Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100249034 | GFRALPHA3 AND ITS USES - The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing, and immunoadhesions and antibodies to mammalian GFRα3, a novel α-subunit receptor of the GDNF (i.e. GFR) receptor family. It further relates to an assay for measuring activation of an α-subunit receptor by detecting tyrosine kinase receptor activation (i.e., autophosphorylation) or other activities related to ligand-induced α-subunit receptor homo-dimerization or homo-oligomerization. | 09-30-2010 |
20100313283 | USES OF GDNF AND GDNF RECEPTOR - GDNFRα, GDNFRα extracellular domain (ECD), GDNFRα variants, chimeric GDNFRα (e.g., GDNFRα immunoadhesin), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to GDNFRα-ligands, for example GDNF, by providing GDNFRα to the cell. Also provided are methods for using GDNFRα, GDNF, or agonists thereof, separately or in complex, to treat kidney diseases. | 12-09-2010 |
20110136223 | NEURTURIN RECEPTOR - NTNRα, NTNRα extracellular domain (ECD), NTNRα variants, chimeric NTNRα (e.g., NTNRα immunoadhesion), and antibodies which bind thereto (including agonist and neutralizing antibodies) are disclosed. Various uses for these molecules are described, including methods to modulate cell activity and survival by response to NTNRα-ligands, for example NTN, by providing NTNRα to the cell. | 06-09-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140068933 | CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING CONNECTORS - Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks, and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided. | 03-13-2014 |
20140294656 | CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING CONNECTORS - Frames for plug connectors capable of being a reduced size may include features to support contacts, house circuitry for coupling with the contacts, facilitate the flow of molten material during the molding of the frame, and allow for ease of insertion and removal of the plug connector to and from a corresponding receptacle connector. For example, a frame may include ledges, interlocks and rounded and tapered openings. Methods for manufacturing the frame are also provided. | 10-02-2014 |
20150152559 | RACK PLATING - A method of plating the connector frames includes, in part, placing the frames in a vibrating bowl to enable the bowl's vibrations load the frames in a predefined orientation onto the vibrating bowl's channel. The properly oriented frames are delivered from this channel to a track. Subsequently, a multitude of sub-racks securely engage and lift the frames from the track. The sub-racks are afterwards aggregated to form a larger rack which transports the frames to a plating tank in which the plating operation is performed. Optionally, the spacing between adjacent frames in the track is such that no contact between adjacent frames can occur. Each sub-rack has a multitude of hooks or springs adapted to engage the frames. The sub-racks may be aggregated in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction to form the larger rack. | 06-04-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100289409 | PARTICLE BEAM SOURCE APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ion source is disclosed including: a chamber disposed about a longitudinal axis and containing a gas, a magnetic confinement system configured to produce a magnetic field in a confinement region within the chamber, an electron cyclotron resonance driver which produces a time varying electric field which drives the cyclotron motion of electrons located within the confinement region, the driven electrons interacting with the gas to form a confined plasma. During operation, the magnetic confinement system confines the plasma in the confinement region such that a portion of atoms in the plasma experience multiple ionizing interactions with the driven electrons to form multiply ionized ions having a selected final ionization state. | 11-18-2010 |
20100290575 | PARTICLE BEAM ISOTOPE GENERATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - An isotope generation apparatus is disclosed including: an ion beam source of any of the types described herein; an extractor for extracting the ion beam from the confinement region, where the beam includes a portion of multiply ionized ions in a selected final ionization state; a target including a target material; and an accelerator for accelerating the ion beam and directing the ion beam to the target. The ion beam directed to the target transmutes at least a portion of the target material to a radio-isotope in response to a nuclear reaction between ions in the selected final ion state and atoms of the target material. | 11-18-2010 |
20150228438 | PARTICLE BEAM ISOTOPE GENERATOR APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD - An isotope generation apparatus is disclosed including: an ion beam source of any of the types described herein; an extractor for extracting the ion beam from the confinement region, where the beam includes a portion of multiply ionized ions in a selected final ionization state; a target including a target material; and an accelerator for accelerating the ion beam and directing the ion beam to the target. The ion beam directed to the target transmutes at least a portion of the target material to a radio-isotope in response to a nuclear reaction between ions in the selected final ion state and atoms of the target material. | 08-13-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100010672 | Docking system for a tele-presence robot - A remote controlled robot system that includes a mobile robot with a robot camera and a battery plug module, and a remote control station that transmits commands to control the mobile robot. The system also includes a battery charging module that mates with the mobile robot battery plug module, and an alignment system that aligns the battery plug module with the battery charging module. The battery modules may also be aligned with the aid of video images of the battery charging module provided to the remote station by a camera located within the battery plug module. | 01-14-2010 |
20100070079 | MOBILE VIDEOCONFERENCING ROBOT SYSTEM WITH NETWORK ADAPTIVE DRIVING - A remote control station that controls a robot through a network. The remote control station transmits a robot control command that includes information to move the robot. The remote control station monitors at least one network parameter and scales the robot control command as a function of the network parameter. For example, the remote control station can monitor network latency and scale the robot control command to slow down the robot with an increase in the latency of the network. Such an approach can reduce the amount of overshoot or overcorrection by a user driving the robot. | 03-18-2010 |
20100268383 | TELE-PRESENCE ROBOT SYSTEM WITH SOFTWARE MODULARITY, PROJECTOR AND LASER POINTER - A remote control station that accesses one of at least two different robots that each have at least one unique robot feature. The remote control station receives information that identifies the robot feature of the accessed robot. The remote station displays a display user interface that includes at least one field that corresponds to the robot feature of the accessed robot. The robot may have a laser pointer and/or a projector. | 10-21-2010 |
20110213210 | PORTABLE TELEPRESENCE APPARATUS - A telepresence system that includes a portable telepresence apparatus coupled to a remote control station. The telepresence apparatus comprises a monitor, a camera, a speaker, a microphone and a viewfinder screen coupled to a housing. The view finder screen allows the user to view the image being captured by the camera. The portable telepresence apparatus is a hand held device that can be moved by a holder of the device in response to audio commands from the remote station. The telepresence apparatus can be used by medical personnel to remotely view a patient in a fast and efficient manner. | 09-01-2011 |
20110218674 | REMOTE PRESENCE SYSTEM INCLUDING A CART THAT SUPPORTS A ROBOT FACE AND AN OVERHEAD CAMERA - A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera. | 09-08-2011 |
20130066469 | MOBILE VIDEOCONFERENCING ROBOT SYSTEM WITH NETWORK ADAPTIVE DRIVING - A remote control station that controls a robot through a network. The remote control station transmits a robot control command that includes information to move the robot. The remote control station monitors at least one network parameter and scales the robot control command as a function of the network parameter. For example, the remote control station can monitor network latency and scale the robot control command to slow down the robot with an increase in the latency of the network. Such an approach can reduce the amount of overshoot or overcorrection by a user driving the robot. | 03-14-2013 |
20130113871 | TELE-PRESENCE SYSTEM WITH A USER INTERFACE THAT DISPLAYS DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION LINKS - A tele-presence system that includes a remote device coupled to a control station through a communication link. The remote device includes a remote monitor, a remote camera, a remote speaker and a remote microphone. Likewise, the control station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The control station displays a plurality of graphical icons that each represents a different type of communication link between the control station and the remote device. The graphical icons can be selected to allow a user of the control station to change the communication link between the remote device and its initial node. | 05-09-2013 |
20140046485 | MOBILE VIDEOCONFERENCING ROBOT SYSTEM WITH NETWORK ADAPTIVE DRIVING - A remote control station that controls a robot through a network. The remote control station transmits a robot control command that includes information to move the robot. The remote control station monitors at least one network parameter and scales the robot control command as a function of the network parameter. For example, the remote control station can monitor network latency and scale the robot control command to slow down the robot with an increase in the latency of the network. Such an approach can reduce the amount of overshoot or overcorrection by a user driving the robot. | 02-13-2014 |
20140135990 | REMOTE PRESENCE SYSTEM INCLUDING A CART THAT SUPPORTS A ROBOT FACE AND AN OVERHEAD CAMERA - A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera. | 05-15-2014 |
20140347269 | TELE-PRESENCE SYSTEM WITH A USER INTERFACE THAT DISPLAYS DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION LINKS - A tele-presence system that includes a remote device coupled to a control station through a communication link. The remote device includes a remote monitor, a remote camera, a remote speaker and a remote microphone. Likewise, the control station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The control station displays a plurality of graphical icons that each represents a different type of communication link between the control station and the remote device. The graphical icons can be selected to allow a user of the control station to change the communication link between the remote device and its initial node. | 11-27-2014 |
20150038983 | TELE-PRESENCE ROBOT SYSTEM WITH SOFTWARE MODULARITY, PROJECTOR AND LASER POINTER - A remote control station that accesses one of at least two different robots that each have at least one unique robot feature. The remote control station receives information that identifies the robot feature of the accessed robot. The remote station displays a display user interface that includes at least one field that corresponds to the robot feature of the accessed robot. The robot may have a laser pointer and/or a projector. | 02-05-2015 |
20150286789 | REMOTE PRESENCE SYSTEM INCLUDING A CART THAT SUPPORTS A ROBOT FACE AND AN OVERHEAD CAMERA - A tele-presence system that includes a cart. The cart includes a robot face that has a robot monitor, a robot camera, a robot speaker, a robot microphone, and an overhead camera. The system also includes a remote station that is coupled to the robot face and the overhead camera. The remote station includes a station monitor, a station camera, a station speaker and a station microphone. The remote station can display video images captured by the robot camera and/or overhead camera. By way of example, the cart can be used in an operating room, wherein the overhead camera can be placed in a sterile field and the robot face can be used in a non-sterile field. The user at the remote station can conduct a teleconference through the robot face and also obtain a view of a medical procedure through the overhead camera. | 10-08-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130074109 | TELEVISION LISTING USER INTERFACE BASED ON TRENDING - Systems, methods, and media for a television listing user interface for set top boxes, computers, tablets, mobile phones, and other devices. Exemplary methods may include ranking broadcast content according to trend data and a program guide that includes a visual representation of the ranked broadcast content, which may be hierarchically ranked according to the trend data. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080907 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A PERSONALIZED CONTENT PLAY LIST - The present invention provides a method for presenting content information to a user. The method includes receiving a filter selection and applying by a processor the filter selection to metadata of available content to form a hierarchical presentation of the available content. The method also includes providing the hierarchical presentation of the available content for display to the user. A system is provided for presenting content information to a user that includes a viewing history database. The system also includes an available content index including data concerning available content. The system further includes a recommendation engine adapted to access the viewing history database and form a reordered available content index by applying at least one filter selection to metadata of the available content. A non-transitory computer readable medium having recorded thereon a program is provided. | 03-28-2013 |
20130081085 | PERSONALIZED TV LISTING USER INTERFACE - Systems, methods, and media for personalized television listing user interfaces for set top boxes, computers, tablets, mobile phones and other devices. Exemplary methods may include generating a program guide that includes a channel listing, wherein a plurality of channels in the channel listing include broadcast content. Channels in the channel listing are ranked according to preference data for an end user relative to the broadcast content. | 03-28-2013 |
20130086170 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO IDENTIFY CONTENT TASTEMAKERS - According to exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method for presenting content information to a user. The method includes identifying by a processor content associated with an influential content consumer. The method also includes providing the content information of the content associated with the influential content consumer for display to the user. A system for presenting content information to a user is provided. The system includes a social network database and an available content index comprising data concerning available content. The system also includes a recommendation engine adapted to access the social network database and identify an influential content consumer. The recommendation engine is further adapted to apply content data associated with the influential content consumer to the available content index to provide the content information to the user. A non-transitory computer readable medium having recorded thereon a program is provided. The program when executed causes a computer to perform a method for presenting content information. | 04-04-2013 |
20130103628 | USER ACTIVITY DASHBOARD FOR DEPICTING BEHAVIORS AND TUNING PERSONALIZED CONTENT GUIDANCE - User activity dashboards and methods for tuning recommendation models are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include exposing, to an end user device, a current preference model used by a recommendation engine to provide recommendations to the end user, receiving a modification to the current preference model, generating a modified preference model with the modification, and applying the modified preference model to generate recommendations for the end user that are more relevant than the recommendations provided using the current preference model. | 04-25-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120118791 | Two-stage, Close-coupled, Dual-catalytic Heavy Oil Hydroconversion Process - A process for the production of high yields of high quality products from heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising a two-stage, close-coupled process, wherein the first stage comprises a thermal-catalytic zone into which is introduced a mixture comprising the feedstock, coal, dispersed catalyst, and hydrogen; and the second, close-coupled stage comprises a catalytic-hydrotreating zone into which substantially all the effluent from the first stage is directly passed and processed under hydrotreating conditions. | 05-17-2012 |
20140262943 | Heavy Oil Hydrocracking Process - A process for the production of high yields of high quality products from heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock comprising a two-stage, close-coupled process. The first stage comprises a thermo-catalytic zone into which is introduced a mixture comprising the feedstock, coal, a liquid catalyst precursor, and hydrogen. The second, close-coupled stage comprises a catalytic-hydrotreating zone into which substantially all the effluent from the first stage is directly passed and processed under hydrotreating conditions. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080245985 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW - The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit. | 10-09-2008 |
20080308974 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER PRE-STRAIN - The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer. | 12-18-2008 |
20090200501 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW - The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit. | 08-13-2009 |
20100024180 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER PRE-STRAIN - The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer. | 02-04-2010 |
20100176322 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING FLUID FLOW - The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit. | 07-15-2010 |
20110209337 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER PRE-STRAIN - The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer. | 09-01-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150201160 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING ROBOTIC STANDS DURING VIDEOCONFERENCE OPERATION - Systems and methods are disclosed for selecting and orienting a computing device mounted on a robotic stand for videoconferences. For example, a method for operating a robotic stand supporting a computing device is disclosed, which includes displaying, by a display of a remote device, a control interface depicting a physical location that includes a plurality of robotic stands with respective computing devices. The method further includes providing, responsive to a user of the remote device interacting with the control interface, a selection instruction selecting a region of the physical location for viewing with one of the plurality of robotic stands with respective computing devices, and generating, by the control interface, a positioning instruction based on the selected region of the physical location, the positioning instruction configured to orient the robotic stand including the computing device determined to be available to face the region of the physical location. | 07-16-2015 |
20150260333 | ROBOTIC STAND AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE STAND DURING VIDEOCONFERENCE - A robotic stand and systems and methods for controlling the stand during a videoconference are provided. The robotic stand may support a computing device during a videoconference and may be remotely controllable. The robotic stand may include a base, a first member, a second member, and a remotely-controllable rotary actuator. The first member may be attached to the base and swivelable relative to the base about a pan axis. The second member may be attached to the first member and may be tiltable relative to the first member about a tilt axis. The rotary actuator may be associated with the first member and operative to swivel the first member about the pan axis. In response to receiving a signal containing a motion command, the robotic stand may autonomously move the computing device about at least one of the pan axis or the tilt axis. | 09-17-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090184606 | ROLLED ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS - The invention describes electroactive polymer devices in both rolled and unrolled configurations. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. An electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and, in one embodiment includes a rolled electroactive polymer and one or more electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. In one embodiment, the electroactive polymer has a non-uniform surface on which an electrode having a non-uniform shape is disposed. | 07-23-2009 |
20100263181 | ROLLED ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS - The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device. | 10-21-2010 |
20110025170 | ELECTROACTIVE POLYMER DEVICE - The invention describes rolled electroactive polymer devices. The invention also describes employment of these devices in a wide array of applications and methods for their fabrication. A rolled electroactive polymer device converts between electrical and mechanical energy; and includes a rolled electroactive polymer and at least two electrodes to provide the mechanical/electrical energy conversion. Prestrain is typically applied to the polymer. In one embodiment, a rolled electroactive polymer device employs a mechanism, such as a spring, that provides a force to prestrain the polymer. Since prestrain improves mechanical/electrical energy conversion for many electroactive polymers, the mechanism thus improves performance of the rolled electroactive polymer device. | 02-03-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120101575 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR NIPPLE AND BREAST FORMATION - Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted. | 04-26-2012 |
20120209248 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TISSUE TRANSFER - Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented. | 08-16-2012 |
20120226214 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SKIN TIGHTENING - The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein assist with the healing process of tissue that was previously or simultaneously treated for a therapeutic or cosmetic effect. The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein can also provide temporary simulated results of a cosmetic procedure to allow for visual assessment to select the type of procedure or for treatment planning in advance of the surgical procedure. | 09-06-2012 |
20130116782 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR NIPPLE FORMATION VIA COLLAPSIBLE DEVICES - Apparatus and methods for nipple and breast formation are described where devices precondition or expand a target nipple tissue to reduce the pressure exerted by the skin on an eventual implant. Generally, the apparatus comprises a mold having a contact surface which is curved in conformance with a breast upon which the mold is positionable, the contact surface having an adhesive for securement upon the breast, and the mold defining a cavity along the contact surface which conforms to a size of a nipple to be formed upon the breast and where the cavity further comprises the adhesive for securement to the nipple. A breast enlargement device comprises a cup larger than the target breast and further defines an inner surface which adheres to the breast when contacted. | 05-09-2013 |
20130190673 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SKIN TIGHTENING - The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein assist with the healing process of tissue that was previously or simultaneously treated for a therapeutic or cosmetic effect. The methods, procedures, kits, and devices described herein can also provide temporary simulated results of a cosmetic procedure to allow for visual assessment to select the type of procedure or for treatment planning in advance of the surgical procedure. | 07-25-2013 |
20140074161 | WOUND CLOSURE DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE - Wound closure devices and methods of their use are described herein. A deployment instrument may be used to deploy and position tissue anchors which may be locked or secured along lengths of suture in suturing and plicating soft tissues, particularly along tissue regions located in areas of the body where space is limited. Generally, the fastening device may comprise a housing having one or more adjustable tissue anchors aligned longitudinally, wherein each of the one or more adjustable tissue anchors defines a receiving channel along a periphery of the tissue anchors, a tether having a length which is positionable within the receiving channel of each of the tissue anchors, and a plunger translatable relative to the housing, where movement of the plunger urges the one or more tissue anchors to attach securely to the tether. | 03-13-2014 |
20140277124 | TISSUE ANCHORING AND DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS - Tissue anchoring and deployment systems are described herein. Generally, an anchor housing may define a receiving channel within or along its periphery. A securement member which is adjustably slidable relative to the receiving channel and further defining a suture receiving channel along a portion of the member may also be used such that the suture receiving channel is aligned with an opening defined along a first surface. The securement member and a compression surface along the receiving channel are spaced apart from one another and form a suture compression interface. Additionally, a length of suture may also be used where the suture has a first portion positioned along the suture compression interface and a second portion passed through the suture receiving channel and opening along the first surface. The compression interface has a height which is sized to be relatively smaller than a diameter of the first portion of suture. | 09-18-2014 |
20140277131 | TISSUE ANCHORING AND DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS - Tissue anchoring and deployment systems are described herein. Generally, an anchor housing may define a receiving channel within or along its periphery. A securement member which is adjustably slidable relative to the receiving channel and further defining a suture receiving channel along a portion of the member may also be used such that the suture receiving channel is aligned with an opening defined along a first surface. The securement member and a compression surface along the receiving channel are spaced apart from one another and form a suture compression interface. Additionally, a length of suture may also be used where the suture has a first portion positioned along the suture compression interface and a second portion passed through the suture receiving channel and opening along the first surface. The compression interface has a height which is sized to be relatively smaller than a diameter of the first portion of suture. | 09-18-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100198240 | DEBULKING CATHETERS AND METHODS - A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. The method may further include forcing the opening toward the wall of the vascular site after the advancing step and before the moving step. | 08-05-2010 |
20100305452 | OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FOR BIOLOGICAL IMAGING - Described herein are catheters for use with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that include an optical fiber core having a first refractive index and an interface medium having a second refractive index, where the first and second refractive indexes are mismatched such that receiving electronics configured to receive optical radiation reflected from the reference interface and the target operate in a total noise range that is within 5 dB of the shot noise limit. These OCT catheters may include a silicon die mirror having a reflective coating that is embedded in the interface medium. The optical fiber can be fixed at just the distal end of the catheter, and may be managed within a handle that is attached to the proximal end of the catheter body, and is configured to allow rotation of the both catheter body and the optical fiber relative to the handle. | 12-02-2010 |
20110004107 | ATHERECTOMY CATHETER WITH LATERALLY-DISPLACEABLE TIP - Described herein are atherectomy catheters, systems and methods that include a distal tip region that may be moved laterally so that its long axis is parallel with the long axis of the main catheter body axis. Displacing the distal tip region laterally out of the main catheter body axis exposes an annular blade and opens a passageway for cut tissue to enter a storage region within the catheter. The annular blade may be internally coupled to a drive shaft that rotates the blade, and thus the exposed blade edge may have the same crossing profile (OD) as the rest of the distal end region of the catheter. Also described herein are gear-driven atherectomy devices that may use a cable drive shaft to actuate the annular blade. Both push-to-cut and pull-to-cut variations are described, as are methods for cutting tissue and systems including these atherectomy catheters. | 01-06-2011 |
20110021926 | CATHETER-BASED OFF-AXIS OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING SYSTEM - Catheter-based Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems utilizing an optical fiber that is positioned off-axis of the central longitudinal axis of the catheter have many advantage over catheter-based OCT systems, particularly those having centrally-positioned optical fibers or fibers that rotate independently of the elongate body of the catheter. An OCT system having an off-axis optical fiber for visualizing the inside of a body lumen may be rotated with the body of the elongate catheter, relative to a handle portion. The handle may include a fiber management pathway for the optical fiber that permits the off-axis optical fiber to rotate with the catheter body relative to the handle. The system may also include optical processing elements adapted to prepare and process the OCT image collected by the off-axis catheter systems described herein. | 01-27-2011 |
20110263936 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING AND PREVENTING RESTENOSIS - The present invention relates to methods and devices for predicting restenosis, and for treating atherosclerosis to prevent or reduce the incidence of restenosis. Methods of predicting restenosis in a stenosed peripheral artery may include quantitative histology of the vessel. For example, a method of treating a stenosed artery (and particularly a peripheral artery) may include the steps of determining a level of hypercellularity and one or more of the lipid-richness and extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue. An index of restenosis based on the hypercellularity and lipid richness and/or extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue may be determined. Systems for treating or preventing restenosis may include one or more imaging modalities for imaging tissue regions and determining the level of hypercellularity and one or more of the degree of lipid-richness and the extent of inflammatory cell inclusion in the tissue region. | 10-27-2011 |
20120330336 | DEBULKING CATHETERS AND METHODS - A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. | 12-27-2012 |
20130296695 | CATHETER-BASED OFF-AXIS OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING SYSTEM - A system for imaging a body lumen includes a controller and a display. The controller is configured to connect to a proximal end of a catheter having an optical fiber extending along the length of an elongate catheter body. The controller is further configured to rotate a distal end of the optical fiber from a location near a proximal end of the elongate catheter body, acquire optical coherence tomography (OCT) images using the optical fiber as the distal end of the optical fiber rotates, and determine a rotational lag of the distal end of the optical fiber. The display is configured to display one or more OCT images corrected for the rotational lag. | 11-07-2013 |
20140005534 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING AND PREVENTING RESTENOSIS | 01-02-2014 |
20140163591 | Methods and Devices for Cutting Tissue - A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both. | 06-12-2014 |
20140243975 | NASAL IMPLANTS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE - Described are implants for placing in a body, tools for delivering the implants, and systems and methods for using implants and tools for placing in a body and more particularly to nasal implants, tools for delivering nasal implants, and systems and methods for using such implants and tools. A tool may include a hand-held implant delivery device that cuts, holds, moves, orients, inserts, or shapes an implant. An implant may be a biodegradable, longitudinal implant that may be oriented for implantation by an implant delivery device. | 08-28-2014 |
20150238224 | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR CUTTNG TISSUE - A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen generally includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, advancing the device through the blood flow lumen to a site where material is to be removed, forcing the opening toward a wall of the site where material is to be removed, and moving the cutting element and the opening so that material in the blood flow lumen is cut by the cutting element and directed into the opening for removal as the cutting element and opening are moved through the blood flow lumen. In some embodiments, the device may be deflected or bent to force the opening toward a wall to remove material. The cutting element may be rotatable and may have an axis that is movable, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, or both. | 08-27-2015 |