Stephen T Carter

US Patent:

6425867, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Sep 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/397471

Inventors:

Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA
Roy W. Martin - Redmond WA
Stephen J. Carter - La Conner WA
George W. Keilman - Woodinville WA
Victor Y. Fujimoto - Seattle WA
Lawrence A. Crum - Bellevue WA

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600439, 601 3

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for the simultaneous use of ultrasound on a probe for imaging and therapeutic purposes. The probe limits the effects of undesirable interference noise in a display by synchronizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves with an imaging transducer to cause the noise to be displayed in an area of the image that does not overlap the treatment site. In one embodiment, the HIFU is first energized at a low power level that does not cause tissue damage, so that the focal point of the HIFU can be identified by a change in the echogenicity of the tissue caused by the HIFU. Once the focal point is properly targeted on a desired treatment site, the power level is increased to a therapeutic level. The location of each treatment site is stored and displayed to the user to enable a plurality of spaced-apart treatment sites to be achieved. As the treatment progresses, any changes in the treatment site can be seen in the real time, noise-free image.

US Patent:

6432067, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/390032

Inventors:

Roy W. Martin - Seattle WA
Lawrence A. Crum - Seattle WA
Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA
Stephen J. Carter - Seattle WA
W. Scott Helton - Seattle WA
Michael Gaps - Seattle WA
Peter J. Kaczkowski - Seattle WA
Andrew Proctor - Seattle WA
George Keilman - Woodinville WA

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seatlle WA
Sonic Concepts, Inc. - Woodinville WA

International Classification:

A61N 700

US Classification:

601 2, 601 3

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound (âHIFUâ) is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as âpresurgical volume cauterization. â In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

US Patent:

6716184, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Jun 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/166795

Inventors:

Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA
Roy W. Martin - Redmond WA
Stephen J. Carter - La Conner WA
George W. Keilman - Woodinville WA
Victor Y. Fujimoto - Seattle WA
Lawrence A. Crum - Bellevue WA

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

A61N 700

US Classification:

601 3, 600439, 600459

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for the simultaneous use of ultrasound on a probe for imaging and therapeutic purposes. The probe limits the effects of undesirable interference noise in a display by synchronizing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves with an imaging transducer to cause the noise to be displayed in an area of the image that does not overlap the treatment site. In one embodiment, the HIFU is first energized at a low power level that does not cause tissue damage, so that the focal point of the HIFU can be identified by a change in the echogenicity of the tissue caused by the HIFU. Once the focal point is properly targeted on a desired treatment site, the power level is increased to a therapeutic level. The location of each treatment site is stored and displayed to the user to enable a plurality of spaced-apart treatment sites to be achieved. As the treatment progresses, any changes in the treatment site can be seen in the real time, noise-free image.

US Patent:

7686763, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Feb 2, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/770350

Inventors:

Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA, US
Roy W. Martin - Anacortes WA, US
Stephen J. Carter - La Conner WA, US
Lawrence A. Crum - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

A61B 8/00
A61N 7/00

US Classification:

600439, 601 2, 600458

Abstract:

Ultrasound contrast agents are used to enhance imaging and facilitate HIFU therapy in four different ways. A contrast agent is used: (1) before therapy to locate specific vascular structures for treatment; (2) to determine the focal point of a HIFU therapy transducer while the HIFU therapy transducer is operated at a relatively low power level, so that non-target tissue is not damaged as the HIFU is transducer is properly focused at the target location; (3) to provide a positive feedback mechanism by causing cavitation that generates heat, reducing the level of HIFU energy administered for therapy compared to that required when a contrast agent is not used; and, (4) to shield non-target tissue from damage, by blocking the HIFU energy. Various combinations of these techniques can also be employed in a single therapeutic implementation.

US Patent:

63157411, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/390506

Inventors:

Roy W. Martin - Seattle WA
Lawrence A. Crum - Seattle WA
Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA
Stephen J. Carter - Seattle WA
W. Scott Helton - Seattle WA
Michael Gaps - Seattle WA
Peter J. Kaczkowski - Seattle WA
Andrew Proctor - Seattle WA
George Keilman - Woodinville WA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

601 3

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound ("HIFU") is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as "presurgical volume cauterization. " In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

US Patent:

6007499, Dec 28, 1999

Filed:

Oct 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/961972

Inventors:

Roy W. Martin - Seattle WA
Lawrence A. Crum - Seattle WA
Shahram Vaezy - Seattle WA
Stephen J. Carter - La Conner WA
W. Scott Helton - Kirkland WA
Michael Gaps - Seattle WA
Peter J. Kaczkowski - Seattle WA
Andrew Proctor - Duvall WA
George Keilman - Woodinville WA

Assignee:

University of Washington - Seattle WA

International Classification:

A61B 1722

US Classification:

601 3

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for enabling substantially bloodless surgery and for stemming hemorrhaging. High intensity focused ultrasound ("HIFU") is used to form cauterized tissue regions prior to surgical incision, for example, forming a cauterized tissue shell around a tumor to be removed. The procedure is referred to as "presurgical volume cauterization. " In one embodiment, the method is particularly effective for use in surgical lesion removal or resection of tissue having a highly vascularized constitution, such as the liver or spleen, and thus a propensity for hemorrhaging. In further embodiments, methods and apparatus for hemostasis using HIFU is useful in both surgical, presurgical, and medical emergency situations. In an apparatus embodiment, a telescoping, acoustic coupler is provided such that depth of focus of the HIFU energy is controllable. In other embodiments, apparatus characterized by portability are demonstrated, useful for emergency medical situations.

US Patent:

20200126562, Apr 23, 2020

Filed:

Nov 14, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/683673

Inventors:

- Burlington MA, US
Daniela BRAGA - Bellevue WA, US
Ahmad Khamis ELSHENAWY - Lynnwood WA, US
Stephen Steele CARTER - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

CERENCE OPERATING COMPANY - Burlington MA

International Classification:

G10L 15/30
G10L 15/01
G06Q 50/00
G06Q 30/02
G06F 40/226
G06F 40/40

Abstract:

Systems and methods of validating transcriptions of natural language content using crowdsourced validation jobs are provided herein. In various implementations, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text corresponding to a transcription of the natural language content may be gathered. A group of validation devices may be selected for reviewing the transcription pair. A crowdsourced validation job may be created for the group of validation devices. The crowdsourced validation job may be provided to the group of validation devices. One or more votes representing whether or not the text accurately represents the natural language content may be received from the group of validation devices. Based on the one or more votes received, the transcription pair may be stored in a validated transcription library, which may be used to process end-user voice data.

US Patent:

20180277118, Sep 27, 2018

Filed:

Mar 19, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/924863

Inventors:

- Bellevue WA, US
Daniela BRAGA - Bellevue WA, US
Ahmad Khamis ELSHENAWY - Lynnwood WA, US
Stephen Steele CARTER - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

VOICEBOX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION - Bellevue WA

International Classification:

G10L 15/30
G10L 15/01
G06F 17/28
G06F 17/27
G06Q 50/00
G06Q 30/02

Abstract:

Systems and methods of validating transcriptions of natural language content using crowdsourced validation jobs are provided herein. In various implementations, a transcription pair comprising natural language content and text corresponding to a transcription of the natural language content may be gathered. A group of validation devices may be selected for reviewing the transcription pair. A crowdsourced validation job may be created for the group of validation devices. The crowdsourced validation job may be provided to the group of validation devices. One or more votes representing whether or not the text accurately represents the natural language content may be received from the group of validation devices. Based on the one or more votes received, the transcription pair may be stored in a validated transcription library, which may be used to process end-user voice data.