Surgery inventions 06/06

20060142629 - Intraocular radiotherapy treatment for macular degeneration: A surgical device for localized delivery of beta radiation in surgical procedures, particularly ophthalmic procedures. Preferred surgical devices include a cannula with a beta radiotherapy emitting material at the distal end of the cannula. The surgical device is particularly suitable for use in the treatment of treat Age Related Macular...

20060142630 - Systems and methods for treating a thrombus in a blood vessel: Systems and methods for treating an occluding thrombus in a blood vessel of a patient. Ferrofluids having magnetic particles dispersed therein are introduced locally via a catheter, a micro-catheter, or intravenously, to the bloodstream of a patient. The ferrofluids are magnetically manipulated or moved throughout the blood vessels of the...

20060142631 - Systems and methods for occluding a blood vessel: Systems and methods for occluding one or more blood vessels in a patient using variable viscosity fluids. The variable viscosity fluids are delivered in a liquefied state to the vasculature of the patient using a catheter or a micro-catheter. The blood vessels intended to be occluded may be any blood...

20060142632 - Systems and methods for removing plaque from a blood vessel: Systems and methods for removing accumulated plaque in a blood vessel of a patient. Ferrofluids are introduced locally via a catheter, a micro-catheter, or intravenously to the bloodstream of a patient. The ferrofluids are magnetically manipulated or moved throughout the blood vessels of the patient by an external magnetic field...

20060142633 - Blood pumping system and procedure: A blood pumping system for supplementing distal blood perfusion comprising a blood pressure altering device in the form of a blood pump (1) having an inlet (10) and an outlet (9) which also includes an upstream end (2) and a downstream end (4). The blood pressure altering device (1) cooperates...

20060142634 - Sensor-equipped and algorithm controlled direct mechanical ventricular assist device: An apparatus for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body. The apparatus can apply a compressive force and an expansive force to a portion of the outer wall of the heart. The apparatus can comprise a cup-shaped shell having an exterior wall, an interior wall, an apex,...

20060142635 - Electrically operable incontinence treatment apparatus: An apparatus for treating an anal or urinary incontinent patient comprises a constriction device applied on the patient's large intestine or urethra, and an electrically powered operation device, which is integrated with the constriction device and adapted to operate the latter to constrict the large intestine or urethra to close...

20060142636 - Artificial sphincter with variable viscosity fluid-filled collar: Systems and methods for supplementing control of an anatomical sphincter. A collar containing variable viscosity fluid surrounds a portion of an anatomical conduit. The flow of bodily fluids through the anatomical conduit occurs according to the viscosity level of the variable viscosity fluid. Electro-rheologic fluid in the collar liquefies in...

20060142637 - Surgical instrument for the treatment of female urinary incontinence and methods of use: The present invention provides a surgical instrument for use during a surgical procedure for the treatment of female urinary incontinence. The surgical instrument comprises a handle including a gripping mechanism (30) providing a means for the surgeon to manipulate the surgical instrument. The handle further includes a coupling means (40)...

20060142638 - Sexual enhancement device: A sexual enhancement device for improving a user's sexual experience. A prostate pad is positioned adjacent to a male user's perineum below his prostate gland. A first prostate strap is connected to the prostate pad and is looped behind the user's neck. When the prostate strap is tightened, the prostate...

20060142639 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system includes a processor. The processor is physically connectable to different endoscopes to receive and process signals from an endoscope that is selectively physically connected to the processor. The processor includes a database that stores pieces of endoscope data each corresponding to a different endoscope. Each piece of...

20060142640 - Endoscope system: An endoscope includes a storage device. The storage device is configured to store ownership information. The ownership information indicates a term for which the endoscope is allowed to be utilized....

20060142641 - Endoscope control system: In an endoscope control system, endoscope devices capture an image of each inspection site, write endoscope information in a title and/or a text of an electronic mail, and transmit the captured image in the electronic mail which has a captured image management computer of a management center as its distribution...

20060142642 - Minimally-invasive portal system for performing lumbar decompression, instrumented fusion/stabilization, and the like: The present invention provides a minimally-invasive portal system for performing lumbar decompression, instrumented fusion/stabilization, and the like. The minimally-invasive portal system utilizes an access tube having an adjustable cross-sectional area and one or more retractor devices each having a first portion and a second portion aligned at a predetermined angle...

20060142643 - Radially expanding surgical retractor: A radially expanding surgical retractor which includes a base having a thickness, the base having a first slot extending through the thickness in a first arc, and a second slot discrete from the first slot and extending through the thickness in a second arc. The radially expanding surgical retractor further...

20060142644 - Universal scissors joint apparatus: A universal joint apparatus comprises clamps, a locking mechanism, and a rod connecting the clamps and the locking mechanism. At least one clamp is a scissors clamp, i.e. a clamp comprising two segments fastened by a pivot. The scissors clamp generates extra compressive force on the object being held, providing...

20060142647 - Diagnosis aiding apparatus, method, and computer program: Multiple pieces of diagnostic information, which are necessary for disease diagnoses, and at least one piece of disease information, which represents a disease to be diagnosed in accordance with the diagnostic information, are stored. Link information is stored for each piece of disease information. The link information links the multiple...

20060142646 - Interface for a system and method for evaluating task effectiveness based on sleep pattern: A method for evaluating the effectiveness of a person to perform a task based on his/her previous or predicted sleep activity is provided. The method can be used to predict changes in task effectiveness at any time of day, based upon numerous patterns of sleep and activity, either experienced or...

20060142645 - System and method for repetitive interval clinical evaluations: A healthcare tool allows a patient to record daily parameters associated with the patient's clinical status, for example, body weight for congestive heart failure patients. A graph may be created showing the parameters on a control chart. The parameters are statistically analyzed against a control range, and when a parameter...

20060142648 - Wireless, internet-based, medical diagnostic system: A system for monitoring a patient's vital signs that features a vital-sign monitor including sensors for measuring from the patient at least one of the following vital-sign data: O2 saturation, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, respirator rate, and blood glucose level. The system also includes a global positioning system that determines location-based...

20060142649 - Imaging device, method thereof, and program: To realize an imaging device, imaging method and program capable of improving image quality. This invention controls light sources so as to irradiate a body with irradiation light of a luminance level higher than that in the air arriving at the body, adjusts the imaging sensitivity of a solid imaging...

20060142650 - Systems and methods for medical interventional optical monitoring with molecular filters: A medical interventional optical monitoring system for determining the geometry and composition of a lumen is provided. An absorption spectrum is obtained through the use of molecular filters and a switching assembly. In particular, an absorption spectrum can be obtained by reflecting a light beam from a catheter against a...

20060142651 - Analyte sensor: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host....

20060142652 - Concepts using the improved \"composite flexible and conductive catheter electrode bands\" and their method of construction: This invention discloses improvements in concepts in the configuration of and the utilization of a “Composite Flexible and Conductive electrode bands”. Also this document will illustrate an example method from which to construct such “Flexible” components (thermoplastic-polymer/elastomer disc) and “Conductive” components (thin metal disc) which then can be made into...

20060142653 - Catheter and method for mapping a pulmonary vein: An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the pulmonary vein and other tubular regions of or near the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A mapping assembly is mounted...

20060142654 - Sensor system, garment and heart rate monitor: The invention relates to a sensor system, a garment and a heart rate monitor. The sensor system comprises at least one flexible film structure comprising: a first insulation layer and at least one electric conductor layer formed on top of the first insulation layer and comprising an electrode area, which...

20060142655 - Table position sensing for magnetic resonance imaging: An MRI apparatus is provided. The MRI apparatus includes a main magnet (12) for generating a main magnetic field in an examination region, a plurality of gradient magnets (16) for generating magnetic field gradients in the main magnetic field, a radio frequency coil (22) for transmitting radio frequency signals into...

20060142657 - Haptic guidance system and method: A surgical apparatus includes a surgical device, configured to be manipulated by a user to perform a procedure on a patient, and a computer system. The computer system is programmed to implement control parameters for controlling the surgical device to provide at least one of haptic guidance to the user...

20060142656 - Wireless system for providing instrument and implant data to a surgical navigation unit: A system for wirelessly providing data regarding surgical implements such as surgical tools, trial and inserts themselves to a surgical navigation unit. Each implement includes an RFID in which data regarding the implement are stored. The tool used to fit the implement has a first coil positioned to exchange signals...

20060142658 - Fabric-integrated conductivity sensor: The invention relates to a system (1) for monitoring a conductivity in a volume. The system according to the invention is suited to be used for industrial and medical applications. The system (1) comprises a resonant circuit (2,4,10) comprising a conductive coil (4) driven by a power supply means (8),...

20060142659 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnosing device: An array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers having a piezoelectric layer 2 and a couple of electrodes 7-1 and 7-2 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer therebetween is provided. The piezoelectric layer 2 has a first piezoelectric layer 2-1 provided on the ultrasonic-wave emission side, a second piezoelectric layer 2-2 provided...

20060142660 - Intravenous pacemaker electrode: An intravenous pacemaker electrode comprises an electrode cable comprising a line, a duct and an insulating sleeve as well as an electrode head attached to the distal end of the line in order to transmit stimulation pulses, with an ultrasound catheter being moveable in the duct, and comprising a thread-like...

20060142661 - Near-infrared spectroscopic tissue imaging for medical applications: Near infrared imaging using elastic light scattering and tissue autofluorescence are explored for medical applications. The approach involves imaging using cross-polarized elastic light scattering and tissue autofluorescence in the Near Infra-Red (NIR) coupled with image processing and inter-image operations to differentiate human tissue components....

20060142662 - Analysis apparatus and method comprising auto-focusing means: The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, for analyzing an object, such as blood of a patient, and a corresponding analysis method. To aim the confocal detection volume inside a blood vessel orthogonal polarized spectral imaging (OPS imaging) is used to locate blood...

20060142663 - Electronic blood pressure monitor and blood pressure measuring system: When a predetermined condition for measurement is selected from a plurality of conditions for measurement by operating one of measurement switches before measuring the blood pressure, a pressure begins to be applied to a bladder in response to the selection and the measurement of the blood pressure starts. The measured...

20060142664 - Process for assessing and controlling the vascularization degree in portions of the human body, and a device for carrying out this process: A process for assessing and controlling the vascularization degree in portions of the human body, and a device for carrying out this process. The process comprises installing electroconductive electrodes in portions of the human body comprising the region whose vascularization is to be assessed; passing a high-frequency current between the...

20060142665 - Heart rate monitor: A wearable fitness heart rate monitor comprising an earpiece comprising a sensor unit having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, wherein a portion of an ear is positioned therebetween, wherein the light emitting element emits light into the portion of the ear positioned intermediate the light emitting...

20060142666 - Method of indicating the value of a sampled heartrate: A method of generating an out of zone alert when a sampled biomedical value does not satisfy a condition, wherein the generation of the out of zone alert is performed by an indicator, and the sampled biomedical value is determined in a heartrate monitoring system, and further wherein the indicator...

20060142667 - Procedure for extracting information from a heart sound signal: The invention relates to a procedure for extracting features from phonocardiographic signals without the use of synchronizing information from electrocardiographic signals. The features extracted are the timing and value of first and second heart sounds and various combinations of timing and value of signal components constituting heart murmur. Such combinations...

20060142668 - Swab for collecting biological specimens: The present invention relates to a swab for collecting biological specimens of the type consisting of a rod terminating in a tip covered with fibre with hydrophilic properties to allow absorption of said specimens, wherein said fibre covers said tip in the form of a layer deposited by flocking....

20060142669 - Urine sampling container: A urine collection vessel includes: a narrow cylindrical container tube (2) for containing urine provided with an end closed and the other end opened; a narrow cylindrical urine collection tube (3) for collecting urine provided with an end closed, the other end which is opened and freely connected or disconnected...

20060142670 - System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure: A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed....

20060142671 - Limb angle reading device for post-operative therapy: A mechanism for viewing the angle of one's joint by simply attaching bands around the limbs relative to the affected joint. A read out may help a patient regain full range-of-motion after surgery, especially when ligaments must heal and joints are immobilized for a long time. An angle sensor attached...

20060135841 - High dose rate device: A device is described for storing and manipulating a radiation source, comprising a safe for storing at least one capsule comprising a radioactive material, a transport element for moving the capsule through a transport tube connected to the safe and leading to an applicator, and a drive mechanism for driving...

20060135842 - Radiotherapy: The invention provides a method of radiation treatment of a human or non-human mammalian subject which comprises administering to said subject a therapeutically, prophylactically or pain-palliating amount of a bone targeting complex of an alpha-particle emitting thorium or actinium radionuclide, e.g. for the treatment of calcified tumors, bone tumors, bones,...

20060135843 - Method and apparatus for automatic tracking and identification of device components: Embodiments of an apparatus and method to track and identify radioactive sources are described. In one embodiment, a device includes first housing for a radioactive source having a first electronic tag, a second housing for the radioactive source having a second electronic tag, and a guide tube that couples the...

20060135844 - Therapeutic device for local area stimulation: A therapeutic device comprised of an arrangement of points in an array (100, 112, 130, 172, 174) in flexible mounts (102, 112, 120, 122, 140, 144, 146, 182). The points are connected by electrically conductive materials (106, 108) permitting application of electromagnetic forces in easily varied configurations of accessories (178,...

20060135845 - Implantable penile prosthesis pump: Pumps for use with inflatable implantable penile prostheses in accordance with the invention include features that can provide for free fluid flow during inflation and deflation modes of the pump. Pumps may also include a bypass chamber that is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel...

20060135847 - Endoscope guiding device: An endoscope guiding device has a main wire body made of nitinol memory wire to retain its shape after bending, a handle fixed to the proximal end of the wire body and, at the distal end a rounded tip and adjacent to the distal end a reduced diameter end portion...

20060135848 - Endoscope guiding device: An endoscope guiding device has a main wire body made of nitinol memory wire to retain its shape after bending, a handle fixed to the proximal end of the wire body and, at the distal end a rounded tip and adjacent to the distal end a reduced diameter end portion...

20060135846 - Endoscopic device and component attachable to an endoscope handpiece: An endoscope includes an endoscope handpiece having a working channel opening and having either a retainer, an endoscope-adjunct-device actuation carriage, or an endoscope-adjunct-device actuation cylinder associated with a handle or a cable of an endoscope adjunct device, wherein the cable is insertable into the working channel opening. Examples of endoscope...

20060135849 - Endoscopic resection devices and related methods of use: Described is a tissue resection system which includes a guide element; a resection head; a positioning mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The resection head includes a guide channel slidably receiving the guide element and an endoscope channel sized to slidably receive an endoscope therein, so that, when the resection head...

20060135850 - Endoscope channel cap: The invention relates to an endoscope channel cap that may be used separately with two or more endoscopes each having a cap interface portion with a different configuration. The channel cap also may include one or more seals to maintain insufflation pressure both when an endoscopic instrument is inserted in...

20060135851 - Adapter unit for connecting cleaning fluid supply device to endoscopes: A cleaning adapter unit for connecting a cleaning fluid supply device to different type endoscopes comprises adapter valve assemblies which correspond to the different endoscopes, respectively. Each adapter valve assembly comprises a valve sleeve detachably connectable to the cleaning fluid supply device and a valve body received in the valve...

20060135852 - Rotatable holder assembly for a surgical retractor blade: A hand held computer for law enforcement officers in which to assist their performance of their daily duties. The hand held computer includes a microprocessor, a keyboard and a data input system for entering data into the microprocessor, a display screen and a data output circuit for displaying data from...

20060135853 - Mouth speculum: A mouth speculum allows an intubation tube to pass through a patient's mouth in a stable condition, while offering comfort in its use. Two lip-pressing pieces curve outwardly at the left and right sides in such a manner as to become smoother toward the center in the vertical direction, and...

20060135858 - Displaying information related to a physical parameter of an individual: Displaying information related to a physical parameter of an individual. An individual being any living form including a human being and an animal. An example system includes a sensor for measuring a physical parameter of an individual, a database remote from the sensor for storing data assigned to an individual,...

20060135857 - Input device: An input device comprises a body, having an upper cover as well as a lower cover and a space formed between them for disposing an electronic circuit with a connecting interface; a meter, disposing in the body; and a control circuit, disposing in the space and coupling to the meter...

20060135859 - Matrix interface for medical diagnostic and treatment advice system and method: An automated medical diagnostic system and method are disclosed. In an embodiment of the system and method, a matrix of cells is displayed via a graphical user interface on a computing device, each cell being representative of a patient health item (PHI) associated with a particular disease. A PHI is...

20060135856 - Method and apparatus for communicating with a medical device: The invention relates to a method of communicating with a medical device (10), in which an interface (12) is provided to which either measurement means (14) or an external device (16) can be connected and via which measured signals or data are transmitted from the measurement means (14) or the...

20060135855 - Method for determining normal measurements for a patient: Method and system for determining a norm to apply to a patient being examined in which at least one physical characteristic of the patient is determined from the examination and guidelines relating thereto are obtained. Information about the patient other than from the examination and established norms for each characteristic...

20060135854 - Sleep study software architecture: Sleep study test results and patient information gathered at remote test sites are compressed, encrypted, and transmitted to a central server for storage. A test scoring technician, at a remote site may, upon proper authentication, access the data, interpret it, and generate and store his interpretation. A physician at another...

20060135860 - Signal quality metrics design for qualifying data for a physiological monitor: A method and a device for determining the quality of signal used for measuring a physiological parameter. One embodiment of the present invention is directed towards a pulse oximeter, where the measured physiological parameter includes a patient's pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation. The signal quality, which is indicative of...

20060135861 - Apparatus and method for blood analysis: The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, for blood analysis on vessels. An excitation system (exs) emits an excitation beam to excite a target region. A detection system (dsy) is provided for detecting and analyzing scattered radiation from the target region. Those areas...

20060135862 - Multielectrode array and system for recording and analyzing data or for stimulating tissue: Disclosed is a multielectrode array suitable for many biological and analytical functions including manipulation of data from neurons, neural prosthetics and biosensing, together with ancillary devices and software for manipulation of data obtained therefrom....

20060135863 - Integral heart rate monitoring garment: A garment adapted for monitoring a user's heart rate includes material, a transmitter, one or more electrodes, and a power source. The transmitter, electrodes, and power source are integrated with the material. The electrodes and power source are operatively coupled to the transmitter, and the electrodes are responsive to the...

20060135864 - Peri-orbital trauma monitor and ocular pressure / peri-orbital edema monitor for non-ophthalmic surgery: An ocular pressure monitoring system includes a plurality of transducer assemblies that measure externally applied force(s) and/or peri-orbital edema from peri-orbital tissue areas associated with one or both of a patient's eyes. Each of the transducer assemblies has at least one external force transducer and/or one edema transducer, and at...

20060135865 - Method and apparatus for synching of images using regions of interest mapped by a user: A system and method for synchronizing a plurality of three-dimensional images. A user may manipulate three-dimensional images so the images have similar viewing parameters. A user may then link the three-dimensional images so a change in the viewing parameters in a first image may cause a corresponding change in viewing...

20060135866 - Three-dimensional medical imaging apparatus: By adding perspective information in addition to binocular parallax, the invention provides a three-dimensional medical imaging apparatus that allows surgery to be performed with a more natural three-dimensional view, similar to that achieved with the naked eye. The three-dimensional medical imaging apparatus includes an image-acquisition optical system and an imaging...

20060135867 - Shape analysis of surfaces: A method and apparatus are provided to map the shape or thickness of a surface. Thickness estimates across a distance are received, and Fourier analysis is performed to generate Fourier amplitude coefficients and phase values for a number of frequency components. Linear discriminant functions are used to characterize the resulting...

20060135868 - Sensitized online bold-mri imaging method: An online Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for functional clinical guidance or monitoring a therapeutic modality involving treatment by a sensitizer which, upon excitation by the appropriate sensitizing radiation, initiates local oxygen consumption, comprising: (i) generating a BOLD-weighted MR-image of the target region of interest within the...

20060135869 - System and method for measuring arterial vessels using near infrared spectroscopy at simultaneous multiple wavelengths: A system and method for improving the examination of vessel walls through fluid using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy by employing a parallel measurement where all wavelengths are measured simultaneously. The system and method of the present invention obviates that need to attempt to overcome the motion of a catheter by...

20060135870 - Methods and apparatuses for positioning within an internal channel: Methods and apparatuses for positioning medical devices onto (or close to) a desired portion of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as for scan imaging, for photodynamic therapy and/or for optical temperature measurement. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly has a distal portion that can be changed from...

20060135871 - Method for measurement of systolic and diastolic time intervals: A method and apparatus for determining cardiac time intervals that can measure physiological data noninvasively. Arterial pulse values are measured either invasively or noninvasively, from which left ventricular waveform data is generated. Systolic and diastolic time intervals are derived based on the left ventricular waveform data....

20060135873 - Cuff for blood pressure monitor, and blood pressure monitor having the same: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor has an air bag inflated/deflated as the air comes in/out. The air bag has an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the fitted state of the cuff and an outer wall portion located outer than the inner wall portion, and...

20060135872 - Cuff for blood pressure monitor, blood pressure monitor, living body pressing apparatus, and living body information measuring apparatus: A cuff as a living body pressing apparatus provided for a blood pressure monitor as a living body information measuring apparatus includes an air bag and a curled elastic member wound annularly around an outer side of the air bag. The air bag has an engagement portion at each side...

20060135875 - Apparatus and methods for risk stratification of patients with chest pain of suspected cardiac origin: The subject invention relates to the detection, diagnosis and risk stratification of clinical events such as acute coronary syndrome, in patients with signs and symptoms of suspected cardiac origin. In one embodiment, a clinical event in a patient is diagnosed by obtaining the patient's ECG, and at least one in...

20060135874 - Life sign detection and real-time reporting module: A life sign detection and real-time reporting module is provided, including a housing case installed with a life sign detector, and a signal processing circuit connected to the life sign detector to receive signals and stores the signals in a memory. The signal processing circuit includes a personal data memory...

20060135876 - Combined ecg and sound chart report and methodology: A computer-based method for presenting correlated ECG and heart-associated sound information regarding a selected subject's heart including the steps of (a) collecting subject-specific, time-related ECG and heart-associated sound information, and thereafter (b), presenting, in a common-display manner, at least portions of this ECG and sound information along with (a) a...

20060135877 - System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to...

20060135878 - Methods and apparatus for stroke patient treatment: Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for stroke during the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are disclosed. By determining central and obstructive apnea occurrences or the percentile of pressure delivered to the patient from patient airflow, stroke indicators may be calculated and analyzed...

20060135880 - Identification of a dominant signal component in a biosignal: The invention seeks to provide a method and a system for identifying a dominant signal component in a biosignal including at least two signal components. A biosignal including a first signal component having a first frequency range and a second signal component having a second frequency range is obtained from...

20060135879 - Method of monitoring brain function: A method for assessing brain state by analysing mammalian brain electroencephalogram (“EEG”) recordings using an eighth order autoregressive and fifth order moving average discrete time equation....

20060135881 - System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders: A medical device system for comparing a cardiopulmonary signal to a brain signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a medical device system is provided that includes a brain monitoring element, respiratory monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring...

20060135882 - Devices and methods for selective surgical removal of tissue: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted...

20060135883 - Systems and methods for processing limb motion: Control systems and methods are disclosed for processing a time series of signals associated with the movement of a device associated with a limb. The time series of motion signals is filtered, such as thorough an autoregressive filter, and compared to stored data sets representing a limb-motion event and/or phase....

20060135884 - Application devices, systems and methods for use with medical devices: An application or an attachment device for attaching a medical device includes a base layer and an adhesive layer on a rearward side of the base layer. The adhesive layer is adapted to removably attach the base layer. The adhesive layer can be adapted to removably attach the base layer...

20060135886 - Device for determining thoracic impedance: An electromedical implant includes a measuring signal generator, an impedance measuring unit to determine the impedance of human or animal tissue, a control unit which, for controlling the measuring signal generator and the impedance measuring unit, is at least indirectly connected to the measuring signal generator and to the impedance...

20060135885 - Female physical condition managing apparatus: Disclosed is a female physical condition managing apparatus, which comprises input means for entering a bioelectric impedance-related parameter value, storage means for storing a time series of the parameter values entered for a given time period, change-trend acquisition means for acquiring a parameter-value change trend in accordance with the time-series...

20060135887 - Uterine sound: A uterine sound is configured having an open and a closed position. Under normal operating conditions, the uterine sound is in the closed position for insertion into a uterus to measure the length of the uterus. Under conditions where there is a risk of the uterine sound perforating a uterine...

20060135888 - Device for determining a value that is representative of accelerations as well as an ergometer: Device and ergometer for determining a value that is representative of the accelerations in at least two directions extending perpendicularly to each other. The device provided with a sensor system in which the acceleration in each of the directions extending perpendicularly to each other can be converted into an electric...

20060129022 - Method and apparatus for therapeutic treatment of inflammation and pain with low flux density, static electro-magnetic fields: A portable Static Electro Magnetic Field (SEMF) generating device and method for the therapeutic treatment of inflammatory and painful disorders of the human limbs including fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, toes, feet and ankles preferably includes a wearable, portable battery powered solenoid or coil. The coil is configured to focus...

20060129023 - Pulsatile blood pumping systems: A blood pumping system to support living organisms based on a spherical multi vane and multi chamber pump with an oscillating motion that delivers pulsatile flow. The blood pumping system includes a number of design elements that address the particular needs and compatibility issues (both biological and hemological) of a...

20060129024 - Pulsatile blood pumping systems: A blood pumping system to support living organisms based on a spherical multi vane and multi chamber pump with an oscillating motion that delivers pulsatile flow. The blood pumping system includes a number of design elements that address the particular needs and compatibility issues (both biological and hemological) of a...

20060129026 - Apparatus and method for mounting a cardiac harness on the heart: A suction cup for use with a delivery device for delivering a cardiac harness to a heart. The suction cup includes a cup body formed of a flexible material, such as silicone, and the cup body has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion defines an...

20060129027 - Device for treating obesity: A device for treating obesity comprises a band part (1), which can be placed annularly about the stomach and includes a closure means (2, 3) for closing the gastric band after it has been placed annularly about the stomach, and an enveloping part (18) for enveloping and supporting a stomach...

20060129025 - Systems for and methods of atrioventricular valve regurgitation and reversing ventricular remodeling: Methods of and devices for restoring the normal geometry of a heart, including but not limited to the structures supporting the atrioventricular valves. The techniques and devices described herein operate on the principle of displacement, both active and passive, to reverse cardiac remodeling and limit ischemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation....

20060129028 - Potency package: A device and method for male impotence correction and female anorgasmy. An electronic stimulator with at least one pulse generator is implanted inside the body. At least one electrode is installed in the epidural space in the sacrum section of the spinal column and a conductor running under the user's...

20060129029 - Method and surgical tool to assist trocar inserting during surgery: A method of identifying a position at which an opening can be made in the peritoneum of an anaesthetised patient to enable the insertion of a laparoscopic tool to assist in laparoscopic surgery after an initial umbilical opening has been made. The method involves the steps of: inflating the abdomen...

20060129030 - Ureteroscope with a distal beak: A ureteroscope (1) fitted with a stem (2) which exhibits at least at its distal end zone a substantially oval cross-section and which comprises a rounded beak (6) projecting at the distal end of the cross-section in the direction of the longer transverse axis (7), is characterized in that the...

20060129031 - Medical diagnostic instrument: A medical diagnostic instrument includes a housing containing at least one battery and a light source, such as a lamp, for illuminating a medical target. A switch includes a movable member that selectively moves at least one of the battery and the lamp into and out of electrical connection with...

20060129032 - Variable view arthroscope with charge coupled device: A variable view arthroscope includes a tubular housing having a longitudinal axis and an input end, an input lens and a CCD in the input end of the housing for capturing and relaying an image object. In some embodiments, a variable view arthroscope with a plurality of viewing positions in...

20060129033 - Retractor blade extender tower: A blade extending tower for setting blade depth on retractors having telescoping or extending blades. The blade extending tower features a base, a column extending from the base, and mating features on the column configured to engage the blades of a retractor to extend the blades to a desired blade...

20060129035 - Devices, methods, and systems for measuring analytes extracted through skin: Measuring devices for measuring an analyte extracted through skin of a living body are described that include: a noninvasive sampling unit for extracting the analyte from the living body through analyte transmission paths formed in an extracting region of the skin; an analyte detection unit for detecting a quantity of...

20060129034 - Medical decision support systems utilizing gene expression and clinical information and method for use: Embodiments of this invention provide improved medical decision support systems and methods for using such systems to simultaneously consider two or more different types of information along with estimates of accuracies of the information to produce a combined predictor. Such predictors have greater accuracy compared to use of the individual...

20060129036 - Apparatus for the ph determination of blood and method therefor: The present invention relates to a spectroscopic apparatus for non-invasive in vivo analysis of blood and to a corresponding analysis method, in particular for direct determination of the pH value of the blood. From a Raman signal detected from an excited target region containing blood at least one predetermined pH...

20060129037 - Optical determination of in vivo properties: A system and method for determining an in vivo property of a tissue or blood is described. The in vivo property may be a hematocrit value, a hemoglobin concentration, or a combination thereof. The system can automatically determine a location of a subcutaneous blood vessel. Based on the automatically determined...

20060129038 - Optical determination of in vivo properties: A system and method for determining an in vivo property of a tissue or blood is described. The in vivo property may be a hematocrit value, a hemoglobin concentration, or a combination thereof. The system can automatically determine a location of a subcutaneous blood vessel. Based on the automatically determined...

20060129039 - Apparatus for improved pulse oximetry measurement: An apparatus for measuring the blood oxygen level of a patient is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having an interior surface of non-reflective material substantially surrounding an interior. A cooperating light source and detector are operatively positioned proximate the interior surface so as to emit and...

20060129040 - Method and system for use in non-invasive optical measurements of blood parameters: A method and device are presented for use in non-invasive optical measurements of at least one desired characteristic of patient's blood. A condition of artificial blood kinetics is created at a measurement location in a patient's blood perfused fleshy medium and maintained for a certain time period. This condition is...

20060129041 - Guidewire with chemical sensing capabilities: A guidewire with a sensor which can detect NO and/or superoxide levels is disclosed. This invention can be useful for in vivo analysis of vascular health....

20060129042 - Electrode for, and method of, indicating signal characteristics at particular positions in a patient's body: A chadd disposed on a patient's skin generates heat at a substantially constant temperature for an extended period of time (e.g., hours and days) when exposed to air. The chadd becomes porous when heated and produces a porosity in the patient's skin as a result of the heat generation to...

20060129043 - System for and method of positioning cells and determing cellular activity thereof: A device for positioning at least one cell in at least one addressable position, the device comprising a substrate (12) formed with at least one addressable pore (14) and at least one channel (16) embedded in the substrate and being held in fluid communication with the at least one pore....

20060129044 - Device for monitoring anatomical imaging unit or a radiotherapy unit: The invention concerns a device for monitoring an imaging or radiotherapy unit (1) for treading members of the human body subject to displacements related to movements of the diaphragm. The invention is characterised in that said monitoring device is designed to enable, in a prior preparation phase, to store two...

20060129045 - Ballooncatheter with radioopaque marker: In order to enhance the flexibility and trackability of a catheter (1) that is particularly adapted for use in delivering a stent (5), the catheter (1) comprises a marker arrangement (7, 8) that includes at least one marker (10, 11) made from a wire of a highly radiopaque and ductile...

20060129046 - Methods and devices for coupling a needle to an ultrasound device and guiding advancement of the needle: A needle guide kit is provided which includes a needle guide, a retainer and a tether. The needle guide is coupled to an ultrasound device either directly or via an adapter. The needle guide has an open v-shaped slot which can receive a number of different needle sizes. The retainer...

20060129047 - Force or pressure sensor and method for applying the same: The invention relates to a force or pressure sensor and a method for applying the same. The pressure sensor comprises a substantially rigid, mechanical-load resistant frame (1), a flexible diaphragm (2) secured over its peripheral rim to the frame (1), and a piezoelectric sensor diaphragm (3) applied to the surface...

20060129048 - Temperature-measuring manometer: A temperature measuring manometer capable of measuring a patient's blood pressure and the temperature in the environment comprises a pressured sensor that transforms physical signals to a blood pressure signal; a temperature module that receives a temperature signal from the environment; an A/D converter coupled to the pressured sensor and...

20060129049 - Cuff for blood pressure monitor and blood pressure monitor having the same: A cuff for a blood pressure monitor is provided with an air bag including a first bag member located outside and a second bag member located inside in the thickness direction when fitted on a living body. The first and second bag members have first and second inflated/deflated spaces, respectively....

20060129050 - Instrumented implantable stents, vascular grafts and other medical devices: Several different smart stent structures are described for placement in vessel of a mammal. The stents can be advantageously used to perform measurements of the conditions in the vessel and transmit the measurements wireless out from the patient. In some embodiments, the stent performs therapy within the vessel and may...

20060129051 - Diagnostic kit to assist with heart valve annulus adjustment: A diagnostic device for determining the amount of change required in a coronary sinus to reduce valve regurgitation. The device includes a distal tube having a distal anchor at a distal end portion of the distal tube, a proximal tube having a proximal anchor at a distal end portion of...

20060129052 - System for, and method of, monitoring heartbeats of a patient: A heart monitor acquires signals representing a patient's heart characteristics. The signals are amplified without affecting the original signal characteristics. The heartbeat signals with unusual characteristics are then transmitted to a processing station. The station also contains, in a pattern recognition platform, the patient's previously generated heartbeat signals. The station...

20060129053 - Compensation method for thermodilution catheter having an injectate induced thermal effect in a blood flow measurement: A catheter for retrograde orientation in a blood flow is used to determine the blood flow rate by thermodilution measurements. The determination of the blood flow rate accommodates injectate induced thermal influences on a dilution thermal sensor, wherein the thermal influences can occur prior to introduction of the injectate into...

20060129054 - Methods for non-invasivelyestimating pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output: Methods for non-invasively determining the cardiac output or pulmonary capillary blood flow of a subject include monitoring the subject's respiration during two ventilatory states. Such a method may include determining parameters of at least one of the ventilatory states based on one or more characteristics of the subject. Data obtained...

20060129055 - Systems and methods for accurately, substantially noninvasivelydetermining pulmonary capillary blood flow or cardiac output: Methods for noninvasively determining a pulmonary capillary blood flow or a cardiac output of a subject include determining data of the amount of gas exchanged between blood and gas in lungs of the subject, as well as data of an indicator of the content of the gas in blood of...

20060129056 - Electrocorticography telemitter: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture provide for wireless communications of brain signals from electrode implants to an external receiver for analysis of the brain signals. The analyzed brain signals are used to locate abnormal brain activity in a subject, such as epileptic seizure foci, or to localize task-specific brain...

20060129057 - Active muscle display device: In order to provide an active muscle display unit that extracts a firing pattern of the individual motor unit without applying a load to living organisms and display the extracted motor unit, the active muscle display unit comprises multiple electrodes 1 that are arranged on a skin surface, a surface...

20060129059 - Attitude correction apparatus and method: An attitude correction and method are provided. In the attitude correction apparatus, an electromyogram measuring unit is attached to a subject to obtain an electromyogram waveform and calculate muscle tension from the electromyogram waveform. An attitude measuring unit is attached to the subject to measure a subject's attitude. A controlling...

20060129058 - Electromyogram for animals: A system for receiving at least one electromyogram signal representing physiological activity in a quadruped. The system may comprise a first probe and a wireless receiver in wireless communication with the first probe. Also, an electromyogram device for determining a neuromuscular balance of a quadruped. The device may comprise a...

20060129060 - Management method of fat mass and management device of fat mass using mobile phone: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for managing the body fat of a human body and, more particularly, to a mobile communication terminal in which a body fat managing function is embedded, and an apparatus in which a body fat managing device is connected to a mobile communication...

20060129061 - Catheter and production method thereof: The present invention provides a catheter 100 having a structure wherein an electronic component 2 is mounted on the anterior end or an intermediate part of a tube 1, a signal line electrically connecting to the electronic component 2 extends from the vicinity of the electronic component 2 through the...

20060129063 - Biopsy device with variable speed cutter advance: A biopsy device having a translating and rotating cutter is disclosed. The translational speed of the cutter is varied using a variable pitch member. The variable pitch member can include a shaft having a relatively coarse threaded portion for rapid cutter advance and a relatively finer threaded portion for cutter...

20060129062 - Fluid control element for biopsy apparatus: A fluid control element having a flexible member that is adapted for selective deformation when an element inserted therein. The flexible member includes at least one incision or opening that defines at least one cusp that selectively opens when the element is inserted therein. The incision or opening is biased...

20060129064 - Blood collection set with an expanded internal volume: The blood collection set includes an IV needle assembly, a length of flexible plastic tubing extending from the IV needle assembly and a non-patient needle assembly. The set is formed with an internal chamber that increases the internal volume of the blood collection set. Thus, the increase in internal volume...

20060129065 - Needle-insertion device: This invention relates to a lancing apparatus (A1) used for inserting an insertion element (21) into a human skin (Sk) for sampling a body fluid. The lancing apparatus (A1) includes a housing (1) with a cylindrical portion (12) brought into contact with the skin (Sk), a negative pressure generator (6)...

20060129066 - Intravascular guide wire and method for manufacture thereof: A guide wire, and a method for the manufacture thereof, having a core and a plastic jacket enclosing the core. The plastic jacket comprises a proximal portion formed of a first plastic material and a distal jacket portion formed of a second plastic material. The distal end of the proximal...

20060129067 - Wearable auscultation system and method: A method and system for monitoring physiological parameters is useful for remote auscultation of the heart and lungs. The system includes an acoustic sensor (105) that has a stethoscopic cup (305). A membrane (325) is positioned adjacent to a first end of the stethoscopic cup (305), and an impedance matching...

20060129068 - Palpometer and methods of use thereof: Dolorimeters and methods of use thereof are provided. The dolorimeters comprise an integral apparatus having sensor means having a property which varies according to pressure or force applied to the means and a reporter means. The dolorimeter can be worn on a finger or thumb of a practitioner and allows...

20060129069 - Apparatus and method for pain measurement: Time-series of pain ratings are analyzed from patients with CLBP, PHN, and from normal subjects imagining back pain. A non-linear technique is used to determine whether each time-series examined is scale free, and derives a single parameter with which each time-series is characterized, permitting a contrast between pain conditions....

20060129070 - Fingertip tracker: A method, apparatus, system, and article of manufacture provide the ability to utilize fingertip tracking technology during the course of a medical examination. A sensor is mounted on a fingertip of a finger of a first person. Such a sensor is communicatively coupled to a computer to record measurements. The...

20060116546 - System and method for high dose rate radiation intracavitary brachytherapy: The apparatus, method and system for performing a high dose rate brachytherapy procedure in a body cavity may include an at least partially indwelling multi-lumen catheter with a plurality of inflatable balloons coupled thereto. A lumen may be adapted to receive radiation seeds. The balloons, when inflated, may be adapted...

20060116547 - Endourethral device & method: An endourethral device is provided having an elongate member having proximal and distal segments, the elongate member positionable within a lower urinary tract so as to at least partially traverses a prostatic urethra. A proximal anchor, adapted to abuttingly engage portions of a bladder neck so as to at least...

20060116548 - Methods for treating valve-associated regions of vascular vessels: This invention relates in one aspect to the treatment of a valve-associated region of a vascular vessel with a biomaterial. The biomaterial can be a remodelable material that strengthens and/or supports the vessel walls. Additionally the biomaterial can include a variety of naturally occurring or added bioactive agents and/or viable...

20060116549 - Balloon controller for endoscope apparatus: A balloon controller for an endoscope apparatus which enables an operator to correctly and immediately grasp circumstances relating to an abnormal condition at the time of occurrence of the abnormal condition. The balloon controller controls expansion and shrinkage of each of a first balloon attached to an insertion portion of...

20060116550 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system in which an endoscope can be cleaned and sterilized more easily. The endoscope system includes the endoscope including at least a main body unit formed by collecting an electric function portion, an optical function portion, and channels to a part of the main body unit, a signal...

20060116551 - Single-use system and method for endoscopy pre-cleaning: A single-use cleaning system for pre-cleaning an endoscope including a container, a premixed enzymatic solution residing within the container for cleaning the endoscope, a lid removably affixed to the container to secure the premixed enzymatic solution within the container, and a towelette packet removably affixed to the lid. The towelette...

20060116552 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system in which an endoscope can be easily cleaned and sterilized. The endoscope system includes the endoscope including at least a main body unit which is formed by collecting various channels to a part of the main body unit, and a channel unit including various channels which are...

20060116553 - Integrated visualization system: An endoscope that has an integrated light source and camera mounted at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is a class of LED devices constructed of high-efficiency LEDs that emit narrow-band blue light coupled with phosphors, which cause a nearly natural “white” light to be emitted. The...

20060116555 - Controlled environment thermal image detection system and methods regarding same: Thermal infrared image data of at least a region of a face of a person in an enclosure is provided. The enclosure, for example, may include a first enclosed volume and a second enclosed volume physically separated from the first enclosed volume. The first enclosed volume may include an entrance...

20060116558 - Health care method and apparatus based on user's life pattern: A health care apparatus and method that produce a health care program based on a user's life pattern. The health care apparatus includes: an input unit inputting user's personal information, body information, and life pattern information; a calculator producing a health care program based on the input user's personal information,...

20060116557 - Methods and systems for evaluating patient data: Methods and systems for prioritizing patient data from a plurality of patients for review by a healthcare professional are provided. Embodiments of the subject methods include determining a priority score for each patient based on patient data data, and presenting the data to a healthcare professional for review in an...

20060116556 - Physiological assessment system and method: A system and method for physiological assessment utilizes electrophysiological techniques, such as evoked potential (EP) data. Symptomatic and asymptomatic sensory areas are stimulated and EP data are collected. Artifacts can optionally be deleted from the raw EP data, which can then be appropriately filtered and transformed using software filtering and...

20060116554 - Universal measuring device for medical application: Measuring device for medical application, comprising a first part provided with measuring means for measuring data of a patient, and a second part provided with communication means for sending the data, wherein the first part can be releasably connected to the second part, characterized in that the communication means are...

20060116559 - Method and apparatus for estimating a likelihood of shoulder dystocia: A method and an apparatus for estimating a level of risk of shoulder dystocia with neonatal injury associated to an obstetrics patient are provided. A set of information data elements associated to an obstetrics patient is received including information derived from a maternal weight component, a maternal height component and...

20060116560 - Method and apparatus for estimating a likelihood of shoulder dystocia: A system and apparatus implementing a graphical user interface module for displaying information conveying a level of risk of delivery with shoulder dystocia associated to an obstetrics patient. The graphical user interface module displays a set of user modifiable information fields for allowing a user to enter a set of...

20060116561 - Systems and methods for intra-oral diagnosis: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting or diagnosing diseases by sampling and testing intra-oral fluids....

20060116562 - Compact apparatus for noninvasive measurement of glucose through near-infrared spectroscopy: The invention involves the monitoring of a biological parameter through a compact analyzer. The preferred apparatus is a spectrometer based system that is attached continuously or semi-continuously to a human subject and collects spectral measurements that are used to determine a biological parameter in the sampled tissue. The preferred target...

20060116563 - Extraction device, analyzer, extraction method, and analysis method: An extraction device for extracting an analyte from living tissue is disclosed that comprises a power source; a first electrode and second electrode connected to the power source; and a holding unit for holding a collecting medium for collecting analyte extracted from living tissue, wherein the collecting medium is in...

20060116564 - Esophageal diagnostic sensor: Disclosed is an esophageal catheter that is capable of simultaneously measuring impedance, hydrostatic pressure and contact pressure in an esophagus from peristaltic waves, esophageal fluid and the transit bolus in a single test episode. Circumferential impedance sensors include sensing electrodes that are oppositely disposed on the circumferential impedance sensor, and...

20060116565 - Reverse current controlling electrode with oversize backing: A medical electrode includes a moderately conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector and contact with a flexible member top side for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top and the connector...

20060116566 - Medical imaging device having means for rendering the detector orientation and the display orientation essentially equal: The invention refers to a medical imaging device (1) comprising an X-ray source (2) for irradiating an object to be imaged. Detector means (3) having an adjustable orientation detect the X-rays after passage through the object. Conversion means convert the detected X-rays into image data. Processing means (4) process the...

20060116567 - Method and apparatus for image reconstruction using data decomposition for all or portions of the processing flow: A method and apparatus for processing raw image data to create processed images. Raw image data is acquired. The raw image data is decomposed by a data decomposer into N subsets of raw image data. The number N is based on a number of available image generation processors. The N...

20060116568 - Magnetic resonance angiography data: A method is provided for improved visualization of vascular structures contained within magnetic resonance angiograms, particularly steady-state contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiograms. The disclosed methods include manipulating the relative enhancement levels of the arterial and venous blood pools images with respect to each other and to the surrounding anatomy. This manipulation...

20060116569 - Phase error measuring method, mr imaging method, and mri system: The present invention is intended to provide a phase error measuring method capable of measuring a phase error occurring in each phase encoding direction that corresponds to the direction of a readout magnetic field gradient which is turned in units of a radian. The phase error measuring method in accordance...

20060116570 - Reducing effects of rotational motion: A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data....

20060116571 - Guidewire for vascular catheters: Guidewire for catheters which can be inserted into cavities, preferably coronary vessels of humans or animals, said guidewire being provided with electromagnetic receive or transmit locate to position its position in conjunction with corresponding external electromagnetic transmit or receive antennas, as well as with signal lines guiding the processing unit...

20060116572 - Sensing delivery system for intraluminal medical devices: Delivery systems and methods of treatment are described. The delivery systems facilitate visualization, monitoring, or sensing of body vessel parameters, blood parameters, or an intraluminal medical device included in the delivery system prior to, during, or after deployment in a body vessel. A sensing apparatus associated with the delivery systems...

20060116573 - Self contained, self piercing, side-expelling marking apparatus: A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass....

20060116574 - Extended-coverage imaging coil: Extended-coverage magnetic resonance imaging coils with optimized homogeneity in longitudinal sensitivity are described. One exemplary coil includes four elements, where two of the elements are opposed-solenoid imaging elements and two of the elements are single loop imaging elements....

20060116575 - Method and system for registering an image with a navigation reference catheter: Methods and systems for processing and/or superimposing a medical image of an anatomical body (e.g., a heart) with graphical information are provided. Reference elements and/or reference catheter are placed in contact with the anatomical body. A physical structure within a navigational coordinate system is located using the reference elements and/or...

20060116576 - System and use thereof to provide indication of proximity between catheter and location of interest in 3-d space: The present invention provides systems and method for navigating a medical probe (such as a catheter) relative to an anatomical body (such as a heart). A mark (such as a point or line), representing an anatomical region of interest (such as tissue targeted for treatment or tissue not targeted for...

20060116577 - Direct image measurement editing mode for ultrasound reports: A direct image edit mode (DIMEM) introduces flexibility into the ultrasound exam process and, as a result, it improves the workflow associated with it. This flexibility allows a sonographer to seamlessly review, in any order, the entire history of exams. Moreover, with the DIMEM feature images associated with measured values...

20060116578 - User interface for handheld imaging devices: A Graphical User Interface (GUI) for an ultrasound system. The ultrasound system has operational modes and the GUI has corresponding icons, tabs, and menu items image and information fields. The User Interface (UI) provides several types of graphical elements with intelligent behavior, such as being context sensitive and adaptive, called...

20060116579 - Ultrasound imaging apparatus and method thereof: An ultrasound imaging apparatus and method comprises a transducer array, a positioning device for the array, a reflector, a multiplexer, a transmitter/receiver, an image reconstruction and signal processing apparatus, and a monitor. The transducer array and the reflector are located on two sides of an object which are opposite to...

20060116580 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can dynamically change a focus position of a phasing circuit installed in a sub-array. A transducer element is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes a sub-array. The sub-array is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes an arrayed transducer element. An output of the transducer element of the...

20060116581 - Implantable doppler tomography system: The inventive implantable Doppler tomography system allows, for the first time, the use of Doppler shift for purposes of tracking cardiac wall motion. The present inventive Doppler tomography system methods and devices provide a critical new tool in the physician's armamentarium which provides accurate, real time monitoring of the mechanical...

20060116582 - Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus and ultrasonic diagnosis method: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving section which transmits and receives a first ultrasonic wave that has such a sound pressure as practically does not destroy a contrast agent bubble given to a subject and that is for obtaining a bloodstream circulating image about a target area...

20060116583 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method thereof: In the event that images are acquired for multiple cross-sections (multiple phases) by a predetermined imaging mode in an examination under stress to a subject, images of the same phase acquired by the same imaging mode in an examination before stress to the subject is read and simultaneously displayed as...

20060116585 - Electrostatic membranes for sensors, ultrasonic transducers incorporating such membranes, and manufacturing methods therefor: A micro-machined ultrasonic transducer substrate for immersion operation is formed by a particular arrangement of a plurality of micro-machined membranes that are supported on a silicon substrate. The membranes, together with the substrate, form surface microcavities that are vacuum sealed to provide electrostatic cells. The cells can operate at high...

20060116584 - Miniaturized ultrasonic transducer: Ultrasonic transducers having a reduced size in comparison with prior art ultrasonic transducers and including a thermally-conductive body, a flexible circuit bent at least partially around the body, an acoustic assembly arranged on the flexible circuit and electronic components for controlling the acoustic assembly to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves....

20060116586 - Balloon controller for endoscopic apparatus: A balloon controller for an endoscope apparatus, which expands or shrinks a first balloon attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope by supplying fluid to the first balloon or drawing fluid from the first balloon, and which expands or shrinks a second balloon attached to an insertion assist implement...

20060116587 - Method and apparatus for monitoring the efficacy of fluid resuscitation: b

20060116588 - Method and apparatus for calculating blood pressure of an artery: The present invention is a method for calculating blood pressure of an artery having a pulse. The method includes applying a varying pressure to the artery. Pressure waveforms are sensed to produce pressure waveform data. Waveform parameters are derived from the sensed pressure waveform data. Blood pressure is then determined...

20060116589 - Weight scale having function of pulse rate meter or heartbeat rate meter: Disclosed is a weight scale having a function of a pulse rate meter or a heartbeat rate meter in which a weight, a pulse, and a heartbeat can be measured using a plus and minus electrode provided at a main part of the weight scale to catch athletic effects according...

20060116591 - Active implantable medical device including means for the evaluation of intracardiac volume: An active implantable medical device having a plurality of connection terminals able to be connected to electrodes placed in at least three distinct respective sites in a myocardium; circuits for measuring an intracardiac bio-impedance, comprising circuits for injecting a current and circuits for collecting a voltage at respective poles of...

20060116590 - Endocardial pressure differential sensing systems and methods: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to implanted systems, and methods for use therewith, that can monitor a cardiac condition. Pressure in sensed in a left chamber of the heart and a right chamber of the heart. A pressure differential is determined between the sensed pressure in the left...

20060116592 - Method and apparatus for detection and monitoring of t-wave alternans: A system and method are provided for assessing T-wave alternans (TWA) using cardiac EGM signals received from implanted electrodes. A T-wave signal parameter is measured from signals received by an automatic gain control sense amplifier. A TWA measurement is computed from a beat-by-beat comparison of T-wave parameter measurements or using...

20060116593 - Cardiac activation sequence monitoring for ischemia detection: Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems that provide one or more of monitoring, diagnosing, defibrillation, and pacing. Cardiac signal separation is employed to detect, monitor, track and/or trend ischemia using cardiac activation sequence information. Ischemia detection may involve sensing composite cardiac signals using implantable electrodes, and performing a signal...

20060116594 - Method and apparatus for arrhythmia classification using atrial signal mapping: An implantable medical device senses a plurality of electrograms from substantially different atrial locations, detects regional depolarizations from the electrograms, and analyzes timing relationships among the regional depolarizations. The timing relationships provide a basis for effective therapy control and/or prognosis of certain cardiac disorders. In one embodiment, an atrial activation...

20060116596 - Method and apparatus for detection and monitoring of t-wave alternans: A system and method are provided for assessing T-wave alternans (TWA) using cardiac EGM signals received from implanted electrodes. A T-wave signal parameter is measured from signals received by an automatic gain control sense amplifier. A TWA measurement is computed from a beat-by-beat comparison of T-wave parameter measurements or using...

20060116595 - Method for defining signal templates in implantable cardiac devices: The present invention is directed toward template formation methods for use in cardiac rhythm management devices. The template formation methods of the present invention provide for creating a robust template to compare with sensed cardiac complexes....

20060116597 - Brain balancing by binaural beat: A method and apparatus to balance the brain left side and the brain right side by using binaural beat is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus comprises an electroencephalographic (EEG) system to measure the brain left and right electrical signals, and an audio generator to generate a binaural beat to compensate for...

20060116598 - Brain balancing by binaural beat: A method and apparatus to balance the brain left side and the brain right side by using binaural beat is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus comprises an electroencephalographic (EEG) system to measure the brain left and right electrical signals, and an audio generator to generate a binaural beat to compensate for...

20060116599 - Electrical impedance tomography using a virtual short measurement technique: Typical electrical impedance tomography (“EIT”) systems apply current to a body under test and measure the induced voltages on the surface and then through an inverse process, reconstruct an approximation to the electrical conductivity in the interior. The EIT system described herein employs a new approach to evaluating the interior...

20060116600 - Brain balancing by binaural beat: A method and apparatus to balance the brain left side and the brain right side by using binaural beat is disclosed. The disclosed apparatus comprises an electroencephalographic (EEG) system to measure the brain left and right electrical signals, and an audio generator to generate a binaural beat to compensate for...

20060116602 - Medical sensing device and system: The present invention relates to a medical device comprising (i) a sensing module including a housing that is generally cylindrical in shape; (ii) a sensing element located within the housing; (iii) a processing module electrically coupled to the sensing element that includes an analog-to-digital converter that is electrically connected to...

20060116601 - Methods and apparatus for measuring pressure profiles: Method and apparatus for performing multidimensional pressure measurements by means of pressure profile sensors comprises using a multichannel catheter (7), each channel (1, 2 . . . ) of which is individually excited electrically, more particularly each channel is individually and distinctly excited electrically so to provide individual, distinct excitation...

20060116603 - Biopsy device and container for biopsy device: A biopsy device includes an catching member that is able to catch and release a living sample, a sheath through which the catching member is able to be inserted, and a container that stores the living sample. The container includes a container portion that is able to contain a sample...

20060116604 - 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....

20060116605 - Rotating fine needle for core tissue sampling: A medical instrument usable with an ultrasound-endoscope for performing a needle biopsy on a patient's internal body tissues usable at a surgical site not visible to the unaided eye or viewed endoscopically, comprises an elongate tubular member with a hollow needle element connected at its distal end, a sheath member...

20060116606 - Skin punch instrument: A blade sleeve 5 having an annular cutting edge 6 is formed at the distal end of a handle 1. A pressing body 9 is received in the blade sleeve 5 such that the pressing body 9 is allowed to move in the axial direction C. A contact portion 12...

20060116607 - Body fluid collecting device: Disclosed herein are a body fluid collecting device which is easy to operate to collect body fluid and which is capable of detecting specific components in body fluid with a small amount of sample, and a body fluid collecting device of the type integral with a sticking needle, which is...

20060116608 - Catheter feed through guide: A catheter feed through guide apparatus and method which facilitates the feeding of a catheter through a tunneler during implant procedures and avoids damage to the catheter and catheter tip during the catheter feed through procedure. The apparatus comprises a guide element configured to fit through a tunneler and to...

20060116609 - Medical guide wire: A medical guide wire includes a core wire having a distal portion, and a cover portion formed of a resin for covering at least the distal portion of the core wire, and is provided with a distal shape portion having a curved portion, wherein the distal portion of the core...