Other

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Robert S Katz

Summer L Schneider

Ralf Groene

Hua Wang

Karsten Aagaard

Anthony Reed

Mark H Wholey

Mark L Nagurka

Vernon W Francissen

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia in a patient. In one method, a pressure value is obtained for the patient, wherein the pressure value is determined by inserting a needle of a device into a location in the patient, injecting saline solution into the patient at the location, and measuring a pressure at the location: and fibromyalgia is diagnosed in the patient if the pressure at the location exceeds a threshold pressure value. The present disclosure also provides a device for use in the methods of the disclosure. One such device includes a needle, a syringe including a saline solution, a tube positioned between the syringe and the needle, and a pressure sensor configured to obtain a pressure value at a muscle location of a patient.

Methods and systems for diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia

Input device with coupling

A catheter for dilating occluded or stenotic blood vessels includes a collapsible filter device disposed between a dilating balloon and the distal end of the catheter. The collapsible filter device comprises a plurality of resilient ribs secured to the catheter at or adjacent the distal end thereof and extending generally axially toward the dilating balloon. Inflation of a filter balloon extends the ribs outward against the vessel wall to stretch filter material secured to the ribs across the vessel to form a cup shaped trap for fragments of a stenosis loosened by the dilating balloon. Upon deflation of the filter balloon, the resilient ribs retract against the catheter to retain the trapped fragments during withdrawal of the catheter. In the preferred embodiment, the ends of the ribs projecting generally toward the dilating balloon are secured to a ring which slides along the catheter. In use, the filter is extended and then the dilating balloon is inflated. Blood flow established by deflation of the dilating balloon carries stenosis fragments into the filter.

Method and apparatus for dilating blood vessels

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert S Katz