Devices Placed Entirely Within Body And Means Used Therewith (e.g., Magnetic Implant Locator) Patents (Class 128/899)
  • Patent number: 10898292
    Abstract: A system for locating an implanted device including magnetic coils within a subject is provided. The system includes a magnetic sensor array including a plurality of magnetic sensors, the magnetic sensor array configured to measure a magnetic field generated by the implanted device, and a position detection module communicatively coupled to the magnetic sensor array, the position detection module configured to receive the measured magnetic field from the magnetic sensor array, and calculate a position of the implanted device based on the measured magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: John Freddy Hansen, Christopher Eskildsen
  • Patent number: 10898162
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus may acquire a two-dimensional, flat image of a curved region within a curved plane. The apparatus includes a processor for localizing the region with respect to a transducer array and a processor for operating the transducer array for the imaging of the region and for projecting the region onto a flat image plane. An ultrasound imaging apparatus may acquire a flat image of a curved region within a curved plane. The apparatus may include a module for extracting a centerline of a curved object that contains the curved region, and a processor for: projecting the centerline onto a face of an array, selecting, from among the elements, a set along the projection onto the face, receive beamforming, specifically using the set, to image the curved region and thereby acquire a curved image, and projecting the curved region onto a flat image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Amir Mohammad Tahmasebi Maraghoosh
  • Patent number: 10898717
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of snoring is provided. The device may include a flexible substrate configured for removable attachment to a subject's skin, a primary antenna disposed on the flexible substrate, an interface configured to receive a feedback signal that varies based upon a breathing pattern of the subject; and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to analyze the feedback signal and determine whether the subject is snoring based on the analysis of the feedback signal, and if snoring is detected, cause a hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to be applied to the primary antenna in order to wirelessly transmit the hypoglossal nerve modulation control signal to a secondary antenna associated with an implant unit configured for location in a body of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Nyxoah SA
    Inventors: Adi Mashiach, Carsten Mueller
  • Patent number: 10881456
    Abstract: A medical method is provided, including a medical device having a distal assembly including at least one electrode and at least one treatment element, the medical device generating information regarding at least one of a physiological measurement and an operational parameter of the medical device; a plurality of surface electrodes affixable to a skin of the patient, wherein the surface electrodes are in electrical communication with the distal assembly to obtain position information of the medical device; and a processor pairing the position information and the at least one of a physiological measurement and an operational parameter of the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Marshall Sherman, Mark T. Stewart, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 10886751
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a wireless connector system are described. The system has a transmitter module and a receiver module that are configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy and/or data via near field magnetic coupling. The wireless connector system is designed to increase the amount of wirelessly transmitted electrical power over a greater separation distance. The system is configured with various sensing circuits that alert the system to the presence of the receiver module to begin transfer of electrical power as well as undesirable objects and increased temperature that could interfere with the operation of the system. The wireless connector system is a relatively small foot print that is designed to be surface mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinit Singh, Pavel Shostak, Alberto Peralta, Jason Luzinski, Jacob D. Babcock, Michael Gotlieb, Glenn E Riese, Md. Nazmul Alam, Robert Giometti, Oleg Los
  • Patent number: 10881420
    Abstract: Retrieval assemblies configured to capture an obstruction located in a bodily duct of a patient and associated methods of manufacture are provided. According to one implementation a retrieval assembly is provided that includes a distal collar fixed stationary on an elongate wire, a proximal collar slideable along a portion of the length of the elongate wire, and a plurality of shape memory elongate clot capturing elements that each has a proximal end coupled to the proximal collar and a distal end coupled to the distal collar. The retrieval device is configured to automatically transition from a radially constrained state to an expanded rest state with the proximal collar located nearer the distal collar when in the expanded rest state. As the retrieval device transitions from the radially constrained state to the expanded rest state, proximal portions of the clot capturing elements invert around the proximal collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Timothy William Ingraham Clark
  • Patent number: 10861604
    Abstract: Presented are systems and methods that provide patients with diagnostic measurement tools and clear and concise audio/video guidance to reliably and accurately perform clinical grade diagnostic measurements of key vital signs. In various embodiments, this is accomplished by using an automated remote (or local, e.g., in the form of a kiosk) end-to-end medical diagnostic system that monitors equipment usage for accuracy. The diagnostic system analyzes patient responses, measurement data, and patient-related information to generate diagnostic and/or treatment information that may be shared with healthcare professionals and specialists, as needed. Automation provides for timely, hassle-free, and cost-effective health care management that takes the stress out of doctor visits, while delivering personalized health care. The high accuracy of generated diagnostic data improves health care to patients and reduces the risk of medical malpractice for treating physicians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: AdviNow, Inc.
    Inventor: James Stewart Bates
  • Patent number: 10850081
    Abstract: Verifying whether a magnetic field resistance mechanism is properly engaged in a drainage valve having an adjustable valve unit including a rotating construct and a pair of primary magnetic elements for programming the valve unit. Using a toolset, a determination is made whether the magnetic field resistance mechanism is properly engaged. An alert is generated whether the magnetic field resistance mechanism is at least one of properly engaged or not properly engaged based on: (i) a measured angular position of a detected one of the pair of primary magnetic elements relative to a direction of flow of fluid through the valve; and/or (ii) a measured distance separation between respective centers of the pair of primary magnetic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sáarl
    Inventors: Thomas Boden, Jr., Patricia D'Aoust, Alexander Arazawa
  • Patent number: 10842556
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treating patients having cardiopulmonary disease such as cardiac arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, or heart failure comprising a tracheal approach. The method includes ablating a deep cardiac plexus of a patient by advancing an treatment apparatus into a trachea of the patient, extending an ablative energy delivery element of the treatment apparatus through a wall of the trachea at a level of the trachea proximate a tracheal bifurcation, positioning the ablative energy delivery element at a target space between the trachea, an aorta and a pulmonary artery, and ablating, by the ablative energy delivery element, tissue within the target space to substantially disable the deep cardiac plexus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignees: The Johns Hopkins University, Coridea, LLC
    Inventors: Harikrishna Tandri, Mark Gelfand, Tamara Colette Baynham, Zoar Engelman
  • Patent number: 10835748
    Abstract: Described here are stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient for treatment conditions such as dry eye. The stimulation system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a signal received from the controller and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. In some variations, the microstimulator may include a passive generation circuit configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, Janusz Kuzma, Daniel Palanker, Scott Franklin Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: 10835327
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a catheter, a distal segment, a needle, and a tracking sensor. The catheter is configured to be inserted into an anatomical passageway of a patient and includes a catheter lumen. The distal segment includes a port that communicates with the catheter lumen. The needle is slidably disposed within the catheter lumen and is translatable relative to the catheter between a retracted position and an extended position. A needle distal end is configured to extend through the port when the needle is in the extended position. The tracking sensor is coupled to the needle and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to a location of the needle distal end within the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Acclarent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jetmir Palushi, Paul D. DeCosta
  • Patent number: 10835126
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to real-time in vivo spectrophotometric analysis of skin tissue. In some implementations, the spectrophotometry is implemented using a wireless microchip with at least one sensor implanted beneath the skin of an individual. The absorption of light at different wavelengths by the skin tissue is correlated to various skin states, revealing transient conditions or pathologies in real time. An external interrogation device is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the skin and includes one or more energy sources for emitting light of different wavelengths. The external device may provide signals for wirelessly powering the implanted microchip, as well as have communication capabilities for receiving wireless transmissions from the implanted microchip. The sensors on the implantable microchip can be used to measure light intensity attenuated by the skin tissue between the light sources and the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Peng Cong, Travis J. Deyle
  • Patent number: 10828148
    Abstract: A breast implant system comprises at least one casing with a flexible outer shape for implantation in a patient's body so as to form part of a breast implant and further comprises at least one first element contained in the casing and optionally at least one second element also contained in the casing. The first and second elements are either displaceable within the casing and/or their volume can be changed in order to change the shape and/or size of the breast implant. A reservoir comprising a lubricating fluid is connected to the casing so as to allow lubricating fluid to be supplied to and removed from the casing in order to reduce surface friction between adjacent elements and/or between the casing and the elements before the shape of the breast implant is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Forsell
  • Patent number: 10828040
    Abstract: An implant (1) to be used for the occlusion of bifurcation aneurysms, with the implant (1) having an expanded state in which it is implanted in the blood vessel (Z) and a contracted state in which it is movable through the blood vessel (Z) and a proximal fixing section (3) a distal section (5) where the implant (1) is radially widened relative to the fixing section (3) and which is intended for placement in or in front of the aneurysm (A), and a transition section (4) located between the fixing section (3) and the distal section (5), wherein the implant (1). The implant is composed of interconnected or intersecting filaments (10) originating from the fixing section (3) or distal section (5) which meet centrally in the transition section (4), wherein the filaments (10) in the transition section (4) at least to some extent pass through a sleeve (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Phenox GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Henkes, Hermann Monstadt, Ralf Hannes
  • Patent number: 10821281
    Abstract: A pacemaker defibrillator system implantable in the intercostal space of a mammalian patient is configured with sensors to sense electrical, mechanical and blood flow activity of the heart from the base to the apex, and the patient position, and to generate corresponding signals responsive to the sensed cardiac situation, as well as to provide instantaneous display of the cardiac situation and the system operational situation using an LCD and multicolor LEDs generating signals which can be seen through the skin of the patient. The system includes at least two flexible electrical generators contoured to conform to the anatomy of the intercostal space and embedded with electrodes for measuring electrical activity, as well as echocardiographic piezoelectric electrodes for measuring mechanical activity of the heart and Doppler blood flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventors: A-Hamid Hakki, A-Hadi Hakki
  • Patent number: 10821565
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a 3D micro-scale structure. A 2D net including a plurality of panels and a plurality of hinges is provided. The panels are arranged in a pattern. The hinges interconnect immediately adjacent ones of the panels within the pattern. An energy source remote from the 2D net is powered to deliver energy to the 2D net. The delivered energy triggers the 2D net to self-fold into a 3D micro-scale structure. The delivered energy creates an eddy current within at least one component of the 2D net, with the eddy current generating heat sufficient to melt at least one of the hinges. The melting hinge causes the corresponding panels to fold or pivot relative to one another. In some embodiments, the energy source is a microwave energy source. In other embodiments, the energy source delivers a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Chao Liu, Jeong-Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10806833
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an adherent resorbable matrix for use in surgical applications. The adherent resorbable matrix includes a biocompatible adherent material including chitosan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Pomrink, Paul K. Alkema, Raymond D. Hubbard, Riyesh Menon
  • Patent number: 10799285
    Abstract: A skin rejuvenation resurfacing apparatus comprising an oscillating, reciprocating high speed, needle-based device and its related procedure for inducing mechanical trauma to an area of the skin to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: INMODE LTD.
    Inventor: R. Stephen Mulholland
  • Patent number: 10787657
    Abstract: In various embodiments methods are provided for delivering an agent of interest (e.g., protein, antibody, nucleic acid) into cells. In certain embodiments the method comprises contacting the cells with anisotropic magnetic particles in the presence of the agent; and applying a substantially uniform magnetic field to said magnetic particles where movement of said particles induced by said magnetic field introduces transient openings into said cell facilitating entry of said agent of interest into said cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Pei-Yu E. Chiou, Michael A. Teitell, Ming-Yu Lin, Yi-Chien Wu, Jessica Zhou
  • Patent number: 10782152
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor for determining a position of a magnet, the position identified by one or more position variables can include: one or more magnetic field sensing element operable to generate one or more magnetic field measurements of the magnet and an associated one or more measured magnetic field variable values; a first module for identifying calculated magnetic field variable values associated with a plurality of positions of the magnet; a second module operable to perform an optimization process to determine a value of a distance function, the distance function using the one or more measured magnetic field variable values and the calculated magnetic field variable values; and a third module operable to determine the position of the magnet by associating the value of the distance function with corresponding values of the one or more position variables. A complimentary method can be used in the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Yannick Vuillermet, Andrea Foletto, Andreas P. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 10779809
    Abstract: A method includes providing an indwelling tool having a magnetic body at the inside of a luminal organ by inserting the tool into a working channel inserted from a natural opening of a living body to the luminal organ, in a manner such that an axis along a length of the magnetic body is arranged substantially parallel to a length direction of the working channel; disposing the tool in a vicinity of a diseased part of the luminal organ; applying a magnetic field to the magnetic body by using a magnetic field generating device provided at the outside of the luminal organ, so as to attract the magnetic body and make a side face of the magnetic body along the axis thereof push against a tissue in the vicinity of the diseased part; and lifting a tissue around a position of the tool, which includes the diseased part, by applying a magnetic force to the magnetic body by using the magnetic field generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Takeshi Ohdaira
  • Patent number: 10750935
    Abstract: A guidance device includes: a magnetic field generation unit configured to generate the magnetic field; a movement mechanism configured to move the magnetic field generation unit in a vertical direction; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the magnetic field generation unit in a vertical plane including a magnetization direction of the magnetic field generation unit; an input unit configured to input first operation information for changing posture of a capsule medical device; and a control unit configured to: cause the rotation mechanism to rotate the magnetic field generation unit to change the posture of the capsule medical device based on the first operation information; and control the movement mechanism to change a distance between the magnetic field generation unit and the capsule medical device to correct a magnetic attracting force in a vertical direction of the capsule medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hironao Kawano
  • Patent number: 10751158
    Abstract: Instrumentation for percutaneous delivery of blood filtration devices to atrial appendages includes a curved access sheath and a delivery tube. A compressed filter device attached to a tether wire is loaded in the delivery tube. The access sheath and the delivery tube can be mechanically locked and moved together to place the device in a suitable deployment position. The device is deployed by expelling it from the delivery tube either by retracting the delivery tube over the tether wire, or by moving the tether wire forward through the delivery tube. A filter membrane in the deployed device extends across the appendage ostium to filter blood flow through the ostium. The filter membrane is configured to present a flat surface to atrial blood flow past the ostium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Atritech, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg S. Sutton, Jeffrey Welch, Dean A. Peterson, John B. Bridgeman, Bruce R. Youngberg
  • Patent number: 10751162
    Abstract: A mammary implant and method of making are provided herein. The implant includes an outer shell configured to retain fluid therein, an injection element coupled to the outer shell and adapted to receive therethrough an injection device for injecting fluid into the outer shell, and an injection marker zone made of a material having ultrasonically detectable markers incorporated therein. The markers are a plurality of microcavities that are located relative to the injection element so that, when ultrasonically detected, such detection indicates a location of the injection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MENTOR WORLDWIDE LLC
    Inventors: Krasimira Hristov, Leo B. Kriksunov, Robert J. Tannhauser
  • Patent number: 10737398
    Abstract: Continuum robots and similar devices and methods and systems for controlling such devices are provided. The devices can include rods comprising strips, that are pre-curved, or both. Also provided is a system and method for modeling and controlling the configuration and operation of such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Andria A. Remirez, Daniel Caleb Rucker, Robert James Webster, III
  • Patent number: 10713796
    Abstract: Provided in accordance with the present disclosure are systems for identifying a position of target tissue relative to surgical tools using a structured light detector. An exemplary system includes antennas configured to interact with a marker placed proximate target tissue inside a patient's body, a structured light pattern source, a structured light detector, a display device, and a computing device configured to receive data from the antennas indicating interacting with the marker, determine a distance between the antennas and the marker, cause the structured light pattern source to project and detect a pattern onto the antennas. The instructions may further cause the computing device to determine, a pose of the antennas, determine, based on the determined distance between the antennas and the marker, and the determined pose of the antennas, a position of the marker relative to the antennas, and display the position of the marker relative to the antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: Joe D. Sartor
  • Patent number: 10709851
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems, and methods that precisely identify a minimum of one predetermined spot which is hidden under a skin. The system comprises a locator device and corresponding implanted target device. The port locator device preferably comprises one magnet with north and south magnetic pole, a body and a suspending component. The body may utilize specific geometry which improves accuracy. The implanted target device may include at least one magnet and at least one target or a plurality of targets and at least one magnet. Various configurations can be provided that precisely identify a single spot or a plurality of spots which are hidden under a skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SIENTRA, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Charles Geiger
  • Patent number: 10695207
    Abstract: A surgical or laparoscopic method of treating obesity of a patient using a device adapted to stretch a portion of the stomach wall of said patient. The method comprising the steps of: cutting a hole in the abdominal wall of said patient, dissecting an area around the stomach, placing said device in contact with the stomach, and fixating, direct or indirect, through invagination of the stomach wall, said device to the stomach wall such that said device can stretch a portion of said stomach wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Mats Forsell
  • Patent number: 10691217
    Abstract: A method at a computer system includes obtaining an electronic document comprising document elements, and injecting into the document in association with one of the document elements one or more hotspot attributes, the hotspot attributes defining attributes of a hotspot that is displayable in conjunction with the document element when the document is displayed, the hotspot attributes being associated with predefined physical gestures and respective document actions; such that the hotspot, when displayed as part of a displayed document, indicates that a viewer of the displayed document can interact with the displayed document using the predefined physical gestures (i) performed at a position that overlap a displayed version of the document in a field of view of a camera system and (ii) captured by the camera system, wherein a physical gesture results in a respective document action being performed on the displayed document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Chiu, Joseph Andrew Alkuino de la Peña, Laurent Denoue, Chelhwon Kim
  • Patent number: 10687834
    Abstract: An ischemic stroke device includes a telescoping member, a first or proximal expandable member connected to the telescoping support member, and a second or distal expandable member connected to the first expandable member. A proximal portion of the first expandable member is attached to a distal end of an outer shaft of the telescoping support member, and a distal end of the first expandable member is attached to a distal portion of an inner core wire of the telescoping support member. The proximal end of the second expandable member is permanently joined to the distal end of the inner core wire. The first expandable member everts to cover the second expandable member that is used to capture an obstruction or clot, prior to pulling the obstruction or clot into a catheter for removal from a patient's vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: DEPUY SYNTHES PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Allen Follmer, Sheila Vallesteros Asuncion
  • Patent number: 10682070
    Abstract: A medical system comprises a probe comprising a terminal distal end. The system further comprises a first coil in the probe and comprises a guide instrument including a terminal distal end and defining a lumen sized to guide the probe. The probe can be inserted through the lumen to reach a worksite. At the worksite, the terminal distal end of the probe is configured to reach at least the terminal distal end of the guide instrument. The system further comprises a sensor embedded in a wall of the guide instrument and comprises processing hardware configured to receive a first induced signal from the first coil and to receive from the sensor an indication of a pointing direction of the guide instrument. The processing hardware is configured to use the first induced signal and the indication of the pointing direction to determine a roll angle of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Vincent Duindam
  • Patent number: 10676227
    Abstract: A closing system for a bag. The closing system comprises a first plate and a second plate. The closing system further comprises a plurality of constriction rods extending between the first plate and the second plate. The constriction rods present a constriction area configured to receive a portion of the bag. Each of the first plate and the second plate is configured to rotate. Rotation of the plates is configured to shift the constriction rods so as to reduce a size of the constriction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Schenck Process LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mattox, Blake Meyer, Adam Johnson, Derek Brethouwer
  • Patent number: 10674934
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the position of a medical instrument, particularly for the purpose of medical navigation. In order to use a simple system to provide a relatively inexpensive technique for determining positional information, the position and/or orientation of the medical instrument is determined by ascertaining the same on the basis of position finding operations. Electromagnetic fields are first measured and the results of relative field strength measurements are taken as a basis for ascertaining the direction of a line from a transmitter to a receiver. After this direction information is known, it is used to determine the positional information of the medical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Karl Barth, Rainer Graumann
  • Patent number: 10661079
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an electrode structure into nerve in tissue of a living body includes a nerve fixing part which fixes the nerve such that at least part of the nerve is hung thereon, and an electrode structure ejector on which the electrode structure is mounted, and which moves the electrode structure in insertion direction to insert the electrode structure into the fixed part of the nerve, wherein the nerve fixing part and the electrode structure ejector are disposed on the same axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sang Rok Oh, Keehoon Kim, Sehyuk Yim, Jinwoo Jeong, Yong Seok Ihn, Donghyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 10660542
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying or locating a tag within a patient's body that include a probe that transmits synchronized electromagnetic signals, e.g., RF energy, and optical signals, e.g., infrared light pulses into the patient's body, whereupon the tag converts the optical signals into electrical energy to open and close a switch in the tag to modulate signals, e.g., backscatter signals, transmitted by the tag in response to the electromagnetic signals. For example, the tag may include photodiodes coupled to the switch that transforms the optical signals to alternately short the antenna to modulate the backscatter signals. Alternatively, the tag may include a smart circuit that harvests electrical energy from the optical signals to power the smart circuit and/or modulate the backscatter signals, e.g., to include data related to the tag and/or alternate the tag between an information mode and a distance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Cianna Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Greene, Nikolai F. Rulkov
  • Patent number: 10660726
    Abstract: Various embodiments of wirelessly detectable objects to be used in medical procedures are provided. Such may employ ionizing radiation hard wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, all of which retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization dosages of ionizing radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, may retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization temperatures and/or pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventor: William A. Blair
  • Patent number: 10660574
    Abstract: A flexible probe has an assembly in its distal end that includes a transmitter and a receiver that receives signals from the transmitter for sensing a position of the receiver relative to the transmitter. A pair of flat spring coils disposed between the transmitter and the receiver deform in response to pressure exerted on the distal tip when the distal tip engages a wall of a body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Christopher Thomas Beeckler, Yehuda Algawi, Ilya Sitnitsky, Joseph Thomas Keyes
  • Patent number: 10653445
    Abstract: A sensor insertion assembly comprising a sensor cartridge having an insertion needle and a sensor within a sterile capsule. The sensor insertion assembly further comprises an inserter comprising a chamber for receiving the sensor cartridge, wherein the inserter further comprises an insertion mechanism operable for actuating the insertion needle for inserting the sensor into a subject. The sensor cartridge is removable from the chamber. The sensor cartridge is operable for shielding the insertion needle upon removal of the sensor cartridge from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan-Michael Frey, Oliver Kube, Helmut Walter, Wolfgang Heck
  • Patent number: 10655172
    Abstract: Methods of producing substrates having selected active chemical regions by employing elements of the substrates in assisting the localization of active chemical groups in desired regions of the substrate. The methods may include optical, chemical and/or mechanical processes for the deposition, removal, activation and/or deactivation of chemical groups in selected regions of the substrate to provide selective active regions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Rank, Jeffrey Wegener, Jonas Korlach, Daniel Roitman, Yue Xu, John Lyle, Stephen Turner, Paul Peluso, Geoff Otto, Ronald L. Cicero
  • Patent number: 10646334
    Abstract: A method of deploying a prosthesis within a native mitral valve is disclosed. The expandable frame preferably includes about twelve proximal anchors, wherein the proximal anchors have free ends positioned radially outwardly from the frame in an expanded configuration. The expandable frame preferably includes about twelve distal anchors, wherein the distal anchors also have a free ends positioned radially outwardly from the frame and extend toward a proximal end when the frame is in the expanded configuration. A valve body is supported within the frame for preventing blood flow in one direction. The expandable frame is radially expanded during deployment, which causes the free ends of the proximal and distal anchors to move closer together. In the expanded configuration, the proximal anchors are positioned on an inflow side of the native mitral valve and the distal anchors are positioned on an outflow side of the native mitral valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences CardiAQ LLC
    Inventors: Arshad Quadri, J. Brent Ratz
  • Patent number: 10645905
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for microelectronic animal identification are disclosed. The microelectronic animal identification device includes an inserter configured to releasably holding the microelectronic chip at a distal end of the inserter, and an actuator configured to release the microelectronic chip from the inserter when the distal end of the inserter is inserted into a substrate of an animal body part. The microelectronic animal identification system includes a microelectronic chip and delivery system, a pigment marking device, a media transfer assembly for producing a pigment mark, a tissue sample device, and a data management system providing traceability of the animal and the materials used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Somark Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Raphael Gandola, Adrian Knight, Eric Arlund, Gina Ma, George Albert Mansfield
  • Patent number: 10646211
    Abstract: There is provided a treatment method that is capable of reducing burden on a patient when a medical sheet is indwelled in the body of the patient. A treatment method includes an introduction of introducing a catheter, which has stored a medical sheet (e.g., a myocardial cell sheet), to a heart inside a living body, and an indwelling step of drawing the myocardial cell sheet from the catheter and indwelling the myocardial cell sheet in the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Kakimoto, Shinya Sawada, Koji Yabe, Masumi Takano
  • Patent number: 10646331
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a customized ossicular prosthesis suitable for treatment of conductive hearing loss due to ossicular chain defects, and a method and system for manufacturing the same. Medical imaging equipment can detect specifically designated landmarks in normal human middle ear ossicles, including significant anatomic differences in those structures. Those anatomic features are used to generate a customized ossicular prosthesis specifically configured for a particular patient's anatomy using 3D printing techniques and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hirsch, David J. Eisenman
  • Patent number: 10639017
    Abstract: A system for tracking a tracking element inside a body is provided. It includes a first tracking system, which includes a first tracking sensor for detecting the current position of a tracking element inside a body relative to a nominal position with respect to the first tracking sensor, and a second tracking system, which includes a second tracking sensor for determining the position of the first tracking sensor of the first tracking system relative to the second tracking sensor, and a control unit. The first tracking sensor is movable, and the control unit is configured to deliver a correction signal indicating a deviation of the current position of the tracking element relative to a nominal position with reference to the first tracking sensor. Further, a respective tracking method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Nassir Navab
  • Patent number: 10639204
    Abstract: A navigation and monitoring system to track positions of surgical components during surgery of a patient. Some embodiments include a power source to emit a tracking signal during surgery of the patient, a first sensor mounted to a region of the patient to respond to the emitted tracking signal, and a control unit to track a position of the region relative to a fixed region of the patient as the region moves with respect to the fixed region, based on the response of the first sensor. The system can calibrate and register a movable reference point of the patient relative to a fixed reference point, and can maintain that reference point when the movable reference point moves in space during a surgical process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: X-Nav Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Cheung, Joshua Campbell
  • Patent number: 10631755
    Abstract: Detecting spatial location and rotation (pitch, roll and yaw) of an implantable programmable valve device having a direction of flow of fluid therethrough. A permanent-magnet rotor disk associated with the valve has magnets arranged in a ring. A single position within the ring represents a moveable reference marker position. Also included in the valve is a first fixed, stationary, non-moveable magnet disposed a predetermined distance relative to the moveable reference marker position. A magnetoresistive sensor array produces the asymmetric magnetic field pattern including a moveable reference marker corresponding to the moveable reference marker position in the ring and a first fixed reference marker corresponding to the first fixed, stationary, non-moveable magnet. An indicator device determines spatial location based only on the moveable reference marker and yaw based on the moveable reference marker relative to the first fixed reference marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sarl
    Inventor: Thomas Boden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10624791
    Abstract: An intraocular implant device for restoring, augmenting, or improving vision of a user, the implant including an intraocular implant body shaped for positioning inside a lens chamber of an eye, the body having an anterior side facing the cornea of the eye, and a posterior side facing the retina of the eye; a photoelectric sensor disposed on the anterior side of the body; wherein the photoelectric sensor is operable to receive incident light through the cornea and to convert the received light into electrical energy for use with one or more circuit components disposed on the body, and wherein the photoelectric sensor is nearly simultaneously operable to convert the received light into image data. The ocular implant device may include a projector for projecting the image data onto the retina of a user. The ocular implant may include a wireless receiver for receiving image data transmissions from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Manjinder Saini
  • Patent number: 10625066
    Abstract: A luminal access device is provided that includes a luminal graft attached to a patient lumen. A percutaneous access device (PAD) is coupled to the luminal graft and adapted to stabilize a conduit in fluid communication with the luminal graft and an external medical device. A portion of said PAD adapted to be external to the patient and seal around said conduit. Infectious agent penetration at an insertion site of the PAD is reduced by providing a porous inner sleeve fluidly connected to a conduit. A vacuum or hydrodynamic source is fluidly connected to the conduit to create a fluid draw from the subject tissue through the inner sleeve to the conduit. The conduit is readily formed to have a bore and an outer conduit surface, the outer conduit surface being optionally nanotextured. The conduit bore is adapted to accommodate a medical appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Viaderm, LLC
    Inventor: Allen B. Kantrowitz
  • Patent number: 10617567
    Abstract: An intraocular implant device is operable in augmented reality and virtual reality configurations. The intraocular implant device includes an intraocular implant body shaped for positioning inside a lens chamber in an eye. The intraocular implant body has an anterior side facing the cornea of the eye and a posterior side facing the retina of the eye. A photoelectric sensor is disposed on the anterior side of the intraocular implant body. The photoelectric sensor is operable to receive natural, optimized or enhanced incident light through the cornea and to convert the received light into electrical energy for use with one or more circuit components disposed on the intraocular implant body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Manjinder Saini
  • Patent number: 10615624
    Abstract: Embodiments provide focused wireless charging method and apparatus based on radio frequency receiving and phase compensation retransmission. The method is based on the reciprocity principle, making each charging signal transmitted by the external charging system could stack in-phase when arriving at the embedded rechargeable battery, realizing wireless near field focusing in any given area in an unknown complex inhomogeneous propagation environment and a high charging efficiency. The focused wireless charging technology based on radio frequency receiving and phase compensation retransmission in embodiments could realize in-phase stacking and precise focus of each wireless charging signal of the external system on the embedded batteries to be charged automatically under different propagation environment, different environment medium, and possible random offset of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNIV. OF ELECTRONIC SCIENCE AND TECH. OF CHINA
    Inventors: Zaiping Nie, Yuan Yang, Xianzheng Zong