Patents Issued in January 19, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170014068
    Abstract: An activity meter (100) includes (i) a sleep level judging section (112) for repeatedly detecting a sleep level of a user and (ii) a notifying section (113) for automatically notifying the user of specific information only during a period during which a most recent sleep level is less than a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Wataru GOTOH, Yutaka OTSUBO, Masahiro YAMAUCHI, Kaoru HIEDA, Shigeo AKAMATSU
  • Publication number: 20170014069
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining image data that includes contrast enhanced spectral image data from a contrast enhanced spectral volume scan of a subject. The method further includes obtaining images that include a set of localized dynamic contrast enhanced images from a localized dynamic contrast enhanced series scan of the subject. The method further includes determining a fluid volume map based on the image data and the images. A computing system includes a computer readable storage medium with computer readable instructions for a fluid volume map determiner. The instructions determine a volumetric fluid volume map based on contrast enhanced spectral volume image data from a contrast enhanced spectral volume scan and a set of localized dynamic contrast enhanced images from a localized dynamic contrast enhanced series scan. The computing system further includes a processor that implements the instructions and determines the volumetric fluid volume map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Raz CARMI, Galit Sarit KAFRI, Mark Eric OLSZEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20170014070
    Abstract: A system for monitoring sleep quality, as well as sensing movement in the proximity of the sensor, uses sensitive electronics to sense electric field fluctuations in its vicinity. Such fluctuations can be caused by, for example, cloth rubbing on skin or against bedsheets, or feet shuffling across a floor, all of which produce static charge. The static charge is not stable, since either the source is moving, or cloth is touching and pulling away from skin and altering the charge distribution. Even movement through the air of an object leads to charging of the object. A static charge sensor is connected to a microprocessor which detects and logs such charge fluctuations, and preferably transmits the data to a handheld computing device either using Bluetooth or wireless means. The hand-held device preferably analyzes the data to score the quality of a user's sleep, or to capture nearby movement of any entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: ALAN HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20170014071
    Abstract: A magnetometer-based monitoring system comprising a magnet integrated with an object whose disposition is to be monitored, a first magnetometer secured in proximity to the object, and a second magnetometer secured at a fixed distance from the first magnetometer in proximity to the object. The monitoring system further comprising a processor to receive data from the first magnetometer and the second magnetometer, and calculate a measurement vector to determine the disposition of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Mark A. Readdie, Jeremy G. Chatwin, Omondi L. Nyong'o
  • Publication number: 20170014072
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method of determining metal ion levels in the patents due to corrosion and wear processes of the metallic implant in a human or veterinary patient. One embodiment provides a cost effective and patient driven early diagnostic method which has a potential application in orthopedics and dentistry. In one embodiment, the method includes the use of an electrochemical biosensor to detect metal ions or particles in a sample taken from a patient having a metallic implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicants: RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SY STEM
    Inventors: Mathew T. Mathew, Shalini Prasad, Markus A. Wimmer, Nadim J. Hallab, Joshua Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20170014073
    Abstract: According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a knitted smart garment. The garment includes a tubular form having variable elasticity and at least one conductive textile electrode for sensing an electrical vital signal, such as a clinical-level ECG signal. The garment further includes at least one elastic and loose conductive stripe, having a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one conductive stripe is securely attached to a respective conductive textile electrode, and the second end of the at least one conductive stripe is operatively connected with a processor. The elasticity and looseness of the at least one conductive stripe is configured to prevent a pulling force from being applied to the respective conductive textile electrode, when the garment is stretched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: HEALTHWATCH LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz SHOSHANI, Uri AMIR
  • Publication number: 20170014074
    Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an electrochemical sensor embedded in a polymeric material configured for mounting to a surface of an eye. The electrochemical sensor includes a working electrode and a reference electrode that reacts with an analyte to generate a sensor measurement related to a concentration of the analyte in a fluid to which the eye-mountable device is exposed. An example assembly process includes: forming a sacrificial layer on a working substrate; forming a first layer of a bio-compatible material on the sacrificial layer; providing an electronics module on the first layer of the bio-compatible material, forming a second layer of the bio-compatible material to cover the electronics module; and annealing the first and second layers of the bio-compatible material together to form an encapsulated structure having the electronics module fully encapsulated by the bio-compatible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: James Etzkorn, Babak Amirparviz
  • Publication number: 20170014075
    Abstract: A support tool is mounted on a finger of a subject on whom a sensor is mounted to support acquisition of biological information. A first support is disposed on a nail side of the subject's finger. A second support is disposed on a ventral side of the subject's finger. The relative position of the second support with respect to the first support does not change. A bag is formed with a material softer than the first support and second support, and is disposed along an inner peripheral face of the first support. A ventilation tube forms a ventilation channel communicating with an inside of the bag. The sensor includes a light emission part and a light reception part. The light emission part is disposed between the subject's finger and the bag. The light reception part is disposed between the subject's finger and the second support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Naoto MORIMURA, Naoki KOBAYASHI, Katsuyuki HORIE, Hideaki HIRABARA, Katsuyoshi SUZUKI, Wataru MATSUZAWA, Sou KUMAGAI, Katsuhide TONE, Kenichi NOMURA
  • Publication number: 20170014076
    Abstract: A probe which is to be attached to a finger of a subject to acquire physiological parameter of the subject includes a light emitter that emits a light beam toward the finger, a light detector that outputs a signal corresponding to a light beam that is transmitted through or reflected from the finger, a first holding face that has a portion which is faced with a nail of the finger and another portion which is faced with a side face of the finger, and a second holding face that has a portion which is faced with a pad of the finger and another portion which is faced with the side face of the finger. In a state where the probe is attached to the finger, the first holding face and the second holding face are placed to be continuous to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshinori UEDA, Teiji UKAWA, Kazumasa ITO, Hideki FUJISAKI
  • Publication number: 20170014077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical technology measuring system (1) comprising a measuring device (10) for measuring a characteristic of a fluid—in particular, for pressure measurement—wherein the measuring device comprises a lead (20) which extends along a central longitudinal axis (M) and is equipped to guide a fluid—in particular, blood—inside a longitudinal cavity (24) enclosed by a wall, and a sensor device (30) comprising a sensor (32) which is equipped to measure a characteristic of the fluid guided in the longitudinal cavity, wherein the measuring system (1) has an overmolding (9) which at least partially surrounds the measuring device (10)—preferably, both at least the sensor device (30) and also a section of the lead (20). As a result, the measuring device can be fastened and positioned on the lead in a simple and/or reliable, robust manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a medical technology measuring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Maurer, Sven Filipon, Matthias Beurer
  • Publication number: 20170014078
    Abstract: An occupant information sensing device 100 includes a plurality of heater electrodes that are provided at a vehicle steering wheel 104 and insulated and separated from one another and that generate heat by conduction. Power sources provide electrical current for heater electrodes. Electrical circuit elements enable the system to provide occupant biological condition monitoring, gripping detecton, and electrical stimulation. The circuits enable common electrical connecting to the heater electrodes to provide multiple functions through the use of filtering and time division multiplexing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Yuki i Yamazak, Tatsuya Harada, Yukinori Midorikawa
  • Publication number: 20170014079
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a smartphone based telemedical devices incorporating into smartphone medical devices such as stethoscopes, thermometers, ultrasound imaging devices and/or alarm generators for diagnosis or determination of the disease or health status or condition of a user. The present smartphone based telemedical devices can be advantageously and conveniently used to measure and generate and/or remotely transmitting the medical data or information generated by the incorporated medical devices thus allowing an accurate and rapid determination of the status of a user particularly under emergency particularly when there are no regular medical or hospital services are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Byung Hoon LEE, Jaechun LEE
  • Publication number: 20170014080
    Abstract: An adaptive noise quantification system and associated methods are disclosed for use in the dynamic biosignal analysis of a user. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a biosignal sensor positioned and configured for obtaining and transmitting data related to a select at least one vital of the user as a biosignal, and a motion sensor positioned and configured for obtaining and transmitting data related to a motion level of the user as a motion signal. A computing device is configured for receiving and processing the biosignal and motion signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Smart Solutions Technologies, S.L.
    Inventors: Agustín Maciá Barber, Xavier Ibáñez Català
  • Publication number: 20170014081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a monitoring device (10) comprising a light source (14) for emitting light into a body part (12) of a living being; a light sensor (18) for receiving light (16) including an ambient light component (30) and a measurement light component (32) resulting from interactions of said emitted light with said body part (12) and for generating an output signal (34), wherein a transfer function describes the relation between the output signal (34) and the received light; an ambient light cancellation unit (20) for separating the output signal (34) into a first signal portion (36) corresponding to the ambient light component (30) and a second signal portion (38) corresponding to the measurement light component (32); and an ambient light modulation removal unit (22) for compensating a variation of the ambient light component (30) by demodulating the second signal portion (38) based on the transfer function (f) and the first signal portion (36) to generate a measurement signal (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Alphonsus Tarcisius Jozef Maria SCHIPPER
  • Publication number: 20170014082
    Abstract: A system and method to assess vocal function of a subject. The system includes an accelerometer configured to acquire surface acceleration data associated with vocal functionality of the subject and a computer system configured to analyze the surface acceleration data and to estimate glottal airflow waveforms produced by the subject based on the surface acceleration data. The computer system performs the analysis and estimation by applying an inverse filter to the surface acceleration data based on a calibrated transmission line model and generates an indication of vocal functionality of the subject based on the estimated glottal airflow waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Matias Zanartu, Julio C. Ho, Daryush D Mehta, George R. Wodicka, Robert E. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20170014083
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, a transformation is used to evaluate a ratio of the two measured signals in order to find appropriate coefficients. The measured signals are then fed into a signal scrubber which uses the coefficients to remove the unwanted portions. The signal scrubbing is performed in either the time domain or in the frequency domain. The method and apparatus are particularly advantageous to blood oximetry and pulserate measurements. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by applying a set of rules to a spectral transform of the scrubbed signal. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by transforming the scrubbed signal from a first spectral domain into a second spectral domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Mohamed K. Diab, Rex J. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20170014084
    Abstract: Automated critical congenital heart defect (“CCHD”) screening systems and processes are described. A caregiver may be guided to use a single or dual sensor pulse oximeter to obtain pre- and post-ductal blood oxygenation measurements. A delta of the measurements indicates the possible existence or nonexistence of a CCHD. Errors in the measurements are reduced by a configurable measurement confidence threshold based on, for example, a perfusion index. Measurement data may be stored and retrieved from a remote data processing center for repeated screenings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Bilal Muhsin
  • Publication number: 20170014085
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system adapted for determining from sensor data collected for a patient over a period of time a normative condition of a biological function of the patient, generating provisioning information according to the normative condition, detecting a first sensor coupled to the patient, and providing the provisioning information to the first sensor to enable the first sensor to detect an abnormal state of the biological function of the patient. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: DAVID E. QUINN, CRAIG M. MEYERSON, JOHN A. LANE, KENZI L. MUDGE
  • Publication number: 20170014086
    Abstract: The local conduction velocity of a cardiac activation wavefront can be computed by collecting a plurality of electrophysiology (“EP”) data points using a multi-electrode catheter, with each EP data point including both position data and local activation time (“LAT”) data. For any EP data point, a neighborhood of EP data points, including the selected EP data point and at least two additional EP data points, can be defined. Planes of position and LATs can then be defined using the positions and LATs, respectively, of the EP data points within the neighborhood. A conduction velocity can be computed from an intersection of the planes of positions and LATs. The resultant plurality of conduction velocities can be output as a graphical representation (e.g., an electrophysiology map), for example by displaying vector icons arranged in a uniform grid over a three-dimensional cardiac model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Wenwen Li, Erhan Erdemir, Eric J. Voth, Valtino X. Afonso, Carlo Pappone
  • Publication number: 20170014087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, system and method for determining vital signs of a subject. To balance accuracy and reliability with unobtrusiveness, the device comprises an interface (30) for receiving input signals from a detection unit (18) that is configured for contactless detection of radiation reflected from a subject (14) in response to illumination by an illumination source (22), a processing unit (32) for deriving photoplethysmography, PPG, signals from the received input signals, an analysis unit (34) for deriving a desired vital sign from the PPG signals, and a control unit (36) for controlling one or more parameters of the illumination source (22), the detection unit (18) and/or the analysis unit (34) in dependence on the physical state of the subject, the quality of the input signals or the derived vital sign and/or the value of the vital sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: WILLEM VERKRUIJSSE, ALEXANDER DUBIELCZYK, ROLF NEUMANN
  • Publication number: 20170014088
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sensing properties of an object or entity utilize non-resistive contact sensors alone or in combination with other sensors. The sensor data is utilized for detecting and visualizing properties of one or more biological or non-biological objects or entities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew DAWSON
  • Publication number: 20170014089
    Abstract: An alert information presenting apparatus includes an undressing condition determiner that determines, by using a movement speed of the user, a second time period indicating a time period before undressing, and a third time period indicating a time period after undressing, a heartbeat acquirer that acquires a heartbeat timing in the second time period and a heartbeat timing in the third time period, a pulse wave acquirer that acquires a pulse wave timing in the second time period and a pulse wave timing in the third time period, a blood pressure calculator that calculates a pre-undressing blood pressure by using a pre-undressing heartbeat timing and a pre-undressing pulse wave timing, and calculates a post-undressing blood pressure by using a post-undressing heartbeat timing and a post-undressing pulse wave timing, and an information presenter that presents the user with alert information based on a difference between the pre-undressing and post-undressing blood pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: KENTA MURAKAMI, MOTOTAKA YOSHIOKA, JUN OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20170014090
    Abstract: A data output device capable of simply performing both of recognition of an entire image at an important point in time regarding medical care and recognition of a detailed change in time series data at the point in time is provided. A data display screen includes first and second display areas. In the first display area, time-series data indicating a state transition of a patient or content related to medical care performed on the patient is displayed in a graph. First indicators can be assigned to the graph. Second indicators are displayed at corresponding positions in the second display area that temporally correspond to designated positions in the first display area to which the first indicators are assigned. A second time axis in the second display area has a time scale which is longer than that of a first time axis in the first display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Akinari TSUGO
  • Publication number: 20170014091
    Abstract: An X-ray device and a supplementary system are provided for interferometric X-ray imaging of a patient on the X-ray device in order to generate projective absorption recordings. An emitter-detector system includes a focus-forming X-ray tube and a digital flat-panel detector having a multiplicity of pixel-generating detector elements. A computer system has a program memory. A mobile grating attachment includes a first interferometric X-ray grating, a second interferometric X-ray grating disposed at a distance from the first X-ray grating in the radiation direction, and a displacement device for displacing the second X-ray grating in the plane of the second X-ray grating in steps over at least one detector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: THOMAS MERTELMEIER, MARCUS RADICKE
  • Publication number: 20170014092
    Abstract: A mobile X-ray radiographic device has an extended operable time by employing a regenerative energy system and assembly. A regenerative brake circuit acts to provide a braking force for a rear wheel set during a circumstance and an adaptive use wherein a driving force is cut off to the rear wheels, and a second battery system charges with the generated electric power for adaptive use. The regenerative brake circuit further acts to provide the braking force for a rotary anode under the circumstance in which the driving force is cut off to the rotary anode and also the second battery charges with the generated electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Shirota, Toshiaki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20170014093
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system includes an imaging unit, a detection unit, a change determination unit and a control unit. The imaging unit emits radiation and images a dynamic state of a subject, thereby taking a plurality of frame images of the dynamic state of the subject. The detection unit detects the dynamic state of the subject being imaged and generates detection information on the dynamic state. The change determination unit determines whether change of the dynamic state being imaged is within a predetermined range based on the generated detection information. The control unit controls capturing of the taken frame images according to a result of the determination of the change determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Tetsu HOSOKI, Tsuyoshi HARAGUCHI, Kenroku UBUKATA
  • Publication number: 20170014094
    Abstract: A radiographic image capturing device includes the following. A two-dimensional array of radiation detectors generate electrical charges corresponding to a dose of incident radiation. A control unit reads the electrical charges discharged from the radiation detectors in a form of image data. The control unit has radiographic modes including a still image mode for still image radiography, a moving image mode for moving image radiography, and a continuous radiographic mode for reading the image data without distinguishing between the still image radiography and the moving image radiography. The control unit selects the continuous radiographic mode to sequentially read the image data when an instruction on performing the still image radiography or the moving image radiography is not sent from an external control device or a user or when the radiographic mode is unknown due to communication failure with the external control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Akira HIROSHIGE, Hidetake TEZUKA, Shintaro MURAOKA
  • Publication number: 20170014095
    Abstract: Devices and methods for embedding a standard dose checker feature within existing CT systems by obtaining and analyzing information from the existing CT system, detecting a radiation parameter value therefrom, comparing the detected radiation parameter with a predetermined threshold, and generating an operation-signal to affect the operation of the CT system based on the comparison between the detected radiation parameter and the predetermined threshold and the state of the CT system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Dan LAOR, Eliran DAHAN, Eyal AHARON
  • Publication number: 20170014096
    Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) multi-head imaging system is provided that includes a gantry, plural detector units mounted to the gantry, and at least one processor operably coupled to at least one of the detector units. The detector units are mounted to the gantry. Each detector unit defines a detector unit position and corresponding view oriented toward a center of the bore. Each detector unit is configured to acquire imaging information over a sweep range corresponding to the corresponding view. The at least one processor is configured to, for each detector unit, determine plural angular positions along the sweep range corresponding to boundaries of the object to be imaged, generate a representation of each angular position for each detector unit position, generate a model based on the angular positions using the representation, and determine scan parameters to be used to image the object using the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bouhnik, Varon Hefetz
  • Publication number: 20170014097
    Abstract: A catheter includes a hollow body which extends longitudinally and has at least one first side window and a probe emitting a wave beam, the first side window allowing the radiation of the beam in a region next to the catheter for generating imaging, the catheter also including a longitudinal guiding device allowing a transmission of a movement to an intervention element, the intervention element moving in at least an area of the beam, the intervention angle between the first intervention element and the axis of the catheter being controlled by a remote control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Louis Marc Jean Lucien Labrousse, Lionel Jean Pierre Leroux
  • Publication number: 20170014098
    Abstract: A method and a device for nondestructively detecting an elasticity of a viscoelastic medium are provided. The method includes: detecting a pressure applied to the viscoelastic medium by an ultrasonic transducer probe; in response to the pressure satisfying a predetermined condition, triggering detecting the elasticity of the viscoelastic medium; driving the ultrasonic transducer probe with a low-frequency vibration by a vibrator so as to produce an elastic wave in the viscoelastic medium; producing an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transducer probe, and transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the viscoelastic medium; collecting an ultrasonic echo; calculating an elastic parameter of the viscoelastic medium according to the collected ultrasonic echo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jinhua SHAO, Jin SUN, Houli DUAN
  • Publication number: 20170014099
    Abstract: The ultrasonic endoscope includes: an insertion part that includes a tip, a base end, and a longitudinal axis; an ultrasonic transducer that is provided at the tip of the insertion part; a locking groove that is a balloon mounting portion which is disposed closer to the base end of the insertion part than the ultrasonic transducer is and on which a balloon wrapping the ultrasonic transducer is detachably mounted; a balloon pipe line that extends in the insertion part; a tip-side opening surface of the balloon pipe line that is provided closer to the tip than the locking groove and has components normal to a direction of the longitudinal axis; and a groove portion which is formed toward the tip from the tip-side opening surface as a starting point and of which at least a part overlaps the ultrasonic transducer in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko MORIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170014100
    Abstract: A method for assisting in a diagnosis using images obtained by a plurality of signal transceivers includes causing a drive for driving a probe inserted in a blood vessel to execute a first driving to perform measurement using a first signal transceiver on the probe and a second driving to perform measurement using a second signal transceiver on the probe, acquiring a signal measured using the first signal transceiver on the probe during the first driving, information indicating a position of the first signal transceiver when the signal is obtained, a signal measured using the second signal transceiver on the probe during the second driving, and information indicating a position of the second signal transceiver when the signal is obtained, and causing a display to simultaneously display a first vascular image at a first intravascular position obtained using the first signal transceiver and a second vascular image at the first intravascular position obtained using the second signal transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao MORI
  • Publication number: 20170014101
    Abstract: A real-time imaging system that provides ultrasonic imaging and optoacoustic imaging coregistered through application of the same hand-held probe to generate and detect ultrasonic and optoacoustic signals. These signals are digitized, processed and used to reconstruct anatomical maps superimposed with maps of two functional parameters of blood hemoglobin index and blood oxygenation index. The blood hemoglobin index represents blood hemoglobin concentration changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background blood concentration. The blood oxygenation index represents blood oxygenation changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background level of blood oxygenation. These coregistered maps can be used to noninvasively differentiate malignant tumors from benign lumps and cysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Alexander A. Oraevsky, Sergey A. Ermilov, Andre Conjusteau, Peter Brecht, Vyacheslav Nadvoretskiy, Richard Su, Donald G. Herzog, Bryan Clingman, Jason Zalev
  • Publication number: 20170014102
    Abstract: An ultrasound-detectable polymeric device that offers superior visibility of the body of the device and decreased ultrasound angle dependence through the use of microcavities and methods of manufacturing thereof is disclosed. These microcavities enable superior ultrasound visualization due to diffuse reflection of sound waves when compared to solid polymeric objects, ensuring that a strong signal is received at the source of the ultrasound transducer and providing strong image contrast throughout the entire cross-section of the implant that is also robust to variable angles of insonation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Devin O'Brien-Coon, David Narrow
  • Publication number: 20170014103
    Abstract: A method and a device for nondestructively detecting an elasticity of a viscoelastic medium are provided. The method includes: driving an ultrasonic transducer probe with a low-frequency vibration by a vibrator so as to produce an elastic wave in the viscoelastic medium; producing an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transducer probe, and transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the viscoelastic medium; collecting an ultrasonic echo when the elastic wave is propagated in the viscoelastic medium and the ultrasonic transducer probe stops or almost stops vibrating; calculating an elastic parameter of the viscoelastic medium according to the collected ultrasonic echo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jinhua SHAO, Jin SUN, Houli DUAN
  • Publication number: 20170014104
    Abstract: An existing ultrasonic diagnostic device is used to obtain a color flow image of a target object whose stiffness is to be measured. At this time, a vibration exciter applies a micro vibration with a frequency of n/4 (n represents an odd number equal to or larger than 1) to the target object with respect to a burst frequency of an ultrasonic pulse to generate a shear elastic wave. As a result, a striped pattern corresponding to the stiffness of the target object caused by the shear elastic wave appears on a display of the ultrasonic diagnostic device as a shear elastic wave detection image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: National University Corporation Gunma University
    Inventor: Yoshiki Yamakoshi
  • Publication number: 20170014105
    Abstract: A tomographic image forming unit forms a tomographic image of a target tissue on the basis of received signals which are obtained by sending and receiving ultrasound waves to and from the target tissue. A tomographic image analysis unit analyzes a formed tomographic image with image processing techniques and extracts a reference portion on the target tissue. On the basis of the extracted reference portion, a Doppler measurement position specification unit specifies a Doppler measurement position. A Doppler waveform forming unit performs Doppler measurement at the specified Doppler measurement position and forms a Doppler waveform. The formed tomographic image, a cursor which indicates the specified Doppler measurement position, and the formed Doppler waveform are displayed on a display unit. When specifying the Doppler measurement position, a color Doppler image may also be referred to.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoaki CHONO
  • Publication number: 20170014106
    Abstract: Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas M. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20170014107
    Abstract: A method and a device for nondestructively detecting an elasticity of a viscoelastic medium are provided. The method includes: acquiring with an ultrasonic imaging probe an ultrasonic image of the viscoelastic medium; determining an area to detect the elasticity of the viscoelastic medium according to the ultrasonic image; driving the ultrasonic transducer probe with a low-frequency vibration by a vibrator so as to produce an elastic wave in the viscoelastic medium; producing an ultrasonic wave by the ultrasonic transducer probe, and transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the viscoelastic medium; collecting an ultrasonic echo; calculating an elastic parameter of the viscoelastic medium according to the collected ultrasonic echo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Jinhua SHAO, Jin SUN, Houli DUAN
  • Publication number: 20170014108
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for extracting image features from magnetic resonance imaging scans. These methods and systems are useful for both determining cancer lesion severity and disease prognosis. In particular, methods and systems are provided herein for extracting and analyzing imaging features that are correlated with breast cancer subtype and prognosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Maciej Mazurowski
  • Publication number: 20170014109
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit for taking biopsies, resections, excisions, and/or autopsies. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of taking biopsies resections, excisions, and/or autopsies using the kit of the present invention. The kits and methods of the present invention allow for fewer errors, decreased turn around time and/or more rapid processing due to a cassette and specimen numbering system that is simplified and superior over that which has been previously disclosed in the prior art. The kit of the present invention comprises one or more tissue cassettes, and optionally one or more bottles of formalin and optionally, other components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Metamark Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Booker, Stephen Mark Repko, Kimberly A. Grice
  • Publication number: 20170014110
    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 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Kapushion
  • Publication number: 20170014111
    Abstract: A substrate having an undulating surface forming a series of rounded peaks and valleys that produce a continuously curving surface across at least a portion of the substrate. The undulating surface defines a first set of micro features. A second set of micro features molded on the first set of micro features. The substrate is a compression molded polymeric material in which the first and second sets of micro features are formed on the substrate during a single molding step, and wherein the first and second sets of micro features cooperate to increase the surface area and affect at least one of adhesion, friction, hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph A. Hulseman, Kenneth N. Tackett, II, Cameron L. McPherson, Carl L. Hulseman, Roelof Trip, Michael Milbocker, Lukas Graf Bluecher
  • Publication number: 20170014112
    Abstract: A medical device assembly comprises a medical device comprising a shaft having proximal and distal end portions. The device further comprises a sensor at the distal end portion of the shaft that comprises first and second leads extending therefrom to the proximal end portion of the shaft. The device further comprises an electromechanical connector having a plurality of pins at a first end thereof. First and second of the pins are electrically connected to the first and second sensor leads, respectively, thereby forming a first partial magnetic loop between the first and second pins. The connector further comprises first and second jumpers electrically connecting the first pin and third pins, and second and fourth pins, respectively, thereby forming a second partial magnetic loop. The partial magnetic loops are configured to combine with partial magnetic loops of another connector to form a pair of magnetic noise cancellation loops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Stephan P. Miller, Ryan M. Albu
  • Publication number: 20170014113
    Abstract: A left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device that includes an anchor portion having a first segment and a second segment that are connected in spaced-apart manner by a first connector, a sealing portion, and a second connector that connects the anchor portion and the second segment sealing portion. The first segment is adapted to be positioned outside the LAA and in the pericardial sac after deployment of the closure device, and the second segment is positioned between the first segment and the sealing portion inside the LAA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Marvel Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Jianlu Ma
  • Publication number: 20170014114
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable mesh discs filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Nasser Rafiee, Stuart MacDonald, Robert J. Lederman, Toby Rogers, Rany Busold, Koosha Rafiee
  • Publication number: 20170014115
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a variety of prostheses, delivery systems and techniques to facilitate closure of transvascular or transcameral access ports. Various embodiments of prostheses are provided including a plurality of radially expandable mesh discs filled with material to facilitate coagulation and to reduce or stop leakage from punctures in vessel walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Nasser Rafiee, Stuart MacDonald, Robert J. Lederman, Toby Rogers, Rany Busold, Koosha Rafiee
  • Publication number: 20170014116
    Abstract: A method of inserting a treatment tool includes: making a puncture needle project from a first channel of an endoscope and puncturing an upper digestive tract to place a distal end of a needle tube of the puncture needle inside a biliary tract while observing an ultrasound image; inserting a guide wire into the biliary tract via the needle tube and making a distal end of the guide wire extend out from a duodenal papilla into a duodenum; placing a distal end portion of the endoscope in vicinity of the duodenal papilla while keeping the distal end of the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla while observing a captured image; pulling the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla into a second channel having a raised angle of the treatment tool larger than that of the first channel; and inserting the treatment tool inside the biliary tract via the guide wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeharu NAKAZATO
  • Publication number: 20170014117
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises an element connectable with a fixture. A first member is independently and selectively movable relative to the element and includes a part engageable with tissue of a substantially posterior portion of an incision relative to a body. A second member is independently and selectively movable relative to the element and includes a part engageable with tissue of a substantially anterior portion of the incision relative to the body. A third member is independently and selectively movable relative to the element and includes a part engageable with tissue of a substantially cephalad portion of the incision relative to the body. Systems and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Cristian A. Capote