phased array includes a plurality of sites occupied by ultrasonic transducer elements. At least one ultrasonic transducer element is absent from at least one of the sites, thereby defining an interstitial site. A tool is positioned at the interstitial site. In particular, the tool can be a fiber optic lead, a suction tool, a guide wire, an electrophysiological electrode, or an ablation electrode.