Hemoglobin Patents (Class 600/328)
  • Patent number: 8345227
    Abstract: A method of determining a hemoglobin content value of a red blood cell includes: (a) illuminating the cell with incident light at a plurality of illumination wavelengths; (b) obtaining at least one two-dimensional image of the cell corresponding to each illumination wavelength; (c) for each illumination wavelength, determining a mean optical density and a maximum optical density for the cell; (d) determining an area of the cell; (e) for each illumination wavelength, determining a volume of the cell; (f) for each illumination wavelength, determining an integrated optical density for the cell; and (g) determining the hemoglobin content value of the cell based on the area of the cell, the volumes of the cell corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths, and the integrated optical densities for the cell corresponding to each of the illumination wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Constitution Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zahniser, Russell Zahniser
  • Publication number: 20120316410
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for canceling shunted light. The method includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation at tissue of interest and generating a signal representative of detected electromagnetic radiation. A portion of the generated signal representing shunted light is canceled from the generated signal and the remaining portion of the generated signal is used to compute physiological parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Ethan Petersen
  • Publication number: 20120310062
    Abstract: A method for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient is presented. The method includes emitting light from a modulated light source into tissue of the patient to generate a photon density wave in the tissue, detecting the photon density wave during pulsatile perturbation of the tissue, and processing an amplitude and phase of the photon density wave over the pulsatile perturbation to determine a value of the physiological parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Youzhi Li, Clark R. Baker, JR., Edward M. McKenna
  • Publication number: 20120289801
    Abstract: An in vivo monitoring method in a laparoscope system is provided. An object image is sequentially created with expression of a surface color of an object in a body cavity. A lock area (specific area) is determined within the object image, the lock area being movable by following motion of the object. A monitor image including a graph of oxygen saturation is generated according to a part image included in the object image and located in the lock area. The monitor image is displayed. Preferably, the oxygen saturation of the lock area is acquired according to two spectral data with respect to wavelengths of which an absorption coefficient is different between oxidized hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin in data of the object image. The object is constituted by a blood vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8306593
    Abstract: An apparatus noninvasively measures blood sugar concentration. The apparatus includes: a tissue modulation unit applying a pressure to a tissue; a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measurement unit analyzing an amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves on a first portion of the tissue before and after the applying of the pressure by the tissue modulation unit, and measuring Hb concentration of the tissue; and a photoacoustic module unit analyzing photoacoustic signals to measure blood sugar concentration, and correcting the measured blood sugar concentration based on the measured Hb concentration to output a final blood sugar level, the photoacoustic signals being created from the tissue by emitting a pulse laser ray towards a second portion of the tissue before and after the applying of the pressure by the tissue modulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In Duk Hwang, Kun Soo Shin
  • Publication number: 20120265041
    Abstract: A light source device of an electronic endoscope system has first and second semiconductor lasers. In a vascular observation mode, one of the semiconductor lasers is used in a full light state (100% rated output) while the other is used in a reduced light state (for example, 10% rated output). First and second images of an internal body portion are captured with a color imaging device under illumination of two patterns, respectively. Correlation operation of pixel values of three colors is performed between the two images. Noise components, caused by the first or second semiconductor lasers in the light reduced state, are removed from the first and second images. An oxygen saturation level of blood in a blood vessel is calculated using the first and second images with the noise components removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi YAMAGUCHI, Takaaki SAITO, Takayuki IIDA
  • Patent number: 8287739
    Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis LeeGrande Barrett, David Wayne Peterson, Kristian Allen Sammann
  • Publication number: 20120253157
    Abstract: In a special mode, a superficial wavelength set having plural types of narrow band light in a blue wavelength band of 400 to 500 nm is chosen. The plural types of narrow band light are successively applied to an internal body portion. A CCD captures images of the internal body portion under the narrow band light. A blood information calculation section calculates an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in a blood vessel based on an image signal. A comparison section compares the calculated oxygen saturation level with a predetermined threshold value. When the oxygen saturation level is less than the threshold value, a hypoxic region detection signal is outputted to a wavelength set switching section. The wavelength set switching section switches from the superficial wavelength set to a middle wavelength set and to a deep wavelength set, so the oxygen saturation levels at middle and deep depths are measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Takaaki Saito
  • Publication number: 20120245443
    Abstract: The mental state, such as mood or emotion, of an individual can be apprehended by a method using non-invasive biological light measurement technology. A biological light measurement device, which has an irradiation section, presents different tasks (at least a first task and a second task) to a subject, hemoglobin signals based on changes in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the subject are calculated from the strength of light detected by a detection section, and a relative value using the hemoglobin signal at a predetermined measurement channel with respect to the first task, and the hemoglobin signal at a different predetermined measurement channel with respect to the second task is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Hirokazu Atsumori, Hiroki Sato, Masashi Kiguchi
  • Publication number: 20120238848
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for practicing spectrophotometry using light emitting nanostructures. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention include a physiologic sensor comprising a sensor body configured for placement adjacent pulsatile tissue of a patient, a first light emitting nanostructure device configured to emit light at a first wavelength through the pulsatile tissue, a second light emitting nanostructure device configured to emit light at a second wavelength through the pulsatile tissue, and a light detector configured to detect the light at the first wavelength and the light at the second wavelength after dispersion through the pulsatile tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Gilbert Hausmann, Michael P. O'Neil, Paul Mannheimer
  • Publication number: 20120232366
    Abstract: An alarm suspend system utilizes an alarm trigger responsive to physiological parameters and corresponding limits on those parameters. The parameters are associated with both fast and slow treatment times corresponding to length of time it takes for a person to respond to medical treatment for out-of-limit parameter measurements. Audible and visual alarms respond to the alarm trigger. An alarm silence button is pressed to silence the audible alarm for a predetermined suspend time. The audible alarm is activated after the suspend time has lapsed. Longer suspend times are associated with slow treatment parameters and shorter suspend times are associated with fast treatment parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Massi Joe E. Kiani, Steve L. Cebada, Gregory A. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20120220844
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining the oxygen saturation of a region in a patient's body using photoacoustic spectroscopy techniques. One embodiment includes determining an interrogation region, or a region in a patient to be monitored, and using a photoacoustic sensor to emit modulated light in the interrogation region. The modulated light may be absorbed by different absorbers, such as oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin, in the interrogation region. The absorbed light results in an acoustic response which is detected by the photoacoustic sensor. Based on a non-pulsatile component of the acoustic response, the regional oxygen saturation at the interrogation region is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Clark R. Baker, JR.
  • Patent number: 8233960
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device of quantitatively or qualitatively examining and diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by: irradiating a sample derived from an examinee or other animal with light having a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 2500 nm or a wavelength in part of the range; detecting reflected light, transmitted light, or transmitted and reflected light to obtain an absorption spectral data; and analyzing absorbance at all measurement wavelengths or at specific wavelengths in the absorption spectral data by using an analytical model prepared beforehand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Fatigue Science Laboratory Inc., Osaka University
    Inventors: Hirohiko Kuratsune, Akikazu Sakudo, Kazuyoshi Ikuta
  • Publication number: 20120179382
    Abstract: A system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection detects peaks and at least one of, a valley and a baseline comprising a substantially zero voltage level, of received signal data representing oxygen content of blood in a patient vessel over multiple heart beat cycles. The signal processor determines signal parameters including at least one of, (a) a signal amplitude magnitude between a maximum peak and minimum valley, of the received signal data, (b) a signal amplitude magnitude between a maximum peak and a baseline, of the received signal data and (c) a signal amplitude magnitude between a second highest maximum peak and minimum valley, of the received signal data. The system compares a determined signal parameter or value derived from the determined signal parameter, with a threshold value and generates an alert message associated with the threshold, in response to the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Hongxuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8126527
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, quantification of hemoglobin content, and therefore blood volume, of muscle. An analysis of the optical spectra can determine the ratio of hemoglobin (Hb) to myoglobin (Mb) content in intact muscle. The peak position of the in vivo optical spectra from intact tissue is used to determine the ratio of Hb to Mb contributing to the optical signal. The wavelength of the peak is a linear function of the percent contribution of Hb to the optical spectra. Such analysis in combination with known Mb concentrations yields a non-invasive measure of the Hb content for in vivo muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: David J. Marcinek, Kevin Conley, Kenneth A. Schenkman
  • Patent number: 8088074
    Abstract: A monitoring device may include logic to receive arterial blood pressure data associated with a patient and receive tissue hemoglobin data associated with the patient. The logic may also calculate a linear correlation between the arterial blood pressure data and the tissue hemoglobin data. The correlation may be used to assess vascular reactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignees: Raba Equity Partners II, LLC, The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Robert A. Baruch, Ken M. Brady
  • Patent number: 8082015
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes a device, system and method for determining the characteristics of deep tissue. The novel method includes measuring blood flow rate and oxygenation characteristics of the tissue, and determining oxygen metabolism of the tissue as a function of the measure blood flow rate and measure oxygenation. The blood flow rate characteristics are measured as a function of light fluctuations caused by the tissue, while the oxygenation characteristics are measured as a function of transmission of light through the tissue with respect to the wavelength of light. The tissue may be layered tissue, for example, a portion of a brain. The tissue characteristics may be measured during times of varying levels of exercise intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Trustees Of The University Of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Arjun G. Yodh, Joel H. Greenberg, Guoqiang Yu, John A Detre, Turgut Durduran, Mark G. Burnett, Emile R. Mohler, III, Harry Quon, Stephen M. Hahn
  • Patent number: 8060188
    Abstract: Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Early, nonsubjective detection of poor tissue oxygenation following surgery increases the likelihood that intervention aimed at saving the tissue will be successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: National Research Council of CANADA
    Inventors: Miroslaw F. Stranc, Michael G. R. Sowa, Henry H. Mantsch
  • Patent number: 8036727
    Abstract: A method for noninvasively measuring analytes such as blood glucose levels includes using a non-imaging OCT-based system to scan a two-dimensional area of biological tissue and gather data continuously during the scanning. Structures within the tissue where measured-analyte-induced changes to the OCT data dominate over changes induced by other analytes are identified by focusing on highly localized regions of the data curve produced from the OCT scan which correspond to discontinuities in the OCT data curve. The data from these localized regions then can be related to measured analyte levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: GLT Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Schurman, Walter J. Shakespeare, William Henry Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110190613
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for non-invasive NIR spectrophotometric (NIRS) monitoring of total blood hemoglobin levels and/or other blood constituent levels based on a hybrid combination of phase modulation spectrophotometry (PMS) and continuous wave spectrophotometry (CWS) are described. PMS-based measurements including both amplitude and phase information used in the determination of a non-pulsatile component of an absorption property for each of at least three distinct wavelengths are processed to compute PMS-derived intermediate information at least partially representative of a scattering characteristic. CWS-based measurements including amplitude information is processed in conjunction with the PMS-derived intermediate information to compute a pulsatile component of the absorption property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: O2 MEDTECH, INC.,
    Inventors: Wei ZHANG, Zengpin Yu, Shih-Ping Wang
  • Publication number: 20110118575
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for pressure sore detection. A modulated optical signal based on a digital code sequence is transmitted to human tissue. A temporal transfer characteristic is derived from the modulated optical signal. Tissue characteristics is determined based on the temporal transfer characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: LESTER JOHN LLOYD, KATE LEEANN BECHTEL, JOSEPH ANTHONY HEANUE, BRIAN PATRICK WILFLEY
  • Publication number: 20110004083
    Abstract: A method for measuring blood flow velocity comprises the steps of: placing a first and second blood vessel signal detectors on a body of a person to be measured in such a manner that the first and second blood vessel signal detectors are located a predetermined distance from each other; using the first and second blood vessel signal analyzers to record the blood signal at a predetermined time interval; setting an interval of time from the moment a specific blood vessel signal appears in a record of the first blood vessel signal analyzer to the moment the specific blood vessel signal appears in a record of the second blood vessel signal analyzer to be a predetermined time period; and dividing a value of the predetermined distance by a value of the predetermined time period can get a blood flow velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Hsuehkuan Lu, Chihyi Lu
  • Patent number: 7860554
    Abstract: A non-invasive method of characterizing burn injuries using near infrared spectroscopy is described. In the method, a beam of light is emitted into the burnt tissue portion at two or more different tissue depths. The spectra are then compared using multivariate analysis to determine diagnostic regions of the spectra. This information is used to categorize the burn. In some cases, the diagnostic regions correspond to wavelengths related to the hemodynamics of the tissue portion. The spectra can also be repeated over time, thereby allowing trends and changes in the spectra to be measured. This data is in turn used to categorize the burn as either a superficial burn, partial thickness burn, deep partial burn or a full thickness burn. Once the burn has been categorized, the clinician can intervene as needed to treat the burn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Lorenzo Leonardi, Jerl Payette, Michael G. Sowa, Mark Hewko, Bernhard J. Schattka, Henry H. Mantsch
  • Publication number: 20100210931
    Abstract: A method of noncontact imaging for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of wounds includes the step of performing structured illumination of surface and subsurface tissue by both diffuse optical tomography and rapid, wide-field quantitative mapping of tissue optical properties within a single measurement platform. Structured illumination of a skin flap is performed to monitor a burn wound, a diabetic ulcer, a decubitis ulcer, a peripheral vascular disease, a skin graft, and/or tissue response to photomodulation. Quantitative imaging of optical properties is performed of superficial (0-5 mm depth) tissues in vivo. The step of quantitative imaging of optical properties of superficial (0-5 mm depth) tissues in vivo comprises pixel-by-pixel demodulating and diffusion-model fitting or model-based analysis of spatial frequency data to extract the local absorption and reduced scattering optical coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Modulate Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: David Cuccia, Anthony J. Durkin, Joon S. You
  • Patent number: 7778693
    Abstract: A time series of optical tomography data is obtained for a target tissue site in a human (or animal), using an optical wavelength, such as near infrared, at which hemoglobin is absorptive, to observe properties of the vasculature of the human. The data may be compared to baseline data of a corresponding tissue site, e.g., from a healthy human, or from another, corresponding tissue site of the human. For example, a suspected cancerous breast of a human may be compared to a known healthy breast to detect differences in the vasculature. Measures may be made of flow, oxygen supply/demand imbalance, and evidence of altered regulation of the peripheral effector mechanism. The function of the target tissue site may be analyzed, along with the coordinated interaction between multiple sites of the target system. A provocation may be administered to identify surrogate markers of an underlying state or process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Randall L. Barbour, Yaling Pei
  • Patent number: 7753902
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the physiological parameters of an organ or tissue during and after surgery. The system has a probe and a monitoring unit. In one embodiment the probe includes features for convenient, fixed and releasable attachment to surgical drains without interfering with their normal fluid-draining function while utilizing their suction to enhance the probe-to-tissue interface for improved sensing. An applicator is provided to facilitate such attachment. The monitoring unit which controls the sensors of the probe includes a processor to process, record and display the sensor data. This system may be valuable for monitoring transplanted organs and tissue grafts during the critical postoperative period when most of the clinical complications, such as vascular thrombosis, may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Hebah Noshy Mansour, Ramez Emile Necola Shehada
  • Patent number: 7729747
    Abstract: Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Early, nonsubjective detection of poor tissue oxygenation following surgery increases the likelihood that intervention aimed at saving the tissue will be successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Miroslaw F. Stranc, Michael G. Sowa, Henry H. Mantsch
  • Patent number: 7725145
    Abstract: A biological photometric device includes a light irradiating unit for irradiating an object to be examined with light having a predetermined wavelength and sympathizing with oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin through an optical fiber, a light detecting unit for detecting and amplifying light passing through a detecting optical fiber and the object as detected signals, a signal processing unit adapted for computing hemoglobin time change information based on oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin in the object from the detected signals light detecting unit, and including a noise detector for arithmetically processing the detected signals and determining/detecting whether the time change information is noise attributed to the presence of obstacles to passing of light between the object and the end face of the optical fiber or noise attributed to the damage to the light irradiating unit, and a display unit for displaying the noise signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Kawasaki, Naoki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20100081903
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for measuring a state of anesthesia in a noninvasive manner. Optical techniques may be used to measure changes in a functional near-infrared (fNIR) signal, where the fNIR signal is received in response to directing wavelengths of light in a near-infrared range on a patient. The optical density change may be used to obtain a change in deoxyhemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) concentration and/or a change in an oxyhemoglobin concentration (oxy-Hb). The changes in the deoxy-Hb and/or the oxy-Hb may then be compared to determine a state of anesthesia. The effect of artifacts (e.g., strong surgery room lighting, patient-table tilting, patient intubation/extubation) on the fNIR signal may be removed using a noise removal algorithm. In selecting the noise removal algorithm, a switching technique may be used to select the component analysis algorithm, such as a principal component analysis (PCA), an independent component analysis (ICA), or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kurtulus Izzetoglu
  • Patent number: 7627365
    Abstract: An optical examination technique employs an optical system for in vivo non-invasive examination of breast tissue of a subject. The optical system includes an optical module, a controller and a processor. The optical module includes an array of optical input ports and optical detection ports located in a selected geometrical pattern to provide a multiplicity of photon migration paths inside the biological tissue. Each optical input port is constructed to introduce into the examined tissue visible or infrared light emitted from a light source. Each optical detection port is constructed to provide light from the tissue to a light detector. The controller is constructed and arranged to activate one or several light sources and light detectors so that the light detector detects light that has migrated over at least one of the photon migration paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Non-Invasive Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Britton Chance
  • Publication number: 20090281402
    Abstract: An optical examination technique employs an optical system for in vivo, non-invasive examination of internal tissue of a subject. The optical system includes an optical module, a controller and a processor. The optical module is arranged for placement on the exterior of the abdomen or chest. The module includes an array of optical input ports and optical detection ports located in a selected geometrical pattern to provide a multiplicity of photon migration paths targeted to examine a selected tissue region, such as an internal organ or an in utero fetus. Each optical input port is constructed to introduce into the examined tissue visible or infrared light emitted from a light source. Each optical detection port is constructed to provide light from the tissue to a light detector. The controller is constructed and arranged to activate one or several light sources and light detectors so that the light detector detects light that has migrated over at least one of the photon migration paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Britton Chance
  • Publication number: 20090270699
    Abstract: The device serves to optically determine physiological variables in perfused tissue. The device comprises a first and a second light source which each emit light radiation of a first or a second predetermined wavelength. The light sources are arranged in such a manner that the light radiation exiting them can penetrate into the perfused tissue. At least one photodetector is used, which is arranged so that it detects the light emitted by the light sources and passing through or backscattered by the perfused tissue. The device also comprises a control unit, which furnishes control signals to the light sources so that the light sources continuously emit light alternately, one or more dark phases can be inserted into this sequence, during which at least one light source does not emit any light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Scholler, Thomas Magin, Klaus Forstner
  • Patent number: 7610082
    Abstract: An optical examination technique employs an optical system for in vivo non-invasive transcranial examination of brain tissue of a subject. The optical system includes an optical module arranged for placement on the exterior of the head, a controller and a processor. The optical module includes an array of optical input ports and optical detection ports located in a selected geometrical pattern to provide a multiplicity of photon migration paths inside the biological tissue. Each optical input port is constructed to introduce into the examined tissue visible or infrared light emitted from a light source. Each optical detection port is constructed to provide light from the tissue to a light detector. The controller is constructed and arranged to activate one or several light sources and light detectors so that the light detector detects light that has migrated over at least one of the photon migration paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Non-Invasive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Britton Chance
  • Publication number: 20090247853
    Abstract: Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography (“SOCT”) utilizes Optical Coherence Tomography (“OCT”) to depth-target two or more optical measurements within a blood vessel. OCT achieves depth resolution by the use of optical interferometry. As the path length of the reference arm of the interferometer is varied, the penetration depth at which maximum interference occurs (zero phase difference) in the sample is correspondingly increased. Depth resolution in the range of 10 ?m to 100 ?m enables measurements that may be made within more narrow spectral regions (in the range of 1 to 50 nm) in multiple regions of the visible and near infrared spectrum. In one embodiment the light source is configured for three spectral regions centered at 805 nm, 980 nm, and 1050 nm. By comparing the OCT signal at these different spectral positions, the absorption due to tissue and blood analytes may be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Martin Debreczeny
  • Publication number: 20090216098
    Abstract: Prolonged and severe tissue hypoxia results in tissue necrosis in pedicled flaps. We demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for predicting viability of compromised tissue portions. This approach clearly identifies tissue regions with low oxygen supply, and also the severity of this challenge, in a rapid and non-invasive manner, with a high degree of reproducibility. Tissues remaining below a certain hemoglobin oxygen saturation threshold (oxygen saturation index <1) for prolonged periods (>6 h) became increasingly dehydrated, eventually becoming visibly necrotic. Tissues above this threshold (oxygen saturation index >1), despite being significantly hypoxic relative to the pre-elevation saturation values, remained viable over the 72 h post-elevation monitoring period. The magnitude of the drop in tissue oxygen saturation, as observed immediately following surgery, correlated with the final clinical outcome of the flap tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Miroslaw F. Stranc, Michael G. R. Sowa, Henry H. Mantsch
  • Publication number: 20090209834
    Abstract: A system, method and medical tool are presented for use in non-invasive in vivo determination of at least one desired parameter or condition of a subject having a scattering medium in a target region. The measurement system comprises an illuminating system, a detection system, and a control system. The illumination system comprises at least one light source configured for generating partially or entirely coherent light to be applied to the target region to cause a light response signal from the illuminated region. The detection system comprises at least one light detection unit configured for detecting time-dependent fluctuations of the intensity of the light response and generating data indicative of a dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement. The control system is configured and operable to receive and analyze the data indicative of the DLS measurement to determine the at least one desired parameter or condition, and generate output data indicative thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: ELFI-TECH LTD.
    Inventor: Ilya FINE
  • Publication number: 20090187087
    Abstract: Analysis of metabolic gases by an implantable medical device allows the assessment of the status of a congestive heart failure patient by providing for the assessment of cardiac output. The present invention is directed to an implanted medical device configured to measure concentrations of metabolic gases in the blood to determine cardiac output of a patient. The device is also configured to measure changes in the cardiac output of a patient. The present invention is also directed to a method of measuring cardiac output by an implanted medical device. Further, the detection of changes in cardiac output utilizing an implanted medical device as disclosed herein is useful in a method of detecting exacerbation of congestive heart failure. The implanted medical device can also be used to pace a heart to modify cardiac output in a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventor: Robert G. Turcott
  • Publication number: 20090048502
    Abstract: An ischemia detection system in two or more somatic measures, collected simultaneously or near-simultaneously, are provided for direct or computational comparison, in which light from light source A (103A) and source B (103B) is detected by a sensor (155), and a difference-weighted value is determined (167), thereby enhancing the value of the spectroscopic measurements over values taken individually and singly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: David A. Benaron, Illian H. Parachikov, Michael R. Fierro
  • Publication number: 20080269580
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasive measurement of glucose concentration in a live subject including a thermal emission spectroscopy (TES) device 10, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device 20 or near infrared diffuse reflectance (NIDR) device. The TES 10 generates a signal indicative of the absorbtion of glucose, from which the blood glucose concentration is determined and the OCT device 20 generates a signal indicative of the scattering coefficient of a portion of the live subject, from which the blood glucose concentration is determined. The signals generated by the TES and OCT devices along with signals generated by sensors for measuring the body heat and surface temperature of the subject are used in the metabolic heat conformation (MHC) method of determining blood glucose concentration. The system may include a photoacoustic sensor for generating a signal indicative of thermo-elastic skin properties from which the blood glucose concentration is also determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Marcello Leonardo Mario Balistreri, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen, Antonius Theodorus Martinus Van Gogh
  • Publication number: 20080262327
    Abstract: The apparatus for evaluating biological function of the present invention has living body probes 1, a behavioral information measuring part 2 and an apparatus body 3, and it utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy to evaluate biological function; apparatus body 3 has a controller 8 for calculating (based on light information from living body probes 1) a variety of parameters derived from two-dimensional diagrams showing relationships between changes in oxyhemoglobin and changes in deoxyhemoglobin and two-dimensional diagrams showing relationships between absolute amounts of oxyhemoglobin and absolute amounts of deoxyhemoglobin, a behavioral information input part for entering behavioral information measured by means of behavioral information measuring part 12, and a display part 10 for performing various types of image displays based on various parameters calculated by means of controller 8 and/or behavioral information entered in the behavioral information input part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Toshinori Kato
  • Patent number: 7426407
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A system for measuring total hemoglobin of whole blood may include at least one light source, a catheter, optical fibers, at least one photodetector, data processing circuitry, and/or a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7319894
    Abstract: Methods for measuring the total hemoglobin of whole blood include measuring reflective light at multiple wavelengths within the visible spectrum, calculating light absorbance at each of the multiple wavelengths, performing a comparison in a change in like absorbance between the multiple wavelengths, and/or relating the comparison to total hemoglobin. A system for measuring total hemoglobin of whole blood may include at least one light source, a catheter, optical fibers, at least one photodetector, data processing circuitry, and/or a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7317939
    Abstract: A method for optical measurements of desired parameters of the patient's blood is presented. A state of the blood flow cessation is provided within a measurement region and maintained during a predetermined time period. Measurement sessions are performed within this predetermined time period. Each measurement session includes at least two measurements with different wavelengths of incident light. Obtained measured data is representative of the time dependence of light response of the blood in the measurement region. The analyses of the measured data enables the determination of the desired blood parameters extracted from optical characteristics associated with the erythrocytes aggregation process during the state of the blood flow cessation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Orsense Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilya Fine, Leonid Shvartsman
  • Publication number: 20070208239
    Abstract: At each of measurement sites, changes in plural biological data (such as an oxy-Hb signal species and a deoxy-Hb signal species) in a predetermined period are statistically tested independently of each other. By combining results of the plural biological data, the measurement sites are each classified into one out of plural categories. The classified results are each displayed in a single chart. Effective is also a method of setting different activity periods correspondingly to plural Hb signal species, deciding whether or not each of the signal species shows activity or estimating the strength of the signal species, and displaying classification results based on combination of activities of the plural Hb signal species in a single chart. A living body light measuring device using the brain activity analyzing method and displaying method of the invention makes it possible to detect sites where brain activity is generated with a high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Hiroki Sato, Atsushi Maki
  • Patent number: 7251518
    Abstract: A method for measuring in non-invasive manner the concentration of blood constituents by which backscattered light is measured under the action of ultrasonic radiation focused towards the inside of a central blood vessel. A light source and detection unit are arranged to detect the backscattered light on the skin surface above the blood vessel. The target tissue is illuminated by two discrete optical wavelengths. An average light intensity distribution is detected over the length of a pulse. The distribution is Fournier transformed, and the largest Fournier components and spectral position are determined in relation to the frequency of the ultrasonic radiation. The component concentration in the blood vessel is calculated taking into account the volume of the ultrasonic focus contributing to the signal and blood flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Nirlus Engineering AG
    Inventor: Vera Herrmann
  • Patent number: 7248909
    Abstract: A device and method utilizes a broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) system to dynamically calculate the concentrations of multiple chromophores in vivo using a non-invasive probe. The device and method permit dynamic monitoring of multiple in vivo tissue chromophores non-invasively with sensitivities necessary for effective therapeutic monitoring. The device includes a probe containing first and second source optical fibers as well as first and second detector optical fibers. The probe is placed adjacent to a sample of interest and detects reflected light which is passed to a proximally located detector and spectrometer. The concentrations of multiple chromophores are determined in real time. In a preferred embodiment, the multiple tissue chromophores include at least two of methemoglobin (MetHb), deoxyhemoglobin (Hb-R), oxyhemoglobin (Hb-O2), water (H2O), and methylene blue (MB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jangwoen Lee, Bruce J. Tromberg, Albert E. Cerussi, Matthew Brenner
  • Patent number: 7242997
    Abstract: An improved diffuse optical tomography system for in vivo non-contact imaging includes an illumination source for illuminating a specimen, a spectrum source for projecting a spectrum onto the specimen, at least one sensor configured to capture the response of the specimen to the illumination and to the projection of said spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Genex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Z. Jason Geng
  • Patent number: 7239903
    Abstract: In addition to irradiating examination light toward the inside of the bead of the subject and detecting the examination light reflected from the head: structural data indicating the head structure, wherein the head is divided into multiple materials and the various materials are further divided into multiple elements, are stored in a structural data storage unit set up in a specified region of memory; the optical properties of the aforementioned elements are calculated from a given specified initial value; the hemodynamics inside the brain of the subject are calculated based on the optical properties thereof, and the aforementioned initial values are taken to be the optical properties when the light intensity signal values, provisionally calculated from optical properties under the assumption that the optical properties are uniform for each of the aforementioned materials, are in a fixed range of the actually measured light intensity signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventor: Hideo Eda
  • Patent number: 7142906
    Abstract: A control device and measurement system for a living body applies lights of at least one wavelength in a visible-infrared region to a plurality of incident positions on a surface of the living body, and a light detector detects lights transmitted through the living body at a plurality of detection positions on the surface of the living body. An operation unit determines a type of output signal, based on an intensity of the transmitted light and pre-stored reference data, and outputs a signal indicative thereof as the type of output signal. An external equipment executes a functional operation according to the type of output signal from the operation unit. The incident positions and the detection positions are alternately disposed in square lattice form and middle points between the incident positions and detection positions adjacent to one another are defined as measurement positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Yamashita, Atsushi Maki, Hideaki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7139597
    Abstract: There has been no device for measuring changes in Hb concentrations associated with activities of the cerebral function of an infant or subject prone to movement during measurement. Removing and reducing any influences of body movement is needed. In the present invention, light is irradiated on the subject's head, and changes in Hb concentrations associated with activities of the cerebral function are measured from scattered light which has passed through the head. From this blood circulation movement, a parameter is inputted arbitrarily to judge the body movement component, and feed-back is applied to a stimulus device for giving a stimulus to the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Maki, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto