Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090149852 | Accurate Cutting About and Into Tissue Volumes with Electrosurgically Deployed Electrodes - Method, system and apparatus for carrying out accurate electrosurgical cutting. A thin resilient electrode is utilized at the forward end region of an instrument that is deployable from a longitudinally disposed slot positioned rearwardly of the tip of the instrument. Lateral sides of the slot extend between a forward location adjacent the tip and a rearward location. The electrode is deployed by urging it forwardly in compression to form an arch profile supported by the abutting slot sides adjacent the forward and rearward locations. Electrosurgically excitable with a cutting output, the electrode may carry out a cutting action both during its deployment and retraction into the noted slot. This permits a pivoting maneuver effective for circumscribing a volume of targeted tissue. | 06-11-2009 |
20090292177 | Method and apparatus for positioning a tissue recovery instrument in confronting adjacency with a target tissue volume - A target tissue volume is accessed with a cannular instrument, the tip surface of which supports a precursor electrode assemblage which is electrosurgically excitable. The instrument tip initially is inserted through an incision made in the skin of a patient utilizing a pair of retractor components, the tips of which are located at a proper depth for positioning the precursor electrodes of the recovery instrument. The retractor components also are configured to define a guidance channel for receiving the tip of the recovery instrument. By stabilizing the instrument when the precursor electrodes are adjacent the tips of the retractor components and then slidably removing the retractor apparatus along the surface of the instrument, the tissue is “set” to assure proper precursor electrode positioning. The precursor electrodes are configured to exhibit an equivalent diameter having a value of at least about 90% of the diameter of the recovery instrument and are spaced forwardly of the tip surface of the instrument a distance for enhancing instrument maneuvering. | 11-26-2009 |
20100016731 | Hemodynamic Detection of Circulatory Anomalies - The preferred indicator is an injection of indocyanine green dye which is detected and quantified by causing it to fluoresce at a sensor location, for example, at the human ear. Quantification is carried out by using cardiac output procedures and where called for, the Valsalva Maneuver is monitored at a monitor/controller giving visual cues to the patient and operator as to the quality of the necessary exhalation pressure maintenance. | 01-21-2010 |
20110245662 | Hemodynamic Detection of Circulatory Anomalies - The invention generally relates to a system, method and apparatus for detection of circulatory anomalies in the mammalian body. Particularly, apparatus is provided that allows the clinician to quantitatively determine the extent of any anomalies in the pulmonary circulation. Specifically a quantifiable agent is injected into a peripheral location, and the transit of the indicator agent is monitored. Aberrant circulation is them quantified. The preferred indicator is an injection of indocyanine green dye, detected and measured by fluorescence at a sensor location, for example, at the human ear. Quantification is carried out by using cardiac output procedures and alternatively, the use of Valsalva Maneuver is monitored at a monitor/controller providing visual cues to the patient and operator. | 10-06-2011 |
20120330116 | System for Non-Invasive Assay of Liver Function - A system, method and apparatus are disclosed for using a transcutaneous detection system to measure the quantity of a circulating organ activity detection analyte in the blood, and thereby assay the activity of an organ. A preferred organ for assay is the human liver and a preferred indicator is indocyanine green (ICG) dye The procedure is under the control of a monitor/controller having a visual display and capable of providing cues to the operator. A sensor array apparatus for use in conjunction with the system monitor/controller is configured for increased sensitivity of assaying organ function. | 12-27-2012 |
20140128733 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEMODYNAMIC DETECTION OF CIRCULATORY ANOMALIES - Systems and methods for detecting circulatory anomalies such as, for example, right-to-left cardiac and pulmonary shunts. A fluorescing indicator is injected into the bloodstream of a subject. An optical sensor is used to transcutaneously excite the indicator into fluorescence and to transcutaneously detect the fluorescence, and a relative concentration of the indicator is determined as a function of time. An indicator dilution curve is generated from the relative concentration readings, the curve shape is analyzed for the indication of a shunt and, if a shunt is detected, a ratiometric area under the curve analysis is performed and combined with a calculated cardiac output value to provide a shunt conductance value. A Valsalva maneuver may be performed as a part of the method. System embodiments may include a controller/monitor that monitors, times, cues and/or analyzes various steps of a shunt detection test. | 05-08-2014 |
20140171795 | METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF VALSALVA MANEUVERS - Methods, apparatus and systems for precisely controlling a Valsalva maneuver and the timing thereof in conjunction with testing a patient for a cardiac shunt, and for ensuring that a patient performing a Valsalva maneuver creates a required pressure using their diaphragm. Embodiments of a Valsalva maneuver mouthpiece assembly are also disclosed for use with the invention methods, apparatus and systems. The mouthpiece assembly is adapted to selectively operate between a state that produces resistance to the exhalation pressure of a patient into the mouthpiece and a state wherein the pressure resistance is rapidly removed so as to cause an involuntary exhalation of the air in the patient's lungs at a time of desired Valsalva maneuver release. | 06-19-2014 |
20140276034 | Apparatus Detection of Circulatory Anomalies - A system, and apparatus for detecting and quantifying circulatory anomalies, including right-to-left cardiac shunts. The apparatus implements a sensor system useful in connection with a circulatory indicator delivery system. The sensor apparatus is preferably configured with a series of emitter/detector pairs to optimize the sensitivity of detection of the circulating indicator. Sensing of the indicator concentration takes place at an arterial vasculature, for example, the pinna of the human ear. A monitor/controller calculates and displays a indicator/dye dilution curve to assess for the presence of a cardiac shunt. The monitor/controller further corrects the indicator/dilution curve displayed for any recirculation phenomena and can quantify any right-to-left shunt calculated conductance associated with detected shunts. | 09-18-2014 |