Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100036474 | METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR DISTAL EMBOLIC PROTECTION - Methods and assemblies are described for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel or other body cavity during cardiovascular or valve replacement and repair surgery, wherein access is provided through the apical area of the patient's heart. The distal embolic protection assembly generally comprises a sleeve having a lumen, an actuating member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the actuating member is movably disposed within the lumen, and a filter assembly coupled to the distal end of the actuating member. The filter assembly generally comprises a porous bag having an open proximal end, a collapsible and expandable frame that is coupled to the open proximal end of the porous bag, and at least one support spine disposed at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the porous bag. The porous bag is configured such that it permits blood to perfuse freely through while capturing embolic material and other debris. | 02-11-2010 |
20100143861 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING A TOOTH - Apparatus and methods for monitoring a tooth may include sensing acoustic energy propagating from regions (such as a root canal system) in and/or near a tooth. The apparatus and methods may be used with root canal cleaning treatments to determine the efficacy of the treatment and/or to reduce risk of post-treatment complications. An acoustic source (e.g., an acoustic transducer and/or a high-speed liquid jet) may be used to transmit energy into a tooth and/or regions near a tooth. An acoustic receiver may be used to detect acoustic signatures of acoustic events (e.g., acoustic echoes and/or acoustic cavitation) occurring in the tooth. The acoustic signatures may be used, for example, to determine the progress of a root canal cleaning treatment and/or the presence or movement of material toward a periapical region of the tooth. Apparatus and methods for monitoring a tooth may include detecting impact of a first jet on a tooth and actuating a second jet in response to detection of the impact. | 06-10-2010 |
20100168844 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING PARAVALVULAR LEAKAGE IN HEART VALVES - A replacement valve comprises a valve body having an inflow end, an outflow end, and a valve support structure, and a valve cuff surrounding the inflow end of the valve body. The valve support structure surrounds the valve body, and the valve cuff is coupled to the valve support structure. The valve cuff includes a skirt portion and at least one flange coupled to and protruding from the skirt portion, the at least one flange forming a seal around the inflow end of the valve body. | 07-01-2010 |
20110117517 | LIQUID JET APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DENTAL TREATMENTS - Systems and methods for using a liquid jet apparatus for dental treatments are disclosed. In one implementation, the liquid jet apparatus may include a handpiece configured to deliver a high velocity liquid jet to a desired location in the mouth of a patient. The handpiece may include a positioning member having a channel through or along which the jet can propagate. The positioning member may have a distal end portion configured to be at least partially disposed in a pulp cavity, canal space, or opening in the tooth under treatment. During operation, the jet may impact an impingement surface of the distal end portion of the positioning member and be deflected as a spray through one or more openings in the distal end portion. The liquid jet apparatus may be used for root canal treatments. | 05-19-2011 |
20120237893 | APPARATUS, METHODS, AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ENDODONTIC TREATMENTS - Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. Examples of pressure wave generators include a liquid jet, an electromagnetic energy delivery device, and an ultrasonic device. The fluid can include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in tooth cleaning. The fluid may be degassed to have a reduced dissolved gas content (compared to non-degassed fluids used in endodontic treatments), which may improve the effectiveness of the pressure wave generation or the cleaning. | 09-20-2012 |
20120276497 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ROOT CANAL TREATMENTS - Apparatus and methods for root canal treatments are provided. In some embodiments, an aiming element may be used to position a high-velocity liquid jet near a desired location in the tooth. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an interrupter that deflects or impedes the liquid jet when it is not desirable for the jet to propagate from the aiming element. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an elongated member that permits passage of the liquid jet through a channel. The elongated member may include one or more openings, for example, on sides and/or ends of the member. Some root canal cleaning techniques include one or more applications of the liquid jet followed by application of a disinfectant such as, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite. | 11-01-2012 |
20130040267 | APPARATUS, METHODS, AND COMPOSITIONS FOR ENDODONTIC TREATMENTS - Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. An access opening can be formed, and the pressure wave generator can be used to remove organic material from the tooth chamber. In some treatments, after cleaning, the tooth chamber can be only partially filled by an obturation material. In other treatments, substantially the entire tooth chamber can remain unfilled by the obturation material. After cleaning the tooth, the access opening can be sealed, using, e.g., a coronal seal. | 02-14-2013 |
20140039544 | Method and Assembly for Distal Embolic Protection - Methods and assemblies are described for capturing embolic material in a blood vessel or other body cavity during cardiovascular or valve replacement and repair surgery, wherein access is provided through the apical area of the patient's heart. The distal embolic protection assembly generally comprises a sleeve having a lumen, an actuating member having proximal and distal ends, wherein the actuating member is movably disposed within the lumen, and a filter assembly coupled to the distal end of the actuating member. The filter assembly generally comprises a porous bag having an open proximal end, a collapsible and expandable frame that is coupled to the open proximal end of the porous bag, and at least one support spine disposed at least a part of the longitudinal axis of the porous bag. The porous bag is configured such that it permits blood to perfuse freely through while capturing embolic material and other debris. | 02-06-2014 |
20140099597 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING TEETH AND GINGIVAL POCKETS - Various apparatus and methods for cleaning teeth and gingival pockets are disclosed herein. A fluid platform can include a pressure wave generator configured to propagate pressure waves through a treatment fluid. The pressure waves may be sufficient to remove undesirable dental deposits from a treatment tooth, neighboring gums, and/or spaces between the tooth and gums. | 04-10-2014 |
20140220505 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING TEETH AND ROOT CANALS - Various systems, method, and compositions for treating a tooth are disclosed herein. For example, an apparatus for treating a tooth is disclosed. The apparatus can include a chamber having an access port which places the chamber in fluid communication with a treatment region of the tooth when the chamber is coupled to tooth. A fluid motion generator can be coupled to the chamber. The fluid motion generator can be configured to direct fluid across the access port to generate fluid motion in the chamber. In various embodiments, fluid motion (e.g., vortices, swirl, etc.) can be induced at or near treatment regions of the tooth, such as a root canal or carious region. | 08-07-2014 |
20150044632 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING TEETH - Various embodiments for cleaning carious regions of a tooth are disclosed herein. For example, a dental apparatus can include a fluid platform having a chamber sized and shaped to retain fluid. The chamber can be configured to be coupled to the tooth over the carious region. A pressure wave generator having a distal end may be configured to be positioned in the chamber. The pressure wave generator may be configured to generate pressure waves in the retained fluid sufficient to clean the carious region. | 02-12-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110137408 | Method and System For Cardiac Valve Delivery - The invention provides methods and systems for introducing a delivery device in the heart at or near the apex of the heart, wherein the delivery device includes a prosthesis, advancing the prosthesis to the target site, and disengaging the prosthesis from the delivery device at the target site for implantation. Specifically, the present invention provides valve replacement systems for delivering a replacement heart valve to a target site in or near a heart. The valve replacement system comprises a trocar or other suitable device to penetrate the heart at or near the apex of the heart, a delivery member that is movably disposed within the trocar, and a replacement cardiac valve disposed on the delivery member. The delivery member may further comprise mechanical or inflatable expanding members to facilitate implantation of the prosthetic valve at the target site. | 06-09-2011 |
20140296973 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CARDIAC VALVE DELIVERY - The present invention provides systems and methods for the repair, removal, and/or replacement of heart valves. The methods comprise introducing a delivery system into the heart, wherein a prosthesis is disposed on the delivery member attached to the delivery system, advancing the prosthesis to the target site, and disengaging the prosthesis from the delivery member at the target site for implantation. The present invention also provides implant systems for delivering a prosthesis to a target site in or near the heart. In one embodiment of the present invention, the implant system comprises a delivery system, an access system, and a prosthesis. | 10-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090137983 | IMPLANT DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF FOR TREATMENT OF OCULAR DISORDERS - Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are described. One method involves providing an elongated delivery device and an implant mounted at a distal end of the delivery device. An incision is formed in eye tissue and the implant is inserted the through the incision using the delivery device. The implant is implanted at a location communicating with a physiologic outflow pathway of an eye such that a distal end portion of the implant and a proximal end portion of the delivery device are relatively disposed in a non-linear orientation during implantation. In one method, the implant is non-linear after insertion. | 05-28-2009 |
20090138081 | OCULAR IMPLANT WITH ANCHOR AND METHODS THEREOF - Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One implant has an inlet portion configured to extend through a portion of a tissue of an eye and an outlet portion configured to extend into and along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant provides a flow path between an anterior chamber of the eye and the physiologic outflow pathway. One implant includes a body having adjacent regions of differing cross-sectional dimensions configured to anchor the implant and/or stabilize at least a portion of the flow path through the implant. One method involves inserting a fiber optic in an eye, locating a distal end of the fiber optic at a physiologic outflow pathway through which aqueous humor drains from an anterior chamber of the eye, and delivering a material comprising a therapeutic agent along the fiber optic and into the physiologic outflow pathway. | 05-28-2009 |
20100010414 | METHOD OF DELIVERING AN IMPLANT FOR TREATING AN OCULAR DISORDER - Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. Some methods relate to delivering an implant within an eye, and involve providing an elongate guide device, such as, a flexible guide member or a guide wire. A distal end of the guide device can be advanced into an anterior chamber of an eye, or through at least a portion of a site of resistance along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, or from an anterior chamber of the eye to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant is advanced along the guide device toward the guide device distal end, and is positioned to conduct aqueous humor between the anterior chamber and the physiologic outflow pathway. | 01-14-2010 |
20100234790 | OCULAR IMPLANT WITH THERAPEUTIC AGENTS AND METHODS THEREOF - Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye such that at least a distal end of the implant is temporarily in the anterior chamber. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into at least one of the anterior chamber, a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, and a space adjacent a choroid of the eye. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The therapeutic agent can be contained within the implant or coated on the implant. | 09-16-2010 |
20110105987 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING AN OCULAR DISORDER - Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. Some methods relate to delivering an implant within an eye, and involve providing an elongate guide device, such as, a flexible guide member or a guide wire. A distal end of the guide device can be advanced into an anterior chamber of an eye, or through at least a portion of a site of resistance along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, or from an anterior chamber of the eye to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant is advanced along the guide device toward the guide device distal end, and is positioned to conduct aqueous humor between the anterior chamber and the physiologic outflow pathway. | 05-05-2011 |
20130018296 | OCULAR IMPLANT WITH THERAPEUTIC AGENT AND METHODS THEREOF - An ocular disorder treatment implant includes an anchor and a therapeutic agent. The implant has a body with first and second end portions. The implant is configured to transport fluid from the anterior chamber of an eye to a physiological outflow pathway of the eye. The body has at least one inlet opening at the first end portion and at least one outlet opening at the second end portion such that the inlet and outlet openings are in fluid communication and define an axis therebetween. The anchor extends substantially perpendicularly to a part of the axis between the openings, and at least one outlet opening is configured to be positioned in the physiological outflow pathway. One implant has two outlet openings, and the anchor is disposed closer to one of the outlet openings. | 01-17-2013 |
20140012177 | OCULAR IMPLANT WITH THERAPEUTIC AGENTS AND METHODS THEREOF - Implants and methods for treating ocular disorders are provided. One method involves introducing an implant into an anterior chamber of an eye. The implant is implanted into eye tissue adjacent the anterior chamber such that a proximal end of the implant resides in the anterior chamber following implantation. A therapeutic agent is eluted from the implant into the eye. Desirably, the release of the therapeutic agent from the implant is controlled. The controlled release of the therapeutic agent can be at a chosen rate and/or for a selected duration which can be episodic or periodic. The therapeutic agent can be an antiproliferative agent, an anti-inflammatory drug, or a compound for treating glaucoma or ocular hypertension. | 01-09-2014 |