33rd week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 46 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110201835 | Process for Preparing Silylorganoamines - Process for preparing silylorganoamines, which process comprises the following steps:
| 2011-08-18 |
20110201836 | Process for extraction using silicones of differing partition coefficients - The invention relates to a process for the extraction of actives from botanical materials using a series of silicone compounds having different partition coefficients. The botanical extracts are used in a wide range of applications, including in dermatocosmetic products. The selection of silicone-based products over solvents heretofore used allows for more efficient as well as more specific extraction of desired active-containing fractions from the plant material in a carrier that not only is more skin substantive but also enhances the retention of the dermatocosmetically-active constituents from botanical materials on the skin. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201837 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING 6-CHLORODIBENZO[D,F] [1,3,2]DIOXAPHOSPHEPIN - The invention relates to a method for producing 6-chlorodibenzo[d,f] [1,3,2]-dioxaphosphepin (formula 1), comprising the following steps: a) addition of liquid 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl into a reactor to an excess of phosphorous trichloride under inert gas and stirring; b) discharge and neutralization of the resulting gases from the reaction mixture; c) separation of the excess phosphorous trichloride; d) obtention of 6-chlorodibenzo[d,f] [1,3,2]-dioxaphosphepin. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201838 | SYNTHESIS OF 4-[3-(2,6-DIMETHYLBENZYLOXY)PHENYL]-4-OXOBUTANOIC ACID - The compound 4-[3-(2,6-Dimethylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-4-oxobutanoic acid (DPA) is synthesized from 1-[3-(2,6-Dimethylbenzyloxy)-phenyl]-ethanone (DPE) via the intermediate 4-[3-(2,6-Dimethylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-4-oxobulanoic acid ethyl ester (DPAE). | 2011-08-18 |
20110201839 | MANUFACTURE OF ESTERS - The invention relates to a process in which a compound R | 2011-08-18 |
20110201840 | TERMINAL 1,1-DISUBSTITUTED ALKENES, METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THEREOF - Disclosed is a process for preparing terminal 1,1-disubstituted alkenes and is to compounds prepared therewith. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201841 | OXIDATIVE MONO-HALOGENATION OF METHANE - Oxidatively halogenate methane by placing a feedstream that comprises methane, a source of halogen, a source of oxygen and, optionally, a source of diluent gas in contact with a first catalyst (e.g. a solid super acid or a solid super base) that has greater selectivity to methyl halide and carbon monoxide than to methylene halide, trihalomethane or carbon tetrahalide. Improve overall selectivity to methyl halide by using a second catalyst that converts at least part of the feedstream to a mixture of methyl halide, methylene halide, trihalomethane, carbon tetrahalide and unreacted oxygen, and placing that mixture in contact with the first catalyst which converts at least a portion of the methylene halide, trihalomethane and carbon tetrahalide to carbon monoxide, hydrogen halide and water. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201842 | METHOD FOR RECOVERING CARBOXYLIC ACIDS FROM DILUTE AQUEOUS STREAMS - Improvement in separating lower carboxylic acids from aqueous streams via liquid-liquid extraction with pressurized liquefied propylene and/or propane, wherein carboxylic acid is transferred from the aqueous phase into the liquid solvent phase (extract). | 2011-08-18 |
20110201843 | SILVER CATALYST FOR FORMALDEHYDE PREPARATION - The present invention relates to a process for producing coated silver catalysts. The invention further addresses the silver catalysts themselves and the advantageous use thereof in formaldehyde synthesis. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201844 | CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR HYDROFORMYLATION AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALDEHYDE USING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for hydroformylation and a method for preparing aldehydes using the same, wherein the catalyst composition for hydroformylation comprises: a triaryl phosphine ligand; a phosphine oxide or phosphine sulfide ligand having a specific chemical formula; and a transition metal catalyst. The catalyst composition provides high catalyst activity and stability and selectivity to normal aldehydes when used in the hydroformylation for preparing aldehydes from olefins. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201845 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING TRIPHENYLENE COMPOUND AND CRYSTAL OBTAINED BY THE PROCESS - An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing high-purity hydroxytriphenylenes in which not only inexpensive raw materials can be used but also no complicated steps of deprotection such as dealkylation, and reduction and the like are necessary, and which is thereby advantageous in industrial production. Also there is provided a novel crystal of 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene monohydrate, which has satisfactory thermal stability. The process for producing a compound represented by the general formula (2) is characterized by reacting a compound represented by the general formula (1) in the presence of a metal oxide comprising a metal selected from trivalent iron, pentavalent vanadium and hexavalent molybdenum and of a nonvolatile strong acid: | 2011-08-18 |
20110201846 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALKYLATED AROMATICE COMPOUND, METHOD FOR PRODUCING CUMENE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING PHENOL - It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing an alkylated aromatic compound and a method for producing cumene that can greatly reduce the amount of solid acid substance, and a method for producing phenol including a step of producing cumene by the method for producing cumene. A method for producing an alkylated aromatic compound according to the present invention includes a step (i) of producing a reaction product (a1) containing the alkylated aromatic compound and water by the reaction of an aromatic compound, a ketone, and hydrogen using a metal component containing at least one metallic element selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, and rhenium and a solid acid substance; a step (ii) of forming a dehydrated product (a2) from at least a portion of the reaction product (a1) by removing at least a portion of the water in the reaction product (a1); and a step (iii) of producing a reaction product (a3) containing the alkylated aromatic compound by bringing at least a portion of the dehydrated product (a2) into contact with a solid acid substance. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201847 | METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE NICKEL OXIDES - A method for the production of nanocrystalline nickel oxides as well as the nickel oxides produced by the method according to the invention and the use thereof as catalyst following reduction to nickel metal, in particular for hydrogenation reactions. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201848 | HIGH PURITY 1,6-HEXANEDIOL AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME - There is provided a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol by esterifying a carboxylic acid mixture resulted from oxidation of cyclohexane with oxygen, and then hydrogenating the esters, which substantially does not contain a compound leading to a high ester value. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201849 | METHOD OF HYDROGENATING ALDEHYDES AND KETONES - Methods and systems for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and/or ketones are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of the hydrogen-containing gas (e.g. H | 2011-08-18 |
20110201850 | METHOD OF MAKING ALKYLENE GLYCOLS - Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201851 | PROCESS FOR PREPARING 2,3,3,3-TETRAFLUOROPROPENE - The present invention provides a process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene comprising the steps of: (a) reacting 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne with hydrogen fluoride while heating to obtain a product containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; (b) separating the product obtained in Step (a) into Component A containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, and Component B containing 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; (c) separating 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne contained in Component A obtained in Step (b) into each compound; (d) conducting a dehydrofluorination reaction by heating Component B obtained in Step (b) in the presence of a catalyst; (e) separating the product obtained in Step (d) into Component C containing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne, and Component D containing 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene; (f) separating 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne contained in Component C obtained in Step (e) into each compound; and (g) conducting a dehydrofluorination reaction by heating Component D obtained in Step (e) in the presence of a catalyst. The present invention provides an effective and industrially applicable process for preparing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201852 | PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF FLUOROOLEFIN COMPOUNDS - A subject-matter of the invention is a process for the preparation of fluoroolefin compounds. It relates more particularly to a process for the manufacture of a compound of formula (I) CF | 2011-08-18 |
20110201853 | Integrated Process And Methods Of Producing (E)-1-Chloro-3,3,3-Trifluoropropene - The present invention relates to methods, process, and integrated systems for economically producing (E)-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene via vapor phase and/or liquid processes. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201854 | LOW OXYGEN BIOMASS-DERIVED PYROLYSIS OILS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - Methods are provided for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil from carbonaceous biomass feedstock. The carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed in the presence of a steam reforming catalyst to produce char and pyrolysis gases. During pyrolysis, a portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases is converted into hydrocarbons by steam reforming also yielding carbon oxides and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas at least partially deoxygenates a residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons. Additional hydrogen gas may also be produced by water-gas shift reactions to deoxygenate the residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases. Deoxygenation may occur in the presence of a hydroprocessing catalyst. A condensable portion of the pyrolysis gases is condensed to form low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201855 | LOW OXYGEN BIOMASS-DERIVED PYROLYSIS OILS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - Low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and methods for producing them from carbonaceous biomass feedstock are provided. The carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed in the presence of a catalyst comprising base metal-based catalysts, noble metal-based catalysts, treated zeolitic catalysts, or combinations thereof to produce pyrolysis gases. During pyrolysis, the catalyst catalyzes a deoxygenation reaction whereby at least a portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases are converted into hydrocarbons. The oxygen is removed as carbon oxides and water. A condensable portion (the vapors) of the pyrolysis gases is condensed to low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201856 | FILTRATION AND PREDISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR A FIXED CATALYTIC BED REACTOR AND USE THEREOF - The invention relates to a filtration and predistribution device ( | 2011-08-18 |
20110201857 | Process For The Preparation Of Multimetallic Catalysts That Can Be Used In Reactions For Transformation Of Hydrocarbons - The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a catalyst comprising:
| 2011-08-18 |
20110201858 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CUMENE - In a process for producing cumene from acetone and benzene, a feed stream comprising acetone is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a first reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions sufficient to convert at least part of the acetone to isopropanol and produce a first liquid effluent stream rich in isopropanol and a first vapor stream rich in unreacted hydrogen. Benzene is then added to at least part of the first liquid effluent stream, without intermediate purification of the first liquid effluent stream, and optionally to at least part of the first vapor stream, to form a second feed stream. The second feed stream is then contacted with an alkylation catalyst in a second reaction zone separate from the first reaction zone under alkylation conditions sufficient to maintain at least part of the second feed stream in the liquid phase and to cause at least part of the isopropanol in the second feed stream to react with the benzene to form cumene and water and produce a second effluent stream comprising at least cumene, water and unreacted benzene. Hydrogen is separated from the first vapor stream and/or the second effluent stream. At least part of the hydrogen is recycled to the first reaction zone and/or purged from the system. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201859 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING CRYSTALLINE ZEOLITE-LIKE GALLO-ALUMINIUM SILICATES - A method for producing crystalline gallo-aluminium silicates, comprising the heating of a reaction mixture in a solvent, wherein the reaction mixture contains a silicon source, an aluminium source, a gallium source and a mineralization agent, wherein the reaction mixture comprises purely inorganic components and is free of nitrogen compounds. Further, aluminium silicates produced by the method according to the invention as well as the use thereof as catalyst. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201860 | Process for conversion of alkanes to aromatics - The process for conversion of alkanes to aromatics includes the steps of contacting a feedstock containing alkanes having between two and six carbon atoms per molecule with a composite catalyst to produce an aromatization reaction, and collecting aromatics produced by the reaction. The composite catalyst is a zeolite having a matrix impregnated with a noble metal and an oxide of a transition metal. The noble metal may be Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, or Ir. The transition metal may be Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn. The zeolite may be a medium or large pore zeolite, and may have an MFI, MEL, FAU, TON, VPI, MFL, AEI, AFI, MWW, BEA, MOR, LTL, or MTT structure, preferably MFI. The zeolite framework may include silicon, aluminum, and/or gallium. The matrix may be an oxide of magnesium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium, thorium, silicon or boron, and is preferably alumina. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201861 | Process for Making Crystalline Metallosilicates - The present invention relates to a process for making a crystalline metallosilicate composition and comprising crystallites having an inner part (the core) and an outer part (the outer layer or shell) such that: | 2011-08-18 |
20110201862 | Processes Using Dividing Wall Distillation Column - A method for the separation of hydrocarbon compounds utilizing a dividing wall distillation column is described. The dividing wall distillation column enables one or more side draw stream to be removed from the dividing wall distillation column in addition to an overhead stream and a bottoms stream. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201863 | METHOD OF PRODUCING SYNTHETIC ZEOLITE CATALYST AND METHOD OF PRODUCING HIGH-PURITY PARAXYLENE WITH A CATALYST PRODUCED BY SUCH A METHOD - This invention relates to a method wherein a high-purity paraxylene can be produced efficiently by using a catalyst having a molecular sieving action (or shape selectivity) and being excellent in the catalytic activity without isomerization and adsorption-separation steps. More particularly, it relates to a method of producing a high-purity paraxylene, characterized in that MFI type zeolite having a primary particle size of not more than 100 μm, a structure defining agent and silica material having an average particle size of not less than 10 nm but less than 1.0 μm are used as a starting material, and a synthetic zeolite catalyst produced by subjecting the MFI type zeolite to a coating treatment with an aqueous solution obtained by mixing so as to satisfy X×Y<0.05 (wherein X is a concentration of the silica material (mol %) and Y is a concentration of the structure defining agent (mol %)) is used in the alkylation or disproportionation of at least one of benzene and toluene as a starting material. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201864 | Dual-zeolite catalyst for production of ethylbenzene - The dual-zeolite catalyst for production of ethylbenzene is formed by mixing at least two different zeolites selected from mordenite, beta, ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, MFI topology zeolite, NES topology zeolite, EU-1, SAPO-5, SAPO-34, SAPO-11 and MAPO-36 zeolites and an inactive alumina binder. The two zeolites have different topology and possess dissimilar and unique physical and chemical characteristics, including particle size, surface area, pore size and acidity. The preferred amount of the two zeolites may range from 10 to 90 wt % of the total catalyst amount in the final dried and calcined form, preferably the zeolites are in equal parts by weight. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201865 | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR SIMULATED MOVING BED SEPARATION WITH A MODULATED BY-PASS FLUID FLOW - A process for separating a feed F by simulated moving bed adsorption in a SMB device comprises at least one zone 1 for desorption of the compounds produced in the extract, a zone 2 for desorption of the compounds produced in the raffinate, a zone 3 for adsorption of the compounds produced in the extract, a zone 4 located between the raffinate withdrawal and the desorbant supply, the device comprising external by-pass lines L | 2011-08-18 |
20110201866 | BRACHYTHERAPY METHOD OF TREATING SKIN TUMORS USING A TAILOR-MADE RADIOACTIVE SOURCE - The present invention refers to a method of treating a cancerous or non-cancerous skin lesion of a subject, e.g. a human patient, by epidermal radioisotope therapy, a specialized type of brachytherapy, comprising the steps of (a) defining and marking an area of skin to be treated; (b) covering said area with a protective layer, e.g. a protective film or foil; (c) applying a tailor-made radioactive source by applying a layer of a radioactive source material on said protective layer, such that said area is covered by said material while any area not to be treated is spared; and (d) removing the radioactive source after a predetermined time period of irradiation. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201867 | Drop-in Pig Injector - A radiopharmaceutical containment or pig, in certain embodiments, may include a plurality of cavities or chambers to accommodate a syringe and other medical devices. For example, a syringe may be housed in a first chamber of the radiopharmaceutical containment, and a tube coupled to the syringe may be housed in a second chamber and extractable via a passage in the radiopharmaceutical containment. In some embodiments, a user may extract a radiopharmaceutical from the radiopharmaceutical containment without having to remove the syringe from the containment. The radiopharmaceutical containment may include radiation shielding, an aperture to enable a ram of a power injector to engage or interact with a syringe inside the containment, a movable shutter over the aperture, various labels, and/or an integral storage compartment. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201868 | MAGAZINE FOR CHAIN COMPONENTS FOR A CHAIN WITH RADIATION SOURCES AND A SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A CHAIN COMPONENT AND A MAGAZINE FOR CHAIN COMPONENTS FOR A CHAIN WITH RADIATION SOURCES - A magazine for chain components of a chain with radiation sources comprises a housing as well as a first means for receiving chain components that is mounted in a pivotal manner in the housing and has recesses for receiving the chain components, a tension spring for driving the means for receiving the chain components, a sprocket being coupled in a pivotal manner to the means for receiving the chain components and being mounted in a pivotal position in the housing, and an ejector for ejection of the radiation sources. Furthermore, the magazine comprises an ejection lever which is mounted in a pivotal manner in the housing, whereby, in a first position, the ejection lever engages the sprocket, and in a second position it blocks the ejector. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201869 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED TRANSDERMAL DIFFUSION - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhanced transdermal diffusion of substances (such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and cosmeceutical) by application of anisotropic magnetic fields having distinctive, complex characteristics. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201870 | HEART HELP PUMP, SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a heart pump apparatus comprising a turbine pump for assisting the heart of a human patient. The invention is based on the realization that a turbine without a centre axis would improve the capacity of the heart help pump apparatus. The present invention also relates to a turbine pump system for assisting the heart of a human patient. The present invention also relates to operation methods and methods for surgically placing a rotating body of a turbine pump and a stator of a turbine pump in a patient. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201871 | HEART HELP DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - An implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on the heart muscle is provided. The device comprises at least one pump device having a pump. The pump comprising: a piston adapted for reciprocating movement, an operating device for operating the piston, a heart contacting organ. The movement of the piston assists the pump function of the heart through said heart contacting organ. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201872 | IMPLANT FOR TREATMENT OF VAGINAL AND/OR UTERINE PROLAPSE - An implant suitable for treatment of treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction. The implant comprises a vaginal support member substantially sized or shaped to the portion of the vaginal wall to be supported and at least two extension portions projecting from the support member, wherein at least one extension portion has fixation means for anchoring the extension portion into pelvic paravaginal fibro-fatty issue without being faxed into defined structural tissues. A method of treating treatment of vaginal and/or uterine prolapse and/or pelvic floor reconstruction using the implant is also provided. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201874 | REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING SYSTEM - An implantable device comprises a reservoir for holding a fluid and a sensor positioned between the gastric band and the reservoir. The sensor monitors a parameter of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A first flow control device controls a flow of the fluid when filling and draining the inflatable portion of the gastric band. A pumping device moves the fluid into and out of the inflatable portion of the gastric band, and the pumping device is capable of being activated and deactivated using a telemetric signal received from a remote device. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201875 | REMOTELY ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING SYSTEM - An implantable device comprises a reservoir that contains a fluid for filling an inflatable portion of a gastric band. A device is coupled to the reservoir and includes stored potential energy having a first state and a second state. The first state represents a higher level of potential energy and the second state represents a lower level of potential energy. The implantable device further comprises a filling valve coupled between the reservoir and the gastric band, and the filling valve is configured to be opened in response to a first telemetric signal. The stored potential energy decreases from the first state to the second state when the filling valve is open, and a filling amount of the fluid moves from the reservoir to the gastric band when the stored potential energy decreases from the first state to the second state. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201881 | LASER GUIDED ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL TOOL - A surgical instrument that includes a probe that is extended into a body cavity made in, for example, the wrist of a subject and a handle held by a surgeon outside the body cavity, where the surgical instrument includes both an optical system and surgical tool operable by the surgeon that passes through the probe includes a laser beam emitter to assist a surgeon in aligning the probe with, for example, the ring finger of the patient after the probe is inserted. The laser beam emitter is preferably mounted on the probe and directs a beam generally parallel to the probe which is aligned with the deployable cutting blade. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201882 | Endotracheal tube exchanger and detachable stylet assembly therefor - An endotracheal tube exchanger with a detachable stylet, comprising a support housing and a detachable stylet assembly removably interconnected with the support housing. The stylet assembly includes an elongated stylet tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having provided therein a camera and at least one LED, and the proximal end terminating in an end cap electrically connected with the camera and at least one LED. The end cap receivable in the support housing and adapted for electrical interconnection therewith. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201883 | Entry Guide for Multiple Instruments in a Single Port Surgical System - An access port for use in single port surgery includes a cannula to provide minimally invasive access to a surgical site and an instrument guide that fits closely within the cannula. The instrument guide includes guide channels that are open to the outside surface of the instrument guide. Each of the guide channels is configured to support a single surgical instrument at a defined position within the cannula. The guide channels may be smoothly enlarged at the end that receives surgical instruments. The access port may further include a seal that couples the instrument guide to the cannula such that the seal retains a pressurized insufflation fluid within the surgical site. The instrument guide may include one or more insufflation channels for introducing an insufflation fluid to the surgical site. The access port may include a flexible section. The surgical instruments may be controlled robotically by servo actuators. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201884 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an operation portion, an optical image conducting member arranged in the inner space of the operation portion, a display portion coupled to the operation portion so as to be movable relative to the operation portion, an electric connecting member extending between the inner spaces of the operation portion and the display portion and connected to the display portion, and a restricting mechanism configured to restrict movement of a part forming a play in the electric connecting member toward the optical image conducting member, and the restricting mechanism includes a wound portion provided in the inner space, a winding portion being a part of the electric connecting member and wound around the wound portion to form the play, and a winding portion receiving portion provided in the inner space, arranged between the winding portion and the optical image conducting member and configured to support the winding portion. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201885 | ENVIRONMENT PROPERTY ESTIMATON AND GRAPHICAL DISPLAY - A surgical robot including an imaging system comprising at least one camera, a processor in communication with the imaging system, a manipulation system in communication with the processor, and a visual display in communication with the processor. The processor is operable to calculate a stiffness estimate for an area of an environment based on an environment model of tool-environment interaction data, create a composite image comprising a stiffness map of the stiffness estimate overlaid on an environment image from the at least one camera, and output the composite image on the visual display. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201886 | REMOTE ENDOSCOPE HANDLE MANIPULATION - Systems and methods permit remote endoscope handle manipulation. This can include a control housing configured to removably attach to an endoscope. A manipulator, associated with the housing, can be configured to engage with a control device of the endoscope with the endoscope attached to the housing. An actuator, drivingly coupled with the manipulator, can be configured to move the manipulator to operate the control device with the endoscope attached to the housing. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201887 | INTERLOCKING NESTED CANNULA - An interlocking nested cannula set ( | 2011-08-18 |
20110201888 | Medical Devices and Methods - The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a medical device, such as a access device having a viewing port. The viewing port may comprise a lens formed of a generally transparent piezoelectric material, and one or more electrodes may be operatively associated with the lens to cause the lens to vibrate in a desired mode of vibration, such as to shake off and/or atomize fluid or other debris on the lens. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201889 | ILLUMINATED CANNULA - The illumination system comprises an arthroscope, endoscope or other suitable surgical tool and an attachable cannula comprising a transparent or semi-transparent material capable of carrying light from the proximal end of the cannula to the distal end of the cannula, thereby illuminating the surgical field. The surgical field is thus illuminated through components that do not occupy space that may otherwise by used for the optics of the arthroscope. The arthroscopic illumination system further comprises one or more illumination sources disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The illumination source may be optically coupled with the cannula at the hub or other appropriate location. The cannula comprises a sterilizable polymer which functions as a waveguide. A waveguide is a material medium that confines and guides light. When in use, the light source connected to the hub provides light which may be guided to the distal end of the cannula or any other suitable location. Thus, the sheath provides structure-guided illumination resulting in the illumination of the surgical site. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201890 | LARYNGOSCOPE GUIDE AND RELATED METHOD OF USE - A method of using a laryngoscope guide including a guiding conduit for advancing an introducer. The method can be used to intubate a subject by positioning the laryngoscope guide in an airway; advancing the introducer in the conduit until an end of the introducer enters the glottis, while viewing images of the introducer end; removing the laryngoscope guide with the guide conduit from the introducer and from the airway; guiding a tube with the introducer until an end of the tube enters the glottis; and removing the introducer from the tube with the end of the tube remaining in the glottis, and in particular, in the trachea, to establish an airway. The guide and method can enable a healthcare professional to intubate a subject where neck mobility is an issue, where an airway is difficult, and/or where a subject is obese. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201891 | INTRODUCER SEAL ASSEMBLY WITH LOW PROFILE GIMBAL SEAL - A surgical seal assembly for use with a surgical access device includes a seal housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passage dimensioned to permit passage of a surgical instrument through the seal housing, a gimbal mount disposed within the seal housing and having a gimbal seal member defining an aperture for substantial sealed reception of the surgical instrument, and an interface seal disposed within the seal housing. The gimbal mount is adapted for angular movement relative to the central longitudinal axis upon angulation of the surgical instrument whereby the gimbal seal member substantially maintains the sealed reception of the surgical instrument. The interface seal includes an interface seal member extending at least along the longitudinal axis and being in substantial contacting sealing relation with the gimbal mount. The interface seal member is adapted to maintain the sealing relation with the gimbal mount upon angular movement thereof. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201892 | EXPANDABLE THORACIC ACCESS PORT - A surgical access assembly includes a body having first and second body members. Each body member has an opposed side and an outer side. The body members are coupled to one another by a connector and are moveable with respect to one another between an approximated position and a spread position wherein the opposed sides are flexed outwardly and apart from one another to define a passageway therebetween. A flexible membrane is coupled to the first and second body members and extends therefrom such that translating the flexible membrane radially outwardly moves the body members from the approximated position to the spread position. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201893 | EXPANDABLE THORACIC ACCESS PORT - A surgical access assembly includes a body having first and second side panels opposing one another and first and second end panels interconnecting the side panels. The first and second end panels are moveable between a folded position and an expanded position to correspondingly move the first and second side panels with respect to one another between an approximated position and a spaced apart position. In the spaced apart position, the first and second side panels are flexed outwardly and apart from one another to define a passageway therebetween. A flexible membrane is coupled to the first and second side panels and extends proximally therefrom. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201894 | EXPANDABLE THORACIC ACCESS PORT - A surgical access assembly includes first and second wings disposed in opposed relation relative to one another. Each wing includes a body portion, a distal portion and first and second portions. A side wall section hingedly connects the body portions of the wings to one another at the first portion thereof and at the second portions thereof. Each of the side wall sections is movable with respect to the other side wall sections between a first position and a second position wherein each of the side wall sections is angled with the first and second wings. The first and second wings are moveable between an approximated position corresponding to the first position of the side wall sections and a spaced apart position corresponding to the second position of the side wall sections. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201895 | DEVICE FOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS ON A PROLAPSE - A device for surgical operations on a prolapse, comprising a hollow stretcher body ( | 2011-08-18 |
20110201896 | EXPANDABLE SURGICAL ACCESS PORT - A surgical access assembly is disclosed that is configured and dimensioned for positioning within an opening in tissue providing access to and internal body cavity to facilitate the passage of a surgical instrument into an internal work site. The surgical access assembly includes first and second arms and third and fourth arms. The first and second arms and the third and fourth arms are configured and dimensioned for relative movement such that the surgical access assembly is reconfigurable between a first configuration, wherein a first transverse dimension is defined, and a second configuration wherein a second transverse dimension is defined. The first transverse dimension is smaller than the second transverse dimension. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201897 | Retractor System for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery - A retractor system includes a retractor blade that is securable to a portion of a patient's anatomy during a surgical procedure. The retractor system includes a manipulator that is releasably securable to the retractor blade for positioning and securing the retractor blade. The retractor system includes a flexible securement arm that movably secures the retractor blade to a frame, wherein a proximal end of the retractor blade is non-rigidly constrained. The securement arm is secured to the retractor blade proximate to one end of the securement arm, and is secured to a retractor frame proximate to another end of the securement arm. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201898 | Wireless healthcare smart grid - One implementation encompasses an apparatus, which comprises: at least one sensor; at least one controllable element; and at least one server operatively coupled to the at least one sensor and to the at least one controllable element, the at least one server configured to receive input data from the at least one sensor, and the at least one server configured to control the at least one controllable element based on the input data received from the at least one sensor. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201899 | SYSTEMS FOR INDUCING CHANGE IN A HUMAN PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC - Systems and methods for inducing a change in a human physiological characteristic. The physiological characteristic may correspond to an emotional state of a dialogue participant. The dialogue participant may be an individual participating in a conversation. The outcome of the conversation may be related to a business objective, such as providing high quality call center services. A sensor may monitor the physiologic characteristic. A processor may relate the physiologic characteristic to an emotional state. The processor may provide feedback to the individual based on the emotional state. The feedback may be formulated to change the individual's emotional state. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201900 | System for Monitoring and Visualizing a Patient Treatment Process - A patient treatment monitoring system includes an interface for receiving multiple different types of patient medical information including data derived from a patient monitoring device and a patient medical imaging device. A data processor processes the received multiple different types of patient medical information to be suitable for presentation in a display image. A display processor initiates generation of data representing a single composite display image including an image element representing multiple sequentially performed individual stages of a treatment process. The individual stages are associated with corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information. The single composite display image includes multiple image areas for displaying one of the corresponding different sets of the received multiple different types of patient medical information, in response to user selection of a particular stage of the individual stages using the image element. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201901 | Systems and Methods for Predicting Patient Health Problems and Providing Timely Intervention - A system and method is provided which predicts patient health problems so that timely help may be provided to the patient. In one embodiment, a patent monitors one or more of their biometric characteristics using a biometric data reader for at least several days. The biometric data is then passed to a central server that develops a model of the patient's normal biometric readings and normal procedures for taking a biometric reading including time of day and frequency of readings. Later readings are compared to the patient's model and a significant deviation from the model by the patient is correlated with patient data like diagnosis, claims history, demographics, etc to predict the onset of a health problem. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201902 | HEALTH CONDITION DETERMINING DEVICE - A health condition determining device accumulates data measured or input by an evaluation subject for each index of a plurality of items including a lifestyle index, which is an index related to body activity or lifestyle habit, and a biomarker, which is an index related to physiological state of the body. The health condition determining device then selects one or a plurality of biomarkers that lowers the evaluation of the health condition of the evaluation subject as a problematic index, extracts one or a plurality of lifestyle indices having the highest correlation with the problematic index as an improvable factor by comparing accumulated past data of the lifestyle index and the biomarker, and displays the improvable factor along with the evaluation of the health condition of the evaluation subject. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201903 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING FAMILIAL RISK OF DISEASE - Personal and family health history information can be used to assess familial risk of disease. For example, information can be collected about the disease history of a person and the person's first- and second-degree relatives and then analyzed to determine the familial risk of common diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal, breast, and ovarian cancer. Assessed familial risk of disease can then be used by researchers to better estimate the contribution of personal history and family history to the etiology and natural history of a disease of interest, and by consumers and health professionals to determine recommendations for disease management, prevention and screening that are personalized and targeted to the familial risk. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201904 | Electro diagnostic functional assessment unit (EFA-2) - An electro diagnostic functional assessment unit (EFA-2) that diagnoses age of and treats soft tissue injuries. The EFA-2 utilizes sensor(s) including EMG, Range of Motion, FCE, pinch and grip, and allows for monitoring of muscles and muscle groups to ascertain compliance, pain and function. The EFA-2 also monitors disc pathology and determines whether a person requires surgery or conservative care and, the age of the disc. Additionally, the EFA-2 monitors EEK activity and NCV, as well as invasive EMG that monitors nerve damage. Previously, with NCV the temperature and the position of electrodes would effect readings and produce false positive or false negative readings. The EFA-2 eliminates these problems by incorporating temperature sensor(s) and electrode placement sensor(s). The EFA-2 also provides direct treatment by means of ultrasound and electrical stimulation. Thus, the EFA-2 allows diagnosis any treatment by means of a single unit. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201905 | Decision support method for casualty treatment using vital sign combinations - A device and control software and system capable of accepting patient vital sign readings from an oximeter and applying a predetermined decision algorithm that incorporates unique combinations of vital signs and will allow the care giver to continuously monitor and have continuous feedback regarding certain patient vital functions, body trauma status, and immediate treatment needs, such as the patient's likelihood of the onset of shock and the advisability of introducing blood or blood products to the patient. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201906 | MEDICAL GUIDE WIRE ASSEMBLY - Medical guide wire assembly comprising a guide wire having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one physiology parameter sensor, and that the proximal end of the guide-wire is provided with an elongated connector part, having connection electrodes, for insertion into a connector housing provided with an elongated tubing adapted to achieve electrical and mechanical connection to the elongated connector part, the connector housing is in its turn electrically or wirelessly connectable to a physiology monitor. The guide wire is provided with a core wire running essentially along the entire guide wire. A sensor signal processing circuitry is arranged in connection with the physiological sensor and is adapted to generate a processed sensor signal in response of a sensed parameter. The sensor signal processing circuitry comprises a modulation unit arranged to modulate the processed sensor signal and to generate a modulated sensor signal. The assembly comprises exactly two micro-cables that are connected to the sensor signal processing circuitry, the micro-cables run along the guide wire and are connected to the connection electrodes of the connector part, wherein the core wire is actively used when transferring the processed and modulated sensor signal to the connector housing. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201907 | Chair and Ancillary Apparatus with Medical Diagnostic Features in a Remote Health Monitoring System - A medical examination chair includes a group of sensors including electrodes in finger-tip sensors, various other types of sensors incorporated in straps for the patient in the chair and load cells supporting the chair, all of which provide data which is partially processed in the electronics mounted in the chair and then transmitted to a central station for patient diagnosis. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201908 | INTERMITTENT EXTRACORPOREAL SPECTROPHOTOMETRY - An apparatus for intermittent measurement of blood parameters using spectrophotometry is provided. In exemplary embodiments, blood is temporarily withdrawn from the patient and passed through a cuvette, allowing spectrophotometric analysis. This blood may then immediately returned to the patient in a sterile fashion. The technique allows for real-time analysis of blood at the bedside without delays in transportation and laboratory analysis. In exemplary embodiments, there is no blood loss, so measurements can be repeated frequently with no detriment to the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the spectrophotometer is detachable from the cuvette and does not come in contact with blood, such that it can be used for multiple patients with minimal cost. The apparatus may be used to measure the oxygen saturation of blood and hemoglobin concentration, although it could be easily adapted to measure these and many other parameters simultaneously. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201909 | ANALYTE DETECTION DEVICES AND METHODS WITH HEMATOCRIT-VOLUME CORRECTION AND FEEDBACK CONTROL - Disclosed are devices, arrangements and methods for quantifying the concentration of an analyte present in bodily fluid, including: an assay pad having at least one chemical reagent capable of producing a detectable signal in the form of a reaction spot upon reaction with the analyte; a light source; a detector array; a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory comprising: (a) at least one value indicative of one or more of: (i) the level of hematocrit contained in the sample; (ii) the volume of the sample applied to the assay pad; or (iii) imperfections present in the reaction spot; and (b) at least one algorithm for calculating the concentration of the analyte contained in the sample. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201910 | INTEGRATED RECEIVER FOR CONTINUOUS ANALYTE SENSOR - A system is provided for monitoring glucose in a host, including a continuous glucose sensor that produces a data stream indicative of a host's glucose concentration and an integrated receiver that receives the data stream from the continuous glucose sensor and calibrates the data stream using a single point glucose monitor that is integral with the integrated receiver. The integrated receiver obtains a glucose value from the single point glucose monitor, calibrates the sensor data stream received from the continuous glucose sensor, and displays one or both of the single point glucose measurement values and the calibrated continuous glucose sensor values on the user interface. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201911 | RECEIVERS FOR ANALYZING AND DISPLAYING SENSOR DATA - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for processing, transmitting and displaying data received from an analyte sensor, such as a glucose sensor. The system may include a display device with at least one input device. In response to movement of or along the input device, the display device may change a glucose data output parameter and update an output of the display device using the changed output parameter. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201912 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201913 | CONNECTING STRUCTURE OF SNAP ELECTRODE AND ELECTRIC WIRE - A structure of electrically connecting a snap electrode for medical purposes is easily attached/detached to/from various monitoring pads attached to a human body to measure electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), brain wave and nervous system signals and electrically connected to medical equipment, to an electric wire using a pressing method instead of welding. The connecting structure of a snap electrode and an electric wire includes a body having a convex portion, which is formed on the top of the body and has a groove formed on the circumference thereof, in which a combining part is fitted, and the combining protrusion having a ring shape and including a predetermined number of elastic fixing pieces protruded from the inner side thereof and a pair of first pressing pieces protruded from one side thereof and combined with an electric wire. A combining protrusion of a pad is inserted into the body. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201914 | Reflection-Mode Photoacoustic Tomography Using A Flexibly-Supported Cantilever Beam - Noninvasively imaging biological tissue using a handheld device. A light pulse is focused into a predetermined area inside an object using a flexibly mounted cantilever beam, acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to the at least one light pulse are detected by a transducer, and an image of the predetermined area inside the object is generated based on a signal generated by the transducer representative of the acoustic waves. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201915 | CARDIAC AND OR RESPIRATORY GATED IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL ANATOMY ENRICHED REAL TIME 2D IMAGING IN INTERVENTIONAL RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION OR PACE MAKER REPLACEMENT PROCECURE - The present invention refers to the field of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) and, more specifically, to image-guided radio frequency ablation and pacemaker placement procedures. For those procedures, it is proposed to display the overlaid 2D navigation motions of an interventional tool intraoperatively obtained from the same projection angle for tracking navigation motions of an interventional tool during an image-guided intervention procedure while being navigated through a patient's bifurcated coronary vessel or cardiac chambers anatomy in order to guide e.g. a cardiovascular catheter to a target structure or lesion in a cardiac vessel segment of the patient's coronary venous tree or to a region of interest within the myocard. In such a way, a dynamically enriched 2D reconstruction of the patient's anatomy is obtained while moving the interventional instrument. By applying a cardiac and/or respiratory gating technique, it can be provided that the 2D live images are acquired during the same phases of the patient's cardiac and/or respiratory cycles. Compared to prior-art solutions which are based on a registration and fusion of image data independently acquired by two distinct imaging modalities, the accuracy of the two-dimensionally reconstructed anatomy is significantly enhanced. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201916 | MOVEMENT CORRECTION IN MRI USING A CAMERA - Provided are methods and systems for movement correction in an MRI environment. In one aspect, provided are systems and methods for movement correction, comprising receiving a first plurality of images from a first scan of a subject with a first camera, receiving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained concurrently with the first scan, correlating the first plurality of images obtained from the first scan with the MRI images, resulting in motion correction data, and providing the motion correction data to an MRI system, wherein the MRI system adjusts scanning according to the motion correction data. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201917 | METHOD AND APPARATUS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR CANCER IDENTIFICATION - Embodiments provide a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique and optionally software—collectively referred to as the “shutter-speed” model—to analyze image data of cancer patients. Embodiments provide a minimally invasive, yet precisely accurate, approach to determining whether tumors are malignant or benign by distinguishing the characteristics of contrast reagent activity in benign and malignant tumors. Exemplary embodiments provide MRI measured biomarkers for tumor malignancy determination, effectively eliminating or limiting the false positives suffered by existing MRI techniques. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201918 | Radiotherapy and imaging apparatus - A radiotherapy system comprises a patient support, moveable along a translation axis, an imaging apparatus, comprising a first magnetic coil and a second magnetic coil, the first and second magnetic coils having a common central axis parallel to the translation axis, and being displaced from one another along the central axis to form a gap therebetween, the imaging apparatus being configured to obtain an image of a patient on the patient support and a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, the chassis being rotatable about the central axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation through the gap along a beam axis that intersects with the central axis, the beam having a first extent in a first direction parallel to the central axis, and a second, greater extent in a second direction transverse to the central axis. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201919 | Radiotherapy and imaging apparatus - Radiotherapy apparatus comprises a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, the chassis being rotatable about a rotation axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation along a beam axis that intersects with the rotation axis; a patient support, moveable along a translation axis; a set of magnetic coils located on either side of the beam, for establishing a magnetic field at the point of intersection, spaced from that point along a first direction; the translation axis, the rotation axis, and the first direction being substantially parallel; and further comprising a multi-leaf collimator fixed in its orientation with respect to the source of radiation, the multi-leaf collimator comprising a plurality of elongate leaves disposed with their longitudinal directions substantially aligned with the first direction and movable in that direction between a withdrawn position in which the leaf lies outside the beam, an extended position in which the leaf projects across the beam and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201920 | Radiotherapy and imaging apparatus - A radiotherapy system comprises a patient support, moveable along a translation axis, an imaging apparatus, comprising a first magnetic coil and a second magnetic coil, the first and second magnetic coils having a common central axis parallel to the translation axis, and being displaced from one another along the central axis to form a gap therebetween, the imaging apparatus being configured to obtain an image of a patient on the patient support, a source of radiation mounted on a chassis, the chassis being rotatable about the central axis and the source being adapted to emit a beam of radiation through the gap along a beam axis that intersects with the central axis, a multi-leaf collimator comprising a plurality of elongate leaves movable between at least a withdrawn position in which the leaf lies outside the beam, and an extended position in which the leaf projects across the beam, and a radiation detector mounted to the chassis opposite the source, the radiation detector having a plurality of detector elements aligned with the elongate leaves when projected onto an isocentric plane. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201921 | Therapy Delivery System Including a Navigation Element - An electromagnetic receiver assembly is included in a navigation element for a therapy delivery system. If the system is modular, the navigation element may be an insertable module thereof and/or include a lumen to receive another insertable module. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201922 | OPTICAL PROBE HAVING A POSITION MEASURING SYSTEM - This invention relates to an optical probe ( | 2011-08-18 |
20110201923 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF ELECTROMAGNETIC TRACKING IN A MEDICAL PROCEDURE - A tracking system ( | 2011-08-18 |
20110201924 | Method and Apparatus for Improving Image Clarity and Sensitivity in Optical Tomography Using Dynamic Feedback to Control Focal Properties and Coherence Gating - Methods for optical imaging, particularly with optical coherence tomography, using a low coherence light beam reflected from a sample surface and compared to a reference light beam, wherein real time dynamic optical feedback is used to detect the surface position of a tissue sample with respect to a reference point and the necessary delay scan range. The delay is provided by a tilting/rotating mirror actuated by a voltage adjustable galvanometer. An imaging probe apparatus for implementing the method is provided. The probe initially scans along one line until it finds the tissue surface, identifiable as a sharp transition from no signal to a stronger signal. The next time the probe scans the next line it adjusts the waveform depending on the previous scan. An algorithm is disclosed for determining the optimal scan range. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201925 | Method and Apparatus for Determining the Vascularity of an Object Located in a Body - A method for determining a vascularity of an object located in a body is proposed. A multidimensional volume image of a target area of the body including the object is acquired. The object is segmented in the volume image. An expanded volume of the object is calculated by expanding structure edges of a volume of the object in the volume image with a predetermined size. The volume of the object is subtracted from the expanded volume of the object for determining an immediate vicinity of the object. A further object in the volume image having a determined minimum volume in the immediate vicinity of the object is segmented. A number of voxels of the further object is compared with a total number of voxels in the immediate vicinity of the object for determining the vascularity of the object. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201926 | LOCAL EMBOLIZATION VIA HEATING OF THERMOSENSITIVE POLYMERS - Precision in thermotherapy is obtained by providing a reverse gelling polymer composition which gels when its temperature is raised above body temperature. The composition is injected into the blood supply of the tissue being treated, at the beginning of thermotherapy. The temperature increase caused by the heating gels the composition, which temporarily blocks the flow of blood in the region being treated. This improves the predictability and stability of treatment. On cessation of heating, the composition liquefies, removing the temporary embolization. The use of local heating can also expedite removal of tumors and the like from soft organs, even when the heating itself has no therapeutic effect. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201927 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a housing and an arm extending in a direction of front and back of the apparatus above the housing. The arm configured to rotate upwardly and downwardly and attaching to an attachment provided above the housing. The apparatus further includes an operation panel provided at a distal end of the arm. The attachment is oriented at a certain position from an upper surface of the housing such that the arm is rotatable upward and downward from a horizontal position. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201928 | METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING THE PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF TISSUE TO A TREATMENT PLAN - A method of characterizing the pathological response of tissue to a treatment plan, including: obtaining a set of sequential morphology renderings of the tissue, wherein each rendering corresponds to a particular point in time during the treatment plan; generating a set of representative values of a biomechanical property of the tissue for the set of renderings, wherein each representative value is based on a corresponding rendering; determining a trend of the biomechanical property based on the set of representative values; and predicting response of the tissue to the treatment plan based on the trend of the biomechanical property. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201929 | METHOD FOR USING HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND - A plurality of concepts related to HIFU therapy are disclosed, including a technique to spatially track and display the relative positions of a HIFU focal point and an imaging plane from an ultrasound imager, so that a clinician can ensure that the HIFU focus remains in the image plane during HIFU therapy, thereby facilitating image guided HIFU therapy. Also disclosed are a plurality of transvaginal probes that include a HIFU transducer optimized for the treatment of uterine fibroids. In one embodiment, the probe includes a piezoceramic crystal bonded to an aluminum lens, to achieve a HIFU transducer having a focal length of about 4 cm. In another embodiment, the probe includes a generally spoon-shaped transducer including a plurality of individual emitter elements. Still another concept disclosed herein is a method for evaluating a quality of a coupling between a liquid-filled volume encompassing a HIFU transducer and a tissue interface. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201930 | Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane Block - A procedure and kit are provided for performing an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) procedure. The patient's abdomen is scanned with an ultrasound probe to identify and mark the external oblique, internal oblique, and TAP. An introducer sheath is placed over a fluid delivery needle such that the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the sheath, the needle having echogenic properties for ultrasound imaging. The needle and sheath are ultrasonically guided into the TAP. A local anesthetic or saline/anesthetic combination is injected through the needle to create a liquid pool in the TAP. The needle is removed from the sheath while maintaining the sheath within the TAP and a catheter is subsequently advanced through the sheath and into the pooled liquid in the TAP. The sheath is withdrawn while maintaining the catheter located within the TAP. A catheter is connected to a source of local anesthetic for providing a defined volume of anesthetic to the catheter site at a controlled delivery rate. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201931 | Ultrasound Methods, Systems and Computer Program Products for Imaging Contrasting Objects Using Combined Images - A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201932 | METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING TISSUE OF A PATIENT - A method for characterizing tissue of a patient, including receiving acoustic data derived from the interaction between the tissue and the acoustic waves irradiating the tissue; generating a morphology rendering of the tissue from the acoustic data, in which the rendering represents at least one biomechanical property of the tissue; determining a prognostic parameter for a region of interest in the rendering, in which the prognostic parameter incorporates the biomechanical property; and analyzing the prognostic parameter to characterize the region of interest. In some embodiment, the method further includes introducing a contrast agent into the tissue; generating a set of enhanced morphology renderings of the tissue after introducing the contrast agent; determining an enhanced prognostic parameter from the enhanced morphology renderings; and analyzing the enhanced prognostic parameter. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201933 | POINT SOURCE TRANSMISSION AND SPEED-OF-SOUND CORRECTION USING MULTI-APERTURE ULTRASOUND IMAGING - A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201934 | LOW VOLTAGE ULTRASOUND SYSTEM WITH HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSDUCERS - An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a low voltage ultrasound signal path including front-end circuitry which drives probe signal conductors with low voltage transmitters and has low voltage receivers or preamplifiers with inputs coupled to the signal conductors. The transmit high voltage is produced in the system main frame and coupled by the probe cable to high voltage transmitters in the probe, which have low voltage inputs coupled to the signal conductors and outputs coupled to the elements of the transducer array. The transmit/receive switches are located in the probe and coupled in parallel with the high voltage transmitters. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201935 | 3-D ULTRASOUND IMAGING - In an ultrasound imaging system (UIS), an ultrasound scanning assembly (USC) provides volume data (VD) resulting from a three-dimensional scan of a body (BDY). A feature extractor (FEX) searches for a best match between the volume data (VD) and a geometrical model (GM) of an anatomical entity. The geometrical model (GM) comprises respective segments representing respective anatomic features. Accordingly, the feature extractor (FEX) provides an anatomy-related description (ARD) of the volume data (VD), which identifies respective geometrical locations of respective anatomic features in the volume data (VD). In a preferred embodiment, a slice generator (SLG) generates slices (SX) from the volume data (VD) based on the anatomy-related description (ARD) of the volume data (VD). | 2011-08-18 |
20110201936 | ULTRASOUND PROBE - An ultrasound probe according to one embodiment includes a plurality of ultrasound vibrators, a switching part, and an amplification part. The ultrasound vibrator transmits ultrasound and receives ultrasound echoes reflected within a subject. The switching part is configured to cause aperture movement of ultrasound beams by selectively switching signals from two or more of the ultrasound vibrators. The amplification part is configured to amplify signals from the switching part. The ultrasound probe receives signals from the plurality of ultrasound vibrators in a time-division manner by controlling the switching part. In addition, the ultrasound probe further comprises an impedance transforming part. The impedance transforming part is configured to be interposed between the ultrasound vibrator and the switching part, receive signals from the ultrasound vibrator at high impedance, and output such to the switching part at low impedance. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201937 | ULTRASONIC PROBE - The invention discloses a technique, by which a suitable radius of curvature can be obtained so that small type ultrasonic probe will be closely fitted to human body and by which an ultrasonic probe adaptable for human superficial tissues can be provided. According to this technique, the invention provides a frame | 2011-08-18 |
20110201938 | ULTRASONICALLY GUIDED PUNCTURING NEEDLE - An ultrasonically guided puncturing needle stabbed in a subject being irradiated with an ultrasonic wave, the needle includes a cylindrical needle-like member having concaves and convexes formed on a peripheral surface of the needle-like member to reflect the ultrasonic wave, and a film formed on the peripheral surface on which the concaves and convexes are formed. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201939 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GUIDING AN EMISSION TO A TARGET - Disclosed are methods and systems for guiding emissions to a target. The methods and systems utilize, in part, Markerless Tracking software to detect a beam of energy, such as a laser, toward a target such as a tissue that is the subject of a medical procedure. | 2011-08-18 |
20110201940 | Renal Function Analysis Method and Apparatus - A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate of a mammalian subject comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the vascular system of the mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the glomerular filtration rate. | 2011-08-18 |