Surgery inventions 06/08

20080154085 - Method for adaptive radiation treatment of breast tissue surrounding a cancer resection cavity of arbitrary shape: Radiation treatment methods for breast cancer following resection, both intraoperative and post operative, involve mapping preferably using an electronic x-ray source, and can include rotation of a direction source. By using a very rapid, near-instantaneous method of pathology of tissue margins following resection, the invention carries out intraoperative radiation treatment,... Agent: Thomas M. Freiburger

20080154086 - Implantable radiotherapy/brachytherapy radiation detecting apparatus and method: An interstitial brachytherapy apparatus and method for delivering and monitoring radioactive emissions delivered to tissue surrounding a resected tissue cavity. The brachytherapy device including a catheter body member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer spatial volume disposed proximate to the distal end of the body member.... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080154087 - Bioabsorbable casing for surgical sling assembly: The invention provides a surgical sling assembly for implanting in tissue to provide anatomical support in a patient The surgical sling assembly includes a sling and a biocompatible casing enclosing at least a portion of the sling. The biocompatible casing is absorbed by the patient's tissues after the surgical sling... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080154088 - Method and apparatus for creating a pathway in an animal: A method and apparatus for safer and more effective deep trans-cervical intra-uterine artificial insemination (AI) is provided. Such a deep AI catheter causes minimal discomfort and risk of trauma, and does not require the services of a highly trained AI professional. First, a catheter is inserted into the cervical tract... Agent: Lawrence N. Ginsberg

20080154089 - Electronic bending endoscope device and endoscope supporting device: The present invention provides an electric bending endoscope device which has an endoscope supporting device. The endoscope supporting device is provided with an electric bending unit and an insertion portion detachably configured in a state that an electric bending endoscope is always supported to improve an efficiency of an operation... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080154091 - Device for surgical procedures: A surgical treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes an outer sheath, extending from a base portion subject to an operator's hand to the tip subject to insertion into a body cavity, that is provided with a working channel through which a treatment instrument can be passed; an image... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080154090 - Endoscopic system for in-vivo procedures: An endoscopic system for in-vivo tissue characterization, using a nonirradiative electromagnetic sensor, is described. The endoscopic system is further configured to employ several follow-up procedures, for example, biopsy sampling, localized surgery, dispensing a medicament, and the like, so that on the whole, the endoscopic system provides for the early detection... Agent: Martin D Moynihan Prtsi Inc

20080154092 - Capsule type endoscope with embedded memory: The present invention relates to a capsule type endoscope with embedded memory. More specifically, the present invention relates to a capsule type endoscope with embedded memory, which is equipped with flash memory and does not need a transmitter for wireless communication or a receiver, to reduce power consumption of the... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080154093 - Capsule type endoscope with an insertion tube: Disclosed is a capsule type endoscope with an insertion tube, which is capable of improving diagnosis and treatment of a patient's disease by attaching manipulation wires, an electric power line, and a signal line to a conventional capsule type endoscope. A specific embodiment of the present invention comprises and is... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20080154094 - Insertion part of endoscope, endoscope with insertion part, and forming method of fixing structure for bending portion of insertion part of endoscope: A vending portion between the distal end of a flexible tube portion and a tip portion in an insertion part of an endoscope includes a tubular vending structure, a rubber tube having both end portions covering the distal end neighboring region of the outer surface of the tube portion and... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080154095 - Dual pump arthroscopic irrigation/aspiration system with outflow control: A dual pump irrigation/aspiration pump system capable of operating in a plurality of different modes suitable for a variety of different endoscopic surgical procedures. The system monitors actual or calculated intra-articular pressure and adjusts flow to maintain surgeon requested pressure at the surgical site while controlling outflow. The irrigation/aspiration pump... Agent: Gene Warzecha Linvatec Corporation

20080154096 - Light-source driver for portable endoscope: A light-source driver for a light-source unit detachable from an endoscope body of a portable endoscope is provided. The light-source driver comprises a step-up controller, a first switch, and a second switch. The step-up controller supplies stepped-up voltage from a power source to a light source. The first switch's status... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20080154097 - Method for retracting tissue during surgery: A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the... Agent: Gordon & Jacobson, P.c.

20080154098 - Apparatus for monitoring physiological, activity, and environmental data: The invention relates to an earpiece form factor including technology to monitor physiological, activity and environmental data on a user. The device includes a pulse oximeter unit to provide blood oxygenation level and beat-to-beat timing, a three-axis accelerometer to provide orientation and activity level, and a temperature sensor to provide... Agent: Intel Corporation C/o Darby & Darby P.c.

20080154099 - Health monitoring system and method: A system for ongoing collection, transmission, storage, analysis, and presentation of physiological and other personal data from individuals is provided. The information is collected through a communications network from sources such as physiological sensors, existing databases, keyboard/keypad/mouse input, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and web interfaces. Storage of information is... Agent: Welsh & Katz, Ltd

20080154100 - Patient monitoring apparatus for determining a parameter representing an intrathoracic volume compartment of a patient: A patient monitoring apparatus determines a parameter representing an intrathoracic volume compartment, such as extravascular lung water, and normalizes the determined parameter on the basis of input biometric data, such as body height, using an algorithm selected from a plurality of algorithms depending on a category a patient is allocated... Agent: Collard & Roe, P.c.

20080154101 - Implantable biosensor and methods of use thereof: Disclosed herein is an analyte sensing device capable of continuously monitoring metabolic levels of a plurality of analytes. The device comprises an external unit, which, for example, could be worn around the wrist like a wristwatch or could be incorporated into a cell phone or PDA device, and an implantable... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080154102 - Intraoperative imaging methods: Described are methods for intraoperative imaging of anatomical structures using fluorescent compounds, e.g., compounds that fluoresce in the invisible light (IL) region of the spectrum, i.e., above 670 nm. An exemplary compound is methylene blue.... Agent: Fish & Richardson Pc

20080154103 - Pulse signal drive circuit: A pulse signal drive circuit includes an energy storage device. A source of energy supplies a substantially constant flow of energy to the energy storage device. A switch circuit draws repetitive pulses of substantially constant energy from the energy storage device to generate corresponding pulse drive signals.... Agent: Jack Schwartz & Associates

20080154104 - Multi-wavelength physiological monitor: A physiological monitor for determining blood oxygen saturation of a medical patient includes a sensor, a signal processor and a display. The sensor includes at least three light emitting diodes. Each light emitting diode is adapted to emit light of a different wavelength. The sensor also includes a detector, where... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080154105 - Electronic signal filtering system suitable for medical device and other usage: A switched filter signal processing system includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal conveying first signal information in a first time phase and second signal information in a different second time phase. Desired information represents the difference between the first and second signal information. A multiplexed switch filter... Agent: Jack Schwartz & Associates

20080154106 - Method of analyzing for at least disease or condition marker: A method of using a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system to analyze for a disease or condition includes creating a diffusion channel in an area of skin. The diffusion channel is maintained for a desired duration. The level of the disease marker(s) is continuously monitored for the desired duration via a diffusion-based,... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20080154107 - Device, systems, methods and tools for continuous glucose monitoring: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for continuous glucose monitoring of a patient. In one aspect a glucose monitor includes a plurality of substantially cylindrical tissue piercing elements adapted to pierce the stratum corneum and enter the epidermis, allowing for the diffusion of glucose from the interstitial fluid into... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080154108 - Method of measuring bleeding volume: A method of measuring blood clotting ability of a patient. A known volume of blood is dispensed on a reference disc of blotter paper, such that at least one reference blotch is formed on the reference disc. The surface area of the reference blotch formed on the reference disc, such... Agent: Stetina Brunda Garred & Brucker

20080154109 - Pelvic catheter for cervical measurement: The present invention relates to a catheter and a control unit for providing visual images, measurements, and for performing gynecological procedures. The catheter has a tip with a light and at least one sensor. The catheter is connected to the control unit and the control unit converts the signal from... Agent: Michael I Kroll

20080154110 - Electrode array: A sensor array apparatus for monitoring medical signals includes a flexible substrate adapted for positioning relative to the torso of a patient. The flexible substrate includes a central segment defining a central axis and is adapted to generally conform to an area extending along the sternum of a patient. The... Agent: Kendall (cdfs)

20080154111 - Method, system and device for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes: The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and devices for sleep stage determination using frontal electrodes. Certain embodiments relate to a system for sleep stage determination comprising a sensing unit and a processing unit. The sensing unit is positioned over a forehead area of a patient and has first,... Agent: Bereskin And Parr

20080154112 - Hair-grasping eeg electrode, applicator, and method for application: Disclosed herein is a hair-grasping EEG electrode and an insertion tool for placement of the electrode on the scalp. The electrode has a novel two-piece clamping design formed of cooperating halves that capture and tension the hair, pulling the electrode snuggly against the scalp before locking together to anchor the... Agent: Royal W. Craig Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver

20080154113 - Apparatus and method for positioning electrodes on the body: An apparatus includes a fitting device and an actuator movably coupled to the fitting device. The fitting device is configured to be disposed about a portion of a body. An inner surface of the fitting device has an attachment portion configured to removably couple an electrode to the inner surface... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20080154114 - Device and method for intra-ocular pressure measurement: A device and method are presented for use in non-invasive measurement of a patient's intra-ocular pressure (IOP). The device comprises a probe unit comprising a flexible membrane which is to be brought into contact with a patient's eyelid thereby enabling a contacting region of the membrane to match a shape... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.c.

20080154118 - Atlas and methods for segmentation and alignment of anatomical data: The present invention provides an atlas comprising values representative of magnetic resonance properties of a magnetic resonance (MR) scan and optionally, prior probability data relating to tissue type. Further embodiments of the invention involve a system including an MR scanner and the atlas for use in alignment of an MR... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP

20080154115 - Magnetic resonance imaging method: A novel magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus is described wherein an image is derived from sub-sampled magnetic resonance signals and on the basis of the spatial sensitivity profile of each receiving antenna. A sequence of RF-pulses and gradients is applied, which sequence corresponds to a set of trajectories containing... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080154117 - Magnetic resonance method and apparatus for acquisition of image data of a vessel wall: In a magnetic resonance method and apparatus for acquisition of an image for examination of a vessel wall variation, a vessel wall section of a patient to be examined is positioned in an imaging volume of the magnetic resonance apparatus, image data of the vessel wall section are acquired with... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080154116 - Method and apparatus for obtaining electrocardiogram (ecg) signals: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus for obtaining an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Embodiments can separate a true ECG signal from one or more signals due to electric fields caused by moving electrical charges. In a specific embodiment, an ECG signal can be separated from one... Agent: Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik A Professional Association

20080154119 - Method to correct magnetic field/phase variations in proton resonance frequency shift thermometry in magnetic resonance imaging: It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the... Agent: Kraguljac & Kalnay

20080154120 - Systems and methods for intraoperative measurements on navigated placements of implants: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for intraoperative implant measurement. Certain embodiments of a method include noting a location of a first implant, noting a location of a second implant, measuring a distance between the first and second implants based on the location of the first implant and the location... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080154121 - Magnetic resonance imaging: A magnetic resonance imaging method involves detection of a series of trigger events and acquisition of successive segments of magnetic resonance signals from respective segments of k-space. The occurrence of the next trigger event is predicted, e.g. by way of a running average, on the basis of the detected series... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080154123 - Automated image interpretation with transducer position or orientation sensing for medical ultrasound: Automated image interpretation is provided with transducer position and/or orientation sensing. The current position of a transducer is used to determine the anatomy being imaged. Other reference information, such as (1) the previous position of the transducer and the known anatomy being imaged at that time or (2) a reference... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080154125 - Marker navigation system for detecting and displaying the location of marker means: A marker navigation system for detecting and displaying locations of at least two reference devices, each reference device attachable to a corresponding object includes a detection device for detecting signals emitted from the at least two reference devices, a display device for displaying the locations of the at least two... Agent: Don W. Bulson (brai)

20080154124 - Model based positioning system: The present invention relates to a model based positioning system 10; 90 that comprises a positioning device 11; 31 having at least one transmitter configured to be in a tracking environment, e.g. inserted into a body 1, a receiver 13 having a plurality of receiver elements 14 arranged outside the... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080154122 - System and method to enhance visualization of an object in a vascular vessel: An imaging system of an object in an imaged subject is provided. The imaging system includes an image detector and a guidewire in support of a pair of markers. The imaging system also includes a controller in communication with the image detector. The controller includes a processor in communication to... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080154126 - High performance imaging system for diffuse optical tomography and associated method of use: A high performance imaging system for diffuse optical tomography is disclosed. A dense grid utilizing sources, e.g., light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), that achieve high performance at high speed with a high dynamic range and low inter-channel crosstalk are complemented by a system of discrete, isolated receivers, e.g., avalanche photodiodes (“APDs”).... Agent: Thompson Coburn LLP Attn: Richard E. Haferkamp

20080154128 - Hemoglobin contrast in magneto-motive optical doppler tomography, optical coherence tomography, and ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus: Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the use of optical coherence tomography for detection of cells.... Agent: Rosenbaum & Associates, P.c.

20080154127 - Method and system for registering a bone of a patient with a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system: A method and system for registering a bone of a patient with a computer assisted orthopaedic surgery system includes retrieving an image of the bone having indicia of the position of a magnetic source coupled thereto, determining first data indicative of the position of the magnetic source in a bone... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080154129 - Organ anastomosis marker, marker positioning apparatus and transendoscopic gastrojejunal anastomosis procedure: An organ anastomosis marker is provided with a plurality of marker portions, a connecting member and a string-like member. The marker portions are formed with an elastic member that reflects ultrasound waves. The marker portions are circular in the no-load state. The connecting member connects the plurality of marker portions... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080154130 - Imaging an object of interest: An apparatus for imaging an object of interest (401, 402), the apparatus comprising an ultrasound device (404) adapted to emit ultrasonic waves (405) of at least two different frequencies onto the object of interest (401, 402), and an electromagnetic radiation detector (406) adapted to detect electromagnetic fluorescence radiation (407) emitted... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080154131 - Methods for enhancement of visibility of ablation regions: A method for imaging during ablation procedures using ultrasound imaging is provided. The method includes obtaining input image data about an ablation region, wherein the image data comprises back scatter intensity, and applying a dynamic gain curve based on the image data to obtain an output signal for use in... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080154132 - Methods for enhancement of visibility of ablation regions: The present invention relates to monitoring the focus of a therapeutic transducer in an interactive real-time manner by turning off the ultrasound transmits of the imaging transducer but continuing to receive in all directions with an imaging probe in order to identify the therapeutic beam focus. The therapeutic focused beam... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080154133 - Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for acquiring ultrasound data: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe configured to transmit toward and receive from a three-dimensional region of a subject, a transmitting and receiving unit configured to acquire ultrasound data by a plurality of executions of multibeam forming, comprising forming a plurality of sets of ultrasound data along a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080154134 - Ultrasonic doppler diagnosis device: First to third interpolation processing circuits are configured by a data identifying unit, a data converting unit, a data interpolating unit, a data reconverting unit and four switches SW1 to SW4. After the data identifying unit determines a value of velocity data, the data converting unit, the data interpolating unit... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080154135 - Ultrasonic probe for intra-cavity diagnosis and manufacturing method thereof: A diagnostic ultrasonic probe for use in body cavities has at its tip an ultrasonic transducer array, which has a layered structure wherein a flexible circuit board, an electric circuit, a backing material, a piezoelectric element array, an acoustic impedance matching layer and an acoustic lens are formed atop another... Agent: Sughrue Mion, Pllc

20080154136 - Visualization of a catheter viewed under ultrasound imaging: A catheter for use in a patient's body lumen, having a shaft section configured to minimize ultrasonic image artifacts and the direct ultrasonic image brightness of the shaft surface and its internal components, and to produce its image at a wide range of imaging angles, preferably with an intensity not... Agent: Fulwider Patton, LLP (abbott)

20080154137 - Method, system, and computer product for separating coronary lumen, coronary vessel wall and calcified plaque in an intravascular ultrasound view: Systems, methods and computer products for display of the inside of the coronary artery as an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) view with separation of the lumen of the coronary, the wall of the vessel and calcified plaque. Exemplary embodiments include a cardiac volume rendering method, including obtaining intravascular ultrasound views of... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080154138 - Methods and apparatus for a remote, noninvasive technique to detect core body temperature in a subject via thermal imaging: An approach to noninvasively, remotely and accurately detect core body temperature in a warm-blooded subject, human or animal, via thermal imaging. Preferred features such as the use of in-frame temperature references, specific anatomical target regions and a physiological heat transfer model help the present invention to overcome pitfalls inherent with... Agent: David B. Kagan Kagan Binder, Pllc

20080154139 - Rate adaptive cardiac pacing systems and methods: The invention relates to cardiac rhythm management systems, and more particularly, to rate adaptive cardiac pacing systems and methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing rate-adaptive cardiac pacing therapy from an implantable medical device, the method including sensing a pulmonary function of a patient; determining a... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.l.c.

20080154140 - Carotid pulse measurement device: A carotid pulse measurement device provided for measuring carotid pulse of a user's neck includes a band, an artery-pressing air cell, an inflating/deflating device, and a pressure detection unit. The band functions to surround the user's neck. The air cell is arranged in the band and is fluidly connected to... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080154141 - Intravascular flow sensor: Disclosed herein, among other things, are intravascular flow sensors and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an intravascular flow sensor including a strain gauge and a positioning element configured to be expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. In an embodiment, the invention includes an intravascular... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.l.c.

20080154142 - Heart cluster state machine simulating the heart: Heart cluster state machine simulating the heart and the circulatory system of an individual, achieved by fusions of finite heart muscle cell state machines to form a ΔV-pump state machine defined by boundary conditions of the heart muscle cell state machines and of the ΔV-pump state machine. The cluster state... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080154143 - Method and system for electrocardiogram evaluation: A method for evaluating an electrocardiogram is disclosed herein. The method includes measuring an electrical activity of a patient, processing the measured electrical activity to form a multi-lead signal, and extracting a segment of the multi-lead signal. The method for evaluating an electrocardiogram also includes transforming the segment of the... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080154144 - Systems and methods for cardiac contractility analysis: A method and system of cardiac contractility analysis is provided. Cardiac contractility may include indices such as ejection fraction (EF) and rate of change in pressure (dP/dt) in a heart. Heart sounds may be measured and calibrated by attenuation. Likewise, a first acoustic peak in the first heart sound (S1),... Agent: Kang Lim

20080154145 - Method and apparatus for determining conditions of biological tissues: The present invention relates to a method of determining characteristics of biological tissues in humans and animals. In particular, it relates to determining the characteristics of tissues such as the lungs and airways by introducing a sound to the tissue, and recording the sound. The invention further includes an apparatus... Agent: Ladas & Parry LLP

20080154147 - Apparatus and method for testing of neurosensory response: An apparatus including a handheld computing device including a user interface, sensing electronics electrically connected to the handheld computing device, a housing configured to house the sensing electronics and support the handheld computing device, where the housing may further be configured to enable a user to access the user interface... Agent: Patton Boggs, LLP

20080154148 - Method and apparatus for operating terminal by using brain waves: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for operating a terminal by using brain waves. The method includes receiving a current brain wave of a terminal user; finding the existence of data matched to the received current brain wave among previously constructed database having reduced data sizes of brain waves... Agent: The Farrell Law Firm, P.c.

20080154146 - System and method for managing neurosensory test information: A device for determining the sensitivity of nerve function includes a first flexible beam and a second flexible beam. The second flexible beam is disposed outwardly from and is substantially parallel to the first flexible beam. The device also includes an interconnect in contact with the first flexible beam and... Agent: Patton Boggs, LLP

20080154149 - Method of analyzing for at least one allergy: A method of using a diffusion-based, continuous-monitoring system to analyze the effect of an allergen on skin includes creating and maintaining a diffusion channel in an area of skin. The skin is contacted with an allergen. Information related to at least one antibody, histamine and/or leukotriene is continuously monitored for... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20080154150 - Bone marrow biopsy needle: According to one embodiment, a biopsy needle for removal of tissue from a patient includes an outer tube having a distal end and an inner tube disposed within said outer tube. The inner tube has a first section that includes a proximal end thereof, a second section that includes an... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080154151 - Methods and devices for automated biopsy and collection of soft tissue: Instruments for performing percutaneous biopsy procedures are disclosed, which have advantageous features for improving functionality and performance over prior art devices. These instruments comprise two types, single-use devices, and multiple-use devices having active tissue capture capability. Improved features include the ability to retrieve and evaluate multiple tissue samples during a... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080154152 - Guide wire: A guide wire includes a first wire disposed on the distal side and composed of a first material, and a second wire disposed on the proximal side of the first wire and composed of a second material. The first and second wires are connected to each other through an intermediate... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20080154153 - Multiple-wire systems and methods for ablation of occlusions within blood vessels: Multiple-wire systems for the ablation of occlusions within blood vessels. Systems include two or more concentric wires configured for percutaneous insertion in a blood vessel, the wires configured to ablate an occlusion within the blood vessel.... Agent: Kolisch Hartwell, P.c.

20080154154 - Internet-based system and a method for automated analysis of tactile imaging data and detection of lesions: An Internet-based system is described including a number of patient terminals equipped with tactile imaging probes to allow conducting of breast examinations and collecting the 2-D digital data from the pressure arrays of the tactile imaging probes. The digital data is processed at the patient side including a step of... Agent: Boris Leschinsky

20080154155 - Fetal movement monitoring system and fetal movement information collecting device: The present invention provides a fetal movement monitoring system and a fetal movement information collecting device which are simply usable at home to collect and analyze correctly detail information about fetal movements over a long time. The fetal movement monitoring system includes a fetal movement information collecting device 21 and... Agent: Koda & Androlia

20080146861 - Brachytherapy shielding system: A brachytherapy applicator shielding system includes a brachytherapy applicator, a magnet, and magnetically attractable particles. The brachytherapy applicator shielding system is arranged to shield skin tissue exposed to a radiation source during intracavitary radiation therapy.... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

20080146862 - Brachytherapy device having seed tubes with individually-settable tissue spacings: A brachytherapy device may include a plurality of rods, each configured to move between a straightened position and a bowed position, the plurality of rods configured to collectively form a shaft while each rod is in the straightened position and to collectively form at least one cage while at least... Agent: Mcdermott Will & Emery LLP

20080146863 - Internal radiation therapy device: An internal radiation therapy device including concentric inner and outer tubes with the inner tube being inflexible and an isotope tube extending into the inner tube and being filled with a radioisotope through an isotope tube or x-ray source and the outer flexible tube filled through a filler tube with... Agent: Walter A. Rodgers Rodgers & Rodgers

20080146865 - Apparatus and method for treatment with magnetic fields: A device for treatment with magnetic fields is provided, which provides an easily transportable and storable device for the treatment with magnetic fields, which is also convenient for patients and in particular is economical to produce. The device comprises: a first device for generation of a first magnetic field, a... Agent: Charles N. J. Ruggiero Ohlandt, Greeley, Ruggiero & Perle, L.l.p.

20080146864 - Magnetic therapeutic device and method for producing magnetic therapeutic device: Disclosed is a magnetic therapeutic device for use as a wearable article including a necklace to exert a blood flow-promoting effect on a body of a user. The magnetic therapeutic device comprises an elongated flexible magnet portion formed from a mixture of a silicone rubber and a magnetic powder to... Agent: Casella & Hespos

20080146866 - Sleeping state improvement system and sleeping state improvement method: A sleeping state improvement system to improve a sleeping state of a user includes a memory device and a control device that comprises a specification unit and a control unit. The memory device can be carried by the user. The specification unit specifies individual attribute information of the user based... Agent: Global Ip Counselors, LLP

20080146867 - Devices for minimally invasive pelvic surgery: The invention, in various embodiments, provides systems, devices, and methods for treating urinary incontinence.... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080146868 - Adjustable implantable male incontinence device: An implantable, adjustable male incontinence device. The device has an inflatable balloon affixed to a central portion of a reinforced nonextensible elastomeric strip. The balloon includes a first length of elastomeric tubing extending therefrom that provides fluid communication with the interior chamber of the balloon. The uninflated balloon is implanted... Agent: Laura N. Tunnell

20080146869 - adjustable gastric band having anti-microbial coatings: An implantable surgical device including an elongated flexible inflatable portion, an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion. The band portion has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The band portion is attached to the inflatable portion along an inner face thereof. The band portion... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080146870 - System and method for correcting erectile dysfunction: A therapeutic device used to treat erectile dysfunction helps to maintain tissue flexibility and encourage blood flow into the penis, thereby aiding in the healing process. The article is a unitary, molded product using a flexible, resilient material such as transparent or translucent medical-grade vinyl. The article is a generally... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20080146871 - Ingestible low power sensor device and system for communicating with same: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for an ingestible sensor device are described. The ingestible sensor devices may be swallowed by an animal to diagnose one or more conditions of the animal. The ingestible sensor device may include a sensor configured to receive a stimulus inside the gastrointestinal tract of an animal,... Agent: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.l.l.c.

20080146872 - Mechanical distension systems for performing a medical procedure in a remote space: Systems are disclosed, for performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures at a remote site. According to one embodiment, the system includes an introducer designed for transcervical insertion into the uterus. The introducer is constructed to include a fluid lumen, an instrument lumen, and a visualization lumen. The system may include a... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080146873 - Methods for performing a medical procedure: Methods are disclosed, for performing therapeutic or diagnostic procedures at a remote site. According to one embodiment, the methods include the use of a system including an introducer designed for transcervical insertion into the uterus. The introducer is constructed to include a fluid lumen, an instrument lumen, and a visualization... Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP

20080146874 - Guiding stylet apparatus: A guiding stylet apparatus is disclosed. The guiding stylet apparatus comprises a guiding device, a holding portion, an image capture unit, a light source, and a display. The guiding device is inserted into a catheter to guide the catheter to a predetermined position. The image capture unit is used to... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080146875 - Endoscope apparatus: A direction of movement, an insertion amount and an insertion force amount at a time when an insertion section of an endoscope is inserted in a large intestine, which is an object of an inspection, are detected by detection unit. The direction of movement, the insertion amount and the insertion... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080146876 - Endoscope apparatus: A separate operation section is provided with a current-state display section, a cumulative display section, an air feed switch, a water feed switch, a sub-water feed switch and a suction switch. When air feed, water feed and suction are performed by the operation section, the air feed amount, water feed... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080146877 - Capsule type endoscope: where ω is a half of a field angle of the objective optical system, T1 is the maximum illuminance in an area on the imaging surface of the image sensor corresponding to a field region of the objective optical system, T2 is illuminance at a position on the imaging surface... Agent: Kenyon & Kenyon LLP

20080146879 - Intubation instrument: The configuration and arrangement of the instrument greatly facilitate safe placement of the instrument and an associated endotracheal tube. The instrument includes a handle with an arm extending therefrom. The arm includes a base portion and a distal lifter portion preferably having an angle between 5° and 85°, inclusive, and... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080146878 - Magnification attachment / accessory for laryngoscopes: The present invention teaches an accessory to a laryngoscope, which may be retrofitted thereto or integrated on a new laryngoscope as original equipment, having at least one fastener allowing attachment to the barrel of a standard laryngoscope, a rail secured to the barrel of the laryngoscope by the fastener, and... Agent: Barber Legal

20080146880 - Dilating laryngoscope: A dilating laryngoscope which allows for dilation of a human airway (e.g., the laryngopharynx) is provided. The dilating laryngoscope includes a speculum having a pair of handles interconnected with a pair of arms and joined at a hinge. A pair of flanges are provided at the ends of the arms.... Agent: Mccarter & English, LLP

20080146881 - Retractor-retainer of intestines for celioscopic surgery: A retractor-retainer of intestines for celioscopic surgery, includes: a guide wire having a proximal portion consisting of a handle adapted to be connected to an operating table, an elongated distal portion designed to be introduced into the abdominal cavity during a celioscopic procedure; an elongated support mandrel along which is... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080146882 - Handoscopy interwoven layered seal laparoscopic disk: A laparoscopic disk assembly, which includes an interwoven gasket seal, either flat or conical, comprised of four gasket sections, forms a seal without anything inserted or in the presence of a laparoscopic instrument or surgeon's hand, approximating an opening of a single through hole of a lip seal providing the... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, Llc

20080146883 - Resiliently supported seal cap for hand assisted laparoscopic surgical procedures: A laparoscopic disk assembly for a Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) procedure includes an exteriorly visible laparoscopic disk (seal cap) attached to a retractor skirt. The laparoscopic disk provides an adjustable exterior opening. A downward annular surface is supported by an attached flexible or resilient (“soft) support member that in... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, Llc

20080146884 - Fully automated iris seal for hand assisted laparoscopic surgical procedures: A laparoscopic device assembly provides a tubular diaphragm twist seal that responds to a slight rotation of an actuating ring in a first direction by coupling a motor spring power assisted rotation of a bottom circumference of the twist seal achieves a pneumatic seal in an adjustable access channel defined... Agent: Frost Brown Todd, Llc

20080146885 - Retractors facilitating imaging during surgery: Tissue retraction devices and methods include a tissue retractor with a radiolucent portion to permit imaging through the radiolucent portion with X-ray, fluoroscopic or other suitable imaging system. The tissue retractor also includes one or more radio-opaque elements that define at least a portion of a perimeter of the radiolucent... Agent: Krieg Devault LLP

20080146886 - Speculum: The opening area of the vagina contains most of its nerve endings; this area is generally much more sensitive to pressure than the inner two-thirds of the vagina. This portion of the vagina is also more constricted than the inner two-third of the vaginal area. When dilated, such as during... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080146893 - Apnea risk evaluation system - automated prediction of risk for perioperative complications: A system for predicting risk for perioperative complications is described including a user device for receiving a set of risk factors to determine perioperative complications for a patient including patient data useful to determine the likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea. The system also includes an acquisition module to receive data... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20080146887 - Intelligent personal health management appliances for external and internal visualization of the human anatomy and for dental/personal hygiene: A system, method and apparatus for real time visualization of various internal and external parts of the human anatomy, using an intelligent visualization appliance that operates with wired or wireless communication capabilities for communication with one or more other intelligent personal health management appliances, cellular telephone, PDA, lap top computers... Agent: Courtney Staniford & Gregory LLP

20080146889 - Method of monitoring human physiological parameters and safty conditions universally: In a method of monitoring human physiological parameters and safe condition universally, the method is applied to a monitoring apparatus worn at an examinee's body and includes the steps of: monitoring the examinee's current plurality of physiological parameters and plurality of movement information; analyzing the movement information to determine whether... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080146891 - Method of monitoring physiological status and apparatus thereof: A method of monitoring physiological status is periodically inspecting physiological status of a user, obtaining a physiological signal value, and determining whether the physiological signal value is normal or not. The method includes collecting a plurality of specific physiological values, calculating a reference value and a reference range according to... Agent: Rabin & Berdo, Pc

20080146892 - Physiological and environmental monitoring systems and methods: Systems and methods for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors, as well as systems and methods for using this information for a plurality of useful purposes, are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices. Physiological and environmental data is... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080146894 - Signal sensing in an implanted apparatus with an internal reference: An apparatus for sensing biological signals from an animal. The implanted apparatus includes at least one implantable electrode pair that is connected to a twisted pair of insulated conductors. The electrode pair is disposed at a first set of locations to sense biological signals. The twisted pair of insulated conductors... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080146888 - System and method for in-situ mental health monitoring and therapy administration: Method and systems for diagnosing and treating individuals having a mental health disease that provide health related information about one or more of the individuals wherein at least portion of the information comprises collected data on one or more of the individual's activities; analyzes the health related information according to... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080146890 - Telemetric apparatus for health and environmental monitoring: Wearable apparatus for monitoring various physiological and environmental factors are provided. Real-time, noninvasive health and environmental monitors include a plurality of compact sensors integrated within small, low-profile devices, such as earpiece modules. Physiological and environmental data is collected and wirelessly transmitted into a wireless network, where the data is stored... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec

20080146895 - Intelligent risk management system for first responders: A risk management system (100) for first responders (102) equips first responders with physiological and environmental sensors (104) in order to track the stress conditions and stress responses of the first responders. Data from the sensors is digitized and filtered and processed through a feature extraction system (202, 704) that... Agent: Motorola, Inc.

20080146896 - Device, system and method for in vivo analysis: A device for in vivo analysis 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 of a compound resulting from a reaction of... Agent: Pearl Cohen Zedek Latzer, LLP

20080146897 - Optical tomography using independent component analysis for detection and localization of targets in turbid media: Disclosed is a system and a method for detecting the presence of one or more objects in a turbid medium, the method including: illuminating at least a portion of the turbid medium with incident light having at least one wavelength which interacts with the one or more objects contained in... Agent: Dilworth & Barrese, LLP

20080146898 - Spectral windows for surgical treatment through intervening fluids: A scanning beam assembly for use in medical applications comprising a plurality of radiation emitters that emit radiation over different wavelength ranges, wherein at least one of the emitters emits radiation that is minimally absorbed by blood; a scanner including a reflector that receives radiation from the emitters and directs... Agent: Mark P. Levy Thompson Hine LLP

20080146900 - Method and apparatus for providing power management in data communication systems: A blood glucose meter having a compact housing, a display unit disposed on the housing, the display unit including a display light source to illuminate the display unit, an input unit disposed on the housing, the input unit configured to provide input functions for the blood glucose meter, and a... Agent: Jackson & Co., LLP

20080146899 - Method of sample control and calibration adjustment for use with a noninvasive analyzer: A method and apparatus for easing the use of an optically based noninvasive analyzer is presented. More particularly, a simplified algorithm is used that removes the daily requirement of collecting and using a noninvasive spectrum to update a calibration model. In another embodiment, a guide is used to substantially reduce... Agent: Glenn Patent Group

20080146901 - Optical measurement instrument for living body: An optical measurement instrument for living body that comprises: a plurality of light irradiation means for irradiating an object being tested with light; a plurality of light reception means for detecting the light that is irradiated to the object being tested and propagates inside the object being tested; and a... Agent: Mattingly, Stanger, Malur & Brundidge, P.c.

20080146902 - Microsensor needle for ph measurement in tissue: A sensor probe for in-situ measurement of pH in a human tissue (e.g., cardiovascular) environment comprises a hollow needle having a tip and a back end. The tip is insertable through tissue into the tissue environment. An optic cable comprises a light conduit surrounded by a cladding. A first end... Agent: Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation Attn: Gael Diane Tisack

20080146903 - Display and probe having a removable connections: 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

20080146904 - Device for positioning a probe in living tissue: A device for positioning a probe in living tissue, the device including a casing having an underside for positioning on the tissue, the probe, which can be moved relative to the casing beyond the underside in an insertion direction to be inserted into the tissue, and a signal means carried... Agent: Dorsey & Whitney LLP Intellectual Property Department

20080146909 - Illumination source and non-invasive tissue sampling system: The present invention provides an optical transmission device, comprising a chamber having a light input into the chamber, and having a first port allowing light to pass out of the chamber, and comprising internal surfaces where at least a portion of the surfaces is diffusely reflecting, and where at least... Agent: V. Gerald Grafe, Esq. Inlight Solutions

20080146907 - Integrated optical link for mr system: A system and method for optical data transmission between MR scanning equipment and a data processing unit includes a silicon-based optical modulator which receives MR signals from RF coils and encodes them onto an optical carrier for transmission over an optical link for image reconstruction. The silicon-based optical modulator may... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080146908 - Lithotripter with stone tracking and locking localization system: A lithotripter with stone tracking and locking localization system comprises an X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, an ultrasound probe, a movable platform, a monitor, a system controller and a stone tracking and locking localization system. The X-ray generator is mounted on the end of rotational arm, capable of illuminating across... Agent: Jung-chu Wu

20080146905 - Opposed view and dual head detector apparatus for diagnosis and biopsy with image processing methods: The invention relates generally to biopsy needle guidance which employs an x-ray/gamma image spatial co-registration methodology. A gamma camera is configured to mount on a biopsy needle gun platform to obtain a gamma image. More particular, the spatially co-registered x-ray and physiological images may be employed for needle guidance during... Agent: Mcguirewoods, LLP

20080146906 - System and method for detection of skin wounds and compartment syndromes: A system configured to provide feedback regarding fluid parameters in the skin and/or compartments of an individual to facilitate early diagnosis of skin wounds and compartment syndromes.... Agent: Nellcor Puritan Bennett Llc Attn: Ip Legal

20080146910 - Non-invasive method for determining body composition using magnetic resonance (mr): We present a method for informed optimization of sampling vectors in multi-directional diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. The advantage of this optimization is that it is informed rather than being a naïve optimization of sampling vectors. Typically, sampling vectors are set relatively uniformly along a spherical surface. In this case, a... Agent: Sherif R. Fahmy

20080146912 - Inter-communicator process for simultaneous mri thermography and radio frequency ablation: The novel method of monitoring radio frequency ablation of cancer tissues by temperature mapping using magnetic resonance thermography, is described. The invention further provides a method of rapid cycling between radio frequency ablation signaling and magnetic resonance image collection that minimizes interference and allows accurate image gathering and effective tissue... Agent: Merchant & Gould Pc

20080146911 - Respiration monitoring apparatus, respiration monitoring system, medical processing system, respiration monitoring method, and respiration monitoring program: A respiration monitoring apparatus comprises an image-acquiring unit that acquires images at predetermined timings, each image photographed in a direction inclined at a prescribed angle to a region-of-interest including at least one of a subject' s chest and abdomen; and an expiration/aspiration discriminating unit that determines a direction in which... Agent: Mcginn Intellectual Property Law Group, Pllc

20080146913 - Thermochromic devices for vascular access procedures: A device for locating a venous structure of a patient includes a frame having a bottom surface and a top surface, an adhesive disposed on the bottom surface of the frame to allow the frame to be removably attached to skin or a patient, and one or more sections removably... Agent: Gregory L Bradley Medrad Inc

20080146914 - System, method and apparatus for cancer imaging: A method for imaging cancer using a combined PET-MRI system takes advantage of the performance characteristics for both PET and MRI in the context of cancer imaging. MRI is used to assess a large area of the body with high sensitivity for cancer and PET is then used in localized... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080146916 - Method and apparatus for medical intervention procedure planning: An imaging system for use in medical intervention procedure planning includes a medical scanner system for generating a volume of cardiac image data, a data acquisition system for acquiring the volume of cardiac image data, an image generation system for generating a viewable image from the volume of cardiac image... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080146915 - Systems and methods for visualizing a cannula trajectory: A system and method for visualizing a cannula trajectory. An embodiment of the present invention generally includes an ultrasound probe attached to a first camera and/or a second camera and a processing and display generating system that may be in signal communication with the ultrasound probe, the first camera, and/or... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080146917 - Fat collection and preparation system and method: System and methods for collecting and preparing fat for autologous fat transplantation. The system includes a centrifuge, syringes, and filtering and transferring assemblies coupled with the syringes. Substances, including oil, fat, and denser substances (tumescent fluid, connective tissue, and other non-fat substances), are harvested into a syringe. A dye is... Agent: Kaplan Gilman Gibson & Dernier L.l.p.

20080146918 - Apparatus and methods for low-cost intravascular ultrasound imaging and for crossing severe vascular occlusions: An intravascular ultrasound catheter system is provided and enables a simplified, economical technique for ultrasound visualization of a blood vessel. The catheter may include a park ablation system for crossing chronic total occlusions and severe stenoses. The catheter is advanceable and is oriented entirely under manual control of the clinician... Agent: Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP (formerly Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham)

20080146920 - Apparatus, system, and method for providing a continuous scanning sequence for ultrasound imaging: A method of performing a scanning sequence for an ultrasound scan includes establishing a number of ultrasound beams to be transmitted during an ultrasound scan, establishing a pulse repetition interval to be used for performing the ultrasound scan, and establishing a number of firings of each of the ultrasound beams... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080146923 - Composite ultrasound 3d intracardiac volume by aggregation of individual ultrasound 3d intracardiac segments: Embodiments of the presently described technology provide a method for ultrasound imaging. The method includes obtaining a plurality of ultrasound 3D image segments of an anatomy and combining the plurality of 3D image segments into a composite 3D image of the anatomy. Embodiments of the presently described technology also provide... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20080146922 - Control of user interfaces and displays for portable ultrasound unit and docking station: Embodiments of the present invention provide ways for controlling a plurality of visual displays and a plurality of user interfaces for a portable ultrasound device which can be mounted to different docking stations or carts to provide and enhance different functionalities and features. In one embodiment, a portable ultrasound device... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080146919 - Method for implanting a cardiac implant with real-time ultrasound imaging guidance: In a method for implanting a cardiac implant, a 3D CT dataset of a cardiac region of interest at which an implant is to be implanted, is displayed and the implantation procedure is planned, which includes the physician electronically marking a best implantation site in the displayed image. This marking... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080146924 - System and method for actively cooling an ultrasound probe: An ultrasound system is provided for imaging an object. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe for acquiring ultrasound data and a cooling subsystem for actively removing heat from the ultrasound probe. The cooling subsystem includes a pump disposed within a reservoir containing a coolant and configured to circulate the... Agent: General Electric Company (pcpi) C/o Fletcher Yoder

20080146921 - Ultrasonic treatment method and apparatus with active pain suppression: An ultrasonic medical treatment device has a probe, a transducer for mechanically vibrating the probe at an ultrasonic frequency, a voltage source for energizing the transducer, and another electrical voltage source for feeding to the probe a high-frequency alternating waveform of limited current and limited voltage to be conducted into... Agent: Coleman Sudol Sapone, P.c.

20080146925 - Integrated electrophysiology and ultrasound imaging system: An integrated electrophysiology and ultrasound imaging system includes a workstation, electrophysiology processing circuits, a compact ultrasound imaging system having a combination of an isolation circuit, an ultrasound signal generator, and a beam former within a single unit. The integrated workstation provides a single control interface and data display for the... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146926 - Medical device for determining the position of intracorporeal implants: A medical device for determining the position of intracorporeal implants such as fixation systems, plates or the like, comprises at least one impedance-measuring device and an ultrasound device which are both connected to at least one intracorporeal probe, the impedance-measuring device being additionally equipped with at least one connector for... Agent: Bachman & Lapointe, P.c.

20080146927 - Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method: An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest in the calcaneus. A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a pair of ultrasound transducers for ultrasound assessment of various properties of bone. The invention includes positioning the transducers on the medial and lateral sides of the heel, respectively.... Agent: Dykema Gossett Pllc

20080146928 - Method and system for configuration of a pacemaker and for placement of pacemaker electrodes: Ultrasound imaging methods and systems for assisting a clinician in configuring the operation of a pacemaker and for determining an optimal site for the pacemaker electrode are presented. The methods and systems provide a toolbox for analyzing and optimizing the effectiveness of the pacemaker and proposed electrode sites. The method... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146929 - Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, data analysis method, and data analysis program: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which a speckle analysis can be made in a simple manner and an analysis result can be promptly displayed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting and receiving unit for converting reception signals into digital signals; a signal processing unit for generating envelope data based... Agent: Sughrue Mion, Pllc

20080146932 - 3d ultrasound-based instrument for non-invasive measurement of amniotic fluid volume: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080146931 - Method and apparatus of real time spatial compound imaging: The present invention provides a method and device for spatial compound imaging. The method comprises steps of receiving a component image C(i, j), where i denotes a steering scan cycle, and j a steering angle of the component image; computing a differential image by subtracting a component image C(i-1,j) from... Agent: Mindray C/o Stoel Rives LLP

20080146933 - Ultrasonic image and visualization aid: Apparatus and method for providing ultrasound image and visualization aid that provides control and positioning of the ultrasonic technology and its scanning to furnish a more particular three dimensional graphical image and display during usage. The system provides for the display of an approximation of an organ or tissue mass... Agent: Paul M. Denk

20080146930 - Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus: In an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, a plurality of sub arrays are defined on a 2D array transducer. A plurality of groups are defined for each sub array. Each group is basically composed of a plurality of transducer elements which are connected in parallel with each other. A sub array shape... Agent: Quinn Emanuel Koda & Androlia

20080146934 - Implantable medical system with acoustic sensor to measure mitral blood flow: A heart stimulation system comprises an electrode lead comprising at least one stimulation electrode a stimulation pulse generator adapted to generate electric stimulation pulses and being connected to said electrode lead for delivering electric stimulation pulses to at least one chamber of a heart via said stimulation electrode, and a... Agent: Dalina Law Group, P.c.

20080146935 - Auxiliary positioning device for ultrasonic apparatus: An auxiliary positioning device for an ultrasonic apparatus is disclosed herein, which is installed on an ultrasonic probe. The auxiliary positioning device includes a fixing member, an adjusting member being flexible and coupled with the fixing member at one end thereof, a parallel light source coupled with the other end... Agent: Lin & Associates Intellectual Property, Inc.

20080146936 - Ergonomic housing for electroacoustic transducers particularly for ultrasound imaging and ultrasound probe with said housing: An ergonomic housing for electroacoustic transducers, particularly for ultrasound imaging, includes at least an inner space (4) housing, one or more electroacoustic transducers (5) and possible further electric and/or electronic components (6/7). The housing (1) has at least an acoustic window (2) at which the one or more electroacoustic transducers... Agent: Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, Mcnett & Henry LLP

20080146939 - Apparatus and method for image guided insertion and removal of a cannula or needle: A means for holding a selected cannula such that the cannula is controllably restricted in motion in all but one line, but still able to slide along the line relatively freely. The motion restricting force may be selectively varied, thereby allowing an unrestricted separation of the cannula and the holding/guide... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080146937 - Mechanically expanding transducer assembly: A transducer assembly is presented. The transducer assembly includes a support structure configured to be reversibly changed between a first position and a second position. Additionally, the transducer assembly includes a multi-dimensional transducer array comprising a plurality ‘N’ of one-dimensional sub-groups of transducer elements arranged on the support structure, wherein... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080146938 - Method and system for sub-aperture processing: A transducer assembly is provided including a transducer array comprising a plurality ‘M’ of transducer elements and a sub-aperture processor comprising a plurality ‘P’ of input channels and an output channel. The plurality ‘P’ of input channels is coupled to the ‘M’ transducer elements and a plurality ‘R’ of switching... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080146940 - External and internal ultrasound imaging system: An ultrasound imaging system includes a catheter-based ultrasound transducer, an external ultrasound transducer and a compact ultrasound unit including an isolation circuit, an ultrasound signal generator, and a beam former within a single unit. The ultrasound unit may include circuitry and software to enable simultaneous imaging by both transducers. The... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146941 - Catheter position tracking for intracardiac catheters: An ultrasound imaging system includes one or more accelerometers positioned near the imaging transducer. Acceleration data from the accelerometers are used to estimate the position of the imaging transducer. By combining position information calculated based on acceleration data with position information obtained by other methods, the imaging transducer position can... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146942 - Catheter position tracking methods using fluoroscopy and rotational sensors: Methods for determine the position and rotational orientation of the transducer array of an ultrasound imaging catheter within a patient include imaging the distal end of the catheter using fluoroscopy and determining the angular orientation based upon the shape and dimensions of the image of the transducer array and wire... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146943 - Integrated beam former and isolation for an ultrasound probe: A compact, portable ultrasound imaging system includes a combination of an isolation circuit, an ultrasound signal generator, and a beam former within a single unit. The isolation circuit may limit unintended, leakage current from the ultrasound system through the transducer array of the ultrasound system. The signal generator and beam-former... Agent: Hansen Huang Technology Law Group, LLP

20080146944 - Non-contact apparatus for monitoring cardiopulmonary activity signals and method for the same: A non-contact apparatus for monitoring cardiopulmonary activity signals comprises a pulse-series generator configured to generate a series of probing pulses and a series of reference pulses, a transmitting antenna configured to emit the probing pulses to a chest portion and a series of scattered pulses generated from the probing pulses... Agent: Wpat, Pc Intellectual Property Attorneys

20080146945 - Device for determining cardiopulmonary volumes and flows of a living being: The invention relates to a device for determining cardiopulmonary volumes and flows of a living being. According to the invention, the evaluation unit (14) of a transpulmonary measurement arrangement, preferably having a central-vein catheter and an arterial catheter (11, 12), is set up, in terms of program technology, for the... Agent: Collard & Roe, P.c.

20080146946 - Blood pressure sensor apparatus: A method for measuring blood pressure utilizes an implantable sensor for measuring blood pressure. The implantable sensor includes a probe having a neck portion extending outwardly from the main body to a conical locking flange; a terminus of the conical locking flange forming an aperture that is covered with a... Agent: Law Offices Of Eric Karich

20080146947 - Blood pressure measuring device: The blood pressure measuring device comprises a main device 1, and a separate device 2 capable of being used separately from the main device 1. The main device and the separate device have a wireless communication means 11 and 12, respectively. At least one device of the main device and... Agent: Cheng Law Group, Pllc

20080146948 - Sphygmomanometer: A sphygmomanometer includes a cuff block having a cuff for restricting flow of blood and a base block, to which the cuff block is pivotably connected, having an elbow support for supporting an elbow of a user who inserts his/her arm into the cuff block. The sphygmomanometer further includes a... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080146949 - Blood pressure manometer: A blood pressure manometer comprises a body and a separate display, and the body and separate display are provided with first and second communication parts, respectively. The first communication part has a light emitting element and is configured so that the element sends an infrared signal including blood pressure data.... Agent: Cheng Law Group, Pllc

20080146950 - Sphygmomanometer: A sphygmomanometer includes a base block and a cuff block having a cuff for restricting flow of blood, the cuff block being connected to the base block in such a manner that an angle of the cuff block with respect to a horizontal plane is variable within an angular range.... Agent: Bacon & Thomas, Pllc

20080146951 - Regional cerebral volume flow using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography: A method and system for evaluating the cerebral circulation of a patient is described. The arterial network of the brain is partitioned into a plurality of different regions where each region is supplied with blood by particular cerebral arteries. Volume flows into the regions are calculated from the measured volume... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.a.

20080146952 - Optical speckle pattern investigation: A method is proposed for investigation of or ascertaining pulse or heartbeat. The method first comprises directing illuminating radiation to illuminate a body part such as a finger. The illuminating radiation is of a wavelength or wavelength band substantially in the blue light region of the light spectrum. Then, an... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080146953 - Electrocardiogram signal-processing method and electrocardiogram signal-processing device: [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] An electrocardiogram signal processing method for extracting an electrocardiogram signal of a fetus (1b) from a biopotential signal containing electrocardiogram signals of the mother's body (1) and a fetus (1b) inputted through an electrode (E) attached to the mother's body (1) during pregnancy, characterized by comprising... Agent: Hayes Soloway P.c.

20080146954 - Device and procedure for visual three-dimensional presentation of ecg data: The invention relates to the analysis of ECG data by exploiting computerized three-dimensional spatial presentation of the measured data using the vector concept. A three-dimensional presentation of the human heart may be correlated with waveforms specific for standard ECG or derived ECG signals based on the dipole approximation of the... Agent: Morrison & Foerster, LLP

20080146955 - Respiration sensor, using method of respiration sensor, and respiration state monitor: A respiration sensor to be attached on a surface of a living body for detecting a respiration state of the living body comprises a detecting element for outputting a signal corresponding to at least one of the respiration states of breathing and snoring of the living body and a substrate... Agent: Sughrue Mion, Pllc

20080146956 - Method based on a breath test for the detection of pathogen microorganisms: The present invention provides a method based on urea breath tests for the detection and diagnostic of Helicobacter pylori in the gastroduodenal track, and a kit to carry out said method. The method comprises collecting a first basal breath sample from an individual or patient; giving to said individual a... Agent: John J. Martinez Md. Jd.

20080146957 - Deep breathing training device: A deep breathing training device includes a band worn around the abdomen which carries a switch. The switch is connected to a human-perceptible indicator. When the wearer of the device takes a deep breath and expands their abdomen, the expansion of the belt tightens the belt and thereby activates the... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20080146960 - Headset for a wireless neural data acquisition system: A headstage for a Neural Data Acquisition System is shown and described. In one embodiment, the headstage includes at least one Input Pre-amplifier, and a multiplexer (MUX) for multiplexing at least one channel. In one embodiment, the input filter of the Input Pre-amplifier is tuned by adjusting the gate voltage... Agent: Maccord Mason Pllc

20080146959 - Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders: Methods for treating and/or collecting information regarding neurological disorders, including language disorders, are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment directing a patient to perform a language-based task, directing information to be collected, with the information corresponding to a level of neural activity in the patient's brain while the... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080146958 - Self-contained seizure monitor and method: A self-contained seizure monitor device to monitor a subject for an electrographic seizure includes a pad with an adhesive layer to adhere to a subject's skin. At least two electroencephalographic electrodes are carried by the pad and spaced apart from one another to sense brain activity and generate a signal.... Agent: Thorpe North & Western, LLP.

20080146961 - Human subject index estimation apparatus and method: A CPU (170) of a human subject index estimation apparatus (1) computes a waist circumference based on body weight measured by a weight scale (110) and bioelectric impedance measured by a bioelectric impedance measurement unit (200A), and information such as age and height which was input through input unit (150).... Agent: Hogan & Hartson LLP Ip Group, Columbia Square

20080146962 - Biopsy system with vacuum control module: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device having a translating cutter for severing tissue samples and a vacuum control module. The vacuum control module is separate from the biopsy device. The vacuum control module includes a vacuum pump and vacuum canister, and is portable by a single hand. The vacuum... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080146964 - Biopsy needle for the histological examination of body tissue: The invention relates to a biopsy needle for obtaining material for histological examination of body tissue, in particular, of bone marrow, or for the isolation, culture and modification of body cells, comprising a cannula with a cutting edge and a manual turning handle and a stylet running in the cannula.... Agent: Frommer Lawrence & Haug

20080146963 - Biopsy needle guide: e

20080146965 - Surgical device for the collection of soft tissue: A handheld biopsy device is provided for the collection of soft tissue samples from a surgical patient. In a preferred embodiment, the biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand, and being independently manipulatable... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080146966 - Lancing device and method of sample collection: A lancing device and method for self-collecting a sample of body fluid by penetrating a body tissue at a sampling site. The invention includes a housing geometry configured for ease of use at different sampling sites on the body, even by persons having reduced dexterity and/or poor vision. Depth of... Agent: Attn : Mara E. Deboe Merchant & Gould P.c.

20080146967 - Polymer coated guidewire: A guidewire or section thereof, that has a core member or the like with a plurality of contiguous tapered segments having taper angles that are configured to produce a linear change in stiffness over a longitudinal portion of the device. The device may also have a core section with a... Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP

20080146968 - Gait analysis system: g

20080146969 - Total joint replacement component positioning as predetermined distance from center of rotation of the joint using pinless navigation: A system and method used in total joint arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint such as hip and shoulder replacements for accurate positioning of a prosthesis through pinless surgical navigation during replacement surgery according to a predetermined distance from the center of rotation of the replaced joint and/or articular... Agent: Kenneth A. Roddy

20080139870 - Systems and methods for treating patient hypertonicity: Systems and methods for treating patient hypertonicity are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment includes identifying a cortical target neural population associated with hypertonicity in a patient, and reducing or eliminating patient hypertonicity by applying electromagnetic signals to the target neural population. In further particular embodiments, the electromagnetic... Agent: Perkins Coie LLP Patent-sea

20080139871 - Apparatus for treatment with magnetic fields: The invention relates to an apparatus for therapeutic treatment of a patient with magnetic fields, in particular with nuclear magnetic resonances. One object is to provide an apparatus for treatment of a patient with magnetic fields, which in particular allows localized treatment, for example in the head area of the... Agent: Demont & Breyer, Llc

20080139872 - Pad for stimulating cellular regeneration in a patient: A flexible mattress pad for treating a patient by maintaining the patient in a low-frequency, low-intensity magnetic field for an extended period. The frequency of the magnetic field is preferably in the range of from about 40 Hz to about 80 Hz. The intensity of the magnetic field is less... Agent: Roger S. Thompson, Esq. Cohen Pontani Lieberman & Pavane LLP

20080139873 - Heart assist devices, systems and methods: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20080139874 - Fully implantable hearing aid system: A fully implantable hearing aid system comprised of an implantable sound generator module and an implantable sound receiver module connected by an implantable electric cable. The system includes: a) a sound generator module configured for implantation in subcutaneous tissue to place an output electric/acoustic (E/A) transducer, e.g., a speaker, immediately... Agent: Arthur Freilich Freilich, Hornbaker & Rosen

20080139876 - Apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence, and for exercising bio-feedback of women vagina muscles: An apparatus for examining and curing urinary incontinence and exercising the pelvic floor muscles and vaginal muscles using bio-feedback including a controller main body, a probe, and a bio-feedback device. The probe includes: an insert frame extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, an insert expansion part surrounding adjacent to a... Agent: The Webb Law Firm, P.c.

20080139875 - System and method for urodynamic evaluation utilizing micro electro-mechanical system technology: An implantable urodynamic system includes an implantable first device deployable in a patient's bladder, an implantable second device deployable in a patient's vaginal canal, and a data acquisition and analysis module or processing unit external to the body of the patient. The first device includes a magnet and an inductive... Agent: Bodner & O'rourke, LLP

20080139877 - Systems, methods and devices relating to delivery of medical implants: Implant delivery systems are disclosed. In general overview, an exemplary system includes any number of the following: a delivery device, a sling assembly, guide members, and connectors that interconnect the above. Embodiments of all the above components and their combinations are disclosed. Methods of using the above system in suprapubic,... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080139878 - Assembly and method for attaching particularly a vagina to a spine: Assembly for attaching a patient's vaginal apex or uterus or rectum to her/his spine, includes a first tube having a length adapted to the distance from the outer wall of the patient's abdomen to the sacrum. The first tube has a distal end for engagement with the sacrum, an opposite... Agent: Young & Thompson

20080139879 - Methods and devices for stabilizing tissue: Tissue stabilizers including a clamp assembly, a turret assembly, an articulating arm having a tension element extending therethrough, a collet assembly and a head-link assembly are disclosed. Methods of stabilizing tissue are also disclosed.... Agent: James R. Keogh Medtronic, Inc.

20080139880 - Inflatable prosthesis for aiding penile erection and augmentation: Provided is an inflatable prosthesis for aiding penile erection and augmentation for being disposed between the outer skin and the pair of corpus cavernosa of a patient's penis. The inflatable prosthesis comprises a contractible cylinder body (10) provided with a cavity (11) therein and a liquid passage (12) at the... Agent: Weiner & Burt, P.c.

20080139881 - Wireless endoscopic camera: A system and method for wirelessly transmitting a video image signal from an endoscopic camera to a receiver or control unit for storage and/or display on a video monitor. Use of a frame-specific, variable compression algorithm capable of progressively encoding a data stream provides for a better performing and higher... Agent: Flynn, Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.c.

20080139882 - Body-insertable apparatus: A body-insertable apparatus including a capsule-like casing, an illuminating unit, an imaging unit, and an antenna is provided. The capsule-like casing is formed in a capsule-like shape and includes a transparent imaging dome. The illuminating unit is arranged in the capsule-like casing and illuminates an examined site of a subject... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080139883 - Position detection system for a medical device and medical-device guidance system: There is provided a position detection system for a medical device including a magnetic induction coil inside the medical device; a driving coil, disposed outside an operating region of the medical device, that generates induced magnetism in the magnetic induction coil; and a magnetic sensor, disposed outside the operating region,... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080139884 - Medical examination system with endoscopic probe: A medical examination system having an endoscopic probe with two ends and adapted to be ingested in the gastrointestinal tract of the body. A first force field is applied to one end of the probe and a second and opposite force field is applied to the other end of the... Agent: Gifford, Krass, Sprinkle,anderson & Citkowski, P.c

20080139885 - Autoclavable antireflective coatings for endoscopy windows and related methods: The present application discloses various embodiments of optical windows for use within an endoscope and includes a substrate sized to be coupled to the endoscope and defining a first surface and at least a second surface, and at least one autoclavable coating applied to at least one of the first... Agent: Brian F. Swienton Newport Corporation

20080139886 - Endoscope and bending operation device for endoscope: An endoscope includes an inserting section having a bending portion, an operating section provided to the inserting section, a bending operation device provided to the operating section, and an operation wire. One end of the operation wire is connected to the bending portion and the other end is connected to... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, Pc

20080139887 - Endoscopic working channel and method of making same: An endoscopic working channel is made of an inner polytetrafluoroethylene tube having a spiral wrap of wire over it with an outer expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube bonded over the wire to the inner polytetrafluoroethylene tube.... Agent: Lavalle D. Ptak

20080139888 - Otoscopic tip element and related method of use: A tip element for an otoscopic apparatus includes engagement features that permit selective attachment to two different tip attachment mechanisms. The tip element includes both interior and exterior engagement features that provide interchangeability with otoscopes having different tip attachment schemes. The tip element includes an increased distal aperture formed from... Agent: Hiscock & Barclay, LLP

20080139893 - Apparatus and system for sensing and analyzing body sounds: An apparatus and system for sensing body sounds of a subject is described. The apparatus includes a flexible sheet for conformally contacting at least a portion of a subject's body surface proximate a body region generating body sounds. The apparatus also includes a plurality of acoustic sensors formed in the... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080139897 - Catheter with optical fiber sensor: An apparatus and method to perform therapeutic treatment and diagnosis of a patient's vasculature through the use of an intravascular device having an optical fiber disposed therein. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an intravascular device to perform a therapeutic treatment and at least one optical fiber disposed through the... Agent: Guidant Corporation, Inc./blakely

20080139891 - Devices and methods for communicating medical information: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to the sharing of medical information securely to comply with HIPAA. A medical device is disclosed that takes medical readings and sends them, along with other pertinent medical information, to a secure server where it is stored in a database. In case of... Agent: Moazzam & Associates, Llc Matters For Cingular Wireless Ii, Llc

20080139894 - Devices and systems for remote physiological monitoring: Devices and systems are provided for the remote monitoring of physiological parameters of a patient. An exemplary wireless physiological monitoring device comprises a substrate formed of a flexible biocompatible material. The substrate has a surface for affixing to the skin of a patient. A wireless data transmission device, a biosensor,... Agent: Duke W. Yee

20080139890 - Methods, systems, and computer program products for aggregating medical information: A method of aggregating medical information can include receiving, at a remote aggregation system, individual syndromes collected by mobile personal medical devices associated with respective bodies as the mobile personal medical devices move within an environment, aggregating the individual syndromes at the remote aggregation system, and determining whether an environmental... Agent: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec, P.a.

20080139892 - Physiological measurement display: A physiological measurement display comprises: a strip having: at least one conductive portion at an inner side thereof; an electronic device connected to the conductive portion; the electronic device having at least one physiological measure unit; and a display panel at an outer side of the electronic device for displaying... Agent: Cheng-pin Juan

20080139889 - Security enabled medical screening device: Embodiments of the invention pertain to networked kiosks capable of providing enhanced health and/or entertainment and/or advertising information. In an embodiment of the invention, biometric measurement devices coupled with a communications infrastructure implement a system of secure information exchange and enhanced user security. In an embodiment of the invention, a... Agent: Leydig Voit & Mayer, Ltd

20080139896 - System and method for graphical annotation of anatomical images using a touch screen display: A system for graphically annotating an anatomical image includes a main image display; a touch-screen display; a processing unit; and a network configured to interface the processing unit with the main image display and with the touch-screen display. An image displayed on the main display is concurrently displayed on the... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080139895 - System and method for selection of points of interest during quantitative analysis using a touch screen display: A system for selecting points of interest on an anatomical image includes a main image display; a touch-screen display; a processing unit; and a network configured to interface the processing unit with the main image display and with the touch-screen display. An image displayed on the main display is concurrently... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080139899 - Remote monitoring system for alzheimer patients: Disclosed is a device which helps caregivers of demented patients, such as persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease, monitor and safeguard the wellbeing of the patients. The device, which is attached to the wrist or the leg of the patients, monitors the movement and behavior of the patient and informs the... Agent: Fleit Kain Gibbons Gutman Bongini & Bianco

20080139898 - System and method for providing centralized physiological monitoring: A system and method for reducing a workload of a user monitoring respective physiological conditions of a plurality of patients at a centralized physiological monitoring station. The system includes a plurality of patient measurement systems generating respective alarms indicative of a patient's physiological condition and a centralized physiological monitoring station... Agent: Beusse Wolter Sanks Mora & Maire, P. A.

20080139900 - Apparatus and method for assisting in choosing a site for a skin invasive action: Apparatus and method for assisting in choosing a suitable site for a skin invasive action, such as drug injection, e.g. insulin for persons with diabetes, or collecting blood or tissue samples. Measures and processes parameters relating to a specific area part of the skin or subcutis and determines whether the... Agent: Novo Nordisk, Inc. Intellectual Property Department

20080139901 - Cooling system for a photocosmetic device: Photocosmetic device for use in medical or non-medical environments (e.g., a home, barbershop, or spa), which can be used for a variety of tissue treatments. Radiation is delivered to the tissue via optical systems designed to pattern the radiation and project the radiation to a particular depth. The device has... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080139903 - Method and apparatus for insertion of a sensor using an introducer: A device and method for delivering a device such as a sensor or fluid transport structure or a fluid transport structure sensor combination into, for example, animal skin. Such a device utilizes an introducer device such as a needle or trocar to puncture skin and allow a sensor to enter... Agent: Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, P.c. Pacwest Center, Suite 1900

20080139902 - Method and device for continuous monitoring of the concentration of an analyte: The disclosure generally relates to continuous monitoring of an analyte by determining its change over time in the living body of a human or animal. A measurement, variable value correlating with the desired concentration of the analyte are measured as the measurement signal (zt) and the change over time of... Agent: Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc.

20080139904 - Optical-based sensing devices: The present invention provides an electro-optical sensing device for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte. More particularly, the invention relates to (but is not in all cases necessarily limited to) optical-based sensing devices which are characterized by being totally self-contained, with a smooth and rounded oblong, oval, or... Agent: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst & Manbeck, P.c.

20080139905 - Living body information measuring apparatus: A living body information measuring apparatus includes an optical system for irradiating light to a subject and detecting light from the subject, a signal processing portion for acquiring information with regard to a tissue condition of the subject based on a detecting signal of light, and a position determining portion... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080139906 - Device and method for non-invasive optical detection of chemical and physical blood values and body content substances: Disclosed are a device and a method for noninvasive determination of body content substances, and to the validation of chemical and physical characteristics of blood and other body fluids. In particular, a noninvasive determination of the blood pressure is disclosed, in connection with other blood values of arterial blood, using... Agent: Jenkins, Wilson, Taylor & Hunt, P. A.

20080139907 - Intelligent personal health management appliances for the measurement and monitoring of health factors and controlled delivery of drugs: A system, method and apparatus for real time measurement and monitoring of various personal health parameters including controlled delivery of drugs/medications by intelligent pump appliances, intelligent inhalation appliances and intelligent skin patch appliances used in a standalone manner or in a wired or wireless networked configuration, in conjunction with various... Agent: Courtney Staniford & Gregory LLP

20080139908 - Multi-wavelength spatial domain near infrared oximeter to detect cerebral hypoxia-ischemia: Methods and apparatus for measuring cerebral O2 saturation and detecting cerebral hypoxia-ischemia using multi-wavelength near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Near-infrared light produced by an emitter is directed through brain tissue. The intensity of the light that passes through the brain tissue is measured using photodiode detectors positioned at distinct distances from... Agent: Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP

20080139909 - Sensor with conductor and sealing glass: 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

20080139910 - Analyte sensor and method of using the same: An analyte sensor and systems for determining analyte levels in a user's body. The analyte sensor and systems are adapted to be used with single dose medication devices and include a communication system to transmit the communications from the analyte sensor to the user to notify the user of an... Agent: Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

20080139912 - Method of acquiring phalange edge image and system therefor: A method and system for acquiring a phalange edge image using an X-ray image of a hand are provided. The method includes: selecting a region of interest from an X-ray image of the hand; acquiring a soft tissue background gray level removed image by removing a soft tissue background gray... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20080139911 - Self-adhering electrodes and methods of making the same: A self-adhering sensor for non-invasively attaching to a portion of a skin is provided. The sensor comprises a biocompatible substrate, and an array of solid nanoelectrodes coupled to the biocompatible substrate and configured to self-adhere to the skin. Also provided is a sensor for attaching to a portion of a... Agent: General Electric Company Global Research

20080139913 - Segmented electrode: An electrode having a plurality of electrically conductive segments, each segment being electrically isolated from adjacent segments. The segments are adapted to control living tissue, typically a neuromuscular pathway for delivery of stimulation signals to a desired pathway. The segments may be selectively chosen for the delivery of the stimulation... Agent: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research

20080139914 - Characterising body tissue: The present invention describes a method for analysing body tissue, the method consisting of obtaining data representing a first measured tissue property of a body tissue sample and obtaining data representing a second, different tissue property of the tissue sample, and using the data in combination to provide an analysis... Agent: Arent Fox LLP

20080139916 - Determining the length of a long, flexible instrument: A marker navigation system for determining a length of at least one flexible instrument having a first end and a second end, wherein portions of the at least one flexible instrument can be both linear and curved, the marker navigation system includes: a holder for holding the instrument, said holder... Agent: Renner, Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP

20080139918 - Device and method for producing images: The invention relates to an image-producing apparatus comprising an imaging apparatus for the production of images on a patient's body to be examined, an impedance cardiograph for the determination of at least one specific period of cardiac activity, a connection line between the impedance cardiograph and the imaging apparatus for... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080139917 - Monitor assembly for diagnostic device: A monitor assembly includes a monitor, for displaying output of a diagnostic device such as a fluoroscope, to which is operationally attached a bracket that is operative to secure (preferably reversibly) the monitor to the diagnostic device so that an operator of the diagnostic device can view the output while... Agent: Kevin Herman

20080139915 - Vascular position locating and/or mapping apparatus and methods: A branch vessel in a human patient is located or mapped using in vivo tracked field sensors where in one variation the sensor positions can be located by determining the positions of the sensors relative to a plurality of magnetic field sources of known location. This approach is used, for... Agent: Medtronic Vascular, Inc. Ip Legal Department

20080139920 - Apparatus for determining indications helping the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases and its method: Apparatus for determining indications helping the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases comprising at least a section for detecting and acquiring signals from a body under examination or a part thereof wherein the detection section is a unit for detecting images by nuclear magnetic resonance. In said apparatus there is further integrated... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20080139921 - Diagnostic imaging method and apparatus for the anatomical region of the pelvic floor: A method for determining information for a diagnosis of pathologic conditions of the anatomical region of the pelvic floor by MRI imaging includes acquiring a sequence of MRI images along one or more predetermined section planes or inside a predetermined three-dimensional area, which planes intersect or which three-dimensional area contains... Agent: Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney Pc

20080139922 - Evaluation of cartilage of the hip using mri images: In one general aspect, the invention features an MRI image processing method that includes accessing a first MRI data set including two-dimensional planar MRI images of a first hip of a first patient. Each of the images is positioned with respect to a virtual axis at a different angle so... Agent: Kristofer E. Elbing

20080139919 - Method and apparatus for sensitivity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging using an acquisition coil array: In a method as well as a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus for implementation of such a method for improved sensitivity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging using a two-dimensional or three-dimensional acquisition coil array, two-dimensional or three-dimensional undersampling of k-space is undertaken by measurement of a number N of basic partial trajectories τn... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080139924 - Device for superimposed mri and pet imaging: A device for superposed magnetic resonance tomography and positron emission tomography imaging is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the device includes a magnetic resonance tomography magnet, which defines a longitudinal axis; a magnetic resonance tomography gradient coil, arranged radially within the magnetic resonance tomography magnet; a magnetic resonance tomography... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080139923 - Method and apparatus for verifying occlusion of fallopian tubes: A device for verifying occlusion of the fallopian tube in a female subject includes an elongate member dimensioned to be slidably disposed within the uterine cavity of the subject. An interrogation element is positioned at the distal end of the elongate member. The interrogation element may include a visualization element... Agent: Cytyc Corporation

20080139925 - Mri detectable obturator: An obturator with an elongated shaft, a proximal end, a substantially closed distal end and a MRI detectable distal shaft portion, which does not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging of tissue proximate thereto. Preferably, the distal shaft portion has an effective MRI detectable mass so as to provide a clear,... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20080139926 - Method for controlling a measurement of a magnetic resonance device on the basis of an electrocardiogram signal: The method is related to control a measurement of a magnetic resonance device based on electrocardiogram signals of a patient detected by at least two channels. The method comprises the steps of: supplying the electrocardiogram signals in a first processing branch to a low pass filter and a derived value... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080139927 - Implantable chamber, imaging method and magnetic resonance imaging system: The present invention relates to an implantable chamber (1) with a connecting element (2), comprising a connecting sleeve (6) and a surrounding contact surface (7), an insert element (3), comprising an insert sleeve (8) and a surrounding abutment surface (9). The insert sleeve (8) is inserted into the connecting sleeve... Agent: Birch Stewart Kolasch & Birch

20080139928 - Mri detectable obturator: An obturator with an elongated shaft, a proximal end, a substantially closed distal end and a MRI detectable distal shaft portion, which does not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging of tissue proximate thereto. Preferably, the distal shaft portion has an effective MRI detectable mass so as to provide a clear,... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20080139930 - System and method for the guidance of a catheter in electrophysiologic interventions: The invention relates to a system and a method for the guidance of a catheter (20) with an electrode (21) in an electrophysiological procedure. A sequence of images (I1, . . . Ik, . . . ) of the catheter (20) and of a resting reference catheter (30) is generated... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080139929 - System and method for tracking an invasive surgical instrument while imaging a patient: A system and method for tracking an invasive surgical instrument provide time gaps between transmissions and receptions of electromagnetic energy, during which an imaging system, for example, and x-ray imaging system, can capture and update a display image. In some arrangements, data collection periods can be interleaved.... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080139931 - Temperature mapping on structural data: Temperature imaging has been recognized to improve a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures and to predict and prevent failures of electrical circuits and equipments. A system design and method is disclosed, wherein the thermal data is fused and mapped with the data streams coming from a US, CT, or... Agent: Clifford W. Browning Woodard, Emhardt Et Al. LLP

20080139933 - Phantom for standardizing ultrasonograph and method of obtaining standardized ultrasonographic image using the phantom: Provided are a phantom for standardizing ultrasonograph and a method of obtaining an ultrasonographic image using the phantom, and more particularly, a phantom for measuring fat content in a target organ as a gray level distribution using an ultrasonographic image and assessing the accuracy of ultrasonograph and a method and... Agent: Rabin & Berdo, Pc

20080139932 - Ultrasound system: The present invention provides an ultrasound system, which comprises: a signal acquiring unit to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and acquire an echo signal reflected from the object; a signal processing unit to control TGC (Time Gain Compensation) and LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) of the echo signal; a... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080139934 - Systems and methods for quantification and classification of fluids in human cavities in ultrasound images: Ultrasound imaging systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonography method includes creating a database that is representative of a tissue, a fluid, or a cavity of a body, and transmitting ultrasound pulses into a region-of-interest in a patient. Echoes are received from the region of interest, and... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080139937 - 3d ultrasonic imaging method: A probe for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound incorporates a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array having an azimuth direction and an elevation direction. The transducer elements have a first element size in the azimuth dimension and a second element size in the elevation dimension.... Agent: Coleman Sudol Sapone, P.c.

20080139935 - Apparatus, system, and method for adaptively controlling a frame interval between ultrasound scanning frames for an ultrasound elasticity imaging scan: An apparatus, system and method for adaptively controlling a frame interval between ultrasound scanning frames of an ultrasound elasticity imaging scan. The system includes a transmitter for transmitting ultrasound beams to a subject during an ultrasound elasticity imaging scan, and a receiver for receiving ultrasound beam echoes from the subject... Agent: Beusse Wolter Sanks Mora & Maire, P. A.

20080139936 - Ultrasound diagnostic system and method of displaying multiple growth trend charts: An ultrasound diagnostic system, includes: an ultrasound image forming unit configured to form an ultrasound image of a target object based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object; a measuring unit configured to repeatedly measure the anatomical components of the target object on the ultrasound image to provide... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.c.

20080139938 - System and method to identify and measure organ wall boundaries: Systems and methods are described for acquiring, processing, and presenting boundaries of a cavity-tissue interface within a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image based upon the strength of signals of ultrasound echoes returning from structures within the region-of-interest. The segmentation of boundaries of cavity shapes occupying the region-of-interest utilizes cost function... Agent: Black Lowe & Graham, Pllc

20080139939 - Doppler type ultrasonic flow meter: In a doppler type ultrasonic flow meter 1 for measuring the volumetric flow of a measurement object fluid 10 using doppler shift of ultrasound, 1 pair of ultrasonic transducers 3a, 3b perform transmission of ultrasound and reception of an ultrasound echo resulting from the ultrasound being reflected. The 1 pair... Agent: Rossi, Kimms & Mcdowell LLP.

20080139940 - Transducer apparatus and method for intravascular blood flow measurement: Transducers to measure fluid flow using Doppler ultrasound that are suitable for integrating into or connecting to intravascular devices are disclosed. These transducers meet the requirement for long, thin, flexible transducers, and consist of one or more diffraction-grating transducers, with or without non-diffraction-grating transducers. An exemplary configuration of the transducers... Agent: The Plevy Law Firm

20080139941 - Method for assessment of color processing mechanism in the human brain for diagnosis and treatment: The present invention is a method for assessment of color processing mechanism in the human brain using cerebral blood flow velocity monitoring, specifically transcranial Doppler ultrasound. The method including steps of transluminating color discs from a light source of a specific color temperature, which act on the visual pathways and... Agent: Philip Chidi Njemanze

20080139942 - Medical imaging system based on a targeted contrast agent: A medical imaging system is proposed. The system includes means for providing a plurality of echo signals indicative of a response of a body part to a plurality of ultrasound pulsed waves having different acoustic pressures, the body part including a tissue being perfused with a contrast agent, and means... Agent: Bryan A. Santarelli Graybeal Jackson Haley

20080139944 - Devices for covering ultrasound probes of ultrasound machines: Preferred embodiments of devices for covering an ultrasound probe can include a membrane, such as a sheath, having one or more ultrasonic couplers attached thereto for transferring ultrasonic energy between the ultrasound probe and a body surface of a patient.... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP

20080139945 - Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus: e

20080139943 - Ultrasonic wave device: An ultrasonic wave device has a first flexible layer, a second flexible layer, a flexible circuit between the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer, and one or more arrays of capacitive ultrasonic transducer between the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer electrically coupled to the flexible... Agent: Akin Gump LLP - Silicon Valley

20080139946 - Capacitive ultrasonic transducer, production method thereof, and capacitive ultrasonic probe: It becomes possible to obtain high sound pressure in a high frequency domain by a capacitive ultrasonic transducer which comprises a membrane on which one electrode is formed, a cavity constructed in its backface, and a substrate on which these are mounted and supported and on whose surface an electrode... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080139947 - Method and apparatus for online health monitoring: Methods for providing online health monitoring and accumulating data from patients worldwide, and accompanying apparatus for using the same, are disclosed. Such monitoring is particularly useful for both diagnosing and prescribing preventive medical treatment, and is particularly suited for the field of cardiovascular health care. Preferred methods and devices include... Agent: Darby & Darby P.c.

20080139948 - Use of external respiratory therapy device to detect cardiac electrical activity: Methods and systems provide an integrated approach to respiratory and cardiac monitoring, diagnosis and/or therapy. A medical system includes one or more cardiac electrodes coupled to an external respiratory therapy device. The cardiac electrodes sense cardiac electrical activity that is used to generate an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Cardiac events, such... Agent: Hollingsworth & Funk, Llc

20080139949 - System for performing remote ischemic preconditioning: A system for remote ischemic preconditioning that includes a cuff, and actuator, and a controller that operates the actuator according to a treatment protocol. The treatment protocol includes a plurality of treatment cycles that each comprise cuff actuation, an ischemic duration, cuff release, and a reperfusion duration.... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.c.

20080139950 - Multi-purpose connector for blood pressure measurement equipment: A connector for blood pressure measurement systems is provided, wherein the connector enables interchangeable individual connection of a cuff to various gage housings, including those equipped with a male fitting or a female fitting, yet wherein the presence of the connector also desirably prevents inadvertent connection of a gage housing... Agent: Marjama Muldoon Blasiak & Sullivan LLP

20080139951 - Detection of stenosis: A system for detecting stenosis in a patient. The system includes an implantable sensing unit having a turbulence sensor and a communication device for transmitting a signal from the turbulence sensor. The system also includes a cardiac sensor for generating a signal corresponding to cardiac activity and a processing device... Agent: Pauly, Devries Smith & Deffner, L.l.c.

20080139952 - Biometric information processing device, biometric information processing method, and control program: A biometric information processing device has a heart rate detection unit that detects the heart rate of a subject; a relative heart rate calculation unit that calculates a relative heart rate, which is the relative value of the heart rate to the prescribed resting heart rate of the subject; a... Agent: Global Ip Counselors, LLP

20080139953 - Body worn physiological sensor device having a disposable electrode module: A body worn patient monitoring device includes at least one disposable module including a plurality of electrical connections to the body. The body worn patient monitoring device also includes at least one communication-computation module, the communication-computation module having at least one microprocessor to actively monitor the patient and to perform... Agent: Marjama Muldoon Blasiak & Sullivan LLP

20080139954 - System for at least two types of patient alerting associated with cardiac events: A system for the detection of cardiac events occurring in a human patient is provided. At least two electrodes are included in the system for obtaining an electrical signal from a patient's heart. An electrical signal processor is electrically coupled to the electrodes for processing the electrical signal and a... Agent: Rosenberg, Klein & Lee

20080139955 - Device and method for determining a respiration rate: A device (1) and a corresponding method are provided for determining and/or monitoring the respiration rate based on measurement with more than one sensor (5, 7, 9, 13, 15). The device may be part of a monitor for determining and/or monitoring the respiration rate. The second and/or additional sensors are... Agent: Mcglew & Tuttle, Pc

20080139956 - Augmented ric model of respiratory systems: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method analyzing the respiratory characteristics of a human respiratory system from impulse oscillometry data, through the use of a linear network of electrical components. The present invention offers an improved alternative to the RIC respiratory circuit model, with an addition of... Agent: Charles D. Gunter, Jr. Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, LLP

20080139958 - Solid tissue impedance estimating method, cardiac output calculating method, pulmonary artery wedge pressure calculating method, cardiac output monitoring device, cardiac output monitoring system, pulmonary artery wedge pressure monitoring device, and pul: A practical method for estimating cardiac output and pulmonary artery wedge pressure with good accuracy is provided. The present invention provides a method for estimating the impedance arising from solid tissue by determining the impedance at the intersection between the line of identity and the extrapolated regression line, where the... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080139957 - System for measuring and indicating changes in the resistance of a living body: An improved device for indicating and measuring small variations in the resistance of a living body is disclosed which utilizes a central processing unit to digitally process sensed body resistances and drive a resistance-indicating display while compensating for the effects of component aging, component tolerances and component temperatures. The device... Agent: Seldon & Scillieri

20080139959 - Implantable device for recording intracranial pressures: To assure, in the case of an implantable device for determining intracranial pressures, the biocompatibility of the implant in the long term, wherein a pressure measuring device is used, which is operatively connected to a sensor for a telemetric measured value transfer, it is proposed that the pressure measuring device... Agent: Lipsitz & Mcallister, Llc

20080139960 - Endoscopic puncture needle and method of acquiring tissue from a target region by using the endoscopic puncture needle: An endoscopic puncture needle includes a sheath, an outer needle, an outer needle moving member, an inner needle, an inner needle moving member, and an operation portion. The outer needle moves along an axial direction of the sheath in the sheath, and is retractable with respect to a distal end... Agent: Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen

20080139961 - Osteomedullar biopsy trocar: The invention concerns an osteomedullar biopsy trocar comprising an outer hollow tube provided with a sharpened distal end including an off-center orifice with a diameter smaller than the initial diameter of the tube, and an inner hollow tube located inside the first tube and whereof the distal end includes a... Agent: Arnall Golden & Gregory, LLP

20080139962 - Analyte collection apparatus and method: An analyte collection apparatus is provided, comprising a gripper; and a compressible analyte collecting portion releasably gripped by the gripper, wherein the gripper exerts a force to grip and compress the analyte collecting portion. The analyte collecting portion can be immersed in a buffer solution whilst in the partially compressed... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, Pc

20080139963 - Devices for collecting analytes of interest in tears: The present invention provides a contact lens, preferably a daily disposable contact lens, which can be used to collect one or more analytes of interest in a tear fluid, and in turn, determine the physiological state or health of an individual.... Agent: Ciba Vision Corporation Patent Department

20080139964 - Reducing or avoiding muscle cramps: Muscle cramps can be reduced or avoided by monitoring the concentration of salt in perspiration to indicate the degree of salt depletion. Based on the degree of salt depletion, a sufficient amount of rehydration beverage is consumed to normalize the salt level.... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd. And Attorneys For Client No. 006943

20080139965 - Device and method for locating the anteroposterior femoral axis to determine proper femoral component rotation in knee replacement: A device for indicating the location of the anteroposterior femoral axis has a spike or needle that engages the anterior-most point in the intercondylar notch and a rounded or spherical surface is placed on the trochlear groove of the femur and urged in a posterior direction. That is, the rounded... Agent: Posz Law Group, Plc

20080139966 - Automatic tongue diagnosis based on chromatic and textural features classification using bayesian belief networks: A tongue diagnosis system based on chromatic and textural features of a subject's tongue, which is based on Bayesian analysis of two sets of quantitative features, related to the color and texture of the tongue, respectively. The two sets of quantitative features are extracted from a digital tongue image of... Agent: Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman

20080139967 - Electrode interface system: An electrode interface system for providing a connection between at least one electrode and a maternal-fetal monitor, wherein the interface system converts electrical muscle activity captured by the electrode(s) into uterine activity data signals for use by the maternal-fetal monitor. The electrode interface system of the invention preferably includes a... Agent: Saliwanchik Lloyd & Saliwanchik A Professional Association

20080139968 - External force control method, external force control system and external force control program: A value of an external force f applied to a human leg according to an external force function f(x) on the basis of a measured value of a myoelectric potential x that occurs in the human leg, current I of a motor 220 is controlled according to the set value,... Agent: Rankin, Hill & Clark LLP

20080139969 - Fabric sensor and a garmet incorporating the sensor: A fabric sensor for measuring body movement comprises first and second gripping sections and a third sensing section intermediate of the first and second sections. The third sensing section has a lower amount of grip than either the first or second gripping sections. The third sensing section comprises a construction... Agent: Philips Intellectual Property & Standards

20080139970 - Lower-limb prosthesis force and moment transducer: A computerized prosthesis alignment system includes a transducer that can measure socket reactions in the anterior/posterior plane and the right/left planes, while canceling or reducing the transverse forces on the measurements of these socket reactions. In addition, the transducer is also capable of determining the axial load or weight experienced... Agent: Christensen, O'connor, Johnson, Kindness, Pllc

20080132747 - Medical device: A temporary cardiac-assist device is disclosed. The device includes a pump assembly that is deployed in the ascending aorta or the heart. A torque transmission line couples the pump assembly to an external motor for driving impeller blades within the pump assembly. The pump assembly expands in size at its... Agent: Demont & Breyer, Llc

20080132748 - Method for deployment of a medical device: A method for deploying a cardiac-assist device is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, an introducing tube, such as a catheter, sheath, or the like is inserted into the vascular system and advanced beyond the aortic arch. The cardiac-assist device is then inserted into the tube, advanced through it,... Agent: Demont & Breyer, Llc

20080132749 - Vascular assist device and methods: Several electroactive polymer (EAP) actuated vascular assist devices are provided that can be readily implanted within the body of a patient without coming in direct blood contact. The devices are also readily repositioned and/or removed from contact with the internal vasculature or may even be turned OFF remotely. In addition,... Agent: Shay Glenn LLP

20080132750 - Adaptive cancellation system for implantable hearing instruments: The invention is directed to an implanted microphone having reduced sensitivity to vibration. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable vibration by utilizing at least one motion sensor to produce a motion signal when an implanted microphone is in motion. This motion signal is used to... Agent: Marsh, Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP

20080132751 - Compositions and methods for treatment of pain: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating pain by the administration of analgesics. The analgesics are encapsulated in diacylglycerol-polyethyleneglycol (DAG-PEG) liposomes and delivered sublingually as aerosols.... Agent: Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner LLP

20080132752 - Method and apparatus for treatment of monofrequency tinnitus utilizing sound wave cancellation techniques: In accordance with novel aspects of Applicant's monofrequency tinnitus patient treatment apparatus and process, phase cancellation effects are achieved by utilizing an externally generated sound which is subjectively selected by the monofrequency tinnitus patient to match in both tone and loudness his or her tinnitus sound. This subjectively selected externally... Agent: Steven L. Nichols Rader, Fishman & Graver Pllc

20080132753 - Coaxial device for delivering an implant to a patient's pelvic region: Systems and methods for implanting a surgical sling in a patient by a transobturator approach are disclosed. A sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly with the surgical sling includes a guide tube and an extendible shaft section movable inside the guide tube. At least a portion of the... Agent: Ropes & Gray LLP

20080132754 - Implantable article and method: An implantable article and method are disclosed for treating pelvic floor disorders such as vaginal vault prolase. A surgical kit useful for performing a surgical procedure such as a sacral colpopexy is also described.... Agent: Ams Research Corporation

20080132755 - Medical device: A medical device includes a medical instrument main body, an elongated and flexible first flexible member, an elongated and flexible second flexible member, an arm, a first holding member, and a second holding member. The first flexible member extends from the medical instrument main body. The second flexible member extends... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080132756 - Capsule-type medical apparatus and a communication method for the capsule-type medical apparatus: When a capsule is manufactured, a unique number such as a serial number is stored in non-volatile memory in the capsule. If the capsule is used with an external apparatus, the unique number is sent from the capsule to the external apparatus. The external apparatus relates each unique number with... Agent: Scully Scott Murphy & Presser, Pc

20080132759 - Cap attachment with excising function and endoscope: A cap attachment with excising function attached to the tip of an insert part of an endoscope inserted into the body the cap attachment comprising a cylindrically shaped body part 2 and a plate-shaped excising part projecting from the tip of the body part 2 in the axial direction, and... Agent: Posz Law Group, Plc

20080132758 - Independent articulating accessory channel: Devices and methods useful for delivering tools and/or materials to a surgical site are disclosed. In one embodiment, an accessory device for an endoscope is provided and can include an elongate sheath and an accessory channel. The elongate sheath can be adapted to receive an endoscope therein, and it can... Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP

20080132757 - System and method for performing minimally invasive surgery using a multi-channel catheter: A system and method from minimally invasive lung surgery employ a bronchoscope with a multi-channel catheter disposed in a channel of the bronchoscope. A transmitting antenna disposed at a distal end of the multi-channel catheter allows the distal end to be tracked in a tracking image during a surgical procedure.... Agent: Peter Vogel Ge Healthcare

20080132760 - Endoscope distal end forming portion: This endoscope includes a hollow distal end member (24) provided at a distal end of an endoscope insertion portion (14), a built-in component accommodating portion (25) that is formed of an inside of the distal end member (24) and accommodates a distal end of an elongated built-in component (26, 27)... Agent: Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman & Chick, Pc

20080132761 - Articulation section: The invention is an articulation section for an endoscope (10). The articulation section (50) is characterized in that each one of its vertebrae (52) is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled. This arrangement allows the replacement of individual ones of the vertebrae and/or the replacement... Agent: Kevin D Mccarthy Roach Brow Mccarthy&gruber Pc

20080132762 - Flexible endoscope tip bending mechanism using optical fiber as compression member: A flexible endoscope includes an elongate flexible extrusion. A central lumen extends longitudinally through the center of the extrusion, and a plurality of other longitudinally extending lumens are spaced around the central lumen. An optical fiber is inserted within the central lumen and is coupled to its inner surface. This... Agent: Law Offices Of Ronald M Anderson

20080132763 - Apparatus and method for an endoscope pump: A fluid pump system and a method for pumping fluid into and out of an endoscopic surgical instrument are provided. Generally, the fluid pump system includes a housing, disposable inflow and outflow cartridges, and at least one fluid pump for pumping fluid into or out of fluid channels in an... Agent: St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens, Llc

20080132764 - Minimal access lumbar diskectomy instrumentation and method: A minimal incision maximal access system allows for maximum desirable exposure along with maximum access to the operative field utilizing a minimum incision as small as the METRx and Endius systems. Instead of multiple insertions of dilating tubes the design is a streamlined single entry device to avoid repetitive skin... Agent: Carter, Deluca, Farrell & Schmidt, LLP

20080132765 - Hand assisted laparoscopic device: A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having an iris seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the iris seal is supported between the upper... Agent: Welsh & Flaxman Llc

20080132766 - Surgical access system and method of using same: A system for creating an access portal to a surgical site generally comprises a first portal member configured to be inserted through an incision and toward the surgical site and a second portal member configured to be inserted through the incision for engagement with proximate the first portal member. Each... Agent: Wood, Herron & Evans (zimmer Spine)

20080132767 - Surgical instrument holder: An apparatus for holding a surgical instrument relative to a base is provided having a mounting portion configured and dimensioned to engage a portion of a base, a jaw assembly including first and second jaw members which define a retaining area therebetween configured and dimensioned to retain the shaft of... Agent: Tyco Healthcare Group Lp

20080132768 - Cerebrum evaluation device: There is provided a cerebrum evaluation device for evaluating the state of the cerebrum of a subject by analyzing a speech signal of the subject by using chaotic signal processing utilizing the periodicity of the signal. The cerebrum evaluation device evaluates the state of the cerebrum according to the speech... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080132769 - Non-invasively monitoring blood parameters: An apparatus for monitoring vital sign parameters in a biological entity is disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one light source for transmitting light through the biological entity and at least one photodetector for receiving light transmitted through the biological entity. At least one light source and... Agent: Rader, Fishman & Grauer Pllc

20080132771 - Measurement of blood oxygen saturation: Oxygenation of a subject's blood is determined by sensing an absorption spectrum of light directed either invasively or non-invasively into the blood, and then calculating an oxygenation value by evaluating a cost function of the remitted spectrum relative to at least two pre-determined reference absorption spectra representing different, known levels... Agent: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

20080132770 - Research data classification and quality control for data from non-invasive physiologic sensors: A method and apparatus of obtaining research data that includes a set of physiologic parameters of a subject by utilizing a physiologic sensor which measures a plurality of physiologic parameters of a subject by obtaining signals from the sensor from which the physiologic parameters are calculated and which verifies the... Agent: Blynn L. Shideler The Blk Law Group

20080132772 - Medical electrode: This application comprises a plane medical electrode for dissipating signals from the human skin having a carrier element and at least one tapping pad projecting over the outer edge of the carrier element, wherein at least one contact point for picking up the signal from a patient's skin is provided... Agent: Seyfarth Shaw LLP

20080132773 - Electrode connector: A biomedical electrode connector for coupling with a biomedical electrode of the type including an electrode base and a male terminal projecting from the electrode base is provided. The electrode connector includes a jacketed housing having an internal cavity with an electrical contact material adapted for electrical coupling relation with... Agent: Kendall (cdfs)

20080132775 - Ultrasound measurement techniques for bone analysis: In some aspects, the present invention provides a method of measuring bone condition using ultrasound waves. Embodiments can involve transmitting an ultrasonic signal through a portion of a bone to be measured to a receiver. The first and second harmonics of the detected signal can then be isolated. A duration... Agent: Intellectual Property Group Fredrikson & Byron, P.a.

20080132774 - Vessel centerline determination: A method of centerline determination for a tubular tissue in a medical image data set defined in a data space, comprising receiving at least one start point and one end point inside a tubular tissue volume; automatically determining a path between said points that remains inside said volume; automatically segmenting... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080132776 - Magnetic resonance method and apparatus for selective excitation of nuclear spins: In a method and magnetic resonance apparatus for selective excitation of nuclear spins of an examination region in an examination subject using at least one radio-frequency excitation pulse and using slice-selective magnetic fields, the slice-selective magnetic field gradients are selected dependent on the position of the examination region relative to... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080132777 - Combined mr-optical coil for prostate-, cevix- and rectum cancer imaging diagnostics: We present, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system combining anatomical imaging technologies (e.g., MR) with optical technologies. The system can be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, (1) cancer diagnosis and staging; (2) image guidance; and (3) radiation therapy planning. Image guidance... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080132778 - System and method for real-time localization for gated mr imaging: A system and method for MR imaging is disclosed that includes displaying a series of MR images of an ROI in real-time and localizing a slice within the ROI. The method also includes using a parallel imaging technique to acquire gated MR data from the localized slice and reconstructing a... Agent: Ziolkowski Patent Solutions Group, Sc (gems)

20080132779 - Method and device for positioning a patient support in a magnetic resonance apparatus: In a method and a device for positioning a support device of a magnetic resonance apparatus, wherein the magnetic resonance apparatus has a coil device, a patient support device that has a mounting for accommodation of the coil device at a predetermined position, a detector unit is provided for detection... Agent: Schiff Hardin, LLP Patent Department

20080132780 - Patient support table for a magnetic resonance system having a strong magnetic field and a magnetic resonance system including such a patient support table: A patient support table for a magnetic resonance system with a magnetic field generation device creating a magnetic field of 7T or more, comprising a table plate able to be moved into and out of the patient chamber of the magnetic resonance system by means of a drive device, characterized... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080132781 - Workflow of a service provider based cfd business model for the risk assessment of aneurysm and respective clinical interface: A system and method provide an optimized workflow and a dedicated user interface for image visualizations that facilitate medical diagnosis. Image data may be acquired via an imaging procedure at a remote medical facility. A physician may review the images on a display and mark-up/modify the images via the interface... Agent: Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

20080132782 - Combined mr-ultrasound (us) coil for prostate-, cevix- and rectum cancer imaging diagnostics: We present, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system combining anatomical imaging technologies (e.g., MR) with molecular imaging technologies (e.g., ultrasound). The system can be used for a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, (1) cancer diagnosis and staging; (2) image guidance; and (3) radiation therapy... Agent: Siemens Corporation Intellectual Property Department

20080132785 - Hybrid imaging method to monitor medical device delivery and patient support for use in method: This invention discloses a method and apparatus to deliver medical devices to targeted locations within human tissues using imaging data. The method enables the target location to be obtained from one imaging system, followed by the use of a second imaging system to verify the final position of the device.... Agent: Quarles & Brady LLP

20080132783 - Pelvis registration method and apparatus: A method and apparatus for registering a pelvis of a subject in a lateral position are described. The method includes the position of at least a first point and a second point in a first plane parallel to a first cardinal plane of the pelvis. Then the position of at... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080132784 - Spine labeling: An image analysis system comprising: (a) an image input module adapted to receive a medical image; and (b) an analytic module adapted to segment the image, identify a plurality of vertebrae and label each vertebra.... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080132786 - Display support arm and ultrasonic imaging apparatus: A display support arm includes a first swing arm having a first end portion positioned vertically on top of a housing and further having a second end portion, the first swing arm causing the second end portion to rotate in a horizontal plane with the first end portion as a... Agent: Patrick W. Rasche Armstrong Teasdale LLP

20080132787 - Radiotherapeutic apparatus: The co-registration of a volumetric ultrasound acquisition of the volume of interest with a magnetic resonance image allows the former to providing the basis for calculation of the dose distribution and the latter to provide the basis for target delineation and isocenter placement. The present invention therefore provides an apparatus... Agent: Lahive & Cockfield, LLP

20080132789 - Biopsy system with integrated imaging: A biopsy system is disclosed that has a tissue removal system, an imaging system, an image display system and a common input console for these systems. The tissue removal system can have a mechanical tissue cutting blade or an electrosurgical cutting element and the tissue removal system is capable of... Agent: Edward J. Lynch Patent Attorney

20080132788 - Method and apparatus for detecting movements of objects: “The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting movements of objects, preferably an ultrasonic method and apparatus for detecting the movements of blood vessels during the cardiac cycle, including scanning an object by two- or three-dimensional ultrasonic image scanning means at discrete acquisition times to acquire a... Agent: Cantor Colburn, LLP

20080132791 - Single frame - multiple frequency compounding for ultrasound imaging: When an ultrasound transducer is driven by a signal that contains a relatively wide range of frequencies, the frequency-dependent attenuation characteristics of the subject being imaged can be relied on to simultaneously provide, using only a single pulse per line of the image, (a) a return from the deeper portions... Agent: Proskauer Rose LLP Patent Department

20080132790 - Ultrasound diagnosis and treatment apparatus: The invention provides apparatus and methods for semi-automatic or automatic imaging or treatment of occlusions in vessels using pulsed or unpulsed focussed sound waves, preferably ultrasound, in Doppler technology. The apparatus comprises at least one sound transducer member including at least one sound-emitting element for producing at least one sound... Agent: Sughrue Mion, Pllc

20080132792 - Method and system for monitoring ablation of tissues: A method of monitoring heat damage to a tissue during a heat ablation procedure is disclosed. The method comprising: providing images of the tissue, extracting at least one parameter being indicative of a biological response to heat, and using the parameter(s) for determining the heat damage to the tissue.... Agent: Martin D. Moynihan Prtsi, Inc.

20080132793 - Non-invasive tissue glucose level monitoring: Instruments and methods for performing non-invasive measurements of analyte concentrations and for monitoring, analyzing and regulating tissue status, such as tissue glucose levels.... Agent: Kristofer E. Elbing

20080132794 - Spectral polarizing tomographic dermatoscope: An apparatus for use in examining an object, such as skin, mucosa and cervical tissues for detecting cancer and precancerous conditions therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a gun-shaped housing having a handle portion and a barrel portion. The front end of the barrel portion is open, and a... Agent: Kriegsman & Kriegsman

20080132795 - Adjustable cuff for measuring blood pressure: A cuff (1) for measuring arterial pressure including a tubular sleeve (2) with an integrated inflatable chamber (11), which is adapted to be wrapped around the arm of a patient; the cuff includes fastening means (10) adapted to fasten the cuff (1) around the arm of the patient and to... Agent: Lowrie, Lando & Anastasi, LLP

20080132796 - Bladder-based cuff for measuring physiological parameters and method of measuring physiological parameter using same: A cuff for measuring volume and change in volume of a body appendage includes a hollow, rigid tube having an inner surface; and a bladder having an inner surface and an outer surface, the ends of the bladder being sealed to the ends of the tube to create an enclosed... Agent: Jacobson Holman Pllc

20080132797 - Monitoring infusion of a substance: A method of monitoring the intended infusion of a substance into a blood vessel by measuring the flow velocity within the blood vessel downstream of the point of infusion, and providing an indication if an anomaly in the flow velocity occurs.... Agent: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP

20080132798 - Wireless headsets and wireless communication networks for heart rate monitoring: A multi-functional wireless headset may include a heart rate sensing assembly configured to detect heart rate data of a wearer of the headset, and a wireless communication unit configured to communicate heart rate data to a gateway device.... Agent: Prass & Irving LLP

20080132799 - Method of physiological data analysis and measurement quality check using principal component analysis: In a method of analyzing patient physiological data, the data is subjected to principal component analysis and compared to a model physiological data principal component analysis. The comparison is used to identify correlations present in the morphology of the patient physiological data. The present invention further includes determining a confidence... Agent: Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall, LLP

20080132800 - Novel medical methods and systems incorporating wireless monitoring: Medical systems and methods incorporate monitoring of at least two implanted markers, each of which is adapted to wirelessly transmit a signal in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation signal; the response signals are converted into positional information for the two markers. The systems and methods further incorporate both, or... Agent: Medtronic, Inc.

20080132801 - Method for processing a series of cardiac rhythm signals (rr) and the use thereof for analysing a cardiac rhythm variability, in particular for assessing a patient's pain or stress: The inventive method for processing an RR series comprises a plurality of (RR) samples representing time intervals (dti) between two successive heart beats or the inverse (1/dti) of said time intervals consists in selecting (N) (RRi) samples in a main time window having a predetermined length (n), in cutting said... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080132802 - System and method for determining pulmonary performance from transthoracic impedance measures: A system and method for determining pulmonary performance from transthoracic impedance measures is provided. Transthoracic impedance measures collected by an implantable medical device are correlated to pulmonary functional measures. The pulmonary functional measures are grouped by respiratory pattern. Pulmonary performance is evaluated. Differences are determined by comparing the pulmonary functional... Agent: Cascadia Intellectual Property

20080132803 - Method and system for doing business by mining the placental-chord complex: Methods, systems and computer readable code for mining the placenta-umbilical cord complex are disclosed. According to some embodiments, a plurality of distinct components of the placenta-umbilical complex are recovered for a placenta-umbilical cord complex of the donor and stored separately. Methods, systems and computer-readable code for determining which set of... Agent: Dr. Mark M. Friedman C/o Bill Polkinghorn - Discovery Dispatch

20080132805 - Method for examining tissue samples and device therefor: For examining tissue samples that were taken from a tissue area with suspicion of tumor it is proposed that the tissue samples be examined shortly afterward for a measurement value typical of tissue alteration. With tissue samples taken spatially-systematically, a measurement value distribution at the sampling site can be ascertained,... Agent: Slater & Matsil, L.l.p.

20080132804 - Remote thumbwheel for surgical biopsy device: The present application is directed to an image-guided, vacuum assisted, percutaneous, coring, cable driven breast biopsy instrument which may be conveniently mounted to an x-ray machine wherein the biopsy instrument incorporates a rotation knob at the proximal end of the instrument to manually rotate the distal end of the probe,... Agent: Philip S. Johnson Johnson & Johnson

20080132806 - Sensor and guide wire assembly: A sensor and guide wire assembly (21; 41; 61; 81) for intravascular measurements of a physiological variable in a living body includes a sensor element (22; 42; 62; 82) mounted at a distal sensor portion (23; 43; 63; 83) of a guide wire (24; 44; 64; 84), wherein the sensor... Agent: Foley And Lardner LLP Suite 500

20080132807 - Intravaginal article measuring device: A method is provided for measuring the insertion distance of an intravaginal article within a human vaginal cavity. The method uses a measuring device, which can be slidably attached to a withdrawal means of a vaginally inserted intravaginal article. The measuring device may be moved along the withdrawal means to... Agent: The Procter & Gamble Company Intellectual Property Division - West Bldg.

20080132808 - Bed occupant monitoring system: The invention provides a bed occupant monitoring system comprising a pressure sensitive member attached to a support member for supporting a bed occupant, the pressure sensitive member comprising a plurality of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is configured to provide a reflected wave energy pressure signal by reflecting... Agent: Barnes & Thornburg, LLP