Surgery inventions 01/08

20080027265 - Shielded high dose radiation catheters: An apparatus and method for tailoring the radiation intensity about a radiation source, enabling affected zones of a cancerous tissue mass to receive full radiation dosage while limiting the exposure of unaffected regions where radiation exposure is not desired. The assembly includes a radiation attenuator partially covering the outer periphery... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080027268 - Method and apparaus for the surgical treatment of congestive heart failure: An apparatus implantable in a heart ventricle includes a frame configured to engage an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle and to expand and contract between an expanded state corresponding to a desired end diastolic diameter of the ventricle and a contracted state corresponding to a desired end systolic diameter... Agent: Swanson & Bratschun, L.L.C.

20080027272 - Device for processing blood vessel harvested for bypass graft surgery: A vessel holder supports a blood vessel during processing for use in bypass graft surgery. The holder comprises a base and a first fixture mounted on the base for holding a first end of the blood vessel. The first fixture has a fluid supply needle for inserting into the first... Agent: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Attn: Gael Diane Tisack

20080027266 - Brachytherapy apparatus and methods for using same: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for delivering brachytherapy to a target tissue region of a human or other mammalian body. In some embodiments, a flexible brachytherapy device is implanted that includes a therapy delivery portion having one or more radioactive sources securely retained thereto, and a tail portion extending... Agent: VistaIPLaw Group LLP

20080027267 - Capsule endoscope storage case: In a storage case 40 for accommodating a capsule endoscope 2 in which a power supply can be operated by a predetermined magnetic force, when the capsule endoscope 2 is retained by both a retaining portion 41e3 provided in a blister pack 41 and a hole portion 42e1 provided in... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080027270 - Fluid pressure generating means: A fluid pressure generating means (10) for a heart assist device having blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) includes a housing (11), defining an interior volume (18), and having a substantially rigid first housing portion (12), a substantially rigid second housing portion (14), a flexible third housing portion... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20080027269 - Methods of using pericardial inserts: Devices, systems and methods are provided which are capable of applying pressure and constraint to the heart and use the pericardium to assist in the application of the pressure and force to the heart.... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20080027271 - Methods for pelvic reconstruction and related implants: The present invention provides methods for vaginal reconstruction and implants used for such reconstruction. Generally, a first exemplary implant is preferably trapezoidal and anchored at six locations at the arcus tendineus in accordance with the present invention. A second exemplary implant preferably comprises a half circle shape and is anchored... Agent: Kagan Binder, PLLC

20080027274 - Cardiac harness having interconnected strands: A cardiac harness for treating a patient's heart includes elastic rows connected by a connector assembly. The connector assembly can have a specific pattern, or can be formed of elongated elastic material connecting all of the apices of adjacent rows. The connectors maintain proper spacing between rows or rings on... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080027273 - Nonaugmentive mastopexy: Disclosed are methods and devices for minimally invasive mastopexy, or other soft tissue suspension, which may be accomplished with our without augmentation.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080027275 - Clitoris friction stimulator and method for stimulating erogenic zones of a woman during a coition: The invention relates to medical engineering, in particular to exiting and attaining a woman orgasm. The invention consists of a stimulating element in the form of a strip having a relief surface, a connecting ring wearable on a coronal sulcus of a glans penis, a tension device and a method... Agent: Houston Eliseeva

20080027277 - Endoscope apparatus: An image converter receives image data of an object and performs a kind of image conversion on the image data to generate converted image data for display. A measurement section measures at least one spatial characteristic of the object based on: the converted image data, and optical data, which relates... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, PC

20080027276 - Endoscopic probe integrating a compact objective: An endoscopic probe is provided including a distal end (11, 31) having an image sensor (1) with a substantially rectangular light-sensitive surface (2) associated with an objective arranged for transmitting a light beam having a proximal section substantially identical to the light-sensitive surface of the image sensor. The objective includes... Agent: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.

20080027278 - Endoscopic apparatus and image pickup method for the same: An endoscopic apparatus having an image pickup system operating as follows. Before picking up a still image in a body cavity that almost no light can reach, the system extinguishes LED and resets charges accumulated in respective pixels in a CMOS image sensor. In this reset state, the system illuminates... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080027279 - Endoscopic system and method for therapeutic applications and obtaining 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence: An endoscopic system and method that is adaptable for therapeutic applications as well as sensor operation and is capable of producing 3-dimensional human vision simulated imaging with real dynamic convergence, not virtual convergence. Applications may include use in any space, including but not limited to, intra-abdominal cavities, intra-thoracic cavities, and... Agent: Dorothy S. Morse

20080027280 - System and method for deposition and removal of an optical element on an endoscope objective: An applicator suitable for converting a white-light endoscope into an endoscope for combined white-light/fluorescence imaging is disclosed. The applicator facilitates attachment of an optical element, for example an optical filter, to a distal optical port of an endoscope. The applicator engages with alignment feature on the endoscope's distal end and... Agent: Rissman Jobse Hendricks & Oliverio, LLP

20080027281 - Colonoscope guide and method of use for improved colonoscopy: A guide and method for tilting a colonoscope in the rectum during a colonoscopy to attain a favorable direction for advancement of the scope through the colon. The guide comprises an at least partially rigid, elongated body member that, preferably, is attached to a handle at its proximal end. The... Agent: Richard A. Ryan Attorney At Law

20080027282 - Fluid-supplying/discharging system for use in medical apparatuses and endoscope apparatus: A fluid-supplying/discharging system for use in medical devices includes a supplying/discharging device and a tubular-path-resistance changing mechanism. The supplying/discharging device includes a pump capable of supplying and discharging fluid, a tubular path having two ends, connected at one end to the pump and at the other end to a medical... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080027283 - Endoscope system and method of retrieving a capule endoscope from a body cavity: An endoscope system for retrieving a capsule endoscope includes an endoscope and a receptacle. The endoscope includes an insertion section having a distal end and a proximal end and configured to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient, and an operation section arranged at the proximal end of... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080027284 - Endoscope having power shutdown unit: An endoscope to obtain an image inside a body cavity is provided. The endoscope includes an image capturing element, a power source, which supplies electric power to the image capturing element, a power shutdown unit, which shuts down the electric power to the image capturing element so that the image... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080027285 - Bending mechanism: A first bending portion, a second bending portion, a third bending portion, and a fourth bending portion are formed by a coiled spring. A front link member is disposed toward a front tube of the first bending portion, and a rear link member is disposed toward a rear tube of... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080027286 - Removable filter apparatus and endoscope apparatus: A removable filter apparatus and an endoscope using the same which can easily select and transmit fluorescences of different wavelengths are provided. There is provided a removable filter apparatus 1 which is attached, in an attachable and removable manner, to a tip 32 of an inserting portion 30 of an... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080027290 - Base station for retrieving data from and programming a medical device: A base station is disclosed for serving as a translator between a medical device and a computer in order to retrieve data from and to program the medical device. The medical device is preferably already set up and programmed such that it is capable of receiving instructions through said base... Agent: Daniel S. Polley, P.A.

20080027287 - Methods and materials for stabilizing analyte sensors: The disclosure provides a sensor including a sensor having an external surface and a cannula. The cannula comprises a substantially cylindrical wall encircling a lumen, at least one aperture and a distal end. The sensor is positioned within the lumen and the distal end of the cannula extends beyond the... Agent: Gates & Cooper LLP Howard Hughes Center

20080027288 - Rfid enabled apparatus for monitoring a medical status and a method thereof: The invention provides a system and method for monitoring a medical status of a user. The system and method includes a radio frequency identification transmitter for transmitting the medical status of the user, a radio frequency identification receiver for receiving the medical status of the user and comparing the medical... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027292 - Computer-implemented method and apparatus for diabetes management: A computer-implemented method and apparatus assists a user with diabetes management. The apparatus and method enables the user to record a plurality of their life events; record a plurality of their emotions, each corresponding to one of the plurality of life events; record a plurality of their blood glucose levels,... Agent: Howard M Cohn Patent Attorney LLC

20080027291 - Electronic patient compliance device: An apparatus for monitoring patient compliance in the administration of medication includes a recording device for recording data related to administration of said medication by a patient, a collecting device and an electronic transmitting device for transmitting, via an electronic link, data to the collecting device. The data is related... Agent: Ward & Olivo

20080027289 - Implantable satellite effectors: Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (proteus Biomedical, Inc)

20080027293 - Transfer assembly: A transfer assembly comprising an intracorporeal transfer coil of an implant, and an extracorporeal transfer coil of an extracorporeal supply unit. The transfer coil of the implant has permanently associated therewith a transmitting element. The transfer coil of the supply unit has permanently associated therewith at least one receiving element.... Agent: Paul D. Greeley Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.L.P.

20080027295 - Vital information measuring device, managing device, and vital information communication system: A vital information measuring device measures vital information of a measurement target person. The vital information measuring device includes (i) a data frame creating section for generating, by using a symbolic code assigned to an item regarding measurement processing of the vital information, a request data frame for use in... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080027294 - Physiological parameter tracking system: A physiological parameter tracking system has a reference parameter calculator configured to provide a reference parameter responsive to a physiological signal input. A physiological measurement output is a physiological parameter derived from the physiological signal input during a favorable condition and an estimate of the physiological parameter according to the... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080027296 - Dermally affixed sensor device: An improved diagnostic analyte monitoring device has immovable, rigid sensors connected stationarily to control and measuring means and a flexible surface adhering to the skin and serving for the subcutaneous implantation of the sensors, actuated by means designed for easy handling. Concentrationtime profiles of endogenous and exogenous analytes measured with... Agent: Hogan & Hartson LLPIPGroup, Columbia Square

20080027297 - Non-invasive blood constituent measuring instrument and measuring method: A non-invasive blood constituents measuring instrument measures blood constituent values including blood glucose concentration in a living body non-invasively. The instrument is composed of a light source 11 to irradiate a light containing plural wavelengths to a living body 13, a light receiver 14 to detect the light transmitted through... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

20080027298 - System for repetitive measurements of cardiac output in freely moving individuals: A system for evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters using indicator dilution and non-invasive or minimally invasive detection and calibration methods are disclosed. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health.... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080027299 - Spectral analysis for a more reliable determination of physiological parameters: An apparatus for determining a spectral ratio between a first signal having a first spectrum which depends on a biological quantity, and a second signal having a second spectrum which depends on a biological quantity, the first signal and the second signal having a plurality of harmonics of a periodic... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080027300 - Oximetry probe assembly having a fluid seal: An oximetry probe assembly includes fluid seal assembly taking the form of a manually actuated plunger which moves relative to a barrel having a seal placed therein. Depression of the plunger causes the seal to be deformed so as to permit insertion of an oximetry probe through the seal and... Agent: Brian R. Woodworth

20080027301 - Analyte sensing and response system: Electrochemical systems for measuring an analyte concentration, and correcting any surplus or deficiency in the measured concentration. More specifically, systems for measuring an analyte level in a fluid with an implantable sensor, processing the measurements with an algorithm, and determining an appropriate fluid infusion rate in response to the measurements.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20080027302 - Integrated sample acquisition and analyte measurement device: A region of skin, other than the fingertips, is stimulated. After stimulation, an opening is created in the skin (e.g., by lancing the skin) to cause a flow of body fluid from the region. At least a portion of this body fluid is transported to a testing device where the... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080027303 - Catheter and method for maping a pulmonary vein: An improved catheter is provided that is particularly useful for mapping the pulmonary vein and other tubular regions of or near the heart. The catheter comprises an elongated catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. A mapping assembly is mounted... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080027304 - Intraocular pressure attenuation device: Described herein are devices and methods that dampen transient intraocular pressure including pressure spikes experienced by the eye. The illustrative embodiments attenuate pressure waves and, thus, reduce wall stresses in a non-compliant eye such that the optic nerve is protected from damage in an ocular hypertensive or glaucoma patient, or... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLPIPProsecution Department

20080027305 - Automatic determination of tumor load: Embodiments generally relate to the automatic diagnosis of tumors. At least one embodiment of the invention relates to a medical appliance, to a method and/or to a computer program for automatically determining the tumor load from data records from imaging methods. According to at least one embodiment of the present... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080027306 - System and method for initiating a diagnostic imaging scan: A method for initiating a diagnostic imaging scan for a diagnostic imaging system includes detecting an event. The event may be an event that indicates that the operator of the diagnostic imaging system is at a predetermined location. In response to the event, the diagnostic imaging scan is automatically started.... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080027307 - Drug application during a ct scan: Controlled local application of drugs to a certain part of a body of a patient may be of major importance during a cardiac CT scan. By transporting the drugs in containers which prevent an application of the drugs and by rupturing only those containers which are located in the vicinity... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080027308 - Sensor device for operation in a time-varying magnetic field and method: A sensor device, in particular a PET detector, for operation in the time-varying magnetic field of a magnetic resonance tomograph. In at least one embodiment, a sensor circuit is for generating a sensor signal, as well as an induction circuit in which a compensation signal is induced. These signals are... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080027309 - Method and computer unit for setting an injection pump for image recording: A method is proposed for simple and quick setting of an injection pump for image recording. In at least one embodiment of the method, patient-specific and appliance-specific input parameters are entered and a contrast agent protocol is created from the patient-specific and appliance-specific input parameters, by computer, by way of... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080027310 - Method and system of tracking an intracorporeal device with mr imaging: A system and method for tracking or otherwise determining positioning of an intracorporeal device is provided. The invention includes a device that may be inserted into a subject and tracked based on an imageable tag included with the device. The imageable tag is at least partially formed of a substance... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (gems)

20080027311 - Resonant transponder using self-resonance of coil: Described herein are one or more implementations for an electromagnetic (EM) position and orientation tracking system employing a self-resonant transponder.... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080027312 - Displaying object orientations on ball joints: A method for displaying, in the field of medical technology, an orientation of an object on a ball joint, includes: defining a zero angle projecting out of a joint cavity on the ball joint, wherein directions are defined as anatomical directions; defining a preferred direction of the object, wherein the... Agent: Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080027313 - System and method for radar-assisted catheter guidance and control: A Catheter Guidance Control and Imaging (CGCI) system whereby a magnetic tip attached to a surgical tool is detected, displayed and influenced positionally so as to allow diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to be performed is described. The tools that can be so equipped include catheters, guidewires, and secondary tools such... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080027314 - Image processor for medical treatment support: C

20080027316 - Live fluoroscopic roadmapping including targeted automatic pixel shift for misregistration correction: An X-ray diagnostic imaging system for conducting live fluoroscopic subtraction imaging is described as including an X-ray source for directing X-ray radiation to a patient being examined, an x-ray imaging device positioned for receiving the X-ray radiation and acquiring images in response thereto and a processor arranged in communication with... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027315 - Processing and presentation of electronic subtraction for tagged colonic fluid and rectal tube in computed colonography: A method and system for the use of a CAD algorithm that can be used to automatically detect retained colonic fluid and the rectal tube in computed tomographic (CT) imagery of a patient's colon is disclosed. The CAD algorithm can then electronically subtract the fluid and rectal tube from the... Agent: Foley Hoag, LLP Patent Group, World Trade Center West

20080027317 - Scanned laser vein contrast enhancer: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the... Agent: Thomas A. O'rourke Bodner & O'rourke

20080027319 - Phase selection for cardiac contrast assessment: In one embodiment, at least one visual characteristic from a selected image is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images from a plurality of heart cycles. In another embodiment, motion correction is performed on ultrasound images that are automatically selected from a plurality of ultrasound... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027318 - Ultrasonographic device: An ultrasonographic technique capable of forming a transmission beam enabling multi-beam transmission/reception of identical transmission sensitivity. An ultrasonographic device for imaging inside of an examinee includes a transmitter for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse signal from an ultrasonic element array to the examinee, and a receiver for receiving the ultrasonic pulse... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20080027320 - Multidimensional transducer systems and methods for intra patient probes: Endocavity and invasive catheter transducers for four-dimensional or other imaging are provided. A two-dimensional or other multi-dimensional array of elements is connected with a minimum number of conductors to an imaging system. One or more conductors are used to select an aperture, such as selecting one or more rows of... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027321 - Multi stage beamforming: Beamforming for N elements in performed in log(N) steps of complexity O(N). The signals measured at each element are treated as a receive beam formed by that element with a beam width equal to the element pattern or the width of the transmit illumination. In each of multiple stages, the... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027322 - Steered continuous wave doppler methods and systems for two-dimensional ultrasound transducer arrays: Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027323 - Steered continuous wave doppler methods and systems for two-dimensional ultrasound transducer arrays: Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027324 - Device for generation of a triggering signal: A device for generation of a triggering signal (8) for synchronized acquisition of heart images in nuclear medicine, cardiology and radiology, comprising a detector connected to a circuit (6) of signal correction and an evaluation circuit (3). The detector includes a detector of physiological signals of arteries.... Agent: Hovey Williams LLP

20080027325 - Ultrasound apparatus: There is disclosed an ultrasound apparatus comprising an ultrasound transducer that operates in a target plane, and a light source that emits a broad, planar light beam that is co-planar with said target plane and directed relative to said ultrasound transducer to illuminate at least a region where an instrument... Agent: Fitch Even Tabin And Flannery

20080027327 - Array rotation for ultrasound catheters: A transducer array is connected with a catheter housing. As the transducer array is rotated, the catheter housing also rotates. As a result, at least a portion of the catheter housing twists about a longitudinal axis. By applying rotation in a controlled way, such as with a motor, a plurality... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080027326 - Ultrasonic probe: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe comprising a group of piezoelectric elements consisting of a plurality of piezoelectric elements of a narrow card shape arrayed in a long-axis direction thereof and a rotational mechanism that rotates and oscillates said group of piezoelectric elements to the left and right... Agent: Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

20080027328 - Multi-focal treatment of skin with acoustic energy: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for applying acoustic energy to the skin. Acoustic waveguides with elements of varying thickness or shape are disclosed which deliver energy to more than one depth below a surface of the skin substantially simultaneously. The invention is especially useful with devices that focus ultrasound energy... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080027329 - System, apparatus and method for measurement of motion parameters of an in-vivo device: A system, apparatus and method may measure motion parameters of an in-vivo device, utilizing for example surface or flow irregularities for calculation of movement, distance, velocity etc. There may be provided with an in-vivo imaging device a motion parameter measurement unit that may include one or more of illumination sources... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080027330 - Risk assessment method for acute cardiovascular events: Methods and apparatus are provided for assessing the risk of an acute cardiovascular event that includes providing an endothelial or vascular function test to identify higher risk from lower risk individuals in a population of symptomatic individuals presenting with chest pain that have inconclusive results in ECG and cardiovascular marker... Agent: Wong, Cabello, Lutsch, Rutherford & Brucculeri, L.L.P.

20080027331 - Apparatus for and method of biotic sleep state determining: A biotic sleep state determining apparatus that determines a sleep state of a subject based on a series of pulse interval data that indicate a time interval of one cycle of a pulse wave of the subject, and on body movement data that indicates a body movement of the subject,... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080027332 - Miniature pressure sensor assembly for catheter: A catheter with a lumen containing a MLCC sensor assembly provides many advantages. The MLCC package can have a reference hole linking to a channel that is buried or on bottom layer of the package to provide venting or a reference input to a pressure sensor. A channel passing completely... Agent: Kris Fredrick Honeywell International, Inc.

20080027333 - Noninvasive apparatus and method for estimating blood pressure: Methods and apparatus for noninvasively estimating a blood pressure are provided. A target interval is determined from a diastolic signal such that the target interval includes an S2 component. The S2 component is extracted from the diastolic signal using the target interval and is analyzed in the target interval to... Agent: Ratnerprestia

20080027334 - Coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter: A method of measuring differential pressure between a left ventricle and an aorta across an aortic valve for diagnosis of aortic stenosis using a coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter that utilizes coaxial construction incorporating a thin wall guiding catheter technology for the outer lumen and using a strong braided diagnostic... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A. 4800 Ids Center

20080027335 - Automatic decompression valve for sphygmomanometer with extension spring: Disclosed is an automatic decompression valve for sphygmomanometer with an extension spring, which can decompress pressure at a constant without control of the decompression vale of the sphygmomanometer, and be used uprightly regardless of a peripheral circumstance. The automatic decompression valve includes: a valve body having an inlet through which... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080027336 - Cuff cover and cuff for using the same: There is provided a throwaway cuff cover capable of being used for all types of cuffs and performing triage at the same time. The cuff cover has a long main cover 20 which is wound around the upper arm of the human body and a sub-cover 30 shorter than the... Agent: Kanesaka Berner And Partners LLP

20080027337 - Systems and methods for heart rate monitoring, data transmission, and use: In a first aspect, a heart rate monitoring system is provided that includes (1) a heart rate monitor adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative of a heart rate of a user; and (2) a user device adapted to receive the signal from the heart rate monitor, process the signal,... Agent: Dugan & Dugan, P.C.

20080027340 - Earphone sensor system for measuring electrocardiogram signals: An earphone sensor system for measuring electrocardiogram signals provides convenient and comfortable noninvasive electrocardiogram signal measuring for a subject. The electrocardiogram signal measuring system includes an electrocardiogram signal analyzing apparatus and an earphone sensing apparatus. The electrocardiogram signal analyzing apparatus includes an amplifier module, a microcontroller, a display, a radio... Agent: Egbert Law Offices

20080027338 - Electrocardiogram monitoring: Techniques for determining whether one or more leads are not adequately connected to a patient, e.g., for ECG monitoring, are described. The techniques involve injection of an integrated signal (which includes a test signal) into one lead, and monitoring the driven lead and the response at the other leads, including... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080027339 - Electrocardiogram waveform correction display and electrocardiogram waveform correction display method: The present invention provides a cardiogram waveform correcting and displaying device capable of facilitating visibility of cardiogram waveforms. A first filtering means 58-1 through n th filtering means 58-n are low-cut filters, each having a first cutoff frequency fc1 through an n th cutoff frequency fcn respectively. Recognition means 56... Agent: Sheridan Ross P C

20080027341 - Method and system for extracting cardiac parameters from plethysmographic signals: This invention provides methods and systems for extracting cardiac parameters, including ventricular wall motion, from a plethysmographic signal is provided. Additionally, the invention provides a wide range of uses and system configurations for cardiac monitoring, including ambulatory uses, uses for stress testing, uses for monitoring first responder personnel, and the... Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department

20080027342 - Prioritized multicomplexor sensing circuit: An implantable medical device having a prioritized multiplexor sensing circuit used for monitoring the condition or status of a patient. The device includes patient parameter sensors, such as electrodes, that are monitored for indications of significant events. Sensors indicating the presence of significant events may then be monitored more often... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027343 - Methods and devices for lung treatment: A method of diagnosing collateral ventilation between regions of a lung includes the step of measuring at least one parameter associated with a target lung region while a catheter is positioned in the target lung region. A level of collateral fluid flow into the target lung region is detected based... Agent: Fish & Richardson, PC

20080027344 - Modular sidestream gas sampling assembly: Apparatus and method of sampling gas from a patient using a gas sampling assembly that include a patient interface assembly having a patient interface portion and a first gas sampling tube. The patient interface portion communicates with an airway of a patient and is attached to a first end of... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20080027345 - Electrode apparatus for detecting brain waves and package: The labor involved in cleaning for each examination is reduced, the examination can be carried out hygienically, and the convenience of use is improved. An electrode apparatus for detecting brain waves which is arranged in contact with the scalp and which detects brain wave signals is provided. The electrode apparatus... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

20080027346 - Method and device for the recording, localization and stimulation-based mapping of epileptic seizures and brain function utilizing the intracranial and extracranial cerebral vasculature and/or central and/or peripheral nervous system: Principles from the analogous field of cardiac electrophysiology are translated to neuro electrophysiology whereby electrically competent catheters and introducing devices are threaded intravascularly through large vessel access (e.g., leg or arm) into the arterial or more typically the venous system to or within the brain tissue, possibly targeting a specific... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080027347 - Minimally invasive monitoring methods: The present invention provides methods for minimally invasive, long term monitoring of a physiological signal (e.g., neural signals) from a patient. In preferred embodiments, neural signals are sampled from the patient with an externally powered, leadless implanted device and are transmitted to an external device for further processing.... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20080027348 - Minimally invasive monitoring systems for monitoring a patient's propensity for a neurological event: The present invention provides systems and methods for ambulatory, long term monitoring of a physiological signal from a patient. At least a portion of the systems of the present invention may be implanted within the patient in a minimally invasive manner. In preferred embodiments, brain activity signals are sampled from... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20080027349 - Adaptations to intra-thoracic fluid monitoring algorithm: Adaptations to an intra-thoracic fluid-status-trend indication and/or alert algorithm are disclosed. Some embodiments monitor fluid levels in heart failure patients and others suffering from pulmonary edema and the like. Some embodiments reset a cumulative fluid index when a short-term intra-thoracic impedance value exceeds a baseline impedance value minus a predetermined... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080027350 - Methods and apparatus for localization, diagnosis, contact or activity detection of bio-electric tissue: Methods and apparatus for localization, diagnosis, contact or activity detection of bio-electric tissue providing improved sensitivity to the distance between a sensing electrode and bio-electric tissue and providing the means to measure the impedance of the tissue between a sensing electrode and bio-electric tissue. In accordance with the method, a... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20080027351 - Die swell fertility assessment for humans and other mammals: apparatus and method: A method and apparatus for assessing fertility in mammalian females comprising sampling cervical-vaginal fluid, measuring one or more of the sample's viscoelastic properties, and evaluating the measurement to determine fertility. Preferable embodiments of the current invention may utilize measurement of the viscoelastic property of die swell ratio, or other viscoelastic... Agent: John K. Buche

20080027352 - Cognitive function training unit: This cognitive function training unit comprises an eye-target showing means for showing a movable eye-target on a display disposed in front of the subject's eye, an eye movement measuring means for measuring a position and/or movement of the subject's eye, and a judgment means for judging whether the subject can... Agent: Kratz, Quintos & Hanson, LLP

20080027353 - Method of making and using a library of biological information: Biologic information is obtained concerning a member of a population by obtaining a tissue sample from the member, storing the sample without embedding it in an embedding medium, retrieving from storage the sample associated with the member and thereafter analyzing it for biologic information. The tissue sample may be all... Agent: Renner Otto Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080027354 - Method for improving the accuracy of a bronchial biopsy, and device for carrying out a method for improving the accuracy of a bronchial biopsy: A method is disclosed for improving the accuracy of a bronchial biopsy. In at least one embodiment, the method includes detecting the position and extent of a lesion to be biopsied by way of imaging methods, calculating the maximum biopsy depth with a known biopsy inaccuracy as a function of... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080027355 - Biopsy device: Biopsy devices, as well as related methods and systems, are disclosed.... Agent: Fish & Richardson PC

20080027356 - Anatomical visualization and measurement system: A method for deploying a device in a tortuous vessel, comprising: placing a virtual generalized-cylinder within a virtual representation of the tortuous vessel; measuring length along the perimeter of the virtual generalized-cylinder at a set numbers of longitudes; determining the maximum measured length; selecting a device based upon the maximum... Agent: Mark J. Pandiscio Pandiscio & Pandiscio, P.C.

20080027357 - Method for managing labor and childbirth: A method for managing labor and childbirth allows a laboring woman to push prior to full dilation and helps to prevent extreme pain, prolonged labor, and unnecessary cesarean sections and epidural anesthesia. The method involves the initial step of encouraging a laboring woman to wait, without pushing, through first and... Agent: Weiss & Moy PC

20080027358 - Morphometry of a bodily hollow system: The present invention relates to the determining of morphometric properties of bodily hollow systems at the natural state or during distension of the organ using a balloon or bag. A method of obtaining morphometric measures of a hollow internal organ is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of introducing from... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080021256 - Method, apparatus, and system for detecting disease states in a living body using a gamma ray counter: A method and system of detecting a disease state in a targeted organ is described using nuclear medicine techniques. In preferred embodiments, a radiotracer with specific uptake for diseased portions of the targeted organ is administered to a patient. A gamma ray counter with at least one gamma ray detector... Agent: Richard Yoon

20080021263 - Implantable mechanical device that have the ability to apply traction to organs or anatomical tissues for its reposition during and after a surgical intervention: Implantable mechanical device to apply traction to organs or anatomical tissues for its repositioning during and after a surgical intervention that comprises an implantable box in whose inside housing a drum with a toothed wheel that gears in a worm are housed to wind in a traction threads and a... Agent: Ralph A. Dowell Of Dowell & Dowell P.C.

20080021257 - X-ray brachytherapy system and device: An improved x-ray brachytherapy system and related methods for delivering low dose radiation to a treatment location while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Generally, the x-ray brachytherapy system can include a device controller, a device positioner, system imagery, and an x-ray brachytherapy probe having two or more delivery needles.... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080021258 - Medical devices for occlusion of blood flow: A medical, surgical, or operating kit for occluding or controlling blood flow or fluid flow is disclosed. The kit is comprised of (a) a dispersion of magnetic microparticles which can be administered into a blood vessel or fluid vessel, and (b) an external magnetic field source which is adapted to... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080021259 - Device for the epicardial support and/or resumption of cardiac activity: A device for epicardial support and/or the assuming of cardiac activity having a double membrane (1) having an elastic inner membrane (2) and a non-expandable outer membrane (3) as well as a closed cavity (4) formed therebetween which can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid. With the... Agent: Roberts, Mlotkowski & Hobbes

20080021260 - Device for the modulation of cardiac end diastolic volume: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. For example, the direct compression cardiac device may be positioned about at least a portion of a heart, and includes a resilient inner panel in contact with at least a portion of the heart periphery, one... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20080021261 - Incubator device: A device for an incubator (1) comprising a platform (6), a ventilation aggregate (12) and a cover (8), wherein the cover (8) comprises a chamber (30) communicating with the ventilation aggregate (12) via at least a first duct (14), and with a patient bed rest (10) of the incubator (1)... Agent: Patterson & Sheridan, L.L.P.

20080021262 - Process for effecting the relaxation of muscles of a human by means of fragrance: Described is a process for effecting the relaxation of a tensive back, shoulder or neck muscle of a human mammal for a substantial period of time. The process of our invention consists essentially of the step of continuously or periodically administering to said human mammal through inhalation over a stress... Agent: Joseph F. Leightner, Esq. International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

20080021264 - Implant inserted without bone anchors: The present invention discloses an implant, a method and a kit for treatment of fecal and urinary incontinence in a patient. Novel methods and assemblies for use in conjunction with the implant are also described.... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080021265 - Prosthesis to be implanted in a human body for repairing or treating pelvic organ prolapses in a female patient and surgical method using such a prosthesis: A procedure for treating pelvic organ prolapses in a female patient using a synthetic, biological or mixed implantable prosthesis includes steps of: a) preparing the patient as for a conventional laparoscopy; b) performing rectovaginal dissection down to the levator-ani; c) dissecting the vesico-vaginal space, preferably up to the bladder trigone;... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080021266 - Pericardial reinforcement device: The following relates to catheter-based devices, systems, and methods for minimally-invasively delivering an inflatable pericardial support into the pericardial space of a mammalian myocardium. The devices and systems include extending and positioning plural support members through a catheter into the pericardial space and then positioning the inflatable member on the... Agent: Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Lebovici LLP

20080021267 - Glans-stripper apparatus to hold the tucked up foreskin at the root of the erect penis: The Glans-stripper provides a naked glans during sex by holding the tucked up foreskin at the root of the erection leaving the hands free for other use. The more sensitive inside layer of the foreskin will be stretched outwardly all over the erection and the completely naked glans will be... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20080021268 - Endoscope: An endoscope according to the present invention comprises an insertion portion, an operation portion, an image pickup device provided in the operation portion, an image display device connected to the operation portion and provided with a monitor portion, an image processing portion such as an image pickup device control circuit... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080021269 - Positioning system for manipulating a treatment instrument at the end of a medical device: Embodiments of the invention include a medical device for accessing a patient's body portion and used for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Embodiments of the invention may include a particular endoscopic positioning mechanism for placing an endoscope and an additional treatment device within desired body portions in order to... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080021270 - Body insertable apparatus and body insertable apparatus system: In a capsule endoscope that functions as one example of a body insertable apparatus, a first imaging mechanism, a second imaging mechanism, a data generator, and a timing controller are provided on a same imaging board. The first imaging mechanism and the second imaging mechanism are arranged inside an outer... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080021273 - Detachable endotracheal camera: A low cost camera and radio frequency transmitter are detachably coupled to an endotracheal tube to obtain an image in real time of tissue at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. The image recorded by the camera is transmitted to a low cost radio frequency receiver nearby and conveyed... Agent: C. Robert Von Hellens Cahill, Von Hellens & Glazer P.L.C

20080021272 - Endoscope system: An endoscope 2 has a CCD 9 incorporated in the distal part of an insertion unit 6 thereof. The sensitivity of the CCD 9 can be varied by applying a plurality of pulsating driving signals so as to change an electron multiplication rate. The endoscope 2 is connected to a... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080021271 - Endoscope with a digital view system such as a digital camera: An endoscope with a digital viewing system, such as a digital camera, with a housing having a longitudinal axis, with a lens attached to the housing and with an electronic image sensor positioned in the interior of the housing for converting a picture delivered through the lens into a digital... Agent: Paul A. Fattibene Fattibene & Fattibene

20080021274 - Endoscopic medical device with locking mechanism and method: An endoscopic system having an endoscope carrying an endoscopic medical device that can be an auxiliary rear-ward facing camera or medical tool for cutting, ablation, cutting, suturing, retracting, manipulating, suction, or irrigation. A locking assembly allows the user of the system to lock the rotational orientation of a distal portion... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

20080021275 - Methods and systems for optical imaging or epithelial luminal organs by beam scanning thereof: Arrangements, apparatus, systems and systems are provided for obtaining data for at least one portion within at least one luminal or hollow sample. The arrangement, system or apparatus can be (insertable via at least one of a mouth or a nose of a patient. For example, a first optical arrangement... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080021276 - Protective probe tip, particularly for use on a fiber-optic probe used in an endoscopic application: A fiber probe tip, particularly for use on a fiber-optic probe in endoscopic applications. The probe tip prevents contamination of the probe imaging elements and maintains proper distal relationships between imaging components and tissue under examination. In one embodiment, the fiber probe tip is comprised of a sheath placed over... Agent: Withrow & Terranova, P.l.l.c.

20080021277 - Methods for stabilizing and positioning an endoscope and surgical procedures: Methods for stabilizing and positioning an endoscope using various braided devices and suture techniques. Related endoscopic surgical procedures are also disclosed.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080021278 - Surgical device with removable end effector: A surgical device and end effector connection system therefor include an easy-to-engage mechanism for connecting a handle/shaft/actuation rod unit to an end effector. This mechanism may utilize an axially engageable inner ball/socket inner connection with a threaded outer connection, or an inner bayonet connection with either an outer bayonet connection... Agent: Allegiance Corporation

20080021279 - Endoscope: In a drive mechanism which displaces a movable lens to be displaced, a shape memory element which is displaced due to heating. A displaceable range of a movable lens is restricted between a first position and a second position. With the shape memory element in a heated state upon applying... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20080021280 - Fluid supply apparatus for endoscope and endoscope: A fluid supply apparatus for an endoscope that is connected to an endoscope main body that has a forceps channel that has a forceps aperture in a base end and into which a treatment tool is inserted, and a suction channel that branches from a branching portion provided partway along... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080021281 - Body insertable apparatus: A plurality of LEDs 72, which includes a power unit including two electrodes 72a connected to an illuminating board 71 and includes an irradiation unit 72b formed on a top portion of the power unit, with a stair-shaped structure in which an end surface 72b1 in a longitudinal side of... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080021282 - Endoscope with variable direction of view module: A flexible variable direction of view endoscope with a pivotable view vector and a rotatable distal section.... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, LLC

20080021283 - Apparatus and method for retracting tissue of a patient during an orthopaedic surgical procedure: A apparatus and method for retracting tissue of a patient during the performance of an orthopaedic surgical procedure includes creating an incision in a tissue of the patient in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated by a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system. The tissue surrounding... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080021284 - Surgical access system and method of using the same: A surgical access system includes retractor for creating an access path between an incision site and a surgical site. The retractor includes a frame having a base member and a pair of generally curved rails extending therefrom. A tubular member is coupled to the frame and includes first and second... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20080021285 - Surgical retractor for use with minimally invasive spinal stabilization systems and methods of minimally invasive surgery: A surgical retractor for use with a spinal stabilization system including a plurality of bone anchors and a plurality of anchor extensions. The surgical retractor includes a frame positionable between a first anchor extension connected to a first bone anchor implanted in a first vertebra and a second anchor extension... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080021286 - Retractor: A retractor (1) that is meant to be placed in a wound (7) to hold this open during a surgical operation, comprising a shackle of a plastic material pervious for X-ray radiation. The shackle has to resilient legs (2a, 2b), that in a resilient way can be brought towards each... Agent: Hayes Soloway P.C.

20080021288 - Method and system for generating personalized health information with accommodation for consumer health terminology: The invention features methods, systems, and computer programs for generating a customized set of possible medical conditions, thereby providing access to medical information relevant to the user's state of health. The methods and systems involve at least some of the following steps: receiving a list of symptoms specified in terms... Agent: Wilmerhale/boston

20080021289 - Acoustic communication transducer in implantable medical device header: An implantable medical device is adapted for implantation into body tissue. The implantable medical device comprises a housing and a header coupled to the housing. A cavity is located in the header. An ultrasonic transducer adapted to transmit acoustic waves at a communication frequency is located in the cavity, and... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080021291 - Integrated lancet and blood glucose meter system: A sensor array designed to be continuously indexed through a compatible blood glucose test monitor for the purpose of conducting multiple consecutive blood glucose measurements. The sensor array can be configured to substantially conform to a non-planar surface. In one embodiment, the sensor array includes first and second test sensors... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080021290 - Measuring method and measuring device: The present invention is to present a measuring device which can conduct stable extraction and measurement of interstitial fluid. The measuring device comprises: a device body which comprises an extraction part for extracting body fluid from a living body and a measuring part for measuring a biological component contained in... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20080021292 - Multiplexed electrode array extension: A method for selectively interacting with electrically excitable tissue of a patient is provided. In one configuration, an implantable pulse generator with a number of outputs and an array of electrodes with a number of electrodes being greater than the umber of outputs may be implanted in a patient. An... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080021287 - System and method for adaptively adjusting patient data collection in an automated patient management environment: A system and method for adaptively adjusting patient data collection in an automated patient management environment is presented. A patient is monitored through continual remote patient management. Physiological measures are collected from the patient on a substantially regular basis. The collected physiological measures are analyzed to evaluate patient status based... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20080021293 - Method and apparatus for monitoring glucose levels in a biological tissue: In accordance with the invention, a low coherence interferometer is used to non-invasively monitor the concentration of glucose in blood by shining a light over a surface area of human or animal tissue, continuously scanning the light over a two dimensional area of the surface, collecting the reflected light from... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080021294 - Disposable blood glucose sensor with internal pump: An apparatus and method are disclosed for automatically and periodically measuring the level of a patient's blood glucose when a patient has a catheter in a blood vessel. A wearable, disposable test unit is attached by air, fluid and electric lines to a bedside monitor. The test unit has a... Agent: Bruce H. Johnsonbaugh Eckhoff & Hoppe

20080021295 - Sample acquisition and analyte measurement device: A sensor, and methods of making, for determining the concentration of an analyte, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. The sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode, and can include an insertion... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080021296 - Sensor-dispensing device and mechanism for extracting sensor: A cartridge assembly is adapted to be used in a sensor-dispensing device. The cartridge assembly comprises an end cap, a disposable cartridge and a sealing mechanism. The end cap includes one opening. The disposable cartridge comprises an outer and inner cartridge. The inner cartridge contains sensors arranged in a stack... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20080021297 - Method,a system for generating a spatial roadmap for an interventional device and quality control system for guarding the spatial accuracy thereof: The invention relates to a method, a system for generating a spatial roadmap for an interventional device and a quality control system for guarding the spatial accuracy thereof. In an embodiment of the system 100 for practicing the invention an X-ray imager 100a is used for acquiring suitable images Di-1,... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080021298 - Apparatus and method for self-measurement of intraocular pressure: An apparatus and method for the self-measurement of intraocular pressure utilize a tonometer disposed within a housing and having a tonometer tip. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism in communication with the tonometer for positioning the tonometer tip in contact with a test eye of the user, and an... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20080021300 - Four-dimensional target modeling and radiation treatment: A method and apparatus to generate a four-dimensional correlation model for a target region and to develop a radiation treatment plan which includes a relative movement between a target region and a radiation beam path.... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20080021299 - Method for selecting modular implant components: A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a... Agent: Zimmer Technology - Baker & Daniels

20080021301 - Methods and apparatus for volume computer assisted reading management and review: A method includes providing an auto visualization display based on at least one quantitative analysis of at least one object of interest's progress over time regarding therapy response parameters over time.... Agent: Thomas M. Fisher Fisher Patent Group LLC

20080021302 - Method and device for evaluation of an image and/or of a time sequence of images of tissue or tissue samples: A method for quantitative evaluation of an image and/or of an image sequence of tissue or tissue samples for the presence of pathological changes using a database in which there are stored pattern image data and/or pattern image data sequences of tissue patterns that have been identified as predominantly or... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.A.

20080021303 - Method and apparatus for accelerated spiral-coded imaging in magnetic resonance tomography: In a method and apparatus for accelerated spiral-coded imaging in magnetic resonance tomography using spiral-shaped k-space sampling, the underlying k-matrix is under-sampled such that an additional spiral is obtained by point mirroring of the measured values at the center of the k-matrix. This additional spiral forms a complete data set... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080021304 - Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for dynamic magnetic resonance imaging: The invention concerns a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for acquisition and generation of a time-resolved image series of an anatomical organ with a quasi-periodical movement in a subject, k-space is sampled in segments with a number of partial data sets, with the sampling points of each partial data set... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080021305 - Mri-monitored equipment with built-in mr signal reception coil and signal emitter: In a system having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and MRI-monitored medical equipment, the MRI-monitored medical equipment has an inductive coil built into the equipment that receives magnetic resonance signals from a subject and generates inductive electromagnetic signals according to the received magnetic resonance signals. The magnetic resonance imaging... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080021306 - Quantifying blood volume using magnetization transfer magnetic resonance imaging: A magnetic resonance method for imaging blood volume in parenchyma via magnetic transfer (MT) includes: determining a MT effect of parenchyma; determining a MT effect of tissue; and quantifying the parenchymal blood volume using the difference between the MT effect of parenchyma and the MT effect of tissue. In one... Agent: Thomas E. Kocovsky Fay, Sharpe, Fagan, Minnich & Mckee

20080021307 - Radio frequency identification monitoring of stents: A method and system of monitoring environmental exposure of stents using radiofrequency identification is disclosed.... Agent: Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080021308 - Implantable marker with a leadless signal transmitter compatible for use in magnetic resonance devices: A leadless marker for localizing the position of a target within a patient. In one embodiment, the marker includes a casing, a resonating circuit, and a ferromagnetic element. The casing is configured to be positioned at a selected location relative to a target site in the patient; the casing, for... Agent: Calypso Medical / Perkins Coie, LLP

20080021309 - Non-invasive tracking of bones for surgery: There is described a device for use with a position sensing system to register position and orientation in a reference-coordinate system, the device comprising a set of at least three base units removably and non-invasively attachable to a skin surface covering a bone, each of the base units having a... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20080021310 - Non-invasive tracking of bones for surgery: There is described a device for use with a position sensing system for tracking a bone in a reference coordinate system, the device comprising a fabric removably and non-invasively attachable to a bone and having a plurality of reference markers distributed thereon, the reference markers being one of passive and... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20080021311 - Method for automatically identifying instruments during medical navigation: A method for using a medical navigation system to identify an instrument to be navigated is provided, wherein the instrument includes a reference array having a plurality of markers that form a rigid body, and a location of the markers with respect to each other is not previously known in... Agent: Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080021312 - Needle targeting device: The present invention is directed to a handheld needle targeting device which medical personnel can use to position a needle or K-wire under x-ray guidance, as part of a medical or surgical procedure. The device of this invention can also be used to both hold and advance a needle. The... Agent: John F. Klos Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

20080021313 - Electroactive polymer radiopaque marker: The invention relates to an expandable marker device having a pre-delivery state, a delivery state and at least one active region. The at least one active region incorporates electroactive polymer material. In addition, the expandable marker includes at least one radiopaque material to enhance observation through a medical imaging device.... Agent: Vidas, Arrett & Steinkraus, P.A.

20080021314 - Method and apparatus to remove substances from vessels of the heart and other parts of the body to minimize or avoid renal or other harm or dysfunction: To accomplish isolation and removal of a substance from a vasculature, a catheter is employed to occlude a vessel of the vasculature. The substance is thus isolated in the vasculature and can be removed. In this way, the substance is removed before entering other parts of the circulatory system. This... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20080021315 - Apparatus and construction for intravascular device: An intravascular device includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers and an electrically conductive coil in a configuration that effects an impedance-matching circuit. Another embodiment of an intravascular device has cylindrical inner and outer walls formed of an expandable, electrically conductive material, the inner and outer walls being separated by a... Agent: Fish & Richardson P.C.

20080021316 - Systems and methods for proactive detection of imaging chain problems during normal system operation: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for performing diagnostics in a medical imaging system during the normal operating mode of the imaging system including firing a diagnostic vector with a probe, collecting signal data based at least in part on the diagnostic vector, and processing the signal... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080021317 - Ultrasound medical imaging with robotic assistance for volume imaging: A robotic mechanism positions a volume scanning transducer at multiple acoustic windows on a patient. Ultrasound data is acquired from the windows and combined into a wide field-of-view. The robotic mechanism operates without user contact, such as for an automated full or partial torso scan of a patient. Alternatively, the... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080021320 - Inspection device for ultrasonic endoscope apparatus: An inspection device automatically performs inspections including: inspection by a power source inspecting section of a power source that supplies power from a main ultrasonic observation unit to an ultrasonic endoscope; inspection by a transmission signal inspecting section of a transmission signal Tx and a 3D drive clock from the... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20080021319 - Method of modifying data acquisition parameters of an ultrasound device: In one embodiment, the invention is a method of modifying data acquisition parameters of an ultrasound device and includes the steps of collecting at least two acoustic beams, calculating optimizations for at least one data acquisition parameter using the acoustic beams, modifying data acquisition parameters according to the optimization. In... Agent: Schox PLC

20080021318 - Ultrasonograph and ultrasonograph control method: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes: a transmitting section 14 for driving an ultrasonic probe 13 sending out an ultrasonic transmitted wave toward a tissue of an organism; a receiving section 15 for receiving an ultrasonic reflected wave, produced by getting the ultrasonic transmitted wave reflected... Agent: Mark D. Saralino (mei) Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080021321 - Contrast agent destruction or therapy event indication in ultrasound medical imaging: Destructive or therapy events are indicated in medical ultrasound imaging. Audible, visual, vibratory or other feedback is provided to the user. The feedback indicates the use of the destructive or therapy events. A characteristic of the indicator may provide further information, such as the power level or other operating condition.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080021322 - Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method: A hand-held ultrasonic imaging apparatus having an integrated display and transducer. The transducer and display are relatively configured so that an operator may look directly down at the patient and, at the same time visualize images of the patient's internal body structures on the display. The apparatus may be used... Agent: Patent Law Professionals

20080021323 - Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus having a transmission circuit which generates a transmission signal is provided. The transmission signal corresponds to a combined waveform of a trapezoidal waveform and an impulse-shaped waveform (impulse portion). In an example transmission signal, a front slope portion, a flat portion, and a rear slope portion... Agent: Westerman, Hattori, Daniels & Adrian, LLP

20080021324 - Ultrasonic examination apparatus: An ultrasonic examination apparatus in which a number of wirings for connecting a probe to an ultrasonic examination apparatus main body can be reduced, and sidelobes can be suppressed even when an ultrasonic beam is deflected. The ultrasonic examination apparatus includes: a probe having a multirow array formed by arranging... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080021326 - Automatic optimization for ultrasound medical imaging: Methods and systems are provided for automatic optimization for ultrasound medical imaging. In one approach, velocity values are unwrapped to avoid aliasing artifacts. Multi-dimensional phase unwrapping is applied to the velocity data. The unwrapped velocity information is used to optimize one or both of the velocity scale (e.g., pulse repetition... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080021325 - System and method of perivascular pressure and flow measurement: A system and method for measuring fluid flow in a conduit and pressure in a conduit is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the system and method uses an ultrasound sensor for determining volume of flow and a tonometric system for determining pressure.... Agent: Randall Reed

20080021328 - Ultrasound probe and method of manufacturing ultrasound probe: An objective is to provide a multichannel array type ultrasound probe possessing a transmission-reception separation type composite piezoelectric element, in which the operation during transmission and reception of ultrasound wave is separated, wherein a piezoelectric element for transmission possesses a ceramic material, a piezoelectric element for reception possesses a high... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, PC

20080021327 - Ultrasound stimulation devices and techniques: Ultrasound stimulation devices and related techniques are disclosed. An ultrasound transducer for generating ultrasound energy is carried by a transducer housing that seals the transducer and may also include a positioning element for positioning the transducer proximate an application area to which generated ultrasound energy is to be applied. The... Agent: Smart & Biggar P.o. Box 2999, Station D

20080021330 - Apparatus, method and optical sensor module using a tilter for body fat measurement: An apparatus, method and optical sensor module for body fat measurement includes at least one light source, a tilter to control an irradiation angle of the light source to radiate light from the light source into biological tissue at a predetermined angle, and an optical detector to detect an optical... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20080021331 - Characterization of moving objects in a stationary background: A method and system for determination and mapping the quantity of chromophores having a distinct spectrum attached to moving objects in an spectrally rich environment that may include multiple chromophores attached to stationary objects. An area of inters is imaged at different times and different wavelengths, and the spectral properties... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20080021329 - Scanned laser vein contrast enhancer: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the... Agent: Thomas A. O'rourke Bodner & O'rourke, LLP

20080021332 - Bilateral differential pulse method for measuring brain activity: A method of measuring human brain activity includes the steps of simultaneously measuring pulses at two locations on a human subject that each receives blood from a different carotid artery that feeds a respective one of left and right hemispheres of the brain of the human subject, determining pulse characteristics... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080021333 - Multiple sensor deployment: A method of measuring pressure within the human body including implanting a pressure sensing assembly having a flexible structure and first and second sensor elements having self-contained power supplies coupled to the flexible structure. Periodic data collection events are performed to collect data from the sensor elements. A data collection... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080021334 - Apparatus and methods for non-invasively measuring hemodynamic parameters: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises apparatus adapted to accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject, including an... Agent: Gazdzinski & Associates

20080021335 - Intracerebral blood flow measuring device: It is intended to standardize MCAO model and to further improve the reproducibility and reliability thereof. There is provided a probe holding device (10) which includes a probe holding member (14) for holding a blood flowmeter probe (12), and such device is used together with the blood flowmeter probe when... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.

20080021336 - Devices and methods for accelerometer-based characterization of cardiac synchrony and dyssynchrony: Systems and methods according to the invention employ an acceleration sensor to characterize the synchrony or dyssynchrony of the left ventricle. Patterns of acceleration related to myocardial contraction can be used to assess synchrony or dyssynchrony. Time-frequency transforms and coherence are derived from the acceleration. Information and numerical indices determined... Agent: Mayer & Williams PC

20080021337 - Cardiac signal display and event detection using multiresolution z-score transform: A system comprising a medical device including a processor and a Z-score transformation (ZST) module. The system also includes a display in communication with the processor. The processor is adapted to receive sensor data obtained from at least first and second sensors adapted to produce a time-varying physiologic electrical sensor... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080021338 - Electrocardiogram chart device and method thereof: An electrocardiogram (ECG) chart device and method capable of easily assisting with the diagnosis of heart disease. Hexagonal radar charts displayed on a screen act as indicators of feature values corresponding to data obtained from each of 12 electrode leads and correlated with the related portions of the heart. For... Agent: Sheridan Ross P C

20080021339 - Anesthesia monitor, capacitance nanosensors and dynamic sensor sampling method: Embodiments of nanoelectronic sensors are described, including sensors for detecting analytes such as anesthesia gases, CO2 and the like in human breath. An integrated monitor system and disposable sensor unit is described which permits a number of different anesthetic agents to be identified and monitored, as well as concurrent monitoring... Agent: O''melveny & Myers LLP Ip&t Calendar Department La-1118

20080021340 - Detection of focal epileptiform activity: The invention relates to detection of focal epileptiform activity. In order to accomplish an EEG-based mechanism that enables the detection and localization of focal epileptiform activity, a first plurality of brain wave signals is obtained from a subject and a signal-specific measure indicative of the degree of epileptiform activity is... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20080021341 - Methods and systems for facilitating clinical trials: The present invention provides methods and systems for improving clinical trials of experimental therapies. The present invention uses minimally invasive, leadless implantable devices that facilitate long term monitoring of a physiological signal (e.g., neural signals) from a patient population which may provide an indication of the effect of the experimental... Agent: Shayglenn LLP

20080021342 - Unified probabilistic framework for predicting and detecting seizure onsets in the brain and multitherapeutic device: A method and an apparatus for predicting and detecting epileptic seizure onsets within a unified multiresolution probabilistic framework, enabling a portion of the device to automatically deliver a progression of multiple therapies, ranging from benign to aggressive as the probabilities of seizure warrant. Based on novel computational intelligence algorithms, a... Agent: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC

20080021343 - Probes, systems, and methods for examining tissue according to the dielectric properties thereof: The present invention relates to probes, systems, and methods for tissue characterization by its dielectric properties, wherein a physical feature of the probe is designed to define and delimit a tissue volume, at a tissue edge, where characterization takes place. Thus, the probe for tissue-edge characterization comprises: a first inner... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080021344 - Radiant kinetic energy derived temperature(s): One aspect relates to adjusting a positional state of an individual to a physiological aspect of the individual at least partially in response to detecting a radiant kinetic energy from the individual. Another aspect relates to indicating to configure an individual at least partially in response to a determining at... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080021345 - Distinguishing different drug effects from the electroencephalogram: This disclosure provides a method of indicating a subject's reaction to different agents administered to induce anesthesia. In particular, the subject's reaction can be assessed by receiving electrical signals from first and second electrodes spatially distributed on different regions of a subject's head, and by processing the electrical signals from... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080021346 - Lancet wheel: A system for analyzing a bodily fluid is described, which contains at least one lancing element, such as a lancet, stored in a first magazine, and at least one test element with a detection area, stored in a second magazine, the detec