Universal application network architecture

A method and system for providing an integration environment in which integration processes can be developed independent of integration servers and applications. The integration environment provides an application service interface for each application that is independent of the integration servers. An integration process that is developed to use the application service interface is compatible with any integration server that supports the applications that the integration process accesses. The integration environment provides a common service interface for each type of application. The common service interface is independent of the application that is providing the service and is also independent of the integration server. Thus, an integration process developed to use the common service interface is compatible with any application of the appropriate type and any integration server.

Method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery

A stereotactic navigation system for navigating an instrument to a target within a patient may include a stereotactic head frame, an imaging device, a tracking device, a controller and a display. The stereotactic head frame is coupled to the patient and is used to assist in guiding the instrument to the target. The imaging device captures image data of the patient and of the stereotactic head frame. The tracking device is used to track the position of the instrument relative to the stereotactic head frame. The controller receives the image data from the imaging device and identifies the stereotactic head frame in the image data and automatically registers the image data with navigable patient space upon identifying the stereotactic head frame, while the display displays the image data.

Asset system control arrangement and method

System and method for wirelessly controlling systems in an asset, such as a house or trailer, in which a movable device, such as a PDA, cellular telephone or vehicle, includes a transmitter arranged to transmit signals, and a control unit is arranged on or in connection with the asset and includes a receiver which communicates with the transmitter and a processor coupled to the receiver and which generates different command signals based on signals generated by the transmitter and received by the receiver. Each system is arranged on or in connection with the asset and coupled to the control unit and is responsive to command signals from the processor to perform a function relating to or affecting the asset.

Over-tube, method of manufacturing over-tube, method of disposing over-tube, and method of treatment in abdominal cavity

An over-tube for use in an endoscopic treatment in an abdominal cavity using an endoscope includes an over-tube main body which is inserted from a distal portion thereof via a natural opening in a patient's body to access the inside of the abdominal cavity from the distal portion through a lumen wall, and an internal cover which is disposed in a passage of the endoscope disposed in an inner cavity of the over-tube main body and which is extractible from a proximal portion of the over-tube main body.

Clip ejector for endoscopic clip applier

A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil, a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher such that rotation of the second control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.

Surgical instrument design

A surgical instrument system having an instrument member or shaft with a distal portion positionable through an incision of a patient to an internal site and for operation by a surgeon from outside the patient. A tool is carried at the distal end of the instrument shaft controlled by the surgeon in performing a procedure at an operative site of the patient. At least first and second turnable members are spacedly disposed along the instrument shaft distal portion, both disposed within the internal site, and each controlled from outside the patient for providing at least respective first and second degrees of freedom of control of the tool. The turnable members may be either a pivot joint or a bendable section.

Interactive advisory system

A method for providing information to a plurality of vendors located remotely from a broadcast network. A plurality of user-defined parameters are received by a user input database with at least one of the user-defined parameters including a user profile. Each of the user profiles includes a user identifier code identifying a communicator device associated with a particular user. Real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices is received by a communicator location database. Search information is received independently from a plurality of vendors and a data set is generated for each vendor.

Method of using a guide wire, therapeutic instrument and endoscope

A method of performing treatment on a desired part of a cavity includes use of an endoscope having a guide wire, a therapeutic instrument and a therapeutic instrument elevator base capable of guiding the instrument to a desired position. The guide wire is inserted into an insertion channel of the endoscope and located in a desired position in the cavity. The instrument is moved from a position in the cavity to a position closer to the operation portion of the endoscope than to the distal end of the endoscope. While a guide wire fixing means at the distal end of the endoscope fixes the guide wire, the instrument is completely pulled out from the instrument channel of the endoscope.

Methods for estimating analyte-related signals, microprocessors comprising programming to control performance of the methods, and analyte monitoring devices employing the methods

The present invention relates to methods to increase the number of analyte-related signals used to provide analyte measurement values, e.g., when two or more analyte-related signals are used to obtain a single analyte measurement value a “rolling” value based on the two or more signals can be employed. In another aspect, interpolation and/or extrapolation methods are used to estimate unusable, missing or error-associated analyte-related signals. Further, interpolation and extrapolation of values are employed in another aspect of the invention that reduces the incident of failed calibrations. Further, the invention relates to methods, which employ gradients and/or predictive algorithms, to provide an alert related to analyte values exceeding predetermined thresholds. The invention includes the above-described methods, one or more microprocessors programmed to execute the methods, one or more microprocessors programmed to execute the methods and control at least one sensing and/or sampling device, and monitoring systems employing the methods described herein.

Medical device for reduction of pressure effects of cardiac tricuspid valve regurgitation

An elongate valve stent and methods for protecting an upper or a lower body of a patient from high venous pressures comprising a stent member, the stent member comprising a support structure and a tissue valve, wherein the tissue valve is configured to permit fluid flow in one direction and prevent fluid flow in an opposite direction, and means for anchoring the stent member onto surrounding tissue of the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava.