Surgery inventions 08/06

20060195003 - Thin californium-containing radioactive source wires: A cermet wire includes at least 1% californium-252 and is characterized by a diameter of no more than 0.0225 inch....

20060195004 - Minimally invasive transvalvular ventricular assist device: A tiny electrically powered hydrodynamic blood pump is disclosed which occupies one third of the aortic or pulmonary valve position, and pumps directly from the left ventricle to the aorta or from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. The device is configured to exactly match or approximate the space...

20060195005 - Balloon for intraaortic balloon pumping catheter, catheter fitted with the same, and process for producing the balloon: A balloon for use in the method of intra aortic balloon pumping (IABP), produced by blow molding of a polyether polyurethane whose 100% modulus is 5 to 18 MPa, the balloon having a film thickness of 30 to 80 μm and a 50% modulus in the longitudinal direction is 30...

20060195008 - 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...

20060195006 - Intraurethral incontinence device and methods: Intraurethral devices and methods for controlling urinary incontinence are disclosed. An intraurethral device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment may include an elongated sheath, a bladder retention element, a meatal retention element, and an adjustable bladder control valve that can be used to regulate the flow of urine from the...

20060195007 - Transobturator surgical articles and methods: Described are surgical articles, implants, and components suitable for surgical implant procedures including transobturator surgical procedures....

20060195009 - Apparatus and method for correcting urinary incontinence: An apparatus and a method for urine containment, storage, and release is provided for male and female patients suffering from incontinence. The device comprises a housing including a valve implanted generally in the bladder of a male or female patient. The device further comprises an access port connecting the housing...

20060195010 - Surgical implants and related methods and systems: Described are surgical implants, tools, systems, and related methods, useful for implantation of surgical implants, such as those used to treat pelvic conditions including incontinence....

20060195013 - Medical slings: A sling in accordance with the invention includes a synthetic material and a non-synthetic material positioned adjacent thereto. The non-synthetic material may be wrapped around or may be attached to the synthetic material. Additionally, the non-synthetic material may include slits. Methods for making such slings are also described....

20060195011 - Pelvic implants and related methods: Described are surgical implants that include a central support portion adapted to be positioned to support pelvic tissue, between mesh end portions adapted to be passed through body tissue, wherein edges of the end portions exhibit extensions that are resistant to deformation....

20060195012 - Valve to myocardium tension members device and method: A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor...

20060195015 - Miniature ingestible capsule: A miniature ingestible capsule has multiple therapeutic or diagnostic operations that can be performed. These functions are controlled by a combination of an outside control, a pose beacon and through information relayed from an imagining array and transmitter. These functions can be in a separate capsule without an imaging array...

20060195014 - Tethered capsule endoscope for barrett's esophagus screening: A capsule is coupled to a tether that is manipulated to position the capsule and a scanner included within the capsule at a desired location within a lumen in a patient's body. Images produced by the scanner can be used to detect Barrett's Esophagus (BE) and early (asymptomatic) esophageal cancer...

20060195016 - Endoscope apparatus: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an insertion portion, wherein an air hole is formed at a distal end of the insertion portion; and a balloon attached to the distal end of the insertion portion, the balloon being expanded by supply of air through an inlet/outlet port of the...

20060195017 - Expandable device for providing access to the spine: In one embodiment, a retractor is provided for retracting tissue at a surgical location within a patient for minimally invasive access to a region of the spine. The retractor comprises an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The retractor comprises a first elongate member and a...

20060195019 - Microprobe for 3d bio-imaging, method for fabricating the same and use thereof: A microprobe that is capable of using an incident and reflected radiation ray for three-dimensional (3-D) bio-imaging. The microprobe comprises a hollow body closed at one end and having an aperture at an opposite end, at least one 3-D free space micromirror, at least one focusing lens, and a beam...

20060195018 - Reflex tester and method for measurement: A response measuring system for measuring the time required for a user or subject to respond to a prompting event includes a controller or computer connected to a plurality of annunciator driving outputs and a plurality of sensor input receivers. Methods of using the response measuring system in diagnoses and...

20060195020 - Methods, systems, and apparatus for measuring a pulse rate: The present invention includes methods, systems, and apparatus for measuring a pulse rate. One aspect includes a method for measuring a pulse rate of an individual. The method can include providing at least one sensor adapted to monitor a pulse associated with a user, and further adapted to monitor motion...

20060195021 - Noninvasive blood analysis by optical probing of the veins under the tongue: A method for analysis of blood components or parameters is disclosed where a probe having an excitation outlet and a response inlet is placed in proximity to or in contact with a tissue of an underside of a patient's tongue over a big vein in the tongue so that an...

20060195023 - 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...

20060195022 - Non-invasive tissue glucose level monitoring: Instruments and methods are described for performing non-invasive measurements of analyte levels and for monitoring, analyzing and regulating tissue status, such as tissue glucose levels....

20060195024 - Laser diode optical transducer assembly for non-invasive spectrophotometric blood oxygenation: A non-invasive near infrared spectrophotometric monitoring transducer assembly includes a housing member, which is adhered directly on a patient's skin. The housing member contains a prism coupled to a flexible and lightweight single core optical light guide, which provides a means of transferring narrow spectral bandwidth light from multiple distant...

20060195025 - Pulse oximetry data confidence indicator: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a display is used to show an indication of the signal's quality. This indication of the signal's quality may be provided in a number of ways, including one or more audio and/or visual alarms....

20060195026 - Pulse oximeter and sensor optimized for low saturation: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for facilitating detection of a physiological characteristic of a patient. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor comprising a light emitter configured to emit light, the light being optimized to reduce sensitivity of blood oxygen saturation...

20060195027 - Pulse oximeter and sensor optimized for low saturation: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pulse oximeter sensor comprising a light source configured to emit light, a detector configured to detect light after the light has been scattered by tissue, and a limiting component configured to limit light signals received at the detector from the light source...

20060195028 - Hat-based oximeter sensor: A method for use and an improved oximeter sensor substrate that is conforming to the shape of the patient's forehead. In one embodiment, the present invention is an oximeter sensor, having a substrate with a shape similar to a shape of at least a portion of a patient's forehead and...

20060195029 - Low oxygen in vivo 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 and subcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host....

20060195030 - Fiber tracking phantom: A phantom for use with diffusion tensor imaging includes a container and a plurality of structures within the container. The structures have anisotropic properties, wherein when the phantom is subjected to diffusion tensor imaging, the structures provide data that is recognized as fiber bundles. The structures can be formed, for...

20060195031 - Intravascular imaging detector: An apparatus for intravascular imaging to detect and characterize early stage, unstable coronary arty plaques. The detector works by identifying and localizing plaque-binding beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals....

20060195032 - Intravascular imaging detector: An apparatus for intravascular imaging to detect and characterize early stage, unstable coronary arty plaques. The detector works by identifying and localizing plaque-binding beta-emitting radiopharmaceuticals....

20060195033 - Insertion support system for specifying a location of interest as an arbitrary region and also appropriately setting a navigation leading to the specified region: According to an insertion support system of the present invention, when a biopsy area is specified at a periphery of the bronchi, the barycenter of the biopsy area is extracted. A circle centering on the barycenter is determined as a search area. The search area is expanded until the bronchi...

20060195034 - Device and method for the continuous non-invasive measurement of blood pressure: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous non-invasive measurement of blood pressure, according to the principle of the relaxed arterial wall, said device comprising at least one first pressure cuff (1) and one second pressure cuff (1′) of a comparable or identical size. Said cuffs...

20060195035 - Non-invasive radial artery blood pressure waveform measuring apparatus system and uses thereof: The invention relates to a non-invasive apparatus system for measuring radial artery blood pressure waveform, and its uses in heart rate variability measurement, autonomic nervous system measurement, personal identification, respiratory cycle and cough monitoring, home quarantine, and hospital quarantine thereof....

20060195036 - Heartbeat measuring device: To provide a heartbeat measuring device in which a ferrite antenna is accommodated in and fixed to a case without using a complicated fixing structure and while being adapted so as not to undergo an influence of an external impact. A transmitting ferrite antenna of a heart rate transmitter of...

20060195037 - Detecting atrial fibrillation, method of and apparatus for: A method and apparatus to determine possible atrial fibrillation or absence of atrial fibrillation that includes detecting pulse rhythms from a succession of time intervals each corresponding to a respective interval of time between successive pulse beats; analyzing the detected pulse rhythms to make a determination of possible atrial fibrillation;...

20060195038 - Statistical method for assessing autonomic balance: A computationally efficient method for assessing a subject's autonomic balance by measurement of heart rate variability is disclosed which is particularly suitable for implementation by an implantable medical device. Statistical surrogates are used to represent frequency components of an RR time series. A ratio of the low frequency component to...

20060195039 - Clustering with combined physiological signals: Methods of generating an extended cluster are disclosed. A first cluster including data representative of a first signal indicative of an abnormal physiological symptom is generated. A second signal is detected as representing a second abnormal physiological symptom and the second abnormal physiological symptom continues after the first abnormal physiological...

20060195040 - Controlling flow of exhaled breath during analysis: The flow rate of a gaseous sample of exhaled breath through an analytical device is controlled by a pump, and in certain embodiments two pumps. Placement of the analyte sensor in a secondary stream branching off of the primary stream through the device offers further control over the manner, duration,...

20060195041 - Centralized hospital monitoring system for automatically detecting upper airway instability and for preventing and aborting adverse drug reactions: A system and method for the automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a centralized hospital critical care monitoring system for the monitoring of a plurality of patients in at least one of a critical care, step down, and cardiac ward by telemetry. The system includes a central processor having...

20060195042 - Biological interface system with thresholded configuration: A system and method for a biological interface system that processes multicellular signals of a patient and controls one or more devices is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals and a processing unit for producing the control signal based on the multicellular signals. The system...

20060195043 - Methods and apparatus for measuring pressures in bodily fluids: Various embodiments of the invention, therefore, provide enhanced devices for the measurement of a pressure of a bodily fluid, as well as methods of using and/or manufacturing such devices. In one set of embodiments, for example, a device for measuring a fluid may comprise an inlet port, which may be...

20060195044 - Method of using a medical instrument: A method includes actuating a lever to move a cannula of a medical instrument from a first extended position to second retracted position; and actuating the lever to move a stylet of the medical instrument from a third extended position to a fourth retracted position. Actuating the lever comprises moving...

20060195046 - Analyte detection system with reduced sample volume: In certain embodiments, a method samples a body fluid of a patient. The method includes providing a fluid handling system having one or more fluid passageways. The method further includes infusing an infusion fluid by way of a fluid handling system into a patient through one or more fluid passageways....

20060195045 - Fluid handling cassette having a fluid transport network: A fluid handling module is configured for removable engagement with a reusable main fluid handling instrument. The module comprises a housing, an infusion fluid passageway, a sample fluid passageway, and a fluid component separator. The infusion fluid passageway has a first port and a second port spaced from the first...

20060195047 - Sampling module device and method: A tissue penetration device and method of using same that may include a lancet module or sampling module. The sampling module may optionally be in a cartridge configuration and include sampling and analyzing functions, which may be integrated....

20060195048 - Method and apparatus for determining the angle between the femur and the tibia: In a method for determining the angle between the femur and the tibia in the implantation of a unicondylar knee prosthesis, in order to determine in advance the influence of the implantation position of the implant on the angle between the femur and the tibia, it is proposed that the...

20060195049 - Urethral profiling device & methodology: A urethral profile apparatus, assembly and appurtenant methodology is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including a probe. The probe is selectively positionable within a urethral passageway by axial translation of the elongate member via the distal end, with the probe...

20060195050 - Method and system for the derivation of human gait characteristics and detecting falls passively from floor vibrations: The gait monitor system and method provides various basic gait parameters including step count, cadence, and step duration, in addition to its ability to distinguish between normal, limping and shuffling gait modes, as well as determine falls. Moreover, this gait monitor may be provided with additional sensors, e.g. beam break...

20060195051 - Posture monitoring device and method of use thereof: The present invention discloses a posture monitoring device. The device includes a tilt sensor, an alarm, and a recording device to track the changes in posture. The device has been designed to overcome the currently existing problems associated with other devices that detect poor posture. The device also includes the...

20060189838 - Intraocular radiotherapy treatment: 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...

20060189839 - Method and apparatus for potentiating penile erection utilizing ultraweak electromagnetic field of very low frequency: An apparatus and method for treating erectile dysfunction by using a pulsating, ultraweak, magnetic field. A transducer generates an ultraweak, pulsating magnetic fields which is applied to the penis, which as a result of the magnetic field causes the erection of the penis. Another aspect of the invention is an...

20060189840 - Transmyocardial delivery of cardiac wall tension relief: A method for treating a disease of the heart such as congestive heart failure includes forming an access opening from a heart chamber into a pericardial space defined between an epicardial surface of the heart and a pericardium opposing the epicardial surface. A cardiac support member is deployed into said...

20060189841 - Systems and methods for photo-mechanical hearing transduction: Hearing systems for both hearing impaired and normal hearing subjects comprise an input transducer and a separate output transducer. The input transducer will include a light source for generating a light signal in response to either ambient sound or an external electronic sound signal. The output transducer will comprise a...

20060189843 - Apparatus, method, and computer program product for processing image: An image processing apparatus performs image processing of a plurality of images taken by a medical instrument. The image processing apparatus includes an intracorporeal image determination unit that determines whether the image is an intracorporeal image obtained by photographing an inside of a body or not; and an intracorporeal image...

20060189842 - Method for using variable direction of view endoscopy in conjunction with image guided surgical systems: A method for a variable direction of view endoscope used in combination with an image guided surgical system to provide new diagnostic and surgical capabilities. The method provides the following capabilities: greatly improved endoscopic orientation capabilities, global monitoring of endoscopic viewing direction, and greatly improved surgical approach and procedure planning....

20060189844 - Endoscopic devide: An endoscopic device is proposed. The endoscopic device has a control guiding wire or guiding sleeve and a shape memory hollow catheter to adjust angle of rotation for a front end of the endoscopic device up to 180°, and the hollow catheter can be rotated by an angle up to...

20060189845 - Methods and apparaus for off-axis visualization: Methods and apparatus for off-axis visualization are described herein. An endoluminal tissue manipulation assembly is disclosed which provides for a stable endoluminal platform and which also provides for effective triangulation of tools. Such an apparatus may comprise an optionally shape-lockable elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and adapted for endoluminal...

20060189846 - Disposable two-step endoscope: A disposable two-step endoscope for examining human organs includes an image capturing and transmission device and a cable that may be disconnected. The image capturing and transmission device includes a body, luminous devices, an optical image capturing device, a wireless transmission device and an internal power supply. The cable transmits...

20060189847 - Single use laryngoscope: A laryngoscope (10) to assist tracheal intubation on a patient, comprising a body having a handle (14), and a laryngoscope blade (12) extending from the handle (14); a lighting system (21) including a light source integrated in the laryngoscope body and arranged in use to be activated to adopt an...

20060189848 - Surgical retractor with attachment: A retractor configured for anchorage to the acetabular area of the hip bone via a bendable pin, such that the bent pin retains the retractor in a selected position. The retractor includes a site anchor portion, with a spacer portion extending upward from a leading end of the site anchor...

20060189849 - Surgical illumination device and method of using: A surgical illumination device and method of using includes a mounting platform attachable to a surgical device and light conducting fibers attached to the platform....

20060189850 - Flexible membrane device for measuring at least one physiological information with, corresponding sensor module and method: The invention concerns a device for measuring at least one item of physiological information in an individual, comprising a flexible membrane designed to come into contact with the skin of the individual and participating in the definition of a deformable space for a flexible substance, the substance transmitting to at...

20060189854 - Method and apparatus for remotely programming implantable medical devices: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely programming implantable medical devices. The apparatus includes a server adapted to receive and store at least one request to modify the behavior of an implantable medical device provided by a programmer adapted to allow a clinician to create the at...

20060189851 - Method and device for monitoring a system: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring a system in which a datum-line display (11) is generated on a viewing screen (4) for at least one parameter of the system, comprising a baseline (14) that represents a base value for the parameter concerned, a continuous curve (15) that...

20060189853 - Method and system for improving adherence with a diet program or other medical regimen: A method, system and computer program product for remotely measuring one's adherence to a diet program while making it convenient and easy to place food orders, and learn about and try new foods that are acceptable to the diet program. The system includes a user system with a processor, memory...

20060189852 - System and method for evaluating and providing treatment to sports participants: The invention relates to a system for monitoring a physiological parameter of players engaged in a sports activity. The invention further relates to a method for evaluating and treating players when the parameter exceeds a predetermined level. The system measures, calculates and records the parameter and then alerts trained personnel...

20060189855 - Device for detecting a sleeping state judging device, method of detecting a sleeping state judging method, and computer program product: A device for detecting a sleeping state that judges a sleeping state of a subject includes a brain activity measuring unit that measures an index which reflects brain activities and which indicates an extent of changes in an activity state of a brain of the subject during sleeping at every...

20060189856 - Oxygen enhancing membrane systems for implantable devices: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for increasing oxygen availability to implantable devices. The preferred embodiments provide a membrane system configured to provide protection of the device from the biological environment and/or a catalyst for enabling an enzymatic reaction, wherein the membrane system includes a polymer formed...

20060189857 - System and method for monitoring or treating a health condition: The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring or treating a health condition. The method can include accessing a biological fluid, evaluating an analyte in the fluid, presenting a measurement parameter based on the evaluation, and/or administering a treatment based on the evaluation. The measurement parameter can...

20060189858 - Analyte detection system for multiple analytes: An apparatus for analyzing the composition of bodily fluid. The apparatus comprises a fluid handling network including a patient end configured to maintain fluid communication with a bodily fluid in a patient; and a pump unit in operative engagement with the fluid handling network. The pump unit has an infusion...

20060189860 - Near infrared spectroscopy device with reusable portion: A NIRS sensor device for brain monitoring is small in size, provides reliable attachment to a patient, blocks ambient light, is easy to use, is hygienic, and supports data integration with surgical and monitoring systems. The sensor device is coupled to a remote near infrared light source via a hybrid...

20060189859 - Pulse oximetry sensor adapter: An adapter allows the interconnection of a sensor originating from one manufacturer to be coupled with conventionally incompatible monitors originating from other manufacturers to form a properly functioning pulse oximetry system. The adapter matches a sensor driver in a monitor to the current requirements and light source configuration of a...

20060189861 - Method for spectrophotometric blood oxygenation monitoring: A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining the blood oxygenation within a subject's tissue is provided that utilizes a near infrared spectrophotometric (NIRS) sensor capable of transmitting a light signal into the tissue of a subject and sensing the light signal once it has passed through the tissue via transmittance...

20060189862 - Pulse oximeter and sensor optimized for low saturation: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for measuring blood oxygen saturation. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include emitting light having a wavelength spectrum that is optimized for an oxygen saturation reading less than 80 percent, detecting the light, and transmitting signals based on...

20060189863 - Analyte monitoring device and methods of use: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted...

20060189864 - Computer-assisted hip joint resurfacing method and system: A hip resurfacing CAS system for guiding an operator in altering a femoral head in computer-assisted surgery for subsequent implanting of a femoral head implant, comprises a trackable reference on the femur. A registration tool is trackable. A bone-altering tool is associated with a resurfacing of the femoral head. A...

20060189865 - Method and processor for visualization of 3d vectorial quantities with color-coded direction information: In a method for visualization of three-dimensional vectorial quantities at a data processing device with color-coded direction information, the vectorial quantities are displayed; dependent on their direction, in different colors in a three-dimensionally or two-dimensionally projected representation on an image output unit, and at least one reference element indicating the...

20060189866 - System for image-guided pulsed magnetic field diagnosis and treatment: A method and apparatus comprising image-guided application of a pulsed magnetic field for the diagnosis and/or treatment of various physiological, neurological and/or behavioral pathologies or conditions....

20060189867 - Probe: A probe for generating position data for use in computer assisted surgery has a handle and a shaft extending from the handle. A tip having a distal end for contacting an object to indicate the position of the object is attached to the shaft. A sensor which can respond to...

20060189868 - Elastography device and method for determining and imaging of mechanical and elastic parameters of an examination object: The present invention relates to a device for determining mechanical, particularly elastic, parameters of an examination object, comprising a) at least one arrangement for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in at least one examination area of the examination object, comprising a means for generating a magnetic field with...

20060189869 - Systems and methods of 3 dimensional ultrasonic imaging of hard tissue: A system (60) and method (20) of creating an ultrasonic image (48) of a hard tissue (70) within a target (68). The method (20) includes comprising transmitting (22) from a defined location (64) a beam energy (66) towards the target (68), adjusting (24) the angle of incidence between the beam...

20060189870 - Ultrasonic shock wave head for use in lithotripsy: Disclosed is an ultrasonic shock wave head for use in lithotripsy, comprising a shock wave sounce (2) and an acoustic lens (6) for focusing the ultraasonic shock wave generated by the shock wave source (2). A bearing housing (8) for the shock wave source (2) is molded onto said acoustic...

20060189871 - Portable patient monitor: Embodiments of the present disclosure includes a portable pulse oximeter, such as a handheld pulse oximeter, that provides a user with intuitive key navigation for device operation, which reduces an amount of visual concentration needed to handle and operate the oximeter. In various embodiments, the portable pulse oximeter includes one...

20060189872 - Apnea detection system: A method and apparatus are described for utilizing a source of vascular pulse waveform data from a patient for the purpose of measuring pulsus paradoxus. The arterial pulse waveform data source described is a pulse oximeter plethysmograph but can be any similar waveform data source, including an intra-arterial transducer, external...

20060189873 - Illustrations of sodium intakes & hypertension: An instantaneous feedback for modulating an individual's systolic and diastolic blood pressures and the consumptions of sodium. The feedback is the outcomes of mathematical equations leading to a calculation or a plurality of calculations involving sodium consumptions. A plurality of values, a graph or a plurality of graphs are also...

20060189874 - Apparatus for non-invasive diagnosis of vasovagal syncope in a patient: An apparatus for non-invasive diagnosis of states of vasovagal syncope in a patient placed on a tilt table and subjected to a tilt-test, the apparatus comprising: circuits for sensing the patient's endocardiac acceleration; circuits for sensing the patient's heart rate; and analyzer circuits receiving as inputs said endocardiac acceleration and...

20060189875 - Complexity-based dynamical assay for assessing the toxicity and efficacy of pharmaceutical and other therapeutic interventions: In a subject undergoing therapeutic intervention, efficacy of the therapeutic intervention is assessed based on a series of physiologic data associated with the subject. The series of physiologic data is analyzed to produce a measure of complexity. The complexity measure is then compared to a control. The efficacy of the...

20060189876 - Method and system for analyzing an electrocardiographic signal: A method for analyzing an ECG signal includes obtaining a measurement of an area based repolarization interval from at least one beat in the electrocardiogram signal and detecting an altered ventricular repolarization based on the obtained measured area based repolarization interval....

20060189877 - System and method for correlation of patient health information and implant device data: A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at...

20060189878 - Method to automatically generate 'guided meditation' audio data file: An invention is disclosed for automatically generating the ‘Guided Meditation’ using the customer Preferences and Requirements. The customer Preferences and requirements if specified can be used to select meditation stages, language used for instructions, duration, and theme of meditation and ambience sounds for the entire ‘Guided Meditation’. The customer may...

20060189879 - Bio-information presentig device and bio-information presenting method: A bio-information presenting method and a bio-information presenting device, for presenting to a user bio-information, indicating a movement of a physical organ of the user. The movement of a bodily organ of the user, controlled voluntarily or involuntarily, is fed back to the user, and a background image is stored...

20060189880 - Airway instability detection system and method: A system and method for data processing is disclosed. One example of a processor-based method comprises accessing data representative of a time series of at least one component of a timed waveform corresponding to a pulse, and searching the data for an occurrence of a cluster of variations induced by...

20060189881 - Implantable signal amplifying circuit for electroneurographic recording: An implantable microvolt-level signal amplifying circuit may be used for resolving electrical signals generated by nerves in the presence of larger amplitude signals generated by muscles, the heart, or external noise sources. The circuit has a low-noise, high Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) preamplifier, followed by a cascade of stages,...

20060189882 - Monitoring electrical muscular activity: A method of monitoring electrical activity non-invasively (such as uterine activity) which includes applying a localised group of electrodes to a patient's skin and monitoring signals thereon. The electrodes are localised sufficiently such that their muscular signal contributions simulate a single source despite source non-stationarity. The signals are amplified, filtered...

20060189883 - Nervous system monitoring method: A method for monitoring the response of a nervous system of a body to a stimulus. The method comprises collecting a set of voltage measurements between selected areas on a surface of the body whilst current is being passed between selected regions of the surface of the body. The set...

20060189884 - Digital thermometer for measuring body temperature: A digital thermometer with enhanced conformity to the anatomy, such as in and around the mouth of a human being. A non-linear probe has a temperature sensor at a first end adapted to be inserted into the mouth and under the tongue, and a downwardly disposed housing portion at the...

20060189885 - Assessment of cognitive impairment: A method of assessing cognitive impairment of a user includes presenting a visual test stimulus to the user for a pre-determined test stimulus exposure duration. The test stimulus is then masked and a response from the user is measured. The response provides information about the user's perception of a characteristic...

20060189886 - System and method for quantifying and mapping visual salience: A system for quantifying and mapping visual salience to a visual stimulus, including a processor, software for receiving data indicative of a group of individual's ocular responses to a visual stimulus, software for determining a distribution of visual resources at each of at least two times for each of at...

20060189888 - Device for non-invasive measurement of fluid pressure in an adjustable restriction device: A restriction system, such as an adjustable gastric band, for forming a restriction in a patient and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The system includes a restriction device for implantation in a patient to form a restriction. The system further includes an implanted port...

20060189889 - Management systems for the surgically treated obese patient: In one embodiment, a pressure sensing system is described which transmits data to a patient management system external to a patient. The pressure sensing system can rigidly couple to an implantable port or flexibly couple to an implantable port. In some embodiments, the pressure sensing system communicates with a hydraulic...

20060189887 - Non-invasive measurement of fluid pressure in an adjustable gastric band: A food intake restriction device for forming a restriction in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract and non-invasively communicating pressure data regarding the restriction to an external monitor. The device includes a food intake restriction device implanted substantially about a patient's gastro-intestinal tract to form a restricted opening in the tract. A...

20060189890 - Liquid handling means for excision apparatus: A device for dispensing liquids includes one or more liquid outlet means carried on a movable head. The device forms part of an automated excision apparatus for cutting biomolecule spots from an array of such spots carried in a gel. The head is mounted on an automated motion control system...

20060189891 - Flexible elongate surgical needle device having a tissue engaging section being of greater flexibility than an intermediate section, and methods of using the device: Medical devices, kits, and methods for utilizing an elongate surgical needle that may be used through an endoscope working channel or through an external accessory channel device used with an endoscope are provided. The needle has a proximal end and a flexible distal end, an opening at or near the...

20060189892 - Obtained tissue extractor and biopsy forceps: An obtained tissue extractor is used in combination with a biopsy forceps. The biopsy forceps includes an elongate insertion portion to be inserted into a body, and a biopsy cup provided at a tip of the insertion portion, including a pair of cup bodies which obtains a living body tissue,...

20060189893 - Systems and methods for detecting abnormal cells: Systems and methods of interrogating clusters of cells for two or more biological markers that do not, or rarely, occur in the same cell during normal cellular growth, development and function, to indicate the existence of cells that are part of a local area where a pre-neoplastic or neoplastic lesion...

20060189894 - Method for rapid identification of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies and machine for performing the method: A method for immediate identification and rapid comparative assessment of indicators of the presence of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies, comprising the steps of: aspirating, during an endoscopy, a preset quantity of gastric juices, and sending at least part of the aspirated gastric juices to a control...

20060189895 - Test strip container with integrated meter having strip coding capability: A system for diagnostic testing may include a meter for performing a test on a sample applied to a test media and a selectively closable container configured to house test media compatible with the meter. The system may also provide mechanisms for removing a meter from a test container and...

20060189896 - Medical device with collapse-resistant liner and mehtod of making same: A medical device for guiding through anatomy, such as a catheter or guidewire, with a tubular body that has been slotted to enhance bending flexibility, and a polymer liner with an anti-collapsing structure, and a method of making a medical device with a kink-resistant corrugated tubular member and an anti-collapsing...

20060189897 - Polymer jacket for a guidewire: Disclosed herein is a guidewire comprising a core; and a jacket disposed upon the core; wherein the jacket comprises a segmented layer that is radially disposed upon the core and wherein the segmented layer comprises at least two segments having different compositions and/or different physical properties. Disclosed herein too is...

20060189898 - Implantable sensor: A sensor which can be implanted in a body part to collect data relating to the body part, the sensor includes a jacket which has a side wall which can be deformed inwardly, and first and second ends. A sensor part is contained within the jacket, and fastened to the...

20060189900 - Biological interface system with automated configuration: A system and method for a biological interface system that processes multicellular signals of a patient and controls one or more devices is disclosed. The system includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals and a processing unit for producing the control signal based on the multicellular signals. The system...

20060189901 - Biological interface system with surrogate controlled device: Various embodiments of a biological interface system and related methods are disclosed. The system may include a sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals emanating from one or more living cells of a patient, and a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the sensor...

20060189899 - Joint movement apparatus: Systems, methods and devices for restoring or enhancing one or more motor functions of a patient are disclosed. The system comprises a biological interface apparatus and a joint movement device such as an exoskeleton device or FES device. The biological interface apparatus includes a sensor that detects the multicellular signals...

20060189902 - Method and apparatus for reproducing content data: An apparatus for reproducing a content, includes a reproduction processing unit for reproducing the content, a detecting unit for detecting a motion of a person, a predicting unit for predicting a timing of the motion of the person, based on an output from the detecting unit, and a control unit...

20060189903 - Method for recording, assessing and premeditating performance on grapho-motor and writing tasks: A computerized method for recording and scoring the process by which an examinee performs cognitive or psychological grapho-motor tasks that call for the use of pencil and paper, such as drawing or copying graphical configurations or text. The examinee uses a digital pen that leaves a trace on a writing...

20060183959 - Peripheral brachytherapy of protruding conformable organs: A system for and method of applying non-invasive brachytherapy to a targeted volume within a protruding organ of a patient, employs an applicator constructed so as to be positioned relative to the organ so that an enhanced dose of divergent radiation is deliverable from at least two locations at or...

20060183960 - Peripheral brachytherapy of protruding conformable organs: A system for and method of applying non-invasive brachytherapy to a targeted volume within a protruding organ of a patient, employs an applicator constructed so as to be positioned relative to the organ so that an enhanced dose of divergent radiation is deliverable from at least two locations at or...

20060183961 - Method and apparatus mechanically providing and/or using modulated audio effects into the interior of human flesh: Method affecting the interior of human flesh, providing modulated power signal to at least one solenoid to create a modulated solenoid action delivered through a mechanical interface to the human flesh to create a modulated audio effect into the interior. Providing the modulated power signal may include receiving an audio...

20060183962 - Artificial cardiac pump: An artificial cardiac pump, comprising an impeller (3) rotatably supported on a fixed shaft body (2) in a housing (1) and a drive mechanism rotating the impeller, wherein blood is taken in from the front side and force-fed to the rear side by the rotation of the impeller (3). The...

20060183963 - Peri-arterial blood flow booster: A peri-arterial blood flow booster apparatus for improving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vessel of a patient. The booster comprises a pressure applying device (56) comprising at least one balloon (44), placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel and a restrainer (54) for restraining...

20060183964 - Device for self-monitoring of vocal intensity: A device to monitor vocal information such as vocal volume and frequency and provide such information in a plurality of forms, such as tactile, audible, temporal, and visual; and to induce altered vocal volume and/or frequency by altering how the user hears his or her voice, such as by shifting...

20060183965 - Integrated implantable hearing device, microphone and power unit: An implantable hearing unit is provided that includes an implantable microphone, a rechargeable power storage device and a speech signal processor. The hearing unit further includes a signal coupling device that is adapted for electrical interconnection to an implantable auditory stimulation device, which is operative to stimulate an auditory component...

20060183966 - Surgical articles and methods: Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider....

20060183967 - Adjustable stomach band: The invention relates to an adjustable stomach band with a rigid back (4) and a chamber (2), arranged on the stoma side of the back (4), for control of stoma constriction by means of introduction or removal of fluid from the chamber (2). According to the invention, such a stomach...

20060183968 - Article of clothing with a novel attachment means: An article of clothing including extensions for insertion into a body cavity permit swimsuits, undergarments, and several other types of clothing to be secured in place with a minimum of fabric, as described. The articles are made dimensionally stable to maintain their position and orientation relative to the wearer's body....

20060183969 - Method, system, and kit for treatment of a patient's extremity: A kit and system for treating plaque formation in a patient's extremity are provided. A pressure pump and at least two elongated vacuum chambers are included in the kit and system. Each chamber has a proximal longitudinal end adapted to receive a patient's extremity and a distal longitudinal end adapted...

20060183970 - Implantable device and method for managing erectile dysfunction: An implantable device and method for managing a patient's erectile dysfunction, wherein the device generally comprises: at least one power source member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower abdominal wall; at least one pulse generating member that is adapted to be implanted in the patient's lower...

20060183971 - Cellular telephone with remote video scope and motion detector: A cellular telephonic video scope and motion detector with the video scope and motion detector remotely and removably connected to the input/output port of the cellular telephone. A further embodiment allows control of the direction of the distal end of the video scope. A further embodiment allows attachment of the...

20060183972 - Operation apparatus controller and surgery system: The operation apparatus controller controls a group of apparatuses including multiple medical apparatuses, which respectively can store patient IDs. Also, the operation apparatus controller has a patient ID comparing section which compares the patient ID stored in the various apparatuses within the group of apparatuses and a notifying section which...

20060183973 - Endoscopic devices and method of use: A catheter including a shaft including a body with a proximal portion and a distal portion, the body defining an opening from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the distal portion having an exterior dimension suitable for insertion into a body of a subject as a procedural instrument, the...

20060183974 - Endoscope with improved maneuverability: Apparatus and method for endoscopic examination of a tubular conduit are described. The apparatus is provided with an insertion tube fitted at a distal end thereof with an optical head for visualization of the conduit's interior. The insertion tube is coupled with a major inflatable sleeve, which upon inflation is...

20060183975 - Methods and apparatus for performing endoluminal procedures: Methods and apparatus for performing endoluminal procedures are described herein. An endoluminal tissue manipulation assembly is disclosed which provides for a stable endoluminal platform and which also provides for effective triangulation of tools. Such an apparatus may comprise an optionally shape-lockable elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and adapted for...

20060183976 - Medical wireless imaging device: An endoscope having restricted dimensions and comprising at least one image gatherer, at least one image distorter and at least one image sensor shaped to fit within said limited dimensions, and wherein said image distorter is operable to distort an image received from said image gatherer so that the image...

20060183977 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes light emitting devices arranged in the distal end portion of its insertion unit, and at least one elongated heat-radiating member. One end of the radiating member is arranged in the vicinity of the light emitting devices and the other end is arranged in a predetermined position adjacent...

20060183978 - Laryngoscope: A laryngoscope 10 includes an elongate blade 20 for insertion into the patient, a handle 12 for manipulating the blade, and a connecting member 30 interconnecting the blade and the handle. The handle axis 14 is laterally spaced from a plane of a blade axis 22 such that the handle...

20060183979 - Methods for using an implantable sensor unit: A method for obtaining data using an implantable sensor unit in a body of a patient includes: implanting the sensor unit in the body; conducting an imaging procedure on the body such that the sensor unit in the body serves as a fiducial marker; detecting a parameter using the sensor...

20060183981 - Knowledge determination system: A method for determining whether a subject has knowledge of a stimulus is described. The method includes generating a sensory signal corresponding to the stimulus for receipt by the subject, and collecting a cerebral indicator signal involuntarily generated in response to the subject processing the sensory signal. Identifying whether degrees...

20060183980 - Mental and physical health status monitoring, analyze and automatic follow up methods and its application on clothing: A physical and mental health status monitor, analyze and follow up clothing system. Whose purpose is to monitor the user's body fat distribution, muscular activity and position changes to diagnose health status. Regularly giving suggestions to the user to achieve proper exercise and posture to reduce body fat and prevent...

20060183983 - 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...

20060183982 - Optical element for measuring information of living body and device for measuring information of living body using the optical element: The present invention provides an optical element for measuring information of living body for noninvasively measuring a body fluid component in a test sample of living body with high accuracy, stability, and ease. The optical element includes a light incident surface, a contact surface contacting living body and having a...

20060183984 - 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....

20060183985 - 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....

20060183986 - Intraocular lens measurement of blood glucose: One aspect of the invention provides a blood glucose monitoring system including a light source adapted to transmit light onto at least a portion of a retina of an eye of a subject; a sensor adapted to receive light from the retina; a data capture and analysis system adapted to...

20060183987 - Intravenous ultraviolet implant: Intravenous ultraviolet implant within a human body having a plurality of ultra-violet frequency (UV) LED's attached radially in an inwardly facing manner to a rigid ring, an electrical power cord attached at one end to the UV-LED ring and at the other end to a power supply such as a...

20060183988 - Pulse oximeter with parallel saturation calculation modules: A method and apparatus for reducing the effects of noise on a system for measuring physiological parameters, such as, for example, a pulse oximeter. The method and apparatus of the invention take into account the physical limitations on various physiological parameters being monitored when weighting and averaging a series of...

20060183989 - Biomedical electrodes and biomedical electrodes for electrostimulation: A biomedical electrode for transmitting and/or receiving electrical signals to/from a patient is disclosed. The electrode includes a metallized fabric, wherein metallization of the fabric is connected at least on a top side and a bottom side of the fabric so as to uniformly transmit or receive the electrical signals....

20060183990 - Sensory for measuring of signals on the surface of the skin and method for producing of the sensory: The present invention relates to sensory for measuring signals on the surface of the skin and for producing sensory. In the sensory in accordance with the invention, the electrode surfaces required for measuring of a signal and/or conductors required for transmitting of a signal have been fastened to the textile...

20060183993 - Device, system, and method for locating an in-vivo signal source: Devices, systems and methods for locating an in-vivo signal source. For example, a system for tracking an in-vivo image sensor includes: a location detecting unit to locate the in-vivo image sensor over time; and a data modifying unit to modify data sampled by the location detecting unit based on information...

20060183991 - Polymorphisms in the th clcn7 gene as genetic markers for bone mass: Provided are genetic methods and materials for assessing bone mineral density (BMD) and determining the susceptibility of an individual to a disorder which is associated with a low level of BMD, the method comprising use of chloride channel 7 (Clcn7) marker. The methods may be used e.g. for diagnosis of...

20060183994 - Projector with transmitter information receiver and method of correcting distortion of projected image: A projector has a transmission time information reception unit for calculating the distances between a transmitter and first and second ultrasonic receivers based on reception times of ultrasonic and infrared pulses transmitted from a transmitter-equipped pointer rod for pointing to positions on a projection surface. The projector also has an...

20060183995 - Surface identification using microwave signals for microwave-based detection of cancer: A method and a system of determining a surface location defining an interface between an object to image and an antenna is provided. The method uses geometric principles and the fact that an impedance mismatch at the interface results in significant reflection. A propagation time from the surface to each...

20060183992 - Ultrasonic endoscope device: An ultrasonic endoscope device includes an optical image obtaining device that obtains an optical image of an examinee, an ultrasonic-image obtaining device that obtains an ultrasonic image of the examinee, a positional-information obtaining device that obtains positional information of the optical image obtaining device with respect to the examinee upon...

20060183998 - A method for determining the condition of an object by magnetic resonance imaging: A method for determining the condition of an animate or inanimate object by magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, particularly for determining the pathologic condition of rheumatoid arthritis (“arthritis rheumatoides”) and carrying out a patient follow-up....

20060184000 - Fast generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition image reconstruction algorithm for magnetic resonance imaging: The present invention proposes a fast GeneRalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisition (GRAPPA) image reconstruction algorithm for magnetic resonance imaging. The algorithm simplifies data fitting and channel merging in the process of reconstruction into a one-step linear calculation. Parameters needed to perform the linear calculation step can be pre-calculated and stored,...

20060183996 - Magnetic resonance imaging system: A magnetic resonance imaging system in which measurement data (k space data) of arterial phase is extracted easily (and instantaneously) after imaging a plurality of time phases including the arterial phase and its image can be displayed in dynamic MRA measurement employing a contrast medium. Dynamic measurement is thereby carried...

20060183997 - Magnetic resonance system and method for checking the positioning of an examination subject: In a magnetic resonance system and method for checking the positioning of an examination subject, with an image acquisition unit that acquires images of an examination subject by means of nuclear magnetic resonance, an image processing unit automatically searches the acquired images of the examination subject for geometric figures in...

20060183999 - Method and system for motion compensation in magnetic resonance (mr) imaging: A method and system are provided for imaging by predicting, from multiple real time MR imaging data, motion of an object and subsequently obtaining high-resolution imaging data of the object using the predicted motion of the object. Thus, the process uses real time images to derive a history of the...

20060184001 - Method for mri scanning of animals for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies: A method for detecting the presence of various transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in mammals is provided. Steps include taking a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of the brain of the mammal, selecting a section within the image, determining a measurement of a first brain structure in the section, and determining...

20060184002 - Quantitative contrast enhanced black-blood imaging using quadruple-inversion recovery: A reduced field-of-view (FOV) imaging technique combines suppression of signals from outer volume and inflowing blood. Both outer volume and blood suppression are achieved using an SFQIR (Small-FOV Quadruple-inversion-Recovery) preparative pulse sequence including two double-inversion pulse pairs separated by appropriate delays. Within each pair, inversion pulses are successively applied to...

20060184003 - Intra-procedurally determining the position of an internal anatomical target location using an externally measurable parameter: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with facilitating intra-procedurally determining the position of an internal anatomical target location using an externally measurable parameter are described. One exemplary method embodiment includes pre-procedurally correlating internal anatomy motion with external marker motion. The example method may also include providing computer graphics to...

20060184004 - Magnetic resonance imaging for a plurality of selective regions set to object continuously moved: MRI echo data is acquired by performing selective-excitation on regions composed of multi-slices of an object, while the object is moved continuously. The positions of the multi-slices are moved within a predetermined imaging range fixedly determined by an MRI system, according to object movement. This allows positions of the multi-slices...

20060184006 - Intraoperative c-arm fluoroscope datafusion system: In one form of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing a virtual road map of a patient's vascular anatomy for use by a surgeon while conducting a procedure on the patient's vascular anatomy, the apparatus comprising: a virtual 3D model of the patient's anatomy, wherein the...

20060184005 - Models and methods of using same for testing medical devices: Disclosed herein are synthetic anatomical models that are designed to enable simulated use testing by medical device companies, medical device designers, individual inventors, or any other entity interested in the performance of medical devices. These models are unique in possessing a level of complexity that allows them to be substituted...

20060184007 - Interventional magnetic resonance imaging based on global coherent free precession: Methods and systems for obtaining intravascular magnetic resonance images of blood flow are disclosed. In preferred forms, a train of radio frequency (RF) pulses is produced by an intravascularly introduced RF transmitter positioned in proximate location to the blood flow so as to create a continuous stream of coherently excited...

20060184008 - Programmable injector control: A fluid injection arrangement, in the context of patient imaging systems, in which phases of contrast medium injection and flushing medium injection can be freely and selectably ordered so as to make available to the operator and patient a vast array of possible protocols that has hitherto been essentially unattainable....

20060184009 - Local endo coil for intracorporeal placement for recording magnetic resonance signals: An outer balloon is provided in the interior thereof with a coil conductor for a local endo coil for intracorporeal placement for recording magnetic resonance signals, which can be deployed for the purpose of receiving signals. In addition to the coil, a filling medium is fed into the balloon, so...

20060184010 - Low temperature probe and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis apparatus using the same: In an ultrahigh sensitive NMR apparatus, a stability of a temperature of a very low temperature probe coil is improved. A low temperature probe of the high sensitive NMR apparatus is structured at a very low temperature by a cooling apparatus. A cooling medium at a room temperature (300 K)...

20060184011 - In vivo localization and tracking of tissue penetrating catheters using magnetic resonance imaging: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) guided tissue penetrating catheters and their methods of use. One or more MRI apparatus (e.g., one or more coils) are positioned on or in a catheter device that includes a tissue penetrator that may be used to form a penetration tract from a body lumen in...

20060184012 - Method for operating a medical imaging apparatus to correct for deflection of the patient support board: In a method for operation of an imaging medical apparatus, a recumbent board supporting an examination subject is positioned in the scan region of the medical-technical apparatus, an exposure of both a section of the recumbent board and of a part of the tissue of the examination subject to be...

20060184013 - Method and apparatus for determining position and rotational orientation of an object: A method and apparatus for determining position and rotational orientation of an object within a predetermined area is disclosed. Position markers, encoded with their identity, are viewed with a camera, images are captured and processed, and the position and rotational orientation of the object are calculated. Three embodiments are disclosed;...

20060184014 - Registration aid for medical images: A registration aid for medical images obtained from an examination subject respectively with different imaging modalities at separated points in time, has a carrier adapted to be reproducibly applied to an examination subject at separated points in time at a substantially identical position on the examination subject at each of...

20060184015 - Colonography of an unprepared colon: A method for generating colonography images for colorectal screening of a patient. The patient is administered an amount of radiopaque stool marker which will enable stool present in the patient's colon to be distinguished from soft tissue. The patient's colon is imaged after the stool marker has been administered to...

20060184016 - Method and apparatus for guiding an instrument to a target in the lung: The invention provides methods and apparatus for navigating a medical instrument to a target in the lung. In one embodiment, the invention includes inserting a bronchoscope into the lung, inserting a catheter into the lung through the working channel of the bronchoscope, inserting a tracked navigation instrument wire into the...

20060184017 - Method and arrangement for x-ray examination: In order during an x-ray examination, despite a variable foreign magnetic field at the location of an x-ray tube to still enable x-ray images with image sections giving the same coverage to be generated, there is provision in accordance with the invention to compensate for the previously determined change to...

20060184018 - Radio guided seed localization of imaged lesions: A method of removing lesions by implanting a radioactive seed at the location of the lesion, locating the lesion with the radioactive seed, and removing the lesion with the radioactive seed....

20060184020 - Displacement measurement method and apparatus, strain measurement method and apparatus, elasticity and visco-elasticity constants measurement apparatus, and the elasticity and visco-elasticity constants measurement apparatus-based treatment apparatus: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even...

20060184021 - Method of improving the quality of a three-dimensional ultrasound doppler image: The present invention relates to a method of improving a 3D ultrasound color Doppler image through a post-processing. A method of processing an ultrasound image, includes the following steps: a) recognizing a target object from an inputted ultrasound image based on an object recognition algorithm using connectivity of the target...

20060184019 - Ultrasonic imaging apparatus: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus which displays ultrasonic image of a subject, and displays a measurement pattern in the displayed ultrasonic image based on measurement pattern information with respect to a location and a form of the measurement pattern to be input, to perform the image measurement of the ultrasonic image....

20060184023 - Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and ultrasonic image processing apparatus, method and program: An ultrasonic image processing apparatus capable of analyzing speckle information contained in the entire ultrasonic image and displaying the analysis results as a moving image. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus is an apparatus for processing reception signals, which are obtained by transmitting ultrasonic waves toward an object to be inspected...

20060184022 - Ultrasound for the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel and other localized nerve compression conditions: An apparatus and methods for diagnosing and treating nerve compression conditions in a patient, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression conditions. Ultrasound transducer heads having an array of high frequency piezoelectric crystal elements mounted in the transducer head capable of delivering frequencies of 7.5...

20060184026 - Blood viscosity measurement device: There is disclosed a blood viscosity measurement device which measures a flow rate of blood and a thickness of a blood vessel to determine a viscosity of the blood. The device substitutes the flow rate of the blood, the thickness of the blood vessel, and a blood pressure into a...

20060184025 - Displacement measurement method and apparatus, strain measurement method and apparatus, elasticity and visco-elasticity constants measurement apparatus, and the elasticity and visco-elasticity constants measurement apparatus-based treatment apparatus: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even...

20060184024 - Tissue thickness measurement device: A device is described that can be easily used to accurately measure and monitor tissue thickness using ultrasound. The device comprises a remote control and data processing unit, a handheld ultrasound transducer, a display monitor and means for effectively coupling ultrasound to tissue....

20060184027 - Diagnostic imaging system, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and method of diagnostic imaging: A diagnostic imaging system includes a scanner, a plurality of computers, and a control unit. The scanner scans a subject to obtain data. The control unit switches between a multiprocessing mode and a parallel processing mode, the multiprocessing mode allowing the same process in any of a medical-image forming process...

20060184028 - Apparatus and method for ultrasonic color imaging: This invention discloses a method and apparatus for ultrasonic color imaging applicable in medical diagnoses and industrial inspections. Multiple color parameters calculated via evaluating a plurality of characterizing properties of the ultrasonic signal attributable to an image point are employed to specify the color of the image point. The produced...

20060184029 - Ultrasound guiding system and method for vascular access and operation mode: The present invention provides an ultrasound_medical imaging system with integrated devices and functionalities for use in wide range of medical procedures that require vascular and arterial access. The present invention discloses a method for detection, recognition and classification of blood vessels. Said method further calculates the optimal insertion parameters of...

20060184031 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic image acquiring method: A measurement data processing device measures a size of a diagnostic region from a tomographic image as two-dimensional information. An ROI width determining device determines a size of a region of interest based on the size (lateral width and longitudinal width) of the diagnostic region. An oscillation angle determining device...

20060184030 - Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for forming a Doppler image, a plurality of partial regions are set within a scan region in which Doppler information is obtained. A partial scan operation is performed a plurality of times in a repetitive manner in each of the partial regions. In each partial...

20060184032 - Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprises an ultrasound probe, a transmitter (including a transmitting pulse generator and a transmitting beamformer), a receiver (including a preamplifier and a receiving beamformer), a CFM processor (including a moving-element signal extractor and a velocity corrector), a tomographic image processor, and a display unit. The apparatus...

20060184034 - Ultrasonic probe with an integrated display, tracking and pointing devices: An Ultrasonic probe with integrated devices and functionalities for use in a wide range of medical applications. The present invention supports vascular and arterial access procedures. The apparatus consist of the following: ultrasonic probe, several optional displays, tracking and pointing devices. All devices are integrated together with special probe housing....

20060184033 - Ultrasound probe, particularly for diagnostic imaging: An ultrasound probe particularly for diagnostic purposes includes a first array of ultrasound transducers that generate ultrasound waves by electric excitation and transforming ultrasound waves impinging on them into electric signals. Each transducer is provided with contact electrodes which are connected respectively to a ground potential and to electric signals...

20060184035 - Ultrasonic probe for intra-cavity diagnosis and manufacturing method thereof: A diagnostic ultrasonic probe for use in body cavities has at its tip an ultrasonic transducer array, which has a layered structure wherein a flexible circuit board, an electric circuit, a backing material, a piezoelectric element array, an acoustic impedance matching layer and an acoustic lens are formed atop another...

20060184036 - Medical imaging transmit spectral control using aperture functions: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the transmit spectrum in medical imaging. A combination of different delays and/or sign changes are used control the spectrum. The different delays and/or sign changes are applied across the transmit aperture. For example, a repeating pattern of three different delays in addition to...

20060184039 - Apparatus and method for light control in an in-vivo imaging device: A device and method for for example operating an in vivo imaging device wherein the illumination is operated at a certain rate or range of rates, and images are transmitted from the device....

20060184040 - Apparatus, system and method for optically analyzing a substrate: An apparatus for optically analyzing a substrate. The apparatus includes: (a) a light source for directing light onto the substrate; (b) optics for creating an optical path from light reflected from the substrate; and (c) a multiple wavelength imaging optical subsystem positioned in the optical path. The multiple wavelength imaging...

20060184044 - Biological optical measurement instrument: A biological optical measurement instrument including: a measurement probe positionable to a surface of a subject, which irradiates light beams having a plurality of wavelengths from a light beam source through optical fibers onto the subject, and collects the light beams passed inside the subject from a plurality of positions...

20060184043 - Method and apparatus for high resolution spatially modulated fluorescence imaging and tomography: An improvement in a method for quantitative modulated imaging to perform depth sectioned reflectance or transmission imaging in a turbid medium, such as human or animal tissue is directed to the steps of encoding periodic pattern of illumination preferably with a fluorescent excitation wavelength when exposing a turbid medium to...

20060184042 - Method, system and apparatus for dark-field reflection-mode photoacoustic tomography: The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for reflection-mode microscopic photoacoustic imaging using dark-field illumination that can be used to characterize a target within a tissue by focusing one or more laser pulses onto a surface of the tissue so as to penetrate the tissue and illuminate the...

20060184045 - Optical measurement instrument for living body: An optical measurement instrument for a living body to measure dynamic change of blood of a brain includes light incident units for irradiating light on a head of a subject, a light detector for detecting a light irradiated from the light incident units and reflected within the subject, a signal...

20060184046 - Optical measurement instrument for living body: An optical measurement instrument for a living body including a first light irradiator for irradiating light from a first irradiation position in a small region as considered as a plan on the surface of a head of a subject into the inside of the head in the region in the...

20060184047 - Optical measurement instrument for living body: An input instrument for a living body, using an optical measurement system for the living body, includes first and second light incident units arranged on a head of a living body, and first and second light detectors which are paired with the first and the second light incident units respectively,...

20060184037 - Pulsed lighting imaging systems and methods: Systems and methods for monitoring patients utilizing reflectance avoidance as well as other imaging modalities. Information regarding perfusion, oxygen saturation and oxygen availability, as well as others may be obtained. System embodiments may include a light source, a light transport body configured to project light from the light source to...

20060184041 - System for testing semiconductors: A system that includes an imaging device for effectively positioning a probe for testing a semiconductor wafer....

20060184038 - System, method, and product for analyzing images comprising small feature sizes: A method of reconstructing a cell using a raw image of a biological probe array is described that comprises (a) assigning an intensity value to a reconstructed cell of a reconstructed image, where each reconstructed cell comprises a plurality of reconstructed pixels; (b) determining a weighted intensity value for each...

20060184049 - Apparatus for acquiring tomographic image formed by ultrasound-modulated fluorescence: In a fluorescence tomography apparatus for obtaining fluorescence tomographic images of a region of an object to be observed: an application unit concurrently applies an ultrasonic wave and excitation light to the region so that ultrasound-modulated fluorescence is emitted from the region under the influence of the ultrasonic wave; and...

20060184048 - Tissue visualization and manipulation system: Tissue visualization and manipulation systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is...

20060184051 - Apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring hemodynamic parameters: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an...

20060184050 - Biomedical optical device and biomedical optical measuring method: Light having a wavelength to be absorbed by a target object is irradiated from a light irradiating unit toward a subject while varying its intensity in the course of time. At least two detecting elements arrayed along a scanning direction detect a component having a large time delay out of...

20060184052 - Blood-pressure monitor: Disclosed is a blood-pressure monitor, which comprises signal generation means for generating a breathing-guidance signal during a blood-pressure measurement, and display means for displaying an indication for guiding breathing based on the breathing-guidance signal. The blood-pressure monitor of the present invention can display an indication for guiding resting breathing during...

20060184054 - Blood pressure monitor cuff and blood pressure monitor: An air bag being inflated and deflated as air comes in and out is included. The air bag is formed of a flexible sheet material. The air bag has at least an inner circumferential sheet positioned inside when a blood pressure monitor cuff is wrapped around a living body, and...