Computer Assisted Medical Diagnostics Patents (Class 128/920)
  • Patent number: 7711164
    Abstract: A method for segmenting digitized images includes providing a digitized image, selecting a point with a median enhancement greater than a predefined threshold, wherein a contrast enhancing agent was applied to the subject matter of said digitized image prior to acquisition of said image, defining a shape matrix for the selected point in said image from moments of the intensities in a window of points about said selected point, calculating eigenvalues of said shape matrix, determining an eccentricity of a structure underlying said point from said eigenvalues, and segmenting said image based on said eccentricity values, wherein the steps of defining a shape matrix, calculating eigenvalues of said shape matrix, and determining the eccentricity of the underlying structure are repeated for all points in said image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutiions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo Hermosillo Valadez, Xuguang Jiang
  • Patent number: 7708700
    Abstract: A method of training a subject to improve anticipatory timing includes presenting the subject with multiple sequences of stimuli, receiving sensor signals associated with responses by the subject to the stimuli, and recording response times in accordance with the sensor signals, wherein the recorded response times are associated with the responses by the subject to the multiple sequences of stimuli, and wherein the response times have an associated distribution. The method further includes analyzing the distribution of response times for the subject to determine variability in anticipatory timing of the subject with respect to the stimuli, and generating a subject feedback signal corresponding to a result of the analyzing so as to train the subject to improve anticipatory timing of the subject. Also disclosed is a system for performing the aforementioned training method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jamshid Ghajar
  • Publication number: 20100100037
    Abstract: A medical pump system includes an input device for entering a command or a value of a pump programming parameter and a memory for storing a programming code. A processor is in communication with the memory and the input device in order to generate a display signal for an output device to generate one of a plurality of screens, such as near view and far view screens. The programming code is operable to display on a far view screen a plurality of medical therapy buttons that can be used to navigate directly to a near view programming screen. The far view screen can also concurrently display quick titration buttons that are associated with the medical therapy buttons and can be used to navigate directly to a quick titration screen without having to go to a general near view delivery screen or near view programming screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: HOSPIRA, INC.
    Inventors: Mihaela Cozmi, John Arrizza, John Erik Michael Palmroos
  • Patent number: 7682308
    Abstract: A method and system for determining the fall risk of a patient is provided. The method includes the evaluation of a patient to determine whether the patient exhibits one or more intrinsic fall risk factors selected from a group consisting of confusion, depression, altered elimination, dizziness, male gender, antiepileptic/anticonvulsant prescriptions and benzodiazepine prescriptions. A specific point value is assigned to each of the intrinsic risk factors found to be exhibited by the patient. A mobility test is also performed on the patient to evaluate the patient's ability to rise from a seated position, and a specific mobility test point value is assigned to the patient based upon the patient's performance of the mobility test. Each intrinsic risk factor's specific point value is then summed together with the specific mobility test point value to achieve a total risk score, and the patient's fall risk is determined based on the total risk score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: AHI of Indiana, Inc.
    Inventor: Loretta Ann Hendrich
  • Patent number: 7669598
    Abstract: A system and method are for monitoring control signals provided to a medical apparatus bases upon tactile feedback from the apparatus. The system and method employ a monitoring signal indicative of a parameter relating to the apparatus or to a condition of a patient associated with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Datex-Ohmeda, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman A. Rick, Ronald L. Tobia
  • Patent number: 7664299
    Abstract: An image storing apparatus for storing at least one image based on an image data generated by an imaging apparatus is provided. The image storing apparatus includes a receiving unit, a processor, and a storage device. The receiving unit is configured to receive the image data. The processor is configured to prepare image-relating information and prepare a data set including the image-relating information and the image data following the image-relating information. The processor prepares leading information leading to the image data as part of the image-relating information. The storage device is configured to store the data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Niwa
  • Patent number: 7657307
    Abstract: A method of classifying arrhythmias using scatter plot analysis to define a measure of variability of a cardiac rhythm parameter such as for example, without limitation, R-R interval, A-A interval, and the slope of a portion of a cardiac signal, is disclosed. The variability measurement is derived from a scatter plot of a cardiac rhythm parameter, employing a region counting technique that quantifies the variability of the cardiac rhythm parameter while minimizing the computational complexity. The method may be employed by an implantable medical device or system, such as an implantable pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator, or by an external device or system, such as a programmer or computer. The variability measurement may be correlated with other device or system information to differentiate between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, for example. The variability information may also be used by the device or system to select an appropriate therapy for a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Van Dam, Joanneke G. Groen
  • Publication number: 20100010318
    Abstract: In one aspect a mobile health monitor that indicates that a food product is suitable for a sufferer of a food sensitivity is provided. The mobile health monitor includes a reader that reads the barcode of the food product, a database having information about a plurality of food products to determine the suitability of the respective food product, and an indicator that provides an indication when a food product is suitable for the suffer. The database is searched base on the read barcode to determine if the food product associated with the barcode is suitable. The indicator indicates that the food product is suitable when the food product is determined suitable based on the searched database. A method indicating that a food product is suitable for a sufferer of a food sensitivity is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS ENTERPRISE COMMUNICATIONS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: JENS RICHTER
  • Patent number: 7640051
    Abstract: CAD (computer-aided diagnosis) systems and applications for breast imaging are provided, which implement methods to automatically extract and analyze features from a collection of patient information (including image data and/or non-image data) of a subject patient, to provide decision support for various aspects of physician workflow including, for example, automated diagnosis of breast cancer other automated decision support functions that enable decision support for, e.g., screening and staging for breast cancer. The CAD systems implement machine-learning techniques that use a set of training data obtained (learned) from a database of labeled patient cases in one or more relevant clinical domains and/or expert interpretations of such data to enable the CAD systems to “learn” to analyze patient data and make proper diagnostic assessments and decisions for assisting physician workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Sriram Krishnan, R. Bharat Rao, Murat Dundar, Glenn Fung
  • Patent number: 7623915
    Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for determining appropriate first aid and applying first aid that is appropriate. A first aid system receives patient status information from an input device or a sensor, and presents first aid information as a function of the received patient status information. The first aid system may be incorporated with an external defibrillator. The first aid system may acquire patient status information through an interaction with an operator, in which the first aid system asks the operator to supply patient status information. In one embodiment of the invention, the operator may supply patient status information by touching a diagram representing at least a portion of a human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Richard C. Nova, James M. Owen
  • Patent number: 7611461
    Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hawthorne, Brian Kirby Phillips, Michael Leonard Iiams, William James Roushey, III, Nolan James Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7593562
    Abstract: A method and system for Computer Aided Detection (CAD) of abnormalities in X-ray images in which the features and/or criteria used in the CAD analysis are displayed as coded descriptors on the digital image of the X-ray to provide an indication to a user of the basis underlying the identification of a particular abnormality therefore increasing the reliability of a diagnosis established by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Harrington, Wido Menhardt, Daoxian Heidi Zhang
  • Patent number: 7547280
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus and a receiver apparatus are communicatively connected in a wireless manner. Biological signal data is obtained from a detector attached on a living body. A data packet is prepared from the biological signal data. A first CRC of the biological signal data is calculated and appended to the data packet. The data packet is periodically transmitted with the first CRC from the measurement apparatus to the receiver apparatus. A second CRC of the data packet received at the receiver apparatus is calculated. The received data packet is verified when the second CRC is coincident with the first CRC. Acknowledgement data is transmitted from the receiver apparatus to the measurement apparatus when the received data packet is verified. The data packet is retransmitted from the measurement apparatus to the receiver apparatus when the acknowledgement data is not received at the measurement apparatus within a prescribed time period from a previous transmission of the data packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Nihon Kohden Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuteru Yanagihara, Takahisa Ishikawa, Kenta Sudo
  • Patent number: 7547278
    Abstract: A scalable tele-care monitoring device has a plurality of physiological sensors adapted to collect patient physiological data. The device also has an interface adapted to connect with a personal computer, and an expansion module adapted to communicate patient physiological data to the personal computer via the interface. In further aspects, the device has an output adapted to communicate the patient physiological data over a communications network when the device is not interfaced with the personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinsei Miyazaki, Kenji Iwano, Kazutoshi Nagai, Toshiyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7547279
    Abstract: Disclosed is an emotion recognition apparatus and method thereof which enables perception of a user's emotional state by monitoring one or more of his or her physiological signals. The emotion recognition apparatus comprises a feature analyzer adapted to analyze features of the physiological signals acquired from a user and generate feature values, a subtractor adapted to obtain differences between the feature values generated by the feature analyzer and feature values used as a standard to perceive an emotional state of the user, and an emotion classifier adapted to analyze the differences obtained by the subtractor and classify an emotion into a plurality of emotional categories so as to perceive an emotional category exhibiting the greatest intensity to be the emotional state of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-hwan Kim, Seok-won Bang, Dong-geon Kong
  • Patent number: 7545967
    Abstract: In time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, a measure quantifying image quality provides a basis for generating a linear filtered composite image by facilitating selection of a mask and an arterial phase image for subtraction. Filtering of individual pixels of a temporal series of images provides enhanced contrast in a single image by allowing the temporal behavior of the pixel intensity to denote representation as an artery, vein or background tissue. Motion artifacts are suppressed by re-registering sequential images, adjusting weighting before averaging and subtraction and filtering the Fourier data to eliminate data corrupted by motion or other phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Prince, Ramin Zabih, Yi Wang, Richard Watts, Junhwan Kim, Jeff Bezanson, Hale Ersoy
  • Patent number: 7542913
    Abstract: A healthcare management system and method identify individuals at risk of high near-term healthcare use. On step of the method includes collecting information from an individual for a predetermined set of predictive factors. Another step of the method includes assigning, based upon the information from the individual, a separate value to each predictive factor of the predetermined set of predictive factors. The method further includes the step of generating, based upon a predetermined predictive model and the separate values assigned to the predetermined set of predictive factors, a risk level of the individual utilizing healthcare services at a predetermined level within a prospective time span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: CareGuide, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie A. Meek, Brenda L. Lyon, Wendy D. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7531818
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a radiation system (1) comprising an excentric gantry (100) arranged in connection with multiple treatment rooms (61-68) separated by radiation-shielding separating members (71-78). A movable rotation head (120) is connected to the gantry (100) and is able to move between, and direct a radiation beam (110) into, the treatment rooms (61-68). A simulator head (200-1 to 200-8) is preferably arranged together with the radiation system so it can be used in each respective treatment room (61-68). In such a case, while a first subject (40-1) is being irradiated in a first room (61), a treatment set-up procedure, including correct positioning of subjects (40-2 to 40-8) and irradiation simulation, can simultaneously take place for the other subjects (40-2 to 40-8) in the other treatment rooms (62 to 68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Radinova AB
    Inventor: Anders Brahme
  • Patent number: 7533353
    Abstract: A graphical user interface for use on a computer coupled to an enterprise electronic medical records system for accepting order data including an order entry window corresponding to an identified order, the identified order including one or more parameters. The graphical user interface also including an expandable order editing box linked to the order entry window and responsive to identification of the order and adapted to accept an input from a user; an order parameter manager coupled to the enterprise electronic medical records system that is adapted to populate at least one of the one or more order parameters based on information associated with a patient for whom the order is being placed; and the graphical user interface adapted to display to the user the order and the at least one or more populated order parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Epic Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Carl D. Dvorak, Christopher Alban, Indu Prakash
  • Patent number: 7505916
    Abstract: A method in a computer system for optimizing allocation of a fixed medical payment to a variety of medical services. The method includes the steps of first selecting a standard rate representing an unadjusted amount of money to be received for the rendering of medical services. Next, the method generates an adjusted standard rate by adjusting the standard rate by at least one adjustment factor. The method then selects a base medical service rate from a plurality of medical service rates. Finally, the method divides the adjusted standard rate by the base medical service rate in order to generate a quantity of medical service points available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: LHC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Verne Adrian, Marie-Francoise Broussard, William Morris, Keith G. Myers
  • Patent number: 7494464
    Abstract: The invention concerns a monitoring system for monitoring patients with disturbed motor function. The monitoring system is characterized by at least one observation station (3) with an electronic camera for recording video motion pictures and devices (10) for marking an object field to be covered by the camera (9), a storage device for the digital storage of video pictures of a patient, which are to be recorded at preselected intervals by the camera in the movement station, an image processing system for processing the video pictures recorded in time intervals to obtain a shortened video picture sequence, and a video display device for displaying the video picture sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Rzesnitzek, Eberhard Schmitt, Christian Reuter
  • Patent number: 7491180
    Abstract: A method of determining the size and/or placement of a prosthetic disc in a disc space between adjacent endplates of two vertebrae in a selected spinal area, comprising: using a computer to identify the disc space parameters of height, width, depth and lordosis between the adjacent vertebral endplates; using a computer to create an artificial volume corresponding to an actual prosthetic disc that can be positioned in the disc space in accordance with a manufacturer's size and lordosis specifications for prosthesis; using a computer to determine the center of the disc space and the center of rotation of the prosthetic disc volume; using a computer to position the prosthetic disc volume in the disc space such that the center of rotation of the prosthetic disc volume is positioned posterior to the center of the disc space; and using a computer to determine the prosthetic disc volume that fits within the disc space in accordance with a surgeon's or manufacturer's specification for prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventor: Hector O. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 7490049
    Abstract: Computer-assisted methods, systems and mediums for providing, to a physician, information relating to a patient. One embodiment of the present invention is a method that comprises the steps of collecting a prescription history that includes information relating to one or more prescriptions issued to the patient and a prescription purchase history, storing the prescription history and prescription purchase history of the patient into a database, and accessing, by the patient, the database for the stored prescription history and prescription purchase history of the patient. The prescription purchase history includes information relating to one or more prescription purchases made by the patient in accordance with the one or more prescriptions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Michael Miller, Mark J. Halloran, Lynn A. Petersen, Donna T. Whiteford, Dorian King-Cheung Lo, Patrice Bavaro, Anthony J. Schueth
  • Patent number: 7477935
    Abstract: Methods of using a template having a template data set and template parameters to provide improved alignment of captured cardiac signal data to a stored template. More particularly, in an illustrative method, a captured cardiac signal is first configured using template parameters for a stored template. Then, once configured, the captured cardiac signal is then compared to the stored template. Other embodiments include implantable cardiac treatment devices including operational circuitry configured to perform the illustrative method. In a further embodiment, more than one stored templates may be used. Each template can have independently constructed parameters, such that a single captured cardiac signal may be configured using first parameters for comparison to a first template, and using second parameters for comparison to a second template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Surekha Palreddy, Jay A. Warren, Alan H. Ostroff
  • Patent number: 7471973
    Abstract: Methods for determining a surface geometry of an object, including determining a first projection matrix based on a first imaging device, determining a second projection matrix based on a second imaging device, obtaining at least one first two-dimensional (2D) image of the object using the first imaging device, obtaining at least one second 2D image of the object using the second imaging device, determining a contour of the object in the first 2D image and the second 2D image, and, based on the at least two contours, the first projection matrix, and the second projection matrix, reconstructing 3D data associated with the surface of the object. In one embodiment, the object can be a heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
    Inventors: Yoram Rudy, Charulatha Ramanathan, Raja Ghanem, Ping Jia
  • Patent number: 7468031
    Abstract: This invention discloses a medical measuring apparatus that includes a medical measuring body and a transparent display unit. The medical measuring body is used for measuring at least one physiological information such as body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood oxygen, uric acid, cholesterol, pH value, body fat or bone density. The transparent display unit includes two corresponding display surfaces for displaying the physiological information, and the two display surface are mirrored or inverted, so that the two display surfaces can display identical physiological information to provide different view angles from different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Health & Life Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Wang Chou, Su-Chen Cheng
  • Patent number: 7464021
    Abstract: A method for translating medical test results into plain language is provided. The method includes receiving a medical test result for a type of medical test and, after making a threshold determination whether the medical test result will initially be automatically interpreted by the computer system independent of clinician input, identifying a template or set of templates associated with the type of medical test. The method also includes selecting the template matching the medical test result and outputting a plain language explanation based on the selected template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Cerner Innovation, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne R. Myers, Angela K. Rouse, Tommy L. Hinton
  • Patent number: 7462149
    Abstract: A tamper proof transdermal alcohol content monitoring device is made up of analog and digital sides which are securely attached to the human subject to be monitored. The analog side has a sampling circuit which draws a measured insensible skin perspiration sample from the skin of the subject and measured with an electrochemical fuel cell. A distance measurement of the device from the skin of the subject and temperature of the sample are monitored along with the transdermal alcohol content, and converted to digital signals which are transmitted to a modem when the monitor is in proximity to the modem. The signals are stored in the modem and uploaded to a central monitoring station. Automatic alerts may be sent from the central monitoring station to a supervising agency. The supervising agency may also access the information through secured dedicated websites via the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Alcohol Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Hawthorne, Brian Kirby Phillips, Michael Leonard Iiams, Williams James Roushey, III, Nolan James Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7458936
    Abstract: A system and method for providing decision support to a physician during a medical examination is disclosed. Data is received from a sensor representing a particular medical measurement. The received data includes image data. The received data and context data is analyzed with respect to one or more sets of training models. Probability values for the particular medical measurement and other measurements to be taken are derived based on the analysis and based on identified classes. The received image data is compared with training images. Distance values are determined between the received image data and the training images, and the training images are associated with the identified classes. Absolute value feature sensitivity scores are derived for the particular medical measurement and other measurements to be taken based on the analysis. The probability values, distance values and absolute value feature sensitivity scores are outputted to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang Sean Zhou, Dorin Comaniciu, Alok Gupta, Visvanathan Ramesh, Bhavani Duggirala, Diane Paine
  • Patent number: 7448996
    Abstract: A patient monitoring system provides enhanced functional capability relative to known systems and provides a wireless communication link between a patient monitoring device, worn by a patient, and a local hub. The patient monitoring system is adapted to monitor various patient physiological characteristics, such as blood pressure, pulse rate, blood glucose, weight, pulse oximetry and others. The data from the patient monitoring device is wirelessly transmitted to a local hub, which, in turn, is configured to automatically transfer the data to a remote server, for example, over a public or private communications network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server is configured as a web portal to selectively allow access to such patient physiological data by designated third parties, such as physicians, clinicians, relatives and the patient themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Carematix, Inc.
    Inventors: Sukhwant Singh Khanuja, Sandeep Garg, Irwin Preet Singh
  • Patent number: 7444179
    Abstract: A method of determining a state of ventricular fibrillation, includes: measuring the rhythm of the heart during ventricular fibrillation for a period of time; creating a lagged phase space reconstruction of the measured rhythm; determining a first value related to the rate of change of the leading edge of the phase space reconstruction over the period of time; and determining the state of ventricular fibrillation by relating the first value to the state of ventricular fibrillation. A defibrillation system includes at least one processor in communication with a sensor to measure heart rhythm and an applicator to apply a defibrillation pulse. The processor is adapted to create a lagged phase space reconstruction of ventricular fibrillation heart rhythm and to determine a first value related to the rate of change of the leading edge of the phase space reconstruction over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Lawrence D Sherman, Clifton W Callaway, James J. Menegazzi
  • Patent number: 7435232
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasively assessing physiological hard of soft tissue of human and other species are described. In a preferred embodiment, tissue is vibrationally stimulated in vivo through a frequency spectrum. The tissue reacts against the stimulus and the reaction is preferably measured and recorded. Based on analytical algorithms or comparisons with previously taken measurements, changes within the tissue can be detected and used for diagnostic purposes. Further embodiments describe the usage of the device and methods for in vivo intra-operative and post-operative implant evaluations and as a therapeutic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventor: Michael Liebschner
  • Patent number: 7421292
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling the recording of diagnostic data, such as intracardiac electrogram (IEGM) data, so as to reduce device power consumption. In one technique, the risk of onset of an arrhythmia is evaluated and the recording of diagnostic data is then selectively controlled based upon the evaluation. More specifically, a temporary “pre-trigger” memory for recording IEGM data is activated only at times when there is a significant risk that an arrhythmia will actually occur. Power savings are thereby achieved as compared to devices that require the pre-trigger memory to be continuously active. In another technique, parameters employed to trigger the recording of diagnostic data are adaptively modified to reduce the likelihood of any unnecessary recording of such data. Preferably, both the risk-based techniques and the adaptive techniques are implemented in the same system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Kroll
  • Patent number: 7411510
    Abstract: The current invention provides a remote caregiver support system which allows caregivers to provide informal care to care receivers. The systems of the current invention comprise a caregiver system and a care receiver system operating on personal computers. Each system is linked by a communications network. Preferably, the communications network is a high speed internet connection. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for delivering informal care to a care receiver remotely located from the caregiver. In the methods of the current invention, the caregiver accesses a remote caregiver support system and interacts with the care receiver providing text reminders and other informal care necessary to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of the care receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Nixon
  • Publication number: 20080183030
    Abstract: In a method and system for treating pain or impairment a video imaging device obtains image frames of a continuous portion of the patient's body including a selected impaired member in proper spatial relationship to a facial image of the patient. A processor coupled to the imaging device processes the image frames to form composite image frames in substantially real time wherein the impaired member is replaced by a virtual image of a corresponding healthy member so as to depict the imaged portion of the patient's body performing healthy movement of the selected impaired member. An interface is coupled to the processor for controlling virtual movement of the impaired limb in the composite image frames, and a display screen is coupled to the processor for displaying at least some of the composite image frames in substantially real time synchronism with operation of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: HADASIT MEDICAL RESEARCH SERVICES & DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Shimon Shiri, Maya Tuchner, Uri Feintuch, Meir Shahar, Zeev Meiner
  • Patent number: 7399276
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems, as applied to the field of public health surveillance. In particular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring system that is capable of reliably identifying and collecting data from frontline healthcare providers, laboratory and hospital information systems, patients and healthy individuals in a number of ways, with a view to aid in the field of public health. The system can also be used to query and collect additional information regarding specifics pertaining to the health of the individuals, and for patient tracking, monitoring, and the collection of individual data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Health Hero Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Brown, Gowthaman Gunabushanam
  • Patent number: 7395109
    Abstract: Heart monitor signals indicating a patient's heart characteristics are amplified without affecting the signal characteristics. The amplified heart monitor signals with atypical characteristics are transmitted to a pattern recognition platform which stores the patient's previously provided signals with atypical characteristics. The patient's present and previously provided signals with atypical characteristics are compared to select the previously provided signals with characteristics closest to those of the presently provided signals. Database signals identifying different types of heart problems in third parties and having characteristics closest to the patient's selected atypical signals are chosen. Dependent upon the severity of the patient's heart problems identified by the chosen database signals, the monitor transmits the chosen database signals to an individual one of the patient's doctor, the patient's hospital and an emergency care facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Signalife, Inc.
    Inventor: Budimir Drakulic
  • Patent number: 7392200
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for recommending a disposable absorbent incontinence article to be used by an incontinent person. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving information, from a user, about incontinence devices which are currently used by the incontinent person; (b) receiving information about the situation which is experienced by the user; and (c) selecting at least one article, based on the information received, among predetermined disposable absorbent incontinence articles. By this method, an appropriate disposable absorbent incontinence article(s) to be used are recommended depending on the user's situation. The present invention is also directed a method for evaluating the quality of life of a caregiver who takes care of an incontinent person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Yukio Heki, Tsutomu Kato
  • Patent number: 7390299
    Abstract: A wireless patient monitor is adapted to communicate with any one of plural medical telemetry networks, each having one or more central stations, where each network is configured to communicate via wireless communications using one of multiple different communications settings. The monitor includes one or more sensor inputs for receiving vital signs data from a patient, a wireless transceiver, and a controller coupled to receive the vital signs data via the one or more sensor inputs and to communicate with a network via the transceiver. The monitor also includes a display device and is controllable by the controller to automatically display a notification to a user of the monitor upon establishing communications with the at least one central station. There is also a method of monitoring a patient and a wireless medical telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert S. Weiner, James B. Moon, Nhedti L. Colquitt, Eric G. Petersen, William H. Howell, Kenneth G. West
  • Patent number: 7384394
    Abstract: An interface for a system and method for evaluating the effectiveness of a person to perform a task based on his/her preceding or predicted sleep pattern is provided. The interface allows a user to use actual sleep data or predicted sleep data to produce predictions of the task effectiveness of a person to perform a particular task. The predictions may be in tabular, graphical, or tabular and graphical format. The interface may also represent the effectiveness of a user based on the actual or predicted sleep data in conjunction with an actual or predicted work schedule or pattern. The results can be correlated to sunlight in the user's location, and can also account for changes in the users location (transmeridian shifts), sunlight during the user's sleep cycle (shift work), and other schedule modifying events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Rawlings Hursh, Timothy Elsmore, Douglas Raymond Eddy
  • Patent number: 7381185
    Abstract: The invention analyzes relationships between factors, within a patient population, to identify autonomic dysfunction patterns. Patient test results are then compared with the identified patterns to determine the patient's autonomic function. The invention can continually amend the patient population with new test results to create increasingly accurate normative data sets from which a patient's autonomic function can be more accurately assessed. The invention may apply this concept in an application service provider model. An embodiment of the invention may use a novel method of identifying certain components on physiological signals such as the R-wave for an ECG. The method locates R-waves by searching for maximum slope values and cycle lengths that satisfy certain threshold values. Another embodiment of the invention entails a non-provocative HRV test whereby certain time domain and frequency domain factors are analyzed to determine a patient's autonomic function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: MedDorna, LLC
    Inventors: Yevgeniy N. Zhirnov, Vadim I. Pougatchev, Evgueni N. Gribkov
  • Patent number: 7383197
    Abstract: A system to match a consumer of health care services to a health care service provider over a communications network, the system comprising at least one computer terminal associated with the consumer for allowing the consumer access to the communications network, a network server coupled to the communications network, the server comprising a computer program having, a service provider data base identifying a plurality of health care service providers and associated health care service products offered by the service providers, a first methodology for determining an appropriate treatment based on a diagnosis provided by the consumer or determined by an alternative diagnosis determiner, and a second methodology for determining at least one appropriate service provider based on a treatment preference comprising at least one of geographical location of the provider, insurance plan participation, cost, provider experience with the treatment and provider outcome with respect to the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: George G. Neuman
  • Patent number: 7383082
    Abstract: A device is provided which is capable of determining an amount of exercise involved in walking, as well as of obtaining quantitative information about visceral fat in the abdominal part of a subject and which can be used handily by being carried with the subject. The visceral fat determining device with a step-counting function is configured as follows. The visceral fat determining device has a step-counting means for counting the number of steps involved in exercise such as walking done by a subject and a main body shaped to be portable. When body data of the subject such as the waist size of the subject is inputted to the visceral fat determining device through a manipulation section, the visceral fat determining device is capable of performing a computation of the body data based on a predetermined computing formula for obtaining quantitative information about the abdominal visceral fat of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Kawanishi, Koichi Okita
  • Patent number: 7374535
    Abstract: A medical information system receives patient data and information from various sources and displays such information in a variety of formats for use by member of a medical team in a hospital, clinic, or office. The system receives patient information from doctors, pharmacists, patient monitoring equipment, testing laboratories, and/or computer databases. Access to selected subsets of patient information is provided by user selection of specific data sets identified by job function selection icons. A member of the medical team can record observations about a patient using key words and phrases which can be supplemented with additional text for customized notation. Multiple types of patient data are selectively displayed si- multaneously, and to multiple remote users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.D. Soft Ltd.
    Inventors: Ido Schoenberg, Phyllis Gotlib, Roy Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 7372988
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating a three-dimensional visualization image of an object such as an organ using volume visualization techniques and exploring the image using a guided navigation system that allows the operator to travel along a flight path and to adjust the view to a particular portion of the image of interest in order, for example, to identify polyps, cysts or other abnormal features in the visualized organ; where imaging data sets are acquired using conventional two-dimensional scans of the object in both a supine and prone orientation, and correspondence between the respective data sets is determined to permit jumping from one visualization orientation to the other while remaining at the same virtual location within the organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignees: Viatronix Incorporated, Research Foundation of State University of NY
    Inventors: Suzanne Yoakum-Stover, Arie E. Kaufman, Kevin Kreeger
  • Patent number: 7373280
    Abstract: A method of and system for detecting a measurement error. The method includes: receiving measurement data from a measurement unit and user expression data from a user; corresponding each of the received measurement data and expression data to any one section of a plurality of sections; and checking whether or not the corresponding two sections are consistent with each other, to detect an error of any one of the measurement data and the expression data when they are not consistent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soo-Kwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7367950
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributed, non-invasive assessment of the functional state and state of adaptive response of a subject under test. The functional state tests may include heart rate variability, differential ECG, omega brain wave, jump and stimulus response tests. A plurality of data collection (and result display) units are provided, and collected data is propagated over the internet or another network to a centralized processing computer that performs the functional state assessments and returns the results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Omegawave, LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Vasilyevich Masakov, Vladimir Borisovich Larionov
  • Publication number: 20080083414
    Abstract: Surgical monitoring techniques determine various time periods associated with various surgical contexts based on information received from a patient monitor. The time periods can include start and end times and be determined by comparisons with predetermined data patterns, which can be based on heuristic and/or statistical classifications, as well as in conjunction with information received from other medical equipment. Various monitors and/or detectors and/or controllers can also operate in conjunction therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Joanne Lynn Messerges
  • Patent number: 7347818
    Abstract: A testing system and method for evaluation of neurological function are provided. Specifically, the system and method can be used to differentiate between normal and pathological function for motor skills, logic, reasoning, coordination, verbal function, memory, and various other skills. In addition, it is designed to provide a package to a clinician, including a recommended battery of tests and a results report. The system and method described herein is designed to reduce bias due to the human nature of the tester, while still maintaining versatility, individualized attention and depth of analysis in testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: NeuroTrax Corporation
    Inventor: Ely Simon
  • Patent number: 7346417
    Abstract: Method and system, for which can be used in the fields of medicine and dentistry as well as for the most varied types of material working in different areas of application and model working, provides that an exact removal of material or a highly precise, reproducible material working can be realized by acquiring, storing and processing data pertaining to position and/or orientation of an effector and their changes relative to the position of at least one reference body. The effector is controlled and/or regulated with regard to its power and/or parameterization based on a predetermined working volume, material volume removed and remaining material volume. A first marking support with markings is arranged on a handpiece with the effector, where the handpiece is connected to a control unit, and a second marking support with markings is attached to the material object or tissue object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: LB Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Lüth, Jürgen Bier, Angelika Bier, Andreas Hein, Olaf Schermeier