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Surgery June archive of inventions by patent app class 06/07

20070149843 - Humidification control system for infant care apparatus: An infant care apparatus for supporting an infant upon an infant platform having a humidification control system. The user can initial select a manual mode where the humidity is inputted through a user input to control the humidity within an infant compartment. The system has an automatic mode where the... Agent: Roger M. Rathbun

20070149844 - Surgical devices for imposing a negative pressure to stabilize the cardiac tissue during surgery: The invention is devices and techniques which use a negative (suction) pressure or vacuum, applied through a surgical instrument, to fix the position of a portion of the surface of a beating heart so that a surgical procedure can be more easily performed. The devices apply a negative pressure at... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20070149845 - Diagnostic device for tubular anatomical structures: A diagnostic device (10) for pathologies of tubular anatomical structures comprises a tubular elongated structure (12, 28) developing between a proximal end and a distal end and is adapted to be inserted in the tubular anatomical structure, means (22) for locally dilating the walls of the tubular anatomical structure being... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070149846 - Anatomical visualization system: An improved anatomical visualization system which is adapted to augment a standard video endoscopic system with a coordinated computer model visualization system so as to enhance a physician's understanding of the patient's interior anatomical structure.... Agent: Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20070149848 - Computer software for an endoscope leak tester: Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled by the computer as directed by software with minimal human prompting to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the... Agent: Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, Lc Attn: BoxIPDept.

20070149847 - Endoscope control device: An endoscope control device includes: a safety maintaining circuit for maintaining safety in terms of function or use-purpose of the endoscope control device; a control section for controlling operation of the endoscope control device; and an activation section for activating the control section, wherein the safety maintaining circuit is formed... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070149849 - A method for handling accounts in a network: A method for operating a computer system to handle switch over between several accounts at account selection in a real time charging system, wherein at a charging rating of a session, a first account is selected from a set of accounts, to be used and rated with its charging interval;... Agent: Ericsson Inc.

20070149850 - Endoscope endcap attachment tool: A tool and method is provided for attaching an endcap to a medical instrument such as an endoscope tip, wherein the endcap includes an elastically deformable, endcap opening having an unexpanded diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the instrument tip and an expanded diameter that is greater than... Agent: Thompson Hine LLP 2000 Courthouse Plaza N.e.

20070149851 - Endoscope for magnified image observation: An endoscope for magnified image observation configured to observe a magnified image of in vivo tissue comprises an insertion part configured to be inserted into a body, a magnified image observation port configured to take in the magnified image of the in vivo tissue in one of a state where... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070149852 - Endoscope: An endoscope is provided which has good operability, such as ease of varying the rigidity of an insertion portion, as well as a lighter-weight bending mechanism for changing the shape of a bending portion. The endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion to be inserted into a... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070149853 - Industrial endoscope: A lens-adjusting mechanism is disclosed for adjusting a lens of an industrial endoscope. The industrial endoscope further includes a cable connected to the lens. The lens-adjusting mechanism includes a telescopic structure for holding the cable, a lens holder for holding the lens and at least one connector for connecting the... Agent: Banger Shia

20070149854 - Endoscope optical system: An endoscope observation optical system capable of improving the observation resolution of a mucous membrane of a living body is provided. The endoscope includes an observation optical system compatible with both standard visible-light observation and blood-vessel-enhancement observation, whose main component of a displayed image is an absorption peak of hemoglobin... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070149855 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes an image capturing unit which is provided with at least a plurality of optical lenses, a zoom lens frame for supporting the optical lenses for zooming out of the plurality of optical lenses, and a first actuator for moving forward and reversely the zoom lens frame in... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070149856 - Endoscope apparatus: An endoscope apparatus of the invention includes an endoscope, camera control unit (CCU), and a trocar. The endoscope includes a heater and a temperature sensor. The CCU is configured to include a resistance value-voltage value conversion section, an analog-digital conversion section, voltage value-temperature table conversion section, a control voltage calculation... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070149857 - Light source device and endoscope system: An endoscope system of the present invention has a video processor and a light source device, and an endoscope can be connected thereto. And a control portion of the light source device detects connection with the endoscope and the video processor, detects connection with the video processor and the light... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070149858 - Endoscope apparatus: The endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises an insertion section inserted into a space to be inspected, a light emitting device for emitting excitation light, a fluorescent member for emitting illumination light obtained by mixing the excitation light and fluorescent light excited by the excitation light into the space... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070149859 - Split hoop wound retractor: An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070149860 - Microprocessor system for the analysis of physiologic and financial datasets: A system and method for organization and analysis of complex and dynamically interactive time series is disclosed. One example comprises a processor based system for relational analysis of physiologic signals for providing early recognition of catastrophic and pathologic events such as pathophysiologic divergence. The processor is programmed to identify pathophysiologic... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070149861 - System and method for managing diabetes: A diabetes management system, an infusion pump, and methods for managing a blood glucose level of a diabetes patient. The infusion pump includes a processor for monitoring an amount of insulin delivered to a patient and an internal database in communication with the processor. The internal database is for storing... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20070149862 - Residual-based monitoring of human health: Improved human health monitoring is provided in the context of sensor measurements of typical vital signs and other biological parameters, by a system and method using an empirical model of the parameters and disposed to estimate values of the parameters in response to actual measurements. Residuals resulting from the difference... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070149863 - Needle-septum interface for a fluidic analyzer: Instrument-cartridge interfaces for fluidic analyzers that have an instrument and a removable cartridge are disclosed. For example, and in one illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a needle that is adapted to penetrate a septum on a removable cartridge. In another illustrative embodiment, the instrument may include a plunger that... Agent: Honeywell International Inc.

20070149864 - Monitoring device for multiple tissue sites: The invention relates to a patient monitoring device, especially to a pulse oximeter, provided with multiple sensors for performing simultaneous measurements at multiple tissue sites. In order to reduce the hardware required by the measurement, a repeating drive pulse sequence is generated, which contains drive pulses for the emitter elements... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070149865 - Patient monitoring device with multiple sensors: The invention relates to a patient measurement device, especially to a pulse oximeter, provided with multiple sensors. In order to reduce the hardware required by a measurement performed through the multiple sensors, a repeating drive pulse sequence is generated, which contains drive pulses for the emitter elements of the plurality... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070149866 - Systems and methods for investigation of living matter: Exemplary embodiments of a system for detecting biological objects are provided. In this regard, an exempliieary embodiment of such a system includes a light source, a sensor proximate to and disposed at an angle from the light source, a covering material disposed above the sensor, a photodetector proximate to the... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20070149867 - Communication terminal, server apparatus, electronic worth charging method, and electronic worth charging program: A server apparatus including: an electronic value receiving unit for receiving the electronic value from a communication terminal; an electronic worth charging unit for charging the electronic value received by the electronic value receiving unit, with an electronic worth; and an electronic value transmitting unit for transmitting the electronic value... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070149868 - Method and apparatus for photostimulation enhanced analyte property estimation: A method and apparatus using photostimulation to treat or pretreat a sample site prior to analyte property estimation is presented. More particularly, photonic-stimulation at and/or near at least one sample site is used to enhance perfusion of the sample site leading to reduced errors associated with sampling. This allows an... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070149869 - Apparatus and method for pattern delivery of radiation and biological characteristic analysis: The present invention uses a high signal to noise ratio method and apparatus to analyze a characteristic of a biological object, such as blood glucose level. The method and apparatus can also have surgical applications, such as coagulation or ablation of a pattern on a biological object.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.l.p

20070149870 - Systems and methods for determining an organism's pathology: A system and method for detecting whether a subject has a physiological abnormality. The system includes a fingertip sensor and a data collection and analysis system coupled to the fingertip sensor.... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.C.

20070149871 - Physiological stress detector device and system: A method, system and device for measurement of a blood constituent level, including a light source, a light detector proximate an organ surface, adjustable gain amplifiers, and a processor/controller connected within a processing unit operative to separate AC and DC signal components. The device may determine the level of blood... Agent: Daniel J Swirsky

20070149872 - Method and apparatus for eliminating interference in pulse oxygen measurement: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for eliminating interference in pulse oxygen measurement. The method comprises the steps of: collecting a first wavelength light and a second wavelength light transmitting through the object to be measured and converting collected optic signals into electric signals to form a plethysmogram;... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070149873 - Analyte monitoring device and methods of use: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070149874 - Analyte monitoring device and methods of use: An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070149875 - Analyte monitoring: Devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte are provided. Embodiments of the subject devices include analyte monitoring systems that include an analyte sensor capable of providing clinically accurate analyte data without a substantial time delay after operably positioning the sensor in a patient. Embodiments of the subject... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070149876 - Methods and devices for non-invasively measuring quantitative information of substances in living organisms: Disclosed are systems and methods of determining the amount of a substance in a living organism. In one embodiment, the method comprises: applying an electrical signature signal to the living organism, wherein the electrical signature signal corresponds to a predetermined amount of the substance; measuring the response of the living... Agent: Carr LLP

20070149878 - Apparatus and method for guiding a medical device in multiple planes: The present invention provides a device for guiding a medical instrument with respect to a patient. The device includes a base. The lower portion of the base includes a bottom surface having a configuration for contact with the patient. On example of such a configuration is a generally hemispherical configuration.... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson LLP

20070149877 - Medical imaging diagnostic method: In order to improve the accuracy of the IMT measurement of the composite thickness, the medical imaging diagnosis apparatus has extracting means for extracting the tunica intima (42) and the tunica exterma (46) of the blood vessel on the basis of the brightness information of the image data to measure... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070149879 - Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging with blended tissue harmonic signals: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described which produce tissue harmonic images containing both fundamental and harmonic frequency components. Such a blended image takes advantage of the performance possible with the two types of ultrasonic echo information and can advantageously reduce near field clutter while improving signal to... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070149880 - Device and method for determining the location of a vascular opening prior to application of hifu energy to seal the opening: System and methods for locating a vascular opening and thereafter therapeutically sealing the wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are disclosed. The improved system utilizes three or more reference transducers mounted on the HIFU applicator and another transducer mounted on a distal end of a probe. The probe is... Agent: Miller, Matthias & Hull

20070149881 - Ultrasonically powered medical devices and systems, and methods and uses thereof: The present invention provides a new family of ultrasonically powered medical devices and systems for powering such devices. Disclosed are methods for improving the overall power transfer efficiency of devices according to the present invention, as well as a wide variety of medical uses for such devices and systems. Devices... Agent: Barry H. Rabin

20070149882 - Device for visualizing object attributes: A device for visualizing object attributes is provided. The visualization device includes a projector that is operative to project in a position-directed manner. A data input device is operative to receive position data and associated position-specific object attribute information. A control device is connected at the input end to the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070149883 - Method for detecting heart beat and determining heart and respiration rate: Disclosed is an apparatus and system for non-invasively detecting and determining the heart rate and respiration rate of a patient, while the patient is within their sleep environment, suitable for both home and hospital monitoring, which includes an array of at least two pressure-sensitive sensors, positioned under the mattress, which... Agent: Fleit Kain Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco

20070149884 - Pressure-based system and method for determining cardiac stroke volume: Cardiac stroke volume (SV) of a subject is estimated as a function of a value derived from a measured arterial pressure waveform. The value may be the standard deviation, or a function of the difference between maximum and minimum pressure values, or a function of either the maximum value of... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070149885 - Ultra miniature pressure sensor: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into... Agent: O'melveny & Myers LLP

20070149888 - Devices and methods for self-administered ecg examinations: Devices and methods comprise or provide an ECG recording device containing a mailable base and electrode assembly and/or other means engageable with the base to receive ECG signals from a subject during a self-administered ECG examination. The devices and methods may also include a single-use or limited-use ECG recording device,... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20070149887 - Portable electrocardiogram measurement device: An ECG measurement device including: an ECG patch including a main body including a first side and a second side, the first side attached to the body of the subject; an electrode unit including at least three electrodes departed from each other at predetermined intervals and installed to the first... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070149886 - Ecg recording device and method of use: A portable, limited use electrocardiogram (ECG) recording device is provided for diagnosing cardiac problems. The device includes a cover hingedly connected to a base provided with a pair of spaced apart, tactile-sensing electrodes engageable with the patient's hands during an ECG recording and at least one indicator light signaling a... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070149889 - Method and system for characterizing a representative cardiac beat using multiple templates: The present invention provides a method and system for characterizing one beat of a patient's supraventricular rhythm. A plurality of templates is provided and updated using a plurality of qualified beats. Updating occurs by temporally aligning the shock channel waveforms of the template beats using rate channel fiducial points. The... Agent: Attention Of: Clara Davis Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070149890 - Method and apparatus for morphology-based arrhythmia classification using cardiac and other physiological signals: A tachyarrhythmia detection and classification system classifies tachyarrhythmias based on an analysis of morphological features of a cardiac signal enhanced by using one or more physiological parameters indicative of hemodynamic stability and/or activity level. The tachyarrhythmia detection and classification system computes a measure of similarity between an arrhythmic waveform of... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070149891 - Accurate method to characterize airway nitric oxide using different breath-hold times including axial diffusion of nitric oxide using heliox and breath hold: An apparatus and method to characterize NO gas exchange dynamics in human lungs comprising the steps of: (1) performing a series of breath hold maneuvers of progressively increasingly breath hold times, each breath hold maneuver comprising a) inhaling a gas, b) holding a breath for a selected time duration, and... Agent: Myers Dawes Andras & Sherman, LLP

20070149892 - Apparatus for neuromuscular function signal acquisition: An apparatus for neuromuscular functional signal acquisition is provided for evaluation of neuromuscular function. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus for neuromuscular functional signal acquisition includes an active electrode, reference electrode, ground electrode, a rotating template with pre-punched holes and a mechanical use limiter. The apparatus for neuromuscular functional signal... Agent: Fox Rothschild LLP Princeton Pike Corporate Center

20070149893 - Biopsy device and biopsy needle module that can be inserted into the biopsy device: A biopsy device for tissue collection having a housing and a removable element. A power source is contained within the housing and the removable unit includes a biopsy needle module and a pressure source that can be integrated into the housing such that the biopsy device is fully operational without... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20070149894 - Biopsy device for removing tissue specimens using a vacuum: A biopsy device for taking tissue samples, includes a housing, a removable element and a control panel. The housing contains an electric power source and a tension slide connected to the power source. The tension slide may be brought into a cocked position against the action of a spring by... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20070149895 - Quick cycle biopsy system: A method for extracting a tissue sample includes altering the pressure inside the lumen of a cannula to facilitate extraction of a tissue sample from the cannula. One aspect of the invention includes a biopsy apparatus comprising a valve for controlling the pressure inside the lumen of the cannula. In... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20070149896 - Medical holder: A medical holder for assisting an operation of puncturing a flexible tube includes a first holding member 1 and a second holding member 2. The first holding member 1 and the second holding member 2 are formed so that they can be engaged with each other and can hold the... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C.

20070149897 - Integrated sensor for analyzing biological samples: An integrated lancet and testing striplet for measuring a body analyte level in a health care regimen includes a skin piercing member and an analyte sensor coupled together.... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070149898 - Guidewire with distal expansion feature and method for enhancing the deliverability and crossability of medical devices: A guidewire navigable through body vessels of a human subject for delivery of a catheter or the like is provided. The guidewire includes an expandable segment movable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. If the catheter encounters resistance in a vessel and cannot be advanced further, the medical... Agent: Cook, Alex, Mcfarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler Ltd

20070149899 - Inclination measuring device: An inclination measuring device (10) is provided, which includes an inclination tracking device (12) configured to pass over the object, having a plurality of elements, whose angle of inclination is to be mapped and a sensor probe (14) in communication with the inclination tracking device (12). The sensor probe (14)... Agent: Daniel J Swirsky

20070142694 - Brachytherapy apparatus: The present disclosure provides a brachytherapy apparatus that delivers a low dose, partial breast irradiation treatment for post-lumpectomy patients via introduction of a catheter-like device through a cannula. The apparatus may be introduced post-surgically with local anesthesia under image guidance into the previous excision site and into a cavity by... Agent: Mcdermott, Will & Emery, LLP 34th Floor

20070142695 - Expandable brachytherapy device: A brachytherapy device for the provision of brachytherapy is disclosed. The brachytherapy device has at least one source lumen located outside a movable surface of the device. The source lumen may be secured to the movable outer surface in a manner whereby relative movement of the source lumen relative to... Agent: Knoble, Yoshida & Dunleavy

20070142696 - Implantable medical devices: An active implantable medical device comprising a therapeutic device, a controller and at least one rechargeable battery, wherein a single hermetically sealed housing encapsulates a therapeutic device, controller and rechargeable battery. A hermetically sealed housing additionally encapsulates a wireless interface and a commutator.... Agent: Altera Law Group, LLC

20070142697 - Apparatus for connection of implantable devices to the auditory system: A connection apparatus for coupling an implantable device, such as a hearing aid transducer, to a middle ear component. The connection apparatus includes a first joint member on the implantable device and a second joint member connectable to the middle ear component. The first and second joint members are themselves... Agent: Marsh, Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP

20070142698 - Flattened tubular mesh sling and related methods: The invention generally relates to surgically implantable supportive slings. More specifically, in various embodiments, the invention is directed to multilayer mesh slings formed from a tubular mesh material.... Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070142699 - Methods and implantable apparatuses for treating an esophageal disorder such as gastroesophageal reflux disease: Methods and implantable apparatuses for treating esophageal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes inserting a constricting member into a patient, and positioning the constricting member around at least a portion of the stomach of the patient with a section... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20070142700 - Pump with one-touch release: A pump that comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump bulb, a plurality of tubing, and at least one inflatable penile cylinder. The pump comprises a pump body, an inlet valve within the pump body, an exhaust valve within the pump body and in fluid communication with the inlet valve, and... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070142701 - Guide systems for laminated spring assemblies: In one embodiment of the invention, a patient side-system is provided that includes a column with a rail and a counterbalance subsystem. The patient side-system may further include a braking subsystem. The counterbalance subsystem includes a spring assembly coupled at one end to the column with a spring member, and... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070142702 - Scope dock with fluid reservoir: A medical device for allowing a physician to unhand a scope or other instruments while maintaining control of the scope or other instruments during a medical procedure. The medical device includes at least one dock and a harness for attaching the dock to the physician's body. The harness can be... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070142704 - Image detection and storage device: The present invention discloses a novel electronic detection system, which comprises a digital detection module, a digital data storage device and a power supply device. The present invention is free from the problems occurring in wired or wireless data transmission. At present, wired data transmission and wireless data transmission respectively... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070142705 - Endoscope device: In an endoscope device 1 in accordance with the present invention, a navigation screen 51 is displayed. The navigation screen 51 includes: an endoscopic live image display area 52 in which a live image produced by a bronchoscope 2 is displayed; a VBS image display area 53 in which a... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070142703 - Kind of capsule pattern endoscopic: The present invention involves a new type of capsule pattern endoscope intended to greatly reduce the effective internal volume of the capsule pattern endoscope through reasonable structure arrangement. The technical proposal to implement the above invention is: a kind of capsule pattern endoscope comprises an intelligent capsule and an image-receiving... Agent: Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts

20070142706 - Overtube for endoscope and endoscope system: An overtube for an endoscope includes a tube body, a balloon, a first-communication-path, a second-communication-path, a first-mouthpiece, a second-mouthpiece, a first-connection-section which is provided on the first-mouthpiece, and a second-connection-section which is provided on the second-mouthpiece. The balloon is dilatably/deflatably provided on the tube body. The first-communication-path extends from a... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070142708 - Capsule-type medical device and medical system: A capsule-type medical device which is advanced through a digestive tract of a human being or animal for conducting an examination, therapy, or treatment is provided. The capsule-type medical device includes: a plurality of capsule bodies; a soft linking unit which links the plurality of capsule bodies and has an... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070142707 - Method and apparatus for calibrating an endoscope system: An endoscope system and method includes an endoscope tip coupled to a endoscope console for providing images of anatomical features imaged using the endoscope system. The system also includes a calibration device having known optical properties. The calibration device is imaged using the endoscope system, and data corresponding to the... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070142709 - Sheath with channel for endoscope: A sheath assembly (100) for an invasive probe. The sheath assembly (100) includes an internal sheath (102) for covering a probe and at least one channel tube (112) external to the internal sheath (102), the channel tube (112) being foldable into a closed state in which the tube does not... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070142710 - Capsule-type medical device and medical system: A capsule-type medical device which is advanced through a digestive tract of a human being or animal for conducting an examination, therapy, or treatment is provided. The capsule-type medical device includes: a plurality of capsule bodies; a soft linking unit which links the plurality of capsule bodies and has an... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070142711 - Detachable imaging device, endoscope having a detachable imaging device, and method of configuring such an endoscope: An endoscope includes a detachable wireless imaging device and an insertion tube having a distal end region. The attachment of the detachable wireless imaging device detachably attaches the detachable wireless imaging device to the distal end region of the insertion tube.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20070142712 - Swivel retractor blade assembly: A retractor clamp assembly includes a clamp positionable about a support ring. A retractor shaft extends from the clamp and has a connector at the end with a retractor blade connected thereto by a stem. The connector is preferably equipped with a first slot limiting the side to side angular... Agent: Mcdermott, Will & Emery LLP

20070142713 - System and method for managing discharge workload in healthcare environment: A computerized system and method for determining a discharge workload score for a patient and a discharge planner is provided. A first discharge data element for a patient is received and assigned a first value. A second discharge data element for the patient is received and assigned a second value... Agent: Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. Intellectual Property Department

20070142714 - Precision sensing and treatment delivery device for promoting healing in living tissue: A microneedle insertable in a target cell tissue, including a manipulative end maintained exterior of cell tissue and an insertion end positionable in or adjacent of target cell tissue. A plurality of microtubes are bundled to pass through the needle body and extend to respective distal ends grouped proximally interior... Agent: Department Of The Army Legal Office

20070142715 - Chest strap for measuring vital signs: The invention provides a monitor featuring a chest strap that measures a variety of different vital signs (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry) and wirelessly transmits them to an external device. The chest strap features: i) an electrode system with at least two electrodes that generate electrical signals... Agent: Triage Wireless, Inc. Matthew John Banet

20070142716 - System and method for generating a patient clinical status indicator: A system and method for displaying a patient clinical status indicator. In one embodiment the system includes a plurality of sensors, each sensor measuring a respective patient parameter; a processor in communication with each of the plurality of sensors, and a display in communication with the processor. The processor receives... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070142718 - Noninvasive measurement of chemical substances: Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One... Agent: Jacobson Holman PLLC

20070142717 - Sensor holder: The present invention is directed to holders for a sensor. The holders apply pressure to the sensor to prevent a venous blood signal without dampening the arterial blood signal and are optically opaque to shield ambient light from reaching the sensor.... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20070142720 - Apparatus and methods for mitigating the effects of foreign interferents on analyte measurements in spectroscopy: The present invention includes apparatuses and methods for mitigating the effects of foreign interferents on analyte measurements. The present invention comprises several interferent mitigation steps. Examples include sample cleaning procedures, detection of the presence of interferents, determination of the identity of interferents, and modification or selection of a multivariate calibration... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20070142719 - Optical measurement apparatus for living body: A principal component analysis or an independent component analysis is conducted on the living body signals, e.g., local cerebral blood amount change signals obtained by the living body optical measurement to extract and display multiple component signals thereof. Signals other than the component signals containing noise are selected from these... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070142721 - Monitoring of physiological analytes: Methods and devices are provided for measuring the concentration of target chemical analytes present in a biological system. Device configuration and/or measurement techniques are employed in order to reduce the effect of interfering species on sensor sensitivity. One important application of the invention involves a method and device for monitoring... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070142722 - Egg monitoring methods and apparatus: Apparatus and methods for electrocardiogram measurement. A first (504) and second (506) electrode are disposed on a first non-conductive pad (502) and independently represent any one of the V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, or V6 precordial positions. A third electrode (510) disposed on a second non-conductive pad (508) is a... Agent: Jones Day

20070142723 - Correction of geometric distortions in magnetic resonance images: A method and apparatus are disclosed for concurrently acquiring two sets of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) image data during the same image data acquisition interval in which the magnetic field associated with acquisition of the first data set is caused to differ from the magnetic field associated with acquisition of... Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman

20070142725 - Biopsy site marker deployment device: A biopsy marker deployment device is provided herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, the deployment device includes a deployment assembly and an actuator configured to selectively actuate the deployment assembly. The deployment assembly is configured to selectively deposit a marker in a biopsy site through at least one aperture and... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer PLLC

20070142724 - Medium and method for measuring the efficacy of a tumour therapy: According to the invention, a measurement of the efficacy of a tumour therapy in single cell suspensions of tumour cells, by determination of the acid formation in a medium in the presence and the absence of a cytotoxic substance, is carried out by performing the measurement in a medium comprising... Agent: Morris Manning Martin LLP

20070142726 - Instrumented catheter with distance compensation to sense vulnerable plaque: A method and apparatus for determining vulnerable plaque in a cardiovascular lumen is disclosed. In one embodiment, a guide member comprising a temperature sensor and a distance sensor are inserted into the cardiovascular lumen. The temperature of the cardiovascular wall is measured with the temperature sensor, and the distance from... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070142728 - Apparatus and methods using acoustic telemetry for intrabody communications: Systems and methods provide intrabody communication using acoustic telemetry. The system includes a first or control implant including a first acoustic transducer, and a second implant including a switch and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch. The second acoustic transducer receives acoustic signals from the first acoustic transducer... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070142727 - System and method for analyzing cardiovascular pressure measurements made within a human body: A cardiovascular pressure data analyzing system having one or more implanted pressure sensors, an implanted communication device in wireless communication with the sensor and an external data processing unit adapted to use real-time barometric data to calibrate uncalibrated pressure data received from the communication device. The external data processing unit... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20070142729 - Blood vessel catheter and injection system for carrying out a blood pressure measurement of a patient: An injection system for injecting an injectate fluid into a blood vessel of the patient and for carrying out a blood pressure measurement of a patient. The injection system includes a catheter tube having a first end for penetrating the blood vessel of the patient, and a pressure sensor which... Agent: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, LLC

20070142730 - Apparatus for noninvasive blood pressure measurement: An apparatus for noninvasive blood pressure measurement having a device for measuring blood pressure values and an acceleration sensor, in particular a two- or three-axis acceleration sensor for measuring movements is provided for measuring and monitoring blood pressure. Using the movement data ascertained by the acceleration sensor, movement artifacts are... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070142731 - Non-invasive electronic method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure: Provided is a non-invasive electronic method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure, in which the data is processed with an algorithm of non-linear fitting for recovering trend envelope of an oscillating PW by a firmware, so that the trend envelope of PW amplitude can be recovered accurately, and the obtained... Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley)

20070142733 - Bio-impedance sensor and sensing method: Implantable medical devices and techniques are implemented that use bio-impedance to measure aspects of patient physiology. A signal separation method is performed at least in part in an implantable device. The method involves detecting a plurality of impedance signals using a plurality of implantable electrodes coupled to the implantable device.... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070142732 - Detection of heart failure decompensation based on cumulative changes in sensor signals: Systems, devices and methods provide for evaluation of heart failure symptoms. Sensor data associated with one or more symptoms of heart failure are acquired and trended. Statistical features, such as slope, are extracted from the data trend in a moving window and are used to develop a cumulative sum. The... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070142735 - Circuit and method for compensating for an electrode motion artifact: A circuit and method for compensating for an electrode motion artifact in which the electrode motion artifact is generated because impedance between a subject and a measuring electrode changes during measurement of the subject's biosignal, and the electrode motion artifact can be differentially measured and an electrocardiogram signal can be... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070142734 - System and method for triggering a device based on an electrocardiogram signal: A system and method for triggering an external device in response to an electrocardiogram signal. In one embodiment the method includes determining a peak in the electrocardiogram signal, determining if the electrocardiogram signal is rising or falling at the peak in the signal and triggering a device in response to... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070142737 - Arrhythmia discrimination based on determination of rate dependency: Cardiac systems and methods provide for discriminating between supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and ventricular tachyarrhythmia based on a determination that the patient's supraventricular rhythm exhibits rate dependency. One approach involves determining if a patient's supraventricular rhythm exhibits rate dependent morphology. If the patient's supraventricular rhythm is determined to exhibit rate dependent morphology,... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070142736 - Discriminating polymorphic and monomorphic cardiac rhythms using template generation: Cardiac arrhythmias are classified based on the morphology of the arrhythmia episode beats. Templates are formed using morphological features of the cardiac beats of the episode. The arrhythmia episode is classified as a monomorphic tachyarrhythmia or polymorphic tachyarrhythmia based on the one or more templates. The arrhythmia episode may be... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070142738 - Dynamic heart rate monitor: A dynamic heart rate monitor is disclosed to include a neckband carrying a first electrode set for disposing on the user's neck, a heart rate recording and display unit, a first pair of electric wires fastened to the neckband and coupled between the first electrode set and the heart rate... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070142740 - Method for predicting stroke and pain in a human patient: A method for predicting the onset of any (NO)-related negative influence of hemolysis, such as pain or the likely occurrence of a troske, in a human patient by detecting abnormal levels of hemolysis, through the measurement of one or more breath gas concentrations.... Agent: Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi

20070142739 - Sensoric method for evaluating breath: The invention relates to a novel method of evaluating the breath of a test subject. A breath sample from a test subject is collected in a container. The microbial load of the breath sample collected in the container is reduced. The breath sample collected in the container is evaluated by... Agent: Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P.

20070142741 - Macro-control of treatment for sleep disordered breathing: A method and apparatus for treating sleep disordered breathing. An arousal index is determined for use in an outer loop of a control algorithm, the arousal index being a measure of the frequency of sleep arousals. The respiratory airflow signal in an inner loop of the control algorithm is monitored... Agent: Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman PC

20070142742 - Methods and systems for segmental lung diagnostics: Minimally invasive systems and methods are provided for diagnosing conditions in target lung compartments. Using catheters capable of isolating the target lung compartments and measuring one or more of collateral ventilation, pressure, flow rate, and volume, conditions such as hyperinflation, compliance, gas exchange including oxygen uptake, directionality of collateral channels,... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070142745 - Method of procuring birth tissue: A method of procuring birth tissue which includes the following steps; identifying a suitable birth tissue donor, scheduling a birth procedure, providing a trained technician to procure birth tissue at the birth procedure and procuring birth tissue at the birth procedure. The method of procuring birth tissue is thus based... Agent: Swanson & Bratschun L.L.C.

20070142743 - Tissue sample needle actuator system and apparatus and method of using same: A tissue sample needle actuator system and apparatus includes an actuation mechanism for, among other things, automatically thrusting a tissue sample needle forward and/or automatically rotating an inner tube of the tissue sample needle relative to an outer tube of the tissue sample needle to operate an integral snare. The... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070142744 - Tissue sample needle and method of using same: A tissue sample needle having an outer tube and an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube having a distal end that is provided with a snare having a plurality of deformable members extending from the inner tube. The free ends of the members are coupled directly... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070142746 - Cell collection device: This invention relates generally to medical devices, and more particularly, an apparatus and method for collecting cells or tissue samples from the cervix of a patient for medical testing.... Agent: Theodore Allen, Esq Cytyc Corporation

20070142747 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a drive force generator and a penetrating member operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070142748 - Tissue penetration device: A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes a drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are housed in a penetrating member housing. Each of penetrating member is configured to be coupled to the drive force generator. A plurality of analyte sensors are housed in... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070142751 - Apparatus and method for haptic rendering: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating a haptic penalty force, including in one embodiment, the steps of: defining a primary proxy position; defining a secondary proxy position; defining a HIP position; generating a first force in response to the primary proxy position and the HIP... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP

20070142749 - Apparatus for medical and/or simulation procedures: In a preferred embodiment, medical apparatus comprising a catheter (12) which operable to be inserted into a human subject (10) is disclosed herein. Haptic sensors (22, 24) and deformation sensors (26, 27) are connected to the catheter (12) and these are disposed at a plurality of locations along the length... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070142750 - Method and apparatus for uterine cavity length measurement: A uterine cavity length measuring device includes a first elongate member including a lumen and a plurality of apertures extending between the lumen and an exterior surface of the first elongate member, and a second elongate member including a lumen, and at least one aperture located at a distal end... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070142752 - Uterine cavity length measurement: A uterine length measurement device includes a first elongate member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen, the elongate member configured for insertion into an endocervical canal where the distal end is configured for insertion to approximately an internal cervical os of the endocervical canal. A second... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070135673 - Selectively loadable/sealable bioresorbable carrier assembly for radioisotope seeds: A selectively loadable/sealable bioresorbable carrier assembly for retaining and positioning elements used in brachytherapy procedures comprises a bioresorbable tube having a closed distal end and a proximal open end. The bioresorbable tube is loaded with a selectable arrangement of elements, including at least one radioactive seed, through the proximal open... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20070135674 - Delivery for interstitial radiotherapy using hollow seeds: A delivery system and method for interstitial radiation therapy uses a seed strand composed of a plurality of tubular shaped, hollow radioactive seeds with a bore. The seed strand as assembled with a material provided in the bore and between the spaced seeds is axially stiff and radially flexible and... Agent: Fliesler Meyer LLP

20070135675 - Pre-warm function for infant warmer: An infant warmer for supporting an infant upon an infant platform. A radiant heater is located above the infant platform to direct infrared energy toward an infant positioned upon the infant platform. There is a pre-heat cycle that is carried out by a controller of the radiant heater that may... Agent: Roger M. Rathbun

20070135676 - Method and apparatus of obtaining peace of mind: Disclosed are one method and one apparatus which teach techniques to obtain peace of mind. It is believed that quantum entanglement from this physical world can carry information which might be vulnerable to a human's quantum mind especially when one is performing meditation, exercising Qi-Gong, taking rest or relaxation, or... Agent: Hoton How

20070135678 - Lifting method for lesion area, and anchoring device: A lifting method for a lesion area of the present invention includes: a step of introducing an anchoring tool having a magnetic body and an anchor into a hollow organ having a lesion area, by using a working channel inserted from a natural opening into the hollow organ; a step... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070135677 - Wrap: A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070135679 - Colonoscopic device stabilizer: A colonoscopic device stabilizer for stabilizing a colonoscopic device when inserted in an anus of a patient. The stabilizer includes a body adapted for receipt within the anus of a patient. The body has an opening sized and shaped for receiving the colonoscopic device when the device is inserted in... Agent: Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

20070135680 - Capsule type endoscope: A capsule-type endoscope comprising a capsule body, an image pickup element, illuminating elements, an image signal processing circuit, a memory, an image information transmitting circuit and an antenna for wireless transmission. The capsule body contains the pickup element, the illuminating elements, the processing circuit, the memory, transmitting circuit and the... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070135681 - Flexible needle: An endoscopic instrument comprises a first flexible insertion member sized for insertion through a body lumen to a target site and a needle coupled to the insertion member for penetration of tissue, the needle including a plurality of flexibility enhancing grooves formed therein along at least a first portion of... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20070135682 - Endoscope and front cover: An endoscope includes an observation window for observing an image of a photographic subject; an illumination window for emitting illumination light for illuminating the photographic subject; a suction port connected to a suction channel are provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion; an observation window peripheral edge... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070135683 - Alternating propulsion type endoscope and continuous drive type endoscope: An endoscope preferably comprising an alternating propulsion system in which an endoscope shaft is advanced by means of an auxiliary means (e.g. a hose preferably including fluid pads or a guiding wire/net) in a canal-shaped cavity by the fact that the endoscope shaft and the auxiliary means are alternately resting... Agent: Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP

20070135684 - In-vivo information acquiring apparatus: Provided is an in-vivo information acquiring apparatus including a plurality of illuminating units, a plurality of imaging units, and a transmission unit. The plurality of illuminating units are disposed within the apparatus and illuminate a body cavity. The plurality of imaging units pair up with the illuminating units, respectively, and... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070135685 - Medical instrument and method for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ: A medical instrument for manipulating, in particular retracting tissue or an organ in the human or animal body, comprises an elongated shaft having a distal portion introducible into the body, and at least one working element arranged at a distal end portion of the shaft for manipulating the tissue or... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070135686 - Tools and methods for epicardial access: A retractor tool has a hollow shaft with a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft has an internal bore sized to slidable receive an elongated tool of predetermined dimensions with a distal end of said tool exposed through a distal end of the bore. Such tool may be... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20070135687 - Vaginal speculum arrangement: The present invention relates to a vaginal speculum embodying an applicator for the uniform delivery of a standardized dose of a liquid diagnostic marker onto the woman's lower genital tract. The applicator can comprises of a marker container and a mechanism for transferring a desirable quantity of its content to... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP

20070135689 - Emotion calculating apparatus and method and mobile communication apparatus: In a method and an apparatus for calculating the emotion of a human being, the emotion of a user of the apparatus is calculated from the pressure acting on an object. A pressure sensor is provided in a mobile phone and detects the pressure with which the user grips the... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20070135688 - Networked system for interactive communication and remote monitoring of individuals: A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070135691 - Medicament compliance monitoring system, method, and medicament container: A medicament compliance monitoring system and method of monitoring medicament compliance are disclosed. The medical compliance monitoring system includes a detector, a transmitter, and a monitoring center. The detector is configured to detect an activity indicative of medical compliance of a medicament. The transmitter is in communication with the detector.... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070135692 - Method and medium for synchronizing vital signal data received from plural measuring apparatuses and system of enabling the method: A method of synchronizing a user's biosignal data received from a plurality of measurement devices is provided, including: transmitting a time set command to each of the plurality of measurement devices; receiving the user's first biosignal data from each of the plurality of measurement devices, the first biosignal data including... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070135690 - Mobile communication device that provides health feedback: A mobile communication device obtains health-related information associated with a user of the mobile communication device, determines whether a health goal has been reached based on the health-related information, provides negative feedback to the user when the health goal has not been reached, and provides positive feedback to the user... Agent: Harrity Snyder, L.L.P.

20070135693 - Interferometric method and instrument for measurement and monitoring blood glucose through measurement of tissue refractive index: A method of measuring glucose concentration in tissue includes measuring scattering coefficients of the tissue at each of a plurality of temperatures and at a selected tissue depth using optical coherence tomography, and determining the glucose concentration in interstitial fluid of the tissue as a function of the measured scattering... Agent: Stephen Cohen C/o Newton Photonics

20070135694 - Biological photometric equipment: To control information obtained from inside of a living body with higher precision as compared to that in the conventional technology by controlling a ratio of intensities of light, directed to a trial body, in a plurality of wavelength ranges different in peak wavelength from each other, a measurement error... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070135695 - Fluid pressure actuator: An optical fiber setting adequacy evaluation unit (115) for evaluating a setting adequacy on a body surface in an inspection area of irradiation use optical fibers (103) or of light receiving use optical fibers (103′) at both ends of respective measurement channels in an optical measurement apparatus for living body... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070135696 - Method and apparatus for background current arrangements for a biosensor: Embodiments of the present invention provide for raising a background current setting for a biosensor above the actual (measured) background current present (i.e., overestimating the background current), particularly in the hypoglycemic range, to improve sensor accuracy and decrease the chance of glucose value overestimation by the sensor.... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20070135697 - Method and apparatus for providing sensor guard for data monitoring and detection systems: Method and apparatus for providing sensor guard for data monitoring and detection system having a sensor for detecting one or more glucose levels, the sensor including a work electrode disposed on a base material, a reference electrode disposed on the base material, and a guard electrode disposed on the base... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070135698 - Biosensors and methods for making and using them: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized permselective membranes and methods for making and using such sensors. Embodiments of the invention also provide analyte sensors such as those having porous matrices coated with an analyte sensing composition and methods for making and using such sensors. Illustrative embodiments include... Agent: Gates & Cooper LLP Howard Hughes Center

20070135699 - Biosensor with antimicrobial agent: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for sensing analyte with devices having antimicrobial properties. Embodiments of the present invention provide specialized coatings or specialized materials that reduce the risk of tissue infection around biosensors that reside fully or partially within subcutaneous tissue or within a blood... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20070135700 - La placian electrode: A medical probe for mapping is provided. The medical probe includes an elongated member, a first mapping ring electrode mounted to the elongated member, and a second mapping ring electrode mounted to the elongated member. The first and second mapping ring electrodes are electrically insulated from each other. The second... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070135701 - Sensor system for measuring an electric potential signal of an object: The invention generally pertains to reducing artifact noise signals present when non-invasive capacitive-type signal measurements are taken of static electric fields produced by an object (10) of interest. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, a given static artifact signal is reduced by minimizing the potential difference between... Agent: Diederiks & Whitelaw, PLC

20070135703 - Imaging device and therapy facility having such a device: An imaging device and therapy facility are provided. An imaging device includes a table that supports a patient. An image-making unit is operative to create digital picture data of a body region of the patient. The image-making unit is operative to three-dimensionally scale the coordinates of the picture data recorded... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070135702 - Radiological imaging apparatus and transmission imaging method: A radiological imaging apparatus includes an imaging apparatus having an opening for insertion of a bed thereinto, and an attenuation correction data creating device. The imaging has a plurality of radiation detectors disposed around the opening and a plurality of gamma ray generation units residing between the opening and the... Agent: Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge, P.C.

20070135704 - Radio frequency shield for nuclear magnetic resonance procedures: An apparatus and method for providing RF shielding for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) procedures, comprising a radio-opaque holder in combination with radio-opaque magnet components to form an RF shield around a patient undergoing an NMR procedure. In embodiments, a radio-opaque holder having a radio-opaque bottom portion and a radio-opaque... Agent: Covington & Burling, LLP Attn: Patent Docketing

20070135705 - System and method for image based physiological monitoring of cardiovascular function: A method for real time monitoring of cardiac function includes defining a plurality of planes through a heart from which to acquire heart imaging data, acquiring a sequence of 2-dimensional images from said selected planes, wherein each said image comprises a plurality of intensities defined on a domain of points... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070135706 - Debridement method, device and kit: A debridement method, device and system or kit are effectively used to debride a lesion, particularly an osteolytic lesion resulting from a hip or knee arthroplasty. In the lesion treatment, an effective amount of a debridement fluid with suspended particulate abrasive is delivered to a lesion area within body tissue... Agent: Philip D Freedman PC Philip D Freedman

20070135707 - Computerized workflow method for stent planning and stenting procedure: In a computerized workflow method for stent planning and conducting a stenting procedure, characteristics of a lesion to be stented are determined from a 3D planning image of the region and selection of an actual stent for stenting the lesion is made with computer-assisted analysis of the lesion based on... Agent: Schiff Hardin LLP Patent Department

20070135708 - Methods and apparatus for guiding a needle: A needle is guided to a target along a pre-determined needle insertion trajectory. A method that utilizes a fluoroscope can be used to locate the target. The target can be an internal structure within the human body. A device can be used with the fluoroscope to aim and insert a... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070135709 - Radiation ablation tracking system and method: A system and method for treating a target tissue region (e.g., malignant tissue) is provided. A hyperthermic probe is placed into contact with the target tissue region, and the target tissue region is exposed to a therapeutic x-ray radiation beam. The probe is operated to increase the temperature of the... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070135710 - Device and method for determining the concentration of a tracer in blood: The invention relates to device and a method for determining the concentration of a PET tracer in the blood of a patient (1). With the aid of an X-ray CT (5, 6), first of all the spatial position (r) of a volume element (2) that is filled with blood is... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070135711 - Methods and systems for marking post biopsy cavity sites: A method of marking a cavity in a breast for subsequent visualization may include steps of providing a device having a delivery opening, a first marker and a second marker, the first and second markers being movable through the delivery opening, the first marker being configured to be visualized by... Agent: Young Law Firm, P.C. Alan W. Young

20070135712 - Catheter device: The invention relates to a catheter device for performing atherectomy, comprising an atherectomy catheter, an IVMRI sensor, position sensors and an image-processing unit which is fashioned for generating combined 2D and/or 3D image recordings based on the data from the sensors.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070135713 - Catheter system and method for fine navigation in a vascular system: The invention relates to a catheter system comprising a first, outer catheter (1) and a second catheter element contained in it, which can particularly be a guide wire (2). A respective active localizer (4, 5) is placed on the first and on the second catheter element (1, 2), for example... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070135714 - Directional needle injection drug delivery device and method use: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for imaging and mapping various structures located at a target area within a patient's lumen using conventional IVUS technology. The mapped images are used to accurately determine and control the location of the device within the lumen relative to the target area... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070135715 - Endoscopic diagnosis support method, endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus and endoscopic diagnosis support program: Provided are an endoscopic diagnosis support method, an endoscopic diagnosis support apparatus, and an endoscopic diagnosis support program, all of which are capable of extracting an image picking up a bleeding region easily and accurately from among a large number of endoscopic images picked up by an endoscope observation apparatus... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070135716 - Dilution apparatus, method and computer program: An apparatus for determining a patient's circulatory fill status is adapted to provide a dilution curve and is capable to derive the ratio between the patient's global end-diastolic volume GEDV and the patient's intra thoracic thermo volume ITTV from the dilution curve. Further, a computer program for determining a patient's... Agent: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, LLC

20070135717 - Organism information detection device and sphygmomanometer: An living body information collecting apparatus having a shape suitable for being worn in the external auditory meatus of the human body, and having a sensing part for collecting living body information from the external auditory meatus is provided. In addition, a blood-pressure meter is provided, wherein the blood-pressure meter... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070135718 - Ultra miniature pressure sensor: A method of measuring blood pressure and velocity proximally and distally of a stenosis in a vessel carrying blood includes the steps of providing a guide wire having both a pressure sensor and a velocity sensor disposed on a distal region of the guide wire, introducing the guide wire into... Agent: O'melveny & Myers LLP

20070135719 - Controlled range blood pressure cuff: A blood pressure cuff is provided for use with a blood pressure monitoring system. The cuff includes a flexible elongated inflatable and deflatable sleeve sized to wrap around an individual's limb with the sleeve having opposite ends. A first fastener is attached on one of the sleeve ends and has... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070135720 - Blood pressure cuff with cylindrical bladder: A generally cylindrical blood pressure bladder encased by a blood pressure cuff. The cylindrical bladder may be either latex or latex-free with one or more tubes to attach to an inflation/deflation device and a measurement instrument. The cylindrical bladder may be sized to fit over the arm, thigh, or finger.... Agent: Simeon M. Vinocur

20070135721 - External continuous field tomography: Methods for evaluating tissue motion of a tissue location, e.g., a cardiac location, via external continuous field tomography are provided. Aspects of the methods include generating at least one substantially linear continuous field gradient across the tissue location of interest, and using a resultant signal from a sensing element stably... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (prts) (proteus Biomedical,inc)

20070135722 - Systems and methods for detecting or validating signals in the presence of noise: Detecting or validating signals such as cardiac beats can be performed in the presence of myopotential or other noise. An amplitude peak, which can be a candidate for a detected beat, can be used in a normalized or other weighted average, along with a preceding and subsequent sample. The weighted... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070135723 - Method for measuring a user's cardiorespiratory endurance by a fitness equipment: The present invention relates to a method for measuring a user's cardiorespiratory endurance by a fitness equipment, which uses a fitness equipment such as an electric treadmill having a speed control meter panel and a heartbeat monitor to operate with an optimal human heartbeat rate (which is 60%˜90% of our... Agent: Kuo-hsiung Chiu

20070135726 - Method for improving recognition rate of respiratory wave: The present invention discloses a method for improving recognition rate of respiratory wave, which is used for a data processing module of a respiratory rate measuring or monitoring device, specifically, said method comprises the steps of: receiving, via a data processing module, respiratory wave data which come from a measuring... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20070135724 - Methods and apparatus for heart failure treatment: Methods and apparatus for assessing the condition of and treating patients for heart failure by the delivery of continuous positive airway pressure are disclosed. Treatment of obstruction due to reflex vocal cord closure often experienced by heart failure patients is distinguished from treatment of upper airway obstruction typically associated with... Agent: Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman PC

20070135725 - Systems and methods for determining respiration metrics: Systems, devices and methods provide for acquiring respiration information. A respiration information device includes timer circuitry to time a plurality of shorter time apertures and a plurality of longer time apertures. A respiration sensor, which may be implemented as a transthoracic impedance sensor, is configured to generate a signal indicative... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070135727 - Detection of artifacts in bioelectric signals: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting artifacts in a bioelectric signal, especially in a frontal EEG signal. In order to accomplish an uncomplicated mechanism for detecting artifacts in clinical applications, an impedance signal is measured through a first electrode set attached to the skin surface in... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070135728 - Systems and methods for analyzing and assessing depression and other mood disorders using electroencephalographic (eeg) measurements: This invention is directed to systems and methods for analyzing depression, and more particularly relates to systems and methods for analyzing and assessing depression and mood disorders in an individual using electroencephalographic measurements. Embodiments of the invention are not limited to depression, but can also include other mood disorders such... Agent: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

20070135729 - Medical apparatus for determination of biological conditions using impedance measurements: Medical apparatus for diagnosing of a diseased condition of the skin of a subject. The apparatus comprises an electrically conducting probe including a plurality of electrodes, each electrode comprising a plurality of micro-needles, wherein each electrode comprises a base substrate, said micro-needles being integrally formed with said substrate and arranged... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070135730 - Interpretive report in automated diagnostic hearing test: A multimedia user interface for an automated diagnostic hearing test allows a patient to interact with the automated hearing test in order to conduct various hearing related tests. The patient is given instructions and guidance for every test, and can call the operator at any time for help. Warning messages... Agent: Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP Attn: Docketing

20070135731 - Dermal incisor: The present invention is a dermal incisor for use in cutting a section from the skin of an individual for examination. The incisor has a housing in which an endless, flexible blade is disposed. The blade is connected to a handle that is rotatable with regard to the housing. Upon... Agent: Boyle Fredrickson Newholm Stein & Gratz, S.c.

20070135732 - Flexible mandril: A support member for providing core support to an elongated medical device. The support member comprises a generally cylindrical substrate having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a mass such that the respective proximal and distal ends are visible under medical imagery. The substrate is sized to... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/indy/cook

20070135734 - Composite guidewire: Alternative designs, materials and manufacturing methods for guidewires. Some embodiments pertain to a composite guidewire having proximal and distal section, and a connector adapted and configured for permanently joining the proximal section to the distal section. In some embodiments, at least one of the sections is made of a linear-elastic... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070135733 - Handle and articulator system and method: The invention includes an assembly having a handle for articulating an articulator in an ergonomically improved manner. The handle can be adapted to articulate a distal portion of the articulator when squeezed. The handle can have at least one accessible attachment mechanism useful for reattachably attaching the articulator and the... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070135736 - Involuntary contraction induced pressure as a medical diagnostic tool: Techniques for detecting stress urinary incontinence use a pressure sensing catheter the electrical indications of which are applied to a processing unit for detecting pressure levels generated during involuntary coughs. The involuntary coughs are induced preferentially by using a nebulized composition of L-tartrate in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The area... Agent: Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist P.A.

20070135737 - Method for physiological volume measurement and analysis for body volume visualization: A repeatable patient-specific measurement technique. The process employs common anatomical reference points to guide the individual performing the measurements. The measurements taken are logged into a database using a standard format. A volume corresponding to the area measured is then calculated. The series of measurements can be accurately repeated during... Agent: John Wiley Horton, Attorney Pennington, Moore, Wilkinson, Bell & Dunbar, P.A.

20070135735 - Tactile amplification instrument and method of use: The invention relates to a tool comprising a handle and a tip, which provides amplified tactile feedback to a user regarding the material with which the tip of the tool is in contact. In one embodiment, tactile feedback is provided to the user via the handle of the tool, in... Agent: Stephen J. Scribner Parteq Innovations

20070129592 - Treatment of a body cavity: Devices and methods are provided for controlled application of a treatment to tissue adjacent a body cavity, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. cancer. A device embodying features of the invention includes one or more radiation shielding components to control emitted radiation from a radiation source to minimize radiation... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Duane Morris LLP

20070129593 - Apparatus and method for brachytherapy radiation distribution mapping: An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurements of radiation in brachytherapy accomplished through scintillating material detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during brachytherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation... Agent: Mcguirewoods, LLP

20070129594 - Implantable direct cardiac compression device and system: An implantable direct cardiac compression (DCC) device (101) has a body (102) comprising a flexible frontal cardiac compression wall (103) and a rear wall (104) together defining a pressurisable chamber (106). The cardiac compression wall (103) is adapted to be affixed to the wall of a ventricle (21) of a... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20070129595 - Implantable hearing aid transducer: A variable reluctance motor is provided having a linear relationship between an input current and an output force. According to one aspect of the invention, the motor comprises a stator, an armature, and at least one magnetic member to provide a biasing force on the armature. According to this characterization,... Agent: Marsh, Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP

20070129596 - Rocking mechanism for children with associated sounds: An infant rocking assembly includes a base, a sound-producing device for playing a soundtrack to produce a sound pattern, a top member which is movably mounted on the base and supports an infant-supporting structure such as a carrier seat or stroller, and a motor for moving the top member relative... Agent: Sand & Sebolt

20070129597 - Methods and devices for luminal and sphincter augmentation: Devices and methods for augmenting or otherwise enhancing closure of body lumens comprise magnetic or magnetizable components or particles which are implanted in the wall of the lumen. The magnet fields exerted by the components or particles act to close the body lumen with a desired force.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070129598 - Method and apparatus for external stabilization of the heart: The present disclosure is directed to an external cardiac basal annuloplasty system (ECBAS or BACE-System: basal annuloplasty of the cardia externally) and methods for treatment of regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves. The BACE-System provides the ability to correct leakage of regurgitation of the valves with or without the use... Agent: Gordon & Rees LLP

20070129600 - Kit, system and method to treat erectile dysfunction: Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide kits, systems, and methods for treating a patient's erectile dysfunction. An embodiment of a kit, for example, includes a pressure pump, a plurality of elongated vacuum chambers, and a plurality of penile tension devices positioned in a container. An embodiment of a system,... Agent: Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

20070129599 - Massage apparatus having a connection system: A massage apparatus having a connection system for exchanging a prosthetic member is disclosed. The prosthetic member is adapted to receive an outer sleeve therein for providing a sleeve assembly that collectively engages an inner casing defining a chamber having a vibratory component disposed therein. The vibratory component provides a... Agent: Greensfelder Hemker & Gale PC

20070129601 - Scanning beam device with detector assembly: The present invention provides scanning beam devices that have one or more detectors positioned within a housing of the device. The detector(s) may be disposed anywhere within the housing to receive light reflected from the target area. In one embodiment, an optical assembly of the device transmits a first portion... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070129602 - Device, method and system for activating an in-vivo imaging device: A device, system, and method for activating an ingestible imaging device with an RF radiation signal such that an imaging device that may be initially in a dormant state may be activated prior to ingestion by exposure to RF radiation The device may include an RF switch that may facilitate... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070129603 - System and method for managing difficult airways: A system and method for endotracheal intubation of airways are disclosed. A malleable stylet having a distal end and a proximal end, a charged coupled device (CCD) at the distal end and a transmitter, at or near the proximal end or connected to the proximal end of the stylet with... Agent: Cozen O'connor, P.C.

20070129604 - Remote viewing apparatus: A remote viewing device including a hand-holdable control unit. The control unit supports a display device and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is removably attached to the control unit and provides mechanical power to an insertion tube. A distal end of the insertion tube includes an inspection head for... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070129605 - Endoscope comprising a flexible probe: An endoscope comprising a flexible catheter probe 1 having a plurality of lumens, a handle 12 provided at the proximal end of the probe, an optical system 6 provided in at least one optical system lumen of the catheter probe 1, at least one working lumen for a surgical instrument... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070129606 - Metal laryngoscope blade: A metal laryngoscope blade with a resiliently elastically deformable metal blade hook-on fitting for removable double snap engagement into an operative intubation position on a laryngoscope handle with a correspondingly sized handle hook-on fitting.... Agent: Nath & Associates

20070129607 - Laryngoscope blade: The present invention concerns improved laryngoscope blades, particularly for use in the intubation of patients, for example orotracheal and nasotracheal intubation, and which allow viewing of a portion of the mouth, the pharynx, and the larynx of a patient, and depress the tongue and the structures of the floor of... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP

20070129608 - Access system for minimally invasive spinal surgery: A retractor assembly for defining a working channel to a surgical site for conducting minimally invasive spinal surgery includes a plurality of relatively articulable components. Temporary interconnections are formed between adjacent sidewalls of the components to hold the components in a desired configuration, such as in a closed triangular form.... Agent: Stephen B. Salai, Esq. Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP

20070129610 - Method of providing automated medical assistance: A method of automatically providing users with appropriate levels of assistance at a walk-up medical station or kiosk (200) using hierarchical levels of support (130, 135, 140) based on intelligent contextual awareness of events, combined with stored historical user information (230).... Agent: Mark G. Bocchetti Patent Legal Staff

20070129609 - Support network system of medical institution: An objective of the present invention is to provide the latest medical treatment to a medical institution or a clinic in a remote/underpopulated area which is likely to lag behind the progress in the medical technology, which reduces economic burden on a terminal medical institution or a patient and establishes... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20070129611 - System, method and apparatus for assessing menopausal or post-hysterectomy symptoms: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for assessing a person's menopausal or post-hysterectomy symptoms by providing a first set and a second set of questions to the person, receiving answers to the first set and second set of questions and assessing the person's symptoms based on the... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20070129612 - Infant care bed with evaluation capabilities: An infant care bed for supporting an infant having incorporated therein, certain testing and evaluation devices to carrying out the evaluation of an infant in a medical care facility. The apparatus can carry out at least one of the following tests on the infant: determining the weight of an infant,... Agent: Roger M. Rathbun

20070129614 - Device and method for monitoring body fluid and electrolyte disorders: Devices and methods for measuring body fluid-related metric using spectrophotometry that may be used to facilitate diagnosis and therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a device for measuring a body-tissue water content metric as a fraction of the fat-free tissue content... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070129613 - Flexible light sources and detectors and applications thereof: Flexible and conformal medical light sources and related diagnostic devices directed to monitoring blood characteristics (e.g. levels of CO, oxygen, or bilirubin) and photo-therapeutic devices for treatment of ailments such as psoriasis and some forms of cancer. The flexible light source preferably comprises one or more organic light emitting diodes... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20070129615 - Apparatus for recognizing abnormal tissue using the detection of early increase in microvascular blood content: The present invention relates to probe apparatuses and component combinations thereof that are used to recognize possibly abnormal living tissue using a detected early increase in microvascular blood supply and corresponding applications. In one embodiment there is disclosed an apparatus that emits broadband light obtained from a light source onto... Agent: Morris Manning Martin LLP

20070129617 - Light source drive algorithm: The present invention relates to a method for illuminating a first and at least a second light source in a light-emitting apparatus. This method comprises the acts of illuminating the first light source for a first period during which the first light source emits a plurality of light pulses, illuminating... Agent: Goudreau Gage Dubuc

20070129616 - Probe and a method for use with a probe: The invention relates to a probe and a method for use with a probe, which produces signals indicative of the light absorption of arterial blood at least at a first light wave-length and at a second light wavelength. In order to indicate if the probe is not properly attached to... Agent: General Electric Co. Global Patent Operation

20070129618 - Blood parameter testing system: A substantially automatic blood parameter testing apparatus for obtaining a blood sample and determining the concentration of at least one analyte is connected to a venous or arterial access line and further comprises a pump fixedly attached to a tube originating from the vascular access point; a valve fixedly attached... Agent: Patentmetrix

20070129619 - Compound material analyte sensor: A sensing element adapted to, at least in part, be inserted into a mammalian body. The sensing element is made up of a core of a structurally robust metal and a plated portion made of an electrochemically active metal conjoined to at least a portion of the core. This sensing... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20070129620 - Selectively exposable miniature probes with integrated sensor arrays for continuous in vivo diagnostics: A medical detecting device including at least one miniature probe/lance (hereinafter microprotrusion) containing an integrated sensor which is covered with a protective coating to shield the sensor from fouling and other interactions with a host prior to its desired use is provided. In accordance with the present invention, the protective... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070129621 - System and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring: A system and method for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the steps of (1) contacting a remote device to an area of biological membrane having a permeability level, the remote device comprising a sensor and a transmitter; (2)... Agent: Hunton & Williams LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070129622 - Wearable ambulatory data recorder: A wearable ambulatory data recorder that senses physiological parameters of a patient, and stores physiological parameter data for later retrieval, as well as techniques for using such a wearable ambulatory data recorder, are described. The data recorder includes one or more sensors located on or within a housing. The data... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070129623 - Intraocular pressure measurement system including a sensor mounted in a contact lens: An apparatus (180) for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) comprises a contact lens (40) including an inner surface (42) contoured to a surface portion (34) of an eye (36) and a sensor (10) disposed in the contact lens. The sensor (10) comprises a contact surface (14) for making contact with the... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070129624 - Device, system and method for in-vivo imaging of a body lumen: An in-vivo device, system and a method for imaging a body lumen, typically liquid filled body lumen. The in-vivo device may have a specific gravity of about 1 or a volume to weight ratio that enables it to float. The in-vivo device may include an optical system for viewing through... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070129627 - Method and system for displaying medical images: Methods and systems for displaying medical images are provided. The method includes performing three-dimensional (3D) volume visualization on a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images acquired continuously. The method further includes combining the 3D volume visualizations to form a plurality of four-dimensional (4D) volumes representing the 3D volume visualizations over a... Agent: The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20070129626 - Methods and systems for facilitating surgical procedures: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for facilitating surgery including: tracking a position of at least a portion of a surgical implement in a volume of interest; recognizing a surgical plan corresponding to at least a portion of the volume of interest; and providing feedback based on... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20070129625 - Systems and methods for detecting the presence of abnormalities in a medical image: The invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting and presenting textural information from medical images. In one example embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an imaging transducer assembly configured to emit one or more energy pulses and receive one or more echo signals, and a console, coupled to... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070129628 - Regional anesthetic method and apparatus: A system and method for regional anesthesia using ultrasound to assist in locating the anesthetic needle are disclosed. One or more piezo-electric crystal transducers is placed either at the tip of the needle or near the tip of the needle on a stylet which is inserted into the lumen of... Agent: Cozen O'connor, P.C.

20070129629 - System and method for surgical navigation: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated medical navigation system for use with an electromagnetic sensor and a device that may comprise a navigation interface configured to receive digitized signals from an electromagnetic sensor, a tracker module configured to determine a location of a device based on the... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20070129630 - Imaging method, device and system: A method, device and system or kit treat a lesion by injecting a contrast agent into a body area to distinguish an osteolytic lesion for imaging; and delivering an effective amount of a debridement fluid to debride the distinguished lesion.... Agent: Philip D Freedman PC Philip D Freedman

20070129631 - Synchronized three or four-dimensional medical ultrasound imaging and measurements: Ultrasound imaging is synchronized with measurements. Generating three-dimensional representations is synchronized with measuring one or more parameters. For example, measurements are preformed based on navigating through a volume. The measurements are linked to the corresponding three-dimensional representations. As another example, the user selects a measurement from a graph. A three-dimensional... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070129632 - Ultrasound tympanoscope: A system and method for examining a patient for an ear disorder. Reflectance ultrasound is applied to a portion of the ear to determine the presence of ear effusion in a middle ear. If ear effusion is present, motion of the tympanic membrane is induced and ultrasound is further applied... Agent: Kimton N. Eng, Esq. Dorsey & Whitney LLP

20070129633 - Ablation array having independently activated ablation elements: 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

20070129634 - Biomedical positioning and stabilization system: This invention provides a support device that allows the adjustable, yet rigid placement of a probe or other medical instrument against a region of interest/treatment on a patient. The system and method of rigid fixation, positioning, and adjustment contemplated herein is useful for a broad array of medical procedures including,... Agent: Hinckley, Allen & Snyder, LLP

20070129635 - Apparatus for measuring hemodynamic parameters: The present invention is directed toward an ultrasonography apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring hemodynamic activity, such as blood flow. The present invention comprises a doppler ultrasound unit, one or more transducers and a display.... Agent: Richard T. Redano

20070129636 - Vital sign monitor utilizing historic patient data: A vital sign monitoring system that can be used with multiple patients and utilizes historic patient data information for the patient to optimize the process of obtaining current vital sign measurements. Each patient is identified with a unique patient identification device that is automatically detected by the vital sign monitor.... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070129637 - Devices for fixing a sensor in a lumen: Sensing devices and methods of implanting sensing devices within an anatomical vessel network of a patient are provided. In one method, a fixation element (e.g., a stent or coil) of the sensing device is expanded into firm contact with a wall of a main anatomical vessel (e.g., a right pulmonary... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070129638 - Method and system for cuff pressure reversions: A method and system for determining when to make a reversion to smaller cuff pressure steps during an oscillometric blood pressure measurement is disclosed. The method and system comprise comparing conformance of oscillometric envelope blood pressure data with previous blood pressure data, including measuring a shift between the oscillometric envelope... Agent: Joseph D. Kuborn Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070129640 - Differentiating ischemic from non-ischemic t-wave inversion: A method of discriminating between ischemic and cardiac memory effects in a heart, comprising receiving electrocardiographic (ECG) data, calculating, from the ECG data, a direction of a T-wave vector, diagnosing ischemia if the T-wave vector is between about 75 degrees and about 200 degrees, and diagnosing cardiac memory if the... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c.

20070129639 - Methods and analysis for cardiac ischemia detection: One embodiment relates to a method of monitoring the heart of a subject for evidence of at least one of myocardial ischemia and infarction (MI/I). The method includes sensing an intra-cardiac electrical signal from at least one lead positioned in a subject. The method also includes detecting MI/I using at... Agent: Konrad Raynes & Victor, LLP

20070129641 - Posture estimation at transitions between states: An implanted device includes a posture sensor configured to produce one or more electrical signals associated with an orientation of the posture sensor relative to a direction of gravity. The device also includes a processor coupled to the posture sensor, the processor being programmed to process the electrical signals from... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth/bsc-crm

20070129642 - Cardiac monitoring: Systems and techniques for monitoring cardiac activity. In one aspect, a method includes collecting information describing the variability in heart rate over a series of beats, designating variability at a lower end of physiological values as being largely irrelevant to atrial fibrillation, designating variability in a midrange of physiological values... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20070129643 - Method and system for heart failure status evaluation based on a disordered breathing index: An evaluation of heart failure status is provided based on a disordered breathing index. Patient respiration is sensed and a respiration signal is generated. Disordered breathing episodes are detected based on the respiration signal. A disordered breathing index is determined based on the disordered breathing episodes. The disordered breathing index... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC Suite 125

20070129644 - Sleep disorder screening program: A method of screening for the risk of a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea proceeds by first providing a sleep health education to a member of an organization, offering and following up by providing a portable screening device for use by the member at home, which monitors a... Agent: Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman PC

20070129645 - Determining blood gas saturation based on measured parameter of respiration: Systems and methods provide for determining blood gas saturation based on one or more measured respiration parameters. A parameter of respiration is measured implantably over a duration of time. The measured respiratory parameter is associated with a blood gas saturation level. Blood gas saturation is determined based on the measured... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, LLC

20070129646 - Method and apparatus for indicating the absence of a pulmonary embolism in a patient: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient. The breathing gas CO2 partial pressure (PCO2) during the expiration of breathing gases by the patient, the end tidal (EtCO2), CO2 partial pressure, and the CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) of the blood... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070129647 - System and method for co2 and oximetry integration: The disclosed embodiments relate to a patient monitor for evaluating a patient. The patient monitor may comprise a capnometer that is adapted to receive at least a portion of exhaled flow from the patient and to produce a first output indicative of exhaled carbon dioxide associated with the exhaled flow,... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070129648 - Biomorphic rhythmic movement controller: An artificial Central Pattern Generator (CPG) based on the naturally-occuring central pattern generator locomotor controller for walking, running, swimming, and flying animals may be constructed to be self-adaptive, by providing for the artificial CPG, which may be a chip, to tune its behavior based on sensory feedback. It is believed... Agent: Whitham, Curtis & Christofferson & Cook, P.C.

20070129649 - Stenger screening in automated diagnostic hearing test: Method and system are disclosed for automated testing of a patient's hearing. The automated hearing test allows the patient to quickly and accurately test his own hearing. The patient is instructed and prompted for inputs and responses as needed. The patient and/or operator can select one or several tests to... Agent: Jenkens & Gilchrist

20070129650 - Method and apparatus for fluid injection: A device is provided for fluid delivery. The device comprises a cartridge having a plurality of cavities and a plurality of penetrating members. The plurality of penetrating members are each at least partially contained in cavities of the cartridge wherein the penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP