Abstract:
Improved methods and apparatuses for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse are provided. A specialized sacral colpopexy mesh having a mesh cylinder attached to a first end of a main mesh is disclosed, and a method for use thereof in abdominal sacral colpopexy. A novel connector that is used to attach a mesh to the needle, including gripping features that improve the grip and allowing for easier connection and disconnection is disclosed, as well as a novel method and apparatus for connecting a mesh to a needle.
Abstract:
The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.
Abstract:
A probabilistic medical billing system and method using contextual data and inferential logic for use in screening accuracy of medical bill coding and for presenting results as probabilities or predictions of correctness. The probabilistic medical billing system and method is accomplished using the contextual information contained in a care givers' patient encounter notes, a set of rules and keywords, and an inferential, logic, engine based on Bayesian mathematics or similar disciplines. The inventive device includes an input device to capture care giver's encounter notes or other information, a lexical engine that extracts information while preserving the contextual order of the information, a relational database that contains keywords, phrases and rules and a statistical/probabilistic engine that uses Bayesian mathematics or similar disciplines to create the output. The lexical engine parses a document into words and is capable of extracting keywords or phrases as listed or defined in a master list. Further, the lexical engine would preserve the relative position of discovered keywords or phrases as the keywords or phrases and relative positions were encountered. The Bayesian engine is a mathematical algorithm that uses inferential logic to analyze historical data and shows the results as a predictive level as to the accuracy of a medical bill produced from the source documents. The inherent nature of Bayes like algorithms allows them to learn and improve their predictive capability through the use of a feedback system which is also part of the invention. Variations in algorithms and data flow can be easily made to support other predictive output related to billing or for the purposes of data mining and statistical evaluation.
Abstract:
A microfluidic circuit cartridge for a complete blood count, including analyses of red blood cells. Various parameters of the red blood cells may be attained. The cartridge may have sphering mechanism which has a channel or loop with a configuration for reducing or eliminating cell settling. The channel or loop may incorporate a combination of straight and curve paths in the context of gravity. The channel may alternatively have a hydrophilic or hydrophobic inside surface. Again alternatively, the channel may have an electro-wettable inside surface. Or, the channel may be subject to an electric or magnetic field. There may also be a mechanism for reducing or eliminating clumping of a sample.
Abstract:
Described are implants, tools, and related methods, for use in pelvic surgery to treat conditions such as prolapse and incontinence, including one embodiment of a method that uses a transcoccyx tissue path; other embodiments that use particular implants with various features relating to, e.g., end portions; and other embodiments relating to particular tools.
Abstract:
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a conveyor that is disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A plurality of antennas is disposed proximate the path of travel so that the antennas radiate radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass and receive responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags. At least one of plurality of antennas is disposed so that the items pass through the path of travel between the conveyor and the at least one antenna. At least one radio frequency transmitter drives the antennas. At least one radio frequency receiver receives the signals and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses. A detector is disposed with respect to the path of travel so that second signals output by the detector indicate a height of items passing proximate the detector. A processor receives the first signals from the receiver and is programmed to control the at least one transmitter to drive respective antennas in a predetermined sequence, associate a first signal with a first item if the processor receives the first signal from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a second area that includes at least part of the first area, and based on the second signals, eliminate the at least one the plurality of antennas from the predetermined sequence when the first item is within the second area if the height of the first item is below a predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame, a conveyor disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, at least one first antenna, at least one second antenna, a radio frequency receiver, and a processor. The processor associates a first signal with a first item if the processor receives the first signal from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within a first area that includes at least part of a second area into which the antenna radiates radio frequency signals. The first antenna radiates radio frequency signals if at least one item is in the path of travel within a third area that includes, and is larger than, the first area.
Abstract:
A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed includes a frame and a conveyor disposed moveably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon. A plurality of antennas are disposed proximate the path of travel so that the plurality of antennas radiate radio frequency signals into first areas through which the items pass and receive responses to the radio frequency signals from the respective radio frequency identification tags on the items. A first antenna is offset with respect to the path of travel from a second antenna so that the radio frequency signals from the second antenna generally do not interfere with reception of responses by the first antenna from radio frequency identification tags located within a predetermined second area along the path of travel. A radio frequency receiver receives signals from the first antenna corresponding to the responses received by the first antenna from the radio frequency identification tags and outputs first signals corresponding to the responses. A processor receives the first signals from the receiver and is programmed to associate a first signal with the first item if the processor receives the first signal from the receiver while at least a portion of the first item is within the second area.
Abstract:
Described are methods and devices useful for supporting posterior vaginal tissue for various purposes such as treating or preventing vaginal prolapse or enterocele, especially in a patient not having a uterus, the devices including implants designed to contact the vaginal cuff and connect to sacral anatomy such as the sacrum or the uterosacral ligaments.
Abstract:
A sample analyzer with a removable and/or disposable cartridge for use at the point of care of a patient such as in a doctor's office, in the home, or elsewhere in the field. By providing a removable and/or disposable cartridge with all of the needed reagents and/or fluids, the sample analyzer can be reliably used outside of the laboratory environment, with little or no specialized training.