312 results about "Needle position" patented technology

A medical device having enhanced ultrasonic visibility is provided. The device permits localized drug delivery, probe positioning, fluid drainage, biopsy, or ultrasound pulse delivery, through the real-time ultrasound monitoring of the needle tip position within a patient. The device permits controlled dispersion of a drug into solid tissue, the lodging of particles into solid tissue, and drug delivery into specific blood vessels. As a needle is inserted, a fluid that contrasts echogenically with the organ environment is injected into the patient. The fluid travels a brief distance before being slowed and stopped by the patient's tissue and this fluid flow will be detectable by ultrasound. The needle position during insertion will be monitored using ultrasound until it is at the desired point of action. A therapeutic drug is then delivered or a probe inserted

A robotic system for steering a flexible needle during insertion into soft-tissue using imaging to determine the needle position. The control system calculates a needle tip trajectory that hits the desired target while avoiding potentially dangerous obstacles en route. Using an inverse kinematics algorithm, the maneuvers required of the needle base to cause the tip to follow this trajectory are calculated, such that the robot can perform controlled needle insertion. The insertion of a flexible needle into a deformable tissue is modeled as a linear beam supported by virtual springs, where the stiffness coefficients of the springs varies along the needle. The forward and inverse kinematics of the needle are solved analytically, enabling both path planning and correction in real-time. The needle shape is detected by image processing performed on fluoroscopic images. The stiffness properties of the tissue are calculated from the measured shape of the needle.

A device for infusion or aspiration that includes a base and at least one needle positioned within the base, where the base includes one or more locators for positioning the infusion device in relation to one or more predetermined anatomical features. A device for infusion or aspiration that comprises a drive assembly and a plurality of needles positioned within the drive assembly. A method for performing infusion or aspiration that includes the steps of establishing the location of the surface of a bone using the tip of a needle and then driving the needle into the bone a predetermined distance from the established location of the surface of the bone.

A dial indicator display device according has a needle indicator; a needle moving means for moving the needle indicator; a display panel disposed behind the needle indicator and capable of displaying an image; and a drive control means for controlling the needle moving means and driving the display panel. The drive control means includes a scale display control means for displaying a scale in a scale display area on the display panel overlapping the range of needle movement in plan view, a needle position detection means for detecting the position of the needle indicator, and an information display means. The scale display control means segments the scale display area into a scale area and a no-scale area not including the scale area based on the needle position detected by the needle position detection means, and displays a scale for reading values indicated by the needle indicator only in the scale area, and the information display means displays information in the no-scale area.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. The new APCI probe can be configured to operate as a stand alone APCI source inlet probe, as a reagent ion gun for ionizing samples introduced on solids or liquid sample probes or through gas inlets in a multiple function ion source or as the APCI portion of a combination Electrospray and APCI multiple function ion source. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and mechanism for determining the position of at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.

An ultrasound imaging diagnosis apparatus and a method for supporting safe and exact puncturing operation into a target region in a living body of a patient are provided. In the ultrasound imaging diagnosis apparatus, a regions setting unit sets a target tumor region for puncturing and blood vessel regions and organ region that are located near the tumor region based on the volume data acquired by 3-D scans on the object. To avoid insertions into the blood vessel regions and organ region, a puncturing needle position detecting unit detects the tip position and the inserting direction of the puncturing needle at just before and during insertion into the object. An expected inserting position calculating unit calculates an expected inserting position and an insertion error region to the tumor region based on the tip position data, inserting direction data and characteristic data of the puncturing needle. A puncturing navigation data generating unit generates a puncturing navigation data by composing the tumor region data, the organ region and blood vessel regions data, and the data relating to the expected inserting position and the insertion error region.

Syringe assemblies include a syringe with a syringe body (15b) defining a fluid cavity in fluid communication with an injection needle (25); a force, pressure and / or flow sensor (30) in fluid communication with the needle; and a user feedback unit (22) in electrical communication with the sensor and configured to provide user feedback based on data from the force, pressure and / or flow sensor.

A computer assistant piercing leading system for dermal nephrocentesis, comprising: a brachial in C shape and its mating image taking device, a positioning system and its mating tracker, a target cover, an image working station, and a mating software treating image leading. The invention employs tracking for space target and image treating technology with computer to track the position and direction of puncture needle in real time, which helps doctor choose proper position for puncture needle and make detail operation plan. The choice of needle position can be decided by taking only one or two images, which can reduce the X exposition time for doctor and patient.

A robotic system for flexible needle steering under ultrasound imaging. A robot is used to steer the needle along a predetermined curved trajectory by maneuvering the needle base. The needle tip position is detected by an ultrasound sensor and the tracking error of the needle tip from a predetermined needle path is input to a controller which solves the inverse kinematic based on the needle position, and the needle and tissue properties. The control algorithm uses a novel method to detect the elastic properties of the tissue by analyzing tissue motion at the region in front of the needle tip. The inverse kinematic solution may be performed on a model of the needle as a flexible beam having laterally connected virtual springs to simulate lateral forces exerted by the tissue elasticity. The system is able to direct the needle to a target within the tissue while circumventing forbidden regions.

A robotic system for flexible needle steering under ultrasound imaging. A robot is used to steer the needle along a predetermined curved trajectory by maneuvering the needle base. The needle tip position is detected by an ultrasound sensor and the tracking error of the needle tip from a predetermined needle path is input to a controller which solves the inverse kinematic based on the needle position, and the needle and tissue properties. The control algorithm uses a novel method to detect the elastic properties of the tissue by analyzing tissue motion at the region in front of the needle tip. The inverse kinematic solution may be performed on a model of the needle as a flexible beam having laterally connected virtual springs to simulate lateral forces exerted by the tissue elasticity. The system is able to direct the needle to a target within the tissue while circumventing forbidden regions.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. The new APCI probe can be configured to operate as a stand alone APCI source inlet probe, as a reagent ion gun for ionizing samples introduced on solids or liquid sample probes or through gas inlets in a multiple function ion source or as the APCI portion of a combination Electrospray and APCI multiple function ion source. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

A system and method for planning volumetric treatment by percutaneous needle procedures obtains a volumetric image data set of a subject including an identifiable region requiring treatment. An effective treatment volume is defined relative to the needle position for at least one needle carrying a treatment applicator. One or more proposed inserted needle position is defined such that a effective treatment volume corresponding to the one or more proposed inserted needle position provides coverage of the region requiring treatment. The effective treatment volume for one or more needles can then be visualized in the context of slices of 3D image data. One or more entry point and corresponding virtual target are then defined relative to a frame of reference of the volumetric image data set for use in navigation of the at least one needle to the corresponding proposed inserted needle position.

The invention discloses a method for detecting the position of an automobile meter needle based on a mechanical angle and scale identification and relates to a needle position detection method. The method mainly solves the problems that a needle deforms when being detected in a small angle with a traditional method; dependency on the zero scale is high, so that the orderly scale sequence can not be obtained due to inaccuracy of scale distribution features; rotation errors generated when an instrument panel is assembled will not be detected with the traditional method. The method for detecting the position of the automobile meter needle based on the mechanical angle and the scale identification includes the following steps that firstly, the rotation angle of a single-frame gray level image is calculated; secondly, a single-frame binary image is normalized, binarized and then corroded; thirdly, polar coordinate conversion is carried out on the image; fourthly, parameters of a needle linear equation are obtained; fifthly, the mechanical angle of the needle is calculated; sixthly, the scale value pointed by the needle is calculated out; seventhly, the value of a practical unit is obtained. The method for detecting the position of the automobile meter needle based on the mechanical angle and the scale identification is applied to the needle position detection field.

An infusion set (101) includes a base (111) and an inserter (121) removably connected to the base (111). A catheter (134) is movable from a first catheter position disposed substantially entirely within the inserter (121) to a second catheter position′ in which a free end of the catheter (134) is disposed externally of the base (111). An introducer needle (142) is located within the catheter (134) and is movable with the catheter (134) between a first introducer needle position disposed substantially entirely within the inserter (121) and a second introducer needle position in which a free end of the introducer needle (142) is disposed externally of the base (111). A spring member (171) moves the catheter (134) from the first to the second catheter position and the introducer needle (142) from the first to the second introducer needle position to facilitate insertion of the catheter (134). The spring member (171) is disposed substantially entirely within the base (111) when the catheter (134) is in the second catheter position.

A robotic system for steering a flexible needle during insertion into soft-tissue using imaging to determine the needle position. The control system calculates a needle tip trajectory that hits the desired target while avoiding potentially dangerous obstacles en route. Using an inverse kinematics algorithm, the maneuvers required of the needle base to cause the tip to follow this trajectory are calculated, such that the robot can perform controlled needle insertion. The insertion of a flexible needle into a deformable tissue is modeled as a linear beam supported by virtual springs, where the stiffness coefficients of the springs varies along the needle. The forward and inverse kinematics of the needle are solved analytically, enabling both path planning and correction in real-time. The needle shape is detected by image processing performed on fluoroscopic images. The stiffness properties of the tissue are calculated from the measured shape of the needle.

A system and method for producing multi-colored carpets using a tufting machine. The present invention features a system and method for: providing a multi-colored pattern which is analyzed for validity with reference to a particular tufting machine; collecting parameters concerning a particular tufting machine; determining the colors of yarn to load with each needle of the particular tufting machine; and generating a report including a palette of colors used within the pattern, a chart indicating which color of yarns are used within each needle position, and a summary of the number of yarn cones needed to create a carpet of a predetermined size with the particular tufting machine.

The present invention provides medical devices with enhanced ultrasound visibility. The device uses real-time ultrasound monitoring of the position of the needle tip within the patient's body for topical drug delivery, probe positioning, fluid drainage, biopsy, or delivery of ultrasound pulses. The device controls the diffusion of drugs in solid tissues, injects particles into solid tissues, and delivers drugs to specific blood vessels. As the needle is inserted, a fluid with a different ultrasound visibility than the organ environment is injected into the patient. The fluid travels a short distance before being slowed and stopped by the patient's tissues, and the flow can be detected ultrasonically. During needle insertion, the needle position is monitored with ultrasound until the needle is at the ideal point of action. Therapeutic drugs are then delivered through the needle or probes are inserted to perform treatments such as removing tumors with radiofrequency heat. The flow rate can be adjusted during needle insertion to maintain a properly set image of the needle tip. At the point of application, the ultrasound imaging agent can be repeated and pulsed at different flow rates until a satisfactory fluid profile is obtained, after which the drug can be delivered. Ultrasound can also be sent through the needle with a detector mounted in the handheld assembly.

A probe card 1 is composed of a plurality of probe pins 50 having wafer-side plungers 51 at one end portion and substrate-side plungers 52 on the other end side; two probe guides 30 and 40 one above the other for supporting the plurality of probe pins 50, so that the plurality of probe pins 50 are arranged to be corresponding to an arrangement of external terminals of a semiconductor wafer and the wafer-side plungers 51 of the probe pins 50 protrude; a print substrate 10 having pads 13 for the substrate-side plungers 52 of the probe pins 50 supported by the probe guides 30 and 40 to contact; and a stiffener 20 provided on the back surface of the print substrate 10. The probe guides 30 and 40 are produced by a material having substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as that of the semiconductor wafer, and fixed to the print substrate 10 and the stiffener 20 at the circumferential portion and the center portion. The probe card 1 configured as above is capable of maintaining high precision in needle positions of the probe pins 50 with respect to the external terminals of the semiconductor wafer and the pads 13 of the print substrate 10.

A system and method for producing multi-colored carpets using a tufting machine. The present invention features a system and method for: providing a multi-colored pattern which is analyzed for validity with reference to a particular tufting machine; collecting parameters concerning a particular tufting machine; determining the colors of yarn to load with each needle of the particular tufting machine; and generating a report including a palette of colors used within the pattern, a chart indicating which color of yarns are used within each needle position, and a summary of the number of yarn cones needed to create a carpet of a predetermined size with the particular tufting machine.

An infusion set (201) includes a base (221) and a flexible catheter (242) movable from a first catheter position disposed substantially entirely within the base (221) to a second catheter position in which a free end of the catheter (242) is disposed externally of the base (221). An introducer needle (234) is located within the catheter (242) and is movable between a first introducer needle position disposed substantially entirely within the base (221) and a second introducer needle position in which a free end of the introducer needle (234) is disposed externally of the base (221). A torsion spring (281) is activated to move the catheter (242) from the first to the second catheter position and the introducer needle (234) from the first to the second introducer needle position to facilitate insertion of the catheter (242). The introducer needle (234) is thereafter moved by the torsion spring (281) back to the first introducer needle position to store the introducer needle (234) within the base (221) with the free end of the catheter (242) remaining disposed externally of the base (221).

The invention provides a novel low-cross-pollution full-automatic biochemical analyzer which includes a reaction disk unit. The reaction disk unit includes a reaction disk, on which a group of detection cups are placed. A non-contacted non-uniform air pressure stirring unit is arranged on the reaction disk and includes an air pressure stirring needle tip and a power supply system, the air pressure stirring needle tip connected to the power supply system through a pipeline. The air pressure stirring unit includes, successively, an air inlet, an air filter, an air pump, an air storage tank, an air flow pressure regulating switch, an air supply pipe and finally the air pressure stirring needle tip. An air heating machine temperature control device is arranged on the lower end of the air storage tank. The analyzer also includes a non-cross-type reagent unit, which comprises a reagent needle moving apparatus, a reagent disk, and a reagent needle bracket. The reagent disk includes a group of reagent bottles. A plurality of reagent needle positions are arranged on the reagent needle bracket. The number of the reagent needle positions on the reagent needle bracket is equal to the number of the reagent bottles, wherein each reagent needle is used for sucking only one corresponding reagent.

A surgical instrument for treating atrioventricular valve prolapse of the drained human heart, includes a handle for being held by a surgeon, a shaft extending distally from the handle, the shaft having a lumen open to a shaft distal end, a cannulated needle arranged in the shaft; with a distal end of the needle protruding from the shaft distal end at least in one possible needle position. The needle accommodates a first, distal implant equipped for being anchored in a papillary muscle, and a second, proximal implant shaped to hold on to a leaflet of an atrioventricular valve, the first and second implants each including a chord connector portion for connecting the respective implant to an artificial chord. The apparatus further includes a trigger arrangement for releasing the first, distal implant upon a first release actuation and for releasing the second, proximal implant upon a second release actuation.

Apparatus for accurate positioning of a needle guide is disclosed. The apparatus provides a means for taking as input the position vector for the point of insertion of the needle into the body. This point of insertion can be selected from images produced by a Computer Tomography system. Similarly, the apparatus has a means for taking as input the point of target. A controller determines the directional vector between point of insertion and point of target. A guide manipulator accurately positions the needle guide in line with the directional vector, such that the needle can easily be inserted through the guide to the point of target. The positioning of the guide manipulator in accordance with the directional vector is done with the help of motors.

A hand-held device for assisted steering of a percutaneously inserted needle comprises a handle, an actuation unit, and a haptic feedback unit. A computer-implemented system calculates a needle shape and position based on one or a combination of analysis of ultrasound images and determination of needle insertion parameters based on electronic signals generated by a sensor unit. The system calculates a correction to a needle insertion parameter to achieve a target needle trajectory, including a correction to a needle axial rotation. The system activates the actuation unit to rotate the needle in accordance with the correction to the needle axial rotation, and activates to the haptic feedback unit to vibrate the handle in a vibration pattern determined by a rules database depending on one or a combination of the calculated needle shape, the calculated needle position, and the correction to the needle insertion parameter.

Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs transmission ultrasound to a subject according to a drive signal, a puncture needle being inserted in the subject, and which outputs a received signal obtained by receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus further includes an image generation unit which generates ultrasound image data for each frame, a display unit which displays an ultrasound image, an evaluation information generation unit which generates movement evaluation information indicating movement evaluation between frames, a puncture needle position detection unit which detects a position of a tip of the puncture needle on a basis of the movement evaluation information, a highlighting unit which highlights display of a tip image in the ultrasound image and a speed calculation unit which calculates moving speed of the tip of the puncture needle.

An ink-jet recording device for supplying ink to a recording head from at least one ink cartridge having a bottom wall, and first and second side walls connected to each other through the bottom wall and facing each other, the ink cartridge further having an ink supply port at the bottom wall, a first retaining member extending from the first side wall and a recess provided in the vicinity of the second side wall, the retaining member having a first engagement portion displaceable toward and away from the first side wall. The recording device comprises a carriage having at least one ink cartridge mounting region adapted to receive the ink cartridge, a plurality of one identification members that are protruded from a bottom of the ink cartridge mounting region in a direction parallel to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge into the carriage, and that are positioned and configured so that the identification members are received by the recess of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is compatible to the ink cartridge mounting region; an ink supply needle positioned in the bottom of the ink cartridge storage region and configured for connection to the ink supply port of the ink cartridge, and a first engagement portion positioned and configured to engage the engagement portion of the ink cartridge.