Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080226029 | Medical device including scanned beam unit for imaging and therapy - A medical device includes a radiation source assembly having at least two radiation sources, where one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate an imaging beam for use in visualization of a scene and one or more of the radiation sources is adapted to generate a therapeutic beam for treatment of a medical condition. An optical fiber for directing radiation energy from the radiation source assembly toward a distal end of the medical device in the form of a beam. A reflector that receives the beam from the optical fiber, the reflector configured to direct the beam onto a field-of-view. A receiving system including a detector arranged and configured to receive radiation from the field-of-view to generate a viewable image. The imaging beam and the therapeutic beam are directed to follow a common path from the at least two radiation sources to the reflector. | 09-18-2008 |
20080234566 | Recognizing a real world fiducial in a patient image data - Medical apparatus is described including a fiducial component and a position sensor. The component is recognizable as at least a part of a fiducial when appearing in image data of a patient. The component is attachable to the patient. The sensor is attachable to the component at a predetermined location and orientation on the component or is capable of being positioned adjacent the fiducial component without attachment thereto at a predetermined location and orientation. A storage medium is described containing a program which instructs the computer to recognize a predetermined shape of each of at least one portion of a position sensor as at least a part of a real-world fiducial in image data of a patient. The position sensor is adapted to provide position data. Medical apparatus which includes the position sensor and the storage medium is also described. | 09-25-2008 |
20080255414 | FLUORESCENT NANOPARTICLE SCOPE - Various compositions, methods, and devices are provided that use fluorescent nanoparticles to function as markers, indicators, and light sources. In one embodiment, an endoscopic adaptor is provided for viewing fluorescent nanoparticles. The adaptor can be configured to removably mate to a portion of an endoscope, such as an eyepiece, and it can be adapted to contain a filter for filtering light received through the viewing lumen of the eyepiece. In an exemplary embodiment, the filter is configured to transmit fluorescent light while blocking visible light, to thereby enable a structure containing one or more fluorescent nanoparticles to be viewed through the endoscope. | 10-16-2008 |
20080312490 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR REPAIRING DAMAGED OR DISEASED TISSUE USING A SCANNING BEAM ASSEMBLY - A method for repairing or modifying an area of a patient's anatomy that comprises directing at least a portion of a scanning beam assembly to an area of a patient's anatomy, applying a radiation-responsive agent to portion of the anatomy, and exposing the radiation-responsive agent to radiation directed onto the agent by the reflector to cause the agent to therapeutically interact with the site. The scanning beam assembly including a radiation source capable of emitting radiation, a reflector that receives the radiation from the radiation source to direct the radiation onto the anatomy, wherein the reflector oscillates in at least two directions to create a scan of the anatomy, a detector to detect radiation returned from the anatomy, and a controller to convert the detected radiation into a displayable anatomy image. | 12-18-2008 |
20090021818 | MEDICAL SCANNING ASSEMBLY WITH VARIABLE IMAGE CAPTURE AND DISPLAY - A scanned beam imaging system including a housing suitable for insertion into a body and a radiation source configured to direct a beam of radiation into or through the housing and onto an area within the body. The scanned beam imaging system further includes an adjustable element inside the housing and positioned to reflect the beam of radiation or to receive the beam of radiation therethrough, wherein the adjustable element is physically adjustable to vary a property of the beam of radiation that is reflected thereby or received therethrough. The scanned beam imaging system further includes a collector configured to receive radiation returned from the area within the body. | 01-22-2009 |
20090036734 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INTRODUCING A SCANNING BEAM UNIT INTO THE ANATOMY - A module for attachment to a medical instrument to scan the anatomy with a beam of radiation. The module comprising a housing suitable for insertion in the anatomy that includes a window and a fastener to attach the housing to a medical instrument, an oscillating reflector within the housing that directs a beam of radiation onto the anatomy, and a collector to receive radiation returned from the anatomy. | 02-05-2009 |
20090054728 | Manipulatable guide system and methods for natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery - A guide system for accommodating, supporting and manipulating endoscopic tools. In various embodiments, the guide system includes a hollow outer sheath that may have a steerable distal end. The system may further include inner sheaths that are configured relative to the outer sheath to enable the inner sheaths to be inserted one at a time into the outer sheath and moved therein. The inner sheaths may be configured with different numbers, sizes and shapes of working channels for accommodating a variety of different endoscopic tools. The device may also be equipped with seals such that the inner sheath as well as the various endoscopic tools supported by the inner sheath may be manipulated within the body cavity while maintaining insufflation thereof. | 02-26-2009 |
20090054761 | Medical system, method, and storage medium concerning a natural orifice transluminal medical procedure - A medical system includes a catheter, a sensor, 3-D image data representative of a patient, and a computer. The catheter has a catheter distal end insertable into a natural orifice of a body lumen of the patient. The sensor is disposable proximate the catheter distal end and is adapted to provide position data. The computer is adapted: to receive an indication from a user of a medical target selected for a medical procedure which uses at least the catheter and which is to be performed within the patient; and to indicate to the user position information of the catheter distal end relative to the medical target using at least the 3-D image data and the position data. A storage medium contains a program readable by a computer which instructs the computer to perform the previously described steps. A method for assisting a medical procedure performs the above-described steps. | 02-26-2009 |
20090062659 | MEDICAL DEVICE INCLUDING SCANNED BEAM UNIT WITH OPERATIONAL CONTROL FEATURES - A method of controlling a medical device is provided. The method includes generating a beam of radiation using a radiation source assembly. The beam of radiation is directed toward a distal end of the medical device using an optical fiber. The beam of radiation is directed onto an area of interest by scanning the reflector in a scanning pattern, the reflector receiving the beam of radiation from the optical fiber. Radiation is collected from the area of interest using a collector to generate a signal for use in producing a viewable image. A loss of scan condition of the reflector is detected automatically by a control system. | 03-05-2009 |
20100010294 | TEMPORARILY POSITIONABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A temporarily positionable device includes a temporarily positionable body and an attachment mechanism formed integral with the temporarily positionable body. The attachment mechanism is to attach to body tissue. The attachment mechanism includes a fastener integral with the temporarily positionable body to attach the temporarily positionable body to the body tissue. At least one fastener has a deployed position and an undeployed position. An applier is used to move the fastener from the undeployed position to the deployed position. The temporarily positionable device can be disposed at a first location adjacent to body tissue. The temporarily positionable device can be attached to the body tissue at the first location fastener by simultaneously moving the fastener from the undeployed position to the deployed position. | 01-14-2010 |
20100081864 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PERFORMING GASTRECTOMIES AND GASTROPLASTIES - Methods and devices are provided for performing gastrectomies and gastroplasties. In one embodiment, a method includes gaining access to a stomach of a patient through an opening formed in the patient's abdominal wall and an opening formed in the patient's vaginal wall. Tissue attached to the stomach can be tensioned using a surgical instrument inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings and can be separated from the stomach to free the stomach fundus using a dissecting surgical instrument inserted through another opening, e.g., through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings. The fundus can be at least partially transected using a surgical stapler inserted through one of the abdominal and vaginal openings, thereby forming a stomach “sleeve.” In another embodiment, the method is modified to form another opening in the patient's abdominal wall instead of forming an opening in the vaginal wall. | 04-01-2010 |
20100081876 | MAGNETIC SCOPE MANIPULATOR - Devices and methods are provided for manipulating scoping devices, surgical tools, and/or tissue. An exemplary system for manipulating a scoping device can include a scoping device having a working channel, a tether extending through the working channel, and an internal coupling member attached to the tether and positioned adjacent to a distal end of the scoping device. The internal coupling member can be magnetically coupled to an external coupling member. An exemplary method for manipulating a scoping device can include inserting at least a portion of a scoping device into a body cavity and positioning an external coupling member proximate to an external surface of tissue such that the external coupling member magnetically couples through the tissue to an internal coupling member disposed within the body cavity and attached to a tether passed through at least one working channel of the scoping device. | 04-01-2010 |
20100179510 | APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN ANASTOMOSIS - A surgical instrument, for forming an anastomosis between first and second lumens in a patient, includes a first catheter, a second catheter, a hollow needle, a guide wire, an inflatable member, and a hollow sleeve. The first catheter includes at least one first opening, which may be configured to slidably receive the hollow needle and the guide wire, which may be disposed within the hollow portion of the needle, and at least one second opening. The hollow needle includes a rotary needle. The inflatable member is mounted near the distal end of the first catheter and is in fluid communication with the second opening. The magnet is polarized such that magnetic attraction occurs perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical body. The hollow sleeve is configured to retain at least a portion of the inflatable member, the guide wire, the hollow needle, and the magnet. | 07-15-2010 |
20100298642 | MANIPULATABLE GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR NATURAL ORIFICE TRANSLUMENAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY - A guide system for accommodating an endoscopic tool. The guide system comprises a flexible inner sheath and a handle coupled to the inner sheath adjacent a proximal end of the inner sheath. The inner sheath includes a plurality of working channels. The working channels are bundled over a common portion of their respective lengths, and the working channels collectively define a substantially honeycombed cross-sectional area. | 11-25-2010 |
20110112434 | KITS AND PROCEDURES FOR NATURAL ORIFICE TRANSLUMENAL ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY - Various surgical devices, kits, and/or methods are provided herein that may be useful in performing a surgical procedure through a natural orifice. Such a surgical procedure may utilize one or more devices, kits, and/or methods to create an access port to a body cavity of a patient, to perform a specific surgical procedure, and to close the access port. In various embodiments, the specific surgical procedure may comprise a sleeve gastrectomy, a ventral hernia repair, a hybrid transgastric cholecystectomy, and/or a hybrid transgastric appendectomy. | 05-12-2011 |
20110115891 | ENERGY DELIVERY APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DEPLOYABLE MEDICAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES - An energy consuming module includes an electronic component suitable for use within a body cavity is disclosed. An antenna is coupled to the electronic component to communicate signals. A wireless energy module is coupled to the electronic component. A positioning element is used to locate the electronic component within the body cavity. A housing is used to support the electronic component, the antenna, the wireless energy module, and the positioning element. A system further includes a manipulation module for use external to the body cavity to manipulate the positioning element of the energy consuming module. The manipulation module includes a wireless energy transmitter element to supply energy to the wireless energy module of the energy consuming module, a communication circuit coupled to an antenna to communicate signals between the electronic component and the manipulation module, and a positioning element to locate and position the energy consuming module within the body cavity. The energy consuming module may include at least one electric terminal coupled to the energy module to receive an electric conductor to supply energy to the energy module from an energy source located outside the body cavity. | 05-19-2011 |
20110152609 | USER INTERFACE SUPPORT DEVICES FOR ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - An interface system for interfacing between at least one endoscopic surgical instrument and a cable-controlled guide tube system. Various embodiments may include a tool docking assembly that is supportable relative to the cable-controlled guide system. The tool docking assembly may comprise one or more tool docking stations for retainingly supporting at least one endoscopic surgical instrument for selective pivotal travel about transverse axes. The system may further include cable attachment arrangements for coupling steering cables from the guide tube assembly to the various tool docking stations. | 06-23-2011 |
20110152610 | INTRALUMENAL ACCESSORY TIP FOR ENDOSCOPIC SHEATH ARRANGEMENTS - An intralumenal accessory tip for use with an inner sheath assembly during initial insertion of the inner sheath into a patient. The intralumenal accessory tip is removably attachable to the distal end of the inner sheath assembly and has passages therein to accommodate access tubes and endoscopic tools protruding from the inner sheath assembly. The intralumenal accessory tip may be attached to the distal end of the inner sheath assembly and both assemblies may be inserted into an overtube to permit the inner sheath assembly to be inserted into the patient. The inner sheath assembly may then be withdrawn out of the overtube and the intralumenal tip accessory removed therefrom. | 06-23-2011 |
20110152612 | SELECTIVELY POSITIONABLE CAMERA FOR SURGICAL GUIDE TUBE ASSEMBLY - A selectively positionable camera assembly for use in connection with a guide tube assembly that has a guide tube handle portion and at least one guide tube protruding therefrom. In various embodiments, the camera includes an elongated flexible camera portion that is sized to operably extend through at least one of the guide tubes of the guide tube assembly. A camera handle is operably coupled to the elongated flexible camera portion such that the handle is movably supported by at least a portion of the guide tube handle portion. At least one retainer is provided on the guide tube handle and/or the camera handle for releasably retaining the camera handle in any one of a plurality of orientations relative to the portion of the guide tube handle. | 06-23-2011 |
20110152878 | INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR AIDING CLINICIANS IN CONTROLLING AND MANIPULATING AT LEAST ONE ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND A CABLE CONTROLLED GUIDE TUBE SYSTEM - Interface systems for interfacing between at least one endoscopic surgical instrument and a cable-controlled guide tube system. Various embodiments include at least one surgical tool docking assembly that is supportable relative to the cable-controlled guide tube system. The surgical tool docking assembly may comprise a cable drive assembly that is operably couplable to the cable-controlled guide system for applying control motions thereto. The surgical tool docking assembly may further comprise at least one tool docking station that is configured to support an endoscopic surgical instrument therein for selective pivotal travel about a first axis and a second axis. The tool docking stations cooperate with corresponding drive shafts for imparting rotary drive motions to the cable drive assembly. Various docking arrangements are disclosed for coupling the cable drive assembly to the cable-controlled guide tube assembly. | 06-23-2011 |
20120089093 | SEAL ARRANGEMENT FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC OR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - A sealing device is disclosed which is intended for use with an access device, such as a trocar, canula or the like, that passes from the outside to the inside of a patient, through an incision in the patient during a minimally invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure to secure one or more tethers, tubes, or the like to the exterior surface of the access device. The sealing device secures one or more tethers in position between the access device and an incision by creating a smooth profile for the access device and tethers and substantially seals against insufflation leakage. | 04-12-2012 |
20120095449 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR GUIDING AND SUPPORTING SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - Methods and devices are provided for allowing a surgical instrument to be supported by a surgical support system configured to controllably guide the instrument to a desired position at surgical site. A surgical support system is provided that includes a guide port defining a pivot point about which a surgical instrument advance therethrough can pivot. The guide port, and hence the pivot point, can be located a distance above a tissue surface through which the instrument is advanced. Methods and devices are also provided for allowing insufflation of a body cavity without introduction of an insufflation fluid therein. A mechanical insufflation device is provided that includes an expandable distal member configured to selectively expand and unexpand to mechanically insufflate a body cavity. The mechanical insufflation device can optionally be used with the surgical support system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120095498 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MECHANICAL SPACE CREATION AT A SURGICAL SITE - Methods and devices are provided for allowing a surgical instrument to be supported by a surgical support system configured to controllably guide the instrument to a desired position at surgical site. A surgical support system is provided that includes a guide port defining a pivot point about which a surgical instrument advance therethrough can pivot. The guide port, and hence the pivot point, can be located a distance above a tissue surface through which the instrument is advanced. Methods and devices are also provided for allowing insufflation of a body cavity without introduction of an insufflation fluid therein. A mechanical insufflation device is provided that includes an expandable distal member configured to selectively expand and unexpand to mechanically insufflate a body cavity. The mechanical insufflation device can optionally be used with the surgical support system. | 04-19-2012 |
20120116155 | LIGHT-BASED, TRANSCUTANEOUS VIDEO SIGNAL TRANSMISSION - A surgical device is disclosed which includes an optical source for wirelessly transmitting a light based signal transcutaneously and a receiver for receiving the light based signals. The wireless coupling of signals between the optical source and the receiver wirelessly transmits video images from an internal site in a patient to a video monitor or other viewer outside the patient, and may wirelessly transmit control signals from a controller outside of the patient to an instrument inside the patient during a therapeutic or diagnostic surgical procedure. | 05-10-2012 |
20120191075 | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR PULLING A TETHER THROUGH AN ORGAN WALL - A medical device is disclosed which can be utilized to access a surgical site within a patient. The medical device is equipped with an electronic tether having a connecting member at its free end. The connecting member has a free end and a body portion positioned between the free and the electronic tether. A tip at the free end of the connecting member has a smooth non-piercing leading end and surface contours suitable for engagement with a medical instrument. The body portion of the connecting member having a plurality of conductors, each conductor being separated from the adjacent conductor by one of a plurality of insulating members. At least one conductor transfers power from an external power source to the medical device and at least one conductor transferring information signals from the medical device to an external receiver. | 07-26-2012 |
20130085341 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MANIPULATING TISSUE IN VIVO - Methods and devices are provided for manipulating tissue in a body cavity, i.e., in vivo. In general, the methods and devices allow an end effector to engage tissue, be detached from a shaft used to control the end effector to engage the tissue, and then be moved to another location in the body cavity by a separate component, such as an external control unit. In some embodiments the end effector can include one or more deployable hooks that allow the end effector to remain at a surgical site independent of any shafts or external control units. Still further, in other embodiments the end effector can include a transverse bore to allow a second shaft to connect to the end effector to manipulate the tissue. Additional exemplary devices, kits, and methods related to manipulating tissue in vivo are also provided. | 04-04-2013 |
20130217970 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING THE LENS OF AN ENDOSCOPE - An apparatus for cleaning a lens, or one or more lenses, of an endoscopic camera while the endoscope is deployed in a patient during a medical procedure, such as a minimally invasive procedure, or a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure, is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus generally includes a conduit having a fluid delivery port, an alignment system, and a flexible supply tube to fluidly connect the conduit to one or both of a source of a fluid and a suction device. | 08-22-2013 |
20140121678 | INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR AIDING CLINICIANS IN CONTROLLING AND MANIPULATING AT LEAST ONE ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND A CABLE CONTROLLED GUIDE TUBE SYSTEM - Interface systems for interfacing between at least one endoscopic surgical instrument and a cable-controlled guide tube system. Various embodiments include at least one surgical tool docking assembly that is supportable relative to the cable-controlled guide tube system. The surgical tool docking assembly may comprise a cable drive assembly that is operably couplable to the cable-controlled guide system for applying control motions thereto. The surgical tool docking assembly may further comprise at least one tool docking station that is configured to support an endoscopic surgical instrument therein for selective pivotal travel about a first axis and a second axis. The tool docking stations cooperate with corresponding drive shafts for imparting rotary drive motions to the cable drive assembly. Various docking arrangements are disclosed for coupling the cable drive assembly to the cable-controlled guide tube assembly. | 05-01-2014 |