| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090254379 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR APPLYING PREDICTIVE MODEL TO DETERMINATE AND INDETERMINATE DATA - A computer system includes a data storage module. The computer system also includes an indeterminate data capture module. The data storage module receives, stores, and provides access to both determinate data and indeterminate data that was captured by the indeterminate data capture module. The computer system also includes a computer processor and a program memory. The computer processor executes programmed instructions and stores and retrieves the data stored in the data storage module. The data stored in the data storage module is related to historical claim transactions and current claim transactions. A predictive model component is coupled to the data storage module, and determines whether to refer a current claim transaction to an investigation unit. A model training component is coupled to the computer processor and functions to train the predictive model. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20110015948 | COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CLAIMS FILES TO IDENTIFY PREMIUM FRAUD - A computer system includes a data storage module. The data storage module receives, stores, and provides access to both aggregate claims file data and insurance policy data. The computer system also includes a computer processor and a program memory. The computer processor executes programmed instructions and stores and retrieves the data stored in the data storage module. A text mining component is coupled to the data storage module, and analyzes unstructured text in the aggregate claims file data to detect indicators of possible premium fraud. A routing module in the computer system routes for investigation insurance policies that correspond to the claim files in which indicators of possible premium fraud were detected. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110022416 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PROVIDE INSURANCE QUOTE - A method includes a data storage device for receiving, storing, and providing access to building characteristic information, a computer processor for executing program instructions and for retrieving the building characteristic information and hazard information from the data storage device, a memory, coupled to the computer processor, for storing program instructions for execution by the computer processor, a quoting system and a validation engine. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110137672 | SYSTEM AND METHOD USING A PREDICTIVE MODEL FOR NURSE INTERVENTION PROGRAM DECISIONS - According to some embodiments, historical claim data may be stored in a computer storage unit. The historical claim data may be used to train and verify a predictive model, the predictive model being associated with an evaluation of claim transactions to determine whether to refer each claim transactions to a nurse intervention program. Data for current claim transactions may be processed, and the trained and verified predictive model may be applied to the data for the current claim transactions to generate a respective output for each of the current claim transactions. Some of the current claim transactions may be selectively routed to a case management center associated with the nurse intervention program based on the outputs generated by the predictive model. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20120022894 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADMINISTERING EXTENDED ABSENCE INSURANCE - A computer receives rating information relating to proposed issuance of an insurance policy endorsement. The rating information relates to a proposed insured that employs a number of employees. The computer processes the rating information to generate a premium amount to be charged for the insurance policy endorsement. The endorsement is then issued. The endorsement may provide reimbursement to the insured for losses incurred by the insured arising from absence from work by one or more of the employees. | 01-26-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100234813 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE MITRAL VALVE REPAIR METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the stabilization and fastening of two pieces of tissue. A single device may be used to both stabilize and fasten the two pieces of tissue, or a separate stabilizing device may be used in conjunction with a fastening device. The stabilizing device may comprise a probe with vacuum ports and/or mechanical clamps disposed at the distal end to approximate the two pieces of tissue. After the pieces of tissue are stabilized, they are fastened together using sutures or clips. One exemplary embodiment of a suture-based fastener comprises a toggle and suture arrangement deployed by a needle, wherein the needle enters the front side of the tissue and exits the blind side. In a second exemplary embodiment, the suture-based fastener comprises a needle connected to a suture. The needle enters the blind side of the tissue and exits the front side. The suture is then tied in a knot to secure the pieces of tissue. One example of a clip-based fastener comprises a spring-loaded clip having two arms with tapered distal ends and barbs. The probe includes a deployment mechanism which causes the clip to pierce and lockingly secure the two pieces of tissue. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100249524 | FOAM PORT AND INTRODUCER ASSEMBLY - A surgical portal and introducer assembly includes an introducer defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway and a portal member positionable within the longitudinal passageway of the introducer. The portal member is adapted for positioning within a tissue tract and has at least one longitudinal port for passage of a surgical object. The portal member comprises a compressible material and is adapted to transition between a first expanded condition to facilitate securing of the portal member within the tissue tract and in substantial sealed relation with tissue surfaces defining the tissue tract and a second compressed condition to facilitate at least partial insertion of the portal member within the tissue tract. The assembly may include an expandable restraining member at least partially disposed within the longitudinal passageway of introducer. The restraining member is adapted to expand and compress the portal member to cause the portal member to assume the compressed condition thereof, to thereby facilitate passage of the portal member through the longitudinal passageway of the introducer and into the tissue tract. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20110021877 | SURGICAL PORT AND FRANGIBLE INTRODUCER ASSEMBLY - A surgical portal and introducer assembly includes an introducer dimensioned for at least partial positioning within a tissue tract, and having a longitudinal introducer channel extending therethrough and a portal positionable within the longitudinal channel of the introducer. The introducer defines leading and trailing ends, and further has a frangible segment adapted to separate to expose the introducer channel. The portal has at least one longitudinal port for passage of a surgical object. The portal comprises a compressible material and is adapted to transition from a first expanded condition to a second compressed condition upon advancement through the longitudinal channel of the introducer to facilitate passage through the introducer whereby, upon separating of the frangible segment, the portal is released from the longitudinal channel to transition toward the first expanded condition to be generally secured within the tissue tract. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110054258 | FOAM PORT INTRODUCER - The present disclosure relates to devices for introducing a port within a body cavity. The system includes a compressible port that collapses radially for positioning into an introducer that is inserted into an incision. Methods for using the devices are also described. | 03-03-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20090069713 | Medical Instrument - A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090270761 | Medical Instrument - A method includes actuating a lever to move a cannula of a medical instrument from a first extended position to second retracted position; and actuating the lever to move a stylet of the medical instrument from a third extended position to a fourth retracted position. Actuating the lever comprises moving the lever from a first lever position spaced apart from a housing of the medical instrument to a second lever position closer to the housing | 10-29-2009 |
| 20120041336 | Medical Instrument - A method includes actuating a lever to move a cannula of a medical instrument from a first extended position to second retracted position; and actuating the lever to move a stylet of the medical instrument from a third extended position to a fourth retracted position. Actuating the lever comprises moving the lever from a first lever position spaced apart from a housing of the medical instrument to a second lever position closer to the housing | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120078135 | Medical Instrument - A medical instrument includes a housing, a stylet having a portion in the housing, a cannula coaxially receiving the stylet and having a portion in the housing, and a member slidably coupled to the housing. The stylet and the cannula are movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The member is configured with first and second bars to move the stylet and the cannula from their extended positions to their retracted positions. | 03-29-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20110028998 | BI-DIRECTIONAL SUTURE PASSER - A bi-directional suture passing instrument configured to approach soft tissues perpendicularly, enables safer and more efficient surgical repairs and minimally invasive techniques to be employed, useful in areas such as annulus repair, meniscal repair, shoulder arthroscopy, hernia repair, laproscopic repair, and wound closure. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110071578 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL FASTENING - A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with a non-circular cross section portion. The fasteners may engage with a splined mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners and rotates the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110092992 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURGICAL FASTENING - A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion. | 04-21-2011 |