Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080249395 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CATHETER POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION - A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described. The apparatus includes magnetic sensors for to detect the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip. Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware. The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation. Since the tip's magnetic field is not necessarily symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other. Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution. The method of determining tip position is calculated by triangulation from each sensor. In one embodiment, the tip orientation is calculated by an intersecting-planes algorithm. The orientation is used to adjust the distances from each sensor, and the process is repeated until convergence for both position and orientation is achieved. The resultant value provides the actual catheter tip position and orientation (AP). The actual position is further filtered by synchronizing the AP measurements with the QRS signal of the heart, allowing the operator and CGCI controller to view the organ as a static object. | 10-09-2008 |
20080297287 | MAGNETIC LINEAR ACTUATOR FOR DEPLOYABLE CATHETER TOOLS - Using the linear forces that are provided by an electromagnetic solenoid applied near the distal end of a medical catheter, various surgical instruments can be actuated or deployed for use in interventional medicine. The linear actuator uses the principles of magnetic repulsion and attraction as a means for moving a bobbin that can be attached to various types of moving components that translate linear movements into the actuation of a tool that is attached to the linear actuator. Using independent solenoid coils, movement modality is increased from two possible positions to three. | 12-04-2008 |
20090253985 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LORENTZ-ACTIVE SHEATH DISPLAY AND CONTROL OF SURGICAL TOOLS - The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool. | 10-08-2009 |
20090275828 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A HIGH RESOLUTION MAP OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE HEART - A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data. | 11-05-2009 |
20090318902 | Magnetic Breather Pump and a Method for Treating a Brain Tumor Using the Same - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, a medicating agent is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 12-24-2009 |
20090318903 | Magnetic Breather Pump and a Method for Treating a Brain Tumor Using the Same - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, a medicating agent is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 12-24-2009 |
20100130854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A CATHETER IMPEDANCE SEEKING DEVICE - A tissue-contact seeking method and apparatus is described that enhances catheter position detection and control systems in making and maintaining continuous tissue contact in a highly dynamic frame, such as under the rigors of cardiac motion. Tissue-seeking logical routines use a tissue contact sensing system to advance a catheter to relatively continuous tissue contact, or detect obstacles, in cooperation with the catheter position detection and control systems. Additional logical routines are capable of optimizing the contact direction of the catheter tip by controlling the rotation angle and chamber position of the introducer. | 05-27-2010 |
20100160737 | BRAIN RETRACTOR APPARATUS FOR MEASURING AND PREDICTING ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS - Described is a surgical system for monitoring a patient's condition during surgery. One aspect is a non-contact EEG sensor. The non-contact EEG sensor can be used to predict the onset of physiological disorders. Another aspect includes the use of a plurality of pressure sensors to determine the pressure applied by retractors on the patient, including the brain and other organs. | 06-24-2010 |
20100262375 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING A HOMEOSTATIC LOOP EMPLOYING AN APTAMER BIOSENSOR - A novel architecture solid-state biosensor for label-free detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) hybridization is presented. The new device is realized by forming a matrix array of parallel capacitors, thus allowing the realization of low-cost, portable, fully integrated devices. The detection mechanism is based on an electrochemical binding of circulating VEGF to an immobilized VEGF aptamer; whereby binding of these two compounds modulates the threshold voltage of a novel circuit, changing the impedance (capacitance) of the circuit. This novel circuit is further characterized by an electrode coded with a p-Si substrate, enhancing the affinity between the VEGF molecules and the aptamer. An apparatus forming a fluid cell is configured so as to enable the flow for delivering VEGF samples onto the active surface of the chip. The device has an array of parallel capacitors which act as an integrated, individual counter-electrode, computational apparatus which employs the sensory output over the time domain so as to enable detection, reporting and formation of a homeostatic loop for VEGF measurements. Moreover, this detector is able to provide an accurately measured and quantifiable rate of change of the VEGF molecules in-vivo, providing real time feedback of this important biomarker which may be used to measure response of the tumor to delivered chemotherapeutic agents and biological response modifiers (BRMs) for the purpose of determining tumor burden. | 10-14-2010 |
20100305402 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC WAVEGUIDE FORMING A SHAPED FIELD EMPLOYING A MAGNETIC APERTURE FOR GUIDING AND CONTROLLING A MEDICAL DEVICE - A system that uses a magnetic aperture and electromagnets to configure a magnetic shaped field is described. In one embodiment, the system can be used for guiding a catheter or other devices through a patient's body. In further modification of the system, the waveguide field and field gradient is achieved by the use of varying the electromagnetic wave and its respective flux density axis. In one embodiment, one or more magnetic pole pieces (electromagnet cores) are configured with anisotropic permeability to control the shape of the resulting magnetic field. In one embodiment, the shape and permeability distribution in an electromagnet poleface is configured to produce the desired field distribution. In one embodiment, a number of electromagnets are arranged in a spherical pattern to produce a desired magnetic field in an enclosed spherical region. In one embodiment, a distal end of a catheter is provided with a plurality of magnets having different coercivity to allow improved control of the position and orientation of the distal end | 12-02-2010 |
20100305429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING TISSUE CONTACT INFORMATION IN AN AUTOMATED MAPPING OF CARDIAC CHAMBERS EMPLOYING MAGNETICLY SHAPED FIELDS - The invention relates to a method for using tissue contact technology to optimize automated cardiac chamber mapping algorithms to both speed up the mapping process and guarantee the definition of the actual chamber limits. The invention further comprises a method for conveying tissue type information to such automatic mapping algorithms so as to allow them to adapt their point collection density within areas of particular interest. The method is enhanced by the use of a magnetic chamber that employs electromagnetic coils configured as a waveguide that radiate magnetic fields by shaping the necessary flux density axis on and around the catheter distal tip so as to push, pull and rotate the tip on demand and as defined by such automatic mapping algorithms. | 12-02-2010 |
20110091853 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING APPLICATIONS - A system is disclosed for incorporating a realistic simulated catheter or catheters within a catheter guidance and control system that operate from the same closed-loop position control feedback and geometric mapping data as the real position control system and are able to make contact with real and simulated datasets. These catheters may be operated in a pure simulation mode without interacting with real catheters and position control hardware, or may be used as control cursors to enhance the placement of catheter positioning targets. The catheter tip, which is focus of magnetic control, is realistically guided by the control system parameters, while the remainder of the catheter line is realistically constrained by the mapped chamber geometry and introducer sheath. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092808 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING HIGH DENSITY MAPPING DATA WITH A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM - The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092948 | Remotely Activated Piezoelectric Pump for Delivery of Biological Agents to the Intervertebral Disc and Spine - The present disclosure describes a remotely activated piezoelectric pump for delivery of biological agents to the intervertebral disc and spine in order to achieve spinal fusion. A spinal pump is implanted on the vertebrae of a patient and a spinal cage is inserted in between two adjacent vertebrae after removal of the vertebrae disc. A piezoelectric motor drives the pump and pushes osteogenetic agent through the spinal cage and into a sponge disposed within the cage. The pump is charged by an external removable induction belt worn by the patient. Delivery duration and delivery frequency may be changed before implantation of the spine pump according to the specific needs of the patient. The current device employs a mathematical model that enables the regulation as well as attenuation of the bone fusion process by extending and generalizing the model to enhance and optimize the delivery of osteogenetic agent in a regulated manner. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092950 | Metronomic Convection Enhanced Delivery of Intrathecal Chemotherapy Using an Implanted Magnetic Breather Pump (MBP) for Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled lumen, intratumoral catheter which will be implanted. Spinal fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. Medication is delivered on a continuous metronomic basis into the CSF via an internalized pump. CSF is removed and analyzed for VEGF and other cytokines via spectrophotometer analysis or a lab on a chip. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 04-21-2011 |
20110092960 | ENHANCED METHOD FOR DELIVERING BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) INTO A BRAIN TUMOR USING AN IMPLANTED MAGNETIC BREATHER PUMP - A magnetically controlled pump is implanted into the brain of a patient and delivers a plurality of medicating agents mixed with Avastin at a controlled rate corresponding to the specific needs of the patient. The current invention comprises a flexible double walled pouch that is formed from two layers of polymer. The pouch is alternately expanded and contracting by magnetic solenoid. When contracted, the medicating agent Avastin is pushed out of the pouch through a plurality of needles. When the pouch is expanded, surrounding cerebral fluid is drawn into the space between the double walls of the pouch from which it is drawn through a catheter to an analyzer. In cases where a tumor resection is not performed, an intratumoral catheter will be implanted. Cerebral fluid drawn from the patient is analyzed. The operation of the apparatus and hence the treatment is remotely controlled based on these measurements and displayed through an external controller. | 04-21-2011 |
20110112396 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING CATHETER ELECTRODES - A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter. | 05-12-2011 |
20110162979 | Method and Apparatus for Forming of an Automated Sampling Device for the Detection of Salmonella Enterica Utilizing an Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor - An aptamer-based solid-state electrochemical biosensor for label-free detection of | 07-07-2011 |
20110166033 | Method and Apparatus for Forming of an Automated Sampling Device for the Detection of Salmonella Enterica Utilizing an Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor - An aptamer-based solid-state electrochemical biosensor for label-free detection of | 07-07-2011 |
20120041562 | Remotely Activated Piezoelectric Pump for Delivery of Biological Agents to the Intervertebral Disc and Spine - A remotely activated piezoelectric pump for delivery of biological agents to the intervertebral disc and spine in order to achieve spinal fusion. A spinal pump is implanted on the vertebrae of a patient and a spinal cage is inserted in between two adjacent vertebrae after removal of the vertebrae disc. A piezoelectric motor drives the pump and pushes osteogenetic agent through the spinal cage and into a sponge disposed within the cage. The pump is charged by an external removable induction belt worn by the patient. Delivery duration and delivery frequency may be changed before implantation of the spine pump according to the specific needs of the patient. The current device employs a mathematical model that enables the regulation as well as attenuation of the bone fusion process by extending and generalizing the model to enhance and optimize the delivery of osteogenetic agent in a regulated manner. | 02-16-2012 |
20120149981 | MAGNETICALLY MANEUVERABLE IN-VIVO DEVICE - An in-vivo device includes a magnetic steering unit (MSU) to maneuver it by an external electromagnetic field. The MSU may include a permanent magnets assembly to produce a magnetic force for navigating the device. The MSU may include a magnets carrying assembly (MCA) to accommodate the permanent magnet(s). The MCA may be designed to generate eddy currents, in response to AC magnetic field, to apply a repelling force. The in-vivo device may also include a multilayered imaging and sensing printed circuit board (MISP) to capture and transmit images. The MISP may include a sensing coil assembly (SCA) to sense electromagnetic fields to determine a location/orientation/angular position of the in-vivo device. Data representing location/orientation/angular position of the device may be used by a maneuvering system to generate a steering magnetic field to steer the in-vivo device from one location or state to another location or state. | 06-14-2012 |
20120288838 | METHOD FOR SIMULATING A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING APPLICATIONS - A system is disclosed for incorporating a realistic simulated catheter or catheters within a catheter guidance and control system that operate from the same closed-loop position control feedback and geometric mapping data as the real position control system and are able to make contact with real and simulated datasets. These catheters may be operated in a pure simulation mode without interacting with real catheters and position control hardware, or may be used as control cursors to enhance the placement of catheter positioning targets. The catheter tip, which is focus of magnetic control, is realistically guided by the control system parameters, while the remainder of the catheter line is realistically constrained by the mapped chamber geometry and introducer sheath. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289780 | INTRALUMEN MEDICAL DELIVERY VESSEL PROPELLED BY SUPERCONDUCTIVE REPULSION-LEVITATION MAGNETIC FIELDS - A magnetically guided device driven by the repulsive forces generated by superconductive materials, housed in a thermally insulated vessel, due to phenomenon known as the Meissner-effect in response to the externally generated magnetic fields. The vessels will be installed in or on medical diagnostic, delivery or other procedural devices or capsules, and will enable wireless maneuvering and navigation of the host device through the lumens and cavities of the human body without any physical contact. Medical application fields include, but are not limited to, visual mapping, diagnostics, biopsy and other therapeutic and drug delivery procedures in the human body. The vessel is equipped with superconductive material, such as superconductive rings and/or disks, possessing supermagnetic properties. Shaped externally generated magnetic fields exert sufficient magnetic forces and rotational torques on the superconductive material causing the host device to move, tilt and rotate in the body lumens and cavities following the operator's closed-loop regulated directional and orientation commands. | 11-15-2012 |
20120289822 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LORENTZ-ACTIVE SHEATH DISPLAY AND CONTROL OF SURGICAL TOOLS - The Lorentz-Active Sheath (LAS) serves as a conduit for other medical devices such as catheters, balloons, biopsy needles, etc. The sheath is inserted through a vein or other body orifice and is guided into the area of the patient where the operation is to be performed. The position and orientation of the LAS is tracked via an industry standard position detection system which senses electrical signals that are emitted from several electrodes coupled to the LAS. The signals received from the LAS are used to calculate an accurate and reliable assessment of the actual position of the LAS within the patient. The electrode signals also serve to create a reference frame which is then used to act as a motion compensation filter and fiducial alignment system for the movement of the LAS-hosted medical tool. | 11-15-2012 |
20120296200 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TARGETING CATHETER ELECTRODES - A system and method is described for a catheter guidance system which allows an operator to use a mapping catheter to specify tissue target locations for the automatic guidance of a second therapeutic catheter. The operator places a mapping catheter at a desired location, and commands the catheter guidance system by either selecting a point on that catheter or one of the catheter electrode electrocardiograms. The operator may target the selected dynamic location, or tissue contact beyond that location on a specific side of the mapping catheter. | 11-22-2012 |
20120310066 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING A HIGH RESOLUTION MAP OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE HEART - A system method that tracks one or more points on the surface of a cardiac tissue throughout a cardiac cycle and collect various types of data points which are then subsequently used to generate a corresponding model of the tissue and display the model as a 3D color coded image is described. In one embodiment, the system determines the position and orientation of a distal tip of a catheter, manipulates the catheter tip so as to maintain constant contact between the tip and a region of cardiac tissue using the impedance method, acquires positional and electrical data of the tip-tissue configuration through an entire heartbeat cycle, repeats the measurements as many times as needed in different tissue regions, and forms a 3D color coded map displaying various mechanical and electrical properties of the heart using the acquired data. | 12-06-2012 |
20120310111 | MAGNETIC LINEAR ACTUATOR FOR DEPLOYABLE CATHETER TOOLS - Using the linear forces that are provided by an electromagnetic solenoid applied near the distal end of a medical catheter, various surgical instruments can be actuated or deployed for use in interventional medicine. The linear actuator uses the principles of magnetic repulsion and attraction as a means for moving a bobbin that can be attached to various types of moving components that translate linear movements into the actuation of a tool that is attached to the linear actuator. Using independent solenoid coils, movement modality is increased from two possible positions to three. | 12-06-2012 |
20120316431 | METHOD FOR ACQUIRING HIGH DENSITY MAPPING DATA WITH A CATHETER GUIDANCE SYSTEM - The invention is a method of rotating a catheter while it is manually guided in order to increase the volume of space it passes through during a geometric mapping procedure as to provide a higher and more uniform location data point cloud density in a volumetric mapping system. | 12-13-2012 |
20130006100 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CATHETER POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION - A method and apparatus for detecting position and orientation of catheter distal magnetic element end while moving in a patient's heart is described. The apparatus comprising of four sensors, detecting the magnetic field of a generated by the catheter tip. Each sensor transmits the field magnitude and direction to a detection unit, which filters the signals and removes other field sources, such, as generated by CGCI coils and external medical hardware. The method allows the measurements of magnitude corresponding to the catheter tip distance from the sensor and the orientation of the field showing the magnetic tip orientation. Since the tip's magnetic field is not symmetric, the position and orientation computation technique are not independent of each other. Hence, an iterative calculation is used to converge to a solution. | 01-03-2013 |