Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100087732 | OPTICAL ULTRASOUND RECEIVER - An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal. | 04-08-2010 |
20130317372 | OPTICAL FIBER PRESSURE SENSOR GUIDEWIRE - In an example, this document discloses an apparatus for insertion into a body lumen, the apparatus comprising an optical fiber pressure sensor. The optical fiber pressure sensor comprises an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical sensing signal, a temperature compensated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) interferometer in optical communication with the optical fiber, the FBG interferometer configured to receive a pressure and modulate, in response to the received pressure, the optical sensing signal, and a sensor membrane in physical communication with the FBG interferometer, the membrane configured to transmit the received pressure to the FBG interferometer. | 11-28-2013 |
20140100462 | POLARIZATION SCRAMBLING FOR INTRA-BODY FIBER OPTIC SENSOR - In an example, an optical system can include a polarization scrambler coupleable to a tunable first optical source configured to generate a coherent optical output. The system can include an intra-body optical sensor such as a an intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer, configured to be coupled to the tunable first optical source through the polarization scrambler, the polarization scrambler configured to vary a polarization state of the optical energy provided by the tunable first optical source, the intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer configured to reflect a portion of the optical energy modulated in response to a vibration, pressure, or strain. The system can include a processor circuit configured to obtain information indicative of the optical energy reflected from the intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer, and to process information from the vibration, pressure, or strain modulating the optical energy from the intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer using different polarization states established by the polarization scrambler. | 04-10-2014 |
20140142414 | OPTICAL ULTRASOUND RECEIVER - An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal. | 05-22-2014 |
20140316281 | NOISE SUBTRACTION FOR INTRA-BODY FIBER OPTIC SENSOR - An optical source can generally provide optical energy having phase noise. Such phase noise, when demodulated using an intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer, can be indistinguishable from a signal of interest. Apparatus or techniques can include using one or more of a reference optical cavity or a delay line, such as to obtain information indicative of the phase noise of the optical source. Such information can then be reduced or suppressed from other information obtained from the intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer, such as to improve a signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio of a sensing system including the intravascularly-deliverable optical fiber transducer. | 10-23-2014 |
20150141843 | OPTICAL FIBER PRESSURE SENSOR - The disclosure includes an apparatus for insertion into a body lumen. The apparatus can comprise an optical fiber pressure sensor. The optical fiber pressure sensor can comprise an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical sensing signal. A temperature compensated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) interferometer can be in optical communication with the optical fiber. The FBG interferometer can be configured to receive a pressure and modulate, in response to the received pressure, the optical sensing signal. A compliant member such as a sensor membrane can be in physical communication with the FBG interferometer. The membrane configured to transmit the received pressure to the FBG interferometer. | 05-21-2015 |
20150141854 | OPTICAL FIBER PRESSURE SENSOR - The disclosure includes an apparatus including an elongated assembly, at least a portion of which is sized, shaped, or otherwise configured to be inserted into a human body to measure a physiological parameter at an internal location within the body. The elongated assembly includes an elongated member having a first length and an outer surface, a coil disposed about at least a portion of the elongated member, the coil having a second length, and at least one stand-off member positioned between the outer surface of the elongated member and the coil, where the at least one member is configured to prevent the coil from contacting an optical fiber positioned between the elongated member and the coil. | 05-21-2015 |
20150313472 | OPTICAL ULTRASOUND RECEIVER - An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal. | 11-05-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100022330 | Multi-purpose spring-loaded divot repair tool - A multi-purpose spring-loaded divot repair tool comprising, in one embodiment, a forked end containing two prongs, a round ball marker, a concave recession, a handle, and a belt clip. The two prongs extend from one end of the handle and are used to repair divots. The round ball marker is located on the handle and is distally positioned to the forked end. Furthermore, the concave recession is proximally located to the round ball marker and distally located to the forked end, such that the concave recession faces upward when the forked end is inserted into the ground. The tool is manufactured from high quality materials. | 01-28-2010 |
20110081994 | Multi-purpose spring-loaded divot repair tool - A multi-purpose spring-loaded divot repair tool comprising, in one embodiment, a forked end containing two prongs, a round ball marker, a concave recession, a handle, and a belt clip. The two prongs extend from one end of the handle and are used to repair divots. The round ball marker is located on the handle and is distally positioned to the forked end. Furthermore, the concave recession is proximally located to the round ball marker and distally located to the forked end, such that the concave recession faces upward when the forked end is inserted into the ground. The tool is manufactured from high quality materials. In a further embodiment, a dual acting spring loaded actuation system including spring action in both the deployment and return directions for actuating the forked end. | 04-07-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100036483 | Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function - A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is also configured to work in conjunction with an electrical lead for an implantable bi-ventricular pacing device, an electrical lead for an implantable cardio defibrillator, etc. | 02-11-2010 |
20130211513 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A MITRAL VALVE - A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising:
| 08-15-2013 |
20150134057 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A MITRAL VALVE - Apparatus, the apparatus comprising: an anchor, the anchor comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, and a first side and a second side; a through-hole formed in the body intermediate the distal end and the proximal end and extending through the body from the first side to the second side, the through-hole being sized to receive a spanning suture; a proximal slot formed in the first side of the body and communicating with the through-hole, the proximal slot being sized to receive a spanning suture; and a distal slot formed in the second side of the body and communicating with the through-hole, the distal slot being sized to receive a spanning suture; at least a portion of the proximal slot being axially aligned with at least a portion of the distal slot so that the proximal slot, the through-hole and the distal slot together form an axial passageway extending from the distal end of the elongated body to the proximal end of the elongated body, with the axial passageway being sized to receive a spanning suture. | 05-14-2015 |
20160067039 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING A MITRAL VALVE - A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising:
| 03-10-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100224671 | Method and Apparatus for Ultrasonic Welding of Terminals - A method and apparatus for welding of battery terminals to an interconnect includes: juxtaposing two or more battery cell terminals to each other to create a terminal stack including an innermost terminal and an outermost terminal; juxtaposing a battery cell interconnect with the innermost terminal of the stack; positioning an anvil in contact with the interconnect; directing an air stream against the outermost terminal so that the air stream compresses the terminal stack and urges the innermost terminal into contact with the interconnect; positioning a sonotrode horn in contact with the outermost terminal; and energizing the sonotrode horn to vibrate the terminal stack and thereby make an ultrasonic weld between the stacked terminals of the terminal stack and the interconnect. The air stream is directed at the terminal below the sonotrode horn to capture any debris and a suction removes the debris. | 09-09-2010 |
20100281681 | Method for Manufacture of Battery Pouch Terminals - A manufacturing method for battery pouches enables the subsequent welding together of a stack of battery terminals with an interconnect member to form a battery pack. According to the method, a plurality of pouches containing energy storage medium and having positive terminals and negative terminals extending therefrom are supported side by side in a pouch supporting fixture and lids are lowered to clamp the pouches against movement. The terminals are clamped against movement by clamping the terminals at the bases thereof. Then, the end portions of the terminals are bent by die mechanisms to provide an offset shape in each terminal by which when the pouches are stacked adjacent one another, the positive terminals will contact one another and the negative terminals will contact one another. The clamping and bending are performed in a way that prevents the flow of electrical current between the positive and negative terminals. | 11-11-2010 |
20100299888 | Clamp Configured for Compressing a Section of a Battery Module - A clamp is configured for compressing a section of a battery module. The clamp includes a body, an arm, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is operatively connected to the body. The arm is operatively connected to the body. The second jaw is operatively connected to the arm. Each jaw is configured to engage opposing ends of the battery module. The arm is slidably attached to the body to allow linear movement of the arm relative to the body along an axis. The second jaw moves with the arm a clamping distance between an extended position, for releasing the section of the battery module, and a compressed position, for holding the section of the battery module in compression between the jaws. | 12-02-2010 |
20100304195 | FIXTURE FOR HOLDING TERMINALS OF A BATTERY IN ALIGNMENT - A fixture is configured for holding terminals of a battery in alignment. The fixture includes a first and a second side member. The first and second side members each include a plurality of first and second teeth, respectively. The second side member is movable relative to the first side member between an open position and a closed position. The second side member opposes the first side member such that a number of the first teeth oppose a corresponding number of the second teeth and a slit is defined between each of the adjacent teeth when the fixture is in the open position. Likewise, the second side member opposes the first side member such that the number of the first teeth are staggered from the corresponding number of the second teeth to reduce the slit in size when the fixture is in the closed position. | 12-02-2010 |
20110059365 | PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLY OF BATTERY MODULES AND SECTIONS - The present invention provides an improved rechargeable battery and method of assembling the same, including the steps of providing at least one pair of electrically biased sheets to form a plurality of positive and negative electrodes; forming a cell element from three positive electrodes spaced from three negative electrodes in an overlying orientation with a positive and negative lead terminal extending respectively therefrom; separating each of the positive and negative electrodes with a polymer layer; electrically aligning said positive lead terminals and negative lead terminals; applying a heat protectant to the positive and negative lead terminals; shaping the positive and negative lead terminals for connecting to a pair of electrode current collectors, wherein one of the collectors is associated with the positive lead terminal and the other with the negative lead terminal; and providing a frame for receiving cell elements, such that the rechargeable battery provides the desired electrical characteristics. | 03-10-2011 |
20110308736 | Alignment Tool For Replacement Of Ultrasonic Welder Horn - An alignment tool determines the parallelism between the anvil face of an anvil of an ultrasonic welder and the horn faces of a replacement horn mounted on the welder by a rotary mount. The tool includes a tool base having a face plate contacting with the anvil face and a clamp for clamping the tool base on the anvil. A plate member is mounted on the tool base for swiveling movement and contacts the horn faces. Springs urge the plate member into contact with the horn faces while the replacement horn is rotated relative to the anvil. Transducers sense the relative positions between the face plate and the plate member so that the repairman can determine that the replacement horn has been rotated to the desired position in which the horn face has become parallel with the anvil face. Then the replacement horn can then be tightened against further rotation. | 12-22-2011 |
20120028098 | MODULAR BATTERY DESIGN - A battery pack is described. One embodiment of the battery pack includes a pair of end frames, the end frames having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the end frames having a detent on at least one of the sides of the end frames to receive a clamp; a frame positioned between the pair of end frames, the frame having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the frame having a ridge on at least one of the sides of the frame; a plurality of battery cells positioned in the frame and the pair of end frames, the plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other at the top of the frame; and at least one cooling fin positioned between the battery cells. Methods of repairing battery packs are also described. | 02-02-2012 |
20130035783 | MOVING STOP STATION FOR ROBOTIC ASSEMBLY - A moving stop station includes a vehicle carrier configured to move a vehicle along an assembly line, an assembly platform disposed adjacent to the assembly line, and a synchronizer in communication with the vehicle carrier and the assembly platform. The synchronizer is configured to synchronize the motion of the assembly platform with the motion of the vehicle carrier as the vehicle carrier moves along a length of the assembly line, and includes a sensor, processor, and actuator. The sensor is configured to sense the position of the vehicle carrier and to generate a position signal corresponding to the sensed position. The processor is configured to receive the position signal and selectively provide a synchronization signal in response, and the actuator is configured to receive the synchronization signal and synchronize the motion of the vehicle carrier and the motion of the assembly platform in response. | 02-07-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110029321 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WEB-BASED CLAIM MANAGEMENT - The system includes a variety of aspects which allow the user to efficiently receive reimbursement for claims. Claims which are accepted by CMS result in reimbursement for the claimant. Claims which are rejected by CMS represent lost revenue for claimant. In order to maximize the number of accepted claims and minimize the number of rejected claims, the system provides at least two aspects. The front-end aspect is the generation of more accurate PDE files for submission. The back-end aspect is the accumulation and formatting of information received from CMS to facilitate the correction of PDE errors. Both of these aspects work in tandem to minimize the lost revenue of the claimant. Further, the aspects described herein help minimize PDE error rates. Such minimization of errors can affect the reputation, business model, credibility, and competitive posture of Part D plan sponsors. Accordingly, minimization of PDE error rate is an important factor in the overall design, function, and profitability of any Part D plan sponsor. | 02-03-2011 |
20140278495 | HEALTHCARE NEEDS FULFILLMENT SYSTEM - Systems for filling and managing a patient's healthcare needs are provided. Some systems and methods described herein relate to a total healthcare fulfillment system. The healthcare fulfillment system of various embodiments is a central portal which coordinates with physicians, retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, specialty providers, and patients in order to address all of a patient's prescription drug needs or other healthcare needs. | 09-18-2014 |
20160034668 | HEALTHCARE FULFILLMENT METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Systems for filling and managing a patient's healthcare needs are provided. Some systems and methods described herein relate to a total healthcare fulfillment system. The healthcare fulfillment system of various embodiments is a central portal which coordinates with multiple parties, for example, with physicians, retail pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, specialty providers, and patients in order to address all of a patient's prescription drug needs or other healthcare needs. | 02-04-2016 |