14th week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 41 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120083645 | ECG-CORRELATED RADIOTHERAPY - A method of delivering radiation includes obtaining a first signal that represents a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the first signal. A method of delivering radiation includes determining a cardiac state of the subject, and generating a control signal using a processor to operate a component of a treatment radiation machine based at least in part on the determined cardiac state. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083646 | Using a Guide Member to Facilitate Brachytherapy Device Swap - A guide member facilitates a device swap for brachytherapy treatment. A cavity evaluation device is introduced during surgery such that a distal end of the device is disposed in a resected cavity of the patient. The cavity evaluation device includes a shaft in which is disposed an elongated guide member. In a subsequent out-patient procedure the cavity evaluation device is removed from the resected cavity. If a brachytherapy treatment is to be performed then the cavity evaluation device is removed without removing the elongated guide member such that position of a portion of the elongated guide member in the resected cavity is maintained relative to the resected cavity. An anchor member helps to maintain the position of the guide member. Introduction of a brachytherapy catheter is then facilitated by introducing the elongated guide member into an opening of the brachytherapy catheter and using the elongated guide member to guide the brachytherapy catheter to the resected cavity. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083647 | METHOD FOR CHANGING AN INDIVIDUAL'S STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS - This invention concerns a method for altering an individual's level of consciousness by directing stimulation or inhibition to a CNS locus target region in the individual's brain that is responsible for consciousness. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083648 | Apparatus and Method for Relieving Stress - A device for relieving user stress and method of using same are disclosed. The device may be provided in the form of a kit that the user may use to relieve himself or herself of troubling thoughts and use the dissolution features of the kit to visually observe the thought melting away. The kit may include a plurality of dissolvable substrates on which thoughts can be recorded, a writing instrument to record the thoughts on the substrate, a vessel to contain a solvent, and a medical device to monitor one or more physiological parameters of the user. The physiological parameters of the user may include blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, brain function, and combinations thereof. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083650 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING GASTRIC BAND PRESSURE - The present invention provides for an obesity treatment system for use in conjunction with a gastric band suitable for laparoscopic placement around a stomach of a patient to create a stoma. The obesity treatment system may use real-time objective measurement and clinical data to provide an optimal gastric band adjustment for the patient. The obesity treatment system may include a pressure sensing device coupled to the gastric band, and configured to detect a maximum tolerable pressure, and a pressure changing device coupled to the gastric band, and configured to adjust the gastric band for asserting an optimal pressure against the stomach of the patient, the optimal pressure based on an optimal pressure percentage and the maximum tolerable pressure. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083651 | SURGICAL IMPLANT AND METHODS OF USE - A method of treating a vaginal prolapse is provided. The method includes accessing a vaginal prolapse, inserting an implant comprising a knitted mesh into a patient, and securing the knitted mesh in place such that the implant supports the pelvic floor of the patient. The knitted mesh has a mass density of less than 20 g/m | 2012-04-05 |
20120083652 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INHIBITING INJURY TO A PATIENT DURING LAPAROSCOPIC SURGE - This group of inventions provides means and methods for preventing the damaging portions of surgical tools, such as laparoscopic devices, from adversely contacting tissues and organs that are not in the desired field of surgery. As such, the present disclosure pertains to any form of a warning or positioning device or methods, including those that are facilitated via software that are adapted and arranged for use in tracking portions of surgical instruments during laparoscopic surgery or other medical procedures. Such systems include those that are adapted and arranged to provide a warning to the surgeon or other medical personnel regarding the positional status of an instrument, and those that are adapted and arranged for disabling or attenuating the portions of those instruments that might be dangerous to a patient when a dangerous portion of the instrument is near or outside the desired, or denominated, field of surgery. Data relating to the position and orientation of the instrument and of the position of a safe zone within which the instrument can be kept safely is optionally (preferably) stored throughout a medical procedure for later playback for training purposes or for ensuring that a patient was not injured during a medical procedure. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083653 | GUIDED PROCEDURAL TREATMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - A medical device for minimally invasive surgical procedures. The medical device includes an ablative probe for removing malignant tissues from a body. A guidance sleeve encapsulates the ablative probe and facilitates its advancement through an opening in the body. In addition, the device includes an imaging device for monitoring the position of the guidance sleeve and the ablative probe within the body. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083654 | SIDE LOOKING MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY - A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083655 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An image pickup portion picks up an image of a suspected substance and produces a video signal. Optical fibers transmit the video signal output from the image pickup portion. A video signal processing portion processes the video signals transmitted by the optical fibers and then outputs the processed video signals to a monitor. A trouble detection portion detects trouble in a transmission state of the optical fibers. The video signal processing portion outputs to the monitor only the video signal transmitted by the optical fiber in which the trouble detection portion has not detected trouble. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083656 | ENDOSCOPE LIGHT SOURCE UNIT AND ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM - An endoscope light source unit comprising: a first light source section emitting a first illumination light composed of white light; a second light source section emitting a second illumination light orthogonally to a direction in which the first illumination light travels; a light combining member transmitting the first illumination light through a transmission section and, at the same time, reflecting the second illumination light by means of a reflection section to form a combined light so that a beam of the second illumination light may be located in a central part of a beam of the first illumination light; a shaping lens for modifying the beam of the second illumination light emitted; and a condenser lens for converging the combined light. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083657 | Remote Tissue Retraction Device - A medical device for managing tissue in an organ, such as the stomach, for retracting or positioning tissue and related organs to allow certain regions of the stomach to be acquired for a gastroplasty procedure. The medical device includes an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue treatment device attached to the distal end of the elongated body. The tissue treatment device includes a first jaw opposite a second jaw, and each jaw is adapted to acquire tissue. A retractor is disposed along the tissue treatment device and adapted to be moveable from a delivery position to a retraction position to move or manage the tissue of the stomach. The medical device also includes a collapsible barrier disposed between the first and second jaws of the tissue treatment device to direct tissue into the first and second jaws separately. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083658 | MINIMALLY OBSTRUCTIVE RETRACTOR - This application presents minimally-obstructive and structurally-adjustable retractors which afford an open work area of desirable size and enhanced visualization for a surgeon about the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall of the patient. The retractors may be lightweight and compact, and also configured and dimensioned to minimize slippage during use. The retractors may retract the engorged labia of the postpartum patient as well as the vaginal walls. The device may also be used as a speculum. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083659 | Foam Surgical Retractor - There is a method and surgical retractor provided which includes a member having a first end and a second end. The member defines a concave inner side between the two ends. The member also defines a convex outer side between the two ends. The member includes a first side and a second side wherein the edge of the first side extends, between the two ends, beyond an edge of the second side. The surgical retractor may further comprise a V-shaped channel defined in the convex inner side. The member may be composed of a surgical foam, wherein the surgical foam includes a characteristic of restorative shape memory. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083660 | ACCESS ASSEMBLY - An access assembly includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one lumen defined therethrough. The at least one lumen is configured for passage of a surgical instrument therethrough. An outer sleeve is disposed about the body portion to define a chamber therebetween. The chamber is selectively inflatable from a deflated condition, for positioning the access assembly within an opening in tissue, and an inflated condition, for retaining the access assembly within the opening in tissue in sealing relation therewith. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083661 | ACCESS PORT - A surgical access port assembly is provided including a cannula and an obturator insertable through the cannula. The cannula includes a housing having a hollow elongate tubular member extending distally from the housing. A duckbill valve is provided within the housing and includes an outer support rim and a pair of opposed multi-angle leaflets extending inwardly from the outer support rim. Each leaflet includes a lead in portion oriented at a first angle relative to the support rim and an entry portion extending from the lead in portion and oriented at a second angle relative to the support rim. The second angle is greater than the first angle. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083662 | RETRACTOR - A retractor for use in spinal procedures is disclosed. The retractor includes a first frame member defining a first recess and a second frame member pivotally connected to the first frame member. The second frame member defines a second recess. The retractor further includes a first blade assembly operably received within the first recess and a second blade assembly operably received within the second recess. The first blade assembly includes a first blade configured to pivot relative to the first frame member and a first blade extender selectively extendable from the first blade. The second blade assembly includes a second blade configured to translate within the second recess and a second blade extender selectively extendable from the second blade. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083663 | BLADE INSERT ILLUMINATOR - An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor. The light output portion of the illuminator contains from two to eight output zones, each zone having specially designed output optical structures that control and direct light to escape the illuminator to shine onto a predetermined area of interest or to form one or more predetermined shapes or footprints. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083664 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CARDIAC SURGERY - Methods for performing minimally invasive heart surgery include accessing a heart of a patient through a first incision on the left thorax of the patient, contacting the heart through the incision with a heart stabilizing device and/or a heart positioning device, introducing at least one coupling device through a second incision on the patient located apart from the first incision, coupling the coupling device with the heart stabilizing device or the heart positioning device, and performing a surgical procedure on the heart. Systems may include a retractor device, a heart stabilizing device, and a coupling device, for enhancing cardiac surgery. Any suitable heart surgery may be performed using methods, devices or systems of the present invention. In one embodiment, a CABG procedure is performed. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083665 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING LIGHT TO A SURGICAL SITE - An ophthalmic surgery system for delivering light to a surgical site includes an ophthalmic surgical console including a light source to generate light and a processor operably coupled to the light source and a surgical handpiece operably coupled to the ophthalmic surgical console via an optical fiber for delivering light from the from the light source to a surgical site. The processor is configured to adjust the light source to ensure an output light level at the surgical site is substantially consistent over a period of time. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083666 | MEDICATION DELIVERY AND COMPLIANCE SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - A system, method and apparatus for use in improving patient compliance with prescribed medication. The apparatus is configurable as a node on a communication network and has a storage unit for storing medication elements for a prescribed course of treatment. A delivery unit delivers the medication elements in a scheduled order corresponding to the course of treatment. A notification unit notifies a patient at the medication delivery apparatus that a next scheduled one of the medication elements should be consumed. A compliance unit issues to the network an indication that the next scheduled one of the medication elements has been consumed by the patient. If no notification is received by the compliance agent, remedial action is taken. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083667 | METHOD OF OBSERVING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF EXAMINEE'S EYE - A method of observing a three-dimensional image of an examinee's eye to be examined, includes: obtaining a first three-dimensional image which is a three-dimensional image of an anterior segment of the examinee's eye by optical coherence tomography for obtaining a tomographic image by converging a measurement light on the anterior segment of the examinee's eye; obtaining a second three-dimensional image which is a three-dimensional image of a fundus of the examinee's eye by optical coherence tomography for obtaining a tomographic image by converging the measurement light on the fundus of the examinee's eye by a timing different from a timing of obtaining the first three-dimensional image; constructing a three-dimensional eyeball image of the examinee's eye through image processing based on the obtained first and second three-dimensional images; and displaying the constructed three-dimensional eyeball image on a monitor. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083668 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MODIFY A CHARACTERISTIC OF A USER DEVICE BASED ON A NEUROLOGICAL AND/OR PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT - Example methods, systems and tangible machine readable instructions to operate a user device are disclosed herein. An example method of operating a user device includes collecting at least one of neurological data or physiological data of a user interacting with the user device. The example method also includes identifying a current user state based on the at least one of the neurological data or the physiological data. In addition, the example method includes modifying a characteristic of the user device based on the current user state and a desired user state. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083669 | Personal Nutrition and Wellness Advisor - Personal nutrition and wellness advisor system comprised of at least one computing platform, medical and nutrition knowledge databases, food nutrient databases, receives and analyzes each user's initial personal and health-related information to intelligently estimate his initial energy & nutrient budgets and physical activity needs; interactively constructs and presents to the user personalized energy and nutrient content-based, location-based, activity-based, and event-based ranked available food item lists and recipes to encourage the user to be physically active and to consume food items containing the most needed nutrients; tracks the user food consumption, physical activity, updates to energy and nutrient budget balances, any physiological parameter measurements, any taken medication types, doses, and times, and any other external events which may cause changes to user-specific health-related variables; and automatically varies the types, rankings, and/or portions of the food items in the recommended available food item list based on the results of tracked activities. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083670 | Method And Device For Monitoring The Risks For Sudden Infant Death Syndrom And For Positional Plagiocephaly - A portable monitoring device for monitoring of the short term, mid term and long term risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and to estimate the risk of onset of positional plagiocephaly. The monitoring device acquires one or more signals associated to the typical breath and positioning patterns of an infant through a tri-axial accelerometer, and registers the data in electronic format, where statistical analysis of the signal and pattern recognition are performed in real time by a processing unit. The device monitors the breath activity of an infant in various conditions, alerting a caregiver when a potentially dangerous situation is detected. The monitoring is attached to the clothes of the infant. Statistical analysis of the registered data is performed for quantifying the long term SIDS risk, the risk of plagiocephaly and for optimizing the functional parameters of the monitoring device. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083671 | BIOLOGICAL EXERCISE INFORMATION DISPLAY PROCESSING DEVICE AND BIOLOGICAL EXERCISE INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A biological exercise information display processing device includes: a biological information obtaining part for obtaining biological information regarding a test subject; an exercise information obtaining part for obtaining exercise information regarding the test subject; a diet information obtaining part for obtaining diet information for the test subject; a display character obtaining part for obtaining a display character for the test subject; a display part for performing image display; and a control part for determining an expression or action of the display character based on the biological information, the exercise information, and the diet information; and for performing a control so that an image display is performed on the display part according to the expression or action of the display character that has been determined. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083672 | VITALIMETRICS-BASED METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR HEALTH/LIFESTYLE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT - This invention provides methods and devices for vitalimetrics-guided health/lifestyle and improvement. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083673 | DEPTH OF CONSCIOUSNESS MONITOR INCLUDING OXIMETER - The present disclosure relates to a sensor for monitoring the depth of consciousness of a patient. The sensor includes a plurality of light sources, light detectors, and in some embodiments, electrodes. In an embodiment, the sensor includes reusable and disposable portions. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083674 | BAND AND ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT - The band is provided with a first band member and a second band member attached to an instrument main body, and a linking member. Each of the band members is provided with an expanding section that expands along a band extension direction, the expanding section having pliability, and having first slits having a pair of slits lying along the width direction and a slit lying along the band extension direction, and a pair of second slits lying along the width direction to communicate with the outside of the expanding section. A linking member is provided with a fixed member; a sliding member capable of sliding along the band extension direction of the first band member and provided with a linking section (projecting rod) for linking with the second band member; and an urging member for urging the sliding member in the opposite direction from the band extension direction. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083675 | MEASURING AFFECTIVE DATA FOR WEB-ENABLED APPLICATIONS - Mental state information is collected as a person interacts with a rendering such as a website or video. The mental state information is collected through video capture or capture of sensor information. The sensor information can be of electrodermal activity, accelerometer readings, skin temperature, or other characteristics. The mental state information is uploaded to a server and aggregated with other people's information so that collective mental states are associated with the rendering. The aggregated mental state information is displayed through a visual representation such as an avatar. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083676 | FETAL ECG MONITORING - A method for fetal monitoring includes acquiring electrical signals from a set of electrodes, for example, a set of surface electrodes applied to a maternal abdominal region. The electrical signals are analyzed, including by performing a morphological analysis of fetal electrocardiogram signals. A clinical indicator is then determined from a result of performing the morphological analysis. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083677 | BLOOD ANALYZER - A blood analyzer capable of obtaining a blood analysis result instantaneously without sampling blood but rather applying a DC current to blood flowing through an artery and irradiating it with an ultrasonic wave is provided. It is equipped with a main measurement unit | 2012-04-05 |
20120083678 | System and method for raman chemical analysis of lung cancer with digital staining - The present disclosure provides for a system and method for diagnosing biological samples that combines the visual staining features familiar to pathologists with the accurate, reliable, and nondestructive capabilities of Raman chemical imaging. The invention disclosed herein may be applied to diagnose lung cancer samples. A method may comprise illuminating a biological sample to generate interacted photons, filtering said interacted photons using a tunable filter, and detecting interacted photons to generate a test Raman data set representative of said sample. The method may further comprise applying at least one chemometric technique and/or a digital stain to said test Raman data set. This test Raman data set may be analyzed to diagnose said sample as comprising at least one of: adenocarcinoma, mesothelioma, and combinations thereof. A system may comprise an illumination source, a tunable filter, and a detector configured to generate a test Raman data set representative of a biological sample. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083679 | Automatic Biological Analyte Testing Meter with Integrated Lancing Device and Methods of Use - The invention is directed to an integrated device for sampling and testing an analyte. The device generally comprises a housing, a lancing device for sampling an analyte, a test strip for substantially capturing at least a portion of the analyte, and a display unit for displaying a result corresponding to the captured portion of the analyte. The invention is further directed to methods for sampling and testing. For example, one method comprises performing a single operation to sample an analyte, to capture the sampled analyte, to perform testing on the sampled analyte, and to display a result corresponding to the performed test. A method such as this can be carried out using an integrated sampling and testing device of the invention, for example, by placing the device the device on a test site of a subject, such as a patient, and performing the single operation to obtain a test result. The invention has particular application in the sampling and testing of analytes in blood, such as the blood of a diabetic patient. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083680 | NEEDLE TIP AND NEEDLE PROBE - A monopolar needle probe for measurement of electrical activity in a patient. The needle probe has a nonconductive sheath and a conductive needle within the nonconductive sheath. The conductive needle has a longitudinal axis. An end of the needle is exposed from the nonconductive sheath and the end defines a plurality of substantially planar and symmetrical surfaces. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083681 | Radiotherapy Planning and Delivery - Methods of radiotherapy planning and delivery are disclosed in which a radiation beam is directed towards a time-averaged mean position of the target during radiation-on. In addition, the radiation beam is gated to deliver radiation to the target only when the target is within a treatment volume centred on the mean position. Treatment plans according to embodiments of the present invention result in low doses to the surrounding healthy tissue, but high duty cycles and quicker treatment times. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083682 | ACOUSTIC SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE PERFORMANCE OF LEFT VENTRICLE ASSIST DEVICES AND OTHER MECHANICAL DEVICES IMPLANTED IN A PATIENT'S BODY - Embodiments of the present invention are related to apparatus and methods for acoustically monitoring the performance of a medical device disposed within the body of a patient. According to one embodiment of an apparatus, the apparatus includes at least one acoustic sensor and a computer system that is connected to receive information from the acoustic sensor, wherein the acoustic sensor is adapted to receive a set of acoustic information that corresponds to acoustic activity within the body of said patient. The computer system is adapted for: (A) receiving the set of acoustic information, and (B) using the set of acoustic information to calculate location information relating to a location of a source of the acoustic activity. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083683 | DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS - A diagnosis apparatus encompasses a probe array ( | 2012-04-05 |
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. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083685 | MRI DEVICE WITH A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLABLE ENTRY PORTS AND INSERTS THEREFOR - An animal handling system for use in an MRD device, including: a first elongated enclosure having a proximal end, a distal open end and a first geometry, and a second first elongated enclosure having a proximal end, a distal open end and a second geometry. The first second geometry comprises a first cross-sectional area which is larger than a second cross-sectional area of the second geometry. The first elongated enclosure is inserted into a first input port of the MRD device and the second elongated enclosure is inserted in a second input port of the MRD device diametrically opposite to second input port, such that on insertion of the first elongated enclosure into the first input port and insertion of the second elongated enclosure into the second input, the second elongated enclosure slides into the first elongated enclosure through the open distal end of the first elongated enclosure. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083686 | MR IMAGING GUIDED ULTRASOUND THERAPY - The invention relates to a therapeutic system which comprises: an ultrasound therapy unit ( | 2012-04-05 |
20120083687 | Retrospectively Correlated Turbo Spin Echo Imaging - Systems and methods which generate a sequence of images using turbo spin echo magnetic resonance imaging which are retrospectively correlated with periodic motion occurring within a subject being imaged are described. In one embodiment, k-space measurements (or the measurements from which images are formed) are captured during, and correlated with, different phases in a cardiac cycle of the subject. With this sequence, the images that are produced are able to show, and/or compensate for, motion correlated with the cardiac cycle of the subject. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083688 | HEAD INJURY DIAGNOSTICS - Systems and methods for detecting the effects of concussion are disclosed. In various embodiments, fMRI or other live analysis technique captures data regarding the subject's brain activity while he or she is performing a task that exercises one or more particular functional centers. In some embodiments, post-collision activity is compared to baseline data, and the diagnosis operates as a function of the comparison. in other embodiments, post-collision activity is analyzed, such as by partitioning the activity data into regions of interest and calculating activity for one particular region in comparison with certain other, perhaps adjacent, regions. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083689 | LIGHT-GUIDED TRANSLUMINAL CATHETER - Generally, the present invention is directed to a light-guided catheter for direct visualization of placement through the skin. An embodiment of the invention includes a method for transcutaneous viewing and guiding of intracorporeal catheters into a body that comprises inserting a catheter into the body having at least one lumen and internally illuminating the catheter with light capable of propagating through the blood and tissue to an external viewer outside of the body. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083690 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC IMAGING AND THERAPEUTICS USING SPECIALIZED NANOPARTICLES - Various systems and methods utilizing composite nanoparticles or other specialized nanoparticles in the context of electromagnetic tomography are described. A method for electromagnetic imaging includes imaging a biological tissue via an electromagnetic tomography system, recording electrical activity of the biological tissue via a biomedical electrical recording system, and correlating dielectric properties of the biological tissue with an electrical signal recorded by the biomedical electrical recording system. A method for electromagnetic imaging and therapeutics using composite nanoparticles includes imaging a biological tissue, via an electromagnetic tomography system, using a material in the composite nanoparticles, implementing a therapy, via a therapeutic application system, using a material in the composite nanoparticles, wherein the implementation is carried out at least partly on the basis of information received from the electromagnetic tomography system, assessing an effect of the therapy, and controlling further implementation of the therapy based on the assessment. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083691 | Diagnostic Imaging for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Using Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Techniques - A system for treating age-related macular degeneration includes an agent with non-centro symmetric molecules_for marking a region of diseased tissue. An optical assembly focuses the laser beam to a plurality of focal points in the region of diseased tissue, each focal point having a volumetric measurement of about 2 μm×2 μm×20 μm. Due to an increased concentration of photons in the relatively small volume of each focal point, two photons interact with a single molecule of the marking agent, within a very short interval of time (e.g. 10 | 2012-04-05 |
20120083692 | PRESSURE CONTROL IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND IMAGING - Contact pressure from a transducer is controlled in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Rather than measuring pressure directly using a pressure sensor on the transducer, the compression of tissue within the patient may be measured using ultrasound scanning. The desired amount of compression in the region of interest for diagnosis may be obtained. For example in breast imaging, the desired compression for imaging a portion of the breast is compared to compression measured from ultrasound data. Once the desired tissue compression is achieved, the pressure applied by the transducer is maintained while the diagnosis scan occurs. For example, a robotic arm locks or otherwise maintains the pressure during scanning. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083693 | HANDHELD ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS WITH RACK STAND - The present disclosure relates to a handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes a height adjustable rack stand. The apparatus includes a portable main body, and a rack stand that supports the main body such that the main body can be held at a preset height. The handheld ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be rapidly installed using the rack stand, thereby enabling a user to rapidly address an emergency situation using the apparatus. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083694 | STRETCHING BASED STRAIN IMAGING IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM - Embodiments for forming an elastic image in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processing unit is configured to control an ultrasound data acquisition unit to perform the transmit/receive operation in a first state where compression is not applied to the target object to thereby obtain a first ultrasound frame data set, and to perform the transmit/receive operation in a second state where compression is applied to the target object to thereby obtain a second ultrasound frame data set. The processing unit is further configured to compute a first strain between the first and second ultrasound frame data sets, perform globally uniform stretching upon the second ultrasound frame data set based on the first strain, and compute a second strain between the first ultrasound frame data set and the stretched second ultrasound frame data set and form an elastic image based on the second strain. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083695 | CONTINUOUS TRANSMIT FOCUSING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083696 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM FOR RECONSTRUCTING INTRA-TUBULAR-STRUCTURE IMAGE - A tubular structure, such as a blood vessel, of a subject is extracted from each of a three-dimensional image representing the tubular structure and a three-dimensional intra-tubular-structure image that has been generated from plural tomographic images of the tubular structure obtained by performing tomography on the tubular structure plural times from the inside of the tubular structure along a path in the tubular structure. Further, an arbitrary range in one of the tubular structure extracted from the three-dimensional image and the tubular structure extracted from the three-dimensional intra-tubular-structure image is correlated with a corresponding range in the other one of the tubular structures. Further, a projection three-dimensional image is generated by projecting an image of a specific structure included in the range in the three-dimensional intra-tubular-structure image into the correlated range in the three-dimensional image. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083697 | System and Method for Determining a Position of an Object - A system is disclosed for determining a position and a change in the position of an anatomical structure. The system utilizes a surgical navigation system and a substrate that is capable of being removably mounted to an outer surface of a patient's body. The substrate includes a sensor that is tracked by the surgical navigation system and a positional device that determines the position of an anatomical structure relative to the sensor. The concatenation of the position of the sensor and the relative position of the anatomical structure allows a global position of the anatomical structure to be determined by a computer system and displayed to the user. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083698 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS MEASURING METHOD THEREFOR - Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an imaging unit configured to obtain an ultrasonic image of a carotid artery portion of an object to be examined, a parting line calculation unit configured to set at least one threshold value and calculate a parting line for segmenting the ultrasonic image into multiple regions, an intima-media thickness calculation unit configured to specify a direction for searching the multiple regions, search an intima-media region in the specified direction based on the brightness, draw multiple curves based on the position acquired by the search and positional information on the carotid artery portion in the ultrasonic image, and calculate the intima-media thickness from the distance between the multiple curves. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083699 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNIZING MOVING ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES USING ULTRASOUND - A method of recognizing at least one moving anatomical structure using ultrasound data that operates by receiving ultrasound data 100 (100). The ultrasound data comprises Doppler shift information which provides information descriptive of the velocity of at least one anatomical structure. The ultrasound data is first divided into a series of time frames (102). A classification is then assigned to each of the time frames using the Doppler shift information (104). The at least one anatomical structure is then recognized by using the classification of each time frame (106). This is possible, because different anatomical structures produce different patterns in the Doppler shift information. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083700 | DETECTING, QUANTIFYING, AND/OR CLASSIFYING SEIZURES USING MULTIMODAL DATA - Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting an epileptic event, for example, a seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by providing an autonomic signal indicative of the patient's autonomic activity; providing a neurologic signal indicative of the patient's neurological activity; and detecting an epileptic event based upon the autonomic signal and the neurologic signal. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083701 | DETECTING, QUANTIFYING, AND/OR CLASSIFYING SEIZURES USING MULTIMODAL DATA - A method, comprising receiving at least one of a signal relating to a first cardiac activity and a signal relating to a first body movement from a patient; triggering at least one of a test of the patient's responsiveness, awareness, a second cardiac activity, a second body movement, a spectral analysis test of the second cardiac activity, and a spectral analysis test of the second body movement, based on at least one of the signal relating to the first cardiac activity and the signal relating to the first body movement; determining an occurrence of an epileptic event based at least in part on said one or more triggered tests; and performing a further action in response to said determination of said occurrence of said epileptic event. Further methods allow classification of epileptic events. Apparatus and systems capable of implementing the method. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083702 | Method for Locating a Catheter Tip Using Audio Detection - A method for locating a catheter tip within a human body is disclosed. An audio sensor is positioned at a site on the human body. An audio signal is detected by the audio sensor, and transmitted to an audio signal processing unit. The audio signal processing unit determines if the audio signal corresponds to a target location of the catheter tip, and transmits a notification signal to a user notification unit. An infusion of fluid or an audio emitting element can be used to generate the audio signal at the catheter tip. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083703 | IMPLANTABLE CORONARY PERFUSION MONITORING DEVICE - An implantable coronary perfusion monitoring device for in-vivo determination of a coronary perfusion index (CPI) indicative of the coronary perfusion of a heart has a time measurement unit to determine a blood pressure reflection wave measure t indicating the timely position in the heart cycle of the maximum of a reflected blood pressure wave and in a time period starting at a preset point of time in systole and ending at a local maximum of blood pressure following aortic valve closure and, a diastolic peak pressure measurement unit adapted to determine a diastolic peak blood pressure measure DPP related to diastolic aortic peak pressure and a systolic arterial pressure measurement unit adapted to determine a systolic arterial blood pressure measure SAP related to systolic arterial pressure, and a coronary perfusion index calculating unit adapted to determine said coronary perfusion index CPI as (t·DPP)/SAP. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083704 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT - A method and device for blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The steps are capturing the pressure oscillating signal detected from the pressure sensor arranged at the cuff, processing the signal appropriately to cooperate with the personal information inputted by subject or without inputting any information, and actively selecting suitable characteristic coefficient accurately determine the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. It is able to adaptively regulate algorithms relative to different ages, BMIs, medical histories, and further accurately determine the blood pressure, so that the probability of the sphygmomanometer's erroneous judgment is decreased, medical resources are saved, and further a personal blood pressure measurement is accurately performed. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083705 | Activity Monitoring Systems and Methods of Operating Same - The present inventions, in one aspect, is an activity monitoring system comprising a fixture having size/shape adapted to couple to a location on the user's body and a particular signature; and a portable monitoring device adapted to detect the fixture's particular signature. The monitoring device includes a housing that is adapted to engage the fixture; activity sensors, disposed in the housing, to detect activity of the user and to generate data which is representative of the activity of the user; and processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to calculate an activity-related quantity of the user using the data which is representative of the activity of the user, wherein the processing circuitry: determines the monitoring device is engaging the fixture by detecting the fixture's particular signature, and, in response thereto, calculates the activity-related quantity using data from a set of the activity sensors. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083706 | ECG DATA DISPLAY METHOD FOR RAPID DETECTION OF MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA - Measured values of ST segment deviations obtained from a multi-lead ECG are transformed and displayed on a polar ST Circle Display, with zero ST deviation values located on a circle having a diameter that is greater than a maximum absolute ST segment deviation value obtained for any measured or derived lead. An ischemic condition and a location of the ischemia can thereby be easily determined. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083707 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF A CAPNOGRAM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD AS WELL AS COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT WITH SUCH A COMPUTER PROGRAM - A method implemented, e.g., as software and a device operating according to the method for the automatic evaluation and analysis of a capnogram are provided. Measured values for an expired volume—volume measured values—and measured values for a carbon dioxide concentration—concentration measured values—are recorded for the breathing gas of a test subject. An automatic approximation of at least one part of the curve of the concentration measured values over the volume measured values is performed, by using three mutually adjacent straight lines for the approximation. The area is determined using the third straight line according to Fowler for the determination of the serial dead space Vds. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083708 | ADAPTIVE REAL-TIME SEIZURE PREDICTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A real-time seizure prediction system. The system includes an implantable electrode configured to transmit an analog neuro-electrophysiological signal from a subject, an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog neuro-electrophysiological signal to a digital neuro-electrophysiological signal based on a predetermined sampling rate, a processor configured to perform following steps during a period defined by the predetermined sampling rate: calculate a plurality of autocorrelation coefficients of the digital neuro-electrophysiological signal for a first predetermined number of samples, calculate a predicted future value of the digital neuro-electrophysiological data based on the plurality of autocorrelation coefficients and the first predetermined number of samples of the digital neuro-electrophysiological data, compare the predicted future value with an actual future value of the digital neuro-electrophysiological data to determine a prediction error, calculate a threshold based on a mean squared value of the prediction error for the first predetermined number of samples and based on a proportionality constant, generate a seizure prediction signal if the prediction error remains above the threshold for a second predetermined number of samples, and a warning device configured to receive the seizure prediction signal and generate an alert. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083709 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING INTRATHECAL PENETRATION - Systems and methods for detecting intrathecal penetration are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes detecting a value corresponding to an impedance of an electrical circuit that in turn includes an electrical contact located within the patient, and patient tissue adjacent to the electrical contact. The method further includes comparing the detected value to a predetermined criterion, and, if the detected value meets the predetermined criterion, identifying penetration of the patient's dura based at least in part on the detected value. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083710 | ERGONOMIC HAND-HELD THERMOMETER - A thermometer useful for measuring the temperature of a patient, the thermometer including a housing, at least one temperature sensor assembly including a plurality of external patient skin contacting surfaces, and a mounting element for mounting the at least one temperature sensor assembly on the housing and being operative for mutually independently mounting each of the plurality of external patient skin contacting surfaces to be independently arrangeable in a spatial orientation which may be independently different from the spatial orientation of the external patient skin contacting surface of each other of the plurality of external patient skin contacting surfaces. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083711 | DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SENSING HYDRATION STATE OF A MAMMALIAN SUBJECT - Timed sensing of collection of saliva in a liquid collection element of predetermined volumetric capacity may be used to determine salivary secretion rate, as may be indicative of state of euhydration or dehydration. Sensing of salivary flow rate may be further augmented by sensing concentration of at least one analyte in saliva (e.g., with an immunochromatographic assay performed in a lateral flow device) in order to determine a state of euhydration or dehydration. Production of saliva may be stimulated, and collected saliva may be analyzed to generate an analyte detection signal that indicative of presence and/or correlative of concentration of at least one analyte in the collected saliva to sense a state of euhydration or dehydration. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083712 | Monitoring Compliance Using Venous Refill Detection - Monitoring patient compliance with a compression therapy regimen. Venous Refill Time (VRT) is monitored via a pressure sensor in a bladder of a compression system. A controller of the compression system correlates the monitored VRT to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the patient is using the compression system. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083713 | DEVICE FOR GAUGING A FORCE THRESHOLD AND ENGAGING A TARGET OF INTEREST - The disclosure generally relates to devices and instruments for engaging a target of interest, having a resilient member for gauging a force threshold. The device or instrument may include a tip portion, wherein the tip portion includes a first end portion a having an engaging member configured to engage a target of interest, an opposite, second end portion, and a body portion defined therebetween, the body portion including a resilient member configured to be elastically compressible up to a predetermined maximum compression level. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083714 | Activity Monitoring Systems and Methods of Operating Same - The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to an activity monitoring system comprising a portable monitoring device and a base device. In one embodiment, the portable monitoring device includes a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user, a motion sensor, disposed in the housing, to detect motion of a user and, in response thereto, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user, processing circuitry, disposed in the housing, to calculate a calorie burn of the user and/or number of steps taken by the user using the data which is representative of motion of the user. The portable monitoring device also includes a display to display data to the user, wherein the display includes a data transfer mode to optically transmit data which is representative of the calorie burn of the user and/or number of steps taken by the user. The base device includes a visual sensor to detect the data which is representative of the calorie burn of the user and/or number of steps taken by the user transmitted by the display. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083715 | Portable Monitoring Devices and Methods of Operating Same - The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device to calculate calorie burn of a user, comprising a motion sensor to detect motion of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user, and an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user. The portable monitoring device may include processing circuitry to: calculate data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user using (i) the data which is representative of motion of the user and (ii) the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user, calculate first calorie burn using the data which is representative of motion of the user, and calculate second calorie burn by adjusting the first calorie burn based on data which is representative of a change in elevation of the user. The portable monitoring device may include a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083716 | Portable Monitoring Devices and Methods of Operating Same - The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to a portable monitoring device to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by a user, the portable monitoring device comprising (i) a motion sensor to detect motion of the user and, in response thereto, to generate data which is representative of motion of the user, (ii) an altitude sensor to detect a change in altitude of the user and, in response thereto, to generate data which is representative of the change in altitude of the user, and (iii) processing circuitry, coupled to the motion sensor and the altitude sensor, to calculate a number of stairs or flights of stairs traversed by the user using the data which is representative of motion of the user and the data which is representative of a change in altitude of the user. The portable monitoring device may include a housing having a physical size and shape that is adapted to couple to the body of the user. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083717 | Non-Invasive Transcranial Ultrasound Apparatus - Disclosed is an autonomically functioning, battery-powered apparatus for non-invasive delivery of transcranial ultrasound. Insonation is directed by electronic circuitry and programmable instructions in memory and is modulated to achieve stereotemporal modulation of insonation so as to eliminate the need for assisted cooling. The apparatus is provided with registration members to facilitate stereotactic placement of transducer arrays and does not require diagnostic imaging guidance during setup and operation. Insonation is directed by electronic circuitry and programmable instructions in memory and is modulated to achieve stereotemporal modulation of insonation so as to eliminate the need for assisted cooling. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083718 | Hands-Free Operator-Independent Transcranial Ultrasound Apparatus and Methods - Disclosed is a “hands-free”, autonomously operating, battery-powered apparatus with electronic programmable actuation circuitry for non-invasive ultrasonic treatment of ischemic stroke, microatheromas of the cerebral vasculature, intracranial hypertension, and other cerebrovascular pathologies such as hypoperfusion associated with migraine. The apparatus is provided with registration members to facilitate stereotactic placement of the headset on the skull with respect to target intracranial anatomy. Once fitted in place on the skull and activated, the device does not require clinical intervention during operation; does not need skilled technical adjustment of the waveform patterns; and achieves therapeutic results with power consumption of less than 400 mAmp-hr, thus permitting extended portable operation without external power and eliminating the need for assisted cooling. Using a device of the invention, transcranial ultrasound may be self-administered. The device has application in therapeutic methods, such as methods for treating stroke or migraine, for non-invasively augmenting drug action, and for release or dispersal of endogenous neurovascular mediators. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083719 | ULTRASOUND-INTERSECTING BEAMS FOR DEEP-BRAIN NEUROMODULATION - Disclosed are methods and devices for ultrasound-mediated non-invasive deep brain neuromodulation impacting one or a plurality of points in a neural circuit using intersecting ultrasound beams. Depending on the application, this can produce short-term effects (as in the treatment of post-surgical pain) or long-term effects in terms of Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) or Long-Term Depression (LTD) to treat indications such as neurologic and psychiatric conditions. Multiple beams intersect and summate at one or a plurality of targets. The ultrasound transducers are used with control of direction of the energy emission, intensity, frequency (carrier frequency and/or neuromodulation frequency), pulse duration, pulse pattern, and phase/intensity relationships to targeting and accomplishing up-regulation and/or down-regulation. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083720 | REFERENCE SENSOR FOR CPR FEEDBACK DEVICE - Embodiments of the present concept are directed to medical devices for use by a rescuer who is caring for a patient and includes a bottom device for use with a top device to measure the depth of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions delivered to the chest of a patient. The top device is intended for placement on the chest of the patient and has a top mechanism that is moveable up and down as the chest compressions are delivered to the patient. The bottom device includes a generally elongate member having a handle at one end and a bottom mechanism near the opposite end. The elongate member is structured to be placed under the patient during delivery of CPR. The top mechanism and the bottom mechanism cooperate to generate a value for a net depth of the compressions of the patient chest with reference to each other. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083722 | Weight-bearing lower extremity brace - The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a device and/or system (e.g., redistributing weight away from a subject's foot), which may comprise (a) a platform, (b) at least one vertical support fixed to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and (c) at least one cuff (i) configured to surround and releasably grip at least a portion of a subject's leg other than the foot and (ii) mounted (e.g., adjustably) to the at least one vertical support at a vertical position along the at least one vertical support sufficient to suspend a subject's foot in a non-weight-bearing position above the platform during ambulation, wherein the platform, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one cuff together are configured to bear at least the subject's full weight. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083723 | Wound Dressing with Advanced Fluid Handling - A wound dressing for managing wound fluids includes a porous contact layer for positioning adjacent a wound. An internal open window extends through the contact layer exposing a distal side of an absorbent member. The absorbent member is disposed in a superimposed relation to the window of the contact layer and is dimensioned to extend laterally beyond the window such that a portion of the absorbent member overlaps and is secured to the contact layer. A drape layer is disposed on a proximal side of the absorbent member, and is adhesively coated to fasten the drape layer to the absorbent member. A cover layer disposed over the drape layer defines an internal open window such that the open window is adjacent the absorbent member. A distal side of the cover layer is adhesively coated to secure the cover layer to the contact layer. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083724 | SEGMENTED SKIN TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Devices, kits and methods described herein may be for wound healing, including the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of scars and/or keloids by applying and/or maintaining a pre-determined strain in an elastic skin treatment device that is then affixed to the skin surface using skin adhesives to transfer a generally planar force from the bandage to the skin surface. Applicators are used to apply and/or maintain the strains, and some of the applicators are further configured to provide at least some mechanical advantage to the user when exerting loads onto the skin treatment device. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083725 | Protective Tendon Boot for Protecting Horse Legs - A protective tendon boot for protecting horse legs includes an essentially rectangular padding, where the padding includes two longitudinal edges which run in the longitudinal direction of the leg when fastened on the horse leg. A zipper includes having two zipper halves), each of the zipper halves is located being situated in the area of one of the longitudinal edges of the padding, and an overlapping section which covers the entire zipper when the protective tendon boot is fastened on the leg. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083726 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING A FLUID SYSTEM OF AN EXTRACORPOREAL BLOOD TREATMENT DEVICE - The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring a fluid system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device. In the method according to the present invention and the device according to the present invention, the pressure in a ventilation line branching off the venous drip chamber in the venous blood line is measured, a hydrophobic filter being disposed in the ventilation line. A fault in the fluid system is determined in the absence of pressure variations in the segment of the ventilation line remote from the venous drip chamber. The pressure variations in the ventilation line can be generated downstream of the hydrophobic filter by alternately ventilating the ventilation line that is closed downstream of the hydrophobic filter during blood treatment. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083727 | DRUG DELIVERY BLADE AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A DRUG DEPOT TO A TARGET SITE - A drug delivery blade for delivering a drug depot to a treatment site in a patient is disclosed. The drug delivery blade includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the blade, a lumen that extends longitudinally from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft, a first beveled cut that forms a sharpened tip at the distal end of the shaft, and a flared portion near the distal end of the shaft. The flared portion of the blade includes two radially-extending blade segments having sharpened leading edges that allow the drug delivery blade to cut tissue when the blade is advanced toward a treatment site. Methods of using the drug delivery blade are also disclosed. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083728 | PHACOEMULSIFICATION HAND PIECE WITH INTEGRATED ASPIRATION PUMP - An ophthalmic surgical hand piece comprises a driver coupled to a horn. The horn is coupled to a needle. An aspiration pump is integral with the hand piece and is located close to the needle. A rigid length of aspiration line is located between the aspiration pump and the needle. An optional pressure sensor is located between the aspiration pump and the needle as well. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083729 | Peritoneal dialysis machine - A method for operating a dialysis cassette including a flexible membrane that covers a pump chamber includes applying a vacuum about a piston head and sucking the flexible membrane of the dialysis cassette onto the piston head; mechanically retracting the piston head along with the vacuum applied membrane away from the dialysis cassette to draw fluid into the pump chamber; mechanically extending the piston head and the flexible membrane into the pump chamber to expel fluid from the pump chamber through a flow path; and directly sensing a pressure of the fluid flowing through the flow path at a location of the dialysis cassette adjacent to the pump chamber. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083730 | Variable Volume, Shape Memory Actuated Insulin Dispensing Pump - A portable pumping system provides insulin or other drugs to a user. A shape memory element is used to actuate the pump and an intelligent system controls the actuator in order to minimize stresses within the system and provide accurate and reliable dosage delivery. The control system utilizes various types of feedback to monitor and optimize the position of the pumping mechanisms. Physical design aspects also minimize stress and the combination of the physical design aspects and the intelligent operation of the system results in a lightweight and cost effective pump that may be used in a disposable fashion if desired. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083731 | Insert for a breast pump - An insert for a breast-receiving funnel ( | 2012-04-05 |
20120083732 | CATHETER WITH A POLYMIDE DISTAL TIP - A catheter having an elongated shaft which has a multilayered distal tip with a first layer formed of a polyimide first material and a second layer formed of a polymeric second material. In one embodiment the multilayered distal tip is a separate member, distal to the distal end of a proximal portion of the shaft. In another embodiment, the shaft has an outer tubular member, and a multilayered inner tubular member with a distal end which forms the multilayered distal tip of the shaft. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polyimide material is a thermoset polyimide. In one embodiment, the polymeric second material is a polyamide material. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083733 | CATHETER ASSEMBLY WITH GUARD - A catheter assembly includes an expandable and collapsible structure having an outer surface. The expandable and collapsible structure is adapted to expand between a contracted state and a dilated state. A guard is bonded to the outer surface of the expandable and collapsible structure. The guard and the expandable and collapsible structure cooperatively define a plurality of reservoirs. A coating disposed in the reservoirs. The coating includes a bioactive agent. The coating protrudes from the reservoirs when the expandable and collapsible structure is expanded to the dilated state. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083734 | BALLOON CATHETER COMPRISING PRESSURE SENSITIVE MICROPARTICLES - The invention provides a solution to the above mentioned problem in that it provides a catheter balloon comprising a flexible coating on its outer surface wherein a plurality of microparticles are contained wherein said coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly(N-vinyl-pirrolidone, poly(N-vinyl-pirrolidone-co-butylacrylate), poly(-vinyl pyridine), polyacrylamides, e.g. poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), poly(amido-amines), poly(ethylene imine), poly(ethylene oxide-block-propylene oxide), poly(ethylene oxide-block-propylene oxide-block-ethylene oxide), poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene), poly(hydroxystyrene-block-isobutylene-block-hydroxystyrene), polydialkylsiloxanes, polysaccharides, polyacrylates and polyalkylmethacrylates, e.g. polymethylmethacrylate and poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) and wherein said microparticles comprise a material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, e.g. poly(lactic acid), poly(lactic-co-glycol acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and polycaprolactone, polyamides, polysaccharides, polyurethanes, polyalkylmethacrylates and polyacrylates, e.g. polymethylmethacrylate and poly(2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) and wherein the microparticles comprise a pharmaceutically active compound. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083735 | ENTERAL FEEDING APPARATUS HAVING A FEEDING SET - An enteral feeding apparatus has a pump system including a bearing surface, a platen and a retainer mounted on the platen. The retainer has a first engagement member. A feeding set includes a cassette and a lumen attached to the cassette. The lumen has a peristalsis loop for extending around the bearing surface and the cassette has a second engagement member adapted for engagement with the first engagement member of the retainer to thereby secure the cassette to the pump system. The lumen is in tension when the peristalsis loop is extended around the bearing surface and the first and second engagement members are engaged. The second engagement member of the cassette is biased into engagement with the first engagement member of the retainer by the tension on the lumen. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083736 | FEEDING SET FOR A PERISTALTIC PUMP SYSTEM - A feeding set for a peristaltic pump system includes a cassette configured for releasable connection thereto. A deflectable lumen priming actuator is formed integrally with the cassette for conjoint connection to and disconnection from the pump system with the cassette as a single unit. The priming actuator includes an actuation pad and is moveable from a rest position to a deflected position. A substantially flexible lumen is coupled to the cassette. The lumen has an inlet, an outlet, and an extensible peristalsis loop. An inline valve is received within the lumen. The inline valve is arranged to obstruct fluid flow through the lumen. The actuation pad of the priming actuator is located proximate the inline valve in the rest position and is adapted to contact and apply a force to the lumen adjacent the inline valve when the priming actuator is moved to the deflected position. The force applied to the lumen is sufficient to establish at least one flow channel between the inline valve and the lumen. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083737 | ANTI FREE-FLOW OCCLUDER AND PRIMING ACTUATOR PAD - A system for selectively preventing free flow in a tube includes an in-line occluder disposed in the tube and an actuator pad for creating a flow path between the tube and the occluder. The actuation pad presses towards the occluder from a single side and stretches the tube to create a large flow path. The occluder stem is strengthened to resist deformation and damage from the forces applied by the actuator pad. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083738 | INFUSION PUMP ASSEMBLY - An infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in movable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083739 | RETAINER FOR IMMOBILIZING AN IMPLANTED CATHETER DURING STYLET RETRACTION, AND STYLET HOLDER FOR USE WITH SAME - Devices, systems, and methods for immobilizing an implanted catheter tip while a catheter stylet is withdrawn from the catheter. In one embodiment, a cannula system is included that incorporates a catheter retainer securable to an immobilized guide cannula. The retainer may include one or more surfaces that operatively engage the catheter and effectively restrain the catheter relative to a head of the guide cannula. Other embodiments may also include a stylet holder operable to engage the stylet with a consistent and repeatable clamping force that is independent of clinician-applied force. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083740 | Introducer Sheath for Catheters - An introducer sheath includes a tubular body portion having a proximal region and a distal region, and defines an internal lumen configured and dimensioned to slidably receive a catheter. A penetrating portion at a distal end of the tubular body has a first tapered configuration to enlarge an opening in a body tissue during distal advancement of the introducer sheath through the body tissue and a second expanded configuration to enable the passage of a distal end portion of a catheter through the penetrating portion. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083741 | DELIVERY DEVICE - A device for delivery of material or stimulus to targets within a body to produce a desired response, the targets being at least one of cells of interest, cell organelles of interest and cell nuclei of interest. The device includes a number of projections for penetrating a body surface, with the number of projections being selected to produce a desired response, and the number being at least 500. A spacing between projections is also at least partially determined based on an arrangement of the targets within the body. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083742 | CANNULA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMMOBILIZING AN IMPLANTED CATHETER DURING CATHETER ANCHORING - Devices, systems, and methods for immobilizing an implanted catheter tip while the catheter is anchored relative to surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, a cannula system is included that incorporates a cinch tube for guiding the catheter to a target site within a body. The cinch tube may define a cinch window to receive therein a cinch member operable to immobilize and occlude the catheter. The cinch tube may also include an elongate opening proximate the cinch window. The elongate opening allows extraction of a portion of the catheter and subsequent severing of the catheter above the cinch window/occlusion site. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083743 | Catheter securement device - A catheter securement device that adheres to the skin of a patient having an epidural catheter or similar small flexible tube member inserted percutaneously, the securement device having a flexible, sheet-like main body member capable of adhering to the skin of the patient, a notched pad member over which the catheter is bent, an exposed portion of adhesive to contact the catheter, and a releasable retention member to secure the catheter onto the main body member. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083744 | Packaging of Delivery Device for Aseptic Filling and Distribution - A syringe assembly includes a syringe body including a distal end. The syringe body defines a fluid chamber therein. The fluid chamber includes a lower end. A septum is disposed at the distal end of the syringe body and is configured to sealingly close the lower end of the fluid chamber. The syringe body and the septum are formed as a single, molded piece. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083745 | DRIVE ASSEMBLY SUITABLE FOR USE IN A MEDICATION DELIVERY DEVICE AND MEDICATION DELIVERY DEVICE - A drive assembly for use in a medication delivery device is provided for, which comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive member moveable in the proximal direction with respect to the housing for setting a dose of the medication to be delivered and in the distal direction with respect to the housing for delivering the dose, a piston rod adapted to be driven by the drive member in the distal direction with respect to the housing during movement of the drive member in the distal direction for delivering the dose and a restriction member for restricting proximal movement of the piston rod with respect to the housing during proximal movement of the drive member by mechanical interaction of the restriction member with a stop feature of the piston rod, wherein the restriction member and the stop feature are arranged for the piston rod to be moved proximally a first distance during a first proximal movement of the drive member before the restriction member and the stop feature interact mechanically, wherein the first distance which the piston rod moves proximally during the first proximal movement of the drive member is larger than a subsequent distance which the piston rod moves proximally during a subsequent proximal movement of the drive member. | 2012-04-05 |
20120083746 | Automatic Injection Device with a Top Release Mechanism - The present invention relates to a handheld mechanical injection device by which set doses of a liquid medicament can be injected from a medical reservoir. The medicament is expelled through an injection needle by release of a power reservoir in the device, the power reservoir being fully or partially released by actuation of a user operable release member being positioned at or near an upper end of the injection device, the upper end being that end of the injection device which is opposite the injection needle. | 2012-04-05 |