| 14th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 42 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20130085298 | Processes for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylates with Liquid Product Dilution - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude acrylate product comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the steps of removing inert and/or reactive gases from the crude product to form a liquid acrylate stream, diluting the liquid acrylate stream with a diluent to form a diluted liquid acrylate stream, and then separating at least a portion of the diluted liquid acrylate stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt. % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085299 | Processes for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylate with Diluted Crude Acrylate Stream - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude acrylate product comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of diluting the crude acrylate product with a diluent to form a diluted crude acrylate stream and recovering acrylate product from the diluted crude acrylate stream. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085300 | Processes for the Production of Acrylic Acids and Acrylates From A Trioxane Feed - In one embodiment, the invention relates to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting a reaction mixture comprising an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent composition under conditions effective to form a crude acrylate product. The alkylenating agent composition comprises at least 1 wt % of a ring-structured compound comprising at least two oxygen atoms and at least one carbon atom, e.g., trioxane and/or tetraoxane. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude acrylate product to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085301 | Processes for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylates - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product, an alkylenating agent, and water. The process further comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of the crude product stream or a derivative thereof with an extraction agent mixture to form an extract stream and a raffinate stream. The extract stream comprises acrylate product and extraction agent. The raffinate stream comprises alkylenating agent and water. Preferably, the extraction agent mixture comprises at least two extraction agents. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085302 | Processes for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylates - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The process further comprises the step of recovering high purity acrylate product using precipitation. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085303 | Processes for Producing Acrylic Acids and Acrylates - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product, an alkylenating agent, light ends, and non-condensable gases. The process further comprises the step of separating the crude product stream to form a cooled vapor stream and at least one condensed crude product stream without the addition of heat. The process further comprise the step of separating at least a portion of the condensed crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream comprising at least 1 wt. % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085304 | PROCESSES FOR PREPARATION OF POLYMORPHIC FORMS OF LACOSAMIDE - The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of crystalline polymorphic forms of lacosamide (Formula I), including processes for inter-conversion among such polymorphic forms. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085305 | PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF CU-CR OXIDES FOR SELECTIVE OXIDATION REACTIONS - The present invention provides a process for the preparation of Cu—Cr oxides by hydrothermal synthesis method using hydrazine as a reducing agent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant and these oxides are very active for selective oxidation of benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene to produce phenol, benzaldehyde and acetophenone, respectively. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085306 | CHLOROFLUOROBENZENE COMPOUND, OPTICALLY ISOTROPIC LIQUID CRYSTAL MEDIUM AND OPTICAL DEVICE - A liquid crystal compound and a liquid crystal medium are described. The liquid crystal compound is stable to heat and light and has a large dielectric anisotropy and a large optical anisotropy. The liquid crystal medium has a wide temperature range of liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal compound has 4 or 5 benzene rings, one of which is a chlorofluorobenzene ring. The liquid crystal medium is characterized in containing the liquid crystal compound and a chiral dopant and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085307 | BIOMASS GASIFICATION GAS PURIFICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD AND METHANOL PRODUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A biomass gasification gas purification system includes a dust collector for removing dust in biomass gasification gas (containing tar components) acquired by gasifying biomass by a biomass gasification furnace, a desulfurizer for removing sulfur oxide components in the dust-removed biomass gasification gas, a pre-reforming reactor for reforming tar components in the desulfurized biomass gasification gas, a steam feed unit for feeding steam to an upstream side of the pre-reforming reactor, and a natural-gas feed unit for feeding natural gas on an upstream side of the desulfurizer. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085308 | METHODS TO SEPARATE HALOGENTATED OLEFINS FROM 2-CHLORO-1,1,1,2-TETRAFLUOROPROPANE USING A SOLID ADSORBENT - The present invention provides a method for separating halocarbons. In particular, the invention provides a method for separating halogenated olefin impurities from 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane (HCFC-244bb) using a solid adsorbent, particularly activated carbon. More particularly the invention pertains to a method for separating 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-propene (HCFO-1233xf) from HCFC-244bb, which are useful as intermediates in the production of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf). | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085309 | CAROTENOID EXTRACTION FROM PLANT MATERIAL - A method of extracting carotenoids from plant material generally includes acquiring plant material including carotenoids, treating the carotenoids with a first enzyme to create a first enzyme treated mixture, wherein the first enzyme includes cellulase, and separating the first enzyme extracted carotenoids from the first enzyme treated mixture. Natural carotenoid concentrate obtained from plant material are also provided. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085310 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS AND AROMATIC HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION PLANT - A method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons, the method including: (a) bringing a feedstock oil such as an LCO into contact with an aromatic production catalyst to obtain a reaction product containing aromatic hydrocarbons, (b) separating the reaction product into a tower top fraction and a tower bottom fraction using a distillation tower, (c) separating the tower top fraction into a crude aromatic fraction containing an LPG fraction, and an off-gas containing hydrogen, (d) separating the crude aromatic fraction containing an LPG fraction into an LPG fraction and a crude aromatic fraction, (e) separating the off-gas containing hydrogen into hydrogen and an off-gas, and (f) using the hydrogen obtained in step (e) to hydrotreat the crude aromatic fraction, thereby obtaining an aromatic fraction. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085311 | ZSM-5 CATALYST WITH MICROPORES AND MESOPORES, PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF LIGHT OLEFINS THROUGH CATALYTIC CRACKING OF HYDROCARBONS USING THE CATALYST - Provided is a method of preparing a ZSM-5 catalyst for preparing light olefins including ethylene and propylene through a catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon mixture of C4 to C7 produced after a naphtha cracking. The method includes (a) forming a gel by aging a mixture solution including a silica precursor and an aluminum precursor; (b) adding a template possibly forming mesopores through a heat treatment, into the gel, stirring and then aging; (c) forming a solid product by crystallizing the aged mixture in step (b); and (d) heat treating the solid product to remove the template. The ZSM-5 catalyst may include micropores and mesopores and may have good physical and chemical properties along with a good pore property. The production yield of the light olefins may be increased. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085312 | TRANSDERMAL PATCH DISPOSAL SYSTEM - Devices for use in the disposal of pharmaceutical compositions are provided. Aspects of the devices include: a support having a surface; an activated carbon layer present on the surface; and an adhesive for stably associating a pharmaceutical composition with the activated carbon layer upon application of the pharmaceutical composition to the activated carbon layer. Also provided are methods of using the devices and kits containing the devices. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085313 | GENERAL MEDICATION DISPOSAL SYSTEM - General medication disposal systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include devices having a sealable container dimensioned to accommodate a pharmaceutical composition; and an amount of an inactivating substance, e.g., granulated or pelletized activated carbon, present inside of the of sealable container. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the systems, as well as kits comprises the devices of the system. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085314 | AUTOMATIC TREATMENT PLANNING METHOD - The invention is directed to a data processing method of determining a treatment plan, a corresponding program and a computer running the program, the treatment plan describing a medical treatment to be carried out on a patient, the steps of the method being executed by a computer and comprising:
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| 20130085315 | UNIVERSAL BALLOON FOR BRACHYTHERAPY APPLICATOR - A toroidal brachytherapy balloon is provided that fits over any brachytherapy applicator and reproducibly positions the applicator on every use. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085316 | Apparatus and Method for Delivery of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using Biological Feedback to a Robotic Arm - Disclosed are apparatus and methods for computer-aided, robotic delivery of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using biologically derived feedback to establish coil position relative to brain functional regions. The apparatus includes a TMS coil mounted to a robotic member. The position of the stimulating coil can be automatically optimized using the TMS-induced bio-responses of various types. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085317 | Universal Musculoskeletal Rehab Device (Brace, Sleeve, or Pad) For Electrical Treatment Modalities and Biofeedback Response Monitoring - A non-invasive device for assisting the treatment of any kind of musculoskeletal disorder, including but not exclusive of those of joint, limb, and spine disorders, includes a brace, sleeve, flexible pad, or any combination of the three, a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, wherein the plurality of electrodes transmit at least three electrophysical modalities, and a stimulation control unit having interactive software to establish a controlled sequence of transmission of the at least three electrophysical modalities and communicating the controlled sequence to the electrodes. The at least three electrophysical modalities are chosen from a group consisting of neuromodulating functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation, and heat therapy stimulation. The stimulation control unit also provides feedback data using the electrodes for monitoring and integration with the interactive software to analyze and assess biomechanical, neuromuscular, and neurological responses to the device. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085318 | SYSTEM FOR INTRODUCING A PUMP - The invention resides in the field of introducing fluid pumps into a lumen and relates to a system for introducing a pump into a lumen which comprises a first sheath and a pump to be introduced into the first sheath, or a system which has a pump with a distal pump unit and a shaft catheter which emerges proximally to the pump unit. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085319 | EXPANDABLE BLOOD PUMPS AND METHODS OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT AND USE - A pump for inducing motion of a fluid, the pump including a cannula adjustable between an operable configuration having a first diameter and a deployment configuration having a substantially smaller second diameter. An impeller is rotatable within the cannula about an axis. The impeller includes an at least semi-rigid support for a flexible web, and is positionable with respect to the cannula the operable configuration and the deployment configuration, the operable configuration extending the web to a first radial distance from the axis and the deployment configuration collapsing the web to a second substantially smaller radial distance from the axis. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085320 | INCUBATOR AND METHOD THEREOF - An incubator to maintain environmental conditions suitable for an infant is provided. The incubator comprises a vertical support structure with a plurality of horizontal columns connected to a bottom end of the vertical support structure to form a base portion. A crib is mounted on to the vertical support structure above the base portion for supporting the infant. The crib comprises a base plate and a plurality of plates arranged in a predetermined manner to form side walls of the crib. At least one dispenser nozzle is provided in the side walls for supplying water vapors to the crib. A humidification system, attachable at least to the base portion of the incubator, is fluidly connected to the inlets of the dispenser nozzles for supplying the water vapors. A radiant warmer is mounted on a top end of the vertical support structure for supplying radiant heat energy to the crib. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085321 | Process for the Synchronization of Ovulation for Timed Breeding Without Heat Detection - A method, for synchronizing ovulation in sows and gilts by a single injection of hormones is disclosed. A hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), analogues, derivatives, agonists or combinations thereof is administered to an open sow post weaning at a specific time to stimulate ovulation of mature responsive follicles. The sow is then bred, without heat detection, at a specific subsequent timed interval after injection with hormone, with one or two artificial or natural breedings. In gilts, the hormone is injected at a timed interval from onset of estrus or at a specific timed interval following Prostaglandin F2a for those gilts which have been held in a state of pseudopregnancy. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085322 | PROCESS FOR THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF OVULATION FOR TIMED BREEDING WITHOUT HEAT DETECTION - A method for synchronizing ovulation in sows and gilts by a single injection of hormones is disclosed. A hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (Fail human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), analogues, derivatives, agonists or combinations thereof is administered to an open sow post weaning at a specific time to stimulate ovulation of mature responsive follicles. The sow is then bred, without heat detection, at a specific subsequent timed interval after injection with hormone, with one or two artificial or natural breedings. In gilts, the hormone is injected at a timed interval from onset of estrus or at a specific timed interval following Prostaglandin F2a for those gilts which have been held in a state of pseudopregnancy. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085324 | MULTI-LAYER FILM WELDED ARTICULATED BALLOON - A method of fabrication of a medical balloon, and a balloon device useful for various medical balloon procedures, such as gastrointestinal, vascular, reproductive system, urinary system and pulmonary applications. At least two layers of a thermoplastic film are sealed at their peripheral edges and heat sealed at one or more locations inside an area enclosed by the sealed edges at predetermined locations, in one implementation of the balloon device. Such configuration enables the balloon to articulate to a desired shape upon inflation, with the desired shape being selected to accommodate a specific medical application. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085325 | HAND-MOUNTED, VIDEO-GUIDED SYSTEM FOR TREATING PERITONITIS AND OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS - A hand-mounted, video-guided system comprising:
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| 20130085326 | MULTI-UTILITY SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A multi-utility surgical instrument may include a nosecone, a handle, a housing sleeve, an actuation facilitating sleeve, a piston tube, a hypodermic tube, and an end plug. The hypodermic tube may be disposed within the piston tube; the piston tube may be disposed within the actuation facilitating sleeve; the actuation facilitating sleeve may be disposed within the housing sleeve; the end plug may be disposed within a portion of the housing sleeve; the housing sleeve and the end plug may be disposed within the handle; the nose cone may be fixed to a distal end of the handle; and the hypodermic tube may be fixed to the nosecone. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085327 | ENDOSCOPE FORCEPS PLUG - A main body that has an installation portion which is formed from an elastic material having a cylinder shape, and installed at the metal opening at one end side; a lid insertion portion which cylindrically protrudes to the other end side, and a lid connected to the main body by a flexible connection portion having flexibility, that is formed from an elastic material, that has a tube shape with a cylindrical insertion channel, and that, at both sides where both ends of the insertion channel are respectively open, has first and second installation portions with different external shapes to each other which are installed by selectively inserting to the lid insertion portion. The first installation portion has a larger external shape than the second installation portion, at least a portion of a diameter of the insertion channel decreases when installed to the lid insertion portion of the first installation portion. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085328 | CAMERA MODULE FOR ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE - One end of a cable connecting fitting is fixed to a transmission cable. After a locking claw provided on the other end of the cable connecting fitting is locked to the tip surface of a mounting tube portion of a prism holder, the mounting tube portion and the cable connecting fitting are fixed to each other. An image area sensor is close to the inner circumferential surface of a distal end hard portion, and a camera module is disposed in the distal end hard portion. The cable connecting fitting can be disposed at a free space between the inner circumferential surface of the distal end hard portion and the image area sensor. The size of the cable connecting fitting can be increased within a range of the free space, connection strength is secured, and separation of the prism or junctions and rupture of the transmission cable can be suppressed. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085329 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL TARGET DEVICES, ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR CALIBRATING AN ENDOSCOPIC CAMERA - The present disclosure relates to calibration target devices, assemblies and methods for use with imaging systems, such as a stereoscopic endoscope. A calibration assembly includes: a target surface extends in three dimensions with calibration markers and a body with an interface that engages an endoscope so the markers are within the field of view. A first calibration marker extends along a first plane of the target surface and a second marker extends along a second plane of the target surface. The planes are different and asymmetric relative to the field of view as seen through the endoscope. Three-dimensional targets, in particular, enable endoscopic calibration using a single image (or pair of images for a stereoscopic endoscope) to reduce the calibration process complexity, calibration time and chance of error as well as allow the efficient calibration of cameras at different focus positions. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085330 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ERROR ANALYSIS OF FIBER OPTIC INSTRUMENT DATA - An instrument system that includes an elongate body, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The first optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a first strain sensor provided on the first optical fiber. The second optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a second strain sensor provided on the second optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber and is adapted to receive a first signal from the first strain sensor and a second signal from the second strain sensor and to compare the first signal with the second signal. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085331 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF FIBER OPTIC INSTRUMENT SENSORS - An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a plurality of strain sensors provided on the optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to obtain signals from one of the plurality of strain sensors more frequently than from another of the plurality of strain sensors and to determine a position of the elongate body based on the obtained signals from the one of the plurality of strain sensors. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085332 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF OPTICAL FIBER INSTRUMENT - An instrument system that includes an elongate body in a geometric configuration, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber, wherein at least a portion of the optical fiber is in the geometric configuration. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive, from a source other than the optical fiber, information indicative of the geometric configuration, receive a signal from the strain sensor, and associate the signal with the geometric configuration. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085333 | FIBER OPTIC INSTRUMENT SHAPE SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An instrument system that includes an elongate body, a first optical fiber, a second optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The first optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a first strain sensor provided on the first optical fiber. The second optical fiber is not directly coupled to the elongate body and has a second strain sensor provided on the second optical fiber. The controller is operatively coupled to the first optical fiber and to the second optical fiber. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal from the first strain sensor and to receive a second signal from the second strain sensor. The first optical fiber has a different size than the second optical fiber. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085334 | FIBER OPTIC INSTRUMENT SHAPE SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a plurality of strain sensors provided on the optical fiber. Each of the plurality of strain sensors has a reflectivity, wherein one of the plurality of strain sensors has a different reflectivity than another one of the plurality of strain sensors. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to: receive one or more signals from the plurality of strain sensors; and determine a position of the elongate body based on the one or more signals. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085335 | CLOSURE DEVICE FOR END OPENING - A closure device closes an end opening of an instrument channel of an endoscope. A coupling sleeve is for connection with the end opening, and has a guide lumen for passage of an instrument. Two sealing walls are disposed to project from the coupling sleeve in a shiftable manner in a proximal direction in relation to the entry of the instrument, for contacting one another to seal the guide lumen in an openable manner, to prevent fluid from passing around the instrument. A housing sleeve contains the sealing walls. A coupling flange is disposed to project from the sealing walls in the proximal direction, for coupling the sealing walls to the housing sleeve. A regulating projection is disposed to project from an inner surface of the housing sleeve, for regulating the coupling sleeve in the proximal direction. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085336 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND BENDING CONTROL METHOD OF ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - Provided is an endoscope apparatus that includes: a bending portion that bends in at least one direction; bending wires that are each connected to the bending portion; actuators that are connected to proximal ends of the bending wires, respectively, and that contract or expand by means of air pressure; electromagnetic valves that are provided between the actuators and a gas supply source that supplies air, respectively, and that adjust pressures applied to the actuators; and a control section that controls the electromagnetic valves. Each bending wire has slack therein when the actuators are in an atmospheric pressure state. The control section controls the electromagnetic valves so as to subject the actuators to initial pressurization until the slack of each bending wire disappears. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085337 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SUCTION AND/OR IRRIGATION IN A SURGICAL PROCEDURE - Methods and devices are provided for providing suction and/or irrigation to locations within a body cavity. In general, the methods and devices can allow instruments within a body cavity to be cleaned during a surgical procedure without having to remove the instruments from the body cavity. In one embodiment, an end effector is provided that includes an elongate body having a cleaning base formed thereon. The end effector can be configured as a modular element configured to be removably and replaceably attachable to a distal end of an elongate shaft. The cleaning base can have one or more ports formed through a surface thereof. The cleaning base can be configured to provide suction and/or irrigation through the one or more ports to clean a face of a surgical instrument seated in the cleaning base or in close proximity to the cleaning base. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085338 | Endoscope with Adjustable Viewing Angle - An endoscope with a viewing angle that can be adjusted within a predetermined angular range includes a movable light-diverting device on the distal end of the endoscope on whose orientation the viewing angle of the endoscope depends, and a jointed device to movably hold the light-diverting device. The jointed device is configured for a movement of the light-diverting device that includes more than only a pivoting about a single pivot axis. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085339 | SURGICAL RETRACTOR - The exemplary embodiments illustrated provide the discovery of apparatuses and methods of use of surgical retractors that solve the problems presently posed through use of the Trendelenberg position, present graspers, and present retractors. The embodiments are conformable into a sufficiently small configuration for introduction and positioning within a surgical site, and thereafter, are configurable into a larger, more rigid structure to sufficiently retain tissues and organs from the surgical site. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085340 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT STABILIZER AND METHOD - A surgical instrument stabilizer includes a body having a first material and a second material. The first material includes a wall defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a first cavity configured for disposal of the second material. The outer surface defines an outer portion, a lateral portion and an inner portion. At least a portion of the lateral portion is configured to flexibly conform to a patient body surface. The inner portion defines a second cavity for disposal of an instrument and is configured to engage an outer surface of the instrument. Methods of use are disclosed. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085341 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING TISSUE IN VIVO - Methods and devices are provided for manipulating tissue in a body cavity, i.e., in vivo. In general, the methods and devices allow an end effector to engage tissue, be detached from a shaft used to control the end effector to engage the tissue, and then be moved to another location in the body cavity by a separate component, such as an external control unit. In some embodiments the end effector can include one or more deployable hooks that allow the end effector to remain at a surgical site independent of any shafts or external control units. Still further, in other embodiments the end effector can include a transverse bore to allow a second shaft to connect to the end effector to manipulate the tissue. Additional exemplary devices, kits, and methods related to manipulating tissue in vivo are also provided. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085342 | PATIENT-REFERENCED SURGICAL SUPPORT FRAME - A patient-referenced surgical support frame and method of use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical support frame can have at least three support members coupled by adjustable linkages. Each support member can have a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a cannula, and each support member can be configured such that the at least three support members (or the cannulas extending therethrough) are angularly adjustable relative to one another, and such that a distance between each of the at least three support members is adjustable. In use, the surgical support frame can be positioned on a skin surface of a patient and used to retain one or more instruments extending through the support members in a fixed orientation or position with respect to the patient, thereby allowing more than two instruments to be used simultaneously. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085343 | SEMANTIC RADIATION TREATMENT PLAN OPTIMIZATION GUIDANCE - A method for radiation therapy treatment plan optimization, comprising generating a first radiation therapy treatment plan for a patient using a selected treatment type from a database and optimizing the first radiation therapy treatment plan. A selection of metrics from the first radiation therapy treatment plan are identified and compared to metrics from aggregated prior patient records selected from the database. At least one parameter is identified that affects the ability of the first radiation therapy treatment plan to meet an identified metric. The at least one parameter for the identified metric is compared to at least one parameter for a competing metric and at least one alternative treatment step for the treatment plan is determined that will change the identified at least one parameter to improve the identified metric. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085344 | Method and Apparatus for Assisted Trajectory Planning - A procedure can be assisted by a processor system, such as a computer system. A trajectory can be used to identify a selected trajectory or path of an instrument to reach a tumor within a brain of a subject, reach a selected portion of the anatomy (e.g. sub-thalamic nucleus (STN) or spinal cord), or other appropriate target. The planning algorithm can include both inputted data and learned rankings or ratings related to selected trajectories. The planning algorithm can used the learned ratings to rate and later determined trajectories. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085345 | Personal Audio/Visual System Providing Allergy Awareness - A system provides a recommendation of food items to a user based on nutritional preferences of the user, using a head-mounted display device (HMDD) worn by the user. In a store, a forward-facing camera of the HMDD captures an image of a food item. The food item can be identified by the image, such as based on packaging of the food item. Nutritional parameters of the food item are compared to nutritional preferences of the user to determine whether the food item is recommended. The HMDD displays an augmented reality image to the user indicating whether the food item is recommended. If the food item is not recommended, a substitute food item can be identified. The nutritional preferences can indicate food allergies, preferences for low calorie foods and so forth. In a restaurant, the HMDD can recommend menu selections for a user. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085346 | REAL-TIME PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNAL MEASUREMENT AND FEEDBACK SYSTEM - A real-time physiological signal measurement and feedback system is suitable to be worn on a body part of an user for decreasing the noise of motion, and includes a sensor module, a signal processing module and a feedback platform. The sensor module includes a first magnetic unit having a light emitting diode and a second magnetic unit having a photo-detector. The light emitting diode illuminates a light beam passing through the body part and being received by the photo-detector so as to generate an electric signal when both of the first and the second magnetic units attract mutually to sandwich the body part. The signal processing module converts the electrical signal into a digital signal. The feedback platform processes the digital signal to generate a physiological parameter, and is used as a multi-function driving recorder. An alarm is triggered or not by the feedback platform according to the physiological parameter. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085347 | ADHERENT DEVICE WITH MULTIPLE PHYSIOLOGICAL SENSORS - An adherent device to monitor a patient comprises an adhesive patch to adhere to a skin of the patient. At least four electrodes are connected to the patch and capable of electrically coupling to the patient. Impedance circuitry is coupled to the at least four electrodes to measure a hydration signal of the patient. Electrocardiogram circuitry is coupled to at least two of the at least four electrodes to measure an electrocardiogram signal of the patient. An accelerometer can be mechanically coupled to the adhesive patch to generate a signal in response to at least one of an activity or a position of the patient. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085348 | Method for Providing Remote Health Monitoring Data and Associated System - A method and a system for providing remote health monitoring data of an individual to be used in a health monitoring system is provided. The method comprising: measuring at least one vital sign of the individual; receiving and storing data representing the at least one vital sign obtained from the measurement; continuously measuring behavioral data of the individual; validating the data representing the at least one vital sign based on the behavioral data; and visually displaying information on a condition of the individual. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085349 | ANALYTE TESTING DEVICES - Systems, devices, techniques and methods are disclosed for implementing an actuator mechanism of an analyte testing device. In one aspect, a method to test an analyte includes advancing an analyte sensor from a first position within a sensor cartridge of an analyte testing device to a second position that exposes at least a portion of the analyte sensor outside of the device, advancing a lancet projecting component from an initial position to a cocked position for a subsequent projection of a lancet, in which the advancing the analyte sensor and the advancing the lancet projecting component are initiated by a single operation, projecting the lancet to expose at least a portion of the lancet outside of the device, receiving a testing sample including an analyte at the exposed portion of the analyte sensor, processing the testing sample to determine a parameter of the analyte, and ejecting the analyte sensor from the device. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085350 | ANTENNA STRUCTURES FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - This disclosure describes antenna structures for use with implantable medical devices (IMDs). The IMD may include a housing that hermetically encloses electronic components of the IMD and a fixation mechanism that attaches the IMD to a target location within a patient, such as a wall of a vessel. The fixation mechanism may function as a radiating element of an antenna of the IMD. The fixation mechanism may be attached to a housing of the IMD with two different members. One member may be an anchoring structure that mechanically anchors the fixation mechanism to the housing. The second member may be a connector that electrically connects the fixation mechanism to the housing such that the fixation mechanism is configured to transmit and/or receive communication signals with other implantable or external devices. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085351 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A TISSUE ANALYTE SUCH AS BILIRUBIN USING THE BREWSTER'S ANGLE - A tissue analyte measuring device ( | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085352 | Controlling Transfer of Objects Affecting Optical Characteristics - An implantable product such as an article, device, or system can include analyte and non-analyte containers in parts that can be operated as optical cavities. The product can also include fluidic components such as filter assemblies that control transfer of objects that affect or shift spectrum features or characteristics such as by shifting transmission mode peaks or reflection mode valleys, shifting phase, reducing maxima or contrast, or increasing intermediate intensity width such as full width half maximum (FWHM). Analyte, e.g. glucose molecules, can be predominantly included in a set of objects that transfer more rapidly into the analyte container than other objects, and can have a negligible or zero rate of transfer into the non-analyte container; objects that transfer more rapidly into the non-analyte container can include objects smaller than the analyte or molecules of a set of selected types, including, e.g., sodium chloride. Output light from the containers accordingly includes information about analyte. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085353 | OPTICAL BACKSCATTERING DIAGNOSTICS - A system for non-invasive measurement of parameters relating to a biological tissue comprising: a plurality of light sources, each operable to emit a light signal with one or more predetermined wavelengths; a light detector for detecting light from the tissue as a result of illumination by the sources, and means for applying modulation functions to the light emitted to implement code division multiplexing, each source being associated with a different function, wherein the functions are selected so that there is substantially no cross correlation between them, and wherein the sources have overlapping spectra. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085354 | TECHNIQUES FOR ACCURATELY DERIVING PHYSIOLOGIC PARAMETERS OF A SUBJECT FROM PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS - Several techniques are disclosed for isolating either heart or breath rate data from a photoplethysmograph, which is a time domain signal such as from a pulse oximeter. The techniques involve the use of filtering in the frequency domain, after a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) has been conducted on a given photoplethysmograph also references as a given set of discrete time-domain data. The filtering may be applied to an identified fundamental frequency and one or more harmonics for heart related parameters. The filter may be truncated to the frequency data set and further applied multiple times to improve roll off. After filtering, an Inverse FFT (IFFT) is used to reconstruct the time-domain signal, except with undesirable frequency content eliminated or reduced. Calculation or measurement of parameters is then conducted on this reconstructed time-domain signal. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085355 | MONITORING SYSTEM - A system and method for non-invasive monitoring of cardiac activity in a human or animal is disclosed. A radiation source directs radiation through a patient site, and a detector detects radiation after passing through a patient tissue. A processor processes data derived from the detected radiation, determining pulse peaks and troughs and calculating area under a pulse peak to provide a real time cardiac output indicator. The radiation wavelength is on a haemoglobin spectral isosbestic point, not influenced by changes in SpO2 concentration. The processor performs numerical integration of pulse data between troughs, and wherein said integration is performed per pulse. Preferably, the processor monitors trends, thus providing very useful information and reducing need for calibration. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085356 | SENSOR SYSTEM WITH PRESSURE APPLICATION - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to sensors for applying pressure to a patient's tissue. According to certain embodiments, the sensors may include one or more deformable elements that hold the optical components of the sensor against the tissue with an appropriate amount of pressure. In additional embodiments, such sensors may include a rigid one-piece sensor body that incorporates a deformable element to facilitate fine-fitting of the sensor against the tissue. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085357 | HAEMODYNAMIC MONITORING DEVICE - A relation is formed between an n-tuple having n components and formed at a first point in time and at least one other n-tuple having n components formed at at least one corresponding later point in time, wherein n is a natural number equal to or greater than 1, and the components comprise at least one derived parameter and/or one read-in data value. If this relationship satisfies a predetermined calibration criterion, a calibration signal is triggered and is displayed, and/or automatically triggers a recalibration of the haemodynamic monitoring device. For example, the pulse contour cardiac output PCCO is derived from the arterial pressure curve as the constituent component of a 1-tuple. As long as this differs from the reference cardiac output CO | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085358 | Methods for Analyte Monitoring Management and Analyte Measurement Data Management, and Articles of Manufacture Related Thereto - Generally, methods of analyte monitoring management, and articles of manufacturing related thereto, are provided. The methods include receiving analyte measurement data and analyzing the analyte measurement data for health related parameters. Recommendations are determined for creating or modifying a treatment program based on the analysis, and provided within a user-interface that enables a user to create or modify the treatment program. Further, generally, methods of for managing analyte measurement data, and articles of manufacturing related thereto, are provided. The methods include receiving analyte measurement data that represent data collected over a time period, and analyzing the analyte measurement data for analyte episodes within that time period. Threshold based episodes and/or rate-of-change based episodes may be determined. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085359 | FLEXIBLE MICROELECTRODE FOR DETECTING NEURAL SIGNALS AND A METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME - A flexible microelectrode for detecting neural signals and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The method comprises steps: growing a graphene electrode layer on a temporary substrate; growing a flexible substrate on the graphene electrode layer and patterning the flexible substrate; removing the temporary substrate but preserving the graphene electrode layer and the flexible substrate to form an electrode body; and using an insulating layer to wrap the electrode body but exposing a bio-electrode end to contact a living body and detect the signals thereof. The graphene electrode layer features high electric conductivity, high biocompatibility and low noise. The flexible substrate is bendable. Thus is improved the adherence of the skin tissue to the bio-electrode end and decreased the likelihood of skin inflammation. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085360 | MAPPING CATHETER WITH SPIRAL ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - A mapping catheter adapted for use in a heart chamber, has a distal mapping assembly with a spiral ribbon that is radially expandable and contractable by means of an expander so that electrodes on the ribbon can contact heart wall at a plurality of locations simultaneously. The expander extends the length of the catheter between a control handle and a distal end of the spiral ribbon. The expander can be controlled directly at its proximal end by a user or the expander can be responsive to a puller wire controlled by a user interface on the control handle. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085361 | DEVICE FOR INTERACTING WITH NEUROLOGICAL TISSUE AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - Described herein are microelectrode array devices, and methods of fabrication, assembly and use of the same, to provide highly localized neural recording and/or neural stimulation to a neurological target. The device includes multiple microelectrode elements arranged protruding shafts. The protruding shafts are enclosed within an elongated probe shaft, and can be expanded from their enclosure. The microelectrode elements, and elongated probe shafts, are dimensioned in order to target small volumes of neurons located within the nervous system, such as in the deep brain region. Beneficially, the probe can be used to quickly identify the location of a neurological target, and remain implanted for long-term monitoring and/or stimulation. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085362 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING STIMULATION TARGET - A method for identifying a stimulation target is provided, which uses microelectrode recording and electrical impedance tomography techniques together in a composite probe. The composite probe includes at least a microelectrode recording sensor and a plurality of microelectrodes, so that after the composite probe is guided and implanted to a depth suitable for the stimulation target based on microelectrode recording signals, tissue structures surrounding the composite probe are delineated by using the plurality of microelectrodes, and the boundary of the stimulation target and the precise location of the composite probe within the stimulation target are determined. Accordingly, the present invention provides a quick and accurate direction for surgeons, eliminating the problem of not knowing the exact location of the implanted probe within the stimulation target as in the case during deep brain stimulation surgeries. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085363 | ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC HEADSET - An electroencephalographic headset includes: a supporter that includes expanding and contracting wires each having expansion and contraction properties and is to be attached to a head of a user by expansion and contraction of each of the expanding and contracting wires; and a plurality of electrodes that are provided to the supporter in defined placement. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085364 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING REMOTE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS AND CONSULTATION - A system for facilitating remote medical diagnosis and consultation of heart disease for a patient, the system comprising: a diagnostic device for performing Electrocardiography on the patient, a network device in communication with the diagnostic device via wired or wireless communication links, a software program pre-installed in the network device, a server located remotely, wherein during operation, the patient activates the diagnostic device which will perform Electrocardiography on the patient, the diagnostic device receives diagnostic data and transmits the diagnostic data to the network device, the software program transmit the diagnostic data to over a network to a server which a physician have access to, and based on the diagnostic data gathered by the server and some additional medical data, the physician can review the patient's health condition and offer an appropriate feedback and diagnosis for the patient. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085365 | ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE VOLUME TOMOGRAPHY - An electrical capacitance tomography sensor comprised of a sensor having a plurality of electrodes, where each electrode is further comprised of a plurality of capacitance segments. Each of the capacitance segments of each electrode can be individually addressed to focus the electric field intensity or sensitivity to desired regions of the electrodes and the sensor. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085366 | BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL DETECTION ELECTRODE AND BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL DETECTION APPARATUS - A biological signal detection electrode includes a water-containing member and an absorbent sheet. The water-containing member is impregnated with conductive fluid and has flexibility. The absorbent sheet covers the water-containing member and the conductive fluid is capable of permeating therethrough. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085367 | DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURABLE BIOPOTENTIAL ELECTRODE ARRAY TO COLLECT PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA - Methods, systems, and devices are described for collecting physiological data using a configurable biopotential array. The array is embedded on a surface area of a handheld device. The array includes a number of electrode tiles. The electrodes include biosensors to collect the physiological data of a user. The electrodes are polled to detect contact with the user's skin. Electrodes in contact with the skin are electrically coupled to form an active electrode area. The coupled electrodes collect the physiological data relating to the user via the biosensors. The electrodes are decoupled after contact with the user's skin is terminated. The physiological data is analyzed and an emotional state or health state of the user is determined from the analyzed data. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085368 | Radiolucent ECG Electrode And Method Of Making Same - An electrode includes a pad having a patient contact side and a connector side. The patient contact side includes a conductive layer, and the connector side includes a press stud. An eyelet interconnects the conductive layer with the press stud. The eyelet includes a conductive coating disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the eyelet that contacts the conductive layer, while other surfaces of the eyelet are substantially free of the conductive coating. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085369 | GOLDMANN APPLANATION TONOMETER, BIOMICROSCOPY DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - Apparatus and methods for subjecting a patient to an slit lamp microscopy and/or Goldmann tonometry eye examination are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the patient is in a side-lying down position at a time of the examination. In some embodiments, it is possible to examine an upper and/or lower eye—for example, a lower eye slightly above a supporting surface. Related apparatus are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a bed and/or a headrest and/or a face immobilization assembly are disclosed herein. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085370 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR APPLYING AND MONITORING EYE THERAPY - In systems and methods for generating cross-linking activity in an eye, a feedback system monitors a biomechanical strength of the eye in response to the photoactivation of a cross-linking agent applied to an eye. The feedback system includes a perturbation system that applies a force to the eye and a characterization system that determines an effect of the force on the eye. The effect of the force provides an indicator of the biomechanical strength of the eye. The characterization system determines the effect of the force on the eye by measuring an amount of deformation caused by the force or a rate of recovery from the deformation. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085371 | ACOUSTIC WAVE ACQUIRING APPARATUS - The present invention provides an acoustic wave acquiring apparatus including: a holding plate configured to hold an object via acoustic matching agent; an acoustic wave detector configured to receive an acoustic wave generated from the object irradiated with light from a light source and convert the acoustic wave to an electric signal; and a processor configured to generate characteristic information of the inside of the object by using the electric signal. In the acoustic wave acquiring apparatus, the holding plate is subjected to hydrophilic process or the acoustic matching agent contains surfactant. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085372 | SUBJECT INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE - A subject information acquisition device includes a first holding member that holds a subject of a patient, a first probe that detects an acoustic wave having propagated through the first holding member and that performs a scanning operation, a first holding-member support located on a patient side from a scanning range of the first probe and that reduces bending of the first holding member, and a second probe located on the patient side from the scanning range of the first probe. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085373 | HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR RECEIVER COIL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS COMPATIBLE WITH AN INFANT INCUBATOR - Systems and methods which employ a high temperature superconductor (HTS) receiver coil configuration for MRI analysis of small volume subjects, such as infants, are shown. Embodiments provide a HTS tape RF phase array receiver coil implementation. The foregoing HTS tape receiver coil implementation may be provided in a Helmholtz coil configuration. With such a Helmholtz coil configuration, circuitry is preferably provided to provide tuning, matching, and/or decoupling with respect to the HTS receiver coils. Embodiments implement a cryostat configuration to maintain one or more HTS receiver coils at a desired operating temperature (e.g., ≦77° K.) while providing a safe environment for a subject (e.g., infant) being imaged. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085374 | METHOD OF OSCILLOGRAM FILTERING FOR RADIAL MRI DATA - A system includes a data receiver, a sinogram generator, a processor, a filter module, and an output module. The data receiver is configured to receive radial ordered magnetic resonance data. The sinogram generator is configured to generate a first sinogram corresponding to a view angle as a function of a readout direction for the magnetic resonance data. The processor is configured to generate an oscillogram having an angular frequency axis. The oscillogram corresponds to a Fourier transform of the first sinogram. The filter module is configured to selectively filter a peak in a projection formed along a selected axis of the oscillogram, the peak being related to an interference signal such as an RF interference. The selected axis is orthogonal to the angular frequency axis. The output module is configured to form a second sinogram corresponding to a transform of the filtered projection | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085375 | Optimal Respiratory Gating In Medical Imaging - Methods and computer-readable mediums are provided for obtaining an optimally gated medical image. For example, in one embodiment, a method is provided that acquires medical images in list mode. The method also acquires a respiration correlated signal S(t). Thereafter, a final upper strain threshold value and a final lower strain threshold value pair that has a narrowest interval are selected. The medical images are synchronized with the respiration correlated signal S(t). The synchronized images and signal are used to create an optimally gated medical image. In various embodiments, the disclosed optimal gating can be utilized in PET systems and in other embodiments the disclosed optimal gating can be utilized in SPECT systems. In yet other embodiments, the optimally gated images can be matched to MRI systems and in still other embodiments, the optimally gated images can be matched to CT systems. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085376 | MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD AND A SYSTEM TO SYNCHRONIZE A BREATHING COMMAND WITH THE PATIENT'S BREATHING CYCLE - In a medical imaging method to synchronize a breathing command with a breathing cycle of a patient breathing parameters of a breathing cycle of the patient are detected, a reconstructed breathing cycle of the patient is reconstructed using the detected breathing parameters, a breathing command is generated in coordination with a medical imaging measurement, and the breathing command is automatically emitted as an output to the patient. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085377 | LOCALIZATION OF A DEVICE FOR MR-GUIDED INTERVENTION - Localization of a coil is provided for magnetic resonance (MR)-guided intervention. A multi-scale decomposition and characteristic transitions in the power spectra for the coil are used to determine a distribution of likelihood of the coil being at each of various locations and/or to determine a confidence in the position determination. For example, the power spectra along each axis is used to generate a likelihood distribution of the location of the coil. The power spectra are decomposited at different scales. For each scale, the modulus maxima reflecting transitions in the power spectra are matched using various criteria. A likelihood is calculated for each of the matched candidates from characterizations of the matched candidates. The likelihood distribution is determined from a combination of the likelihoods from the various scales. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085378 | COMBINED FIELD LOCATION AND MRI TRACKING - A method of calibrating field location tracking to magnetic resonance tracking is provided. The method of calibration field location tracking includes moving a medical device throughout a plurality of points within a patient volume; tracking the medical device with a field location tracking system and a magnetic resonance tracking system; calculating a plurality of magnetic resonance tracking locations; determining a plurality of field location parameters that correspond to the plurality of magnetic resonance tracking locations; and creating a transfer function that maps the field location parameters to the magnetic resonance tracking locations, wherein the transfer function registers a field location coordinate system to a magnetic resonance coordinate system. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085379 | ARTERIAL SPIN-LABELED (ASL) MULTIPLEXED ECHO PLANAR IMAGING (M-EPI) - An MRI system and method for imaging perfusion in an arterial spin labeled (ASL) process in which multiplexed echo-planar imaging (M-EPI) is used rather than conventional EPI, to thereby speed up imaging and generate sets of images that show different phases of perfusion and provide additional benefits. A single multiband RF excitation pulse can be used to excite multiple slices for imaging, or a time sequence of multiband pulses can be used to further increase the number of slices. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085380 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PLANNING IMAGE GUIDED INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES - In some embodiments, a planning station can receive image data associated with an image(s) of an area of interest within a body of a patient and display the image(s) on a display device. A user can make a selection of a first interventional tool and a second interventional tool about which information is stored in a memory of the planning station. The planning station can execute a simulation viewable on the display device of a treatment plan for disposing the first and second interventional tools in the body of the patient and applying thermal energy from the first and second interventional tools to the body of the patient. The planning station can generate a thermal model of the thermal effect collectively produced on tissue of the patient by the first interventional tool and the second interventional tools and display the thermal model on the display device. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085381 | ASSEMBLIES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR INFUSING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS INTO THE BODY - An infusion catheter assembly has the ability to infinitely titrate the length of a porous fluid distribution section in situ. The infusion catheter assembly thereby provides a length of infusion that can be infinitely varied over a prescribed range, to control the effective infusion length and the rate of infusion. Using the infusion catheter assembly, a physician has the capability to treat only the length of the vessel desired, thereby preventing excessive drug/patient exposures. The porous fluid distribution section can include an array of spaced apart apertures that vary in size and/or density along the length of the porous fluid distribution section, such that the flow rate remains essentially constant for a given inlet pressure independent of the effective infusion length. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085382 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENSING SHAPE OF ELONGATED INSTRUMENT - An instrument system that includes an elongate body, an optical fiber, a localization sensor and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is operatively coupled to the elongate body and has a strain sensor provided on the optical fiber. The localization sensor is operatively coupled to the elongate body. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and to the localization sensor and is adapted to receive a first signal from the strain sensor, receive a second signal from the localization sensor, and determine a position or orientation of the elongate body based on the first signal and the second signal. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085383 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIA STORING INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMAGE-GUIDED THERAPIES - Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media relate to providing image guidance that can improve the accuracy of interventional procedures, such biopsy sampling, for example, by accurately providing location information to guide the biopsy needle image. The systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media include generating a 3D multi-modality image that includes a pre-procedure reference image and an ultrasound image; and displaying at least one view, one of the views including a display in-real-time of a position of the interventional device on the multi-modality image with respect to the target site during the procedure. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085384 | MEDICAL-SURGICAL DEVICES - An embryo replacement catheter has a flexible extruded shaft of a transparent polyurethane with a bore extending along its length. Gas bubbles of a diameter in the range 5.mu. to 10.mu. are incorporated into the thickness of the wall of the shaft by adding gas during extrusion. The bubbles are selected to increase the visibility of the catheter under ultrasound imaging whilst still enabling material flowing along the catheter to be seen. The inventive catheter is not confined to embryo replacement catheters. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085385 | SURGICAL LIGHTING SOURCES FOR USE WITH FLUOPHORE-TAGGED MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES OR FLUOROPHORE-TAGGED TUMOR AVID COMPOUNDS - The present invention describes light source devices to provide white and blue (401-510 nm) light for the in vivo identification of diseased tissue using fluorescence based tissue targeting. The light source devices are configured with a variety of LED lights capable of emitting white and blue light with at least one excitation wavelength in the range from about 401 nm to about 500 nm (for example, 470 nm to 495 nm) to irradiate an in vivo body part of a subject containing tumor or diseased tissue. The tumor or diseased tissue has fluorophore-tagged targeting constructs attached. The fluorophores used in the targeting constructs have emission spectra greater than 515 nm. The fluorescence emanating from the fluorescent targeting construct in response to the excitation wavelength is directly viewed with long-pass filtered (515 nm) lenses and is used to determine the location and/or surface area of the diseased tissue in the subject. Fluorescence based surgical identification provides more accurate disease resection. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085386 | BLOOD FLOW BYPASS CATHETERS AND METHODS FOR THE DELIVERY OF MEDIUM TO THE VASCULATURE AND BODY DUCTS - A catheterization device that may be designed by use of an adaptive genetic algorithm computational fluid dynamics approach, as well as other Global Optimization methods that may include simulated annealing, multistart and interval methods, continuous branch and bound methods, evolutionary algorithms, and tabu search and scatter search methods, as well as other available Global Optimization methods that is able to maximize/optimize the dwell time of an infused agent in the vicinity of a vascular lesion. The device may have an internal by-pass channel that allows the blood upstream of the lesion to continue its pulsatile flow through the vessel in the part of it occluded by the lesion, while simultaneously allowing the disbursement and maximal dwell time of an antithrombolytic or other diagnostic or therapeutic agent needed to treat the lesion. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085387 | RADIOTHERAPY SYSTEM ADAPTED TO MONITOR A TARGET LOCATION IN REAL TIME - The present invention provides a radiotherapy system that can monitor a target location in real time. The radiotherapy system includes a remote control system operable to actuate a real-time image capturing device to acquire images in real time for monitoring the target location. The system also includes an image registration system that can register the acquired image with an image previously captured for the treatment plan, whereby it can be determined whether the patient's tumor is in the beam's eye view of the treatment plan. By confirming that the tumor is in the range of the beam's eye view, the accuracy of the treatment can be improved, and the irradiated area can be reduced, which makes the radiation treatment safer. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085388 | TISSUE PUNCTURE ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR PUNCTURING TISSUE - A tissue puncture assembly includes an elongate tubular member having a lumen, a distal portion having a side wall, a side port opening extending through the side wall and, and a guiding surface having a distal end that extends adjacent to a distal edge of the side port opening. The tissue puncture assembly further includes a flexible puncture member insertable through the lumen of the elongate tubular member. The flexible puncture member deflects upon contacting the guiding surface to exit the elongate tubular member through the side port in a lateral direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the elongate tubular member. The tissue puncture member is capable of puncturing tissue at an oblique angle. The tissue puncture member may further adopt a pre-formed shape at its distal end to prevent inadvertent puncture of tissue and to maintain access to the puncture site. The transseptal puncture assembly may include various sensors to identify tissue structures and precisely locate the desired puncture site. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085389 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANORECTAL EXAMINATION - An anorectal probe system comprising; an anorectal probe assembly having an insertion end for insertion into a patient's rectum, said probe assembly including a transducer at or adjacent to the insertion end for collecting ultrasound data; a mounting in rotational engagement with said probe assembly at a point distal from the insertion end; said mounting pivotally coupled to the probe assembly at a point intermediate the insertion end and rotational engagement point; wherein on application of a moment about said pivotal coupling, said mounting and probe assembly are arranged to permit selective pivotal movement of the probe assembly about the coupling. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085390 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER, ULTRASOUND PROBE, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - Object is that an output sound pressure at transmission or an output voltage at reception of a predetermined higher resonance component becomes higher than those of the primary resonance component. The piezoelectric material layer | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085391 | PROBE COVER, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A probe cover is provided. The probe cover is configured to be detachably attached to an ultrasonic probe and cover plural switches on a surface of the ultrasonic probe, the probe cover including a depression portion by which an operator can depress at least some of the plural switches when the probe cover is attached to the ultrasonic probe. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085392 | SETTING AN OPTIMAL IMAGE PARAMETER IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - Embodiments of setting an optimal image parameter for obtaining an optimal ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, a processing unit is configured perform an image process upon an ultrasound image to thereby detect a center of a blood vessel from the ultrasound image. The processing unit is configured to set the center of the blood vessel as an optimal focal point position. The processing unit is configured to calculate a plurality of steering angles, a plurality of transmit (Tx) frequencies and a plurality of sound speeds. The processing unit is further configured to form a plurality of ultrasound images corresponding to each of the steering angles, the Tx frequencies and the sound speeds based on the ultrasound data, detect a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a number of edge points of the blood vessel and a contrast difference between pixels for each of the second ultrasound images to thereby detect an optimal steering angle, an optimal Tx frequency and an optimal sound speed. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085393 | AUTOMATED HEART RATE DETECTION FOR 3D ULTRASONIC FETAL IMAGING - An ultrasound system and method provide a workflow to acquire 3D images of the fetal heart gated by a synthetic heart gating signal. An ROI is defined in an ultrasound image which delineates the fetal heart. The ultrasound system is controlled to automatically estimate the fetal heart rate from echo signals received from the ROI. When the system has acquired a stable synthetic heart rate signal, an indication thereof is given to the user and the user then commands the system to acquire 3D fetal heart images for a number of fetal heart cycles which are gated using the synthetic heart rate signal. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085394 | GLOVE WITH INTEGRATED SENSOR - A sensing apparatus which comprises a glove having an integrated sensor and electrical conductive structure which are at least partially embedded in the material of the glove, the material of the glove accommodating or enhancing the function of the sensor. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085395 | Radial Reflection Diffraction Tomography - A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus based upon one or more rotating radially outward oriented transmitting and receiving elements have been developed for non-destructive evaluation. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a “pitch/catch” operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include, improved intravascular imaging, bore hole tomography, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts having existing access holes. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085396 | ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DISPLAY DEVICE - An ultrasonic probe is provided. The ultrasonic probe includes a reflection layer between an ultrasonic transducer and a backing layer, the reflection layer configured to reflect an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the backing layer includes a backing material, and wherein a thermally-conductive layer of material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the backing material is formed over a surface of the backing layer. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085397 | OPTICAL FIBER INSTRUMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH MOTION-BASED ADJUSTMENT - An instrument system that includes an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is coupled to an external structure of a patient and has a strain sensor provided thereon. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a property of respiration of the patient based on the signal. | 2013-04-04 |
| 20130085398 | BRAIN-MACHINE INTERFACE BASED ON PHOTONIC NEURAL PROBE ARRAYS - Method and apparatus for illuminating and imaging tissue is provided. In one version, the method includes illuminating a volume of a tissue with photons from a three-dimensional array of optical emitters inserted into the tissue. In another version, the method includes detecting photons from a volume of a tissue using a three-dimensional array of optical detectors inserted into the tissue. A probe device for illuminating tissue and/or detecting photons emitted from tissue includes elongated microsized probes containing optical emitters and optical detectors in a three dimensional array. | 2013-04-04 |
