Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100145361 | Methods and Devices for Occlusion of an Atrial Appendage - A novel occluder application and clip device for treatment of embolic stroke caused by atrial fibrillation uses multiple sutures in a non directional handle to affix the occlusion device to the applicator and manipulate the occluder from an open and receiving position to a closed and occluding position. The occluder is retained in place by a clamping means related to locks retainers, resilient material or otherwise. An actuator mechanism is used to manipulate the occluder to a locked or occluding position. The applicator with the occluder attached has a low profile and remote manipulations to allow the occluder to be delivered to the clamping location within a patient through a small incision or delivery port such as a trocar cannula or the like. | 06-10-2010 |
20100298824 | Bipolar Ablation Device, System and Method for Minimally Invasive Isolation of Pulmonary Veins in a Sub-Xiphoid Approach - Structure and method for using a sub-xiphoid ablation clamp for ablating tissue of a patient. The clamp has an elongate shaft having a major axis, first and second opposing jaws configured to open and close along a first plane, a first and second ablation element positioned along the first and second jaws configured to ablate the tissue positioned therebetween, an actuable joint operatively coupled between the shaft and the opposing jaws and configured to move the opposing jaws to a selectable angle relative to the major axis of the elongate shaft along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. The ablation clamp has a handle operatively coupled to the shaft having an actuator configured to actuate the actuable joint and a trigger mechanism to open and close the opposing jaws. | 11-25-2010 |
20150094654 | CATHETER HAVING AN ACTIVE RETURN-TO-STRAIGHT MECHANISM - Actuators for steerable medical devices are disclosed that not only deflect or steer a portion of a medical device (e.g., a distal portion of a catheter shaft), but also include mechanisms for actively returning the deflected portion of the medical device to an initial configuration (e.g., straight or substantially straight). These active return-to-straight mechanisms may return a catheter shaft from a deflected configuration to a substantially straight configuration throughout a medical procedure, may employ one or more tension members extending along the catheter shaft, and may comprise a gross return actuator and a fine return actuator. For example, the gross return actuator may be configured to partially reverse the deflection of the distal portion of the catheter; and the fine return actuator may be configured to continue reversing the deflection. The gross return actuator may automatically trigger or actuate (mechanically or electromechanically) the fine return actuator. | 04-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090082620 | Methods and Apparatus Providing Suction-Assisted Tissue Engagement Through a Minimally Invasive Incision - Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision. | 03-26-2009 |
20100204716 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR OCCLUSION OF AN ATRIAL APPENDAGE - Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for occluding a left atrial appendage of a patient. Some embodiments of the system can include a ring occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage and a ring applicator to position the ring occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. One embodiment discloses a method of accessing endocardial surfaces of the heart through the atrial appendage. Additional embodiments of the invention provide a clip occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage. A clip applicator can position the clip occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. | 08-12-2010 |
20100262132 | Compound Bipolar Ablation Device and Method - Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. | 10-14-2010 |
20130217959 | Methods and Apparatus Providing Suction-Assisted Tissue Engagement Through a Minimally Invasive Incision - Suction-assisted tissue-engaging devices, systems, and methods are disclosed that can be employed through minimal surgical incisions to engage tissue during a medical procedure through application of suction to the tissue through a suction member applied to the tissue. A shaft is introduced into a body cavity through a first incision, and a suction head is attached to the shaft via a second incision. The suction head is applied against the tissue by manipulation of the shaft and suction is applied to engage the tissue while the medical procedure is performed through the second incision. A system coupled to the shaft and a fixed reference point stabilizes the shaft and suction head. When the medical procedure is completed, suction is discontinued, the suction head is detached from the shaft and withdrawn from the body cavity through the second incision, and the shaft is retracted through the first incision. | 08-22-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090143748 | Catheter Devices for Myocardial Injections or Other Uses - A catheter device includes an elongate tubular housing, a cannula, and a flexible proboscis. The cannula defines a cannula lumen which is in fluid communication with a cannula exit port located adjacent the distal end of the elongate housing. The distal tip of the cannula is disposed within the cannula lumen. The cannula defines a proboscis lumen and the cannula has a proboscis exit port in fluid communication with the proboscis lumen. The proboscis exit port is located at the distal tip of the cannula. The flexible proboscis has a distal tip and is disposed within the proboscis lumen. | 06-04-2009 |
20100145306 | Various Catheter Devices for Myocardial Injections or Other Uses - A catheter device comprising a proboscis shaft and a proboscis disposed within the proboscis shaft. In certain embodiments, the catheter device further comprises an elongate tubular member, wherein the proboscis shaft is disposed within the elongate tubular member. In certain embodiments, the catheter device comprises a tissue surface engagement structure, which has a first configuration and a second configuration. In the second configuration, the tissue surface engagement structure presents a larger transverse profile in comparison to the first configuration. The tissue surface engagement structure may have any of various designs, including an expandable assembly and a hinged assembly. In certain embodiments, a deformable cushion is positioned at the distal end of the proboscis shaft. The deformable cushion comprises a pocket that is filled with a reshapeable material. In certain embodiments, the proboscis shaft comprises a longitudinally compressible portion. | 06-10-2010 |
20100305451 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING IMAGE-GUIDED INTRAVASCULAR AND ENDOCARDIAL THERAPY SYSTEMS - A catheter assembly includes a catheter and a delivery element. The catheter has a distal end with a distal tip, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The catheter includes a body that defines a central lumen extending along the catheter to the distal end. The catheter also includes a forward-facing transducer array disposed at the distal tip of the catheter. The transducer array is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. At least one catheter conductor is electrically coupled to the transducer array and extends along the catheter. The delivery element is disposed in the lumen of the catheter. The delivery element includes a distal tip that is configured and arranged for contacting patient tissue. The distal tip of the delivery element is configured and arranged to extend beyond the distal tip of the catheter. | 12-02-2010 |
20140031686 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING IMAGE-GUIDED INTRAVASCULAR AND ENDOCARDIAL THERAPY SYSTEMS - A catheter assembly includes a catheter and a delivery element. The catheter has a distal end with a distal tip, a proximal end, and a longitudinal length. The catheter includes a body that defines a central lumen extending along the catheter to the distal end. The catheter also includes a forward-facing transducer array disposed at the distal tip of the catheter. The transducer array is configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals and also for transforming received echo signals to electrical signals. At least one catheter conductor is electrically coupled to the transducer array and extends along the catheter. The delivery element is disposed in the lumen of the catheter. The delivery element includes a distal tip that is configured and arranged for contacting patient tissue. The distal tip of the delivery element is configured and arranged to extend beyond the distal tip of the catheter. | 01-30-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090313505 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING COMBINATIONS OF PERFOMANCE INDICATORS ASSOCIATED WITH A ROOT CAUSE - Methods and system are provided for detecting combinations of performance indicators that are associated with a root cause. The method comprises storing a plurality of error codes, each representative of at least one performance indicator, storing descriptive data associated with each of the plurality of error codes, storing a plurality of root causes, each associated with descriptive data that corresponds to the descriptive data of the plurality of error codes, identifying the error codes from the plurality of error codes that correspond to at least one of the plurality of root causes, and analyzing the error codes that correspond to at least one root cause to determine combinations of performance indicators that are associated with the root cause. | 12-17-2009 |
20100058112 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS UNIQUELY ASSOCIATED WITH AN UNDERLYING ROOT CAUSE - Methods and systems are provided for detecting temporal relationships that are uniquely associated with a selected root cause. The method comprises identifying error codes associated with a root cause, wherein each error code comprises a plurality of event indicators and temporal data describing when the event indicator was generated, analyzing each of the error codes to detect a combination of event indicators that is associated with error codes corresponding to the selected root cause and to a non-selected root cause, and detecting a temporal relationship involving the combination of event indicators, wherein the temporal relationship is uniquely associated with error codes corresponding to the selected root cause. | 03-04-2010 |
20100303611 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TURBINE LINE REPLACEABLE UNIT FAULT DETECTION AND ISOLATION DURING ENGINE STARTUP - Systems and methods for isolating a performance anomaly within one or more line replaceable units (LRUs) on a gas turbine engine by monitoring the start up transient are presented. The system comprises a set of sensors, an anomaly detector and a fault isolation reasoner. Each sensor of the set monitors at least one operating parameter of at least one engine component. The anomaly detector is configured to detect an anomaly in a component by comparing a particular value of an operating parameter to a base line value of that parameter. The specific cause of the startup anomaly is isolated utilizing a set of component reasoners that is based on the nature of the detected anomaly. The key events during the engine startup are identified by the combination of monitoring physically relevant phases of a startup and monitoring the engine control schedule. The values at these key events are used for comparing at the anomaly detector | 12-02-2010 |
20110018727 | WIND TURBINE GENERATOR FAULT DIAGNOSTIC AND PROGNOSTIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A computer implemented method and system includes using information provided from sensors to monitor a wind turbine generator and provide signals representative of operation of the wind turbine generator, extracting signal level features from the signals, extracting model based features from the signals, calculating signal based conclusions, model based conclusions and spectral feature reinforcement based conclusions, and | 01-27-2011 |
20110224917 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING INCIPIENT BEARING FAILURES - Methods and systems for estimating wear damage of a rolling-element bearing system including at least one rolling-element bearing are provided. A first number of first condition indicators representative of the wear damage of the at least one rolling-element bearing are generated. A second number of second condition indicators are generated based on the first plurality of first condition indicators. The second number is less than the first number an indication of the wear damage of the at least one rolling-element bearing is generated based on the second number of second condition indicators. | 09-15-2011 |
20110257927 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAULTS - An inertial navigation system (INS) includes a primary inertial navigation system (INS) unit configured to receive accelerometer measurements from an accelerometer and angular velocity measurements from a gyroscope. The primary INS unit is further configured to receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from a GNSS sensor and to determine a first set of kinematic state vectors based on the accelerometer measurements, the angular velocity measurements, and the GNSS signals. The INS further includes a secondary INS unit configured to receive the accelerometer measurements and the angular velocity measurements and to determine a second set of kinematic state vectors of the vehicle based on the accelerometer measurements and the angular velocity measurements. A health management system is configured to compare the first set of kinematic state vectors and the second set of kinematic state vectors to determine faults associated with the accelerometer or the gyroscope based on the comparison. | 10-20-2011 |
20120209539 | TURBINE FAULT ANALYSIS - Devices, methods, and systems for turbine fault analysis are described herein. One computing device implemented method for turbine failure analysis includes collecting a first set of data associated with wind turbine performance, via a computing device, analyzing the first set of data to determine whether the first set of data can indicate a fault condition, and reviewing a second set of data associated with wind turbine performance to determine if a fault condition exists. | 08-16-2012 |
20130173135 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TURBINE LINE REPLACEABLE UNIT FAULT DETECTION AND ISOLATION DURING ENGINE STARTUP - Systems and methods for isolating a performance anomaly within one or more line replaceable units (LRUs) on a gas turbine engine by monitoring the start up transient are presented. The system comprises a set of sensors, an anomaly detector and a fault isolation reasoner. Each sensor of the set monitors at least one operating parameter of at least one engine component. The anomaly detector is configured to detect an anomaly in a component by comparing a particular value of an operating parameter to a base line value of that parameter. The specific cause of the startup anomaly is isolated utilizing a set of component reasoners that is based on the nature of the detected anomaly. The key events during the engine startup are identified by the combination of monitoring physically relevant phases of a startup and monitoring the engine control schedule. The values at these key events are used for comparing at the anomaly detector. | 07-04-2013 |
20140260523 | RADAR-BASED VIBRATION SENSOR SELF-CALIBRATION METHOD - A method of calibrating a radar-based vibration sensor that includes a radar head coupled to a vibration device includes disposing the vibration sensor at a fixed distance from a target, and transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals toward, and receiving RF signals reflected by, the target. An excitation voltage is supplied, at a plurality of different excitation frequencies, to the vibration device to cause the vibration sensor to vibrate. Vibration sensor acceleration is determined at each of the different excitation frequencies. A calibration curve is generated based on the determined vibration sensor acceleration at each of the different excitation frequencies, and on the reflected RF signals at each of the different excitation frequencies. | 09-18-2014 |
20150046059 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING VIBRATION DATA - A system and method are provided for monitoring vibration data. A vehicle, for example, may include at least one engine component, a sensor coupled to the at least one engine component and configured to monitor a vibration of the at least one engine component, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to determine a plurality of envelope spectrums based upon vibration data from the sensor, determine fault frequencies for each of the at least one engine component based upon a rotating speed of each of the at least one components, and monitor each envelope spectrum for changes at the determined fault frequencies. | 02-12-2015 |
20160052642 | AIRCRAFT ELECTRIC TAXI HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An aircraft electric taxi health management system includes a right electric motor drivingly connected to at least one wheel on a right landing gear assembly, a left electric motor drivingly connected to at least one wheel on a left landing gear assembly, a right motor controller configured to electrically drive the right electric motor, monitor the right motor current and voltage, and generate right motor signals as a function of the right motor current and voltage; a left motor controller configured to electrically drive the left electric motor, monitor the left motor current and voltage, and generate left motor signals as a function of the left motor current and voltage; and a health management controller configured to compare the right motor signals to the left motor signals; and generate electric taxi system maintenance signals based on the comparison. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090149743 | Medical Fluid Injection System - One embodiment provides a method of using contextual lighting to assist a user of a medical fluid injection system. In this embodiment, the method includes providing a lighted display in proximity to a component of the injection system during setup of the medical fluid injection system. If the user has properly performed a setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a first visual indication on the lighted display. If the user has not properly performed the setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a second visual indication on the lighted display. | 06-11-2009 |
20090312740 | Balloon Inflation Device - One embodiment provides a method implemented by a powered inflation device to prepare a balloon catheter for use during a medical procedure. In this embodiment, the method includes drawing an amount of medical fluid from a fluid reservoir into the inflation device during a first motorized operation of the inflation device, removing an amount of air from the balloon catheter during a second motorized operation of the inflation device, and injecting the amount of medical fluid from the inflation device into the balloon catheter during a third motorized operation of the inflation device to inflate a balloon located at a distal end of the balloon catheter The powered inflation device may be a stand-alone device in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the powered inflation device is coupled to an angiographic injector system. When it is coupled to an angiographic injector system, the balloon inflation device and the injector system may be controlled by a common control panel, or console, in one embodiment. | 12-17-2009 |
20100324433 | MEDICAL PROCEDURE MAT AND DRAPING SYSTEM - A medical procedure mat for supporting a patient. A mat having a cushioned substrate and one or more physiological monitoring lines, the physiological monitoring lines having guided portions along the outer edge of the cushioned substrate, and flexible portions operatively coupled to the guided portions, the flexible portions being adapted to extend toward the patient. A draping system for use during medical procedures, including a top and/or bottom drape. A bottom drape including an absorbent material and/or a privacy shield. A top drape including a workbench surface. A mat and draping system in which a bottom and top drape mate to each other and/or to the mat. A draping system providing openings or holes to allow passage of one or more physiological monitoring lines when used in conjunction with the mat. | 12-23-2010 |
20130053692 | MEDICAL FLUID INJECTION SYSTEM - One embodiment provides a method of using contextual lighting to assist a user of a medical fluid injection system. In this embodiment, the method includes providing a lighted display in proximity to a component of the injection system during setup of the medical fluid injection system. If the user has properly performed a setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a first visual indication on the lighted display. If the user has not properly performed the setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a second visual indication on the lighted display. | 02-28-2013 |
20130066202 | MEDICAL FLUID INJECTION SYSTEM - One embodiment provides a method of using contextual lighting to assist a user of a medical fluid injection system. In this embodiment, the method includes providing a lighted display in proximity to a component of the injection system during setup of the medical fluid injection system. If the user has properly performed a setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a first visual indication on the lighted display. If the user has not properly performed the setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a second visual indication on the lighted display. | 03-14-2013 |
20130067416 | MEDICAL FLUID INJECTION SYSTEM - One embodiment provides a method of using contextural lighting to assist a user of a medical fluid injection system. In this embodiment, the method includes providing alighted display in proximity to a component of the injection system during setup of the medical fluid injection system. If the user has properly performed a setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a first visual indication on the lighted display. If the user has not properly performed the setup function that is associated with the component of the injection system, the method further comprises providing a second indication on the lighted display. | 03-14-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130330782 | LIQUEFACTION BIOMASS PROCESSING WITH HEAT RECOVERY - Described are processes that include the non-enzymatic, hydrolytic liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass to form digest slurries and heat recovery from such digest slurries. Due to enhanced flow properties of the digest slurries such heat recovery can be efficiently conducted in spiral, plate and frame or other heat exchanger designs, with the recovered heat going to unit operations of the process such as heating incoming pretreatment media for the liquefaction. Processes can also involve additional hydrolytic digestion of some or all of the initial slurry components with enzyme and/or additional heat recovery from the initial slurry by direct contact heat exchange in which a portion of the digest slurry liquids is flashed to vapor and that vapor is condensed onto incoming lignocellulosic biomass to the process. Processes as described can be integrated into ethanol manufacture by fermentation of sugars from the digested compositions. | 12-12-2013 |
20140141480 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS USEFUL FOR DRYING ETHANOL - Mixtures of ethanol and water are dehydrated using starch pearls to adsorb and remove water. Vapor-phase adsorption equilibrium capacities of cassava starch pellets (tapioca pearls) having different particle sizes are disclosed, and tapioca pearl particles are shown to be surprisingly more effective for dehydrating 88 to 97% w/w feed ethanol than corn grits. The adsorption equilibrium curve and BET surface area measurement show that the adsorption capacity of tapioca pearls is a function of surface area available to water molecules. SEM images demonstrate that the particle architecture required for the adsorption and dehydration properties is that of a core-shell configuration with pre-gel starch acting as a central scaffold holding together other particles to the outer layer of the particle. The outer surface area of the pearls, populated with dry starch granules, is the main factor determining the adsorption capacity of the pearls. Tapioca pearls are shown to possess a surprisingly higher adsorption capacity than corn grits of the same particle size. Pearls of 2 mm size in diameter gave 34% higher linear adsorption equilibrium constant (K) than grits of 1.7 mm. | 05-22-2014 |
20150024471 | ENZYME CATALYZED DISASSEMBLY OF CORN KERNELS - Whole corn kernels or particles thereof are enzymatically disassembled. The method can produce a solid starch fraction, a solid pericarp fraction, and a liquid fraction. A high purity starch solids product can be provided suitable for use as a feedstock in other chemical processes. | 01-22-2015 |