5831 results about "Body surface" patented technology

An AED being powered by 120 / 240 VAC electrical power alone, being powered by external DC power alone, or any in combination with or without internal-integral battery power, and further an AED access service business method for sales of access to AEDs. The inventive AED, in addition to the defibrillator circuitry comprises a long, tangle free power access cord to be plugged into an external source of AC or DC power and optionally, additional sets of body surface and alternative electrodes positioned in the esophagus and / or heart. The AED has additional advanced capabilities including the ability to deliver rapid sequential shocks through one or more sets of patient electrodes, and the optional mode of shock delivery whereby the shock is delayed while the AED continues to analyze the patients ECG waveform and delays the defibrillation shock or sequence of shocks until the ECG analysis indicates conditions are optimum for successful defibrillation.

Apparatus and methods are provided for determining in near realtime the position of a probe placed within a living body. Electric currents are driven between one or more electrodes on the probe and electrodes placed on the body surface. The impedance between the probe and each of the body surface electrodes is measured, and three-dimensional position coordinates of the probe are determined based on the impedance measurements. Dynamic compensation is provided for changing impedance of the body surface and its interface with the electrodes, resulting from such causes as electrode peel-off and changes in moisture and temperature. The compensation improves the accuracy of, inter alia, medical procedures, such as mapping the heart or performing ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmias.

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid-retention chamber for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid-retention chamber. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid-retention chamber by a liquid barrier.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a three-dimensional adhesive device to be attached to the body surface of a mammal comprising a microelectronic sensing system characterized by(a) a three-dimensional adhesive body made of a pressure sensitive adhesive having an upper surface and a bottom surface;(b) a microelectronic system embedded in the body of the pressure sensitive adhesive;(c) one or more cover layer(s) attached to the upper surface; and(d) optionally a release liner releasable attached to the bottom surface of the adhesive device.Suitably the microelectronic system is a microelectronic sensing system capable of sensing physical input such as pressure, vibration, sound, electrical activity (e.g. from muscle activity), tension, blood-flow, moisture, temperature, enzyme activity, bacteria, pH, blood sugar, conductivity, resistance, capacitance, inductance or other chemical, biochemical, biological, mechanical or electrical properties.

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid-retention chamber for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid-retention chamber. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid-retention chamber by a liquid barrier.

A method and apparatus for providing safe and efficient transcatheter correction of the shape of heart chambers, valves, or other body members. The apparatus generally performs this correction by securing a tether to body surfaces. The attachment device includes an anchor comprising a wire braid and at least one clamp affixed to and constraining a portion of the wire braid, the clamp having threading for temporarily coupling the anchor to a delivery member and an internal lumen through which the tether can pass. The device also includes a locking member cooperating with the lumen to lock the tether to the clamp at a preselected position along the length of the tether.

A position sensing system includes a probe adapted to be introduced into a body cavity of a subject. The probe includes a magnetic field transducer and at least one probe electrodes. A control unit is configured to measure position coordinates of the probe using the magnetic field transducer. The control unit also measures an impedance between the at least one probe electrodes and one or more points on a body surface of the subject. Using the measured position coordinates, the control unit calibrates the measured impedance.

A graft fixation device combination. The device is useful for affixing a tissue graft to a bone or other body surface. The fixation device has two implantation members connected by a graft retention member. The retention member optionally has at least one lateral wing member extending therefrom. The implantation members have longitudinal passageways therethrough. The graft fixation device also has an insertion member extending from the distal end of each implantation member, the insertion member having a longitudinal passage having a distal blind wall. The passages of the implantation members and the insertion members are in communication with each other, and may be mounted onto insertion members.

A method of lipolysis. The method comprises deforming a region of skin so that the region of skin protrudes from surrounding skin. One or more radio frequency (RF) electrodes are positioned on the protruding region of skin so as to generate an electrical current through adipose tissue in the protruding region of skin when a voltage is applied to the electrode or electrodes. A voltage is then applied to the electrode or electrodes so as to deliver sufficient RF energy to the protruding region of skin to damage subcutaneous adipose tissue. The method of the invention may be used, for example, to achieve a reduction in body weight, cellulite reduction, loose skin reduction, wrinkle treatment, body surface tightening, skin tightening, and collagen remodeling.

An implant for filling and / or distracting a body region, particularly a non-soft tissue cavity, has a plurality of segments wherein at least two of the segments are flexibly connected. The segments have a crush-strength sufficient to create and / or maintain the distraction of two or more non-soft tissue body surfaces, and to maintain the stability of the body region. The implant may be inserted into a cavity by an applicator having a cannula with a distal opening, and a rotary driver for applying force to move the implant within the cannula.

A combination of a patient core temperature sensor and the dual-wavelength optical sensors in an ear probe or a body surface probe improves performance and allows for accurate computation of various vital signs from the photo-plethysmographic signal, such as arterial blood oxygenation (pulse oximetry), blood pressure, and others. A core body temperature is measured by two sensors, where the first contact sensor positioned on a resilient ear plug and the second sensor is on the external portion of the probe. The ear plug changes it's geometry after being inserted into an ear canal and compress both the first temperature sensor and the optical assembly against ear canal walls. The second temperature sensor provides a reference signal to a heater that is warmed up close to the body core temperature. The heater is connected to a common heat equalizer for the temperature sensor and the pulse oximeter. Temperature of the heat equalizer enhances the tissue perfusion to improve the optical sensors response. A pilot light is conducted to the ear canal via a contact illuminator, while a light transparent ear plug conducts the reflected lights back to the light detector.

A method and apparatus is described for treating a target body surface using a radiation applicator. The therapeutic treatment apparatus adapted to conform to a patients body. The treatment apparatus comprises a plurality of light sources coupled with a flexible substrate, a light integrator in at least a portion of the optical path between the light source and the patient's body surface, a power supply, and a controller.

Methods and devices are disclosed for the non-invasive treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through delivery of energy to target nervous tissue, particularly the vagus nerve. The devices include a magnetic stimulator having coils with toroidal windings, which are in contact with an electrically conducting medium that is adapted to conform to the contour of a target body surface of a patient. The coils induce an electric current and / or an electric field within the patient, thereby stimulating nerve fibers within the patient. The stimulation brings about reduction of neuroinflammation in patients suffering from conditions comprising Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, postoperative cognitive dysfunction and postoperative delirium. Reduction in inflammation is effected by enhancing the anti-inflammatory competence of cytokines such as TGF-beta, wherein a retinoid or components of the retinoic acid signaling system provide an anti-inflammatory bias, by enhancing anti-inflammatory activity of a neurotrophic factor such as NGF, GDNF, BDNF, or MANF, and / or by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha.

A medical instrument system includes a controller and a guide instrument coupled to an instrument driver, the instrument driver configured to manipulate a distal end portion of the guide instrument in response to control signals generated by the controller. A force sensor is associated with the guide instrument or with a working instrument carried by the guide instrument, and generates force signals responsive to a force applied to a respective distal end portion of the guide instrument or working instrument. A position determining system generates position data indicative of a position of the respective guide or working instrument distal end portion associated with the force sensor, and a processor operatively coupled to the force sensor and position determining system processes respective force signals and position data to generate and display a geometric rendering of an internal body tissue surface based on sensed forces applied to the respective instrument distal end portion as the guide instrument is maneuvered within an interior region of a body containing the body surface.

In preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions comprising colloidal metals and / or metals for the treatment and prevention of skin conditions and / or diseases. More specifically, the disclosed metal containing compositions are useful as antioxidants, anti-aging agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-peroxidation agents, antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, pain-relieving agents, wound recovery agents, sun-screens, sunblocks, and integument and skin-supporting agents when applied to the skin / integument, or administered generally to an animal or human body.

A method for calibrating impedance includes coupling at least first, second, and third electrodes at respective locations to a surface of a body of a subject. A first current passing through the body between the first and second body-surface electrodes is measured, and a second current passing through the body between the first and third body-surface electrodes is measured. From the first and second currents, a contact factor is derived that is indicative of the impedance between at least one of the body-surface electrodes and the surface of the body. Also described are methods for sensing the position of a probe and for detecting tissue contact based on a relation between currents from the probe to body-surface electrodes.

A method for calibrating impedance includes coupling at least first, second, and third electrodes at respective locations to a surface of a body of a subject. A first current passing through the body between the first and second body-surface electrodes is measured, and a second current passing through the body between the first and third body-surface electrodes is measured. From the first and second currents, a contact factor is derived that is indicative of the impedance between at least one of the body-surface electrodes and the surface of the body. Also described are methods for sensing the position of a probe and for detecting tissue contact based on a relation between currents from the probe to body-surface electrodes.

A radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter uniformly heats tissues in contact with the balloon to achieve thermotherapy such as ablation or hyperthermia safely and properly for a diseased part. The radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter includes a catheter (4) having an outer shaft (2) and an inner shaft 3 extended through the outer shaft so as to be slidable relative to the outer shaft, an inflatable balloon (6) capable of being inflated so as to be in contact with a target lesion (18) and provided between respective front end parts of the outer and the inner shaft, and a radiofrequency electrode (8) extended in a wall of the balloon or inside the balloon to be used for radiofrequency energy supply in combination with a counter electrode (53). The counter electrode is disposed at a predetermined position, for example, inside the balloon, in the wall of the balloon, in a position neighboring the balloon or on the patient's body surface. A lead wire (10) electrically connects to the radiofrequency electrode. A temperature sensor (12) is capable of sensing temperature of a liquid contained in the balloon. A temperature distribution uniformizing device (14) uniformizes the temperature distribution in the liquid contained in the balloon.

A tray for film formation by a CVD method includes a tray main body (2) and a supporting member (3) mounted on the tray main body (2) for supporting a silicon wafer (5). The supporting member (3) has a holding portion (3c), on which the silicon wafer (5) is directly placed. The holding portion (3c) has its lower surface (3d) apart from a surface (2a) of the tray main body that is opposed to and apart from the supported silicon wafer (5), whereby the thickness distribution of an oxide film formed on the silicon wafer can be made uniform. The tray has a structure for reducing a contact area between the supporting member (3) and the tray main body (2), with the holding portion (3c) having a tilted surface with its inner circumferential side closer to the tray main body surface (2a) that is opposed to the silicon wafer.

A method for three-dimensional shape and size measurement of a three-dimensional body surface comprising providing a three-dimensional scanner, providing a processor, providing a three-dimensional Computer Aided Design system, scanning in three dimensions with the three-dimensional scanner at least a portion of the three-dimensional body surface, creating a data file representative of the three-dimensional body surface, processing the data file with the processor, importing the data file into the three-dimensional Computer Aided Design System, employing the three-dimensional Computer Aided Design System relative to the data file to define and record three-dimensional measuring data relative to at least a portion of the three-dimensional body surface, A and employing the three-dimensional Computer Aided Design System to exploit the three-dimensional measuring data.

PCD constructions include a PCD body comprising a polycrystalline matrix region, a first region that includes a replacement material positioned remote from a body surface, and a second region that is substantially free of the replacement material and that extends a depth from the body surface. The PCD construction can further include a substrate that is attached to the body. The PCD body is formed by removing a solvent catalyst material used to form the body, replacing the removed solvent catalyst material with a replacement material, and then removing the replacement material from a region of the body to thereby form the second region. The replacement material can be introduced into the PCD body during a HPHT process, and the substrate may or may not be the source of the noncatalyzing material.

This invention relates to an apparatus and method of drug delivery on a human body surface. The formulation comprises a drug, a conversion agent capable of converting the formulation from a less solid phase to a coherent, soft, solid phase, and a vehicle medium or carrier for the drug and conversion agent. The drug formulation is applied to this human body surface in its less than solid phase and is subsequently converted to a soft solid phase while the drug is being delivered through the human body surface. After delivery of the drug is complete, the soft solid formulation can be removed or peeled from the body surface as a coherent solid formulation. The drug formulation provides control over drug delivery rates and allows the formulation to be removed without leaving a messy, residual formulation on the body surface.

A system and method is provided for non-invasively determining electrical activity of the heart of a human being. Electrical potentials are measured on the body surface via an electrode vest (12), and a body surface potential map is generated. A matrix of transformation based on the geometry of the torso, the heart, locations of electrodes, and position of the heart within the torso is also determined with the aid of a processor (24), and a geometry determining device (26). The electrical potential distribution over the epicardial surface of the heart is then determined based ona regularized matrix of transformation, and the body surface potential map. Using the epicardial potential distributions, epicardial electrogram, isochronal are also reconstructed, and displayed via an output device (28).

A diagnostic system for collecting, processing, recording and analyzing sounds associated with the physiologic activities of various human organs. The system includes a plurality of transducers placed on the body surface at the operator's discretion. The microphones are coupled to analogue / digital signal processing circuitry for enhancement of the desired signal and exclusion of ambient noise. An A / D converter digitizes the incoming data and transmits data, which is divided into a multitude of discrete blocks, received over very finite intervals of time, to a computer workstation and moved through an analysis program sequentially. The program is displayed as a series of icons which depict operations that the program performs and which allow the operator to reprogram the system at any time. The data is finally displayed in graphical format and stored in memory as the program processes each block sequentially.

Apparatus and methods are provided for determining in near realtime the position of a probe placed within a living body. Electric currents are driven between one or more electrodes on the probe and electrodes placed on the body surface. The impedance between the probe and each of the body surface electrodes is measured, and three-dimensional position coordinates of the probe are determined based on the impedance measurements. Dynamic compensation is provided for changing impedance of the body surface and its interface with the electrodes, resulting from such causes as electrode peel-off and changes in moisture and temperature. The compensation improves the accuracy of, inter alia, medical procedures, such as mapping the heart or performing ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmias.