12th week of 2016 patent applcation highlights part 4 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160081555 | MULTI-RANGE OPTICAL SENSING - The depth of an ablation lesion is assessed using a differential optical response of a catheter with multiple fiberoptic transmitters and receivers at the tip. To detect tissue optical response at shallow depths, closely-spaced transmitter/receiver pairs of optical fibers are used. To detect deeper tissue response, the same or a different transmitter can be used with another receiver that is relatively farther away. The distance between the transmitter and receiver is chosen depending on the desired depth of sensing. Plateauing or peaking of the optical signal during the course of ablation indicates an end point at a selected tissue depth. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081556 | AN APPARATUS CONFIGURATED TO AND A PROCESS TO PHOTOACOUSTICALL IMAGE AND MEASURE A STRUCTURE AT THE HUMAN EYE FUNDUS - An apparatus configured to photoacoustically image and measure a structure at the human eye fundus or components, substances, cells, tissue, or analytes within the eye and within the blood vessels of the eye including an emitter element for emitting electro-magnetic radiation, a transition element for delivering the electro-magnetic radiation into an eye, a detection element for detecting an acoustic wave and converting the acoustic wave into a digital wave signal, an analysis element for processing the digital wave signal into an image or measurement or both, and a display element for displaying a representation of the image and/or the measurement. The apparatus additionally includes a coupling member, the coupling member being configured and arranged to acoustically couple the eye to the detection element such that the acoustic wave generated within the eye can be guided onto the detection element. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081557 | PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING PROBE - Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a photoacoustic imaging probe including a light transmitting unit configured to transmit light to a target subject to be inspected and an acoustic-wave receiving unit configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the target subject by being irradiated with the light and to accommodate the light transmitting unit therein in a manner that a first side of the light transmitting unit is exposed to outside. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081558 | METHOD OF PHOTOACOUSTIC MICROSCOPY WITH LATERAL RESOLUTION OF MICROVASCULATURE - A method for obtaining a 3-D OR-PAM image of microvasculature within a region of interest of a subject is provided. The method includes: focusing a first light pulse at a first depth beneath a first surface position within the region of interest; receiving a first PA signal in response to the first light pulse; focusing a second light pulse at a second depth beneath the first surface position within the region of interest; receiving a second PA signal in response to the second light pulse; and forming the 3-D OR-PAM image by combining the first PA signal and the second PA signal. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081559 | THERMOMETER WITH WIRELESS FUNCTIONALITY - A thermometer includes a temperature sensor, a computation circuit, and a wireless communications circuit. The computation circuit includes a memory and a processor, with the memory storing program code to perform the various functions of the thermometer, including computing a temperature of the patient based upon the one or more readings, and to store this temperature in the memory. The processor may also store the time at which the readings were obtained and associate it with the stored temperature. The wireless communications circuit and the computation circuit are used to establish a wireless communications link with an external device to provide temperature values stored in the memory to the external device. The associated time of the stored temperature may also be communicated to the external device. The external device can be used to view the temperature readings and to configure the thermometer. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081560 | Method and Apparatus for Providing Data Processing and Control in Medical Communication System - Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081561 | NONINVASIVE ARTERIAL CONDITION DETECTING METHOD, SYSTEM, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - A noninvasive arterial condition detecting system includes a processing device and an electronic stethoscope configured for auscultating carotid artery to receive sound signals. The processing device is connected to the electronic stethoscope. The processing device records the sound signals, preprocesses the sound signal to reduce noise, measures a trough-peak distance and a trough-peak time, and generates an estimate result of arterial conditions according to the trough-peak distance and the trough-peak time. The trough-peak distance and the trough-peak time are related to the health of the carotid artery walls. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081562 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING VITAL SIGNS - A portable wearable computing device configured to continuously obtain data indicative of a patient's vital signs is disclosed. The portable wearable computing device includes a temperature sensor configured to obtain data indicative of body temperature of the patient. The portable wearable computing device further includes a blood oxygen saturation sensor configured to obtain data indicative of amount of oxygen present in the patient's body. The portable wearable computing device further includes an arterial waveform sensor configured to obtain data indicative of an arterial waveform produced by the patient's artery. The portable wearable computing device further includes a processor coupled to the temperature sensor, the blood oxygen sensor, and the blood pressure sensor, and configured to receive the obtained data indicative of the patient's vital signs. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081563 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO ESTIMATE OR MEASURE HEMODYNAMIC OUTPUT AND/OR RELATED CARDIAC OUTPUT - Certain aspects of the instant disclosure are sensing and/or providing estimates for blood pressure or cardiac output by using time-synchronous communication (or correlation) between two sensors. Specific embodiments concern an arrangement of devices including a time-synchronous circuit and a sensor. The sensor is configured to obtain, at or near a lower-body/extremity location of the user, time-related data indicative of speed or transit time of a propagating pressure wave while the wave travels in an artery and down a leg of the user. The time-synchronous circuit is configured to correlate information corresponding to or derived from the time-related data in a time synchronous manner with other cardiovascular information. The cardiovascular information corresponds to or is derived from hemodynamic output from the user by another sensor located at or near an upper-extremity location or lower-extremity of the user. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081564 | MICROCATHETER SENSOR DESIGN FOR MINIMIZING PROFILE AND IMPACT OF WIRE STRAIN ON SENSOR - A catheter, such as a fractional flow reserve catheter, includes an elongate shaft having a pressure sensing wire extending to the distal portion of the elongate shaft. The wire has a pressure sensor mounted on the distal end for measuring a pressure of a fluid within lumen of vessel. The pressure sensor wire is disposed within a pocket formed adjacent to the pressure sensor thereby minimizing the profile of the catheter. Bending stresses experienced by a pressure sensor mounted to a fractional flow reserve catheter when tracking the catheter through the vasculature creates a distortion of the sensor resulting in an incorrect pressure reading or bend error. In order to isolate the sensor from bending stresses, the sensor is spaced apart from the pressure sensor wire to allow the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor wire to move independently from one another. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081565 | ELECTRONIC BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR - An electronic blood pressure monitor retrieves a pulsewave signal that is superimposed on a cuff pressure signal and indicates a pulsewave at a measurement site, and acquires a string of pulsewave amplitudes indicated by the pulsewave signal. A first envelope connects the amplitudes created for the acquired string of pulsewave amplitudes. Local maxima and minima in the first envelope are detected. With respect to the strings of amplitudes corresponding respectively to the local maxima and minima, a local-maximum envelope and a local-minimum envelope connecting the amplitudes are created. Two pressure values at points at which portions on the high-pressure-side and low-pressure-side with respect to the maximum peaks of the local-maximum envelope and the local-minimum envelope respectively cross first and second threshold levels are obtained, and the average values of each pair of pressure values are calculated as the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure respectively. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081566 | IDENTIFYING A TYPE OF CARDIAC EVENT FROM A CARDIAC SIGNAL SEGMENT - What is disclosed is a system and method identifying a type of cardiac event from cardiac signals obtained from a subject. In one embodiment, at least two clusters are formed. Each cluster is associated with a different cardiac event based on features of interest identified from various cardiac signal segments. At least one of the clusters is associated with a cardiac event which is an arrhythmia and one of the clusters is associated with a non-arrhythmia. A new cardiac signal segment of a subject is received. The signal segment is analyzed to identify features of interest. A distance is calculated between each of the clusters and the identified features of interest obtained from having analyzed the subject's cardiac signal segment. A cardiac event is identified for the subject based on the type of cardiac event associated with the cluster which the subject's features of interest had a shortest distance to. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081567 | PORTABLE PULSE MEASURING DEVICE - A portable pulse measuring device having a lighting configuration having at least three elements selected from a light-emitting source for emitting radiant energy through a human body tissue and a light detector for detecting the intensity of said radiant energy after propagation through the human body tissue and for providing input signals representative of the propagation. The lighting configuration includes at least one light-emitting source and at least one light detector. A processor is provided for determining pulse rate in response to processing the input signals. The elements in the lighting configuration are arranged in the portable pulse measuring device in a configuration where the light-emitting sources in the lighting configuration are asymmetrically disposed in relation to the light detectors in the lighting configuration. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081568 | Implantable Electrode Lead - An implantable electrode lead for transmitting electrical impulses to excitable bodily tissue and/or for transmitting electrical signals tapped at bodily tissue to a detection unit. The electrode lead including a distal electrode, a proximal electrode connector, and an electrode supply lead which connects the electrode, or each electrode, to the electrode connector, or each electrode connector, and extends in a lead body, wherein the lead body includes a hinged alignment of hard elements. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081569 | NERVE INTERFACE ELECTRODE WITH FIBERS FOR INSERTION BETWEEN NERVE FASCICLES - A nerve interface electrode has a plurality of conductive fibers. The fibers have a nonconductive sheath ( | 2016-03-24 |
20160081570 | Multi-Channel Stimulation Threshold Detection Algorithm for Use with Neurophysiology Monitoring Systems - The present invention relates generally to an algorithm aimed at neurophysiology monitoring, and more particularly to an algorithm capable of quickly finding stimulation thresholds over multiple channels of a neurophysiology monitoring system. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081571 | HAND-MANIPULABLE, ECG AND ACOUSTIC, CARDIOGRAPHY DEVICE - Compact, single-handedly manipulable, cardiography devices, structured for personal use in two, selectively different, functional-cardiography styles, enabling, respectively, one or both of (a) non-acoustic, and (b) acoustic, cardiography, such use involving, as appropriate to the particular functional-cardiography style to be implemented, the collecting and recording of personal cardiography-relevant data—ECG only in a non-acoustic case, and both ECG and heart-sound together in an acoustic case—suitable for subsequent data-analysis processing, and associated cardiovascular diagnosis. Two, representative device overall configurations are illustrated, including (1) a stylus pen-like shape, and (2) a finger-mountable ring-like shape. Collected-data analysis processing, and associated cardiovascular diagnosis, may be performed by device-included electronic information-handling structure, or may, via operation of such electronic structure, be communicated appropriately “outwardly” from the relevant device for external processing and analysis. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081572 | CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING DEVICE - Portable physiological measuring devices and methods are disclosed. Embodiments may provide measurement of blood pressure without traditional blood pressure cuffs. Further, disclosed embodiments may gather pulse oximetry (SpO2), heart rate and body temperature measurements simultaneously. A user's blood pressure index and other vital physiological results may be displayed on a portable physiological measuring apparatus or a portable terminal. Embodiments may provide a portable physiological measuring method and apparatus that displays results on a displayed screen. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081573 | FREQUENCY ANALYSIS TOOL FOR CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION - Systems and methods are provided for evaluating an expected effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data is received as at least one ECG lead from a set of electrodes. A frequency spectrum representing the ECG data is generated via a Fourier transform. At least one predictor value is extracted from the calculated frequency spectrum. A fitness parameter, representing the expected effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization, is determined from at least the extracted predictor value. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081574 | DETECTING LOSS OF FULL SKIN CONTACT IN PATIENT ELECTRODES - Patient electrodes, patient monitors, defibrillators, wearable defibrillators, software and methods may warn when an electrode stops being fully attached to the patient's skin. A patient electrode includes a pad for attaching to the skin of a patient, a lead coupled to the pad, and a contact detector that can change state, when the pad does not contact fully the skin of the patient. When the detector changes state, an output device may emit an alert, for notifying a rescuer or even the patient. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081575 | A LIFE MAINTENANCE MODE, A BRAIN INHIBITION THERAPY AND A PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION PLATFORM - A life maintenance mode named as the third type of life maintenance mode, includes decomposing inspection items of clinical diagnosis into a series of individual automatically measured and computed indicators of life condition data, popularized into people's daily life and work to be practiced continuously producing continuous diagnosis and inspection analysis report and trend; performing active control of the change of the life condition data by senior independent consciousness of cerebral cortex with the automatically measured and computed life condition data to serve as a quantitative traction device for treatment, rehabilitation, and health and longevity; predict and prevent the occurrence and development of diseases on the basis of the produced inspection analysis report and trend; automatically sending messages to remind a patient to check the treatment behaviors on the basis of doctor's advises and prescriptions in the track record of medical treatment, and providing an automatic no-response alarming service. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081576 | LOW POWER DEVICE WITH CONTINGENT SCHEDULING - Medical device systems and methods for operating medical device systems conserve energy by efficiently managing computational demands of the systems. A first analysis, having relatively lower computational processing demand than at least a second analysis, processes signals from a subject to determine a first estimate of a propensity for the subject to have a neurological event. If the first estimate meets a set of specified criteria, a second analysis is performed to determine a second estimate of the propensity for the subject to have a neurological event. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081577 | ELECTRIC FIELD ENCEPHALOGRAPHY: ELECTRIC FIELD BASED BRAIN SIGNAL DETECTION AND MONITORING - Systems and methods for measuring brain activity of a subject are disclosed, comprising: positioning a plurality of electric field sensors at multiple positions on the exterior of a skull of the subject; measuring one to three components of a plurality of instantaneous electric field vectors generated by a plurality of electric field sources, the electric field vectors being measured by the plurality of electric field sensors; and determining brain activity of the subject based on the measurement of the plurality of instantaneous electric field vectors. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081578 | BIOMARKERS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF BACK PAIN AND RELATED CONDITIONS - The present invention teaches novel methods of diagnosing and prognosing conditions associated with tissue degeneration and/or pain, including intervertebral disc degeneration, discogenic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and articular cartilage injury. Using the inventive noninvasive imaging methods, the diagnosis and prognosis of back pain and related conditions can be quickly and accurately determined by detecting one or more biomarkers disclosed herein. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081579 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING AND/OR DETECTING MAGNETIC PARTICLES COMPRISING BRIDGE UNIT - The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view ( | 2016-03-24 |
20160081580 | Arrangement for facilitating wound healing, a method for measuring wound healing and a wound dressing - The present invention relates to the field of electrotherapy and measuring by means of electric currents for diagnostic purposes, and more particularly to an electrode arrangement for facilitating wound healing, a method for measuring wound healing and a wound dressing having an electrode arrangement. A wound dressing according is described which includes at least two impedance reference electrodes, a frame like counter-electrode and stimulation electrodes in a form of an array; and a bioadhesive affinity layer surrounding the stimulation electrodes; said wound dressing being suited for applying on top of the wound so that the stimulation electrode array is on the wound area, and that the at least two impedance reference electrodes and the frame like counter-electrode are suited for placing in contact with the healthy skin surrounding the wound area; which electrodes, are suited for applying LIDC type electrical stimulation current to the wound area and for bioimpedance measurement. The wound dressing can provide a continuous, non-invasive and objective solution for monitoring chronic wound healing without disturbing the delicate healing process. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081581 | BODY IMPEDANCE MEASURING APPARATUS AND BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A body impedance measuring apparatus includes: a first module including a first input electrode and a first output electrode which are configured to contact a subject; a second module including a second input electrode and a second output electrode which are configured to contact the subject; a connection member configured to connect the first module to the second module and adjust a distance between the first module and the second module; and a measuring unit configured to apply a current to the first and second input electrodes, detect a voltage between the first and second output electrodes, and determine a body impedance of a subject based on the detected voltage. At least a component of the measuring unit is disposed in the first module and is electrically connected to the second module through the connection member. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081582 | MRD ASSEMBLY OF SCANNER AND CART - A magnetic resonance system (MRS), including a magnetic resonance device (MRD), comprising an open bore, the MRD at least partially contained in an envelope comprising in its circumference at least one recess; and, a cart made of MRI-safe material, comprising a base and at least one incubator above the base. The MRS is operative in a method of magnetic resonance imaging of neonates, comprising the steps of obtaining the MRS, the incubator is accommodated by a neonate; and inserting at least a portion of the cart into the MRD such that at least a portion of the incubator is inserted into the open bore and at least a portion of the base into at least one recess. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081583 | POSITION DETECTING APPARATUS AND POSITION DETECTING METHOD FOR MEDICAL DEVICE AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A position detecting apparatus for a medical device includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a magnetic field in each of a plurality of frame periods. A reception unit detects the magnetic field transmitted from the transmission unit and output a detection signal corresponding to a position of the transmission unit. A signal control unit causes the transmission unit to transmit the magnetic field by a multiplexed signal including at least two or more different frequencies in a certain frame period among the frame periods, and causes the transmission unit to transmit the magnetic field by the multiplexed signal in the frame periods other than the certain frame period when the detection signal output from the reception unit has changed to a certain threshold or higher. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081584 | CATHETER WITH COMBINED POSITION AND PRESSURE SENSING STRUCTURES - A catheter is responsive to external and internal magnetic field generators for generating position data of the catheter position and pressure data to determine pressured exerted on a distal end of the catheter when engaged with tissue, with a reduced number of sensing coils and reduced number of sensing coil leads for minimizing lead breakage and failure. The catheter includes a distal section adapted for engagement with patient tissue, where the distal section has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a flexible joint with a resilient member adapted to allow axial displacement and angular deflection between the proximal and distal portions of the distal section. The catheter may have three or less sensing coils with three or less leads, each transmitting signals between a respective sensing coil and the signal processor. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081585 | MULTIPLE-ELECTRODE ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE SENSING BIOPSY SAMPLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A biopsy sampling device has a trocar with sampling opening, an outer needle with 4 or more electrodes on it, an impedance measuring apparatus coupled to drive current through a first and a second electrode, while measuring voltages through a third and fourth electrodes to measure an impedance of tissue adjacent to the electrodes, the inner trocar within the central cavity of the outer needle such that its sharpened tip and sampling opening can protrude from an end of the outer needle and be removed to capture a sample in the sampling opening. In an embodiment, the electrodes are formed by inking an insulating tubular structure with a conductive ink. In an alternative embodiment, the electrodes are formed by winding conductive metal strips about an insulating tubular structure. In both embodiments, the metal strips or conductive ink is coated with an insulator in a central portion of the sampling device. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081586 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING AND TRANSMITTING SENSOR DATA - Systems and methods for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor, are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for transmitting data between a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor and a second communication device configured to provide user access to sensor-related information comprises: activating a transceiver of a first communication device associated with an analyte sensor at a first time; and establishing a two-way communication channel with the second communication device; wherein the activating comprises waking the transceiver from a low power sleep mode using a forced wakeup from the second communication device. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081587 | Biometric GPS breathalyzer apparatus - A Biometric positioning locator breathalyzer apparatus securely attached to a person to be monitored, used to determine user breath alcohol level, wherein when the user bodily speed reach a certain speed threshold. The apparatus initiates a breath test request signal to determine if the person to be monitored is intoxicated. During breath test performance the apparatus video camera captures the video images of the person performing the breath test procedure, and compares with user video image pictures previously stored in the apparatus processor database to ascertain the authenticity of the user is none other than the person to be monitored. If a given breath test reading found to be above certain threshold level, or the user image found to be other than the person to be monitored, or the user fall to perform a breath test, the apparatus will transmit a violation signal along with the user picture and positioning location information to a monitoring station. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081588 | METHOD FOR CORRECTING RESPIRATORY INFLUENCES ON MAGNETIC RESONANCE RECORDINGS OF AN EXAMINATION OBJECT - In a method for correcting respiratory influences on recordings of an examination object by operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus, an external respiratory signal is determined, an internal respiratory signal is determined, a correlation signal is determined, at least one reliability range of the correlation signal is determined, a fit function in at least one reliability range of the correlation signal is determined, and the recordings subject to respiratory influences of the examination object are corrected based on the determined fit function. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081589 | Device for Analyzing Exhaled Air, and Use of the Device - A device for analyzing exhaled air comprises a gas sensor unit. The device is configured for measuring nitrogen oxides in the exhaled air. The device includes a main gas path in order to guide air in the device. At least one measuring gas path and at least one flushing gas path branch off from the main gas path. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081590 | GAIT ANALYSIS SYSTEM AND METHODS - Systems and methods for analyzing the gait of an individual are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods can be configured to acquire data from a first array and a second array of sensors that are configured to be placed in a left and/or right shoe, respectively. The acquired data can be collected or separated into at least two separate gait phases for each array, compared to a baseline condition for each gait phase and categorized into one of at least two uniformity categories for each gait phase. Examples of collected and/or calculated data include pressure values, shear stress values and torque values. The analysis can be focused on both feet of a person, or focused on one foot. A graphical output showing at least one entire gait cycle based on the uniformity categories can then be generated. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081591 | System and Method for Laryngeal Reflex Examination - A system for elucidating physiological characteristics of laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) responses in a human or animal subject's larynx's vocal folds (VFs) includes a pressure pulsing component to provide a stable and adjustable pulse of pressure to the larynx, a control system component in functional communication with the pressure pulsing component to control or regulate one or more aspects of the timing, magnitude and number of pulses of pressure delivered by the pressure pulsing component during respiratory cycles, and a respiratory sensor component to detect and/or determine physiological characteristics of the subject's LAR response. The method includes evoking a LAR response in the subject and determining one or more physiological measurements including duration, velocity, and angles of motion of the subject's VFs during the LAR response. The present disclosure provides for enhanced endoscopic field of view of the larynx and delivering stimuli over a wider range of controlled parameters. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081592 | BED HAVING LOAD DETECTION FUNCTION AND BED-LOAD DETECTOR - In a bed having a load detection function, a load detector attached to a bed main body includes a load cell provided at a site which is positioned at any location on a load transmission path extending from a bed surface-forming portion to a bed installation surface, and at which a load from the bed surface-forming portion side is received and the load is transmitted to a configuration member of the installation surface side. The load cell includes a load-receiving member, and a base body which is separated from the load-receiving member and to which the load from the load-receiving member is applied. The load-receiving member comes into contact with the base body, the load from the load-receiving member acts on the base body, and the resulting strain is detected by a strain sensor. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081593 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMAGE GUIDED ACCURACY VERIFICATION - A method includes receiving during a first time interval image data associated with an image of a dynamic body. The image data includes an indication of the positions of a first marker and a second marker on a garment coupled to the dynamic body. The first marker and second marker are each coupled to the garment at a first and second locations, respectively. A distance is determined between the position of the first marker and the second marker. During a second time interval after the first time interval, data associated with a position of a first and second localization element that are each coupled to the garment is received. A distance between the first and second localization elements is determined. A difference is calculated between the distance between the first marker and the second marker and the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081594 | RANGE OF MOTION SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A system and method for range of motion evaluation and recording for physical therapy, ergonomics, training, and individual rehabilitation. While talking with the physical therapists, a frequently mentioned problem they encountered was to evaluate the range of motion of a patient during the performance of functional movements like standing up from a chair, taking objects off of the ground, squatting, and gait analysis. Physical therapists currently use a goniometer to measure the motion of a single angle and visually inspect for inconsistencies and subjectively assess the patient during performance of functional tasks. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081595 | SYSTEM FOR HEARING SENSITIVITY TESTING AND AUTO REINFORCEMENT - Disclosed is a graphical user interface operational on a portable device that allows users to test their minimum audio hearing level at various frequencies using a single button. The graphical user interface generates sound frequencies that are played to the user, one ear at a time. Starting from zero decibels, sound intensity levels are gradually increased to intensity levels perceptible by the user. The users indicate recognition of the sound frequency by interacting with the graphical user interface. The intensities of the sound pressure levels (SPLs) are registered as estimates of a user's hearing sensitivity at the tested frequency bands. The process is repeated at different frequency bands for each ear, and hearing levels for each ear established. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081596 | METHOD FOR DETECTING A MALFUNCTION OF A SENSOR FOR MEASURING AN ANALYTE CONCENTRATION IN VIVO - The invention relates to a method for detecting a malfunction of a sensor for measuring an analyte concentration in vivo, wherein a series of measurement signals is produced by means of the sensor, and a value of a noise parameter is continually determined from the measuring signals, the noise parameter indicating how severely the measurement is impaired by interference signals. According to the invention, continually determined values of the noise parameter are used to determine how quickly the noise parameter changes, and the rate of change of the noise parameter is evaluated to detect a malfunction. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081597 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MODE SWITCHING - Systems and methods described provide dynamic and intelligent ways to change the required level of user interaction during use of a monitoring device. The systems and methods generally relate to real time switching between a first or initial mode of user interaction and a second or new mode of user interaction. In some cases, the switching will be automatic and transparent to the user, and in other cases user notification may occur. The mode switching generally affects the user's interaction with the device, and not just internal processing. The mode switching may relate to calibration modes, data transmission modes, control modes, or the like. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081598 | Devices, Systems, and Methods Related to Analyte Monitoring and Management - Analyte monitoring devices, systems, and methods are provided that relate to: enabling different application features on a data processing device for analyte monitoring devices with different analyte monitoring features; programming analyte monitoring devices in advance; personalizing an analyte monitoring device; graphically representing a remaining insulin level in a user body; and graphically representing analyte measurement related data for on-demand readings; protecting access to feature of an analyte monitoring device. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081599 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING SENSOR DATA BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - System and method for communicating glucose concentration information between devices of a continuous glucose monitoring system is provided. The continuous glucose monitoring system can include a sensor module generates a glucose concentration measurement data and transmits the data to one or more further devices of the continuous glucose monitoring system. The further devices can include a receiver unit and one or more secondary display devices. The receiver unit can be configured to be a stand-alone device of or physically connect to a secondary display device. A user interface can also be provided that provides enhanced functionality for using the continuous glucose monitoring system. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081600 | ANALYTE SENSORS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME - Analyte sensors and methods of manufacturing same are provided, including analyte sensors comprising multi-axis flexibility. For example, a multi-electrode sensor system | 2016-03-24 |
20160081601 | Pulse Oximeter With An Accelerometer - Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a pulse oximeter capable of taking blood oxygen readings based on readings from an accelerometer. The various embodiments may provide an electronic patch including a pulse oximeter and accelerometer connected to a processor, wherein the processor is configured with processor executable instructions to control the operation of the pulse oximeter based at least in part on data received from the accelerometer. In various embodiments the electronic patch may further include a coin cell battery, or other low power source, that may power the pulse oximeter. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081602 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING POWER TO LIGHT SOURCES OF A PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITOR - Systems and methods for providing power to a light source of a physiological system and for generating a desired signal. The physiological system may comprise a light drive circuit that may provide a digital signal to the light source of the physiological system. The digital signal may comprise a plurality of pulses. The plurality of pulses may include one or more features that may be adjustable to vary the power provided to the light source. For example, the pulses may have a varying width. The light drive circuit may be configured to provide power to the light source during each pulse of the plurality of pulses. The system may further comprise a front end circuit configured to receive the light generated by the light source in response to the plurality of pulses, where the light is attenuated by a body tissue of a patient. The front end circuit may comprise a response time. The at least one period of the plurality of pulses may be substantially shorter than the response time of the front end channel circuit. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081603 | Reflection-Type Multi-Sensor Array Blood Oxygen Detection Device - The utility model discloses a reflection-type multi-sensor array blood oxygen detection device, which comprises an apparatus body, a photosensitive sensor array, a light transmitter array and a bandage, wherein the light transmitter array is distributed around the photosensitive sensor array; and a light shielding plate is arranged between the light transmitter array and the photosensitive sensor array. The blood oxygen detection device can be used for effectively measuring the degree of blood oxygen saturation of the human issue by detecting the reflected light of the human tissue. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081604 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING HEALTH CONDITION OF A SUBJECT - Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method and system for determining health condition of a subject. First step of the method comprises receiving, by a computing unit, a first oxygen saturation level and a second oxygen saturation level from at least two sensors placed on the subject. Second step of the method comprises determining cerebral extraction of oxygen using the first and second oxygen saturation levels. Third step of the method comprises comparing the cerebral extraction of oxygen with a threshold level. Fourth step of the method comprises identifying a mental fatigue level of the subject based on outcome of the comparison, wherein the mental fatigue level indicates the health condition of the subject. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081605 | USE OF A BARRIER CONTACT MEDIUM FOR CHEMO-CHEMO-OPTICAL SENSORS IN TRANSCUTANEOUS APPLICATIONS - The present invention relates to a chemo-optical sensor unit for transcutaneous measurement of a concentration of a gas, comprising: at least one sensing layer adapted to be irradiated with a predetermined radiation; and at least one gas-permeable layer adjacent to one side of the at least one sensing layer, adapted to pass gas whose concentration is to be measured through the gas-permeable layer towards the sensing layer; wherein said chemo-optical sensor unit is adapted to operate with a contact medium between the gas-permeable layer and the skin, wherein said contact medium comprises a barrier layer which is gas- permeable and impermeable to water and ions; and wherein the chemo-optical sensor unit is adapted to measure an optical response of the at least one sensing layer, whose optical response depends on the concentration of the gas. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a chemo-optical sensor, as well as to a method for conditioning a chemo-optical sensor unit for measuring a concentration of a gas and a thereby obtainable conditioned sensor. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081606 | Vacuum Pressure Regulators for Use During Blood Collection - A regulator for modulation of the flow rate of blood out of a patients blood vessel during blood collection is disclosed. The regulator includes a housing having a housing inlet, a housing outlet, and a wall defining a housing interior. At least a portion of the wall includes a flexible member. A valve is associated with the flexible member and is in communication with the housing interior. The regulator is designed so that upon an application of a differential pressure within the housing interior, the flexible member and/or valve automatically move with respect to either the housing inlet or housing outlet to modulate a flow of blood moving through the housing. A manual over-ride device can be provided to enable a user to over-ride the automatic regulation and manually regulate the flow of blood through the housing. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081607 | SPORADIC COLLECTION WITH MOBILE AFFECT DATA - An individual can exhibit one or more mental states when reacting to a stimulus. A camera or other monitoring device can be used to collect, on an intermittent basis, mental state data including facial data. The mental state data can be interpolated between the intermittent collecting. The facial data can be obtained from a series of images of the individual where the images are captured intermittently. A second face can be identified, and the first face and the second face can be tracked. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081608 | Noninvasive Detection of Human Brain Conditions and Anomalies - Vascular conditions are detected non-invasively in the human body using a collection of information from small local regions of the vasculature, or from a specific signature or “BrainPulse” that can be derived from a patient's heartbeat-induced cranium movements. An array of accelerometers or other sensors are engaged against the head of a patient and skull movements, preferably under 100 Hz, are recorded. Vibration signatures of vessel structures such as branches, aneurysms, stenosis, etc. using random, periodic, band limited or transient analysis provides a library for further processing. The signature library is used to localize the origin of the recognized vascular feature, and the localized feature is presented to the physician in a clinically relevant manner. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081609 | MARKER-LESS MONITORING OF MOVEMENT DISORDERS - A system for monitoring a movement disorder includes a movement detector configured to track at least one point of reference in three dimensions, and a computing device communicatively coupled with the movement detector. The computing device is configured to receive movement data associated with the at least one point of reference over a period of time, perform a kinematic data analysis based on the movement data, compute a weighted score using the kinematic data analysis, compute a trend based on historical movement data, the weighted score and the trend being associated with the movement disorder, and display the weighted score, the trend and the movement data on a display associated with the computing device. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081610 | ALGORITHM FOR DETECTING A SEIZURE FROM CARDIAC DATA - Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting the seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by collecting cardiac data; determining valid heart beats suitable for seizure detection from the cardiac data; calculating heart rate data of interest from the valid heart beats; and identifying a seizure event from the heart rate data. The medical device may then take a responsive action, such as warning, logging the time of the seizure, computing and storing one or more seizure severity indices, and/or treating the seizure. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081611 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO MEASURE, ANALYZE, AND MODEL PULMONARY FUNCTION AND DISEASE UTILIZING TEMPORAL, SPATIAL, AND CONTEXTUAL DATA - An information processing system, computer readable storage medium, and methods for analyzing the airflow related health of a person. A method includes obtaining an audio sample of a person's verbal communication, obtaining geographic information of the person, querying a remote server based on the geographic information, and obtaining additional information from the remote server, the additional information being related to the geographic information, and extracting contours of amplitude change from the at least one audio sample over a period of time, the contours of amplitude change corresponding to changes in an airflow profile of the person. The method further includes correlating the contours of amplitude change with periodic episodes typical of airflow related health problems, and determining, based at least on the additional information, whether the contours of amplitude change result from at least one local environmental factor related to the geographic information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081612 | EXERCISE SUPPORT DEVICE, EXERCISE SUPPORT METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM - An exercise support device includes a motion sensor that is worn on a user's body and outputs data regarding the motion status of the user's body when the user is performing a moving exercise, and a control section which acquires exercise information regarding the user's exercise status. The control section selects a specific exercise index having relatively strong correlation with a moving speed from exercise indexes acquired from the data outputted when the user moves on a movement section plural times at moving speeds different from each other, acquires a coefficient that is used in an approximate expression which represents the specific exercise index and is a linear function including the moving speed as a variable and the coefficient, and acquires the exercise information based on the specific exercise index and the coefficient when the user moves by the moving exercise. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081613 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR OUTPUTTING LIGHT SIGNALS AT A MEDICAL-TECHNICAL INSTALLATION - The principle of biofeedback is used to incorporate a patient into a control loop for relaxation by light signals. For this purpose, a sensor measures physiological parameters of the patient. By virtue of the fact that the respective physiological parameter controls a lighting parameter such as light color or light intensity of a lighting unit using the signal processing of a microprocessor in a control loop, the patient acquires visual biofeedback with respect to his/her physiological parameter. Endogenous regulation processes of the patient are thus made accessible to his/her consciousness. The outputting of the light signals is continued until the patient is prepared for the required examination and there is no need for a further administration of medicaments for calming. The work results of the medical-technical installation may be kept optimal as a result of the relaxation of the patient even without administration of medicaments. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081614 | EXERCISE ANALYSIS DEVICE, EXERCISE ANALYSIS METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM HAVING EXERCISE ANALYSIS PROGRAM - An exercise analysis device includes an acceleration acquiring unit, a first-data acquiring unit, a second-data acquiring unit and a third-data acquiring unit. The acceleration acquiring unit acquires acceleration of a user as the user performs an exercise. The first-data acquiring unit acquires a piece of a first data corresponding to a total amount of mechanical work of the exercise for a predetermined time based on the acceleration. The second-data acquiring unit acquires a piece of a second data corresponding to one of velocity and kinetic energy in a certain direction among directions related to the exercise for the predetermined time, based on the acceleration. The third-data acquiring unit acquires a piece of a third data corresponding to efficiency of the exercise based on the piece of the first data and the piece of the second data. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081615 | SLEEP AWAKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - Provided are a sleep awaking system and a sleep awaking method. The system comprises: a sign parameter collecting module for collecting a sign parameter of a human body; a time determining module for determining whether the present time is a REM determining time; a REM determining module for obtaining the sign parameter and determining whether the human body is in a REM stage according to the sign parameter in a REM determining period when the time determining module determines that the present time is the REM determining time; an awaking module for awaking the human body after a pre-awaking period when the REM determining module determines that the human body is in the REM stage and causing the human body to enter the REM stage within the pre-awaking period and awaking the human body after the pre-awaking period when the REM determining module determines that the human body is not in the REM stage, wherein the REM determining period and the pre-awaking period pass in turn from the REM determining time to the awaking time. The above system and method realize awaking the human body in the REM stage, making the human body feel a clear mind, act agilely, and full of spirit and energy after being awaked, which is good for health of the human body. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081616 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM, AND SLEEP MONITORING WEARABLE DEVICE - The present disclosure relates to the field of electronic technology, and provides an EEG processing apparatus and method and a sleep monitoring wearable device, which can reduce complexity of sleep staging. The EEG processing method comprises: obtaining EEG data to be processed ( | 2016-03-24 |
20160081617 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EEG MONITORING - A patient monitoring system includes an electroencephalography (EEG) monitor and an EEG sensor array. The EEG sensor array includes a plurality of electrodes configured to acquire EEG signals from a patient. The EEG monitor may be configured to calculate one or more depth of anesthesia indices for the patient based on received EEG signals from the EEG sensor array. Additionally, the EEG monitor may be configured to generate and display a topographic color map of the calculated depth of anesthesia indices. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081618 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ULTRA-WIDEBAND (UWB) RADAR DETECTION AND TRACKING OF TUMORS IN REAL-TIME - An ultra-wideband (UWB) radar system for non-invasive, real-time tumor tracking includes an UWB transmitter arranged to transmit radar pulses to penetrate a region of interest of a patient; an UWB receiver arranged to receive radar return pulses after being reflected by tumor tissue in the region of interest of the patient; and an UWB signal processor constructed to communicate with the UWB receiver, wherein the UWB transmitter and the UWB receiver are constructed to be arranged sufficiently far away from the patient so as to avoid interfering with radiation treatment of the tumor. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081619 | SENSOR GUIDED RESPONSE TO ANTI-ARRHYTHMIC CHANGES - A patient's response to anti-arrhythmic drug changes can be monitored using cardiac activity information, such as using cardiac electromechanical time intervals adjusted for heart rate. A cardiac electromechanical time interval can include an R-S2 interval or an S2-R interval. Tracking changes in cardiac electromechanical time intervals adjusted for heart rate can be used to provide information about a patient, including anti-arrhythmic drug effect information and patient condition information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081620 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEALTH CARE - An apparatus includes: a receiving unit for receiving a sensor signal for a body of a user from a wearable apparatus; a controller for classifying a physical activity of the user as one of a plurality of predefined activity models based on the received sensor signal, and generating prediction information about the body of the user based on a result of the classifying and profile information about the user; and an output device for outputting health care information to the user based on the prediction information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081621 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR MAPPING THE LOCATION OF A NERVE - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for mapping the location of a nerve. The apparatus includes at least one stimulation module, a stimulation detection module, a distance module, and a mapping module. The stimulation module stimulates a nerve with an electrical stimulation current from at least one stimulation electrode. A stimulation detection module detects a muscle reaction resulting from stimulation of the nerve by the at least one stimulation electrode. The distance module uses information from the at least one stimulation electrode and from the stimulation detection module to calculate a distance between the at least one stimulation electrode and the nerve. The mapping module maps a location on the nerve using at least two distances calculated by the distance module and position information of the at least one stimulation electrode for each of the at least two distances calculated. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081622 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING BIOLOGIC PARAMETERS - Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081623 | HEARING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM COMPRISING ELECTRODES FOR PICKING UP BRAIN WAVE SIGNALS - The application relates to a hearing assistance system comprising first and second spatially separated parts adapted for being mounted fully or partially at a first ear and on the head of a user, respectively, the first and second parts comprising a number of first and second electrodes located at a surface of first and second housings, respectively, to allow said first and second electrodes to contact the skin of the user when said parts are operationally mounted on the user's head. The first and second electrodes are adapted to pick up low-voltage electric signals from the user's brain and a reference voltage, respectively, to provide voltage difference signals. An improved binaural hearing assistance system further comprising a comparison unit for determining the voltage difference signal, and an electric interface allowing the reference voltage or a measure representative thereof to be transferred from said second part to said comparison unit is provided. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081624 | MULTI-FUNCTIONAL CATHETER - A catheter suitable for delivering an electric current to the body, in particular a catheter having electrodes that can be positioned independently of the main elongate shaft of the catheter. More particularly the catheters include a movable sleeve that incorporates the electrodes. A movable sleeve includes one or more electrodes. Advances in the construction of the electrodes and related components are disclosed. Methods for positioning electrodes at a treatment site in the body for diagnostic or therapeutic applications, particularly electrical pharyngeal stimulation are also disclosed. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081625 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SENSOR DATA - A method in an electronic device is provided, the method including: receiving sensor data from at least one external electronic device; determining an exercise type of a user who wears the at least one external electronic device based on the received sensor data; and outputting exercise information corresponding to the determined exercise type. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081626 | BIOSENSOR - There is provided a biosensor capable of improving the S/N ratio of a final photoplethysmographic signal regardless of the change in a noise component such as extraneous light. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081627 | SYSTEM METHOD FOR ASSESSING FITNESS STATE VIA A MOBILE DEVICE - Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for assessing a fitness state of a user via a mobile device are presented. In some implementations, a first physiological measurement of the user during a first level of a physical activity is obtained via one or more sensors. A second physiological measurement during a second level of the physical activity is obtained via the one or more sensors. A transient physiological measurement based on the first physiological measurement and the second physiological measurement is determined. The physical activity is classified based on one or more motion measurements obtained via the one or more sensors. A fitness profile indicative of a fitness state of the user is generated based at least in part on the determined transient physiological measurement and the classified physical activity. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081628 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AN EARLY RISK RECOGNITION MONITORING - A system for providing an early risk recognition monitoring by measurement of a peripheral tissue perfusion of a patient instead of clinically significant changes in systemic blood pressure and/or blood flow comprises a wristband device for gathering measurement data of the patient. The device measures a first temperature (t | 2016-03-24 |
20160081629 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A CORE BODY TEMPERATURE - A method and a device for determine a core body temperature from a flow of heat from the body to a neutral medium via a first sensor element and a second sensor element. A dynamic model is used that describes heat flow with a plurality of parameters including the core body temperature, a first sensor element temperature, and a second sensor element temperature. The first sensor element is arranged on a surface of the body. One of the parameters and the core temperature are estimated such that a difference is minimized between the temperatures indicated by the sensor elements, and the temperatures resulting from the dynamic model at the first and second sensor elements for a plurality of time points which lie temporally prior to a specific time point. An estimated core temperature, where this difference has been minimized, is the core body temperature to be determined. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081630 | BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A pulsimeter | 2016-03-24 |
20160081631 | RESPIRATORY WAVEFORM RECOGNITION METHOD AND SYSTEM - A respiratory waveform recognition method comprises: (a) detecting a respiratory airflow in a respiratory cycle; (b) measuring an amplitude of the respiratory airflow and a duration of the respiratory cycle; (c) using a plurality of sampling points to determine an inspiration waveform and an expiration waveform according to the amplitude and the duration; (d) normalizing the amplitude and the duration of one of the inspiration waveform and the expiration waveform, so as to establish a normalized waveform; and (e) accumulating the differences between the normalized waveform and a reference waveform to calculate a flow index useful for the identification of a normal respiration state and an abnormal respiration state. A curve, such as a weighted curve or a standard waveform, is used for fitting of the inspiration waveform or the expiration waveform to calculate the differences, and the differences are accumulated to identify the normal respiration state and the abnormal respiration state. Also provided is a respiratory waveform recognition system. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081632 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROMOTING GLUCOSE MANAGEMENT - Methods and systems for encouraging interactions with a glucose monitoring system include incrementing a score and/or providing a reward based on a variety of different interactions with the glucose monitoring system. The interactions which improve the score may include initiating or changing displays, downloading data, setting operational parameters and other interactions that are independent of a user's glucose measurements. Encouraging these interactions can enhance success in maintaining healthy glucose concentrations. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081633 | X-RAY MAMMOGRAPHY AND/OR BREAST TOMOSYNTHESIS USING A COMPRESSION PADDLE - An x-ray breast imaging system comprising a compression paddle in which the compression paddle comprises a front wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is configured to be adjacent and face a chest wall of a patient during imaging and the bottom wall configured to be adjacent a length of a top of a compressed breast. The bottom wall extends away from the patient's chest wall, wherein the bottom wall comprises a first portion and a second portion such that the second portion is between the front wall and the first portion. The first portion is generally non- coplanar to the second portion, wherein the compression paddle is movable along a craniocaudal axis. The x-ray breast imaging system also comprises a non-rigid jacket releasably secured to the compression paddle, the non-rigid jacket positioned between the compression paddle and the patient. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081634 | RADIAL ACCESS METHODS AND APPARATUS - Radial access methods and apparatus are described for facilitating the securement of the patient's limb for a radial procedure as well as to accommodate for the re-positioning of the patient's body. A radial table assembly may generally comprise a platform defining a surface which is sized to support the limb of the patient, an interface portion attached at a distal end of the platform, wherein the interface portion is radio-lucent and extends at a distance from the platform, and a cradle member rotatably connected to the platform at a location proximal to the interface portion. In other variations, the interface portion is reconfigurable relative to the platform such that an angled edge is reversible relative to the platform. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081635 | MULTI-DETECTOR IMAGING SYSTEM WITH X-RAY DETECTION - An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, a plurality of image detectors, an x-ray source, an adjustable source collimator, and at least one processor. The image detectors are radially spaced around a circumference of the bore such that gaps exist between adjacent image detectors. The x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors. The adjustable source collimator is interposed between the x-ray source and a center of the bore, and is configured to block a portion of the x-rays produced by the x-ray source The at least one processor is configured to control the adjustable source collimator to dynamically adjust a range of x-rays that are blocked by the adjustable source collimator along the fan angle during transmission of x-rays from the x-ray source and acquisition of computed tomography (CT) information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081636 | COLLIMATION FOR DISTANCED FOCAL SPOTS - The present invention relates to collimation of X-ray radiation. In order to provide an X-ray collimation suitable for focal spots spaced apart from each other with improved use of the provided radiation beam, an X-ray source arrangement ( | 2016-03-24 |
20160081637 | PHOTON-COUNTING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a photon-counting apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a support mechanism, setting circuitry and data acquisition circuitry. The X-ray detector is configured to repetitively detect an X-ray photon generated by the X-ray tube, and repetitively generate an electrical signal corresponding to the repetitively detected X-ray photon. The support mechanism is configured to support the X-ray tube to be rotatable about a rotation axis. Setting circuitry configured to set one of a time length of a readout period and a readout cycle per unit time for the electrical signal. Data acquisition circuitry is configured to count a count number of electrical signals from the X-ray detector in accordance with the set one of the time length and readout cycle. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081638 | ELECTRONIC CASSETTE AND ELECTRONIC CASSETTE SYSTEM - A housing of an electronic cassette includes an inclined surface. The inclined is formed between a side surface and a rear surface of the housing and inclined relative to the side surface and the rear surface. The inclined surface is provided with indicators for displaying a center position of each side of an imaging area and operation conditions of the electronic cassette. Each of the indicators consists of a light source and a display window through which light from the light source is emitted to the outside. The display window is formed on the inclined surface. Since the display window is formed on the inclined surface, the display window is not blocked by an outer grid. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081639 | ELECTRONIC CASSETTE - A housing of an electronic cassette has an inclined surface which is formed between a side surface and a rear surface thereof and inclined relative to the side surface and the rear surface. An antenna opening through which a radio wave is transmitted is formed on the inclined surface. Since the antenna opening is formed on the inclined surface, the antenna opening is not blocked by a rear plate of a holder of an upright radiographic stand or a supine radiographic stand, and the antenna opening is not blocked by a side panel of an outer grid. Both in the case where the electronic cassette is set to the holder and in the case where the outer grid is attached to the electronic cassette, it is possible to perform stable wireless communication. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081640 | RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided a radiographic imaging device including: a radiographic imaging device main body; and a protective cover that is removably applied to a surface of the radiographic imaging device main body, a thickness including the radiographic imaging device main body in the state in which the protective cover is applied being at most 16 mm. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081641 | MULTI-DETECTOR IMAGING SYSTEM WITH X-RAY DETECTION - An imaging system is provided that includes a gantry having a bore extending therethrough; a plurality of image detectors attached to the gantry and radially spaced around a circumference of the bore such that gaps exist between image detectors along the circumference of the bore; an x-ray source attached to the gantry, wherein the x-ray source transmits x-rays across the bore towards at least two of the image detectors; wherein at least two image detectors detect both emission radiation and x-ray radiation. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081642 | CONSOLE DEVICE OF PORTABLE TYPE, CONTROL METHOD AND RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING SYSTEM - A console device of a portable type is combined with a radiographic imaging device, and retrieves a radiation image from the radiographic imaging device. A registration unit selectively registers plural user menu options for retrieving the radiation image. A radiation image retrieving unit retrieves the radiation image according to a registered one of the user menu options. A display controller, after displaying the radiation image retrieved according to a current user menu option on a display unit among the user menu options, performs display processing of a succeeding user menu option for retrieving a succeeding radiation image in an overlapped manner with the displayed radiation image. Preferably, a pass-through area is formed in the radiation image by directly receiving the radiation without passing through an object. The display controller performs display processing of the current or succeeding user menu option inside the pass-through area. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081643 | X-RAY CT DEVICE AND PROCESSING METHOD - The present invention is capable of distinguishing four types or more of substances such as air, water (soft tissues), contrast medium, and bones (calcification) to diagnose progress of atherosclerotic sites using dual energy imaging. A subject is imaged with two types of different tube voltages and an image obtained by image reconstruction is binarized to carry out a reprojection process; thereby, the distance of penetration of air is estimated, the contribution of air in measurement projection data is determined, and the amount of reduction by the air is deducted from the projection data so as to enable distinction between four or more substances such as air, water (soft tissues), contrast medium, and bones (calcification). | 2016-03-24 |
20160081644 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image obtaining unit obtaining a plurality of projection images taken by imaging a subject with different radiation source positions. A pixel value projecting unit projects pixel values of the projection images on coordinate positions on a desired slice plane of the subject based on the positional relationship between the radiation source position with which each projection image is taken and the radiation detector, while preserving pixel values of the projection images. A pixel value calculating unit calculates a pixel value at each coordinate position of interest on the slice plane based on a plurality of pixel values of the projection images projected in a predetermined range relative to the coordinate position of interest on the slice plane to thereby generate a tomographic image of the slice plane. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081645 | TOMOGRAPHIC IMAGE GENERATION DEVICE AND METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An image obtaining unit obtains a plurality of projection images by imaging a subject with different radiation source positions. A pixel value projecting unit projects pixel values of the projection images on coordinate positions on a desired slice plane of the subject based on the positional relationship between the radiation source position with which each projection image is taken and the radiation detector, while preserving pixel values of the projection images, to obtain a plurality of slice plane projection images. A positional misalignment correcting unit corrects positional misalignment between the slice plane projection images. A pixel value calculating unit generates a tomographic image from the slice plane projection images having been subjected to the correction of the positional misalignment. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081646 | X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, preprocessing circuitry, a reconstruction processor and control circuitry. The X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays generated from the X-ray tube. The preprocessing circuitry configured to generate projection data by executing preprocessing for data acquired by the X-ray detector, based on a preprocessing condition. The reconstruction processor configured to generate image data by executing reconstruction processing for the projection data based on a reconstruction condition. The control circuitry configured to cause a storage to store the projection data in association with the preprocessing condition and read out, based on a designated preprocessing condition. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081647 | High Dynamic Range Mammography Using a Restricted Dynamic Range FFDM - Methods of imaging a breast comprising acquiring a sequence of image data sets having differing exposure parameters; and combining the image data sets into a mammography image having greater dynamic range than the dynamic range of any single component image data set. Disclosed methods may further comprise determining an exposure parameter of one or more component image data sets prior to acquiring the sequence of image data sets. The step of determining an exposure parameter of one or more component image data sets may comprise determining exposure duration or an exposure irradiation level. Also disclosed are mammography apparatus and systems to obtain images according to the disclosed methods. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081648 | IMAGE ANALYSIS DEVICE, IMAGE ANALYSIS METHOD, AND PROGRAM - In an image analysis device, an image analysis method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, it is determined whether a radiographic image is captured by rocking a rocking imaging grid. The image analysis device includes: a radiographic image acquisition section; a dosage data acquisition section that acquires dosage data indicating, in a time-series manner, a dosage of radiation rays exposed to a specific position in an imaging area in a specific period; and a determining section that determines whether the dosage data has a first feature indicating a dosage variation as a plurality of radiation absorbing bodies and a radiation transmitting body disposed between adjacent radiation absorbing bodies pass through a space between the specific position and a radiation source, and determines that the radiographic image corresponding to the dosage data determined to have the first feature is a rocking grid use image captured by rocking a rocking imaging grid. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081649 | ELECTRONIC CASSETTE SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CASSETTE - A center position of a female connector is located near to a rear surface of a housing compared with a center position of the housing in a thickness direction of the housing of an electronic cassette. An inclined surface, which is inclined relative to a side surface and the rear surface of the housing, is formed between the side surface and the rear surface. The female connector is formed on the inclined surface. Therefore, it is possible to attach an outer grid provided with a longer side panel to the housing, in comparison with the case where the center position of the female connector is made coincident with the center position of the housing in the thickness direction of the housing, without requiring any processing. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081650 | CONSOLE DEVICE OF PORTABLE TYPE, CONTROL METHOD AND RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING SYSTEM - A console device of a portable type for retrieving a radiation image created by a radiographic imaging device is provided. A registration unit registers plural user menu options for retrieving the radiation image. A radiation image retrieving unit retrieves the radiation image respectively according to the registered user menu options. A display controller is operated while the radiation image retrieved according to a current user menu option among the user menu options is displayed on a display unit, for display processing to display a part of the user menu options inclusive of a succeeding user menu option for retrieving at least a further radiation image among the user menu options. Preferably, the succeeding user menu option is displayed inside an image display area of the radiation image. Also, the display controller further performs display processing to display the current user menu option. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081651 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING BREATHING RATE USING MICROPHONE - Provided are an apparatus and method for estimating a breathing rate using a microphone, which performs band filtering and noise filtering on tracheal and nasal sounds collected from the microphone, selects a processing region of preprocessed data, calculates similarity between pieces of data using an autocorrelation function, calculates a power spectrum density, detects multiple peaks including a highest peak through the power spectrum density, analyzes the multiple peaks to determine a breathing pattern, and calculates a breathing rate in consideration of a dynamic characteristic between inhalation and exhalation, nasal congestion detection, and noise reduction. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately estimate the breathing rate because calculation is performed in consideration of a dynamic characteristic of inhalation and exhalation, nasal congestion, and white noise. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081652 | COAPTATION ULTRASOUND DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE - Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patient's body using coaptive ultrasound that combines magnetic guidance with ultrasound visualization of the medical member in the patient's body. A coaptive ultrasound probe adaptor magnetically attracts an elongate medical member within the patient with sufficient force so as to allow the operator to manually guide the member to its intended location. The adaptor mates with an ultrasound probe to provide the medical operator ultrasound feedback of the position of the member, thus allowing internal placement without the need for more specialized medical equipment. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081653 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound probe that transmits/receives ultrasound waves to/from a subject, a reference position member arranged on the ultrasound probe, and a sensor located in a position having a predetermined positional relationship relative to a puncture needle. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus further includes a position information acquisition unit, a needle length information acquisition unit, and a display. The position information acquisition unit acquires position information of the reference position member and the sensor. The needle length information acquisition unit acquires needle length information indicating the length of the puncture needle based on the position information of the reference position member and the sensor when the tip of the puncture needle is in contact with the reference position member, and the relative position. The display displays information to guide a puncture by the puncture needle based on the needle length information. | 2016-03-24 |
20160081654 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-INVASIVE DETERMINATION OF HUMAN BODY FAT - Provided is a non-invasive system and method of determining human body fat based on image processing. The method includes receiving at least one ultrasound scan image of at least a portion of a skin layer as disposed above one or more additional tissue layers, the skin layer defining a horizontal axis and the image provided by a plurality of pixels. The method continues by horizontally blurring the pixels of the image and thresholding the pixels of the image to provide a binary image having a plurality of elements of different sizes. The method continues with morphing the structural elements of the binary image to remove small elements and connect large elements. With this resulting image, the method distinguishes a body fat layer from the remaining elements and determines the body fat layer thickness. An associated system is also disclosed. | 2016-03-24 |