Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100268225 | Methods for Image Analysis and Visualization of Medical Image Data Suitable for Use in Assessing Tissue Ablation and Systems and Methods for Controlling Tissue Ablation Using Same - A method of image analysis includes the initial step of receiving a data set including image data. The image data represents a sequence of 2-D slice images. The method includes the steps of segmenting an object of interest from surrounding image data of each slice image based on a topographic growth rule and a pixel intensity value threshold with respect to a starting pixel, and rendering a volume of the object of interest using (x,y) coordinates corresponding to boundaries of the segmented object of interest. | 10-21-2010 |
20110118731 | Multi-Phase Electrode - An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a core including an elongated body portion, a plurality of electrodes having a tubular shape and disposed about the core and one or more dielectric spacers disposed between each of the plurality of the electrodes. The plurality of the electrodes is coupled to an electrosurgical generator configured to supply phased electrosurgical voltage to one or more of the plurality of electrodes to generate a potential difference between two or more of the plurality of the electrodes. | 05-19-2011 |
20110224504 | Automated Probe Placement Device - A probe includes a handle and an elongated shaft with proximal and distal ends. The elongated shaft includes a plurality of axial holding tube projections to house a corresponding plurality of measurement probes. The probe further includes an actuation system to operably engage each of the plurality of measurement probes to permit selective actuation thereof. Each of the plurality of measurement probes is capable of being advanced distally relative to the handle in response to the actuation thereof. The plurality of measurement probes measure one or more parameters selected from a group consisting of temperature, physiological pressure, conductivity, aquametry, pH level, and oxygen level. | 09-15-2011 |
20110238053 | Microwave Surface Coagulator with Retractable Blade - An ablation instrument having an ergonomic handle that includes an actuator adapted to selectively extend and retract a blade that is pivotably mounted within an aperture assembly coupled to the housing by a shaft. The shaft extends distally from the handle and includes a coaxial feedline, a wire conduit disposed along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a pull wire disposed within the wire conduit and having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a proximal end of the pull wire is operably coupled to the actuator. The aperture assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a reflector having a closed upper portion, and an open lower portion from which the blade may be extended for use. Also disclosed is an ablation system that includes the above-described ablation instrument, a source of ablation energy, and optionally, a source of coolant for cooling the shaft and aperture assembly. | 09-29-2011 |
20110306969 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING ENERGY TO TISSUE AND METHOD OF ASSESSING ABLATION SIZE AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN ENERGY APPLICATOR - A method of assessing ablation size as a function of temperature information associated with an energy applicator includes the initial step of positioning an energy applicator in tissue. The energy applicator includes a radiating section and a temperature sensor. The radiating section is operably coupled to an energy source. The method includes the step of delivering energy from the energy source through the radiating section to tissue. The method also includes the steps of causing cessation of energy delivery through the radiating section to tissue for a predetermined time interval, monitoring the temperature sensor for at least a portion of the predetermined time interval to obtain temperature information associated with the energy applicator during the at least a portion of the predetermined time interval, and evaluating the temperature information to assess ablation size. | 12-15-2011 |
20120203220 | Tissue Dissectors - A tissue dissector is provided. The tissue dissector includes a cannula and an introducer coaxially coupled to the cannula and movable therein from a retracted position to an extended position. An introducer is coaxially coupleable to the cannula and movable therein from a retracted position to an extended position. The introducer including a generally annular lumen disposed in fluid communication with an inflation port operably disposed on the introducer and in fluid communication with an inflatable balloon that couples to the introducer. The inflatable balloon is movable from a deflated condition for positioning the introducer adjacent target tissue, to an inflated condition for separating the target tissue from nearby tissue and for providing a barrier therebetween such that the nearby tissue is not affected during the electrosurgical procedure. | 08-09-2012 |
20120239024 | Energy-Based Ablation Completion Algorithm - An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes sensor circuitry configured to measure voltage and current delivered to tissue and a controller configured to measure time of energy delivery to tissue and to calculate energy delivered to tissue, the controller further configured to estimate a size of an ablation volume as a function of energy delivered to tissue and time and to calculate a growth rate of the ablation volume based on the estimated size. | 09-20-2012 |
20120239030 | Temperature Based Ablation Completeness Algorithm - A system and method for determining completion of an ablation procedure is provided. An electrosurgical generator provides an electrosurgical energy source to an electrode probe assembly. The generator is connected to a thermal feedback assembly that includes at least one temperature sensor assembly. The generator includes a computer configured to (1) measure a time of energy delivered to the target tissue, (2) receive a temperature reading from the thermal feedback assembly, (3) estimate a size of an ablation volume based on the temperature reading, a distance between the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly, and the measured time, (4) calculate a growth rate of the ablation volume based on the estimated size. The computer may also determine the ablation procedure is complete when the growth rate is less than or equal to a threshold. | 09-20-2012 |
20120259326 | FLEXIBLE MICROWAVE CATHETERS FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LUMENS - A method for forming a resonating structure within a body lumen, the method including advancing a flexible microwave catheter into a body lumen of a patient, the flexible microwave catheter including a radiating portion at the distal end of the flexible microwave catheter, the radiating portion configured to receive microwave energy, and at least one centering device proximate the radiating portion configured to deploy radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter; positioning the radiating portion near tissue of interest; deploying the at least one centering device radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter within the body lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the radiating portion is substantially parallel with and at a fixed distance from a longitudinal axis of the body lumen near the targeted tissue; and delivering microwave energy to the radiating portion such that a circumferentially balanced resonating structure is formed with the body lumen. | 10-11-2012 |
20120271303 | THERMAL FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A system for providing feedback during an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue. | 10-25-2012 |
20120271306 | THERMAL FEEDBACK SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A system for providing feedback during an electro surgical procedure on a target tissue is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical energy source; an electrode probe assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein the electrode probe assembly includes at least one electrode assembly having a needle configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target tissue; at least one thermal feedback assembly connected to the electrosurgical energy source, wherein each thermal feedback assembly includes at least one temperature sensor assembly; and a hub configured to selectively support the electrode probe assembly and each thermal feedback assembly such that the needle of the electrode probe assembly and each temperature sensor assembly of each thermal feedback assembly are proximate one another when disposed proximate the target tissue. | 10-25-2012 |
20120303018 | Tissue Dissectors - A tissue dissector is provided. The tissue dissector includes an introducer including a lumen extending along a length thereof and defining a longitudinal axis therethrough. The introducer configured for placement adjacent target tissue. A shaft operably coupled to the introducer is deployable from a distal end thereof and includes a proximal end for approximating the distal end of the shaft adjacent target tissue. The distal end of the shaft is movable from a non-expanded configuration to an expanded configuration for separating target tissue from neighboring tissue. | 11-29-2012 |
20120330307 | Shaped Electrode Bipolar Resection Apparatus, System and Methods of Use - An electrosurgical instrument is provided and includes a housing configured to connect to a source of bipolar electrosurgical energy and an electrode body coupled to the elongated housing. The electrode body includes an electrode face, first and second bipolar electrodes and a blade. The electrode face is formed on the distal end of the electrode body and includes a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis therethrough. The first and second electrodes have a leading edge and a trailing edge, are formed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis and connect to opposed electrical potentials. The blade is positioned between the electrodes with at least a portion of the blade extending beyond the electrode face. | 12-27-2012 |
20130289558 | Limited Reuse Ablation Needles and Ablation Devices for Use Therewith - A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a limited-use component releasably engagable with the reusable component. The reusable component includes a detecting member and is configured to connect to a source of energy. The limited-use component is transitionable from a first state to a second state. The detecting member is configured to detect a response of the limited-use component for determining the state of the limited-use component. Energy is permitted to be supplied to the limited-use component when it is determined that the limited-use component is disposed in the first state. Energy is inhibited from being supplied to the limited-use component when it is determined that the limited-use component is disposed in the second state. | 10-31-2013 |
20130316318 | Treatment Planning System - The present disclosure is directed to a planning system for planning a surgical procedure. The planning system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of images and a controller configured to render the plurality of images in three dimensions. The controller also automatically segments the plurality of images to demarcate a target area and automatically determines a treatment plan based on the target area. A display is configured to display the rendered plurality of images and the target area. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317352 | Systems and Methods for Planning and Navigation - The present disclosure is directed to a planning and navigation method. The planning and method includes obtaining and rendering a plurality of images. The plurality of images are segmented to demarcate a target area. A treatment plan is determined based on the target area. The navigation method includes obtaining an ultrasound image of a scan plane including the target and obtaining a fiducial image of a fiducial pattern disposed on an ultrasound device. The obtained fiducial image is corrected and a correspondence between the fiducial image and a model image is found. A position of the surgical device is transformed to model coordinates. Then the ultrasound image and a virtual image of the surgical device is displayed to allow a surgeon to navigate the surgical device to the target using the displayed ultrasound image and the virtual image. The target is treated based on the treatment plan. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317353 | Surgical Planning System and Navigation System - The present disclosure is directed to a planning and navigation system. The planning system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of images and a controller configured to render the plurality of images in three dimensions, automatically segment the plurality of images to demarcate a target area, and automatically determine a treatment plan based on the target area. The navigation system includes an ultrasound device having a fiducial pattern that obtains an ultrasound image, a surgical device having a image capture device that captures an image of the fiducial pattern, and a controller that receives the ultrasound image and the fiducial image. The controller determines a position of the surgical device based on the fiducial image. The planning and navigation system also includes a controller that receives data from the planning system and the navigation system and a display configured to display the received information. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317363 | Planning System and Navigation System for an Ablation Procedure - The present disclosure is directed to an ablation planning and navigation system. The planning system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of images and a controller configured to render the plurality of images in three dimensions, automatically segment the plurality of images to demarcate a target area, and automatically determine a treatment plan based on the target area. The navigation system includes an ultrasound device having a fiducial pattern that obtains an ultrasound image, an ablation needle having a image capture device that captures an image of the fiducial pattern, and a controller that receives the ultrasound image and the fiducial image. The controller determines a position of the ablation needle based on the fiducial image. The planning and navigation system also includes a controller that receives data from the planning system and the navigation system and a display configured to display the received information. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317499 | Electrosurgical Instrument - An electrosurgical instrument is provided and includes an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy via first and second channels extending along a length of the housing to the distal end thereof. The distal end including a reflector having a dielectric load operably coupled thereto and configured to receive at least a portion of the first conductor therein. In a first mode of operation, electrosurgical energy is transmitted to the first channel and reflected from the reflector to electrosurgically treat tissue. The reflector is configured to receive at least a portion of the second channel therein. In a second mode of operation, electrosurgical energy transmitted to the second channel to dissect tissue. | 11-28-2013 |
20140031812 | FLEXIBLE MICROWAVE CATHETERS FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LUMENS - A coupler for coupling a flexible coaxial cable, a fluid cooling system and the outer sheath of a catheter, the coupler including a fluid coupler body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a bypass bulb, an outer sheath, and a fluid sealing system housed in the fluid coupler body. The fluid sealing system includes a distal sealing diaphragm and a proximal sealing diaphragm configured to form a fluid-tight seal with the fluid coupler body. | 01-30-2014 |
20140039487 | FLEXIBLE MICROWAVE CATHETERS FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LUMENS - A flexible microwave catheter, including a flexible coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an inner dielectric coaxially disposed about the inner conductor, and an outer conductor coaxially disposed about the inner dielectric, at least one feedpoint defining a microwave radiating portion of the flexible coaxial cable, a mesh structure having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and disposed about the microwave radiating portion of the flexible coaxial cable, wherein the mesh structure expands radially outward from the flexible microwave catheter thereby positioning the at least one feedpoint at the radial center of the mesh structure. | 02-06-2014 |
20140052125 | FLEXIBLE MICROWAVE CATHETERS FOR NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL LUMENS - A method for implementing a microwave ablation waveguide, that includes selecting a lumen adapted to convey a fluid and formed from living biological tissue, introducing an elongate inner conductor into the lumen, positioning at least a portion of the elongate inner conductor within the lumen such that a longitudinal axis of the elongate inner conductor is positioned substantially parallel to and at a desired distance from a longitudinal axis of the lumen and proximate an anatomical feature of interest, and transferring microwave energy along the elongate inner conductor such that the lumen shields the inner conductor and allows a pre-determined amount of microwave energy to propagate through the anatomical feature of interest. | 02-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080283781 | Monitoring and Control System for Blood Processing - The invention relates to an optical cell for a separation chamber of a density centrifuge blood processing system for separating fluid components comprising an extraction chamber having a first external optical surface for transmitting at least a portion of an incident optical beam; and an extraction port having an axial bore for passing fluid components and a first external optical surface for transmitting at least a portion of the incident optical beam; wherein said first external optical surface of said extraction chamber and said first external optical surface of said extraction port are both positioned within the depth of field of a light collection element. | 11-20-2008 |
20090156383 | Blood Processing Apparatus With Sealed Diffuser in Optical Control Apparatus - A centrifugal blood separation apparatus having an optical camera control system with a focused, stationary light source. A diffusion plate mounted on a rotor, rather than on or near the light source, allows an intense light beam to be transmitted from the light source to the rotor and then diffused at the rotor across an observation region. Different characteristics of a diffusion surface allow different lighting regions within the observation region. The diffusion plate has upper and lower plates with a diffusion surface sealed between the plates. This prevents degradation or contamination of the diffusion surface by abrasion, dirt, blood components or other materials that might incidentally contact the diffusion surface. | 06-18-2009 |
20100012592 | Method for Controlling a Blood Processing System by Observing a Separation Region and an Extraction Port - The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components with a two-dimensional optical measurement and control device. The method may comprise the steps of providing a blood processing system comprising a density centrifuge blood processing system and an elutriation blood processing system; filling the elutriation blood processing system with a desired component; measuring a cellular flux of cells entering the elutriation blood processing system with a two-dimensional optical control system; and flushing the elutriation blood processing system. | 01-21-2010 |
20100025336 | Predictive Method for Controlling a Blood Processing System - The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. The method may include performing first and second measurements of an operating condition; analyzing the first and second measurements using a predictive data analysis algorithm; comparing the predicted operating condition to a desired operating condition; and adjusting at least one setting. | 02-04-2010 |
20110143905 | System for Blood Separation with Shielded Extraction Port and Optical Control - A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen. | 06-16-2011 |
20120316049 | System for Blood Separation with Gravity Valve for Controlling a Side-Tapped Separation Chamber - A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, a primary outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. A valve that is responsive to centrifugal force (a “gravity” valve) selects between the outlet and the side tap outlet. The gravity valve is mounted on the rotor. When the rotor spins at high speed, the gravity valve may open the primary outlet and close the side tap outlet. When the rotor spins at a lower speed, the gravity valve may open the side tap outlet and close the primary outlet. | 12-13-2012 |
20140005023 | System for Blood Separation with Shielded Extraction Port and Optical Control | 01-02-2014 |
20140234829 | Separating Composite Liquids - Described are embodiments that include methods and devices for separating composite liquids into components. Embodiments involve the use of a flexible membrane for separating a composite liquid into components. The composite liquid may include, in embodiments, a cellular containing liquid, such as whole blood or components of whole blood. In one specific embodiment, the composite liquid is a buffy coat. | 08-21-2014 |