| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20100268225 | Methods for Image Analysis and Visualization of Medical Image Data Suitable for Use in Assessing Tissue Ablation and Systems and Methods for Controlling Tissue Ablation Using Same - A method of image analysis includes the initial step of receiving a data set including image data. The image data represents a sequence of 2-D slice images. The method includes the steps of segmenting an object of interest from surrounding image data of each slice image based on a topographic growth rule and a pixel intensity value threshold with respect to a starting pixel, and rendering a volume of the object of interest using (x,y) coordinates corresponding to boundaries of the segmented object of interest. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20110118731 | Multi-Phase Electrode - An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a core including an elongated body portion, a plurality of electrodes having a tubular shape and disposed about the core and one or more dielectric spacers disposed between each of the plurality of the electrodes. The plurality of the electrodes is coupled to an electrosurgical generator configured to supply phased electrosurgical voltage to one or more of the plurality of electrodes to generate a potential difference between two or more of the plurality of the electrodes. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110224504 | Automated Probe Placement Device - A probe includes a handle and an elongated shaft with proximal and distal ends. The elongated shaft includes a plurality of axial holding tube projections to house a corresponding plurality of measurement probes. The probe further includes an actuation system to operably engage each of the plurality of measurement probes to permit selective actuation thereof. Each of the plurality of measurement probes is capable of being advanced distally relative to the handle in response to the actuation thereof. The plurality of measurement probes measure one or more parameters selected from a group consisting of temperature, physiological pressure, conductivity, aquametry, pH level, and oxygen level. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110238053 | Microwave Surface Coagulator with Retractable Blade - An ablation instrument having an ergonomic handle that includes an actuator adapted to selectively extend and retract a blade that is pivotably mounted within an aperture assembly coupled to the housing by a shaft. The shaft extends distally from the handle and includes a coaxial feedline, a wire conduit disposed along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a pull wire disposed within the wire conduit and having a proximal and a distal end, wherein a proximal end of the pull wire is operably coupled to the actuator. The aperture assembly is coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a reflector having a closed upper portion, and an open lower portion from which the blade may be extended for use. Also disclosed is an ablation system that includes the above-described ablation instrument, a source of ablation energy, and optionally, a source of coolant for cooling the shaft and aperture assembly. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110306969 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING ENERGY TO TISSUE AND METHOD OF ASSESSING ABLATION SIZE AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN ENERGY APPLICATOR - A method of assessing ablation size as a function of temperature information associated with an energy applicator includes the initial step of positioning an energy applicator in tissue. The energy applicator includes a radiating section and a temperature sensor. The radiating section is operably coupled to an energy source. The method includes the step of delivering energy from the energy source through the radiating section to tissue. The method also includes the steps of causing cessation of energy delivery through the radiating section to tissue for a predetermined time interval, monitoring the temperature sensor for at least a portion of the predetermined time interval to obtain temperature information associated with the energy applicator during the at least a portion of the predetermined time interval, and evaluating the temperature information to assess ablation size. | 12-15-2011 |
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| 20090118613 | Method for Volume Determination and Geometric Reconstruction - A method for determining a volume of ablated tissue includes the steps of supplying energy to tissue, indicating an axis within the tissue, and simulating slicing of the tissue substantially perpendicular to the axis to obtain a plurality of simulated slices. Each of the plurality of simulated slices has a thickness, a cross-sectional perimeter, and a trajectory point defined by the axis within the tissue. The method further includes the steps of determining a volume of each of the plurality of simulated slices based on the trajectory point, the cross-sectional perimeter, and the thickness of each simulated slice, and summing the volumes from each of the plurality of simulated slices to obtain the volume of the ablated tissue. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090248006 | Re-Hydration Antenna for Ablation - A system for use with a microwave antenna includes a microwave antenna configured to deliver microwave energy from a power source to tissue and a sensor module in operative communication with the power source and configured to detect a reflectance parameter. The system further includes a jacket adapted to at least partially surround the microwave antenna to define a fluid channel between the jacket and the microwave antenna. A plurality of fluid distribution ports are defined through the jacket and are in fluid communication with the fluid channel to permit the flow of fluid through the jacket. The system further includes a fluid pumping system operably coupled to the power source and configured to selectively provide cooling fluid to the fluid channel for distribution through the fluid distribution ports based on the reflectance parameter. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090306652 | Ablation Needle Guide - The present disclosure relates to systems and devices for positioning and placing multiple electrodes in a target surgical site. A guide block is disclosed which introduces electrodes into target tissue and includes an elongated, generally rectilinear bar having a plurality of slots defined therethrough. Each of the slots is configured to selectively receive and retain a corresponding electrode therein. The rectilinear bar is malleable and selectively bendable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curved configuration to facilitate positioning the guide block relative to target tissue. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100094271 | Apparatus, System and Method for Monitoring Tissue During an Electrosurgical Procedure - A system for monitoring and/or controlling tissue modification during an electrosurgical procedure is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical apparatus adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical apparatus configured to transmit energy to tissue. The system also includes a control system having one or more electromagnetic wave sources configured to generate the interrogator wave of one or more frequencies adjacent tissue. One or more sensors are configured to transmit and sense a reflected portion of the interrogator wave of at least one frequency to determine dielectric boundary data. A processor operatively coupled to the control system and to the electrosurgical generator configured to control the delivery of electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator to tissue based on dielectric boundary data provided by the one or more sensors. | 04-15-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080283781 | Monitoring and Control System for Blood Processing - The invention relates to an optical cell for a separation chamber of a density centrifuge blood processing system for separating fluid components comprising an extraction chamber having a first external optical surface for transmitting at least a portion of an incident optical beam; and an extraction port having an axial bore for passing fluid components and a first external optical surface for transmitting at least a portion of the incident optical beam; wherein said first external optical surface of said extraction chamber and said first external optical surface of said extraction port are both positioned within the depth of field of a light collection element. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090156383 | Blood Processing Apparatus With Sealed Diffuser in Optical Control Apparatus - A centrifugal blood separation apparatus having an optical camera control system with a focused, stationary light source. A diffusion plate mounted on a rotor, rather than on or near the light source, allows an intense light beam to be transmitted from the light source to the rotor and then diffused at the rotor across an observation region. Different characteristics of a diffusion surface allow different lighting regions within the observation region. The diffusion plate has upper and lower plates with a diffusion surface sealed between the plates. This prevents degradation or contamination of the diffusion surface by abrasion, dirt, blood components or other materials that might incidentally contact the diffusion surface. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20100012592 | Method for Controlling a Blood Processing System by Observing a Separation Region and an Extraction Port - The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components with a two-dimensional optical measurement and control device. The method may comprise the steps of providing a blood processing system comprising a density centrifuge blood processing system and an elutriation blood processing system; filling the elutriation blood processing system with a desired component; measuring a cellular flux of cells entering the elutriation blood processing system with a two-dimensional optical control system; and flushing the elutriation blood processing system. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100025336 | Predictive Method for Controlling a Blood Processing System - The invention relates generally to methods of monitoring and controlling the processing of blood and blood samples, particularly the separation of blood and blood samples into its components. In one aspect, the invention relates to optical methods for measuring two-dimensional distributions of transmitted light intensities, scattered light intensities or both from a separation chamber of a density centrifuge. The method may include performing first and second measurements of an operating condition; analyzing the first and second measurements using a predictive data analysis algorithm; comparing the predicted operating condition to a desired operating condition; and adjusting at least one setting. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20110143905 | System for Blood Separation with Shielded Extraction Port and Optical Control - A centrifugal blood separation system comprising a rotor, a light source, an optical sensor, a control system, a separation vessel, and an optical cell on the separation vessel. The optical cell has a first extraction port extending radially outwardly into the optical cell, a red blood cell extraction port downstream from the first extraction port and extending into the optical cell beyond the first extraction port; and a dam between said first extraction port and said red blood cell extraction port, having an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the first extraction port and the red cell extraction port are radially between the upper edge and the lower edge of the dam. Also, a first extraction port having a bore having a first diameter, a lumen having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and a frustro-conical passageway coupling the bore to the lumen. | 06-16-2011 |
