| 19th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 49 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20130116495 | ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ADSORPTIVE SEPARATION - The present process comprises a means for energy savings in one or more process pumps by driving the one or more pumps with a variable-speed driving means. The invention is particularly useful in the separation of an adsorbed product from a mixture of components using simulated-moving-bed adsorption associated with a large circulating stream pumped with variable-speed driving means for conservation of energy relative to the known art. The improvement is particularly applicable to a process for the separation of para-xylene from mixed C | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116496 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RADIATION TREATMENT OF A DESIRED AREA IN THE RENAL VASCULAR SYSTEM OF A PATIENT - According to another general aspect, an apparatus for irradiating a plurality of renal nerves comprising a guidewire used to lead an elongated catheter in the human body; the enlongated catheter further comprising a plurality of lumens; the plurality of lumens further comprising a source train lumen, a hydraulic pump lumen, a guidewire lumen, and an inflator lumen; the elongated catheter is connected to the guidewire by inserting the guidewire into the guidewire lumen; the elongated catheter contains a source train within the source train lumen; the source train lumen and hydraulic pump lumen are used to push the source train to a renal vessel. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116497 | Coupling Systems For Implantable Prosthesis Components - Disclosed are coupling systems for implantable prosthesis components, including implantable microphones and implantable actuators associated with prostheses including hearing prostheses. Some embodiments include a flexible elongate member having a first end mechanically coupled to a vibrating structure of a prosthesis recipient's body and a second end secured to a diaphragm, where the flexible elongate member is configured to transfer vibrations between the vibrating structure and the diaphragm. Microphone embodiments further include a vibration sensor configured to detect vibrations of the diaphragm and generate electrical signals based at least in part on the detected vibrations. Actuator embodiments include an actuation mechanism configured to apply mechanical vibration signals to a vibrating structure of the recipient's body via the elongate member by causing the first diaphragm to vibrate, where the mechanical vibration signals are based on electrical signals received from a sound processor associated with the prosthesis. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116498 | SURGICAL SLINGS - The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of well-organized collagenous tissue at an anatomical site. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116499 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING EMBRYOS BY IN VITRO CULTURE, AND METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING EMBRYOS - An object of the present invention is to provide a means for efficiently obtaining mammalian embryos having high conception rates. A first aspect of the present invention is a method for selecting a mammalian embryo prepared by in vitro culture from a fertilized egg, comprising a step of selecting an embryo using two or more of the following indicators: the time from fertilization to the completion of first cleavage; the morphology at a stage after first cleavage and before second cleavage; the morphology at a stage after third cleavage and before fourth cleavage; and the amount of oxygen consumed at the early blastocyst stage, the blastocyst stage, or the expanded blastocyst stage. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116500 | VALVULOTOME GUIDED BY A GUIDE WIRE/CATHETER - The invention relates to a valvulotome ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116504 | ENDOSCOPIC TISSUE STABILIZATION DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Embodiments of the invention include a sleeve for use in a body lumen defined by body tissue. The sleeve includes a collapsible wall defining a lumen and including an inflatable member configured to increase a volume of the lumen when the inflatable member is in an inflated state, a conduit configured to inflate the inflatable member, and a port defined by the collapsible wall and in flow communication with the lumen. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116505 | ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT - A device for coagulating body tissue contains an electrode arrangement comprising a first electrode group and a second electrode group, both of which have strip-shaped electrodes. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116506 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end and an imaging device with a steerable extension. The proximal end of the extension is attached to the distal end of the insertion tube. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end region and a rear-viewing imaging device at least partially disposed inside the distal end region. An endoscope includes an insertion tube having a distal end cap, an imaging device, and a link that couples the imaging device to the distal end cap of the insertion tube. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116507 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPE - A temperature control apparatus for an endoscope includes: a temperature detection section that detects a temperature of an object to be heated, the object to be heated being heated by a heater; a semiconductor switch that performs switching between supply and shut off of the power to the heater; a control section that controls the semiconductor switch to perform temperature control for the object to be heated, and performs heating stopping control to turn the semiconductor switch off; a mechanical switch that performs switching between continuity and shut off of a power line; and a heating stopping circuit that if an abnormality occurs in temperature control for the heater, performs heating stopping control to turn the mechanical switch off. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116508 | FLUOROSCOPY APPARATUS - Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus including an illumination unit that radiates illumination light and excitation light onto a subject; a fluorescence imaging unit that acquires a fluorescence image by imaging fluorescence generated at the subject; a return-light imaging unit that acquires a return-light image by imaging return light returned from the subject; a fluorescence-image storage unit that stores the fluorescence image; a treatment input unit to which signals for starting and ending treatment performed on the subject are input; a comparison-image generating unit that generates a comparison image that enables comparison of the fluorescence image stored in the fluorescence-image storage unit when the signal for starting the treatment is input to the treatment input unit and the fluorescence image acquired when the signal for ending the treatment is input; and a display unit that displays the comparison image. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116509 | WOUND RETRACTOR DEVICE - A surgical device may include a wound retractor. The wound retractor may include a distal member, a proximal member, and a wound retracting sleeve extending between the distal member and the proximal member. The surgical device may also include a sealing assembly coupled to the wound retractor. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116510 | SURGICAL ACCESS DEVICE AND SURGICAL ACCESS SYSTEM - In a first aspect of the invention, a surgical access device for inserting surgical instruments into the body of a patient comprises a sleeve section defining a longitudinal axis and also a working channel. A ratio between a length and an internal diameter of the sleeve section lies in a range of approximately 4:1 to approximately 14. In a second aspect of the invention, a surgical access system comprises a surgical access device for introducing surgical instruments into the body of a patient which comprises a sleeve section defining a longitudinal axis, and also comprising an insertion instrument for inserting the access device into an abdominal wall of the patient in particular. A ratio between a length and an internal diameter of the sleeve section lies in a range of approximately 4:1 to approximately 14:1. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116511 | Generate Percentage of Positive Cells for Biomarkers by Normalizing and Autothresholding the Image Intensity Produced by Immunohistochemistry Technique - A computer implemented method of analyzing tissue features based on multiplexed biometric images includes storing a data set including cell profile data and an assessment associated with a field of view or a patient. The cell profile data includes biomarker expression intensity data for at least one cell feature. The method includes normalizing the biomarker expression intensity data for each field of view. The method includes determining a plurality of positive cell percentages for a first cell feature for each field of view or for each patient based on a plurality of normalized expression cutoffs for all fields of view. The method further includes correlating positive cell percentages with assessments for each field of view or each patient. The method also includes identifying a combination of a cell feature for expression of a biomarker and a normalized expression cutoff that most closely correlate the positive cell percentage with the assessment. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116512 | MOUTHPIECE FOR MEASUREMENT OF BIOMETRIC DATA OF A DIVER AND UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION - Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for measurement of biometric data of a diver. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece having a sensor device comprising a light emitter and detector configured to emit and detect light at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, CO | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116513 | MEDICAL DEVICE WITH COMMUNICATION, MEASUREMENT AND DATA FUNCTIONS - A medical diagnostic and communications apparatus with audio output comprises an electronic processor for processing stethoscope signals and secondary audio signals. An electronic stethoscope sensor is contained within a housing for transducing body sounds to electronic signals, and is operatively connected to the electronic processor. One or more secondary audio signal sources operatively connects to the electronic processor. A common audio output is connected to electronic processor to convert electronic stethoscope signals or secondary audio signals to acoustic output. These sounds may be produced separately or mixed. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116514 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SEIZURE SYMPTOM DETECTION - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting seizure symptoms in an individual | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116515 | MONITOR FOR MEASURING VITAL SIGNS AND RENDERING VIDEO IMAGES - The invention features a vital sign monitor that includes: 1) a sensor component that attaches to the patient and features an optical sensor and an electrical sensor that measure, respectively a first and second signal: and 2) a control component. The control component features: 1) an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the first signal and second signal into, respectively, a first digital signal and a second digital signal; 2) a CPU configured to operate an algorithm that generates a blood pressure value by processing with an algorithm the first digital signal and second digital signal; 3) a display element; 4) a graphical user interface generated by computer code operating on the CPU and configured to render on the display element the blood pressure value; and 5) a software component that renders video images on the display element. To capture video and audio information, the device further includes both a digital camera and a microphone. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116516 | PATCH FOR TREATING AND ALLEVIATING SYMPTOMS OF SKIN DISEASES ACCOMPANIED BY EFFUSION OF BLOOD PROTEINS - Provided is a patch for treating skin diseases or alleviating symptoms of the skin diseases involving an exudation of blood proteins, or for absorbing blood proteins exuded to the skin. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116517 | METHOD AND MEASURING DEVICE FOR GATHERING SIGNALS MEASURED IN VITAL TISSUE - The invention relates to a method for calibrating a spectrometer equipped with a CCD array, the CCD array recording a spectrum from a reference volume emitter. The raw data hereby recorded are used to generate a function which describes an etaloning effect that occurs, said function being saved in the spectrometer as a correction function for measurements obtained from volume emitters. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116518 | RENAL FUNCTION ANALYSIS METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116519 | MAGNETIC ENHANCEMENT IN DETERMINATION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL BLOOD PARAMETERS - Systems and methods for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient are provided herein. An example method includes establishing with a magnetic array, an first magnetic field along tissue of the patient inserted into the magnetic array and a second magnetic field perpendicular to the tissue, emitting optical signals into further tissue of the patient during at least a first alignment of the magnetic array around the tissue, detecting characteristics of the optical signals, and identifying a value of a physiological parameter based on at least the characteristics of the optical signals. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116520 | SINGLE AND MULTI NODE, SEMI-DISPOSABLE WEARABLE MEDICAL ELECTRONIC PATCHES FOR BIO-SIGNAL MONITORING AND ROBUST FEATURE EXTRACTION - A wireless modular, multi-modal, multi-node patch platform is described. The platform preferably comprises low-cost semi-disposable patch design aiming at unobtrusive ambulatory monitoring of multiple physiological parameters. Owing to its modular design it can be interfaced with various low-power RF communication and data storage technologies, while the data fusion of multi-modal and multi-node features facilitates measurement of several bio-signals from multiple on-body locations for robust feature extraction. Exemplary results of the patch platform are presented which illustrate the capability to extract respiration rate from three different independent metrics, which combined together can give a more robust estimate of the actual respiratory rate. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116521 | HOLDER AND LIGHT MEASUREMENT DEVICE EMPLOYING SAME - Provided is a holder which comprises at least two probe mount portions into which a light-transmitting probe for emitting light from the tip thereof or a light-receiving probe for receiving light through the tip thereof is inserted from above and is to be put on the head of a subject, the holder being characterized by further comprising: a linear backbone portion that extends in a first direction that is perpendicular to the above-described direction from above; and at least two linear branch portions that extend in a second direction that is perpendicular to the above-described direction from above and is different from the first direction, wherein the lower end portions of the probe mount portions protrude from the lower surface of the backbone portion or a branch portion and are tapered. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116522 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING THE LOCATION OF A DEVICE WITHIN A PATIENT'S BODY IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE FOSSA OVALIS FOR TRANS-SEPTAL PROCEDURES - A system and method for identifying the location of a medical device within a patient's body may be used to localize the fossa ovalis for trans-septal procedures. The systems and methods measure light reflected by tissues encountered by an optical array. An optical array detects characteristic wavelengths of tissues that are different distances from the optical array. The reflectance of different wavelengths of light at different distances from an optical array may be used to identify the types of tissue encountered, including oxygenated blood in the left atrium as detected from the right atrium through the fossa ovalis. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116523 | HOLLOW MICRONEEDLE HAVING A VARIABLE APPEARANCE - The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a hollow microneedle having a variable appearance. The method makes it possible to vary the length of the microneedle, the outer and inner diameters of the upper and lower parts thereof, the aspect ratio, the sharpness, and the structural bending rate thereof, in accordance with the purposes of the same. Accordingly, the appearance of the hollow microneedles according to the present invention can be varied with flexibility according to various purposes, such as the transferring of medication and the taking of a blood sample, and to various factors, such as the target part for the medication transfer, the depth of the medication transfer, and the amount and viscosity of the medication. Thus, the microneedle can be used as a multi-purpose device for transferring medication. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116524 | Analyte Monitoring Device and Methods - Methods and devices for providing application specific integrated circuit architecture for a two electrode analyte sensor or a three electrode analyte sensor are provided. Systems and kits employing the same are also provided. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116525 | Analyte Monitoring Device and Methods of Use - In aspects of the present disclosure, a multi compatible or universal blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that require calibration code and test strips that do not require calibration code. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116526 | Handheld Blood Glucose Monitoring Device with Messaging Capability - A patient monitoring network pertaining to blood glucose and other analyte measurements includes wireless blood glucose or other analyte measuring devices and a networked computer or server. Each monitoring device is associated with a patient and is configured to measure the glucose level or other analyte from a given blood sample via inserted test strips, transmit the measurements to the networked computer, and display received messages. The messages may relate to the current or past measurements, or may include an alert prompting the user of the monitoring device to order more supplies, such as test strips. The measurements received by the networked computer may be stored in a record of a database, which may be accessed by a remote computer. The remote computer may also access a script editor to edit certain scripts which produce certain messages sent to the monitoring device. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116527 | Analyte Sensor Calibration Management - Methods and devices to detect analyte in body fluid are provided. Embodiments include positioning an analyte sensor in fluid contact with an analyte, detecting an attenuation in a signal from an analyte sensor after positioning during a predetermined time period, categorizing the detected attenuation in the analyte sensor signal based, at least in part, on one or more characteristics of the signal, performing signal processing to generate a reportable data associated with the detected analyte sensor signal during the predetermined time period, managing if and when to request additional reference signal measurements, and managing if and when to temporarily not display results. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116528 | SENSOR ELEMENT WITH AN INSULATION LAYER - The present invention relates to a sensor element ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116529 | LEADLESS INTRA-CARDIAC MEDICAL DEVICE WITH BUILT-IN TELEMETRY SYSTEM - A leadless intra-cardiac medical device is configured to be implanted entirely within a heart of a patient. The device includes an intra-cardiac extension and a housing. The intra-cardiac extension includes a loop body having at least one loop segment retaining at least one coil group that is configured to one or both of receive and transmit radio frequency (RF) energy, wherein the loop body is configured to extend into a first chamber of the heart. The housing is in electrical communication within the loop body, and includes a transceiver, control logic and an energy source. The housing is configured to be securely attached to an interior wall portion of a second chamber of the heart, wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with an external device through the RF energy. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116530 | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING AN ELECTRODE FOR MEDICAL USE, AND ELECTRODE OBTAINED - A method of manufacturing an electrode for medical use, such as an intracerebral electrode ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116531 | ELECTRODE SYSTEM - An electrode system comprises electrode modules, flexible connectors, and sensors. Each electrode module defines a substantially central opening and has circuitry that includes an amplifier. A conductive ring is exposed in the opening of each electrode module. The flexible connectors include flexible circuitry coupled with the circuitry of the electrode modules. Each sensor includes an electrolytic hydrogel portion that is configured to contact a test subject and outwardly extending tabs that are in communication with the hydrogel portion, The tabs are configured to contact the conductive ring of an electrode module with the sensor is inserted in the opening of the electrode module. The system may thus sense evoked response potentials (ERPs) from the test subject through the electrolytic hydrogel portions, amplify those potentials, and communicate the amplified potentials through the circuitry of the flexible connectors. A control box may initiate ERP testing and store the test results. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116532 | ELECTRODE SENSOR AND USE OF ELECTRODE SENSOR AS EIT ELECTRODE - Electrode sensor comprising an array of spaced apart individual contact elements ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116533 | LONG-TERM CUTANEOUS CARDIAC MONITORING - A system for long-term non-invasive heart monitoring includes (1) a disposable unit that has built-in electrodes, a built-in wire antenna, a watertight chamber that can be opened and closed, and an adhesive surface for cutaneous mounting; (2) an electronic controller that can acquire, process and store physiological signals, and can be fitted into the disposable unit to establish electrical contact with the built-in electrodes; and (3) a portable communication unit that can wirelessly communicate bi-directionally with the electronic controller, and further communicate bi-directionally with a remote service center. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116534 | DETACHABLE BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL MEASURING PAD AND BIOLOGICAL SIGNAL MEASURING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Disclosed is a detachable biological signal measuring pad that may conveniently measure biological signals such as a pulse or body temperature. The biological signal measuring pad includes an adhesive pad main body detachably adhered to a body, a biological signal detecting electrode provided on an adhesive surface of the main body adhered to the body, and a module chip including a memory card mounted on the main body so as to be connected with the electrode and storing biological signals measured in the electrode, and provided on a surface opposite to the adhesive surface. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116535 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING A LESION - An apparatus and method for diagnosing a lesion are provided. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first blood-vessel information regarding a blood vessel from an image including the blood vessel, and an extraction unit configured to extract one or more tissue regions from the image based on the first blood-vessel information. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116536 | ACOUSTIC WAVE ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND ACOUSTIC WAVE ACQUIRING METHOD - Provided is an acoustic wave acquiring apparatus including: a probe configured to measuring acoustic waves that propagate from an object; scanning unit configured to moving the probe; region designating unit configured to receiving designation of a plurality of regions of interest in the object; and track determining unit configured to determining a plurality of designated measuring regions as regions for which the probe is to measure acoustic waves based on positions of the plurality of regions of interest, and determining a track upon moving the probe by the scanning unit based on positions of the plurality of designated measuring regions. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116537 | ACOUSTIC WAVE MEASURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF ACOUSTIC WAVE MEASURING APPARATUS - Provided is an acoustic wave measuring apparatus including: an acoustic probe; region-of-interest setting unit for setting two or more regions of interest for an object; priority setting unit for setting priorities on the regions of interest; region calculating unit for determining, for each of the set priorities, an inclusion region including the regions of interest set with the priority; scanning method determining unit for assigning a scanning stripe to each of the inclusion regions so as to include all regions of interest included in the inclusion region; scanning path identifying unit for determining a scanning order of a plurality of scanning stripes having a same priority so as to shorten a movement distance of the acoustic probe; and scanning unit for scanning the scanning stripes according to the determined scanning order, based on the priority order, by moving the acoustic probe. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116538 | OPTOACOUSTIC IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH ENHANCED SAFETY - An optoacoustic system and method for providing enhanced laser safety includes a laser light source, a control and processing system, a laser override, and an array of optoacoustic transducers. The laser light source is capable of generating a laser light pulse upon receiving a laser light source trigger. The control and processing system is configured to generate a laser light source trigger, to receive and process ultrasound data, and to control operation of the optoacoustic system. The control and processing system determines whether received ultrasound data reflects acoustic coupling between the transducer array and the volume. The laser override is configured to automatically prevent the generation of a laser light pulse if received ultrasound data does not reflect acoustic coupling between the optoacoustic transducer array and the volume. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116539 | OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Provided is an object information acquiring apparatus including: a probe for receiving the acoustic waves; a holding member for holding the object; scanning unit for moving the probe in a first direction and a second direction; region designating unit for receiving information on a designated region which is a region for acquiring the characteristic information; and information processing unit for at least determining a scanning track in a scanning region to be scanned, wherein, of the scanning track in the scanning region when the first direction is used as a main scanning direction as a direction in which the probe moves while receiving the acoustic waves, and the scanning track when the second direction is used as the main scanning direction, the information processing unit uses the scanning track, in which scanning can be implemented in a shorter period of time. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116540 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION AND PREDICTION OF BRAIN DISORDERS BASED ON NEURAL NETWORK INTERACTION - Systems and methods obtain functional connectivity data in the whole brain to detect and predict brain disorders. This whole brain data is regionalized and then manipulated to derive functional connectivity data sets that can be used to show measured functional connectivity changes. This whole brain data may also be analyzed to determine changes in functional activity in both increased and decreased neural network connectivity. By identifying and then quantifying the functional connectivity differences between healthy and diseased subjects, a classification for individual subjects can be made. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116541 | Self-Assembled, Micropatterned, and Radio Frequency (RF) Shielded Biocontainers and Their Uses for Remote Spatially Controlled Chemical Delivery - The present invention relates to a nanoscale or microscale particle for encapsulation and delivery of materials or substances, including, but not limited to, cells, drugs, tissue, gels and polymers contained within the particle, with subsequent release of the therapeutic materials in situ, methods of fabricating the particle by folding a 2D precursor into the 3D particle, and the use of the particle in in-vivo or in-vitro applications The particle can be in any polyhedral shape and its surfaces can have either no perforations or nano/microscale perforations The particle is coated with a biocompatible metal, e g gold, or polymer e g parvlene, layer and the surfaces and hinges of the particle are made of any metal or polymer combinations. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116542 | MEDICAL IMAGING METHOD AND SYSTEM - In an imaging procedure, sound pressure is generated by applying ultrasound to the region to be imaged in order to cause a deformation of tissue therein from at least one acquired ultrasound image data set, first data are determined that represent, with spatial resolution, the deformation of the tissue as a reaction to the sound pressure. At least one magnetic resonance image data set is acquired, from which second data are determined that represent, with spatial resolution, the deformation of the tissue as a reaction to the sound pressure. The at least one ultrasound image data set and the at least one magnetic resonance image data set are brought into registration with each other by a comparison of the first data and the second data. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116543 | MRI-GUIDED DEVICES AND MRI-GUIDED INTERVENTIONAL SYSTEMS THAT CAN TRACK AND GENERATE DYNAMIC VISUALIZATIONS OF THE DEVICES IN NEAR REAL TIME - An MRI-guided medical device includes an elongated sheath, an elongated dilator, and an elongated needle. The sheath has a distal end, an opposite proximal end, and a central lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The sheath comprises MRI-compatible material and includes a tracking member located adjacent to the sheath distal end that is visible in an MRI image. The dilator comprises MRI-compatible material and is movably disposed within the sheath lumen. A distal end of the dilator is configured to extend outwardly from the sheath distal end and dilator includes at least one tracking member that is visible in an MRI image. The needle is movably disposed within the dilator lumen and is movable between stored and operative positions relative to the dilator. An RF shield may be coaxially disposed within the elongated sheath so as to surround a portion of the sheath central lumen. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116544 | DUAL PRESSURE SENSOR SIGNAL CHAIN TO REMOVE MUTUALLY-COUPLED MRI INTERFERENCE - Apparatus and methods provide a physiological status sensing device ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116545 | System for Cardiac MR & MR Cine Imaging Using Parallel Image Processing - A system for cardiac MR imaging receives a heart rate signal representing heart electrical activity. The system, over multiple successive heart cycles, uses multiple MR imaging RF coils in gradient echo imaging a patient heart, synchronized with the heart rate signal and uses an inversion recovery pulse for inverting myocardium tissue MR signal for an individual heart cycle, to acquire, within multiple individual successive portions of an individual heart cycle, corresponding successive multiple patient heart images. An individual image of an individual heart cycle portion is derived from multiple heart image representative data sets comprising a reduced set of k-space data elements acquired using corresponding multiple coils of the RF imaging coils. An image generator generates an MR image of an individual heart cycle portion using the multiple heart image representative data sets comprising the reduced set of k-space data elements. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116546 | METHOD AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE DEVICE TO ASSIST A PERSON CONDUCTING A MINIMALLY INVASIVE PROCEDURE - In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus to assist a person in the alignment of a medical instrument used by the person to conduct a minimally invasive procedure with the instrument introduced into a patient at an entrance point in a predetermined orientation, within the patient receptacle of a magnetic resonance device, measurement data are acquired with the magnetic resonance device to determine a current orientation of the instrument and/or an instrument guide, and the measurement data are evaluated to determine the current orientation. A deviation of the current orientation from the predetermined orientation is determined, and at least one acoustic signal is emitted depending on the deviation to assist the person in orienting the instrument. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116547 | Measurement of Anaplerotic Flux by Hyperpolarization Transfer - Methods and composition for metabolic imaging are provided. For example, in certain aspects, methods for hyperpolarization transfer combined with hyperpolarization are provided. Furthermore, the invention provides methods for detecting magnetic resonance signals for biological processes such as anaplerosis. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116548 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROSTATE BIOPSY - The invention presents tools to improve a 3-D image aided biopsy or treatment procedure for prostate gland by providing additional functionality and additional visual cues on an output image of the prostate, which may be generated substantially in real-time. The tools include i) the identification of various parts of prostate to classify as per regular classification in pathological reports, ii) Computing and displaying the insertion depth of needle with respect to a selected target point during the procedure, iii) Computing and displaying the distance from needle tip to prostate surface following a procedure and, iv) Calibration for misalignment of a 2-D imaging transducer when used under tracked motion for a procedure. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116549 | Anchored Working Channel - An anchored working channel includes an elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, and at least one inflatable balloon positioned at the distal end of the elongated shaft and having an outer wall having an outer surface for contacting surrounding tissue, wherein the elongated shaft has a first lumen through which fluid is supplied to inflate the at least one inflatable balloon such that the balloon anchors the shaft to surrounding tissue, wherein the elongated shaft has a second lumen that accommodates at least one medical instrument and/or device inserted therein, and wherein the outer surface of the at least one inflatable balloon comprises a textured surface for preventing slippage of the outer surface on surrounding tissue. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116550 | MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS - Included are a storage unit for storing as first medical image information a three-dimensional image representing information about an inside of the subject; an image processor for generating a display image on the basis of the first medical image information and second medical image information; and a display for displaying the display image generated by the image processor. The image processor includes: a catheter position information detector for calculating a position of the balloon catheter C and detecting position information; and a balloon pressure-contact degree calculator for calculating a pressure-contact degree A of the tissues of the subject and a balloon b on the basis of the first medical image information and the position information. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116551 | 3D-ORIGINATED CARDIAC ROADMAPPING - The present invention relates to 3D-originated cardiac roadmapping. In order to improve the accuracy of the information provided to the user as navigation information, without any additional burden to the patient such as additional X-ray dose, a method is described comprising the steps of a) providing 3D+t image data of a vascular structure of an object; b) acquiring two-dimensional image data of the object, which object comprises the vascular structure, the 2D image data comprising at least one 2D image; c) projecting the vascular structure, thereby generating a plurality of mask images on the basis of a 3D+t image data; d) registering the at least one 2D image with one of the plurality of the mask images, wherein the registration comprises finding the maximum of a similarity factor between the mask images and the at least one 2D image; e) generating a combination of the at least one 2D image and a projection of the vascular structure on the basis of the 3D+t image data according to the registration; and f) displaying the combination as a guiding vessel tree projection. Thus improved cardiac roadmapping in form of a topographical roadmapping is provided since the roadmapping is based on three-dimensional data. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116552 | IMPLANTABLE IMAGING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, apparatus and method can be provided for obtaining information associated with at least one anatomical structure. The exemplary apparatus can include at least one first arrangement which can be configured to provide at least one electro-magnetic radiation to at least one portion of the at least one anatomical structure. The first arrangement(s) can include a configuration which is configured to relatively permanently attach the apparatus to or in the at least one anatomical structure. The exemplary apparatus can further include at least one interferometric arrangement configured to receive a further radiation from the portion(s) which can be associated with the electro-magnetic radiation(s). | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116553 | BIOLOGICAL MEASURING APPARATUS AND BIOLOGICAL MEASURING METHOD - A biological measuring apparatus measures physical parameters in a part of a living body by diffuse optical tomography. The apparatus includes at least one first light source and one first detector both disposed inside the living body, at least one second light source and one second detector both disposed outside the living body. A processor processes measured values and reconstructs the distribution of scattering coefficients or absorption coefficients of light interacting with the living body. The measured values are acquired from at least one measurement light beam emitted from the first light source and detected by one of the first and second detectors, and at least one measurement light beam emitted from the second light source and detected by one of the first and second detectors. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116554 | X-RAY IMAGING AT LOW CONTRAST AGENT CONCENTRATIONS AND/OR LOW DOSE RADIATION - The present invention relates to X-ray examinations and to the improvement of patient safety during such. More specifically the invention relates to X-ray diagnostic compositions having ultra-low concentrations of iodine. The invention further relates to methods of X-ray examinations wherein a body is administered with an X-ray diagnostic composition and irradiated with a reduced radiation dose. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116555 | System and Method of Radiation Dose Targeting Through Ventilatory Controlled Anatomical Positioning - The system and method of the present application includes an image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) system, combined with a medical ventilator, to form a closed-loop system to optimize treatment of a tumor for patients who cannot comply with a normal respiratory management procedure. The ventilator may be used to generate respiratory maneuvers to facilitate clean images for dose planning, so that clinicians can more clearly visualize a target with fewer of the image artifacts associated with respiratory motion. The combined IGRT and ventilation systems approach facilitates treatment of specific organs most susceptible to respiratory motion artifact, and helps minimize the doses to the heart in left-breast treatments. Improved positioning of the anatomical target structures for exposure to external beam radiation may be accomplished through combinations of respiratory-gating, respiratory pause, and selective right or left lung mechanical ventilator techniques. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116556 | NEURAL SAFETY INJECTION SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to safety neural injection systems and related methods of use comprising a cannula, with or without a side port, and a stylet, defined by a first inside diameter, a first outside diameter, a first length, and an open distal end in fluid communication with the inside and outside of the hollow cannula wherein the medicament is administered with the stylet inserted at least partially within the cannula. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116557 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD - Provided are an ultrasonic diagnostic device and an ultrasonic image display method having a function of displaying an inflow time map representing relative differences in blood flow dynamics such as inflow time of a contrast agent in difference colors, including a function of selectively extracting a focused vessel and constructing a noise-less inflow time map, and in the comparison of differences in color between the constructed inflow time map and the past inflow time map to examine a change in blood flow dynamics by therapy or the like, an interpolation function of unifying the color of regions as a base. A TIC analysis unit | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116558 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING FORMER PATIENTS - A system and method diagnoses and treats a former patient of a healthcare facility such that the system and method prevents re-admission of the patient to the healthcare facility and admission of the patient to another healthcare facility. The patient experiences at least one health-related problem following original discharge of the patient from the facility and calls for remote assistance for resolving the problem at a residence of the patient. The system and method comprises steps of attempting to remotely resolve the problem, determining whether the problem has been remotely resolved, activating a response unit of clinicians to the residence if it is determined that the problem has not been remotely resolved, responding by the response unit to the residence, evaluating the patient, providing stabilizing treatment to the patient while the patient remains at the residence, determining whether the patient is stabilized such that the system and method prevents re-admission of the patient to the healthcare facility or admission of the patient to another healthcare facility, and re-evaluating the patient for appropriate transportation of the patient to and placement of the patient in the healthcare facility or other healthcare facility if it is determined that the patient is not stabilized. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116559 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING A TUBE - Apparatus and methods for extending a tube, the apparatus including a foldable tube having a folded portion inside an unfolded portion of the tube, and a source of fluid coupled to the unfolded portion for providing fluid into the unfolded portion to unfold and extend the folded portion out of the unfolded portion to become an extension of the unfolded portion. The apparatus and methods are useful, inter alia, for cleansing the colon in the normal direction, that is, from the cecum to the anus, using an apparatus that is introduced via the anus. A washing liquid is supplied deep into the colon via the soft feed tube that is inserted via the anus and is extended into the colon by inflation. The washing liquid is then drained out via the anus through a drainage channel. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116560 | ULTRASOUND TEMPERATURE MAPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present application relates to an ultrasound temperature mapping system and method. The ultrasound temperature mapping system for measuring a temperature of an object comprises an ultrasound transducer and a processing module. The ultrasound transducer is configured to acquire a first image and a second image with respect to the object. The processing module implements a zero-crossing algorithm to process the first image to yield a plurality of first zero-crossing points and implements a cross-correlation algorithm to process the first image and the second images based on the plurality of first zero-crossing points so as to obtain a plurality of displacements. The processing module further calculates the temperature based on the plurality of displacements. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116561 | TRANSMISSIVE IMAGING AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116562 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING DIAGNOSTIC IMAGE AND MEDICAL IMAGE SYSTEM - A method of generating a diagnostic image of a subject including transmitting a transmission signal to the subject; acquiring a first RF frame and a second RF frame from an echo signal reflected from the subject; estimating a second directional displacement indicating a degree of movement of a first point of the subject appearing in the first RF frame in the second RF frame; generating an ultrasonic image corresponding to the second RF frame; and correcting an error of the generated ultrasonic image using the estimated second directional displacement. The first point may appear in the first RF frame and the second RF frame. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116563 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a first unit includes a first ultrasonic image generation unit generating a first ultrasonic image at a first processing speed and with a first processing function based on a reception signal, a connection unit detachably connecting the first unit to a second unit, and a connection detection unit detecting connection between the first and second units. The second unit includes a second ultrasonic image generation unit having a second processing speed faster than the first processing speed and a second processing function higher than the first processing function and generating a second ultrasonic image having larger data than the first ultrasonic image based on the reception signal upon detection of the connection. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116564 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD - A microscopic change in structure of sound velocity or attenuation due to a pathological change can be grasped, the change being difficult to grasp with conventional measurement of an absolute value of sound velocity or attenuation. The above problem is solved by providing an ultrasound diagnostic device including an ultrasound probe including a plurality of ultrasound transducers transmitting ultrasound waves to an object and receiving ultrasound waves reflected from the object to output an ultrasound detection signal, a region-of-interest setting device setting a region of interest within the object, a transmission focus instructing device making the ultrasound probe transmit the ultrasound waves by focusing on the region of interest, a device setting at least one or more points of interest in the region of interest, a device finding a change in sound velocity or attenuation at the point of interest, and a device finding an index indicating a sonic variation or an attenuation variation based on the change in sound velocity or attenuation. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116565 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DETERMINING A TIME INTENSITY CURVE - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is provided. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an image data generation unit configured to generate image data corresponding to one frame of a subject, based on sound ray data acquired by transmitting ultrasound to the subject, a high intensity image determination unit configured to compare strength of sound ray data corresponding to the one frame with a predetermined value and determine whether the one frame is a high intensity image, a setting unit configured to set a region of interest onto an image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit, and a time intensity curve arithmetic unit configured to eliminate sound ray data corresponding to the region of interest in the high intensity image and perform an arithmetic operation on a time intensity curve in which pixel values of the region of interest set by the setting unit are made consecutive. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116566 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC METHOD - According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic system includes a data acquiring unit, a beam forming processing unit, a processor and an output unit. The data acquiring unit is configured to acquire reception signals corresponding to ultrasonic transducers by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object using the ultrasonic transducers. The beam forming processing unit is configured to apply beam forming to the reception signals. The processor is configured to generate ultrasonic image data based on reception signals subjected to the beam forming. The output unit is configured to output the reception signals before the beam forming to an outside terminal. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116567 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: a probe that transmits and receives ultrasound; a signal analysis unit that, when the probe scans a cross section of elevation direction of a blood vessel using ultrasound, detects a center scan line echo signal having passed through a center of the blood vessel among a plurality of scan line echo signals in the cross section of elevation direction of the blood vessel received by the probe, based on a part of each of the plurality of scan line echo signals that has a relatively small amplitude that corresponds to a reflected wave from a part of the blood vessel where blood flows; and an IMT measurement unit that computes an IMT from the center scan line echo signal. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of performing wide-range IMT measurements with few errors even when a blood vessel seen from a body surface is not linear. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116568 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GENERATING ULTRASOUNDS IMPLEMENTING CMUTS, AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING - A method is provided for generating ultrasounds in a given fluid by using at least one micro-machined capacitive transducer having a membrane and exhibiting a predetermined resonant frequency defined by the membrane-fluid pair, the at least one transducer is fed with an excitation signal of lower frequency than the resonant frequency. A device is provided for generating ultrasounds implementing CMUTs, as well as a method and system for medical imaging. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116569 | METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING DRUG DELIVERY USING CONTRAST-ENHANCED ULTRASOUND - The present invention relates to a method for quantifying drug delivery with the characteristic of measuring the signal intensity of peripheral vessels with a contrast-enhanced ultrasound to quantify the drug delivery at a target site. The present invention can be used for quantifying UTMD (ultrasound triggered microbubble destruction) targeted drug delivery, also for qualifying the unreleased amount of the long-acting drug in the tested object, and for helping setting the treatment schedule for ultrasound disruption of blood-brain barrier. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116570 | LOCAL COMPRESSION DURING AUTOMATED ULTRASOUND SCANNING AND METHODS OF ACOUSTIC COUPLING - A system for imaging a portion of a body, such as a human breast. The system comprises a first scanning system that ultrasonically scans a portion of a body while a compression system applies a compressing force to the portion of the body being scanned. A device is used for containing an acoustic coupling gel for enhanced acoustic coupling with the portion of body. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116571 | Ruggedized Ultrasound Hydrogel Insert - A ruggedized hydrogel product that is formulated to withstand the effects of high-energy sterilization procedures, such as gamma beam and electron beam sterilization, without significant structural degradation is disclosed. This enables the hydrogel product to be suitable for use in medical applications where sterile components are required. In one embodiment a ruggedized hydrogel product is disclosed and comprises a gel component, water for hydrating the gel component, and at least one free radical absorber component that is capable of absorbing free radicals produced when the hydrogel product is sterilized via a high-energy sterilization procedure. The free radical absorber component in one embodiment includes potassium metabisulfite and ascorbic acid. The ruggedized hydrogel product can be included with an ultrasound probe to provide an acoustically transparent interface between the probe and the skin of a patient. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116572 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING 3-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT SHAPE BASED ON SHADOWS - An apparatus measures a 3-Dimensional (3D) shape of an object. The apparatus includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are arranged to face each other with the object disposed in a space defined therebetween, wherein the light transmitting unit being arranged to scan the object, and the light receiving unit being arranged to sense a shadow of the scanned object formed thereon. The apparatus includes a rotation unit arranged to rotate the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit about a same rotational axis by a preset rotation angle until the rotation is fully made by a desired target angle and a shape restoration unit configured to measure a 3D shape of the object using shadows that are obtained for each preset rotation angle. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116573 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL THERMAL IMAGING FOR THE DETECTION OF SKIN LESIONS AND OTHER NATURAL AND ABNORMAL CONDITIONS - A thermal imaging system includes a data processing system and a geometrical scanning system constructed to communicate with the data processing system. The geometrical scanning system is adapted to scan at least a section of a surface of a subject under observation. The thermal imaging system also includes an infrared imaging system constructed to communicate with the data processing system. The infrared imaging system is adapted to image at least a portion of the section of the surface of the subject under observation. The data processing system is configured to receive data from the geometrical scanning system and to construct a surface map of the section of the surface of the subject under observation and to identify geometrical markers on the surface map based on the data from the geometrical scanning system. The data processing system is also configured to receive data from the infrared imaging system and to construct a thermal map of the portion of the section of the surface, to identify thermal markers on the thermal map based on the data from the infrared imaging system, and to register the thermal map to the surface map based on a correspondence between at least some of the geometrical and thermal markers. The data processor is configured to correct temperatures of the thermal map based on the surface map subsequent to the registering. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116574 | METHOD FOR ASCERTAINING SPATIAL COORDINATES - The invention relates to a method for ascertaining spatial coordinates in which at least two markers are put on a living being and at least two cameras in a stereo arrangement are used to ascertain the spatial coordinates of the markers, wherein the spatial coordinates of the markers are compared with a reference and the difference is calculated and output. The invention also relates to quantitative length and angle measurements using optical, stereometric measurement systems for medical applications. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116575 | IMPLANTABLE DOPPLER BLOOD FLOW MONITOR AND DOPPLER PROBE - A Doppler blood flow monitoring system comprises a sensor cuff capable of being secured around an exterior surface of a patient's vessel, at least one transducer attached to the sensor cuff for generating signals into the vessel and for receiving said signals, and a transmitter in communication with the at least one transducer and capable of wirelessly transmitting an RF signal external to the patient's body. The system also comprises a receiver capable of receiving the RF signal from the transmitter and being capable of generating an audible sound or signal commensurate with detected flow. The system can take advantage of pulse wave or continuous wave Doppler technology. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116576 | DETECTION AND MONITORING OF ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM - Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) cause a large number of deaths annually. Ruptures occur even in people who are already diagnosed with AAA and are being monitored. The reason is that the interval between tests is too long because of the need to visit a pathological facility with imaging equipment. It is preferable to estimate the progress of AAA frequently, once detected, in a non-invasive manner, preferably at the subject's home, without the need for the subject to visit a pathological facility. A device is disclosed for detecting a state of a vascular pathology of a subject, comprising a sensor signal unit ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116577 | Biomedical Acquisition System With Motion Artifact Reduction - A system for the analysis of ECG signals is disclosed. The system may comprise (i) at least one readout channel, configured to receive an analogue ECG signal acquired from at least one electrode attached to a body, and to extract an analogue measured ECG signal and analogue electrode-skin impedance signals; (ii) at least one ADC, configured to convert those extracted analogue signals at the readout channel into digital signals; (iii) a digital adaptive filter unit, configured to calculate a digital motion artifact estimate based on said digital versions of the measured ECG signal and the electrode-skin impedance signals; (iv) at least one DAC, configured to convert said digital motion artifact estimate into an analogue signal; and (v) a feedback loop for sending said analogue motion artifact estimate signal back to the readout channel configured to deduct said analogue motion artifact estimate signal from said analogue measured ECG signal. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116578 | RISK STRATIFICATION BASED HEART FAILURE DETECTION ALGORITHM - A system comprises a risk analysis module and a worsening heart failure (WHF) detection module. The risk analysis module measures at least one first physiological parameter of a subject using a physiological sensor of an ambulatory medical device, and determines a heart failure (HF) risk score for the subject according to the at least one measured first physiological parameter. The HF risk score indicates susceptibility of the subject to experiencing a HF event. The WHF detection module measures at least one second physiological parameter of the subject using the same or different physiological sensor, and generates an indication of prediction that the subject will experience a WHF event when the at least one second physiological parameter satisfies a WHF detection algorithm. The risk analysis module adjusts generation of the indication by the WHF detection algorithm according to the determined HF risk score. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116579 | MEDICAL SYSTEM, AND A METHOD IN RELATION TO THE MEDICAL SYSTEM - A medical system for determining the individual Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) value for one or many lesions of interest of a blood vessel, the system comprising an intravascular pressure measurement device for acquiring pressure measurements in the blood vessel during continuous blood flow there through. The pressure measurement device comprises a pressure sensor at its distal portion. The system further comprises an FFR processor adapted to determine the FFR value related to said lesion solely/only based upon the pressure measurements performed by said pressure sensor. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116580 | SYSTEM FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNALS AND METHOD THEREOF - The present disclosure relates to a system for physiological signal quality assessment, the system includes: a first filter module for implementing a filter process on an inputted first physiological signal; a first periodicity detection module for detecting periodicity of the filtered first physiological signal, and determining periodic segmentation point of the first physiological signal; a feature extracting module for extracting corresponding signal features of the first physiological signal in each heart period; and a fuzzy logic module for building up a fuzzy logic model according to the extracted signal features, and calculating a signal quality index for the first physiological signal in the relative period based on the built fuzzy logic model, and determining a signal attribute according to the signal quality index. A method for physiological signal quality assessment is provided as well. The system and method for physiological signal quality assessment calculate the signal quality index, determine the signal attribute according to the signal quality index, therefore recognize the abnormal signal out of the first physiological signal, and result in high quality physiological signals. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116581 | ROLL OF PRE-CUT DISPOSABLE PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR SPHYGMOMANOMETERS - This invention relates to a roll of pre-cut disposable protective covers for blood pressure cuffs provided in a continuous web of pre-cut disposable protective covers for sphygmomanometers formed from one inner layer of water impermeable material and another layer of absorbent material, and methods of preventing the spread of infection by the use of the disposable protective covers. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116582 | BLOOD PRESSURE CUFF APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - A pressure cuff is disclosed herein. The pressure cuff includes a sleeve and a cuff bladder. The cuff bladder defines a bladder length of 9.2+/−2.1 centimeters and a bladder width of 24.6+/−4.2 centimeters. The bladder length and bladder width dimensions provide precise non-invasive blood pressure measurements when the pressure cuff is applied to a forearm having a circumference in the range of 27 to 37 centimeters. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116583 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREDICTING AND CORROBORATING PULMONARY FLUID OVERLOADS USING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Techniques are provided for corroborating a preliminary detection of pulmonary fluid overload within a patient made initially based on transthoracic impedance. In one example, corroborative parameters pertaining to hematocrit, device pocket fluid accumulations, heart rate variability (HRV) and mean atrial tachycardia/atrial fibrillation (AT/AF) times are evaluated to confirm the fluid overload. Techniques are also provided for generating proxies for evaluating hematocrit and device pocket fluid accumulation based on certain impedance measurements. Still further, techniques are provided for predicting a possible pulmonary fluid overload based on trends in HRV or mean AT/AF times. System and method examples are set forth herein. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116584 | Biometric front-end recorder system - A stethoscope front-end recorder device (also referred to as Sleeve) for the chest piece of a stethoscope, which is easily installed and removed. The Sleeve covers the circumference of the chest piece of a stethoscope. The Sleeve contains sensors for acquiring biosensor parameters such as electrocardiogram, body temperature, heartbeat, heart rhythm, heart rate variability, heart rate turbulence, heart sounds, respiration, cardiac index and blood flow. The Sleeve has Bluetooth interface communicating with a mobile device with software component, interfacing with a back-end server with the capability to capture, analyze and save patient information. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116585 | Ventricular Fibrillation Detection - Systems and techniques are disclosed for determining the onset and offset of a ventricular fibrillation event and for distinguishing ventricular fibrillation from noise. In some examples, an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is obtained; a transform is applied to the ECG signal to obtain an analytical pair, the analytical pair including the ECG signal and the transformed ECG signal; a speed-amplitude is determined from the analytical pair; and an onset of a ventricular fibrillation event is identified based at least one of a value of a cost function of the speed-amplitude over a window and a quantity of occurrences the speed-amplitude crosses a threshold over the window. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116586 | USE OF DRONEDARONE OR A PHARMACEUTICALLY ACCEPTABLE SALT THEREOF FOR THE PREPARATION OF A DRUG FOR THE PREVENTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION - The present invention relates to the use of dronedarone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a drug for the prevention of atrial fibrillation wherein said use comprises the following precaution of use steps:
| 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116587 | DETECTION OF DRASTIC BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGES - A cardiac-activity based prediction of a rapid drop in a patient's blood pressure during extracorporeal blood treatment is disclosed. A proposed alarm apparatus includes a primary beat morphology analysis unit bank of secondary analysis units and an alarm generating unit. The primary beat morphology analysis unit discriminates heart beats in a received basic electrocardiogram signal, classifies each beat into one out of at least two different beat categories, and associates each segment of the signal with relevant event-type data. The event-type data and the basic electrocardiogram signal together form an enhanced electrocardiogram signal, based upon which the primary beat morphology analysis unit determines whether one or more secondary signal analyses should be performed. Depending on the enhanced electrocardiogram signal's properties, the bank of secondary analysis units performs none, one or more of up to at least two different types of secondary analyses, and for each analysis performed produces a respective test signal. The alarm generating unit receives the test signals, and triggers an alarm signal indicative of an estimated rapid blood pressure decrease, if at least one alarm criterion is fulfilled. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116588 | System and Method for the Analysis of Electrocardiogram Signals - A microprocessor configured to receive and process digitized signals derived from an analogue ECG signal is provided. An example microprocessor comprises a beat detection unit configured to receive the in-phase and quadrature phase band power signals, calculate a band power value and an adaptive threshold value, and compare said band power value with said adaptive threshold value to detect a QRS complex of the ECG signal indicative of a detected valid beat; and an R peak detection unit configured to receive the digital ECG signal and information about the detected valid beat, select a portion of the received ECG signal as a first time window around the detected valid beat; determine the location of a first R peak position; and perform a time domain search in a second time window around said first R peak position in order to refine the location of an R peak position. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116589 | DRYING SUBSTANCES, PREPARATION AND USE THEREOF - There is provided herein a dryer polymer substance including a hetero-phase polymer composition including two or more polymers wherein at least one of the two or more polymers include sulfonic groups, wherein the substance is adapted to pervaporate a fluid. The fluid may include water, water vapor or both. There is also provided herein a process for the preparation of a dryer polymer substance adapted to pervaporate a fluid (such as water, water vapor or both) the process includes mixing two or more polymers, wherein at least one of the two or more polymers may include groups which are adapted to be sulfonated, to produce a hetero-phase polymer composition and processing the polymer blend into a desired form. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116590 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC ADJUSTABLE SPATIAL GRANULARITY FOR EEG DISPLAY - A method for organizing and displaying EEG data obtained from C EEG channels on a computer system in a user-friendly manner includes placing the C EEG channels into a schematic placement diagram dividing the C EEG channels, using a processor, into G channel groups for each of the G channel groups, combining any of the C EEG channels in such G channel group, using a processor, into a single trace, and for each of the G channel groups, displaying the single trace. A system for organizing and displaying EEG data is also provided. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116591 | SYSTEMS AND DEVICES FOR REAL TIME HEALTH STATUS CREDENTIALING - Systems and processes are presented for real time health credentialing of individuals seeking entry to a facility requiring health credentialing for access. A system and process for real time detection of a febrile condition comprises providing a heat sensor operable to receive thermal radiation from a person. Optionally, the system provides a controller operable to selectively orient the thermal sensor incident to the facial region of a person within a zone of detection. Further, the system optionally processes the sensor temperature to conditionally determine a febrile condition. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116592 | SPECIMEN RETRIEVAL DEVICE - A suture loop assembly is provided for securing a specimen collection bag in a closed condition. The suture loop assembly generally includes a length of suture material forming a distal loop and a one-way ferrule for securing the distal loop in a closed condition about an upper end of the specimen collection bag. A specimen retrieval device is also provided for use with the suture loop assembly. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116593 | BIOPSY PROBE AND TARGETING SET INTERFACE - A biopsy system includes a biopsy targeting assembly, a needle, and a biopsy device. The biopsy targeting assembly includes a cradle. The needle is releasably supported by the targeting assembly. The biopsy device includes a body having a tissue collection assembly and a cutter. The cutter is translatable relative to the body and extends distally from the body. The cradle of the targeting assembly releasably supports the body of the biopsy device distally of the tissue collection assembly. The biopsy device translates a distal portion of the cutter within the needle with the needle supported by the targeting assembly. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116594 | DEVICE FOR TAKING AT LEAST ONE SAMPLE OF TISSUE - This invention relates to a device ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116595 | DEVICE FOR TAKING AT LEAST ONE SAMPLE OF TISSUE - This invention relates to a device ( | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116596 | SAMPLE COLLECTION TOOL - A sample collection tool comprises a collection end configured for collecting a sample. Optionally, the sample is collected from within a body cavity of an animal without causing significant discomfort or injury to the animal. A first handle portion has a first end connected to the collection end and a second end. A second handle portion is connected to the second end of the first handle portion by a breakable connection. The second end of the first handle portion has at least one winglet. The at least one winglet is compliant in a preferential direction. The breakable connection is ruptured at least in part when the at least one winglet is forced in the preferential direction. | 2013-05-09 |
| 20130116597 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING BLOOD FOR TESTING - A blood sampling device is provided having holder with a manipulating end and an absorbent probe on the opposing end. The probe is of hydrophilic polymer sized to directly absorb a predetermined volume of up to about 30 microliters of blood. Ribs on the holder position the probe within a compartment of a container to prevent contact with the container. The ribs also position the probe within extraction wells. | 2013-05-09 |
