By Detecting Electrical Impedance Of Body Portion Patents (Class 600/506)
  • Patent number: 11918324
    Abstract: A pulse transit time is measured non-invasively and used to calculate a blood pressure value. A method of determining one or more blood pressure values includes propagating an alternating drive current through a thorax of a subject via electrodes located on a wrist-worn device. Resulting voltage levels of the subject are sensed by the wrist-worn device. The voltage levels are processed to detect when a volume of blood is ejected from the left ventricle. Output from a pulse arrival sensor coupled to the wrist-worn device is processed to detect when a blood pressure pulse generated by ejection of the volume of blood from the left ventricle arrives at the wrist. A pulse transit time (PTT) for transit of the blood pressure pulse from the left ventricle to the wrist is calculated. One or more blood pressure values for the subject are determined based on the PTT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Sullivan, Wren Nancy Dougherty, Richard C. Kimoto, Erno Klaassen, Ravi K. Narasimhan, Stephen J. Waydo, Todd K. Whitehurst, Derek Park-Shing Young, Santiago Quijano, Zijing Zeng
  • Patent number: 11872028
    Abstract: To perform respiratory monitoring and cardiac-output measurement on general patients, an aspect of a biological measurement apparatus includes: at least two electrodes that are attached to a living body; a power supply that causes an AC current to flow between the two electrodes; at least two coils that are placed so as to sandwich a line linking the two electrodes, and detect a magnetic field related to a change in the AC current accompanying a change in impedance of the living body; and a detection circuit that performs addition or subtraction of signals related to the magnetic field detected with the two coils, and outputs the signals as a change in the impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD
    Inventors: Akihiko Kandori, Ryuzo Kawabata, Kuniomi Ogata, Takako Mizoguchi, Tsukasa Funane
  • Patent number: 11857784
    Abstract: A method of conducting a stimulus treatment includes the steps of examining health conditions of a subject to obtain examination data information of the subject, registering the examination data information in an information accumulation device, planning a schedule of the stimulus treatment determined to be suitable for the subject based on the examination data, and conducting the stimulation application treatment by applying a stimulation to a stimulation receiving site of the subject with a stimulation application device so as to increase the blood flow in the subject by 60% or more after the application of stimulation, as compared to the blood flow before the application of the stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Kenji Ryotokuji
  • Patent number: 11852577
    Abstract: The present technology relates to systems and associated methods for measuring properties of particles in a solution. In one or more embodiments, a particle measurement system is configured to generate a reference signal, communicate the reference signal across a plurality of resistors and overlapping pairs of electrodes that define detection regions for particulates traveling through a microchannel, and measure various properties of the particles based on detecting changes in the communicated reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ORANGE BIOMED LTD., CO.
    Inventors: Ung Hyeon Ko, Seung Jin Kang, Eun Young Park
  • Patent number: 11771392
    Abstract: A controller for maintaining alignment of X-Ray imagery and ultrasound imagery includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving data from an X-Ray system used to perform X-Ray imaging, and receiving data from an ultrasound imaging probe used to perform ultrasound imaging. The process executed by the controller also includes registering imagery based on X-Rays to imagery from the ultrasound imaging probe based on an X-Ray image of the ultrasound imaging probe among the imagery based on X-Rays, and detecting, from the data from the ultrasound imaging probe, movement of the ultrasound imaging probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Francois Guy Gerard Marie Vignon, Molly Lara Flexman, Ameet Kumar Jain, Niels Nojhof
  • Patent number: 11638534
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for continuous monitoring perfusion of an organ or extremity, and for early detection of progressive partial occlusion of arterial blood supply or venous drainage of tissue. The method and system measure a delay in wave propagation of a blood perfusion wave, which is associated with flow of blood through a blood vessel. The delay is correlated to an amount of obstruction in the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: The Medical Research Infrastructure and Health Services Fund of the Tel Aviv Medical Center
    Inventors: Amir Landesberg, Amit Livneh, Yehuda Wolf
  • Patent number: 11534076
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of sensor cells, and a controller configured to provide a tomographic image of a measurement object on the basis of an intensity of a magnetic field generated by an alternating current supplied via the plurality of electrodes. The controller acquires the intensity of the magnetic field via the plurality of sensor cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: SCHOOL JURIDICAL PERSON KITASATO INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Satoru Nebuya, Hiroshi Kumagai, Hideyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11504053
    Abstract: A mucosal impedance measuring apparatus detects and measures a condition of mucosa. The mucosal impedance measuring apparatus includes a catheter comprising a tube, impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter, a balloon mounted on the tube in which the balloon is capable of inflation and deflation, and an impedance measuring system. The impedance measuring system is adapted to measure a pressure-regulated impedance measurement of the mucosa that is indicative of the condition of the mucosa when the balloon is inflated and the impedance sensing electrodes direct an electric current through mucosa while the balloon is pressed against the mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: Diversatek Healthcare, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jerry E. Mabary, Michael F. Vaezi, Thomas D. Stuebe
  • Patent number: 11471065
    Abstract: A medical image diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to derive a subject-specific regression model that indicates a relationship among a cardiac cycle, systole, and diastole of the subject. The processing circuitry is configured to derive timing of a data acquisition in a synchronization imaging performed in synchronization with heartbeats of the heart of the subject, by using the derived regression model and electrocardiographic information of the subject obtained during an image taking process. The processing circuitry is configured to control the synchronization imaging so that the data acquisition is performed with the derived timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ei Nomura, Hitoshi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 11259711
    Abstract: Light is irradiated to a finger of a subject and received from the finger of the subject to extract a pulse wave signal, generates an optimized pulse wave signal in a desired type by sampling the extracted pulse wave signal according to a predetermined sampling condition and normalizes the generated pulse wave signal, the entire segment of the normalized pulse signal is divided into a plurality of window segments to detect a pulse wave amplitude value with respect to a pulse wave signal for each window, a first eigenvector for each subject corresponding to a pulse wave amplitude value of the entire window segment is extracted by using a linear discriminant analysis and then the first eigenvector per subject is compared with a threshold, determines distribution of eigenvectors for each subject compared to the threshold and thus a characteristic of the corresponding subject is diagnosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION CHOSUN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Young Suk Shin, Hyun Goo Kang, Seogki Lee
  • Patent number: 11213281
    Abstract: Arterial system navigation methods and devices and systems to perform the same. In an exemplary embodiment of a method of the present disclosure, the method comprises the steps of inserting at least part of an impedance device into an artery of a patient, the artery selected from the group consisting of a femoral artery and a radial artery, obtaining at least one conductance measurement while navigating a distal end of the impedance device through an arterial vasculature of the patient until the distal end is at or near a left ventricle, and performing at least one medical procedure at a location within the arterial vasculature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: 3DT HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Mark Svendsen
  • Patent number: 11154239
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for performing precise treatment, mapping, and/or testing of tissues are disclosed. Systems, devices, and methods for administering an agent to one or more a precise regions within a tissue mass are disclosed. Systems, devices, and methods for treating targeted regions within a tissue mass are disclosed. Systems, devices, and methods for identifying, localizing, monitoring neural traffic in the vicinity of, quantifying neural traffic in the vicinity of, and mapping neural traffic near targeted regions within a tissue mass are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Autonomix Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Landy Toth, Robert S. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10898086
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods to determine fractional flow reserve. At least one method for determining fractional flow reserve of the present disclosure comprises the steps positioning a device comprising at least two sensors within a luminal organ at or near a stenosis, wherein the at least two sensors are separated a predetermined distance from one another, operating the device to determine flow velocity of a second fluid introduced into me luminal organ to temporarily displace a first fluid present within the luminal organ, and determining fractional flow reserve at or near the stenosis based upon the flow velocity, a mean aortic pressure within the luminal organ, and at least one cross-sectional area at or near the stenosis. Devices and systems useful for performing such exemplary methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: 3DT Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
  • Patent number: 10779750
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for removing targeted lesions from vessels. In at least one embodiment of a device for removing a stenotic lesion from a vessel, the device comprises a sizing portion capable of measuring a luminal size parameter when at least part of the device is positioned within a lumen of a luminal organ, a typing portion, wherein at least part of the at least one typing portion is capable of physically touching a portion of the luminal organ or a structure therein, and a treatment portion capable of removing at least part of a stenotic lesion from the luminal organ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: 3DT Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
  • Patent number: 10667743
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a penile tumescence diagnosis device and method. The penile tumescence diagnosis device includes: a plurality of ring sensors configured to measure a body part of a user and generate sensor-sensed information; and a processor configured to generate diagnostic information about the body part of the user based on the sensor-sensed information generated by the plurality of ring sensors. The plurality of ring sensors includes: a first ring sensor configured to have a first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape; and a second ring sensor configured to have a second threshold length larger than the first threshold length and be disposed on the body part to surround the body part in a ring shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Seoul National University R&DB Foundation, Korea University Research & Business Foundation
    Inventors: Sung Roh Yoon, Jae Young Park, Sung Woon Choi
  • Patent number: 10548484
    Abstract: A sensor device for EIT imaging comprises an electrode array for measuring an impedance distribution, with at least one sensor for determining spatial orientation of the electrode array coupled to the electrode array. An EIT imaging instrument is connectable to a sensor for determining spatial orientation of a test person, and optionally in addition connectable to a sensor for gathering information on electrical and/or acoustic activity and/or a sensor for gathering information on dilation. A computing device is connected or integrated for adjusting impedance data based on spatial data, which spatial data describe the spatial orientation of a test subject. An EIT imaging method for measuring an impedance distribution and adjusting said measured impedance distribution comprises measuring impedance distribution by using an impedance distribution measuring device comprising an electrode array, and transforming the measured impedance distribution into EIT images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Swisstom AG
    Inventors: Josef X. Brunner, Pascal Olivier Gaggero, Nicolas Robitaille
  • Patent number: 10524685
    Abstract: Methods to generate luminal organ profiles using impedance. One embodiment of such a method comprises the steps of introducing an impedance device having at least two detection electrodes positioned in between at least two excitation electrodes into a treatment site of a luminal organ at a first position, measuring a first treatment site conductance at the first position using the impedance device and at least two injections of solutions having different conductivities, moving the impedance device to a second position in the luminal organ, measuring a second treatment site conductance at the second position using the impedance device and the at least two injections of solutions having different conductivities, calculating a first position cross-sectional area using the first treatment site conductance and a second position cross-sectional area using the second treatment site conductance, and constructing a profile of the treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: 3DT Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ghassan S. Kassab
  • Patent number: 10470718
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for digital demodulation of signals obtained in the measurement of electrical bioimpedance or bioadmittance of an object. One example comprises: generating an excitation signal of known frequency content; applying the excitation signal to the object; sensing a response signal of the object; sampling and digitizing the response signal to acquire a digitized response signal representing the response signal with respect to frequency content, amplitude and phase; correlating, for each frequency fAC of the excitation signal applied, digitized samples of the response signal, with discrete values representing the excitation signal; calculating, using the correlated signals for each frequency fAC of the excitation signal applied, complex values for the bioimpedance Z(fAC); providing, over time, a set of digital bioimpedance waveforms Z(fAC,t)); separating the base bioimpedance Z0(fAC), from the waveforms; and separating the changes of bioimpedance ?Z(fAC,t), from the waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: OSYPKA MEDICAL GMBH
    Inventors: Markus J. Osypka, Eberhard Gersing
  • Patent number: 10368760
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing contact between a medical device and tissue may comprise an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to be coupled to a medical device, the medical device comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The ECU may be further configured to select the first electrode as an electrical source and the second electrode as an electrical sink, to cause an electrical signal to be driven between the source and sink, to detect respective electric potentials on the first electrode and the second electrode while the electrical signal is driven, and to determine an impedance respective of one of the first electrode and the second electrode according to both of the respective electric potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Divison, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Hauck
  • Patent number: 10321867
    Abstract: A method of detecting and measuring the condition of intraluminal esophageal mucosa. An esophagus is intubated with a catheter including an inflatable and deflatable balloon and one or more impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter. The balloon is inflated to press the impedance sensing electrode(s) into a mucosa of the interior esophageal wall. An electric current is directed through the mucosa via the impedance sensing electrode(s) while the impedance sensing electrode(s) is/are pressed by the balloon against the mucosa and measure impedance of the mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: Diversatek Healthcare, Inc., Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Jerry E. Mabary, Michael F. Vaezi, Thomas D. Stuebe
  • Patent number: 10271798
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for monitoring and displaying medical parameters for a patient. In one embodiment, a display can be configured to show a display screen that includes information related to a physiological parameter being measured from a patient. The information can include trends of values of the physiological parameter gathered from the patient over a period of time. The display screen can also show assessment information regarding one or more diagnostic parameters for the patient and notification information regarding one or more medically-related events that occurred as related to the patient. The trends information, the assessment information, and the notification information can be shown on the display screen alone or in any combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Integra Lifesciences Corporation
    Inventors: Salim Kassem, Nicholas Baruch
  • Patent number: 10231635
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the impedance and impedance changes in a body segment are disclosed. By utilizing an ECG buffer, at least one plethysmograph buffer, and concurrently performing at least extraction of an ECG waveform stored in the ECG buffer and extraction of impedance waveforms stored in the at least one plethysmograph buffer, enhanced signal-to-noise ratios of output signals of impedance plethysmographs are achieved. In an embodiment, improved waveform selection using template matching is also achieved. With template matching, a new candidate waveform is compared in shape to the previous average waveform and may be accepted for current averaging based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Inventor: Lloyd A. Marks
  • Patent number: 10188303
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining stroke volume. The apparatus receives an arterial pressure waveform and is arranged to correct a part of the pressure waveform that relates to a heart beat for an influence of an ectopic heart beat, of atrial fibrillation on the pressure waveform or of changes in the pressure waveform's baseline. The apparatus also comprising means arranged to calculate the stroke volume from the corrected waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: LIDCO Group PLC
    Inventors: David Marston Band, Terence Kevin O'Brien, Eric Mills, Christopher Bancroft Wolff, James Arthur Douglas
  • Patent number: 10098587
    Abstract: A physiology detecting garment is provided in the invention. The physiology detecting garment includes a garment, a first transmission line, a second transmission line, a first detecting device, a second detecting device, a first textile antenna and a second textile antenna. The first textile antenna is configured in the garment and receives a first sensing signal. The second textile antenna is configured in the garment and receives a second sensing signal. The first detecting device samples the first sensing signal to generate a first time index and the second detecting device samples the second sensing signal to generate a feedback signal. The first detecting device generates a second time index according to the feedback signal, and generates a time parameter according to the first time index and the second time index, and obtains physiological information according to the time parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Kuo, Tien-Cheng Tseng, Pei-Fen Chan
  • Patent number: 9980663
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for determining an overhydration parameter or a body composition parameter are disclosed. The method comprises: obtaining first bioimpedance measurement data of a patient from a first type of bioimpedance measurement (204), deriving bioimpedance calibration data from the first bioimpedance measurement data for calibrating second bioimpedance measurement data from a second type of bioimpedance measurement (205), obtaining the second bioimpedance measurement data from a second bioimpedance measurement of the patient (206), and calibrating the second bioimpedance measurement data using the calibration data to determine the overhydration parameter or the body composition parameter of the patient (207).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Wabel, Paul Chamney, Ulrich Moissl, Sebastian Wieskotten
  • Patent number: 9854981
    Abstract: A sensor delivery device and methods of using the device are provided, wherein the sensor delivery device includes a sensor that is adapted to obtain a measurement that can be used to calculate cross-sectional area of a surrounding anatomical structure. In certain cases, the sensor is an electrode arrangement, wherein the electrode arrangement generates a current and measures voltage resulting from the current. The voltage measurement is then used to calculate conductivity of fluid in the surrounding anatomical structure and thus cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ACIST MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Fredrick Hiltner
  • Patent number: 9814408
    Abstract: A mucosal impedance measuring system that is capable of direct and accurate impedance measurements of esophageal mucosa includes example multi-channel intraluminal impedance catheters with inflatable and deflatable components for positioning the impedance sensor electrodes in direct contact with the esophageal mucosa on the inside surface of the esophagus. Impedance measurements from multiple locations in the esophagus are processed for indications of mucosal damage that are indicative of damage due to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), and Barrett's esophagus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Diversatek Healthcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry E. Mabary, Michael F. Vaezi, Thomas D. Stuebe
  • Patent number: 9616182
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injection device. Exemplary embodiments of the invention comprise an application element, an injection needle, an injection needle housing, a drive system for the injection movement, and a retraction system. In exemplary embodiments, a substance is injected during the retraction movement of the injection needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: REPLICEL LIFE SCIENCES
    Inventors: Rolf Hoffmann, Martin Hohlrieder
  • Patent number: 9572536
    Abstract: A medical apparatus and system for determining contact assessment includes a catheter having an elongate body having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and defining an injection lumen and an exhaust lumen, an expandable membrane defining a cooling chamber disposed at a point along the elongate body, the cooling chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen and the exhaust lumen, and a contact assessment element which may be a temperature sensor located proximate the coolant return lumen for measuring an internal temperature of the chamber. The system may include the catheter, a console having a fluid supply, an exhaust path and at least one control mechanism operationally coupled to the temperature sensor for processing a temperature signal received from the temperature sensor. The apparatus and system can also have multiple electrodes to measure and process various impedances to determine contact assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Marwan Abboud, Teresa Ann Mihalik, Johnny Al Asmar, Chadi Harmouche
  • Patent number: 9486157
    Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus and a method for externally assessing and monitoring placement of an endo-tracheal tube for ventilation of patients based on thoracic impedance measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MEDINNOVA AS
    Inventor: Lars Wik
  • Patent number: 9439706
    Abstract: A method of treating tissue is provided, including positioning a portion of a catheter in proximity to cardiac tissue; measuring an impedance value with the catheter; determining a respiratory rate based at least in part on the measured impedance value; and thermally treating the cardiac tissue with the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Marwan Abboud, Johnny Al Asmar, Chadi Harmouche
  • Patent number: 9375246
    Abstract: A system for planning, performing and/or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic treatment of a target tissue is provided. The system includes at least one of a thermal conductivity probe including a microprobe sensor configured and adapted to measure a thermal conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction and an electrical conductivity probe including a microprobe sensor configured and adapted to measure an electrical conductivity in the target tissue in at least one direction. The system further includes a multimeter operatively connected to at least one of the thermal conductivity probe and the electrical conductivity probe, the multimeter being configured and adapted to deliver energy to at least one of the thermal conductivity probe and the electrical conductivity probe and a computer operatively connected to the multimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Ronald J. Podhajsky
  • Patent number: 9278203
    Abstract: Real-time, enhanced imaging of remote areas, too minute for CT imaging, is made possible through a probe having a radiopaque tip as well as radiopaque volume markers. When deployed, the markers outline the space containing the tip such that both the tip and the volume containing the tip are viewable on a fluoroscope. This device may be used in conjunction with or independently of 3-D volumes created from CT scans and 3-D tip sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Dorian Averbuch
  • Patent number: 9192408
    Abstract: System and method that is directed to medical treatments of organs having anatomical spaces, such as (but not limited to) the heart and the pericardial space. Specifically, an apparatus and method is provided for safely accessing anatomical spaces with surfaces to deliver medical devices or media into such spaces, or to remove fluids from such spaces. The methods and apparatus may include a first elongated member with a sharp tip used to penetrate the surface surrounding the anatomical space with a second elongated member with a helical tine used to engage the surface and lift the surface away from the underlying anatomical space. Once the first elongated member has incised the surface, it is removed, and the incision may be used as a point of entry for delivering media or medical devices into the anatomical space, or for carrying out further medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: University of Virginia Patent Foundation
    Inventors: George T. Gillies, Peter Pollak, Srijoy Mahapatra
  • Patent number: 9161699
    Abstract: A device (10) for the non-invasive determination of arterial blood pressure of a human or animal body, comprising at least a bioimpedance measuring device (20) having a plurality of electrode pairs (21, 22, 23) for capturing the admittance signals (Y(t)) caused by an impressed alternating current on at least one first section of the body, wherein the captured admittance signals (Y(t)) correspond to a composite signal made of signal components of a pulse admittance (YP(t)), a respiration admittance (YB(t)) as well as a base admittance (Y0(t)), as well as at least one device for the non-invasive measurement of the blood pressure (30), wherein a processor (40) of the device (10), which separates from the admittance measurement signals (Y(t)), which are received by the bioimpedance measuring device (20) from several electrode pairs (21, 22, 23) arranged at a distance from each other on at least one first section of the body, wherein the measurements are carried out multiple times, each time using electrode pairs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventor: Arnulf Heller
  • Publication number: 20150148695
    Abstract: A method of assessing the likelihood that an infected subject develops sepsis, using an input radiofrequency signal received from the subject responsively to an output radiofrequency signal transmitted to the subject. The method comprises: processing the input signal to provide a processed signal, analyzing the processed signal to determine a characteristic pulse morphology of the processed signal, and using the characteristic pulse morphology for assessing the likelihood that the subject develops sepsis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Yoav Avidor, Baruch Levy
  • Publication number: 20150126833
    Abstract: Disclosed techniques include monitoring a physiological characteristic of a patient with a sensor that is mounted to an inner wall of a thoracic cavity of the patient, and sending a signal based on the monitored physiological characteristic from the sensor to a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Anderson, Noah D. Barka, Erin D. Grassl, Matthew D. Bonner
  • Patent number: 9008761
    Abstract: Sensing is carried out from locations considerably removed from the stomach. Cooperating sensor electronics are placed at each of two wrists of the patient. The potential discomfort and inconvenience of an abdominal patch are reduced or eliminated, and alternative power sources become available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Proteus Digital Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Zdeblick
  • Patent number: 8977344
    Abstract: An injection catheter for infusing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart comprises a catheter body and a tip section mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. A needle control handle is provided at the proximal end of the catheter body. An injection needle extends through the tip section, catheter body, and needle control handle. The injection needle is longitudinally slidable within the tip section so that its distal end can extend beyond the distal end of the tip section upon suitable manipulation of the needle control handle. The catheter further comprises an electrode lead wire having a first end electrically connected to the injection needle and a second end electrically connected to a suitable monitoring apparatus or to a source of ablation energy. The injection needle can thus be used for mapping or ablation in addition to introducing therapeutic and diagnostic agents into the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Biosense Webster, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Ponzi, Asher Holzer, Shlomo Ben-Haim
  • Publication number: 20150031966
    Abstract: Non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular health is performed by monitoring changes in the volume of blood in the venous side of the vascular system. The blood volume changes are determined from measurements of bioimpedance of limbs or neck, in particular changes in bioimpedance in response to blood modulating events performed on the limbs or neck, where bioimpedance is measured and compared before and after such events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Ward, Mohamad Hakam Tiba, James M. Blum
  • Patent number: 8938292
    Abstract: Techniques for estimating a cardiac chamber or vascular pressure based upon impedance are described. A device or system may measure an impedance between at least two electrodes implanted within or proximate to a cardiovascular system. The device or system may estimate a pressure of an element of the cardiovascular system based on a relationship between impedance and volume of the element, and based on a empirical relationship between the volume and the pressure. The device or system may also estimate the dimension of the element based on the impedance-volume relationship, or other characteristics based on the impedance. Because the impedance measurements may be obtained, in some examples, by using electrodes and leads implanted within the cardiovascular system and coupled to an implantable medical device, a practical estimation of a cardiovascular pressure can be obtained on a chronic basis without requiring the use other invasive sensors, such as micronanometer transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hettrick, Yong K. Cho, Mattias Rouw, Shantanu Sarkar, Todd M. Zielinski
  • Publication number: 20140358016
    Abstract: A method of estimating blood flow in a brain, comprising: a) causing currents to flow inside the head by producing electric fields inside the head; b) measuring at least changes in the electric fields and the currents; c) estimating changes in the blood volume of the head, using the measurements of the electric fields and the currents, where the current are produced in children or using electrodes at or near holes in the skull. Optionally, the configuration is selected to focus the flow of current to be inside the brain to a significant degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Aharon Shapira, Alon Rappaport, Shlomi Ben-Ari
  • Patent number: 8834382
    Abstract: A method for determining a cardiac function, comprising (i) determining base anatomical characteristics associated with the subject, (ii) determining pulse delay to a first body site (PD01) and a second body site (PD02) as a function of the anatomical characteristics, wherein the distance via the arterial tree from the aortic valve to the first body site (PD01) is different than the arterial tree distance from the aortic valve to the second body site (PD02), (iii) determining pulse wave velocity between the first body site and the second body site (PWV12), (iv) determining pulse wave velocity between the aortic valve and the first body site (PWV01) as a function of PWV12, and the anatomical characteristics; and (v) determining the pre-ejection period (PEP) as a function of PD01 and PWV01.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Profiles, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory I. Voss, James M. Perry, Rankin A. Clinton, III, Bernhard B. Sterling, Andrew R Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20140249435
    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. 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 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: 8764672
    Abstract: A system, method and device for monitoring the condition of an internal organ, such as a brain, by providing an internal electrode. The internal electrode is operatively connected to at least one surface, external, electrode, and a system handler. A signal is generated between the electrodes such that the electrical properties, including conductivity and impedance among others, can be measured at and across the electrodes. The electrode arrangement allows for continuous monitoring of an internal organ and, where desired, mapping of the electrical properties thereof. The system obtains pressure readings, nodal conductivity and/or electrode impedance to monitor, map and report the condition of the internal organ. A correlation procedure is provided for generating a graphical representation of the condition of an internal organ from the gathered data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Preston K. Manwaring, Ryan J. Halter, Kim H. Manwaring
  • Publication number: 20140163404
    Abstract: A method of estimating cerebral blood flow by analyzing IPG and PPG signals of the head, the method comprising: a) finding a maximum slope or most negative slope or the IPG signal, within at least a portion of the cardiac cycle; b) finding a maximum slope or most negative slope of the PPG signal, within at least a portion of the cardiac cycle; c) finding a ratio of the maximum or most negative slope of the IPG signal to the maximum or most negative slope of the PPG signal; and d) calculating a cerebral blood flow indicator from the ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Orsan Medical Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosef Reichman, Ben Zion Poupko, Shlomi Ben-Ari
  • Patent number: 8750982
    Abstract: A processor circuit can be configured to obtain a first multidimensional vector. The first multidimensional vector can include dimensions corresponding to respective first conductivity characteristics obtained from different implantable electrode configurations associated with a subject. The processor circuit can also be configured to obtain a second multidimensional vector or vector space. The second multidimensional vector or vector space can include dimensions corresponding to respective second conductivity characteristics obtained from such different electrode configurations associated with the same or a different subject. The processor circuit can also provide a physiological status indicator that can be obtained at least in part by performing a vector comparison of the first multidimensional vector to the second multidimensional vector space or vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, John D. Hatlestad, Ramesh Wariar, Viktoria A. Averina, Lynne E. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8721558
    Abstract: A device for the in vivo determination of the blood flow rate in a patient's blood vessel includes a microelectrode arrangement provided for placement in the blood vessel, an electrical power source which provides excitation energy having physiologically harmless parameters for obtaining a measured signal, a signal detector for detecting an electrical measured signal resulting from the blood flow in the presence of the excitation energy at measuring electrodes of the microelectrode arrangement, and a signal evaluation device, connected to the signal detector, for determining the blood flow rate on the basis of the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Gernot Kolberg, Klaus Bartels
  • Patent number: 8702615
    Abstract: A method of estimating blood flow in a brain, comprising: a) causing currents to flow inside the head by producing electric fields inside the head; b) measuring at least changes in the electric fields and the currents; c) estimating changes in the blood volume of the head, using the measurements of the electric fields and the currents, where the current are produced in children or using electrodes at or near holes in the skull. Optionally, the configuration is selected to focus the flow of current to be inside the brain to a significant degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Osran Medical Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Aharon Shapira, Alon Rappaport, Shlomi Ben-Ari
  • Patent number: 8682424
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring the electrical impedance of sections of a living body. The measurement is carried out utilizing a plurality of electrodes each of which is disposed on a section of the living body, where the electrodes are capable of applying an electrical current through at least one probed section, and measure the electrical voltage over the probed section. The voltages over the probed sections are measured and the impedances (Z(t)) and their changes (?Z(t)), and the resistances R(t) and their changes (?R(t)), are calculated, by considering the electrical current distortion components resulting from the electrical currents flowing in the other sections which are not probed, utilizing an electrical model based on the distribution of the electrical currents through the body sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DST Delta Segments Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Noson Tsoglin, Arkady Hanon Margolin