Measuring Pressure In Heart Or Blood Vessel Patents (Class 600/485)
  • Publication number: 20140275903
    Abstract: Described are methods and systems to allow the use of a very simple physiological meter without a user input interface (i.e., buttonless) while maintaining the ability to store time linked measurement records for retrospective or prospective analysis of the measured physiological measurements with a bistable display to allow for a display of plural prior physiological measurements without necessitating the activation (e.g., turning on or manipulation of the user input interfaces) of the physiological meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LifeScan Scotland Limited
    Inventors: David ELDER, Antony Smith
  • Publication number: 20140276125
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for characterizing cardiac function. The method and system comprise collecting cardiac signals associated with electrical or mechanical behavior of a heart over at least one cardiac cycle; identifying a timing feature of interest (FOI) from the cardiac signals; collecting dynamic impedance (DI) data over at least one cardiac cycle (CC), designated by the timing FOI, along at least one of i) a venous return (VR) vector or ii) a right ventricular function (RVF) vector; and analyzing at least one morphologic characteristic from the DI data based on at least one of i) a VR-DI correlation metric to obtain a VR indicator associated with the CC or ii) a RVF-DI correlation metric to obtain a RVF indicator associated with CC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventor: PACESETTER, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140276135
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner catheter that is coupled to a handle and defines a lumen configured to receive a guidewire. An outer catheter is movably coupled to the handle and defines a first lumen in fluid communication with a distal opening and that is configured to introduce a therapeutic agent through the distal opening and into a target pancreatic artery(ies). The outer catheter defines a second lumen configured to receive at least a portion of the inner catheter. An actuator is coupled to the handle and configured to move the outer catheter relative to the handle. A first occlusion element is coupled to the inner catheter and a second occlusion element is coupled to the outer catheter and disposed proximal to the first occlusion element. A distance between the first occlusion element and the second occlusion element is adjustable when the outer catheter is moved relative to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: RenovoRX, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramtin Agah, Kamran Najmabadi, Marta Gaia Zanchi
  • Patent number: 8834379
    Abstract: A system for providing an indication of cardiovascular function, includes a respiration input (1) for receiving a respiration-related signal indicative of a physical property of respiration gases administered to a patient. A hemodynamic input (2) is provided for receiving a hemodynamic-related signal indicative of a hemodynamic property. An inspiration detector (3) is provided for processing the respiration-related signal to detect times of inspiration and a measure of the size of the inspiration. A correlator (5) is provided for correlating the sizes of inspiration with the hemodynamic-related signal, to obtain the indication of cardiovascular function. The respiration-related signal is indicative of inspiration pressure, inspiration volume, or inspiration flow. The hemodynamic-related signal is indicative of blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventor: Marc Van Houwelingen
  • Patent number: 8834380
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a sphygmomanometer that is easy to use. The sphygmomanometer according to the present invention measures blood pressure in accordance with an oscillation in an artery wall, resulting from an arterial pulse correspondent with a change in cuff pressure. It comprises a cuff that is connected to the sphygmomanometer main body by a tube, a display unit for displaying the results of blood pressure measurements, and an air supply unit for supplying air to, and thus pressurizing, the cuff, which is detachable from the sphygmomanometer main body. The air supply unit is screwed into the sphygmomanometer main body with a screw assembly, and the screwed-in state is preserved by a caulking ring. The air supply unit also comprises a filter for keeping dust from entering the sphygmomanometer main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8827911
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a vascular endothelial function includes: a cuff, to be wound around a part of a body of a subject; a cuff pressure controller, configured to control a pressure of the cuff, and configured to apply continuous pressure stimulation; a cuff pressure detector, configured to detect the pressure of the cuff from output of a pressure sensor connected to the cuff; a pulse wave detector, configured to detect, from the output of the pressure sensor, pulse waves before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is applied; and an analyzer, configured to evaluate the vascular endothelial function by comparing the pulse waves detected before and after the continuous pressure stimulation is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignees: Nihon Kohden Corporation, Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Toshio Tsuji, Masao Yoshizumi, Yukihito Higashi, Masashi Kawamoto, Teiji Ukawa
  • Patent number: 8827929
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring distensibility of a vessel, lumen or sphincter includes a balloon catheter having a balloon located adjacent a distal end of a catheter for inserting in, for example, the sphincter, the distensibility of which is to be determined. The balloon is inflated to respective first and second pressures to distend the sphincter to respective first and second transverse cross-sectional areas which are measured. The first and second pressures are selected so that the relationship between the pressure and the cross-sectional area of the sphincter is linear. The distensibility of the sphincter is determined as a distensibility index, which is the value of c from the equation of a line y=mx+c containing the values of the first and second pressures and areas, where x represents pressure and y represents area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Flip Technologies Limited
    Inventor: John O'Dea
  • Patent number: 8827913
    Abstract: An example system may include at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a cardiovascular pressure signal and another medical device configured to measure an electrical depolarization signal of the heart. The system determines a plurality of cardiovascular pressure metrics based on the measured cardiovascular pressure signal, including at least one cardiovascular pressure metric indicative of a timing of at least one cardiac pulse. The system also determines a metric indicative of a timing of at least one heart depolarization within the measured electrical depolarization signal. The system compares the timing of the at least one cardiac pulse to the timing of the at least one depolarization, and determines whether to discard the plurality of cardiovascular pressure metrics based on whether the timings substantially agree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Havel, Tommy D. Bennett, Yong Kyun Cho, Robert T. Taepke, II
  • Patent number: 8827914
    Abstract: A function adding module includes a connection portion for connection to an existing blood pressure meter with an air tube and a connection portion for connection to a cuff with an air tube. The function adding module calculates a pressure value by detecting a change in internal pressure of the cuff using an embedded pressure sensor. The function adding module has a memory function and stores the calculated blood pressure value in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ichikawa, Takahide Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140249431
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac power (CP) from a patient that features: 1) an impedance sensor connected to at least two body-worn electrodes and including an impedance circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure an impedance signal (e.g. TBEV waveform); 2) an ECG sensor connected to at least two chest-worn electrodes and including an ECG circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure and ECG signal; 3) an optical sensor connected to a body-worn optical probe and including an optical circuit that processes signals from the probe to measure at least one optical signal (e.g. a PPG waveform) from the patient; 4) a processing system, typically worn on the patient's wrist and connected through a wired interface to the optical sensor, and through either a wired or wireless interface to the TBEV and ECG sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Matt BANET, Isaac HENRY, Donald BERNSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20140249399
    Abstract: A method for determining functional severity of a stenosis includes: (a) generating a simulated perfusion map from a calculated blood flow; (b) comparing the simulated perfusion map to a measured perfusion map to identify a degree of mismatch therebetween, the measured perfusion map representing perfusion in a patient; (c) modifying a parameter in a model used in calculating the blood flow when the degree of mismatch meets or exceeds a predefined threshold; (d) computing a hemodynamic quantity from the simulated perfusion map when the degree of mismatch is less than the predefined threshold, the hemodynamic quantity being indicative of the functional severity of the stenosis; and (e) displaying the hemodynamic quantity. Systems for determining functional severity of a stenosis are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Puneet Sharma, Ali Kamen, Max Schöbinger, Michael Scheuering, Dorin Comaniciu
  • Publication number: 20140249433
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac power (CP) from a patient that features: 1) impedance sensor connected to at least two body-worn electrodes and including an impedance circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure an impedance signal (e.g. a TBEV waveform); 2) an ECG sensor connected to at least two chest-worn electrodes and including an ECG circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure and ECG signal; 3) an optical sensor connected to a body-worn optical probe and including an optical circuit that processes signals from the probe to measure at least one optical signal (e.g. a PPG waveform) from the patient; 4) a processing system, typically worn on the patient's wrist and connected through a wired interface to the optical sensor, and through either a wired or wireless interface to the TBEV and ECG sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Matt BANET, Isaac HENRY, Donald BERNSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20140249434
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac power (CP) from a patient that features: 1) an impedance sensor connected to at least two body-worn electrodes and including an impedance circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure an impedance signal (e.g. TBEV waveform); 2) an ECG sensor connected to at least two chest-worn electrodes and including an ECG circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure and ECG signal; 3) an optical sensor connected to a body-worn optical probe and including an optical circuit that processes signals from the probe to measure at least one optical signal (e.g. a PPG waveform) from the patient; 4) a processing system, typically worn on the patient's wrist and connected through a wired interface to the optical sensor, and through either a wired or wireless interface to the TBEV and ECG sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Matt BANET, Isaac HENRY, Donald BERNSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20140249432
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for measuring stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac power (CP) from a patient that features: 1) impedance sensor connected to at least two body-worn electrodes and including an impedance circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure an impedance signal (e.g. a TBEV waveform); 2) an ECG sensor connected to at least two chest-worn electrodes and including an ECG circuit that processes analog signals from the electrodes to measure and ECG signal; 3) an optical sensor connected to a body-worn optical probe and including an optical circuit that processes signals from the probe to measure at least one optical signal (e.g. a PPG waveform) from the patient; 4) a processing system, typically worn on the patient's wrist and connected through a wired interface to the optical sensor, and through either a wired or wireless interface to the TBEV and ECG sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Matt BANET, Isaac HENRY, Donald BERNSTEIN
  • Patent number: 8821403
    Abstract: An apparatus for assessing cardiovascular status of a mammal comprises a system for locally applying a pressure to an artery capable of restricting blood flow through said artery, a wideband external pulse transducer having an output and situated to measure suprasystolic signals proximate to said artery, and a computing device receiving said output for calculating vascular compliance values. The method described is particularly useful for determining cardiac output, assessing whether a pregnant female has preeclampsia or a patient has cardiac insufficiency, or assessing cardiac arrhythmias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Nigel E. Sharrock
  • Patent number: 8821402
    Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein provide for the estimation and monitoring of cerebrovascular system properties and intracranial pressure (ICP) from one or more measurements or measured signals. These measured signals may include central or peripheral arterial blood pressure (ABP), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) or cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). The measured signals may be acquired noninvasively or minimally-invasively. The measured signals may be used to estimate parameters and variables of a computational model that is representative of the physiological relationships among the cerebral flows and pressures. The computational model may include at least one resistive element, at least one compliance element, and a representation of ICP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Faisal Mahmood Kashif, Thomas Heldt, George Cheeran Verghese
  • Publication number: 20140243691
    Abstract: A measurement device includes a pulse wave measurement unit for measuring a pulse wave, and a calculation unit for calculating a predetermined parameter value from the pulse wave, and calculating an index value corresponding to Ankle Brachial Blood Pressure Index as an index value of arteriostenosis using the parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Osaki, Naoki Mori, Toshihiko Ogura, Takashi Honda
  • Publication number: 20140243613
    Abstract: A method for identifying changes in an epilepsy patient's disease state, comprising: receiving at least one body data stream; determining at least one body index from the at least one body data stream; detecting a plurality of seizure events from the at least one body index; determining at least one seizure metric value for each seizure event; performing a first classification analysis of the plurality of seizure events from the at least one seizure metric value; detecting at least one additional seizure event from the at least one determined index; determining at least one seizure metric value for each additional seizure event, performing a second classification analysis of the plurality of seizure events and the at least one additional seizure event based upon the at least one seizure metric value; comparing the results of the first classification analysis and the second classification analysis; and performing a further action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Flint Hills Scientific, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 8814800
    Abstract: A system and method of enhancing a blood pressure signal is disclosed. The volume of an artery in a finger is measured by a photo-plesthysmographic (PPG) system, which produces a PPG signal. This PPG system is placed inside a cuff, and the cuff pressure is controlled by the PPG signal. The portion or component of the PPG signal having a frequency higher than a predefined threshold frequency is then modified or enhanced, such as by multiplying the high frequency component by a calibration factor. A blood pressure signal is then calculated using the cuff pressure and the modified PPG signal. A blood pressure contour curve may then be generated, and a variety of parameters may be calculated using the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: CNSystems Medizintechnik AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Fortin, Rupert Grüllenberger
  • Patent number: 8814801
    Abstract: A vessel wall monitoring apparatus includes: a first detecting unit which detects vessel diameter information based on first biological information obtained from a subject; a first producing unit which differentiates the vessel diameter information detected by the first detecting unit, to produce a vessel diameter function; a second detecting unit which detects blood pressure based on second biological information obtained from the subject; a second producing unit which performs a logarithmic operation on the blood pressure detected by the second detecting unit, to produce a logarithmic blood pressure function; and an outputting unit which produces an impedance model expression by using the vessel diameter function, the logarithmic blood pressure function, and mechanical characteristic values including a stiffness, viscosity, and inertia, and which calculates and outputs at least one of the stiffness, the viscosity, and the inertia based on the impedance model expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Nihon Kohden Corporation, Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Toshio Tsuji, Masao Yoshizumi, Masashi Kawamoto, Yukihito Higashi, Noboru Saeki, Ryuji Nakamura, Abdugheni Kutluk, Akinobu Kohno, Tetsuya Horiuchi, Teiji Ukawa
  • Publication number: 20140235963
    Abstract: A health care medical device includes one or more medical sensor devices, an assembly that houses the one or more medical sensor devices and a mobile electronic computing device with a display. The mobile electronic computing device is secured to the assembly. Medical data from the one or more medical sensor devices is transmitted to the mobile electronic computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian K. Edwards, Raymond A. Lia, David J. Maier, Miguel Christopher Mudge, Jon R. Salvati, Robert L. Vivenzio, Robert J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140236028
    Abstract: A blood-pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode, a magnetization fixed layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization free layer, and a second electrode. The substrate is bent to generate a tensile stress at least in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the substrate. The magnetization fixed layer has magnetization to be fixed in a second direction, and is provided on the substrate. The nonmagnetic layer is provided on the magnetization fixed layer. The magnetization free layer has a magnetization direction which is different from the first direction and from a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second electrode is provided on the magnetization free layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiromi Yuasa, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Alexander Devin Giddings, Michiko Hara, Shuichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 8812245
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8812246
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for determining cardiovascular information for a patient. The system may include at least one computer system configured to receive patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart, and create a three-dimensional model representing at least a portion of the patient's heart based on the patient-specific data. The at least one computer system may be further configured to create a physics-based model relating to a blood flow characteristic of the patient's heart and determine a fractional flow reserve within the patient's heart based on the three-dimensional model and the physics-based model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: HeartFlow, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8810356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data buffer apparatus with wireless transmission function, including a transmission interface module, a memory module, a wireless transmission module and a microprocessor module. The transmission interface module is coupled to a monitoring unit and continuously receives at least one transmission signal data to be stored in the memory module. When the memory module has the transmission signal data, the microprocessor module controls the wireless transmission module to attempts to establish a wireless connection. If the wireless connection is successfully established, the transmission signal data will be sent. If the wireless connection can not be established, it will attempt to establish the wireless connection again after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: National Yang Ming University
    Inventors: Bo-Jau Kuo, Ching-Hsiu Yang
  • Patent number: 8808188
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for continuous measurement of blood pressure based on pulse transit time and which does not require any external calibration. This technique, referred to herein as the ‘Composite Method’, is carried out with a body-worn monitor that measures blood pressure and other vital signs, and wirelessly transmits them to a remote monitor. A network of body-worn sensors, typically placed on the patient's right arm and chest, connect to the body-worn monitor and measure time-dependent ECG, PPG, accelerometer, and pressure waveforms. The disposable sensors can include a cuff that features an inflatable bladder coupled to a pressure sensor, three or more electrical sensors (e.g. electrodes), three or more accelerometers, a temperature sensor, and an optical sensor (e.g., a light source and photodiode) attached to the patient's thumb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sotera Wireless, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Banet, Marshal Dhillon, Devin McCombie
  • Publication number: 20140228683
    Abstract: A left atrial pressure measurement device includes: a measurement section that measures a first index value that indicates performance of a right ventricle, and a second index value that indicates performance of a left ventricle; and a calculation section that calculates a left atrial pressure using the first index value, the second index value, and a measured right atrial pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mikio AOKI, Kazunori UEMURA, Masaru SUGIMACHI
  • Publication number: 20140228693
    Abstract: A blood-pressure sensor includes a substrate, a first electrode, a magnetization fixed layer, a nonmagnetic layer, a magnetization free layer, and a second electrode. The substrate is bent to generate a tensile stress at least in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the substrate. The magnetization fixed layer has magnetization to be fixed in a second direction, and is provided on the substrate. The nonmagnetic layer is provided on the magnetization fixed layer. The magnetization free layer has a magnetization direction which is different from the first direction and from a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second electrode is provided on the magnetization free layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiromi YUASA, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Alexander Devin GIDDINGS, Michiko HARA, Shuichi MURAKAMI
  • Patent number: 8801618
    Abstract: A cardiovascular parameter such as cardiac output is estimated from a current pressure waveform data set without needing to directly measure blood flow or arterial compliance. The general shape of an input flow waveform over one beat-to-beat cycle is assumed (or computed), and then the parameters of a flow-to-pressure model, if not pre-determined, are determined using system identification techniques. In one embodiment, the parameters thus determined are used to estimate a current peripheral resistance, which is used not only to compute an estimate of the cardiovascular parameter, but also to adjust the shape of the input flow waveform assumed during at least one subsequent beat-to-beat cycle. Another embodiment does not require computation of the peripheral resistance and still another embodiment computes a flow estimate from an optimized identification of the parameters defining the assumed input flow waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Feras Hatib, Luchy Roteliuk, Jeffrey Pearce
  • Patent number: 8795185
    Abstract: A portable blood pressure measuring apparatus and a method therefor are provided. In the portable blood pressure measuring apparatus, a blood pressure measurer measures a wrist or finger blood pressure being an arterial pressure at a wrist or a finger, a Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) measurer measures a PWV, a controller controls compensation of the wrist or finger blood pressure using the PWV so that the wrist or finger blood pressure corresponds to a brachial blood pressure, and a display displays the compensated wrist or finger blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jae-Geol Cho
  • Patent number: 8795186
    Abstract: A system for determining onset of an acute hypotensive episode, the system includes a plurality of collectors configured to determine heart rate, mean arterial pressure, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and/or age of a patient, an estimate model configured to receive data from the collectors, a simulate model configured to receive information from the estimate model to simulate operation of an effector portion and a neural portion of an arterial baroreceptor reflex pathway, and a prediction model configured predict onset of an acute hypotensive episode based on results from the simulate model. A method and a computer software code for determining onset of an acute hypotensive episode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sahika Genc
  • Patent number: 8795741
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of reducing the risk that a medical treatment comprising inhalation of nitric oxide gas will induce an increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in the patient, leading to pulmonary edema.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: INO Therapeutics LLC
    Inventor: James S. Baldassarre
  • Patent number: 8795175
    Abstract: Cerebral blood volume changes are measured to evaluate, from properties of low-frequency components of such changes and heart rate changes calculated by analysis, a distribution of cerebral blood vessel hardness and its change over time to thereby estimate and display diseased and dangerous portions based on the evaluation. This is attainable by a biological measurement system having a cerebral blood volume measurement unit which measures a regional cerebral blood volume of a body under test, an analyzer unit that analyzes a signal measured by the cerebral blood volume measurement unit, an extraction unit for extracting, based on an output of the analysis unit, information concerning a regional cerebral blood vessel state of the test body, and a display unit which displays a measurement result of the cerebral blood volume measurement unit, an analysis result of the analyzer unit or an extraction result of the extraction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Funane, Naoki Tanaka, Hideaki Koizumi, Atsushi Maki
  • Publication number: 20140213914
    Abstract: One or more cardiovascular parameters is estimated as a function of the arterial pressure waveform, in particular, using at least one statistical moment of a discrete representation pressure waveform having an order greater than one. Arterial compliance, the exponential pressure decay constant, vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume are examples of cardiovascular parameters that can be estimated using various aspects of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, not only are the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the pressure waveform used to estimate the cardiovascular parameter(s) of interest, but also heart rate, statistical moments of a set of pressure-weighted time values, and certain anthropometric patient measurements such as age, sex, body surface area, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventor: Luchy Roteliuk
  • Publication number: 20140213862
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for analyzing a physiological signal detected from an individual. The system may include a physiological signal detection module configured to detect the physiological signal of the individual, a wavelet formation module configured to form a wavelet based on the physiological signal, and a wavelet transform module configured to generate a scalogram by transforming the physiological signal with the wavelet based on the physiological signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Paul Stanley Addison, James Ochs, James Nicholas Watson
  • Patent number: 8790265
    Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Miracor Medical Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Mohl, Loay Alzubaidi
  • Publication number: 20140207007
    Abstract: A strain sensor element comprises a laminated film which has a magnetic free layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetic reference layer. The free layer has a variable magnetization direction and a out-of-plane magnetization direction. The reference layer has a variable magnetization direction which is pinned more strongly than the magnetization of the free layer. The spacer layer provided between the free layer and the reference layer. A pair of electrodes is provided with a plane of the laminated film. A substrate is provided with either of the pair electrodes and can be strained. The rotation angle of the magnetization of the free layer is different from the rotation angle of the magnetization of the reference layer when the substrate is distorted. Electrical resistance is changed depending on the magnetization angle between the free layer and the reference layer, which allows the element to operate as a strain sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Alexander Devin GIDDINGS, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Hiromi YUASA, Mlchiko HARA, Shuichi MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20140206964
    Abstract: The invention includes a system to gather and analyze data to monitor, track, and provide care. The major subsystems of the invention include the Medical Digital Assistant (“MDA”), Server, Monitoring Devices, Dispensing Devices, Server, Dashboard, and Application Software. The invention includes conducting data acquisition, monitoring, analysis, and reporting to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as diagnosing and treating specific medical conditions such as fertility and congestive heart failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Arsham Andy Saffarian
  • Publication number: 20140207005
    Abstract: There is taught herein a real-time, lumped parameter cardiovascular dynamics model that uses features extracted from online electrocardiogram (ECG) signal recordings to generate certain surrogate hemodynamic signals. The derived signals can be used to real time animate a 3-D heart model. The model represents the coupled dynamics of the heart chambers, valves, and pulmonary and systemic blood circulation loops in the form of nonlinear differential equations. The features extracted from ECG signals can be used to estimate the timings and amplitudes of the atrioventricular activation input functions as well as other model parameters that capture the effect of cardiac morphological and physiological characteristics. The results indicate the potential of a virtual instrument that uses the model-derived signals for clinical diagnosis in lieu of expensive instrumentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Satish Bukkapatnam, Trung Le, Ranga Komanduri
  • Publication number: 20140207006
    Abstract: A strain sensor element comprises a laminated film which has a magnetic free layer, a spacer layer, and a magnetic reference layer. The free layer has a variable magnetization direction and a out-of-plane magnetization direction. The reference layer has a variable magnetization direction which is pinned more strongly than the magnetization of the free layer. The spacer layer provided between the free layer and the reference layer. A pair of electrodes is provided with a plane of the laminated film. A substrate is provided with either of the pair electrodes and can be strained. The rotation angle of the magnetization of the free layer is different from the rotation angle of the magnetization of the reference layer when the substrate is distorted. Electrical resistance is changed depending on the magnetization angle between the free layer and the reference layer, which allows the element to operate as a strain sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Alexander Devin GIDDINGS, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Hiromi Yuasa, Michiko Hara, Shuichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 8784331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for determining the hydro-dynamic properties of the fluid system surrounding the brain and the spinal cord, the so called cerebrospinal fluid system, whereby the method comprises continuous pressure measurement through a fluid contact passage and active infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid through another fluid contact passage to a number of pressure-flow levels, and analysis of the connections between the measured pressures and flows. The method uses an adaptive way of procedure which on each pressure-flow level takes account for the measure time and the patient's fluctuations in physiologic signals for calculating in real time when the relation between the measure time and measure accuracy in pressure and flow on the actual pressure-flow level is sufficient and at an optimum, whereupon the investigation or examination is automatically proceeding to the next level according to a predetermined protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Likvor AB
    Inventor: Jan Malm
  • Patent number: 8784326
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a method of manufacturing a core of a cuff for blood pressure meter and a cuff for blood pressure meter in order to improve operability during the insertion and removal of an arm and fittability during the tightening of the arm as well as to enable the reduction of manufacturing costs. A cuff for blood pressure meter (1) has an air bag (12), and a core (2) disposed outside the air bag (12). The core (2) includes a flexible sheet-like first core (21) and a second core (22) which is formed into a curved shape and which is attached to and stacked on the first core (21) and which curves the first core (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuro Kohyama
  • Patent number: 8784325
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for measuring blood pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-ho Kim, Kun-soo Shin
  • Publication number: 20140200464
    Abstract: A single system may provide to a patient: temperature change, remote ischemic conditioning, and sometimes both concurrently. The system may include a patient unit that includes an inflatable bladder, and a duct having a cavity. The patient unit is intended to be applied around a patient's limb. A temperature subsystem can force a flow of a first fluid through the cavity so that the first fluid can exchange heat with the patient's limb. The pressure subsystem may force a fluid into the bladder, to establish pressure against the limb. A controller may control both the temperature subsystem and the pressure subsystem, so as to control the treatment received by the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Daniel Webster, Daniel Ralph Piha, Fred W. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8777863
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative power generation module disposable within the interior space of an implantable medical device includes a module body that defines an interior cavity as well as a flexible diaphragm that spans the interior cavity. The flexible diaphragm includes a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to the first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace within the interior cavity and generate a voltage differential between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Piaget, Bin Mi, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile, Abhijeet V. Chavan, Cheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8777862
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus adapted to automatically and accurately place and maintain a sensor (e.g., tonometric pressure sensor) with respect to the anatomy of the subject. The apparatus comprised of a sensor device removably coupled to an actuator which is used to position the sensor during measurements. Methods for positioning the alignment apparatus and sensor, and operating the apparatus, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tensys Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon E. Finburgh, Andrew S. Katayama, Ronald J. Vidischak, Anthony T. Butler, Kurt Blessinger
  • Patent number: 8777850
    Abstract: An implantable medical device system and method provide physiological variable monitoring for use in patient management. A target value for a physiological variable and formulations for computing metrics of the physiological variable are stored. Values of the physiological variable are determined from a sensed physiological signal and are used to compute a selected metric. The metric is compared to the stored target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong K. Cho, Ven R. Manda, Brandon S. Sparks, Tommy D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 8771196
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a cuff for blood pressure meter wherein a tightening mechanism and a holding mechanism have structures with good mechanical strength to enable the improvement of durability and a size reduction, fittability to an arm is improved to achieve higher accuracy of a blood pressure measurement, and operability can be improved. A cuff for blood pressure meter (1) comprises a tightening mechanism (2) for tightening a flexible cuff (11), and a holding mechanism (3) for holding the tightening position of the tightened flexible cuff (11). The tightening mechanism (2) includes a rack (42) formed in a tightening belt (4), and a pinion gear (22). When the pinion gear (22) is rotated, the rack (42) is moved in a tightening direction. The holding mechanism (3) includes holding holes (43) formed at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the tightening belt (4), and holding pins (31) which engage into the holding holes (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuro Kohyama
  • Patent number: 8771195
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cardiovascular diagnostic system which enables early detection of cardiovascular diseases and defines their causes. Unlike known electrocardiographs, the cardiovascular diagnosis system can further measure elastic coefficient of blood vessels (the degree of arteriosclerosis), blood vessel compliance, blood flow, and blood flow resistance and velocity in blood vessel branches of the right and left coronary arteries. The elastic coefficient shows organic changes to blood vessels. The compliance shows organic and functional changes of blood vessels simultaneously. The blood flow shows blood flow resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Irumedi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Tae Kim, Seog San Hyeon
  • Publication number: 20140187875
    Abstract: Mouth guards having electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers for determining one or more physiological conditions of a subject. Processing circuitry receives the outputs of the electrodes, sensors, and/or accelerometers. Optionally, at least a portion of the processing circuitry can be positioned within a helmet that is worn by a subject. The mouth guard can optionally be tethered to the helmet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: University of Alaska Anchorage
    Inventors: Anthony J. Paris, Jennifer M. Brock, John A. Lund