30th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 50 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120190894 | GAS PHASE HYDROFORMYLATION PROCESS - A gas phase catalytic hydroformylation process for producing at least one aldehyde product in the presence of a transition metal-ligand complex hydroformylation catalyst and water vapor. Surprisingly, catalyst activity can be sustained by having traces of water vapor in the feed stream. Additionally, additional ligand can be added to replace lost ligand to maintain activity. In addition, it has been found that treatment of the catalyst with a buffer can rejuvenate catalyst activity. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190895 | PRODUCING ALPHA,BETA-UNSATURATED ALDEHYDES BY MEANS OF A REACTION MIXING PUMP - The invention relates to a method for producing α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, wherein a catalytic aldol condensation of charged aldehydes is carried out in the presence of an aqueous base within a continuous-flow reactor. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for aldolizing aldehydes that can be carried out in a particularly economical manner. The aim is achieved by using a reaction mixing pump as the reactor. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190896 | Molecular Sieve Of MFS Framework Type With Controllable Average Size, Its Method of Making And Use - A method of making a crystalline molecular sieve of MFS framework type, preferably ZSM-57, from a synthesis mixture comprising at least one source of tetravalent element (Y), at least one source of trivalent element (X), at least one source of alkali metal hydroxide (MOH), at least one structure-directing-agent (R) and water, said alkali metal (M) comprising potassium, and having the following mole composition (expressed in terms of oxide): | 2012-07-26 |
20120190897 | LIQUID CRYSTAL COMPOUND HAVING NEGATIVE DIELECTRIC ANISOTROPY, LIQUID CRYSTAL COMPOSITION AND LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE SAME - The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having general physical properties necessary for the liquid crystal compound, namely, stability to heat, light and so forth, a small viscosity, a refractive index anisotropy having a suitable magnitude value, a dielectric anisotropy having a suitable magnitude value, steep electrooptical characteristics, a wide temperature range of a nematic phase, and an excellent compatibility with other liquid crystal compounds, in particular, a liquid crystal compound having a wide temperature range of the nematic phase; a compound represented by formula (i): | 2012-07-26 |
20120190898 | ESTROGENIC COMPOUNDS, PROCESS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION AND PHARMACEUTICAL USES THEREOF - The present invention provides new estrogenic compounds of the general formula | 2012-07-26 |
20120190899 | HYDROGENATION CATALYST COMPRISING NICKEL ON CARBON - The hydrogenation catalyst comprises from 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total catalyst, of nickel on a carbon support, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst does not comprise any rhenium. Coconut shell carbon is preferably used as support. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190900 | MOLECULAR SIEVE ADSORBENT BLENDS AND USES THEREOF - A process for the production and use of a molecular sieve blend with improved performance characteristics produced by preparing or obtaining a hydrophilic zeolite, particularly a hydrophilic zeolite 3A with a low SiO | 2012-07-26 |
20120190901 | PROCESS FOR SEPARATING HYDROGEN FLUORIDE FROM ORGANIC FEEDSTOCKS - Provided is a process for purifying an organic feedstock comprising (a) distilling a raw organic feedstock comprising hydrogen fluoride, 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene to produce a first distillate stream comprising an azeotrope-like composition of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, and a first bottoms stream rich in hydrogen fluoride; (b) cooling said first distillate stream to produce an intermediate composition comprising an organic layer rich in 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and an acid layer rich in hydrogen fluoride; and, optionally but preferably, (c) distilling said organic layer to produce a second distillate stream comprising an azeotrope-like composition of 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and hydrogen fluoride, and a second bottoms stream comprising a purified organic feedstock substantially free of hydrogen fluoride. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190902 | Stabilization of Chloropropenes - Compositions including chlorinated propenes and a phenolic antioxidant are described herein. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190903 | PROCESS TO OBTAIN LIQUID HYDROCARBONS BY CLEAVAGE OF CARBON AND HYDROGEN MOLECULES - Process to obtain liquid hydrocarbons by cleavage of molecules containing carbon and hydrogen using materials with chemical waste, textile waste, biomass and whatever kind, being the same milled by a reactor and transferred to the reactor, increasing its temperatures to eliminate water, there is application of kinetic energy and friction with selected reactants to cleave the chains and separate the above mentioned elements and restructure the long or short chains to obtain the selected hydrocarbons by distillation and condensation. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190904 | HYDROGEN REMOVAL FROM DEHYDROGENATION REACTOR PRODUCT - Disclosed is a dehydrogenation method that includes supplying a feed containing a hydrocarbon and steam into a dehydrogenation reactor containing a dehydrogenation catalyst, contacting the hydrocarbon and steam with the dehydrogenation catalyst to form a dehydrogenation product, wherein the dehydrogenation product comprises a dehydrogenated hydrocarbon, unreacted feed, steam and hydrogen, passing the dehydrogenation product through a membrane separator, and permeating hydrogen through a membrane positioned in the membrane separator. The hydrocarbon can be an alkyl aromatic and the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon can be a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, optionally the hydrocarbon can be an alkane and the dehydrogenated hydrocarbon can be an alkene. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190905 | OLEFIN SELECTIVE MEMBRANE COMPRISING AN IONIC LIQUID AND A COMPLEXING AGENT - An improved ionic liquid membrane and its preparation for separation of olefins/paraffins is described. The membrane comprises an ionic liquid with a metal salt. The ionic liquid includes a choline salt, selected from choline, chloride/hydroxide/bitratrate, phosphatidylcholine and is a deep eutectic liquid. The metal salt selected from silver, copper, gold, mercury, cadmium, zinc with choloride, nitrate, tetrafluoroborate, triflate, cyanide, thiocyanide, tetraphenylborate as anion. The ionic liquid is eutectic or a so-called deep eutectic liquid. The experimental examples use choline chloride, urea and silver nitrate/chloride and are tested for methane/ethene separation. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190906 | Organic Chloride Adsorbent - Chemically combined chlorides are removed from intermediate and product streams of a hydrocarbon reforming process by contacting the streams with zeolite 13X, having a Si/Al ratio of less than 1.25. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190907 | METHOD FOR ISOLATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF NAPHTHENATE FORMING ACIDS ("ARN ACIDS") - A method for isolation and quantification of naphthenate forming acids (ARN-acids) in crude oils is disclosed. The method involves selective absorbtion/adsorption of ARN acids by a solid medium. Isolation of the solid medium and transferring the ARN acids to an organic solvent which can by analysed for its ARN acid content. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190908 | Process for Treating Particulate Material Containing Heavy Metal and An Additive for Use in Such Process - A process for treating particulate material containing heavy metal generated during a manufacturing process is disclosed. The process includes providing particulate material containing heavy metal within an enclosed area and mixing an additive of calcium silicate forming material with the particulate material in the enclosed area to create an additive-particulate material. The additive-particulate material can be passed into a waste collection device located downstream of the enclosed area. The calcium silicate forming material can be provided as particles with a particle size of minus 50 to plus 325 mesh. An additional aspect of the invention is an additive for use in such a process for treating metallic oxide impregnated dust, which has a particle size of plus 325 mesh and consists essentially of calcium silicate forming material. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190909 | USES OF IL-12 IN HEMATOPOIESIS - Methods for enhancing or stimulating hematopoiesis including the step of administering Interleukin-12 (IL-12) to yield hematopoietic recovery in a mammal in need. Preferred methods include the step of administering IL-12 as an adjuvant therapy to alleviate the hematopoietic toxicities associated with one or more treatment regimens used to combat a disease state. Other methods include administering IL-12 to ameliorate various hematopoietic deficiencies. Still other methods are directed to uses of IL-12 for in-vivo proliferation of hematopoietic repopulating cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Other disclosed methods are directed to uses of Il-12 for bone marrow preservation or recovery. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190910 | SYSTEM FOR DEFINING ENERGY FIELD CHARACTERISTICS TO ILLUMINATE NANO-PARTICLES USED TO TREAT INVASIVE AGENTS - The Invasive Agent Treatment System incorporates the pairing of energy fields with nano-particles to cause a thermal effect in the nano-particles, which thermal effect is transmitted into the biological cells of the invasive agent. The energy fields are derived from at least one or a combination of the following: an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field (EM), an acoustic field, and an optical field. The Invasive Agent Treatment System provides the necessary coordination among the characteristics of the nano-particles, concentration of nano-particles, duration of treatment, and applied fields to enable the generation of precisely crafted fields and their application in a mode and manner to be effective with a high degree of accuracy. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190911 | LOW TEMPERATURE HYPERTHERMIA SYSTEM FOR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF INVASIVE AGENTS - The Low Temperature Hyperthermia System illuminates nano-particles, which are implanted in a living organism at the locus of the cancer or into the cancer cells, with a precisely determined energy field. This energy field ensures that the optimal cancer cell and cancer stem cell destruction temperature of 42° C. is not exceeded in the tissue, which minimizes the release of Heat Shock Proteins and cancer stem cells. The Low Temperature Hyperthermia System uses specially designed nano-particles that exhibit a specific temperature rise in a given illumination energy field and then have no further temperature rise even if the applied illumination energy field increases beyond the optimal level. Alternatively, the nano-particles exhibit a tightly controlled temperature rise based on a pre-determined illumination energy field strength. This innovative approach can also use radiation and/or chemotherapy in conjunction with the nano-particle illumination to kill the majority of the cancer cells. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190912 | SYSTEM FOR CORRELATING ENERGY FIELD CHARACTERISTICS WITH TARGET PARTICLE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE APPLICATION OF AN ENERGY FIELD TO A LIVING ORGANISM FOR IMAGING AND TREATMENT OF INVASIVE AGENTS - The Energy Field and Target Correlation System automatically correlates the characteristics of target particles and a living organism to compute the characteristics of an energy field that is applied to a living organism to activate the target particles which are bound to or consumed or taken up by invasive agents in the living organism to produce detectable effects which can be used to image and treat the invasive agents. The energy field must be crafted to properly control the response and localize the extent of the illumination. The System automatically selects a set of energy field characteristics, including: field type, frequency, field strength, duration, field modulation, repetition frequency, beam size, and focal point. The determined energy field characteristics then are used to activate field generators to generate the desired energy field. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190913 | Method and Device for Intermittent Occlusion of a Vein Draining the Organ System - In a method for the intermittent occlusion of a vein draining the organ system, in which the vein is occluded by an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded vein is continuously measured and stored, the behavior of the fluid pressure is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the vein is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the pressure measurements, pressure is applied during the occlusion in a pulsating manner. The device for the intermittent occlusion of a vein, including an occlusion device, a pressure measuring device for continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded vein, and a memory for storing the fluid pressure behavior as a function of time, means are provided for applying a pulsating pressure in the occluded vein. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190914 | Hearing Aid Microactuator - A fenestration piercing the otic capsule bone of the cochlea receives a therapeutic appliance, such as a microactuator, plug, micropump for drug or therapeutic agent delivery, electrode, and the like. Several different ways of achieving a ‘water tight’ seal between the otic capsule bone and the therapeutic appliance are provided. The therapeutic appliance may be implanted with or without a sheath or sleeve lining the wall of the fenestration formed using specialized surgical burrs. The burrs permit safely fenestrating the otic capsule bone adjacent to the scala tympani of the cochlea without damaging the basilar membrane or organ of corti. This approach may also be adopted for safely fenestrating other areas of the inner ear such as the scala vestibuli, bony labyrinth of semicircular canals, or walls of the vestibule, or the oval or round windows thereof. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190915 | FECAL INCONTINENCE DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190916 | ANCHORING DEVICE AND ITS IMPELEMENTATION - A method of providing ligamentory like support between two spaced locations in the body of a patient comprising fixing an anchor in each location, connecting the anchors by a filamentary element, adjusting the tension of the filamentary element between the locations to establish the desired spatial relationship between the locations to provide at least a supplementary ligamentory support between the locations. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190917 | SURGICAL SYSTEM FOR STOMA CLOSURE IN BIOLOGICAL DUCT - A surgical system for small-pit closure in hollow organs is provided. The surgical system is provided with a surgical device for small-pit closure in hollow organs, with the surgical device including the following components: a suture-member cartridge in which a pair of parallel tubular members that accommodate respective suture members are feedably connected to the rear ends of a pair of arrow-shaped members that latch into tissue in a hollow organ; an auxiliary shooting unit having plungers respectively provided in a pair of cylinders open at both ends; a hollow-organ-insertable unit configured of a pair of flexible air tubes; and a gas shooter that sequentially discharges compressed air or high-pressure gas into the open-ended cylinders in response to operations of a trigger, for sequentially ejecting the arrow-shaped members and driving the same into tissue in the hollow organ on both sides of a small pit site. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190918 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SUPPORTING CARDIAC ISCHEMIC TISSUE BY MEANS OF EMBEDDED STRUCTURES - Systems and methods are disclosed for reinforcing ischemic tissue of a heart. A reinforcing element is initially positioned within a lumen of a delivery needle. The delivery needle is urged into the ischemic tissue and the reinforcing element is urged out of the needle into the ischemic tissue. The reinforcing element may be embodied as a coiled, undulating, or arcuate spring and may include a shape-memory material. A bioabsorbable material may maintain the reinforcing element in a deformed state. The reinforcing element may be tensioned as it is positioned within the myocardium in order to provide a cinching force by means of a cord lock selectively releasing the reinforcing element. The reinforcing element may be embodied as a number of spiral portions secured to a hub and urged outwardly by rotation of the hub. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190919 | ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING PRESSURE FOR A GASTRIC BAND - A bladder assembly is provided in order to maintain the pressure in the balloon portion of a gastric band in a range corresponding to a so-called Green Zone. Multiple bladders are connected by flexible tubing which is connected at a distal end to the balloon portion of a gastric band. The elastically expandable bladders provide fluid pressure on the balloon portion of the gastric band in order to maintain the intra-luminal pressure within a desired range over a prescribed fill volume. A flow restrictor is positioned between the balloon portion and the bladders to restrict fluid flow from the balloon to the bladders during patient swallowing. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190920 | ARTICULATE AND SWAPABLE ENDOSCOPE FOR A SURGICAL ROBOT - The present invention is directed to an articulate minimally invasive surgical endoscope with a flexible wrist having at least one degree of freedom. When used with a surgical robot having a plurality of robot arms, the endoscope can be used with any of the plurality of arms thereby allowing the use a universal arm design. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention is made more intuitive a to a user by attaching a reference frame used for controlling the at least one degree of freedom motion to the flexible wrist for wrist motion associated with the at least one degree of freedom. The endoscope in accordance to the present invention attenuates undesirable motion at its back/proximal end by acquiring the image of the object in association with the at least one degree of freedom based on a reference frame rotating around a point of rotation located proximal to the flexible wrist. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190921 | COUNTER-ROTATING OPHTHALMIC SCANNER DRIVE MECHANISM - An endoprobe for ophthalmic microsurgical procedures including a hand-piece including a motor, a cannula assembly coupled to the hand-piece, and a transmission system coupling the motor to the cannula assembly is provided. The cannula assembly having an outer tube and an inner tube concentric with the outer tube, each able to rotate about the longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The transmission system rotates the outer tube in a first direction and the inner tube in a second, opposing direction about the longitudinal axis. A method for scanning a light beam along a linear trajectory using a cannula assembly as above is also provided. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190922 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system is provided in which blood vessels (pits) are extracted from an image captured by an endoscope to perform pattern matching with vascular patterns (pit patterns) associated with the cancer invasion depth and operations such as enhanced display of blood vessels, suggestion of preferred imaging conditions and display for diagnosis support are performed based on the matching result. The endoscope system enables even a less-experienced doctor to correctly diagnose the cancer invasion depth. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190923 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope measures the topography of a surface. The endoscope contains a projection unit and an imaging unit. The projection unit and the imaging unit are arranged successively in relation to an axis of the endoscope. The configuration of the projection unit and the imaging unit arranged axially behind one another on the axis permits a significantly smaller endoscope configuration. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190924 | Flexible Tubular Interlocking Structure for a Handheld Endoscope - A flexible interlocking structure for a handheld endoscope includes a flexible rod having an interlocking unit connected to its one end. The interlocking unit includes front, middle and rear joints each having a hollow portion. Each joint is formed with at least two guiding holes, locking tabs and locking notches. The engagement between the locking tabs and the locking notches of the adjacent joints constitutes the interlocking unit. Both ends of the flexible rod are connected to a handle portion and an inspection module respectively. A transmission cable and driving wires are disposed through the hollow portions and the guiding holes in such a manner that they are located between the inspection module and the handle portion. By operating a steering device of the handle portion, the driving wires pulls the front joints to cause the interlocking unit to bend accordingly, thereby controlling the rotation of the inspection module. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190925 | METHOD FOR COMBINED IMAGING AND TREATING ORGANS AND TISSUES - The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting and treating malignant tissue, organs or cells in a mammal. The method comprises parenterally injecting a mammalian subject, at a locus or by a route providing access to the tissue or organ, with a composition comprising a monoclonal antibody (chimeric, humanized, fully human), partial antibody, Fab Fragment, antibody fragment that is tagged with a fluorophore with or without the addition of a therapeutic chemotherapy molecule, which specifically binds to the targeted organ, tissue or cell. Resection of the primary malignant tissue within the mammalian species (using the fluorescence of the fluorescing targeting construct) provides the advantage of identifying all bulk tumor as fluorescent at the time of the original tumor resection. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190926 | TIGHTENING STRING FOR AN ENDOSCOPE, OUTER COVER SECURING METHOD, FLEXIBLE TUBE FOR AN ENDOSCOPE, AND AN ENDOSCOPE - A tightening string is used in an endoscope for firmly securing an outer cover of a flexible tube of the endoscope onto an internal member disposed inside the outer cover. The tightening string is comprised of a filament assembly formed by bundling a plurality of filaments made of a synthetic resin. The invention also provides an outer cover securing method, a flexible tube for an endoscope, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube. An outer cover securing method using the tightening string, a flexible tube for an endoscope equipped with the thus secured outer cover, and an endoscope equipped with the flexible tube are also provided. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190927 | Medical Catheter Instrument - A medical catheter instrument has a shaft portion, a distal portion bendable in a controlled manner in at least one direction relative to the shaft portion, and a control element extending in an axially movable manner through the shaft portion to the distal portion. The axial movement of the control element controls a corresponding bending movement of the distal portion. The catheter instrument includes a bending assembly having at least one elongated, elastically bendable stiffening element and at least one elongated, bendable and axially length-adjustable bending element, the elements being provided in an axial sub-region of the distal portion and extending therein with an axial main component, wherein the stiffening element forms an element restoring bending movement and has a higher flexural stiffness than the bending element, and the bending element is coupled to the control element or forms part of the same. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190928 | DOUBLE CLAD FIBER COUPLER AND DEVICE - There is described a double-clad fiber coupler (DCFC) composed of two double-clad fibers that have been fused together and tapered. The DCFC allows the propagation of light in the fundamental mode in its single-mode core with very little loss. Back reflected light may be collected two ways: by the core of the double-clad fiber and by the inner cladding of the double-clad fiber. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190929 | LARYNGOSCOPE - A laryngoscope comprising a handle, a blade holding element, a detachable blade, means for viewing the laryngeal inlet of a patient and means for adjusting the viewing field. The means for adjusting the viewing field may comprise a light refracting means. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the viewing means comprises at least two fixed cameras elements directed to at least two different viewing fields, the means for adjusting the viewing field may comprise means for switching from one camera to the other or, in embodiments in which the viewing means comprises a movable camera element, the means for adjusting the viewing field may comprise mechanical or electronic means for controlling the movement of the camera. A method for viewing the laryngeal inlet of a patient using a laryngoscope comprising the step of adjusting the viewing field is also covered. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190930 | BALLOON TROCAR - A balloon trocar includes a cannula assembly including a cannula and an outer sleeve fitting over the cannula. The distal end of the outer sleeve is proximal to the distal end of the cannula. A balloon is coupled to a distal portion of the sleeve and a distal portion of the cannula. The outer surface of the cannula includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for transmitting gas or fluid to the balloon. A bolster having a gel pad at its distal portion is slidably mounted to the cannula assembly and may be locked in a desired position. In use, the trocar is inserted into an incision through a body wall and into a body cavity. The balloon is inflated and the cannula assembly pulled proximally against the incision while the bolster is slid distally to the body wall and locked in place to seal the incision with the compressed balloon. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190931 | ACCESS ASSEMBLY INSERTION DEVICE - An improved access assembly is provided. The access assembly includes an inflatable port and an inflation cannula operably connected to the inflatable port to provide inflation fluid to the inflatable port. The inflatable port may be tapered in a first configuration to facilitate insertion through tissue. The inflation port defines a substantially hour-glass shape when in a second configuration to create a seal within an opening in the tissue. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190932 | EXPANDING SURGICAL ACCESS PORT - A surgical access port that includes a cylindrical member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; at least two lumen extending through the cylindrical member along the longitudinal axis; at least one cavity defined in the cylindrical member and positioned radially within the at least two lumen; and a source of inflation fluid coupled to the at least one cavity, the source of inflation configured to permit selectable inflation of the at least one cavity, whereby inflation of the at least one cavity increases the radial distance between the at least two lumen. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190933 | INFLATABLE ACCESS ASSEMBLY - An assembly for accessing a body cavity through an opening in tissue is provided. The access assembly includes a base having a substantially cylindrical compressible member defining at least a first lumen configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. The access assembly further includes an inflatable sleeve secured about the base. The inflatable sleeve is configured to selectively retain the access assembly with an opening in tissue. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190934 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE RETRACTOR AND POSTED SCREW - A minimally invasive retractor assembly includes a posted screw and one or more retractor blades. Each retractor blade is releasably coupled to the posted screw. The retractor blade or blades are manipulated or flexed relative to the posted screw allowing retraction of tissue surrounding the incision. The retractor is made of a biocompatible material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190935 | Retractor Component System And Method Comprising Same - A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190936 | Pain tracking and management device - A system, method and apparatus for real time measurement and monitoring of various personal health parameters including controlled delivery of drugs/medications by intelligent pump appliances, intelligent inhalation appliances and intelligent skin patch appliances used in a standalone manner or in a wired or wireless networked configuration, in conjunction with various peripheral devices, other intelligent appliances, servers, RF ID Tags and stationary/mobile devices. The intelligent appliances relate to the measurement, monitoring and delivery of insulin/other drugs for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. The method also additionally includes the application of intelligent appliances for pain management including visualization of organs and body locations exhibiting pain. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190937 | EMOTION SCRIPT GENERATING, EXPERIENCING, AND EMOTION INTERACTION - An emotion script generating method includes receiving a user's emotion data, and generating emotion script using the emotion data based on a predefined template. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190938 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DIAGNOSING ACID REFLUX USING INVOLUNTARY REFLEX COUGH TEST - A system and method diagnoses acid reflux. A nasogatric/orogastric (Ng/Og) device is inserted through the esophagus and into the stomach of a patient. The Ng/Og device includes a pressure sensor configured to measure intra-abdominal pressure and a plurality of pH sensors positioned along the Ng/Og device. An involuntary reflex cough epoch is induced within the patient. The intra-abdominal pressure and elevation of reflux along the Ng/Og device is measured. A subsequent step determines the functional status of the gastric valve based on the measured intra-abdominal pressure and the elevational reflux along the catheter created by the increased intra-abdominal pressure that occurs during the involuntary reflex cough epoch. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190939 | METHOD FOR MONITORING THE MEDICAL CONDITION OF A PATIENT - The invention relates to a method for monitoring the medical condition of a patient. The method comprises
| 2012-07-26 |
20120190940 | SENSORED PROSTHETIC COMPONENT AND METHOD - A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. Sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component can include a temperature sensor or a pH sensor. The temperature or pH of the synovial fluid can be correlated to a variety of joint conditions. Measurements over time can be analyzed for trends. The temperature or pH can be calibrated for the patient. For example, calibration can be for temperature or pH of a patient healthy joint. The measurements are compared against this patient reference. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190941 | Medical Device Inserters and Processes of Inserting and Using Medical Devices - An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190942 | Medical Device Inserters and Processes of Inserting and Using Medical Devices - An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190943 | Medical Device Inserters and Processes of Inserting and Using Medical Devices - An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190944 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR NON-INVASIVE OPTICAL PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS - An optical measurement device and method of use provides non-invasive physiological measurements from a predetermined location on a body part of a user. The optical measurement device provides an illumination and detection assembly configured to generate and detect light of a predetermined wavelength range in the form of a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, as well as a pressure detection assembly configured to detect an amount of pressure applied to the measurement device by the user being measured. A feedback unit, such as a portable display device, provides the user real-time feedback of the detected PPG signal and level of applied pressure so that the user may adjust the amount of applied pressure to improve the quality of the detected PPG signal. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190945 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING BLOOD VESSEL CONDITIONS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING SAME - The present invention detects a fluorescent signal from AGEs at a blood vessel tissue of an individual to determine the condition of the tissue of the individual. This solves a problem that in measurement of AGEs used in diagnosis of diabetes, data indicative of fluorescent spectrum from AGEs at the skin of a forearm varies depending on where to measure on skin of even the same forearm, which results in variations in measurement values, leading to unreliable data and incorrect measurement result. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190946 | TISSUE OXIMETRY APPARATUS AND METHOD - An apparatus and method for determining tissue oxygenation such as arterial and venous oxygenation and cerebral oxygenation. In one embodiment, the optical properties of tissue are determined using measured light attenuations at a set of wavelengths. By choosing distinct wavelengths and using light attenuation information, the influence of variables such as light scattering, absorption and other optical tissue properties can be minimized. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190947 | PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETER MONITORING WITH A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Systems and methods that enable physiological monitoring with a mobile communication device and that allow detection of motion artifacts so that the results reported are of acceptable quality are disclosed. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190948 | MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING BLOOD CONSTITUENT CONCENTRATION FOR TISSUES WITH LOW PERFUSION - The present disclosure relates to a method for estimating blood constituent concentration of a user under low perfusion conditions using a spectrophotometry-based monitoring device; the method comprising: measuring a plurality of photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals; measuring a cardio-synchronous (CV) signal; detecting an instantaneous heart rate and determining a heart rate variability from the CV signal; selecting reliable projected PPG signals; estimating a value of said blood constituent concentration from the magnitude of said reliable projected PPG signals. The disclosed method requires diminished computational load compared to conventional methods based on frequency domain approach as FFT or DCT. The disclosure also pertains to a monitoring device for estimating blood constituent concentration in tissue under low perfusion of a user. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190949 | ALARM SYSTEM THAT PROCESSES BOTH MOTION AND VITAL SIGNS USING SPECIFIC HEURISTIC RULES AND THRESHOLDS - The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190950 | ELECTRODE COMPOSITIONS FOR USE WITH ANALYTE SENSORS - Embodiments of the invention provide amperometric analyte sensors having optimized elements such as electrodes formed from sputtered platinum compositions as well as layers of material selected to optimize the characteristics of a wide variety of sensor elements and sensors. While embodiments of the innovation can be used in a variety of contexts, typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190951 | Medical Device Inserters and Processes of Inserting and Using Medical Devices - An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190952 | Flexible Patch for Fluid Delivery and Monitoring Body Analytes - A wearable, conductive textile patch is provided that may include any of a number of features for monitoring body analytes and/or delivering fluids to a body. In one embodiment of the invention, a single, patch-mounted system monitors glucose levels of a diabetic person and provides appropriate doses of insulin in response to the glucose measurements. A hand-held user interface can be provided for wirelessly controlling the system and/or receiving information from it. Conductive pathways can be formed in the fabric of the patch. Components that can be integrated into the flexible patch include a power source, controller, transmitter, antenna, temperature and other sensors, fluid pump, infusion set, electrical pathways, switches, controls, electrodes, connectors, resistors and other circuit elements. Such components can be embedded, interwoven or coated on to the flexible patch instead of or in addition to surface mounting. Methods associated with use of the flexible patch system are also covered. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190953 | INTEGRATED DELIVERY DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE SENSOR - Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and/or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190954 | Method and Apparatus for Providing Dynamic Multi-Stage Amplification in a Medical Device - Methods and apparatus for providing multi-stage signal amplification in a medical telemetry system are provided. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190955 | Intelligent drug delivery appliance - A system, method and apparatus for real time measurement and monitoring of various personal health parameters including controlled delivery of drugs/medications by intelligent pump appliances, intelligent inhalation appliances and intelligent skin patch appliances used in a standalone manner or in a wired or wireless networked configuration, in conjunction with various peripheral devices, other intelligent appliances, servers, RF ID Tags and stationary/mobile devices. The intelligent appliances relate to the measurement, monitoring and delivery of insulin/other drugs for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. The method also additionally includes the application of intelligent appliances for pain management including visualization of organs and body locations exhibiting pain. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190956 | WOUND DRESSING WITH IMPEDANCE SENSOR - A wound sensor comprising at least one electrode ( | 2012-07-26 |
20120190957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CARDIAC DISEASE - A method of monitoring progression of cardiac disease includes applying stimulus pulses to the heart and sensing electrophysiological responses of the heart at a plurality of different monitoring locations of the heart. The method also includes comparing a previously and subsequently sensed electrophysiological responses that are sensed near a first location of the monitoring locations and comparing previously and subsequently sensed electrophysiological responses that are sensed near a second location of the monitoring locations. The method further includes identifying a change in progression of cardiac disease of the heart based on a difference between the previously and subsequently sensed electrophysiological responses at the first location and based on a difference between the previously and subsequently sensed electrophysiological responses at the second location. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190958 | SIGNAL TRANSMITTING AND LESION EXCLUDING HEART IMPLANTS FOR PACING, DEFIBRILLATING, AND/OR SENSING OF HEART BEAT - Devices, systems, and methods for treating a heart of a patient may make use of structures which limit a size of a chamber of the heart, such as by deploying a tensile member to bring a wall of the heart toward (optionally into contact with) a septum of the heart. The implant may include an electrode or other structure for applying pacing signals to one or both ventricles of the heart, for defibrillating the heart, for sensing beating of the heart or the like. A wireless telemetry and control system may allowing the implant to treat congestive heart failure, monitor the results of the treatment, and apply appropriate electrical stimulation. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190959 | BIOSIGNAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A biosignal measurement device is proposed which can improve measurement accuracy without forcing an excessive burden on subjects. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190960 | BIOMEDICAL ELECTRODE CONFIGURATION FOR SUPPRESSING MOVEMENT ARTIFACT - A biomedical sensor for detecting EMG signals may include a non-conducting fixed framework supporting a symmetrical arrangement of four electrode surfaces, configured as two signal detection contacts, each with a respective associated signal reference contact. The mechanical and electrical configuration act together to suppress movement artifact. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190961 | SUBSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-CONTACT CORNEAL DEFORMATION - An ophthalmic instrument that discharges a fluid pulse to deform the cornea of a test subject is improved by reducing the working distance between a nosepiece or a discharge tube from which the fluid pulse is discharged and the eye of the test subject. The invention improves measurement repeatability and patient comfort. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190962 | METHOD FOR COMPUTER-ASSISTED CONFIGURATION OF A MEDICAL IMAGING DEVICE - In a method for computer-assisted configuration of a medical imaging device for examination of a patient, training data are provided that include multiple variants of protocols in the form of protocol parameter sets for operation of the imaging device. The training data also include patient-specific parameter sets with one or more features of a patient, the patient-specific parameter sets being associated with the respective protocol parameter sets. Based on the training data, relations between the protocol parameter sets and the patient-specific parameter sets are learned with a data-driven leaning method and stored as patterns in a knowledge base. In an application phase, a protocol parameter set suitable for the examination of the patient can be determined with the use of the patterns in the knowledge base, depending on features of a patient that are provided to the imaging device. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190963 | MEASURING APPARATUS - A measuring apparatus includes a shape maintaining member that maintains a shape of at least a part of a subject, an element that receives an acoustic wave through the shape maintaining member and converts the acoustic wave into a first electric signal, the acoustic wave being generated in the subject when the subject is irradiated with light, and a processing unit that generates image data using the first electric signal. The processing unit determines, on the basis of the first electric signal, a first time from when the acoustic wave is generated in the subject to when the acoustic wave reaches a reception surface of the element. The processing unit converts the first electric signal into a second electric signal using a difference between the first time and a second time in which the acoustic wave travels from a virtual detection region set near a subject-side surface of the shape maintaining member to the reception surface of the element, the second electric signal being assumed to have been obtained by receiving the acoustic wave at the virtual detection region. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190964 | Vasculature and lymphatic system imaging and ablation - Devices, methods, and systems related to imaging and ablation are disclosed. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190965 | MR Compatible Stereoscopic Viewing Device for use in the Bore of an MR Magnet - In an MR guided surgical system which is carried out in the bore of an MR magnet, there is provided a microscope system for viewing the required part of a patient which includes stereoscopic viewing components arranged for use in generating 2D and 3D images displayed to the surgeon. The optical assembly is adjustable to change the view and the visual images are overlaid by the MR images. The visual image can be adjusted in response to movement of the surgical tool and the MR image displayed and/or the image obtained can be modified in response to change in the visual image and/or movement of the tool. The components in the bore are made compatible with the MR environment. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190966 | MR Compatible Fluorescence Viewing Device for use in the Bore of an MR Magnet - In an MR guided surgical system which is carried out in the bore of an MR magnet and uses fluorescence to detect tumor cells, there is provided a microscope system for viewing the required part of a patient which includes stereoscopic viewing components arranged for use in generating 2D and 3D images displayed to the surgeon. The optical assembly is adjustable to change the view and the visual images are overlaid by the MR images. The visual image can be adjusted in response to movement of the surgical tool and the MR image displayed and/or the image obtained can be modified in response to change in the visual image and/or movement of the tool. The components in the bore are made compatible with the MR environment. A fluorescence delivery system is operated to automatically activate the delivery system in response to detection of the level of fluorescence. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190967 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR QUANTITATIVELY DETERMINING THE BLOOD FLOW WITHIN BLOOD VESSELS - An arrangement quantitatively determines the blood flow within blood vessels through which blood flows in a volume of a tissue defining a surface. Three-dimensional first image data of a first volume portion of the volume is detected and optical second image data is detected continuously in time of a first surface portion of the surface. A calibrating unit of the arrangement calibrates the relative value of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels disposed directly below the first surface portion based on the absolute values of the flow speed and/or of the volumetric flow of the blood. An output unit outputs the absolute values of the flow speed and/or the volumetric flow of the blood flowing through the blood vessels arranged directly below the first surface portion. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190968 | OBJECT RECOGNITION TESTING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MEASURING COGNITIVE ABILITY AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT - Techniques and tools for measuring cognitive ability and/or detecting cognitive impairment or decline. For example, techniques and tools are described that can be used to diagnose or test susceptibility to cognitive impairments in children or in elderly people (such as cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's Disease). Techniques and tools are described that can be used to evaluate treatment effects and/or measure cognitive decline over time. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190969 | IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC DEVICES AND METHODS - Embodiments relate to an implantable cardiac system, including a housing, electronic circuitry for controlling one or more of power management, processing unit, information memory and management circuit, sensing and simulation output. The system also includes diagnosis and treatment software for diagnosing health issues, diagnosing mechanical issues, determining therapy output and manage patient health indicators over time, a power supply system including at least one rechargeable battery, a recharging system, an alarm (or alert) system to inform patient of energy level and integrity of system, communication circuitry, one or more electrodes for delivering therapeutic signal to a heart and one or more electrodes for from delivering electrocardiogram signal from the heart to the electronic circuitry. The power sources can include rechargeable batteries. The housing can include receptacles that receive a probe that mechanically and electrically connects to circuitry to recharge the device and receive data from the device. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190970 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STABILIZING A NEEDLE - Apparatus and methods for use in an image-guided interventional procedure are described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a base configured to be releasably coupled to a patient's skin. A support portion extends from the base at an angle transverse to a longitudinal axis defined by the base. The support portion has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is disposed adjacent the base. A holder portion extends from the second end portion of the support portion. The holder portion defines an opening and is configured to be moved between a first configuration in which the opening defined by the holder portion has a first size and is configured to movably receive an interventional tool therethrough, and a second configuration in which the opening defined by the holder portion has a second size different than the first size. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190971 | NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY - A navigation system for placing an implant in orthopaedic surgery is provided, comprising an orientation apparatus and a reference apparatus. The reference apparatus comprises an anchor for fixing the reference apparatus to a predetermined feature of the subjects body and an indicator for indicating at least one reference plane or axis. The orientation apparatus comprises a number of probes for contacting a number of predetermined features of a subjects body and defining a plane. The orientation apparatus and/or the reference apparatus comprises at least one connector for connecting the orientation apparatus and the anchor such that, when connected, relative translation of the connector and the anchor along a predetermined direction with respect to the plane defined by the probes is allowed and relative rotation of the connector and the anchor about that predetermined direction is prevented. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190972 | DEPTH DISAMBIGUATION OF INTERVENTIONAL INSTRUMENTS FROM A SINGLE X-RAY PROJECTION IMAGE AND ITS CALIBRATION - X-ray images are projective, meaning that the 3D geometry is flattened along projection lines going from the source to the detector. In particular procedures, such as mapping or ablation, the interventional instrument lies on the wall of the organ. Using a 3D segmentation of this organ registered to the x-ray, the instrument necessarily lies on the intersection of this surface with its projection line. The line and the surface typically intersect with a segmentation surface at a discrete number of points (typically 2 for shapes such as the anterior of the LA). One then has just to disambiguate between these different possible locations to determine the exact location of the instrument. In this invention, we propose to use the apparent width of the instrument measured in x-ray images to accomplish this task. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190973 | METHOD OF CONFIRMING LOCATION OF GUIDE WIRE - A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway of a patient includes traversing the canine fossa region of the patient so as to form a passageway in the sinus cavity. An elongate member is inserted through the passageway, the elongate member having an inflation member such as a balloon disposed thereon. The inflation member is positioned within the constricted passageway. The inflation member is expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted sinus passageway. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190974 | IMAGING APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An imaging apparatus for diagnosis is connected with a probe including a transmitting and receiving unit transmitting a light transmitted from a light source continuously to the inside of a body cavity and concurrently, receiving a reflected light continuously from the inside of the body cavity, and generates a tomographic image inside the body cavity based on the obtained reflected light by obtaining the reflected light from the transmitting and receiving unit while rotating the transmitting and receiving unit. The apparatus comprises: a mechanism for extracting intensity of the reflected light obtained by a phenomenon that the light transmitted to the transmitting and receiving unit is reflected at the transmitting and receiving unit; and a mechanism for judging whether or not the extracted intensity of each reflected light at each rotary angle of the transmitting and receiving unit lies in a range of a predetermined variation width. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190975 | NANOPARTICLES FOR USE IN TUMOR DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY - The present invention relates to diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention relates to creating a copper (Cu)-based nanoparticle and a method for making the same. The Cu-based nanoparticles can further be incorporated with additional therapeutic or diagnostic compounds and used for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190976 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TARGETED INJECTION OF MICROSPHERES - A “Smart Micro-catheter” (SMC) system comprising a device for controlled particle release and drug delivery into a blood vessel, hepatic artery or any patho-physiological target is disclosed. Methods of using the micro-catheter system for optimal targeted delivery of therapeutic microspheres comprising using subject-specific computer simulations of particle-hemodynamics are further provided. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190977 | CLASSIFICATION OF MICROWAVE SCATTERING DATA - Example embodiments presented herein relate to solutions for analyzing and/or classifying microwave scattering data. The analyzing and/or classifying may be utilized for estimating an internal condition in an enclosed volume. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190978 | SYSTEM FOR CORRELATING ENERGY FIELD CHARACTERISTICS WITH TARGET PARTICLE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE APPLICATION OF THE ENERGY FIELD TO A LIVING ORGANISM FOR DETECTION OF INVASIVE AGENTS - The Energy Field and Target Correlation System automatically correlates the characteristics of target particles and a living organism to compute the characteristics of an energy field that is applied to a living organism to activate the target particles which are bound to or consumed or taken up by invasive agents in the living organism to produce detectable effects which can be used to diagnose the presence and locus of the invasive agents. The energy field must be crafted to properly control the response and localize the extent of the illumination. The System automatically selects a set of energy field characteristics, including: field type, frequency, field strength, duration, field modulation, repetition frequency, beam size, and focal point. The determined energy field characteristics then are used to activate field generators to generate the desired energy field. A multi-dimensional image is produced identifying the spatial extent of the invasive agent. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190979 | SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY AMENDING ENERGY FIELD CHARACTERISTICS IN THE APPLICATION OF AN ENERGY FIELD TO A LIVING ORGANISM FOR TREATMENT OF INVASIVE AGENTS - The Energy Field and Target Correlation System automatically correlates the characteristics of target particles and a living organism to compute the characteristics of an energy field that is applied to a living organism to activate the target particles which are bound to or consumed or taken up by invasive agents in the living organism to produce detectable effects which can be used to treat the invasive agents. The energy field must be crafted to properly control the response and localize the extent of the illumination. The System automatically selects a set of energy field characteristics, including: field type, frequency, field strength, duration, field modulation, repetition frequency, beam size, and focal point. The determined energy field characteristics then are used to activate field generators to generate the desired energy field. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190980 | Methods and Devices For Determining Lumen Occlusion - Embodiments of the present invention describe methods of determining the occlusion of body lumens and apparatuses for doing so. In one particular embodiment, the occlusion of the fallopian tubes by an intrafallopian contraceptive device may be confirmed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography (also known as stimulated acoustic emission hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography). In these embodiments a contrast agent containing microbubbles is used. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190981 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTONOMOUS INTRAVENOUS NEEDLE INSERTION - Systems and methods for autonomous intravenous needle insertion are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a system for autonomous intravenous insertion include a robot arm, one or more sensors pivotally attached to the robot arm for gathering information about potential insertion sites in a subject arm, a medical device pivotally attached to the robot arm, and a controller in communication with the sensors and the robot arm, wherein the controller receives the information from the sensors about potential insertion sites, and the controller selects a target insertion site and directs the robot arm to insert the medical device into the target insertion site. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190982 | TREATMENT DEVICE - A treatment device includes a probe to acquire an image of a target using ultrasonic waves, a needle guide provided along the probe, a needle movable along the needle guide, a measurement unit to sense a movement distance of the needle based on contact caused by movement of the needle, and a controller to calculate the movement distance of the needle based on a value measured by the measurement unit. The treatment device may further include a needle sensing unit to determine whether the needle has reached a reference position. The measurement unit is driven based on the determination of the needle sensing unit. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190983 | METHOD FOR MEASURING AT LEAST ONE PROPERTY OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE - A method for measuring at least one property of biological tissue, including: positioning an ultrasonic transducer opposite the biological tissue to be measured; generating an ultrasonic signal within the biological tissue; acquiring at least one ultrasonic signal reflected by the biological tissue; determining at least one parameter of the biological tissue using the acquisition of the ultrasonic signal reflected by the biological tissue, the at least one parameter being representative of the biological tissue; comparing the at least one parameter of the biological tissue with at least one reference parameter of a target biological tissue so as to confirm the hypothesis of the presence of the target biological tissue opposite the ultrasonic transducer; and determining at least one property of the biological tissue on the basis of the result of the comparison. The method can be directly used in the field of humans or animals. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190984 | ULTRASOUND SYSTEM WITH OPACITY SETTING UNIT - There are provided an ultrasound system with an opacity setting unit capable of setting opacity corresponding to rendering of volume data throughout depth. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises an opacity setting unit configured to receive input information for setting opacity corresponding to rendering of volume data throughout the depth. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190985 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - There is provided an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus capable of reducing an unnecessary signal component in a reception signal. A plurality of sign bits arranged in the channel direction are extracted from a plurality of element reception signals. A binarization circuit applies binarization processing to the plurality of sign bits to thereby generate a sign data array. An evaluation value computing unit computes an evaluation value (GSCF) based on a DC vicinity component contained in the sign data array on the frequency axis. This evaluation value is used to adjust the gain of the reception signal in a multiplier. With application of the binarization processing, excessive reduction of the reception signal can be prevented. Further, as the DC vicinity component is referenced, the side-lobe component can be appropriately reduced even if a certain degree of fluctuation exists in the main-lobe component. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190986 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasound probe comprises a transducer array composed of a plurality of arrayed subdice elements, a plurality of signal lines for connecting the transducer array to an apparatus body that controls transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves, and a channel forming/connecting section that selects a connection between the plurality of subdice elements to form a plurality of channels each composed of a selected number of subdice elements which is changed by switching connections between a plurality of subdice elements, and assigns the plurality of channels to any of the plurality of signal lines to select, from among the plurality of signal lines, effective signal lines connected to the plurality of channels to transmit driving signals supplied to the transducer array and reception signals outputted from the transducer array to the apparatus body. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190987 | TREATMENT DEVICE - A treatment device includes a probe for acquiring an image of a target using ultrasonic waves, a needle guide provided in the probe, a needle movable along the needle guide, a measurement unit for sensing a movement distance of the needle in a noncontact fashion, and a controller for calculating the movement distance of the needle based on a value measured by the measurement unit. The treatment device may further include a needle sensing unit to determine whether the needle has reached a reference position. The measurement unit is driven based on the determination of the needle sensing unit for measuring the movement distance of the needle. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190988 | PROBE WITH AN ADAPTIVE BENDING SECTION - When transesophageal echocardiography is used to obtain a transgastric short axis view of the left ventricle of the heart, the best place to position the transducer is in the fundus of the stomach, aimed up through the left ventricle. The probes disclosed herein facilitate placement of the transducer in the optimum position within the fundus, despite wide variations in the distance between the lower esophageal sphincter and the fundus among different subjects. In one preferred embodiment, the ultrasound probe uses a bending section with a series of vertebrae and stiffening that is more flexible proximally and less flexible distally, which causes the probe to bend relatively sharply at the point where the probe exits the lower esophageal sphincter. The flexibility of the proximal-most portion of the bending section is preferably greater than or equal to the flexibility of the interface between the bending section and the shaft. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190989 | DISTRIBUTED EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL WIRELESS SENSOR SYSTEMS FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE BIOMEDICAL STRUCTURE AND CONDITION - Systems and methods are disclosed that use wireless coupling of energy for operation of both external and internal devices, including external sensor arrays and implantable devices. The signals conveyed may be electronic, optical, acoustic, biomechanical, and others to provide in situ sensing and monitoring of internal anatomies and implants using a wireless, biocompatible electromagnetic powered sensor systems. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190990 | Probe, Diagnosis Device, and Method for Using the Diagnosis Device | 2012-07-26 |
20120190991 | System and Method for Detecting a Clinically-Significant Pulmonary Fluid Accumulation Using an Implantable Medical Device - Techniques are provided for detecting a clinically-significant pulmonary fluid accumulation within a patient using a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Briefly, the device detects left atrial pressure (LAP) within the patient and tracks changes in the LAP values over time that are indicative of possible pulmonary fluid accumulation within the patient. The device determines whether the changes in LAP values are sufficiently elevated and prolonged to warrant clinical intervention using, e.g., a predictor model-based technique. If the fluid accumulation is clinically significant, the device then generates warning signals, records diagnostics, controls therapy and/or titrates diuretics. False positive detections of pulmonary edema due to transients in LAP are avoided with this technique. Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)-based techniques are also described. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190992 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM - Systems and methods provide for ambulatorily sensing pulmonary artery pressure from within a patient, and producing a pulmonary artery pressure measurement from the sensed pulmonary artery pressure. Power is ambulatorily provided within the patient to facilitate sensing of the pulmonary artery pressure and producing of the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. Acute pulmonary embolism is detected based on a change or rate of change in the pulmonary artery pressure measurement. An alert is preferably generated in response to detecting pulmonary embolism. | 2012-07-26 |
20120190993 | LOCATING AN INDICATOR - A system to determine and illustrate a location of position element within a volume is disclosed. The position element can be used to determine the position of a portion of an instrument. The instrument can include one or both of a cannulated member and a lead member passed through the cannula. | 2012-07-26 |