Surgery inventions 10/06

20060241332 - Real time verification in radiation treatment: A radiation therapy system and method, especially for brachytherapy, monitors and verifies dose delivered at a plurality of points at or near the region to be irradiated, integrating verification with radiation delivery. In one procedure, mapping is used to determine the shape and location of the region to be irradiated....

20060241333 - Electromagnetic treatment device: A system for treating diseased or abnormal conditions within a person's body. The system exposes blood cells to a magnetic field and then permits circulation of the treated blood cells throughout the person's body. Direct current electricity activates a magnetic coil having a port or aperture through the coil. A...

20060241334 - In vivo device for improving diastolic ventricular function: The present invention provides an in vivo device for improving diastolic function of the heart, comprising: at least one elastic component that may be operatively connected to the external surface of the left or right ventricle of the heart by means of connecting elements, wherein said elastic component comprises essentially...

20060241335 - Method and system for physiologic control of a blood pump: A physiologic control system and method for controlling a blood pump system such as a VAD system. The pump system includes, for example, a blood pump (12) and a controller (80) for controlling the pump. The system may further include a flow measurement device (124). Various control schemes are disclosed,...

20060241336 - System and method for dream therapy to facilitate life review: A method of dream therapy to facilitate life review is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method may comprise recalling a dream fragment, associating with the dream fragment and amplifying the dream fragment. The method may further comprise of reminiscing life events. The amplified dream fragment and reminisced life events may...

20060241337 - Uterine tissue monitoring device and method: The invention provides a devices, methods and systems to measure and record uterine tissue environment components such as pH during the course of uterine artery occlusion. The uterus becomes ischemic due to the occlusion thereof, and its pH drops sharply within minutes of uterine artery occlusion and remains relatively low...

20060241338 - Valve for bladder control device: A valve for a bladder control device including an elongate housing having a valve seat disposed therein. A stopper is also disposed within the housing and is moveable between a first position in which the stopper engages the valve seat and a second position wherein the stopper is moved distally...

20060241339 - Method and apparatus for an adjustable implantable continence device: The present subject matter includes an implantable device and method for restoring continence and controlling coaptivity of a body lumen. The device includes a fill port block which has one or more self-sealing septums. The fill-port block is connected to one or more elongate conduits and ultimately to one or...

20060241340 - Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function: The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve...

20060241341 - Anatomic device: An anatomical device comprising an unclosed curvilinear frame with distal ends, forming an aperture for receiving a penis. The unclosed curvilinear frame is made of a material with shape memory effect, thus forming a compressing element set to memorize the shape of the curvilinear figure repeating the external contour of...

20060241342 - Optically guided penetration catheters and their methods of use: Catheter devices, systems and methods for penetrating from one location within a patient's body to another location. An elongate catheter is insertable into a natural or man-made lumen within the body of a patient. A penetrator is advanceable from the catheter to a target location outside of the lumen in...

20060241343 - Surgical adapter: A surgical system is provided that includes a device body that has a working channel providing a pathway for an instrument, an extension adjuster engaged with the device body, the extension adjuster also including a stop. The stop is disposed a predetermined distance from the working channel such that the...

20060241344 - Intra-abdominal surgical method and associated apparatus: A distal end portion of an endoscope insertion member is inserted into a hollow internal organ of a patient, the endoscope insertion member being at least partially encased by a sheath provided with at least one longitudinally extending tubular channel. An incision or perforation is formed in a wall of...

20060241345 - Endoscope-equipped puncture balloon: In a thin-walled main body tube 1 equipped with an endoscope-installed section at the rear end, a balloon 2 is disposed on the front surface thereof, and a branch tube 4 communicating with the interior of the balloon 2 in a gas-liquid flow manner is disposed on the main body...

20060241346 - Mounting method for mounting endless belt to self-propelled colonoscope and mounting tool: A colonoscope (1) is equipped with a plurality of endless belts (17) at circulating passes around an outside and an inside of a flexible section (15) thereof and also equipped with a driving mechanism for driving the endless belts. Each of the endless belt (17) is mounted to the colonoscope...

20060241347 - Systems and methods relating to colposcopic viewing tubes for enhanced viewing and examination: Colposcopic viewing tubes for use with external colposcopes, otoscopes, velscopes. The colposcopic viewing tube is configured to be placed in front of the viewing lens of the colposcope, is typically opaque for a desired portion, and can create a light-tight connection between the patent and the external colposcope and enhance...

20060241348 - Endoscope: An endoscope comprises: an insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity; an operation portion provided continuously from a proximal end side of the insertion portion; and a cylinder in which a gas to be fed to the distal end of the insertion portion is compressed and filled, the...

20060241349 - Imaging apparatus: An image processing circuit includes a spectrum estimating portion for inputting image data, obtaining data required for spectrum estimation from an estimation data supplying portion and estimating spectrums of pixels, a scattering feature calculating portion for calculating several scattering features based on spectrums of pixels from the spectrum estimating portion...

20060241350 - Instruments and methods for selective tissue retraction through a retractor sleeve: Methods and instruments for performing surgery in a patient are provided that minimize tissue dissection and retraction to access locations within the patient. One specific application concerns devices, instruments and techniques that provide for selective retraction of tissue, neural elements, organs or other anatomical structures at locations distally of the...

20060241352 - Assembly for covering an opening: An assembly for covering an opening comprises a movable cover having a first flexible cover part that can be wound on or off a winding tube, a second rigid cover part attached to the first cover part at the end of latter remote from the winding tube and a third...

20060241351 - Integrated optical device for luminescence sensing: An integrated luminescence sensor includes a light pipe in optical communication with a luminescence sensing layer. A source of excitation illumination is coupled to the light pipe and disposed to direct excitation illumination toward the sensing layer. A luminescent light detector is also coupled to the light pipe and is...

20060241354 - Electromagnetically coupled hermetic chamber: An electromagnetically coupled hermetic chamber includes a body defining a hermetic chamber. A first conductive structure is disposed within the hermetic chamber, and a second conductive structure is attached to the body outside of the hermetic chamber. The first conductive structure is electromagnetically coupled to the second conductive structure without...

20060241355 - Healthcare base: One embodiment includes a healthcare base for the health of a user. The base includes an area to receive a bottle that carries a health-related substance for the user to take. The base includes a detector, an input mechanism, an output mechanism and a storage medium. The detector can electronically...

20060241353 - Report check apparatus and computer program product: A report check apparatus includes an input unit which inputs data of a diagnostic reading report as a check target, a check unit which checks whether the input diagnostic reading report contains a semantic error related to diagnostic reading, and a display unit which displays a check result by the...

20060241356 - Biological interface system with gated control signal: Various embodiments of a biological interface system and related methods are disclosed. The biological interface system may comprise a sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for detecting multicellular signals emanating from one or more living cells of a patient, a processing unit configured to receive the multicellular signals from the...

20060241359 - Biosensor, sleep information processing method and apparatus, computer program thereof and computer readable storage medium thereof: A biosensor senses pulse wave data of a user. The biosensor stores relation information, which indicates a relationship between recommended bedtime data and sleep-affecting activity data. The relationship between the recommended bedtime data and the sleep-affecting activity data is determined in view of at least one of previously sensed pulse...

20060241357 - Ischemia-detector and method for operating such detector: An ischemia detection apparatus comprises an impedance measuring stage connected to an electrode lead connector. The electrode lead connector is adapted to be connected to at least two intracardiac and/or epicardial electrodes and to produce an impedance signal indicative of a measured impedance between the electrodes. An ischemia detector is...

20060241358 - Multiple wavelength sensor interconnect: A sensor interconnect assembly has a circuit substrate. An emitter portion of the substrate is adapted to mount emitters. A detector portion of the substrate is adapted to mount a detector. A cable portion of the substrate is adapted to connect a sensor cable. A first group of conductors are...

20060241361 - Living body light measuring device: There is provided a living body light measuring device capable of monitoring a time curve of a blood substance concentration as time curves of parameters of a signal waveform and judging or analyzing characteristic traits of a subject relevant to the parameters of the signal waveform, wherein a signal processor...

20060241360 - Living body measuring apparatus: Disclosed a living body measuring apparatus which comprises data measurement means for measuring plural types of biological data of a user, data selection means for selecting one of the plural types of measured biological data, data display means for displaying the selected biological data, a plurality of light emitters corresponding...

20060241362 - Method and device for the mapping of intraretinal ph and device for the photocoagulation of peripheral retinal areas: The invention relates to a method of mapping the intraretinal pH of a retina which is marked by a pH-dependent fluorescent marker, in which the retina is illuminated with a first excitation radiation. According to the invention, a first image of the fluorescence emitted by the retina is formed as...

20060241363 - Multiple wavelength sensor drivers: A cable is capable of communicating signals between a monitor and a physiological sensor. The monitor is capable of activating individual light emitters of an emitter array arranged in an electrical grid by driving at least one of row drive lines and at least one of column drive lines of...

20060241364 - System and method for imaging the reflectance of a substrate: The present application discloses a system and method for the comprehensive monitoring of the microcirculation in order to assess the ultimate efficacy of the cardiovascular system in delivering adequate amounts of oxygen to the organ cells. The system utilizes reflectance avoidance by reflectance filtering, such as OPS imaging or Mainstream...

20060241365 - Implantable biosensor and methods of use thereof: Provided herein is a stabilized oxygen transport matrix that includes a reversible oxygen binding protein, such as hemoglobin, immobilized throughout the stabilized oxygen transport matrix. The stabilized oxygen transport matrix is used to transport oxygen and can be used as an oxygen transport region and a reaction region of an...

20060241366 - Electrophysiology loop catheter: An electrophysiology catheter including control, localization, and/or fluid delivery features, and methods of using the same. One embodiment of the invention is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including a superelastic wire and a cable, and a method of controlling the catheter using the cable. Another embodiment is directed to an...

20060241367 - Ophthalmic analysis system for measuring the intraocular pressure in the eye: c) an analysis device (24) with which the intraocular pressure can be deduced from the image information of the observation system (20, 21), wherein split images of at least parts of the undeformed and/or deformed cornea (03) can be recorded using the observation system (20, 21)....

20060241368 - Apparatus for insertion of a medical device during a medical imaging process: The end-effector (150) includes a sheath (152) and a medical device or needle carrier (154) that is disposed within the interior compartment (166) of the sheath. Aperture (162) is located in a portion of the sheath proximal a distal end of the sheath that is inserted into a natural or...

20060241372 - Diagnostics device comprising an x-ray system: The invention relates to a diagnostics device and to a method for the operation thereof comprising an X-ray system for producing X-ray images, the system comprising an X-ray device and an image system for the X-ray device, and a system for locating objects, wherein adjusting means for changing the frequency...

20060241370 - Medical x-ray imaging workflow improvement: A method and system reduce radiation exposure by panning and zooming a first image of a patient acquired by an x-ray imaging system rather than using continuous radiation fluoroscopy. A first image of a region of interest is initially acquired. Subsequently, the patient may be repositioned with respect to the...

20060241371 - Method and system to correct motion blur in time-of-flight sensor systems: A method and system corrects motion blur in time-of-flight (TOF) image data in which acquired consecutive images may evidence relative motion between the TOF system and the imaged object or scene. Motion is deemed global if associated with movement of the TOF sensor system, and motion is deemed local if...

20060241369 - Process and device for vascular navigation: A process and radiography device for aiding vascular navigation suitable for an area of interest wherein a series of successive images In of the region of interest is acquired by a image recording. From the series of images In thus acquired a determination is made of a first mask presenting...

20060241373 - Use of eeg to measure cerebral changes during computer-based motion sickness-inducing tasks: The invention relates to a method of determining early onset of motion sickness by brain imaging. The method discloses an objective means of determining the onset of motion sickness by evaluating a specific region of the brain. The method can also be utilized in evaluating the predisposition toward motion sickness...

20060241379 - Method for imaging of a periodically-moving subject region of a subject: In a method for imaging a periodically-moving subject region of a subject, an overview image data set is initially obtained that maps a movement of the subject region, at least two positions that the subject region assumes at corresponding points in time are marked in the overview image, further positions...

20060241380 - Method for obtaining magnetic resonance data representing movement in a subject: In an access controller and method for controlling access to medical data, the medical data being provided as at least one first file and a second file independent of the first file with findings regarding patients that are generated by medical personnel being stored in the first file and measurement...

20060241375 - Method of magnetic resonance perfusion imaging: The present invention relates to a method of perfusion imaging comprising: performing a first magnetic resonance data acquisition (A) at a first sensitivity (b) value, performing a set of at least six second magnetic resonance data acquisitions (B1, B2, . . . B6) with gradiant encodings in different directions at...

20060241374 - Methods and systems for using transcranial magnetic stimulation and functional brain mapping for examining cortical sensitivity, brain communication, and effects of medication: Transcranial magnetic stimulation is interleaved with functional brain imaging to examine cortex sensitivity and brain communication and to determine efficacy of medication....

20060241382 - Mri method for producing an index indicative of brain disorders: Time course MRI data is acquired from the hippocampal region of the brain and processed to produce two indices that are a measure of the functional connectivity between locations therein. The MRI data is acquired while the brain is substantially at rest and the spontaneous low frequency component of the...

20060241381 - Multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction method for water-fat separation: In a multi-channel magnetic resonance imaging reconstruction method for water-fat separation, one in-phase image and two opposed-phase images are acquired with multiple reception coils in respective channels. The sensitivity distribution of the coils of the respective channels is calculated. The images of respective channels are merged dependent on the sensitivity...

20060241376 - Non-invasive left ventricular volume determination: A method of and a computer readable medium comprising a program for calculating total left ventricular (LV) volume during a cardiac cycle. The LV volume is estimated using only endocardial contours in a cardiac 3D image that was acquired at end diastole (ED), i.e. the moment at which the heart...

20060241378 - Rapid mr visualization of interventional devices: A method and apparatus for visualizing an interventional device in a body using a magnetic resonance (MR) imager. In operation an MR pulse sequence is applied to the body so as to develop MR signals, which are processed so as to acquire one or more images. An operator of the...

20060241377 - System and method for bone strength assessment: A device for non-invasively assessing bone strength includes an encoder for establishing a spatial frequency encode that is in a k-space vector form (λk=mi+nj). Importantly, the encode has a magnitude that corresponds to a spatial characteristic that is indicative of bone strength. A magnet creates a magnetic field, and an...

20060241383 - Method of operating a medical imaging system: A trigger device feeds to a control device for a medical imaging system a number of trigger pulses which all correspond to a predetermined phase angle of an object, e.g. of a heart which is the same for all trigger pulses. The control device activates an image recording device at...

20060241384 - Wireless in-bore patient monitor for mri with integral display: A portable, wireless patient monitor may operate in an MRI machine to monitor the patient during the scan and provides an optical display allowing the connection of the patient to the monitor when the monitor is remote from its receiving base station, for example, in the hospital room, or to...

20060241385 - Guided disposable fiducial for breast biopsy localization fixture: A fiducial device enhances shelf life and clinical flexibility by including an elongate cavity of a fiducial pointer that may be filled with an imageable material immediately prior to use. A fiducial holder of the fiducial device is guided by a targeting rail of a breast coil localization fixture to...

20060241387 - Patient positioning system and patient positioning method: A patient positioning system comprises a monitor capable of displaying, in scaled-down size, a reference image and a comparative image that are given as image information containing an affected area in the body of a patient, an input device for inputting reference points on the reference image and the comparative...

20060241386 - Radiological imaging apparatus and cooling method of same: A radiological imaging apparatus which can keep detectors at a low temperature, improve a time resolution and an energy resolution and perform an accurate diagnosis is provided. In the radiological imaging apparatus, an imaging apparatus imaging a testing subject supported by a bed couples a detector board having placed thereon...

20060241388 - Method and system of computer assistance for the reduction of a fracture: A method and system of computer assistance to the preparation of the reduction of a fracture such that a patient's bony fragments areseparated into first and second bone segments, with in bone segments being symmetrical to a third bone element The method includes the steps of determining a first representation...

20060241389 - Method for representation of flow in a magnetic resonance image: In a method for representation of flow in a magnetic resonance image, a first magnetic resonance image of an examination subject is acquired, wherein the flow occurring in the examination subject is not compensated in a first spatial direction; a second magnetic resonance image is acquired, wherein the flow occurring...

20060241391 - Device and method for pathology detection: A method and system may provide detection of pathologies, for example, the detection of cancer in, for example, the gastrointestinal tract utilizing for example magnetically susceptible nano-particles. Ultrasound imaging, MRI technology or other suitable techniques may be used in conjunction to localize detected pathologies....

20060241390 - Method for reducing artifacts in magnetic resonance images acquired with continuous table motion: MRA data is acquired from a large, longitudinal region of interest by translating the patient through the more limited longitudinal FOV of the MRI system as a three-dimensional MRA data set are acquired. Patient table movement is controlled to track a bolus of contrast agent as it passes through the...

20060241392 - Method and apparatus for wireless monitoring of subjects within a magnetic field: An apparatus for monitoring a conscious subject, such as a rat or human, in a strong magnetic field, such as that generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, includes sensors and wireless transmitter. The sensors detect physiological parameters of the subject, and the transmitter sends a wireless signal representing...

20060241393 - Rotation positioning device for a coil of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus: A rotation positioning device for a coil of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, having a cavity in the coil for accommodating a part to be examined, has a backing member that can freely rotate within this accommodating cavity. The backing member is provided with a first driving member and a...

20060241394 - Resolution of magnetic dipole ambiguity in position tracking measurements: A method for position tracking includes using first and second field generators located at respective different first and second locations to generate respective first and second magnetic fields in a vicinity of first and second objects. The first and second fields are measured using first and second position sensors respectively...

20060241395 - Device and method for locating an instrument within a body: The invention relates to a device and a method for locating an instrument, such as a catheter (104) for example, within a body (106). The catheter (104) has a number of light guides into which there is passed an NIR radiation pulse (102) from a laser (101). The NIR radiation...

20060241400 - Method of determining the position of an instrument relative to a body of a patient: A system for determining a position of a probe relative to an object such as a head of a body of a patient. The head includes a surface such as a forehead having a contour. Cross sectional images of the head are scanned and stored as a function of the...

20060241398 - Methods and apparatus for reducing deleterious effects of x-ray radiation upon implantable medical device circuitry: According to the invention methods and structures for determining whether impingement of x-ray radiation upon potentially vulnerable discrete components, circuits and/or circuit pathways of an implantable medical device (IMD) causes modifications or damage thereto. The invention includes structures for deflecting impingement of x-ray radiation from said potentially vulnerable components, circuits...

20060241396 - Multi-modal detection of surgical sponges and implements: A multi-modal detection system is appointed to reliably detect metallic surgical instruments such as scalpels, hemostats and the like, and non-metallic surgical implements such as sponges or laparotomy pads and gauze pad associated with an embedded marker. A first system detects metallic surgical instruments and a second independent system detects...

20060241399 - Multiplex system for the detection of surgical implements within the wound cavity: The present invention provides a multiplex system for identifying the presence of surgical sponges, metal instruments, and other implements in a surgical wound by employing a plurality of discrete sensing systems. At least two modalities of operation are chosen from a plurality of detection modalities, which can include: 1) magnetomechanically...

20060241401 - Reference catheter for impedance calibration: A method for position sensing includes placing at a known position within a body of a subject a reference probe including at least one reference electrode. Electrical currents are passed through the body between the reference electrode and body surface electrodes. Characteristics of the electrical currents are measured and are...

20060241397 - Reference pad for position sensing: A method for position tracking includes attaching a location pad to a body of a subject and introducing into the body of the subject a first position transducer. A procedure is performed on the body of the subject using a medical tool, to which a second position transducer is fixed....

20060241403 - Method and ct unit for taking x-ray ct pictures of a patient's beating heart: A method and a CT unit are disclosed for taking cardio X-ray CT pictures, in the case of which a synthetic clock signal is used to display a clock, during each cycle phase of the synthetic clock signal. Test volume data records of the heart are reconstructed at a number...

20060241402 - X-ray ct apparatus and myocardial perfusion image generating system: An X-ray CT apparatus 1 comprises a blood-flow information acquisition unit, a correction value calculating unit and a blood-flow image generating unit 24e. The blood-flow information acquisition unit obtains information of a relative blood flow rate in the myocardium of the subject P based on the CT image. The correction...

20060241406 - Anatomically-referenced fiducial marker for registration of data: An anatomical data registration device may include a dental device. The dental device may configurable to be subject-specific. A dental device may be positionable in a substantially fixed spatial relationship relative to a portion of the subject. An anatomical data registration device may include one or more radiopaque markers. At...

20060241404 - Enhanced shape characterization device and method: The shape and orientation of rigid or nearly rigid moveable bodies are determined using a shape characterization. Sensors capture a plurality of representations of different perspectives of the body that are analyzed to determine a bounding volume of the body. The shape of the body is determined from the bounding...

20060241405 - Method and apparatus for performing an orthodepic stability test using a surgical navigation system: The present invention provides methods and apparatus that permit one to accurately measure range of motion of a joint for joint stability testing and other purposes. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a marker that can be tracked by a surgical navigation system is rigidly fixed to each...

20060241407 - 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 tile first subject; (c) obtaining radiation data from the at least...

20060241408 - Method and apparatus for a multi-modality imaging system: An apparatus for examining a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate, at least one top rail slideably coupled to said top plate, said top plate selectively positionable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position along an examination axis, a support member coupled to said...

20060241410 - Microwave imaging system and processes, and associated software products: A microwave imaging process, and a system controlled by an associated software product, illuminate a target with microwaves from a transmitting antenna. Receiving antennas receive microwaves scattered by the target, and form microwave data. The illumination and receiving repeat over multiple transmitting antennas and multiple microwave frequencies. The microwave data...

20060241409 - Time domain inverse scattering techniques for use in microwave imaging: A system and a method are provided for estimating the average dielectric properties of a plurality of regions in space. The application of this technique is illustrated for determining the average properties of breast tissue. The knowledge of average properties is important when UWB microwave radar signal processing algorithms are...

20060241411 - Marking device with retracable cannula: A marking device according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a handle, a cannula having a cannula distal end and slidably mounted to the handle, and a stylet having a stylet distal end and slidably mounted to the handle in the cannula. The stylet distal end is spaced proximally...

20060241415 - Medical examination and/or treatment system: Medical examination and/or treatment system, configured to capture and output at least one parameter to be monitored during examination and/or treatment, with the system being configured to evaluate the at least one captured parameter and to output an acoustic signal that can be modified as a function of the result...

20060241413 - Method for determining the position of an instrument with an x-ray system: The present invention relates to a method for determining the position of an instrument in a structure of an object with an x-ray system, in which a 3D image data record is provided for at least one area of the object relevant for determining the position, the x-ray system is...

20060241412 - Method for visualizing damage in the myocardium: A method is disclosed for visualizing damage in the myocardium. In such a method, CT image data of the heart are made available which were recorded with injection of contrast medium. The myocardium is isolated by segmentation from the CT image data. One or more views of the isolated myocardium...

20060241414 - Repositioning and reorientation of master/slave relationship in minimally invasive telesuregery: The invention provides robotic surgical systems which allow selectable independent repositioning of an input handle of a master controller and/or a surgical end effector without corresponding movement of the other. In some embodiments, independent repositioning is limited to translational degrees of freedom. In other embodiments, the system provides an input...

20060241416 - Method and apparatus for computer assistance with intramedullary nail procedure: A specially-programmed, computer-assisted surgery system is used to reduce the number of fluoroscopic images required to be taken during the course of a intramedullary nail procedure, eliminates the need for a Steinman pin, and assists the surgeon in properly aligning and securing the nail during insertion....

20060241418 - Electronic endoscope system: An electronic endoscope system has a personal computer, an adjustment monitor and an adjustment processor unit. The personal computer is for changing parameters related to image quality of an endoscopic image. The adjustment monitor displays an adjustment screen, showing information of the parameters, synthesized on an endoscopic image. The adjustment...

20060241417 - Transesophageal ultrasound probe having a rotating endoscope shaft: A transesophageal ultrasound probe for imaging internal structures via an imaging element located on the distal end of a rotating endoscope shaft. The probe includes a rotating endoscope having an imaging element mounted on the distal end of the rotating endoscope shaft. The probe also includes a control handle for...

20060241419 - Guide wire: A guide wire includes a core member having at least one projection projecting relative to the axis. A guide wire includes a coil having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion covering at least a distal end portion of the core member. The coil is fixed to the...

20060241420 - Guide wire navigation: A system and method for identifying the position of the distal end of a bone guide wire is provided. A position and orientation of the proximal end of the guide wire is identified with the aid of a medical, optical tracking and navigation system and a reference device on the...

20060241421 - Method for providing measuring data for the precise local positioning of a catheter: A method for providing measuring data for the precise local positioning of an ablation catheter comprises the recording of electrophysiological potential curves in a plurality of positions of the ablation catheter with regard to a potential measurement on a reference catheter. An x-ray image is recorded in each of the...

20060241422 - Antenna for in-vivo imaging system: The invention provides a device, and method for in vivo imaging, for example, using an in vivo imaging device including a circuit board having rigid sections and flexible sections. The circuit board may include one or more layers and an antenna may be embedded into one or more layers....

20060241429 - Aberration correction with broad transmit beams in medical ultrasound: Aberration estimation uses cross correlation of receive-focused transmit element data. A set of sequentially fired broad transmit beams insonify an object from different steering angles. Each transmit beam emanates from an actual or a virtual transmit element. For every firing, a receive beamformer forms a transmit element image of the...

20060241423 - Apparatus and method for full-field breast ultrasound scanning: A full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) scanning apparatus and related methods are described for compressing and ultrasonically scanning a breast. A first surface of an at least partially conformable, substantially taut membrane or film sheet compresses one side of the breast, and the other side of the breast is compressed by...

20060241430 - Apparatus and method for real time 3d body object scanning without touching or applying pressure to the body object: An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object includes a container for containing a coupling medium for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the organic object disposed therein whereby a simultaneous multiple direction scanning process may be carried out without physically contacting the organic object. The ultrasonic image scanning...

20060241427 - Blood-vessel-shape measuring apparatus blood-flow-velocity measuring apparatus and blood-flow-amount measuring apparatus: A blood-vessel-shape calculating means 62 calculates, based on respective echo signals detected by first and second arrays 26, 28 that are placed on a skin 20 of a brachial portion 14 as a portion of a living being such that each of the first and second arrays 26, 28 is...

20060241433 - Finite amplitude distortion-based inhomogeneous pulse echo ultrasonic imaging: A method and system for imaging a sample. The method includes the steps of generating an ultrasonic signal, directing the signal into a sample, which signal is distorted and contains a first order and higher order component signals at first and higher frequencies respectively. The received distorted signal is processed,...

20060241432 - Method and apparatus for calibration, tracking and volume construction data for use in image-guided procedures: An apparatus that collects and processes physical space data while performing an image-guided procedure on an anatomical area of interest includes a calibration probe that collects physical space data by probing a plurality of physical points, a tracked ultrasonic probe, a tracking device that tracks the ultrasonic probe in space...

20060241428 - Method of generating an ultrasonic image: Generation of an ultrasonic image includes producing an ultrasonic image, selecting a predetermined area on the ultrasonic image, and changing a color of the predetermined area. This will allow a user to indicate a predetermined area according to individual needs and to color a predetermined area. Thus the kernel portion...

20060241434 - Ultrasonic image construction method and diagnostic ultrasound apparatus: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to observe the whole of a diagnostic region covering a wide range and to improve diagnostic efficiency. Based on a first echo signal produced by scanning with ultrasonic waves a three-dimensional field corresponding to a first position on a...

20060241424 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonographic device: An excellent ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided that can form a three-dimensional image in a more spatially-correct position regardless of an ultrasonic probe to be used, without leading to deterioration of the productivity of the treatment. An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer, a rotation transmission mechanism, a rotary encoder,...

20060241426 - Ultrasonograph:

20060241425 - Ultrasound detection: An ultrasound detection approach utilizing a multi-resonator transducer is described. The transducer is capable of tracking a signal, for example a foetal heartbeat, without the need for an operator to displace the transducer. Depth selection and directional Doppler is also provided to maximize signal strength and to provide a more...

20060241435 - Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus: The present invention aims to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that can move a display screen for an ultrasound image to a position from which the display screen is easy to see. An image display device is supported by an image display device supporting mechanism so as to be horizontally...

20060241431 - Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and ultrasound image processing program: In ultrasound diagnosis of, for example, the breasts, a microstructure extraction image in which a microstructure is actively extracted is generated by performing MIP processing together with CFAR processing of removing speckle patterns from a B mode image (tissue image). The generated microstructure extraction image is displayed in the dual...

20060241436 - Method and apparatus for non-invasive measurement of a temperature change inside a living body: Method and apparatus for non-invasive measuring of the temperature change of a target inside a body by transmitting an ultrasonic pulse to the target, subjecting a pulse reflected from the large( to frequency analysis, and calculating the temperature change of the large therefrom. A frequency spectrum of the reflected pulse...

20060241438 - Method and related system for measuring intracranial pressure: A method for measuring intracranial pressure in an intracranial area filled with micro-bubbles formed by an injected contrast agent includes: (1) emitting an ultrasound signal having a bandwidth to the intracranial area, (2) receiving an echoed signal from a micro-bubble, (3) performing a spectral analysis on the echoed signal to...

20060241437 - Pachymeter: A pachymeter apparatus for measuring corneal thickness is configured for the calculation of intraocular pressure (“IOP”). The apparatus includes a pachymeter for measuring corneal thickness as well as a microprocessor and a user interface. A reading of IOP from a tonometer can be entered into the device and corrected according...

20060241439 - Ultrasonic bone evaluation apparatus: An ultrasonic bone evaluation apparatus includes stationary and movable standoffs fitted with respective ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound, a moving mechanism for moving the movable standoff, an encoder, a controller, and an inner temperature sensor for determining the temperature of an inner tissue of a body part. The...

20060241441 - Holder for a high intensity focused ultrasound probe: A holder for a conventional high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe to be interfaced with a stepper atop a conventional tripod, or the like, to enable a physician/surgeon to image and visually inspect the rectal and prostate areas of a patient for signs of cancer and other abnormalities so that...

20060241442 - Method and system for treating photoaged tissue: A method and system for ultrasound treatment of photoaged tissue are provided. An exemplary method and system are configured for first, ultrasound imaging of the region of interest for localization of the treatment area, second, delivery of ultrasound energy at a depth and pattern to achieve the desired therapeutic effects,...

20060241440 - Non-thermal acoustic tissue modification: A methodology and system for modifying tissue including directing the acoustic beam for a predetermined time duration at a multiplicity of target volumes, which target volumes contain tissue, thereby to modify the tissue in the target volumes while the acoustic beam has a pressure at target volume which lies below...

20060241443 - Real time ultrasound monitoring of the motion of internal structures during respiration for control of therapy delivery: A method of targeting therapy such as radiation treatment to a patient includes: identifying a target lesion inside the patient using an image obtained from an imaging modality selected from the group consisting of computed axial tomography, magnetic resonance tomography, positron emission tomography, and ultrasound; identifying an anatomical feature inside...

20060241446 - Method for synchronization of breathing signal with the capture of ultrasound data: A method for producing an ultrasound image comprises monitoring the subject's respiration cycle or waveform, acquiring ultrasound data from the subject, producing an ultrasound image from the received ultrasound data received during the time when the subject's motion due to breathing had substantially stopped....

20060241448 - System for producing an ultrasound image using line-based image reconstruction: A system for developing an ultrasound image, comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at an effective frame rate of at least 200...

20060241445 - Three-dimensional cardial imaging using ultrasound contour reconstruction: A method for modeling of an anatomical structure includes acquiring a plurality of ultrasonic images of the anatomical structure using an ultrasonic sensor, at a respective plurality of spatial positions of the ultrasonic sensor. Location and orientation coordinates of the ultrasonic sensor are measured at each of the plurality of...

20060241444 - Ultrasongraphic device: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided that can achieve an excellent image quality even in the case where a subject moves at a high speed. A memory (3) stores a first signal obtained through first-time transmission/reception. When a second signal is obtained through second-time transmission/reception, a delay amount calculator (6)...

20060241447 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of transducer units which are two-dimensionally arranged to transmit/receive an ultrasonic wave to/from hard tissue; a transceiver unit which receives an echo signal for each transducer unit from the plurality of transducer units; a surface point specifying unit...

20060241451 - Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment and method of controlling the same: Three times of ultrasonic transmissions are executed in positive, negative and negative polarities with reference to a predetermined rate period, for each of a plurality of ultrasonic scan lines, and echo signals caused and generated by the ultrasonic waves of the respective transmissions are received at the same rates. At...

20060241450 - Ultrasound guided tissue measurement system: A tissue guidance system integrates an ultrasound imaging device with a tissue diagnostic probe. Ultrasound imaging is used to guide the tissue probe to the target area. Measurements made by the probe can then be analyzed to determine tissue type or state (e.g., malignant or benign)....

20060241449 - Ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus and an apparatus and method for processing an image display: An ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus and an ultrasound image processing method that can automatically display a pair of a cardiac systolic end period image and a cardiac diastolic end period image based on living body signal data. A plurality of ultrasound images are collected from a patient and stored in...

20060241452 - Ultrasonic imaging method and probe for 3d gynaecologic inspection: An ultrasonic imaging method particularly for 3D gynaecologic inspections provides an ultrasound probe having a number of transducers forming a linear array. An imaging scanning unit connected to the transducers alternatively generates electric driving signals for each transducer. The probe is oscillated in a direction transversal to the longitudinal extension...

20060241453 - Ultrasonic probe for scanning a volume: An ultrasonic imaging probe is provided which is capable of capturing “on-the-fly” scanning planes in successive positions of the probe so as to form a volumetric image representation at a real time frame rate. The probe includes a flexible sealing membrane for a coupling fluid. Laterally extending folding portions of...

20060241455 - Automatically adjusted presets for an ultrasound machine: There is a need for a better way of collecting information on adjusting and determining presets in ultrasound machines. The system and method according to various embodiments of the present invention involve automatic collection of data of ultrasound scan settings frequently used and optimized by the operator for various types...

20060241454 - Transmit multibeam for compounding ultrasound data: Transmit multibeams insonify an object with multiple noncollinear transmit beams fired substantially simultaneously. The noncollinear beams are along different scan lines of same scan geometry, or they belong to scan lines of different scan geometries. One or more receive beams are formed in parallel in response to each of the...

20060241456 - Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and ultrasonic imaging method: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of displaying an ultrasonic image clearly representing different tissues by discriminating ultrasonic echoes generated in regions having different reflection characteristics among the received ultrasonic echoes. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting ultrasonic waves toward an object to...

20060241457 - Cyclical information determination with medical diagnostic ultrasound: Without using ECG input signals or processor intensive correlation, cyclical timing is determined from ultrasound data. Cyclical timing includes determining the time of end diastole, time of end systole or heart rate. The ultrasound data is reduced, such as by projecting each frame of data onto two axes. For projection,...

20060241458 - Ultrasonographic device and ultrasonographic method: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including: a tomogram forming means forming a tomogram of a diagnosis portion of an examinee by transmitting/receiving an ultrasound wave to/from the examinee via an ultrasound probe; color Doppler image forming means forming a color Doppler image based on a Doppler signal obtained from the diagnosis...

20060241459 - Automatic signal-optimizing transducer assembly for blood flow measurement: The invention uses a transducer and ultrasound system to form and direct ultrasound beams through the blood stream that will detect the Doppler shift in frequency between the beams and the return echo off the blood. The transducer can be secured onto the surface of the patient's skin with a...

20060241460 - Blood rheology measurement device and blood rheology measurement method: There is disclosed a miniature blood rheology measurement device and a blood rheology measurement method which are capable of performing measurement of a portion such as a wrist or a fingertip with a high precision and which are simple without requiring measurement of a blood pressure. The method: detects an...

20060241461 - System and method for 3-d visualization of vascular structures using ultrasound: A method for quantifying vascularity of a structure or a portion thereof comprises producing a plurality of two dimensional (2-D) high-frequency ultrasound image slices through at least a portion of the structure, wherein the structure or portion thereof is located within a subject, processing at least two of the plurality...

20060241462 - Method of intracranial ultrasound imaging and related system: A method of intracranial ultrasound imaging applied in detecting a cranial blood vessel having blood filled with micro-bubbles formed by an injected contrast agent and generating blood vessel images includes: (1) emitting a plurality of ultrasound signals having bandwidths to the cranial blood vessel in sequence, (2) receiving an echoed...

20060241463 - Quantitative non-invasive method for detecting degree of malignancy in tumors and application thereof: Disclosed is a method for detecting the degree of malignancy in tumors noninvasively, which comprises the steps of: using a Power Doppler ultrasound unit to scan a tumor and capture sequential color imagines in a complete heartbeat cycle, and choosing an area of interest (AREA_ROI) from the images; labeling pixels...

20060241464 - Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus having a continuous wave Doppler mode. A line switching section is provided between an array transducer and a unit which has a CW transmission section and a CW reception section, for changing a transmitting and receiving aperture pattern. When a first transmitting and receiving aperture pattern...

20060241466 - Hollow microspheres with controlled fragility for medical use: A composition for ultrasonic imaging is described having a microparticle population of controlled fragility. A method of using such composition for imaging a fluid filled cavity, vessel or tissue is described....

20060241465 - Vascular image co-registration: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of...

20060241468 - Multi-dimensional ultrasound transducer array: In k31 mode, a vibration is along an axis or orthogonal to the poling or electric field orientation. The direction of vibration is toward a face of an ultrasound transducer array. For each element of the array, electrodes are formed perpendicular to the face of the array, such as along...

20060241469 - Systems and methods for estimating the length and position of a stent to be applied within a patient: The field of the invention relates to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for estimating the size and position of a stent or other medical device within a patient. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an elongated tubular member having distal and proximal ends,...

20060241471 - Ultrasonic medical device and method: Ultrasonic devices having transducer assembly including a stack of alternating electrodes and piezoelectric elements. A mounting device having a first and second end is adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from the stack and transmit it from the first to the second end. A bolt including a head and shaft is...

20060241467 - Ultrasonic probe: An ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes: an ultrasonic element for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal; a signal line for transmitting an electric signal to or from the ultrasonic element; and a ground line for supplying a ground potential to the ultrasonic element. The ultrasonic element is...

20060241472 - Ultrasonic probe: The ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic transducer for sending and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a cap covering the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer scans a living organism with the ultrasonic waves passing through the cap. A meshed area having plural holes is provided in a portion of the cap for...

20060241473 - Ultrasonic probe and producing method therefor: Ultrasonic transducers disposed at a head of an ultrasonic probe are joined to a flexible sheet having a curved surface shape. Through holes are formed in the flexible sheet. The through hole is filled with conductive paste for electrically connecting to an individual electrode of the ultrasonic transducer. The flexible...

20060241475 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: It is intended to provide an ultrasonic probe permitting a reduction of a number of switching components while transmitting and receiving signals with the picture quality level held capable of being maintained. An ultrasonic the probe comprises transducers, transducer side cables which number is equal to a number of said...

20060241474 - Ultrasonic sensor: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer and a case. The ultrasonic transducer has a housing in a cylindrical shape with a bottom attached thereto, a piezoelectric device disposed in the housing, a connection pin electrically coupled with the piezoelectric device and a base made of an insulation material for...

20060241470 - Ultrasonic wound debrider probe and method of use: An ultrasonic medical probe comprises an elongate shaft formed integrally with a head portion having a distal end face oriented at least partially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft is provided with an internal longitudinal channel or bore extending to the end face. The end face...

20060241476 - Apparatus and method for holding a transesophageal echocardiography probe: A support device for holding a transesophageal echocardiography probe is disclosed, the device comprising a liner component forming an interior portion and an exterior portion, the interior portion of the liner configured to receive the transesophageal echocardiography probe therein; a base component forming a support region having a support surface,...

20060241477 - Needle guide supporting device: A needle guide supporting device with clips means 2 for detachable fastening to an ultrasound head 3, said device being shaped for detachable reception of a wedge-shaped needle guide 5. According to the invention, the device is provided with a rotatable handle 4 being adjustable and optionally fixable in various...

20060241479 - Endocavity utrasonic probe: An endocavity ultrasonic probe includes a backing member of cylindrical or convex shape, and a plurality of strip shaped ultrasonic transducers arranged on the backing member. The ultrasonic transducer is composed of three piezoelectric layers, electrode layers formed above and below each piezoelectric layer, insulating films formed at one side...

20060241480 - Endoscopic medical method and associated device: A surgical method includes inserting a distal end portion of an endoscope into a patient along a given path and inserting a distal end portion of a flexible ultrasonic probe device into the patient along the given path. The ultrasound probe device is operated to generate an image of organic...

20060241478 - Forward looking imaging guidewire: The systems and methods described herein provide for a forward looking guidewire having a reduced radial cross-section for increased maneuverability and use of the guidewire within more narrow vasculature. The guidewire can include an elongate tubular member having a distal region, proximal region and inner lumen and a forward looking...

20060241481 - Ultrasonic endoscope: A distal hard part in an insertion portion is provided with an ultrasonic transducer in which a large number of ultrasonic vibrators are arranged in the circumferential direction. The ultrasonic transducer is shaped like a cylinder. Each member that constitutes an endoscopic observation section is passed through this tunnel-like passage....

20060241483 - Ultrasonic imaging catheters: An intravascular ultrasonic imaging catheter is provided with a flexible circuit electrically coupled to a transducer array mounted on the distal end of the catheter, a portion of the flexible circuit being helically wound about the catheter in order to enhance the flexibility of the circuit. The catheter may be...

20060241482 - Ultrasonic observation apparatus: An ultrasonic observation apparatus in which the frame rate can be made higher than that in a mechanical or conventional electronic scan method. The ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: an ultrasonic endoscope including ultrasonic transducers; a transmission aperture setting unit for setting ultrasonic transducer groups as transmission apertures; a transmission frequency...

20060241485 - Extracorporeal emboli detector: An emboli detector device receives a blood flow in a perfusion circuit. The connector-like device has a rigid plastic smooth body hermetically sealed from the blood. There is a calculated thin, but rigid window formed as part of the flow-through tubing wall to allow ultrasonic waves to interrogate the flowing...

20060241486 - System and method of characterizing vascular tissue: A system and method is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic device is used to acquire RF backscattered data (i.e., IVUS data) from a blood vessel. The IVUS data is then transmitted to a...

20060241487 - System and method of characterizing vascular tissue: A system and method is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic device is used to acquire RF backscattered data (i.e., IVUS data) from a blood vessel. The IVUS data is then transmitted to a...

20060241484 - Ultrasonic imaging system and imaging method: An ultrasonic imaging system includes an imaging catheter and an imaging apparatus. The imaging catheter has an insert for being inserted into a blood vessel, a transducer disposed in the insert, and at least one temperature sensor disposed in the insert. The temperature sensor measures the intravascular temperature in a...

20060241488 - Catheter capable of being equipped with micro biopsy tool: Disclosed is a catheter used to pick a sample of a lesion cell tissue existing in the living body, and more particularly a catheter capable of freely coupling or separating a micro biopsy tool and picking a tissue required for an examination just by inserting and extracting the biopsy tool...

20060241489 - Ultrasonically guided puncturing needle: An ultrasonically guided puncturing needle stabbed in a subject being irradiated with an ultrasonic wave, the needle includes a cylindrical needle-like member having concaves and convexes formed on a peripheral surface of the needle-like member to reflect the ultrasonic wave, and a film formed on the peripheral surface on which...

20060241490 - Multi stage beamforming: Beamforming for N elements in performed in log(N) steps of complexity O(N). The signals measured at each element are treated as a receive beam formed by that element with a beam width equal to the element pattern or the width of the transmit illumination. In each of multiple stages, the...

20060241491 - Method and apparatus of signal processing for use in spectrometry using an improved apodization function: A method and apparatus is disclosed for signal spectrometry using an improved apodization function. Such method and apparatus involve (i) obtaining sample and reference time domain waveforms; (ii) applying sample and reference apodization waveforms to the sample and reference time domain waveforms, such that substantially same weight is applied to...

20060241492 - Method for medical imaging and a medical imaging system: To improve medical imaging with the aid of an intravascular catheter, an area to be examined is irradiated with the infrared light and an assigned scatter light signal is processed to form an image. To do this, OCT imaging with the aid of tissue-permeable light at a wavelength of approximately...

20060241493 - Catheter imaging probe and method: A catheter imaging probe for a patient. The probe includes a conduit through with energy is transmitted. The probe includes a first portion through which the conduit extends. The probe includes a second portion which rotates relative to the conduit to redirect the energy from the conduit. A method for...

20060241496 - Filter for use with imaging endoscopes: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multi-mode light source that produces light for white light and fluorescence imaging modes. A filter is positioned at the distal end of an imaging endoscope so that the endoscope can produce fluorescence and white light images of a tissue sample....

20060241498 - Image data processor, computer program product, and electronic endoscope system: An image data processor comprising an image signal receiver, a histogram generator, a gain calculator, an amplifier, and a signal feeder, is provided. The image signal receiver receives an autofluorescence image signal. The autofluorescence image signal is generated by an imaging device when the imaging device captures an autofluorescence image....

20060241501 - Method and apparatus for detecting abnormal epithelial tissue: A method of detecting abnormal epithelial tissue. The method includes the steps of providing a light source, providing a housing having an opening defined therein, inserting the light source into the housing, illuminating an area of epithelial tissue with incident light emitted from the light source that is directed through...

20060241500 - Method and device for direct ultrahigh speed conversion from time signal to space signal: A signal light pulse and a reference ultra-short light pulse each having an appropriate spatially lateral width are launched simultaneously into an ultra-high-speed optical memory element from both sides of an optical axis thereof at appropriate angles with respect to the axis. Temporal waveforms of the signal light pulse and...

20060241494 - Methods for detecting abnormal epithelial tissue: The visibility of abnormal tissue under light having wavelength peaks which selectively identify abnormal tissue is enhanced in the presence of normal ambient light by viewing the tissue through lens which transmit the wavelength peaks but block transmission of other wavelengths....

20060241499 - Multifunctional fluorescence diagnosis system: A fluorescence diagnosis system has a viewing system at least one light source and a camera system. The at least one light source can be operated in three modes, a first generating white light, a second with a first fluorescence excitation light of a first excitation wavelength and a third...

20060241497 - Multispectral/hyperspectral medical instrument: A medical instrument that comprises: a first-stage optic responsive to a tissue surface of a patient; a spectral separator optically responsive to the first stage optic and having a control input; an imaging sensor optically responsive to the spectral separator and having an image data output; and a diagnostic processor...

20060241502 - Optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue: A spectrophotometric system for examination of biological tissue of interest includes a light source, a light coupling system, a light detector, and a processor. The light source is constructed and arranged to emit a light beam of visible or infra-red radiation. The light coupling sytem includes at least one mirror...

20060241495 - Wound healing monitoring and treatment: A polarization based diagnostic device (200) for optically examining the medical condition of tissue (290) comprises an illumination optical system (205), comprising a light source (220) and beam shaping optics. An optical detection system (210) comprises imaging optics and an optical detector array, which detects light from the tissue. Polarizing...

20060241503 - Optical coherence tomography apparatus and methods: In one aspect, the invention relates to an imaging probe. The imaging probe includes an elongate body having a proximal end and distal end, the elongate body adapted to enclose a portion of a slidable optical fiber, the optical fiber having a longitudinal axis; and a first optical assembly attached...

20060241504 - Method of measuring bleeding volume: A method of measuring blood clotting ability of a patient. A known volume of blood is dispensed on a reference disc of blotter paper, such that at least one reference blotch is formed on the reference disc. The surface area of the reference blotch formed on the reference disc, such...

20060241505 - Combination sensor guidewire and methods of use: The present invention provides for an improved combination sensor tip that includes a pressure sensor and a second sensor other than a pressure sensor, both disposed at or in close proximity to the distal end of the combination sensor tip. The present invention also provides for an improved connector to...

20060241506 - Method and apparatus for diagnosing respiratory disorders and determining the degree of exacerbations: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods to monitor respiration and abnormal respiration events utilizing plethysmography. The apparatuses and methods provide an alternative to conventional respiration monitoring methods while enabling accurate yet minimally interruptive and invasive monitoring of respiration. The methods and apparatuses may be employed in the context of sleep...

20060241507 - Breath end- tidal gas monitor: An improved apparatus and method for capturing and analyzing the end-tidal portion of an exhalation. The CO2 level of air drawn into the system (10) is monitored to distinguish inhalation and exhalation of breath. Upon detection of a decrease in the CO2 level in the air drawn into the system...

20060241508 - Reliability-enhanced apparatus operation for re-breathing and methods of effecting same: An apparatus and method for affording a re-breathing capability to a breathing circuit. The apparatus includes a valve that permits air flow through or re-breathing in the breathing circuit. A CO2 sensor and an air flow sensor detects CO2 a rate of air flow in the breathing circuit, respectively. A...

20060241509 - System for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea: Two programs measure upper airway resistance using Resistance=Pressure/Flow. Raw flow and pressure data is divided into breaths and time adjusted so each breath starts with the value zero. Each breath is graphed as flow in the y-axis and time in the x-axis. The slope between points Flow=0 and Flow=0.20 is...

20060241510 - Techniques for prediction and monitoring of clinical episodes: A method is provided for predicting an onset of an asthma attack. The method includes sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, and predicting the onset of the asthma attack at least in part responsively to the...

20060241511 - Computerized method for predicting the diastolic rest period in a cardiac cycle: In a method to predict the diastolic rest period in the cardiac cycle of a patient under examination, the linear relation between heart rate and position of the diastolic rest period in the cardiac cycle is determined by determining the position of the diastolic rest period in at least two...

20060241513 - Calibration of impedance monitoring of respiratory volumes using thoracic d.c. impedance: A system includes an implantable medical device that includes a trans-thoracic impedance measurement circuit providing a trans-thoracic impedance signal of a subject. A controller is coupled to the trans-thoracic impedance circuit. The controller extracts a respiration signal from the trans-thoracic impedance signal, measures a breathing volume of the subject using...

20060241514 - Method and system for detecting electrophysiological changes in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue and epithelium: A method and system for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial and stromal tissue, for example in the human breast. A plurality of electrodes are used to measure surface and transepithelial electropotential of breast tissue as well as surface electropotential and impedance at one or more locations...

20060241512 - Thoracic or intracardiac impedance detection with automatic vector selection: This document discusses, among other things, a cardiac function management device or other implantable medical device that includes a test mode and a diagnostic mode. During a test mode, the device cycles through various electrode configurations for collecting thoracic impedance data. At least one figure of merit is calculated from...

20060241515 - Single-hand operated syringe-like device that provides electronic chain of custody when securing a sample for analysis: A syringe-like device (hereinafter “syringe”) that is operable by a single hand, wherein the syringe includes a plunger for ejecting and then retracting a fiber or filament used for the collection of solids, solids in suspensions and liquids, wherein the syringe includes a microchip embedded in the syringe housing, and...

20060241516 - Biopsy method: A biopsy device having an insert and related method are disclosed. The insert permits a user to obtain a tissue sample surrounding a center core(s) of removed tissue. The additional tissue provides an effective evaluation of whether all the desired tissue has been excised and a determination of whether an...

20060241517 - Lancet sensor assembly and meter: A blood glucose measuring system includes a lancet assembly and a meter for use with the lancet assembly. The lancet assembly has a lancet member with a lance, a lancet body having a drive wing extending outwardly from a side, and a sinuous portion, and an elongated carrier having a...

20060241518 - Device for recording electrophysiological signals and for displaying the signals or signal information elements which are derived therefrom: Device for recording electrophysiological signals and for displaying the signals or signal information elements which are derived therefrom, comprising a catheter which includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in a distributed manner for signal recording and a rendition device for displaying the signals or the individual signal information elements which...

20060241519 - Guidewire with deflectable tip: A bi-directional steerable guidewire having a deflectable distal tip which comprises a longitudinal hypotube and a spring coil attached to the distal end of the hypotube and also includes a longitudinally movable deflection member which is attached to the distal end of the spring coil and a tip retaining member...

20060241521 - System for automatic structured analysis of body activities: A personal emergency response system employs a structured terminology of body activities. Measurements of primary body activities using accelerometers, heart-bit monitors, etc. are converted to secondary and tertiary level body activities such as walk and fall, further sequenced and combined to determine a personal condition such as walk, stumble and...

20060241520 - System for prevention of work injuries: A system is disclosed for counteracting work-related stress injuries in an individual person when working in connection with at least one work-related object which permits the adjustment or use of different working positions, the object being provided with at least device for detecting its current adjustment or working position and...

20060235260 - Adaptive intracavitary brachytherapy applicator: The invention is a novel adaptive CT-compatible brachytherapy applicator with remotely-controlled radial and longitudinal motion radioactive source lumen shields that can be manipulated by the radiation oncologist to optimize the dose distribution to the target and normal tissue structures for brachytherapy procedures....

20060235261 - Method for treating tissue with an implant: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in...

20060235262 - Needle design for male transobturator sling: Described are surgical instruments for use in surgical procedures, related methods, systems, and kits, the instruments including features that optionally include one or more specific dimensions, and features that may result in an ergonomic advantage during use....

20060235263 - Palpable, implantable actuator: A palpable, implantable actuator that may be used to remotely actuate a mechanism, component or device that has been implanted completely within an animal's or human's body and is located distally from the palpable, implantable actuator. The palpable, implantable actuator is implanted completely within the body and is palpable and...

20060235265 - Cardiac support device with anti-fibrosis coating: A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround...

20060235264 - Implant for tongue: A method and apparatus for treating a condition of a patient's airway includes identifying a patient with obstructive sleep apnea and identifying a muscle of a tongue of the patient. A first brace is implanted within the tongue at a first implant location near the top of the tongue. A...

20060235266 - Collapsible vacuum device: A vacuum device for facilitating the attainment of a penile erection is disclosed. The vacuum device comprises an inner tubular member slidably engaged with an outer tubular member with a sleeve member disposed inside the inner tubular member. The sleeve member defines a conduit having a plurality of nub-like protrusions...

20060235267 - Fluid reservoir for penile implant devices: The invention is directed to a medical device, particularly a penile prosthesis, that includes an implantable element and a reservoir. The implantable element is configured to be implanted within the pelvic region of a patient and is designed to be capable of inflation and deflation via fluid transfer to and...

20060235268 - Medical device storage apparatus: A storage apparatus for an elongate medical device such as an endoscope. The apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a holder movably coupled to the bracket. The holder is configured to receive a body portion of the medical device, and is moveable between a storage position in which the holder...

20060235269 - Method, apparatus and kit for bile or pancreatic duct endoscopy: A method, apparatus and kit for performing bile or pancreatic duct endoscopy. In some embodiments, the kit includes a wire adapted to be navigated perorally or pernasally to a position within the biliary tree or the pancreatic duct. The kit can further include an endoscope having a generally tubular body...

20060235270 - Endoscope with an optical fiber embedded in a flexible sleeve and method for using the same: The present invention relates to an endoscope, in particular an ureterorenoscope. The endoscope comprises a lumen for insertion of a light and energy transmitting fiber. According to the invention during insertion of the fiber into a working channel of the endoscope the sharp edges of the fiber are protected by...

20060235271 - Endoscopic apparatus having an improved elevator: A grasping apparatus for use with an elevator of an endoscope having enhanced grasping features for grasping an elongate medical device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body comprising a grasping surface and an opening formed through the grasping surface to receive the elevator. The opening of the body is...

20060235272 - Thermopolymer composition and related methods: A thermopolymer composition is disclosed suitable for use in filling voids within a human body, including but not limited to orthopedic joints (i.e. the discs of the spine and joints of the extremities), spaces between bone fractures or separations, and/or voids created within muscle and/or viscera for the purpose of...

20060235273 - Endoscope system and endoscope: An endoscope system includes a first endoscope that includes a first distal end portion, a first observation window provided at the first distal end portion, a first objective optical system optically coupled to the first observation window and having a first viewing angle, and a first treatment instrument channel opening...

20060235274 - Rigid endoscope optics with a compound housing: A rigid endoscope optics (1) including a housing consisting of several housing parts (5, 8, 9, 6, 16) which hermetically encloses optic elements (3, 2, 4) and which is fitted with a hermetic connection (13, 14; 7, 15) between two housing parts (9,8; 9, 16) is characterized in that one...

20060235275 - Method for in vivo sensing: A method for in vivo sensing of a body lumen such as a lumen in the upper GI tract is provided. The method may include, for example, inserting a sensing device into a subject's body lumen, positioning the subject in a horizontal or other suitable position, and receiving data transmitted...

20060235276 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes an insertion unit; an observation optical system arranged at an end surface of the insertion unit in an inserting axis direction and having a wide viewing angle for observing a body cavity; and a plurality of illumination optical systems arranged on an axis slanted with respect to...

20060235277 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system has an insertion portion and a control portion connected to a base end portion of the insertion portion. An illumination system includes a light guide having a front end positioned near the front end of the insertion portion and a rear end positioned rearward of the base...

20060235278 - Apparatus and method for expanding a chest cavity: An apparatus for expanding a chest cavity of a patient includes a tapered member and an expansion assembly coupled to the tapered member. The expansion assembly is configured to engage a sternum....

20060235279 - Less invasive access port system and method for using the same: A less invasive access port for use in minimally invasive surgery allows for manipulation of the viewing angle into the working site in a transverse plane. According to one exemplary embodiment, the less invasive access port is designed to minimize the need for muscle retraction. Additionally, the less invasive access...

20060235283 - Comfort suite for an intelligent patient bed: An intelligent patient bed includes a patient bed equipped with a comfort suite employing a control center in electrical communication with a user interface, a sensor assembly, a comfort control assembly and a virtual patient center for providing comfort to a patient laying on the patient bed as well as...

20060235280 - Health care management system and method: An electronic health care management system is provided which collects both subjective and objective information regarding a patient into a clinical patient record, and uses the record to determine evidence-based recommendations. A healthcare provider may decide to implement certain recommendations, and/or provide additional interventions which are collectively implemented using automated...

20060235282 - Methods for the treatment of mammals with abnormal glucose tolerance: Disclosed are methods for improving insulin sensitivity and/or glucose metabolism in individuals with abnormal glucose tolerance. Such methods may be used in treating conditions associated with abnormal glucose tolerance and metabolism in mammals, including insulin resistance, insulin resistant metabolic syndrome, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, hypercholestemia and diabetes,...

20060235281 - Wireless patient monitoring system: A wireless patient monitoring system. In one embodiment the system has a first patient monitoring subsystem including a plurality of sensors and sensor modules; and a processor-transceiver in communication with the plurality of sensors and sensor modu