Patent Applications published on Apr 24, 2008

Explore the 6,238 U.S. Patent Applications published on the 17th week of 2008, including 3,706 applications that subsequently received a Patent Grant.

Featured patent applications from Apr 24, 2008

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: KENSEY NASH CORPORATION.
US20080097298A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097298, fig. 01

Catheter for conducting a procedure within a lumen, duct or organ of a living being

In an embodiment, the invention provides a catheter suitable for use in performing a procedure within a vessel, lumen or organ of a living having a distal end which is steerable, such as upon the application of compression. The catheter may be of the over the wire type, or alternatively may be a rapid exchange catheter. The catheter may provide for a rotating element which may be used to open a clogged vessel, or alternatively to provide information about adjacent tissues, such as may be generated by imaging or guiding arrangements using tissue detection systems known in the art, e.g., ultrasound, optical coherence reflectometry, etc. For rapid exchange catheters having a rotating element, there is provided an offset drive assembly to allow the rotary force to be directed from alongside the guidewire to a location coaxial to and over the guidewire.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: Nike, Inc..
US20080096726A1
Physics
Application 20080096726, fig. 01

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems and methods

Athletic performance sensing and/or tracking systems include components for measuring or sensing athletic performance data and/or for storing and/or displaying desired information associated with the athletic performance to the user (or others). Such systems can allow users a wide variety of options in creating workouts, selecting and presenting media content during the athletic performance, etc., e.g., to help keep users entertained and motivated. In some instances, user feedback may be used, optionally in combination with objective data relating to a workout, to control features of the workout routine, to control the music or other media content selected and/or presented, and/or to control features of future workout routines and/or the presented media content.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: ELLIPSE TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
US20080097487A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097487, fig. 01

Method and apparatus for adjusting a gastrointestinal restriction device

A gastrointestinal implant system includes an adjustable restriction device having a contact surface configured for at least partially engaging a surface of a gastrointestinal tract of a mammal. The implant system further includes an implantable interface including a first driving element, the first driving element being moveable and operatively coupled to the adjustable restriction device by an actuator configured to change the dimension or configuration of the contact surface in response to movement of the first driving element. The system also includes an external adjustment device having a second driving element configured to non-invasively engage the first driving element of the implantable interface from a location external to the mammal. In the system, actuation of the second driving element of the external adjustment device produces movement in the first driving element of the implantable interface and results in a change in the dimension or configuration of the contact surface.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC..
US20080097563A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097563, fig. 01

Device for circulating heated fluid

A system for ablating tissue includes a reusable control unit including a processor monitoring and controlling ablation and a control interface receiving input to and output from the processor in combination with a disposable procedure set releasably connectable to the control unit to couple to the control interface for communication with the processor.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: SAGE PRODUCTS, INC..
US20080095680A1
Human necessities
Application 20080095680, fig. 01

Needleless hub disinfection device

A device for disinfecting a portion of an implement such as a needleless hub or injection port. The device includes a body shaped to engage the implement with the portion to be disinfected exposed. A disinfectant area is located on the body so as to permit pivotal displacement of the area relative to the body such that in a first orientation the portion to be disinfected is exposed and in a second orientation the portion to be disinfected is covered and the disinfectant area engages the portion to be disinfected.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY.
US20080092912A1
Human necessities
Application 20080092912, fig. 01

Tobacco-containing smoking article

A smoking article may include a cigarette incorporated within an electrically powered aerosol generating device that acts as a holder for that cigarette. The smoking article possesses at least one form of tobacco. The smoking article also possesses a mouth-end piece that is used by the smoker to inhale components of tobacco that are generated by the action of heat upon components of the cigarette. A representative smoking article possesses an outer housing incorporating a source of electrical power (e.g., a battery), a sensing mechanism for powering the device at least during periods of draw, and a heating device (e.g., at least one electrical resistance heating element) for forming a thermally generated aerosol that incorporates components of tobacco. During use, the cigarette is positioned within the device, and after use, the used cigarette is removed from the device and replaced with another cigarette.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC..
US20080097289A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097289, fig. 01

Intelligent therapy recommendation algorithm and method of using the same

An algorithm and method of making intelligent therapy recommendations for insulin pump parameters is described. The pump parameters include basal rates, carbohydrate-to-insulin ratios (CIR), and insulin sensitivity factors (ISF). A determination of whether a therapy recommendation should be made is based on comparing an updated recommended change with a threshold. The updated recommended change to the pump parameter is made based on a previous recommended change to the pump parameter and the difference between a current blood glucose value and a targeted blood glucose level. The algorithm and method confirms the therapy recommendation is within safety parameters before displaying the therapy recommendation.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: Evalve, Inc., Evalve, Inc..
US20080097489A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097489, fig. 01

Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue

The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.

Published: 2008-04-24
US20080094228A1
Human necessities
Application 20080094228, fig. 01

PATIENT MONITOR USING RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION TAGS

One aspect of the disclosure is to provide a patient monitoring system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The system comprises a patient monitor capable of communicating with the RFID tag. The RFID tag may advantageously store information useful in hospital environments, triage or disaster environments, home care environments, or the like. In some embodiments, the RFID tags may be provided as parts of wrist bands, dog tags, disposable sensor components, sensors or the like that are left with a patient.

Published: 2008-04-24 Assignee: MEDTRONIC MINIMED, INC..
US20080097328A1
Human necessities
Application 20080097328, fig. 01

Systems and methods allowing for reservoir filling and infusion medium delivery

A system includes a durable portion with a durable housing and a separable disposable portion with a disposable housing that selectively engage with and disengage from each other. The disposable housing secures to a patient and may be disposed of after it has been in use for a prescribed period. Components that normally come into contact with a patient or with an infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion to allow for disposal after a prescribed use. A reservoir for holding the infusion medium may be part of the disposable portion, and may be supported by the disposable housing. The durable portion may include other components such as electronics for controlling delivery of the infusion medium from the reservoir, and a drive device including a motor and drive linkage.