Surgery inventions 05/08

20080125618 - Bone-activity stimulation apparatus and method: A method of increasing bone mass throughout the body of a user. The method may include the steps of obtaining a distributor comprising a plurality of electromagnetic coils, obtaining a controller comprising a processor and a memory device, operably connected to one another, the memory device storing code executable by... Agent: Pate Pierce & Baird

20080125617 - Method of treating a severe diabetic ulcer: The present invention is directed to a specialized method of treating a severe diabetic ulcer that penetrates the subcutaneous fat layer of a patient. The method comprises the steps of: administering a treatment session to a diabetic patient having a severe diabetic ulcer, the treatment session comprising at least three... Agent: Fennemore Craig

20080125619 - Incubator with different operating states: An incubator or a thermotherapy device is provided with a reclining surface (1) and with one or more limiting walls (5, 6) above the reclining surface (1) and with openings or removed long-side side walls (2, 3) and with a foot side opening or removed foot-side side wall. Discharge channels... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, PC

20080125620 - Apparatus, system, and method for creating an individually balanceable environment of sound and light: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for therapeutic light and sound, comprising the steps of exposing a user to spectral light and laterally directed sound and adjusting the manner of exposure sufficient to elicit a desired autonomic nervous response.... Agent: Kunzler & Mckenzie

20080125622 - Cardiac wall tension relief with cell loss management: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for treating congestive heart failure. The method includes relieving wall stress on a diseased heart by an amount to decrease a rate of myocardial cell loss. Further, the method includes pharmacologically encouraging a myocardial cell gain. Cell gain may be encouraged by cell replication, cell... Agent: Faegre & Benson LLP Patent Docketing

20080125621 - Devices for minimally invasive pelvic surgery: The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, devices, and methods for treating urinary incontinence.... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080125623 - Capsule type endoscope: A capsule type endoscope which is introduced into a subject to acquire subject internal information and transmits the acquired subject internal information to the outside through the subject has a plurality of electrodes arranged on an outer peripheral surface thereof. An electrode selecting section selects two electrodes with a small... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080125624 - Medical equipment and medical equipment treatment execution counter unit: The present invention provides medical equipment and medical equipment treatment execution counter unit which presents the number of sterilization process executed to the medical equipment. The medical equipment and the medical equipment treatment execution counter unit include a sealed chamber which has an elastic film that exhibits elasticity at least... Agent: Thomas Spinelli Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser

20080125626 - Devices, systems and methods useable for treating sinusitis: Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080125625 - Endoscopic tube delivery system: An apparatus is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an endoscope comprising a first distal end portion, and a tube comprising a second distal end portion, wherein the endoscope and the tube are in a side-by-side relationship and are coupled at distal end portions of the endoscope and the... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080125627 - Method for controlling a capsule type endoscope based on detected position: A capsule-type endoscope comprising a capsule body, an image pickup element, illuminating elements, an image signal processing circuit, a memory, an image information transmitting circuit and an antenna for wireless transmission. The capsule body contains the pickup element, the illuminating elements, the processing circuit, the memory, transmitting circuit and the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080125628 - Endoscope: A bend section is disposed on an insertion section. A rotary body, on which a proximal end portion of a wire for a bend operation, which has a distal end portion connected to the bend section, is rotatably supported in a large-diameter section. Driving force transmission portion, which converts linear... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080125629 - Endoscope having auto-insufflation and exsufflation: An endoscopic imaging system for examining a patient's body cavity includes an endoscope having a distal end, a proximal end and a number of lumens therein. One or more distal gas ports are disposed at or adjacent the distal end of the endoscope and one or more proximal gas ports... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, PLLC

20080125630 - System and method for determining a location of an orthopaedic medical device: A system and method for determining a location of an orthopaedic medical device includes a controller and an array of antennas. The array of antennas includes a number of coplanar antennas and one or more additional antennas positioned non-coplanar relative to the coplanar antennas. The coplanar and non-coplanar antennas may... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080125631 - Method for measuring the rate of transepidermal water loss: s

20080125633 - Probe and display having a gas sensor assembly and surface treatment: An apparatus for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood. The apparatus includes a display module and a probe having a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and having a proximal extremity coupled to the display... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080125632 - Sensor probe and display module: An apparatus for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood. The apparatus includes a display module and a probe having a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and having a proximal extremity coupled to the display... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080125634 - Method and apparatus for identifying and treating myocardial infarction: A method and apparatus for analyzing and treating internal tissues and, in particular, tissues affected by myocardial infarct. The apparatus includes a catheterized device integrating an optical probe and treatment delivery system. The probe component includes fiber optic lines that can be used in conjunction with infrared spectroscopy to analyze... Agent: Mills & Onello LLP

20080125635 - Probe with gas permeable material surrounding a gas sensor assembly: An apparatus for use with a patient having a vessel carrying blood to ascertain characteristics of the blood. The apparatus includes a display module and a probe having a distal extremity adapted to be inserted into the vessel of the patient and having a proximal extremity coupled to the display... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080125636 - Method and apparatus for managing glucose control: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, apparatuses, and systems associated with detecting, analyzing, and/or displaying historical glucose levels and/or trends in a body.... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.C. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20080125637 - Implant equipped for nerve location and method of use: The invention describes a surgical implant that is equipped to provide neurological data during and after implantation. Neurological monitoring ensures accurate insertion of the implant with minimal disturbance of neural structures. The implant includes at least one electrically conductive region that is utilized to determine the distance from and direction... Agent: Mchale & Slavin, P.A.

20080125638 - Electrode for physiological signal measurements and method for making same: Described are an electrode and electrode catheter using thin metallic threads or wires, for example, microwires having diameters as low as 10−6 to 10−4 meters or less. The embodiments allow for the efficient mounting of at least one electrode on a catheter, resulting in the creation of a flexible ring-microelectrode... Agent: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP

20080125640 - Radiological imagery method making a zone of interest in an organ correspond to an associated part of the network: s

20080125639 - Variational approach on whole body spect/ct registration and zipping: A method and a system for implementing the method for simultaneously registering and zipping a multiple scan whole body SPECT/CT image. The method includes the steps of simultaneously registering and zipping multiple input images and re-sampling the registered images. The step of simultaneously registering and zipping multiple input images is... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125642 - Patient support apparatus: The present invention provides a patient support apparatus for use during a medical procedure. The patient support apparatus is configured to receive and support a body of a patient on a base member. The base member includes a top surface having a plurality of adjustable members, wherein each of the... Agent: Paul D. Bianco: Fleit, Kain, Gibbons, Gutman, Bongini, & Bianco P.l.

20080125641 - Seat, a chair including a seat, and a method of using a magnetic resonance imaging system including a seat: A seat, a chair, or a combination thereof can be part of or used in conjunction with an MRI system. The seat can be designed to allow for an MRI analysis without requiring insertion of a probe into a cavity of a patient. In one embodiment, the seat and chair... Agent: Larson Newman Abel Polansky & White, LLP

20080125644 - Mri imageable assembly: A marker delivery device is described which has an obturator with an elongated shaft, an inner lumen, a proximal end, and a substantially sealed distal end. One or more tissue markers are deployed within the inner lumen of the elongated shaft of the obturator. Preferably, the tissue marker(s) is disposed... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Duane Morris LLP

20080125643 - Processing and displaying dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging information: A method, system, and related computer program products for processing and displaying dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) information are described. A plurality of instances of an MRI volume of the body part acquired at a respective plurality of sample times subsequent to an administration of a tracer is processed... Agent: Brian J. Daiuto

20080125645 - Device for nuclear magnetic resonance examination of intracorporal sections of the body: Disclosed is a device for nuclear magnetic resonance examination of intracorporal sections of a person's body, the device having a coil arrangement which can be placed in immediate vicinity of an intracorporal section of the body which a stationary magnetic polarization field B0 and a radio-frequency alternating field penetrate. A... Agent: Antonelli, Terry, Stout & Kraus, LLP

20080125647 - Antenna system for monitoring of a target area: The present invention relates to an antenna system (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501) for tracking of a position of a target area (33, 133, 233, 333, 433, 533) within a body (5, 105, 205, 305, 405, 505), comprising a first antenna device (3, 103, 203, 303, 403, 503) and... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080125646 - Distortion-immune position tracking using frequency extrapolation: A method for tracking a position of an object includes generating alternating current (AC) magnetic fields at two or more frequencies in a vicinity of the object using at least one field generator. The AC fields are sensed using a field sensor associated with the object. Corresponding AC data points... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080125648 - Method of multiple instance learning and classification with correlations in object detection: A method for detecting an object within a structure includes performing tobogganing on image data to obtain one or more voxel clusters and to provide a rough indication of the structure. Each of the obtained voxel clusters is characterized as an object candidate and a set of features are determined... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125649 - Automatic object tracking in a region of interest: A medical treatment system is described having an imaging device and a patient examination table. At least one of the imaging device or the patient table has a motorized or hydraulic mechanism for moving the imaging device and the patient examination table relative to each other. A processor tracks the... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20080125650 - Pre-and intra-operative imaging of bladder cancer: The invention provides methods for visualizing and distinguishing sentinel lymph nodes and involved nodes from other lymph nodes in the vicinity of the bladder in patients undergoing cystectomy or other operations to remove bladder tumors.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080125652 - Method and system for deriving a fetal heart rate without the use of an electrocardiogram in non-3d imaging applications: A system and method are provided for determining a fetal heart rate from ultrasound imaging data in near real-time. The heart rate is determined by analyzing spatial points on ultrasound cardiac volumes and calculating the peak spectral frequency of the changes in ultrasonic characteristics of the spatial points.... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080125651 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: There are provided transmission means (1) for transmitting an ultrasonic signal from a surface of a skin of a subject toward a blood vessel (21) of the subject, reception means (3) for receiving a reflected ultrasonic echo and converting the ultrasonic echo into an electric signal to obtain the ultrasonic... Agent: Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson P.C.

20080125653 - Density and porosity measurements by ultrasound: The present invention is an apparatus, method and system for determining cancellous or cortical bone density, cortical bone thickness, bone strength, bone fracture risk, bone architecture and bone quality by acoustically coupling an ultrasound transducer to nearby skin over a bone, reflecting one or more pulses produced by the ultrasound... Agent: Chalker Flores, LLP

20080125655 - Portable ultrasound system: The present invention is directed to a portable ultrasound system to form a control panel using a touch panel, comprising: an ultrasound diagnostic unit for transmitting ultrasound signals to a target object and receiving ultrasound signals reflected from the target object to generate an ultrasound image of the target object... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080125654 - Ultrasound system: The present invention generally relates to an ultrasound system for diagnosing breast tumors without subjecting patients to pain. The ultrasound system of the present invention, comprises: a probe for transmitting ultrasound signals to a target and receiving the ultrasound signals reflected from the target, the probe being further configured to... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080125656 - Multiple ultrasound beams transmitting and receiving method and apparatus: This present application describes a multiple ultrasound beams transmitting and receiving method, comprising: transmitting a first fat beam along a first transmit line with a first transmit aperture; receiving echo of the first fat beam with a first receive aperture and forming data of a first group of receive lines;... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080125657 - Automated contrast agent augmented ultrasound therapy for thrombus treatment: Control of the sonothrombolysis treatment is automated based on feedback from ultrasound. The region to be treated may be tracked to provide ongoing treatment at the desired location. The treatment may be triggered based on detection of sufficient perfusion. The number or intensity of destructive ultrasound pulses may adapt to... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125661 - Accoustic array with a shape alloy for medical ultrasound: A memory alloy is used during manufacture of a transducer. The memory of the alloy may correct for deviations or bending during manufacture, such as a superelastic alloy returning an array to a flat state after being twisted during handling. The memory of the alloy may cause a desired change... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125659 - Helical acoustic array for medical ultrasound: An acoustic array is helical or twisted about or around an azimuth axis. For example, one end of the array has an emitting face at 0 degrees, but the other end has an emitting face at 20 degrees. The elements in between gradually transition between the different rotations. Different apertures... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125658 - Low-profile acoustic transducer assembly: A transducer assembly is presented. The transducer assembly includes an acoustic layer having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side. Furthermore, the transducer assembly includes at least one matching layer disposed on the first side of the acoustic layer. Additionally, the transducer assembly includes a dematching... Agent: General Electric Company (pcpi) C/o Fletcher Yoder

20080125660 - Method and device for transmission of wide-beam in an ultrasonic diagnostic system: A method and device for transmission of wide beam in ultrasonic diagnostic systems is disclosed. The method comprises: dividing an aperture of an ultrasonic probe into N sub-apertures; laterally dividing a focus into N sub-focuses, wherein the N sub-apertures correspond to the N sub-focuses respectively, each sub-aperture has M array... Agent: Mindray C/o Stoel Rives LLP

20080125662 - Acoustic wave device and method of manufacturing the same: A method of manufacturing an acoustic wave device includes forming a first sealing portion on a substrate having an acoustic wave element thereon so that a functional region, in which an acoustic wave oscillates, of the acoustic wave element acts as a first non-covered portion and a cutting region for... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080125663 - Pre-and intra-operative imaging of testicular torsion: The invention provides methods for visualizing perfusion or lack thereof in the spermatic cord and testicle, as well as for detecting testicular trauma. A surgical forceps adapted to facilitate such visualization is also provided.... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080125664 - Pulse wave detection apparatus: An optical pulse wave detection apparatus includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a first control unit, a second control unit, and a pulse wave detection unit. The first control unit obtains a first signal by causing the light emitting element to emit light of a first light... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20080125667 - Arrangement for recording ecg signals: The invention relates to an arrangement for recording ECG signals. The arrangement has at least three electrodes, which can be connected or are connected to an amplification unit via lines, with at least two lines having no or essentially only a minimal distance from one another at least over one... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080125665 - Implantable medical device: An implantable medical device provides for improved storage of recorded IEGMs. A sensing stage is connected to an electrode for picking up electric potentials from inside a heart, the time course of said electric potentials representing a heart signal, a control unit connected to said sensing stage is adapted to... Agent: Intellectual Property Dept. Dewitt Ross & Stevens Sc

20080125666 - Medical monitoring system: Biological data, such as human heart rate data, is acquired and processed in a non-linear manner to facilitate an assessment of the physiological state of the subject, and/or to assist in predicting incipient disorders or instability. Determinism, laminarity and recurrence measures are derived for a rolling sample of a time... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, PC

20080125668 - Blind adaptive filter extraction of fetal electrocardiogram signal estimate: A blind adaptive filter of an apparatus in an example employs a frequency domain ECG-feature vector and a time domain ECG feature vector with a maternal ECG parameter estimate and a set of candidate fetal ECG estimates that satisfy the frequency domain ECG-feature-vector, to extract a fetal ECG signal estimate... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (zps)

20080125669 - Electroencephalography based systems and methods for selecting therapies and predicting outcomes: A method and system for utilizing neurophysiologic information obtained by techniques such as quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG), electrode recordings, MRI in appropriately matching patients with therapeutic entities is disclosed. The present invention enables utilization of neurophysiologic information, notwithstanding its weak correlation with extant diagnostic schemes for mental disorders, for safer and... Agent: Medlen & Carroll, LLP

20080125670 - Method for monitoring estrus, ovulation of animals, for planning a useful fertilization time zone and a preferred fertilization time zone: Estrus and ovulation of animals and particularly sows is determined for planning of a preferred time zone of fertilization by a sensing system arranged to detect standing of the animal. Data from the sensing system is collected and analyzed using an algorithm and information that is displayed on an indicating... Agent: Ade & Company Inc.

20080125671 - System and method for preventing intraoperative fracture in cementless hip arthroplasty: A method and system for monitoring impaction of a femoral component of a hip prosthesis into a femur in which impaction data generated during the impaction of the femoral component into the femur is received from at least one measurement transducer attached to the femoral component and is normalized by... Agent: Posz Law Group, PLC

20080125672 - Low-cost hearing testing system and method of collecting user information: System and method for diagnosing hearing loss in an individual using a self-executable, interactive electronic hearing loss diagnosis apparatus including a data storage media and a media player for accessing data on the media. The diagnostic apparatus provides hearing loss diagnostic data to the individual in the form of coded... Agent: Norris Mclaughlin & Marcus, P.A.

20080125673 - Sample container with physical fill-line indicator: A collection container for collecting biological fluid specimens having an integral fill-line indicator which corresponds to a desired specimen volume is disclosed. The integral fill-line indicator may comprise a ridge that is raised from the surface of the collection container. The integral fill-line indicator may also be altered by surface... Agent: David W. Highet, Vp & ChiefIPCounsel Becton, Dickinson And Company

20080125674 - Catheter guide wire, in particular for cardiovascular interventions: The invention relates to a catheter guide wire comprising a PEEK core (e) that is provided with a coating (6). The core (4) extends in one piece from the proximal end to the distal end (3, 2) of the guide wire 81) and tapers towards the distal end (2). The... Agent: Powell Goldstein LLP

20080125675 - Device for sizing a human female breast: A device for intraoperative sizing of a human female breast during resizing and/or shaping of the breast composes: a (a) substantially hemispherical, rigid, cup-shaped foraminous body, i.e., a foraminous cup, defining a desired size and shape of the breast; and (b) a rim member to which the foraminous cup is... Agent: Jordan And Hamburg LLP

20080125676 - Methods for treating hyperopia and presbyopia via laser tunneling: A method for treating presbyopia utilizes an Erbium based, pulsed laser to sever sub-conjunctival strictures located within the scleral matrix of the eye. Introduction of treatment energy into the scleral matrix increases or facilitates an increase in accommodation, thereby mitigating the effects of presbyopia. The treatment energy can be directed... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080125677 - Methods for treating hyperopia and presbyopia via laser tunneling: A method for treating presbyopia utilizes an Erbium based, pulsed laser to sever sub-conjunctival strictures located within the scleral matrix of the eye. Introduction of treatment energy into the scleral matrix increases or facilitates an increase in accommodation, thereby mitigating the effects of presbyopia. The treatment energy can be directed... Agent: Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins LLP

20080125678 - Apparatus and method for imaging the relative motion of skeletal segments: Apparatus provided for the measurement of skeletal joint motion in a subject which comprises a passive motion device, an imaging device and a processing system incorporating a means for real time digital sampling of images of moving joints, means for recognising templates attributed to individual bones and tracking these automatically... Agent: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

20080119685 - Methods for modulating checkpoint activation through topbp1: ATR kinase is a key regulator of checkpoint responses to incompletely replicated and damaged DNA. Without this checkpoint, cells will enter mitosis prematurely, likely resulting in cell death. The invention provides methods and reagents to either block or activate the activation of the ATR kinase checkpoint, through, for example, either... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP Patent Docketing 39/41

20080119686 - Slotted plaque therapy device: A slotted plaque having a slot dimensioned (having a width and length) to permit the slotted plaque to be mounted on an organ's surface, such as an eye, in the area of a protrusion therefrom, such as the optic nerve sheath, to treat an intra-organ intraocular melanoma, such as an... Agent: William B. Gowanlock

20080119687 - Transport cable and source capsule with safe connecting construction for internally irradiating patients: A source guide apparatus for brachytherapy application, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a source capsule, a guidewire for moving the source capsule through a catheter, a mechanical connection between the guidewire and the source capsule, wherein the source guide apparatus is provided with a sleeve which is... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20080119688 - Adjustably compressive female incontinence device: An adjustable incontinence device for implantation within the body of a female and a method for implanting and using the device for controlling urinary incontinence. The device includes an elastomeric tube having an elongate inflatable balloon affixed to one end thereof and an implantable inflation port affixed to the opposing... Agent: Laura N. Tunnell

20080119689 - Rocker apparatus: A sexual aide apparatus comprising a wicker rocking chair with a simulated male member frictionally held by wicker in a front panel of the char and a method of using the apparatus.... Agent: John C. Mcmahon

20080119690 - Penile erection assisting device: A device for assisting in and maintaining an erection of the human penis is provided. The device generally comprises a flexible elongated element and an elastic elongated element mounted to and extending from each end of the flexible elongated element in order to define a loop. The device is adapted... Agent: Brouillette & Partners

20080119691 - Capsule endoscope image display controller: The present invention discloses a capsule endoscope image display controller (26) including: an image-to-image similarity calculating unit (36) that calculates, for each image included in an image sequence captured by a capsule endoscope which moves within the digestive organs, a similarity between the image and its temporally consecutive image; an... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.l.p.

20080119692 - Capsule medical apparatus: The capsule medical apparatus of the present invention including an information acquisition section that acquires information on the inside of a test subject comprises a plurality of communication electrodes that are disposed on the surface of the capsule medical apparatus and capable of communication for outputting the information acquired by... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080119693 - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose and throat: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Acclarent, Inc.

20080119694 - Catheter with omni-directional optical tip having isolated optical paths: A catheter enables real-time light measurements, for example, without limitation, diffuse reflectance, fluorescence, etc., from biological materials, such as tissue (including blood), while performing RF ablation. The catheter tip design isolates illumination and collection paths within the tip electrode such that light for illuminating the tissue of interest (e.g., cardiac... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20080119695 - Endoscope: Lead screws and nut members screwed to the respective lead screws are provided on a wire operation section for operating wires for operating a bending section in a bending manner, and a driving force generating section, a drive coupling shaft rotationally driven in a spin direction by a driving force... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080119696 - Endoscope and supportive member for bending operation of the same: An endoscope includes an insertion portion having a bendable portion; an operation portion from which the insertion portion extends; a first bending operation knob arranged on a surface of the operation portion and including depressions and first protrusions, to bend the bendable portion in a first direction when rotated; and... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080119697 - Bidirectional communication interface: A communication module is presented. The communication module includes a communication interface operationally coupled to a monitoring system and a mapping system, where the communication interface is configured to facilitate bidirectional communication of data between the monitoring system and the mapping system. A method and computer-readable medium that afford functionality... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080119698 - Systems and methods for intra-oral diagnosis: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for intra-orally diagnosing a body condition.... Agent: Brooks, Cameron & Huebsch, Pllc Suite 500

20080119699 - Method for detecting at least one substance in a metabolic process of a living being and device for carrying out the method: A method is for detecting at least one substance in a metabolic process of a living being. A molecular contrast agent is administered to the living being. The method is able to highlight the substance being detected continuously over time at least one location of the living being. A device... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080119700 - Hand and digit immobilizer for pulse oximeter: A hand and digit immobilizer is disclosed for preventing a patient from dislodging a pulse oximeter finger sensor by finger movement or fist clenching. In one form, the hand and digit immobilizer includes a glove body having a palm section and a back section defining a proximal opening for receiving... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080119701 - Analyte sensor method and apparatus: Provided herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for an analyte sensor.... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates, P.c.

20080119702 - Analyte meter having alert, alarm and test reminder capabilities and methods of use: An analyte measurement system is provided that can issue an alert or an alarm to a user when a measurement falls within a particular predetermined range. The system can also include a reminder for the user to perform additional tests at a predetermined time period after a measurement that falls... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20080119703 - Analyte sensor: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into a host's peripheral vein or artery.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080119704 - Analyte sensor: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into a host's peripheral vein or artery.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080119705 - Systems and methods for diabetes management using consumer electronic devices: The invention is embodied in a system for diabetes management including a medical device (MD) and a consumer electronic device (CED). The CED may be used to monitor and/or control the MD. In particular embodiments, the system may include a connector that plugs into the CED to allow communication between... Agent: Medtronic Minimed Inc.

20080119709 - Analyte monitoring: Methods for covering an opening in an analyte meter are provided. Also provided are methods of determining analyte concentration.... Agent: Merchant & Gould Pc

20080119706 - Analyte sensor: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into a host's peripheral vein or artery.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080119707 - Flexible patch for fluid delivery and monitoring body analytes: A wearable, conductive textile patch is provided that may include any of a number of features for monitoring body analytes and/or delivering fluids to a body. In one embodiment of the invention, a single, patch-mounted system monitors glucose levels of a diabetic person and provides appropriate doses of insulin in... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080119710 - Medical devices and methods of using the same: Medical devices having restrictive access, and methods thereof are provided.... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP

20080119708 - Method and system for providing analyte monitoring: Methods and apparatuses for determining an analyte value are disclosed.... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080119711 - Neurological probe and method of using same: A neurological probe has a plurality of stacked electrode elements, each electrode element having stimulation/lesioning and recording electrodes incorporated with a strip of electrically non-conductive substrate. Such a probe is more compact while having a large number of stimulation/lesioning and recording channels.... Agent: National Research Council Of Canada 1200 Montreal Road

20080119717 - Interactive protocoling between a radiology information system and a diagnostic system/modality: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for interactive protocoling between a healthcare information system and a diagnostic imaging system/modality. Certain embodiments provide a method for interactive protocoling between healthcare information and diagnostic imaging systems including viewing available scanning protocols for a diagnostic imaging system and associating... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080119713 - Methods and systems for enhanced plaque visualization: Methods and apparatus for coding a visual representation of one or more plaque regions in a vessel are provided. The method includes segmenting the visual representation of the vessel to identify structures associated with the vessel, classifying at least one region in the vessel as a plaque region, displaying the... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche (12553 - 1000)

20080119714 - Optimized clinical workflow method and apparatus for functional gastro-intestinal imaging: A treatment suite and method of use is described, having a digital imaging modality mounted to a first robot. A patient support apparatus mounted to a second robot. The robots cooperate to position a patient with respect to the imaging modality to obtain digital image data of an abdominal area... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20080119715 - System and method to adaptively control contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging procedure: A system and method are provided for determining individualized scan and injection protocols for contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging. Taking into account parameters specific to the scan subject, injection-related parameters, and scan parameters, the system and method can determine an optimal timing for a scan sequence to begin, to ensure that the... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (gems)

20080119712 - Systems and methods for automated image registration: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for registering a medical image including determining an initial registration based at least in part on a first image to a data set, acquiring a second image during a procedure, and determining a second registration of the second image to the... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080119716 - Determining presence and/or physiological motion of one or more subjects with quadrature doppler radar receiver systems: Systems and methods for determining presence and/or physiological motion of at least one subject using a Doppler radar system having a quadrature receiver are provided. In one example, the apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting a source signal, a quadrature receiver for receiving the source signal and a modulated source... Agent: Morrison & Foerster LLP

20080119718 - Non-invasive imaging for determination of global tissue characteristics: Evaluating tissue characteristics including identification of injured tissue or alteration of the ratios of native tissue components such as shifting the amounts of normal myocytes and fibrotic tissue in the heart, identifying increases in the amount of extracellular components or fluid (like edema or extracellular matrix proteins), or detecting infiltration... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080119721 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes an acquisition unit which acquires first data in which a tissue of interest has higher signal intensity than a background and second data in which the tissue of interest has lower signal intensity than the background, with regard to images of the same region... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080119720 - Mri method for quantification of cerebral perfusion: A method for calculating quantitative perfusion measurements using an MRI system includes a pulse sequence that acquires perfusion weighted images and additionally measures T1 values before and after the administration of a contrast agent. T1 values are measured by rapidly sampling a longitudinal relaxation curve and employed to determine the... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080119719 - Templates for assessing bone quality and methods of use thereof: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of novel bone templates that can be prepared using a comprehensive approach to observing microstructural features of bone, including trabecular thickness and trabecular density. These features are assessed in regions of interest in a bone (e.g., proximal femur, distal femur, wrist,... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080119722 - Body compression device for medical imaging: A body compression device for medical imaging of a patient includes a pad that wraps about the patient and is secured about the patient, reshaping adipose tissue of the patient to facilitate the medical imaging. Another body compression device for medical imaging includes dorsal and ventral panels, and elastic side... Agent: Lathrop & Gage Lc

20080119723 - Localizer display system and method: A system and method for dynamically generating a localizer image comprising a plurality of pixel values. First, a plurality of planar images is provided, wherein each image has a plane. A three dimensional volume is generated based on the plurality of planar images, wherein the three dimensional volume comprises a... Agent: Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, Lc Attn: Box Ip Dept.

20080119726 - Marker navigation device: A marker navigation device for determining and/or tracking a location of a marker device is provided. The marker device is attachable to an object, said marker device including a plurality of markers having known dimensions and being in a known positional relationship relative to each other. The marker navigation device... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brai)

20080119724 - Systems and methods for intraoperative implant placement analysis: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant placement analysis. Certain embodiments of a method include determining a position of an implant with respect to an implantation site, examining image data related to the implantation site surrounding the implant, and generating contact metric data based on... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080119727 - Systems and methods for three-dimensional ultrasound mapping: An automated medical system comprises a first instrument assembly including a first ultrasound transducer having a first transducer field of view that transmits and receives ultrasound signals in imaging planes disposed circumferentially about a guide instrument, and a second instrument assembly including a second ultrasound transducer having a second transducer... Agent: Vista Ip Law Group LLP

20080119725 - Systems and methods for visual verification of ct registration and feedback: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for medical navigation including determining an initial registration for a data set, determining an accuracy region, detecting a position of a tracked instrument with respect to the data set, and providing an indication to a user when the tracked instrument is... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080119728 - Method and system for superimposing three dimensional medical information on a three dimensional image: A system for video based registration between images during a skeletal medical procedure, the system includes a stereoscopic camera, a two dimensional image detector and a registration processor, the stereoscopic camera is associated with a stereoscopic coordinate system, the stereoscopic camera acquires a stereoscopic image pair of a fiducial mark,... Agent: Merchant & Gould Pc

20080119729 - Built-in balloon actuator for urological device: An improved catheter design for use in visualizing the prostate. The catheter includes an imaging balloon and a bladder retention balloon. The imaging balloon is disposed along the catheter proximate the location of the prostate. An actuator mechanism is operably connected to the imaging balloon so that the operator can... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080119730 - Portable ultrasound device: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a portable ultrasound device comprising a probe, an image acquisition part, a processor and a communication module. The probe transmits an ultrasound signal to an object and receives the ultrasound signal reflected from the object. The image acquisition part acquires image of the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080119731 - Portable ultrasound with touch screen interface: An ultrasound system for imaging an object using data received from an ultrasound transducer employs a first touch screen configured to display ultrasound images and to receive control inputs relating to the images. A second touch screen is configured as a user input device. A processor is coupled to the... Agent: Bryan W. Bockhop, Esq. Bockhop & Associates, Llc

20080119732 - Direct strain estimator for measuring elastic properties of tissue: Ultrasound data of a biological tissue is acquired in a relaxed state and a tensed state. A strain is estimated directly from the relaxed state ultrasound data and the tensed state ultrasound data by way of an imaginary part of a complex correlation function. In estimating the strain, the tensed... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080119733 - Selectably compounding and displaying breast ultrasound images: Acquiring, processing and presenting breast ultrasound information to a user is described. Breast tissue is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array to generate sonographic image information of the tissue in multiple angles using beamsteering techniques. Sonographic image information is stored in a storage system. One or more image selection buttons... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080119734 - Method, system, and computer product for automatically extracting and tracking cardiac calcifications and determining a tracking centerline: Systems, methods and computer products for automatically extracting automatically cardiac calcifications and obtaining a centerline in the tracking. Exemplary embodiments include a method of cardiac diagnostics, the method including obtaining coronary tree segmentation to obtain cardiac volume information, splitting the volume into portions to obtain an adjacency graph, computing a... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080119735 - Ultrasound imaging system and method with offset alternate-mode line: A method for generating a dedicated M beam profile which allows the user to offset the beam origin or steering angle for the cardiology application; display the M line with or without the B mode on the screen; and the M line does not use any of the same beam... Agent: Bo-in Lin

20080119736 - Heart rate demodulation of periodic movement in ultrasound data for object identification: A system and method for enhancing and displaying a target object, that generally comprises: a processor that demodulates the rate of movement of the target object to produce a demodulated signal; computes the power of the demodulated signal; creates an image sequence, based on the power of the demodulated signal,... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080119737 - Integrated nerve stimulator and ultrasound imaging device: An integrated ultrasound and nerve stimulation system, ultrasound probe and method are provided. The system may include a transcutaneous electrode adapted for external placement on a patient, a percutaneous electrode having an electrically-conducting tip adapted for percutaneous placement proximate a nerve in the patient and a control for causing a... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080119738 - Ultrasound endoscope: An ultrasound endoscope comprises an ultrasonic probe where a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmitting/receiving ultrasounds are arranged in a nearly cylindrical form, a distal rigid section which configures the tip of an endoscopic insertion tube and in which the ultrasonic probe is provided, a bending tube to which... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080119739 - Optical-acoustic imaging device: The present invention is a guide wire imaging device for vascular or non-vascular imaging utilizing optic acoustical methods, which device has a profile of less than 1 mm in diameter. The ultrasound imaging device of the invention comprises a single mode optical fiber with at least one Bragg grating, and... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080119740 - Device, system, and method for optical in-vivo analysis: Devices, systems and methods for in-vivo imaging include, for example, a separator configured to separate a light, reflected from a body lumen, into at least one separated-color light, and optionally an analyzer configured to analyze the at least one separated-color light.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080119741 - Method and apparatus for automated vascular function testing: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation.... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20080119742 - Method and device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which in an alternating manner the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device and the occlusion is released, the curve of the fluid pressure occurring in the coronary sinus after the release of the occlusion is estimated by calculation... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080119744 - Cuff structure for sphygmomanometers: A cuff structure for sphygmomanometers includes a cuff body wrapped around an airbag, and first, second and third adhesive latching surfaces arranged sequentially on the cuff body. The first adhesive latching surface is made of a single material; the second adhesive latching surface is composed of first and second adhesive... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080119743 - Method and apparatus for automated flow mediated dilation: A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction in a patient utilizing flow mediated dilation. The system includes both a non-invasive blood pressure monitor and an ultrasound system that communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer and blood pressure cuff... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20080119745 - Manually pressurized electronic sphygmomanometer: A manually pressurized electronic sphygmomanometer includes a casing, a display screen disposed on the casing and coupled to an electronic circuit, and a pressure detector in the casing. The pressure detector is coupled to an air current pipeline; the air current pipeline is sheathed onto an end of an interconnect... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080119746 - Method for detecting the myocardial state of the heart and a measuring apparatus for performing this method: m

20080119747 - Assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing based on cardiopulmonary coupling: An assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing is determined from the cardiopulmonary coupling between two physiological data series. In an embodiment, an R-R interval series is derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The normal beats from the R-R interval series are extracted to produce a normal-to-normal (NN) interval... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c.

20080119748 - Method for defining signal templates in implantable cardiac devices: Template formation methods for use in implantable cardiac rhythm management devices. In an illustrative method, a signal is captured in an implanted cardiac rhythm management device, and parameters for analysis of the captured signal are then defined. Then, in the example, additional signals can be captured and used to either... Agent: Ari Pramudji Pramudji Wendt & Tran, LLP

20080119750 - Monitoring of heart sounds: This document discusses, among other things, a system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) including an implantable heart sound sensor circuit configured to produce an electrical heart sound signal representative of a heart sound of a subject and a processor circuit. The processor circuit is coupled to the heart sound... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080119749 - Respiration-synchronized heart sound trending: Respiration-synchronized heart sound trends can be detected using an implantable medical device, including a respiration sensor, a respiration phase detector, a heart sound sensor, a heart sound detector, and a processor. The implantable medical device can also include a cardiac sensor. The respiration-synchronized heart sound trends can include heart sounds... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080119751 - Calorimetry: A calorimeter (1-7) comprising a volume sensor (11) to measure a volume of a breath, and a processing means (13) to calculate a metabolic rate from the output of the volume sensor; and wherein the calorimeter calculates a metabolic rate without means to measure the chemical constituents present in a... Agent: Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

20080119752 - Calorimetry: According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus for determining the type of fuel burnt by a user, the apparatus comprising an oxygen sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor, and wherein the oxygen sensor and the carbon dioxide sensor are operable to establish the... Agent: Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP

20080119754 - Method and arrangement for measuring breath gases of a patient: Method and arrangement for measuring breath gases of a patient in which the patient is connected to a breath gas unit by using a sampling line to enable flowing a sample of the breathing gases with a pre-determined sample flow rate to the breath gas measuring unit. The sample flow... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20080119753 - Premature infant side-stream respiratory gas monitoring sensor: A side-stream respiration monitoring sensor includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a detecting section disposed between the respective ends. The detecting section includes a first port and a second port positioned on generally opposite sides of a restricting member. The restricting member extends into a... Agent: Boyle Fredrickson S.c.

20080119755 - Device and method for evaluating a signal indicative of the respiration of a person: A device and a method for evaluating a signal that can indicate the respiration of a person, particularly suitable for examining a patient with respect to the occurrence of sleep-related breathing disturbances. In one example, a device for evaluating a signal indicative of the temporal course of the respiration of... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080119756 - Flow rate measurement apparatus: A movable member 13, whose physical change occurs corresponding to a respiration flow rate, is disposed in the pipe 11. The pipe 11 and holder section are structured to be capable of being detachable. When staring respiration with the mouth touching pipe 11, the movable member 13 bends corresponding to... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080119757 - Temperature management system with wireless patient temperature sensor: A system and method uses a wireless temperature sensor in a patient to provide feedback to a patient temperature control system for warming or cooling the patient using an external pad or indwelling catheter.... Agent: Rogitz & Associates

20080119758 - Transceiver unit in a pressure measurement system: Pressure measurement system comprising a pressure sensor wire with a pressure sensor to measure pressure inside a patient, and to provide measured pressure data to an external device. The pressure sensor wire is adapted to be connected, at its proximal end, to a transceiver unit that is adapted to wirelessly... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080119759 - Method and apparatus for aspirating bone marrow: An apparatus and method for use in aspirating bone marrow is provided. The apparatus comprises a tube which has a body with a distal end portion. The tube has a central opening at one end of a central passage extending through the tube and through which bone marrow is aspirated.... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.l.p.

20080119760 - Marker for readings taken from alternative site tests: A meter for determining the concentration of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a memory device, electrical circuitry and a detection device for distinguishing between an alternative site test and a standard site test. The memory device is adapted to store information. The electrical circuitry is adapted to determine... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20080119761 - Method and apparatus for penetrating tissue: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out... Agent: Heller Ehrman LLP

20080119762 - Guide wire: A guide wire includes a wire body, a wire distal end section at the distal side of the wire body and integrally formed in one piece with the wire body, a flat plate-shaped section provided at a distal end section of the guide wire and at the wire distal end... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20080119763 - Acquisition processing and reporting physical exercise data: The present invention discloses a system and method for acquiring, processing and reporting personal exercise data and/or concurrent with other physiological data. on selected muscle or muscle groups by measuring vector force from at least one muscle or muscle group acting on physical exercise equipment whereby applied vector force on... Agent: Walt Froloff

20080114202 - Inflatable penile prosthesis bypass valve noise reduction: An inflatable penile prosthesis includes an implantable pump having a bypass valve. The bypass valve includes a cavity having a valve seat at a port, a poppet and a spring. The poppet includes a valve member and a stem extending from the valve member. In operation, the poppet includes a... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080114199 - Ferrofluidic cooling and acoustical noise reduction in magnetic stimulators: A ferrofluid chamber has a housing that is adapted to be coupled to a component that generates a magnetic field. A ferrofluid may disposed within the housing for cooling the component via convection of the ferrofluid that is induced by the magnetic field.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114200 - Method for treating fecal incontinence: A method for treating fecal incontinence in a body of a mammal having a rectum formed by a rectal wall extending to an anus wherein the rectal wall includes a sphincter muscle surrounding the anus. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the rectal wall in the vicinity of... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Us Bank Center

20080114201 - Surgical devices for imposing a negative pressure to stabilize the cardiac tissue during surgery: The invention is devices and techniques which use a negative (suction) pressure or vacuum, applied through a surgical instrument, to fix the position of a portion of the surface of a beating heart so that a surgical procedure can be more easily performed. The devices apply a negative pressure at... Agent: Law Office Of Alan W. Cannon

20080114203 - Orientation adapter for injection tube in flexible endoscope: An endoscope adapter ring for a needleless fluid delivery system for delivering therapeutic fluids to treatment sites within a patient. The needless fluid delivery system can include an automated injector source and a needleless access device. The access device can include a delivery scope and a treatment specific applicator. The... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080114204 - Capsular endoscope: According to the present invention, a capsular endoscope having at least an image pickup optical system, an illumination unit, an image pickup portion, and a circuit board comprises a marker shooting unit that indwells a marker member in a body cavity. Consequently, a predetermined marker is indwelled in a desired... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080114205 - Endoscope apparatus: This invention uses a two-part reaction type adhesive obtained by mixing a base compound containing at least one of a bisphenol A type epoxy resin and bisphenol F type epoxy resin and 5 to 15 wt % of a fine acrylic rubber powder having an average particle size of 300... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080114206 - Irrigated cutting device: A cutting accessory for use with a powered surgical tool includes an elongated outer tube with an outer hub attached to the proximal end for releasably securing the cutting accessory within the powered tool. An elongated inner member is received within the outer tube and has an inner hub adapted... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, Plc

20080114207 - Portable endoscope: Provided herein are water-tight, portable endoscopes that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed compartment (also referred to herein as sealed canister) within the endoscope handle. The description also features water-tight, endoscope handles that include the light and power source incorporated into a sealed canister within the... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP

20080114208 - Retractor: A retractor device for spearing the body tissue apart is provided. The retractor includes a housing configured to include a plurality of sections, wherein each section is configured to accommodate placement of at least one blade, a blade holding mechanism configured to secure the at least one blade within the... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20080114209 - Surgical retractor device and related methods: A surgical retractor device. The surgical retractor device includes a frame having an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis, and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080114210 - Speculum cover: A speculum cover that is adapted to sheath the blades of a speculum, and to support lateral vaginal walls to facilitate vaginal/cervical examination during gynecological exams and surgery. The speculum cover includes top and bottom pockets for the respective blades of the speculum, and side portions having openings therein for... Agent: Intellectual Property / Technology Law

20080114213 - Biometric network exchange system: A biometric measurement device and communications infrastructure implements a system of information exchange and usage. In an embodiment of the invention, a kiosk user's cell phone is used to wirelessly connect via the machine to a call center, doctor, or emergency center. In addition, the kiosk may automatically and wirelessly... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20080114218 - Condition improvement advisor: A condition improvement advisor for monitoring a condition related to the user and improving the monitored condition. The condition improvement advisor includes a sensor unit for detecting the monitored condition and outputting data representing the user's present state when carried by the user. A present state determination circuit determines from... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.a.

20080114217 - Condition monitoring device and monitor main unit for condition monitoring device: A condition monitoring device for monitoring conditions related to a user. A monitor main unit includes a connection structure for detachably attachment to a first sensor unit. The first sensor unit includes a first connector mated with the connection structure of the monitor main unit and a second connector detachably... Agent: Patterson, Thuente, Skaar & Christensen, P.a.

20080114212 - Detecting surgical phases and/or interventions: Surgical monitoring techniques detect surgical contexts, such as induction, intubation, preparation and positioning, incision, maintenance, emergence, recovery, and/or therapy administration based on information received from a patient monitor and/or other medical equipment, which can be compared to predetermined data patterns, which can be based on heuristic or statistical classifications. With... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080114214 - Detecting time periods associated with a surgical procedure: Surgical monitoring techniques determine various time periods associated with a surgical procedure based on information received from a patient monitor. The time periods can include start and end times and be determined by comparisons with predetermined data patterns, which can be based on heuristic and/or statistical classifications, as well as... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080114216 - Method and apparatus for physiological monitoring: Blood pressure measurements are represented aurally. An audio synthesizer (15) receives a signal representative of blood pressure information, and synthesizes an audio output from the signal. Both the duration and pitch of the synthesized audio output are dependent on the value of the blood pressure information, according to a linear... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080114215 - Shape recognition of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia: Embodiments of the present invention teach the use of shape recognition methods, apparatuses, and systems to classify the shape of one or more recent glucose trends during continuous glucose monitoring and to warn the user when specific shapes or trends are identified. Using such embodiments, patients with diabetes may be... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.c. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20080114211 - System and method for assuring validity of monitoring parameter in combination with a therapeutic device: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for assuring validity of monitoring parameters in combination with a therapeutic device. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises perturbing a treatment administered to a patient, measuring at least one parameter of the patient reflecting the underlying physiological state and... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc Attn: Ip Legal

20080114223 - Gas monitoring system and method: A method and apparatus for interfacing a plurality of volumetric measurement systems, each of which includes a gas measurement and a flow measurement system, to a host system via an interface unit.... Agent: Michael W. Haas Respironics, Inc.

20080114219 - Monitoring of chronobiological rhythms for disease and drug management using one or more implantable device: The health state of a subject is automatically evaluated or predicted using at least one implantable device. In varying examples, the health state is determined by sensing or receiving information about at least one physiological process having a circadian rhythm whose presence, absence, or baseline change is associated with impending... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080114221 - Multifunction health apparatus: The present invention provides a multifunction health device, which comprises a meter and a platform. The meter has two electrodes arranged separately at its two sides, and another electrode arranged in its bottom. The platform has four electrodes arranged in its top face, and a pressure sensor arranged in its... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080114222 - Process and device for monitoring a patient: A process for monitoring a patient by a monitoring device is provided in which simplified monitoring of the patient can be carried out on the basis of a suitable selection of the parameter values and/or ranges displayed in a special manner. A suitable device (1) is provided for carrying out... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, Pc

20080114220 - Two-part patch sensor for monitoring vital signs: A two-component monitoring device and system for monitoring blood pressure from a patient is disclosed herein. The two-component monitoring device includes a disposable component and a main component. The disposable component features: i) a backing structure having a first aperture; and ii) first and second electrodes, each electrode connected to... Agent: Triage Wireless, Inc. Matthew John Banet

20080114224 - Methods and systems for acoustic data transmission: A method of communicating with an ingestible capsule includes detecting the location of the ingestible capsule, focusing a multi-sensor acoustic array on the ingestible capsule, and communicating an acoustic information exchange with the ingestible capsule via the multi-sensor acoustic array. The ingestible capsule includes a sensor that receives a stimulus... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c.

20080114225 - Device, system and method for in vivo analysis: Devices, systems and method for in vivo analysis. For example, an in vivo device includes: a reaction chamber to store a detecting reagent able to react with a sample collected in vivo; and optionally a labeled-substance chamber to store a labeled substance able to bind to at least a portion... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080114226 - Systems and methods for user interface and identification in a medical device: There are provided systems and methods for user interface and identification in a medical device. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method for controlling a medical device, the method comprising receiving a gesture, processing the received gesture, comparing the processed gesture to a gesture database comprising a... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc Attn: Ip Legal

20080114227 - Analysis device for in vivo determination of an analyte in a patient's body: An analysis device for in vivo determination of an analyte in a patient's body, comprising a transdermal measurement probe (2) adapted to be introduced through the skin surface (4) into the body, with a probe head (6) including an electro-chemical analysis sensor (7) with two measurement electrodes (25, 26, 27),... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080114228 - Method of manufacturing an auto-calibrating sensor: The invention concerns a sensor that, when exposed to a fluid, develops a measurable characteristic that is a function of the level of an analyte in the fluid and of a calibration quantity of the sensor. A calibration quantity is some physical, chemical or other inherent property that the sensor... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080114229 - Microprocessor based glucose monitoring system: A self-care blood glucose monitoring module for coupling with a separately-portable microprocessor-based unit, comprising (a) a portable blood glucose monitoring module operating in conjunction with the separately-portable microprocessor-based unit for sensing a blood glucose level and producing a data signal representative of the blood glucose level, (b) signal processing circuitry... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20080114230 - Electrode support: Electrode supports configured to provide a foundation for a segmented electrode on a flexible lead structure are provided. Also provided are electrode structures, leads that include the same, implantable pulse generators that include the leads, as well as systems and kits having components thereof, and methods of making and using... Agent: Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP (proteus Biomedical, Inc)

20080114231 - Power scheme for implant stimulators on the human or animal body: A power scheme for an implant on a human or animal body comprises: a charging circuit to provide power to deliver controlled stimulation currents to a body tissue; a capacitive storage arrangement connected with the charging circuit and charged by the charging circuit; a shunting arrangement to limit voltage on... Agent: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.

20080114232 - Ergometry belt: An ergometry belt particularly for use in ergometry (ECG stress test) is disclosed. The ergometry belt—according to the present invention—made of a flexible and stretchable material, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the ergometry belt so that stretching of the belt will locate the electrodes in predetermined locations, a plurality... Agent: Lowe Hauptman Ham & Berner, LLP

20080114233 - Brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods: This document discusses, among other things, brain stimulation models, systems, devices, and methods, such as for deep brain stimulation (DBS) or other electrical stimulation. A model computes a volume of influence region for a simulated electrical stimulation using certain stimulation parameters, such as amplitude, pulsewidth, frequency, pulse morphology, electrode contact... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080114234 - Method, apparatus and user interface for determining an arterial input function used for calculating hemodynamic parameters: A graphical user interface and method allows a user to interactively select an arterial input function. An anatomical image and time-course data corresponding to a selected region of interest are displayed simultaneously. The time-course data is displayed as an array of graphs, annotated with best-fit curves and parameters derived from... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080114235 - System and method for simultaneous 3dpr device tracking and imaging under mr-guidance for therapeutic endovascular interventions: A system and method of both tracking a medical device and generating an image in real time from the same set of radial data. A multi-mode medical device system having tracking, imaging, and visualizing capabilities is coupled to an MR scanner and multiple-echo VIPR acquisition sequence is applied to simultaneously... Agent: Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

20080114236 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging method: A apparatus includes an acquisition unit to acquire magnetic resonance data in every data group, a unit to control the acquisition unit to collect the data for one or a plurality of data groups during a collection period which is set based on a starting time phase of a cardiac... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080114237 - Device and method for synchronizing magnetic resonance unit with the cardiac rhythm of a patient: The invention relates to a device for synchronizing a magnetic resonance unit with the cardiac rhythm of a patient, comprising a number of electrodes for leading off electrocardiogram signals from the body of the patient and an evaluation unit for determining a characteristic trigger time within a cardiac rhythm period... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080114238 - Systems and methods for automated tracker-driven image selection: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for automated tracker-driven image selection. The method includes determining a location of a tracked device and automatically sorting an image set based at least in part on the location of the tracked device.... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080114239 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114240 - Ultrasonic diagnostic device and a method of controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic device: A signal-analysis portion executes a signal-analysis process to signal data that corresponds to an ultrasonic echo received from a subject. A determining portion determines whether image data regarding the subject, which is created based on the signal data upon which said signal-analysis process has been executed, includes a diagnostic target.... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080114241 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114244 - Ulstrasound diagnostic apparatus and volume data processing method: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus capable of extracting an object tissue within a living body with high precision is provided. A row of reference cross sections is set with regard to volume data. The row of reference cross sections includes a plurality of manual tracing reference cross sections and the remaining... Agent: Westerman, Hattori, Daniels & Adrian, LLP

20080114243 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic method, and image processing program for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic method, and an image processing program for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. An image reconstruction unit converts B-mode image data and doppler mode image data into volume data with the common coordinate axes. A calculation unit calculates the estimated... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080114242 - Ultrasonic imaging technique for differentiating the distribution of scatterers within a tissue: An ultrasonic imaging technique for differentiating the distribution of scatterers within a tissue comprises a correcting and an imaging procedure. The correcting procedure includes steps of obtaining ultrasonic backscattered signals from a standard phantom, compensating and demodulating the signals into an envelope image, calculating the parameter m and m, selecting... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080114245 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114246 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114247 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114248 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114249 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114250 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114251 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114252 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114253 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114254 - Intravascular ultrasound imaging device: An optic fiber adapted for ultrasound imaging of the lumen of a vessel comprising: an inner core for transmitting light having an index of refraction that changes responsive to acoustic energy incident thereon; a ring core concentric with the inner core for transmitting light; a cladding material between the inner... Agent: Martin D Moynihan Prtsi Inc

20080114255 - Transducer array imaging system: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080114256 - Cardiac force sensor and methods of use: A method and apparatus permit sensing one or more forces exerted by one or more portions of a heart. A force transducer and displacement sensor are disclosed. A movement of one or more portions of a heart can be translated into one or more signals indicative of force. These signals... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080114257 - Reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram based upon an endocardial electrogram: The reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram based upon an endocardial electrogram. This method includes: (a) acquisition (10) of a plurality of endocardial electrogram signals (EGM) through a plurality of endocardial derivations defined based upon endocardial electrodes; (b) calculation (12), by combining the endocardial electrogram (EGM) signals acquired at step (a),... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Ip Prosecution Department

20080114258 - Method and apparatus for arrhythmia classification using atrial signal mapping: An implantable medical device senses a plurality of electrograms from substantially different atrial locations, detects regional depolarizations from the electrograms, and analyzes timing relationships among the regional depolarizations. The timing relationships provide a basis for effective therapy control and/or prognosis of certain cardiac disorders. In one embodiment, an atrial activation... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080114259 - Reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram based upon an endocardial electrogram: The reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram based upon an endocardial electrogram. This method includes: (a) acquisition (10) of a plurality of endocardial electrogram signals (EGM) through a plurality of endocardial derivations defined based upon endocardial electrodes; (b) calculation (12), by combining the endocardial electrogram (EGM) signals acquired at step (a),... Agent: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Ip Prosecution Department

20080114260 - Techniques for prediction and monitoring of coughing-manifested clinical episodes: A method is provided for predicting an onset of a clinical episode, the method including sensing breathing of a subject, determining at least one breathing pattern of the subject responsively to the sensed breathing, comparing the breathing pattern with a baseline breathing pattern, and predicting the onset of the episode... Agent: Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti Pc

20080114261 - System and method for the automatic detection of the expiratory flow limitation: The present invention refers to a system and a method for the automatic detection of the expiratory flow limitation of a subject. In an embodiment thereof the system for the automatic detection of expiratory flow limitation of a subject comprises: means for determining the respiratory impedance of said subject composes... Agent: King & Schickli, Pllc

20080114262 - Method and device for determining a volume related to the lungs of a patient: A device is directly or indirectly connectable to a patient for determining a volume related to the lungs of the patient. The device has an inspiration part through which a breathing gas passes towards the patient, and an expiration part through which the breathing gas passes away from the patient.... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080114263 - Dream detection system: A dream detection system includes a mask and a control unit. The mask includes opaque eye portions and at least one sensor for detecting REM sleep. The mask may include an alarm for indicating REM sleep, a speaker, and a transmitter. The control unit includes a receiver and transmitter for... Agent: Harshaw Research, Inc.

20080114264 - Biopsy device with variable side aperture: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device may include an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, a side tissue port communicating with the cutter lumen, and at least one fluid passageway... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, Llc

20080114265 - Double core biopsy instrumentation kit: A biopsy needle for collecting tissue samples includes a needle having a first cavity adapted for accepting a first sample core, the needle having a second cavity adapted for accepting a second sample core and a sheath with a single slot or opening and positioned coaxially with the needle. The... Agent: Wilson Daniel Swayze, Jr.

20080114266 - Inner-body sound monitor and storage: A system, apparatus and method are described for recording, processing, measuring and transmitting electrical data relating to audible signals originating from within a human body. Acoustic signals originating from a human body are detected by a hand-held device that converts these acoustic signals into corresponding electrical signals. Within the housing... Agent: North Weber & Baugh LLP

20080114267 - Systems and methods for implant distance measurement: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080114268 - Cervical dilation measurement apparatus: The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the... Agent: Christopher & Weisberg, P.a.

20080114269 - System and method for foot assessment: A method for assessing displacement of the talus relative to an axis of the foot and lower leg, which includes marking the anatomy of a test subject to enable tracking of the movement of the talus relative to the axis, and aligning the foot in a first position, and observing... Agent: Ganz Law, P.c.

20080114270 - Apparatus and method for monitoring the position of an orthopaedic prosthesis: A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopaedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080114272 - Control system for prosthetic knee: The invention relates to an automated speed-adaptive and patient-adaptive control scheme and system for a knee prosthesis. The control scheme and system utilizes sensory information measured local to the prosthesis to automatically adjust stance and swing phase knee resistances to a particular wearer under a wide variety of locomotory activities.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080114271 - Method of neuromuscular calibration: Assessing a patient to select an articulated body part to be calibrated and repeatedly moving the body part slowly back and forth through a selected path while yielding applying a low level restrictive force to movement in at least one direction along the path.... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080108858 - Device for sterilizing virus or bacteria by using radioisotope gas: An apparatus for sterilizing a blood vessel in a patient's inner skin includes a generator for providing gaseous radioisotope and a chamber adapted to exposure of a portion of a patient's body to the gaseous radioisotopes. When a patient is contacted with gaseous radioisotopes, alpha and beta particles are emitted... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.c.

20080108859 - Expandable brachytherapy device with constant radiation source spacing: A brachytherapy device may include an expandable outer cage, an expandable inner cage positioned within the outer cage and configured to receive radioactive material at its perimeter, and a movable actuator configured to cause the outer and inner cages to expand simultaneously in response to movement of the actuator between... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP Suite 3400

20080108860 - Methods and apparatus for magnetic manipulation or retrieval: Apparatus and methods for minimally invasive stabilization, manipulation and/or removal of body cavities or organs in the body through the skin or natural body orifices. A magnet is delivered into an organ, the position of the organ is stabilized with an opposing magnetic retrieval device positioned outside the organ, and... Agent: Scott Evans

20080108861 - Treatment for female incontinence: The present invention provides for a device and method for the treatment of female urinary incontinence (UI). The disclosed device has a unique and novel shape that supports the urethra and absorbs any leakage. The device is placed through the female labia into the lower part of the female vagina... Agent: Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, P.L.C

20080108863 - Woman's heating device for heightening sexual experience during coitus: A method for enhancing sexual encounter of a woman during coitus includes heating a heat transfer pack that radiates heat; thereafter, warming the labia and clitoris of the woman by positioning the heat transfer pack in the pelvic region of a woman so that the heat transfer pack radiates heat... Agent: Tillman Wright, Pllc

20080108864 - Penis retractor for use in surgical or other medical procedures: A penis retractor for use in retracting a patient's penis from an area of the patient's anatomy includes a tether forming a penis engaging loop together with one or more attachment pads which are secured to the patient's upper abdomen. In some embodiments, a cooperating abdominal belt encircles the patient's... Agent: Roy A. Ekstrand

20080108862 - Implantable device: An implantable device comprising: a stepper motor; a moveable member, moveable by the stepper motor; and an oscillator, wherein the oscillator is influenced by a signal derived from or supplied to the stepper motor to enable information on the moveable member to be fedback to an external controller by passive... Agent: Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP

20080108865 - Capsule type endoscope: A capsule type endoscope that is introduced into a subject, acquires information of the inside of the subject, and transmits the information of the inside of the subject to the outside of the subject has a plurality of transmitting electrodes arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the capsule type... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080108866 - Control method for capsule endoscope with memory storage device: The object of the present invention is to reveal how to control the operation of a capsule endoscope that has a memory storage device. The capsule endoscope is swallowed through the mouth to start the photographic inspection. During the process of operating the capsule endoscope, the built-in wireless receiving module... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080108868 - Device, system and method of in-vivo electro-stimulation: An autonomous in-vivo device (140) includes: an in-vivo electro-stimulation unit (190, 192) to electro-stimulate at least a portion of a body lumen; and an imager (146) to acquire in-vivo images.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080108867 - Devices and methods for ultrasonic imaging and ablation: Devices (i.e., catheters and guidewires) for, and methods of, ultrasonic imaging and ablation. In one embodiment, a device includes: (1) a fiber-optic bundle configured to carry laser light for ultrasonic imaging, each fiber of the fiber-optic bundle having a reflective layer oriented at an acute angle with respect thereto at... Agent: Hitt Gaines P.c.

20080108869 - Optical surgical device and methods of use: An optical device includes a shaft, a handle and a camera assembly. The handle is coupled to the shaft at a first end, and the camera assembly is coupled to the shaft at a second end. Camera circuitry and software may be provided in the shaft and the handle, so... Agent: Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo

20080108870 - Apparatus and method for stabilizing an image from an endoscopic camera: A video camera unit used with an endoscope is provided with sensors sensing an ambient field to detect rotation of the camera unit about an axis causing rotation of an image generated from the output signal of the camera unit. This output signal is modified to produce a stabilized video... Agent: Norman Friedland

20080108871 - Vacuum stabilized overtube for endoscopic surgery: An apparatus is provided, including: an overtube having an elongate portion, a distal end, and a proximal end, said overtube defining an instrument lumen extending from the proximal end through the elongate portion to the distal end to permit passage of an instrument; and a suction passage having a proximal... Agent: Patent Dept Intuitive Surgical, Inc

20080108872 - Array system and method for locating an in vivo signal source: A system and method for localizing an in vivo signal source using a wearable antenna array having at least two antenna elements. The signal is received and a signal strength is measured at two or more antenna elements. An estimated coordinate set is derived from the signal strength measurements.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080108873 - System and method for the automated zooming of a surgical camera: A system and method for automatically reconfiguring the magnification or zoom level of a surgical camera based upon the detection of a surgical instrument or defined anatomical feature. Utilizing image analysis algorithms, the video images generated by the surgical camera are analyzed for the presence of defined patterns, colors, motion... Agent: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.c.

20080108874 - System and method for endoscopic treatment of tissue: An improved ligating system with a ligating barrel having an adjustable diameter for use with endoscopes of varying sizes is disclosed. The adjustable diameter may be provided by a collet, a flexible helical band, a plurality of screws, or a tapered elastomeric section.... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20080108875 - Portal device: A portal device maintains an opening in the skin of a patient to allow for the passage of surgical device therethrough. Tabs disposed at one end of the portal device may be used to resist removal of the device, retract soft tissue from the operative site, and seal the opening... Agent: Hayes, Soloway P.c.

20080108876 - Superelastic/shape memory tissue stabilizers and surgical instruments: A surgical instrument is used for temporary use in a medical procedure in a mammalian body. The surgical instrument is configured to be changed between two shapes upon application of one or both of heating and cooling. The instrument includes a first member, a second member having a surface configured... Agent: William Douglas Hare

20080108877 - Disposable expandable cordless lighted retractor: A hand-held, surgical instrument to manipulate a patient's tissues having a grip, a first blade, a second blade, a blade actuator, at least one blade rib, a light, and a power source. The first blade and the second blade each extend from the base end of the grip. The second... Agent: Cislo & Thomas LLP

20080108878 - Apparatus for temporarily engaging body tissue: An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm to an associated retractor... Agent: Daniel W. Latham Medtronic, Inc.

20080108879 - Eyelid retractor: A device to retract the eyelids for ophthalmic surgery or other procedures by contacting the inner surfaces of the upper and lower eyelids with a frame that applies point contact to the tissue in at least three non-linear locations across the upper lid. The upper and lower retractor frames are... Agent: Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

20080108881 - Apparatus for aggregating individuals based on association variables: An apparatus for aggregating individuals based on variables associated with a type of headache is described. The apparatus may include at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module. The program module may be stored in the memory and may be configured or configurable to... Agent: Steven Stupp

20080108880 - Wireless transmission apparatus for transmitting physiological parameters and method thereof: A wireless transmission apparatus includes a processing unit, a pushbutton for producing a press signal, a memory unit for storing an identification code, a wireless transmission unit, and a connecting unit connected to a portable detector for receiving a physiological parameter measured by the portable detector. If the connecting unit... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080108883 - Method and apparatus for assessing proprioceptive function: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for assessing proprioception in a subject. One embodiment of an apparatus of the invention comprises two articulating members attachable to a pair of limbs of a subject, and provides data relating to geometry and/or location and/or motion of each limb in 2-... Agent: Parteq Research & Development Innovations

20080108882 - Method of assessing breastfeeding: The invention includes methods of assessing the health of a breastfeeding relationship that include clinical assessment in four categories. A first assessment involves a determination of maternal and infant contentment. A second assessment involves a determination of comfort. A third assessment involves a determination of milk production. A fourth assessment... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080108884 - Modular patient monitor: A modular patient monitor has a docking station configured to accept a handheld monitor. The docking station has standalone patient monitoring functionality with respect to a first set of parameters. At least some of the first parameter set are displayed simultaneously on a full-sized screen integrated with the docking station.... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080108885 - Optical-based sensing devices: An optical-based sensor for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte using both indicator and reference channels. The sensor has a sensor body with a source of radiation embedded therein. Radiation emitted by the source interacts with indicator membrane indicator molecules proximate the surface of the body. At least... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.c.

20080108886 - Source and detector sensor arrangement: A device has various arrangements of source and detector sensors. In specific implementations, the device has at least four structures, one source and three detectors, two sources and two detectors, and other arrangement variations. In a specific implementation, between a source structure and a detector structure, there are not any... Agent: Aka Chan LLP

20080108887 - Continuous spectroscopic measurement of total hemoglobin: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20080108888 - Diabetes care management system: A diabetes care management system for managing blood glucose levels associated with diabetes comprising a computing device and an insulin delivery device. The computing device generally includes (i) a memory comprising one or more optimal blood glucose values, one or more self care values of a patient, one or more... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20080108889 - Bio-monitoring apparatus: A bio-monitoring apparatus is disclosed in the present invention which is characterized in that a bio-sensing electrode without a stud member or male portion of a snap fastener is directly integrated with a signal processing module through a conductive layer formed therebetween so as to form the bio-monitoring apparatus functions... Agent: Wpat, Pc

20080108890 - Physiological data measuring apparatus and measuring strip: A physiological data measuring apparatus and a measuring strip are disclosed. The apparatus includes a measuring body and a measuring strip. The measuring body reads, displays and records a physiological signal. The measuring strip has a containing space for accommodating the measuring body and includes conducting metals for measuring and... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080108891 - Method and arrangement for controlling a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus: In a method, system, and a computer-readable medium being a data structure for remote control of an MR scanner for execution of a corresponding measurement, all method steps for controlling or for preparation of the MR scanner are executed on a controller that is independent of the real scanner. A... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080108892 - Method and device for surface scanning of a patient: The invention relates to a method for the surface scanning of a patient, arranged on a patient's couch of a medical diagnostic device, with the following steps: Radiation of a light beam from a positioning light source onto the patient, detection of the light beam on the patient by an... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080108893 - System and method for automated alignment of leg volumes in whole-body magnetic resonance scans: A method and system for automatically aligning multiple MR volumes in whole-body MR scans is disclosed. The method and system are capable of automatic alignment of leg-volumes in whole-body MR scans that is insensitive to leg movement. In order to align upper and lower MR volumes, an automatic determination may... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080108894 - Methods and systems of analyzing clinical parameters and methods of producing visual images: Methods of analyzing non-clinical parameters, methods of analyzing clinical parameters, methods of producing visual images, systems of analyzing non-clinical parameters, systems of analyzing clinical parameters, systems of producing visual images, systems of producing reports, reports based on imaging modality information, and displays based on imaging modality information, are disclosed.... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080108895 - Method and system for defining at least one acquisition and processing parameter in a tomosynthesis system: A method and system for defining at least one of a plurality of acquisition and processing parameters in a tomosynthesis imaging system are disclosed herein. The method involves providing a user interface that allows a user to quickly and easily specify at least one desired characteristic of a reconstructed image.... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080108896 - Powerhead of a power injection system: A contrast media injection system detects the absolute position of the syringe ram using a non-contact sensor. A series of magnets and Hall-Effect sensors may be used or an opto-reflective system. Illuminated knobs that are connected to the drive mechanism for the syringe ram rotate with the drive and provide... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP

20080108897 - Apparatus and method for securing a suture: The present invention provides a method of securing a suture. The method includes providing a retainer having first and second sections. The first section has a central post, and the second section has a central bore dimensioned to receive the central post. The method also includes moving a suture through... Agent: Paul D. Bianco: Fleit, Kain, Gibbons, Gutman, Bongini, & Bianco P.l.

20080108898 - Method for producing model of fibrous structure of fibrous tissue: A method for producing models of fibrous structure of fibrous tissue comprises obtaining a sequence of two-dimensional ultrasound images along the fibrous tissue. A three-dimensional model of an external portion of the fibrous tissue is created using the two-dimensional ultrasound images. Selected fibrous structure data is segmented from the two-dimensional... Agent: Ogilvy Renault LLP

20080108899 - Hand-held ultrasound system with single integrated circuit back-end: An ultrasound system comprises a front-end and a back-end. The front-end acquires ultrasound data indicative of a subject and comprises a probe, transmitter, receiver and beamformer. The probe has a plurality of transducer elements which are driven by the transmitter to transmit ultrasonic signals into the subject. The receiver detects... Agent: Dean D. Small The Small Patent Law Group LLP

20080108901 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and catheter tip part detection method: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes plural ultrasonic transducers, a catheter signal detection unit and a position detection unit. The plural ultrasonic transducers are arrayed two-dimensionally for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object. The catheter signal detection unit is configured to acquire a reception signal of a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080108900 - Ultrasound transducer apparatus: An ultrasound transducer apparatus for shaping the ultrasound coverage field per application requirement in both the radiating and receiving mode of operation. Wave coverage field is shaped by forming at least one cut at designated location on the housing wall. A cut on the housing wall of the transducer pot-shaped... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080108902 - Ultrasound catheter having protective feature against breakage: An ultrasound catheter has an elongate flexible catheter body having a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, and an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the lumen of the catheter body. The ultrasound transmission member has a proximal end that is coupled to a separate ultrasound generating device, and a distal tip... Agent: Raymond Sun Law Offices Of Raymond Sun

20080108903 - Portable respiration monitoring and feedback system: A respiration feedback monitoring and feedback system, and in particular, an apparatus and corresponding method for monitoring and controlling respiration activity of a user that encompasses a respiration monitor sized and configured to be worn by the user. The respiration activity of the user is measured with components including a... Agent: Nir Ben-oved

20080108904 - Implant for securing a sensor in a vessel: The present invention provides an implantation system for delivering and securing a sensor in a patient's pulmonary artery. In general, the implantation system includes a pulse generator, a catheter, and a sensor coupled to the distal end of the catheter. The sensor is wireless and is adapted to communicate with... Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Boston Scientific Patent Dock

20080108905 - System for sensing, diagnosing and treating physiological conditions and methods: One method for diagnosing a cardiovascular-related condition in a breathing person comprises interfacing a valve system to the person's airway. The valve system is configured to decrease or prevent respiratory gas flow to the person's lungs during at least a portion of an inhalation event. The person is permitted to... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080108906 - Method for calculating and analyzing heart rhythm: A method for calculating the heart rhythm includes: measuring a plurality of electrical heartbeat signals; evaluating the electrical heartbeat signals on the basis of a Fourier transformation to calculate a frequency spectrum of the electrical heartbeat signals, wherein at least a characteristic frequency presents within a frequency range of the... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080108907 - Detection of pleural effusion using transthoracic impedance: This patent document discusses systems, devices, and methods for increasing a sensitivity or specificity of thoracic fluid detection in a subject and differentiating between pleural effusion and pulmonary edema. In one example, a thoracic impedance measurement circuit senses a thoracic impedance signal. In another example, a processor receives the thoracic... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth, P.a.

20080108908 - Assessment of neural function: Assessment of one of the sensory nervous systems of a human subject using patterns of null and non-null stimuli. Parts of the visual system for example, are presented with two simultaneous sequences of stimuli. Each sequence is varied over time between a null stimulus and one or more less frequent... Agent: Wood, Phillips, Katz, Clark & Mortimer

20080108909 - Prediction of clinical outcome using large array surface myoelectric potentials: Methods and systems are provided for non-invasively predicting the outcome of facet nerve block procedures on patients experiencing lower back pain. A sensor array is configured to capture a set of large array surface electromyographic (LASE) data from a patient. A feature extractor computes at least one value representing the... Agent: Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino L.l.p.

20080108910 - Method and device for the extraction of a body fluid: The present invention provides a method and a device for piercing a body part and determining whether a sufficient volume of blood has been withdrawn. A lancing element is rapidly inserted into a body part in a forward phase and retracted quickly to a lesser puncturing depth. Subsequently, the lancing... Agent: Bose Mckinney & Evans LLP

20080108911 - Device for guiding or exchanging medical implements and medical exchange wire system: A medical guidewire system for guiding thereon a medical implement includes an end effector, an actuation guidewire having a distal end permanently connected to the end effector, and a control assembly. The assembly has a handle, a shaft receiving the guidewire. The shaft has a proximal end permanently connected to... Agent: Mayback & Hoffman, P.a.

20080108912 - System and method for measurement of clinical parameters of the knee for use during knee replacement surgery: A system and method for measuring biomechanical parameters of a knee prior to total knee replacement (TKR) surgery includes a plurality of microsensors removably attached to the femur, tibia and patella; at least one sensor communicating with the plurality of microsensors; a navigation system coupled to the at least one... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080108913 - Smart apparatus for gait monitoring and fall prevention: Provided is a system for monitoring gait. More particularly, the system comprises: one or more pressure sensors; an algorithm which compares the data from the pressure sensor(s) to a stability profile, and provides a feedback value; means for communicating the feedback value; and a power source. Also provided is a... Agent: Greenlee Winner And Sullivan P C

20080103349 - Therapeutic benefits of magnetic essential oil use: The use of essential oils and biocompatible magnets is described. The combination of these two treatments can result in weight loss experiences, reduced stress and other wellness feelings and experiences. Placing small powerful magnets on various places on the body and essential oils onto the body effects that improve wellness... Agent: Victoria Richards

20080103350 - Method and morphologically adaptable apparatus for altering the charge distribution upon living membranes with functional stabilization of the membrane physical electrical integrity: A method and morphologically adaptable apparatus for altering the charge distribution upon living membranes with functional stabilization of the membrane physical electrical integrity further comprising a method for using quadripolar, circular, center charged, energy balanced magnetic device in a four (4) magnet array of alternating polarity in which the magnetic... Agent: Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

20080103351 - Pelvic health implants and methods: Surgical articles, implants and components suitable for female pelvic health procedures are described.... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080103352 - Implantable medical devices having recesses: In general, the invention is directed to devices and methods that are useful for surface preparation of implantable medical devices. In the case of a vascular graft, the invention presents devices and methods that enhance endothelial cell seeding by providing recesses in the luminal surface that can receive endothelial cells.... Agent: Haugen Law Firm

20080103353 - Implantable malleable penile prosthetic device: A prosthetic device comprises stacked column segments. A first one of the column segments comprises a ball surface facing along a column axis. The ball surface has a generally convex shape that is articulable in a mating socket of a second one of the column segments. The first one of... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080103356 - Capsule medical apparatus: The capsule medical apparatus of the present invention is disposed in a test subject and acquires information on the inside of the test subject. The capsule medical apparatus comprises a plurality of communication electrodes that are disposed on the surface of the capsule medical apparatus and capable of communication for... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080103354 - Monitering apparatus for laparoscopice surgery and display method thereof: A monitor apparatus for a laparoscopic surgery rotates images captured by a laparoscope as an endoscope and displayed on monitors for the laparoscopic surgery clockwise or counter-clockwise according to commands for rotating the images by surgeons who use image rotation manipulation parts such that the images of surgical devices displayed... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080103355 - Autofluorescent imaging and target ablation: Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.... Agent: Searete LLC Clarence T. Tegreene

20080103357 - Attachment apparatus for an endoscope: An endoscopic attachment apparatus for coupling an endoscope with an endoscopic instrument includes an attachment ring having a ring body with first and second apertures respectively shaped and dimensioned for the receipt of an endoscope and an endoscopic instrument. The attachment ring includes an annular body defining the first aperture... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman LLC

20080103358 - Endoscope system: An endoscope system has an driving-section for driving an insertion-section having an instrument. The driving-section is supported by a pivoting section rotatively. The driving-section has two rollers facing each other. The insertion-section is disposed between the rollers. The insertion-section is extended or retracted by rotating the rollers if the rollers... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080103359 - Capsule-type endoscopic system with real-time image display: The present invention relates to a capsule-type endoscopic system with real-time image display, which includes a capsule-type endoscope and a display apparatus. The capsule-type endoscope extracts an endoscopic image inside of a human body, produces endoscopic image data, and transmits the endoscopic image data to the display apparatus. The display... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080103360 - Endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity and movable in a predetermined direction, and method of moving the endoscopic device in the body cavity: In an endoscopic device insertable into a body cavity attachable elements are moved over one another to move forwardly of each other and to leave each other behind, and to move along different paths so as not to be attached to the same areas of a wall of the body... Agent: Ilya Zborovsky

20080103361 - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat: Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with... Agent: Steptoe & Johnson - Acclarent, Inc.

20080103362 - Programmable brake control system for use in a medical device: A system and method for providing programmable brake control in a fly-by-wire medical instrument system are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a brake control system that includes a brake control algorithm that provides temporal and spatial control of the motion of a medical instrument.... Agent: Klarquist Sparkman, L.L.P. Michael P. Girard

20080103363 - Device, system, and method for programmable in vivo imaging: Some embodiments of the present invention may relate to devices, systems, and methods for programmable in vivo imaging, for example, a programmable in vivo imager (46), and a method and system for using the programmable in-vivo imager.... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080103364 - Apparatus for orotracheal intubation: This invention provides a laryngoscope blade, wherein the blade comprises a tube having an opening along one side. This invention further provides a laryngoscope blade comprising at its front portion a first surface for lifting the epiglottis of a patient and a second surface for fixing the portion of the... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080103365 - Vessel retractor: A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an... Agent: Fenwick & West LLP

20080103366 - Atraumatic tissue retraction device: Methods and apparatus for a surgical retractor include a ring, a plurality of flexible straps connected to the ring, a patch of hook or loop material connected to each strap, a coordinating patch of hook or loop material connectable to the patient's skin or the surgical drape. The flexible straps... Agent: Gregory Smith & Associates

20080103367 - Eye positioner: Self-contained eye positioner having an annular vacuum ring composed of a channeled support ring and an overmolded flexible sealing ring having an attached rigid hollow tube secured to a syringe by use of an attachment fixture. The syringe, which also functions as a handle, provides a vacuum source, the vacuum... Agent: Hugh D Jaeger, P.A.

20080103371 - Interactive method for facilitating patient compliance during a healthcare protocol: A health care insurance plan, healthcare professional, or other entity may recognize that a patient or member is not in compliance with a treatment protocol, best practices, or guidelines. Entities may desire to communicate this fact along with an action needed to be performed to comply with the protocol, and,... Agent: Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP

20080103368 - Methods, devices, and computer program products for detecting syndromes: A method of detecting syndromes can include receiving, at a mobile personal medical device, a measurement of a parameter associated with a body and comparing, at the mobile personal medical device, the measurement of the parameter to stored data associated the body to provide a syndrome associated with the body.... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A.

20080103369 - System and method for a lifestyle management system: An apparatus, method, and system for the design, administration and implementation of a lifestyle management program. The lifestyle management system maximizes contact and enrollment rates of traditional lifestyle management. This is accomplished through the creation of a system that combines telephonic-delivered lifestyle management (i.e. traditional lifestyle management) with work-site based... Agent: Morgan & Finnegan, L.L.P.

20080103370 - Systems and methods for medical data interchange activation: A method according to an aspect of the present invention includes activating a first device in response to an event, receiving data through a wired connection from a medical device by the first device, transmitting the data to a second device by the first device, and transmitting the data from... Agent: Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP

20080103372 - Power-supply starter apparatus for capsule-type medical device, start method of capsule-type medical device, and stop method of power supply for capsule-type medical device: A power-supply starter apparatus for a capsule-type medical device that includes a container case internally retaining a capsule-type medical device having at least a intra-subject information acquiring unit and a power switch for switching power supply to each unit including the intra-subject information acquiring unit, and a starter that has... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, PC

20080103373 - Method and apparatus to compensate for melanin and hemoglobin variation in determination of a measure of a glycation end-product or disease state using tissue fluorescence: A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual is disclosed. A portion of the skin of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20080103374 - Analyzer and cartridge for extracting analyte: An analyzer (a blood glucose meter), which shows minor measurement errors even in the case of conducting the extraction and detection of an analyte in parallel, can be obtained. This blood glucose meter (100) comprises a sensor unit (26) having a measurement face (26a) to which glucose extracted from a... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20080103375 - Patient monitor user interface: A patient monitor is configured as a handheld device including a color display, a plurality of user activated soft keys adjacent the color display and a plurality of icons provided on the color display proximate and corresponding to the soft keys. The color display has multiple modes that provide multiple... Agent: Law Office Of Glenn R. Smith

20080103376 - Microelectronic biosensor plug: A plug capable of providing information relating to a physical or chemical property of a body fluid, or the presence or amount of a molecular component therein in a living organism is disclosed. Specifically, one embodiment plug is capable of being inserted into a portion of a human eyelid in... Agent: Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik

20080103377 - System for performing diabetes self-care: A system for performing diabetes self-care using at least two devices in communication with one another, comprising (a) a blood glucose monitoring device, including (i) a receptacle for receiving an amount of blood sufficient for the monitoring device to run a blood glucose test sequence, (ii) processing circuitry for controlling... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20080103378 - Device for assessing perfusion failure in a patient by measurement of blood flow: A device is provided for assessing impairment of blood circulation in a patient, such as that in perfusion failure, by measurement of blood flow adjacent a mucosal surface accessible by a mouth or nose and connecting with the gastrointestinal tract or upper respiratory/digestive tract of a patient. The device includes... Agent: Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP

20080103380 - Diabetes care management system: A diabetes care management system for managing blood glucose levels associated with diabetes comprising a computing device and an insulin delivery device. The computing device generally includes (i) a memory comprising one or more optimal blood glucose values, one or more self care values of a patient, one or more... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20080103379 - Diabetes management system: A diabetes management system, comprising a glucose meter measuring blood glucose level data and a portable microprocessor-based unit in communication with the blood glucose meter such as to be capable of accessing the blood glucose level data. Input data corresponding to the blood glucose level data is used in a... Agent: Health Hero Network, Inc.

20080103381 - Method for measuring intraocular pressure: An intraocular pressure is measured by an apparatus, which includes a probe supported in the case, one coil (50) around the probe for giving the probe a specific velocity in order to bring the probe in contact with the surface of the eye, and another coil (60) for performing measurement... Agent: Fasth Law Offices (rolf Fasth)

20080103382 - Image display apparatus: An object of the present invention is to realize an image display apparatus which is capable of realizing a real-time display of an image based on a radio signal, and of coping with a case where a viewer such as a doctor overlooks an image. The image display apparatus includes... Agent: Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser, P.C.

20080103383 - Selective mr imaging of segmented anatomy: A system and method for performing an MRI or MRS scan that is optimized for a particular target structure. A prescan is conducted during a first session in which an image that is optimized for segmentation is acquired along with an alignment scout image or a 2D or 3D navigator... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080103384 - Medical instrument and device for creating sectional tissue images: A medical instrument for introduction into the body of a living being is provided. The instrument including a first signal line and is connected for signal transmission to a signal detection device for generating sectional tissue images. Additionally, the instrument includes a second signal line for detection of fluorescence light.... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080103385 - Method and system for liver lobe segmentation and pre-operative surgical planning: A method and system is provided for image segmentation for liver objects. Segmentation is performed to obtain a first set of objects relating to liver. More than one types in association with one of the first set of objects are identified. Landmarks are identified based on the segmented first set... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080103386 - Method for generation of an image in contrast agent-supported mr angiography and magnetic resonance apparatus: In a method and apparatus for generation of an image in contrast agent-supported magnetic resonance angiography, a first data set is generated during an arterial phase of a distribution of a contrast agent in a vessel system by scanning of a first central k-space region, a second data set is... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080103387 - Breast cancer detection and biopsy:

20080103388 - Medical examination and/or treatment apparatus: There is described a medical examination and/or treatment apparatus with an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field for navigating a medical instrument and an x-ray device having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector attached to a bracket for visual control during the navigation, with the x-ray source and the... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080103389 - Method and system for automatic analysis of blood vessel structures to identify pathologies: A method of identifying a calcium and/or a soft plaque deposit in a blood vessel using imaging data of the blood vessel is provided. A first threshold is applied to a slice of three-dimensional imaging data of a blood vessel to define voxels above the first threshold. A maximum intensity... Agent: Foley & Lardner LLP

20080103390 - Apparatus and methods for fluorescence guided surgery: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for quantifying fluorescent distribution within a surgery site of a patient in an operating room, wherein the surgery site has been exposed for a surgery procedure. Excitation light is provided at each of a plurality of positions at the surgery site in a method embodiment.... Agent: Beyer Weaver LLP

20080103391 - Tomography by emission of positrons (pet) system: Tomography by emission of positrons (pet) system dedicated to examinations of human body parts such as the breast, axilla, head, neck, liver, heart, lungs, prostate region and other body extremities which is composed of at least two detecting plates (detector heads) with dimensions that are optimized for the breast, axilla... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20080103393 - Method and apparatus to produce ultrasonic images using multiple apertures: A combination of an ultrasonic scanner and an omnidirectional receive transducer for producing a two-dimensional image from the echoes received by the single omnidirectional transducer is described. Two-dimensional images with different noise components can be constructed from the echoes received by additional transducers. These can be combined to produce images... Agent: Stainbrook & Stainbrook, LLP

20080103392 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes: a transmitting section, which drives a probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject; a receiving section, which receives an ultrasonic echo, produced by getting the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject, through the probe, thereby generating a received... Agent: Mark D. Saralino (mei) Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080103394 - Phase inversion ultrasonic imaging: degrees providing for constructive interference of the kth order harmonic pulse, while an amplitude modulation of each transmit profile is constant between sets. These sets of pulses are transmitted into media of interest and received echoes from these pulses are combined to form an averaged signal. The averaged pulses represent... Agent: Carr & Ferrell LLP

20080103395 - Array type ultrasound probe, manufacturing method and driving method of array type ultrasound probe: An multi-channel array type ultrasound probe (search unit) disposed at least one-dimensionally, having: a plurality of sheet-shaped piezoelectric elements as transmission reception separation type complex piezoelectric element, wherein a material configuring a transmission piezoelectric element of the complex type piezoelectric element has an elastic coefficient of 10 Gpa to 100... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, PC

20080103396 - Method and apparatus for determination of a measure of a glycation end-product or disease state using tissue fluorescence: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus suitable for determining properties of in vivo tissue from spectral information collected from the tissue. An illumination system provides light at a plurality of broadband ranges, which are communicated to an optical probe. The optical probe receives light from the illumination system... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq.

20080103397 - System and method for deep vein thrombosis prevention and diagnosis: A system and method prevents and diagnoses deep vein thrombosis in a body limb by providing a pressure sleeve having a plurality of individually fillable cells, the pressure sleeve being configurable to be placed around a body limb. A source fills each fillable cell individually, and a pressure sensor measures... Agent: Gauthier & Connors, LLP

20080103398 - Pulse taking and spectral analysis and display instrument: A pulse taking and spectral analysis and display instrument comprises a movable device, a sensing device, a signal processing device, and a computer. The position of the sensing device in the Z-axis, Y-axis and X-axis directions can be adjusted by the moveable device, thus improving the degree of sensitivity and... Agent: Dr. Banger Shia

20080103399 - System and method for systolic interval analysis: A system and method provide for systolic interval analysis. In an example, an implantable device measures a cardiac impedance signal. A transformation of the cardiac impedance interval is generated. The device also measures a heart sound signal. A time interval between a point on the transformed signal of the cardiac... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080103400 - Method and apparatus for locating the fossa ovalis and performing transseptal puncture: A method of identifying the fossa ovalis in a patient by positioning one or more electrodes against the tissue of the interatrial septum of the patient and acquiring unipolar and/or bipolar electrograms of the tissue of the interatrial septum while moving the electrodes to a plurality of positions against the... Agent: Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP

20080103401 - Form parameter forecaster for analyzing signals distorted by noise: Waveform analysis is used to identify and distinguish components of a sensed input signal, such as P-wave and Far Field R-wave signal components present in a sensed cardiac signal, even when the components are so closely spaced in time that the overlap to create a distorted input signal. A set... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103403 - Method and system for diagnosis of cardiac diseases utilizing neural networks: The present invention is directed to a method for diagnosing silent and/or symptomatic cardiac diseases in human patients, based on extracting and analyzing hidden factors or a combination of hidden and known factors of ECG signals. The diagnosis method employs rest-ECG signals of a group of diagnosed patients, the group... Agent: Alston & Bird LLP

20080103402 - Motion detection system for an external defibrillator: A medical device capable of analyzing a patient's ECG, such as an external defibrillator, may be operated according to a method including the steps of: (a) determining if the patient is undergoing motion; (b) if it is determined that the patient is undergoing motion, providing an indication of patient motion;... Agent: Mary Y. Redman Medtronic, Inc.

20080103404 - System and method for arrhythmia discrimination with atrial-ventricular dissociation: Ventricular arrhythmias are monitored and classified based upon various criteria. One criterion is PR dissociation which is determined by comparing the PR interval in a current RR cycle to a median PR value. If the current PR interval varies too far from the median, then dissociation is indicated. Often, there... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080103405 - Wireless, internet-based, medical diagnostic system: A system for monitoring a patient, including: a body-worn monitor having an electrical sensor that measures an electrical waveform from the patient and a wireless transmitter configured to receive the electrical waveform and transmit it over a wireless interface; a computer-based system configured to receive the electrical waveform from the... Agent: Wilmerhale/boston

20080103406 - Integrated system for managing patients with heart failure: An external heart sound sensor externally detects at least one heart sound from a patient, which information is used to automatically adjust one or more cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or other control parameters of an implantable medical device, such as an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. An external telemetry circuit... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.

20080103407 - Obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices, systems and methods: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080103408 - Continuous intra-abdominal pressure monitoring urinary catheter with optional core temperature sensor: A device structured to generate an input signal to a monitor (201) to visually indicate a value for one or more physiological state variables measured by one or more transducers (203) associated with a medical patient. Preferred embodiments include a pressure transducer (195) placed in fluid communication with the patient's... Agent: Trask Britt

20080103409 - Methodology for developing a new approach for visual information cognition: A system and method defining a new approach to visual information cognition, and methodology for teaching individuals to use this information to attain vision and increase brain usage by bypassing the sensory organs typically used like eyesight for processing this information. The system and method enables individuals to develop a... Agent: Cooper & Dunham, LLP

20080103410 - Biopsy collection device: A method and device for removing tissue from a patient during a biopsy procedure utilizing a biopsy collection device are provided. The biopsy collection device includes a body portion configured for attachment to an endoscope and a receptacle portion configured to retain a portion of tissue removed from a target... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione/chicago/cook

20080103411 - Device for biopsy of tumors: A device and method of use for securing and coring of tumors within the body during a biopsy of the tumor, specifically breast tumors. An adhesion probe for securing the tumor is described. The probe secures the tumor by piercing the tumor and providing a coolant to the distal tip... Agent: Crockett & Crockett

20080103412 - Removing tissue: Tissue can be removed from a patient with a catheter or other medical device having a cutting member. A source of suction can be coupled to the device for suctioning removed tissue through a lumen in the device and out of the patient's body.... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080103413 - Method for operating a biopsy device: A biopsy device is provided. The biopsy device can include a cutter which is advanced through a first portion of its stroke by a differential fluid pressure acting on a piston. A mechanical drive can be used to translate and rotate the cutter during tissue severing.... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080103414 - Absorbent article containing lateral flow assay device: An absorbent article that contains a lateral flow assay device for testing a bodily fluid, such as urine, blood, mucous, saliva, etc., is provided. The lateral flow assay device includes a chromatographic medium (e.g., porous membrane) that defines a detection zone that provides a signal indicative of the presence or... Agent: Dority & Manning, P.A.

20080103415 - Tape transport lance sampler: A lancet-sampler system is configured to automatically remove a protective cover from a lancet and automatically unpack a test pad just prior to use. This minimizes the risk of injury and reduces the chance of cross-contamination between the lancet and the test pad. The lancet defines a capillary groove for... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080103416 - Method of preventing nerve damage positional injury during surgery: A method of preventing nerve damage positional injury during surgery includes providing a nerve damage positional injury pressure monitoring system including a site sensor with a transducer in the form of a transducer element and a ring extending outward from the transducer element, and a monitor connected to the site... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP