Patents Issued in July 26, 2016
  • Patent number: 9398863
    Abstract: The invention relates to detection of anomalies related to a measurement of the hypnotic level of a subject. In order to detect when a measure indicative of the hypnotic level of a subject is anomalous either due to a medical reason or due to an interference, the measure is monitored and state information indicative of the activity of the autonomous nervous system of the subject and drug effect information indicative of the hypnotic drug effect in the subject are employed to check whether the measure fulfills a predetermined consistency condition requiring that the measure changes consistently with at least one of the drug effect information and the state information. An anomaly, indicative of an abnormal change in the measure, is detected when the measure fails to fulfill the predetermined consistency condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hanna E. Viertiö-Oja
  • Patent number: 9398864
    Abstract: Example headsets and methods for gathering electroencephalographic signals are disclosed herein. An example headset disclosed herein includes a cap to be worn on a head of a person and a first electrode carried by the cap. The first electrode holder defines a first opening therethrough. The example headset includes a first electrode that insertable into the first opening. The first electrode has a first length and is adjustable in the first opening to a first plurality of discrete positions having different depths of insertion relative to the first opening. The first electrode is to engage the head of the person when inserted a sufficient depth into the first opening. The example headset also includes a second electrode that is interchangeable with the first electrode and insertable into the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bradley R. Lawrence, Michael A. Hicks
  • Patent number: 9398865
    Abstract: Concepts presented herein include an apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles. The apparatus includes an endobronchial tube having an exterior surface and two lumens for providing ventilation. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endobronchial tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Wenjeng Li
  • Patent number: 9398866
    Abstract: A system for determining a position of a medical device within a body is provided that reduces positional error by establishing a reference origin closer to the device and/or simplifies the system by integrating components and functions. In one embodiment, a pair of drive electrodes are affixed to opposed surfaces of the body and create a pathway for transmission of current through a position sensor related to the medical device. A pair of reference electrodes proximate the drive electrodes are coupled to a common reference node outputting a reference signal establishing the reference origin. An electronic control unit determines the position of the medical device responsive to the position signal and the reference signal. In another embodiment, a patch affixed to an external surface of the body has a base layer and multiple devices supported on the base layer, electrically isolated from one another, and configured to perform different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hauck, Graydon E. Beatty, Kevin Dillon, Mark A. MacGregor
  • Patent number: 9398867
    Abstract: A device worn by a human performing a method using accelerometer data to classify human activities is disclosed. The method uses memory and computation efficiently. A stream of samples is divided into a sequence of sampling periods; each sample has an acceleration value for each axis (e.g., a 3-D accelerometer). Standard deviation of the values for each axis during each sampling period are calculated. A running sum of each axis' values can be maintained sample-by-sample. Each value is sorted into a bin of a histogram, by quantifying a deviance from a respective mean in standard deviations. A standard deviation produced from samples of a previous period can be used. The histogram is compared with histograms associated with particular activities and a classification output can be produced. Classification outputs from multiple sampling periods can be used for voting. A threshold amount of activity can be required to begin activity classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ARCHINOETICS LLC
    Inventors: J. Hunter Downs, Nathan Ronald Kowahl, Fahrettin Olcay Cirit, William James Robinson, Richard Moffitt Cowan
  • Patent number: 9398868
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and/or methods for subtracting in the current domain an output current primary signal from a primary sensor from an output current reference signal from a reference sensor to produce a frequency output signal indicative of the difference between the output current primary signal and the output current reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Brian Otis, Nathan Pletcher
  • Patent number: 9398869
    Abstract: Method and System for providing a signal from an insulin pump, artificial pancreas, or another insulin delivery device as a source of information for improving the accuracy of a continuous glucose sensor (CGS). The effect of using insulin information to enhance sensor accuracy is most prominent at low blood glucose levels, i.e. in the hypoglycemic range, which is critical for any treatment. A system for providing a filtering/state estimation methodology that may be used to determine a glucose state estimate at time t-?. The estimation may be extrapolated to some future time t and then the extrapolated value is used to extract the blood glucose component. The blood glucose component of the extrapolation and the output of the CGS are weighted and used to estimate the blood glucose level of a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: Boris P. Kovatchev, Marc D. Breton, Stephen D. Patek, Colleen Hughes Karvetski
  • Patent number: 9398870
    Abstract: A system includes an enclosure having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The enclosure includes a display coupled to the processor where the display is visible from an exterior of the enclosure; and a battery within the enclosure coupled to the processor and the display. The enclosure includes a probe tip coupled to an exterior of the enclosure. The probe tip includes first, second, and third sensor openings. A first distance between the first and second sensor openings is different than a second distance between the first and third sensor openings. The enclosure includes code stored in the memory where the code is executable by the processor, and includes code to receive first data associated with the first and second sensor openings, code to receive second data associated with the first and second sensor openings, and code to perform SRS using the first and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ViOptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kate LeeAnn Bechtel, Joseph Heanue, Lester John Lloyd, Edward Solomon
  • Patent number: 9398871
    Abstract: Devices for containing exposed internal body parts during their insertion into the body of a patient are provided. The devices include a surgical pouch that comprises a measurement feature adapted to facilitate a measurement of the oxygen saturation of the exposed internal body parts. In some embodiments, the subject devices comprise an inner pouch for containing the exposed internal body parts, as well as an outer pouch that can be pressurized to exert positive pressure on the inner pouch to facilitate insertion of the internal body parts into the body of the patient. Also provided are methods for containing the exposed internal body parts of a patient and inserting the body parts into the patient, optionally using positive pressure, while monitoring the oxygen saturation of the exposed internal body parts via the measurement feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
    Inventors: Olajire Idowu, Sunghoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9398872
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in verifying the stability of sensor sensitivity of an analyte sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventors: Gary Alan Hayter, Geoffrey V. McGarraugh, Andrew H. Naegeli, John Charles Mazza, Benjamin Jay Feldman, Wesley Scott Harper
  • Patent number: 9398873
    Abstract: A method of obtaining a desired state in (22) a subject comprises measuring one or more physiological parameters of the subject (12), calculating, using the measured parameter(s), a value (38), determining if the calculated value (38) is to be modified, modifying the calculated value, if the determination is that the value is to be modified, and generating an output to the subject, the output being in proportion to the modified value (40). The step of modifying the calculated value, if the determination is that the value is to be modified,—can comprise accessing a modification scheme and modifying the calculated value according, to the modification scheme. One method of modifying the calculated value comprises amplifying the calculated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Marieke Van Dooren, Maria Estrella Mena Benito, Mark Thomas Johnson, Richard Godefridus Cornelis Van Der Wolf, Franciscus Antonius Maria Van Der Meijden
  • Patent number: 9398874
    Abstract: In a mood analysis method using an electrocardiogram of a user, RR intervals in the electrocardiogram are computed, and low-frequency (LF) values and high-frequency (HF) values are also computed according to the RR intervals. Standard values of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) activity are acquired corresponding to age and sex data of the user, to establish a mood display coordinate system. Coordinates of the LF values and the HF values in the mood display coordinate system are computed to determine a mood of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc., YongLin Biotech Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Shiung Chang, Hsun-Ko Chan, Daniel M Weng, Shu-Chen Chuang, Tuan-Chun Chen, Pei-Chi Ho, Hsiang-I Kao, Shing-Huei Lin
  • Patent number: 9398875
    Abstract: A method for biological signal analysis, including providing a multidimensional sensor array disposed at a position for sensing biological data associated with a person, wherein the multidimensional sensor array includes a plurality of sensors and each sensor of the plurality of sensors is mechanically coupled to a common structural coupling material. The method including selectively receiving an output from each sensor of the plurality of sensors, processing the output from each sensor of the plurality of sensors and outputting a biological signal based on the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kin C. Fung, Timothy J. Dick, Charles William Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9398876
    Abstract: A method for measuring a glomerular filtration rate in a mammalian kidney comprises a source of reporter and marker fluorescent molecules. The fluorescent molecules are introduced into the blood stream of a mammalian subject. Over a period of time, a measurement of the intensities of the reporter and marker fluorescent molecules is taken. A ratio is calculated to determine the health of the subject's kidney. This method measures volume of plasma distribution based on a fluorescence of a marker molecule relative to a fluorescence of a reporter molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pharmacophotonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Exing Wang, Daniel Meier, Robert Bunch, Bruce Molitoris, Ruben Sandoval, Matthew Rubin
  • Patent number: 9398877
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a device for optical imaging of a turbid medium. This method comprises a reference measurement of reference intensities of light emanating from the turbid medium at a reference blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) in the turbid medium and a reference imaging step for reconstructing a reference image of the turbid medium from the measured reference intensities. Furthermore the method comprises a contrast measurement of the contrast intensity of the light emanating from the turbid medium at a contrast blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) level in the turbid medium and a contrast imaging step for reconstructing a contrast image of the turbid medium from the measured contrast intensities. A comparison is made between the contrast image to the reference image of the turbid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Bernardus Van Der Mark, Michael Cornelis Van Beek, Levinus Pieter Bakker
  • Patent number: 9398878
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension of skin comprises a first rigid leg, a second rigid leg, and means for pivotally connecting proximal ends of the first leg and the second leg such that distal ends of the first leg and the second leg can be moved toward and away from one another. A gauge is carried by one of the first leg or the second leg for giving an indication of the spacing between the distal ends of the first leg and the second leg. Indicia is carried by the other of the first leg or the second leg. A spring arm is connected for resilient, flexible movement relative to one of the first leg or the second leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory L. Ruff
  • Patent number: 9398879
    Abstract: A handheld, conforming capacitive sensing apparatus configured to measure Sub-Epidermal Moisture (SEM) as a mean to detect and monitor the formation of pressure ulcers. The device incorporates an array of electrodes which are excited to measure and scan SEM in a programmable and multiplexed manner by a battery-less RF-powered chip. The scanning operation is initiated by an interrogator which excites a coil embedded in the apparatus and provides the needed energy burst to support the scanning/reading operation. Each electrode measures the equivalent sub-epidermal capacitance corresponding and representing the moisture content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Bruin Biometrics, LLC
    Inventors: Majid Sarrafzadeh, William Kaiser, Alireza Mehrnia, Barbara M. Bates-Jensen, Frank Wang, Michael Flesch, Joseph Boystak, Yeung Lam
  • Patent number: 9398880
    Abstract: A Wearable Orthopedic/Orthotic Device for diagnostics and therapy of an equine limb comprises a soft tissue compression material and a sheet of stretchable laminate material for soft tissue compression and bracing. The device includes a stretchable, porous and breathable polyurethane membrane to allow a certain degree of perspiration and heat to escape while retaining a therapeutic amount of heat. The device includes an intelligent textile layer, including fibertronics, organic electronics, other forms of e-textiles and sensors for monitoring parameters associated with tendon and ligament injuries in sub clinical time periods. The device may include an acoustic sensor for detecting the speed and frequency of sound traveling through underlying tissue onto which an acoustic signal is emitted. In a diagnostic monitoring method, parameters associated with the health tissue of the equine limb and body is wirelessly transmitted by the device to an external receiver for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Kelly Annette Vanscoy Barnett
  • Patent number: 9398881
    Abstract: A micro-analyzer is described. This micro-analyzer includes an outer surface region on a sampler surface that receives liquid droplets, and aggregates and moves the droplets radially toward an inner surface region on the sampler surface that receives the droplets. For example, the outer surface region may include a set of micro-patterned concentric rings, each of which includes a set of radially oriented wall-groove pairs. Moreover, the sampler surface may be increasingly less hydrophobic along a radial direction toward the center of the sampler surface, thereby creating an axisymmetric wettability gradient. After the droplets are aggregated, an analysis mechanism in an area within the inner surface region performs analysis on the aggregated droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Cristina Davis, Hamzeh Bardaweel, Konstantin Zamuruyev, Jean-Pierre Delplanque, Nicholas J. Kenyon
  • Patent number: 9398882
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for integrated sensor and data processing assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ABBOTT DIABETES CARE INC.
    Inventor: Gary Ashley Stafford
  • Patent number: 9398883
    Abstract: An example method of representing cardiac information associated with a heart rhythm disorder includes accessing a plurality of neighboring cardiac signals obtained from a patient. The method also includes eliminating far-field activations from the plurality of neighboring cardiac signals using one or more divergence criteria that define local activations in the plurality of neighboring cardiac signals, the divergence criteria being associated with divergence among the plurality of neighboring cardiac signals. The method further includes constructing a clinical representation of local activations in the plurality of neighboring cardiac signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Topera, Inc., The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Sanjiv Narayan, Carey Robert Briggs
  • Patent number: 9398884
    Abstract: A biological information monitoring apparatus operable to measure biological information of a patient by detecting a biological signal of the patient, and operable to output an alarm, includes an alarm controller which changes the alarm. The alarm includes a first alarm of a first priority and a second alarm of a second priority. When a first condition is satisfied, the first alarm is output. When a second condition is satisfied after the first alarm is output, the alarm controller changes from the first alarm to the second alarm to be output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: NIHON KOHDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami Tanishima, Masahiro Echigo, Rie Oyagi, Shinji Tezuka, Yoshinori Enomoto
  • Patent number: 9398885
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention is to always keep an imaging angle of an X-ray detector to an object constant before and after an imaging unit is moved. In order to solve the problem, a mobile X-ray diagnostic apparatus related to the present invention detects a rotation amount of a main body in a horizontal surface due to movement on a floor surface and controls rotation drive of the X-ray detector based on a detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Suzuki, Takahiro Yurugi, Yasuo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 9398886
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus and related method comprising a detector located a distance from a source and positioned to receive a beam of radiation in a trajectory; a detector positioner that translates the detector to an alternate position in a direction that is substantially normal to the trajectory; and a beam positioner that alters the trajectory of the radiation beam to direct the beam onto the detector located at the alternate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 9398887
    Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus which captures a medical image based on imaging technique information includes a display control unit which displays thumbnails of medical images captured based on imaging technique information in a first area on a display window, displays a thumbnail of a different-inspection image retrieved based on the imaging technique information in a second area, and displays, in a third area, a medical image corresponding to a selected thumbnail of the thumbnails displayed in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobu Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 9398888
    Abstract: In a radiation imaging system performing a difference process using a stored mask image based on a radiation image obtained before a contrast agent is injected and a radiation image obtained after the contrast agent is injected, a controller displays a first graphic representing a first timing when irradiation of a radial ray is started, a second graphic representing a second timing when the mask image is stored, and a third graphic representing a third timing when the contrast agent is injected in this order along a time axis and controls the second and third timings by the second and third graphics. The controller moves, when one of the second and third graphics is moved along the time axis, the other of the second and third graphics such that an interval between the first and third graphics becomes larger than an interval between the first and second graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9398889
    Abstract: There is provided a radiographic 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 phantom pair and a theoretical deformation of the radiographic phantom pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents Of The University Of California
    Inventors: Neil Kirby, Cynthia Chuang, Jean Pouliot
  • Patent number: 9398890
    Abstract: A method for geometric calibration of a CT scanner, including, for each row of at least one row of detector cells, establishing a complete geometric description of the CT scanner, including at least one unknown geometric parameter, establishing a description of a forward projection function using the complete geometric description, acquiring actual projection coordinates of a calibration phantom placed in a scanning field of view (SFOV) on a current row of detector cells and corresponding to a plurality of angles, acquiring calculated projection coordinates of the calibration phantom on the current row of detector cells and corresponding to the plurality of angles using the description of the forward projection function, and acquiring a calibrated value for the at least one unknown geometric parameter by evaluating the at least one unknown geometric parameter based on the acquired actual projection coordinates and calculated projection coordinates via a nonlinear least square fitting algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jiaqin Dong, Shuo Li, Jun Li, Ximiao Cao, Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 9398891
    Abstract: An embodiment of an auscultation device can be constructed using, at least in part, electronic components to provide improved acquisition, processing, and communication of sound signals. An input device can be used for detecting sounds, and electrical signals representing the sounds can be processed and transmitted via one or more of a plurality of substantially contemporaneously available wired and/or wireless communications interfaces. Bluetooth and/or another form of wireless communication can be employed. Such embodiments can employ, at least in part, one or more of several commercially available wired and/or wireless receiver devices, such as, without limitation, headsets and headphones, mobile phones, PDAs and/or other handheld devices, desktop, laptop, palmtop, and/or tablet computers, speakers and/or other conventional and/or specifically configured computer devices and/or electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: TIBA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Merat Bagha
  • Patent number: 9398892
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for adjusting the calibration of a tracked ultrasound device using the measured difference between two sets of fiducial markings in two relative positions of a tracker and an scan head of the device. The invention also provides a trackable ultrasound device that enables repeatable attachment of a tracker to a scan head, thus preserving an initial calibration between the tracker and the scan head. Furthermore, the invention provides a calibration jig that can be used to repeatably attach a tracker to an ultrasound scan head or to measure the difference between two relative positions of a tracker and a scan head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V., THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Neil David Glossop, Bradford Johns Wood
  • Patent number: 9398893
    Abstract: The diagnostic vector classification support system and method disclosed herein may both reduce the time and effort required to train radiologists to interpret medical images, and provide a decision support system for trained radiologists who, regardless of training, have the potential to miss relevant findings. In an embodiment, a morphological image is used to identify a zone of interest in a co-registered functional image. An operator's grading of a feature at least partially contained within the zone of interest is compared to one or more computer-generated grades for the feature. Where the operator and computer-generated grades differ, diagnostic support can be provided such as displaying additional images, revising the zone of interest, annotating one or more displayed images, displaying a computer-generated feature grade, among other possibilities disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SENO MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Thomas Stavros, Reni S. Butler, Philip T. Lavin, Jason Zalev, Thomas G. Miller
  • Patent number: 9398894
    Abstract: Systems for injecting fluids and/or other materials into a targeted anatomical location, in particular, an intra-articular space, include a handpiece assembly having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end of the handpiece assembly, a fluid delivery module comprising a cassette and a fluid transfer device. A conduit is generally configured to place the fluid delivery module in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly. Medications, formulations and/or other fluids or materials contained within vials that are secured to the fluid delivery module can be selectively delivered into an anatomy through a needle located at the distal end of the handpiece assembly. In some embodiments, ultrasound or other imaging technologies can be used to locate a joint or other targeted anatomical location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Carticept Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick, Richard Knostman, Michael Axelrod, Carribeth Ramey
  • Patent number: 9398895
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus and system for enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging, said method comprising: a setting step for setting a scanning depth corresponding to a depth of a part or tissue target in a patient's body; and a determining step for automatically determining a needle frame steering angle and an ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection based on the scanning depth. In the embodiments of the present invention, the needle frame steering angle and ultrasound working frequency for needle frame collection and the filter kernel for enhancing edge filtering of the collected needle frame are both dependent upon the scanning depth, and thereby can achieve enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging for scanning at different depths without participation of the user or extra change of hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yimeng Lin, Menachem Halmann, Feng Lin, Jianjun Guo
  • Patent number: 9398896
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs a transmission ultrasound wave toward a subject due to a driving signal and which outputs a received signal by receiving a reflection ultrasound wave from the subject, a transmitting unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound wave by outputting each of a first transmission signal, a second transmission signal, a third transmission signal and a fourth transmission signal as the driving signal, and a signal component extraction unit which extracts a higher harmonic component and a difference frequency component by compounding a first received signal, a second received signal, a third received signal and a fourth received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takeda, Daisuke Kaji
  • Patent number: 9398897
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a substrate, three or more ultrasonic arrays and a control unit. The three or more ultrasonic arrays are disposed on a surface of the substrate. The control unit is configured to control ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic arrays. Each of the three or more ultrasonic arrays includes a linear array structure has a plurality of ultrasonic elements arranged in a corresponding one of three or more straight lines, with the three or more straight lines collectively enclosing a closed area on a plane that contains the surface of the substrate. The control unit is configured to control the ultrasonic waves transmitted from each of the three or more ultrasonic arrays so that the ultrasonic waves are transmitted within a scanning plane that contains the corresponding one of the three or more straight line and that is perpendicular to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Tsuruno
  • Patent number: 9398898
    Abstract: Spatially distinct Spectral Doppler information is acquired. Spatially distinct transmit beams are formed at a same time or in parallel. One or more receive beams are formed in response to each transmit beam, providing samples for a plurality of laterally spaced locations. A spectrum is determined for each of a plurality of spatial locations. In another approach, samples are acquired for different regions at different times. The scanning for each region is interleaved based on the anatomic operation. Since spectral estimation relies on a time-continuous series of transmission and reception, the scanning for a region occurs over a sufficient period for spectral estimation before the scanning for a different region occurs. By using anatomic operation, sufficient time is provided for spectral estimation. Due to anatomic operation, different regions are associated with flow at different times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilko Wilkening, Saurabh Datta, Paul Freiburger, Chi-Yin Lee
  • Patent number: 9398899
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a transmission/reception unit generates a reception signal. A signal extraction unit extracts a harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal from the reception signal. A calculation unit calculates a feature amount based on values corresponding to the amplitudes of the harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal. An area determination unit determines an area in a scanned area based on the feature amount and a predetermined threshold. A change unit changes the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal in the determined area. An image generation unit generates a corrected harmonic image based on the harmonic signal in the scanned area including the determined area having the changed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sumi, Chihiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 9398900
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for treatment of superficial varicose veins in a body is provided. The surgical instrument includes at least one vein-engaging element disposed within or on a housing being adapted for insertion into a tissue. The at least one vein-engaging element is operable to a vein-engaging state whereby it protrudes from the housing at a length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SIMEDEQ Medical Equipment Ltd.
    Inventors: Valery Pikus, Boris Gliner
  • Patent number: 9398901
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer enclosure member surrounds the joint and circumscribes the housing in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde
  • Patent number: 9398902
    Abstract: A device and system for closure of an opening formed in a body vessel includes a bioabsorbable grasping member and locking member. The grasping member includes grasping lingers that are radially collapsible to the closed positions by movement of the locking member over the fingers. A distal portion of the fingers is configured to grasp an outer wall portion of the body vessel surrounding the opening when the fingers are in the open position. Movement of the locking member can cause the fingers to at least substantially close the vessel opening. Structural features on the fingers and/or locking member can inhibit proximal or distal movement of the locking member when in a locking position. A detachable arm can be coupled to the grasping member to facilitate placement of the grasping member. A sheath can fit over the detachable arm and be configured to move the locking member over the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Ram H. Paul, Jr., Brian L. Bates, Cleon Stanley
  • Patent number: 9398903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fastening tissue include a tissue fastening device comprising an elongate element and a delivery device including a cone, suture, and needle arranged at a delivery end of the elongate element. At least one of the tissue locking features and a tissue lock device are arranged at an end of the elongate element opposite the delivery end. The system includes a locking feature near the delivery end, and a lock device having a mating feature that corresponds to the locking feature. When the delivery device is passed through the lock device, the mating feature engages the locking feature and locks the lock device in an axial direction along the elongate element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: William T. McClellan
  • Patent number: 9398904
    Abstract: Described are devices, methods and systems for securing sutures external to the body. In certain aspects, a suture securement device includes a base paddle defining a slot and a suture aperture in communication with the slot, and a rotating paddle having an extension arm with a suture aperture. In such embodiments, the extension arm can rotate within the slot to frictionally crimp a suture, such that the suture is substantially prevented from moving with the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Cleon Stanley
  • Patent number: 9398905
    Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle track. An arced needle is positioned in the needle track, the needle having a leading end, a trailing end, a medial face, and a lateral face. A length of suture is connected to the needle. An arced carrier track is spaced from the needle track. A reciprocating needle driver has a carrier positioned in the carrier track and a driver positioned in the needle track and is operative to engage and move the needle in the needle track. A transmission is operative to reciprocate the carrier in the carrier track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventor: David T. Martin
  • Patent number: 9398906
    Abstract: A suture passing instrument includes an operation handle, a cannulated needle member, a suture pusher, a suture shuttle and a guide tube. The needle member has a curved end portion. The needle member has an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a bore extending through the needle member for receiving a suture. The suture pusher is movable within the needle member from a retracted position to an extended position. The suture shuttle has at least one bead and is loaded into the bore cannulated needle and movable along the bore by the suture pusher. The guide tube has a body telescopically receiving a retriever loop. The loop is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A suture can be moved by the suture pusher and captured by the retriever loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Biomet Sports Medicine, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin T. Stone, Christopher Palese, Mary Sinnott, Darin Ewer
  • Patent number: 9398907
    Abstract: A suturing device for suturing a portion of biological tissue includes a needle attached to a suture, a needle holder that releasably holds the needle, and a needle driver adapted to be advanced and retracted substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device. A distal needle holder adapted to releasably hold the needle is positioned in a distal position relative to the portion of biological tissue and a distal end of the needle driver is positioned in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue. The needle is positioned in either the proximal position or the distal position. The needle driver is moved longitudinally in a first direction along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the needle and suture pass through the portion of biological tissue, thereby forming a suture incision through which the suture passes. By repeating the above-described processes, a series of stitches is thereby formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: QuickPass, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Nobles, Rod Peterson, Steven Decker, Benjamin Brosch
  • Patent number: 9398908
    Abstract: A drive system for driving a fan in a wet cooling tower, wherein the fan has a fan hub and fan blades attached to the fan hub. The drive system has a high-torque, low speed permanent magnet motor having a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, wherein the rotatable shaft is configured for connection to the fan hub. The drive system includes a variable frequency drive device to generate electrical signals that effect rotation of the rotatable shaft of the motor in order to rotate the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Prime Datum, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Rollins, George Lucas
  • Patent number: 9398909
    Abstract: A needle holder includes a first shaft on which a first gripping body is provided at a front end, and a second shaft on which a second gripping body is provided at a front end and which slides in an axial direction relative to the first shaft. The first gripping body and the second gripping body have continuous curved convex shapes at at least sides opposed to each other and abut against each other as the second shaft slides relative to the first shaft. An abutment keeping mechanism by which abutment between the first gripping body and the second gripping body is kept while the first shaft and the second shaft are separated from each other as the second shaft further slides relative to the first shaft in the same direction from a state where the first gripping body and the second gripping body abut against each other is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Shu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9398910
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for providing surgical access across a wall of a tissue structure, comprising: advancing a helical needle into the wall of the tissue structure such that the needle pulls an intercoupled suture member across the wall to form a deployed suture pattern, the deployed suture pattern being characterized in that: the portion of the suture member encapsulated by the wall of the tissue structure is substantially helical in formation and represents a number of helical loops that is greater than about one helical loop, and is less than about three helical loops; portions of the suture member on either side of the wall are in a slack configuration such that tension in the suture member arising from the encapsulated portion pulls in additional length from the slack configuration on either side of the wall to accommodate expansion of the substantially helical encapsulated portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Entourage Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Shanley, Frank Litvack
  • Patent number: 9398911
    Abstract: A surgical instrument may comprise a drive system that is configured to electrically generate a plurality of discrete rotary control motions. In at least one form, the surgical instrument may include an elongate shaft assembly that is operably couplable to the drive system for receiving a first rotary control motion therefrom for rotating the elongate shaft assembly about a shaft axis. The elongate shaft assembly may be further configured to receive and transmit a second rotary control motion from the drive system to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly to cause the surgical end effector to rotate about the shaft axis relative to the elongate shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Auld
  • Patent number: 9398912
    Abstract: A suture removal tool grabs, cuts, and removes a suture. The tool includes two arms, a first arm including a single fixed grasping and cutting tip, and the second arm having a fixed cutting tip and a springed grasping tip. When the arms are closed, the grasping and cutting tip of the first arm first contacts the springed grasping tip of the second arm to grasp the suture. As the arms are further closed, the suture is held by the grasping tips, and the cutting tip of the second arm slides past the cutting tip of the first arm, cutting the suture. The cut suture remains grasped between the grasping tips, and may be pulled free. In one embodiment, the suture removal tool is made by cold stamping two mm thick stainless steel, producing burred cutting and/or grasping edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Inventor: Anura Samaraweera