Surgery inventions 09/07

20070225544 - Apparatuses and techniques for bioactive drug delivery in the prostate gland: Methods and apparatuses for the delivery of bioactive substances into the prostate. The present invention encompasses the release of bioactive substances into the prostate of a patient. Preferably, the present invention employs either a sustained-release or depot formulation of the bioactive substance to release the substance over an extended period... Agent: Reed Smith LLP

20070225545 - Device for the epicardial support and/or resumption of cardiac activity: A device for epicardial support and/or the assuming of cardiac activity having a double membrane (1) consisting of an elastic inner membrane (2) and a non-expandable outer membrane (3) as well as a closed cavity (4) formed therebetween which can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid. With... Agent: Roberts, Mlotkowski & Hobbes

20070225546 - Pelvic floor implant system and method of assembly: Surgical articles, implants and components suitable creating composite slings are described. Novel procedures for assembling and utilizing composite slings are also detailed.... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070225547 - Collapsible delivery tool for cardiac support device: A cardiac support device and placement tool assembly. The cardiac support device has a flexible jacket with an open base end. The placement tool includes a cannula having an open end, a collapsible support on the end of the cannula releasably connected to the cardiac support device at a plurality... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20070225549 - Condom applicator: A condom applicator (10) is disclosed which comprises a base (12) with a split line (18) across it and two flaps (14) which are connected by flimsy hinges to the base (12). Tubs (16) protrude from the flap (14). The base (12) includes two generally parallel walls (24, 28) and... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.C.

20070225548 - Direct flow sexual device: A sexual stimulation device comprises a tubular hose and a connector member. Tubular hose further comprises a substantially straight elongated cylindrical shape upper portion. The lower portion of tubular hose is slightly curved upward ending in a tip portion which is configured substantially similar to the tip of a male... Agent: Delphine M. James

20070225551 - Diagnosis supporting device: A diagnosis supporting system acquires a reference image signal of a subject illuminated with visible light and a fluorescent image signal of the subject excited by irradiation with excitation light. The diagnosis supporting system calculates a difference between a brightness level of a pixel in the reference image signal and... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070225550 - System and method for 3-d tracking of surgical instrument in relation to patient body: A system and method for tracking the three-dimensional position and orientation of a surgical instrument as the instrument is being utilized within the interior of a patient body. A stereoscopic camera system generates a stereoscopic image of the patient body which is subsequently rendered on a display device. A wireless... Agent: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.

20070225552 - Introduction-assisting apparatus for capsule medical device: There is provided an assisting table capable of horizontally holding a subject and holding an angle at which a head of a subject is supported in an inclined state, and an assisting instrument, which includes a containing portion for containing a fluid to introduce a capsule medical device into a... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070225553 - Systems and methods for intraoperative targeting: The method of some embodiments of the invention assists a user in guiding a medical instrument to a subsurface target site in a patient. This method generates one or more intraoperative images. The method indicates a target site on the image(s). The method determines 3-D coordinates of the target site... Agent: Adeli Law Group, A Professional Law Corporation

20070225554 - Endoscope working channel with multiple functionality: Endoscopic instrument assemblies and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscopic instrument assembly includes an endoscope having a working channel and an endoscopic instrument slidably disposed in the working channel. The inside surface of the working channel and the outside surface of the endoscopic instrument each have... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070225555 - Method for deploying a medical device: A medical apparatus and method useful for positioning a tubular member such as a feeding tube, is disclosed. In one application, the method can include providing a flexible element releasably coupled to the feeding tube, positioning the endoscope within the patient's body, positioning the feeding tube at a desired location... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070225557 - Medical inspection devices: A medical inspection device. A housing includes a transparent plate. A circuit board is disposed in the housing. At least one light-emitting element is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The light-emitting element is opposite to the transparent plate. Light from the light-emitting element is output to... Agent: Quintero Law Office, PC

20070225556 - Disposable endoscope devices: Various methods and devices are provided for endoscopic procedures. In particular, the device can include an elongate flexible insertion element adapted for delivery within a patient. In one embodiment, the insertion element has at least one working channel disposed therein which is adapted to receive a surgical instrument, a liquid,... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070225558 - Robotic surgical system and method for surface modeling: A method of generating a three-dimensional model of at least a portion of a heart includes inserting an electrode within the portion of a heart, robotically moving the electrode therein, periodically detecting position information of the electrode to generate a plurality of location points defining a space occupied by the... Agent: Sjm/afd-wiley

20070225559 - Vision catheter having electromechanical navigation: The present invention is a visualization system including a small gauge vision catheter that is designed to be stand-alone or received within an instrument channel of a larger endoscope. The vision catheter has imaging means disposable within an imaging channel, a working channel, and an electromagnetic sensor element insertable into... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, L.L.P. Michael P. Girard

20070225560 - Apparatus and method for light control in an in-vivo imaging device: A device and method for operating an in vivo imaging device (10A) wherein the illumination produced by the device may be varied in intensity and/or duration, and/or the gain level or other parameters may be varied, according to, for example, the amount of illumination produced by the device which is... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070225561 - Endoscope and display device: An endoscope includes a power supply section, a light source device that irradiates illumination light, an image pickup section that picks up a subject image and converts the subject image to an image signal, a recording section that records the image signal, an image display section that receives the input... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070225562 - Articulating endoscopic accessory channel: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070225563 - Insertion portion of an endoscope: An insertion portion of an endoscope includes a bendable flexible tubular framework composed of a plurality of short-cylindrical joint rings which are coupled in series via rotatable connecting shafts, and a plurality of flexible internal elements which are inserted into the flexible tubular framework and arranged to extend straightly in... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070225564 - Medical devices with local drug delivery capabilities: A medical device, for example, an endoscope or catheter, includes local drug delivery capabilities for selectively delivering at least one drug in vivo. The local drug delivery may occur as the medical device is advanced through tortuous passageways of the patient's body or may occur after the medical device has... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, L.L.P. Michael P. Girard

20070225565 - Insertion portion of an endoscope: An insertion portion of an endoscope includes a flexible tubular framework composed of short-cylindrical joint rings coupled in series via rotatable connecting shafts; and flexible internal elements including a treatment tool insertion channel and a optical fiber bundle(s). Each short-cylindrical joint ring is coupled at one end to one adjacent... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070225566 - Observation window cleaning device for endoscope: A cleaning device for cleaning an observation window (25) installed to an insertion section (2) of a rigid endoscope (1) is equipped with a nozzle (21) to spray selectively cleaning liquid and a pressurized CO2 gas against the observation window (25), internal conduits (23, 24) through which the cleaning liquid... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070225567 - Endoscope light source unit: An endoscope light source unit including a light source lamp and an infrared-cut filter for cutting out light rays with wavelengths of a near-infrared region which are included in illumination light emitted from the light source lamp, the endoscope light source unit includes a transparent conductive coating formed on at... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070225568 - Surgical retractor device and method of use: Provided is a surgical retractor device and a method for using such a device. In one example, the device includes extension sleeves coupled by wall portions that are at least partially flexible. A void that is open on two ends is defined by the extension sleeves and wall portions. The... Agent: Carr LLP (ist)

20070225569 - Wound retraction apparatus and method: A surgical wound retractor is adapted to dilate a wound stretchable to a desired diameter, the retractor includes a first ring having a diameter greater than that desired for the wound and being adapted for disposition interiorly of the wound. A second ring has a diameter greater than that desired... Agent: Applied Medical Resources Corporation

20070225570 - Endoscopic bite block system: An endoscopic bite block system for increasing the speed and efficiency of an endoscopic procedure. The endoscopic bite block system includes a base member including a central opening and at least one tube attachment, a channel member latitudinally extending from an outer edge of the central opening and a strap... Agent: Neustel Law Offices, Ltd.

20070225571 - Systems and techniques for illuminating a surgical space: Methods and devices for illuminating a surgical space in a patient are provided. A retractor provides a portal or working path for access to a working space location in the patient. The retractor transmits and emits light from a light delivery system to illuminate the working channel and surgical space.... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070225572 - System & an apparatus for inspection of feet: A structure for use at home or in a doctor's office to support an assembly of mirrors such that sides of the structure facing the seated patient are transparent or open and enable a patient and/or doctor/health caregiver to simultaneously completely examine all sides of a patient's foot including a... Agent: Law Offices Of Andrew Y. Schroeder

20070225573 - Methods and devices for percutaneous illumination: Methods and devices for illuminating a body cavity or an internal region of a body are disclosed. In one aspect, a percutaneous illumination device for illuminating a body cavity includes an elongate member with an illumination source, and two support members disposed on the elongate member that are adapted to... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070225574 - Medical image management system and medical image management method: A medical image management system includes: a medical imaging device for imaging a patient to receive a medical treatment and creating a medical moving picture; and recording means for recording the medical moving picture imaged by the medical imaging device. The system further includes: measurement means for measuring biological information... Agent: Henneman & Associates, PLC

20070225577 - System and method for providing sensor based human factors protocol analysis: An analysis system comprises at least one behavioral sensor configured to obtain user interaction data, at least one state sensor configured to obtain user impact data, and at least one processing unit. The at least one processing unit is configured to receive the user interaction data from the at least... Agent: Honeywell International Inc.

20070225576 - Wireless ambulatory gastrointestinal monitoring system: An wireless ambulatory reflux monitoring system capable of monitoring and recording esophageal biological parameters during an ambulatory period. The wireless ambulatory reflux monitoring system is further capable of recording perceived reflux events at the discretion of a patient contemporaneously with the recording of biological data.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20070225575 - Patient monitoring help screen system and method: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a patient monitoring help screen system and method. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include a patient monitoring device with an integral help screen system. The help screen system may provide context-based help, such that the help screen accessed by a help key... Agent: Michael G. Fletcher Fletcher Yoder

20070225578 - Medical monitoring system: A medical monitoring system that facilitates end-users in obtaining medical information concerning their health or wellness is disclosed. In one embodiment, an end-user is provided with a medical monitoring appliance. In another embodiment, an end-user acquires an appropriate medical monitoring appliance. The end-user can utilize the medical monitoring appliance to... Agent: Ipventure, Inc.

20070225579 - Fiber optic probe: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system and in particular a fiber optic probe for in vivo detection of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque inside the cardiovascular system of a patient. Detection of vulnerable plaque is based on a location dependent measurement of concentration levels of cardiac marker molecules flowing in the... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070225580 - Patient monitoring help screen system and method: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a patient monitoring help screen system and method. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include a patient monitoring device with an integral help screen system. The help screen system may provide context-based help, such that the help screen accessed by a help key... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070225581 - Signal processing apparatus: The present invention involves a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals, including the determination of a measurement of correlation in the measured signals during a calculation of a physiological parameter of a monitored patient. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to blood oximetry... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225582 - Method and apparatus for demodulating signals in a pulse oximetry system: A method and an apparatus measure blood oxygenation in a subject. A light source is activated to cause a first emission at a first wavelength and a second emission at a second wavelength. A detector detects a composite signal indicative of an attenuation of the first and second wavelengths by... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070225583 - Method for determining the concentration of blood glucose: The present invention provides a method for determining concentration of blood glucose by using the change in the rising time. The chemical reaction between the blood glucose and enzyme within the test strip to generate the analog source that used to determine the concentration of the blood glucose in the... Agent: Berkeley Law & Technology Group, LLP

20070225584 - Novel catheter sensor: A fetal monitoring device directed to a maternal bladder insert having at least one sensor on the distal end to detect fetal vital signs and uterine activity, and methods for detecting fetal vital signs and uterine activity using the device. The bladder insert is preferably a catheter with an integrated... Agent: Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik A Professional Association

20070225585 - Headset for electrodes: An electrode headset in which electrodes can be mounted is described. The electrode headset can be formed from substantially rigid components including some flexibility to snugly embrace a variety of head shapes and sizes, while providing reliable positioning of electrodes according to an electrode placement scheme on a subject's head.... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070225588 - Automated patient localization in a medical imaging system: Described herein is a process for patient localization within a medical imaging system, having a first and second signal means for identifying patient position. The patient is manually positioned on a patient table at an initial position outside the system. A first signal means is manually positioned adjacent an area... Agent: Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP

20070225590 - Control panel for a medical imaging system: The present invention is generally directed to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to a control panel for a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, a medical imaging system includes an imaging display device, an imaging processor communicatively coupled to the imaging display device, and an imaging catheter communicatively coupled... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070225587 - Method for predicting deposition of inhaled medicament at the lung: There is provided a method for predicting the tendency of inhaled particles to deposit within a first patient's throat when said particles are inhaled through an airway defined by said throat. The method comprises determining at least one internal physical parameter of said airway defined by the first throat by... Agent: Glaxosmithkline Corporate Intellectual Property, Mai B475

20070225586 - Organism information detecting apparatus: The invention relates to an organism information detecting apparatus capable of determining a motion state of a subject when organism information is detected. The organism information detecting apparatus of the invention includes organism information detecting means for detecting organism information of the subject by being brought into contact with the... Agent: Bruce L Adams Adams & Wilks

20070225589 - Single catheter diagnosis, navigation and treatment of arrhythmias: A method is provided for controlling an electrophysiological catheter in combination with a navigation system, an ECG recording system, and an algorithm for directing the movement of the catheter. The method comprises navigating the distal end of the catheter to sense intra-cardiac activation signals at a minimum number of locations... Agent: Harness, Dickey, & Pierce, P.l.c

20070225591 - Spectrally selective suppression with steady-state free precession: A method for fat-suppressed imaging is disclosed. Such a method may include storing a first spectral component of an echo signal formed at TR/2 from a sample, suppressing a second spectral component of the echo signal at TR/2, re-exciting the stored spectral component after suppressing the second spectral component, and... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20070225592 - Exchange-weighted xenon-129 nuclear magnetic resonance system and related method: Method and system that provides, among other things, the capability for using hyperpolarized xenon-129 as a prove to non-invasively and non-destructively characterize important properties of certain structures or materials into which hyperpolarized xenon-129 can be introduced and wherein said xenon exists in two or more chemically-shifted states that are in... Agent: University Of Virginia Patent Foundation

20070225593 - Esophagus imaging enhancement device: A device for enhancing visualization of an esophagus when imaged by a visualization system includes a structure including material that is clearly visible when imaged by the visualization system. The structure is arranged, when inserted into the esophagus, to expand so as to conform to an inner surface of the... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070225594 - Facilitation of in-boundary distortion compensation: Described herein are one or more implementations for facilitating the compensation of the effects of distortion caused by “in-boundary distorters.” A “distorter” may be a medical instrument or other element that may distorts a magnetic field. An “in-boundary” distorter is a distorter located inside a boundary of a magnetic field,... Agent: Robert Alan Earl

20070225595 - Hybrid navigation system for tracking the position of body tissue: A hybrid surgical navigation system for tracking the position of body tissue. The system includes a marker shaped to be mounted subcutaneously to the tissue the position of which is to be tracked. A tracker located above skin level is placed near the marker. A first navigation system integral with... Agent: Intel. Prop./ Rnd Stryker Corporation

20070225596 - Implant, apparatus and method for tracking a target area: The present invention relates to an implant (115) fixable relative to a target area (117) within a living body (105), comprising a transmitter (7; 107; 207; 307) arranged to emit an electromagnetic signal, wherein said electromagnetic signal is adapted to propagate with a wavelength 2 in said living body (105)... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070225598 - Image segmentation in a volume data set: Coronary artery segmentation is a crucial task in cardiac CT image processing. This is often a tedious task performed manually by an operator. According to the present invention, a method is provided which combines data from multiple cardiac phases during the segmentation process in order to deliver a complete and... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070225597 - Tissue engineered construct analytical imaging system and method of obtaining and analyzing images of tissue engineered constructs: Disclosed is a tissue engineered construct analytical imaging system (10) for use with culture wells (12) having tissue engineered constructs therein, which are positionable in an incubator apparatus (16) or other enclosed environment. The system (10) includes an imaging device (18) in operational communication with the enclosed environment for obtaining... Agent: The Webb Law Firm, P.C.

20070225599 - Fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods: This document discusses, among other things, fiducial marker devices, tools, and methods. One example illustrates a combined computed tomography (CT) imagable fiducial locator head, an integral bone screw, and an integral divot for receiving a positioning wand of an image-guided surgical (IGS) workstation. A further example includes a fluid/gel-absorbing coating... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070225600 - System and method for diagnosing breast cancer: The invention relates to a system and a method for the investigation of a body volume (3), particularly for the diagnosis of breast cancer According to the method, a sequence of X-ray projections (P, P′) from different directions is produced by a rotatable X-ray source (1) and a stationary digital... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070225601 - Injection systems capable of using feedback for adjustment of injection parameters: This invention relates generally to the field of medical devices for delivering contrast media during medical diagnostic and therapeutic imaging procedures and more particularly, this invention relates to improved contrast media delivery systems and methods of use which allow adjustment of contrast media concentration and injection parameters either before or... Agent: Gregory L Bradley Medrad Inc

20070225603 - Antiproton production and delivery for imaging and termination of undersirable cells: Systems and methods for using antiprotons for terminating unwanted or undesirable cells which can be used in the treatment of conditions caused by the existence and/or proliferation of such undesirable cells. Such conditions include cardiovascular ailments, Parkinson's disease, wet macular degeneration, endocrine disorders, dermatological ailments, and cancer. Because of the... Agent: Peter K. Trzyna, Esq.

20070225602 - Methods: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions involving taking no more than seven radiographic views of teeth from a feline animal. At least one view is of each of the mandibular third premolar teeth.... Agent: Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP

20070225605 - Method and device for marking skin during an ultrasound examination: A method and device for marking a patient's skin during an ultrasound examination to denote a feature of interest. The device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted for attachment of the device to an ultrasound transducer. The second portion is adapted for marking... Agent: Sheridan Ross PC

20070225604 - Ultrasonic diagnostic system: An ultrasonic diagnostic system includes electroacoustic conversion means in which a plurality of sub-arrays, each composed of a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, are arranged at least two-dimensionally, sub-beam formers that are provided on the sub-array basis, and a main beam former for subjecting signals output from the sub-beam formers to... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson P.C.

20070225606 - Method and apparatus for comprehensive assessment of vascular health: Apparatus and methods for comprehensive assessment of vascular health is provided including functional status of the individual, risk factor assessment based on epidemiologic studies, and structural studies of the individual. Functional assessment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes generation of information on the status of three compartments:... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20070225607 - Method and related system for measuring intracranial pressure: A method for measuring intracranial pressure in an intracranial area filled with micro-bubbles formed by an injected contrast agent includes: (1) emitting an ultrasound signal having a bandwidth to the intracranial area, (2) receiving an echoed signal from a micro-bubble, (3) performing a spectral analysis on the echoed signal to... Agent: North America Intellectual Property Corporation

20070225608 - Composite end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument: A composite end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided and includes a first portion formed from a first material that exhibits a first characteristic value when excited by an ultrasonic energy input and a second portion formed from a second material that exhibits a second characteristic value when... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P. Intellectual Property Group

20070225609 - Non-invasive heart monitoring apparatus and method: The present invention discloses an apparatus for non-invasive heart monitoring comprising a pulse wave transit time (PWTT) determining device for determining a PWTT at predefined intervals, a first storing means for storing PWTT values resulting of the determining, a blood pressure measuring device for measuring a blood pressure close in... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070225610 - Capturing electrical signals with a catheter needle: A method and medical system to take electrical readings includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, an electrode coupled to the monitor via a first lead and a needle such as an injection needle. The needle has a proximal end coupled to the monitor, where the monitor is able to measure an... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20070225611 - Non-invasive cardiac monitor and methods of using continuously recorded cardiac data: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of analyzing cardiac information by collecting a plurality of self-contained, wearable, portable cardiac monitors each of the cardiac monitors electronically storing at least 24 hours of continuously detected and unanalyzed cardiac signals from a mammal. Next, retrieving cardiac information stored in each... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070225612 - Metabolic measurements system including a multiple function airway adapter: A system for measuring a metabolic parameter. The system includes an integrated airway adapter capable of monitoring any combination of respiratory flow, O2 concentration, and concentrations of one or more of CO2, N2O, and an anesthetic agent in real time, breath by breath. Respiratory flow may be monitored with differential... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20070225613 - Method of esophageal function testing with a standardized thixotropic swallow challenge medium: A swallow challenge medium is thixotropic for easy swallowing and to provide enough viscosity for effective challenge to peristalsis and has high ionic density for effective impedance measurements by contact with electrodes positioned in a person's esophagus or oropharynx during swallow testing. The medium also has a high surface tension... Agent: Cochran Freund & Young LLC

20070225614 - Method and apparatus for determining vascular health conditions: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for assessing a patient's vascular health including endothelial function by monitoring changes in hemodynamic parameters responsive to the introduction of a vasostimulant. The invention provides a thermal energy measurement apparatus including a thermal energy sensor adapted to measure temperature of a body part... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20070225615 - Guidewire controller system: A guidewire controller system includes a guidewire device and a control unit. The guidewire device has an axial lumen and a drive shaft extending through the axial lumen. The control unit is coupled to the guidewire device. The control unit has a processor which produces a variable sound in response... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070225616 - Wireless urinary incontinence monitoring system: A system and method for ambulatory monitoring of the urinary tract for diagnosis of urinary stress incontinence.... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20070225617 - Standardized swallow challenge medium: A swallow challenge medium is thixotropic for easy swallowing and to provide enough viscosity for effective challenge to peristalsis and has high ionic density for effective impedance measurements by contact with electrodes positioned in a person's esophagus or oropharynx during swallow testing. The medium also has a high surface tension... Agent: Cochran Freund & Young LLC

20070219405 - Medical apparatus guiding system: A medical apparatus main body such as a capsule main body inserted in the body cavity includes a thrust generating mechanism such as a spiral projection. The medical apparatus main body further forms an information providing unit comprising at least one of a storing unit for storing a state of... Agent: Paul J. Esatto, Jr. Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070219407 - Apparatus and method for applying cardiac support device: A method for applying a cardiac support device to a heart of a mammal includes surgically accessing a heart, providing a cardiac support device including a jacket, and positioning the jacket around at least a portion of the heart by applying a pulling force to the jacket. The step of... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20070219406 - Electrosurgical device: An electrosurgical device includes a high dielectric material and at least one conductor arranged relative to the high dielectric material such that, in use, the high dielectric material is disposed between the conductor and target tissue. A second conductor is arranged relative to the high dielectric material such that, in... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C. Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20070219408 - Endoscope hood: An endoscope hood has a protrusion portion which protrudes in an observation visual field direction of an endoscope at an end of a cylindrical press fitting fixing portion attached by press fitting in a state that an attachment position in a circumferential direction is positioned at a distal end portion... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070219409 - Switch mechanism for use in medical apparatuses, and image-pickup device for use in endoscopes: A switch mechanism for use in medical apparatuses, includes an airtight unit being able to retain airtight therein, a first magnet provided outside the airtight unit, an operation unit provided outside the airtight unit and being able to move the first magnet with respect to the airtight unit, a second... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070219410 - Endoscope shape detection device: A source coil drive circuit section of an endoscope shape detection device includes, an oscillator that generates a sine wave and an amplifier that amplifies the sine wave and generates (drives) an alternating magnetic field to source coils through a switch section. The switch section is configured to switch a... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070219411 - Overtube and endoscopic treatment system: An overtube includes an insertion part that is inserted into a subject and has a lumen through which a device inserting part of a device whose distal end bends freely for performing a medical procedure inside a body is removably inserted and a bending part that bends the distal end... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070219412 - Flexible arthroscope and method of using the same: A flexible arthroscope comprising a semi-flexible examination tube having means for bending at its distal end, and removably connected to a handheld module at its proximal end. The semi-flexible examination tube coupled with its means for bending its distal end provides the user the ability to immediately alter his field... Agent: Skokos Law Group, LLC

20070219413 - Capsulated endoscope with memory storage device: A capsulated endoscope includes a capsular main body of 11×26 mm in size, which is internally provided with a controller connected to a computer host interface, a image-sensor chip connected to the controller, a plurality of LEDs, a memory module, and a battery. The capsular main body is acid and... Agent: Troxell Law Office PLLC

20070219414 - Endoscope tube with image inversion system: An endoscope tube having at least one image inversion system consisting of two rod lenses, in which the first rod ends, pointing to an intermediate image plane, have a marginal cylinder, which is mounted in the endoscope tube, in which the second rod ends, which lie symmetrical to an aperture... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20070219415 - Interoperative monitoring of intramuscular pressure during retraction: A method of performing a surgical procedure at an anatomical location in a patient is disclosed. An incision is made in the patient to provide access to an anatomical element. A pressure measurement device may then be inserted into a predetermined area of tissue surrounding the anatomical element. Tissue surrounding... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20070219416 - Minimally invasive surgical access device: A minimally invasive surgical access device that allows access to a pathology being treated while significantly reducing the risk of damaging anatomical structures proximate the pathology. The access device includes a base portion having a central bore extending therethrough, and retractor blades pivotably mounted to the base portion. An insertion... Agent: John A. Miller Warn, Hoffmann, Miller & Lalone, P.C.

20070219417 - Electrical adapter for medical diagnostic instruments using replaceable leds as illumination sources: An LED for use with a medical diagnostic instrument having an adapter disposed between an instrument head and a hand-grippable handle, the LED being removably attachable in relation to the adapter in order to permit selective replacement of the LED, as needed. The LED is situated in order to provide... Agent: Marjama & Bilinski LLP

20070219430 - Electricity providing privately provisioned subscription-based survival supply unit method and apparatus: At least one transportable electric unit with survival supply items provides electrical power. Consideration-based private civil security subscriptions are accepted from subscribers with respect to providing civilly-catastrophic event-based access to the at least one transportable electric unit.... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219428 - Method of providing a floating life-sustaining facility: A floating life-sustaining facility (205) is provided (105), and consideration-based private civil security subscriptions are accepted (110) from subscribers with respect to selectively providing benefits for authorized beneficiaries with respect to the floating life-sustaining facility (205) in event of a civilly-catastrophic event. A variety of features and/or survival items may... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219431 - Method to facilitate providing access to a plurality of private civil security resources: A plurality of private civil security resources are provided (101). These private civil security resources comprise, at least in part, civil security provisions, civil security facilities, and civil security provisions. Authorized beneficiaries are then provided (103) with consideration-based access to this plurality of private civil security resources.... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219424 - Method to privately provision survival supplies that include third party items: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. These supplies may or may not include gender-specific contents that are not specific to a given such beneficiary. These supplies can be retained and delivered as an aggregated unit or can, if... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219427 - Premium-based private civil security policy methods: Prior to the occurrence of an applicable civilly-catastrophic event (108), survival resources comprising at least hydration and nutritional consumables are pre-positioned (101) by a first party. A second party then offers (102) premium-based private civil security policies to candidate policy holders with respect to providing civilly-catastrophic event-based access to these... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219429 - Privately provisioned interlocking sub-unit-based survival supplies provisioning method: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. The survival supplies are segregated into physically interlocking sub-units. The physically interlocking sub-units of survival supplies can be fully or partially formed into a unit of supplies or can remain separate sub-units.... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219423 - Privately provisioned survival supplies content acquisition method: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. These supplies may or may not include gender-specific contents that are not specific to a given such beneficiary. These supplies can be retained and delivered as an aggregated unit or can, if... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219421 - Privately provisioned survival supplies delivery method: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. These supplies may or may not include gender-specific contents that are not specific to a given such beneficiary. These supplies can be retained and delivered as an aggregated unit or can, if... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219422 - Privately provisioned survival supplies sub-unit-based delivery method: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of survival supplies for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. These supplies may or may not include gender-specific contents that are not specific to a given such beneficiary. These supplies can be retained and delivered as an aggregated unit or can, if... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219420 - Subscription-based catastrophe-triggered rescue services facilitation method using wireless location information: Pre-catastrophe consideration-based private civil security subscriptions are accepted (101) from subscribers with respect to providing civilly-catastrophic event-based rescue services for authorized beneficiaries. These authorized beneficiaries are then provided (102) with a portable apparatus that transmits wireless location information regarding their corresponding location to a provider of the civilly-catastrophic event-based rescue... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219426 - Subscription-based private civil security resource customization method: A private civil security subscription mechanism serves to facilitate the provision of customized life-sustaining resources for corresponding authorized beneficiaries. The customization of these resources may be the based on the needs, requirements, or preferences of the subscriber, authorized beneficiary, expert, and/or another third party. The life-sustaining resources may or may... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219425 - Waste disposal device: A waste storage device that includes a storage compartment, a toilet seat with an opening providing access to the storage compartment, and a sealing mechanism operative to isolate deposited waste events within individually sealed portions of the storage compartment. The storage compartment preferably retains a plurality of the individually sealed... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070219433 - Apparatus for providing information based on association variables: An apparatus, and related method, for providing information based on variables associated with a type of headache is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module. The program module may be stored in the memory and may be configured... Agent: Steven Stupp

20070219432 - Method and apparatus for automatic detection of meter connection and transfer of data: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing data management with a data collection computer system to aid analysis and treatment. A serial port is monitored to detect the connection of a meter. When a meter connection is identified, patient data is automatically downloaded from the meter to the data... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20070219418 - Methods for interventions: Methods and systems for monitoring interventions and/or a subject, such as a human patient. One exemplary embodiment of a method includes measuring at least one biological parameter of a subject, determining a biological state from the measuring, administering (after the measuring) an intervention which includes a caloric restriction (CR) mimetic... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20070219419 - System and method for providing closely-followed cardiac therapy management through automated patient care: A system and method for providing closely-followed cardiac therapy management through automated patient care is presented. A patient under remote care is enrolled in a monitoring program following commencement of a cardiac therapy regimen to be undertaken by the patient. A wearable monitor, including one or more patient physiology sensors... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070219434 - Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters: Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous... Agent: Jacobson Holman PLLC

20070219435 - Assembling method of capsule medical apparatus and capsule medical apparatus: An assembling method of a capsule medical apparatus is provided. The capsule medical apparatus includes a sealed capsule container having an image pick-up unit which picks up an image of a portion illuminated by an illuminating unit, and an objective optical system which is arranged in front of the image... Agent: Paul J. Esatto, Jr. Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070219436 - Biological component measuring apparatus and method: It is an object to provide a measuring apparatus and method which can easily measure an amount of a biological component such as glucose without requiring an ordinary person who is to be measured to have special knowledge and techniques. A measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070219437 - System and method for creating a stable optical interface: A system and a method for creating a stable and reproducible interface of an optical sensor system for measuring blood glucose levels in biological tissue include a dual wedge prism sensor attached to a disposable optic that comprises a focusing lens and an optical window. The disposable optic adheres to... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070219438 - Catheter operable to deliver iv fluids and provide blood testing capabilities: An intravenous catheter is described that includes a catheter assembly having an end portion configured for insertion into the bloodstream of a patient to deliver intravenous liquids, a valve configured to temporarily interrupt a flow of intravenous fluid into the blood stream, and an electro-chemical sampling device located near the... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20070219440 - Non-adhesive oximeter sensor for sensitive skin: The present invention provides non-adhesive oximeter sensors for patients with sensitive skin. Sensors of the present invention include a light emitting diode (LED) and a photodetector. The LED and the photodetector may be covered by a reflective mask and a faraday shield. Sensors of the present invention have a non-adhesive... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070219439 - Spectral photometry method for determining the oxygen saturatiobn of the blood in optically accessible blood vessels: The invention relates to a spectral photometry method for determining the oxygen saturation of the blood in optically accessible blood vessels, by determining the intensity of the reflection of the blood vessels and of their environment that is devoid of vessels, using at least two spectrally diverse images. The aim... Agent: Reed Smith, LLP Attn: Patent Records Department

20070219441 - Catheter with integral biosensor: A single or multilumen intravenous catheter that may include an integral biosensor having an active portion exposed through a sensing port formed in a distal portion of an outer wall of the catheter. The biosensor may be formed on a flex circuit mounted to a support member or probe that... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070219442 - Methods and apparatus for mapping internal and bulk motion of an object with phase labeling in magnetic resonance imaging: Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus are provided for mapping the internal or bulk motion of an object by labeling the phase of a specimen magnetization with a selected spatial function and measuring changes in the phase of the magnetization. The spatial function is selectable to provide magnetization phase modulation... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP

20070219443 - Magnetic resonance marker based position and orientation probe: A magnetic resonance position and orientation marking system includes fiducial assembly (30) with at least three fiducial markers (31, 32, 33) each coupled with at least one magnetic resonance receive coil (70, 74, 80, 84). At least one of the fiducial markers has at least one of: (i) marker nuclei... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070219444 - Apparatus and method for guiding catheters: The present invention is a system for guiding catheters into chamber or conduits of the body without the use of X-ray based imaging systems. The system disclosed is used for guidance of catheters in the heart chamber and heart protruding structures and conduits by using external ultrasound and device based... Agent: Charles D. Gunter, Jr. Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, LLP

20070219445 - Intra-operative 3-d reconstruction of bone cement boli using x-rays: The present invention provides method of generating a 3-D image of at least one cement bolus in relation to a bone comprising acquiring a plurality of fluoroscopic images of the bolus during or after a bone cement injection procedure. The method further comprises registering each fluoroscopic image with a CT... Agent: Conley Rose, P.C. David A. Rose

20070219446 - System and apparatus for imaging and treating hollow body cavities: Methods and apparatus for image-guided interstitial radiation are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a catheter is placed in the interstitium in close proximity to the site of tumor. The interstitial catheter is designed to receive an ultrasound imaging probe, and a radioactive source for interstitial radiation therapy. The interstitial... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070219447 - Ultrasonograph and ultrasonography: A new technique is disclosed for providing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic method, by which it is possible to diagnose vascular endothelial function with high sensitivity through measurement of changes of elastic modulus of vascular wall in the region of tunica intima and tunica media with high... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070219449 - Apparatus for examining a body of living tissues: A handheld battery powered apparatus for examining a body of living tissues, which tissues may contain a neoplasm, utilizing a light source for illuminating the tissues comprising a D shaped array of high intensity light emitting diodes overlaid by an optically transparent window, means for reproducing the intensity of the... Agent: John L. Cordani Carmody & Torrance

20070219448 - Method and apparatus for selective treatment of tissue: A IIIFU System (100) is disclosed which may automatically generate a proposed treatment plan for treating a tissue treatment area (10) with HIFU Therapy. In one example, the proposed treatment plan includes a plurality of treatment sites selected based on a three-dimensional model generated from ultrasound data. In another example,... Agent: Baker & Daniels LLP

20070219451 - Optical imaging balloon catheters: The present invention provides balloon catheters in which lateral-viewing optical components for interrogating the walls of blood vessel lumens are disposed within the lumen of the balloon(s). Advantageously, low pressure compliant balloons are used to minimize the possibility of injury to the blood vessels. The expanded balloons at least substantially... Agent: Diamond Law Office LLC

20070219450 - Three-dimensional breast anatomy imaging system: A diffuse optical spectroscopy system comprises a laser breast scanner, a handheld probe connected to the laser breast scanner for scanning a breast, and a tracking device coupled to the handheld probe, wherein the tracking device determines locations of the handheld probe relative to the breast. The tracking device comprises... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070219452 - Method and apparatus for the guided ablative therapy of fast ventricular arrhythmia: Method and apparatus for guiding ablative therapy of abnormal biological electrical excitation. The excitation from the previous excitatory wave is significant at the beginning of the next excitation. In particular, it is designed for treatment of fast cardiac arrhythmias. Electrical signals are acquired from recording electrodes, and an inverse dipole... Agent: Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP

20070219453 - Automated analysis of a cardiac signal based on dynamical characteristics of the cardiac signal: Systems and techniques relating to locating cardiac wave forms in a cardiac signal, and to detecting a physiological condition, such as ventricular fibrillation. In general, in one aspect, a machine-implemented method includes obtaining a sensed cardiac signal of an organism, the sensed cardiac signal comprising a time series x(t); applying... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20070219454 - Ecg method and system for optimal cardiac disease detection: Methods for determining the probability of cardiac disease indicators by utilizing an optimal lead set to measure electrocardiographic data to find the measurement extrema over an optimum portion of the Thorax. The optimal lead topology is designed to produce estimates of total thoracic electrocardiographic information, low noise and errors within... Agent: J. James Guzzetta

20070219455 - Instantaneous autonomic nervous function and cardiac predictability based on heart and pulse rate variability analysis: A system and method that can simultaneously acquire electrocardiogram or pulse rate data (42, 44, 46), dynamically perform time-frequency (70) and chaotic analysis (60) in real-time, visually display the results in a convenient graphical format (50) and store the results in a computer file format (50).... Agent: Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark & Mortimer

20070219456 - Systems, devices, and methods for tachyarrhythmia discrimination or therapy decisions: Systems, devices, and methods detect or classify tachyarrhythmias or make a therapy decision. A tachyarrhythmia can be classified using a rhythm discrimination parameter having a value. In certain examples, the value of the rhythm discrimination parameter can be adjusted using a relationship between a detected atrial rate and a detected... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070219457 - Wireless ear-clips heart rate monitor: This invention relates to a wireless ear-clips heart rate monitor comprising a sensor unit of ear-clips type that detects a user's heart rate, a signal-processing unit that receives and processes the signal generated from the sensor unit, and a wireless signal-transmitting unit that receives the signals from the signal-processing unit... Agent: Wpat, PC Intellectual Property Attorneys

20070219458 - Method and system for determining hearing status: Method and system for determining hearing status. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for ear screening. The method includes providing a probe that includes at least two output channels and an input channel. The method also includes determining a plurality of probe parameters for the probe.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070219459 - Biopsy devices, methods for using, and methods for making: Embodiments of invention are directed to devices, and methods of forming them, that can be used for removal of small volumes of tissue from the body, as is required for biopsy procedures. The procedures may be of the image-guided or non image-guided type. The devices described herein are applicable to... Agent: Microfabrica Inc. Att: Dennis R. Smalley

20070219460 - Aspiration needles: According to one aspect of the present invention, an aspirating needle for collecting a specimen includes an elongated body that includes a hollow cannula portion that is open at both a proximal end and a distal end for placement at a specimen site to collect and permit aspiration of the... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070219461 - Needle assembly including obturator with safety reset: A needle assembly is able to collect a sample of biological material in a needle of the assembly. The needle assembly has a safety shield capable of being moved on the needle assembly to cover a sharp tip of the needle assembly. The shield can be locked in place over... Agent: Tyco Healthcare - Edward S. Jarmolowicz

20070219462 - Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070219463 - Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation: A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070219466 - Atraumatic catheter tip: A delivery system for delivering an occluding device to a body lumen comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a delivery means for delivering the occluding device to a desired location within the body lumen, and a flexible atraumatic tip on the distal end of... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20070219464 - Guidewire with deflectable re-entry tip: A steerable guidewire having a sharpened re-entry tip which comprises a longitudinal hypotube and an interlocking spring coil attached to the distal end of the hypotube and also includes a longitudinally movable deflection member which is attached to the distal end of the spring coil and a tip retaining member... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070219465 - Guidewire with deflectable tip having improved flexibility: A steerable guidewire having a deflectable distal tip which comprises a longitudinal hypotube and an interlocking spring coil attached to the distal end of the hypotube and also includes a longitudinally movable deflection member which is attached to the distal end of the spring coil and a tip retaining ribbon... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070219467 - Torque device for a medical guidewire: A torque device for selectively gripping a medical guidewire. The device includes a housing, an actuator slidably mounted on the housing, and a resilient member biasing the actuator. A lumen dimensioned to receive the guidewire extends through the housing and actuator. The resilient member biases the actuator from a first... Agent: Merit Medical Systems, Inc. C/o Stoel Rives, LLP

20070219468 - Monitoring and tracking of impulses experienced by patients during transport: A detection and monitoring system having an impulse sensor located on or near the skull of the patient. The impulse sensor can be placed on a securing device which can be a band, hat, skullcap, or adhesive to secure the impulse sensor directly to the bandages of the patient. A... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070219469 - Palpitation monitor: A method for the therapeutic treatment of a patient which enables consistent diagnosis and manual manipulative treatment of a patient by a therapist. The therapist wears pressure sensors on pressure zones, such as fingers and thumbs, and the sensors are connected to a monitor. The monitor provides feedback to the... Agent: Martin P. Hoffman Hoffman, Wasson & Gitler, P.C.

20070213578 - System for improving cardiac function: A system for improving cardiac function is provided. A foldable and expandable frame having at least one anchoring formation is attached to an elongate manipulator and placed in a catheter tube while folded. The tube is inserted into a left ventricle of a heart where the frame is ejected from... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070213579 - Vascular assist device and methods: Several electroactive polymer (EAP) actuated vascular assist devices are provided that can be readily implanted within the body of a patient without coming in direct blood contact. The devices are also readily repositioned and/or removed from contact with the internal vasculature or may even be turned OFF remotely. In addition,... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070213580 - Implantable muscle closing prosthesis system, in particular in the anal channel area: An implantable muscle closing prosthesis system, particularly for opening and closing the rectum, characterized in that it has a compression unit, which comprises a compression cuff (1) and a reservoir cuff (2) molded as hollow bodies, and may integrate a bidirectional micropump (4) of arbitrary construction via a support ring... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070213581 - Non-porous graft with fastening elements: A method of making a non-porous tubular graft is disclosed. The method includes the step of securing a plurality of fastening elements extending through an outer layer of knitted, woven, or braided material along a length of the outer layer, wherein the fastening elements extend outwardly from the outer layer.... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20070213582 - Apparatus, system, and method for applying and adjusting a tensioning element to a hollow body organ: An adjustable support pad for adjustably holding a tensioning line used to apply tension to a body organ. The adjustable support pad can include a locking mechanism for preventing slidable movement of the tensioning element in one or both directions. The locking mechanism may include spring-loaded locks, rotatable cam-like structures,... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20070213585 - Endoscopic full thickness resection using surgical compression clips: A system including surgical compression clips is described and used for endoscopic full thickness resection. Similarly, methods for endoscopic full thickness resection using the described system are also discussed. Surgical compression clips using shape-memory elements are discussed. These clips are advanceable to the site of suspect tissue to be resected... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070213583 - Percutaneous access and visualization of the spine: Devices, systems and methods are provided for the percutaneous access and visualization of the spine for the purposes of diagnosing and/or treating a target area of the spine or the surrounding tissue.... Agent: Daniel H. Kim

20070213584 - Percutaneous access and visualization of the spine: Devices, systems and methods are provided for the percutaneous access and visualization of the spine for the purposes of diagnosing and/or treating a target area of the spine or the surrounding tissue.... Agent: Daniel H. Kim

20070213586 - Endoscope system and adapter applied to this endoscope system: This endoscope system comprises image pickup means having an image pickup device, illumination light ejecting means having an illumination light ejection portion, an endoscope having an insertion portion and having an illumination light incident portion and an optical image ejection portion for ejecting subject light, a first connection portion for... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070213587 - Endo-loop for endoscope surgery: Disclosed is an endo-loop for an endoscopic surgery. The endo-loop includes: an insert rod inserted into a human body, the insert rod having a shape of a long, thin, and hollow bar; a suturing thread inserted through an interior of the insert rod; a suturing means provided at a tip... Agent: John W Renner Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar

20070213588 - Endoscope system and observation method using the same: A fluorescent dye/probe that can rapidly identify the presence of disease is efficiently applied in a living organism and optically detected to obtain clear fluorescent images. There is provided an endoscope system and an observation method using the same, comprising agent dispensing means for dispensing towards an acquisition object a... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070213589 - Endoscopic apparatus: An endoscopic apparatus comprises: a movable lens that is movably built in an objective optical system arranged at an tip of an insert part of an endoscope; a piezoelectric-element drive mechanism that causes the movable lens to move forward and backward in an optical axis direction due to driving of... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070213590 - Apparatus and methods for examining, visualizing, diagnosing, manipulating, treating and recording of abnormalities within interior regions of body cavities: A portable multi-functional endoscopic device and method for use in the examination of tissue within a corporeal orifice to permit diagnostic, therapeutic or anatomical assessment data to be transmitted, recorded, or analyzed. The device includes a base unit sized and configured to be held in a human hand to permit... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070213591 - Disposable cap for endoscope: A cap, which is detachably connectable to an optical head of an endoscope, has a tubular housing, which is manufactured by injection molding from translucent plastic material. The housing includes a rear open end and a frontal end closed by a frontal face and an antiglare ring for preventing a... Agent: Bruce E. Lilling Lilling & Lilling PLLC

20070213592 - Endoscope device: This endoscope device is provided with: a laser light source that emits light having a specific wavelength; a diffusion optical component that diffuses light emitted from the laser light source and irradiates it onto an endoscopic examination subject at a distal end portion of an insertion portion; an adaptor that... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070213593 - Endoscope system: The invention provides an endoscope which has a reduced-diameter insertion portion, which is capable of observation using a plurality of types of light with different spectral characteristics, and which can obtain high-resolution images. The invention provides an endoscope system comprising a light-source portion for emitting a plurality of types of... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070213594 - Laryngoscope for intubation and method of use: A rigid laryngoscope apparatus has a first and second elongate linear hinge portions joined in mutual coaxial rotation between proximal and distal ends. A first elongate linear handle is connected by a first handle arm to the proximal end of the first hinge portion, and a first blade is connected... Agent: Patent Law & Venture Group

20070213595 - Minimally invasive rake retractor and method for using same: A rake retractor for use in minimally invasive medical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery includes a handle shaft, rake prongs, and end configurations that can be used to move elements within a body cavity. The prongs of the rake retractor are biased to an open position such that when the... Agent: Powley & Gibson, P.C.

20070213596 - Minimal incision maximal access spine surgery instruments and method: The system and method provides a retractor and use which gives the traditional ability to apply force and hold the surgical field open, but with the ability to select the depth, and shape of retraction tips for use during surgery, and in particular, spinal surgery. Any surgery may be carried... Agent: Curtis L. Harrington Suite 250

20070213597 - Surgical retractor frame system: The present invention generally provides a surgical clamp for use with a surgical retractor support frame. The surgical clamp has a handle that rotates about a first pivot point from a first position to a second position, and a second pivot point eccentric to the first pivot point. The surgical... Agent: Mcdermott, Will & Emery LLP

20070213600 - Medical alarm and communication system and methods: A medical alarm communications system comprises a pager like device to be kept near a patient. The pager like device communicates medical alerts regarding the patient to a remote central station, which can provide therapeutic and/or diagnostic assistance by communicating to the pager like device. When the pager like device... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070213603 - Blood glucose monitoring system: A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070213604 - Blood glucose monitoring system: A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070213605 - Blood glucose monitoring system: A system and method is described that enables a health care provider to monitor and manage a health condition of a patient. The system includes a health care provider apparatus operated by a health care provider and a remotely programmable patient apparatus that is operated by a patient. The health... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070213601 - 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 single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070213599 - Physiological event detection systems and methods: Systems and methods using constant false alarm rate techniques for event detection. One example of an event detection method includes collecting a first distribution of measurements for a first physiological parameter. In another example, the first distribution of measurements includes only non-event measurements. One or more values are determined corresponding... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.A.

20070213598 - System for maintaining drug information and communicating with medication delivery devices: A system for maintaining drug information and communicating with medication delivery devices includes software designed for use in a hospital, pharmacy or biomedical technical service environments. The software may be provided on a computer readable medium. The software allows a facility to customize a drug library with both hard and... Agent: Brian R. Woodworth

20070213602 - System, method, and computer program for interfacing an expert system to a clinical information system: A method and computer program for interfacing an expert system to a clinical information system. Embodiments of the invention provide tight integration of the systems permitting a clinician to use the functionality provided by the expert system without specifically maintaining separate patient data. They provide a method for communication between... Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley)

20070213606 - Method and device for indicating moisture content of skin: A device for providing an indication of moisture present in skin of a user includes a device body including a skin contact portion. A sensor circuit is located in the device body. The sensor circuit is configured to produce an output signal having a signal value that corresponds to moisture... Agent: The Procter & Gamble Company Intellectual Property Division - West Bldg.

20070213608 - Method and apparatus for remote health monitoring and providing health related information: A health monitoring system includes a plurality of remote user sites, each remote user site comprising at least one health monitoring device for collection of user health monitoring data, an interactive video device, and a user interface apparatus; at least one remote computing facility configured for signal communication with, and... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070213607 - Non-invasive biothermophotonic sensor for blood glucose monitoring: There is provided a glucose monitoring method and apparatus based on the principle of Wavelength-Modulated Differential Laser Photothermal Radiometry (WM-DPTR). Two intensity modulated laser beams operating in tandem at specific mid-infrared (IR) wavelengths and current-modulated synchronously by two electrical waveforms 180 degrees out-of-phase, are used to interrogate the tissue surface.... Agent: Andreas Mandelis

20070213609 - Probe head for spectroscopic analysis of a fluid: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system for determining a property of a fluid flowing through a volume of interest underneath the surface of the skin of a patient. The spectroscopic system comprises a probe head that has at least an objective for directing an excitation beam into the volume... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070213610 - 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

20070213611 - Dual electrode system for a continuous analyte sensor: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure analyte or non-analyte related signal, both of which electrode include an interference domain.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070213612 - Method of urodynamic diagnostics: The suggested method of urodynamic diagnostics envisages the assessment of the presence of detrusor activity. The method characterizes detrusor activity caused by a condition of the urinary system not influenced by provocative factors. The said detrusor activity is being detected non-invasively. That is, true detrusor activity is detected by means... Agent: Dr. Yitzhak Rosen

20070213613 - Thrombus detecting apparatus, thrombus treating apparatus and methods therefor: A thrombus detecting apparatus provided with: a transducer (10), which is attached to a monitor portion of a subject and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a transmitter and receiver unit (11), which transmits and applies driving pulses to the transducer (10) and receives echo signals output from the transducer, and... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070213614 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes: a transmitting section for driving an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject's tissue; a receiving section for receiving a reflected wave, produced by getting the ultrasonic wave reflected by the tissue of the organism, through the... Agent: Mark D. Saralino (mei) Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20070213615 - Broad-beam imaging: Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or... Agent: Carr & Ferrell LLP

20070213616 - Systems and methods for arteriotomy localization: A targeting catheter is used to locate an arteriotomy, such as is formed during a femoral artery catheterization procedure. The targeting catheter includes one or more targeting aids, such as an inflatable balloon or sensor (e.g., Doppler or temperature sensor), to locate the arteriotomy. The targeting aid may be positioned... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070213617 - Infrared detection of cancerous tumors and other subsurface anomalies in the human breast and in other body parts: Apparatus and methods to further improve the performance of breast IR-imaging are provided, employing a combination of near-IR and mid-IR frequencies for detection of cancer and other types of subsurface defects. In addition, an IR transmissive or transparent window that can be IR-imaged through is disclosed that may also be... Agent: David W. Collins Intellectual Property Law

20070213618 - Scanning fiber-optic nonlinear optical imaging and spectroscopy endoscope: A miniature, flexible, fiber-optic scanning endoscope for nonlinear optical imaging and spectroscopy. The endoscope uses a tubular piezoelectric actuator for activating a cantilevered optical fiber from which pulsed light produced by a laser source exits and is directed to a target region through a micro-lens. The actuator is activated by... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20070213619 - Systems and methods for noninvasively monitoring baroreflex response and nominal blood volume: Systems and methods for noninvasively monitoring baroreflex response and nominal blood volume are disclosed herein. Software and methods for evaluating morphological features of a photoplethysmogram (PPG) obtained using a pulse oximeter allow for the affirmative detection and quantification of the baroreflex response from data obtained during orthostatic stress tests, lower... Agent: Lathrop & Gage Lc

20070213621 - Detection of heart failure using a photoplethysmograph: A method for diagnosis includes receiving a signal associated with blood oxygen saturation of a patient during sleep. The signal is filtered so as to eliminate signal components at frequencies equal to and greater than a respiratory frequency of the patient. The filtered signal is processed to detect a pattern... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070213622 - Respiration-based prognosis of heart disease: A method for diagnosis includes receiving a signal associated with respiration of a patient during sleep, and processing the signal to detect occurrences of a pattern corresponding to multiple cycles of periodic breathing. A cumulative duration of the occurrences is computed, and a prognosis of the patient is determined based... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070213620 - Sleep monitoring using a photoplethysmograph: A method for diagnosis includes receiving from a sensor coupled to a body of a sleeping patient a photoplethysmograph signal. The photoplethysmograph signal is processed independently of any other physiological measurements in order to identify sleep stages of the patient.... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070213623 - Apparatus and method for vertically positioning a monitoring transducer relative to a patient: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for positioning a transducer relative to a patient. In one embodiment, a transducer support having a fluid sensing transducer also includes an illuminator coupled to the support to generate visible radiation and to direct the visible radiation along a first... Agent: Marcus Simon, Esq. Dorsey & Whitney LLP

20070213624 - Detection of cardiac arrhythmias using a photoplethysmograph: A method for diagnosis includes receiving from a sensor coupled to a body of a patient a photoplethysmograph signal, which is indicative of blood flow in the body. The photoplethysmograph signal is processed so as to identify at least one irregularity in a heart rhythm of the patient. A rec