Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080287810 | Miniature actuator mechanism for intravascular optical imaging - The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices by offering the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device. Because the device does not require a rotating shaft or fiber optic along the length of the catheter, it also allows for a more flexible catheter or guide wire, and provides room for other interventional devices. The device simplifies the manufacture and operation of OCT by allowing a straight fiber optic directed by an independent, oscillating reflector or prism controlled by the actuator mechanism located only in the distal tip of the device. A variation uses the actuator mechanism to rotate only the distal end of the optical fiber, eliminating the need to spin the entire fiber via a remote mechanism. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. | 11-20-2008 |
20090099551 | Sensors and control for an interventional catheter - This invention provides small position sensors for applications where localized sensing in a small volume of space is needed but where measurement of large relative displacement is also necessary. The invention enables a surgeon to accurately position the tip of a catheter during minimally invasive therapy. The current invention further improves the quality of tactile feedback to a physician during catheter-based surgeries with an axial force sensor at the tip of the catheter that allows for the transmission of force information to the physician. One embodiment of this invention is a position sensor for active interventional catheters, where the sensor may be laser-machined shape memory alloy (SMA), and the catheter actuators may be heated SMA or wire-pulleys. Providing position feedback from a catheter during minimally invasive therapy allows for closed-loop control of the catheter tip position under computer-aided guidance and enable force feedback to the physician. | 04-16-2009 |
20100113938 | MINIATURE ACTUATOR MECHANISM FOR INTRAVASCULAR IMAGING - The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. | 05-06-2010 |
20110218437 | Devices, Systems, and Methods for Field of View Control in Imaging Systems - Devices, systems, and methods for controlling the field of view in imaging systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment an imaging system includes a flexible elongate sized and shaped for use within an internal structure of a patient, an imaging transducer positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a monitor positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongated member and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of a position of the imaging transducer relative to the transducer's motion profile. The imaging system may also include a controller in communication with the monitor and configured to adjust a control signal based on the feedback signal in order to achieve a desired field of view for the imaging transducer. | 09-08-2011 |
20110263986 | MINIATURE FORWARD-LOOKING ULTRASOUND IMAGING MECHANISM ENABLED BY LOCAL SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR - The present invention relates to a new forward-looking ultrasound device including a local actuator embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention includes an ultrasound transducer element configured to engage with the local actuator and rotate about an axis of rotation at least when the ultrasound transducer element and the local actuator are engaged. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. | 10-27-2011 |
20120238868 | Miniature Actuator Mechanism for Intravascular Imaging - The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. | 09-20-2012 |
20130269174 | Miniature Forward-Looking Ultrasound Imaging Mechanism Enabled by Local Shape Memory Alloy Actuator - The present invention relates to a new forward-looking ultrasound device including a local actuator embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention includes an ultrasound transducer element configured to engage with the local actuator and rotate about an axis of rotation at least when the ultrasound transducer element and the local actuator are engaged. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. | 10-17-2013 |
20130289391 | System and Method Using Forward Looking Imaging for Valve Therapies - A system is provided for aortic valve imaging utilizing forward looking imaging sensors. A method of imaging the aortic valve is provided that can be utilized for diagnostic evaluation and the delivery of a therapy. In one form, the imaging system can be used to place a replacement aortic valve. In another aspect, an imaging system is combined with a valve replacement delivery system. | 10-31-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080287837 | ULTRASOUND MEDICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ultrasound medical system includes an interstitial end effector. The interstitial end effector is interstitially insertable into patient tissue, includes at least one medical-treatment ultrasound transducer, and includes at least one end-effector-tissue-track ablation device. One method for ultrasonically treating a lesion in a patient includes the steps of obtaining the interstitial end effector and inserting it into the patient creating a tissue track which is surrounded by patient tissue and which ends at the distal end of the inserted interstitial end effector. Other steps include ultrasonically ablating the lesion using the at-least-one medical-treatment ultrasound transducer, using the at-least-one end-effector-tissue-track ablation device to ablate the patient tissue surrounding the tissue track along substantially the entire tissue track, and withdrawing the end effector from the patient. | 11-20-2008 |
20100152728 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE EFFICACY OF A LESION - A method and apparatus are provided for assessing the degree of electrical signal blockage, or transmurality, of a line of ablation in which at least a first electrode adapted to deliver an electrical impulse is located on the first or one side of a line of ablation; and at least a second and a third electrode adapted to detect an electrical impulse are located on the second side of the line of ablation generally opposite to the first electrode. Each electrode may also be made up of more than one electrode, such as an electrode pair, to better assure reliability and tissue contact. Once the electrodes are located in contact with the tissue in question, an electrical impulse is delivered to the target tissue by the first electrode and detected by the second and third electrodes. Depending upon whether the line of ablation allows passage of electrical pulses, the second and third electrodes will detect the electrical impulse sequentially, with the order and/or timing of detection depending upon whether the electrical signal is able to directly cross the line of ablation or has to travel around the line of ablation to reach the second and third electrodes. | 06-17-2010 |
20110313413 | ABLATION DEVICE WITH SENSOR - An electrosurgical device having a distal tip for creating a lesion on tissue includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are parallel for the delivery of RF energy to tissue. A sensor electrode is provided parallel to and spaced away from the first electrode a different distance than the second electrode. When the sensor electrode and at least one of the first and second electrodes are in contact with tissue, The electrosurgical device can perform at least one of the following: ablating tissue, and sensing at least one selected from the group of voltage, tissue impedance, electrical conduction, conduction time, conduction velocity, and signal phase angle. | 12-22-2011 |
20140052130 | MATRIX ROUTER FOR SURGICAL ABLATION - A matrix router with frequency switching is provided having an energy source electrically connected to a plurality of interface ports. A switching device is provided between the energy source and the plurality of switches. One of the plurality of interface ports includes a paired electrode interface port for the connection of a paired electrode device thereto. The paired electrode device has a first pair of opposed electrodes and a second pair of opposed electrodes for clamping on tissue. When the paired electrode device is operably connected to the paired electrode interface port and actuated, the switching device alternates energy such as bipolar RF from the first pair of opposed electrodes to the second pair of opposed electrodes. | 02-20-2014 |
20140194864 | Ablation Device with Sensor - An electrosurgical device having a distal tip for creating a lesion on tissue includes a first electrode and a second electrode that are parallel for the delivery of RF energy to tissue. A sensor electrode is provided parallel to and spaced away from the first electrode a different distance than the second electrode. When the sensor electrode and at least one of the first and second electrodes are in contact with tissue. The electrosurgical device can perform at least one of the following: ablating tissue, and sensing at least one selected from the group of voltage, tissue impedance, electrical conduction, conduction time, conduction velocity, and signal phase angle. | 07-10-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090201461 | INTERCONNECTION TAB USED WITH OPTICAL DEVICES - An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode layer is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode layer contacts a corresponding substrate electrode. And each tab electrode layer includes a portion that extends from the pair of opposed substrates on selected portions of the insulator layer. | 08-13-2009 |
20090251660 | EYEWEAR INCORPORATING LENSES WITH ELECTRONICALLY VARIABLE OPTICAL PROPERTIES - An electro-optic eyewear assembly having a frame with opposed ends, a pair of temples, and a hinge mechanically interconnecting each temple to a corresponding end of the frame. Each temple moveable between a wearing position and a storage position and at least one electro-optic lens carried by the frame and a control circuit carried by at least one of the temples. The electrical connection between the control circuit and the at least one electro-optic lens being made by moving one of the temples into physical contact with the frame when the temple carrying the control circuit is moved to a wearing position. | 10-08-2009 |
20090256978 | LIQUID CRYSTAL SKI GOGGLES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device. | 10-15-2009 |
20110211157 | INTERCONNECTION TAB USED WITH OPTICAL DEVICES - An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode is in electrical connection with a corresponding substrate electrode facing the tab electrode. And a pad electrode is also provided on each surface, wherein each pad electrode is in electronic connection with the substrate electrode facing the opposed surface of the insulator layer. | 09-01-2011 |
20110283431 | ATTACHABLE OPTICAL ELEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS - A light attenuating optical arrangement for assembly to an eye-shielding device includes an optical element having an electronically controlled guest-host liquid crystal cell for variably attenuating transmission of light, the liquid crystal cell including first and second plastic substrates. A controller is electrically connected to the liquid crystal cell and is configured to selectively supply a voltage across the liquid crystal cell. The controller is provided with a means for electrically connecting the controller to a power source, and a means for attaching the controller to the eye-shielding device. The optical element is provided with a means for attaching an outer periphery of the optical element to a surface of a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device. | 11-24-2011 |
20150272260 | ATTACHABLE OPTICAL ELEMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND METHODS - Described is a kit, an optical insert assembly and a method for attaching an optical insert to a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device. The kit includes an optical insert with an outer perimeter, and a flexible border attachment element with an inner periphery area extending inward of the outer perimeter of the optical insert, and an outer periphery area extending outward of the outer perimeter of the optical insert, and having a first adhesive area for attachment to the optical insert and a second adhesive area for attachment to the viewing lens. When attached, the border attachment element defines a buffer zone spanning the inner periphery and outer periphery areas. The optical insert assembly includes the elements of the kits described herein, attached to a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device. | 10-01-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100044650 | NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITION, A DEVICE AND A METHOD THEREOF - The invention provides a nanoparticle composition, a device including the nanoparticle composition, and a method thereof. The composition comprises nanoparticles such as Gold nanorods (NR) and electrically charged self-assembled molecular aggregates such as disodium chromoglycate (DSCG) in a common solvent such as water. The nanoparticles are assembled as, for example, side-by-side and end-to-end assemblies of nanorods, through a non-covalent interaction such as anisotropic electrostatic interaction with the electrically charged self-assembled molecular aggregates. The invention can be used in a cloaking device, a biological sensing device, a drug delivery, a meta material, a negative index material, an enhanced imaging device, and a device for solar energy conversion, and exhibits many merits such as simpler process without the need of a covalent bonding between the nanoparticles, different manners of nanoparticles assembling with same linker, higher thermal stability, cost effectiveness, and capability of gradual controlling of the degree of NR assembly, among others. | 02-25-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130248457 | CONTROL VALVE FOR A WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A control valve assembly including a water meter usage assembly including discs which are relatively positionable to adjust the frequency at which regeneration in a water treatment system starts. A regeneration control disc mounted coaxially with the meter disc assembly includes structure for releasing a drive mechanism associated with the meter disc assembly to rotate it back to a start position under a predetermined operating condition. The discs are releasably held in their relative positions by at least one pawl and at least one of the discs is rotatable relative to the other disc. The regeneration frequency is determined by an initiation slot in one of the discs and its operative position is determined by disc positions. The regeneration control disc is rotated by a pawl mechanism that is activated when an associated cam follower is received by the regeneration initiation slot formed in the water meter usage assembly. | 09-26-2013 |
20140116928 | WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A water treatment system having an inlet for receiving water to be treated and a manifold that defines a pair of fluid streams communicating with the inlet. A valve module carried by the manifold controls the communication of water at the inlet with treatment cartridges and with a common outlet. The valve module includes a valve member that is movable between two positions such that, in one position, the valve member communicates each fluid stream with an associated cartridge and, in a second position, communicates the inlet with the common outlet and bypasses the cartridges. A remotely mounted cartridge depletion indicator is provided that includes a linkage that is magnetically coupled to a stem assembly located within a flow metering mechanism. Movement in the internal stem assembly is transferred via the magnetically coupled external linkage to a cartridge depletion indicator visible to the operator. | 05-01-2014 |
20140299550 | WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for treating water including a tank having an inlet and outlet and a water treatment material or resin within the tank. A control valve assembly having multiple, separable levels houses a water usage metering mechanism and a regeneration control mechanism, each having associated turbines. An inlet/bypass valve communicates source water with the tank inlet or directly to a system outlet. When the treatment material is exhausted, it is regenerated by actuating the bypass valve to communicate the source water with the system outlet. The turbine driven regeneration control then sequences the steps of regeneration, including opening a control valve to communicate inlet water to a venturi in order to aspirate brine solution and deliver to the tank outlet. The brine solution passes through the treatment material and is discharged through the tank inlet which is communicated to a system drain. At the conclusion of this step, brine solution is blocked from the venturi and the tank is slow rinsed. Subsequently, the communication of the venturi with the tank inlet is blocked, but water is allowed to flow through the venturi and refill the brine reservoir. Water at the outlet is then communicated to the tank outlet to perform a fast rinse. At the conclusion of this step, the source water is communicated to the tank inlet and the bypass step is terminated. | 10-09-2014 |