361results about How to "Accelerated program" patented technology

The invention relates to the preparation of a hydrogel surface useful in the formation and manipulation of arrays of molecules, particularly polynucleotides and to the chemical modification of these and other arrays. In particular, the invention relates to a method of preparing a hydrogel immobilised to a solid support comprising polymerising on the support a mixture of a first comonomer which is acrylamide, methacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate or N-vinyl pyrrolidinone and a second comonomer which is a functionalised acrylamide or acrylate.

Arthroplasty jigs, arthroplasty jig blanks, and related methods and devices are disclosed. Some variations of the methods comprise forming an arthroplasty jig from a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank, where the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank has at least one feature specific to a target site to be matched by the arthroplasty jig. Certain of the methods comprise forming an arthroplasty jig having a first configuration from a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank having a second configuration approximating the first configuration. Some of the methods comprise forming a near-shape arthroplasty jig blank, where the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank is configured to be formed into an arthroplasty jig, and the near-shape arthroplasty jig blank has at least one feature specific to a target site to be matched by the arthroplasty jig.

Arthroplasty jigs and related methods are disclosed. Some of the arthroplasty jigs may comprise a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, and a positioning component. Certain of the methods may comprise providing such an arthroplasty jig, and aligning the jig body with a surface of a bone so that the positioning component provides at least one of a visible, audible, or tactile indication that such alignment has been achieved. Some of the arthroplasty jigs may comprise a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, and that is marked with identifying information. Certain of the methods may comprise providing an arthroplasty jig comprising a jig body that is configured to align with a surface of a bone, or providing an arthroplasty jig blank, and marking the arthroplasty jig or the arthroplasty jig blank with identifying information.

A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee comprises a femoral assembly comprising a stationary femoral member attachable to the distal femur, an adjustable femoral member movably coupled with the stationary member to adjust tension in at least one ligament of or adjacent the knee and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the assembly. The adjustable member includes at least one positioning feature that moves relative to the distal femur as the adjustable member is adjusted and identifies at least one position on the distal femur. The adjustable member is movably couplable with a tibial member engaged with a proximal tibia to allow the knee to be moved through a range of motion without removing the femoral and tibial members. The mechanism includes an actuator positioned proximate a medial or lateral portion of the adjustable member. The actuator is configured to adjust an opposite portion of the adjustable member.

Systems and methods for controlling the power supplied to an electrosurgical probe. The systems and methods may be used to monitor electrode-tissue contact, adjust power in response to a loss of contact, and apply power in such a manner that charring, coagulum formation and tissue popping are less likely to occur.

An implant insertion apparatus for guiding surgical instrumentation and facilitating insertion of surgical implants into an intervertebral space includes an adjustable element defining a longitudinal passageway dimensioned to guide the surgical instrumentation inserted through the longitudinal passageway. The adjustable element has an elongate body and an extended body that are movable relative to one another for varying the length of the adjustable element. The apparatus also includes an engaging element insertable into the intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The engaging element is releasably secured to a distal end of the elongate body.

Dynamic knee balancing devices, systems and methods provide for enhanced total knee arthroplasty (“TKA”) procedures. Devices generally include a stationary femoral member for removably attaching to a distal femur and an adjustable femoral member coupled with the stationary member for adjusting ligament tension of the knee. The adjustable femoral member includes at least one positioning feature for providing positional and / or orientation information for facilitating the TKA procedure. Additionally, the adjustable femoral member is movably couplable with a tibial member engaged with the proximal tibia to allow movement of the knee through a range of motion without removing the device from the joint space. When the adjustable femoral member is adjusted, the positional feature(s) move relative to the distal femur to provide positional information.

A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee includes an adjustable femoral portion, a tibial portion and at least one sensor coupled with the femoral and / or tibial portions to sense pressure exerted by the femoral and tibial portions against one another. The femoral portion is adapted for removably coupling with a distal end of a femur to adjust tension in soft tissue adjacent the knee and has at least one positioning feature adapted to move relative to the distal end of the femur as the femoral portion is adjusted, thus helping position a femoral prosthetic on the distal end of the femur. The sensor(s) may be adapted to sense pressure at medial and lateral sides of the knee, and relative pressures may be displayed as data on a visual display. Adjustments to the femoral member may be made to balance pressure at flexion and extension of the knee.

Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for promoting blood flow to a target tissue. In one aspect, the invention involves canalizing or boring channels, divots, trenches or holes through an avascular connective tissue, or through a tissue having sparse vascularity, such as a tendon or a meniscus, in order to increase blood flow within the tissue. In one method, an active electrode is positioned in close proximity to a target site on a tendon, and a high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active electrode and a return electrode to selectively ablate tendon tissue at the target site, thereby forming a channel or void in the tendon. The active electrode(s) may be moved relative to the tendon during, or after, the application of electrical energy to damage or sculpt a void within the tendon, such as a hole, channel, crater, or the like. In another aspect of the invention, an electrosurgical probe is used to elicit a wound healing response in a target tissue, such as an injured tendon, in order to stimulate vascularization of the target tissue. The present invention may also be used for vascularization of a torn or damaged tissue in conjunction with a surgical repair procedure.

Catheter systems include direction-sensitive, multi-polar tip electrode assemblies for electroporation-mediated therapy, electroporation-induced primary necrosis therapy and electric field-induced apoptosis therapy, including configurations for producing narrow, linear lesions as well as distributed, wide area lesions. A monitoring system for electroporation therapy includes a mechanism for delivering electrochromic dyes to a tissue site as well as a fiber optic arrangement to optically monitor the progress of the therapy as well as to confirm success post-therapy. A fiber optic temperature sensing electrode catheter includes a tip electrode having a cavity whose inner surface is impregnated or coated with thermochromic / thermotropic material that changes color with changes in temperature. An optic fiber / detector arrangement monitors the thermochromic or thermotropic materials, acquiring a light signal and generating an output signal indicative of the spectrum of the light signal. An analyzer determines an electrode temperature based on the detector output and predetermined spectrum versus temperature calibration data.

The present invention provides an electrophoretic system, apparatus, and method of use thereof for the preparation of a tissue-derived bioprosthesis.

Embodiments described herein disclose methods, devices, and media for storing data. Methods including the steps of: receiving data to be stored in a memory that includes at least three blocks, wherein each block, for storing the data, has at least one metadata value, associated with each block, that is dependent upon a writing time of each block; grouping at least three blocks into at least two block groups, wherein at least one block group contains at least two blocks; associating a respective metadata value with each block group; and associating the respective metadata value of a respective block group with each block storing the data contained in the respective block group, without storing a dedicated copy of at least one metadata value for each block. In some embodiments, at least one metadata value is stored in a block-group table.

A multifunction endoscope handle comprises a body cover, a first body cover extension and a second body cover extension. The body cover comprises distal and proximal ends with a waist of therebetween. The proximal and distal end circumferences part each larger than the waist circumference. The body cover also comprises an outer surface tapering from the distal and proximal ends to the waist. Both of the first and second body cover extensions extend radially outwardly directions from the outer surface of the body cover. In some embodiments the proximal circumference is larger than the distal circumference. The outer surface is preferably a smoothly tapering outer surface. The body cover may comprise a plurality of ports at a proximal portion thereof.

A monolithic 3-D dynamic memory structure includes independently addressable strings of dual-gate devices. In each dual-gate device charge is deliberately stored on one side of the dual-gate. Although the stored charge may leak away, the stored charge in a dual-gate device of the present invention need only be refreshed at much longer intervals than conventional DRAM cells.

Catheter systems include direction-sensitive, multi-polar tip electrode assemblies for electroporation-mediated therapy, electroporation-induced primary necrosis therapy and electric field-induced apoptosis therapy, including configurations for producing narrow, linear lesions as well as distributed, wide area lesions. A monitoring system for electroporation therapy includes a mechanism for delivering electrochromic dyes to a tissue site as well as a fiber optic arrangement to optically monitor the progress of the therapy as well as to confirm success post-therapy. A fiber optic temperature sensing electrode catheter includes a tip electrode having a cavity whose inner surface is impregnated or coated with thermochromic / thermotropic material that changes color with changes in temperature. An optic fiber / detector arrangement monitors the thermochromic or thermotropic materials, acquiring a light signal and generating an output signal indicative of the spectrum of the light signal. An analyzer determines an electrode temperature based on the detector output and predetermined spectrum versus temperature calibration data.

Active matrix light emitting device display and its driving technique is provided. The pixel includes a light emitting device and a plurality of transistors. A capacitor may be used to store a voltage applied to a driving transistor so that a current through the light emitting device is independent of any shifts of the transistor and light emitting device characteristics. A bias data and a programming data are provided to the pixel circuit in accordance with a driving scheme.

A method and system for tracking and providing an audit trail for off-line smart card transactions includes storing information representing a monetary transaction in a permanent memo on an smart card microprocessor and holding the transaction amount in escrow until the stored information is transmitted from the smart card, for example, at an on-line terminal, to a host on-line system for logging to a tracking system. The monetary transaction includes a transaction with an off-line device, such as another smart card. The escrowed transaction amount represents, for example, a load transaction to one of the smart cards and an unload transaction to other smart card. Once the memo is deleted from the respective smart cards, the load values of the respective smart cards are incremented or decremented by the transaction amount. Alternatively, the smart cards may be provided with a card-to-card key, in which case, a permanent memo is stored only on the receiving smart card.

Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient comprises an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit harvested from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit end portion over itself when moved proximally away from the end of the conduit and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto. A method of everting a graft comprises positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom; introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from said support device; and moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.

External or internal monitoring equipment is used to automatically determine optimal programming parameters for a CRT based on externally or internally derived measurements of cardiac performance, anisotropic myocardial deformation (AMD) or both. The ideal programming parameter, operational parameter, represents optimal interval timing between multiple electrodes within the CRT, and is generated by such a closed loop control system. The closed loop system may be semi-automatic and implement connectivity to external ultrasound equipment or externally derived measurements of transthoracic impedance. Preferably, the operational parameter is determined by a closed loop system using internally derived intracardiac and intrathoracic electrograms and impedance measurements that describe cardiac performance and electromechanical dysynchrony in real time. Such a CRT has a control system that automatically optimizes performance by a system of checks and balance.

In a method of high spatial resolution imaging or modifying a structure, the structure is marked with a substance which is selected from the group of substances which can be transferred from a first state having first optical properties to a second state having second optical properties by means of an optical switch over signal. Then, the second state of the substance is adjusted with the switch over signal except for a spatially limited area. If the substance and the switch over signal are adapted to each other in such a way, that everywhere where the switch over signal exceeds a threshold value essentially the second state of the substance is adjusted, and if the spatial area purposefully omitted by the switch over signal is an intensity minimum of an interference pattern, the spatial area of the structure in which the substance is within the first state becomes smaller than the diffraction limit for the switch over signal.

External or internal monitoring equipment is used to automatically determine optimal programming parameters for a CRT based on externally or internally derived measurements of cardiac performance, anisotropic myocardial deformation (AMD) or both. The ideal programming parameter, operational parameter, represents optimal interval timing between multiple electrodes within the CRT, and is generated by such a closed loop control system. The closed loop system may be semi-automatic and implement connectivity to external ultrasound equipment or externally derived measurements of transthoracic impedance. Preferably, the operational parameter is determined by a closed loop system using internally derived intracardiac and intrathoracic electrograms and impedance measurements that describe cardiac performance and electromechanical dysynchrony in real time. Such a CRT has a control system that automatically optimizes performance by a system of checks and balance.

Body tissue ablation is carried out by inserting a probe into a body of a living subject, urging the probe into contact with a tissue in the body, generating energy at a power output level, and transmitting the generated energy into the tissue via the probe. While transmitting the generated energy the ablation is further carried out by determining a measured temperature of the tissue and a measured power level of the transmitted energy, and controlling the power output level responsively to a function of the measured temperature and the measured power level. Related apparatus for carrying out the ablation is also described.

The invention relates to an automated directory assistance system that utilizes a priori advisor for predicting the most likely requested locality. The automated directory assistance system includes a speech recognition dictionary containing a plurality of orthographies, each orthography corresponding to a locality name in which a subscriber whose telephone number is sought by the user of the automated directory assistance system may be residing. Upon reception of the spoken utterance, the system performs a first pass search scores on the basis of acoustics characteristics of the orthographies in the speech recognition dictionary, each orthography having a certain likelihood of being a match to the spoken utterances. The orthographies are then weighed on the basis of information indicative of the geographical location of the user. A final re-scoring operation may then be performed on the top N candidates in the weighed list. This system enables to improve recognition accuracy by combining the acoustical match search with a probabilistic bias derived from statistical information on calling patterns in the population.

An improved object tracking and control system is provided and is particularly suited to implementation at an automobile dealership. The system includes a Key Track system adapted to control access to and log the check out and check in of keys to vehicles on the lot. RFID tags are provided on the vehicles and tag readers are embedded at selected locations within the dealership parking lot to detect movement of vehicles. In one embodiment, the lot is subdivided into zones and the readers are located at transition regions between the zones. Information about the check out and check in of keys from the Key Track system is combined and integrated with information about the movement of vehicles about the lot to reach conclusions regarding authorized movement and to provide useful information to dealership management.

An apparatus for the detection of extravasation in an imaging procedure includes at least a first source of energy to supply imaging energy to tissue in the vicinity of a site and at least a first sensor to measure a signal resulting from the energy supplied to the tissue by the first imaging energy source. In preferred embodiment, the energy may be one of X-ray, gamma ray or ultrasound energy.

The present invention provides an improved, Internet-based system that seamlessly collects cardiovascular data from a patient before, during, and after a procedure for EP or an ID. During an EP procedure, the system collects information describing the patient's response to PES and the ablation process, ECG waveforms and their various features, HR and other vital signs, HR variability, cardiac arrhythmias, patient demographics, and patient outcomes. Once these data are collected, the system stores them on an Internet-accessible computer system that can deploy a collection of user-selected and custom-developed algorithms. Before and after the procedure, the system also integrates with body-worn and / or programmers that interrogate implanted devices to collect similar data while the patient is either ambulatory, or in a clinic associated with the hospital. A data-collection / storage module, featuring database interface, stores physiological and procedural information measured from the patient.

Systems and methods which operate to identify interventional instruments and / or other objects in images are shown. Embodiments operate to extract relevant information regarding interventional instruments from a multi-dimensional volume for presenting the information to a user in near real-time with little or no user interaction. Objects may be identified by segmenting a multi-dimensional volume, identifying a putative object of interest in multiple multi-dimensional volume segments, and determining a position of the object of interest within the multi-dimensional volume using the putative object of interest segment identifications. Identification of objects of interest according to embodiments may be utilized to determine an image plane for use in displaying the objects within a generated image, to track the objects within the multi-dimensional volume, etc., such as for medical examination, interventional procedures, diagnosis treatment, and / or the like.

A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee includes an adjustable femoral portion, a tibial portion and at least one sensor coupled with the femoral and / or tibial portions to sense pressure exerted by the a moral and tibial portions against one another. The femoral portion is adapted for removably coupling with a distal end of a femur to adjust tension in soft tissue adjacent the knee and has at least one positioning feature adapted to move relative to the distal end of the femur as the femoral portion is adjusted, thus helping position a femoral prosthetic on the distal end of the femur. The sensor(s) may be adapted to sense pressure at medial and lateral sides of the knee, and relative pressures may be displayed as data on a visual display. Adjustments to the femoral member may be made to balance pressure at flexion and extension of the knee.