Surgery inventions 03/07

20070073096 - Magnetic apparatus for the treatment of cataracts and other eye conditions: An apparatus for magnetic therapy of eye conditions such as cataracts, eye floaters, chronic glaucoma, age-related maculopathy, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, watery eyes and myopia is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a combination of two bi-polar magnets enclosed in a supportive cover that saddles the upper rim of regular eyeglasses. The... Agent: Mark D. Bowen, Esq. Sterns, Weaver, Miller, Weissler, Alhadeff & Sitte

20070073097 - System for monitoring the extracorporeal circulation and the perfusion of medical flows during cardiopulmonary bypass operations: The system for the monitoring of the extracorporeal circulation and the perfusion of medical flows during cardiopulmonary bypass operations includes a substantially vertical support structure that can be associated with at least one induced circulation circuit of the blood flow in a patient and that is equipped with at least... Agent: William Collard Collard & Roe, P.C.

20070073098 - Method and apparatus for adjusting body lumens: Disclosed is a device and method for accessing the lower esophageal sphincter through the esophagus. In one embodiment, a catheter is inserted through the mouth or nose of a patient and advanced to the region of the diaphragm. Under fluoroscopy or endoscopy, a hollow needle at the distal end of... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070073099 - Mechanical anal incontinence: An anal incontinence treatment apparatus comprises an adjustable restriction device implanted in a patient, who suffers from anal incontinence. The device engages a portion of the colon or rectum of the patient to restrict the fecal passageway. An adjustment device mechanically adjusts the rest* on device to restrict or release... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070073100 - Pericardium reinforcing devices and methods for using them: A surgical device for reinforcing the pericardial sac surrounding the heart to assist in the treatment of congestive heart failure includes an enclosure having an interior and an exterior. The interior surface limits adhesions or accepts ingrowth with the myocardial tissue of the epicardium. The exterior surface is adapted to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070073102 - Endoscope apparatus: The endoscope apparatus comprises an endoscope which has an imaging element and a monitor which displays an image imaged by the imaging element. The endoscope is provided with an internal insertion portion which is movably arrangeable inside a body cavity, and an operation unit for changing the position of the... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070073101 - Fiberscope with a separable insertion tube: The inventive fiberscope comprises a body (10), an insertion tube belonging to a part (20) which is detachable with respect to said body (10), a first (40) and a second (50) mechanical connection and optical transmission elements which are removably jointed in service. Each element (40, 50) is connected to... Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C.

20070073103 - Diagnostic device for tubular organs: In order to provide a diagnostic device for tubular organs that is capable of displaying or outputting an endoscopic image sequence of a inner wall of a tubular organ as continuous developed still images, the diagnostic device is provided with a developed still image generation means that is constituted by... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070073104 - Electronic endoscope system: An electronic endoscope system has a video-scope, an illumination apparatus, an imaging device, and an image synthesizing processor. The illumination apparatus illuminates a normal light and an excitation-light from the video-scope onto an object. The normal light is reflected off the object, and the excitation-light causes the object to emit... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070073105 - Capsule endoscope and capsule endoscope system: A capsule endoscope, which is inserted into a subject and picking up an image inside the subject, includes an illuminating unit that illuminates an interior surface of the subject with illuminating light; an imaging unit that generates an electronic signal corresponding to incident light and outputs the electronic signal generated;... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070073106 - Capsule medical device: A capsule medical device inserted into a body cavity has a receiving device such as an antenna and the like, for receiving data from outside the capsule medical device. This capsule medical device also comprises a non-volatile or volatile storage device in which storage data stored therein can be rewritten... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070073107 - Methods and systems for sheathing tubular medical instruments: A protective sheath for endoscopes and other elongate medical devices comprises a sheath, a tissue anchor, and a stiffening element or guide. The stiffening element is used to advance the protective sheath through a working channel or other central passage of the endoscope, while the tissue anchor immobilizes a free... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070073108 - Electronic endoscope: An electronic endoscope comprising a pick-up unit at a distal end of the electronic endoscope, the pick-up unit comprising: an object optical system that brings in image light of a portion to be observed in a body cavity; a solid-state image pick-up device that picks up the image light and... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070073109 - Lighting system for endoscopic examinations: The invention relates to a lighting system for endoscopic examinations having a lighting unit that includes at least two LED elements for illuminating an area of examination that is to be observed by means of an endoscope optic. To create a lighting system for endoscopic examinations that ensures a constantly... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070073110 - Guided retractor and methods of use: The present invention provides methods and apparatus in which a surgical retractor comprises a plurality of mechanically coupled tissue retaining walls that are guided into position along one or more guides previously implanted into the patient. The walls are preferably coupled by pivots, so that separating some of the walls... Agent: Jones Day

20070073111 - Surgical retractor with rotating blades: A surgical retractor includes a retractor body and a retractor arm. The retractor arm includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is attached to the retractor body and the second portion is rotatably attached to the first portion. The second portion is configured to retain a... Agent: Kramer & Amado, P.C.

20070073112 - Spreader insert for a retractor system: A spreader insert for use with a surgical retractor is provided. The spreader insert includes a circular head with two or more downwardly extending blades. One end of each blade of the insert is rotatably fastened to the head of the insert, such that each blade can be tilted inwardly... Agent: Cesari And Mckenna, LLP

20070073114 - Method and apparatus for post-processing of a 3d image data record, in particular for virtual colonography: A method is disclosed for post-processing of a 3D image data record which has been recorded by way of an imaging tomographic appliance of a body area, and covers at least one hollow organ which is at least partially filled with contrast agent. An imaging apparatus is also disclosed. In... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070073113 - Providing medical services at a kiosk: A medical kiosk (10) provides medical services. The medical test to be performed are determined (110). A test kit is dispensed from the medical kiosk (120). The necessary tests are performed. The test kit is decontaminated (172) and the results of the tests are recorded.... Agent: David A. Novais Patent Legal Staff

20070073115 - Apparatus and method for measuring concentration of blood component using terahertz: An apparatus for measuring blood component concentration by using a terahertz wave, the apparatus comprising: a terahertz light source unit generating a terahertz wave in a predetermined range of THz, and emitting the generated terahertz wave to a specific region of a living body to measure blood component concentration; a... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070073117 - Medical sensor and technique for using the same: A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070073116 - Patient identification using physiological sensor: A patient information tracking system is disclosed that implements a physiological sensor system used to acquire information related to the wearer of a physiological sensor. The sensor system includes a physiological sensor adapted to be attached to a patient and includes at least one emitter and a photodetector. The sensor... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070073118 - Apparatus and method for noninvasively monitoring for the presence of alcohol or substances of abuse in controlled environments: The present invention relates generally to non-invasive methods and apparatuses for determining analyte properties of a subject and identity characteristics of a subject. Embodiments of the present invention provide analyte property determination and identity determination or verification from the same spectroscopic information, making unauthorized use or misleading results less likely... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20070073122 - Medical sensor and technique for using the same: A sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in sensor measurements. A sensor may selectively absorb light from outside sources. A sensor may selectively absorb light near a region of tissue having relatively large subcutaneous anatomic structures, such as large blood vessels, and selectively reflect light... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070073123 - Medical sensor and technique for using the same: A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070073126 - Medical sensor and technique for using the same: A medical sensor may be adapted to account for factors that cause irregularities in pulse oximetry measurements or other spectrophotemetric measurements. Sensors are provided with surface features that reduce the amount of outside light or shunted light that impinge the detecting elements of the sensor. The sensor is adapted to... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070073121 - Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070073125 - Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070073120 - System and method for pre-processing waveforms: A technique is provided for processing a physiological signal. The technique includes performing one or more multi-resolution decompositions on a physiological signal and one or more morphological operations on some or all of the respective decomposition components. In one embodiment, the technique is implemented as iteratively wavelet transformations where morphological... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070073124 - System and method for removing artifacts from waveforms: A technique is provided for processing a physiological signal to compensate for artifacts. The technique includes identifying artifacts within the physiological signal. The technique also includes performing one or more multi-resolution decompositions, such as wavelet transformations, on the physiological signal and compensating for the identified artifacts in some or all... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070073119 - Wireless network connected pulse oximeter: A wireless network connected pulse oximetry system and method of providing pulse oximetry data obtained by a pulse oximeter to a monitoring station that is remote from a patient monitored by the pulse oximeter are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless network connected pulse oximetry system (100) includes a pulse... Agent: Marsh, Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP

20070073127 - Parameter compensated physiological monitor: A monitor has an optical input from which a spectral characteristic can be derived. The monitor also has a non-optical input from which a parameter can be determined. A compensation relationship is determined for the spectral characteristic based on the parameter. A physiological measurement is determined based on the spectral... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070073128 - Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same: A sensor for pulse oximetry or other applications utilizing spectrophotometry may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by fixing the optical distance between an emitter and detector. A flexible sensor is provided with a stiffening member to hold the emitter and detector of the sensor in a relatively fixed position... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070073129 - Flexible sensor apparatus: A flexible mounting base to hold a sensor at an infusion site, the sensor being a removable in vivo sensor for monitoring analyte concentration level in a patient, such as blood glucose (BG) level. The mounting base comprises a flexible adhesive that anchors the flexible sensor set at an infusion... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

20070073130 - Shape-memory polymer coated electrodes: There is provided a slowly implantable electrode. A coating for an electrode, the coating includes a shape-memory polymer. A method for inserting an electrode into brain tissue by inserting an implantable electrode having a shape-memory polymer coated electrode into brain tissue.... Agent: Amy E Rinaldo Kohn & Associates

20070073131 - Garment for measuring physiological signal: Provided is a garment for measuring a physiological signal. The garment includes: an inner layer made of an elastic mesh fabric; a physiological signal measuring electrode including a connector connected to an external line and an electrode having a protrusion and measuring a physiological signal, the protrusion of the electrode... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20070073132 - Apparatus and method for monitoring patients: An apparatus and method for wireless monitoring of a patient includes a disposable patch having a relatively thin and flexible sealed housing with a surface capable of being releasably attached to the patient's chest; two electrodes positioned spaced apart in said patch, said two electrodes functioning as an EKG lead... Agent: Enrique G. Estevez

20070073136 - Bone milling with image guided surgery: A method for resurfacing a bone at a surgical site during a surgical navigation procedure is provided. The method comprises providing a tracking system and a surgical instrument having a tracking array, the tracking array being identified and tracked by the tracking system. The surgical instrument is moved relative to... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20070073139 - Injector and method for facilitating imaging of a patient: To facilitate imaging of a patient two different image recording methods are to be carried out at the same time. An auxiliary fluid, for example a contrast medium or a tracer, may be introduced into the body in each image recording method. The invention proposes mixing the two auxiliary fluids... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070073135 - Integrated ultrasound imaging and ablation probe: A system for imaging and providing therapy to one or more regions of interest is presented. The system includes an imaging and therapy catheter configured to image an anatomical region to facilitate assessing need for therapy in one or more regions within the anatomical region and delivering therapy to the... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070073134 - Lighting and imaging system including a flat light source with led illumination: A system for lighting a stent, i.e., providing an illumination source, to facilitate the capturing of an image of the stent. The lighting is provided so that an image capturing device, e.g., a digital camera or system, will capture an image that distinctly shows the difference between the stent and... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20070073138 - Method for generating an image exposure of the heart requiring a preparation: A method for generation of an image exposure of the heart of an examination subject with an imaging medical examination apparatus in particular a magnetic resonance apparatus, the image exposure requiring preparation includes the steps of: preparation of the heart in a heart position that is relevant for the image... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070073133 - Virtual mouse for use in surgical navigation: A surgical navigation system including a computer, a tracking system, and patient anatomical information. The surgical navigation system includes a structure based control system to enable a surgeon to reduce surgery time and costs. A virtual mouse or its functional equivalent is provided to enable a surgeon to access various... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20070073137 - Virtual mouse for use in surgical navigation: A method of performing a surgery is provided including a surgical navigation system having a tracking system, computer and monitor placed outside of a sterile field. An input pad and a tracking array attachable to a surgical instrument or bone are placed into the sterile field along with a probe... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20070073141 - Breath holding mr imaging method, mri apparatus, and tomographic imaging apparatus: When two or more run of breath holding imaging with breathing interval therebetween is conducted, the present invention allows the slice position to follow the positional displacement of organ in each run. The present invention comprises an image capturing step for the navigator for imaging an MR image having the... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche (20459) Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20070073140 - Tuned frequency portal for power transfer in mri environment: A circuit for isolating line voltage from a patient in an MRI environment, uses a filter network tuned to line voltage and incorporating blocking capacitors to eliminate the need for bulky air core transformers, complex energy transfer systems, and ferromagnetic components, while providing reduced heating such as might produce patient... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070073142 - Device and method for providing an angiographic image: The invention relates to a device and a method for providing an angiographic image (A) based on a database (2) with angiograms (3, 3a) from various heartbeat phases (H) and respiratory phases (R). From the available angiograms (3, 3a), a function (f) is first calculated, which describes the position (x)... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070073143 - Solid fiduciary marker for multimodality imaging: A solid fiduciary marker for registering at least two images when imaging the same subject using distinct imaging devices is disclosed. The solid fiduciary marker is visible in at least two of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Planar gamma camera, X-ray CT, planar X-ray,... Agent: Pitts And Brittian P C

20070073144 - Imaging system: An imaging system (100) for generating a three-dimensional image of a body part of a patient (102). The imaging system (100) comprises a sensor head (101) that is moved relative to the patient (102) by a robot (103) to conduct a scan of the body part. The sensor head (101)... Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman

20070073146 - Advanced characterization of contrast agents with ultrasound: Contrast agents are characterized with ultrasound. Flowing or unbound contrast agents are distinguished automatically from bound or relatively stationary contrast agents. The bound or relatively stationary contrast agents are highlighted on a display. A processor distinguishes different types of contrast agents or contrast agents in different binding states with relative... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070073147 - Method and apparatus for displaying a measurement associated with an anatomical feature: A method and system are provided for displaying a measurement associated with an anatomical feature. The method includes determining, from ultrasound data, a measurement of such feature and assigning a color based on a comparison between the measurement and reference data of such feature. The feature may be, for example,... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070073145 - Panoramic elasticity ultrasound imaging: Using compression, tissue elasticity data from two or more different fields of view is acquired. Since different amounts of compression may be used for the different fields of view, the dynamic range of the elasticity data is updated. A panoramic elasticity image is generated from the updated elasticity data of... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070073149 - Ultrasonic cellular tissue screening system: A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20070073148 - Ultrasound diagnostic system and method for rotating ultrasound image: The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic system and a method for rotating an ultrasound image displayed on a display by using a 3D position sensor and/or a joystick attached to a probe. A method for rotating the ultrasound image comprises the steps of: a) activating the probe and... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070073150 - Surface acoustic wave probe implant for predicting epileptic seizures: A system and method for predicting and avoiding a seizure in a patient. The system and method includes use of an implanted surface acoustic wave probe and coupled RF antenna to monitor temperature of the patient's brain, critical changes in the temperature characteristic of a precursor to the seizure. The... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20070073151 - Automated imaging and therapy system: A system for imaging and providing therapy to one or more regions of interest is presented. The system includes an imaging and therapy catheter configured to image an anatomical region to facilitate assessing need for therapy in one or more regions within the anatomical region and delivering therapy to the... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070073152 - Systems and methods for acquiring images simultaneously: A method for acquiring images simultaneously is described. The method includes simultaneously acquiring a first image with a second image, where the first image includes at least one of a spatially compounded image and a spatially non-compounded image, and the second image includes one of an M mode image and... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche (12553 - 1000)

20070073153 - Method for removing doppler angle ambiguity: A method of measuring blood flow including several steps. In an initial step a first ultrasound beam is oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the blood flow to be measured. Next, the Doppler spectrum obtained from the backscattered echoes of said first ultrasound beam is measured.... Agent: Amster, Rothstein & Ebenstein LLP

20070073154 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with an ultrasonic probe that has at its end a low frequency ultrasonic transducer group and a high frequency ultrasonic transducer group, and a selection switch for selecting one of these transducer groups. According to the selection at the selection switch, a switching device... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070073155 - Ultrasound guidance system: A compact ultrasound needle guidance system and method of use is described. The needle guidance system has components to adjustably target a needle's destination in the plane of a two-dimensional ultrasound image before insertion of a needle into a patient. Needle movement is tracked using a position detector that provides... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070073159 - Apparatus for recording a tissue containing a fluorescent dye: An apparatus is disclosed for recording a tissue containing a fluorescent dye at least in sections. The apparatus includes an illumination device for illuminating the tissue; a first light, suitable for exciting the fluorescent dye; and an image acquisition device. To generate first light with a particularly high light intensity,... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070073156 - Combined visual-optic and passive infra-red technologies and the corresponding systems for detection and identification of skin cancer precursors, nevi and tumors for early diagnosis: A device and method to non-invasively identify pathological skin lesions. The method and device detect and identify of different kinds of skin nevi, tumors, lesions and cancers (namely, melanoma) by combined analyses of visible and infra-red optical signals based on integral and spectral regimes for detection and imaging leading earlier... Agent: Dr. Mark M. Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn - Discovery Dispatch

20070073157 - Specimen analysis system obtaining characteristic of specimen by diffusion approximation: In a specimen analysis system: a light injection unit selectively injects unscattered light and scattered light into a specimen at an incident position on the specimen, and an information processing unit performs calculation of a characteristic of the specimen by diffusion approximation, where the calculation of the characteristic in a... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070073158 - Specimen analysis system obtaining characteristic of specimen by diffusion approximation: In a specimen analysis system: incident light is injected into a specimen at an injection position on the specimen; an information acquisition unit acquires first information carried by light exiting from each of positions in a first region of the specimen in response to injection of the incident light into... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070073161 - Device, system and method for determining spacial measurements of anatomical objects for in-vivo pathology detection: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing a scale to an anatomical object imaged by an in-vivo sensing device, including collecting an in-vivo image of the anatomical object, and applying a scale to the anatomical object, where the scale provides spatial measurements of the anatomical... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek, LLP Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070073160 - Light-guided transluminal catheter: Generally, the present invention is directed to a light-guided catheter for direct visualization of placement through the skin. An embodiment of the invention includes a method for transcutaneous viewing and guiding of intracorporeal catheters into a body that comprises inserting a catheter into the body having at least one lumen... Agent: Altera Law Group, LLC

20070073162 - Methods and systems for tissue analysis: The invention relates to methods and systems to optically analyze samples such as tissue based on speckle patterns of microscopic motion, such as Brownian motion.... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070073163 - Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single microprocessor-based interface that connects between a noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) sensor and an invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitor or module. The interface effectively emulates an IBP transducer in such a way that the IBP monitor sees the interface as if... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070073164 - Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single microprocessor-based interface that connects between a noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) sensor and an invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitor or module. The interface effectively emulates an IBP transducer in such a way that the IBP monitor sees the interface as if... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070073165 - Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single microprocessor-based interface that connects between a noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) sensor and an invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitor or module. The interface effectively emulates an IBP transducer in such a way that the IBP monitor sees the interface as if... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070073166 - Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single microprocessor-based interface that connects between a noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) sensor and an invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitor or module. The interface effectively emulates an IBP transducer in such a way that the IBP monitor sees the interface as if... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070073167 - Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring system: The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a single microprocessor-based interface that connects between a noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) sensor and an invasive blood pressure (IBP) monitor or module. The interface effectively emulates an IBP transducer in such a way that the IBP monitor sees the interface as if... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070073168 - Rapid shallow breathing detection for use in congestive heart failure status determination: Systems and methods involve use of a medical device comprising sensing circuitry. One or more respiratory parameters are detected using the device. Patient baseline weight is provided, and an output signal indicative of a patient's congestive heart failure status is generated based on a change in the one or more... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070073169 - System and method for generating a trend parameter based on respiration rate distribution: Systems and methods provide for assessing the heart failure status of a patient and, more particularly, to generating a trend parameter based on a distribution of the patient's respiration rate. Systems and methods provide for detecting, using an implantable device or a patient-external device, patient respiration and computing a respiration... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070073170 - Method and device for removing respiratory artefacts from measured blood pressure data: The invention relates to a method and a device for removing respiratory artefacts in invasive blood pressure measurements. The level of CO2 in the expired air is monitored during blood pressure measurement and used to approximate and remove the respiratory artifacts. In one embodiment, the respiratory frequency from the respiratory... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070073171 - Methods for detecting and monitoring sleep disordered breathing using an implantable medical device: A method of identifying sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in a patient includes monitoring a hemodynamic pressure, deriving high, middle, and low values representative of the distribution of the hemodynamic pressure over a storage interval, measuring a ratio of a lower range to a full range of the hemodynamic pressure based... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070073173 - Blood pressure sphygmomanometer for use with a common apparatus: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller or are attached to a cell phone. In one embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within a mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during the measurement.... Agent: Leonard Tachner, A Professional Law Corporation

20070073172 - Stable pressure release device for electronic sphygmomanometer: A stable pressure release device for electronic sphygmomanometer includes a casing and a multi-passage interconnecting pipe on the casing. An end of the interconnecting pipe is connected to a cuff, a pump, a pulse detector, and a low airflow valve. The low airflow valve includes an air passage which has... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070073174 - Sphygmomanometer adaptable to limbs of different measurements: A sphygmomanometer device for measuring the blood pressure of all ages of patients including a flexible band having a plurality of insufflable chambers, with each chamber structurally arranged to communicate with an insufflation pump. The insufflable chambers are sized to the age and physical condition of the patient when the... Agent: Paul L. Brown Amin Hallihan LLC

20070073175 - Galvanic isolation of a medical apparatus: A medical device, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring apparatus, provides galvanic isolation between low voltage electronics and a plurality of externally exposed ECG (patient contact) lead wires and electrodes. The ECG lead wires and/or electrodes can potentially make unwanted contact with sources of high voltage, such as from defibrillation... Agent: Wall Marjama & Bilinski

20070073176 - Method and system for detecting premature ventricular contraction from a surface electrocardiogram: A system and method for automatically detecting abnormal heart contractions originating in the ventricles, in a way that is independent of signal morphology is provided. As an uninterrupted series of ventricular detections indicates a possible ventricular arrhythmia, all ventricular beats are detected including isolated premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and the... Agent: Hewlett Packard Company

20070073177 - Method and apparatus for improving the accuracy of atrial fibrillation detection in lossy data systems: An apparatus and a method for detecting cardiac atrial fibrillation events in an EKG signal. The method comprises the steps of detecting a portion of an EKG signal comprising cardiac beats; measuring the duration of a gap in the detected portion of the EKG signal; and computing two or more... Agent: Hewlett Packard Company

20070073178 - Monitoring device for measuring calorie expenditure: The invention provides a monitoring device that features: 1) a cardiac sensor component with at least one light-emitting diode and a photodetector; 2) a pedometer component with at least one motion-sensing component (e.g., an accelerometer); and 3) a wireless component with a wireless interface that communicates with an external weight... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20070073179 - System and method for three dimensional mapping of electrophysiology information: An electrophysiology apparatus is used to measure electrical activity occurring in a heart of a patient and to visualize the electrical activity and/or information related to the electrical activity. A three-dimensional map of the electrical activity and/or the information related to the electrical activity is created. Exemplary maps include a... Agent: Catalyst Law Group, Apc

20070073180 - Apparatus, computer system and computer program for determining cardio-vascular parameters: Disclosed is an apparatus, a computer system, a computer program, a temperature sensor device and a heat transfer device by which thermodilution measurements can be carried out in a non-invasive or less invasive manner by using extravascular (transcutaneous or subcutaneous) temperature sensor devices and/or extravascular heat transfer devices.... Agent: William Collard Collard & Roe, P.C.

20070073181 - Respiration monitoring using respiration rate variability: Systems and methods provide for detecting respiration disturbances and changes in respiration disturbances, preferably by detecting variability in one or more respiration parameters. Respiration rate variability is determined for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including disease/disorder detection, diagnosis, treatment, and therapy titration. Systems and methods provide for generating... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070073183 - Device and method for collection of exhaled alveolar breath condensate: A diagnosis method for respiratory disease based on the separation of the expired airway phase in an exhaled breath from the alveolar phase, and a device to accomplish the method. The device includes a cartridge assembly and a disposable condensing chamber carried in a substantially enclosed housing. The cartridge assembly... Agent: Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, LLP

20070073182 - Dynamic metabolism monitoring system: A metabolism monitoring system, data analyzer, and method is disclosed for processing data to very quickly estimate metabolic parameters. The analyzer of the invention uses a dynamic observer state estimator to estimate the parameters and tracks their values as they change with alterations in the patient metabolism or testing conditions.... Agent: Kitchener Clark Wilson

20070073184 - Sensor device for detecting leeg signals and detecting method thereof: A sensor device that detects Laplacian electroencephalogram (LEEG) signals includes a signal acquisition module placed on a scalp of a subject to acquire brain signals. A signal processor is coupled or connected to the signal acquisition module to perform a Laplacian operation on the signals acquired by the signal acquisition... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20070073185 - Needle biopsy forceps with integral sample ejector: A needle biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from an internal organ such as needle biopsy forceps, includes a pushing surface for safely dislodging a tissue sample from the needle after the instrument containing the sample is retrieved from the patient using mechanical control means operated from the proximal... Agent: Coleman Sudol Sapone, P.C.

20070073186 - A combination self adjusting endocervical / exocervical sampling device and cell transport / preservation system: The device consists of a shaft with a detachable brush tip. The brush tip is a new design incorporating the utility of an expandable self adjusting area that yields a complete sample of the endocervix and exocervix regardless of varying individual anatomy. The head will have protrusions disposed at strategic... Agent: David M. Decker

20070073187 - Analyte monitoring system with a device for promoting bodily fluid expression from a target site: An analyte monitoring system for the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes a housing, a meter for the determination of an analyte in a bodily fluid sample, and a device for promoting the expression of the bodily fluid sample from a target site. The device for... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070073188 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070073189 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070073191 - Device for promoting bodily fluid expression from a target site: A device for promoting the expression of bodily fluid from a target site on a user's body includes a base and a pressure application mechanism. The pressure application mechanism is attached to the base and urges bodily fluid toward the target site. The pressure application mechanism configured for urging the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070073190 - Digital type color comparisons in vaginal moisture ph determination: Apparatus for quick screening for vaginal moisture pH level as related to a pre-selected pH level, comprising a manipulable element including a probe insertible into the vagina, at least one pH indicator on the element, the indicator characterized as producing a color which corresponds to pH level of vaginal moisture... Agent: William W. Haefliger

20070073192 - Multi-purpose vaginal moisture screening: The method of quickly screening for vaginal moisture conditions, that includes providing a manually manipulable element including a probe insertible into the vagina; providing one or more pH indicating first test site or sites on one portion of the probe; providing a vaginosis test site on another portion of the... Agent: William W. Haefliger

20070073193 - Portable non-invasive device for measuring the hardness of muscle or muscle compartment: The device is a portable non-invasive device which uses purely mechanical components to measure the hardness of muscle or muscle compartment. It is comprised of two long members coupled rotationally in a scissor-like manner with the handles on one side of the hinge and the graspers on the other side.... Agent: Sangdo Park

20070073195 - Apparatus for measuring rotation angle of vertebral axial: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring vertebral axial rotation comprising: a recognizing device for determining centers of ellipses of pedicles of a vertebra projected on an image; a measuring device for measuring a distance between the centers of the ellipses and a distance between a center of one... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070073194 - Method for measuring rotation angle of vertebral axial: The invention relates to a method for measuring vertebral axial rotation comprising: obtaining an image of a vertebra to be measured; determining centers of ellipses of pedicles of the vertebra projected on the image; measuring a distance between the centers of the ellipses; measuring a distance between a center of... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070073196 - Device and method of applying skin sensory stimulation: An apparatus generates a cutaneous sense stimulus to call a subject attention to a change in posture based on posture change information (the amount of change in the barycenter, a changing direction of the same, and the like) from a device for detecting a change in posture of the subject.... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070066862 - Devices and methods for providing cardiac assistance: The present invention provides a cardiac assist device which exerts pressure against the epicardial surface to assist the heart in pumping blood. The device may form a pumping space adjacent to an epicardial ventricular surface and/or an epicardial atrial surface. The cardiac assist device may permit the fluid to come... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20070066863 - Device for treating mitral valve regurgitation: A system for treating mitral valve regurgitation comprises tensioning device that can be deployed using a delivery catheter. The device includes tension member linking a proximal anchor and distal anchor. The device is constructed from a material having suitable elastic properties such that the device applies a constant tension force... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070066864 - Devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue: The invention generally relates to devices and methods for treating cardiac tissue, including percutaneous closure of cardiac openings such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and obliteration of the cardiac cul-de-sacs. The invention includes a device having at least one elongated member. The elongated member has a first material and... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070066865 - Capsule retriever: A capsule retriever includes a retriever and a holder. The retriever retrieves a capsule endoscope while separating the capsule endoscope from excretions, such that fluid included in the excretions can pass through the retriever. The holder holds the capsule endoscope with the retriever. The retriever is attached to the holder,... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070066866 - Medical bed: A medical bed in which an endoscope after use can be easily tidied up is provided. A medical bed of the present invention constitutes a medical bed having a laying table on which a patient is laid for inspection or treatment with an endoscope, and it has a tray housing... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070066867 - Bronchoscopic application of therapeutic agent to upper airway and nasal tissue: Described herein are devices and methods for facilitating the application of therapeutic agents, such as silver nitrate, in the nasal cavity, for example, to achieve hemostasis for epistaxis, and in the airway, for example, to reduce the size of granulation tissue. In some embodiments, the methods and devices utilize a... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070066868 - Capsule endoscope: A capsule endoscope is provided with an image pickup section having a CCD image sensor, a plurality of LEDs for emitting illumination light, a control circuit for controlling the image pickup section and the LEDs, a transmitting/receiving circuit for transmitting an image signal as a radio signal, and a battery... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070066869 - Endoscopic assembly including cap and sheath: An embodiment of the invention may include an endoscopic assembly. The endoscopic assembly may include an endoscope. The endoscopic assembly may also include an endoscopic cap and an endoscopic sheath each including a body defining a first channel accommodating the endoscope and a plurality of second channels disposed around the... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070066870 - Hood for endoscope: An endoscope hood for holding a medical treatment instrument inserted through an insertion channel of an insertion section of an endoscope comprises a base body portion which is capable of being fitted onto a distal end portion of the insertion section and a retainer body portion which is formed as... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070066871 - Paired angled rotation scanning probes and methods of use: Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070066872 - Iiiuminable retractor: A retractor assembly suitable for hip or other joint surgery comprising a structural member (1), which consists of a handle (2) that extends proximal through a curved region (4) to a distal region (3) adapted for use in a suitable patient, a light ducting member (5), which is at least... Agent: Jacobson Holman PLLC

20070066874 - Methods and devices for analyzing and comparing physiological parameter measurements: Methods and devices that are capable of measuring physiological parameters of at least two contact points and determining whether the measured parameters reflect favorable or unfavorable physiological responses are disclosed herein. Specifically, the present invention encompasses a method that can non-invasively monitor physiological parameters of at least two contact points... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20070066875 - System and method for identification of images in an image database: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for searching for a specific image or another feature in a database, for example, a database of pathologies, the image being produced by for example an in vivo imaging device such as an ingestible capsule.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek, LLP Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070066873 - Systems and methods for processing analyte sensor data: 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 processing sensor data, including calculating a rate of change of sensor data and/or determining an acceptability of sensor or reference data.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070066876 - Multielectrode: The invention comprises a multielectrode (5) with a carrier (8) provided with separate electrode surfaces for recording bioelectrical potential differences at one detection site. The electrode surfaces include one or more active electrode surfaces (6) and two or more reference electrode surfaces (7a, 7b), thereby providing two or more recording... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20070066877 - Reagentless optical analyte detection system: Disclosed is an implantable microspectrometer for the reagentless optical detection of an analyte in a sample fluid. The microspectrometer comprises an optical sampling cell having a cell housing defining a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, the fluid inlet port configured to receive an optical sampling fluid from... Agent: Needle & Rosenberg, P.C.

20070066878 - Catheter with flexible pre-shaped tip section: A catheter for mapping and/or ablating continuous linear or circumferential lesions at the intersection of a generally flat structure, such as the left atrium, and the ostium of generally cavernous regions of the heart, including pulmonary vein and the pulmonary venous antrum, comprises a catheter body with an intermediate section... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20070066879 - Body lumen shaping device with cardiac leads: A shaping device and a cardiac lead, both adapted to be disposed in a coronary sinus of a patient's heart, are provided. In one method, a patient is treated by deploying in the patient's coronary sinus a shaping device and a cardiac lead and using the shaping device to modify... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070066881 - Apparatus and method for image guided accuracy verification: A method includes receiving during a first time interval image data associated with an image of a dynamic body. The image data includes an indication of the positions of a first marker and a second marker on a garment coupled to the dynamic body. The first marker and second marker... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070066882 - Device for determining the position of a medical instrument: Device for determining the position of at least one medical instrument with a position sensor system inserted into the body of a patient for an examination using imaging examination equipment, in particular X-ray equipment, wherein the device has a computing unit, in which at least one piece of examination equipment... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066880 - Image-based probe guidance system: A system for guiding probe is presented. The system includes a probe configured to acquire image data representative of a region of interest. Additionally, the system includes an imaging system in operative association with the probe and configured to facilitate guiding the probe to a desirable location based on the... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070066883 - Magnetic resonance gradient coil system having a liquid electrical conductor: In a gradient coil device having at least one conductor structure for use in a magnetic resonance apparatus, the conductor structure is a conductive liquid, contained in a tube system, that flows through the tube system in order to carry off heat lost during the operation of the gradient coil... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070066884 - Method for generating 2d reconstruction images in the scope of image postprocessing from a 3d image data set of a study object recorded particularly by means of a magnetic resonance device: A method is disclosed for generating 2D reconstruction images in the scope of image post-processing from a 3D image data set of a study object recorded particularly by use of a magnetic resonance device. In the method, the position of the 2D reconstruction layers in which the 2D reconstruction images... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070066885 - Cavity resonator for mr systems: A magnetic resonance apparatus in embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: (a) a coil having at least two sections, (b) the at least two sections having a resonant circuit, (c) the at least two sections being wirelessly coupled or decoupled, (d) the at... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070066886 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus control method: Scanning operation of acquiring data by repeating a scan based on the same encoding pattern at least once by using an R wave occurring at time T0 as a trigger is executed with respect to all encoding patterns. The necessary number of data for image reconstruction are extracted from MR... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070066890 - Catheter device: Catheter device for performing atherectomy, comprising an atherectomy catheter, an OCT sensor, an IVUS sensor, position sensors and an image processing unit, which is embodied for creating combined 2D and/or 3D images based on the data of the sensors.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066888 - Catheter device with a position sensor system for treating a vessel blockage using image monitoring: The invention relates to a catheter device, with a position sensor system, for treatment of a partial or complete vessel blockage under image monitoring, with the catheter device featuring a treatment catheter of a vessel blockage, especially by removal or destruction of plaque and/or expansion of the vessel,, which is... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066887 - Method and apparatus for positioning a reference frame: A method and apparatus to perform a procedure that can include a processor assisted surgical procedure. During the procedure patient space and image space can be registered to allow for tracking of various tracking sensors. A dynamic reference frame can be used to maintain localization of the patient space with... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070066889 - Method for localizing a medical instrument introduced into the body of an examination object: A method for localizing a medical instrument, in particular a catheter or guide wire, introduced into the body of an examination object, comprising the steps: arrangement of at least four electrodes on the body of the examination object, recording of three-dimensional image data of a body region of the examination... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066891 - Skin marking for indicating subdermal chip: The presence of a device that is implanted under the skin of a subject and that stores information that can be read by an external device is indicated by an externally visible marking on the skin of the subject.... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070066892 - Method and system for providing tomographic pictures of a patient by using contrast medium injections: A method is disclosed for providing tomographic pictures of a patient with the aid of a tomographic system by using contrast medium injections. The patient is firstly injected with a defined test bolus, while the temporal concentration profile of the contrast medium in at least one body region is determined... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070066893 - Method: The present invention relates to a method of processing ultrasound images from a subject preadministered with an ultrasound contrast agent wherein quantitative measures of the contrast enhancement pattern of said lymph nodes are generated. The lymphatic system is made of vessels or ducts that begin in tissues and are designed... Agent: Ge Healthcare, Inc.

20070066896 - Phase unwrapped velocity display for ultrasound medical imaging: Phase unwrapping is applied to velocity data to remove aliasing artifacts. Phase unwrapping is applied on multidimensional regions of velocity data. The unwrapped velocity image is displayed. The displayed image may have high sensitivity to slow motion but may also avoid aliasing of fast motion despite being undersampled.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066894 - Remote wireless control device for an ultrasound machine and method: Ultrasound machine enabling remote wireless control and including a user-interface input section having controls, an ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving waves, a screen for displaying an image and a control unit coupled to the input section, screen and transducer to enable control of the transducer, processing of received waves... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070066898 - Systems and methods for capture and display of blood pressure and ultrasound data: An ultrasonic imaging system comprises a processing system and an ultrasound imaging probe that is configured to transmit ultrasound energy into a selected portion of a subject and to receive echoes therefrom and to transmit data signals representative thereof to the processing system. The system further comprises a blood pressure... Agent: Needle & Rosenberg, P.C.

20070066897 - Systems and methods for performing acoustic hemostasis of deep bleeding trauma in limbs: An inflatable cuff having integrated ultrasound transducers is used to effect hemostasis of deep bleeding wounds in limbs. The cuff includes a chamber defined by a bladder or a series of dams into which a fluid may be introduced and pressurized. The pressure of the fluid stops or slows bleeding... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070066895 - Transcutaneous localization of arterial bleeding by two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging of tissue vibrations: An ultrasound based technique for detecting and imaging vibrations in tissue caused by eddies produced during bleeding through punctured arteries or from organs. A clutter signal, normally suppressed in conventional color flow imaging, is employed to detect and characterize local tissue vibrations, to detect internal bleeding in an image, or... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20070066899 - Medical treatment device and associated method of operation: Medical treatment device with an ablation catheter and a visualization device for joint display of the ablation catheter and the anatomy of a part of a patient's body to be treated, whereby the visualization device is embodied for detection of areas of risk of the part of the body to... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066902 - Expandable ultrasound transducer array: A foldable transducer array is unfolded or deployed for use, providing a larger radiating surface. While folded, the transducer array has a smaller width or volume for insertion into and withdrawal from the patient.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066901 - Fluid driven mechanical scanning with an ultrsound transducer array: A wobbler drive mechanism is provided for mechanically scanning an ultrasound transducer array. A fluid drive moves the transducer array. A pump causes fluid flow. The fluid flow transfers energy to the transducer array for moving the transducer array.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070066900 - Intravascular ultrasound catheter: An intravascular ultrasound catheter may include a central lumen adapted to receive a drive shaft bearing an ultrasound transducer. The intravascular ultrasound catheter may in some instances exhibit improved flexibility. The catheter can include an inner polymeric layer, an outer polymeric layer and a spiral-cut hypotube that is positioned between... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070066903 - Electronic blood pressure meter: There is provided an electronic sphygmomanometer that permits a user to visually recognize easily that he or she started measurement by manipulating his or per identification key and that his or her measured value is being displayed on a display unit. The electronic sphygmomanometer 10 includes blood pressure measuring means... Agent: Jordan And Hamburg LLP

20070066904 - Device and method for a noninvasive cardiac monitor: The present invention focuses on a method and device for noninvasively measuring cardiac output at a distance, without direct contact to the patient using stepped frequency electromagnetic interrogation. The method detects cardiac versus non-cardiac activity by quantifying the changes in the dielectric properties of blood as it goes through the... Agent: Bartunek & Bhattacharyya, Ltd.

20070066906 - Complexity-based dynamical analysis of a network: In a subject undergoing therapeutic intervention, efficacy of the therapeutic intervention is assessed based on a series of physiologic data associated with the subject. The series of physiologic data is analyzed to produce a measure of complexity. The complexity measure is then compared to a control. The efficacy of the... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox PLLC

20070066905 - Method and apparatus for controlling cardiac resynchronization therapy using cardiac impedance: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for measuring cardiac impedances and producing one or more resynchronization index parameters each indicative of a cardiac synchrony or asynchrony using the measured cardiac impedances. In one example, the one or more resynchronization index parameters are used to adjust one... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070066907 - Method and device for analyzing a periodic or semi-periodic signal: A device for reducing noise in signals having successive substantially repetitive portions, comprising: an iterative averager operative to superimpose and average said substantially repetitive portions to produce a running average thereof, and an iteration ender comprising a noise analyzer for determining a noise level in said running average and ending... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20070066908 - Separation of one or more fetal heart component signals from heart signal information obtained from a pregnant female: One or more fetal heart component signals in one example are separated from heart signal information obtained from a pregnant female based on singular value decomposition.... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (zps)

20070066910 - Blood pressure monitoring apparatus: A blood pressure monitoring apparatus which continuously estimates and monitors the blood pressure by using the pulse wave propagation time can accurately estimate the blood pressure. While an estimated blood pressure is continuously calculated by using the pulse wave propagation time, the correlation between the pulse wave propagation time and... Agent: Drinker Biddle & Reath (dc)

20070066909 - Disposable, multi-purpose cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy testing device: A disposable, multi-purpose cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy testing device which comprises a tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end and a passageway extending therebetween; at least one ECG electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the tubular body for monitoring ECG signals of a patient holding the tubular body;... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20070066911 - Integrated electrophysiology lab: A system and method enhance the workflow of an electrophysiologist. A workstation may be interconnected with a number of medical devices associated with an EP lab. A user may enter patient registration data using the workstation that is subsequently sent to the medical devices. The medical devices may each perform... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070066912 - Method of reducing stress: A method of enabling a person to reduce tension as a way of improving the possibility that the person will reach a desired level of performance during a tension-causing event includes the steps of selecting a monitor capable of measuring the heart rate of a person and including a display... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20070066913 - Method and apparatus for detecting atrial filling pressure: A cardiac rhythm management system provides for ambulatory monitoring of hemodynamic performance based on quantitative measurements of heart sound related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such heart sound related parameters allows the cardiac rhythm management system to determine a need for delivering a therapy and/or therapy parameter... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070066914 - Method and system for detecting and classifying mental states: A method of detecting and classifying mental states, comprising the steps of receiving bio-signals from one or more bio-signal detectors; generating multiple different representations of each bio-signal; determining the value of one or more features of the each bio-signal representation; and comparing the feature values to one or more than... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070066915 - Phase shifting of neurological signals in a medical device system: Method and apparatus for phase shifting neurological signals received from monitoring elements of a medical device. The medical device comprises a plurality of monitoring elements each receiving a neurological signal. The device processes the neurological signals and identifies a time shift of the neurological signal relative to each other. The... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070066916 - System and method for determining human emotion by analyzing eye properties: The invention relates to a system and method for determining human emotion by analyzing a combination of eye properties of a user including, for example, pupil size, blink properties, eye position (or gaze) properties, or other properties. The system and method may be configured to measure the emotional impact of... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP

20070066917 - Method for simulating prosthetic implant selection and placement: A method and apparatus are provided for preoperatively or intraoperatively determining prosthetic implant selection and placement to achieve acceptable alignment and spacing of anatomical structures affected by the prosthetic implant and to achieve acceptable soft tissue balance proximate the prosthetic implant without requiring trial-and-error selection of implant size and placement... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20070060784 - System and method for rating severity of psoriasis for target area: A system and method for rating the severity of psoriasis in a patient is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes: a first logic for categorizing psoriasis plaque qualities into one of a plurality of categories of increasing severity for at least one target area of the patient based on... Agent: Calfee Halter & Griswold, LLP

20070060786 - Dual-ventricle pump cartridge, pump and method of use in a wearable continuous renal replacement therapy device: A dual channel pulsatile pump for use with a completely wearable renal replacement device is provided.... Agent: Howison & Arnott, L.l.p

20070060785 - Synchronization of repetitive therapeutic interventions: A medical device of the type used for assisting a user in manually delivering repetitive therapy to a patient (e.g., chest compressions or ventilations in cardiac resuscitation), the device comprising a feedback device configured to generate feedback cues to assist the user in timing the delivery of the repetitive therapy,... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070060787 - Synchronization control system: A method of controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device (14) in a patient (10). The method consisting of utilising sounds produced by the heart (12) to control the operation of the heart assist device (14).... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070060788 - Systems and methods for delivering a medical implant to an anatomical location in a patient: A surgical device for use in a minimally invasive procedure to treat urinary incontinence can include a dilator coupled to a curved needle at one end and a sling at the opposite end. Urinary incontinence can be treated minimally invasively. One treatment includes positioning the sling on an anterior portion... Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070060789 - Endoscope: An endoscope is provided that can reduce examination costs by realizing commonality of an operating unit by making an inserting unit and the operating unit attachable/detachable with respect to each other to enable the exchange of inserting units. The endoscope of this invention includes an operating unit, an inserting unit... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070060790 - Insertion apparatus: An insertion apparatus includes: an introducing duct including; insertion portion cover portion for covering an insertion portion extending from a distal side portion of a handling portion constituting an endoscope; and a spiral duct which is disposed on an inner circumferential surface side of the insertion portion cover portion, and... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070060791 - Computer systems and software for operating an endoscope integrity tester: Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to... Agent: Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, Lc Attn: BoxIPDept.

20070060792 - Method and apparatus for generating at least one section of a virtual 3d model of a body interior: A method for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior, in particular a hollow organ, uses data that are provided by at least one endoscope introduced into the body interior. The data comprise at least one position and orientation of the endoscope, the... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070060793 - Suction retraction instrument for surgery: A combination suction retraction instrument for surgery is disclosed. The suction retraction instrument includes a retractor including a body, a suction nozzle secured to a distal end of the body, and means for retaining a suction tube adjacent the retractor. The suction tube is connected to a vacuum source for... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070060794 - Spreadable medical instrument for endoscopic interventions: The invention relates to a spreadable medical instrument for endoscopic interventions having a base body, a handle positioned on the base body, and at least two spatula blades that are connected with the handle and can be displaced between a closed starting position and at least one working position parallel... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070060795 - Lighted surgical retractors with led illumination light engines: Lighting systems for surgical retractors.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20070060799 - Apparatus and method for automatic image guided accuracy verification: A method includes receiving during a first time interval associated with a path of motion of a dynamic body, image data associated with a plurality of images of the dynamic body. The plurality of images include an indication of a position of a first marker coupled to a garment at... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070060797 - Automatic parameter status on an implantable medical device system: A method and apparatus for providing status of a parameter that includes detecting an alert level of a parameter monitored by an implanted medical device, transmitting data corresponding to the detected alert level from the implanted medical device to an external monitor, scheduling a follow-up interrogation session after receiving transmitted... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070060800 - Gateway platform for biological monitoring and delivery of therapeutic compounds: The invention relates to methods and devices for remote or distributed continuous monitoring of physiologically relevant states. The invention provides for methods to automatically detect deviations or other states in physiological parameters and automatically alert a measured subject, user or other authorized party. The device provides for a universal platform... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070060796 - Insulin pump for use in conjunction with mobile communication terminal capable of measuring blood glucose levels and network system for transmitting control information for insulin pump: An insulin pump for use in conjunction with a mobile communication terminal capable of measuring a blood glucose level, and a network for transmitting control information for the insulin pump are disclosed. The insulin pump includes an external input port, an output port, memory, a key input unit, a control... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20070060798 - System and method for presentation of data streams: An in-vivo sensing system and a method for creating a summarized graphical presentation of a data stream captured in-vivo. The graphical presentation may be in the form of a series of summarized data points, for example a color bar. The color bar may be a fixed display along side a... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek, LLP Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070060801 - Transcutaneous introducer assembly: Embodiments of the present invention provide for analyte sensor introducing assemblies. A transcutaneous introducer assembly is provided, comprising a module base adapted for mounting onto an animal's skin, and supporting an electrical network; a handle defining an interior volume; a hollow introducer, having a slot extending at least partially along... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20070060803 - Metabolic monitoring, a method and apparatus for indicating a health-related condition of a subject: An apparatus for indicating a health-related condition of a subject has an input interface for receiving a sequence of samples of a first biological quantity derived by a first measurement method, the first measurement method being an invasive measurement and having a first impact on the subject, and for receiving... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070060802 - Patient monitor: A monitoring device for monitoring the physiological condition of a patient (1) on a continuous basis, which includes a transmitter unit (2) adapted to attach to a patient so as to be in contact with the skin of a patient, a corresponding receiver unit (5). The transmitter unit includes a... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP

20070060805 - Optical sampling interface system for in vivo measurement of tissue: An optical sampling interface system minimizes and compensates error resulting from sampling variations and measurement site state fluctuations. Components include: An optical probe placement guide having an aperture wherein the optical probe is received, facilitates repeatable placement accuracy on surface of a tissue measurement site with minimal, repeatable disturbance to... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070060804 - System and method for therapy and diagnosis comprising optical components for distribution of radiation: A system and method for interactive therapy and diagnosis of a human or animal comprising at least one first radiation source for emission of a diagnostic radiation, at least one second radiation source for emission of a therapeutic radiation, and at least one radiation conductor adapted to conduct radiation to... Agent: Steven S Payne AratorIPLaw Group

20070060806 - Raman spectroscopy for non-invasive glucose measurements: The present invention relates to the use of Raman spectroscopy for quantitative, non-invasive transcutaneous measurement of blood analytes, such as glucose. Raman spectroscopy is used to measure glucose transcutaneously, in patients whose blood glucose levels were monitored. Raman spectra were collected transcutaneously along with glucose reference values provided by standard... Agent: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP

20070060807 - Detector: A pair of light-receiving sections are placed at positions symmetric to a light-emitting axis of a light-emitting section on the inner circumferential surface in close contact with a finger, and each light-receiving section is composed of a plurality of light receiving regions so that by selecting a signal of the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070060808 - Medical sensor for reducing motion artifacts and technique for using the same: A sensor may be adapted to reduce motion artifacts by damping the effects of outside forces and sensor motion. A sensor is provided with a motion damping structure adapted to reduce the effect of motion of a sensor emitter and/or detector. Further, a method of damping outside forces and sensor... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070060809 - Continuous spectroscopic measurement of total hemoglobin: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070060810 - Continuous spectroscopic measurement of total hemoglobin: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070060811 - Normalization method for a chronically implanted optical sensor: A system and method are provided for estimating blood oxygen saturation independent of optical sensor encapsulation due to placement in blood, where the blood includes a blood flow characteristic of: a relatively low, a stasis, a stagnant value. The method includes determining tissue overgrowth correction factor that includes optical properties... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20070060813 - Establishing a long-term profile of blood sugar level aiding self-control of the same: Establishing a long-term profile of blood sugar level aiding self-control of the same includes periodically obtaining a specimen from a patient, and detecting a response of the specimen. Obtaining a blood sugar value of the patient based on the response, and storing the blood sugar values periodically measured. Establishing a... Agent: Berkeley Law & Technology Group

20070060812 - Sensing of pancreatic electrical activity: Apparatus (18) is provided for sensing electrical activity of a pancreas (20) of a patient. The apparatus (18) includes a set of one or more electrodes (100), adapted to be coupled to the pancreas (20), and to generate activity signals indicative of electrical activity of pancreatic cells which are in... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20070060814 - Analyte sensor introducer and methods of use: Method and apparatus for providing an introducer for transcutaneous placement of at least a portion of an analyte sensor through the skin of a patient is provided.... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070060815 - Biologically integrated electrode devices: Bioelectrodes having enhanced biocompatible and biomimetic features are provided. Methods of making and using the bioelectrodes are further provided. A biologically integrated bioelectrode device and method for detecting electronic signals using a bioelectrode comprising a first electrically conductive substrate and a biological component. The bioelectrode also comprises a conductive polymer... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070060816 - Imaging system: An imaging system (100) for generating a three-dimensional image of a body part of a patient (102). The imaging system (100) comprises a sensor head (101) that is moved relative to the patient by a robot (103) to conduct a scan of the body part. The sensor head (101) comprises... Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman

20070060817 - Determining attributes using ultrasound: Systems and methods are described for determining tissue attributes using ultrasound energy. Various characteristics of a medium, such as an animal tissue, can be estimated using techniques such as signal trace analysis and angular-dependency analysis of reflectivity. Such techniques can be performed in conjunction with a spectral decomposition analysis. Attributes... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070060818 - Blood-vessel-endothelium-function inspecting apparatus: An apparatus for inspecting a function of an endothelium of a blood vessel of a living being, by stopping, using an inflatable cuff wound around a forearm of the living being, a flow of blood in a blood vessel of the forearm, subsequently ending the stopping of the flow of... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20070060819 - Skin optical characterization device: The present invention is generally directed to dermatological devices and methods in which one or more skin characteristics, such as the melanin index, are determined by analyzing radiation backscattered from a skin region illuminated by at least one, and preferably, two or more wavelengths, e.g., in a range of about... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070060822 - Multipurpose host system for invasive cardiovascular diagnostic measurement acquisition and display: A multifunctional invasive cardiovascular diagnostic measurement host is disclosed that interfaces a variety of sensor devices, such as guide wire-mounted pressure sensors, flow sensors, temperature sensors, etc, and provides a multi-mode graphical user interface providing a plurality of displays in accordance with the various types of sensors and measurements rendered... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20070060821 - Screening for early detection of cardiovascular disease in asymptomatic individuals: Screening apparently healthy individuals using sensitive techniques for identifying early vascular and cardiac disease provides the opportunity for effective intervention to prevent or delay the occurrence of cardiovascular events which represent the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in our society. Preliminary studies in the have revealed an incidence... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070060820 - Vascular resistance gauge: A system and a method for assessing the patency of a vessel or a graft during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery or PTCA, said system comprising a syringe capable of electronically measuring the pressure and flow of a fluid that is injected into the vessel or graft. The system also... Agent: Albihns Stockholm Ab

20070060824 - Combined computer mouse and blood pressure sphygmomanometer: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional computer mouse controller. Three alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the mouse structure and is extended outside the mouse housing during... Agent: Leonard Tachner, A Professional Law Corporation

20070060823 - Internally vented multi-function esophageal gastric tube: An esophageal gastric tube includes lumens for suction, venting and auscultation. The auscultation lumen serves as a conduit for electrical conductors to a thermistor positioned distally of the lumen for measuring core temperature without occlusion of the lumen. A stethoscope membrane encircles the tube, forming a sound chamber. Suction and... Agent: Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, PC

20070060826 - Blood pressure bleed valve assembly: A bleed flow valve assembly for venting air from a blood pressure cuff at relatively constant pressure decrease rate irrespective of cuff size includes a multiple chamber bleed valve and a multiple position control valve operatively associated therewith. A first end chamber is connected in pneumatic communication with the cuff... Agent: Wall Marjama & Bilinski

20070060825 - Self-compensating blood pressure bleed valve: A bleed flow valve for venting air from a blood pressure cuff includes a valve body having an axially extending central bore. The central bore has a transition section, a fluid inlet port opening into the central bore upstream of the transition section and a fluid outlet port opening into... Agent: Wall Marjama & Bilinski

20070060827 - Apparatus and method for measuring pulse rate: In an apparatus adapted to measure a pulse rate of a subject, a plurality of band pass filters, each of which has a center frequency that is different from the others are provided. The band pass filters are connected in parallel to one another so as to be adapted to... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070060828 - Ecg system and method for the large-surface measurement of ecg signals: The invention relates to an ECG system for the large-surface measurement of ECG signals which is characterized by a first measuring device (10) for generating a first set of readings comprising at least one derivation of the electrical impulses of the heart. At least one site of derivation of the... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070060829 - Method of finding the source of and treating cardiac arrhythmias: A method of mapping ventricular arrhythmias in a subject includes placing a plurality of ECG leads on the subject; triggering an arrhythmia with a pacing catheter, determining its location and recording the resulting ECG signals from the plurality of leads; successively navigating the electrode on a catheter to each of... Agent: Edward Renner

20070060830 - Method and system for detecting and classifying facial muscle movements: A method of detecting and classifying facial muscle movements, comprising the steps of: detecting bio-signals from a plurality of scalp electrodes; and applying one or more than one facial muscle movement-detection algorithm to a portion of the bio-signals affected by a predefined type of facial muscle movement in order to... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070060831 - Method and system for detecting and classifyng the mental state of a subject: A method of detecting and classifying mental states, comprising the steps of: detecting bio-signals from one or more than one bio-signal detector; transforming the bio-signals into one or more than one different representations; detecting values of one or more than one property of the transformed bio-signal representations; and applying one... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070060832 - Detection of skin impedance: Apparatus and methods are provided for determining in near realtime the position of a probe placed within a living body. Electric currents are driven between one or more electrodes on the probe and electrodes placed on the body surface. The impedance between the probe and each of the body surface... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070060833 - Method of scaling navigation signals to account for impedance drift in tissue: A method for scaling the impedance measured during the course of an electrophysiology study accounts for impedance drifts. By scaling the impedance there is greater assurance that previously recorded positional information can be used to accurately relocate an electrode at a prior visited position. The scale factor may be based... Agent: Heimbecher & Assoc., LLC

20070060834 - Catheter control console: The invention is directed to a console coupleable to an indwelling catheter for monitoring interstitial pressure, collecting and withdrawing excess interstitial fluid and infusing fluids into the treated area.... Agent: Richard C. Emery

20070060835 - Method for analysing pressure signals derivable from a body cavity: A method for analysing pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body of a human being or animal, includes the steps of sampling said signals and converting the signals to pressure-related digital data with a time reference, wherein the method comprises the further steps of: identifying from said... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070060836 - System for performing an analysis of pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body: A system for performing an analysis of pressure-signals derivable from pressure measurements on or in a body of a human being or animal, includes a communication interface for receiving a set of digital pressure sample values, a memory for storing these values, and a processor capable of performing the analysis,... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070060837 - Barb-wired micro needle made of single crystalline silicon and biopsy method and medicine injecting method using the same: Disclosed are a barb-wired single crystalline silicon micro needle and a biopsy method and a medicine injecting method using the same. The micro needle comprises a main body part, at least one extension part formed on a side surface of the main body part, and a protrusion part protruded from... Agent: Mark G. Kachigian Johnson & Kachigian

20070060838 - Biopsi and injection catheters: A medical device includes a needle and optionally a catheter and a sheath. The device takes a biopsy from a body tissue and/or injects a substance into a body tissue, such as heart tissue. One or more ports are located on the needle to either take a biopsy and/or inject... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20070060839 - Cytology device and related methods of use: Embodiments of the invention include a method of obtaining tissue from a body portion. The method includes providing a wire matrix with a covering in a collapsed configuration, advancing the wire matrix through a body lumen to the body portion, expanding the wire matrix, passing at least a portion of... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

20070060840 - Medical device with needle safety shielding: In one aspect, a medical device is provided which includes flexible tubing having a distal end and a proximal end and at least a first lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end; a first needle cannula having proximal and distal ends, said first needle cannula being mounted... Agent: David W. Highet, Vp And ChiefIPCounsel Becton, Dickinson And Company

20070060841 - Arterial syringe safety vent: An improved arterial syringe safety vent (20) that is dually optimized for needle safety and arterial blood degassing efficiency.... Agent: Robert J. Henshaw

20070060844 - Applied pressure sensing cap for a lancing device: A cap for a lancing device includes a cap body and at least one sensor. In addition, the cap body includes a distal end with a target site contact surface, a proximal end for attachment to a lancing device and an opening through the cap body from the distal end... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070060842 - Lancing cap kit applied pressure sensing cap: A lancing kit includes a lancing device and a lancing device cap. The cap for the lancing device includes a cap body and at least one sensor. In addition, the cap body includes a distal end with a target site contact surface, a proximal end for attachment to a lancing... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070060845 - Method and apparatus for sampling bodily fluid: Bodily fluid is sampled by causing a lancet mounted in a housing to be displaced toward a skin surface. A vacuum mechanism disposed on the housing is utilized to create a suction in the area to be incised causing bodily fluid to pool. The vacuum mechanism may then be deactivated... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070060843 - Method for lancing a target site with applied pressure sensing: A lancing method includes contacting a contact surface of a cap body distal end with a target site, the cap body distal end being included in a cap for a lancing device. The cap body is subsequently urged towards the target site such that a portion of the contact surface... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070060846 - Multiple stage wire guide: A wire guide device includes an elongate wire guide having a proximal end and a distal end and a coating affixed to a portion of the wire guide. The coating includes at least two different diameters alternating between the proximal end and the distal end of the wire guide along... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070060847 - Medical apparatus system having optical fiber load sensing capability: Apparatus is provided for diagnosing or treating an organ or vessel, wherein a device 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 optical... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20070055089 - Methods and apparatus for intraocular brachytherapy: A method for performing intraocular brachytherapy and an apparatus for performing the same is disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a hand-held delivery device that advances a radiation source into an associated cannula or probe that is positioned adjacent the target tissue. The handpiece provides for shielded storage of the radiation... Agent: Cook, Alex, Mcfarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler Ltd

20070055090 - Medical treatment system and method: A method of aiming a therapeutic beam at a patient having a source of radioactive emissions implanted at a position having a geometric relationship to a target tissue, the method comprising: (a) providing a patient having a source of radioactive emissions implanted therein; (b) determining at least an indication of... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070055091 - Cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure and for defibrillating and/or pacing/sensing: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart... Agent: Fulwider Patton

20070055092 - Apparatus and method for ossicular fixation of implantable hearing aid actuator: The invention is directed to a fixation apparatus and method for interfacing an implantable hearing aid actuator with the ossicular chain of a patient. The fixation apparatus may include one or more surface discontinuities to enhance tissue fixation and thereby yield enhanced mechanical coupling and vibratory response. Surface discontinuities may... Agent: Marsh, Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP

20070055093 - Implantable warp knitted fabric: A warp knit designed for surgical use in biocompatible yarn is characterized in that it has a woven chain stitch. The warp knit can be used in implantation to ensure the reinforcement of muscular regions and in the production of parietal reinforcement prostheses or tapes to treat stress incontinence.... Agent: Clark & Brody

20070055094 - Artificial insemination device with an inner catheter for animals: An improved artificial insemination device with an inner catheter for animals is disclosed. The device is characterized by having a thin flexible tube and a positioning stop member installed respectively at the front end and rear end of an inner catheter that is movably inserted in the catheter tube. The... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070055095 - Pelvic floor repair system: Systems, method, and devices related to surgically implantable supportive slings are presented herein. More specifically, in various embodiments, the systems, devices and methods relate to a surgically implantable supportive sling adapted to anchor in patient tissue.... Agent: Fish & Neave Ip Group Ropes & Gray LLP

20070055096 - Sexual stimulation devices and toys with features for playing audio and/or video received from an external source: According to various aspects of the present invention, adult sexual aids, sexual stimulation devices and sex toys, such as vibrators, include means (for example, BLUETOOTH® technology) for communicating with (receiving and/or transmitting) and playing audio and/or video from a remote source, such as a cellular phone, a landline-based phone, the... Agent: Lathrop & Gage Lc

20070055097 - Insertion device: An insertion device includes an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject and a rotating unit for rotating the insertion unit. The insertion unit assists insertion into the subject of medical equipment which performs medical activity in the subject. The insertion unit advances and retreats relatively as to the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20070055100 - Endoscope and endoscope apparatus: This endoscope is equipped with a fixed focus image pickup unit which is constructed of an objective optical system, and a solid state color image pickup device in which a color filter is arranged every pixel, the solid state image pickup device fulfilling a conditional expression (300<IH/P<550), and the objective... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070055098 - In-body information acquisition system: An in-body information acquisition system includes a medical capsule device which is introduced inside a body, and an apparatus outside the body which is disposed outside the body, and which communicates with the medical capsule device. The medical capsule device includes at least a first pad, and the apparatus outside... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20070055099 - Transmitting apparatus, receiving apparatus, and body-insertable apparatus system: A transmitting apparatus which externally transmits a radio signal containing at least a main information portion, includes a main information output unit that outputs a signal containing the main information portion; a dummy component output unit that outputs a dummy component including one or more alternating-current signals having a predetermined... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070055101 - Endoscope balloon control device: A first and a second pumps for supplying a gas to a balloon for fixation mounted at an outer circumference portion at a tip end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and a balloon for fixation mounted at an outer circumference portion at a tip end portion of... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20070055102 - Endoscope apparatus: An endoscope apparatus with a simple construction, in which a flexing portion at the tip of an inserting portion has excellent assembly properties and which has reliable bending manipulability, is provided. In the endoscope apparatus, an elongated inserting portion, provided with a flexing portion which is operated with fluid pressure... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070055103 - Endoscope with variable direction of view: The invention describes an endoscope, comprising an elongated rigid shaft and an optical imaging system arranged at a distal end of the shaft for receiving light from an observation area, wherein the optical imaging system is pivotable with respect to the shaft about a first pivot axis which runs about... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, Llc

20070055105 - Capsule type endoscope: where ω is a half of a field angle of the objective optical system, T1 is the maximum illuminance in an area on the imaging surface of the image sensor corresponding to a field region of the objective optical system, T2 is illuminance at a position on the imaging surface... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070055104 - Electronic endoscope: An insertion unit has a channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted. A distal end of the insertion unit has a single-focus objective optical system or a focal-point-variable objective optical system to focus the optical image on a light receiving surface of an image capturing element. At a... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070055106 - Endoscope and endoscope system: An endoscope system includes a first endoscope having a first observation optical system with a first viewing angle and a first illumination optical system; and a second endoscope having a second observation optical system with a second viewing angle wider than the first viewing angle and a second illumination optical... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070055107 - Surgical hand access apparatus: A hand access device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a passageway therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a surgeon's arm and a fabric seal mounted within the opening and being dimensioned to form a substantial sealing relation with the surgeon's arm. The fabric seal is elongated... Agent: United States Surgical, A Division Of Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20070055108 - Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. A stabilizing device may be introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20070055109 - Connector for a surgical retractor: A connector for a surgical retractor is shown. The connector includes a body member having an opening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The connector also includes a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between an open position and a closed position. A lock mechanism locks the... Agent: Terry W. Kramer Kramer & Amado, P.c.

20070055110 - Connector with safety latch for a surgical retractor: A connector for a surgical retractor is shown. The connector includes a body member having an opening for receiving a nipple of a retractor blade. The connector also includes a retainer pivotally attached to the body member between an open position and a closed position. A lock mechanism locks the... Agent: Kramer & Amado, P.c.

20070055111 - Methods and apparatus for vascular protection in spinal surgery: Methods and apparatus provide for: coupling an elongate guide substantially at a first end to at least one vertebral body of a spinal column of a patient; and extending a second end of the guide to a structure of the patient spaced in an anterior direction away from the at... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.l.p.

20070055112 - Illuminable tongue depressor assembly: A tongue depressor includes a handle that can be grasped and held within a user's hand. An elongated implement is connected to a distal end of the handle and protrudes forwardly therefrom. A light source is situated to an interior of the handle and is proximally adjoined to the implement.... Agent: Ashkan Najafi, P.a.

20070055115 - Characterization of sleep disorders using composite patient data: Systems and methods provide for evaluating sleep disorders, and involve implantably detecting one or more conditions associated with a sleep disorder, and receiving manually-reported patient data having relevance to the sleep disorder or patient condition. Using the detected conditions and the patient data, a quantitative diagnostic value for the sleep... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20070055114 - Measurement of responsiveness of a subject with lowered level of consciousness: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the responsiveness of a subject with lowered level of consciousness. Physiological signal data is obtained from the subject and a first measure indicative of the level of consciousness of the subject is derived from the physiological signal data. In order... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070055113 - Method and apparatus for homeopathic provings and diagnosis: An improved method and apparatus for homeopathic provings and diagnosis includes a method of “proving” home-opathic medicines and diagnosing patients by recording one or more physiological, psychological or mental processes of the prover exposed to controlled and standardized stimuli when he or she is experiencing the effects of the homeopathic... Agent: Johnson & Stainbrook, LLP

20070055116 - Mobile clinical workstation: A mobile workstation for use with a computer network. The mobile workstation may include a medical monitoring device, a radio transceiver in communication with the medical monitoring device operable for receiving and sending data to the computer network, a display screen, and a wheeled chassis for mounting the medical monitoring... Agent: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

20070055117 - Low coherence interferometry utilizing phase: A method for diagnosing a human condition from a characteristic of a plaque or tissue in a subject is presented. The method includes directing broadband light by means of a sensing light path at an area of interest in the subject, at a target depth defined by the sensing light... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20070055118 - Optical measurement apparatus for living body: The disease assessment apparatus comprises the feature extraction unit 15 for extracting features of the hemoglobin waveform, the feature analysis unit 16 and the storage unit 12 for storing features by each disease as database. The disease is assessed by extracting various kinds of feature amounts from the hemoglobin signals... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070055119 - Optical probe for optical imaging system: Methods and apparatus for monitoring oxygen saturation levels in tissue are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a sensor arrangement for use in an optical imaging system includes a first source structure, a second source structure, and a detector arrangement. The first source structure provides a first... Agent: Aka Chan LLP

20070055120 - Heart rate monitor assembly: A heart rate monitor assembly includes a data processing unit which includes a case in which a data processor and a power supply device are received. The case includes two L-shaped holes and two conductive plates are received in the case and located in the two L-shaped holes and connected... Agent: Phillip Liu

20070055122 - Method and apparatus for determining true intraocular pressure: A method and apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure of an eye use an empirically derived function wherein an inward applanation pressure P1 and an outward applanation pressure P2 obtained during a corneal deformation cycle caused by a fluid pulse are separately weighted so as to minimize cornea-related influence on the... Agent: Hodgson Russ LLP

20070055121 - Method and apparatus for measuring corneal resistance: A method and apparatus for measuring corneal resistance to deformation use an empirically derived function wherein an inward applanation pressure P1 and an outward applanation pressure P2 obtained during a corneal deformation cycle caused by a fluid pulse are separately weighted so as to minimize dependence of the calculated corneal... Agent: Hodgson Russ LLP

20070055126 - Acoustically induced blood stasis and in vivo optical spectroscopy: Ultrasound-induced blood stasis has been observed for more than thirty years. Most of the literature has been focused on the health risks associated with this phenomenon and methods employed to prevent stasis from occurring during ultrasound imaging. To date, experimental observations have been either in vitro or invasive. The current... Agent: Blank Rome LLP

20070055132 - Catheter device: Catheter device with an imaging device, in particular for optical coherence tomography, for insertion into a bifurcation region of a vessel of the human or animal body, comprising a main catheter with a balloon arranged thereupon and inflatable via a supply line, for the purpose of occluding the vessel proximal... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070055127 - Combined pet/mrt unit and method for simultaneously recording pet images and mr images: A combined PET/MRT unit is disclosed that includes a PET detector which is reduced by comparison with the prior art, and that consists, for example, of a PET detector with a polygonal arrangement of the detector elements or with a PET detector ring. The PET detector is reduced in an... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070055125 - Magnetic tracking system: The present invention provides an electromagnetic tracking system that includes a field generator and a field sensor arranged to generate and detect, respectively, an electromagnetic field. Both the transmitter and receiver coils are connected to signal conditioning and processing circuitry to provide outputs indicative of the coil signals. A processor... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20070055123 - Measuring apparatus and its method: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately grasp the state inside an object to be measured. According to the present invention there is provided a measuring apparatus comprising: quasi-electrostatic field generating means generating a quasi-electrostatic field of higher strength as compared with a radiated... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070055129 - Method and device for displaying a surgical instrument during placement thereof in a patient during a treatment: In a method and device for representation of a surgical instrument during placement thereof in a patient during a treatment, first 3D image data of the patient are generated before the treatment and in these a relevant body structure is identified. During the treatment, second 3D image data of the... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070055124 - Method and system for optimizing left-heart lead placement: A system for identifying locations for pacing the heart, the system comprising a pacing electrode, a remote navigation system for positioning the pacing electrode at each of a plurality of locations; a system for determining Pressure-Volume loop data resulting from pacing at each location; an ECG system, a phrenic nerve... Agent: Harness, Dickey, & Pierce, P.l.c

20070055131 - Method for displaying a medical implant in an image and a medical imaging system: To allow safe treatment of a patient, in particular a puncture or biopsy using a needle, a 2D sectional image of an implant plane and a further 2D sectional image of an orthogonal plane are generated from a 3D image data record of a region to be examined. The two... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070055128 - System, method and devices for navigated flexible endoscopy: The invention provides a method and system for performing an image-guided endoscopic medical procedure. The invention may include registering image-space coordinates of a path of a medical instrument within the anatomy of a patient to patient-space coordinates of the path of the medical instrument within the anatomy of the patient.... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP

20070055130 - Ultrasonic disbursement of magnetically delivered substances: A system and method are provided for attracting a magnetically responsive substance inserted in a subject's body towards a target area within the body to treat the area. The system generally comprises a medical device having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic element disposed at... Agent: Kevin Pumm Suite 400

20070055133 - Input device of wireless communication terminal using biomagnetism measurement: Provided is an input device of a wearable wireless communication terminal. The device includes a biomagnetic sensing unit having a plurality of sensors for sensing biomagnetism caused by human muscular motion, a distinguishing unit for generating a signal(s) for distinguishing whether one or more sensing signals are inputted from any... Agent: Dilworth & Barrese, LLP

20070055135 - Diagnostic imaging system with user interface: A diagnostic imaging system (1), in particular a magnetic resonance imaging system. The diagnostic imaging system comprises control system (2) to control the execution of operational items by the diagnostic imaging system. A user interface (3) is coupled to the control system, the user interface including a scheduler module which... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070055136 - Inspection apparatus using magnetic resonance: A means to predict bone density reduction before it actually begins will be provided. This invention provides a method to detect abnormalities in the bone marrow hemopoietic cells which precede the bone density reduction, by obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance image containing a flat bone or an a long bone... Agent: Reed Smith LLP

20070055137 - Method and apparatus for reduction of nyquist ghosts in medical magnetic resonance imaging: In a method and MRT apparatus for reduction of Nyquist ghosts in medical magnetic resonance imaging given the application of EPI sequences of one or more progression curves with regard to one or more characterizing quantities of the EPI echo, is determined dependent on the echo number of a readout... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070055134 - Undersampled magnetic resonance imaging: A novel magnetic resonance imaging method is described for forming a sequence of images from a plurality of signals acquired by at least one receiver antenna. Each receiver antenna has a spatial sensitivity profile. An activity map is calculated as a standard deviation over a series of images acquired by... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070055138 - Accelerated whole body imaging with spatially non-selective radio frequency pulses: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a magnetic resonance image of a human. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of relatively constant spatially non-selective radio frequency pulses to an imaging volume of the human, applying a plurality of combinations of magnitude of phase-encoding gradients in... Agent: Jon P. Christensen Welsh & Katz, Ltd.

20070055139 - Apparatus and method for removing material from the colon: An apparatus includes an elongate body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and configured to be at least partially inserted into a body cavity. The elongate body defines a first passageway and a second passageway. The first passageway is configured to communicate fluid from the distal... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070055140 - Self-referencing/body motion tracking non-invasive internal temperature distribution measurement method and apparatus using magnetic resonance tomographic imaging technique: A noninvasive image measuring method of measuring internal organ/tissue temperature using an MRI system. Temperature measurement insusceptible to body motion and spatial variation of magnetic field is realized by utilizing the position and size of a temperature change region as a priori information to determine the phase distribution of the... Agent: Patrick W Rasche Armstrong Teasdale

20070055141 - Apparatus and method for navigating a catheter: The invention relates to a navigation system for guiding a catheter in a patient's vascular system, where the spatial position of the catheter and its orientation are continually measured by a locating device. The resulting trajectory (T0) of the catheter contains movement artefacts on account of the heartbeat. In order... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070055144 - Medical treatment system and method: A method of guiding a tool, the method comprising: (a) implanting a source of radioactivity at a position having a geometric relationship to a target tissue; (b) determining at least an indication of a location of said source using at least one radioactivity detecting position sensor; and (c) positioning a... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070055142 - Method and apparatus for image guided position tracking during percutaneous procedures: Methods and apparatuses for guiding the positioning of a device with a position tracking sensor and pre-recorded images. At least one embodiment of the present invention uses pre-recorded time-dependent images (e.g., anatomical images or diagnostic images) to guide the positioning of a medical instrument (e.g., catheter tips) using real time... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070055143 - Test or calibration of displayed greyscales: Testing a display involves display of a series of test patterns, each at a different luminance or colour, and with a predetermined minimum difference of luminance or colour from their background, each pattern being unpredictable to a user, and determining if the user has correctly identified the patterns. This can... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20070055145 - Methods and apparatus for nuclear tomo-cardiology scanning: Methods and systems for nuclear tomo-cardiology scanning are provided. A patient monitoring system is provided that includes a patient monitoring unit attached to a stationary portion of an imaging scanner and a plurality of leads connected to an interface on a moving portion of the imaging scanner and communicatively coupled... Agent: The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20070055146 - Microwave based monitoring system and method: A device for monitoring fluctuations in an opaque body, the device including: (a) at least one low power microwave emitter for locating adjacent the opaque body; (b) a microwave detector for detecting fluctuations in the scattering characteristics from the opaque body; (c) a signal processing means for analysing fluctuations from... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20070055147 - Medical devices incorporating radio-opaque and biocompatible coatings: Medical devices having radio-opaque and/or biocompatible coatings incorporated therewith.... Agent: Honeywell International Inc.

20070055148 - Method for determining the dispersion behavior of a contrast agent bolus: d

20070055151 - Apparatus and methods for acoustic diagnosis: The apparatus and methods disclosed herein relate to diagnosis of disease through the detection of signals from portions of a body. The signals may be acoustic signals, which can be used to diagnose the presence, severity and/or location of occlusions in arteries, such as the coronary arteries. The signals may... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070055152 - Blood-vessel-image measuring apparatus: An apparatus for measuring a short-axis image of a blood vessel under a skin of a living being, the apparatus including an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic array which has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in one direction in an emission surface and which emits, from the emission surface,... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, Plc

20070055153 - Medical diagnostic imaging optimization based on anatomy recognition: Anatomical information is identified from a medical image and/or used for controlling a medical diagnostic imaging system, such as an ultrasound system. To identify anatomical information from a medical image, a processor applies a multi-class classifier. The anatomical information is used to set an imaging parameter of the medical imaging... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070055150 - Method and system for mapping physiology information onto ultrasound-based anatomic structure: A physiology system is provided that includes an ultrasound beamformer that is configured to receive signals from an ultrasound probe that is located proximate the region of interest. The beamformer, based on the receive signals, produces ultrasound data representative of a scan plane including the region of interest. The system... Agent: The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20070055149 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (as amended): There are provided a transmission unit (102) and a reception unit (103) for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave with respect to a subject, a tissue tracing unit (115) for analyzing a received signal to trace the movement of a tissue of the subject, and a property detection unit (120)... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson P.c.

20070055156 - Apparatus and methods for the destruction of adipose tissue: Methods and apparatus are described for modifying unwanted tissue for cosmetic reasons. The methods provide a non-invasive manner to perform body contouring by destroying adipose tissue while simultaneously causing collagen contraction in a single procedure so that as destroyed tissue is removed from a treatment volume, the volume shrinks gradually... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070055154 - Cellulite ultrasound treatment: A treatment system and method for reducing body perimeter, primarily aimed at reducing cellulite and/or fat at a region of treatment. Ultrasound waves and pressure exertion are applied to the region of treatment, preferably simultaneously. The pressure exersion may include manual or mechanical massage, and/or electrical muscle stimulation. An optional... Agent: Edwards & Angell, LLP

20070055155 - Method and system to synchronize acoustic therapy with ultrasound imaging: Interference in ultrasound imaging when used in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is avoided by employing a synchronization signal to control the HIFU signal. Unless the timing of the HIFU transducer is controlled, its output will substantially overwhelm the signal produced by ultrasound imaging system and obscure the... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20070055157 - Shock wave therapy device with image production: The invention relates to a shock wave therapy device with a shock wave source for the emission of a shock wave and an ultrasound unit for obtaining image information by means of the emission and reception of ultrasound, whereby the ultrasound unit is provided for the reception of reflected or... Agent: King & Spalding LLP

20070055158 - Automated identification of cardiac events with medical ultrasound: Automated analysis of ultrasound data is provided to extract event times, such as valve opening and closing times. Different types of ultrasound data, such as B-mode, M-mode, tissue velocity or flow velocity, are processed by a processor to identify automatically the event times. The event times are used for the... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070055159 - Breast ultrasound scanning template: Apparatus and related methods for facilitating volumetric ultrasonic scanning of a breast are described. In one preferred embodiment, a generally cone-shaped radial scanning template having a vertex and a wide opening angle is provided, the radial scanning template having a slot-like opening extending outward from the vertex through which an... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20070055160 - Ultrasonic multiple beam transmission using single crystal transducer: An ultrasonic imaging system uses a wide bandwidth transducer to transmit multiple simultaneous beams. The beams occupy different frequency bands of the transducer bandwidth and are steered in different beam directions. The received beams are separated by bandpass filters tuned to the different frequency bands. If the different frequency bands... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070055161 - Ultrasonic imaging system and method for simulataneous display of blood flow and perfusion parameters: A method and system are described for displaying an ultrasonic parametric image showing tissue perfusion in registration with an anatomical ultrasonic image of the tissue containing the blood flow. The relative opacities of the parametric image and the anatomical image can be varied, enabling the clinician to view both the... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070055162 - Method for obtaining the valid systolic blood pressure of patients with hardened arteries: A rising cuff pressure detects the diastolic blood pressure and continues to rise to generate a pulse amplitude profile. The systolic blood pressure is determined by a computation using data from the profile to discriminate against the contribution of a hardened artery, without requiring the cuff pressure to exceed the... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070055163 - Wearable blood pressure sensor and method of calibration: Methods and apparatus for measuring arterial blood pressure at an extremity of a subject. Arterial blood pressure is derived from a circulatory measurement performed on an extremity of a subject and the circulatory measurement is normalized to account for the instantaneous vertical displacement of the extremity. The vertical displacement of... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070055164 - Physiological status monitoring system and method: A physiological status monitoring method is disclosed, which comprises the steps of: monitoring physiological status of at least an individual stationed inside a transportation means for acquiring a physiological data of the individual; transmitting the physiological data to a center processing device; and processing an operation of analysis and comparison... Agent: Bruce H. Troxell

20070055165 - Heart beat signal analysis: There are disclosed methods and apparatus for analysing heart beat signals which comprise a series of similar heart beat complexes, such as ECG signals. A subset of complexes satisfying a mutual similarity criterion is selected from a larger set. A representative complex is calculated from the members of the subset.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070055166 - Method and system for recording and transmitting data from biometric sensors: Telemedical systems that allow physiological signals from biometric sensors affixed to a medical patient to be monitored at remote sites. These systems afford a method for transmitting analog signals from the biometric sensors to a self-contained module wherein the signal is conditioned, digitized, stored and transmitted to a local host... Agent: G. L. Loomis & Associates, Inc.

20070055167 - System and method for analysis of cardiac arrhythmia using timing and variability of relationships between elctrogram features: Described is a system and method for recording and receiving a plurality of electrograms, each electrogram corresponding to a region of a heart, wherein the electrograms are recorded substantially simultaneously. A plurality of fiducial markers are identified on a selected electrogram, wherein each fiducial marker marks a feature of interest... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20070055168 - Positive airway pressure system and method for treatment of sleeping disorder in patient: Described are a system and a method for monitoring breathing of a patient. The system may include a sensor measuring data corresponding to the patient's breathing patterns and a processing arrangement determining whether the breathing patterns are indicative of a troubled wakefulness state.... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20070055169 - Device and method for sensing electrical activity in tissue: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes apparatus and methods for sensing electrical activity in tissue of a person in a manner which is substantially limits or eliminates interference from noise in a surrounding environment.... Agent: Pritzkau Patent Group, Llc

20070055170 - Device for determining cardiac function parameters: A device for detecting the state of a heart on the basis of intracardial impedance measurement. The device has an impedance measuring unit, which has electrical terminals, configured to be electrically connected or to be connected to electrodes for delivering and detecting a current or voltage, and is implemented to... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20070055171 - Medical thermometer for determining body core temperature: A temperature sensing device including at least a first contact type temperature sensing element determines body core temperature of a warm blooded animal or human based on an estimated skin temperature of the patient which is computed based on temperature measurements obtained by the first sensing element.... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20070055172 - Multi forceps biopsy catheter: The present invention relates to biopsy catheters; more specifically to a biopsy catheter with means to obtain multiple tissue specimens during a single operation of the said biopsy catheter. It comprises of a proximal handle from which extends a shaft; the said shaft housing multiple forceps biopsy assemblies at pre-determined... Agent: Nitesh Ratnakar

20070055173 - Rotational core biopsy device with liquid cryogen adhesion probe: A biopsy device comprising a housing and a releasable coring module having an internal needle adapted for securing a suspect mass to the internal needle and an external cutting cannula adapted to slide over the internal needle to cut the suspect mass from any surrounding tissue.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20070055174 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: A tissue penetrating system has a housing member. A plurality of penetrating members are positioned in the housing member. A tissue stabilizing member is coupled to the housing. A penetrating member sensor is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. The penetrating member sensor is configured to provide information relative... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070055176 - Apparatus and method for evaluating ligaments: The present invention is generally directed to apparatuses and methods for evaluating the amount of “play” in a joint. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that quantifies the rotation of the tibia in response to a known torque. The apparatus is configured to minimize the influence of other joints... Agent: Alston & Bird LLP

20070055175 - Devices and methods for tissue analysis: Devices and methods are provided for assessing the condition of tissue, in particular to diagnose the location and stage of diseases such as emphysema. In one device or method according to the invention, sound is introduced into lung tissue. A portion of the sound is detected after it has passed... Agent: Ladas & Parry

20070055177 - Capsule container: A capsule container, for holding a used capsule, includes a body and a cover. The body has a holder to hold the capsule, and the cover is attached to the body. When the capsule is held by the holder, the cover is attached to the body, so that the capsule... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070055178 - Systems and methods for computer aided detection of spinal curvature using images and angle measurements: A method for providing automatic detection of curvature of a spine and computation of specific angles in images of the spine includes automatically displaying the curvature of the spine as a line in an image of the spine, and computing at least one of a first angle or a second... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070049785 - Method and device for planning a radiation therapy: A method and apparatus for planning a radiation therapy are disclosed. A radiation dose distribution is adapted on the basis of shape and position variations of the organs of interest determined from a comparison of a first image and a second image which were taken at different points of time... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070049786 - Safety-link brachytherapy catheter: Devices and methods are provided for creating a closed delivery pathway for a radioactive source. In one aspect, the device can be a tube having a connector adapted to mate with an afterloader on its proximal end and a closed distal end portion that can be inserted into a treatment... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070049787 - Cannula tip for a cardiac assist device: The present invention provides an inflow cannula tip that is shaped to prevent suction with the ventricular wall and adapted to prevent platelet adhesion. In particular, the inlet portion of the cannula tip comprises two projections extending from the cylindrical body of the cannula tip with gaps between the projections.... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, LLC

20070049788 - Adaptation resistant anti-stuttering devices and related methods: Portable devices for treating stuttering or communication disorders include a circuit configured to automatically electronically select sua sponte different signal parameters and/or sound effect algorithms used to generate varied altered auditory feedback signals to a user over time.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20070049790 - Adjustable surgical sling: The invention, in one embodiment, is directed to systems and methods for adjusting support to an anatomical location using an expandable chamber.... Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070049789 - Cardiac sleeve apparatus, system and method of use: Cardiac assist sleeve and methods for using and making the cardiac assist sleeve that includes first elongate strips and second elongate strips of memory alloy that change shape to change a volume of cardiac assist sleeve.... Agent: Brooks & Cameron, PLLC

20070049791 - Implantable sling for the treatment of male incontinence and method of using the same: An implantable sling for the treatment of male incontinence and method of implementing the same. The sling comprises a urethral support portion and at least one anchoring portion extending therefrom. The anchoring portion is operatively positioned through the obturator foramen and about at least one ramus portion of the pelvis... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20070049792 - Remotely located pleasure devices: A sexual preference transfer function that combines the masturbatory action of a first person with the expressed or non-expressed sexual preferences of a second person. A sexual preference transfer function is utilized to improve the control or influence of a sexual pleasure device in contact with a second person based... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070049793 - Method and apparatus for transgastric neurostimulation: A method of placing an electrode in a peritoneal cavity including the following steps: inserting an endoscope through a patient's mouth into the patient's stomach; passing the endoscope through an opening in the stomach into the peritoneal cavity; and using the endoscope to place the electrode in contact with tissue... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070049795 - Endoscope system, endoscope apparatus, and image processing apparatus: An endoscope system includes a first endoscope and a second endoscope. The first endoscope includes a first insertion portion having a first bendable portion that is bendable over a first range, and a first distal end portion including a first observation optical system, the first observation optical system having a... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070049794 - Visualization stylet for medical device applications having self-contained power source: A visualization stylet suitable is provided for use with medical devices to illuminate and visualize the interior anatomy of a body cavity or organ, wherein the stylet includes a miniature camera, light source and on-board power source.... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20070049796 - Hood for endoscope, endoscope and method of fixing balloon for endoscope: A hood 200 for an endoscope has a tube shape and is fitted to an end of an insertion part 12 of the endoscope. A base end 200B of the hood 200 is fitted to a forward end 60A of a first balloon 60. The forward end 60A of the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070049797 - Double-balloon endoscope system: An endoscope system, serving as a double-balloon endoscope system, includes an endoscope apparatus for examinations using an endoscope, a shape detection apparatus used in combination with the endoscope apparatus, and a balloon controller. The shape detection apparatus detects positions of respective points in an insertion section of the endoscope, estimates... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070049798 - Endoscope apparatus and communication method used in the apparatus: An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope, a signal processing unit, and a communication unit. The endoscope includes an information storage section including an endoscope information memory and a first controller controlling readout of the information in the endoscope information memory. The endoscope is detachably connected to the signal processing unit,... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070049799 - Insertion device: An insertion device comprises an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject, a spiral-shaped portion to be in contact with an inner wall of a lumen of a subject along with the insertion unit being inserted into the subject, and a rotating unit for rotating the insertion unit provided... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070049800 - Method for forming an endoscope articulation joint: In one aspect, the present invention is an articulation joint for use in a low cost medical device such as an endoscope intended for a single use. In one embodiment, the articulation joint comprises a plurality of interconnected segments. In another embodiment, the articulation joint comprises an elongated tubular body.... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, PLLC

20070049801 - Endoscope accessory: An endoscope accessory capable of being removably coupled to the accessory port of an endoscope includes a housing having an introducer port adapted for insertion of an elongated member, a device port adapted for alignment with the accessory port, a fluid port in fluid communication with the device port, and... Agent: Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds, P.C.

20070049802 - Endoscope device: An endoscope device of the present invention has an insertion portion capable of attachment and detachment of a plurality of optical adapters. The endoscope device comprises a resistor for detecting attachment and detachment of the optical adapter as well as an attachment and detachment detection portion, a ROM for storing... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070049803 - Endoscope and endoscope system: An endoscope system includes a first endoscope that includes a first observation optical system with a first viewing angle; and a second endoscope that includes a second observation optical system with a second viewing angle wider than the first viewing angle. A second distance from a second distal end face... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070049804 - One-piece retractable stent: An intraluminal medical device having a flowpath therethrough, the device consisting of a one-piece elastic or semi-elastic sheet of material which defines a generally tubular body. The medical device has a collapsed and expanded diameter and is constructed and arranged such that it can exist in two stable states, consisting... Agent: Albert Wong

20070049805 - Interactive bio-stabilization system: An interactive biological stabilization (IBS) device includes at least one communication path enabling operative coupling with at least one patient data monitoring device, and a processing device enabled for operative coupling with the at least one patient monitoring device through the at least one communication path. The processing device includes... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20070049806 - Vascular access port with physiological sensor: A combined vascular access port and physiologic parameter monitoring device. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be connected by a cooperative geometry. The vascular access port and the monitoring device may be implanted at the same time and in the same anatomical location (e.g., subcutaneous pocket). The... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070049807 - Method for reconstructing the distribution of fluorescent elements in a diffusing medium: The method enables the distribution of fluorescent elements in a diffusing medium having substantially a finite cylindrical shape to be reconstructed. The method comprises formulation of a plurality of first energy transfer functions respectively representative of the energy transfer between the punctual excitation light source and the fluorescent elements and... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20070049808 - Method and apparatus for evaluating connective tissue conditions: Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating a connective tissue condition of a patient (e.g., a disease, a risk of developing a disease, a risk of developing a fracture, etc.). For example, an indicator associated with the connective tissue condition may be generated. First, tissue at a first location of... Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

20070049809 - Intrinsic raman spectroscopy: The present invention relates to systems and methods for the measurement of analytes such as glucose. Raman and reflectance spectroscopy are used to measure a volume, of material such as a blood sample or tissue within a subject and determine a concentration of a blood analyte based thereon. The present... Agent: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP

20070049811 - Apparatus and method for measuring oxygen saturation in blood: In an apparatus for measuring an oxygen saturation in blood, a plurality of light emitters are adapted to irradiate a living tissue with a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths. A light receiver is adapted to receive the light beams reflected from or transmitted through the living tissue to... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070049810 - Method and circuit for storing and providing historical physiological data: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor, comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to receive the light, and a memory device that stores data, comprising an amount of wetness... Agent: Fletcher Yoder (tyco International, Ltd.)

20070049812 - Time-segmented pulse oximetry and pulse oximeter performing the same: In order to measure an oxygen saturation in blood of a subject, a living tissue of the subject is irradiated with a first light beam having a first wavelength and a second light beam having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A first electrical signal is generated from... Agent: Sughrue-265550

20070049813 - Optical sensor for sports equipment: The invention provides a method and an apparatus to monitor a person's vital signs such as, for example, heart rate and blood oxygen level, using non-invasive optical sensors. The invention provides an optical sensor for integration to sports equipment, the sensor comprising: a lighting system for mounting to the sports... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20070049814 - System and device for neuromuscular stimulation: A wearable neuromuscular stimulation and neuroprosthetic system and device for treating spinal cord injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions; and for the management of chronic pain. This invention provides a system for transcutaneous neuromuscular stimulation and typically comprises a wearable item that further includes a flexible, non-conductive material; at least... Agent: Mcnees, Wallace & Nurick LLC

20070049815 - Enablement of quick remote access to ct scans to improve workflow and patient throughput: A bi-directional communication system (12) is utilized for communications between a technician at an imaging workstation (18), from which imaging protocols can be conducted and at which diagnostic images can be displayed, and one or more hospital medical professionals, located at remote locations. The technician selects and addresses the proper... Agent: Thomas E Kennedy Jr Faye Sharpe Fagan Minnich & Mckee

20070049816 - Method and associated system for the interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation: A method for treatment of atrial fibrillation is disclosed. This method includes utilizing mathematical analysis, e.g., logistic regression, on a collection of variables selected from the group including effective refractory period, wavelength, tissue area, tissue weight, maximum tissue width, minimum tissue width, and average tissue width to design a set... Agent: Thompson Coburn, LLP

20070049817 - Segmentation and registration of multimodal images using physiological data: Systems and methods are provided for registering maps with images, involving segmentation of three-dimensional images and registration of images with an electro-anatomical map using physiological or functional information in the maps and the images, rather than using only location information. A typical application of the invention involves registration of an... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070049818 - Body-insertable apparatus: A body-insertable apparatus is inserted into a subject body and travels through the subject body and includes a magnetic field generator that generates a constant magnetic field; a covering member that covers the magnetic field generator and that is made of a biocompatible material; and a container that houses and... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070049819 - Bone fixed locater and optical navigation system: Bone-fixed locator (3, 5) as reference of a navigation system (1) for determining the spatial position and location of body parts of a mammal, having a recording device, especially a stereo-camera arrangement (9), for locating the position of locators on the basis of signals provided by target markers on the... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070049820 - Remotely controllable needle guide: In a remotely controllable needle guide arrangement for the insertion of a long needle into a patient body under tight space conditions, at least one bent positive guide structure is provided for guiding the needle and the needle has elastic properties such that the needle, after passing the bent positive... Agent: Klaus J. Bach

20070049822 - Medical device guide locator: Systems and methods are shown which provide feedback with respect to the desired or proper placement of a medical device guide without introducing protuberances or other perturbations to the surface of devices used in medical procedures. Embodiments provide a biopsy needle guide bracket for use with an ultrasound transducer assembly,... Agent: Dallas Office Of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

20070049823 - Method for processing doppler signal gaps: A method and system for processing Doppler signal gaps is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: receiving Doppler signals during Doppler signal acquisition to obtain data of in-phase (I) component and quadrate (Q) component signals of the Doppler signals; receiving interruption of the Doppler signals; estimating the data of... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070049824 - System and method for electromechanical wave imaging of body structures: A system and method for detecting electromechanical wave propagation within a body structure of a patient in a series of image frames representing movement the body structure. Image data is acquired comprising a series of image frames corresponding to the movement of a body structure. A correlation calculation is performed... Agent: Baker & Botts L.L.P.

20070049825 - System and method of forming an ultrasound spatial compound image: The present invention provides a system and method of forming a spatial compound image by compounding frames, wherein the frames are obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals along scan lines having different directions from frame to frame, and wherein at least one frame is formed from first scan lines... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070049821 - System and method of graphically generating anatomical structures using ultrasound echo information: Methods and systems for graphically creating a representation of an anatomical structure, such as a heart, is provided. The distal end of an elongated probe is moved within the anatomical structure, and geometric shapes are defined within a coordinate system. By defining geometric shapes, such as spheres or circles, as... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070049826 - System and method for determining the proximity between a medical probe and a tissue surface: Methods and systems for determining a proximity between a medical probe (such as, e.g., the tip of the medical probe) having an ultrasound transducer and a tissue surface, is provided. The ultrasound transducer is operated in a first resonant mode to transmit a first ultrasound signal that intersects the tissue... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070049827 - Clinical feedback of ablation efficacy during ablation procedure: There is provided a method and system for combining physiology information with ultrasound based anatomic structures during an ablation procedure. The embodiments relate to methods and systems that construct a 2D or 3D representation of an anatomical structure based on ultrasound data and superimpose thereon graphical information representative of physiologic... Agent: Ge Medical System C/o Foley & Lardner LLP

20070049828 - Method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging in mmode: The present invention provides a mmode imaging method and apparatus for an ultrasonic diagnosis device to increase the continuity of the displayed mmode images. The mmode imaging method of the invention comprises steps: define a sample line on a frame of bmode image, so as to select bmode data of... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070049829 - Thermally enhanced piezoelectric element: A system and method for removing unwanted heat generated by a piezoelectric element of an ultrasound transducer. Some implementations have high thermal conductivity (HTC) material placed adjacent to the piezoelectric element. The HTC material can be thermally coupled to one or more heat sinks. Use of HTC material in conjunction... Agent: Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP

20070049830 - Analysis of a composition with monitoring: An analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, comprises an excitation system for emitting an excitation beam to excite a target region. A a monitoring system images the target region. The monitoring system being arranged to produce a contrast image in a contrast wavelength range and produce a reference... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070049831 - Confocal raman spectroscopy for dermatological studies: Use of Confocal Raman Spectroscopy (CRS) for dermatological studies, including a method for determining the thickness of the Stratum Corneum (SC) on a test area of the skin, and to a method for quantifying the effectiveness of a skin care composition. The methods of the invention can be carried in... Agent: The Procter & Gamble Company Intellectual Property Division

20070049833 - Arrangements and methods for imaging in vessels: Apparatus, catheter and method for obtaining information regarding a tissue structure (e.g., a blood vessel) can be provided. For example, it is possible to utilize a transceiving arrangement which includes at least one section adapted to be provided in a proximity of at least one portion of the tissue structure... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070049832 - System and method for medical monitoring and treatment through cosmetic monitoring and treatment: A system and method that scans areas of a human body to identify unattractive characteristics and make cosmetic enhancements is modified for medical monitoring and optionally for treatment. A 3-D model of the exterior surface of the human body is created, and the scanned data is analyzed by characteristics of... Agent: Rick B. Yeager, Attorney

20070049834 - Method and apparatus for calculating blood pressure with signal transformation: A method and an apparatus for calculating blood pressure with signal transformation are provided, wherein said apparatus comprises: a pressure sensor, a pressure and pulse wave amplification circuit, an A/D converter, a microprocessor, a control circuit, an air bump and a valve component connected with the cuff gas circuit, a... Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley)

20070049835 - Method and apparatus for trending a physiological cardiac parameter: The present invention relates to an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or pacemaker whose standard circuitry is used to trend a physiological cardiac parameter using intra-cardiac impedance measurements. The trend information may be used to predict the onset of a sudden cardiac death (SCD) event. By being able to predict the onset of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070049836 - Electronic wristwatch-type exercise signal detecting apparatus: An electronic wristwatch-type exercise signal detecting apparatus includes a watchcase having a pair of electronic vibration detectors provided therein for detecting a vibrating signal from a user in taking exercise. The detected vibrating signal is sent via a vibrating signal detecting circuit to a micro-controller in a control circuit, so... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070049837 - Acoustic sensor: Disclosed are devices, systems, and methods for capturing acoustic data in an efficient manner. Some embodiments have piezoelectric sensing portions with polarization axes and conducting layers. In some embodiments, piezoelectric sensing portions can be positioned generally coplanar to each other and in partial electrical contact. In some embodiments, polarization axes... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070049838 - Cordless stethoscope for hazardous material environments: A cordless stethoscope for use in hazardous material environments comprising a fluid tight hand held sound sensing device having a stethoscope head for sensing auscultatory sounds, a transmitter for transmitting sounds sensed by the device, a receiver for receiving transmissions from the transmitter and an ear piece for converting the... Agent: Keith A Sauerland

20070049839 - System and method for automated airway evaluation for multi-slice computed tomography (msct) image data using airway lumen diameter, airway wall thickness and broncho-arterial ratio: A method for evaluating an airway in a bronchial tree, includes: segmenting a bronchial tree; modeling the segmented bronchial tree; computing a first ratio for an airway in the segmented and modeled bronchial tree, wherein the first ratio is a ratio between a diameter of the airway lumen and a... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070049840 - System and method for determining a size of an airway lumen and a thickness of an airway wall: A method for determining a size of an airway lumen and a thickness of an airway wall includes: computing a centerline of an airway; computing a three-dimensional (3D) gradient of a volume of the airway within a first threshold; positioning a tube along the centerline; iteratively expanding the tube by... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070049841 - Medication delivery device and method: A medication delivery apparatus and method for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system such as used in emergency treatment of severe respiratory distress. The apparatus of the invention includes a 3-port Tee fitting, one port of which is connected to the inlet port of a CPAP face mask operable... Agent: Allen H. Erickson

20070049842 - Sleep disorder diagnostic system and method: Systems and/or methods for diagnosing sleep disorders in a patient are provided. In certain example embodiments, articles of bed clothing and/or bed sheets comprising sensors operable to obtain patient condition data related to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are provided to patients. The patient condition data is stored to a data recorder... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070049843 - Methods and systems for determining dynamic hyperinflation: This invention provides methods and systems for non-invasively determining the presence (and amount) or absence of dynamic hyperinflation in a subject. The invention is based on a novel combination of respiratory parameters that can be measured in a way that is non-invasive and unobtrusive to the subject. Dynamic hyperinflation is... Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department

20070049844 - System and method for a p300-based concealed information detector having combined probe and target trials: A system and method of deception detection is disclosed wherein T trials are combined with P and I trials. Denoted as the complex trial (CT) protocol, in one embodiment, the beginning of each trial is indicated by the onset of a stimulus which is either a P or I, which... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070049845 - Method and apparatus for in vivo sensing: Systems and methods for in vivo sensing are provided. An excitation signal is produced, having a first frequency component and a second frequency component. The first frequency component is swept through a plurality of excitation frequencies within a frequency range of interest.. A response signal is received from an in... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070049847 - High performance wire guide: A high performance wire guide is disclosed, having a core wire and an outer member disposed about the core wire for enhanced torque transmission along a longitudinal length of the core wire. The outer member may be an outer coil wrapped around the core wire in an interference fit.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070049846 - Stylet apparatuses and methods of manufacture: A stylet capable of being at least partially disposed within a lumen of a device is disclosed. This stylet may include an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the elongated body may also include at least one core... Agent: Holland & Hart LLP

20070049849 - Bone probe apparatus and method of use: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a probe configured to be percutaneously deployed within an interior portion of a bone structure. At least a portion of the probe is configured to contact a portion of the interior portion of the bone structure when the probe is actuated within the interior... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20070049848 - Methods and apparatus for monitoring heart motions: Methods and apparatus for monitoring the heart motion of a subject employ a probe which can be coupled to a portion of the anatomy of a subject such as the aortic arch or the thyroid cartilage. The probe is biased into contact with the subject. The probe detects movements caused... Agent: Oyen, Wiggs, Green & Mutala LLP 480 - The Station