05th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 53 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090030321 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND SOUND OUTPUT METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - A vector norm N, an azimuthal angle θ and an angle of elevation φ which represent the velocity (blood flow velocity) of a specimen such as blood flow are acquired by a three-dimensional angle correction velocity vectorization section as three-dimensional fluid vector data indicating the three-dimensional flow direction and flow volume of the specimen such as the blood flow on the basis of Doppler signals corresponding to reception beams F | 2009-01-29 |
20090030322 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING METHOD - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit which acquires B-mode image information on an imaging region lying within a subject; a display unit which displays the B-mode image information thereon; a contrast agent inflow start detecting device which detects an inflow timing at which a contrast agent administered to the subject starts to flow in the imaging region, using the B-mode image information; and a post-processing starting device which starts up post-processing conducted after the contrast agent has started to flow in the imaging region, in sync with the inflow timing. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030323 | Ultrasound and Microbubbles in Ocular Diagnostics and Therapies - The present disclosure described methods, systems, and techniques for applying contrast-enhanced ultrasound to locate areas of blockage within retinal vessels and to break up clots that are causing damage. In addition to identifying the damaged area, the researchers anticipate that the initial image may serve as a baseline for monitoring the effect of treatment on the vessel, which may be achieved in multiple ways. The vibration effect of the ultrasound itself may suffice to dislodge clots. The microbubbles may also be coated or filled with medication, with ultrasonic shock waves activating the coating or causing mini explosions to release the medicine. Loading the microbubbles with a therapeutic agent, visualizing their presence at the diseased site using the ultrasound diagnostic mode, and then activating the microbubbles to release their contents at the targeted lesion could be a powerful and effective way to reverse occlusion without harming other areas of the eye or body. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030324 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes: a transmitting section | 2009-01-29 |
20090030325 | ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC ENDSCOPE, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - In an ultrasonic probe to be used in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for medical use, ultrasonic transducers are cooled while sufficiently absorbing ultrasonic waves released to the back of the ultrasonic transducers without causing attenuation of ultrasonic waves transmitted or received by the ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasonic probe includes: an ultrasonic transducer array including plural ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; an acoustic matching layer provided on a front of the ultrasonic transducer array; a cooling mechanism directly or indirectly provided on a back of the ultrasonic transducer array and including a porous member; a backing material provided on the back of the ultrasonic transducer array via at least the cooling mechanism; and channels for circulation of a liquid heat transfer material in the cooling mechanism. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030327 | Optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue - A spectrophotometric system for examination of biological tissue of interest includes a light source, a light coupling system, a light detector, and a processor. The light source is constructed and arranged to emit a light beam of visible or infra-red radiation. The light coupling system includes at least one mirror and is constructed and arranged to receive the emitted light beam and scan the light beam for introduction into the biological tissue of interest. The light detector is optically coupled to detect photons of radiation that have migrated over optical paths in the biological tissue of interest. The processor is operatively coupled to the light source and detector and is adapted to determine an optical property of the biological tissue of interest based on the changes between the introduced and detected radiation. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030328 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING PULSE WAVE VELOCITY - A method of estimating blood pressure Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) in the aorta from a recording of a pressure waveform at a single site. The method comprises the following steps: 1. measuring the patient's arterial pressure relative to time in order to estimate a central pressure waveform (CPW); 2. estimating the patient's aortic pressure pulse transit time (PPTT) from the CPW; 3. estimating the patient's carotid to femoral arterial distance from the patient's physical characteristics; and 4. dividing the patient's estimated carotid to femoral arterial distance by the patient's estimated PPTT to estimate the patient's PWV. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030329 | PULSE WAVE MEASURING APPARATUS MANUFACTURED WITH SUPPRESSED COST - A pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a pump ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030330 | DISPOSABLE ACTIVE PULSE SENSOR - A disposable active pulse sensor has an emitter that generates optical radiation having a plurality of wavelengths, a detector that is responsive to the optical radiation and an unbalanced electrical motor that vibrates when energized. A tape assembly removably attaches the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor to a tissue site. The tape assembly also physically mounts the emitter, the detector and the unbalanced electrical motor in a spatial arrangement so that vibration from the unbalanced electrical motor induces pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site, the emitter transmits the optical radiation into the tissue site and the detector generates a sensor signal responsive to the intensity of the optical radiation after attenuation by the pulsatile blood flow within the tissue site. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030331 | LEAD ASSEMBLY HAVING A TETHERED SENSOR AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - A lead assembly includes a lead body and a tether coupled thereto. The tether includes at least one sensor, such as a pressure sensor. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030332 | MICROFABRICATED CARDIAC SENSOR WITH TACTILE FEEDBACK AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING THE SAME USING A PLURALITY OF SIGNALS - A plurality of sensor data acquired from the heart using novel microfabricated sensors is compared to analogous data derived by conventional imaging modalities extrinsic to the heart. The cross-correlation of corresponding signals facilitates the development of sensor nanotechnologies including a catheter for performing ablation of cardiac arrhythmias and a biocompatible electrical interface with monitoring capabilities. Cross-correlation of data acquired with differing techniques enables system calibration and design, as well as, validation of the data acquired with next generation sensors. In a preferred mode of the invention, novel cardiac nanosensors enable an operator to differentiate one individual patient's cardiac tissue mechanical properties from others by using a sense of touch much as clinicians today use auditory cues with a stethoscope. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030333 | HEART RATE MONITOR FOR SWIMMERS - There provided a heart rate monitor that includes a pair of electrodes, a program control panel having a power supply, a vibration feedback module for advising the user when predetermined heart rates have been reached, and a data retrieval member. The electrodes are arranged to be in contact with the swimmer's body and connected to a microcontroller in program control panel. The program control panel has a plurality of heart rate selection members that provide a signal for sending to the swimmer when the predetermined heart rate has been reached. When the predetermined heart rate is reached, the signal is sent to a vibration feedback module. Another aspect of the present invention is to log heart rate data and swimming duration. This is accomplished by providing the program control panel with blue tooth zone selectors that export data from the program control panel and imports the data to a hand held computer. There are several embodiments of the heart rate monitor described, each of which uses various aspects of a swimsuit depending upon the style and convenience desired by the user. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030334 | IMPLANTABLE HEART SOUND SENSOR WITH NOISE CANCELLATION - An implantable medical device system senses a first signal using a first acoustical sensor adapted to be operatively positioned in a first internal body location for sensing heart sounds in a patient. The system includes a second acoustical sensor adapted to be operatively positioned in a second internal body location for sensing sounds in the patient and generate a second signal that is less responsive to the heart sounds than the first acoustical signal. An implantable medical device including a housing and a processor enclosed in the housing receives the first signal and the second signal and generates a corrected first signal by canceling non-cardiac signals in the first signal using the second signal. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030335 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESPIRATORY MONITORING - The method and the apparatus are used for monitoring a patient's breathing. A respiratory movement of the patient is detected by means of a thoracic expansion sensor that is placed near the rib cage and by means of an abdominal expansion sensor that is placed near the abdomen. Moreover, a phase difference is detected between a thoracic measuring signal delivered by the thoracic expansion sensor and an abdominal measuring signal delivered by the abdominal expansion sensor. The phase difference thus detected is monitored to determine whether it exceeds at least a phase threshold or whether it increases over time, and the presence of a disorder in the respiratory tract of the monitored patient is recognized on the basis of an increasing phase difference. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030336 | APPARATUS AND DETECTING ANOMALY AND METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus for detecting an anomaly and method thereof are disclosed, by which a size and location of an anomaly of a beast cancer and the like can be precisely detected as well as a presence or non-presence of the anomaly based on data measured on a surface of a body. The present invention includes supplying a first frequency voltage having a first frequency to a measurement target, detecting a first signal induced by the first frequency voltage from the measurement target, supplying a second frequency voltage having a second frequency to the measurement target, detecting a second signal induced by the second frequency voltage from the measurement target, correcting the first and second signals based on slopes of the detected first and second signals, and calculating a location and size of the anomaly within the measurement target based on the corrected first and second signals. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030337 | Methods for the assessment of neuromuscular function by F-wave latency - Methods are provided for the assessment of neuromuscular function by F-wave latency. Stimuli are applied to a nerve that traverses a wrist or an ankle joint of an individual. Stimulation of the nerve causes a muscle innervated by that nerve to respond, thereby generating a myoelectric potential. One component of the myoelectric potential is the F-wave component. The F-wave latency between application of the stimulus and the detection of the myoelectric potential is used to provide an assessment of a neuromuscular function of the nerve and/or muscle. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030338 | ACCESS GUIDE AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Devices and methods for guiding surgical tools are disclosed. The guided surgical tools can be used to extract body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. The guide can have multiple channels for the surgical tools to pass through the guide. The channels can converge and exit at a single exit port. The channels can have distinct entry ports. The guide can have a configuration to provide stable seating at or adjacent to the target site. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030339 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOTORISED PLACEMENT OF NEEDLE - The present invention provides a method and apparatus to insert a needle through a predetermined trajectory and with a predetermined depth, in order to reach a target accurately within soft tissue, under ultrasound imaging guidance. The invention can be applied to carry out, for example, prostate biopsy, or prostate brachytherapy. The apparatus can guide a biopsy needle into defined sites in the prostate gland. A conical approach is used to reach the prostate through one or more pivot points on the perineal wall. The biopsy needle penetrates the patient's skin through the pivot point for multiple cores. The apparatus holds a needle sheath with two ball joints. The orientation of the needle sheath is controlled by locking the front ball joint at the pivot point, and moving the back ball joint on a virtual plane. The biopsy needle is inserted manually through the needle sheath. The depth of the insertion is controlled by the position of the stopper on the biopsy gun holder. Both the orientation and depth stopper are preferably driven by motors. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030340 | Biopsy Needle with Different Cross-Sectional Shapes and Associated Trap Doors - A biopsy needle has a forward needle opening that can be closed off with a trap door. The trap door is pivotally mounted to a flat top surface inside the needle opening. As the needle is extracted, a forward blade of the trap door cuts into the biopsy tissue and the trap door pivots about a pivot axis extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of the needle. The trap door is configured to match a contour of the top surface and an adjacent curve of the needle opening to maintain the needle substantially open when the trap door is in the open position and to close the forward needle opening when the trap door is in the closed position and the biopsy tissue specimen is entrapped inside the needle. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030341 | SAMPLE RELEASE SYSTEM - Devices to process a sample are configured to releasably attach a sample acquisition device to a drive mechanism that provides rotational and/or vibrational motion to the sample acquisition device. The devices can be used in sample processing methods to dislodge sample materials from the sample acquisition device. Sample processing methods using rotational or vibrational motion may further include the use of a liquid medium into which the sample is released. Sample processing methods may further include the detection of an analyte in the sample. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030342 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RELEASING A SAMPLE OF MATERIAL - A first aspect of the present invention provides for devices to facilitate the release of sample materials from sample acquisition devices. The device comprises an abrasion element comprising at least one constriction or projection. A second aspect of the present invention provides for methods in which to use the devices to facilitate the release of sample materials from a sample acquisition device. Optionally, the device may contain at least one reagent to facilitate the release and/or detection of a microorganism, or component thereof, in a sample. Preferably, the devices and methods may be used in conjunction with a liquid medium in which the sample may be further processed. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030343 | Process for the production of interchangeable vacuum test tube holders for taking blood samples and product obtained therefrom - A process for the production of a tubular holder for vacuum test tubes and the holder obtained therefrom. The process includes the steps of inserting a straight needle into the holder and the subsequent bending of the needle, so that the outer end of the needle is first connected to the edge of a slanted support wall extending from the casing and has a terminal portion aligned with a side wall of the casing, thus facilitating the insertion of the needle into the limb of a patient. The new disposable holder is particularly useful for blood sampling because it provides for the alignment of the needle with respect to the patient's vein. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030344 | Control System for a Lower Limb Prosthesis or Orthosis - In a control system for a lower limb prosthesis or orthosis, a plurality of sensors generate sensor signals representing kinematic measurements ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030345 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE RECOGNITION OF THE POSITION OR MOVEMENT OF A DEVICE OR A PERSON - This method uses two sets of sensors to estimate certain characteristics of the movement of a device or a person or states, especially postures, they adopt. A first, abundant, set of sensors ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030346 | Device and method for measuring continuous swallowing motion - A swallowing movement measuring device is disclosed that has plural pressure sensors which are arranged in a line and supported in a vertical direction and a tool for wearing the pressure sensors and for fixing the pressure sensors to touch an anterior region of the neck of a subject. The tool for wearing the pressure sensors is provided with an urethane foam in which the pressure sensors are arranged and placed in line and supported along a direction of the up and down movement of thyroid cartilage when food is swallowed. A fixing tool of the pressure sensors supports the urethane foam and a holding band holds the fixing tools of the pressure sensors on the anterior region of neck of the subject. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030347 | ORTHODONTIC FORCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A method for concurrently measuring a force exerted upon each of a plurality of teeth is disclosed. A dentition crown connecting rod associated with a force gauge is positioned such that a dentition crown coupled to the dentition crown connecting rod may be received within a corresponding cavity of a reference aligner. A measurement aligner is then applied to the dentition crown, wherein the dentition crown is positioned to be received within a corresponding cavity of a reference aligner. A force exerted on the dentition crown by the measurement aligner is then calculated. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030348 | Concurrently measuring a force exerted upon each of a plurality of teeth - A system and method for concurrently measuring a force exerted upon a tooth is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a target tooth attached to a force gauge which is coupled to a motion module for adjusting the tooth to a reference position. The method includes utilizing a motion module of a force measurement device is utilized to adjust each target tooth of a plurality of target teeth to be located in a reference position. Next, each target tooth receives a dental appliance. Then an exerted force is measured by the dental appliance upon each target tooth utilizing a coordinate system of the force gauge. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030349 | Angular Displacement Sensor for Joints And Associated System and Methods - A system for monitoring joint position following introduction of a joint prosthesis in a patient includes a first angular movement sensor positioned adjacent a first side of a bodily joint of a patient and a second angular movement sensor positioned adjacent a second, opposite side of the bodily joint. A receiver can receive data from the angular movement sensors. A processor in signal communication with the receiver has a comparator for determining whether the received data from the sensors indicate that movement of the bodily joint is less than a predetermined limit. An indicator in signal communication with the comparator is provided for warning the patient if the joint movement is determined by the comparator to be above the predetermined limit. The received data can be tracked over time. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030350 | GAIT ANALYSIS - A method and system for analysing gait patterns of a subject by measuring head acceleration in vertical direction. The system comprises an accelerometer mounted on the head of the subject. The analysis includes calculating a signature from the acceleration data, using a Fourier transform, including energy of the first harmonics and comparing the signature with the baseline signature. Baseline signature is a representative of previously stored signatures. The comparison is done in order to monitor changes in the gait signatures over time. The entropy of the signatures may be used to perform the comparison. A self organised map is used to classify the measured gait signals. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030351 | Multiple end effectors ultrasonic surgical instruments - A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. The transducer includes a first end and a second end. A first resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the first end of the transducer. The first resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a first ultrasonic transmission waveguide. A second resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the second end of the transducer. The second resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a second ultrasonic transmission waveguide. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030352 | PRESSURE PULSE/SHOCK WAVE THERAPY METHODS AND AN APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING THE THERAPEUTIC METHODS - The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums. The tissue may be a part of the vascular system, a part of the nervous system, a part of the urinary or reproductive system, a part of the lymph node or pituitary systems, a part of the ocular system or a part of a skeletal system. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030353 | Orthosis Apparatus and Method of Using an Orthosis Apparatus - The present invention provides a new and improved orthosis for use in effecting relative movement between bones in an arm of a patient. The apparatus includes a lower cuff gripping distal bone, such as a wrist, and an upper cuff gripping a proximal bone, such as an upper arm. The lower cuff is secured in a rotatable drive assembly substantially coincident to a longitudinal axis of a medial bone, such as the forearm, during rotational distal adjustment. The angle between the forearm and the upper arm is adjustable and can be securely fixed at a desired angle. The rotation of the rotatable drive assembly effectuates the pronation and supination of the hand and wrist relative to the patient's forearm. The orthosis of the present invention can be disassembled with interchanging parts substituted depending on the patient's needs. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030354 | STIMULATOR PAD - A stimulator pad includes a layer of support material and at least one stimulator node secured to and supported by the support layer, the stimulator node comprising a housing having one end region secured relative to the support layer and the other end defining an aperture which in use confronts a body surface and in which at least one pressure member includes a plurality of pressure member components is resiliently located, resilient biasing means provided within the housing to act between the support layer or a base portion of the housing and at least some of the pressure member components to urge the at least some of the pressure member components to protrude through the housing aperture, and a layer of flexible cover material which extends over at least one of the pressure members. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030355 | Hydrotherapy Apparatus for a Lower Extremity - The present invention provides a hydrotherapy apparatus ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030356 | Movable Joint Having up to Six Degrees of Freedom - A movable joint ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030357 | Rotary joint of articulation prosthetic implement having rotating load setting means, articulation prosthetic implement using the rotary joint and method of making articulation
prosthetic implement - A rotary joint comprises outer member with flanges at either end, having inner rotary shaft and annular depression around the rotary shaft, one-way clutch for externally engaging the rotary shaft, metal bush for externally engaging the one-way clutch, synthetic resin bush for externally engaging the metal bush, brake bush for externally engaging the synthetic resin bush, cylindrical projection which is fitted in annular depression of the outer member located outside the brake bush, inner member with flanges at either end, and a stopper mechanism for controlling the range of rotary shaft rotation which is installed at inner projection of rotary shaft. Such a construction enables the execution of torque tests with a single unit of an articulation prosthetic implement rotary joint. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030358 | Correcting Misshaped Ears - A system and method for correcting misshaped ears using a base section defining an opening dimensioned to accommodate the passage of the ear through the opening and a top section releasably engageable with the base section defining a compartment therebetween. A first stint can be arranged on an anterior surface of the base section to maintain a desired anatomic shape of the ear essentially in an area of the antihelix and the superior limb of the triangular fossa. A second stint can be placed in an area of the scapha of the ear to maintain a desired contour of the scaphal area. A conchal stint can be placed in the concha to maintain a desired anatomic shape of the concha. The top section can be engaged to maintain a desired amount of stabilizing pressure on the ear, the first stint, the second stint, and conchal stint. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030359 | Ambulatory traction - A device and method for applying intermittent passive traction (IPT) that includes an initial phase followed by a sustained traction phase and finally a relaxation phase. During the first phase of IPT, the spinal elements are placed under gentle traction. This period of time reduces the normal forces across the vertebral bodies, facet joints, paraspinal musculature, etc. The second phase holds the spine in sustained traction, further reducing the forces across the spinal elements, encouraging natural healing to occur and allowing the muscles a period of relaxation. The third phase includes the gradual reduction of traction. During this final phase, the normal forces across the spine are reestablished as the IPT device slowly releases traction. The method resolves many of the most limiting problems associated with traction, CPM, and passive treatment modalities. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030360 | Film Structure With Improved Application Assistance - The invention relates to a film structure ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030361 | Foamed Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Body Comprising Hydrocolloids - The invention relates to an absorbent adhesive body of a foamed pressure sensitive hydrocolloid adhesive comprising one or more water soluble or water swellable hydrocolloids and having gas bubbles incorporated therein, where the gas in the gas bubbles are in direct contact with said pressure sensitive hydrocolloid adhesive and where tan δ for said adhesive in un-foamed form is below 0.35 at 40° C. and 0.001 rad/sec. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030362 | Contrast Agent-Removal System and Method of Activating the Contrast Agent-Removal System - The present invention aims to provide a contrast agent-removal system and a method of operating the system for efficiently removing the contrast agent which is cause of the renal function impairment. The system of the present invention includes a blood suction catheter which can be placed into the coronary sinus, a column for removing a contrast agent from the drawn blood, a blood drawing circuit for directing the blood into the column, a blood pump for controlling an amount of the drawn blood, a blood return circuit for returning the blood from which the contrast agent is removed to a patient's body and a device for measuring a blood suction pressure. In the method of operating the system, the blood is drawn with the blood suction catheter placed into the coronary sinus and the drawing blood is contacted with an adsorbent for adsorbing the contrast agent. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030363 | LINEARLY EXPANDABLE URETERAL STENT - A method includes placing a ureteral stent on an insertion tool. The ureteral stent includes an elongate member having a distal end coupled to a distal retention member. The elongate member includes a solid spring wire having a plurality of coils defining a lumen. A first portion of the insertion tool is disposed within the lumen, and the distal retention member, which has a nominally curved shape, is disposed about a second portion of the insertion tool such that the distal retention member is substantially linear. The insertion tool is inserted into the body of the patient and the ureteral stent is moved along the insertion tool such that at least a portion of the distal retention member is disposed within the kidney and at least a portion of the elongate member is disposed within the ureter of the patient. The insertion tool is removed from the body. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030364 | Electroporation gene therapy gun system - A cartridge for administration of a bioactive agent may include a plurality of chambers, including at least a first chamber and a second chamber. Each of the chambers may contain a component of a composition to be administered to a tissue site of a subject. For example, the first chamber may contain the bioactive agent and the second chamber may contain a liquid for suspending the bioactive agent prior to administration to the tissue site. An apparatus for administering or delivering a bioactive agent may include the cartridge and may further include an energy source for providing an electrical pulse to the tissue site. The apparatus may further cause mixing of the bioactive agent with the liquid in the cartridge. For example, the apparatus may impact the cartridge to result in mixing of the bioactive agent with the liquid. A method for combining a bioactive agent with a liquid forms a composition for delivering to a tissue site. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030365 | Transdermal Drug Administration Apparatus Having Microneedles - It is intended to provide a transdermal drug administration apparatus having microneedles, which is capable of piercing the skin by a simple procedure in the transdermal administration of a biologically active substance (drug) and allows rapid absorption of the biologically active substance. The present apparatus comprises a microneedle device ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030366 | SELF-ADMINISTRATION INJECTION SYSTEM - Self-injection system allows a user to inject a drug from a cartridge carrying unique identification information, into any one of a plurality of injection sites. Tissue at each injection site is associated with at least one injection parameter, such as flow-rate, that is different for each site. A scanner reads the identification information of the cartridge and cooperates with a central processing unit to determine the validity of the drug in order to permit an injection procedure to commence. The central processing unit has a memory for storing the different injection parameters and controls a drive unit for driving fluid from the cartridge and through a needle into the selected tissue, at the injection parameter that is associated with the user selected tissue for the injection. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030367 | SOFT TISSUE AUGMENTATION BY NEEDLE-FREE INJECTION - The invention relates to needle-free apparatus that can be used to augment soft tissue. More specifically, the needle-free injectors of the present invention allow injection of more viscous materials such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other polymers that are useful as dermal fillers. The needle-free injectors of the present invention allow injection of such materials to fill the undesired lines, wrinkles, and folds of a patient. The present invention also relates to kits comprising such needle-free injectors and a quantity of dermal filling material. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of augmenting soft tissue using needle-free apparatus. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030368 | Device for Treatment of Breast Conditions - A device for treatment of engorgement or edema of the breast has an orifice within which a breast nipple is received, a force-applying surface that presses against the adjacent breast to push fluid away from the nipple, and a part to which a motive force is applied to press the force-applying surface against the breast. The device can be used manually, worn within a bra, or used with a breastshield of a breastpump. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030369 | BALLOON CATHETER - The balloon catheter according to the present invention is one is provided with a catheter shaft having flexibility with a lumen formed inside; a balloon that is disposed at the distal end side of the catheter shaft and in communication with the lumen; a fluid regulating portion that passes a fluid that is supplied from a fluid supply source to the balloon and, simultaneous with the supply from the fluid supply source being stopped, prevents backflow of the fluid that is supplied to the balloon to the fluid supply source side; and a fluid releasing portion that releases the fluid that is supplied to the balloon to outside of the balloon. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030371 | NEEDLE DEVICE HAVING RETRACTABLE NEEDLE PROVIDING ENHANCED SAFETY - A medical device includes a base member coupled to a needle assembly and a retractor mechanism enables retraction of the needle into the base member for safe disposal of the device. In one embodiment, a stop mechanism prevents rotation of the needle assembly in a use position. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030372 | Liquid/gas separator for surgical cassette - A surgical cassette having an aspiration chamber and an aspiration source chamber. The aspiration chamber has a liquid/gas separating structure. The liquid/gas separating structure prevents bubble and liquid ingress into the aspiration source chamber and facilitates accurate, reliable measurement of the fluid level in the aspiration chamber. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030373 | Method and Apparatus for Fluid Delivery - Fluid delivery apparatus is described for the delivery of fluids to regions of the body, especially for delivery to regions of the brain. The apparatus includes a first length of implantable tubing having a first end and a first fluid connector portion attached to the first end of the first length of implantable tubing. The first fluid connector portion is releaseably connectable to a complementary second fluid connector portion. An implantable housing is also provided for enclosing and protecting the first fluid connector portion. The implantable housing is openable to provide access to the first fluid connector portion. For example, the housing may have a hinged lid or cover portion. A corresponding method is also described. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030374 | Peel-away introducer sheath having pitched peel lines and method of making same - A percutaneous peel-away vascular introducer that includes an elongated tubular sheath having opposed proximal and distal ends, and a pair of diametrically opposed peel lines that extend along the length of the sheath from the proximal end thereof to the distal end thereof, wherein the diametrically opposed peel lines have an axially extending pitch. The introducer further includes a pair of spreadable handles associated with the proximal end of the sheath for splitting the sheath along the peel lines. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030375 | SURGICAL ACCESS DEVICE - Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity are disclosed. In general, a surgical access device is provided that can include a cannula that defines a working channel that is sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument. A seal can be disposed in the cannula of the surgical access device. In one exemplary embodiment, the seal can be positioned at a point in the cannula that is effective to maintain contact between the seal and an instrument inserted therethrough as the instrument is rotated about that point. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030376 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR INJECTION OF MEDIA INTO HUMAN AND ANIMAL TISSUE - Embodiments of a medical hand-grip element for injection of a substance from an ampoule, comprise a drive device for driving the ampoule and the injection needle, a delivery device for delivering the medicinal substance out of the ampoule and a coupling device for rotationally fixed coupling of the ampoule with the injection needle and for preventing a relative movement between the ampoule and the injection needle is disclosed. Embodiments of injection systems, injection units, injection needles and handling methods for them are also disclosed in which the risk of injury and contamination for the user is reduced by providing approaches for covering the ends of the cannulas of the injection needles during a number of handling steps. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030377 | Syringe Assembly Including Reuse Prevention Mechanism - A syringe assembly having passive disabling structure includes a barrel and a plunger rod assembly. The plunger rod assembly includes a plunger rod and a stopper connected by an indexing locking element. The number of strokes of the syringe plunger before the stopper is locked into the barrel rendering the syringe assembly unusable is determined by the number of detents on the plunger rod and stopper which engage the locking mechanism. Upon completion of the final delivery stroke, any attempt to withdraw the plunger rod from the barrel will cause the locking element to engage the barrel and trap the stopper in the barrel preventing further use of the syringe. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030378 | Medical in-line flow control clamp device - A medical in-line flow control clamp device which is arranged coaxially along the longitudinal axis of an infusion tube or the like, and which has a sleeve connected to the tube and a slide having an arm movably mounted on and having a part biased toward the sleeve in a manner where the arm bears against and pinches the tube when the slid is moved relative to the sleeve. The sleeve may have a ramp and support directed toward the tube which causes the arm to move against the tube. The slide may be fabricated from a plastic material, such as acrylic, which causes the arm to bind against the tube. The sleeve may have one or more stops and latch means to receive and secure the arm in tube pinching relation. The sleeve and slide may have a track and projection parts which train the slide in a predetermined direction toward the tube as the slide is moved to pinching position on the sleeve. Bars may be arranged on the slide transverse to the sleeve and tube for manipulating the slide on the sleeve by finger pressure. The sleeve may be fabricated in portions connected by a web so they may be folded and held around the tube in a selected position. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030379 | Drain Bag Valve And Shield - A drain bag outlet device includes inlet, valve and outlet portions. The inlet portion includes a connector and a cylindrical portion. The connector is adapted to connect to a fluid drain bag. A second end of the connector is adapted to connect to the cylindrical portion forming a generally longitudinal opening therethrough. The valve portion is attached to a second end of the cylindrical portion and includes a valve member for moving between positions to permit and obstruct fluid flow through the longitudinal opening. The outlet portion includes an outlet member having an angled portion and a shield connected to the valve portion. The shield completely surrounds and extends below the outlet member. The shield includes upper and lower portions. The diameter of the upper is less than the diameter of the lower portion. The outlet device eliminates the fluid that is spilled, splashed or sprayed on a healthcare worker. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030380 | Method and Apparatus for Performing Needle Guided Interventions - An apparatus and method for performing needle guided interventions and especially needle guided dilations of tissue to create a therapeutic conduit between two luminal organs or structures. The device is particularly useful for creation of an artificial lumen between two hollow body organs using the working lumen of an endoscope. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030381 | Arced Hypodermic Needle - A hypodermic needle for delivering a bolus of a pharmaceutically active agent to the posterior chamber of the eye having a lancet disposed at the distal tip and a lumen disposed along a longitudinal axis within. The lancet may be formed by an angled linear cut coming to a point at the distal tip of the needle, or an arc-shaped cut beginning at the needle tip parallel to the longitudinal axis and gradually arcing upward to roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Additionally, cuts, grooves, channels, or teeth may be added to the surface of the lancet in a regular or irregular pattern for the purpose of increasing surface tension on the drug bolus. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030382 | Portable Medical Device - A medical device ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030383 | Suction Method and a Wound Suction System - A suction system for removal of fluids from a surface, e.g. a wound site, the system comprising a cover ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030384 | Fastening Device for a Drainage Container - A fastening device for fastening an outer container ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030385 | Disposable apparatus that includes a shutoff valve mechanism and a hose anchoring mechanism for suction devices and the like - A disposable shutoff valve apparatus used in conjunction with a surgical suction device having a suction nozzle for stopping the suction action and muffling the noise from the suction device during surgery. The apparatus includes an upper portion, a base portion and a flexible member. The base portion can be securely attached to a surgical drape around a patient during surgery or other stationary object. The suction nozzle of the suction device can be inserted into and through the open end of the suction chamber and passes through the upper retaining member such that the suction nozzle pulls the flexible member toward itself, and thereby the flexible member stops the suction action of the suction nozzle and muffles the noise from the suction nozzle of the suction device and further simultaneously grips the suction device within the suction chamber. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030386 | BOWEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND WASTE COLLECTION BAG THEREFOR - A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030387 | BOWEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND WASTE COLLECTION BAG THEREFOR - A bowel management system includes a waste collection catheter having at least two distinct sections. The first section is patient proximal when disposed in the patient's rectum and has durometer hardness in the range of about 50 A to about 90 A. The second catheter section is connected to the first section and has durometer hardness in the range of about 5 A to about 49 A. A selectively collapsible, substantially spherical retention balloon is attached coaxially and exterior of the first catheter section such that the proximal-most end of the retention balloon is coincident to the proximal-most end of the first section of the waste collection catheter, the substantially spherical retention balloon having an inflated size so as to be sufficiently large enough to retain the patient proximal end of the catheter in the patient's rectum without being so large as to trigger a defecatory response in the patient. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030388 | Universal diaper - A two-way stretch disposable diaper formed from four cooperating layers, a microfiber top layer to keep the wearer dry, an absorbent pad to collect body exudates, a waterproof layer to keep absorbed fluids within the pad, and a two-way stretch outer support layer. The top layer is formed as a cover for the absorbent pad which is designed to absorb urine and semi-liquid fecal material. The absorbent pad is backed by the waterproof layer or sheet which also covers the pad edges to prevent side leakage. The waterproof layer is anchored to a self-adhesive, two-way stretch support layer which constitutes an outer cover or support layer. The support layer derives its two way stretch and self adhesive qualities from its weave of alternate twist and/or crinkle threads. The support layer includes a plurality of holes in the waist band area which provide added ventilation and drainage when the diaper is used as swim-wear. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030389 | Array of Disposable Absorbent Articles Having A Sequence Of Graphics Corresponding To A Wearer's Stages Of Development - An array of disposable absorbent articles comprising a sequence of graphic designs corresponding to a wearer's stage of development. For a disposable diaper, the array of disposable absorbent article graphic designs may comprise a first absorbent article graphic design for newborns and infants, a second absorbent article graphic design for toddlers, and a third absorbent article graphic design for older wearers, and other absorbent article graphic designs. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030390 | Absorbent article - An absorbent article having a topsheet having a first portion and a second portion. The topsheet has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline. The topsheet has an area. The second portion can differ in structure from the first portion. The second portion can have a structurally modified zone. The structurally modified zone has a periphery, a length, and a long axis. The length is the maximum straight-line dimension between two points on the periphery. The long axis extends between two points on the periphery separated by the length. The long axis of the structurally modified zone can be asymmetric to the longitudinal centerline. The structurally modified zone can make up more than about 5% of the area of the topsheet. The topsheet can have a lotion zone, the long axis of which is asymmetric to the longitudinal centerline and the transverse centerline. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030391 | Absorbent article - An absorbent article having a topsheet having a first portion and a second portion. The topsheet has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline. The topsheet has an area. The second portion can differ in structure from the first portion. The second portion can have a structurally modified zone. The structurally modified zone has a periphery, a length, and a long axis. The length is the maximum straight-line dimension between two points on the periphery. The long axis extends between two points on the periphery separated by the length. The long axis of the structurally modified zone can be asymmetric to the longitudinal centerline. The structurally modified zone can make up more than about 5% of the area of the topsheet. The topsheet can have a lotion zone, the long axis of which is asymmetric to the longitudinal centerline and the transverse centerline. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030392 | Pull- on Disposable diaper - A pull-on disposable diaper of which the crotch portion snugly fits the wearer's groins to have a neat appearance is provided. The disposable diaper | 2009-01-29 |
20090030393 | TRAVELING WITH TRAINING PANTS - A method of traveling with training pants on one's person includes the steps of packaging training pants such that the packaged training pants are dimensioned to fit within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person. The training pants are hermetically sealed at a negative pressure within an interior space of a substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material such that, when placed within a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person, a pressure differential acts upon the substantially air impermeable, substantially flexible material to maintain the training pants in the compressed condition. The method further includes placing said packaged training pants in a pocket of an article of clothing on one's person, and traveling with said packaged training pants in the pocket of the article of clothing on one's person. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030394 | INTERLABIAL PAD AND PACKAGE THEREOF - The present invention relates to an interlabial pad which is attached between female labia, especially to the pad which can be used together with the sanitary napkin, which has a good sealing efficiency with the labia deepest portion when the user moves and can prevent the chance that the leak of the menstrual blood or the dropping off of the pad is occurred. Further the interlabial pad comprises the absorbing sheet portion facing to the body side upon wearing the pad and the support sheet portion backing the absorbing sheet portion. The absorbing sheet portion includes the absorbent body ( | 2009-01-29 |
20090030395 | Quiet adhesive fastening system for a disposable absorbent article - A quiet fastening system that includes a silicone-based adhesive. The silicone-based adhesive is applied to an engaging member or receiving member of the fastening system. The engaging member and receiving member are releasably joined to engage the quiet fastening system. When disengaged, the quiet fastening system exhibits a noise level of less than 15 dB. The quiet fastening system also exhibits desirable Shear Hang Time and Peel Force. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030396 | Infusion Bag with Needleless Access Port - An infusion bag according to one exemplary embodiment includes a body having an interior space for holding a fluid. The interior space is defined by a pair of side walls and an inner wall and an opposite bottom wall. The inner wall extends across the body from one side wall to the other side wall such that a first angle α | 2009-01-29 |
20090030397 | BARRIERS AND METHODS FOR PRESSURE MEASUREMENT CATHETERS - Methods and apparatus of the present invention provide viscoelastic barrier materials for use as barriers in devices such as pressure measurement catheters. Improved barrier materials sometimes include at least one barrier material precursor combined with an amount of a softener. In other embodiments, two barrier material precursor components are combined without a softener to provide a fully cross-linked barrier material having certain softness characteristics. In various embodiments, a softener may be dimethyl silicone oil and may be combined with a barrier material precursor in an amount of between about 25% and about 45% by weight, relative to the final barrier material. Once a viscoelastic barrier material is prepared, it may be placed in a pressure transmission catheter or similar device, for example by injecting the gel into a lumen of the catheter via a syringe. Barrier materials of the present invention have one or more advantageous properties, such as a desired softness, full cross-linking, resistance to washout from a catheter, enhanced stability and/or the like. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030398 | Device and method for preventing hypoglycemia - A device and a method are provided that can be used for prevention of hypoglycemia. In one aspect, a device and a method for prevention of hypoglycemia can comprise receiving a target blood glucose (TBG) level corresponding to a desired level of glucose in a patient's body during a fasting time period; receiving a bedtime blood glucose (BBG) level corresponding to the level of glucose in the patient's body substantially at the beginning of the fasting time period; receiving a first set of parameters corresponding to a medical state of the patient; providing the levels of the TBG, BBG and the medical state of the patent to a therapeutic course of action determining means; and, providing means for administering the therapeutic course of action to the patient. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030399 | Drug Delivery Device and Method - The present invention is directed to a medical device and method for delivering a drug. The medical device includes a deformable body configured to be implanted between a first vertebra and a second vertebra for providing shock absorption and stabilization of the vertebras. The deformable body comprises an impermeable inner layer forming an interior volume and an outer layer at least a portion of which is permeable. The outer layer is at least partially outside the inner layer and forms an exterior volume between the inner and outer layers. The medical device further includes a drug reservoir connected to the deformable body and in fluid communication with the exterior volume. The medical device is capable of delivering the drug from the reservoir into the exterior volume and releasing the drug through the permeable portion of the outer layer. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030400 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTRACRANIAL ACCESS - A delivery catheter for accessing the intra-cranial vascular includes a rigid proximal section and a distal section having an outer diameter and flexibility suitable for advancement into the intra-cranial vasculature, such as the Petrous segment or the Cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. The wall thickness and rigidity of the catheter decrease from the proximal section to the distal section, preferably in discrete segments each having reduced wall thickness and/or durometer relative to proximally adjacent sections. An intra-cranial access system includes the delivery catheter and a selection catheter insertable through the lumen of the delivery catheter. The selection catheter is shaped to facilitate selection of the target branch of the neurovasculature off the aortic arch and allows the delivery catheter to be advanced over the selection catheter into the selected branch. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030401 | SELF-SEALING MALE LUER CONNECTOR WITH BIASED VALVE PLUG - A self-sealing male Luer connector for connection with a female Luer connector. The male Luer connector includes a housing having a distally-projecting tubular male body and a surrounding cuff interconnected by a proximal wall in which is formed at least one activation opening. A valve plug is slidably installed within the housing and formed with a distal end configured to sealingly engage the distal end of the male body's interior flow passage and with at least one activation arm at its proximal end configured to extend through the activation opening into the cavity formed between the male body and the cuff. An elastomeric device is sealingly configured within the activation opening about the activation arm to secure the valve plug in position and bias it distally. The proximal end of the male Luer connector may be configured as a conventional female connector, a blood collection device, or other such device. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030402 | Suctioning System, Method and Kit - A suction head in fluid communication with a pump head provides a sub-ambient working pressure to a target area, enabling drainage thereof to a waste container. The pump head is coupled non-mechanically to a pump drive. A control system for a suction system is also provided. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030403 | Methods and Systems for Attenuating the Tolerance Response to a Drug - Methods are provided for modulating a drug response comprising determining that a patient has an elevated or reduced susceptibility for a neurological event; outputting a signal that indicates to the patient to administer an acute dosage of a pharmacological agent that is sufficient to modulate the patient's susceptibility for the neurological event, wherein the drug response is modulated. Systems are also provided for treating epilepsy comprising an electrode array configured to receive a signal from a patient; a processing assembly configured to receive and process the signal to determine the patient's susceptibility for a neurological event; an output assembly configured to produce an output that indicates to the patient to administer an acute dosage of a pharmacological agent that is sufficient to reduce the patient's susceptibility for the neurological event, wherein the drug response to the pharmacological agent is attenuated. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030404 | CONTAINMENT DEVICE WITH MULTI-LAYER RESERVOIR CAP STRUCTURE - Devices and methods are provided for the controlled release or exposure of reservoir contents. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, reservoir contents disposed in the reservoirs, discrete reservoir caps covering each reservoir to seal the reservoir contents in the reservoirs, and control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to release or expose the reservoir contents in vivo. At least one of the reservoir caps comprises a first electrically conductive layer coated with one or more protective layers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry comprises an electrical input lead and an electrical output lead connected to and directly contacting each of said reservoir caps and a source of electric power for applying an electrical current through each reservoir cap in an amount effective to rupture each of the reservoir caps. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030405 | Universal medical device control console - A control consol is disclosed for controlling one or more medical devices. The control consol communicates to at least one medical device, and at least one peripheral module associated with the medical device if needed. The control consol has a microprocessor for processing data to direct an operation of the medical device. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030406 | VARIABLE INTENSITY ENDOILLUMINATOR - A variable intensity endoilluminator system is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam to illuminate a surgical field; and a translucent cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber, wherein the cannula is operable to diffuse and transmit the light from the light beam when the optical fiber is retracted into the cannula. The cannula and the handpiece can be fabricated from biocompatible materials. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030407 | Apparatus and Method to Predict Individual Maximum Safe Radiant Exposure (IMSRE) Based on Measurement of Temporal Temperature Increase Induced by a Sub-Therapeutic Laser Pulse - A method for making pulsed photothermal radiometric measurements to determine individual maximum safe radiant exposure (IMSRE) of biological subjects corresponding to radiant energy exposure (RE) without any use of a biological model includes a calibration procedure, including the steps of applying a statistical regression to an empirical data set of IMSRE and temporal REs applied to a sample population of the subjects to determine a IMSRE corresponding to each temporal RE. The IMSRE is set so that using the statistical regression separation of the data set into an acceptable injury grouping and an unacceptable injury grouping is obtained with a predetermined limitation of the proportion of subjects having unacceptable injury at a temporal RE below the corresponding IMSRE. The separation of the data set is thus used to predict an IMSRE for a corresponding temporal RE to a biological subject not included in the sample population. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030408 | Laser System for Medical Removal of Body Tissue - A laser system has a laser source generating a laser beam, wherein the laser source is adapted for medical removal of body tissue by the laser beam within a predetermined treatment contour. A guide frame in the shape of the treatment contour is provided. A scanner is provided for completely scanning a base surface of the guide frame with the laser beam, wherein the scanner is arranged between the laser source and the guide frame in a path of the laser beam. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030409 | Methods and devices for facilitating visualization in a surgical environment - Devices and methods for visually confirming the positioning of a distal end portion of an illuminating device placed within a patient include inserting a distal end portion of an illuminating device internally into a patient, emitting light from the distal end portion of the illuminating device, observing transillumination resulting from the light emitted from the distal end portion of the illuminating device that occurs on an external surface of the patient, and correlating the location of the observed transillumination on the external surface of the patient with an internal location of the patient that underlies the location of observed transillumination, to confirm positioning of the distal end portion of the illuminating device. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030410 | Devices for Electrosurgery - Devices for electrosurgery by means of oxy-hydro combustion and methods for use of such devices in electrosurgical procedures. Provided are devices for combustion of oxygen and hydrogen, or other hydrocarbon fuels, wherein oxygen and hydrogen may be generated by electrolysis or oxygen and hydrogen, or other hydrocarbon fuels, may be supplied, such devices including an ignition source and an adjustable and translatable sheath for controlling such reactions. Also provided is a detachable and positionable sheath for controlling reactions and minimizing tissue damage with conventional electrosurgery devices. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030411 | ABLATION CATHETER - Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter which has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030412 | VISUAL ELECTRODE ABLATION SYSTEMS - Visual electrode ablation systems are described herein which include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. An electric current may be passed through the fluid such that it passes directly to the tissue region being imaged and the electrical energy is conducted through the fluid without the need for a separate ablation probe or instrument to ablate the tissue being viewed. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030413 | Surgical instrument and method for treating scar encapsulation - A surgical instrument and method of use is described for the treatment of scar encapsulation, particularly related to malleable implants, such as silicone or saline breast implants. The instrument includes an elongate housing with distal and proximal ends. At least two interior conduits traverse the housing. One of the at least two interior conduits splits into a plurality of smaller passages at or near the distal end permitting flow of a fluid or application of suction. A central one of the at least two interior conduits is an energy conduit fitted with an electrode. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030414 | Four Function Surgical Instrument - A unique four function surgical instrument that performs aspiration, irrigation, dilation and cauterization with an innovative trigger mechanism. An embodiment is “gun-like” in configuration having a housing with a depending handle and a protruding trigger, a forward extending pair of forceps-like arms that terminate in dilation/cauterization tips and a common conduit between the forceps-like arms. The unique trigger mechanism utilizes a pinch valve concept where the trigger button has an elongated portion that has two slide surfaces with offset a recesses that act like tracks on which pinch sliders follow and the pinch sliders act like valve stems that squeeze close and allow to open silicone tubing. The end result, being a single poll, two stage actuator such that a half a pump of the trigger delivers irrigation or aspiration and a full pump delivers the other. The instrument provides the advantages of small size, ergonomical and all-in-one so as to eliminate the need for a surgeon to fumble around in switching between instruments. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030415 | RESORBABLE POLYMERIC MEDICAL GOODS WITH IMPROVED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME - The method for producing resorbable or degradable polymeric medical devices by applying compressive forces on solid polymeric objects containing liquid or solid additives, is characterized in that: A) the additives are able to promote the slip-page of the polymeric objects through the forming device, facilitate transient chain mobility and promote chain orientation; B) said additives are present in an amount of 0.005 to 20% of the dry weight of said polymeric objects; C) the solubility parameters of said additives being selected in such a way that after absorbing by said polymeric objects the additives do not dissolve more than 0.01 to 1% of the total mass of said polymeric objects; D) said applying of compressive forces is performed minimally at a temperature of T | 2009-01-29 |
20090030416 | INTRAMEDULLARY NAIL, METHOD FOR EMBEDDING AND EXTRACTING THE SAME - Disclosed is an intramedullary nail and a method for embedding and extracting the same through which the problem of having difficulty to correctly determine the position of the intramedullary nail is solved, and the present invention has the following advantages: a correct and rapid determination of the position of the extracting incision, a small incision, a small hurt, a low infection rate, and a quick healing. The intramedullary nail comprises a nail main body; an end cover connected with a tip of the nail main body; a mark body; and a thread connecting the end cover with the mark body. The method for embedding intramedullary nail comprises embedding the thread and the mark body in subcutaneous soft tissues after the nail main body and the end cover are fixed in a tubular bone. And the method for extracting the intramedullary nail comprises determining a position of the mark body, and incising an extracting incision according to the position of the mark body. The position of the mark body is determined by a touch examination, an X-ray examination, or an ultrasonic examination. A surgeon can find the mark body and the thread connected to the mark body after the extracting incision is incised, and incise a path leading to the nail main body along the thread in soft tissues. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030417 | Drill guide for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation - A drill guide for an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation is provided. The drill guide allows a transplantation hole on a tibial bone and a transplantation hole on a femoral bone to be properly positioned without relying upon the experience and sense of the operator. The drill guide for an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation includes a guide member regulating a movement of a drill guide in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the same, a pointing member having a tip part located in a position on an imaginary line extending from an axis of the guide member, and a light beam radiating member radiating a light beam traveling along the imaginary line extending from the axis of the guide member. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030418 | Intramedullary nail and targeting instrument - An intramedullary nail and targeting and/or nailing instrument are provided, whereby a connection end of the targeting and/or nailing instrument has an axially parallel protrusion and a connection end of the nail has an axially parallel recess in order to couple the targeting and/or nailing instrument. The coupling system couples the targeting/nailing instrument and nail in their rotational position when they contact axially and whereby a connector is also provided in order to connect the targeting and/or nailing instrument and the nail in an axially fixed but also releasable manner. The connection end of the targeting and/or nailing instrument has an end section that engages approximately in one end of the bore-hole section of the nail and the end section and bore-hole section have a deformable element for a releasable snap connection of the parts with the simultaneous contact of the axially parallel protrusion and the axially parallel recess. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030419 | SPINAL ROD REDUCTION INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR USE - Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030420 | SPINAL ROD REDUCTION INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR USE - Methods and devices are provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. In one exemplary embodiment, a spinal rod reduction device is provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. The spinal rod reduction device can include a fastener engaging member for engaging at least a portion a spinal implant element, a reduction member for engaging at least a portion of a spinal fixation element, and a handle assembly mated to the reduction member. The handle assembly can be designed in such a way that actuation of the handle assembly causes movement of the reduction member relative to the fastener engaging member and the movement of the reduction member reduces the spinal fixation element into the spinal implant element. Two different styles of spinal rod reduction devices are discussed in detail. Various techniques are also provided for reducing a spinal fixation element into a spinal implant element. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030421 | Implant engagement method and device - A method and system for engaging an implant with a bone is disclosed. In one method incorporating principles of the invention, a bone is engaged with an implant by placing a first surface of an implant adjacent to a first bone portion, contacting the first bone portion with at least one first engagement member extending from the first surface, controlling an agitator to agitate the first surface of the implant and the at least one first engagement member, generating at least one first surface feature in the first bone portion with the agitated at least one first engagement member, stilling the first surface implant and the at least one first engagement member and settling the stilled at least one first engagement member into engagement with the at least one first surface feature. | 2009-01-29 |
20090030422 | Implant insertion device and method - A method and system for insertion of an implant is disclosed. One embodiment of a system for use in implanting a spinal prosthesis incorporating principles of the invention includes an insertion assembly housing with a channel extending from a distal end portion to a proximal end portion, a gripper having a prosthesis coupling portion for coupling with a spinal prosthesis and an end portion, and a coupler member having a gripper coupling portion rotatably positioned within the channel and configured to couple with the end portion of the gripper within the channel. | 2009-01-29 |