Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130018641 | Method For Simulating Fractional Multi-Phase/Multi-Component Flow Through Porous Media - A method for computing or estimating fractional, multi-phase/multi-component flow through a porous medium employing a 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a computational fluid dynamics method to calculate flow rates, pressures, saturations, internal velocity vectors and other flow parameters is described. The method employs a unique method of introducing non-wetting and wetting fluids into the pores at the inlet face of the 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a novel process control application to achieve quasi-steady state flow at low inlet concentrations of non-wetting fluid. In addition, the method of the present invention reduces the time required to simulate to complete the fluid dynamic calculations. The resulting values of flow of non-wetting fluid, wetting fluid, saturation, and other parameters are used to generate plots of relative permeability imbibition and drainage curves. Computerized systems and programs for performing the method are also provided. | 01-17-2013 |
20130262028 | Efficient Method For Selecting Representative Elementary Volume In Digital Representations Of Porous Media - The present invention relates a method to estimate representative elementary volume (REV) in a sample of porous media wherein the sub-volume selected is a better approximation of the elementary volume than existing methods. REV in a sample of porous media such as rock can be defined wherein the REV is selected with respect to the expected direction of fluid flow through the porous media. The method can quantify how good is the digital representation of a rock and how accurate a description of a fluid flow through Darcy's law will be, and allows the evaluation of different length scales in different directions for the REV and an assessment of the anisotropy of the pores structures when the method is applied in different directions. The method also can determine a robust criteria to understand when a trend of porosity-permeability breaks down due to an insufficient size of the subsample. | 10-03-2013 |
20130338976 | Digital Rock Analysis Systems and Methods with Multiphase Flow REV Determination - The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subject to digital simulation to determine the properties of multiphase fluid flows through the material. To conserve computational resources, the simulations are preferably performed on a representative elementary volume (REV). The determination of a multiphase REV can be determined, in some method embodiments, by deriving a porosity-related parameter from a pore-matrix model of the material; determining a multiphase distribution within the material's pores; partitioning the pore-matrix model into multiple phase-matrix models; and deriving the porosity-related parameter from each phase-matrix model. The parameter's dependence on phase and saturation can then be determined and analyzed to select an appropriate REV size. | 12-19-2013 |
20140019053 | Method For Evaluating Relative Permeability For Fractional Multi-Phase, Multi-Component Fluid Flow Through Porous Media - A method for computing or estimating relative permeability for fractional multi-phase, multi-component fluid flow through a porous medium, which employs a 3D digital representation of a porous medium and a computational fluid dynamics method to calculate flow rates, pressures, saturations, velocities and other flow parameters, is described. The method employs a unique method which integrates a precursor simulation used to generate a set of variables like pressure, saturation and velocity distribution associated with a selected storage plane in the 3D digital representation of a porous medium, which variables are used as inlet condition in the workflow of a second simulation that can generate values of fractional flow rates, pressures, saturations, velocities, or other parameters of wetting and non-wetting phases, which can be used to compute or estimate relative permeability values or other fluid transport properties of the porous medium. Computerized systems and programs for performing the method are also provided. | 01-16-2014 |
20140019054 | DIGITAL ROCK ANALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH RELIABLE MULTIPHASE PERMEABILITY DETERMINATION - The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subjected to digital simulation to determine the properties of multiphase fluid flows through the material. To ensure reliable results, the digital rock model is first analyzed via a series of operations that, in some embodiments, include: obtaining a three-dimensional pore/matrix model of a sample; determining a flow axis; verifying that the dimension of the model along the flow axis exceeds that of a representative elementary volume (REV); selecting a flow direction; extending model by mirroring if pore statistics at a given saturation are mismatched for different percolating phases; and increasing resolution if the smallest nonpercolating sphere dimension is below a predetermined threshold. This sequence of operations increases reliability of results when measuring relative permeability using the model and displaying relative permeability measurements to user. | 01-16-2014 |
20140058676 | DIGITAL ROCK ANALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS THAT RELIABLY PREDICT A POROSITY-PERMEABILITY TREND - The pore structure of rocks and other materials can be determined through microscopy and subjected to digital simulation to determine the properties of fluid flows through the material. To determine a porosity-permeability over an extended range even when working from a small model, some disclosed method embodiments obtain a three-dimensional pore/matrix model of a sample; measure a distribution of porosity-related parameter variation as a function of subvolume size; measure a connectivity-related parameter as a function of subvolume size; derive a reachable porosity range as a function of subvolume size based at least in part on the distribution of porosity-related parameter variation and the connectivity-related parameter; select a subvolume size offering a maximum reachable porosity range; find permeability values associated with the maximum reachable porosity range; and display said permeability values as a function of porosity. | 02-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130331859 | MULTI-USER MEDICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR COLLABORATION OR TRAINING IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES - A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users. | 12-12-2013 |
20140024951 | ANNULAR VISION SYSTEM - A vision system that may be used in a catheter or similar guiding instrument includes receptors distributed in an annular area. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors and combine image data from the receptors to construct a visual representation of the entirety of the object environment. | 01-23-2014 |
20140128849 | SELF-ANTAGONISTIC DRIVE FOR MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS - A medical instrument including a shaft and an actuated structure mounted at a distal end of the shaft can employ a pair of tendons connected to the actuated structure, extending down the shaft, and respectively wound around a capstan in opposite directions. A preload system may be coupled to maintain minimum tensions in the tendons. | 05-08-2014 |
20140180063 | DETERMINING POSITION OF MEDICAL DEVICE IN BRANCHED ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE - Information extracted from sequential images captured from the perspective of a distal end of a medical device moving through an anatomical structure are compared with corresponding information extracted from a computer model of the anatomical structure. A most likely match between the information extracted from the sequential images and the corresponding information extracted from the computer model is then determined using probabilities associated with a set of potential matches so as to register the computer model of the anatomical structure to the medical device and thereby determine the lumen of the anatomical structure which the medical device is currently in. Sensor information may be used to limit the set of potential matches. Feature attributes associated with the sequence of images and the set of potential matches may be quantitatively compared as part of the determination of the most likely match. | 06-26-2014 |
20150073435 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REDUCING INTERNALLY GENERATED FRICTIONAL AND INERTIAL RESISTANCE TO MANUAL POSITIONING OF A SURGICAL MANIPULATOR - A robotic control system is placed in clutch mode so that a slave manipulator holding a surgical instrument is temporarily disengaged from control by a master manipulator in order to allow manual positioning of the surgical instrument at a surgical site within a patient. Control systems implemented in a processor compensate for internally generated frictional and inertial resistance experienced during the positioning, thereby making movement more comfortable to the mover, and stabler from a control standpoint. Each control system drives a joint motor in the slave manipulator with a saturated torque command signal which has been generated to compensate for non-linear viscous forces, coulomb friction, cogging effects, and inertia forces subjected to the joint, using estimated joint angular velocities, accelerations and externally applied torques generated by an observer in the control system from sampled displacement measurements received from a sensor associated with the joint. | 03-12-2015 |
20150182287 | NONFORCE REFLECTING METHOD FOR PROVIDING TOOL FORCE INFORMATION TO A USER OF A TELESURGICAL SYSTEM - Tool force information is provided to a user of a telesurgical system using an alternative modality other than force reflection on a master manipulator, such as providing the information on user-visible, user-audible, or haptic “buzz” or “viscosity” indicators, so as to allow expanded processing, including amplification, of the information, while not significantly affecting the stability of the telesurgical system or any closed-loop control systems in the telesurgical system. | 07-02-2015 |
20160051332 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR REDUCING INTERNALLY GENERATED FRICTIONAL AND INERTIAL RESISTANCE TO MANUAL POSITIONING OF A SURGICAL MANIPULATOR - A robotic control system is placed in clutch mode so that a slave manipulator holding a surgical instrument is temporarily disengaged from control by a master manipulator in order to allow manual positioning of the surgical instrument at a surgical site within a patient. Control systems implemented in a processor compensate for internally generated frictional and inertial resistance experienced during the positioning, thereby making movement more comfortable to the mover, and stabler from a control standpoint. Each control system drives a joint motor in the slave manipulator with a saturated torque command signal which has been generated to compensate for non-linear viscous forces, coulomb friction, cogging effects, and inertia forces subjected to the joint, using estimated joint angular velocities, accelerations and externally applied torques generated by an observer in the control system from sampled displacement measurements received from a sensor associated with the joint. | 02-25-2016 |
20160140875 | MULTI-USER MEDICAL ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR COLLABORATION OR TRAINING IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL PROCEDURES - A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users. | 05-19-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080214891 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BIOFILM REMOVAL, INCLUDING A BIOFILM REMOVAL ENDOSCOPE FOR USE THEREWITH - Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site. | 09-04-2008 |
20080249483 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR BIOFILM REMOVAL - Systems and methods for removal of bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient includes a surgical instrument having an introducer for bodily insertion and maintaining an irrigation duct and a nozzle. A distal portion of the introducer is transitionable between a plurality of bend angles relative to a proximal portion thereof. In particular, the instrument is adapted to independently maintain the distal portion at each of the plurality of bend angles relative to the proximal portion. The nozzle is maintained relative to the distal portion of the introducer and is adapted to dispense pressurized irrigant from the irrigation duct toward a layer of bacterial biofilm. | 10-09-2008 |
20090270796 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR FRONTAL SINUS IRRIGATION - A surgical instrument for irrigating a frontal sinus target site of a patient including a handle, an introducer, an irrigation channel, a nozzle, and an actuator assembly. The introducer extends from the handle and defines a proximal segment and a distal segment. At least a portion of the proximal segment is linear and at least a portion of the distal segment is relatively curved. The nozzle is fluidly connected to the irrigation channel, and is rotatably maintained at a distal end of the introducer. The actuator assembly includes an actuator maintained by the handle and connected to the nozzle. Movement of the actuator causes the nozzle to rotate relative to the introducer. The introducer can be sized and shaped in accordance with a size and shape of the nasal passageway/frontal sinus of a human adult. | 10-29-2009 |
20110009699 | METHODS FOR BIOFILM REMOVAL - A method of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site of a human patient. A bacterial biofilm removal system is provided that includes an endoscope, an irrigation duct and an aspiration duct. The endoscope includes a working end. The irrigation duct includes an outlet. The aspiration duct includes an inlet. The endoscope working end, the irrigation duct outlet and the aspiration duct inlet are disposed proximate a target site that includes a layer of bacterial biofilm. The target site is imaged with the endoscope working end. The fluid is dispensed through the irrigation duct outlet toward the target site to mechanically remove at least a portion of the layer of bacterial biofilm. The removed bacterial biofilm and the dispensed fluid are collected with the aspiration duct inlet. | 01-13-2011 |
20120197178 | READING AND ADJUSTING TOOL FOR HYDROCEPHALUS SHUNT VALVE - A reading and adjustment tool for use with a valve having a pressure or flow setting adjustable to a plurality of pressure or flow settings is disclosed. The tool includes a signal generator and an excitation coil coupled to the signal generator. The signal generator includes an adjustment interface configured to generate an adjustment signal to adjust the pressure or flow setting and a reading interface to generate a reading signal to read the pressure or flow setting of the valve. At least one excitation coil is connected to the signal generator and configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field based on one of the adjustment signal and reading signal. A sense coil can include two portions positioned on either side of the at least one excitation coil to determine the pressure or flow setting of the valve. | 08-02-2012 |
20120253125 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BIOFILM REMOVAL, INCLUDING A BIOFILM REMOVAL ENDOSCOPE FOR USE THEREWITH - Systems and methods of removing bacterial biofilm from a target site using a biofilm removal endoscope. The endoscope has an insertion portion including an imaging channel terminating at a viewing window and an irrigation channel terminating at a nozzle. The imaging and irrigation channels are permanently affixed relative to one another. The insertion portion is inserted into the patient, with a working end thereof being disposed proximate the target site. The target site is imaged and a flow of fluid is dispensed via the nozzle to mechanically remove bacterial biofilm from the target site. | 10-04-2012 |
20130105018 | TURBULENCE-INDUCING MIXING DEVICE | 05-02-2013 |
20130110157 | MULTI-SECTIONED CANNULA WITH AT LEAST ONE LUMEN | 05-02-2013 |
20130110158 | MULTI-ORIFICE SPRAY HEAD | 05-02-2013 |
20130110161 | SPRAY DELIVERY SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20140360598 | READING AND ADJUSTING TOOL FOR HYDROCEPHALUS SHUNT VALVE - A reading and adjustment tool for use with a valve having a pressure or flow setting adjustable to a plurality of pressure or flow settings is disclosed. The tool includes a signal generator and an excitation coil coupled to the signal generator. The signal generator includes an adjustment interface configured to generate an adjustment signal to adjust the pressure or flow setting and a reading interface to generate a reading signal to read the pressure or flow setting of the valve. At least one excitation coil is connected to the signal generator and configured to generate an oscillating electromagnetic field based on one of the adjustment signal and reading signal. A sense coil can include two portions positioned on either side of the at least one excitation coil to determine the pressure or flow setting of the valve. | 12-11-2014 |
20150173827 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT - An electrosurgical device having a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft is disclosed. The tubular outer shaft includes an axis and a distal end region. The distal end region includes a distal-most tip and a cutting edge defining a window in the outer shaft proximal along the axis to the distal-most tip. The inner shaft inner shaft coaxially maintained within the outer shaft such that the inner shaft is movable about the axis with respect to the outer shaft and wherein a portion of the inner shaft is exposed in the window of the outer shaft. A first electrode is disposed on the outer shaft in a region proximal along the axis to the window, and a second electrode is electrically isolated from the first electrode and disposed on the inner shaft. The second electrode is exposed in the window of the outer shaft. | 06-25-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080200866 | DIALYSIS SYSTEM HAVING INDUCTIVE HEATING - A medical fluid machine includes (i) a pump that pumps a medical fluid and (ii) a heater that heats the medical fluid, the heater including an electrically insulative housing, at least one flat sheet of electrically conductive material suitable for contacting the medical fluid, the sheet disposed within the insulative housing, the sheet defining a flow path for the medical fluid in which the medical fluid changes direction at least one time, a primary coil of a transformer located outside the insulative housing, the primary coil configured to induce a current into the at least one conductive sheet, creating heat that may be transferred to the medical fluid. | 08-21-2008 |
20090084718 | DIALYSIS SYSTEMS HAVING AIR TRAPS WITH INTERNAL STRUCTURES TO ENHANCE AIR REMOVAL - A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining first and second valve chambers, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the first and second valve chambers, the air separation chamber including a baffle and structured such that when the cassette is placed in a dialysis instrument, (i) the baffle extends upwardly from a bottom of the air separation chamber and (ii) first and second openings to the air separation chamber, communicating fluidly and respectively with the first and second valve chambers, are located near the bottom of the air separation chamber, such that the dialysis fluid is forced up one side of the baffle and down the other side of the baffle when flowing through the air separation chamber. | 04-02-2009 |
20090084719 | DIALYSIS SYSTEMS HAVING AIR SEPARATION CHAMBERS WITH INTERNAL STRUCTURES TO ENHANCE AIR REMOVAL - A dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining at least one valve chamber, the rigid portion further defining an air separation chamber, the air separation chamber when in an operating position including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a first fluid opening, a second fluid opening, and a separation wall extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall, the separation wall having a free edge residing within the air separation chamber, the separation wall forcing the dialysis fluid to flow from one of the fluid openings around the free edge of the separation wall to the other of the openings. | 04-02-2009 |
20110137236 | FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS HAVING FLOATING BAFFLE AIDED AIR REMOVAL - A medical fluid delivery system includes a fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a medical fluid and an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the fluid disposable. The air separation chamber includes at least one fluid baffle floating within the air separation chamber and configured to separate air from medical fluid traveling through the chamber. | 06-09-2011 |
20110137237 | DIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS HAVING VIBRATION-AIDED AIR REMOVAL - A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid disposable configured to hold and transport a dialysis fluid; an air separation chamber in fluid communication with the dialysis fluid disposable; and a dialysis instrument operable to pump dialysis fluid through the dialysis fluid disposable, the instrument including a vibrator configured to vibrate the air separation chamber to separate air from the dialysis fluid traveling through the chamber. | 06-09-2011 |
20110144557 | DIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING CASSETTE WITH FLUID HEATING AND AIR REMOVAL - A dialysis fluid system includes an instrument including a pump actuator and a fluid heater, and a dialysis fluid cassette. The dialysis fluid cassette includes a rigid portion defining a pumping section for operation with the pump actuator and a heating section for operation with the fluid heater. The heating section includes a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet, and a dialysis fluid heating area located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the heating section further includes an air separation chamber for collecting air separated from the dialysis fluid. | 06-16-2011 |
20120065581 | DIALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS INCLUDING CASSETTE WITH AIR REMOVAL - In an embodiment, a dialysis fluid cassette is disclosed. The cassette includes a plurality of walls defining at least one valve chamber, a dialysis fluid inlet, a dialysis fluid outlet and a dialysis fluid pathway. The cassette further includes a baffle extending from a first one of the walls to an opposing second one of the walls. The baffle includes an end fixed to a third one of the plurality of walls and a free end. The fixed end separates the dialysis fluid inlet from the dialysis fluid outlet and the baffle and the plurality of walls are constructed and arranged such that the flow of dialysis fluid along the pathway defined in part by the baffle slows as the flow approaches the free end of the baffle. | 03-15-2012 |