Patents Issued in October 29, 2015
  • Publication number: 20150305623
    Abstract: Parathyroid adenomas may be identified using optical probes which distinguish the diseased tissue from adjacent healthy tissue. Spectroscopic properties of the tissue may be used to distinguish healthy from diseased tissue. Traditional surgery to remove the parathyroid adenoma may be avoided by using techniques to occlude the blood supply to the diseased tissue. Occlusion may be accomplished by applying energy to the blood vessel such as with radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy or laser energy. Cryogenic probes may also be used to occlude the blood flow. Clips, sutures or other mechanical mechanisms may also be used to occlude the flow, thereby destroying the diseased tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Invuity, Inc.
    Inventors: James Bredenkamp, Alex Vayser
  • Publication number: 20150305624
    Abstract: A device provides incident light on oral structures, switchably between two states. In the first state, incident light causes autofluorescence of byproducts of decay, and an optical filter between the oral structures and either the user's eyes or a visualizing apparatus yields visually distinguishable appearances for that autofluorescence depending on whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy. In the second state, the incident light is of a color composition that yields a substantially “white” spectrum after passing through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: INSPEKTOR RESEARCH SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventor: Elbert de Josselin de Jong
  • Publication number: 20150305625
    Abstract: An implantable sensor array incorporates active electronic elements to greatly increase the number of sensors and their density that can be simultaneously recorded and activated. The sensors can be of various configurations and types, for example: optical, chemical, temperature, pressure or other sensors including effectors for applying signals to surrounding tissues. The sensors/effectors are arranged on a flexible and stretchable substrate with incorporated active components that allow the effective size, configuration, number and pattern of sensors/effectors to be dynamically changed, as needed, through a wired or wireless means of communication. Active processing allows many channels to be combined either through analog or digital means such that the number of wires exiting the array can be substantially reduced compared to the number of sensors/effectors on the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Brian Litt, Jonathan Viventi
  • Publication number: 20150305626
    Abstract: A dental implement (4) is presented that includes, in one embodiment, a light source (331) configured to emit an excitation light, and at least one optical unit for removing reflected excitation light and receiving a fluorescence light beam from the teeth. The dental implement further includes a detector (333) configured to receive the fluorescence light beam for detecting plaque and communicating a plaque identification signal of the teeth based on frequency domain lifetime measurements via a plaque detection circuit configured to reduce noise generated by a drive train at a drive train frequency (fdt). The plaque identification signal is demodulated to an intermediate frequency (fIF) such that the drive train frequency and the intermediate frequency are derived from a same master clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: STEVEN CHARLES DEANE, ALAN JAMES DAVIE
  • Publication number: 20150305627
    Abstract: A system and method for using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) sources such as lamps, thermal sources, LED's, laser diodes, super-luminescent laser diodes, and super-continuum light sources for early detection of dental caries measure transmission and/or reflectance. In the SWIR wavelength range, solid, intact teeth may have a low reflectance or high transmission with very few spectral features while a carious region exhibits more scattering, so the reflectance increases in amplitude. The spectral dependence of the transmitted or reflected light from the tooth may be used to detect and quantify the degree of caries. Instruments for applying SWIR light to one or more teeth may include a C-clamp design, a mouth guard design, or hand-held devices that may augment other dental tools. The measurement device may communicate with a smart phone or tablet, which may transmit a related signal to the cloud, where additional value-added services are performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: OMNI MEDSCI, INC.
    Inventor: Mohammed N. ISLAM
  • Publication number: 20150305628
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for opto-acoustic imaging includes a first contact area adapted to apply a first pressure to a surface of an imaging volume of a subject and a second contact area adapted to apply a second pressure to the surface. The second contact area is configured to provide decreased blood exit from the imaging volume by restricting flow relative to the first contact area. An optical energy output port is provided to illuminate the imaging volume to produce opto-acoustic signals from an absorbed optical energy of blood in the imaging volume. The opto-acoustic signals are detected by one or more ultrasound transducers and processed by a processor to generate images of the volume. An image generated by processing the detected opto-acoustic signals is output on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: SENO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Zalev, Anthony Thomas Stavros
  • Publication number: 20150305629
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that utilizes thermal dilution to detect a wide range of flow rates and/or flow status in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt systems. The use of a large cold source in combination with thermosensor pad of a particular construction provide a fluid flow analyzer with the ability to detect very low levels of CSF flow. In addition, a method for adjusting thermal dilution readings to compensate for varying shunt catheter depth is shown and for determining a steady state of the thermal dilution readings. The thermosensor pad is conformable to a patient's skin contour thereby making the apparatus and method less sensitive to ambient temperature errors and, as a result, more accurate in assessing CSF flow. Furthermore, a software error check is provided for identifying poor sensor-to-skin contact for alerting an operator to re-apply the thermosensor pad to correct, as well as a post-test check to determine if temperature data is reasonable before determining flow status or flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Frederick J. Fritz, Marek Swoboda, Mark E. Mattiucci, Matias G. Hochman
  • Publication number: 20150305630
    Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for determining a user's Current System State so as to enhance balance and well-being. A determination process computes force vector values based upon questions and integration of other biological measurements provided via a user interface. These force vector values can include factors such as Transport, Conversion and Storage. A display generator creates a representation of a location of Current System State based upon the force vector values versus a location for Natural System State. The representation defines a three-dimensional volume and the force vector values are arranged in three-dimensions. The user's Natural System State is located at a location in the volume and the Current System State is at another location. The force vector values are each illustratively represented as a discrete color spectrum. Users access the system through a client interconnected through the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: V. A. Shiva Ayyadurai
  • Publication number: 20150305631
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for illustrating a geometry of a structure and a geometry of an instrument. The system can implement a set of instructions to assist in determining an appropriateness of positioning a selected instrument at a location. The system may display the geometry of the structure and/or the geometry of the instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan P. Lahm, Melissa Gene Tanner Christie, Eric A. Schilling
  • Publication number: 20150305632
    Abstract: The invention is a passive, wearable sensor that uses a thin piezoelectric material to produce a time history of blood pressure of the patient, with signal processing algorithms to extract physiological information. The sensor consists of a piezoelectric transducer set in a polymer laminate that can be applied to the finger or wrist of the patient. During use, a combination of compressive and bending deformation in the piezoelectric layer in response to blood pressure in the finger or wrist as a voltage output. Using signal processing techniques, the raw signal is filtered and decomposed to obtain a information to form derivative signals such as blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse pressure variability, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate which can be very important pre-cursors in the monitoring of the patient's physiological conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kayvan Najarian, Kenn Oldham, Daniel Slavin, Ashwin Belle, Kevin R. Ward, Sardar Ansari, Rodney C. Daniels
  • Publication number: 20150305633
    Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion to a distal opening at a distal end of the shaft. The proximal portion defines a proximal guidewire lumen and has a first outer diameter. The distal portion defines a distal guidewire lumen in communication with the proximal guidewire lumen and has a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. A pressure sensor is coupled to the proximal portion such that the pressure sensor faces the proximal guidewire lumen. When the catheter is tracked to a treatment site within the vasculature, the pressure sensor is disposed proximal the treatment site, the distal opening is disposed distal to the treatment site, and the distal guidewire lumen fills with blood such that the pressure sensor senses a pressure of the blood at the distal end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular Galway
    Inventors: Gerry McCaffrey, Fiachra Sweeney, Barry O'Connell, Christopher Murphy, Sean Ward
  • Publication number: 20150305634
    Abstract: A computer readable storage medium configured to cause a system to perform operations of computing the standard deviation of a plurality of K?1 most recent heart beat intervals and a current heart beat interval (I1) from a plurality of consecutive heart beat intervals, from a sum (S1) of K most recent heart beat intervals squared and the sum (S2) of the K most recent heart beat intervals and a Kth oldest heart beat interval (I2). The computer readable storage medium calculates an updated sum (S1?) of S1 minus I2 squared plus I1 squared and the updated sum (S2?) of S2 minus I2 plus I1, and a square root of the sum of the ratio of S1? to K and of the ratio of the square of S2? to the square of K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Stergios STERGIOU
  • Publication number: 20150305635
    Abstract: A portable electronic device uses the initial heartbeat value to calculate a possible heartbeat variation. Then a reference range is determined. Only the real time heartbeat value falling in the reference range is output as a correct real time heartbeat value. Thus, the too large or too small erroneous heartbeat values influenced by the vibration noise are eliminated to precisely output the correct real time heartbeat value. Therefore, the extra vibration sensors need not to be installed to lower the cost and to reduce the volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Tom Chang, Kao-Pin Wu, Chih-Jen Fang, Yuan-Shun Yeh, Wei-Te Hsu, De-Cheng Pan
  • Publication number: 20150305636
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing properties of an object or entity utilize non-resistive contact sensors alone or in combination with other sensors. The sensor data is utilized for detecting and visualizing properties of one or more biological or non-biological objects or entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew DAWSON
  • Publication number: 20150305637
    Abstract: A method and medical device for determining sensing vectors that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a plurality of sensing vectors, determining signal differences during a detection window in each of the plurality of sensing vectors, ranking sensing vectors of the plurality of sensing vectors in response to the determined signal differences, and selecting one or more sensing vectors of the plurality of sensing vectors in response to the determined rankings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Saul E. Greenhut, Robert W. Stadler, Xusheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150305638
    Abstract: A method and medical device for determining sensing vectors that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a plurality of sensing vectors, determining a sensing vector metric in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining a morphology metric associated with a morphology of the sensed cardiac signals, determining vector selection metrics in response to the determined sensing vector metric and the determined morphology setting, and selecting a sensing vector of the plurality of sensing vectors in response to the determined vector selection metrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150305639
    Abstract: A method and medical device for determining sensing vectors that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes forming a plurality of sensing vectors, setting a blanking period and a blanking period adjustment window for the plurality of sensing vectors in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining first signal differences during the blanking period adjustment window, and adjusting the blanking period in response to the determined first signal differences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Saul E. Greenhut, Robert W. Stadler, Xusheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150305640
    Abstract: In situations in which an implantable medical device (IMD) (e.g., an extravascular ICD) is co-implanted with a leadless pacing device (LPD), it may be important that the IMD knows when the LPD is delivering pacing, such as anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). Techniques are described herein for detecting, with the IMD and based on the sensed electrical signal, pacing pulses and adjusting operation to account for the detected pulses, e.g., blanking the sensed electrical signal or modifying a tachyarrhythmia detection algorithm. In one example, the IMD includes a pace pulse detector that detects, based on the processing of sensed electrical signals, delivery of a pacing pulse from a second implantable medical device and blank, based on the detection of the pacing pulse, the sensed electrical signal to remove the pacing pulse from the sensed electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: James D. REINKE, Xusheng ZHANG, Vinod SHARMA, Vladimir P. NIKOLSKI, Michael B. TERRY, Scott A. HARELAND, Daniel L. HANSEN, Donna M. SALMI
  • Publication number: 20150305641
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a sensing module configured to obtain electrical signals from one or more electrodes and a control module configured to process the electrical signals from the sensing module in accordance with a tachyarrhythmia detection algorithm to monitor for a tachyarrhythmia. The control module detects initiation of a pacing train delivered by a second implantable medical device, determines a type of the detected pacing train, and modifies the tachyarrhythmia detection algorithm based on the type of the detected pacing train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Robert W. STADLER, Xusheng ZHANG, Vinod SHARMA, James D. REINKE, Barbara J. SCHMID
  • Publication number: 20150305642
    Abstract: In situations in which an implantable medical device (e.g., a subcutaneous ICD) is co-implanted with a leadless pacing device (LPD), it may be important that the subcutaneous ICD knows when the LPD is delivering pacing, such as anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP). Techniques are described herein for detecting, with the ICD and based on the sensed electrical signal, pacing pulses and adjusting operation to account for the detected pulses, e.g., blanking the sensed electrical signal or modifying a tachyarrhythmia detection algorithm. In one example, the ICD includes a first pace pulse detector configured to obtain a sensed electrical signal and analyze the sensed electrical signal to detect a first type of pulses having a first set of characteristics and a second pace pulse detector configured to obtain the sensed electrical signal and analyze the sensed electrical signal to detect a second type of pulses having a second set of characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: James D. REINKE, Xusheng ZHANG, Vinod SHARMA, Vladimir P. NIKOLSKI, Michael B. TERRY, Scott A. HARELAND, Daniel L. HANSEN, Donna M. SALMI
  • Publication number: 20150305643
    Abstract: Technology for a neural interface is described. The neural interface can include an intracranial electrode grid operable to detect neural activity. The neural interface can include a subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit operable to process the neural activity in order to obtain digital neural activity information. The neural interface can include a cable connecting the intracranial electrode grid and the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit. The neural interface can include a wired connector attached to the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit that is operable to transmit the digital neural activity information from the subcutaneous microelectronic signal processing unit to an external signal processing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Sandeep Negi, Rajmohan Bhandari
  • Publication number: 20150305644
    Abstract: A sympathetic skin response measuring sympathetic skin response measuring method includes supplying a power for stimulating only C fibers in a living body, to a stimulation electrode applied to the living body, measuring information of a sympathetic skin response based on a signal obtained from a measurement electrode applied to the living body, and outputting the information measured in the measuring step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jun MOTOGI, Yoshinobu ONO, Ryosuke USHIJIMA, Takeshi KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20150305645
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to effect MR imaging based upon arterial spin labeling (ASL) by forming a plurality of ASL perfusion images of an object where each perfusion image corresponds to a respective phase offset, and by generating a corrected perfusion image by fitting corresponding points from each of the plurality of perfusion images to a polynomial function for respective points of the corrected perfusion image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng OUYANG, Aiming LU, Mitsue MIYAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20150305646
    Abstract: Cardiac ablation is monitored to detect hemopericardium by iteratively acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data that includes the pericardium, measuring the pericardium by analyzing the sets of MRI data, making a determination that a measurement of the pericardium in consecutive sets of MRI data differ, and responsively to the determination reporting a change in configuration of the pericardium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.
    Inventors: Yitzhack Schwartz, Assaf Govari, Vadim Gliner
  • Publication number: 20150305647
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging device for prostate examinations with a patient in said device comprises a coil for generating a strong homogeneous magnetic field in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the patient, at least one transmission coil for generating an electromagnetic alternating field, three gradient coils and suitable reception coils, of which individual coils are arranged below the patient in the lower back region and/or at the rear part and at least one of said coils is arranged above the patient, and also comprises data processing for obtaining images from the signals of the transmission and reception coils, wherein a closed reception coil is provided which sits closely against the patient and surrounds the scrotum and the penis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Hubert NORAS
  • Publication number: 20150305648
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a circuit for impedance measurement. The circuit includes an excitation source that generates an excitation signal. A switched resistor network is coupled to the excitation source, and generates an output signal in response to the excitation signal. A sense circuit is coupled to the switched resistor network, and generates a sense signal in response to the output signal. A comparator is coupled to the sense circuit, and generates a clock signal in response to the sense signal. A mixer is coupled to the sense circuit, and multiplies the sense signal and the clock signal to generate a rectified signal. A low pass filter is coupled to the mixer and filters the rectified signal to generate an averaged signal. A processor is coupled to the low pass filter and measures a body impedance from the averaged signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Anand Hariraj Udupa, Jagannathan Venkataraman, Hussam Ahmed, Sandeep Kesrimal Oswal
  • Publication number: 20150305649
    Abstract: A sensor unit for use in measurements on a subject is presented. The sensor unit includes a near field electromagnetic sensor and a flexible signal transmission structure, which are integral with one another by means of at least one common continuous surface. The flexible signal transmission structure is constructed from a first layer including signal connection lines associated with sensor cells near field electromagnetic sensor and a second electrically conductive layer electrically coupled to the electrically conductive material of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gil COHEN, Dan HASHIMSHONY, lddo GELTNER, Harel GOLOMBEK
  • Publication number: 20150305650
    Abstract: A method of confirming the location of a target tissue within a patient using a navigation system is provided. The navigation system displays images from a pre-acquired image dataset and provides location information of a medical device within a patient in relation to a patient tracking device affixed to the patient. The method includes determining an initial location of the target tissue, navigating a steerable catheter through the airway of the patient to a position proximate the initial location, tracking the location of the steerable catheter in the airway using the navigation system, generating information regarding the presence of the target tissue using a tissue sensing device inserted into the steerable catheter, and determining a confirmed location of the target tissue in relation to the patient tracking device using the generated information regarding the presence of the target tissue and the tracked location of the steerable catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Mark HUNTER, Troy L. HOLSING
  • Publication number: 20150305651
    Abstract: A system for collecting cannabis and the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol from a sample of exhaled breath is disclosed. Single or multiple exhaled breaths are conditioned by removing contaminants, and regulating flow rate and/or pressure to collect a sample of tetrahydrocannabinol for timely local or remote analysis. The cannabis detection system comprises a containment trap for removing interfering materials from the breath of the subject and a collection component for sampling components of breath introduced into the system through the containment trap for analysis to determine a presence of THC in the breath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CANNABIX BREATHALYZER INC.
    Inventors: Rajpaul Attariwala, Kulwant Malhi
  • Publication number: 20150305652
    Abstract: A multi-modality breast cancer test assembly (20) of the type for detecting the position of potential breast cancer by performing thermography and optical spectroscopy and ultrasound tests (64). A contour recorder (108) takes and stores a contour-shape of the breast and a first contour analysis program (110) analyzes the contour-shape to generate and store a 3D model (112) of the breast having at least one testing coordinate (114) relative to a mass of the breast. At least one diagnostic program (122, 124, 126) initiates the diagnostic tests (60, 62, 64) at the at least one testing coordinate (114) and a data analysis program (128) analyzes the spatial interrelationship of said tests (60, 62, 64) at said testing coordinate (114) to detect the spatial position of a potential breast cancer within the breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Paul G. Angott
  • Publication number: 20150305653
    Abstract: A method and device (10) are provided for monitoring regular movement of the body (20) of a human subject, such as an infant. The device (10) includes electronic circuitry, an alarm and attachment means (14) for attaching to the subject's body (18), a first non-contact proximity sensor (22), and a second proximity sensor. When the device (10) is attached to the subject's body, the two proximity sensors (22,24) monitor movement of the subject's body in two sensor zones a first sensor zone (23) and a second sensor zone (25) that is father from the device than the first sensor zone(23). If a pattern in the distances monitored in either sensor (22,24) changes by a predetermined extent, that alarm is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Gregory John GALLAGHER
  • Publication number: 20150305654
    Abstract: A system for telemetrically monitoring a patient includes a remote monitoring device associated with the patient. A location services system tracks a location of the remote monitoring device. A patient tracking computer calculates a distance and a duration of patient ambulation from the tracked location. A method of monitoring an ambulatory patient monitors the location of a remote monitoring device and derives ambulatory event data from the monitored location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce A. Friedman, Matthew Grubis, Brian W. Nantz, Carl C. Davis
  • Publication number: 20150305655
    Abstract: An activity monitor that is worn by a user for monitoring water-based activities. The activity monitor includes at least one motion sensor, a water sensor, a memory, and a processor. The processor is operable to run an algorithm to calculate activity data based on an output from the motion sensor and to save the activity data to the memory. The processor can be triggered to operate to calculate the activity data and to save it to memory by an output from the water sensor to indicate that the monitor is immersed in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Tim SHARPE, Dips Patel, Chris Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150305656
    Abstract: A motor function measurement apparatus that acquires measurement data including at least one of an acceleration or a trunk inclination angle of a user, the measurement data being measured during a measurement period in which the user performs a predetermined action, and that, based on the measurement data, calculates a motor function evaluation value related to a motor function of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: TANITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoko Takehara, Nobuya Sakai, Yoshio Sakai
  • Publication number: 20150305657
    Abstract: A method of analysing breathing data representing a shape of the trunk of a subject 104 as a function of time to monitor and/or analyse the subject's breathing pattern. The data is measured and processed into a data array relating to a 2-dimensional grid having grid points, a position in space of the shape at each grid point and points of time. The method includes the steps of mapping the data array onto a 2-dimensional array, decomposing the 2-dimensional array and forming a signature of the subject 104 from the decomposed 2-dimensional array representing a motion pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Joan Lasenby, Willem Hessel De Boer
  • Publication number: 20150305658
    Abstract: Non-invasive monitoring of blood constituents such as glucose, ketones, or hemoglobin A1c may be accomplished using near-infrared or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light sources through absorbance, diffuse reflection, or transmission spectroscopy. As an example, hydro-carbon related substances such as glucose or ketones have distinct spectral features in the SWIR between approximately 1500 and 2500 nm. An SWIR super-continuum laser based on laser diodes and fiber optics may be used as the light source for the non-invasive monitoring. Light may be transmitted or reflected through a tooth, since an intact tooth and its enamel and dentine may be nearly transparent in the SWIR. Blood constituents or analytes within the capillaries in the dental pulp may be detected. The non-invasive monitoring device may communicate with a device such as a smart phone or tablet, which may transmit a signal related to the measurement to the cloud with cloud-based value-added services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: OMNI MEDSCI. INC.
    Inventor: Mohammed N. ISLAM
  • Publication number: 20150305659
    Abstract: A test device and a rotation module thereof are provided. The rotation module includes a rotation body and a driving element. The rotation body includes a shaft, a position limiting element, a reciprocation element, and a rotation element. The shaft is pivoted in a housing. The position limiting element and the reciprocation element are telescoped on the shaft, respectively. The rotation element engages with the shaft and is located between the position limiting element and the reciprocation element. The driving element is slideably disposed in the housing and coupled to a groove of the reciprocation element. When the driving element moves back and forth, the driving element drives the reciprocation element to rotate back and forth relative to the position limiting element through the groove. The rotation element is pushed by the reciprocation element to rotate along a rotation direction relative to the position limiting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Sz-Shian He, Chia-Chun Wei, Hung-Wei Chen, Wei-Chieh Hu
  • Publication number: 20150305660
    Abstract: It is an object of this disclosure to facilitate a series of puncture-related operations in a puncture instrument. In a main case of a puncture instrument, a main rod is provided. An injector rod is mounted to a main rod and includes a lancet holder on one end side. An actuating rod is mounted to the injector rod and has an engagement component on the other end side. A first biasing member biases the injector rod toward the first end side. A manipulation component is provided so as to be slidable in and out through an opening on the other end side of the main case. A locking member is axially supported rotatably by a portion of the main rod between the manipulation component and the injector rod. The locking member includes a first engaged part, a second engaged part and a second biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Shinichi YASUI
  • Publication number: 20150305661
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for collecting data when a patient is subjected to a visual test involving line returns by the patient. The method includes: subjecting the patient to the visual test; recording the eye movements of the patient during the test; determining, in the records obtained, return saccades that make up line returns; calculating return saccade parameters from the records that correspond to the determined return saccades. The parameters can include an average number of saccades over a plurality of line returns, an average of ratios over the plurality of line returns, each ratio corresponding to the ratio between the amplitude of the first time-based return saccade in the line return and the total amplitude of the return saccades forming the same line return. The method is useful for diagnosing an oculomotor disorder that is involved in dyslexia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Magali SEASSAU
  • Publication number: 20150305662
    Abstract: A software product encoding steps for execution by a computer to provide an interactive computer-to-computer link for remote communication between a patient's computer and a therapist's computer, comprising instructions for establishing two-way audio/visual communication between said patient's computer and said therapist's computer, and an emotional recognition algorithm in said patient's computer for recognizing said patient's emotional state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: John S. Conti Kilmer, William D'Alelio, Jeff Hayes, Andrew Ramsey
  • Publication number: 20150305663
    Abstract: Path variables of a mallet cube until a hit in an interactive game involving cubes movable in three dimensions are indicative of both hyperactivity and inattention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: COGCUBED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt Roots, Monika Drummond Roots, Jaideep Srivastava, Sanjana Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20150305664
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for testing the strength of a human foot. The device includes a substantially planar member having a top surface and a bottom surface. The device also includes a foot-engaging member moveable along the top surface substantially planar member from a first position to a second position. In addition, the device includes a force sensor fixed with respect to the substantially planar member, where the force sensor resists movement between the first position and the second position. Further, the device includes a tension bearing element connecting the foot-engaging member to the force sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Karen Marie Stevens
  • Publication number: 20150305665
    Abstract: A muscle assessment protocol can include: attaching one or more surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors to the skin of a subject to be operably coupled with one or more muscles; operably coupling the one or more sEMG sensors to a computing system; performing the predetermined muscle activity of a muscle assessment protocol that includes a controlled activity training protocol; monitoring/recording sEMG data of the one or more muscles during the predetermined muscle activity; and providing the sEMG data to the subject such that the subject can improve muscle performance for the predetermined muscle activity by using the sEMG data. The muscle activity includes static or dynamic muscle use. The predetermined muscle activity can be provided to the subject by the computing system. System means for performing the muscle assessment protocol is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Somaxis Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander B. Grey, Violetta Georgiou, Abhishek Belani
  • Publication number: 20150305666
    Abstract: A method includes receiving heartbeat data of a patient and receiving activity data of the patient. The activity data includes one or more activity values that are related to an activity level of the patient and that are measured independently of the heartbeat data. The method further includes determining a value of a weighting factor based on the activity data. The method also includes determining modified heartbeat data by applying the weighting factor to at least a portion of the heartbeat data. The method also includes detecting a seizure event based on the modified heartbeat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Shivkumar SABESAN
  • Publication number: 20150305667
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods reduce epileptic seizures in a human patient by non-invasively providing low frequency (e.g., 1-10 Hz) audio stimuli coordinated with low frequency (e.g., 1-10 Hz) visual stimuli to the patient. The signals are provided non-invasively through the eyes and ears. The audio stimuli and visual stimuli may be selected or coordinated based on a state (e.g., hyperexcitability, imminent epileptic seizure, epileptic seizure in progress, REM sleep) determined from an EEG signal acquired from the patient. Apparatus for delivering the audio stimuli and visual stimuli may be incorporated into a single wearable apparatus (e.g., glasses with earphones, hat, headband). The single wearable apparatus may also provide noise cancellation and visual stimulus diminution. The audio stimuli may be incorporated into music or random background noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Dominique Durand
  • Publication number: 20150305668
    Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Dugan
  • Publication number: 20150305669
    Abstract: A wearable dental apparatus for capturing dental properties of a patient includes a support structure. The support structure is configured to be worn on the dentition of the patient. The wearable dental apparatus includes at least one sensor. The sensor is coupled to the support structure. The sensor is configured to capture a series of measurement of a dental property of the patient. The measurements are associated with one or more locations on the dentition of the patient. A dental map is generated based on at least some of the measurements and is displayed. The dentition of a patient is restored by selecting a restoration material based on the measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce Willard Hultgren
  • Publication number: 20150305670
    Abstract: A detection apparatus (1000) enables detection of a substance (116) that may be present on the surface (31, 33) based on measurement of a stream probe signal correlating a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through a stream probe (500) includes a distal optical gum detector transmission portion (620) and a distal optical gum detector reception portion (720) in a position to transmit and to receive, respectively, an optical signal controlled by a controller (2251), enables the controller (2251) to determine if an open port (526) of a distal tip (522) of the stream probe (500) is in contact with a substance (116) at least partially obstructing the passage of fluid (30, 35) through the open port (526) and not in contact with the gums of a subject or of a user of the detection apparatus (1000) to override false positive signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: JOHANNES HENDRIKUS MARIA SPRUIT, PETRUS THEODORUS JUTTE, OLAF THOMAS JOHAN ANTONIE VERMEULEN, ADRIANUS WILHELMUS DIONISIUS MARIA VAN DEN BIJGAART, MARTIN JOHN EDWARDS, STEVEN CHARLES DEANE, EDGAR MARTINUS VAN GOOL
  • Publication number: 20150305671
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for a smart mouth guard for diagnosis, quantification, and/or management of e.g., bruxism. In one example, among others, a diagnostic mouth guard includes a plurality of pressure sensors and processing circuitry configured to provide pressure sensor data to an external processing unit when located in an oral cavity. The diagnostic mouth guard may also include temperature, pH and/or inertia sensors. In another example, a system includes the diagnostic mouth guard and the external processing unit such as, e.g., a smart phone, table or computer. The diagnostic mouth guard can communicate with the external processing unit over a wireless channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Yong-Kyu Yoon, Xiaoyu Cheng, Gloria Jung-a Kim, Fong Wong
  • Publication number: 20150305672
    Abstract: A muscle assessment protocol can include: attaching one or more surface electromyometry (sEMG) sensors to the skin of a subject to be operably coupled with one or more muscles; operably coupling the one or more sEMG sensors to a computing system; performing the predetermined muscle activity of a muscle assessment protocol that includes a frequency-based, amplitude-adjusted root mean square protocol; monitoring/recording sEMG data of the one or more muscles during the predetermined muscle activity; and providing the sEMG data to the subject such that the subject can improve muscle performance for the predetermined muscle activity by using the sEMG data. The muscle activity includes static or dynamic muscle use. The predetermined muscle activity can be provided to the subject by the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Somaxis Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexander B. Grey, Violetta Georgiou, Abhishek Belani