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        <title>Free Patents Online: Surgery</title>
        <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./rssfeed/rsspat600.xml</link>
        <description>USPTO Class 600 Surgery</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</lastBuildDate>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and system for navigating a catheter probe]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./RE41066.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A system for navigating a catheter probe through a body cavity includes a sensing coil affixed to a distal end of the probe. Magnetic fields are projected into the body cavity to induce voltage signals in the sensing coil that are sufficient to describe the orientation and position of the probe. A set of magnetic coils each generates a substantially uniform field in a single respective dimension. The orientation angles of the sensing coil may be determined from known values of the unidirectional fields and the measured induced voltage signals. Gradient magnetic fields with components in two dimensions are projected into the body cavity to induce another group of voltage signals. The geometrical intersection of constant voltage surfaces developed by certain gradient fields that produce the measured induced voltage signals is a set of lines on which the catheter is located. The point of intersection of such lines yields the positional coordinates.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for determining an optimal sharing mix in a shared prescription savings plan]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640177.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method for determining an optimal sharing mix in a shared savings prescription plan, the method includes identifying a first drug group and a second drug group, wherein the first drug group and the second drug group are formulary equivalents of each other and each include one or more prescriptions, determining a total cost to the first entity for the first drug group and an estimated total cost to the first entity for the second drug group, determining a savings rate associated with utilizing the second drug group versus the first drug group, determining a distribution amount as a function of the savings rate and the total cost to the first entity for the first drug group, and distributing the distribution amount to at least one of a first entity, a second entity, and a third entity based upon one or more predetermined percentages.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Device to make expert knowledge accessible for the operation of medical examination devices]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640172.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A device to make expert knowledge available to a user (doctor) of a medical examination device is provided, with a transmission device in order to transcribe at this examination device a handbook procedure of an outside expert in the form of pulse sequences, protocols, parameter sets or the like for the examination device, coordinated with precise medical diagnoses by the inquiring user with an external (if necessary, decentralized) databank which stores settings for a plurality of clinical cases from patient parameters, as well as a computer (expert system) that searches for appropriate suggestions in the databank upon request, and the user submits one or more suggestions according to the result, in that, on a correspondingly expanded user interface of the user examination device, the respective providers are indicated and parallel and offered to be selected.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method of processing noninvasive spectra]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640140.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[This invention provides a method and apparatus that corrects for tissue related interference calibration and/or measurement of biological parameters noninvasively. The invention concerns such terms as outlier identification, filtering, spectral correction, and baseline subtraction steps that, when used together, provides for noninvasive measurement of biological parameters, such as glucose concentration.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Apparatus and method for detecting step in a personal navigator]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640134.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A step detecting apparatus and method in a personal navigator where acceleration signals in at least two directions are acquired from an accelerometer sensor, as a pedestrian moves. Variances of the acceleration signals are calculated and summed. The variance sum is compared with a threshold. If the variance sum is greater than the threshold, it is determined that a detected step is a walking step. If the variance sum is less than the threshold, it is determined that the detected step is a mark-time step.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[External presentation of electrical stimulation parameters]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640059.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A trial stimulation system and, more particularly, an indicator device within the trial stimulation system that measures and indicates energy amplitude levels for electrical stimulation therapy delivered to a patient. Specifically, the indicator device simultaneously indicates energy amplitude levels, such as electrical voltage, current, power, and electrical charge, as well as the polarity for each electrode in real-time without affecting the therapy delivered to the patient. For example, the indicator device may activate a number of lights in an array of lights in proportion to the measured energy amplitude level for each electrode and may activate a green LED or a red LED when a corresponding electrodes acts as a source or sink, respectively. In this manner, the indicator device allows a clinician to visualize the electrical fields produced by each electrode and, therefore, may assist stimulation steering, trouble shooting, and lead placement.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Methods of providing neural markers for sensed autonomic nervous system activity]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640057.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In various method embodiments, a neural activity signal is sensed, a feature from the sensed neural activity signal is extracted, and a neural marker for the extracted feature is created. The neural marker includes information regarding the extracted feature. Various device embodiments comprise a port to receive a neural activity signal, and a feature extractor adapted to receive and process the neural activity signal to produce a neural marker that includes information for the neural activity signal. Various device embodiments comprise a display, a memory adapted to store a neural marker associated with a sensed neural activity signal, and a controller adapted to communicate with the memory and the display to provide a representation of the neural marker on the display.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Monitoring fluid in a subject using an electrode configuration providing negative sensitivity regions]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640056.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An amount of fluid in a thoracic or other region of a subject may be monitored by internally injecting an electrical energy stimulus (e.g., constant voltage source) through the region, detecting voltage resulting from the electrical energy stimulus, and calculating a fluid volume indicative signal. The injected energy stimulus creates a first lead field. The responsive voltage is detected using an electrode configuration that defines a second lead field, which is arranged in a negative sensitivity configuration with respect to the first lead field at the region being monitored.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Self-adaptive system for the analysis of biomedical signals of a patient]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640055.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Methods and systems that (a) adaptively segment a raw data stream(s) of different type biomedical signals; (b) assign attribute values to each segment; (c) determine an attribute domain based on a point corresponding to said segment attribute value; (d) generate a cluster set(s) in said attribute domain that includes a combination of points; (e) obtain a probability of order of appearance of each cluster point, according to its property value; (f) use said probability to update each point's property value; (g) repeat (d) through (f) while varying combinations of points in clusters according to their most updated property values and points derived from additional raw data stream adaptive segmentations; (h) associate at least one updated cluster with a normal/abnormal physiological state based on reference clusters in said domain; and (i) obtain the change probability between normal/abnormal physiological states using said probability of the order of appearance.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Automated template generation algorithm for implantable device]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640054.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method of generating a template in an implantable medical device for implantation within a patient, and a processor readable medium for performing the method, that includes generating a template from collected events corresponding to the patient, delaying the generation of the template for a first predetermined time period in response to the template not being generated within a predetermined number of collected events, determining whether the template is valid, and monitoring the template to determine whether the template is an accurate representation of the patient.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Catheterization method and system for controlling tip displacement]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640053.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The catheter is guided along a blood vessel of a patient by the bipolar electrode functioning as a mobile sensor on the catheter tip connected to the electronic unit to monitor the advance of the catheter and determine any modification of successive signals received from the bipolar electrode in order to detect any deviation of the catheter tip from the required path along the blood vessel and to deliver control signals comprising a GO signal, a STOP signal or an END signal to respectively enable, interrupt or terminate the advance of the catheter. The bipolar electrode moreover serves to verify the contact of the catheter tip with the wall of the heart cavity of the patient by creating impulses and detecting the appearance of corresponding induced signals on a surface cardiogram of the patient. The combination of the bipolar electrode on the catheter with the electronic unit provides a portable catheterization system particularly suitable for performing urgent cardiac catheterizations outside hospitals.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method of integrated proton beam and therapeutic magnetic resonance therapy]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640052.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method of therapeutic treatment including the steps of modulated application of a time domain radiation beam to a therapeutic target; and providing a time domain application of a modulated magnetic resonance (MR) signal to the therapeutic target during the periods of application out-of-phase with energy peaks of the radiation beam.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Systems and methods for automated diagnosis and decision support for breast imaging]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640051.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[CAD (computer-aided diagnosis) systems and applications for breast imaging are provided, which implement methods to automatically extract and analyze features from a collection of patient information (including image data and/or non-image data) of a subject patient, to provide decision support for various aspects of physician workflow including, for example, automated diagnosis of breast cancer other automated decision support functions that enable decision support for, e.g., screening and staging for breast cancer. The CAD systems implement machine-learning techniques that use a set of training data obtained (learned) from a database of labeled patient cases in one or more relevant clinical domains and/or expert interpretations of such data to enable the CAD systems to “learn” to analyze patient data and make proper diagnostic assessments and decisions for assisting physician workflow.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[System and method for analyzing and displaying computed tomography data]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640050.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A system ( 10 ) and method are provided for analyzing and displaying images rendered from data sets resulting from a scan of a patient. The images displayed include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional views of selected portions of a patient's anatomy, for example, a tubular structure such as a colon.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Physiological measurement strip with display]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640049.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A physiological measurement strip with a display comprises a strip and an electronic device. A surface of at least one end of the strip has a conductive portion; the conductive portion is connected to the electronic device; the electronic device is installed with a processor; an outer side of the electronic device has a display, thus the processor can measure physiological data through the conductive portion and the data is displayed on the display. The electronic device has a speaker, alarm lamps and a level meter and can transfer data wirelessly. The alarm lamps include a red light, a yellow light and a green light. Two ends of the electronic device have buckling grooves, respectively; and two ends of the strip have buckles, respectively, the buckles and buckling groove are conductive. The electronic device is installed with an auxiliary conduction portion.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Analyte sensor]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640048.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Test instrument, attachment, and concentration measuring apparatus]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640047.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The present invention relates to a test instrument (X) including a capillary ( 5 ) for moving a sample liquid (B), a liquid pooling portion ( 4 ) communicating with the capillary ( 5 ) for retaining the sample liquid (B) to be introduced into the capillary ( 5 ), and a liquid introduction selector ( 12 ) for selecting whether or not the sample liquid (B) retained in the liquid pooling portion ( 4 ) is introduced into the capillary ( 5 ). The present invention also relates to an attachment provided with the test instrument (X), and a concentration measuring apparatus to which the attachment is mounted for use.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Methods and apparatuses for localizing myocardial infarction during catheterization]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7640046.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A catheter with a tissue property sensor provides for localization of myocardial infarction (MI) by utilizing one or more differences between properties of infarcted myocardial tissue and properties of normal myocardial tissue. The tissue property sensor is to be placed on endocardial wall or epicardial wall during catheterization to sense at least one tissue property allowing for detection of MI. Examples of the tissue property sensor include, but are not limited to, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a contractility sensor, a temperature sensor, and a drug response sensor. In one embodiment, the tissue property sensor senses a tissue property in various locations on endocardial wall or epicardial wall and detects substantial changes in the tissue property that indicate a boundary between infarcted tissue and normal tissue.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Medical image processing apparatus, and medical image processing method]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639855.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An image processing apparatus acquires three-dimensional volume data from a modality, and a start point, end point, etc. of an extraction target vessel. The image processing apparatus specifies cross sectional regions of the vessel sequentially from the designated start point. The image processing apparatus sequentially obtains the area of images appearing in each specified cross sectional region in accordance with changes in threshold. The image processing apparatus clarifies the cross section of the vessel in each region based on rate of change in the obtained area. The image processing apparatus obtains a center position of the clarified cross section of the vessel, and obtains a three-dimensional path representing a center line of the vessel in its longitudinal direction. The image processing apparatus generates plural kinds of images representing the vessel based on the obtained three-dimensional path, and displays them together on a display device.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and system for processing data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639854.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A system and method of automatically processing data relating to a radiation therapy treatment plan. The method includes the acts of acquiring image data of a patient, generating a treatment plan for the patient based at least in part on the image data, the treatment plan including a calculated radiation dose to be delivered to the patient, acquiring an on-line image of the patient in substantially a treatment position, delivering at least a portion of the calculated radiation dose to the patient, and automatically recalculating the radiation dose received by the patient.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method of and system for predicting dose delivery]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639853.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A system and method of predicting a radiation dose to be delivered to a patient. The method includes the acts of generating a first image of at least a portion of the patient, defining a treatment plan for the patient, generating a second image of at least a portion of the patient while the patient is substantially in a treatment position, updating the patient profile with the second image, and predicting the radiation dose to be delivered to the patient based upon the patient profile and the treatment plan.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method for associating data with medical image datasets]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639852.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In a method for association of data with medical image datasets, at least one region is established on an overview image of an examination subject and data are associated with the region. At least one image dataset is associated with the region, and the data are thereupon automatically associated with the at least one image dataset using the at least one region.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Coronary artery tree imaging system and method]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639847.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method of generating an image of a coronary artery tree for a patient. The method can include acquiring data from the patient for coronary artery segments and generating a coronary artery tree image including the coronary artery segments. The method can also include accessing coronary artery tree patterns, comparing the coronary artery tree image to the coronary artery tree patterns, and automatically selecting one of the coronary artery tree patterns as a representative coronary artery tree image for the patient. The method can further include measuring lesions and automatically adding the lesion measurements to the coronary artery tree image for the patient.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Methods and systems for automatic patient table positioning]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639782.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Methods and systems for automatic patient table positioning are provided. The method includes determining patient specific scan parameters and positioning the patient with the imaging scanner based on the determined patient specific scan parameters.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Operating microscope having an arm frame]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639421.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An operating microscope includes a base set on a floor surface, a post held for rotation around a vertical rotation axis with respect to the base, a horizontal motion arm held for rotation around a first horizontal rotation axis with respect to the post, a vertical motion arm held for rotation around a second horizontal rotation axis with respect to the horizontal motion arm, a lens barrel portion supported by the vertical motion arm, an elastic member which is provided between the post and the horizontal motion arm and cancels an angular moment around the horizontal motion arm, a fulcrum which is provided on the horizontal motion arm and receives a force from the elastic member, and a fulcrum moving mechanism configured to shift the position of the fulcrum in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the horizontal motion arm.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for communicating an alarm while monitoring]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639145.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for displaying an alarm condition on a patient monitor. A graphical user interface can include an alarm communication device that indicates a state of a physiological parameter. The alarm communication device can include a stable region, an intermediate region, and a critical region. At least one of the intermediate region and the critical region can represent the alarm condition. The graphical user interface can also include a tolerance control that adjusts at least one of a boundary and a width of at least one of the stable region, the intermediate region, and the critical region in order to adjust the alarm condition.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Field distribution correction element and method for generating a magnetic resonance exposure therewith]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639011.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A field distribution correction element for positioning on an examination subject in a magnetic resonance system for local influencing of the radio-frequency field distribution during a magnetic resonance acquisition has a system of electrically conductive dipole strips essentially running in parallel, arranged on a carrier element. In a corresponding method for generation of magnetic resonance exposures of an examination subject in a magnetic resonance system, for local influencing of the radio-frequency field distribution, such a field distribution correction element is positioned on the patient.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Detector for magnetic hazards to implanted medical device]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7639006.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A handheld detector gives a warning when a magnetic field exceeds the safety level for a particular medical implant that is magnetically activated. A front surface of the device corresponds approximately to a surface region of a patient's body in a vicinity of an implanted medical device. The magnetic detection element is located at substantially the same distance from the front surface as the control element of the medical device is from the surface region of the patient's body when the device is implanted. The detector element may be activated by a magnetic pressure, that is the vector cross product of the magnetic flux density (B) of a magnet and the applied magnetic field (H), which is less than the magnetic pressure that activates the control element of the implant device. An electronic circuit connected to the detection element may be used to indicate activation of the detection element.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method of driving ultrasonic transducer]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7638924.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric resonator including a pair of electrodes sandwiching a piezoelectric body and provided with the backing layer in contact with one of the electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator and having the same acoustic characteristic impedance as the piezoelectric body. A method includes the step of driving the ultrasonic transducer so as to satisfy a condition: 2Th≦Td≦6Th where Th is a propagation time of an ultrasonic wave in the piezoelectric body sandwiched by the pair of electrodes, and Td is a pulse width of a drive pulse driving the piezoelectric resonator.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and system for powering a patient monitoring system]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7638897.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The present invention is a method and system for powering a patient monitoring system. The present invention is a modular patient monitoring system utilizing a bi-directional power bus to efficiently couple a multi-parameter acquisition device, a display and any number of expansion modules. Each coupled device includes a battery, enabling each device to send or receive power through the bi-directional bus. The method and system of the present invention utilizes power from any single battery or from any number of the batteries in the system, as charge is not transferred from one battery to another. The present invention allows for the batteries to charge when it is operated from AC mains derived power.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Medical radiotherapy assembly]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7638779.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The invention relates to a radiotherapy assembly comprising a particle emitter ( 2 ) with an exit window ( 4 ) for a fixed particle stream ( 6 ) and a patient support device ( 16 ) comprising a patient couch ( 18 A,  18 B), which can be brought into an irradiation position that is suitable for irradiating a patient ( 22 ) in front of the exit window ( 4 ). An X-ray diagnostic device ( 8 ) determines or verifies the position of a tumour that is to be irradiated, said device ( 8 ) comprising an X-ray source ( 12 ) and a detector ( 14 ), which can be displaced in the area around the patient couch ( 18 A,  18 B) that has been placed in the irradiation position. The assembly permits the location of a tumour to be verified in the irradiation position, thus rendering a relocation of the patient unnecessary.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volumetric induction phase shift detection system for determining tissue water content properties]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7638341.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method of determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, by: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils (or antennae); passing a spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) through a first of the induction coils (or antennae); measuring spectrum of alternating current (or voltage) produced in the second of the induction coils (or antennae); and comparing the phase shift between the spectrum of alternating currents (or voltages) in the first and second induction coils (or antennae), thereby determining the condition of the bulk tissue sample. An apparatus for determining the condition of a bulk tissue sample, having: a first induction coil (or antenna); a second induction coil (or antenna); an alternating current power supply connected to the first induction coil (or antenna), the alternating current power supply configured to generate a spectrum of currents (or voltage) in the first induction coil (or antenna); and a measurement system connected to the second induction coil (or antenna), wherein the measurement system is configured to measure a phase shift difference in the spectrum of currents (or voltages) between the first and second induction coils (or antennae) when the first and second induction coils (or antennae) are positioned on opposite sides of a tissue sample.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Method and apparatus for facilitating the healing of bone fractures]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637923.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating bone fractures by the application of intermittent compression. In certain embodiments an energy source is applied to the limb to facilitate intermittent compression treatment. In certain embodiments, intermittent compression is applied to a limb for pre-determined periods.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Spinal midline indicator]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637913.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A spinal midline indicator ( 10 ) has a body ( 14 ) of radiolucent material for insertion between adjacent vertebrae ( 18, 20 ) and a radiographic marker ( 12 ) located centrally with the body to indicate the position of the spinal midline ( 22 ) in anterior-posterior images when the body is centrally located between the vertebrae. The radiographic marker is typically an elongate metal handle. The body may carry secondary radiographic markers ( 16 ) on opposite sides of and equidistant from the handle so that the handle indicates the position of the spinal midline when the body is placed centrally between the vertebrae.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Endoluminal tool deployment system]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637905.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Systems, devices and methods are provided for endoscopic procedures involving tissue manipulations beyond the capabilities of traditional endoscopic instruments. Embodiments of the systems include an elongated main body having a scope therethrough and at least one steerable tool arm which extends from the distal end of the main body. In preferred embodiments, the system includes two tool arms, each arm steerable to form a curve laterally outward which then bends laterally inward so that the arms form an angular shape. In addition, end effectors extend from the distal ends of each tool arm for use in manipulation of tissue. The angular shape brings the end effectors together in view of the scope for cooperative movements which are continuously visible by the surgeon. In addition, the tool arms may be steerable in any additional direction and may be rotatable to allow grasping, elevation and more complex manipulation of tissue.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Multifunctional catheter probe]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637876.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A multifunctional catheter probe for carrying out intracorporal measurements, including a multiluminal flexible tubing divided into sections and joined together by coupling pieces and forming a multifunctional catheter probe. Each coupling piece has a central body with a central feed lumen lead-through and measurement lumen lead-throughs which are arranged around. The coupling is accomplished with suitable attachment nipples to the lumens of the flexible tube sections. A measurement lumen passage closed in the passage has a radial opening in or on which different measuring devices for the manometric or electro-sensory are attached.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Guide wire]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637875.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A guide wire includes a wire body having a tapered portion disposed on a distal end portion thereof and having an outside diameter progressively reduced toward a distal end thereof. The guide wire also includes a coil having a first coil portion covering an outer circumferential surface of the tapered portion and a second coil portion disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the first coil portion and covering an outer circumferential surface of a constant-outside-diameter portion of the wire body. Initial tensile forces of the first coil portion are greater than initial tensile forces of the second coil portion.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Medical guide wire]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637874.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A medical guide wire includes a flexible long core. A core elongated component is disposed to extend forwards from the core, and has a tapered shape. A helical coil is disposed about the core elongated component, secured by attachment of a coil distal end and a coil proximal end to the core elongated component. The helical coil includes an equiradial coil portion having the coil proximal end, disposed at a portion of the core elongated component on a side of the core. A diameter decreasing coil portion has the coil distal end, extends forwards from the equiradial coil portion, has a decreasing diameter, and has a length 25 mm or more. A diameter ratio D 1 /D 2  of the diameter decreasing coil portion is 1.22-2.31, where D 1  is a proximal end diameter of the diameter decreasing coil portion, and D 2  is a distal end diameter of the diameter decreasing coil portion.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Wire guides having novel outer surface areas and reservoirs for enhancing hydrophilic properties and delivering therapeutic agents]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637873.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Wire guides and methods of using an elongate wire guide with a first end portion and a flexible second end portion having an increased surface area is provided. The second end portion comprises a nominal outer circumference disposed about a longitudinal axis and having a first outer surface including the nominal outer circumference and defining a first surface area. Protuberances, indentations, peaks, and/or valleys are disposed substantially circumferentially about the nominal outer circumference and defining an effective perimeter greater than the nominal outer circumference and having a second outer surface defining a second surface area greater than the first surface area. Hydrophilic materials and therapeutic agents may be disposed partially on the second end portion and a coating, and a membrane may be disposed about second end portion and coating to form reservoirs or lumens for delivering hydrophilic materials and delivering therapeutic agents.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Bone marrow aspiration and biomaterial mixing system]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637872.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Devices and methods for bone marrow aspiration, storage, and the combining of harvested marrow with biomaterials, therapeutic agents or medical devices are provided for the treatment or assessment on a variety of diseases or injuries. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes aspiration of marrow into a cartridge to minimize bacterial contamination and clotting while facilitating handling, storage or the combining of harvested material with biomaterials, therapeutic agents or medical devices.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Steered continuous wave doppler methods and systems for two-dimensional ultrasound transducer arrays]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637871.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving pulsed waveforms in other modes of imaging. As another example, switches or other structures are provided for selecting between a plurality of possible apertures for a steered continuous wave aperture. The selection is performed in response to a configuration of an ultrasound system, such as selection of a focal location or steer direction. The aperture is then used for either transmit or receive operations of steered continuous wave imaging. As yet another example, at least part of the steered continuous wave beamformer is provided within a transducer assembly. The transducer assembly includes a probe housing and a connector housing electrically connected by a cable. In yet another example, at least one angle of a three-dimensional indication of flow direction is input from a user. Velocity values in either steered continuous wave imaging or pulsed wave imaging are corrected as a function of a three-dimensional indication of flow direction.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Tissue penetrating catheters having integral imaging transducers and their methods of use]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637870.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A catheter device that is useable to penetrate from a blood vessel in which the catheter device is positioned to a target location comprises a flexible catheter advanceable into the first blood vessel, a tissue penetrator lumen adapted to receive an operative tissue penetrator which is usable to penetrate from the blood vessel to the target location when properly aimed. Further said catheter including an imaging transducer fixedly mounted on or within the catheter body to provide an imaging signal from which an image of the target location can be obtained. The catheter device may include an imageable marker on the catheter to form on the image obtainable from the imaging signal a penetrator path indication that indicates the path that will be followed by the tissue penetrator when the tissue penetrator exits from the catheter. Alternatively, or addition thereto, the imaging transducer may comprise a plurality of imaging elements which are located so that the penetrator path indication can be obtained. A method of utilizing such a catheter device to bypass an arterial obstruction is also disclosed.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Two-dimensional transducer arrays for improved field of view]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637869.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method and system for using two-dimensional transducer arrays for improving the field of view during an ultrasonic examination are disclosed. The ultrasonic imaging system includes a two-dimensional transducer array with a plurality of acoustic elements, a beam controller, a signal processor, and a display. The beam controller controls a generated acoustic beam capable of being advanced longitudinally or laterally along the two-dimensional transducer array. Additionally, the generated acoustic beam is capable of being phase-shifted by the beam controller. Combining the phase shifting of and advancement of the acoustic beam increases the field of view of the two-dimensional array.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Composite material for implantable device]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637868.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Devices suitable for implantation in a body of a host and systems and methods for their manufacture are provided. The implantable devices include a composite material formed at least from a matrix material and hollow gas-filled beads. In preferred embodiments, the composite material includes a polymeric matrix mixed with hollow air-filled glass beads, which are mixed and cured to form at least a portion of the body of the implantable device. Implantable devices including this composite material have decreased weight and/or overall density as compared to implantable devices without the beads incorporated therein, which is believed to improve the acceptance and function of the implantable device in vivo. Additionally, implantable devices concerned with transmitting and receiving via RF are believed to achieve improved RF performance due to a reduced dielectric constant provided by the incorporation of beads within the composite material.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Methods for configuring implantable satellite effectors]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637867.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Techniques for controlling one or more modular circuits (“satellites”) that are intended for placement in a subject's body. The one or more satellites are controlled by sending signals over a bus that includes first and second conduction paths. Also coupled to the bus in system embodiments is a device such as a pacemaker that provides power and includes control circuitry. Each satellite includes satellite circuitry and one or more effectors that interact with the tissue. The satellite circuitry is coupled to the bus, and thus interfaces the controller to the one or more effectors, which may function as actuators, sensors, or both. The effectors may be electrodes that are used to introduce analog electrical signals (e.g., one or more pacing pulses) into the tissue in the local areas where the electrodes are positioned (e.g., heart muscles) or to sense analog signals (e.g., a propagating depolarization signal) within the tissue.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Optical adaptor for endoscope and endoscope apparatus]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637866.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An optical adaptor for endoscope according to the present invention includes, in an outer casing, a light emitter, serving as a light source for illumination, and two terminals connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitters to be externally projected from the inside of the outer casing. The connection of a diode between the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitters prevents the static electricity from being applied to the light emitter.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[In vivo imaging device]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637865.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A substantially spherical in vivo imaging device ( 40 ) may be used for imaging body lumens in the GI tract. The imaging device ( 40 ) may include for example a ballast or weight ( 74 ) for setting a preferred orientation of the device within the body lumen. The substantially spherical shape ( 52 ) of the in vivo imaging device ( 40 ) may facilitate capturing steady streams of imaging data in large body lumens. A method of manufacture is presented.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Medical device]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637864.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A capsule medical apparatus inserted in the body cavity includes a spiral projected portion on the outer peripheral surface of a body cavity inserting portion. The pitch, height, and cross section of the projected portion and the like are set to have proper values and shapes suitable to the advance thereof. The body cavity inserting portion has a magnet. An external magnetic guiding device applies a rotating magnetic field to the magnet and the magnetic torque acts on a magnet for rotation. Thus, the medical apparatus stably advances.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Wire guide holder]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637863.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A wire guide holder having a body for securing an elongate medical wire or tube, such as a wire guide or catheter. The body is adapted to be attached to a scope or a bite block. The body can be provided with protrusions and/or grooves for holding a wire guide. The wire guide holder may be affixed to the medical scope by clamping. The wire guide holder can also be provided with a seal.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Phalloplasty]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637862.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A method of widening a penis wherein a dermal fat graft including a block of fat and attached dermis is excised from the patient, the penis is degloved, the dermal fat graft is sutured to the exposed Bucks fascia and then reducing the penile skin; the method further including the step of following a post-operative treatment regime.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Implantable penile prosthesis pump]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637861.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Pumps for use with inflatable implantable penile prostheses in accordance with the invention include features that can provide for free fluid flow during inflation and deflation modes of the pump. Pumps may also include a bypass chamber that is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway by a bypass input channel and a bypass output channel. The bypass chamber comprises a bypass check valve biased toward a closed position.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Devices for minimally invasive pelvic surgery]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637860.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Systems and methods employing a sling delivery assembly having a sling delivery device couplable to a sling assembly to deliver an implant through a transobturator incision point are disclosed. Successful coupling between the sling delivery device and the sling assembly can be verified through changes in an optical or electrical signal produced at the coupling location.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Sleeping mode accessory]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637859.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A device for inducing a target physiological state in a user may include a portable device including at least one receiver for receiving measurement data indicative of a current physiological state of the user, a processing unit for processing the received measurement data, at least one audio output unit and a memory, the processing unit being arranged to detect the current physiological state of the user by comparing the processed received measurement data to predefined data in the memory indicative of physiological states, wherein the processing unit is arranged to output audio data through the audio output unit depending on the detected current physiological state and to adjust the output of the audio data according to the target physiological state to be induced in the user.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Functional sheet]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637858.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A functional sheet which exercises desired actions such as healing effect in high efficiency, without restriction by its use condition and the like is provided. A functional sheet  1  which exercises functions such as healing effect, relaxation effect, decomposition and removal of harmful substances according to complex functions such as generation of minus ions and/or photocatalyst function, by supporting a photocatalyst powder  10  such as titania (TiO 2 ), tin oxide (SnO), zinc oxide (ZnO), SnO 2 , ZrO 2 , and WO 3  which is oxidized in a structure of which a bond with oxygen is decreased as goes from its surface into the inside gradually, and a radioactive powder  20  containing a natural radioactive substance such as thorium (Th), for example, the powder of monazite, in a condition in which they are mutually brought in contact or adjacent, on a carrier  30  which forms a sheet shape composed by entangling a lot of fibers such as nonwoven fabric.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Connector mechanism]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637747.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The invention relates to a connector mechanism, a connector, an electronic device, a garment and a physiological sensor. The connector mechanism comprises a first connector part, which includes a first electrically conductive layer and a first magnetic layer, and a second connector part, which includes a second electrically conductive layer and a second magnetic layer, the first and the second magnetic layers being configured to provide a mechanical coupling between the first connector part and the second connector part based on the mutual magnetic attraction between the first and the second magnetic layers, and the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer being configured to provide an electrical connection between the first connector part and the second connector part based on said mutual magnetic attraction.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Electronic thermometer]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637657.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[An electronic thermometer includes a temperature sensing means for sensing a temperature of a part to be measured, and a prediction means for calculating an equilibrium temperature according to the temperature being sensed. The prediction means includes a parameter determination unit for calculating parameters of a prediction function having three parameters to obtain an equilibrium predicted temperature, and an equilibrium predicted temperature calculation means for calculating an equilibrium temperature during a period of the thermal equilibrium time, based on the parameters determined by the parameter determination unit. The parameter determination unit determines parameters held by the prediction function, based on three (or two) sensed temperatures and the measuring times thereof. According to the prediction function, the equilibrium temperature can be predicted with a small number of samplings, and the parameters are determined based on the sensed temperature and the measuring time of the sensed temperature. Consequently, the number of samplings to predict the equilibrium temperature is reduced, as well as solving a problem that the equilibrium temperature may be varied due to an external factor, individual difference, and the like.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
        <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Smart memory alloy control]]></title>
            <link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com./7637105.html</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The invention relates to a method for improving performance and life of a material adapted to contract when heated to a critical temperature such as shape memory alloy wire (SMA). The method includes the steps of measuring ambient temperature before activation, measuring voltage applied to the SMA wire and/or current flowing in the SMA wire, calculating power and energy required to heat the material from the ambient to the critical temperature and providing the calculated power and energy.]]></description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
        </item>
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