US4922909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video monitoring and reapposition monitoring apparatus and methods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-17
•
Granted: 1990-05-08
•
Expires: 2007-07-17
Abstract
Abstract Video monitoring apparatus for use in an application in which changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue are to be observed. A video camera electronically produces a first image of the tissue and also electronically produces a subsequent image of the tissue after a period of time. A video display unit displays a representation of an image of the tissue derived from the camera. Circuitry connected to the camera and to the display unit electronically stores a representation of the first image of the tissue, and transmits the representation of the first image of the tissue to the display unit with a representation of the subsequent image of the tissue so that the first and subsequent images of the tissue appear superimposed. In this way, any differences in the relative spatial relationship of features in the images of the tissue are readily observed. A surgical reapposition monitor and methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Little
- 👤 William A. Lindgren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Video monitoring apparatus for use in an application in which changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue are to be observed, the apparatus comprising: video camera means for electronically producing a first image of the tissue and also electronically developing a subsequent image of the tissue after a period of time; video means for displaying a representation of an image of the tissue derived from said camera means; and means connected to said camera means and to said displaying means for electronically storing a representation of the first image of the tissue, and for transmitting the representation of the first image of the tissue to the displaying means with a representation of the subsequent image of the tissue so that the first and subsequent images of the tissue appear superimposed and any differences in the relative spatial relationship of features of the tissue in the images of the tissue are readily observed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Video monitoring apparatus for use in an application in which changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue are to be observed, the apparatus comprising: video camera means for electronically producing a first image of the tissue and also electronically developing a subsequent image of the tissue after a period of time; video means for displaying a representation of an image of the tissue derived from said camera means; and means connected to said camera means and to said displaying means for electronically storing a representation of the first image of the tissue, and for transmitting the representation of the first image of the tissue to the displaying means with a representation of the subsequent image of the tissue so that the first and subsequent images of the tissue appear superimposed and any differences in the relative spatial relationship of features of the tissue in the images of the tissue are readily observed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for alternately transmitting the image representations and establishing dwell times of display for the first and subsequent images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for sensing an operator selection of a particular one of the images and for holding only the selected image on the display by temporarily stopping the transmission of any other image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for transmitting a representation of a measuring scale to superimpose the measuring scale on the display screen, whereby differences in position of features of the images are measurable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for transmitting representations of visual reference points under operator control to said display means for display on the stored image and the present image respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for transmitting representations of visual reference points under operator control to said display means for display on corresponding parts of the stored image and the present image respectively and for electronically aligning the two images so that the reference points coincide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for electronically sliding one of the first and subsequent images relative to the other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said camera means includes a microscope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Video monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the subsequent image is a changing real-time image of the tissue and the first image of the tissue appears superimposed with the changing real time image of the tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
Reapposition monitoring apparatus for use in surgery wherein the position of pre-surgical tissue is to have a predetermined relationship to the position of the tissue after surgical incision and during subsequent closure of the incision, the apparatus comprising: camera means for electronically producing an image of the tissue in its presurgical position and also electronically producing a subsequent surgical image when the incision is being closed; means connected to said camera means for electronically storing a representation of the pre-surgical image of the tissue; and means for displaying a representation of an image from said means for electronically storing; said means for electronically storing including means for alternately transmitting the representation of the presurgical image to the displaying means with a representation of the subsequent surgical image during closure of the incision, thereby allowing visual comparison of the presurgical image with the subsequent surgical image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
Reapposition monitoring apparatus for use in surgery wherein the position of pre-surgical tissue is to have a predetermined relationship to the position of the tissue after surgical incision and during subsequent closure of the incision, the apparatus comprising: camera means for electronically producing an image of the tissue in its presurgical position and also electronically producing a subsequent surgical image when the incision is being closed; means connected to said camera means for electronically storing a representation of the pre-surgical image of the tissue; and means for displaying a representation of an image from said means for electronically storing; said means for electronically storing including means for alternately transmitting the representation of the presurgical image to the displaying means with a representation of the subsequent surgical image during closure of the incision, thereby allowing visual comparison of the presurgical image with the subsequent surgical image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
Reapposition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for storing and transmitting includes means for transmitting representations of visual reference points under operator control to said display means for display on the stored image and the present image respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
Reapposition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for transmitting includes means for sending representations of visual reference points under operator control to said display means for display on corresponding parts of the stored image and the present image respectively and for electronically aligning the two images so that the reference points coincide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
Reapposition monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for transmitting includes means for sending representations of visual reference points under operator control to said display means for display on corresponding parts of the stored image and the present image respectively, for electronically aligning the two images so that the reference points coincide and for superimposing a representation of a measuring scale on the display screen, whereby differences in position of features of the images are measurable.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; and electronically superimposing and moving a measurement scale visually on the display, whereby differences in position of features of the images of the tissue are measurable.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; and electronically superimposing and moving a measurement scale visually on the display, whereby differences in position of features of the images of the tissue are measurable.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; and electronically positioning visual reference points under operator control for display on the images of the tissue respectively.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; and electronically positioning visual reference points under operator control for display on the images of the tissue respectively.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; electronically positioning visual reference points under operator control for display on corresponding parts of the images of the tissue respectively; and electronically aligning the two images so that the reference points coincide.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of monitoring for changes in relative spatial relationship of features of a biological tissue, comprising the steps of: electronically aligning a first video image of the tissue with a second video image of the same tissue after a period of time has elapsed; automatically superimposing the first and second video images for display purposes to allow the differences between the first and second images of the tissue to be easily distinguished; electronically positioning visual reference points under operator control for display on corresponding parts of the images of the tissue respectively; and electronically aligning the two images so that the reference points coincide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
153 words
A reapposition monitoring method for use in surgery wherein the position of pre-surgical tissue is to have a predetermined relationship to the position of the tissue after surgical incision and subsequent closure of the incision, the method comprising the steps of: prior to surgery marking a surgical area on the patient with marks located on opposite sides of an incision site and separated by a pre-surgical distance; electronically producing and storing a pre-surgical image of the marks and the incision site; electronically producing a post-surgical image of the marks and the incision site and alternately displaying the postsurgical and pre-surgical images on a display; measuring on the images a value of difference between a pre-surgical distance between the marks and a post-surgical distance between the marks; and adjusting the closure of the incision until the value of difference between the pre-surgical distance and the postsurgical distance is substantially equal to a predetermined value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
153 words
A reapposition monitoring method for use in surgery wherein the position of pre-surgical tissue is to have a predetermined relationship to the position of the tissue after surgical incision and subsequent closure of the incision, the method comprising the steps of: prior to surgery marking a surgical area on the patient with marks located on opposite sides of an incision site and separated by a pre-surgical distance; electronically producing and storing a pre-surgical image of the marks and the incision site; electronically producing a post-surgical image of the marks and the incision site and alternately displaying the postsurgical and pre-surgical images on a display; measuring on the images a value of difference between a pre-surgical distance between the marks and a post-surgical distance between the marks; and adjusting the closure of the incision until the value of difference between the pre-surgical distance and the postsurgical distance is substantially equal to a predetermined value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising predetermining a first value representing a surgeon's cylinder regression profile and a second value representing a patient's astigmatism, and wherein the adjusting step includes making the value of difference between the pre-surgical distance and the post-surgical distance equal to a value which is a function of the values of the surgeon's cylinder regression and the patient's astigmatism.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising predetermining a first value representing a surgeon's cylinder regression profile and a second value representing a patient's astigmatism, and wherein the adjusting step includes making the magnitude of the difference between the pre-surgical distance and the postsurgical distance equal to the magnitude of the difference of the value representing the patient's astigmatism less the surgeon's cylinder regression value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method as set forth in claim 17 further comprising electronically superimposing a visual reference point on a feature of the pre-surgical image and then superimposing a second visual reference point on the same feature of the post-surgical image and then electronically sliding one of the images relative to the other to make the reference points coincide, whereby the difference between the pre-surgical distance and post-surgical distance is readily measured in the measuring step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-07 | 1993-11-06 | 1994-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-07 | 1997-11-06 | 1998-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-07 | 2001-11-06 | 2002-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |