How to Create Wide-Field Images of Tissue Using OCT Scanners
A method for stitching together multiple high-resolution medical images of uneven tissue samples to create a single, wide-field view for better diagnostic clarity.
Original patent title: “System and method for generating a wide-field OCT image of a portion of a sample”
A method for stitching together multiple high-resolution medical images of uneven tissue samples to create a single, wide-field view for better diagnostic clarity. Granted to Perimeter Medical Imaging Inc in 2017 with 38 claims and 9 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a way to capture and stitch together Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images of tissue samples that have irregular or uneven surfaces. It first creates a surface map of the sample to identify the highest and lowest points. By adjusting the scanning head's position based on this map, the system ensures that the imaging window stays aligned with the tissue's topography. Finally, it combines multiple individual scans into a single, wide-field composite image, using an entropy-based method to determine the best alignment between overlapping sections.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on non-OCT modalities like MRI or CT scans.
- Does not cover manual image stitching performed by a human operator without the automated surface-mapping logic.
- Does not cover systems that do not utilize a predefined surface map to adjust the scanning head position.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The system uses the 'entropy' of overlapping image segments to automatically determine the perfect alignment, effectively letting the computer decide which stitch looks most natural and clear.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Perimeter Medical Imaging's S-Series OCT system
Intraoperative surgical margin assessment tools
Digital pathology imaging workstations
Why it matters
The bigger picture
In medical pathology, especially during surgery, doctors need to see if they have removed all cancerous tissue. Because tissue samples are rarely perfectly flat, standard OCT scanners often struggle to capture the entire area in focus. This technology allows for larger, clearer images of irregular specimens, which can help surgeons make more accurate decisions in real-time.
Filed
December 5, 2013
Granted
June 13, 2017
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Perimeter Medical Imaging remains the primary developer of this technology, specifically applying it to their intraoperative imaging platforms. Other companies in the OCT space, such as Leica Microsystems or various diagnostic imaging startups, continue to explore automated stitching for high-resolution tissue analysis.
Market impact
This technology has helped transition OCT from a purely research-based tool into a practical clinical instrument for surgical margin assessment. By enabling wide-field imaging of irregular tissue, it reduces the need for multiple, fragmented scans, thereby streamlining the workflow for pathologists and surgeons in the operating room.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to capture and stitch together Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images of tissue samples that have irregular or uneven surfaces. It first creates a surface map of the sample to identify the highest and lowest points. By adjusting the scanning head's position based on this map, the system ensures that the imaging window stays aligned with the tissue's topography. Finally, it combines multiple individual scans into a single, wide-field composite image, using an entropy-based method to determine the best alignment between overlapping sections.
The clever bit
The system uses the 'entropy' of overlapping image segments to automatically determine the perfect alignment, effectively letting the computer decide which stitch looks most natural and clear.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on non-OCT modalities like MRI or CT scans.
- Does not cover manual image stitching performed by a human operator without the automated surface-mapping logic.
- Does not cover systems that do not utilize a predefined surface map to adjust the scanning head position.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
20/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$211K – $676K
Midpoint $422K · 7.5 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
38 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Rempel, D., Berkeley, A., & Silver, J. (2017). How to Create Wide-Field Images of Tissue Using OCT Scanners (U.S. Patent No. 9,677,869). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9677869/autonomous-spaceport-drone-ship-asds
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Create Wide-Field Images of Tissue Using OCT Scanners cover?
A method for stitching together multiple high-resolution medical images of uneven tissue samples to create a single, wide-field view for better diagnostic clarity.
Who owns patent US 9677869?
Perimeter Medical Imaging Inc owns this patent, granted in 2017.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on June 13, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9677869 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 9 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
In medical pathology, especially during surgery, doctors need to see if they have removed all cancerous tissue. Because tissue samples are rarely perfectly flat, standard OCT scanners often struggle to capture the entire area in focus. This technology allows for larger, clearer images of irregular specimens, which can help surgeons make more accurate decisions in real-time.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover imaging techniques that rely on non-OCT modalities like MRI or CT scans.
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