| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
| 600409000 | Magnetic field sensor (e.g., magnetometer, SQUID) | 84 |
| 20130072780 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAGNETIC CURRENT DENSITY IMAGING AT ULTRA LOW MAGNETIC FIELDS - Preferred systems can include an electrical impedance tomography apparatus electrically connectable to an object; an ultra low field magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a plurality of field directions and disposable about the object; a controller connected to the ultra low field magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and configured to implement a sequencing of one or more ultra low magnetic fields substantially along one or more of the plurality of field directions; and a display connected to the controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to reconstruct a displayable image of an electrical current density in the object. Preferred methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are also disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130079623 | Imaging Method using Magnetic Small Particles and Corresponding Device - The invention relates to a method for imaging from a distribution of small magnetic particles. According to said method, the magnetisation of the small particles is rotated asynchronously to the magnetic field by means of an outer magnetic field of suitable field intensity and rotational frequency, which rotates about a longitudinal axis (z), whereby an asynchronous average rotational frequency is generated for a set of particles according to the field intensity; a spatial dependence is impressed on each set of particles by means of a magnetic gradient field of the asynchronous average rotational frequency; the frequency parts of the superpositioned transverse magnetisation (MQ) of the set of particles are detected; and a spatially resolved distribution of the transverse magnetisation (MQ) determines the small particles and emits same by means of the frequency parts. The invention also relates to a suitable device ( | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130079622 | Denoise MCG Measurements - A magnetocardiogram (MCG) system with reduced noise artifacts is produced by first creating high-resolution image representations of low-resolution measurements obtained with a magnetic field sensor unit. The high-resolution image representations are created by use of a PCA model that has been trained using a library of ideal, no-noise, high-resolution images. The Biot-Sarvart Law is then used to create a 3D model of a current impulse, given the high-resolution image representations. From the 3D current impulse model, ideal sensor unit measurements as they would have been obtained using a theoretical sensor unit observing the 3D current impulse model are synthesized. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130041248 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE POSITION OF AN ORTHOPAEDIC PROSTHESIS - A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopaedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal of a signal source(s) coupled to the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or a bone of the patient. The controller is configured to determine a position of the orthopaedic prosthesis and/or the bone of the patient based on the data signals. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130090545 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR THE LOCALIZATION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER - Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of detecting cancer, methods of treating cancer using targeted hyperthermia, methods of treating cancer using targeted chemical agents, methods of treating cancer comprising accurate measurements of the efficacy of treatments. The effect of nanoparticles on magnetic fields can be used to determine the location of a tumor, and a measure of the number of cells in the tumor. This location and measure can be used to guide therapy, and provide information regarding the most effective therapy to be applied. The same nanoparticles can be used to facilitate hyperthermia treatments, and to allow targeted application of chemical therapeutic agents. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130060125 | ENCEPHALOGRAPHY METHOD AND APPARATUS INCORPORATING INDEPENDENT COMPONENT ANALYSIS AND A SPECTRAL SHAPING FILTER - Methods and apparatus for encephalography process encephalography data to yield components that correspond to modular areas of the brain. In some embodiments encephalography data is processed by independent component analysis to yield a first set of components that are processed to generate a spectral filter. The spectral filter is applied to the encephalography data to generate a second set of components. The second set of components may be represented by one or more matrices. In an embodiment the second set of components is represented by weight and sphereing matrices. Methods and apparatus may be applied for monitoring brain function, selecting participants for medical trials, adjusting drug dosages, performing and monitoring biofeedback methods, detecting progression toward diseases or conditions that affect the brain and other applications. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130102876 | Port System and Methods - An implantable port system which in at least one embodiment includes a base having an upper surface configured to be positioned under and in contact with a first tissue surface in a body, and a port housing having a lower surface configured to be positioned over a second tissue surface above the first tissue surface. The base and the port housing may be separate from one another and do not contact each other at the time of positioning the base. The base and port may be connected together upon positioning the port in contact with the second tissue surface. A method of implanting a port system may include installing at least a portion of a base of the system beneath a tissue layer in a body, and attaching a port housing to the base at a location above the tissue layer, wherein the port housing is not in contact with the base during the installation of a least a part of the base system beneath the tissue layer. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20090012384 | Superconducting Magnetism Measuring Apparatus, Biomagnetism Measuring Apparatus, and Sensor Cylinder Cover and Sheet for Biomagnetism Measuring Apparatus - A superconducting magnetism measuring apparatus is provided which is capable of favorably measuring a faint degree of magnetism generated in the cervical or waist part of a subject to be measured with no need of the neck or waist of the subject being bent forward. Its sensor cylinder ( | 01-08-2009 |
| 20120238860 | System and Method for Measuring Magnetocardiogram of Small Animal - A system and method for measuring a magnetocardiogram (MCG) in order to measure a weak magnetic field generated from the heart of a small animal such as a laboratory rat are provided. The system includes a case, a SQUID sensor located and fixed inside the case to detect magnetism, a platform arranged near the SQUID sensor inside the case, the small animal being placed on the platform, a linear station to which the platform is fixed to move a location of the platform, and a control unit configured to control operations of the SQUID sensor and the linear station and measure the MCG of the small animal using intensities of the magnetism detected by the SQUID sensor. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20090240135 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MAGNETIC PARTICLES - The invention relates to a method of determining a spatial distribution of magnetic particles in an examination zone, in which a magnetic field is generated that has a first sub-zone of lower magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone of higher magnetic field strength. The positions of the two sub-zones are changed, as a result of which the magnetization in the examination zone changes. Measured values that depend on the change in magnetization are acquired. A reference response function by means of which measured values can be determined mathematically from a spatial distribution of magnetic particles is then determined by means of at least extensive magnetic specimen distribution. Finally, the spatial distribution of magnetic particles is reconstructed from the measured values by means of the reference response function. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20130131489 | CATHETER WITH BENDABLE TIP - A medical probe includes a flexible insertion tube, having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a patient, and a distal tip, which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion tube and is configured to be brought into contact with tissue in the body cavity. A coupling member couples the distal tip to the distal end of the insertion tube and includes a tubular piece of an elastic material having a helical cut therethrough along a portion of a length of the piece. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20100222664 | CATHETER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ECG SENSOR AND MAGNETIC ASSEMBLIES - A stylet for use in guiding a distal tip of a catheter to a predetermined location within the body of a patient. In one embodiment the stylet is configured for use within a lumen of the catheter and comprises a core wire, an ECG sensor, and a magnetic assembly. The ECG sensor senses an ECG signal of a patient when the stylet is disposed within the lumen of the catheter and the catheter is disposed within the body of the patient. The magnetic assembly includes at least one element capable of producing a magnetic or electromagnetic field for detection by a sensor external to the patient. In another embodiment, the stylet includes a pre-shaped distal segment that is deflected with respect to a more proximal portion of the stylet, which in turn causes a distal segment of the catheter to be deflected when the stylet is received within the lumen. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20110098551 | MEASUREMENT OF SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL AND PHASE AT EARDRUM BY SENSING EARDRUM VIBRATION - A hearing assistance device for measuring sound pressure at a tympanic membrane of a user's ear, the device comprising a housing adapted to be worn at least partially in an ear canal of the user a laser source coupled to the housing and adapted to project a beam of laser energy at the tympanic membrane a sensor for receiving reflected laser energy directed at the tympanic membrane, and a processor connected to the sensor and adapted to estimate the sound pressure level and phase at the tympanic membrane from a signal generated from the sensor. Additional examples provide a hearing device for measuring sound pressure at the tympanic membrane using ultrasonic signals. Further examples provide a hearing device for measuring sound pressure at the tympanic membrane using magnetic sources and sensors. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110295104 | DETECTION AND GUIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING BLOOD VESSELS - A detection and guide system provides access to desired blood vessel locations. An implant formed of a biocompatible material is implanted within a mammalian body proximate an outer surface of a blood vessel. The detection and guide system may be configured to be positioned outside the mammalian body to detect the implant and to guide a needle to the desired entry site of the biological boundary structure. A needle guide may be coupled to a housing of the detection and guide system and directed at an angle such that positioning the implant detector over the implant aligns an opening through the needle guide with the desired entry site. The detection and guide system may, for example, provide metal detection of a metallic implant or magnetic detection of a magnetic implant. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110295103 | VISUAL STIMULATION PRESENTING APPARATUS, FUNCTIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS, MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPH APPARATUS, AND BRAIN FUNCTION MEASUREMENT METHOD - A visual stimulation presentation apparatus including: a specimen holding unit, made of a non-magnetic material, configured to hold multiple specimens of actual objects serving as specimens for presenting a subject with visual stimulation when running an apparatus to measure brain functions of the subject by detecting change in magnetic field; an actuator, made of a non-magnetic material, configured to selectively present multiple specimens of actual objects set in the specimen holding unit, by driving the specimen holding unit; and a control unit configured to control driving of the actuator; is used, whereby presenting time and presenting position can be precisely controlled and the delicate surface state of the objects with a high degree of sense of texture. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20100249571 | SURGICAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS MAGNETORESISTANCE TRACKING SENSORS - A surgical navigation system having one or more wireless magnetoresistance sensors, where the sensors have the noise and dynamic range appropriate for position and orientation tracking. The surgical navigation system comprising at least one wireless magnetoresistance reference sensor rigidly attached to at least one anatomical reference of a patient, at least one wireless magnetoresistance sensor attached to at least one device, and at least one processor for determining the position and orientation of the at least one device. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20120035458 | DETECTION, MEASUREMENT, AND IMAGING OF CELLS SUCH AS CANCER AND OTHER BIOLOGIC SUBSTANCES USING TARGETED NANOPARTICLES AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES THEREOF - The present invention can provide a method of determining the presence, location, quantity, or a combination thereof, of a biological substance, comprising: (a) exposing a sample to a plurality of targeted nanoparticles, where each targeted nanoparticle comprises a paramagnetic nanoparticle conjugated with one or more targeting agents that preferentially bind with the biological substance, under conditions that facilitate binding of the targeting agent to at least one of the one or more biological substances; (b) subjecting the sample to a magnetic field of sufficient strength to induce magnetization of the nanoparticles; (c) measuring a magnetic field of the sample after decreasing the magnetic field applied in step b below a threshold; (d) determining the presence, location, quantity, or a combination thereof, of the one or more biologic substances from the magnetic field measured in step (c). | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120035457 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEM AND METHOD - Differences of electromagnetic (EM) properties between healthy and cancerous tissues allow detection of abnormal conditions occurring in a tissue of an animal, for example, intra-operative cancer detection. By using a time-varying EM field, electrical eddy currents are generated in the tissue sample, and assessed using phase-sensitive detection. In some aspects, a change in phase shift between the voltage in a receiver coil and the voltage in a driver coil provide a direct and immediate indication of differences in EM properties of specimens. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20100324408 | IMPLANTABLE SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE ACCOMMODATION REQUIREMENT BY MEASURING THE EYEBALL ORIENTATION USING AN EXTERNAL MAGNETIC FIELD - The present invention relates to an implantable system for determining the accommodation requirement in an artificial accommodation system by measuring the eyeball orientation using an external magnetic field, comprising
| 12-23-2010 |
| 20120035456 | ARRANGEMENT FOR IMAGING AN OBJECT INCLUDING A VESSEL USING MAGNETIC PARTICLE IMAGING - An arrangement ( | 02-09-2012 |
| 20090043188 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MEASUREMENT AND TREATMENT OF PAIN AND THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION AND OSTEOPOROSIS - A method for pain treatment and measurement according to various aspects of the present invention generally includes providing an external field to a portion of a living being, wherein the external field comprises a frequency of about 3040 Hz. This frequency of about 3040 Hz can also be intermixed with two or more other frequencies for the treatment and measurement of pain, and can be utilized alone or together with other intermixed frequencies to treat inflammation and osteoporosis. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20120271145 | PRESSURE SENSING FOR A MULTI-ARM CATHETER - A method for operating a medical probe includes pressing a distal end of the medical probe, which includes one or more arms that extend diagonally outward from a central shaft and have respective position transducers coupled thereto, against an intra-body surface, so as to cause the arms to exert pressure on the surface and bend with respect to the central shaft in response to the pressure. Positions of the respective position transducers coupled to the arms are measured, and the pressure exerted by the arms is estimated responsively to the measured positions. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20080294034 | Device and Method for the Determination of the Position of a Catheter in a Vascular System - The invention relates to a device and a method for the determination of the position of a catheter in a vascular system ( | 11-27-2008 |
| 20110208037 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A LANDMARK | 08-25-2011 |
| 20090182220 | SOURCE AFFINE RECONSTRUCTION FOR MEDICAL IMAGING - Performing medical imaging. The generation of medical images, which includes a Source AFFine Image REconstruction (SAFFIRE) algorithm, is based on an iterative implementation of minimum mean-square error (MMSE) estimation within an affine-transformed solution space and utilizes a matched filter bank initialization coupled with energy normalization of each successive estimate. An incoherent integration technique provides an alternative implementation strategy to either increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or generalize the estimator to accommodate temporally-separated interference sources. In addition, the estimator solution may be employed to determine volumetric constraints with which to re-apply the estimator to further improve the estimation accuracy. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090177074 | Intraluminal Multifunctional Sensor System and Method of Use - An intraluminal sensor designs for multifunctional characterization of injured, stunned, infarcted myocardium, atherosclerotic plagues and tumors are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise the sensor tips for a catheter. The tips comprises differential sensor arrangements, and use built-in electromagnet assemblies for a single or multiple axis sensing of various parameters of local magnetic field. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090143665 | MAGNETIC DETECTION COIL AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC FIELD MEASUREMENT - It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a magnetic detection coil | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090024019 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETECTING ANALYTES IN BIOLOGICAL FLUID OF AN ANIMAL - Methods and devices for detecting an analyte are provided. An analyte binding molecule is fixed to a nanoparticle to form a nanoparticle complex. The analyte binding molecule is capable of binding an analyte. The nanoparticle complex is introduced into one of a circulatory system of an animal or biological fluid of the animal. The analyte is allowed to bind to the nanoparticle complex. The analyte bound nanoparticle complex can be extracted and the presence of the analyte can be detected. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20100152566 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A LANDMARK | 06-17-2010 |
| 20110224533 | Element That Can Be Fixed In A Blood Vessel And Is Provided With Biomarkers - An element is disclosed that can be fixed in a blood vessel of a living being has a base body to which a first substance and/or a second substance is/are applied at least in parts. In at least one embodiment, the first substance is determined in such a way that it can be detected from outside of the body of the living being by way of a first non-invasive detection method and reacts with at least one first biochemical substance that is released by the living being into the blood vessel during a first pathological condition of the living being, with the result that the quantity of first substance applied to the base body is reduced. The second substance is determined in such a way that it binds at least one second biochemical substance that is released by the living being into the blood vessel during a second pathological condition of the living being and the presence of the bound substance can be detected from outside of the body of the living being by way of a second non-invasive detection method. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110230752 | SCREENING TEST FOR RECOGNIZING PROSTATE DISEASES AND APPARATUS AND DIAGNOSIS SUBSTANCE FOR CARRYING OUT THE TEST - In a screening test method, and a device for implementing the screening test method, a diagnostic substance is provided that contains at least one biomarker connected with at least one ferromagnetic particle, the biomarker binding specifically to a target molecule that is formed by specific pathological prostrate tissue. The diagnostic substance is administered to the blood stream of a patient. A magnetometer is used to detect enrichment of the ferromagnetic particle in the prostrate, as an indicator of a level of the specific pathological prostrate tissue. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20080262338 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION OF A MAGNETIC STIMULATION PROBE - A system and method is disclosed that can be used to track and navigate an instrument relative to a patient. The system can include an electromagnetic tracking system to track an electromagnetic stimulation probe, such as a transcranial magnetic stimulation probe. The system can, according to various embodiments, provide a tracking device on the probe, track the coil of the probe, provide a field relative to the probe, and determine the position of the patient based upon the field produced by the probe. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20090221900 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING PROPERTIES OF AN OBJECT WITH ACOUSTICALLY INDUCED ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES - A measuring method and apparatus in which a measurable object ( | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090203989 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSITIONING A CATHETER - A method for displaying a position of a medical device, such as a catheter, during insertion of the medical device into a patient is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method includes obtaining a first set of detected position data relating to a location marker, then determining a possible first position of the location marker. A first confidence level relating to a match between the first set of detected position data and a first set of predicted position data is assigned. A determination is made whether the first confidence level meets or exceeds a first threshold. If the first confidence level meets or exceeds the first threshold, a determination is then made whether the first position of the location marker is within a first detection zone. If the first position of the location marker is within the first detection zone, the first position of the location marker is displayed. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20120143038 | FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF A NETWORK - A computer-implemented method for performing a functional assessment of a network is disclosed. The network includes a plurality of interacting network elements. The method includes measuring a state of each of the elements at a plurality of time instances, thereby determining a plurality of state values associated with each of the elements, and calculating for each element an associated median value representing a median of the state values associated with that element. The method further includes identifying for each time instance a first total number of elements with an associated state value at that time instance that is above its median value, and a second total number of elements with an associated state value at that time instance that is below its median value, and determining whether the network has departed from an equilibrium state based on the first total number and the second total number for each time instance. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120143039 | ORAL DOSAGE FORM, COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE AGENT, FORMULATION AUXILIARY SUBSTANCES AND MAGNETIZABLE PARTICLES - The invention relates to an oral dosage form, comprising at least one biologically active agent, formulation auxiliary substances and magnetizable particles, wherein the dosage form has an at least two phase composition, wherein the phases can dissolve in the body after oral administration due to their formulation and the magnetizable particles are bound in formulation auxiliary substances and are present in a magnetized state, wherein the magnetized particles are present in at least two phases of the dosage form and generate magnetic fields, wherein these phases dissolve at different times in the body after oral administration, and wherein the magnetic field strength with respect to time, position and movement in the body is acquired using a detection system and can be evaluated using a computer-based evaluation system. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20110130643 | Noninvasive Method And System For Monitoring Physiological Characteristics And Athletic Performance - A physiological monitoring system for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters of a subject, comprising a fitness monitoring system for monitoring physiological parameters of a subject engaged in a physical activity, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes (i) a monitoring garment adapted to cover at least a portion of a subject's torso, (ii) a magnetometer subsystem including a first magnetometer and a second magnetometer, wherein the first and second magnetometers are responsive to changes in distance therebetween, wherein the magnetometer subsystem is configured to generate and transmit a signal representative of a change in the distance between the first and second magnetometers, wherein the first and second magnetometers are incorporated into the monitoring garment, and wherein the first and second magnetometers are proximate to the subject's chest region when the monitoring garment is worn by the subject. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20090105579 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CONTROLLED NAVIGATION USING DIAGNOSTICALLY ENHANCED INTRA-OPERATIVE THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE DATA - A method of performing intra-operative three-dimensional imaging and registering diagnostic functional information to the three-dimensional anatomical data is introduced. The availability of co-registered diagnostic information to intra-operative data enables fast and efficient navigation to pre-selected target areas, and allows automatic or semi-automatic treatment of cardiac cavity or vascular disease. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090069663 | LIVING BODY INSPECTION APPARATUS - A living body inspection apparatus including an oscillation coil which passes an AC current, a detection coil which detects an AC magnetic field generated from the detection coil, an amplification circuit which amplifies a voltage generated by the magnetic field induced by the detection coil, a detecting unit for detecting the output signal of the amplification circuit, a low pass filter to which the output signal of the detecting unit is input, a unit for setting the oscillation coil and detection coil in first and second regions of the living body, a recording unit for recording the output of the low pass filter while the first region and the second region of the living body are moving and a displaying unit for displaying the data recorded in the recording unit or results of analysis of the recorded data. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090069662 | Device for Measuring Biomedical Data of a Test Subject and Method for Stimulating the Test Subject Using Data Processed in Real Time - Provided is a device for measuring biomedical data from a testee, with a recording system for taking the data and a first hardware component for displaying the data. A device for electrical separation of the data is arranged in a connector line for transmitting the data from the recording system to the first hardware component for displaying the data. At least a duplication of the data for data processing purposes is thus guaranteed. The data processed in said manner are used for a method for real-time stimulation of a testee. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090069661 | METHOD FOR SEPARATING MULTICHANNEL SIGNALS PRODUCED BY AC AND DC SOURCES FROM ONE ANOTHER - The present invention relates to a novel manner of measuring DC fields using a multi-channel MEG or MKG measuring instrument; and on the other hand, to a manner of eliminating from the measurement result the interference signals caused by the DC currents. The invention combines the monitoring system of a testee's movement and the method for motion correction of the measured signals so that the signals produced by the DC currents of a moving testee's are visible in the final measurement result as a static signal component in a conventional MEG or MKG measurement. In that case, in the measurement, it is not necessary to beforehand prepare oneself for measuring the DC fields. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20110034798 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GUIDING A MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - This document discusses, among other things, a system for guiding a medical instrument within a body of a subject. The system includes at least one magnetic emitter coupled to the medical instrument. The system also includes a plurality of magnetic sensors configured to be placed on the subject and sense at least one magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic emitter. The system associates a position of each of the plurality of magnetic sensors with an average anatomical representation of the subject. The system also determines a position of the medical instrument relative to the average anatomical representation and the plurality of magnetic sensors. Finally, the average anatomical representation and a representation of the position of the medical instrument relative to the average anatomical representation is displayed for a user. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110251476 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE LOCAL VELOCITY OF A LIQUID - The present invention relates to an arrangement ( | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110077500 | ELECTRONIC PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE QUANTIFICATION SYSTEM - Systems and related methods for measuring pelvic organ prolapse are disclosed. A plurality of positioning devices, such as RFID tags, ultrasound reflectors or magnetic field sensors, which may be active or passive, and which are preferably disposable, are set at predetermined positions within the patient and their relative positions recorded with one or more corresponding external receiving devices fixed to the patient while the patient is in a relaxed state. The patient is then instructed to perform an action (such as a valsalva maneuver) that causes the positioning devices to move and their movement relative to their initial recorded positions is measured. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20120302869 | CORRECTION OF SHIFT AND DRIFT IN IMPEDANCE-BASED MEDICAL DEVICE NAVIGATION USING MAGNETIC FIELD INFORMATION - A system and method for navigating a medical device within a body are provided. The system includes an electronic control unit configured to determine operating positions for electrical and magnetic position sensors on the medical device within corresponding first and second coordinate systems. The first and second coordinate systems are defined by an electric field based positioning system and a magnetic field based positioning system, respectively. The magnetic position sensor is disposed proximate the electrical position sensor. The ECU is further configured to apply a mapping function correlating the operating positions which generates a mapped position for the magnetic position sensor in the first coordinate system responsive to the operating position of the magnetic position sensor in the second coordinate system. The ECU determines an adjusted operating position for the electrical position sensor in the first coordinate system responsive to the mapped position of the magnetic position sensor. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120302868 | TEXTURE STIMULUS PRESENTING APPARATUS, MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPH INCLUDING THE SAME, AND BRAIN FUNCTION MEASURING METHOD - Provided is a texture stimulus presenting apparatus to be used when measuring a texture perception of a subject by detecting a change of a magnetic field in a brain of the subject. The texture stimulus presenting apparatus includes a light source configured to irradiate with light a specimen to be presented to the subject, and a control unit configured to control at least one of position of the light source, tilt of the light source, property of irradiation light from the light source, timing of irradiation, or surface morphology of the specimen facing the light source. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120302867 | BRAIN FUNCTION MEASURING APPARATUS AND BRAIN FUNCTION MEASURING METHOD - A brain function activity of a subject is measured using a brain function measuring unit by presenting multiple stimulations, which are adjusted to have no cognitive meaning when presented in a separate manner and to have a cognitive meaning when presented simultaneously as a combined stimulation, to the subject as the combined stimulation at regular intervals with a control of a control unit, thus measuring a higher cognitive brain activity responding to the combined stimulation separately from a lower cognitive brain activity. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20090281414 | Method and System for Determination of Physiological Conditions and Emotional States of a Living Organism - A method and system for non-invasive determination of at least one condition of a living organism selected from physiological conditions and emotional states of the living organism are described. The method comprises sensing electromagnetic waves emanated from a skin portion in an extremely high frequency (EHF) band, and obtaining from the sensed electromagnetic waves at least one unique biometric signature of the living organism indicative of the organism condition. The system includes an antenna array unit configured for sensing the electromagnetic waves emanated from the skin portion; and a receiving unit configured and operable for obtaining the unique biometric signature. The sensed electromagnetic waves are indicative of bioelectric activity of neurally connected and electromagnetically interacting structures distributed in a skin portion of the living organism. | 11-12-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20100168552 | DIPOLE ESTIMATION METHOD - The present invention provides a dipole estimation method which adopts a living body model which is divided into an active area where the conductivity is homogeneous and a passive conductive area having an arbitrary conductivity distribution other than the active area, maintaining the calculation speed at a level as high as that with the conventional art, while allowing the accuracy of potential calculation to be improved. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20110137145 | METHOD FOR COMBINING HIGHLY PERMEABLE PARTS OF A MAGNETIC SHIELD - An inventive magnetic filling material for bridging interspaces in magnetic shields for shielding static or low-frequency magnetic fields. The magnetic filling material comprises at least one matrix material and at least one magnetic component embedded into the matrix material. The magnetic component has magnetically shielding properties. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20100121174 | PROBE VISUALIZATION BASED ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES - A method for visualization includes receiving an input indicative of respective apparent coordinates of a plurality of points disposed along a length of a probe inside a body of a subject, and applying a model of known mechanical properties of the probe to the apparent coordinates so as to compute a cost function with respect to shapes that can be assumed by the probe in the body. A shape is chosen responsively to the cost function, and corrected coordinates of the points along the length of the probe are generated based on the shape. The representation of the probe using the corrected coordinates is then displayed. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20090156926 | Integrated System for Intravascular Placement of a Catheter - An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient'vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090018432 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMAGING WITH MAGNETIC INDUCTION - An apparatus includes a magnetic energy source to provide a magnetic signal and a detector to detect an acoustic energy signal from a sample stimulated by the magnetic energy signal. A method includes applying a magnetic signal to a biological sample, detecting an acoustic signal from the sample, and processing the acoustic signal to determine the electrical impedance distribution of the sample, and identify disease in the biological sample. A method includes applying a magnetic signal to a sample, detecting a magnetic or electrical signal within the sample, and processing the magnetic or electrical signal to reconstruct electrical impedance distribution of the sample. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20120041297 | REAL-TIME MAGNETIC DIPOLE DETECTION AND TRACKING - A system for detecting a position and/or orientation of a magnetic dipole includes a first detector and a second detector, separate and spaced apart from the first detector. Each of the detectors includes three or more magnetic field sensors to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnetic dipole. The system has applications, for example, in image-guided surgery and/or therapy. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20110313274 | Methods and apparatuses for 3D imaging in magnetoencephalography and magnetocardiography - This invention discloses methods and apparatuses for 3D imaging in Magnetoencephalography (MEG), Magnetocardiography (MCG), and electrical activity in any biological tissue such as neural/muscle tissue. This invention is based on Field Paradigm founded on the principle that the field intensity distribution in a 3D volume space uniquely determines the 3D density distribution of the field emission source and vice versa. Electrical neural/muscle activity in any biological tissue results in an electrical current pattern that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is measured in a 3D volume space that extends in all directions including substantially along the radial direction from the center of the object being imaged. Further, magnetic field intensity is measured at each point along three mutually perpendicular directions. This measured data captures all the available information and facilitates a computationally efficient closed-form solution to the 3D image reconstruction problem without the use of heuristic assumptions. This is unlike prior art where measurements are made only on a surface at a nearly constant radial distance from the center of the target object, and along a single direction. Therefore necessary, useful, and available data is ignored and not measured in prior art. Consequently, prior art does not provide a closed-form solution to the 3D image reconstruction problem and it uses heuristic assumptions. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention reconstruct a 3D image of the neural/muscle electrical current pattern in MEG, MCG, and related areas, by processing image data in either the original spatial domain or the Fourier domain. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120283545 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEEP VASCULAR ACCESS - Percutaneous endovascular delivery of cardiac prosthetic devices is described through deep vascular access. Specifically, minimally intrusive access is achieved at points in the vascular tree having a size not usually achievable with existing tools. Localizing guide wires having visualization markings enable controlled passage through the vascular system. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120310077 | Neurophysiological Activation by Vestibular or Cranial Nerve Stimulation - A method of treating a disorder may include positioning a thermoelectric device in the ear canal of a subject and activating the thermoelectric device to deliver caloric vestibular stimulation and/or cranial nerve stimulation effective to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the ear canal may be cooled sufficiently to treat the disorder. In alternative embodiments, the ear canal may be warmed sufficiently to treat the disorder. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120310076 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING AND/OR DETECTING MAGNETIC PARTICLES IN A FIELD OF VIEW HAVING AN ARRAY OF SINGLE-SIDED TRANSMIT COIL SETS - The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a field of view. To increase the field of view and, at the same time, allow access to the patient during imaging, the apparatus comprises two or more transmit coil sets ( | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120065491 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR INFLUENCING AND/OR DETECTING MAGNETIC PARTICLES - The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action, in particular for monitoring of intra-cerebral or intra-cranial bleeding using Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI). A common coupling unit per coil of a coil array is provided for coupling all signals for generating the magnetic fields to the set of common coils. Further, the same coils are used for acquiring detection signals. In this way a small scanner can be built that can be left permanently or can be provided periodically to the patient, in particular for bleeding monitoring. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120022359 | CAPSULE MEDICAL DEVICE GUIDANCE SYSTEM - A capsule medical device guidance system includes a capsule medical device including a magnetic field responding unit and introduced into a subject, a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field for the responding unit to guide the device; an operation input unit for inputting operation information for magnetically guiding the device; a storage unit that stores position/posture information about position or posture of the device in an guidance region; an input unit for inputting setting instruction information for setting the position/posture information as a mark indicating a position to which the device is returned in the region, and return instruction information for returning the device to the mark; and a control unit that controls the generator to guide the device based on the operation information, and makes the generator generate the magnetic field to the mark based on the stored position/posture information in response to the return instruction information. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120059240 | METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF MICELLAR HYBRID NANOPARTICLES FOR THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS AND COMPOSITIONS THEREOF - The disclosure provides a long-circulating, micellar hybrid nanoparticles (MHN) that contain MN, QD, and the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) within a single polyethylene glycol (PEG)-phospholipid micelle and provide the first examples of simultaneous targeted drug delivery and dual-mode NIR-fluorescent and MR imaging of diseased tissue in vitro and in vivo. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120059241 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A STEERABLE IMAGING SYSTEM CONFIGURED AND ARRANGED FOR INSERTION INTO A PATIENT - A medical imaging assembly includes a sheath with a lumen. An imaging core is disposed at one end of an imaging core shaft disposed in the lumen. The imaging core shaft bends along a shape memory region when the imaging core is extended from the lumen. The imaging core includes a transducer to image patient tissue, a mirror to redirect acoustic signals between the transducer and patient tissue, and a magnet to drive rotation of the mirror. The magnet is rotatable by a magnetic field generated at the location of the magnet. An imaging core shaft rotator rotates the imaging core shaft such that, when the imaging core is extended from the lumen, rotation of the imaging core shaft causes radial rotation of the imaging core about the sheath. The imaging core shaft rotator includes rotatable imaging core shaft magnets fixedly disposed over a portion of the imaging core shaft. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120209105 | MAGNETIC-FIELD MEASUREMENT JIG, MAGNETIC-FIELD MEASUREMENT PROGRAM, AND INSPECTION DEVICE PROVIDED WITH MAGNETIC POSITION DETECTOR - In order to provide a highly reliable inspection device that prevents a loss in reliability of inspection that uses information from a position detector as a result of the influence of magnetic bodies or the like that are present in the environment, the inspection device is characterized by being provided with biological information measurement units ( | 08-16-2012 |
| 20110092795 | Methods and Systems for Monitoring Respiratory Data - This invention provides methods and systems for non-invasively determining the presence (and amount) or absence of dynamic hyperinflation in a subject. The invention is based on a novel combination of respiratory parameters that can be measured in a way that is non-invasive and unobtrusive to the subject. Dynamic hyperinflation is often a significant factor in the quality of life of patients suffering from a variety of obstructive pulmonary diseases, and this invention permits simple, routine tracking and management of dynamic hyperinflation in affected patients. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20100094117 | MEASURING CONTAINER FOR BIOMAGNETIC MEASUREMENTS - A measuring container is provided, which can be used for biomagnetic measurements, in particular for magnetocardiological measurements. The measuring container comprises an outer screen against electromagnetic high frequency fields and an inner screen against low frequency electromagnetic fields. The measuring container is constructed as a two-chamber system with an outer container comprising the outer screen. A measuring chamber with the inner screen is introduced into the outer container. An antechamber which can be walked into from outside is formed between the inner wall of the outer container and the measuring chamber. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100094116 | PERCUTANEOUS MAGNETIC GASTROSTOMY - A system and method places a percutaneous gastrostomy device into a body cavity of a patient using a magnetic gastrostomy tube and a medical detection sensing device. The magnetic gastrostomy tube has a ferromagnetic element attached to its distal end. Various embodiments allow a needle to be passed from the magnetic detection sensing device outside the patient toward a magnetic gastrostomy tube inside the patient or, alternatively, from the magnetic gastrostomy tube inside the patient toward the magnetic detection sensing device outside the patient. After a needle makes a hole between the outside of the patient and the body cavity, a medical wire may be passed through the hole, and the medical wire can then be used to place the percutaneous gastrostomy device. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20090203988 | Apparatus And Method For Non-Invasively Sensing Pulse Rate And Blood Flow Anomalies - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for non-invasively sensing pulse rate and blood flow anomalies using a localized, uni-directional, and constant magnetic field. The apparatus comprises a magnetic source for producing the magnetic field, a signal acquisition module with a magnetic sensor for detecting the modulations of the magnetic field caused by the blood flow; and a signal processing module for processing the acquired signals so as to produce data of pulse rate and blood flow anomalies. The method senses pulse rate and blood flow anomalies by providing a localized, uni-directional, and constant magnetic field in proximity to a blood vessel; detecting the variations of the magnetic field caused by the flow of pulsatile blood within the blood vessel; and processing the signals of the detected variations so as to monitor the blood flow. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20120165649 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE INTERNAL PRESSURE OF AN EXAMINATION OBJECT - The present invention relates to an apparatus ( | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120220854 | Integrated System for Intravascular Placement of a Catheter - An integrated catheter placement system for accurately placing a catheter within a patient's vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the integrated system comprises a system console, a tip location sensor for temporary placement on the patient's chest, and an ultrasound probe. The tip location sensor senses a magnetic field of a stylet disposed in a lumen of the catheter when the catheter is disposed in the vasculature. The ultrasound probe ultrasonically images a portion of the vasculature prior to intravascular introduction of the catheter. The ultrasound probe includes user input controls for controlling use of the ultrasound probe in an ultrasound mode and use of the tip location sensor in a tip location mode. In another embodiment, ECG signal-based catheter tip guidance is included in the integrated system to enable guidance of the catheter tip to a desired position with respect to a node of the patient's heart. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120220853 | METHOD OF MEASURING PROPERTIES OF AN OBJECT WITH ACOUSTICALLY INDUCED ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES - A measuring method and apparatus in which a measurable object ( | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120083684 | DIGITAL DISTANCE MEASURER FOR NERVE CONDUCTION STUDIES - Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are used to diagnose many types of disorders and are being employed more and more frequently. Current methods for distance measurement during a NCS are manual and often time consuming and vulnerable to considerable error. A device and system for electronically measuring distance during a NCS and automatically transferring the data is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device incorporates a contact wheel to travel across the surface of the subject's skin to measure the applicable distance. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120172703 | CATHETER WITH SINGLE AXIAL SENSORS - A catheter is provided with improved position and/or location sensing with the use of single axis sensors that are mounted directly along a length or portion of the catheter whose position/location is of interest. The magnetic based, single axis sensors are provided on a single axis sensor (SAS) assembly, which can be linear or nonlinear as needed. A catheter of the present invention thus includes a catheter body and a distal member of a particular 2D or 3D configuration that is provided by a support member on which at least one, if not at least three single axis sensors, are mounted serially along a length of the support member. In one embodiment, the magnetic-based sensor assembly including at least one coil member that is wrapped on the support member, wherein the coil member is connected via a joint region to a respective cable member adapted to transmit a signal providing location information from the coil member to a mapping and localization system. The joint region advantageously provides strain relief adaptations to the at least one coil member and the respective cable member from detaching. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20100298691 | Method of examining dynamic cardiac electromagnetic activity - A method of examining cardiac electromagnetic activity over a heart for diagnosing the cardiac functions of the heart is disclosed. The method may include constructing a phase diagram of electromagnetic signals over a heart by collecting sets of time-dependent magnetic signals, determining the zeroth and the first derivations of each set of the magnetic signals at a given time, and categorizing the zeroth and the first derivations of the magnetic signals in either of the four phases: (+, +), (−, −), (+, −), (−, +). The method may also include monitoring a wave propagation of the magnetic signals. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20120253168 | Method and apparatus for producing and detecting non-local effects of substances - A method and apparatus are disclosed which produce and detect quantum entanglement and non-local effects of substances on responsive targets such as biological systems. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing two parts of a quantum-entangled medium, applying one part to a biological system such as a human, contacting the other part with a desired substance such as a medication or substance encoded with a message, and detecting change of a biological parameter with a detecting device, whereby a non-local effect of the substance on the said biological system is produced and detected for a beneficial purpose. Also described are a number of implementations. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120253167 | FORCE MEASUREMENT FOR LARGE BEND ANGLES OF CATHETER - A method for calibrating a force measuring probe comprises providing a probe having an insertion tube with a distal tip, a joint comprising a resilient member, a joint sensor in conjunction with a processor coupled to the probe wherein the processor has a memory of an axial displacement threshold for the joint stored therein; applying force to the distal tip; measuring the displacement and deflection of the distal tip; correlating the measured displacement and deflection of the distal tip to the applied force and storing the correlation in the memory until reaching the axial displacement threshold; applying force greater than the axial displacement threshold to the distal tip to define a new force value; measuring the position of the distal tip in a plane transverse to the direction of force exerted on the distal tip; correlating the measured position of the distal tip in the plane transverse to the direction of force to the new force value and storing the correlation in the memory until reaching a pre-established upper limit for the new force value. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120226135 | PRIMARY SOURCE MIRROR FOR BIOMAGNETOMETRY - Apparatus and methods to enable the complete detection and assessment of electric currents flowing in a conductive medium not only parallel, but also perpendicular to the boundary separating the conducting medium from a non-conducting medium by means of a magnetometer located outside of the conducting medium itself. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120232376 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHANNEL SELECTION - A system and method for estimating a property of a neural or cardial source using inverse problem solving including a forward numerical model comprises a selection means for selecting at least one subset of a plurality of measurement channels, the selection taking into account the sensitivity of the measurement channel results to conductivity in the forward numerical model for the neural or cardial source. The system also includes a calculation means for determining a property of the neural or cardial source based on said at least one selected subset of measurement channel results. A corresponding computer program product and a controller adapted for controlling a system accordingly, are described. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120265049 | Treatment of Female Stress Urinary Incontinence - The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the diagnosis and treatment involves the use of a positional feedback catheter. Positional sensors may be embedded in the catheter to provide real-time tracking of the position and movement of the catheter. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120265048 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING MAGNETIC, LIGHT AND CRYSTAL ENERGY THERAPY - A system for providing treatment signals to a body of an individual includes a magnetic field measurement circuitry for measuring the magnetic field of the body of the individual and providing feedback information responsive thereto. A user interface displays the feedback information and receives a control input. A plurality of energy treatment circuitries each provides treatment energy to the body of the individual responsive to at least one control signal. An application interface applies the treatment energy to the body of an individual. A control block generates the at least one control signal responsive to the control input. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120095319 | Guidewire-Assisted Catheter Placement System - A catheter assembly for providing precise placement of a catheter distal end at a desired location within the patient vasculature is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catheter assembly comprises a catheter including an elongate body that defines a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. A guidewire is also included and is configured for being received within the lumen of the catheter and for guiding the catheter through the patient vasculature. The guidewire includes a plurality of depth markings along at least a portion of a length of the guidewire. The depth markings indicate a distance between a distal end of the guidewire and an insertion site through which the guidewire passes into the patient vasculature. The guidewire further includes a modified tip configured for assisting in guidewire advancement through the vasculature, and a proximal end orientation feature that indicates the orientation of the modified tip. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20110237928 | ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND/OR LOCATING A MAGNETIC MATERIAL IN A REGION OF ACTION - In Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) the reconstruction requires the knowledge of a so called system function. This function describes the relation between spatial position and frequency response. For reasonable resolutions and field of views the system function becomes quite large, resulting in large acquisition times for the system function and high memory demand during reconstruction. The present invention proposes to reduce the size of the system function matrix by making use of structural properties of the matrix. Such properties are, for instance, spatial symmetries reducing the number of columns and identical responses at different frequencies reducing the number of rows. In other embodiments the matrix can be transformed to a sparse representation using appropriate base functions. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20120101361 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A LANDMARK | 04-26-2012 |
| 20100179412 | ARRANGEMENT FOR MAGNETIC PARTICLE IMAGING, METHOD FOR INFLUENCING AND/OR DETECTING MAGNETIC PARTICLES AND MAGNETIC PARTICLE - An arrangement for magnetic particle imaging and a method for influencing and/or detecting magnetic particles in a region of action is disclosed, which arrangement comprises: magnetic particles in a region of action, the magnetic particles being influenceable and/or detectable, selection means for generating a magnetic selection field having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone having a higher magnetic field strengthare formed in the region of action, drive means for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones in the region of action by means of a magnetic drive field so that the magnetization of the magnetic particles changes locally, wherein each magneticparticle comprises a non-magnetic substrate with a layer of stainless steel. | 07-15-2010 |