23rd week of 2017 patent applcation highlights part 5 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20170156655 | HUMAN PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS USING WAVE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULI - A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of electrodes arranged in an array and spaced longitudinally with respect to the human body. The array extends from an inferior position to a more superior position along the body. A sensor measures a parameter of the human body that is capable of indicating the presence of drowsiness. A controller has an input connected to the sensor for receiving a signal representing the sensed parameter and has outputs connected to each of the electrodes. The controller detects whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness and applies a wave of electrical stimuli against the human body in response to detection of a sensed parameter within the range. The electrical stimuli cause periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles as the wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156656 | STRESS MONITORING FOR INDIVIDUALS IN MOVING STRUCTURES - Method and device for monitoring stress of an individual in a moving structure by estimating and monitoring a mental component of a total heart rate of the individual, wherein the total heart rate comprises the mental component, a mechanical component, a component relating to heat balance and a component relating to basic metabolic functions, wherein the total heart rate and movements of the individual and the moving structure are measured in real-time, wherein the mechanical component is estimated in real-time based on the real-time movement of the individual and the moving structure, wherein the mental component is obtained by subtracting the mechanical component, the component relating to the heat balance and the component relating to basic metabolic functions from the total heart rate. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156657 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING STRESS CONDITIONS - A computer-implemented method of assessing a stress condition of a subject ( | 2017-06-08 |
20170156658 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING WOUND HEALING USING IMPEDANCE SPECTROSCOPY - Methods and apparatus for real-time, quantifiable monitoring of high-risk areas of biological tissue are described. The methods and apparatus use impedance spectroscopy to detect subtle changes in tissue health. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156659 | DEVICE, SHOES, INSOLES AND METHOD FOR CORRECTING WALKING AND STANDING POSTURES - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device, shoes, insoles and a method for correcting walking and standing postures. The device for correcting walking postures includes: a signal transmitter, to transmit a signal; a signal receiver, wirelessly connected to the signal transmitter, to receive the signal transmitted by the signal transmitter; a processor, connected to the signal receiver, to determine whether strength of the signal received by the signal receiver is in a preset strength range and generate a prompting signal if the strength of the signal received by the signal receiver is not in the preset strength range; and a prompter, connected to the processor, to prompt a user that the walking posture is not right after receiving the prompting signal. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156660 | Micro Vein Enhancer - The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156661 | PAIN ASSESSMENT METHOD AND SYSTEM - The present disclosure provides a method for determining an effect of a drug on pain experienced by a patient. The method comprises providing reference information concerning at least one visible and/or audible feature that is indicative of a level of the pain. The method further comprises capturing information indicative of the at least one visible and/or audible feature, respectively, from the patient comprising observing the patient directly or indirectly after administering the drug to the patient. In addition, the method comprises determining pain indicating information associated with a level of pain experienced by the patient using the captured information. The method also comprises comparing the pain indicating information with the provided reference information to determine the effect of the drug on the pain experienced by the patient. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156662 | MONITORING BODY MOVEMENT OR CONDITION ACCORDING TO MOTION REGIMEN WITH CONFORMAL ELECTRONICS - Systems and methods are described for monitoring an individual subject and facilitating a motion regimen of the individual subject. In an aspect, a system includes, but is not limited to, a deformable substrate; a sensor assembly configured to generate one or more sense signals based on detection of at least one of a movement of the body portion or at least one physiological parameter of the body portion; a processor configured to receive the one or more sense signals, the processor including circuitry configured to identify a physiological state of the individual subject based on at least one of the movement of the body portion or the at least one physiological parameter of the body portion; and an effector operably coupled to the processor and configured to effect at least one predetermined motion of the body portion corresponding to a motion regimen responsive to control by the processor. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156663 | COLLECTING GAIT INFORMATION FOR EVALUATION AND CONTROL OF THERAPY - A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device or another device may periodically determine an activity level or gait parameter of the patient, and associate each determined level or parameter with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels or parameters associated with that therapy parameter set. Whether the patient is currently experiencing or anticipated to experience gait freeze caused by their neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, may also be determined. Gait freeze events may be associated with current therapy parameters and used to determine activity metric values. In some examples, the activity metric associated with certain therapy parameters may be presented to a user. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156664 | INSTRUMENTED WOUND CLOSURE DEVICE - A wound or incision closure apparatus comprises a first and second panel. Each of the panels comprises a bottom adhesive layer, a medial substrate layer, and an upper load distribution layer which connect the two panels. A sensory or therapeutic element is disposed adjacent, within, or between two or more of the layers. The sensory or therapeutic element can provide sensing and/or therapy for the incision and/or monitor the incision so that the therapy can be customized and updated. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156665 | IN VIVO MEASUREMENT OF CELL CONCENTRATIONS IN FLUID NEAR AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - To assist diagnosis of a post-operative condition related to an implanted medical device, such as an infection, inflammation, mechanical wear, and hemorrhaging, a monitoring device optically measures a concentration of a selected type of cells in a fluid surrounding the implanted medical device. The monitoring device comprises a light source and light sensor which are selected and calibrated, and placed in a relative spatial orientation with respect to each other, to detect light scattered by the selected type of cell in the fluid. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156666 | SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INSIGHTFUL LIFESTYLE NOTIFICATIONS - A lifestyle service with data and routines storable in a memory of a wearable electronic device is discussed. The lifestyle service has at least a Sleep data routine and an Activity data routine. The lifestyle service can cooperate with an insight engine. The lifestyle service is aware of different types of information contained in one or more time synchronous applications. The system can compare tracked physical activity data with historical data in set increments in light of the information in the time synchronous applications and then communicate notifications to the user. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156667 | TEAM PARTICIPANT AWARENESS INDICATOR AND INDICATIVE NOTIFICATION - A wearable cranial device has a substrate conformable to an individual's upper cranial hemisphere housing a force sensor for measuring forces associated with impacts to the exterior of the device in combination with a physiological sensor for measuring physiological data of the individual, and a transmitter for transmitting data from physiological sensor and force sensor to a remote receiver for evaluation of the individual's status. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156668 | SIMULTANEOUS BI-LATERAL BLOOD PRESSURE SYSTEM WITH POSITION INDICATOR - A simultaneous bi-lateral blood pressure system with position indicator has a dual input blood pressure monitor that allows a left and right blood pressure cuff to be plugged and to obtain left and right readings simultaneously. A position indicator attaches to a comfortable adjustable collar that attaches to a patient's neck and is retractably positioned to indicate the position of the reading to be taken. The blood pressure monitor displays systolic and diastolic readings as well as pulse. If there is a significant difference between the left and right readings, then further tests are ordered. The position indicator is marked with measurement lines to allow the user to record the position where the reading is being taken. This establishes a repeatable baseline where further readings are taken from the same position. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156669 | METHODS AND DEVICES COMBINING MULTIPLE CARDIAC RATE MEASUREMENTS WITH INTERVAL CORRECTION AND ARRHYTHMIA DECISION BYPASS - In some examples, cardiac cycle detection may be used as an approach to cardiac activity tracking, with one or more second approaches to cardiac activity tracking also available for use. Additional rate measurement relying on different sources or analyses may require extra power consumption over the cycle detection methods. Therefore, new methods and devices are disclosed that selectively activate a second cardiac rate measurement. In some illustrative methods and devices, decisions are made as to whether and which previously collected data, if any, is to be discarded, replaced, or corrected upon activation of the second cardiac rate measurement. In some illustrative methods and devices, a cardiac cycle detection approach to cardiac activity tracking may be bypassed by a second cardiac rate measurement. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156670 | METHODS AND DEVICES COMBINING MULTIPLE CARDIAC RATE MEASUREMENTS WITH ACTIVATION AND ARRHYTHMIA ANALYSIS CORRECTION - In some examples, cardiac cycle detection may be used as a more or less default approach to cardiac activity tracking. Additional rate measurement relying on different sources or analyses may require extra power consumption over the cycle detection methods. Therefore, new methods and devices are disclosed that selectively activate a second cardiac rate measurement when needed. In some illustrative methods and devices, decisions are made as to whether and which previously collected data, if any, is to be discarded, replaced, or corrected upon activation of the second cardiac rate measurement. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156671 | BIOWEARABLE EMBEDDED CIRCUIT - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for establishing a communication connection between a biowearable embedded circuit and a computing device associated with a user, wherein the biowearable embedded circuit is mounted to the user; obtaining atmospheric, motion, communication, and/or biometric data associated with the user; and providing the atmospheric, motion, communication, and/or biometric data to the computing device. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156672 | ACCESSORY TO ALLOW SENSING AT BALLOON INTERFACE - A device, system and method for temperature-based lesion formation assessment and mapping functionality using an accessory usable with an over-the-wire balloon catheter. The device may include a first annular element, a plurality of wires coupled to the first annular element, and a second annular element, the plurality of wires passing from the first annular element through the second annular element and into an elongate wire conduit coupled to the second annular element. At least one of the plurality of wires may include at least one temperature sensor and/or at least one mapping electrode. The first annular element coupled to an outer surface of a sheath. As a balloon catheter is advanced out of the sheath lumen, the distal tip of the catheter engages the second annular element and pushes the wires out of the sheath lumen, everting them over the balloon of the catheter. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156673 | LIVING BODY INFORMATION MEASUREMENT DEVICE, LIVING BODY INFORMATION MEASUREMENT METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM - A living body information measurement device includes an illuminator that irradiates a living body with illumination light; an imaging unit that images the living body; and a computation unit that computes living body information on the basis of a difference between pixel data in an irradiation area being an area of the living body irradiated with the illumination light and pixel data in a non-irradiation area being an area of the living body not irradiated with the illumination light, included in pixel data associated with each position in an image generated by the imaging of the imaging unit. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156674 | DETECTION OF HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION ERRORS - Disclosed are a system and method of detection of an interaction-error. The interaction-error is derived from an incorrect decision and is directed to interacting with a machine. During human-machine interaction, command related data values are obtained. Command related data values characterize any one of an interacting-command and an interacting-action. The command related data values are compared with command related reference data values, and an interaction-error is identified if a difference between the command related data values and the command related reference data values complies with a predefined criterion. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156675 | Detection method of body tumble event, electronic device and mobile terminal - Embodiments of the disclosure disclose a detection method of a body tumble event, electronic device and a mobile terminal. The method comprises: acquiring acceleration values from an acceleration sensor at a mobile terminal; computing whether acceleration suddenly increases and maintains at zero within a preset period after suddenly increasing, according to the acquired acceleration values; and if YES, determining that the body tumble event occurs, and sending warning information to an emergency contact person preset in the mobile terminal, wherein the warning information carries current position information. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156676 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHIC DEVICE USAGE - Systems and methods for determining if a wearable photoplethysmography device is correctly positioned in operating to medical signs of a user by using a classifier to determine if a signal is valid or invalid. In some embodiments, in using the classifier to determine in a signal is valid or invalid, a lean method of linear computational complexity and minimal memory complexity is provided for determining at the wearable photoplethysmography device if it is correctly positioned. In some embodiments, in using the classifier minimal computational complexity is used in determining at the wearable photoplethysmography device if it is correctly positioned. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156677 | SIGNAL DETECTION DEVICE AND SIGNAL DETECTION METHOD - A signal detection device includes a measurer, an arithmetic operation unit, and signal period detector, and detects information such as a cardiac cycle with high accuracy by causing resonance of only a signal such as a heartbeat, the signal having strong pulse characteristics. The measurer measures a signal. The arithmetic operation unit performs nonlinear arithmetic operation processing for amplifying a pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer and suppressing a component other than the pulse-like component of the signal measured by the measurer. The signal period detector detects a periodic signal from an output of the arithmetic operation unit. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156678 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed is an electronic apparatus for measuring a biometric signal, the electronic apparatus including: a measurer comprising measuring circuitry configured to measure a biometric signal of a person to be examined, and to generate a measured signal having a waveform corresponding to a characteristic of the biometric signal; a signal processor configured to process the generated measured signal; and a controller configured to control the signal processor to generate a compressed signal by compressing the measured signal and at least one piece of characteristic information included in a waveform of the measured signal, when the measured signal is compressed. Thus, a measured biometric signal is efficiently compressed while reducing a loss of main characteristic information. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156679 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VESSEL REACTIVITY TO GUIDE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE - Systems and methods are disclosed for using vessel reactivity to guide diagnosis or treatment for cardiovascular disease. One method includes receiving a patient-specific vascular model of a patient's anatomy, including at least one vessel of the patient; determining, by measurement or estimation, a first vessel size at one or more locations of a vessel of the patient-specific vascular model at a first physiological state; determining a second vessel size at the one or more locations of the vessel of the patient-specific vascular model at a second physiological state using a simulation or learned information; comparing the first vessel size to the corresponding second vessel size; and estimating a characteristic of the vessel of the patient-specific vascular model based on the comparison. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156680 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ASSESSING THE RISK OF AN EXACERBATION AND/OR HOSPITALIZATION - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the growing chronic respiratory diseases and is now a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Acute exacerbations have a negative impact on health related quality of life of COPD patients, survival rates, pulmonary function and utilization of health-care resources. The present application discloses an apparatus ( | 2017-06-08 |
20170156681 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR ASSESSING THE RISK OF AN EXACERBATION AND/OR HOSPITALIZATION - The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system ( | 2017-06-08 |
20170156682 | Health Monitoring System - A machine for processing continuous glucose monitoring data and issuing an alert if hypoglycemia is imminent has three modules: (a) a pre-processing module that receives and modulates continuous glucose monitoring data by reducing noise and adjusting for missed data points and shifts due to calibration; (b) a core algorithm module that receives data from the pre-processing module and calculates a rate of change to make a hypoglycemia prediction, and determine if hypoglycemia is imminent; and (c) an alarm mode module that receives data from the core algorithm and issues an audio or visual alert or warning message or a negative feedback signal to an insulin delivery device if hypoglycemia is imminent. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156683 | EXTREMITY IMAGING APPARATUS FOR CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY - An apparatus for cone beam computed tomography of an extremity has a digital radiation detector and a first device to move the detector along a circular detector path extending so that the detector moves both at least partially around a first extremity of the patient and between the first extremity and a second, adjacent extremity. The detector path has radius R | 2017-06-08 |
20170156684 | PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM AND LEVELLING SYSTEM FOR SUCH A PATIENT SUPPORT SYSTEM - The current invention relates to a patient support table, comprising a frame that is mounted to the floor, an upright column with a table top support system and mounted to the frame and supporting a table top that is movable longitudinally with respect to the column and to accommodate a person. The patient table further comprises a tilt actuator and a control device to control the at least one tilt actuator, and comprising an inclinometer, a data storage and a processing unit that in use compares data from the inclinometer with data from the data storage. The control device comprises a force sensor to determine a load supported by the table top and/or a position sensor to determine the longitudinal position of the table top with respect to a reference, wherein the control device in use calculates a set point for the at least one tilt actuator and actuates the tilt actuator to move or maintain the table top to the set tilted position. The invention also relates to a control device and to the use van such a control device and/or such a patient table. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156685 | VISUALIZATION, NAVIGATION, AND PLANNING WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC NAVIGATION BRONCHOSCOPY AND CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY INTEGRATED - The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for providing visual guidance for navigating inside a patient's chest. An exemplary method includes presenting a three-dimensional (3D) model of a luminal network, generating, by an electromagnetic (EM) field generator, an EM field about the patient's chest, detecting a location of an EM sensor within the EM field, determining a position of a tool within the patient's chest based on the detected location of the EM sensor, displaying an indication of the position of the tool on the 3D model, receiving cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image data of the patient's chest, detecting the location of the tool within the patient's chest based on the CBCT image data, and updating the indication of the position of the tool on the 3D model based on the detected location. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156686 | X-RAY IMAGING DEVICE - The invention relates to X-ray imaging. In order to improve flexibility, for example in relation with phase-contrast imaging, the X-ray imaging device ( | 2017-06-08 |
20170156687 | RADIATION IMAGING APPARATUS AND RADIATION IMAGING SYSTEM - A portable radiation imaging apparatus including: a detection section which includes a plurality of radiation detection elements for accumulating electric charges corresponding to a radiation amount, the radiation detection elements being two-dimensionally arranged; and a control section which controls accumulation of the electric charges in the radiation detection elements and reading of the accumulated electric charges from the radiation detection elements and generates a plurality of frame images of a subject, the electric charges to be accumulated corresponding to the radiation amount of radiation emitted in a pulsed manner by a radiation source and transmitted through the subject, wherein the control section adjusts a synchronization timing between the radiation source and the detection section by using a waveform of radiation emitted by the radiation source, the waveform being obtained by reading electric charges from at least a part of the plurality of radiation detection elements. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156688 | RT-CT INTEGRATED DEVICE - An RT-CT integrated device comprising an RT system and a CT system is disclosed. The radiation-therapy centerline of the RT system and the scanning centerline of the CT system are on a same axis, and the RT system and the CT system are located at a same end of a treatment table. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156689 | RADIATION IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM - A radiation image photographing system includes: a radiation generator installed on a round visit cart or a transportable radiation generator; and an FPD cassette including a plurality of radiation detecting elements arrayed two-dimensionally, wherein the radiation image photographing system performs videography by photographing a sequence of multiple radiation images using the FPD cassette, and the radiation image photographing system further includes: a calculation device configured to calculate remaining time before the photography of the sequence of multiple radiation images is finished; and a display device configured to display the calculated remaining time. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156690 | Techniques for Suppression of Motion Artifacts in Medical Imaging - Techniques for suppression of motion artifacts in medical imaging include obtaining projections at different times within a time interval from a medical imaging system operating on a subject. A stationary projection is determined for a first subset of the projections in which a signal source and detector array of the imaging system are in a first configuration relative to the subject. An image of the subject based on the stationary projection is displayed. For any subset, the stationary projection is a minimum value for each pixel among the subset of projections if a signal passing through a moving object of interest inside the subject is expected to cause an increase in a pixel value. Alternatively, the stationary projection is a maximum value for each pixel among the subset of projections if the signal passing through the object of interest is expected to cause a decrease in a pixel value. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156691 | FORWARD-LOOKING ULTRASOUND ARRAY PROBE FOR INTRAVASCULAR IMAGING AND NAVIGATION APPLICATIONS - An intraluminal forward-looking image producing device and associated methods of use and construction is disclosed. In particular, the device of the present invention is an intraluminal forward-looking intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image producing device. The invention also encompasses methods of using the intraluminal forward-looking intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image producing device to image objects and material in a forward direction. The disclosed methods also involve manufacturing the intraluminal forward-looking intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image producing device including the piezoelectric transducer. The resulting device is an elongated body configured to fit within the lumen of a vessel and having an imaging sensor located on the distal end of the elongated body configured to image objects and material in a forward direction. The method further involves inserting the intraluminal forward-looking intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image producing device into a lumen of a vessel, and imaging objects or material in a forward direction. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful in vascular diagnostic and therapeutic procedures when the vessel has been completely blocked by plaque and imaging of the occlusion is required. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156692 | ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE, ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - Each of all ultrasound transducers constituting an ultrasound transducer group of an ultrasound transmitting/receiving portion is connected to a circuit board via electrical wiring so that all the ultrasound transducers can transmit/receive ultrasound. Therefore, even if a second ultrasound transducer group which causes ultrasound to be reflected in a housing occurs due to a shape (inclination and an amount of projection), influence and the like of an outer circumferential portion of an opening portion of the housing, a first ultrasound transducer group capable of emitting ultrasound from the opening portion is appropriately secured. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156693 | PORTABLE ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND POWER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT METHOD THEREIN - A portable ultrasonic diagnostic device according to the present invention comprises: a measurement depth setting unit for setting the measurement depth intended to be measured; a voltage supply unit for supplying the voltage to be applied to a pulse generation unit depending on the set measurement depth, wherein the smaller the set measurement depth, the smaller the voltage supplied; and a pulse generation unit for generating the electrical pulse to be applied to an ultrasonic transducer in order to generate ultrasonic wave, wherein the generated electrical pulse is an electrical pulse of a voltage corresponding to the voltage supplied from the voltage supply unit. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156694 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING A PROBE GRIP FOR AN ULTRASOUND PROBE - A method for customizing a probe grip of an ultrasound probe for a user is presented. The method includes printing the probe grip in a three-dimensional shape of the probe grip based on grip data corresponding to the user. Further, the method includes installing the printed probe grip on the ultrasound probe. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156695 | ULTRASONIC PROBE UNIT, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASONIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic probe unit is provided with an ultrasonic probe, and a fixation section adapted to fix the ultrasonic probe to a living body, the ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic device adapted to perform transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave, a probe-side magnet, and a displacement mechanism adapted to adjust a relative positional relationship between the ultrasonic device and the probe-side magnet, and the fixation section includes a fixation surface to be fixed to the living body, and a fixation section-side magnet a relative position of which to the probe-side magnet is fixed to thereby fix the ultrasonic probe to the living body. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156696 | ULTRASOUND PROBE, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION METHOD THEREFOR, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT - Technique that enables precisely measuring cavity height and precisely grasping maximum transmission sound pressure in an ultrasonic probe is provided to the ultrasonic probe using CMUT. The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes plural cells each of which includes a lower electrode and an upper electrode arranged via a gap with respect to the lower electrode, and the plural cells include an ultrasonic cell the gap of which is void and which transmits/receives an ultrasonic wave and a reference cell the gap of which is filled with a conductive material. Electrostatic capacity of the ultrasonic cell and the reference cell is measured, parasitic capacity included in the measured electrostatic capacity as to the ultrasonic cell is corrected using parasitic capacity included in the measured electrostatic capacity as to the reference cell, and cavity height is calculated on the basis of the corrected electrostatic capacity of the ultrasonic cell. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156697 | ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE - An embodiment of the disclosure provides an ultrasound probe including a single large-area ASIC in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are bonded. According to an embodiment, an ultrasound probe comprises: a transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements configured to transmit or receive ultrasound; and an integrated circuit, in which the transducer array is bonded, including a plurality of driving elements corresponding to the plurality of transducer elements, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a time delay table configured to output time delay information regarding respective ultrasound transmission and reception of the plurality of transducer elements. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156698 | Image-based User Interface for Controlling Medical Imaging - An image-based user interface is used for controlling medical imaging. A variety of images of a same region but associated with different settings are displayed to the user. The user selects the desired image. The medical imager is then configured with the settings from the selected image for imaging a patient. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156699 | CONTRAST ASSISTED INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING - A method of imaging a blood vessel includes delivering a bubble-based contrast agent within the vessel and positioning at least one ultrasound device in the vicinity of the bubble-based contrast agent within the vessel. A first burst of low-frequency ultrasound energy can be delivered to excite the bubble-based contrast agent into oscillation within the vessel, and a second burst of high-frequency ultrasound energy can be delivered at the excited bubble-based contrast agent. A return signal from the burst of high-frequency ultrasound energy can be received and processed to obtain one or more images. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156700 | ANALYZING APPARATUS - An analyzing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect a shear wave propagating in an object. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate an index value that indicates viscosity within the object and that is not dependent on any physical model related to viscoelasticity, by analyzing the detected shear wave. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156701 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GRADIENT-BASED K-SPACE SEARCH FOR SHEAR WAVE VELOCITY DISPERSION ESTIMATION - Described here are systems and methods for ultrasound processes using shear wave attenuation and velocity derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156702 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method for controlling the same, which increases user convenience and shortens time required for the user to re-adjust a region of interest (ROI) by automatically creating an ROI to fit a changed object image if the user makes a mode change. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe for irradiating an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving an echo ultrasound signal from the object; an image generator for creating an image in a first mode based on the echo ultrasound signal received by the probe and creating an image in a second mode related to the first mode; an image measurer for measuring the object image on the image in the first mode; a region of interest (ROI) generator for automatically creating an ROI in the second mode based on the measured object image as the first mode is changed to the second mode; and a display for displaying the image in the first mode, and displaying the image in the second mode with the created ROI as the mode change is made. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156703 | ANALYSIS METHODS OF ULTRASOUND ECHO SIGNALS BASED ON STATISTICS OF SCATTERER DISTRIBUTIONS - The invention provides an analysis method of ultrasound echo signals based on statistics of scatterer distributions. The beginning of steps, choosing an ultrasound echo signal as a center, and calculating the signal image values of all ultrasound echo signals within a window block in an ultrasound image data to obtain an ultrasound scatterer value. Then, choosing another ultrasound echo signal as the center to repeat the previous steps until all of ultrasound echo signals may be calculated. The interval between each of ultrasound echo signal is one point distance. Finally, to output an ultrasound scatterer mode image with all ultrasound scatterer values by utilizing color scale. The ultrasound scatterer mode image can assist doctor to confirm the relative region of lesion in a target organ. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156704 | ESTIMATION AND DISPLAY FOR VECTOR DOPPLER IMAGING USING PLANE WAVE TRANSMISSIONS - Vector Doppler Imaging (VDI) improves on conventional Color Doppler Imaging (CDI) by giving speed and direction of blood flow at each pixel of a display generated by a computing system. Multiple angles of Plane wave transmissions (PWT) via an ultrasound transducer conveniently give projected Doppler measurements over a wide field of view, providing enough angular diversity to identify velocity vectors in a short time window while capturing transitory flow dynamics. A fast, aliasing-resistant velocity vector estimator for PWT is presented, and VDI imaging of a carotid artery with a 5 MHz linear array is shown using a novel synthetic particle flow visualization method. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156705 | ABLATION TREATMENT DEVICE SENSOR - A treatment device includes a unit having an ultrasound imaging element and an ablation electrode, mechanism for receiving signals from the imaging element, the signals representing plural frames of ultrasound data; and mechanism for processing the signals to provide, in use, at least one of ultrasound data and data indicating mechanical strains within tissue being monitored by the sensor element, the strains being generated by movement of the tissue or the body being treated, the movement being generated naturally by the tissue or by the device operator's motion, or both. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156706 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CUFF-LESS BLOOD PRESSURE (BP) MEASUREMENT OF A SUBJECT - Embodiments herein disclose a method and system for cuff-less blood pressure (BP) measurement of a subject. The method includes measuring, by one or more sensors, a local pulse wave velocity (PWV) and/or blood pulse waveforms of an arterial wall of the subject. Further, the method includes measuring, by an ultrasound transducer, a change in arterial dimensions over a cardiac cycle of the arterial wall of the subject. The arterial dimensions include an arterial distension and an end-diastolic diameter. Furthermore, the method includes measuring, by a controller unit, BP of the subject based on the local PWV and the change in arterial dimensions. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156707 | Data Compression to Facilitate Remote Medical Analysis and Diagnosis - Cardiac monitoring is implemented by transmitting ultrasound energy into a lung of the subject, receiving ultrasound reflections, detecting Doppler shifts in the received reflections, and processing the Doppler shifts into power and velocity data. A plurality of cardiac cycles are identified within the power and velocity data, and a plurality of features corresponding to each of the plurality of cardiac cycles are identified. The identified features are characterized into a set of parameters, and the set of parameters is transmitted to a remote location. The set of parameters is analyzed at the remote location to determine if an abnormality exists. If an abnormality exists, an indication is output from the remote location. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156708 | PHANTOM AND PACKAGED PHANTOM FOR EVALUATING PHOTOACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - In the performance evaluation of a photoacoustic measurement apparatus using a phantom, an increase in the accuracy of the evaluation of the apparatus is improved. A phantom capable of being used to evaluate a photoacoustic measurement apparatus includes a recording unit having stored therein information regarding a temporal change in an optical characteristic or an acoustic characteristic of the phantom. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156709 | ENDOSCOPIC BIOPSY NEEDLE WITH COIL SHEATH - A notched tissue-collection needle configured similarly to a fine-needle-aspiration needle is provided with a cutting edge disposed in the notch and configured to excise tissue into the notch for collection. A stylet may be provided through a lumen of the needle during introduction into a patient body. The needle may be provided with echogenicity-enhancing features. A coated-coiled-wire sheath through which the needle is slidably disposed includes an overcoating that is thicker along a distal length and thinner along a mid-section length intermediate the proximal and distal lengths, and may include another thicker proximal-most portion adjacent the handle. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156710 | REPAIR OR REFURBISHMENT OF LIMITED USE MEDICAL DEVICES - A powered medical device includes electronic components on a circuit board embedded within the body of a plug for connecting the device with a control apparatus. The medical device may be repaired or refurbished without the need to access the embedded circuit board through the use of a supplemental circuit board installed into the open end of the plug adjacent the plug pins. The supplemental circuit board may include a variety of electronic components, including fuses or non-volatile memory. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156711 | TREATMENT-TOOL DRIVING DEVICE - A treatment-tool driving device being attached to a treatment tool provided with at least one pair of tensile-force transmitting members and driving the treatment tool by tensile forces imparted to the tensile-force transmitting members, wherein the device includes: movable members being individually attached to one ends of the individual tensile-force transmitting members; a driving source generating a motive power with which the treatment tool is driven; a motive-power transmitting mechanism switching between coupling and decoupling between the driving source and the movable members, and transmitting, in a coupled state, the motive power from the driving source so as to selectively impart tensile forces to the two movable members attached to the paired tensile-force transmitting members; and a biasing portion biasing the two movable members in directions in which tensile forces are imparted to the tensile-force transmitting members in a state in which coupling by the motive-power transmitting mechanism is released. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156712 | ARTICULATION JOINT WITH BENDING MEMBER - The present disclosure provides an articulation joint that can include a plurality of articulation links, wherein each articulation link can include an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer surface, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Each articulation link can further include a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the elongate body, wherein each arm includes an inner end attached to the outer surface of the elongate body and a second lumen extending from a proximal side of the arm to a distal side of the arm. The articulation joint can also include a bending member positioned within the first lumen of the elongate body and a control member positioned within a plurality of second lumens, wherein each of the plurality of second lumens includes a common longitudinal axis. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156713 | ULTRASOUND ASSISTED TISSUE WELDING DEVICE - The present invention relates to ultrasound assisted tissue welding, more particularly, to a method and device utilizing ultrasound energy for effective closure and sealing of surgical incisions or other wounds. The device of the present invention comprises an ultrasound generator, an ultrasound transducer, a transducer tip at the distal end of the ultrasound transducer, and a radiation surface. A web such as gauze is placed over the incision. In an embodiment, the device may be used to bring the edges of the tissue to be sealed together as the device applies energy to the tissues. Ultrasonic waves emanating from the radiation surface pass through the web and seal the incision creating a continuous seam. The device may be used with or without additional adhesive materials or therapeutic agents. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156714 | SYRINGE ASSEMBLY FOR STORING AND MIXING TWO COMPONENTS - The invention relates to syringes for storing and mixing components. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156715 | SENSING APPARATUS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING THE SAME - A sensing apparatus is applicable to a surgical instrument having a clamping portion, a linkage rod member and an operating portion. The damping portion is used to damp a target. The sensing apparatus includes a touch sensor set, a force sensor, a displacement sensor and a processing device. The touch sensor set can sense a touch signal between the target and the clamping portion. The force sensor can sense a clamping force applied on the target. The displacement sensor can measure a displacement of the linkage rod member. The processing device includes a database, a processing unit and a comparison unit. The database stores reference curves of different reference objects. The processing unit can build an actual measurement curve of the target. The comparison unit can compare the actual measurement curve with each of the reference curves to obtain one of the reference curves corresponding to the actual measurement curve. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156716 | STAND-ALONE ACCESS SYSTEM FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINAL SURGERY - A retractor assembly for defining a working channel to a surgical site for conducting minimally invasive spinal surgery includes a plurality of relatively articulable components. Temporary interconnections are formed between adjacent sidewalls of the components to hold the components in a de sired configuration, such as in a closed triangular form. The components are articulable relative to each other for adjusting the working channel or for performing surgical functions. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156717 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ANCHORING TISSUE - Devices and methods for anchoring soft tissue, tissue grafts, and the like to a bone are provided. In one example, an assembly includes a suture anchor, suture, and inserter. In another example, a method provides for reattaching soft tissue to a bone. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156718 | ALL-SUTURE SUTURE ANCHOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A method of anchoring soft tissue to a suitable bone site, using a soft suture anchor, includes steps of disposing the soft suture anchor on a shaft of an inserter, and securing a proximal end of a tensioning suture limb, extending proximally from the soft suture anchor, to structure in a handle of the inserter, so that it is maintained in place at a first level of holding tension (T | 2017-06-08 |
20170156719 | TISSUE ANCHOR AND DELIVERY TOOL - A torque-delivering cable is provided, which includes a first coupling. The torque-delivering cable and the first coupling are shaped so as to collectively define a first passage therethrough. A tissue anchor is further provided, which includes a tissue-engaging element and a second coupling, which second coupling is shaped so as to define a second passage therethrough. The first and the second couplings are interlockingly coupleable to each other. An elongate longitudinal locking element is additionally provided, which is shaped so as to define a sharp tip, and which (a) when reversibly disposed in the first and the second passages, maintains coupling together of the first and the second couplings, and (b) when withdrawn from the second passage, allows decoupling of the first and the second coupling from each another | 2017-06-08 |
20170156720 | KNOTLESS SUTURE FASTENER INSTALLATION SYSTEM - A knotless suture fastener installation system for securing medical devices such as cardiac implants. The knotless suture fasteners may be spring-biased so as to grip onto sutures passed therethrough. The system includes a fastener deployment tool with a proximal handle and a distal shaft to which a fastener cartridge attaches. A plurality of disposable cartridges are sequentially attached to the end of the deployment tool and used to secure the medical implant one fastener at a time. The deployment tool may also cut the sutures being fastened. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156721 | INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR COMPLETE PLANTAR PLATE REPAIRS - Surgical repair systems and techniques for plantar plate repairs. The surgical repair systems and methods reconstruct the plantar plate through a dorsal incision. The surgical repair system embodies a variety of instruments that provide visualization and access to the plantar plate using suture to complete the repair. The repair system may include some or all of the following instruments: a metatarsal head pusher employed in open surgical space, to move the “capital fragment” in a controlled manner; a suture retriever instrument and a suture retriever funnel (sleeve); a suture passer such as a Mini Scorpion DX and accompanying needle, or a variety of shaped Micro Suture Lassos; a measuring guide; and a small joint distractor. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156722 | SYSTEMS FOR SECURING SUTURES - Described herein are systems and methods for securing sutures that obviate the need for tying knots. Instead of tying two ends of a suture or two sutures together with a knot, two or more suture portions can be fused or cauterized together using heat. A device can be applied to adjacent suture portions that heats the suture portions and causes the suture portions to fuse together, effectively securing the suture portions together without a knot. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156723 | ANCHOR DELIVERY SYSTEM - An anchor delivery system is described. The system includes an anchor and a cooperating driver, the driver facilitating storage and delivery of the anchor/anchors into the abdominal cavity and subsequently placement of the anchor in the inner abdominal wall. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156724 | SURGICAL FASTENER - Various embodiments of a non-deforming surgical fastener are discussed. In one embodiment, the fastener includes two legs and a backspan extending between the two legs. The fastener also includes a backspan thickness that is adapted to reduce the pressure and/or increase the holding strength applied to underlying materials. The non-deforming fastener is constructed and arranged to retain substantially the same shape before, during and after deployment into the target implantation site. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156725 | SURGICAL STAPLER FLEXIBLE DISTAL TIP - A tool assembly for a surgical device includes a first jaw member defining a first tissue contact surface and a second jaw member defining a second tissue contact surface. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions wherein, in the closed position, the first and second tissue contact surfaces are spaced apart from each other and define a tissue gap. A compressible material is secured to a distal end of the first jaw member. The compressible material engages the second jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. A surgical device includes the aforementioned tool assembly. A kit includes the compressible material secured on a tool assembly of a surgical device. A method of manufacturing the tool assembly and securing the compressible material is disclosed. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156726 | COMPRESSION SCREW SYSTEM - A compression screw comprising a threaded shaft and a head associated with the proximal end of the shaft. The head has a plurality of outwardly extending projections spaced from one another so as to define a plurality of recesses there between for receiving a screw drive in such a way that rotational force may be transferred from the screw drive to the screw. The projections of the head may be provided with suture fixation holes or a suture coupling may be positioned over the shaft so as to extend between the projections of the head. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156727 | HIGH-STRENGTH BIOABSORBABLE SUTURE - A suture is provided having a multifilament sheath disposed thereabout a monofilament core. The multifilament sheath includes a plurality of yarns, and each of the plurality of yarns includes a plurality of threads. Further, the suture includes poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB). | 2017-06-08 |
20170156728 | SURGICAL FASTENERS WITH INDICATION OF FASTENER AMOUNT - A plurality of surgical fasteners includes a first-to-be-applied fastener, at least one next-to-be-applied fastener and a last-to-be-applied fastener. At least one of the fasteners is visibly and recognizably different than the other surgical fasteners. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156729 | DEVICES FOR APPROXIMATING TISSUE AND RELATED METHODS OF USE - Devices for approximating multiple tissue edges internal to a body are disclosed. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156730 | SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUS - A surgical stapling apparatus ( | 2017-06-08 |
20170156731 | Clip for a Medical Implant - A clip having a delivery shape and an implanted shape has a first and a second leg joined at their distal ends at a distal point of the clip. The distal point forms a tapered shape of the clip and is adapted to pierce tissue. Proximal ends of the first and second legs are spaced apart in the delivery shape by a first distance. The proximal ends are compressible to the implanted shape in which the legs are spaced apart by a second distance that is shorter than the first distance. A related delivery device, a related system, and a delivery method are also disclosed. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156732 | COORDINATED DELIVERY OF COPD TREATMENT - Methods, systems and devices are disclosed for the efficient and coordinated delivery of COPD treatment to the lung(s) of a patient. A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to an airway of a patient in a constrained configuration and to change to a tissue-compressing configuration when deployed at a target zone to provide treatment to the lung airway. The invention further discloses a method of quickly and efficiently deploying the device using a single coordinated motion or signal which may be particularly useful when multiple devices are deployed at multiple target zones. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156733 | MULTIPLE LAYER FILAMENYARY DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF VASCULAR DEFECTS - Braid-balls suitable for aneurysm occlusion and/or parent vessel occlusion/sacrifice (e.g., in treating neurovascular defects) are disclosed. Especially for aneurysm treatment, but also for either one of the aforementioned treatments, the form of the ball is very important. In particular, the density of the device is paramount in applications where braid itself is intended to moderate or stop blood flow—allowing thrombosis within a volume formed by the ball. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156734 | Occlusion Device - Provided herein is an occlusion device for implantation into a body lumen or aneurysm comprising, a continuous compressible mesh structure comprising axial mesh carriages configured end to end, wherein each end of each carriage is a pinch point in the continuous mesh structure. Also provided herein is a kit comprising the occlusion device disclosed herein and a means for delivery thereof. Methods of manufacture and use of the occlusion device are also disclosed. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156735 | INCISION COMPRESSION DEVICE - A post-surgery compression device is disclosed herein to reduce the possibility of post-surgery infirmities. For instance, after the implantation of cardiac devices such as a pace maker or defibrillator, the compression device herein may adjustably attach to cover-up the incision area. The compression device includes a housing attached to a frame, the housing having a recess thereon. When the compression device is attached to a person, the recess is positioned over the post-surgical incision in order to reduce the amount of pressure on the incision itself, while simultaneously applying pressure to the area via the housing. The compression device reduces the possibility of post-surgery infirmities, including hematoma. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156736 | CUT GUIDE ATTACHMENT FOR USE IN TIBIAL PROSTHESIS SYSTEMS - Tibial prosthesis systems for implantation or use in a knee joint are disclosed. A tibial prosthesis system for implantation on a resected tibia can include a bearing component, a base component, and a shim component. The insertion of the shim component can provide spacing adjustment between the bearing and base components. The shim component can have a generally uniform height or thickness, or a variable height. A cut guide attachment, removably attachable to the prosthesis system, can be used to facilitate further resection of the tibia and create one or more additional resection surfaces on the tibia at an angle relative to the first resection surface. Multiple cut guide attachments can be available to the user to provide various resection angles. The cut guide attachment can include a modular design. The cut guide attachment can be configured to adjust the angle of the subsequent resection in at least one direction. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156737 | TREATMENT METHOD - A method for treating cartilage of a human being includes, bringing an excision unit which ultrasonically vibrates into contact with a predetermined portion of the cartilage, heating the predetermined Portion of the cartilage to a temperature of 120° C. or higher by the excision unit within 2.2 seconds and excising, by the excision unit, the predetermined portion of the cartilage that has been heated to the temperature of 120° C. or higher while pressing the predetermined portion. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156738 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PASSING CABLE THROUGH A PASS-THROUGH HOLE IN BONE - An apparatus for passing a cable through a pass-through hole in a bone that includes a hole-forming tool and a cable. The hole-forming tool has a shank, a cutting portion, and a first connection feature. The cutting portion is interposed between the shank and the first connection feature and the shank is detachably coupleable to a driving tool. The cable has a first-end portion that has a second connection feature. The cable is detachably coupleable to the hole-forming tool via the first connection feature of the hole-forming tool and the second connection feature of the first-end portion of the cable. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156739 | ORBITAL TROCAR HOLE CARVING DEVICE WITH DETACHABLE HANDLE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - The present disclosure provides methods for forming or enlarging holes in bone tissue and also methods for fixing matched medical plates to bodies which may include toroidal remote ends which mate with interfaces to form matched angle resection. The present disclosure also provides for products produced by the methods of the present disclosure and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present disclosure. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156740 | TOOLS FOR PERFORMING LESS INVASIVE ORTHOPEDIC JOINT PROCEDURES - A tool set for preparing a joint, inserting an implant or removing an implant from a joint in an open or less invasive procedure generally comprises a set of nested tools, pin guides, jigs, and/or immobilization elements. The nested tool set comprises at least one pin and at least one cannulated tool. The cannula can comprise tangs that project from the distal end of the cannula. The tangs can be offset such that drilling removes different amounts of bone relative to drilling through a centered drill guide. The cannulated tool kit can comprise at least one tool guide/cannula, drill bits/reamer, syringe, and/or inserter. At least one cannula is positioned over and around the pin position into the joint. The channel of the cannula guides the other tools into the joint. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156741 | CUSTOMIZED SURGICAL CUTTING GUIDE FOR TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT AND METHOD FOR MAKING THEREOF - A customized surgical cutting guide mounted on a femur for TKR comprises a base having a plurality of cylinders located thereon, a pair of arms branching from a top of the base and each having a column located at a tip thereof, and a convex portion protruding from a bottom of the base and abutting against a corresponding portion of the femur. And wherein each cylinder has a through hole extending therethrough for allowing a kirschner pin to pass through, and wherein each column abuts against a corresponding portion of the femur and has a mounting hole extending therethrough for positioning the arms onto the corresponding positions of the femur, and wherein the arms, the cylinders, and the convex portion are located at the same side of the base. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156742 | LOW PROFILE PATIENT SPECIFIC CUTTING BLOCKS FOR A KNEE JOINT - A low profile patient specific cutting block for a knee includes a plurality of bone interfacing portions and a cutting slot. The plurality of bone interfacing portions are configured to overlie portions of an end of a bone. The bone interfacing portions each have a surface that is generally a negative of the portion of the bone that the respective bone interfacing portion overlies. The bone interfacing portions are angularly offset from each other such that a first of the bone interfacing portions overlies an anterior portion of the bone, and a second of the bone interfacing portions overlies a portion of bone generally perpendicular to the anterior portion of bone. The cutting slot is oriented in a fixed position relative to the bone interfacing portions such that the cutting slot directs a cutting tool at a fixed angle and at a fixed depth relative to the bone interfacing portions. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156743 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSTALLING AN ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT - A system includes a cartridge having an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end and having a top side and a bottom side. The cartridge defines a first hole adjacent to the first end that extends through the cartridge from the bottom side to the top side. The top side of the cartridge defines a pair of parallel slots that extend perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Each slot of the pair of parallel slots is equidistant from a central axis defined by the first hole. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156744 | Retrieval Catheter with Expandable Tip - Catheters of the present disclosure include a catheter shaft and an expandable tip, which can retrieve materials slightly larger than an inner diameter of the catheter shaft. The tip may be expandable such that it can easily transform from a first size and shape to a second size and shape to aid in the retrieval of the materials (i.e., the thrombus, embolus, or foreign body). Catheter tips may be expanded by inflation, removal of a constraining member, or an input such as heat, light, or electrical energy. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156745 | ENDOSCOPE TREATMENT TOOL - An endoscope treatment tool includes: a tubular sheath member insertable into a channel of an endoscope; a wire inserted into the interior of the member in such a manner that the wire can be advanced/retracted in the longitudinal direction of the member; and a distal-end treating portion provided at the distal end of the wire and made to protrude from/be pulled into a distal-end opening in the member by advancing/retracting the wire, wherein the member is configured having a two-layer structure in which a metal coil and a resin tube are layered in the radial direction and secured to each other, in the coil, lateral cross-sectional shapes of portions of a strand that are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction have complementary depression and protrusion that are brought into tight contact with each other, and the tube has a flexural rigidity greater than that of the coil. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156746 | MANIPULATOR FOR GRASPING TISSUE - A manipulator adapted to grasp and draw tissue comprises first and second arms having proximal ends and distal ends separated by a distance. First and second grasping surfaces each connected to and extending from respective distal ends of the first and second arms are biased toward each other by a respective spring force. When the first and second arms are actuated to reduce the distance, the manipulator is configured such that tissue arranged between the first and second grasping surfaces resist actuation of the first and second arms. The first and second arms are further actuatable to overcome the spring force of the first and second grasping surfaces so that the first and second grasping surfaces pivot at respective pivot points such that the distance between the distal ends of the first and second arms is reduced. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156747 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INCREASING ROTATIONAL TORQUE DURING END EFFECTOR ARTICULATION - Devices and methods for increasing rotational torque during end effector articulation are provided. In general, a surgical device can include an end effector configured to articulate. The end effector can be configured to move between different angular orientations relative to an elongate shaft of the device having the end effector at a distal end thereof. The elongate shaft and the end effector can be configured to be rotated relative to a handle portion of the device. The device can include at least one friction member configured to provide increased resistance to rotation of the elongate shaft and the end effector when the end effector is articulated as compared to when the end effector is not articulated. The at least one friction member can thus be configured to increase rotational torque when the end effector is articulated as compared to when the end effector is not articulated. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156748 | MICROSURGICAL HANDLE AND INSTRUMENT - A microsurgical handle and instrument may include an actuation structure having an actuation structure distal end and an actuation structure proximal end, a plurality of actuation arms of the actuation structure, and an actuation structure base. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to extend the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to expand an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of the actuation arms. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to retract the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to collapse an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of actuation arms. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156749 | INTRAVASCULAR CATHETER HAVING AN EXPANDABLE INCISING PORTION AND ABRASIVE SURFACES - An intravascular device is provided having a catheter tube and an expandable portion including a plurality of struts capable of being moved between an open and a closed position. An incising element and an abrasive surface are provided on at least one of the struts. The incising element has a sharpened edge for creating an incision in, and the abrasive surface is configured to abrade, atherosclerotic material located within a blood vessel when the expandable portion is in the opened position. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156750 | CATHETER - Catheters and methods for supporting a guidewire or delivering a radiopaque, diagnostic or therapeutic agent through a vessel stenosis or other tortuous anatomy are disclosed. A catheter can comprise an elongate shaft body and a tip member disposed at a distal end of the shaft body. The shaft body can extend from a proximal end to the distal end and can define an inner lumen. The shaft body can include a liner, a braid member surrounding the liner, a multi-layer coil surrounding the braid member, and a polymer cover surrounding the multi-layer coil. The multi-layer coil can include first and second coil layers wound in opposing directions. An outer surface portion of the polymer cover can include one or more helical threads. In an example, the one or more helical threads are positioned around a distal end portion of the shaft body. The tip member can be made from a metal or a polymer and can also include one or more helical threads around its outer surface. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156751 | HANDHELD INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY - An improved handheld instrument assembly for penetrating into a patient's spine, the instrument assembly has a needle, an outer sleeve, and a removable handle. The needle has a shaft with a bone penetrating tip at a distal end and an enlarged head rotationally fixed to the needle shaft at a proximal end. The outer sleeve is for receiving the needle. The removable handle is configured to removably attach to and engage the handle attachment from the distal side or the proximal side at the discretion of a surgeon. The removable handle has a “T” shaped body. The removable handle has a slotted opening on a frontal side, the slotted opening being sized to pass over the outer sleeve between the distal end and the handle attachment when the needle is inserted into the patient. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156752 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING TUBE FORCEPS FOR USE IN BODY PIERCINGS - A system and method for body piercings using body piercing forceps. The body piercing forceps comprises two arms pivotally hinged to each other. One arm comprises a needle guide at the end of the arm that may be placed externally on the body. The other arm comprises a receiving tube that may be placed into a body orifice. The body piercing forceps allow complete control over the location of a body piercing and prevent dangerous complications that may arise from traditional piercings. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156753 | INSERTION DEVICE - There is disclosed an insertion device comprising an insertion needle holder and a drive mechanism for linearly moving the insertion needle holder in a puncturing direction. The insertion needle holder also includes at least one actuating element for actuating a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism converts a driving motion of the actuating element, which extends transversely or opposite to the puncturing direction, into a puncturing motion of the insertion needle holder. | 2017-06-08 |
20170156754 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLANTING AN IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC MONITOR - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for implanting an implantable cardiac monitor. An injection system includes an implantable cardiac monitor (CM), a plunger, a plunger handle coupled the plunger, and an injector housing. The injector housing includes a tube extending from a first end of the injector housing to a second end of the injector housing, the tube configured to receive the ICM and the plunger, and at least one leaflet formed at the second end of the injector housing, the at least one leaflet configured to rotate outward when a user operates the plunger handle to push the ICM through the injector housing second end via the plunger. | 2017-06-08 |