Ultrasonic Patents (Class 601/2)
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Patent number: 9919167Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of skin tissue includes at least one ultrasound transducer for placement on the skin tissue surface; at least two drivers for driving the at least one transducer; a controller which is configured to control the at least two drivers; the controller is configured to drive the at least two drivers at different frequencies to affect different depths in the skin tissue.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: LUMENIS LTD.Inventor: Yacov Domankevitz
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Patent number: 9907534Abstract: A directable acoustic transducer assembly is presented for use in a medical insertion device (MID). In an embodiment, the assembly aims an acoustic signal in response to a sensed or detected force or load imposed on the MID. The directable acoustic transducer assembly includes a switch array and a plurality of directional acoustic transducer elements. The switch array responds to the force or load and activates the directional acoustic transducer elements closest to the source of the force or load. The switch array may include a plurality of switches, at least one of which responses to a force or load and may activate directional acoustic transducer elements having a target tissue in the field of view. The assembly includes embodiments that are responsive to various loads. A directable acoustic transducer assembly may be part of a diagnostic and/or therapeutic system, such as an RF ablation system.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Stephen A. Morse
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Patent number: 9907699Abstract: A tympanostomy tube for insertion into and residence in a tympanic membrane of a mammal, is disclosed. The tympanostomy tube includes a body including a first end portion, a second end portion, a central portion dispensed between the first and second end portions. An axially extending passageway has a first open end disposed adjacent the first end portion, and a second open end disposed adjacent the second end portion, and an axis extending between the first open end and second open end. The first end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter, generally radially extending flange. The central portion includes a reduced diameter portion sized for extending through and residing in tissue of the tympanic membrane. The second end portion includes a relatively enlarged diameter second flange disposed adjacent the second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Domestic Legacy Limited PartnershipInventor: Michael H Fritsch
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Patent number: 9901753Abstract: A medical imaging and therapy device is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the device is that it can deliver Lithotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to fractionate urinary stones. Another feature of the device is that it can deliver Histotripsy therapy to a patient, so as to erode urinary stones. In some embodiments, the medical imaging and therapy device is configured to target and track urinary stones in the patient during therapy. Methods associated with use of the medical imaging and therapy device are also covered.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, HISTOSONICS, INC.Inventors: Charles A. Cain, Timothy L. Hall, William W. Roberts, Zhen Xu, J. Brian Fowlkes, Thomas W. Davison
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Patent number: 9901819Abstract: A predetermined parameter is acquired during execution of an application, and a predetermined algorithm indicating at least timing and intensity for generating a vibration is set by dynamically changing the predetermined algorithm in accordance with the parameter. Then, a vibration signal is generated using a material for a vibration or a sound and the algorithm, or using a filter capable of generating the material and the algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.Inventor: Kei Yamashita
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Patent number: 9895560Abstract: Methods for treating skin and subcutaneous tissue with energy such as ultrasound energy are disclosed. In various embodiments, ultrasound energy is applied at a region of interest to affect tissue by cutting, ablating, micro-ablating, coagulating, or otherwise affecting the subcutaneous tissue to conduct numerous procedures that are traditionally done invasively in a non-invasive manner. Methods of lifting sagging tissue on a face and/or neck are described. Treatment with heat is provided in several embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems, LLCInventors: Peter G. Barthe, Michael H. Slayton, Inder Raj S. Makin
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Patent number: 9895161Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly, David A. Witt, Foster B. Stulen, Christopher A. Papa, Vincent P. Battaglia, Jr.
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Patent number: 9878155Abstract: Described is a system for augmenting team performance via individual neurostimulation. An assessment is generated for each team member of a team while the team member is performing a behavioral task using neuroimaging data. A target brain state is selected in team members for team performance enhancement. The target brain state is associated with specific brain regions, and the system determines a HD-tCS neurostimulation needed to reach the specific brain regions to induce the target brain state in the team members. The determined HD-tCS neurostimulation is applied to the team members while simultaneously sensing, via real-time neuroimaging, neural activity in each team member while the team member performs a behavioral task. Team performance is enhanced by adjusting the HD-tCS neurostimulation of each team member, based on the sensed neural activity, to direct each team member toward the target brain state.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Matthew E. Phillips, Matthias Ziegler
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Patent number: 9848900Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: David A. Witt, Timothy G. Dietz, Stephen J. Balek, Benjamin M. Boyd, David C. Groene, Benjamin V. Vins, William C. Horton, II, Ashvani K. Madan
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Patent number: 9833639Abstract: Methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Guided Therapy Systems, L.L.C.Inventors: Michael H. Slayton, Peter G. Barthe
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Patent number: 9827042Abstract: Methods for treating polycystic kidney disease with therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods that at least partially inhibit sympathetic neural activity in nerves proximate a renal artery of a kidney of a patient. One or more measurable physiological parameter corresponding to the polycystic kidney disease can thereby be reduced. Moreover, central sympathetic drive in the patient can be reduced in a manner that treats the patient for the polycystic kidney disease. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be modulated along the afferent and/or efferent pathway. The modulation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a neuromodulation assembly, e.g., a neuromodulation assembly configured to cryotherapeutically cool the renal nerve or to deliver an energy field to the renal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.Inventor: Paul A. Sobotka
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Patent number: 9814910Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument for sealing and cutting tissue is provided. The instrument includes a housing having a plurality of transducers included therein and a waveguide coupled to and extending from the housing. An end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the waveguide includes a pair of opposing jaw members, where at least one of the jaw members includes a transducer. The transducer is configured to receive an acoustic signal from the plurality of transducers in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: Nikolay Kharin
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Patent number: 9789344Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound, and in particular, to methods, systems and uses for therapeutic ultrasound and contact lenses for treating or alleviating eye conditions. The described embodiments relate to methods, systems and uses that involve an ultrasound device configured for treatment of an eye condition and a contact lens protects ocular tissue of the eye and forms a chamber of air.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: 2442033 ONTARIO INC.Inventors: Matthew Bujak, F. Stuart Foster, Michael Hynes
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Patent number: 9750393Abstract: A method includes providing a lithotripsic device configured to break a stone into one or more fragments in a body lumen and an endoscope which is configured to obtain a captured image in the body lumen. The method further includes processing the captured image and creating a processed image for display on a monitor, and processing and displaying a track of a movement of at least one of the stone or the one or more fragments.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: GYRUS ACMI, INC.Inventor: Stuart Wolf
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Patent number: 9744315Abstract: An electrical skin treating appliance has an elongate hollow polymeric housing with front and rear portions. The front portion contains a reservoir for receiving and containing water. The rear portion has one or more controls. The housing contains an ultrasonic mist generator for converting the water into a fine mist and dispersing the mist from the housing. A sonically-vibratory spatula extends from the housing at a junction of the front and rear portions and is adapted to scrape the outermost surface of a user's skin. The housing contains an oscillation generator for selectively causing ultrasonic vibration of the spatula, and the one or more controls are adapted for selectively energizing, only one at a time, the mist generator and the oscillation generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Inventor: Guy Levi
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Patent number: 9744072Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for mitigating insulin resistance in a human subject by contacting one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject with a part of a cooling device, wherein the part of the cooling device has a temperature at about 15 or less Celsius degrees; cooling the one or more regions of the neck, the supraclavicular, and the interscapular regions of the human subject for a cooling period of at least 15 minutes; and performing previous two steps daily for about 14 or more days. The devices and methods may also be used to preventing, delaying or treating type 2 diabetes in a human subject or activating brown fat without incurring a sympathetic nerve-mediated cold feeling in a human subject.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Gludone Inc.Inventor: Li Qiang
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Patent number: 9737800Abstract: A gaming system is configured for dynamic and location-specific management of sound in a gaming environment. Various gaming stations, each including sound receivers and sound emitters, are disposed across multiple gaming zones. A server communicates with the gaming stations and is configured to sample ambient sounds with respect to the plurality of zones, and identify zone-specific exception sound signatures with respect to a dynamic noise threshold for at least a first of the plurality of zones, such as for example a jackpot or equivalent “hot spot” in the gaming environment. One or more gaming machines external to the first zone are directed to locally amplify sounds associated with the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures for the first zone. The server may further direct sound emitters external to the first zone to emit sound waves effective to locally suppress particular ambient sounds other than the identified zone-specific exception sound signatures.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Dan Milligan, Ben Lechlitner, Chris Jarrell, Chris Thacker, Scott Winzeler
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Patent number: 9737325Abstract: A cardiac ablation method including the following steps: inserting a treatment catheter into an atrium of a heart, the treatment catheter including an ultrasound emitter; positioning the ultrasound emitter to face heart tissue within the left atrium outside of a pulmonary vein; emitting ultrasound energy from the ultrasound emitter while rotating the ultrasound emitter about a rotation axis; and ablating heart tissue with the ultrasound energy to form a lesion outside of a pulmonary vein.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: VytronUS, Inc.Inventors: Hira V. Thapliyal, David A. Gallup, James W. Arenson
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Patent number: 9705548Abstract: Proposed is a bracelet-type transmission/reception device comprising: a cartilage conduction vibration source provided in a portion to be attached to a wrist; a speaker; a variable directional microphone; and a control unit which sets the directivity of the variable directional microphone to the back side of a hand when the speaker is used and sets the directivity of the variable directional microphone to the palm side of the hand when the cartilage conduction vibration source is used. The bracelet-type transmission/reception device is provided together with a display means for information relating to a transmission/reception method or a handling explanation medium or advertising medium having the information relating to the transmission/reception method. An example of a method for use thereof is to conduct the vibration of the cartilage conduction vibration source to a thumb and to bring the thumb into contact with a tragus in a state where the back of the hand faces forward.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignees: Rohm Co., Ltd., Finewell Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Hosoi, Yoji Hosoi, Masahide Tanaka
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Patent number: 9700382Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device having a circuit. The circuit includes at least one boost converter receiving power from an energy source, a square wave driver in series with the boost converter, an inductor in series with the square wave driver for converting a square wave to a sinusoidal wave, and a piezoelectric transducer in series with the inductor, the piezoelectric transducer connectable to a load. The device further includes a phase-locked loop coupled to the circuit to determine a resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducer when the piezoelectric transducer is connected to the load.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: INTER-MED, INC.Inventors: Gary J. Pond, John Baeten, Michael W. Allen
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Patent number: 9693906Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, a flexible tube, an optic fiber, and a wire having a pre-formed curve. The flexible tube may be disposed within the housing tube wherein a distal end of the flexible tube projects out from a distal end of the housing tube. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the housing tube, and the flexible tube. The wire may be disposed within the housing tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLCInventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
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Patent number: 9661988Abstract: In an optics tube for an endoscope, a lens arrangement including at least one rod lens is received in the inside of the optics tube, wherein a sleeve is fixed on the at least one rod lens and at least partially encloses the rod lens, and wherein the sleeve is welded to the optics tube. The invention also relates to an endoscope having such an optics tube, and to a method for mounting at least one rod lens in the inside of an optics tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jan Dahmen, Walter Vogel
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Patent number: 9662514Abstract: An electro-mechanical surgical device, system and/or method may include a housing, at least two opposing jaw, and at least one electrical contact associated with at least one of the jaws. The electrical contact may include at least one of a bipolar electrical contact and an ultrasonic electrical contact. The electrical contact may be a row of electrodes located on one or all of the jaws. A sensor may also be associated with any tissue located between the jaws to sense and report the temperature of that tissue. A pierceable ampulla containing fluid may also be placed on at least one of the jaws so that the fluid is releasable when the jaws are in closed position and the electrode(s) pass through the tissue into the pierceable ampulla.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Covidien LPInventor: Michael P. Whitman
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Patent number: 9649121Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom for treating tissue. A longitudinal axis is defined through the shaft. An end effector assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. A rotating assembly operably coupled to the shaft is configured to rotate the shaft and the end effector about the longitudinal axis. A drive assembly is configured to selectively and releasably engage the rotating assembly. Engagement of the rotating assembly with the drive assembly couples the rotating assembly to the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a predetermined direction when the rotating assembly is rotated. And, disengagement of the rotating assembly from the drive assembly uncouples the rotating assembly from the shaft such that the shaft is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis when the rotating assembly is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventor: John R. Twomey
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Patent number: 9649396Abstract: A portion of a treatment device for treating bacteria may be coupled with the bacteria through direct or indirect contact. Mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy are generated with the treatment device, and are transmitted from the treatment device to the bacteria during the coupling. The bacteria are treated with both the mechanical stress energy and the electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria. A treatment device may include a mechanical stress energy emitting portion, an electromagnetic energy emitting portion, and a contacting portion for coupling into direct or indirect contact with the bacteria and transmitting mechanical stress energy to the bacteria during the coupling. The mechanical stress energy emitting portion and the electromagnetic energy emitting portion are operable to treat the bacteria with a combination of mechanical stress energy and electromagnetic energy to produce a killing effect on the bacteria.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: PHOTOSONIX MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Tessie Brown McNeely
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Patent number: 9643000Abstract: Bubble presence within a region is monitored to determine if a predetermined condition is met such as whether the presence is of sufficient magnitude, the bubbles being subject to energizing (240). In some embodiments, the energizing only occurs when time- wise preceded by the determination (S508, S510). The determining can include measuring a grayscale value (104), or assessing the energy carried by a frequency component of the echo signal, in the region in real time. The energizing may occur region-by-region, automatically and without need for user intervention, in a treatment pass (S428) over the regions. The regions (232) in the pass might be subject to respective instances of the energizing without intervening monitoring, or, in another embodiment, to both the determining and the responsive energizing. The determining can be subject to, automatically and without need for user intervention, interruption (S408) and concurrent switching to a next region.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Ralf Seip, Balasundar Iyyavu Raju, Evgeniy Leyvi
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Patent number: 9636136Abstract: With respect to a forceps type treatment instrument including an ultrasound probe that protrudes from a treatment instrument main body at a position separated to a distal end side from a shaft portion, and a jaw that is displaceable between a closed state and an opened state by being linked with swing action of an clamp arm in a position separated to a distal end side from the shaft portion, stoppers are extendedly provided toward a clamp arm side from a treatment instrument main body side in a state in which edge portions at a distal end side are set to located at a distal end side from a locus of a proximal end of the jaw, and entry of a living body into a gap of the treatment instrument main body and the clamp arm is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Yuki Kawaguchi, Tomoyuki Tsuchiya, Satoshi Homma
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Patent number: 9623178Abstract: A deployable infection treatment system includes a cannula device comprising a cannula body having a proximal end, a flared distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen has a longitudinal x-axis extending therethrough. A sponge or drain is provided, the sponge having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein in a non-deployed configuration, the sponge is compressed within the cannula body's lumen and in a deployed configuration the distal end of the sponge expands out of the cannula body's lumen. An integrated pump and vacuum device is provided, wherein when the sponge is in a deployed configuration, the device is in fluid communication with a therapeutic fluid source. The pump controls the delivery of the therapeutic fluid to the proximal end of the sponge. The vacuum controls the extraction of the therapeutic fluid and infectious material from the proximal end of the sponge.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: The Cleveland Clinic FoundationInventors: Viktor E. Krebs, Wael K. Barsoum, Bret E. Hartzell
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Patent number: 9615844Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator including a control module that is operably coupled to a power module. The power module is configured to produce an electronic signal to be received by an ultrasonic energy delivery assembly. The ultrasonic energy delivery assembly is characterized by a natural frequency, and the electronic signal is characterized by a frequency. The control module is configured to send a control signal to the power module to randomly vary the frequency of the electronic signal within a range defined at least in part by the natural frequency.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Med-Sonics CorporationInventors: Shu Du, Tao Song
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Patent number: 9610436Abstract: Implant tools and techniques for implantation of a medical lead, catheter or other implantable component are provided. The implant tools and techniques are particularly useful in implanting medical electrical leads in extravascular locations, including subcutaneous locations. An example implant tool for implanting a medical lead includes a rod and a sheath configured to be placed on the rod. The rod includes a handle, a shaft having a proximal end adjacent to the handle and a distal end, and an attachment feature toward the distal end of the shaft, the attachment feature configured to couple to the medical lead. The sheath is configured to be placed in multiple positions along the rod including a first position in which the sheath does not interact with the attachment feature and second position in which the sheath does interact with the attachment feature.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Kevin R. Seifert, Roger A. Christopherson, Nathan L. Olson, Rebecca L. Poindexter
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Patent number: 9569923Abstract: A mobile gaming device is configured for dynamic and location-specific noise suppression. The device samples ambient sounds via a sound receiver, and identifies a profile of ambient sounds and exception sound signatures for a current location. Resident sound emitters are directed to emit sound waves which locally suppress ambient sounds, but local suppression may be disabled for sounds associated with the exception sound signatures. The device may further locally amplify sounds associated the gaming application, and in some embodiments may locally amplify sounds associated with the exception sound signatures, such as for example location-specific alerts. In various embodiments, a plurality of mobile gaming devices in a common location may exchange ambient sound information. In various embodiments, the mobile gaming devices are coupled to a central server which generates a baseline profile for each gaming zone and directs local noise suppression.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: VIDEO GAMING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Dan Milligan, Ben Lechlitner, Chris Jarrell, Chris Thacker, Scott Winzeler
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Patent number: 9498650Abstract: A soundhead of a treatment device is provided that enables a volume of tissue located beneath the soundhead to simultaneously receive ultrasound and light stimulation. According to one embodiment, the soundhead includes an ultrasound transducer, a light source, and a faceplate extending across a face of the transducer for providing a tissue contacting and ultrasound energy coupling surface of the soundhead. The faceplate is transparent or translucent to the light generated by the light source. Alternate embodiments including externally mounted light sources are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: PHOTOSONIX MEDICAL, INC.Inventors: Mark E. Schafer, Brady Aller
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Patent number: 9464961Abstract: An inspection probe includes a vibration transmission portion transmitting an ultrasonic vibration along a longitudinal axis, and a vibration damping portion continuous with a distal direction side of the vibration transmission portion. the vibration damping portion damps the ultrasonic vibration by causing vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibration to be lost and converting the lost vibration energy to heat energy in a state that the vibration damping portion vibrates in a manner to follow the vibration transmission portion. An index section of the inspection probe serves as an index indicating a conversion amount to the heat energy in the vibration damping portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Tsunetaka Akagane
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Patent number: 9435345Abstract: There is provided an impeller for an axial flow fan, which includes a plurality of blades arranged in a circumferential direction. In each of the blades, with respect to a center point of a chord length of the blade, a leading edge side shape of the blade and a trailing edge side shape of the blade are line-symmetric, and a shape of the blade at one face side is different from a shape of the blade at the other face side.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takako Otsuka, Takeshi Ozawa
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Patent number: 9421258Abstract: Provided herein are animals expressing light-responsive opsin proteins in the basal lateral amygdala of the brain and methods for producing the same wherein illumination of the light-responsive opsin proteins causes anxiety in the animal. Also provided herein are methods for alleviating and inducing anxiety in an animal as well as methods for screening for a compound that alleviates anxiety in an animal.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Karl Deisseroth, Kay Tye, Lief Fenno
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Patent number: 9421084Abstract: An elongate device, actuate in cross-section, for placement around a vessel, comprises an essentially non-porous outer layer and a biodegradable inner layer. An alternative device comprises a tubular portion for placement around a graft and a portion, arcuate in cross-section, that can straddle a native vessel, at the site of an end-to-side anastomosis.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Newtec Vascular Products LimitedInventor: Stephen Edward George Barker
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Patent number: 9421062Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable shaft assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, and a drive member in communication with the trigger to actuate the drive member. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a transmission assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft portion, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the transmission assembly. The drive member of the handle assembly is removably coupled to the proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly. Another version includes a drive member of the handle assembly configured to removably engage a proximal shaft portion of the shaft assembly via a biasing member. Another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLCInventors: Kevin L. Houser, Patrick A. Weizman, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
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Patent number: 9415242Abstract: A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: EKOS CORPORATIONInventors: Richard R. Wilson, Robert L. Wilcox, Curtis Genstler, Tim Abrahamson, Wm. Gerrit Barrere, Amy Cohen, George Keilman, Leonard R. Oliver, Natalya Peskin
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Patent number: 9402647Abstract: A surgical system has an ultrasound treatment instrument having an ultrasound transducer, a power supply apparatus to which the ultrasound treatment instrument is detachably connected, an energy supply section that supplies drive energy to the ultrasound transducer, a clock that measures a present time, a time updating section that outputs the present time, a storage section that stores a final updated time that is updated finally in the present time, and a number of times of use, a time period calculation section that calculates a non-connection time period of the ultrasound treatment instrument to the power supply apparatus, and a processing section that performs processing of generating an update signal that causes the number of times of use to be updated in accordance with a determination result with respect to the non-connection time period and a result of determination with respect to a parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Ko Kawashima, Tsunetaka Akagane
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Patent number: 9403038Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and devices for modulating the activity or activities of living cells, such as cells found in or derived from humans, animals, plants, insects, microorganisms and other organisms. Methods of the present invention comprise use of the application of ultrasound, such as low intensity, low frequency ultrasound, to living cells to affect the cells and modulate the cells' activities. Devices of the present invention comprise one or more components for generating ultrasound waves, such as ultrasonic emitters, transducers or piezoelectric transducers, composite transducers, CMUTs, and which may be provided as single or multiple transducers or in an array configurations. The ultrasound waves may be of any shape, and may be focused or unfocused.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on Behalf of Arizona State UniversityInventor: William James P. Tyler
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Patent number: 9402766Abstract: Phacoemulsification needles are configured to cause eccentric or wobble-type motion by being formed to distribute the mass of the needle non-uniformly. In one version the non-uniform property is created by angling the needle's aspiration passage with respect to the needle axis. In another, the needle tip walls are formed with non-uniform thicknesses, with or without including an off-axis configuration with respect to the needle aspiration passageway. In another, the needle tip walls are formed in a scalloped configuration. In another, external protuberances or “bumps” are formed on the needle tip exterior wall surfaces. In another, the needle tip walls have weighted inserts placed therein. In another, the needle tip is formed with skewed bevels and ridges. In another, the needle body is formed with non-uniformly shaped segments. In another, a portion of the needle tip is twisted with respect to the rest of the tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Art, LimitedInventors: Takayuki Akahoshi, Ravi Nallakrishnan
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Patent number: 9399148Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic system which comprises an ultrasound therapy unit (1, 518) arranged to insonify at least a portion of a body (2, 508) of a patient with high intensity ultrasound and a MR imaging unit (3, 500) arranged to acquire MR signals from the portion of the body (2, 508) and to reconstruct a thermographic MR image from the MR signals. It is an object of the invention to enable MR guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, in which temperature values within critical anatomic regions containing fat can be monitored. The invention proposes that the therapeutic system further comprises an ultrasound diagnostic unit (5, 518) which is arranged to acquire ultrasound signals from the portion of the body (2, 508) and to derive at least one local temperature value from the ultrasound signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventors: Ajay Anand, Gosta Jakob Ehnholm, Balasundar Iyyavu Raju
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Patent number: 9387004Abstract: The ultrasonic surgical tool has an elongate waveguide operatively connected or connectable at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. At a distal end, an operative element comprises a radially-extending ridge defined between a substantially parallel pair of grooves extending longitudinally of the waveguide. The operative element is curved in a plane transverse to that of the ridge. This arrangement is ergonomically superior and allows a surgeon to work for longer and with improved control. It also allows a clear visualization of the operative elements of the tool and the target tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: SRA DEVELOPMENTS LIMITEDInventors: Michael John Radley Young, Stephen Michael Radley Young
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Patent number: 9370720Abstract: A gaming system includes a central server linked to gaming zones each defined by a group of user stations. The server identifies exception sound signatures with respect to each of the plurality of zones, and disables local suppression of ambient sounds associated with the exception sound signatures. The stations each include a gaming terminal, and sound receiving and emitting devices. The stations sample ambient sounds and generate representative audio data. The stations collectively compile audio data representative of zone-specific ambient sounds, and individually emit sound waves effective to locally suppress ambient sounds for which local suppression is not disabled. The stations extract user station-specific sound signatures from a combination of the local audio data and the zone-specific audio data, and locally amplify sounds associated with the extracted user station-specific sound signatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dan Milligan, Ben Lechlitner, Chris Jarrell, Chris Thacker, Scott Winzeler
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Patent number: 9358061Abstract: A catheter for use with a suction source for removing excess fluid from a tissue treatment site has a catheter body, a distal section and a fluid evacuation path, where the distal section includes a multi-lumened member and at least one evacuation port, and the fluid evacuation path extends through a lumen in the multi-lumened member to provide suction communication between the suction source and the at least one evacuation port. The fluid evacuation path may also be configured for two-way flow, including distally and proximally along the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD.Inventors: Rogelio Plascencia, Jr., Dean Ponzi, Arnold Tuason
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Patent number: 9354313Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including oscillation elements configured to transmit toward and receive from a region of a subject, a receiving delay setting unit configured to divide the oscillation elements into oscillation element groups and set a common delay to oscillation elements included in each of the oscillation element groups in accordance with an imaging condition, an adding unit configured to add received signals transmitted from the oscillation elements in accordance with the delay set by the received delay setting unit, and an image generating unit configured to generate image data in accordance with received signal added by adding unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventor: Nobuyuki Iwama
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Patent number: 9352171Abstract: A method of treatment includes delivering an agent into a patient, and providing energy inside the patient so that the energy can interact with the agent to treat a nerve. A system for treatment includes a source of agent for delivery into a patient, and an energy source for providing energy inside the patient so that the energy can interact with the agent to treat a nerve.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Kona Medical, Inc.Inventor: Michael Gertner
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Patent number: 9339284Abstract: An apparatus includes a generator including a control module that is operably coupled to a power module. The power module is configured to produce an electronic signal to be received by an ultrasonic energy delivery assembly. The ultrasonic energy delivery assembly is characterized by a natural frequency, and the electronic signal is characterized by a frequency. The control module is configured to send a control signal to the power module to randomly vary the frequency of the electronic signal within a range defined at least in part by the natural frequency.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Med-Sonics CorporationInventors: Shu Du, Tao Song
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Patent number: 9333295Abstract: The disclosure provides a thermotherapy needling instrument with tissue injection, including: a casing, an outer needle, an inner needle and a working needle. The casing has an inlet, an outlet and an inner channel. The outer needle is connected to the casing, and is in communication with the inner channel. The inner needle is disposed in the inner channel of the casing and the outer needle, and the inner needle has at least one opening. The at least one opening is in communication with the inner channel so that the cooling agent flows in circulation. The working needle is connected to the outer needle so as to receive the injectant for injection and tissue ablation. By using the thermotherapy needling instrument, when sampling or injection is required during thermotherapy, the injection efficacy can be achieved by withdrawing the inner needle only. Therefore, efficacy of tissue injection and ablation thermotherapy can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignees: NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY, METAL INDUSTRIES RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTREInventors: Xi-Zhang Lin, Tung-Chieh Yang, Tsung-Chih Yu
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Patent number: 9326787Abstract: An energy treatment instrument includes an electrically conductive probe having a first electrode in a distal end portion and adapted to transmit high-frequency electric current and ultrasound vibration to the first electrode, an electrode member installed on both sides of a longitudinal axis of the first electrode separately from the electrically conductive probe and provided with a second electrode, and a movable member. The movable member is installed at a distal end of the sheath member and configured to be openable and closable with respect to the second electrode. The movable member is placed at a position facing the first electrode installed at the distal end of the probe and the second electrode and includes a third electrode provided with an electrode surface configured to be able to conduct high-frequency electric current between the third electrode and the first and second electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventors: Hideo Sanai, Mitsumasa Okada