Patents Issued in April 7, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160095523
    Abstract: A coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter utilizes coaxial construction incorporating a thin wall guiding catheter technology for the outer lumen and using a strong braided diagnostic technology for the central lumen to accommodate high-pressure injections. The catheter includes a manifold body to provide for connection to each of the dual lumens. The distal end of the coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter tapers to a more flexible portion that is perforated by spiral side holes to provide for more undistorted pressure readings in the left ventricle. The coaxial dual lumen pigtail catheter also utilizes proximal straight sideholes at the end of the dual lumen portion and a taper between the dual lumen portion and the single lumen portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Phil Langston
  • Publication number: 20160095524
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for non-contact cardiac assessment of a subject. Images of the subject are captured from at least two synchronized independent imaging devices spaced equidistant from the subject and positioned such that each imaging device captures an image of the subject different from other imaging devices. Spectral components of the captured images are extracted. The extracted spectral components are analyzed. A signal corresponding to cardiac information is identified in the extracted spectral components. The identified signal corresponding to the cardiac information is extracted from the extracted spectral components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Justin R. Estepp, Ethan B. Blackford, Christopher M. Meier
  • Publication number: 20160095525
    Abstract: An automated system, method, apparatus, device and/or computer program product for detecting positioning effect is set forth, the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may include an output operable to couple to one or more stimulating electrodes to stimulate one or more peripheral nerves of the patient, an input operable to couple to one or more recording electrodes to record resultant electrical waveforms generated by a nervous system of a patient in response to the stimulating module, and one or more processors operable to identify the positioning effect based on the resultant electrical waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: SafeOp Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Johnson, Richard A O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20160095526
    Abstract: An electrocardiogram display device includes an electrocardiogram waveform generating unit that generates electrocardiogram waveforms of a plurality of leads based on electrocardiogram data of each of the leads, an arranging instruction unit that instructs an arranging order of the electrocardiogram waveform of each lead by performing inputting, a display unit, and a displaying control unit that arranging the electrocardiogram waveform of each lead in a corresponding arranging order in response to instruction of the arranging instruction unit to create and display one screen image on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Hisao YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20160095527
    Abstract: Devices are described herein including mounts configured to removably mount electrodes and other elements of the devices to a garment (e.g., a close-fitting undergarment) of a wearer. The devices include at least two electrodes configured such that the electrodes are maintained in secure electrical contact with skin of the wearer when the device is so mounted. The devices can be mounted to garments at various locations on the torso of the wearer such that an electrocardiographic signal related to the electrical activity of the heart of the wearer can be extracted from voltage fluctuations between the at least two electrodes. Such devices can be used for continuous logging or other applications of the electrocardiographic signals of the wearer. Such logged electrocardiographic signals could be used to determine a medical or health state of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Florence Thng, Russell Norman Mirov, Sarel Kobus Jooste
  • Publication number: 20160095528
    Abstract: A differential voltage measuring system includes two electrodes that are connected to a patient at an input and make available a respective measurement contact at an output. A shunt resistor is connected in series with the second electrode. A first amplifier circuit has a first input for a first signal from the first electrode, a second input for a second signal from the second electrode, and an output. A second amplifier circuit has a first input that is connected in series with the shunt resistor, a second input that is connected in parallel with the shunt resistor, and an output. A first signal detection unit is provided at the output of the first amplifier circuit, and a second signal detection unit is provided at the output of the second amplifier circuit. The second signal detection unit detects the signal from the second amplifier circuit as a measurement variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ulrich Batzer, Peter Greif, Harald Karl
  • Publication number: 20160095529
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing including a first side and a second side; a chest compression sensor coupled with the second side of the housing; at least one compartment partially formed by one of the first side and the second side of the housing; and at least one removable defibrillator electrode pad contained in the at least one compartment partially formed by one of the first side and the second side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Pisit Khuon, Mark Totman
  • Publication number: 20160095530
    Abstract: Systems and methods can be used to determine activation information for points along a surface or selected region of interest. In one example, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method that includes computing a local activation vector based on relative timing among electrical signals corresponding to neighboring points of a plurality of points on a surface envelope. An activation time can be computed for each of the plurality of points as a function of corresponding local activation vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: REMI DUBOIS, HAROLD WODLINGER, CHARULATHA RAMANATHAN, BRIAN P. GEORGE, PIERRE ROUSSEL-RAGOT
  • Publication number: 20160095531
    Abstract: Reconstruction of cardiac information representing a complex rhythm disorder is facilitated by assigning activation onsets to non-discernible beats in low confidence signals based upon time associations relative to activation onsets in adjacent high confidence signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Sanjiv Narayan, Ruchir Sehra
  • Publication number: 20160095532
    Abstract: An apparatus and method apply magnetic fields by generators external to a body or body part with sensors within an in vivo source that are sensitive to applied magnetic fields Through the use of these applied magnetic fields and sensitive sensors, disclosed embodiments can realize much better spatial resolution than is conventionally possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Irving N. WEINBERG, Wolfgang LOSERT
  • Publication number: 20160095533
    Abstract: System and method of using electromagnetic radiation signals to non-invasively test a glucose level in a subject. During operation, an incident beam of Terahertz waves is generated and projected onto the surface of the eyeball, which is naturally reflected by a tear layer. The reflected Terahertz waves are detected and characterized to determine the reflection characteristics of the tear layer, e.g., an axial ratio of reflection coefficients in two polarization orientations. Provided with the determined axial ratio and according to a predetermined correlation among axial ratio, tear glucose level and blood glucose level, the current blood glucose level in the subject can be derived and presented to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Yang Shang
  • Publication number: 20160095534
    Abstract: In one example, a method of estimating lung fluid content includes receiving a first response signal in response to a delivered first test stimulus, the first test stimulus delivered and the first response signal obtained during a first subject state, receiving a first estimate of a fluid content value during the first subject state, receiving a second response signal in response to a delivered second test stimulus, the second test stimulus delivered and the second response signal obtained during a second subject state, receiving a second estimate of the fluid content value during the second subject state, pairing the first response signal and the first estimate of the fluid content value to form a first pair of values and pairing the second response signal and the second estimate of the fluid content value to form a second pair of values, and determining a relationship between the pairs of values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur
  • Publication number: 20160095535
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating neuromodulation via hemodynamic responses are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a neuromodulation catheter comprising an elongated shaft having a distal portion, and a plurality of electrodes spaced along a distal portion. The system can further include a controller communicatively coupled to the electrodes. The controller can be configured to apply first and second stimuli at and/or proximate to a target site within a blood vessel before and after delivering neuromodulation energy to the target site, and detect, via at least one of the electrodes, vessel impedance resulting from the first and second stimuli to determine a baseline impedance and a post-neuromodulation impedance. The controller can further be configured to assess the efficacy of the neuromodulation based, at least in part, on a comparison of the baseline impedance and the post-neuromodulation impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hettrick, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20160095536
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation are presented. First and second response signals received from at least one magnetic sensor operatively coupled to a target device in response to a magnetic field are measured at reference and reversed sensitivity while an alignment of magnetic domains corresponding to the magnetic sensor remains unchanged. A useful portion of the first response signal is determined by eliminating common-mode noise from the first response signal based on a difference between the first and second response signals. Alternatively, a bias signal having a desired bias frequency is applied to shift a signal frequency of a response signal of a magnetoresistance sensor that includes common-mode noise. A useful portion of the response signal is determined by measuring the response signal at a shifted frequency that is a sum of the signal and bias frequencies. A position of the subject is then determined based on the useful portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Peter William Lorraine, Floribertus P.M Heukensfeldt Jansen
  • Publication number: 20160095537
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a reliable apparatus for guiding an ablation probe to a target location inside a human body is thus provided. The apparatus allows incorporation of a conventional metal operating room table, but further comprises a substantially non-conductive separation structure positioned over the metal operating room table and underneath a horizontally oriented electromagnetic field generator. The resultant structure is adapted to support a human body in the prone or supine position over the operating table. Further support padding may also be provided. The electromagnetic field generator creates an electromagnetic field that extends through the torso of said human body positioned over the electromagnetic field generator. An ultrasound probe and ablation probe interacts with the electromagnetic field to generate positional information that is processed by a computing device to generate a graphic representation of location information on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: HALT MEDICAL INC.
    Inventor: Gordon Epstein
  • Publication number: 20160095538
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing a gait motion are provided. The apparatus may set a gait motion recognition period based on measured right and left hip joint angle information, may input, to a trained neural network, right and left hip joint angle information and vertical acceleration information measured during the gait motion recognition period, and may recognize a gait motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Jusuk LEE, Kyung-Rock KIM, Kee Hong SEO, Youngbo SHIM, Sunghwan AHN, Bokman LIM, Jun-Won JANG
  • Publication number: 20160095539
    Abstract: Provided are a smart band, a body balance measuring method of the smart band, and a computer-readable recording medium including a program for performing the same. The smart band includes: a memory that stores a first balance factor of any one of user's left and right arms; a motion sensor that creates motion data by detecting a motion of the other one of the user's left and right arms; and a control unit that extracts a second balance factor of the other one of the user's left and right arms on the basis of the created motion data, calculates an asymmetry index, using the first and second balance factors, and calculates a final score on the basis of the asymmetry index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Kyung Tae KIM, Sung Hyun KIM, David Hansuk SUH
  • Publication number: 20160095540
    Abstract: System and method of using electromagnetic radiation signals to non-invasively test a glucose level in a subject. During operation, an incident beam of Terahertz waves is generated and projected onto the surface of the eyeball, which is naturally reflected by a tear layer. The reflected Terahertz waves are detected and characterized to determine the reflection characteristics of the tear layer, e.g., an axial ratio of reflection coefficients in two polarization orientations. Provided with the determined axial ratio and according to a predetermined correlation among axial ratio, tear glucose level and blood glucose level, the current blood glucose level in the subject can be derived and presented to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Yang Shang
  • Publication number: 20160095541
    Abstract: Methods, structures, and systems are disclosed for biosensing and drug delivery techniques. In one aspect, a device for detecting an analyte and/or releasing a biochemical into a biological fluid can include an array of hollowed needles, in which each needle includes a protruded needle structure including an exterior wall forming a hollow interior and an opening at a terminal end of the protruded needle structure that exposes the hollow interior, and a probe inside the exterior wall to interact with one or more chemical or biological substances that come in contact with the probe via the opening to produce a probe sensing signal, and an array of wires that are coupled to probes of the array of hollowed needles, respectively, each wire being electrically conductive to transmit the probe sensing signal produced by a respective probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Wang, Joshua Ray Windmiller, Roger Narayan, Philip Miller, Ronen Polsky, Thayne L. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20160095542
    Abstract: A transcutaneous sensor device configured for continuously measuring analyte concentrations in a host is provided. In some embodiments, the transcutaneous sensor device 100 comprises an in vivo portion 160 configured for insertion under the skin 180 of the host and an ex vivo portion 170 configured to remain above the surface of the skin 180 of the host after sensor insertion of the in vivo portion. The in vivo portion may comprise a tissue piercing element 110 configured for piercing the skin 180 of the host and a sensor body 120 comprising a material or support member 130 that provides sufficient column strength to allow the sensor body to be pushable in a host tissue without substantial buckling. The ex vivo portion 170 may be configured to comprise (or operably connect to) a sensor electronics unit and may comprise a mounting unit 150. Also described here are various configurations of the sensor body and the tissue piercing element that may be used to protect the membrane of the sensor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Peter C. Simpson, Robert J. Boock, Sebastian Böhm, James H. Brauker, Paul V. Neale
  • Publication number: 20160095543
    Abstract: A pulse oximetry system for reducing the risk of electric shock to a medical patient can include physiological sensors, at least one of which has a light emitter that can impinge light on body tissue of a living patient and a detector responsive to the light after attenuation by the body tissue. The detector can generate a signal indicative of a physiological characteristic of the living patient. The pulse oximetry system may also include a splitter cable that can connect the physiological sensors to a physiological monitor. The splitter cable may have a plurality of cable sections each including one or more electrical conductors that can interface with one of the physiological sensors. One or more decoupling circuits may be disposed in the splitter cable, which can be in communication with selected ones of the electrical conductors. The one or more decoupling circuits can electrically decouple the physiological sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Valery G. Telfort, Ammar Al-Ali, Paul Martek, Robert A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160095544
    Abstract: A hand held olfactory tester includes an elongated housing (12) with an opening at its forward end (30) thereof. An odorant chamber (22) located within the housing moveable axially between a forward (FIG. 4) and a backward position (FIG. 5). A wick (34) extends from the odorant chamber forwardly into a nozzle (32) carried at the forward end of the chamber. A thumb collar (24) located around the outside of the housing allows to move the odor chamber and nozzle forwardly. The forward end of the wick exposed to outside through the opening when moved forward so that vapors from the odorant can be smelled by a patient. O-rings (40, 42) seal the nozzle from the outside when in backward position to prevent vapors from escaping. An elongated spring (28) biases the odorant chamber and nozzle backwardly into its rear sealed position when the thumb collar is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: DOMINICK DANIEL MARTINO
  • Publication number: 20160095545
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing an impending multisystem failure in a patient, comprising steps of obtaining data of recorded speech of the patient, calculating an intensity function of the data across a plurality of frequencies, and determining the number of vibrations in the range of an octave in the recorded speech. A number of vibrations larger than four are indicative of an impending multisystem failure in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: BEYOND VERBAL COMMUNICATION LTD
    Inventor: Yoram LEVANON
  • Publication number: 20160095546
    Abstract: Techniques relate to operating a medical device by classifying a detected posture state of a patient. This classification may be performed by comparing the detected posture state of the patient to posture state definitions available within the system. Each definition may be described in terms of a parameter (e.g., vector) indicative of a direction in three-dimensional space. The posture state definitions may be calibrated by automatically estimating values for these parameters, thereby eliminating the need for the patient to assume each posture state during the calibration process to capture actual parameter values. According to another aspect, the estimated parameter values may be updated as the patient assumes various postures during a daily routine. For instance, estimated vectors initially used to calibrate the posture state definitions may be changed over time to more closely represent posture states the patient actually assumes, and to further adapt to changes in a patient's condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe, Lynn A. Davenport, Jon P. Davis, Wende L. Dewing, Elizabeth A. Fehrmann, Steven M. Goetz, Shyam L. Gokaldas, Eric J. Panken
  • Publication number: 20160095547
    Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing textile-based screen-printed amperometric or potentiometric sensors. The chemical sensor can include carbon based electrodes to detect at least one of NADH, hydrogen peroxide, potassium ferrocyanide, TNT or DNT, in liquid or vapor phase. In one application, underwater presence of chemicals such as heavy metals and explosives is detected using the textile-based sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Wang, Joshua Ray Windmiller
  • Publication number: 20160095548
    Abstract: Modular physiological sensors that are physically and/or electrically configured to share a measurement site for the comfort of the patient and/or to ensure proper operation of the sensors without interference from the other sensors. The modular aspect is realized by providing outer housing shapes that generally conform to other physiological sensors; mounting areas for attachment of one sensor to another sensor; providing release liners on the overlapping sensor attachment areas; and/or providing notches, tabs or other mechanical features that provide for the proper placement and interaction of the sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Kevin Forrest
  • Publication number: 20160095549
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations may provide objective, continuous, and clinically useful assessment of asthma control in subjects including young children using a device that is compact, non-intrusive, and simple. The device may include a water-resistant, flexible patch that can be comfortably worn for two weeks or more. In some implementations, the patch may resemble a Band-Aid® that is placed on the supra-sternal notch. The device may record respiratory sounds that can be analyzed to identify coughing and wheezing episodes. The device may operate in different modes including ones for assessment of nocturnal symptoms, exercise-induced asthma, and overall asthma control. The device may be useful for objectively assessing asthma control to aid clinical therapy, and for an improved way to diagnose exercise-induced asthma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Ruey-Kang CHANG
  • Publication number: 20160095550
    Abstract: A removable base of a wearable medical monitor includes a mating surface configured to reversibly couple the removable base to a body of the wearable medical monitor. The removable base may also include certain functional features, such as a sensor configured to detect a physiological parameter of a patient and/or a memory configured to store data for identifying characteristics of the sensor or the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Andy S. Lin, Friso Schlottau, David B. Berlin, Paul Von Der Lippe, Kristine Michelle Cohrs, Mark Yu-Tsu Su
  • Publication number: 20160095551
    Abstract: A pressure sensor and pressure-sensing catheter in which a deformable pressure sensing membrane is separated from an inner metalized surface on a rigid support by an air gap. An input allows a voltage to be applied to an electrode on the sensing membrane and an output allows reading of the signal modulation from the support surface. An outer sleeve overlays the membrane and a wire bus transmits the signals to a terminal connector. The catheter may include a vented air gap, a multiplexing wire bus, and an internal cable to maintain tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Thomas R. Parks, Jae S. Son
  • Publication number: 20160095552
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a non-invasive, radiofrequency (RF) coil array comprising at least two loop coils configured to wrap in close proximity around a specific anatomical region of a subject, a magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system comprising the RF coil array, and a method of magnetic resonance imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Seunghoon Ha, Werner W. Roeck, Orhan Nalcioglu
  • Publication number: 20160095553
    Abstract: A peripheral physiology inspection apparatus of smart phone is connected with a smart phone having a TRRS socket for performing a physiology inspection. The peripheral physiology inspection apparatus includes: an inspection main body including a first physiology sensing unit; a plurality of signal transmission units; and a TRRS terminal for connecting with the inspection main body via the signal transmission units. The TRRS terminal is corresponding to the TRRS socket for allowing the inspection main body to be electrically connected to the smart phone, thereby enabling the smart phone to analyze and process physiology signals inspected by and delivered from the inspection main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Dar-Bin SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20160095554
    Abstract: A peripheral physiology inspection apparatus of smart phone is connected with a smart phone having a TRRS socket for performing a physiology inspection. The peripheral physiology inspection apparatus includes: an inspection main body including a first physiology sensing unit; a plurality of signal transmission units; and a TRRS terminal for connecting with the inspection main body via the signal transmission units. The TRRS terminal is corresponding to the TRRS socket for allowing the inspection main body to be electrically connected to the smart phone, thereby enabling the smart phone to analyze and process physiology signals inspected by and delivered from the inspection main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Dar-Bin SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20160095555
    Abstract: The invention provides a system to better detect the onset of congestive heart failure (CHF). The system consists of two primary components—the CHF Index Graph (CHFIG) and a body-worn sensor for measuring the necessary parameters—that correctly measure and analyze a set of parameters related to CHF. The CHFIG typically consists of 7 or 8 unique axes, each corresponding to a different CHF-related parameter. Each axis is normalized and scaled so that the plotted values trend outwards as a patient's trajectory towards CHF worsens. Thus, the area of a region constructed from the plotted values of the parameters increases as the values move further away from the center of the graph; this indicates the patient is trending towards CHF. Conversely, a healthy patient's parameters will be clustered relatively close to the center of the graph, creating a region with a much smaller area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Derek Gregory STAINER, Samuel Anthony WEISER, Matthew BANET
  • Publication number: 20160095556
    Abstract: The invention provides a system to better detect the onset of congestive heart failure (CHF). The system consists of two primary components—the CHF Index Graph (CHFIG) and a body-worn sensor for measuring the necessary parameters—that correctly measure and analyze a set of parameters related to CHF. The CHFIG typically consists of 7 or 8 unique axes, each corresponding to a different CHF-related parameter. Each axis is normalized and scaled so that the plotted values trend outwards as a patient's trajectory towards CHF worsens. Thus, the area of a region constructed from the plotted values of the parameters increases as the values move further away from the center of the graph; this indicates the patient is trending towards CHF. Conversely, a healthy patient's parameters will be clustered relatively close to the center of the graph, creating a region with a much smaller area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Derek Gregory STAINER, Samuel Anthony WEISER, Matthew BANET
  • Publication number: 20160095557
    Abstract: A blood pressure monitor, particularly of the type having an inflatable cuff communicating with a pressure sensor and suitable for home use, may be calibrated by applying a sealed canister containing gas at a known pressure to a port so as to apply the known pressure to the pressure sensor, and comparing a pressure signal from the pressure sensor with the known pressure so as to determine a calibration error of the sensor and/or adjust the calibration of the sensor, e.g. by electronically adjusting the sensor. Several canisters may be used to calibrate the sensor across a range of pressures, each canister having a different known pressure. Each canister is preferably ruptured when attached to the port and is not re-usable, and may comprise an identifier such as an electronically readable identifier which is stored in a memory in association with the value of the known pressure within the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Yury Grotov
  • Publication number: 20160095558
    Abstract: Radiation therapy systems and their components, including secondary radiation shields. At least some versions of the disclosed systems combine a radiation delivery device, a primary radiation shielding device, and a secondary shielding layer into an integrated, modular unit. This is accomplished by using a small direct beam shield capable of blocking a primary beam from a radiation delivery device. In turn, a thinner shielding layer can be used to surround the radiation delivery device and primary shielding device, enabling a single modular unit to be delivered to an installation site. In some embodiments, a bed may be disposed within the secondary shielding layer. In some embodiments, the system is configured to provide up to 4-pi (4?) steradians of radiation coverage to the bed from the radiation delivery device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Hak CHOY, Steve JIANG, Robert TIMMERMAN, Arnold POMPOS
  • Publication number: 20160095559
    Abstract: A photon-counting system includes photon-counting detectors that output photon-counting signals to indicate a number of photons impinging on the photon-counting detectors. The system also includes analog-to-digital conversion circuits, which convert one of the photon-counting signals into a digital photon-counting signals, and a processor that processes the digital photon-counting signals to extract information from the photon-counting signals. The information extracted can include a photon-counting rate. An intelligent multiplexer that, based on the photon-counting rate, modifies interconnection of the photon-counting detectors and analog-to-digital conversion circuits and provides digital photon-counting signals for a selected set of the analog-to-digital converters to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel GAGNON, Gin Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20160095560
    Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, counted result collecting circuitry, count rate calculating circuitry, control circuitry, and image reconstruction circuitry. The detector includes a plurality of detection elements including a plurality of types of detection elements with different response characteristics to an X-ray dose, and outputs a detection signal according to an incidence of an X-ray photon to each of the detection elements. The counted result collecting circuitry collects counted results obtained by counting X-ray photons from detection signals output by the detection elements. The count rate calculating circuitry calculates a count rate from the detection signals output by the detection elements. The control circuitry selects a detection element based on the count rate and respective response characteristics of the detection elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160095561
    Abstract: According to on embodiment, The X-ray tube generates X-rays. The X-ray detector detects the X-rays transmitted through a subject. The data acquisition circuitry acquires count data concerning a count number of the detected X-rays for energy bands. The memory circuitry stores data of a response function that associates incident X-rays on the X-ray detector with a response characteristic of a system including the X-ray detector and the data acquisition circuitry. The processing circuitry calculates an X-ray absorption amount of each of a plurality of base substances based on the count data concerning the energy bands acquired by the data acquisition circuitry, an energy spectrum of the incident X-rays, and the response function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Emi TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160095562
    Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray imaging system generates an absorption image and a phase shift image of an object under study. The absorption image represents a measurement of the imaged object's attenuation of radiographic energy, and the phase shift image represents a measurement of the imaged object's phase shifting of the radiographic waves passing through the object. The two images may be used to improve soft tissue discrimination in radiographic imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Pavlo Baturin, Mark E. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20160095563
    Abstract: When at least one of a two-dimensional radiological image and a plurality of tomographic images of the same subject is displayed on a monitor, a depth map creation unit creates a depth map in which each position on the pseudo two-dimensional image is associated with depth information indicating the position of a tomographic plane corresponding to each position in a depth direction. A display control unit specifies the depth information of a predetermined position in the two-dimensional radiological image, with reference to the depth map, and displays the tomographic image of the tomographic plane indicated by the specified depth information on the monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru FUKUDA, Junya MORITA
  • Publication number: 20160095564
    Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus according to an embodiment includes a photon-counting detector, correction circuitry, and reconstruction circuitry. The photon-counting detector includes a plurality of X-ray detection elements detecting X-ray photons applied from an X-ray tube. The correction circuitry corrects detection signals detected by the photon-counting detector for the respective X-ray detection elements, based on a centroid of an X-ray spectrum detected by the photon-counting detector. The reconstruction circuitry reconstructs a CT image based on the corrected detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru KATO, Hiroaki NAKAI
  • Publication number: 20160095565
    Abstract: In a method for compensating for location assignment errors in PET data that occur due to a cyclical motion of a patient, three-dimensional training data of the patient are acquired with an image recording facility using a different modality from PET in different motion states of the cyclical motion. Model parameters of a statistical model are determined describing the cyclical motion, from the deviations of the training data in different motion states from displacement data describing a reference motion-state. A rule is determined for assigning measurement values of at least one measuring signal that can be recorded during the PET measurement process, and that describe motion states of the cyclical motion, to input parameters describing an instance of the statistical model. Measurement values are assigned to the PET data recorded for the respective recording time points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Matthias Fenchel
  • Publication number: 20160095566
    Abstract: To provide an X-ray CT apparatus and a scanning method that can scan a corpse efficiently, a death mode is selected and input to the CPU of an image processing device by performing a mouse-click or touch operation on any of buttons on a death mode selection window. The CPU obtains scanning conditions from the storage unit according to the input death mode. In a charred body mode, scanning conditions are defined in advance to perform high-resolution scanning for the pelvis portion and standard scanning for the other entire body for sex estimation. The sex estimation process estimates the corpse's sex based on the pelvis portion shape and outputs the results. In a drowned body mode, scanning conditions are defined in advance to perform high-resolution scanning for the lung field and standard scanning for the other entire body to measure a water amount in the lung.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160095567
    Abstract: A dose measured from region information, X-ray information, and a captured image in a previous imaging operation and a dose of radiation obtained from a DAP meter are saved as pieces of information. A dose used in a first imaging operation is based on the saved pieces of information, and a dose to be used in a second imaging operation is estimated from region information or X-ray information in the second imaging operation. If there is a significant difference between the dose in the first imaging operation and the estimated dose for the second imaging operation, a warning is issued. If an image of a region is captured for testing purposes, a warning is not issued.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Hirohide Tachikawa
  • Publication number: 20160095568
    Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes an X-ray tube, judging circuitry, and grid controlling circuitry. The X-ray tube is configured to radiate X-rays. The judging circuitry is configured to judge whether a voltage should be applied to a grid of the X-ray tube or not, in accordance with a radiation condition. The grid controlling circuitry is configured to apply the voltage to the grid, if the judging circuitry has determined that the voltage should be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto TAKANAKA, Kunio SHIRAISHI, Shinsuke OOIE, Kentarou NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160095569
    Abstract: A quality control phantom comprises a container and a frame to secure quality control accessories in position within the container during radiologic exposure testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, William J. Sehnert, Karin Toepfer
  • Publication number: 20160095570
    Abstract: A method for detection of teeth grinding using audio which is recorded by a mobile device. The mobile device preferably comprises a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, or a laptop. The audio that is recorded is analyzed by a computer program using pattern recognition and machine learning. The computer program may be trained to determine a patient's personal teeth grinding sounds. For this purpose a personal algorithm for each patient to detect teeth grinding sounds may be created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Michiel Allessie
  • Publication number: 20160095571
    Abstract: An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Qamar A. Shams, Allan J. Zuckerwar, Albert L. Dimarcantonio
  • Publication number: 20160095572
    Abstract: A system and method for continuous real time measurement of blood pressure in a subject is presented. The system includes a transducer assembly (e.g., having ultrasound array elements) in a cuff applied to the subject's body. The system measures physical characteristics such as geometry, elasticity and strain in a blood vessel as well as other external physical parameters. Computer modeling and signal processing of measured signals are used during inflation and/or deflation of the cuff to iteratively estimate the blood pressure of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Derrick Aguren