SEARCH:      Monitor Keywords |  Custom RSS

Surgery September class, title,number 09/06

20060211909 - Method and apparatus for direct mechanical ventricular actuation with favorable conditioning and minimal heart stress: A process for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body, comprising the steps of supporting the heart in providing circulation of blood for perfusion of an organ in the body, remodeling the heart to render the heart in an improved state, and stabilizing the heart in the...

20060211910 - Microphone system for bone anchored bone conduction hearing aids: A bone anchored bone conduction hearing aid system comprising two separate microphones connected to two separate inputs of a hearing aid, and a microphone processing circuit in the electronic unit, processing the signals from the two microphones to increase the sound sensitivity for sound coming from the front compared to...

20060211911 - Vaginal insert: Disclosed is a vaginal insert, which has a head for the holding of the user's hand, and a cylindrical front projection extending from the head for insertion into the vaginal of a rectocele patient to support the weakened lower vaginal wall in order to improve stool evacuation....

20060211912 - External pressure-based gastric band adjustment system and method: An external pressure sensing system may include an attachment for a syringe. The attachment may comprise a connector positioned between the barrel and the needle of the syringe. A pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with the connector, such that the pressure sensor may sense the pressure of fluid...

20060211913 - Non-invasive pressure measurement in a fluid adjustable restrictive device: An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device includes one or more pressure sensors configured to sense pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device. Pressure data obtained by the one or...

20060211914 - System and method for determining implanted device positioning and obtaining pressure data: A sense head comprises a plurality of coils and a needle window. The sense head is operable to receive RF signals communicated from a needle target such as an injection port located within a patient. A user interface is configured to visually display an indication to a user relating to...

20060211915 - Endoscope apparatus: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an imaging device that forms a color image signal of a body to be observed; a storage portion that stores matrix data regarding a wavelength range in which a spectral image is constituted; a spectral image forming circuit that conducts matrix calculation based...

20060211916 - Living tissue harvesting apparatus: There is disclosed a living tissue harvesting apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, comprising a sheath which can be inserted in a body through a cut skin portion, an endoscope inserted through the sheath, a cutting device which is disposed at the sheath and which can cut...

20060211917 - Data generating device and endoscope system: A data generating device for endoscope observation includes an annular insertion simulator and a moving amount data generator. The annular insertion simulator simulates insertion of an endoscope into a subject. The moving amount data generator generates moving amount data representing a virtual moving amount of the annular insertion simulator during...

20060211918 - Surgical instrument with integral optical system: A combination aspiration and illumination device using optical fibers circumferentially disposed around the aspiration conduit for transmitting illuminating light to a cavity to be aspirated. The ends of the optical fibers being formed at an angle relative to the aspiration conduit so as to direct the illuminating light inward to...

20060211919 - Intra-abdominal medical device and associated method: A surgical device includes a disk made of a flexible sheet material and a balloon. The disk and the balloon define respective apertures that are aligned with one another to define a hole through the device. The balloon is attached to the disk and has an inflation port for enabling...

20060211920 - Polymer or plastic load bearing surface for cam actuated retractor clamp: The present invention includes a surgical clamp having at least one clamping member and a shaft through the clamping member. A camming member engages a load bearing surface on the shaft where the load bearing surface is constructed from a plastic. As the camming member rotates about an axis of...

20060211921 - Optimized sensor geometry for an implantable glucose sensor: An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the...

20060211924 - Multiple wavelength sensor emitters: A physiological sensor has light emitting sources, each activated by addressing at least one row and at least one column of an electrical grid. The light emitting sources are capable of transmitting light of multiple wavelengths and a detector is responsive to the transmitted light after attenuation by body tissue....

20060211923 - Multiple wavelength sensor equalization: A physiological sensor has intensity compensation introduced along an optical path from emission to detection so as to compensate for unequal tissue attenuation as a function of wavelength. The sensor has emitters configured to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths into a tissue site. At least one detector is capable...

20060211922 - Multiple wavelength sensor substrate: A physiological sensor has emitters configured to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths in response to corresponding drive currents. A thermal mass is disposed proximate the emitters so as to stabilize a bulk temperature for the emitters. A temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the thermal mass. The temperature sensor...

20060211925 - Physiological parameter confidence measure: Confidence in a physiological parameter is measured from physiological data responsive to the intensity of multiple wavelengths of optical radiation after tissue attenuation. The physiological parameter is estimated based upon the physiological data. Reference data clusters are stored according to known values of the physiological parameter. At least one of...

20060211927 - 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...

20060211926 - Non-invasive raman measurement apparatus with broadband spectral correction: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus in relation to non-invasive measurement of human blood analytes such as glucose using Raman Spectroscopy. The method is intended to correct for errors associated with varying skin conditions. An approach is described for generating a skin/tissue function that accounts for light energy...

20060211928 - Determination of a measure of a glycation end-product or disease state using tissue fluorescence preferentially from the dermis: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the...

20060211929 - Pulse oximeter and sensor optimized for low saturation: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pulse oximeter sensor. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include emitting infrared light from a first light source into tissue, the infrared light including an infrared wavelength spectrum useful for measuring oxygen saturation in a patient with high saturation, emitting far red...

20060211930 - Separating motion from cardiac signals using second order derivative of the photo-plethysmogram and fast fourier transforms: The present invention is directed toward a pulse oximetry system for the determination of a physiological parameter capable of removing motion artifacts from physiological signals comprises a hardware subsystem and a software subsystem. The software subsystem is used in conjunction with the hardware subsystem to perform a method for removing...

20060211932 - Configurable physiological measurement system: A physiological measurement system has a sensor, a processor, a communications link and information elements. The sensor is configured to transmit light having a plurality of wavelengths into a tissue site and to generate a sensor signal responsive to the transmitted light after tissue attenuation. The processor is configured to...

20060211931 - Noninvasive analyzer sample probe interface method and apparatus: The invention provides an adaptive mount for use in coupling a noninvasive analyte property analyzer to a living tissue sample site. The adaptive mount increases precision and accuracy of sampling by relieving stress and strain on a sample prior to and/or during sampling, which results in noninvasive analyte property estimations...

20060211933 - Monitoring method and/or apparatus: A method and apparatus for substance monitoring. One application is an easy to handle continuous glucose monitor using a group of hollow out-of-plane silicon microneedles to sample substances in interstitial fluid from the epidermal skin layer. The glucose of the interstitial fluid permeates a dialysis membrane and reaches a sensor....

20060211934 - Textile-based electrode: Textile-based electrodes include a fabric portion having stretch-recovery non-conductive yarns and an electrically conductive region having stretch-recovery electrically conductive yarn filaments. The electrodes can further include float yarns and can be configured in a textured or ribbed construction. When incorporated into a garment, the electrodes can be used to monitor...

20060211935 - Catheter lead placement system and method: A catheter system includes a mapping catheter having an open lumen and a mapping arrangement provided at a distal end of the mapping catheter. A balloon catheter is movably disposed within the open lumen of the mapping catheter. The balloon catheter has an open lumen dimensioned to receive a lead....

20060211936 - Flexible biomonitor: A flexible biomonitor comprises a flexible substrate, a circuit apparatus, a plurality of gauges, a RFID sensing chip, a micro-antenna, and a power supply. The flexible substrate has a plurality of through holes formed thereon. The circuit apparatus is electrically connected with the gauges via the through holes to sense...

20060211937 - Garment to facilitate use of a portable monitor device: A garment configured to hold a portable medical device, and more particularly to a modified upper garment to hold, secure and conceal a heart monitor while allowing easy and unobtrusive access to cardiac lead points on a patient. The garment has an exterior pocket for a monitor. It further has...

20060211938 - Method for spatially resolved determination of magnetic particle distribution in an area of examination: The present invention relates to a method for improved spatially resolved determination of magnetic particle distribution in an area of examination, where the changes in spatial distribution, the concentration and/or the anisotropy of these magnetic particles in the area of examination are monitored. The invention further also relates to magnetic...

20060211939 - Arrangement for influencing magnetic particles: The invention relates to an arrangement for influencing magnetic particles in a region of action. With the help of an arrangement that has means for generating magnetic fields, there is generated in this case a spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field having at least one zone (301) in which the magnetization of...

20060211940 - Blood vessel structure segmentation system and method: The invention relates to a system and method for segmenting an image of a plurality of structures stored as a set of spatially related data points. The data points represent variations in a predetermined parameter which allows the segmentation to occur. Once the data is acquired, a seed point is...

20060211941 - Arrangement and method for the spatially resolved determination of state variables in an examination area: The present invention relates to a method for the spatially resolved determination of mechanical, physical, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables and/or the change in mechanical, physical, chemical and/or biological properties or state variables in an examination area of an examination object by means of the following steps: a)...

20060211942 - Continuous, non-invasive technique for determining blood pressure using a transmission line model and transcutaneous ultrasound measurements: A method and technique for the continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement technique of the present invention utilizes ultrasound measurements to determine the diameter of the blood vessel in which the blood pressure is being measured as well as the flow rate of blood at both...

20060211943 - Ultrasonic blade with terminal end balance features: The present invention is directed to methods and devices that provide balancing of an ultrasonic blade using terminal end balance features. An ultrasonic blade in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a terminal end non-functional balance feature in the functional portion of an asymmetric ultrasonic blade. Balancing in...

20060211944 - Pressure sensing devices: A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to...

20060211945 - Pressure sensing methods: A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to...

20060211946 - Pressure sensing valve: A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to...

20060211947 - System and method for determining cardiac output: A system and method is disclosed for measuring cardiac output. A closed fluid circuit is created between a patient's arterial cannula and venous cannula. A pump regulates flow through the closed fluid circuit. The closed fluid circuit includes at least one port for injection of an indicator. At least one...

20060211948 - Dynamic technique for fitting heart pacers to individuals: A method comprising the steps of mounting pressure sensors in a heart-enclosing device; transmitting the data produced by said sensors during actual operation of said heart-enclosing device worn by a specific individual; receiving said sensor signals for subsequent analysis by a computer; creating a stress map based on said sensor-based...

20060211949 - System and method for classifying cardiac depolarization complexes with multi-dimensional correlation: A system and method for classifying cardiac depolarization complexes in which waveforms of a depolarization complex are sensed by separate electrodes and correlated with template waveforms of a template depolarization complex. The system is particularly suitable for incorporation into a cardiac rhythm management device such as an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator or...

20060211950 - Pressure-volume curve monitoring device: The present invention relates to a novel method of determining the pressure-volume (P/V) curve of the respiratory system as well as a ventilator containing a pertinent tool for recording the pressure/volume curve....

20060211951 - Implantable bladder sensor: An implantable sensor for monitoring the condition of an organ, such as the bladder, of a recipients' body. The sensor (100) comprises a carrier (102), such as a tubular housing that is attachable to the outer surface of the organ. An impedance-varying means (104), such as a saline solution, is...

20060211952 - Wire guides having novel outer surface areas and reservoirs for enhancing hydrophilic properties and delivering therapeutic agents: Wire guides and methods of using an elongate wire guide with a first end portion and a flexible second end portion having an increased surface area is provided. The second end portion comprises a nominal outer circumference disposed about a longitudinal axis and having a first outer surface including the...

20060211953 - Coordinate instrument set: Surgical instruments for use in mapping tissue defects include telescoping rulers and tubes. One of the instruments has a pointed anchoring tip for piercing tissue near the site of the defect. Another instrument has a hook for catching an anatomical landmark. Measuring portions of the rulers of both instruments include...

20060211954 - Method and apparatus for determining the depth of a gingival pocket: A method and apparatus are provided for determining the depth of a gingival pocket using ultra-sound signals transmitted transgingivally. Transgingival (through the gum) transmission of the ultra-sonic signal permits a completely non-invasion determination of the dental health of an individual. In addition to determining the depth of a gingival pocket...

20060205992 - Temporary catheter for biopsy site tissue fixation: Devices and methods are provided for temporarily maintaining access to a body cavity in a targeted tissue region within a patient's body. One embodiment of the catheter device includes an elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section which is flexible enough to be folded or coiled into a configuration for...

20060205993 - Low frequency magnetic neurostimulator for the treatment of neurological disorders: A system for treating neurological conditions by low-frequency time varying electrical stimulation includes an electrical device for applying such low-frequency energy, in a range below approximately 10 Hz, to the patient's brain tissue. An implantable embodiment applies direct electrical stimulation to electrodes implanted in or on the patient's brain, while...

20060205994 - Vibrational delta and theta brain wave induction apparatus and method for the stimulation of sleep: An apparatus and method for generating sleep-inducing stimuli, including a programmable controller operable for generating a sleep-inducing rhythm; and a transducer unit containing at least one transducer connected to the controller for receiving the sleep-inducing rhythm and generating and applying the sleep-inducing stimuli to a user in accordance with the...

20060205995 - Apparatus and method for treating female urinary incontinence: The present invention provides a surgical implant and method for supporting the urethra where the implant includes a suburethral support suspended between two soft tissue anchors. The surgical implant is introduced into at least one incision made on the upper wall of a vagina with the first soft tissue anchor...

20060205996 - Incontinence treatment with urethral guide: Incontinence systems and methods for directing treatment to a target tissue of a patient comprise a guide having a first palpation member and a probe body having a treatment zone and a second palpation member. The guide is configured to be inserted into a urethra of the patient. The first...

20060205998 - Surgical slings: The invention relates generally to surgical implants, and in various embodiments to surgical implants configured for promoting growth of collagenous tissue at an anatomical site....

20060205997 - Urinary flow control device & method: A urinary flow control device having a bladder responsive flow control assembly operatively engaged with an elongate member having proximal and distal ends, and a lumen capable of discharging urine therethrough is provided. The flow control assembly includes first and second fluid containing compartments adapted to be in fluid communication....

20060205999 - Transportation of biological matter to a target site in a closed volume for transplantation purposes: The present invention is directed toward the transportation of biological matter to a target site in a closed volume for transplantation purposes. The present invention involves provisioning WO99/18872's flattened droplet delivery apparatus with a pressure sensor for real time monitoring of the prevailing pressure in its transfer tube for feedback...

20060206000 - Device and method for applying a biocompatible substance to a female stimulation device: In one aspect, the invention provides a female stimulation system that includes a device body having an operating region and a body contacting surface, and means for controlling a vacuum produced by the device body when the device body is applied to a user. In addition, the female stimulation system...

20060206001 - Penile erection control method and penile erection control device: To control the erection of a penis 10, the male sex organ, as desired, an electromagnetic valve 18 is connected to a penile vein 17 of the penis 10, the male sex organ, and ON-OFF control of this electromagnetic valve 18 is performed by a control unit 42 embedded in...

20060206002 - Rotate-to-advance catheterization system: A system of rotate-to-advance medical devices including catheters, dilators, occluders, stents, suprapubic catheters and camera introducers configured with external screw threads and depending substantially on rotation for means of advancement and emplacement in mammalian genitourinary and gastrointestinal passages and organs....

20060206003 - Image orienting coupling assembly: A coupling assembly for a scope and an image sensor housing is disclosed generally comprising an image orientation unit having first and second coupling sections for coupling the unit to a scope and an image sensor housing, such as a camera head, an optical assembly with a rotatable optical element...

20060206004 - Ureteroscope having a stem: A ureteroscope comprising a stem receiving an optics, a light guide and a duct is characterized in that the stem comprises at least along one segment of its length at least one substantially longitudinal indentation....

20060206005 - Placement multi-band bioassay device: A placement multi-band bioassay device makes use of a light source illuminating by several specific wavelengths, or several tunable wavelengths, or employs a device capable of capturing spectral medical images of specific bands inside the human body, e.g., the digestive system, the oral cavity, the nasal cavity, the anus, and...

20060206006 - Variable direction of view instrument with on-board actuators: A viewing instrument with a variable direction of view is disclosed generally comprising an outer instrument shaft, such as endoscope shaft, with a viewing element at its distal end, and an inner drive shaft within the outer shaft for moving the viewing element in order to change the direction of...

20060206007 - Disposable illuminator endoscope: A disposable illuminator endoscope includes a reusable endoscopic device and a disposable illuminator. The endoscopic device includes an optical image pathway, an operator assembly mounted to the optical image pathway proximal end, a fiber optic annulus surrounding a proximal end portion of the optical image pathway, and a light source...

20060206008 - Retractor and method for percutaneous tissue retraction and surgery: A retractor for percutaneous surgery in a patient which includes an elongate retractor tube composed of circumferentially arranged elongate independent tube segments with proximal ends of the tube segments respectively hinged to a unitary collar whereby the distal ends of the tube segments may be outwardly expanded in umbrella fashion...

20060206009 - Movable table mounted split access port with removable handle for minimally invasive surgical procedures: A port for providing access to a surgical site in a patient's body includes a plurality of segments that when positioned substantially adjacent to each other form a substantially uninterrupted outer perimeter and an internal access portal to the surgical site The port also includes a locking mechanism for retaining...

20060206012 - Data analysis system: A system and method for gathering and displaying information in data intensive environments. It is particularly concerned with data analysis in a critical care environment to provide a graphical display of derived information, comprising a series of bar charts (a-h) representative of a corresponding series of functions (32). Each bar...

20060206010 - Diagnostic support system and mobile terminal: A diagnostic support system includes a mobile terminal (14) and an analytical center (20), which are connected to each other through a network, and judges a morbidity possibility that a user holding the mobile terminal (14) is suffering from a disease. The analytical center (20) includes a data obtaining unit...

20060206013 - System and method for improving hospital patient care by providing a continual measurement of health: A system for improving hospital patient care by generating a Health Score. The system includes an interface module for receiving incoming medical data from a patient, a transformation module for transforming each of the medical datum into a transformed Health Score value, and a combination module for combining the transformed...

20060206011 - System and method for remote monitoring of multiple healthcare patients: A system and method for remotely monitoring multiple healthcare patients simultaneously is described. Multiple patients in multiple locations can be monitored for a variety of healthcare conditions and indicators. Information about the monitored patients is transmitted to a local monitoring component, which can be part of a portable processing system,...

20060206014 - Ear probe particularly for measuring various physiological conditions particularly blood pressure, temperature and/or respiration: An ear probe for detecting and/or measuring at least one predetermined physiological condition of a subject, includes: an earplug shaped and dimensioned for insertion into an ear of the subject; and a sensor carried by the earplug for sensing the predetermined physiological condition of the subject; the sensor including: an...

20060206015 - Device for collecting skin permeable gas and apparatus for measuring skin permeable gas: An apparatus for measuring skin permeable gas, which can be used to obtain clinical information by noninvasive and bloodless operations and are useful for in-home medical care and health management. The device for collecting skin permeable gas includes a finger-stall including a coupler, and one or more connections that are...

20060206016 - Device for collecting skin permeable gas and apparatus for measuring skin permeable gas: An apparatus for measuring skin permeable gas, which can be used to obtain clinical information by noninvasive and bloodless operations and are useful for in-home medical care and health management. The device for collecting skin permeable gas includes a container, having an opening, for storing skin permeable gas, a blower...

20060206017 - Living body photometric device: By making use of a set of loading of stimulation and no loading, variation signals in time of hemoglobin density at a plurality of measurement points of a subject attached of an optical measurement probe and corresponding to a plurality of channels are detected, and for the respective detected hemoglobin...

20060206018 - Method and apparatus for noninvasive targeting: The invention relates to noninvasive sampling. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a sample probe interface method and apparatus for targeting a tissue depth and/or pathlength that is used in conjunction with a noninvasive analyzer to control spectral variation. In a second embodiment, a signal from a sample or...

20060206020 - Method and device for detecting fault in a blood oxygen sensor: A device for measuring blood oxygen content comprises a blood oxygen sensor interface, a signal processing unit, and a plurality of voltage sampling points. A method for detecting fault in a blood oxygen sensor comprises the steps of: connecting the blood oxygen sensor to the signal processing unit; providing voltage...

20060206019 - Method for measuring blood oxygen content under low perfusion: A method for measuring blood oxygen content under low perfusion, which is used in a device for measuring blood oxygen content, includes the steps of: initializing the device that is applied with power, collecting and processing data with a driving circuit of light emitting device, a bias circuit, a gain...

20060206021 - Plethysmograph pulse recognition processor: A time domain rule-based processor provides recognition of individual pulses in a pulse oximeter-derived waveform....

20060206022 - Stress evaluation apparatus: A stress evaluation apparatus includes an impedance measuring unit for measuring an impedance of a fluid discharged from a living body; a temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature of the fluid discharged from the living body; a pH calculating unit for calculating a pH value based on the impedance...

20060206023 - Catheter tip electrode assembly and method for fabricating same: An electrode assembly for a sensor catheter tip includes a first electrode and a second electrode each having a central axis. The two electrodes are axially aligned and spaced apart along the axis. Each of the first and second electrodes comprises a contact aperture spaced from the center axis, and...

20060206024 - Wireless in-bore patient monitor for mri: A wireless in bore sensor for magnet resonance imaging provides radio frequency communication of physiological and other data signals from a battery powered unit held adjacent to the patient within the bore by using multiple diversity techniques to overcome the interfering environment of the MRI imaging system and to prevent...

20060206025 - Inspection of composite components using magnetic resonance imaging: Embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for non-destructively inspecting a component that is at least partially made of a composite material. In one embodiment, the composite component can be a ceramic matrix composite vane or a liner for a turbine engine. Aspects of the invention involve...

20060206026 - Methods, systems, and associated implantable devices for detecting radiation in patients undergoing treatment for cancer: Methods and systems for evaluating external beam radiation therapy delivered to a subject include: (a) placing at least one wireless implantable sensor in a first subject at a target location; (b) administering a first dose of radiation therapy into the first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least...

20060206027 - Assessing athlete injuries: Methods, systems, and computer program products assess injuries to elite athletes. A method involves receiving historical data associated with the athlete and receiving performance data from a functional assessment of the athlete. The functional assessment is designed based on a sport, a position, and/or the injury of the athlete. The...

20060206028 - Apparatus and method for ablating deposits from blood vessel: An apparatus for ablating deposits along the blood vessel of human and animals is disclosed. The apparatus has an extracting and pressurizing unit for extracting blood from a supply vessel and pressurizing it plus a downstream delivering and injecting unit for delivering and injecting the filtered and pressurized source blood...

20060206029 - Device and method for regulating blood flow: A system and method for regulating blood flow rate or blood pressure in a second blood vessel or heart chamber to achieve a balanced flow rate or blood pressure between the second blood vessel or heart chamber and a first blood vessel or heart chamber, wherein the first and the...

20060206030 - Rapid non-invasive blood pressure measuring device: A measurement device for generating an arterial volume-indicative signal includes an exciter and a detector. The exciter is adapted to receive an oscillating signal and generate a pressure wave based at least in part on the oscillating signal on the artery at a measurement site on a patient. The pressure...

20060206031 - Blood pressure detecting device, blood pressure detecting method, blood pressure detecting program, and strain sensor for blood pressure detection: The present invention may detect a maximum blood pressure and a minimum blood pressure from a viewpoint different from that of a conventional blood pressure measuring method. The present invention propose a strain sensor for blood pressure detection, comprising: a pressure transducer including: a metal thin plate for receiving a...

20060206032 - Method and apparatus for assessing hemodynamic parameters within the circulatory system of a living subject: An improved method and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises a method of measuring a hemodynamic parameter by measuring a non-calibrated value of the parameter non-invasively, and inducing a stress of the...

20060206033 - System for analysis of biological voltage signals: System for analyzing biological signals representative of voltage changes, including obtaining an analog biological signal representative of voltage changes, using digital processing software to digitize the biological signal, displaying the processed biological signal in analog form on a display in a time compressed format, wherein an amount of compression for...

20060206034 - Breath alcohol measuring device with improved mouthpiece: A breath alcohol measuring device (7) is provided with features for superior handling especially of the replaceable mouthpiece (1). A direct physical contact between the test subject being tested and the measuring device is practically ruled out by the combination. The mouthpiece (1) of the breath alcohol measuring device (7)...

20060206035 - Apparatus and method for producing respiration-related data: An apparatus for producing data concerning the respiration-related movements of the abdominal wall and/or the thorax of a person. The device comprises at least one first pair of sensor units (12, 14), which are configured for detachably fixing on the skin in an area of the person's thorax or abdomen,...

20060206036 - Motivational spirometry system and method: A method is disclosed for motivating a user of a spirometry system 20 having a display screen 12, an air-tube 22, a flow measurement sensor 24 operatively associated with the air-tube 22, a display screen 26, and an associated processor 30. A motivational animation is displayed on the display screen...

20060206037 - Apparatus and method for non-invasive measurement of intracranial pressure: An intracranial pressure (ICP) within a patient's skull can be determined by observing a vessel in the patient's eye, desirably in the red and/or infrared (IR) spectrum, while causing the pressure inside the eye to increase. On or about the time the observed vessel collapses in response to increasing the...

20060206038 - System, method and computer instructions for estimating stent size: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for estimating stent size. In an embodiment, a stent size estimating system includes: an input module for inputting artery data; a calculation module for calculating stent size based on the artery data; and an output module for...

20060199991 - Apparatus and methods for radiotherapy: The invention provides the use of a radiation source which is a low energy X-ray emitter, e.g. with an energy of emission of the principal photon in the range of 20 to 100 keV, preferably 20 to 40 keV and with a half life of 10 to 100 days, preferably...

20060199990 - Percutaneous array delivery system: A system for treating tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and an array of delivery tubes at least partially disposed within the lumen, each of the delivery tube having a lumen, wherein each of...

20060199992 - Magnetic stimulator: At least two coils deliver at least two time-varying magnetic fields to a target region within a body. The coils are oriented such that the magnetic fields create intersecting electric fields in the target region. The magnetic fields operate at different frequencies and thus produce a beat frequency signal where...

20060199993 - Devices and methods for blood flow assistance: Devices and methods are disclosed for assisting in blood flow from a weakened or injured heart, particularly for pediatric patents. A low profile, multi-chambered implantable mechanism is used to collect blood from a blood vessel and re-pump the blood out with an induced pressure emanating from a fluid pressure source....

20060199994 - Surgical instruments: A novel surgical instrument is shown and described. The surgical instrument is useful in pelvic floor repair procedures such as sling procedures for treating incontinence. Also, a novel, ornamental design for a handle for a surgical instrument is shown and described....

20060199997 - Monitoring of a food intake restriction device: An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device includes one or more pressure sensors configured to sense pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device. Pressure data obtained by the one or...

20060199995 - Percutaneous cardiac ventricular geometry restoration device and treatment for heart failure: Methods for percutaneous cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills...

20060199996 - Sling for supporting and occluding a tissue and method of using the same: A method and sling for supporting a tissue or other lumen in a body. When the sling is used to support the urethra of a female, it is effective in treating urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the invention is a sling comprising a first end portion and a second end...

20060199998 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system includes a rigid endoscope including an optical system in a rigid insert section thereof, and a wiper sheath. The wiper sheath includes a wiper insert section receiving the insert section of the rigid endoscope, a wiper arranged on a distal end portion of the wiper insert section...

20060199999 - Cardiac tissue ablation instrument with flexible wrist: An articulate minimally invasive surgical instrument with a flexible wrist to facilitate the safe placement and provide visual verification of the ablation catheter or other devices in Cardiac Tissue Ablation (CTA) treatments is described. In one embodiment, the instrument is an endoscope which has an elongate shaft, a flexible wrist...

20060200000 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes an insertion section to be inserted from a distal end into a subject. The endoscope further includes a bendable bend portion disposed between the distal end and a proximal end of the insertion section, an actively bent region which is disposed in the bend portion and which...

20060200001 - Video inspection system: A video inspection system provides capability to view objects not satisfactorily accessible by direct line of sight. The video inspection system includes a fluid ejection nozzle to clear the workpiece area to be inspected, an adjustable focus camera and connections to remote image data processing equipment. The video inspection system...

20060200002 - Methods and tools for accessing an anatomic space: A tubular access sleeve and suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. A suction tool trunk extending through a suction tool lumen of the sleeve...

20060200003 - Endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor: An endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor for retracting organs and tissues in the body. The inflatable retractor comprises an inflatable balloon configured to retract specific organs and tissues at the site of the endoscopic procedure, with attached inflation and deflation means. In one embodiment, the inflatable retractor is attached...

20060200004 - Intra-abdominal medical procedures and device: Improvements in intra-abdominal surgery include a method for removing large chunks of organic or inorganic material from the abdomen through a natural body opening such as the urethra. The technique may be supplemented by laparoscopic procedures....

20060200005 - Low profile, handle-in-between surgical scissors clamp: A surgical clamp includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second...

20060200006 - Method and apparatus for conducting an oral examination on youthful patients: This invention relates to a method for motivating cooperation of youthful patients during an oral examination and to an apparatus with which this can be achieved. The apparatus is an improved tongue depressor that bears graphical images printed directly onto, and covering the entirety of, one or more surfaces using...

20060200007 - Automatic etiology sequencing system: A system and related method for identifying a trigger event to a patient health-related exacerbation. The system includes at least one sensor configured to collect data related to the patient health-related exacerbation, an analyzer configured to validate the collected data, a patient interface device configured to receive patient inputs to...

20060200010 - Guiding differential diagnosis through information maximization: A system and method for diagnosis and treatment decisions based on information maximization is disclosed. Utilizing patient information as well as clinical records from other patients can reduce the uncertainty in both diagnosis and treatment options. The information maximization may consider additional data such as risk, cost, and comfort in...

20060200008 - Systems and methods for assessing equipment operator fatigue and using fatigue-risk-informed safety-performance-based systems and methods to replace or supplement prescriptive work-rest regulations: In a system and method for assessing and modifying fatigue, an input device receives current work-rest pattern and/or sleep data from an individual. A data aggregation and processing platform combines the current work-rest pattern and/or sleep data with previous data related to the individual to generate a fatigue assessment result,...

20060200009 - Trending display of patient wellness: The present invention is a novel method of generating and representing the status of various physiological parameters that are monitored for patients during hospitalization. The system of present invention allows healthcare providers to easily view, at a glance, the status of a plurality of patients as well as any changes...

20060200011 - Health management apparatus, health management system, health management method and computer program product: A health management apparatus includes a first pulse wave measuring unit that measures a first pulse wave of a subject during sleep; and a second pulse wave measuring unit that measures a second pulse wave of the subject during sleep. The second pulse wave is different from the first pulse...

20060200012 - Methods and sensors for monitoring internal tissue conditions: The present invention relates to fiberoptic sensors embedded within a surgical drain to monitor the condition of tissue proximate to the surgical drain and methods of processing data from the sensors. The light transmitting and collecting tips of the optical fibers are adapted to enable sideways interrogation of the adjacent...

20060200013 - Systems and methods for maintaining optical fixation and alignment: Blood glucose levels in an individual are determined by aligning a region of the retina of the eye of an individual with an instrument, measuring a regeneration rate of the retinal visual pigment of the individual, and using the measured regeneration rate to calculate the blood glucose level. The apparatus...

20060200014 - Method of optical measurements for determining various parameters of the patient's blood: A method for optical measurements of desired parameters of the patient's blood is presented. A state of the blood flow cessation is provided within a measurement region and maintained during a predetermined time period. Measurement sessions are performed within this predetermined time period. Each measurement session includes at least two...

20060200015 - Method for enhancing pulse oximetry calculations in the presence of correlated artifacts: A method for determining a physiological parameter in the presence of correlated artifact, including obtaining two digital waveforms, x and y, the waveforms being representative of the absorption of two wavelengths of electromagnetic energy received from a blood-perfused tissue, and where each of the waveforms has a component corresponding to...

20060200016 - Signal processing apparatus and method: A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, a transformation is used to...

20060200017 - Noninvasive targeting system method and apparatus: The invention provides a targeting system used to direct a measuring system to a targeted sample site or volume. The targeting system increases analyte estimation performance by increasing precision and accuracy of sampling and/or by targeting an analyte rich tissue volume....

20060200018 - Resposable pulse oximetry sensor: A pulse oximeter sensor has both a reusable and a disposable portion. The reusable portion of the sensor preserves the relatively long-lived and costly emitter, detector and connector components. The disposable portion of the sensor is the relatively inexpensive adhesive tape component that is used to secure the sensor to...

20060200021 - Electrically-conductive patterns for monitoring the filling of medical devices: A flexible diagnostic device has a measurement cell that is sandwiched between the conductive surfaces of two conductive-coated insulating layers. At least one of the conductive surfaces is scored with an insulating pattern, so that the flow of a conductive fluid sample into the cell can be monitored....

20060200019 - 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...

20060200020 - Transcutaneous 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....

20060200022 - Optimized sensor geometry for an implantable glucose sensor: An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the...

20060200023 - Instruments and methods for nerve monitoring in spinal surgical procedures: Systems and methods include an anchor engage able to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures...

20060200024 - System and method for marking body cavities: Systems and methods for marking a body cavity. In one embodiment, a system includes means for inspecting a body cavity, and means for visibly marking the body cavity so as to convey visual information regarding the body cavity. In one embodiment, a method includes inspecting a body cavity, and marking...

20060200026 - Robotic catheter system: A method comprises inserting a flexible instrument in a body; maneuvering the instrument using a robotically controlled system; predicting a location of the instrument in the body using kinematic analysis; generating a graphical reconstruction of the catheter at the predicted location; obtaining an image of the catheter in the body;...

20060200025 - Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatic software flow using instrument detection during computer-aided surgery: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic software flow using instrument detection during a computer-aided surgery. At least system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a computer-aided surgical navigational system with a display screen and at least one sensor. The system can include a processor capable of detecting...

20060200027 - Articulated placement guide for sensor-based noninvasive blood pressure monitor: Blood pressure may be determined from a sensor-based monitoring device that non-invasively senses pressure pulses from an underlying artery. A user positions the sensor on the surface of an anatomical structure over the-artery, such as over the edge of the radius bone of the wrist, using an articulated placement guide....

20060200028 - Sensor-based apparatus and method for portable noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure: Blood pressure including systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate may be determined from a portable monitoring device that noninvasively senses at the surface of a patient's body pressure pulses that are influenced by blood flow in an underlying artery. As varying hold-down pressure is applied to the artery through...

20060200029 - Universal transportable vital signs monitor: A transportable vital signs monitor accommodates patients over a broad range of body sizes. The monitor has various universal vital signs sensor units attached to it, such as sensor units for blood oxygen saturation, temperature, and non-invasive blood pressure. The monitor has a graphical display and may have alphanumeric displays....

20060200030 - Apparatus and method for sensor deployment and fixation: A delivery system for fixation of an implant assembly having an intracorporeal device at a deployment site using an anchoring structure. This invention provides an implant assembly having a an anchor for fixation within a vessel. The anchoring structure adapted to be delivered via a catheter....

20060200031 - Apparatus and method for sensor deployment and fixation: An implant assembly is implanted in vivo within a vascular system in which a vessel divides at a furcation into two sub-vessels, each sub-vessel having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said vessel. An implant assembly is released into a vessel such as a pulmonary arterial vessel of a...

20060200032 - Linear oscillation pressurization type electronic sphygmomanometer: A linear oscillation pressurization type electronic sphygmomanometer includes a main body enclosing a CPU; a pressurization unit arranged in the main body and controlled by the CPU and providing a linear oscillation pressurization operation, a cuff connected to the linear oscillation pressurization unit; a pressure controller controlling pressure variation in...

20060200033 - System, method and apparatus for measuring blood flow and blood volume: A system for measuring blood flow in an organ of a subject, particularly useful for non-invasive cardiac output monitoring (N.I.C.O.M.™), the system comprises: a radiofrequency generator for generating output radiofrequency signals; a plurality of electrodes, designed to be connectable to the skin of the subject, the electrodes being for transmitting...

20060200034 - Apparatus for signal decomposition, analysis and reconstruction: The present invention provides a system and method for representing quasi-periodic (“qp”) waveforms comprising, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the qp waveform, wherein each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted...

20060200035 - System and method for signal decomposition, analysis and reconstruction: The present invention provides a system and method for representing quasi-periodic (“qp”) waveforms comprising, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the qp waveform, wherein each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted...

20060200036 - Atrial fibrillation detection: Atrial fibrillation is detected in an electrical signal representative of a beating heart by measuring atrial activity over a time window of three or more beats, measuring beat interval variation over the time window and combining the measures of atrial activity and beat interval variation to produce an indication of...

20060200037 - System and method for selectively collecting exhaled air: A system and method for selectively collecting exhaled air. The system includes a sensor 118 that can be configured for detecting a flow of exhaled air 130 from a person. A control system 120 can be responsive to the sensor 118. The control system 120 can be configured for generating...

20060200038 - Noninvasive nonlinear systems and methods for predicting seizure: The present invention relates to methods and devices for noninvasive nonlinear prediction of ictal onset in patients afflicted by neurological disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods and devices for noninvasive nonlinear prediction of seizures in patients afflicted with epilepsy. The devices and methods preferably being based on analysis...

20060200039 - Impedance based sensor for monitoring leakage in aaa stent graft: Embodiment of the invention provide a technique for detecting endoleakage of an abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) stent graft on a relatively frequent basis at home or the clinic without the safety risks and/or costs associated with current approaches. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting leakage in an AAA graft...

20060200041 - Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200042 - Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200040 - Biopsy device with variable side aperture: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200043 - Pap smear collection device with ejection sleeve: Sample collection for the Pap smear sample is critical for accurate diagnosis. Improper sample collection, poor sampling, and/or cell preservation can render a Pap smear unsatisfactory for evaluation, requiring a repeat smear collection. If the Pap smear does not contain appropriate representative cells from the transformation zone and endocervical canal,...

20060200045 - Dynamic integrated lancing test strip with sterility cover: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the...

20060200044 - Method and apparatus for measuring analytes: A device comprises a cartridge (12) and a plurality of analyte detecting members (18) mounted on said cartridge. The cartridge may have a radial disc shape. The analyte detecting members may be a three-electrode system wherein only a working electrode is covered with a glucose oxidase. In one embodiment, the...

20060200046 - Method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package: A medical device package for receiving, and securely and removably retaining, a medical device includes main and minor cap members. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity with a cavity opening at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to receive, and to...

20060200048 - Removable sheath for device protection: A medical device designed to be used with a guide catheter. The medical device has a body and cross-sectional shape and size that enables the guide catheter to be at least partially fed through a guide catheter. The body of the medical device has a longitudinal length that is at...

20060200047 - Steerable device having a corewire within a tube and combination with a functional medical component: An integrated guiding device has a tube and a corewire within the tube and a torque coupler. The torque coupler can couple the rotational motion of the tube with the rotational motion of the corewire. The wire can be moved longitudinally at least some amount relative to the tube. The...

20060200049 - Medical apparatus system having optical fiber load sensing capability: Apparatus is provided for diagnosing or treating an organ or vessel, wherein a deformable body having at least two optical fiber sensors disposed in a distal extremity thereof is coupled to processing logic programmed to compute a multi-dimensional force vector responsive to detected changes in the optical characteristics of the...

20060200050 - Illumination timing device: An illuminating timing device comprised of an integrated base unit and software, three pedal position foot controls, standard printer, and a re-printable template capable of providing an economical means of performing periodontal depth charting quickly and easily by one person with minimal risk of contamination....

20060200051 - Activity aid apparatus: The invention relates to a lightweight body portable arrangement (10, 12) for correcting or aiding a human being to keep an amount of physical activity correlated to a preferred level of dieting....

20060199991 - Apparatus and methods for radiotherapy: The invention provides the use of a radiation source which is a low energy X-ray emitter, e.g. with an energy of emission of the principal photon in the range of 20 to 100 keV, preferably 20 to 40 keV and with a half life of 10 to 100 days, preferably...

20060199990 - Percutaneous array delivery system: A system for treating tissue includes a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending between the proximal and the distal ends, and an array of delivery tubes at least partially disposed within the lumen, each of the delivery tube having a lumen, wherein each of...

20060199992 - Magnetic stimulator: At least two coils deliver at least two time-varying magnetic fields to a target region within a body. The coils are oriented such that the magnetic fields create intersecting electric fields in the target region. The magnetic fields operate at different frequencies and thus produce a beat frequency signal where...

20060199993 - Devices and methods for blood flow assistance: Devices and methods are disclosed for assisting in blood flow from a weakened or injured heart, particularly for pediatric patents. A low profile, multi-chambered implantable mechanism is used to collect blood from a blood vessel and re-pump the blood out with an induced pressure emanating from a fluid pressure source....

20060199994 - Surgical instruments: A novel surgical instrument is shown and described. The surgical instrument is useful in pelvic floor repair procedures such as sling procedures for treating incontinence. Also, a novel, ornamental design for a handle for a surgical instrument is shown and described....

20060199997 - Monitoring of a food intake restriction device: An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient as a function of the pressure of fluid. The implantable restriction device includes one or more pressure sensors configured to sense pressure of the fluid within the implantable restriction device. Pressure data obtained by the one or...

20060199995 - Percutaneous cardiac ventricular geometry restoration device and treatment for heart failure: Methods for percutaneous cardiac ventricular restoration include delivering an implantable expandable device into the ventricle via a catheter. The expandable device is anchored either to the wall of the left ventricle or to the inter-ventricular septum and then expanded. When expanded, the device assumes a size and shape which fills...

20060199996 - Sling for supporting and occluding a tissue and method of using the same: A method and sling for supporting a tissue or other lumen in a body. When the sling is used to support the urethra of a female, it is effective in treating urinary incontinence. In one embodiment, the invention is a sling comprising a first end portion and a second end...

20060199998 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system includes a rigid endoscope including an optical system in a rigid insert section thereof, and a wiper sheath. The wiper sheath includes a wiper insert section receiving the insert section of the rigid endoscope, a wiper arranged on a distal end portion of the wiper insert section...

20060199999 - Cardiac tissue ablation instrument with flexible wrist: An articulate minimally invasive surgical instrument with a flexible wrist to facilitate the safe placement and provide visual verification of the ablation catheter or other devices in Cardiac Tissue Ablation (CTA) treatments is described. In one embodiment, the instrument is an endoscope which has an elongate shaft, a flexible wrist...

20060200000 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes an insertion section to be inserted from a distal end into a subject. The endoscope further includes a bendable bend portion disposed between the distal end and a proximal end of the insertion section, an actively bent region which is disposed in the bend portion and which...

20060200001 - Video inspection system: A video inspection system provides capability to view objects not satisfactorily accessible by direct line of sight. The video inspection system includes a fluid ejection nozzle to clear the workpiece area to be inspected, an adjustable focus camera and connections to remote image data processing equipment. The video inspection system...

20060200002 - Methods and tools for accessing an anatomic space: A tubular access sleeve and suction tool for accessing an anatomic surface or anatomic space and particularly the pericardium to access pericardial space and the epicardial surface of the heart in a minimally invasive manner are disclosed. A suction tool trunk extending through a suction tool lumen of the sleeve...

20060200003 - Endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor: An endoscopic sheath having a biomimetic retractor for retracting organs and tissues in the body. The inflatable retractor comprises an inflatable balloon configured to retract specific organs and tissues at the site of the endoscopic procedure, with attached inflation and deflation means. In one embodiment, the inflatable retractor is attached...

20060200004 - Intra-abdominal medical procedures and device: Improvements in intra-abdominal surgery include a method for removing large chunks of organic or inorganic material from the abdomen through a natural body opening such as the urethra. The technique may be supplemented by laparoscopic procedures....

20060200005 - Low profile, handle-in-between surgical scissors clamp: A surgical clamp includes a first clamping member comprising a first clamping surface for engaging a first surgical rod and an attachment end. A second clamping member is mounted with respect to the first clamping member wherein the second clamping member comprises a second clamping surface for engaging a second...

20060200006 - Method and apparatus for conducting an oral examination on youthful patients: This invention relates to a method for motivating cooperation of youthful patients during an oral examination and to an apparatus with which this can be achieved. The apparatus is an improved tongue depressor that bears graphical images printed directly onto, and covering the entirety of, one or more surfaces using...

20060200007 - Automatic etiology sequencing system: A system and related method for identifying a trigger event to a patient health-related exacerbation. The system includes at least one sensor configured to collect data related to the patient health-related exacerbation, an analyzer configured to validate the collected data, a patient interface device configured to receive patient inputs to...

20060200010 - Guiding differential diagnosis through information maximization: A system and method for diagnosis and treatment decisions based on information maximization is disclosed. Utilizing patient information as well as clinical records from other patients can reduce the uncertainty in both diagnosis and treatment options. The information maximization may consider additional data such as risk, cost, and comfort in...

20060200008 - Systems and methods for assessing equipment operator fatigue and using fatigue-risk-informed safety-performance-based systems and methods to replace or supplement prescriptive work-rest regulations: In a system and method for assessing and modifying fatigue, an input device receives current work-rest pattern and/or sleep data from an individual. A data aggregation and processing platform combines the current work-rest pattern and/or sleep data with previous data related to the individual to generate a fatigue assessment result,...

20060200009 - Trending display of patient wellness: The present invention is a novel method of generating and representing the status of various physiological parameters that are monitored for patients during hospitalization. The system of present invention allows healthcare providers to easily view, at a glance, the status of a plurality of patients as well as any changes...

20060200011 - Health management apparatus, health management system, health management method and computer program product: A health management apparatus includes a first pulse wave measuring unit that measures a first pulse wave of a subject during sleep; and a second pulse wave measuring unit that measures a second pulse wave of the subject during sleep. The second pulse wave is different from the first pulse...

20060200012 - Methods and sensors for monitoring internal tissue conditions: The present invention relates to fiberoptic sensors embedded within a surgical drain to monitor the condition of tissue proximate to the surgical drain and methods of processing data from the sensors. The light transmitting and collecting tips of the optical fibers are adapted to enable sideways interrogation of the adjacent...

20060200013 - Systems and methods for maintaining optical fixation and alignment: Blood glucose levels in an individual are determined by aligning a region of the retina of the eye of an individual with an instrument, measuring a regeneration rate of the retinal visual pigment of the individual, and using the measured regeneration rate to calculate the blood glucose level. The apparatus...

20060200014 - Method of optical measurements for determining various parameters of the patient's blood: A method for optical measurements of desired parameters of the patient's blood is presented. A state of the blood flow cessation is provided within a measurement region and maintained during a predetermined time period. Measurement sessions are performed within this predetermined time period. Each measurement session includes at least two...

20060200015 - Method for enhancing pulse oximetry calculations in the presence of correlated artifacts: A method for determining a physiological parameter in the presence of correlated artifact, including obtaining two digital waveforms, x and y, the waveforms being representative of the absorption of two wavelengths of electromagnetic energy received from a blood-perfused tissue, and where each of the waveforms has a component corresponding to...

20060200016 - Signal processing apparatus and method: A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, a transformation is used to...

20060200017 - Noninvasive targeting system method and apparatus: The invention provides a targeting system used to direct a measuring system to a targeted sample site or volume. The targeting system increases analyte estimation performance by increasing precision and accuracy of sampling and/or by targeting an analyte rich tissue volume....

20060200018 - Resposable pulse oximetry sensor: A pulse oximeter sensor has both a reusable and a disposable portion. The reusable portion of the sensor preserves the relatively long-lived and costly emitter, detector and connector components. The disposable portion of the sensor is the relatively inexpensive adhesive tape component that is used to secure the sensor to...

20060200021 - Electrically-conductive patterns for monitoring the filling of medical devices: A flexible diagnostic device has a measurement cell that is sandwiched between the conductive surfaces of two conductive-coated insulating layers. At least one of the conductive surfaces is scored with an insulating pattern, so that the flow of a conductive fluid sample into the cell can be monitored....

20060200019 - 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...

20060200020 - Transcutaneous 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....

20060200022 - Optimized sensor geometry for an implantable glucose sensor: An implantable sensor for use in measuring a concentration of an analyte such as glucose in a bodily fluid, including a body with a sensing region adapted for transport of analytes between the sensor and the bodily fluid, wherein the sensing region is located on a curved portion of the...

20060200023 - Instruments and methods for nerve monitoring in spinal surgical procedures: Systems and methods include an anchor engage able to a vertebra and an extender removably mounted to the anchor. The extender includes an insulating member extending at least partially thereabout to electrically insulate the extender and prevent shunting of electrical signals delivered through the extender to the anchor to structures...

20060200024 - System and method for marking body cavities: Systems and methods for marking a body cavity. In one embodiment, a system includes means for inspecting a body cavity, and means for visibly marking the body cavity so as to convey visual information regarding the body cavity. In one embodiment, a method includes inspecting a body cavity, and marking...

20060200026 - Robotic catheter system: A method comprises inserting a flexible instrument in a body; maneuvering the instrument using a robotically controlled system; predicting a location of the instrument in the body using kinematic analysis; generating a graphical reconstruction of the catheter at the predicted location; obtaining an image of the catheter in the body;...

20060200025 - Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatic software flow using instrument detection during computer-aided surgery: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for automatic software flow using instrument detection during a computer-aided surgery. At least system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes a computer-aided surgical navigational system with a display screen and at least one sensor. The system can include a processor capable of detecting...

20060200027 - Articulated placement guide for sensor-based noninvasive blood pressure monitor: Blood pressure may be determined from a sensor-based monitoring device that non-invasively senses pressure pulses from an underlying artery. A user positions the sensor on the surface of an anatomical structure over the-artery, such as over the edge of the radius bone of the wrist, using an articulated placement guide....

20060200028 - Sensor-based apparatus and method for portable noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure: Blood pressure including systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and pulse rate may be determined from a portable monitoring device that noninvasively senses at the surface of a patient's body pressure pulses that are influenced by blood flow in an underlying artery. As varying hold-down pressure is applied to the artery through...

20060200029 - Universal transportable vital signs monitor: A transportable vital signs monitor accommodates patients over a broad range of body sizes. The monitor has various universal vital signs sensor units attached to it, such as sensor units for blood oxygen saturation, temperature, and non-invasive blood pressure. The monitor has a graphical display and may have alphanumeric displays....

20060200030 - Apparatus and method for sensor deployment and fixation: A delivery system for fixation of an implant assembly having an intracorporeal device at a deployment site using an anchoring structure. This invention provides an implant assembly having a an anchor for fixation within a vessel. The anchoring structure adapted to be delivered via a catheter....

20060200031 - Apparatus and method for sensor deployment and fixation: An implant assembly is implanted in vivo within a vascular system in which a vessel divides at a furcation into two sub-vessels, each sub-vessel having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said vessel. An implant assembly is released into a vessel such as a pulmonary arterial vessel of a...

20060200032 - Linear oscillation pressurization type electronic sphygmomanometer: A linear oscillation pressurization type electronic sphygmomanometer includes a main body enclosing a CPU; a pressurization unit arranged in the main body and controlled by the CPU and providing a linear oscillation pressurization operation, a cuff connected to the linear oscillation pressurization unit; a pressure controller controlling pressure variation in...

20060200033 - System, method and apparatus for measuring blood flow and blood volume: A system for measuring blood flow in an organ of a subject, particularly useful for non-invasive cardiac output monitoring (N.I.C.O.M.™), the system comprises: a radiofrequency generator for generating output radiofrequency signals; a plurality of electrodes, designed to be connectable to the skin of the subject, the electrodes being for transmitting...

20060200034 - Apparatus for signal decomposition, analysis and reconstruction: The present invention provides a system and method for representing quasi-periodic (“qp”) waveforms comprising, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the qp waveform, wherein each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted...

20060200035 - System and method for signal decomposition, analysis and reconstruction: The present invention provides a system and method for representing quasi-periodic (“qp”) waveforms comprising, representing a plurality of limited decompositions of the qp waveform, wherein each decomposition includes a first and second amplitude value and at least one time value. In some embodiments, each of the decompositions is phase adjusted...

20060200036 - Atrial fibrillation detection: Atrial fibrillation is detected in an electrical signal representative of a beating heart by measuring atrial activity over a time window of three or more beats, measuring beat interval variation over the time window and combining the measures of atrial activity and beat interval variation to produce an indication of...

20060200037 - System and method for selectively collecting exhaled air: A system and method for selectively collecting exhaled air. The system includes a sensor 118 that can be configured for detecting a flow of exhaled air 130 from a person. A control system 120 can be responsive to the sensor 118. The control system 120 can be configured for generating...

20060200038 - Noninvasive nonlinear systems and methods for predicting seizure: The present invention relates to methods and devices for noninvasive nonlinear prediction of ictal onset in patients afflicted by neurological disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods and devices for noninvasive nonlinear prediction of seizures in patients afflicted with epilepsy. The devices and methods preferably being based on analysis...

20060200039 - Impedance based sensor for monitoring leakage in aaa stent graft: Embodiment of the invention provide a technique for detecting endoleakage of an abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) stent graft on a relatively frequent basis at home or the clinic without the safety risks and/or costs associated with current approaches. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting leakage in an AAA graft...

20060200041 - Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200042 - Biopsy device incorporating an adjustable probe sleeve: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200040 - Biopsy device with variable side aperture: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway...

20060200043 - Pap smear collection device with ejection sleeve: Sample collection for the Pap smear sample is critical for accurate diagnosis. Improper sample collection, poor sampling, and/or cell preservation can render a Pap smear unsatisfactory for evaluation, requiring a repeat smear collection. If the Pap smear does not contain appropriate representative cells from the transformation zone and endocervical canal,...

20060200045 - Dynamic integrated lancing test strip with sterility cover: An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the...

20060200044 - Method and apparatus for measuring analytes: A device comprises a cartridge (12) and a plurality of analyte detecting members (18) mounted on said cartridge. The cartridge may have a radial disc shape. The analyte detecting members may be a three-electrode system wherein only a working electrode is covered with a glucose oxidase. In one embodiment, the...

20060200046 - Method for extracting a medical device from a medical device package: A medical device package for receiving, and securely and removably retaining, a medical device includes main and minor cap members. The main cap member has a proximal end, a distal end and a cavity with a cavity opening at the proximal end. The cavity is configured to receive, and to...

20060200048 - Removable sheath for device protection: A medical device designed to be used with a guide catheter. The medical device has a body and cross-sectional shape and size that enables the guide catheter to be at least partially fed through a guide catheter. The body of the medical device has a longitudinal length that is at...

20060200047 - Steerable device having a corewire within a tube and combination with a functional medical component: An integrated guiding device has a tube and a corewire within the tube and a torque coupler. The torque coupler can couple the rotational motion of the tube with the rotational motion of the corewire. The wire can be moved longitudinally at least some amount relative to the tube. The...

20060200049 - Medical apparatus system having optical fiber load sensing capability: Apparatus is provided for diagnosing or treating an organ or vessel, wherein a deformable body having at least two optical fiber sensors disposed in a distal extremity thereof is coupled to processing logic programmed to compute a multi-dimensional force vector responsive to detected changes in the optical characteristics of the...

20060200050 - Illumination timing device: An illuminating timing device comprised of an integrated base unit and software, three pedal position foot controls, standard printer, and a re-printable template capable of providing an economical means of performing periodontal depth charting quickly and easily by one person with minimal risk of contamination....

20060200051 - Activity aid apparatus: The invention relates to a lightweight body portable arrangement (10, 12) for correcting or aiding a human being to keep an amount of physical activity correlated to a preferred level of dieting....