Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090026078 | Controlled activation pH sensor - The present invention pertains to a means of combining and configuring specific hydrophilic and dielectric materials in such a way as to allow an antimony/reference electrode pH sensor to be packaged and stored dry yet become fully hydrated to an activated state after exposure to aqueous liquids. The sensor is packaged and stored dry to maintain component stability and minimize component degradation. When the user removes the sensor from the package and the sensor tip is submerged in a hydration (ion conduction) media or solution, the hydrophilic coating along with the impregnated reference wick, absorb the fluid to create an electrolytic gel inside the reference wick, which activates the pH sensor. | 01-29-2009 |
20090248148 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING AN ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH AN INTEGRATED MAGNETIC DRIVE - Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field. | 10-01-2009 |
20110160647 | Angioplasty Balloon Catheter with Active Delivery Medicament(s) Using Ultrasonic Means - The present disclosure relates to active drug eluting angioplasty balloon which utilizes ultrasonic energy to facilitate the release of the bioactive drug thereby avoids many of the drawbacks of prior art drug eluting devices. | 06-30-2011 |
20110218622 | INDUCTION ACTIVATION OF ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY RINGS AND OTHER IMPLANTABLE DEVICES - Systems and methods to adjust an adjustable medical device that is implanted subcutaneously within the body of a patient. The adjustable medical device is coupled to an adjustment mechanism configured to, when powered, effect a desired adjustment to the adjustable medical device. The adjustment mechanism is electrically coupled to a receiving coil configured to resonate at a desired frequency such that an electric current induced in the receiving coil powers the adjustment mechanism. An induction activation system is configured to utilize magnetic resonance to wirelessly activate the adjustable medical device assembly, from outside the patient's body, through a skin barrier of the patient. The induction activation system comprises a power source and a delivery coil. The power source creates an alternating electrical signal. The delivery coil is electrically coupled to the power source and configured to resonate in response to the alternating electrical signal created by the power source, and thereby generate a resonating magnetic field. The delivery coil is tuned to have a resonant frequency that is the same as a frequency of the alternating electrical signal created by the power source. The receiving coil can also be tuned to resonate at the resonant frequency of the delivery coil. When the delivery coil is positioned near the patient's body, such that the receiving coil is within the magnetic field generated by the delivery coil, an electric current is induced in the receiving coil to drive the adjustment mechanism and thereby effect an adjustment of the adjustable medical device. | 09-08-2011 |
20110230961 | DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY RING AND PAPILLARY MUSCLE REPOSITIONING SUTURE - A system for treating a cardiac valve includes an adjustable annuloplasty ring configured to attach to or near a cardiac valve annulus. The system also includes a suture comprising a first end coupled to the annuloplasty ring. A second end of the suture is configured to be anchored to a papillary muscle. Selectively adjusting the annuloplasty ring adjusts a tension of the suture to reposition the papillary muscle. | 09-22-2011 |
20110237872 | DYNAMIC HEART HARNESS - A reversibly adjustable heart harness is configured to surround at least a portion of a heart and to provide a compressive force to the heart during at least a portion of a cardiac cycle. The heart harness includes a plurality of wires forming a mesh structure, and one or more tensioning motors connected to the mesh structure. The one or more tensioning motors are configured to selectively increase or reduce tension in the mesh structure to readjust the compressive force provided that the heart harness provides to the heart. | 09-29-2011 |
20110313516 | PERCUTANEOUS MAGNETIC CATHETER - A percutaneous magnetic catheter may be used to position one or more magnetic components near a magnetically driven prosthesis in a patient's heart in order to adjust the magnetically driven prosthesis. In certain embodiments, the one or more magnetic components are rotatable. Rotation of the one or more magnetic components cause variations in a magnetic field. Variations in the magnetic field may be utilized to adjust the size or shape of a magnetically driven prosthesis. In this way, a magnetically driven prosthesis may be adjusted after a patient has recovered from a surgery in which the magnetically driven prosthesis was implanted. Further, a magnetically driven prosthesis may be adjusted based upon progression of a heart condition. | 12-22-2011 |
20120123531 | PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER REPAIR OF HEART VALVES - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows. | 05-17-2012 |
20120197392 | ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH SUBCUTANEOUS ACTIVATION PORT - Annuloplasty rings are employed to treat heart valve defects, such as regurgitation. Synching the heart tissue to the ring restores the valve opening to its approximate original size and operating efficiency. Adjustable annuloplasty rings allow for a proper degree of synching both during open heart surgery and over the patient's lifetime. A subcutaneous port may be coupled to an adjustable annuloplasty ring such that an external activation energy generator can be used to heat the adjustable annuloplasty ring and thereby adjust the size of the annuloplasty ring. | 08-02-2012 |
20130066420 | ADJUSTABLE IMPLANT SYSTEM - Systems and methods treat a heart valve using a magnetically adjustable annuloplasty ring attached to or near a cardiac valve annulus. A changing magnetic field may be used to selectively increase or decrease a circumference of, or otherwise modify the shape of, the implanted annuloplasty ring. The adjustable annuloplasty ring includes a tubular body member, one or more adjustable members, and an internal magnet within the tubular body member. The tubular body member and the one or more adjustable members form a ring shape. The internal magnet is configured to rotate in response to a rotating external magnetic field. The internal magnet is coupled to the one or more adjustable members to change a dimension of the ring shape as the internal magnet rotates. A system for treating a heart valve may include an external adjustment device having one or more external magnets to generate the rotating external magnetic field. | 03-14-2013 |
20130289718 | PERCUTANEOUS TRANSCATHETER REPAIR OF HEART VALVES - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for repairing heart valves through percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer hollow member including a plurality of segments. Adjacent segments cooperate with one another to change the outer hollow member from an elongate insertion geometry to an annular operable geometry. The annuloplasty ring also includes an internal anchor member located at least partially within the outer hollow member. The internal anchor member includes a plurality of anchors configured to attach the annuloplasty ring to tissue of a heart valve annulus. The internal anchor member is configured to move the plurality of anchors with respect to a plurality of windows in the outer hollow member to selectively deploy the plurality of anchors through the respective windows. | 10-31-2013 |
20140243883 | Integral Wiping System And Method - A grip assembly for an embolic delivery device is described, where said grip assembly includes an integral wiping system utilizing one or more wipers. The grip assembly is constructed and arranged to allow an embolic delivery device to be inserted into the grip quickly and easily, without shifting undue attention away from the patient to the device. The wiper or wipers prevent any fluids or debris that may be present on a proximal end of the embolic delivery device from entering the interior of the grip assembly, thereby preserving a clean environment for making solid electrical connections between contacts in the grip assembly and corresponding contacts on the embolic delivery device. | 08-28-2014 |