Patents Issued in September 7, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170251986
    Abstract: A disclosed state display method includes: obtaining measurement results of vital activities of a subject; and displaying temporal transition of states of the subject by a one-dimensional heat map based on the measurement results. And the displaying includes: first displaying, in association with a first period in which the measurement results represent a sleep state, a first color that represents a depth of sleep by shading and has a first hue corresponding to the sleep state; and second displaying, in association with a second period in which the measurement results represent a non-sleep state, a second color that represents an intensity of an activity by the shading and has a second hue corresponding to the non-sleep state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takayuki YAMAJI
  • Publication number: 20170251987
    Abstract: A computer program product for processing heart rate information signals, which, when run on a computer controls the computer to estimate stress levels of a user in real time and provide generative feedback and alerts to the user when appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Ronda Collier
  • Publication number: 20170251988
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (10) for providing ultrasound images of a patient (12) is disclosed. The imaging apparatus (10) comprises an ultrasound acquisition unit (14) for acquiring ultrasound data (42) of a patient's body in a field of view (16), a position determining unit (24) for determining a position (26) within the patient's body. An ultrasound data transformation unit (30) is provided for transforming the ultrasound data in the filed of view on the basis of the determined position to transformed ultrasound data (42) in a virtual field of view (20) having a virtual viewing direction (28) different from the viewing direction of the ultrasound acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: FRANK MICHAEL WEBER, THOMAS HEIKO STEHLE, IRINA WAECHTER-STEHLE, JUERGEN WEESE
  • Publication number: 20170251989
    Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging system, including: an imaging apparatus configured to receive an X-ray beam to form an image; a control apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine whether or not interference with a specific device is detected in a channel used for wireless communication between at least one of the imaging apparatus or the control apparatus, and a master apparatus; and an output unit configured to output, when the interference is determined to have been detected and the wireless communication is stopped, notification information including a notification that the wireless communication is stopped, the imaging apparatus and the control apparatus being configured to communicate to/from each other via the wireless communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Yuichi Nishii
  • Publication number: 20170251990
    Abstract: A cart for housing components of a medical navigation system is provided. The cart comprises a frame including a substantially horizontal base having a bottom side and a top side with wheels attached to the bottom side, a substantially vertical column attached to the top side of the base, and a ballast attached to the base to function as a counterweight to avoid tipping of the cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Leila KHERADPIR, William Wai-Leung LAU, Joshua Lee RICHMOND, Thanh Vinh VUONG
  • Publication number: 20170251991
    Abstract: A method of breast image reconstruction includes positioning a breast on an imaging system support plate, compressing the breast with a flexible paddle, obtaining imaging data, estimating a breast thickness profile by at least one of placing markers on the breast, performing an image-based analysis of the obtained data, using an auxiliary system, and performing a model-based computation. The three dimensional reconstruction including using a thickness profile of the breast surface in at least one of an iterative reconstruction, a filtered back-projection reconstruction, and a joint reconstruction performed using information obtained from an ultrasound scan. A non-transitory medium having executable instructions to cause a processor to perform the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Xin WANG, Bernhard Erich Hermann CLAUS, Cynthia Elizabeth Landberg DAVIS, Razvan Gabriel IORDACHE
  • Publication number: 20170251992
    Abstract: An X-ray apparatus includes a C-arm for adjusting a position of an X-ray source; a table on which an object is positioned; a data obtaining unit for obtaining position information of a target in the object; and a control unit for moving at least one of the C-arm and the table to allow tracking of the target based on the position information when capturing an X-ray image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Elecatronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-young Jang, Hyeon-min Lee, Ho-seong Kwak, Jae-guyn Lim, Woo-sup Han
  • Publication number: 20170251993
    Abstract: An X-ray imaging method includes obtaining first information including X-ray accumulation amount of an object; determining an imaging protocol for imaging the object based on the received first information; and acquiring an X-ray image of the object based on the determined imaging protocol. The first information including the X-ray accumulation amount of the object is obtained from a device of the object via a short range wireless communication or from an external database based on authentication information input received from the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-young PARK, Se-won KIM, Yeon-ju LEE, Byung-sun CHOI
  • Publication number: 20170251994
    Abstract: Among other things, a data communication system wirelessly transmits data between a stator and a movable unit (e.g., a rotor) as part of a computed tomography (CT) imaging modality. The data communication system includes a first magnetic portion including a first magnetic material. The first magnetic portion extends along a first axis. The data communication system includes a first conductive portion including an electrically conductive material. The first conductive portion is at least partially surrounded by the first magnetic portion. The first conductive portion extends along a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis. The first conductive portion will at least one of generate an electromagnetic field corresponding to data to be transmitted, or have induced therein a current based upon a received electromagnetic field, where the current is a function of the data to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Peter Daniel Shippen
  • Publication number: 20170251995
    Abstract: A system includes determination of a first sub-matrix of a projection matrix which describes a geometrical relationship between points of a three-dimensional coordinate system of the imaging system and points of a two-dimensional coordinate system of an image detector, determination of a second sub-matrix of the projection matrix, where the first and second sub-matrixes comprise a decomposition of the projection matrix, conversion of a first point of the two-dimensional coordinate system to a first point of the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the first and second sub-matrixes, determination of an updated first sub-matrix of an updated projection matrix, where the updated projection matrix describes a second geometrical relationship between points of the three-dimensional coordinate system and points of the two-dimensional coordinate system, and conversion of a second point of the two-dimensional coordinate system to a second point of the three-dimensional coordinate system based on the updated fi
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng NI, Johannes Stahl, Supratik Bose, Jonathan Maltz
  • Publication number: 20170251996
    Abstract: We disclose a medical toilet that includes at least one stethoscope probe in the toilet lid. The stethoscope probes may be mounted on a compliant extension which extends the stethoscope probes toward a user seated on the toilet. The medical toilet may include a device which adjusts the height of the stethoscope probes to adjust for different size users and to collect measurements from different parts of a user. The medical toilet may include a device which records the sounds collected by the stethoscope and may also include a controller that proposes a diagnosis based on the sounds collected by the stethoscope. The medical toilet may also transmit recordings and other information to an external machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson
  • Publication number: 20170251997
    Abstract: A stethoscope head, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may include: an auscultatory sound receiver; a support member configured to support the auscultatory sound receiver; and a moving member comprising a light source configured to emit ultraviolet rays for sterilization to the auscultatory sound receiver, and capable of moving a position thereof with respect to the auscultatory sound receiver and the support member in a first direction orienting to an object and a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae-In CHUNG, Young-hwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20170251998
    Abstract: A tracking processing unit performs tracking processing for a plurality of states during a tracking period and, on the basis of a plurality of tracking results obtained from the tracking processing for the plurality of states, tracks the movement of a measurement point during the tracking period. In addition, with regard to a plurality of tracking points that comprise the measurement point and an auxiliary point, the tracking processing unit performs tracking processing for each tracking point during the tracking period and, on the basis of a plurality of tracking results obtained from the plurality of tracking points, tracks the movement of the measurement point during the tracking period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori MAEDA, Eiji KASAHARA, Noriyoshi MATSUSHITA, Masaru MURASHITA
  • Publication number: 20170251999
    Abstract: An ultrasonography generation device includes an ultrasonic wave transceiver (1002), a user inputter (1006) which inputs input by an operator, a monitor (1011) capable of displaying an image, an image processor (1005) which generates tomographic image data of a fetus and the placenta based on signals acquired from the ultrasonic wave transceiver and sets a region of interest including a region between the fetus and the placenta according to the input from the inputter when the tomographic image data is displayed on the display, a 3D-ROI corrector (1008) which corrects the region of interest using the region of interest set by the operator and the tomographic image data and determines validity of the corrected region of interest, and a presentation part (1012) which presents the determination result from 3D-ROI corrector. The ultrasonography generation device generates a 3D image of the fetus using the corrected region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshimi NOGUCHI, Masahiro OGINO, Takuma SHIBAHARA, Toshinori MAEDA, Yuuko NAGASE, Masaru MURASHITA
  • Publication number: 20170252000
    Abstract: An analyzer in an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry identifies at least a part of a contour of a heart of a subject for an image corresponding to a first cardiac time phase and an image corresponding to a second cardiac time phase that are included in time-series images including the heart of the subject. The processing circuitry calculates, using the information about the identified contours, a first cardiac function parameter representing at least one of a volume or an ejection fraction of a heart chamber and a second cardiac function parameter representing a global strain of a myocardium corresponding to the heart chamber. The processing circuitry causes the first cardiac function parameter and the second cardiac function parameter to be displayed by common operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo FUKUDA, Willem GORISSEN, Joel MANCINA, Gilles Daniel Joseph GUENETTE, Hiroyuki OUCHI, Shunsuke SATOH
  • Publication number: 20170252001
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits ultrasound waves to a subject from a plurality of transducers each corresponding to one of a plurality of channels, and receives reflected waves generated in the subject by the transducers. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a control circuit and a receiving circuit. The control circuit controls channels used to transmit ultrasound waves and channels not used to transmit ultrasound waves among the channels. The receiving circuit receives the reflected waves, and includes a preamplifier and an impedance control circuit. The preamplifier amplifies the reflected waves. The impedance control circuit is located on the upstream side of the preamplifier, and sets line impedance in a transmitting period, in which the ultrasound waves are transmitted from the transducers to the inside of the subject, to be lower than that in a receiving period, in which the reflected waves are received by the transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SHIBANUMA, lsao UCHIUMI, Nobuyuki IWAMA, Wataru KAMEISHI, Yuhei FUKUO
  • Publication number: 20170252002
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe; a robot arm configured to support the ultrasonic probe and move the ultrasonic probe along a body surface of an object; memory circuitry configured to store trace instruction information used by the robot arm for moving the ultrasonic probe; and control circuitry configured to drive the robot arm in such a manner that the robot arm moves the ultrasonic probe according to the trace instruction information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka MINE, Kazutoshi SADAMITSU, Masami TAKAHASHI, Masatoshi NISHINO, Norihisa KIKUCHI, Naoyuki NAKAZAWA, Atsushi NAKAI, Jiro HIGUCHI, Yutaka KOBAYASHI, Cong YAO, Kazuo TEZUKA, Naoki YONEYAMA, Atsushi SUMI
  • Publication number: 20170252003
    Abstract: An apparatus for non-invasively determining a type of tissue matter and its state within a living entity consisting of application of two different diagnostic images simultaniously through the same B-scan transducer is disclosed. The apparatus uses a B-scan image visualization as a guiding image information for two-frequency attenuation method to determine an attenuation data for any chosen spot of interest and includes the steps of applying arbitrary waveform generator to produce a B-scan image of the tissue matter to be analyzed, selecting a region of interest on the image, positioning the indicator of the direction of the receiving reflected signals to the spot of interest, detecting reflected signals from said spot of interest, analyzing the reflected signals to determine attenuation data for the tissue matter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Igor Yukov, David Ross
  • Publication number: 20170252004
    Abstract: An ultrasound system comprising a portable ultrasound probe and a docking station provides enhanced ultrasound functionality. One or more first transducer elements transmit an ultrasound signal toward a target structure in a region of interest. Processing circuitry controls transmission of the ultrasound signal, while driving circuitry that is operatively coupled to the one or more first transducer elements and the processing circuitry drives the transmission of the ultrasound signal. The ultrasound probe further includes one or more second transducer elements that receive echo signals returning from the target structure in response to transmission of the ultrasound signal, and a power supply that provides power to the driving circuitry for transmission of the ultrasound signal. The docking station includes an interface that is couplable to the ultrasound probe and circuitry that electrically couples to the ultrasound probe via the interface and enhances the ultrasound functionality of the ultrasound probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Ron Broad, Todd Willsie, Greg Nieminen, Niko Pagoulatos
  • Publication number: 20170252005
    Abstract: A side-fire ultrasonic probe includes an alignment feature that, when used to connect the probe with a needle guide for intra-cavity medical procedures, enables alignment of a needle in an imaging plane of an ultrasonic transducer. The alignment feature is configured such that alignment of the needle within the imaging plane is accomplished when a protective sheath is disposed between the alignment feature and the needle guide. This configuration can be used with high frequency ultrasonic arrays having frequency distributions centered at about 20 MHz, and for medical procedures, such as biopsying organs or other bodily intra-cavity structures, and delivering intra-cavity therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: N. Chris Chaggares, Eric Michael Rieder
  • Publication number: 20170252006
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus includes: an ultrasonic element array for emitting an ultrasonic wave in a first direction; a columnar acoustic lens for changing the traveling direction of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic element array; and a linear guide for restricting a movement direction so that the acoustic lens and the ultrasonic element array move relatively each other in a second direction crossing the first direction and a column axis direction of the acoustic lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jiro TSURUNO
  • Publication number: 20170252007
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe configured to be equipped with plural transducers arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and be able to perform a two-dimensional scan in the first and second directions; a moving device configured to support the probe and mechanically move the probe in the second direction; a receiving circuit configured to generate first reception signals for respective moving positions of the probe in the second direction by performing receiving phase-compensation and summation processing on respective reflected signals received by the plurality of transducers at each of the moving positions; and processing circuitry configured to generate a second reception signal by performing moving aperture synthesis on the first reception signals generated for the respective moving positions of the probe based on positional information of the probe and generate image data from the second reception signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka MINE, Kazutoshi SADAMITSU, Masami TAKAHASHI, Masatoshi NISHINO, Norihisa KIKUCHI, Naoyuki NAKAZAWA, Atsushi NAKAI, Jiro HIGUCHI, Yutaka KOBAYASHI, Cong YAO, Kazuo TEZUKA, Naoki YONEYAMA, Atsushi SUMI
  • Publication number: 20170252008
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes: an ultrasonic element group in which first ultrasonic element lines are arranged along a second direction crossing a first direction, a plurality of ultrasonic elements being arranged along the first direction in each of the first ultrasonic element lines; and a control unit for driving the ultrasonic element group. The control unit moves a focal point, which is a place through which ultrasonic waves emitted from the plurality of ultrasonic elements pass at the same time, along a virtual plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Robina ATSUCHI
  • Publication number: 20170252009
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided for allowing a displacement between a direction of an acoustic line of ultrasound and a direction of movement of biological tissue to be recognized. The apparatus includes a strain calculating section for calculating a strain in biological tissue based on two temporally different echo signals in an identical acoustic line acquired by an ultrasonic probe; an elasticity image data generating section for generating data for an elasticity image according to the strain calculated by the strain calculating section; a movement detecting section for detecting movement of the biological tissue in a B-mode image; an angle calculating section for calculating an angle between a direction of an acoustic line of ultrasound transmitted/received by the ultrasonic probe and a direction of movement of the biological tissue detected by the movement detecting section; and an image display processing section for displaying an indicator indicating the angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Sotaro Kawae, Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20170252010
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an intracaritary ultrasonic probe, a memory circuit and a generation circuit. The probe includes first piezoelectric transducers performing ultrasonic transmission/reception along a first scan plane, and second piezoelectric transducers performing ultrasonic transmission/reception along a second scan plane. The memory circuit stores first information relating to a positional relationship between a sensor position and a position of the first scan plane, and second information relating to a positional relationship between a sensor position and a position of the second scan plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi MATSUNAGA
  • Publication number: 20170252011
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processing circuitry. With respect to pieces of image data of a plurality of cross sections passing through the heart of a subject that have been collected by ultrasonically scanning each of the cross sections for a period of at least one heart beat, the processing circuitry performs tracking processing including two-dimensional pattern matching to generate pieces of analysis information in each of which a cardiac wall motion of the heart in each section is analyzed. The processing circuitry matches time phases of the pieces of analysis information of the cross sections and maps the pieces of analysis information of the cross sections with the matched time phases on a predetermined polar coordinate system to generate a polar coordinate display image. The processing circuitry causes display of the polar coordinate display image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko ABE
  • Publication number: 20170252012
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of transmission-wave generation circuits configured to supply a plurality of transducers of an ultrasonic probe with a plurality of transmission waves for driving the plurality of transducers via a plurality of channels; and a transmission control circuit configured to independently and dynamically control each of the plurality of transmission-wave generation circuits at a timing different for each channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taketoshi NAGAI, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Yuki Tamano
  • Publication number: 20170252013
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises plurality of processing circuitry and control circuitry. The control circuitry comprises a plurality of processing circuitry interfaces, a plurality of internal memories, and a control information interface. The plurality of processing circuitry interfaces respectively connected to the plurality of processing circuitry. The plurality of internal memory respectively connected to the plurality of processing circuitry interfaces. The control information interface configured to transfer control information associated with at least reception of the ultrasonic wave to at least one of the plurality of internal memories.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Jaeho CHOI
  • Publication number: 20170252014
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device that allows the collection of urine samples in patients who are not self-sufficient, providing a simple method to operate both for the patient and for the health personnel. The device is equipped with a primary collection system and a secondary collection system, which allows to obtain a complete sample of urine that can be transported for further analysis in the laboratory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Andrea SILLER GONZALEZ, Adriana TORRES FLORES, Alicia DE HOYOS REYES, Ramses GALAZ MENDEZ
  • Publication number: 20170252015
    Abstract: A disposable diaper product useful for collecting a urine sample from an infant is disclosed. In one example the product may have a liquid control structure overlying a liquid impermeable backsheet, with a plan surface area defining a volume coextensive therewith, wherein a portion of the volume defined by at least 50 percent of the plan surface area contains no more than 50 percent by weight absorbent material. In another example the product may have a liquid control structure overlying a liquid impermeable backsheet, and have an average Liquid Release Ratio of at least 3 percent. A method for collecting a urine sample from an infant is also disclosed, in which a diaper is used for collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jacob Alan Barnhorst, Masaharu Nishikawa, John Lee Hammons
  • Publication number: 20170252016
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device 100. The sampling device 100 comprises a separate compartment 110 that is ejected creating an increased space or volume for a sample to be stored The sampling device 100 of the present invention is suitable for collecting a sample in an aquaculture environment, enclosed system or in the gastrointestinal tract of a human or an animal. The invention also relates to a method of orally administering the device to an animal and recovering the device 100 and/or separate compartment 110 to carry out analysis on the collected sample for diagnosing the health of the gastrointestinal tract and determining nutrient absorption and digestibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: David WRIGGLESWORTH, William James BRADLEY
  • Publication number: 20170252017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device 100. The sampling device 100 comprises a separate compartment 110 that is ejected creating an increased space or volume for a sample to be stored. The sampling device 100 of the present invention is suitable for collecting a sample in an aquaculture environment, enclosed system or in the gastrointestinal tract of a human or an animal. The invention also relates to a method of orally administering the device 100 to an animal and recovering the device 100 and/or separate compartment 110 to carry out analysis on the collected sample for diagnosing the health of the gastrointestinal tract and determining nutrient absorption and digestibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: David Wrigglesworth, William James Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170252018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sampling device 100. The sampling device 100 comprises a separate compartment 110 that is ejected creating an increased space or volume for a sample to be stored. The sampling device 100 of the present invention is suitable for collecting a sample in an aquaculture environment, enclosed system or in the gastrointestinal tract of a human or an animal. The invention also relates to a method of orally administering the device 100 to an animal and recovering the device 100 and/or separate compartment 110 to carry out analysis on the collected sample for diagnosing the health of the gastrointestinal tract and determining nutrient absorption and digestibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: David Wrigglesworth, William James Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170252019
    Abstract: A tear collection device comprises: a body attached to an eyeball; a tear inlet for allowing tear to flow into the body; a storing space formed inside the body and capable of storing the tears having flowed into the body; and a pump forming a pressure difference inside the body such that tears flow into the body through the tear inlet, wherein the pump is driven by using, as power, eye blinking movements of a wearer so as to form the pressure difference inside the body, thereby allowing the tears to flow into the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jinseok KIM, Yong-Won SONG, Jinwoo JEONG, Ockchul KIM, Won-suk CHOI
  • Publication number: 20170252020
    Abstract: A method for the collection and testing of mammalian fluid samples using a fluid collection and testing device. The device includes an outer sleeve and an inner swab whereby the inner swab fits into an internal cavity of the outer sleeve and is moveable within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve contains testing means, such as a pH test or an amine release test within its internal cavity. A fluid sample is introduced to the device by way of a sample collection opening in the outer sleeve, which is received by the inner swab within the outer sleeve. The method includes moving the inner sleeve through the outer sleeve so that the fluid sample contacts the testing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: James S. Kim, Chris R. Parkinson, George Arthur Hossack
  • Publication number: 20170252021
    Abstract: A cannula arrangement includes an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube has a proximal end and a distal end. The inner tube is disposed within the outer tube to define a space between an inner surface of the outer tube and an outer surface of the inner tube. A sealing element is mounted at the proximal end of the outer tube. The sealing element has a projecting portion that projects proximally from the proximal end of the outer tube. The projecting portion has a projecting end that has an interior edge to contact the outer surface of the inner tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Norbert Heske, Thomas Heske
  • Publication number: 20170252022
    Abstract: A tissue removal device includes an outer tubular member coupled to a housing and a having a tissue resection window, an inner tubular member slidably disposed within the outer tubular member, a tissue trap having a sealed interior in fluid communication with a vacuum chamber, an open proximal end of the inner tubular member being disposed within the tissue trap interior, and an actuator moveably coupled to the housing and operatively connected to a movable piston in the vacuum chamber, such that movement of the actuator relative to the housing generates a vacuum in the tissue trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Roy H. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20170252023
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a surgical instrument for colorectal polyp removal. In various embodiment, the surgical instrument has an elongate flexible tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, a snare having a loop and controlled by a pair of wires, and a biopsy forceps having a pair of jaws sized to fit within the loop of the snare. Both the biopsy forceps and the snare are routed through the elongate flexible tubular sheath so that the loop of the snare and the pair of jaws exit the distal end of the elongate flexible tubular sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: GLENN MARK MCALPIN
  • Publication number: 20170252024
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved collapsible medical closure device fabricated from a tubular wire mesh material. The collapsible medical closure device has an expanded preset configuration and an elongated collapsed reduced diameter configuration for delivery through a delivery catheter or other delivery means to a desired treatment site. The collapsible medical closure device is shaped to create short-term and long-term occlusion of an opening, such as an opening in the wall of the heart, and includes a disc shaped portion on a distal end, a cone shaped portion on a proximal end, a middle portion connecting the disc shaped portion and the cone shaped portion, and a means for attaching a delivery cable located in the middle portion. The collapsible medical closure device additionally includes a therapeutic membrane for aiding in occlusion and promoting tissue growth, as well as one or more radiopaque marker bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jennifer Heisel, Kevin Joseph Schutt
  • Publication number: 20170252025
    Abstract: A steering tool includes an internal tube disposed inside an external tube. The internal and external tubes are arranged for longitudinal axial movement relative to one another. A distal end of the internal tube is fixedly joined to a distal end of the external tube. A tube manipulator can cause relative axial movement and distal bending of the internal and external tubes. A locking mechanism can switch between a locked position in which the internal and external tubes are locked at a particular longitudinal axial position relative to one another, and an unlocked position in which there is uninhibited free movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another. The locking mechanism also includes an intermediate locked position in which there is partially inhibited movement of the internal and external tubes relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Oz Cabiri, Oded Meiri
  • Publication number: 20170252026
    Abstract: A biocompatible tissue isolator is used to isolate and extract tissue during a surgical procedure. A method of using the tissue isolator for isolating and extracting morcellated tissue during the surgery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Veol Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Arvind Kumar GUPTA, Mangesh PATANKAR, Nikhil Ramchandra KATRE, Debasish PRADHAN, Dinesh DIWAKAR
  • Publication number: 20170252027
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, devices, components and methods for re-positioning or displacing a patient's esophagus a safe distance away from the patient's heart during an atrial ablation surgical procedure. An esophageal displacement catheter is disclosed that is configured to reposition a patient's esophagus 20 mm or more away from the ablation location in the patient's heart. A distendable section of the catheter is configured such that portions of a first pulling member extend sufficiently far away from joints located in the distendable section when the first pulling member is in a retracted position to permit the distendable section to assume a deployed and distended configuration. At least one flexible deformable or distendable member, sheath or covering is configured to be disposed over and cover the portions of the first pulling member extending away from the joints when the distendable section is the deployed and distended configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: DNP Biomed, LLC
    Inventor: James F. Kasic, II
  • Publication number: 20170252028
    Abstract: Provided are modular implant delivery systems, devices and methods. In some embodiments, spinal implant delivery devices and methods are provided. An exemplary delivery device may include a head supported by a handle. The head may have an opening defining an insertion axis. The handle may have a handle axis that traverses the insertion axis. The head may also be configured to releaseably couple one or more blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Meditech Spine, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Flickinger, Jason J. Gromek
  • Publication number: 20170252029
    Abstract: A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Freehold Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Stephen Scott, Jeffrey Smith
  • Publication number: 20170252030
    Abstract: An all-suture knotless repair system includes at least one all-suture anchor assembly, a tissue coupling suture assembly with a bone anchor, and a delivery inserter. The all-suture anchor assembly is composed of an anchor suture strand and a suture anchor. The suture anchor consists essentially of suture material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Raymond Thal, Jonathan Ticker
  • Publication number: 20170252031
    Abstract: A bone suture assembly including a flexible generally cylindrical sleeve, a plurality of lengths of suture extending through the generally cylindrical sleeve, and at least one sleeve securing thread associated with the generally cylindrical sleeve. A bone suture retaining method including engaging a suture with a bone engaging sleeve, inserting the suture and the bone engaging sleeve engaged thereby into a transosseous tunnel formed into a bone by pulling the bone engaging sleeve into the transosseous tunnel and retaining the suture and the bone engaging sleeve in the transosseous tunnel by virtue of the bone engaging sleeve being unable to fit through an aperture in the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: MININVASIVE LTD.
    Inventors: Boaz HARARI, Mordehai SHOLEV, Ronen RAZ, Arnon MOUSAIUF, Dror ROSNER, Paul MRAZ
  • Publication number: 20170252032
    Abstract: A catheter device for repair of the heart by implanting an artificial chord is disclosed. The device comprises a leaflet anchor 10 for placement in a leaflet 12 of a heart valve, wherein the leaflet anchor 10 is arranged to be coupled to the artificial chord 14; and a mechanical gripper device 6 for grasping the leaflet 12 of the heart valve, wherein the gripper device 6 comprises a leaflet anchor channel for housing the leaflet anchor 10 in a folded configuration; the gripper device 6 and leaflet anchor 10 being arranged such that when, in use, the gripper device 6 grasps the leaflet 12, the leaflet anchor 10 can be pushed out of the leaflet anchor channel to pierce the leaflet 12 and form the leaflet anchor 10 into an unfolded configuration so that hooked formations of the leaflet anchor 10 can, in use, secure the leaflet anchor 10 in the leaflet 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Nikolai Hiorth, Jacob Bergsland
  • Publication number: 20170252033
    Abstract: Systems and methods for soft tissue to bone repairs, without knot tying. The soft tissue repair systems include self-cinching constructs with a fixation device, a flexible construct having a flexible strand abutting a suture tape, and a shuttle/pull device attached to the flexible strand and provided within the body of the fixation device. A splice is formed by pulling on the shuttle/pull device subsequent to the fixation device being secured into the bone, to allow the wide tape to be positioned over the tissue (for best compression and minimum tissue cut-thru) and suture for the implanted portion (for most efficient and least bone removal).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: PETER J. DREYFUSS, DEREK C. SULLIVAN, TARA L. SWANLAW
  • Publication number: 20170252034
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices capable of (1) gasping tissue, (2) passing suture through the tissue, and (3) resetting both their tissue grasping and suture passing features without the device being removed from the incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan Grant, Michael Diluna, Vadim Gordin
  • Publication number: 20170252035
    Abstract: A device for suturing an incision in an artery has a handle, a supply of suture stored on spindle housed in the handle, a tube extending from the handle having a lumen through which suture extends, and a curved needle at a distal end of the handle, the curved needle having an opening through which a free end of the suture extends. A method for suturing an incision in an artery includes creating sequential openings in first and second flaps of the incision, with loops of suture extending through openings in one flap, with a free end of suture extending through the second flap being pulled through the loops and secured to another free end of suture extending through the first flap, to close the incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Manouchehr A. Miraki