Surgery inventions 10/07

20070249894 - Method of and apparatus for prevention of adjustable gastric band slips: A gastric restrictive device positionable around a human stomach to limit the flow of food therethrough is provided with structure for facilitating suturing of the gastric restrictive device to the stomach and thereby preventing movement of the gastric restrictive device relative to the stomach.... Agent: Michael A. O'neil Michael A. O'neil, P.C.

20070249888 - Blood pump-oxygenator system: A blood pump-oxygenator system including a housing, an impeller, a fiber bed, and a bypass channel that provides a path for blood to be recirculated through the fiber bed; a system comprising a housing, a means for drawing blood into the housing, a means for removing carbon dioxide from the... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20070249890 - At least partially implantable hearing system: An at least partially implantable hearing system comprising at least one electromechanical output transducer; a micromanipulator for positioning the transducer and for fixing the transducer in a position set by the micromanipulator, the micromanipulator being adapted to be fixedly attached by fixing means to a skull cap; and a releasable... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20070249889 - Implantable prosthesis with direct mechanical stimulation of the inner ear: A prosthesis for stimulation of the inner ear, comprising means of excitation (11) which generate vibrations which can excite the ear of a patient, and an implantable part (1) comprising a rod which can transmit vibrations and which is configured in such a way that it can directly transmit vibrations... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070249891 - Ceiling newsletter system and method: A method for easing stress on a patient in a stressful treatment area, including the steps of: (a) providing at least one page of a periodically issued ceiling newsletter; (b) mounting at least two members of an attachment mechanism on a ceiling of the treatment area; (c) mounting at least... Agent: Kathleen M Harleston The Harleston Law Firm

20070249892 - 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: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070249893 - Cuff for a lumen: A cuff for a lumen having at least one resilient strip with a base and first and second arms extending therefrom. Each of the first and second arms has a receiving face, the receiving faces being adapted to receive a lumen. At least one of the receiving faces has at... Agent: Madson & Austin Gateway Tower West

20070249895 - Stabilizer for in vivo examination: Dynamic movement of various specimens is effectively suppressed, while easily allowing compatibility with various specimens having a wide range of types, sizes, and shapes, and various types of examination methods of specimens. A stabilizer for in vivo examination that is placed in contact with a biological specimen in the vicinity... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP Eric S. Cherry - Docketing Supervisor

20070249896 - Endoscopic methods and devices for transnasal procedures: Medical devices, systems and methods that are useable to facilitate transnasal insertion and positioning of guidewires and various other devices and instruments at desired locations within the ear, nose, throat, paranasal sinuses or cranium. Direct viewing of such placements via an endoscope.... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20070249897 - Medical treatment endoscope: The medical treatment endoscope according to the present invention includes a sheath having a flexibility; at least one arm member having a bending part that projects out from a front end of the sheath and performs bending actions; an open/close mechanism which directs the arm member from a direction along... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070249898 - Endoscope: An endoscope includes an insertion portion and a treatment instrument insertion channel, and is inserted into a body cavity; an operation portion which is connected to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; and a treatment instrument raiser which has a guiding surface for guiding a treatment instrument, and... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070249899 - Deflectable tip videoarthroscope: A deflectable tip videoarthroscope of 5.4 mm diameter or smaller, comprising a miniaturized chip-in-tip CCD with four-way angulations mounted on the distal end of the arthroscope. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may be provided with a replaceable distal window made of a thin material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic) or a... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070249900 - In vivo device with balloon stabilizer and valve: An in vivo imaging system is provided with a capsule having at least one balloon configured to orient the capsule in a consistent orientation relative to an internal organ; at least one valve configured to control the quantity of gas within the at least one balloon; and an imager encased... Agent: Stevens Law Grp

20070249901 - Instrument having radio frequency identification systems and methods for use: One RFID equipped instrument includes an elongate body with a plurality of uniquely identified radio frequency identification chips spaced along the length of the elongate body. One system used for determining the position of an instrument includes an instrument; a plurality of radio frequency identification chips attached to the instrument;... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070249902 - Dispenser: A dispenser for storing of disposable protecting sleeve is described. The sleeve is intended for covering of at least a portion of a flexible insertion tube of an endoscope. The dispenser comprises frontal housing detachably connectable to a rear housing. The frontal housing comprises cover assembly detachably connected thereto and... Agent: Bruce E. Lilling Lilling & Lilling PLLC

20070249904 - Endoscope device and display device: An endoscope device of the invention includes: an insertion portion disposed with an observation optical system; an operation portion continuously provided to a proximal end side of the insertion portion; a display device main body provided to a proximal end side of the operation portion and disposed with a monitor... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070249903 - Endoscopic treatment tool: An endoscopic treatment tool comprises: a first member having a first finger retaining part; and a second member having at least one second finger retaining part in a ring form, wherein one of the first and second members is a support member, and the other one of the first and... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070249905 - Medical tubular assembly: A medical tubular assembly includes four medical coilpipes together having a distal end portion insertable into a patient. The four medical coilpipes include a central coilpipe and three peripheral coilpipes disposed outward of the central coilpipe. The four medical coilpipes are wound from a continuous length of wire. In one... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P. Intellectual Property Group

20070249906 - Self-propelled endoscopic device with anchor system: A self-propelled endoscopic device with anchor system, comprising a tubular body of variable length extending between front end and rear end sections with respective anchors for securing the ends, temporarily and alternately, to a wall of a body cavity in synch with corresponding axial contractions and elongations of the tubular... Agent: Pollack, P.C.

20070249907 - Imaging assembly with transparent distal cap: An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, L.L.P. Michael P. Girard

20070249909 - Catheter configurations: The present invention is directed to variations of catheter configurations, wherein the outer shafts have been supplemented with electroactive polymer (EAP) material to modify the performance characteristics of the catheter.... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20070249908 - Medical cannula and medical cannula system: A medical cannula includes a first medical cannula tube, a second medical cannula tube, a resiliently bendable coil spring, and a flexible first elongate member. The first tube has a distal end portion insertable within a patient. The second tube is entirely insertable within the patient, is spaced apart from... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P. Intellectual Property Group

20070249912 - Method for artery-vein image separation in blood pool contrast agents: A method for segmenting and separating arteries and veins in blood pool contrast agents (MRA). Specifically, arteries and veins are accurately segmented by an algorithm that combines local vessel models, discrete centerline models and ordered statistical front propagation to produce accurate segmentation results with the minimum amount of non-vascular inclusion.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070249910 - 2d visualization for rib analysis: An exemplary method of visualization is provided. A centerline is computed for each of a plurality of ribs in a three-dimensional (3D) image. The each of the plurality of ribs is straightened based on the centerline computation. A two-dimensional (2D) image is generated based on the straightened ribs.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070249913 - Hyperspectral imaging of angiogenesis: The invention is directed to methods and systems of hyperspectral and multispectral imaging of medical tissues. In particular, the invention is directed to new devices, tools and processes for the detection and evaluation of diseases and disorders such as, but not limited to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease and cancer,... Agent: Novak Druce & Quigg, LLP

20070249911 - Method and apparatus for optimizing a therapy: A method and apparatus to perform a procedure that can include a processor assisted surgical procedure. During the procedure patient space and image space can be registered to allow for tracking of various tracking sensors. An instrument can be placed relative to patient space based upon a plan.... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070249914 - System and method for identification of false statements: A method of detecting lie detection including the steps of first conditioning the subject to produce an involuntary physiological response triggered when the subject provides false statements; and secondly asking the subject to state whether each of series of statements presented to the subject are true. As the subject answers,... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20070249915 - Inhibitors: The present invention provides a skin test method for predicting the formation of spots in the skin. This method judges skin to be susceptible to the formation of spots in the case expression in the epidermis of MCP-2 gene, a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under highly stringent conditions to mouse... Agent: Snider & Associates

20070249917 - System, device and method for determining the concentration of an analyte: There are many inventions described and illustrated herein. In one aspect, the present invention is a system, a device and a method for sensing the concentration of an analyte in a fluid (for example, a fluid sample) or matrix. The analyte may be glucose or other chemical of interest. The... Agent: Neil A. Steinberg

20070249916 - Wearable glucometer: Apparatus for assaying an analyte in blood in a patient's blood vessel comprising: a light provider comprising at least one light source that illuminates a tissue region in which a blood vessel is located with light that stimulates photoacoustic waves in the region; at least one acoustic transducer that generates... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070249918 - Signal processing apparatus: The present disclosure describes a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals using various processing techniques. In certain embodiments, the measured signals are physiological signals. In certain embodiments, the measurements relate to blood constituent measurements including blood oxygen saturation.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070249919 - 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

20070249920 - 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

20070249921 - Biological testing system: A connector for establishing electrical connection between a testing device and a test strip with a biological fluid thereon includes a contact pad on the test strip, and one or more contact wires in the testing device. When the strip is inserted into the testing device, part of the strip's... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070249922 - Medical device insertion: Devices and methods for inserting at least a portion of a medical device in a patient are provided. Embodiments include medical device insertions that employ a plurality of insertion stages. Also provided are systems and kits for use in analyte monitoring.... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20070249923 - Composite flexible and conductive catheter electrode: A flexible cardiac catheter for sensing electrical activity within and administering therapy to a patients' heart has a series of flexible, conductive electrode bands positioned in grooves in the catheter's tubular body. The bands consist of alternating flexible and conductive elements, providing flexibility and overall versatility to the catheter. The... Agent: Stuart M. Goldstein Willow Ridge Executive Office Park

20070249924 - Medical wire: Disclosed herein is a medical wire with an intracorporeally indwelling member connected to the leading end part of a conductive wire through a thermally-fusible connecting member, wherein the contact of the leading end part of the conductive wire with the intracorporeally indwelling member can be surely prevented even when the... Agent: Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.

20070249925 - X-ray diagnostic device for mammography: An X-ray diagnostic device is provided. The X-ray diagnostic device includes a control device that is operable to optimally adjust a radiation of an X-ray emitter for a particular patient, and a measuring device. The measuring device is coupled to the control device. The measuring device is operable to determine... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070249928 - Method and system for precise repositioning of regions of interest in longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy exams: The present invention provides a method and system for automatically processing longitudinal magnetic resonance (MR) images comprising obtaining a first MR image, selecting a region of interest within the first MR image, obtaining at least one subsequent MR image, applying a registration relative to the first MR image and the... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070249927 - Estimation of the average propagator from magnetic resonance data: An average propagator is estimated from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data. Diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data is determined from the diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance data. Estimated average propagator data is determined from the diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data based on at least one of a priori information of the diffusion-weighted signal attenuation data or... Agent: National Institutes Of Health C/o Venable LLP

20070249926 - Magnetic field gradients adapted to position of region being imaged: A magnetic resonance apparatus comprises a magnet system for generating a magnetic field in a working volume. Magnetic gradient coils are used to generate one or more magnetic field gradients in the working volume so as to define regions from which magnetic resonance signals are obtained from a target material.... Agent: Maine & Asmus

20070249929 - Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging: Methods and apparatus for operating an MRI system is provided. The disclosure provides a diffusion-prepared driven-equilibrium preparation for an imaging volume and acquiring 3-dimensional k-space data from said prepared volume by a plurality of echoplanar readouts of stimulated echoes. An excitation radio-frequency signal and first and second inversion RF signals... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070249930 - Method and system for tracking devices with multiple rf transmit channels using mri: A method and system for monitoring the placement of a catheter during an interventional procedure is provided. The method integrates transmit coils with the catheter and controls the coils' RF transmission through additional channels that operate synchronously with a scanner's standard transmit channel. The method enables simultaneous planar roadmap imaging... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20070249931 - Segmentation of the airway tree using hyperpolarized nobel gases and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging: Diagnostic MR images of the lung are segmented to distinguish the airway tree from lung parenchyma. Diffusion weighted images of the lungs are acquired using hyperpolarized gas MRI and a segmentation image is produced from the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) image calculated from the diffusion weighted images. Voxels in the... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20070249932 - Remote manipulator with eyeballs: A manipulator includes a distal end having a manipulating instrument configured for manipulation at a manipulation site, and a proximate end connectable to an interface. A pair of detectors is configured to capture stereoscopic images of the manipulation site. The pair of detectors and manipulating instrument are connected to the... Agent: Thorne & Halajian Applied Technology Center

20070249933 - Method and device for automatically differentiating types of kidney stones by means of computed tomography: At least one embodiment of the present application relates to a method and/or a device for automatically differentiating types of kidney stones by way of computed tomography. In at least one embodiment, the method provides two image data records of two computed tomography pictures of an object area including the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070249934 - System and method for image-based interventional device tracking and scan plane guidance: An MR system and method for tracking a device of an interventional procedure within a scan subject is disclosed. At least two MR projections of the device are acquired, from which 3D coordinates of the device are determined. Subsequent image acquisition is adjusted with respect to the coordinates of the... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (gems)

20070249935 - System and method for automatically obtaining ultrasound image planes based on patient specific information: A diagnostic ultrasound system is provided for automatically displaying multiple planes from a volume of interest. The system comprises a transducer for acquiring ultrasound data associated with a volume of interest having a target object therein. They system further comprises a user interface for designating a reference plane within the... Agent: Dean D. Small The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20070249936 - Devices and methods for treatment of tissue: Delivery systems, and methods using the same, having an ultrasound viewing window for improved imaging and a needle for ablation treatment of target tissues. In an embodiment, the target tissue is a fibroid within a female's uterus. In an embodiment the delivery system includes a rigid shaft having a proximal... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070249937 - Ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus and ultrasonic image display method: A technique for displaying an ultrasonic three-dimensional image and its tomographic image at the same time is disclosed. According to the technique, it is provided with: a transmitting/receiving circuit 111 for carrying out a transmitting/receiving control of ultrasonic waves; a three-dimensional processing unit 120 for forming a three-dimensional image from... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20070249938 - Systems, devices, and methods employing therapeutic ultrasound of living tissues: Systems, devices, and methods for delivering ultrasonic treatment to a subject. An ultrasound therapy device includes a waveform generator, one or more transducers, one or more sensors, and a controller. In some embodiments, the waveform generator is configured to generate a first driving signal having at least a first waveform... Agent: Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

20070249939 - Rigid delivery systems having inclined ultrasound and curved needle: A delivery system includes a rigid shaft, an imaging core, and an interventional core. The rigid delivery shaft has a proximal end, an angled distal tip, and an axial passage therethrough. The imaging core comprises an ultrasound imaging insert disposed within the axial passage. The imaging insert has an ultrasound... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070249940 - Ultrasonic endoscope: An ultrasonic endoscope comprising an insertion portion including a distal hard portion. The insertion portion comprises an ultrasonic transducer arranged in the distal hard portion and a treatment equipment lead-out hole, a slant surface on which an endoscopic viewing section is formed, the slant surface being provided in a position... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070249941 - Method for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class d amplifier: Method for controlling an ultrasonic handpiece of an ocular surgical system, such as a phacoemulsification system. First and second signal sources generate first and second drive signals. The first signal is at a first frequency and is used to drive a cutting tip of the handpiece with a first type... Agent: Alcon

20070249942 - System for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class d amplifier: System for controlling an ultrasonic handpiece of an ocular surgical system, such as a phacoemulsification system. First and second signal sources generate first and second drive signals. The first signal is at a first frequency and is used to drive a cutting tip of the handpiece with a first type... Agent: Alcon

20070249943 - Method of optically imaging biological tissues by using fluorescence, in particular for defining regions of interest in tissues to be analyzed by tomography: s

20070249944 - Means and method for the detection of cardiac events: Disclosed is a system for the detection of cardiac events that includes an implanted device called a cardiosaver, a physician's programmer and an external alarm system. The system is designed to provide early detection of cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction or exercise induced myocardial ischemia caused by an... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070249947 - Means and method for the detection of cardiac events: Disclosed is a system for the detection of cardiac events that includes an implanted device called a cardiosaver, a physician's programmer and an external alarm system. The system is designed to provide early detection of cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction or exercise induced myocardial ischemia caused by an... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070249946 - Non-invasive cardiac monitor and methods of using continuously recorded cardiac data: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of obtaining continuous cardiac information from a mammal. First, attach a self-contained, wearable, portable continuous cardiac monitor to the mammal to create a chamber containing electrodes used to detect cardiac signals from the mammal. Next, continuously detect without analyzing the cardiac signals from the... Agent: Shay Law Group LLP

20070249945 - Probabilistic fusion in arrhythmia diagnosis and therapy: This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for characterizing a tachyarrhythmia. A method comprises obtaining a current first primary characterization of the tachyarrhythmia and a current first primary confidence level of the current first primary characterization, obtaining a current second primary characterization of the tachyarrhythmia and a current... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20070249948 - Method of identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia: The present invention relates to evaluating the effect of physiological conditions on the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, identifying strategies for treatment or prevention of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, and evaluating a subject for induction of ventricular fibrillation from a condition of ventricular tachycardia.... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP - Patent Group

20070249949 - Methods and apparatus for quantifying the risk of cardiac death using exercise induced heart rate recovery metrics: Methods and apparatus for assessing cardiac risks based on heart activity data obtained during a recovery stage of an exercise test of a specific patient. An embodiment of a method comprises determining a prognostic period of the heart activity data after a time t0 after a peak heart rate of... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20070249950 - Implanted air passage sensors: A physiological sensor is located within the airway of the subject's body, such as for measuring barometric pressure and communicating this value to a blood pressure or other monitoring device, which can derive gauge pressure using the barometric pressure and a measured absolute pressure within the body. The physiological sensor... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20070249951 - Apparatus, system and method for assessing alveolar inflation: A system and method for measuring alveolar performance during ventilation using a microphone positioned adjacent to the distal end of a ventilation tube. The microphone is connected to a monitor that filters the signals received from the microphone to eliminate unwanted noise, such as that caused by the heart and... Agent: Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC

20070249955 - Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070249956 - Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070249953 - Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070249954 - Method and apparatus for detection of nervous system disorders: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures, are disclosed. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070249952 - Systems and methods for sleep monitoring: Systems and methods for monitoring EEG signals include dry electrodes that can be used in sleep monitoring systems. In one aspect, a system for sleep stage monitoring and measurement includes a first dry electrode for detecting EEG signals of a user, a housing, and a sleep stage processor disposed within... Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP

20070249957 - Mapping spinal muscle tone: Systems and methods for collecting, analyzing, and/or displaying EMG data in the paraspinal muscles, include generating normalized EMG data using reference EMG data. Also disclosed are novel EMG parameters that are useful for at least one of diagnosis, determining a course of treatment, and/or monitoring a patient's response to a... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070249958 - Method for detecting the onset of ovulation: A method for detecting the onset of ovulation in a female mammal is provided. The method comprises contacting mouth air of the female mammal with an arylmethane test chromogen in an amount effective to undergo a rapid and detectable color change in the presence of one or more volatile sulfur... Agent: Dority & Manning, P.A.

20070249959 - Electromagnetic personnel interdiction control method and system: An electromagnetic personnel interdiction control (EPIC) non-destructive stun type weapon system and method utilizes beamed RF energy (Lorentz Force) to disrupt the normal mechanical transduction process and/or the chemical engine by which sound, position and other sensory input are converted to messages by nerve cells and processed by the brain... Agent: Kenneth A. Roddy

20070249960 - Biopsy punch: A biopsy punch for removing a biopsy sample from a biopsy area of a patient includes a handle and a tubular blade. The handle is adapted for gripping by a user. The tubular blade extends around a longitudinal axis and has first and second longitudinally spaced blade ends separated by... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.L.P.

20070249961 - Biological sample collection device: A swab device for collecting a biological sample from an individual is disclosed, the swab device comprising a head having a swab material for trapping a biological sample thereon and a body comprising means for moving the head relative to the body. Also disclosed is method of obtaining a biological... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP

20070249962 - Method and apparatus for lancet launching device integrated onto a blood-sampling cartridge: A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment consists of an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070249963 - Method and apparatus for lancet launching device integrated onto a blood-sampling cartridge: A method and apparatus (2) for obtaining a sample of blood. An embodiment consists of an apparatus (2) which integrates lancing (12), sample collection, and analysis. The presence of patients finger on the active sampling area can be sensed by monitoring the pressure applied by the finger on the device... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20070249964 - Polymer coated guide wire: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070249965 - Superelastic guiding member: An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group... Agent: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc./ Finnegan Henderson L.L.P.

20070249966 - Device and method for measuring urethral angle: A medical device for measuring the angular deviation of an elongated insertion instrument inserted into an urethra and method for determining the condition of the pelvic floor of a patient. It includes a channel adapted to receive an elongated insertion instrument along a longitudinal access and an indicator to measure... Agent: Jafari Law Group, P.C.

20070249968 - Collecting posture information to evaluate therapy: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. Posture events are identified, e.g., a posture of the patient is periodically determined and/or posture transitions by the patient are identified, and each determined posture event is associated with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one posture... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070249967 - Computer-aided osteoplasty surgery system: A method for performing computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery includes the steps of: (1) producing and displaying three-dimensional geometrical models of first and second bones, the first and second bones forming a joint; (2) identifying a zone of impingement between the first bone and the second bone on at least one of... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070244351 - Radioactive therapeutic apparatus: A method and device for applying a radioactive source to a tissue site is disclosed. The device facilitates the precise placement of, for example, 125Iodine seeds relative to the surgical margin, assures the seeds remain fixed in their precise position for the duration of the treatment, overcomes the technical difficulties... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20070244352 - Apparatus for the prevention of urinary incontinence in females: An apparatus for treating urinary incontinence, comprising a node; a support section adapted for providing urethral support attached to the node; and, an anchoring section adapted for resisting movement of the apparatus attached to the node; wherein the node is no longer than 30% of the entire length of the... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan

20070244353 - Resectoscopic device and method: A surgical instrument has a channel dimensioned to receive a viewing instrument and enable the viewing instrument to be moved to or from a position near an optically transparent portion of a blunt, enclosed distal end of a shaft to provide unobstructed viewing through the distal end, and a position... Agent: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.

20070244354 - Vibratory device, endoscope having such a device, method for configuring an endoscope, and method of reducing looping of an endoscope.: An endoscope assembly includes an insertion tube including a channel and a vibratory device inserted into the channel of the insertion tube.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20070244355 - Catheter for use with an endoscope: Endoscopes, medical devices for use with endoscopes, and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example medical device for use with an endoscope is a catheter having one or more ridges formed on an outer surface thereof. The ridges may interact, for example, with the elevator of an endoscope.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070244356 - Elongate medical devices having an improved distal profile for use with an endoscope: Endoscopic medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical device for use with an endoscope is a catheter having a key member disposed on the distal end region of the catheter. The key member defines a key region that may be shaped so that at... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070244357 - Scanned beam imagers and endoscopes utilizing multiple light collectors: Apparatuses and methods for scanned beam imagers and scanned beam endoscopes that utilize multiple light collectors are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanned beam imager is disclosed. The scanned beam imager includes a scanned beam source operable to scan a beam onto a region of interest of an object. The... Agent: Edward W. Bulchis, Esq. Dorsey & Whitney LLP

20070244358 - Surgical instrument: An endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via bendable motion members.... Agent: David M. Driscoll, Esq.

20070244361 - Balloon unit for endoscope apparatus: The present invention provides a balloon unit for an endoscope apparatus comprising: a balloon for an endoscope apparatus having an opening formed in a cylindrical shape in which an insert part of an endoscope or an insert supporter having the insert part inserted therein is inserted and fixed; and a... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070244360 - Endoscope: The present invention provides an endoscope comprising: an insert portion having a bending portion for bending operation and a flexible soft portion connected to the proximal end of the bending portion; an inflatable/deflatable balloon attached on the proximal side from the bending portion; and a supplying/sucking opening provided in the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070244359 - Capsule for use in small intestine: Apparatus for use in a body lumen is provided including an introducer tube configured to be advanced into a gastrointestinal tract of a subject. A guide member is coupled to a distal end of the introducer tube and is configured to be mounted in a vicinity of a valve of... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070244362 - Segmented colonoscope: A colonoscope includes an elongated body extending between a proximal and a distal end, a tip arranged on the distal end of the elongated body, and a handle arranged on the proximal end of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body generally increases in diameter and flexibility from the distal... Agent: Mccormick, Paulding & Huber LLP

20070244363 - Gas supplying apparatus, control method of the same, gas supplying system, and endoscope system: A gas supplying apparatus according to the present invention includes a switching unit, which is connected to a gas supplying channel of an endoscope, configured to supply gas to the body cavity of a patient via the gas supplying channel, and switches to a state of supplying gas to the... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070244364 - Endoscope tips, scanned beam endoscopes using same, and methods of use: Apparatuses and methods for scanned beam endoscopes, endoscope tips, and scanned beam imagers are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanned beam endoscope includes an endoscope tip having a scanner, an illumination optical fiber, and at least one light detection element. The illumination optical fiber may be positioned so that a... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070244365 - Scanned beam imagers and endoscopes with positionable light collector: Apparatuses and methods for scanned beam imagers and scanned beam endoscopes having a positionable light collector are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanned beam imager includes a scanned beam source operable to scan a beam across a FOV and a light collector structured to collect light affected by the FOV.... Agent: Michael G. Pate, Esq. Dorsey & Whitney LLP

20070244366 - Electronic endoscope: A white LED portion of an optical adapter is configured by a plurality of LED elements in an n-serial and m-parallel matrix configuration, and an identification resistance for identifying the type of the white LED portion. In an operation portion of an endoscope portion, an LED drive portion for driving... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070244367 - Methods and systems for enhanced medical procedure visualization: The present invention employs image intensification for medical procedures within the human body. Methods and systems of the invention utilize infrared radiation (e.g. greater than about 750 nm) illumination and visualization of a surgical treatment area Preferred methods and systems of the invention incorporate use of an infrared radiation visualization... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20070244370 - Miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals of animals: A miniature wireless apparatus for collecting physiological signals of animals includes a connector, an amplifier module, a microcontroller, a radio module and a power supply. The connector is attached to an animal to be tested by buckling a joint of the connector to a joint of a connector on the... Agent: Egbert Law Offices

20070244368 - Diagnostic test devices: A diagnostic test apparatus comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a swab or a biopsy punch mounted on the first end of a shaft; and a cap for fitting over the first end of the shaft, said cap containing at least one diagnostic test reagent;... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070244369 - Medical imaging system for mapping a structure in a patient's body: The present invention relates to a medical imaging system for guiding a medical instrument (4) which performs a plurality of actions at a plurality of points (P1, P2, . . . PM) in contact with a structure (3) of a body of a subject. Such a medical system comprises acquisition... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070244371 - Phlebectomy illumination device and methods: The disclosure relates to the use of subcutaneous illumination during phlebectomy procedures, and to devices and methods for performing hook phlebectomy while visualizing veins and surrounding tissue using light emitted subcutaneously and beneath the surgical area. An apparatus comprises, in one embodiment, a handle, an illuminator portion extending distally from... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070244372 - System and method for medical diagnosis: A system and method for generating a medical diagnosis is provided. In a first embodiment of the present invention a conversion table is created and stored in a computerized storage media of a computerized system, the conversion table converts raw test data into numeric values. Furthermore, a sub-diagnosis database is... Agent: Thompson Hine L.L.P. Intellectual Property Group

20070244374 - Integrated self-contained recorder of biological data for small animal research: An apparatus and method for the recording of physiological variables in small animals are described. The apparatus is an integrated self-contained recorder including a converter of biological signals into a digital form, a data storage unit, a data output for transporting the stored data from the recorder after the end... Agent: Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC

20070244373 - Measurement device: A measurement device for sensing medical parameters in a human body can be accommodated in a body cavity, in particular in a blood vessel, and has at least one sensor and one holder. In order to temporarily or permanently implant and subsequently remove the measurement device from the body cavity... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20070244375 - Method for screening and treating patients at risk of medical disorders: Method for screening patients to predict which patients at risk of a medical disorder, such as morbid obesity, gastrointestinal problems, or gastroesophageal problems, will be responders, and conversely, which patients will not, to achieve a favorable outcome from therapy for that disorder. This method supports an intervention strategy for patients... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20070244376 - Physiological signal apparatus with digital real time calibration: A digital vital sign apparatus with real time calibration is provided which comprises a tissue adaptor, several physiological signal measurement devices with an ability of movement detection, and a physiological analyzer. The present invention provides wrapping a tissue like finger for testing, palm or wrist with elastic membrane to buffer... Agent: Wpat, PC Intellectual Property Attorneys

20070244378 - Noninvasive oximetry optical sensor including disposable and reusable elements: A pulse oximetry sensor includes reusable and disposable elements. To assemble the sensor, members of the reusable element are mated with assembly mechanisms of the disposable element. The assembled sensor provides independent movement between the reusable and disposable elements.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070244377 - Pulse oximeter sleeve: A pulse oximeter sleeve of elastic and/or form-fitting material for positioning light-emitting diodes and a detector securely with respect to a human's foot or hand.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070244379 - Silicone based membranes for use in implantable glucose sensors: Membrane systems incorporating silicone polymers are described for use in implantable analyte sensors. Some layers of the membrane system may comprise a blend of a silicone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, for example, a triblock poly(ethylene oxide) -poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer. Such polymeric blends provide for both high oxygen solubility... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070244380 - 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

20070244381 - Blood analyte determinations: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide measurement of glucose and other analytes with a variety of sensors without many of the performance-degrading problems of conventional approaches. An apparatus according to the present invention comprises a blood access system, adapted to remove blood from a body and... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20070244382 - Blood analyte determinations: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide measurement of glucose and other analytes with a variety of sensors without many of the performance-degrading problems of conventional approaches. An apparatus according to the present invention comprises a blood access system, adapted to remove blood from a body and... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20070244383 - Sensing system with auxiliary display: A system is provided for sensing blood glucose data of a patient. The system includes a sensor, user interface, and an optional auxiliary device. If the connection between the sensor and user interface is by a wire, the sensor remains powered when the wire is disconnected. The communication between the... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

20070244384 - Patient calming arrangements: An arrangement for presenting visual images, for example to a patient to be investigated by a scanning medical apparatus of the kind having a patient volume intended to accommodate part at least of the patient; the arrangement comprising visual display means including at least one screen so disposed in relation... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070244385 - Magnet structure for mri apparatus and mri apparatus: A magnet structure for an MRI apparatus utilizing a permanent magnet, which apparatus has an inverted U shape with two essentially parallel opposed pole pieces, which are supported at a predetermined distance from each other by an inverted U-shaped magnetic yoke, which pole pieces and/or at least a portion of... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070244387 - Risk assessment for planned trajectories: A method for planning the placement of a device in a body includes analyzing information of at least part of the internal structure of the body of a patient to determine if at least one specific or critical region or structure lies within a region of interest, said region of... Agent: Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20070244386 - Target tracking method and apparatus for radiation treatment planning and delivery: A target treatment apparatus for treating a target region (130) within a subject (140) is provided. The apparatus includes an MRI apparatus (100) for generating MR images during an MR scan of the subject disposed within an examination region (110). The apparatus further includes an MRI localizer (150) for receiving... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070244388 - Position detection system, guidance system, position detection method, medical device, and medical magnetic-induction and position-detection system: There are provided a position detection system, a guidance system, and a position detection method which obviate the need for frequency adjustment of an alternating magnetic field used in position detection of a device and which allow the device to be made more compact and less expensive. There are included... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

20070244389 - Methods and apparatus for relative perfusion and/or viability: A method of evaluating tissue of an organ includes performing at least one of classification processing and clustering processing to obtain a processed dataset to visualize at least one of the imaging agent, blood, the contrast agent, and the biomedical agent distribution in the tissue, a relative regional uptake of... Agent: Fisher Patent Group, LLC

20070244390 - Diagnostic ultrasound system and method of displaying elasticity image: A diagnostic ultrasound system includes an ultrasound transmitting and receiving system for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from a object to be examined 10, an elasticity image capturing system for capturing an elasticity image related to body tissue of the object to be examined on the basis of... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070244391 - Image diagnostic system and apparatus, and processing method therefor: An image diagnostic system controls a probe to perform radial scanning within a body cavity produces data based on signals received by the probe to construct and display a tomographic image of the body cavity and surrounding biotissue. The system includes a generation unit, a selection unit and a conversion... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070244392 - Ultrasonic probe: An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic oscillating elements arranged in a two-dimensional array shape, connection leads connected to the ultrasonic oscillating elements, and at least one board to connect the ultrasonic oscillating elements and integrated circuits. The board includes a first part having through-holes which are electrically connected to the connection... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070244393 - Image diagnosing support method and image diagnosing support apparatus: This is an image diagnosing support method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of images obtained by imaging the same region of the same object with one or more medical imaging apparatuses and having positional information at the time each of the images was picked up; a selecting... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20070244394 - System and method of branch vessel marking: A system and method of branch vessel marking including a branch vessel marking system for a branch vessel off a main vessel, the branch vessel having an ostium and a branch vessel centerline, the system having a catheter 105 and a balloon 110 operably attached to the catheter 105. The... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070244395 - Systems and methods for multi-spectral bioluminescence tomography: Bioluminescent imaging has proven to be a valuable tool for monitoring physiological and pathological activities at cellular and molecular levels in living small animals. Using biological techniques, target cells can be tagged with reporters which generate characteristic photons in a wide spectrum covering the infra-red range. Part of the diffused... Agent: Needle & Rosenberg, P.C.

20070244396 - Apparatus and method for the analysis of retinal vessels: The object of an apparatus and a method for the analysis of retinal vessels is to improve the reproducibility of individually determined artery-to-vein ratios and to reduce the measurement uncertainty in determining the artery-to-vein ratio in order to substantially increase the individual validity of the determined values for vessel diagnosis.... Agent: Reed Smith, LLP Attn: Patent Records Department

20070244397 - Blood pressure sphygmomanometer integrated into a common apparatus: A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional apparatus. Alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the apparatus structure and is extended outside the apparatus housing during the measurement. In... Agent: Leonard Tachner, A Professional Law Corporation

20070244398 - Power saving techniques for continuous heart rate monitoring: A heart rate monitor implements power saving algorithms while monitoring a subject's heart rate. The monitor continuously monitors a subject during an initial period to determine an initial heart rate. After the initial heart rate is acquired, power may not be provided for portions of the monitor until a heart... Agent: Vierra Magen Marcus & Deniro LLP

20070244399 - Pulse measurement device, method and medium: A pulse measurement device for more precisely measuring a pulse, including a sensing unit to sense a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal and an acceleration signal obtained from a user, a pressure control unit to control pressure applied to the sensing unit, and a signal determination unit to determine an optimum pressure... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070244400 - Compliant biometric sensor apparatus: Compliant biometric sensor apparatus are disclosed. A disclosed example biometric sensor apparatus includes a handgrip having a length and at least one substantially compliant portion extending along at least a portion of the length and at least one electrode coupled to the compliant portion so that the electrode is movable... Agent: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

20070244403 - Implantable myocardial ischemia detection, indication and action technology: One embodiment enables detection of MI/I and emerging infarction in an implantable system. A plurality of devices may be used to gather and interpret data from within the heart, from the heart surface, and/or from the thoracic cavity. The apparatus may further alert the patient and/or communicate the condition to... Agent: Alan S. Raynes, Esq. Konrad Raynes & Victor LLP

20070244401 - Method and apparatus for analyzing and editing ecg morphology and time series: A method and apparatus for analyzing the QT interval characteristics of ECG signal data having a succession of waveforms produced by the beating of the heart. ECG signal data is obtained from a patient. The R-R interval and the QT intervals of the waveforms of the ECG signal data are... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070244402 - System and method of monitoring physiological signals: A physiological signal monitoring and analysis system including an implantable medical device and a signal processor. The implantable medical device is configured to monitor and record sample segments of at least one physiological signal of a patient at time separated recording intervals over a time period. The signal processor configured... Agent: Dicke, Billig & Czaja

20070244404 - Identifying infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome: A method for identifying infants at risk for SIDS includes applying electrodes to an infant, receiving electrical signals from the electrodes, analyzing the received electrical signals to measure alternans of a heart of the infant, and identifying whether the infant is at risk for SIDS. A system for identifying infants... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070244405 - Multi-tier system for cardiology and patient monitoring data analysis: In a multi-tier patient monitoring data analysis system, an algorithm server is positioned as a middle tier between an acquisition device, such as a cardiograph or patient monitor that can be seen as a lower tier, and a storage device for a database, such as that of a central computer... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20070244406 - Method and system for managing interventional pulmonology: The invention provides a method and system for assessing an interventional pulmonology procedure. A plurality of sound transducers are fixed on a surface of the individual over an individual's respiratory tract that generate signals indicative of pressure waves at the transducers. A processor receives the signals and generates from the... Agent: Nath & Associates, PLLC

20070244407 - Evoked response to stimulation: In an embodiment, an evoked response of an electrode may be determined. The evoked response may be compared to other evoked responses to determine the location of the electrode. The evoked response may be measured during electrode implantation so that desired changes can be made and if electrodes are being... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070244408 - Spatiotemporal pattern recognition for neurological event detection and prediction in an implantable device: A system and method for detecting and predicting neurological events with an implantable device uses a relatively low-power central processing unit in connection with signal processing circuitry to identify features (including half waves) and calculate window-based characteristics (including line lengths and areas under the curve of the waveform) in one... Agent: Neuropace, Inc.

20070244409 - Electric field control device and detection device: The present invention provides an electric field control device that can transmit a quasi-electrostatic field more efficiently. There is provided an electric field control device that applies electric fields to an electric field application subject, which includes a first electrode and a second electrode that generate the electric fields, a... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20070244410 - Removing artifact in evoked compound action potential recordings in neural stimulators: The accuracy of neural response recordings in neural stimulators, e.g., cochlear implants, is often degraded by a recording artifact. An idealized electrical-equivalent model of a neural stimulator is created to study, measure and compensate for artifact evoked compound action potential (eCAP). Using this model, the artifact is shown to occur... Agent: Advanced Bionics Corporation

20070244411 - Method and system for monitoring intracranial pressure: Method and system for monitoring intracranial pressure. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for monitoring intracranial pressure (ICP) for at least one patient. The method includes positioning an ear probe into an ear canal. The method further includes measuring a first acoustic reflectance using the ear... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20070244412 - Medical apparatus for use by a patient for medical self treatment of diabetes: The invention relates to an apparatus for self-treatment of diabetes. The apparatus is particularly advantageous by comprising a plurality of devices each of which has its own dedicated function corresponding to a number of acts which a diabetic must perform on himself. The individual devices are mutually interconnectible, and the... Agent: Patent Department Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

20070244414 - 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

20070244413 - Medical guidewire tip construction: A medical guidewire having a core-to-tip construction that includes a core wire region surrounded by a flexible coil. The core wire having a distal tip segment that includes a proximal flat drop axially separated from a distal flat drop by a cylindrical or frusto-conical linking portion. The proximal and distal... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.IPLegal Department

20070238918 - Male prosthesis device: A male prosthesis device configured to be worn on a flaccid, partially-erect or erect penis which transmits tactile sensations through a stimulation material to the surface of the penis. The device includes a prosthesis with an outer surface and in inner chamber, a microprocessor, one or more sensors and one... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070238914 - Cardiac tissue energy dispersion device: An electromagnetic cardiac assembly adapted to assist ventricular output in a human heart includes a magnetic mat adapted for mounting inside a human body near the heart. The mat is made from a material responsive to application of an electromagnetic field so as to be movable into compressive relation with... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP

20070238915 - System for preventing diastolic heart failure: A pumping system for assisting the circulatory system of a patient, wherein the system includes a rotary flow blood pump by a first cannula connected to a portion of the left side of the heart and a second cannula connected to the aorta; and characterised in that the pumping speed... Agent: Connors Associates

20070238916 - Semen catheter improvement for artificial insemination in animals: The invention discloses a semen catheter improvement for artificial insemination in animals, comprising a connecting orifice disposed at the head part of flexible catheter, a more rigid cap body fitted over the connecting orifice, a covering member disposed at the inward end of cap body and propping against the head... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070238917 - Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support: An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20070238919 - Method and apparatus for relieving erectile dysfunction: A restrictor for relieving the symptoms of erectile dysfunction by applying pressure to the corpora cavemosa. The restrictor includes a visual gauge for signaling a purchaser of adequate fit and/or potential overuse. The restrictor includes a surface treatment that changes temperature with color. The restrictor may be a rigid metal... Agent: The H.t. Than Law Group

20070238920 - Swallowing function evaluating apparatus: A swallowing function evaluating apparatus capable of quantitatively evaluating a swallowing function safely and repeatedly, which comprises a height variation detecting unit 10 for detecting a variation in the height of the surface of a throat from a predetermined reference position in the height direction in which a thyroid protrudes... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20070238921 - Capsule imaging device using fluorescent light: A pill shaped device for in vivo imaging of tissues of the digestive system. The capsule imaging device gathers images of tissues of the gastro-intestinal tract that have been tagged by fluorescent dye. The light source of the device causes the fluorescent dye tagging the tissues to emit light images... Agent: John Weirich

20070238922 - Endoscope shape detecting device: A driving signal is supplied from a transmission block to a magnetic-field generating element arranged on either one of an inside of an endoscope insertion portion and an outside of an endoscope. A magnetic field generated by the magnetic-field generating element is detected by a magnetic-field detecting element arranged on... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070238923 - Endoscope integrity tester including context-sensitive compensation and methods of context-sensitive integrity testing: Computer systems and software for controlling an endoscope integrity tester. The pressurization and humidity measurement and calculations, and the resulting determination of passage or failure is automated and controlled to eliminate concerns of human error in the detection process. Further, the computer system is capable of adapting its calculations to... Agent: Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, Lc Attn: BoxIPDept.

20070238924 - Robotic medical instrument system: A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises introducing a medical instrument into a patient (e.g., percutaneously), conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to actuate the tool located on the medical... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070238925 - Surgical instrument coupling mechanism: A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070238926 - Selectively rotatable shaft coupler: In one aspect, the present invention is a system for rotatably coupling a shaft to a housing. The system includes a selectively rotatable shaft coupler that connects a shaft to a housing that allows a limited amount of shaft rotation, but which sets a restriction on the maximum amount of... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, LLP One World Trade Center

20070238927 - Power driven bending endoscope with detachable insertion portion: A power driven bending endoscope with detachable insertion portion 2 is formed of an insertion body 3 having a flexible bending portion 3B, and a motor unit 4 having an electric motor 23 for driving to bend the bending portion 3B and a potentiometer 26 for detecting a bending state... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070238928 - Biopsy port for easy device passage: A medical device includes a handle and a shaft having a working channel. A biopsy port at the exterior of the handle provides a path for instruments leading to the working channel. A conduit that runs through the handle for supplying fluids is also provided a path to the working... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, PLLC

20070238929 - Versatile control system for supplying fluid medium to endoscope: The present invention relates generally to the field of endoscopy and specifically to endoscopic apparatus used for endoscopic procedures during which a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum and colon for examination of the colon interior for abnormalities. More particularly, the present invention refers to a control system for... Agent: Bruce E. Lilling Lilling & Lilling PLLC

20070238930 - Endoscope tips, scanned beam endoscopes using same, and methods of use: Apparatuses and methods for scanned beam endoscopes, endoscope tips, and scanned beam imagers are disclosed. In one aspect, a scanned beam endoscope includes at least one light detection element that collects light reflected from a FOV through one or more openings in the scanner of the endoscope. In another aspect,... Agent: Michael G. Pate, Esq. Dorsey & Whitney LLP

20070238931 - Medical videoscope with a pivotably adjustable end part: A medical endoscope including a stem (1) receiving in its distal end part (3) a video camera (30), the end part (3) being pivotably adjustable relative to the main part (2) of the stem (1) and connecting lines (27, 31) running in the stem (1) from a proximal end region... Agent: Rankin, Hill, Porter & Clark LLP

20070238932 - Surgical retractor and retractor assembly: Retractor for insertion in an incision of a patient includes a frame defining a central opening and a reference plane, and at least one blade disposed within the central opening The blade operatively coupled to the frame by a support structure for movement in a first direction generally laterally with... Agent: Robert Deberardine Abbott Laboratories

20070238933 - Posterior approach retractor ring and attachments system: The present invention provides an open looped (open-ended) retractor frame for use in surgical procedures. The open-ended retractor frame of the present invention is particularly useful in infracoccygeal sacropexy or posterior intravaginal slingplasty procedures. The present invention furthermore provides a variety of clip-on attachments to the open-ended retractor frame that... Agent: Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

20070238936 - Portable electronic medical assistant: A handheld device used to assist a user in performing daily activities and in being socially active. The device can also be used to assist in monitoring dietary, medication, and supplement intakes, pain and stress levels, vitals, exercise, sleep quality, and other aspects of better living. The device can be... Agent: Ip Strategies

20070238934 - Dynamically responsive mood sensing environments: Physiological readings, such as heart rate, breathing rate, pulse, blood pressure, electrical conductivity across skin surface(s), electrical or magnetic activity of various regions of the brain, body temperature, voice patterns, voice stress, blood chemistry, locomotion (walking, running, etc.) characteristics, eating patterns, personal movement, etc. may be monitored for one or... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C.

20070238935 - Method and system for selecting a mattress: A method and system is provided for diagnosing a subject's desired level of support and comfort. In accordance with the method, a diagnostic mattress with an adjustable support structure is provided. A subject is positioned on the diagnostic mattress. The adjustable support structure of the diagnostic mattress is adjusted in... Agent: Thompson Coburn, LLP

20070238938 - Activity-induced energy expenditure estimating instrument: An activity-induced energy expenditure estimating instrument is provided which is capable of estimating an activity-induced energy expenditure with ease and high accuracy. The activity-induced energy expenditure estimating instrument comprises: body activity information measuring means, body specifying information acquiring means, body composition information acquiring means, and activity-induced energy expenditure computing means,... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20070238937 - System and method for controlling a tilt table: A system and method for controlling a tilt table employs a physiological sensing module to sense the physiological status of a person lying on the tilt table and to generate at least one physiological signal. Also, the above-mentioned system and method employs a tilt table control module to receive the... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20070238939 - System and method for monitoring or treating nervous system disorders: A method of comparing cardiac and neurological event detection signals to indicate whether the cardiac event detection signal may facilitate detection of neurological events. The method includes obtaining a signal indicating detected neurological events, obtaining a signal indicating detected cardiac events, analyzing the timing relationships between the detected neurological and... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.

20070238940 - Vibrator pill for gastrointestinal disorders: A vibrating pill is disclosed capable of stimulating the gastrointestinal tract to induce gastrointestinal contractions and peristalsis, as well as other functions within the gastrointestinal tract.... Agent: Vierra Magen Marcus & Deniro LLP

20070238941 - Methods and devices for evaluating skin: Provided are methods and devices for evaluating skin by introducing a fluid comprising water to the skin; measuring at least one skin barrier property that correlates to the water content of the skin over time, the measuring step comprising taking at least one measurement of the skin barrier property in... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070238942 - Apparatus and method for detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd): A method and an apparatus are disclosed for detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the esophagus of a patient. A capsule with pH-sensitive dissolving properties is placed in the lower portion of the esophagus of the patient. The capsule is removed after a period of time, such as about 24... Agent: Bell, Boyd & Lloyd, LLP

20070238943 - Mounting device for an electrochemical sensor unit: A device for mounting an electrochemical sensor unit to a skin surface of a human being comprises a mounting member having a circumferential wall, an adhesive tape at a lower end of the circumferential wall for adhering the mounting member to the skin surface, and a sealing member. The sealing... Agent: Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

20070238944 - Multi-electrode with lateral conductivity control: A medical electrode includes a moderately conductive flexible member having a top side and a bottom side with a connector and contact with a flexible member top side for establishing electrical contact with an external apparatus. An oversize non-conductive flexible sheet covers the conductive flexible member top and the connector... Agent: Walter A. Hackler, Ph.d. Patent Law Office

20070238945 - Electrode headset: An electrode headset and electrodes that can be mounted therein are 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... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070238960 - Medical visualization method, combined display/input device, and computer program product: In a medical visualization method, wherein: a series of organ slice images are acquired at different points in time by an imaging modality; the acquired organ slice images are stored in an image data memory with information about the series and/or the point in time of the acquisition. A data... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070238968 - Method and apparatus for providing low dose dual energy for pet attenuation correction: The apparatus and method include performing a medical image scan, including providing a contrast agent, performing a first scan at a first energy level, and performing a second scan at a second energy level, wherein radiation exposure to a patient of the first scan and the second is comparable to... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070238959 - Method and device for visualizing 3d objects: The present invention relates to a method and a device for visualizing three dimensional objects, in particular in real time. A three dimensional image data set of the object is created and registered with recorded two dimensional transillumination images of the object. For visualization purposes the edges of the object... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070238964 - Method for providing information of a locally resolved reconstruction quality of a target volume in a three-dimensional reconstruction volume presentation: The invention relates to a method and a device for locally-resolved visualization of the reconstruction quality, especially of the coverage of a target volume to be recorded as an image and reproduced in a three-dimensional reconstruction volume presentation, especially in the human body, by two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images covering subareas... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070238967 - Overall medical system: To ensure a flexible and patient-friendly examination by means of an overall medical system having at least one medical examination or treatment facility, having a control facility and an assigned medical injection system, provision is made for the injection system to be able to be coupled to the overall system... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070238955 - Systems and methods for generating data using one or more endoscopic microscopy techniques: Exemplary systems and methods for imaging at least one portion of a sample can be provided. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment of such systems and methods, it is possible to receive at least one first electro-magnetic radiation from the sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation from... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20070238951 - Systems, methods and apparatus for oncology workflow integration: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments an integrated oncology diagnostic workflow system supports both multi-phase and multi-modality image acquisition and processing.... Agent: Ramirez & Smith

20070238962 - Transfer of treatment planning information using standard image transfer protocols: A system and method for creating, generating, saving and/or exporting medical data is provided. The medical data includes image data, and the medical data conforms to an external standard, wherein additional data, not part of the external standard, is added to the image data. The additional data may be added... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brainlab)

20070238953 - Combined ultrasonic imaging and spectroscopic molecular analysis: The invention provides an apparatus for combined imaging and analyzing of a biological structure by means of ultrasonic and spectroscopic techniques. The inventive diagnostic apparatus is adapted for simultaneous acquisition of ultrasonic echo signals and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic signals. The invention makes particular use of a contrast agent that... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070238957 - Combined x-ray and optical tomographic imaging system: The invention relates to a combined x-ray and optical (light-based) tomographic imaging system that provides functional information at greater resolution than can be achieved by optical tomography alone. The system is configured with one or more x-ray sources, x-ray detectors, light sources, and light detectors arranged on a gantry which... Agent: Goodwin Procter LLP Patent Administrator

20070238956 - Imaging device and method for operating an imaging device: An imaging device is disclosed for preparing sequential slice images of an object. The d