106 results about "Blood pool" patented technology

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for preventing the undesired passage of emboli from a venous blood pool to an arterial blood pool. The invention relates especially to a device and method for treating certain cardiac defects, especially patent foramen ovales and other septal defects, through the use of an embolic filtering device capable of instantaneously deterring the passage of emboli from the moment of implantation. The device consists of a frame, and a braided mesh of sufficient dimensions to prevent passage of emboli through the mesh. The device is preferably composed of shape memory allow, such as nitinol, which conforms to the shape and dimension of the defect to be treated.

A method and system for measuring the volume of the left ventricle (LV) in a 3D medical image, such as a CT, volume is disclosed. Heart chambers are segmented in the CT volume, including at least the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. An optimal threshold value is automatically determined based on voxel intensities within the LV endocardium and voxel intensities between the LV endocardium and the LV epicardium. Voxels within the LV endocardium are labeled as blood pool voxels or papillary muscle voxels based on the optimal threshold value. The LV volume can be measured excluding the papillary muscles based on the number of blood pool voxels, and the LV volume can be measured including the papillary muscles based on the total number of voxels within the LV endocardium.

An ingestible pill platform for colon imaging is provided, designed to recognize its entry to the colon and expand in the colon, for improved imaging of the colon walls. On approaching the external anal sphincter muscle, the ingestible pill may contract or deform, for elimination. Colon recognition may be based on a structural image, based on the differences in diameters between the small intestine and the colon, and particularly, based on the semilunar fold structure, which is unique to the colon. Additionally or alternatively, colon recognition may be based on a functional image, based on the generally inflammatory state of the vermiform appendix. Additionally or alternatively, pH, flora, enzymes and (or) chemical analyses may be used to recognize the colon. The imaging of the colon walls may be functional, by nuclear-radiation imaging of radionuclide-labeled antibodies, or by optical-fluorescence-spectroscopy imaging of fluorescence-labeled antibodies. Additionally or alternatively, it may be structural, for example, by visual, ultrasound or MRI means. Due to the proximity to the colon walls, the imaging in accordance with the present invention is advantageous to colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy, as it is designed to distinguish malignant from benign tumors and detect tumors even at their incipient stage, and overcome blood-pool background radioactivity.

A medical device utilizing temperature sensing to identify or assess anatomical bodies or structures includes an elongate tubular member, at least one electrode, a thermal sensor, and a temperature response assessment system or component. The at least one electrode may be connected to the distal portion of the elongate tubular member, and the one or more electrode can be configured to provide energy or heat to a portion of an anatomical body or structure. The thermal sensor may be configured to measure the thermal response of the portion of an anatomical body or structure, e.g., tissue or blood pools. The temperature response assessment system or component can be coupled to the thermal sensor. In embodiments, the device may include a lumen and port opening, which may accommodate a tool, such as a needle. Methods for using temperature sensing to identify an anatomical body or structure are also disclosed.

A combined device having a reservoir for venous blood and a reservoir for cardiotomy blood is disclosed. The device is characterized in that the venous reservoir is separated from the cardiotomy reservoir by a partition which includes a plurality of apertures. The apertures are in fluid communication with a plurality of ducts and passageways which are configured to provide various modes of operation depending upon whether, for the particular surgical conditions, it is desired to mix venous and cardiotomy blood, or to isolate those blood pools from each other.