53rd week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 62 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090326281 | Catalytic system and process for direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from synthesis gas - A mixed-bed catalytic system and its activation for direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from synthesis gas are described, comprising a catalyst for methanol synthesis and the zeolite ferrierite in its acid form as the methanol dehydrating component, the two being mixed physically in the form of powder of defined granulometry or as pellets. Another object of the present invention is a process for production of the acid form of the zeolite ferrierite. Another object of the present invention is a process for direct synthesis of dimethyl ether from a synthesis gas, using the catalytic system of the present invention. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326282 | PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BICYCLIC MOLECULES BY COPPER-CATALYSED PHOTOCHEMICAL CYCLISATION - The present invention relates to a new copper-catalysed photochemnical cyclisation process for the preparation of bicylic molecules useful as intermediates in the manufacture of drugs. In a preferred aspect, the process of the invention may be used to prepare 3-hydroxy-bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326283 | Method and device for the production of alkylene oxide addition products - A method for the production of alkylene oxide addition products comprising (i) charging a stirred reactor with a starting compound capable of adding on or inserting alkylene oxides, introducing at least one alkylene oxide plus a different diluent gas, wherein a portion of said alkylene oxide reacts in a liquid phase with said starting compound, and the remaining alkylene oxide together with said diluent gas forms a gas phase above the liquid phase, (ii) continuously drawing off said liquid phase from the bottom of the reactor via an outlet stub, and recycling to the top of the reactor via an external circulation system, which comprises at least one heat exchanger and at least one Venturi nozzle within said external circulation system, and (iii) metering said gas phase comprising alkylene oxide into said Venturi nozzle via a vacuum line. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326284 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING PENTAFLUOROETHANE - The invention relates to a method for producing pentafluoroethane, and especially to a method comprising (i) a step during which perchloroethylene and optionally 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane and/or 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane react(s) with hydrofluoric acid in a gaseous phase in the presence of a catalyst in an adiabatic multi-stage reactor, and optionally (ii) a step of separating the flow produced in step (i) in order to obtain a fraction of light products and a fraction of heavy products. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326285 | Use of Supported Mixed Metal Sulfides for Hydrotreating Biorenewable Feeds - Methods for hydroconverting a biorenewable feed with an unsupported sulfided metal catalyst formed by reacting a metal containing compound with a sulfur containing compound to form an insoluble particulate sulfided metal catalyst. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326286 | PROCESS OF PRODUCING LIQUID FUEL FROM CELLULOSIC BIOMASS - A liquid fuel production process from cellulosic biomass comprises the following steps: (1) providing a mixture of cellulose and water; (2) subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis and catalytic hydrogenation under the presence of acid to obtain mono-sugar alcohol and optional solid material lignin, or subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis to obtain monosaccharide; (3) esterifying the obtained mono-sugar with C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326287 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING O-XYLENE - A process for preparing o-xylene comprises the steps of
| 2009-12-31 |
20090326288 | Method for Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene to Ethylene - The present invention relates to a method for selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene, comprising the steps of: i) introducing a feed comprising acetylene and hydrogen into a reactor containing a supported catalyst, wherein the reactor is a fixed bed reactor containing the supported catalyst additionally diluted with a solid diluent, or the reactor being a wash coated reactor wherein the supported catalyst is coated on reactor walls; and ii) hydrogenating of acetylene to ethylene in the presence of the supported catalyst. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326289 | Liquid Phase Hydroprocessing With Temperature Management - A method of hydroprocessing hydrocarbons is provided using a substantially liquid-phase reactor having first and second catalyst beds with a heat transfer section positioned therebetween. The first and second catalyst beds and the heat transfer section are combined within the same reactor vessel. Each catalyst bed having an inlet temperature and an exit temperature and having a hydroprocessing catalyst therein with a maximum operating temperature range. The method hydroprocesses the hydrocarbons and removes sufficient heat from the hydrocarbons using the heat transfer section so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons existing the first catalyst bed is substantially maintained below the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalysts in the first bed and, at the same time, also providing the hydrocarbons to the second catalyst bed at the inlet temperature so that the exit temperature of the hydrocarbons at the exit of the second catalyst bed also does not exceed the maximum operating temperature range of the hydroprocessing catalyst in the second bed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326290 | METHOD OF CONVERTING FEEDSTOCKS FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES TO GOOD-QUALITY DIESEL FUEL BASES USING A ZEOLITE CATALYST WITHOUT INTERMEDIATE GAS-LIQUID SEPARATION - The invention relates to a method of treating feedstocks from renewable sources without intermediate gas-liquid separation in order to produce diesel fuel bases of excellent quality. The feedstocks used can be raw vegetable oils or such oils that have been previously subjected to a prerefining stage, animal fats, or mixtures of such feedstocks. The invention relates to a method allowing high diesel fuel base yields to be obtained from such feedstocks. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326291 | SELECTIVE HYDROGENATION OF UNSATURATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS IN PREDOMINANTLY AROMATIC STREAMS - The selective saturation of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., diolefins) in a hydrogenation feed stream comprising an aromatic compound (e.g., benzene) and one or more nitrogen compounds renders is beneficial when the stream or a portion thereof is subsequently treated (e.g., with a zeolitic adsorbent) to remove nitrogen. In particular, the selective saturation of, for example, olefins and diolefins prolongs the life of the nitrogen guard bed. In a representative embodiment, the selective hydrogenation is applied to a recycle benzene-containing stream recovered in the separation section (e.g., from the benzene/toluene splitter overhead) of a styrene production process, prior to treatment with a nitrogen guard bed adsorbent. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326292 | PROCESS FOR CONVERTING GASEOUS ALKANES TO LIQUID HYDROCARBONS - A process for converting gaseous alkanes to liquid hydrocarbons wherein a gaseous feed containing alkanes is reacted with a dry bromine vapor to form alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid vapor. The mixture of alkyl bromides and hydrobromic acid are then reacted over a synthetic crystalline alumino-silicate catalyst, such as a ZSM-5 zeolite, at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 450° C. so as to form higher molecular weight hydrocarbons and hydrobromic acid vapor. Propane and butane which comprise a portion of the products may be recovered or recycled back through the process to form additional C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326293 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING LIGHT OLEFINS FROM A FEED CONTAINING TRIGLYCERIDES - The process combines hydroconversion and catalytic cracking starting from a feed containing triglycerides, at concentrations of fatty acids above 85%, which maximizes the yields of light olefins, chiefly ethylene and propylene, while reducing the yield of gasoline, with conversion greater than 80 wt. %. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326294 | Reactor Process for Smaller Batch Transfers of Catalyst - A moving bed of catalyst loses activity as it moves through the reactor. Creating multiple passes for the process fluid moving across a catalyst bed, increases the utilization of the catalyst and creates a step-wise counter current flow of catalyst and process fluid, where the catalyst flows in the axial direction of the reactor, and the process fluid flows radially, with step-wise axial direction flow when the flow is reversed to flow back across the catalyst bed. The flow improves the temperature profile of the bed and allows higher temperature fluid contacting the less active catalyst. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326295 | METATHESIS UNIT PRETREATMENT PROCESS WITH FORMATION OF OCTENE - Disclosed is a process for integrating a butene dimerization process with a metathesis process to remove isobutene from the feed stream to the metathesis reactor. The isobutene is preferentially dimerized in the dimerization process to leave n-butenes for metathesis with ethylene. An upstream selective hydrogenation process also isomerizes 1-butenes to 2-butenes which is the preferred butene reagent in the metathesis process. A common fractionator column for the dimerization and hydrogenation processes is also described. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326296 | Manufacture of Low Viscosity Poly Alpha-Olefins - The present invention relates to poly alpha-olefins (PAO's) which exhibit superior Noack volatility at low pour points. The poly alpha-olefin is prepared from an olefin feed comprised of a blend of octene, decene, and dodecene, the feed comprising at least 10 weight % octene and at least 30 weight % dodecene. The process includes both synthesis and distillation of the olefin and oligomerization olefin. The oligomerized olefin feed yields at least 50% low viscosity PAO having a nominal viscosity at 100° C. of about 4 cSt. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326297 | PRODUCTION METHOD OF ALPHA-OLEFIN LOW POLYMER - The object of the present invention is to provide a production method of an α-olefin low polymer, wherein a low polymer of an α-olefin is obtained in high yield. The present invention relates to that when an inert gas is allowed to exist in a gas phase part of a reactor | 2009-12-31 |
20090326298 | INTEGRATION OF OTO PROCESS WITH DIRECT DME SYNTHESIS - Processes and systems for utilizing products from DME synthesis in converting oxygenates to olefins are provided that include removing a DME-reactor effluent from a DME reactor, wherein the DME effluent includes DME, water, and methanol; separating carbon dioxide gas from the DME reactor effluent in a liquid gas separator to produce a degassed effluent stream. The processes and systems can include feeding the degassed effluent stream to an oxygenate to olefin reactor to produce an olefin containing effluent, wherein the olefin containing effluent further includes oxygenates. Alternatively, the processes and systems can include providing the degassed effluent stream to a DME column to produce a DME feedstock and a solvent stream, wherein the solvent stream includes methanol and water; feeding the DME feedstock to an oxygenate to olefin reactor to produce an olefin containing effluent, wherein the olefin containing effluent further includes oxygenates; and contacting at least a portion of the olefin containing effluent with the solvent stream in a solvent contacting zone to produce an olefin containing raffinate stream and an oxygenate containing extract. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326299 | Use of a Catalyst Based on Zeolites in the Conversion of Oxygenates to Lower Olefins, and Associated Method - The invention relates to the use of a catalyst based on crystalline aluminosilicates for the conversion of oxygenates to lower olefins, the catalyst having an SiO | 2009-12-31 |
20090326300 | PROCESS FOR CRACKING TERT-ALKYL ETHERS THAT USE A MESOSTRUCTURED HYBRID ORGANIC-INORGANIC MATERIAL - A process for cracking tert-alkyl ether(s) selected from among tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) and ethyl tert-amyl ether (ETAE) for the production of tertiary olefins comprising bringing said tert-alkyl ether(s) into contact with at least one catalyst that is formed by at least one mesostructured hybrid organic-inorganic material that consists of at least two spherical elementary particles, whereby each of said spherical particles consists of a mesostructured matrix with a silicon oxide base to which are linked organic groups with acid terminal reactive functions, said groups representing less than 20 mol % of said matrix that is present in each of said spherical elementary particles, which have a maximum diameter of between 50 nm and 200 μm. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326301 | TWO STAGE CONTACT COOLER DESIGN FOR HOT WATER GENERATION - Systems and methods are provided herein for cooling an olefin cracking reactor effluent stream. One provided method includes reacting a hydrocarbon feedstock including C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326302 | Process for Using Alumina Catalyst in Slurry Hydrocracking - A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The alumina in the catalyst is active in suppressing the production of mesophase. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326303 | Process for Using Iron Oxide and Alumina Catalyst for Slurry Hydrocracking - A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The iron oxide and alumina catalyst does not require as much iron content relative to non-gaseous material in the reactor to obtain useable products. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326304 | Process for Using Catalyst with Nanometer Crystallites in Slurry Hydrocracking - A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The iron sulfide crystallites have diameters in the nanometer range. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326305 | GUARD BED FOR REMOVING CONTAMINANTS FROM FEEDSTOCK TO A NORMAL PARAFFIN EXTRACTION UNIT - Processes and systems for removing contaminants from a paraffin containing feedstock are provided that include: providing a paraffin containing feedstock, passing the paraffin containing feedstock to an inlet of a guard bed that includes an adsorbent material, and contacting the paraffin containing feedstock with the adsorbent material in the guard bed to produce a treated paraffin containing feedstock. The processes and systems can also include removing the treated paraffin containing feedstock from an outlet of the guard bed, and passing the treated paraffin containing feedstock to a paraffin separation zone that separates normal paraffins from the treated paraffin containing feedstock. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326306 | Process for separating para-xylene from a mixture of C8 and C9 aromatic hydrocarbons - The process includes at least two adsorptive separation zones to separate para-xylene from a feed stream comprising C8 aromatic hydrocarbons and at least one C9 aromatic hydrocarbon component. An adsorbent comprising X or Y zeolite and a heavy desorbent are used in the first adsorptive separation zone to produce an extract stream comprising para-xylene and a raffinate stream comprising para-xylene depleted C8 aromatic hydrocarbons, the C9 aromatic hydrocarbon, and the desorbent. The raffinate stream is separated in a raffinate distillation zone to produce a stream comprising the first desorbent component and the C9 aromatic hydrocarbon which stream is further separated in a second adsorptive distillation zone to produce a stream comprising the desorbent and a C9 aromatic hydrocarbon stream. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326307 | SEPARATION PROCESS FOR OLEFIN PRODUCTION - Improved processes for the separation of olefins from paraffins, such as propylene from propane are provided. Two product splitters are used in parallel to separate propylene from propane. One of the product splitters operates at a lower pressure, while the second product splitter operates at a higher pressure. The use of the two splitters in parallel provides a process for recovery of a high purity propylene product with lower energy consumption compared to prior art processes. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326308 | BINDERLESS ADSORBENTS COMPRISING NANO-SIZE ZEOLITE X AND THEIR USE IN THE ADSORPTIVE SEPARATION OF PARA-XYLENE - Adsorbents and methods for the adsorptive separation of para-xylene from a mixture containing at least one other C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326309 | BINDERLESS ADSPRBENTS AND THEIR USE IN THE ADSORPTIVE SEPARATION OF PARA-XYLENE - Adsorbents and methods for the adsorptive separation of para-xylene from a mixture containing at least one other C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326310 | ADSORBENT AND PROCESS FOR THE SEPARATION OF META-XYLENE FROM AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS - Adsorbents and methods for the adsorptive separation of meta-xylene from a mixture containing at least one other C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326311 | ADSORBENTS WITH IMPROVED MASS TRANSFER PROPERTIES AND THEIR USE IN THE ADSORPTIVE SEPARATION OF PARA-XYLENE - Adsorbents and methods for the adsorptive separation of para-xylene from a mixture containing at least one other C | 2009-12-31 |
20090326312 | METHOD FOR VITRIFICATION OF FISSION PRODUCTS - The mass to be vitrified undergoes a reduction operation in order to have the ruthenium pass from an oxidized state to a metal state in order to reduce the viscosity, the electric conductivity and to obtain good chemical kinetics. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326313 | Composition for the Alkylation and a Method For Detoxifying a Harmful Compound by Using The Composition - It is an object of the present invention to provide a beneficial composition in order to detoxify the harmful compound containing arsenic etc. effectively and systematically and a method for detoxifying a harmful compound by using the composition. The composition for the alkylation according to the present invention is characterized in that the composition contains a cobalt complex. The method of detoxifying the harmful compound according to the present invention is characterized in that a harmful compound containing at least one element selected from the groups comprising arsenic, antimony and selenium is detoxified by the alkylation of the harmful compound, in the presence of the composition according to the present invention. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326314 | BRACHYTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR ASYMMETRICAL BODY CAVITIES - The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus, system and method that delivers partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a trocar. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by a surgeon. The brachytherapy apparatus includes one or more thin-walled tubes, each of said thin-walled tubes being configured to contain one or more radioactive sources, at least one radiation source configured to deliver a prescribed dose of radiation, a whisk adjuster configured to permit adjustment of each of the one or more thin-walled tubes so that the tubes substantially conform to a size of the body cavity; and an expansion element configured to expand outwardly said one or more thin-walled tubes within the cavity so that the thin-walled tubes substantially conform to a shape and/or size of the body cavity. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326315 | NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR PRODUCTION PROMOTING DEVICE - A neurotrophic factor production promoting device is provided, which is able to promote production of a neurotrophic factor or neurotrophic factor-like substance in an affected area by a simple technique that, regardless of the place of treatment, can be performed without transplantation of cells or injection into the affected area, in order to prevent or treat various diseases such as brain diseases. In order to apply a high frequency alternating magnetic field in the range of 20 MHz to 180 MHz, 280 MHz to 600 MHz, or 700 MHz to 1000 MHz to cells at a magnetic flux density of no more than 0.01 Tesla, the neurotrophic factor production promoting device includes a high frequency electromagnetic wave generating means generating a high frequency electromagnetic wave of the abovementioned frequency, in which the magnetic stimulation by the high frequency alternating electromagnetic field of the abovementioned high frequency allows the intracellular concentration of calcium ions to be increased so that exocytosis of the neurotrophic factor group is induced, and the magnetic stimulation allows messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of the neurotrophic factor group to be increased in the cells so that the synthesis and extracellular release of the neurotrophic factor group are promoted. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326316 | METHODS OF ASSESSING THE RISK OF REPRODUCTIVE FAILURE BY MEASURING TELOMERE LENGTH - The invention features a method of identifying oocytes with a risk of reproductive failure and/or aneuploidy based on a telomere length assay. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326317 | Instrument for intra-uterine transfer via the natural vagino-uterine route - Instrument for intra-uterine transfer by the natural vagino-uterine route, including a catheter ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326318 | MEDICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM PROVIDING AN AUXILARY VIEW INCLUDING RANGE OF MOTION LIMITATIONS FOR ARTICULATABLE INSTRUMENTS EXTENDING OUT OF A DISTAL END OF AN ENTRY GUIDE - A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations are displayed along with indications of range of motion limitations on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326319 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes an accessory including an actuation portion configured to be actuated, an operating unit for operating the actuation portion, an endoscope including an accessory insertion pass wherein the accessory is adapted to be inserted through the accessory insertion pass from a proximal end portion of the accessory insertion pass to a distal end portion of the accessory insertion pass, and projected from and retracted into the distal end portion of the accessory insertion pass, a detecting unit configured to detect a condition of a part of the accessory, which is projected from the distal end portion of the accessory insertion pass, and a control unit configured to control an actuation of the actuation portion by an operation to the operating detecting unit. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326320 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VISUALIZING TISSUE DURING ABLATION PROCEDURES - Systems for visualizing cardiac tissue during an ablation procedure are provided. In general, the systems include an imaging module configured to measure absorbance data at first and second wavelengths wherein the ratio of these absorbance values identifies the nature of the tissue (e.g., lesion, de novo tissue, etc.). The imaging module can also include a video system having at least two chips with corresponding bandpass filters centered at the first and second target wavelengths. The system can also include a processor and/or video monitor for combining the images produced by the various chips, determining treated and non-treated tissue based on the ratio of absorbance values at the target wavelengths, and displaying images of the treatment area. Methods of visualizing cardiac treatment areas during ablation procedures are also provided herein. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326321 | Miniaturized Imaging Device Including Multiple GRIN Lenses Optically Coupled to Multiple SSIDs - A miniaturized imaging device and method of viewing small luminal cavities are described. The imaging device can be used as part of a catheter, and can include at least one solid state imaging device (SSID) including multiple imaging arrays respectively, and multiple graduated refractive index (GRIN) lenses optically coupled to the multiple imaging arrays. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326322 | MEDICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM WITH IMAGE REFERENCED CAMERA CONTROL USING PARTITIONABLE ORIENTATIONAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MODES - A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments such as surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. The camera instrument is manipulatable by a camera manipulator, which has a first mechanism for pivoting a focal point of the camera instrument about a pivot of the camera instrument and a second mechanism for positioning the pivot within a three-dimensional space in response to translational commands received from one or a coupled pair of input devices. The system also includes a controller which is configured to receive sensed movement of the input devices, and cause actuation of the first mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in an orientational mode and cause actuation of the second mechanism in response to the sensed movement if the system is in a translational mode. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326323 | CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE AND CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM - Smooth guiding through the inside of a body cavity is carried out by a magnetic field applied from the outside of the body. The provided capsule medical device ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326324 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING IN MINIMALLY-INVASIVE SURGERY, WHICH CAN POSITION A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN RESPONSE TO ORDERS FROM A SURGEON, IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE OPERATING TABLE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE PRE-CALIBRATION OF THE INSERTION POINT - Robotic system for assisting in minimally-invasive surgery, which can position a surgical instrument in response to orders from a surgeon, is not attached to the operating table and does not require pre-calibration of the insertion point. The system includes: a manipulator robot having three active degrees of freedom, which is provided with an end actuator having two passive degrees of freedom, said actuator being used to attach a surgical instrument; a robot controller built into the structure thereof, which can perform a method for calculating the movement to be imparted to the carried surgical instrument so that it reaches the desired location without requiring pre-calibration and without the assembly having to be attached to the operating table; and an interface system for ordering the system to perform the desired actions. The assembly comprising the robot, the controller and the interface system is battery operated. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326325 | MULTIJOINTED BENDING MECHANISM AND MULTIJOINTED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT HAVING MULTIJOINTED BENDING MECHANISM - A multijointed bending mechanism having a first bending piece, a second bending piece connected to the first bending piece so as to be rotatable around a first rotation shaft, a third bending piece connected to the second bending piece so as to be rotatable around a second rotation shaft, at least two first wires connected to the first bending piece to rotate the first bending piece and at least two second wires connected to the second bending piece to rotate the second bending piece. The second wires are disposed inwards of the first wires with respect to a vertical direction of the first and second rotation shafts. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326326 | Endoscope Head Apparatus - The present invention discloses an endoscope head apparatus comprising a head mechanism, an elastic element, a support portion, a first wire, a second wire and a bilaterally flexible body. The elastic element is connected to the head mechanism and has a first accommodating space therein. The support portion is connected to the elastic element and has a second accommodating space therein. The first wire and the second wire are connected to head mechanism. The bilaterally flexible body is located at the first accommodating space, and connected to the head mechanism and the support portion respectively, and has a first bendable surface and a second bendable surface. The bilaterally flexible body can swing toward the first surface or the second surface by pulling the first wire or the second wire. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326327 | ADAPTER FOR OBJECTIVE LENS - High-precision observation is made possible while allowing contact between a distal end of an objective lens and an optical element without damaging the distal end of the objective lens and the optical element even when attaching to and detaching from the distal end of the objective lens. Provided is an objective lens adapter including a fixed member that is fixed to a lens tube of an objective lens, a distal-end member including an optical element that is made to be placed in contact with the distal-end surface of the objective lens, and an elastic member that is disposed between the distal-end member and the fixed member and that urges the optical element in a direction that causes the optical element to contact the distal-end surface of the objective lens. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326328 | Protective Cap for Arthroscopic Instruments - A protective cap for use on arthroscopic instruments and sheaths disposed over arthroscopic instruments. The cap protects the distal end of the instrument from accidental damage caused by other instruments used during a surgical procedure. The portion of the cap that covers a view port on an arthroscope is transparent in order to allow a user to see through the instrument and through the cap. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326329 | BOX FOR ENDOSCOPE - In a light source box disposed to project in a predetermined direction from an endoscope operation section and mounting a rear supporting body on a front supporting body, a cylindrical conductive body forming a notch is disposed in a battery storage section of the rear supporting body. On the rotating switch disposed on the rear end of the rear supporting body, an engagement section is mounted which integrates a resilient connector for the battery connection and a switch movable connector disposed up to the inner side face of the battery storage section. The movable connector is placed in an OFF position by displacement to the notch and is placed in an ON position by connect with the side face of the cylindrical conductive body due to rotational operation of the rotating switch. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326330 | APPARATUS FOR INSERTING A SURGICAL DEVICE AT LEAST PARTIALLY THROUGH A WOUND OPENING - An apparatus ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326331 | Examination Apparatus - An apparatus and method for an examination apparatus that includes a manually movable structure having a first movement from a free state to a compressed state and a second reversing movement from the compressed state to the free state. Also included is a plurality of fingers that are disposed adjacent to the structure. The fingers having a stowed state and an open state, the stowed state having a nested relationship between the fingers to reduce a silhouette profile size. In moving from the stowed state to the open state of the plurality of fingers requires a selected sequential movement of each the fingers to proceed from the nested relationship to the open state that is accommodated by an assemblage for moving the fingers sequentially utilizing the manually operated structure, wherein the fingers are moved from the stowed state to the open state and reversed manually. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326332 | BUTTON PORT - The present disclosure relates to a surgical apparatus for positioning within an incision in tissue. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the surgical access apparatus includes an elongated seal member configured to removably receive at least one surgical object, and a deployment member. In another of the present disclosure, the surgical access apparatus includes a housing configured to removably receive at least one surgical object, an elongated member, and at least one filament. A method of percutaneously accessing an underlying surgical work site using the surgical apparatus is also disclosed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326333 | ASSESSING OUTCOMES FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS - This document provides methods and materials related to assessing the likely outcome for mammals (e.g., humans) with cancer (e.g., breast cancer). For example, methods and materials for using the ratio of HOXB13 polypeptide expression to IL-17BR polypeptide expression to determine the likelihood of a breast cancer patient to experience breast cancer relapse or death are provided. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326334 | HEALTH CONDITION DETECTION, STORAGE, AND PRESENTATION - Health-related devices often record and represent health-related information describing a patient in many manners, and the disparities and variance among such representations may interfere with the accuracy of a recorded electronic medical record and with communication among healthcare providers. These aspects of health information representation and communication may be facilitated according to several techniques, such as by storing health information according to a standardized health information hierarchical classification scheme, and by presenting such information to healthcare providers and the user by displaying one or more icons of predominantly pictorial form that describe the health information in a language- and literacy-independent manner. Variations of these techniques relate to the types of devices so presented, the storage of the detected health data with the representation, and the annotation of the data by the individual or healthcare providers that becomes part of the electronic medical record. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326335 | Pulse Oximeter With Wait-Time Indication - The present disclosure provides a system and method for determination and indication of the time remaining before a patient's physical characteristics are displayed on a monitor. The indication may be a numeric count-down, a progress bar, a clock face, an audible signal, or any other time and/or progress indication. The approximate wait-time may be determined, for example, by adding the known, generally fixed durations of characteristic determination processes to the calculated, variable durations of characteristic determination processes. Exemplary processes which may have generally fixed durations include monitor boot-up, sensor validation, and sensor calibration. Exemplary processes which may have variable durations include sensor location determination and pulsation detection. The sum of the pre-determined and calculated durations may be an approximate wait-time, which is indicated to a caregiver via visual or audible display. If a process takes longer than anticipated or an unexpected event occurs, the wait-time indication may be modified to reflect the longer anticipated wait-time. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326336 | Process for comprehensive surgical assist system by means of a therapy imaging and model management system (TIMMS) - This invention provides a process and system for a comprehensive surgical assist system, called a Therapy Imaging and Model Management System (TIMMS), which combines and integrates all of the necessary information and communication technology; workflow analysis, data processing and data synthesis; interactive interfaces between surgeon and mechatronic devices; and, cognitive agents; to provide comprehensive assistance and guidance throughout complex medical and surgical therapies, such as image guided surgery. The components of this invention, which are modular, scalable and may be distributed in location, act synergistically to provide functionality and utility that exceeds the sum of its individual parts. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326337 | MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANOSCOPY FOR IMAGING CELLS - Disclosed herein is an apparatus for sensing characteristics of an object. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises an array, wherein the array comprises a plurality of nanoscale hybrid semiconductor/metal devices which are in proximity to an object, each hybrid semiconductor/metal device being configured to produce a voltage in response to a perturbation, wherein the produced voltage is indicative of a characteristic of the object. Any of a variety of nanoscale EXX sensors can be selected as the hybrid semiconductor/metal devices in the array. With such an array, ultra high resolution images of nanoscopic resolution can be generated of objects such as living cells, wherein the images are indicative of a variety of cell biologic processes. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326338 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING GAS COMPONENT DERIVED FROM LIVING BODY AND DISEASE DETERMINATION SUPPORTING APPARATUS - A method of analyzing a gas component derived from living body, includes: extracting a first gas component from a gas contained in an atmosphere by a first method and removing the extracted first gas component from the gas to defecate the atmosphere; obtaining a mixed gas of the defecated atmosphere and a second gas component from a subject; extracting the first gas component from the mixed gas by a second method; and analyzing the first gas component extracted from the mixed gas. The second method is the same as the first method. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326339 | CONNECTED HEALTHCARE DEVICES WITH REAL-TIME AND PROACTIVE CAPTURE AND RELAY OF CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION - A portable healthcare device is connected to a networked healthcare service to form a connected healthcare system that is configurable to address a particular predicted or emergent healthcare condition or provisioned to address a number of emergent healthcare conditions. A portable sensor detects the predicted or emergent healthcare condition. A two-way communication channel provides instructions to the affected person or those in proximity, takes remote control of the portable healthcare device to deliver a therapeutic intervention, or facilitates a rendezvous with dispatched first responders. A buffered quantity of data that is recorded proactively can be transmitted in order to make a more accurate remote diagnosis. The remote, networked healthcare service can maintain additional information about the device or a person assigned to the device to augment the transmission, including healthcare records, contact information, configuration type of the device including therapeutic capabilities, service billing, facility location of an assigned device, etc. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326340 | Patient Monitor Alarm System And Method - Provided herein is a patient monitoring alarm escalation system and method, according to embodiments, which may include a medical device configured to measure physiological data received via a patient monitor configured to initiate an alarm in response to predefined measurements of the physiological data. The medical device is configured to communicate with a medical station and escalate an alarm if an alarm acknowledgement mechanism at the medical station is not activated. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326341 | APPARATUS FOR MOTOR TRAINING AND EXERCISE OF THE HUMAN BODY - An apparatus ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326342 | METHOD, ARRANGEMENT AND SENSOR FOR NON-INVASIVELY MONITORING BLOOD VOLUME OF A SUBJECT - A method, arrangement and sensor for monitoring blood status of a subject are disclosed. In-vivo measurement signals indicative of absorption caused by blood are acquired at a plurality of measurement wavelengths. Based on the in-vivo measurement signals, successive values are determined for a hemoglobin parameter indicative of the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood of the subject and the blood volume status of the subject is monitored based on the successive values. The monitoring may involve determining the absolute value of the blood volume or relative changes in the blood volume. In one embodiment, the absolute value of the blood volume is indicated continuously together with hemoglobin concentration and composition. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326343 | FLUID HANDLING CASSETTE HAVING A SPECTROSCOPIC SAMPLE CELL - A fluid handling module is configured for removable engagement with a reusable main fluid handling instrument. The module includes a module housing and a first fluid passageway extending from the module housing. The first fluid passageway has a patient end remote from the housing. The first fluid passageway is configured to provide fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient. A fluid component separator is in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway. The fluid component separator is configured to separate at least one component from a portion of the bodily fluid drawn from the patient. A spectroscopic sample cell is configured to hold at least a portion of the first component. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326344 | System and Method for Optical Continuous Detection of an Analyte In Bloodstream - A method for performing a blood assay includes the steps of positioning an optical biosensor in fluid communication with a blood vessel whereby blood from the blood vessel contacts the biosensor. The biosensor includes at least one material adapted to bind to an analyte. The method also includes the steps of detecting a change in at least one optical property of the biosensor resulting from binding of the at least one material with the analyte and transmitting a continuous signal representative of the change in at least one optical property of the biosensor to a display module to provide real time analysis by a clinician. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326345 | RESULT VALIDATION IN NON-INVASIVE CEREBRAL OXYGENATION LEVEL MONITORING - Methods, systems, and related computer program products for optically monitoring a chromophore level in a body part of a patient are described. An optical source introduces optical radiation into the body part, and an optical detector receives optical radiation that has propagated through at least a portion of the body part and produces a first signal representative of the received optical radiation. The first signal is processed to produce a chromophore level metric, which is output on a user display, and is further processed to produce a second signal known to exhibit measurably significant timewise fluctuations corresponding to at least one intrinsic physiological oscillation of the patient when the optical source and the optical detector are in proper optical coupling with the body part. An error condition indication is provided if the measurably significant timewise fluctuations are not present in the second signal. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326346 | OPTICAL PERFUSION SENSOR DETECTOR - A reflectance optical perfusion sensor may include at least one light source and a plurality of detector elements arranged in a planar or nonplanar configuration, such as a three-dimensional array. The detector elements may sense light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected by a blood mass of a patient, such as blood within a blood vessel. In some examples, the detector elements may be arranged such that photodetection surfaces of at least two of the detector elements are nonparallel. In addition to or instead of the nonplanar arrangement of detector elements, an optical perfusion sensor may include a detector array including a plurality of detector elements at least partially surrounding a light source. Varying the location and orientations of detector elements may help increase a quantity of light emitted by the at least one light source and reflected toward the optical perfusion sensor by blood. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326347 | Synchronous Light Detection Utilizing CMOS/CCD Sensors For Oximetry Sensing - This disclosure describes a system and method for measuring a physiological parameter, such as a SpO | 2009-12-31 |
20090326348 | METHOD FOR IMPROVED OXYGEN SATURATION ESTIMATION IN THE PRESENCE OF NOISE - The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to devices, systems, and methods for estimating a physiological parameter in the presence of noise. For example, the disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to devices, systems, and methods for assessing (erg., estimating, measuring, calculating) oxygen saturation (SpO | 2009-12-31 |
20090326349 | Consistent Signal Selection By Signal Segment Selection Techniques - According to embodiments, techniques for selecting a consistent part of a signal, including a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal, are disclosed. A pulse oximetry system including a sensor or probe may be used to obtain a PPG signal from a subject. Signal peaks may be identified in the PPG signal. Characteristics of the signal peaks, including the amplitude levels of the signal peaks and/or the time-distance between the signal peaks may be used to determine if the PPG signal is consistent. In an embodiment, signal peaks are processed based on a consistency metric, and the processed signal peaks are compared to the consistency metric to determine if the PPG signal is consistent. If the PPG signal is determined to be consistent, the PPG signal may be further analyzed to determine an underlying signal parameter, including, for example, a patient respiration rate. If the PPG signal is determined to be inconsistent, the inconsistent portion of the signal may be removed from the overall signal or otherwise transformed. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326350 | TISSUE PERFUSION SENSOR CONTROL - An optical perfusion sensor may monitor blood oxygen saturation of blood-perfused tissue, which may be referred to as tissue perfusion, until a tissue perfusion value is within a threshold range of a reference value, and, in some examples, for at least a minimum period of time. The tissue perfusion value may indicate an absolute blood oxygen saturation level or a relative change in blood oxygen saturation level. The reference value may be, for example, determined by an oxygen (O2) variation index that indicates a change in blood oxygen saturation of tissue. In some examples, the optical perfusion sensor may be activated upon detecting a cardiac event, such as a cardiac arrhythmia. In addition, in some examples, cardiac signal monitoring may be activated upon detecting a threshold change in tissue perfusion. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326351 | Signal Processing Mirroring Technique - Embodiments may include systems and methods capable of processing an original signal by selecting and mirroring portions of the signal to create a new signal for further analysis. In an embodiment, the signal may be a photoplethysmograph (PPG) signal and the new signal may be further analyzed using continuous wavelet transforms. Any suitable number of reconstructed new signals may be created from the original signal and scalograms may be derived at least in part from the new signals. Ridges may be extracted from the scalograms of the new signals and secondary scalograms may be further derived from the ridges. A sum along amplitudes technique may be applied to a selected scalogram and may be plotted as a function of the scale of the scalogram. Desired information, such as respiration information within the original signal, may be identified from the plot. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326352 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING PARAMETERS OF CARDIAC FUNCTION - A device for non-invasively measuring at least one parameter of a cardiac blood vessel in a patient is provided. The device comprises at least one light source that emits light in the 400 nm to 1000 nm wavelength range; at least one photodetector adapted to receive light emitted by the light source and generate an output based on the received light, wherein said light is reflected from or transmitted through tissue of the patient, the output of said photodetector being correlated with a parameter of the blood vessel; and at least one probe for facilitating delivery of light from the light source to an external tissue site on the patient in the proximity of the cardiac blood vessel and receipt of light by the photodetector. A system and methods of monitoring/measuring cardiac parameters utilizing the device and/or system are also provided. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326353 | PROCESSING AND DETECTING BASELINE CHANGES IN SIGNALS - According to embodiments, systems and methods for detecting the occurrence of events from a signal are provided. A signal processing system may analyze baseline changes and changes in signal characteristics to detect events from a signal. The system may also detect events by analyzing energy parameters and artifacts in a scalogram of the signal. Further, the system may detect events by analyzing both the signal and its corresponding scalogram. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326354 | Noninvasive Sensor Housing - A flexible sensor pad includes a cavity to hold a sensor unit with an attached cable. According to one aspect of the present invention, a light-shielding layer is coupled to a bottom surface of the sensor pad, surrounds the sensor unit, and extends past two sides of the sensor pad. A transparent adhesive layer is coupled to the light-shielding layer and extends past two sides of the light-shielding layer. Another light shielding layer is coupled to a top surface of the sensor pad and covers the sensor unit. The cable divides the sensor pad into a first side and a second side which are mirror images of each other. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326355 | Integrated Test System for Monitoring Bodily Fluids - An integrated diagnostic instrument ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326356 | CARDIAC SIGNAL SENSOR CONTROL - An optical perfusion sensor may monitor blood oxygen saturation of blood-perfused tissue, which may be referred to as tissue perfusion, until a tissue perfusion value is within a threshold range of a reference value, and, in some examples, for at least a minimum period of time. The tissue perfusion value may indicate an absolute blood oxygen saturation level or a relative change in blood oxygen saturation level. The reference value may be, for example, determined by an optical oxygenation (O2) variation index that indicates a change in blood oxygen saturation of tissue. In some examples, an operation of a cardiac signal sensing module may be controlled based upon detecting a threshold change in tissue perfusion. For example, the cardiac signal sensing module may be activated upon detecting a threshold change in tissue perfusion. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326357 | Method, system, and computer program product for calculating daily weighted averages of glucose measurements (or derived quantities) with time-based weights - A method and system for calculating daily weighted averages of glucose measurements (or derived quantities) with time-based weights are disclosed. The present invention computes an average daily glucose value using the time based weights based on only consecutive glucose measurements in the plurality of glucose measurements with acceptable time intervals that do not exceed a predefined maximum time interval. The invention further relates to a computer program for implementing the method for calculating daily weighted averages of spot monitoring glucose measurements (or derived quantities) with the time-based weights. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326358 | Non-invasive fast-response biodosimeter - Our invention disclosures a biodosimeter and method of measurements a dose of radiation and/or biological-chemical substances absorbed by human or animal body, microbes, plants. The invention describes a multiparametric analysis system to evaluate biochemical and physical patterns related to a range of doses of radiation and/or biological-chemical substances following exposure of human body by radiation and/or biological-chemical substances. In our invention we also propose to use a method of plasmon enhancement by which intrinsic biomolecular targets within human body may increase their fluorescence QY close to unity, especially for the variety of biochemicals. The disclosed robust biodosimeter provides fast-response field applications to normal populations exposed to radiation and/or biological-chemical substances release, and to first-responders evaluating those normal populations. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326359 | METHOD OF IN VIVO DETECTION AND/OR DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER USING FLUORESCENCE BASED DNA IMAGE CYTOMETRY - The invention relates to a method of determining in vivo in a human or animal subject the amount of nuclear DNA by first localizing cell nuclei of living tissue and subsequently measuring the nuclear UV absorbance using confocal scanning microscopy. The invention relates also to a method for detecting cancerous cells in vivo in a human or animal subject by first identifying the localization of cell nuclei in living tissue and subsequently determining the nuclear UV absorbance by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of diagnosing cancer in a human or animal subject in vivo relying on a combination of identifying the localization of cell nuclei in living tissue and measuring nuclear UV absorbance by laser scanning confocal microscopy. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326360 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF CEREBRAL INFARCTS - The invention relates to a method for automatic estimation of the growth potential of cerebral infarcts, particularly in the acute phase, that is to say in the six hours following survival of the stroke. The method includes sequences of diffusion MRI images are obtained, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is calculated at a multiplicity of points or voxels of the cortical parenchyma, and locating and delimiting the initial infarct and modelling the development of the infarct based on a growth model. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326361 | Computer aided method and apparatus - A computer aided method and apparatus are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method includes acquiring image data of a scanned location of a subject by performing a nuclear magnetic resonance scan thereon, and displaying via a user interface an image formed by the image data; determining particular feature information by using an image segmentation algorithm to the image, determining the position of an acupotome insertion point according to the particular feature information, and displaying the position of the acupotome insertion point on the image. In at least one embodiment, the present invention can provide to a doctor the image information formed after scanning the scanned location, determine the particular feature information by using the image segmentation algorithm, and determine the position of the acupotome insertion point according to the determined particular feature information, thus providing to the doctor objective evidence for a decision on an acupotome surgical operation plan, thereby improving the accuracy of an acupotome treatment. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326362 | REGISTRATION OF MULTI-MODALITY IMAGES - A system for generating registered diagnostic images ( | 2009-12-31 |
20090326363 | FUSED IMAGE MODALITIES GUIDANCE - An improved system and method (i.e. utility) for registration of medical images is provided. The utility registers a previously obtained volume onto an ultrasound volume during an ultrasound procedure to produce a multimodal image. The multimodal image may be used to guide a medical procedure, In one arrangement, the multimodal image includes MRI and/or MRSI information presented in the framework of a TRUS image during a TRUS procedure. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326364 | MRI compatible robot with calibration phantom and phantom - A medical robot for use inside an MRI includes a horizontal motion assembly, a vertical motion assembly and a controller. The horizontal motion assembly and the vertical assembly each includes a motion joint, an ultrasonic motor operably connected to the motion joint and an encoder operably connected to the ultrasonic motor. The motor and encoder are positioned proximate to the joint of the respective horizontal motion assembly and vertical motion assembly. Each motor has a cross section positioned in one of the axial and sagittal plane of the MRI. A medical instrument assembly is operably connectable to one of the moving joint of the vertical motion assembly. The controller is operably connected to the horizontal motion joint and the vertical motion joint and it is adapted to be powered off when the magnetic resonance imager is being used to collect images. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326365 | Medical robot for use in a MRI - A medical robot for use inside a magnetic resonance imager includes a horizontal motion assembly, a vertical motion assembly and a controller. The horizontal motion assembly includes a motion joint, an ultrasonic motor operably connected to the motion joint and an encoder operably connected to the ultrasonic motor. The motor and encoder are positioned proximate to the joint of the horizontal motion assembly. The vertical motion assembly is operably connected to the horizontal motion assembly and it includes a motion joint, an ultrasonic motor operably connected to the motion joint and an encoder operably connected to the ultrasonic motor. The motor and encoder are positioned proximate to the joint of the vertical motion assembly. The controller is operably connected thereto and is adapted to be powered off when the magnetic resonance imager is being used to collect images. A medical instrument assembly is connectable to the medical robot. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326366 | METHOD FOR VISUALLY MONITORING AN IRREVERSIBLE ELECTROPORATION TREATMENT, AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS WITH INTEGRATED ELECTROPORATION TREATMENT DEVICE - In a method for implementing an irreversible electroporation treatment with an electroporation device having at least two treatment electrodes, magnetic resonance exposures are acquired for visual monitoring of the treatment, and magnetic resonance-compatible electrodes are used as treatment electrodes. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has an electroporation device integrated therein, so as to be operable by co-use of at least some of the same components that arte used for image data acquisition. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326367 | Magnetic resonance imager, method and program which continuously applies steady-state free precession to k-space - A magnetic resonance imager for forming images of a moving portion of a patient includes imaging coils. The imager includes a computer that causes the imaging coils to apply continuously steady-state free precession to k-space of a magnetic resonance image series of the patient and acquire the image series, and generates images from the image series. A method for forming images of a moving portion of a patient includes the steps of applying continuously steady-state free precession to k-space of a magnetic resonance image series of a patient. There is the step of acquiring the image series. There is the step of generating images from the image series. A method for forming images of a patient includes the steps of triggering a steady-state free precision imaging sequence to an ECG r wave of cardiac cycles of the patient. There is the step of performing the steady-state free precision imaging sequence with imaging coils of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner such that data for a series of k-space data sets associated with the imaging sequence are acquired in a manner that is time resolved through the cardiac cycle, with data acquired over a number of consecutive cardiac cycles. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium to form an image of a patient with an MRI. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326368 | System and Method For Integrating Electromagnetic Microsensors in Guidewires - A system and method of integrating electromagnetic microsensors into interventional endovascular devices such as guidewires for tracking guidewires within vessels of a body with the use of a surgical navigation system. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326369 | METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING THE POSITION OF A MEDICAL INSTRUMENT IN A BODY - The present invention relates to a method for ascertaining the position of the head of a medical instrument in a vascular system, wherein the instrument can be inserted into the vascular system of a body and describes a path at least partially inside the vascular system, and the position of the instrument head is calculated from structural data, length data and the relative position between a reference point and the vascular system, wherein the instrument is guided past the reference point, the structural data represents the structure of the vascular system, and the length data represents the length of the path between the reference point and the instrument head. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326370 | INTERFACE UNIT FOR USE WITH INJECTORS AND IMAGING SYSTEMS AND RELATED DEVICES - A system for producing a contrast-enhanced medical image of a patient includes a source of a contrast or enhancement medium, a pressurizing unit in fluid connection with the source of contrast or enhancement medium, an energy source operable to apply energy to a region of the patient, an imaging unit providing a visual display of an internal view of the patient based upon a signal resulting from the energy applied to the region of the patient, and a control unit. In an embodiment, the signal is affected by a condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient. To control the procedures, the control unit adjusts the condition of the contrast or enhancement medium in the patient based upon the signal. A communication interface preferably enables information between an injector subsystem and an imaging subsystem. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326371 | Surgical Probe Apparatus and System - A system for detecting and locating sources of radiation emissions. A hand-held probe includes a detector configured to generate a low-level electrical signal relating to a radiation source proximate the detector, and a probe wireless link configured to transmit a message containing gamma data relating to the low-level electrical signal. An instrumentation console includes a housing, an integral console wireless link within the housing and configured to receive the message transmitted by the probe wireless link, a receiver electrically coupled to the console wireless link to convert the message to corresponding electrical display signals, and a visually perceivable display electrically coupled to the receiver to convert the electrical display signals to a visually perceivable display relating to the amount of radiation detected. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326372 | Compound Imaging with HIFU Transducer and Use of Pseudo 3D Imaging - A medical imaging and therapy applicator is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the medical imaging and therapy applicator is that it can image target tissue of a patient with ultrasound imaging transducers. Another feature of the medical imaging and therapy applicator is that it can display the imaging information and provide therapeutic energy to the target tissue. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy applicator are also covered. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326373 | Method for assisting with percutaneous interventions - The present invention relates to a method for assisting with percutaneous interventions, wherein 2D x-ray images of an object region are recorded before the intervention using a C-arm x-ray system or a robot-based x-ray system at different projection angles and 3D x-ray image data of the object region is reconstructed from the 2D x-ray recordings. One or more 2D or 3D ultrasound images are recorded before and/or during the intervention using an external ultrasound system and registered with the 3D image data. The 2D or 3D ultrasound images are then overlaid with the 3D image data record or a target region segmented therefrom or displayed next to one another in the same perspective. The method allows a puncture or biopsy to be monitored with a low level of radiation. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326374 | Ultrasound observation device and method for controlling operation thereof - An ultrasound observation device includes a depth knob and a pulse generator. The depth knob is operated to switch the display depth of an ultrasound image on a monitor. Upon every rotation of the depth knob by a predetermined angle, the pulse generator generates a switching pulse. A control circuit has a waiting time determiner, which determines a waiting time to start signal processing every time the switching pulse is generated. When a subsequent switching pulse is generated within the waiting time, the waiting time determiner calculates an average generation interval of the switching pulses, and determines a new waiting time based on the average generation interval. When the waiting time elapsed without the generation of a subsequent switching pulse, the control circuit recognizes the end of switching operation, and starts a display switching process under the conditions corresponding to the number of the switching pulses generated. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326375 | RECEIVE BEAMFORMER FOR ULTRASOUND - A method of ultrasound receive beamforming includes receiving a first plurality of sensing signals from target tissue, forming a first plurality of digital sensing signals, and data processing the digital sensing signals along a first plurality of data paths to form a first plurality of delayed and apodized digital sensing signals. Data path combining generates data combinations of the delayed and apodized digital sensing signals to include two or more of the delayed and apodized digital sensing signals that originate from different ones of the transducer elements. The data combinations are interpolation filtered using a plurality of interpolation filters to form a second plurality of delayed and apodized digital sensing signals, which are then summed to form an ultrasound receive beamformed signal. The interpolation filters can be interpolation filters in a single shared filter bank, with each interpolation filter providing a different fractional delay. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326376 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING PLACENTAL VOLUME - Method and system for determining a volume of a placenta in utero. The placenta in utero may be modeled as having a convex-concave shape (e.g., like that of a portion of a spherical shell). Volume of the placenta may be determined based on the width (or height) and thickness of the placenta, or based on width, height and thickness of the placenta. Placenta size characteristics may be measured using imaging techniques, such as ultrasound. In one aspect of the invention, a volume of a placenta in utero may be compared to the volume of other placentas for similar gestational age, and a determination regarding whether the placenta volume poses a risk to fetal health may be made. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326377 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can acquire ultrasound image data of an excellent spatial resolution and contrast resolution by electrically controlling focusing points of transmission/reception waves so as to form transmitting beams and receiving beams having a substantially uniform thin beam width along an elevation direction in an object. Transmission ultrasounds emitted from a prescribed number of transducers are focused at a hypothetical point sound source. Transmitting wave-fronts propagated from the point sound source reflect at a plurality of observing points in the propagation area. Reception ultrasounds reflected at the observing points are received through a prescribed number of receiving transducers so as to generate a plurality of channels of receiving signals. The receiving signals are focused by performing receiving phase compensation and summation so that the observing point becomes a reception focusing point. The phase compensated and summed receiving signals are focused by performing wave-front phase compensation and summation in order to correct transmitting delays due to the propagation distances between the transmitting focusing point and the observing points. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326378 | Formation Of An Enhanced Elastic Image In An Ultrasound System - There are disclosed embodiments for forming an enhanced elastic image in an ultrasound system. An elastic image of a target object may be formed by scanning N scan lines. A control unit divides the N scan lines into M scan lines groups by using an acquisition period necessary for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals to acquire ultrasound data. An ultrasound data acquiring unit transmits ultrasound signals to a target object and receives the ultrasound signals reflected from the target object at a predetermined transmission/reception sequence for each of the M scan line groups. This forms ultrasound data corresponding to each of the M scan line groups while a pressure is applied to the target object. An elastic image forming unit forms at least one sub elastic image corresponding to each of the M scan line groups based on the ultrasound data. The elastic forming unit sums M sub elastic images corresponding to the respective M scan line groups to thereby form an elastic image of the target object. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326379 | HIGH FRAME RATE QUANTITATIVE DOPPLER FLOW IMAGING USING UNFOCUSED TRANSMIT BEAMS - An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which a method of producing a Doppler velocity image is accomplished by emitting unfocused acoustic signals into a medium over substantially an entire field; receiving scattered and reflected ultrasonic signals on a transducer array in response to the emission; processing the received ultrasonic signals to extract information to construct a Doppler velocity signal corresponding to at least one point in the medium; and generating on a display device the Doppler velocity image from the processed Doppler velocity signal. Acquisition sequences and signal processing algorithms are described that provide improved quantification of fluid flow parameters, including improved discrimination between regions of blood flow and tissue. Very high frame rate Spectral Doppler and Vector Doppler acquisition modes for real-time and post-acquisition visualization over a large field of view are described. | 2009-12-31 |
20090326380 | Portable Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus - Disclosed herein is a portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a body part, a handle coupled to the body part and having a curved shape, and a display unit coupled to the handle. The handle has a curved shape to improve close contact feelings with an operator's palm, so that an operator does not experience palm fatigue even after extended use. | 2009-12-31 |