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<title>freepatentsonline.com: Surgery</title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?query_txt=ccl/600%20and%20isd/04/24/2008&amp;usapp=on</link>
<description>USPTO Class 600 Surgery</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<lastBuildDate>Wed Apr 30 17:03:29 EDT 2008</lastBuildDate>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATOR, METHOD OF GENERATING A PULSED SINUSOIDAL MAGNETIC WAVE AND MAGNETIC FIELD GENERATOR SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097142.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention generally relates to a magnetic field generator. The magnetic field generator has a power source and a microcontroller in electrical communication with the power source. A coil is also provided that is in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The coil generates a pulsed magnetic wave of an alternating current when a sensor determines that the magnetic field generator is located in proximity to a living being. The magnetic field generator is structured to be coupled to a device and the device is structured to be worn by the living being in proximity to the living being. A method of generating a pulsed magnetic wave to a device is also provided. A magnetic field generator system is also provided that has a magnetic field generator which is structured to be in communication with a charger/tester.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Noise Suppression System and Method in Catheter Pullback and Rotation System]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097158.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system. A longitudinal drive system has a drive motor for advancing and/or withdrawing the carriage drive system and a manual drive input enabling a user to manually advance or withdrawal the carriage drive system. A latching system holds the carriage drive system when the catheter system is being attached to the pullback system.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Medical image processing apparatus and medical image processing method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097150.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An image conversion section performs geometric conversion on a medical image resulting from the pickup of a tubular part in vivo, and a developed-view output section outputs the converted image obtained by the image conversion section to a display device as an image of a developed view.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SAMPLING DEVICE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097241.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This invention provides devices and methods for obtaining a sample.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Breast feeding quantification]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097169.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Presented is a method for quantifying breastfeeding between a mother and a baby, the method including measuring a physiological volume indicative of stomach fullness volume for the baby; setting a signal threshold value of the physiological volume to correspond to a stomach level that is less than or equal to the stomach fullness volume; obtaining an objective measurement of the physiological volume indicative of a level of fullness of the baby's stomach; and providing an indication to the mother when the objective measurement equals or exceeds the'signal threshold value.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System for navigating a planned procedure within a body]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097187.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An apparatus can be used to navigate a planned procedure. The plan for the procedure can be based on various elements, such as anatomical landmarks that can be used to determine anatomical targets of a patient.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT INSTRUMENT AND TREATMENT INSTRUMENT APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097159.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An endoscopic treatment instrument includes: a long tube body to be inserted into a body cavity, including a flexible member; a first bending portion provided to a distal end part of the tube body, for bending the tube body with respect to an axial direction; a second bending portion provided in a linked manner to a proximal end side of the first bending portion, for bending the tube body in the axial direction; and a bending operation portion for independently bending the first and second bending portions.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[CAMERA CALIBRATION FOR ENDOSCOPE NAVIGATION SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097156.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A scope navigation apparatus, method and a program embodied computer readable medium for navigating a scope end that is to be inserted into an object. The scope end includes at least one sensor that senses a spatial location of the scope end. An image pickup device records one or more images of a calibration device, which includes a sensor that senses a location of the calibration device. A processor calibrates the images recorded by the image pickup device and corrects for intrinsic and extrinsic parameters using a calibration matrix.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Evaluation of cardiac function using left ventricular pressure during LVAD support]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097226.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and apparatus for determination of cardiac function by monitoring left ventricular (LV) pressure and varying ventricular assist device (VAD) speed, utilizes a relationship of the end-diastolic LV pressure (LVEDP) to an estimate of LV work calculated from the LV pressure signal by the triple product (TP): dp/dtmax*HR*LVSP, wherein the slope of a regression analysis of the comparison of TP vs LVEDP is indicative of a patient's cardiac efficiency and analogous and comparable to preload recruitable stroke work as calculated from direct volume measurement of the LV, and of native cardiac function of a patient supported by a VAD, and related control systems for a VAD for controlling operation of the VAD according to the method.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Surgical Device for Retracting and/or Sealing an Incision]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097162.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A wound protector retractor comprises an inner O-ring for insertion through a wound opening and a connecting sleeve extending between the O-ring and outer mounting means. The outer means are provided by rings between which the sleeve is led. The rings are rotated relative to each other and the inner ring to form a centralised lumen of reduced cross section and to shorten the axial extent of the sleeve. A wound is both retracted and protected.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Apparatus for collection of oocytes]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097144.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An oocyte aspirator assembly for use in in vitro fertilization procedures includes a vacuum source for creating a vacuum in the assembly. The assembly also includes valve mechanisms to selectively vary the intensity of the vacuum created in the assembly between at least two levels, one of which is at a first low level at which oocytes can be safely aspirated from ovarian follicles, and a second of which is at a higher level than the first low level. The assembly also includes a control which can be manually or automatically actuated to change the vacuum level in the assembly. The control can take the form of one or more foot pedals or an occlude button mounted on a casing for the assembly. The assembly also may include a third vacuum level which equals the full output of the vacuum motor.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[HEMOGLOBIN CONTRAST IN ULTRASOUND AND OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FOR DIAGNOSING DISEASED TISSUE, CANCERS, AND THE LIKE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097185.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A novel contrast mechanism for diagnosing diseased tissue using Ultrasound, Doppler Ultrasonography, Optical Coherence Tomography, or optical Doppler tomography coupled with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for multiplexed MR tracking]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097191.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present technique provides a novel method and apparatus for magnetic resonance device tracking. In one aspect of the present technique, a plurality of magnetic resonance tracking signals are acquired in response to a corresponding plurality of pulse sequences, wherein the plurality of magnetic resonance tracking signals are acquired from a tracking coil mounted in a device. A location value is also determined for each pulse sequence to produce a plurality of location values. Further, a candidate location value of the plurality of location values for replacement, an off-resonance error value for the plurality of magnetic resonance tracking signals, and a replacement location value based on the off-resonance error value are determined. The location of the device is also determined based on the plurality of location values, wherein the candidate location value was replaced in the plurality of location values with the replacement location value.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Side-vented microcradle for prenidial incubator]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097143.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention relates to an incubator for babies. It is of special value for the treatment of premature infants as an intensive care unit at any time during life from creation to implantation. A cradle is sided with ports to enable fluidic ventilation. Advantageously the incubator includes an optical path for imaging the patient via a clear bottom and open top. The incubator is provided with easy access and various accessories required for an intensive care unit.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Sensor Unit and Biosensor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097172.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A highly miniaturized biosensor and a sensor unit, which can meet a demand for further miniaturization. With this invention, miniaturization is possible, and the number of production steps including those for assembling individual parts can be reduced. Accordingly, mass production will be possible, and cost reduction and high reliability will be achieved. A light emitting unit ( 21 ) and a light receiving unit ( 22 ) are disposed in a same recess ( 24 ) formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate ( 23 ), and a light shielding cover substrate ( 27 ) having a first light guide section ( 25 ) and a second light guide section ( 26 ) is disposed on an upper side of the semiconductor substrate ( 23 ). Since the light receiving unit ( 22 ) is formed with arrayed light receiving elements ( 28 ), the same number of the second light guide sections ( 26 ) as the light receiving elements ( 28 ) are provided on the light shielding cover substrate ( 27 ), and the light receiving surfaces of the light receiving elements ( 28 ) are connected to one end of each of the second light guiding sections ( 26 ) so as to conform to each other without any gap.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[HEMOGLOBIN CONTRAST IN MAGNETO-MOTIVE OPTICAL DOPPLER TOMOGRAPHY, OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY, AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING METHODS AND APPARATUS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097194.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A novel contrast mechanism for imaging blood flow using magneto-motive optical Doppler tomography (MM-ODT), Optical Coherence Tomography, and Ultrasound. MM-ODT, OCT, and ultrasound combined with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field detects erythrocytes moving according to the field gradient.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Cardiac support device with low friction delivery structures]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097146.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A cardiac support device that can be efficiently implanted on a patient's heart. The cardiac support device includes a jacket for constraining cardiac expansion and one or more lubricious elements releasably secured with respect to an inside surface of the jacket.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM, ULTRASONIC IMAGING DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, AND OPERATION DEVICE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097205.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Provided is a medical diagnostic imaging system in which user information can be easily and efficiently moved (transferred) among a plurality of ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses. The medical diagnostic imaging system includes: a plurality of ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses each including a recording unit for recording user information registered by a user, the user information including work flow data for guiding at least an operation procedure of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatus, and execution means for executing this user information; and user information transfer means configured to be able to communicate with the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses, for transferring the user information recorded on the recording means of a predetermined one of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses to the recording means of a different one of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses by way of a communication.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PERCUTANEOUS LEFT VENTRICULAR RECONSTRUCTION]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097148.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for reducing left ventricular volume, which comprises identifying infarcted tissue during open chest surgery; reducing left ventricle volume while preserving the ventricular apex; and realigning the ventricular apex, such that the realigning step comprises closing the lower or apical portion of said ventricle to achieve appropriate functional contractile geometry of said ventricle in a dyskinetic ventricle of a heart.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MEDICAL WORKSTATION WITH A THERAPY MODULE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097168.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A medical workstation has a control and display unit ( 1 ) connected to a patient monitor module ( 2 ) via a communications line ( 5 ). The medical workstation has an interface accessible to the user for connecting a therapy module ( 3 ). The control and display unit ( 1 ) has a microprocessor and the therapy module ( 3 ) has at least one microprocessor and a nonvolatile memory. The control and display unit ( 1 ) has an area ( 6 ) that is visible to the user and can be operated by the user with graphic elements for the display and modification of therapy settings. The control and display unit ( 1 ) has an operating program, which is designed such that the area ( 6 ) on the control and display unit ( 1 ) can be operated by the user only in case a compatible therapy module ( 3 ) is connected.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING RESPIRATORY EVENTS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097234.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for determining the respiratory flow of a patient receiving bi-level respiratory therapy is provided. The method may include measuring the total air flow through a breathing area at a time approximately when the patient has completed exhalation, measuring the pressure in the breathing area, determining a constant representing a corrective flow factor by dividing the measured total air flow by the square root of the measured pressure, and determining the patient's respiratory flow by subtracting from a subsequent total air flow the product of constant and the square root of a subsequent pressure.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GRASPING AN ABDOMINAL WALL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097153.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of delivering a tool to a peritoneal cavity including the following steps: inserting a guidewire percutaneously through an abdominal wall into a stomach; pulling the abdominal wall away from the stomach; and guiding a distal end of an endoscope with the guidewire through a wall of the stomach into the peritoneal cavity. Another aspect of the invention provides an abdominal wall grasping device having an abdominal wall attachment portion adapted to attach to an abdominal wall and a grasping element adapted to be grasped by a user to pull the abdominal wall away from a stomach.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[User interface and identification in a medical device systems and methods]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097176.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[There are provided systems and methods for user interface and identification in a medical device. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided medical system comprising a main unit configured to perform a medical function, the main unit comprising a wireless receiver, wherein the main unit is configured to execute commands received by the wireless receiver, and a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) configured to transmit a command to the main unit.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Semi-Flexible Electronic Laryngoscope Bendable Upwardly and Downwardly]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097161.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Disclosed herein is a semi-flexible electronic laryngoscope comprising in one body a photographing part which can observe the larynx inside the oral cavity with a self-lamination, a flexure part which bends the photographing part upwardly and downwardly by a rotation member that is connected to the photographing part and located at the handle, a stiff part which leads the flexure part to the oral cavity and the larynx and maintains stably, and a handle which accepts and supports the end point of the stiff part, which can observe the larynx and the hy-popharynx when bent downwardly and the nasopharynx when bent upwardly since it can be bent upwardly and downwardly, and can diagnose the oral cavity and the oropharynx since it can observe the forward area when inserted into an oral cavity.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Prediction methods and apparatus]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097196.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method includes predicting a contrast bolus arrival time, and performing at least one of the following: a) automatically switching from a monitor phase to a scan phase at the predicted arrival time; and b) prompting a user to began a scan at the predicted arrival time.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MEDICAL DEVICE INCLUDING STRUCTURE FOR CROSSING AN OCCLUSION IN A VESSEL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097247.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Medical devices comprising a tubular member are disclosed, where the tubular member can have thread members disposed on a distal portion of the tubular member. If the medical device encounters an occlusion, the medical device can be rotated, which can allow the thread members to engage and penetrate the occlusion, in some cases forming a pathway through the occlusion.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and Method for Amplifying Transmit Waveforms Generated by an Ultrasonic System]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097201.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An ultrasonic imaging system ( 100 ) having an ultrasonic probe ( 110 ) which improves poor harmonic performance of existing transmit circuits through the use of a linear high-voltage transmit amplifier ( 129 ) on each sub-channel to amplify low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms generated by the ultrasonic system ( 100 ) is presented. The linear high-voltage amplifier ( 129 ) of the ultrasonic probe ( 110 ) amplifies low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms beam-formed by a micro-beam-former ( 119 ) of the ultrasonic system ( 100 ).]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ultrasonic Diagnosis of Ischemic Cardiodisease]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097210.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A diagnostic imaging method and ultrasound system are described for detecting abnormalities of the left ventricle of the heart. A sequence of images including the mitral valve is acquired and processed to identify the location of the mitral valve in each of the images in the sequence. A graphic is displayed with the images depicting the location of the mitral valve in the current image and in each of the preceding images of the sequence. Preferably the mitral valve location is identified by automatic detection of the mitral valve plane in each of the images. A desirable graphic color-codes each of the successively different mitral valve locations in the graphic. The image and graphic can be viewed in real time to discern the effects of conduction delay and infarction of the left ventricle.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ophthalmic ultrasound probe assembly]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097214.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An ultrasonic probe assembly comprises a housing defining a longitudinal axis and having a linear motor assembly, a swivel base, and an extension arm disposed therewithin. An imaging transducer is mounted on a free end of the extension arm and is specifically adapted to be moved along an arcuate path as a result of mechanical interconnection of the swivel base to the linear motor assembly. The swivel base upon which the extension arm is mounted is configured to be pivotable about a pivot axis oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal axis such that reciprocative motion of the linear motor assembly is converted in swiveling motion of the swivel base and oscillating translation of the transducer along an arcuate path such that the transducer axis is oriented generally perpendicularly relative to an anatomical structure having a convexly shaped outer surface.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[BLOOD VESSEL PUNCTURE LOCATING APPARATUS AND METHOD]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097218.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An apparatus is disclosed for accurately locating a puncture in a blood vessel, the puncture being below a skin surface of a patient and accessible via an incision. The apparatus includes a probe sized for insertion through the incision and having a proximal portion including a proximal end and a distal portion including a distal tip sized for insertion through the blood vessel puncture. The probe defines a probe lumen extending from the proximal end and at least partially into the probe distal portion, the probe distal portion having a first rigidity. A core is sized for insertion into the probe lumen, the core being movable between a distal position, in which a distal end of the core is disposed within the probe distal portion, and a proximal position, in which the core is withdrawn from the probe distal portion. The core has a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity so that the distal tip has a greater rigidity with the core in the distal position and a lesser rigidity with the core in the proximal position. The probe may also include a piezo-electric transducer to assist with puncture location.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Surgical access system and related methods]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097164.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for detection of a cerebrovascular accident]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097237.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An embodiment of the invention relates to a wireless attachment device, having an attachment section configured for attachment to a patient; an audio device configured to pick up pressure waves from the patient's brain and output data represention of the pressure waves; and a wireless transmitter connected to the audio device and configured to transmit the data representating the pressure waves. Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method for detecting a cerebrovascular accident comprises analyzing data representing pressure waves from blood vessels within a patient's head to recognize one or more signatures of a cerebrovascular accident. Yet additional embodiments relates to a system having the wireless attachment device.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Disposable Blood Sampling Device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097242.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A disposable blood sampling device is disclosed herein, which includes a plunger, a rubber stopper, a barrel, a sealing member, a needle holder, a protection sleeve, an anticoagulant storing tube and a needle sheath. In use, the disposable blood sampling device is deconstructed by removing each component therefrom and is unable to be assembled again for recycling. Furthermore, the needle can be hidden in the protection sleeve before it is detached from the blood sampling device, which effectively prevents a medical operator from being hurt or even infected by the needle.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Slitted marker]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097190.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A surgical instrument, in particular a marking instrument for marking body tissue, in particular tumor tissue, comprising a hollow needle for insertion into body tissue which encloses a lumen which is radially delimited by an inside wall of the hollow needle and which has an open mouth at the distal needle end, and at least one longitudinally displaceable element guided in the lumen, with distal end portions which have a pre-bend such that the distal end portions are elastically prestressed in the straightened condition and curve in the relaxed condition, wherein the distal end portions of the longitudinally displaceable element are to be pushed starting from a position of being retracted into the lumen, in which the distal end portions are straightened, out of the open distal mouth of the lumen and in so doing curve, wherein the longitudinally displaceable element is formed by a wire having a longitudinal slit, wherein the longitudinal slit extends from a base point at its proximal slit end to an open distal slit end and separates the distal end portions of the longitudinally displaceable element from each other.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Lymph Node Detector]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097198.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A sentinel lymph node detecting apparatus  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light source unit  2 , illuminating an excitation light  10  and an illumination light  11  onto a biological observation location  20  that includes a sentinel lymph node  21  near a tumor, into which a fluorescent dye that emits fluorescence is injected; an optical filter  3 , transmitting a fluorescence image  11  and a normal image  13 ; an image pickup device  5 , disposed integral to the light source unit  2  and picking up the fluorescence image  11  and the normal image  13  transmitted through the optical filter  3 ; and an image display device  7 , displaying the observation images that have been picked up. The wavelength of the illumination light  11  is set to a value close to the wavelength of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent dye.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A SIZE OF A TARGET OBJECT]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097209.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus for providing on a display an ultrasound image including a target object and a pointer movable on the ultrasound image, comprises: an ultrasound image providing unit configured to provide an ultrasound image including a target object; a contour line extracting unit configured to extract a contour line of the target object in the ultrasound image; a coordinate recognizing unit configured to detect cross points while the pointer crosses the contour line and recognize the coordinates of the corner points; a user input unit configured to receive instructions from a user, said instructions including a selection instruction to select measure points among the cross points and a measure instruction to measure a size of the target object; a measuring unit configured to measure a size of the target object in response to the measure instruction based on coordinates of the measure points selected in response to the selection instruction; and an output unit configured to output the ultrasound image, the pointer, the contour line, the measure points and the size of the target object.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Echogenic Medical Device and Method of Forming Echogenic Surface]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097213.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Medical devices are made visible under ultrasonic or magnetic imaging techniques by adding a series of features on their surfaces. The features are desirably placed at more than one angle to the surface in order to enhance the visibility of the surface. Laser-machining can make a series of depressions or voids that are symmetric with respect to the surface and another series of depressions or voids that are non-symmetric. The pattern of voids is also varied by using more than one size of void, the depth of the voids, and the distribution of voids, i.e. more voids in some areas than others.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Biological Information Measuring Panel, and Biological Information Measuring Device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097250.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A biological information measuring panel  1  has an elastically flexible laying plate portion  2  to be disposed below a subject. A strain detecting sensor D is attached to the laying plate portion  2 . Strain changes of the laying plate portion  2  generated in accordance with biological activities of the subject S are detected by the strain detecting sensor D in a state in which the laying plate portion  2  is disposed below the subject S. An output signal from the strain detecting sensor D is used to measure the biological information of the subject S.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[PASSIVE IN VIVO SUBSTANCE SPECTROSCOPY]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097183.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, systems and/or devices for passive in vivo substance spectroscopy are disclosed.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Location and Display of Occluded Portions of Vessels on 3-D Angiographic Images]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097200.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of finding the location of an occluded portion of a blood vessel relative to a three-dimensional angiographic image of a subject's vasculature includes identifying the location of the occluded portion of the blood vessel on each of a series of displayed two dimensional images derived from the three dimensional image data in planes substantially transverse to direction of the occluded portion of the vessel. The identified locations in the occluded portion of the vessel can then be used to determine the path of the occluded portion of the vessel.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and System for Generating 3D Ultrasound Image Data and Viewing Media]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097204.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of providing 3D data sets for stand-alone use includes providing a 3D viewing program on a computer readable media and providing at least one 3D data set on the same computer readable media, wherein responsive to a computer activation of the 3D viewing program, the 3D viewing program operates to provide a 3D rendering based upon the at least one 3D data set.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for estimating a paco2 value for a patient subject to extra corporeal circulation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097233.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for estimating a P a CO 2  value for a patient subject to extracorporeal circulation by means of an oxygenator. The method comprises the steps of measuring a P ex CO 2  value in the exhaust gas of the oxygenator and the patient's arterial blood temperature value T a , using a temperature sensor arranged in the oxygenator. The estimated P a CO 2  value is then calculated, based on the measured P ex CO 2  value and the arterial temperature measurement. Advantageously, an average value determined from a predetermined number of recent P ex CO 2  values is used in the calculation. The calculation is performed by adding a correction term to the P ex CO 2  value, which is composed of a temperature dependent component and an offset component. The correction term may be adjusted by a user. The estimated P a CO 2  value is presented on a display. A switch provides easy alteration between pH-stat mode and alpha-stat mode.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Optical in-vivo monitoring systems]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097221.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Systems for highly efficient, in-vivo collection of modulated infra-red light are presented. Specifically, these devices are arranged in an important format with a view to integration with a wristwatch or other wearable device. An optical aperture of large surface area, specially distributed in an annular ring, receives radiation having been modulated in a tissue test site by blood flow. Radiation received about the annular aperture is redirected by a blazed grating or similar optical element at near perpendicular angles, into a radially distributed, condensing light pipe array and further toward a common axis. Radiation converges on the axis, thus increasing the energy density of the collected signal, before it is further directed via a conic element to a detector such as a photodiode. In some versions, these highly specialized optical paths may be formed into a single element of inexpensive plastic or other rigid substrate.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and System for Providing An Integrated Analyte Sensor Insertion Device and Data Processing Unit]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097246.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for providing an integrated analyte sensor and data processing unit assembly is provided.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Measuring Tissue Oxygenation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097173.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and systems for calculating tissue oxygenation, e.g., oxygen saturation, in a target tissue are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include: (a) directing incident radiation to a target tissue and determining reflectance spectra of the target tissue by measuring intensities of reflected radiation from the target tissue at a plurality of radiation wavelengths; (b) correcting the measured intensities of the reflectance spectra to reduce contributions thereto from skin and fat layers through which the incident radiation propagates; (c) determining oxygen saturation in the target tissue based on the corrected reflectance spectra; and (d) outputting the determined value of oxygen saturation.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for display control of patient monitor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097175.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Embodiments of the present invention relate to monitoring systems. One embodiment includes a monitoring system comprising a monitor configured to receive input relating to patient physiological parameters and to store historical data related to the parameters. Further, the system comprises a screen configured to display the historical data corresponding to the patient physiological parameters, and a display control feature configured to automatically find and display an event in the historical data on the screen when the display control feature is activated.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ultrasound, Probe, Ultraonograph, And Ultrasonigraphy]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097217.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A non-invasive (having sufficiently small diameter so as not to give much pain to a subject) ultrasonic ultrasound probe of high spatial resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio, an ultrasonograph using the probe, and an ultrasonography are provided. The ultrasound probe is inserted into the tissue under examination and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The probe is characterized by comprising a hollow outer frame having one of needle shape, a puncture needle portion having the one end and inserted into the tissue of the subject, and an extended portion having the other end, an ultrasonic wave generating source positioned in the hollow part of the extended portion and generating an ultrasonic wave, an acoustic waveguide disposed along the length direction in the hollow part of the outer frame, capable of ultrasonic vibration, and adapted to transmit an ultrasonic wave, and direction changing means for changing the direction of the ultrasonic wave beam transmitted by the acoustic waveguide to the direction toward the position of the tissue under examination.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Devices, Systems and Methods for Treating Disorders of the Ear, Nose and Throat]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097239.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mri Systems Having Mri Compatible Universal Delivery Cannulas With Cooperating Mri Antenna Probes and Related Systems and Methods]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097193.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[In vivio deep brain medical probe systems include: (a) an NMRI compatible cannula comprising a plurality of concentric axially extending tubes with a receiving bore; and (b) an elongate antenna member with a conductor and an insulating layer configured to slidably advance through cannula bore to define an MRI receive antenna.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[K-RING ELECTROMAGNETIC TREATMENT APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TUMORS, ARTHRITIS AND OTHER AILMENTS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097141.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A magnetic field therapy apparatus for treating biological subjects including a first bobbin and first coil, a second bobbin and second coil, wherein said second bobbin is concentrically confined by the first bobbin, where the second bobbin has a hollow interior region adapted for receipt therein of a portion of a biological subject treated by a magnetic flux generated by the coils.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[STERILE TRANSCOLONIC ACCESS DEVICE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097157.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Devices and methods useful for transluminally accessing a body cavity are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transluminal access device adapted to be inserted through a body lumen is provided and can include an inner shaft having an opening at its distal end and adapted to be positioned adjacent to an inner wall of a body lumen. The inner shaft can include one or more sealing mechanisms, such as one or more seals with suction ports formed thereon for isolating a portion of a body lumen. The isolated portion may be sterilized and serve as an access point or otomy site for penetrating the wall of the body lumen to access a body cavity.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[APPARATUS FOR DETECTING TACTILE SENSITIVITY]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097236.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An apparatus for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient includes a housing and a probe supported by the housing and having a probe tip. The probe is adapted for selective longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a first probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially extended from the housing, and a second probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially retracted into the housing. A first biasing means is adapted to urge the probe toward the first probe position. A predetermined motive force is selectively exerted between the probe tip and the patient to move the probe from the first probe position to the second probe position. The motive force is indicative of tactile sensitivity of the patient. A method for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient is also described.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Silicon microprobe with integrated biosensor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097171.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Microprobe device  10  provides an analyte signal from biosensor  12  to an external analyte meter indicating analyte presence in an analyte-containing bodily fluid of a subject (not shown).]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[WIRELESS, INTERNET-BASED, MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097178.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for monitoring a patient's vital signs that features a vital-sign monitor including sensors for measuring from the patient at least one of the following vital-sign data: O 2  saturation, blood pressure, electro-cardiogram, respirator rate, and blood glucose level. The system also includes a global positioning system that determines location-based data. A wireless transmitter, in electrical contact with the vital-sign monitor and global positioning system, receives the vital-sign and location-based data and wirelessly transmits these data through a conventional wireless network. A gateway software piece receives and processes the data from the wireless network and stores these data in a computer memory associated with a database software piece. The system also includes an Internet-based user interface that displays the vital sign data for both individual patients and care-providers.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Surgical instrument path computation and display for endoluminal surgery]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097155.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An endoscopic surgical navigation system comprises a path correlation module that can compute the path taken by an endoscope scope or other medical instrument during endoscopic medical procedure and various related attributes and parameters, and can compute and display a correlation between two paths.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method For Producing An Endoscope, And Such An Endoscope]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097160.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for producing an endoscope that comprises an endoscope head and an optic tube, comprises the steps of providing the endoscope head, providing the optic tube, and pushing a proximal end area of the optic tube into a distal end area of the endoscope head. The distal end area of the endoscope head is press-fitted with the proximal end area of the optic tube.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Apparatus for fetal scalp blood sampling]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097245.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention relates to an apparatus for fetal scalp blood sampling, having a shaft, a blade that is mounted removably in the distal end of the shaft and that can be slid by means of a positioning mechanism between a starting position mounted in the and a working position extending beyond the distal end of the shaft, and also having a blood sampling device mounted on the distal end of the shaft. To create an apparatus for fetal scalp blood sampling that is easy to operate and also ensures a high degree of operating safety, it is proposed with the invention that the blade can be fixed by the positioning mechanism in the respective end position.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Retractor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097163.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A retractor ( 101 ) for retracting the margins of a wound opening ( 103 ) comprises an inner anchoring O-ring ( 105 ) attached to a cylindrical sleeve ( 106 ) at a distal end and a reinforcing O-ring ( 109 ) attached to a proximal end of the sleeve ( 106 ). The sleeve ( 106 ) is led between an inner ring part ( 110 ) and a corresponding recess ( 116 ) in an outer ring part ( 111 ). The outer ring part ( 111 ) has anchor formations ( 120 ) over which the proximal end of the sleeve ( 106 ) is attached to anchor the sleeve ( 106 ). To retract the wound opening ( 103 ) the sleeve ( 106 ) is pulled while the guide rings ( 110, 111 ) are moved against the tissue surrounding the wound opening ( 103 ). This pulls the inner O-ring ( 105 ) against the inside of the tissue adjacent the wound opening ( 103 ), and retracts the wound opening ( 103 ). The sleeve ( 106 ) is manipulated locally for maximum retraction efficiency.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING EARLY FORMATION OF STEAM POP DURING ABLATION]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097220.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method that enable real-time optical measurements of tissue reflection spectral characteristics while performing ablation, involves the radiation of tissue and recapturing of light from the tissue to monitor changes in the reflected optical intensity as an indicator of steam formation in the tissue for prevention of steam pop. The system includes a catheter adapted to collect light reflected from tissue undergoing ablation, a detection component that identifies and separates constituent wavelengths of collected light, a quantification apparatus for generating measured light intensity data for the collected light, and a processor that analyses the measured light intensity data in relation to time. The system may include a graphical display and/or an audio output (e.g., speaker) that provide visual and/or audio alarm when the system infers formation of a steam pocket in the tissue. The method for monitoring formation of steam pocket during ablation, wherein a measured reflectance spectral intensity MRSI versus time is analyzed, includes delivering light to tissue, delivering energy for ablation at tissue and measuring the reflectance spectral intensity of the tissue, wherein observation is made as to whether the MRSI initially increases in a specified time period followed by a decrease at a specified rate in the MRSI. If there is no decrease in the MRSI, then delivery of ablation energy to tissue continues. However, if there is a decrease in the MRSI within a specified time and at a specified rate, then the method infers the formation of a steam pocket and decreases or discontinues the delivery of ablative energy to tissue.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Combined MR imaging and tracking]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097189.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A novel method and system for employing device tracking with a magnetic resonance imaging system. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method for tracking the location of a device and generating an image using magnetic resonance imaging includes applying a combined imaging and tracking pulse sequence, in the presence of a magnetic field gradient, wherein the combined imaging and tracking sequence comprising a radiofrequency excitation pulse. The method further includes collecting tracking data based on a magnetic resonance tracking signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance tracking signal is returned from a tracking coil mounted in the device. The method also includes collecting imaging data based on a magnetic resonance imaging signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging signal is returned from an imaging coil.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Blood Pressure Meter]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097228.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A blood-pressure meter having storing means for storing a blood pressure measurement result, and time measurement means for measuring a time is disclosed. The blood-pressure meter includes: input means for entering behavior history; means for storing the blood pressure measurement result into the storing means while associating the blood pressure measurement result with a time when blood pressure measurement is performed; and means for storing the entered behavior history into the storing means while associating the behavior history with a time corresponding to the behavior history.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING STEREOTACTIC SURGERY]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097195.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A stereotactic navigation system for navigating an instrument to a target within a patient may include a stereotactic head frame, an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller and a display. The stereotactic head frame is coupled to the patient and is used to assist in guiding the instrument to the target. The imaging device captures image data of the patient and of the stereotactic head frame. The tracking device is used to track the position of the instrument relative to the stereotactic head frame. The controller receives the image data from the imaging device and identifies the stereotactic head frame in the image data and automatically registers the image data with navigable patient space upon identifying the stereotactic head frame, while the display displays the image data.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHOD OF LOCATING THE TIP OF A CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097232.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention includes a method of locating a tip of a central venous catheter (“CVC”) having a distal and proximal pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava, right atrium, and/or right ventricle. The method includes obtaining a distal and proximal electrical signal from the distal and proximal pair and using those signals to generate a distal and proximal P wave, respectively. A deflection value is determined for each of the P waves. A ratio of the deflection values is then used to determine a location of the tip of the CVC. Optionally, the CVC may include a reference pair of electrodes disposed within the superior vena cava from which a reference deflection value may be obtained. A ratio of one of the other deflection values to the reference deflection value may be used to determine the location of the tip of the CVC.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[DEVICE FOR HEMORRHAGE DETECTION]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097182.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A device for hemorrhage detection comprising a detecting means for detecting the presence of blood, said detecting means being connected to a fixing means. The fixing means is fixed to the inner wall of a hollow organ. The device further has a transmitting unit by which the data transmitted by the detecting means are adapted to be transmitted to a receiving unit disposed outside the body.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SAFELY DISPLAYING PK/PD ANESTHETIC DRUG MODELS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097166.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The system and method includes a treatment device such as an anesthetic machine or IV, a monitor and a display configured to display real-time PK/PD data associated with an anesthetic agent administered to the patient. The system and method further includes a safety control means configured to control the display such that one of a basic display state, an interactive effects display state, and a display inhibited state is selected and displayed according to the anesthetic agents and levels of the same being administered to the patient.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Enhanced contrast agent augmented ultrasound thrombus treatment]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097206.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Contrast agents may more effectively clear a clot if they are as close to the clot as possible. Radiation force may effectively push and/or pull the contrast agents next to the clot and away from the middle of any flow channels. By transmitting driving acoustic energy, the contrast agents may be positioned for treatment that is more effective by destruction.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Automatic identification of orientation in medical diagnostic ultrasound]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097212.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Standardized Digital Image Viewing with Ambient Light Control]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097203.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which produces images in accordance with a display standard such as the DICOM standard. The DICOM standard images may be exported and reproduced on other display devices such as workstations and film or image printers. The standardized images produced by the system are transformed into unique driving levels which are characteristic of the system display device for viewing. The transform is user controllable for viewing standardized images under differing ambient light conditions.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[TRANSDUCER WITH SHIELD]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097216.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A physical shield placed on the face of a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer for medical applications is described. The shield may be shaped or angled to match a particular pattern of mechanical or acoustic energy that may damage the transducer during operation. The shield may be ablative, replaceable or modified as needed. Methods of manufacturing a transducer with a shield are also disclosed.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Products and methods for Brachytherapy]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097140.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A radioactive member for use in brachytherapy comprising a hollow elongate bioabsorbable suture member with radioactive seeds and spacer members without different coloration and diameter from the radioactive seeds alternately disposed therein, and methods for the manufacture and the use thereof. The radioactive members may be used in the treatment of, for example, prostate cancer.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for determining an optimal surgical trajectory]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097165.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and corresponding system for calculating an optimum surgical trajectory or path for displacing a surgical instrument through the interior of the body of a patient. Upon obtaining a volumetric scan of a patient, such as a CT scan, the surgeon can identify and assign weight values indicating a preference on whether an anatomical area be utilized in plotting an optimum instrument trajectory. Upon providing a starting and destination point for a surgical instrument, an optimum surgical trajectory can be determined in essentially real time and graphically presented to the surgeon by superimposing the proposed trajectory upon the patient's volumetric scan. Furthermore, the system and method is interactive, allowing the surgeon to deviate from the proposed optimum path if desired and choose another path. In response, the system will determine and present, in essentially real time, a new optimum trajectory based on the current location of the surgical instrument.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method of Determining the Concentration of an Analyte in a Body Fluid and System Therefor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097240.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of obtaining a body fluid sample for determining the concentration of an analyte in the body fluid sample comprises applying pressure to the skin of the user. The skin is stretched so as to create a tear in the skin such that the applied pressure causes the body fluid to flow from the tear. The body fluid flowing from the tear is collected. Disclosed is also a pressure member for applying pressure to and stretching skin in preparation for forming a tear in the skin.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[ULTRASONIC METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSESSMENT OF BONE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097211.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus are disclosed for non-invasive bone evaluation based on a broadband ultrasonic transducer emitting a train of ultrasonic wave packets of multiple carrier frequencies ranging from about  50  kHz to about  2  MHz. Receiving broadband ultrasonic transducer accepts broadband ultrasonic signal propagated through the bone. Computer processing means provide for data analysis and feature extraction allowing diagnostic evaluation of the bone, including comparing the features of the received signal to a database of known bone conditions.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[TEST UNIT FOR CARRYING OUT A ONE-TIME TESTING OF A BODY FLUID]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097244.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The invention concerns a test unit for carrying out blood analyses comprising a lancing element that can be pricked into a body part which has a capillary channel for transporting the body fluid that leads from a lancing member to a target site. According to the invention a pretensioned distal sterile cover and a liquid permeable proximal sterile cover are proposed for the lancing element that is advantageously formed as a deep-drawn component.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Determination of a Measure of a Glycation End-Product or Disease State Using Tissue Fluorescence Lifetime]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097174.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of determining a measure of a tissue state (e.g., glycation end-product or disease state) in an individual. A portion of the tissue of the individual is illuminated with excitation light, then light emitted by the tissue due to fluorescence of a chemical with the tissue responsive to the excitation light is detected. The detected light can be combined with a model relating fluorescence with a measure of tissue state to determine a tissue state. The invention can comprise measuring the fluorescence lifetime in either time-domain or frequency domain modes. The invention can also comprise a variety of models relating fluorescence to a measure of tissue state, including a variety of methods for generating such models. For example, multivariate models can be developed that relate lifetime trends of one or more constituents to increasing propensity to diabetes and pre-diabetes. Other biologic information can be used in combination with the fluorescence properties to aid in the determination of a measure of tissue state. The invention also comprises apparatuses suitable for carrying out the method, including appropriate light sources, detectors, and models (for example, implemented on computers) used to relate detected fluorescence and a measure of tissue state.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MR HEAD COIL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097192.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An MR head coil has a helmet-shaped coil housing and an arrangement of a number of first antenna elements mounted on the coil housing. The helmet-shaped coil housing is shaped such that it completely frees the field of view of a patient, and second antenna elements or antenna element parts that can be temporarily arranged in the field of view are provided.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for user interface and identification in a medical device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097177.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[There are provided systems and methods for user interface and identification in a medical device. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a pulse oximeter comprising a main unit configured to perform a medical function, and a display coupled to the main unit, the display configured to detect external contact by a stylus with a screen of the display, determine a location on the screen of the contact, wherein the location of the contact corresponds to a command for the medical device, and transmit the command corresponding to the location to the main unit.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Modeling of Pharmaceutical Propagation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097197.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of modeling propagation of a pharmaceutical fluid in a patient, includes: collecting data corresponding to a time response curve resulting from injection of the fluid; and determining at least one mathematical model describing the data. The mathematical model can, for example, be a model which is not determined by a continuous or a discrete-time Fourier transform of the data. A method of controlling injection of a pharmaceutical fluid into a patient using an injector in a medical procedure, includes: collecting data corresponding to a patient response curve resulting from injection of the fluid; determining at least one mathematical model describing the data; and controlling the injector during the medical procedure to control injection of the fluid into the patient to create patient response at least in part on the basis of the mathematical model. A method of controlling injection of a contrast medium into a patient using an injector in a medical imaging procedure using an imaging scanner, includes: determining at least one mathematical model to predict a time enhancement response resulting from injection of the contrast medium; determining an injection protocol to approximate a predetermined time enhancement response in the patient by determining a constrained input solution to the mathematical model; and using the injection protocol to control the injector during the medical imaging procedure to control injection of the contrast medium into the patient to create an image of a region of interest.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SUBJECTIVE SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION TOOL, BRAIN ACTIVITY BASED]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097235.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system for determining the subjective state of mind of a human subject presented with a test audible or visual stimulus. An electroencephalogram (EEG) recording unit is connected to the human subject, recording the subject's EEG when presented with one or more test stimuli. The recorded EEG signal is then transformed to a 3-D map in order to visualize the brain areas that were active when presenting the test stimuli. The given 3-D map of the test stimuli is then compared with reference 3-D maps of neutral and subjectively significant stimuli.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Tissue Marking Devices and Systems]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097199.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A marker for marking a site within the body of a mammalian patient is positioned within the tissue of a patient. The marker may be placed in the first instance by a needle or the like or placed where a tissue sample has been removed. The marker has a plurality of loops each at various angles to the other such that when positioned within the patient, one of the loops is positioned orthogonal to a magnetic field of a metal detector. Various shapes of markers may be used, including electron orbital shapes, chains of loops or barbells. Barbs or other anchoring elements may be used to stabilize the marker's position. Normal delivery techniques as needles, catheters or cannulas may readily position the marker within the patent. By having the marker so designed and positioned, at least one of the closed loops is detectable by a metal detection beam of a metal detection device.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ultrasonic observing apparatus, control method for ultrasonic observing apparatus, ultrasonic observing system and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097208.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An ultrasonic observing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a machine-side connector receptacle, an electronics-side connector receptacle, a mechanical echo signal detecting unit for detecting an echo signal obtained by receiving waves in a mechanical scanning ultrasonic probe connecting to the machine-side connector receptacle, an electronic echo signal detecting unit for detecting an echo signal obtained by receiving waves in an electronic scanning ultrasonic endoscope connecting to the electronics-side connector receptacle, and a signal processing unit for performing signal processing on the echo signal from the mechanical echo signal detecting unit and the echo signal from the electronic echo signal detecting unit.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[COMPOSITION, METHOD, SYSTEM, AND KIT FOR OPTICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097222.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention provides a method of optical electrophysiological probing, including: providing a fluorescing chemical probe; contacting a thick portion of tissue with the fluorescing chemical probe to create a thick portion of treated tissue; applying a first range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation to the treated portion of tissue; and detecting a plurality of depth-specific emission wavelengths emitted from the thick portion of treated tissue.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for Performing Elastography]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097202.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for performing elastography is provided, comprising the following steps. First, emitting a first coded signal towards tissue and recording an echoed signal in response. Next, applying a strain on the tissue, such as a compression or an expansion. Then, emitting a second coded signal towards the tissue under strain, said second signal being a compressed (or stretched) version of the first emitted signal in the time domain, and recording an echoed signal in response. Then processing the second echoed signal by stretching (or compressing) it in the time domain by a factor matched to the compression (or stretching) factor that was applied to the second emitted signal. Finally, cross-correlating the first echoed signal and the processed second echoed signal to provide an elastographic image of said tissue. The method of the invention uses different emitted signals before and during strain applied to the tissue. The image quality in elastography can therefore be considerably improved.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Cardiac Event Monitoring System]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097231.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A cardiac event monitoring system includes a base unit including a base connector, a wearable electrode system, and a plug-in adapter. The wearable electrode system includes a cable, an electrode at one end of the cable, and a cable connector at the other end of the cable. The cable connector is configured to plug into the base connector. The plug-in adapter includes electrodes and an adapter connector that is configured to plug into the base connector.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ultrasonic probe with finger shelf]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097215.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A cuff fitting around an ultrasonic probe provides a shelf that may receive forces from the sonographer's fingers without requiring increased gripping by the sonographer.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for remote hemodynamic monitoring]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097227.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A cardiac sensor system includes implanted cardiac sensor assemblies and an external controller which receives information from the implanted sensors. The sensors permit direct measurement of a number of physiologic parameters. The external controller permits calculation of a variety of performance values based on the measured physiological parameters. Optionally, patient oxygen consumption can be measured externally and combined with the internally measured physiologic parameters in order to calculate a variety of unique performance values.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Colorectal Cell Sampling Device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097238.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention relates to a device for collecting a sample of exfoliated cells from a colorectal mucosal surface of a human subject which comprises a colorectal insertion member ( 1 ) having a distal, insertion end ( 2 ), a proximal end ( 34 ) and a closable interior cavity ( 3 ), a flexible membrane having an outer, cell sampling surface ( 5 ) and an inner surface, wherein said membrane is sealingly attached to the distal, insertion end of said insertion member and held within the interior cavity, such that, in use, pressurisation of the interior cavity to at least a first elevated pressure causes the membrane to emit from the distal end of said insertion member to make contact with the colorectal mucosal surface and pressurisation of the interior cavity to a second reduced pressure causes the membrane to invert and return to the interior cavity of said insertion member A kit comprising said device and methods of colorectal cell sampling using said device are also described.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS USING PULSE VOLUME MEASUREMENT]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097230.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The utility of pulse volume measurement is expanded to detection of many conditions which have previously not been detected or have been detected using more complicated techniques. Such conditions include blood loss, septic shock, cardiogenic shock, neonatal sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, limb ischemia, intra-aortic balloon pump performance, peripheral vascular disease, congestive heart failure, the effectiveness of vasoactive medications, syncope, dehydration, pre-eclampsia, deep vein thrombosis, thermal injuries, vascular instability due to renal dialysis, compromising of circulation to the hand caused by radial artery harvesting, changes in cardiac output, and hypertension. According to the present invention, such diagnoses can be performed by taking one measurement, by taking measurements over time to detect a change or by taking measurements before and after application of a treatment or stimulus.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[EXTERNAL SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GASTRIC RESTRICTION DEVICES]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097188.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus for quantifying the amount or rate of magnetically susceptible fluid within a gastric lumen are described. In one aspect, a magnetic sensor located external to the patient is configured to detect a quantity of fluid disposed within the gastric lumen. The quantity of fluid may include fluid that is contained upstream with respect to a restriction formed in the gastric lumen (e.g., by a gastric restriction device). The quantity of fluid disposed within the gastric lumen is determined by the magnetic sensor. This quantity may be evaluated over time to then calculate a real time flow rate which can then be displayed to the physician. The methods and devices allow a physician or other trained person to dynamically view real time development of fluid flow within a restricted gastric lumen and may be used in conjunction with adjustments to the gastric restriction device to achieve target or desired flow rates.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for in Vivo Sensing]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097149.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for in vivo sensing of a body lumen such as a lumen in the upper GI tract is provided. The method may include, for example, inserting a sensing device into a subject's body lumen, positioning the subject in a horizontal or other suitable position, and receiving data transmitted from the sensing device.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[External sensing system for gastric restriction devices]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097249.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus useful for monitoring fluid flow past a gastric restriction device using noninvasive means are described. Some methods involve the use of acoustic energy, e.g., Doppler ultrasound, to monitor the passage of fluid past the restriction device, and apparatus to detect the acoustic energy. In some embodiments the method detects a sound-producing fluid using a microphone, stethoscope, or ultrasound probe and detector combination. In some embodiments, there are described methods of using Doppler ultrasound to monitor the flow of a fluid through a stomal opening, allowing a flow condition, e.g., a flow rate, to be determined, so that a physician can accurately adjust the gastric restriction device.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Cheek And Lip Retractor]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080096165.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A cheek and lip retractor is defined by a supporting member ( 4 ) supporting a pair of retracting elements ( 2 ) to be inserted at least partially in a patient's mouth ( 3 ), by a light source ( 11 ) fixed to the supporting member ( 4 ), and by an optical device ( 17 ) for the transmission of the light emitted from the light source ( 11 ) inside the mouth ( 3 ); the optical device ( 17 ) extending wholly along the supporting member ( 4 ) and/or the retracting elements ( 2 ).]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[MAGNETIC RESONANCE SYSTEM WITH CIRCULAR GRADIENT SYSTEM AND NON-CIRCULAR WHOLE-BODY COIL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080094064.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A magnetic resonance system has a basic field magnet system that annularly surrounds an examination volume, a gradient system arranged radially within the basic magnetic system, a radio-frequency shield arranged radially within the gradient system and a whole-body coil arranged radially within the radio-frequency shield. The gradient system is essentially circular, such that the gradient system defines a gradient system axis. With regard to a complete circumference around the gradient system axis, the whole-body coil has a first segment and a second segment complementary to the first segment. The first segment covers an angular range of more than 180° relative to the gradient system axis. The whole-body coil exhibits a constant curvature radius in the first segment and is more gently curved in the second segment than in the first segment. The whole-body coil is arranged in the gradient system such that a radio-frequency field return that is possible in the center of the first segment and a radio-frequency field return that is possible in the center of the second segment are at least approximately equal.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[ECG INPUT TO IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR USING CAROTID SINUS LEADS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097540.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A monitoring device is provided to monitor a patient. The monitoring device includes at least one lead having an electrode. The lead is positioned proximate a location within the patient's body, and the lead is adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity. The monitoring device also includes a control system coupled to the at least one lead to receive a signal representative of the cardiac electrical activity.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[REGISTERING 2D AND 3D DATA USING 3D ULTRASOUND DATA]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080095421.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A fluoroscopy image is registered with data representing a volume, identifying a catheter position relative to a volume represented by preoperative volume data. The catheter position relative to a patient volume represented by data acquired without scanning the catheter is displayed. For example, a 2D fluoroscopy image is registered with respect to coordinates of a 3D preoperative CT or MRI volume by registering the fluoroscopy image and the preoperative volume to 3D ultrasound coordinates.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[DIABETES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097181.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method of diabetes management, comprising (a) providing a remote communications unit in communication with a portable microprocessor-based unit; (b) transmitting blood glucose level data into the portable microprocessor-based unit or the remote unit, or both; (c) running a program of instructions on the portable microprocessor-based unit or on the remote unit, or both, using data corresponding to the blood glucose level data; and (d) providing a signal including instructions to inject insulin when the blood glucose level data indicates.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Respiratory Muscle Endurance Training Device And Method For The Use Thereof]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080096728.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A respiratory muscle endurance training device (RMET) includes a chamber and a patient interface. In one implementation, one or both of a CO 2  sensor or a temperature sensor can be coupled to the chamber or patient interface to provide the user or caregiver with indicia about the CO 2  level in, or the temperature of, the chamber or patient interface, and/or the duration of use of the device. In another implementation, the RMET may have a fixed volume portion adjustable to contain a measured portion of a specific patient's inspiratory volume capacity. Methods of using the device are also provided.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097170.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A blood glucose monitoring system, comprising (i) a blood glucose monitor for monitoring a blood glucose level and for producing digitally encoded blood glucose level signals representative of the blood glucose level, (ii) a programmable microprocessor-based portable unit, (iii) digital data storage media tangibly embodying therein processor-executable program instructions to signal process in response to signals based upon the digitally encoded blood glucose level signals and further to signal process insulin dosage data, and calibration information, (iv) a signal interface connected in signal communication with the programmable microprocessor-based portable unit and the blood glucose monitor for directly coupling the digitally encoded blood glucose level signals supplied by the blood glucose monitor to the programmable microprocessor-based portable unit, and (v) a signal processor for performing signal processing functions in accordance with the program instructions.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method And System For Cardiac Signal Decomposition]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097537.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system decomposes a cardiac signal, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal, into components. The components are then usable to assist in the detection of an abnormal heart condition. More particularly, a single lead sensor is used to generate a single lead cardiac signal. The cardiac signal is segmented into a set of cycle segments according to detected heart waveforms. The cycle segments are aligned and used to generate a set of cross-sectional signals. The cross-sectional signals are aligned and presented as inputs to a signal separation process, which separates the cardiac signal into a set of components. The components may be grouped according to predefined criteria. The components or groups may be analyzed or displayed to assist in the detection of an abnormal cardiac signal, which may be indicative of an abnormal heart condition. In one example, the signal separation process is a non-orthogonal transformation method such as independent component analysis (ICA).]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Magnetically driven dynamic phantom]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097184.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A phantom according to the invention features a radiotransmissive vessel and a removable closure member, which together define a sealed chamber. A non-magnetic support member extends through a wall of the chamber—preferably through the closure member—and supports a hollow container within the sealed chamber. The support member is pivotally supported through the wall of the chamber by means of a non-leak pivot joint. The support member supports a magnetically drivable element—either a magnet or a ferromagnetic mass—on the opposite end that is not disposed within the chamber. By moving a co-acting magnetically driving element, movement of the support member, and hence the container within the chamber, can be controlled.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Hygroscopic treatment for degenerating discs]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097229.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Early treatment for a degenerated disc includes identifying a non-ruptured, dehydrated disc. A hygroscopic agent is then selected. This agent should pull water towards itself and have a hygroscopic compound with a molecular weight of at least 400 Daltons. Additionally, it may be desirable to selected hygroscopic compounds that are anionic or electrically neutral. The hygroscopic agent is then injected into the nucleus pulposus of the disc without any prior removal of the nucleus pulposus material. Because the surrounding disc structure allows for the passive diffusion of water into the nucleus pulposus, the hygroscopic agent will draw water into the nucleus pulposus, thus promoting tissue hydration within the disc. The hygroscopic agent may also include a biological agent and/or an imaging agent.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ultrasound therapy monitoring with diagnostic ultrasound]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097207.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The therapeutic ultrasound waveform is used as a source of stress or ARFI pushing pulse. When the therapeutic ultrasound waveform ceases, diagnostic ultrasound is used to measure the strain, such as measuring tissue displacement. The displacement over time after release of the stress indicates tissue characteristics. The tissue characteristics may be monitored to determine when sufficient therapeutic results are obtained.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC DRUG MODEL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097167.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method for displaying a pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics drug model for a patient is provided. A monitor is arranged to detect a quantity of anesthetic agent provided to a patient by an anesthesia machine. A display is provided for displaying real-time pharmacokinetics data associated with the quantity of anesthetic agent provided to the patient. Safety control means are provided to initiate the display of real-time pharmacokinetics data for the anesthetic agent only when a predetermined threshold value for the anesthetic agent is detected by the monitor. Alternately, control means are adapted to terminate display of real-time pharmacokinetics data for the anesthetic agent when a predetermined threshold value for the anesthetic agent is detected by the monitor.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING DIAGNOSTIC INDICATIONS]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097186.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[System for determining diagnostic indications which system comprises: at least an apparatus for acquiring diagnostic images; and image processing means for recognizing and measuring qualitative, quantitative, morphologic and/or dynamic characteristics of one or more objects reproduced in acquired images by pixels, or voxels or image data thereof characterized in that processing means and the apparatus for acquiring diagnostic images being integrated within the same device and the processing of the image or images being carried out directly at the end of the acquisition of the image or images as the final and/or intermediate step of the diagnostic imaging session or process.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Database system, program, and information processing method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097795.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A disease-symptom-combination DB storing information obtained by combining each of disease name elements indicative of diseases with one or more symptom elements each indicative of a symptom, and a disease-care-combination DB storing information obtained by combining each of the disease name elements with a plurality of care elements each indicative of a care are stored in a storing unit. When the user enters symptom information of a symptom in any of terminals, a server control unit recognizes one or more symptom elements from the symptom information and detects one disease name element combined with all of the one or more symptom elements from the disease-symptom-combination DB. Further, a plurality of care elements combined with the one disease name element are detected from the disease-care-combination DB. Disease care information obtained by combining the one disease name element with the plurality of care elements is generated and visibly output in a display unit.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method to quantify patients clinical trends and monitoring their status progression]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097785.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for facilitating identification of correlations over time between patient monitoring signal histories to facilitate the making and revising of healthcare decisions includes patient monitoring equipment ( 144 ), a memory ( 146 ), a computing device ( 148 ), and a display device ( 152 ). A method for facilitating identification of correlations over time between patient monitoring signal histories to facilitate the making and revising of healthcare decisions includes designating ( 158 ) a time frame, providing ( 160 ) two patient monitoring signal histories over the time frame, constructing ( 162 ) a three-dimensional geometric surface model of the signal histories over the time frame, and visually displaying ( 164 ) the model to facilitate visual identification of correlation between the signal histories.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[BRAIDED ENDOSCOPE ACCESSORIES]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097152.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A braided device for use with an endoscope having a selectively lockable braided flexible tube. The braided device may have cables disposed along side the braided flexible tube and capable, upon their retraction, of bending the braided device at a region along its length and holding it at a desired orientation. The braided device has a handle for controlling the steering and the locking of the flexible braided tube. A braided hollow member may be attached to an endoscope for providing space for the endoscope while it operates in an internal cavity or for holding tissue samples.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Service Providing System, Service Providing Method, and Program]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097719.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A judgment section ( 200 ) judges the presence or absence of a specific event-related potential in an event-related potential of user's ( 50 ) electroencephalogram measured by a biological signal detection section ( 101 ). A judgment standard storage section ( 203 ) stores a plurality of judgment standards according to the number of occurrences of the specific event-related potential. A user's state judging section ( 201 ) obtains the number of occurrences of the specific event-related potential by referring to a judgment result storage section ( 20 ) and selects any of the judgment standards in the judgment standard storage section ( 203 ) according to the obtained number of occurrences thereof for judgment.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[DIABETES CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097180.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A medical device for diabetes management, comprising (a) a memory comprising one or more optimal blood glucose values, one or more insulin dose values of a patient, one or more measured blood glucose values, and one or more scaling factors for weighting the impact on a future blood glucose value and that are customizable to an individual patient to predict the effect on the blood glucose of insulin dose actions performed by the individual patient, (b) a microprocessor, in communication with the memory, programmed to calculate a further value, the further value being based on the insulin dose values, the optimal blood glucose values, and the scaling factors, and (c) a display configured to display information according to the further value.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Methods and Apparatus for Treating Disorders of the Ear Nose and Throat]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097154.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Heatless blood vessel harvesting device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097145.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and device are disclosed directed at harvesting of vessels, such as arteries and veins, especially as required in vessel grafting procedures. The device and method discloses a cannula-like device that provides, identification, capture, manipulation, hemostasis and cleavage of branch vessels from the harvested vessel without need for further devices. In certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed method and device, the disclosed harvesting device achieves branch vessel cleavage and hemostasis without the use of heat producing means such as cautery. In addition, certain embodiments utilize a clip/coil magazine technology so as to enable severance and hemostasis of multiple branch vessels without need for removal of the device from the surgical site. Further embodiments disclose the incorporation and use of irrigants containing CO2, as well as other agents capable of stimulate release of nitric oxide from vascular endothelium are applied to subject vessels so as to enhance the viability of vessels to be harvested as graft material.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[ENDOSCOPE PROCESSOR AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097151.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An endoscope processor comprising a touch-panel monitor, a location detector, a touch-panel image generator, and a location-changer, is provided. The endoscope processor displays an image of a target area with enlargement on a monitor. The target area is a part of a captured entire image. The location detector detects an input location. The input location is a location where the user's input operation is done on the touch-panel monitor. The touch-panel image generator orders a target-area location window to be displayed on the touch-panel monitor. The target-area location window indicates the location of the target area in the entire image. The location-changer changes the location of the target area based on the input location detected by the location detector when the target-area location window is displayed.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[FEEDING TUBE SYSTEM WITH REFLUX FLUID SENSING]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097179.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Embodiments of a feeding tube system of the present invention provide a feeding tube that provides for monitoring whether it has detected reflux fluid which could potentially lead to serious medical conditions, such as, in the case of a nasogastric tube used for enteral feeding, aspiration of tube feeding into the patient's lungs. The reflux event is made apparent to medical staff and automated systems provide to take action, such as, in the case of enteral feeding, to shut off the delivery of enteral feeding to the patient. This allows remedial measures to be taken so that the associated morbidity and mortality can be prevented. The methods and apparatus are readily acceptable and easy to use by the medical staff, safe for the patient, and inexpensive to manufacture.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Thermographic Assessment Of Clostridial Toxin Applications]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097219.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present specification relates to methods for assessing the physiological activity of a target site being evaluated for potential administration of a Clostridial toxin, methods for administering a Clostridial toxin to a particular target site, methods for assessing the effect of an administration of a Clostridial toxin in a mammal and methods assessing the extent of dispersal of a Clostridial toxin from a target area to a non-target area in a mammal.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mechanical honing of metallic tubing for soldering in a medical device construction]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097248.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Medical devices and methods for manufacturing medical devices. An example manufacturing method includes providing a metallic tubular member having a inner surface with a metal oxide layer disposed thereon, mechanically scoring and/or removing a portion of the metal oxide layer to create a bonding zone along the inner surface, and soldering an additional metallic structural element to the bonding zone.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING AND PROVIDING IMAGING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH AT LEAST ONE PORTION OF A SAMPLE, AND EFFECTING SUCH PORTION(S)]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097225.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Exemplary apparatus and process can be provided for imaging information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, (i) at least two first different wavelengths of at least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be provided within a first wavelength range provided on the portion of the sample so as to determine at least one first transverse location of the portion, and (ii) at least two second different wavelengths of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation are provided within a second wavelength range provided on the portion so as to determine at least one second transverse location of the portion. The first and second ranges can east partially overlap on the portion. Further, a relative phase between at least one third electro-magnetic radiation electro-magnetic radiation being returned from the sample and at least one fourth electro-magnetic radiation returned from a reference can be obtained to determine a relative depth location of the portion. First information of the portion based on the first transverse location and the relative depth location, and second information of the portion based on the second transverse location and the relative depth location can be obtained. The imaging information may include the first and second information.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Manual and Motor Driven Optical Pullback and Rotation System and Method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097224.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system. A longitudinal drive system has a drive motor for advancing and/or withdrawing the carriage drive system and a manual drive input enabling a user to manually advance or withdrawal the carriage drive system. A latching system holds the carriage drive system when the catheter system is being attached to the pullback system.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[HOLLOW NEEDLE ASSEMBLY]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097243.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Some embodiments of the invention provide a needle with a sharp open end and a blunt open end, housed in a barrel with an open anterior end and an open posterior end. The barrel can travel along the hub of the needle, for extending the needle for insertion into a blood vessel, and for retracting the needle into the barrel to avoid injury. The blunt open end can be fluidly connected to the inlet opening of a measurement apparatus, so that the blood can flow directly into the measurement apparatus, eliminating the traditional step of transferring the blood from a syringe to the measurement apparatus. The hollow needle assembly can remain attached to the measurement apparatus because of its small size, and the engagement of an optional safety cap to the open anterior end of the barrel, minimizes the risk of injury and blood contamination. Because a small blood sample is required, a very small needle shaft can be used, minimizing the discomfort experienced by the patient.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[System for monitoring temperature]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080092911.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for monitoring temperature in a body, the system comprising at least one implantable device, wherein the implantable device(s) is operable to sense temperature in the body and to generate status signals based on the sensed temperature in the body. The system further comprising a system control unit for wirelessly communicating with the implantable device(s), and the system control unit comprising a signal receiver for receiving the status signals, and also a programmable controller for producing notification signals based on the received status signals. A notification unit can alternatively communicate with the system control unit or the implantable device(s) for disclosing the sensed body temperature based on the notification signals.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Disposable blood glucose sensor with internal pump]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097288.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An apparatus and method are disclosed for automatically and periodically measuring the level of a patient's blood glucose when a patient has a catheter in a blood vessel. A wearable, disposable test unit is attached by air, fluid and electric lines to a bedside monitor. The test unit has means for measuring blood glucose. A chamber in the unit contains a pneumatic pump which draws blood into the device and then expels all but a small residual portion of blood back into the patient's blood vessel catheter. A testing area is provided adjacent the pumping chamber. A test is done either when the pumping chamber is filled with blood, or after the pumping chamber is emptied. The test cycle is repeated about every 60 seconds. Provision is made to automatically calibrate the device every few hours or whenever calibration is required.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Mastopexy and Breast Reconstruction Prostheses and Method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097601.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Mastopexy and breast reconstruction prostheses and implantation method that allow for radiographic imaging of the breast tissue. The prostheses are arcuate and elongate optionally meshed to conform with breast tissue when implanted. Prostheses are made from naturally occurring extracellular matrix, primarily collagen, that, allows for mammographic imaging without interference as is expected from synthetic materials.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Ureteral Stent]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097275.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A ureteral stent is designed to be placed within a patient's ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and the elongated portion defines a lumen extending therethrough. A retention portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and retains the position of the ureteral stent when placed substantially within the kidney. The retention portion includes an interior space that is in communication with the lumen within the elongated portion and has at least one opening for urine drainage. A flared portion extending from the other end of the elongated portion is positioned within the patient's bladder. The flared portion curves outward and includes an elastic member that maintains the shape of the flared portion when positioned within the bladder.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Optical Catheter Carriage Interlock System and Method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097223.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system. A longitudinal drive system has a drive motor for advancing and/or withdrawing the carriage drive system and a manual drive input enabling a user to manually advance or withdrawal the carriage drive system. A latching system holds the carriage drive system when the catheter system is being attached to the pullback system.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Method for Making an Interior Ventricular Patch]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097147.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for making an inferior ventricular patch includes the steps of providing a piece of sheet material having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, the sheet material made of at least one of pericardium, dacron, fascia, and a mammalium tissue; providing a ring with a vacant center, the ring made of at least one of plastic material, fascia, pericardium, and an autogenous tissue; and attaching the ring directly to the sheet material whereby the ring includes a triangular shape and defines a triangular central area of the sheet material inwardly of the ring and the circumferential area of the sheet material outwardly of the ring, and the ring extends continuously between the triangular central area of the sheet material and the circumferential area of the sheet material.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[METHOD AND APPARATUS TO IDENTIFY VULNERABLE PLAQUES WITH THERMAL WAVE IMAGING OF HEATED NANOPARTICLES]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080095714.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Provided herein are systems, methods, and compositions for the thermal imaging of cells with nanoparticles.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING AN IMPLANTABLE INTERFACE TO A MAMMAL]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097496.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for securing an implantable apparatus to a mammal includes a mount including a base portion having a plurality of holes dimensioned to receive rotationally-driven fasteners, each fastener comprising a helical portion having a tip configured for tissue penetration, the mount configured to secure the implantable apparatus relative to tissue of the mammal upon driving the fasteners into the tissue. The system further includes a fastening tool configured to rotationally drive the helical portion of the fasteners into the tissue. The mount may be secured to the fascia covering the sternum via a subcutaneous securement method, or it may be attached to the intra-abdominal wall, behind the sternum, or it may be attached to the sternum directly via bone screws or the like.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[REDUCTION OF BURST RELEASE FROM THERAPEUTICALLY TREATED MEDICAL DEVICES]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097569.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention generally relates to the conditioning of coated medical devices such as stents. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for positioning a medical device within an elution media for a predetermined time period to eliminate a burst release from the coating. Under methods and processes of the invention, a medical device target surface may be identified and coated with therapeutic. The coated surface of the medical device may then be positioned within an elution media for a predetermined period of time to release a predetermined amount of coating.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING LUNG TISSUE]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20080097139.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for treating lung tissue includes a tube having a distal end, an anchoring device secured to the tube, the anchoring device configured to anchor at least a portion of the tube against an esophagus, a trachea, or a bronchus; and an ablation device carried within a lumen of the tube.]]></description>
<pubDate>April 24, 2008</pubDate>
</item>

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