Physical Characteristics Of Blood Patents (Class 600/368)
  • Patent number: 11134854
    Abstract: The invention relates to a physiological property determination apparatus (1) for determining a physiological property like a pulse rate of a person. The apparatus may be configured to be worn on the wrist like a watch. A controller (8) separately controls at least two light sources (3, 4, 5) for emitting at least two light beams having different wavelengths into tissue of the person and a light detector (6) having a two-dimensional detection surface (12) detects light, which has travelled through the tissue, wavelength-dependently and generates a wavelength-dependent two-dimensional image based on the detected light. Based on the generated wavelength-dependent two-dimensional image the physiological property is determined. The separate control of the light sources allows for an independent optimization of the illumination and detection processes for each wavelength, which in turn can lead to an improved determination of the physiological property based on the wavelength-dependent two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Cristian Nicolae Presura
  • Patent number: 11125764
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and apparatus for detecting sample defects in blood samples processed in automated processing systems are described herein. One aspect describes an automated blood sample processing apparatus having a pre-analytic specimen integrity monitoring device. Another aspect describes devices, systems, and methods for identifying blood components and properties in blood samples. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for setting reference ranges for sample defects and interference in blood samples. Additionally, devices, systems, and methods for identifying defective samples are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CERNER INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Sameer Bhatia, Anton F. Flieg, Joseph Eugene Rose, Stephen Ward
  • Patent number: 11031114
    Abstract: Infusion systems, infusion devices, and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary method involves operating an infusion device to deliver fluid to a user in accordance with a first operating mode of a plurality of operating modes, obtaining operational information pertaining to the first operating mode, and obtaining clinical information pertaining to the user. A destination operating mode of the plurality of operating modes is determined based at least in part on the operational information and the clinical information, and the infusion device is operated to deliver the fluid in accordance with the destination operating mode in a manner that is influenced by at least a portion of the operational information pertaining to the first operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC
    Inventors: Salman Monirabbasi, Louis J. Lintereur, Jin Yan, Linda I. Torres
  • Patent number: 10561785
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to monitoring and/or controlling blood glucose levels in patients. In particular, one or more substances may be delivered to a patient at a particular infusion rate while the patient's estimated glucose level is within a predetermined range. A different insulin infusion rate may then be applied if the patient's estimated blood glucose level deviates outside of the predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Anirban Roy, Cesar C. Palerm
  • Patent number: 10314540
    Abstract: A vaginal ring sensor device adapted to be placed within the vaginal vault of a user, the device including a ring body, at least one through hole that passes through the ring body, and at least one biosensor structured and arranged to sense and/or measure a parameter of vaginal fluid as such fluid passes through the at least one through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Fougere, Ming Dong
  • Patent number: 10219705
    Abstract: A method for monitoring autoregulation includes using a processor for receiving one or more physiological signals, determining a correlation-based measure indicative of the patient's autoregulation based on the one or more physiological signals, calculating a data clustering metric indicative of a distribution of the correlation-based measure within a window of blood pressures, and determining whether the window of blood pressures is within an intact autoregulation zone or an impaired autoregulation zone based at least in part on the data clustering metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul S. Addison, Dean Montgomery
  • Patent number: 10194870
    Abstract: A method for monitoring autoregulation includes receiving a blood pressure signal and a regional oxygen saturation signal from a patient. The method also includes determining one or more pairs of linear correlation lines between the blood pressure signal and the regional oxygen saturation signal based on one or more bins. Each of the one or more bins includes one or more regional oxygen saturation values derived from the regional oxygen saturation signal. The method also includes determining a value indicative of the patient's autoregulation status based on a first pair of linear correlation lines selected from the one or more pairs of linear correlation lines and providing a signal indicative of the patient's autoregulation status to an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Dean Montgomery, Paul S. Addison
  • Patent number: 10194809
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided to electrically and optically detect hemodynamic properties of a body. Such devices are configured to detect electrocardiographic signals and photoplethysmographic signals and to operate a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample one or more of each of such signals. This includes operating a multiplexer to connect electrical signals related to the detected optical and electrical properties to the single ADC during respective different sampling times or periods. This can include connecting the detected electrocardiographic signals and photoplethysmographic signals to the ADC during alternating periods of time. Using a single ADC to sample one or more of each of electrocardiographic signals and photoplethysmographic signals can provide samples of such signals that have a relative timing that is known, stable, and controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Russell Norman Mirov, John Navil Joseph
  • Patent number: 10012692
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for precision probe positioning and testing of an integrated circuit. Methods, systems, and a computer program product implement techniques for determining a particular area of interest for precision probe positioning and testing where the particular area of interest comprises an area less than an entire area of the integrated circuit. Once the particular area of interest for testing has been determined, then a laser probe is steered or otherwise directed to illuminate a plurality of pixels within the area of interest so as to generate reflected signals corresponding to the illuminated pixels. Techniques are provided for measuring the reflected signals to determine information about the IC within the area of interest. CAD data or user data can be used to determine XY addressable pixel locations within the area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Larry Ross, Michael Bruce
  • Patent number: 9889299
    Abstract: A system and method for treating sleep apnea includes inserting an implantable pulse generator subcutaneously within a body of a patient and connecting a lead to the pulse generator. The lead is inserted within the vasculature and advanced transvenously through the vasculature until a stimulation portion of the lead becomes positioned in close proximity to the hypoglossal nerve. A nerve-stimulation signal is applied to the hypoglossal nerve via the stimulation portion of the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Quan Ni, Mark A. Christopherson, Timothy P. Herbert, John Rondoni
  • Patent number: 9883823
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an in vivo concentration of a small molecule substance of interest is provided that takes advantage of the semi-permeable nature of skin, which allows small molecules to passively diffuse through the skin and onto the skin surface. The systems and methods of the present invention allow for the collection of these small molecules that have passively diffused through the skin without skin disruption or breaking of the skin. The systems and methods of the present invention are noninvasive, painless and safe even for delicate newborns, and are particularly suited for the determination of blood glucose in newborns and infants in a noninvasive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Leah Tolosa, Xudong Ge, Yordan Kostov, Michael Tolosa, Govind Rao
  • Patent number: 9877652
    Abstract: A measurement device includes: a measurement portion that acquires measurement data; a setting portion that specifies an external device as a transmission destination of the measurement data based on a signal transmitted from the external device, and allows communication with the external device without receiving input of authentication information; and a transmission and reception portion that transmits measurement data to the external device. The setting portion causes the transmission and reception portion to transmit identification information of the measurement device to the external device, and further to transmit confirmation information thereto in addition to the identification information. The confirmation information is used by the external device to decide whether or not the external device can handle the measurement data transmitted from the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 9766451
    Abstract: Provided is a method for calculating a scanning pattern of light and an optical scanning apparatus. The method includes the steps of: detecting a resonance frequency and an attenuation coefficient of an oscillation part of an optical fiber which guides light from a light source and irradiates an object with the light; and calculating a scanning pattern of the light, based on the detected resonance frequency and attenuation coefficient. The apparatus includes: an optical fiber which guides light from a light source and irradiates an object with the light; a scanning part which drives an oscillation part oscillatably supported of the optical fiber; a detector which detects a resonance frequency of the oscillation part; a calculation part which determines an irradiation position of the light using a scanning pattern calculated based on the resonance frequency detected by the detector and the attenuation coefficient obtained in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsuyoshi Shimamoto
  • Patent number: 9700245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active transdermal analyte detection system performing extraction and detection of body analytes comprising of a patch accepting at least one electrical input; a plurality of transducers configured for converting input electrical energy to different forms of energies for activating extraction procedure; a controller configured for providing the control signals, intensity, sequence, nature, and timing information for the different energies supplied to the said patch vide said transducers; and at least one layer/compartment configured for either collection of extracted fluids and/or delivering at least one reagent formulation that detects the body analyte on activation and a method for performing transdermal extraction and detection of body fluids using said electronic patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ITRACE BIOMEDICAL INC.
    Inventors: Bhaskara Rao Bandura, Radhakrishnan Ramdas, Krishnamohan Sharma, Kartik Karri
  • Patent number: 9607372
    Abstract: The invention determines cell to fat ratio statistic, applicable in the field of pathology, in a greatly improved manner over manual or prior art scoring techniques. The cellular areas are identified and displayed in an easy to read format on the computer monitor, printer output or other display means, with average cellularity, nuclear quantity distribution at a glance. These output data are an objective transformation of the subjective visible image that the pathologist or scientist relies upon for diagnosis, prognosis, or monitoring therapeutic perturbations. The invention uses multi-stage thresholding and segmentation algorithms in RGB and HSB spaces, auto-thresholding on red and blue channels in RGB to get the raw working image of all cells, then refines the working image with thresholding on hue and intensity channels in HSB using an adaptive parameter epsilon in entropy mode, and further separates different groups of cells within the same class, by auto-thresholding within the working image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Hernani D. Cualing, Eric Zhong
  • Patent number: 9579048
    Abstract: An activity monitoring apparatus is provided. The activity monitoring apparatus includes a retention feature configured to removably secure the monitoring apparatus to a participant performing a physical activity. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a clasping mechanism configured to receive a mobile electronic device and removably secure the mobile electronic device to the monitoring apparatus. The activity monitoring apparatus further includes a physiological data collector and electronic circuitry. The physiological data collector is configured to collect physiological data associated with the participant performing the physical activity. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive the physiological data associated with the participant from the physiological data collector, process the physiological data, and wirelessly transmit the processed physiological data to the mobile electronic device for display on the mobile electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TreeFrog Developments, Inc
    Inventors: Gary A. Rayner, James S. Nolan, David D. Bohn, Frederick J. Zimbric, Peter J. Gronewoller, Kyle M. Fanning, Travis W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9524304
    Abstract: A method for automatically diagnosing inherited retinal disease includes receiving a plurality of dissimilar types of data and pre-processing at least one of the plurality of dissimilar types of data to generate a feature vector descriptive of a patient. Further, the method includes, for each of the plurality of dissimilar types of data: (i) comparing portions of the respective type of data or a corresponding feature vector to data in a mutation proven database; (ii) generating a ranked list of matches between the patient and the plurality of patients with known diagnoses; and (iii) storing the ranked list of matches in an output database. A diagnosis routine then aggregates a plurality of ranked lists of matches in the output database to generate a ranked list of genetic diagnoses corresponding to the patient and sends an indication of the ranked list of genetic diagnoses to the end user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Kanishka T. Jayasundera, Gail Hohner, Jillian T. Huang, Naheed W. Khan, Matthew K. Johnson-Roberson, Daniel L. Albertus, Ira Schachar, Sarwar Zahid, Amani Al-Tarouti, Christopher R. Ranella, Zhao Huang, Andrew M. Lynch, Carla S. Kaspar, Nathan T. Patel, Adnan Tahir
  • Patent number: 9476849
    Abstract: A biosensor system can comprise a sensor chip and a measurement device. The sensor chip comprises a capillary and electrodes disposed within the capillary. The height of the capillary is set to be less than the maximum value of the sum of the diffusion distance of an electron-transfer mediator and the diffusion distance of an analyte at the upper limit of the measurement guaranteed temperature of the biosensor system. The measurement device applies an open circuit voltage, a voltage that is lower than during concentration measurement, or the like to the electrodes of the sensor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Motonori Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 9404825
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a pressure sensor apparatus, including a housing with a flexible member and an aperture configured to receive a fluid. The pressure sensor apparatus further includes a first member disposed on the flexible member, a second member removeably coupled to the first member configured to move in response to a pressure of the fluid and a sensor configured to detect the movement of the second member. The pressure sensor apparatus generates a pressure signal for the fluid based on the displacement of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: FENWAL, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. Katz, Salvatore Manzella, Terry Chung, Greg Pieper, Natalie Osterweil
  • Patent number: 9218660
    Abstract: A method and system for analysis of a viscoelastic response in a deformable material. The system includes a light source configured to provide linearly polarized light and a polariscope configured to receive said linearly polarized light and to generate an image associated with a viscoelastic response of said deformable material. The system also includes a machine vision system configured to operate on the image to locate the response on the deformable material and to classify the response as one of a plurality of predefined types of responses. A display may then be provide that is configured to provide feedback of the location of the viscoelastic response and classification of the response to a user of said system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: John T. Carrola, Jr., Warren Carl Couvillion, Jr., Susan M. Porter, David R. Chambers, Christopher J. Guerra
  • Patent number: 9211089
    Abstract: An optical blood glucose detecting apparatus and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The optical blood glucose detecting apparatus includes a detecting module, an assisting and strengthening module, and a data processing module. The detecting module provides an incident optical signal passing through a detected portion of skin surface into a skin interstitial fluid, captures a blood glucose optical reflection message of the skin interstitial fluid, and it interferes the blood glucose optical reflection message and the incident optical signal to generate a detected data. The assisting and strengthening module provides a physical or chemical effect on a tissue region under the detected portion to strengthen the blood glucose optical reflection message. The data processing module processes the detected data to determine a blood glucose concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Crystalvue Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Meng-Shin Yen, William Wang, Chung-Cheng Chou, Chung-Ping Chuang
  • Patent number: 9106806
    Abstract: The image sensing device (1) includes: a vessel holding portion (32) that holds a culture vessel (S); a swing portion (60) in which the vessel holding portion (32) is provided; a vibration application portion (50); an image sensing portion (10) that senses an image of the cells within the culture vessel (S); an image correction portion (4) that uses images at a plurality of image sensing places which include at least one image sensed by the image sensing portion (10) during vibration so as to correct a displacement between the images caused as a result of the image sensing places being different; and an image processing portion (5) that uses the image sensed by the image sensing portion (10) and the image corrected by the image correction portion (4) so as to distinguish between a state of floatation of the cells and a state of adherence thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: PANASONIC HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaro Yamanaka, Tomoyoshi Tokumaru, Mikio Houjou
  • Patent number: 9056161
    Abstract: A system and a method for delivering fluid to and sensing analyte levels in the body of the patient are disclosed. The system includes a dispensing apparatus configured to infuse fluid into the body of the patient and a sensing apparatus configured to be in communication with the dispensing apparatus and further configured to detect a level of analyte concentration in the body of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, INc.
    Inventors: Ofer Yodat, Gavriel J. Iddan, Ruthy Kaidar, Gali Shapira
  • Patent number: 9036140
    Abstract: An optical probe system having a probe with an optical guide (G) having a distal end. The optical guide (G) is mounted inside a housing (H) so that the distal end is displaceable with respect to the housing (H). A set of actuators (A), e.g. electromagnetic drive coils, can displace the distal end by application of a drive signal (Vx, Vy). A control unit (CU) generates the drive signal (Vx, Vy) so as to provide a scanning frequency which varies according to an amplitude of the drive signal (Vx, Vy). With such probe system it is possible to scan a field of view with a scanning frequency that varies with the scanning radius. Taking into account the maximum allowable drive current, it is possible to increase scanning speed compared to scanning at the mechanical resonance frequency of the optical system, since small radii can be scanned at a high scanning frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Nenad Mihajlovic, Jeroen Jan Lambertus Horikx, Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Cornelius Antonius Hezemans, Bernardus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Hendriks
  • Publication number: 20150018638
    Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for non-invasive measurement of blood related parameters based on NMR (nuclei) relaxation techniques carried out using a relatively low constant magnetic field in the range of 0.15 to 0.5 Tesla. A plurality of electromagnetic excitation pulse sequences having relatively low radiofrequencies are applied over a living tissue placed in the magnetic field and blood related parameters of the examined subject are determined using a plurality of nuclear spin echo signals received from the tissue in response to the applied excitation sequences, thereby allowing to improve the accuracy of the obtained signals and substantially reducing the time duration of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander Shames, Yuri Rozenfeld, David Keini
  • Publication number: 20140353486
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that enrichment of D3-creatinine in a urine sample following oral administration of a single defined dose of D3-creatine can be used to calculate total-body creatine pool size and total body skeletal muscle mass in a subject. The invention further encompasses methods for detecting creatinine and D3-creatinine in a single sample. The methods of the invention find use, inter alia, in diagnosing disorders related to skeletal muscle mass, and in screening potential therapeutic agents to determine their effects on muscle mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael S. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8834720
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the extracorporeal treatment of blood are described. The apparatus includes a dialyzer which is separated into a first and second chamber by a semipermeable membrane, wherein the first chamber is disposed in a dialysis fluid path and the second chamber can be connected to the blood circulation of a patient by way of a blood inflow conduit and a blood outflow conduit, a feed for fresh dialysis fluid, a discharge for spent dialysis fluid, a measuring device disposed within the discharge for determining the absorption of the spent dialysis fluid flowing through the discharge, wherein the measuring device has at least one radiation source for substantially monochromatic electromagnetic radiation, and a detector system for detecting the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein means are provided to compensate for changes that occur in the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation of the radiation source and/or the sensitivity of the detector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: B. Braun Avitum AG
    Inventor: Joern Ahrens
  • Patent number: 8778687
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample disposed within an analysis chamber, the method including the steps of: a) imaging at least a portion of the sample that contains one or more red blood cells and one or more areas void of red blood cells; b) determining a representative optical density value for a plurality of image units optically aligned with portions of the red blood cells, and assigning an optical density first boundary value to those image units; c) determining a representative optical density value of a plurality of image units optically aligned with the one or more regions of the sample devoid of red blood cells, and assigning a second optical density boundary value to those image units; and d) determining the hematocrit of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Levine, Stephen C. Wardlaw, Darryn Unfricht, Niten V. Lalpuria
  • Patent number: 8708907
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for in vivo measurement of blood parameters by processing analog electrical signals from a plurality of photodetectors. In some embodiments, it is possible to determine one or more blood parameters according to (i) a first electrical signal from a first detector and (ii) a second electrical signal from a second photodetector. A difference analog electrical signal is generated, indicative of a difference between the light response signal at the first location and light response signal at the second location, is generated. One or more blood parameters may be detected according to the difference analog electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Elfi-Tech
    Inventors: Ilya Fine, Alexander Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 8617072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a general composite compartmental model and a compartmental analysis procedure to extract non-invasively the concentration (Cp) of the imaging agent in plasma (301), in metabolites (304, 504) and in blood elements (303) (like red cells, platelets, plasma protein etc.) from time signal curves measured within a reference tissue region (200). This is made possible by deploying an injection function (SINJ(t)) as input which models the amount of imaging agent administered to the patient as a function of time. The invention allows the presentation of the plasma input function to the medical practitioner without the need for invasively drawing blood samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Dragos-Nicolae Peligrad, Lothar Spies, Timo Paulus
  • Patent number: 8535226
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method for assessing in vivo hematotoxicity. The method utilizes differential staining of nucleated and non-nucleated blood cells, and also differential labeling of cells with functional versus dysfunctional mitochondrial membrane potential. Quantitative analyses can be conducted on stained whole blood specimens, and is based on blood cells' fluorescent emission and light scatter properties following exposure to an excitatory light source. The ratio of certain cell populations can be readily measured. Furthermore, it is also possible to express cell population values in terms of number per unit volume. This invention can be used to evaluate the hematotoxicity of drugs, chemicals, radiation, and other exogenous agents, or the effects that a suspected protective agent may have on induced hematotoxicity. Furthermore, the matrix of measurements provided by this invention is useful in estimating radiation dose, i.e., retrospectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Litron Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dertinger, Jeffrey C. Bemis, Steven M. Bryce
  • Patent number: 8480581
    Abstract: Methods and systems for implantably determining a patient's anemia status and treating anemia are described. Blood viscosity is compared one or more thresholds to determine a patient's anemia status. Therapy, in the form of electrical stimulation therapy or administration of a pharmaceutical delivered to the patient's kidneys or hypothalamus is controlled based on the anemia status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yunlong Zhang, Bin Mi, John D. Hatlestad
  • Patent number: 8361799
    Abstract: A method for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis; 2) imaging at least a portion of the quiescent sample, which sample portion contains the red blood cells and one or more lacunae to determine an optical density of the imaged portion of the sample on a per image unit basis; 3) selecting optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells; 4) selecting optical density values of the image units aligned with the one or more lacunae; and 5) determining the hematocrit of the sample using the selected optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells and the lacunae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Levine, Stephen C. Wardlaw, Darryn Unfricht, Niten V. Lalpuria
  • Publication number: 20130018245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for evaluating a value representing the mass or the concentration of a substance comprised by a tissue or a bodily fluid of a patient, the method including the steps of a) determining a relation between one or more calculated or measured value(s) reflecting the mass or the concentration and a distribution space of the patient or an approximation thereof, and b) assessing whether the relation fulfils a criterion. The present invention further relates to systems and computer programs for performing this method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Chamney, Ulrich Moissl, Peter Wabel, Volker Nier, Sebastian Wieskotten
  • Patent number: 8298158
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides electrode structures and integrated electrode structures having one or more conductive materials coextruded with one or more dielectric materials. The disclosed electrode structures can be configured for use as analyte sensors. Also provided, are methods of making and using the electrode structures and integrated electrode structures described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Diabetes Care Inc.
    Inventors: Songbiao Zhang, John C. Mazza
  • Patent number: 8234129
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing immunological status of individuals and populations is presented. The method includes establishing a database containing a plurality of records, each record containing information representative of the immune status of an individual, including (1) bioassay results, and (2) individual specific information such as, medical history, clinical observations and historical, demographic, lifestyle, and familial/genetic information. By processing the information trends and/or patterns are obtained correlating various variables in the records across an individual, population or sub-population. The identified trends and/or patterns can, for example, be used in health care related decision making. In exemplary embodiments such processing can include generating a set of correlations and for each correlation generating a set of explanatory or relevant hypotheses. Then, for example, each hypothesis can be automatically refuted or supported, to the extent possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wellstat Vaccines, LLC
    Inventors: Francis Michon, Samuel L. Moore, Peter C. Fusco, Samuel J. Wohlstadter, Charles Quentin Davis, Aaron Haleva
  • Publication number: 20120190955
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for real time measurement and monitoring of various personal health parameters including controlled delivery of drugs/medications by intelligent pump appliances, intelligent inhalation appliances and intelligent skin patch appliances used in a standalone manner or in a wired or wireless networked configuration, in conjunction with various peripheral devices, other intelligent appliances, servers, RF ID Tags and stationary/mobile devices. The intelligent appliances relate to the measurement, monitoring and delivery of insulin/other drugs for the treatment of diabetes and other diseases. The method also additionally includes the application of intelligent appliances for pain management including visualization of organs and body locations exhibiting pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Raman K. Rao, Sunil K. Rao, Rekha K. Rao
  • Patent number: 8206650
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system comprising a meter and a disposable cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample typically blood that is drawn into the cartridge by capillary action, negative pressure, positive pressure, or a combination thereof. The cartridge has at least one flow path, and includes at least one optical chamber for spectroscopic measurement, and at least one biosensor for biosensor measurement. The meter has a sample slot for receiving the disposable cartridge. The cartridges have electrical output contacts, and the meter slot has electrical input contacts. When the output contacts mate with the input contacts, the optical chamber becomes positioned for spectroscopic measurement. The present invention can provide joint-diagnostic spectroscopic and biosensor measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Chromedx Inc.
    Inventor: James Samsoondar
  • Patent number: 8133738
    Abstract: A method for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber adapted to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by the interior surfaces of first and second panels and a height extending there between, wherein both panels are transparent, and the height is such that at least some of the red blood cells within the sample contact both interior surfaces of the panels and one or more lacunae within the quiescent sample extend between the interior surfaces; 2) imaging at least a portion of the quiescent sample, which sample portion contains the red blood cells and one or more lacunae to determine an optical density of the imaged portion of the sample on a per image unit basis; 3) selecting and averaging the optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces, and assigning an upper boundary value of 100% to the average optical density value of those im
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Levine, Stephen C. Wardlaw, Darryn Unfricht, Niten V. Lalpuria
  • Patent number: 8062222
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method for assessing in vivo hematotoxicity. The method utilizes differential staining of nucleated and non-nucleated blood cells, and also differential labeling of cells with functional versus dysfunctional mitochondrial membrane potential. Quantitative analyses can be conducted on stained whole blood specimens, and is based on blood cells' fluorescent emission and light scatter properties following exposure to an excitatory light source. The ratio of certain cell populations can be readily measured. Furthermore, it is also possible to express cell population values in terms of number per unit volume. This invention can be used to evaluate the hematotoxicity of drugs, chemicals, radiation, and other exogenous agents, or the effects that a suspected protective agent may have on induced hematotoxicity. Furthermore, the matrix of measurements provided by this invention is useful in estimating radiation dose, i.e., retrospectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Litron Laboratories, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Dertinger, Jeffrey C. Bemis, Steven M. Bryce
  • Publication number: 20110196214
    Abstract: A hand-held analyzer for collecting a sample of blood from the scalp of a fetus and measuring the pH or other blood characteristic of the blood sample. The analyzer includes a probe with a proximal end and a gasket that facilitate a firm and positive placement of the probe against the scalp. The probe includes a capillary tube for collecting blood and an extensible lancet which at rest is positioned within the capillary tube. During operation, the lancet is extended to make an incision in the scalp. The lancet then retreats, and blood flows into the capillary tube. Sensors for measuring pH are in liquid communication with the capillary tube. A display on or near the hand-held analyzer shows a readout of the fetal scalp blood pH or other blood characteristic. Measuring the pH of the fetal scalp blood in utero can provide early detection of acidosis and likely hypoxia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Kathleen EDMUNDS
  • Publication number: 20110196219
    Abstract: A hand-held analyzer for collecting a sample of blood from the scalp of a fetus and measuring the pH of the blood sample. The analyzer includes a probe with a blunt proximal end that facilitates a firm and positive placement of the probe against the scalp. The probe includes a capillary tube for collecting blood and an extensible lancet which at rest is positioned within the capillary tube. During operation, the lancet is extended to make an incision in the scalp. The lancet then retreats, and blood flows into the capillary tube. Sensors for measuring pH are in liquid communication with the capillary tube. A display on or near the hand-held analyzer shows a readout of the fetal scalp blood pH. Measuring the pH of the fetal scalp blood in utero can provide early detection of acidosis and likely hypoxia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Kathleen Edmunds
  • Patent number: 7951599
    Abstract: A method for determining the hematocrit of a blood sample is provided that includes the steps of: 1) depositing the sample into an analysis chamber operable to quiescently hold the sample for analysis, the chamber defined by the interior surfaces of first and second panels and a height extending there between, wherein both panels are transparent, and the height is such that at least some of the red blood cells within the sample contact both interior surfaces of the panels and one or more lacunae within the quiescent sample extend between the interior surfaces; 2) imaging at least a portion of the quiescent sample, which sample portion contains the red blood cells and one or more lacunae to determine an optical density of the imaged portion of the sample on a per image unit basis; 3) selecting and averaging the optical density values of the image units aligned with the red blood cells contacting the interior surfaces, and assigning an upper boundary value of 100% to the average optical density value of those i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Abbott Point of Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Levine, Stephen C. Wardlaw, Darryn W. Unfricht, Niten V. Lalpuria
  • Publication number: 20110077496
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus obtaining a hematocrit from a sample of in vivo tissue. The method comprises irradiating the sample with a single incident wavelength on a sample of tissue, simultaneously measuring wavelength shifted (IE) and unshifted (EE) light emitted from the tissue, and determining a relative volume of light emitted from two phases, wherein the two phases comprise a first Rayleigh and Mie scattering and fluorescent phase associated with red blood cells, and a second, non-scattering phase associated with plasma. The hematocrit is calculated from the volume of light emitted by the first phase relative to the total volume of light emitted from the first and second phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: LighTouch Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Chaiken
  • Publication number: 20110060205
    Abstract: The invention relates to a general composite compartmental model and a compartmental analysis procedure to extract non-invasively the concentration (Cp) of the imaging agent in plasma (301), in metabolites (304, 504) and in blood elements (303) (like red cells, platelets, plasma protein etc.) from time signal curves measured within a reference tissue region (200). This is made possible by deploying an injection function (SINJ(t)) as input which models the amount of imaging agent administered to the patient as a function of time. The invention allows the presentation of the plasma input function to the medical practitioner without the need for invasively drawing blood samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Dragos-Nicolae Peligrad, Lothar Spies, Timo Paulus
  • Patent number: 7892188
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing changes in at least one physical property of soft tissue. A series of acoustic pulses is generated and directed into the soft tissue such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the tissue. Waves reflected off the tissue, or a flexible member that moves with the tissue, are received and measured to estimate at least one characteristic of the physical displacement induced thereby. Repetition of the generating, receiving and estimating steps provides characterization of the at least one physical property over time. Methods, apparatus and systems for characterizing at least one physical property of blood, by generating a series of acoustic pulses and directing the series of pulses into the blood such that at least one of the pulses is of sufficiently high intensity to induce physical displacement of the blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hemosonics, LLC
    Inventors: William F. Walker, Michael Lawrence, Francesco Viola, Margaret D. Kramer
  • Patent number: 7857761
    Abstract: An acoustic blood analyzer with a transducer section of acoustic biosensors for measurement of blood properties including, but not limited to blood coagulation, platelet function and various blood disorders in a blood sample is provided. Methods for use of the blood analyzer in measurement of blood properties are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Ryszard M. Lec, J. Yasha Kresh, David M. Wootton
  • Patent number: 7856319
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a new diagnosis method for detecting the extent of alcoholic or non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis in a patient, in particular in a patient suffering from a disease involving alcoholic or non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis or who already had a positive diagnosis test of liver fibrosis and/or presence of liver necroinflammatory lesions, by using the serum concentration of easily detectable biological markers. The invention is also drawn to diagnosis kits for the implementation of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (Ap-Hp)
    Inventor: Thierry Poynard
  • Patent number: 7775976
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for analysing a biological fluid sample to determine a disturbance of haemostasis resulting in a change of viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Alere Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Fuller, Nasr-Eddine Djennati
  • Publication number: 20100198037
    Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for real-time (or near real-time) monitoring of red blood cell morphology, and in particular, monitoring of sickling to provide an indication of the risk of a the downstream consequences of sickling, such as the pain crises and associated hypoxic tissue damage which may occur as sickling progresses. The monitors describe herein may be continuous (e.g., sampling the subject continuously while worn or activated), or they may operate at a predetermine or selectable sampling rate. In some variations, the devices described herein are worn or applied to the patient non-invasively or minimally invasively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Steven W. Cole