12th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120071716 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS FOR AN ENDOSCOPE - The invention relates to a medical instrument for an endoscope, the instrument comprising a flexible outer insertion tube ( | 2012-03-22 |
20120071717 | Dressing and method for cleaning and protecting a laparoscopic camera lens intra-abdominally, stomas, appendages, and insertion sites of tubes and catheters - A dressing and method for cleaning a laparoscopic camera lens during surgical procedures when placed around prior art or grasped by prior art and then introduced into the abdominal cavity of a patient and then manipulated against a laparoscopic camera lens cleaning and defogging the lens providing an improved field of site. Further, a dressing and method for protecting and cleaning stomas, appendages, and the insertion sites of tubes and catheters in patients. An annular shaped medical grade polyurethane hydrophilic or similar foam like dressing is placed around a stoma, or at the insertion site of a catheter or tube creating a protective seal inhibiting bacterium from entering the body, further providing cushioning and absorption of human fluid that can cause skin breakdown and infection, increasing the life of stoma appliances, tubes and catheters, providing patients additional comfort, and when placed around an appendage provides effective wound healing. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071718 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes an observation magnification acquisition section that acquires magnification state information that indicates a state of an observation magnification, a motion detection section that detects motion amount information that indicates a relative motion amount of an object and an imaging section of the endoscope apparatus, an imaging period control section that reduces an imaging period of each image that is indicated by an image signal captured by the endoscope apparatus based on the magnification state information and the motion amount information, and a light source control section that controls intensity of illumination light applied to the object corresponding to the imaging period. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071719 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING SURGICAL ACCESS - One embodiment is directed to a method for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: installing a guiding member into the wall of the tissue structure to a desired guiding depth; using the installed guiding member as a positional guide, advancing a helical member into the wall of the tissue to a desired helical member depth, the helical member comprising a helical member distal end removably coupled to an anchor member which is coupled to a distal end of a suture member, such that advancing the helical member into the wall causes the anchor member to be advanced into the wall and to pull a distal portion of the suture member along with the anchor member into the wall to substantially encapsulate a number of helical loops of suture member that is greater than about 1 loop and less than about 3 loops; withdrawing the helical member from the wall of the tissue structure, leaving the anchor member in a deployed configuration decoupled from the helical member and coupled to at least a portion of the wall of the tissue structure; and tensioning the suture member to apply a load to the deployed anchor member. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071720 | FORCE FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEM FOR VIDEO ENDOSCOPE - A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071721 | DISPOSABLE SHEATH FOR A MINIATURE ENDOSCOPE - An endoscopic has an fiber optic waveguide that transmits an image from a distal end to a proximal end, the waveguide having an outer diameter of less than 3 mm. A lens system is positioned at the distal end of the fiber optic waveguide. An imaging device is optically coupled to the proximal end of fiber optic waveguide. A disposable sheath extends about the fiber optic waveguide to provide a sterile barrier, and in a preferred embodiment the sheath includes an illumination channel. In a preferred embodiment, the lens system has a first lens element, a second lens element and an aperture stop. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071722 | ENDOSCOPE AND FLEXIBLE PORTION THEREOF - An endoscope comprising:
| 2012-03-22 |
20120071723 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND MEASUREMENT METHOD - An endoscope apparatus, which is capable of performing measurement of a subject using a phase-shift method, includes: a main body; an insertion portion connected to the main body; and a plurality of pattern projection units, each of the plurality of pattern projection units including: a pattern window which is provided in a distal end of the insertion portion; and a pattern portion which has a line pattern in which a plurality of lines are periodically disposed with a predetermined period, the lines being parallel to each other, in which: the pattern portions of the plurality of pattern projection units are disposed such that the lines of the line patterns of the pattern portions are parallel to each other, and the line patterns of the pattern portions are shifted from each other by | 2012-03-22 |
20120071724 | ENDOSCOPE HOOD AND ENDOSCOPE WITH THE SAME MOUNTED THEREON - An endoscope hood ( | 2012-03-22 |
20120071725 | LARYNGOSCOPE - A laryngoscope comprising a handle, a blade holding element, a releasable blade and releasable attachment means to attach the blade to the blade holding element, and handle and a blade for such a laryngoscope. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071726 | SPECULUM - A speculum having first and second arms beginning at a proximal point and ending at a distal end and having a cup positioned at the distal end, an attachment portion positioned on the first arm and proximal to the cup, and a user manipulation element positioned within the attachment portion. In another embodiment the speculum has a generally U-shaped frame having a proximal point and pair of distal ends, a pair of cups attached to the distal ends, a pair of user manipulation elements attached to the frame and positioned between the cups and the proximal point so that the user manipulation elements can rotate relative to the frame. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071727 | METHOD AND ARTICLES FOR TREATING THE SINUS SYSTEM - A method of treating a sinus cavity of a subject includes advancing a distal portion of a light source through a drainage pathway of a sinus cavity and into the sinus cavity and visually observing a transdermal light emitted from the light source. A distal portion of a substantially rigid inner guide member of a balloon dilation catheter is advanced into the drainage pathway, the balloon dilation catheter including a movable shaft including a balloon that is slidably mounted on the substantially rigid inner guide member. The movable shaft and balloon are advanced distally over the substantially rigid inner guide member to place a portion of the balloon in the drainage pathway whereby the balloon is inflated. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071728 | Method for determining the gastric emptying - The method for determining the gastric emptying by orally administering a test substance and measuring its dwelling time in the stomach comprises determining the increase of | 2012-03-22 |
20120071729 | Medical Ventilator With Integrated Oximeter Data - This disclosure describes systems and methods for managing the ventilation of a patient being ventilated by a medical ventilator. The disclosure describes a novel approach of displaying ventilator information integrated with oximeter information. The disclosure further describes a novel approach of alarming based on the integration of ventilator information with oximeter information. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071730 | Adaptive Processing of Ambulatory Electrocardiogram Signals - Disclosed are methods and systems for adaptive processing of ambulatory electrocardiogram signals. In one embodiment, the method comprises acquiring a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and transforming the ECG signals to a component space, thereby producing a set of components representing the ECG signals in the component space. The method further includes evaluating the set of components, adaptively selecting from the set of components a subset of components, and processing the subset of components to identify at least one property of the ECG signals. In some embodiments, the method further includes acquiring non-ECG signals, and adaptively selecting the subset of components comprises adaptively selecting the subset of components based on at least the non-ECG signals. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071731 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING - Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring a sensor module mounted in a sensor platform, wherein the sensor platform includes an adhesive side and a pocket, wherein the pocket is designed to receive the sensor module, to facilitate sensing by the sensor module of physiological attributes, and to allow insertion and removal of the sensor device from the pocket. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071732 | METRICS AND ALGORITHMS FOR INTERPRETATION OF MUSCULAR USE - A muscle assessment method utilizing a computing system, surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors, and other sensors to gather data for one or more subjects engaged in an activity through operably coupling the one or more sensors to the computing system, and directing a computing system to select one or more muscle assessment protocols related to a number of different metrics. For a user subject engaged in a physical activity, assessing muscle condition, the muscle activity, and statistically related averages provide information to the user and about muscle and whole body fitness. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071733 | METHODS FOR ASSESSING AND OPTIMIZING MUSCULAR PERFORMANCE - A muscle assessment protocol can include: attaching one or more surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors to the skin of a subject to be operably coupled with one or more muscles; operably coupling the one or more sEMG sensors to a computing system; performing the predetermined muscle activity of a muscle assessment protocol that includes one or more of a muscleprint protocol, stride rate tuning protocol, controlled activity training protocol, or frequency-based, or amplitude-adjusted root mean square protocol; monitoring/recording sEMG data of the one or more muscles during the predetermined muscle activity; and providing the sEMG data to the subject such that the subject can improve muscle performance for the predetermined muscle activity by using the sEMG data. The muscle activity includes static or dynamic muscle use. The predetermined muscle activity can be provided to the subject by the computing system. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071734 | Biosensor Device - A biosensor that includes a light transmissive electrocardiographic electrode and a light transmissive insulating film that detect an electrical signal relating to an electrocardiographic signal through capacitive coupling that are disposed above light emitting elements and a light receiving element that detect an optical detection signal relating to a photo-plethysmographic signal. When a user brings a finger into contact with a contact surface of the light transmissive insulating film, the electrical signal relating to the electrocardiographic signal is detected by the light transmissive electrocardiographic electrode. At the same time, reflected light emitted from the light emitting elements after being reflected from the user's finger are received by the light receiving element to detect an optical detection signal corresponding to the received reflected lights so that biological information is generated based on both the electrocardiographic signal and a photo-plethysmographic signal. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071735 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT DATA - A system and method for transmitting implant data includes an orthopaedic implant, a wireless receiver, and a processing circuit electrically coupled to the wireless receiver. The orthopaedic implant is configured to transmit implant identification data and implant sensor data to the wireless receiver in response to a power signal. The orthopedic implant may transfer the data over, for example, a wireless network. The processing circuit receives the implant identification data and the implant sensor data from the wireless receiver and is configured to retrieve patient-related data from a database based on the implant identification data. The processing circuit may also be configured to update a patient queue, assign a patient room to a patient, and/or transmit the patient-related data and the implant sensor data to a client machine located in the patient room. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071736 | Medical Device With a Fitting Having A Gas Venting Position - A blood parameter measurement cassette or other device is configured to control incidental liquid discharged during the device's calibration process. The cassette includes optical sensors which are chemically responsive to blood constituents and require calibration with a blood parameter monitoring device prior to use in a medical procedure. During the calibration process, an incidental amount of a liquid may be expelled from the cassette. The present invention is directed towards controlling the expelled liquid by absorbing it using an absorbent material disposed on the exterior of the cassette's main body. The absorbent material thereby prevents the liquid from causing detrimental effects to the monitoring and calibration equipment used in conjunction with the cassette. The scope includes additional embodiments wherein the inventive concept is applied to other fluid-handling medical devices that require venting of gases. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071737 | Breath Delivery System and Method - Some embodiments of the invention provide a mouthpiece for use with an electronic analyzer for breath analyte detection in an individual. The mouthpiece includes a biosensor and a hydration system. The biosensor includes a chemically active area where a chemical reaction takes place and the hydration system delivers a liquid to the chemically active area of the biosensor to at least one of enhance, enable, and facilitate the chemical reaction. The mouthpiece further includes hardware to transmit breath analyte data. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071738 | METHODOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT OF OPTICAL ROTATION MEASUREMENTS - A small-size optical rotation measuring device for detecting an organism, a tissue, blood, or molecules having rotatory power and determining the content thereof with high accuracy and an optical rotation measuring method for detecting an organism, a tissue, blood, or molecules having rotatory power and determining the content thereof with high accuracy. A nonreciprocal optical system is disposed in a loop optical path of a ring optical interferometer, and thereby light beams of circularly polarized modes orthogonal to each other are propagated in opposite directions through a sample to be measured. The wavelength of the light beams from a light source is in a wavelength region where the loss by the nonreciprocal optical element is low. A signal processing technique for phase-modulation optical fiber gyro having the highest resolution among ring interferometers is applied. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071739 | WAVELENGTH SWITCHING FOR PULSE OXIMETRY - The present disclosure describes techniques that may provide more accurate estimates of arterial oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry by switching between a wavelength spectrum of at least a first and a second light source so that the arterial oxygen saturation estimates at low (e.g., in the range below 75%), medium (e.g., greater than or equal to 75% and less than or equal to 84%), and high (e.g., greater than 84% range) arterial oxygen saturation values are more accurately calculated. In one embodiment, light emitted from a near 660 nm and a near 900 nm emitter pair may be used when the arterial oxygen saturation range is high. In another embodiment, light emitted from a near 730 nm and a near 900 nm emitter pair may be used when the arterial oxygen saturation range is low. In yet another embodiment, light emitted from both a near 660 nm-900 nm emitter pair and light emitted from a near 730 nm-900 nm emitter pair may be used when the arterial oxygen saturation range is in the middle range. Priming techniques may also be used to reduce or eliminate start up delays of certain oximetry system components. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071740 | DISPOSABLE Sp02 GRIPS - When monitoring blood oxygen levels in a patient during a magnetic resonance scan, detachable and reusable fiber optic cable heads ( | 2012-03-22 |
20120071741 | SLEEP APNEA MONITORING AND DIAGNOSIS BASED ON PULSE OXIMETERY AND TRACHEAL SOUND SIGNALS - Detection of apnea/hypopnea events to calculate an apnea/hypopnea index is obtained by analysis of breathing pattern of a patient from breathing and snore sounds and a finger probe recording the SaO2 signal. A detector analyzes microphone signals to detect breath, snore and noise sounds in response to a detected drop in the SaO2 level greater than 2% and to extract and analyze the breathing sounds from a limited time period starting prior to the drop of the SaO2 signal and ending at least at the end of each drop. Separated time periods are divided phases with snore sounds and those with breathing sounds and an estimated breathing volume adjacent to a snore phase is used to estimate the airflow of the snore phase. The relative and absolute energy and duration of the sound periods is used to classify the sound periods into the three groups of breath, snore and noise. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071742 | REMANUFACTURING A STACKED ADHESIVE MEDICAL SENSOR - Remanufactured medical sensors and methods for remanufacturing used stacked adhesive medical sensors are provided. Such a remanufactured sensor may include certain components from a used stacked adhesive medical sensor and certain new components. For example, a remanufactured medical sensor may include an exterior foam layer, a mask layer, an emitter and a detector, a semi-rigid optical mount to hold the emitter and the detector in place, optical windows, and an interior foam layer. At least the emitter and the detector may derive from the used stacked adhesive medical sensor, while at least one of the exterior foam layer, the mask layer, the semi-rigid optical mount, the optical windows, or the interior foam layer may be new. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071743 | SYSTEMS FOR ASSESSING AND OPTIMIZING MUSCULAR PERFORMANCE - System for monitoring muscle data can include one or more fully flexible sensor patches having sensor modules configured to sense muscle data, data processing modules, transmitter modules configured to transmit the muscle data, and a microcontroller configured to control the modules on one patch side and an adhesive layer on the other patch side; a wearable mobile hub having one or more of a receiver, transmitter, and/or transceiver module configured to be operably coupled with the one or more sensor patches so as to receive muscle data therefrom and a muscle data processing unit configured to process the received muscle data, and one or more user feedback interfaces to provide processed muscle data to the one or more user feedback interfaces; and a base station configured for receiving, storing, and analyzing the muscle data for one subject received from the mobile hub in comparison with one or more other subjects. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071744 | Sensor Interface System - A sensor interface system for providing a connection between at least one sensor and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the sensor(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The sensor interface system of the invention preferably includes a conversion means for converting the signals from the sensor(s) into signals similar to those produced by a tocodynamometer. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071745 | PREMATURE NEONATE CLOSED LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM - A premature neonate closed life support system (NCLSS) including: at least one chamber confining a cradle-like neonate support (CLNS) having suitable dimensions and geometric-configuration for accommodating at least one premature neonate having at least two operational configurations, said operational configurations comprising: a first operational OPEN configuration whereby said CLNS is adapted to couple said neonate to at least one life supporting system by means of at least one life supporting coupling line, prior to positioning said CLNS in a medical device; and a second operational air-tight CLOSED configuration whereby said neonate remains continuously coupled to said at least one life supporting system by means of at least one life supporting coupling line, when positioning said CLNS within said medical device. The OPEN and CLOSED configurations are reversible. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071746 | MAGNETIC RESONANCE THERMOMETRY USING PRF SPECTROSCOPY - During the thermal treatment of an anatomical zone of interest, tissue temperature within the zone may be determined with a computational model whose parameters are adjusted using spectroscopy-based temperature measurements at interfaces of fat and non-fat tissues. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071747 | USE OF VENTRICULAR ENLARGEMENT RATE IN INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE - The present invention relates to the use of MRI monitoring of ventricular enlargement rate as an objective measure for the purpose of assessing disease progression in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease and for the purpose of determining therapeutic effectiveness of a treatment regimen for Alzheimer's patients. Methods for treating Alzheimer's Disease and monitoring therapeutic effectiveness are provided. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071748 | SURGICAL ACCESS ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A surgical access assembly is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath is defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and includes a hollow body portion therebetween. The obturator is defined by a distal end and a proximal end and the distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member that terminates in a closed radiused distal tip. The obturator is configured to be received within the outer sheath such that the tapered distal tip member protrudes from the open distal end of the outer sheath when the obturator is in an introducing configuration. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071749 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED BIOPSY AND THERAPY - A system and method for integrating diagnosis and treatment for internal tissues includes imaging ( | 2012-03-22 |
20120071750 | METHOD FOR AFFIXING A MAGNETIC RESONANCE RF COIL TO A PATIENT - In a method to affix RF coils (in particular local coils) on a patient in examinations with a magnetic resonance apparatus, a horizontal board accommodates the patient for a magnetic resonance examination to be implemented, an RF coil that has coil electronics is affixed with a fastening strap on the patient, and the fastening strap has a connection cable integrated therewith. The coil electronics are supplied with energy via the integrated connection cable. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071751 | 3D Model Creation of Anatomic Structures Using Single-Plane Fluoroscopy - A method for 3D reconstruction of the positions of a catheter as it is moved within a region of the human body, comprising: (a) ascertaining the 3D position of a point on a catheter for insertion in the body region; (b) acquiring a fixed angle, single-plane fluoroscopic image of the body region and of the catheter; (c) transferring the image data and catheter-point position to a computer; (d) determining the 2D image coordinates of the point on the catheter; (e) changing the length of catheter insertion by a measured amount; (f) thereafter acquiring a further single-plane fluoroscopic image of the body region and the catheter from the same angle, transferring the length change and additional image data to the computer, and determining the 2D image coordinates of the point on the catheter; (g) computing the 3D position of the catheter point; and (h) repeating steps e-g plural times. A 3D model is constructed by assembling the plural 3D positions of the point within the body region into a 3D model of the region. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071752 | USER INTERFACE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A ROBOTIC MEDICAL SYSTEM - System and methods for interfacing user in the control of elongated flexible members for use inside a patient's body is described herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a processor configured for generating a virtual representation of a catheter on a viewing screen, a first control for allowing a user to rotate the virtual representation of the catheter about a first axis, until a heading direction of the virtual representation of the catheter aligns with a heading direction of the catheter as it appears in a first fluoroscopic image, and a second control for allowing the user to rotate the virtual representation of the catheter about a second axis, until a tilt angle of the virtual representation of the catheter aligns with a tilt angle of the catheter as it appears in the first fluoroscopic image or in a second fluoroscopic image. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071753 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FOUR DIMENSIONAL SOFT TISSUE NAVIGATION INCLUDING ENDOSCOPIC MAPPING - A surgical instrument navigation system is provided that visually simulates a virtual volumetric scene of a body cavity of a patient from a point of view of a surgical instrument residing in the cavity of the patient. The surgical instrument navigation system includes: a surgical instrument; an imaging device which is operable to capture scan data representative of an internal region of interest within a given patient; a tracking subsystem that employs electro-magnetic sensing to capture in real-time position data indicative of the position of the surgical instrument; a data processor which is operable to render a volumetric, perspective image of the internal region of interest from a point of view of the surgical instrument; and a display which is operable to display the volumetric perspective image of the patient. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071754 | EM TRACKING SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH ULTRASOUND AND OTHER IMAGING MODALITIES - An EMT system for use in ultrasound and other imaging modality guided medical procedures. The system includes a tool set of various components to which EM sensors can be releasably secured. Thus, the sensors can be reused, notwithstanding the disposal of other components of the tool set. Various components of the tool set include keying elements to facilitate their registration to the anatomy of the patient undergoing the procedure via the EM sensors. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071755 | Method and System for Automatic Native and Bypass Coronary Ostia Detection in Cardiac Computed Tomography Volumes - A method and system for detection of native and bypass coronary ostia in a 3D volume, such as a CT volume, is disclosed. Native coronary ostia are detected by detecting a bounding box defining locations of a left native coronary ostium and a right native coronary ostium in the 3D volume using marginal space learning (MSL), and locally refining the locations of the left native coronary ostium and the right native coronary ostium using a trained native coronary ostium detector. Bypass coronary ostia are detected by segmenting an ascending aorta surface mesh in the 3D volume, generating a search region of a plurality of mesh points on the ascending aorta surface mesh based on a distribution of annotated bypass coronary ostia in a plurality of training volumes, and detecting the bypass coronary ostia by searching the plurality of mesh points in the search region. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071756 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING EXAMINATION TISSUE USING ULTRASOUND SIGNAL - An apparatus for detecting an examination tissue using an ultrasound signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a scanning unit to generate an image related to an object, using the ultrasound signal, a sampling unit to convert a resolution of the generated image, and a controlling unit to retrieve an n-number of figure lines from the resolution-converted image and thereby determine whether each of the retrieved figures line is an examination tissue, wherein n is a natural number. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071757 | Ultrasound Registration - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for registering three-dimensional ultrasound images to an external coordinate system, such as the coordinate system attached to a camera-based imaging system or the coordinate system used to define the movements of a surgical robot. The apparatus generally comprises a tool with markers that can be accurately and repeatably located in both the ultrasound and external coordinate systems. In the case of the surgical robot frame, this tool may be a component of the surgical robot itself, such as a portion of a surgical manipulator. The method generally comprises positioning the toot upon the surface of a portion of patient tissue, imaging the tool using the ultrasound, simultaneously imaging the tool using the camera system or monitoring the current mechanical configuration of the surgical robot, localizing corresponding tool elements in both frames, and finally using the corresponding elements as registration fiducials to solve the geometric transformation that relates the two frames. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071758 | Feature Tracking Using Ultrasound - Various implementations of the invention provide techniques and supporting systems that facilitate real-time or near-real-time ultrasound tracking for the purpose of calculating changes in anatomical features during a medical procedure. More specifically, anatomical features within a patient undergoing a medical procedure are tracked by obtaining temporally-distinct three dimensional ultrasound images that include the feature of interest and obtaining a targeted subset of ultrasound images focused on the feature. Based on the targeted subset of ultrasound images, a displacement of the feature is determined and image parameters used to obtain the targeted subset of ultrasound images are adjusted based on the displacement. This results in a time-based sequence of three dimensional images and targeted ultrasound images of the feature that identify changes in the position, size, location, and/or shape of the feature. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071759 | VIRTUAL IMAGE FORMATION METHOD FOR AN ULTRASOUND DEVICE - Disclosed are ultrasound devices and methods for use in guiding a subdermal probe during a medical procedure. A device can be utilized to guide a probe through the probe guide to a subdermal site. In addition, a device can include a detector in communication with a processor. The detector can recognize the location of a target associated with the probe. The processor can utilize the data from the detector and create an image of a virtual probe that can accurately portray the location of the actual probe on a sonogram of a subdermal area. In addition, disclosed systems can include a set of correlation factors in the processor instructions. As such, the virtual probe image can be correlated with the location of the actual probe. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071760 | RECONFIGURABLE MEDICAL ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAYS WITH PREPROCESSING - The embodiments of the probe include a preprocessing unit that is directly connected to a first predetermined number of the receiving elements for preprocessing the channel signals to generate preprocessed channel signals as well as a switch unit that is connected to the preprocessing unit for connecting the preprocessed channel signals into a predetermined number of output channel signals. In the above embodiments, the second predetermined number is smaller than the first predetermined number. In addition, the embodiments of the probe also include an analog-to-digital converter connected to the switch unit for converting the output channel signals into digital signals, and a dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter is related to a ratio between the second predetermined number and the first predetermined number. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071761 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY USING FRESNEL LENS APPROACH - The embodiments of the array include at least one first annular-like area and at least one second annular-like area that are concentric with each other. The second annular-like area substantially surrounds the first annular-like area. The first and second annular-like areas each exclusively include either dedicated transmit elements or dedicated receive elements. In addition, certain embodiments include a disabled third area or a spot of Argo located inside the first annular-like area and does not perform either transmit or receive function. In certain other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the third annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. In yet other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the second annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. Any of these areas are optionally dynamic and or steered. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071762 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprises: an ultrasound probe including a transducer array; a plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies corresponding to a plurality of parts of the transducer array for transmitting ultrasonic waves through corresponding transducers and processing reception signals from the corresponding transducers, respectively; and a synchronizing signal supply unit for supplying a common clock signal and a common trigger signal to the plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies for causing the plurality of diagnostic apparatus bodies to operate in synchronism. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071763 | MEDICAL ULTRASOUND 2-D TRANSDUCER ARRAY USING FRESNEL LENS APPROACH - The embodiments of the array include at least one first annular-like area and at least one second annular-like area that are concentric with each other. The second annular-like area substantially surrounds the first annular-like area. The first and second annular-like areas each exclusively include either dedicated transmit elements or dedicated receive elements. In addition, certain embodiments include a disabled third area or a spot of Argo located inside the first annular-like area and does not perform either transmit or receive function. In certain other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the third annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. In yet other embodiments, the first annular-like area and the second annular-like area are immediately juxtaposed without a gap. Any of these areas are optionally dynamic and or steered. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071764 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WIDE-FIELD AND HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGING OF TISSUE - A device for wide-field and high resolution imaging of an object surface includes first and second imaging modalities, a lens associated with the second imaging modality. The first imaging modality is high resolution with a first observation line. The second imaging modality is arranged in an image plane at a first angle with respect to an object plane and has a second observation line and a wider imaging field than the first imaging modality. The lens associated with the second imaging modality is arranged in a lens plane at a second angle with respect to the object plane, where the second angle being equal to about one-half of the first angle. The first and second imaging modalities are mutually arranged such that the first and second optical axes intersect at a point on the object plane. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071765 | Digital Mapping System and Method - Embodiments of the innovation relate to method for generating an image of a tissue element. The method includes generating, by a visualization system controller, a highlighting image representation of the tissue element within a tissue region based upon a first image of the tissue element captured when a first light source illuminates the tissue region, receiving, by the visualization system controller, a second image of the tissue element within the tissue region when a second light source illuminates the tissue region, combining, by the visualization system controller, the highlighting image representation of the tissue element to the second image of the tissue element to generate a composite tissue image, and delivering, by the visualization system controller, the composite tissue image to an output device. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071766 | CONSCIOUSNESS LEVEL DETERMINATION APPARATUS AND CONSCIOUSNESS LEVEL DETERMINATION METHOD - A consciousness level determination apparatus calculates a heart rate interval from a heart rate signal of a subject and calculates a spectral density of each frequency by performing a frequency analysis on the calculated heart rate interval. The apparatus extracts, at each predetermined timing, a combination of a maximum density that is a maximum, a maximum frequency that is a frequency corresponding to the maximum density, and a magnitude difference relation that represents a difference between the maximum density and spectrum densities which correspond to frequencies adjoined to the maximum frequency. The apparatus compares the combination with a combination extracted at a previous timing. The apparatus determines a consciousness level on the basis of a determination reference that is determined by using a result of the comparison. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071767 | PULMONARY ARTERY PRESSURE ESTIMATOR - A pulmonary artery pressure estimator attaches a plurality of acoustic sensors to a patient so as to measure a second heart sound. The sensors are arranged so that an A2 component of the second heart sound is maximized from at least one of the sensors and a P2 component is maximized from at least another one of the sensors. Electrodes are also attached to the patient so as to measure a cardiac interval. A splitting interval is derived from the A2 and P2 components, which is normalized by the cardiac interval. The normalized splitting interval provides an estimation of the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). | 2012-03-22 |
20120071768 | BLOOD PRESSURE INFORMATION MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A blood pressure information measurement device includes light emitting elements and light receiving elements as a plurality of pairs of first and second sensors in a cuff. While the cuff pressure is increased, combinations of the plurality of pairs of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements are switched, and volume pulse waves are obtained from each of the combinations. After increasing the cuff pressure, for each of the volume pulse waves corresponding to the combinations, a specific volume value at a point where the amount of volume change becomes maximal is extracted. Thereafter, based on values corresponding to the maximum and minimum blood pressure and the specific volume value, the sensors for measurement are determined. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071769 | METHODS OF PRODUCING LASER SPECKLE CONTRAST IMAGES - Methods of imaging are provided. In some embodiments, the methods may comprise obtaining a raw speckle image of a sample, converting the raw speckle image to a laser speckle contrast image using a laser speckle contrast algorithm, and converting a laser speckle contrast image to a relative correlation time image using a relative correlation time algorithm. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071770 | METHODS FOR PROMOTING FITNESS IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY DATA - A task assessment protocol configured to utilize modified operant conditioning to incentivize physical fitness through rewards associated with units of effort including the steps of selecting the task to be performed, breaking the task to be performed into smaller units, associating the data with a reward using a reward system, gathering subject data into a database for each unit performed, and providing awards to the subject for each unit completed wherein rewards are diversified through monetary based rewards and social capital based rewards. Sensors can be worn to monitor the progress of the subject participating in an activity, competition, or challenge, and the method can provide real time feedback of data gathered to the subject. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071771 | Computer Interfaces Including Physiologically Guided Avatars - This invention provides user interfaces that more intuitively display physiological data obtained from physiological monitoring of one or more subjects. Specifically, the user interfaces of this invention create and display one or more avatars having behaviors guided by physiological monitoring data. The monitoring data is preferably obtained when the subject is performing normal tasks without substantial restraint. This invention provides a range of implementations that accommodate user having varying processing and graphics capabilities, e.g., from handheld electronic devices to ordinary PC type computers and to systems with enhanced graphics capabilities. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071772 | CARDIAC MONITORING SYSTEM - A method of analysing cardiac functions in a subject using a processing system is described. The method may include applying one or more electrical signals having a plurality of frequencies to the subject and detecting a response to the applied one or more signals from the subject. A characteristic frequency can then be determined from the applied and received signals, and at least one component of the impedance (e.g., reactance, phase shift) can be measured at the characteristic frequency. The impedance or a component of impedance at a characteristic frequency can be determined for a number of sequential time instances. A new characteristic frequency may be determined within a cardiac cycle or the same characteristic frequency may be used throughout the cardiac cycle during which instantaneous values of impedance are determined. These values may be used to determine an indicia of cardiac function. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071773 | Patient Screening Tools for Implantable Cardiac Stimulus Systems - Tools and devices are provided for determining whether a patient is well suited to receiving an implantable cardiac stimulation device by analyzing cardiac signals captured using external or cutaneous electrodes. Some of the illustrative tools include shapes for visual comparison to printed ECG strips. Kits for use of illustrative tools are also shown. Automatic devices are also disclosed which perform at least some analytical functions electronically for a user. In an example, a printed ECG strip is visually compared to a shape in order to ensure a patient is well suited to receiving a cardiac stimulation device having a particular implant location and/or cardiac signal analysis method implementation. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071774 | DETECTING OR VALIDATING A DETECTION OF A STATE CHANGE FROM A TEMPLATE OF HEART RATE DERIVATIVE SHAPE OR HEART BEAT WAVE COMPLEX - Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071775 | DETECTING OR VALIDATING A DETECTION OF A STATE CHANGE FROM A TEMPLATE OF HEART RATE DERIVATIVE SHAPE OR HEART BEAT WAVE COMPLEX - Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071776 | HEART RATE MONITOR DEVICE AND SYSTEM - A heart rate monitor system comprising: a user attachment means; a heart rate monitor attached to the user attachment means, and configurable to monitor the heart rate of a user during physical activity and during rest, the heart rate monitor comprising: a wireless transmitter configurable to wirelessly transmit heart rate data to a nearby receiver; a receiver, the receiver configurable to receive wireless transmissions from the wireless transmitter, and further configured to removeably connect to a portable computer device, the receiver comprising: a housing; an circuit located within the housing; a bandpass filter in signal communication with the circuit; a headset compatibility circuit in signal communication with the band pass filter; a connector means attached to the housing, and in signal communication with the headset compatibility circuit; and a portable computer device with a headset connector. A heart rate monitor receiver comprising: a receiver, the receiver configurable to receive wireless transmissions from a heart rate monitor, and further configured to removeably connect to a portable computer device, the receiver comprising: a housing; an circuit located within the housing; a bandpass filter in signal communication with the circuit; a headset compatibility circuit in signal communication with the band pass filter; a connector means attached to the housing, and in signal communication with the headset compatibility circuit. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071777 | Cough Analysis - A computer-implemented method comprises: (A) receiving first acoustic data representing a first cough train of a first human subject, wherein the first cough train comprises at least one first cough of the first human subject; (B) identifying at least one first value of at one first acoustic property of the first acoustic data; and (C) determining, based on the at least one first value of the at least one first acoustic property, whether the first acoustic data indicates that the first human subject has a severe respiratory illness. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071778 | WIRELESS TRANSMISSION VITAL CAPACITY EXAMINING DEVICE - A wireless transmission vital capacity examining device includes two induction coils on a stator frame and a rotor frame having a first magnetic area which is mounted to the two induction coils. A rotatable member with rotatable blades has a third connection portion which has a third magnetic area which is magnetically connected to the second magnetic area of rotor frame so as to rotate the rotor frame. The user blows to rotate the blades and the first induction coil outputs a voltage to a processing unit so as to transfer to a value of the vital capacity. The second induction coil provides electric power to the wireless communication unit to transmit the value. The two induction coils are not interfered to each other and the device does not have problem of insufficient voltages. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071779 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR AUTOMATIC SEIZURE MONITORING - Method, apparatus and computer program product for monitoring seizure activity in brain are disclosed. At least one parameter set sequence is derived from brain wave signal data obtained from a subject, wherein each parameter set sequence comprises sequential parameter sets and each parameter set comprises values for at least two signal parameters, the values being derived from the brain wave signal data. A path formed by each of the at least one parameter set sequence in a parameter space is determined, thereby to obtain at least one path. The parameter space is defined by the at least two signal parameters. At least one evolution indicator is calculated, each evolution indicator quantifying the evolution occurred in respective path formed in a given time period in the parameter space. The at least one evolution indicator is then employed to produce an indication of seizure activity in the brain wave signal data. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071780 | Method and a System for Classifying Neural Signals, and a Method of Selecting Electrodes for Direct Neural Control - A classification method for classifying neural signals, the method comprising the following steps:
| 2012-03-22 |
20120071781 | ELECTRODE SYSTEM WITH IN-BAND IMPEDANCE DETECTION - An apparatus comprises a headset and a control unit in communication with each other. The headset comprises a plurality of electrodes operable to measure ERP readings. The headset is configured to be positioned on a test subject. The control unit is configured to store and administer an ERP test protocol. The control unit is also configured to administer an impedance test and process the impedance of the electrodes. The impedance testing may be performed in an in-band fashion, along the same channels used to perform the ERP testing, at the same frequency of the ERP readings, and substantially simultaneously with the ERP readings. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071782 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING VASCULAR BODILY LUMEN INFORMATION AND GUIDING MEDICAL DEVICES - Methods and systems for determining information about a vascular bodily lumen are described. An exemplary method includes generating an electrical signal, delivering the electrical signal to a plurality of excitation elements in the vicinity of the vascular bodily lumen, measuring a responsive electrical signal from a plurality of sensing elements in response to the delivered electrical signal, and determining a lumen dimension. Specific embodiments include generating a multiple frequency electrical signal. Another embodiment includes measuring a plurality of responsive signals at a plurality of frequencies. Still other embodiments include using spatial diversity of the excitation elements. Yet other embodiments use method for calibration and de-embedding of such measurements to determine the lumen dimensions. Diagnostic devices incorporating the method are also disclosed, including guide wires, catheters and implants. The methods and systems described herein are advantageous as they do not include injecting a second fluid for the measurements. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071783 | APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A POSITION OF A TUBE'S DISTAL END WITH RESPECT TO A BLOOD VESSEL - The invention relates to an apparatus ( | 2012-03-22 |
20120071784 | Instruments and Methods for Nerve Monitoring in Spinal Surgical Procedures - Systems and methods include an anchor engageable to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures adjacent the extender. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071785 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ASSESSING PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS - A method for assessing a pre-cognitive emotional response from a test subject, using responses obtained during the first moments of brain activity after presentation of a stimulus, includes exposing the test subject to a visual stimulus for between approximately 500 milliseconds and approximately 1 second, and receiving an input from the subject while the subject is exposed to the visual stimulus or within approximately 300 milliseconds after the subject is first exposed to the stimulus. The method further includes storing, in response to receiving the input, a user response that identifies one of a plurality of emotional reactions that is associated with the visual stimulus. Each of the exposing, receiving, and storing acts is repeated for a plurality of visual stimuli. The method further includes determining, based on each of the stored user responses, one or more dominant emotional characteristics of the subject. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071786 | VISUALIZATION OF VALUES OF A PHYSICAL PROPERTY DETECTED IN AN ORGANISM OVER TIME - A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071787 | LENGTH DETECTION SYSTEM FOR BIOPSY DEVICE - A biopsy device includes a handle unit, a hollow needle comprised in a disposable unit, which is releasably attached to the handle unit, and a sample-receiving device, which is movable in the hollow needle between two positions. Tissue is severed when the sample-receiving device is in a first one of the positions, and the severed tissue sample is ejected from the sample-receiving device in a second one of the two positions. A control system is provided for controlling movement of the sample-receiving device and for arresting the sample-receiving device in the second position. The distance between the two positions and/or a length of the hollow needle may be detectable in a calibration cycle, which is automatically initiated upon attachment of the disposable unit to the handle unit. The disposable unit may include electronic memory device for communicating with the control system. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071788 | SAMPLING DEVICE AND SAMPLING METHOD - The present invention relates to a sampling device, a sampling system and a method of sampling, and in particular a method of analysis, for application to a living entity. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071789 | Oral Fluid Collection Device - According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an oral fluid collection device | 2012-03-22 |
20120071790 | RETRACTABLE NEEDLE-SAFETY BLOOD SAMPLING DEVICE - A safety device is presented for securely stowing a double sharp-ended needle. The device comprises a tubular adapter with a longitudinally-elongated channel. A needle holder is located in the channel to move from a distal orientation, in which one needle end projects from a distal adapter opening, and a proximal orientation, in which both needle ends are enclosed within the adapter body. A top plate transitions from a distal orientation, in which the plate is distal from a proximal adapter opening, and a proximal orientation, in which the top plate obstructs the proximal adapter opening. An actuator plate is attached to the adapter body to transition from a first position where the actuator plate retains the needle holder and top plate in distal orientations, and a second position where the needle holder and top plate move to proximal orientations. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071791 | TEST DEVICE IN PARTICULAR FOR BLOOD SUGAR TESTS - The invention concerns a test device, in particular for blood sugar tests, comprising a lancing element which is provided with a lancing component for producing a skin puncture, and a protecting element shielding the lancing element at least in the area of the lancing component. According to the invention it is proposed that the lancing element has a collecting structure for collecting body fluid from the skin puncture and that the protecting element comprises a protecting foil to cover the collecting structure and a holding body for holding the protecting foil on the lancing element. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071792 | PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL SENSORS AND METHODS - In various embodiments, a physiological or behavioral signal is derived from a vertical force resulting from the entire weight of a subject. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071793 | Sensors for Inductive Plethysmographic Monitoring Applications and Apparel Using Same - This invention includes improved IP sensors that both have improved sensitivity, performance, and other properties and are multifunctional. The improved IP sensors have IP sensor conductors with waveforms having legs that are substantially parallel throughout the operating range of stretch. The multifunctional IP sensors include, in addition to IP sensors, accessory conductors, additional sensors, and other compatible modules. This inventions also includes embodiments of apparel incorporating the improved IP sensors. This apparel can range from band-like to shirt-like, and so forth, and include one or more IP sensors sensitive to expansions and contractions of underlying regions of a monitored subject. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071794 | Robotic System for Delivering Energy for Treatment of Skin of a Subject - A robotic system for delivering energy for medical or cosmetic treatment of a region of skin of a subject includes a multi-axis robotic arm mounted on a base and terminating at a holder. An applicator for delivering energy to the skin is mounted in the holder. The holder has at least three range sensors generating outputs of a distance to at least three spaced apart locations on the surface of the skin. A controller associated with the robotic arm and the range sensors processes the outputs from the at least three range sensors to determine an orientation of the holder relative to the skin, and actuates the robotic arm to adjust an orientation of the holder such that an orientation of the applicator relative to the skin is maintained within a predefined range of desired angles. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071795 | DERATING METHOD FOR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND - Methods of derating a nonlinear ultrasound field and associated systems are disclosed herein. A method of derating a nonlinear ultrasound field in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, calibrating an ultrasound source to a first source voltage (V | 2012-03-22 |
20120071796 | Battery-Powered Hand-Held Ultrasonic Surgical Cautery Cutting Device - A battery-powered, modular surgical device includes an electrically powered surgical instrument operable to surgically interface with human tissue and a handle assembly connected to the surgical instrument. The handle assembly has a removable hand grip and a handle body. The hand grip is shaped to permit handling of the surgical device by one hand of an operator, has an upper portion and a cordless internal battery assembly that powers the surgical instrument. The internal battery assembly has at least one energy storage cell. The handle body is operable to removably connect at least the upper portion of the hand grip thereto and create an aseptic seal around at least a portion of the hand grip when connected thereto and electrically couple the internal battery assembly of the hand grip to the surgical instrument and thereby power the surgical instrument for interfacing surgically with the human tissue. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071797 | LEG ASSIST DEVICE - A leg assist device having an abnormality management procedure which appropriately adapts to an abnormal situation is provided. The leg assist device is provided with a leg attachment and a controller. The leg attachment comprises upper and a lower links connected with a rotary joint, and an actuator. The upper link is to be attached to the upper leg of the user. The lower link is to be attached to the lower leg of the user. The actuator swings the lower link relative to the upper link. The controller outputs the commands so that the swing angle of the lower link follows a target trajectory. Further, the controller executes a first abnormality management process in which the controller shuts off torque transmission from the actuator to the user when the controller detects an abnormality before outputting the commands to the actuator. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071799 | MASSAGE MACHINE - Provided is a massage machine capable of performing a rubbing operation and a pressing operation separately on different areas of the back surface of a body part of a person to be treated while performing the rubbing operation on the side surface of the body part. Specifically provided is a massage machine (M | 2012-03-22 |
20120071800 | MASSAGING DEVICE - A massaging device in the shape of a rod with an essentially cylindrical end element with a sleeve. The device has a flexible sleeve and a drive element to produce an oscillating deformation of the sleeve. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071801 | BLADDER TUBE CONNECTION - A compression device for applying compression treatment to a patient's body. The device includes an inflatable bladder having an inner layer, an outer layer opposite the inner layer, the inner layer and the outer layer are joined to form a hollow interior adapted for periodically receiving fluid to inflate the bladder, the joined layers are joined by a seam having a sealed upstream end, an open downstream end, and sealed lateral sides. The bladder includes an opening positioned between the lateral sides and extending through the inner layer and/or the outer layer of the bladder. The device includes the tube extending toward the open downstream end of the seam and through the opening. The device includes a seal extending between the lateral sides of the seam and across the tube preventing fluid leakage between the tube and the opening in the bladder when the bladder is inflated. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071802 | Systems, Devices, and Methods for Mechanically Reducing and Fixing Bone Fractures - A fracture reduction is mechanically achieved by supporting a body region having the bone fracture on a frame. A first reduction mechanism on the frame is operated to apply to the bone fracture a first predefined force reduction vector that returns the bone fracture to a corrective alignment in a first anatomic orientation, while also mechanically maintaining the corrective alignment in the first anatomic orientation. Independently, a second reduction mechanism on the frame is operated to apply a second predefined force reduction vector that returns the bone fracture to a corrective alignment in a second anatomic orientation different than the first anatomic orientation without altering the corrective alignment in the first anatomic orientation, while mechanically maintaining the corrective alignment in the second anatomic orientation. The fracture reduction is mechanically fixed by mechanically guiding the placement at least one bone fixing device into the reduced bone fracture. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071803 | Posterior Cruciate Ligament Support Brace - This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a knee brace providing a dynamic resistance or anterior force to a shank of a leg in order to replicate PCL forces of a healthy PCL. A dynamic force dependent upon knee flexion angle provides faster and safer PCL injury healing since the dynamic force better replicates the forces that a healthy PCL would exert on the tibia and femur. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071804 | Apparatus and method of use for a wrist extension brace - An apparatus and method of use for a wrist extension brace, intended to be used to position, secure, stabilize, and extend a patient's wrist for the purpose of assisting cannulation of blood vessels in the wrist and forearm. The apparatus generally includes a frame having a fixed dorsiflexion angle and means for cushioning a patient's hand, wrist and forearm and means of attaching such to the wrist extension brace. The method of use includes the steps of attaching the apparatus to a patient's wrist and adjusting it after such attachment. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071805 | RANGE OF MOTION DEVICE - A method of assembling an orthosis configured to stretch tissue around a foot and a toe of a wearer is provided. The method includes providing a first member affixable to the foot and including a first extension member extending therefrom, providing a second member affixable to the toe and including a second extension member, wherein the second extension member comprises an arcuate shape extending therefrom, the second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member so that relative movement between the first and second affixable members is determined by movement along the arcuate shape, and coupling the first member to the second member. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071806 | ORTHOTIC SOCK - An orthotic sock for treatment of an orthopaedic condition is formed from a resilient material and has means for restricting movement of a wearer's foot in one or more predetermined directions and/or means for assisting movement of a wearer's foot in one or more predetermined directions. An opening is defined through a posterior leg portion of the sock. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071807 | Silver-Silicone Antimicrobial Dressing - An antimicrobial dressing comprising a hydrophobic, porous, meshy, silicone-coated contact layer and a fibrous substrate layer that carries and releases a metal-based antimicrobial agent to prevent infection. In some embodiments, the contact layer comprises a mesh of silicone-coated polyethylene fibers. The silicone in the contact layer helps to reduce the appearance of scars as wounds heal. In some embodiments, the substrate layer comprises a fibrous mesh in which some or all of the fibers are coated in a zeolite carrying metal ions. When the dressing encounters moisture, and moisture penetrates to the substrate layer, the moisture acts to release the antimicrobial metal ions from the zeolites. The ions then migrate through the porous, meshy contact layer into the wound, where they kill microorganisms that cause infection. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial ions carried in the substrate layer are silver ions; or a mixture of silver ions and copper ions; or a mixture of silver ions and zinc ions; or a mixture of silver ions and sodium ions. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071808 | PATCH MATERIAL - A patch material which includes a backing material having a water-vapor permeability of 3,000 g/m | 2012-03-22 |
20120071809 | OCULAR IMPLANT SYSTEMS - Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has a tubular member, with inlet and outlet ends, and a cutting member connected thereto. The tubular member is configured to extend through eye tissue such that the inlet and outlet ends reside respectively in an anterior chamber and a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. Desirably, the cutting member is configured to make an incision in the eye tissue for receiving at least a portion of the tubular member. One method involves introducing an implant, with proximal and distal ends, into the anterior chamber and penetrating eye tissue using an implant distal portion. The implant is advanced from the anterior chamber into the penetrated eye tissue to locate the distal and proximal ends respectively in the physiologic outflow pathway and the anterior chamber. Aqueous humor is conducted between the proximal and distal ends. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071810 | PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY INCLUDING LIGHT PRETREATMENT - A method of photodynamic therapy is described that includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a photosensitizer to an area of tissue such as the skin of a subject, delivering a first photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to the area of skin, allowing a sufficient interval of time to pass for an effective amount of the photosensitizer to penetrate the tissue, and then delivering a second photoirradiation with light having a wavelength suitable to activate the photosensitizer to provide a therapeutic effect. Use of multiple photoirradiations increases the speed with which the photosensitizer can penetrate the tissue to reach the area where the source of the disease is present. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071811 | STIMULATION METHOD FOR THE SPHENOPALATINE GANGLIA, SPHENOPALATINE NERVE, OR VIDIAN NERVE FOR TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS - A method is provided for suppressing or preventing pain in a patient. One step of the method includes positioning first and second electrodes, without penetrating the cranium, on or proximate to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves on both sides of the patient's face. At least one of a medication solution, an analgesic, or an electrical signal is then applied to at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, the sphenopalatine nerves, or the vidian nerves through the first and second electrodes. Pain signal generation in, or transmission through, the at least one of the sphenopalatine ganglia, sphenopalatine nerves, or vidian nerves is disrupted on both sides of the patient's face. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071812 | Methods and Systems for Submucosal Implantation of a Device for Diagnosis and Treatment with a Therapeutic Agent - Instruments, systems, implants, and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, and a mucosal resection device. A submucosal implant device for diagnosing and treating disorders of the body may be implanted. A passive submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery depot in which a therapeutic agent within the depot elutes from the depot according to a predetermined elution profile. An active submucosal implant device may take the form of a drug delivery device that incorporates a self-contained diagnostic system to determine the appropriate delivery time and dosage of a therapeutic agent to be administered. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071813 | Method of Wound Treatment Using Condensation Warming - A method of treating a wound using condensation warming is disclosed. A wound dressing is applied over the wound in which the wound dressing has an inlet and an outlet and furthermore forms a substantially airtight cover over the wound. A vapor is supplied to the wound dressing via the inlet. The wound is warmed by condensing the vapor into a condensate on a surface of the wound, thereby releasing a latent heat of vaporization. The condensate is removed from the wound dressing via the outlet. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071814 | BARRIER CATHETER - Devices and methods are provided to conduct fluid away from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient's body. In one example, a catheter includes a fluid exchange portion and a member attached to the fluid exchange portion for biasing fluid flow at the treatment site. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071815 | DRAIN AND FILL LOGIC FOR AUTOMATED PERITONEAL DIALYSIS - The present system and method in one embodiment limit a maximum instantaneous peritoneal volume to a comfortable level, while allowing the dialysis machine to advance to fill a prescribed volume whenever the drain ends after a minimum drain percentage has been attained. If a low drain condition occurs, the nominal fill volume is lowered and a therapy cycle is added, so that a prescribed total amount of fresh therapy fluid is used during therapy, maximizing therapeutic benefit. An allowable residual volume at the end of an incomplete drain is increased, thereby lowering the probability of a subsequent low drain condition. | 2012-03-22 |
20120071816 | AUTOMATED DIALYSIS SYSTEM INCLUDING TOUCH SCREEN CONTROLLED MECHANICALLY AND PNEUMATICALLY ACTUATED PUMPING - A peritoneal dialysis system includes: a hardware unit including a piston having a contact surface, a pneumatic source for supplying a negative pressure, a stepper motor, a controller including a processor and memory programmed to control the pneumatic source and the stepper motor, and a video monitor operating with a touch screen for sending and receiving information to and from the controller; and a disposable unit including a moveable membrane positioned adjacent to the contact surface, the programmed processor and memory operable to (i) cause the pneumatic source to apply the negative pressure to the membrane so that the negative pressure moves the membrane to conform to a shape of the contact surface and (ii) control the stepper motor so that the membrane follows the piston as the piston is moved away from the disposable unit and moves with the piston as the piston is moved into the disposable unit. | 2012-03-22 |