Patents Issued in March 31, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160089085
    Abstract: To detect a motion of a hitting tool more precisely by a sensor, provided is a sensor device including: a base member configured to be mounted on a hitting tool via a fitting structure; a substrate joined to the base member; a sensor disposed on the substrate and configured to detect a motion of the hitting tool delivered via the base member and the substrate; a communication unit configured to transmit a detection result of the motion of the hitting tool to an external device; and an exterior member configured to cover the sensor and the communication unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio OGUCHI, Toshiki HASHIDA, Kosei YAMASHITA, Hideyuki MATSUNAGA, Shinji YAMAMURA, Tatsuhiro OBARA
  • Publication number: 20160089086
    Abstract: A heart rate detection module including a PPG measuring device, a motion sensor and a processing unit is provided. The PPG measuring device is configured to detect a skin surface in a detection period to output a PPG signal. The motion sensor is configured to output an acceleration signal corresponding to the detection period. The processing unit is configured to respectively convert the PPG signal and the acceleration signal to first frequency domain information and second frequency domain information, determine a denoising parameter according to a maximum spectrum peak value of the second frequency domain information to denoise the first frequency domain information, and calculate a heart rate according to a maximum spectrum peak value of the denoised first frequency domain information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Chih-Hsin LIN, Ren-Hau GU
  • Publication number: 20160089087
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a hearing testing system. The hearing testing system includes a transducer and an environmental sensor coupled with an acoustic channel. The environmental sensor is configured to measure environmental conditions of the acoustic channel. The hearing testing system includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive the environmental conditions from the environmental sensor. The processor is configured to apply, based on the measure environmental conditions, correction data to a transducer response to generate a corrected transducer response. In certain embodiments, the processor is configured to control a heating element based on a measured temperature to maintain a pre-defined temperature, or range of temperatures, at a testing probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Iseberg, Steve Viranyi, Andrew Dale, Jerrold S. Zdenek
  • Publication number: 20160089088
    Abstract: Provided are light absorption spectrum correction devices, methods of manufacturing the light absorption spectrum correction devices, and methods of correcting a light absorption spectrum. The light absorption spectrum correction device includes: a light source configured to emit light; an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) crystal layer configured to contact a subject and provide an optical passage along which the light emitted from the light source travels to the subject; a pressure sensor configured to detect a contact pressure applied to the ATR crystal layer by the subject; a spectrum detector and analyzer configured to detect light emitted from the ATR crystal layer, form a light absorption spectrum based on the detected light, and determine an intensity of the light emitted from the ATR crystal layer; and a spectrum correction device configured to correct the light absorption spectrum based on the contact pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangkyu KIM, Joonhyung LEE, Seongho CHO
  • Publication number: 20160089089
    Abstract: The system described herein collects patient data passively and non-passively via onboard and external sensors, and combines the data with past clinical history to generate digital biomarkers. The collected data can also be further combined with other data generating systems to more accurately predict disease exacerbations. The system monitors the digital biomarkers in real-time, and can detect a change in the disease state prior to clinical decompensation and suggest pre-emptive intervention. The system enables a patient to be treated early in the clinical timeline when the disease exacerbation is at the subclinical level rather than waiting until the disease exacerbation reaches the clinical level. Acting when the exacerbation is at the subclinical level enables preemptive treatment rather than reactive treatment, which is often more cost effective while improving clinical outcomes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Rahul Kakkar, Cyan Collier, Hitesh Sanganee
  • Publication number: 20160089090
    Abstract: Disclosed are a radiation imaging system, an image processing device, a radiation imaging method, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having an image processing program recorded thereon which facilitate the confirmation of a positional relationship between an object of interest and a biopsy needle. In the system using a radiation imaging device as a mammography device, when performing a biopsy of a breast of a subject, the positional relationship is confirmed using a radiation image (projection image) obtained through tomosynthesis imaging. A control unit reconstructs the projection image to generate a tomographic image in a state where the needle is inserted into the breast and generates a reprojection image at a predetermined angle from the tomographic image. The control unit extracts an image of the needle from the projection image, synthesizes the extracted image of the needle into the projection image while aligning, and displays the projection image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160089091
    Abstract: A computed-tomography (CT) apparatus including a CT scanner including a rotating X-ray source, and a plurality of photon-counting detectors (PCDs) arranged in a fixed detector ring to capture incident X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source. The plurality of PCDs includes a first plurality of first PCDs, each first PCD having a first collimator on a surface of the first PCD to block X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source, the first collimator having openings of a first size, and a second plurality of second PCDs, each second PCD having a second collimator on a surface of the second PCD to block the X-ray photons emitted from the X-ray source, the second collimator having openings of a second size, the first size being different from the second size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Gagnon, Miesher Rodrigues, Yuexing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160089092
    Abstract: An electronic cassette comprises a main battery which is detachably attached to a battery loading unit, and a sub-battery which supplies electricity to a bias power circuit and so on in substitution for the main battery. A power source selector changes the power source to the sub-battery from the main battery when it is judged that a replacement operation of the main battery is started. Since supply of the electricity to the bias power circuit is continued, and the bias voltage continues being applied to a photoelectric converter without a break, there is no need to perform a photoelectric conversion stabilizing process and an offset correction image detecting process after turning on of the main power. Therefore, a start-up time TR2 is largely shortened from a start-up time TR1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sho SHIMIZUKAWA, Makoto KITADA, Jun ENOMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160089093
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing a statically unbalanced system, particularly useful in balancing X-ray and mammography systems having an X-ray source and detector mounted to a rotational arm, includes a spring mechanism which synchronizes the activation of the spring mechanism with the rotation of the arm of the mammography system. The balancing system reduces the amount of torque necessary to rotate the arm and decreases the overall inertia of the system by eliminating the need for counterweights to maintain balance of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Ying Mao, Romain Moulin
  • Publication number: 20160089094
    Abstract: A distance between a radiation source standard point indicating a position of a radiation source and a photographic subject on a standard line passing through the radiation source standard point and a detector standard point indicating a position of a detector is measured, a distance between a first reference point positioned in a first direction which is directed towards the detector standard point from the radiation source standard point with respect to the detector standard point and the detector standard point is measured, a distance between a second reference point positioned in a direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the radiation source and the radiation source standard point is measured, and a subject thickness of the photographic subject is calculated by using the distances and a distance from the distance from the first reference point to the second reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro KAWAMURA, Masahiko YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20160089095
    Abstract: A system and method include reception of 3D imaging data showing blood flow over time in a patient volume including vessels, reception of a user input of a projection angle, generation of a plurality of 3D images based on the 3D imaging data, generation of a 2D digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) at the projection angle input by the user for one of the plurality of 3D X-ray images, and display of the 2D DRR image. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: John Baumgart, Martin Trini
  • Publication number: 20160089096
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing a CT scan image, comprising: performing a first scan to acquire a first projection data, wherein the first scan is a scan that a subject is covered by a low dose X-ray beam in an axial plane; performing a second scan to acquire a second projection data, wherein the second scan is a scan that a target portion of the subject is covered by a high dose X-ray beam in the axial plane; determining a data filling point in the second projection data, wherein the data filling point is located in a truncated region; and filling the data filling point in the second projection data with a data from the first projection data which corresponds to the data filling point; and reconstructing a second scan image based on the filled second projection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shanshan LOU, Han ZHENG
  • Publication number: 20160089097
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry obtains time changes in intensity of image signals corresponding to a contrast agent or a blood flow based on at least one of time series contrast image data, time series non-contrast image data, and time series subtraction image data between the contrast image data and the non-contrast image data, generate color image data, having color pixel values based on the time changes in the image signals, according to a color scale, and display frames of the color image data sequentially on a display. The processing circuitry performs a loop playing of the frames of the color image data by sequentially shifting the color scale in a direction of a color phase change, at pixels of the color image data, until an instruction for stopping the loop playing is input from an input circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru OHISHI, Ryoichi NAGAE, Yuichiro WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20160089098
    Abstract: Disclosed are a radiation imaging system, an image processing device, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having an image processing program recorded thereon which facilitate the confirmation of a positional relationship between an object of interest and a biopsy needle. A control unit of a console reconstructs a projection image obtained by tomosynthesis imaging to generate a tomographic image parallel (an x-y-axis direction) to an imaging surface in a state where a needle is inserted into a breast, and specifies an image of an object of interest from the tomographic image. The control unit generates a sectional image which includes the specified image of the object of interest and an image of the needle and intersects the imaging surface. The control unit generates an image of the needle from the projection image, synthesizes the generated image of the needle into the sectional image while aligning, and displays the sectional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki NAKAYAMA, Tomoki INOUE
  • Publication number: 20160089099
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image displaying device including: a display section that displays a pair of mutually related sectional images; a reception section that, for one of the sectional image pair, receives a successive change instruction for a slice position; a generation section that generates a combined sectional image, corresponding to the slice position of the one sectional image, from the other sectional image of the pair; and a controller that, in cases in which the reception section has received the successive change instruction, effects control to switch display of the one sectional image from the one sectional image being displayed to the one sectional image that corresponds to the slice position indicated in the instruction, and, in conjunction with switching, to successively switch display of the other sectional image from the other sectional image that is being displayed to the combined sectional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Masakazu FUKUYO, Tomoki INOUE
  • Publication number: 20160089100
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a measurement start time for an imaging measurement via a medical imaging system depending on a course of concentration values of a contrast medium in a monitored region of an examination object over time. The method includes detecting the concentration values of the current concentration of the contrast medium in the monitored region at different successive detection times; determining a current examination-specific accumulation model curve on the basis of a course of the concentration values over time; and determining the measurement start time on the basis of the examination-specific accumulation model curve. A method for controlling a medical imaging system, a control device and a medical imaging system for implementing the method are further disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Johannes Georg KORPORAAL
  • Publication number: 20160089101
    Abstract: A method for controlling an X-ray dose of a CT scan includes: setting an initial X-ray dose; performing a first CT scan with the initial X-ray dose to obtain an initial scan image; setting a region of interest (ROI) in the initial scan image; calculating an subsequent X-Ray dose with image values of the ROI in the initial scan image; perform an additional CT scan with the calculated subsequent X-Ray dose to obtain an average image; before receiving an end instruction, repeating the following operations: recalculating an subsequent X-Ray dose with image values of the ROI in the average image and performing an additional CT scan with the calculated subsequent X-Ray dose to obtain a new average image; and saving the average image when receiving the end instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shanshan Lou, Gang Fang, Jiangwei Zhao
  • Publication number: 20160089102
    Abstract: The present invention provides a compact medical X-ray imaging apparatus, which is a portable X-ray imaging apparatus capable of capturing clear X-ray images while maintaining low radiation exposure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TSUKUBA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Wang, Norio Saito, Xiaojun Liu, Ryoichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160089103
    Abstract: A system for optimized image acquisition includes an user interface for receiving a first input indicating a selection of an anatomical region of a subject and receiving a second input indicating a selection of at least one feature of interest and at least one appropriate property of the at least one feature of interest. Further, the system includes a scanning unit for moving the subject to isocenter of a magnet and acquiring at least one image of the anatomical region of the subject. Also, the system includes a processor for processing the at least one image for identifying the at least one feature of interest in the at least one image, wherein the scanning unit is configured to re-scan the at least one feature of interest using the at least one selected appropriate property for acquiring an optimized image of the at least one feature of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Robert David Darrow, Thomas Kwoh-Fah Foo
  • Publication number: 20160089104
    Abstract: The distance between the radiation source and an object (SOD value) is acquired, distance dependent information which is obtained from a radiation image and changes with the distance between a radiation source and a radiation detector (SID value) is acquired, a temporary thickness of the object is determined by a first function representing the correspondence relationship of first information having at least one piece of the distance dependent information, the SID value, and the thickness of the object, and the temporary SID value is determined by adding the SOD value to the determined value. The thickness of the object is determined by a second function representing the correspondence relationship of second information having at least one piece of the distance dependent information, the SID value, and the thickness of the object, and the SID value is determined by adding the SOD value to the determined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi NAITO, Takahiro KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160089105
    Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes an X-ray radiation unit configured to radiate X-rays onto an object and onto a calibration phantom, which does not overlap the object, according to a first irradiating condition for a pre-shot; a detector configured to detect the X-rays having passed through the object and through the calibration phantom; and a controller configured to acquire calibration information by using a pre-shot image acquired from the detected X-rays, and determine a second irradiating condition for main imaging by using the calibration information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-cheol PARK
  • Publication number: 20160089106
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic three-dimensional phantom for inter alia mimicking specific anatomical parts in a computerized tomography scan. Methods are provided for a variety of purposes including detecting a difference between a measured optical deformation of a radiographic three-dimensional phantom pair and a theoretical deformation of the radiographic three-dimensional phantom pair. These three-dimensional phantom can be divided into a plurality of portions, and non-radiopaque markers can be added to the portions. The portions of the three-dimensional phantom can be re-assembled, and images of the three-dimensional phantom can be generated and compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Neil Kirby, Kamal Singhrao, Jean Pouliot
  • Publication number: 20160089107
    Abstract: Predicting gastrointestinal impairment may involve obtaining intestinal sounds of a patient to generate audio data, identifying predefined spectral events in the audio data that are predictive of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment, the spectral events being defined by predefined parameters, and predicting the likelihood of subsequent gastrointestinal impairment relative to the identified spectral events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: John W. Cromwell
  • Publication number: 20160089108
    Abstract: A method of generating an ultrasound image includes: transmitting an ultrasound signal to scan lines in an object; receiving echo signals respectively corresponding to the scan lines from the object, the echo signals forming echo signal groups; and generating a B-flow image by partially overlapping the echo signal groups that are acquired by repeatedly performing the transmitting the ultrasound signal and the receiving the echo signals. The B-flow image represents a tissue component and a blood flow component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kang-sik KIM
  • Publication number: 20160089109
    Abstract: Apparatus for locating bubbles in a subject comprises a plurality of pressure wave detectors arranged to operate as passive detectors to generate output signals in response to the receipt of pressure waves generated at a source comprising at least one bubble, and processing means arranged to receive signals from the detectors and to determine from the signals the position of the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Constantin C. Coussios, Miklos Gyongy, Manish Arora, Ronald Aurele Roy
  • Publication number: 20160089110
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging standoff has a stiffer portion for contact with a volume transducer and a flexible portion filled with viscous fluid for conforming to the patient, resulting in fewer or no air gaps. Pressure is applied through the standoff to cause the connective tissue to flatten, resulting in less shadowing artifact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Andrzej Milkowski, Richard Barr, Stephen R. Barnes, Thomas Clary
  • Publication number: 20160089111
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a vibration plate, a first electrode, a piezoelectric body, and a second electrode. The first electrode is laminated on the vibration plate, that has a length along a surface of the vibration plate in a first direction, and that has a width Wbe along the surface of the vibration plate in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. The width Wbe is not more than the length. The piezoelectric body is laminated on the first electrode and has a width Wpz in the second direction. The second electrode is laminated on the piezoelectric body. A ratio Wbe/Wpz between the width Wbe of the first electrode and the width Wpz of the piezoelectric body is not less than 0.1 and not more than 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Masayoshi YAMADA, Hiroshi MATSUDA, Tomoaki NAKAMURA, Hiroshi ITO, Hiromu MIYAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160089112
    Abstract: An ultrasound machine for generating push-pulses to excite shear wave stimulation employs separated angled beams that converge at the target region to generate the push-pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Ivan Miguel Rosado-Mendez, Timothy Jon Hall
  • Publication number: 20160089113
    Abstract: A method of generating an ultrasound elastic image includes: inducing a shear wave that propagates in a second direction by transmitting a first ultrasound signal including a push signal to an object in a first direction, by a curved array probe; transmitting a second ultrasound signal to the object and receiving an echo signal reflected by the object in response to the second ultrasound signal, via the curved array probe; and generating an elastic image of the object by using the received echo signal. The second ultrasound signal includes a plane wave having a straight line waveform parallel to the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-wan CHOI, Jun-ho PARK, Hyoung-ki LEE
  • Publication number: 20160089114
    Abstract: An ultrasound system, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium for providing a Doppler image of blood flow and a Doppler image of tissue movement are disclosed. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe, a processor, and a display section. The ultrasound probe is configured to transmit ultrasound signals into a target object having blood flow and tissue, and receive ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object. The processor is configured to acquire ultrasound data based on the ultrasound echo signals, generate a first Doppler image of the blood flow based on the ultrasound data, perform down-sampling on the ultrasound data to obtain down-sampled ultrasound data, and generate a second Doppler image indicating movement of the tissue based on the down-sampled ultrasound data. The display section is configured to display the first and second Doppler images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: JoongHyuk Kim, KwangJae Lee, SangHyuk Kim, JiHyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20160089115
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment performs ultrasonic scans having a plurality of times of ultrasonic transmission and reception as a basic unit, and acquires reception signals respectively for reception rasters allocated with respect to a predetermined region of a subject. The apparatus generates first signals corresponding to the reception rasters respectively by performing adding processing or low-pass filtering having a time of the ultrasonic scan as a unit with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters, and acquires power information of a moving body in the predetermined region based on a second signal to be obtained by performing an MTI filtering with respect to the first signals. The apparatus acquires velocity information of the moving body based on a third signal obtained by performing the MTI filtering with respect to the reception signals respectively acquired for the reception rasters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi SATO
  • Publication number: 20160089116
    Abstract: Shadow suppression is provided in ultrasound imaging, such as in steered spatial compounding. Using a transform or other approach, the data of a frame of data along the steering direction is projected. The projection is used to determine weights. The frame is weighted with the projection-based weights, reducing or removing shadows based on the one frame rather than based on registration with other frames. In the steered spatial compounding example, a compounded frame with independently shadow suppressed component frames may have little or no fork-like image artifacts due to shadowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: David P. Duncan, Manoj G. Menon
  • Publication number: 20160089117
    Abstract: The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound transceiver supplying a driving signal to at least one transducer included in a probe and acquiring ultrasound data corresponding to at least one ultrasound echo signal received by the transducer; a controller performing control to acquire the ultrasound data based on at least one first ultrasound echo signal acquired by the ultrasound transceiver in response to an ultrasound signal transmitted to an object by the probe at a first position and at least one second ultrasound echo signal acquired by the ultrasound transceiver in response to an ultrasound signal transmitted to the object by the probe at a second position that is different from the first position; and an image processor generating an ultrasound image by using the ultrasound data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kang-sik KIM
  • Publication number: 20160089118
    Abstract: A urine specimen collection device that aids in positioning a standard urine specimen cup in a urine flow path to avoid inadvertent contact between the user's hands and the urine being collected. A standard specimen collection cup is insertable through an aperture disposed in a cup holder portion of the device. The aperture is preferably expandable from a first size to a larger second size when a specimen cup is inserted and is preferably configured to support the cup in a position where around 50% or more of the height of the cup is disposed on an underside of the cup holder body. The cup holder end of the device may bend at an angle between about 120° and 170° relative to a handle end of the device when a specimen cup is inserted through the aperture. Optional handle extensions may be used to further elongate the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Michelle L. Petersilia
  • Publication number: 20160089119
    Abstract: A biopsy instrument for removing nodes such as lymph nodes may include one or more of a blade for mechanical cutting of the ducts that connect the node to surrounding tissue and/or an energy emitter for emitting energy to seal the ducts and/or contribute to the gentle removal of the node from its connecting ducts. The biopsy instrument may include a ring clamp assembly made up of two opposing ring structures that may be clamped together such that the desired tissue sample (e.g., a lymph node) is captured within the inside opening of the clamped rings. Connecting ducts may be severed using either a blade or energy emitted from the ring clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: ANTHONY B. ROSS, SCOTT E.M. FRUSHOUR
  • Publication number: 20160089120
    Abstract: An actuator for a medical device includes a housing, a driving unit mounted in the housing, a first moving unit slidably mounted in the housing and movable by the driving unit. The first moving unit includes a movable first car, an spring with two ends thereof abutting the housing and first car, respectively, and a lock formed between the driving unit and first car. The lock includes a first snap and a first protrusion detachably engagable with the first snap. One of the first snap and first protrusion is formed on the first car, and the other is formed on the driving unit. When the first protrusion disengages from the first snap, the spring moves the first car relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Jian Dong GAO, Wai To LI
  • Publication number: 20160089121
    Abstract: A biopsy system driver includes a motor having a rotatable output shaft, a support structure, a drive shaft, an elongate lead screw and a biopsy instrument drive member. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the support structure and includes or is otherwise operatively connected to the motor output shaft such that activation of the motor rotates the drive shaft. The elongate lead screw is coupled to the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the lead screw about an axis of the lead screw. The lead screw is axially translatable relative to the drive shaft and to the support structure. The biopsy instrument drive member is threadably coupled to the lead screw such that rotation of the lead screw causes axial translation of one of the lead screw and biopsy instrument drive member relative to the other one and to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Stand, III, Kevin M. Thompson, Christian M. Ulm, Arnold Oyola, Fareeha Safir, Daniel Robertson, Thomas Fisk, Peter Wolton
  • Publication number: 20160089122
    Abstract: A biopsy system includes an elongate cannula coupled to and extending from a support structure, the cannula having a distal portion with a tissue receiving aperture in a side wall thereof, and an elongate hollow introducer sized and configured to be mounted to the support structure over the cannula. The support structure and a proximal portion of the introducer are respectively configured for providing releasable attachment of the introducer to the support structure over the cannula in a first attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out an open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture unobscured by the introducer, and in a second attachment configuration, in which the distal portion of the cannula extends out the open distal end of the introducer with the tissue receiving aperture partially obscured by the introducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph KAPUSHION
  • Publication number: 20160089123
    Abstract: A biopsy instrument for removing nodes such as lymph nodes may include one or more of a blade for mechanical cutting of the ducts that connect the node to surrounding tissue and/or an energy emitter for emitting energy to seal the ducts and/or contribute to the gentle removal of the node from its connecting ducts. The biopsy instrument may include a ring clamp assembly made up of two opposing ring structures that may be clamped together such that the desired tissue sample (e.g., a lymph node) is captured within the inside opening of the clamped rings. Connecting ducts may be severed using either a blade or energy emitted from the ring clamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: SCOTT E.M. FRUSHOUR, ANTHONY B. ROSS
  • Publication number: 20160089124
    Abstract: The endoscope is provided with the forceps elevator which is erectably provided in the distal end part of the insertion part of the endoscope and guides a treatment tool led out from the distal end part. The forceps elevator has an erecting motion range from a minimum angular position to a maximum angular position. If a state in which the treatment tool is not led out from the distal end part is assumed, the erecting operation lever for operating the movement of the forceps elevator has: a first operation range where the erecting operation lever is operated within the erecting motion range of the forceps elevator; and a second operation range where the erecting operation lever is operated beyond the first operation range. When the erecting operation lever is operated into the second operation range, the locking mechanism locks the movement of the erecting operation lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko MORIMOTO, Tomohiro OHKI, Yuto SHIMOYAMA, Yoshiyuki KUNUKI
  • Publication number: 20160089125
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope apparatus in which a forceps elevator can be operated according to the operator's intention even when a treatment tool has large bending stiffness. The forceps elevator is erectably provided in a distal end part of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus and guides the treatment tool led out from the distal end part. The forceps elevator has an erecting motion range from a minimum angular position to a maximum angular position. If a state in which the treatment tool is not led out from the distal end part is assumed, the erecting operation lever for operating the movement of the forceps elevator has: a first operation range where the erecting operation lever is operated within the erecting motion range of the forceps elevator; and a second operation range where the erecting operation lever is operated beyond the first operation range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160089126
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a medical device comprising a restraining assembly configured to assist in restraining a catheter shaft in a deflected configuration. The resistance assembly may include an inner restraining assembly and an outer restraining assembly configured to engage one another and create normal and frictional resistances therebetween sufficient to prevent unintentional and/or undesired proximal, retracting movement of an actuator, and thus, to prevent changes in a desired deflected configuration of the catheter shaft. In one embodiment, the restraining assembly is configured to allow for temporary, i.e., reversible, restraining of the catheter shaft in the deflected configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Xiaoping Guo
  • Publication number: 20160089127
    Abstract: A medical device may include a stabilizer configured to be coupled to a port of an insertion device. The medical device may further include a shaft configured for telescopic translation within the stabilizer and a grip coupled to the shaft. Further, the medical device may include an actuator coupled to the grip. The actuator may be axially moveable relative to the grip so as to selectively actuate a distal assembly of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron KIRKEMO
  • Publication number: 20160089128
    Abstract: A medical device assembly may include an elongated guidewire, an elongated flexible tubular membrane disposed about the guidewire, and a percutaneous medical device, wherein the membrane is configured to permit the percutaneous medical device to pass through the lumen. A method of advancing a medical device through a vessel may include advancing an elongated flexible tubular membrane through the vessel to a treatment site, inserting the medical device into the membrane, and advancing the medical device through the membrane while maintaining the membrane in an axially stationary position relative to the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Weber, Aiden Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20160089129
    Abstract: A method for treating a spine includes disposing a body including vertebrae in a lateral orientation relative to a surgical fixed surface configured for supporting the body; creating an incision in tissue of the body along a substantially transverse plane of the body; spacing the tissue adjacent the incision along a sagittal plane of the body to define a surgical pathway to the vertebrae; and delivering at least one implant adjacent the vertebrae via the surgical pathway. Systems and implants are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Michelle M. Hennard, Larry T. McBride, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160089130
    Abstract: A suture attachment device and method for securing a suture to an anatomic structure. The suture attachment device includes a cannulated member including a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of castellations extend axially outward from at least one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein each castellation includes a proximal end connected to the cannulated member, and a distal end located distal from the cannulated member, the distal end being flared radially outward relative to the proximal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Jacy C. HOEPPNER, Adam FINLEY, Kevin T. STONE
  • Publication number: 20160089131
    Abstract: An implant system for providing stabilized fixation of tissue includes a button having a slot, a band threaded through the slot, and a lock including a member having a slot for receiving an end of the band and a movable member for clamping the band in place. The movable member is movable between an open position and a locking position. The lock is a plug assembly which includes a flange. The slot is disposed in the flange. The movable member is a cap which is movable between clamping and non-clamping orientations relative to the flange. The plug assembly further comprises a screw for moving the cap between its clamping and non-clamping orientations relative to the flange. The flange is a portion of a plug, which plug further includes a boss extending from one side of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Russell W. Wade
  • Publication number: 20160089132
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment an anchor of an implant system may reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a catheter. An anchor force may be applied within a desired range to secure the anchors about the septum and epicardial surface. The anchor force may inhibit migration of the anchors relative to the septum and epicardial surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: William Butler, Kevin Van Bladel, Ernie Heflin, Lon Annest, Rovil Arcia, John Bower
  • Publication number: 20160089133
    Abstract: A suturing device is disclosed. The suturing device includes an end effector assembly disposed on a distal end of the suturing device. The end effector assembly includes at least one guide tube housing at least one elongated member, a clamshell, and a probe configured for disposal in a graft tubular tissue circumferentially offset from the clamshell. The probe includes at least one guide tube attached to a suture having a first end and a second end. The at least one elongated member is deployed to puncture graft tubular tissue and mate with the at least one aperture of the probe such that extraction of the at least one elongated member simultaneously draws out the suture through the punctured graft tubular tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Eric Kramer, Adam Carahalios, John Hammerland, III, Todd Scott
  • Publication number: 20160089134
    Abstract: A suturing device is provided. The suturing device may include a firing aperture having at least one needle and a stripper plate, the needle being rotatable relative to the stripper plate and the firing aperture, and configured to engage a suture for deployment; and a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and configured to advance the needle from a retracted position to an extended position during engagement, and retract the needle from the extended position to the retracted position during disengagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Wai N. Chin, James Orrico, Adam Saban, Gary M. Kobylewski, Jafar S. Hasan