公开(公告)号：US07125383B2

公开(公告)日：2006-10-24

申请号：US10749181

申请日：2003-12-30

申请人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius ,  Aaron Mark Dentinger ,  Jeremy William McCarter

发明人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius ,  Aaron Mark Dentinger ,  Jeremy William McCarter

IPC分类号： A61B8/00 ,  A61B5/02

CPC分类号： A61B8/04 ,  A61B8/4236

摘要： Ultrasound is used to provide input data for a blood pressure estimation scheme. The use of transcutaneous ultrasound provides arterial lumen area and pulse wave velocity information. In addition, ultrasound measurements are taken in such a way that all the data describes a single, uniform arterial segment. Therefore a computed area relates only to the arterial blood volume present. Also, the measured pulse wave velocity is directly related to the mechanical properties of the segment of elastic tube (artery) for which the blood volume is being measured. In a patient monitoring application, the operator of the ultrasound device is eliminated through the use of software that automatically locates the artery in the ultrasound data, e.g., using known edge detection techniques. Autonomous operation of the ultrasound system allows it to report blood pressure and blood flow traces to the clinical users without those users having to interpret an ultrasound image or operate an ultrasound imaging device.

摘要翻译： 超声波用于提供血压估计方案的输入数据。 使用经皮超声提供动脉管腔面积和脉搏波速度信息。 另外，以这样的方式进行超声测量，使得所有数据描述单个均匀的动脉段。 因此，计算区域仅与存在的动脉血容量相关。 此外，测量的脉搏波速度与测量血容量的弹性管（动脉）的段的机械性质直接相关。 在患者监视应用中，例如使用已知的边缘检测技术，通过使用自动将动脉定位在超声数据中的软件来消除超声装置的操作者。 超声系统的自主操作允许它向临床用户报告血压和血流迹线，而不需要用户解释超声图像或操作超声成像装置。

公开(公告)号：US07470232B2

公开(公告)日：2008-12-30

申请号：US10838799

申请日：2004-05-04

申请人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius

发明人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： A61B8/0866 ,  A61B8/02 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/4236 ,  A61B8/4483 ,  A61B8/488 ,  B06B1/0292

摘要： A continuous, non-invasive fetal heart rate measurement is produced using one or more ultrasonic transducer array patches that are adhered or attached to the mother. Each ultrasound transducer array is operated in an autonomous mode by a digital signal processor to obtain data from which fetal heart rate information can be derived. Each ultrasonic transducer array patch comprises a multiplicity of subelements that are switchably reconfigurable to form elements having different shapes, e.g., annular rings. Each subelement comprises a plurality of interconnected cMUT cells that are not switchably disconnectable. The use of cMUT patches will provide the ability to interrogate a three-dimensional space electronically (i.e. without mechanical beam steering) with ultrasound, using a transducer device that is thin and lightweight enough to stick to the patient's skin like an EKG electrode. The ultrasound device can track the fetal heart in three-dimensional space as it moves due to the mother's motion or the motion of the unborn child within the womb.

摘要翻译： 使用粘附或附着到母亲的一个或多个超声换能器阵列贴片产生连续的非侵入性胎儿心率测量。 每个超声换能器阵列通过数字信号处理器在自主模式下操作以获得可以从其导出胎儿心率信息的数据。 每个超声波换能器阵列贴片包括多个子元件，其可切换地可重构以形成具有不同形状的元件，例如环形环。 每个子元件包括不可切换地断开的多个互连的cMUT单元。 使用cMUT贴片将提供以超声波电子方式询问三维空间的能力（即，不使用机械光束转向），该传感器装置足够薄且足够轻以抵抗患者的皮肤，如EKG电极。 超声波装置可以在三维空间跟踪胎儿的心脏，因为母亲的运动或未出生子女在子宫内的运动。

公开(公告)号：US20080208057A1

公开(公告)日：2008-08-28

申请号：US12110901

申请日：2008-04-28

申请人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius

发明人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Kai E. Thomenius

IPC分类号： A61B8/02

CPC分类号： A61B8/0866 ,  A61B8/02 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/4236 ,  A61B8/4483 ,  A61B8/488 ,  B06B1/0292

摘要： A continuous, non-invasive fetal heart rate measurement is produced using one or more ultrasonic transducer array patches that are adhered or attached to the mother. Each ultrasound transducer array is operated in an autonomous mode by a digital signal processor to obtain data from which fetal heart rate information can be derived. Each ultrasonic transducer array patch comprises a multiplicity of subelements that are switchably reconfigurable to form elements having different shapes, e.g., annular rings. Each subelement comprises a plurality of interconnected cMUT cells that are not switchably disconnectable. The use of cMUT patches will provide the ability to interrogate a three-dimensional space electronically (i.e. without mechanical beam steering) with ultrasound, using a transducer device that is thin and lightweight enough to stick to the patient's skin like an EKG electrode. The ultrasound device can track the fetal heart in three-dimensional space as it moves due to the mother's motion or the motion of the unborn child within the womb.

摘要翻译： 使用粘附或附着到母亲的一个或多个超声换能器阵列贴片产生连续的非侵入性胎儿心率测量。 每个超声换能器阵列通过数字信号处理器在自主模式下操作以获得可以从其导出胎儿心率信息的数据。 每个超声波换能器阵列贴片包括多个子元件，其可切换地可重构以形成具有不同形状的元件，例如环形环。 每个子元件包括不可切换地断开的多个互连的cMUT单元。 使用cMUT贴片将提供以超声波电子方式询问三维空间的能力（即，不使用机械光束转向），该传感器装置足够薄且足够轻以抵抗患者的皮肤，如EKG电极。 超声波装置可以在三维空间跟踪胎儿的心脏，因为母亲的运动或未出生子女在子宫内的运动。

公开(公告)号：US07751785B2

公开(公告)日：2010-07-06

申请号：US11736815

申请日：2007-04-18

申请人： Karina P. Carvalho ,  Neal J. Seidl ,  Matthew G. Grubis ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  James Hurley ,  Russell A. Rymut

发明人： Karina P. Carvalho ,  Neal J. Seidl ,  Matthew G. Grubis ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  James Hurley ,  Russell A. Rymut

IPC分类号： H04B17/00

CPC分类号： H04B7/0811

摘要： A system and method for wireless communication. The system can include a transmitter that transmits a data signal having a time period without data transmission. The system can also include a receiver including a first antenna, a second antenna, a switch that activates one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and a processor that estimates a first signal-to-noise ratio for the first antenna and a second signal-to-noise ratio for the second antenna during the time period without data transmission. The processor can control the switch to select one of the first antenna and the second antenna based on a comparison between the first signal-to-noise ratio and the second signal-to-noise ratio.

摘要翻译： 一种用于无线通信的系统和方法。 该系统可以包括发射具有时间段而不进行数据传输的数据信号的发射机。 该系统还可以包括接收机，其包括第一天线，第二天线，激活第一天线和第二天线中的一个的开关，以及估计第一天线的第一信噪比的处理器，以及第二天线 在没有数据传输的时间段内第二天线的信噪比。 基于第一信噪比和第二信噪比之间的比较，处理器可以控制开关来选择第一天线和第二天线中的一个。

公开(公告)号：US06970097B2

公开(公告)日：2005-11-29

申请号：US09681621

申请日：2001-05-10

申请人： Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II ,  John E. Hershey ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  David M. Davenport

发明人： Kenneth Brakeley Welles, II ,  John E. Hershey ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  David M. Davenport

IPC分类号： G01S1/72 ,  G01S5/30 ,  G08B3/10 ,  G08B13/24 ,  G08B5/22

CPC分类号： G01S5/30 ,  G01S1/725 ,  G08B3/1083 ,  G08B13/2417 ,  G08B13/2462 ,  G08B13/2488

摘要： A location system and method for determining the location of a tagged item in a facility. In one embodiment, the location system includes a plurality of room transmitters designed to be located throughout the facility. Each room transmitter has a unique signature. The system also includes at least one item or location tag affixed or otherwise associated with an item. Each tag is operable to send a signal having information related to the signature of a room transmitter within the reception range of the tag and information related to the identity of the tag. Signals from the tags are received by one or more locating receivers. Each locating receiver is operable to determine the identity of an item tag and the likely location of the item tag within the facility based upon the signal from that tag. The invention also provides a method of locating an item in a facility. In one embodiment, the method includes positioning room transmitters in multiple areas within a facility; configuring each room transmitter to generate a unique signature; fitting items with a tag; configuring each tag to generate a signal having a location portion and a signature portion; positioning a locating receiver within the facility; and determining the likely location and identity of that tag based on the tag's signal.

摘要翻译： 一种用于确定设施中标记物品的位置的位置系统和方法。 在一个实施例中，定位系统包括设计成位于整个设施中的多个房间发射器。 每间房间的变送器都有独特的标志。 系统还包括至少一个项目或位置标签，或者以其他方式与项目相关联。 每个标签可操作以在标签的接收范围内发送具有与房间发送器的签名有关的信息的信号以及与标签的身份有关的信息。 来自标签的信号由一个或多个定位接收器接收。 每个定位接收器可操作以基于来自该标签的信号来确定项目标签的身份以及项目标签在设施内的可能位置。 本发明还提供了一种在设施中定位物品的方法。 在一个实施例中，该方法包括将房间发射器定位在设施内的多个区域中; 配置每个房间发送器以生成唯一签名; 配有标签的物品; 配置每个标签以产生具有位置部分和签名部分的信号; 将定位接收器定位在设施内; 以及基于标签的信号确定该标签的可能位置和身份。

公开(公告)号：US5278757A

公开(公告)日：1994-01-11

申请号：US792789

申请日：1991-11-15

申请人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Saleem A. Kassam

发明人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Saleem A. Kassam

IPC分类号： G01S15/89 ,  G06F15/00 ,  G01N29/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8997 ,  G01S15/8918

摘要： A synthetic aperture ultrasonic imaging system for imaging a target with a resolution limited by a designated aperture. A phased array of nonuniformly spaced ultrasound transducers having an average inter-transducer spacing which is greater than a .lambda./2 Nyquist spacing for the transducers is used for imaging in a manner so as to either obtain a desired point spread function which is unattainable by a single image taken by the nonuniformly spaced transducers or to provide coarray equivalence to a phased array of transducers which are uniformly spaced at the .lambda./2 Nyquist spacing for the designated aperture. Coarray equivalence makes possible the technique of applying amplitude weightings to each of the nonuniformly spaced ultrasound transducers during transmit and receive modes and by forming a number of component images which when added together form a sum image substantially equivalent to a single image formed by a scan beam of the uniformly spaced transducers with the designated aperture. The complex values of the resulting component images are then added on a point by point basis, preserving phase, such that a point spread function of the sum image is substantially equivalent to the desired point spread function of the single image formed by the uniformly spaced transducers with the designated apeSTATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTERESTThis invention was made with government support under contract N00014-89-J-1538 awarded by the Department of the Navy. The government has certain rights in the invention.

摘要翻译： 一种合成孔径超声成像系统，用于以由指定孔径限制的分辨率对靶进行成像。 使用具有大于换能器的（λ/ 2奈奎斯特）间隔的平均换能器间隔的非均匀间隔的超声换能器的相控阵列用于以获得期望的点扩散函数的方式进行成像，其不可达 通过由不均匀间隔的换能器拍摄的单个图像或者提供与相对阵列的换能器相同的阵列，该相位阵列以指定孔径的（λ）/ 2奈奎斯特间距均匀间隔开。 coarray等效使得可能的技术是在发射和接收模式期间对每个不均匀间隔的超声换能器施加振幅加权，并且通过形成多个分量图像，当加在一起形成基本等于由扫描波束形成的单个图像的和图像时， 具有指定孔径的均匀间隔的换能器。 然后将所得到的分量图像的复数值逐点加法，保留相位，使得和图像的点扩散函数基本上等于由均匀间隔的换能器形成的单个图像的期望点扩展函数 与指定的光圈。 也可以应用最小化技术，使得不均匀阵列可以具有最小数量的换能器，同时仍然为指定孔径提供期望的点扩展功能。 因此，本发明能够显着减少用于超声波成像的换能器，而不牺牲任何图像质量。

公开(公告)号：US07248843B2

公开(公告)日：2007-07-24

申请号：US10704430

申请日：2003-11-07

申请人： Karina P. Carvalho ,  Neal J. Seidl ,  Matthew G. Grubis ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  James Hurley ,  Russell A. Rymut

发明人： Karina P. Carvalho ,  Neal J. Seidl ,  Matthew G. Grubis ,  Ralph T. Hoctor ,  James Hurley ,  Russell A. Rymut

IPC分类号： H03C1/62

CPC分类号： H04B7/0811

摘要： A system and method for wireless communication. The system can include a transmitter that transmits a data signal having a time period without data transmission. The system can also include a receiver including a first antenna, a second antenna, a switch that activates one of the first antenna and the second antenna, and a processor that estimates a first signal-to-noise ratio for the first antenna and a second signal-to-noise ratio for the second antenna during the time period without data transmission. The processor can control the switch to select one of the first antenna and the second antenna based on a comparison between the first signal-to-noise ratio and the second signal-to-noise ratio.

摘要翻译： 一种用于无线通信的系统和方法。 该系统可以包括发射具有时间段而不进行数据传输的数据信号的发射机。 该系统还可以包括接收机，其包括第一天线，第二天线，激活第一天线和第二天线中的一个的开关，以及估计第一天线的第一信噪比的处理器，以及第二天线 在没有数据传输的时间段内第二天线的信噪比。 基于第一信噪比和第二信噪比之间的比较，处理器可以控制开关来选择第一天线和第二天线中的一个。

公开(公告)号：US07621876B2

公开(公告)日：2009-11-24

申请号：US11083259

申请日：2005-03-17

申请人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Lawrence T. Hersh ,  Bruce A. Friedman

发明人： Ralph T. Hoctor ,  Lawrence T. Hersh ,  Bruce A. Friedman

IPC分类号： A61B5/02 ,  A61B5/103 ,  A61B5/117 ,  A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/14

CPC分类号： A61B5/022 ,  A61B5/02125 ,  A61B8/04 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/13 ,  A61B8/4236 ,  A61B8/4472

摘要： A method and technique for the continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement technique of the present invention utilizes ultrasound measurements to determine the diameter of the blood vessel in which the blood pressure is being measured as well as the flow rate of blood at both an input point and an output point along the blood vessel. The system utilizes a transmission line model to relate various blood vessel measurements with electrical components. The transmission line model, in combination with data management techniques including state variable representations and Kalman filtering, is used to develop a blood pressure measurement in real time.

摘要翻译： 一种连续，无创血压测量的方法和技术。 本发明的血压测量技术利用超声波测量来确定其中测量血压的血管的直径以及沿着血管的输入点和输出点处的血液的流速。 该系统利用传输线模型将各种血管测量与电气部件联系起来。 传输线模型结合包括状态变量表示和卡尔曼滤波在内的数据管理技术，用于实时开发血压测量。