Surgery inventions 12/07

20070299296 - Devices and methods for absorbing, transferring, and delivering heart energy: A device for altering cardiac performance includes an energy absorbing element which absorbs cardiac pumping energy from at least a portion of the heart. The energy may be delivered to another part of the body, such as another portion of the heart, to perform useful work such as providing blood... Agent: Hoekendijk & Lynch, LLP

20070299297 - Textured conforming shell for stabilization of the interface of precision heart assist device components to tissues: The blood contacting surfaces of heart assist devices must avoid excessive thrombus formation, which can break off and cause thromboembolism, become infected and cause other problems. Certain textured surface coatings, such as sintered titanium microsphere coatings, form a thin layer of living cells on the surface that becomes endothelized and... Agent: Robert Jarvik M.d. C/o Jarvik Heart, Inc.

20070299298 - Multisensory animated picture: The invention enables digital works combining fixed images, animated images, sounds and smells to be disseminated to an audience. The multisensory picture looks like a traditional art picture with a removable frame which is personalized in harmony with the work thus disseminated. A high-resolution flat electronic screen (1) occupies the... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070299300 - Minimally invasive medical implant and insertion device and method for using the same: A medical implant and method for its implantation. One use is for treatment of stress urinary incontinence and includes an implantable, elongated tape having a multiplicity of openings formed through the thickness thereof, the tape having a first end region and a second end region longitudinally opposite the first end... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20070299299 - System and method for treatment of anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse: Using a sling that includes a central portion and at least two arms extending from the central portion, a method of treating anal incontinence may include positioning the central portion posteriorly to the rectum and/or anus of a subject, and extending each arm of the sling to a respective obturator... Agent: Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP

20070299301 - Medical system: A medical system includes: a medical device to be inserted into the body cavity; a rotating device for the medical device for rotating the medical device around the insertion axis; an image pickup device provided to the medical device; and an image capturing timing detection device for detecting a signal... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070299303 - Fluid actuator and endoscope: A fluid actuator incorporated in a bending section of an electronic endoscope has two fluid chambers and a connecting channel connecting therebetween. The fluid chambers and the connecting channel are filled with a fluid. The fluid chamber includes a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20070299302 - Medical procedure drape: A medical procedure drape, for use during a diagnostic and theraputic procedures performed on a patient supported by a patient cart, including a cover and a holder for the endoscope. The cover superimposes a portion of the patient and a portion of the patient cart. The endoscope holder is fixed... Agent: Thomas J. Small, Md

20070299304 - Endoscope system, treatment instrument cartridge, and storage case: An endoscope system comprises an endoscope, a treatment instrument cartridge, an advancing and retracting device, a controlling device, and an operation instructing device. The endoscope includes a treatment instrument channel in an inserting portion. The treatment instrument cartridge includes a treatment instrument and a storage case. The treatment instrument includes... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

20070299305 - Endoscope treatment system: An endoscope treatment system comprises plural types of treatment instruments, plural types of adapters, and an advancing and retracting device. The treatment instruments include treatment instrument inserting sections which can be inserted into a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope. The treatment instruments have different outer diameter dimensions depending on... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

20070299306 - Probe assembly for endoscopic procedures: A probe assembly for endoscopic procedures includes a gear motor having a rotatable gear shaft through which a such as a wire or hollow needle is inserted with the probe being clamped to rotate by the gear motor. The probe extends through a catheter and the catheter and probe extend... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP

20070299307 - Disposable syringe: A disposable syringe having a plunger (20) which is movable within a barrel (170), a needle carrier (80) to retain a needle (300), and, a connection means (70) attached to the plunger. In use, upon depression of the plunger (20), the connection means (70) engages the needle carrier (80). This... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20070299308 - Insertion assisting tool for endoscope: An insertion assisting tool for an endoscope into which an insertion section of the endoscope is inserted from a base end portion side, comprising: a fluid sealing device which seals a space between a base end part of the insertion assisting tool and the endoscope insertion section, the space being... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070299309 - Monitoring disposition of tethered capsule endoscope in esophagus: A scanning flexible endoscope includes a tether attached to a capsule. The tether controls a disposition of the capsule within a body lumen such as the esophagus. A scanning device in the capsule optically scans the adjacent tissue on the inside surface of the body lumen as the capsule is... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20070299310 - Device for shielding the lens of a flexible or rigid surgical endoscope: This invention relates to a shield member for shielding the lens of a flexible or rigid surgical endoscope from body fluid, tissue debris, and condensation deposited on a working port valve as the lens passes through the working port lumen in a posterior direction to gain access to the intra-abdominal... Agent: Frederick Gotha

20070299311 - Endoscope insertion portion: An endoscope insertion portion includes a distal end side wire guide which is provided over a distal end side of a operation wire, and a portion of which is fixed to a bending portion, a proximal end side wire guide which is provided over a proximal end side of a... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20070299312 - Endoscopic, in vivo cellular observation methods: An endoscope observation system for in vivo cellular observation is disclosed that includes an illumination optical system having a light source for supplying illumination light to an object, an objective optical system that forms a magnified image of the object such that the absolute value of the image scale factor... Agent: Arnold International

20070299313 - Laryngoscope with means to restrict re-use of blades: The invention relates to medical devices for carrying out internal examination, such as laryngoscopes (1). In particular, it relates to laryngoscopes (1) or devices which have a disposable blade (3) and provides means for restricting the re-use of blades (3) which have been used previously.... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20070299314 - Retractor with inflatable blades: A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or trauma. In one embodiment, the inflatable member is configured as an... Agent: Gregory Smith & Associates

20070299315 - Novel retractor for hernia surgery: A hinged retractor for use in hernia repair, having: a handle portion to operate the retractor; a ratcheting device to releasably maintain the retractor in a plurality of open positions; a plurality of blades; and two arms formed such that they pivot around a hinge when the handle portion is... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20070299318 - Medical monitoring device with remote transmission function: The present invention relates to a medical monitoring device with remote transmission function, comprising: a measuring unit; a storage unit; a mail server unit to provide mail sending/receiving service; a network server unit to provide Internet connection service; a web server unit to provide web-interfaced services; and an IP selection... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20070299317 - System and method for programming customized data collection for an autonomous medical device: A system and method for programming customized data collection for an autonomous medical device is presented. Data measures to be recorded by an autonomous medical device with remote monitoring are dynamically identified to evaluate a patient status. One or more operational parameters for the autonomous medical device that specify collection... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070299316 - System and method for remote medical device operation: A method for conducting examinations of patients at remote locations. The method comprises establishing a medical session between a primary physician and a patient; instructing during the medical session the patient from a physician station through a communication channel to engage one or more medical devices associated with a patient... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20070299320 - Analysis of eating habits: Diet evaluation gastric apparatus (18) is provided, which detects when a patient (10) swallows, and detects the type and amount of matter ingested. The apparatus includes electrodes (74, 100) adapted to be coupled to the fundus and antrum of the patient and to measure electrical and mechanical activity therein, and... Agent: Wolf, Block, Shorr And Solis-cohen LLP

20070299319 - Cognitive training using a continuous performance adaptive procedure: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition, e.g., for improving cognitive ability and memory of a subject using continuous performance with respect to a stimulus stream. A target descriptor is presented to the subject after which, a continuous sequence of stimulus groups from a stimulus set is presented one stimulus at... Agent: Huffman Law Group, P.C.

20070299321 - 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.

20070299323 - Apparatus for measuring one or more physiological functions of a body and a method using the same: The present invention relates to an apparatus for measurement of a physiological function of a body comprising; physiological function detection means responsive to a physiological signal and capable of generating an analog output signal corresponding to the physiological signal; an analog-digital converter capable of receiving the unamplified analog output signal... Agent: Merchant & Gould PC

20070299324 - Diabetes care system for detection of an analyte and method for selective data transmission: A diabetes care system for detection of an analyte and method for selective data transmission are disclosed. The diabetes care system has a mobile component and a base station, wherein a data transmission occurring between the mobile component and the base station within a time interval in which a wireless... Agent: Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP One Dayton Centre

20070299322 - Input device, input method, and electronic device: The present invention is directed to a mobile telephone capable of successively acquiring bioindices. When plane surface where display screen serving to display guide display for operation and information is provided is caused to be casing front face as a position where bioindices can be successively measured without performing explicit... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070299326 - Multiple patient monitoring system for proactive health management: A system and method for monitoring a group of patients having a chronic disease or ongoing health condition. The method includes the step of collecting from each patient a corresponding set of measurements of a control parameter of the health condition. Each set of measurements has a collection date. A... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070299325 - Physiological status monitoring system: A physiological status monitoring system includes a shirt and a stretchable circumferential band attached to the shirt. The stretchable band includes a respiration detector subsystem and signal transmission conductors. One or more sensors on the band are electrically connected to a signal transmission conductor. At least one sensor has an... Agent: Iandiorio & Teska Intellectual Property Law Attorneys

20070299327 - Methods for in-vivo cytometry: The present invention provides methods and systems for performing in-vivo flow cytometry to obtain desired information regarding one or more cell types of interest flowing through a subject's circulatory system. In one embodiment of the invention, a portion of the subject's circulating blood is illuminated with radiation having multiple wavelength... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20070299328 - Motion compatible sensor for non-invasive optical blood analysis: A non-invasive optical sensor which uses the motion signal to calculate the physiological characteristic being measured. For pulse oximetry, a least squares or a ratio-of-ratios technique can be applied to the motion signal itself. This is made possible by selecting a site on the patient where variations in motion produce... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070299329 - Spring wing assembly for photoplethysmorgraphic sensor: A photoplethysmographic sensor designed for use on the presenting portion of a fetus during labor and delivery. The sensor has a non-deployed state in which the sensor presents a smaller footprint, or cross sectional area, for transvaginal insertion. Once the sensor is applied to the fetal tissue it is moved... Agent: Jonas Alexander Pologe

20070299330 - Sensor, processing means, method and computer program for providing information on a vital parameter of a living being: A sensor for providing information on a vital parameter includes a mounter for attaching the sensor to a living being, a light source connected to the mounter to radiate light into a part of the body of the living being, and a light receiver connected to the mounter and implemented... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070299331 - Device for inducing vascular injury and/or blockage in an animal model: Ultrashort laser pulses are used to induce photodisruptive breakdown in vasculature in an animal to controllably produce hemorrhage, thrombosis or breach of blood-brain barrier in individual, specifically targeted blood vessels. Damage is limited to the targeted vessels such that neighboring vessels exhibit no signs of vascular damage, including vessels directly... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20070299332 - Imaging apparatus and imaging method: With the objective of improving diagnostic efficiency, image correction processing is effected on an actual scan image after the generation of the actual scan image to thereby generate a corrected image. Then, the corrected image is displayed on a display screen. When a control signal for displaying the pre-correction actual... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche (20459) Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20070299333 - Magnetic resonance imaging screening method: A method to screen individuals specifically for paramagnetic or ferromagnetic objects they may be carrying or wearing, before they enter the high-field region of an MRI suite. The device used comprises either a screening portal or a compact, hand-held magnetic gradiometer and its electronics. The method places all of the... Agent: Gerald W. Spinks

20070299334 - Medical instrument with a touch-sensitive tip and light emission source: A medical instrument for registering or referencing a body or body part in a medical navigation system includes a body, a tracking device trackable by the navigation system, an instrument tip having a touch sensor, and an electromagnetic radiation source for producing a light beam. The touch sensor detects contact... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brainlab)

20070299335 - Estimation of blood input function for functional medical scans: A method is described for analysing the images produced by functional medical scans such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which method provides for an accurate estimation of Blood Input Function (BIF). An MRI scan and the functional scan is performed simultaneously and the results of the former is used to... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070299336 - Medical guiding system, medical guiding program, and medical guiding method: The invention provides a medical guiding system including: a position data calculating device for detecting position and orientation of an ultrasonic endoscope serving as a medical instrument; image storing section for storing medical image data obtained before use of the ultrasonic endoscope; a body position correcting section for correcting at... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20070299337 - Method for determining size, pathology, and volume of embolic material: Methods for determining the size, pathology, and volume of embolic debris captured in an embolic protection filtering device. The methods may include providing an embolic protection filtering device and scanning the filtering device with a computed tomography scanner. The methods may also include analyzing digital images produced during the scanning... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070299338 - Method and apparatus for dynamic space-time imaging system: A method for creating a 3 D map of the surface contours of an object includes projecting a variety of patterns onto the object, and imaging the patterns as they fall on the object to encode the topographic features of the object. In one embodiment a three dimensional image is... Agent: Howard Cohen

20070299339 - Post-biopsy cavity treatment implants and methods: A method for mapping a lymphatic system following a cavity generating procedure, may include a step of providing a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant, the implant including a collagenous matrix having a non-uniform cross-linking density that is configured to cause the implant to swell non-uniformly when placed within an aqueous environment,... Agent: Young Law Firm, P.C. Alan W. Young

20070299340 - System and method for screening tissue: A system and method for screening tissue is provided. The system provides a computer-based system for distinguishing between normal and potentially abnormal tissue. The system includes computer components for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves, for storing a tissue model, and for analyzing received ultrasonic waves in the context of the... Agent: Calfee Halter & Griswold, LLP

20070299342 - Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and the controlling method thereof: In order to facilitate the operation and improve the operating efficiency, after a body mark indicating the shape of the imaging region of an examinee is displayed on the display screen, the coordinate positions of the body mark displayed on the display screen are input. The operation of an ultrasound... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20070299341 - Photoacoustic and thermoacoustic tomography for breast imaging: A system for imaging a biological sample including a tubular body having a side wall defining an interior shaped and sized for receiving the biological sample, an electromagnetic source positioned at one end of the tubular body interior for directing electromagnetic energy into the biological sample in the body interior,... Agent: Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP

20070299343 - System and method for characterizing tissue based upon split spectrum analysis of backscattered ultrasound: A system and method are disclosed that facilitate characterizing vascular plaque tissue based upon spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. In particular, split spectrum analysis of an integrated backscatter parameter introduces a spectral resolution component to parameterization of received intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. The resulting parameter values... Agent: Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20070299344 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic image generating method: The invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic image generating method realizing improvement in picture quality to thereby improve diagnosis efficiency in a diagnosis using images. An extracting process of extracting a sound ray vector image extending in a sound ray direction in which an ultrasonic beam... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche (20459) Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20070299345 - Capacitive ultrasonic transducer and endo cavity ultrasonic diagnosis system using the same: A capacitive ultrasonic transducer (c-MUT) comprising a silicon substrate and a transducer element which comprises transducer cells, each of which is constituted by a first electrode equipped on the top surface of the silicon substrate, a second electrode placed opposite to the first electrode with a predetermined gap therefrom and... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070299346 - Method, system, and apparatus for a doppler catheter: A Doppler catheter assembly includes a catheter having an inner lumen and an outer lumen, a first piezoelectric element, and a second piezoelectric element. The first piezoelectric element is adapted to be positioned proximate to the second piezoelectric element about the inner lumen, thereby forming a transmitter/receiver.... Agent: Blank Rome LLP

20070299347 - Evaluative method of effect of adjustment measures on human body's physiological and psychological states: The present invention relates to a method of effect evaluation of adjustment measures on human body's physiological and psychological states by means of using Thermal Texture Mapping Technology (TTM), the said adjustment measures comprise one or more of taken-in substances, physical stimulations and mental treatments which are applied actively or... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070299348 - Method of measuring blood flow using bio-photon emission: A device for and a method of measuring a blood flow of a living body having blood vessels that emit bio-photons and through which blood flows, the device including a detector positioned adjacent to a predetermined portion of the living body for measuring a bio-photon emission from the living body... Agent: Lee & Morse, P.C.

20070299349 - Remote control of implantable device through medical implant communication service band: A system and method for communicating data and signals through the Medical Implant Communication Service Band using a repeater or base station in the proximity to an implantable device within a patient is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the device is capable for early detection and monitoring of congestive heart... Agent: Terril G. Lewis Wong Cabello, LLP

20070299350 - Blood pressure monitor with removable power source: A blood pressure monitor is disclosed with a housing and controls provided within the housing that are in communication with an external blood pressure sensor. A display is oriented on the housing for receiving the blood pressure measurement and displaying it for external viewing. A removable power source is selectively... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20070299352 - Non-contact cardiac mapping, including moving catheter and multi-beat integration: A non-contact cardiac mapping method is disclosed that includes: (i) inserting a catheter into a heart cavity having an endocardium surface, the catheter including multiple, spatially distributed electrodes; (ii) measuring signals at the catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in the heart cavity with the catheter spaced from the... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070299353 - Non-contact cardiac mapping, including preprocessing: A non-contact cardiac mapping method is disclosed that includes: (i) inserting a catheter into a heart cavity having an endocardium surface, the catheter including multiple, spatially distributed electrodes; (ii) measuring signals at the catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in the heart cavity with the catheter spaced from the... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070299351 - Non-contact cardiac mapping, including resolution map: A non-contact cardiac mapping method is disclosed that includes: (i) inserting a catheter into a heart cavity having an endocardium surface, the catheter including multiple, spatially distributed electrodes; (ii) measuring signals at the catheter electrodes in response to electrical activity in the heart cavity with the catheter spaced from the... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20070299354 - Portable device and method for measuring heart rate: A portable electronic device monitors the pulse or electrocardiogram of a person by integrated, attachable or wireless sensors. The portable device evaluates this data in real-time to assess heart rate variability coherence, and provide feedback through a variety of sounds and an array of LEDs. The feedback may be in... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070299355 - Automated post-pacing interval measurement: A method for processing a biopotential signal includes detecting a pacing signal, and applying a dynamic filter on a pacing channel based on the detected pacing signal. A method for processing a biopotential signal includes detecting a pacing signal, and automatically obtaining a post-pacing interval based at least in part... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070299356 - Detection of myocardial ischemia from the time sequence of implanted sensor measurements: A system including a plurality of implantable sensors, a processor, and a response circuit. Each sensor produces an electrical sensor signal related to physiologic cardiovascular events of a subject. The processor includes an event sequence detector to permit real-time detection of a time-wise sequential cascade of physiologic cardiovascular events related... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20070299357 - Bronchial or tracheal tissular water content sensor and system: The disclosure provides a sensor system for detecting bronchial tissular water content including at least a sensor, a connector, and a monitor. The sensor generates a signal, which may be carried by the connector to the monitor, which generates an output corresponding to the signal. The disclosure additionally provides a... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070299358 - Portable positive airway pressure device accessories and methods for use thereof: A portable cradle for carrying a PAP device includes a base and a handle that is provided on the base. The base is structured to receive the PAP device and attachments to the PAP device. The base is oriented in a substantially horizontal position when the handle is lifted. A... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20070299360 - Systems and methods for analyzing and assessing dementia and dementia-type disorders: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for analyzing and assessing dementia and dementia-type disorders by integrating the use of electroencephalography (EEG), neuropsychological or cognitive testing data, and cardiovascular risk factor data. Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for early detection of dementia, including Alzheimer's... Agent: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

20070299359 - System and method for diagnosis of brainstem disorders: A system and method for detection of a brainstem disorder, such as schizophrenia, by means of brainstem audiometry is disclosed. A subject's (4) responses on the physical properties of sound; frequency, time and amplitude are being detected. Sound stimuli are being presented, via a communication element (2) through a hearing... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20070299361 - Skin testing-device system: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a skin testing-device system. The system includes a tray, a well holder that snaps into the tray and that holds a plurality of rows of test-solution wells, and a well holder-assembly lid that snaps into the tray over the well holder. The well-holder... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20070299362 - Stimulus-evoked vestibular evaluation system, method and apparatus: The invented apparatus for testing a subject's vestibular response to ear pressure or sound stimuli includes a headset including one or more and preferably (two) bilateral ear-worn devices such as headphones or probes, whereby each probe is configured to be inserted into a subject's ear in an operational alignment with... Agent: Ater Wynne LLP

20070299363 - Fecalator and method for concentrating parasite eggs and/or larvae: An apparatus and method for concentrating parasitic eggs and/or larvae from a fecal sample using a single tube by extruding the fecal sample through a strainer using a cap plunger device into a centrifuge tube containing 10% buffered formalin or equivalent fixative. After mixing and fixation, the strainer device is... Agent: Robert Berliner Berliner & Associates

20070299364 - Containerized sample collection apparatus and method: A containerized low pressure sample collection apparatus includes an elongated tubular shaft with a vacuum connection at one end and a swab at an opposite end. The shaft extends through a housing which can be used as a handle. The housing is adapted to receive a cap at either end,... Agent: Shughart Thomson & Kilroy, PC

20070299365 - Sampling system for sample fluid: The invention generally relates to a sampling system for sample liquid having a support, a lancing element arranged thereon and a semi-open channel for the capillary transport of the sample liquid from the lancing element to a collecting site on the support. A receiving structure is provided for receiving excess... Agent: Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc.

20070299366 - Guidewire with polymer jacket and method of making: A guidewire and methods for making and using the same. The guidewire may include a core wire and a polymer jacket attached to the core wire. The guidewire may be manufactured by advancing the core wire, polymer jacket, and a tooling tube through a heated die assembly so as to... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070299367 - Weldable wire guide with distal coupling tip: A coupling wire guide structured to be slidably coupled to a previously introduced wire guide. The coupling wire guide includes a main body and a coupling tip, the coupling tip having first and second sections. The first section is connected to the main body, while the second section defines an... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070293716 - Bariatric device and method: A bariatric device includes a body having a wall defining a lumen, the wall configured to generally conform to the shape and size of at least one chosen from i) the abdominal portion of the esophagus, ii) the esophageal-gastric junction, and iii) the proximal cardiac portion of the stomach, with... Agent: Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP

20070293715 - Acceleration-protection device: An acceleration protection device comprising a plurality of pressure cuffs worn on various parts of the body. The cuffs deform when pressurized in such a way as to exert pressure on the body of the wearer so as to offset increased G-forces. Means are provided for tightening and adjusting the... Agent: Winstead PC

20070293718 - Self-anchoring cardiac harness: A self-anchoring cardiac harness is configured to fit at least a portion of a patient's heart and includes a tissue engaging element for frictionally engaging an outer surface of a heart. The engaging element produces sufficient friction relative to the outer surface of the heart, so that the harness does... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070293717 - Tube mesh for abdominal sacral colpopexy: Improved methods and apparatuses for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse are provided. A specialized sacral colpopexy mesh having a mesh cylinder attached to a first end of a main mesh is disclosed, and a method for use thereof in abdominal sacral colpopexy. A novel connector that is used to attach... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20070293719 - Medical device for use in endoscopic procedure: Endoscopes and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example endoscope includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include one or more channels. A catheter and/or wire locking member may be coupled to a channel.... Agent: Crompton, Seager & Tufte, LLC

20070293720 - Endoscope assembly and method of viewing an area inside a cavity: An endoscope assembly includes a first imaging device and a second imaging device, and the first and second imaging devices are positioned to provide different views of the same area at the same time. A method of viewing an area inside a cavity includes the step of using first and... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20070293721 - Endoscope structures and techniques for navigating to a target in branched structure: Systems and methods employing a small gauge steerable catheter (30) including a locatable guide (32) with a sheath (40), particularly as an enhancement to a bronchoscope (14). A typical procedure is as follows. The location of a target in a reference coordinate system is detected or imported. The catheter (30)... Agent: Inskeep Intellectual Property Group, Inc

20070293722 - Automatic length compensating device for a flexible cable transmission: An automatic length compensating device (30) for a flexible cable transmission (8) having a core (12) sliding inside a sheath (10). The device (30) has a first and a second member (31, 32) inserted at least partly one inside the other in a predetermined direction (B) and defining, in that... Agent: Magna International, Inc.

20070293723 - Endoscope for sterilizing built-in elongated channel with high-temperature and high-pressure vapor: An endoscope according to the present invention includes an endoscope main body, in which a channel having at least one end communicated with the outside is inserted and which is covered with an exterior member, and a communicating hole which is arranged in the halfway of the channel and which... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070293724 - Visualization apparatus for transseptal access: Visualization apparatus and methods for transseptal access are described herein where intravascular access across a septal wall is facilitated via devices which provide for direct visual viewing of tissue area. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use,... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070293725 - Endoscope observation system: An endoscope observation system for in vivo cellular observation is disclosed that includes an illumination optical system having a light source for supplying illumination light to an object, an objective optical system that forms a magnified image of the object such that the absolute value of the image scale factor... Agent: Arnold International

20070293726 - 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

20070293727 - 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.... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20070293728 - Method and apparatus for laparoscopic retraction: Extraluminal and intraluminal devices and methods, and laparoscopic instrumentation, dramatically improve laparoscopic retraction of both the small and large intestine. A scaffolding external to or within a selected segment or segments of small and/or large bowel is created, allowing for the retraction of the entire selected segment or segments of... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070293729 - Blade insert illuminator: A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semi-transparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20070293730 - Surgical retractor device and method of use: A surgical retractor device includes a frame and at least one retracting member configured for being secured to the collapsible frame. The retracting member is formed from a spring-biased rotatable member, a tension line secured at a proximal end to the spring-biased rotatable member, and a tissue securing member disposed... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20070293731 - Systems and methods for monitoring and evaluating individual performance: Systems, devices and methods for monitoring and evaluating cognitive effectiveness are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for monitoring cognitive effectiveness can include a central network communicatively coupled with a local computing device, which can in turn be communicatively coupled with a portable monitoring device. The portable monitoring device... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070293736 - Alert predictive of degredation of a patient's clinical status for an active implantable medical device as for pacing, resynchronization, defibrillation and/or cardioversion: An active implantable medical device, notably for pacing, resynchronization, defibrillation and/or cardioversion of the heart, or for diagnosis of a patient's condition, able to produce a predictive alert in response to a detected degradation of the patient's clinical status. The device measures and analyses (56) a parameter representative of the... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20070293735 - Cognitive training using one or more stimulus streams and target attribute matching: System and method for enhancing cognition using continuous performance with respect to one or more stimulus streams. At least one target attribute is presented to the subject after which a continuous sequence of stimulus groups from a stimulus set is presented one stimulus group at a time, each group including... Agent: Huffman Law Group, P.C.

20070293732 - Cognitive training using visual sweeps: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of an older participant by requiring the participant to differentiate between rapidly presented visual stimuli. First and second visual sweeps are provided for visual presentation to the participant, e.g., spatial frequency or orientation sweeps. At least two visual sweeps are visually presented to... Agent: Huffman Law Group, P.C.

20070293737 - Collecting activity information to evaluate incontinence therapy: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device may periodically determine an activity level of the patient, and associate each determined activity level with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy... Agent: Shumaker & Sieffert, P. A.

20070293733 - Method and apparatus for health and disease management combining patient data monitoring with wireless internet connectivity: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless health monitoring system for interactively monitoring a disease or health condition of a patient by connecting an internet-enabled wireless web device (“WWD”) to a health monitoring device which may be a medical device or other health related device... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20070293734 - Methods and apparatus for surgical planning: Methods and apparatus for enhancing surgical planning provide enhanced planning of entry port placement and/or robot position for laparoscopic, robotic, and other minimally invasive surgery. Various embodiments may be used in robotic surgery systems to identify advantageous entry ports for multiple robotic surgical tools into a patient to access a... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070293738 - System and method for evaluating a patient status for use in heart failure assessment: A system and method for evaluating a patient status from sampled physiometry for use in heart failure assessment is presented. Physiological measures, including at least one of direct measures regularly recorded on a substantially continuous basis by a medical device and measures derived from the direct measures are stored. At... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293741 - System and method for determining a reference baseline for use in heart failure assessment: A system and method for determining a stressor-based reference baseline for use in heart failure assessment is presented. A patient is monitored during an observation time period while the patient performs prescribed physical stressors and by applying pacing stimulus stressors to a medical device. Physiological measures are stored from the... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293740 - System and method for evaluating a patient status for use in heart failure assessment: A system and method for evaluating a patient status from sampled physiometry for use in heart failure assessment is provided. Physiological measures are stored, including at least one of direct measures regularly recorded on a substantially continuous basis by an implantable medical device for a patient and measures derived from... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293739 - System and method for processing voice feedback in conjunction with heart failure assessment: A system and method for providing voice feedback from sampled physiometry and self-evaluation in conjunction with heart failure assessment is presented. Physiological measures including direct measures recorded on a continuous basis and measures derived from the direct measures are stored. Voice feedback spoken as speech is recorded contemporaneous to the... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293743 - Apparatus and method for easing use of a spectrophotometric based noninvasive analyzer: A placement guide apparatus with an improved hydration inducing plug used in coupling a noninvasive analyzer to a sampling site to determine analyte in the human body is disclosed. The hydration inducing plug includes at least one fluoropolymer that may be used as a coupling agent. The guide apparatus may... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070293744 - Apparatus and method for easing use of a spectrophotometric based noninvasive analyzer: A noninvasive glucose concentration analyzer having an optical probe with incident and collection optics and a channel for coupling fluid delivery is disclosed. Fluid is delivered through the channel to a skin tissue site that is subsequently optically sampled using the analyzer.... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20070293742 - Medical system and a method of controlling the system for use by a patient for medical self treatment: This invention relates to an system for self treatment. The system consists of several portable modules where one of the modules is designated as a master module. The master module controls, supervises and monitors all the mutual information and data exchange between itself and the rest of the modules. The... Agent: Novo Nordisk, Inc. Patent Department

20070293745 - System and method for generating customizable audible beep tones and alarms: A pulse oximetry system adapted to obtain physiological data. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to store one or more digital audio files on one or more memory media in communication with a patient monitoring system. The pulse oximetry system is adapted to process the one or more digital audio... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC C/o Fletcher Yoder PC

20070293746 - Physiological stress detector device and system: A method, system and device for measurement of a blood constituent level, including a light source, a light detector proximate an organ surface, adjustable gain amplifiers, and a processor/controller connected within a processing unit operative to separate AC and DC signal components. The device may determine the level of blood... Agent: Daniel J Swirsky

20070293747 - Methods and apparatus for sampling and analyzing body fluid: A sampling device for sampling body fluid includes a lancet for making an incision, a capillary tube for drawing-up body fluid from the incision, and a test strip affixed to an upper end of the capillary tube for receiving the fluid. An absorbent pad can be disposed between the test... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20070293748 - Means and method for detection of blood leakage from wounds: An optical fibre through which light passes is used for detecting blood leakage from a wound. The fibre may be comprised by a blood leakage detection apparatus having a light source and a photo detector in radiative communication with the respective ends of the fibre and producing an electrical signal... Agent: Dickstein Shapiro LLP

20070293749 - Electrode with increased stability and method of manufacturing the same: The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability having a clustered structure wherein the surface of the electrode is covered with a material comprising openings which are filled with sticks or posts. The present invention provides an implantable electrode with increased stability wherein the surface is of the... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20070293750 - Extended optical range system for monitoring motion of a member: A garment and system includes a monitoring fabric comprising a first plurality of reflective yarns knitted or woven with a second plurality of stretchable yarns. The fabric exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount... Agent: Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz, LLP

20070293751 - Medical electrode: An electrode providing electrical contact with a patient's skin includes a conductive member adapted for connection to an external electrical apparatus and a non-liquid film for electrically interfacing to said patient's skin, the liquid film being electrically and mechanically connected to said conductive member. The non-liquid film includes an electrically... Agent: Walter A. Hackler, Ph.d. Patent Law Office

20070293752 - Synthetic focusing method: A method of generating a three-dimensional radar image of a body part having multiple image points. The method comprises receiving radiation information (11) obtained at an array of scan locations relative to the body part, surface profile information (12) relating to the body part, and estimates of body part properties... Agent: Dann, Dorfman, Herrell & Skillman

20070293753 - Radiometric approach to temperature monitoring using a magnetic resonance scanner: Disclosed is a method and system for acquiring absolute temperature imagery using an MR scanner. The method involves using the RF coil as a passive antenna, and performing radiometric measurements of the noise variance of the target within the field of view of the RF coil. The noise variance corresponds... Agent: Mckenna Long & Aldridge LLP

20070293754 - Probe with asymmetric balloon: A device adapted to be inserted into a lumen, the device having a longitudinal axis and comprising: a) a support element extending along the longitudinal axis; b) a tool mechanically mounted on the support element and being adapted to be used near a wall of the lumen on at least... Agent: Martin D Moynihan Prtsi

20070293755 - Medical image display device, method, and program: A medical image display device includes: tomogram input means for inputting a plurality of tomograms obtained by a medical imaging device; 3-dimensional image construction means for constructing a 3-dimensional image by layering the tomograms inputted; arbitrary cross section image construction means for cutting the 3-dimensional image at an arbitrary cross... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20070293756 - Specialty stents with flow control features or the like: Methods and systems are described for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and for configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient.... Agent: Searete LLC

20070293757 - Artifact reduction for volume acquisition: Motion artifacts are reduced for three- or four-dimensional imaging with a mechanically rocked array by determining a position of a scan within a volume as a function of velocity. A represented position within a volume of a mechanically rocked scan is determined. Differences in velocity associated with different scan plane... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070293758 - Ultrasonograph: To provide an ultrasonograph capable of generating a transmission beam comprising a main beam having a uniform width over a wide range in an ultrasonic wave propagation direction by one-time transmission of an ultrasonic pulse. A weighted mean value of a plurality of transmission delay time values corresponding to focal... Agent: Stanley P. Fisher Reed Smith LLP

20070293759 - Doppler flow measurement apparatus: The present invention relates to a measurement of a flow by the use of Doppler ultrasound, and in particular, by analyzing the spectrum of the reflected ultrasonic signal. The reflected signal is mixed electronically with the transmitted signal in a product detector, demodulator or similar component (250) to produce a... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070293760 - System for measuring pulsatile vascular resistance: The invention relates to acquiring information concerning the physiological status of the brain by measuring and analysing variations of blood flow velocities and blood pressure within body parts or organs, in particular within the brain. Provided is a system for the analysis of arterial blood flow velocity measurements, comprising means... Agent: Hoffmann & Baron, LLP

20070293763 - Ultrasonic probe apparatus and ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus: To make it possible to check whether or not an ultrasonic probe apparatus has been normally connected to the ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus body by merely looking at the ultrasonic probe apparatus, a connector box of an ultrasonic probe apparatus is provided with an active state indicating LED and a sleeping... Agent: General Electric Co. Global Patent Operation

20070293761 - Ultrasonic probe volume compensation system: An ultrasound probe includes a transducer which is pivotally mounted inside a fluid chamber for scanning a region outside the probe as the transducer is oscillated. A volume compensation balloon is attached to the fluid chamber and is partially filled with acoustic fluid at nominal (room) temperatures. The balloon is... Agent: Philips Medical Systems Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070293762 - Ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer array and ultrasound endoscope apparatus: An ultrasonic transducer arraying at even intervals ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves and layering a plurality of acoustic matching layers on them, comprising an transducer shape forming member made of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting PPE for filling a gap formed on the side face of the ultrasonic transducer... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20070293764 - Ultrasonograph: To provide an ultrasonograph capable of generating a transmission beam comprising a main beam having a uniform width over a wide range in an ultrasonic wave propagation direction by one-time transmission of an ultrasonic pulse. A weighted mean value of a plurality of transmission delay time values corresponding to focal... Agent: Stanley P. Fisher Reed Smith LLP

20070293765 - Method for generating and processing images for use in dentistry: A method for generating and processing images for use in dentistry comprising the steps of. acquiring the position of at least one first reference surface, associated with at least one portion of either the upper dental arch or the lower dental arch of a patient, and of at least one... Agent: Browdy And Neimark, P.l.l.c. 624 Ninth Street, Nw

20070293766 - Transmission based imaging for spectroscopic analysis: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system and a transmission based imaging system for a spectroscopic system as well as a probe head for a transmission based imaging system for a spectroscopic system and a corresponding transmission based imaging method. The spectroscopic system is preferably applicable to in vivo noninvasive... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20070293768 - Portable body fat measurement device and optical sensor module of the device: A portable body fat measurement device includes: a light source unit having at least two top view light sources and a guide unit perpendicularly guiding an optical signal generated in the top view light sources to determine a measurement point where body fat is measured; an optical detection unit detecting... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070293767 - Portable body fat measurement device, method, and medium, using side-view light sources: A portable body fat measurement device, method and medium that can accurately measure body fat by using a small optical sensor having a comparatively small cross-section. The device includes a light source unit having at least two side-view light sources and a light guiding efficiency optical element to guide an... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20070293769 - Double-sided measurement of dental objects using an optical scanner: Methods for digitizing complex surfaces of dental objects such as impressions of dental surfaces and shapes. While an impression mold is being scanned by translation along a known trajectory, typically in a plane, the line of sight of a distance probe is directed toward successive positions on the surface of... Agent: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP

20070293770 - Analysis and use of cardiographic measurements: A technique for analyzing cardiographic measurements includes receiving bioimpedance information of a subject; determining a rate of change of blood flow based on the bioimpedance information; determining if the rate of change of blood flow includes at least two peaks during the systole of the subject; if the rate of... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070293771 - Method for extracting timing parameters using a cardio-mechanical sensor: In a method and apparatus for measuring the ejection fraction in a mammalian heart, the opening and closing of a heart valve is sensed with an implanted sensor, and a pre-ejection period is measured as a function of the sensed opening and closing of the heart valve. The ventricular ejection... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20070293772 - System and method for processing voice feedback in conjunction with heart failure assessment: A system and method for providing voice feedback from sampled physiometry and self-evaluation in conjunction with heart failure assessment is presented. Physiological measures including direct measures recorded by an implantable medical device and measures derived from the direct measures are stored. Voice feedback spoken as speech is recorded contemporaneous to... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293773 - Arm support device particularly for use in an apparatus for measuring arterial pressure: “A device (1) for supporting the arm of a patient in order to measure blood pressure, which includes a pedestal (2) provided with a support (4) for resting the arm and a mechanism (7) adapted to detect the height of the patient and a mechanism (9, 10, 11) adapted to... Agent: Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi

20070293774 - Wireless electrode arrangement and method for patient monitoring via electrocardiography: A wireless electrocardiogram (ECG) system is disclosed. The wireless ECG provides for recording potentials on the surface of a body. The wireless ECG includes a plurality of electrodes suitable for attachment to the surface of the body, a voltage measuring circuit for detecting a voltage between a reference voltage level... Agent: Dr. Angelo J. Acquista

20070293776 - Biological signal management: Systems and techniques for managing biological signals. In one implementation, a method includes receiving a cardiac biological signal that includes information describing events, determining a merit of each event based on one or more of a severity of a cardiac condition associated with the event and a quality of the... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20070293775 - 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

20070293777 - Heart rate variability as predictor of postoperative nausea and vomiting: The invention relates to methods and systems to predict postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20070293778 - 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

20070293779 - System and method for managing respiratory insufficiency in conjunction with heart failure assessment: A system and method for evaluating a patient status from sampled physiometry for use in respiratory insufficiency management and heart failure assessment is presented. Physiological measures are stored and include direct measures regularly recorded on a substantially continuous basis by a medical device for a patient or measures derived from... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20070293780 - Capnography apparatus: A switching solenoid valve for use in a fluid handling apparatus comprising two input ports for inputting fluid samples, and a third port for outputting fluid from one of the first and second ports. The valve switches one of the two input ports to the third port. The valve is... Agent: Eitan Mehulal Law Group

20070293781 - Respiration motion detection and health state assesment system: A wearable platform embodied in a belt or flattened patch-like central body shaped to conform to the abdomen provides physiological monitoring of soldiers during field operations or trauma victims at accident sites and makes health state assessments. The platform includes sensors for heart rate, body motion, respiration rate and intensity,... Agent: Gottlieb Rackman & Reisman PC

20070293782 - Electromyography system: A method of determining relative neuro-muscular response onset value thresholds for a plurality of spinal nerves, comprising: depolarizing a portion of the patient's cauda equina; and measuring the current intensity level at which a neuro-muscular response to the depolarization of the cauda equina is detected in each of the plurality... Agent: Jonathan Spangler Nu Vasive, Inc.

20070293783 - Breast classification based on impedance measurements: A method of screening for breast cancer, including determining at least one first electrical impedance related characteristic for a first breast of a patient, determining at least one second electrical impedance related characteristic for a second breast of a patient and classifying the patient as requiring additional testing, responsive to... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20070293784 - Temperature monitoring apparatus: A temperature monitoring apparatus includes a casing, a detector, a sensor, a controller unit, and an indicator unit. The casing is formed with a hole therethrough. The detector is disposed in the casing, and detects extension of an object into the hole in the casing. The sensor is disposed in... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070293785 - Encoding fine time structure in presence of substantial interaction across an electrode array: Among other things, a stimulation strategy can be customized for a cochlear implant implanted in an individual by testing at least a pair of electrodes selected from an array of electrodes associated with the cochlear implant. Testing the at least a pair of electrodes includes applying a first stimulation to... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20070293786 - Reusable invasive fluid pressure monitoring apparatus and method: The present invention is an apparatus and method for invasive bodily fluid pressure measurements using a pressure sensing assembly that is partially reusable. An embodiment includes a system for measuring a bodily pressure level having a support structure that includes at least one reusable pressure transducer that has a sensing... Agent: Marcus Simon, Esq. Dorsey & Whiteney LLP

20070293787 - Targeted biopsy delivery system: This invention relates generally to the targeting and biopsy of tissue for medical purposes, and more particularly to a targeted biopsy system which allows planning of tissue to be sampled, targeting of specific areas of tissue in reference to the plan, capturing the tissue sample and recording the source location... Agent: Paul M. Denk

20070293788 - Bone harvest system: Harvesting apparatuses comprising a generally cylindrical outer cannula having one end secured in a first handle and having a distal end that is generally semicylindrical, and a generally cylindrical inner cannula having one end secured in a second handle and having a distal end that is generally semicylindrical, are provided.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20070293789 - Punching tool for taking biological samples: The invention relates to a punching tool for taking a biological sample from a filter using punching, the punching tool comprising a punch and a die provided with a punching channel for conveying the sample from the upper surface of the die towards the lower end of the die that... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC

20070293790 - Diagnostic system for determining substance concentrations in liquid samples: A diagnostic system has a diagnostic module with an integrated lancet system and a magazine module separate from the diagnostic module. The diagnostic device also has a connecting device that is used for tensioning the lancet system.... Agent: Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc.

20070293791 - Guidewire with lubricious proximal portion: A guidewire has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may be coated, as with a hydrophilic or other coating, or may be uncoated. The proximal portion, however, is coated with a specially lubricious coating that serves to reduce resistance and to prevent lock up as the... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070293792 - Prostate bph and tumor detector also useable on other tissues: Prostate probe systems are disclosed for assessing one or both of BPH or prostate cancer. The prostate probe systems comprise either a force or pressure sensor mounted on or in a rectally insertable probe or a temperature sensor mounted on or in a rectally insertable probe, or both. Also disclosed... Agent: David W. Collins Intellectual Property Law

20070287879 - Mechanical means for controlling blood pressure: Making the volume of the arterial system increase elastically with blood pressure reduces high systolic blood pressure peaks. This volumetric elasticity is achieved by the action of a spring controlling the aortic cross-section thus controlling the aortic volume. The spring can be implanted percutaneously. The device is powered by the... Agent: Seed Intellectual Property Law Group PLLC

20070287883 - Apparatus and method for pulling a cardiac harness onto a heart: A delivery device configured for pulling a cardiac harness onto the heart is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of pull rods, a housing, and a control mechanism. The invention also includes a method of pulling a cardiac harness onto a heart. The method includes inserting the delivery device through... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20070287878 - Machine for intraoperative radiation therapy: A machine for intraoperative radiation therapy or IORT (Intra Operative Radio Therapy), includes a mobile body, having at least two driving wheels and at least an idle wheel, each driving wheel being operated by a corresponding moving engine, the machine including a radiating head connected to the body, for emitting... Agent: Young & Thompson

20070287880 - Intra-ventricular cardiac assist device and related method of use: A system and method for cardiac assist of a heart. The system comprises a catheter on which is mounted an inflatable balloon configured for inflation inside a ventricle. The system preferably includes a fluid pump and a processor configured to activate the pump to inflate the intra-ventricular balloon in the... Agent: Dara L. Onofrio, Esq. C/o Onofrio Law

20070287881 - Destressing system, apparatus, and method therefor: A device, system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for reducing stress in an individual by creating an enhanced informational spin field environment substantially surrounding the individual. Such informational spin field environment is at least partially derived from one or more dynamically produced informational spin fields wherein electromagnetic components associated with... Agent: Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP

20070287882 - Method and device for mood improvement: The present invention provides a method for alleviating negative moods by physically raising the lateral ends of the lips to signal their facial muscles of an elevated position, which information is then conveyed through the nervous system to positivistic centers in the brain, thereby inducing an improved psychodynamic. Various means... Agent: Brent E. Logan

20070287884 - Extendable suction surface for bracing medial devices during robotically assisted medical procedures: Medical devices robotically manipulated by a medical robotic system for performing a medical procedure on a patient are bundled together as a bundled unit and inserted into the patient through a single entry port. Bracing of the bundled unit at a surgical site is performed by extending a suction surface... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070287885 - Endoscopic apparatus having an expandable balloon delivery system: An apparatus cooperable with a grasping slot of an elevator for an endoscope is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an expandable balloon disposable through the endoscope for dilitating a stricture in the body duct. The apparatus further comprises a catheter disposable about the expandable balloon and through the endoscope. The catheter... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20070287886 - Tissue visualization and manipulation systems: Tissue visualization and manipulation systems are described herein. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is... Agent: Levine Bagade Han LLP

20070287887 - Bendable portion control mechanism of an endoscope: A bendable portion control mechanism of an endoscope including a control portion and an insertion portion, includes two manually-rotatable control knobs, one of which being provided on top of the other and disposed coaxially with each other, for bending the bendable portion in two orthogonal directions, each of the control... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20070287888 - Integrated laryngoscope and suction device: A suction unit is placed inside the handle of a laryngoscope to allow portable suction to be utilized during intubation without requiring multiple devices. The suction tip can be attached to the distal end of the laryngoscope blade. Replacing the light on a laryngoscope with an LED allows for a... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20070287889 - Retraction of tissue for single port entry, robotically assisted medical procedures: A single port entry surgical instrument has an elongated structure with lumens through which surgical tools and an image capturing device may be inserted and controllably extended out of its distal end for performing a medical procedure, a tubular-shaped balloon disposed around the elongated structure, and an expandable retractor disposed... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20070287890 - Detection and diagnostic system and method: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of substances, compositions, constituents, proportionalities, of examined objects, and abnormalities and diseases associated with human tissue responsive to detected amplitudes and/or frequencies, such as resonant frequencies from the object/body being examined. Data in a database is utilized to identify the unbalanced condition,... Agent: Volpe And Koenig, P.C.

20070287892 - Detection, measurement, and communication of physiological properties, and generation and communication of activation signals in response to physiological properties: A system for the detection, measurement, and communication of a value of one or more physiological property of a person, or other living organism, includes a sensor assembly structured to detect, measure, and communicate at least one value during a monitoring period. The sensor assembly may include an array of... Agent: Malloy & Malloy

20070287891 - System and method for transmitting the content of memory storage in an in-vivo sensing device: A method and system for in-vivo sensing includes transmitting data that relates to data stored in a memory area located in the sensing device. The data that relates to data stored in a memory area may be transmitted in a data block, and the data block may include sensory data.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20070287894 - Diagnostic method including uniform encoding of information: A diagnostic encoding method is provided. The method includes assigning a first plurality of identifiers to an anatomical structure of the human body and assigning a second plurality of identifiers to diagnostic criterion by which caregivers evaluate patients. The method further includes, when diagnosing a patient, recording findings of the... Agent: Michaud-duffy Group LLP

20070287893 - Method and system for administering devices in dependence upon user metric vectors: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for administering devices that include creating a user metric vector including a plurality of disparate user metrics, creating a user metric space including a plurality of metric ranges, determining whether the user metric vector is outside the user metric space, identifying an action in... Agent: Biggers & Ohanian, PLLC

20070287895 - System and method for monitoring information from a person: A method for communicating with a person at a remote location, comprising the steps of (A) monitoring information from the person using a subsystem, (B) establishing a communication link between the subsystem and a server, (C) communicating the information from the subsystem to the server, wherein the subsystem is remotely... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20070287896 - System and method for snore detection and confirmation: The invention provides a method for determining when a person is snoring by determining a candidate snore event by detecting the occurrence of a person's breath, and detecting the occurrence of a sound event. The method further includes confirming that the candidate snore event is not an isolated snore event... Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department

20070287897 - Optical vascular function imaging system and method for detection and diagnosis of cancerous tumors: An in vivo optical imaging system and method of identifying unusual vasculature associated with the angiogenic vasculature in tumors. An imaging system acquires images through the breast. Benign, noninvasive oxygen and carbon dioxide are used as vasoactive agents and administered by inhalation to stimulate vascular changes. Images taken before and... Agent: Lumen Ips

20070287898 - Glove type physiological measuring apparatus: A glove type physiological measuring apparatus includes a glove body and an electric connecting base disposed on the glove body and at an area corresponding to the back of a user's hand and electrically coupled to an electric connecting member on a physiological measuring apparatus for measuring various physiological phenomena.... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, PLLC

20070287899 - Non-invasive intracranial monitor: A method of estimating at least one intracranial hemodynamic parameter in a subject, the method comprising: a) obtaining data of changes in electrical impedance across the subject's head as a function of time; b) analyzing the data; and c) estimating one or more of intracranial pressure, cerebral blood volume, and... Agent: Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-cohen LLP

20070287900 - Devices, systems and methods for measuring and evaluating the motion and function of joint structures and associated muscles, determining suitability for orthopedic intervention, and evaluating efficacy of orthopedic intervention: An apparatus and process for measuring the motion of internal joint structures during and for measuring the function of muscles involved with the motion of a joint of a subject are disclosed. The apparatus can be configured in three forms: a horizontal, vertical, or butterfly motion control device. Each configuration... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20070287901 - Medical imaging and navigation system: Medical imaging and navigation system including a processor, a display unit, a database, a medical positioning system (MPS), a two-dimensional imaging system, an inspected organ monitor interface, and a superimposing processor, the MPS including a transducer MPS sensor and a surgical tool MPS sensor, the two-dimensional imaging system including an... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20070287904 - Method and apparatus for determining a hemodynamic response function for event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging: Embodiments of the subject invention can involve a method of suppressing noise in hemodynamic deconvolution for event-related functional MR imaging (ER-fMRI). A typical ER-fMRI experiment measures the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) response to a series of sparse, short-duration stimuli. Based on the deconvolution of a hemodynamic response function (HRF)... Agent: Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik A Professional Association

20070287905 - Method for registering functional mr image data using radioscopy: The invention relates to a method and to a device for visualizing organs, in which a respective functional and anatomical magnetic resonance tomography image record of an organ are created, the anatomical magnetic resonance tomography image record containing visible landmarks and being registered with the functional magnetic resonance tomography image... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20070287902 - Method and device for visually assisting an electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart: The invention relates to a device and to a method for visual assistance during the electrophysiological use of a catheter in the heart, enabling electroanatomic 3D mapping data relating to an area of the heart to be treated to be visualised during the use of the catheter. Before the catheter... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070287903 - Microcoil construction: A microcoil is manufactured by rolling a trace unit in such a way as to form at least one winding. The trace unit is comprised of a conductive trace attached to a flexible insulating film. A preferred embodiment of the microcoil contains both a first winding and a second winding... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20070287906 - Characterisation of functional medical image scans: Functional medical image scans are currently assessed by comparison with reference data but a number of problems arise from the fact that the reference data is not acquired from the same source as the scan. Complicated processes are required to compensate for variations in e.g. patient anatomy, data acquisition systems... Agent: Crowell & Moring LLP Intellectual Property Group

20070287907 - Cardiac motion artifact suppression using ecg ordering: Described is a robust electrocardiogram (ECG) ordering technique of k-space for breath hold contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) that acquires the central part of k-space in a motion-free portion of diastole and fills in from the periphery of k-space at all other times. To make maximal use of the... Agent: Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren P.C.

20070287908 - Medical imaging system: A medical imaging system is provided. The medical imaging system includes a patient positioning table and a patient examination area that is open on at least three sides and accessible from a front side. The patient positioning table is able to be moved into the patient examination area. At least... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20070287909 - Method and apparatus for magnetically controlling catheters in body lumens and cavities: A method of navigating a magnet-tipped distal end of an elongate medical device through the body includes providing an image display of the part of the body through which the medical device is being navigated and using the display to input the desired path of the medical device by identifying... Agent: Harness, Dickey, & Pierce, P.l.c

20070287910 - Quick disconnect and repositionable reference frame for computer assisted surgery: Devices and processes for use in computer aided or computer navigated surgery include one or more locator and locking mechanisms and mating parts, or, alternatively, one or more adjustable locking structures interposed between an indicium and an item to be used during surgery such as a body part, tool, implant,... Agent: Chief Patent Counsel Smith & Nephew, Inc.

20070287911 - Method and device for navigating an